Sukta 81
Sukta 5.81
Atri (Ātreya tradition) (traditional attribution for RV 5.81)
Savitar (Savitṛ)
Jagatī (common for RV 5.81; exact scan may vary)
This short hymn to Savitṛ praises the divine Impeller who “yokes” the seers’ mind and insight, sets the ritual powers in right order, and makes all gods move in his onward motion. Savitṛ is celebrated as the measurer of the worlds and the sovereign who pervades all becoming, guiding beings safely as the inner and outer initiator of action. The hymn culminates by identifying Savitṛ as the sole lord of prasava (impulsion) and, in his goings, as Pūṣan—the guiding nourisher—invited to accept the stoma.
Mantras
Mantra 1
युञ्जते मन उत युञ्जते धियो विप्रा विप्रस्य बृहतो विपश्चितः । वि होत्रा दधे वयुनाविदेक इन्मही देवस्य सवितुः परिष्टुतिः ॥
They yoke the mind, and they yoke the thoughts—the seers of the seer, of the Vast, the wide-knowing. The one who knows the right workings sets the powers of the offering in their proper spread; great indeed is the encompassing hymn of the god Savitar.
Mantra 2
विश्वा रूपाणि प्रति मुञ्चते कविः प्रासावीद्भद्रं द्विपदे चतुष्पदे । वि नाकमख्यत्सविता वरेण्योऽनु प्रयाणमुषसो वि राजति ॥
The Seer releases all forms to their manifestation; he has set forth the good for the two-footed and the four-footed. Savitar, worthy of choosing, has made the heaven visible; following the going forth of Dawn, he shines in sovereign radiance.
Mantra 3
यस्य प्रयाणमन्वन्य इद्ययुर्देवा देवस्य महिमानमोजसा । यः पार्थिवानि विममे स एतशो रजांसि देवः सविता महित्वना ॥
After whose forward movement the other gods too move, by force, to the greatness of the god—he who measured out the earthly realms: that god Savitar, with his swift steeds, has measured the spaces by his vast might.
Mantra 4
उत यासि सवितस्त्रीणि रोचनोत सूर्यस्य रश्मिभिः समुच्यसि । उत रात्रीमुभयतः परीयस उत मित्रो भवसि देव धर्मभिः ॥
And you go, O Savitar, through the three luminous worlds; and you are gathered with the rays of Surya. And you move around Night on both sides; and you become Mitra, O god, by your laws—establishing harmony in the ordered movement.
Mantra 5
उतेशिषे प्रसवस्य त्वमेक इदुत पूषा भवसि देव यामभिः । उतेदं विश्वं भुवनं वि राजसि श्यावाश्वस्ते सवित स्तोममानशे ॥
And thou alone art the master of the impulsion (prasava) that sets the soul in motion; and in thy goings, O god, thou becomest Pūṣan, the fostering guide. And thou art the wide ruler of this entire world of becoming; O Savitṛ of the dark steeds, accept and enjoy our hymn of affirmation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Savitṛ is the divine Impeller who awakens and sets all activity in motion. In this hymn he also measures the worlds and guides beings safely along their paths.
It means disciplining and aligning attention (mind) and insight (thought) so the prayer and the ritual proceed in the right order. The hymn treats this inner yoking as Savitṛ’s gift and action.
Because Savitṛ’s impulsion is not only cosmic power but also practical guidance. When he leads beings in their goings (journeys and life-paths), he functions as Pūṣan—the protector and nourisher who brings safely to the goal.