Atharva Veda 5.20.2: Kanda 5, Anuvaka 2, Sukta 20, Mantra 2
Sukta 20
सिं॒ह इ॑वास्तानीद् द्रु॒वयो॒ विब॑द्धोऽभि॒क्रन्द॑न्नृष॒भो वा॑सि॒तामि॑व । वृषा॒ त्वं वध्र॑यस्ते स॒पत्ना॑ ऐ॒न्द्रस्ते॒ शुष्मो॑ अभिमातिषा॒हः
siṃhá iva āstānīd druváyo víbaddho’bhíkrandan ṛṣabhó vāsitā́m iva | vṛ́ṣā tváṃ vádhrayas te sapatnā́ aindráḥ te śúṣmo abhīmātisā́haḥ ||
Like a lion it hath roared, firmly bound and well-fastened, crying out against (them), like a bull as one that belloweth. A bull art thou: thou smitest down thine enemies; Indra’s is thy might, victorious over hostile onsets.
సింహంలా ఇది గర్జించింది—దృఢంగా బంధించబడి, బాగా కట్టుబడి; వారిమీద కేకలేస్తూ, ఎద్దు మ్రోగినట్లుగా. నీవు వృషభుడవు; నీవు నీ సపత్నులను కూలదోస్తావు. నీ శౌర్యం ఇంద్రునిదే—అభిమాతి (శత్రు-దాడి)ను జయించేది.
The meaning
What it says
The drum roars like a lion, firmly bound; it cries out like a bellowing bull. As a bull it strikes down enemies; its might is Indra’s, overpowering hostile attacks.
The inner meaning
Power requires binding and form: when energy is ‘fastened’ (vibaddha) it becomes effective. The lion/bull images encode fearless voice and grounded strength—sound as embodied courage.
The truth in it
Unstructured force is noise; structured force is impact. When discipline contains power, it becomes victorious over resistance.
What it is for
- Kind of hymn
- Abhicarika (Martial) / Indraic Empowerment
Its aim
To infuse the war-drum with Indra’s śuṣma so that its roar breaks enemy morale and ‘smites’ hostile forces.
Word by Word
Pada patha
सिं॒हः । इ॒व । आ॒स्तानीत् । द्रु॒वयः । विब॑द्धः । अ॒भि॒-क्रन्द॑न् । ऋ॒ष॒भः । वा॒सि॒ता-इ॒व । वृषा॑ । त्वम् । वध्र॑यः । ते । स॒पत्ना॑ः । ऐ॒न्द्रः । ते । शुष्मः॑ । अ॒भि॒-मा॒ति॒-सा॒हः ।
- सिंहः
- lionlion; archetype of terrifying dominanceNounपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole KartāRoot सिंह (प्रातिपदिक)
- इव
- like, aslike; comparativeIndeclinableअव्ययRoot इव
- अस्तानीत्
- roared, thunderedVerbलुङ् (अorist), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचनRole KriyāRoot स्तन् (धातु) / स्तनयित्नु (स्तनय्) भाव
- द्रुवयः
- the steadfast/firm ones (men)firm/steadfast; also ‘wooden frame/fastenings’ by some readings—stability of the instrumentNounपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचनRole KartāRoot द्रुवि (प्रातिपदिक) / द्रुव (विशेषण-आधार)
- विबद्धः
- bound fast, fetteredwell-bound; tightly fastened (with straps)Participleभूतकृदन्त (क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole Kartā (विशेषणरूपेण)Root वि + बन्ध् (धातु)
- अभि
- towards, againstIndeclinableउपसर्ग/अव्ययRoot अभि
- क्रन्दन्
- crying out, roaringParticipleवर्तमानकृदन्त (शतृ), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole Kartā (सहक्रिया)Root क्रन्द् (धातु)
- ऋषभः
- bullbull; emblem of virility and overpowering forceNounपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole KartāRoot ऋषभ (प्रातिपदिक)
- वासिताम्
- the lowing/calling (cows), the bellowed-to femalesNounस्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन (वासिता- ‘स्त्री/गायः’ इत्यर्थे)Role KarmaRoot वस् (धातु) / वासित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
- इव
- likelike; comparativeIndeclinableअव्ययRoot इव
- वृषा
- a bull; the virile onebull/virile one; vocative/appositional strengthening of martial potencyNounपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole KartāRoot वृषन्/वृष (प्रातिपदिक)
- त्वम्
- youthou; addressed to the drum as agentPronounउत्तमपुरुष-सर्वनाम, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole KartāRoot युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
- वध्रयः
- eunuchs/impotent ones (castrates)thou smitest/strikest down; causest injury—function of the empowered soundNounपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचनRole KartāRoot वध्रि (प्रातिपदिक)
- ते
- yourthy; belonging to theePronounषष्ठी, एकवचनRole Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)Root युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
- सपत्नाः
- rivals, enemiesrivals/enemies; hostile opponentsNounपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचनRole KartāRoot सपत्न (प्रातिपदिक)
- ऐन्द्रः
- Indra’s, indra-likeIndra’s; Indraic, endowed with Indra’s mightAdjectiveपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole Kartā (विशेषणरूपेण)Root ऐन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक; इन्द्र-सम्बन्धी)
- ते
- yourthyPronounषष्ठी, एकवचनRole Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)Root युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
- शुष्मः
- might, vigorimpetuous might/energy; battle-furyNounपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole KartāRoot शुष्म (प्रातिपदिक)
- अभिमातिषाहः
- conquering hostile plots; overpowering adversariesAdjectiveपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole Kartā (विशेषणरूपेण)Root अभि + मति (प्रातिपदिक) + सह् (धातु) → -साह (प्रातिपदिक)
Sandhi Notes
- सिंह इव → सिंहः इव (विसर्ग-सन्धि)
- इवास्तानीत् → इव + अस्तानीत् (अव्यय-समास/सन्धि; पदच्छेदे ‘इव’ पृथक्)
- विबद्धोऽभि → विबद्धः + अभि (ओऽ = विसर्गस्य ‘अ’ पूर्वे ‘ओ’)
- अभिक्रन्दन्नृषभो → अभि + क्रन्दन् + ऋषभः (न् + ऋ → न्नृ; संहितायां ‘क्रन्दन्नृषभः’)
- वासितामिव → वासिताम् + इव (म् + इ → मिव)
- वृषा त्वं → वृषा + त्वम् (सन्धि-रहित)
- वध्रयस्ते → वध्रयः + ते (विसर्ग-लोप/सन्धि)
- ऐन्द्रस्ते → ऐन्द्रः + ते (विसर्ग-लोप/सन्धि)
Seer, deity and metre
- Rishi
- Atharvanic martial seer tradition (Anukramaṇī-dependent).
- Devata
- Dundubhi as agent with Indra as empowering source.
- Chandas
- Triṣṭubh/Jagatī-like extended pādas (loose Atharvanic metrical practice).
- Rasa
- Vira and Raudra
Sāyaṇa continues the drum-personification: its binding and firmness guarantee effective resonance. The lion/bull imagery transfers royal/Indraic terror to the instrument. ‘Aindra śuṣma’ explicitly installs Indra’s energy in the drum, making its sound a weapon that ‘strikes’ rivals and overcomes abhīmāti (hostile aggression, witchcraft, or attack).
Unknown (Anukramaṇī-dependent; Angirasic martial stratum)
Battle-empowerment through animal-symbol rhetoric and Indra-transference (śuṣma-āveśa) into instruments.
Demonstrates Atharvan ‘technology-sacralization’: the drum’s correct binding is both craft and mantra-condition, making it a carrier of divine vigor.
Dundubhi empowered by Indra
Earthly thunder and dominance; channels Indra’s victory-pattern into human conflict.
Breaks enemy morale; fortifies allies against hostile pressure.
Extended pādas with strong caesura around similes (siṃha iva…; ṛṣabhaḥ…); not strictly regular RV triṣṭubh.
Descriptive participles and compounds stretch the line; emphasis is rhetorical rather than metrical precision.
Roaring, heaving; similes create two ‘waves’ of force (lion then bull).
Vocal imitation of roar/bellow; culminates in Indraic authorization of the sound.
Inspect and tighten the drum’s bindings (vibaddha) before recitation.
Recite while striking in a steady, forceful rhythm to mimic lion-roar and bull-bellow.
Invoke Indra mentally/verbally at ‘aindraḥ te śuṣmaḥ’ and deliver a culminating strike to ‘seal’ the Indra-installation.
Direct the final resonance toward the enemy quarter as an act of abhikranda (hostile cry).
Kauśika Sūtra: continuation of dundubhi/battle rite for AV 5.20 (edition-dependent).
Atharvan priest performs ‘power-installation’ (śakti-nyāsa) through mantra; the drummer/warrior executes the physical striking under priestly timing.
Rare domestically; can be adapted for protective ‘sound consecration’ of a bell/drum at a gate or during communal defense rites.
At consecration of the drum; immediately before sounding in conflict.
Atharvan officiant consecrates; leader receives ‘Indraic’ sanction.
Use as a confidence mantra before difficult negotiations, with non-harm intention.
War drum (dundubhi implied from context); Bindings/straps (well-fastened construction as efficacy condition); Indraic śuṣma (transferred power)
Binding = tapas-like constraint; without tension there is no tone, without discipline no victory. Animal power-images ‘clothe’ the sound with archetypal dominance.
Somatic confidence training: voice projection and posture increasing perceived power; stress inoculation under challenge.
sapatnāḥ (rivals/enemies)
To make the drum’s roar function as a weapon that ‘smites’ enemies and defeats hostile attacks by Indra’s might.
Śakti-transfer by attribution: declare ‘Indra’s is your śuṣma’—a verbal consecration that installs divine power in the instrument.
abhimāti (hostile onsets, aggressive intentions).
- विबद्धः (vibaddhaḥ)
- discipline; containment that amplifies potency
- सिंहः (siṃhaḥ)
- sovereign fearlessness; commanding presence
- ऋषभः / वृषा (ṛṣabhaḥ / vṛṣā)
- virility, steadiness, striking force
- अभिक्रन्दन् (abhikrandan)
- directed confrontation; targeted assertion
- शुष्मः (śuṣmaḥ)
- Indraic energy; victorious drive
- अभिमातिषाहः (abhimātiṣāhaḥ)
- resilience under attack; overcoming opposition
Transform raw aggression into structured strength (vibaddha-śakti).
maṇipūra (will) (contextual mapping)
Kapalabhāti-light or forceful exhale practice followed by a single long voiced chant line to feel ‘roar’ from the navel center.
Steady ferocity—firm, not frantic.
Stand grounded; imagine the spine as the drum’s frame and the breath as the strap-tension; let voice arise as controlled roar, then settle into calm dominance.
Emphasize udātta on siṃhaḥ, vṛṣā, śuṣmaḥ; keep the similes clearly separated by breath.
Slight pause after ‘siṃha iva’; stronger stress on ‘ai̱ndras te śuṣmaḥ’ as the empowerment clause.
Roaring but controlled; avoid throat strain—support with breath.
This is ‘instrument-consecration speech’: recite with attention to the object’s binding/condition; in modern symbolic use, treat the ‘drum’ as one’s disciplined breath/voice.
7 times
grounding stance practice; box breathing (4-4-4-4) after recitation; journaling to convert ‘enemy’ into specific obstacles rather than persons
Needing assertiveness under pressure (exams, negotiations, competitive performance).
Immediately before entering a challenging arena; as a short energizing recitation.
Boosts resolve, stabilizes courage, and reduces intimidation response by anchoring breath and voice.
Not for provoking conflict; avoid forceful chanting if hypertensive or prone to panic—use moderate volume.
Botanical presence is implicit via the wooden instrument; efficacy depends on correct material assembly (bindings) and sonic performance, not on ingestion or herbal pharmacology.
It shows Atharvanic specialists servicing warfare by consecrating technology (the drum). Indraic ideology legitimizes violence; priestly speech installs divine force into military hardware.
The direct address to an instrument and the semantic extension of ‘strike down’ to sonic action are Atharvanic-pragmatic. The compound abhīmātisāha is typical of later Vedic compression for ‘overpowering hostile aggression.’
Gopatha’s framework supports ‘installation’ of deities/powers into objects via mantra. Here, Indra’s śuṣma is made immanent in the drum; the rite’s success is explained as a transfer of divine potency into audible force.
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