Sukta 46
Sukta 7.46
Vasiṣṭha
Triṣṭubh
This brief Triṣṭubh hymn of Vasiṣṭha addresses Rudra as the mighty archer whose swift, sharp power can both wound and heal. The poet pleads that Rudra’s lightning-like force and wrath be turned away, while invoking his “thousand medicines” for protection of family, offspring, and continued life. The sukta’s purpose is appeasement (śamana) and well-being (svasti) through reverent praise and a direct request for mercy.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
इमा रुद्राय स्थिरधन्वने गिरः क्षिप्रेषवे देवाय स्वधाव्ने । अषाळ्हाय सहमानाय वेधसे तिग्मायुधाय भरता शृणोतु नः ॥
यह शब्द रुद्र भगवान के लिए हैं, जो धनुष पकड़े खड़े रहते हैं। उनकी तीर जल्दी चलती है और वो अपनी ताकत से चलते हैं। कोई उनको हरा नहीं सकता, वो हमेशा जीतते हैं। उनके हथियार तेज़ हैं। मेरी बात उन तक पहुँचे और वो हमारी सुन लें।
Mantra 2
स हि क्षयेण क्षम्यस्य जन्मनः साम्राज्येन दिव्यस्य चेतति । अवन्नवन्तीरुप नो दुरश्चरानमीवो रुद्र जासु नो भव ॥
रुद्र भगवान धरती पर रहते हैं और आसमान की भी बात जानते हैं। वो सब कुछ देखते हैं। भगवान हमारे पास आएँ और हमारी रक्षा करें। हमारे घर के आस पास रहें। रुद्र भगवान हमें कोई तकलीफ न दें और जल्दी हमारी मदद करें।
Mantra 3
या ते दिद्युदवसृष्टा दिवस्परि क्ष्मया चरति परि सा वृणक्तु नः । सहस्रं ते स्वपिवात भेषजा मा नस्तोकेषु तनयेषु रीरिषः ॥
रुद्र की बिजली आसमान से गिर के धरती पर फैलती है। वो हमसे दूर हो जाए। रुद्र के पास हज़ारों दवाइयाँ हैं जो साँस देती हैं। वो हमारे बच्चों को और हमारे काम को नुकसान न करे।
Mantra 4
मा नो वधी रुद्र मा परा दा मा ते भूम प्रसितौ हीळितस्य । आ नो भज बर्हिषि जीवशंसे यूयं पात स्वस्तिभिः सदा नः ॥
हे रुद्र, हमें मत मारना और हमें मत भगाना। तुम्हारा गुस्सा हम पर न पड़ेगा। हमें भी अपनी पूजा में जगह दे। हमें ज़िन्दा रहने की दुआ दे। तुम लोग हमेशा हमें अच्छा रखो।
Inside Sukta 46
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
The hymn opens by ‘carrying’ words of praise to Rudra the formidable archer, asking that he listen.
- Development
Rudra’s dangerous celestial force is acknowledged—his lightning roaming from heaven over earth—while the poet seeks its diversion and invokes Rudra’s healing capacity.
- Climax
The bold juxtaposition peaks: the same god of sharp weapons is said to hold ‘a thousand medicines,’ making him the supreme healer as well as potential afflicter.
- Where it settles
The hymn resolves in urgent, intimate supplication—‘do not slay us, do not cast us away’—and ends with a request for shared life-boons and enduring svasti-protection.
The deity: Rudra
- Cosmic functionHe embodies the sudden, disruptive force in nature—storm, lightning, disease, and their cessation—governing both affliction and healing, and enforcing boundaries through awe-inspiring power.
- Inner significancePsychologically, Rudra represents the fierce transformative energy that can shatter arrogance, purge impurities, and restore wholeness when approached with humility, truth, and restraint; his ‘medicine’ is the alchemy of suffering turned into renewal.
The seer
- VasiṣṭhaVasiṣṭha (Vasiṣṭha-gotra); traditionally of the Maitrāvaruṇa line · One of the foremost Ṛgvedic seers of Mandala 7, celebrated for hymns of royal legitimacy, cosmic order (ṛta), and powerful devotional speech; famed in later tradition as the purohita of Sudās and a paradigmatic brahmarṣi.
Famous verses
इमा रुद्राय स्थिरधन्वने गिरः क्षिप्रेषवे देवाय स्वधाव्ने । अषाळ्हाय सहमानाय वेधसे तिग्मायुधाय भरता शृणोतु नः ॥sahasraṃ te … bheṣajā
mā no vadhī rudra
Attributes of the deity
- Steady bow, swift arrows (archer imagery)
- Lightning-like power and suddenness
- Unconquered, enduring strength
- Ambivalent deity: can harm or heal
- Possessor of ‘a thousand medicines’ (bheṣajā)
- Protector of lineage—invoked to spare children and descendants
- Bestower of svasti (well-being) when appeased
Also by this seer
- Principal authorship of much of Rig Veda Mandala 7 (Vasiṣṭha maṇḍala)
- Hymns to Varuṇa-Mitra emphasizing ṛta and moral order (e.g., RV 7.86–7.89)
- Royal and battle-context hymns associated with the Bharatas and Sudās (e.g., RV 7.18)
- Foundational presence in later Itihāsa-Purāṇa traditions as a teacher-sage and exemplar of brahmanical authority
The rite, step by step
- Prepare the sacred seat (barhis) and kindle Agni; establish a calm, orderly space (ṛta-aligned).
- Recite RV 7.46.1 as an opening praise, ‘bearing’ the prayer to the steady-bowed Rudra and requesting that he hear.
- Invoke turning-away of harm with RV 7.46.3, explicitly redirecting Rudra’s ‘lightning’ and calling upon his medicines for protection of children and progeny.
- Offer oblations with a conciliatory intention; maintain a tone of reverence rather than command.
- Conclude with RV 7.46.4 as a direct supplication: ‘Do not slay us… share with us on the barhis,’ followed by a svasti-prayer for ongoing safeguarding.
- Optionally repeat the final plea as a protective refrain, especially in times of fear (storm, illness, social tension).
Offerings
- Ghee (ājya) into Agni
- Soma (where applicable)
- Milk/curds or simple food-offerings (naivedya) in later domestic adaptations
- Fragrant herbs/resins (as a symbolic ‘medicine’ offering, aligned with bheṣajā)
Frequently Asked Questions
It praises Rudra’s immense power and asks him to turn away harm—especially lightning-like danger and wrath—while granting healing, protection, and well-being for the family and descendants.
In the Veda, Rudra governs sudden affliction (like storm and disease) but also its remedy. The hymn acknowledges his sharp weapons and then appeals to his ‘thousand medicines’ to protect and restore life.
It is traditionally suited for a calming/protective recitation during fire worship or when fearing storms, illness, or misfortune—ending with a humble plea for mercy and ongoing svasti (well-being).
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