Sukta 56
Sukta 4.56
Vāmadeva Gautama (traditional for Mandala 4)
Dyāvāpṛthivī (Heaven and Earth)
Trishtubh (probable; verify)
This hymn praises Dyāvāpṛthivī (Heaven-and-Earth) as the primordial, vast parents who widen space, uphold ṛta (cosmic order), and make the sacrifice shine. Vāmadeva asks them to become luminous through pure hymns, to grant broad protection, and to seat themselves around the yajña so the worshipper may be steady on the right path.
Mantras
Mantra 1
मही द्यावापृथिवी इह ज्येष्ठे रुचा भवतां शुचयद्भिरर्कैः । यत्सीं वरिष्ठे बृहती विमिन्वन्रुवद्धोक्षा पप्रथानेभिरेवैः ॥
Mighty Heaven-and-Earth, here in your firstness, become luminous for us by the purifying hymns. For when in the highest wideness the Vast One measures out her spaces, the bellowing Bull spreads them with his expanding impulses.
Mantra 2
देवी देवेभिर्यजते यजत्रैरमिनती तस्थतुरुक्षमाणे । ऋतावरी अद्रुहा देवपुत्रे यज्ञस्य नेत्री शुचयद्भिरर्कैः ॥
The two Goddesses stand firm with the gods who are worthy of worship, undiminished, pouring out their increase. Guardians of the Truth, without deceit, daughters of the Divine, they lead the sacrifice by the purifying hymns.
Mantra 3
स इत्स्वपा भुवनेष्वास य इमे द्यावापृथिवी जजान । उर्वी गभीरे रजसी सुमेके अवंशे धीरः शच्या समैरत् ॥
He indeed, the perfect worker, was present in the worlds—he who brought forth these Heaven and Earth. Wide and deep are the two luminous regions, well-fixed; in the unbroken line the seer, by his effective power, set them in harmony.
Mantra 4
नू रोदसी बृहद्भिर्नो वरूथैः पत्नीवद्भिरिषयन्ती सजोषाः । उरूची विश्वे यजते नि पातं धिया स्याम रथ्यः सदासाः ॥
Now may Heaven-and-Earth protect us with their vast shelters, with their consort-like powers moving in one accord. Wide-shining, worship-worthy for all, may they guard us; and by the inspired thought may we become fit for the journey, steadfast companions of the path.
Mantra 5
प्र वां महि द्यवी अभ्युपस्तुतिं भरामहे । शुची उप प्रशस्तये ॥
Forward we bring to you two, O vast Shining Ones of heaven, our uplifted hymn of approach; for the pure powers, we draw near with a luminous praise that opens the way.
Mantra 6
पुनाने तन्वा मिथः स्वेन दक्षेण राजथः । ऊह्याथे सनादृतम् ॥
Purifying yourselves in your own being, mutually, by your inherent discerning power you rule; you bear and uphold from of old the Truth-Order, the eternal ṛta.
Mantra 7
मही मित्रस्य साधथस्तरन्ती पिप्रती ऋतम् । परि यज्ञं नि षेदथुः ॥
You accomplish the vast work of Mitra; crossing beyond, you foster and fill the Truth-Order. Encompassing the sacrifice, you take your seat within it, establishing harmony in the human offering.
Frequently Asked Questions
They are Heaven and Earth praised together as a divine pair—the vast, ancient supports of the world who give space, stability, and protection.
The poet asks Heaven-and-Earth to shine through pure hymns, protect the worshipper with broad shelter, and establish ṛta (right order) within the sacrifice.
Mitra represents harmony and right relations; the hymn says Heaven-and-Earth ‘accomplish Mitra’s work’ by nourishing ṛta and making the yajña orderly and effective.