Rig Veda 5.43.13: Mandala 5, Sukta 43, Mantra 13
Sukta 5.43
- Rishi
- Atri
- Devata
- Dharṇasi
- Chandas
- Trishtubh
- Rasa
- Vira (heroism) and Shanta (peace)
आ धर्णसिर्बृहद्दिवो रराणो विश्वेभिर्गन्त्वोमभिर्हुवानः । ग्ना वसान ओषधीरमृध्रस्त्रिधातुशृङ्गो वृषभो वयोधाः ॥
ā́ dharṇasír bṛháddivo rárāṇo víśvebhir gantv ómabhir huvānáḥ | gnā́ vásāna óṣadhī́r amṛ́dhras tridhā́tuśṛṅgo vṛṣabhó vayodhā́ḥ ||
धर्नसि आसमान से खुश हो के आएँ। हम उन्हे बुला रहे हैं। यह देवियों और जड़ी-बूटियों को साथ लाते हैं। इनके तीन सींग हैं, जैसे बैल। यह जान की ताकत देते हैं।
Word by Word
- आ
- hither, towards; (prefix) to/untoIndeclinableउपसर्ग/निपात (अव्यय)Root आ (upasarga) अथवा आ (avyaya)
- धर्णसिः
- the strong one; bearer/impeller (epithet)Nounपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole KartāRoot धर्णसि- (प्रातिपदिक; ‘धारण/धर्षण-शक्ति’)
- बृहत्
- great, loftyAdjectiveनपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग-समन्वय, प्रथमा, एकवचन (दिवः सह)Role Viśeṣaṇa (of दिवः) / Adhikaraṇa-सम्बन्धRoot बृह् (वृद्धौ) → बृहत् (विशेषण)
- दिवः
- of heaven, of the skyNounस्त्रीलिङ्ग (द्यौः), षष्ठी, एकवचनRole Sambandha (genitive)Root दिव्/द्यौ- (प्रातिपदिक: द्यौ ‘heaven’)
- रराणः
- rejoicing, delightingParticipleपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole Kartā (with implied subject = addressed deity)Root रम् (रमँ क्रीडायाम्/तुष्टौ) → रराण (कृदन्त)
- विश्वेभिः
- with all (of them)Adjective (used substantively)पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचनRole Karaṇa/SahakārīRoot विश्व- (सर्व)
- गन्त्वोमभिः
- with the goings/approaches and with the sacred calls (om-like invocations)Compound Nounपुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचनRole Karaṇa/SahakārīRoot गन्त्व- (गम् ‘to go’ से; ‘going, goer’) + ओम- (प्रातिपदिक; ‘उच्चारण/ओम्-सम्बद्ध स्तुति/आह्वान’ RV)
- हुवानः
- invoking, callingParticipleपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole KartāRoot ह्वे (ह्वयति ‘to call, invoke’) → हुवान (कृदन्त)
- ग्नाः
- the divine women; ladies (goddesses)Nounस्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचनRole Kartā (or सहकर्ता) संदर्भानुसारRoot ग्ना- (प्रातिपदिक; ‘देवी/स्त्री, divine women’)
- वसानः
- wearing, clothedParticipleपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole KartāRoot वस् (वसँ आच्छादने ‘to clothe’) → वसान (कृदन्त)
- ओषधीः
- plants, herbsNounस्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचनRole KarmaRoot ओषधि- (प्रातिपदिक)
- अमृध्रः
- unharming, unobstructed, uninjuredAdjectiveपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole Viśeṣaṇa (of subject)Root अ- + मृध्र- (प्रातिपदिक; ‘harm/hostility/obstruction’)
- त्रिधातुशृङ्गः
- three-layered/threefold-hornedCompound Adjective/Nounपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole Viśeṣaṇa (of वृषभः)Root त्रि- + धातु- + शृङ्ग- (प्रातिपदिक)
- वृषभः
- bull (strong one)Nounपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole Kartā (मुख्य उपमेय/उपमान)Root वृषभ- (प्रातिपदिक)
- वयोधाः
- bestower/holder of vigor (life-strength)Compound Noun/Adjectiveपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole Viśeṣaṇa (of वृषभः/subject)Root वयस्- (strength/vitality) + धा (धा धारणे ‘to place/hold’) → -धाः (धारक)
Sandhi Notes
- पदच्छेद (Vedic sandhi resolution): आ | धर्णसिः | बृहत् | दिवः | रराणः | विश्वेभिः | गन्त्वोमभिः | हुवानः || ग्नाः | वसानः | ओषधीः | अमृध्रः | त्रिधातु-शृङ्गः | वृषभः | वयः-धाः । मुख्य संधि/समास: (1) धर्णसिः+बृहत् → धर्णसिर्बृहत् (र्-संधि)
- (2) बृहत्+दिवः → बृहद्दिवः (त् + द् → द्द्)
- (3) गन्त्व+ओमभिः → गन्त्वोमभिः (स्वर-संधि)
- (4) त्रिधातुशृङ्गः = त्रिधातु-शृङ्गः (समास)
- (5) वयोधाः = वयः-धाः (विसर्ग-लोप/समासरूप)
The meaning
Outer meaning
Let Dharṇasi, rejoicing from the vast heaven, come when invoked with all the ‘om’ cries. Wearing the goddesses, the herbs, unfailing—threefold-horned, a bull who upholds life-powers—may he arrive.
Inner meaning
Dharṇasi is a supporting/holding power (from √dhṛ): the force that sustains and stabilizes life and growth. Invoked with ‘omabhiḥ’ (affirming calls), he comes from the ‘vast heaven’—a higher supporting plane—bringing with him the feminine energies (gnāḥ) and the healing plant-powers (oṣadhīḥ): restorative forces in the embodied nature. ‘Tridhātuśṛṅga’ (threefold-horned) suggests a power established in three strata (perhaps mind-life-body; or the triple world), able to act integrally. As ‘vṛṣabha’ (bull), he is potent strength; as ‘vayodhāḥ’ he upholds the life-powers, ensuring endurance and right growth in the sadhana.
Universal truth
Transformation needs not only illumination and force but also a sustaining foundation that heals and integrates the whole nature. The divine Support arrives with restorative energies, making growth stable, integral, and enduring.
Themes
Stability and support, Healing and growth, Integration of three planes, Invocation with assent
The seer
- Rishi
- Atri
- Lineage
- Ātreya
- Other hymns
- RV 5.43.1, RV 5.43.2, RV 5.43.3, RV 5.43.4, RV 5.43.5, RV 5.43.6, RV 5.43.7, RV 5.43.8, RV 5.43.9, RV 5.43.10, RV 5.43.11, RV 5.43.12
Family tradition
Ātreya sequences often end by invoking stabilizing and integrative powers so the invoked illuminations can be held in the embodied being.
Significance
Atri’s vision here emphasizes embodiment: higher powers must arrive with healing and sustaining energies so the ascent becomes durable and integral.
The deity
- Devata
- Dharṇasi
- Epithets
- bṛhaddivaḥ (of the vast heaven), rarāṇa (rejoicing), amṛdhra (unfailing), tridhātuśṛṅga (threefold-horned), vṛṣabha (bull), vayodhā (upholder of life)
- Related deities
- Soma (as healer/bliss), Aśvins (healers), Pṛthivī (support), Rudra (healing aspect)
Cosmic role
A sustaining cosmic power that supports growth, fertility, and endurance; associated with life-bearing and restorative forces (oṣadhis).
Inner power
Stability, integration, healing, and endurance—holding the gains of illumination in mind-life-body.
In ritual
Where it is used
Invocation of a sustaining power associated with life-support and plant/healing energies within a broader multi-deity hymn
आ ध॑र्ण॒सिर्बृ॒हद्दि॑वो॒ ररा॑णो॒ विश्वे॑भिर्ग॒न्त्वोम॑भिर्हुवा॒नः । ग्ना वसा॑न॒ ओष॑धी॒रमृ॑ध्रस्त्रि॒धातु॑शृङ्गो वृष॒भो व॑यो॒धाः ॥
आ । ध॒र्ण॒सिः॒ । बृ॒हत्ऽदि॑वः । ररा॑णः । विश्वे॑भिः । ग॒न्तु॒ । ओम॑ऽभिः । हु॒वा॒नः । ग्नाः । वसा॑नः । ओष॑धीः । अमृ॑ध्रः । त्रि॒धातु॑ऽशृङ्गः । वृ॒ष॒भः । व॒यः॒ऽधाः ॥
ā | dharṇasiḥ | bṛhat-divaḥ | rarāṇaḥ | viśvebhiḥ | gantu | oma-bhiḥ | huvānaḥ | gnāḥ | vasānaḥ | oṣadhīḥ | amṛdhraḥ | tridhātu-śṛṅgaḥ | vṛṣabhaḥ | vayaḥ-dhāḥ
44
4 x ~11 syllables
Weight-bearing and arriving cadence; strong descriptive heft in later pādas
Grounds the listener; evokes a feeling of being supported and healed, with robust vitality.
- dharṇasiḥ
- Literal: supporter/sustainer (name). Symbolic: divine holding power that stabilizes and carries the being through change
- bṛhaddivaḥ
- Literal: from the vast heaven. Symbolic: from a higher, wide consciousness that can support the lower nature
- omabhiḥ
- Literal: with om-cries/affirmations. Symbolic: assenting invocation; the soul’s ‘yes’ that calls down support
- gnāḥ
- Literal: divine women/goddesses. Symbolic: feminine shaktis—nurturing, harmonizing energies in nature
- oṣadhīḥ
- Literal: herbs/plants. Symbolic: healing and regenerative forces; restorative vibrations in the body-life
- amṛdhraḥ
- Literal: unfailing, not negligent. Symbolic: reliable support that does not break under pressure
- tridhātuśṛṅgaḥ
- Literal: threefold-horned. Symbolic: integral power acting in three planes/constituents
- vṛṣabhaḥ
- Literal: bull. Symbolic: potent strength and steadfast virility of force
- vayodhāḥ
- Literal: upholder of life/strength. Symbolic: sustainer of prāṇa and growth-energy; builder of endurance
Calling stabilizing/support powers and healing growth-forces into the rite; suitable for sections seeking firmness, health, and integrative vitality.
In sequences seeking protection, stability, and life-increase; possibly alongside invocations of healing/strengthening supports
Calling with communal cries (omabhiḥ) and welcoming the power with descriptive praise
After intense meditation or pranayama: recite to integrate and stabilize; also during recovery, stress, or when seeking grounded endurance.
likely from √ (dhṛ) ‘to hold, support’ with noun formation indicating ‘supporting firmness’; treated as a named power. (oma) here not the later sacred syllable alone but ritual acclamation/assent; psychologically, inner affirmation that allows descent of power. from oṣa ‘burning/quickening’ + dhi? traditional analyses vary; in RV, plants as healing powers. indicates ‘threefold constitution’ (often earth-midspace-heaven or body-life-mind). compound: vayaḥ ‘vital vigor’ + √ ‘to place/support’.
Tripartite order (tridhātu), Vital vigor (vayaḥ), Affirmation/assent (oma)
Dharṇasi embodies the holding structure of ṛta—the support that prevents dispersal of gains.
‘Amṛdhra’ indicates truth as dependability: the support does not fail.
Life is upheld by sustaining powers and healing energies (plants, waters, earth); inner creation requires the same supportive matrix.
Integral yoga reading: descent of supportive force for embodiment; echoes later sādhana emphasis on integration (not only ascent).
spring/monsoon (growth and healing symbolism)
Heaven = wide supporting consciousness; herbs = regenerative prāṇic-physical healing; bull = steadfast potency; three horns = triple integration of mind-life-body.
- What is the primary Vedic 'mythologem' present in this verse?
- The ‘arrival of the supporting bull-power clothed in healing forces’: a stabilizing divine force comes from the vast heaven, bearing feminine energies and plant-powers. Innerly, it is the descent of integrative strength that sustains life and harmonizes the threefold constitution.
- How does the linguistic structure reflect Proto-Indo-European roots?
- The bull (vṛṣabha) as emblem of generative might is widely IE. The root √dhṛ ‘hold’ is also a classic IE stability root (cf. Greek thronos ‘seat’ is different, but ‘holding/firmness’ semantics are pervasive). The tripartite schema (tridhātu) resonates with IE three-world cosmologies.
- What is the relationship between the Rishi and the Devata here?
- The rishi’s invoking is paired with ‘oma’—assenting cries—showing that inner consent and collective affirmation are prerequisites for the power’s descent. The devata responds by bringing not a single gift but a whole ecology of supports (gnāḥ, oṣadhīḥ) into the sacrificer’s life.
Stabilize the gains of practice: feel a wide supporting presence above and a healing, nourishing force spreading through the nerves and body.
Mūlādhāra–Maṇipūra grounding and vitality support
Long exhale with gentle breath retention after exhale (bāhya kumbhaka, mild) to induce stability; avoid strain
Grounded strength; integrated embodiment
Chant once with a firm tone; then scan the body from head to feet, inviting ‘oṣadhi’ healing into any strain. End by affirming inwardly (a quiet ‘om’) a stable yes to the path.
Keep invocatory ‘ā’ openings clear; emphasize udātta on dharṇasiḥ and key epithets; allow heavier svarita falls on descriptive compounds
Mark a strong caesura after first pāda; give compounds (tridhātuśṛṅgaḥ, vayodhāḥ) deliberate weight and clarity.
dharṇasiḥ: retroflex ṇ; keep final ḥ audible, omabhiḥ: clear o, and bh aspiration, oṣadhīḥ: retroflex ṣ; long īḥ at end, tridhātuśṛṅgaḥ: keep ṛṅ cluster; do not flatten ṛ, vayodhāḥ: separate va-yo-dhāḥ; aspirate dh
Grounded, resonant, slightly lower register
3
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.
