Sukta 83
Sukta 8.83
Devas / Ādityas (collective divine powers; opening of a hymn that soon names Varuṇa, Mitra, Aryaman)
This hymn invokes the collective Devas—especially the sovereign Ādityas (Varuṇa, Mitra, Aryaman)—as a vast, protective Help (avaḥ) chosen by the worshipper for inner and outer strength. It praises their vigilant consciousness, moral governance, and power to repel evil, culminating in an address to the generous divine host led by Indra.
Mantras
Mantra 1
देवानामिदवो महत्तदा वृणीमहे वयम् । वृष्णामस्मभ्यमूतये ॥
हम देवियों की बड़ी मदद माँगते हैं। उनकी ताकत हमारे काम आए। हम में ताकत आए, हम स्ट्रॉन्ग बनें।
Mantra 2
ते नः सन्तु युजः सदा वरुणो मित्रो अर्यमा । वृधासश्च प्रचेतसः ॥
वरुण, मित्र, अर्यमन, यह तीन हमेशा हमारे साथ रहें। यह हमारे काम में साथ दें। यह हमारे लिए बड़ाई लाते हैं और होश में रहते हैं।
Mantra 3
अति नो विष्पिता पुरु नौभिरपो न पर्षथ । यूयमृतस्य रथ्यः ॥
हे घर के मालिक, तुम हमें पार ले जाओ। जैसे कश्ती पानी पार करती है, वैसे ही तुम बहुत सारे सारे ज़रिये से हमें ले जाओ। तुम सच के रास्ते चलाने वाले हो।
Mantra 4
वामं नो अस्त्वर्यमन्वामं वरुण शंस्यम् । वामं ह्यावृणीमहे ॥
अर्यमन, हमें अच्छा दे। वरुण, हमें वोह अच्छा दे जो हमें सही लगे। हम अच्छा ही माँगते हैं और अच्छा ही चुनते हैं।
Mantra 5
वामस्य हि प्रचेतस ईशानाशो रिशादसः । नेमादित्या अघस्य यत् ॥
तुम बिल्कुल जाग्रत हो, सही गलत का पता है। तुम अच्छे काम के मालिक हो और बुराई को खत्म करने वाले हो। हे आदित्य देवता, तुम बुराई के आगे कभी नहीं झुकते।
Mantra 6
वयमिद्वः सुदानवः क्षियन्तो यान्तो अध्वन्ना । देवा वृधाय हूमहे ॥
हे दान करने वाले देवता, हम तुम्हे पुकारते हैं। चाहे हम घर में हों या रास्ते पर, हमारे लिए बरकत माँगते हैं। तुम हमारी ग्रोथ के लिए ज़रूरी हो।
Mantra 7
अधि न इन्द्रैषां विष्णो सजात्यानाम् । इता मरुतो अश्विना ॥
इंद्र और विष्णु, तुम हमारे ऊपर राज करो। हमारी टीम को संभालो। मरुत और अश्विन देवता, तुम भी यहाँ आओ और हमारे काम को सही डायरेक्शन दो।
Mantra 8
प्र भ्रातृत्वं सुदानवोऽध द्विता समान्या । मातुर्गर्भे भरामहे ॥
हे दान करने वाले, हम भाई-भाई की तरह रहते हैं। एक दूसरे के साथ मिलकर। जैसे माँ के पेट में सब एक होते हैं, वैसे ही हम एक टीम बन के चलते हैं।
Mantra 9
यूयं हि ष्ठा सुदानव इन्द्रज्येष्ठा अभिद्यवः । अधा चिद्व उत ब्रुवे ॥
तुम लोग बड़े दानी हो, सबसे ऊपर वाले। इंद्र तुम्हारा बड़ा भाई है जो लीड करता है। तुम लोग आसमान की तरफ बढ़ते हो। इसलिए मैं तुमसे यह बात कह रहा हूँ।
Inside Sukta 83
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
A deliberate choosing of the Gods’ ‘vast Help’ for aid and inner strength (RV 8.83.1).
- Development
Praise expands to the Ādityas’ vigilant awareness and sovereign capacity to grant good while destroying harm and resisting evil (e.g., RV 8.83.5).
- Climax
The hymn’s assurance peaks in the portrayal of the divine powers as unyielding before evil and fully capable protectors under ṛta.
- Where it settles
It ends by speaking to the generous Devas as a unified host with Indra as eldest/leader, sealing the petition with confidence and address (RV 8.83.9).
The deity: Devas / Ādityas
- In the VedaThe Devas are praised as a ‘vast Help’ (mahat avaḥ), generous givers, and guardians of ṛta (cosmic and moral order). The Ādityas are depicted as wide-awake in consciousness (pracetas), masters of desirable good, destroyers of harm, and unconquered by evil.
- Cosmic functionThey uphold ṛta, maintain social and cosmic stability, protect the sacrificer, and ensure the right distribution of goods, safety, and lawful order; Indra stands as the martial leader of the divine host.
- Inner significanceThe Ādityas symbolize awakened discernment, ethical self-governance, and the inner ‘law’ that resists disorder; Indra signifies courageous energy that breaks through obstruction and lifts the mind toward clarity (dyu).
Famous verses
devānām id avo mahat
pracetasa īśānāsaḥ riśādasaḥ
indrajyeṣṭhāḥ sudānavaḥ
Attributes of the deity
- pracetas (wide-awake, luminous intelligence)
- īśāna (sovereign mastery)
- riśādasa (destroyers of harm)
- protective help (avaḥ) sought by choice (vṛṇīmahe)
- unconquered by evil (aghā)
- generosity (sudānavas)
- Indra-led leadership (indrajyeṣṭha)
Also by this seer
- Mandala 8 contains many hymns associated with the Kaṇva tradition and practical ritual praise; however, this particular sūkta’s seer attribution is uncertain in the provided tradition/context.
The rite, step by step
- Prepare the altar/fire (Agni) and establish ritual purity (ācamanā, mental resolve).
- Open with an invocation to the collective Devas as ‘vast Help’ (avaḥ) and request inner strengthening.
- Name and praise the Ādityas (Varuṇa, Mitra, Aryaman) as guardians of ṛta and destroyers of harm.
- Offer oblations while asking for protection from evil and for the ‘desirable good’ (vāma).
- Conclude by addressing the broader Deva-host with Indra as chief, reaffirming confidence and petition.
Offerings
- ghee (ājya) oblations into Agni
- soma libation (where applicable)
- grains/cakes (puroḍāśa) depending on rite
- water and fragrant offerings as ancillary upacāras
Frequently Asked Questions
The hymn begins with the collective Devas and quickly emphasizes the Ādityas—especially Varuṇa, Mitra, and Aryaman—then closes by addressing the Deva-host with Indra as leader.
The worshipper ‘chooses’ the Gods’ vast help for protection, inner strength, and freedom from harmful and evil influences, trusting the Ādityas’ moral and cosmic guardianship.
It is suited for recitation in a fire offering or daily prayer for protection and clarity—invoking the Ādityas for lawful order and Indra-like courage to overcome obstacles.
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