Manyu is Divine Wrath personified. This devataa is often associated with Rudra, and later with Shri Narasimha Swamy. The story goes that one day when Vishnu decided to kill Hiranya Kashipu, he could not bring himself to cause violence and kill him, as by nature, Vishnu avoids conflicts and is a devataa of peace and prosperity. But since he had to bend to the will of his ardent lover-devotee-bhakta, i.e. Prahlaada, he decides to put an end though a fierce avatara. To create such a form, he requests Rudra to lend him his wrath -Manyu. Conceding to this, Rudra himself lovingly enters, as Manyu, into Vishnu’s body, thus amalgamating into Shri Narasimha- Nara tattva of Vishnu and the Simha tattva of Manyu. What manifests, is the most terrifying of all avataras of Vishnu, the protector as well as the destroyer. Many Vaishnava sampradayas therefore consider him the guardian deity, the equivalent of Bhairava in Shaiva and of Kaali in Shaakta sampradaayas. Hence, this ancient Rgvedic diad hymn came to be worshipful prayers directed to Shri (Ugra) Narasimha.
However, in the mantras themselves there is no iconography of any particular devata.
Hey Manyu! You bear the Vajra(lightening) sword. You enrich our Sahas and Ojas - bravado and vigor, of he who worships you. You are uninterrupted in every sense. May we defend against the Dasas(the laymen) and Aryas(the nobility), with you on our side; you who are energised with valor, adventure and kindled spirit.
Wrath is the Indra, wrath is the God, wrath is the Hotr (the yajna officiator), wrath is Varuna, wrath is Agni (who birthed the Vedas). Plunge into such wrath! Those humans (and their clans) who call upon you, Wrath, protect them, like an ally, with your heat.
Come hither Wrath. You are the heroest of heroes, with your heat, utterly vanquish the enemies. You kill the non-allies, the demons, the enemies. And fill our treasuries with all wealth.
Mantra 4
त्वं हि म᳚न्यो अ॒भिभू᳚त्योजा-स्स्वय॒म्भूर्भामो᳚ अभिमातिषा॒हः ।
You alone, Wrath, are self-born, are luster itself, are endowed with supreme valor. You defend us against insidious forces. You are the all-active, the all-mighty, the defenseful. Into our armies, pour the vigour.
I am struck with ill-luck. Defeated, I stand before you, mindful of your many heroic acts. Wrath! I beseech you, who are unmatched. Kill them! Come to me, with your true self, for bestowing strength.
Here I am, for you I exist. Come close. Look at me, lord. You sustain the entire world. You, almighty, have turned your back on me. Wrath! You wield the Vajra. Envelope me from all sides. Let’s defeat the enemies together. I stand stripped of necessary knowledge.
जु॒होमि॑ ते ध॒रुण॒-म्मध्वो॒ अग्र॑मुभा उ॑पां॒शु प्र॑थ॒मा पि॑बाव ॥ 7 ॥
Come to me. Be close. Be to my right. Let’s absolutely slaughter hordes of enemies. I offer to you this bowl of the best honey. Sit beside me. Let us both, partake this first.
Shiva as he appears in the Rudra prashna - Namakam and Chamakam
Rudra origins
Speaking from a historic perspective, Rudra is a very ancient devataa, worshipped by the Vaidikas, since 5000+ years. He appears in the oldest mandalas of Rgveda as well (7.46.1) making him a deity of yore and prominence. Even seals and motifs from the connected civilisations, e.g. Harappan , Avestan, even Greek and Roman, hint at a similar God being worshipped. The indigenous tribes of Bharatam also have added their customs, rituals and motifs onto Rudra, a testimony to the peace and truce between the so-called "Aryan Vaidikas" vs "Dravidan Natives".
The Rishis and gods alike feared him, respected him from a distance and were always submissive before him. It is clearly evident in the mantra-language and style too. While Lord Indra was the Chief, the benevolent cosmic king, the Alpha, the dearest of the Rishis and humans, the apple of their eye, Lord Rudra was the sigma, the aloof-alone-all-terrorising god.
Portfolio
He was primarily in charge of the forests and uninhabited lands. He knew of the Oshadhi-Vanaspati, supremely medicinal herbs, hence his link to the exotic psychedelic/stimulant Soma. He knew of magical potions, which could cure an array of diseases, thus he was thought of as a physician too. He was also assigned the domain of rainclouds, turbulent forms of weather and thunder.
The 60 Maruts, stormbringers, are his children he had with Vayu. His dominion is the Bhuvas - realm between Bhuu (Earth) and Svas(Heaven/sky/space); an apt metaphor for the atmosphere in-between (Vayu mandala). Lord Vayu, is in ways his companion-cum-consort. Later association of Vayu- hanuman, with Rudra/Shiva is due to this. Even the name Bheema was first used as an epithet of Rudra, the "frightening".
Rudra also has strong connections with Rakhas(protectors of natural habitat: like Bhootas, Simhika, TaaTaka, ), Yakshas(protectors of forest wealth: like Kubera ). In the Vedas, the word "Asura" is never exclusively used to denote "demons" or negative forces, the usage is there to mean "Supremely powerful". "Ahura Mazda" in the Avestan culture is derived from here. Rudra is also an Asura. Indra is also an Asura. Varuna is also an Asura. Later Puranas used it for demons- the enemies of Devas. Hence, the many stories with Shiva granting boons to "Asuras". He is also accompanied by the Pitrs - disembodied spirits of humans -forepeople; and the Nagas: reptilian hoards.
Namakam
Part of the Krishna Yajurveda Taittiriya Samhita 4.5, 4.6, these two hymns are dedicated to Rudra.
With the refrain 'namah namah' it is termed as "Namakam" in contrast to the "cha me, cha me" which is "Chamakam"
While the first prashna deals with praising and pleasing Rudra, the second enlists all the desires and needs the Rshi wants Him to fulfil, not only for himself but for any typical devotee. This is how every Mantra is designed- former part is the Stuti-Nuti (praise and prostrate) ; latter part is the Shruti (receiving). Thus the entire Namakam Chamakam is itself one big Mantra. When we bow, when we praise, we put ourselves physically and mentally lower than the Beloved. Thus, the grace, wisdom and wealth can flow down from that Higher plane to us.
Let us look at the mantras one by one. The Mantras are not in any particular meter(chandas) nor is the Rishi explicitly mentioned. It is believed to be either Markandeya or Agni-kanda (though literally it means the Rishi of the Energy canto)
Om Namo bhagavate Rudraaya !
Anuvaaka 1
Namaste Rudra manyave -
नमस्ते रुद्रमन्यव उतोत इषवे नमः
नमस्ते अस्तु धन्वने बाहुभ्यां उत ते नमः
Prostrations (namas) to the Wrath of Rudra
And.. And... Namas to his arrow. Salutations again to him who wields the Bow, and his strong arms. And Namas to you.
[notice the very timid frightened like repetition "and ... and.." "namas ... namas... namas..." ; it so beautifully brings out the possibly terrorising scene to behold with the God of death and wrath before us]
यात इषुः शिवतमा शिवं बभूव ते धनुः ।
शिवा शरव्या या तव तया नो रुद्र मृडय ॥ १-२
That most splendorous sword of yours, that splendid bow, that splendid arrow quiver ... Aah! With these, Rudraaaa, be pleased with us.
या ते रुद्र शिवा तनू-रघोराऽपापकाशिनी ।
That , O Rudraaa, handsome body, which is Aghora "non-gross" is also repellent of any sins.
तया नस्तनुवा शन्तमया गिरिशंताभिचाकशीहि ॥ १-३
With that most charming body, Oh dweller of mountains, come here and bless us.
[Though aghora, his body is still very attractive]
यामिषुं गिरिशंत हस्ते बिभर्ष्यस्तवे।
Oh dweller on mountains! That sharp sword you hold in your hand, ever ready to slay..
शिवां गिरित्र तां कुरु मा हिसीः पुरुषं जगत् ॥ १-४
Make that also calm and never torment any human or this world, Oh protector of mountains.
शिवेन वचसा त्वा गिरिशाच्छा वदामसि ।
with our sweet words, Oh mountaineer, we please you...
यथा नः सर्वमिज्जगदयक्ष्मसुमना असत् ॥ १-५
so that, you may make this entire world ailment-less and cool-headed.
[notice the trope of mountains- Himalayas.]
अध्यवोचदधि वक्ता प्रथमो दैव्यो भिषक् ।
You are the unparallelled first divine physician and advocate.
अहीश्च सर्वाञ्जंभयन्त्सर्वाश्च यातुधान्यः ॥ १-६
All the dragons and the magical beings, you subdue
असौ यस्ताम्रो अरुण उत बभ्रुः सुमंगलः ।
He is like the orange-copper hued blessed vibrant dawn.
ये चेमारुद्रा अभितो दिक्षु श्रिताः सहस्रशोऽवैषाहेड ईमहे॥ १-७
And these Rudras, have conquered the directions, in hoards of thousands. Know this. And be pleased. We praise you.
असौ योऽवसर्पति नीलग्रीवो विलोहितः ।
He, the blue-necked, copper metal hued,
उतैनं गोपा अदृशन्नदृशन्नुदहार्यः ।
And him, the cowgirls carrying water in pitchers, saw in the morning.
उतैनं विश्वा भूतानि स दृष्टो मृडयाति नः ॥ १-८
And him, the world’s beings see. Be amicable with us!
नमो अस्तु नीलग्रीवाय सहस्राक्षाय मीढुषे।
To the blue-necked thousand-eyed god, who ejaculates , prostrations!
अथो ये अस्य सत्वानोऽहं तेभ्योऽकरन्नमः ॥ १-९
And then, to them, we all beings, and I , offer our obeisance.
प्रमुंच धन्वनस्त्व-मुभयो-रार्त्नियो-र्ज्याम्।
Let go. Chuck that bow. Loosen both ends of the bowstring.
याश्च ते हस्त इषवः परा ता भगवो वप ॥ १-१
And those many swords of your, Oh dear God, just toss them aside.
अवतत्य धनुस्त्व सहस्राक्ष शतेषुधे।
Oh thousand eyed! Hundred scabbard! Put down your bow.
निशीर्य शल्यानां मुखा शिवो नः सुमना भव ॥ १-११
Those spears, uff! Blunt them! Come here and face us peacefully and gladly.
विज्यं धनुः कपर्दिनो विशल्यो बाणवा उत ।
With the unstringed bow, blunted arrows, Oh fair-haired ones! ….
अनेशन्नस्येषव आभुरस्य निषंगथिः ॥ १-१२
May your swords grow bored without targets and objects.
या ते हेति-र्मीढुष्टम हस्ते बभूव ते धनुः ।
And that machette in your hand , along with the bow! Oh most-ejaculator!
तयाऽस्मान्विश्वतस्त्व-मयक्ष्मया परिब्भुज ॥ १-१३
Then.. protect us using those from all ailments, and take us under your wings.
नमस्ते अस्त्वायुधायानातताय धृष्णवे।
Namaste! To you who terrorises, to you who attacks, to you who defends
उभाभ्यामुत ते नमो बाहुभ्यां तव धन्वने॥ १-१४
And to both those sturdy biceps we bow down, and to you who wields the bow.
परि ते धन्वनो हेति-रस्मान्व्रुणक्तु विश्वतः ।
With those machettes, protect us from all sides
अथो य इषुधिस्तवारे अस्मन्निधेहि तम् ॥ १-१५
And with those scabards so close to you, just hold them away from us.
Namas to you oh Bhagavan Rudra! The lord of world, great god, three eyed, destroyer of three cities, the slayer of three energies, the howler of the three fires of time, blue necked, conqueror of death, all-lord, ever-peaceful, most asupicious Mahadeva!
नमः॒ सह॑मानाय निव्या॒धिन॑ आव्या॒धिनी॑नां॒ पत॑ये॒ नमो॒ tolerating, chaser, lord of hunter-gatherers
नमः॑ककु॒भाय॑ निष॒ङ्गिणे॑ स्ते॒नानां॒ पत॑ये॒ नमो॒ directions, quivers, lord of thieves
नमो॑निष॒ङ्गिण॑ इषुधि॒मते॒ तस्क॑राणां॒ पत॑ये॒ नमो॒ quivers, bearing lots of quivers, lord of dacoits
नमो॒वञ्च॑ते परि॒वञ्च॑ते स्तायू॒नां पत॑ये॒ नमो॒ cunning, manipulating, lord of cheaters
नमो॑निचे॒रवे॑ परिच॒रायार॑ण्यानां॒ पत॑ये॒ नमो॒ small goondas, entourages, lord of forests
नमः॑सृका॒विभ्यो॒ जिघाóè॑सद्भ्यो मुष्ण॒तां पत॑ये॒ नमो॒ with spears, murderers, lord of pillagers
नमो॑ऽसि॒मद्भ्यो॒ नक्तं॒ चर॑द्भ्यः प्रकृ॒न्तानां॒ पत॑ये॒ नमो॒ with swords, walking at night, lord of slashers
नम॑उष्णी॒षिणे॑ गिरिच॒राय॑ कुलु॒ञ्चानां॒ पत॑ये॒ नमो॒ with turbans, walking on mountains, lord of hair-pluckers(barbers)
नम॑इषु॑मद्भ्यो धन्वा॒विभ्य॑श्च वो॒ नमो॒ with arrows, with bows
नम॑आतन्वा॒नेभ्यः॑ प्रति॒दधा॑नेभ्यश्च वो॒ नमो॒ who extend strings and place (arrows) on the bow
नम॑आ॒यच्छ॑द्भ्यो विसृ॒जद्भ्य॑श्च वो॒ नमो॒ who tug on the string, and then release
नमोऽस्य॑द्भ्यो॒ विद्ध्य॑द्भ्यश्च वो॒ नमो॒ who catapult, and impale
नम॒आसी॑नेभ्यः॒ शया॑नेभ्यश्च वो॒ नमो॒ who are sitting , who are sleeping
नमः॑स्व॒पद्भ्यो॒ जाग्र॑द्भ्यश्च वो॒ नमो॒ who are asleep , who are awake
नम॒-स्तिष्ठ॑द्भ्यो॒ धाव॑द्भ्यश्च वो॒ नमो॒ who are standing , running
नमः॑स॒भाभ्यः॑ स॒भाप॑तिभ्यश्च वो॒ नमो॒ who are the conferences, and preside over conferences नमो॒अश्वे॒भ्योऽश्व॑पतिभ्यश्च वो॒ नमः॑ ॥ who are horses, and lords of horses
This anuvaka particularly describes Rudra as the evil force which takes away our possessions at various levels. also the Rishi chants the latter part of the Mantra, where Rudra is twanging the bow, ready to destroy the Tripura-s.
द्रापे॒ अन्ध॑सस्पते॒ दरि॑द्र॒न्नील॑लोहित ।ए॒षां पुरु॑षाणामे॒षां प॑शू॒नां मा भेर्मारो॒ मो ए॑षां॒किंच॒नाम॑मत् ॥ १०.१॥ Oh Rudra , you are like hot mantle. You are the Lord of food. You are springly dark-blue-redded. Do not frighten these humans, these animals. Do not also kill any of them. Do not afflict them with diseases.
या ते॑ रुद्र शि॒वा त॒नूः शि॒वा वि॒श्वाह॑ भेषजी ।शि॒वा रु॒द्रस्य॑ भेष॒जी तया॑ नो मृड जी॒वसे॓ ॥ १०.२॥ That splendid body is also medicinal like a physician to the world. With such medical cures, may you bless us for longevity.
इ॒माóèरु॒द्राय॑ त॒वसे॑ कप॒र्दिने॓ क्ष॒यद्वी॑राय॒ प्रभ॑रामहे म॒तिम् ।यथा॑ नः॒ शमस॑द्द्वि॒पदे॒ चतु॑ष्पदे॒ विश्वं॑ पु॒ष्टं ग्रामे॑अ॒स्मिन्नना॑तुरम् ॥ १०.३॥ This mind we direct and fill it with Rudra, the powerful, with matted locks, who protects fields. May wellness befall on us bipeds and quadrupeds, such that the entire universe is nourished. May un-flickering wellness befall on this village too.
मृ॒डा नो॑ रुद्रो॒तनो॒ मय॑स्कृधि क्ष॒य॑द्वीराय॒ नम॑सा विधेम ते ।यच्छं च॒ योश्च॒ मनु॑राय॒जे पि॒ता तद॑श्याम॒ तव॑ रुद्र॒ प्रणी॑तौ ॥ १०.४॥ Rudraaaa.! Be happy with us. Make a marvel. To you the savior-of-fields, we bow and offer obeisances. May the father Manu’s prosperity(‘yo’) and wellbeing( ‘sham’) be enjoyed by us, through your grace.
मा नो॑ म॒हान्त॑मु॒त मा नो॑ अर्भ॒कं मा न॒ उक्ष॑न्त-मु॒त मा न॑ उक्षि॒तम् ।मा नो॑ वधीः पि॒तरं॒ मोत मा॒तरं॑ प्रि॒या मा न॑स्त॒नुवो॑ रुद्र रीरिषः ॥ १०.५॥ May you never butcher or violate the great, and the infant, and the young(ejaculating = exploring sex) and the adult (who has ejaculated = had sex), and the father and the mother, and the beloved, and the bodies.
मान॑स्तो॒के तन॑ये॒ मा न॒ आयु॑षि॒ मा नो॒ गोषु॒ मा नो॒ अश्वे॑षु रीरिषः ।वी॒रान्मा नो॑ रुद्र भामि॒तोऽव॑धी-र्ह॒विष्म॑न्तो॒ नम॑सा विधेम ते ॥ १०.६॥ May you never violate our kids, our longevity, our cattle, our horses, our warriors. You are beseeched by us humbly, with Havis in our hands, we bow down to you.
आरात्ते॑ गो॒घ्न उ॒त पू॑रुष॒घ्ने क्ष॒यद्वी॑राय सु॒म्नम॒स्मे ते॑ अस्तु ।रक्षा॑ च नो॒ अधि॑ च देव ब्रू॒ह्यथा॑ च नः॒ शर्म॑ यच्छ द्वि॒बर्हाः॓ ॥ १०.७॥ May we build a close rapport with you Rudra, though you butcher cattle, humans and protect lands. Have goodwill towards us. Save us, God! Speak well with us. Give us two-fold pleasure (interpreted as worldly and spiritual).
स्तु॒हि श्रु॒तं ग॑र्त॒सदं॒ युवा॑नं मृ॒गन्न भी॒म-मु॑पह॒त्नुमु॒ग्रम् ।मृ॒डा ज॑रि॒त्रे रु॑द्र॒ स्तवा॑नो अ॒न्यन्ते॑ अ॒स्मन्निव॑पन्तु॒ सेनाः॓ ॥ १०.८॥ O yee kid! Praise Him, the young handsome, the dweller in cavities, who is fierce, frightening and ever ready to kill animals. Be happy Rudra, as we praise vividly! To this decaying body, do good. Command your troops to go away from us.
परि॑णो रु॒द्रस्य॑ हेतिर्वृ॑णक्तु॒ परि॑ त्वे॒षस्य॑ दुर्म॒तिर॑घा॒योः ।अव॑ स्थि॒रा मघ॑वद्भ्यस्तनुष्व॒ मीढ्व॑स्तो॒काय॒ तन॑याय मृडय ॥ १०.९॥ May Rudra’s machette surround us envelope and screen against ill-minded, sinner enemies. May you extend your grace firmly to the Yajna-performers, and to their ejaculating sons and offsprings.
मीढु॑ष्टम॒ शिव॑तम शि॒वो नः॑ सु॒मना॑ भव ।प॒र॒मे॒ वृ॒क्ष आयु॑धं नि॒धाय॒ कृत्तिं॒ वसा॑न आच॑र॒ पिना॑कं॒ विभ्र॒दाग॑हि ॥ १०.१०॥ Oh great-ejaculator, oh auspicious Shiva, be pleased with us. Keeping your weapons on the highest tree, wear some rags, holding your Pinaka bow, come quickly to us,
विकि॑रिद॒ विलो॑हित॒ नम॑स्ते अस्तु भगवः ।यास्ते स॒हस्रóè॑हे॒तयो॒ऽन्यम॒स्मन्निव॑पन्तु॒ ताः ॥ १०.११॥ You give vivid treasures , red-hued one! Namas to you lord! Whatever those thousands of machetes you wield, cast them away.
स॒हस्रा॑णि सहस्र॒धा बा॑हु॒वोस्तव॑ हे॒तयः॑ ।तासा॒मीशा॑नो भगवः परा॒चीना॒ मुखा॑ कृधि ॥ १०.१२ Like your thousand arms, you have thousand-varities of machetes. Turn their sharp apexes away from us. You are the Emperor.
Anuvaaka 11
स॒हस्रा॑णि सहस्र॒शो ये रु॒द्रा अधि॒ भूम्या॓म् ।तेषाóè॑सहस्रयोज॒नेऽव॒धन्वा॑नि तन्मसि ॥ ११.१॥ Thousands and thousands of those Rudra-s walk this earth. We shall cast their bows a thousand miles away.
अ॒स्मिन् म॑ह॒त्यर्ण॒वे॓ऽन्तरि॑क्षे भ॒वा अधि॑ ॥ ११.२॥ They dwell in this massive ocean, and in the atmosphere.
नील॑ग्रीवाः शिति॒कण्ठाः॓ श॒र्वा अ॒धः क्ष॑माच॒राः ॥ ११.३॥ They are blue-necked, peacock-throated, archers, patrolling this land.
नील॑ग्रीवाः शिति॒कण्ठा॒ दिवóè॑रु॒द्रा उप॑श्रिताः ॥ ११.४॥ Bluenecked, peacock throated, these Rudras, also dwell in the sky.
ये वृ॒क्षेषु॑ स॒स्पिंज॑रा॒ नील॑ग्रीवा विलो॑हिताः ॥ ११.५॥ These blue-throated, metallic, also dwell on trees with fresh leaves.
ये भू॒ताना॒मधि॑पतयो विशि॒खासः॑ कप॒र्दिनः॑ ॥ ११.६॥ these who lord over all beings, with dishevelled hairs and matted hairs.
ये अन्ने॑षु वि॒विध्य॑न्ति॒ पात्रे॑षु॒ पिबतो॒ जनान्॑ ॥ ११.७॥ these living in the vessel, pierce people who consume food
ये प॒थां प॑थि॒रक्ष॑य ऐलबृ॒दा य॒व्युधः॑ ॥ ११.८॥ These protect passengers on the path, throw enormous food at us, and brawl greatly.
ये ती॒र्थानि॑ प्र॒चर॑न्ति॒ सृ॒काव॑न्तो निष॒ङ्गिणः॑ ॥ ११.९॥ these stroll the holy waters, with lances, and blades.
य ए॒ताव॑न्तश्च॒ भूयाóè॑सश्च॒ दिशो॑ रु॒द्रा वि॑तस्थि॒रे ।तेषाóè॑सहस्र-योज॒ने ऽव॒धन्वा॑नि तन्मसि ॥ ११.१०॥ These, in this manner, have occupied and expanded in all directions. We cast away their bows thousands of miles away.
Salutations to Rudra-s, who are on earth, in the atmosphere, in the sky, verily whose domains and weapons are these foods, air and rains respectively. To them, namas ten-times from the east, ten times from the south, ten times from the west, ten times from the north. May they all be pleased with us. And him whom we hate, and he who hates us, we shall offer him into your blazing mouth.
We do this Yajna for pleasing the Three-eyed, fragrant handsome, nurturing Rudra. Like a ripened cucumber detaches from the wine (restraints), may I be rescued from Death, for the cause of Immortality.
यो रु॒द्रो अ॒ग्नौ यो अ॒प्सु य ओष॑धीषु॒ ।यो रु॒द्रो विश्वा॒ भुव॑नाऽऽवि॒वेश॒ तस्मै॑ रु॒द्राय॒ नमो॑ अस्तु ॥ २॥
That Rudra lives in Agni, in Ether, in medicinal herbs, entered into this universe. To such Rudra, accept my salutations.
Praise him, you ! He has sharp swords, sturdy bows, who harvests the medicines for the world. Let us keep doing Yajnas for him to be happy with us. With prostrations, celebrate this very powerful divine Rudra.
And those thousands and millions of nooses around this mortal, which have been tied to annihilate him Oh death! We shall vanquish those nooses, with the immensity of this Yajna. Swaha unto Death, Swaha unto Death!
Om namas to the Great God Rudra, who is omnipresent. Oh my death! Save me. You are the string which ties the five Pranas together (keeping this creature alive) You are Rudra, Ender.
(Do not come near me as death) or (Come close to me as Rudra). With this food, please be satisfied.
नमो रुद्राय विष्णवे मृत्युर्मे पाहि Salutations to the omnipresent Rudra! Please protect me from death.
Chamakam
अग्ना॑विष्णू सजोष॑से॒मा वर्ध॑न्तु वां॒ गिरः॑ ।द्युम्नैर्वाजे॑भि॒राग॑तम् । Oh Agni Vishnu, the twin friends. May your speech be enriched.
[this indicates the following anuvaakas may have been sung first by Agni and Vishnu themselves]
Anuvaka 1
वाज॑श्च मे प्रस॒वश्च॑ मे॒ प्रय॑तिश्च मे॒ प्रसि॑तिश्च मे धी॒तिश्च॑ मे॒ क्रतु॑श्च मे॒ स्वर॑श्च मे॒ श्लोक॑श्च मे श्रा॒वश्च॑ मे॒ श्रुति॑श्च मे॒ ज्योति॑श्च मे॒ सुव॑श्च मे प्रा॒णश्च॑ मेऽपा॒नश्च॑ मे व्या॒नश्च॒ मेऽसु॑श्च मे चि॒त्तं च॑ म॒ आधी॑तं च मे॒ वाक्च॑ मे॒ मनश्च॑ मे॒ चक्षु॑श्च मे॒ श्रोत्रं॑ च मे॒ दक्ष॑श्च मे॒ बलं॑ च म॒ ओज॑श्च मे॒ सह॑श्च म॒ आयु॑श्च मे ज॒रा च॑ म आ॒त्मा च॑ मे त॒नूश्च॑ मे॒ शर्म॑ च मे॒ वर्म॑ च॒ मेऽङ्गा॑नि च मे॒ऽस्थानि॑ च मे॒ परूóè॑षि च मे॒ शरीरा॑णि च मे ॥ १॥ Food, reproduction, effort, influence, intelligence, activity, Swaras, the shlokas, popularity, intuition, stars, heaven, prana, apana, vyana, life forces, memory, rationale, expression, mind, vision, hearing, skill, strenght, enthusiasm, adventure, longevity, old age, soul, body, peace, valor, organs, bones, joints, bodies.
Anuvaaka 2
ज्यैष्ठ्यं॑ च म॒ आधि॑पत्यं च मे म॒न्युश्च॑ मे॒ भाम॑श्च मेऽम॑श्च॒ मेऽम्भ॑श्च मे जे॒मा च॑ मे महि॒मा च॑ मे वरि॒मा च॑ मे प्रथि॒मा च॑ मे व॒र्ष्मा च॑ मे द्राघु॒या च॑ मे वृ॒द्धं च॑ मे॒ वृद्धि॑श्च मे स॒त्यं च॑ मे श्र॒द्धा च॑ मे॒जग॑च्च मे॒ धनं॑ च मे॒ वश॑श्च मे॒ त्विषि॑श्च मे क्री॒डा च॑ मे॒ मोद॑श्च मे जा॒तं च॑ मे जनि॒ष्यमा॑णं च मे सू॒क्तं च॑ मेसुकृ॒तं च॑ मे वि॒त्तं च॑ मे॒ वेद्यं॑ च मे भू॒तं च॑ मे भवि॒ष्यच्च॑ मे सु॒गं च॑ मे सु॒पथं च म ऋ॒द्धं च॑ म॒ ऋद्धि॑श्च मे क्~लु॒प्तं च॑ मे॒ क्~लुप्ति॑श्च मे म॒तिश्च मे सुम॒तिश्च॑ मे ॥ २॥
Supremacy, lordship, wrath, influence, softness, water, victory, greatness, expansion, popularity, glory, length, growth, growing, truth, faith, world, money, control, splendour, games, fun, all that is born, all that will be born, good words, good actions, information, all that is to be learnt, all that has existed, all that will exist, smooth transit, easy route, perfected, perfection, manufactured, manufacturing process, intelligence, sharp intellect
Anuvaaka 3
शं च॑ मे॒ मय॑श्च मे प्रि॒यं च॑ मेऽनुका॒मश्च॑ मे॒काम॑श्च मे सौमन॒सश्च॑ मे भ॒द्रं च॑ मे॒ श्रेय॑श्च मे॒ वस्य॑श्च मे॒ यश॑श्च मे॒ भग॑श्च मे॒ द्रवि॑णं च मे य॒न्ता च॑ मे ध॒र्ता च॑ मे॒ क्षेम॑श्च मे॒ धृति॑श्च मे॒ विश्वं॑ च मे॒ मह॑श्च मे सं॒विच्च॑ मे॒ ज्ञात्रं॑ च मे॒ सूश्च॑ मे प्र॒सूश्च॑ मे॒ सी॑रं च मे ल॒यश्च॑ म ऋ॒तं च॑ मे॒ऽमृ॑तं च मेऽय॒क्ष्मं च॒ मेऽना॑मयच्च मे जी॒वातु॑श्च मेदीर्घायु॒त्वं च॑ मेऽनमि॒त्रं च॒ मेऽभ॑यं च मे सु॒गं च॑ मे॒ शय॑नं च मे सू॒षा च॑ मे सु॒दिनं॑ च मे ॥ ३॥
Wellbeing, miracles, love, infatuation, lust, sound mind, goodness, clothes, fame, providence(luck), substance, controller, sustainer, maintenance, bravery, universe, cosmos, consciousness, knowledge, father, mother, plough, destruction, order, immortality, health, robustness(not having diseases), livelihood, long life, have no enemies, fearlessness, frictionless, sleep, pleasant dawns, pleasant days.
[this anuvaka touches upon all the basic requests of devotees]
Anuvaaka 4
ऊर्क्च॑ मे सू॒नृता॑ च मे॒ पय॑श्च मे॒ रस॑श्च मे घृ॒तं च॑ मे॒ मधु॑ च मे॒ सग्धि॑श्च मे॒ सपी॑तिश्च मे कृ॒षिश्च॑ मे॒ वृष्टि॑श्च मे॒ जैत्रं॑ च म औ॒द्भि॑द्यं च मे र॒यिश्च॑ मे॒ राय॑श्च मे पु॒ष्टं च॑ मे॒ पुष्टि॑श्च मे वि॒भु च॑ मे प्र॒भु च॑ मे ब॒हु च॑ मे॒ भूय॑श्च मे पू॒र्णं च॑ मे पू॒र्णत॑रं च॒ मेऽक्षि॑तिश्च मे॒ कूय॑वाश्च॒ मेऽन्नं॑ च॒ मेऽक्षुच्च मे व्री॒हिय॑श्च मे॒ यवा॓श्च मे॒ माषा॓श्च मे॒तिला॓श्च मे मु॒द्गाश्च॑ मे खल्वा॓श्च मे गो॒धूमा॑श्च मेम॒सुरा॓श्च मे प्रि॒यंग॑वश्च॒ मेऽणवश्च मेश्या॒माका॓श्च मे नी॒वारा॓श्च मे ॥ ४॥
[This mystic verse is taking every Rgvedic Deva to his/excellence(indra). “My” Rudra is the excellent form of Agni. He is the excellent form of Soma, etc. The ultimate power of the Devas is Rudra]
Anuvaka7
अ॒óè॒शुश्च॑ मे र॒श्मिश्च॒ मेऽदा॓भ्यश्च॒ मेऽधि॑पतिश्च मउपा॒óè॒शुश्च॑ मेऽन्तर्या॒मश्च॑ म ऐन्द्रवाय॒वश्च॑ मेमैत्रावरु॒णश्च॑ म आश्वि॒नश्च॑ मे प्रतिप्र॒स्थान॑श्च मेशु॒क्रश्च॑ मे म॒न्थी च॑ म आग्रय॒णश्च॑ मे वैश्वदे॒वश्च॑ मेध्रु॒वश्च॑ मे वैश्वान॒रश्च॑ म ऋतुग्र॒हाश्च॑ मेऽतिग्रा॒ह्या॓श्च म ऐन्द्रा॒ग्नश्च॑ मे वैश्वदे॒वश्च॑ मेमरुत्व॒तीया॓श्च मे माहे॒न्द्रश्च॑ म आदि॒त्यश्च॑ मेसावि॒त्रश्च॑ मे सारस्व॒तश्च॑ मे पौ॒ष्णश्च॑ मेपात्नीव॒तश्च॑ मे हारियोज॒नश्च॑ मे ॥ ७॥
[This anuvaaka is enlisting many of the the various Yajna rituals performed to please different deities.With Rudra’s grace may we earn the capability to perform any or all of these Yajna]
Anuvaka 8
इ॒ध्मश्च॑ मे ब॒र्हिश्च॑ मे॒ वेदिश्॑च मे॒ धिष्णि॑याश्च मे॒स्रुच॑श्च मे चम॒साश्च॑ मे॒ ग्रावा॑णश्च मे॒ स्वर॑वश्च मउपर॒वाश्च॑ मे ऽधि॒षव॑णे च मे द्रोणकल॒शश्च॑ मे वाय॒व्या॑नि च मे पूत॒भृच्च॑ मे आधव॒नीय॑श्च म॒ आग्नी॓ध्रं च मे हवि॒र्धानं॑ च मे गृ॒हाश्च॑ मे॒ सद॑श्च मे पुरो॒डाशा॓श्च मे पच॒ताश्च॑ मेऽवभृ॒थश्च॑ मेस्वगाका॒रश्च॑ मे ॥ ८॥
Yajna wood, grass, stage(of bricks), seats, Yajna ladle, spoon, alter-stone, stake, choirs, squeezer, bowls and pots, fire bellows, purified container, stirrer, fire ignitor, plates for havis, houses, halls, the yajna offerings (rice cakes), cooked food, holy bath, utterances of ‘Svaga’ (own songs)
[All the ingredients and accessories for the aforementioned Yajnas are enlisted. To perform any of those, these are essential. Hence, Rudra is sought to provide all the required items.]
Anuvaka 9
अ॒ग्निश्च॑ मे ध॒र्मश्च॑ मे॒ऽर्कश्च॑ मे॒ सूर्य॑श्च मेप्रा॒णश्च॑ मेऽश्वमे॒धश्च॑ मे पृथि॒वी च॒ मे ऽदि॑तिश्च मे॒ दिति॑श्च मे॒ द्यौश्च॑ मे॒ शक्व॑रीर॒ङ्गुल॑यो दिश॑श्च मे य॒ज्ञेन॑ कल्पन्ता॒मृक्च॑ मे॒ साम॑ च मे॒ स्तोम॑श्च मे॒ यजु॑श्च मे दी॒क्षा च॑ मे॒ तप॑श्च म ऋ॒तुश्च॑ मे व्रतं च॑ मेऽहोरा॒त्रयो॓र्वृ॒ष्ट्या बृ॑हद्रथन्त॒रे च॑ मे य॒ज्ञेन॑ कल्पेताम् ॥ ९॥
Fire, summer, star heat, sun, life force, ashwamedha yajna, earth, Aditi, Diti, sky, palm, fingers, directions, Rg mantras, Saman songs, praises, Yajus passages, initiation, penance, seasons, discipline, rains which pour day and night, Brhat types and Rathanthara types of Saman ; may these emerge through our Yajna, for me.
[All the ancillary supporting environment for the Yajnas needs to be in place. Rudra is being asked of though the Yajna happening now, for these]
Anuvaka 10
गर्भा॓श्च मे व॒त्साश्च॑ मे॒ त्र्यवि॑श्च मे त्र्॒य॒वी च॑ मेदित्य॒वाट् च॑ मे दित्यौ॒ही च॑ मे॒ पञ्चा॑विश्च मेपञ्चा॒वी च॑ मे त्रिव॒त्सश्च॑ मे त्रिव॒त्सा च॑ मे तुर्य॒वाट् च॑ मे तुर्यौ॒ही च॑ मे पष्ठ॒वाट् च॑ मे पष्ठौ॒ही च॑ मउ॒क्षा च॑ मे व॒शा च॑ म ऋष॒भश्च मे वे॒हच्च॑ मेऽन॒ड्वाञ्च॑ मे धे॒नुश्च॑ म॒ आयु॑र्य॒ज्ञेन॑ कल्पतांप्रा॒णो य॒ज्ञेन कल्पतामपा॒नो य॒ज्ञेन॑ कल्पतांव्या॒नो य॒ज्ञेन॑ कल्पतां॒ चक्षु॑र्य॒ज्ञेन॑ कल्पता॒óè॒श्रोत्रं॑ य॒ज्ञेन॑ कल्पतां॒ मनो॑ य॒ज्ञेन॑ कल्पतां॒वाग्य॒ज्ञेन॑ कल्पतामा॒त्मा य॒ज्ञेन॑ कल्पतां य॒ज्ञो य॒ज्ञेन॑ कल्पताम् ॥ १०॥
Wombs, infants, three-semesters old bulls and cows, two-year old bulls and cows, 5 semester old bulls and cows, three year old bulls and cows, four year old bulls and cows, five year old bulls and cows, fertile bulls, domesticable bulls, steer, bullocks, barren cows, fertile cows, longevity, respiration Prana, excretion Apana , circulation Vyana, vision, auditory sense, mind, expression, soul, Yajnas; may these be produced through this Yajna
[ This anuvaaka highlights the abundance and popularity of bovine agriculture. There are even unique adjectives for the calves and steers, based on their age. Even barren cows are sought. They were never ditched or sold away into some butcher market. An entire anuvaka solely for Cows! The latter part wraps all the previous wishes and reiterates those asked in the 1st.
Anuvaka 11
एका॑ च मे ति॒स्रश्च॑ मे॒ पञ्च॑ च मे स॒प्त च॑ मे॒नव च म॒ एका॑दश च मे॒ त्रयो॑दश च मे॒ पंच॑दश च मेस॒प्तद॑श च मे॒ नव॑दश च म॒ एक॑ विóèशतिश्च मे॒ त्रयो॑विóèशतिश्च मे॑ पंच॑विóèशतिश्च मेस॒प्तवि॒óè॑शतिश्च मे॒ नव॑विóèशतिश्च म॒एक॑त्रिóèशच्च मे॒ त्रय॑स्त्रिóèशच्च मे॒चत॑स्रश्च मे॒ऽष्टौ च॑ मे॒ द्वाद॑श च मे॒ षोड॑श च मेविóèश॒तिश्च॑ मे॒ चतु॑र्विóèशतिश्च मे॒ऽष्टाविóè॑शतिश्च मे॒ द्वात्रिóè॑शच्च मे॒ षट्त्रिóè॑शच्च मे चत्वरि॒óè॒शच्च॑ मे॒चतु॑श्चत्वारिóèशच्च॑ मे॒ऽष्टाच॑त्वारिóèशच्च मे॒वाज॑श्च प्रस॒वश्चा॑पि॒जश्च॒ क्रतु॑श्च॒ सुव॑श्च मू॒र्धा च॒व्यश्नि॑यश्चान्त्याय॒नश्चान्त्य॑श्च भौव॒नश्च॒भुव॑न॒श्चाधि॑पतिश्च ॥ ११॥
1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17,19,21,23,25,27,29,31,33
4,8,12,16,20,24,28,32,36,40,44,48,
Food, reproduction, growth, activity, heaven, zenith, presently pervading gods, gods of the end, the final end, universe, cosmos, the Supreme Lord.
[this esoteric Anuvaka is an enumeration of specific cardinal numbers. The first forms a sequence of the first 17 odd numbers till 33, and the second sequence is of the first twelve multiples of 4 till 48. Many have interpreted this variedly. The first sequence may be pointing to the Devata count.
33 Devataa = 1 Indra (the King- center of Power)+1 Brihaspati(the counsel/minister -constraint of power)+8Vasu (financiers-Economy) +11 Rudra(enforcers -Law&Order) +12 Adityas(bureaucrats -Administration)
The 48 may indicate a Mandalam = 9 grahas + 12 rashis + 27 nakshatras . It is also called the Angel number in Chinese, Greek and other civilisational numerology. 48 is also interesting to both Maths and Science. It is the number of symmetries of a cube; number of Ptolemy constellations, Harshad number, highly totient number.
The Odd series progress in steps of two- till it attains the Maximum. This could be the Benficient and maleficent alternatives of the Devata.
The Even series progresses in steps of four- till it hits its Maximum. This could be the top, bottom, left, right choices at each step.
While Odd numbers can be thought of being Masculine - the male gods, Even numbers are Feminine -the female counterbalances. The Odd series is all about structure and power, the material; the Even series is about chaos, space and time, the spiritual
The Kamadhenu invited gods, Manu the Yajamana, Brhaspati chanted the intoxicatingly wonderful mantras, the all-gods praised with flowery words. Oh Mother Earth! Do not trouble me! I promise to think good, produce good, speak good, argue good. I will make efforts to keep hearing the honey-like words emerging from the Devas and humans. May the Devas and the Pitrs rejoice and safeguard me for all-goodness.
Om Peace peace peace!
[this epilogue imagery is of the first application of these Anuvakas in a Yajna performed by Manu. If one reads between the lines, one finds a possible imagined completion of the story. Manu, the first human, set out to use these Mantras and perform this great Yajna. He hired Kamadhenu herself to be the Hotr - whose chanting invites gods. He hired Brhaspati to be the Adhvaryu- who officiated the sacrifice with more of these eloquent mantras. He invited all the Gods to be the audience, who joined in as the choir. Seeing the enormity of both the physical and metaphysical aspects of this Yajna, Mother Earth was concerned. What if her son, Manu, has plans of world-destruction? Anyway Rudra is not going to stop it! He blesses boons indiscriminately. So truly like a mother, very worried She tried to throw hurdles in his path, subtly expressing her disapproval, by vanishing the ingredients. Manu wonders, but soon realizes this. He goes to the Mother and then ...
with the witness Devata as Prthvi- Mother Earth, embodiment of Nature, Manu, the highest father/ first progenitor of Mankind and civilization, may have uttered this vow of ‘honey’. And thenceforth all his descendents, the Manushya-s have been, in accordance, performing this Rudra Yajna, and vowed to do only good to the world. This inclusion of the epilogue may have been deliberate; the Rshis know of the power of these mantras and the power of the Devataa to whom this Yajna is directed. Hence, one must utter this vow, whether wittingly or unwittingly, as subconsciously the imprint (samskaara) of “Sarva bhuuta hite ratah “ BG 12.4 will occupy the mind. ]
सत्यंचित्रंश्रवस्तमम् ॥ Ah! The Sun — radiant with the ghee of men’s devotion — his fame, his gold, his truth — all gleam with bewitching splendor. His honesty itself is wealth; his brilliance, divine popularity.
मित्रोजनान्यातयतिप्रजानन्मित्रोदाधारपृथिवीम्उतद्याम् ।मित्रःकृष्टीर्अनिमिषाभिचष्टेसत्यायहव्यम्घृतवद्विधेम ॥ The Sun, our friend Mitra, moves beings in ceaseless rhythm, knowing that he upholds both earth and heaven. Unblinking, he watches over all creation — for Truth’s sake we offer him this ghee-fed oblation. The hymn’s paradox is striking — Mitra, “the friend,” also “torments” life through motion, heat, and time. His torment is his gift: for without movement, there is no life.
प्र स मित्रमर्तोअस्तुप्रयस्वान्यस्तआदित्यशिक्षतिव्रतेन ।
न हन्यते न जीयतेपोतोनैनम्अंहोअश्नोत्यन्तितो न दूरात् ॥ O Sun! O child of Aditi — the mortal who learns your discipline and walks by your vow becomes your student indeed. He neither lives nor dies; he transcends both defeat and decay. Sin cannot reach him — not from near, not from far. The disciplined mortal becomes the Sun’s ship — unassailable, sailing the sea of dualities untouched by life or death.
उद्यान्मित्रमहआरोहन्उत्तराम्दिवम् ।
हृद्रोगम्ममसूर्यहरिमाणं च नाशय ॥ Rising Mitra, mighty traveller of the northern sky, destroy my heart’s disease — my hṛdroga — and cleanse me of jaundice, O radiant Sun!
शुकेषुमेहरिमाणंरोपणाकासुदध्मसि ।
अथोहारिद्रवेषुमेहरिमाणंनिदध्मसि ॥ Cast my jaundice into the parrots, and into the Ropaṇaka birds; transfer my sickness into turmeric — let that golden root hold what was mine. An ancient proto-psychosomatic medicine — transference of illness into nature’s yellow essence: haridra, the purifier.
उदगाद्अयम्आदित्योविश्वेनसहसासह ।
द्विषन्तंमह्यंरन्धयन्मोअहम्द्विषतेर्अघम् ॥ Behold! The Sun has risen — and with him, the whole world. He strikes with sin those who hate me — and shields me from the hatred I bear. Here the Sun becomes moral equilibrium itself — absorbing vengeance into light, and returning darkness to where it came from.
Mitra, in these hymns, is not just the physical Sun. He is the law of relationship — the binding warmth of existence — simultaneously nourisher and tormentor, friend and witness.His “ghee” is devotion; his “disease-curing rays” are truth; his “fame” is honesty that never tires of burning.The Vedic seer’s wisdom is simple yet unfathomable: the Sun is not worshipped because he shines, but because he never stops shining.
