Rig Veda 7.64.3: Mandala 7, Sukta 64, Mantra 3
Sukta 7.64
- Rishi
- Vasiṣṭha
- Devata
- Mitra–Varuṇa
- Chandas
- Triṣṭubh
- Rasa
- Vira (heroism) and Shanta (peace)
मित्रस्तन्नो वरुणो देवो अर्यः प्र साधिष्ठेभिः पथिभिर्नयन्तु । ब्रवद्यथा न आदरिः सुदास इषा मदेम सह देवगोपाः ॥
mitrástán no váruṇo devó aryáḥ prá sādhiṣṭhébhiḥ pathíbhiḥ nayantu | brávad yáthā na ā́d ariḥ sudā́sa iṣā́ madema sahá devágopāḥ ||
Nguyện Mitra và Varuṇa—những quyền năng Arya thiêng liêng—dẫn chúng con tiến lên theo những con đường thành tựu nhất. Nguyện lời ấy được cất lên để kẻ thù không thể chạm tới chúng con; nguyện chúng con hoan hỷ trong sức mạnh của sự nuôi dưỡng và tăng trưởng, được các thần hộ trì.
Word by Word
- मित्रः
- MitraNounपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole कर्तृRoot मित्र (प्रातिपदिक)
- तत्
- that (boon/thing)Pronounनपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचनRole कर्मRoot तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
- नः
- for usPronounषष्ठी/चतुर्थी बहुवचन-एन्क्लिटिक (gen./dat. ‘of us/for us’), here dat.-senseRole सम्प्रदानRoot अस्मद् (सर्वनाम)
- वरुणः
- VaruṇaNounपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole कर्तृRoot वरुण (प्रातिपदिक)
- देवः
- the godNounपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole कर्तृRoot देव (प्रातिपदिक)
- अर्यः
- Aryaman / the noble oneNoun/Adjective (epithet)पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole कर्तृRoot अर्य (प्रातिपदिक)
- प्र
- forth, forwardIndeclinableउपसर्गः (verb-modifier)Root प्र (उपसर्ग/निपात)
- साधिष्ठेभिः
- with the best (most effective)Adjectiveपुं/नपुंसक, तृतीया, बहुवचनRole करणRoot साधिष्ठ (साधु-तमत्/इष्ठ-प्रत्यय, प्रातिपदिक)
- पथिभिः
- with paths, by waysNounपुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचनRole करणRoot पथि/पथ (प्रातिपदिक)
- नयन्तु
- let them leadVerbलोट् (आज्ञार्थ), परस्मैपद, तृतीया पुरुष, बहुवचनRoot नी (धातु)
- ब्रवत्
- let (someone) speak / may he speakVerb (participle-like finite form)लोट्/विधिलिङ्-प्रयोगवत् वैदिक रूप; 3rd sg. injunctive/imperative senseRoot ब्रू (धातु)
- यथा
- as, so thatIndeclinableसम्बन्ध/उपमानार्थ अव्ययRoot यथा (निपात)
- नः
- of usPronounषष्ठी/चतुर्थी बहुवचन-एन्क्लिटिक, here gen.-senseRole सम्बन्धRoot अस्मद् (सर्वनाम)
- आदरिः
- the attentive one / the respecter (patron)Nounपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole कर्तृRoot आदरि (प्रातिपदिक)
- सुदासः
- SudāsProper Nounपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole कर्तृ (apposition)Root सुदास (प्रातिपदिक)
- इषा
- with refreshment/strength (nourishment)Nounस्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचनRole करणRoot इष्/इषा (प्रातिपदिक)
- मदेम
- may we rejoice / be exhilaratedVerbलोट् (आज्ञार्थ)/विधिलिङ् वैदिक; आत्मनेपद, उत्तम पुरुष, बहुवचनRoot मद् (धातु)
- सह
- together withIndeclinableसह-योगे अव्ययRoot सह (निपात)
- देवगोपाः
- god-protectors / protected by the godsNoun (compound)पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचनRole कर्तृ (सह-समुच्चय)Root देव-गोप (समास; गोप ‘protector’)
Sandhi Notes
- मित्रस् तन्नो → मित्रः तत् नः (विसर्ग-सन्धि; तद् का त् परे ‘न’ इति)
- वरुणो देवो → वरुणः देवः (ओ/अः-प्रयोगः पदपाठे)
- पथिभिर्नयन्तु → पथिभिः नयन्तु (र्-लोप/अनुस्वार-प्रयोगः संहितायाम्)
- ब्रवद्यथा → ब्रवत् यथा (त् + य → द्य् संधि)
- न आदरिः → नः आदरिः (एन्क्लिटिक ‘नः’)
- इषा मदेम → इषा मदेम (सन्धि-रहित)
- सह देवगोपाः → सह देवगोपाः (सन्धि-रहित)
The meaning
Outer meaning
May Mitra and Varuṇa, divine Arya powers, lead us forward by the most effective paths. Let it be proclaimed so that no enemy may reach us; may we rejoice in nourishment and increase, protected by the gods.
Inner meaning
Mitra–Varuṇa as ‘deva aryaḥ’ are the noble, luminous powers that civilize the inner being—turning it from confusion to right law and right relation. ‘Most accomplishing paths’ are the sure inner movements (disciplines, discernments) that carry consciousness forward without waste. ‘Enemy’ is the inner obstruction—falsehood, revolt, inertia, hostile formations. Rejoicing in iṣā is the enjoyment of the right impulsion and increase (strength that feeds progress) under divine guarding.
Universal truth
Progress is safest and swiftest when guided by harmony and truth; then hostile forces cannot breach the protected field of consciousness, and the life-force becomes a joyful nourishment for growth.
Themes
guidance, protection-from-obstruction, nourishing-force
The seer
- Rishi
- Vasiṣṭha
- Lineage
- Vasiṣṭha-gotra
- Other hymns
- RV 7.60, RV 7.61, RV 7.62, RV 7.63, RV 7.65
Family tradition
Vasiṣṭha’s hymns often emphasize protection by ṛta and right guidance along the path—both outer and inner.
Significance
The seer frames spiritual life as a guided journey: the Adityas lead by true paths, and the hostile cannot enter a consciousness that keeps to truth and harmony.
The deity
- Devata
- Mitra–Varuṇa
- Epithets
- deva aryaḥ (divine noble powers), pathinētṛ (leaders on the path, implied), devagopā (divine protectors, by result)
- Related deities
- Aryaman (noble law), Bhaga (portion/blessing), Indra (victory over obstruction)
Cosmic role
They guide the worlds along lawful courses and protect the righteous from disorder.
Inner power
Guidance: intuitive rightness in choice and movement; Protection: a boundary of truth that repels confusion and hostile impulses.
In ritual
Where it is used
Protective and path-guidance invocation within Aditya hymns; suitable for pravargya/other daylight recitations in broader śrauta settings (general).
मि॒त्रस्तन्नो॒ वरु॑णो दे॒वो अ॒र्यः प्र साधि॑ष्ठेभिः प॒थिभि॑र्नयन्तु । ब्रव॒द्यथा॑ न॒ आद॒रिः सु॒दास॑ इ॒षा म॑देम स॒ह दे॒वगो॑पाः ॥
मि॒त्रः । तत् । नः॒ । वरु॑णः । दे॒वः । अ॒र्यः । प्र । साधि॑ष्ठेभिः । प॒थिऽभिः॑ । न॒य॒न्तु॒ । ब्रव॑त् । यथा॑ । नः॒ । आत् । अ॒रिः । सु॒ऽदासे॑ । इ॒षा । म॒दे॒म॒ । स॒ह । दे॒वऽगो॑पाः ॥
mitraḥ | tat | naḥ | varuṇaḥ | devaḥ | aryaḥ | pra | sādhiṣṭhebhiḥ | pathi-bhiḥ | nayantu | bravat | yathā | naḥ | āt | ariḥ | su-dāse | iṣā | madema | saha | deva-gopāḥ
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4 × ~11 syllables
Processional and directive; suited to ‘leading forward’ imagery.
Creates a sense of being guided step-by-step; strengthens resolve and protective confidence.
- देवो अर्यः (devo aryaḥ)
- Literal: the divine noble. Symbolic: the higher, ennobling powers that lead the human toward truth and right action
- साधिष्ठेभिः पथिभिः (sādhiṣṭhebhiḥ pathibhiḥ)
- Literal: by the most accomplishing paths. Symbolic: most effective inner disciplines and right movements of consciousness
- अरिः (ariḥ)
- Literal: enemy. Symbolic: inner adversary: ignorance, desire, doubt, hostile suggestions
- इषा (iṣā)
- Literal: refreshment, vigor, nourishment. Symbolic: strength of right impulsion and increase that feeds the yoga/sacrifice
- देवगोपाः (devagopāḥ)
- Literal: guarded by the gods. Symbolic: protected by higher powers; a consciousness held within ṛta
Protective guidance prayer; suited to rites seeking safe journey and victory over hostile forces; also a closing petition within Āditya sequences
Before undertaking journeys, vows, study, or inner practice; also as morning protection chant.
Recitation as saṅkalpa for right path and divine guarding.
Use before important decisions: chant, then silently ask for the ‘most accomplishing path’ and watch for the calm, truthful option.
√nī 'lead' frames the gods as guides on paths (patha). sādhiṣṭha- superlative from sādh- 'to accomplish, bring to success' underwrites an inner yoga-reading: the most effective methods of progress. ari- 'enemy' is often external in later readings; here innerly as obstruction/falsehood. iṣ- (iṣā) relates to impulse, refreshment, increase—psychologically, the energizing nourishment that supports growth. The form su-dāse is textually delicate (often a proper name Sudās elsewhere); given the pada segmentation su-dāse, it can be read as 'to/for good-giving' in this local syntax.
guidance on effective paths (sādhiṣṭha patha), speech as truth-formula (brū) shaping protection, iṣā as increase-force
Implicit: ‘most accomplishing paths’ are paths of ṛta; enemies fail where ṛta is maintained.
Truth spoken/affirmed (‘bravad…’) is a force that seals the protection.
World as a course (yāman) guided by lawful powers; progress is a cosmic principle mirrored in the seeker.
Vedic psychology of ascent: guidance by luminous powers rather than mere fate.
Path = channel of consciousness; enemy = disruptive wave/formation; guarding = stable boundary of awareness maintained by truth and harmony.
- What is the primary Vedic 'mythologem' present in this verse?
- The gods as path-leaders and protectors: Mitra–Varuṇa guide by the most accomplishing paths and ward off the enemy. Innerly, right relation and vast law lead the consciousness through effective disciplines while truth-speech establishes a protective formation against obstruction.
- How does the linguistic structure reflect Proto-Indo-European roots?
- The ‘path’ lexeme and the guiding verb √nī resonate with widespread IE journey metaphors for life and ritual. The performative power of speech (√brū) parallels an IE poetic concept where spoken formula shapes reality.
- What is the relationship between the Rishi and the Devata here?
- The rishi requests active leading and protection; he also contributes the spoken affirmation (bravat), implying human participation through truth-utterance. The devatās reciprocate by guiding and guarding, enabling rejoicing in iṣā (growth-force).
Discern the ‘most accomplishing path’ in thought, speech, action; offer choices to Mitra (harmony) and Varuṇa (truth).
Maṇipūra (right will/forward movement) with Ājñā (discernment)
Brisk-energetic 12 breaths (kapālabhāti light) followed by 6 slow breaths to settle into guided clarity.
Forward-moving clarity with a protected perimeter—less leakage into doubt or agitation.
Chant once, then write one decision you face; ask inwardly: ‘Which option is most in ṛta?’ Wait for the calm, widening answer; commit to one small step immediately (pra… nayantu).
Use standard RV accenting; keep clear udātta on mitráḥ/varúṇaḥ where marked; avoid flattening the directive cadence in ‘pra… nayantu’.
Emphasize ‘prá’ (forward) and ‘sādhiṣṭhebhiḥ’ (most accomplishing) with steady lift; make ‘yáthā naḥ āt ariḥ’ a firm protective clause.
Cluster clarity: sādhiṣṭhe-bhiḥ (ṣṭh), pathibhiḥ (th), devagopāḥ (gopāḥ long ā)., Keep ‘aryaḥ’ with clear palatal y and visarga ḥ at end., Do not elide ‘varuṇo’ (o) into the next word; keep vowel purity.
Directive, confident, protective; slightly stronger on the ‘enemy’ clause.
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