Sukta 96
Sukta 7.96
Vasiṣṭha (explicit)
Sarasvatī
Jagatī or Triṣṭubh (uncertain from excerpt; Sarasvatī hymns often Triṣṭubh/Jagatī—requires full metrical count)
This six-verse hymn of Vasiṣṭha praises Sarasvatī as the sovereign, life-giving river whose inspired flow widens the two worlds and nourishes speech, strength, and prosperity. The poet invokes Sarasvatī (and Sarasvant) for generative power—progeny, increase, and sustaining food—imagining her as a visible, overflowing udder from which the community may partake. Overall, the sukta functions as an invocation for abundance, right utterance, and fruitful continuity under the deity’s purifying current.
Mantras
Mantra 1
बृहदु गायिषे वचोऽसुर्या नदीनाम् । सरस्वतीमिन्महया सुवृक्तिभिः स्तोमैर्वसिष्ठ रोदसी ॥
A vast word you shall sing—the sovereign river among rivers. Magnify Sarasvatī indeed with well-shaped utterances and hymns, O Vasiṣṭha, until the two worlds are widened within you.
Mantra 2
उभे यत्ते महिना शुभ्रे अन्धसी अधिक्षियन्ति पूरवः । सा नो बोध्यवित्री मरुत्सखा चोद राधो मघोनाम् ॥
O Sarasvatī, when by your greatness the two bright powers (the illumined currents) take their seat above the plenitudes, then awaken in us as the Protectress; companion of the Maruts, impel for us the abundant beatitude of the givers.
Mantra 3
भद्रमिद्भद्रा कृणवत्सरस्वत्यकवारी चेतति वाजिनीवती । गृणाना जमदग्निवत्स्तुवाना च वसिष्ठवत् ॥
May Sarasvatī, the auspicious, make for us the true good; the unassailable, the awakener of consciousness, rich in plenitudes of force. Praising like Jamadagni, and hymning like Vasiṣṭha, we call her into manifestation.
Mantra 4
जनीयन्तो न्वग्रवः पुत्रीयन्तः सुदानवः । सरस्वन्तं हवामहे ॥
Seeking to beget anew, pressing forward, desiring the son-power (the inner issue), we who are of good giving call Sarasvant to come.
Mantra 5
ये ते सरस्व ऊर्मयो मधुमन्तो घृतश्चुतः । तेभिर्नोऽविता भव ॥
O Sarasvat, those your waves that are honeyed and dripping with clarified light—by them become our protector and helper.
Mantra 6
पीपिवांसं सरस्वतः स्तनं यो विश्वदर्शतः । भक्षीमहि प्रजामिषम् ॥
May we partake of the full udder of Sarasvat, the breast that is seen by all—may we eat and receive progeny and the sustaining force of fulfillment.
Frequently Asked Questions
She is praised as the sovereign river among rivers—purifying, nourishing, and powerful—who also supports inspired, well-formed speech used in ritual.
It asks for abundance and nourishment (iṣ), generative strength and progeny (prajā), and the widening, strengthening power that comes with true, effective praise.
It is a poetic image for overflowing nourishment: Sarasvatī/Sarasvat is envisioned as a visible source of sustenance from which the community may ‘partake’ and be strengthened.