Vedas: Rigveda Madnala – 07/10
📖 Rigveda Mandala 7 – Hymns of Vasiṣṭha and the Songs of Divine Royalty
The Radiance of Dharma, Nobility, and Vedic Majesty
🔆 Introduction
Mandala 7 of the Rigveda contains 104 hymns, primarily attributed to the great sage Vasiṣṭha Maitrāvaruṇi, one of the Saptarishis (Seven Great Seers). Known for his royal association, Vasiṣṭha composed many hymns in honor of divine law, truth, victory, and kingship, invoking deities like Agni, Indra, Varuṇa, Mitra, the Maruts, Sarasvatī, and others.
These hymns blend the sacred with the sovereign. Through Vasiṣṭha’s poetic mastery, we see hymns that sanctify kingly rule, call for rain and prosperity, and establish the supremacy of satya (truth) as the foundation of spiritual and worldly strength.
📚 Overview of Mandala 7
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| 🔢 Total Sūktas | 104 |
| 👳♂️ Primary Ṛṣi | Vasiṣṭha Maitrāvaruṇi |
| 🕉️ Key Deities | Indra, Agni, Varuṇa, Mitra, Maruts, Sarasvatī, Vishvedevas, Rudra |
| 🔎 Central Themes | Divine kingship, satya (truth), ṛta (order), rivers, cosmic harmony |
| 🗣️ Metrical Style (Chandas) | Primarily Trishtubh and Jagati |
| 👑 Tone | Majestic, prayerful, truthful, moral |
🌟 10 Most Significant Hymns from Rigveda Mandala 7
Below are ten radiant hymns with Sanskrit, transliteration, and translation, selected for their spiritual power and universal appeal.
1. 🔥 Agni – The Priest of Kings (7.1.1)
Sanskrit:
अग्निमूर्धा दिवः ककुत्पतिः पृथिव्या अयम्।
अपां रेतांसि जिन्वति॥
Transliteration:
agnim ūrdhā divaḥ kakutpatiḥ pṛthivyā ayam |
apāṃ retāṃsi jinvati ||
Translation:
“Agni is the head of the sky, the lord of the earth—he kindles the seeds of the waters.”
🕯️ Insight: Agni is seen here as the sovereign light, uniting sky, earth, and life.
2. ⚡ Indra – King of Victory (7.20.1)
Sanskrit:
इन्द्रं वयं महाधनं
जेष्यन्तं शत्रवो यथा।
अभीष्ठं शूरमवसे॥
Transliteration:
indraṃ vayaṃ mahādhanaṃ
jeṣyantaṃ śatravo yathā |
abhīṣṭhaṃ śūram avase ||
Translation:
“We seek Indra, the mighty treasure—he who vanquishes enemies and brings victory to us in battle.”
⚔️ Insight: Indra embodies the kingly energy of protection, conquest, and justice.
3. 🌊 Sarasvatī – River of Divine Power (7.95.1)
Sanskrit:
प्र णो देवी सरस्वती
वाजेभिर्वाजिनीवती।
धीनामवित्र्यवतु॥
Transliteration:
pra ṇo devī sarasvatī
vājebhir vājinīvatī |
dhīnām avitry avatu ||
Translation:
“May the goddess Sarasvatī, rich in inspiration and wealth, protect us and guide our thoughts.”
🪷 Insight: Sarasvatī is invoked not just as a river, but as the stream of intelligence and creative energy.
4. 🌈 Mitra–Varuṇa – Lords of Order (7.60.5)
Sanskrit:
अयं देवानां
प्रसवे यज्ञो अध्वरः।
प्रयस्वानो वि राजति॥
Transliteration:
ayaṃ devānāṃ
prasave yajño adhvaraḥ |
prayasvāno vi rājati ||
Translation:
“This sacred act shines as ordained by the gods—it glows with the power of Mitra and Varuṇa.”
⚖️ Insight: These deities represent the twin pillars of moral order and cosmic law.
5. 🌀 The Maruts – Powers of Storm (7.56.1)
Sanskrit:
ये मरुतः पृथिव्या
रथेषु पश्यन्ति गव्यवः।
ते नः सिषक्तु मारुतः॥
Transliteration:
ye marutaḥ pṛthivyā
ratheṣu paśyanti gavyavaḥ |
te naḥ siṣaktu mārutaḥ ||
Translation:
“Those Maruts who shine upon the earth in their chariots—may they grant us strength and protection.”
🌪️ Insight: The storm gods are fierce yet vital forces of renewal and courage.
6. 🌾 Rain and Blessings (7.101.4)
Sanskrit:
वर्षत्विन्द्रो नो रजः
पर्जन्यो वार्यम्बुधः।
शिवा नः सन्तु पथ्यः॥
Transliteration:
varṣatv indro no rajaḥ
parjanyo vāry ambudhaḥ |
śivā naḥ santu pathyaḥ ||
Translation:
“Let Indra pour rain upon the land, let the sky rain down wealth—may our paths be auspicious.”
☔ Insight: This hymn links prosperity, rain, and divine favor through Indra and Parjanya.
7. 👁️ Satya – Truth as the Ultimate Law (7.76.1)
Sanskrit:
सत्यं ब्रह्मा तद्विदुः
ऋतमिन्द्रस्य धारुणम्।
अहं मन्ये सुतं हविः॥
Transliteration:
satyaṃ brahmā tad viduḥ
ṛtam indrasya dhāruṇam |
ahaṃ manye sutaṃ haviḥ ||
Translation:
“Truth is the highest offering—those who know it sustain Indra’s divine law.”
🧘 Insight: The Vedic seer proclaims that truth (satya) is the soul of dharma and divine action.
8. 🌄 Uṣas – The Divine Dawn (7.81.1)
Sanskrit:
प्रत्युषा जागृवी
नू चकर्थ व्युच्छन्त्यरुणा दिवः।
प्रभाते चोदया रयिम्॥
Transliteration:
praty uṣā jāgṛvī
nū cakartha vy ucchanty aruṇā divaḥ |
prabhāte codaya rayim ||
Translation:
“Awakened is the radiant Uṣas, rising with light—at dawn, bring us wealth and guidance.”
🌅 Insight: Uṣas is the goddess of dawn, symbolizing renewal, clarity, and spiritual awakening.
9. 🗡️ Rudra – Healer of the Fierce (7.46.1)
Sanskrit:
श्रुष्टिं रुद्रस्य
हेतिं यमस्य मर्त्यः।
आ वृणक्तु पृतन्यतः॥
Transliteration:
śruṣṭiṃ rudrasya
hetiṃ yamasya martyaḥ |
ā vṛṇaktu pṛtanyataḥ ||
Translation:
“O mortal, seek the protection of Rudra—he who commands both healing and wrath.”
🩹 Insight: Rudra is fierce and yet healing—a divine power that both protects and transforms.
10. 🕊️ Universal Peace and Protection (7.35.1)
Sanskrit:
शं नो मित्रः शं वरुणः
शं नो भवत्वर्यमा।
शं न इन्द्रो बृहस्पतिः
शं नो विष्णुरुरुक्रमः॥
Transliteration:
śaṃ no mitraḥ śaṃ varuṇaḥ
śaṃ no bhavatv aryamā |
śaṃ na indro bṛhaspatiḥ
śaṃ no viṣṇur urukramaḥ ||
Translation:
“May Mitra, Varuṇa, Aryaman, Indra, Bṛhaspati, and Vishṇu grant us peace and well-being.”
🕊️ Insight: A most powerful mantra for collective harmony and divine grace.
🌄 Themes and Symbolism in Mandala 7
| Theme | Symbolism | Modern Reflection |
|---|---|---|
| Divine Kingship | Truth-based leadership | Ethical governance, dharmic leadership |
| Satya and Ṛta | Cosmic and moral order | Integrity, truth in action |
| Rivers and Rain | Flow of grace and prosperity | Environment, natural balance |
| Sarasvatī and Uṣas | Wisdom and awakening | Creativity, inner renewal |
| Protection & Peace | Divine forces warding off chaos | Well-being, emotional and physical security |
🧘♂️ Daily Practice Inspired by Mandala 7
Royal Mindfulness (8–10 mins):
- Light a diya and chant Agni (7.1.1) and Sarasvatī (7.95.1) mantras
- Reflect on your life’s purpose using Uṣas hymn (7.81.1) at dawn
- Introspect on truth and leadership using Satya hymn (7.76.1)
- End with the Shanti mantra (7.35.1)
- Set a daily sankalpa (intention) to lead your life with nobility and honesty
🛕 Conclusion
Rigveda Mandala 7, authored by the royal sage Vasiṣṭha, is a masterpiece of divine authority, moral majesty, and spiritual power. Through each hymn, it weaves a connection between truth and victory, river and wisdom, kingship and dharma. It is a timeless invocation for those who walk the path of leadership—whether in self, society, or soul.