युक्ष्वा हि केशिना हरी वृषणा कक्ष्यप्रा ।
अथा न इन्द्र सोमपा गिरामुपश्रुतिं चर ॥ ३ ॥

Yukshva Hi Keshina Hari Vrishna Kakshyapra ।
Atha Na Indra Somapa Giram Upashrutim Chara ॥ 3 ॥

Meaning

युक्ष्वा (Yukshva) join, harness, bind together. Just as horses are harnessed to a chariot, a person should discipline and control the senses and engage them in good actions.

हि (Hi) certainly, surely. It emphasizes the instruction, “Do this with certainty.”

केशिना (Keshina) those possessing rays of light. The word “Kesha” can also signify a ray of light. The senses that provide knowledge reveal truth like rays of light.

हरी (Hari) two horses. Here they represent the two groups of senses, the organs of knowledge and the organs of action.

वृषणा (Vrishna) powerful, strong. It indicates that the organs of action should function with enthusiasm and strength.

कक्ष्यप्रा (Kakshyapra) those wearing the girdle, those who are prepared. It indicates that the senses should always remain ready to perform their duties.

अथा (Atha) then, afterwards. It means after bringing the senses under proper discipline.

नः (Nah) our, for us. It expresses the prayer of the devotees.

इन्द्र (Indra) lord of the senses. It also refers to the person who has conquered his senses and attained mastery over them.

सोमपा (Somapa) one who drinks Soma. Here Soma represents divine energy, inner joy, enthusiasm, and spiritual strength.

गिराम् (Giram) words, sacred utterances, Vedic teachings. It refers to the teachings of the teacher, words of wisdom, and Vedic mantras.

उपश्रुतिम् (Upashrutim) listening from near, attentive hearing. It refers to listening humbly to spiritual instruction in the presence of the teacher.

चर (Chara) walk, act, practice, strive. It indicates that one should strive for knowledge and put the teachings that have been heard into practice.

Explanation

This mantra explains in depth the inner discipline of human life, control of the senses, knowledge, and righteous action. It teaches that a person should regard life as a chariot and the senses as the horses that draw that chariot, and that these senses should be directed along the right path.

The word “युक्ष्वा (Yukshva)” means “join” or “harness.” Just as horses are harnessed to a chariot, a person should bring the senses together under proper discipline and control. “हि (Hi)” means “certainly” or “surely” and emphasizes that control of the senses is essential for spiritual life.

“केशिना (Keshina)” means those possessing rays of light. The organs of knowledge are like rays that provide light to a person. They reveal truth and knowledge. “हरी (Hari)” means two horses. Here it represents the organs of knowledge and the organs of action. The knowledge and actions of a human being should work together in harmony.

“वृषणा (Vrishna)” means powerful and strong. The organs of action should engage in righteous activities with enthusiasm and strength. “कक्ष्यप्रा (Kakshyapra)” means those who have fastened their girdles and are prepared. Like a warrior who stands ready for battle, the senses should always be prepared to perform their duties.

“अथा (Atha)” means “then” or “afterwards.” It indicates that after disciplining the senses, a person can proceed on the higher spiritual path. “नः (Nah)” means “our” or “for us” and expresses the prayer of the devotees.

“इन्द्र (Indra)” means the lord of the senses. Here it does not refer only to an external deity; it also represents a person who has conquered his senses and attained mastery over them. “सोमपा (Somapa)” means one who drinks Soma. Here Soma symbolizes divine joy, inner enthusiasm, and spiritual energy.

“गिराम् (Giram)” means Vedic utterances, words of wisdom, and the teachings of the teacher. “उपश्रुतिम् (Upashrutim)” means listening from near. In other words, it means listening humbly to knowledge in the presence of the teacher. “चर (Chara)” means to act, to walk, to practice, and to strive. It teaches that the knowledge one has heard must be put into practice in life.

The complete inner meaning of this mantra is that a person should discipline the senses and use them for knowledge and righteous action. The organs of knowledge should reveal truth like rays of light, while the organs of action should function firmly in good and righteous deeds. After disciplining the senses, a person should receive divine strength, listen humbly to the teachings of the teacher, and put that knowledge into practice in life. This is the profound spiritual philosophy of the mantra.

Conclusion

This mantra presents the highest discipline of human life and the path of spiritual development. It emphasizes that a person should keep the organs of knowledge and the organs of action under control and use them for acquiring knowledge and performing righteous duties.

The organs of knowledge should reveal truth and wisdom like rays of light. The organs of action should engage in good deeds with strength and determination. After bringing the senses under discipline in this manner, a person should receive divine strength and joy, listen humbly to the teachings of the teacher, and put those teachings into practice.

Through this, a person attains self discipline, knowledge, righteousness, and spiritual elevation and comes to understand the true purpose of life. This is the central message of this mantra.