Sukta 64
Sukta 6.64
Bharadvāja (Bārhaspatya) (traditional for this hymn cluster in Maṇḍala 6)
Triṣṭubh
This short Uṣas-hymn praises Dawn as the radiant awakener who rises like shining waves, sets all beings in motion, and makes the world’s paths “good to go upon.” It links the coming of light with right-going progress—prosperity, generous giving (dakṣiṇā), and the safe passage of life’s journey for the worshipper.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
उदु श्रिय उषसो रोचमाना अस्थुरपां नोर्मयो रुशन्तः । कृणोति विश्वा सुपथा सुगान्यभूदु वस्वी दक्षिणा मघोनी ॥
उषा, सुबह की देवी, चमक के उठ रही है। जैसे पानी में चमकदार लहरें उठती हैं, वैसे ही वो दिख रही है। वो सब रास्ते साफ कर देती है, ताकि हम आगे बढ़ सकें। अब जो लोग दान करते हैं, उनका फल मिल रहा है। यह दान इतना अच्छा है कि आदमी सही रास्ते पे चल पड़ता है।
Mantra 2
भद्रा ददृक्ष उर्विया वि भास्युत्ते शोचिर्भानवो द्यामपप्तन् । आविर्वक्षः कृणुषे शुम्भमानोषो देवि रोचमाना महोभिः ॥
उषा देवी बहुत बड़ी है, दिख भी रही है और चमक भी रही है। उसकी रोशनी आसमान तक जाती है। वो खुद को साफ दिख रही है, जैसे कोई अपने आप को सजाता हो। यह देवी बहुत ताकतवाली है और चमक के आती है।
Mantra 3
वहन्ति सीमरुणासो रुशन्तो गावः सुभगामुर्विया प्रथानाम् । अपेजते शूरो अस्तेव शत्रून्बाधते तमो अजिरो न वोळ्हा ॥
उषा देवी के साथ लाल चमकदार किरण आती हैं, जैसे गाय चलें। वो चारों तरफ फैल रही है। जैसे कोई बहादुर अपना धनुष लेकर दुश्मन भगाता है, वैसे ही यह देवी अंधेरा भगाती है। वो इतनी तेज है जैसे कोई रथ चलाने वाला।
Mantra 4
सुगोत ते सुपथा पर्वतेष्ववाते अपस्तरसि स्वभानो । सा न आ वह पृथुयामन्नृष्वे रयिं दिवो दुहितरिषयध्यै ॥
उषा देवी के रास्ते अच्छे हैं, पहाड़ों पे भी साफ रास्ते मिलते हैं। वो खुद चमकती है, पानी और हवा के ऊपर से गुज़र जाती है। ऐ देवी, तुम हमें आसमान की बेटी की तरफ से बरकत ला के दो। तुम बहुत बड़ी हो, हमें आगे बढ़ने की ताकत दो।
Mantra 5
सा वह योक्षभिरवातोषो वरं वहसि जोषमनु । त्वं दिवो दुहितर्या ह देवी पूर्वहूतौ मंहना दर्शता भूः ॥
ऐ उषा देवी, अपने घोड़ों के साथ आ जाओ। तुम वो अच्छी चीज़ लाती हो जो हमें खुशी देती है। तुम आसमान की बेटी हो, बहुत पुरानी देवी हो। जब लोग तुम्हे बुलाते हैं, तुम दिख भी जाती हो और दान भी करती हो।
Mantra 6
उत्ते वयश्चिद्वसतेरपप्तन्नरश्च ये पितुभाजो व्युष्टौ । अमा सते वहसि भूरि वाममुषो देवि दाशुषे मर्त्याय ॥
जब उषा देवी उठती है, तो पक्षी भी अपने घोंसले से उड़ जाते हैं। लोग भी जागने लगते हैं जो खाना कमाके खाते हैं। उषा देवी यहाँ मौजूद है। वो बड़ी खुशी और भलाई लेके आती है उस इंसान के लिए जो उसको पूजा में समर्पित करता है।
Inside Sukta 64
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
Dawn rises in glory, shining like bright waves, and immediately ‘makes all paths good’ for movement and life.
- Development
Her motion is described as unhindered—over waters, winds, and even mountainous routes—while she is invoked to bring heavenly fullness (rayi) and forward impulse (iṣ).
- Climax
The hymn’s key revelation is Dawn as the universal awakener: birds fly out, humans stir to shared life and work, and prosperity is framed as aligned with offering and generosity.
- Where it settles
It ends by asking Uṣas to bear abundant good to the mortal worshipper—an auspicious close that ties daily awakening to ethical giving and well-being.
The deity: Uṣas
- Cosmic functionShe renews the day by bringing light, stirring life into activity, opening the roads, and re-establishing the rhythms of ṛta (cosmic order) through daily recurrence.
- Inner significanceDawn symbolizes awakening of awareness—clarity after inertia, the start of right effort, moral brightness, and the inner ‘opening of paths’ for growth, generosity, and disciplined progress.
The seer
- Bharadvāja (Bārhaspatya)Bharadvāja-gotra; traditionally Bārhaspatya (of the line of Bṛhaspati) · A major Rigvedic seer whose family-book (Maṇḍala 6) is renowned for luminous, well-structured hymns to Agni, Indra, and Uṣas, often emphasizing right order (ṛta), effective prayer, and beneficent prosperity.
Famous verses
kṛṇoti viśvā supathā sugāni
sugotā te supathā
उत्ते वयश्चिद्वसतेरपप्तन्नरश्च ये पितुभाजो व्युष्टौ । अमा सते वहसि भूरि वाममुषो देवि दाशुषे मर्त्याय ॥Attributes of the deity
- Radiant and self-luminous (svabhānu)
- Path-maker: renders ways safe and auspicious (supathā, sugā)
- Awakener of beings (birds, people, life-impulses)
- Heaven’s Daughter (divo duhitā)
- Bringer of prosperity and right-going increase (rayi, iṣ)
Also by this seer
- Principal attribution of Rig Veda Maṇḍala 6 (many sūktas)
- Hymns to Agni (e.g., RV 6.1–6.16 cluster), Indra, the Aśvins, and Uṣas within Maṇḍala 6
- Bharadvāja is remembered in later Vedic-Itihāsa tradition as a foundational ṛṣi associated with transmission of sacred learning (śruti)
The rite, step by step
- Perform morning purification and quiet sitting facing east as first light appears.
- Kindle or attend the household fire (Agni) and begin recitation with a calm, steady Triṣṭubh cadence.
- Invoke Uṣas as the radiant opener of paths; mentally ‘offer’ darkness and inertia into her light.
- State the intention: safe passage in work and travel, increase of rayi (fullness), and a generous, righteous disposition.
- Conclude with a brief silent contemplation of awakening—resolve to act in the ‘right-going way’ (supathā).
Offerings
- Ghee into Agni (where fire-rite is maintained)
- Simple water libation (arghya) at dawn
- Dakṣiṇā/charitable giving after the rite (food, cowry/coin, or service), reflecting the hymn’s theme
Frequently Asked Questions
The hymn worships Uṣas, the goddess of Dawn, praised as the radiant power that brings light, awakens life, and renews the day.
Dawn is not only light in the sky; she ‘makes the paths good’—supporting safe movement, right effort, and prosperity that grows with generosity and offering.
Recite it at dawn facing east, reflect on awakening and clear intentions for the day, and follow it with a small act of dakṣiṇā—charity or helpful giving—to embody its spirit.
Ask anything about Sukta 64 of the Rig Veda
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