Sukta 155
Sukta 10.155
Apotropaic expulsion (addressed to Arāyi/privation); auxiliary power Śirimbiṭha invoked
This short apotropaic hymn is a forceful expulsion of Arāyi—privation, hostile want, and misfortune—commanded to depart to remote, uninhabited places (mountain, far bank of a river). It invokes the auxiliary power Śirimbiṭha as a driving, smiting force to push the affliction away, and it ends with a confident protective affirmation around Agni and the “cow/light,” declaring the protected circle unassailable.
Mantras
Mantra 1
अरायि काणे विकटे गिरिं गच्छ सदान्वे । शिरिम्बिठस्य सत्वभिस्तेभिष्ट्वा चातयामसि ॥
O hostile want, blind and misshapen, go to the mountain, O ever-haunting one; by the driving powers of Śirimbiṭha, with those we smite thee away from us.
Mantra 2
चत्तो इतश्चत्तामुतः सर्वा भ्रूणान्यारुषी । अराय्यं ब्रह्मणस्पते तीक्ष्णशृण्गोदृषन्निहि ॥
‘Driven away from here, driven away from there’—so may all the red broodings be scattered. O Lord of the sacred Word, set down and strike the privation, sharp-horned and keen-sighted.
Mantra 3
अदो यद्दारु प्लवते सिन्धोः पारे अपूरुषम् । तदा रभस्व दुर्हणो तेन गच्छ परस्तरम् ॥
That log which floats yonder on the farther bank of the river, untouched by man—clutch that, O hard-to-slay one, and by it go beyond, to the farther side.
Mantra 4
यद्ध प्राचीरजगन्तोरो मण्डूरधाणिकीः । हता इन्द्रस्य शत्रवः सर्वे बुद्बुदयाशवः ॥
When those forward-moving powers came pressing into the breast (the inner field), then all the enemies of Indra were struck down—mere bubble-like forces, swift only in their froth.
Mantra 5
परीमे गामनेषत पर्यग्निमहृषत । देवेष्वक्रत श्रवः क इमाँ आ दधर्षति ॥
These have encompassed and led the Light (the inner Cow); they have encompassed and made glad the Fire. Among the gods they have fashioned the hearing-fame of the soul—who can now assail these?
Frequently Asked Questions
Arāyi is not a beneficent deity here but the personified force of privation—poverty, lack, and hostile misfortune—addressed directly and commanded to leave.
Mountains and the far shore are symbolic “outside” zones. Sending Arāyi there means pushing misfortune beyond the community’s boundary, out of reach and influence.
Śirimbiṭha is invoked as an auxiliary power whose ‘satva’ (driving forces) can smite and propel the affliction away, strengthening the expulsion and making it effective.