Mantra 16
Sukta 5
Sanskrit (Devanagari)
मेनिः शतवधा हि सा ब्रह्मज्यस्य क्षितिर्हि सा
IAST Transliteration
meníḥ śatávadhā hí sā́ brahmajyásya kṣitíḥ hí sā́
English Translation (Griffith/Whitney)
For she is wrath, slaying in a hundred fashions; for she is the firm standing-ground of Brahman’s bow-string.
Word by Word
मे॒निःthe Menī (a female being/affliction; personified)
मे॒निः:
Kartā
TypeNoun
Rootमेनि- (प्रातिपदिक)
श॒तव॑धाhundredfold-slaying / striking in a hundred ways
श॒तव॑धा:
Kartā
TypeAdjective
Rootशत- + वधा- (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
हिindeed, for
हि:
—
TypeIndeclinable
Rootहि (निपात)
साshe
सा:
Kartā
TypePronoun
Rootतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
ब्रह्म॒ज्यस्य॒of the brahma-slayer / of one who injures Brahman (sacred power)
ब्रह्म॒ज्यस्य॒:
सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation)
TypeNoun
Rootब्रह्मज्य- (प्रातिपदिक)
क्षिति॒र्हि(she is) the dwelling/abode (indeed)
क्षिति॒र्हि:
Kartā
TypeNoun + Indeclinable
Rootक्षिति- (प्रातिपदिक) + हि (निपात)
साshe
सा:
Kartā
TypePronoun
Rootतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
Attribution
Rishi: As hymn (12.5) tradition; Atharvanic/Angirasa milieu.
Devata: Go as sacral wrath; Brahman (as coercive power).
Chandas: Anuṣṭubh-like (compressed, gnomic).
Mantra Rasa
{"primary_rasa":"raudra","secondary_rasa":"bhayankara","emotional_arc":"Immediate escalation—no softening; pure deterrent force.","listener_experience":"A jolt of fear and respect for taboo boundaries.","intensity":9}