Sukta 50
Sukta 7.50
Vasiṣṭha (traditional for Maṇḍala 7)
Mitra-Varuṇa (protective Ādityas); with apotropaic focus against ajakāva/tsaru
Triṣṭubh (likely; hymn style of RV 7.50—verify in critical edition)
This short apotropaic hymn invokes Mitra–Varuṇa as vigilant protectors to ward off hidden, creeping harm—named as ajakāva and tsaru—along with poison arising from trees, rivers, and herbs. The prayer moves from personal safeguarding to a broader purification, culminating in a blessing of the Waters and rivers to become wholly benign and non-injuring for the worshipper’s path.
Mantras
Mantra 1
आ मां मित्रावरुणेह रक्षतं कुलाययद्विश्वयन्मा न आ गन् । अजकावं दुर्दृशीकं तिरो दधे मा मां पद्येन रपसा विदत्त्सरुः ॥
O Mitra and Varuṇa, guard me here. Let the all-pervading hostile force not come upon us. I set aside, out of sight, the baneful ‘ajakāva’—hard to discern; let not the creeping strike of darkness find me by its footstep and sudden assault.
Mantra 2
यद्विजामन्परुषि वन्दनं भुवदष्ठीवन्तौ परि कुल्फौ च देहत् । अग्निष्टच्छोचन्नप बाधतामितो मा मां पद्येन रपसा विदत्त्सरुः ॥
If, O widely-moving one, there arises in the joints a crippling constriction—binding around the ankle-bones and the heel—then may Agni, burning with his luminous force, drive it away from here; let not the stinging power find me by stealthy step or violent onset.
Mantra 3
यच्छल्मलौ भवति यन्नदीषु यदोषधीभ्यः परि जायते विषम् । विश्वे देवा निरितस्तत्सुवन्तु मा मां पद्येन रपसा विदत्त्सरुः ॥
Whether the poison comes to be in the śalmali, or in the rivers, or is born out of the plants, may all the gods press it out and drive it away from here; let not the stinging hostile power reach me by stealthy step or violent assault.
Mantra 4
याः प्रवतो निवत उद्वत उदन्वतीरनुदकाश्च याः । ता अस्मभ्यं पयसा पिन्वमानाः शिवा देवीरशिपदा भवन्तु सर्वा नद्यो अशिमिदा भवन्तु ॥
May all the Waters—those of the slopes, the lowlands, the heights; those rich with oceanic vastness and those of smaller flow—swelling for us with nourishing sweetness, become benign goddesses without harm to the step; may all the rivers become givers of what is uninjuring and uncutting.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a protective prayer asking Mitra and Varuṇa to guard the worshipper from hidden, creeping harm and from poison, and it ends by blessing the waters and rivers to be safe and benevolent.
They are Āditya deities who uphold truth and order (ṛta). Here they function as vigilant guardians who detect subtle danger and drive it away.
Because danger can come through the natural world (including water and plants). The hymn concludes by transforming that same environment into a source of safety—asking all waters to become nourishing and non-injuring.