Rig Veda 4.56.6: Mandala 4, Sukta 56, Mantra 6
Sukta 4.56
पुनाने तन्वा मिथः स्वेन दक्षेण राजथः । ऊह्याथे सनादृतम् ॥
punāné tanvā́ mitháḥ svéna dákṣeṇa rājathaḥ | ūhyā́the sanā́d ṛtám ||
സ്വന്തം തനുവിൽ പരസ്പരം ശുദ്ധീകരിച്ചുകൊണ്ട്, സ്വയം ദക്ഷം (വിവേകശക്തി) കൊണ്ടു നിങ്ങൾ രാജിക്കുന്നു; സനാതനമായ ഋതം—സത്യ-ക്രമത്തെ നിങ്ങൾ വഹിക്കുകയും നിലനിർത്തുകയും ചെയ്യുന്നു.
Invocatory verse for establishing ṛta in the rite; suitable in Soma sequences emphasizing purification and right order
Ṛta as eternal law, Dakṣa (effective intelligence), Self-purification as preparation for divine rule
Explicit: ‘sanād ṛtam’—the eternal ṛta upheld by the dual rulers.
Satya as lived lawfulness: truth expressed as right governance of nature through dakṣa.
Order as primordial and sustained, not accidental.
Dharma/ṛta-centered Vedic psychology: inner law as basis of realization.
Purification = clearing subconscious admixture; duality = balancing forces (expansion/constraint); ṛta = right rhythm in thought-breath-action.
- What is the primary Vedic 'mythologem' present in this verse?
- The mythologem of ‘sovereign upholders of ṛta’: the paired rulers maintain the ancient cosmic order through their intrinsic dakṣa, and their purification is the condition for unerring governance—mirrored in the seeker’s need for clarified nature before truth-action.
- How does the linguistic structure reflect Proto-Indo-European roots?
- √rāj ‘rule/shine’ reflects the archaic overlap of kingship and radiance found across Indo-European traditions. ṛta (Vedic) parallels Avestan aša, indicating an Indo-Iranian shared concept of cosmic truth-order.
- What is the relationship between the Rishi and the Devata here?
- The ṛṣi recognizes the gods’ rule as grounded in self-born capacity (svéna dakṣéṇa). The implied exchange: by aligning with their purification and order, the human participant receives the ability to act in ṛta rather than in mixed desire.
Self-purification + discernment: observe one recurring distortion (fear, craving, self-justification) and release it into the breath while affirming ṛta.
viśuddha (truthful expression) with ājñā (discernment)
Exhale-lengthening with a brief pause after exhale to ‘cleanse’; then inhale smoothly to re-establish order.
Clear, law-abiding inner silence; steady ethical luminosity.
Chant slowly, then ask: ‘What is the truthful order of this moment?’ Choose the smallest right action. Repeat daily to build inner sovereignty (rājathaḥ) rooted in purification (punāne).
Vedic accenting as marked; keep the dual cadence (two pādas) firm and even.
Emphasize clarity on punāne, dakṣeṇa, ṛtam; maintain a slight pause after each pāda to let ‘order’ settle.
: pu-nā-ne, long ā, : tan-vā, dental n, : th aspirate; final ḥ audible, : retroflex ḍ? (here d is dental; kṣ cluster clear), : th aspirate; final ḥ, : long ū; hyā cluster carefully, : final d crisp, : vocalic ṛ; short a
Low, steady, authoritative; minimal vibrato.
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