युवं दक्षं धृतव्रत मित्रावरुण दूळभम् ।
ऋतुना यज्ञमाशाथे ॥ ६ ॥

Yuvam daksham dhritavrata Mitraavaruna doolabham
Rituna yajnamaashaathe ॥ 6 ॥

Meaning:

युवम् (Yuvam): You two; two divine forces. Here, ‘Yuvam’ refers to the two divine qualities known as ‘Mitra’ and ‘Varuna’. It teaches that love through Mitra and absence of hatred or freedom from enmity through Varuna should function together in human life.

दक्षम् (Daksham): That which gives strength; that which develops ability; increase of power. ‘Daksham’ does not refer only to physical strength; it also refers to mental strength, strength of discipline and spiritual power. The meaning of this word is that a life based on love and absence of hatred develops the inner strength of a human being.

धृतव्रत (Dhritavrata): One who holds a firm vow; one who has accepted a vow of discipline. Here, ‘Dhritavrata’ refers to the state of having accepted a firm principle in life. The higher resolve, “I will live with love and will not hold hatred towards anyone,” is regarded here as the true vow.

मित्रावरुण (Mitraavaruna): Mitra and Varuna; love and absence of hatred; friendship and freedom from enmity. ‘Mitra’ refers to love, friendship and affection. ‘Varuna’ points to discipline, justice, absence of hatred and freedom from enmity. The mantra teaches that these two qualities should be united in human life. Love alone is not sufficient; it must be accompanied by a mind free from hatred.

दूळभम् (Doolabham / Doorabham): That which is unharmed; that which is not affected by violence; that which provides protection. Here, ‘Doolabham’ teaches that a life based on love and freedom from hatred protects a person from violence, enmity, suffering and destruction. This vow leads life towards non violence.

ऋतुना (Rituna): At the proper time; without delay; at the appropriate time. This word expresses the important idea of this mantra. Dharma and a Yajna based life should not be postponed until old age. It emphasizes that during youth and adolescence itself, love, discipline and freedom from hatred should be established in life.

यज्ञम् (Yajnam): Sacrifice; a Yajna based life; a life based on Dharma. Here, ‘Yajnam’ does not mean merely a sacrificial ritual. Human life itself is considered a Yajna. A life conducted with love, discipline, sacrifice, Dharma and a higher purpose is the true Yajna.

आशाथे (Aashaathe): You attain; you obtain; you establish. The meaning of this word is that a person who possesses love and freedom from hatred attains a Yajna based life at the proper time. Such a life is not a practice that should be postponed; it is a higher discipline to be attained during youth itself.

Explanation:

This mantra is a Vedic teaching that deeply explains the true Dharma of human life and when and how a Yajna based life should begin. It emphasizes that accepting and living with the higher qualities of love, freedom from hatred and disciplined commitment during youth itself is the true Yajna of human life.

The mantra first calls upon “युवम् (Yuvam)”, the two divine forces. They are Mitra and Varuna. Here, ‘Mitra’ represents the divine quality of love, friendship and affection; ‘Varuna’ represents freedom from hatred, discipline, justice and an attitude free from enmity. The mantra teaches that these two qualities must function together if human life is to truly rise. Love alone is not sufficient; it must be accompanied by a mind free from hatred.

The words “दक्षं धृतव्रत (Daksham Dhritavrata)” that follow explain the foundation of this way of life. ‘Daksham’ points to strength, ability and inner power. A life based on love and freedom from hatred develops the physical, mental and spiritual strength of a human being. ‘Dhritavrata’ means holding a firm vow. Here, the vow does not mean merely ritual fasting; it refers to the higher moral resolve, “I will live with love and will not hold hatred towards anyone.” Such a way of life transforms a person into one who possesses true strength.

The word “दूळभम् (Doolabham)” in the mantra teaches that the vow of love and freedom from hatred protects a person from violence, enmity, suffering and destruction. A mind filled with love and non violence does not hurt others; at the same time, it protects itself from suffering. Therefore, this vow is a divine principle of life that gives protection and peace to human existence.

The central teaching of this mantra is contained in “ऋतुना यज्ञमाशाथे (Rituna Yajnamaashaathe)”. ‘Rituna’ means at the proper time, without delay. The mantra emphasizes that Dharma and a Yajna based life should not be postponed until old age. Many people think that they may turn towards Dharma in old age; but this mantra rejects such an approach. During youth and adolescence itself, love, discipline and freedom from hatred should be established in life. Only then does life become a true Yajna.

Here ‘यज्ञम् (Yajnam)’ does not refer merely to a sacrificial ritual. Human life itself is considered a Yajna. A life lived with love, sacrifice, Dharma, discipline and a higher purpose is the true Yajna. ‘आशाथे (Aashaathe)’ indicates attaining and establishing this Yajna based life. A person who possesses love and freedom from hatred transforms his life into a Yajna at the proper time.

Therefore, when this mantra is viewed as a whole, it teaches that the greatest vow in human life is to live with love and not hold hatred towards anyone. This vow develops the strength of a human being and protects him from violence and harmful tendencies. Dharma and a Yajna based life are not matters reserved for old age; they are higher disciplines that should begin during youth itself. Therefore, this mantra deeply teaches that a life filled with love, freedom from hatred, discipline and non violence is the true Vedic way of life, and that such a life guides a human being towards strength, peace and spiritual elevation.

Conclusion:

This mantra emphasizes that the true Yajna of human life lies in a disciplined life filled with love and freedom from hatred. A person should accept the affection represented by “Mitra” and the freedom from hatred represented by “Varuna” as firm vows of life. This higher vow develops physical, mental and spiritual strength and protects a person from violence, enmity and suffering.

Dharma and a Yajna based life should not be postponed until old age; they should be put into practice during youth and adolescence itself. A life lived with love, non violence, discipline and freedom from hatred is the true Yajna. Therefore, this mantra reveals the profound Vedic truth that the highest vow of a human being is to live with love and not hold hatred towards anyone, and that such a Yajna based life, practised at the proper time, gives strength, peace and spiritual elevation.