Sukta 83
Rishi: Atharvanic seer-tradition (often associated with Varuṇa-release charms)
Devata: Varuṇa (as pāśa-binder and releaser)
Chandas: Anuṣṭubh (tendency; short charm-style)
Mantras
Mantra 1
पाशमोचनम्। अप्सु ते राजन् वरुण गृहो हिरण्ययो मिथः । ततो धृतव्रतो राजा सर्वा धामानि मुञ्चतु
Loosing of the noose. In the waters, O King Varuṇa, is thy golden house, knit fast together. From thence let the King, whose ordinance is firm, release us from all bonds and stations of constraint.
Mantra 2
धाम्नोधाम्नो राजन्नितो वरुण मुञ्च नः । यदापो अघ्न्या इति वरुणेति यदूचिम ततो वरुण मुञ्च नः
From bond on bond, O King, from hence, O Varuṇa, release us. Whatsoever we have spoken—‘the Waters are inviolable,’ and ‘Varuṇa’—from that, O Varuṇa, release us.
Mantra 3
उदुत्तमं वरुण पाशमस्मदवाधमं वि मध्यमं श्रथाय । अधा वयमादित्य व्रते तवानागसो अदितये स्याम
Lift from us, O Varuṇa, the uppermost noose; cast away the nethermost; loosen, asunder, the middle. Then may we, O Āditya, in thy ordinance, guiltless, belong to Aditi—may we be for Freedom.
Mantra 4
प्रास्मत् पाशान् वरुण मुञ्च सर्वान् य उत्तमा अधमा वारुणा ये । दुष्वप्न्यं दुरितं नि ष्वास्मदथ गच्छेम सुकृतस्य लोकम्
Release from us, O Varuṇa, all nooses—those Varuṇian bonds, whether uppermost or lowermost. Set down and wholly remove from us the evil dream and the mischance; then may we go to the world of the well-earned good.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a Vedic image for constraining force—especially the punishment of moral transgression (like oath-breaking), but also any binding affliction such as illness, fear, or social-legal constraint that ‘holds’ a person.
The hymn treats bondage as layered and complete; naming three levels makes the release total. In practice it also supports a simple rite of untying knots in sequence while reciting the verse.
Water represents Varuṇa’s domain and purification. The hymn can be recited over clean water and then sprinkled on the person to ritually enact release and removal of duṣvapnya (evil dreams) and durita (mischance).