Shloka 12
Āraṇyaka Parva, Adhyāya 233 — Pandavas Mobilize; Arjuna’s Conciliation and the Onset of Combat
स्वाहा स्वधा त्वं परमं पवित्र मन्त्रस्तुतस्त्वं प्रथित: षडर्चि: । संवत्सरस्त्वमृतवश्च षड् वै मासार्धमासावयनं दिशश्व,आप स्वाहा, स्वधा, परम पवित्र, मन्त्रोंद्वारा प्रशंसित और सुप्रसिद्ध षडर्चि (छ: ज्वालाओंसे युक्त) अग्नि हैं। आप ही संवत्सर, छः ऋतुएँ, पक्ष, मास, अयन और दिशाएँ हैं
svāhā svadhā tvaṃ paramaṃ pavitraṃ mantrastutas tvaṃ prathitaḥ ṣaḍarciḥ | saṃvatsaras tvam ṛtavaś ca ṣaḍ vai māsārdhamāsāvayanaṃ diśaś ca āpa ||
Dijo Mārkaṇḍeya: «Tú eres Svāhā y tú eres Svadhā: el principio supremo que purifica. Tú eres el célebre Fuego de seis llamas, alabado por los mantras sagrados. Tú eres el Año mismo y las seis estaciones; tú eres el mes y la quincena; tú eres los ayanas (los cursos del sol) y las direcciones; y, en verdad, tú eres también las Aguas. Así, todo el orden del tiempo, del espacio y de la ofrenda ritual se reúne en ti.»
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches a unitive vision: the divine principle addressed (especially as Agni in ritual form) is not merely a deity among others but the very structure that makes sacrifice, purity, time (year, seasons, months), and space (directions) intelligible and effective. Ethical implication: reverence for sacred order—ritual, speech, and cosmic rhythms—supports dharma by aligning human action with the larger order.
Mārkaṇḍeya is delivering a hymn-like praise, identifying the addressed power with key Vedic ritual forces (Svāhā for gods, Svadhā for ancestors) and with cosmic categories (time divisions, directions, waters). The speech functions as theological elevation: the object of praise is presented as all-pervading, sustaining both sacrificial practice and the cosmos.