Rig Veda 1.167.3: Mandala 1, Sukta 167, Mantra 3
Sukta 1.167
- Rishi
- Agastya
- Devata
- Maruts
- Chandas
- Triṣṭubh
- Rasa
- Adbhuta (wonder) and Vira (heroism)
मिम्यक्ष येषु सुधिता घृताची हिरण्यनिर्णिगुपरा न ऋष्टिः । गुहा चरन्ती मनुषो न योषा सभावती विदथ्येव सं वाक् ॥
mimyakṣa yéṣu su-dhítā ghṛtā́cī híraṇya-nirnig úparā ná ṛṣṭíḥ | guhā́ cárantī mánuṣo ná yóṣā sabhā́vatī vidathyéva sáṃ vāk ||
ആരിൽ സുസ്ഥാപിതമായ, ഘൃത-ദീപ്തമായ ശക്തി മിനുങ്ങുന്നു—സ്വർണ്ണഛായയും മേൽധാരയും ഉള്ള കുന്തംപോലെ; മറഞ്ഞ് സഞ്ചരിക്കുന്നതു, പുരുഷന്മാരുടെ ഇടയിൽ സ്ത്രീപോലെ—അവരുടെ വാക്ക് സഭാഭാരവാഹിയായി, വിധഥ്യ (വിധി-സഭ)പോലെ, ഒന്നായി ചേർന്ന് മുഴങ്ങുന്നു.
Word by Word
- मिम्यक्ष
- has been/has become mingled; has spread (shone forth)Verbलिट् (परोक्स-परफेक्ट), 3 पुरुष, एकवचनRole क्रिया (मुख्य-क्रिया)Root मि-म्यच् (धातु √म्यच्/√मिच् ‘मिश्रणे/विस्तारे’ इत्यस्य वैदिक-रूपम्; परस्मैपदी) अथवा √म्यक्/√म्यच् (वैदिक)
- येषु
- in whom / among whichPronounपुं/नपुं, सप्तमी, बहुवचनRole अधिकारणRoot यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
- सुधिता
- well-set, well-preparedAdjectiveस्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole विशेषण (घृताची-विशेषणम्)Root सु-धि (प्रातिपदिक ‘well-placed/skillfully set’; √धा ‘धारणे/निधाने’)
- घृताची
- the ghee-streaming (speech/flame)Noun/Adjectiveस्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole कर्तृ (मिम्यक्ष इत्यस्य)Root घृत + अची (प्रातिपदिक; ‘having ghee as its flow/stream’)
- हिरण्यनिर्णिक्
- with golden covering; golden-cladNoun/Adjectiveस्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole विशेषण (ऋष्टि-विशेषणम्)Root हिरण्य + निर्णिज्/निर्णिक् (प्रातिपदिक; ‘golden garment/covering, golden sheen’)
- उपरा
- upper/outer; protectiveAdjectiveस्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole विशेषण (ऋष्टि-विशेषणम्)Root उपरा (प्रातिपदिक ‘upper/outer, over-lying; protective’)
- न
- like, asIndeclinableअव्ययRole सम्बन्ध/उपमाRoot न (उपमा-निपात) / न (निषेध) — अत्र उपमा
- ऋष्टिः
- a spearNounस्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole उपमेय/कर्तृ-सम्बद्ध (घृताची इत्यस्य उपमा)Root ऋष्टि (प्रातिपदिक; ‘spear, lance’)
- गुहा
- in a hiding-place; in secretNounस्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन (वैदिके क्वचित् अव्ययीभाववत् ‘in secret’)Role अधिकारणRoot गुहा (प्रातिपदिक; ‘cave, hiding-place’)
- चरन्ती
- moving, roamingVerb (participle)स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole कर्तृ (वाक्/घृताची इत्यस्य)Root √चर् (गत्यर्थे)
- मनुषः
- of a manNounपुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचनRole सम्बन्ध (योषा इत्यस्य)Root मनु (प्रातिपदिक; ‘man, Manu’)
- न
- likeIndeclinableअव्ययRole सम्बन्ध/उपमाRoot न (उपमा-निपात)
- योषा
- a maidenNounस्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole उपमेय/कर्तृ-सम्बद्ध (चरन्ती इत्यस्य उपमा)Root योषा (प्रातिपदिक; ‘young woman, maiden’)
- सभावती
- endowed with (good) nature/power; companionableAdjectiveस्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole विशेषण (वाक् इत्यस्य)Root स-भाववत्/सभावती (प्रातिपदिक; ‘possessed of (good) nature/being; having fellowship/assembly’)
- विदथ्येव
- as if (meant) for the ritual assemblyAdjective + Indeclinableविदथ्य (नपुं/पुं) — अत्र अव्ययीभाववत् ‘as if for the vidatha’; इव = अव्ययRole प्रयोजन/उपमा (वाक् इत्यस्य)Root विदथ्य (प्रातिपदिक ‘belonging to vidatha = sacrificial session/assembly’) + इव (उपमा)
- सम्
- together, completelyIndeclinableअव्ययRole क्रियाविशेषण (वाक्/मिम्यक्ष इत्यस्य ‘together’)Root सम् (उपसर्ग/अव्यय)
- वाक्
- speech (the Word)Nounस्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole कर्तृ (अन्त्ये वाक्ये; मिम्यक्ष/चरन्ती इत्यस्य विषयः)Root वाच् (प्रातिपदिक; ‘speech’)
Sandhi Notes
- पदच्छेदः (वैदिक-सन्धि-निरसनम्): मिम्यक्ष | येषु | सुधिता | घृताची | हिरण्यनिर्णिग् + उपरा → हिरण्यनिर्णिगुपरा (व्यञ्जन-सन्धि: ग् + उ → गु) | न | ऋष्टिः | गुहा | चरन्ती | मनुषः | न | योषा | सभावती | विदथ्य + इव → विदथ्येव (स्वर-सन्धि: अ/य + इव → येव) | सम् | वाक् ।
The meaning
Outer meaning
Within them a well-set, ghee-bright power gleams like a spear with golden sheen; moving hidden like a woman among men, their word gathers together, assembly-bearing, as in a solemn session.
Inner meaning
The Marut powers carry an inner ‘weapon’—a clarified, luminous energy (ghṛtācī: ghee-bright) that is properly placed (sudhitā) and capable of piercing obscurity like a golden spear. Yet this force often works secretly (guhā carantī), inwardly, not always visible to the surface mind—like a concealed feminine power moving among outward masculine activities. Their ‘word’ (vāk) is not mere speech but the organizing mantra-force that convenes the scattered movements of the being into a single inner assembly (sabhā), enabling coordinated action and revelation.
Universal truth
True power is both luminous and disciplined; it may operate invisibly within, and its sign is an organizing word/insight that gathers our fragmented parts into a coherent intention.
Themes
luminous-weapon-symbolism, secret-working, assembly-word
The seer
- Rishi
- Agastya
- Lineage
- Agastya (Āgastya)
- Other hymns
- RV 1.167 (this hymn), RV 1.171 (Indra-Marut themes in Agastya cycle)
Family tradition
Agastya’s diction often reveals the ‘equipment’ of the gods as inner faculties—light, speech, and disciplined force—rather than only external storm imagery.
Significance
Agastya here points to the secret (guhā) operation of mantra and Shakti: illumination is not only a flash but a gathered, convening power that creates inner unanimity.
The deity
- Devata
- Maruts
- Epithets
- ghṛtācī (ghee-bright), hiraṇyanirṇig (golden-sheened), sabhāvatī (assembly-bearing, via their vāk)
- Related deities
- Sarasvatī (as Vāk principle), Indra (illumined mind), Agni (leader of inner sacrifice)
Cosmic role
Forces that organize the atmospheric movements and accompany Indra; they bring coordinated storm-energy and the ‘voice’ of the host.
Inner power
Collective prāṇa-śakti that carries a piercing luminous will and an organizing mantra-force.
In ritual
Where it is used
Praise describing the Maruts’ inner brilliance and their vāk; used in Soma contexts and Marut sequences.
मि॒म्यक्ष॒ येषु॒ सुधि॑ता घृ॒ताची॒ हिर॑ण्यनिर्णि॒गुप॑रा॒ न ऋ॒ष्टिः । गुहा॒ चर॑न्ती॒ मनु॑षो॒ न योषा॑ स॒भाव॑ती विद॒थ्ये॑व॒ सं वाक् ॥
मि॒म्यक्ष॑ । येषु॑ । सुऽधि॑ता । घृ॒ताची॑ । हिर॑ण्यऽनिर्निक् । उप॑रा । न । ऋ॒ष्टिः । गुहा॑ । चर॑न्ती । मनु॑षः । न । योषा॑ । स॒भाऽव॑ती । वि॒द॒थ्या॑ऽइव । सम् । वाक् ॥
mimyakṣa | yeṣu | su-dhitā | ghṛtācī | hiraṇya-nirnik | uparā | na | ṛṣṭiḥ | guhā | carantī | manuṣaḥ | na | yoṣā | sabhāvatī | vidathyāiva | sam | vāk
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4 × ~11 syllables
Alternation of gleaming imagery and inward secrecy; a measured surge that ‘gathers’ at the cadence.
Encourages inward listening; the mind feels collected, as if called into an inner council.
- सुधिता (sudhitā)
- Literal: well-set, well-placed. Symbolic: rightly established force; correctly aligned inner instrument
- घृताची (ghṛtācī)
- Literal: ghee-bright, moving with ghee. Symbolic: clarified luminous energy; light of intuition made smooth and effective
- ऋष्टिः (ṛṣṭiḥ)
- Literal: spear, lance. Symbolic: penetrating will/insight that pierces coverings (vṛtra-like resistances)
- हिरण्यनिर्निग् (hiraṇyanirṇig)
- Literal: golden sheen/ornamented brilliance. Symbolic: supramental tint—noble luminosity in the instrument of action
- गुहा चरन्ती (guhā carantī)
- Literal: moving in the cave/hidden. Symbolic: subtle workings in the heart-cave; inner guidance not obvious to surface mind
- योषा (yoṣā)
- Literal: woman, maiden. Symbolic: the veiled Shakti—inner formative power, often concealed
- वाक् (vāk)
- Literal: speech, word. Symbolic: mantric vibration; revelatory thought that orders and unites
- सभावती (sabhāvatī)
- Literal: having an assembly. Symbolic: capacity to convene inner faculties into harmony
- विदथ्येव (vidathyeva)
- Literal: as in a sacred session/assembly. Symbolic: inner rite of discernment where truth is collectively affirmed
Descriptive praise (stuti) highlighting the Maruts’ luminous equipment and the cohesive power of their vāk in the ritual assembly.
During stotra/śastra praising assisting deities; especially when emphasizing their support through inspired speech.
Recitation accompanying offerings; strengthening the mantric field of the rite.
Use before speaking/teaching or important dialogue: invoke ‘vāk’ that gathers the inner assembly so words arise from clarity rather than impulse.
-: ghṛta (clarified butter) from √/√ 'shine/smear'—in RV ghṛta frequently symbolizes a clarified luminous substance of consciousness. : weapon term; psychologically the pointed directive will. : from √ 'speak' (PIE *wekʷ-), here not ordinary speech but the assembling revelatory Word that organizes the inner forces (sabhāvatī).
vāk as organizing revelation, hidden operation of powers (guhā), clarified light (ghṛta) as luminous consciousness
Vāk that is sabhāvatī restores ṛta by coordinating inner movements under truth.
Golden sheen symbolizes satya’s luminous quality when expressed as right speech.
From hidden cave (guhā) emerges organizing word—cosmos from secret light.
Integral-Vedantic: Vāk as revelatory power; Shakti concealed yet operative in transformation.
Ghee-bright = clarified intuitive light; spear = concentrated will; cave = heart/subconscient chamber where truth is concealed and must be brought out.
- What is the primary Vedic 'mythologem' present in this verse?
- The mythologem is the Maruts as a radiant armed host whose true power is also their cohesive Word: glittering spear-like force and an assembling vāk that moves secretly. Psychologically, it is the emergence of a unified revelatory speech that coordinates the many life-forces, while the sharp will (ṛṣṭi) carries luminous clarity (ghṛta).
- How does the linguistic structure reflect Proto-Indo-European roots?
- vāk from √vac continues PIE *wekʷ- 'speak' (Latin vox). The verse uses layered similes (weapon, woman, assembly) typical of IE poetic style, where a single power is triangulated through multiple images to convey both outer and inner function.
- What is the relationship between the Rishi and the Devata here?
- Rather than asking directly, the rishi reveals the Devata’s inner anatomy: luminous establishment (su-dhitā), sharpened directive force (ṛṣṭi), and the unifying Word (vāk). This descriptive naming is itself an act of alignment—by recognizing the Maruts’ secret working, the sacrificer becomes fit to receive their coordinated force.
Invoke hidden luminous force; unify inner parts through truthful speech and intention.
Viśuddha (speech/clarity) and Anāhata (heart-cave/guhā)
Gentle ujjāyī or slow nasal breathing; on exhale, mentally intone ‘saṃ vāk’ to gather attention.
Quietly alert, inwardly illumined; receptive to intuitive speech.
Before speaking, pause in the heart-cave; feel a golden spear of clarity; let words arise only after the ‘inner assembly’ agrees.
Maintain Vedic accents; let svarita falls be soft to preserve the ‘hidden’ quality of the verse.
Slightly dwell on image-words: ‘ghṛtācī’, ‘hiraṇya-’, ‘guhā’, and close with a gathered cadence on ‘saṃ vāk’.
(ghṛtācī): retroflex ṛ; long ā; ‘cī’ long ī, (hiraṇyanirṇig): keep ṇ; articulate nir-nig as two parts, (guhā): hard g; long ā, (sabhāvatī): long ā; dental t
Warm, inward, resonant; avoid harshness to keep the sense of secret power.
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