Sukta 15
Rishi: Atharvanic tradition (exact r̥ṣi attribution varies by anukramaṇī for this hymn)
Devata: Oṣadhi (personified Herb), with Ṛta as legitimating principle
Chandas: Anuṣṭubh-like cadence (refrain-driven Atharvanic style)
Mantras
Mantra 1
रोगोपशमनम्। एका च मे दश च मे ऽपवक्तार ओषधे । ऋतजात ऋतावरि मधु मे मधुला करः
For the stilling of disease. One and ten—be they mine, O Herb, as repellers. Born of ṛta, guardian by ṛta: make for me honey, make sweetness.
Mantra 2
द्वे च मे विंशतिश्च मे ऽपवक्तार ओषधे । ऋतजात ऋतावरि मधु मे मधुला करः
Two and twenty—be they mine, O Herb, as repellers. Born of ṛta, guardian by ṛta: make for me honey, make sweetness.
Mantra 3
तिस्रश्च मे त्रिंशच्च मे ऽपवक्तार ओषधे । ऋतजात ऋतावरि मधु मे मधुला करः
Three for me, and thirty for me—O Herb—(be) repellers. Born of Ṛta, O guardian of Ṛta: make for me honey, make (me) honey-sweet.
Mantra 4
चतस्रश्च मे चत्वारिंशच्च मे ऽपवक्तार ओषधे । ऋतजात ऋतावरि मधु मे मधुला करः
Four for me, and forty for me—O Herb—(be) repellers. Born of Ṛta, O guardian of Ṛta: make for me honey, make (me) honey-sweet.
Mantra 5
पञ्च च मे पञ्चाशच्च मे ऽपवक्तार ओषधे । ऋतजात ऋतावरि मधु मे मधुला करः
Five for me, and fifty for me—O Herb—(be) repellers. Born of Ṛta, O guardian of Ṛta: make for me honey, make (me) honey-sweet.
Mantra 6
षट् च मे षष्टिश्च मे ऽपवक्तार ओषधे । ऋतजात ऋतावरि मधु मे मधुला करः
Six for me, and sixty for me—O Herb—(be) repellers. Born of Ṛta, O guardian of Ṛta: make for me honey, make (me) honey-sweet.
Mantra 7
सप्त च मे सप्ततिश्च मे ऽपवक्तार ओषधे । ऋतजात ऋतावरि मधु मे मधुला करः
Seven for me, and seventy for me—O Herb—(be) repellers. Born of Ṛta, O guardian of Ṛta: make for me honey, make (me) honey-sweet.
Mantra 8
अष्ट च मेऽशीतिश्च मे ऽपवक्तार ओषधे । ऋतजात ऋतावरि मधु मे मधुला करः
Eight for me, and eighty for me—O Herb—(be thou) the repellers. Born of Ṛta, O Ṛta-covering one: make for me sweetness, make (all) honeyed.
Mantra 9
नव च मे नवतिश्च मे ऽपवक्तार ओषधे । ऋतजात ऋतावरि मधु मे मधुला करः
Nine for me, and ninety for me—O Herb—(be thou) the repellers. Born of Ṛta, O Ṛta-covering one: make for me sweetness, make (all) honeyed.
Mantra 10
दश च मे शतं च मे ऽपवक्तार ओषधे । ऋतजात ऋतावरि मधु मे मधुला करः
Ten for me, and a hundred for me—O Herb—(be thou) the repellers. Born of Ṛta, O Ṛta-covering one: make for me sweetness, make (all) honeyed.
Mantra 11
शतं च मे सहस्रं चापवक्तार ओषधे । ऋतजात ऋतावरि मधु मे मधुला करः
A hundred for me, and a thousand—O Herb—(be thou) the repellers. Born of Ṛta, O Ṛta-covering one: make for me sweetness, make (all) honeyed.
Frequently Asked Questions
The hymn addresses Oṣadhi, the medicinal herb, as a personified power. Its authority is grounded in Ṛta, meaning the cure is framed as truth-aligned and therefore dependable.
The numbers function as ritual intensifiers: they multiply the herb’s ‘repelling’ capacities (apavaktāraḥ). The repeated pattern builds a sense of layered, overwhelming protection against illness and harm.
Both. Madhu can be literal honey used as an auspicious carrier, and it also signifies the desired result: a ‘sweetened’ condition—pleasantness, nourishment, and restored vitality replacing the bitterness of disease.