The Devi Suktam, Rigveda , Mandala 10, Sukta 125 quotes 1 to 8 are one of the rare Adyatmika (first-person) mantras of Rigveda. It is one of the most beloved hymns amongst Hindus, widely recited during Navratri Durgapuja before the Devi Mahatmya or Durga Saptasati.
Rishi : Vagambrini
Devata (God): Vagambrni (Atmastuti)
Chanda: Trishup
Here the Goddess Vak Ambhrni (speech), daughter of the great sage Ambhrna is praising herself, indeed seeing herself as the very Shakti of the Universe. This hymn sets out the Vedic idea of Shabd-brahman.
Hinduism attaches great importance to the power of syllables, words and mantra. It is believed that every syllable carries with it the seed for the corresponding form. Infact AUM, is considered to be the primordial sound that created this Universe.
Thus, the Vedas and all scriptures say that, Sound/ Speech/Vak is the Divine Voice or the Divine Sonic energy or the Primal Sound that gets manifested in the world.
The Rishis of the yore broadly divided Speech into 2 types:
Para vak (1st Stage):
Ultra- subtle speech at the psychological level transmitted through mental waves through the power of concentrated Samkalpa. This is used by advanced aspirants and is beyond the ordinary man. But even for him, Para-Vak is the first level of sound that manifests in the Prana as undifferentiated thoughts,
its seat being the Muladhara chakra (base chakra at the perineum)
Apara vak (2nd stage)
· Pasyanti vak: Still subtle this stage, sound manifests in our Manipur (navel) chakra. This stage has a form and colour that is the universally the same for a particular feeling irrespective of the language used.
· Madhyama vak: This third stage when Vak manifests in the heart chakra. Every concept that has ever been released in the world is by way of sound. This stage is where the sound imprinted in the mind.
· Vaikhari vak: Finally, the well-formed idea is given physiological expression through the throat and mouth. From the subtlest vibration it has now been converted into a gross form of
sonic energy.
It is peculiar to the Vedas that each natural phenomenon was attributed to a god or a deity who presided over it.
Further they were separately propitiated through specific Yajnas and prayers from time to time.
And yet there was a clear understanding that all these attributes and Vedas led to one great all-encompassing God.
Accordingly, Surya was the effulgent Sun that was called Savitr before rising, Agni the all -important fire, Indra the bringer of water and moisture, Marut the storms bringing in the rains, Prithvi, the beautiful earth, Usha the beautiful dawn , Varuna the skies/ the heavens , Ashvins were the ultimate twin physicians who brought in the first streaks of the sun and then vanished. The seven Adityas were the seven divine suns who lit up different areas of the heaven.
What is the Devi Suktam ? what are the quotes
It is a Self-declaration wherein Goddess Vak or the Word (of God) is identifying herself as deeply pervading into everyone and everything in the Universe much like Goddess Shakti.
Devi Suktam, Rigveda quote 10.125.1
1. Aham rudrebhirvasubhiscaramyaham adityaairuta , visvadevaih. Aham mitravarunobha bibhamryahamindragni ahamasvinobha
Translation: I proceed with the Rudras, with the Vasus, with the Adityas, and with the Visvedevas. I support both Mitra and Varuna, Agni and Indra and the two Asvins.
Meaning: Vak Ambhrni is declaring here that she is omnipresent and omniscient in this world. She co exists at every level of divinity as well as material world. She pervades the all energies(Rudras), also the earth, water, fire, air, space and sun/moon and stars (Vasus). She is present in the various forms of sun (Adityas).
Further she is reinforcing that she pervades both the day and night (Mitra and Varuna), fire and water (Agni and Indra) and positive/negative sciences (twin Ashvins) and basically all divinities (Vishvedevas)
Devi Suktam, Rigveda quote 10.125.2
2. Aham somamahanasam bibharmyaham tvastaramuta
pusanam bhagam. Aham dadhami dravinam havismate supravye yajamanaya sunvate
Translation: I support the foe-destroying Soma, Tvasta, Pusan and Bhaga, I bestow wealth upon the institutor of the rite offering the oblation, deserving of careful protection, pouring forth the libation.
Meaning: Vak says that she powers the elixir Soma, the skilled artisan/weapon-maker (Tvashta), the divinities of nourishment, growth and progress. She blesses that host who liberally offers libations into the Yajna and thereby spreads goodness
for the universal welfare of everyone.
Devi Suktam, Rigveda quote 10.125.3
3. Aham rastim samgamani vasunam cikitusi prathama yajniyanam. Tam ma deva vyadadhuh purutra huristhatram bhuryavesayantim.
Translation: I am the sovereign queen, the collectress of treasures,
cognizant (of the Supreme Being), the chief of objects of worship, as such the gods have put me in many places, abiding in manifold conditions, entering into numerous (forms)
Meaning: Vak says that she is the spirit and force behind all economic and social efforts. She ushers in prosperity and therefore is instituted at key positions by wise men such as in thought and determined efforts
Devi Suktam, Rigveda quote 10.125.4
4. Maya so annamatti yo vipasyati yah
praniti ya im srnotyuktam. Amantavo mam ta upa ksiyanti srudhi sruta sraddhivam te vadami
Translation : 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; hear you who have hearing. I tell that which is deserving of belief.
Meaning: Here Vak declares that she is the Shakti behind all actions, seeing, breathing, speaking etc. She also warns to see her through this phenomenal world and believe in what she says.
Devi Suktam, Rigveda quote 10.125.5
5. Ahameva svayamidam vadami justam devebhiruta manusebhih. Yam kamaye tam tamugram krnomi tam brahmanam tamrsim tam sumedham
Translation : I verily of myself declare this which is approved of by both gods and men; whomsoever I will. I render formidable, I make him a Brahma, A Rsi or a sage
Meaning: whatever, wise, loved or adored is spoken by sages or veterans it all through me. Whosoever I Love because of his goodness, I will exhalt him to the status of a brilliant creative thinker and writer.
Devi Suktam, Rigveda quote 10.125.6
6. Aham rudraya dhanuratanimi brahmadvise sarave hantava u. Aham jananya samadam krnomyaham dyavaprthvi a vivesa.
Translation : bend the bow of Rudra, to slay the destructive enemy of the Brahmanas, I wage war with (hostile) men. I pervade heaven and earth.
Meaning : Vak says here that she is the force that slays enemies and restores good in this world.
Devi Suktam, Rigveda quote 10.125.7
7. Aham suve pitaramasya murdhan mama yonirapsvantah samudre. Tato vi tisthe bhuvananu visvotamum dyam varsmanopa sprsami.
Translation: bring forth the paternal (heaven) upon the brow of this (Supreme Being), my birthplace is in the midst of the waters, from thence I spread through all beings and touch this heaven with my body.
Meaning: I usher in the heavens as a father- protector (Brahman) over the humans. I manifest in the particles at the bottom of the ocean (a metaphor for life-consciousness) and stretch out to the heavens and join Heaven and Earth. Vak identifies herself as the link between Paramatman and Jivatman.
Devi Suktam, Rigveda quote 10.125.8
8. Ahameva vata iva pra vamyarabhamana
bhuvanani visva. Paro diva para ena prthivyaitavati mahina sam babhuva.
I breathe forth like the wind giving form to all created worlds; beyond the heaven, beyond this earth (am I) so vast am I in greatness.
Meaning: I am so great (as she is an inseparable Shakti of the Paramatman) that I create worlds with a gentle wind- like breath
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