Sukta 139
Sukta 10.139
This hymn links Savitṛ’s dawn-impulsion—his steady rising as light—with Pūṣan’s guiding, protective movement that “sees” and shepherds all worlds. It then widens into a mythic-ritual vision where Waters, Gandharva (Viśvāvasu), and Indra participate in revealing Ṛta: hidden bounds, luminous horizons, and the release of obstructed riches (amṛta/energies) from stone-like enclosures.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
सूर्यरश्मिर्हरिकेशः पुरस्तात्सविता ज्योतिरुदयाँ अजस्रम् । तस्य पूषा प्रसवे याति विद्वान्त्सम्पश्यन्विश्वा भुवनानि गोपाः ॥
सविता देवता सूरज की किरणों जैसे बाल लेके आगे आते हैं। वो रोशनी लेकर हमेशा के लिए उगते हैं। पूषन देवता उनकी ताकत से चलते हैं। वो सब दुनिया को देखते हैं और सबकी हिफ़ाज़त करते हैं।
Mantra 2
नृचक्षा एष दिवो मध्य आस्त आपप्रिवान्रोदसी अन्तरिक्षम् । स विश्वाचीरभि चष्टे घृताचीरन्तरा पूर्वमपरं च केतुम् ॥
यह रिशि आसमान के बीच में बैठा है। वो दोनों दुनिया और बीच वाली जगह को भर रहा है। वो सब तरफ देख रहा है, जैसे घी चमक रहा हो। वो पहले और बाद वाले साइन को समझ रहा है, जो बीत गया और जो आने वाला है।
Mantra 3
रायो बुध्नः संगमनो वसूनां विश्वा रूपाभि चष्टे शचीभिः । देव इव सविता सत्यधर्मेन्द्रो न तस्थौ समरे धनानाम् ॥
वो धन की जड़ है, खजाने मिलने की जगह। अपनी शक्ति से वो हर चीज़ का रूप देख रहा है। देवता की तरह सविता सच्चे धरम में खड़ा है। इंद्र की तरह वो धन की लड़ाई में अपनी जगह पकड़ लेता है।
Mantra 4
विश्वावसुं सोम गन्धर्वमापो ददृशुषीस्तदृतेना व्यायन् । तदन्ववैदिन्द्रो रारहाण आसां परि सूर्यस्य परिधीँरपश्यत् ॥
पानी ने विश्ववसु को देखा, जो सोम का गंधर्व है। ऋत के नियम से वो फैल गए और अपना काम करने लगे। फिर इंद्र खुश होके उस धारा को जान गया। उसने सूर्य के आस-पास की रोशनी और सीमाएँ देखीं।
Mantra 5
विश्वावसुरभि तन्नो गृणातु दिव्यो गन्धर्वो रजसो विमानः । यद्वा घा सत्यमुत यन्न विद्म धियो हिन्वानो धिय इन्नो अव्याः ॥
विश्ववसु हमारे बारे में कुछ बोले। यह आसमान का गंधर्व है जो बीच की दुनिया नापता है। चाहे वो सच हो, या जो हम अभी नहीं जानते, वो हमारे विचार जगाए और हमारे विचारों की रक्षा करे।
Mantra 6
सस्निमविन्दच्चरणे नदीनामपावृणोद्दुरो अश्मव्रजानाम् । प्रासां गन्धर्वो अमृतानि वोचदिन्द्रो दक्षं परि जानादहीनाम् ॥
उसने नदियों के पास एक खास जगह पाई। उसने पत्थर के दरवाज़े खोल दिए। गंधर्व ने उन नदियों की अमृत बातें बताईं। इंद्र ने जान लिया कि नाग कितने तेज़ और समझदार हैं।
Inside Sukta 139
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
Savitṛ rises in front as unceasing light; within his impulsion Pūṣan moves as the knowing guardian who beholds all worlds.
- Development
The hymn expands from the sunrise-impulse to Ṛta’s workings in the Waters and the Gandharva’s relation to Soma, showing how cosmic order is ‘seen’ and spread.
- Climax
Indra’s revelatory knowing: he comprehends the movement/order and beholds the Sun’s encircling bounds—horizons/limits that define the luminous world.
- Where it settles
Release and proclamation of hidden ‘immortal’ riches from the streams; obstructions and serpent-powers are understood/overcome through knowledge (dakṣa) and opening of enclosures.
The deity: Savitṛ
- In the VedaPūṣan acts within Savitṛ’s prasava (impulsion) as the knowing guide and guardian who surveys all worlds and protects the ‘herds’ (cows/energies).
- Cosmic functionTo initiate and regulate cosmic movement (daybreak, paths, awakenings) according to Ṛta; to guide travelers and souls, protect prosperity, and ensure safe passage through visible and hidden realms.
- Inner significanceThe awakening power of discernment that impels right action; the inner guide (Pūṣan) that keeps one aligned with truth-order, protects vital forces, and leads consciousness across thresholds from darkness to clarity.
The seer
- AnāmāRepresentative of the late (10th maṇḍala) anonymous/collective seer-voices that preserve older mythic motifs—Savitṛ’s impulsion, Pūṣan’s guidance, Gandharva–Waters–Soma relations, and Indra’s discovery/release—without a fixed family attribution.
Famous verses
सूर्यरश्मिर्हरिकेशः पुरस्तात्सविता ज्योतिरुदयाँ अजस्रम् । तस्य पूषा प्रसवे याति विद्वान्त्सम्पश्यन्विश्वा भुवनानि गोपाः ॥विश्वावसुं सोम गन्धर्वमापो ददृशुषीस्तदृतेना व्यायन् । तदन्ववैदिन्द्रो रारहाण आसां परि सूर्यस्य परिधीँरपश्यत् ॥सस्निमविन्दच्चरणे नदीनामपावृणोद्दुरो अश्मव्रजानाम् । प्रासां गन्धर्वो अमृतानि वोचदिन्द्रो दक्षं परि जानादहीनाम् ॥Attributes of the deity
- Prasava (divine impulsion, setting in motion)
- Dawn-rising, ceaseless light
- Path-making and guidance (Pūṣan)
- All-seeing guardianship of worlds
- Alignment with Ṛta (cosmic law)
- Protection of ‘cattle’ as prosperity/energies
Also by this seer
- Several hymns in Rigveda Maṇḍala 10 are transmitted with uncertain or anonymous r̥ṣi attribution in different recensions; RV 10.139 is among those commonly treated as ‘unknown rishi’ in modern listings.
The rite, step by step
- Ācamana and brief saṅkalpa for right guidance and protection.
- Kindle or attend the household fire (or lamp) facing east; establish a calm, attentive mind.
- Recite RV 10.139 (or selected key verses) as Savitṛ rises—emphasizing prasava and ‘sampaśyan’ (all-seeing).
- Offer oblations with each verse or at the end: ghee (ājya) into fire, or water-libation if no fire is used.
- Conclude with a short prayer for safe paths, clarity of intention, and guarded energies (cattle/prosperity).
Offerings
- Ghee (ājya) in agni
- Water libation (āpaḥ)
- Optional: soma-substitute (milk/juice) in remembrance of Soma–Gandharva motif
Frequently Asked Questions
Savitṛ is the main deity—the divine Impeller who raises the light and sets beings in motion. Pūṣan appears as an associated power who guides and protects within Savitṛ’s impulsion.
The hymn connects dawn-impulsion with Ṛta (cosmic order). The Waters and the Gandharva (Viśvāvasu) symbolize the lawful flow of revelation and the guarding/transmission of Soma-like inspiration.
It is a prayer for clear beginnings at dawn: right impulse (prasava), safe guidance on life’s paths, protection of one’s vital ‘herds’ (strength/prosperity), and the opening of what feels blocked or enclosed.
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