Sukta 55
Sukta 7.55
Vasiṣṭha
Anuṣṭubh-like short meter (RV 7.55 shows shorter verses; exact classification varies by recension)
RV 7.55 is a domestic peace-hymn to Vāstoṣpati, the guardian lord of the dwelling, invoked to enter the home in all its “forms” and remove affliction. It extends from protection and well-being to a wide pacification—of household members, kin, and the surrounding community—ending in a charm-like quieting that lulls the household sphere into restful calm.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
अमीवहा वास्तोष्पते विश्वा रूपाण्याविशन् । सखा सुशेव एधि नः ॥
यह घरों और जगह का मालिक है। यह बीमारी और तकलीफ दूर करता है। यह हमारी ज़िन्दगी के हर रूप में है। हमारे लिए अच्छा दोस्त बन जा। हमारे अंदर बढ़ता रहे।
Mantra 2
यदर्जुन सारमेय दतः पिशङ्ग यच्छसे । वीव भ्राजन्त ऋष्टय उप स्रक्वेषु बप्सतो नि षु स्वप ॥
अर्जुन, सरमा का बेटा, तेरे दाँत पीले हैं। जब तू भागता है, तेरे मुँह से बिजली चमकती है जैसे तू भौंकता है। अब लेटा जा। अच्छे से सो जा।
Mantra 3
स्तेनं राय सारमेय तस्करं वा पुनःसर । स्तोतॄनिन्द्रस्य रायसि किमस्मान्दुच्छुनायसे नि षु स्वप ॥
सरमा के बेटा, चोर के पीछे दौड़। चोर पकड़ ले। तू इंद्र के भक्तों को परेशान करता है। फिर भी हमारा क्या बिगाड़ रहा है? अब लेटा जा। अच्छे से सो जा।
Mantra 4
त्वं सूकरस्य दर्दृहि तव दर्दर्तु सूकरः । स्तोतॄनिन्द्रस्य रायसि किमस्मान्दुच्छुनायसे नि षु स्वप ॥
तू हमारे अंदर की ताकत है। सुअर जैसी बुरी हरकत को कुचल दे। वो सुअर तेरे से टूट जाए। तू इंद्र के भक्तों को शक्ति देता है। फिर भी हमारा क्या बिगाड़ रहा है? अब शांत हो जा। सो जा।
Mantra 5
सस्तु माता सस्तु पिता सस्तु श्वा सस्तु विश्पतिः । ससन्तु सर्वे ज्ञातयः सस्त्वयमभितो जनः ॥
माँ शांत हो जाए। बाप शांत हो जाए। कुत्ता भी शांत हो जाए। घर का मालिक भी शांत हो जाए। सारे रिश्तेदार शांत हो जाएँ। आस पास के लोग भी शांत हो जाएँ।
Mantra 6
य आस्ते यश्च चरति यश्च पश्यति नो जनः । तेषां सं हन्मो अक्षाणि यथेदं हर्म्यं तथा ॥
जो लोग बैठते हैं, जो चलते फिरते हैं, जो हमारे लोगों को देखते हैं, उन सबकी नज़र बंद कर देते हैं। ताकि यह घर शांत रहे, कोई डिस्टर्ब न करे।
Mantra 7
सहस्रशृङ्गो वृषभो यः समुद्रादुदाचरत् । तेना सहस्येना वयं नि जनान्त्स्वापयामसि ॥
समुंदर से एक बड़ा बैल आया है, उसके हज़ार सींघ हैं। उसकी ताकत से हम लोगों को सुला देते हैं, शांत कर देते हैं।
Mantra 8
प्रोष्ठेशया वह्येशया नारीर्यास्तल्पशीवरीः । स्त्रियो याः पुण्यगन्धास्ताः सर्वाः स्वापयामसि ॥
जिन औरतों ने बिस्तर बिछा के सोचना है, जिन्हें अच्छी खुशबू आती है, उन सबको हम नींद में ले आते हैं। सब शांत हो जाएँ।
Inside Sukta 55
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
A direct invocation to Vāstoṣpati as affliction-slayer and benevolent friend who is asked to enter and enliven the dwelling.
- Development
The hymn broadens from divine protection of the house to a social pacification—harmonizing parents, guardians, the householder, kin, and the surrounding community.
- Climax
The comprehensive ‘settling’ formula (śānti-liturgy tone) where every relational node of the household is named and pacified, implying total protection of the domestic sphere.
- Where it settles
A closing quieting that turns toward rest and sleep, sealing the home in calm repose and orderly stillness.
The deity: Vāstoṣpati
- Cosmic functionTo stabilize and sanctify inhabited space—making the dwelling a secure, auspicious microcosm where human life, kinship, and ritual can flourish without disturbance.
- Inner significanceThe principle of inner ‘abiding’—a settled, protected mind and heart; the capacity to make one’s inner home (habitation of prāṇa and thought) free from anxiety, conflict, and disorder.
The seer
- VasiṣṭhaVasiṣṭha gotra (Saptarṣi tradition; associated with the Vasiṣṭhas of Maṇḍala 7) · One of the foremost Ṛgvedic seers and a paradigmatic brahmarṣi; celebrated as a priestly authority whose hymns emphasize right order (ṛta), protection, and the prosperity of the community and household.
Famous verses
amīvahā vāstoṣpate
sastu mātā sastu pitā
प्रोष्ठेशया वह्येशया नारीर्यास्तल्पशीवरीः । स्त्रियो याः पुण्यगन्धास्ताः सर्वाः स्वापयामसि ॥Attributes of the deity
- Guardian of the house and threshold
- Affliction-dispeller (amīvahā)
- Auspicious friend and benefactor (suśeva sakhā)
- Pervasive presence within the dwelling (entering all forms)
- Pacifier of social and domestic tensions
- Protector of sleep, rest, and household quiet
Also by this seer
- Primary seer of much of Ṛgveda Maṇḍala 7 (Vasiṣṭha family hymns)
- Hymns to Agni, Indra, Varuṇa–Mitra and royal protection themes within Book 7
- Later Vedic-Itihāsa tradition remembers Vasiṣṭha as a major guru of kings and a key Saptarṣi figure
The rite, step by step
- Cleanse and prepare the dwelling space (sweeping, sprinkling water; quieting the area).
- Establish the domestic fire (if maintained) or light a lamp; face inward toward the home-space.
- Invoke Vāstoṣpati with RV 7.55.1, requesting entry, friendship, and removal of affliction.
- Recite pacification verses for household members and the surrounding people (e.g., RV 7.55.5) as a spoken ‘settling’ of relationships.
- Conclude with quieting/sleep-charm style recitation (e.g., RV 7.55.8) to seal peace and rest in the home.
- Offer final oblation and sit briefly in silence, mentally dedicating the home to harmony (śānti) and protection.
Offerings
- Ghee (ājya) into the fire (if present)
- Milk/curds or a simple food offering placed respectfully in the home space
- Fragrant incense/resin or aromatic herbs (gandha) as a sign of auspiciousness
- Water for sprinkling (prokṣaṇa)
Frequently Asked Questions
Vāstoṣpati is the “lord of the dwelling,” a protective power invited to inhabit the home, remove troubles, and keep the household harmonious and secure.
It is used for house-peace (śānti), protection of the living space, settling family tensions, and creating a calm atmosphere—often recited at home entry, after disturbances, or in the evening.
Because the Vedic view treats the home as part of a wider social field; peace in the dwelling depends on harmony among relatives, guardians, and the community around it.
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