Sukta 158
Sukta 10.158
Sūrya, Vāta, Agni (triadic guardianship across three worlds)
This short hymn is a protective and healing prayer that invokes a triad of cosmic guardians—Sūrya in heaven, Vāta in the mid-region, and Agni on earth—to secure the worshipper on every plane. It then turns to the restoration and widening of sight (cakṣus), asking the divine powers that set, stabilize, and establish vision to grant clear outer and inner seeing. The hymn culminates in the wish to behold Sūrya “perfectly visible,” and to see broadly like those whose human sight becomes illumined.
Mantras
Mantra 1
सूर्यो नो दिवस्पातु वातो अन्तरिक्षात् । अग्निर्नः पार्थिवेभ्यः ॥
May Surya guard us from the heaven above; may Vata guard us from the mid-world; may Agni guard us from the earthly realms—so the whole being is protected on every plane.
Mantra 2
जोषा सवितर्यस्य ते हरः शतं सवाँ अर्हति । पाहि नो दिद्युतः पतन्त्याः ॥
O Savitar, in the glad assent (joṣā) of your golden force that merits a hundred impulsions, protect us from the falling flashes—guard our being from the descent of disruptive brilliance.
Mantra 3
चक्षुर्नो देवः सविता चक्षुर्न उत पर्वतः । चक्षुर्धाता दधातु नः ॥
May the god Savitar set vision in us; may Parvata too (the steadfast power) give us vision; may Dhātṛ establish in us the seeing—so the inner eye is founded and made firm.
Mantra 4
चक्षुर्नो धेहि चक्षुषे चक्षुर्विख्यै तनूभ्यः । सं चेदं वि च पश्येम ॥
Set vision in us for vision; set vision for clear discernment in our bodies, so that we may see this world in its unity and in its right distinctions.
Mantra 5
सुसंदृशं त्वा वयं प्रति पश्येम सूर्य । वि पश्येम नृचक्षसः ॥
O Surya, may we behold you as perfectly visible—face to face; and may we see widely as those who have the human eye made divine, the seers of the inner man.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a short hymn for protection on all levels (heaven, midspace, and earth) and for the restoration and strengthening of vision—both physical sight and inner clarity.
They represent guardians of the three cosmic regions: Surya protects from the heavens, Vata from the mid-region, and Agni from the earthly realm—so the worshipper is covered completely.
It is commonly recited at dawn or sunrise facing the light, optionally with a lamp or small fire, as a prayer for safety, vitality, and clear perception (especially when seeking support for eyesight and mental clarity).