Sukta 102
Sukta 7.102
Vasiṣṭha (traditional for this Parjanya cluster in RV 7)
Parjanya
Gāyatrī
This brief Gāyatrī hymn invokes Parjanya, “son of Heaven,” as the generous rain-bringer who awakens pasture, plants, and the fertility of cattle and horses. It praises his life-giving power, then turns to a direct ritual instruction: offer sweet oblation to Parjanya so that he may grant orderly increase (Iḷā) and well-being.
Mantras
Mantra 1
पर्जन्याय प्र गायत दिवस्पुत्राय मीळ्हुषे । स नो यवसमिच्छतु ॥
Sing forth to Parjanya, the Son of Heaven, the bountiful giver; may he desire for us the pasture—our sustaining increase.
Mantra 2
यो गर्भमोषधीनां गवां कृणोत्यर्वताम् । पर्जन्यः पुरुषीणाम् ॥
Parjanya—rich in abundance—who forms the embryo of the plants, of the cows, and of the steeds.
Mantra 3
तस्मा इदास्ये हविर्जुहोता मधुमत्तमम् । इळां नः संयतं करत् ॥
To him, indeed, at his mouth offer the oblation, most filled with sweetness; may he shape for us the ordered Iḷā—the right distribution and increase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Parjanya is the Vedic power of rain and fertility. The hymn praises him as the generous “son of Heaven” who brings growth to plants and prosperity to cattle and horses.
It asks for yavas (pasture/sustaining increase) and for iḷā—meaning well-ordered nourishment, right distribution, and stable prosperity supported by timely rain.
It can be recited during a fire offering when seeking rain, crop growth, or herd well-being. The third verse explicitly directs offering a sweet oblation (madhumat havis) to Parjanya while praying for iḷā.