सख्ये त इन्द्र वाजिनो मा भेम शवसस्पते ।
त्वामभि प्र णोनुमो जेतारमपराजितम् ॥ २ ॥

Sakhye Ta Indra Vajino Ma Bhema Shavasaspate ।
Tvamabhi Pra Nonumo Jetaram Aparajitam ॥ 2 ॥

Meaning:

सख्ये (Sakhye) in friendship, in affection, in companionship. This word expresses the intimate relationship between the Lord and human beings. The Lord is not merely a ruler who remains far away; He remains connected with living beings as a true friend. Even the support of an ordinary friend increases a person’s courage; then how can fear or weakness remain in one who lives in the friendship of the Lord? Divine friendship gives inner strength and confidence to a human being.

ते (Te) your, yours. This word expresses the devotional attitude of directly approaching the Lord. The inner meaning is that a person should not experience the Lord as a distant power, but as his compassionate protector.

इन्द्र (Indra) lord of powers; the Supreme Lord possessing the highest prosperity. Here ‘इन्द्र’ (Indra) refers to the Supreme Reality who is the source of all powers. The power that gives strength to the efforts of living beings and makes them worthy of success comes from the Lord. His grace increases human strength many times over.

वाजिनः (Vajinah) lord of food; possessor of strength and resources. ‘वाज’ (Vaja) refers to food, strength, and prosperity. Everything necessary for the life and strength of living beings comes from the Lord. Food for the body, firmness for the mind, and prosperity for life are all gifts of divine grace.

मा (Ma) do not; may it not be. This word carries the feeling of a prayer. A human being approaches the Lord seeking protection from fear and weakness. This is not a lack of self-confidence; rather, it is a humble attitude of remaining under the protection of the Lord.

भेम (Bhema) we fear, we are afraid. Here the natural feeling of fear in human life is indicated. Enemies, deficiencies, failures, and the future may frighten a person. But the deeper message of this word is that fear cannot remain in one who lives in divine friendship.

शवसस्पते (Shavasaspate) lord of strength; master of power. This word presents the Lord as the master of all powers. Although human effort is important, the life-force and ability to act that make such effort possible are received through divine grace. Since the Lord is the source of strength, one who remains under His refuge does not become weak.

त्वाम् (Tvam) you; You alone. This word expresses that the devotee’s attention and purpose are completely directed toward the Lord. Even though there may be many sources of support in the world, the ultimate faith and dependence should remain in the Lord alone.

अभि (Abhi) toward, directed to, approaching. This word indicates approaching the Lord with Him as the goal. Its inner feeling is the attitude of remembering and praising the Lord in the morning, evening, and throughout the day. The message is that not only the beginning and end of life, but the whole of life should become remembrance of the Lord.

प्र (Pra) greatly, especially, in an elevated manner. This word indicates praise that is not ordinary, but sincere and exalted. Praise filled with depth and truth of devotion is the true worship offered to the Lord.

णोनुमः (Nonumah) we praise, we glorify. This expresses the activity of the devotee. Praising the Lord is not merely an act of words; it is a way of life filled with gratitude and love. The purpose is that the thoughts, words, and actions of a person should all become praise of the Lord.

जेतारम् (Jetaram) the giver of victory; the one who makes one victorious. This word presents the Lord as the source of victory. A human being makes effort, but the grace that completes success comes from the Lord. In daily life, duty, and righteousness, it is the Lord who leads a person on the path of victory.

अपराजितम् (Aparajitam) one who is never defeated; the unconquered one. The highest idea of this mantra is contained in this word. The Lord is never defeated. His power is eternally victorious. A person who lives under His refuge may face external challenges, but inwardly he will not be defeated. His faith is connected with the unconquerable power of the Lord.

Explanation:

This mantra explains the deep friendship between the Lord and the human being, and the greatness of courage, protection, and victory obtained through that divine friendship. A human being faces many kinds of fears and deficiencies in life. But this mantra teaches that the true power to overcome them does not lie only in external sources; it lies in the grace and friendship of the Lord, who is the source of all powers. Through the word “सख्ये” (Sakhye), the mantra teaches that the Lord is not a ruler who remains far away, but the true friend of life and the inner companion of the human being. Even the support of an ordinary friend increases human courage; in the same way, the inner strength of one who lives in the friendship of the Lord rises beyond measure.

The words “इन्द्र” (Indra) and “शवसस्पते” (Shavasaspate) explain that the Lord is the master of all strength and the source of all powers. Although human effort is necessary, the energy that gives life to that effort and the strength that enables action come through divine grace. The word “वाजिनः” (Vajinah) shows that the Lord is the source of food, prosperity, and strength. Food for the body, firmness for the mind, and prosperity for life are all regarded as expressions of divine grace. For a person who lives in the friendship of the Lord, the master of such strength, there arises the courageous state of “मा भेम” “Let us not be afraid.” There, the fear of an enemy, the anxiety of poverty, or the pain of loneliness cannot remain.

The next part of the mantra, “त्वामभि प्र णोनुमः” (Tvamabhi Pra Nonumah), explains the true nature of devotion. A person should approach the Lord as the goal and praise Him with a heart filled with love and gratitude. Here “अभि” (Abhi) indicates the movement toward the Lord; “प्र” (Pra) indicates special and profound praise; and “णोनुमः” (Nonumah) expresses the devotee’s activity of praising the Lord. Thus, praise is not merely words pronounced by the lips; it is a state in which the entire course of life becomes remembrance of the Lord. The mantra teaches that true devotion is to remember the Lord when beginning the day in the morning, when completing the day in the evening, and during every activity performed in between.

The words “जेतारम्” (Jetaram) and “अपराजितम्” (Aparajitam) express the highest teaching of the mantra. A human being acts and makes effort, but the grace that completes victory comes from the Lord. In daily life, works of righteousness, and worldly activities, divine grace is the foundation of success. The Lord is “अपराजितम्” (Aparajitam), one who is never defeated. His power is eternally victorious. Therefore, one who lives under His refuge may face external failures, but inwardly he will not be broken; because his faith is connected with the unconquerable divine power. His efforts and achievements become expressions of the glory of the Lord.

Therefore, the complete teaching of this mantra is that the Lord is the true friend of the human being, the source of all strength and prosperity, and the Lord of victory who is never defeated. A person who lives in His friendship and refuge can live fearlessly and courageously. To make the whole of life directed toward the Lord, to praise Him with love, and to recognize every success as an expression of divine grace is the true spiritual life of victory. This is the profound Vedic teaching given by this mantra.

Conclusion:

This mantra emphasizes that the Lord is the true friend of the human being and the Supreme Reality who is the source of all strength, food, and prosperity. The friendship and grace of the Lord increase human inner strength and self-confidence many times over and remove fear and weakness. Therefore, one who lives in divine friendship need not be disturbed by enemies, deficiencies, or fear of the future. Furthermore, a person should fill his entire life with the Lord as the goal and with praise filled with gratitude and love, morning and evening; such remembrance of the Lord becomes true worship. Since all strength and success are expressions of divine grace, a person who lives under the refuge of the unconquered Lord, who is never defeated, may face external challenges but will not experience inner defeat. Instead, he will attain a life of victory with courage, faith, and righteousness. This is the profound essence of this mantra.