Sukta 18
Rishi: Atharvanic tradition (rain-compulsion corpus)
Devata: Nabhas (cloud), Pṛthivī, Dhātṛ (as regulator of rain)
Chandas: Jagatī/triṣṭubh-mixed (AV rain hymns often irregular)
AV 7.18は、雲を封じられた容器として捉え、それを裂き開いて天の水を共同体のために注がせる、簡潔な降雨強制の讃歌である。大地は受けとめる「畑の身体」として招かれ、またダートリ（Dhātṛ）は雨を司る宇宙的調整者として「水嚢を開く者」と呼ばれ、破壊ではなく滋養となる雨を保証する。第二詩節では目的が単なる降雨から、灼けつく旱魃と命を奪う霜害のない均衡した天候へと広げられ、ソーマ（Soma：吉祥なる生命力／祭儀秩序）が宿るところに福祉と稔りが満ちるよう祈願される。
Mantras
Mantra 1
दवृष्टिः। प्र न॑भस्व पृथिवि भि॒न्द्धी॒३दं दि॒व्यं नभः॑ । उ॒द्नो दि॒व्यस्य॑ नो धात॒रीशा॑नो॒ वि ष्या॒ दृति॑म्
雲よ、前へ出よ。大地よ、この天の雲を裂け。天の水より、われらのために——主宰なるダートリ（Dhātṛ）よ——水嚢（みずぶくろ）を大きく開き放て。
Mantra 2
न घ्रंस्त॑ताप॒ न हि॒मो ज॑घान॒ प्र न॑भतां पृथि॒वी जी॒रदा॑नुः । आप॑श्चिदस्मै घृ॒तमित् क्ष॑रन्ति॒ यत्र॒ सोमः॒ सद॒मित् तत्र॑ भ॒द्रम्
灼けつく光に焼かれもせず、霜に打たれもせぬように——流れる潤いに富む大地よ、雲に覆われよ。水さえも彼女のために酥油（ギー）を滴らせる。ソーマ（Soma）が常に在るところ、そこにこそ吉祥がある。
Frequently Asked Questions
It aims to end drought by commanding the cloud to open and pour down celestial waters, while also ensuring the weather stays beneficial—neither scorching nor frosty—so crops can thrive.
It uses a vivid metaphor: the cloud is like a sealed skin-bag holding water. The mantra asks Dhātṛ to “open it wide,” meaning to release rain in a controlled, life-giving way.
Ghee symbolizes nourishment and prosperity. Saying the waters “drip ghee” expresses a wish that rainfall be fertile and strengthening—supporting growth, yield, and well-being.
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