Sukta 80
Sukta 7.80
Vasiṣṭha
Uṣas
Triṣṭubh (probable)
この短いヴァシシュタの讃歌は、ウシャス（暁）を讃えて迎える。暁はまず聖仙の見者たちを目覚めさせ、あらゆる世界を顕わし、二つの領域を転じて存在を見えるものとする。暁は生命を新たにし、光によって闇を覆い、知覚をスーリヤ（太陽）とアグニ、そしてヤジュニャ（祭祀）へと導くものとして称えられる。結びの祈りでは、暁たちが日々吉祥とともに昇り、力と照明、英雄の活力をもたらし、礼拝者を久しい安寧で守護するよう願う。
Mantras
Mantra 1
प्रति स्तोमेभिरुषसं वसिष्ठा गीर्भिर्विप्रासः प्रथमा अबुध्रन् । विवर्तयन्तीं रजसी समन्ते आविष्कृण्वतीं भुवनानि विश्वा ॥
讃歌をもって、ヴァシシュタの聖賢たち、霊感ある詩人たちは、暁（ウシャス）にいち早く目覚める。彼女は両界の広がり（ラジャス）を四方にめぐらし、あらゆる世界・存在の諸相を眼前に顕わにする。
Mantra 2
एषा स्या नव्यमायुर्दधाना गूढ्वी तमो ज्योतिषोषा अबोधि । अग्र एति युवतिरह्रयाणा प्राचिकितत्सूर्यं यज्ञमग्निम् ॥
このウシャー（Uṣā、暁の女神）は目覚め、新たな命の歳月を携え、光によって闇を覆い隠す。疲れを知らぬ若き乙女は先頭を進み、われらに前方へと太陽と、ヤジュニャ（yajña、祭祀）と、アグニ（Agni、火神）を悟らせる。
Mantra 3
अश्वावतीर्गोमतीर्न उषासो वीरवतीः सदमुच्छन्तु भद्राः । घृतं दुहाना विश्वतः प्रपीता यूयं पात स्वस्तिभिः सदा नः ॥
われらのために暁たちが常に昇れ——吉祥にして善く、馬の速き力を備え、牛の光（光線と知）を備え、英雄の勢いを備えて。四方より集めてギー（ghṛta、清澄な供物）を搾り出し、満ち満ちている。汝ら、常に安寧の調和をもってわれらを護れ。
Inside Sukta 80
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
The Vasiṣṭhas are ‘first to awaken’ with hymns to Uṣas, who turns the two realms and makes all worlds manifest (7.80.1).
- Development
Dawn is portrayed as renewing life, concealing darkness with her light, and advancing before all—guiding perception toward Sūrya, yajña, and Agni (7.80.2).
- Climax
The revelation that Dawn not only brightens the sky but also ‘makes us perceive forward’ the Sun, the sacrifice, and Agni—linking cosmic light with ritual and inner will (7.80.2).
- Where it settles
A prayer that the Dawns rise always auspicious—bringing strength, illumination, heroic energy, abundant richness—and guard the worshippers with enduring well-being (7.80.3).
The deity: Uṣas
- In the VedaUṣas is the radiant young maiden who awakens beings, unveils the worlds, drives away darkness, and sets the cosmic order of daily renewal in motion; she is praised as beautiful, beneficent, and unfailing in her return.
- Cosmic functionShe marks the transition from night to day, re-establishes visibility and activity, and ‘leads forward’ the Sun and the sacrificial fires—enabling work, worship, and right timing.
- Inner significanceThe arising of clarity in consciousness: illumination that dispels inertia and obscurity, renews life-force, and turns awareness toward truth, aspiration, and the inner ‘fire’ of will (Agni).
The seer
- VasiṣṭhaVasiṣṭha gotra (Āditya/solar-aligned seer-family in Rigvedic tradition) · Foremost among the Rigvedic seers of Mandala 7; celebrated as a royal priest (purohita) figure and master of inspired speech, especially in hymns to Agni, Indra, Varuṇa, and Uṣas.
Famous verses
āviṣkṛṇvatīm bhuvanāni viśvā
prācikitat sūryaṃ yajñam agnim
yūyaṃ pāta svastibhiḥ sadā naḥ
Attributes of the deity
- Revealer of the worlds (āviṣkṛṇvatī bhuvanāni)
- Dispeller of darkness by light
- Renewal-giver (new life/āyus)
- Unwearied, ever-returning
- Auspicious bestower of strength, light, and heroism
- Leader toward Sūrya, yajña, and Agni
Also by this seer
- Primary authorial voice of Rigveda Mandala 7 (Vasiṣṭha Maṇḍala)
- Noted for profound Varuṇa hymns (e.g., RV 7.86–7.89) exploring ṛta, sin, and forgiveness
- Multiple hymns to Agni as priestly fire and to Indra for victory and protection within Mandala 7
The rite, step by step
- Perform morning purification and orient attention to the eastern horizon
- Kindle/brighten Agni (or recollect the household fire) and prepare the offering space
- Recite the three verses as an Uṣas-stuti (praise) with clear intention: awakening, illumination, and daily welfare
- Conclude with a specific request for auspicious rising, strength (aśva), illumination/wealth (go), and protection (svasti)
- Optionally follow with Sūrya/Agni mantras to ‘lead forward’ the day’s rite, echoing the hymn’s movement toward Sun and sacrifice
Offerings
- Ghee (ghṛta) into Agni
- Simple morning oblation (milk/curd/grain as customary)
- Water libation and respectful salutations to the Dawn
Frequently Asked Questions
This hymn praises Uṣas, the Dawn, as the power that awakens beings, dispels darkness, and makes the worlds visible each day.
Dawn renews life and clarity, and she leads the worshipper toward the Sun, the sacrificial act (yajña), and Agni—so the day begins with light, order, and right action.
It is best recited at dawn as a morning invocation, ideally with a simple ghee offering to Agni, ending with the prayer for svasti (well-being) and daily protection.
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