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=== Agastya Lopamudra Samvada (1.179) ===

=== Agastya Lopamudra Samvada (1.179) ===

Mandala 1 Sukta 179 in Rigveda contains 6 mantras having the dialogue between Agastya and his wife, Lopamudra. According to the Anukramani, the first two mantras were given by Lopamudra, the next two by Agastya and the last two were by Agastya's pupil. The legend may be called as a 'sage legend'. We find this dialogue in the Vanaparva of the Mahabharata in a different way.<ref>Mahanta, Anupama. (1995) Ph.D Thesis Title: [http://hdl.handle.net/10603/66689 ''The dialogue hymns of the rgveda - a critical study''] Gauhati University (Chapters 2 and 3)</ref>     

Mandala 1 Sukta 179 in Rigveda contains 6 mantras having the dialogue between Agastya and his wife, Lopamudra. According to the Anukramani, the first two mantras were given by Lopamudra, the next two by Agastya and the last two were by Agastya's pupil. The legend may be called as a 'sage legend'. We find this dialogue in the Vanaparva of the Mahabharata in a different way.<ref name=":2">Mahanta, Anupama. (1995) Ph.D Thesis Title: [http://hdl.handle.net/10603/66689 ''The dialogue hymns of the rgveda - a critical study''] Gauhati University (Chapters 2 and 3)</ref> As the subject matter of this sukta is conjugal pleasure, Rati is the devata for this sukta.<ref name=":2" />     

==== Summary of the Sukta ====

==== Summary of the Sukta ====

Agastya and his wife, Lopamudra lived a pious life. Lopamudra speaks that they have passed many autumns together. Both lived the life of Brahmacharya for a long time. One day Lopamudra by the influence of Kama (desire) invites the caress of her husband Agastya for conjugal pleasure. Agastya also feels an attraction towards her and accepts her wish.     

Agastya and his wife, Lopamudra lived a pious life. Lopamudra speaks that they have passed many autumns together. Both lived the life of Brahmacharya for a long time. One day Lopamudra by the influence of Kama (desire) invites the caress of her husband Agastya for conjugal pleasure. Agastya also feels an attraction towards her and accepts her wish.    <blockquote>पू॒र्वीर॒हं श॒रद॑: शश्रमा॒णा दो॒षा वस्तो॑रु॒षसो॑ ज॒रय॑न्तीः । मि॒नाति॒ श्रियं॑ जरि॒मा त॒नूना॒मप्यू॒ नु पत्नी॒र्वृष॑णो जगम्युः ॥१ (Rig. Veda. 1.179.1)   </blockquote>Lopamudra says: For many years, days and nights, with self control I have been performing Tapas. Now the shine of the youth is gradually lost with increasing age. Before the onset of old age a wife should always approach her husband at appropriate time.

 

पू॒र्वीर॒हं श॒रद॑: शश्रमा॒णा दो॒षा वस्तो॑रु॒षसो॑ ज॒रय॑न्तीः ।  

 

मि॒नाति॒ श्रियं॑ जरि॒मा त॒नूना॒मप्यू॒ नु पत्नी॒र्वृष॑णो जगम्युः ॥१ (Rig. Veda. 1.179.1)

 

Lopamudra says: For many years, days and nights, with self control I have been performing Tapas. Now the shine of the youth is gradually lost with increasing age. Before the onset of old age a wife should always approach her husband at appropriate time.

Agastya replies that the tapas they have endured is not gone in vain and the devatas will always protect them. He says, "We have defeated all enemies, now we will even be victorious in the "hundred year" war (meaning the oldage problems at the age of hundred years). Let us enjoy our conjugal union. Kama has approached me a jitendriya (one who has control over his senses) from many ways. Come into my arms." The last mantra of the sukta is said to have been uttered by Agastya's antevasi or pupil, however some believe that it is Agastya's mantra. He is feeling remorse that he had broken his vow and may get papa (sin). He asks for the forgiveness of his broken vow as being a human, the mind has many hidden desires.<ref name=":0" />

Agastya replies that the tapas they have endured is not gone in vain and the devatas will always protect them. He says, "We have defeated all enemies, now we will even be victorious in the "hundred year" war (meaning the oldage problems at the age of hundred years). Let us enjoy our conjugal union. Kama has approached me a jitendriya (one who has control over his senses) from many ways. Come into my arms." The last mantra of the sukta is said to have been uttered by Agastya's antevasi or pupil, however some believe that it is Agastya's mantra. He is feeling remorse that he had broken his vow and may get papa (sin). He asks for the forgiveness of his broken vow as being a human, the mind has many hidden desires.<ref name=":0" />