Atharva Veda 19.12.1: Kanda 19, Anuvaka 2, Sukta 12, Mantra 1
Sukta 12
शान्तिः। उ॒षा अप॒ स्वसु॒स्तमः॒ सं व॑र्तयति वर्त॒निं सु॑जा॒तता॑ । अ॒या वाजं॑ दे॒वहि॑तं सनेम॒ मदे॑म श॒तहि॑माः सु॒वीराः॑
śā́ntiḥ | uṣā́ apá svasús támaḥ sáṃ vartayati vartaníṃ sujā́tatā | ayā́ vā́jaṃ deváhitaṃ sanéma mádema śatáhimāḥ suvī́rāḥ ||
Peace. Dawn, in happy wise, drives wholly away the darkness, and sets in motion the path of good begetting. By this may we win the prize that Gods have set, may we rejoice—living a hundred winters, rich in noble sons.
शांति हो। सुबह की रोशनी अंधेरा भगाती है और अच्छा रास्ता दिखाती है। इससे हम वो चीज़ पाएं जो भगवान ने रखी है। हम खुश रहें, सौ साल तक जिएं, और अच्छे बच्चे हमारे हों।
The meaning
What it says
A śānti invocation to Uṣas: Dawn drives away darkness, sets the course/path in motion, and enables winning the divinely appointed prize; the wish is for joy, a hundred winters of life, and noble sons.
The inner meaning
Uṣas is the psyche’s renewing clarity: she disperses inner gloom (tamás), restarts stalled momentum (vartaní), and reopens generativity (sujātatā). The ‘prize’ becomes regained confidence and purposeful direction.
The truth in it
Renewal is lawful: when light returns, obstruction recedes, pathways reopen, and life tends toward growth, joy, and continuity.
What it is for
- Kind of hymn
- Śānti / Paustika (prosperity through pacification)
Its aim
To remove inauspicious darkness/obstruction and secure prosperity: divinely sanctioned gain, joy, longevity, and good offspring.
Word by Word
Pada patha
शान्तिः । उषाः । अप । स्वसुः । तमः । सम् । वर्तयति । वर्तनिम् । सुजातता । अया । वाजम् । देवहितम् । सनेम । मदेम । शतहिमाः । सुवीराः ।
- शान्तिः
- peace (benediction)peace/pacification (formal rubric and operative aim)Nounस्त्रीलिङ्ग; प्रथमा; एकवचनRole KartāRoot शान्ति (√शम्)
- उषाः
- DawnDawn (personified), dispeller and renewerNounस्त्रीलिङ्ग; प्रथमा; एकवचनRole KartāRoot उषस्
- अप
- away, forthaway (removal, apotropaic expulsion)Indeclinableउपसर्ग/अव्ययRoot अप
- स्वसुः
- of (her) sisterwell/auspiciously (as an adverbial ‘in good wise’; also read as ‘of her own’ in some construals)Nounस्त्रीलिङ्ग; षष्ठी; एकवचनRole SambandhaRoot स्वसृ
- तमः
- darknessdarkness (ignorance/evil/ill-omen), the removed obstructionNounनपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया; एकवचनRole KarmaRoot तमस्
- सम्
- together, completelyIndeclinableउपसर्ग/अव्ययRoot सम्
- वर्तयति
- drives/turns (away)turns/rolls/drives (causative motion: Dawn drives away)Verbलट्; प्रथमपुरुष; एकवचन; परस्मैपद; णिच् (causative)Role KriyāRoot √वृत् (वर्तयति, caus.)
- वर्तनिम्
- path, trackpath/track/course (the ordered way, also ritual ‘course’)Nounस्त्रीलिङ्ग; द्वितीया; एकवचनRole KarmaRoot वर्तनि
- सुजातता
- good birth/noble origin (good begetting)good-birth/good-generation (prosperous condition; auspicious origin and continuity)Noun (abstract)स्त्रीलिङ्ग; प्रथमा; एकवचनRole KartāRoot सु-जातता
- अया
- by/with thisby this (means/way), instrumental of methodPronoun (demonstrative)स्त्रीलिङ्ग; तृतीया; एकवचनRole KaraṇaRoot इदम् (एतद्-प्रातिपदिक)
- वाजम्
- prize; strength; foodprize, strength, nourishment (prosperity as ‘winning’)Nounपुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया; एकवचनRole KarmaRoot वाज
- देवहितम्
- placed/ordained by the godsset by the gods, divinely appointed (legitimate prosperity)Adjective (past participial)नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया; एकवचन (वाजम् इति विशेषणम्)Role KarmaRoot देव-हित
- सनेम
- may we win/obtainVerbविधिलिङ्/आशीर्लिङ् (optative); उत्तमपुरुष; बहुवचन; परस्मैपदRole KriyāRoot √सन् (सनेम)
- मदेम
- may we rejoice/be exhilaratedVerbविधिलिङ्/आशीर्लिङ् (optative); उत्तमपुरुष; बहुवचन; परस्मैपदRole KriyāRoot √मद्
- शतहिमाः
- having a hundred winters; long-livedhaving a hundred winters (long-lived; full lifespan)Adjectiveपुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा; बहुवचन (वयम् इति अध्याहृतस्य विशेषणम्)Role KartāRoot शत-हिमा
- सुवीराः
- having good heroes/sons; well-mannedrich in good heroes/sons (strong offspring; household strength)Adjectiveपुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा; बहुवचन (वयम् इति अध्याहृतस्य विशेषणम्)Role KartāRoot सु-वीर
Sandhi Notes
- शान्तिः | उषाः अप स्वसुः तमः सम् वर्तयति वर्तनिम् सुजातता | अया वाजम् देवहितम् सनेम मदेम शतहिमाः सुवीराः ।
- 1) उषा + अप → उषा अप (सन्धि-विरामः)
- 2) स्वसुः + तमः (षष्ठी-सम्बन्धः; सन्धि-परिवर्तनं न)
- 3) सं वर्तयति → सम् वर्तयति (अनुस्वारस्य परसवर्णः)
- 4) वर्त॒निं सु॑जा॒तता॑ → वर्तनिम् सुजातता (पदविभागः; सन्धि न)
- 5) दे॒वहि॑तं → देवहितम् (अनुस्वार/म्)
Seer, deity and metre
- Rishi
- Anonymous (Uṣas-benediction tradition)
- Devata
- Uṣas (Dawn)
- Chandas
- Triṣṭubh
- Rasa
- Shanta and Adbhuta
Sāyaṇa treats the opening ‘Śāntiḥ’ as both rubric and effect. Uṣas is the cosmic purifier: darkness is read as inauspiciousness/obstruction. ‘Vartanim’ is the ordered course (of day and of rite). ‘Sujātatā’ is prosperity through good generation/continuity; the prayer culminates in longevity and strong progeny as standard paustika goals.
Anonymous (Uṣas-benediction tradition)
Śānti–paustika dawn charms: removal of inauspiciousness, restoring life-force, and blessing longevity and progeny.
Embodies Atharvanic ‘morning medicine’: light as the first and most universal remedy, turning cosmic rhythm into domestic wellbeing.
Uṣas (Dawn)
She opens the day, reveals paths, rouses beings, and restores order by banishing night’s dangers and inertia.
Restores vitality, circadian harmony, and mental brightness; supports recovery from ‘darkness’ states (fatigue, low mood).
Dissipates nocturnal inauspicious forces and unseen fears; inaugurates safe movement on the day’s ‘path’.
4×11, with smooth forward-driving cadence matching ‘vartanī’ imagery.
Opening ‘śāntiḥ’ as rubric/marker; otherwise close to RV-style triṣṭubh Uṣas diction.
Bright, progressive, ‘unfolding’ rhythm; each pāda feels like a step forward on a road.
Energizes gently; clears heaviness without agitation—ideal for morning recitation.
At dawn, the priest performs ācamana and faces east.
He recites ‘Śāntiḥ’ and the mantra while looking toward the lightening horizon.
He may sprinkle water toward the quarters, imagining darkness/evil driven away (ap + tamas).
The household resumes activity only after this pacification, aligning the day’s ‘path’ (vartanī) with sujātatā (good continuance).
Kauśika Sūtra: dawn/śānti recitations for daily auspiciousness and for removing ill-omens at daybreak; employed with morning purification and opening of household activity.
Atharvan as morning śānti-officiant: removes ill-omens and inaugurates the day’s auspicious course.
Morning śānti recitation at threshold/house altar; used before travel, exams, negotiations, or fertility intentions.
At dawn (uṣarbudh), preferably facing east; also on new-moon/seasonal starts for ‘path-opening’.
Householder can recite; priest optional for larger prosperity rites.
Commonly compatible with Kauśika morning śānti frames (exact mapping depends on local paddhati).
Recite with sunrise viewing and a simple lamp/incense; integrate with morning routine.
No material substances; Uṣas herself is the ‘substance’—radiance as a purifying, activating medium.
Tamas-related conditions (lethargy, gloom), sleep inertia, inauspicious obstruction; indirectly supports convalescence.
Light-as-medicine: cognitive brightening, restoring rhythm, invoking auspicious generativity and longevity.
Balances kapha-tamas heaviness; supports dinacaryā (morning routine) and prāṇa flow through early rising/light exposure.
Morning light therapy for circadian alignment/seasonal low mood; motivational reset for burnout.
Household/patron beginning the day or a new undertaking
Remove darkness/obstruction and secure divinely sanctioned gain, joy, longevity, and strong offspring.
Invocation of cosmic transition (night→day) as sympathetic magic: as darkness is driven away, so are obstacles.
Inauspiciousness of night, stagnation, ‘blocked paths’ in work and fertility
Longevity, progeny, daily success and vigor (vāja)
- उषाः (uṣāḥ)
- renewal, clarity, auspicious beginnings
- तमः (tamaḥ)
- obstruction, depression, ignorance, inauspiciousness
- सं वर्तयति वर्तनिम् (saṃ vartayati vartanim)
- restored momentum; life-course reactivated
- सुजातता (sujātatā)
- fertility, auspicious outcomes, right unfolding
- वाजम् (vājam)
- earned prosperity; energizing success
- देवहितम् (devahitam)
- legitimate, dharmic prosperity
- शतहिमाः (śatahīmāḥ)
- longevity with seasonal completeness
- सुवीराः (suvīrāḥ)
- strong progeny; competent future; inner ‘heroic’ faculties
Invoking inner dawn: clarity, forward movement, and generative optimism.
ājñā (clarity)
Gentle sūrya-bhedana or simple 1:2 inhale:exhale for 7–11 cycles at dawn.
A rosy light sweeping the body from head to feet, pushing out ‘tamas’ like mist; a clear road unfolding ahead.
Bright, steady wakefulness (sattva) without restlessness.
Recite facing east; after chanting, keep eyes softly on daylight for 1–3 minutes and set one dharmic intention (‘devahitam’).
Triṣṭubh with a bright lift on ‘uṣā’; keep flow through the compound ‘saṃ vartayati vartanim’.
Let ‘śāntiḥ’ be calm and clear; slightly emphasize ‘tamáḥ’ (problem) then brighten on ‘saṃ vartayati’.
Clear, morning-bright, not forceful; smile in the tone on ‘mademā’.
Best as dawn charm: repetition in odd counts (3/5/7) aligns with ‘path-opening’ use.
3 times
Starting a new project, travel, recovery from low energy, household peace after a difficult night, fertility/longevity blessings.
At dawn or before stepping out; also when feeling mentally ‘dark’ or stuck.
Lifted mood, clearer direction, sense of auspicious momentum; traditional blessing for longevity and good progeny.
If severe depression/insomnia persists, seek clinical support; use mantra as adjunct, not replacement.
No herb is named; the operative ‘substance’ is light itself. Dawn functions as a cosmological disinfectant, a non-material analogue to cleansing drugs in AV healing.
Household prosperity (sons, lifespan, prize) is framed as dependent on divine appointment (devahita) and priestly timing (dawn rite), embedding domestic life within ritual governance.
Uṣas imagery is strongly RV; the explicit rubric ‘Śāntiḥ’ and the compact paustika wish-sequence reflect later liturgical packaging typical of AV book 19.
Gopatha often links temporal correctness (kāla) with success; a dawn śānti aligns with that principle: the cosmos’ daily renewal is harnessed as ritual efficacy.
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