Atharva Veda 3.17.3: Kanda 3, Anuvaka 2, Sukta 17, Mantra 3
Sukta 17
लाङ्ग॑लं पवी॒रव॑त् सु॒शीमं॑ सोम॒सत्स॑रु । उदिद् व॑पतु॒ गामविं॑ प्र॒स्थाव॑द् रथ॒वाह॑नं॒ पीब॑रीं च प्रफ॒र्व्यऽम्
lā́ṅgalaṃ pavī́ravat suśī́maṃ soma-sátsaru | úd íd vapatu gā́mavim prásthāvad ratha-vā́hanaṃ pī́barīṃ ca pra-fárvyam
The plough, iron-pointed, well-compacted, Soma-speeded—let it indeed cast up, cow-winning; well-based, chariot-drawing; and make the soil swelling-rich and well-furrowed.
المِحْراثُ ذو السِّنِّ الحديدي، المُحْكَمُ التَّرْكِيبِ، المُسَرَّعُ بسوما Soma—فَلْيَقْلِبِ التُّرابَ حقًّا، جالِبًا للبَقَر؛ ثابتَ القاعدة، جاذِبًا للعَرَبة؛ وليجعلِ الأرضَ مُنْتَفِخَةً بالغِنى، حَسَنَةَ الأَخاديدِ.
The meaning
What it says
The plough—iron-pointed, well-joined, Soma-impelled—should cast up the soil, cow-winning, well-based, chariot-drawing, making the earth swelling-rich and well-furrowed.
The inner meaning
The sharpened tool is discriminating intelligence; Soma is inspired vigor. When energy and precision unite, obstacles are turned over and hidden resources come to the surface.
The truth in it
Prosperity is not merely ‘given’: it is uncovered by empowered skill—right tools, right sharpness, right vitality.
What it is for
- Kind of hymn
- Paustika (Prosperity) / Kṛṣi (Agricultural technology & fertility)
Its aim
To empower the plough as a consecrated tool that removes obstacles, produces correct furrows, and yields abundant fertility/wealth.
Word by Word
Pada patha
लाङ्गलम् । पवीरवत् । सु-शीमम् । सोम-सत्सरु । उत् । इत् । वपतु । गामविम् । प्रस्थावत् । रथ-वाहनम् । पीबरीम् । च । प्र-फर्व्यम्
- लाङ्गलम्
- ploughploughshare/plough (the cutting, opening implement; fertility-technology)Nounनपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचनRole कर्मRoot लाङ्गल (प्रातिपदिक) अव्युत्पन्न-नाम
- पवीरवत्
- having a metal rim/band; well-fittedhaving a metal point/iron rim (pavīra); sharp, effective, protective against obstructionAdjectiveनपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन (लाङ्गलम् इति विशेषणम्)Role कर्मRoot पवीरवत् (प्रातिपदिक; -वत् प्रत्यय) < पवीर
- सुशीमम्
- well-bound/firmly fastenedwell-bound/well-fastened; well-joined (sound construction ensures success)Adjectiveनपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन (लाङ्गलम् इति विशेषणम्)Role कर्मRoot सु-शीम (प्रातिपदिक) [सु + शीम]
- सोमसत्सरु
- O Soma-attendant/companion (epithet)moving/going with Soma; Soma-attended (sacral epithet: the implement participates in Soma-like vigor)Noun (compound epithet)पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन (सम्बोधन/विशेष्य-रूपेण)Role KartāRoot सोम-सत्सरु (समास-प्रातिपदिक)
- उत्
- up, forthup; forth (raising, bringing out)Indeclinableउपसर्गः (वपतु इत्यस्य)Root उत् (उपसर्ग/अव्यय)
- इत्
- indeed, justindeed; just (emphatic)Indeclinableनिपातः (बलार्थ/निश्चयार्थ)Root इत् (निपात/अव्यय)
- वपतुः
- let (it) sow/castVerbलोट् (आज्ञार्थ), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचनRoot √वप् (वपन/वप्)
- गाम्
- cow; cattleNounस्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचनRole कर्मRoot गो (प्रातिपदिक)
- अविम्
- ewe; sheepNounस्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचनRole कर्मRoot अवि (प्रातिपदिक)
- प्रस्थावत्
- having a platform/bench; well-provided with a seathaving a platform/bench; well-supported (stable implement/arrangement)Adjectiveनपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन (रथवाहनम् इति विशेषणम्)Role कर्मRoot प्रस्थावत् (प्रातिपदिक; -वत् प्रत्यय) < प्रस्थ
- रथवाहनम्
- chariot-vehicle; wagonchariot-drawing; fit for conveyance (strength and traction imagery)Nounनपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचनRole कर्मRoot रथ-वाहन (समास-प्रातिपदिक)
- पीबरीम्
- a stout/strong (female) animal; a robust oneabounding; swelling; rich (of furrow/soil; also ‘fat’ fertility)Nounस्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचनRole कर्मRoot पीबरी (प्रातिपदिक)
- च
- andIndeclinableसमुच्चयार्थकः निपातःRoot च (अव्यय)
- प्रफर्व्याम्
- a well-jointed/strong one; (lit.) well-limbedNoun/Adjective (f.)स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचनRole कर्मRoot प्र-फर्व्य (प्रातिपदिक) [समास/उपसर्गपूर्वक]
Sandhi Notes
- उदिद् व॑पतु॒ = उत् + इत् + वपतुः (उदिद् इति संहितारूपम्). प्रफ॒र्व्यऽम् = प्रफर्व्याम् (ऽ = अवग्रहः; अ + आ संधिः). अन्यत्र विशेष-सन्धि-भङ्गः न आवश्यकः
- शेषाः पदाः यथापाठम्।
Seer, deity and metre
- Rishi
- Kṛṣi-sūkta tradition (seer attribution varies).
- Devata
- Lāṅgala/implement-power; Soma as energizing principle
- Chandas
- Mixed; technical hymn with RV-style epithets
- Rasa
- Vira and Adbhuta
Sāyaṇa treats the implement-epithets as ritual guarantees: sharpness (pavīra) removes impediments; sound binding (suśīma) prevents failure; Soma-association confers vigor and victorious motion. The desired result is a properly opened, ‘swelling’ fertile earth and correct furrow-formation (pra-farvya), which in turn yields cattle-wealth by sustaining the household economy.
Kṛṣi-sūkta tradition (anukramaṇī attributions vary)
Consecration of implements (tool-power as devatā); prosperity rites that ‘animate’ technology with sacred force.
Atharvanic hallmark: the tool itself becomes a locus of power. Technology is not profane; it is ritually charged to serve life.
Lāṅgala (plough as empowered implement) with Soma as energizing principle
Channels Soma’s vitality into earth-opening action; converts raw ground into structured fertility (furrows) and wealth (cows/grain).
Protects the work from obstruction and dullness; wards off unproductivity by ‘sharpening’ and ‘stabilizing’ the instrument and operator.
Mixed (RV-style epithet stacking; Atharvanic technical verse)
Multi-epithet chain with imperative/optative force; metrical regularity is secondary to enumerating ‘qualities’ of the tool.
Catalog-style epithets (‘pavīravat… suśīmam…’) create a charm-like litany; recitation can be segmented by each epithet as a ‘charge’.
Incantatory, enumerative; each epithet lands like a hammer-stroke.
Energizes and ‘charges’ the implement; builds confidence and vigor in the worker.
The priest inspects and ritually ‘seals’ the plough (touching the metal point, binding points, and yoke).
He recites the mantra while touching the pavīra (metal tip) to transfer cutting efficacy.
The first turning of soil is done immediately after ‘ud id vapatu,’ synchronizing speech and action.
The priest sprinkles water or ghee on the furrow-edge to ‘fatten’ (pībarī) the earth, then blesses the field for orderly furrows (pra-farvya).
Kauśika Sūtra: kṛṣi-karman—consecration of plough/implements and first ploughing (edition-dependent numbering).
Atharvan as implement-consecrator and obstacle-remover: he sacralizes agricultural technology, ensuring it functions as a prosperity-producing instrument.
Recite while inspecting/sharpening the ploughshare; touch the metal tip on ‘pavīravat’; begin first pass of ploughing after recitation.
Before first ploughing; also before difficult soil-breaking or after repairs.
Householder or craftsperson can recite; Atharvan specialist may add offerings (milk/ghee) to ‘cool’ and bless the metal.
Use as a tool-consecration for farm equipment; adapt as a maintenance ritual (clean, oil, check fastenings) before work.
Ploughshare (lāṅgala); Metal point (pavīra); Soma (as energizing sacral analogue)
Metal tip = penetrating clarity; Soma = enlivening sap; turned soil = transformation of the unconscious/latent into the fertile and usable.
Indirect: supports annasya saṃpatti (food sufficiency), foundational for ojas; Soma imagery resonates with rasāyana (rejuvenative vitality) at a symbolic level.
Occupational psychology: tool readiness and maintenance reduce accidents and increase productivity; ‘energizing’ ritual improves motivation and team cohesion.
The plough and the field it works.
Empower the plough to cut well, turn soil effectively, create proper furrows, and produce wealth (grain/cows).
Epithet-litanies as ‘qualities’ verbally installed into the object; Soma invoked as catalytic force (sympathetic energizing).
Dull tools, hard soil resistance, poorly formed furrows, wasted effort.
Agricultural yield, cattle-wealth, transport strength (chariot-drawing as capacity).
- लाङ्गलम् (lāṅgalam)
- transformative instrument; disciplined force that reorders the ground of life
- पवीरवत् (pavīravat)
- sharp discernment; capacity to penetrate resistance
- सुशीमम् (suśīmam)
- integrity of character; parts of life joined without looseness
- सोमसत्सरु (somasatsaru)
- inspired energy; sacred refreshment powering action
- गामविम् (gāmavim)
- wealth that nourishes; gains that sustain life
- प्रस्थावत् (prasthāvat)
- good foundation; stability beneath effort
- पीबरीम् (pībarīm)
- abundance, fullness, generativity
- प्रफर्व्यम् (prapharvyam)
- ordered channels for growth; structured receptivity
‘Sharpening’ buddhi and ‘fitting’ one’s life-parts into a coherent instrument; channel Soma-like refreshment into action.
manipura
Brisk, steady breathing (not forceful) to evoke vigor; then a slow exhale on each epithet.
Visualize a shining plough-tip cutting through inner hardness; Soma-light washing the channel; soil turning into rich ridges.
Energized, capable, embodied.
Before demanding tasks, ‘consecrate the tool’: align posture, clarify intention, remove dull habits, then act decisively with measured force.
Treat each epithet as a distinct ‘charge’; keep pitch steady; honor udātta markings where present.
Avoid slurring compounds: pavīravat | suśīmam | somasatsaru—pause lightly between.
Firm, resonant, energizing.
Recitation traditionally pairs well with tactile contact (hand on plough) and practical preparation (tighten joints, sharpen edge)—the ‘suśīma’ principle enacted.
3 times
Preparing tools for farming or any craft; facing ‘hard ground’ phases in work/life.
Before first use of a tool; before a difficult work session; during maintenance/repair.
Greater confidence, better tool-care, sense of empowered action; culturally, blessing for yield and wealth.
Safety first: do not chant while performing hazardous sharpening without attention; keep full awareness on the task.
The mantra targets soil-conditions that enable plant growth: correct furrows and ‘swelling’ richness. Rather than naming a plant, it optimizes the growth-environment by sacralizing the tool that engineers germination conditions.
Tool-consecration implies that productive technology is under ritual jurisdiction. The priest’s speech authorizes the transformation of labor into legitimate prosperity, integrating agrarian production into sacral economy.
The dense cluster of technical epithets for an implement is more ‘technological’ than typical RV praise. Soma is redeployed from sacrificial drink to a generalized energizing qualifier for motion and efficacy.
Gopatha’s logic supports the transfer of divine qualities to objects via mantra. By naming the plough as Soma-attended and iron-pointed, the rite installs a divine ‘function’ in the implement, making successful cultivation a predictable outcome of correct ritual-technology.
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