Atharva Veda 4.24.4: Kanda 4, Anuvaka 3, Sukta 24, Mantra 4
Sukta 24
यस्य॑ व॒शास॑ ऋष॒भास॑ उ॒क्षणो॒ यस्मै॑ मी॒यन्ते॒ स्व॒र॑वः स्व॒र्विदे॑ । यस्मै॑ शु॒क्रः पव॑ते॒ ब्रह्म॑शुम्भितः॒ स नो॑ मुञ्च॒त्वंह॑सः
yásya vaśā́sa ṛṣabhā́sa ukṣáṇo yásmai mīyánte sváravaḥ svàrvíde | yásmai śukráḥ pávate bráhmaśumbhitaḥ sá no muñcatv áṃhásaḥ ||
Whose are the kine, the bulls, the oxen; for whom the strains are meted out—to the winner of the heavenly light; for whom the bright Soma floweth, adorned with holy prayer: let him release us from affliction and from sin.
ആർക്കാണ് പശുക്കളും വൃഷഭങ്ങളും ഉക്ഷണങ്ങളും (എത്തുകൾ) ഉള്ളത്; ആര്ക്കായി സ്വരങ്ങൾ (സ്തുതിഗാനങ്ങളുടെ നാദങ്ങൾ) അളന്നു നിശ്ചയിക്കപ്പെടുന്നുവോ—സ്വർഗീയ പ്രകാശത്തിന്റെ വിജേതാവിനായി; ആര്ക്കായി ശുക്രൻ (പ്രകാശമുള്ള) സോമം ബ്രഹ്മം (പവിത്ര മന്ത്രപ്രാർത്ഥന) കൊണ്ട് അലങ്കരിക്കപ്പെട്ട് ഒഴുകുന്നുവോ—അവൻ ഞങ്ങളെ അംഹസ് (കഷ്ടം)യും പാപവും നിന്നു മോചിപ്പിക്കട്ടെ.
The meaning
What it says
Indra is invoked as the one who possesses cattle (kine, bulls, oxen); for him the chants/strains are measured out; for him bright Soma flows adorned with brahman; he is asked to release us from aṃhas.
The inner meaning
Prosperity is stabilized when nourishment (cattle), disciplined voice (measured strains), and luminous inspiration (bright soma adorned by brahman) cohere. Release from aṃhas restores the capacity to sustain and be sustained.
The truth in it
Sustenance, right speech, and inspired clarity mutually reinforce; when moral/psychic constriction is removed, abundance becomes steady rather than fragile.
What it is for
- Kind of hymn
- Paustika + Pāpamocana (Wealth-restoration through expiation)
Its aim
Removal of aṃhas so that cattle-wealth, productive power, and ritual ‘brightness’ (śukra/soma) may be secured and stabilized.
Word by Word
Pada patha
यस्य । वशासः । ऋषभासः । उक्षणः । यस्मै । मीयन्ते । स्वरवः । स्वः-विते । यस्मै । शुक्रः । पवते । ब्रह्म-शुम्भितः । सः । नः । मुञ्चतु । अंहसः
- यस्य
- of whom / whosewhose (Indra’s)Pronounपुंलिङ्गे षष्ठी-एकवचनम् (सम्बन्धे; ‘whose/of whom’)Role सम्बन्ध (genitive relation)Root यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
- वशासः
- cows (vashā-cows)cows/kine (or ‘docile cattle’; wealth under control)Nounस्त्रीलिङ्गे प्रथमा-बहुवचनम्Role कर्तृ (समुच्चित-कर्तृसमूहः)Root वशा (प्रातिपदिक; ‘वशा’ = वन्ध्या/गौः, ‘a cow/controlled one’—Vedic usage)
- ऋषभासः
- bullsNounपुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा-बहुवचनम्Role कर्तृ (समुच्चित-कर्तृसमूहः)Root ऋषभ (प्रातिपदिक)
- उक्षणः
- oxen / strong bullsoxen/steers (draught-power; productive force)Nounपुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा-बहुवचनम् (वैदिक-रूपम्; -णः)Role कर्तृ (समुच्चित-कर्तृसमूहः)Root उक्षन् (प्रातिपदिक; ‘bull/ox’)
- यस्मै
- to whomto whom/for whomPronounपुंलिङ्गे चतुर्थी-एकवचनम्Role सम्प्रदानRoot यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
- मीयन्ते
- are measured / are apportionedare measured out, are apportioned (allotted as shares/portions)Verbलट्, आत्मनेपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः, बहुवचनम्Role क्रिया (मुख्य-क्रिया)Root मा (धातु; ‘to measure’)
- स्वरवः
- tones / soundsmelodies/tones; also ‘soma-pressing sounds’ (ritual acoustics)Nounपुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा-बहुवचनम्Role कर्तृ (मीयन्ते इत्यस्य)Root स्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
- स्वर्विदे
- to the heaven-knower / light-finderNounपुंलिङ्गे चतुर्थी-एकवचनम्Role सम्प्रदान (विशेषण-सम्बन्धः ‘यस्मै’ इत्यस्य)Root स्वर्विद् (प्रातिपदिक; ‘knower/finder of heaven/light’)
- यस्मै
- to whomPronounपुंलिङ्गे चतुर्थी-एकवचनम्Role सम्प्रदानRoot यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
- शुक्रः
- the bright/pure onebright, pure (Soma; also shining potency)Adjective (used substantively)पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा-एकवचनम्Role कर्तृ (पवते इत्यस्य)Root शुक्र (प्रातिपदिक)
- पवते
- flows / purifies itselfis purified/flows (as soma through the filter; also ‘streams forth’)Verbलट्, आत्मनेपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्Role क्रिया (मुख्य-क्रिया)Root पू (धातु; ‘to purify, to flow clear’)
- ब्रह्मशुम्भितः
- adorned/embellished with brahman (sacred power)adorned by sacred utterance (brahman); empowered by priestly formulaAdjective (past participle)पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा-एकवचनम् (शुक्रः इत्यस्य विशेषणम्)Role विशेषणRoot ब्रह्म-शुम्भित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; शुम्भ् ‘to adorn’ + क्त)
- सः
- hePronounपुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा-एकवचनम्Role कर्तृ (मुञ्चतु इत्यस्य)Root तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
- नः
- from ususPronounषष्ठी-बहुवचनम् (एन्क्लिटिक; ‘our/from us’—here with separation sense)Role अपादान (वियोग-अर्थे)Root अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
- मुञ्चतु
- may he releaselet (him) releaseVerbलोट् (आज्ञार्थे), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्Role क्रिया (आशीर्वाद/प्रार्थना)Root मुच् (धातु; ‘to release’)
- अंहसः
- from sin/distressfrom aṃhas (sin/distress)Nounनपुंसकलिङ्गे पञ्चमी-एकवचनम् (वियोग-अर्थे)Role अपादानRoot अंहस् (प्रातिपदिक; ‘sin, distress, trouble’)
Sandhi Notes
- यस्य | वशासः | ऋषभासः | उक्षणः | यस्मै | मीयन्ते | स्वरवः | स्वर्विदे | यस्मै | शुक्रः | पवते | ब्रह्मशुम्भितः | सः | नः | मुञ्चतु | अंहसः । मुख्य-सन्धि-निर्णयः:
- (1) ‘स्वरवः स्वर्विदे’ इत्यत्र ‘स्वर-’ + ‘विद्’ इति समास/तत्पुरुष-प्रातिपदिक ‘स्वर्विद्’
- ‘स्वर्विदे’ चतुर्थी-एकवचनम्।
- (2) ‘स नो मुञ्चत्वंहसः’ इत्यत्र संहितायां ‘मुञ्चतु अंहसः’ → ‘मुञ्चत्वंहसः’ (उ + अ → व्-अवग्रह-लोपः/वैदिक-संहितारूपम्; अंहसः आरम्भे ‘अ’ संहितायां पूर्वपदस्य ‘उ’ इत्यनेन संयोगः)।
Seer, deity and metre
- Rishi
- Atharvanic/Indra hymn tradition
- Devata
- Indra (recipient of soma; lord of wealth and release)
- Chandas
- Triṣṭubh
- Rasa
- Shanta and Vira
Sayana interprets the cattle triad (vaśā/ṛṣabha/ukṣan) as the full spectrum of pastoral wealth and productive capacity under Indra’s lordship. ‘Svaravah mīyante’ indicates regulated distribution of ritual chants/tones (or shares in song) to Indra as recipient. ‘Śukraḥ pavate’ is Soma purified for Indra, ‘brahmaśumbhita’—made efficacious by brahman (mantra). The verse thus ties moral release to properly empowered liturgy and the restoration of wealth.
Indra-stuti in Atharvanic tradition (seer not fixed)
Paustika restoration through papamocana: securing cattle-wealth and ‘bright’ ritual vitality by removing aṃhas.
Atharvan domestic prosperity is tied to ‘brahman-adorned’ clarity: wealth is not mere possession but consecrated stability.
Indra
Lord who receives soma and secures cattle and light; ensures fertility and victory over scarcity.
Restores vitality (śukra/ojas metaphor) and removes constriction (aṃhas) that manifests as depletion.
Protects herds/food-security; wards loss through misfortune or moral taint.
4 × ~11; compounds may compress syllables in Atharvanic delivery.
Potential metrical looseness in ‘brahmaśumbhitaḥ’ depending on resolution.
Steady and prosperous—less martial than 4.24.2, more ‘well-fed’ cadence.
Creates a sense of measured abundance culminating in the release formula.
If cattle are present, stand near the byre; otherwise, use a symbolic tether/rope or a tuft of grass as cattle-substitute.
Recite the mantra, touching the tether/rope at the cattle-words (vaśā/ṛṣabha/ukṣan) to ‘secure’ wealth.
Offer a small oblation to Indra at ‘śukráḥ pávate’ (or at the refrain), conceptualizing the offering as ‘purified soma’ in miniature.
End with the refrain ‘sá no muñcatv áṃhásaḥ’ and a gesture of untying/loosening a knot to enact ‘release.’
Kauśika Sūtra: Prosperity-protective expiations; mantras over cattle/wealth and offerings to Indra for release from fault.
Atharvan priest performs the unbinding gesture (knot/rope) as a material analogue of ‘muñcatu,’ and ritually ‘reconsecrates’ the patron’s wealth-domain (cattle, household stores).
Recited for herd/food-security, before milking/feeding, or when resources feel ‘leaking away’; may be paired with offering of milk/curd as a symbolic ‘bright soma’ substitute in domestic setting.
Early morning around cattle-shed/threshold; also at new moon/full moon for household prosperity intentions.
Householder; optionally guided by purohita for prosperity rites.
As a prosperity-and-stability prayer before budgeting, farming decisions, or family provisioning.
cattle (vaśā, ṛṣabha, ukṣan); Soma (śukraḥ); brahman (sacred utterance)
Cattle = embodied prosperity and food-security; Soma = refined vitality and inspired clarity; brahman = the consecrating word that stabilizes both.
Aṃhas as depletion/distress; indirectly addresses wasting, fatigue, and ‘loss of brightness’.
Invokes ‘bright soma’ and brahman-adornment as purification; symbolically restores ojas/tejas and steadies nourishment.
Ojas/tejas imagery (śukra as brightness); supports rasāyana-like themes of sustained vitality.
Recovery from chronic stress/fatigue via nourishment + disciplined routine + meaning-making (ritualized speech).
Secure and stabilize prosperity (cattle, productive power) by removing aṃhas; consecrate wealth through brahman.
Enumeration of wealth tokens + purification-flow imagery (pavate) + operative release petition.
Loss of livestock/resources, misfortune, moral pollution that ‘spoils’ gains.
Cattle, work-capacity, household nourishment, ritual radiance.
- वशा (vaśā)
- nourishing abundance; dependable support
- ऋषभ (ṛṣabha)
- fertile power; leadership energy
- उक्षण (ukṣan)
- work-capacity; patient strength
- स्वरवः (svaravaḥ)
- measured speech; regulated mind
- मीयन्ते (mīyante)
- order, proportion, discipline
- शुक्रः (śukraḥ)
- purity, vitality, clear essence
- पवते (pavate)
- purification process; refinement
- ब्रह्मशुम्भित (brahma-śumbhita)
- speech as consecration; prayer as beautifying power
- अंहस् (aṃhas)
- constriction that blocks wealth and brightness
Contemplate ‘measured abundance’: breath and speech become orderly; vitality clarifies like soma.
Svadhisthana (nourishment/flow) with support to Manipura (stable power).
Slow ujjāyī or lengthened exhale to cultivate steadiness; count-breathing to mirror ‘mīyante’.
A bright stream flowing through the body; a calm herd in a protected enclosure; speech becoming luminous and measured.
Settled, replenished awareness.
Recite after a simple nourishment act (water/milk) and sit briefly in gratitude to ‘seal’ prosperity without grasping.
Even, measured delivery; let the ‘mīyante’ segment be rhythmically precise; soften into the final petition.
Give clarity to cattle triad (vaśāsaḥ/ṛṣabhāsaḥ/ukṣaṇaḥ); emphasize ‘śukraḥ pavate’ as purification crest.
Warm, steady, nourishing tone; not aggressive.
This verse often functions as a ‘prosperity seal’ within the aṃhas-release set; keep the closing formula unhurried.
9 times
Household instability, fear of loss, depletion, need for steady prosperity and clarity.
During provisioning tasks; when starting a long-term project; after financial strain to reset mindset toward stability.
Sense of replenishment and steadiness; traditional aim: protect and increase resources while cleansing ill-luck.
Avoid magical thinking that replaces planning; pair mantra with concrete stewardship of resources.
The closest ‘substance’ is Soma (śukraḥ), a plant-product transformed by filtration and brahman. The mantra treats purification of soma as homologous to purification of the patron: as soma is ‘pavate,’ so aṃhas is washed away; brahman is the catalytic agent.
Cattle signify rank and survivability; their divine ownership (‘yasya…’) legitimizes elite possession. ‘Brahmaśumbhita’ foregrounds priestly speech as the enhancer of value—wealth and purity are mediated through authorized ritual specialists.
The cattle catalogue and soma-purification idiom are RV-standard. The Atharvanic refunctioning lies in the consistent expiatory telos: these prosperity images are subordinated to the refrain of release from aṃhas.
Gopatha often links prosperity-loss to ritual fault and prescribes mantra-driven expiation. By invoking soma purified and ‘adorned by brahman,’ the verse asserts that the rite is properly empowered, hence capable of restoring both purity and wealth.
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