Sukta 40
Sukta 7.40
Vasiṣṭha (traditional attribution for Mandala 7 hymns of this group)
Savitṛ (primary); also the ‘vidathya śruṣṭi’ as supporting power of receptivity
Triṣṭubh (probable)
This hymn opens by invoking vidathyā śruṣṭi—the receptive “listening” power of the sacred assembly—so that the poet’s stoma may be rightly received and empowered. Savitṛ is praised as the impeller who sets giving and luminous bounty in motion, while the hymn broadens into an ṛta-centered appeal to Varuṇa, Mitra, Aryaman, the Waters, and Aditi to carry the worshippers beyond distress. It concludes with a collective invocation of Heaven and Earth and the ṛtāvān gods to grant an unsurpassed hymn of light and continuous protection through well-being.
Mantras
Mantra 1
ओ श्रुष्टिर्विदथ्या समेतु प्रति स्तोमं दधीमहि तुराणाम् । यदद्य देवः सविता सुवाति स्यामास्य रत्निनो विभागे ॥
हे सब, सुनने की शक्ति यहाँ आ जाए और सब मिल जाएँ। हम अपना गाना आगे रख देते हैं ताकि तेज़ी से आने वाली शक्तियाँ सुन लें। आज सविता देवता जो देता है वो चला रहा है। हम भी उसके धन में हिस्सा पा लें।
Mantra 2
मित्रस्तन्नो वरुणो रोदसी च द्युभक्तमिन्द्रो अर्यमा ददातु । दिदेष्टु देव्यदिती रेक्णो वायुश्च यन्नियुवैते भगश्च ॥
मित्र और वरुण दोनों दुनिया के साथ मिलकर हमे वो हिस्सा दे जो आसमान बाँट के रखता है। इंद्र और अर्यमन भी यह दें। देवी अदिति हमे सही दिखाए कि असली दौलत क्या है। वायु और भग भी साथ दें, जो हमारे आगे बढ़ने में काम आए।
Mantra 3
सेदुग्रो अस्तु मरुतः स शुष्मी यं मर्त्यं पृषदश्वा अवाथ । उतेमग्निः सरस्वती जुनन्ति न तस्य रायः पर्येतास्ति ॥
मरुत, जिस इंसान को तुम बचा लेते हो, वो बहुत ताकतवाला बन जाता है। तुम्हारी मदद से वो दुनिया में दमदार हो जाता है। अग्नि और सरस्वती भी उसको आगे बढ़ाते रहते हैं। उसके पास जो कुछ है, उसकी कोई हद नहीं होती, वो इतना कुछ पा लेता है कि उसका कोई अंत नहीं।
Mantra 4
अयं हि नेता वरुण ऋतस्य मित्रो राजानो अर्यमापो धुः । सुहवा देव्यदितिरनर्वा ते नो अंहो अति पर्षन्नरिष्टान् ॥
वरुण सच का नेताजी है, वो सच्चे रास्ते का मालिक है। मित्र और अर्यमन राजा जैसे हैं, और पानी सब का बोझ उठाता है। देवी अदिति जिसको बुलाया जाता है वो कभी हारती नहीं। यह सब शक्तियाँ हमे तकलीफ से पार ले जाएँ, हम बिना किसी नुकसान के।
Mantra 5
अस्य देवस्य मीळ्हुषो वया विष्णोरेषस्य प्रभृथे हविर्भिः । विदे हि रुद्रो रुद्रियं महित्वं यासिष्टं वर्तिरश्विनाविरावत् ॥
हम भगवान विष्णु के लिए हवन सामग्री ले कर आगे बढ़ते हैं, वो जो हमारे लिए आगे कदम बढ़ाता है। रुद्र को पता है कि उसकी ताकत कितनी बड़ी है। अश्विनी कुमार सबसे अच्छे रास्ते से आएँ, वो हमे खुशाली और सही खाना दोनों दे।
Mantra 6
मात्र पूषन्नाघृण इरस्यो वरूत्री यद्रातिषाचश्च रासन् । मयोभुवो नो अर्वन्तो नि पान्तु वृष्टिं परिज्मा वातो ददातु ॥
पूषन देव, तुम हमे यहाँ मत छोड़ो। जो शक्तियाँ हमारे साथ चलती हैं, वो हमे दे। जो घोड़े खुशी लाते हैं, वो हमे बचा के रखें। हवा बारिश लाए, ताकि ज़िन्दगी में ताज़ा ताकत आए।
Mantra 7
नू रोदसी अभिष्टुते वसिष्ठैॠतावानो वरुणो मित्रो अग्निः । यच्छन्तु चन्द्रा उपमं नो अर्कं यूयं पात स्वस्तिभिः सदा नः ॥
अब जब वसिष्ठ ऋषि धरम की बात उठाते हैं, तब वरुण, मित्र और अग्नि साथ में आ जाते हैं। वरुण सच का पक्का करता है, मित्र सब को मिला के रखता है, और अग्नि भगवान की इच्छा है। तेज देवता लोग हमें ऐसा गाना दें जो रोशनी से भरा हो। और तुम देव लोग, हमेशा हमारा ख्याल रखो और हमें सुरक्षित रखो।
Inside Sukta 40
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
A call for vidathyā śruṣṭi—the assembly’s listening/receptivity—to gather, so the hymn may be rightly set forth to the swift powers.
- Development
Savitṛ is praised as the divine impeller who activates giving and grants a share in luminous treasures; the focus widens to the ṛta-governance of the Ādityas and the sustaining Waters.
- Climax
The hymn’s protective theology peaks in the appeal to Varuṇa (leader of ṛta) with Mitra, Aryaman, the Waters, and Aditi to carry the worshippers beyond distress, uninjured.
- Where it settles
Heaven and Earth are invoked with Varuṇa–Mitra–Agni; the luminous powers are asked to bestow a supreme hymn of light, and the gods are entreated to guard the people always with svasti (well-being).
The deity: Savitṛ, with vidathyā śruṣṭi and allied ṛta-deities
- In the VedaSavitṛ is the divine impeller (prasavitṛ) who “sets in motion” (suvāti) all right activity—awakening, inspiring, and distributing radiant gifts; he is invoked to propel the hymn itself and the sacrificer’s share in the rátna (treasures). Vidathyā śruṣṭi is the sacral capacity of attentive hearing within the vidatha (ritual assembly), ensuring the mantra is received, borne, and made effective.
- Cosmic functionTo initiate and regulate movement in cosmos and rite—stirring beings to action, ordering the day’s rhythms, and enabling the just apportionment of light and wealth under ṛta; the supporting powers uphold cosmic order and ferry worshippers across peril.
- Inner significanceSavitṛ represents the awakened will and inspired intelligence that impels right effort; śruṣṭi signifies inner receptivity—quiet, accurate listening—without which mantra and insight cannot take root. Together they model the Vedic psychology of realization: receptivity (hearing) + impulsion (right activation) leading to protection and luminous understanding.
The seer
- VasiṣṭhaVasiṣṭha gotra (Āṅgirasa-related priestly lineage in later tradition); chief seer of the Vasiṣṭha family poets of Mandala 7 · Pre-eminent Brahmarṣi and royal purohita, famed for hymns of ṛta, Varuṇa, and the moral-spiritual order; central figure in the Vasiṣṭha–Viśvāmitra lore and in articulating the theology of truth and right governance
Famous verses
yad adya devaḥ savitā suvāti
varuṇa ṛtasya netā
pāta svastibhiḥ sadā naḥ
Attributes of the deity
- Impeller and inspirer (prasavitṛ)
- Distributor of rátna/treasures, especially luminous wealth
- Linked with dawn-activation and right timing
- Works through ṛta (truth-order) and supports safe passage beyond distress
- Requires/awakens śruṣṭi: attentive receptivity in the assembly
- Allied with Ādityas (Varuṇa, Mitra, Aryaman) and Aditi’s boundless protection
Also by this seer
- Most of Rig Veda Mandala 7 (Vasiṣṭha family hymns)
- Foundational Varuṇa hymns emphasizing ṛta and ethical self-scrutiny (notably within Mandala 7)
- Later Vedic-Itihāsa reception as a paradigmatic seer and priestly counselor
The rite, step by step
- Prepare the ritual space and kindled fire (Agni) with mental quieting to establish śruṣṭi (receptive attention).
- Invite the vidatha/assembly’s listening-power (vidathyā śruṣṭi) and place the stoma (hymn) “in front” as the leading offering of speech.
- Invoke Savitṛ as the impeller to set the rite and giving in motion, requesting participation in the distribution of his treasures.
- Extend the appeal through ṛta: acknowledge Varuṇa as leader of truth, with Mitra and Aryaman, the Waters’ sustaining support, and Aditi’s carrying protection.
- Conclude with a collective call to Heaven and Earth and the ṛtāvān powers (Varuṇa–Mitra–Agni) for an unsurpassed hymn of light and ongoing svasti (well-being).
Offerings
- Ghee (ājya) into Agni
- Soma (where applicable in soma-yajña context)
- Oblation of speech: stoma/arka (hymn) as the primary offering
- Water libations or ritual use of waters (āpaḥ) as supportive purity-offering
Frequently Asked Questions
Savitṛ is the primary deity—the divine impeller who sets right action, inspiration, and the giving of luminous treasures in motion. The hymn also invokes ṛta-deities like Varuṇa, Mitra, Aryaman, the Waters, and Aditi for protection.
It refers to the receptive “listening power” belonging to the vidatha (sacred assembly). The hymn asks that this attentive receptivity gather so the prayer is properly received and becomes effective.
Begin with receptivity and clear attention, then invoke Savitṛ to energize right effort and timing. Finally, rely on ṛta—truth and order—for protection, asking the gods to carry you beyond distress and keep you in svasti (well-being).
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