Sukta 13
Sukta 4.13
Vāmadeva Gautama
Agni with Dawn/Sun and invocation to the Aśvins
Triṣṭubh (probable)
This short hymn links the kindling of Agni at dawn with the cosmic emergence of light: Uṣas opens the way, Sūrya rises, and the Aśvins are invited to the well-prepared household rite. It moves from vivid dawn imagery to a contemplative wonder about the unseen support of heaven—ṛta as the hidden law by which the worlds do not fall. The purpose is both ritual (to inaugurate the morning offering) and philosophical (to awaken insight into the order sustaining the cosmos).
Mantras
Mantra 1
प्रत्यग्निरुषसामग्रमख्यद्विभातीनां सुमना रत्नधेयम् । यातमश्विना सुकृतो दुरोणमुत्सूर्यो ज्योतिषा देव एति ॥
Agni has looked forth to the forefront of the Dawns, among the breakings of light, with a happy mind bearing the treasure. Come, O Aśvins, to the well-built home; and the Sun, the god, rises upward with his light.
Mantra 2
ऊर्ध्वं भानुं सविता देवो अश्रेद्द्रप्सं दविध्वद्गविषो न सत्वा । अनु व्रतं वरुणो यन्ति मित्रो यत्सूर्यं दिव्यारोहयन्ति ॥
Savitṛ has lifted the upward beam, the god, setting the shining drop in motion like a vigorous seeker of the Light. Varuṇa and Mitra move according to the Law, when they cause the Sun to mount in heaven.
Mantra 3
यं सीमकृण्वन्तमसे विपृचे ध्रुवक्षेमा अनवस्यन्तो अर्थम् । तं सूर्यं हरितः सप्त यह्वीः स्पशं विश्वस्य जगतो वहन्ति ॥
Him whom they made to be the discerner against the darkness, seeking the aim with steadfast security—this Sun the seven impetuous Harits bear, the spy and witness of all that moves.
Mantra 4
वहिष्ठेभिर्विहरन्यासि तन्तुमवव्ययन्नसितं देव वस्म । दविध्वतो रश्मयः सूर्यस्य चर्मेवावाधुस्तमो अप्स्वन्तः ॥
With the most puissant bearers you move forth, weaving downward the thread; O luminous Power, you cast off the black covering. The rays of the Sun, striking and cleaving, have driven the darkness down, as a hide is stripped away, into the inner waters.
Mantra 5
अनायतो अनिबद्धः कथायं न्यङ्ङुत्तानोऽव पद्यते न । कया याति स्वधया को ददर्श दिवः स्कम्भः समृतः पाति नाकम् ॥
Unled, unbound—how does this one not fall downward though turned headlong? By what self-law does it move, who has perceived it: the Pillar of heaven, compacted in the Truth, that upholds the luminous vault?
Frequently Asked Questions
It connects the morning kindling of Agni with the daily victory of light: dawn opens, the sun rises, and the rite invites divine help. It also reflects on the unseen order (ṛta) that holds the cosmos steady.
The Aśvins are swift helpers associated with dawn and safe arrival. Calling them to the “well-built home” fits the morning ritual context—seeking protection, health, and smooth beginnings as the day starts.
It is a poetic way of speaking about the supporting principle that keeps the sky and world from collapsing. The verse suggests this support is grounded in ṛta—truth and cosmic order—operating by its own law (svadhā).