पूर्वीरिन्द्रस्य रातयो न वि दस्यन्त्यूतयः ।
यदी वाजस्य गोमतः स्तोतृभ्यो मंहते मघम् ॥ ३ ॥

Purvir Indrasya Ratayo Na Vi Dasyanty Utayah ।
Yadi Vajasya Gomatah Stotribhyo Manhate Magham ॥ 3 ॥

Meaning:

पूर्वीः (Purvih) many, foremost, excellent. This word explains that the gifts of the Lord are numerous and exalted. Worldly friends cannot always fulfill every need because of their limitations; but the grace of the Lord is complete and without deficiency. Therefore, the gifts He provides are not ordinary; they are highly beneficial and elevated for human life.

इन्द्रस्य (Indrasya) of Indra; of the Lord who is the master of power. Here ‘इन्द्रस्य’ (Indrasya) refers to the Supreme Reality possessing all powers and knowledge. The grace of the Lord is filled with power and wisdom; therefore, what He gives is always suited to the true welfare of the human being.

रातयः (Ratayah) gifts, gracious offerings, presents. This word refers to the grace and support given by the Lord to human beings. These are not merely material gifts; they include knowledge, health, protection, peace of mind, and spiritual elevation.

न (Na) not, never. This word expresses certainty regarding the grace of the Lord. The true help of the Lord never becomes useless or deficient. This is the meaning conveyed here.

वि (Vi) separately, apart, scattered, destroyed. This word indicates destruction or decline. The grace and protection of the Lord are not temporary; they remain as permanent support that sustains the human being.

दस्यन्ति (Dasyanti) perish, decline, disappear. Here the idea is emphasized that the help given by the Lord never perishes. When a person lives with faith in the Lord, the support necessary for him is received at the proper time.

ऊतयः (Utayah) helps, protections, supports. This word indicates the protection and support provided by the Lord. At the times when help is needed in life, divine grace comes as assistance, protecting and guiding the human being.

यदी (Yadi) when, whenever, in a particular circumstance. This word indicates the time of need. The Lord knows the time and circumstances in which a person needs help; therefore, His grace manifests at the proper moment.

वाजस्य (Vajasya) of food, of strength, of means of livelihood. ‘वाज’ (Vaja) refers to food, strength, and the means of sustaining life. The meaning of this word is that the Lord is the source of all the basic necessities of life.

गोमतः (Gomatah) possessing cattle, prosperous, nourishing and abundant. This word indicates not merely the availability of food, but a nourishing, prosperous, and beneficial way of life. The livelihood provided by the Lord is not merely for survival; it has the quality of enriching the body, mind, and life.

स्तोतृभ्यः (Stotribhyah) to those who praise, to those who praise the Lord. This word refers to people who lovingly remember and praise the Lord. Praise is not merely verbal glorification; it is a way of life filled with faith in the Lord and gratitude.

मंहते (Manhate) gives, provides, bestows. This word expresses the active grace of the Lord. The Lord provides what is necessary for human welfare in the proper manner and at the proper time.

मघम् (Magham) prosperity, pure wealth, exalted abundance. The highest idea of this mantra is contained in this word. ‘मघम्’ (Magham) does not mean merely material wealth; it refers to wealth that is pure, righteous, and beneficial. A person who praises the Lord receives not only spiritual benefit but also the prosperity necessary for worldly life as a divine blessing.

Explanation:

This mantra profoundly explains the greatness of the grace, protection, and nourishing gifts of the Lord. In worldly life, a human being seeks many relationships and sources of support. But human friends and worldly resources have limitations; because of limitations in strength or knowledge, they may not always be able to fulfill every need. Sometimes, even with good intentions, a person may receive things that do not truly contribute to his welfare. But “इन्द्रस्य रातयः” (Indrasya Ratayah), the gracious gifts of the Lord who possesses all strength and knowledge, are not like that. His gifts are “पूर्वीः” (Purvih), numerous, foremost, and excellent, and are suited to the true welfare of the human being.

This mantra confirms through “न वि दस्यन्ति ऊतयः” (Na Vi Dasyanti Utayah) that the grace and help provided by the Lord are not temporary. In human life, many sources of support such as wealth, fame, and relationships may diminish or disappear with time. But the protection and help of the Lord remain as permanent support that never becomes useless. His grace sustains, protects, and guides the human being when it is needed. When a person lives with faith in the Lord, he develops the confidence that his life is not merely controlled by circumstances, but is placed under the protection of divine grace.

The expression “यदी वाजस्य गोमतः” (Yadi Vajasya Gomatah) teaches that the grace of the Lord is manifested not only on the spiritual level but also in the basic necessities of worldly life. “वाज” (Vaja) refers to food, strength, and the means of livelihood. The food and strength necessary for living are received from the Lord. The word “गोमतः” (Gomatah) indicates not merely the availability of food, but nourishing, prosperous, and beneficial means of living. The Lord does not protect a human being merely for survival; rather, He provides the resources necessary for the body, mind, and life to flourish. A person may not obtain certain material things in the world; there may be limitations in wealth and comforts; but the deep faith conveyed by this mantra is that the basic food and means necessary for life are not abandoned by divine grace.

Through the word “स्तोतृभ्यः” (Stotribhyah), the life of a person who lovingly remembers and praises the Lord is presented as an example. Here praise is not merely verbal glorification; it is a way of living filled with gratitude, faith in the Lord, and devotion. For a person who approaches the Lord with such an attitude, He “मंहते मघम्” (Manhate Magham), bestows exalted and pure prosperity. This “मघम्” (Magham) is not merely material wealth; it is a complete form of prosperity that includes righteousness, peace of mind, health, good knowledge, social welfare, and spiritual elevation.

This mantra also reveals another important truth. Praise of the Lord does not separate a person from worldly life; rather, it enables both worldly and spiritual life to flourish in balance. Through praising the Lord, a person ultimately receives not only Nishreyasa, spiritual elevation, but also Abhyudaya, worldly welfare and prosperity. In this way, faith in the Lord and friendship with the Lord enable a person to live with inner peace and outer fulfillment.

Therefore, the complete teaching of this mantra is that the gifts of the Lord, who possesses all strength and knowledge, are numerous and excellent; they never perish. Protection, food, nourishment, and the means of livelihood necessary for human life are received through divine grace. Furthermore, a person who lovingly praises the Lord receives both worldly welfare and spiritual elevation. Thus, this mantra gives the profound Vedic teaching that faith in the Lord and praise of the Lord bring complete welfare and true fulfillment into human life.

Conclusion:

This mantra emphasizes that the grace and protection of the Lord are unfailing and everlasting sources of support in human life. Although worldly friends and material resources may not be able to fulfill all human needs because of their limitations, the Lord, who possesses all strength and knowledge, provides gifts that are truly suited to human welfare and are of the highest value. His help never becomes useless or perishes; it appears as protection and support at the time when it is needed. The mantra teaches that food, strength, nourishment, and the means of livelihood necessary for human life are also expressions of divine grace. Furthermore, a person who lovingly praises the Lord and lives with gratitude receives not merely material wealth, but pure prosperity, peace of mind, worldly welfare, and spiritual elevation. Therefore, faith in the Lord and praise of the Lord together provide Abhyudaya and Nishreyasa, bringing complete fulfillment and a life filled with divine grace. This is the profound essence of this mantra.