Rigvedokta Devi Suktam: The Goddess's Own Declaration (Rig Veda)

Rigvedokta Devi Suktam - Sanskrit Text

विनियोगः
ॐ अहमित्यष्टर्चस्य सूक्तस्य वागाम्भृणी ऋषिः,
सच्चित्सुखात्मकः सर्वगतः परमात्मा देवता,
द्वितीयाया ऋचो जगती, शिष्टानां त्रिष्टुप् छन्दः,
देवीमाहात्म्यपाठे विनियोगः।

ध्यानम्
ॐ सिंहस्था शशिशेखरा मरकतप्रख्यैश्चतुर्भिर्भुजैः
शङ्खं चक्रधनुःशरांश्च दधती नेत्रैस्त्रिभिः शोभिता।
आमुक्ताङ्गदहारकङ्कणरणत्काञ्चीरणन्नूपुरा
दुर्गा दुर्गतिहारिणी भवतु नो रत्नोल्लसत्कुण्डला॥

ॐ अहं रुद्रेभिर्वसुभिश्चराम्यहमादित्यैरुत विश्वदेवैः।
अहं मित्रावरुणोभा बिभर्म्यहमिन्द्राग्नी अहमश्विनोभा॥१॥

अहं सोममाहनसं बिभर्म्यहं त्वष्टारमुत पूषणं भगम्।
अहं दधामि द्रविणं हविष्मते सुप्राव्ये यजमानाय सुन्वते॥२॥

अहं राष्ट्री सङ्गमनी वसूनां चिकितुषी प्रथमा यज्ञियानाम्।
तां मा देवा व्यदधुः पुरुत्रा भूरिस्थात्रां भूर्यावेशयन्तीम्॥३॥

मया सो अन्नमत्ति यो विपश्यति यः प्राणिति य ईं शृणोत्युक्तम्।
अमन्तवो मां त उप क्षियन्ति श्रुधि श्रुत श्रद्धिवं ते वदामि॥४॥

अहमेव स्वयमिदं वदामि जुष्टं देवेभिरुत मानुषेभिः।
यं कामये तं तमुग्रं कृणोमि तं ब्रह्माणं तमृषिं तं सुमेधाम्॥५॥

अहं रुद्राय धनुरा तनोमि ब्रह्मद्विषे शरवे हन्तवा उ।
अहं जनाय समदं कृणोम्यहं द्यावापृथिवी आ विवेश॥६॥

अहं सुवे पितरमस्य मूर्धन्मम योनिरप्स्वन्तः समुद्रे।
ततो वि तिष्ठे भुवनानु विश्वोतामूं द्यां वर्ष्मणोप स्पृशामि॥७॥

अहमेव वात इव प्र वाम्यारभमाणा भुवनानि विश्वा।
परो दिवा पर एना पृथिव्यैतावती महिना सं बभूव॥८॥

॥ इति ऋग्वेदोक्तं देवीसूक्तं सम्पूर्णम् ॥

Transliteration (Roman/IAST)

oṁ ahaṁ rudrebhirvasubhiścarāmyahamādityairuta viśvadevaiḥ · ahaṁ mitrāvaruṇobhā bibharmyahamindrāgnī ahamaśvinobhā (1)
... ahaṁ rāṣṭrī saṅgamanī vasūnāṁ cikituṣī prathamā yajñiyānām (3) ·
... ahameva vāta iva pra vāmyārabhamāṇā bhuvanāni viśvā (8).

Meaning

Also known as the Devi Sukta or Ambhrini Sukta, these eight verses are spoken in the first person by the Goddess herself as the supreme power (Shakti) pervading all. "I move with the Rudras and the Vasus, with the Adityas and all the gods; I uphold Mitra and Varuna, Indra and Agni, and the twin Ashvins. I am the sovereign queen, gatherer of treasures, foremost of those worthy of worship. Through me alone one eats, sees, breathes, and hears; whom I love, him I make mighty - a sage, a seer, a knower of Brahman. I stretch the bow for Rudra to slay the enemy of the holy; I pervade heaven and earth. I bring forth the Father upon the summit of this world; my origin is within the waters, in the ocean; thence I extend over all beings and touch the very heavens. Like the wind I blow forth, setting all the worlds in motion - beyond heaven, beyond this earth, so vast have I become in my greatness."

About this Suktam

The Rigvedokta Devi Suktam is the 125th hymn of the tenth mandala of the Rig Veda, revealed to the rishika Vak, daughter of the sage Ambhrina. It is one of the oldest and most profound declarations of the Divine Feminine as the ultimate reality - not a goddess among gods, but the very ground of being from which the gods derive their power. It is recited at the very opening of the Durga Saptashati (Devi Mahatmya) and forms a cornerstone of Shakta worship. The viniyoga and dhyana verses that precede the hymn establish its ritual use and offer a meditation on Durga, lion-mounted and four-armed.

Significance & Spiritual Benefits

To recite the Devi Suktam is to affirm the all-pervading power of the Mother as the source of strength, knowledge, sovereignty, and grace. It is held to confer protection, fearlessness, the awakening of inner power (shakti), success, and the dissolution of obstacles. Chanted especially during Navaratri and in the worship of Durga, it draws the devotee into identity with the boundless Divine Mother, who declares herself the breath, the sight, and the very sustenance of all that lives.

Astrological Relevance

As the supreme invocation of Shakti, the Devi Suktam is the foremost remedy for the worship of the Navagraha through their underlying power, and is especially associated with Durga, the deity invoked to strengthen and protect against malefic influences. In Vedic astrology the Divine Mother governs the raw energy of the chart; her worship is prescribed to empower a weak ascendant, to fortify the Moon (manas) and the feminine grahas, and to overcome the obstacles of Shani (Saturn), Rahu, and Ketu during difficult dashas. Reciting it during Navaratri is a classic remedy for protection, victory, and the removal of persistent affliction.

How to Chant (Vidhi)

After bathing, sit before an image of Durga or the Devi with a lit lamp. Begin with the viniyoga and dhyana, then recite the eight verses with reverence, ideally as a prelude to the Durga Saptashati. Offer red flowers, kumkum, and a lamp; recitation during the Navaratri sandhi periods is especially powerful.

Best Day & Time

The nine nights of Navaratri are the supreme occasion, along with every Ashtami, Navami, and Friday - the day of the Goddess. The predawn Brahma Muhurta and the sandhya hours are the recommended times.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Rigvedokta Devi Suktam?

It is the Devi Sukta (Ambhrini Sukta), Rig Veda 10.125, in which the Goddess herself declares she is the all-pervading supreme power; it opens the recitation of the Durga Saptashati.

What benefits does its recitation bring?

It is held to bestow protection, fearlessness, strength, knowledge, success, and the awakening of inner shakti, and to remove obstacles.

When is the best time to recite it?

During Navaratri and on Ashtami, Navami, and Fridays, ideally as a prelude to Durga worship.