Atharva Veda 20.122.2: Kanda 20, Anuvaka 13, Sukta 122, Mantra 2
Sukta 122
आ घ त्वावा॒न् त्मना॒प्त स्तो॒तृभ्यो॑ धृष्णविया॒नः । ऋ॒णोरक्षं॒ न च॒क्र्योः
ā́ gha tvā́vān tmanā́pta stotṛ́bhyo dhṛṣṇaviyā́naḥ | ṛṇórakṣáṃ na cakryóḥ ||
Hither, yea, as one self-won and self-possessed, thou rushest boldly forth for the praisers: thou hast unbarred the warding bar, as one frees the chariot’s wheels.
Ven acá, sí: como ganado por ti mismo, dueño de ti, te lanzas audaz hacia los que alaban; has descorrido la tranca que guarda, como quien libera las ruedas del carro.
The meaning
What it says
Indra, self-won and self-possessed, rushes boldly to the praisers; he unbars the ‘warding bar’ (rakṣam) like freeing a chariot’s wheels.
The inner meaning
A call to the inner ‘Indra-function’—decisive courage and agency—to come to the aid of one’s better intentions. The ‘bar’ is inhibition, fear, or blockage; ‘freeing wheels’ is restoring momentum and direction in life.
The truth in it
When strength is integrated (self-possessed), obstacles lose their binding power; liberation is often the removal of a single ‘bar’ that lets movement resume.
What it is for
- Kind of hymn
- Paustika (Prosperity) / Apotropaic (Obstacle-removal) (RV-derived Indra praise in AV 20)
Its aim
To summon Indra as an obstacle-breaker, unbarring hostile ‘rakṣas’ and clearing the patron’s path to success (victory, safe progress, ritual efficacy).
Word by Word
Pada patha
आ । घ । त्वा-व॒ान् । त्मना॒-आप्तः । स्तो॒तृ-भ्यः । धृष्ण-वि॒या॒नः । ऋ॒णोः । रक्ष॑म् । न । च॒क्र्योः ।
- आ
- towards; forth (preverb)hither; toward (invocatory particle drawing the deity near)Indeclinableउपसर्ग (preverb)Root आ (उपसर्ग)
- घ
- indeed; surelyindeed, verily (emphatic particle strengthening the summons)Indeclinableनिपात (emphatic particle)Root घ (निपात)
- त्वा
- you (as object)Noun/Pronounद्वितीया एकवचन (acc. sg.)Role KarmaRoot युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
- अवान्
- protecting; helpingAdjectiveपुंलिङ्ग प्रथमा एकवचन (nom. sg.)Role KartāRoot अव (धातु) → अवत्/अवान् (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक, ‘रक्षक/सहायक’)
- त्वम्
- you (subject)Noun/Pronounप्रथमा एकवचन (nom. sg.)Role KartāRoot युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
- अनाप्तः
- not reached/attained; unapproachedAdjectiveपुंलिङ्ग प्रथमा एकवचन (nom. sg.)Role KartāRoot आप् (धातु) → आप्त (कृदन्त) ; न-आप्त = अनाप्त
- स्तोतृभ्यः
- to/for the praisers (singers)to the praisers; for the chanters (the ritual clients/reciters who seek aid)Nounपुंलिङ्ग चतुर्थी/पञ्चमी बहुवचन (dat./abl. pl.)Role SampradānaRoot स्तोतृ (प्रातिपदिक)
- धृष्णवियानः
- boldly advancing; rushing forthboldly advancing; rushing forth with daring (a martial/irresistible epiphany)Adjective/Participleपुंलिङ्ग प्रथमा एकवचन (nom. sg.)Role KartāRoot धृष् (धातु) + वि + या (धातु) → वियान (कृदन्त, ‘going forth’), धृष्ण- (विशेषण ‘bold’)
- ऋणोः
- you reached; you came tothou didst open; thou didst unbar (release by breaking an obstruction; also ‘unfasten’ in ritual-legal metaphor)Verbलिट्/लुङ्-प्रयोगे (वैदिक), मध्यमपुरुष एकवचन (2nd sg.)Root ऋ (धातु ‘गच्छति/प्राप्नोति’) → ऋणोति
- अक्षम्
- axle; wheel-axisNounनपुंसकलिङ्ग द्वितीया एकवचन (acc. sg.)Role KarmaRoot अक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
- न
- like; asIndeclinableउपमा/निषेध-निपात (here: simile marker)Root न (निपात)
- चक्र्योः
- of/in the two wheelsof the two wheels; at the wheels (image of unblocking a chariot’s wheels; figuratively removing impediment)Nounद्विवचन षष्ठी/सप्तमी (gen./loc. du.)Role AdhikaraṇaRoot चक्रि (प्रातिपदिक, ‘wheel’) / चक्र (प्रातिपदिक)
Sandhi Notes
- ‘त्वावा॒न्’ = ‘त्वा अवान्’ (vowel coalescence ā)
- ‘त्मना॒प्त’ read as ‘त्वम् अनाप्तः’ (assimilation/graphic contraction in saṃhitā)
- ‘धृष्णविया॒नः’ segmented as ‘धृष्ण-वियानः’ (compound/epithet)
- ‘ऋणोरक्षम्’ = ‘ऋणोः अक्षम्’ (vowel sandhi o + a → o’/avagraha not written)
Seer, deity and metre
- Rishi
- RV tradition: commonly attributed within Indra-hymn cycles (Angiras/Bharadvāja lineages vary by RV locus); in AV 20 the rishi follows the RV assignment of the source hymn.
- Devata
- Indra (Śatakratu by contextual linkage in the surrounding verses of the hymn).
- Chandas
- Triṣṭubh (RV-style; AV 20 preserves RV meters).
- Rasa
- Vira and Adbhuta
Sayana (following the RV provenance of this verse in AV 20) treats the address as to Indra: ‘self-attained’ = independent in power; ‘rakṣam’ is the obstructing hostile force (rakṣaḥ/āvaraṇa) that hinders the sacrificer; the simile ‘at the wheels’ evokes the unfastening of a bound chariot, i.e., removal of impediments to the rite and to the patron’s success.
RV-source r̥ṣi for AVŚ 20.122 (follows the underlying RV hymn’s Anukramaṇī attribution)
Indra-triṣṭubh praise for obstacle-breaking and patron-aid; martial/prosperity theology repurposed in AV as apotropaic empowerment.
Transforms Indra-stuti into a practical charm of ‘unblocking’: the deity’s mythic act becomes a template for removing constraints in ritual and life.
Indra
Breaker of bonds and opener of paths; responds to praise by restoring movement and victory.
Psychosomatic: dispels paralysis and fear; energizes recovery and initiative.
Removes hostile wards/impediments (rakṣaḥ as obstruction); grants safe passage and success.
4 pādas × ~11 syllables (RV triṣṭubh cadence preserved in AV 20)
AV 20 maintains RV metrical drive; triṣṭubh here feels ‘surging,’ fitting dhṛṣṇu imagery.
Forward-thrusting, heroic; strong caesura supports the ‘unbarring’ image.
Energizing; good for rites needing momentum—departure, contest, undertaking.
Prepare a clean recitation space (āhavanīya/household fire context depending on prayoga).
Recite the mantra while facing east, mentally ‘drawing’ Indra near (ā-invocation).
Perform a symbolic ‘unbinding’: loosen a knot or release a small wheel/axle model (or touch the chariot/wagon wheel if present), synchronizing the act with ‘ṛṇoḥ’.
Conclude with a protective sprinkling (prokṣaṇa) and a short rakṣohā formula to seal the cleared path.
Kauśika Sūtra: AV 20 is largely RV-khila/saṃhitā-appendix material; Kauśika citations are sparse and often indirect. Use in Indra-invocation and obstacle-removal prayoga is typically grouped under general ‘rakṣohā’ and ‘vighna-nāśa’ recitations rather than a unique sutra for this verse.
Atharvan/Brahman officiant as apotropaic specialist: recites to remove unseen obstruction (rakṣas) and to ‘open’ the way for the patron’s undertaking.
Recite before journeys, starting a project, entering a dispute, or when repeated delays occur; can accompany opening a gate/door as a gesture of unbarring.
Morning start; immediately before departure or commencement.
Householder recitation; a purohita may integrate into a śānti before travel or enterprise.
Use as a focused chant before difficult tasks; pair with a concrete ‘first step’ action.
Chariot/wheels (cakra imagery as ritual metaphor for impediment and release)
The wheel is the technology of progress; freeing it symbolizes removing friction and restoring dharma-driven motion.
Stambha-like ‘stuckness’ (traditional metaphor), low vitality, fear-induced inhibition (psychological).
Invokes breakthrough energy; rhythmic triṣṭubh stimulates arousal and resolve.
Vāta obstruction (āvaraṇa) imagery; supportive for kapha-tamas ‘heaviness’ metaphorically.
Motivational activation, overcoming inertia; adjunct for stress-related executive dysfunction (not a medical treatment).
Obstacles (social, ritual, psychological); the patron’s path/undertaking.
Summon Indra to remove obstructions and ‘unbar’ what blocks progress; restore mobility and success.
Invocatory epiphany (ā…); simile-magic (freeing wheels) to enact release; praise as compulsion.
Binding hindrances, hostile wards, delays, fear.
Victory, successful travel/enterprise, ritual efficacy.
- त्मना-आप्त (tmanā-āpta)
- inner sovereignty; non-dependent strength
- धृष्ण-वियान (dhṛṣṇa-viyāna)
- courageous activation; breakthrough energy
- स्तोतृभ्यः (stotṛbhyaḥ)
- for disciplined intention and right effort
- रक्षम् (rakṣam)
- blockage, binding constraint; also hostile ward/guard set by opponents
- चक्र्योः (cakryoḥ)
- life’s mobility; progress; the capacity to ‘roll forward’
Breakthrough (bhedana) of inner obstacles; reclaiming agency.
maṇipūra
3–6 rounds of bhastrikā-light (gentle) or brisk exhale emphasis, then chant steadily.
A barred gate in front of the heart opening; wheels beginning to turn smoothly on a clear path.
Alert, courageous, forward-moving.
Chant 11 times, then immediately do one concrete action toward the goal (the ‘wheel-turn’).
Triṣṭubh with RV accent; keep the surge on ā gha / dhṛṣṇa-; let cadence ‘roll’ like a wheel.
Clear caesura after tmanā-āpta; emphasize ṛṇoḥ rakṣam as the operative verb-object.
Strong, upright, resonant chest voice.
Though RV-style, Atharvanic use favors ‘task-linked’ recitation: chant, then enact opening/unblocking physically (door, knot, wheel, latch) as sympathetic action.
11 times
Facing delays, blockages, fear of starting, bureaucratic ‘bars,’ or travel impediments.
Before beginning; when stuck; before important calls/meetings; before travel.
Increased courage and momentum; clearer sense of path opening.
Do not use heightened chanting to override needed rest; if agitation rises, slow the tempo.
No explicit botanical substance occurs; the operative ‘substance’ is mechanical/vehicular (cakra). In Atharvanic ritual technology, such concrete objects can substitute for herbs as manipulable carriers of efficacy: unbinding a wheel/knot externalizes the removal of metaphysical obstruction (rakṣas/āvaraṇa).
The ‘stotṛbhyaḥ’ foregrounds professional praise/recitation as a service rendered to a patron; the Atharvan priest mediates divine power to secure worldly success. The imagery of chariotry aligns with elite mobility/warfare, indexing a patron class for whom such rites are socially salient.
The diction and meter are characteristically RV: compact particles (ā, gha), participial epithets, and the chariot simile. AV 20 here is conservative, preserving RV phraseology rather than exhibiting Atharvanic prose-like expansions.
Gopatha frequently rationalizes Atharvanic efficacy through ‘bandhu’ (correspondence): opening/unbarring in the rite corresponds to opening the path in the world. While not necessarily citing this verse, its logic supports the mantra’s performativity: speech-act + symbolic unbinding yields removal of vighna/rakṣas.
Ask anything about this verse
Answers come straight from the texts, with the shlokas they draw on. Ask in your own words.
A free sign-in with Google or Apple keeps your chat saved across web and the app.
Read Atharva Veda in the Vedapath app
Scan the QR code to open this directly in the app, with word-by-word meanings, Sanskrit recitation where available, and more.
