Sukta 80
Sukta 7.80
Vasiṣṭha
Triṣṭubh (probable)
Dieser kurze Hymnus des Vasiṣṭha grüßt Uṣas (die Morgenröte) als erste Erweckerin der Seher und Offenbarerinnen aller Welten, die die beiden Bereiche wendet und das Dasein sichtbar macht. Die Morgenröte wird gepriesen, weil sie das Leben erneuert, die Finsternis mit Licht verhüllt und die Wahrnehmung zu Sūrya, Agni und zum Yajña hinführt. Das Schlussgebet bittet, dass die Morgenröten täglich glückverheißend aufsteigen — Kraft, Erleuchtung und heldenhafte Lebenskraft bringend — und die Verehrer mit dauerhaftem Wohlergehen schützen.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
प्रति स्तोमेभिरुषसं वसिष्ठा गीर्भिर्विप्रासः प्रथमा अबुध्रन् । विवर्तयन्तीं रजसी समन्ते आविष्कृण्वतीं भुवनानि विश्वा ॥
Der Uṣas entgegen mit Hymnen: die Vasiṣṭhas, die Seher, erwachen als die Ersten; sie, die die beiden Weiten ringsum wendet und alle Daseinsräume sichtbar macht.
Mantra 2
एषा स्या नव्यमायुर्दधाना गूढ्वी तमो ज्योतिषोषा अबोधि । अग्र एति युवतिरह्रयाणा प्राचिकितत्सूर्यं यज्ञमग्निम् ॥
Diese Uṣas ist erwacht, neues Leben tragend; mit ihrem Licht hat sie die Finsternis verhüllt. Voran schreitet die junge Maid, unermüdlich; sie lässt uns Sūrya, das Yajña und Agni vor uns wahrnehmen.
Mantra 3
अश्वावतीर्गोमतीर्न उषासो वीरवतीः सदमुच्छन्तु भद्राः । घृतं दुहाना विश्वतः प्रपीता यूयं पात स्वस्तिभिः सदा नः ॥
Mögen für uns stets die Uṣas aufgehen — heilvoll, reich an Rossen und Kühen, voll heldischer Kraft; Ghee melkend, von allen Seiten genährt und erfüllt. Behütet ihr uns immer mit Wohlergehen und heilsamen Gaben.
Inside Sukta 80
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
The Vasiṣṭhas are ‘first to awaken’ with hymns to Uṣas, who turns the two realms and makes all worlds manifest (7.80.1).
- Development
Dawn is portrayed as renewing life, concealing darkness with her light, and advancing before all—guiding perception toward Sūrya, yajña, and Agni (7.80.2).
- Climax
The revelation that Dawn not only brightens the sky but also ‘makes us perceive forward’ the Sun, the sacrifice, and Agni—linking cosmic light with ritual and inner will (7.80.2).
- Where it settles
A prayer that the Dawns rise always auspicious—bringing strength, illumination, heroic energy, abundant richness—and guard the worshippers with enduring well-being (7.80.3).
The deity: Uṣas
- Cosmic functionShe marks the transition from night to day, re-establishes visibility and activity, and ‘leads forward’ the Sun and the sacrificial fires—enabling work, worship, and right timing.
- Inner significanceThe arising of clarity in consciousness: illumination that dispels inertia and obscurity, renews life-force, and turns awareness toward truth, aspiration, and the inner ‘fire’ of will (Agni).
The seer
- VasiṣṭhaVasiṣṭha gotra (Āditya/solar-aligned seer-family in Rigvedic tradition) · Foremost among the Rigvedic seers of Mandala 7; celebrated as a royal priest (purohita) figure and master of inspired speech, especially in hymns to Agni, Indra, Varuṇa, and Uṣas.
Famous verses
āviṣkṛṇvatīm bhuvanāni viśvā
prācikitat sūryaṃ yajñam agnim
yūyaṃ pāta svastibhiḥ sadā naḥ
Attributes of the deity
- Revealer of the worlds (āviṣkṛṇvatī bhuvanāni)
- Dispeller of darkness by light
- Renewal-giver (new life/āyus)
- Unwearied, ever-returning
- Auspicious bestower of strength, light, and heroism
- Leader toward Sūrya, yajña, and Agni
Also by this seer
- Primary authorial voice of Rigveda Mandala 7 (Vasiṣṭha Maṇḍala)
- Noted for profound Varuṇa hymns (e.g., RV 7.86–7.89) exploring ṛta, sin, and forgiveness
- Multiple hymns to Agni as priestly fire and to Indra for victory and protection within Mandala 7
The rite, step by step
- Perform morning purification and orient attention to the eastern horizon
- Kindle/brighten Agni (or recollect the household fire) and prepare the offering space
- Recite the three verses as an Uṣas-stuti (praise) with clear intention: awakening, illumination, and daily welfare
- Conclude with a specific request for auspicious rising, strength (aśva), illumination/wealth (go), and protection (svasti)
- Optionally follow with Sūrya/Agni mantras to ‘lead forward’ the day’s rite, echoing the hymn’s movement toward Sun and sacrifice
Offerings
- Ghee (ghṛta) into Agni
- Simple morning oblation (milk/curd/grain as customary)
- Water libation and respectful salutations to the Dawn
Frequently Asked Questions
This hymn praises Uṣas, the Dawn, as the power that awakens beings, dispels darkness, and makes the worlds visible each day.
Dawn renews life and clarity, and she leads the worshipper toward the Sun, the sacrificial act (yajña), and Agni—so the day begins with light, order, and right action.
It is best recited at dawn as a morning invocation, ideally with a simple ghee offering to Agni, ending with the prayer for svasti (well-being) and daily protection.
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