Sukta 85

Mantra 1

सत्येनोत्तभिता भूमिः सूर्येणोत्तभिता द्यौः । ऋतेनादित्यास्तिष्ठन्ति दिवि सोमो अधि श्रितः ॥

By Truth the earth is upheld; by the Sun the heaven is upheld. By the Right the Ādityas stand firm in the luminous realm; and Soma is set there above—established in the heights of consciousness.

Mantra 2

सोमेनादित्या बलिनः सोमेन पृथिवी मही । अथो नक्षत्राणामेषामुपस्थे सोम आहितः ॥

By Soma the Ādityas become strong; by Soma the vast earth grows mighty. And Soma is laid in the lap of these stars—set within the ordered lights as their secret nourishment and delight.

Mantra 3

सोमं मन्यते पपिवान्यत्सम्पिंषन्त्योषधिम् । सोमं यं ब्रह्माणो विदुर्न तस्याश्नाति कश्चन ॥

He thinks he has drunk Soma when they crush the plant. But the Soma that the seers of the Word know—of that no one eats; it is not seized by the outer act, for it belongs to the inner knowledge.

Mantra 4

आच्छद्विधानैर्गुपितो बार्हतैः सोम रक्षितः । ग्राव्णामिच्छृण्वन्तिष्ठसि न ते अश्नाति पार्थिवः ॥

Hidden by covering forms and guarded by the vast powers, O Soma, you stand protected. You stand listening to the pressing stones; no earthly being can partake of you—for your truth is kept from the outer grasp.

Mantra 5

यत्त्वा देव प्रपिबन्ति तत आ प्यायसे पुनः । वायुः सोमस्य रक्षिता समानां मास आकृतिः ॥

When the gods drink you, O luminous one, from that you swell again anew. Vāyu is the guardian of Soma; and the Month is the shaping form of the cycles—by which the delight is renewed in us.

Mantra 6

रैभ्यासीदनुदेयी नाराशंसी न्योचनी । सूर्याया भद्रमिद्वासो गाथयैति परिष्कृतम् ॥

Raibhī was the attendant giver; Nārāśaṃsī the settling adornment. For Sūryā, the auspicious garment—perfectly arranged—moves forward with the chant: the soul is clothed in a formed beauty for the new union.

Mantra 7

चित्तिरा उपबर्हणं चक्षुरा अभ्यञ्जनम् । द्यौर्भूमिः कोश आसीद्यदयात्सूर्या पतिम् ॥

Awakening thought was her cushion; seeing vision was her anointing. Heaven and Earth became the casket when Sūryā went to the husband—when luminous consciousness entered the ordained union within the worlds.

Mantra 8

स्तोमा आसन्प्रतिधयः कुरीरं छन्द ओपशः । सूर्याया अश्विना वराग्निरासीत्पुरोगवः ॥

The hymns became her counter-supports; the metrical powers her adornment and combing. For Sūryā, the Aśvins were the chosen pair, and Agni went before—leading her forward: the inner rite is guided by illumined will.

Mantra 9

सोमो वधूयुरभवदश्विनास्तामुभा वरा । सूर्यां यत्पत्ये शंसन्तीं मनसा सविताददात् ॥

Soma became the wooer of the bride; the two Aśvins stood as the chosen pair. When Sūryā, affirming her lord, Savitṛ gave her by the mind—by the consenting inner will that seals the union in truth.

Mantra 10

मनो अस्या अन आसीद्द्यौरासीदुत च्छदिः । शुक्रावनड्वाहावास्तां यदयात्सूर्या गृहम् ॥

When Sūryā moved toward the home (the settled inner house of the being), her chariot was the Mind; the Heaven was its covering. Two shining bull-powers stood yoked—so the luminous Soul goes forward to the dwelling of union.

Mantra 11

ऋक्सामाभ्यामभिहितौ गावौ ते सामनावितः । श्रोत्रं ते चक्रे आस्तां दिवि पन्थाश्चराचारः ॥

Set in place by Ṛk and Sāman, your two cows (rays of knowledge) stand as the two harmonies. Your two wheels are hearing—so in the heaven there are moving paths, the ways that come and go for the soul’s ascent.

Mantra 12

शुची ते चक्रे यात्या व्यानो अक्ष आहतः । अनो मनस्मयं सूर्यारोहत्प्रयती पतिम् ॥

Pure are your moving wheels; the axle is well-driven and set in motion. Upon the mind-fashioned chariot Sūryā mounts, going forth toward the lord—so the illumined soul takes her seat in the rightly prepared movement toward union.

Mantra 13

सूर्याया वहतुः प्रागात्सविता यमवासृजत् । अघासु हन्यन्ते गावोऽर्जुन्योः पर्युह्यते ॥

The bridal procession of Sūryā goes forth—Savitṛ has released it downward into manifestation. In the hostile darkness the rays (cows of light) are struck at; yet the bright force is carried around and borne through—protected by the right-moving power.

Mantra 14

यदश्विना पृच्छमानावयातं त्रिचक्रेण वहतुं सूर्यायाः । विश्वे देवा अनु तद्वामजानन्पुत्रः पितराववृणीत पूषा ॥

When the Aśvins came asking and arrived for Sūryā’s three-wheeled procession, all the gods assented to your act. Then Pūṣan, the son, chose the two parents—so the guiding power establishes the right guardianship of the soul’s union.

Mantra 15

यदयातं शुभस्पती वरेयं सूर्यामुप । क्वैकं चक्रं वामासीत्क्व देष्ट्राय तस्थथुः ॥

When you two lords of splendour came to win Sūryā, where was your single wheel, and where did you stand for the guiding rein?—so the seeker asks how the divine twins direct the movement when the visible means seems incomplete.

Mantra 16

द्वे ते चक्रे सूर्ये ब्रह्माण ऋतुथा विदुः । अथैकं चक्रं यद्गुहा तदद्धातय इद्विदुः ॥

Two wheels, O Sūryā, the brahmans know in their right season-law; but the one wheel that is hidden in the secret place—only the seers of the Real truly know that. Thus the journey has an occult support beyond the visible order.

Mantra 17

सूर्यायै देवेभ्यो मित्राय वरुणाय च । ये भूतस्य प्रचेतस इदं तेभ्योऽकरं नमः ॥

For Sūryā, for the gods, for Mitra and Varuṇa—those who are wide in consciousness of what has become—I make here my act of reverence. May the powers of harmony and truth-order uphold the illumined union in us.

Mantra 18

पूर्वापरं चरतो माययैतौ शिशू क्रीळन्तौ परि यातो अध्वरम् । विश्वान्यन्यो भुवनाभिचष्ट ऋतूँरन्यो विदधज्जायते पुनः ॥

These two move, before and after, by a divine art, like two children playing as they circle the sacrifice. One beholds all the worlds; the other arranges the seasons—ever he is born again. Thus the twin powers reveal the cyclic law of renewal and the ordering intelligence of ṛta within time.

Mantra 19

नवोनवो भवति जायमानोऽह्नां केतुरुषसामेत्यग्रम् । भागं देवेभ्यो वि दधात्यायन्प्र चन्द्रमास्तिरते दीर्घमायुः ॥

Ever new he becomes as he is born; a banner of the days, he comes to the forefront of the dawns. Moving on, he apportions a share to the gods; and the Moon stretches out long life. Thus renewal and right distribution sustain the growth of the being through time.

Mantra 20

सुकिंशुकं शल्मलिं विश्वरूपं हिरण्यवर्णं सुवृतं सुचक्रम् । आ रोह सूर्ये अमृतस्य लोकं स्योनं पत्ये वहतुं कृणुष्व ॥

Clothe yourself in the radiant delight and in the all‑formed beauty, golden in hue, well‑woven and moving in a happy order. Ascend, O inner Sun, to the world of immortality; make the journey a secure and blissful passage for the soul toward the lord of her being.

Mantra 21

उदीर्ष्वातः पतिवती ह्येषा विश्वावसुं नमसा गीर्भिरीळे । अन्यामिच्छ पितृषदं व्यक्तां स ते भागो जनुषा तस्य विद्धि ॥

Rise up from here; for she is now a bearer of the lord within. With homage and with the word, I invoke Viśvāvasu. Seek another, clearly appointed for the Fathers’ world; that is your portion by birth—know it as such.

Mantra 22

उदीर्ष्वातो विश्वावसो नमसेळा महे त्वा । अन्यामिच्छ प्रफर्व्यं सं जायां पत्या सृज ॥

Rise up from here, O Viśvāvasu; with reverence we invoke you. Seek another; release and set together the wife with the lord—let the true joining be accomplished.

Mantra 23

अनृक्षरा ऋजवः सन्तु पन्था येभिः सखायो यन्ति नो वरेयम् । समर्यमा सं भगो नो निनीयात्सं जास्पत्यं सुयममस्तु देवाः ॥

May the paths be unbroken and straight by which our comrades go to this our choosing. May Aryaman and Bhaga lead us together; and may the divine powers establish a well‑governed harmony in the lordship of the home.

Mantra 24

प्र त्वा मुञ्चामि वरुणस्य पाशाद्येन त्वाबध्नात्सविता सुशेवः । ऋतस्य योनौ सुकृतस्य लोकेऽरिष्टां त्वा सह पत्या दधामि ॥

I release you forward from Varuṇa’s binding cord with which Savitṛ, the gracious, had bound you. In the womb of ṛta, in the world of the well‑made, I set you—unharmed—together with the lord of your being.

Mantra 25

प्रेतो मुञ्चामि नामुतः सुबद्धाममुतस्करम् । यथेयमिन्द्र मीढ्वः सुपुत्रा सुभगासति ॥

From here I release her, not from beyond; firmly bound here, not bound there. So may she, O Indra the bountiful, become rich in luminous children and a bearer of inner felicity.

Mantra 26

पूषा त्वेतो नयतु हस्तगृह्याश्विना त्वा प्र वहतां रथेन । गृहान्गच्छ गृहपत्नी यथासो वशिनी त्वं विदथमा वदासि ॥

May Pūṣan lead you forward from here, taking you by the hand; may the Aśvins carry you onward in their chariot. Go to the home, becoming the mistress of the house, so that you may speak in the assembly with a free and harmonizing power.

Mantra 27

इह प्रियं प्रजया ते समृध्यतामस्मिन्गृहे गार्हपत्याय जागृहि । एना पत्या तन्वं सं सृजस्वाधा जिव्री विदथमा वदाथः ॥

Here may what is dear to you prosper through the growth of your creative offspring; in this home wake for the fire of the household. With this lord unite your whole being; then, living in fullness, may you both speak in the assembly of the rite.

Mantra 28

नीललोहितं भवति कृत्यासक्तिर्व्यज्यते । एधन्ते अस्या ज्ञातयः पतिर्बन्धेषु बध्यते ॥

The dark-red sign appears; the clinging act of hostile formation is loosened and separated. Her kin increase in strength, and the lord is bound in bonds—fixed in the rightful ties of union.

Mantra 29

परा देहि शामुल्यं ब्रह्मभ्यो वि भजा वसु । कृत्यैषा पद्वती भूत्व्या जाया विशते पतिम् ॥

Cast away the śāmulya; distribute the riches to the brahmans. Let this kṛtyā become one that has a ‘footing’ elsewhere and depart; then the wife enters the lord—entering the true mastery of her being.

Mantra 30

अश्रीरा तनूर्भवति रुशती पापयामुया । पतिर्यद्वध्वो वाससा स्वमङ्गमभिधित्सते ॥

The embodied being becomes without true radiance and turns to a false glitter by that misguiding outer impulse, when the husband seeks to possess the bride’s own being merely through the garment—through the surface-form rather than the soul within.

Mantra 31

ये वध्वश्चन्द्रं वहतुं यक्ष्मा यन्ति जनादनु । पुनस्तान्यज्ञिया देवा नयन्तु यत आगताः ॥

Whatever wasting forces follow behind the bride to carry away her luminous joy, may the gods who uphold the sacrifice lead them back again to the place from which they came.

Mantra 32

मा विदन्परिपन्थिनो य आसीदन्ति दम्पती । सुगेभिर्दुर्गमतीतामप द्रान्त्वरातयः ॥

Let not the ambushers find the two who sit together as one house-lordship; by good goings may they pass beyond the hard passage—let the hostile powers be driven away and fall back.

Mantra 33

सुमङ्गलीरियं वधूरिमां समेत पश्यत । सौभाग्यमस्यै दत्त्वायाथास्तं वि परेतन ॥

Gather and behold this bride who is full of auspicious harmony; having bestowed upon her the power of good fortune, then depart each to your own home—let the blessing remain settled in her.

Mantra 34

तृष्टमेतत्कटुकमेतदपाष्ठवद्विषवन्नैतदत्तवे । सूर्यां यो ब्रह्मा विद्यात्स इद्वाधूयमर्हति ॥

This is a harsh and bitter thing, like a poison—this is not for devouring. Only he who knows the sacred word and law concerning Sūryā is truly fit to approach the bridehood and its power.

Mantra 35

आशसनं विशसनमथो अधिविकर्तनम् । सूर्यायाः पश्य रूपाणि तानि ब्रह्मा तु शुन्धति ॥

Behold the forms of Sūryā—wounding, tearing, and over-cutting: these are distortions that can arise in the passage of union; but the brahman, the true mantric knowledge, purifies and makes them right.

Mantra 36

गृभ्णामि ते सौभगत्वाय हस्तं मया पत्या जरदष्टिर्यथासः । भगो अर्यमा सविता पुरंधिर्मह्यं त्वादुर्गार्हपत्याय देवाः ॥

I take your hand for the attainment of inner good-fortune, so that with me as your husband you may grow old in strength. Bhaga, Aryaman, Savitṛ, and Purandhi—the gods—have given you to me for the steadfast fire of the home, for the enduring hearth of the soul.

Mantra 37

तां पूषञ्छिवतमामेरयस्व यस्यां बीजं मनुष्या वपन्ति । या न ऊरू उशती विश्रयाते यस्यामुशन्तः प्रहराम शेपम् ॥

O Pūṣan, set her in motion toward the most benign fulfilment, she in whom men sow the seed of continuance. She who, desiring, opens wide her thighs for us—into her, in love and aspiration, we cast the creative power.

Mantra 38

तुभ्यमग्रे पर्यवहन्त्सूर्यां वहतुना सह । पुनः पतिभ्यो जायां दा अग्ने प्रजया सह ॥

To you first they carried Sūryā around with the bridal procession; now, O Agni, give her back to the husbands as wife—together with the power of progeny and inner continuance.

Mantra 39

पुनः पत्नीमग्निरदादायुषा सह वर्चसा । दीर्घायुरस्या यः पतिर्जीवाति शरदः शतम् ॥

Again Agni has given the wife—together with life-force and luminous strength. Long-lived is her husband: he lives a hundred autumns, sustained in the ordered rhythm of time.

Mantra 40

सोमः प्रथमो विविदे गन्धर्वो विविद उत्तरः । तृतीयो अग्निष्टे पतिस्तुरीयस्ते मनुष्यजाः ॥

Soma first found you—the delight of the soul. Then the Gandharva found you, the luminous guardian of the subtle harmony. Third, Agni became your lord—the divine Will that establishes the right union. Fourth are the human-born who complete the outer form of the rite in life.

Mantra 41

सोमो ददद्गन्धर्वाय गन्धर्वो दददग्नये । रयिं च पुत्राँश्चादादग्निर्मह्यमथो इमाम् ॥

Soma gives her to the Gandharva; the Gandharva gives her to Agni. And Agni gives to me this bride—together with rayi, the plenitude of being, and with sons, the powers of future growth.

Mantra 42

इहैव स्तं मा वि यौष्टं विश्वमायुर्व्यश्नुतम् । क्रीळन्तौ पुत्रैर्नप्तृभिर्मोदमानौ स्वे गृहे ॥

Here indeed remain together; do not be divided. Attain the whole span of life in its wideness. Sporting with sons and grandsons, rejoicing, dwell in your own home—established and fulfilled.

Mantra 43

आ नः प्रजां जनयतु प्रजापतिराजरसाय समनक्त्वर्यमा । अदुर्मङ्गलीः पतिलोकमा विश शं नो भव द्विपदे शं चतुष्पदे ॥

May Prajāpati bring forth for us the true progeny—the growth of our being. May Aryaman anoint us for agelessness, sealing the right bond. Enter the world of the lord as one without ill-omen; become peace and well-being for our two-footed and our four-footed life.

Mantra 44

अघोरचक्षुरपतिघ्न्येधि शिवा पशुभ्यः सुमनाः सुवर्चाः । वीरसूर्देवकामा स्योना शं नो भव द्विपदे शं चतुष्पदे ॥

Be one whose gaze is without terror; be not a slayer of the lord (of the home). Be gracious to the life-forces, happy-minded and full of luminous power. A mother of heroes, desiring the divine, restful and secure—be peace for our two-footed and our four-footed existence.

Mantra 45

इमां त्वमिन्द्र मीढ्वः सुपुत्रां सुभगां कृणु । दशास्यां पुत्राना धेहि पतिमेकादशं कृधि ॥

This woman, O Indra, giver of increase—make her rich in true offspring and fortunate in her being. Place in her ten sons, and make the husband the eleventh: the completing power that holds the whole.

Mantra 46

सम्राज्ञी श्वशुरे भव सम्राज्ञी श्वश्र्वां भव । ननान्दरि सम्राज्ञी भव सम्राज्ञी अधि देवृषु ॥

Be a queen in the house of the father-in-law; be a queen in the house of the mother-in-law. Be a queen among the sisters-in-law; be a queen even among the divine kin—established in dignity and right authority.

Mantra 47

समञ्जन्तु विश्वे देवाः समापो हृदयानि नौ । सं मातरिश्वा सं धाता समु देष्ट्री दधातु नौ ॥

May all the gods anoint us into one accord; may the Waters unite our hearts. May Mātariśvan and Dhātṛ set us together, and may the guiding Disposer firmly establish our oneness.