Rig Veda 5.85.2: Mandala 5, Sukta 85, Mantra 2
Sukta 5.85
- Rishi
- Atri
- Devata
- Varuṇa
- Chandas
- Triṣṭubh
- Rasa
- Shanta (peace) and Adbhuta (wonder)
वनेषु व्यन्तरिक्षं ततान वाजमर्वत्सु पय उस्रियासु । हृत्सु क्रतुं वरुणो अप्स्वग्निं दिवि सूर्यमदधात्सोममद्रौ ॥
vánēṣu vy àntárikṣaṃ tatāna vā́jam árvatsu páya usríyāsu | hṛtsú krátum váruṇo apsv àgníṃ diví sū́ryam adadhāt sómam ádrau ||
Trong rừng, Ngài giăng trải khoảng trung giới (antarikṣa); giữa đàn ngựa, Ngài đặt sự sung mãn (vāja), giữa những bò cái rực sáng, Ngài đặt sữa. Varuṇa đặt ý chí (kratu) trong các trái tim, đặt Agni trong các dòng nước, đặt Mặt Trời trên trời, và đặt Soma trong đá—an bài mỗi quyền năng vào đúng chỗ của nó.
Word by Word
- वनेषु
- in the woods/forestsNounनपुंसकलिङ्ग; सप्तमी; बहुवचनRole अधिकारणRoot वन (प्रातिपदिक)
- वि
- apart, widely (as prefix)Indeclinableउपसर्गRoot वि (उपसर्ग/अव्यय)
- अन्तरिक्षम्
- the mid-air, atmosphereNounनपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया; एकवचनRole कर्मRoot अन्तरिक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
- ततान
- he stretched/spreadVerbलिट् (परोक्षभूत/परफेक्ट); प्रथमपुरुष; एकवचन; परस्मैपदRoot √तन् (तनू)
- वाजम्
- strength, prize, (victorious) mightNounपुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया; एकवचनRole कर्मRoot वाज (प्रातिपदिक)
- अर्वत्सु
- among the steeds/horsesNounपुंलिङ्ग; सप्तमी; बहुवचनRole अधिकारणRoot अर्वत् (प्रातिपदिक)
- पयः
- milk, nourishing fluidNounनपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया; एकवचनRole कर्मRoot पयस् (प्रातिपदिक)
- उस्रियासु
- among the ruddy cows (dawn-cows), in the cowsNounस्त्रीलिङ्ग; सप्तमी; बहुवचनRole अधिकारणRoot उस्रिया (प्रातिपदिक)
- हृत्सु
- in the heartsNounस्त्रीलिङ्ग; सप्तमी; बहुवचनRole अधिकारणRoot हृत्/हृद् (प्रातिपदिक)
- क्रतुम्
- will, resolve, sacred intelligenceNounपुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया; एकवचनRole कर्मRoot क्रतु (प्रातिपदिक)
- वरुणः
- VaruṇaNounपुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा; एकवचनRole कर्तृRoot वरुण (प्रातिपदिक)
- अप्सु
- in the watersNounस्त्रीलिङ्ग; सप्तमी; बहुवचनRole अधिकारणRoot अप् (प्रातिपदिक)
- अग्निम्
- Agni, fireNounपुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया; एकवचनRole कर्मRoot अग्नि (प्रातिपदिक)
- दिवि
- in heaven, in the skyNounस्त्रीलिङ्ग; सप्तमी; एकवचनRole अधिकारणRoot द्यौ/दिव् (प्रातिपदिक)
- सूर्यम्
- the SunNounपुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया; एकवचनRole कर्मRoot सूर्य (प्रातिपदिक)
- अदधात्
- he placed, setVerbलुङ् (अorist/इम्पर्फेक्ट-आorist); प्रथमपुरुष; एकवचन; परस्मैपदRoot √धा (दधाति)
- सोमम्
- Soma (the pressed drink/deity)Nounपुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया; एकवचनRole कर्मRoot सोम (प्रातिपदिक)
- अद्रौ
- on/at the stone (pressing-stone; rock)Nounपुंलिङ्ग; सप्तमी; एकवचनRole अधिकारणRoot अद्रि (प्रातिपदिक)
Sandhi Notes
- पदच्छेदः: वनेषु | वि | अन्तरिक्षम् | ततान | वाजम् | अर्वत्सु | पयः | उस्रियासु । हृत्सु | क्रतुम् | वरुणः | अप्सु | अग्निम् | दिवि | सूर्यम् | अदधात् | सोमम् | अद्रौ ॥ 1) व्यन्तरिक्षम् = वि + अन्तरिक्षम् (उपसर्ग-सन्धि; इकारः + अकारः → य्-आगमः: वि + अ… → व्य…)
- 2) ततान वाजम्…: ततान (लिट्) governs multiple कर्म-पदानि (अन्तरिक्षम्, वाजम्, पयः) in coordinated sense
- 3) अप्स्वग्निम् in saṃhitā = अप्सु + अग्निम् (उकारान्त + अकारादि → व्-आगमः: अप्सु-अग्निम् → अप्स्वग्निम्)
- 4) अदधात्सोमम् in saṃhitā = अदधात् + सोमम् (त् + स → त्स्)
The meaning
Outer meaning
Varuṇa orders the worlds: he spreads the midspace, places strength among horses, milk among shining cows; he establishes will in hearts, Agni in waters, the Sun in heaven, and Soma in the rock—each power in its proper seat.
Inner meaning
Varuṇa, lord of ṛta, arranges the inner cosmos of the seeker. The ‘forest’ is the unformed growth of nature; there he opens the inner midspace (antarikṣa) where movements can circulate. He sets vāja (effective force, plenitude) in the life-forces (aśva/arvant), and the nourishing ‘milk’ (payaḥ) in the illumined rays (usriyā/go). Most crucially, he implants kratu (decisive will, right intention) in the heart: the psychic consent to truth. Agni in the waters signifies the divine will hidden in the subconscient and emotional currents; Sūrya in heaven is the establishment of clear illumination in the higher mind; Soma in the rock is bliss sealed in the ‘stone’ of dense bodily consciousness, awaiting release by tapas and right rhythm.
Universal truth
Harmony is not accidental: consciousness evolves by a law of right placement. When will is seated in the heart and each power finds its true station—fire in the depths, light above, delight in matter—life becomes an ordered sacrifice where energies nourish rather than conflict.
Themes
Cosmic ordering, Symbolic geography of powers, Inner cosmology
The seer
- Rishi
- Atri (Ātreya)
- Lineage
- Ātreya
- Other hymns
- RV 5.85.1, RV 5.86.1, RV 5.87.1, RV 5.40.1
Family tradition
Atri lineage in Maṇḍala 5; hymns often articulate cosmic order (ṛta) as an inward law, with strong psychological correspondences (light, waters, release).
Significance
Atri’s seeing tends toward vastness and right arrangement: the seer-poet maps how the divine sovereignty (Varuṇa as Āditya/Asura) establishes inner law, enabling purification, right discernment, and the release of hidden delight.
The deity
- Devata
- Varuṇa
- Epithets
- Āditya, Asura (sovereign power), Rājā (king), Ṛtasya gopā (guardian of ṛta), Uru (the Vast)
- Related deities
- Mitra, Aryaman, Bhaga, Indra, Agni, Sūrya, Soma
Cosmic role
Upholder of ṛta: sets measures, stations, and boundaries; governs the vast waters/sky and the moral-cosmic order.
Inner power
The power of inner truth-law: conscience, right measure, purification, and the vast calm that seats each movement in its proper place.
In ritual
Where it is used
Varuṇa/Āditya hymns in soma-yajña recitations; also used for appeasement and restoration of order (anṛta → ṛta).
वने॑षु॒ व्य१॒॑न्तरि॑क्षं ततान॒ वाज॒मर्व॑त्सु॒ पय॑ उ॒स्रिया॑सु । हृ॒त्सु क्रतुं॒ वरु॑णो अ॒प्स्व१॒॑ग्निं दि॒वि सूर्य॑मदधा॒त्सोम॒मद्रौ॑ ॥
वने॑षु । वि । अ॒न्तरि॑क्षम् । त॒ता॒न॒ । वाज॑म् । अर्व॑त्ऽसु । पयः॑ । उ॒स्रिया॑सु । हृ॒त्ऽसु । क्रतु॑म् । वरु॑णः । अ॒प्ऽसु । अ॒ग्निम् । दि॒वि । सूर्य॑म् । अ॒द॒धा॒त् । सोम॑म् । अद्रौ॑ ॥
vaneṣu | vi | antarikṣam | tatāna | vājam | arvat-su | payaḥ | usriyāsu | hṛt-su | kratum | varuṇaḥ | ap-su | agnim | divi | sūryam | adadhāt | somam | adrau
11
4 pādas × 11 syllables (typical triṣṭubh cadence with a strong 4th/5th syllable lift and weighty close)
Majestic, law-giving, declarative; suited to cosmic ordering statements.
Creates a sense of vastness and stability; supports meditative attention on ‘placing’ energies correctly within oneself.
- वनेषु (vaneṣu)
- Literal: in the forests. Symbolic: in the dense, untamed growth of outer nature; the mixed field of instincts and impulses
- अन्तरिक्षम् (antarikṣam)
- Literal: midspace. Symbolic: intermediate consciousness between mind and life; the field of prāṇa and subtle movement
- वाजम् (vājam)
- Literal: prize, strength, plenitude. Symbolic: effective force of attainment; energy that accomplishes the work
- अर्वत्सु (arvatsu)
- Literal: among the steeds. Symbolic: in the life-energies and dynamic impulses that carry action
- पयः (payaḥ)
- Literal: milk. Symbolic: nourishing essence; sweetness of knowledge and growth-force
- उस्रियासु (usriyāsu)
- Literal: in the shining cows. Symbolic: in the rays of illumination (gos); luminous perceptions
- क्रतुम् (kratum)
- Literal: will, resolve, intelligence. Symbolic: right-willed intention; soul-consent to ṛta
- अप्सु (apsu)
- Literal: in the waters. Symbolic: in the subconscient/emotional currents; the flowing life-plane
- अग्निम् (agnim)
- Literal: Agni, fire. Symbolic: divine will, inner flame of aspiration and transformation
- दिवि (divi)
- Literal: in heaven. Symbolic: in the higher mind; the luminous plane of clarity
- सूर्यम् (sūryam)
- Literal: the Sun. Symbolic: truth-light, illumined consciousness
- सोमम् (somam)
- Literal: Soma. Symbolic: divine delight/ananda; immortalizing sweetness
- अद्रौ (adrau)
- Literal: in the rock. Symbolic: in dense body-consciousness; the ‘stone’ that conceals delight
Varuṇa as establisher of right placements (dhāman): supports ritual cosmology—each divine power in its proper seat; recited to affirm ṛta in sacrifice and inner discipline.
Āditya/Varuṇa offerings; moments emphasizing purification, vows, and cosmic law.
Recitation with oblations (ghee/soma) to invoke right order and release from bonds.
Use as an ‘inner alignment’ mantra: before meditation, affirm right placement of will (heart), fire (depths), light (mind), delight (body).
vi-√tan ‘stretch out’ is a cosmogonic verb of ordering space. kratu (from √kr ‘do/make’) is not mere ‘intellect’ but effective will-power. Soma ‘pressed’ from the rock aligns with the myth of hidden delight extracted from dense substance; adri ‘rock’ symbolizes the resistant foundation of the subconscient.
Ṛta as right placement (dhāman), Kratu (effective will) in the heart, Hidden delight (Soma) within resistance (adri)
Explicit: Varuṇa seats powers in their right stations; ṛta as correct arrangement.
Truth-light (Sūrya) is established above; will (kratu) in the heart aligns action to satya.
World-formation by ‘placing’ principles in planes: midspace, waters, heaven, rock.
Proto-Vedānta/Sāṃkhya-like mapping of planes (mind–life–matter) via Vedic bandhu.
Nature’s elements become inner faculties: impulses (horses), rays of knowledge (cows), emotional/subconscient flows (waters), higher illumination (sun), dense body-consciousness (rock) holding latent delight (soma).
- What is the primary Vedic 'mythologem' present in this verse?
- The ‘right seating’ of cosmic powers by Varuṇa: midspace stretched, Sun set in heaven, Agni in waters, Soma in rock, will in hearts. Mythically it is cosmogonic arrangement; psychologically it is the ordering of faculties—illumination above, will within, fire-energy in life-flows, and delight hidden in the dense foundation to be extracted by discipline.
- How does the linguistic structure reflect Proto-Indo-European roots?
- √tan ‘stretch’ is a common IE root (PIE *ten-; cf. Lat. tendere). hṛd/heart is IE (PIE *ḱḗr(d)-; cf. Lat. cor). The cosmic mapping of deities to domains is a shared IE mythic grammar. Soma in rock is specifically Indo-Iranian in its pressed-drink mythology, but parallels exist in IE ‘hidden mead/nectar’ motifs.
- What is the relationship between the Rishi and the Devata here?
- The rishi contemplates Varuṇa as the architect of ṛta: by naming the placements, he seeks to reproduce that order within himself—heart receiving kratu, life-waters receiving Agni, mind-sky receiving Sun, and the subconscient rock yielding Soma.
Inner ‘right placement’: seat resolve in the heart; feel Agni as aspiration in the depths; open to Sūrya-light above; invite Soma-delight to descend into the body.
Anāhata (heart) for kratu; Ājñā for Sūrya illumination; Mūlādhāra/Manipūra for Agni in the depths (approximate correspondences).
Moderate nāḍī-śodhana 6–6 cycles, then silent retention while contemplating ‘placing’ each power in its seat.
Quiet wideness with ordered clarity; sattvic steadiness.
Visualize a vertical axis: depths (waters) kindled by Agni; heart lit with kratu; head-space opened to Sūrya; Soma as cool sweetness settling into the body’s ‘rock’. Repeat until energies feel harmonized.
Vedic svara as marked in the Saṃhitā: udatta/anudatta/svarita with frequent triṣṭubh rises; follow the accent marks on particles like,,.
Keep udatta as a clear lift, svarita as a controlled fall; do not over-musicalize—maintain steady triṣṭubh gait.
Differentiate v/b: (varuṇo) with clear ‘va’, Maintain retroflex ṇ in (varuṇa) and dental n elsewhere, : crisp ‘kṣ’ cluster, : short ‘a’, clear ‘dr’ conjunct
steady, spacious, resonant (chest-to-head balance)
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