Rig Veda 2.7.2: Mandala 2, Sukta 7, Mantra 2
Sukta 2.7
मा नो अरातिरीशत देवस्य मर्त्यस्य च । पर्षि तस्या उत द्विषः ॥
mā́ no arā́tir īśata devásya mártyasya ca | párṣi tásyā uta dvíṣaḥ ||
தேவரிடமிருந்தோ மானிடரிடமிருந்தோ—அபாவமும் அநியாயமும் எனும் பகைச் சக்தி எங்களை ஆளாதிருக்கட்டும். அதைக் கடக்க எங்களைச் செலுத்து; மேலும் த்விஷః (த்வேஷிகள்)யையும் கடக்கச் செய்.
Apotropaic/protective prayer within Agni hymn; safeguarding the sacrificer and rite from hostility and obstruction
Opposition to ṛta (arāti as disorder/withholding), Transition beyond obstruction (crossing over)
Arāti is anṛta-like usurpation; Agni restores ṛta by right mastery of energies.
Crossing beyond hatred aligns with satya: non-reactive truth-force rather than ego-defense.
Evolutionary crossing: from constriction (want/hostility) to widened being under divine governance.
Yoga of transformation: dealing with resistance (Vṛtra-like covering) through will and purification.
night-to-dawn transition (protective crossing motif)
Crossing a river = moving from lower to higher consciousness; fire-ring = psychic protection; hostility = obscuring vibrations in the vital.
- What is the primary Vedic 'mythologem' present in this verse?
- The ‘crossing beyond hostility’ mythologem: the deity is asked to ferry the sacrificer past arāti and dviṣ. Inwardly, this is the passage from constriction and opposition into the free flow of ṛta and plenitude.
- How does the linguistic structure reflect Proto-Indo-European roots?
- √īś ‘rule/own’ continues an Indo-European semantic field of mastery/possession; √par ‘cross’ resonates with widespread IE imagery of fording/crossing as salvation (a structural mythic metaphor rather than a single lexical inheritance).
- What is the relationship between the Rishi and the Devata here?
- The rishi entrusts Agni with protective sovereignty: not merely to give boons, but to prevent adverse mastery and to lead the community beyond hostility. The devatā becomes the inner guide across crisis—transforming opposition into a traversed stage of growth.
Identify arāti as a specific pattern (scarcity, resentment, control). Offer it to Agni; feel a crossing into wideness.
Manipura (sovereignty) with protective aura around Anahata
Forceful but controlled exhale on ‘mā’ (release intrusion), then long inhale; finish with steady exhale on ‘parṣi’ (crossing).
Firm, protected, widened.
When hostility arises, do not argue inwardly. Repeat the mantra, feel Agni in the navel/heart, and choose one non-reactive action that restores order.
Strong initial prohibition ‘mā’ with clear udātta where marked; keep the second half steady and resolute on ‘parṣi’.
Avoid emotional strain; firmness without aggression. Pause at |; keep ‘parṣi tasyā uta dviṣaḥ’ as one decisive movement.
mā: long ā, arātiḥ: retroflex ṭ? (here ‘t’ dental); keep long ā; final ḥ light, īśata: long ī; ś palatal, parṣi: retroflex ṣ; ‘r’ tapped, dviṣaḥ: dv cluster clear; retroflex ṣ; final ḥ light
Low, steady, protective; slightly stronger volume than contemplative verses.
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