Rig Veda Sukta 53
Mandala 4Sukta 537 Mantras

Sukta 53

Sukta 4.53

Himne ini menyeru Savitṛ sebagai pembangkit yang cahaya-cahayanya yang maju mengangkat pemuja ke dalam perlindungan, tatanan benar (ṛta), dan kejernihan batin. Ia memuji pemerintahan-Nya yang tak dapat diganggu gugat atas hukum-hukum kosmik, lengan-Nya yang terentang yang menopang segala makhluk, serta memohon pertambahan tempat tinggal, pemeliharaan, keturunan, dan kekayaan melalui putaran hari, malam, dan musim.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 4.53

In this hymn

Addressed to

  • SavitriSavitṛ (Savitar)

    Savitṛ is the divine Impeller and Awakener whose radiant ‘lights’ (aktubhiḥ) rouse beings, set them in motion, and establish protective shelter (chardiḥ).

Mantras

Mantra 1

तद्देवस्य सवितुर्वार्यं महद्वृणीमहे असुरस्य प्रचेतसः । छर्दिर्येन दाशुषे यच्छति त्मना तन्नो महाँ उदयान्देवो अक्तुभिः ॥

Kami memilih kebesaran Savitṛ yang tertinggi dan diidamkan itu—(Dia) Asura yang berkehendak bercahaya dan berakal luas; naungan pelindung yang dengannya, dengan kekuatan diri-Nya, Ia mengurniakan kepada si pemberi. Semoga dewa yang perkasa itu terbit bagi kami dengan cahaya-cahaya-Nya yang mara, membangunkan kewujudan kami.

Mantra 2

दिवो धर्ता भुवनस्य प्रजापतिः पिशङ्गं द्रापिं प्रति मुञ्चते कविः । विचक्षणः प्रथयन्नापृणन्नुर्वजीजनत्सविता सुम्नमुक्थ्यम् ॥

Savitṛ—pemegang langit dan tuan segala menjadi, sang kavi (penyair-peramal)—melepaskan jubah keemasan di hadapan. Ia membuka penglihatan; meluaskan dan memenuhi ruang-ruang; melahirkan keluasan; dan menumbuhkan kebahagiaan jiwa yang layak dipuji dalam himne (sumna).

Mantra 3

आप्रा रजांसि दिव्यानि पार्थिवा श्लोकं देवः कृणुते स्वाय धर्मणे । प्र बाहू अस्राक्सविता सवीमनि निवेशयन्प्रसुवन्नक्तुभिर्जगत् ॥

Ia telah memenuhi wilayah-wilayah langit dan bumi; sang dewa menjadikan suatu seruan yang jelas bagi dharma-Nya sendiri. Savitṛ telah menghulurkan lengan-lengan-Nya dalam tindakan pendorongan, menempatkan dan menggerakkan dunia yang bergerak melalui fasa-fasa cahaya-Nya.

Mantra 4

अदाभ्यो भुवनानि प्रचाकशद्व्रतानि देवः सविताभि रक्षते । प्रास्राग्बाहू भुवनस्य प्रजाभ्यो धृतव्रतो महो अज्मस्य राजति ॥

Tidak tercedera dan tidak terkalahkan, dia membuat alam-alam bersinar; Savitṛ memelihara hukum-hukum (vrata) bagi kerja yang benar. Dia menghulurkan kedua lengannya bagi segala yang menjadi serta makhluk-makhluknya; teguh pada nazarnya, dia bersinar dalam kebesaran geraknya yang menjangkau jauh.

Mantra 5

त्रिरन्तरिक्षं सविता महित्वना त्री रजांसि परिभुस्त्रीणि रोचना । तिस्रो दिवः पृथिवीस्तिस्र इन्वति त्रिभिर्व्रतैरभि नो रक्षति त्मना ॥

Savitṛ yang tiga-lapis, dengan kebesarannya melingkungi ruang-antara; dia menguasai tiga wilayah dan tiga alam bercahaya. Dia menggerakkan tiga langit dan tiga bumi; dengan tiga hukum (vrata)-nya dia memelihara kami dengan kuasa-diri-Nya sendiri.

Mantra 6

बृहत्सुम्नः प्रसवीता निवेशनो जगतः स्थातुरुभयस्य यो वशी । स नो देवः सविता शर्म यच्छत्वस्मे क्षयाय त्रिवरूथमंहसः ॥

Savitṛ yang berbahagia luas, sang penggerak dan penetap, penguasa atas yang bergerak dan yang diam: semoga dewa itu mengurniakan kepada kami damai dan tempat-tinggal dalam keberadaan—berlindung tiga-lapis—selamat daripada kesempitan, derita, dan salah.

Mantra 7

आगन्देव ऋतुभिर्वर्धतु क्षयं दधातु नः सविता सुप्रजामिषम् । स नः क्षपाभिरहभिश्च जिन्वतु प्रजावन्तं रयिमस्मे समिन्वतु ॥

Moga dewa datang bersama musim-musim dan menumbuhkan tempat kediaman kita; moga Savitṛ menaruh dalam diri kami daya pemelihara yang kaya zuriat. Dengan malam-malam dan siang-siang moga ia menyegarkan kami; moga ia meneguhkan pada kami seluruhnya kekayaan yang beranak-pinak—kepenuhan hidup dan cahaya.

Inside Sukta 53

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    The hymn begins by ‘choosing’ Savitṛ’s supreme greatness and protective shelter, asking the mighty god to rise with his lights (RV 4.53.1).

  2. Development

    It expands Savitṛ’s cosmic sovereignty: he makes the worlds shine, guards the ordinances, and sustains beings with outstretched arms—his motion is vast and lawful (RV 4.53.4).

  3. Climax

    Savitṛ is invoked as the power who arrives with the seasons and establishes increase—dwelling, nourishment, and fruitful progeny as a comprehensive blessing (RV 4.53.7a).

  4. Where it settles

    The prayer settles into continuity: by nights and days he should quicken the worshipper and firmly set enduring, progeny-bearing wealth and fullness of life (RV 4.53.7b).

The deity: Savitṛ

  • In the VedaHe is described as asura in the older Vedic sense—lordly, mighty—endowed with wide intelligence (pracetasaḥ) and steadfast vows (dhṛtavrata).
  • Cosmic functionHe initiates and regulates movement in the cosmos—day’s arising, the rhythm of seasons, and the right working of laws (vratāni/ṛta); he energizes growth, prosperity, and generative power in creatures.
  • Inner significanceThe inner sun of discernment that awakens aspiration, impels right action, and gathers the personality into a protected, ordered, and fruitful life-force.

The seer

  • Vāmadeva Gautama (attributed)Gautama gotra; Vāmadeva lineage · A principal seer of Maṇḍala 4, renowned for hymns of luminous insight that link cosmic order (ṛta) with inner awakening; traditionally associated with profound visionary realization.

Famous verses

तद्देवस्य सवितुर्वार्यं महद्वृणीमहे असुरस्य प्रचेतसः । छर्दिर्येन दाशुषे यच्छति त्मना तन्नो महाँ उदयान्देवो अक्तुभिः ॥
Verse 4.53.1Programmatic opening: it defines Savitṛ as the luminous, intelligent lord whose shelter protects and whose rising lights awaken the worshipper.Read verse 4.53.1 →
अदाभ्यो भुवनानि प्रचाकशद्व्रतानि देवः सविताभि रक्षते । प्रास्राग्बाहू भुवनस्य प्रजाभ्यो धृतव्रतो महो अज्मस्य राजति ॥
Verse 4.53.4Core theological statement: Savitṛ is inviolable, makes the worlds shine, and guards the divine laws—linking radiance with ṛta and steadfast vows.Read verse 4.53.4 →
आगन्देव ऋतुभिर्वर्धतु क्षयं दधातु नः सविता सुप्रजामिषम् । स नः क्षपाभिरहभिश्च जिन्वतु प्रजावन्तं रयिमस्मे समिन्वतु ॥
Verse 4.53.7Culminating boon: asks Savitṛ to come with the seasons and grant dwelling, nourishment rich in progeny, and day-night quickening leading to enduring prosperity.Read verse 4.53.7 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Impeller/awakener of all movement
  • Guardian of ṛta and divine ordinances (vrata)
  • Radiant, far-reaching, all-pervading motion
  • Protective shelter to the giver/worshipper
  • Bestower of nourishment, progeny, and wealth
  • Inviolable, steadfast in vows (dhṛtavrata)

Also by this seer

  • Major portions of Rig Veda Maṇḍala 4 (many sūktas attributed to Vāmadeva)
  • Hymns to Indra, Agni, the Ādityas, and solar deities emphasizing ṛta and divine impulsion
  • Vāmadeva is later remembered in Vedic tradition as an exemplar of inspired speech (vāc) and seer-vision (dṛṣṭi)

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the fire (agni) and seat; establish calm and purity.
  • Recite the opening praise choosing Savitṛ’s ‘great desirable’ power and shelter (RV 4.53.1).
  • Offer oblations while affirming Savitṛ’s guardianship of vows and cosmic law (RV 4.53.4).
  • Pray for increase of dwelling, nourishment, progeny, and wealth through seasons, days, and nights (RV 4.53.7).
  • Conclude with silent contemplation of the rising light as the inner awakening of will and intelligence.

Offerings

  • Ghee (ājya) oblations
  • Soma (where applicable in soma rites)
  • Grain/food offerings (anna, puroḍāśa in later practice)
  • Water libations and fragrant fuel (samidh)

Frequently Asked Questions

Savitṛ is the divine Impeller—the solar power that awakens beings, sets life in motion, and upholds right order (ṛta). The hymn praises him as radiant, inviolable, and protective.

It asks for protective shelter, increase of one’s dwelling and strength, nourishing force rich in progeny, and enduring wealth—supported through the rhythms of seasons, nights, and days.

It is especially fitting at dawn or in morning fire rites, when the rising light symbolizes Savitṛ’s awakening power; it also suits prayers at seasonal changes for growth and well-being.

Ask anything about Sukta 53 of the Rig Veda

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