Rig Veda 7.87.5: Mandala 7, Sukta 87, Mantra 5
Sukta 7.87
- Rishi
- Vasiṣṭha
- Devata
- Varuṇa
- Chandas
- Triṣṭubh
- Rasa
- Adbhuta (wonder) and Shanta (peace)
तिस्रो द्यावो निहिता अन्तरस्मिन्तिस्रो भूमीरुपराः षड्विधानाः । गृत्सो राजा वरुणश्चक्र एतं दिवि प्रेङ्खं हिरण्ययं शुभे कम् ॥
tísro dyā́vo níhitā antár asmin tísro bhū́mīr úparāḥ ṣáḍvidhānāḥ | gṛ́tso rājā́ váruṇaś cakra etáṃ diví préṅkhaṃ hiraṇyáyaṃ śubhé kám ||
ಈ ಸತ್ತೆಯೊಳಗೆ ಮೂರು ದ್ಯೌ ಲೋಕಗಳು ಅಂತರ್ನಿಹಿತವಾಗಿವೆ; ಮತ್ತು ಮೂರು ಭೂಮಿಗಳು ಮೇಲಿನ ಆಧಾರಗಳಾಗಿ—ಲೋಕಗಳ ಷಡ್ವಿಧಾನ ವಿನ್ಯಾಸ. ಗೃತ್ಸ ರಾಜನಾದ, ತೇಜಸ್ವಿ ಶಿಲ್ಪಿಯಾದ ವರುಣನು, ದಿವಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಆತ್ಮದ ಶುಭಾನಂದಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ಚಿನ್ನದ ತೂಗು ಆಸನವನ್ನು ನಿರ್ಮಿಸಿದ್ದಾನೆ.
Word by Word
- तिस्रः
- threeAdjective (numeral)स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचनRole विशेषण (कर्तृ/कर्म-सम्बन्धी)Root त्रि (संख्याप्रातिपदिक) → तिसृ
- द्यावः
- heavens, skiesNounस्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचनRole कर्तृ (निहिताः इति)Root द्यौ (प्रातिपदिक)
- निहिताः
- placed, setParticiple (past passive)स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचनRole कर्तृ-विशेषण (द्यावः)Root धा (धातु) + नि- (उपसर्ग) → नि-धा; क्त (PPP)
- अन्तः
- withinIndeclinableअव्ययRole अधिकारण (स्थानवाचक)Root अन्तर् (अव्यय/उपसर्गीय-प्रातिपदिक)
- अस्मिन्
- in thisPronounपुं/नपुंसक, सप्तमी, एकवचनRole अधिकारणRoot इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
- तिस्रः
- threeAdjective (numeral)स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचनRole विशेषण (कर्तृ/कर्म-सम्बन्धी)Root त्रि → तिसृ
- भूमीः
- earths, landsNounस्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचनRole कर्तृ (निहिताः इति, अनुवृत्त्या)Root भूमि (प्रातिपदिक)
- उपराः
- upper, higherAdjectiveस्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचनRole विशेषण (भूमीः)Root उपर (प्रातिपदिक)
- षट्
- sixAdjective (numeral)(अव्ययवत्) संख्या, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन-रूप (समास/विशेषणार्थे)Role विशेषण (विधानाः)Root षष् (संख्याप्रातिपदिक)
- विधानाः
- arrangements, dispositions; divisionsNoun/Adjectiveपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचनRole कर्तृ/विशेष्य (षट् इति विशेषणेन)Root वि-धा (धातु) → विधान (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त-आधारित)
- गृत्सः
- the wise/clever (one)Adjective/Noun (epithet)पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole विशेषण (राजा)Root गृत्स (प्रातिपदिक)
- राजा
- kingNounपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole कर्तृ (चक्र)Root राजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
- वरुणः
- VaruṇaNoun (deity)पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole कर्तृ (चक्र)Root वरुण (प्रातिपदिक)
- चक्र
- has made, fashionedVerbलिट् (परोक्शभूत/परफेक्ट), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपदRole क्रियाRoot कृ (धातु) → चकार/चक्र (परस्मैपद, लिट्)
- एतम्
- thisPronounपुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचनRole कर्म (चक्र)Root एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
- दिवि
- in heavenNounस्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचनRole अधिकारणRoot द्यौ (प्रातिपदिक)
- प्रेङ्खम्
- a swing, rocking seatNounपुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचनRole कर्म (चक्र)Root प्रेङ्ख (प्रातिपदिक; ‘swinging seat/palanquin’)
- हिरण्ययम्
- goldenAdjectiveपुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचनRole विशेषण (प्रेङ्खम्)Root हिरण्यय (प्रातिपदिक; हिरण्य ‘gold’ + -य)
- शुभे
- for splendor/beautyNoun (abstract/goal)नपुंसकलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी, एकवचनRole सम्प्रदान (उद्देश्य/प्रयोजन)Root शुभ (प्रातिपदिक)
- कम्
- (something) / indeed (enclitic)Pronoun (enclitic)नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन (अव्ययवत् प्रयोगः)Role कर्म/प्रयोजन-सम्बन्धी (अर्थबलात्: ‘कं/किम्’ = ‘some/any, indeed’)Root क (प्रश्न/अनिश्चित-सर्वनाम; Vedic enclitic)
Sandhi Notes
- पदच्छेदः (सम्भाव्य): तिस्रः द्यावः निहिताः अन्तः अस्मिन् | तिस्रः भूमीः उपराः षट् विधानाः || गृत्सः राजा वरुणः चक्र एतम् | दिवि प्रेङ्खम् हिरण्ययम् शुभे कम् || 1) अन्तरस्मिन् → अन्तः + अस्मिन् (विसर्ग-सन्धि; ‘अन्तः’ + ‘अस्मिन्’)
- 2) भूमीरुपराः → भूमीः + उपराः (विसर्गः/ः + उ- इत्यत्र संहितायां ‘र्’)
- 3) षड्विधानाः → षट् + विधानाः (त् + व → द् व)
- 4) वरुणश्चक्र → वरुणः + चक्र (विसर्गः + च)
- 5) एतं दिवि → एतम् + दिवि (अनुस्वार/म् + द-)
The meaning
Outer meaning
Three heavens are set within this being, and three earths as higher foundations—sixfold arrangements. King Varuṇa has made in heaven a golden swinging seat for auspicious joy.
Inner meaning
The hymn maps an inner cosmos: within the human being (and within existence) are layered ‘heavens’ (levels of luminous consciousness) and ‘earths’ (foundational supports of manifestation). The sixfold disposition suggests a complete architecture of planes—upper illuminations and supporting bases—held in Varuṇa’s law. The ‘golden swing-seat’ is the psychic delight-seat: a stable yet living poise where the soul can move (swing) between transcendence and manifestation in harmonious rhythm, enjoying śubha (the beautiful/good) becoming.
Universal truth
Human consciousness is a microcosm; when ordered by truth, it contains multiple levels of light and support, and can rest in a golden equilibrium of joy amid movement.
Themes
cosmogony as inner architecture, planes of consciousness, Varuṇa as sovereign craftsman, satyam-ṛtam-bṛhat atmosphere
The seer
- Rishi
- Vasiṣṭha Maitrāvaruṇi
- Lineage
- Vasiṣṭha
- Other hymns
- RV 7.87, RV 7.88, RV 7.86, RV 7.83
Family tradition
Seer-line emphasizing cosmic order, inner law, and the vastness of Aditi/Ādityas.
Significance
Vasiṣṭha presents the human being as a structured inner universe; his Varuṇa hymns are manuals of inner alignment with ṛta.
The deity
- Devata
- Varuṇa
- Epithets
- rājā (king), gṛtsa (luminous/craft-wise), dhātṛ-like arranger (world-disposer)
- Related deities
- Aditi, Mitra, Savitar (impulsion of right movement), Bṛhaspati (lord of the Word)
Cosmic role
Architect of ordered worlds; establishes measures and foundations; enthrones harmony in the heights.
Inner power
Power of inner arrangement: organizing thoughts, life-forces, and perceptions into a truth-governed hierarchy culminating in delight.
In ritual
Where it is used
Cosmic-order praise within Varuṇa stotra; supports meditative recitation on world-levels and ordered planes; can accompany Soma laud sequences addressing Varuṇa’s sovereignty.
ति॒स्रो द्यावो॒ निहि॑ता अ॒न्तर॑स्मिन्ति॒स्रो भूमी॒रुप॑रा॒: षड्वि॑धानाः । गृत्सो॒ राजा॒ वरु॑णश्चक्र ए॒तं दि॒वि प्रे॒ङ्खं हि॑र॒ण्ययं॑ शु॒भे कम् ॥
ति॒स्रः । द्यावः॑ । निऽहि॑ताः । अ॒न्तः । अ॒स्मि॒न् । ति॒स्रः । भूमिः॑ । उप॑राः । षट्ऽवि॑धानाः । गृत्सः॑ । राजा॑ । वरु॑णः । च॒क्रे॒ । ए॒तम् । दि॒वि । प्र॒ऽई॒ङ्खम् । हि॒र॒ण्यय॑म् । शु॒भे । कम् ॥
tisraḥ | dyāvaḥ | ni-hitāḥ | antaḥ | asmin | tisraḥ | bhūmiḥ | uparāḥ | ṣaṭ-vidhānāḥ | gṛtsaḥ | rājā | varuṇaḥ | cakre | etam | divi | pra-īṅkham | hiraṇyayam | śubhe | kam
44
4 × ~11 syllables
Expansive with architectural clarity; each pāda feels like a ‘tier’ being placed.
Creates a sense of inner structure and elevation; stabilizes attention while opening wideness.
- द्यावः (dyāvaḥ)
- Literal: heavens. Symbolic: planes of illumination, higher mind and beyond
- भूमीः (bhūmīḥ)
- Literal: earths. Symbolic: foundational planes of embodied existence; supports for realization
- अन्तः अस्मिन् (antaḥ asmin)
- Literal: within this. Symbolic: the inner being as a cosmos
- उपरा (uparā)
- Literal: higher, upper. Symbolic: higher bases—supports from above (greater consciousness backing life)
- षड्विधानाः (ṣaḍvidhānāḥ)
- Literal: sixfold arrangements. Symbolic: complete ordering of planes/powers; integral structure
- हिरण्यय (hiraṇyaya)
- Literal: golden. Symbolic: truth-light, supramental radiance, pure delight
- प्रेङ्ख (preṅkha)
- Literal: swing, swinging seat. Symbolic: dynamic poise; rhythmic movement held in equilibrium
- शुभे कम् (śubhe kam)
- Literal: for beauty/joy. Symbolic: psychic delight in right becoming under ṛta
Cosmic-order praise within Varuṇa stotra; supports meditative recitation on world-levels and ordered planes; can accompany Soma laud sequences addressing Varuṇa’s sovereignty.
Recited in Varuṇa/Āditya contexts; supportive in rites seeking order, truthfulness, and protection of cosmic measures.
Invocatory praise describing Varuṇa’s world-ordering; aligns sacrificer with right foundations.
Guided meditation on ‘inner planes’: identify three higher lights and three supports in one’s life; establish a golden poise (equanimity) amid change.
dyu-/dyā́v- ‘heaven’ from PIE *dyeu- ‘bright sky/daylight’ (cf. Zeus, Jupiter). hiraṇya ‘gold’ is a Vedic symbol of solar truth and immortality; not merely metal but radiance. ṣaṭ-vidhāna ‘sixfold disposition’ = ṣaṭ (six) + vidhāna (arrangement) from √dhā ‘place’ with vi- ‘apart, in order’.
multi-tier cosmos (three heavens/three earths), ṛta as structured arrangement (vidhāna), delight/felicity (kam) as fruit of order
Worlds are ‘disposed’ in lawful measure; harmony is not accidental but instituted by ṛta.
Truth is structural: it arranges levels within the being.
Cosmos as layered manifestation—heavens and earths set within the One being.
Early integral cosmology anticipating later Upaniṣadic ‘inner space’ (antarākāśa) and layered sheaths/planes.
Heavens = illuminations; earths = embodied supports; gold = truth-delight; swing = dynamic equilibrium of sādhanā.
- What is the primary Vedic 'mythologem' present in this verse?
- The sixfold world-structure (three heavens, three earths) established within ‘this’ and Varuṇa’s golden swing in heaven: a mythologem of cosmic architecture and the divine seat of rhythmic sovereignty—order as a living, moving stability.
- How does the linguistic structure reflect Proto-Indo-European roots?
- dyā́v- from PIE *dyeu- is a classic IE sky-term (Greek Zeus < *dyēus). rājā ‘king’ aligns with PIE *h₃rḗǵs ‘ruler’ (Latin rēx, Gaulish rīx), framing Varuṇa as the IE-type sovereign of order.
- What is the relationship between the Rishi and the Devata here?
- The rishi contemplates Varuṇa’s ordered cosmos as an inner map: by recognizing the sixfold arrangement and the ‘golden swing’ (stable delight in the luminous plane), the human consciousness learns to seat itself in higher harmony rather than in disorder.
Contemplate three inner ‘heavens’ (quiet mind, intuitive light, wide peace) and three ‘earths’ (body steadiness, life-force harmony, ethical grounding).
Anāhata (psychic seat of joy)
Gentle sway-breath: inhale up the spine (ascent), exhale down (descent), maintaining a ‘golden seat’ of calm in the heart.
Widened equanimity with subtle joy (ānanda) that remains stable in movement.
Create a sixfold daily alignment: (1) truth in speech, (2) clarity in thought, (3) calm in emotion, (4) steadiness in body, (5) right action, (6) inward remembrance. Sit after and feel the ‘golden swing’—joy without restlessness.
Triṣṭubh with clear udātta on structural numerals (tisraḥ, ṣaṭ) and on hiraṇyayaṃ; let anudātta carry the ‘set within’ phrases steadily.
Mark the enumerations distinctly (tisro… tisro… ṣaṭ…); keep cadence even to convey architecture.
‘tisro’ with crisp dental ‘t’ and rolled ‘r’., ‘ṣaḍvidhānāḥ’: retroflex ṣ/ḍ; avoid turning into ‘sad’., ‘hiraṇyayaṃ’: retroflex ‘ṇy’ cluster—keep it fluid., ‘preṅkhaṃ’: nasal ‘ṅ’ before ‘kh’—do not drop the nasal.
Steady, measured, ‘building’ tone—less emotional, more luminous.
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