Sukta 45
Sukta 7.45
Vasiṣṭha
Triṣṭubh
In diesem kurzen Triṣṭubh-Hymnus ruft Vasiṣṭha Savitṛ als den göttlichen Antreiber an, der mit seinen Rossen durch den Luftraum zieht und Gaben sowie rechte Ausrichtung für das menschliche Leben bringt. Savitṛ wird gebeten, die Verehrer in einer passenden Wohnstatt „anzusiedeln“, ihre Werke in Gang zu setzen, leuchtende Einsicht zu weiten und tragende Nahrung und weite Lebenskraft zu gewähren. Der Hymnus endet als gesprochenes Lobopfer, das dauerndes Wohlergehen und Schutz erbittet.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
आ देवो यातु सविता सुरत्नोऽन्तरिक्षप्रा वहमानो अश्वैः । हस्ते दधानो नर्या पुरूणि निवेशयञ्च प्रसुवञ्च भूम ॥
Möge Savitṛ, der göttliche Antreiber, reich an wahren Schätzen, zu uns kommen, durch den Luftraum fahrend mit seinen Rossen. In seiner Hand viele Gaben für die Menschenseele tragend, möge er uns in der rechten Wohnstatt ansiedeln und uns zum wahren Aussenden unserer Werke geleiten.
Mantra 2
उदस्य बाहू शिथिरा बृहन्ता हिरण्यया दिवो अन्ताँ अनष्टाम् । नूनं सो अस्य महिमा पनिष्ट सूरश्चिदस्मा अनु दादपस्याम् ॥
Erhoben sind seine beiden weiten, lösenden Arme, golden, bis an die Enden des Himmels reichend. Nun ist wahrlich seine Größe offenbar; selbst die Sonne folgt ihm nach im Gewähren der rechten, wirkmächtigen Taten.
Mantra 3
स घा नो देवः सविता सहावा साविषद्वसुपतिर्वसूनि । विश्रयमाणो अमतिमुरूचीं मर्तभोजनमध रासते नः ॥
Möge Savitar, der Gott, der starke Helfer, der Herr der Schätze, uns die Reichtümer antreiben. Weit ausbreitend die lichtvolle Einsicht, gewährt er uns dann die Nahrung, die den Sterblichen erhält.
Mantra 4
इमा गिरः सवितारं सुजिह्वं पूर्णगभस्तिमीळते सुपाणिम् । चित्रं वयो बृहदस्मे दधातु यूयं पात स्वस्तिभिः सदा नः ॥
Diese unsere Worte preisen Savitar, den Wohlzüngigen, den Vollhändigen, den mit der schönen gebenden Hand. Er lege in uns leuchtende, weite Lebenskraft; und ihr, (alle) Mächte, behütet uns immer mit Heil.
Inside Sukta 45
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
Savitṛ is invited to come, moving through the midspace with his steeds, carrying human boons in his hand.
- Development
The prayer turns to Savitṛ’s practical grace: he establishes the worshippers in a right ‘dwelling’ and impels their works, while granting wealth and expanding luminous intelligence.
- Climax
Savitṛ as vasupati (lord of riches) spreads wide the bright intelligence and bestows the nourishment that sustains mortal life.
- Where it settles
The hymn offers its words of praise to the full-handed, fair-handed Savitṛ, asking for a vast, bright vitality and enduring protection through well-being (svasti).
The deity: Savitṛ
- Cosmic functionAs the Impeller, Savitṛ sets the worlds and creatures into motion, regulates the rhythms of day and activity, and energizes prosperity and right undertaking under the law of ṛta.
- Inner significanceSavitṛ represents the awakening will and illumined drive within—clarity that initiates right action, establishes inner ‘dwelling’ (stability), expands luminous intelligence, and sustains life-force.
The seer
- VasiṣṭhaVasiṣṭha (Vasiṣṭha-gotra); chief seer of the Vasiṣṭha family in the Rigveda · Foremost among the Rigvedic seers, especially associated with Mandala 7; celebrated for hymns of spiritual insight, royal legitimation, and the articulation of ṛta (cosmic order) in devotional language.
Famous verses
आ देवो यातु सविता सुरत्नोऽन्तरिक्षप्रा वहमानो अश्वैः । हस्ते दधानो नर्या पुरूणि निवेशयञ्च प्रसुवञ्च भूम ॥स घा नो देवः सविता सहावा साविषद्वसुपतिर्वसूनि । विश्रयमाणो अमतिमुरूचीं मर्तभोजनमध रासते नः ॥yūyaṃ pāta svastibhiḥ sadā naḥ
Attributes of the deity
- Impeller and initiator of works (prasava)
- Bestower of riches and nourishment (vasu, marta-bhojana)
- Luminous, wide-spreading intelligence (urūcī amati)
- Benevolent guide who ‘settles’ and ‘sets forth’ humans
- Generous hands; effective, truthful speech
Also by this seer
- Primary attribution of most of Rigveda Mandala 7 (Vasiṣṭha-maṇḍala)
- Hymns to Varuṇa–Mitra emphasizing ṛta and moral order
- Tradition links Vasiṣṭha with the Vasiṣṭha Dharmasūtra and broader Vasiṣṭha-smṛti literature (later)
The rite, step by step
- Prepare a clean place and kindle/approach the household fire (if in an Agnihotra setting) with quiet attention.
- Face east at dawn (or before commencing an important task), recollect Savitṛ as the impelling light.
- Recite the hymn (RV 7.45) with a brief sankalpa: for right dwelling, right impulse of works, and well-being.
- Conclude with a protective prayer (svasti) for oneself, household, and companions; sit briefly in silence to ‘receive’ the impulse.
Offerings
- Ghee (ājya) into fire (where applicable)
- Simple oblation such as grains or soma-substitute in later practice
- Water offering (arghya) at dawn
- Mental offering of speech (giraḥ) and intention
Frequently Asked Questions
Savitṛ is the Vedic “Impeller”—a divine power of awakening light that sets beings and actions in motion and grants right direction, prosperity, and well-being.
It asks Savitṛ to bring boons, place the worshipper in a fitting and stable ‘dwelling,’ impel their works in the right way, expand luminous intelligence, and give sustaining nourishment.
It is especially suitable at dawn or before beginning important work, as a prayer for auspicious initiation, clarity of mind, and protective well-being (svasti).
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