Rig Veda Sukta 76
Mandala 7Sukta 767 Mantras

Sukta 76

Sukta 7.76

Rishi

Vasiṣṭha

Devata

Uṣas with Savitṛ/Viśvānara in supportive roles (composite dawn-cosmic illumination frame)

Chandas

Triṣṭubh (likely)

このヴァシシュタの讃歌は、ウシャス(暁)を世界を顕わす者として讃える。暁は神意によって生まれた「眼」であり、不死にして普遍の光を高く掲げる。サヴィトリとヴィシュヴァーナラは宇宙的な照明者としてこれを支え、暁を単なる日々の出来事ではなく、ṛta(真理=秩序)と目覚めた視界の顕現として枠づける。詩人は、隠された光を見いだし、真実のマントラによって「暁を生ませた」古の聖仙と祖霊を想起し、結びに富、良き名声、そして永続の守護を願い求める。

Mantras

Mantra 1

उदु ज्योतिरमृतं विश्वजन्यं विश्वानरः सविता देवो अश्रेत् । क्रत्वा देवानामजनिष्ट चक्षुराविरकर्भुवनं विश्वमुषाः ॥

不死の光が高く昇った、万民のために生まれたもの。ヴィシュヴァーナラなる神サヴィトリ(Savitṛ)がそれを広く張りわたした。神々の意志(krátu)によって「眼」(cakṣus)が生まれ、暁(Uṣas)は生成する全世界をあらわにした。

Mantra 2

प्र मे पन्था देवयाना अदृश्रन्नमर्धन्तो वसुभिरिष्कृतासः । अभूदु केतुरुषसः पुरस्तात्प्रतीच्यागादधि हर्म्येभ्यः ॥

神々の道(devayāna)はわが内に見えあらわれた。豊饒の力により強められ、よく整えられた者たちは、富(vasu)を携えて進む。暁(Uṣas)の旗印の徴(ketu)は前方に生じ、彼女はわれらへと向きを返し、人の住まい(hármya)の上を越えて来た。

Mantra 3

तानीदहानि बहुलान्यासन्या प्राचीनमुदिता सूर्यस्य । यतः परि जार इवाचरन्त्युषो ददृक्षे न पुनर्यतीव ॥

まことに多くの日々があった――彼女が東において太陽とともに昇った日々が。そこから暁(Uṣas)は、恋人のように求め歩きつつ巡り行く。幾たびも見られるが、先に去ったのと同じ姿で戻ることはない。

Mantra 4

त इद्देवानां सधमाद आसन्नृतावानः कवयः पूर्व्यासः । गूळ्हं ज्योतिः पितरो अन्वविन्दन्त्सत्यमन्त्रा अजनयन्नुषासम् ॥

彼ら――神々の共なる歓喜に与り、ṛta(宇宙の正理)を保つ古の詩聖たち――は、その道筋に沿って秘められた光明を見いだした。真実のマントラによって、暁(Uṣas)を生み出した。

Mantra 5

समान ऊर्वे अधि संगतासः सं जानते न यतन्ते मिथस्ते । ते देवानां न मिनन्ति व्रतान्यमर्धन्तो वसुभिर्यादमानाः ॥

同じ広大な基盤の上に集い、彼らは合一のうちに知り、互いに争わない。神々の誓戒(vrata)を侵さず、力を得て、根源の富(vasu)の力とともに進みゆく。

Mantra 6

प्रति त्वा स्तोमैरीळते वसिष्ठा उषर्बुधः सुभगे तुष्टुवांसः । गवां नेत्री वाजपत्नी न उच्छोषः सुजाते प्रथमा जरस्व ॥

暁とともに目覚めたヴァシシュタたちは、讃歌をもって汝を礼拝する、幸いなる者よ。光の牛群の導き手、力の充溢の伴侶よ。よく生まれし暁よ、われらのために昇れ――最初のものとして顕れよ。

Mantra 7

एषा नेत्री राधसः सूनृतानामुषा उच्छन्ती रिभ्यते वसिष्ठैः । दीर्घश्रुतं रयिमस्मे दधाना यूयं पात स्वस्तिभिः सदा नः ॥

このウシャス(曙光)は、富の導き手、光り輝く真実の言葉(スーヌリター)の善き語り手。昇り来たるとき、ヴァシシュタたちは讃歌をもって彼女を讃える。遠くまで響く名声の富をわれらに授けつつ——あなたがたは常に、安寧の調べ(スヴァスティ)によってわれらを守りたまえ。

Inside Sukta 76

How it unfolds

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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
Verse 7.76.1Establishes the hymn’s core frame: immortal universal light rising, Savitṛ/Viśvānara extending it, and Dawn revealing the whole world—linking dawn with cosmic vision.Read verse 7.76.1 →
gūḻhaṃ jyotiḥ... ajanayann uṣāsam
Verse 7.76.4Connects dawn to the lineage of revelation: ancient seers and Fathers find the hidden light and ‘bring Dawn to birth’ through satya-mantra, highlighting mantra as a means of illumination.Read verse 7.76.4 →
एषा नेत्री राधसः सूनृतानामुषा उच्छन्ती रिभ्यते वसिष्ठैः । दीर्घश्रुतं रयिमस्मे दधाना यूयं पात स्वस्तिभिः सदा नः ॥
Verse 7.76.7Concluding benediction: Dawn as leader of riches and true utterance, praised by the Vasiṣṭhas, asked to grant far-reaching renown and constant protection (svasti).Read verse 7.76.7 →

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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