Sukta 15
Rishi: Traditionally associated with Atharvanic seers in the Vratya book (specific r̥ṣi attribution varies by anukramaṇī tradition).
Devata: Vrātya (as cosmic person) / bandhu-identifications to follow
Chandas: Prose/Anuṣṭubh-fragment (Vratya book contains many prose-like formulae)
Mantras
Mantra 1
तस्य व्रात्यस्य
Of that Vratya.
Mantra 2
सप्त प्राणाः सप्तापानाः सप्त व्यानाः
Seven are the in-breaths, seven the down-breaths, seven the pervading breaths.
Mantra 3
तस्य व्रात्यस्य । योऽस्य प्रथमः प्राण ऊर्ध्वो नामायं सो अग्निः
Of that Vratya: that which is his first vital breath, named ‘Upward’—this verily is Agni.
Mantra 4
तस्य व्रात्यस्य ।योऽस्य द्वितीयः प्राणः प्रौढो नामासौ स आदित्यः
Of that Vratya: that which is his second vital breath, named ‘Mature’—that yonder is Āditya.
Mantra 5
तस्य व्रात्यस्य ।योऽस्य तृतीयः प्राणो३ऽभ्यूऽढो नामासौ स चन्द्रमाः
Of that Vratya: that which is his third vital breath, named ‘Raised aloft’—that yonder is the Moon.
Mantra 6
तस्य व्रात्यस्य ।योऽस्य चतुर्थः प्राणो विभूर्नामायं स पवमानः
Of that Vrātya, the fourth vital breath—Vibhū by name—this same is Pavamāna, the Purifier.
Mantra 7
तस्य व्रात्यस्य ।योऽस्य पञ्चमः प्राणो योनिर्नाम ता इमा आपः
Of that Vrātya, the fifth vital breath—Yoni by name—those are these Waters.
Mantra 8
तस्य व्रात्यस्य । योऽस्य षष्ठः प्राणः प्रियो नाम त इमे पशवः
Of that Vrātya, the sixth vital breath—Priya by name—these are the Cattle.
Mantra 9
तस्य व्रात्यस्य ।योऽस्य सप्तमः प्राणोऽपरिमितो नाम ता इमाः प्रजाः
Of that Vrātya, the seventh vital breath—Aparimita by name—those are these Peoples, these progenies.
Frequently Asked Questions
In AV 15.15 the Vrātya is treated as a cosmic person, not just a social outsider. His vital breaths (prāṇas) are declared to be identical with cosmic and communal powers.
The Moon carries Soma-like meanings: renewal, nourishment, and rhythmic regulation. By naming Candramās as a prāṇa of the Vrātya, the hymn installs those qualities as his vital potency.
It presents the community and lineage as rooted in an ‘immeasurable’ life-force. The point is social-theological: the growth and continuity of people are grounded in limitless prāṇa, legitimating prosperity and expansion.