Rig Veda 1.72.10: Mandala 1, Sukta 72, Mantra 10
Sukta 1.72
- Rishi
- Madhucchandā Vaiśvāmitra
- Devata
- Agni
- Chandas
- Triṣṭubh
- Rasa
- Adbhuta (wonder) and Shanta (peace)
अधि श्रियं नि दधुश्चारुमस्मिन्दिवो यदक्षी अमृता अकृण्वन् । अध क्षरन्ति सिन्धवो न सृष्टाः प्र नीचीरग्ने अरुषीरजानन् ॥
ádhi śríyaṃ ní dadhúś cā́rum asmín divó yád akṣī́ amṛ́tā akṛṇvan | ádha kṣáranti síndhavo ná sṛṣṭā́ḥ prá nī́cīr agne áruṣīr ajānan ||
వారు ఈ సత్త్వంలో మనోహరమైన ‘శ్రీ’ని దృఢంగా స్థాపించారు; అమృతులు దివ్యంలోని రెండు నేత్రాలను నిర్మించినప్పుడు. అప్పుడు నదులు విడిచిపెట్టబడినట్లుగా ప్రవహించాయి—హే అగ్నీ—క్రిందికి అరుṇ (ఎర్రని) ప్రవాహాలు వెలుగులోకి వచ్చి తెలిసినవయ్యాయి.
Word by Word
- अधि
- upon, overIndeclinableअव्ययRole AdhikaraṇaRoot अधि (उपसर्ग/अव्यय)
- श्रियम्
- splendour, prosperityNounस्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचनRole KarmaRoot श्री (स्त्री)
- नि
- down, in; (prefix)Indeclinableअव्ययRoot नि (उपसर्ग/अव्यय)
- दधुः
- they placed, they setVerbलिट् (परोक्ष/परफेक्ट), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन, परस्मैपदRoot धा (धातु)
- चारुम्
- beautiful, lovelyAdjectiveपुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन (श्रियम् विशेषणम्)Role KarmaRoot चारु (प्रातिपदिक)
- अस्मिन्
- in thisPronounपुं/नपुंसक, सप्तमी, एकवचनRole AdhikaraṇaRoot अयम्/इदम् (सर्वनाम)
- दिवः
- of heaven, of the skyNounस्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचनRole SambandhaRoot दिव्/द्यौ (स्त्री) / दिव (प्रातिपदिक)
- यत्
- when/that whichPronounनपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (सम्बन्धक)Root यद् (सर्वनाम)
- अक्षी
- (two) eyesNounनपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, द्विवचनRole KarmaRoot अक्षि (नपुंसक; द्विवचन-प्रातिपदिक)
- अमृता
- immortal, deathlessAdjectiveनपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, द्विवचन (अक्षी विशेषणम्)Role KarmaRoot अमृत (प्रातिपदिक)
- अकृण्वन्
- they madeVerbलङ् (इम्परफेक्ट), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन, परस्मैपदRoot कृ (धातु)
- अध
- then, thereafterIndeclinableअव्ययRoot अध (अव्यय)
- क्षरन्ति
- they flowVerbलट् (वर्तमान), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन, परस्मैपदRoot क्षर् (धातु)
- सिन्धवः
- rivers, streamsNounपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचनRole KartāRoot सिन्धु (पुं)
- न
- like, asIndeclinableअव्ययRoot न (अव्यय)
- सृष्टाः
- released, let looseParticipleभूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (PPP), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचनRoot सृज् (धातु) → सृष्ट (कृदन्त)
- प्र
- forth, forwardIndeclinableअव्ययRoot प्र (उपसर्ग/अव्यय)
- नीचीः
- downward-flowing, low-goingAdjectiveस्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन (अरुशीः विशेषणम्)Role KartāRoot नीचि/नीचीर् (स्त्री; प्रातिपदिक)
- अग्ने
- O AgniNounपुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचनRole SambodhanaRoot अग्नि (पुं)
- अरुशीः
- ruddy ones; red(-gleaming) (waters/streams)Noun/Adjectiveस्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचनRole KartāRoot अरुषी (स्त्री; प्रातिपदिक)
- अजानन्
- they knew; they recognizedVerbलङ् (इम्परफेक्ट), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन, परस्मैपदRoot ज्ञा (धातु)
Sandhi Notes
- पदच्छेदः: अधि श्रियम् नि दधुः चारुम् अस्मिन् दिवः यत् अक्षी अमृता अकृण्वन् । अध क्षरन्ति सिन्धवः न सृष्टाः प्र नीचीः अग्ने अरुशीः अजानन् ॥ 1) अस्मिन्दिवः = अस्मिन् + दिवः (न् + द् संयोग)
- 2) यदक्षी = यत् + अक्षी (त् + अ → द् + अ; संहितायां ‘यद’)
- 3) अमृताऽकृण्वन् = अमृता + अकृण्वन् (आ + अ संधिः; पदे पृथक्)
- 4) सिन्धवो न = सिन्धवः + न (विसर्गलोपः)
- 5) नीची॑रग्ने = नीचीः + अग्ने (विसर्गलोपः)
The meaning
Outer meaning
They placed a beautiful splendour here when the immortals made the two eyes of Heaven. Then the rivers flow as if released; downward, O Agni, the ruddy streams came into manifestation/knowledge.
Inner meaning
The divine powers establish śrī—splendour, harmony, auspicious beauty—in the being (asmin), i.e., in the manifested nature. The “two eyes of Heaven” are the twin lights of higher perception—sun and moon in outer image, but inwardly illumination and intuition (or knowledge and delight) that allow the luminous mind (dyu) to see. Once these seeing-powers are formed, the ‘rivers’ (sindhavaḥ) of consciousness-force begin to flow—streams of inspiration, intuition, and life-energies released from obstruction. Their downward flow (pra nīcīḥ) indicates descent into the lower nature: the higher light pours into mind-life-body. The ‘ruddy’ (aruṣīḥ) currents are the warm, dynamic energies of dawn-like illumination entering the system and becoming known (ajānan): consciously possessed rather than merely experienced.
Universal truth
When higher perception is formed, beauty and harmony can be fixed in life; then the liberated streams of consciousness descend and irrigate the whole nature, turning illumination into embodied knowledge.
Themes
cosmogony of vision, release of inner streams, descent of illumination, Agni as awakener
The seer
- Rishi
- Madhucchandā Vaiśvāmitra
- Lineage
- Vaiśvāmitra
- Other hymns
- RV 1.71, RV 1.72, RV 3.26 (Agni and creation motifs)
Family tradition
The Vaiśvāmitra hymns frequently depict cosmogenesis as an inner event: creation of seeing, release of rivers, and establishment of śrī through Agni’s action.
Significance
The seer presents a twofold movement central to integral yoga: ascent to higher seeing (eyes of heaven) and descent of liberated streams into life.
The deity
- Devata
- Agni (addressed) with the Immortals as creators
- Epithets
- Agni as knower (kavi), Agni as awakener of sight (cakṣuḥ-kṛt in spirit), Ruddy one (aruṇa/aruṣa associations)
- Related deities
- Uṣas (ruddy dawn), Sūrya (eye of heaven), Soma (flowing delight), Indra (releaser of waters)
Cosmic role
Catalyst of manifestation: helps establish splendour and facilitates the release/descent of divine streams into the worlds.
Inner power
Transforming heat that turns higher perception into embodied flow—making illumination effective in mind, life, and body.
In ritual
Where it is used
Agni hymns used in rites of establishment and prosperity; imagery aligns with consecration/illumination themes in soma ritual symbolism.
अधि॒ श्रियं॒ नि द॑धु॒श्चारु॑मस्मिन्दि॒वो यद॒क्षी अ॒मृता॒ अकृ॑ण्वन् । अध॑ क्षरन्ति॒ सिन्ध॑वो॒ न सृ॒ष्टाः प्र नीची॑रग्ने॒ अरु॑षीरजानन् ॥
अधि॑ । श्रिय॑म् । नि । द॒धुः॒ । चारु॑म् । अ॒स्मि॒न् । दि॒वः । यत् । अ॒क्षी इति॑ । अ॒मृताः॑ । अकृ॑ण्वन् । अध॑ । क्ष॒र॒न्ति॒ । सिन्ध॑वः । न । सृ॒ष्टाः । प्र । नीचीः॑ । अ॒ग्ने॒ । अरु॑षीः । अ॒जा॒न॒न् ॥
adhi | śriyam | ni | dadhuḥ | cārum | asmin | divaḥ | yat | akṣī iti | amṛtāḥ | akṛṇvan | adha | kṣaranti | sindhavaḥ | na | sṛṣṭāḥ | pra | nīcīḥ | agne | aruṣīḥ | ajānan
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4 × ~11 syllables
Cosmogenic sweep: firm establishment in first half, cascading flow in second.
First two pādas stabilize and ‘set’; last two create a felt release and downward cascade, often experienced as energy descending through the body.
- श्रियम् (śriyam)
- Literal: splendour, beauty, fortune. Symbolic: harmonious luminous order in the being; integrated auspiciousness of consciousness
- दिवः अक्षी (divo akṣī)
- Literal: the two eyes of heaven. Symbolic: twin higher perceptions (illumination/intuition); faculties that ‘see’ truth
- अमृताः (amṛtāḥ)
- Literal: immortals. Symbolic: divine powers/principles establishing higher consciousness in us
- सिन्धवः (sindhavaḥ)
- Literal: rivers. Symbolic: streams of force, inspiration, intuition, and delight released into flow
- न सृष्टाः (na sṛṣṭāḥ)
- Literal: as if released/not (previously) sent forth. Symbolic: energies long held back by obstruction now set free
- प्र नीचीः (pra nīcīḥ)
- Literal: downward. Symbolic: descent of higher consciousness into lower instruments
- अरुशीः (aruṣīḥ)
- Literal: ruddy, red-gold. Symbolic: dawn-like energies of illumination; warm transformative force
- अजानन् (ajānan)
- Literal: they knew/brought to knowledge. Symbolic: made conscious, mastered, integrated into awareness
Cosmic imagery supporting Agni’s role in establishing vision (akṣi) and releasing the streams (sindhu) of inspiration; used as a contemplative reinforcement of the rite’s aim: illumination and flow
When invoking auspiciousness (śrī) and the effective flow of powers (waters) in the sacrifice.
Offerings with visualization of light (eyes of heaven) and flowing libations (waters).
Chant to invite ‘descent’: after meditation or insight, use this verse to bring realization into daily life—let the ‘rivers’ flow downward into action and embodiment.
śrī- ‘splendour’ is not merely fortune but radiance of fulfilled being; from √śrī/śray ‘lean on, resort’ → that which is ‘established’ as beauty/prosperity. akṣi ‘eye’ from PIE *h₃ekʷ- ‘see’ (cf. Latin oculus via different formation; cognacy discussed in IE studies). sindhu ‘river’ in inner reading becomes ‘streams of consciousness/force’. aruṣa ‘ruddy’ links Agni-dawn coloration to descending illuminations (nīcīḥ).
śrī as luminous fulfillment, release/emanation (√sṛj), vision/gnosis (akṣi + ajānan)
The making of the ‘eyes of heaven’ and ordered flow of rivers implies establishment of ṛta in perception and energy-movement.
True seeing (divo akṣī) grounds splendour and right manifestation.
Formation of cosmic sight, establishment of splendour, release and descent of waters/streams.
Integral manifestation: higher consciousness must both be formed (seeing) and poured into life (rivers descending).
dawn (suggested by aruṣīḥ)
Sun/Moon = illumination/intuition; rivers = liberated streams of consciousness; dawn-red = transformative awakening energy; downward flow = descent into embodied nature.
- What is the primary Vedic 'mythologem' present in this verse?
- A cosmogonic ‘making of vision’ (the eyes of Heaven) followed by the release of the rivers/streams. Psychologically, once the higher seeing is established, the currents of force and inspiration begin to flow downward into embodied life—Agni presiding over this descent of luminous energies (aruṣīḥ).
- How does the linguistic structure reflect Proto-Indo-European roots?
- √dhā (dadhuḥ) from PIE *dʰeh₁-. √kṛ (akṛṇvan) reflects an old IE ‘do/make’ root in Indo-Iranian. √sṛj ‘send forth’ is often compared with PIE *ser- ‘flow’ semantic field (though exact cognacy is debated), while sindhu as ‘river’ participates in an archaic IE poetic motif of ‘streams’ as powers.
- What is the relationship between the Rishi and the Devata here?
- The rishi attributes to the immortals, in Agni’s field, the establishment of śrī and the creation of the ‘eyes of Heaven’—higher perception. Agni is then addressed as witness and operative power for the subsequent descent: the released streams (sindhavaḥ) become knowable and effective in the lower planes (nīcīḥ).
After contacting higher light, invite it to form stable ‘eyes’ of perception and to descend as warm streams into the whole system.
Ājñā (two eyes) with descent through Suṣumṇā to Mūlādhāra
Inhale imagining two points of light at the brow; exhale imagining warm red-gold rivers descending through spine to pelvis and legs.
Illumined seeing followed by integrative descent.
Do not cling to the ‘heavenly’ experience; let śrī settle in ordinary mind and body. End with quiet sitting, feeling the downward flow stabilize as calm strength.
Rigvedic accents; strong lift often felt on śríyaṃ, akṣī́, síndhavaḥ, aruṣī́ḥ (per śākhā tradition).
Let the first half be firm and (establishing); in the last two pādas, slightly increase flow and legato to mimic rivers.
śriyaṃ: palatal ‘ś’, nasal ‘ṃ’, cārum: long ‘ā’, akṣī: ‘kṣ’ crisp, long ‘ī’, kṣaranti: ‘kṣa’ clear, do not soften to ‘sha’, sindhavo: dental ‘dh’ voiced aspirate, nīcīr: long ‘ī’, rolled ‘r’ lightly, aruṣīḥ: retroflex ‘ṣ’, long ‘īḥ’ with visarga
Luminous and flowing; soften consonants slightly in the ‘river’ section while keeping clarity.
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