एकं सद्विप्रा बहुधा वदन्ति — Word-by-Word Meaning
एकं सद्विप्रा बहुधा वदन्ति
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
इन्द्रम्
indram
Indra (the lord of the heavens)
मित्रम्
mitram
Mitra (the friendly deity of day and harmony)
वरुणम्
varuṇam
Varuna (the deity of cosmic order and waters)
अग्निम्
agnim
Agni (the sacred fire)
आहुः
āhuḥ
they call (Him), they name (Him)
अथो
atho
and also, moreover
दिव्यः
divyaḥ
the divine, the heavenly one
सः
saḥ
He (that very same One)
सुपर्णः
suparṇaḥ
the beautiful-winged one (the celestial bird / sun)
गरुत्मान्
garutmān
Garutman (the winged celestial being, Garuda)
एकम्
ekam
One (the single, undivided Reality)
सत्
sat
the Existent, the Truth, that which is
विप्राः
viprāḥ
the wise, the seers, the inspired sages
बहुधा
bahudhā
in many ways, by many names
वदन्ति
vadanti
speak of, describe, call
यमम्
yamam
Yama (the lord of dharma and the departed)
मातरिश्वानम्
mātariśvānam
Matarishvan (the cosmic wind / vital breath)
Complete Translation
वे उसी एक को इन्द्र, मित्र, वरुण और अग्नि कहते हैं, और वही दिव्य सुन्दर पंखों वाला गरुत्मान (सुपर्ण) भी है। सत्य एक ही है, किन्तु ज्ञानी जन उसे अनेक प्रकार से वर्णित करते हैं — उसी को अग्नि, यम और मातरिश्वा भी कहते हैं। वस्तुतः वह एक ही सत् तत्त्व अपने भिन्न-भिन्न रूपों के अनुसार ऋषियों द्वारा अनेक नामों से पुकारा जाता है, फिर भी वह सदा एक ही रहता है।
Origin & History
Source: Rigveda 1.164.46
Author: Rishi Dirghatamas Auchathya
Period: Vedic period (c. 1500 BCE or earlier)
This line closes a verse within the famous riddle-hymn of the Rigveda known as the Asya Vamasya Sukta, ascribed to the blind seer Dirghatamas. The hymn poses profound questions about the cosmos, the sun, time and the divine. In this verse the seer resolves the apparent multiplicity of the Vedic gods by declaring that the one Existent (Ekam Sat) is what the wise address through many names — Indra, Mitra, Varuna, Agni, the celestial Garutman, Yama and Matarishvan.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'Ekam Sat Vipra Bahudha Vadanti' mean?▼
It means 'Truth (or That which Exists) is One; the wise call it by many names.' It teaches that the various gods such as Indra, Agni, Varuna and Yama are different names and powers of one and the same Supreme Reality.
Where does this verse come from?▼
It is the second half of Rigveda 1.164.46, from a long philosophical hymn (the Asya Vamasya Sukta) attributed to the seer Dirghatamas Auchathya. It is among the oldest statements of unity in all of human scripture.
Why is this verse so important in Hinduism?▼
It is frequently cited as the heart of Hinduism's inclusive outlook — that there is one Truth approached through many names, deities and paths. It underlies the harmony between the many forms of worship in Sanatana Dharma and its respect for other traditions.
Does this verse support the worship of many gods or one God?▼
It reconciles both: the many gods are real powers and aspects, yet they are expressions of a single underlying Reality (Sat). The worship of any form, done sincerely, reaches that one Truth.
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