Sukta 81
Sukta 5.81
Atri (Ātreya tradition) (traditional attribution for RV 5.81)
Jagatī (common for RV 5.81; exact scan may vary)
This short hymn to Savitṛ praises the divine Impeller who “yokes” the seers’ mind and insight, sets the ritual powers in right order, and makes all gods move in his onward motion. Savitṛ is celebrated as the measurer of the worlds and the sovereign who pervades all becoming, guiding beings safely as the inner and outer initiator of action. The hymn culminates by identifying Savitṛ as the sole lord of prasava (impulsion) and, in his goings, as Pūṣan—the guiding nourisher—invited to accept the stoma.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
युञ्जते मन उत युञ्जते धियो विप्रा विप्रस्य बृहतो विपश्चितः । वि होत्रा दधे वयुनाविदेक इन्मही देवस्य सवितुः परिष्टुतिः ॥
रिशि लोग अपना मन और अपनी सोच भगवान सवितर की तरफ लगाते हैं। वो बड़े रिशि हैं और बहुत कुछ जानते हैं। एक जो सही काम करता है वो यज्ञ की शक्तियों को सही जगह रखता है। भगवान सवितर की महिमा बहुत बड़ी है।
Mantra 2
विश्वा रूपाणि प्रति मुञ्चते कविः प्रासावीद्भद्रं द्विपदे चतुष्पदे । वि नाकमख्यत्सविता वरेण्योऽनु प्रयाणमुषसो वि राजति ॥
वो रिशि सब रूपों को दिखाता है। उसने इंसानों और जानवरों के लिए अच्छा किया है। सवितर को लोग चुनते हैं क्योंकि वो अच्छा है। उसने आसमान को साफ दिखाया है। उषा के साथ चल के वो चमकता है।
Mantra 3
यस्य प्रयाणमन्वन्य इद्ययुर्देवा देवस्य महिमानमोजसा । यः पार्थिवानि विममे स एतशो रजांसि देवः सविता महित्वना ॥
जब सवितर आगे बढ़ता है, तो बाकी देव भी उसके पीछे जाते हैं। वो इतना बड़ा है कि सब उसकी महिमा के पास जाते हैं। उसने धरती को नापा है। तेज़ घोड़े लेकर उसने आसमान को भी नापा है। उसकी ताकत बहुत बड़ी है।
Mantra 4
उत यासि सवितस्त्रीणि रोचनोत सूर्यस्य रश्मिभिः समुच्यसि । उत रात्रीमुभयतः परीयस उत मित्रो भवसि देव धर्मभिः ॥
सवितर भगवान तीन दुनिया में घूमते हैं। सूर्य की किरणों के साथ आते हैं। रात को दोनों तरफ से घेर लेते हैं। अपने नियम से मित्र बन जाते हैं और सब ठीक कर देते हैं।
Mantra 5
उतेशिषे प्रसवस्य त्वमेक इदुत पूषा भवसि देव यामभिः । उतेदं विश्वं भुवनं वि राजसि श्यावाश्वस्ते सवित स्तोममानशे ॥
सवितर अकेली चीज़ है जो सबको चलाती है। वो पूषन भगवान बन जाते हैं और रास्ता दिखाते हैं। पूरी दुनिया पर राज करते हैं। इनके घोड़े काले हैं और यह हमारी पूजा स्वीकार करते हैं।
Inside Sukta 81
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
The hymn opens by portraying the seers yoking mind and insight, and Savitṛ as the vast, all-knowing power around whom the praise is woven.
- Development
It expands Savitṛ’s sovereignty: he knows the right workings, arranges the ritual powers, and his forward motion becomes the template that other gods follow.
- Climax
Savitṛ is revealed as the measurer of earthly realms and cosmic spaces (rajāṃsi), moving with swift steeds and vast might—establishing the ordered universe.
- Where it settles
The hymn resolves in intimate petition: Savitṛ alone rules prasava, becomes Pūṣan in his goings, pervades all the world, and is asked to accept the stoma.
The deity: Savitṛ
- Cosmic functionHe initiates movement and activity (prasava), regulates cosmic rhythms (dawn/setting, journeys, rites), and measures/establishes the realms (rajāṃsi), prompting even other gods to follow his lead.
- Inner significanceSavitṛ symbolizes the awakening will and illumined impetus that harnesses mind and thought, aligning intention with truth (ṛta) so action becomes ordered, fruitful, and protected.
The seer
- Atri (Ātreya)Ātreya (Atri-gotra) · One of the foremost Vedic seers, counted among the Saptarṣi; famed for visionary hymns and for the Ātreya tradition’s emphasis on luminous insight (dhī) and ordered ritual speech.
Famous verses
yuñjate mana uta yuñjate dhiyo
yasya prayāṇam anv anye id yayuḥ
prasavasya tvam eka id
Attributes of the deity
- Impeller/initiator (prasavitṛ)
- World-measurer and establisher of spaces (rajāṃsi)
- Far-seeing, wide-knowing (vipaścitaḥ)
- Ritual-orderer who sets the hotrāḥ in proper distribution
- Guide and nourisher in motion (functional identity with Pūṣan)
- Associated with swift/dark steeds (śyāvāśva) and forward movement
Also by this seer
- Large portions of Rig Veda Mandala 5 are attributed to the Ātreyas (Atri and his lineage).
- Atri is a prominent rishi across Vedic-Itihāsa-Purāṇa memory, often associated with tapas, clarity of vision, and priestly transmission.
- Hymns in RV 5 with Ātreya attribution, especially praises to Agni, Indra, and the Ādityas (general Ātreya corpus within Mandala 5).
The rite, step by step
- Ācamana and mental settling: consciously “yoke” mind and thoughts (manas, dhī) toward ṛta.
- Lighting/strengthening Agni and arranging the ritual space; prepare implements and seats.
- Recite RV 5.81 as Savitṛ-stuti, focusing on his role as vayunāvit (knower of right workings) who sets the hotrāḥ in order.
- Offer oblation with the intention of prasava: request right impulsion for speech, action, and the rite’s progress.
- Conclude with a request for acceptance of the stoma and for guidance/protection in movement (yāma), inward and outward.
Offerings
- Ghṛta (clarified butter) into Agni
- Soma (where applicable in Soma contexts)
- Puroḍāśa/anna offerings (regional/śrauta adaptation)
- Stoma itself (praise as an offering of speech)
Frequently Asked Questions
Savitṛ is the divine Impeller who awakens and sets all activity in motion. In this hymn he also measures the worlds and guides beings safely along their paths.
It means disciplining and aligning attention (mind) and insight (thought) so the prayer and the ritual proceed in the right order. The hymn treats this inner yoking as Savitṛ’s gift and action.
Because Savitṛ’s impulsion is not only cosmic power but also practical guidance. When he leads beings in their goings (journeys and life-paths), he functions as Pūṣan—the protector and nourisher who brings safely to the goal.
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