Sukta 80

Mantra 1

द्युतद्यामानं बृहतीमृतेन ऋतावरीमरुणप्सुं विभातीम् । देवीमुषसं स्वरावहन्तीं प्रति विप्रासो मतिभिर्जरन्ते ॥

Toward the Dawn-Power, shining in her heaven-wide radiance, vast by the law of Truth, a strong upholder of ṛta, crimson-flashing and breaking forth in light—toward the Goddess Ushas who brings the Swar (the luminous world) into our front, the seers press forward and kindle her with their awakened thoughts.

Mantra 2

एषा जनं दर्शता बोधयन्ती सुगान्पथः कृण्वती यात्यग्रे । बृहद्रथा बृहती विश्वमिन्वोषा ज्योतिर्यच्छत्यग्रे अह्नाम् ॥

She, beautiful to behold, awakens the human being; she makes the paths good to go and moves in front. Vast in her chariot, vast in her being, impelling all forward, Ushas sets the light at the head of the days.

Mantra 3

एषा गोभिररुणेभिर्युजानास्रेधन्ती रयिमप्रायु चक्रे । पथो रदन्ती सुविताय देवी पुरुष्टुता विश्ववारा वि भाति ॥

She yokes her ruddy ‘cows’—the rays of dawn—and unwavering she fashions the rayi, the plenitude that does not diminish. Clearing the paths for a glad going, the Goddess, richly praised and bringing all desirable boons, shines out in full manifestation.

Mantra 4

एषा व्येनी भवति द्विबर्हा आविष्कृण्वाना तन्वं पुरस्तात् । ऋतस्य पन्थामन्वेति साधु प्रजानतीव न दिशो मिनाति ॥

She becomes the wide-spreading one, double-bearing in her power, revealing her body in front. She follows well the path of ṛta; as one who knows, she does not disturb the directions—she keeps the right orientation of the being.

Mantra 5

एषा शुभ्रा न तन्वो विदानोर्ध्वेव स्नाती दृशये नो अस्थात् । अप द्वेषो बाधमाना तमांस्युषा दिवो दुहिता ज्योतिषागात् ॥

This Dawn, pure and bright, knowing her own form, has stood for our seeing like one who rises and is bathed in radiance. Driving away hostility and the darknesses, Ushas, the daughter of Heaven, has come with light.

Mantra 6

एषा प्रतीची दुहिता दिवो नॄन्योषेव भद्रा नि रिणीते अप्सः । व्यूर्ण्वती दाशुषे वार्याणि पुनर्ज्योतिर्युवतिः पूर्वथाकः ॥

This Dawn, returning again, the daughter of Heaven, like a gracious woman, draws human beings toward her active beauty and work. Unfolding her desirable gifts to the giver, the young one re-establishes the light again, as in the former way.