Rig Veda 2.2.4: Mandala 2, Sukta 2, Mantra 4
Sukta 2.2
- Rishi
- Gṛtsamada
- Devata
- Agni
- Chandas
- Triṣṭubh
- Rasa
- Shanta (peace) and Adbhuta (wonder)
तमुक्षमाणं रजसि स्व आ दमे चन्द्रमिव सुरुचं ह्वार आ दधुः । पृश्न्याः पतरं चितयन्तमक्षभिः पाथो न पायुं जनसी उभे अनु ॥
tám ukṣámāṇaṃ rájasi svá ā́ dame candrám iva su-rúcaṃ hvāré ā́ dadhuḥ | pṛ́śnyāḥ pátaraṃ citáyantam akṣá-bhiḥ pā́tho ná pāyúṃ jánasī ubhé ánu ||
जो आपल्या रजसि (मध्यलोकात) आणि आपल्या धामात बलाने वाढतो—त्याला त्यांनी यज्ञ-परिसरात चंद्राप्रमाणे, सुंदर तेजस्वी करून स्थापित केले. तो आपल्या किरणांनी पृष्णी (चित्तरंगिणी माता) हिचे पंख जागृत करतो; मार्गाचा रक्षक जसा, तसा तो दोन्ही जन्मां—द्यौ आणि पृथिवी—यांच्या मागोमाग चालत, प्रवासाच्या मार्गाचे रक्षण करतो.
Word by Word
- तम्
- himPronounपुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग? द्वितीया एकवचन (एन्क्लिटिक ‘तम्’)Role कर्मRoot तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
- उक्षमाणम्
- sprinkling/bedewingParticiple (Adjectival)वर्तमान कृदन्त (शतृ), पुंलिङ्ग द्वितीया एकवचनRole कर्मRoot उक्ष् (धातु, ‘to sprinkle/bedew; to pour’)
- रजसि
- in the mid-air/space (rajas)Nounनपुंसकलिङ्ग सप्तमी एकवचनRole अधिकारणRoot रजस् (प्रातिपदिक)
- स्वे
- in his ownAdjective/Pronounपुं/नपुं सप्तमी एकवचन (विशेषण)Role अधिकारणRoot स्व (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
- आ
- towards; untoIndeclinableउपसर्ग/अव्ययRoot आ (उपसर्ग/निपात)
- दमे
- in the house/abodeNounपुंलिङ्ग सप्तमी एकवचनRole अधिकारणRoot दम (प्रातिपदिक; ‘house, abode’)
- च
- andIndeclinableसमुच्चयार्थकRoot च (निपात)
- चन्द्रम्
- the shining one; moon (as a comparison)Noun/Adjectiveपुंलिङ्ग द्वितीया एकवचनRole कर्म (उपमान-रूपेण)Root चन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक)
- इव
- likeIndeclinableउपमार्थकRoot इव (निपात)
- सुरुचम्
- very bright, of good radianceAdjectiveपुंलिङ्ग द्वितीया एकवचनRole कर्मRoot सुरुच् (प्रातिपदिक; ‘fair-brightness’)
- ह्वारः
- the crooked/hostile one; wile (personified)Nounपुंलिङ्ग प्रथमा एकवचनRole कर्ता (कर्तृ-सम्बन्धः; ‘ह्वारः … दधुः’)Root ह्वार (प्रातिपदिक; ‘crookedness/defect; hostile wile’—Vedic)
- आ
- unto; forthIndeclinableउपसर्ग/अव्ययRoot आ (उपसर्ग/निपात)
- दधुः
- they have placed/setVerbलिट् (परस्मैपद), प्र.पुरुष बहुवचनRole क्रियाRoot धा (धातु; ‘to place, put’)
- पृश्न्याः
- of Pṛśnī (the speckled one)Nounस्त्रीलिङ्ग षष्ठी एकवचनRole सम्बन्ध (षष्ठी)Root पृश्नि (प्रातिपदिक; ‘speckled (cow)’; also a divine mother-name)
- पतरम्
- wing/featherNounनपुंसकलिङ्ग द्वितीया एकवचनRole कर्मRoot पतर (प्रातिपदिक; ‘wing/feather’; Vedic)
- चितयन्तम्
- observing, taking noteParticiple (Adjectival)वर्तमान कृदन्त (शतृ/यत्-प्रत्ययान्त causative nuance in -यन्त-), पुंलिङ्ग द्वितीया एकवचनRole कर्मRoot चितय्/चेत् (धातु; ‘to notice, perceive, observe’)
- अक्षभिः
- with (his) eyesNounनपुंसकलिङ्ग तृतीया बहुवचनRole करणRoot अक्ष (प्रातिपदिक; ‘eye’; also ‘axle/die’—here ‘eyes’)
- पाथः
- a path/wayNounनपुंसकलिङ्ग प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन (उपमान-रूपेण)Root पाथस् (प्रातिपदिक; ‘path, course; way’)
- न
- like, asIndeclinableउपमार्थक/निषेध?—अत्र उपमा (‘as’)Root न (निपात)
- पायुम्
- a protector/guardianNounपुंलिङ्ग द्वितीया एकवचनRole कर्म (उपमान-रूपेण)Root पायु (प्रातिपदिक; ‘guardian, protector’)
- जनसी
- the two peoples/kinds (heaven & earth / gods & men)Nounस्त्रीलिङ्ग प्रथमा द्विवचन (वैदिक द्विवचन)Role कर्ताRoot जनस्/जनी (प्रातिपदिक; ‘race, creature’; dual ‘the two peoples’)
- उभे
- bothPronoun/Adjectiveस्त्रीलिङ्ग प्रथमा द्विवचन (जनसी इत्यस्य विशेषणम्)Role कर्ताRoot उभ (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
- अनु
- along; followingIndeclinableअव्यय/उपसर्ग (अनुगमनार्थक)Root अनु (उपसर्ग/अव्यय)
Sandhi Notes
- Sandhi resolution (major): तमुक्षमाणम् → तम् + उक्षमाणम्
- स्व आ → स्वे + आ (loc. sg. ‘स्वे’ before vowel)
- चन्द्रमिव → चन्द्रम् + इव
- सुरुचं ह्वार → सुरुचम् + ह्वारः (m. nom. sg.)
- पृश्न्या: → पृश्न्याः
- पत॒रं चि॒तय॑न्तम् → पतरम् + चितयन्तम्
- अ॒क्षभि॑: → अक्षभिः
- पा॒थो न → पाथः + न
- पा॒युं → पायुम्
- जन॑सी उ॒भे → जनसी + उभे (both nom. dual)
- उ॒भे अनु॑ → उभे + अनु
The meaning
Outer meaning
Agni, growing strong in the mid-region and at home, is set in the enclosure shining like the Moon. He awakens the speckled Mother’s wings with his rays; like a guardian of the path he follows both births, Heaven and Earth.
Inner meaning
As Agni increases (ukṣamāṇaḥ) in the inner mid-plane and in the ‘home’ of the being, he becomes a calm luminous presence ‘like the Moon’—not only blazing but beautifully steady (surucam). The ‘speckled Mother’ (pṛśnī) signifies the mixed Nature with her manifold colors (gunas/forces). Agni’s rays awaken her ‘wings’—the powers of movement and ascent. As path-guardian (pāyu), he protects the passage between the two births/worlds (heavenly and earthly consciousness), ensuring safe transition in sadhana through inner journeys.
Universal truth
When the inner fire matures, it becomes a steady light that awakens Nature’s capacities and guards the transitions between higher realization and earthly embodiment.
Themes
Agni as protector, awakening perception, home of the fire (inner house), cosmic mediation
The seer
- Rishi
- Gṛtsamada (Bhārgava)
- Lineage
- Bhārgava
- Other hymns
- RV 2.2.1, RV 2.2.2, RV 2.2.3, RV 2.2.5, RV 2.2.6
Family tradition
Agni-centered contemplative-poetic lineage; frequent use of luminous similes (moon, rays) to show stages of inner fire from blaze to steady light.
Significance
This verse marks a maturation stage: Agni is not only invoked but ‘set’ and made stable—illumining and guiding the mixed nature safely between planes.
The deity
- Devata
- Agni
- Epithets
- ukṣamāṇa (increasing), suruc (beautifully shining), pāyu (guardian) (functional epithet)
- Related deities
- Soma (cool lunar light resonance), Uṣas, Pṛthivī-Dyāvā (Heaven-Earth)
Cosmic role
Sustains the mid-region and protects the passages between Heaven and Earth; awakens Nature’s movements.
Inner power
Steady luminous guidance; awakening of latent energies; protection during transitions and inner travel.
In ritual
Where it is used
Evening fire/household and śrauta contexts emphasizing protection and guidance of the rite’s ‘path’
तमु॒क्षमा॑णं॒ रज॑सि॒ स्व आ दमे॑ च॒न्द्रमि॑व सु॒रुचं॑ ह्वा॒र आ द॑धुः । पृश्न्या॑: पत॒रं चि॒तय॑न्तम॒क्षभि॑: पा॒थो न पा॒युं जन॑सी उ॒भे अनु॑ ॥
तम् । उ॒क्षमा॑णम् । रज॑सि । स्वे । आ । दमे॑ । च॒न्द्रम्ऽइ॑व । सु॒ऽरुच॑म् । ह्वा॒रे । आ । द॒धुः॒ । पृश्न्याः॑ । प॒त॒रम् । चि॒तय॑न्तम् । अ॒क्षऽभिः॑ । पा॒थः । न । पा॒युम् । जन॑सी॒ इति॑ । उ॒भे इति॑ । अनु॑ ॥
tam | ukṣamāṇam | rajasi | sve | ā | dame | candram-iva | su-rucam | hvāre | ā | dadhuḥ | pṛśnyāḥ | pataram | citayantam | akṣa-bhiḥ | pāthaḥ | na | pāyum | janasī iti | ubhe iti | anu
44
4 × ~11
Even, luminous cadence; less ‘martial’ and more ‘guiding’ in feel due to imagery and phrasing.
Induces steadiness and safe inward movement; supports visualization of a calm central light.
- उक्षमा॑णम् (ukṣamāṇam)
- Literal: growing, increasing. Symbolic: the strengthening of will and consciousness through practice
- रजसि स्वे (rajasi sve)
- Literal: in his own mid-region. Symbolic: in the vital-mental field properly governed by the soul
- दमे (dame)
- Literal: in the house/home. Symbolic: in the embodied being, the inner dwelling
- चन्द्रम् इव (candram iva)
- Literal: like the moon. Symbolic: cool, steady illumination; reflective light of higher truth stabilized in mind
- सुरुचम् (surucam)
- Literal: beautifully shining. Symbolic: clear, harmonious radiance (not turbulent flame)
- पृश्न्याः (pṛśnyāḥ)
- Literal: of the speckled one. Symbolic: variegated Nature (mixed forces)
- पत॒रम् (pataraṃ)
- Literal: wings/feathers. Symbolic: powers of movement, ascent, expansion
- अक्षभिः (akṣabhiḥ)
- Literal: with rays/eyes (lit. axes/eyes). Symbolic: luminous perceptions/energies that awaken and guide
- पायुम् (pāyum)
- Literal: guardian, protector. Symbolic: inner guidance that safeguards the path
- जनसी उभे (janasī ubhe)
- Literal: both births (Heaven and Earth). Symbolic: dual origin: higher consciousness and earthly nature, both to be reconciled
Kindling and guarding-fire themes; applicable to daily fire maintenance and to rites emphasizing protection of the sacrificial path (adhvara) and safe conveyance of offerings.
When reaffirming Agni’s seat (ā-dadhuḥ) and seeking safe passage/protection in the sacrificial sequence.
Establishing the fire in its enclosure; protective invocations around transitions in the rite.
Use for inner protection during change (new discipline, travel, life transitions), visualizing a moon-like steady flame guarding the path.
ukṣamāṇa (pres. part.) from √ukṣ ‘grow/strengthen; sprinkle’—Agni both increases and ‘waters’ the being with force. pṛśni denotes ‘speckled’—a mixed field (light/dark interwoven), apt for the vital-nature. pāyu from √pā ‘protect’ marks Agni as path-guardian. citay- from √cit ‘perceive’ supports the inner reading: Agni awakens perception with ‘eyes/rays’ (akṣa/akṣi resonance).
guardianship of the path (pāyu), integration of Heaven and Earth (ubhe janasī), purification of mixed nature (pṛśni as speckled field)
Agni as pāyu ensures the right passage (pāthaḥ) according to ṛta between planes.
Suruc—truth showing itself as clear, beautiful light in mind.
Bridging and safeguarding the two worlds; awakening Nature’s wings for ascent.
Yoga of ascent/descent; Nature (prakṛti-like pṛśnī) awakened by inner fire under guidance.
Night (moon imagery) or twilight (stabilized light).
Moon = steady reflective illumination in mind; wings = capacities of nature to move upward; path = inner passage between states; guardian = inner discernment and will protecting progress.
- What is the primary Vedic 'mythologem' present in this verse?
- Agni as the ‘guardian of the path’ who follows the two cosmic parents (Heaven/Earth) and awakens the mixed nature (Pṛśni). The mythic action is protection and illumination of the journey of sacrifice/attainment through a speckled (intermixed) field.
- How does the linguistic structure reflect Proto-Indo-European roots?
- √pā ‘protect’ (pāyu) corresponds to PIE *peh₂- ‘protect, shepherd’. The ‘two births’ (ubhé janasī) reflects an old IE cosmic dyad (Sky/Earth) found across traditions. The perception root √cit has parallels in IE ‘notice/think’ semantics, supporting the cognitive emphasis.
- What is the relationship between the Rishi and the Devata here?
- The seer’s stance is to ‘house’ and stabilize the growing fire (ukṣamāṇa) within the protected enclosure (hvāra), so that Agni can in turn guard the path and awaken perception in the mixed vital nature.
Stabilize Agni as a calm central light; awaken mixed energies without turbulence; invoke protection for inner transitions.
Anāhata (steady luminous heart) with Maṇipūra support
Chandra-bhedana-inspired gentle cooling inhale (left-nostril awareness) followed by balanced exhale; keep it subtle and safe.
Serene luminosity; protected inwardness.
Visualize a moon-like flame in the heart-center; let its rays gently awaken energies in body and life; affirm ‘I move safely between higher light and earthly action under inner guidance’.
Keep svara steps clear; the ‘candram iva’ phrase benefits from a slightly sustained udatta peak to match the moonlike steadiness.
Pause after dame; slightly dwell on candram iva surucam; maintain clean pada endings.
ukṣamāṇam: clear kṣ conjunct, pṛśnyāḥ: retroflex ṣṇ cluster clarity, pātho na pāyum: distinguish long ā in pāyum
Cool, even, luminous; minimal force, more resonance.
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