यावच्चतस्रः प्रदिशश्चक्षुर्यावत् समश्नुते। तावत् समैत्विन्द्रियं मयि तद्धस्तिवर्चसम्॥
yāvac catasraḥ pradiśaś cakṣur yāvat samaśnute । tāvat samaitv indriyaṃ mayi tad dhastivarcasam ॥
PM's MessageThe fundamental spirit of our culture has been that all beings should prosper by maintaining balance with nature. With this broad vision, India is continuously moving forward on the path of progress and prosperity.
Meaning of Yāvac Catasraḥ Pradiśaś Cakṣur
May we attain such prosperity that is endowed with the vast expanse of all four directions and the alert awareness of the eyes' vision - where, living in complete harmony with nature, the environment is preserved and the sustainable well-being of all life is ensured.
Word by word
- यावत्yāvat
as far as
- चतस्रः प्रदिशःcatasraḥ pradiśaḥ
the four quarters
चतुर् + प्र + √दिश्
- चक्षुःcakṣuḥ
the eye
√चक्ष्
- यावत् समश्नुतेyāvat samaśnute
as far as it reaches
सम् + √अश्
- तावत्tāvat
so far
- समैतुsamaitu
let it come together
सम् + √इ
- इन्द्रियम्indriyam
sense-power
इन्द्र
- मयिmayi
in me
अस्मद्
- तत् हस्तिवर्चसम्tad dhastivarcasam
that lustre of the elephant
हस्तिन् + वर्चस्
Commentary
This Atharvavedic mantra asks that elephant-like varcas and indriya come together in the speaker as far as the four directions extend and the eye can reach. Varcas can denote radiance, vigor, or commanding brilliance; indriya here is power or strength. The elephant supplies the comparison for that desired majesty and force. The supplied ecological meaning about balance with nature, environmental protection, and the welfare of all beings is not present in the mantra. It is a modern application prompted by the elephant image, whereas the literal prayer seeks expansive elephant-like power for 'me,' mayi.
Original Post
More from Atharvaveda
View source pageसुत्रामाणं पृथिवीं द्यामनेहसं सुशर्माणमदितिं सुप्रणीतिम् । दैवीं नावं स्वरित्रामनागसो अस्रवन्तीमा रुहेमा स्वस्तये॥
sutrāmāṇaṃ pṛthivīṃ dyām anehasaṃ suśarmāṇam aditiṃ supraṇītim । daivīṃ nāvaṃ svaritrām anāgaso asravantīm ā ruhemā svastaye ॥
An Atharvaveda mantra envisions earth, heaven and Aditi as a secure divine boat that carries people toward well-being.
सहृदयं सांमनस्यमविद्वेषं कृणोमि वः। अन्यो अन्यमभि हर्यत वत्सं जातमिवाघ्न्या॥
sahṛdayaṁ sāṃmanasyam avidveṣaṁ kṛṇomi vaḥ । anyo anyam abhi haryata vatsaṁ jātam ivāghnyā ॥
An Atharvaveda mantra calls people to shared feeling, concord and freedom from hatred, with a cow's tenderness for her newborn calf as its model.
समानी व आकूतिः समाना हृदयानि वः। समानमस्तु वो मनो यथा वः सुसहासति॥
samānī va ākūtiḥ samānā hṛdayāni vaḥ । samānam astu vo mano yathā vaḥ susahāsati ॥
The closing verse of the Rigveda prays for united intention, united hearts and united minds, so that people may dwell together in good fellowship.
More subhashitams on Power
View topic pageदेव्या यया ततमिदं जगदात्मशक्त्या निश्शेषदेवगणशक्तिसमूहमूर्त्या। तामम्बिकामखिलदेवमहर्षिपूज्यां भक्त्या नताः स्म विदधातु शुभानि सा नः॥
devyā yayā tatamidaṃ jagadātmaśaktyā niśśeṣadevagaṇaśaktisamūhamūrtyā । tāmambikāmakhiladevamaharṣipūjyāṃ bhaktyā natāḥ sma vidadhātu śubhāni sā naḥ ॥
A prayer from Devi Mahatmyam to Ambika, who pervades the world and embodies all divine powers, asking for blessings for everyone.
उद्यमः साहसं धैर्यं बुद्धिः शक्तिः पराक्रमः। षडेते यत्र वर्तन्ते तत्र दैवं सहायकृत्॥
udyamaḥ sāhasaṃ dhairyaṃ buddhiḥ śaktiḥ parākramaḥ । ṣaḍete yatra vartante tatra daivaṃ sahāyakṛt ॥
Effort, courage, patience, intelligence, strength, and valor prepare a person to receive the help of providence.
प्रभया हि विनायद्वद्भानुरेष न विद्यते। प्रभा च भानुना तेन सुतरां तदुपाश्रया॥
prabhayā hi vināyadvadbhānureṣa na vidyate । prabhā ca bhānunā tena sutarāṃ tadupāśrayā ॥
A Sanskrit subhashita uses the sun and its light to show how existence, power, and manifestation can depend deeply on each other.