यत्त्वा तुरीयमृतुभिर्द्रविणोदो यजामहे ।
अध स्मा नो ददिर्भव ॥ १० ॥

Yat tvaa tureeyam ritubhir dravinodo yajaamahe
Adha smaa no dadir bhava ॥ 10 ॥

Meaning:

यत् (Yat): What; which state; which Supreme Reality. Here, “Yat” refers to the experience of the Supreme Reality, which is the highest goal of human life. It points to the spiritual fulfilment attained beyond the body, mind and intellect.

त्वा (Tvaa): You; You alone. This word directly addresses the Divine. The devotee approaches the Divine, who is the source of all wealth in the world and all progress in life.

तुरीयम् (Tureeyam): The fourth state; the state of the Supreme Reality; experience of Brahman. In the Vedas, the higher state beyond the three levels of Bhuloka, Antariksha and Dyuloka is called “Tureeya”. It is the state of supreme bliss in which the soul becomes united with the Divine Light. This is the highest goal of human life.

ऋतुभिः (Ritubhih): At the proper time; in the appropriate period; at the right time. It indicates that the effort to realize the Divine should not be postponed until the final period of life, but should begin during youth itself. Spiritual practices undertaken at the proper time produce great results.

द्रविणोदः (Dravinodah): The giver of wealth; the Divine giver of all resources. The Divine is the giver of physical health, mental peace, clarity of knowledge, spiritual progress and material prosperity. He is praised as the one who grants everything necessary for the welfare and protection of human life.

यजामहे (Yajaamahe): We worship; we offer worship; we adore. The Divine should be worshipped not merely through rituals, but through a pure mind and righteous actions. Purifying the body, mind and intellect and approaching the Divine is the true meaning of Yajna.

अध (Adha): Now; thereafter; therefore. It indicates the state that follows sincere worship of the Divine and the receiving of Divine grace. After human effort, Divine grace becomes manifest.

स्मा (Smaa): Certainly; always; firmly. This word indicates that Divine grace is not temporary. The Divine remains a constant support for those who sincerely seek Him.

नः (Nah): For us; to us. This expresses not merely a prayer for personal welfare, but a broad-minded desire for the welfare of all. Vedic prayers are founded upon the principle of universal welfare.

ददिः (Dadih): The giver; the one who gives generously. The Divine gives not only what a person needs, but also everything necessary for his worldly and spiritual progress. His grace is unlimited.

भव (Bhava): Be; may You be. It expresses the devotee’s prayer: “May You be the generous giver who bestows Your grace upon us.” It shows the desire to live under the protection and compassion of the Divine.

Explanation:

This mantra deeply explains the spiritual path towards Tureeya, the highest goal of human life, namely the experience of the Supreme Reality, and also emphasizes the importance of Divine grace on that path. It teaches that human beings should not remain satisfied merely with worldly life, but should develop the body, mind and intellect and then progress beyond them towards spiritual fulfilment.

At the beginning of the mantra, the words “यत् त्वा (Yat Tvaa)” express the meaning “You, that Supreme Reality.” The devotee turns his mind towards the Divine, who is the foundation of all progress in human life. Recognizing that the Divine is the ultimate source of all wealth, knowledge and strength available in the world, he accepts the Divine as the ultimate goal of life.

“तुरीयम् (Tureeyam)” is the central idea of this mantra. In the Vedic understanding, Tureeya is described as the fourth state beyond the three levels of Bhuloka, Antariksha and Dyuloka. Bhuloka represents physical life; Antariksha represents the purification of the mind and control of emotions; Dyuloka represents the light of knowledge and the development of wisdom. After developing these three aspects completely, the state in which the soul becomes united with the Divine Light and experiences the one Divine Radiance present in everything is called Tureeya. This is pointed out as the highest goal of human life.

The mantra teaches that the effort to attain this higher state should be undertaken through “ऋतुभिः (Ritubhih)”, meaning at the proper time. Spiritual life should not be postponed until old age. One should begin during youth itself to discipline the body, mind and intellect and to train oneself in the path of the Divine. Practices undertaken during the appropriate period of life produce deep and lasting results. The seeds of discipline, devotion, self control and knowledge sown during youth later blossom into spiritual fulfilment.

In this mantra, the Divine is called “द्रविणोदः (Dravinodah)”, meaning the giver of all wealth and resources. Here, wealth does not mean material prosperity alone. It includes physical health, mental peace, clarity of knowledge, noble qualities, spiritual progress and everything necessary for success in life. The Divine Himself takes care of the welfare and protection of those who sincerely seek Him and fulfils their needs.

The word “यजामहे (Yajaamahe)” means “we worship You.” This worship is not limited to ritual practices. Pure thoughts, righteous actions, selfless service, mental discipline, remembrance of the Divine and spiritual practice are all forms of true Yajna. When a person transforms his entire life into a Yajna, he moves closer to the Divine.

The concluding expression “अध स्मा नो ददिर्भव (Adha Smaa No Dadir Bhava)” is a beautiful prayer. The devotee prays, “May You now become the generous giver of grace to us.” Divine grace is not temporary. The Divine remains an eternal support for those who sincerely seek Him. He is the compassionate Father who provides everything necessary for both worldly and spiritual progress and leads human beings along the higher path.

Thus, the mantra emphasizes that a person should develop physical health, mental purity and the light of knowledge, and then strive beyond these towards the Tureeya state of Brahman experience. One should begin this effort at the proper time, worship the Divine sincerely and place complete faith in Divine grace. To those who follow this path, the Divine grants the resources necessary for their progress. In this way, arranging one’s life towards spiritual elevation is the true purpose of human birth and the highest path to lasting bliss.

Conclusion:

This mantra emphasizes the importance of attaining Tureeya, or the experience of Brahman, as the highest goal of human life. A person should properly develop physical health, mental purity and the light of knowledge, and then progress beyond them towards the spiritual realization of the Divine Light that pervades everything.

The mantra also teaches that this spiritual journey should begin at the proper stage of life, particularly during youth. It further explains that the Divine, known as Dravinodah, grants all the resources necessary for worldly and spiritual life, and that He Himself protects the welfare of those who worship Him with sincere devotion and righteous actions.

Therefore, with firm faith in Divine grace, one should cultivate discipline, devotion, knowledge and self control, transform one’s life into a Yajna and live accordingly. This is the path to lasting spiritual wealth, supreme bliss and the highest fulfilment of human birth, as clearly taught by this mantra.