Sukta 158
Sukta 10.158
This short hymn is a protective and healing prayer that invokes a triad of cosmic guardians—Sūrya in heaven, Vāta in the mid-region, and Agni on earth—to secure the worshipper on every plane. It then turns to the restoration and widening of sight (cakṣus), asking the divine powers that set, stabilize, and establish vision to grant clear outer and inner seeing. The hymn culminates in the wish to behold Sūrya “perfectly visible,” and to see broadly like those whose human sight becomes illumined.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
सूर्यो नो दिवस्पातु वातो अन्तरिक्षात् । अग्निर्नः पार्थिवेभ्यः ॥
सूर्य हमें आसमान से बचाए। पवन हमें बीच की दुनिया से बचाए। अग्नि हमें धरती से बचाए। इस तरह हम चारों तरफ से सुरक्षित रहेंगे।
Mantra 2
जोषा सवितर्यस्य ते हरः शतं सवाँ अर्हति । पाहि नो दिद्युतः पतन्त्याः ॥
सवितर, तुम्हारी सोने जैसी शक्ति बहुत बड़ी है। तुम्हारी किरणें सौ गुना ताकत रखती हैं। हमें बिजली की चमक से बचा लेना, जो ऊपर से गिरती है।
Mantra 3
चक्षुर्नो देवः सविता चक्षुर्न उत पर्वतः । चक्षुर्धाता दधातु नः ॥
भगवान सवितर हमें आँख दे, ताकि हम सही देख सकें। पर्वत भी हमें नज़र दे। धात्रा हमें देखने की शक्ति दे, ताकि हमारी नज़र पक्की हो जाए।
Mantra 4
चक्षुर्नो धेहि चक्षुषे चक्षुर्विख्यै तनूभ्यः । सं चेदं वि च पश्येम ॥
भगवान हमें आँखें दे दो। ऐसी नज़र दे जो सही दिखाए। हम शरीर से साफ देख सकें। इस दुनिया को एक साथ भी देखें, अलग-अलग भी समझें।
Mantra 5
सुसंदृशं त्वा वयं प्रति पश्येम सूर्य । वि पश्येम नृचक्षसः ॥
हे सूर्य, हम तुझे साफ देखना चाहते हैं। आँखों सामने तुझे देख लें। फिर हम इतना अच्छा देखने लगेंगे कि अंदर की बात भी समझ आए।
Inside Sukta 158
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
A direct prayer for protection by the three guardians assigned to the three cosmic regions.
- Development
The hymn shifts from external safeguarding to an inner, bodily-spiritual concern: the establishment of vision (cakṣus) by ordering powers.
- Climax
The aspiration to behold Sūrya as ‘perfectly visible’—a moment where outer light and inner seeing converge.
- Where it settles
A broadening of perception is requested (‘vi paśyema’), ending in the ideal of wide, awakened human sight.
The deity: Sūrya–Vāta–Agni
- In the VedaSavitṛ impels and sets things in motion (including sight), Parvata represents steadfast firmness, and Dhātṛ ‘the establisher’ fixes capacities in their proper place.
- Cosmic functionThey guard the three worlds—dyu (heaven), antarikṣa (mid-region), and pṛthivī (earth)—and sustain life through light (Sūrya), vital movement/breath (Vāta), and sacrificial/fire-power (Agni). In the vision verses, the cosmic order is mirrored as the right placing of perception and clarity in the person.
- Inner significanceThe triad maps to inner protection of consciousness: illumination and discernment (Sūrya), prāṇa and mental movement (Vāta), and embodied vitality/transforming will (Agni). The repeated ‘cakṣus’ petitions signify healing of perception—moving from mere eyesight to awakened insight and wide, truthful seeing.
Famous verses
sūryo no divas pātu vāto antarikṣāt | agnir naḥ pārthivebhyaḥ
cakṣur dhātā dadhātu naḥ
vi paśyema
Attributes of the deity
- Three-world guardianship (heaven–midspace–earth)
- Protection (pātu) and well-being
- Illumination and revelation (Sūrya)
- Breath/vital force and swift aid (Vāta)
- Purification, resilience, and warding-off (Agni)
- Restoration/establishment of vision (cakṣus)
- Order-setting impulse (Savitṛ)
- Steadfast stability (Parvata)
- Foundational establishment (Dhātṛ)
Also by this seer
- Several Maṇḍala 10 hymns are transmitted without a named rishi; RV 10.158 is among these anonymous attributions in many recensions.
- Themes parallel other late Rigvedic prayers for protection (rakṣā) and bodily wholeness (tanū/āyuḥ), though not necessarily by the same author.
The rite, step by step
- Ācamana and saṅkalpa: state intention for protection and clarity of sight.
- Light a small Agni (lamp or gārhapatya-style fire) facing east if possible.
- Recite RV 10.158.1 as a three-world protective invocation (heaven–midspace–earth).
- Recite the ‘cakṣus’ mantras (esp. 10.158.3) with focused attention on restoring clear perception.
- Recite 10.158.5 as the concluding aspiration: to behold Sūrya clearly and to ‘see widely’.
- Offer concluding oblation/namaskāra; sit briefly in silent gazing/inner visualization of light.
Offerings
- Ghee (ājya) into fire or lamp
- Water oblation (arghya) to Sūrya
- Optional: sesame or fragrant herbs with ghee for protective intent
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a short hymn for protection on all levels (heaven, midspace, and earth) and for the restoration and strengthening of vision—both physical sight and inner clarity.
They represent guardians of the three cosmic regions: Surya protects from the heavens, Vata from the mid-region, and Agni from the earthly realm—so the worshipper is covered completely.
It is commonly recited at dawn or sunrise facing the light, optionally with a lamp or small fire, as a prayer for safety, vitality, and clear perception (especially when seeking support for eyesight and mental clarity).
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