Rig Veda 7.1.12: Mandala 7, Sukta 1, Mantra 12
Sukta 7.1
- Rishi
- Vasiṣṭha
- Devata
- Agni
- Chandas
- Triṣṭubh
- Rasa
- Shanta (peace) and Adbhuta (wonder)
यमश्वी नित्यमुपयाति यज्ञं प्रजावन्तं स्वपत्यं क्षयं नः । स्वजन्मना शेषसा वावृधानम् ॥
yám aśvī́ nítyam upayā́ti yajñáṃ prajā́vantaṃ svapatyáṃ kṣáyaṃ naḥ | svájānmanā śéṣasā vāvṛdhānám ||
Dia yang sentiasa didekati oleh dua Penunggang Kuda (Aśvin) dalam yajña—moga ia menjadi bagi kami sebuah kediaman yang kaya dengan zuriat batin dan penguasaan yang sejati; lahir dari dirinya sendiri, bertambah oleh baki dayanya sendiri, ia membesar menuju kepenuhan.
Word by Word
- यमश्वी
- the Yama-horsed one (having Yama’s horses / having horses named Yama)Noun/Adjectiveपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole कर्तृRoot यमश्विन् (प्रातिपदिक) < यम (यम- ‘यम/यमराज’ अथवा ‘यम’ मूल) + अश्विन् (अश्व ‘horse’ से) (बहुव्रीहि/तत्पुरुष-समास)
- नित्यम्
- always, continuallyAdjective/Adverbनपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया/प्रथमा, एकवचन (अव्ययीभाव-प्रयोग: ‘always’)Role अधिक्ररण (काल-निर्देश) / क्रियाविशेषणRoot नित्य (प्रातिपदिक)
- उपयाति
- approaches, comes nearVerbलट् (वर्तमान), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचनRole क्रियाRoot या (धातु) ‘to go’ + उप (उपसर्ग)
- यज्ञम्
- the sacrifice, ritual offeringNounपुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचनRole कर्मRoot यज्ञ (प्रातिपदिक) < यज् (धातु) ‘to worship/sacrifice’
- प्रजावन्तम्
- endowed with offspring/progenyAdjectiveपुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन (यज्ञम् इति विशेषणम्)Role कर्म (यज्ञम्-विशेषण)Root प्रजावत् (प्रातिपदिक) = प्रजा + वत्
- स्वपत्यम्
- good lordship/household prosperityNoun/Adjectiveनपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन (यज्ञम् इति विशेषणवत्)Role कर्म (यज्ञम्-विशेषण)Root स्वपत्य (प्रातिपदिक) (स्व + पत्य/पत् ‘lordship/household’)
- क्षयम्
- dwelling, home, abodeNounपुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचनRole कर्म (उपयाति इत्यस्य)Root क्षय (प्रातिपदिक) < क्षि (धातु) ‘to dwell/settle’ (वैदिक: ‘abode, home’)
- नः
- of us, ourPronounषष्ठी (सम्बन्ध), बहुवचन (एन्क्लिटिक)Role सम्बन्ध (षष्ठी)Root अस्मद् (सर्वनाम)
- स्वजन्मना
- by/with (his) own birth/natureNoun (instrumental phrase)नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचनRole करणRoot स्वजन्मन् (प्रातिपदिक) = स्व + जन्मन्
- शेषसा
- with the remainder/surplus (resources)Nounनपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचनRole करणRoot शेषस् (प्रातिपदिक) ‘remainder, what is left; surplus’
- वावृधानम्
- growing, increasing, being strengthenedParticipleवर्तमान/परिपूर्ण-भावार्थक कृदन्त (वैदिक परिप्रयोग), कर्मणि/कर्तरि प्रयोगानुसार; पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन (यज्ञम्/क्षयम् वा विशेषयति)Role कर्म (विशेषण)Root वृध् (धातु) ‘to grow, increase’ (परिपूर्ण/आवृत्ति-प्रयोग: वावृध्)
Sandhi Notes
- पदच्छेद (सन्धि-विग्रह): यमश्वी | नित्यम् | उपयाति | यज्ञम् | प्रजावन्तम् | स्वपत्यम् | क्षयम् | नः || स्वजन्मना | शेषसा | वावृधानम् । मुख्य सन्धि: (1) नित्यम् + उपयाति → नित्यमुपयाति (म् + उ = मुप्)
- (2) क्षयम् + नः → क्षयं नः (म् + न = ं नः; अनुस्वार/परसवर्ण)
The meaning
Outer meaning
He whom the Aśvins ever approach in the sacrifice—may he become for us a dwelling rich in progeny and true mastery; self-born, increasing by his own remainder, he grows.
Inner meaning
The Aśvins (the twin powers of swift help, harmony, and right functioning) approach the inner sacrifice where Agni is established. The prayer is that this Agni become our ‘kṣaya’—a stable dwelling-state—rich in inner offspring (prajā: new realizations, capacities) and ‘svapatya’—true mastery/sovereignty over the nature (not ego-control but luminous governance). ‘Svajanmanā’ indicates the self-born flame: the psychic fire that arises from within when conditions are right. ‘Śeṣasā’ (remainder/reserve) suggests Agni’s inexhaustible reserve of force; by that remainder he increases and fills the being.
Universal truth
When the helping powers of harmony and swift right action support the inner sacrifice, the self-born divine will becomes a stable home within us—fertile, sovereign, and inexhaustibly growing.
Themes
Aśvins’ assistance, Inner mastery, Abode of consciousness, Generative increase
The seer
- Rishi
- Vasiṣṭha
- Lineage
- Vasiṣṭha (Vasiṣṭha-gotra)
- Other hymns
- RV 7.67-7.69 (Aśvin themes in RV, general vicinity), RV 7.1
Family tradition
Vasiṣṭha integrates multiple divine powers into a single inner work: Agni as core, supported by helper gods (here Aśvins).
Significance
Shows the collaborative yoga of the Veda: the inner fire grows when harmonizing, healing, and swift executive powers (Aśvins) draw near to the sacrifice.
The deity
- Devata
- Agni
- Epithets
- Svajanman (self-born, implied), Vāvṛdhāna (ever-increasing, implied)
- Related deities
- Aśvins, Soma, Indra
Cosmic role
The self-born fire hidden in beings; when awakened, becomes a stable abode of order, fertility, and mastery.
Inner power
Psychic will that becomes sovereign (svapatya) and fertile (prajā) and grows by an inexhaustible reserve (śeṣa).
In ritual
Where it is used
Sacrificial context where Aśvins are invoked as helpers and Agni is established as the priest-fire
यम॒श्वी नित्य॑मुप॒याति॑ य॒ज्ञं प्र॒जाव॑न्तं स्वप॒त्यं क्षयं॑ नः । स्वज॑न्मना॒ शेष॑सा वावृधा॒नम् ॥
यम् । अ॒श्वी । नित्य॑म् । उ॒प॒ऽयाति॑ । य॒ज्ञम् । प्र॒जाऽव॑न्तम् । सु॒ऽअ॒प॒त्यम् । क्षय॑म् । नः॒ । स्वऽज॑न्मना । शेष॑सा । व॒वृ॒धा॒नम् ॥
yam | aśvī | nityam | upa-yāti | yajñam | prajāvantam | su-apatyam | kṣayam | naḥ | sva-janmanā | śeṣasā | vavṛdhānam
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4 × ~11
Uplifting and constructive; the rhythm ‘approaches → becomes a dwelling → grows’ mirrors progressive establishment.
Instills confidence in steady growth; evokes supportive companionship (Aśvins) around the central flame.
- अश्वी (aśvī)
- Literal: the two Horsemen (Aśvins). Symbolic: twin powers of swift aid, harmony, healing, right functioning of life-force
- नित्यम् (nityam)
- Literal: always. Symbolic: constant availability of higher help when aspiration is sincere
- उपयाति (upayāti)
- Literal: approaches, comes near. Symbolic: descent/near-contact of assisting forces in practice
- यज्ञम् (yajñam)
- Literal: sacrifice. Symbolic: offering of the lower nature to the higher; disciplined inner process
- प्रजावन्तम् (prajāvantam)
- Literal: possessing progeny. Symbolic: fruitful consciousness birthing new states of light and strength
- स्वपत्यं (svapatyam)
- Literal: good lordship, true mastery. Symbolic: inner sovereignty: the divine governance of mind-life-body
- क्षयम् (kṣayam)
- Literal: dwelling, abode. Symbolic: stable station of consciousness; secure inner home
- स्वजन्मना (svajanmanā)
- Literal: by self-birth. Symbolic: psychic ignition from within; spontaneous awakening of true will
- शेषसा (śeṣasā)
- Literal: by remainder/residue/reserve. Symbolic: inexhaustible reserve-force; the hidden stock of divine energy that sustains growth
- वावृधानम् (vāvṛdhānam)
- Literal: increasing, growing. Symbolic: progressive enlargement of consciousness and capacity
Invocation linking Agni with Aśvin-aid: the rite’s swift helpers approach the central fire; prayer for stable kṣaya (abode), prajā (increase), and svapatya (right mastery) in sacrificer’s life.
In sequences emphasizing assistance, healing, and successful completion of the rite; also as a blessing for dwelling/prosperity
Invocation during offerings; calling supportive deities to approach the sacrifice
A mantra for building a ‘stable inner home’: use when seeking consistency, self-mastery, and fertile creativity in sadhana.
aśvin ‘horsemen’ from aśva ‘horse’ (speed, dynamic force); upayāti from upa-√yā ‘approach’; svapatya ‘good lordship’ (su- + patya from pati ‘lord’, PIE *pótis); kṣaya ‘abode’ from √kṣi ‘to dwell’; vavṛdhāna from √vṛdh ‘to grow, increase’ (PIE *werdh-). śeṣa ‘remainder’ indicates a conserved potency—psychologically, the retained essence that feeds further growth.
self-existent consciousness (svajanman), growth of being (vṛddhi), mastery (svapatya) as inner sovereignty aligned with ṛta
Svapatya indicates ṛta established as governance in the being; the sacrifice becomes orderly and fruitful.
Kṣaya as a dwelling of truth-consciousness rather than shifting mental states.
Self-birth of the divine within manifestation; growth by an inexhaustible remainder—creation as continual increase.
Integral Vedism: psychic being (self-born flame) supported by harmonizing executive powers (Aśvins).
dawn (Aśvins often dawn-associated)
Aśvins = swift prāṇic harmonizers; home = stabilized consciousness; progeny = new inner formations; self-born fire = psychic ignition.
- What is the primary Vedic 'mythologem' present in this verse?
- The Aśvins approaching the sacrifice: the swift twin powers support the central fire so the seeker gains a stable abode (kṣaya) and self-mastery (svapatya). Mythically, divine helpers converge upon Agni to establish wholeness in the human.
- How does the linguistic structure reflect Proto-Indo-European roots?
- pati/patya reflects PIE *pótis ‘lord’; √vṛdh (vavṛdhānam) reflects PIE *werdh- ‘grow’. The verse uses inherited Indo-European ‘increase’ diction to describe spiritual expansion rather than material accumulation.
- What is the relationship between the Rishi and the Devata here?
- The rishi asks that Agni, aided by the Aśvins, become an inner foundation: not transient inspiration only, but a stable kṣaya and a regime of svapatya—right governance of the nature by the divine will.
Establish Agni as an inner ‘home’: feel a steady flame in the heart; invite the Aśvin qualities—balance, healing, swift right response—to approach and organize life around that flame.
Anāhata (inner dwelling) with Maṇipūra (mastery)
Alternate-nostril breathing (gentle) to symbolize the twin Aśvins harmonizing currents; then rest attention in the heart flame.
Supported, integrated, quietly sovereign.
After pranayama, recite 7 times; then sit 5 minutes feeling ‘kṣaya’—a stable inner abode. End by choosing one act of svapatya (truth-governed action) for the day.
Gentle rises on ‘aśvī’ and ‘upayāti’; sustained steadiness on ‘kṣayam’; expansive close on ‘vāvṛdhānam’.
Let ‘svapatyaṃ kṣayaṃ naḥ’ be clear and centered—this is the mantra’s ‘establishment’ point.
aśvī: ‘śv’ cluster crisp; long ‘ī’, upayāti: separate ‘upa-yā-’ smoothly; long ‘ā’, svapatyam: ‘sv’ cluster; keep ‘ty’ clean, kṣayam: ‘kṣ’ conjunct precise, svajanmanā: ‘j’ soft; long final ‘ā’, śeṣasā: retroflex ‘ṣ’; long final ‘ā’
Warm, steady, healing; allow a dawn-like softness with firmness at ‘kṣayam’.
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