Rig Veda 7.81.2: Mandala 7, Sukta 81, Mantra 2
Sukta 7.81
- Rishi
- Vasiṣṭha
- Devata
- Uṣas
- Chandas
- Gāyatrī
- Rasa
- Shanta (peace) and Adbhuta (wonder)
उदुस्रियाः सृजते सूर्यः सचाँ उद्यन्नक्षत्रमर्चिवत् । तवेदुषो व्युषि सूर्यस्य च सं भक्तेन गमेमहि ॥
úd usríyāḥ sṛjate sū́ryaḥ sácāṃ udyán nákṣatram arcí-vat | táved uṣo vyùṣi sū́ryasya ca sáṃ bhakténa gamemahi ||
सूरज निकलता है तो रोशनी की किरणें निकलती हैं, तारे भी चमकते हैं। लेकिन जब सुबह आती है और सूरज पूरा निकलता है, तब हम साथ में आगे बढ़ते हैं। अपना हिस्सा पाके।
Word by Word
- उत्
- up, forthIndeclinableउपसर्ग (preverb)Root उत् (उपसर्ग) / ud-
- उस्रियाः
- the ruddy (dawns / dawn-maidens)Nounस्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचनRole कर्तृRoot उस्रिया- (प्रातिपदिक; ‘उषस्’/‘उसर’ से संबद्ध)
- सृजते
- sets free, lets goVerbलट् (वर्तमान), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचनRoot सृज्
- सूर्यः
- the SunNounपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole कर्तृRoot सूर्य-
- सचाँ
- accompanying, in company (with)Adjectiveपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन (सूर्यः के विशेषणरूपेण)Root सच् (सचँ) / ‘सच’ (वर्तमान कृदन्त/विशेषण)
- उद्यन्
- rising, going upAdjectiveपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन (सूर्यः के विशेषणरूपेण), वर्तमान कृदन्त (शतृ)Root उद् + या (इ) / √या ‘to go’ (उद्-उपसर्ग सहित)
- नक्षत्रम्
- the star(-host) / a starNounनपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचनRole कर्मRoot नक्षत्र-
- अर्चिवत्
- radiant, having raysAdjectiveनपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन (नक्षत्रम् के विशेषणरूपेण)Root अर्चिस्-वत् (अर्चिस् ‘किरण/ज्योति’ + -वत्)
- तव
- of you, yourPronounषष्ठी, एकवचनRole सम्बन्धRoot त्वद् (युष्मद्-प्रत्ययविकल्प; 2nd pers. pronoun)
- इत्
- indeed, justIndeclinableनिपात (emphatic)Root इत् (निपात)
- उषो
- O DawnNounस्त्रीलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचनRole सम्बोधनRoot उषस्-
- व्यूषि
- the dawning, the break of dayNounस्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन (व्यूषिः का वैदिक रूप; पदपाठे प्रायः ‘व्यूषिः’)Role कर्तृRoot वि + उष् / √उष् ‘to shine, dawn’
- सूर्यस्य
- of the SunNounपुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचनRole सम्बन्धRoot सूर्य-
- च
- andIndeclinableसमुच्चय-अव्ययRoot च
- सम्
- together, completelyIndeclinableउपसर्ग (preverb)Root सम् (उपसर्ग) / sam-
- भक्तेन
- with the allotted share / by the portionNoun/Adjectiveनपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचनRole करणRoot भक्त- (√भज् ‘to apportion, share’ से क्त)
- गमेमहि
- may we go, may we attainVerbविधिलिङ् (optative), आत्मनेपद, उत्तमपुरुष, बहुवचनRoot गम्
Sandhi Notes
- संहिता-पाठ: उदु॒स्रिया॑: = उत् + उस्रियाः (उत्-उपसर्गः; तकारस्य उकारेण लोप/संयोग-सरलीकरण)
- सूर्य॒: सचाँ॑ = सूर्यः + सचाँ (विसर्ग-लोपः/जिह्वामूलीय-प्रवृत्ति वैदिके)
- उ॒द्यन्नक्ष॑त्रम् = उद्यन् + नक्षत्रम् (न् + न- संयोग)
- अर्चि॒वत् स्वतंत्रम्
- तवेदु॑षो = तव + इत् + उषो (निपात-संधिः)
- व्युषि सूर्यस्य = व्युषिः + सूर्यस्य (विसर्ग-लोपः)
- च॒ सं = च + सम्
- भ॒क्तेन॑ गमेमहि = भक्तेन + गमेमहि (स्वर-संहिता)
The meaning
Outer meaning
Rising, the Sun releases the radiant herds (usriyāḥ) and the shining starry brilliance. But by your dawning, O Dawn, and by the Sun’s emergence, may we go forward together with our allotted share.
Inner meaning
When truth-sight (Sūrya) rises, it releases ‘usriyāḥ’—the luminous rays/cows of knowledge—and also awakens the many lights of the inner firmament (nakṣatra as sparkling points of insight). Yet the mantra credits Uṣas as the necessary condition: by Dawn’s opening and the Sun’s full manifestation, the seeker can move forward in harmony with one’s bhakta (right portion)—the destined measure of growth, the true share of light one can assimilate in the present stage.
Universal truth
Illumination unfolds in stages: first the opening (dawn), then the full truth-sun; progress is secure when we advance with the right measure—assimilating our share rather than grasping beyond capacity.
Themes
dawn-sun sequence, right share, release of rays, progress on the path
The seer
- Rishi
- Vasiṣṭha
- Lineage
- Vasiṣṭha (Maitrāvaruṇa lineage)
- Other hymns
- RV 7.81.1 (dawn spreads waters for vision), RV 7.80.2 (dawn reveals Sun, yajña, Agni)
Family tradition
Vasiṣṭha often balances aspiration with ṛta-measure: progress ‘with one’s share’—a disciplined, harmonious unfolding rather than a violent leap.
Significance
Shows the integral sequence of awakening: Uṣas opens, Sūrya releases knowledge-rays; the seeker advances by right assimilation.
The deity
- Devata
- Uṣas (with Sūrya co-present)
- Epithets
- vyuṣi (the dawning), forerunner of Sūrya
- Related deities
- Agni, Aśvins
Cosmic role
Uṣas prepares the field; Sūrya manifests full day and releases rays; together they govern revelation and right movement forward.
Inner power
Uṣas: opening and readiness; Sūrya: decisive truth-illumination; together: safe progress by measured assimilation (bhakta).
In ritual
Where it is used
Dawn-sun transition recitation; aligns the sacrificer with the day’s rightful gains (bhakta).
उदु॒स्रिया॑: सृजते॒ सूर्य॒: सचाँ॑ उ॒द्यन्नक्ष॑त्रमर्चि॒वत् । तवेदु॑षो॒ व्युषि॒ सूर्य॑स्य च॒ सं भ॒क्तेन॑ गमेमहि ॥
उत् । उ॒स्रियाः॑ । सृ॒ज॒ते॒ । सूर्यः॑ । सचा॑ । उ॒त्ऽयत् । नक्ष॑त्रम् । अ॒र्चि॒ऽवत् । तव॑ । इत् । उ॒षः॒ । वि॒ऽउषि॑ । सूर्य॑स्य । च॒ । सम् । भ॒क्तेन॑ । ग॒मे॒म॒हि॒ ॥
ut | usriyāḥ | sṛjate | sūryaḥ | sacā | ut-yat | nakṣatram | arci-vat | tava | it | uṣaḥ | vi-uṣi | sūryasya | ca | sam | bhaktena | gamemahi
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3 x ~8 syllables
Light, swift, and lucid; suited to conveying ‘release’ and ‘going forward’.
Creates a bright, alert mind; encourages measured, steady aspiration rather than strain.
- sūryaḥ udyan
- Literal: the Sun rising. Symbolic: truth-consciousness emerging in the mind
- usriyāḥ
- Literal: ruddy/radiant cows. Symbolic: rays of knowledge; illumined perceptions released by truth
- nakṣatram arcivat
- Literal: shining star(s). Symbolic: multiple points of insight; subtle lights in consciousness
- tava vyuṣi
- Literal: by your dawning. Symbolic: by the first opening of illumination that makes higher seeing possible
- sūryasya ca
- Literal: and of the Sun. Symbolic: and by the full revelation of truth-sight
- sam bhaktena gamemahi
- Literal: may we go together with our portion/share. Symbolic: advance integrally with the right measure of assimilable light and destiny of growth
Morning verse linking Uṣas and Sūrya; suitable where the rite marks transition from first light to solar emergence, praying for a ‘share’ (bhakta) in the day’s attainment.
At dawn approaching sunrise; also at the start of study/insight work.
Recite to invoke release of knowledge-rays and to commit to right measure in action and learning.
Before learning/creative work: chant to invite insights, then set a realistic ‘portion’ (time/goal) to assimilate fully.
usríyā- related to ‘ruddy’ and ‘cow’ imagery; supports the ray-cow symbolism. √sṛj ‘release’ (PIE *sreug- ‘let go/flow’ possible). nakṣatra- ‘star’ (etymology debated; in Vedic often ‘marked’ lights). bhakta- from √bhaj ‘to share, apportion’ → ‘portion, participation’; psychologically ‘our rightful share in the light’.
bhaga/bhakti as apportionment (right share in Ṛta), integral progress (sam gam-), cooperation of dawn and sun (graded illumination)
‘Sam bhaktena’ implies ṛta as proportion—each stage has its rightful share of light and result.
Sūrya as satya-prakāśa releasing the rays of knowledge (go/usriyāḥ).
From dawn-opening to sun-manifestation: graded disclosure of lights (stars/rays) in the cosmos and in consciousness.
Integral/graded revelation model: incremental ascent with assimilation.
dawn into sunrise
From first opening to full illumination; emergence of many insights; disciplined forward movement with right measure.
- What is the primary Vedic 'mythologem' present in this verse?
- The release of the ‘radiant herds’ by the Sun, coordinated with Dawn’s unfolding: a graded manifestation myth. Inner sense: the seeker’s progress depends on both the first awakenings (Uṣas) and the full truth-light (Sūrya), so that one may move with one’s ‘allotted share’—a lawful participation in Ṛta.
- How does the linguistic structure reflect Proto-Indo-European roots?
- √gam ‘go’ (gamemahi) is a basic IE verb (*gʷem-). The idea of ‘share/portion’ from √bhaj resonates with IE social-ritual apportionment language, here spiritualized as rightful participation in light.
- What is the relationship between the Rishi and the Devata here?
- The rishi asks for alignment: not merely that dawn and sun occur, but that his journey (gam-) be synchronized with their manifestation, receiving a ‘bhakta’—a measured portion of their power suitable to his stage.
Contemplate graded revelation: invite dawn-opening, then sun-clarity; ask inwardly for the ‘right portion’ of insight to assimilate today.
Ājñā (illumination)
Inhale imagining rays released (usriyāḥ), exhale settling them into the mind as quiet points of light (nakṣatra) for 9 cycles.
Sattvic lucidity with restraint (niyama-like measure).
After chanting, choose one insight to embody (bhakta). Write it, live it, and let other ‘stars’ remain as gentle possibilities without grasping.
Gāyatrī cadence; keep it light and even; apply traditional accenting without overemphasis.
Highlight ‘tava vyuṣi’ and ‘sam bhaktena’ as key inner instructions (opening + right measure).
usriyāḥ: pronounce -sri- as cluster; long āḥ ending, nakṣatram: retroflex kṣ; do not simplify to ‘nakhatram’, arcivat: clear c-v; short a, gamenahi: keep ‘ga-me-ma-hi’ distinct, not rushed
Clear, calm, and luminous; slightly softer on the concluding prayer.
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