Maa bhermaa samvikthaa – let no fear deter you
This verse is a comprehensive and powerful formula for undertaking any significant action with purpose and integrity. Its philosophy can be seen as a three-stage process:
– Aligning the action with the cosmos: It concludes by dedicating the action to the fundamental principles of reality, ensuring it is supported by and in tune with the universe itself.
– Establishing the proper inner state: The mantra begins by commanding the seeker to attain a state of fearlessness and calm.
– Ensuring the integrity of the action: It then moves to a prayer for authenticity, ensuring the action and the actor are in harmony with themselves, which naturally leads to fruitful results.
मा भेर्मा संविक्थाऽतमेरुर्यज्ञोऽतमेरुर्यजमानस्य प्रजा भूयात
त्रिताय त्वा द्विताय त्वैकताय त्वा॥
(यजुर्वेद १.२३)
Maa bhermaa sam-vikthaa
atmerur-yajyo-atmerur-yajyamaanasya
prajaa bhooyaat.
Tritaaya tvaa dvitaaya tvaika-taaya tvaa.
Yajur Veda 1.23
मा भेः do not fear, be not afraid…command your mind to be fearless मा संविक्था – do not succumb (to fear); Do not be agitated; command your spirit to be stable and centered. अत्मेरुः यज्यः May my action (yajñaḥ) not be hostile (áruraḥ) to itself; may it be free from inner conflict; अत्मेरुः यज्यमान् May the actor (yájamaanasya) not be hostile to themself; may I act with complete integrity. प्रजा भूयात May the creative results (prajaa) of this action be fruitful and abundant.त्रिताय त्वा your triple focus of धर्म righteous duty, कर्म good action/reactions and हविषा worship द्विताय त्वा your dual focus (to clean body and surrounding) and एकताय त्वा your singular aim of happiness”
Do not live in fear; do not succumb to fear. Do not let your worship be dampened out of fear. Do not let yourselves, the worshipper, be exhausted from fear. Do not let your children live in same fear. Instead, focus on the tri-fold duty (dharma – righteous living, karma – righteous action and reaction, havishaa – worship). Ensure that you maintain dvitaaya physical and mental preparation for whatever tasks life ahead and thus you achieve your ektaaya singular aim: success and happiness.
Maharishi Dayanand: The त्रिताय tritaaya represents त्रयाणाम् triyaanaam (or triangle) of actions pertaining to that अग्नि agni fire or purificatory duties, कर्म karma actions (reaction), हविषा havishaa worship; the द्विताय dvitaaya or dual duties arising of वायु vaayu wind/air and वृष्टि जल vrishti jala rain water – that is, शुद्धि shuddhi cleansing (body and house); the एकताय ektaaya singular aspect is सुखस्य sukhasya happiness
A Philosophical Blueprint for Meaningful Action
This mantra from the Yajur Veda is far more than an ancient ritual chant; it is a sophisticated and timeless blueprint for successful and meaningful living. It provides a complete, step-by-step framework for approaching any significant undertaking. The mantra guides us through a sequence of inner and outer alignments that ensure our actions are not only practical but also harmonious and spiritually fulfilling.
1. The Foundation: Establishing Inner Poise
The entire process begins not with action, but with the mastery of our inner state. The mantra issues a direct command to our own consciousness: maa bher maa sáṃ vikthaaḥ (मा भेर्मा संविक्थाः) — “Do not be afraid, do not be agitated.” This is the essential first step. It instructs us to consciously release the anxieties and fears that cloud judgment and to still the inner turmoil that leads to reactive, chaotic behavior. It is a call to anchor ourselves in a state of calm, fearless awareness, creating the stable foundation from which all wise action must spring.
2. The Vow: Committing to Integrity
Once a state of inner calm is established, the mantra guides us to set a pure intention for the action itself, which it calls yajña (यज्ञ). The prayer, áruró yajñó áruró yájamaanasya (अरुरो यज्ञो अरुरो यजमानस्य)—”May my action not be hostile to itself; may I not be hostile to myself”—is a profound vow of authenticity. It is a commitment to act without inner conflict, ensuring that our deeds align perfectly with our values and intentions. This integrity naturally leads to the fruitfulness expressed in prajaa bhooyaat (प्रजा भूयात्), where our harmonious energy produces abundant and creative results.
3. The Preparation: Dedication to the Duality of Readiness
Here, the mantra becomes a practical checklist. Through your insightful interpretation, we understand the dedication dvitaaya tvaa (द्विताय त्वा) as a commitment to the “dual principle” of holistic preparation. Before we act, we consciously prepare our two primary instruments:
Mental Preparation: We clarify our goals, focus our minds, and create a strategic plan.
Physical Preparation: We ensure our bodies are rested, nourished, and ready to support our intentions with vitality. By dedicating our undertaking to this principle of Dvita (द्वित), we commit to showing up for our tasks fully prepared, with both mind and body aligned and ready for excellence.
4. The Execution: Dedication to the Triple Focus of Action
With preparation complete, we dedicate ourselves to the virtuous execution of the deed itself, embodied in your beautiful understanding of tritaaya tvaa (त्रिताय त्वा). This is a dedication to a “triple focus” that governs the quality of the action in real-time:
Dharma ( righteous living): We vow that the action will be ethical, truthful, and aligned with right conduct.
Karma (good action/reaction): We commit to performing the action with skill, awareness, and excellence.
Havaa (worshipful attitude): We choose to perform the action not with ego, but with a spirit of reverence, as a sacred offering to the greater good.
5. The Goal: Dedication to Ultimate Unity
Finally, having established our poise, vowed our integrity, completed our preparation, and committed to a virtuous execution, we perform the final and highest alignment. We dedicate the entire, perfected action to aíkataaya tvaa (एकताय त्वा)—the principle of Ekata (एकत), or ultimate Unity. This act of offering ensures that our personal endeavor serves the interconnected whole, finding its rightful place in the harmony of the cosmos and allowing it to be supported by that universal power.
This five-step process transforms any task, big or small, from a source of stress into an opportunity for integrated and mindful living. It is a complete guide to achieving success that is not only effective but also deeply meaningful, authentic, and fulfilling.
A Vedic Blueprint for Success in Life
In the vast repository of ancient wisdom, the Vedas, there are verses that resonate with timeless, practical advice. The mantra found in Yajur Veda 1.23 is a perfect example—a spiritual and psychological blueprint that guides us through the journey of any serious undertaking in life. Whether we are embarking on a new career, entering a marriage, facing a personal challenge, or seizing an opportunity, this mantra offers a complete formula for success, one based not on chance, but on conscious preparation and flawless integrity.
The First Step: Conquering Our Fear
The mantra begins by addressing the most common human deterrent to progress: fear. Too often, we suffer from a fear of failure and give up before we even start. We may be fearful of a known competitor or an unknown obstacle. The Veda understands this human tendency, and its first instruction is a direct command to our own spirit: maa bher maa sáṃ vikthaaḥ (मा भेर्मा संविक्थाः) — “Do not be afraid, do not be agitated.” Before any journey can begin, we are told to become calm, focused, and to consciously rid ourselves of the paralyzing grip of fear and the inner chaos it creates. This is the foundational state from which all success must be built.
The Guiding Principles: Ekata, Dvita, and Trita
Once a calm and fearless mindset is established, the mantra lays out three principles of dedication that guide the entire process from intention to execution.
Ekata (एकत) — The Unity of Purpose: Before taking action, we must be absolutely clear on our goal. The mantra tells us to identify our Ekata, which you have so beautifully interpreted as the unity of the self and the goal. What is our singular aim? What is the core purpose we are trying to achieve? This step demands clarity and focus, ensuring that we are not acting with a scattered mind but are moving with a unified intention towards a well-defined objective.
Dvita (द्वित) — The Dual Preparation: With a clear goal in mind, the next step is holistic preparation. The dedication to Dvita is a commitment to the dual preparation of both mind and body. This is the practical groundwork. If the task ahead is an exam, this means not only studying diligently (mental preparation) but also eating healthily and getting enough rest (physical preparation). If it is a crucial job interview, it means researching the company and preparing your answers (mental) as well as ensuring you are well-groomed and composed (physical). This principle teaches that mind and body must be equally honored and prepared for any challenge.
Trita (त्रित) — The Triple Focus of Right Action: This is the ethical core of the execution. As you’ve outlined, this is the dedication to a triad of virtuous action: dharma (धर्म), karma (कर्म), and hava (हव).
Dharma: We commit to being honest and acting with absolute integrity.
Karma: We commit to performing the action skillfully and to the best of our ability.
Hava: We commit to approaching the task with the sanctity of worship, free from negative intent like fear, greed, or malice.
This principle guides us to focus on “being good and doing good.” It warns that actions born from a negative mindset will not deliver the desired Ekata (the aim and purpose). Instead, such actions will result in unforeseen karmic consequences. Approaching our work with the integrity of worship ensures the result will be pure.
The Nature of True Success
Ultimately, this Vedic verse redefines success. It teaches us that achievement is not about wishing for miracles from God or waiting for a lucky break. True and lasting success lies in following a conscious, disciplined, and ethical path. It is about instilling a path to progress that will earn His bliss. By conquering our fear, defining our purpose, preparing ourselves holistically, and acting with complete integrity, we create the conditions for success ourselves. The positive outcome, the “abundant progeny” or prajaa (प्रजा) mentioned in the verse, is the natural result of this virtuous and well-executed process. This is the ultimate guide to earning success that is not only tangible but also deeply fulfilling and spiritually sound.
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