Adhyāyas 33–39 · Chapter Overview
From The Shukla Yajurveda — The Vājasaneyi Saṃhitā, taught by Acharya T Krishnatrey. This lesson is free to read.
<pre data-block="statement"> These seven adhyāyas hold two of the best-loved passages in the entire Veda. Adhyāya 34 is the ŚIVA SAṄKALPA SŪKTA — six mantras on the mind, each closing with the same refrain: तन्मे मनः शिवसङ्कल्पमस्तु, "may my mind be of auspicious resolve." Nowhere else does the Veda examine the mind so closely, or ask so simply for it to be good. Adhyāya 35 is the Pitṛmedha, the funeral rites; 36–39 carry the Pravargya and its śānti material — including शं नो मित्रः (36.9), the great dyauḥ śāntiḥ peace-chant (36.17), the prayer to be looked on with a friend's eye (36.18), and the blessing every Hindu knows: पश्येम शरदः शतम्, "may we see a hundred autumns" (36.24). Thirteen mantras follow, beginning with all six of the Śiva Saṅkalpa. </pre>