Rig Veda 4.43.6: Mandala 4, Sukta 43, Mantra 6
Sukta 4.43
- Rishi
- Vāmadeva Gautama
- Devata
- Aśvinau
- Chandas
- Triṣṭubh
- Rasa
- Adbhuta (wonder) and Shanta (peace)
सिन्धुर्ह वां रसया सिञ्चदश्वान्घृणा वयोऽरुषासः परि ग्मन् । तदू षु वामजिरं चेति यानं येन पती भवथः सूर्यायाः ॥
síndhur ha vāṃ rasáyā siñcád aśvā́n ghṛṇā́ váyo 'ruṣā́saḥ pári gman | tád ū ṣú vām ajiráṃ céti yā́naṃ yéna patī́ bhávathaḥ sūryā́yāḥ ||
Sindhu, rio-oceano, banha vossos cavalos com seiva e doçura; no ardor radiante as aves ruivas movem-se ao redor. Esse é, em verdade, o vosso percurso de rápido avanço, pelo qual vos tornais senhores e companheiros de Sūryā — a Noiva iluminada.
Word by Word
- सिन्धुः
- the river Sindhu / the streamNounपुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा, एकवचनम्Role कर्तृRoot सिन्धु- (प्रातिपदिक)
- ह
- indeed, surelyIndeclinableनिपातःRoot ह (निपात)
- वाम्
- of you two / for you twoPronounषष्ठी/चतुर्थी, द्विवचनम् (एन्क्लिटिक रूप)Role सम्प्रदान/सम्बन्धRoot युष्मद् (सर्वनाम)
- रसायाः
- of the Rasa (river)Nounस्त्रीलिङ्गः, षष्ठी, एकवचनम्Role सम्बन्धRoot रसा- (प्रातिपदिक)
- सिञ्चत्
- poured, sprinkledVerbलङ् (इम्पर्फेक्ट्), परस्मैपदम्, 3 पुरुषः, एकवचनम्Role क्रियाRoot सिच् (धातु)
- अश्वान्
- horsesNounपुंलिङ्गः, द्वितीया, बहुवचनम्Role कर्मRoot अश्व- (प्रातिपदिक)
- घृणा
- glow, radianceNounस्त्रीलिङ्गः, प्रथमा, एकवचनम्Role कर्तृ (सहकर्तृ/विशेषणभाव)Root घृणा- (प्रातिपदिक)
- वयः
- vigor, vital powerNounनपुंसकलिङ्गः, प्रथमा, एकवचनम्Role कर्तृ (सहकर्तृ/समुच्चय)Root वयस्- (प्रातिपदिक)
- अरुषासः
- ruddy, tawnyAdjectiveपुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा, बहुवचनम्Role कर्तृ (अश्वानाम् विशेषणम्)Root अरुष- (प्रातिपदिक)
- परि
- around, all aboutIndeclinableउपसर्गः/अव्ययम्Root परि (उपसर्ग/अव्यय)
- ग्मन्
- they wentVerbलङ् (इम्पर्फेक्ट्), परस्मैपदम्, 3 पुरुषः, बहुवचनम्; वैदिक रूप (ग्मन् < अगमन्)Role क्रियाRoot गम् (धातु)
- तत्
- thatPronounनपुंसकलिङ्गः, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचनम्Role कर्म/विषयRoot तद् (सर्वनाम)
- ऊ
- and then, indeedIndeclinableनिपातःRoot ऊ (निपात)
- षु
- just, indeedIndeclinableनिपातः (वैदिक)Root षु (निपात)
- वाम्
- of you two / for you twoPronounषष्ठी/चतुर्थी, द्विवचनम् (एन्क्लिटिक)Role सम्प्रदान/सम्बन्धRoot युष्मद् (सर्वनाम)
- अजिरम्
- swiftAdjectiveनपुंसकलिङ्गः, द्वितीया, एकवचनम्Role कर्म (यानम् विशेषणम्)Root अजिर- (प्रातिपदिक)
- चेति
- is perceived / appears / comes into noticeVerbलट् (वर्तमान), परस्मैपदम्, 3 पुरुषः, एकवचनम्Role क्रियाRoot चित् (धातु)
- यानम्
- vehicle, chariotNounनपुंसकलिङ्गः, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचनम्Role कर्तृ (चेति इत्यस्य) / कर्म (सन्दर्भे)Root यान- (प्रातिपदिक) < √या
- येन
- by whichPronounनपुंसकलिङ्गः, तृतीया, एकवचनम्Role करणRoot यद् (सर्वनाम)
- पती
- (you) two lordsNounपुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा, द्विवचनम्Role कर्तृRoot पति- (प्रातिपदिक)
- भवथः
- you two become / areVerbलट् (वर्तमान), परस्मैपदम्, 2 पुरुषः, द्विवचनम्Role क्रियाRoot भू (धातु)
- सूर्यायाः
- of Sūryā (the Sun-maiden)Nounस्त्रीलिङ्गः, षष्ठी, एकवचनम्Role सम्बन्धRoot सूर्या- (प्रातिपदिक)
Sandhi Notes
- पदच्छेदः (सन्धिविग्रह): सिन्धुः ह वाम् रसायाः सिञ्चत् अश्वान् घृणा वयः अरुषासः परि ग्मन् । तत् ऊ षु वाम् अजिरम् चेति यानम् येन पती भवथः सूर्यायाः । मुख्य-सन्धयः: (1) सिन्धु॑र्ह = सिन्धुः + ह (विसर्गलोप/र्-आदेशः)
- (2) वयो॑ऽरु॒षासः = वयः + अरुषासः (विसर्गस्य ‘ऽ’)
- (3) तदू॒ = तत् + ऊ (द् + ऊ → दू)
- (4) ग्मन् वैदिक-लङ् रूपम्: ग्मन् < अगमन् (√गम्)
The meaning
Outer meaning
The Sindhu (river-ocean) pours sweetness upon the Aśvins’ horses; by radiant warmth the ruddy birds move around. This is the Aśvins’ swift course by which they become lords/companions of Sūryā (the Sun-maiden).
Inner meaning
Sindhu is the vast flowing consciousness (the great Life-Sea) from which rasa (sap, delight-essence) is released into the aśvāḥ—our vital energies yoked to the Aśvins’ movement. Ghṛṇā (radiant heat) is the luminous force of awakened aspiration that sets the aruṣāsaḥ vayo (ruddy birds) in motion—symbols of swift thought-forces and life-powers circling the inner sky. The ‘swift-going yāna’ is the Aśvins’ psycho-spiritual passage: the harmonizing twin powers (illumined discernment + effective action) that carry the seeker into companionship with Sūryā—inner illumination as the unveiled Bride of the soul.
Universal truth
When the current of consciousness is suffused with delight (rasa), the life-forces become purified and swift; illumined energies begin to circulate naturally. Then the soul’s movement becomes a true vehicle toward awakening, and illumination is no longer distant but an intimate companion.
Themes
Aśvins and Sūryā marriage motif, Energizing horses with rasa, Solar ardour and winged motion, Right course of divine aid
The seer
- Rishi
- Vāmadeva Gautama
- Lineage
- Gautama
- Other hymns
- RV 4.1, RV 4.26-27, RV 4.42-44
Family tradition
Gautama line of seers in Maṇḍala 4; hymns often stress inner journey, illumination, and the right functioning of divine powers.
Significance
Vāmadeva is a visionary of ascent: he frames the gods not merely as ritual patrons but as inner faculties that transform mind, life, and soul toward ṛta and illumination.
The deity
- Devata
- Aśvinau (Nāsatyā)
- Epithets
- Nāsatyā (true, unfailing), Aśvinā (lords of the horse/vital energy), Divó napātā (children of Heaven)
- Related deities
- Uṣas, Sūryā, Agni, Indra, Soma
Cosmic role
Twin divine powers of transition—bringing light, health, and right functioning; mediators between Night and Dawn, between limitation and awakening.
Inner power
The paired action of illumined perception and effective energizing: quick help in crisis, restoration of harmony, and safe passage into higher light.
In ritual
Where it is used
Aśvina-śastra / Aśvinā hymns in Soma-yajña contexts (invocation for swift aid and right movement).
सिन्धु॑र्ह वां र॒सया॑ सिञ्च॒दश्वा॑न्घृ॒णा वयो॑ऽरु॒षास॒: परि॑ ग्मन् । तदू॒ षु वा॑मजि॒रं चे॑ति॒ यानं॒ येन॒ पती॒ भव॑थः सू॒र्याया॑: ॥
सिन्धुः॑ । ह॒ । वा॒म् । र॒सया॑ । सि॒ञ्च॒त् । अश्वा॑न् । घृ॒णा । वयः॑ । अ॒रु॒षासः॑ । परि॑ । ग्म॒न् । तत् । ऊँ॒ इति॑ । सु । वा॒म् । अ॒जि॒रम् । चे॒ति॒ । यान॑म् । येन॑ । पती॒ इति॑ । भव॑थः । सू॒र्यायाः॑ ॥
sindhuḥ | ha | vām | rasayā | siñcat | aśvān | ghṛṇā | vayaḥ | aruṣāsaḥ | pari | gman | tat | oṃ iti | su | vām | ajiram | ceti | yānam | yena | patī iti | bhavathaḥ | sūryāyāḥ
44
4 pādas of ~11 syllables each (triṣṭubh cadence)
Forward-driving, heroic-ascending rhythm with strong mid-line lift.
Energizes the vital and clarifies intention; supports a sense of swift inner journey and widening movement.
- सिन्धुः (sindhuḥ)
- Literal: river, ocean, great stream. Symbolic: the vast flow of consciousness; the oceanic life-plane supporting transformation
- रसा (rasā)
- Literal: sap, juice, sweetness. Symbolic: essence of delight (ānanda) that nourishes the inner energies
- अश्वान् (aśvān)
- Literal: horses. Symbolic: vital energies and dynamic forces of action
- घृणा (ghṛṇā)
- Literal: radiant heat, warmth, glow. Symbolic: luminous ardor/aspiration that ripens consciousness
- अरुषासः वयः (aruṣāsaḥ vayaḥ)
- Literal: ruddy birds. Symbolic: swift illumined life-thought powers moving in the inner sky
- अजिरं यानम् (ajiraṃ yānam)
- Literal: swift vehicle/course. Symbolic: rapid inner movement of harmonized powers toward awakening
- सू॒र्याया: (sūryāyāḥ)
- Literal: of Sūryā (Sun-maiden). Symbolic: the illumined consciousness, the revealed light of truth in the being
- पती (patī)
- Literal: lords, masters, companions. Symbolic: mastery/union with illumination through right inner movement
Aśvin praise with Sūryā myth; supports rites of illumination and harmonious union of energies with truth-light
At dawn or early Soma pressing sequences where Aśvins are invited as first helpers and restorers.
Recitation/chant to invite the Aśvins’ arrival and their ‘vehicle’ of powers; offering with praise (stotra/śastra atmosphere).
Use before meditation or action: invoke ‘sweetness in the life-force’ and ‘swift right movement’ toward clarity.
rasa ‘sap/essence’ indicates the inner vital taste and sustaining juice; ghṛṇā is radiant heat (solar glow). aśva ‘horse’ as energy is a standard Vedic symbol. sūryā as the solar bride links to the Aśvins’ marriage myth; psychologically, the twin powers become ‘lords/companions’ of illumined consciousness, guiding it.
rasa as essence of life and delight, union with solar truth (Sūryā), swift right movement (ajira yāna)
The ‘swift course’ signifies the right path of powers that aligns life with ṛta.
Sūryā as truth-light becomes companionship when movement is true and purified.
From the oceanic flow (sindhu) arises nourishing essence that drives evolution toward light.
Proto-Vedāntic and Yogic reading (Aurobindo/Kashyap): gods as psychological powers; ascent from life-ocean to illumined mind.
Dawn-to-sunrise transition (Aśvins’ characteristic hour)
A widening flow of consciousness sweetens and purifies the life-force; aspiration’s warmth mobilizes illumined energies toward awakened truth.
- What is the primary Vedic 'mythologem' present in this verse?
- The Aśvins’ connection to Sūryā (solar bride) and their swift yāna is central. Innerly, it is the harmonizing of dynamic energies (horses) by the essential flow (rasa) and solar ardour, enabling a union with illumined consciousness.
- How does the linguistic structure reflect Proto-Indo-European roots?
- sindhu is Indo-Iranian hydronymic vocabulary; sūrya relates to Indo-Iranian solar terminology (Sanskrit sūrya-, Avestan hvar- differs, but both reflect inherited solar deity complexes). aśva ‘horse’ reflects PIE *h₁éḱwos (cf. Latin equus, Greek híppos via different root; but equus is direct cognate).
- What is the relationship between the Rishi and the Devata here?
- The rishi portrays the Aśvins as regulators of energies: they receive rasa into their horses and move by ghṛṇā, then guide the soul toward Sūryā (truth-light). The boon is not external; it is right movement and union with illumination.
Let the ‘Sindhu of awareness’ pour rasa into the prāṇic horses; contemplate the Aśvins as twin regulators harmonizing perception and action.
Anāhata to Ājñā axis (sweetness/heart opening rising to illumined seeing)
Nadi-śodhana (alternate nostril) to evoke the twin powers; finish with a few rounds of gentle kumbhaka if trained.
Alert calm with brightened prāṇa; a feeling of swift inner alignment.
Begin with sensing inner flow (sindhu), then invite sweetness (rasa) into breath and body; end by resting in the Sun-like clarity (Sūryā) as intimate presence.
Use Vedic tri-svara (udātta/anudātta/svarita) as per śākhā tradition; key udātta peaks often fall on invocatory nouns (e.g., síndhuḥ, aśvān).
Maintain clear udātta rises; avoid flattening compound clusters (aruṣāsaḥ, ajiraṃ). Keep pāda breaks clean after |.
Retroflex ṇ in ghṛṇā; keep ghṛ- as aspirated voiced stop + syllabic ṛ., Distinguish sūryāyāḥ (long ū, long ā) clearly., In vayo 'ruṣāsaḥ, observe sandhi pause: vayo’ru- (do not insert extra vowel).
Bright, forward resonance with steady breath; slight lift on udātta.
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.
