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)

Neste hino, Vasiṣṭha louva Uṣas (a Aurora) como reveladora do mundo, o «Olho» nascido por intenção divina, que ergue a luz imortal e universal. Savitṛ e Viśvānara a sustentam como iluminadores cósmicos, enquadrando a aurora não apenas como um acontecimento diário, mas como manifestação do Ṛta (ordem-verdade) e de uma visão desperta. Os poetas recordam os antigos videntes e os Pais que descobriram a luz oculta e «fizeram nascer a Aurora» por meio de mantras verdadeiros, e encerram pedindo riqueza, boa fama e proteção duradoura.

Mantras

Mantra 1

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

Ergueu-se a Luz imortal, nascida para todos, universal; o deus Savitṛ, Vaiśvānara, a estendeu. Pela vontade dos deuses nasceu o Olho; Uṣas tornou manifesto todo o mundo do devir.

Mantra 2

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

Em mim tornaram-se visíveis os caminhos dos deuses, as vias que conduzem ao divino, fortalecidas e bem moldadas pelos poderes da abundância. À frente surgiu o sinal-estandarte de Uṣas; ela se volta para nós, chegando sobre as moradas humanas.

Mantra 3

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

Em verdade, muitos foram aqueles dias em que ela se erguia no oriente com o Sol. De lá, Uṣas percorre em volta, como um amante em busca; é vista de novo e de novo — e, contudo, não retorna como a mesma que antes partiu.

Mantra 4

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

Eles, os antigos videntes, unidos no deleite comum dos deuses, guardiões do Ṛta, encontraram na sua trilha a Luz oculta; com mantras de verdade fizeram nascer Uṣas, a Aurora.

Mantra 5

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

Reunidos sobre o mesmo amplo fundamento, conhecem na unidade e não contendem entre si. Não violam as leis dos deuses; fortalecidos, avançam munidos dos Vasu, as riquezas essenciais.

Mantra 6

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

Os Vasiṣṭha, despertos com a Aurora, te adoram com hinos, ó afortunada, entoando louvor. Condutora dos raios de Luz, esposa da plenitude de força, ergue-te para nós, ó Uṣas bem-nascida: manifesta-te como a primeira.

Mantra 7

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

Esta Uṣas, condutora das riquezas e das palavras verdadeiras e luminosas, ao erguer-se é hinoada pelos Vasiṣṭha. Trazendo-nos um tesouro de fama de longo alcance—protegei-nos sempre com auspícios de bem-estar.

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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