English translation:
“Truth is one, but the wise call it by many names” or “That which exists is One, sages call it by various names,” emphasizing that the ultimate reality (God/Truth) is singular or one, though people describe or approach it differently
– Rig Veda 1.164.46
इन्द्रं मित्रं वरुणमग्निमाहुरथो दिव्यः स सुपर्णो गरुत्मान् ।
एकं सद्विप्रा बहुधा वदन्त्यग्निं यमं मातरिश्वानमाहुः ॥
– Rigveda mantra 1.164.46
Indram mitram varunamagnimahuratho divyah sa suparno garutman,
Ekam sad vipra bahudha vadantyagnim yamam matarisvanamahuh.
– Rigveda verse 1.164.46
Meaning of the mantra:
“Ekam Sat Vipra Bahudha Vadanti” (एकं सत् विप्रा बहुधा वदन्ति) is a famous Sanskrit mantra from the Rigveda meaning “Truth is one, but the wise call it by many names” or “That which exists is One, sages call it by various names,” emphasizing that the ultimate reality (God/Truth) is singular or one, though people describe or approach it differently through various paths, deities, or philosophies. It promotes pluralism and respect for diverse perspectives, acknowledging that each viewpoint adds a dimension to understanding the whole.
Meaning Breakdown:
Ekam Sat (एकं सत्): Truth/Reality is One.
Viprāḥ (विप्राः): The wise or sages.
Bahudhā (बहुधा): In many ways, or by many names.
Vadanti (वदन्ति): They speak or call.
Translation >
Just as fire and other elements have names like Agni, similarly, the one Supreme Being has thousands of names such as Agni, etc. It should be understood that the Supreme Being or god has as many names as He has attributes, actions, and characteristics.
– Swami Dayanand
Translation by Various Authors >
1. Truth is one, seekers call it by various names.
2. Ekam Sat Vipra Bahudha Vadanti – Satya or truth is one, rishis or sages call it by various ways or names.
3. God is one, but according to His attributes, actions, and nature, that unique being has many names.
– Harisharan Siddhantalankar
4. Reality is one, Truth is one, Ishvara is one and only One, not more than one. The learned and the wise speak of It in many ways. They say: It is Indra, glorious, Mitra, universal friend, Varuna, highest adorable, Agni, light of life, Divya, heavenly, Suparna, supreme beauteous, Garutman, supreme dynamic. They say: It is Agni, life and leader of existence, Yama, supreme controller, law and justice, and the judge, and Matarishva, supreme energy of the universe.
– Dr. Tulsi Ram
5. God is one but the wise call Him by various names to denote, His different attributes. They call Him Indra God of supreme power or Lord of the world; Mitra-the friend of all; Varuna-the most Desirable Supreme Being; Agni-the All knowing Supreme Leader; Divya-the shining one and Garutman -The mighty universal spirit. The sages (Rishis) describe the one being in various ways calling Him, Agni-Self refulgent one, Yamathe ordainer of the world and Matarishvan-the life-energy of the universe.
– Pt. Dharmadev Vidyamartand
6. Wise people call the one who is blessed with supreme opulence, who is present like a friend, who is blessed with the qualities of all-pervading electricity, etc. by many such names, hence, he must be divine. The protector is the beautiful winged worship-worthy soul, and is called by many different names. The Alone Supreme Being is the controller of the universe as the Omnipresent God and the one who has the characteristics of the air residing in the space as the mother.
– Dr. Krishnakant Vedic Shastri
About This Mantra >
Context: It is clearly stated in this Mantra that though the Supreme Being—God is One, He is called by various names such as Indra, Mitra, Varuna, Agni, Yama, Matarishva etc. to denote His different attributes.
Source: It comes from the Rigveda (1.164.46), an ancient scripture of philosophy.
Core Idea: It highlights the concept that different philosophies, religions, traditions, culture and personal experiences all point towards the same fundamental divine or ultimate reality.
Application: This principle encourages tolerance and understanding, suggesting that diverse spiritual paths are valid ways to experience the single Truth, much like different people lighting lamps for various deities at a festival might all be seeking the same light.
This mantra promotes understanding and inclusivity, suggesting that various spiritual paths and names point to the same fundamental truth, a concept relevant to modern spiritual discourse.
Details of the mantra:
Subject of mantra: The subject of mantra is Surya;
Diety of the mantra: The God or diety or the devta of the mantra is Surya;
The verse of the mantra: Verse (meter) or Chhanda is Nichṛttriṣṭup;
The tone of the mantra: Tone or Swara is dhaivatah;
The sage of the mantra: The Sage or Rishi of the mantra is Dirghatama Auchathya.
