Rig Veda 3.8.10: Mandala 3, Sukta 8, Mantra 10
Sukta 3.8
- Rishi
- Vasiṣṭha
- Devata
- Divine powers associated with the sacrificial post and svar-voiced gods
- Chandas
- Triṣṭubh
- Rasa
- Vira (heroism) and Adbhuta (wonder)
शृङ्गाणीवेच्छृङ्गिणां सं ददृश्रे चषालवन्तः स्वरवः पृथिव्याम् । वाघद्भिर्वा विहवे श्रोषमाणा अस्माँ अवन्तु पृतनाज्येषु ॥
śṛṅgā́ṇīvecchṛṅgíṇāṃ sáṃ dadṛśre caṣā́lavantaḥ sváravaḥ pṛthivyā́m | vāghádbhir vā viháve śróṣamāṇā asmā́m avantu pṛtanā́jyeṣu ||
जैसे सींघ वाले जानवरों के सींघ साथ में दिखते हैं, वैसे ही यह शक्तियाँ भी एक साथ हैं। यह धरती पर हैं और आवाज़ करती हैं। गाने वाले लोगों के साथ या बुलाने वाले की आवाज़ पर, यह सब सुनते हैं। जंग में जीतने के लिए यह हमें बचाएँ।
Word by Word
- शृङ्गाणि
- hornsNounनपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, बहुवचनRole Karma (ददृश्रे—‘saw’ का विषय/दृश्य) अथवा Kartā (यदि ‘appeared’ अर्थ)Root शृङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक) < PIE *ḱerh₂- ‘horn’
- इव
- like, asIndeclinableउपमा-अव्ययRoot इव
- इच्छृङ्गिणाम्
- of the horned onesAdjective (substantivized) / Nounपुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसक (समूह/जातिवाचक), षष्ठी, बहुवचनRole सम्बन्ध (genitive) — ‘of the horned ones’Root इ-शृङ्गिन् (प्रातिपदिक) ‘having horns’
- सम्
- together, completelyIndeclinable (preverb)उपसर्गRoot सम्
- ददृश्रे
- they appeared / were seen / came into viewVerbलिट् (परिपूर्ण/परफेक्ट), 3 पुरुष, बहुवचन, आत्मनेपद (Vedic)Role क्रियाRoot √दृश् (दर्शने)
- चषालवन्तः
- the ones possessing chashāla (ritual implement)Adjective (substantivized)पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचनRole Kartā (ददृश्रे के कर्ता—‘they’)Root चषालवत् (प्रातिपदिक) ‘having a chaff-cutter/wooden (plough/press) piece; ritual implement’
- स्वरवः
- the sounding ones / the voicesNounपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचनRole सम्बन्ध/विशेषण-भाव (चषालवन्तः के विशेषण/अप्पोज़िशन) अथवा KartāRoot स्वर (प्रातिपदिक) ‘sound/voice; also ‘sunlight’ in some contexts’
- पृथिव्याम्
- on the earthNounस्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचनRole AdhikaraṇaRoot पृथिवी (प्रातिपदिक)
- वाघद्भिः
- with the chantersNounपुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचनRole Karaṇa (अवन्तु—‘help’ का साधन/सहचर) अथवा सहकारकRoot वाघत् (प्रातिपदिक) ‘singer/chanter, praiser’
- वा
- orIndeclinableविकल्प/समुच्चयRoot वा
- विहवे
- in the invocation / in the callNounपुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचनRole AdhikaraṇaRoot विहव (प्रातिपदिक) ‘invocation/call; contest’
- श्रोषमाणाः
- hearkening, listeningParticipleवर्तमान कृदन्त (मध्यम/विशेष वेदिक), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचनRole Kartā (अवन्तु के कर्ता—‘they, hearkening’)Root √श्रु (श्रवणे) + श्रोषमाण (वेदिक कृत्/प्रत्यय) ‘listening, hearkening’
- अस्मान्
- usPronounद्वितीया, बहुवचनRole KarmaRoot अस्मद् (सर्वनाम)
- अवन्तु
- may they help/protectVerbलोट् (आज्ञार्थ/विधिलिङ्-सम), 3 पुरुष, बहुवचन, परस्मैपदRole क्रियाRoot √अव् (रक्षणे/पालने)
- पृतनाज्येषु
- in the battle-winnings / in battles for the prizeNoun (compound)नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग (समास-प्रकृति अनुसार), सप्तमी, बहुवचनRole AdhikaraṇaRoot पृतना-ज्य (समास) : पृतना ‘battle’ + ज्य ‘prize/booty; winning’
Sandhi Notes
- मुख्य संधि-विच्छेद: शृङ्गा॑णी॒वेच्छृ॒ङ्गिणां॒ → शृङ्गाणि + इव + इ-शृङ्गिणाम् (इव + इ… = वे + च्छ…; पदपाठ-प्रकारे ‘इव’ पृथक्)
- सं द॑दृश्रे = सम् + ददृश्रे (उपसर्ग)
- च॒षाल॑वन्त॒: = चषालवन्तः (विसर्ग)
- वा॒घद्भि॑र्वा = वाघद्भिः + वा (विसर्ग/र्-संधि)
- विह॒वे श्रोष॑माणा = विहवे + श्रोषमाणाः (प्रथमा बहुवचन)
The meaning
Outer meaning
The caṣāla-bearing, svar-resounding powers stand together on earth like the horns of horned animals; whether among the chanting priests or at the call of invocation, hearing us, may they protect us in battles for mastery.
Inner meaning
The “horns” are the upward-pointing forces of concentrated aspiration; the caṣāla (the cap/crown of the sacrificial post) symbolizes the summit of the inner sacrifice where the being is “crowned” by Svar (higher luminous consciousness). The svar-voiced powers are the illumined faculties (gods as powers) that, once aligned and gathered in the embodied nature (pṛthivī), hear the soul’s call (vihava) and protect it in the inner battles (pṛtanā) against resistance and confusion, securing victory in the struggle for right mastery of life-energy and mind.
Universal truth
When higher aspiration and illumined faculties are unified and anchored in embodied life, they become responsive to sincere invocation and provide protection and victory in the inevitable inner conflicts of growth.
Themes
ritual summit-sign, protection in struggle, invocation and hearing
The seer
- Rishi
- Vasiṣṭha
- Lineage
- Vasiṣṭha (Āditya-related Vasiṣṭha lineage)
- Other hymns
- RV 3.8, RV 3.9, RV 7.33
Family tradition
Vasiṣṭha family hymns often emphasize right order (ṛta), protection, and the establishment of the divine Fire and allied powers in the human being.
Significance
Vasiṣṭha’s vision frequently presents the sacrifice as an inner discipline: harmonizing powers, invoking higher light (Svar), and securing protection in the struggle toward integral mastery.
The deity
- Devata
- Svar-voiced divine powers associated with the sacrificial post (caṣāla)
- Epithets
- svaravaḥ (Svar-voiced), caṣālavantaḥ (crowned/caṣāla-bearing), śroṣamāṇāḥ (hearkening)
- Related deities
- Agni, Indra, Viśve Devāḥ, Bṛhaspati
Cosmic role
They stabilize the link between Earth (embodiment) and Svar (luminous world), guarding the rite and ensuring victorious progress.
Inner power
Coordinated illumined energies that respond to aspiration and defend the seeker during transformative conflict.
In ritual
Where it is used
Yūpa/caṣāla-related praise within Soma-sacrifice setting (contextual)
शृङ्गा॑णी॒वेच्छृ॒ङ्गिणां॒ सं द॑दृश्रे च॒षाल॑वन्त॒: स्वर॑वः पृथि॒व्याम् । वा॒घद्भि॑र्वा विह॒वे श्रोष॑माणा अ॒स्माँ अ॑वन्तु पृत॒नाज्ये॑षु ॥
शृङ्गा॑णिऽइव । शृ॒ङ्गिणा॒म् । सम् । द॒दृ॒श्रे॒ । च॒षाल॑ऽवन्तः । स्वर॑वः । पृ॒थि॒व्याम् । वा॒घत्ऽभिः॑ । वा॒ । वि॒ऽह॒वे । श्रोष॑माणाः । अ॒स्मान् । अ॒व॒न्तु॒ । पृ॒त॒नाज्ये॑षु ॥
śṛṅgāṇi-iva | śṛṅgiṇām | sam | dadṛśre | caṣāla-vantaḥ | svaravaḥ | pṛthivyām | vāghat-bhiḥ | vā | vi-have | śroṣamāṇāḥ | asmān | avantu | pṛtanājyeṣu
44
4 pādas of ~11 syllables (Triṣṭubh norm; exact scansion depends on saṃhitā reading)
Forward-driving, martial yet elevated cadence suited to invocation and protection.
Builds a sense of gathered power and uplift; supports courage and alignment before inner struggle.
- शृङ्गा॑णि (śṛṅgāṇi)
- Literal: horns, peaks. Symbolic: upward-pointing aspiration; concentrated force rising to the summit
- चषालवन्तः (caṣālavantaḥ)
- Literal: bearing the caṣāla (cap of the sacrificial post). Symbolic: crowned summit-forces of the sacrifice; attainment-point where Svar can descend
- स्वरवः (svaravaḥ)
- Literal: sounding with svar; having celestial voice. Symbolic: illumined powers/faculties carrying the vibration of higher truth-consciousness
- पृथिव्याम् (pṛthivyām)
- Literal: on earth. Symbolic: in the embodied nature; the physical-vital foundation of sādhanā
- वाघद्भिः (vāghadbhिḥ)
- Literal: with the singers/chanters. Symbolic: with the active mantric faculties of expression and offering
- विहवे (vihave)
- Literal: in the call/invocation. Symbolic: the soul’s urgent appeal for help from above
- श्रोषमाणाः (śroṣamāṇāḥ)
- Literal: hearkening, listening. Symbolic: the responsive descent of higher powers to sincere aspiration
- पृतनाज्येषु (pṛtanājyeṣu)
- Literal: in battles for winning/for mastery. Symbolic: inner wars against the Coverer: inertia, doubt, desire, obscurity
Consecration and visibility of the yūpa/caṣāla; prayer for protection during contest (ritual and social), aligning rite with victory.
During sequences that establish/affirm the sacrificial supports and invoke protection for the rite.
Invocation of protective powers; affirmation of the rite’s crowned summit (caṣāla) and svar-vibration.
Use as a protective invocation before meditation or difficult life-transitions; recite to ‘gather’ scattered energies and call higher guidance.
śṛṅga ‘horn’ (projection; also peak). caṣāla is a technical ritual term (cap/top-piece on sacrificial post; semantic ‘summit/crown’). vāghat ‘singer/reciter’ from √vāgh? (onomatopoetic/ritual role term). √śru ‘hear’ in śroṣamāṇa ‘listening’. pṛtanā ‘battle’ (inner/outer contest).
ketu/mark as visible summit-sign (linked to caṣāla imagery), inner battle (pṛtanā) as struggle of light vs obstruction, responsiveness to invocation (śru)
The ‘together-seen’ (saṃ dadṛśre) suggests harmonized powers acting in accord with ṛta.
Svar-voice implies truth-vibration (satya) expressing itself as right inspiration.
Ascent to the ‘crown’ and descent of light/sound into earth: a microcosmic creation of a higher order in the being.
Proto-Vedāntic/Integral (Aurobindo-style) reading: gods as powers; sacrifice as inner yoga.
Peaks/horns = rising aspiration; earth = embodied field; celestial sound = mantra-force carrying illumination into life.
- What is the primary Vedic 'mythologem' present in this verse?
- The ‘summit-sign and protection’ mythologem: crowned with the caṣāla, the divine powers become conspicuous on earth and are invoked to protect in battles—outerly conflicts, inwardly the contest for mastery over obstructing forces.
- How does the linguistic structure reflect Proto-Indo-European roots?
- √śru ‘hear’ is a firm PIE root (*ḱleu̯- ‘hear, be famed’; cf. Greek klýō, English ‘loud’ via fame/hearing complex). The idea ‘gods who hear’ encodes the archaic reciprocity of invocation and response.
- What is the relationship between the Rishi and the Devata here?
- The rishi frames the gods as ‘hearkening’ (śroṣamāṇāḥ): the divine is responsive to rightly formed call (vihava) and chant (vāghat). Protection is granted when the human word aligns with the luminous sign (svar/caṣāla).
Gathering scattered energies; invoking higher luminous guidance into embodied life.
sahasrara (caṣāla as crown-symbol)
moderate nāḍī-śodhana or simple equal breathing (sama-vṛtti) before chanting
Uplifted, protected, vigilant; readiness for inner combat without agitation.
Chant slowly for 3–9 rounds; visualize a crown of light above the head and a ring of protection around the heart; end with a silent offering of the day’s struggles into that light.
Vedic accenting with udatta/anudatta/svarita as per śākhā; preserve udātta on marked syllables (e.g., śṛṅgā́ṇī-, caṣā́la-, śróṣamāṇā́ḥ).
Keep the pitch-rise on udātta; let svarita fall-glide; avoid flattening compounds like caṣālavantaḥ.
(śṛ) as ‘shri’ with vocalic ṛ, (caṣāla): retroflex ṣ; long ā, (svaravaḥ): clear ‘sva-ra’ without adding a vowel between s-v, (pṛtanājyeṣu): retroflex ṇ not present; keep ‘pṛ-ta-nā’ crisp; ‘jye’ as ‘jye’ (palatal glide)
Steady, resonant, protective; emphasize clarity over speed.
9
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.
