Gems from the Vedas

The Interconnectedness of Supreme Being and Divine Grace

These seven verses of Atharva Veda 2.17 offer a profound philosophical insight into the nature of the One Supreme God as the immanent source of all vital capacities and the relationship between divine essence and human experience. They are uniquely linked by a deepening journey from the subtle core of existence to its outer manifestations and ultimate security.

The Divine as the Essence of All Qualities:

Each verse begins with a powerful affirmation: “You are Ojas,” “You are Sahas,” “You are Balam,” and so on. This is not a mere statement of attribute, but a profound declaration of divine immanence. It asserts that the One Supreme God is not just the giver of these qualities, but is their very essence and animating principle. The Divine is the substance of Ojas, the source of Sahas, the truth of Balam.

This foundational understanding aligns with the Upanishadic concept of Brahman as the ultimate reality from which all things arise and into which all things dissolve. All power, all life, all perception, and all protection are ultimately emanations of this singular Divine Being.

The Supplication: Infusion of Divine Qualities:

Following the affirmation, the plea “grant me Ojas,” “grant me Sahas,” “grant me Balam,” signifies the devotee’s desire for conscious alignment and personal infusion of these divine qualities. It’s a recognition that while the Divine is the source, conscious effort and prayer are needed to fully embody these principles in one’s own being.

The act of chanting “Svaahaa” at the end of each verse reinforces this as an offering – an offering of self, an expression of intent – offering the self in the humble request to receive these boons by aligning with the divine will.

The Progression: From Inner Vitality to Outer Perception and Protection:

Inner Vitality (Ojas, Sahas, Balam): The verses begin with qualities of inner strength and resilience.

Ojas (subtle vigor): Refers to the deepest, most refined vital energy, often considered the essence of vitality and immunity. It speaks to the subtle, spiritual power at the core of our being.

Sahas (endurance/conquering power): Denotes the mental and spiritual fortitude needed to face challenges, overcome adversity, and assert one’s higher will. It’s the power to overcome internal and external resistance.

Balam (physical strength): Grounds the spiritual in the tangible, recognizing that a healthy and strong physical vessel is necessary for effective action in the world. This progression from subtle Ojas to manifest Balam emphasizes the integrated nature of human strength, flowing from the spiritual core to the physical body.

Life and Perception (Ayus, Shrotram, Chakshus): The middle verses shift to fundamental aspects of sentient existence.

Ayus (longevity): A prayer for a full lifespan, acknowledging that time and opportunity are divine gifts for spiritual growth and purposeful living.

Shrotram (hearing): Represents not just physical hearing, but deep receptivity—the capacity to hear the subtle sounds of creation, the wisdom of the universe, and the inner voice of the Divine. It implies attentiveness and understanding.

Chakshus (sight): Encompasses physical vision, but also metaphorical insight. It’s the capacity to perceive truth, beauty, and the Divine in all things, seeing beyond superficial appearances to the underlying unity. These verses highlight the preciousness of life and the sensory faculties as tools for experiencing the world and progressing on the spiritual path.

Ultimate Security (Paripanam): The concluding verse brings it all together with “You are Protection; grant me Protection.”

Paripanam (complete preservation): This is the ultimate security, encompassing protection from all harms—physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. It represents the seeker’s complete surrender to divine providence. It’s the ultimate trust that the One Supreme God, being the source of all life and power, is also the ultimate guardian. This protection is not merely external but implies an inner fortress of peace derived from constant divine connection.

How these verses uniquely relate to each other:

The unique power of Atharva Veda 2.17 lies in its systematic, holistic, and cumulative nature. It’s not a random collection of prayers but a carefully structured invocation that maps to successive layers of human existence and spiritual need:

– Foundational to Functional: It moves from the most fundamental vital essences (Ojas, Sahas, Balam) that underpin all activity, to the active faculties (Ayus, Shrotram, Chakshus) that allow us to experience and interact with the world.

– Integral Wholeness: It asserts that true well-being is not compartmentalized. A healthy life requires not only physical strength but also mental resilience, keen perception, and, most importantly, divine protection.

– Divine Immanence as the Source: Each verse consistently grounds the requested quality in the Divine’s inherent nature (“You are”). This reinforces the monotheistic view that all powers, faculties, and protections are not separate forces, but direct emanations and attributes of the One Supreme God.

Purposeful Living towards Ultimate Security: The entire sequence builds towards the final plea for complete protection. This protection is not just from external threats, but from spiritual decay, from losing one’s inner vitality, clarity, and connection to the Divine. It signifies the ultimate peace and security found in being wholly enveloped in divine grace.

In essence, these verses form a complete spiritual circuit: recognizing the Divine as the source of all life’s components, praying for their infusion, and ultimately seeking to be entirely encompassed by the Divine’s preserving presence. They are a profound meditation on the integrated nature of the self, constantly sustained and perfected by the omnipresent One Supreme God.