
Sukta 10.165
Traditionally associated with Atharvanic/late book (Mandala 10) apotropaic seers; specific r̥ṣi attribution varies by Anukramaṇī for this hymn (often given as a late/anonymous tradition).
Devas in general; with explicit reference to Nirr̥ti as the adverse power being averted.
Triṣṭubh (probable; RV 10 frequently uses Triṣṭubh in such stanzas—exact metrical scan recommended for confirmation).
この短い厄除けの讃歌は、諸神(デーヴァ)に総じて呼びかけ、凶兆を退ける。すなわち、鳩が現れ、それがニルリティ(Nirr̥ti――不幸・崩壊の力)の使者であるかもしれないという兆しである。詩句(ṛc)のマントラによって「解放/解除」(niṣkṛti)を行い、二足と四足のあらゆる生きものの繁栄を、ことに祭火の儀礼空間の周囲で守護することを願う。
Mantra 1
देवाः कपोत इषितो यदिच्छन्दूतो निॠत्या इदमाजगाम । तस्मा अर्चाम कृणवाम निष्कृतिं शं नो अस्तु द्विपदे शं चतुष्पदे ॥
神々よ、もしこの鳩が、駆り立てられ求めつつ、ニリティ(Nirr̥ti、崩壊と凶厄の力)の使者としてここに来たのなら、その(闇なる)遣わしに向けて我らは讃歌を捧げ、解き放ちの儀をなさん。二足のものに安寧あれ、四足のものにも安寧あれ。
Mantra 2
शिवः कपोत इषितो नो अस्त्वनागा देवाः शकुनो गृहेषु । अग्निर्हि विप्रो जुषतां हविर्नः परि हेतिः पक्षिणी नो वृणक्तु ॥
衝き立てられた鳩よ、われらにとって吉祥であれ。神々よ、家々における鳥の兆しが咎なくあれ。まことにアグニ(Agni)、霊感ある祭司はわれらの供物を嘉し給う。翼ある凶撃(hetí)はわれらを避けて巡り、われらを選び取らぬように。
Mantra 3
हेतिः पक्षिणी न दभात्यस्मानाष्ट्र्यां पदं कृणुते अग्निधाने । शं नो गोभ्यश्च पुरुषेभ्यश्चास्तु मा नो हिंसीदिह देवाः कपोतः ॥
翼ある凶撃(hetí)はわれらを欺かず、打ち伏せない。それは火を据える場にのみその跡を刻む。われらの牛群(光の群れ)にも、人々にも、安寧があれ。神々よ、この地で鳩がわれらを害さぬように。
Mantra 4
यदुलूको वदति मोघमेतद्यत्कपोतः पदमग्नौ कृणोति । यस्य दूतः प्रहित एष एतत्तस्मै यमाय नमो अस्तु मृत्यवे ॥
梟の告げるものは空しく、鳩が火の上に刻む跡もまた空しい——それがただ、かの力より遣わされた使者にすぎぬならば。ヤマ(Yama)に敬礼あれ、死に敬礼あれ。暗き取り立ては他処で満たされ、ここに及ばぬように。
Mantra 5
ऋचा कपोतं नुदत प्रणोदमिषं मदन्तः परि गां नयध्वम् । संयोपयन्तो दुरितानि विश्वा हित्वा न ऊर्जं प्र पतात्पतिष्ठः ॥
讃歌(ṛc)によってその鳩を追い払い、遠くへ突き放て。養う力に歓びつつ、それをめぐらせて外へ導け。あらゆる禍(ドゥリタ)をことごとく集め取り、われらの充溢する力(ūrj)を損なわず、最も速やかに飛び去らしめよ。
In this sukta the pigeon is treated as a possible bad omen—an apparent ‘messenger’ of Nirr̥ti (misfortune). The hymn uses mantra to send that omen away and restore peace.
Nirr̥ti is a Vedic power associated with loss, decay, and misfortune. Here she is not praised; she is the adverse force to be averted so that well-being (śam) returns.
It is a compact blessing for the whole community: humans (two-footed) and animals like cattle and horses (four-footed). The hymn asks that all embodied life in the household remain safe and prosperous.
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