Sukta 78
Sukta 7.78
Vasiṣṭha (Mandala 7 default attribution for these Uṣas hymns)
Triṣṭubh (probable)
This short Uṣas hymn celebrates the first visible signs of Dawn as her radiant forms spread and the world turns again toward light. It praises the Dawns for bringing forth Sūrya, rekindling Agni and yajña, and driving away the unwelcome darkness. The poet prays that the shining Dawns grant desirable boons, untie confusions, and protect the singers with lasting well-being.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
प्रति केतवः प्रथमा अदृश्रन्नूर्ध्वा अस्या अञ्जयो वि श्रयन्ते । उषो अर्वाचा बृहता रथेन ज्योतिष्मता वाममस्मभ्यं वक्षि ॥
सुबह होने के पहले ही निशानियाँ दिखने लगती हैं। उषा की चमक फैलने लगती है। उषा, हमारे पास आओ। तुम्हारा बड़ा रथ है जो रोशनी से भरा है। हमारे लिए वो लाओ जो हमें अच्छा लगे और आगे बढ़ाए।
Mantra 2
प्रति षीमग्निर्जरते समिद्धः प्रति विप्रासो मतिभिर्गृणन्तः । उषा याति ज्योतिषा बाधमाना विश्वा तमांसि दुरिताप देवी ॥
अग्नि जलता है और उठता है। रिशि लोग अपने दिल से गाते हैं। उषा रोशनी लेकर आगे बढ़ती है। अंधेरा पीछे हट जाता है। वो देवी बुरी चीज़ें जला देती है।
Mantra 3
एता उ त्याः प्रत्यदृश्रन्पुरस्ताज्ज्योतिर्यच्छन्तीरुषसो विभातीः । अजीजनन्त्सूर्यं यज्ञमग्निमपाचीनं तमो अगादजुष्टम् ॥
ये सुबह की रोशनियाँ सामने आ गई हैं। उन्होंने सूर्य को जन्मा है। यज्ञ और अग्नि भी शुरू हुए। अंधेरा अब नहीं दिखता, वो चला गया।
Mantra 4
अचेति दिवो दुहिता मघोनी विश्वे पश्यन्त्युषसं विभातीम् । आस्थाद्रथं स्वधया युज्यमानमा यमश्वासः सुयुजो वहन्ति ॥
आसमान की बेटी उषा जाग उठी है। सब लोग चमकती हुई सुबह को देख रहे हैं। उसने अपना रथ लिया है। अपनी शक्ति से उस्से जोड़ा है। उसके घोड़े उसे आगे ले जा रहे हैं।
Mantra 5
प्रति त्वाद्य सुमनसो बुधन्तास्माकासो मघवानो वयं च । तिल्विलायध्वमुषसो विभातीर्यूयं पात स्वस्तिभिः सदा नः ॥
आज हम तुम्हारे लिए अच्छे दिल से जाग रहे हैं। हम लोग भी इसमें हैं जो अच्छा चाहते हैं। चमकती सुबहो, उलझन हटा दो। हमेशा हमारा भला करो।
Inside Sukta 78
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
The hymn opens with the first herald-signs of Dawn becoming visible as her raised splendors spread across the sky.
- Development
Dawn is invited to come near on her luminous chariot and to bring desirable gifts; the Dawns are then praised as bearers of light who enable the reappearance of the Sun, the sacrifice, and Agni.
- Climax
The revelation that the Dawns ‘bring to birth’ Sūrya, yajña, and Agni, while the unwelcome darkness turns away—light as the condition for sacred order and right action.
- Where it settles
The singers awaken with a consenting, hopeful mind and ask the shining Dawns to break confusions and guard them always with svasti (well-being).
The deity: Uṣas
- In the VedaShe reveals the world, sets beings in motion, and is praised as the power by which darkness retreats and light is offered forth.
- Cosmic functionShe inaugurates the daily renewal of cosmic order: opening the paths, releasing light, and enabling the appearance of Sūrya, the kindling of Agni, and the continuation of yajña.
- Inner significanceThe awakening of consciousness: clarity, right orientation, and the dispersal of inner tamas (inertia/confusion). Uṣas symbolizes the mind’s first illumination that makes sacrifice (disciplined action) and aspiration possible.
The seer
- VasiṣṭhaVasiṣṭha-gotra (Maitrāvaruṇa lineage) · One of the most eminent ṛṣis of the Rig Veda, renowned for the Vasiṣṭha hymns of Mandala 7, for profound devotional-poetic vision, and for shaping royal-sacrificial ideology around ṛta (cosmic order).
Famous verses
प्रति केतवः प्रथमा अदृश्रन्नूर्ध्वा अस्या अञ्जयो वि श्रयन्ते । उषो अर्वाचा बृहता रथेन ज्योतिष्मता वाममस्मभ्यं वक्षि ॥एता उ त्याः प्रत्यदृश्रन्पुरस्ताज्ज्योतिर्यच्छन्तीरुषसो विभातीः । अजीजनन्त्सूर्यं यज्ञमग्निमपाचीनं तमो अगादजुष्टम् ॥स्वस्तिभिः सदा नःAttributes of the deity
- Radiant and all-revealing
- Path-opener and awakener
- Chariot-borne, wide-moving, light-filled
- Dispeller of darkness and obstruction
- Giver of auspiciousness (svasti) and desirable boons (vāmam)
Also by this seer
- Primary attribution of Rig Veda Mandala 7 (many hymns to Agni, Indra, Varuṇa-Mitra, and others)
- Numerous Dawn (Uṣas) hymns within Mandala 7
- Vedic tradition also remembers Vasiṣṭha as a paradigmatic brahmarṣi and royal purohita figure in later Itihāsa-Purāṇa memory
The rite, step by step
- Perform dawn purification (ācamanā/śauca) and face east as light appears
- Kindle or re-awaken the household/altar fire (Agni) and prepare the place of offering
- Recite the Uṣas verses to invite Dawn’s approach ‘on the wide chariot full of light’
- Make simple offerings while praying for vāmam (desired boons), clarity, and protection (svasti)
- Conclude with a request that confusions/entanglements be broken and that well-being remain
Offerings
- Ghee (ājya) into Agni
- Morning oblations appropriate to the householder rite
- Simple water/flowers as ancillary offerings where fire is not maintained
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a hymn to Uṣas (Dawn), praising her first appearance, her spreading radiance, and her power to restore light and order each day. It asks her to bring desirable boons and protect the worshippers with well-being.
In Vedic thought, dawn’s light makes all sacred and worldly activity possible: the Sun becomes manifest, the fire can be kindled and seen, and the sacrifice can proceed. So Uṣas is praised as the enabling power behind these renewals.
It asks Dawn to disperse inner and outer obstacles—mental darkness, uncertainty, and tangled difficulties—so the day can begin with clarity, right direction, and lasting auspiciousness (svasti).
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