Vedas: Rigveda Madnala – 03/10
📖 Rigveda Mandala 3 – Hymns of Viśvāmitra and the Gayatri Wisdom
Sacrifice, Light, and the Path to Inner Brilliance
🔆 Introduction
Mandala 3 of the Rigveda is one of the most revered books in all of Vedic literature. Composed entirely by the legendary sage Ṛṣi Viśvāmitra, this Mandala contains 62 hymns, with a strong focus on Agni (Fire) and Indra (Strength)—but also introduces the world to the Gayatri Mantra (3.62.10), the most universally recited Vedic verse.
Viśvāmitra’s hymns are marked by their clarity, ritual precision, and luminous spiritual imagery. They celebrate the power of yajña, the role of divine beings in human upliftment, and the transformative nature of light (jyotiḥ).
📚 Overview of Mandala 3
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| 🔢 Total Sūktas | 62 |
| 👳♂️ Primary Ṛṣi | Viśvāmitra (descendant of Kuśika) |
| 🕉️ Key Deities | Agni, Indra, Soma, Ashvins, Mitra–Varuna, Savitṛ, Bhaga |
| 🔎 Central Themes | Yajña, Gayatri, light, thunder, harmony, expansion of consciousness |
| 🗣️ Metrical Style (Chandas) | Gayatri, Trishtubh, Jagati |
🌟 10 Most Significant Hymns from Rigveda Mandala 3
Each of the following hymns showcases Viśvāmitra’s divine vision, formatted with Sanskrit, transliteration, and English translation.
1. 🕯️ Agni Sūkta (3.1.1) – The Flame That Guides All Sacrifice
Sanskrit:
अग्निं नरो दीध्यति वेविध्वांसं
प्रियम्प्रियम्प्रियं होतारं यजिष्ठं।
Transliteration:
agniṃ naro dīdhyati vevidhvāṃsaṃ
priyaṃ hotāraṃ yajiṣṭhaṃ ||
Translation:
“Men who seek knowledge kindle Agni, the well-adorned, beloved priest of the sacrifice, most worthy of offerings.”
2. ⚡ Indra Sūkta (3.32.1) – Hero of Divine Victories
Sanskrit:
इन्द्राय सोमं यजताय शश्वतः
सुतं गीर्भिर्जरमाणं हवामहे।
Transliteration:
indrāya somaṃ yajatāya śaśvataḥ
sutaṃ gīrbhir jaramāṇaṃ havāmahe ||
Translation:
“To Indra, eternal and worshipful, we offer Soma pressed, invigorated by songs.”
3. 🌅 Gayatri Mantra (3.62.10) – The Light of All Lights
Sanskrit:
ॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः
तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं
भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि
धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात्॥
Transliteration:
oṃ bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ
tat savitur vareṇyaṃ
bhargo devasya dhīmahi
dhiyo yo naḥ pracodayāt ||
Translation:
“Om. We meditate on the adorable glory of the radiant Savitṛ (Sun); may he inspire and illuminate our intellect.”
4. 🔊 Savitṛ Sūkta (3.62.9) – The Sun as Inspirer
Sanskrit:
अयं देवः सविता सत्यश्चिद
यज्ञं जनाय चक्रे सुक्रतुः।
Transliteration:
ayaṃ devaḥ savitā satyaś cid
yajñaṃ janāya cakre sukratuḥ ||
Translation:
“This divine Savitṛ, full of truth and intention, has made the sacrifice for the good of beings.”
5. 🌿 Ashvins Sūkta (3.58.1) – Healers of Heaven and Earth
Sanskrit:
आ वां रथं गम्यं शश्वदाश्विना
युवं हि पूर्वे रथ्येव यातम।
Transliteration:
ā vāṃ rathaṃ gamyaṃ śaśvad āśvinā
yuvaṃ hi pūrve rathy eva yātam ||
Translation:
“Come with your chariot, Ashvins, as you have done before. You travel like the ancient ones on your divine path.”
6. 🪔 Bhaga Sūkta (3.9.1) – God of Fortune and Sharing
Sanskrit:
भगं धियं यज्ञियं देवमीड्यं
वयं भगं हवामहे सवितारम्।
Transliteration:
bhagaṃ dhiyaṃ yajñiyaṃ devam īḍyaṃ
vayaṃ bhagaṃ havāmahe savitāram ||
Translation:
“We call upon Bhaga, the divine giver of fortune, worthy of praise and invoked in sacrifice.”
7. 🌩️ Indra the Mighty (3.30.2) – Slayer of Vṛtra
Sanskrit:
त्वमिन्द्र वज्रिन्नप्रतिष्कुतः
सृजा पृणक् तमांसि दृळ्हा च।
Transliteration:
tvam indra vajrin na pratiṣkutaḥ
sṛjā pṛṇak tamāṃsi dṛḷhā ca ||
Translation:
“O Indra, wielder of the thunderbolt, unstoppable—release and destroy darkness and its strongholds.”
8. 🔥 Agni, the Messenger (3.2.1) – Bridging Human and Divine
Sanskrit:
अग्ने त्वं नो अन्तम उत्तमं
होता देवानामप एव यक्षि।
Transliteration:
agne tvaṃ no antam uttamaṃ
hotā devānām apa eva yakṣi ||
Translation:
“O Agni, be for us the closest and the highest—conduct the gods here to accept our offerings.”
9. 🌬️ Prayer to Vāyu (3.55.11) – The Life-Breath
Sanskrit:
वायो याहि श्रुतवाजोऽभि नो
वातस्यान्धः परीणस्म देवान्।
Transliteration:
vāyo yāhi śrutavājo ’bhi no
vātasyāndhaḥ parīṇasma devān ||
Translation:
“O Vāyu, arrive with your heard-strength—lead us beyond the darkness with the deities.”
10. 🌠 Mitra–Varuṇa Hymn (3.28.1) – Guardians of Cosmic Law
Sanskrit:
मित्रं हुवे पूतदक्षं
वरुणं च रजःसामपश्यन्।
Transliteration:
mitraṃ huve pūtadakṣaṃ
varuṇaṃ ca rajaḥsām apaśyan ||
Translation:
“I call upon Mitra, the pure-intentioned, and Varuṇa, who sees through the cosmic realms.”
🌄 Themes and Symbolism in Mandala 3
| Theme | Symbolism | Modern Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Gayatri Mantra | Divine light and intellect | Daily meditation, clarity, focus |
| Agni | Fire, transformation | Inner energy and motivation |
| Indra | Victory over darkness | Confidence and resilience |
| Savitṛ | Solar brilliance and life force | Vitality, circadian wisdom, Surya Namaskar |
| Bhaga | Divine fortune and sharing | Gratitude, abundance mindset |
| Mitra–Varuṇa | Law, harmony, divine friendship | Social ethics and personal integrity |
🧘♂️ Daily Practice Using Mandala 3
Suggested Morning Meditation (6–8 minutes):
- Face the rising sun and chant the Gayatri Mantra (3.62.10)
- Offer gratitude to Savitṛ, reciting 3.62.9
- Light a diya and chant Agni Sūkta (3.1.1)
- Close your eyes and visualize divine light entering your mind
- Set a clear daily intention aligned with dharma and clarity
🛕 Conclusion
Rigveda Mandala 3 is the light of Viśvāmitra’s vision, a Mandala of sacred speech, cosmic wisdom, and ritual brilliance. From the majestic Gayatri Mantra to the hymns of thunder, healing, and harmony, this Mandala brings divine energies directly into the life of the practitioner. It is a call to rise, radiate, and realign.
Let every seeker recite these hymns not just with voice, but with heart and purpose—walking the ancient path in modern light.