Vedas: Rigveda Madnala – 05/10
📖 Rigveda Mandala 5 – Hymns of Atri and the Light of the Divine Twins
Harmony, Healing, and the Songs of Sacred Balance
🔆 Introduction
Mandala 5 of the Rigveda features 87 hymns, most of which are attributed to the sage Atri and his descendants, particularly Atri Bhāradvāja. These hymns emphasize themes of sacrifice, balance, healing, protection, and dawn—blending poetic beauty with spiritual rigor.
The Mandala holds a special place in Vedic tradition for its rich invocations to the Ashvins, the twin gods of healing and speed, as well as hymns dedicated to Mitra–Varuṇa, guardians of cosmic and moral law. This collection gracefully unites ritual fire (Agni) with divine law (Ṛta) and well-being (Soma and Ashvins).
📚 Overview of Mandala 5
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| 🔢 Total Sūktas | 87 |
| 👳♂️ Primary Ṛṣis | Atri, Atri Bhāradvāja, and descendants |
| 🕉️ Key Deities | Agni, Indra, Ashvins, Mitra–Varuṇa, Soma, Maruts, Vishnu |
| 🔎 Central Themes | Healing, order, divine twins, sunrise, rejuvenation, moral clarity |
| 🗣️ Metrical Style (Chandas) | Mostly Trishtubh, Gayatri, and Jagati |
| 📜 Mood | Graceful, hopeful, harmonizing |
🌟 10 Most Significant Hymns from Rigveda Mandala 5
Below are ten spiritually illuminating hymns, each presented with Sanskrit, transliteration, and English translation.
1. 🔥 Agni, Bringer of Blessings (5.1.1) – The Flame of Offerings
Sanskrit:
अग्निं दूतमवोळ्हवं हव्यवाहं पुरुप्रियम्।
यज्ञेषु देवमृत्विजम्॥
Transliteration:
agniṃ dūtam avoḷhavaṃ havyavāhaṃ puru-priyam |
yajñeṣu devam ṛtvijam ||
Translation:
“I invoke Agni, the messenger, bearer of oblations, beloved by many—the god, the officiating priest of sacrifice.”
2. ⚡ Indra’s Thunder (5.30.1) – Slayer of Vṛtra, Giver of Rain
Sanskrit:
वृत्रं जघानाप तदिन्द्रः शक्रो महावधः।
सूनुः सहस्रणीतनिः॥
Transliteration:
vṛtraṃ jaghānāpa tad indraḥ śakro mahāvadhaḥ |
sūnuḥ sahasranītaniḥ ||
Translation:
“Indra the mighty, wielder of the thunderbolt, destroyed Vṛtra and released the waters—thousandfold strength was born from him.”
3. 🌿 Ashvins’ Grace (5.77.1) – Healers Who Travel Light
Sanskrit:
आ यामन्नश्विना युवं वाजिनीवसू
युज्ञं नासत्योप यातं धिया नरा।
Transliteration:
ā yāman aśvinā yuvaṃ vājinīvasū
yujyaṃ nāsatyopa yātaṃ dhiyā narā ||
Translation:
“Come, O Ashvins, with riches, O youthful riders—O Nāsatyas, arrive with wisdom and devotion.”
4. 🌞 Mitra–Varuṇa Hymn (5.63.1) – Guardians of Cosmic Order
Sanskrit:
आ वां रथे सुवृक्तिभिर्हविष्मतीर्भिरावहम्।
मित्रं च वरुणं च॥
Transliteration:
ā vāṃ rathe su-vṛktibhir haviṣmatīr bhir āvaham |
mitraṃ ca varuṇaṃ ca ||
Translation:
“With praises and offerings, I draw you into your chariot—O Mitra and Varuṇa, upholders of sacred law.”
5. 🧬 Ashvins at Dawn (5.78.1) – Riders of the Morning Sky
Sanskrit:
प्रत्यश्विना गव्यं चक्रथुर्वसु
प्रत्यग्रं रत्नं बृहदश्विना॥
Transliteration:
praty aśvinā gavyam cakrathur vasu
praty agraṃ ratnaṃ bṛhad aśvinā ||
Translation:
“O Ashvins, you brought cattle and wealth; you brought radiant treasures at dawn.”
6. 🪔 Soma as Healer (5.43.4) – Elixir of Vitality
Sanskrit:
सोमः पुनातु मा सुतः
सोमः शोचिष्मते पवते शुभाय्यः॥
Transliteration:
somaḥ punātu mā sutaḥ
somaḥ śociṣmate pavate śubhāyyaḥ ||
Translation:
“May Soma, the pressed, purify me. Radiant Soma flows, pure and auspicious.”
7. 🌈 Ashvins’ Divine Speed (5.75.1) – Arrive Swiftly
Sanskrit:
आ यातं नासत्या रथेना
शृणुतं हवं गच्छतमुप द्रुतम्।
Transliteration:
ā yātaṃ nāsatyā rathenā
śṛṇutaṃ havaṃ gacchataṃ upa drutam ||
Translation:
“Come, O Nāsatyas, on your chariot! Hear our call and swiftly approach.”
8. 🌬️ Prayer for Inner Peace (5.4.1) – Light within the Sacrifice
Sanskrit:
शं नो अग्ने शं सोम
शं इन्द्रश्च वायवोऽस्तु नः॥
Transliteration:
śaṃ no agne śaṃ soma
śaṃ indraś ca vāyavo ‘stu naḥ ||
Translation:
“May Agni bring us peace, may Soma, Indra, and Vāyu bring us well-being.”
9. 🌀 Maruts’ Arrival (5.55.2) – Thunder of Divine Forces
Sanskrit:
यत्ते मरुतो वहथ उपस्थे
धुनिर्न शुष्मः पर्येति वज्री॥
Transliteration:
yatte maruto vahatha upasthe
dhunir na śuṣmaḥ pary eti vajrī ||
Translation:
“O Maruts, when you carry your power in your stormy chariots, the thunderbolt roars around like might itself.”
10. 💛 Ashvins, Givers of Joy (5.76.1) – Delight-Bringing Devas
Sanskrit:
दस्रा नरा शुचयुजो रथेन
आ यातं वाजेभिरुप प्रति वाम॥
Transliteration:
dasrā narā śucayujo rathena
ā yātaṃ vājebhir upa prati vām ||
Translation:
“O bright gods, O heroic Ashvins, come in your shining chariot, bringing treasures to us.”
🌄 Themes and Symbolism in Mandala 5
| Theme | Symbolism | Modern Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Ashvins (Divine Twins) | Healing, speed, divine timing | Health, rejuvenation, synchronicity in life |
| Agni | Inner light, purification | Clarity, courage, discipline |
| Indra | Protection, rain, divine power | Victory over adversity, resource flow |
| Mitra–Varuṇa | Truth, cosmic law, morality | Integrity, justice, self-regulation |
| Soma | Bliss, vitality, emotional clarity | Detoxification, joy, spiritual wellbeing |
🧘♂️ Daily Practice Using Mandala 5
Morning Ritual (Suggested Practice – 5–7 mins):
- Light a ghee lamp or candle
- Chant Agni invocation (5.1.1)
- Recite Ashvins arrival mantra (5.75.1) to invite health and healing
- Sit in silence with the intention: “Let light, balance, and health enter my life.”
- Conclude with peace mantra (5.4.1) for yourself and the world
🛕 Conclusion
Rigveda Mandala 5 shines with the harmonizing presence of the Divine Twins, Ashvins, and the moral majesty of Mitra–Varuṇa. It brings healing, harmony, and swift movement to the sacred world of Vedic chant. Through the poetic brilliance of Atri Rishis, it speaks of health, law, rhythm, and the joy of divine presence.
To chant or even reflect on these hymns is to restore balance—in body, mind, and spirit.