Sukta 95
Sukta 1.95
Enigmatic/cosmological (often interpreted as a paired principle—e.g., two mothers/cows; dawn and night; or two worlds—supporting a hidden child)
This hymn unfolds a Vedic riddle of “two unlike forms” (often read as paired cosmic mothers such as Dawn–Night or Heaven–Earth) who nourish a hidden calf/child—an emergent sovereign power of order and skill (dakṣa). Through layered imagery of cows, light, and consecration, the hymn culminates in an explicit prayer to Agni to blaze forth with fame, supported by Mitra–Varuṇa, Aditi, the flowing Sindhu, and Heaven–Earth.
Mantras
Mantra 1
द्वे विरूपे चरतः स्वर्थे अन्यान्या वत्समुप धापयेते । हरिरन्यस्यां भवति स्वधावाञ्छुक्रो अन्यस्यां ददृशे सुवर्चाः ॥
Two of unlike form move towards their own aim; each of the two makes the calf drink near her. In one the tawny one becomes self-lawed; in the other the bright one is seen, richly radiant.
Mantra 3
त्रीणि जाना परि भूषन्त्यस्य समुद्र एकं दिव्येकमप्सु । पूर्वामनु प्र दिशं पार्थिवानामृतून्प्रशासद्वि दधावनुष्ठु ॥
Three births (three realms of becoming) adorn him: one in the sea, one in heaven, one in the waters. Following the first direction of the earthly, he governs the seasons and sets them apart in their right order.
Mantra 4
क इमं वो निण्यमा चिकेत वत्सो मातॄर्जनयत स्वधाभिः । बह्वीनां गर्भो अपसामुपस्थान्महान्कविर्निश्चरति स्वधावान् ॥
Who has perceived for you this hidden thing—that the calf begets the mothers by his self-powers? The embryo of many works, from the lap of the waters, the great seer goes forth, self-lawed.
Mantra 5
आविष्ट्यो वर्धते चारुरासु जिह्मानामूर्ध्वः स्वयशा उपस्थे । उभे त्वष्टुर्बिभ्यतुर्जायमानात्प्रतीची सिंहं प्रति जोषयेते ॥
Manifest, he grows, beautiful among them, upright in the lap of the crooked, self-glorious. The two (mothers) of Tvashṭṛ fear him as he is born; facing him, they take delight in the lion.
Mantra 6
उभे भद्रे जोषयेते न मेने गावो न वाश्रा उप तस्थुरेवैः । स दक्षाणां दक्षपतिर्बभूवाञ्जन्ति यं दक्षिणतो हविर्भिः ॥
The two auspicious ones cherish him; he does not falter—like lowing cows they stand near with their impulses. He has become the lord of the powers of skill; him they anoint from the right with the offerings.
Mantra 7
उद्यंयमीति सवितेव बाहू उभे सिचौ यतते भीम ऋञ्जन् । उच्छुक्रमत्कमजते सिमस्मान्नवा मातृभ्यो वसना जहाति ॥
He lifts upward and extends himself like Savitṛ raising his arms; he strains both his bright streams, formidable, colouring them into a shining intensity. He drives up the luminous mantle and sets it in motion; from this world he casts off the worn coverings and puts on new vestures from the Mothers (the fostering powers).
Mantra 8
त्वेषं रूपं कृणुत उत्तरं यत्सम्पृञ्चानः सदने गोभिरद्भिः । कविर्बुध्नं परि मर्मृज्यते धीः सा देवताता समितिर्बभूव ॥
He fashions a more surpassing, ardent form when, mingling in the seat with the Rays (cows) and with the Waters, the seer-power polishes the foundation all around. That become a divine ordering—an accomplished joining-together of the godhead within us.
Mantra 10
धन्वन्त्स्रोतः कृणुते गातुमूर्मिं शुक्रैरूर्मिभिरभि नक्षति क्षाम् । विश्वा सनानि जठरेषु धत्तेऽन्तर्नवासु चरति प्रसूषु ॥
Across the dry waste he makes a channel, a path and a wave; with luminous waves he reaches and pervades the earth-plane. He places all ancient treasures in the wombs, and within the new births he moves, a secret power in the bringings-forth.
Mantra 11
एवा नो अग्ने समिधा वृधानो रेवत्पावक श्रवसे वि भाहि । तन्नो मित्रो वरुणो मामहन्तामदितिः सिन्धुः पृथिवी उत द्यौः ॥
So, O Agni, growing by our kindling, O purifying one, shine out for us with a rich and luminous fame. And may Mitra and Varuṇa strengthen that for us; may Aditi, the River of flowing being, Earth and Heaven uphold it.
Frequently Asked Questions
They are presented as a poetic riddle. Many interpreters understand them as paired cosmic supports—such as Dawn and Night, Heaven and Earth, or two worlds—who together nourish a hidden power of light and order.
In Vedic symbolism it can be Agni (the hidden fire), the newborn light, or a sovereign power of right-order. The hymn hints that this child becomes the “lord of dakṣa,” meaning mastery of effective, ordered power.
Agni is the ritual focus who carries offerings and reveals radiance, while Mitra–Varuṇa represent cosmic order (Ṛta) that stabilizes the boon. Aditi, Sindhu, Earth and Heaven are invoked as sustaining powers that uphold the hymn’s requested prosperity and fame.