त्वं वलस्य गोमतोऽपावरद्रिवो बिलम् ।
त्वां देवा अबिभ्युषस्तुज्यमानास आविषुः ॥ ५ ॥

Tvam Valasya Gomato Apavar Adrivo Bilam ।
Tvam Deva Abibhyushas Tujyamanasa Avishuh ॥ 5 ॥

Meaning:

त्वम् (Tvam) you, you alone. This word directly addresses the human being. It teaches that the living being who praises the Lord and lives an active life possesses the power to remove the inner darkness within himself. The meaning is that a human being is responsible for actively participating in his own spiritual progress.

वलस्य (Valasya) of Vala; of the obstacle resembling a covering or veil. ‘वल’ (Vala) means a veil, covering, or concealment. Here it refers to sensual desire, ignorance, and the veil of desire that conceals knowledge. This is the inner enemy that prevents the inner wisdom of the human being from becoming manifest.

गोमतः (Gomatah) possessing cows; filled with rays of knowledge; luminous. In the Veda, ‘गो’ (Go) does not refer only to the cow, but also to the rays of knowledge or the light of wisdom. Therefore, ‘गोमतः’ (Gomatah) refers to the heart-cave filled with rays of knowledge. Divine light and knowledge naturally exist within the heart of the human being.

अपावरत् (Apavarat) opened; removed; uncovered. This word indicates the removal of the covering. When the veil of desire and ignorance spread over knowledge is removed, the inner light becomes manifest. This is not knowledge received from outside; it is the revelation of the light that was already present within.

अद्रिवः (Adrivah) one who possesses the thunderbolt; one who possesses the weapon of power. ‘अद्रि’ (Adri) or ‘वज्र’ (Vajra) is explained here as a symbol of an active life. Continuous action and disciplined effort are the Vajra of the human being. That itself becomes the weapon that destroys inner enemies such as sensual desire and ignorance.

बिलम् (Bilam) cave; the inner heart-cave. Here ‘बिलम्’ (Bilam) refers to the heart-cave. It is the inner abode where the Lord dwells and the spiritual centre filled with knowledge and divine light. However, desire and ignorance temporarily conceal it.

त्वाम् (Tvam) you, you. This word refers to the living being who has conquered inner enemies and attained a higher state. The human being who removes the veil of desire and reveals the light of knowledge becomes worthy of divine life.

देवाः (Deva) gods; divine qualities; luminous attitudes of mind. Here ‘देवाः’ (Deva) does not refer only to external deities. It refers to the higher divine qualities arising within a human being, such as compassion, truth, love, courage, purity, and other elevated attitudes of mind.

अबिभ्युषः (Abibhyushah) fearless; without fear. Fearlessness is the fundamental characteristic of divine qualities. Desire and ignorance keep a human being in fear; but when the light of knowledge arises, fear decreases. Faith in the Lord and a divine way of life give fearlessness to a human being.

तुज्यमानासः (Tujyamanasah) to be protected; worthy of being protected. This word explains that protection is necessary for divine qualities to remain established. Demonic tendencies such as desire, anger, laziness, and jealousy always attempt to attack such good qualities. Therefore, they must be protected and cultivated with vigilance.

आविषुः (Avishuh) filled; surrounded; completely pervaded. The concluding idea of this mantra is contained in this word. When the veil of sensual desire is removed, the light of knowledge spreads through the heart-cave and divine qualities completely pervade the human being. His life becomes filled with divine light.

Explanation:

This mantra profoundly presents the nature of divine knowledge existing within the heart-cave of the human being, the veil of desire and ignorance that conceals it, and the spiritual journey through which that veil is removed and divine life is attained. The human heart is not merely a place of emotions; it is a sacred cave in which the Lord dwells. Knowledge, light, and divine awareness naturally exist within this heart-cave. The Veda represents the rays of this knowledge through the symbolism of “Gavah” or “Go”. Therefore, “गोमतः बिलम्” (Gomatah Bilam) refers to the heart-cave filled with rays of knowledge.

However, this heart-cave is not always filled with visible light. The covering of desire, sensual passion, and ignorance, known as “वल” (Vala), spreads over knowledge like a veil. As a result, the human being fails to recognize the light existing within and becomes caught in external objects and sensory pleasures. This covering does not come from outside; it is created by the inner tendencies of the human being. Thus, the heart-cave may appear to have come under the control of desire for some time; but in reality, the light of knowledge never disappears. It is merely concealed.

The words “अपावरत्” (Apavarat) and “अद्रिवः” (Adrivah) explain the way to remove this covering. Here the ‘Vajra’ is not an external weapon; a life filled with activity and self-control is regarded as the Vajra of the human being. Continuous effort, control of the senses, remembrance of the Lord, and disciplined living together break the veil of desire known as ‘Vala’. When a human being connects his actions with the divine path and lives accordingly, he becomes free from the rule of desire and ignorance and begins to reveal his inner light. This is the inner meaning of what the Veda describes as “breaking Vala” or “opening the cave”.

When this covering is removed, the light of knowledge that existed within the heart-cave begins to spread. At that point, the life of the human being becomes filled with light. The divine qualities indicated by the word “देवाः” (Deva), such as love, compassion, truth, purity, courage, justice, and a compassionate mind, begin to grow within him. These are not merely moral qualities; they are divine attitudes that naturally blossom when the divine light becomes manifest. The primary characteristic of these divine qualities is “अबिभ्युषः” (Abibhyushah), fearlessness. Ignorance and desire keep a person in fear; but when knowledge arises, fearlessness, confidence, and inner peace develop within him.

At the same time, the word “तुज्यमानासः” (Tujyamanasah) reminds us that these divine qualities must always be protected. The good qualities of love, truth, and courage that arise within a person are not automatically permanent; demonic tendencies such as desire, anger, jealousy, and laziness repeatedly attempt to attack them. Therefore, divine life is not a state that is attained once and then completed; it is a spiritual responsibility that must continuously be protected with vigilance and discipline.

The highest state of this mantra is expressed through the word “आविषुः” (Avishuh). When the veil of desire is removed and the light of knowledge becomes manifest, divine qualities completely fill the life of the human being. His thoughts, words, and actions are all guided by divine light. Thus his life becomes fearless, pure, and filled with divine presence.

Therefore, the complete teaching of this mantra is that divine light and knowledge naturally exist within the heart-cave of the human being; but the ‘Vala’ of sensual desire and ignorance conceals them. A person who removes this covering through the Vajra of a life filled with activity and self-control reveals his inner knowledge. As a result, divine qualities fill his life and give him a higher spiritual life that is fearless, pure, and filled with divine light. This is the profound Vedic teaching given by this mantra.

Conclusion:

This mantra explains that the light of knowledge given by the Lord naturally exists within the heart-cave of the human being. However, ‘Vala’, in the form of sensual desire, attachment, and ignorance, spreads like a veil over that knowledge and keeps the human being away from true understanding. A person who breaks and removes this covering through the Vajra of a life filled with activity, self-control, and remembrance of the Lord reveals the rays of knowledge hidden within himself. Then the heart-cave opens, and divine qualities such as love, truth, compassion, purity, and courage fill his life; he attains a fearless state of mind and inner peace. The mantra also reminds us that these divine qualities must be protected with vigilance from the attacks of demonic tendencies. Therefore, conquering desire and ignorance, protecting divine qualities, and revealing the light of knowledge dwelling within the heart-cave are what elevate a human being to a pure, fearless, and divinely illumined higher spiritual state. This is the profound essence of this mantra.