Sukta 44
Sukta 7.44
Vasiṣṭha (probable; Book 7 attribution)
Jagatī or Tr̥ṣṭubh-mix (probable; long enumerative cadence suggests Jagatī tendencies)
This brief Vasiṣṭha hymn opens with a wide, deliberate roll-call of assisting divine powers, headed by Dadhikrāvan, to establish protection, clarity, and right movement in life and rite. It links awakening at dawn and the kindling of Agni with the removal of duritā (harmful crossings) and the gaining of a safe, ṛta-aligned path. The hymn’s purpose is practical and spiritual: to secure auspicious passage, right order, and attentive divine hearing for the sacrificer.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
दधिक्रां वः प्रथममश्विनोषसमग्निं समिद्धं भगमूतये हुवे । इन्द्रं विष्णुं पूषणं ब्रह्मणस्पतिमादित्यान्द्यावापृथिवी अपः स्वः ॥
पहले मैं दधिक्रवण का नाम लेता हूँ, अश्विन देवताओं का, और सुबह के सूरज का। फिर अग्नि को बुलाता हूँ जो जल रहा है, भग को मदद के लिए। इंद्र और विष्णु, पूषण और ब्रह्मा, सूर्य देवता, आसमान और धरती, पानी और रोशनी की दुनिया, सब हमारे अंदर आओ, मदद के लिए।
Mantra 2
दधिक्रामु नमसा बोधयन्त उदीराणा यज्ञमुपप्रयन्तः । इळां देवीं बर्हिषि सादयन्तोऽश्विना विप्रा सुहवा हुवेम ॥
हम दधिक्रवन को नमस्ते के साथ जगाते हैं। यज्ञ के लिए तैयार हो के आगे बढ़ते हैं। देवी इला को बैठाते हैं आसने पर। अश्विन देवताओं को पुकारते हैं अच्छे से, वो जल्दी आते हैं।
Mantra 3
दधिक्रावाणं बुबुधानो अग्निमुप ब्रुव उषसं सूर्यं गाम् । ब्रध्नं माँश्चतोर्वरुणस्य बभ्रुं ते विश्वास्मद्दुरिता यावयन्तु ॥
दधिक्रवन के लिए जाग के मैं अग्नि के पास बोलता हूँ। उषा और सूर्य के पास जाता हूँ। वरुण की ताकत को पुकारता हूँ। यह सब हमसे बुरी बातें और गलत रास्ते दूर कर दें।
Mantra 4
दधिक्रावा प्रथमो वाज्यर्वाग्रे रथानां भवति प्रजानन् । संविदान उषसा सूर्येणादित्येभिर्वसुभिरङ्गिरोभिः ॥
दधिक्रवन सबसे पहले आता है, तेज़ दौड़ने वाला है। रथों में आगे रहता है, रास्ता जानता है। उषा और सूर्य के साथ चलता है। आदित्य और वसु और अंगिरा, यह सब रोशनी की ताकतें हैं जो आगे ले जाती हैं।
Mantra 5
आ नो दधिक्राः पथ्यामनक्त्वृतस्य पन्थामन्वेतवा उ । शृणोतु नो दैव्यं शर्धो अग्निः शृण्वन्तु विश्वे महिषा अमूराः ॥
दधिक्रवन हमारे लिए सही रास्ता बना दे। हम उस सही रास्ते पर चल सकें। अग्नि देवता हमारी सुन ले। और जो बड़ी ताकतें हैं, भटकने वाली नही, वो भी हमारे अंदर सुन लें।
Inside Sukta 44
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
A comprehensive summons of aid: Dadhikrāvan first, then the key deities of dawn, fire, fortune, protection, and cosmic order.
- Development
The hymn moves from naming powers to activating them—awakening, speaking near to Agni, and aligning with the dawn-sun radiance that dispels inner and outer obstacles.
- Climax
The prayer that all duritā be driven away and that the traveller/sacrificer be set upon the ṛtasya panthāḥ—right, true passage.
- Where it settles
A closing request for divine hearing: Agni as the ‘divine host’ listens, and all mighty, unbewildered powers attend, confirming protection and right-going.
The deity: Dadhikrāvan
- In the VedaThe catalog-like invocation treats the gods as coordinated helpers of one rite and one right course.
- Cosmic functionTo set movement on the correct track: awakening the sacrifice, opening the day, kindling fire, securing fortune, guarding the cosmic law, and ensuring safe passage through spaces, waters, and the luminous realm (svaḥ).
- Inner significanceThe ‘right path’ (ṛtasya panthāḥ) becomes an inner discipline: aligned intention, clear perception at dawn, and steady will (Agni) that removes distortions and leads action without confusion.
The seer
- VasiṣṭhaVasiṣṭha-gotra (Book 7 family of seers) · Foremost seer of Mandala 7 and a paradigmatic ṛṣi of ṛta, royal priesthood, and hymn-craft; closely associated with the Bharata/Tr̥tsu tradition and the classic Vasiṣṭha-style Agni and Varuṇa hymns.
Famous verses
दधिक्रां वः प्रथममश्विनोषसमग्निं समिद्धं भगमूतये हुवे । इन्द्रं विष्णुं पूषणं ब्रह्मणस्पतिमादित्यान्द्यावापृथिवी अपः स्वः ॥दधिक्रावाणं बुबुधानो अग्निमुप ब्रुव उषसं सूर्यं गाम् । ब्रध्नं माँश्चतोर्वरुणस्य बभ्रुं ते विश्वास्मद्दुरिता यावयन्तु ॥ṛtasya panthām
Attributes of the deity
- Auspicious swiftness and forward drive (Dadhikrāvan)
- Dawn-awakening and illumination (Uṣas, Sūrya)
- Ritual ignition and attentive hearing (Agni)
- Fortune and allotment (Bhaga)
- Protection and victory-force (Indra)
- Right stride and ordered expansion (Viṣṇu)
- Guidance on roads and journeys (Pūṣan)
- Prayer-power and sacred formulation (Brahmaṇaspati)
- Law and guardianship of ṛta (Ādityas/Varuṇa)
- Cosmic support: Heaven–Earth, Waters, Svaḥ
Also by this seer
- Rigveda Mandala 7 (majority of hymns attributed to the Vasiṣṭha family)
- Noted RV themes: Agni as household/ritual leader; Varuṇa and the moral-cosmic law (ṛta)
- Later tradition associates Vasiṣṭha with key roles in Itihāsa-Purāṇa lineages (as a brahmarṣi and royal preceptor)
The rite, step by step
- Begin at dawn with mental ‘awakening’ (bubudhānaḥ), facing the light; establish intention to follow ṛta.
- Kindle or honor the household fire (Agni samiddha) and recite the opening roll-call of deities as helpers.
- Invoke the light-powers (Uṣas, Sūrya, ‘go’/ray, bradhna) for clarity and the removal of duritā (harmful passages).
- Conclude by requesting Dadhikrāvan to ‘anoint’ the fit path (pathyām anaktu) and asking Agni and the Viśve Devāḥ to hear and confirm the rite.
- Optionally seal with a silent resolve (saṅkalpa) to act in accordance with ṛta throughout the day.
Offerings
- Ghee (ājya) into Agni
- Simple oblations appropriate to dawn rites (milk/curds where customary)
- Water libation or respectful sprinkling (symbolic alignment with ‘āpah’)
- Verbal offering: well-formed praise (stoma) to Brahmaṇaspati and the divine host
Frequently Asked Questions
Dadhikrāvan is an auspicious, swift power often pictured like a divine horse. In this hymn he is invoked first to give momentum, protection, and a safe, successful course for the rite and for life’s journeys.
The hymn treats the sacrifice and the day’s beginning as a coordinated act needing multiple supports: light (Uṣas, Sūrya), fire and will (Agni), fortune (Bhaga), protection (Indra), guidance (Pūṣan), sacred speech (Brahmaṇaspati), and cosmic order (Ādityas).
It means moving in harmony with the true order—right timing, right action, and clear intention. Practically, it is a prayer for safe passage and obstacle-removal; inwardly, it is a request for disciplined, undeluded conduct.
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