Rig Veda Sukta 137
Mandala 10Sukta 1377 Mantras

Sukta 137

Sukta 10.137

Rishi

Traditionally attributed in RV to a healer-seer context; commonly associated with the Vāta healing hymn sequence (RV 10.137) in later indices (exact rishi varies by tradition).

Devata

Devāḥ (collective gods as healing powers); restorative life-force

Chandas

Triṣṭubh (common in this section; some recensions may vary)

この短い治癒讃歌は、諸神を総体として回復の力として招き、倒れた者を再び力へと引き上げる。たとえ病が過失や誤りの行いに結びつくとしても救済を願う。祈りと守護の祝福、そして「マントラによる触れ(咒触)」という儀礼=心理的な所作を合わせ、消耗病ヤクシャマ(yakṣma)を追い払い、無病安穏の全体性(anāmaya)を回復させる。

Recitation with translationRig Veda 10.137

Mantras

Mantra 1

उत देवा अवहितं देवा उन्नयथा पुनः । उतागश्चक्रुषं देवा देवा जीवयथा पुनः ॥

また神々よ、沈み落ちたものをふたたび引き上げよ。まことに神々よ、もう一度それを高く掲げよ。たとえ彼が過ちを犯したとしても、神々よ、ふたたび彼を生命と全き健やかさへと甦らせよ。

Mantra 2

द्वाविमौ वातौ वात आ सिन्धोरा परावतः । दक्षं ते अन्य आ वातु परान्यो वातु यद्रपः ॥

風よ、二つの風が吹く。一つは河より来たり、一つははるか彼方より来たる。いずれかは汝に力と正しき働きをもたらし、いずれかは衰耗の苦患を吹き払え。

Mantra 3

आ वात वाहि भेषजं वि वात वाहि यद्रपः । त्वं हि विश्वभेषजो देवानां दूत ईयसे ॥

風よ、この癒やしの薬をここへ運べ。風よ、衰耗の害を吹き散らし、払い去れ。汝はまことに万病の薬、神々の使者として、神界とこの身ある命とのあいだを往来する。

Mantra 4

आ त्वागमं शंतातिभिरथो अरिष्टतातिभिः । दक्षं ते भद्रमाभार्षं परा यक्ष्मं सुवामि ते ॥

われは汝のもとへ、安寧をもたらすものと、無傷の守りとを携えて来た。汝に吉祥なる力、正しき能をもたらし、汝より衰耗の病(ヤクシュマ)を追い払う。

Mantra 5

त्रायन्तामिह देवास्त्रायतां मरुतां गणः । त्रायन्तां विश्वा भूतानि यथायमरपा असत् ॥

ここにて神々が彼を守らんことを。マルト(Marut)たちの群れも守らんことを。いっさいの生きとし生けるものが守り、彼が衰耗と害とを離れんことを。

Mantra 6

आप इद्वा उ भेषजीरापो अमीवचातनीः । आपः सर्वस्य भेषजीस्तास्ते कृण्वन्तु भेषजम् ॥

まことに水は薬なり。水は病を払い退ける。水は万有の薬なり。願わくはその水々が、汝のために霊薬を成し、いのちと心を全きものへと復せしめよ。

Mantra 7

हस्ताभ्यां दशशाखाभ्यां जिह्वा वाचः पुरोगवी । अनामयित्नुभ्यां त्वा ताभ्यां त्वोप स्पृशामसि ॥

両の手——十枝なる働きの力——と言葉に先立ち導く舌とをもって、また乱れと病を除くその二つの力をもって、われらは汝に近く触れる。汝の在りようが無病にして全きものへ復するために。

Inside Sukta 137

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    A direct appeal to the gods to lift up what has fallen—reviving the weakened and restoring life even after fault.

  2. Development

    Blessing-language expands: peace and unhurtfulness are brought near; strength (dakṣa) is reinstalled as a positive capacity.

  3. Climax

    Explicit expulsion of yakṣma—the wasting sickness is driven away as the decisive therapeutic act.

  4. Where it settles

    Healing is sealed through embodied ritual: hands and guiding speech/tongue perform mantra-touch to re-establish anāmaya (wholeness, freedom from illness).

The deity: Devāḥ

  • In the VedaAddressed as a unified host capable of raising up what has “sunk down,” reviving the afflicted, and removing yakṣma; they are invoked as bringers of śānti (peace), ariṣṭa (unhurtfulness), and renewed dakṣa (capable strength).
  • Cosmic functionTo restore ṛta-aligned vitality in beings—reintegrating life-breath, strength, and social-spiritual order when illness or decline disrupts them.
  • Inner significanceThe many divine powers symbolize the organism’s and psyche’s capacity to reassemble: conscience and forgiveness (release from fault), renewed will and competence (dakṣa), and the healing efficacy of speech joined with touch (mantra + action).

The seer

  • Kṣema (traditional/var. healer-seer attribution)Associated in later tradition with the healing-prayer stratum of Maṇḍala 10, especially hymns used for restoring life, strength, and freedom from yakṣma (consumption/wasting illness).

Famous verses

jīvayathā punaḥ
Verse 10.137.1Core revival prayer: the Devāḥ are asked to ‘raise up again’ the one who has sunk down, restoring life even in the shadow of wrongdoing—linking healing with reintegration and mercy.Read verse 10.137.1 →
parā yakṣmaṃ suvāmi te
Verse 10.137.4Most explicit therapeutic statement: the seer brings śānti and ariṣṭatā, reinstates auspicious dakṣa, and drives away yakṣma—central for disease-removal recitation.Read verse 10.137.4 →
हस्ताभ्यां दशशाखाभ्यां जिह्वा वाचः पुरोगवी । अनामयित्नुभ्यां त्वा ताभ्यां त्वोप स्पृशामसि ॥
Verse 10.137.7Signature ‘mantra-touch’ verse: healing is enacted through hands (ten-branched powers) and the tongue guiding speech—joining action and word to restore anāmaya.Read verse 10.137.7 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Restorative
  • Life-giving
  • Protective
  • Purifying
  • Disease-dispelling
  • Peace-bringing
  • Forgiving/rehabilitating

Also by this seer

  • RV 10.137 (healing hymn; traditional attributions vary by recension and anukramaṇī)
  • Linked in later ritual-medical usage to Vāta/Ārogya-style healing recitations (application tradition rather than strict authorship)

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare a quiet space; seat or lay the patient facing east if possible.
  • Light a small ghee lamp or āhavanīya fire (if available) and establish a short śānti intention.
  • Recite RV 10.137.1 as an invocation for ‘raising up again’ and restoration to life.
  • Recite mid-verses as protective blessings, affirming śānti and ariṣṭatā (uninjuredness).
  • Recite RV 10.137.4 while symbolically ‘driving away’ yakṣma (gesture outward or to the ground).
  • Recite RV 10.137.7 while performing gentle mantra-touch: place hands lightly on head/shoulders/heart area, aligning speech (jihvā/vāc) with healing intent.
  • Conclude with a final blessing for strength (dakṣa) and steadiness; offer thanks to the Devāḥ.

Offerings

  • Ghee (ājyāhuti)
  • Warm water for sipping/sprinkling (ācamana/prokṣaṇa)
  • Simple oblation such as sesame or rice (optional, per household practice)

Frequently Asked Questions

It is a short healing hymn asking the gods to revive a weakened person, restore strength, and remove yakṣma (a wasting sickness).

The hymn recognizes that illness can be felt as tied to error or imbalance; it still asks the gods to forgive and restore the person to life and wholeness.

It is recited as a healing prayer—often with gentle hand-touch and blessings—sometimes alongside a small ghee offering, especially at dawn or during recovery.

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