Atharva Veda 9.6.7: Kanda 9, Anuvaka 1, Sukta 6, Mantra 7
Sukta 6
यदा॑वस॒थान् क॒ल्पय॑न्ति सदोहविर्धा॒नान्ये॒व तत् क॑ल्पयन्ति
yádāvasathā́n kalpáyanti sadóhavirdhānā́ny eva tát kalpayanti
When they set in order the lodging-places, they are, in very deed, setting in order the Sadas and the Havirdhāna.
जब यज्ञ के लिए रहने की जगह तैयार करते हैं, वो सदस और हविर्धान के लिए होती है। यह दोनों जगह इंपॉर्टेंट हैं, एक बैठने के लिए, दूसरी सामग्री रखने के लिए। सब कुछ सही जगह पर सेट हो रहा है।
Rishi: Atharvanic tradition
Devata: Yajña-space as sacral principle; indirectly Agni and the ritual order (ṛta)
Chandas: Prose / yajus-like
Primary: shanta
Sāyaṇa explains that arranging guest-lodgings is homologized to constructing/ordering śrauta ritual spaces (sadas, havirdhāna). Spatial preparation becomes a sacrificial act; the household is momentarily reconfigured as a yajña-site, yielding auspiciousness and protection.
To sacralize the preparation of guest-quarters as the establishment of sacrificial architecture, thereby protecting the household and enhancing prosperity through ordered space.
shantika
Household space (āvāsatha) and incoming guests/powers.
Sacralize guest-space and household layout as sacrificial architecture to invite auspiciousness and prevent harm arising from disorder or neglect of hospitality.
Spatial bandhu: naming domestic structures as śrauta structures to import their protective sanctity.
Inauspiciousness from clutter/disorder, guest-curse (atithi-doṣa), intrusive forces exploiting disorder.
Household stability, reputation, resource protection, harmonious relations.
Preparing lodging-places (guest quarters) is declared to be, in truth, the preparation of the Sadas and Havirdhāna—key structures of the śrauta sacrifice.
Order in the home becomes inner order: arranging space for others trains the mind toward receptivity, discipline, and protection through structure.
Hospitality and spatial order are forms of worship; a well-ordered environment supports well-ordered life and reduces harm.
- आवसथान् (āvasathān)
- protected container for life-force; readiness to receive (atithi/powers) without disturbance
- कल्पयन्ति (kalpayanti)
- making cosmos out of chaos; establishing ṛta through design and cleanliness
- सदः (sadas)
- center of communal stability; ‘seat’ of right speech and right presence
- हविर्धानानि (havirdhānāni)
- secure containment of resources; protection of prosperity from leakage/theft/entropy
Order as protection: contemplate how arrangement of outer space mirrors arrangement of attention.
muladhara
Slow box-breath (equal inhale/hold/exhale/hold) while arranging space, to embody ‘kalpa’ (structured order).
A stable square/mandala forming beneath the home; each corner lit, sealing the space.
Grounded, task-aware mindfulness.
Do one small act of ordering daily (bed, altar, entryway) with this mantra to cultivate protective steadiness.
Prose; keep a steady cadence matching physical actions.
Emphasize ‘āvasathān’ and ‘kalpayanti’; slight lift on ‘sadohavirdhānāni’.
Keep compound clear: sadas-havirdhānāni (do not over-merge)., Retroflex ṇ in havirdhānāni.
Practical, calm, ‘householder liturgy’ tone.
Most effective when synchronized with arranging: recite once per major step (cleaning, bedding, seating, offering area).
Preparing home for guests, ceremonies, or to restore calm after disorder.
While setting up lodging/seating and arranging offering/food areas.
Improved atmosphere, reduced friction, strengthened sense of protection through order and hospitality.
Do not use mantra as a substitute for basic safety/cleanliness; ensure guest needs are practically met.
पदच्छेदः: यदा + अवसथान् + कल्पयन्ति + सदः + हविर्धानानि + एव + तत् + कल्पयन्ति। 1) यदा॑वस॒थान् = यदा + अवसथान् (स्वर-सन्धि: अ + अ → आ). 2) सदोहविर्धा॒नान्ये॒व = सदः + हविर्धानानि + एव; विसर्ग-सन्धि: सदः + ह- → सदो-; तथा ‘हविर्धानानि + एव’ में इ + ए → ये (हविर्धानानि एव → हविर्धानान्येव).
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 Atharva 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.
