Rig Veda 2.40.2: Mandala 2, Sukta 40, Mantra 2
Sukta 2.40
- Rishi
- Gṛtsamada
- Devata
- Soma-Pūṣan, with Indra as associated agent in the action
- Chandas
- Triṣṭubh
- Rasa
- Vira (heroism) and Adbhuta (wonder)
इमौ देवौ जायमानौ जुषन्तेमौ तमांसि गूहतामजुष्टा । आभ्यामिन्द्रः पक्वमामास्वन्तः सोमापूषभ्यां जनदुस्रियासु ॥
imáu deváu jā́yamānau juṣante imáu tamā́ṃsi gūhatām ájuṣṭā | ābhyā́m índraḥ pakvám āmā́sv antáḥ somāpūṣábhyāṃ janad usríyāsu ||
Diese beiden Götter, zur Geburt kommend, freuen sich; diese beiden bergen die Finsternisse, die nicht willigen. Durch sie bringt Indra das Gereifte im Unreifen zur Reife; durch Soma und Pūṣan erzeugt er die leuchtenden Herden des Lichts.
Word by Word
- इमौ
- these twoPronounपुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-द्विवचनम्Role विशेषण (देवौ इत्यस्य)Root इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
- देवौ
- the two godsNounपुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-द्विवचनम्Role कर्तृRoot देव (प्रातिपदिक)
- जायमानौ
- being born / coming into beingParticiple (Adjective)पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-द्विवचनम्; वर्तमान-कर्तरि कृदन्तःRole विशेषण (देवौ)Root √जन् (जने) + शानच् (वर्तमानकाले कृदन्त) → जायमान
- जुषन्ते
- they enjoy / favor / take delightVerbलट् (वर्तमान), आत्मनेपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः, बहुवचनम्Role क्रिया (कर्तृ = देवौ)Root √जुष् (सेवने/प्रीतौ)
- इमौ
- these twoPronounपुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-द्विवचनम्Role विशेषण (देवौ)Root इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
- तमांसि
- darknessesNounनपुंसकलिङ्गः, द्वितीया-बहुवचनम्Role कर्मRoot तमस् (प्रातिपदिक)
- गूहताम्
- let them concealVerbलोट् (आज्ञार्थ), परस्मैपदम्, तृतीयपुरुषः, द्विवचनम्Role क्रिया (कर्तृ = देवौ; कर्म = तमांसि)Root √गूह्/√गुह् (गोपने)
- अजुष्टा
- unfavored / unpleasingAdjective (Past participle)नपुंसकलिङ्गः, द्वितीया-बहुवचनम् (तमांसि इत्यस्य विशेषणम्)Role विशेषण (कर्म = तमांसि)Root √जुष् (सेवने) + नञ् (अ-) + क्त (भूतकृदन्त) → अजुष्ट
- आभ्याम्
- by/with these twoPronounपुंलिङ्गः, तृतीया-द्विवचनम्Role करणRoot इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) → अयम्/इमौ; तदनुरूपं द्विवचन-तृतीया
- इन्द्रः
- IndraNounपुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-एकवचनम्Role कर्तृRoot इन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक)
- पक्वम्
- the ripened (one) / the matureAdjective (used substantively)नपुंसकलिङ्गः, द्वितीया-एकवचनम्Role कर्मRoot √पच् (पाके) → पक्व (क्त) / पक्व (विशेषण-प्रातिपदिक)
- आमास्वन्तः
- among the unripe/raw (ones)Adjective/Noun (compound)पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-बहुवचनम्Role अधिकरण/सम्बन्ध (इन्द्रस्य कर्मणि—‘among the raw/uncooked’)Root आमासु + अन्तः (अन्त-प्रातिपदिक); समासः (अव्ययीभाव/तत्पुरुष-प्रायः) → आमास्वन्तः
- सोमापूषभ्याम्
- by/with Soma and PūṣanNoun (dual compound)पुंलिङ्गः, तृतीया-द्विवचनम्Role करणRoot सोम + पूषन् (प्रातिपदिक-द्वन्द्वसमासः) → सोमापूषन्
- जनत्
- generated / producedVerbलङ् (अनद्यतन-भूत), परस्मैपदम्, तृतीयपुरुषः, एकवचनम्Role क्रिया (कर्तृ = इन्द्रः)Root √जन् (जनने)
- उस्रियासु
- among the ruddy cows (dawns)Nounस्त्रीलिङ्गः, सप्तमी-बहुवचनम्Role अधिकरणRoot उसरिया (प्रातिपदिक; ‘dawn-cows’/‘ruddy cows’)
Sandhi Notes
- पदच्छेदः (सन्धिविग्रह): जुषन्ते + इमौ → जुषन्ते॒मौ
- गूहताम् + अजुष्टा → गूहता॒मजु॑ष्टा
- आभ्याम् + इन्द्रः → आ॒भ्यामिन्द्रः
- सोम + पूषभ्याम् (द्वन्द्व-समास, तृतीया-द्विवचन) → सोमापूषभ्याम्. (टीपः: ‘आमास्वन्तः’ मन्त्रपाठे समासरूपेण; अर्थतः ‘आमासु अन्तः’ = ‘कच्चेषु/अपक्वेषु अन्तः’)
The meaning
Outer meaning
These two gods, being born, delight; they conceal the unaccepted darknesses. By them Indra brings the ripe within the unripe; through Soma and Pūṣan he generates the shining herds.
Inner meaning
Soma and Pūṣan, newly manifest in the seeker’s practice, take joy and veil/overcome the ‘darknesses’ (tamāṃsi) that do not consent to the divine work—resistances of the subconscient. Supported by bliss and right guidance, Indra (illumined mind) can ripen what is still raw: immature movements in life and mind become cooked (pakva) by inner heat and light. The ‘usriyāḥ’ are the shining cows—rays of knowledge—born when illumination acts through delight and guidance.
Universal truth
When delight and right guidance are established, illumination can mature our unfinished parts; resistances lose their hold, and knowledge-radiance increases naturally.
Themes
Light vs darkness, Inner alchemy, Indra’s maturation work, Soma-Pūṣan cooperation
The seer
- Rishi
- Gṛtsamada (Bhārgava) / Gṛtsamada lineage
- Lineage
- Bhārgava
- Other hymns
- RV 2.12 (Indra), RV 2.40, RV 9 (Soma book: thematic resonance)
Family tradition
Bhārgava seers frequently link Soma to Indra’s victory and the release of light (cows/rays).
Significance
The verse is a compact psychology of transformation: delight and guidance enable illumination to mature the raw nature and release knowledge.
The deity
- Devata
- Soma-Pūṣan (dual), with Indra as operative power
- Epithets
- devau (two gods), jananā (begetters)
- Related deities
- Agni (cooking/ripening tapas), Uṣas (illumination), Bṛhaspati (release of cows/knowledge)
Cosmic role
Soma gives amṛta and cohesion; Pūṣan leads and protects the path; Indra effects the decisive ripening and release of light.
Inner power
Soma: Ananda that softens resistance; Pūṣan: right direction and safeguarding; Indra: luminous force that matures and liberates knowledge.
In ritual
Where it is used
Soma praise with associated Indra action; mythic-psychological motif used in Soma rites
इ॒मौ दे॒वौ जाय॑मानौ जुषन्ते॒मौ तमां॑सि गूहता॒मजु॑ष्टा । आ॒भ्यामिन्द्र॑: प॒क्वमा॒मास्व॒न्तः सो॑मापू॒षभ्यां॑ जनदु॒स्रिया॑सु ॥
इ॒मौ । दे॒वौ । जाय॑मानौ । जु॒ष॒न्त॒ । इ॒मौ । तमां॑सि । गू॒ह॒ता॒म् । अजु॑ष्टा । आ॒भ्याम् । इन्द्रः॑ । प॒क्वम् । आ॒मासु॑ । अ॒न्तरिति॑ । सो॒मापू॒षऽभ्या॑म् । ज॒न॒त् । उ॒स्रिया॑सु ॥
imau | devau | jāyamānau | juṣanta | imau | tamāṃsi | gūhatām | ajuṣṭā | ābhyām | indraḥ | pakvam | āmāsu | antariti | somāpūṣa-bhyām | janat | usriyāsu
44
4 × ~11 syllables
Dynamic and transformative; contrasts (born/darkness, ripe/unripe) create a strong inner drama.
Energizes the will to mature; evokes confidence that resistances can be outgrown through higher supports.
- जायमानौ (jāyamānau)
- Literal: being born. Symbolic: newly awakening powers in sādhanā; fresh manifestation of higher principles
- जुषन्ते (juṣante)
- Literal: they enjoy, consent. Symbolic: divine delight in the offering; supportive presence
- तमांसि (tamāṃsi)
- Literal: darknesses. Symbolic: ignorance, subconscient obscurity, resistant habits
- गूहताम् (gūhatām)
- Literal: they conceal/cover. Symbolic: they veil and render ineffective the forces of darkness; protect the process
- अजुष्टा (ajuṣṭā)
- Literal: not consenting, not pleased. Symbolic: non-cooperative resistances that refuse the divine rhythm
- इन्द्रः (indraḥ)
- Literal: Indra. Symbolic: illumined mind; power that breaks the coverer and releases light
- पक्वम् (pakvam)
- Literal: ripe, cooked. Symbolic: matured consciousness; integrated, ready movements
- आमासु (āmāsu)
- Literal: in the unripe/raw. Symbolic: immature parts of nature; unformed tendencies
- अन्तर् (antar)
- Literal: within. Symbolic: inner transformation rather than outer change
- उस्रियासु (usriyāsu)
- Literal: among the shining cows. Symbolic: rays of knowledge/light released into consciousness
Soma-yajña frame: describes cooperative divine operations—Soma/Pūṣan enabling Indra’s victory-work of maturation and release of lights (cows).
During Soma offerings and recitations emphasizing Indra’s work with Soma; also in prayers for maturation and clarity
Invocation and affirmation of divine process: conceal darkness, ripen nature, generate rays
Use when facing inner inertia or ‘raw’ emotions: chant to invite Ananda-guidance, then act from illumined discrimination.
tamāṃsi: from tama ‘darkness’ (PIE *temH- ‘dark’, cf. Eng. ‘dim’ is different but related semantic field; Lat. tenebrae from *temH-). gūh: √guh ‘hide, conceal’ (cf. ‘cave’ imagery in Vedic). pakva/āma: pakva from √pac ‘cook, ripen’ (PIE *pekw- ‘cook’; cf. Lat. coquere), āma ‘raw’ (unripened). usríyā: from usrá ‘reddish/bright’ related to dawn-light; cows as carriers of light/knowledge in Vedic symbolism.
transformation of raw nature into ripened consciousness, removal/concealment of ignorance, release of knowledge-rays (go/usriyā)
Ajuṣṭā tamāṃsi are forces out of ṛta; the gods’ action restores right rhythm by veiling them.
Indra’s ripening is the growth of satya-consciousness within raw nature.
Continuous creation through maturation: pakva arising within āma—evolution of consciousness.
Vedic evolutionary psychology (Aurobindo): transformation of the subconscient by higher powers.
dawn-to-day transition (implicit: darkness concealed)
Birth→awakening of powers; darkness→subconscient resistance; ripening→tapas-driven maturation; shining cows→released knowledge-rays.
- What is the primary Vedic 'mythologem' present in this verse?
- A compound mythologem: (1) the covering/overcoming of darkness (tamāṃsi gūhatām), and (2) the ‘ripening within the unripe’ (pakvam āmāsu antáḥ), culminating in the generation/release of luminous cows (usríyāsu). Psychologically: the twin powers enable the maturation of consciousness within still-raw nature, while resistant obscurities are rendered powerless.
- How does the linguistic structure reflect Proto-Indo-European roots?
- pakva from √pac corresponds to PIE *pekw- ‘cook/ripen’. The raw/ripened opposition is an inherited metaphor for transformation. The darkness lexeme tama reflects a widespread IE ‘dark’ root (*temH-), and the ‘hidden’ motif with √guh matches archaic cave/cover imagery common in Indo-European mythic diction.
- What is the relationship between the Rishi and the Devata here?
- The rishi positions Soma-Pūṣan as enabling conditions for Indra’s inner victory: they are not merely recipients of offering but active operators who make transformation possible. The hymn thus maps a yogic technology: invoke the paired delight/guidance so that the Indric force can mature the being and bring forth the lights.
Offer the ‘raw’ parts of nature to be ripened by illumined mind supported by delight and guidance.
Maṇipūra (ripening fire) and Ājñā (Indra illumination)
Kapalabhāti (mild, if suitable) to clear tamas, followed by slow breathing; then chant steadily.
Transformative concentration: from tamasic heaviness to luminous readiness.
Name one ‘āma’ (unripe) tendency silently; chant once; visualize a gentle inner fire cooking it into clarity; end by calling for one concrete right action (Pūṣan-path) taken with quiet joy (Soma).
Accents on imáu deváu, jā́yamānau, júṣante, tamā́ṃsi, gūhatā́m, índraḥ, pákvam, āmā́su, usriyā́su.
Maintain contrast: slightly darker tone on ‘tamāṃsi’, brighter lift on ‘pakvam’ and ‘usriyāsu’.
imau: i-mau (clear diphthong), jāyamānau: long ā; avoid compressing y, gūhatām: long ū; h audible, ajuṣṭā: j with u; retroflex ṣṭ cluster, pakvam: kv cluster clean, āmāsu: long ā; s unvoiced, usriyāsu: usr- cluster; roll/light tap r
Energizing but controlled; articulate consonant clusters clearly to convey ‘ripening’ precision.
5
Ask anything about this verse
Answers come straight from the texts, with the shlokas they draw on. Ask in your own words.
A free sign-in with Google or Apple keeps your chat saved across web and the app.
Read Rig Veda in the Vedapath app
Scan the QR code to open this directly in the app, with word-by-word meanings, Sanskrit recitation where available, and more.
