Sukta 2
Rishi: Atharvanic tradition (Āpas-hymn complex; r̥ṣi attribution varies by anukramaṇī for AV 19)
Devata: Āpas (Waters)
Chandas: Anuṣṭubh (mixed/irregular in AV 19; close to anuṣṭubh cadence)
Mantras
Mantra 1
आपः। शं त आपो हैमवतीः शमु ते सन्तूत्स्याः । शं ते सनिष्यदा आपः शमु ते सन्तु वर्ष्याः
Waters—be welfare unto thee: welfare be to thee from the snow-born waters; welfare, yea, be thine from the springing waters. Welfare be to thee from the standing waters; welfare, yea, be thine from the rain-born waters.
Mantra 2
शं त आपो धन्वन्याः३ शं ते सन्त्वनूप्याः । शं ते खनित्रिमा आपः शं याः कुम्भेभिराभृताः
Welfare be to thee from the waters of the waste; welfare be to thee from the waters of the marsh. Welfare be to thee from the waters dug forth; welfare from those that are brought in jars.
Mantra 3
अनभ्रयः खनमाना विप्रा गम्भीरे अपसः । भिषग्भ्यो भिषक्तरा आपो अच्छा वदामसि
Cloudless, as they are dug, wise waters in the deep—waters more healing than physicians—to these we speak, hitherward, with favoring call.
Mantra 4
अपामह दिव्याऽनामपां स्रोतस्याऽनाम्। अपामह प्रणेजनेऽश्वा भवथ वाजिनः
Lo, of the Waters—of the heavenly Waters, of the Waters’ streaming currents: lo, of the Waters, at the act of washing, become ye horses, strong and fleet.
Mantra 5
ता अपः शिवा अपोऽयक्ष्मंकरणीरपः । यथैव तृप्यते मयस्तास्त आ दत्त भेषजीः
Those Waters are benign—those Waters, makers of freedom from wasting; just as refreshment is satisfied, so do those bestow on thee their healing remedies.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is used to consecrate water for healing and purification—especially for bathing, washing, sprinkling, or sipping—to remove pollution and support recovery and well-being.
To claim the blessing of Āpaḥ everywhere: whichever form of water is available becomes a valid carrier of welfare (śam) and remedy when invoked.
It is a poetic way of stating that the Waters themselves are treated as a primary divine medicine: their purity, depth, and flow are invoked to restore health beyond ordinary means.