Rig Veda 6.49.14: Mandala 6, Sukta 49, Mantra 14
Sukta 6.49
- Rishi
- Bharadvāja Bārhaspatya
- Devata
- Composite invocation: Ahi Budhnya, Parvata, Savitṛ, Bhaga, Purandhi, Oṣadhis
- Chandas
- Tr̥ṣṭubh
- Rasa
- Shanta (peace) and Adbhuta (wonder)
तन्नोऽहिर्बुध्न्यो अद्भिरर्कैस्तत्पर्वतस्तत्सविता चनो धात् । तदोषधीभिरभि रातिषाचो भगः पुरंधिर्जिन्वतु प्र राये ॥
tán no áhīr budhnyò adbʰír arkáiḥ tát párvatas tát savitā́ cano dhāt | tád oṣádhībhir abhí rāti-sā́co bhágaḥ púraṃdhir jinvatu prá rāyé ||
તન્નો અહિર્બુધ્ન્યઃ અદભિઃ અર્કૈઃ તત્ સ્થાપયતુ; તત્ પર્વતઃ સ્થાપયતુ; તથા સવિતા પણ અમારા આનંદ માટે તેને દૃઢ કરે. અને ઔષધિઓ સાથે, ભાગ—પુરંધિ (પૂર્ણતા-સિદ્ધિની શક્તિ) સહીત—અમને સમૃદ્ધિ તરફ પ્રેરિત કરી જીવંત કરે.
Word by Word
- तत्
- that (boon/thing)Pronounनपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचनRole Karma (सम्बन्धित क्रियापद: धात्)Root तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
- नः
- for us / ourPronounषष्ठी (एन्क्लिटिक), बहुवचनRole Sampradāna (हित/लाभार्थ; ‘for us’)Root अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
- अहिः
- Ahi (serpent/dragon; deity-name)Nounपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole KartāRoot अहि (प्रातिपदिक)
- बुध्न्यः
- of the depth / belonging to the bottom (Budhnya)Adjective (used substantively)पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole Kartā (अहिः के विशेषणरूपेण)Root बुध्न्य (प्रातिपदिक; ‘बुध्न’ से)
- अद्भिः
- with watersNounस्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचनRole KaraṇaRoot अप् (प्रातिपदिक)
- अर्कैः
- with hymns/songs (praises)Nounपुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचनRole KaraṇaRoot अर्क (प्रातिपदिक)
- तत्
- thatPronounनपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचनRole KarmaRoot तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
- पर्वतः
- the mountainNounपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole KartāRoot पर्वत (प्रातिपदिक)
- तत्
- thatPronounनपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचनRole KarmaRoot तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
- सविता
- Savitṛ (the Impeller/Sun deity)Nounपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole KartāRoot सवितृ (प्रातिपदिक)
- च
- andIndeclinableसमुच्चय-अव्ययRoot च
- नः
- to us / for usPronounचतुर्थी (एन्क्लिटिक), बहुवचनRole SampradānaRoot अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
- धात्
- may (he) place/grantVerbविधिलिङ्/आशीर्लिङ् (Vedic injunctive-like use also possible), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचनRoot धा (धातु)
- तत्
- thatPronounनपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचनRole KarmaRoot तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
- ओषधीभिः
- with herbs/medicinal plantsNounस्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचनRole KaraṇaRoot ओषधि (प्रातिपदिक)
- अभि
- towards, untoIndeclinable (preverb/preposition)उपसर्ग/अव्ययRoot अभि
- रातिषाचः
- the gift-accompanying one / giver who comes with giftsAdjective (used substantively)पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole KartāRoot रातिषाच् (प्रातिपदिक; ‘राति’+‘साच्’)
- भगः
- Bhaga (dispenser of fortune)Nounपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole KartāRoot भग (प्रातिपदिक)
- पुरंधिः
- Purandhi (abundance/prosperity; personified)Nounस्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole Kartā (भगः के सह-समुच्चितः)Root पुरंधि (प्रातिपदिक)
- जिन्वतु
- let (him/it) invigorate/impelVerbलोट् (आज्ञार्थ), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचनRoot जिव्/जिन्व् (धातु; Vedic ‘to quicken, set in motion, gladden’)
- प्र
- forth, forwardIndeclinable (preverb)उपसर्गRoot प्र
- राये
- to/for wealthNounस्त्रीलिङ्ग (RV में प्रायः), चतुर्थी/षष्ठी, एकवचनRole Sampradāna (लाभार्थ: ‘unto wealth/for wealth’)Root राय्/रायि (प्रातिपदिक; ‘wealth’)
Sandhi Notes
- संधि-विच्छेद: तन्नोऽहिर्बुध्न्यो → तत् + नः + अहिः + बुध्न्यः (तत्+नः = तन्नः; नः+अहिः = नोऽहिः; अहिः+बुध्न्यः = अहिर्बुध्न्यः)
- अद्भिरर्कैः → अद्भिः + अर्कैः (विसर्ग-लोप/रुत्व)
- तत्पर्वतस्तत्सविता → तत् + पर्वतः + तत् + सविता (तत्+प = तत्प; तत्+स = तत्स)
- चनो धात् → च + नः + धात्
- तदोषधीभिरभि → तत् + ओषधीभिः + अभि (तत्+ओ = तदो)
- रातिषाचो → रातिषाचः (पदपाठ-रूप; संहितायां -ओ)
- पुरंधिर्जिन्वतु → पुरंधिः + जिन्वतु (विसर्ग-लोप/रुत्व)
- प्र राये → प्र + राये
The meaning
Outer meaning
May Ahi Budhnya establish that for us by the waters and hymns; may the Mountain establish that; may Savitṛ establish it for our delight. And with the healing plants, may Bhaga with Purandhi quicken us toward wealth.
Inner meaning
A composite invocation gathers multiple cosmic powers to ‘set’ (dhāt) a foundation of fulfilment. Ahi Budhnya (serpent of the deep) is not Vṛtra here but a deep, coiled power in the foundation—supporting the waters (inner flow of consciousness) and responding to arka (inspired hymns). Parvata (Mountain) symbolizes stable height and firmness—capacity to hold higher realization. Savitṛ is the divine Impeller who establishes right movement and delight (cano). Oṣadhis are healing growth-forces that restore and integrate the nature. Bhaga is the distributor of divine enjoyment/portion; Purandhi is the power of plenary fulfilment and right abundance. Together they ‘quicken’ the being toward rāya (plenitude).
Universal truth
Integral realization needs multiple supports: deep foundational power, stable strength, right impulsion, healing integration, and the grace that distributes fulfilment; when harmonized, these establish enduring abundance of consciousness and life.
Themes
Multiple cosmic supports, Healing and restoration, Establishing plenitude
The seer
- Rishi
- Bharadvāja Bārhaspatya
- Lineage
- Bharadvāja
- Other hymns
- RV 6.49 (multi-devatā), RV 6.50
Family tradition
Bharadvāja hymns often synthesize multiple devatās to secure a complete movement—force, wideness, protection, and fulfilment—reflecting an integral approach to the inner yajña.
Significance
This verse is a ‘harmonizing’ mantra: it calls powers of depth, stability, impulsion, healing, and distribution—mapping well to an inner psychology of transformation.
The deity
- Devata
- Composite: Ahi Budhnya, Parvata, Savitṛ, Oṣadhis, Bhaga, Purandhi
- Epithets
- budhnya (of the foundation/depth), dhāt (establisher; for Savitṛ/others), rātiṣācaḥ (carriers of giving)
- Related deities
- Varuṇa (waters/order), Agni (inner sacrifice), Indra (force of victory)
Cosmic role
Establishes foundations (depth), stability (mountain), impulsion (Savitṛ), healing integration (plants), and beneficent distribution (Bhaga/Purandhi).
Inner power
Grounded awakening: coiled foundational energy + firm stability + luminous impulsion + restorative growth + grace of fulfilment.
In ritual
Where it is used
General śrauta invocation for establishing welfare and plenitude; could accompany offerings connected with healing/prosperity and solar impulsion.
तन्नोऽहि॑र्बु॒ध्न्यो॑ अ॒द्भिर॒र्कैस्तत्पर्व॑त॒स्तत्स॑वि॒ता चनो॑ धात् । तदोष॑धीभिर॒भि रा॑ति॒षाचो॒ भग॒: पुरं॑धिर्जिन्वतु॒ प्र रा॒ये ॥
तत् । नः॒ । अहिः॑ । बु॒ध्न्यः॑ । अ॒त्ऽभिः । अ॒र्कैः । तत् । पर्व॑तः । तत् । स॒वि॒ता । चनः॑ । धा॒त् । तत् । ओष॑धीभिः । अ॒भि । रा॒ति॒ऽसाचः॑ । भगः॑ । पुर॑म्ऽधिः । जि॒न्व॒तु॒ । प्र । रा॒ये ॥
tat | naḥ | ahiḥ | budhnyaḥ | at-bhiḥ | arkaiḥ | tat | parvataḥ | tat | savitā | canaḥ | dhāt | tat | oṣadhībhiḥ | abhi | rāti-sācaḥ | bhagaḥ | puram-dhiḥ | jinvatu | pra | rāye
44
4 pādas of ~11 syllables
Enumerative and stabilizing; each clause ‘sets’ a support, creating a feeling of layered establishment.
Grounds and integrates; the listener feels supported from below (depth) and above (sun/height).
- अहिः बुध्न्यः (ahiḥ budhnyaḥ)
- Literal: serpent of the deep. Symbolic: foundational coiled power in the depths; support of inner waters (not the coverer here)
- अद्भिः (adbhiḥ)
- Literal: with waters. Symbolic: flows of consciousness, purification, and delight
- अर्कैः (arkaiḥ)
- Literal: with hymns/gleaming chants. Symbolic: mantric light-forces that awaken and stabilize powers
- पर्वतः (parvataḥ)
- Literal: mountain. Symbolic: inner firmness, stable elevation, capacity to hold the higher
- सविता (savitā)
- Literal: Savitṛ. Symbolic: divine impulsion, right movement, awakening toward the goal
- चनः (cano)
- Literal: for our delight/pleasure. Symbolic: ananda as sanction and sweetness of progress
- ओषधीभिः (oṣadhībhiḥ)
- Literal: with healing plants. Symbolic: forces of healing, growth, and restoration in the nature
- रातिषाचः (rātiṣācaḥ)
- Literal: companions of giving/bestowers. Symbolic: powers that carry the gift into embodiment
- भगः (bhagaḥ)
- Literal: Bhaga (dispenser of shares). Symbolic: grace that apportions delight, fortune, spiritual ‘portion’
- पुरंधिः (puraṃdhiḥ)
- Literal: Purandhi (abundance/fulfilment). Symbolic: power of plenary accomplishment and right prosperity
- जिन्वतु (jinvatu)
- Literal: may he/they quicken. Symbolic: may the divine forces energize and mature us
- प्र रायॆ (pra rāye)
- Literal: forward to wealth. Symbolic: toward plenitude of being and consciousness
Protective and prosperity formula drawing multiple powers; suited to rites seeking establishment (dhāt) and increase (jinvatu), including healing and well-being contexts.
When seeking establishment (dhā-) of wellbeing, stability, and prosperous fulfilment for the sacrificer/community.
Recitation alongside offerings (ghee/soma/water) and benedictory intention.
A ‘whole-system’ mantra for grounding, healing, and prosperity of consciousness—use after illness, during transitions, or to stabilize practice.
budhnya ‘of the bottom’ from budhna ‘base, depth’ (PIE *bʰudʰno- ‘bottom’, cf. English ‘bottom’ via Germanic). Savitṛ from √sū/√su ‘to impel’ with agentive -tṛ. oṣadhi ‘healing plant’ combines ‘burning/soothing’ semantics in Vedic medicine; inwardly, restorative forces of nature-consciousness.
Foundation/depth (budhna), Establishment (dhā), Rāyí (plenitude) as rightful share (bhaga)
‘Dhāt’ (establish) implies fixing the right order in multiple layers of being.
Arka (luminous hymn) as bearer of satya into the depths and into embodied life.
Layered creation: depth (budhna) → form/stability (parvata) → impulsion (savitṛ) → growth/healing (oṣadhi) → distribution/fulfilment (bhaga/purandhi).
Integral Vedic psychology: many cosmic powers correspond to functional movements in consciousness.
morning
spring
Depth-energy awakens the inner waters; mountain is spine-like stability; sun is illumined impulsion; herbs are regenerative assimilation; Bhaga/Purandhi are the flowering of fulfilled life-force.
- What is the primary Vedic 'mythologem' present in this verse?
- A coalition of cosmic supports establishing the seeker: depth-power (Ahi Budhnya), stability (Mountain), right impulsion (Savitṛ), healing (Plants), and distributive delight (Bhaga/Purandhi). Inner myth: the being is founded from below, stabilized, illumined, healed, and then filled toward plenitude.
- How does the linguistic structure reflect Proto-Indo-European roots?
- budhna ‘depth/bottom’ continues PIE *bʰudʰno- (widely attested). bhaga aligns with Indo-Iranian *bʰagá- ‘share, distributor’ (cf. Avestan baga-), reflecting an inherited religious concept of ‘portion’ as destiny and delight.
- What is the relationship between the Rishi and the Devata here?
- The rishi asks not for isolated gifts but for a coordinated ‘setting’ (dhāt) of the inner condition by multiple devas. The human side supplies arká (luminous speech) and receptivity; the devas respond by establishing and quickening rāyí as integrated well-being.
Integrate: feel a stable base (budhna), a steady spine (parvata), a solar uplift (savitṛ), and healing assimilation (oṣadhi) culminating in quiet abundance (bhaga/purandhi).
muladhara
Grounding breath: slow inhale from base to navel (waters), pause; exhale down to base; then a gentle ‘sun’ inhale to chest/forehead on Savitṛ phrases.
Integrated wholeness—calm vitality and healed coherence.
Chant 3 times; visualize deep waters becoming clear; on ‘parvataḥ’ feel inner firmness; on ‘savitā’ invite luminous impulsion; end with gratitude for Bhaga’s portion and Purandhi’s fulfilment.
Tri-svara; keep each ‘tat’ as a steady demonstrative anchor; maintain clarity through the enumerations.
Mark slight micro-pauses at clause boundaries (…arkaiḥ | …parvataḥ | …savitā…) to preserve the layered ‘establishing’ effect.
(ahir budhnyaḥ): ‘rb’ cluster clean; budh-nya with palatal ‘ny’, (adbhir): pronounce ‘dbh’ carefully, not dropping ‘d’, (oṣadhībhiḥ): retroflex ṣ; long ī; ‘bh’ aspirated, (rātiṣācaḥ): long ā; ṣ retroflex; final ‘-caḥ’ with visarga, (puraṃdhiḥ): anusvāra before dh; aspirated dh
Grounded, warm, integrating tone; avoid sharpness.
3
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 Rig 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.
