oṃ namo astu te sarasvate vāg vaiṣṇavī ca dehi me nāvmihi haṃsaṃ jotiṣāṃ patim

ahaṃ (I) nāvmihi (invoke) haṃsaṃ (the supreme spirit) jotiṣāṃ (of the lights) patim (the lord), oṃ (the sacred sound) namo (obeisance) astu (be) te (to you) sarasvate (the goddess of knowledge) vāg (speech) vaiṣṇavī (which is an emanation of Viṣṇu) ca (and) me (to me) dehi (grant)

Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Taittirīyopaniṣad holds significant importance in the non-dualistic interpretation of the Advaita Vedānta tradition. According to Shankara, the invocation of Sarasvatī, the embodiment of knowledge and speech, symbolizes the quest for understanding the ultimate reality, Brahman. The phrase 'vāg-vaiṣṇavī' underscores the idea that speech, when used to describe the divine, is an aspect of the divine itself, illustrating the inherent unity of Brahman and the world. When the verse says 'nāvmihi haṃsaṃ jotiṣāṃ patim,' it refers to the Supreme Self, the lord of all lights, which is not different from the individual self (ātman). This identity of Brahman and ātman is central to Shankara's philosophy, as seen in his commentary on the Brahmasūtra, where he explains that the knowledge of this unity liberates the individual from ignorance and bondage.

Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition interprets this verse with an emphasis on the personal relationship between the devotee and the Lord. Rāmānujācārya would view the invocation of Sarasvatī as a call for divine assistance in understanding and serving the Lord, Viṣṇu. The term 'vāg-vaiṣṇavī' suggests that speech, when dedicated to the praise of the Lord, becomes a means of worship and a path to spiritual growth. The 'haṃsaṃ jotiṣāṃ patim' refers to the Supreme Lord, who is the master of all knowledge and the remover of ignorance. In his Śrībhāṣya, Rāmānuja discusses the importance of bhakti (devotion) and prapatti (surrender) as means to attain the grace of the Lord, emphasizing the loving relationship between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the Supreme Lord). This verse, for Rāmānuja, would highlight the role of devotion and knowledge in achieving spiritual liberation.

Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda would interpret this verse as a call to action for the individual to realize their inherent potential and divinity. The invocation of Sarasvatī represents the aspiration for knowledge and wisdom that can empower the individual to overcome worldly limitations. The phrase 'vāg-vaiṣṇavī' signifies the transformative power of speech and thought when directed towards the divine, reflecting Vivekānanda's emphasis on the importance of positive and uplifting thought in spiritual growth. The reference to the 'haṃsaṃ jotiṣāṃ patim' symbolizes the pursuit of the absolute truth, which is the ultimate goal of human existence. In his lectures and writings, such as 'The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda,' Vivekānanda encourages individuals to strive for this realization through service, self-control, and the cultivation of wisdom, thereby achieving a state of unity and harmony with the universe.

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