Rig Veda Sukta 55
Mandala 7Sukta 558 Mantras

Sukta 55

Sukta 7.55

Rishi

Vasiṣṭha

Devata

Vāstoṣpati

Chandas

Anuṣṭubh-like short meter (RV 7.55 shows shorter verses; exact classification varies by recension)

《梨俱吠陀》7.55 是献给 Vāstoṣpati(居所的守护主、宅邸之主)的家宅安宁赞歌,祈请他以一切“形相”进入家中,驱除苦患与灾厄。其祈愿从护佑与福祉扩展到更广的平息:使家人、亲族及周遭共同体皆得安定,末尾以近似咒语的安抚收束,令家宅领域沉入宁静、安歇的平和之中。

Recitation with translationRig Veda 7.55

Mantras

Mantra 1

अमीवहा वास्तोष्पते विश्वा रूपाण्याविशन् । सखा सुशेव एधि नः ॥

居所之主(Vāstoṣpati)、驱除疾厄者啊,你进入我们生命的一切形相;愿你作我们慈惠的朋友,并在我们之中增长、兴盛。

Mantra 2

यदर्जुन सारमेय दतः पिशङ्ग यच्छसे । वीव भ्राजन्त ऋष्टय उप स्रक्वेषु बप्सतो नि षु स्वप ॥

阿周那(Arjuna)、萨罗摩之子(Sārameya)啊,黄褐齿者;当你奔突吠叫之时,你的矛似在颚边闪耀。躺下吧;安然入睡。

Mantra 3

स्तेनं राय सारमेय तस्करं वा पुनःसर । स्तोतॄनिन्द्रस्य रायसि किमस्मान्दुच्छुनायसे नि षु स्वप ॥

萨罗摩之子(Sārameya)啊,去追那盗贼吧,罗耶(Rāya)啊——去追那劫掠者吧。你却驱逼因陀罗(Indra)的赞颂者;为何以不祥(duḥśuna)来加害我们?伏下吧,安然入睡。

Mantra 4

त्वं सूकरस्य दर्दृहि तव दर्दर्तु सूकरः । स्तोतॄनिन्द्रस्य रायसि किमस्मान्दुच्छुनायसे नि षु स्वप ॥

你啊,击碎那昏昧冲动之野猪;愿那野猪被你的威力所粉碎。你是因陀罗(Indra)赐予献颂之魂的丰盈(rāyí);为何又使我们趋向不祥(duḥśuna)?沉下去吧——全然入睡。

Mantra 5

सस्तु माता सस्तु पिता सस्तु श्वा सस्तु विश्पतिः । ससन्तु सर्वे ज्ञातयः सस्त्वयमभितो जनः ॥

愿母亲安宁;愿父亲安宁;愿守护之犬安宁;愿家主安宁。愿一切亲族都得平息;愿四周这整个人群都归于和谐的寂定。

Mantra 6

य आस्ते यश्च चरति यश्च पश्यति नो जनः । तेषां सं हन्मो अक्षाणि यथेदं हर्म्यं तथा ॥

凡在我族中坐者、行者、观望者——我等并力击闭其“眼”(其见力),使此居所如其所是:静然封闭,不受扰动。

Mantra 7

सहस्रशृङ्गो वृषभो यः समुद्रादुदाचरत् । तेना सहस्येना वयं नि जनान्त्स्वापयामसि ॥

那自海渊腾起、具千角之雄牛——凭此大力,我等使众民沉入睡眠,安静而伏息。

Mantra 8

प्रोष्ठेशया वह्येशया नारीर्यास्तल्पशीवरीः । स्त्रियो याः पुण्यगन्धास्ताः सर्वाः स्वापयामसि ॥

卧于榻者、卧于褥者、安息于铺展良好的床者——诸女,具清净芬芳者:我等使她们一切皆入睡,归于宁静安卧。

Inside Sukta 55

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    A direct invocation to Vāstoṣpati as affliction-slayer and benevolent friend who is asked to enter and enliven the dwelling.

  2. Development

    The hymn broadens from divine protection of the house to a social pacification—harmonizing parents, guardians, the householder, kin, and the surrounding community.

  3. Climax

    The comprehensive ‘settling’ formula (śānti-liturgy tone) where every relational node of the household is named and pacified, implying total protection of the domestic sphere.

  4. Where it settles

    A closing quieting that turns toward rest and sleep, sealing the home in calm repose and orderly stillness.

The deity: Vāstoṣpati

  • In the VedaVāstoṣpati is addressed as the “lord of the dwelling/site” (vāstu), asked to be amīvahā (slayer of affliction) and a suśeva sakhā (a gracious friend), pervading the house and its life-forms with protection and harmony.
  • Cosmic functionTo stabilize and sanctify inhabited space—making the dwelling a secure, auspicious microcosm where human life, kinship, and ritual can flourish without disturbance.
  • Inner significanceThe principle of inner ‘abiding’—a settled, protected mind and heart; the capacity to make one’s inner home (habitation of prāṇa and thought) free from anxiety, conflict, and disorder.

The seer

  • VasiṣṭhaVasiṣṭha gotra (Saptarṣi tradition; associated with the Vasiṣṭhas of Maṇḍala 7) · One of the foremost Ṛgvedic seers and a paradigmatic brahmarṣi; celebrated as a priestly authority whose hymns emphasize right order (ṛta), protection, and the prosperity of the community and household.

Famous verses

amīvahā vāstoṣpate
Verse 7.55.1Programmatic opening: names Vāstoṣpati as amīvahā and asks the deity to pervade the dwelling as a gracious friend—setting the hymn’s protective-domestic purpose.Read verse 7.55.1 →
sastu mātā sastu pitā
Verse 7.55.5A classic pacification litany extending peace to mother, father, guardian, householder, kin, and the people around—central to the hymn’s śānti function.Read verse 7.55.5 →
प्रोष्ठेशया वह्येशया नारीर्यास्तल्पशीवरीः । स्त्रियो याः पुण्यगन्धास्ताः सर्वाः स्वापयामसि ॥
Verse 7.55.8Concluding charm-like verse that ‘lulls’ the household sphere into sleep and calm, emphasizing rest, privacy, and the sealing of harmony at night.Read verse 7.55.8 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Guardian of the house and threshold
  • Affliction-dispeller (amīvahā)
  • Auspicious friend and benefactor (suśeva sakhā)
  • Pervasive presence within the dwelling (entering all forms)
  • Pacifier of social and domestic tensions
  • Protector of sleep, rest, and household quiet

Also by this seer

  • Primary seer of much of Ṛgveda Maṇḍala 7 (Vasiṣṭha family hymns)
  • Hymns to Agni, Indra, Varuṇa–Mitra and royal protection themes within Book 7
  • Later Vedic-Itihāsa tradition remembers Vasiṣṭha as a major guru of kings and a key Saptarṣi figure

The rite, step by step

  • Cleanse and prepare the dwelling space (sweeping, sprinkling water; quieting the area).
  • Establish the domestic fire (if maintained) or light a lamp; face inward toward the home-space.
  • Invoke Vāstoṣpati with RV 7.55.1, requesting entry, friendship, and removal of affliction.
  • Recite pacification verses for household members and the surrounding people (e.g., RV 7.55.5) as a spoken ‘settling’ of relationships.
  • Conclude with quieting/sleep-charm style recitation (e.g., RV 7.55.8) to seal peace and rest in the home.
  • Offer final oblation and sit briefly in silence, mentally dedicating the home to harmony (śānti) and protection.

Offerings

  • Ghee (ājya) into the fire (if present)
  • Milk/curds or a simple food offering placed respectfully in the home space
  • Fragrant incense/resin or aromatic herbs (gandha) as a sign of auspiciousness
  • Water for sprinkling (prokṣaṇa)

Frequently Asked Questions

Vāstoṣpati is the “lord of the dwelling,” a protective power invited to inhabit the home, remove troubles, and keep the household harmonious and secure.

It is used for house-peace (śānti), protection of the living space, settling family tensions, and creating a calm atmosphere—often recited at home entry, after disturbances, or in the evening.

Because the Vedic view treats the home as part of a wider social field; peace in the dwelling depends on harmony among relatives, guardians, and the community around it.

Ask anything about Sukta 55 of the Rig Veda

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