Sukta 76
Sukta 7.76
Vasiṣṭha
Uṣas with Savitṛ/Viśvānara in supportive roles (composite dawn-cosmic illumination frame)
Triṣṭubh (likely)
This hymn of Vasiṣṭha praises Uṣas (Dawn) as the revealer of the world, the “Eye” born by divine intention, who lifts up the immortal, universal light. Savitṛ and Viśvānara stand in support as cosmic illuminators, framing dawn not only as a daily event but as the manifestation of Ṛta (truth-order) and awakened vision. The poets recall the ancient seers and Fathers who discovered the hidden light and “brought Dawn to birth” through true mantras, and they end by asking for wealth, good fame, and lasting protection.
Mantras
Mantra 1
उदु ज्योतिरमृतं विश्वजन्यं विश्वानरः सविता देवो अश्रेत् । क्रत्वा देवानामजनिष्ट चक्षुराविरकर्भुवनं विश्वमुषाः ॥
अब वो अमर रोशनी उठी है जो सबके लिए है। सविता भगवान ने यह रोशनी फैला दी। भगवान की मर्ज़ी से आँख पैदा हुई है। उषा ने पूरा दुनिया साफ़ करके दिखला दिया है।
Mantra 2
प्र मे पन्था देवयाना अदृश्रन्नमर्धन्तो वसुभिरिष्कृतासः । अभूदु केतुरुषसः पुरस्तात्प्रतीच्यागादधि हर्म्येभ्यः ॥
भगवान के रास्ते मुझे दिखने लगेंगे। वो मज़बूत हैं और अच्छे से बने हैं। उषा का निशान आगे आ गया है। वो हमारे घर की तरफ आ रही है।
Mantra 3
तानीदहानि बहुलान्यासन्या प्राचीनमुदिता सूर्यस्य । यतः परि जार इवाचरन्त्युषो ददृक्षे न पुनर्यतीव ॥
कई दिनों तक वो पूरब में सूरज के साथ उठी थी। उषा वहाँ से ऐसे चलती है जैसे कोई प्यार करने वाला ढूंढता है। वो बार-बार दिखाई देती है, लेकिन कभी वैसी वापस नहीं आती जैसे पहले थी।
Mantra 4
त इद्देवानां सधमाद आसन्नृतावानः कवयः पूर्व्यासः । गूळ्हं ज्योतिः पितरो अन्वविन्दन्त्सत्यमन्त्रा अजनयन्नुषासम् ॥
पुराने रिशि लोग थे जो देवताओं के साथ मिलकर खुश रहते थे। इन लोगों ने धरम को पकड़ा रखा था। उन्होंने छुपा हुआ रोशनी ढूँढ ली। सच्चे मंत्रों से उन्होंने सवेरा पैदा कर दिया।
Mantra 5
समान ऊर्वे अधि संगतासः सं जानते न यतन्ते मिथस्ते । ते देवानां न मिनन्ति व्रतान्यमर्धन्तो वसुभिर्यादमानाः ॥
सब लोग एक ही जगह पर इकट्ठे हो गए। वो सब एक मन से जानते हैं और आपस में लड़ते नहीं हैं। देवताओं के नियम तोड़ते नहीं हैं। वो मज़बूत हो के आगे बढ़ते हैं और धन ले के आते हैं।
Mantra 6
प्रति त्वा स्तोमैरीळते वसिष्ठा उषर्बुधः सुभगे तुष्टुवांसः । गवां नेत्री वाजपत्नी न उच्छोषः सुजाते प्रथमा जरस्व ॥
वशिष्ठ रिशि लोग सवेरे उठते हैं और तुम्हे स्तुति के गीत गाते हैं। तुम रोशनी का मार्ग दिखाने वाली हो और शक्ति की साथी हो। अच्छी तरह पैदा हुई सवेरा की देवी, हमारे लिए उठ और सबसे पहले दिख जा।
Mantra 7
एषा नेत्री राधसः सूनृतानामुषा उच्छन्ती रिभ्यते वसिष्ठैः । दीर्घश्रुतं रयिमस्मे दधाना यूयं पात स्वस्तिभिः सदा नः ॥
यह सवेरा धन और सच्ची बातें लाने वाली है। यह उठती है और वशिष्ठ रिशि लोग इसकी स्तुति करते हैं। यह हमारे लिए बड़ी बड़ाई वाला धन लाती है। तुम हमेशा हमारी अच्छे से रक्षा करो।
Inside Sukta 76
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
The hymn opens with the rising of the “immortal, universal light,” extended by Savitṛ/Viśvānara, as Dawn makes the entire world manifest.
- Development
It moves from cosmic description to sacred history: the ancient ṛtāvāns and Pitṛs discover the hidden light and, with true mantras, generate the dawn—linking revelation to inspired speech.
- Climax
The key revelation is that light and vision (‘the Eye’) are born by divine will and are accessed through truth-mantra, making dawn a perpetual epiphany of Ṛta.
- Where it settles
It ends in direct praise by the Vasiṣṭhas and a practical benediction: may Dawn bring wealth and enduring fame and protect the worshippers with harmonies of well-being.
The deity: Uṣas
- In the VedaUṣas is the radiant Dawn who rises and makes all beings and worlds visible; she is praised as a leader (netrī) of riches and of sūnṛtā (true, luminous speech). Savitṛ extends the light and impels life into motion, while Viśvānara (universal fire) is invoked as the all-pervading luminous principle that supports the dawn’s unveiling.
- Cosmic functionTo disclose the worlds (bhuvana), set beings into right activity, and renew the rhythm of Ṛta by re-establishing visibility, orientation, and the daily opening of life.
- Inner significanceThe awakening of consciousness—clarity after obscurity—where inner light rises, truth becomes speakable, and perception becomes ‘the Eye’ that sees rightly; a movement from hidden knowledge to manifest understanding.
The seer
- VasiṣṭhaVasiṣṭha gotra (Vasiṣṭhas) · One of the foremost ṛṣis of the Rig Veda, celebrated as a master of mantra-vision (kavi), closely associated with royal priesthood and with hymns that articulate Ṛta, divine order, and luminous revelation.
Famous verses
ud u jyotir amṛtaṃ viśvajanyam
gūḻhaṃ jyotiḥ... ajanayann uṣāsam
एषा नेत्री राधसः सूनृतानामुषा उच्छन्ती रिभ्यते वसिष्ठैः । दीर्घश्रुतं रयिमस्मे दधाना यूयं पात स्वस्तिभिः सदा नः ॥Attributes of the deity
- Revealer of hidden light
- Bringer of vision (cakṣus) and awakening
- Leader of prosperity and truthful speech (sūnṛtā)
- Aligned with Ṛta and ancient seer-knowledge
- Protective and beneficent, granting well-being (svasti)
Also by this seer
- Large portions of Rig Veda Maṇḍala 7 (Vasiṣṭha Maṇḍala)
- Hymns to Agni, Indra, Varuṇa-Mitra, and Uṣas emphasizing Ṛta and divine guardianship
- Tradition associates Vasiṣṭha with exemplary brahminical authority and inspired speech (sūnṛtā)
The rite, step by step
- Purification and facing east at first light
- Kindling/attending the household fire (or mentally invoking Viśvānara as inner fire)
- Recite the sukta, dwelling on the ‘immortal light’ and the birth of the ‘Eye’
- Offer oblations while requesting revelation of what is hidden and protection through Ṛta
- Conclude with a prayer for svasti (well-being), wealth, and far-reaching renown
Offerings
- Ghee (ājya) into fire
- Milk or soma substitute in later practice (where appropriate)
- Water libation and simple food offerings as per household custom
Frequently Asked Questions
The main deity is Uṣas (Dawn). Savitṛ and Viśvānara appear in supportive roles as cosmic powers that extend and uphold the light Dawn reveals.
The “hidden light” is the radiance of truth and knowledge concealed by darkness or ignorance. The “Eye” is awakened vision—right perception—said to be born by divine will when dawn (illumination) arises.
It can be recited at dawn as a prayer for clarity, right direction, and auspiciousness. Many use it before morning worship or meditation to invoke inner awakening and well-being (svasti).
Ask anything about Sukta 76 of the Rig Veda
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