Sukta 40
Rishi: Atharvanic tradition (late AV strata; specific r̥ṣi not explicit in the provided excerpt)
Devata: Bṛhaspati (primary), with Sarasvatī and Viśve Devāḥ as supporting agencies
Chandas: Anuṣṭubh-like cadence (late AV style; exact metrical scansion may vary)
Mantras
Mantra 1
मेधा। यन्मे छिद्रं मनसो यच्च वाचः सरस्वती मन्युमन्तं जगाम । विश्वैस्तद् देवैः सह संविदानः सं दधातु बृहस्पतिः
Intelligence—what breach of mine, of mind, and what of speech, Sarasvatī hath carried off, borne away in passionate tumult: that, in accord with all the Gods together, let Bṛhaspati set back, and set in order.
Mantra 2
मा न आपो मेधां मा ब्रह्म प्र मथिष्टन । सुष्यदा यूयं स्यन्दध्वमुपहूतोऽहं सुमेधा वर्चस्वी
O Waters, do ye not from us churn out intelligence; do ye not harry forth our holy prayer. Ye well-yielding, flow on in kindly streams: invoked am I—of goodly wit, of shining lustre.
Mantra 3
मा नो मेधां मा नो दीक्षां मा नो हिंसिष्टं यत् तपः । शिवा नः शं सन्त्वायुषे शिवा भवन्तु मातरः
Harm not our intelligence, harm not our consecration; injure us not in that which is our holy heat. Auspicious to us be peace for life; auspicious be the Mothers unto us.
Mantra 4
या नः पीपरदश्विना ज्योतिष्मती तमस्तिरः । तामस्मे रासतामिषम्
That nourishment which the Aśvins have made to thrive for us—luminous, crossing over darkness—let them bestow that refreshment here on us.
Frequently Asked Questions
It refers to a felt gap or leak in mental steadiness and verbal capacity—forgetfulness, scattered attention, or speech faltering—often linked to agitation or emotional turbulence.
Sarasvatī represents the flow of inspired speech and intelligence, while the Viśve Devāḥ represent collective divine assent; together they support Bṛhaspati’s act of re-ordering and reintegration.
No. The hymn works primarily through recitation and intention; at most, one may optionally take water or a small nourishing food as a symbolic ‘iṣ’ after the concluding verse.