Atharva Veda 3.17.5: Kanda 3, Anuvaka 2, Sukta 17, Mantra 5
Sukta 17
शु॒नं सु॑फा॒ला वि तु॑दन्तु॒ भूमिं॑ शु॒नं की॒नाशा॒ अनु॑ यन्तु वा॒हान्। शुना॑सीरा ह॒विषा॒ तोश॑माना सुपिप्प॒ला ओष॑धीः कर्तम॒स्मै
śunáṃ su-phālā́ ví tudantu bhū́miṃ śunáṃ kīnā́śā ánu yantu vāhā́n | śúnāsīrā havíṣā tóśamānā su-pippalā́ óṣadhīḥ kártam asmái ||
Auspiciously let the good ploughshares cleave and pierce the earth; auspiciously let the ploughmen follow on behind the teams. O Śunāsīrau, rejoicing in the oblation, make for this man plants richly fruited.
हल की फाल अच्छी लगे और ज़मीन को आराम से काटे। किसान अपने बैलों के पीछे अच्छे से चले। शुनसीर, तुम इस भोग से खुश हो। इस आदमी के लिए ऐसे पौधे बनाओ जिसमें अच्छा फल आता रहे।
The meaning
What it says
May the good ploughshares auspiciously cleave the earth; may ploughmen follow the teams auspiciously. O Śunāsīrau, pleased with the oblation, make the plants for this man richly fruited.
The inner meaning
The ploughshare is disciplined effort that ‘opens’ resistance. The repeated śunam is a cognitive charm—training the mind to see and generate auspicious flow. Śunāsīrau represent paired forces (drive + fertility) that make work yield fruit.
The truth in it
When tools, labor, and offering are aligned, nature responds with abundance; auspiciousness is cultivated by repeated right intention and right action.
What it is for
- Kind of hymn
- Paustika (Prosperity/Agricultural increase)
Its aim
To bless ploughing operations, ensure smooth labor, and generate richly fruiting crops.
Word by Word
Pada patha
शु॒नम् । सु॑-फा॒लाः । वि । तु॑दन्तु । भूमि॑म् । शु॒नम् । की॒नाशाः । अनु॑ । यन्तु । वा॒हान् । शु॒ना॑सीरा । ह॒विषा॑ । तोश॑माना । सु॒-पि॒प्प॒लाः । ओष॑धीः । कर्तम् । अ॒स्मै ।
- शुनम्
- happily; auspiciouslyauspiciously, prosperously; a charm-adverb for ‘good fortune’ in the operationIndeclinableअव्यय (क्रियाविशेषण)Root शुनम् (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
- सु-फलाः
- bearing good fruit; fruitfulAdjectiveपुंलिङ्ग/स्त्रीलिङ्ग? प्रथमा बहुवचन (विशेषण-प्रयोग; यहाँ स्त्री. प्रथमा बहु. ‘(ओषधयः) सु-फलाः’ अथवा पुं. ‘(कीनाशाः) सु-फलाः’)Role Kartā (विशेष्य-सापेक्ष)Root फल (प्रातिपदिक); उपसर्ग: सु-
- वि
- apart; asunder; thoroughlyapart, asunder; opening/splitting the soilIndeclinableउपसर्ग (क्रियाविशेषक)Root वि (उपसर्ग/अव्यय)
- तुदन्तु
- may they pierce; may they prodlet them pierce; the ploughshares’ cutting action empowered by mantraVerbलोट् (आज्ञार्थे) परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचनRole — (क्रिया)Root तुद् (धातु)
- भूमिम्
- the earth; soilthe earth/soil; the field-body to be opened for seedNounस्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचनRole KarmaRoot भूमि (प्रातिपदिक)
- शुनम्
- happily; auspiciouslyauspiciously; repeated to intensify the blessingIndeclinableअव्यय (क्रियाविशेषण)Root शुनम् (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
- कीनाशाः
- ploughmen; cultivatorsploughmen/husbandmen; the human agents of cultivationNounपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचनRole KartāRoot कीनाश (प्रातिपदिक)
- अनु
- after; alongafter, along; in orderly following (proper sequence of work)Indeclinableउपसर्ग/अव्यय (अनुगमनार्थे)Root अनु (उपसर्ग/अव्यय)
- यन्तु
- may they go; may they proceedlet them go; proceed in their work without hindranceVerbलोट् (आज्ञार्थे) परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचनRole — (क्रिया)Root या (धातु)
- वाहान्
- draught-animals; teams (that draw the plough)the draught-animals/teams; those who draw the ploughNounपुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचनRole KarmaRoot वाह (प्रातिपदिक)
- शुना-सीरा
- (the deities) Śunā and Sīrā (ploughing/field deities)Śunāsīrau; paired field-deities (often ‘Plenty and Furrow/Increase and Ploughing’), patrons of agricultureNoun (dual deity-name)पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचनRole KartāRoot शुनासीर (प्रातिपदिक; द्वन्द्व-देवता-नाम)
- हविषा
- with oblationwith oblation; by offering (ghee/grain) to secure divine satisfactionNounनपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचनRole KaraṇaRoot हविस् (प्रातिपदिक)
- तोषमानाः
- being pleased; rejoicingParticiple (verbal adjective)पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन (कर्तरि; ‘सन्तुष्यमाणाः/तोषयन्तः’ भावः) — मन्त्रे ‘शुना-सीरा’ (द्वि.) के साथ अर्थतः समन्वयRole Kartā (विशेषण)Root तुष् (धातु) → तोषमाना (शतृ/शानच्-प्रत्यय; वर्तमानकाले)
- सु-पिप्पलाः
- rich in pippala/berries; well-fruitedwell-fruited, richly berried; epithet of plants as abundantly bearingAdjectiveस्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन (ओषधीः विशेषयति)Role Kartā (विशेष्य-सापेक्ष)Root पिप्पल (प्रातिपदिक); उपसर्ग: सु-
- ओषधीः
- herbs; medicinal plantsplants/herbs; here broadly ‘crops and vegetation’Nounस्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचनRole KarmaRoot ओषधि (प्रातिपदिक)
- कर्तम्
- made; produced; brought aboutmake, fashion, produce; causative prosperity commandParticiple (verbal adjective)नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन (कर्म-विशेषण; ‘कृतम्/निर्मितम्’ अर्थे) — ‘(सुपिप्पलाः ओषधीः) कर्तम्’Role Karma (विशेषण)Root कृ (धातु) → कर्त (कृत्-प्रत्यय; भूतकर्मणि/कर्मणि)
- अस्मै
- for him; for this (person)for him/this one (the sacrificer/field-owner); beneficiary of the ritePronounचतुर्थी, एकवचनRole SampradānaRoot अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
Sandhi Notes
- शुनम् | सु-फलाः | वि | तुदन्तु | भूमिम् | शुनम् | कीनाशाः | अनु | यन्तु | वाहान् | शुना-सीरा | हविषा | तोषमानाः | सु-पिप्पलाः | ओषधीः | कर्तम् | अस्मै । मुख्य सन्धि/समास:
- (1) सु॑फा॒ला = सु-फलाः (उपसर्ग ‘सु-’ + प्रातिपदिक ‘फल’)
- (2) शुना॑सीरा = शुना-सीरा (देवतानाम-द्वन्द्व; पदपाठे प्रायः विभक्त)
- (3) सुपिप्प॒ला = सु-पिप्पलाः
- (4) कर्तम॒स्मै = कर्तम् + अस्मै (व्यञ्जन-सन्धि: म् + अ → म + अ; पदपाठे पृथक्)
Seer, deity and metre
- Rishi
- Atharvanic/Angirasa tradition for agrarian charms (anukramaṇī-dependent)
- Devata
- Śunāsīrau (paired agrarian deities), with implicit focus on ploughing implements and fertility
- Chandas
- Anuṣṭubh (with Atharvanic charm-style cadence)
- Rasa
- Adbhuta and Shanta
Sāyaṇa takes ‘śunam’ as śobhanam (well, prosperously), a repeated auspicious operator. ‘Su-phālāḥ’ are the ploughshares whose ‘piercing’ is to be unhindered and effective. ‘Kīnāśa’ is the cultivator; ‘vāhān’ the oxen/teams. Śunāsīrau are invoked as agrarian devatās who, when satisfied by havis, cause ‘oṣadhīḥ’ (crops) to become ‘su-pippalāḥ’ (abundantly bearing), i.e., high-yielding.
Agrarian charm tradition in AVŚ 3.17 (specific named ṛṣi varies by anukramaṇī line; commonly treated as Atharvanic)
Paustika agricultural rites: tool-blessing, ploughing success, crop fertility via deity-pair invocations.
Shows Atharvanic ‘substance-action’ magic: implements (phāla), labor (kīnāśa), animals (vāha), and havis are integrated through vāc into fertility.
Śunāsīrau (agrarian deity-pair)
They preside over the auspicious cutting of the furrow and the generative power of the ploughed earth; they convert havis into vegetative fruitfulness.
Indirect nourishment: richly fruited plants support vitality and recovery through food-medicine continuum.
Protects the work-process—tools, teams, and labor—from mishap and sterility.
4 pādas × ~8 syllables; repetition of śunam at pāda openings gives incantatory structure.
Refrain-like repetition (śunam… śunam…) is a hallmark of Atharvanic practical charms; slight metrical looseness around compounds (supippalā).
Work-chant cadence; forward-driving, synchronized with plough movement.
Instills auspicious momentum; coordinates group action (ploughmen/teams) and sacral intention.
Prepare a small domestic oblation (havis), typically ghee with grain, at the field margin or a temporary hearth.
As the ploughshare first bites the soil, recite the first hemistich to empower the cutting and opening of the earth.
As the teams advance and the ploughmen proceed, recite the second hemistich, synchronizing speech with movement.
Offer the havis while naming Śunāsīrau, then conclude with the command for ‘well-fruited plants’ for the sacrificer.
Kauśika Sūtra: kṛṣikarman for AV 3.17 (recitation during ploughing and offering connected with field-deities).
Atharvan priest coordinates mantra with the mechanical sequence of ploughing and performs/oversees the oblation to Śunāsīrau.
Chanted at first ploughing; while touching ploughshare and yoke; offering a small havis (grain/ghee) to a lamp/fire or to the field-edge as local custom permits.
At the inaugural furrow; preferably morning; repeated at key stages (sowing, first sprout).
Householder leads; Atharvan priest may supervise offerings and recitation cadence.
Kauśika Sūtra: kṛṣi rites employing AVŚ 3.17 verses (exact citation varies by edition).
Used for garden startups, tool-blessing, and teamwork alignment rituals in farming communities.
ploughshare (phāla); draught-animals (vāha); havis (oblation); oṣadhi (crops/plants)
Implements and soil are ‘activated substances’: the ploughshare opens, havis reciprocates, and oṣadhi manifests as the visible signature of success.
Oṣadhi as ‘plants’ links to the broader Atharvanic oṣadhi-healing worldview, though here for fertility rather than therapy.
Occupational wellbeing: tool-safety + team coordination + positive framing improves outcomes; food abundance supports community health.
Farmer/householder and field
Bless implements and labor; ensure smooth ploughing; secure richly fruited crops through Śunāsīrau pleased by offering.
Verbal auspiciousness (śunam refrain) + consecration of tools/teams + offering-pleasure exchange with deity-pair.
Accidents, broken implements, poor traction, sterile soil, crop failure.
Agriculture, harvest, household wealth via produce.
- śunam
- beneficial orientation; a verbal ‘seal’ of good outcome
- su-phāla
- skillful means; effective methods that cut cleanly
- vi tudantu
- breakthrough; opening the hardened ground of habit or circumstance
- kīnāśāḥ
- disciplined workers; steady follow-through
- vāhān
- driving energies; supportive capacities that pull the work
- Śunāsīrau
- auspicious impulse + furrow/field-power; the dyad of initiation and fruition
- havis
- reciprocal offering; feeding the process
- oṣadhīḥ supippalāḥ
- results that are nourishing, repeatable, and seed future abundance
‘Plough the mind’: use repetition of śunam to cut through inertia; cultivate skillful means (su-phāla) and steady follow-through (kīnāśa).
svādhiṣṭhāna (creative fertility)
Brisk-energetic breathing for a few rounds, then steady nasal breathing during the śunam refrain.
Visualize a plough of light opening the lower abdomen/pelvis region, releasing creative fertility and grounding; fruits appear as golden seeds.
Energetic, cooperative, task-focused.
Pair with one ‘field action’ daily: a small disciplined task done auspiciously and consistently; offer a token of gratitude (havis) afterward.
Let each śunam be a clear upbeat; keep a rhythmic pulse matching plough steps.
Emphasize repeated śunam at pāda starts; articulate Śunāsīrā as a single compound name.
Bright, rhythmic, work-chant projection.
Best performed responsorially (leader + group) during ploughing; the śunam refrain functions as an auspicious ‘seal’.
Beginning cultivation, starting a new job/project needing tools and teamwork, seeking ‘fruitful’ results.
Before using tools; at project kickoff; during first steps of a long workflow.
Improved coordination, optimism, and steady productivity; sense of blessed effort leading to tangible results.
Maintain practical safety with tools/animals; mantra complements but does not replace skill and planning.
‘Oṣadhīḥ’ are the intended product of the rite; the mantra links mechanical soil-opening (ploughshare) and divine satisfaction (havis) to botanical abundance (‘su-pippalāḥ’). Plants are not merely natural outcomes but ritually ‘made’ through pleased deities.
It presupposes an agrarian economy with specialized roles: ploughmen and teams as labor, and a ritual specialist who secures success by offerings and authoritative speech. The beneficiary (‘asmái’) suggests a patron/householder who commissions the rite.
The paired deity Śunāsīrau is more prominent in agrarian contexts; the repeated ‘śunam’ as a prosperity operator is characteristic of charm diction. The pragmatic focus on implements (phāla) and labor sequence is more domestic-technical than typical RV praise-hymns.
In Atharvanic hermeneutics, efficacy arises from correct linkage of act (ploughing), offering (havis), and utterance (mantra). This verse exemplifies that triad: the oblation ‘pleases’ the field-deities, and the spoken command authorizes the desired botanical result.
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