Atharva Veda 3.11.3: Kanda 3, Anuvaka 2, Sukta 11, Mantra 3
Sukta 11
स॒ह॒स्रा॒क्षेण॑ श॒तवी॑र्येण श॒तायु॑षा ह॒विषाहा॑र्षमेनम्। इन्द्रो॒ यथै॑नं श॒रदो॒ नया॒त्यति॒ विश्व॑स्य दुरि॒तस्य॑ पा॒रम्
sahasrākṣéṇa śatá-vīryeṇa śatā́yuṣā havíṣā́ hárṣam enam | índro yáthainaṃ śarádo nayā́ty áti víśvasya duritásya pā́ram ||
With thousand-eyed power, with hundredfold might, with hundredfold life—by oblation I cheer him. So may Indra lead him through the autumns, across unto the farther shore of every ill.
हज़ार आँखों वाली शक्ति से, सौ गुनी ताक़त से, सौ साल की उमर के साथ, यह हवन से इंद्र को खुश करते हैं। इंद्र उसे हर साल ले के चले, हर बुराई से पार कर के ले जाए।
The meaning
What it says
By oblation the speaker gladdens/cheers the patient with ‘thousand-eyed’ power, hundredfold might, and hundredfold lifespan. May Indra lead him through the autumns, across the far shore of every evil.
The inner meaning
Restoration is framed as amplification of perception (sahasrākṣa), strength (vīrya), and time (āyus). Indra becomes the inner guide-function that leads one across recurring misfortunes—illness, fear, and relapse—into steadier life.
The truth in it
Vitality is not only the absence of illness but the regained capacity to see, endure, and move through adversity; guidance and courage carry one beyond the ‘shore’ of suffering.
What it is for
- Kind of hymn
- Bhaiṣajya / Āyuṣya (revivification; long-life securing)
Its aim
To restore vigor and ensure the patient is led safely through years beyond all misfortune.
Word by Word
Pada patha
सहस्र-अक्षेण । शत-वीर्येण । शत-आयुषा । हविषा । आ । हर्षम् । एनम् । इन्द्रः । यथा । एनम् । शरदः । नयाति । अति । विश्वस्य । दुरितस्य । पारम् ।
- सहस्राक्षेण
- with the thousand-eyed (one)Adjective (used substantively)नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग (प्रयोगानुसार), तृतीया विभक्ति, एकवचनRole करणRoot सहस्राक्ष (प्रातिपदिक; सहस्र + अक्षि) अथवा सहस्र-अक्ष
- शतवीर्येण
- with hundredfold strengthwith hundredfold might; intensified strength as curative forceAdjectiveनपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति, एकवचनRole करणRoot शतवीर्य (प्रातिपदिक; शत + वीर्य)
- शतायुषा
- with a hundred-year lifespanAdjectiveनपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति, एकवचनRole करणRoot शतायुस् (प्रातिपदिक; शत + आयुस्)
- हविषा
- with oblationwith oblation; consecrated offering as energizing mediumNounनपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति, एकवचनRole करणRoot हविस् (प्रातिपदिक)
- आहर्षम्
- I have gladdened / I have exhilaratedVerbलुङ् (अोरिस्ट), उत्तमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदRole KartāRoot हृष् (धातु) + आ- (उपसर्ग); caus./perf. stem āharṣ-
- एनम्
- him / this onehim; the patientPronounपुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचनRole KarmaRoot इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक; एनद्-श्रुति)
- इन्द्रः
- IndraIndra; guide and protector who leads beyond harmNounपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचनRole KartāRoot इन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक)
- यथा
- so that / asso that/as; purpose-comparisonIndeclinableअव्ययRoot यथा (अव्यय)
- एनम्
- himhim; the patient againPronounपुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचनRole KarmaRoot इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक; एनद्-श्रुति)
- शरदः
- autumns / yearsthe autumns/years; seasons as units of lifeNounस्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, बहुवचनRole KarmaRoot शरद् (प्रातिपदिक)
- नयाति
- leadsmay lead; conduct safely through timeVerbलट् (वर्तमान), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदRole KartāRoot नी (धातु) + नय (वर्तमान-प्रत्यय-आधार)
- अति
- beyond / acrossacross, beyond; crossing-over motifIndeclinableअव्ययRoot अति (उपसर्ग/अव्यय)
- विश्वस्य
- of allof all; totality of harmsAdjective (genitive used substantively)नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी विभक्ति, एकवचनRole सम्बन्ध (genitive)Root विश्व (प्रातिपदिक)
- दुरितस्य
- of misfortune / sinof evil, misfortune, sin, distress; comprehensive adversityNounनपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी विभक्ति, एकवचनRole सम्बन्ध (genitive)Root दुरित (प्रातिपदिक)
- पारम्
- the far shore / the endthe farther shore; safe beyond-side, completion of dangerNounनपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचनRole Karma (goal reached) / अधिकरण (as ‘to the far shore’)Root पार (प्रातिपदिक)
Sandhi Notes
- सहस्राक्षेण शतवीर्येण शतायुषा हविषा आहर्षम् एनम् । इन्द्रः यथा एनम् शरदः नयाति अति विश्वस्य दुरितस्य पारम् । मुख्य-सन्धयः:
- (1) हविषा + आहर्षम् → हविषाहा॑र्षम् (स्वर-सन्धि/दीर्घ-सन्धि: आ + आ)
- (2) इन्द्रः + यथा → इन्द्रो यथा (विसर्ग-लोपः, ओ-आदेशः)
- (3) यथा + एनम् → यथैनम् (आ + ए → ऐ)
Seer, deity and metre
- Rishi
- Atharvanic healer tradition
- Devata
- Indra (as guide and protector)
- Chandas
- Triṣṭubh (probable; requires metrical verification)
- Rasa
- Adbhuta and Vira
Sāyaṇa takes the stacked numerals as intensifiers of protective capacity: ‘thousand-eyed’ = vigilant guardianship; ‘hundred-might/life’ = completeness. ‘Harṣa’ is revivifying cheer. The closing image is a guided crossing: Indra conducts the patient beyond the totality of durita to the safe ‘far shore’ (pāra).
Atharvan (healer-seer; anukramaṇī attribution generalized)
Āyuṣya revivification: strengthening through oblation and Indra-guidance imagery (crossing beyond durita).
Classic Atharvanic ‘re-empowerment’ verse: illness is countered by multiplying protective capacities—awareness, vigor, lifespan.
Indra
Indra as the force that breaks obstruction and leads beings across danger; a guardian of life-course through seasons.
Restores courage and vigor; breaks the ‘block’ that keeps recovery from progressing.
Guides across durita (misfortune/ill) and stabilizes long life.
4 pādas of ~11 syllables; strong alliterative clusters (śata-, sahasra-) create punch.
Possible resolution/hiatus around compound-heavy pādas; Atharvanic recitation emphasizes semantic beats over strict metrical purity.
Energizing, buoyant; repetition of numerical epithets builds momentum and uplift.
Acts like a tonic: rhythmic ‘multiplication’ of strength produces confidence and perceived vitality.
Offer havis while reciting the first hemistich; treat the offering as ‘strength and life’ being installed in the patient.
On ‘hárṣam enam’, touch the patient’s chest/shoulders to signify return of breath and courage.
Recite the Indra-guidance clause while leading the patient a few steps forward (symbolic life-journey).
Optionally perform a small ‘crossing’ act (step over a line of water/grass) to enact ‘ati… pāram’—crossing beyond durita.
Kauśika Sūtra: āyuṣya-bhaiṣajya sequences use oblation with ‘cheering/strengthening’ formulas and concluding ‘crossing beyond evil’ imagery; exact sutra number depends on Kauśika indexing for AV 3.11.
Atharvan as life-installer (āyuṣya-prayoktṛ): coordinates offering, touch, and guided movement to embody the mantra’s ‘leading across’.
Offer ghee with this verse during recovery; follow by feeding the patient a small, warm, nourishing portion when appropriate.
During convalescence; at sunrise for ‘leading through the years’.
Householder performs; purohita optional for formal rite.
Kauśika-style āyuṣya/bhaiṣajya oblation recitation (edition-dependent)
Recite as a recovery affirmation alongside rehabilitation routines.
Havis (oblation)
haviṣ offered via Agni (implicit)
Oblation is ‘nutritional speech’: it feeds the divine vitality that returns as strength, clarity (many-eyed), and time (hundred autumns).
Post-illness weakness; recovery from wasting/illness aftermath; generalized debility.
Revivification by uplift (harṣa) + oblation; invoking Indra as guide across misfortune to stabilize recovery trajectory.
Supports ojas and vīrya imagery; aligns with rasāyana intent (longevity, strength, clarity).
Convalescence support; fatigue recovery; morale and resilience building during rehabilitation.
Recovering or weakened patient.
To cheer and strengthen the patient, securing long life and safe passage beyond misfortune.
Numerical intensification (sahasra/śata) + oblation-tonic + divine guidance formula (nayāti… pāram).
Relapse, chronic misfortune, lingering ‘ill’ (durita).
Longevity (āyus) as a prosperity of life.
- सहस्र-अक्षेण (sahasrākṣeṇa)
- Expanded awareness; vigilance; many-fold protection (seeing threats early)
- शत-वीर्येण (śatavīryeṇa)
- Reconstituted strength; resilience reserve
- शत-आयुषा (śatāyuṣā)
- Full lifespan; continuity across cycles
- हविषा आ हर्षम् (haviṣā ā harṣam)
- Ritual nourishment as emotional/energetic uplift
- शरदः (śaradaḥ)
- Seasonal endurance; mature longevity
- दुरितस्य पारम् (duritasya pāram)
- Transcending accumulated misfortune; crossing beyond suffering
Crossing beyond durita: visualize a steady path over a river of obstacles; cultivate courageous clarity (many-eyed awareness).
Manipūra (vital fire/strength) with Ajñā (clear seeing)
Moderate paced breathing with emphasis on strong, comfortable inhale; mantra on exhale to ‘lead across’.
Indra as a luminous guide ahead; each ‘autumn’ a golden step; the far shore bright and stable.
Buoyant steadiness; energized calm.
Chant after a short centering; keep the numerical epithets crisp to evoke ‘multiplication’ of strength.
Observe udātta markings; keep ‘sahasrā̱kṣeṇa̍’ articulated with clear compound stress and Vedic accent.
Slight lift on numerical epithets; pāda-end cadence should ‘land’ calmly on pāram.
Bright, uplifting, not rushed; let the tone ‘smile’ without becoming theatrical.
If paired with offering, synchronize the ladle-pour with ‘haviṣā ā harṣam’.
Recovery after illness, surgery, or prolonged stress; rebuilding strength and confidence.
Morning recitation during convalescence; optionally with a small ghee lamp or safe offering practice.
Encouragement, resilience framing, steadier recovery mindset; traditional longevity blessing.
Do not perform fire offerings where unsafe; avoid overexertion—use as support, not pressure to ‘be strong’.
Again no herb is named; havis functions as the energizing ‘carrier’ of life-force. The numerically intensified epithets operate like dosage-language, scaling potency without pharmacological specification.
The patient’s recovery is framed as dependent on Indra’s guidance mediated by the Atharvan’s rite. This embeds healing within a theologically sanctioned ritual economy rather than purely empirical medicine.
The ‘farther shore of evil’ (duritasya pāram) is an RV idiom extended here into a therapeutic program. The explicit therapeutic ‘I cheer him’ with havis is more Atharvanic in its direct clinical voice.
Gopatha’s explanatory style supports the idea that correct offering plus guided symbolic action effects a real transfer: installing āyus and leading the person beyond durita, aligning ritual movement with cosmic passage.
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