The Mantra
मधु वाता ऋतायते मधु क्षरन्ति सिन्ध वः । माध्वीर्नः सन ्त्वोषधीः ॥
मधु नक्तमुतोषसि मधुमत् पार्थिवग्ं रजः । मधु द्यौरस्तु नः पि ता ॥
मधुमान् नो वनस्पतिर्म धुमाग्ं अस्तु सूर्यः । माध्वीर्गा वो भवन्तु नः ॥
Madhu Vātā Ṛtāyate Madhu Kṣaranti Sindhu Vaḥ. Mādhvīrnoḥ Santvoṣadhīḥ.
Madhu Naktamutoṣasi Madhumat Pārthivagṁ Rajaḥ. Madhu Dyaurastu Naḥ Pita.
Madhumān No Vanaspatirmadhumāgṁ Astu Sūryaḥ. Mādhvīrgā Vo Bhavantu Naḥ.
Introduction
Discovered in the Taittiriya Samhita of the Krishna Yajurveda and the Rigveda Samhita, with some portions in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad from the Shukla Yajurveda, this mantra holds profound significance across Vedic texts. Its presence in multiple Vedas underscores its enduring importance. Functioning as a prayer to elements of nature for happiness and well-being, it reflects the ancient reverence for the natural world. This mantra is a timeless invocation, emphasizing humanity’s interconnectedness with nature and the pursuit of harmony and blessings from the fundamental forces that sustain life.
Rishi Devata Chhandas:
In Sayanacharya’s commentary on this mantra in the Rigveda Samhita (1.90), the rishi is Gautama, and the devata is Vishvedevas, representing multiple divinities such as wind, rivers, plants, trees, earth, heaven, sun, and cows. The meter or chhandas is Gayatri.
This selection comprises three mantras, all in the Gayatri meter. The first mantra, “Madhu vata… santvoṣadhīḥ,” is followed by the second, “Madhu naktamutōṣasi… naḥ pitā,” and the third, “Madhumān no… bhavantu naḥ.” Each mantra invokes blessings and offerings for various aspects of nature, underscoring the Vedic reverence for the natural world and the interconnectedness of all living beings.
Word Meanings
मधु वाता ऋतायते मधु क्षरन्ति सिन्ध वः । माध्वीर्नः सन ्त्वोषधीः ॥
- मधु – sweet,
- वाताः – winds,
- ऋतायते – for the performer of Yajna,
- मधु – sweet,
- क्षरन्ति – make flow,
- सिन्ध वः – river/oceans,
- माध्वीः – endowed with sweetness,
- नः – to us,
- सन्तु – let it be,
- ओषधीः – the plants ||1||
मधु नक्तमुतोषसि मधुमत् पार्थिवग्ं रजः । मधु द्यौरस्तु नः पि ता ॥
- मधु – sweet,
- नक्तम् – the night,
- उत – also,
- उषसि – in the dawn,
- मधुमत् – endowed with sweetness,
- पार्थिवग्ं – of the earth,
- रजः – the realm ,
- मधु – sweet,
- द्यौः – the sky/the heaven,
- अस्तु – may it be ,
- नः- to us,
- पि ता – father ||2||
मधुमान् नो वनस्पतिर्म धुमाग्ं अस्तु सूर्यः । माध्वीर्गा वो भवन्तु नः ॥
- मधुमान् – endowed with sweetness,
- नः – to us,
- वनस्पति ः- the trees,
- मधुमाग्ं – endowed with sweetness,
- अस्तु – let it be,
- सूर्यः – the sun,
- माध्वीः – endowed with sweetness,
- गावः – the cows,
- भवन्तु – may they be,
- नः – to us ||3||
Translation
May the winds bring sweetness to the one who performs Yajna, may the oceans and rivers flow with sweetness, and may the plants be sweet. May the night and dawn be sweet, and may the earthly realm and the fatherly heaven/sky be sweet to us. May the trees be endowed with sweetness and the sun be sweet. May our cows be endowed with sweetness.
Explanation
This mantra invokes sweetness and pleasantness throughout nature.
Initially, it seeks sweetness for the one performing Yajna. Yajna embodies the Vedic ethos of harmonious and sustainable interaction with nature. It entails utilizing natural resources in a nature-friendly and sustainable way with a spirit of sharing rather than exploitation.
This mantra regards nature as divine. It acknowledges plants, trees, heaven, earth, rivers, oceans, cows, and the sun not merely as lifeless elements of nature but as entities pulsating with divinity. In the Vedic tradition, there’s a reverential approach to these natural entities. This perspective of recognizing divinity in nature offers a remedy to the prevailing consumerist mentality.
The mantra underscores the simplicity and harmony with nature inherent in the Vedic way of life. It encourages living amidst rivers, oceans, trees, plants, heaven, earth, and the sun. In today’s technologically-driven era, there’s a growing disconnect from nature, with people increasingly confined indoors, absorbed in smartphones and other gadgets.
While technological advancements are crucial, the mantra prompts reflection on how far we’ve strayed from nature’s embrace. It serves as a reminder to reconnect with the nurturing embrace of Mother Nature, abundant with sweetness.
Embracing nature’s sweetness offers a remedy to lifestyle disorders and non-communicable diseases like obesity, diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular ailments prevalent in our modern, sedentary lifestyles.