Mantra 1

Sukta 42

Sanskrit (Devanagari)

वाचमष्टापदीमहं नवस्रक्तिमृतस्पृशम्। इन्द्रात् परि तन्वं ममे

IAST Transliteration

vā́cam aṣṭā́padīm aháṃ návasraktim ṛtaspṛ́śam | índrāt pári tanvàṃ mame

English Translation (Griffith/Whitney)

Speech—eight-footed, nine-garlanded, touching Order—this I encompass: from Indra I measure it round about my body.

Translation

எட்டு அடியுடைய, ஒன்பது மாலைகள் சூடிய, ருதத்தைத் தொடும் வாக்கை நான் இங்கு ஏற்றுக் கொள்கிறேன்; இந்திரனிடமிருந்து (உந்துதலால்) அதை என் உடலைச் சுற்றிலும் அளந்து வட்டமிடுகிறேன்.

Word by Word

वाचम्speech, utterance

अष्टापदीम्eight-footed / having eight steps

अहम्I

नवस्रक्तिम्having nine garlands/strings (ninefold)

ऋतस्पृशम्touching/attaining ṛta (truth, cosmic order)

इन्द्रात्from Indra

परिaround, from about; (with verbs) ‘forth/away, all around’

तन्वम्body, person

ममेI measured out / I apportioned

Attribution

Rishi: Ṛgvedic provenance (Vāc hymnic material); specific seer not supplied here.

Devata: Vāc / Indra (speech empowered by Indra)

Chandas: Likely Anuṣṭubh (requires verification).

Mantra Rasa

{"primary_rasa":"shanta","secondary_rasa":"vira","emotional_arc":"From deliberate measuring to settled protection; quiet courage emerges.","listener_experience":"Calm containment; steadier voice; reduced reactivity to others’ words.","intensity":6}