Rig Veda 4.5.8: Mandala 4, Sukta 5, Mantra 8
Sukta 4.5
- Rishi
- Vāmadeva Gautama
- Devata
- Agni
- Chandas
- Trishtubh
- Rasa
- Adbhuta (wonder) and Shanta (peace)
प्रवाच्यं वचसः किं मे अस्य गुहा हितमुप निणिग्वदन्ति । यदुस्रियाणामप वारिव व्रन्पाति प्रियं रुपो अग्रं पदं वेः ॥
pra-vā́cyaṃ vácasaḥ kíṃ me asyá guhā́ hitám úpa niṇíg vadanti | yád usríyāṇām ápa vā́r iva vrán pā́ti priyáṃ rúpó ágraṃ padáṃ véḥ ||
ನನ್ನ ಈ ವಚನದ ಕುರಿತು ಏನು ಹೇಳಲಿ? ಅವರು ಇದನ್ನು ಗುಹೆಯಲ್ಲಿ, ರಹಸ್ಯ ಗರ್ಭದಲ್ಲಿ, ಅಡಗಿದೆ ಎಂದು ಹೇಳುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಉಸ್ರಿಯರು (ಕಿರಣಗಳು)ಗಾಗಿ ವಿಶಾಲಾವಕಾಶದ ಬಾಗಿಲಿನಂತೆ ಆವರಣ ತೆರೆಯುವಾಗ, ಪ್ರಿಯ ರೂಪವು ಕಿರಣಗಳ ಅಗ್ರಪದವನ್ನು—ದರ್ಶನದ ಮುಂಚೂಣಿ ಸ್ಥಾನವನ್ನು—ಕಾಪಾಡುತ್ತದೆ.
Word by Word
- प्रवाच्यम्
- to be proclaimed; speakableAdjective (gerundive) / verbal adjectiveनपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचनRole Karma (to be spoken/declared)Root प्र-वच् (वच्) / प्र+वाच्य (कृत्प्रातिपदिक)
- वचसः
- of the speech/utteranceNounनपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचनRole Sambandha (genitive)Root वचस् (प्रातिपदिक)
- किम्
- what?Pronoun (interrogative)नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचनRole Karma (what?)Root किम् (प्रातिपदिक)
- मे
- to/for me; myPronounषष्ठी/चतुर्थी, एकवचनRole Sampradāna/Sambandha (to/for me; of me)Root अस्मद्
- अस्य
- of this (one/thing)Pronoun (demonstrative)पुं/नपुंसक, षष्ठी, एकवचनRole Sambandha (genitive)Root इदम्
- गुहा
- secretly; in concealmentIndeclinable (adverbial)अव्यय (locative sense: 'in secret')Role Adhikaraṇa (location/manner)Root गुहा (अव्यय/निपात; also noun 'cave')
- हितम्
- placed; hidden; depositedAdjective/Participleनपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचनRole Karma/Viśeṣaṇa (that which is placed/hidden)Root धा → हित (PPP; prātipadika 'हित')
- उप
- near; towardsPreverb/indeclinableअव्ययRole (upasarga with following verb)Root उप
- निणिग्वदन्ति
- they speak/utter (in a murmuring/cryptic way)Verbलट् (वर्तमाने), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचनRole Kriyā (main verb)Root वद् (with preverb नि-; stem: निणिग्व- as Vedic present formation)
- यत्
- which; thatRelative pronounनपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचनRole Karma/Anvaya-link (that which)Root यद्
- उस्रियाणाम्
- of the bright ones (dawn-cows/rays)Nounस्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचनRole Sambandha (genitive)Root उस्रिया (प्रातिपदिक; 'dawn-cows'/rays)
- अप
- away; forthPreverb/indeclinableअव्ययRole (upasarga with following form)Root अप
- वारिवः
- wide space; free course; openingNounनपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचनRole Karma (object: 'wide space/opening')Root वारिवस् (प्रातिपदिक)
- व्रन्
- (he) opens/makes (a way)Verb (finite, archaic Vedic form)अज्ञात-लकार (वैदिक), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन (contextual)Role Kriyā (subordinate verb with यत्)Root वृ (वृणोति/वृणक्ति) → व्रन् (Vedic injunctive/aorist-like form; also read as 'व्रन्' from √वृ 'to cover/open' in RV usage)
- पाति
- protects; guardsVerbलट्, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचनRole KriyāRoot पा (पालने/रक्षणे)
- प्रियम्
- dear; belovedAdjectiveनपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचनRole Karma (object of implied/related action; or qualifier of रूपम्)Root प्रिय (प्रातिपदिक)
- रूपः
- form; appearanceNounपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole Kartā (subject, appositional)Root रूप (प्रातिपदिक)
- अग्रम्
- the foremost; the first pointNoun/Adjectiveनपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचनRole Karma (foremost/first as object/goal)Root अग्र (प्रातिपदिक)
- पदम्
- step; track; placeNounनपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचनRole Karma (object)Root पद (प्रातिपदिक)
- वेः
- you know; you find/seekVerb (finite, archaic Vedic)वैदिक-लकार (contextual), मध्यमपुरुष, एकवचनRole Kriyā (addressed action: 'you know/find')Root वी (वेति) / or √वय्? (Vedic: वेः as 2nd sg. perfect/aorist-like)
Sandhi Notes
- पदच्छेद (सम्भाव्य): प्रवाच्यं वचसः किम् मे अस्य गुहा हितम् उप निणिग्वदन्ति । यत् उस्रियाणाम् अप वारिवः व्रन् पाति प्रियं रूपः अग्रं पदं वेः ॥ मुख्य-सन्धि-विच्छेद: (1) किं मेऽस्य → किम् मे अस्य (अ + अ = ’)
- (2) हितमुप → हितम् उप (म् + उ)
- (3) यदुस्रियाणाम् → यत् उस्रियाणाम् (द्/त् + उ; पदान्त-त्)
- (4) उस्रियाणामप → उस्रियाणाम् अप (म् + अ)
- (5) वारिव व्रन् → वारिवः व्रन् (पदान्त-विसर्गः; संहितायां ‘वारिव व्रन्’)
- (6) रूपो अग्रं → रूपः अग्रं (विसर्ग-लोप/ओ-आ संधि)
The meaning
Outer meaning
The poet asks what can be said of his word, said to be hidden in the secret cave. When the wound is opened like a gate of wide space, the beloved Form guards the foremost step of the Rays—the leading station of vision.
Inner meaning
The mantra turns to the mystery of mantra itself: the true word is hidden in the cave (guhā) of the heart/subconscient. ‘Niṇik’ suggests a covering/veil: speech is obscured until the obstruction is pierced. When the ‘wound’ (vran) is opened—symbol of a break in the covering resistance, like opening a gate into vastness—then the ‘beloved form’ (priyam rūpaḥ) stands as guardian of the first decisive step of illumination (usriyāṇām: rays/cows of light). This is Agni’s revelatory function: he both opens the passage and protects the emerging vision from relapse into darkness.
Universal truth
The deepest truth is not manufactured by surface speech; it is unveiled when inner obstructions open. Breakthroughs require both opening (release of space) and guarding (stabilization) so the first light becomes a stable step in life.
Themes
Unveiling of mantra, Recovery of rays/cows, Breakthrough of ignorance, Guardianship of truth-form
The seer
- Rishi
- Vāmadeva Gautama
- Lineage
- Gautama
- Other hymns
- RV 4.2.15 (cave/light motifs, thematic), RV 4.3 (Agni as revealer, thematic)
Family tradition
Vāmadeva’s hymns often pivot on the ‘cave’ (guhā) and the recovery of the hidden light by the right word and right fire—classic motifs for Aurobindonian interpretation.
Significance
He articulates the psychology of revelation: how the mantra is discovered (not invented) when the inner obstruction is broken and the light is secured as a first foothold.
The deity
- Devata
- Agni (as revealer/guardian of the hidden step)
- Epithets
- Jātavedas, Guhaśaya (dwelling in the secret—conceptual), Pāvaka
- Related deities
- Bṛhaspati (breaker of the cave), Indra (slayer of Vṛtra), Uṣas (illumination)
Cosmic role
Opens the hidden paths, releases the rays, and guards the stations of ṛta as they emerge in manifestation.
Inner power
Breakthrough and stabilization: piercing the coverer and establishing the first sure step of vision.
In ritual
Where it is used
Recited in Agni hymnic cycles; thematically suited to rites of kindling and revelation (invocation before pressing/recitation).
प्र॒वाच्यं॒ वच॑स॒: किं मे॑ अ॒स्य गुहा॑ हि॒तमुप॑ नि॒णिग्व॑दन्ति । यदु॒स्रिया॑णा॒मप॒ वारि॑व॒ व्रन्पाति॑ प्रि॒यं रु॒पो अग्रं॑ प॒दं वेः ॥
प्र॒ऽवाच्य॑म् । वच॑सः । किम् । मे॒ । अ॒स्य । गुहा॑ । हि॒तम् । उप॑ । नि॒णिक् । व॒द॒न्ति॒ । यत् । उ॒स्रिया॑णाम् । अप॑ । वाःऽइ॑व । व्रन् । पाति॑ । प्रि॒यम् । रु॒पः । अग्र॑म् । प॒दम् । वेः ॥
pra-vācyam | vacasaḥ | kim | me | asya | guhā | hitam | upa | niṇik | vadanti | yat | usriyāṇām | apa | vāḥ-iva | vran | pāti | priyam | rupaḥ | agram | padam | veḥ
44
4 x ~11; emphatic turns at caesura align with ‘hidden/opened/guards’ movement.
Tension-release: compressed first half (hidden word), expansive second half (gate of space).
Facilitates an inner ‘opening’ sensation; supports contemplative inquiry followed by widening.
- वचसः (vacasaḥ)
- Literal: of speech/word. Symbolic: Mantric expression—truth-word arising from inner seeing
- गुहा (guhā)
- Literal: cave, secret place. Symbolic: Heart-cave/subconscient depth where light is concealed
- निṇिक् (niṇik)
- Literal: covering/veil (obscure). Symbolic: Veil of ignorance that hides the mantra-truth
- व्रन् (vran)
- Literal: wound, breach. Symbolic: Opening made by tapas—piercing resistance
- वाः इव (vāḥ iva)
- Literal: like a gate/door (wide opening). Symbolic: A passage into wideness of consciousness
- उसरिया (usriyāḥ)
- Literal: the radiant ones; cows. Symbolic: Rays of illumination/knowledges
- रूप (rūpa)
- Literal: form. Symbolic: Stable formation of truth-consciousness; archetypal vision
- अग्रं पदम् (agraṃ padam)
- Literal: foremost step/position. Symbolic: First stable station of realized light in the ascent
- वेः (veḥ)
- Literal: of seeing/vision. Symbolic: Seer-consciousness; the faculty of spiritual perception
Mantra of unveiling: opening the hidden word in the cave; used to invoke breakthrough of concealed knowledge and secure the foremost station of rays
When seeking clarity of mantra and right speech in the rite; before key recitations.
Recitation to invoke unveiling and protection of the rite’s truth-force.
Use when feeling blocked in expression or insight: chant, then sit silently for the ‘gate’ to open; journal the emerging ‘foremost step’.
guhā 'cave' is a standard RV locus for hidden light/cows. niṇik 'covering' denotes concealment/armour. vāḥ 'gate' (compare vāra 'enclosure/space') evokes opening. vran 'wound' (cf. later vraṇa) indicates a break in the covering—psychologically a rupture in ignorance. veḥ is difficult; often taken as 'bird' (from √vi 'to weave/fly'? uncertain). Maintain uncertainty; interpret symbolically as the soaring principle of vision.
Hidden truth (guhā hitam), Unveiling (niṇik removal), Foremost step (agra padam) as attainment
The ‘agraṃ padam’ is a station of ṛta—truth becomes a stable step once guarded by the divine fire.
The true word is ‘hidden’ until unveiled; satya is discovered in depth, then held in form (rūpa).
Revelation as a creative act: opening a passage and establishing a form that can guard progress.
Mantra-vidyā trajectory leading toward Upaniṣadic ‘cave of the heart’ symbolism.
pre-dawn to dawn (suggested by rays motif)
Cave = inner depth; gate = opening of consciousness; wound = piercing resistance; rays = knowledges descending/ascending.
- What is the primary Vedic 'mythologem' present in this verse?
- The hidden word/light in the cave and the opening of the enclosure: a cow-finding/unveiling mythologem where a rupture in the covering allows access to the foremost station of the rays, guarded by a beloved luminous form.
- How does the linguistic structure reflect Proto-Indo-European roots?
- The cave-and-release imagery matches Indo-European concealment/revelation poetics. Lexemes for covering/opening (niṇik, vāḥ) enact a spatial metaphor for cognition: knowledge as something enclosed and then opened.
- What is the relationship between the Rishi and the Devata here?
- The rishi’s speech seeks emergence from concealment; the divine agency (Agni as luminous form) both reveals and guards the attained opening so the recovered knowledge is stabilized, not lost again to the covering.
Contemplate the ‘hidden word’ in the heart-cave; invite a gentle ‘opening’ of the obstruction; rest attention on the first clear insight as the ‘agraṃ padam’.
Anāhata (heart cave) and Ājñā (vision/veḥ)
Box breathing 4-4-4-4 for 6 rounds, then chant once softly; sit for 7 minutes in receptive silence.
From veiled seeking to unveiled, spacious seeing with protected stability.
Do not force speech; let the mantra arise from silence. When insight comes, protect it by simplicity: one step, one practice, repeated daily.
Not fully derivable here; use a standard Ṛgvedic recitation with attention to marked accents in a critical saṃhitā text.
Let the question (kim me asya) be slightly lifted in tone; broaden resonance on vāḥ iva and priyaṃ rūpaḥ; pause at |.
pravācyaṃ: keep ‘vāc’ long ā; nasal ṃ at end, guhā: long ā, niṇig: retroflex ṇ; hard g, usriyāṇām: śr cluster; long ā, vran: roll minimal r; keep short a
Hushed, inward, then gently widening; avoid sharp attacks.
3
Ask anything about this verse
Answers come straight from the texts, with the shlokas they draw on. Ask in your own words.
A free sign-in with Google or Apple keeps your chat saved across web and the app.
Read Rig Veda in the Vedapath app
Scan the QR code to open this directly in the app, with word-by-word meanings, Sanskrit recitation where available, and more.
