Sukta 89
Sukta 7.89
Vasiṣṭha (traditional for RV 7.89)
Varuṇa
Anuṣṭubh (short refrain-like verse)
This short hymn is Vasiṣṭha’s urgent plea to Varuṇa for mercy, release from sin (enas), and protection from the “house of clay” (death). It confesses human error—misdirected will and inadvertent violation of divine law (dharma)—and repeatedly asks the sovereign, pure Varuṇa to “be gracious.”
Mantras
Mantra 1
मो षु वरुण मृन्मयं गृहं राजन्नहं गमम् । मृळा सुक्षत्र मृळय ॥
Let me not, O Varuṇa the king, go to the house of clay. Be gracious—O you of good sovereignty—be gracious.
Mantra 2
यदेमि प्रस्फुरन्निव दृतिर्न ध्मातो अद्रिवः । मृळा सुक्षत्र मृळय ॥
When I go trembling, as a skin-bag shakes when blown full—O strong one—be gracious, O you of good sovereignty, be gracious.
Mantra 3
क्रत्वः समह दीनता प्रतीपं जगमा शुचे । मृळा सुक्षत्र मृळय ॥
Through our own misdirected will we have reached a needy weakness, going against the right course, O Pure One. Be gracious, O you of good sovereignty, be gracious.
Mantra 4
अपां मध्ये तस्थिवांसं तृष्णाविदज्जरितारम् । मृळा सुक्षत्र मृळय ॥
Standing in the midst of the waters, thirst found the singer. Be gracious, O you of good sovereignty, be gracious.
Mantra 5
यत्किं चेदं वरुण दैव्ये जनेऽभिद्रोहं मनुष्याश्चरामसि । अचित्ती यत्तव धर्मा युयोपिम मा नस्तस्मादेनसो देव रीरिषः ॥
Whatever in this divine race, O Varuṇa, we humans may practise as hostile betrayal—if through unseeing we have violated your law—do not, O God, from that sin injure us; loosen it away from us.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a confession and a plea: the singer admits human mistakes and asks Varuṇa to be gracious, remove sin (enas), and protect him from death.
It is a poetic way to speak of death and burial—the fragile human body returning to earth. The hymn asks Varuṇa to avert that fate and grant protection.
The repetition works like a refrain: it intensifies the request for mercy. It portrays Varuṇa as a strong ruler (sukṣatra) whose true power is shown in forgiveness and release.