Shloka 12
Āraṇyaka Parva, Adhyāya 233 — Pandavas Mobilize; Arjuna’s Conciliation and the Onset of Combat
स्वाहा स्वधा त्वं परमं पवित्र मन्त्रस्तुतस्त्वं प्रथित: षडर्चि: । संवत्सरस्त्वमृतवश्च षड् वै मासार्धमासावयनं दिशश्व,आप स्वाहा, स्वधा, परम पवित्र, मन्त्रोंद्वारा प्रशंसित और सुप्रसिद्ध षडर्चि (छ: ज्वालाओंसे युक्त) अग्नि हैं। आप ही संवत्सर, छः ऋतुएँ, पक्ष, मास, अयन और दिशाएँ हैं
svāhā svadhā tvaṃ paramaṃ pavitraṃ mantrastutas tvaṃ prathitaḥ ṣaḍarciḥ | saṃvatsaras tvam ṛtavaś ca ṣaḍ vai māsārdhamāsāvayanaṃ diśaś ca āpa ||
Wika ni Mārkaṇḍeya: “Ikaw ay Svāhā at ikaw ay Svadhā—ang pinakadakilang kapangyarihang nagpapadalisay. Ikaw ang bantog na Apoy na may anim na liyab, pinupuri ng mga banal na mantra. Ikaw ang Taon mismo at ang anim na panahon; ikaw ang buwan at kalahating-buwan; ikaw ang mga ayana (landas ng araw) at ang mga direksiyon—at ikaw rin ang mga Tubig. Kaya’t ang buong kaayusan ng panahon, kalawakan, at handog-ritwal ay nagkakaisa sa iyo.”
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches a unitive vision: the divine principle addressed (especially as Agni in ritual form) is not merely a deity among others but the very structure that makes sacrifice, purity, time (year, seasons, months), and space (directions) intelligible and effective. Ethical implication: reverence for sacred order—ritual, speech, and cosmic rhythms—supports dharma by aligning human action with the larger order.
Mārkaṇḍeya is delivering a hymn-like praise, identifying the addressed power with key Vedic ritual forces (Svāhā for gods, Svadhā for ancestors) and with cosmic categories (time divisions, directions, waters). The speech functions as theological elevation: the object of praise is presented as all-pervading, sustaining both sacrificial practice and the cosmos.