14. Kāṇḍa 14 — Vivāha Sūkta — the marriage hymns
Sūkta 1
Atharvaveda 14.1 · 64 mantras
14.1.1
सत्येनोत्तभिता भूमिः सूर्येणोत्तभिता द्यौः ।
ऋतेनादित्यास् तिष्ठन्ति दिवि सोमो अधि श्रितः ॥
satyenottabhitā bhūmiḥ sūryeṇottabhitā dyauḥ ।
ṛtenādityās tiṣṭhanti divi somo adhi śritaḥ ॥
14.1.2
सोमेनादित्या बलिनः सोमेन पृथिवी मही ।
अथो नक्षत्राणाम् एषाम् उपस्थे सोम आहितः ॥
somenādityā balinaḥ somena pṛthivī mahī ।
atho nakṣatrāṇām eṣām upasthe soma āhitaḥ ॥
14.1.3
सोमं मन्यते पपिवान् यत् संपिंषन्त्य् ओषधिम् ।
सोमं यं ब्रह्माणो विदुर् न तस्याश्नाति पार्थिवः ॥
somaṃ manyate papivān yat saṃpiṃṣanty oṣadhim ।
somaṃ yaṃ brahmāṇo vidur na tasyāśnāti pārthivaḥ ॥
When the Soma grinders grind and crush the soma herbs, then the yajamana feels that having drunk the juice he has drunk the real Soma. But the Soma which the Vedic sages know and drink is different. Earthly people do not and cannot know and drink that spiritual soma of ecstasy.
14.1.4
यत् त्वा सोम प्रपिबन्ति तत आ प्यायसे पुनः ।
वायुः सोमस्य रक्षिता समानां मास आकृतिः ॥
yat tvā soma prapibanti tata ā pyāyase punaḥ ।
vāyuḥ somasya rakṣitā samānāṃ māsa ākṛtiḥ ॥
O Soma, vital energy of the body system of youth, when the Brahmacharis drink you up, i.e., assimilate you into the body’s aura, ojas, you rise and grow more and more. Indeed, Vayu, pranic energy of nature, is the preserver and promoter of soma as a month is the constituent part of the year and the year grows by assimilation of months.
14.1.5
आछद्विधानैर् गुपितो बार्हतैः सोम रक्षितः ।
ग्राव्णाम् इच् छृण्वन् तिष्ठसि न ते अश्नाति पार्थिवः ॥
āchadvidhānair gupito bārhataiḥ soma rakṣitaḥ ।
grāvṇām ic chṛṇvan tiṣṭhasi na te aśnāti pārthivaḥ ॥
Soma, lustrous vitality of Brahmacharya, is preserved, protected and promoted by means and practices enshrined in Brhat Samans of Veda. O Soma, you stay strong and inviolated when the Brahmachari listens to the veteran wise celibates. No earthly lovers of carnal pleasure can taste the energy and ecstasy of high soma tasted by the dedicated.
14.1.6
चित्तिर् आ उपबर्हणं चक्षुर् आ अभ्यञ्जनम् ।
द्यौर् भूमिः कोश आसीद् यद् अयात् सूर्या पतिम् ॥
cittir ā upabarhaṇaṃ cakṣur ā abhyañjanam ।
dyaur bhūmiḥ kośa āsīd yad ayāt sūryā patim ॥
When Surya, the maiden bright as dawn, is married and goes to the house of her husband, her mind and awareness of moral and spiritual values is her cover, her eye and vision itself is the collyrium. Her stability on the reality of earth and her faith in God and heaven is her treasure and security.
14.1.7
रैभ्य् आसीद् अनुदेयी नाराशंसी न्योचनी ।
सुर्याया भद्रम् इद् वासो गाथयति परिष्कृता ॥
raibhy āsīd anudeyī nārāśaṃsī nyocanī ।
suryāyā bhadram id vāso gāthayati pariṣkṛtā ॥
Raibhi verses of divine adoration are her dowry. Vedic verses on human values and social relations are her companion. Truth, beauty and goodness of life for all is the bride’s wear as she goes, adorned and sanctified, to the house of her husband.
14.1.8
स्तोमा आसन् प्रतिधयः कुरीरं छन्द ओपशः ।
सूर्याया अश्विना वराग्निर् आसीत् पुरोगवः ॥
stomā āsan pratidhayaḥ kurīraṃ chanda opaśaḥ ।
sūryāyā aśvinā varāgnir āsīt purogavaḥ ॥
Stomas, Vedic songs of adoration, are her beauty aids, Vedic hymns, her cushion and crown, Ashvins, knowledge and complementary practice, her choice friends, and Agni, light of life, her pioneer and guide.
14.1.9
सोमो वधूयुर् अभवद् अश्विनास्ताम् उभा वरा ।
सूर्यां यत् पत्ये शंसन्तीं मनसा सविताददात् ॥
somo vadhūyur abhavad aśvināstām ubhā varā ।
sūryāṃ yat patye śaṃsantīṃ manasā savitādadāt ॥
Soma is the proposer and Ashvins, pranic energies, the first inspiration and attraction, when Savita, giver of life and light, gives away the bride, love lorn at heart, to the bride groom.
14.1.10
मनो अस्या अन आसीद् द्यौर् आसीद् उत छदिः ।
शुक्राव् अनड्वाहाव् आस्तां यद् अयात् सूर्या पतिम् ॥
mano asyā ana āsīd dyaur āsīd uta chadiḥ ।
śukrāv anaḍvāhāv āstāṃ yad ayāt sūryā patim ॥
The mind is her bridal chariot, bright sky its canopy, the sun and moon, the motive powers, when the bride like the glorious dawn goes to the house of her husband.
14.1.11
ऋक्सामाभ्याम् अभिहितौ गावौ ते सामनाव् ऐताम् ।
श्रोत्रे ते चक्रे आस्तां दिवि पन्थाश् चराचरः ॥
ṛksāmābhyām abhihitau gāvau te sāmanāv aitām ।
śrotre te cakre āstāṃ divi panthāś carācaraḥ ॥
Sun and moon both equal and glorious, yoked and celebrated by Rks and Samans, move the chariot smoothly. Let revelation of the Word and infinite space be the movement towards advancement, and let the path be both tumultuous and restful over the moving and unmoving world unto the light of heaven.
14.1.12
शुची ते चक्रे यात्या व्यानो अक्ष आहतः ।
अनो मनस्मयं सूर्यारोहत् प्रयती पतिम् ॥
śucī te cakre yātyā vyāno akṣa āhataḥ ।
ano manasmayaṃ sūryārohat prayatī patim ॥
Surya, the new bride, rides the chariot of the mind when she moves to the house of her groom (with her dreams of the future). When she moves, her pure ears are the wheels (on which the chariot moves because the mind moves in response to the stimulants of the senses), and the wind, psychic energy of thought, is the axis of her wheels.
14.1.13
सूर्याया वहतुः प्रागात् सविता यम् अवासृजत् ।
मघासु हन्यन्ते गावः फल्गुनीषु व्य् उह्यते ॥
sūryāyā vahatuḥ prāgāt savitā yam avāsṛjat ।
maghāsu hanyante gāvaḥ phalgunīṣu vy uhyate ॥
The bridal procession of Surya proceeds which Savita, her father, starts. The bullocks are made to move in Magha nakshatra and the bride is inducted into the groom’s home in Phalguni nakshatra.
14.1.14
यद् अश्विना पृछमानाव् अयातं त्रिचक्रेण वहतुं सूर्यायाः ।
क्वैकं चक्रं वाम् आसीत् क्व देष्ट्राय तस्थथुः ॥
yad aśvinā pṛchamānāv ayātaṃ tricakreṇa vahatuṃ sūryāyāḥ ।
kvaikaṃ cakraṃ vām āsīt kva deṣṭrāya tasthathuḥ ॥
O Ashvins, married couple, when you come together by the three wheeled chariot of the mind with Sattva, Rajas and Tamas, mind, motion and matter, constituents of personality in balance, asking for fulfilment of the wedding of Surya, where is one of the wheels of your chariot and where abide the other two for the purpose of benediction?
14.1.15
यद् अयातं शुभस् पती वरेयं सूर्याम् उप ।
विश्वे देवा अनु तद् वाम् अजानन् पुत्रः पितरम् अवृणीत पूषा ॥
yad ayātaṃ śubhas patī vareyaṃ sūryām upa ।
viśve devā anu tad vām ajānan putraḥ pitaram avṛṇīta pūṣā ॥
O Ashvins, protectors and promoters of life’s good, noble men and women of reason and passion, when you come to the bride, darling choice of the groom, let all the Vishvedevas, nobilities around and the mind and senses within, know and approve your intent and purpose, and then let Pusha, future progeny for sustenance, select the life-giving parents for the arrival.
14.1.16
द्वे ते चक्रे सूर्ये ब्रह्माण ऋतुथा विदुः ।
अथैकं चक्रं यद् गुहा तद् अद्धातय इद् विदुः ॥
dve te cakre sūrye brahmāṇa ṛtuthā viduḥ ।
athaikaṃ cakraṃ yad guhā tad addhātaya id viduḥ ॥
O Surya, bride of the new home, the sages of knowledge know the two wheels of your life’s chariot according to the seasons, i.e., your words and actions according to your moods and circumstances. The third, thought, reflection and intention, is hidden in the depths of the mind which only exceptional master minds know. And that one is a mystery.
14.1.17
अर्यमणं यजामहे सुबन्धुं पतिवेदनम् ।
उर्वारुकम् इव बन्धनात् प्रेतो मुञ्चामि नामुतः ॥
aryamaṇaṃ yajāmahe subandhuṃ pativedanam ।
urvārukam iva bandhanāt preto muñcāmi nāmutaḥ ॥
We invoke and adore Aryaman, noble friend and brother, who enlightens us on marriage matters and the husband’s role in maintaining the wife and family. I release you, like a ripe fruit, from your parental branch and your bond here but not from there in your new life and family which you now join.
14.1.18
प्रेतो मुञ्चामि नामुतः सुबद्धाम् अमुतस् करम् ।
यथेयम् इन्द्र मीढ्वः सुपुत्रा सुभगासति ॥
preto muñcāmi nāmutaḥ subaddhām amutas karam ।
yatheyam indra mīḍhvaḥ suputrā subhagāsati ॥
I release her, O Indra, virile and youthful groom, from here, not from there where I assign her to be wholly dedicated to her husband’s family so that she may be the proud mother of noble children and the mistress of good fortune and all round prosperity.
14.1.19
प्र त्वा मुञ्चामि वरुणस्य पाशाद् येन त्वाबध्नात् सविता सुशेवाः ।
ऋतस्य योनौ सुकृतस्य लोके स्योनं ते अस्तु सहसंभलायै ॥
pra tvā muñcāmi varuṇasya pāśād yena tvābadhnāt savitā suśevāḥ ।
ṛtasya yonau sukṛtasya loke syonaṃ te astu sahasaṃbhalāyai ॥
I release you from the bonds of Varuna, discipline of virginity observed in the spirit of freedom, justice and responsibility in the parental home, where Savita, lord giver of life and natural growth to maturity, had bound you in dedication without inhibition, and I settle and establish you with your husband in a new life of natural conjugal order of truth and piety in the world of noble action where, I wish and pray, you may be happy with your husband and your new friends and companions.
14.1.20
भगस् त्वेतो नयतु हस्तगृह्याश्विना त्वा प्र वहतां रथेन ।
गृहान् गछ गृहपत्नी यथासो वशिनी त्वं विदथम् आ वदासि ॥
bhagas tveto nayatu hastagṛhyāśvinā tvā pra vahatāṃ rathena ।
gṛhān gacha gṛhapatnī yathāso vaśinī tvaṃ vidatham ā vadāsi ॥
Let Bhaga, the noble husband, take your hand and lead you home. Let the Ashvins, father and mother of the husband, take you home by chariot in all comfort and safety with love. Go to your new home and new inmates of the home, be the mistress dedicated to your home, manager and darling love of all, ordering your new homely life, speaking well with love and affection to all.
14.1.21
इह प्रियं प्रजायै ते सम् ऋध्यताम् अस्मिन् गृहे गार्हपत्याय जागृहि ।
एना पत्या तन्वं सं स्पृशस्वाथ जिर्विर् विदथम् आ वदासि ॥
iha priyaṃ prajāyai te sam ṛdhyatām asmin gṛhe gārhapatyāya jāgṛhi ।
enā patyā tanvaṃ saṃ spṛśasvātha jirvir vidatham ā vadāsi ॥
Here in the new home may your new love and joy increase to new heights with family and children. Keep awake and alert in the home for the fulfilment of your family duties and obligations. Here with this husband of yours join in body and mind, and both of you enjoy good fellowship, company and converse till full age and fulfilment of your yajnic home life.
14.1.22
इहैव स्तं मा वि यौष्टं विश्वम् आयुर् व्य् अश्नुतम् ।
क्रीडन्तौ पुत्रैर् नप्तृभिर् मोदमानौ स्वस्तकौ ॥
ihaiva staṃ mā vi yauṣṭaṃ viśvam āyur vy aśnutam ।
krīḍantau putrair naptṛbhir modamānau svastakau ॥
Be here, stay together in this home in happy conjugality, never separate, live and enjoy a full life in your own home, playing, celebrating and living with children and grand children a higher and happier home life.
14.1.23
पूर्वापरं चरतो मायैतौ शिशू क्रीडन्तौ परि यातो ऽर्णवम् ।
विश्वान्यो भुवना विचष्ट ऋतूंर् अन्यो विदधज् जायसे नवः ॥
pūrvāparaṃ carato māyaitau śiśū krīḍantau pari yāto 'rṇavam ।
viśvānyo bhuvanā vicaṣṭa ṛtūṃr anyo vidadhaj jāyase navaḥ ॥
These two, husband and wife, like sun and moon, move on in complementary order by their own power and virtue, playing happily like innocent children across the serious depths of Grhastha, duties and responsibilities of family life. Of these, one watches around, enlightens all areas of life around the home, and the other rises again and again ever new in love and beauty like the moon in the bright fortnight, according to the time and season, thereby setting the time and seasons of the family in order.
14.1.24
नवोनवो भवसि जायमानो ऽह्नां केतुर् उषसाम् एष्य् अग्रम् ।
भागं देवेभ्यो वि दधास्य् आयन् प्र चन्द्रमस् तिरसे दीर्घम् आयुः ॥
navonavo bhavasi jāyamāno 'hnāṃ ketur uṣasām eṣy agram ।
bhāgaṃ devebhyo vi dadhāsy āyan pra candramas tirase dīrgham āyuḥ ॥
O lady of the house, like the new moon you rise anew brighter every day in love, beauty, conjugal and familial joy, the banner of every new day, pioneer of the dawns every morning. O new moon of the home, you organise and dispense the rightful share of all Devas, divinities of nature and nobilities of humanity, through yajnic hospitality and fulfil the needs and obligations of a long and happy family life.
14.1.25
परा देहि शामुल्यं ब्रह्मभ्यो वि भजा वसु ।
कृत्यैषा पद्वती भूत्वा जाया विशते पतिम् ॥
parā dehi śāmulyaṃ brahmabhyo vi bhajā vasu ।
kṛtyaiṣā padvatī bhūtvā jāyā viśate patim ॥
Shed away the sense of sin and shame or impurity of mind, share the wealth, knowledge and joy of life with and from the holy and wise. When the bride has taken the seven steps to matrimony for conjugal life, she joins the husband heart and soul.
14.1.26
नीललोहितं भवति कृत्यासक्तिर् व्य् अज्यते ।
एधन्ते अस्या ज्ञातयः पतिर् बन्धेषु बध्यते ॥
nīlalohitaṃ bhavati kṛtyāsaktir vy ajyate ।
edhante asyā jñātayaḥ patir bandheṣu badhyate ॥
Then the blood grows dark and red, love and desire vibrates and agitates for fulfilment, the near kinsmen of this bride swell with hope and joy of expectation, and the husband waxes with new responsibilities of conjugal love.
14.1.27
अश्लीला तनूर् भवति रुशती पापयामुया ।
पतिर् यद् वध्वो वाससः स्वम् अङ्गम् अभ्यूर्णुते ॥
aślīlā tanūr bhavati ruśatī pāpayāmuyā ।
patir yad vadhvo vāsasaḥ svam aṅgam abhyūrṇute ॥
The handsome bright body of the husband becomes polluted by that impious act if he covers his body with the wife’s clothes during her period.
14.1.28
आशसनं विशसनम् अथो अधिविकर्तनम् ।
सूर्यायाः पश्य रूपाणि तानि ब्रह्मोत शुम्भति ॥
āśasanaṃ viśasanam atho adhivikartanam ।
sūryāyāḥ paśya rūpāṇi tāni brahmota śumbhati ॥
Hope and expectation on the one hand, and fear and frustration on the other, appreciation and praise on the one hand, and anger and cruelty on the other, cutting and designing on the one hand, and irony that cuts deep to the very core, these are various moods and manners of women. These, Brahma, husband of the woman, wise and visionary, ought to see, and having seen as modes of appearance and reflection, he knows, corrects, purifies or excuses with higher understanding.
14.1.29
तृष्टम् एतत् कटुकम् अपाष्ठवद् विषवन् नैतद् अत्तवे ।
सूर्यां यो ब्रह्मा वेद स इद् वाधूयम् अर्हति ॥
tṛṣṭam etat kaṭukam apāṣṭhavad viṣavan naitad attave ।
sūryāṃ yo brahmā veda sa id vādhūyam arhati ॥
Matrimony? It cab be roughshod, exasperating, thorny, bitter, all barbs, all poison, it is dangerous to flirt with it. Only the wise youth of divine vision who knows the light and sanctity of Surya, the sunny maiden, deserves the prize he may carry away.
14.1.30
स इत् तत् स्योनं हरति ब्रह्मा वासः सुमङ्गलम् ।
प्रायश्चित्तिं यो अध्येति येन जाया न रिष्यति ॥
sa it tat syonaṃ harati brahmā vāsaḥ sumaṅgalam ।
prāyaścittiṃ yo adhyeti yena jāyā na riṣyati ॥
Only that wise young man, Brahma, wins a happy blessed home with Surya, a brilliant sunny wife, who understands and internalises the spirit of reparation, reconciliation and atonement in love relationship, and compromise and adjustment in practical conjugal living. Only this way, the woman suffers no loss, no injury, no
14.1.31
युवं भगं सं भरतं समृद्धम् ऋतं वदन्ताव् ऋतोद्येषु ।
ब्रह्मणस् पते पतिम् अस्यै रोचय चारु संभलो वदतु वाचम् एताम् ॥
yuvaṃ bhagaṃ saṃ bharataṃ samṛddham ṛtaṃ vadantāv ṛtodyeṣu ।
brahmaṇas pate patim asyai rocaya cāru saṃbhalo vadatu vācam etām ॥
O Dampati, wedded couple, speaking the truth in honest behaviour, action and dialogue, both of you, bear and enjoy abundant wealth, honour and excellence of knowledge and well being, both earthly and divine. O Brahmanaspati, lord and master of the divine voice, make the husband loving and agreeable to this bride. Let him, loving, admiring and dedicated, speak to her words of love and sweetness, decency and grace.
14.1.32
इहेद् असाथ न परो गमाथेमं गावः प्रजया वर्धयाथ ।
शुभं यतीर् उस्रियाः सोमवर्चसो विश्वे देवाः क्रन्न् इह वो मनांसि ॥
ihed asātha na paro gamāthemaṃ gāvaḥ prajayā vardhayātha ।
śubhaṃ yatīr usriyāḥ somavarcaso viśve devāḥ krann iha vo manāṃsi ॥
O cows, words of wisdom and rays of light, be here and stay, go not far, you being active, fertile and generous, advance and raise this wedded couple far high in life with pregeny. O Vishvedevas, divinities of the world, noble wedded couples, parents and all other seniors, blest with the splendour of Soma, wish this new couple to be noble, loving and harmonious at heart toward each other.
14.1.33
इमं गावः प्रजया सं विशाथायं देवानां न मिनाति भागम् ।
अस्मै वः पूषा मरुतश् च सर्वे अस्मै वो धाता सविता सुवाति ॥
imaṃ gāvaḥ prajayā saṃ viśāthāyaṃ devānāṃ na mināti bhāgam ।
asmai vaḥ pūṣā marutaś ca sarve asmai vo dhātā savitā suvāti ॥
O cows, enter this home with your progeny. O light rays, O generous people of holy words and divine wisdom, enter and bless this wedded couple with your gifts. This couple never faults on their duty of service to the divinities of nature and nobilities of humanity. May Pusha, lord of health and nourishment, Maruts, winds and all vibrant brave, Dhata, lord sustainer and ordainer of life, and Savita, creator and inspirer of life’s vision and energy, inspire and advance you for the sake of this wedded couple.
14.1.34
अनृक्षरा ऋजवः सन्तु पन्थनो येभिः सखायो यन्ति नो वरेयम् ।
सं भगेन सम् अर्यम्णा सं धाता सृजतु वर्चसा ॥
anṛkṣarā ṛjavaḥ santu panthano yebhiḥ sakhāyo yanti no vareyam ।
saṃ bhagena sam aryamṇā saṃ dhātā sṛjatu varcasā ॥
May the paths of life be simple, straight, natural and free from thorny obstacles, paths by which our friends go and reach their choice goals of fulfilment. May Dhata, lord sustainer and ordainer of life, inspire and join us with Bhaga, honour, excellence and prosperity, with Aryaman, progress with judgement and rectitude, and with lustre and splendour of the world.
14.1.35
यच् च वर्चो अक्षेषु सुरायां च यद् आहितम् ।
यद् गोष्व् अश्विना वर्चस् तेनेमां वर्चसावतम् ॥
yac ca varco akṣeṣu surāyāṃ ca yad āhitam ।
yad goṣv aśvinā varcas tenemāṃ varcasāvatam ॥
The lustre, splendour and inspiration that is collected, concentrated and confirmed in the axis and orbits of the stars and in the inspiration of soma, and the power and purity that is in the light of sun rays and the words of Veda, and the generosity that is in cows, with that power and purity, that light and splendour, and that generosity, may the Ashvins, all wedded couples and senior parents bless this bride.
14.1.36
येन महानघ्न्या जघनम् अश्विना येन वा सुरा ।
येनाक्षा अभ्यषिच्यन्त तेनेमां वर्चसावतम् ॥
yena mahānaghnyā jaghanam aśvinā yena vā surā ।
yenākṣā abhyaṣicyanta tenemāṃ varcasāvatam ॥
The lustre and splendour with which the udder of the unviolated cow, or the inspiring water, or the axes of honourable actions are infused, with that same lustre and splendour, O Ashvins, complementary powers of nature and humanity, bless and protect this bride.
14.1.37
यो अनिध्मो दीदयद् अप्स्व् अन्तर् यं विप्रास ईडते अध्वरेषु ।
अपां नपान् मधुमतीर् अपो दा याभिर् इन्द्रो वावृधे वीर्यावान् ॥
yo anidhmo dīdayad apsv antar yaṃ viprāsa īḍate adhvareṣu ।
apāṃ napān madhumatīr apo dā yābhir indro vāvṛdhe vīryāvān ॥
Lord omnipotent that shines and blazes without fire and fuel in the waters of life, which the divine sages worship and serve in yajnic projects, may that lord omnipotent, saviour protector of the vitality and virility of life against any possible fall, bless the groom with those honeyed vitalities of virility so that he may grow mighty and lustrous in his married life.
14.1.38
इदम् अहं रुशन्तं ग्राभं तनूदूषिम् अपोहामि ।
यो भद्रो रोचनस् तम् उद् अचामि ॥
idam ahaṃ ruśantaṃ grābhaṃ tanūdūṣim apohāmi ।
yo bhadro rocanas tam ud acāmi ॥
Here and now I give up and cast away whatever is injurious, infectious, defiling and overpowering with seizure of limbs and impairment of faculties and take on to whatever is good and exhilarating for the health and lustre of body and mind. (For further reference:
14.1.39
आस्यै ब्राह्मणाः स्नपनीर् हरन्त्व् अवीरघ्नीर् उद् अजन्त्व् आपः ।
अर्यम्णो अग्निं पर्य् एतु पूषन् प्रतीक्षन्ते श्वशुरो देवरश् च ॥
āsyai brāhmaṇāḥ snapanīr harantv avīraghnīr ud ajantv āpaḥ ।
aryamṇo agniṃ pary etu pūṣan pratīkṣante śvaśuro devaraś ca ॥
Let health experts of fertility prepare exhilarating and vitalising waters for the ceremonial bath of this bride, let her circumambulate the holy fire of Aryaman, Spirit of new life, pray for and receive the inspiring gift of new life. O Pushan, lord of nourishment and growth, her father-in-law and husbands are waiting for her arrival as for a new dawn in the home.
14.1.40
शं ते हिरण्यं शम् उ सन्त्व् आपः शं मेथिर् भवतु शं युगस्य तर्द्म ।
शं त आपः शतपवित्रा भवन्तु शम् उ पत्या तन्वं सं स्पृशस्व ॥
śaṃ te hiraṇyaṃ śam u santv āpaḥ śaṃ methir bhavatu śaṃ yugasya tardma ।
śaṃ ta āpaḥ śatapavitrā bhavantu śam u patyā tanvaṃ saṃ spṛśasva ॥
Let your golden glow of health and the light and lustre of heart and soul be good and auspicious for you. Let the flow of life and conduct be good and auspicious. Let your new position in the home be central, creative and auspicious. Let the wedded association be good, auspicious and peaceful. Let the social flow of life be pure and nobly abundant in a hundred ways. Let your conjugal union with husband in body and mind be good and intimate and mutually inspiring.
14.1.41
खे रथस्य खे ऽनसः खे युगस्य शतक्रतो ।
अपालाम् इन्द्र त्रिष् पूत्वाकृणोः सूर्यत्वचम् ॥
khe rathasya khe 'nasaḥ khe yugasya śatakrato ।
apālām indra triṣ pūtvākṛṇoḥ sūryatvacam ॥
O Indra, noble and virile groom of a hundredfold power and virtue, in the triple pleasures of body, mind and soul for total living, make the bride, a maiden of boundless virtue exclusively dedicated to you, radiant as sun rays in knowledge, action and piety.
14.1.42
आशासाना सौमनसं प्रजां सौभाग्यं रयिम् ।
पत्युर् अनुव्रता भूत्वा सं नह्यस्वामृताय कम् ॥
āśāsānā saumanasaṃ prajāṃ saubhāgyaṃ rayim ।
patyur anuvratā bhūtvā saṃ nahyasvāmṛtāya kam ॥
O bride, hoping and planning to achieve life’s happiness with good cheer of mind, noble progeny, good fortune and the wealth of life, having joined your husband for a common purpose in common discipline with him, prepare yourself and launch upon the joint mission of earthly joy and immortal freedom of the soul.
14.1.43
यथा सिन्धुर् नदीनां साम्राज्यं सुषुवे वृषा ।
एवा त्वं सम्राज्ञ्य् एधि पत्युर् अस्तं परेत्य ॥
yathā sindhur nadīnāṃ sāmrājyaṃ suṣuve vṛṣā ।
evā tvaṃ samrājñy edhi patyur astaṃ paretya ॥
Just as the abundant sea in space and on earth orders and runs the water systems of the rivers, so, O bride, having joined the husband’s home, manage the affairs of the family as the queen of a new order.
14.1.44
सम्राज्ञ्य् एधि श्वशुरेषु सम्राज्ञ्य् उत देवृषु ।
ननान्दुः सम्राज्ञ्य् एधि सम्राज्ञ्य् उत श्वश्र्वाः ॥
samrājñy edhi śvaśureṣu samrājñy uta devṛṣu ।
nanānduḥ samrājñy edhi samrājñy uta śvaśrvāḥ ॥
Be the queen of love and affection among your in-laws, the father-in-law and his peers, be the queen of love and respect among your husband’s brothers and cousins, be the darling queen of the heart of your sisterin-law, and the ruling love of your mother-in-law.
14.1.45
या अकृन्तन्न् अवयन् याश् च तत्निरे या देवीर् अन्तां अभितो ऽददन्त ।
तास् त्वा जरसे सं व्ययन्त्व् आयुष्मतीदं परि धत्स्व वासः ॥
yā akṛntann avayan yāś ca tatnire yā devīr antāṃ abhito 'dadanta ।
tās tvā jarase saṃ vyayantv āyuṣmatīdaṃ pari dhatsva vāsaḥ ॥
Those noble women who spun the thread, who did the weaving, those who sewed the garment to the ends of completion, may they provide the raiment for you till a happy full age. With this good will and best wishes, please put on this garment.
14.1.46
जीवं रुदन्ति वि नयन्त्य् अध्वरं दीर्घाम् अनु प्रसितिं दीध्युर् नरः ।
वामं पितृभ्यो य इदं समीरिरे मयः पतिभ्यो जनये परिष्वजे ॥
jīvaṃ rudanti vi nayanty adhvaraṃ dīrghām anu prasitiṃ dīdhyur naraḥ ।
vāmaṃ pitṛbhyo ya idaṃ samīrire mayaḥ patibhyo janaye pariṣvaje ॥
People shed joyous tears of separation when a darling of their life leaves home for another. At the same time they extend life’s yajna by matrimony and plan and accomplish a long programme of disciplined and enlightened conjugality. They perform this act of joy and satisfaction for the parents also and for the husband and wife when they are united as a loving married couple. (This mantra has also been interpreted in a totally different manner by Vishvanatha Vidyalankara: ‘People wail for a life time, desecrate a holy yajna and create a long snare for themselves including a painful experience for the parents when they convert holy matrimony into mere physical union of carnal pleasure for the husband and wife. ’ This interpretation is based on a different interpretation of the nature of tears, the verb ‘vini’, the noun ‘prasiti’, and the words ‘vaman’ and ‘mayah’, and ‘parishvaje’ in the sense of mere physical union.)
14.1.47
स्योनं ध्रुवं प्रजायै धारयामि ते ऽश्मानं देव्याः पृथिव्या उपस्थे ।
तम् आ तिष्ठानुमाद्या सुवर्चा दीर्घं त आयुः सविता कृणोतु ॥
syonaṃ dhruvaṃ prajāyai dhārayāmi te 'śmānaṃ devyāḥ pṛthivyā upasthe ।
tam ā tiṣṭhānumādyā suvarcā dīrghaṃ ta āyuḥ savitā kṛṇotu ॥
For the sake of your progeny, I take on this delightful and inviolable adamantine discipline of avowed trust and loyalty of conjugal faith on the lap of divine mother earth. Come and abide here happy, strong and lustrous, and may Savita, lord giver of light and inspiration grant you a long, healthy life.
14.1.48
येनाग्निर् अस्या भूम्या हस्तं जग्राह दक्षिणम् ।
तेन गृह्णामि ते हस्तं मा व्यथिष्ठा मया सह प्रजया च धनेन च ॥
yenāgnir asyā bhūmyā hastaṃ jagrāha dakṣiṇam ।
tena gṛhṇāmi te hastaṃ mā vyathiṣṭhā mayā saha prajayā ca dhanena ca ॥
With the same purpose and competence, as Agni, vital heat of cosmic creativity, has taken over the motherly potential of fertile earth, I hold your hand. With me, with plenty, prosperity and progeny, you would not suffer any want or deprivation.
14.1.49
देवस् ते सविता हस्तं गृह्णातु सोमो राजा सुप्रजसं कृणोतु ।
अग्निः सुभगां जतवेदाः पत्ये पत्नीं जरदष्टिम् कृणोतु ॥
devas te savitā hastaṃ gṛhṇātu somo rājā suprajasaṃ kṛṇotu ।
agniḥ subhagāṃ jatavedāḥ patye patnīṃ jaradaṣṭim kṛṇotu ॥
sun, may hold your hand, Soma, the loving inspiring man like the gracious moon, may inspire you with love and inspiration and lead you to have noble progeny, and may Agni, creativity of nature and divinity, pervading every where in existence, bless the wife with womanly wealth of fertility and motherhood for a full age till fulfilment.
14.1.50
गृह्णामि ते सौभगत्वाय हस्तं मया पत्या जरदष्टिर् यथासः ।
भगो अर्यमा सविता पुरंधिर् मह्यं त्वादुर् गार्हपत्याय देवाः ॥
gṛhṇāmi te saubhagatvāya hastaṃ mayā patyā jaradaṣṭir yathāsaḥ ।
bhago aryamā savitā puraṃdhir mahyaṃ tvādur gārhapatyāya devāḥ ॥
I hold your hand for familial good fortune so that with me, your husband, you may live a full long life as a happy wife. Bhaga, lord of prosperity, Aryama, lord of justice and advancement, Savita, lord creator and light giver, and Purandhi, holder and sustainer, and all divinities of nature and nobilities of humanity have given you to me for living the happy life of a good household..
14.1.51
भगस् ते हस्तम् अग्रहीत् सविता हस्तम् अग्रहीत् ।
पत्नी त्वम् असि धर्मणाहं गृहपतिस् तव ॥
bhagas te hastam agrahīt savitā hastam agrahīt ।
patnī tvam asi dharmaṇāhaṃ gṛhapatis tava ॥
Bhaga, lord of power and prosperity, has taken your hand, Savita, lord of light and life, has taken your hand (and given it unto me). By Dharma, then, you are my wife, and, by Dharma, I am your husband.
14.1.52
ममेयम् अस्तु पोष्या मह्यं त्वादाद् बृहस्पतिः ।
मया पत्या प्रजावति सं जीव शरदः शतम् ॥
mameyam astu poṣyā mahyaṃ tvādād bṛhaspatiḥ ।
mayā patyā prajāvati saṃ jīva śaradaḥ śatam ॥
This bride now would be my responsibility to maintain. Brhaspati, lord of the grand universe, has given and entrusted you unto me. The high priest, sagely scholar of the Vedas, has confirmed the gift to me, socially. You now live happy with me, your husband, unto a full hundred years enjoying the company of noble children.
14.1.53
त्वष्टा वासो व्य् अदधाच् छुभे कं बृहस्पतेः प्रशिषा कवीनाम् ।
तेनेमां नारीं सविता भगश् च सूर्याम् इव परि धत्तां प्रजया ॥
tvaṣṭā vāso vy adadhāc chubhe kaṃ bṛhaspateḥ praśiṣā kavīnām ।
tenemāṃ nārīṃ savitā bhagaś ca sūryām iva pari dhattāṃ prajayā ॥
Tvashta, divine maker, has made the cloth for comfort and good fortune with the blessings of Brhaspati and the good wishes of poets and sages. Thereby may Savita and Bhaga adorn this bride with raiment and bless her with progeny like Surya, child of the sun.
14.1.54
इन्द्राग्नी द्यावापृथिवी मातरिश्वा मित्रावरुणा भगो अश्विनोभा ।
बृहस्पतिर् मरुतो ब्रह्म सोम इमां नारिं प्रजया वर्धयन्तु ॥
indrāgnī dyāvāpṛthivī mātariśvā mitrāvaruṇā bhago aśvinobhā ।
bṛhaspatir maruto brahma soma imāṃ nāriṃ prajayā vardhayantu ॥
May Indra and Agni, nature’s divine energy and fire, heaven and earth, Matarishva, winds and electric energy of the firmament, Mitra and Varuna, sun and moon, day and night, Bhaga, universal prosperity, both Ashvins, complementarities of Nature, Brhaspati, lord of the expansive universe, Maruts, winds of the firmament, Brahma, lord supreme of the universe. Soma, life-giving energy of the moon, bless and advance this bride with noble progeny.
14.1.55
बृहस्पतिः प्रथमः सूर्यायाः शीर्षे केशां अकल्पयत् ।
तेनेमाम् अश्विना नारीं पत्ये सं शोभयामसि ॥
bṛhaspatiḥ prathamaḥ sūryāyāḥ śīrṣe keśāṃ akalpayat ।
tenemām aśvinā nārīṃ patye saṃ śobhayāmasi ॥
First of all it was Brhaspati, lord of expansive nature, who created the hair on the head of this Surya, maiden child of the sun. After that we, Ashvins, prepare and consecrate this bride for the groom.
14.1.56
इदं तद् रूपं यद् अवस्त योषा जायां जिज्ञासे मनसा चरन्तीम् ।
ताम् अन्व् अर्तिष्ये सखिभिर् नवग्वैः क इमान् विद्वान् वि चचर्त पाशान् ॥
idaṃ tad rūpaṃ yad avasta yoṣā jāyāṃ jijñāse manasā carantīm ।
tām anv artiṣye sakhibhir navagvaiḥ ka imān vidvān vi cacarta pāśān ॥
It is that form, beauty and grace which the maiden wears and bears, that which is the bride sojourning with mind and imagination in search of a mate, I long for in earnest. I with friends and associates, the latest ones too, will live and behave in accord with her. It is the expert artist who beautifully designed and wove the beauteous bouquet of her hair as snares of love and excitement.
14.1.57
अहं वि ष्यामि मयि रूपम् अस्या वेदद् इत् पश्यन् मनसः कुलायम् ।
न स्तेयम् अद्मि मनसोद् अमुच्ये स्वयं श्रथ्नानो वरुणस्य पाशान् ॥
ahaṃ vi ṣyāmi mayi rūpam asyā vedad it paśyan manasaḥ kulāyam ।
na steyam admi manasod amucye svayaṃ śrathnāno varuṇasya pāśān ॥
I have fixed into me the love and beauty of this maiden, knowing and seeing that therein is the seat of my heart and love. I do not take anything by stealth, having tied and now loosened the bonds of Varuna myself. I am mentally free, yet freely bound.
14.1.58
प्र त्वा मुञ्चामि वरुणस्य पाशाद् येन त्वाबध्नात् सविता सुशेवाः ।
उरुं लोकं सुगम् अत्र पन्थां कृणोमि तुभ्यं सहपत्न्यै वधु ॥
pra tvā muñcāmi varuṇasya pāśād yena tvābadhnāt savitā suśevāḥ ।
uruṃ lokaṃ sugam atra panthāṃ kṛṇomi tubhyaṃ sahapatnyai vadhu ॥
O bride, I release you from the bond by which Savita, blissful lord giver of life, bound you in the father’s home. Now for you, bound in union with me, the husband, I create and prepare a free, comfortable and wide path of life.
14.1.59
उद् यछध्वम् अप रक्षो हनाथेमं नारीं सुकृते दधात ।
धाता विपश्चित् पतिम् अस्यै विवेद भगो राजा पुर एतु प्रजानन् ॥
ud yachadhvam apa rakṣo hanāthemaṃ nārīṃ sukṛte dadhāta ।
dhātā vipaścit patim asyai viveda bhago rājā pura etu prajānan ॥
O members of the family, raise and rouse yourselves anew in this new situation, eliminate the negative forces, establish this bride in noble works in her new role. Dhata, lord sustainer and ordainer of life, wise and all knowing, has got the husband for her. Let Bhaga, the husband, brilliant and confident, ruling and organising life, knowing things well, go forward and provide the lead.
14.1.60
भगस् ततक्ष चतुरः पादान् भगस् ततक्ष चत्वार्य् उष्पलानि ।
त्वष्टा पिपेश मध्यतो ऽनु वर्ध्रान्त् सा नो अस्तु सुमङ्गली ॥
bhagas tatakṣa caturaḥ pādān bhagas tatakṣa catvāry uṣpalāni ।
tvaṣṭā pipeśa madhyato 'nu vardhrānt sā no astu sumaṅgalī ॥
Bhaga, lord sustainer and ordainer of life, has framed the value orders of life: Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha; four social orders: Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra; four stages of personal life: Brahmacharya, Grhastha, Vanaprastha and Sanyasa. Tvashta, lord maker and organiser of life, has placed the woman as partner of man in matrimony in this order and organisation. May the bride be good and auspicious for us.
14.1.61
सुकिंशुकं वहतुं विश्वरूपं हिरण्यवर्णं सुवृतं सुचक्रम् ।
आ रोह सूर्ये अमृतस्य लोकं स्योनं पतिभ्यो वहतुं कृणु त्वम् ॥
sukiṃśukaṃ vahatuṃ viśvarūpaṃ hiraṇyavarṇaṃ suvṛtaṃ sucakram ।
ā roha sūrye amṛtasya lokaṃ syonaṃ patibhyo vahatuṃ kṛṇu tvam ॥
O bride, ascend the chariot of Grhastha, decked with flowers, versatile in form and role, of golden beauty, well cultured and moving forward in a well controlled manner. O Surya, sunny light of a new dawn for the new home, ascend to the new world of freedom and immortality through Grhastha, and make the life of your husband and family beautiful and comfortable as an earthly paradise.
14.1.62
अभ्रातृघ्नीं वरुणापशुघ्नीं बृहस्पते ।
इन्द्रापतिघ्नीम् पुत्रिणीम् आस्मभ्यं सवितर् वह ॥
abhrātṛghnīṃ varuṇāpaśughnīṃ bṛhaspate ।
indrāpatighnīm putriṇīm āsmabhyaṃ savitar vaha ॥
O Varuna, O Brhaspati, O Indra, O Savita, pray lead and bring the bride to our home. O bridegroom, young man of noble qualities as Varuna, educated and enlightened with wide knowledge like Brhaspati, strong and powerful as Indra, and virile and brave as Savita, conduct home this bride who is noble and helpful to brothers and sisters, loving to the husband and kind to the animals of the home. Escort her for us, bring her home. And may God bless her as mother of noble children.
14.1.63
मा हिंसिष्टं कुमार्यं स्थूणे देवकृते पथि ।
शालाया देव्या द्वारं स्योनं कृण्मो वधूपथम् ॥
mā hiṃsiṣṭaṃ kumāryaṃ sthūṇe devakṛte pathi ।
śālāyā devyā dvāraṃ syonaṃ kṛṇmo vadhūpatham ॥
O pillars of the home and family, father and mother of the bridegroom, blest by divinities with a noble son, please do not hurt the maiden, the bride, be kind and loving. We open and decorate the auspicious door of the house blest by divinities and make it a beautiful path of entry for the bride’s welcome.
14.1.64
ब्रह्मापरं युज्यतां ब्रह्म पूर्वं ब्रह्मान्ततो मध्यतो ब्रह्म सर्वतः ।
अनाव्याधां देवपुरां प्रपद्य शिवा स्योना पतिलोके वि राज ॥
brahmāparaṃ yujyatāṃ brahma pūrvaṃ brahmāntato madhyato brahma sarvataḥ ।
anāvyādhāṃ devapurāṃ prapadya śivā syonā patiloke vi rāja ॥
Let Veda mantras be chanted and resound in the front, at the back, at the end, in the middle, in fact all round the house. O bride, having reached the holy, auspicious divine home free from obstacles and inhibitions, beautiful and blissful, shine as a queen in the house of the husband.
Sūkta 2 — Atma Devata, Surya Savitri Rshi (mantras 1–68)
Atharvaveda 14.2 · mantras 1–68 of 75 · part 1 of 2
14.2.1
तुभ्यम् अग्रे पर्य् अवहन्त् सूर्यां वहतुना सह ।
स नः पतिभ्यो जायां दा अग्ने प्रजया सह ॥
tubhyam agre pary avahant sūryāṃ vahatunā saha ।
sa naḥ patibhyo jāyāṃ dā agne prajayā saha ॥
O Agni, spirit of light and life, the divinities first conducted Surya, the bride, with her bridal wealth to you. May you now give her with her maturity and motherly potential as wife to the bridegroom and his family who will honour, protect and maintain her. (Refer also to Rgveda 10, 85, 40) (When a girl child is born, the parents think of her upbringing, education and preparation for her settlement under the divine care of Agni, divine spirit of life and light. When she is mature with full health, education and bridal accomplishments, she is married and given over to the bridegroom and his family. The word ‘pati’ means husband but it also means one who cares for her and maintains and protects her. And when she comes to the family of the bridegroom she becomes the responsibility of the entire family. Hence ‘patibhyah’ here means the bridegroom and other members of the family who will care, maintain and protect her and help her grow further as mother head of the family.)
14.2.2
पुनः पत्नीम् अग्निर् अदाद् आयुषा सह वर्चसा ।
दीर्घायुर् अस्या यः पतिर् जीवाति शरदः शतम् ॥
punaḥ patnīm agnir adād āyuṣā saha varcasā ।
dīrghāyur asyā yaḥ patir jīvāti śaradaḥ śatam ॥
Agni, lord of light and life, now gives her back to the bridegroom along with her maturity of health and age and womanly potential, her vigour and lustre of youth and brilliance. The husband now will look after, protect and maintain her for a life time of full hundred years.
14.2.3
सोमस्य जाया प्रथमं गन्धर्वस् ते ऽपरः पतिः ।
तृतीयो अग्निष् टे पतिस् तुरीयस् ते मनुष्यजाः ॥
somasya jāyā prathamaṃ gandharvas te 'paraḥ patiḥ ।
tṛtīyo agniṣ ṭe patis turīyas te manuṣyajāḥ ॥
Surya is first the care of Soma. Your second protector, O Surya, is Gandharva. Agni is the third protector, and the fourth protector, your husband, is the son of man. (Reference may be made to Rgveda, 10, 85, 40: “O bright girl, your first protective and promotive gurdian is Soma, divine nature’s energy which leads you to puberty. The next is Gandharva which energises you with fertility. The third is Agni which inspires you to love and passion, and your fourth guardian is your husband, son of man for the continuance of humanity.” Since the fourth is called ‘the son of man’, it is clear that the previous three are other than the man, they being forces of nature as explained. It has to be stressed and clarified that the guardians in successive order have all the qualities of the previous ones. Therefore the fourth, son of man, has all the other three: health, energy, enlightened passion, and all-inclusive humanity. In other words, he has to be cool yet energetic as soma, bright as sun, enlightened as well as enthusiastic as agni, and human as the concept of man in Rgveda, 10, 53, 6. Reference may also be made to Gita 9, 20 and 15, 13;
14.2.4
सोमो ददद् गन्धर्वाय गन्धर्वो ददद् अग्नये ।
रयिं च पुत्रांस् चादाद् अग्निर् मह्यम् अथो इमाम् ॥
somo dadad gandharvāya gandharvo dadad agnaye ।
rayiṃ ca putrāṃs cādād agnir mahyam atho imām ॥
Soma, the state of child-like innocence, gave her unto Gandharva, rising self awareness of identity toward puberty, Gandharva gave her unto Agni, state of adolescence, love and maturtiy, and Agni, on maturity, balanced and tempered identity with education, gives her to me with homely wealth and noble progeny implicit in her.
14.2.5
आ वाम् अगन्त् सुमतिर् वाजिनीवसू न्य् अश्विना हृत्सु कामा अरंसत ।
अभूतं गोपा मिथुना शुभस् पती प्रिया अर्यम्णो दुर्यां अशीमहि ॥
ā vām agant sumatir vājinīvasū ny aśvinā hṛtsu kāmā araṃsata ।
abhūtaṃ gopā mithunā śubhas patī priyā aryamṇo duryāṃ aśīmahi ॥
O wedded couple, man and wife, rich in food, energy and settled life, may noble understanding and wisdom come and abide with you. May love, faith and trust, and noble ambitions be and abide in your hearts. May both of you as wedded couple mutually be guardians of each other and upholders of your common ideals and responsibilities as masters of noble living, and may Aryama, lord divine of familial well being, be kind and gracious path maker so that we all may enjoy good homes and happy family life.
14.2.6
सा मन्दसाना मनसा शिवेन रयिं धेहि सर्ववीरं वचस्यम् ।
सुगं तीर्थं सुप्रपाणं शुभस् पती स्थाणुं पथिष्ठाम् अप दुर्मतिं हतम् ॥
sā mandasānā manasā śivena rayiṃ dhehi sarvavīraṃ vacasyam ।
sugaṃ tīrthaṃ suprapāṇaṃ śubhas patī sthāṇuṃ pathiṣṭhām apa durmatiṃ hatam ॥
O bride, happy at heart with a noble auspicious mind, be the mistress of adorable wealth worthy of the brave without any weakness. O wedded couple, worthy guardians of noble values and actions, we wish you a clear path of holy matrimony, a noble destination in life and full satisfaction of your desires and ambitions in life, and we exhort you that you drive out all misunderstanding, suspicion and negative thinking from your life which, otherwise, might stand as a rock in your way and block your passage to advancement.
14.2.7
या ओषधयो या नद्यो यानि क्षेत्राणि या वना ।
तास् त्वा वधु प्रजावतीं पत्ये रक्षन्तु रक्षसः ॥
yā oṣadhayo yā nadyo yāni kṣetrāṇi yā vanā ।
tās tvā vadhu prajāvatīṃ patye rakṣantu rakṣasaḥ ॥
All herbs and trees, all streams and rivers, all fields and forests which are around, may they all, O bride, as protectors and guardians, protect you as the mother of progeny for your husband against all evils and attacks of negativity.
14.2.8
एमं पन्थाम् अरुक्षाम सुगं स्वस्तिवाहनम् ।
यस्मिन् वीरो न रिष्यत्य् अन्येषां विन्दते वसु ॥
emaṃ panthām arukṣāma sugaṃ svastivāhanam ।
yasmin vīro na riṣyaty anyeṣāṃ vindate vasu ॥
We have taken on to this path of matrimony as our way of life. It is holy, clear, and a harbinger of auspicious well being and prosperity. On this path the brave are never defeated, never destroyed, in fact they achieve the same wealth and values as of the other brave
14.2.9
इदं सु मे नरः शृणुत ययाशिषा दंपती वामम् अश्नुतः ।
ये गन्धर्वा अप्सरसश् च देवीर् एषु वानस्पत्येषु ये ऽधि तस्थुः ।
स्योनास् ते अस्यै वध्वै भवन्तु मा हिंसिषुर् वहतुम् उह्यमानम् ॥
idaṃ su me naraḥ śṛṇuta yayāśiṣā daṃpatī vāmam aśnutaḥ ।
ye gandharvā apsarasaś ca devīr eṣu vānaspatyeṣu ye 'dhi tasthuḥ ।
syonās te asyai vadhvai bhavantu mā hiṃsiṣur vahatum uhyamānam ॥
Listen, ye men and women, the word of prayer and good wishes by which the wedded couple may attain the best and sweetest pleasure of life: May all devotees of Vedic speech, divine women busy in their daily chores, all sages who live in their forest groves, be good and kind to the bride. May none on way hurt the bride and none obstruct the bridal procession conducting Surya to her new home.
14.2.10
ये वध्वश् चन्द्रं वहतुं यक्ष्मा यन्ति जनां अनु ।
पुनस् तान् यज्ञिया देवा नयन्तु यत आगताः ॥
ye vadhvaś candraṃ vahatuṃ yakṣmā yanti janāṃ anu ।
punas tān yajñiyā devā nayantu yata āgatāḥ ॥
All those worthies of society who come in response to the members of the bride’s family and join and grace the beautiful bridal procession, after the wedding yajna, on way to her new home are respectable. Let the noblest respectable people of the bride’s family escort them to their places from where they had come.
14.2.11
मा विदन् परिपन्थिनो य आसीदन्ति दंपती ।
सुगेन दुर्गम् अतीताम् अप द्रान्त्व् अरातयः ॥
mā vidan paripanthino ya āsīdanti daṃpatī ।
sugena durgam atītām apa drāntv arātayaḥ ॥
Let the forces counter to the ways of Grhastha which afflict and mislead the wedded couple never come their way. O wedded couple, cross over the difficult paths and problems of life by simple, straight and clear ways of life, and let enemies, wants and adversities flee away from you.
14.2.12
सं काशयामि वहतुं ब्रह्मणा गृहैर् अघोरेण चक्षुषा मित्रियेण ।
पर्याणद्धं विश्वरूपं यद् अस्ति स्योनं पतिभ्यः सविता तत् कृणोतु ॥
saṃ kāśayāmi vahatuṃ brahmaṇā gṛhair aghoreṇa cakṣuṣā mitriyeṇa ।
paryāṇaddhaṃ viśvarūpaṃ yad asti syonaṃ patibhyaḥ savitā tat kṛṇotu ॥
By the Vedic advice of the high priest and the help and cooperation of the members of the home with a friendly eye of love free from power, anger or protest, I make the entire nuptial ceremony, wedding gifts and the bridal chariot, all look beautiful and gracious. Well ordered every way, with all beauties of form and function as it all is by our joint efforts, may Savita, lord of life, make it agreeable and beautiful to the bridegroom and the members of his family.
14.2.13
शिवा नारीयम् अस्तम् आगन्न् इमं धाता लोकम् अस्यै दिदेश ।
ताम् अर्यमा भगो अश्विनोभा प्रजापतिः प्रजया वर्धयन्तु ॥
śivā nārīyam astam āgann imaṃ dhātā lokam asyai dideśa ।
tām aryamā bhago aśvinobhā prajāpatiḥ prajayā vardhayantu ॥
This blessed, blissful and gracious bride has come to this home of her husband and family. Dhata, lord ruler and sustainer of the world, had ordained this house, family and environment for her. May Aryama, lord of order and advancement, Bhaga, lord of glory and prosperity, both Ashvins, nature’s complementarities of growth and progress, and Prajapati, lord of his children of creation, bless and exalt this bride with children and other people of the family around.
14.2.14
आत्मन्वत्य् उर्वरा नारीयम् आगन् तस्यां नरो वपत बीजम् अस्याम् ।
सा वः प्रजां जनयद् वक्षणाभ्यो बिभ्रती दुग्धम् ऋषभस्य रेतः ॥
ātmanvaty urvarā nārīyam āgan tasyāṃ naro vapata bījam asyām ।
sā vaḥ prajāṃ janayad vakṣaṇābhyo bibhratī dugdham ṛṣabhasya retaḥ ॥
O man, this woman, the bride, strong in spirit and morals, mature and fertile in health, has come to you as wife in whom you would plant the seed, and, bearing the seed of the virile husband, nourishing the seed and bearing milk from the steams of her body energy, she will give birth to your child for you and your family.
14.2.15
प्रति तिष्ठ विराड् असि विष्णुर् इवेह सरस्वति ।
सिनीवालि प्र जायतां भगस्य सुमताव् असत् ॥
prati tiṣṭha virāḍ asi viṣṇur iveha sarasvati ।
sinīvāli pra jāyatāṃ bhagasya sumatāv asat ॥
O Bride, lady of intelligence, Sarasvati, O lady of grace, Sinivali, noble, brilliant and queen-like you are, settle secure here in the home, let your presence pervade in the home like Vishnu’s in the universe. Give birth to the baby and may the baby be in the good will of Bhaga, lord of life’s excellence and glory.
14.2.16
उद् व ऊर्मिः शम्या हन्त्व् आपो योक्त्राणि मुञ्चत ।
मादुष्कृतौ व्येनसाव् अघ्न्याव् अशुनम् आरताम् ॥
ud va ūrmiḥ śamyā hantv āpo yoktrāṇi muñcata ।
māduṣkṛtau vyenasāv aghnyāv aśunam āratām ॥
O women, let vibrations of love and peace emanate from you. Take over the reins of the home and give up whatever is undesirable. O man and wife, do nothing evil, avoid sin, be unassailable, and may you never suffer any loss or harm.
14.2.17
अघोरचक्षुर् अपतिघ्नी स्योना शग्मा सुशेवा सुयमा गृहेभ्यः ।
वीरसूर् देवृकामा सं त्वयैधिषीमहि सुमस्यमाना ॥
aghoracakṣur apatighnī syonā śagmā suśevā suyamā gṛhebhyaḥ ।
vīrasūr devṛkāmā saṃ tvayaidhiṣīmahi sumasyamānā ॥
Of kind eye, unhurtful to the husband, gentle, efficient, gracious, self-regulated for inmates of the home, mother of the brave, loving to brother-in-law, happy at heart you are, may we rise and advance with you.
14.2.18
अदेवृघ्न्य् अपतिघ्नीहैधि शिवा पशुभ्यः सुयमा सुवर्चाः ।
प्रजावती वीरसूर् देवृकामा स्योनेमम् अग्निं गार्हपत्यं सपर्य ॥
adevṛghny apatighnīhaidhi śivā paśubhyaḥ suyamā suvarcāḥ ।
prajāvatī vīrasūr devṛkāmā syonemam agniṃ gārhapatyaṃ saparya ॥
Unhurtful and loving to brothers-in-law, loving to the husband, kind to animals, self-controlled, noble and brilliant, blest with progeny, mother of the brave, and gracious, serve and maintain the holy fire of the home.
14.2.19
उत् तिष्ठेतः किम् इछन्तीदम् आगा अहं त्वेडे अभिभूः स्वाद् गृहात् ।
शून्यैषी निरृते याजगन्थोत् तिष्ठाराते प्र पत मेह रंस्थाः ॥
ut tiṣṭhetaḥ kim ichantīdam āgā ahaṃ tveḍe abhibhūḥ svād gṛhāt ।
śūnyaiṣī nirṛte yājaganthot tiṣṭhārāte pra pata meha raṃsthāḥ ॥
O adversity, get off from here! What for do you come? I being the stronger, drive you out of my house. O lover of nothing, O indigence, unwelcome visitor, get up and run off, don’t stay here.
14.2.20
यदा गार्हपत्यम् असपर्यैत् पूर्वम् अग्निं वधूर् इयम् ।
अधा सरस्वत्यै नारि पितृभ्यश् च नमस् कुरु ॥
yadā gārhapatyam asaparyait pūrvam agniṃ vadhūr iyam ।
adhā sarasvatyai nāri pitṛbhyaś ca namas kuru ॥
As this lady of the house has served and maintained the holy fire of home life, so now, O lady, offer homage to Sarasvati and the parents and seniors of the family.
14.2.21
शर्म वर्मैतद् आ हरास्यै नार्या उपस्तिरे ।
सिनीवालि प्र जायतां भगस्य सुमताव् असत् ॥
śarma varmaitad ā harāsyai nāryā upastire ।
sinīvāli pra jāyatāṃ bhagasya sumatāv asat ॥
Bring comfortable cover and clothing for this woman in the bed. O noble lady, give birth to noble progeny which may enjoy the love and favour of the good will of Bhaga, lord of good fortune, for the home and family.
14.2.22
यं बल्बजं न्यस्यथ चर्म चोपस्तृणीथन ।
तद् आ रोहतु सुप्रजा या कन्या विन्दते पतिम् ॥
yaṃ balbajaṃ nyasyatha carma copastṛṇīthana ।
tad ā rohatu suprajā yā kanyā vindate patim ॥
The grass mattress which you spread below and the cover you spread on the mattress, let the girl who marries the husband ascend thereon who expects progeny.
14.2.23
उप स्तृणीहि बल्बजम् अधि चर्मणि रोहिते ।
तत्रोपविश्य सुप्रजा इमम् अग्निं सपर्यतु ॥
upa stṛṇīhi balbajam adhi carmaṇi rohite ।
tatropaviśya suprajā imam agniṃ saparyatu ॥
Cover the grass mattress with red deer skin and let the woman expecting good progeny sit thereon and serve this holy fire of the home.
14.2.24
आ रोह चर्मोप सीदाग्निम् एष देवो हन्ति रक्षांसि सर्वा ।
इह प्रजां जनय पत्ये अस्मै सुज्यैष्ठ्यो भवत् पुत्रस् त एषः ॥
ā roha carmopa sīdāgnim eṣa devo hanti rakṣāṃsi sarvā ।
iha prajāṃ janaya patye asmai sujyaiṣṭhyo bhavat putras ta eṣaḥ ॥
O wife, rise on this mattress cover, sit thereon, serve this fire, this divine fire destroys all evil elements of life and health. Here give birth to the progeny for the husband, and may this progeny of yours enjoy long and noble healthy life.
14.2.25
वि तिष्ठन्तां मातुर् अस्या उपस्थान् नानारूपाः पशवो जायमानाः ।
सुमङ्गल्य् उप सीदेमम् अग्निं संपत्नी प्रति भूषेह देवान् ॥
vi tiṣṭhantāṃ mātur asyā upasthān nānārūpāḥ paśavo jāyamānāḥ ।
sumaṅgaly upa sīdemam agniṃ saṃpatnī prati bhūṣeha devān ॥
May the noble progeny born of the womb of this mother, all of good health and vision, of versatile noble form, character and function, live long and abide by her. May the woman of good fortune, noble wife of her husband, sit on the mattress and serve the holy fire, and may she honour the divinities in the home.
14.2.26
सुमङ्गली प्रतरणी गृहाणां सुशेवा पत्ये श्वशुराय शंभूः ।
स्योना श्वश्र्वै प्र गृहान् विशेमान् ॥
sumaṅgalī prataraṇī gṛhāṇāṃ suśevā patye śvaśurāya śaṃbhūḥ ।
syonā śvaśrvai pra gṛhān viśemān ॥
Noble and auspicious, harbinger of peace and progress to the family, kind and loving to the husband, gracious to the father-in-law, pleasant and agreeable to the mother-in-law, please enter this home and join the family.
14.2.27
स्योना भव श्वशुरेभ्यः स्योना पत्ये गृहेभ्यः ।
स्योनास्यै सर्वस्यै विशे स्योना पुष्टायैषां भव ॥
syonā bhava śvaśurebhyaḥ syonā patye gṛhebhyaḥ ।
syonāsyai sarvasyai viśe syonā puṣṭāyaiṣāṃ bhava ॥
Be gentle to the father-in-law and other seniors, be loving to the husband and agreeable to the members of the family, be good and pleasant to all these people of the family, be good for the health and growth of all this family and all these people.
14.2.28
सुमङ्गलीर् इयं वधूर् इमां समेत पश्यत ।
सौभाग्यम् अस्यै दत्त्वा दौर्भाग्यैर् विपरेतन ॥
sumaṅgalīr iyaṃ vadhūr imāṃ sameta paśyata ।
saubhāgyam asyai dattvā daurbhāgyair viparetana ॥
Come you all and meet this bride, she is so good and auspicious harbinger of good fortune. Wish her all well with good fortune and protect her against all adversity and misfortune, then you may leave.
14.2.29
या दुर्हार्दो युवतयो याश् चेह जरतीर् अपि ।
वर्चो न्व् अस्यै सं दत्ताथास्तं विपरेतन ॥
yā durhārdo yuvatayo yāś ceha jaratīr api ।
varco nv asyai saṃ dattāthāstaṃ viparetana ॥
All those who are young, all those who are elderly, even those who are distraught at heart, pray wish her that she may shine with lustre, and having blessed her, pray you may leave.
14.2.30
रुक्मप्रस्तरणं वह्यं विश्वा रूपाणि बिभ्रतम् ।
आरोहत् सूर्या सावित्री बृहते सौभगाय कम् ॥
rukmaprastaraṇaṃ vahyaṃ viśvā rūpāṇi bibhratam ।
ārohat sūryā sāvitrī bṛhate saubhagāya kam ॥
Let Surya Savitri, maidenly child of the sun, rise and ascend the chariot covered in golden light, wearing all forms of beauty for the attainment of abundant prosperity and high felicity of married life.
14.2.31
आ रोह तल्पं सुमनस्यमानेह प्रजां जनय पत्ये अस्मै ।
इन्द्राणीव सुबुधा बुध्यमाना ज्योतिरग्रा उषसः प्रति जागरासि ॥
ā roha talpaṃ sumanasyamāneha prajāṃ janaya patye asmai ।
indrāṇīva subudhā budhyamānā jyotiragrā uṣasaḥ prati jāgarāsi ॥
Come happy at heart, ascend this bridal bed and here in this home give birth to noble progeny for this young man, your husband. Like the wife of divine Indra, intelligent, rising in awareness and wisdom, leading light of the dawn, be wide awake and ever alert in your life and conduct of duty.
14.2.32
देवा अग्रे न्य् अपद्यन्त पत्नीः सम् अस्पृशन्त तन्वस् तनूभिः ।
सूर्येव नारि विश्वरूपा महित्वा प्रजावती पत्या सं भवेह ॥
devā agre ny apadyanta patnīḥ sam aspṛśanta tanvas tanūbhiḥ ।
sūryeva nāri viśvarūpā mahitvā prajāvatī patyā saṃ bhaveha ॥
Noble and divine people earlier have married their wives, they have lived together united in body with body and mind with mind. You, too, O maiden, like the light of the sun, mistress of universal beauty in form. join me as one with me with your mental greatness and be the proud mother of noble progeny.
14.2.33
उत् तिष्ठेतो विश्वावसो नमसेडामहे त्वा ।
जामिम् इछ पितृषदं न्यक्तां स ते भागो जनुषा तस्य विद्धि ॥
ut tiṣṭheto viśvāvaso namaseḍāmahe tvā ।
jāmim icha pitṛṣadaṃ nyaktāṃ sa te bhāgo januṣā tasya viddhi ॥
Rise, O bridegroom, possessed of all manly wealth, we adore you with all esteem and salutations, pray take this maiden, educated and refined in the parental home. Know her as by birth ordained for you as partner of your life and take and love her as your wife.
14.2.34
अप्सरसः सधमादं मदन्ति हविर्धानम् अन्तरा सूर्यं च ।
तास् ते जनित्रम् अभि ताः परेहि नमस् ते गन्धर्वर्तुना कृणोमि ॥
apsarasaḥ sadhamādaṃ madanti havirdhānam antarā sūryaṃ ca ।
tās te janitram abhi tāḥ parehi namas te gandharvartunā kṛṇomi ॥
Between the earth, seat of havi and yajna, and the sun, Apsaras, streams of vapour and currents of energy, celebrate the joy of their being in a common home. O man, they are the consorts of the universal creative potential. Similarly women of the home enjoy life in their conjugal home. They are the consorts of man’s creative potential. O man, go to the woman for she is the mother of generation. O Gandharva, O man, go to your partner consort. I offer you homage according to the creative generative season.
14.2.35
नमो गन्धर्वस्य नमसे नमो भामाय चक्षुषे च कृण्मः ।
विश्वावसो ब्रह्मणा ते नमो ऽभि जाया अप्सरसः परेहि ॥
namo gandharvasya namase namo bhāmāya cakṣuṣe ca kṛṇmaḥ ।
viśvāvaso brahmaṇā te namo 'bhi jāyā apsarasaḥ parehi ॥
Homage to Gandharva’s adoration, i.e., to man’s adoration of his consort, we do homage to his loving eye and passion of love. O man of manly wealth of the world, we do you homage with Vedic chant, go and meet your Apsara partner, lovely nymph of your heart’s desire.
14.2.36
राया वयं सुमनसः स्यामोद् इतो गन्धर्वम् आवीवृताम ।
अगन्त् स देवः परमं सधस्थम् अगन्म यत्र प्रतिरन्त आयुः ॥
rāyā vayaṃ sumanasaḥ syāmod ito gandharvam āvīvṛtāma ।
agant sa devaḥ paramaṃ sadhastham aganma yatra pratiranta āyuḥ ॥
Let us be happy at heart with wealth, honour and excellence. Rising from here, let us raise Gandharva, the married youth, with his partner, higher. May that noble youth reach the highest status in life. Let us too rise to the heights where noblest people enjoy the best of their life.
14.2.37
सं पितराव् ऋत्विये सृजेथां माता पिता च रेतसो भवाथः ।
मर्य इव योषाम् अधि रोहयैनां प्रजां कृण्वाथाम् इह पुष्यतं रयिम् ॥
saṃ pitarāv ṛtviye sṛjethāṃ mātā pitā ca retaso bhavāthaḥ ।
marya iva yoṣām adhi rohayaināṃ prajāṃ kṛṇvāthām iha puṣyataṃ rayim ॥
O man and wife, father and mother to be, meet together at the proper time for procreation, and by the union of the seed and the egg, be father and mother of the progeny. O man, meet the woman, overwhelm her like a youthful lover with passion and communion, and thus alone both of you would beget the progeny and augment your wealth and prosperity here. (The laws of nature are sacred and inviolable, and the operation and observance of those laws at the human level is a serious affair as a matter of duty and self-fulfilment within the laws and dictates of Dharma. The fulfilment of this duty is both joy and self-realisation in life in the state of matrimony at proper time of age and season. The state of health, the state of mind, and the state of the home and family, every thing is important: Sex, marriage, procreation, raising of children and management of the home and family as an institution, all is sacred and serious, and the sanctity of this all must not be desecrated as mere fun and sensual pleasure. This is the comprehensive Vedic view of the united life of man and woman.)
14.2.38
तां पूषं छिवतमाम् एरयस्व यस्यां बीजं मनुष्या वपन्ति ।
या न ऊरू उशती विश्रयाति यस्याम् उशन्तः प्रहरेम शेपः ॥
tāṃ pūṣaṃ chivatamām erayasva yasyāṃ bījaṃ manuṣyā vapanti ।
yā na ūrū uśatī viśrayāti yasyām uśantaḥ praharema śepaḥ ॥
O youthful, protective man, love, court, solicit and inspire her, the wife in your care, who is the most blessed and blissful partner of your life, for, into her. men sow the seed of their life’s extension. It is she who in the state of love would bare and wax herself in whom men in a state of passion would plant the seed for generation.
14.2.39
आ रोहोरुम् उप धत्स्व हस्तं परि ष्वजस्व जायां सुमनस्यमानः ।
प्रजां कृण्वाथाम् इह मोदमानौ दीर्घं वाम् आयुः सविता कृणोतु ॥
ā rohorum upa dhatsva hastaṃ pari ṣvajasva jāyāṃ sumanasyamānaḥ ।
prajāṃ kṛṇvāthām iha modamānau dīrghaṃ vām āyuḥ savitā kṛṇotu ॥
Overwhel her with love, caress her softly, embrace the wife happy at heart, and exciting her too at heart, rejoice both here in the home, obtain the child, and may Savita, lord of life, energy and inspiration grant you both a long happy life.
14.2.40
आ वां प्रजां जनयतु प्रजापतिर् अहोरात्राभ्यां सम् अनक्त्व् अर्यमा ।
अदुर्मङ्गली पतिलोकम् आ विशेमं शं नो भव द्विपदे शं चतुष्पदे ॥
ā vāṃ prajāṃ janayatu prajāpatir ahorātrābhyāṃ sam anaktv aryamā ।
adurmaṅgalī patilokam ā viśemaṃ śaṃ no bhava dvipade śaṃ catuṣpade ॥
May Prajapati generate progeny for you both. May Aryama grant you happy days and nights. O woman, free from inauspiciousness, enter this life and home with the husband. Let there be peace and joy for humans and animals all.
14.2.41
देवैर् दत्तं मनुना साकम् एतद् वाधूयं वासो वध्वश् च वस्त्रम् ।
यो ब्रह्मणे चिकितुषे ददाति स इद् रक्षांसि तल्पानि हन्ति ॥
devair dattaṃ manunā sākam etad vādhūyaṃ vāso vadhvaś ca vastram ।
yo brahmaṇe cikituṣe dadāti sa id rakṣāṃsi talpāni hanti ॥
The father who gives the bridal garments to the bride and wedding garments to the sagely and enlightened bridegroom provided by devas, noble people, along with Mann, thinking people of the community, protects the bridal bed against all evil and negativities.
14.2.42
यं मे दत्तो ब्रह्मभागं वधूयोर् वाधूयं वासो वध्वश् च वस्त्रम् ।
युवं ब्रह्मणे ऽनुमन्यमानौ बृहस्पते साकम् इन्द्रश् च दत्तम् ॥
yaṃ me datto brahmabhāgaṃ vadhūyor vādhūyaṃ vāso vadhvaś ca vastram ।
yuvaṃ brahmaṇe 'numanyamānau bṛhaspate sākam indraś ca dattam ॥
Whatever wedding gift, i.e., the rightful share of the enlightened bridegroom marrying by choice, e.g., wedding garments for the bridegroom, wedding garments for the bride, and conjugal rights for both, that has been given to me, the bridegroom, O Brhaspati, master of knowledge and Dharma, and O Indra, lord of power and law, both of you having approved it in favour of the bridegroom, pray now confirm that it has been given to me by the ruler and the high priest of law under the seal of power.
14.2.43
स्योनाद् योनेर् अधि बध्यमानौ हसामुदौ महसा मोदमानौ ।
सुगू सुपुत्रौ सुगृहौ तराथो जीवाव् उषसो विभातीः ॥
syonād yoner adhi badhyamānau hasāmudau mahasā modamānau ।
sugū suputrau sugṛhau tarātho jīvāv uṣaso vibhātīḥ ॥
Awake, arising and emerging over beautiful quarters, happy, laughing, celebrating your joy of the heart with pleasure and festivity, moving around at leisure, having noble children, a good home, live well enthusiastically, across the bright golden dawns and days of your life.
14.2.44
नवं वसानः सुरभिः सुवासा उदागां जीव उषसो विभातीः ।
आण्डात् पतत्रीवामुक्षि विश्वस्माद् एनसस् परि ॥
navaṃ vasānaḥ surabhiḥ suvāsā udāgāṃ jīva uṣaso vibhātīḥ ।
āṇḍāt patatrīvāmukṣi viśvasmād enasas pari ॥
Living life ever anew, fragrant, wearing smart clothes, bubbling with pranic energy, I rise by the bright dawns and, like a bird emerging from the egg, I break through all limitations and rise over sins and evils of life.
14.2.45
शुम्भनी द्यावापृथिवी अन्तिसुम्ने महिव्रते ।
आपः सप्त सुस्रुवुर् देवीस् ता नो मुञ्चन्त्व् अंहसः ॥
śumbhanī dyāvāpṛthivī antisumne mahivrate ।
āpaḥ sapta susruvur devīs tā no muñcantv aṃhasaḥ ॥
May the heaven and earth, both bright and beautiful, kind and closest at heart, relentlessly great observers of the divine laws of nature, and the seven streams of life that flow through senses, mind and pranas and through all our actions, keep us away and save us from sin and suffering.
14.2.46
सूर्यायै देवेभ्यो मित्राय वरुणाय च ।
ये भूतस्य प्रचेतसस् तेभ्य इदम् अकरं नमः ॥
sūryāyai devebhyo mitrāya varuṇāya ca ।
ye bhūtasya pracetasas tebhya idam akaraṃ namaḥ ॥
I do homage to Surya, dawn of the light of Divinity, to Mitra and Varuna, cosmic spirit of love and justice, to all the divinities of nature and humanity, and, to all those who know the science of material world, I do this homage.
14.2.47
य ऋते चिद् अभिश्रिषः पुरा जत्रुभ्य आतृदः ।
संधाता संधिं मघवा पुरूवसुर् निष्कर्ता विह्रुतं पुनः ॥
ya ṛte cid abhiśriṣaḥ purā jatrubhya ātṛdaḥ ।
saṃdhātā saṃdhiṃ maghavā purūvasur niṣkartā vihrutaṃ punaḥ ॥
I do homage to that immanent Lord of unbounded natural health and assertive life energy who, without piercing and ligatures, provides for the serial structure of separate vertebrae and collar bones and then, later, heals and sets the same back into healthy order if they get dislocated or fractured.
14.2.48
अपास्मत् तम उछतु नीलं पिशङ्गम् उत लोहितं यत् ।
निर्दहनी या पृषातक्य् अस्मिन् तां स्थाणाव् अध्य् आ सजामि ॥
apāsmat tama uchatu nīlaṃ piśaṅgam uta lohitaṃ yat ।
nirdahanī yā pṛṣātaky asmin tāṃ sthāṇāv adhy ā sajāmi ॥
Whatever is dark in us, let it be off from us, let the light come at dawn. Whatever is vitiated, blue, pale or ruddy, whatever is burning, whatever wearisome or exhausting, I assign to the central stability of health and regeneration.
14.2.49
यावतीः कृत्या उपवासने यावन्तो राज्ञो वरुणस्य पाशाः ।
व्यृद्धयो या असमृद्धयो या अस्मिन् ता स्थाणाव् अधि सादयामि ॥
yāvatīḥ kṛtyā upavāsane yāvanto rājño varuṇasya pāśāḥ ।
vyṛddhayo yā asamṛddhayo yā asmin tā sthāṇāv adhi sādayāmi ॥
All those many performances essential to moral and spiritual discipline, all those bonds and limitations essential to the rule and law of Varuna, lord of universal justice, all those positive and negative flows of material well being, all these I surrender unto the central stability of the Lord eternal and immovable.
14.2.50
या मे प्रियतमा तनूः सा मे बिभाय वाससः ।
तस्याग्रे त्वं वनस्पते नीविं कृणुष्व मा वयं रिषाम ॥
yā me priyatamā tanūḥ sā me bibhāya vāsasaḥ ।
tasyāgre tvaṃ vanaspate nīviṃ kṛṇuṣva mā vayaṃ riṣāma ॥
My body which is dearest and most delicate feels uncomfortable, even hurt, by the rough cloth, therefore, first, O Vanaspati, master of the field and forest, first arrange to refine the base of the cloth, cotton, so that we may not feel hurt or uncomfortable.
14.2.51
ये अन्ता यावतीः सिचो य ओतवो ये च तन्तवः ।
वासो यत् पत्नीभिर् उतं तन् न स्योनम् उप स्पृशात् ॥
ye antā yāvatīḥ sico ya otavo ye ca tantavaḥ ।
vāso yat patnībhir utaṃ tan na syonam upa spṛśāt ॥
All the ends, the hems and comers, the warp and woof of the cloth woven by the women of the home should be beautiful and soft in feel and comfortable in touch for the body.
14.2.52
उशतीः कन्यला इमाः पितृलोकात् पतिं यतीः ।
अव दीक्षाम् असृक्षत स्वाहा ॥
uśatīḥ kanyalā imāḥ pitṛlokāt patiṃ yatīḥ ।
ava dīkṣām asṛkṣata svāhā ॥
Inspired with the passion of love for matrimony, let these maidens give up the one, parental, initiation while departing from the parental home, and take on the new matrimonial initiation in truth of thought, word and deed.
14.2.53
बृहस्पतिनावसृष्टां विश्वे देवा अधारयन् ।
वर्चो गोषु प्रविष्टं यत् तेनेमां सं सृजामसि ॥
bṛhaspatināvasṛṣṭāṃ viśve devā adhārayan ।
varco goṣu praviṣṭaṃ yat tenemāṃ saṃ sṛjāmasi ॥
All nobilities of the world accept and confirm the new matrimonial initiation given by the divine high priest, Brhaspati. We vest this initiated maiden with that light and lustre which is in the sun rays and that fecundity and generosity which is in the cows.
14.2.54
बृहस्पतिनावसृष्टां विश्वे देवा अधारयन् ।
तेजो गोषु प्रविष्टं यत् तेनेमां सं सृजामसि ॥
bṛhaspatināvasṛṣṭāṃ viśve devā adhārayan ।
tejo goṣu praviṣṭaṃ yat tenemāṃ saṃ sṛjāmasi ॥
Nobilities of the world take on the new matrimonial initiation given by the divine high priest, Brhaspati. We vest this initiated bride with that vigour and brilliance which is vested in the cows and in sun rays.
14.2.55
बृहस्पतिनावसृष्टां विश्वे देवा अधारयन् ।
भजो गोषु प्रविष्टो यस् तेनेमां सं सृजामसि ॥
bṛhaspatināvasṛṣṭāṃ viśve devā adhārayan ।
bhajo goṣu praviṣṭo yas tenemāṃ saṃ sṛjāmasi ॥
Nobilities of the world take on the new matrimonial initiation given by the divine high priest, Brhaspati. We vest this initiated bride with the glory and good fortune which is vested in the cows and the rays of the moon.
14.2.56
बृहस्पतिनावसृष्टां विश्वे देवा अधारयन् ।
यशो गोषु प्रविष्टं यत् तेनेमां सं सृजामसि ॥
bṛhaspatināvasṛṣṭāṃ viśve devā adhārayan ।
yaśo goṣu praviṣṭaṃ yat tenemāṃ saṃ sṛjāmasi ॥
Nobilities of the world take on the new matrimonial initiation given by the divine high priest, Brhaspati. We vest this initiated bride with the honour which is vested in the cows and sun rays.
14.2.57
बृहस्पतिनावसृष्टां विश्वे देवा अधारयन् ।
पयो गोषु प्रविष्टं यत् तेनेमां सं सृजामसि ॥
bṛhaspatināvasṛṣṭāṃ viśve devā adhārayan ।
payo goṣu praviṣṭaṃ yat tenemāṃ saṃ sṛjāmasi ॥
Nobilities of the world take on the new matrimonial initiation given by the divine high priest, Brhaspati. We vest this initiated bride with the milk which is vested in the cows.
14.2.58
बृहस्पतिनावसृष्टां विश्वे देवा अधारयन् ।
रसो गोषु प्रविष्टो यस् तेनेमां सं सृजामसि ॥
bṛhaspatināvasṛṣṭāṃ viśve devā adhārayan ।
raso goṣu praviṣṭo yas tenemāṃ saṃ sṛjāmasi ॥
Nobilities of the world take on the new matrimonial initiation given by the divine high priest, Brhaspati. We vest this initiated bride with the love and sweetness which is vested in the cows.
14.2.59
यदीमे केशिनो जना गृहे ते समनर्तिषू रोदेन कृण्वन्तो ऽघम् ।
अग्निष् ट्वा तस्माद् एनसः सविता च प्र मुञ्चताम् ॥
yadīme keśino janā gṛhe te samanartiṣū rodena kṛṇvanto 'gham ।
agniṣ ṭvā tasmād enasaḥ savitā ca pra muñcatām ॥
If these people with dishevelled hair assemble in your house, enacting a dance of death and wail with sin and sorrow, then may Agni and Savita, brilliant and creative powers and people, save and release you from that deathly sin.
14.2.60
यदीयं दुहिता तव विकेश्य् अरुदद् गृहे रोदेन कृण्वत्य् अघम् ।
अग्निष् ट्वा तस्माद् एनसः सविता च प्र मुञ्चताम् ॥
yadīyaṃ duhitā tava vikeśy arudad gṛhe rodena kṛṇvaty agham ।
agniṣ ṭvā tasmād enasaḥ savitā ca pra muñcatām ॥
If this daughter of yours, crying and wailing with dishevelled hair in your house, enact a scene of sin and sorrow, then may Agni and Savita save you and release you from that deathly sin.
14.2.61
यज् जामयो यद् युवतयो गृहे ते समनर्तिषू रोदेन कृण्वतीर् अघम् ।
अग्निष् ट्वा तस्माद् एनसः सविता च प्र मुञ्चताम् ॥
yaj jāmayo yad yuvatayo gṛhe te samanartiṣū rodena kṛṇvatīr agham ।
agniṣ ṭvā tasmād enasaḥ savitā ca pra muñcatām ॥
If your sisters, other relatives and young women with dishevelled hair assemble in your house enacting a dance of death and wail with sin and sorrow, then may Agni and Savita save you and release you from that deathly sin.
14.2.62
यत् ते प्रजायां पशुषु यद् वा गृहेषु निष्ठितम् अघकृद्भिर् अघं कृतम् ।
अग्निष् ट्वा तस्माद् एनसः सविता च प्र मुञ्चताम् ॥
yat te prajāyāṃ paśuṣu yad vā gṛheṣu niṣṭhitam aghakṛdbhir aghaṃ kṛtam ।
agniṣ ṭvā tasmād enasaḥ savitā ca pra muñcatām ॥
If among your people and animals, or in homes and families, sin and evil committed by unrighteous and criminal elements stay on and persist, then may Agni and Savita save you and release you from that sin and unrighteousness.
14.2.63
इयं नार्य् उप ब्रूते पूल्यान्य् आवपन्तिका ।
दीर्घायुर् अस्तु मे पतिर् जीवाति शरदः शतम् ॥
iyaṃ nāry upa brūte pūlyāny āvapantikā ।
dīrghāyur astu me patir jīvāti śaradaḥ śatam ॥
This bride, offering oblations of roasted rice with holiness and laying foundations of familial life with heart and soul, says: May my husband live a full happy long life of hundred years.
14.2.64
इहेमाव् इन्द्र सं नुद चक्रवाकेव दंपती ।
प्रजयैनौ स्वस्तकौ विश्वम् आयुर् व्य् अश्नुताम् ॥
ihemāv indra saṃ nuda cakravākeva daṃpatī ।
prajayainau svastakau viśvam āyur vy aśnutām ॥
O lord omnipotent, ruler of the world, Indra, pray bless and inspire this wedded couple loving each other like chakravaka birds: May this couple live and attain a full, long, happy, perfect life with noble progeny in a prosperous home.
14.2.65
यद् आसन्द्याम् उपधाने यद् वोपवासने कृतम् ।
विवाहे कृत्यां यां चक्रुर् आस्नाने तां नि दध्मसि ॥
yad āsandyām upadhāne yad vopavāsane kṛtam ।
vivāhe kṛtyāṃ yāṃ cakrur āsnāne tāṃ ni dadhmasi ॥
Whatever wrong was done on the chair, on the cushion or on the wrapping cover or ceremonial wear, and whatever was wrongly done during fast time, and whatever evil was committed during the wedding ceremony, all that we wash away in the cleansing ceremony and keep the evil down.
14.2.66
यद् दुष्कृतं यच् छमलं विवाहे वहतौ च यत् ।
तत् संभलस्य कम्बले मृज्महे दुरितं वयम् ॥
yad duṣkṛtaṃ yac chamalaṃ vivāhe vahatau ca yat ।
tat saṃbhalasya kambale mṛjmahe duritaṃ vayam ॥
Whatever evil, whatever polluted deed, was done during the wedding or on the bridal car or in the procession, that wrong deed we assign to mutual discussion and discretion of the wise and wash off thus as in cleansing water away.
14.2.67
संभले मलं सादयित्वा कम्बले दुरितं वयम् ।
अभूम यज्ञियाः शुद्धाः प्र ण आयूंषि तारिषत् ॥
saṃbhale malaṃ sādayitvā kambale duritaṃ vayam ।
abhūma yajñiyāḥ śuddhāḥ pra ṇa āyūṃṣi tāriṣat ॥
Having assigned the pollution and undesirables to mutual discussion and discretion of the wise, and having thus washed it off as in water, we have become pure and worthy venerable performers of yajna, and we pray may this purity bring us a long happy life across all difficulties.
14.2.68
कृत्रिमः कण्टकः शतदन् य एषः ।
अपास्याः केश्यं मलम् अप शीर्षण्यं लिखात् ॥
kṛtrimaḥ kaṇṭakaḥ śatadan ya eṣaḥ ।
apāsyāḥ keśyaṃ malam apa śīrṣaṇyaṃ likhāt ॥
Let this hundred-toothed comb made by the artist scrape and remove the dirt of the head and hair of this bride and this people of the bride’s and bridegroom’s families.
Sūkta 2 — Atma Devata, Surya Savitri Rshi (mantras 69–75)
Atharvaveda 14.2 · mantras 69–75 of 75 · part 2 of 2
14.2.69
अङ्गादङ्गाद् वयम् अस्या अप यक्ष्मं नि दध्मसि ।
तन् मा प्रापत् पृथिवीं मोत देवान् दिवं मा प्रापद् उर्व् अन्तरिक्षम् ।
अपो मा प्रापन् मलम् एतद् अग्ने यमम् मा प्रापत् पितॄंश् च सर्वान् ॥
aṅgādaṅgād vayam asyā apa yakṣmaṃ ni dadhmasi ।
tan mā prāpat pṛthivīṃ mota devān divaṃ mā prāpad urv antarikṣam ।
apo mā prāpan malam etad agne yamam mā prāpat pitṝṃś ca sarvān ॥
We remove all cancerous and consumptive diseases from every part of this bride’s body system. Let disease never affect the earth, never affect the divinities of nature and the nobilities of humanity, never the sun light and never the heavens, never the vast skies, never the waters. O Agni, let not this dirt and infection affect the air, nor all the nourishing powers and parental seniors.
14.2.70
सं त्वा नह्यामि पयसा पृथिव्याः सं त्वा नह्यामि पयसौषधीनाम् ।
सं त्वा नह्यामि प्रजया धनेन सा संनद्धा सनुहि वाजम् एमम् ॥
saṃ tvā nahyāmi payasā pṛthivyāḥ saṃ tvā nahyāmi payasauṣadhīnām ।
saṃ tvā nahyāmi prajayā dhanena sā saṃnaddhā sanuhi vājam emam ॥
O bride, O bridegroom, O couple, I join you, strengthen you, and guard you with the armour of the earth’s milk of nourishment, I join, strengthen and guard you with the milk and nourishment of the herbs, I join, strengthen and bless you with the joy of progeny and prosperity of wealth. O bride, thus joined, strengthened and armoured, obtain and enjoy this strength, prosperity and life’s
14.2.71
अमो ऽहम् अस्मि सा त्वं सामाहम् अस्म्य् ऋक् त्वं द्यौर् अहं पृथिवी त्वम् ।
ताव् इह सं भवाव प्रजाम् आ जनयावहै ॥
amo 'ham asmi sā tvaṃ sāmāham asmy ṛk tvaṃ dyaur ahaṃ pṛthivī tvam ।
tāv iha saṃ bhavāva prajām ā janayāvahai ॥
I am He, a human version of Purusha, you are She, a human version of Prakrti. I am Sama, you are Rk. I am the heaven, you are the earth. Let us two join and be one. Let us create progeny.
14.2.72
जनियन्ति नाव् अग्रवः पुत्रियन्ति सुदानवः ।
अरिष्टासू सचेवहि बृहते वाजसातये ॥
janiyanti nāv agravaḥ putriyanti sudānavaḥ ।
ariṣṭāsū sacevahi bṛhate vājasātaye ॥
The unmarried love to marry and have a life-partner, as we. The generous want progeny. Let us both, unhurt at heart, in soul and pranic energy, be together and work for the achievement of happiness, wealth and the ultimate victory of life.
14.2.73
ये पितरो वधूदर्शा इमं वहतुम् आगमन् ।
ते अस्यै वध्वै संपत्न्यै प्रजावच् छर्म यछन्तु ॥
ye pitaro vadhūdarśā imaṃ vahatum āgaman ।
te asyai vadhvai saṃpatnyai prajāvac charma yachantu ॥
All parents and seniors who have come to this wedding ceremony and to see this bride, may all of them offer this bride along with her bridegroom their blessings for the gift of a happy home with noble progeny.
14.2.74
येदं पूर्वागन् रशनायमाना प्रजाम् अस्यै द्रविणं चेह दत्त्वा ।
तां वहन्त्व् अगतस्यानु पन्थां विराड् इयं सुप्रजा अत्य् अजैषीत् ॥
yedaṃ pūrvāgan raśanāyamānā prajām asyai draviṇaṃ ceha dattvā ।
tāṃ vahantv agatasyānu panthāṃ virāḍ iyaṃ suprajā aty ajaiṣīt ॥
This girl, earlier observing the discipline of maidenly zone, has come to this home as a bride. May the parents and seniors, having given her blessings for noble progeny and the wealth of a happy home, guide her now on the path of matrimony yet unknown. She is now a human version of Virat Prakrti, the Mother. May she win noble progeny and much more.
14.2.75
प्र बुध्यस्व सुबुधा बुध्यमाना दीर्घायुत्वाय शतशारदाय ।
गृहान् गछ गृहपत्नी यथासो दीर्घं त आयुः सविता कृणोतु ॥
pra budhyasva subudhā budhyamānā dīrghāyutvāya śataśāradāya ।
gṛhān gacha gṛhapatnī yathāso dīrghaṃ ta āyuḥ savitā kṛṇotu ॥
O bride, be wide awake anew, all aware and highly awakening yourself and others for a long married life of a hundred years. Enter the home and meet and know the inmates of the home so that you may be the maker and mistress of the home. And may Savita, lord inspirer of light and life, grant you a long, healthy and happy life.