Lexicon

of Rig Veda

viśvadarśata, all-seeing

Sri Aurobindo translates the word as “all-seeing”, while most interpreters – as “seen by everyone”. Vedic context sometimes inclines to the first translation, sometimes to the second, but in rik 5.8.3 we have guhā santam viśvadarśatam, Agni, existing by a secret place, is all-seeing / visible by everyone – here the second meaning turns the statement into an oxymoron and therefore the first variant is only appropriate. In addition, what is the meaning in the constant theme of the liberation of the Sun from darkness and imprisonment, if it is already visible to everyone? Therefore, in a completely external translation and image, we are to prefer the meaning “visible by all,” while in an internal translation the meaning “all-seeing” is true.