Rig Veda Sukta 83
Mandala 8Sukta 839 Mantras

Sukta 83

Sukta 8.83

Devata

Devas / Ādityas (collective divine powers; opening of a hymn that soon names Varuṇa, Mitra, Aryaman)

本颂歌祈请诸天神,尤以主权的阿底提耶诸神(伐楼那、密多罗、阿梨耶曼)为大而护佑的“援助”(avaḥ),为祭主所择取,以得内外之力。颂扬他们警觉的觉知、道德的统御,以及驱退邪恶的威能;末了转而致敬由因陀罗率领、慷慨施与的神圣众会。

Recitation with translationRig Veda 8.83

Mantras

Mantra 1

देवानामिदवो महत्तदा वृणीमहे वयम् । वृष्णामस्मभ्यमूतये ॥

我们为自身拣择那确然宏大的、诸神之援助;愿诸般强力之能,为我们而来,作我们内在的护佑。

Mantra 2

ते नः सन्तु युजः सदा वरुणो मित्रो अर्यमा । वृधासश्च प्रचेतसः ॥

愿伐楼那、密特罗、阿利耶曼——赐增长者、觉知广大者——常为我们同轭之伴侣,共赴此业。

Mantra 3

अति नो विष्पिता पुरु नौभिरपो न पर्षथ । यूयमृतस्य रथ्यः ॥

居处之主啊,请以众多舟楫载我们越过,如渡水而行;因为你们是ṛta(真理—秩序)的御车者。

Mantra 4

वामं नो अस्त्वर्यमन्वामं वरुण शंस्यम् । वामं ह्यावृणीमहे ॥

愿那美善而可欲者归于我们,哦阿梨耶曼;哦伐楼那,愿那当受称颂的美善归于我们——是的,那美善我们选择并纳入自身。

Mantra 5

वामस्य हि प्रचेतस ईशानाशो रिशादसः । नेमादित्या अघस्य यत् ॥

因为你们,具明觉之智者,是那可欲之善的主宰,亦是摧毁伤害者;哦阿底提耶诸神,你们不向罪恶的侵袭屈服。

Mantra 6

वयमिद्वः सुदानवः क्षियन्तो यान्तो अध्वन्ना । देवा वृधाय हूमहे ॥

我们确实啊,慷慨的赐予者们——无论安居,或行旅于道路之上——都呼唤你们,诸天神,为使我们增长、兴盛,扩展生命之有。

Mantra 7

अधि न इन्द्रैषां विष्णो सजात्यानाम् । इता मरुतो अश्विना ॥

因陀罗啊,并且毗湿奴啊,请立于我们之上,统摄这同族的诸力;玛鲁特啊,阿湿毗那双神啊,请来此处,引导并主宰我们的行进。

Mantra 8

प्र भ्रातृत्वं सुदानवोऽध द्विता समान्या । मातुर्गर्भे भरामहे ॥

慷慨的赐予者们啊,我们培育兄弟之情——一次又一次,在共同的一体之中——仿佛承载于母亲的胎藏里,使之成形,归于同一和谐。

Mantra 9

यूयं हि ष्ठा सुदानव इन्द्रज्येष्ठा अभिद्यवः । अधा चिद्व उत ब्रुवे ॥

你们确是慷慨的施与者,以因陀罗(Indra)为最年长者与统领,向那光明的天界奋力上举;因此,我也向你们如此陈说。

Inside Sukta 83

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    A deliberate choosing of the Gods’ ‘vast Help’ for aid and inner strength (RV 8.83.1).

  2. Development

    Praise expands to the Ādityas’ vigilant awareness and sovereign capacity to grant good while destroying harm and resisting evil (e.g., RV 8.83.5).

  3. Climax

    The hymn’s assurance peaks in the portrayal of the divine powers as unyielding before evil and fully capable protectors under ṛta.

  4. Where it settles

    It ends by speaking to the generous Devas as a unified host with Indra as eldest/leader, sealing the petition with confidence and address (RV 8.83.9).

The deity: Devas / Ādityas

  • In the VedaThe Devas are praised as a ‘vast Help’ (mahat avaḥ), generous givers, and guardians of ṛta (cosmic and moral order). The Ādityas are depicted as wide-awake in consciousness (pracetas), masters of desirable good, destroyers of harm, and unconquered by evil.
  • Cosmic functionThey uphold ṛta, maintain social and cosmic stability, protect the sacrificer, and ensure the right distribution of goods, safety, and lawful order; Indra stands as the martial leader of the divine host.
  • Inner significanceThe Ādityas symbolize awakened discernment, ethical self-governance, and the inner ‘law’ that resists disorder; Indra signifies courageous energy that breaks through obstruction and lifts the mind toward clarity (dyu).

Famous verses

devānām id avo mahat
Verse 8.83.1Sets the hymn’s core intention: consciously choosing the ‘vast Help’ of the Gods for inner empowerment and protection.Read verse 8.83.1 →
pracetasa īśānāsaḥ riśādasaḥ
Verse 8.83.5Defines the Ādityas’ distinctive power—awake intelligence, sovereignty over good, and invincibility against evil—capturing their ethical-protective character.Read verse 8.83.5 →
indrajyeṣṭhāḥ sudānavaḥ
Verse 8.83.9Concludes with the image of the Devas as generous and heaven-striving, explicitly Indra-led, framing the divine host as a unified refuge.Read verse 8.83.9 →

Attributes of the deity

  • pracetas (wide-awake, luminous intelligence)
  • īśāna (sovereign mastery)
  • riśādasa (destroyers of harm)
  • protective help (avaḥ) sought by choice (vṛṇīmahe)
  • unconquered by evil (aghā)
  • generosity (sudānavas)
  • Indra-led leadership (indrajyeṣṭha)

Also by this seer

  • Mandala 8 contains many hymns associated with the Kaṇva tradition and practical ritual praise; however, this particular sūkta’s seer attribution is uncertain in the provided tradition/context.

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the altar/fire (Agni) and establish ritual purity (ācamanā, mental resolve).
  • Open with an invocation to the collective Devas as ‘vast Help’ (avaḥ) and request inner strengthening.
  • Name and praise the Ādityas (Varuṇa, Mitra, Aryaman) as guardians of ṛta and destroyers of harm.
  • Offer oblations while asking for protection from evil and for the ‘desirable good’ (vāma).
  • Conclude by addressing the broader Deva-host with Indra as chief, reaffirming confidence and petition.

Offerings

  • ghee (ājya) oblations into Agni
  • soma libation (where applicable)
  • grains/cakes (puroḍāśa) depending on rite
  • water and fragrant offerings as ancillary upacāras

Frequently Asked Questions

The hymn begins with the collective Devas and quickly emphasizes the Ādityas—especially Varuṇa, Mitra, and Aryaman—then closes by addressing the Deva-host with Indra as leader.

The worshipper ‘chooses’ the Gods’ vast help for protection, inner strength, and freedom from harmful and evil influences, trusting the Ādityas’ moral and cosmic guardianship.

It is suited for recitation in a fire offering or daily prayer for protection and clarity—invoking the Ādityas for lawful order and Indra-like courage to overcome obstacles.

Ask anything about Sukta 83 of the Rig Veda

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