Devīsūkta

The Devīsūktam, also called the Aṃbhṛnīsūktam, is the 125th sūkta (hymn) occurring in the 10th mandala of the Ṛgveda.[2] In the present day, the sūkta is popularly chanted during the worship of the Devī (Universal Goddess in any form), in the daily rituals of temples, and also in various Vedic sacrificial ceremonies like iṣti, hōma, havana, etc. It is also chanted at the end of Devīmāhātmya.

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This article is about the Devīsūktam in the Ṛgveda. This is different from Devisuktam/ Chandipath in Durgāsaptaśatī of Mārkaṃḍeyapurāṇa.[1]

Text and meaning

The sūkta, in its apparent, general sense, is the proclamation by the Devī of her own power, glory, pervasiveness, and actions.

Sāyaṇācārya, in his commentary, states that Vāgāmbhṛṇī, (Vāk, the daughter of Ṛṣi Aṃbhṛṇa) - a brahmaviduṣi (one who has realized Bṛahman) - has eulogized herself in this sūkta. Vāk, having dissolved her individuality - the ego - has hence identified herself with the Paramātman (Brahman who is none other than the Devī), the all pervasive saccidānañda (the indivisible Existence-Knowledge-Bliss-Absolute), and thus with all the forms in the universe and the functionaries thereof, has praised herself.

Hence, she is the ṛṣikā of this sūkta and also the devatā.[3]

The 'I' Vāgāmbhṛṇī refers to, in the sūkta, is no more the narrow, limited ego which identifies itself with the microcosmic body-mind complex. It is the illimitable, eternal, residual Pure Consciousness - the Substratum of both the ego (subject) and the universe (object).

Her words, perhaps, remain the boldest, uncompromising proclamations of the realisation of Advaitic (non-dualistic) Truth by any seer in the entire realm of the Vedas.

The Devīsūkta:

1. I proceed with the Rudras, with the Vasus, with the Ādityas and the Viśhvadevas; I support both Mitra and Varuṇa, Agni and Iñdra, and the two Aśvins.[4]

2. I support the foe-destroying Tvaśtṛ, Pūśan and Bhaga; I bestow wealth upon the institutor of the rite offering the oblation (havis) - (who is) pouring forth the libation and deserving of careful protection. [5]

3. I am the sovereign queen (of all Existence), the collectress of treasures, cognizant of (the Supreme Being), the chief object of worship; as such, the gods have put me in many places, abiding in manifold conditions, entering into numerous (forms).[6]

4. He who eats food (eats) through me; he who sees, who breathes, who hears what is spoken, does so through me; those who are ignorant of me, perish; hearken who is capable of hearing, I tell you that which is deserving of belief. [7]

5. I verily myself declare this which is approved of by both gods and men; whomsoever I choose, I render him an exalted one, make him a ṛṣi, make him Brahman or make him highly intelligent. [8]

6. I bend the bow (to fasten the bow string at its ends) for Rudra, to slay the tormenting, Brahman-hating enemy. I wage war against (hostile) men (to protect the praying ones); I have pervaded the Heaven and earth. [9]

7. I bring forth the paternal (heaven - abode of the manes) upon the crown (brows) of (this Supreme Being); my genesis is from the waters (cosmic - the all pervading Entity); from thence, I pervade through all beings and reach this heaven with my body. [10]

8. I verily myself breathe forth like the wind, issuing out form to all the created worlds; beyond the heaven, beyond the world (I Exist eternally - beyond space & time) - so vast am I in my greatness. [11]

Recitation

An audio recording of the recitation of the Devīsūkta:

References
  1. "Devi Suktam or Vak Suktam - Proclamation by the Primordial Goddess".
  2. Rao, P. Venkata (1955): Ṛgveda Saṃhitā with Sāyaṇa's bhāṣya, Vol. 30. Śṛī Śāradā Press, Mysore, Karnataka, India, (Published by The Mahāṛāja of Mysore, for free public perusal). p. 689
  3. Ibid., p 690
  4. Ibid., p. 692
  5. Ibid., p. 693
  6. Ibid., p. 694 - 695
  7. Ibid., p. 696
  8. Ibid., p. 697
  9. Ibid., p. 698
  10. Ibid., p. 700
  11. Ibid., p. 703
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