Rig Veda 10.64.6: Mandala 10, Sukta 64, Mantra 6
Sukta 10.64
- Devata
- Viśve Devāḥ / assisting divine powers
- Chandas
- Trishtubh
- Rasa
- Vira (heroism) and Adbhuta (wonder)
ते नो अर्वन्तो हवनश्रुतो हवं विश्वे शृण्वन्तु वाजिनो मितद्रवः । सहस्रसा मेधसाताविव त्मना महो ये धनं समिथेषु जभ्रिरे ॥
té no árvanto havanaśrutó hávaṁ víśve śṛṇvantu vājíno mita-dravaḥ | sahasra-sā́ medhasā́tāv iva tmánā mahó yé dhánaṁ sam-ithéṣu jabhriré ||
మా హవనాన్ని వినే ఆ అర్వంతులు—వేగవంతులైన వాజినులు, మిత-ద్రవ (మాపిత వేగం) గలవారు—అందరూ మా ఆహ్వానాన్ని వినుగాక. తమ సహజశక్తితో సహస్రగుణ మేధా-సాధనను పొందే ఆ మహాశక్తులు, సమరములలో ధనాన్ని తెచ్చినవారు—మాకు సహాయంగా రాగాక.
Word by Word
- ते
- they (those)Pronounपुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा बहुवचनम्Role KartāRoot तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
- नः
- for us / to usPronounषष्ठी/चतुर्थी एकवचनम् (एन्क्लिटिक ‘नः’)Role SampradānaRoot अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
- अर्वन्तः
- the steeds / horsesNounपुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा बहुवचनम्Role KartāRoot अर्वन्त् (प्रातिपदिक)
- हवनश्रुतः
- hearing the invocation (call-hearing)Adjectiveपुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा बहुवचनम्Role KartāRoot हवनश्रुत् (प्रातिपदिक; हवन + श्रुत्)
- हवम्
- the call / invocationNounपुंलिङ्गे/नपुंसकलिङ्गे द्वितीया एकवचनम्Role KarmaRoot हव (प्रातिपदिक)
- विश्वे
- allAdjectiveपुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा बहुवचनम्Role KartāRoot विश्व (प्रातिपदिक)
- शृण्वन्तु
- may (they) hearVerbलोट् (आज्ञार्थे) परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः बहुवचनम्Role (क्रिया)Root श्रु (धातु)
- वाजिनः
- the prize-winning / swift onesNoun/Adjectiveपुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा बहुवचनम्Role KartāRoot वाजिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
- मितद्रवः
- of measured course / measured speedAdjectiveपुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा बहुवचनम्Role KartāRoot मितद्रु (प्रातिपदिक; मित + द्रु/द्रव)
- सहस्रसा
- thousandfold / in thousandsAdjectiveपुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा बहुवचनम् (RV-प्रयोगः; ‘सहस्रसा’ = सहस्रशः/सहस्र-सम्बद्धाः)Role KartāRoot सहस्रस (प्रातिपदिक)
- मेधसाताविव
- as if winning by wisdomAdjective + Indeclinable‘मेधसाति’ पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा बहुवचनम् (समास/तत्पुरुषः); ‘इव’ अव्ययम्Role KartāRoot मेधसाति (प्रातिपदिक; मेधा + साति) + इव (अव्यय)
- त्मना
- by themselves / with their own powerNounतृतीया एकवचनम्Role KaraṇaRoot त्मन् (प्रातिपदिक; आत्मन्-सम्बद्धः वैदिक-रूपः)
- महो
- greatAdjectiveपुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा बहुवचनम् (वैदिक-रूपः ‘महो’ < ‘महान्तः’)Role KartāRoot महत् (प्रातिपदिक)
- ये
- whoRelative pronounपुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा बहुवचनम्Role KartāRoot यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
- धनम्
- wealthNounनपुंसकलिङ्गे द्वितीया एकवचनम्Role KarmaRoot धन (प्रातिपदिक)
- समिथेषु
- in the battles / contestsNounस्त्रीलिङ्गे सप्तमी बहुवचनम्Role AdhikaraṇaRoot समिथि (प्रातिपदिक)
- जभ्रिरे
- they have borne / carried offVerbलिट् (परिपूर्ण-भूत/परफेक्ट) आत्मनेपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः बहुवचनम्Role (क्रिया)Root भृ (धातु) with reduplication (ज-भृ)
Sandhi Notes
- पदच्छेदः (सम्भाव्यः): ते | नः | अर्वन्तः | हवनश्रुतः | हवम् | विश्वे | शृण्वन्तु | वाजिनः | मितद्रवः || सहस्रसा | मेधसाताव् इव | त्मना | महो | ये | धनम् | समिथेषु | जभ्रिरे || Sandhi: (1) मेधसा॑ताविव = मेधसाताव् + इव (व् + इ → वि).
- ‘नः’ एन्क्लिटिक सर्वनामरूपम्।
The meaning
Outer meaning
May all the ardent steeds, hearers of the call, listen to our invocation—forceful ones of measured swiftness. Those great ones who win a thousandfold by their own being, who have brought treasure in battles, may they help us.
Inner meaning
The ‘steeds’ (arvantaḥ) are dynamic divine forces—energies of progress—that respond to aspiration (havanaśrut). They are ‘vājinaḥ’ (full of victorious force) yet ‘mitadravaḥ’ (measured in their speed): true yogic power is not reckless but rightly governed. The great powers (mahaḥ) win ‘a thousandfold’ by their own inherent truth-nature (tmanā): the abundance comes from aligning with the inborn divine being, not strained desire. The ‘battles’ (samitheṣu) are inner conflicts against resistance (vṛtra-like coverings); the ‘treasure’ is recovered light, strength, joy, and wideness. The mantra calls these victorious energies to hear and assist the aspirant.
Universal truth
Progress depends on invoking and aligning with higher energies that are both powerful and measured. When action is governed by inner truth, it yields an abundant return; and the real battles are within—where the treasure of consciousness is won back from obscurity.
Themes
Invocation, Aid in inner conflict, Acquisition of inner wealth (rayi/dhana), Disciplined power
The seer
- Other hymns
- RV 1.3 (Vāyu/Indra with swift forces), RV 1.83 (battle imagery for inner conquest, thematic), RV 10.64 (full hymn for attribution)
Family tradition
A dynamic, victory-oriented strand within Book X that uses ‘horse/steed’ imagery for divine energies aiding inner conquest.
Significance
The seer emphasizes disciplined power: true divine help comes as energies that are swift but measured, enabling the aspirant to win inner battles and recover the hidden treasure.
The deity
- Devata
- Viśve Devāḥ / assisting divine powers (as ‘steeds’ of divine movement)
- Epithets
- havanaśrutaḥ (hearers of invocation), vājinaḥ (victorious/force-filled), mitadravaḥ (measured in speed), mahaḥ (great ones)
- Related deities
- Indra (victory and illumination), Aśvins (swift helpers), Maruts (dynamic forces)
Cosmic role
To carry the sacrifice forward—mobilizing victorious energies, bringing abundance, and ensuring right movement through conflict toward attainment.
Inner power
Awakened forces of will and prāṇa that respond to sincere call; they bring disciplined dynamism, courage, and the capacity to ‘carry’ realizations into life.
In ritual
Where it is used
General all-gods or helper-powers invocation in soma and offering rites; also suitable in moments calling for victory and abundance.
ते नो॒ अर्व॑न्तो हवन॒श्रुतो॒ हवं॒ विश्वे॑ शृण्वन्तु वा॒जिनो॑ मि॒तद्र॑वः । स॒ह॒स्र॒सा मे॒धसा॑ताविव॒ त्मना॑ म॒हो ये धनं॑ समि॒थेषु॑ जभ्रि॒रे ॥
ते । नः॒ । अर्व॑न्तः । ह॒व॒न॒ऽश्रुतः॑ । हव॑म् । विश्वे॑ । शृ॒ण्व॒न्तु॒ । वा॒जिनः॑ । मि॒तऽद्र॑वः । स॒ह॒स्र॒ऽसाः । मे॒धसा॑तौऽइव । त्मना॑ । म॒हः । ये । धन॑म् । स॒म्ऽइ॒थेषु॑ । ज॒भ्रि॒रे ॥
te | naḥ | arvantaḥ | havana-śrutaḥ | havam | viśve | śṛṇvantu | vājinaḥ | mi ta-dravaḥ | sahasra-sāḥ | medhasātau-iva | tmanā | mahaḥ | ye | dhanam | sam-itheṣu | jabhrire
44
4 pādas × ~11 syllables
Energetic, forward-driving; strong consonantal clusters support a ‘charge’ while mitadravaḥ suggests controlled cadence.
Energizes the listener while maintaining composure—stimulates courage without agitation.
- अर्वन्तः (arvantaḥ)
- Literal: steeds. Symbolic: dynamic divine energies; forces of action and progress
- हवनश्रुतः (havanaśrutaḥ)
- Literal: hearers of the call. Symbolic: powers responsive to aspiration and sincere invocation
- वाजिनः (vājinaḥ)
- Literal: possessing vāja (force/victory). Symbolic: energies of effective action and conquest over inertia
- मितद्रवः (mitadravaḥ)
- Literal: of measured speed. Symbolic: rightly governed force; disciplined prāṇa and will
- सहस्रसाः (sahasrasāḥ)
- Literal: winning a thousand. Symbolic: abundant attainment; multiplicative growth of consciousness
- त्मना (tmanā)
- Literal: by their own self/being. Symbolic: by inherent divine nature; action from the true self
- समिथेषु (samitheṣu)
- Literal: in battles/clashes. Symbolic: inner struggles against resistance, confusion, inertia
- धनम् (dhanam)
- Literal: treasure. Symbolic: recovered light, strength, joy, knowledge
General invocatory usage; suitable for Viśvedevas offerings and for strengthening ‘vāja’ (victorious force) in soma-linked praise contexts
Before or during offerings seeking strength, success, and protection in contest (outer or inner).
Recitation to summon responsive powers and ‘bring the treasure’ to the sacrificer.
For inner conflict, procrastination, or fatigue: chant to invoke disciplined energy and victorious momentum; useful before demanding work or sadhana sessions.
Key terms: (1) havana-śruta: compound ‘call-hearing’; √hu ‘invoke’ + √śru ‘hear’ → deities as responsive powers to aspiration. (2) vājina: from vāja ‘strength, prize, plenitude’; implies dynamic victorious force rather than mere ‘food’. (3) mita-drava: √mā ‘measure’ + √dru ‘run’ → disciplined, ritically ordered speed (R̥ta as measure). (4) sahasra-sā: ‘thousand-winning’ where sahasra functions as symbolic fullness/abundance. (5) tmánā: instrumental of tman- ‘self, vital essence’ → attainment by intrinsic being, not external aid. (6) jabhrire: perfect of √bhṛ ‘bear/bring’ → achieved acquisition and established possession of dhana (inner treasure).
R̥ta (measure/order implied by mita-), Medhā (inspired intelligence), Inner battle of ascent (sam-itheṣu)
mitadravaḥ implies ṛta in action—speed governed by right measure.
tmanā indicates success rooted in true being, not egoic force.
Recovery of hidden plenitudes through conflict—treasure brought from contested spaces.
Integral-Vedic psychology: energies (‘horses’) as conscious powers that can be invoked and disciplined.
Horse = vital energy and force of action; measured speed = prāṇa under buddhi/will; battle = inner struggle; treasure = luminous attainment.
- What is the primary Vedic 'mythologem' present in this verse?
- The ‘bringing of the treasure in the battles’ mythologem: divine powers (figured as swift steeds) respond to the human call and carry the dhana through conflicts. In inner terms, the gods ferry luminous gains across the psychic struggle where ignorance resists the ascent.
- How does the linguistic structure reflect Proto-Indo-European roots?
- √śru ‘hear’ (śṛṇvantu) aligns with PIE *ḱleu̯- ‘hear, be famous’ (cf. Greek klúō, English ‘loud’ via fame semantics). √bhṛ ‘bear’ (jabhrire) aligns with PIE *bher- ‘carry’ (cf. Latin ferō, English ‘bear’). The semantics support the formulaic Indo-European theme: ‘gods hear the call’ and ‘bring/carry the prize’.
- What is the relationship between the Rishi and the Devata here?
- A reciprocal economy of aspiration and response: the seer offers havam (intentional call) and praise; the devatās, as havana-śrutaḥ, are defined by their readiness to hear and to convey vāja/dhana. The exchange is inner-dynamic: disciplined movement (mita-drava) and medhā-winning are granted as supports for the human journey through conflict toward fullness (sahasra).
Summon disciplined life-force and will to carry aspiration through inner conflict and recover the ‘treasure’ of clarity and joy.
Manipūra (will/energy) with support from Mūlādhāra (stability) and Anāhata (courage without aggression).
Kapalabhati-lite or brisk 1:1 breathing for 1–2 minutes, then chant once slowly to ‘measure’ the energy (mitadravaḥ).
Dynamic steadiness—energized, courageous, and controlled.
When resistance arises, chant and then act immediately on one small right step; treat that as ‘bringing the treasure from the battle’—a concrete reclaiming of force.
Maintain Vedic accents; keep the energy-words (vājinaḥ, sahasrasāḥ) clearly projected without shouting.
Sustain long vowels and avoid clipping consonant clusters; let the second pāda land firmly on mitadravaḥ.
arvantaḥ: roll r lightly; avoid ‘arwanta’, havanaśrutaḥ: pronounce śr cluster cleanly (śru-), mitadravaḥ: dental d; v as ‘v’ not ‘w’, samitheṣu: keep ‘th’ aspirated
Bright, forward, controlled; end each pāda with steadiness rather than punch.
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