महाँ इन्द्रः परश्च नु महित्वमस्तु वज्रिणे ।
द्यौर्न प्रथिना शवः ॥ ५ ॥

Mahan Indrah Parash Cha Nu Mahitvam Astu Vajrine |
Dyaur Na Prathina Shavah || 5 ||

Meaning:

महान् Mahan – Very great, exalted, glorious. This refers to the greatness of the Supreme Being or of a great leader. It conveys that his greatness cannot be measured by human standards.

इन्द्रः Indra – Indra, the Lord possessing supreme strength. Here, Indra can be understood as a symbol of divine power or as the highest leadership power of a nation. He represents protection, strength, governance, and courage.

परः Parah – The highest, supreme, excellent. It refers to a state that is superior to everything else. It conveys that the leader or power possesses an incomparable and exalted position.

च Cha – And, also. This is a connecting word that further strengthens the greatness mentioned previously.

नु Nu – Certainly, truly, firmly. Here, it emphasizes that the greatness being described is an unquestionable truth.

महित्वम् Mahitvam – Glory, greatness, exaltation. This refers to two forms of greatness: physical strength and excellence of character and qualities. The true greatness of a leader lies in these.

अस्तु Astu – Let it be, may it become, may it come into existence. This is a word of prayer. It expresses the prayer, “May this greatness become complete and established.”

वज्रिणे Vajrine – One who possesses a weapon like the Vajra, one who is powerful. It refers to a leader possessing strength, courage, and mastery of weapons. It conveys the idea of a leadership power that excels in protection and military capability.

द्यौः Dyaur – The sky, the heavens. It represents limitless expanse and height. It is used to indicate the extent and magnitude of an army or a power.

न Na – Like, as, comparable to. It is a word indicating comparison.

प्रथिना Prathina – By breadth, by expanse, by vastness. It refers to the extent of a large army or great power. It indicates that the security strength of a nation should be strong and widespread.

शवः Shavah – Strength, military strength, armed power. It refers to the military power of a nation and the collective strength of its warriors. It is an important foundation required for victory.

Explanation:

The Vedic Mantras speak together about the individual development of human society, national strength, and divine faith. They are not merely prayers; they are profound principles of life concerning how a nation should remain established with noble leadership, courage, discipline, and defensive strength. This Mantra likewise expresses the greatness of a supreme power and the strength of the leadership of a nation.

This Mantra begins with “महान् इन्द्रः Mahan Indra.” Here, Indra does not merely refer to the king of the gods; it refers to the Supreme Power possessing immeasurable strength, protection, and governing ability. The word “Mahan” conveys that this greatness cannot be measured by human standards.

The word “परः Parah” further establishes that this supreme power is higher than everything else and incomparable. The words “च नु Cha Nu” emphasize that the greatness being described is an unquestionable truth. That is, the greatness of that supreme power is naturally established and beyond dispute and doubt.

The expression “महित्वम् अस्तु वज्रिणे Mahitvam Astu Vajrine” conveys an important idea. “Mahitvam” refers to exalted greatness combining physical strength and excellence of character. “Vajrine” refers to a leadership power possessing a powerful weapon like the Vajra and the strength necessary for protection.

In other words, the idea is that a leader or a nation’s security system should not depend merely upon authority; it should be filled with strength, courage, discipline, and capability.

“अस्तु Astu” is a word of prayer. It expresses the wish that this greatness may remain established and continue to grow. It is not merely a statement; it is also a blessing and prayer that a higher state may continue.

The word “द्यौः Dyaur” refers to the sky. The sky possesses limitless expanse and height. In the same way, it conveys that the strength of a nation or an army should be broad and extend beyond limitations.

“प्रथिना Prathina” further emphasizes that breadth and vastness. That is, the defensive power should not be narrow but should be strong and extensive.

The word “न Na” indicates comparison. The following idea conveys that the expanse of that power should be like the sky.

“शवः Shavah” refers to military strength and the collective power of warriors. This serves as the true foundation of the security of a nation.

In total, this Mantra expresses two important ideas. First, the greatness of the supreme divine power or leadership power is immeasurable; it is supreme and incomparable. Second, the leadership and security system of a nation that reflects that supreme power should be strong, disciplined, and extensive.

Furthermore, this Mantra teaches that true greatness does not lie merely in authority; it lies in the combination of character, courage, unity, and a sense of responsibility. Only when a nation possesses defensive strength as vast as the sky can it deter enemies while also maintaining peace and stability.

Therefore, this Vedic Mantra gives a profound message of life to human society and to a nation:

“Only when noble leadership, strong character, extensive defensive power, and divine greatness come together can a nation and a power attain true greatness.”

Conclusion:

This Vedic Mantra deeply explains where the true greatness and strength of a nation lie. It is not merely a Mantra praising divine glory; it also conveys the necessity of a social system possessing noble leadership, courage, defensive strength, and moral discipline.

What this Mantra teaches us is that true leadership does not lie merely in authority; it lies in the integration of physical strength, mental courage, noble character, and a sense of Dharma. A leader should possess the power to protect the people and the qualities necessary to establish justice. Likewise, the security system of a nation should be strong and extensive.

The military strength spread as widely as the sky does not refer merely to power for war; it also refers to the stability and security of the nation and the mental strength that can deter enemies. A strong security system can, in many situations, help prevent war itself. This deeper meaning is also contained here.

Furthermore, this Mantra unites divine greatness with human responsibility. Human beings must make efforts; but those efforts should be combined with a higher sense of Dharma and faith in God. This is the fundamental idea conveyed here.

Therefore, this Vedic Mantra provides a profound way of life for human society and for a nation:

“Only when noble leadership, discipline, strength, extensive defensive power, and faith in God come together can a nation attain true greatness and lasting security.”