Rig Veda 8.42 - HYMN XLII Varuṇa
- Primary deity
- Varuna
- Rishi family
- Kanva and Angirasa families
- Verses
- 6
- Location
- Mandala 8, Sukta 42
This Sukta is the 42nd hymn of Mandala 8, a book of 103 hymns known as The Kanva and Angirasa Mandala. Its 6 verses are addressed chiefly to Varuna, and are given here in Devanagari, IAST transliteration and Griffith’s English rendering. By tradition the hymns of this Mandala belong to Kanva and Angirasa families.
The text is preserved here in three registers: the Devanagari Sanskrit of the Samhita, a scholarly IAST romanisation, and Ralph T. H. Griffith's 1896 English translation. Where our editors have published a verse-by-verse commentary it appears beneath the relevant Rik below, adding philological and contextual reading beyond the base translation.
Verses
Commentary
Certainly. Let’s explore Rig Veda Book 8, Hymn 42, Verse 2 in depth, bringing its ancient wisdom into the light of modern understanding.
Essential Meaning (Simple Contemporary Language):
The verse is a prayer that humbly honors Varuṇa—the mighty, wise guardian of cosmic order and immortality. It asks Varuṇa to grant protection that is strong and secure (“triply-barred”), and calls upon Earth and Heaven to shelter and preserve us in their embrace.
Deeper Philosophical & Spiritual Significance:
Varuṇa is one of the most profound Vedic deities. He represents the cosmic law (ṛta), moral order, and the unseen forces that maintain harmony in the universe. By offering reverence to Varuṇa, the verse acknowledges the importance of living in alignment with truth and righteousness.
The request for “triply-barred protection” is not just about physical safety; it is a yearning for security on all levels—body, mind, and spirit. It recognizes that true protection comes from being in harmony with the higher order of existence.
Invoking Earth and Heaven as nurturing guardians reminds us that we are always held within the vast lap of creation. We are supported by both the tangible (Earth) and the transcendent (Heaven).
Key Concepts & Symbolic Meanings:
- Varuṇa: Symbolizes divine wisdom, cosmic law, and the moral conscience. He is the upholder of truth and the protector against chaos and falsehood.
- Triply-barred Protection: A metaphor for complete, holistic safety—physical, psychological, and spiritual. It suggests layers of defense, not just from external dangers but from internal ones as well.
- Earth and Heaven (“dyāvāpṛthivī”): Represent the material and spiritual realms, the foundation and the expanse, signifying balance and unity in the cosmos.
Connection to Universal Human Experience & Modern Life:
In today’s world, we often seek security—financial, emotional, social. But the verse reminds us that the deepest protection comes from living in truth and integrity, honoring the laws that govern both nature and human relationships. It encourages us to cultivate wisdom and humility, acknowledging forces greater than ourselves.
The invocation to Earth and Heaven is a poetic reminder that we are never alone; we are part of a vast, interconnected whole. Just as the ancients sought shelter in the lap of the cosmos, we too can find comfort in knowing that nature and spirit support us.
Cultural & Historical Context:
In Vedic times, Varuṇa was revered as the sovereign of cosmic law, overseeing the waters and the moral dimensions of life. The people believed that maintaining harmony with Varuṇa’s principles would bring wellbeing to themselves and their society. The “triply-barred” imagery likely refers to fortified protection, reflecting the desire for comprehensive safety in a world full of uncertainties.
Reflection for the Modern Seeker:
This verse invites us to: - Approach life with humility and reverence for the greater order. - Seek wisdom and clarity, trusting that alignment with truth is our best shield. - Remember that our wellbeing is cradled in both the physical world and the spiritual expanse. - Recognize that true security comes from living in harmony with the laws of nature and the spirit, not just from external defenses.
Let this ancient prayer inspire you to cultivate integrity, seek wisdom, and trust in the nurturing embrace of the universe.
In summary:
This hymn is not only a plea for protection but a call to live wisely and humbly, recognizing our place in the cosmic order. Its message is timeless: when we honor truth and seek harmony with all that is, we are sheltered—not just by walls, but by the very structure of existence itself.
Commentary
Rig Veda, Book 8, Hymn 42, Verse 3 – Comprehensive Explanation
1. Essential Meaning in Simple, Contemporary Language
The verse is a prayer to the god Varuna, asking for wisdom, strength, and insight. The speaker requests that Varuna help sharpen their mind and abilities, so they may overcome all difficulties and sail safely through life’s challenges.
2. Deeper Philosophical and Spiritual Significance
At its heart, this verse is about seeking divine assistance to cultivate inner virtues—wisdom (dhi), capability (daksha), and will (kratu). The verse sees life as a journey across potentially dangerous waters (misfortune, “durita”), and the devotee asks for guidance and protection to safely cross over them.
It teaches that while personal effort is important (“him who strives his utmost”), true wisdom and success are perfected with the grace of the divine. It’s not just a plea for rescue, but for empowerment: “Sharpen this song… sharpen his strength and insight.” There is a beautiful interplay of self-effort and divine support.
3. Key Deities, Concepts, and Metaphors
- Varuna: Guardian of cosmic order (Ṛta), embodiment of moral and universal law, associated with water and the vastness of the sky. Here, Varuna is invoked as the source of wisdom and the remover of obstacles.
- Ship (nāvaṃ): Symbolizes the means to cross over difficulties—life’s journey, spiritual passage, or the vehicle of knowledge.
- Misfortune (durita): Represents ignorance, suffering, and obstacles in life.
- Wisdom, Strength, Insight: These are inner qualities needed to navigate life; the verse asks Varuna to help the seeker develop them.
4. Connection to Universal Human Experience and Modern Life
In today’s world, everyone faces challenges—uncertainty, setbacks, and periods of doubt. The verse’s metaphor of crossing troubled waters in a sturdy ship resonates universally. It’s a reminder that we need both our own effort and a higher wisdom—be it intuition, inner guidance, or a sense of connection to something greater—to overcome difficulties.
For a modern seeker, this verse suggests: - Self-improvement: Cultivate wisdom and capability. - Humility: Recognize the limits of personal effort and seek guidance. - Faith and Perseverance: Trust that with support (from the divine, from mentors, from inner wisdom), you can navigate life’s storms.
5. Cultural and Historical Context
In Vedic culture, prayers were not just for material gain but for inner growth and harmony with cosmic law. Varuna, as the upholder of Ṛta, was seen as both a judge and a compassionate guide, helping people align with truth and overcome the “sins” or errors that led to suffering.
The “ship” metaphor may also reflect the importance of water travel in ancient India, but spiritually, it is the journey toward liberation or self-realization.
6. Inspiring Reflection
This verse invites you to reflect: - Where do you need wisdom and strength in your life? - What are the “troubled waters” you seek to cross? - Are you combining your own effort with openness to guidance—whether spiritual, intuitive, or from a trusted source?
Timeless Truth:
Even as we strive, it is wise to seek help from higher sources of wisdom. Together, our effort and the grace we receive become the “ship” that carries us beyond adversity toward fulfillment and peace.
In summary:
The ancient prayer to Varuna is as relevant today as ever. It teaches us to sharpen our minds and hearts, seek support when needed, and trust that with effort and guidance, we can overcome life’s difficulties and sail toward our highest good.
Commentary
Certainly. Let’s look deeply at Rig Veda Book 8, Hymn 42, Verse 4:
Sanskrit: आ वां गरावाणो अश्विना धीभिर्विप्रा अचुच्यवुः | नासत्या सोमपीतये नभन्तामन्यके समे
Romanized: ā vāṃ ghrāvāṇo aśvinā dhībhirviprā acucyavuḥ | nāsatyā somapītaye nabhantāmanyake same
Griffith Translation: Aśvins, with songs the singer stones have made you hasten hitherward, Nāsatyas, to the Soma-draught. Let all the others die away.
1. Essential Meaning in Simple, Contemporary Language
This verse is a prayer to the Ashvins, divine twin deities, inviting them to come quickly to partake in the Soma offering. The poet-sages (viprāḥ), through their wisdom and hymns, have called the Ashvins using sacred stones (garāvāṇas), tools of the ritual. The singers wish for the Ashvins alone to receive the Soma, and let other lesser entities fade away so that the focus remains on these honored guests.
2. Deeper Philosophical and Spiritual Significance
The verse is more than just an invitation—it expresses the power of focused intention and the sacred act of invoking higher energies. The Ashvins are symbols of healing, swift aid, and beneficence. By calling them, the sages are seeking transformation, rejuvenation, and grace. The prayer is also about purity: asking that distractions (the “others”) vanish, so only the highest spiritual forces are present.
3. Key Deities, Concepts, and Metaphors
- Ashvins (Aśvinā, Nāsatyā): Twin gods of light, healing, and rescue, often invoked at dawn. They represent hope, renewal, and the power to overcome obstacles.
- Soma: A sacred drink representing divine ecstasy, inspiration, and life force.
- Singer Stones (Garāvāṇas): Stones used to press the Soma plant, here poetically described as participating in the invocation—symbolizing cooperation of nature and human effort in spiritual practice.
- Let all the others die away: A metaphor for focusing attention, letting go of distractions, and inviting only the purest energies.
4. Connecting to Universal Human Experience and Modern Life
At its core, this verse is about invitation, focus, and seeking the highest good. In our own lives, we often seek healing, insight, and transformation. The verse teaches us to: - Call upon the best within and around us: Whether in prayer, meditation, or any endeavor, set your intention to invite healing and inspiration. - Focus on what truly matters: Let distractions and lesser desires fall away, so that your energy is devoted to what uplifts you and others. - Co-create sacred moments: The use of ritual tools (stones, songs) reminds us that transformation requires both intention and action.
5. Cultural and Historical Context
In Vedic rituals, Soma was central—a symbol of divine connection and transcendence. The Ashvins were beloved for their swift help and miraculous interventions. The “singer stones” are both literal (tools) and metaphorical (voices of nature joining the human song). The Vedic mindset is one of harmonious cooperation between human, divine, and natural forces.
6. A Contemporary Reflection
Imagine you are seeking clarity, healing, or renewal. This verse invites you to: - Set your intention: Ask for the very best help—be it wisdom, love, or healing. - Focus your attention: Let go of distractions or lesser goals. - Engage fully: Use all your faculties—mind, voice, action—to create a space for transformation. - Trust in higher forces: Just as the Ashvins respond to the call, trust that sincere invocation brings help.
Summary
This sacred verse teaches: - The power of intentional invocation—calling in healing and inspiration. - The need to focus, letting distractions fade so higher energies can enter. - The union of human effort (songs, stones) and divine grace.
For a modern seeker: - When you seek healing or insight, gather your resources, set a pure intention, and invite the best help. Release distractions, and let your life become a sacred offering. In this focused space, transformation can occur.
In the words of the Rig Veda: Let us call forth the divine healers with pure intent, let lesser distractions fall away, and welcome renewal and inspiration into our lives.
Commentary
Rig Veda 8.42.5 – Verse Explanation
1. Essential Meaning in Simple Language
This verse recalls how the sage Atri, with heartfelt prayers, called upon the twin deities, the Ashvins (also called Nāsatyas), to partake in the sacred Soma ritual. The hymn asks that, just as Atri invoked the Ashvins, all other distractions or lesser presences be set aside, so that only the Ashvins are honored and present.
2. Deeper Philosophical/Spiritual Significance
At its heart, this verse is about focused devotion and the power of sincere invocation. It references the ancient rishi (sage) Atri, whose pure and earnest hymns attracted the divine presence of the Ashvins. The request “let all others die away” can be seen as a plea for single-mindedness: in the act of worship or spiritual practice, let distractions and superficial desires fade, so that only the highest divine connection remains.
This reflects a universal principle—when we seek the divine, clarity and purity of intention are crucial. True spiritual progress comes when we let go of distractions and concentrate our mind and heart on the highest ideal.
3. Key Deities, Concepts, and Symbols
- Ashvins / Nāsatyas: Twin gods, symbols of healing, swift help, and guidance. They are associated with light, dawn, and the transformative power of divine grace.
- Atri: One of the ancient seers, representing wisdom, purity, and the potency of sincere prayer.
- Soma: Sacred ritual drink, symbolizing divine ecstasy, inspiration, and spiritual nourishment.
- Other presences: Symbolize distractions, lesser desires, or anything that dilutes the focus on the divine.
4. Connection to Universal Human Experience and Modern Life
Even today, we often seek guidance, healing, or inspiration—whether from the divine, mentors, or inner wisdom. This verse teaches that when we approach our source of help (be it God, a higher self, or any revered figure), our prayers are most powerful when they are sincere and undistracted.
In modern terms, this is the call for mindfulness: to be fully present, to let go of distractions, and to connect deeply with what truly matters. Whether in meditation, prayer, or any meaningful endeavor, the quality of our attention determines the depth of our experience.
5. Cultural and Historical Context
The Rig Veda hymns were composed by sages like Atri, whose lives were dedicated to spiritual realization. The Ashvins were invoked for their swift aid and healing powers, especially in rituals involving Soma, which was seen as a channel for divine inspiration. The emphasis on “letting all others die away” was not just about excluding other deities, but about cultivating single-pointed devotion—a theme found throughout Vedic and later spiritual traditions.
6. Inspiration and Reflection
This ancient verse invites us to reflect: In our own life, what are the “others”—the distractions, anxieties, or desires—that keep us from connecting with our deepest source of wisdom or healing? Can we, like Atri, call upon our highest ideals with pure, undivided intention?
Summary
This hymn is a timeless reminder: When you seek something truly sacred—healing, guidance, inspiration—approach with full sincerity, let distractions fall away, and focus your heart and mind on the divine. In that space of pure attention, grace and wisdom can enter.
Reflective Question:
How might you create moments in your daily life to let distractions “die away,” and call upon your highest source of inspiration with single-minded devotion?
Commentary
Certainly! Let’s explore Rig Veda 8.42.6 together, step by step, and reveal its timeless wisdom:
Verse (Romanized): evā vāmahva ūtaye yathāhuvanta medhirāḥ | nāsatyā somapītaye nabhantāmanyake same
Essential Meaning (in simple language): The speaker is calling upon the twin deities, the Nāsatyas (also known as the Ashvins), to come and offer their help and blessings, just as wise people have done in the past. The invitation is specifically for them to join the sacred Soma ritual. The verse expresses a wish that only these deities respond, while others fade into the background.
Deeper Philosophical or Spiritual Significance
Invocation and Faith: This verse teaches the power of invocation—calling on divine forces with sincerity and faith. By specifically inviting the Nāsatyas as wise ancestors have, the hymn shows the importance of tradition, continuity, and trust in spiritual allies.
Selective Focus: The wish that “all the others die away” is not a rejection of other deities, but rather a focused intent. It reflects the idea that, in moments of ritual or personal need, clarity and single-mindedness are valuable. To truly connect with higher powers, one must be present and devoted, not distracted by many competing desires or thoughts.
Soma Ritual: The mention of the Soma (a sacred drink symbolizing divine inspiration, immortality, and bliss) underscores the pursuit of transcendence. The Ashvins are invited to partake, signifying their role as bringers of healing, vitality, and rejuvenation.
Key Deities, Concepts, and Symbols
- Nāsatyas/Ashvins: Twin gods of healing, rescue, and swift help. They symbolize harmony, cooperation, and the union of complementary forces (like mind and body, or knowledge and action).
- Soma: More than a literal drink, it represents spiritual ecstasy, insight, and the nectar of life—what we seek in moments of inspiration or transformation.
- Invocation: The act of calling upon the divine, trusting in their presence and assistance.
Connection to Universal Human Experiences and Modern Life
This verse speaks to anyone who has ever sought help, guidance, or healing—whether from the divine, from loved ones, or from inner resources. It reminds us that:
- We are part of an ancient lineage: Just as the wise ones before us called upon higher powers, we too can seek support and insight, trusting in what has sustained humanity across generations.
- Focused intention matters: In a world of distractions, the call to direct our energy and attention—whether in prayer, meditation, or action—remains deeply relevant.
- Healing and renewal are always available: The Ashvins represent the hope that, no matter our struggles, help is close if we sincerely seek it.
Cultural and Historical Context
In Vedic times, rituals involving Soma were central to spiritual life. The Ashvins, as divine healers, were particularly revered in these contexts. Their swift response to human need was legendary; invoking them was a way to draw close to the energies of healing, hope, and new beginnings.
Reflection for the Modern Seeker
You are not alone in your journey. When faced with challenges, don’t hesitate to call upon the wisdom, help, or healing you need—be it through prayer, meditation, or asking for support from others. Let your intention be clear and focused; honor the traditions that connect you to something greater. Trust that, just as in ancient times, healing and inspiration can arrive when sincerely sought.
In essence, this verse invites you to: - Invoke help with trust and sincerity - Focus your intent on what truly matters - Recognize the healing forces available to you - Feel connected to the wisdom of ages past
May the ancient call echo in your heart, and may you find the healing and inspiration you seek.
Commentary
Certainly. Let’s illuminate Rig Veda 8.42.1 for a modern reader.
Sanskrit (Devanagari): अस्तभ्नाद दयामसुरो विश्ववेदा अमिमीत वरिमाणं पर्थिव्याः | आसीदद विश्वा भुवनानि सम्राड विश्वेत तानि वरुणस्य वरतानि ||
Romanized: astabhnād dyāmasuro viśvavedā amimīta varimāṇaṃ pṛthivyāḥ | āsīdad viśvā bhuvanāni samrāḍ viśvet tāni varuṇasya vratāni ||
1. Essential Meaning in Simple Language
This verse describes the mighty deity (Varuṇa, often identified as the cosmic sovereign) who: - Holds up the sky and measures the vastness of the earth, - Presides over all the worlds as their lord, - And whose laws (vrata) sustain all existence.
In essence, it honors the divine principle that upholds the cosmos, establishes order, and ensures the harmonious functioning of everything in creation.
2. Deeper Philosophical and Spiritual Significance
Varuṇa is much more than a mythological god; in Vedic thought, he represents cosmic order (ṛta), the moral and natural laws that govern the universe. By saying he “holds up the sky” and “measures the earth,” the verse points to a profound truth:
There is an underlying intelligence and order that supports the universe, ensuring stability and balance.
His “laws” or vrata are not just commandments—they are the principles that maintain harmony, truth, and justice in both nature and human life.
3. Key Concepts and Symbolism
4. Connection to Universal Human Experience and Modern Life
In contemporary terms, this verse invites us to reflect on the orderliness of nature and the importance of living in harmony with universal principles. Just as Varuṇa’s laws uphold the worlds, we too thrive when we respect the laws of nature, society, and our own inner ethics.
It teaches humility:
We are part of a vast, interconnected cosmos governed by laws beyond our making. Recognizing and aligning with this order—be it environmental stewardship, social justice, or personal integrity—brings peace and prosperity.
5. Cultural/Historical Context
In Vedic culture, the observation of cosmic order was seen as essential for both the universe and human society. Varuṇa’s presence was invoked to uphold truth and right conduct, and rituals sought his blessings for maintaining balance in the world.
6. Inspiring Reflection
This verse is a poetic reminder to honor the sacred order underlying all creation.
It asks:
- Do we respect the “laws” that sustain life—nature’s cycles, ethical principles, the harmony of relationships? - How can we be stewards of this order in our daily choices?
Eternal Truth:
Behind the apparent chaos, there is an invisible intelligence holding everything together. When we recognize, respect, and participate in this order, we become co-creators of harmony—within ourselves and in the world.
In summary:
The hymn celebrates the cosmic lawgiver who upholds the universe, inviting us to honor and align with the eternal principles that sustain all life. This ancient wisdom remains profoundly relevant, guiding us to live with reverence, responsibility, and integrity in the grand tapestry of existence.