The Devīsūktam, also called the Aṃbhṛnīsūktam, is the 125th sūkta (hymn) occurring in the 10th mandala of the Ṛgveda.[1] 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. The Vedic hymn is an important basis for Shaktism.

Sequential Index

The proper sequential occurrence of Devīsūkta, in the Ṛgveda text is:

Maṇḍala: X; Anuvāka: X; Sūkta: CXXV; Aṣtaka: VIII; Adhyāya: VII; Varga: XI, XII

Significance

The sūkta, in its apparent, general sense, is the proclamation by the Devī of her own power, glory, pervasiveness, and actions.[2]

The origins of Tantric Śaktism can be traced to the Vāgāmbhṛṇī Sūkta. This hymn depicts Vac as the Supreme Power, governing various deities such as Vasu, Soma, Tvasta, the Rudras, and the Adityas while also being the source of treasures, sustainer of natural forces, and bestower of favors. It encapsulates key monotheistic ideas, forming the basis of historical Sāktism.[3]

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 saccidānanda (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.[4]

Recitation

An audio recording of the recitation of the Devīsūkta:

References

Wikisource has original text related to this article:
  1. ↑ 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
  2. ↑ Howard, Veena R. (2019-10-17). The Bloomsbury Research Handbook of Indian Philosophy and Gender. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 254. ISBN 978-1-4742-6959-9.
  3. ↑ The roots of Tantra. Internet Archive. Albany : State University of New York Press. 2002. p. 41. ISBN 978-0-7914-5305-6.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  4. ↑ Rao (1955), p. 690
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