Ye Rigveda ka tisra mandal hai aur ise Vishvamitra parivar ki pustak kehte hain. Ismein sabse zyada Agni ki stuti hai jo Hotr ban ke yagya ko sahi se lagata hai. Agni Jatavedas ke roop mein Soma lekar aata hai aur yajamana ke liye jeet aur tez chamak laata hai. Indra bhi bahut aata hai, Soma peeta hai aur tab uski taakat badh jaati hai. Indra aur Agni mil ke dushmano par jeet dilate hain aur khana poshan dete hain. Is mandal mein suraj aur Savitr ke baare mein bhi achhe geet hain. Sabse famous hai Gayatri Mantra jo Savitr ko bulane ke liye hai. Log isko padhte hain taaki unka dimag sahi disha mein chale aur unki puja sahi ho. Ye sikhata hai ki Agni ko sahi jagah lagana aur yagya ko sahi kram mein karna zaruri hai. Isse yajamana ko aisa tej aur shaktishali varchas milta hai jo kabhi khatam na ho.
Other solar / deva hymnse.g., Sūrya/Ādityas/Viśve Devāḥ
Notable hymns: 3.59, 3.60 and 3.61
In 14 hymns
Inside Mandala 3
Principal rishis
Viśvāmitra GāthinaEponymous seer of Mandala 3; renowned for Savitṛ-centered illumination (Gāyatrī) and for shaping Agni–Indra liturgical praise in a strongly ritual framework 62 hymns, famous hymns 3.62 (includes 3.62.10 Gāyatrī), 3.23 (Agni Jātavedas installed as priest), 3.12 (Indra–Agni joint praise).
What sets it apart
Family book (Maṇḍalas 2–7) attributed to Viśvāmitra and his lineage
Contains the famous Gāyatrī Mantra (3.62.10) to Savitṛ
Strong ritual focus on Agni as flawless Hotṛ and Jātavedas, emphasizing right sequence (ṛta) and correct installation of the fire
Frequent Indra–Agni joint invocations tied to Soma, victory, and nourishment
Frequent epithets and compound formations for Agni (e.g., Jātavedas) and Indra, with fixed praise formulas
Clear hymn-structure geared to invocation–praise–boon, reflecting well-developed liturgical sequencing
Regular use of ṛta/ṛju (right order/straightness) language to frame ritual correctness and efficacy
Frequently Asked Questions
Mandala 3 is a “family book” attributed to the seer Viśvāmitra Gāthina and his descendants. Its hymns preserve that lineage’s characteristic liturgical style, especially Agni-centered priestly themes and Savitṛ-oriented illumination.
The best-known is 3.62, which contains the Gāyatrī Mantra (3.62.10) addressed to Savitṛ. It is widely recited as a prayer for inspired intellect and divine illumination.
The mandala repeatedly presents Agni as the flawlessly installed Hotṛ and Jātavedas who establishes the sacrifice, carries Soma, and grants immortality and varchas. Indra (often with Agni) is invoked to arrive swiftly for Soma, grow in power through repeated pressings, and secure victory, strength, and nourishment for the sacrificer.
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