Rig Veda 2.43.2: Mandala 2, Sukta 43, Mantra 2
Sukta 2.43
- Rishi
- Gṛtsamada
- Devata
- Śakuni/Śakunta
- Chandas
- Jagatī or mixed
- Rasa
- Adbhuta (wonder) and Vira (heroism)
उद्गातेव शकुने साम गायसि ब्रह्मपुत्र इव सवनेषु शंससि । वृषेव वाजी शिशुमतीरपीत्या सर्वतो नः शकुने भद्रमा वद विश्वतो नः शकुने पुण्यमा वद ॥
udgātéva śakune sā́ma gāyasi brahmaputrá iva sávaneṣu śaṃsasi | vṛ́ṣeva vājī́ śiśumatīr apī́tyā sarvátō naḥ śakune bhadrám ā́ vada viśvátō naḥ śakune púṇyam ā́ vada ||
ହେ ଶକୁନେ, ଉଦ୍ଗାତା ପରି ତୁମେ ସାମ ଗାଉଛ; ବ୍ରହ୍ମପୁତ୍ର ପରି ସବନ (ସୋମ-ପୀଡନ)ମାନଙ୍କରେ ସ୍ତୁତି ଘୋଷଣା କରୁଛ। ବୃଷଭ ପରି, ବଳବାନ ବାଜୀ ପରି, ଯୁବ ଓ ବୃଦ୍ଧିଶୀଳ ଶକ୍ତିମାନଙ୍କ ନିକଟକୁ ଆସି—ହେ ଶକୁନେ, ସର୍ବତଃ ଆମକୁ ଭଦ୍ର କଥା କହ; ସମସ୍ତ ଦିଗରୁ ଆମକୁ ପୁଣ୍ୟ, ପାବନ ବାଣୀ କହ।
Word by Word
- उद्गाता
- (like) a chanter (udgātṛ)Nounपुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा; एकवचनRole Kartā (उपमान-कर्तृ) / संबन्ध (उपमा)Root उद्गातृ (प्रातिपदिक) < √गै (गायति) + उद्-
- इव
- like, asIndeclinableउपमा-अव्ययRoot इव
- शकुने
- O bird (śakuni)Nounपुंलिङ्ग; सम्बोधन; एकवचनRole सम्बोधनRoot शकुनि (प्रातिपदिक)
- साम
- a Sāman-chantNounनपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया; एकवचनRole KarmaRoot सामन् (प्रातिपदिक)
- गायसि
- you singVerbलट् (वर्तमान); परस्मैपद; मध्यमपुरुष; एकवचनRoot √गै (गायति)
- ब्रह्मपुत्रः
- (like) a son of the priestly prayer / BrahmanNounपुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा; एकवचनRole Kartā (उपमान-कर्तृ) / संबन्ध (उपमा)Root ब्रह्मपुत्र (प्रातिपदिक; ब्रह्मन् + पुत्र)
- इव
- likeIndeclinableउपमा-अव्ययRoot इव
- सवनेषु
- in the pressings / soma-ritesNounनपुंसकलिङ्ग; सप्तमी; बहुवचनRole AdhikaraṇaRoot सवन (प्रातिपदिक)
- शंससि
- you recite/praiseVerbलट् (वर्तमान); परस्मैपद; मध्यमपुरुष; एकवचनRoot √शंस् (शंसति)
- वृषा
- (like) a bullNounपुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा; एकवचनRole Kartā (उपमान-कर्तृ) / संबन्ध (उपमा)Root वृषन्/वृष (प्रातिपदिक)
- इव
- likeIndeclinableउपमा-अव्ययRoot इव
- वाजी
- (like) a racer / swift oneNounपुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा; एकवचनRole Kartā (उपमान-कर्तृ) / संबन्ध (उपमा)Root वाजिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
- शिशुमतीः
- (those) having young / with chicksAdjectiveस्त्रीलिङ्ग; द्वितीया; बहुवचनRole KarmaRoot शिशुमत् (प्रातिपदिक)
- अपीत्या
- approach, coming nearNounस्त्रीलिङ्ग; द्वितीया; एकवचनRole Karma (गत्यर्थ-लक्ष्य/प्राप्ति)Root अपीति (प्रातिपदिक; अपि + √इ (इति) → ‘approach/coming near’)
- सर्वतः
- from all sides, whollyIndeclinableअव्यय (दिक्/परिमाण)Root सर्वतः
- नः
- of us / ourPronounषष्ठी; बहुवचन (एन्क्लिटिक)Role सम्बन्ध (षष्ठी)Root अस्मद्
- शकुने
- O birdNounपुंलिङ्ग; सम्बोधन; एकवचनRole सम्बोधनRoot शकुनि (प्रातिपदिक)
- भद्रम्
- auspicious (word/thing)Adjective (used substantively)नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया; एकवचनRole KarmaRoot भद्र (प्रातिपदिक)
- आ
- towards, forthIndeclinable (preverb)उपसर्गRoot आ
- वद
- speak!Verbलोट् (आज्ञार्थ); परस्मैपद; मध्यमपुरुष; एकवचनRoot √वद् (वदति)
- विश्वतः
- from every side, universallyIndeclinableअव्यय (दिक्/परिमाण)Root विश्वतः
- नः
- of us / ourPronounषष्ठी; बहुवचन (एन्क्लिटिक)Role सम्बन्ध (षष्ठी)Root अस्मद्
- शकुने
- O birdNounपुंलिङ्ग; सम्बोधन; एकवचनRole सम्बोधनRoot शकुनि (प्रातिपदिक)
- पुण्यम्
- fortunate, holy (word/thing)Adjective (used substantively)नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया; एकवचनRole KarmaRoot पुण्य (प्रातिपदिक)
- आ
- towards, forthIndeclinable (preverb)उपसर्गRoot आ
- वद
- speak!Verbलोट् (आज्ञार्थ); परस्मैपद; मध्यमपुरुष; एकवचनRoot √वद् (वदति)
Sandhi Notes
- पदच्छेद (सन्धि-विग्रह): उद्गातेव → उद्गाता + इव
- ब्रह्मपुत्र इव → ब्रह्मपुत्रः + इव (विसर्ग-लोप/सन्धि)
- वृषेव → वृषा + इव
- सर्वतो नः → सर्वतः + नः (ओ→ओऽ/विसर्ग-लोप प्रकार; पदपाठ में सर्वतः)
- भद्रमा वद → भद्रम् + आ + वद
- विश्वतो नः → विश्वतः + नः
- पुण्यमा वद → पुण्यम् + आ + वद। वैदिक स्वर (उदात्त/स्वरित/अनुदात्त) मूल संहिता-पाठानुसार है
The meaning
Outer meaning
Like an Udgātṛ you sing the Sāman; like a son of Brahman you praise in the Soma pressings. Like a bull, like a racer, approaching the young ones, speak good to us from every side; speak the pure/fortunate to us from all directions.
Inner meaning
The omen-bird becomes the inner chanter: intuition itself performs the udgītha—raising consciousness by harmonic vibration (sāman). ‘Son of Brahman’ signals that this voice is born of the Word-power (brahman = mantric truth), not of impulse. The ‘pressings’ are inner extractions of delight/essence (soma) from experience; in those moments, intuition proclaims. Bull and racer are symbols of powerful vital energy disciplined for the divine work—force without violence. ‘Young and growing powers’ are nascent faculties (new lights, new strengths) that must be encouraged. The prayer is for beneficent, purifying guidance from all sides—total protection and integral harmony.
Universal truth
The highest guidance is musical and integral: it uplifts, purifies, and strengthens all faculties. True power comes when vital force is yoked to the Word of truth, and when guidance surrounds life from every direction.
Themes
Auspicious-guidance, Mantra-as-song, Purification, Soma-pressing symbolism
The seer
- Rishi
- Gṛtsamada Bhārgava
- Lineage
- Bhārgava
- Other hymns
- RV 2.43.1
Family tradition
A poetic-ritual lineage emphasizing the efficacy of chant (sāman) and the creative power of brahman (mantric truth).
Significance
Gṛtsamada presents intuition as a full priestly power—capable of chant, proclamation, strength, and purification—supporting an integral yoga of speech, force, and delight.
The deity
- Devata
- Śakuni / Śakunta (as udgātṛ-like inspirer)
- Epithets
- udgātā-iva (like the chanter), brahmaputra-iva (as born of brahman), bhadravādī (implied: speaker of good)
- Related deities
- Soma (bliss-essence), Bṛhaspati (brahman/word), Agni (sacrifice-leader), Indra (illumining force)
Cosmic role
A harmonizer-sign that converts directional space into blessing; distributes auspiciousness to the quarters.
Inner power
Integrative intuition that sings (harmonizes), proclaims (clarifies), strengthens (energizes), and purifies (cleanses).
In ritual
Where it is used
Auspicious-direction invocation; blessing for the quarters; supportive to Soma-pressing imagery (inner/outer)
उ॒द्गा॒तेव॑ शकुने॒ साम॑ गायसि ब्रह्मपु॒त्र इ॑व॒ सव॑नेषु शंससि । वृषे॑व वा॒जी शिशु॑मतीर॒पीत्या॑ स॒र्वतो॑ नः शकुने भ॒द्रमा व॑द वि॒श्वतो॑ नः शकुने॒ पुण्य॒मा व॑द ॥
उ॒द्गा॒ताऽइ॑व । श॒कु॒ने॒ । साम॑ । गा॒य॒सि॒ । ब्र॒ह्म॒पु॒त्रःऽइ॑व । सव॑नेषु । शं॒स॒सि॒ । वृषा॑ऽइव । वा॒जी । शिशु॑ऽमतीः । अ॒पि॒ऽइत्य॑ । स॒र्वतः॑ । नः॒ । श॒कु॒ने॒ । भ॒द्रम् । आ । व॒द॒ । वि॒श्वतः॑ । नः॒ । श॒कु॒ने॒ । पुण्य॑म् । आ । व॒द॒ ॥
udgātāiva | śakune | sāma | gāyasi | brahmaputraḥ-iva | savaneṣu | śaṃsasi | vṛṣāiva | vājī | śiśu-matīḥ | api-itya | sarvataḥ | naḥ | śakune | bhadram | ā | vada | viśvataḥ | naḥ | śakune | puṇyam | ā | vada
48
4×12 (approx.; longer second half with repeated imperatives ā vada)
Expansive and exhortative; repeated ‘ā vada’ creates a directional sweep.
Invokes a surrounding field of blessing; energizes and purifies, leaving the listener with a sense of integral support.
- उद्गाता (udgātā)
- Literal: Sāman-chanter priest. Symbolic: inner faculty that raises consciousness by harmonic mantra
- साम (sāma)
- Literal: Sāman chant. Symbolic: harmonizing bliss-vibration; integration of mind-life-soul
- ब्रह्मपुत्र (brahmaputra)
- Literal: son of Brahman. Symbolic: born of the mantric truth; inspired intelligence
- सवनेषु (savaneṣu)
- Literal: in the Soma pressings. Symbolic: in inner extractions of essence/bliss from experience
- वृषा इव (vṛṣā iva)
- Literal: like a bull. Symbolic: strong controlled vital power
- वाजी (vājī)
- Literal: racer/steed, vigorous one. Symbolic: swift force of action (aśva-energy) disciplined toward the goal
- शिशुमतीः (śiśumatīḥ)
- Literal: the young ones / those with young. Symbolic: nascent faculties, tender growths of consciousness
- भद्रम् (bhadram)
- Literal: good, beneficent. Symbolic: that which increases harmony and truth
- पुण्यम् (puṇyam)
- Literal: pure, auspicious, meritorious. Symbolic: purifying force; clarity that cleanses the being
- सर्वतः / विश्वतः (sarvataḥ/viśvataḥ)
- Literal: from every side / from all directions. Symbolic: integral protection and guidance; wholeness
Linked by imagery to soma-savana (pressings) and Sāman singing; functions as an invocation for auspicious, purifying indications during decisive ritual/psychological ‘pressing’ moments.
In contexts connected to chant/praise and directional blessing; also as general auspicious recitation
Recite facing the quarters (or mentally offering to all directions) to invite bhadra and puṇya
A ‘directional blessing’ practice: chant once while turning awareness to east-south-west-north, asking for good and purification in all life-areas.
udgātṛ (ud- + √gai) ‘one who sings up/out’: inner sense—uplifting speech. brahman here as formative word-power; brahma-putra ‘born of the mantra’. vāja/vājī: semantic field of strength, plenitude, victorious energy (not reduced to material ‘prize/food’). puṇya from √pū ‘to purify’ (via puṇya ‘purifying, auspicious’), supporting the inner reading as cleansing formation.
Brahman (mantric word-power), Purification (puṇya as √pū), Integral protection (sarvataḥ/viśvataḥ)
The mantra distributes right order to all directions; harmony is spatial and psychological.
Brahmaputra-voice implies speech rooted in truth rather than impulse.
Integration: chant (sāman) shapes force (vṛṣā/vājī) and purifies growth (śiśumatīḥ).
Mantra-yoga orientation: sound as transformative power; integral harmonization of faculties.
Bird-song = intuitive mantra; bull/steed = vital force harnessed; directions = totality of life-planes; soma-pressings = extracting bliss/essence from experience.
- What is the primary Vedic 'mythologem' present in this verse?
- The mythologem is ‘the natural messenger as priest’: the bird becomes Udgātṛ and brahmaputra, a liminal figure translating cosmic vibration into intelligible guidance at the savanas—moments of concentrated transformative force.
- How does the linguistic structure reflect Proto-Indo-European roots?
- The prominence of ‘song/recitation’ roots (√gai, √śaṃs) reflects Indo-European sacral poetics where correct utterance effects reality. The bull/racer similes (vṛṣa, vājī) align with IE symbolism of virility/force as the carrier of prosperity and right action.
- What is the relationship between the Rishi and the Devata here?
- The rishi elevates the Devata to an officiant of inner ritual: the bird’s utterance is requested not as prediction but as a distributed, all-sided infusion of ‘bhadra’ and ‘puṇya’—goodness and purification entering the practitioner’s field from every direction.
Let intuition become the inner udgātṛ: chant inwardly to harmonize the system; invite good and purity from all directions of life.
anāhata (harmonic resonance) with viśuddha (mantric proclamation)
Bhrāmarī (humming) softly before chanting to evoke sāman-like resonance; then recite with steady exhale on ‘ā vada’.
Harmonized uplift (bhakti + clarity) moving toward integrality (sarvataḥ/viśvataḥ).
After recitation, pause and sense four-directional space around the heart; silently repeat ‘bhadram’ on inhale, ‘puṇyam’ on exhale for several breaths.
Keep a slightly song-like contour; emphasize sāma, brahmaputra, savaneṣu, bhadram, puṇyam with clear udatta peaks.
The repeated imperatives ‘ā vada’ should be even and expansive, not forceful; let them ‘radiate’ to directions.
udgāteva: long ā; keep ‘eva’ light., sāma gāyasi: long ā; palatal y., brahmaputra: aspirate bh; clear cluster brahm- (do not drop h)., savaneṣu: retroflex ṣ., vṛṣeva: retroflex ṣ; keep vṛ as vocalic ṛ., śiśumatīḥ: palatal ś; repeat śi-śu clearly; long īḥ ending., puṇyam: retroflex ṇ; short a in -yam.
Resonant and melodic; slightly brighter on bhadram/puṇyam to convey blessing.
Ask anything about this verse
Answers come straight from the texts, with the shlokas they draw on. Ask in your own words.
A free sign-in with Google or Apple keeps your chat saved across web and the app.
Read Rig Veda in the Vedapath app
Scan the QR code to open this directly in the app, with word-by-word meanings, Sanskrit recitation where available, and more.
