Sukta 65
Sukta 6.65
Bharadvāja (Bārhaspatya) tradition
Triṣṭubh (probable; confirm in edition)
This short hymn to Uṣas (Dawn) greets the Heaven-born Daughter as she rises, awakens human dwellings, and drives away the long darkness. The poet asks her to bring timely gifts—wealth, heroic offspring/strength, and wide, enduring fame—just as she favored the Bharadvāja line in ancient times.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
एषा स्या नो दुहिता दिवोजाः क्षितीरुच्छन्ती मानुषीरजीगः । या भानुना रुशता राम्यास्वज्ञायि तिरस्तमसश्चिदक्तून् ॥
यह वही है, आसमान की बेटी, जो अब उठती है। उसने इंसान के घर और बस्तियाँ जागा दी हैं। उसकी रोशनी इतनी चमकदार है कि वो अंधेरी रातों से भी आगे निकल के आती है। सोना और खेता में उसकी किरण चमक रही है।
Mantra 2
वि तद्ययुररुणयुग्भिरश्वैश्चित्रं भान्त्युषसश्चन्द्ररथाः । अग्रं यज्ञस्य बृहतो नयन्तीर्वि ता बाधन्ते तम ऊर्म्यायाः ॥
उषा देवी अपने लाल रंग के घोड़ों के साथ निकलती है। उसकी रथ की रोशनी अलग-अलग रंग में चमकती है। वो बड़े यज्ञ के आगे चल रही है। अंधेरा पानी की तरह उठ रहा था, वो उसको भगा देती है।
Mantra 3
श्रवो वाजमिषमूर्जं वहन्तीर्नि दाशुष उषसो मर्त्याय । मघोनीर्वीरवत्पत्यमाना अवो धात विधते रत्नमद्य ॥
उषा देवी नाम, ताकत और जान लेकर आती है। वो उस इंसान के लिए सब कुछ रख देती है जो भगवान को पूजा में चीज़ें देता है। वो वीरों और बहादुरों की बढ़ाई चाहती है। आज वो उसकी हिफाज़त और खज़ाना दोनों दे देता है जो यह काम करता है।
Mantra 4
इदा हि वो विधते रत्नमस्तीदा वीराय दाशुष उषासः । इदा विप्राय जरते यदुक्था नि ष्म मावते वहथा पुरा चित् ॥
अभी तुम्हारे पास खज़ाना है उसके लिए जो यह काम करता है। उषा देवी उस बहादुर इंसान के लिए है जो देना जानता है। वो कवि और रिशि जो पुराने हो गए हैं और अभी भी गाना गाते हैं, उनके लिए भी है। तुम पहले भी उसको दे चुके हो जो मेहनत करता है।
Mantra 5
इदा हि त उषो अद्रिसानो गोत्रा गवामङ्गिरसो गृणन्ति । व्यर्केण बिभिदुर्ब्रह्मणा च सत्या नृणामभवद्देवहूतिः ॥
उषा, अभी अंगिरस रिशि तुम्हारे लिए गाना गा रहे हैं। यह वो लोग हैं जो पत्थरों से रस निकालते हैं। गायों के बारे में गाते हैं। अपने गाने और सच्चे शब्द से वो सब खोल दिया। लोगों के लिए सच्ची बात बन गई कि भगवान आएंगे।
Mantra 6
उच्छा दिवो दुहितः प्रत्नवन्नो भरद्वाजवद्विधते मघोनि । सुवीरं रयिं गृणते रिरीह्युरुगायमधि धेहि श्रवो नः ॥
उषा, आसमान की बेटी, उठ जाओ। जैसे पुराने ज़माने में उठती थी, वैसे ही हमारे लिए उठ। भरद्वाज रिशि की तरह हमारे ऊपर भी मेहरबानी कर। जो लोग तुम्हारे लिए गाते हैं, उनको वीरों जैसी ताकत दे। हमें इतना नाम दे कि दूर तक लोग गाते रहें।
Inside Sukta 65
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
Dawn is introduced as the Heaven-born Daughter who rises and awakens human dwellings, born beyond the nights of darkness (RV 6.65.1).
- Development
The hymn moves from vivid epiphany (light overcoming night) to the social-ritual economy of dawn: she reliably brings ‘ratna’ to the worker, giver, and inspired singer (cf. RV 6.65.4).
- Climax
The explicit plea for renewal ‘as in the ancient way’—Dawn is asked to favor the worshipper as she did the Bharadvājas, granting heroic wealth and far-reaching fame (RV 6.65.6).
- Where it settles
It ends in confident petition: the singer’s praise is offered, and Dawn is asked to establish prosperity and a widely sung renown for the community.
The deity: Uṣas
- Cosmic functionShe marks the daily renewal of time, opens the path of light, sets the rhythms of work and worship, and makes the world visible—thus sustaining ṛta (cosmic order) through regular return.
- Inner significanceThe awakening of clarity and right orientation: the inner dawn that dispels tamas (inertia/confusion), prompts inspired speech, and renews resolve for dharma, work, and worship.
The seer
- Bharadvāja (Bārhaspatya tradition)Bharadvāja-gotra; Bārhaspatya (linked with Bṛhaspati) family tradition of Mandala 6 · A principal ancestral seer of the Bharadvāja clan, strongly associated with Mandala 6 and with hymns that blend luminous imagery, ritual efficacy, and requests for prosperity and fame.
Famous verses
divo duhitā
इदा हि वो विधते रत्नमस्तीदा वीराय दाशुष उषासः । इदा विप्राय जरते यदुक्था नि ष्म मावते वहथा पुरा चित् ॥ucchā divo duhitaḥ
Attributes of the deity
- Heaven-born Daughter (divo duhitā)
- Radiant, far-shining beams (bhānu)
- Dispeller of darkness
- Awakener of human habitations
- Giver of treasures to the worshipper
- Renewer of ancient order (pratnavat)
- Bestower of fame (śravas) and heroic wealth (suvīra rayi)
Also by this seer
- Large portions of Rig Veda Mandala 6 are attributed to the Bharadvāja family of seers (including hymns to Agni, Indra, the Aśvins, and Uṣas).
- Bharadvāja is remembered in later Vedic-Itihāsa traditions as a paradigmatic ṛṣi and teacher; the name anchors a major gotra line in śrauta-smārta usage.
The rite, step by step
- Purification and orientation to the east before sunrise.
- Kindling or tending the household/altar fire (where applicable) and preparing the mind for morning worship.
- Recite the Uṣas verses as she becomes visible (or at first light), beginning with praise of her rise and her dispelling of darkness.
- State the petition: ‘ratna’ (treasure), ‘suvīra rayi’ (heroic wealth), and ‘urugāya śravas’ (widely-sung fame).
- Conclude with a final salutation and resolve to act in the day’s duties under her ‘ancient’ (pratna) guidance.
Offerings
- Ghee (ājya) into Agni (if fire is maintained)
- Simple oblations appropriate to morning rites (e.g., milk, soma substitute in later practice)
- Mental offering of praise (stuti) and truthful speech
Frequently Asked Questions
The hymn is addressed to Uṣas, the Dawn, praised as the ‘Daughter of Heaven’ who rises with light and awakens the world.
It asks for ‘ratna’ (treasure), ‘suvīra rayi’ (wealth with heroic strength/offspring), and ‘śravas’ (lasting, widely sung fame).
It is most fitting at dawn (uṣaḥ-kāla), especially in morning worship or before beginning the day’s work, to invoke clarity, auspiciousness, and prosperity.
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