Rig Veda Sukta 83
Mandala 8Sukta 839 Mantras

Sukta 83

Sukta 8.83

Devata

Devas / Ādityas (collective divine powers; opening of a hymn that soon names Varuṇa, Mitra, Aryaman)

Este himno invoca al conjunto de los Devas — en especial a los soberanos Ādityas (Varuṇa, Mitra, Aryaman) — como una vasta Ayuda protectora (avaḥ), elegida por el adorador para la fuerza interior y exterior. Alaba su conciencia vigilante, su gobierno moral y su poder para rechazar el mal, culminando en una invocación a la generosa hueste divina encabezada por Indra.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 8.83

Mantras

Mantra 1

देवानामिदवो महत्तदा वृणीमहे वयम् । वृष्णामस्मभ्यमूतये ॥

Escogemos para nosotros esa vasta Ayuda, en verdad, de los Dioses, para que las potencias de la fuerza vengan en nuestro auxilio.

Mantra 2

ते नः सन्तु युजः सदा वरुणो मित्रो अर्यमा । वृधासश्च प्रचेतसः ॥

Que Varuṇa, Mitra, Aryaman — dadores de crecimiento y ampliamente despiertos en conciencia — sean siempre nuestros compañeros uncidos.

Mantra 3

अति नो विष्पिता पुरु नौभिरपो न पर्षथ । यूयमृतस्य रथ्यः ॥

Oh señores de la morada, llevadnos más allá con muchas barcas, como a través de las aguas; pues vosotros sois los aurigas de la Ṛta, el Orden‑Verdad.

Mantra 4

वामं नो अस्त्वर्यमन्वामं वरुण शंस्यम् । वामं ह्यावृणीमहे ॥

Que sea para nosotros lo bueno y deseable, oh Aryaman; oh Varuṇa, lo bueno digno de ser proclamado: sí, lo bueno escogemos y lo acogemos en nuestro interior.

Mantra 5

वामस्य हि प्रचेतस ईशानाशो रिशादसः । नेमादित्या अघस्य यत् ॥

Pues vosotros, los clarividentes, despiertos en la conciencia, sois señores del bien deseable, destructores de lo dañino; oh Ādityas, no cedéis al embate del mal.

Mantra 6

वयमिद्वः सुदानवः क्षियन्तो यान्तो अध्वन्ना । देवा वृधाय हूमहे ॥

Nosotros, oh generosos, ya estemos asentados o yendo por el camino, os invocamos, oh Dioses, para nuestro aumento y crecimiento del ser.

Mantra 7

अधि न इन्द्रैषां विष्णो सजात्यानाम् । इता मरुतो अश्विना ॥

Poned sobre nosotros, oh Indra, y tú, Vishnu, sobre este parentesco de poderes; venid aquí, oh Maruts, oh Ashvins, para regir nuestro movimiento.

Mantra 8

प्र भ्रातृत्वं सुदानवोऽध द्विता समान्या । मातुर्गर्भे भरामहे ॥

Oh generosos, fomentamos la hermandad — una y otra vez, en la unidad común; como llevados en el seno de la Madre, la formamos para llegar a una sola armonía.

Mantra 9

यूयं हि ष्ठा सुदानव इन्द्रज्येष्ठा अभिद्यवः । अधा चिद्व उत ब्रुवे ॥

Vosotros, en verdad, sois los generosos, con Indra como el mayor y guía, impulsándoos hacia el cielo luminoso; por eso también os hablo.

Inside Sukta 83

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    A deliberate choosing of the Gods’ ‘vast Help’ for aid and inner strength (RV 8.83.1).

  2. Development

    Praise expands to the Ādityas’ vigilant awareness and sovereign capacity to grant good while destroying harm and resisting evil (e.g., RV 8.83.5).

  3. Climax

    The hymn’s assurance peaks in the portrayal of the divine powers as unyielding before evil and fully capable protectors under ṛta.

  4. Where it settles

    It ends by speaking to the generous Devas as a unified host with Indra as eldest/leader, sealing the petition with confidence and address (RV 8.83.9).

The deity: Devas / Ādityas

  • In the VedaThe Devas are praised as a ‘vast Help’ (mahat avaḥ), generous givers, and guardians of ṛta (cosmic and moral order). The Ādityas are depicted as wide-awake in consciousness (pracetas), masters of desirable good, destroyers of harm, and unconquered by evil.
  • Cosmic functionThey uphold ṛta, maintain social and cosmic stability, protect the sacrificer, and ensure the right distribution of goods, safety, and lawful order; Indra stands as the martial leader of the divine host.
  • Inner significanceThe Ādityas symbolize awakened discernment, ethical self-governance, and the inner ‘law’ that resists disorder; Indra signifies courageous energy that breaks through obstruction and lifts the mind toward clarity (dyu).

Famous verses

devānām id avo mahat
Verse 8.83.1Sets the hymn’s core intention: consciously choosing the ‘vast Help’ of the Gods for inner empowerment and protection.Read verse 8.83.1 →
pracetasa īśānāsaḥ riśādasaḥ
Verse 8.83.5Defines the Ādityas’ distinctive power—awake intelligence, sovereignty over good, and invincibility against evil—capturing their ethical-protective character.Read verse 8.83.5 →
indrajyeṣṭhāḥ sudānavaḥ
Verse 8.83.9Concludes with the image of the Devas as generous and heaven-striving, explicitly Indra-led, framing the divine host as a unified refuge.Read verse 8.83.9 →

Attributes of the deity

  • pracetas (wide-awake, luminous intelligence)
  • īśāna (sovereign mastery)
  • riśādasa (destroyers of harm)
  • protective help (avaḥ) sought by choice (vṛṇīmahe)
  • unconquered by evil (aghā)
  • generosity (sudānavas)
  • Indra-led leadership (indrajyeṣṭha)

Also by this seer

  • Mandala 8 contains many hymns associated with the Kaṇva tradition and practical ritual praise; however, this particular sūkta’s seer attribution is uncertain in the provided tradition/context.

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the altar/fire (Agni) and establish ritual purity (ācamanā, mental resolve).
  • Open with an invocation to the collective Devas as ‘vast Help’ (avaḥ) and request inner strengthening.
  • Name and praise the Ādityas (Varuṇa, Mitra, Aryaman) as guardians of ṛta and destroyers of harm.
  • Offer oblations while asking for protection from evil and for the ‘desirable good’ (vāma).
  • Conclude by addressing the broader Deva-host with Indra as chief, reaffirming confidence and petition.

Offerings

  • ghee (ājya) oblations into Agni
  • soma libation (where applicable)
  • grains/cakes (puroḍāśa) depending on rite
  • water and fragrant offerings as ancillary upacāras

Frequently Asked Questions

The hymn begins with the collective Devas and quickly emphasizes the Ādityas—especially Varuṇa, Mitra, and Aryaman—then closes by addressing the Deva-host with Indra as leader.

The worshipper ‘chooses’ the Gods’ vast help for protection, inner strength, and freedom from harmful and evil influences, trusting the Ādityas’ moral and cosmic guardianship.

It is suited for recitation in a fire offering or daily prayer for protection and clarity—invoking the Ādityas for lawful order and Indra-like courage to overcome obstacles.

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