Sukta 22
Rishi: Atharvanic tradition (often anonymous/Angiras-type attribution in AV healing hymns)
Devata: Āpas (Waters), with Marutic/cloud agencies implied
Chandas: Mixed; predominantly Triṣṭubh-like cadence in Saunaka book 6 hymnic style
Mantras
Mantra 1
भैषज्यम्। कृष्णं नियानं हरयः सुपर्णा अपो वसाना दिवमुत् पतन्ति । त आववृत्रन्त्सदनादृतस्यादिद् घृतेन पृथिवीं व्यूऽदुः
A remedy is this: the dark, down-leading (mass); the tawny, fair-winged ones, clad with waters, fly aloft to heaven. They encompassed the seat of Order; and then, with ghee, they opened and moistened the Earth abroad.
Mantra 2
पयस्वतीः कृणुथाप ओषधीः शिवा यदेजथा मरुतो रुक्मवक्षसः । ऊर्जं च तत्र सुमतिं च पिन्वत यत्रा नरो मरुतः सिञ्चथा मधु
Make ye the plants sap-rich, O Waters—benign—when ye, O Maruts of the golden breast, bestir yourselves. There do ye swell both nourishment and kindly favour, where, O heroic Maruts, ye pour down sweetness.
Mantra 3
उदप्रुतो मरुतस्तां इयर्त वृष्टिर्या विश्वा निवतस्पृणाति । एजाति ग्लहा कन्येऽव तुन्नैरुं तुन्दाना पत्येव जाया
Water-driven, O Maruts, send ye that rain—the shower which filleth all the lowly places. The gambler quivereth, O maiden, thrust downward—prodding his hurt—like a wife (yearning) for her husband.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is used to invoke waters—especially rain—as a healing force that restores moisture, strengthens vitality, and increases the medicinal potency of herbs.
The Marutas are the storm-and-cloud powers that set rain in motion; the hymn treats them as the active agencies that help the waters descend with sweetness and nourishment.
No specific plant is named here; ‘oṣadhīḥ’ is generic. Practitioners typically use locally known healing herbs or simple sprigs as representatives while sprinkling or preparing medicinal water.