Complete Guide to Durga Rigvedoktam Devi Suktam
Introduction to Durga Rigvedoktam Devi Suktam
Durga Rigvedoktam Devi Suktam is one of the most ancient hymns dedicated to the divine feminine, originating from the Rigveda. This sacred composition reveals the Goddess (Devi) as the supreme cosmic power who pervades all of creation, supports all the gods, and manifests as the infinite energy that sustains the universe.
Spiritual Significance of Durga Rigvedoktam Devi Suktam
As a Rigvedic hymn, this Devi Suktam represents the earliest Vedic recognition of the supreme feminine divine power. It is closely associated with the Vak Sukta (Hymn of Sacred Speech) and establishes the theological foundation for all subsequent Shakti worship in Hinduism. It is recited as part of the complete Durga Saptashati worship.
Durga Rigvedoktam Devi Suktam Lyrics
॥ ऋग्वेदोक्तं देवीसूक्तम् ॥
॥ विनियोगः ॥
ॐ अहमित्यष्टर्चस्य सूक्तस्य वागाम्भृणी ऋषिः,
सच्चित्सुखात्मकः सर्वगतः परमात्मा देवता,
द्वितीयाया ॠचो जगती, शिष्टानां त्रिष्टुप् छन्दः,
देवीमाहात्म्यपाठे विनियोगः।*
॥ ध्यानम् ॥
ॐ सिंहस्था शशिशेखरा मरकतप्रख्यैश्चतुर्भिर्भुजैः
शङ्खं चक्रधनुःशरांश्च दधती नेत्रैस्त्रिभिः शोभिता।
आमुक्ताङ्गदहारकङ्कणरणत्काञ्चीरणन्नूपुरा
दुर्गा दुर्गतिहारिणी भवतु नो रत्नोल्लसत्कुण्डला॥*
॥ देवीसूक्तम्* ॥
ॐ अहं रुद्रेभिर्वसुभिश्चराम्यहमादित्यैरुत विश्वदेवैः।
अहं मित्रावरुणोभा बिभर्म्यहमिन्द्राग्नी अहमश्विनोभा॥1॥
अहं सोममाहनसं बिभर्म्यहं त्वष्टारमुत पूषणं भगम्।
अहं दधामि द्रविणं हविष्मते सुप्राव्ये यजमानाय सुन्वते॥2॥
अहं राष्ट्री संगमनी वसूनां चिकितुषी प्रथमा यज्ञियानाम्।
तां भा देवा व्यदधुः पुरुत्रा भूरिस्थात्रां भूर्य्यावेशयन्तीम्॥3॥
मया सो अन्नमत्ति यो विपश्यति यः प्राणिति य ईं शृणोत्युक्तम्।
अमन्तवो मां त उप क्षियन्ति श्रुधि श्रुत श्रद्धिवं ते वदामि॥4॥
अहमेव स्वयमिदं वदामि जुष्टं देवेभिरुत मानुषेभिः।
यं कामये तं तमुग्रं कृणोमि तं ब्रह्माणं तमृषिं तं सुमेधाम्॥5॥
अहं रुद्राय धनुरा तनोमि ब्रह्मद्विषे शरवे हन्तवा उ।
अहं जनाय समदं कृणोम्यहं द्यावापृथिवी आ विवेश॥6॥
अहं सुवे पितरमस्य मूर्धन्मम योनिरप्स्वन्तः समुद्रे।
ततो वि तिष्ठे भुवनानु विश्वो-तामूं द्यां वर्ष्मणोप स्पृशामि॥7॥
अहमेव वात इव प्रवाम्यारभमाणा भुवनानि विश्वा।
परो दिवा पर एना पृथिव्यैतावती महिना संबभूव*॥8॥
॥ इति ऋग्वेदोक्तं देवीसूक्तम् समाप्तं ॥
॥ Rigvedoktam Devisuktam ॥
॥ Viniyogah ॥
Om Ahamityashtarchasya Suktasya Vagambhrini Rishih,
Sachchitsukhatmakah Sarvagatah Paramatma Devata,
Dvitiyaya Richo Jagati, Shishtanam Trishtup Chhandah,
Devimahatmyapathe Viniyogah।*
॥ Dhyanam ॥
Om Sinhastha Shashishekhara Marakataprakhyaishchaturbhirbhujaih
Shankham Chakradhanuhsharanshcha Dadhati Netraistribhih Shobhita।
Amuktangadaharakankanaranatkanchiranannupura
Durga Durgatiharini Bhavatu No Ratnollasatkundala॥*
॥ Devisuktam* ॥
Om Aham Rudrebhirvasubhishcharamyahamadityairuta Vishvadevaih।
Aham Mitravarunobha Bibharmyahamindragni Ahamashvinobha॥1॥
Aham Somamahanasam Bibharmyaham Tvashtaramuta Pushanam Bhagam।
Aham Dadhami Dravinam Havishmate Supravye Yajamanaya Sunvate॥2॥
Aham Rashtri Sangamani Vasunam Chikitushi Prathama Yajniyanam।
Tam Bha Deva Vyadadhuh Purutra Bhuristhatram Bhuryyaveshayantim॥3॥
Maya So Annamatti Yo Vipashyati Yah Praniti Ya Im Shrinotyuktam।
Amantavo Mam Ta Upa Kshiyanti Shrudhi Shruta Shraddhivam Te Vadami॥4॥
Ahameva Svayamidam Vadami Jushtam Devebhiruta Manushebhih।
Yam Kamaye Tam Tamugram Krinomi Tam Brahmanam Tamrishim Tam Sumedham॥5॥
Aham Rudraya Dhanura Tanomi Brahmadvishe Sharave Hantava U।
Aham Janaya Samadam Krinomyaham Dyavaprithivi A Vivesha॥6॥
Aham Suve Pitaramasya Murdhanmama Yonirapsvantah Samudre।
Tato Vi Tishthe Bhuvananu Vishvo-tamum Dyam Varshmanopa Sprishami॥7॥
Ahameva Vata Iva Pravamyarabhamana Bhuvanani Vishva।
Paro Diva Para Ena Prithivyaitavati Mahina Sambabhuva*॥8॥
॥ Iti Rigvedoktam Devisuktam Samaptam ॥
Verse-by-Verse Meaning of Rigvedoktam Devi Suktam
1 First Verse
ॐ अहं रुद्रेभिर्वसुभिश्चराम्यहमादित्यैरुत विश्वदेवैः।
अहं मित्रावरुणोभा बिभर्म्यहमिन्द्राग्नी अहमश्विनोभा॥
अहं मित्रावरुणोभा बिभर्म्यहमिन्द्राग्नी अहमश्विनोभा॥
Word Meanings: अहम् (Aham) = I; रुद्रेभिः (Rudrebhih) = with the Rudras; वसुभिः (Vasubhih) = with the Vasus; चरामि (Charami) = I move/wander; आदित्यैः (Adityaih) = with the Adityas; उत (Uta) = and; विश्वदेवैः (Vishvadevaih) = with the Vishvedevas; मित्रावरुणौ (Mitravarunau) = Mitra and Varuna; उभा (Ubha) = both; बिभर्मि (Bibharmi) = I sustain; इन्द्राग्नी (Indragni) = Indra and Agni; अश्विनौ (Ashvinau) = the twin Ashvins
Translation: (The Goddess Vak speaks:) I move with the Rudras, with the Vasus, with the Adityas, and with the Vishvedevas. I sustain both Mitra and Varuna, both Indra and Agni, and both the Ashvins.
2 Second Verse
अहं सोममाहनसं बिभर्म्यहं त्वष्टारमुत पूषणं भगम्।
अहं दधामि द्रविणं हविष्मते सुप्राव्ये यजमानाय सुन्वते॥
अहं दधामि द्रविणं हविष्मते सुप्राव्ये यजमानाय सुन्वते॥
Word Meanings: सोमम् (Somam) = Soma; आहनसम् (Ahanasam) = the swelling one; बिभर्मि (Bibharmi) = I sustain; त्वष्टारम् (Tvashtaram) = Tvashta (the divine craftsman); पूषणम् (Pushnam) = Pushan; भगम् (Bhagam) = Bhaga; दधामि (Dadhami) = I bestow; द्रविणम् (Dravinam) = wealth; हविष्मते (Havishmate) = to the one who offers oblations; सुप्राव्ये (Supravye) = to the well-guided; यजमानाय (Yajamanaya) = to the sacrificer; सुन्वते (Sunvate) = who presses Soma
Translation: I sustain Soma the swelling one, Tvashta, Pushan, and Bhaga. I bestow wealth upon the one who offers oblations, upon the well-guided sacrificer who presses Soma.
3 Third Verse
अहं राष्ट्री संगमनी वसूनां चिकितुषी प्रथमा यज्ञियानाम्।
तां मा देवा व्यदधुः पुरुत्रा भूरिस्थात्रां भूर्यावेशयन्तीम्॥
तां मा देवा व्यदधुः पुरुत्रा भूरिस्थात्रां भूर्यावेशयन्तीम्॥
Word Meanings: राष्ट्री (Rashtri) = the sovereign queen; संगमनी (Sangamani) = the gatherer/unifier; वसूनाम् (Vasunam) = of treasures; चिकितुषी (Chikitushi) = the conscious/knowing one; प्रथमा (Prathama) = the foremost; यज्ञियानाम् (Yajniyanam) = among those worthy of worship; पुरुत्रा (Purutra) = in many places; भूरिस्थात्राम् (Bhuristhatram) = abiding in many forms; भूर्यावेशयन्तीम् (Bhuryaveshayantim) = entering many forms
Translation: I am the sovereign queen, the gatherer of treasures, the conscious one, the foremost among those worthy of worship. The gods have established me in many places, dwelling in many forms, entering many beings.
4 Fourth Verse
मया सो अन्नमत्ति यो विपश्यति यः प्राणिति य ईं शृणोत्युक्तम्।
अमन्तवो मां त उप क्षियन्ति श्रुधि श्रुत श्रद्धिवं ते वदामि॥
अमन्तवो मां त उप क्षियन्ति श्रुधि श्रुत श्रद्धिवं ते वदामि॥
Word Meanings: मया (Maya) = through me; अन्नम् (Annam) = food; अत्ति (Atti) = eats; विपश्यति (Vipashyati) = sees; प्राणिति (Praniti) = breathes; शृणोति (Shrinoti) = hears; उक्तम् (Uktam) = what is spoken; अमन्तवः (Amantavah) = the unknowing; उप क्षियन्ति (Upa kshiyanti) = perish; श्रुधि (Shrudhi) = listen; श्रुत (Shruta) = O renowned one; श्रद्धिवम् (Shraddhivam) = worthy of faith; वदामि (Vadami) = I speak
Translation: Through Me alone one eats food, sees, breathes, and hears what is spoken. Those who do not know Me still depend on Me. Listen, O renowned one! I speak what is worthy of faith.
5 Fifth Verse
अहमेव स्वयमिदं वदामि जुष्टं देवेभिरुत मानुषेभिः।
यं कामये तं तमुग्रं कृणोमि तं ब्रह्माणं तमृषिं तं सुमेधाम्॥
यं कामये तं तमुग्रं कृणोमि तं ब्रह्माणं तमृषिं तं सुमेधाम्॥
Word Meanings: अहम् एव (Aham eva) = I alone; स्वयम् (Svayam) = myself; वदामि (Vadami) = declare; जुष्टम् (Jushtam) = accepted/beloved; देवेभिः (Devebhih) = by gods; मानुषेभिः (Manushebhih) = by humans; यम् (Yam) = whom; कामये (Kamaye) = I desire/love; उग्रम् (Ugram) = powerful; कृणोमि (Krinomi) = I make; ब्रह्माणम् (Brahmanam) = a knower of Brahman; ऋषिम् (Rishim) = a sage; सुमेधाम् (Sumedham) = a wise one
Translation: I Myself declare what is accepted by both gods and humans. Whomever I love, I make them powerful, a knower of Brahman, a sage, and supremely wise.
6 Sixth Verse
अहं रुद्राय धनुरा तनोमि ब्रह्मद्विषे शरवे हन्तवा उ।
अहं जनाय समदं कृणोम्यहं द्यावापृथिवी आ विवेश॥
अहं जनाय समदं कृणोम्यहं द्यावापृथिवी आ विवेश॥
Word Meanings: रुद्राय (Rudraya) = for Rudra; धनुः (Dhanuh) = the bow; आ तनोमि (A tanomi) = I string/stretch; ब्रह्मद्विषे (Brahmadvise) = for the hater of Brahman; शरवे (Sharave) = as an arrow; हन्तवै (Hantavai) = to slay; जनाय (Janaya) = for people; समदम् (Samadam) = battle/conflict; कृणोमि (Krinomi) = I make; द्यावापृथिवी (Dyavapritihivi) = heaven and earth; आ विवेश (A vivesha) = I have entered
Translation: I string the bow for Rudra to slay the hater of sacred knowledge. I create the battle for the people. I have entered heaven and earth.
7 Seventh Verse
अहं सुवे पितरमस्य मूर्धन्मम योनिरप्स्वन्तः समुद्रे।
ततो वि तिष्ठे भुवनानु विश्वो-तामूं द्यां वर्ष्मणोप स्पृशामि॥
ततो वि तिष्ठे भुवनानु विश्वो-तामूं द्यां वर्ष्मणोप स्पृशामि॥
Word Meanings: सुवे (Suve) = I give birth to; पितरम् (Pitaram) = the father (creator); अस्य (Asya) = of this (world); मूर्धन् (Murdhan) = on the head/summit; मम (Mama) = my; योनिः (Yonih) = origin/womb; अप्सु (Apsu) = in the waters; अन्तः (Antah) = within; समुद्रे (Samudre) = in the ocean; ततः (Tatah) = then; विश्वा (Vishva) = the entire; भुवनानि (Bhuvanani) = worlds; वर्ष्मणा (Varshmana) = with my stature; अमूम् द्याम् (Amum dyam) = that heaven; उप स्पृशामि (Upa sprishami) = I touch
Translation: I give birth to the father (creator) of this world on its summit. My origin is in the waters, within the ocean. From there I spread through all the worlds, and with my stature I touch the heavens above.
8 Eighth Verse
अहमेव वात इव प्रवाम्यारभमाणा भुवनानि विश्वा।
परो दिवा पर एना पृथिव्यैतावती महिना संबभूव॥
परो दिवा पर एना पृथिव्यैतावती महिना संबभूव॥
Word Meanings: अहम् (Aham) = I; वातः इव (Vatah iva) = like the wind; प्रवामि (Pravami) = I blow forth; आरभमाणा (Arabhamana) = initiating/setting in motion; भुवनानि विश्वा (Bhuvanani vishva) = all the worlds; परः (Parah) = beyond; दिवा (Diva) = the sky; एना (Ena) = this; पृथिव्या (Prithivya) = the earth; एतावती (Etavati) = of such extent; महिना (Mahina) = by greatness; संबभूव (Sambabhuva) = I have become/manifested
Translation: I blow forth like the wind, setting in motion all the worlds. I extend beyond the sky and beyond this earth — of such immeasurable greatness have I manifested.
Spiritual Benefits of Reciting Durga Rigvedoktam Devi Suktam
Spiritual Growth
- Divine Grace: Attracts the special blessings and protection of Goddess Durga
- Inner Peace: Brings tranquility and contentment to the mind
- Positive Energy: Develops an attitude of gratitude and spiritual awareness
- Spiritual Progress: Enhances devotion and deepens spiritual understanding
Material and Worldly Benefits
- Obstacle Removal: Clears impediments from the path of progress
- Success: Enhances success in academic, professional, and personal endeavors
- Protection: Provides divine protection from negative forces and energies
- Family Harmony: Promotes peace and understanding among family members
Health and Well-being
- Mental Clarity: Enhances focus, concentration, and decision-making
- Stress Relief: Reduces anxiety and promotes emotional balance
- Physical Vitality: Supports overall health and well-being
- Karmic Purification: Helps dissolve accumulated negative karma
How to Chant Durga Rigvedoktam Devi Suktam: Complete Guide
Preparation for Chanting
- Personal Cleanliness: Take a bath and wear clean clothes
- Sacred Space: Sit in a clean, quiet place facing east or north
- Deity Image: Place an image or idol of Goddess Durga before you
- Light a Lamp: Light a ghee or sesame oil lamp for auspiciousness
- Mental Preparation: Calm the mind with a few minutes of deep breathing
Step-by-Step Chanting Process
- Invocation: Begin with a brief prayer to Goddess Durga
- Sankalpa: State your intention (spiritual growth, protection, or specific purpose)
- Recitation: Chant the stotram with clear pronunciation and devotional feeling
- Meditation: After chanting, sit quietly and meditate on the deity's form
- Prayer: Offer your heartfelt prayers and express gratitude
Important Guidelines
- Maintain regularity — daily practice yields the best results
- Chant with genuine devotion rather than mere mechanical repetition
- Try to understand the meaning of the verses for deeper spiritual impact
- Maintain a vegetarian diet on days of special devotion
- Share the merit of your practice by praying for the welfare of all beings
Best Times to Recite Durga Rigvedoktam Devi Suktam
Daily Practice
- Early Morning: Brahma Muhurta (4:00 - 6:00 AM) for maximum spiritual benefit
- Evening: During sunset (Sandhya Kaal) for divine blessings
- Before Sleep: For peaceful rest and divine protection through the night
Special Occasions
- Festival Days: During festivals associated with Goddess Durga
- Ekadashi: Auspicious for spiritual practices and vrat observances
- Purnima (Full Moon): Enhanced spiritual energy for meditation and chanting
- Amavasya (New Moon): For removal of negative influences and karmic cleansing
Frequently Asked Questions about Rigvedoktam Devi Suktam
What is the Rigvedoktam Devi Suktam?
The Rigvedoktam Devi Suktam (ऋग्वेदोक्तं देवी सूक्तम्), also known as Vak Suktam, is a profound Vedic hymn from the Rigveda (10.125) composed by the Rishika Vak Ambhrini — the daughter of Sage Ambhrina. It is a extraordinary first-person declaration by the Goddess (as Vak/Divine Speech) proclaiming her omnipresence and omnipotence. It is one of the earliest and most powerful expressions of Goddess theology in world literature.
Who composed the Rigvedoktam Devi Suktam?
The seer (Rishika) of this sukta is Vak Ambhrini — the divine speech personified as a female sage. She is one of the few female seers (Rishikas) in the Rigveda. The sukta is remarkable because it is the Goddess herself speaking in the first person: 'Aham Rudrebhih...' (I move with the Rudras). This self-revelation by the Divine Feminine makes it one of the most unique and theologically significant hymns in the entire Vedic corpus.
What does the Devi declare in this sukta?
The Devi makes extraordinary declarations: 'I move with the Rudras, Vasus, Adityas, and Vishwadevas. I support both Mitra and Varuna, both Indra and Agni. I am the sovereign queen, the collector of treasures. I pervade heaven and earth. I give birth to the father on the head of this world. My origin is in the waters, in the ocean.' These statements establish the Goddess as the supreme, all-pervading cosmic power from the Vedic perspective.
When should one recite the Rigvedoktam Devi Suktam?
As one of the Shadanga of Durga Saptashati, it is recited before the main parayana. Independently, it is chanted during Navaratri, on Fridays, during Saraswati Puja (as Vak is closely related to Saraswati), and during any Shakti worship. Being a Rigvedic hymn with proper swara (tonal accents), it should ideally be recited with correct Vedic pronunciation for maximum spiritual power.
What is the significance of this sukta in Goddess theology?
The Rigvedoktam Devi Suktam is perhaps the earliest theological text in world history that presents the Goddess as the Supreme Being. Its Vedic authority (Rigveda 10.125) gives it unimpeachable scriptural status. It bridges Vedic and Tantric theology — the Vedic Vak Devi of this sukta is the same Mahadevi of the later Shakta Tantras. It proves that Goddess worship is not a later development but is rooted in the most ancient layer of Hindu scripture.