Rig Veda Sukta 56
Mandala 10Sukta 567 Mantras

Sukta 56

Sukta 10.56

Devata

A luminous guiding power (likely Savitṛ/Puṣan-type ‘leader by light’, or a collective divine principle)

Chandas

Trishtubh (likely; requires metrical verification)

Dieser Hymnus betrachtet die Führung durch ein „drittes Licht“, das den Suchenden zu einem höheren Begegnungsort geleitet, wo das verkörperte Wesen strahlend wird und den Göttern lieb ist. Er reflektiert auch, wie Ahnen- und göttliche Mächte Ordnung stiften, indem sie zerstreute Kräfte wieder im Leib sammeln, eine sichere Passage durch schwierige Übergänge ermöglichen und die Nachkommenschaft über niedere und höhere Bereiche hinweg einsetzen.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 10.56

Mantras

Mantra 1

इदं त एकं पर ऊ त एकं तृतीयेन ज्योतिषा सं विशस्व । संवेशने तन्वश्चारुरेधि प्रियो देवानां परमे जनित्रे ॥

Dies ist ein Sitz für dich, und jener dort jenseits ist ein anderer; tritt ein durch das dritte Licht. Am Ort der Zusammenkunft der Leiber werde schön und entflammt; den Göttern lieb — in der höchsten Geburtsstätte.

Mantra 2

तनूष्टे वाजिन्तन्वं नयन्ती वाममस्मभ्यं धातु शर्म तुभ्यम् । अह्रुतो महो धरुणाय देवान्दिवीव ज्योतिः स्वमा मिमीयाः ॥

Deine leibhaftige Kraft, o Herr der Fülle, die dich führt, bringe uns den erwünschten Frieden — und dir ebenso. Unversehrt, zur großen Grundlage, missest du dein eigenes Licht aus, wie am Himmel für die Götter.

Mantra 3

वाज्यसि वाजिनेना सुवेनीः सुवितः स्तोमं सुवितो दिवं गाः । सुवितो धर्म प्रथमानु सत्या सुवितो देवान्त्सुवितोऽनु पत्म ॥

Du bist die Fülle; und durch die Fülle trägst du uns heil: rechtes Gehen führt den Hymnus, rechtes Gehen führt zum Himmel. Rechtes Gehen ist das Gesetz (Dharma), den Wahrheiten zuerst folgend; rechtes Gehen führt die Götter, rechtes Gehen folgt dem Pfad.

Mantra 4

महिम्न एषां पितरश्चनेशिरे देवा देवेष्वदधुरपि क्रतुम् । समविव्यचुरुत यान्यत्विषुरैषां तनूषु नि विविशुः पुनः ॥

Durch ihre Größe gewannen selbst die Väter die Herrschaft; die Götter legten in die Götter Willen und Krátu (wirkmächtige Kraft/Entschluss). Gemeinsam breiteten sie es aus; und was unruhig aufwallte, das ging wieder ein in ihre Leiber.

Mantra 5

सहोभिर्विश्वं परि चक्रमू रजः पूर्वा धामान्यमिता मिमानाः । तनूषु विश्वा भुवना नि येमिरे प्रासारयन्त पुरुध प्रजा अनु ॥

Mit ihren Kräften umspannten sie den ganzen Raum, die uralten, unermesslichen Wohnsitze ausmessend. Alle Welten fügten sie in ihre Leiber ein, und weithin entfalteten sie mannigfach die Entstehungen der Geschöpfe entlang des Schöpfungsfadens.

Mantra 6

द्विधा सूनवोऽसुरं स्वर्विदमास्थापयन्त तृतीयेन कर्मणा । स्वां प्रजां पितरः पित्र्यं सह आवरेष्वदधुस्तन्तुमाततम् ॥

Auf zweifache Weise errichteten die Söhne den Asura, den Finder des Himmels (Svar), durch eine dritte Tat des Wirkens. Die Väter aber setzten ihre eigene Nachkommenschaft, ihre väterliche, ererbte Kraft, in die unteren Bereiche, indem sie den ausgespannten Faden niederlegten.

Mantra 7

नावा न क्षोदः प्रदिशः पृथिव्याः स्वस्तिभिरति दुर्गाणि विश्वा । स्वां प्रजां बृहदुक्थो महित्वावरेष्वदधादा परेषु ॥

Wie mit einem Schiff über die drängenden Richtungen der Erde: mit den Kräften des Heils (svastí) überschreite alle schwierigen Durchgänge. Der Weitbesungene hat in seiner Größe seine eigene Nachkommenschaft in den unteren wie auch in den höheren Bereichen eingesetzt.

Inside Sukta 56

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    The hymn opens with a vision of two ‘seats’ (here and beyond) and calls the seeker to enter by a ‘third Light’ into a supreme birthplace/meeting-place.

  2. Development

    It develops the idea that divine and ancestral powers establish kratu (effective will/insight) and that restless, scattered forces are spread out and then drawn back into embodied form.

  3. Climax

    The pivotal insight is reintegration: what surges and disperses can re-enter the body, restoring mastery and order through greatness (mahimā).

  4. Where it settles

    It resolves in a practical blessing—like a ship crossing pressing directions—invoking svasti to pass all difficult passages, while affirming the placing of progeny/order in both lower and higher realms.

The deity: A luminous guiding power

  • In the VedaDescribed through images of seats/realms and a ‘third light’ that grants entry into a supreme birthplace; the hymn also speaks of gods and Fathers who ‘place kratu’ (will/insight) and cause scattered energies to re-enter the bodies.
  • Cosmic functionTo illumine and guide transitions between planes (here/beyond), to restore coherence by reintegrating dispersed powers, and to grant ‘svasti’ (well-being) for crossing dangers while establishing progeny/order in both lower and higher worlds.
  • Inner significanceThe ‘third light’ signifies a higher discernment that reconciles opposites (near/far, lower/higher) and gathers the mind’s restless movements back into centered embodiment, enabling safe passage through life’s ‘durgāṇi’ (hard passages).

Famous verses

tṛtīyena jyotiṣā saṃ viśasva
Verse 10.56.1Core mystical statement of the sukta: entry into higher reality ‘by the third light’ and transformation into a beloved, kindled presence in the supreme birthplace.Read verse 10.56.1 →
महिम्न एषां पितरश्चनेशिरे देवा देवेष्वदधुरपि क्रतुम् । समविव्यचुरुत यान्यत्विषुरैषां तनूषु नि विविशुः पुनः ॥
Verse 10.56.4Philosophical center: the Fathers and gods establish kratu and reintegrate what is scattered/restless back into the bodies—an image of cosmic and inner re-ordering.Read verse 10.56.4 →
svastibhir ati durgāṇi viśvā
Verse 10.56.7Protective and practical culmination: crossing all durgāṇi with svasti, like a ship, and the affirmation of order/progeny across lower and higher realms.Read verse 10.56.7 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Luminous guidance (jyotiṣ)
  • Protector through difficult crossings (svasti, durgāṇi)
  • Integrator of scattered energies into embodied wholeness
  • Mediator between lower and higher realms
  • Connected with ancestral and divine ordering (pitaraḥ, devāḥ, kratu)

Also by this seer

  • Attribution of RV 10.56 is not securely determinable from the provided excerpt alone; consult Śaunakīya Anukramaṇī and padapāṭha traditions for manuscript-specific assignments.

The rite, step by step

  • Ācamana and saṅkalpa for svasti (well-being) and safe crossing of obstacles.
  • Kindle/approach the fire (or lamp) and mentally invoke the ‘third light’ as the guiding illumination.
  • Recite RV 10.56.1 to invoke entry into the higher meeting-place by light.
  • Recite middle verses (including the sense of 10.56.4) to affirm reintegration of powers and establishment of kratu (will/insight).
  • Recite RV 10.56.7 as the protective ‘crossing’ mantra for overcoming durgāṇi.
  • Conclude with śānti/svasti formulae and a brief silent meditation on gathered energies re-entering the body.

Offerings

  • Ghee (ājya) into fire
  • Sesame or grains (tilā/anna) as protective offerings
  • Water libation (arghya) for svasti
  • Optional: incense/lamp in non-fire settings

Frequently Asked Questions

It points to a higher, guiding illumination—beyond ordinary perception—that allows entry into a more subtle ‘meeting-place’ and brings inner clarity and transformation.

Together they represent cosmic and ancestral powers that establish order and insight (kratu), showing that realization is supported by both divine law and ancestral continuity.

It can be recited for protection and right guidance—especially before travel or major transitions—focusing on svasti (well-being) and on gathering scattered energies back into calm, embodied steadiness.

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