Rig Veda 1.152.3: Mandala 1, Sukta 152, Mantra 3
Sukta 1.152
- Rishi
- Māmateya
- Devata
- Mitra–Varuṇa
- Chandas
- Triṣṭubh
- Rasa
- Adbhuta (wonder) and Shanta (peace)
अपादेति प्रथमा पद्वतीनां कस्तद्वां मित्रावरुणा चिकेत । गर्भो भारं भरत्या चिदस्य ऋतं पिपर्त्यनृतं नि तारीत् ॥
apā́d eti prathamā́ padvátīnāṃ kás tád vāṃ mitrāvaruṇā́ ciketā | gárbho bhāráṃ bharaty ā́ cid asya ṛtáṃ pipárty anṛ́taṃ ní tārīt ||
پاؤں کے بغیر چلتا ہے، پاؤں والوں میں سب سے پہلے, کون تمہارا یہ سمجھا، اے متر اور ورن؟ چھپا ہوا بچہ اس کا بوجھ اٹھاتا ہے؛ یہ حق کو پورا کرتا ہے اور باطل کو نیچے دھکیل دیتا ہے۔
Word by Word
- अप
- away, offIndeclinableउपसर्ग/अव्यय (पूर्वपद) — ‘away, off’Root अप (उपसर्ग) / अप (अव्यय)
- आदेतिः
- the going/approachNounस्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचन (आ-इति-प्रत्ययान्त भाववाचक/क्रियावाचक संज्ञा) — ‘going/approach’Role KartāRoot इ (धातु) + आ (उपसर्ग)
- प्रथमा
- firstAdjectiveस्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचन; ‘first’ (आदेतिः इत्यस्य विशेषणम्)Role KartāRoot प्रथम (प्रातिपदिक)
- पद्वतीनाम्
- of the footed onesNounस्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी बहुवचन — ‘of the footed/possessing feet (fem.)’Role Sambandha (Genitive)Root पद्वती (प्रातिपदिक; पद् + वत्)
- कः
- who?Pronounपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचन — interrogative ‘who?’Role KartāRoot क (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
- तत्
- thatPronounनपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया एकवचन — ‘that’ (object)Role KarmaRoot तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
- वाम्
- you twoPronounषष्ठी/द्वितीया द्विवचन (एन्क्लिटिक) — ‘of you two / you two’Role Sampradāna/Adhikaraṇa (contextual: addressed to the two) / SambandhaRoot युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
- मित्रावरुणा
- Mitra and VaruṇaNounपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा द्विवचन (द्वन्द्व) — ‘Mitra and Varuṇa’Role Kartā (of चिकेट)Root मित्र + वरुण (देवनाम)
- चिकेट
- has perceived/knowsVerbपरस्मैपद, लिट् (परिपूर्ण/परफेक्ट), 3 पुरुष एकवचन — ‘has perceived/knows’Role KriyāRoot चित् (धातु ‘to perceive/notice/understand’)
- गर्भः
- the embryo/wombNounपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचन — ‘embryo/womb; inner one’Role KartāRoot गर्भ (प्रातिपदिक)
- भारम्
- the burdenNounपुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया एकवचन — ‘burden’Role KarmaRoot भार (प्रातिपदिक)
- भरति
- bears/carriesVerbपरस्मैपद, लट् (वर्तमान), 3 पुरुष एकवचन — ‘bears/carries’Role KriyāRoot भृ (धातु ‘to bear/carry’)
- आ
- towards/fullyIndeclinableउपसर्ग/अव्यय — ‘towards, unto; fully’Root आ (उपसर्ग/अव्यय)
- चित्
- evenIndeclinableनिपात — ‘even, indeed’Root चित् (निपात)
- अस्य
- of this/itsPronounपुं/नपुंसक, षष्ठी एकवचन — ‘of this/its’Role Sambandha (Genitive)Root इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
- ऋतम्
- ṛta (truth/order)Nounनपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया एकवचन — ‘ṛta: truth/cosmic order’Role KarmaRoot ऋत (प्रातिपदिक)
- पिपर्ति
- fills/furthersVerbपरस्मैपद, लट् (वर्तमान), 3 पुरुष एकवचन; पुनरुक्त-प्रत्यय (पि-पर्ति) — ‘fills, makes full, furthers’Role KriyāRoot पॄ (धातु ‘to fill, to make full’)
- अनृतम्
- untruth/disorderNounनपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया एकवचन — ‘untruth, disorder’Role KarmaRoot अनृत (प्रातिपदिक; अ- + ऋत)
- नि
- down/awayIndeclinableउपसर्ग/अव्यय — ‘down, into, away’Root नि (उपसर्ग/अव्यय)
- तारीत्
- carried across/overcameVerbपरस्मैपद, लुङ् (अorist/इंजंक्टिव-प्रयोग), 3 पुरुष एकवचन — ‘(he) carried across/overcame; removed’Role KriyāRoot तॄ (धातु ‘to cross over; to overcome’)
Sandhi Notes
- संहिता-पाठ: अ॒पादे॑ति = अप + आदेतिः (अप- + आ-इति-भावसंज्ञा; संधौ ‘अप’ + ‘आ’ → ‘अपा’)
- कस्तद्वां = कः + तत् + वाम् (विसर्ग-लोपः; पदसीमा-समासवत् संहिता)
- मित्रावरु॒णा = मित्रा + वरुणा (द्वन्द्व, प्रथमा द्विवचन)
- भर॒त्या चि॑दस्य = भरति + आ + चित् + अस्य (पदक्रमे ‘आ’ उपसर्गः क्रियायाः; संहितायां ‘भरत्या’ इति)
- पिप॒र्त्यनृ॑तं = पिपर्ति + अनृतम् (इ/य्-संधिः: इ + अ → य)
- नि ता॑रीत् = नि + तारीत् (उपसर्गः)
The meaning
Outer meaning
Footless it moves, first among those that have feet—who has understood this of you, O Mitra and Varuṇa? The hidden embryo bears its load; it fills out the Right and drives down the Unright.
Inner meaning
A paradox of the inner Reality: the highest movement is ‘footless’—not dependent on outer supports or physical means—yet it leads all embodied movements (‘first among the footed’). This points to the primacy of consciousness over action: the unseen law (Mitra–Varuṇa) moves before and within all steps. The ‘embryo’ (garbha) is the hidden divine formation in us—the truth-being growing in secrecy. It ‘bears the load’ of evolution: the pressure of transforming nature. As it matures, it ‘fills out ṛta’—organizes the being into right order—and it ‘drives down anṛta’—the untruth, disorder, and falsehood are compelled to subside.
Universal truth
What leads our life is an unseen principle: consciousness and truth move first; when the inner divine formation is protected and allowed to grow, right order naturally establishes itself and falsehood declines.
Themes
Riddle hymn (brahmodya-like), Cosmic law internalized, Victory of order over disorder
The seer
- Rishi
- Māmateya (traditional)
- Lineage
- Māmata lineage
- Other hymns
- RV 1.152.1–4 (Mitra–Varuṇa; hidden law, truth and untruth)
Family tradition
A line of seers attentive to the hidden workings of ṛta and the paradoxes of the unseen mover.
Significance
The rishi presents a quintessential Vedic psychological insight: the subtle precedes the gross; the inner divine seed carries the work and establishes ṛta.
The deity
- Devata
- Mitra–Varuṇa
- Epithets
- Dhṛtavrata (firm in law), Ṛtāvān (possessors of ṛta, thematic), Urukṣaya (wide dwelling, Varuṇa-type epithet by theme)
- Related deities
- Aditi (infinite mother, matrix of the ‘embryo’), Savitar (impeller of right movement)
Cosmic role
They uphold the unseen law that precedes and guides all movement; they foster the growth of the hidden seed toward right order.
Inner power
Mitra: inner cohesion and faithful sincerity; Varuṇa: vast overseeing truth that presses down falsehood and protects the hidden growth.
In ritual
Where it is used
Mitra–Varuṇa invocation for ṛta and vows; reflective recitation in śrauta contexts
अ॒पादे॑ति प्रथ॒मा प॒द्वती॑नां॒ कस्तद्वां॑ मित्रावरु॒णा चि॑केत । गर्भो॑ भा॒रं भ॑र॒त्या चि॑दस्य ऋ॒तं पिप॒र्त्यनृ॑तं॒ नि ता॑रीत् ॥
अ॒पात् । ए॒ति॒ । प्र॒थ॒मा । प॒त्ऽवती॑नाम् । कः । तत् । वा॒म् । मि॒त्रा॒व॒रु॒णा॒ । आ । चि॒के॒त॒ । गर्भः॑ । भा॒रम् । भ॒र॒ति॒ । आ । चि॒त् । अ॒स्य॒ । ऋ॒तम् । पिप॑र्ति । अनृ॑तम् । नि । ता॒रीत् ॥
apāt | eti | prathamā | pat-vatīnām | kaḥ | tat | vām | mitrāvaruṇā | ā | ciketa | garbhaḥ | bhāram | bharati | ā | cit | asya | ṛtam | piparti | anṛtam | ni | tārīt
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4 x 11 syllables
Paradoxical, contemplative Triṣṭubh—measured opening question followed by weighty, descending resolution.
Induces reflective wonder and trust in the unseen guidance; settles the mind into lawful wideness.
- अपाद् (apād)
- Literal: footless. Symbolic: movement of consciousness independent of physical supports; the subtle leading power
- पद्वतीनाम् (padvatīnām)
- Literal: of those that have feet. Symbolic: all embodied actions and life-movements
- गर्भ (garbha)
- Literal: embryo, hidden seed. Symbolic: the concealed divine being/truth-formation growing within
- भार (bhāra)
- Literal: burden, load. Symbolic: the evolutionary task of transformation carried by the inner seed
- ऋत (ṛta)
- Literal: right order. Symbolic: truth-structure of consciousness organizing the nature
- अनृत (anṛta)
- Literal: untruth, disorder. Symbolic: falsehood and crooked movements that must be pressed down
Invocatory/reflective stanza in Mitra–Varuṇa praise; used to establish ṛta before offerings
When seeking alignment with cosmic law, protection of inner growth, or correction of untruth.
Recite as contemplation on the hidden mover; renew a vow of truthfulness and inner sincerity.
A mantra for inner trust during uncertainty: ‘the footless leads’; use when outer action is blocked but inner growth continues.
apā́d ‘footless’ + eti ‘moves’ is a paradox-formula: subtle cosmic power moving without gross supports. gárbha ‘embryo’ from √garh/√grabh semantic field ‘to seize/enclose’ (Vedic gárbha = enclosed germ). pipárti is intensive/reduplicated present from √pṛ ‘fill’ (PIE *pelh₁- ‘fill’ is sometimes cited for related meanings). anṛ́ta is a- + ṛta: not merely ‘falsehood’ but ‘dis-order’. ní tārīt from √tṝ ‘to cross over’ (PIE *terh₁- ‘to cross, pass through’; cf. Latin trans, English through via Germanic developments) used here as a victory of right order over disorder.
Ṛta vs. Anṛta, Garbha (hidden formation of consciousness), Mystery-paradox (footless moving)
Explicit: the inner seed ‘fills out ṛta’—right order becomes embodied.
Truth is the leading subtle movement; it precedes action and becomes formative.
Hidden seed carrying the burden of manifestation; evolution from concealed to expressed order.
Proto-Upaniṣadic: subtle causality and inner principle preceding outer action; consonant with integral yoga’s ‘psychic being’ growth.
dawn-like implication (first movement leading), though not explicit
spring (seed-growth motif), though not explicit
Footless movement = subtle consciousness; embryo = psychic/divine seed; burden = tapas of transformation; ṛta/anṛta = order/disorder in the nature.
- What is the primary Vedic 'mythologem' present in this verse?
- The ‘mystery mover’: an unseen power that is ‘footless’ yet precedes all embodied motion. Mythically it echoes the hidden cosmic agency (often aligned with ṛta) that carries the world’s burden from within the ‘garbha’ and establishes order by subduing anṛta.
- How does the linguistic structure reflect Proto-Indo-European roots?
- √tṝ ‘cross’ (tārīt) aligns with PIE *terh₁- ‘cross’ (trans-/through family). √bhṛ ‘bear’ (bharati) matches PIE *bʰer- ‘carry’ (English bear). Such inherited verbal roots are deployed to express metaphysical action (bearing manifestation; crossing beyond disorder).
- What is the relationship between the Rishi and the Devata here?
- The rishi frames Mitra–Varuṇa as guardians of intelligibility: ‘who has understood this of you?’ The gods are not only praised but invoked as the very faculty of discernment by which the paradox of hidden movement becomes knowable in the practitioner.
Rest in the subtle leading consciousness; protect and nurture the inner seed; allow truth-order to organize life naturally.
Anāhata (psychic/seed in heart) with Sahasrāra/Ājñā (footless guidance from above).
Slow_meditative: inhale 5 feeling ‘apād eti’ as a silent upward current; exhale 7 feeling ‘anṛtaṃ ni tārīt’ as downward settling of disorder; 14 rounds.
Receptive, wide, law-abiding peace with a sense of hidden growth.
1) Place attention in the heart as a small luminous seed (garbha). 2) Let the mind stop forcing ‘steps’. 3) Feel a subtle guidance moving first, without effort (apād). 4) End by affirming: ‘ṛta grows in me; anṛta subsides.’
Triṣṭubh: keep udatta prominence on key paradox words (apād, prathamā, ṛtam, anṛtam); exact accents per RV notation.
Pause slightly after the paradoxical first pāda; let the question ‘kas tad vām…’ sound genuinely interrogative; soften into assurance on ‘ṛtam piparty’.
apād: long ā; final d dental, eti: clear long e, padvatīnāṃ: dv cluster; long ī; nasal ṃ, mitrāvaruṇā: keep long ā in both; retroflex ṇ, ciketa: k + e clear; avoid ‘chiketa’, garbho: bh voiced aspirate, piparty: retroflex ṛ; keep ‘ty’ crisp, anṛtaṃ: vocalic ṛ; nasal ṃ, ni tārīt: long ā; retroflex ṛ in tārīt
Soft, contemplative, sustained vowels; gentle downward cadence at the end.
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