Yajurveda Chapter 5, Mantra 1
Minutes to read.
Yajurveda Chapter 5, Mantra 1 - God is Corporeal
अग्नेः तनुः असि। विष्णवे त्वा सोमस्य तनूः असि। विष्णवे त्वा अतिथ्येः अतिथ्यम् असि विष्णवेत्वा श्येनाय त्वा सोम भृते विष्णवे त्वा अग्नये त्वा रायः पोषदे विष्णवे त्वा (1)
Agneh tanuh asi. Vishnave tva somasya tanuh asi. Vishnave tva atithye atithyam asi vishnave tva syenaya tva soma bhrte vishnave tva agnaye tva rayah poshade vishnave tva.
Meaning in English:
(O Agneh) O Supreme God, Your (tanuh) body (asi) is — meaning, O Supreme God, You exist in bodily form.
(Vishnave) To sustain and nourish all, (tva) You are the (somasya) immortal Supreme God's (tanuh) body (asi) — You are His manifest form.
(Tva) That Supreme God (Vishnave) appears (atithye) in the form of a guest — meaning as one whose arrival is not predetermined — in order to nourish souls through Tatvgyan (true spiritual knowledge).
That God, who comes in the form of a guest, (atithyam) deserves a guest's welcome — meaning that Supreme God who appears in the form of a Tatvadarshi Saint is worthy of reverence.
(Tva) That Supreme God (Vishnave) comes to nourish souls through true knowledge.
(Shyenaya) Like a swift bird, He comes quickly to awaken those souls who are sleeping in the ignorance of false worship.
(Tva) That Supreme God, You are the (somabhrte) one who fills the devotee with the nectar of Satpurush-like devotion.
(Tva) You are (Vishnave) known by the name Vishnu due to Your sustaining role.
(Agneya) For God, no task is impossible. That Supreme God (tva) — You — (rayah poshade) enrich devotees with the wealth of bhakti (devotion).
(Vishnave) And You are the sustainer of all beings.
Explanation of Key Terms and Meanings:
| Sanskrit Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Agneh | O Agni – used here to address the Supreme God, not fire; denotes the divine energy or Supreme Being. |
| Tanuh | Body — indicating that the Supreme God has a form/body. |
| Asi | You are — affirmation of God's bodily presence. |
| Vishnave | For nourishing/preserving — refers to the role of sustaining the world. |
| Tva | You — referring to God. |
| Somasya | Of Soma — Soma means the immortal Supreme God or essence of immortality. |
| Atithye | As a guest — i.e., appearing unexpectedly in this world. |
| Atithyam | Guest treatment — meaning such a divine guest (God) is worthy of reverence. |
| Shyenaya | Like a falcon or swift bird — meaning quick to arrive, to awaken souls. |
| Somabhrte | One who bears/holds the nectar — nourishes with the nectar of devotion. |
| Agneya | Of Agni — denotes divine power; no action is impossible for Him. |
| Rayah Poshade | One who enriches with spiritual wealth, especially devotion. |
Essence:
This mantra of the Yajurveda glorifies the Complete Supreme God, declaring that:
- He exists in bodily form, not just as a formless entity.
- He manifests in the material world in the form of a Saint (Tatvadarshi Sant).
- He comes like an unexpected guest (Atithi) — a hidden incarnation without pre-announcement.
- He spreads true spiritual knowledge (Tatvgyan), guiding souls toward correct devotion.
- He is swift and effective in dispelling ignorance.
- He is the only one worthy of worship, being the source of all happiness, devotion, and spiritual wealth.
Yajurveda Chapter 5, Mantra 1
