Sukta 146

Mantra 1

अरण्यान्यरण्यान्यसौ या प्रेव नश्यसि । कथा ग्रामं न पृच्छसि न त्वा भीरिव विन्दती३ँ ॥

O Forest-Spirit, O Forest-Spirit, you there who vanish as if slipping away—how is it you do not ask for the village? No fear finds you, as though you were beyond the reach of trembling.

Mantra 2

वृषारवाय वदते यदुपावति चिच्चिकः । आघाटिभिरिव धावयन्नरण्यानिर्महीयते ॥

When the ciccika cries out to the bull-roarer as it approaches, and it makes things rush about as if with clattering blows, then Araṇyānī grows great—magnified by the forest’s stirring life.

Mantra 3

उत गाव इवादन्त्युत वेश्मेव दृश्यते । उतो अरण्यानिः सायं शकटीरिव सर्जति ॥

And there, as if cows were grazing; and as if a house were seen. And Araṇyānī at evening lets loose sounds like the creaking of carts—signs of life moving in the wide solitude.

Mantra 4

गामङ्गैष आ ह्वयति दार्वङ्गैषो अपावधीत् । वसन्नरण्यान्यां सायमक्रुक्षदिति मन्यते ॥

‘A cow indeed—this one calls!’ ‘Wood indeed—this one has struck down!’ Living in Araṇyānī, at evening one imagines: ‘Someone has cried out.’ Thus the forest turns lone perception into living presences.

Mantra 5

न वा अरण्यानिर्हन्त्यन्यश्चेन्नाभिगच्छति । स्वादोः फलस्य जग्ध्वाय यथाकामं नि पद्यते ॥

Araṇyānī does not strike down—if another does not come against her. Having eaten of the sweet fruit, she lies down at her will: the wide consciousness harms none, unless approached with hostility.

Mantra 6

आञ्जनगन्धिं सुरभिं बह्वन्नामकृषीवलाम् । प्राहं मृगाणां मातरमरण्यानिमशंसिषम् ॥

Fragrant with ointment, richly scented, abundant in nourishment, untamed by plough—Araṇyānī, mother of the wild creatures: her I have proclaimed in front, in praise.