Lexicon

of Rig Veda

ratha, chariot

The chariot symbolizes hymn-offering as meaning of bringing of the gods and their gifts here and of advance of the consciousness of the poet beyond any evil toward another shore of violent Ocean of Overmind into the Heaven. This chariot is brought by stead, yoked by thought, i.e. direct vision and direct hearing of the Truth. There is a story (4.30.10-11, 10.73.6, 10.138.5), where slow mental (manasmaya, 10.85.12) cart of Dawn, of illuminated Mind, is replaced by Indra with his supramental chariot and “cart of Dawn lays broken, she herself hasting to upper planes” (4.30.11); “bright Dawn outrushed forward, abandoning her cart” (10.138.5). Most well carved chariot is most well prepared hymn, where all words are in proper place, nothing is loose, irrelevant, extraneous, hymn that adequately and in needed form carry its message of wisdom-words.

See also:

•  ship (nau)

•  well carved (sukha)

Synonyms and words close in meaning:

•  dhur, yoke-hymn

•  rathayu, seeker of chariots

•  rathī, charioteer

•  rathin, charioteer

•  rathītama, most charioteer; of chariot

•  saratha, in one chariot