Sukta 74
Sukta 6.74
Bharadvāja (Bārhaspatya lineage) (traditional attribution for Maṇḍala 6; this hymn addressed to Soma-Rudra)
Triṣṭubh (probable for RV 6.74; requires full hymn metrical scan for absolute confirmation)
RV 6.74 is a compact healing and protection hymn to the dual divinities Soma–Rudra, asking them to uphold inner “asuryá” (lordly luminous vitality), accept the offerings, and bring welfare to both two-footed and four-footed beings. It prays for the implantation of medicines within the body, the loosening of bonds of fault and affliction, and liberation from Varuṇa’s noose—ending in a plea for ongoing guardianship and benevolence.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
सोमारुद्रा धारयेथामसुर्यं प्र वामिष्टयोऽरमश्नुवन्तु । दमेदमे सप्त रत्ना दधाना शं नो भूतं द्विपदे शं चतुष्पदे ॥
सोम और रुद्र से यह प्रार्थना है, हम में वो ताकत रखो जो चमकती है और सबसे बड़ी है। हमारी पूजा और भक्ति तुम तक जल्दी पहुंचे। हर घर में सात खजाने लेकर आओ। हम दो पाँव वाले और चार पाँव वाले सब के लिए शांति बनाओ।
Mantra 2
सोमारुद्रा वि वृहतं विषूचीममीवा या नो गयमाविवेश । आरे बाधेथां निॠतिं पराचैरस्मे भद्रा सौश्रवसानि सन्तु ॥
सोम और रुद्र, बीमारी को फाड़ के बाहर फेंको जो हमारे अंदर घुस गई है। उसे बहुत दूर भगा दो। निर्ऋति, वो बुरी ताकत जो सब खत्म करती है, उसे भी दूर कर दो। हम में अच्छी और बढ़िया ताकत आए।
Mantra 3
सोमारुद्रा युवमेतान्यस्मे विश्वा तनूषु भेषजानि धत्तम् । अव स्यतं मुञ्चतं यन्नो अस्ति तनूषु बद्धं कृतमेनो अस्मत् ॥
सोम और रुद्र, हमारे शरीर में सारी दवाइयाँ डाल दो। जो भी हमारे अंदर फंसा हुआ है, जो बुरा हमने किया है उसकी गाँठ, उसे खोल के निकाल दो। हमें उस से आज़ाद करो।
Mantra 4
तिग्मायुधौ तिग्महेती सुशेवौ सोमारुद्राविह सु मृळतं नः । प्र नो मुञ्चतं वरुणस्य पाशाद्गोपायतं नः सुमनस्यमाना ॥
सोम और रुद्र, तुम्हारी चमक-तेज़ बने हैं, लेकिन तुम बड़े दयालु हो। हमें पर कृपा करो। वरुण की पाश, उस बंधन को, तोड़ के हमें आगे बढ़ने दो। हमें बचा के रखना, हमारे लिए अच्छा सोच के।
Inside Sukta 74
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
The hymn opens by calling Soma–Rudra to uphold asuryá (radiant lordliness) within the worshipper and to receive offerings swiftly, establishing a household-wide horizon of “seven treasures” and peace for all beings.
- Development
It develops into explicit therapeutic language: the gods are asked to place medicines in the bodies and to cast down and loosen whatever is bound—affliction, fault, and the knot of wrongdoing.
- Climax
The peak plea is liberation from Varuṇa’s noose (pāśa), a vivid image of cosmic/moral constraint, paired with an urgent request for mercy from the keen-weaponed yet benevolent deities.
- Where it settles
The hymn resolves in protective assurance: Soma–Rudra are asked to guard the worshippers with a favorable mind, stabilizing the restored condition as ongoing welfare and safety.
The deity: Soma-Rudra
- Cosmic functionSoma sustains vitality, clarity, and replenishment through the lunar/nectar principle and sacrificial elixir; Rudra governs storm-force, crisis, and the power that both wounds and cures. Together they restore balance by removing pollution, disease, and moral/ritual entanglement, and by guarding life across human and animal domains.
- Inner significanceSoma signifies inner cooling, lucidity, and rejuvenation; Rudra signifies the sharp discernment that cuts through affliction and bondage. Their union symbolizes integrated healing—soothing nourishment joined to incisive release—freeing the psyche from guilt-knots, fear, and constriction into well-being and courage.
The seer
- BharadvājaBārhaspatya (Bharadvāja gotra; Angirasa stream through Bṛhaspati in later tradition) · Foremost seer of Maṇḍala 6, celebrated for hymns that unite ritual precision with practical aims—protection, healing, victory, and the right ordering of life through speech (brahman).
Famous verses
śaṃ no bhūtaṃ dvipade śaṃ catuṣpade
सोमारुद्रा युवमेतान्यस्मे विश्वा तनूषु भेषजानि धत्तम् । अव स्यतं मुञ्चतं यन्नो अस्ति तनूषु बद्धं कृतमेनो अस्मत् ॥varuṇasya pāśāt
Attributes of the deity
- Dual healers (bheṣajá) and protectors
- Keen-weaponed yet compassionate (tigmāyudha… suśevau)
- Bestowers of peace for bipeds and quadrupeds
- Upholders of asuryá (lordly luminous power)
- Liberators from bonds, including Varuṇa’s pāśa (noose)
- Household-wide beneficence (“in every dwelling”)
Also by this seer
- Majority of Rig Veda Maṇḍala 6 (Bharadvāja family collection)
- Hymns to Agni, Indra, the Aśvins, Pūṣan, and allied deities emphasizing protection and well-being
- Later Vedic/Itihāsa-Purāṇa tradition remembers Bharadvāja as a paradigmatic rṣi-teacher associated with dharma, learning, and transmission of sacred knowledge
The rite, step by step
- Prepare the sacred space and kindle Agni (or establish a clean offering place) with purification (ācamana/pariṣecana as customary).
- Recite RV 6.74 as an invocation to Soma–Rudra, mentally offering the hymn as iṣṭi (sacrificial intention).
- At the healing petition (esp. v.3–4), perform a focused prayer for removal of bodily bonds and moral/ritual knots; optionally accompany with light sprinkling of water or touching the heart/head as a symbolic “unbinding.”
- Conclude with a protection prayer for the household and cattle, affirming śaṃ (peace/welfare) for dvipád and cátuṣpad.
- Offer closing oblations and a silent moment of gratitude/resolve (saṃkalpa) to live in restored order (ṛta).
Offerings
- Soma libation where available (or symbolic Soma such as water/milk in later practice)
- Ghee (ājya) into Agni
- Simple oblations: milk, curds, barley, or medicinal herbs as appropriate to local tradition
- Water for purification and symbolic release
Frequently Asked Questions
They are invoked together as a twofold healing power: Soma as the life-giving, purifying nectar principle, and Rudra as the fierce protector who can also cure and remove harm.
It is a prayer for well-being for people (two-footed) and for animals like cattle (four-footed), extending protection to the whole household economy and life-support system.
Varuṇa’s noose symbolizes binding by cosmic law—guilt, debt, or constraint. The hymn asks Soma–Rudra to loosen these bonds so the worshipper can return to health, freedom, and right order.
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