अभि यज्ञं गृणीहि नो ग्नावो नेष्टः पिब ऋतुना ।
त्वं हि रत्नधा असि ॥ ३ ॥

Abhi yajnam grinihi no gnaavo neshtah piba rituna
Tvam hi ratnadhaa asi ॥ 3 ॥

Meaning:

अभि (Abhi) Towards; facing; with a definite aim. ‘Abhi’ indicates the idea of moving towards a particular goal. Here, it contains the thought that human beings should be guided towards the Yajna of life. Only when life moves towards a higher goal can the protection of vital energy and discipline be firmly established.

यज्ञम् (Yajnam) Sacrifice; a life of dedication; a life lived as Yajna. Here, ‘Yajnam’ does not refer only to an external sacrificial ritual. Human life itself is considered a Yajna. A life conducted with duty, sacrifice, discipline, devotion to the Divine and higher values of life is called ‘Yajnam’ here. Such a life helps to preserve Soma, the vital essence.

गृणीहि (Grinihi) Teach; praise; give instruction. Here, ‘Grinihi’ comes as a request to give wise instruction. Words of wisdom that guide a person towards a Yajna based life elevate his life.

नः (Nah) For us; us. This mantra is not merely a prayer for an individual; it is a collective prayer that includes everyone. It contains the feeling, “Guide us towards a higher way of life.”

ग्नावः (Gnaavah) One who possesses Vedic metres and words of wisdom; a learned person possessing wise speech. ‘Gna’ refers to Vedic metres. Therefore, ‘Gnaavah’ indicates a learned person who possesses Vedic speech, knowledge and true instruction. Here, the position of the Guru who guides a human being towards a higher life through knowledge and Vedic wisdom is revealed.

नेष्टः (Neshtah) One who purifies; a learned person who purifies life; a guide. ‘Neshta’ refers to a teacher or guide who sanctifies life. He leads a person towards discipline, self control and a pure way of living.

पिब (Piba) Drink; receive; preserve and experience. Here, ‘Piba’ does not mean merely drinking Soma. It indicates that the vital essence produced within the body should be protected and its power maintained. Preserving vital energy without wasting it is understood here as ‘Soma drinking’.

ऋतुना (Rituna) At the proper time; without delay; at the appropriate time. Protecting vital energy is not an action that can be postponed. This word teaches that discipline, self control and preservation of Soma are especially necessary during youth and during periods when vital energy is abundant.

त्वम् (Tvam) You; you yourself. Here, the dialogue is directly addressed to the learned person or to the guide who purifies life. The importance of the person who accepts responsibility for guiding life towards a higher state is expressed here.

हि (Hi) Certainly; truly; without doubt. This is an emphasis stating that the result of a life based on knowledge and discipline is certain. It clearly establishes that preservation of Soma and a pure life truly elevate a human being.

रत्नधा (Ratnadhaa) One who holds jewels; one who possesses rare wealth; one who holds higher qualities. Here, ‘Ratna’ does not refer only to material wealth. It refers to inner treasures such as a healthy body, freedom from disease, purity of mind, sharp intelligence and noble qualities. A person who preserves Soma becomes the possessor of such rare treasures.

असि (Asi) You are; you become. This word confirms that the higher qualities mentioned above are truly present in the learned person or in the person who follows the practice of preserving Soma.

Explanation:

This mantra is a profound Vedic teaching that emphasizes the necessity of wisdom for guiding human life along a Yajna based, pure and disciplined path. The mantra explains that Vedic knowledge, self discipline and preservation of vital energy are interconnected in directing human life towards a higher goal.

The mantra first prays “अभि यज्ञं गृणीहि नः (Abhi Yajnam Grinihi Nah)”. Its meaning is, “Teach and guide us towards a life based on Yajna.” Here, ‘Yajnam’ is not merely a sacrificial ritual; human life itself is considered a Yajna. A life lived with reduced selfishness, duty, sacrifice, discipline and a higher purpose is the true Yajna. Such a life turns a person away from the path of excessive pleasure and uncontrolled desires and establishes him in a higher way of life.

As the guide to this higher life, the mantra refers to “ग्नावः (Gnaavah)”. ‘Gna’ refers to Vedic metres and words of wisdom. Therefore, ‘Gnaavah’ points to a learned person or Guru filled with Vedic knowledge. Such a learned person is not merely one who teaches knowledge; he also serves as a light that leads a human being towards the true path of life. His instruction guides a person towards physical, mental and spiritual elevation.

The word “नेष्टः (Neshtah)” occurring in the mantra further explains the position of the guide who purifies life. ‘Neshta’ means one who purifies, or a teacher who brings order and purity into life. He guides a person towards self control, discipline and a pure way of living. Thus, human life rises from a merely pleasure oriented state and becomes a meaningful life.

Next, the mantra says “पिब ऋतुना (Piba Rituna)”. Through this, the necessity of preserving the Soma vital essence at the proper time is emphasized. ‘Piba’ here does not simply mean drinking; it means protecting the vital energy produced within the body and experiencing its benefit. ‘Rituna’ indicates that this should be done at the proper time, especially during periods when vital energy is abundant. When the vital essence is protected without being wasted, physical health, mental peace and the strength of life become established.

At the end of the mantra, it says “त्वं हि रत्नधा असि (Tvam Hi Ratnadhaa Asi)”. Although ‘Ratnadhaa’ means one who holds jewels, these jewels do not refer to external wealth. Rather, they refer to inner treasures such as a disease free body, purity of mind, sharpness of intellect, noble qualities and spiritual awareness. A person who preserves the Soma vital essence and lives a Yajna based life becomes the possessor of such rare treasures.

Therefore, when this mantra is viewed as a whole, it explains that Vedic wisdom and instruction, guidance towards a pure life, self discipline and preservation of the Soma vital essence are necessary for the elevation of human life. A person who considers life as Yajna and lives accordingly attains such rare jewels as physical health, mental purity and sharp intelligence. Thus, this mantra reveals the profound Vedic truth that a life based on knowledge and discipline is the path to true wealth and spiritual elevation.

Conclusion:

This mantra emphasizes that if human life is to move towards a higher goal, it must be a Yajna based, disciplined and wisdom guided life. Vedic speech and wise instruction turn a person away from excessive pleasure and an uncontrolled way of living and direct him towards a pure way of life. Under the guidance of the learned person who purifies life, preserving the Soma vital essence at the proper time develops physical health, mental purity and sharpness of intellect. Such preservation of Soma and self discipline transform a person into the possessor of the true ‘jewels’, the inner treasures of life. Therefore, this mantra teaches the profound philosophy that when Vedic wisdom, a Yajna based life, pure conduct and preservation of vital energy come together, a human being attains physical health, mental purity and spiritual elevation.