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Dhammapada · narration sample

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Rig Veda · 351 of 1027

Mandala 4: HYMN LV. Viśvedevas.

1.WHO of you, Vasus, saveth? who protecteth? O Heaven and Earth and Aditi, preserve us, Varuṇa., Mitra, from the stronger mortal. Gods, which of you at sacrifice giveth comfort?

2.They who with laud extol the ancient statutes, when they shine forth infallible dividers, Have ordered as perpetual Ordainers, and beamed as holy-thoughted Wonder-Workers.

3.The Housewife Goddess, Aditi, and Sindhu, the Goddess Svasti I implore for friendship: And may the unobstructed Night and Morning both, day and night, provide for our protection.

4.Aryaman, Varuṇa have disclosed the pathway, Agni as Lord of Strength the road to welfare. Lauded in manly mode may Indra-Viṣṇu grant us their powerful defence and shelter.

5.I have besought the favour of the Maruts, of Parvata, of Bhaga God who rescues. From trouble caused by man the Lord preserve us; from woe sent by his friend let Mitra save us.

6.Agree, through these our watery oblations, Goddesses, Heaven and Earth, with Ahibudhnya. As if to win the sea, the Gharma-heaters have opened, as they come anear, the rivers.

7.May Goddess Aditi with Gods defend us, save us the saviour God with care unceasing. We dare not stint the sacred food of Mitra and Varuṇa upon the back of Agni.

8.Agni is Sovran Lord of wealth, Agni of great prosperity: May he bestow these gifts on us.

9.Hither to us, rich pleasant Dawn, bring many things to be desired, Thou who hast ample store of wealth.

10.So then may Bhaga, Savitar, Varuṇa, Mitra, Aryaman, Indra, with bounty come to us.

Asked of Guide

Why does the hymn ask so many different gods for protection and gifts together?

The hymn treats the gods as a collective working network: Vasus, Aditi, Varuṇa, Mitra, Agni, Indra‑Viṣṇu, Bhaga, Savitar, Aryaman and the Maruts each have specific powers—protection, law, wealth, dawn—so the poet invokes them all to secure every kind of help the community needs. Lines like “Agni is Sovran Lord of wealth” and appeals to “the unobstructed Night and Morning” show the ritual aim to align all cosmic forces with the sacrificers’ welfare.

This is a common Vedic strategy of cumulative invocation found elsewhere in the Rig Veda and in the Brhadaranyaka and Taittiriya layers: calling many deities increases the ritual’s reach and ensures no sphere of danger or blessing is left unaddressed. The hymn’s repeated petitions—“preserve us,” “grant us their powerful defence”—make the ritual act a communal securing of order and prosperity.

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