Rig Veda 10.39.2: Mandala 10, Sukta 39, Mantra 2
Sukta 10.39
- Devata
- Aśvins
- Chandas
- Jagati
- Rasa
- Adbhuta (wonder) and Shanta (peace)
चोदयतं सूनृताः पिन्वतं धिय उत्पुरंधीरीरयतं तदुश्मसि । यशसं भागं कृणुतं नो अश्विना सोमं न चारुं मघवत्सु नस्कृतम् ॥
codáyataṃ sūnṛ́tāḥ pínvataṃ dhíya út puram-dhīr īrayataṃ tád uśmasi | yaśásaṃ bhāgáṃ kṛṇutaṃ no aśvinā sómaṃ ná cā́ruṃ maghávat-su naḥ kṛtám ||
حرِّكا قوى الحقيقة المضيئة، وقوِّيا أفكارَنا؛ وارفعا وأطلقا فيضَ الذكاء المُلهَم—ذلك ما نبتغيه. واصنعا لنا، يا أشفين، نصيبًا ذا مجد، كسوما بهيٍّ معصورٍ بين أهل العطاء من نورٍ وبأس.
Word by Word
- चोदयतम्
- impel, set in motion (you two)!Verbलोट् (आज्ञार्थे), मध्यमपुरुष, द्विवचन, परस्मैपदम्Role (मुख्य क्रिया; कर्ता = अश्विनौ)Root चुद् (प्रेरणे)
- सूनृताः
- truthful/pleasant utterancesNounस्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, बहुवचनRole कर्म (चोदयतम्) / (प्रेर्य-वस्तु)Root सूनृता (प्रातिपदिक)
- पिन्वतम्
- make swell, strengthen (you two)!Verbलोट्, मध्यमपुरुष, द्विवचन, परस्मैपदम्Role (मुख्य क्रिया; कर्ता = अश्विनौ)Root पिव्/पिन् (प्रीणने/वर्धने) → पिन्व्
- धियः
- thoughts, inspirationsNounस्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचनRole कर्म (पिन्वतम्)Root धि (प्रातिपदिक: धिय्/धी)
- उत्
- up, forthIndeclinableउपसर्ग/निपातRole (क्रियाविशेषण; ‘उत्-’ = ऊपर/उद्-भावे)Root उत्
- पुरंधीः
- bounties, liberality (generous gifts)Nounस्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचनRole कर्म (ईरयतम्)Root पुरंधि (प्रातिपदिक)
- ईरयतम्
- raise, set in motion (you two)!Verbलोट्, मध्यमपुरुष, द्विवचन, परस्मैपदम्Role (मुख्य क्रिया; कर्ता = अश्विनौ)Root ईर् (गतौ/प्रेरणे)
- तत्
- thatPronounनपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचनRole कर्म (उश्मसि)Root तद् (सर्वनाम)
- उश्मसि
- we desire, we wishVerbलट्, उत्तमपुरुष, बहुवचन, परस्मैपदम्Role (मुख्य क्रिया; कर्ता = वयम्)Root वश्/उश् (कामे) → उश्मसि
- यशसम्
- glorious, fame-bringingAdjectiveपुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचनRole विशेषण (भागम्)Root यशस् (प्रातिपदिक)
- भागम्
- share, portionNounपुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचनRole कर्म (कृणुतम्)Root भाग (प्रातिपदिक)
- कृणुतम्
- make, grant (you two)!Verbलोट्, मध्यमपुरुष, द्विवचन, परस्मैपदम्Role (मुख्य क्रिया; कर्ता = अश्विनौ)Root कृ (करणे)
- नः
- for us / of usPronounषष्ठी/चतुर्थी, बहुवचन (एन्क्लिटिक)Role सम्प्रदान (हिते) / सम्बन्धRoot अस्मद् (सर्वनाम)
- अश्विना
- O Aśvins (you two)Nounपुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, द्विवचनRole सम्बोधनRoot अश्विन् (प्रातिपदिक)
- सोमम्
- Soma (the pressed drink)Nounपुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचनRole कर्म (नस्कृतम्/कृणुतम्—प्राप्त्यर्थे)Root सोम (प्रातिपदिक)
- न
- likeIndeclinableउपमान-निपातRole (उपमा-सूचक)Root न
- चारुम्
- lovely, pleasingAdjectiveपुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचनRole विशेषण (सोमम्)Root चारु (प्रातिपदिक)
- मघवत्सु
- among the bountiful (patrons)Noun/Adjectiveपुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, बहुवचनRole अधिकरण (मध्ये/सत्सु)Root मघवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
- नस्कृतम्
- duly prepared/served (with reverence), made readyKṛdanta (Past Passive Participle)पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; क्त (PPP)Role विशेषण (सोमम्) / कर्मणि-भावRoot नस्-कृ (धातुसमास: ‘नस्’ + कृ, ‘नमस्कारे/उपसर्पणे’ भावे) अथवा ‘नस्कृ’ (वेदिक)
Sandhi Notes
- पदच्छेदः (वेदिक-सन्धि-विग्रह): चोदयतं | सूनृताः | पिन्वतं | धियः | उत् | पुरंधीः | ईरयतं | तत् | उश्मसि || यशसं | भागं | कृणुतं | नः | अश्विना | सोमं | न | चारुं | मघवत्सु | नस्कृतम् || 1) ‘उत्पुरं…’ इत्यत्र संहितायां उत् + पुरंधीः → उत्पुरंधीः (द् + प् संयोगे ‘त्प’ लेखन)
- 2) ‘तदुश्मसि’ = तत् + उश्मसि (द्/त् + उ- आरम्भे संधि)
- 3) ‘नो अश्विना’ = नः + अश्विना (विसर्ग-लोप/ओ-भावः)
- 4) ‘सोमं न चारुं’ = सोमम् + न + चारुम् (अनुस्वार/म् संधि)
The meaning
Outer meaning
A prayer to the Aśvins to set in motion truthful speech, strengthen the mind, and uplift inspired intelligence, granting the worshippers a glorious portion like a lovely Soma offering among generous patrons.
Inner meaning
The seeker invokes the Twin Divine Helpers (Aśvins) to activate sūnṛtā—luminous, truth-bearing speech—and to intensify dhiyaḥ (thought-powers) so the inner intelligence (puraṃdhī) rises and releases its plenitudes. The ‘share of glory’ is an inner attainment: a clarified, joy-filled substance of consciousness (Soma) formed within the field of generous forces (maghavatsu = luminous, powerful movements) rather than among external donors.
Universal truth
When truth-speaking and right discernment are energized, the mind becomes a vessel of inspired plenitude; then joy (soma/bliss) naturally ‘presses out’ as a share of luminous fulfillment and collective good.
Themes
inspiration, right-speech, inner-energizing, soma-delight
The seer
- Other hymns
- Rig Veda 10.39.1, Rig Veda 10.39.7-14 (contextual hymn sequence)
Significance
Maṇḍala 10 often carries a more explicit inward turn: the seer’s emphasis is on inner faculties (speech-thought-intuition) and the Aśvins as swift healers of the psychological nature, aligning with Aurobindo’s reading of the ‘inner sacrifice’.
The deity
- Devata
- Aśvins (Nāsatyā)
- Epithets
- Nāsatyā (the true, the unfailing), Aśvinā (horsemen, swift helpers), Bhiṣajā (physicians/healers), Mayobhuvā (bringers of delight)
- Related deities
- Uṣas, Sūrya, Indra, Agni, Soma
Cosmic role
Twin powers of swift succour who restore, renew, and bring safe passage across peril; mediators between Night and Dawn, preparing the emergence of light.
Inner power
Rapid harmonizing and healing force that joins clarity (mind) and vitality (life-force), enabling inspired intelligence to rise and release its gifts.
In ritual
Where it is used
Soma pressing / Aśvin invocation at savana (general)
चो॒दय॑तं सू॒नृता॒: पिन्व॑तं॒ धिय॒ उत्पुरं॑धीरीरयतं॒ तदु॑श्मसि । य॒शसं॑ भा॒गं कृ॑णुतं नो अश्विना॒ सोमं॒ न चारुं॑ म॒घव॑त्सु नस्कृतम् ॥
चो॒दय॑तम् । सू॒नृताः॑ । पिन्व॑तम् । धियः॑ । उत् । पुर॑म्ऽधीः । ई॒र॒य॒त॒म् । तत् । उ॒श्म॒सि॒ । य॒शस॑म् । भा॒गम् । कृ॒णु॒त॒म् । नः॒ । अ॒श्वि॒ना॒ । सोम॑म् । न । चारु॑म् । म॒घव॑त्ऽसु । नः॒ । कृ॒त॒म् ॥
codayatam | sūnṛtāḥ | pinvatam | dhiyaḥ | ut | puram-dhīḥ | īrayatam | tat | uśmasi | yaśasam | bhāgam | kṛṇutam | naḥ | aśvinā | somam | na | cārum | maghavat-su | naḥ | kṛtam
48
4 pādas × 12 syllables (probable)
Flowing, expansive cadence suitable for ‘uplifting’ and ‘setting in motion’ inner powers.
Encourages breadth of breath and a sense of upward release; supports contemplation with dynamic aspiration.
- चोदयतम् (codayatam)
- Literal: set in motion, impel. Symbolic: awaken and drive forward the inner faculties toward progress
- सूनृताः (sūnṛtāḥ)
- Literal: true/gentle speech, words of truth. Symbolic: luminous truth-expression that aligns mind and life with satya/ṛta
- धियः (dhiyaḥ)
- Literal: thoughts, understandings. Symbolic: higher ideative power; discerning intelligence receptive to illumination
- पुरंधीः (puraṃdhīḥ)
- Literal: bountiful/inspired intelligence. Symbolic: the plenary intuitive intelligence that ‘fills the city’ of being with right order
- यशसम् भागम् (yaśasam bhāgam)
- Literal: a glorious share/portion. Symbolic: inner attainment that radiates strength, clarity, and effective action
- सोमम् (somam)
- Literal: Soma juice. Symbolic: nectar of delight/bliss distilled from purified consciousness
- मघवत्सु (maghavatsu)
- Literal: among the generous/powerful. Symbolic: within luminous force-natures that give energy, courage, and wideness
Invocatory verse suited to Soma pressing contexts; psychologically, a mantra for energizing right speech and inspired intelligence.
At Soma-pressings; also as an invitatory praise for Aśvins in morning contexts
Stotra/śastra-style laud and request for aid, prosperity, and right inspiration
Used as a meditation mantra for activating truthful speech, strengthening resolve, and invoking swift inner help during confusion or mental dullness.
codáy-: causative of √cud ‘impel’. sūnṛ́tā: su- + nṛtā? RV ‘sūnṛtā’ = ‘good truth/sweet truth’, linked to right speech (satya-vāc). √pinv ‘swell, invigorate’. dhī: from √dhī ‘think, perceive’. puram-dhī: compound with purá ‘fullness/stronghold’ + dhī ‘insight’ → abundant intelligence. √īr ‘raise, set in motion’. yaśás: ‘glory’ (radiant accomplishment). bhāgá: from √bhaj ‘share, apportion’. soma: from √su ‘press’ (outer), inner sense ‘distilled delight’.
Satya/Sūnṛtā (true speech), Dhī (illumined intelligence), Rita as right impulsion
The ‘luminous truth’ and ‘uplifted intelligence’ imply aligning speech and thought with ṛta so the inner order can manifest as effective power.
sūnṛtā as satya in expression—truth that is also harmonious and beneficent.
‘Pressing’ Soma as inner distillation: consciousness refines experience into delight and luminous force.
Proto-Vedāntic / Yogic (Aurobindo-Kashyap psychological hermeneutic)
dawn/morning (Aśvin affinity; Soma savana context)
Soma = bliss distilled from purified awareness; dawn-light = awakening of higher perception; horses = vital energies yoked to the divine movement.
- What is the primary Vedic 'mythologem' present in this verse?
- The Aśvins as awakeners and increasers: they impel sūnṛtā (truth-speech) and lift puramdhī (abundant inspired intelligence), granting a ‘share’ like Soma—i.e., the mythic gift becomes an inner distillation of delight and power.
- How does the linguistic structure reflect Proto-Indo-European roots?
- √bhaj ‘apportion’ (bhāga) has clear Indo-European parallels (e.g., Slavic *bogъ ‘dispenser’ in later developments; and PIE *bʰag- ‘share’). The causative formation codáy- illustrates inherited morphological strategies (root + causative) common across Indo-European.
- What is the relationship between the Rishi and the Devata here?
- The seer asks not for external goods but for inner operations: the gods must actively ‘impel’ and ‘increase’ the seeker’s faculties (speech, thought, inspired plenitude), indicating a cooperative yoga between human aspiration (uśmasi) and divine intervention.
Activate truth-speaking and illumined thinking; invite swift harmonizing help to release intuitive plenitude.
viśuddha (truthful expression) and ājñā (illumined discernment)
Moderate nāḍī-śodhana for 6–9 rounds, then gentle kumbhaka after exhale while holding the sense of ‘uplift’ (ut).
From mental clarity toward inspired intuition (puraṃdhī) and quiet joy (soma).
Chant once slowly, then reflect on one faculty at a time—speech (sūnṛtā), thought (dhī), intuition (puraṃdhī)—ending with a felt offering of inner soma (delight) to the Divine Helpers.
Use standard Rigvedic accenting: udatta on marked syllables, anudatta as baseline, svarita following udatta where applicable (exact pada-svara requires Śākala accent text).
Lean gently into udatta syllables (slight pitch rise), release into following svarita; keep anudatta steady to preserve Jagatī flow.
Maintain retroflex in ‘dhiyah’ with clear ‘dh’ aspiration., In ‘puraṃdhīḥ’, keep anusvāra as a nasalized ‘ṃ’ before ‘dh’., ‘aśvinā’ with clear ‘śv’ cluster; avoid inserting a vowel between ś and v.
Bright, forward resonance with calm steadiness; avoid heaviness to preserve the ‘uplift’ sense.
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