Table of Contents
Introduction
If you talk about the Indian Vedic era, then our sages have written a lot of suktas where God was imagined. Like Purush Sukta, Nasadiya Sukta, or Hiranyagarbha Suktam. So we decided that we will also present the Hiranyagarbha Sukta in front of you. We will try to know through this article what were the first thoughts of our sages about God and his creation, which they had thought by separating themselves from the world.
What is Hiranyagarbha Sukta?
So friends, without any delay, let's start Article. Hiranyagarbha Sukta is the 121st Suktam of the 10th Mandal of Rig Veda. And there are 10 mantras in it. You must know that a group of mantras is called Sukta. Now if you talk about Adhishthata Dev, because if you see all the mantras or all the Suktas, one is Adhishthata Upasya Dev, and one is the drishta rishi of the mantras. So the sage of this Sukat is Hiranyagarbha, Prajapati.
What is prajapati?
Prajapati means those who are born from Prajapati. And that is why Devta is also considered Prajapati. If you see the word Prajapati, then Prajapati means the owner of Praja. What is Praja? It is our entire universe. We call the owner of this entire universe Prajapati. And that is why the sages are calling themselves Prajapati, who are born from Prajapati.
Mantras of Hiranyagarbha Sukht
hi̠ra̠ṇya̠ga̠rbha-ssama̍varta̠tāgrē̍ bhū̠tasya̍ jā̠taḥ pati̠rēka̍ āsīt ।
sa dā̍dhāra pṛthi̠vī-ndyāmu̠tēmā-ṅkasmai̍ dē̠vāya̍ ha̠viṣā̍ vidhēma ॥ 1
ya ā̍tma̠dā ba̍la̠dā yasya̠ viśva̍ u̠pāsa̍tē pra̠śiṣa̠ṃ yasya̍ dē̠vāḥ ।
yasya̍ Chā̠yāmṛta̠ṃ yasya̍ mṛ̠tyuḥ kasmai̍ dē̠vāya̍ ha̠viṣā̍ vidhēma ॥ 2
yaḥ prā̍ṇa̠tō ni̍miṣa̠tō ma̍hi̠tvaika̠ idrājā̠ jaga̍tō ba̠bhūva̍ ।
ya īśē̍ a̠sya dvi̠pada̠śchatu̍ṣpada̠ḥ kasmai̍ dē̠vāya̍ ha̠viṣā̍ vidhēma ॥ 3
yasyē̠mē hi̠mava̍ntō mahi̠tvā yasya̍ samu̠draṃ ra̠sayā̍ sa̠hāhuḥ ।
yasyē̠māḥ pra̠diśō̠ yasya̍ bā̠hū kasmai̍ dē̠vāya̍ ha̠viṣā̍ vidhēma ॥ 4
yēna̠ dyauru̠grā pṛ̍thi̠vī cha̍ dṛ̠ḻhā yēna̠ sva̍-sstabhi̠taṃ yēna̠ nāka̍ḥ ।
yō a̠ntari̍kṣē̠ raja̍sō vi̠māna̠ḥ kasmai̍ dē̠vāya̍ ha̠viṣā̍ vidhēma ॥ 5
ya-ṅkranda̍sī̠ ava̍sā tastabhā̠nē a̠bhyaikṣē̍tā̠-mmana̍sā̠ rēja̍mānē ।
yatrādhi̠ sūra̠ udi̍tō vi̠bhāti̠ kasmai̍ dē̠vāya̍ ha̠viṣā̍ vidhēma ॥ 6
āpō̍ ha̠ yadbṛ̍ha̠tīrviśva̠māya̠-ngarbha̠-ndadhā̍nā ja̠naya̍ntīra̠gnim ।
tatō̍ dē̠vānā̠ṃ sama̍varta̠tāsu̠rēka̠ḥ kasmai̍ dē̠vāya̍ ha̠viṣā̍ vidhēma ॥ 7
yaśchi̠dāpō̍ mahi̠nā pa̠ryapa̍śya̠ddakṣa̠-ndadhā̍nā ja̠naya̍ntīrya̠jñam ।
yō dē̠vēṣvidhi̍ dē̠va ēka̠ āsī̠tkasmai̍ dē̠vāya̍ ha̠viṣā̍ vidhēma ॥ 8
mā nō̍ hiṃsījjani̠tā yaḥ pṛ̍thi̠vyā yō vā̠ diva̍ṃ sa̠tyadha̍rmā ja̠jāna̍ ।
yaśchā̠paścha̠ndrā bṛ̍ha̠tīrja̠jāna̠ kasmai̍ dē̠vāya̍ ha̠viṣā̍ vidhēma ॥ 9
prajā̍patē̠ na tvadē̠tānya̠nyō viśvā̍ jā̠tāni̠ pari̠ tā ba̍bhūva ।
yatkā̍māstē juhu̠mastannō̍ astu va̠yaṃ syā̍ma̠ pata̍yō rayī̠ṇām ॥ 10
Explanation of Hiranyagarbha Sukht.
Now if we look at Hiranyagarbha, then this is made up of two words: Hiranya and Garbha. If we go to see the meaning of Hiranya, then in Sanskrit, Hiranya means gold, i.e., gold. And you must know the meaning of Garbha, from which, something or the other is born. That is called Garbha. Or we can also say egg, that something or the other is born from the egg. So if we look at Hiranyagarbha, then we understand its meaning as gold garbha or gold egg. So this is the shabdik meaning. But from different points of view, whether it is philosophical, scientific or linguistic point of view, we will understand the meaning of Hiranyagarbha from different points of view, which will help us understand Sukta better.
Linguistic point of view
So friends, if you look at it from a linguistic point of view, then Hirany is a word in which if we put different upsarg aur pratyay, then we get different meanings. For example, if we look at the earth, then the earth is called Hiranyada. Why is it called? Because the earth gives birth to a lot of jewels and a lot of metals from its Garbha, which are precious to us. That is why the earth is called Hiranyada. Similarly, you call Lord Shiva as Hiranyapati. Because the materialistic word is the owner of this whole word, Lord Shiva. So we can see that the meaning of Hirany changes a little bit according to the context. But if you look at it overall, then the meaning of Hirany is always materialistic. Such things that make it shiny, like gold, jewels, jewellery, this is the material world, so it is used in this way.
Similarly, you can compare Hiranyagarbha with the universe. Because what do we see in Hiranyagarbha? That there is an egg or a Garbha from which the world was created. And it is made of gold. Similarly, when we look at our universe, then we call it Brahmand. So there too we get to see an egg word, which is associated with Brahma. We call it Brahmand. And if you go to the ancient stories, then the one who created this universe is called Brahma. So Brahma and Brahma are two forms of the same element. If you say Brahma, then it is an avyakt form, an unmanifested form, it is a cause element. And when you say Brahma, then it becomes a bright force, which is giving birth to the universe. It becomes a sagun element, it becomes a manifested form. But it is two forms of the same element. So that's why when we say Brahmand, then somewhere we are talking about Hiranyagarbha. So one meaning of Hiranyagarbha can also be that that place where Brahma was born.
Puranic point of view
And if you go to the ancient stories, and look at the symbolism there, then a stream comes out of Vishnu's navel, and a flower is formed, the lotus flower. And from that, Brahmaji is born. So we get to see this symbolism about the birth of Brahmaji, who later creates the universe. Now here this symbolism, we may find it strange, that how a stream is coming out of Vishnu's navel, and then a flower is taking birth in it, and then Brahmaji is taking birth in it. But this whole symbolism is done by looking at this universe. Because if you see, then a small form of it, you get to see in the womb of a woman. Where the baby, through a , takes nourishment through its navel. So there also we can see that a womb and a nalika is being talked about. So with that symbolism, a nalika has been taken out from Vishnuji, which nourishes Brahmaji, and that Brahmaji later creates the universe. So we can see here, how our Vedic sages have made such a good upma here. Puranic point of view, we have understood the meaning of Hiranyagarbha.
Philosophical point of view
Now from a philosophical point of view, we will also understand it. So friends, if we go to the Upanishads, for the philosophical meaning of Hiranyagarbha. So in Isha Upanishad, we get a shloka, where it is said, that hiran mayena patrena satyasya apihitam mukham, tatvam, pushana pavrenu satya dharmaye dhrishtaye. So here the first line means, that from the Hiranya mayi patra, the mouth of truth is covered. So the meaning of Hiranya mayi patra is, a golden vessel. And if you see philosophically, then attractive things. So how is truth hidden? It is hidden by attractive things. And in our Upanishads, what is the truth? Truth is Brahma, which does not get destroyed. And this truth, this Brahma, is hidden by whom? It is hidden by this magical world. So that is why this world is called a golden vessel, or Hiranya mayi patra. Because in the circle of this world, we are not able to reach that Brahma, that truth. And the fact that the mouth of truth is always covered by attractive things, is very practical. Because if you see, then the truth, we hide it from some attractive thing. Like the poor person, or the one whose salary is less, he wears the best clothes, so that his truth is not known. He will buy expensive things, he will buy a watch, he will wear a coat, so that his truth is not known. So this is a very practical verse, and in philosophical form, as I said, we are not able to reach the Brahma, that truth, because this world keeps confusing us. So if we see the Upma of the world, then we can do it with gold, with gold, in which everyone gets confused. And if the world is made of gold, then it must have come from the womb of gold, that's why it is called to be born from hiranyagarbha.
Other perspective
Friends, we were understanding the word Hiranya from different perspectives. I will tell you one more perspective in this. You must have heard the name of Hiranya Kashyapu in the ancient stories, who was the father of Prahlad. Hiranya Kashyapu was a demon. And the name of the demon is also hidden behind the philosophy. If you see Hiranya Kashyapu, then you will see Hiranya and Kashyapu, two words. We are discussing Hiranya. So far, we have understood that the word Hiranya is taken from the word materialism. We take materialistic prosperity from Hiranya. So if you see the meaning of Hiranya Kashyapu, Hiranya Kashyapu was a person who was greedy for the materialistic world. He wanted wealth, gold, silver, and wealth. He wanted to become the master of this world. So Hiranya Kashyapu was such a demon. He was very much in love with the materialistic world. And he wanted to become the king of the whole universe. And if you see here, even after having all this, Hiranya Kashyapu was not happy. And if you see his son Prahlad, then even after living in this materialistic world, because he was in love with Vishnu, he was happy.So friends, I hope that from every point of view, you have understood all the possible meanings of the word Hiranya.
Mantar of Hiranyagarbha Sukht
First Mantar
So far, we have seen the first mantra of Hiranyagarbha Sukta, in which we have known the word Hiranya. And it is said in this mantra that Hiranyagarbha is the original source of this whole world. Hiranyagarbha has taken this divine world, i.e. space, this earth, and the sun and stars. Now friends, when it becomes clear in this first mantra, that this world, whose root is Hiranyagarbha, then, Prajapati is seen in Hiranyagarbha itself. Prajapati means the one who has given birth to the praja. So as we saw that Brahmaji is born from Vishnu's navel. Similarly, that power is born in Hiranyagarbha, that potential is born, that Prajapati is born, who gives birth to this whole world. So we can see that Hiranyagarbha and Prajapati are very much connected to each other. So in all the mantras in this Sukta, Prajapati i.e. Hiranyagarbha has been praised. His glory has been told.Now friends, in the first mantra, we saw that the root of this world is Hiranyagarbha, i.e. the material world that we see, where is it coming from? From Hiranyagarbha.
Second Mantar
Now in this, many people may be confused that the material world is coming from Hiranyagarbha, but the consciousness, the consciousness that we have in us, the consciousness, that is not coming from Hiranyagarbha. Therefore, while clearing this in this mantra, it has been told in this second mantra that, Hiranyagarbha gives birth to consciousness. The Prana, which we call Prana, in many Upanishads, consciousness, i.e., the soul is also called Prana. So the Prana, its transmission is also done by Hiranyagarbha. This has been told in the second mantra.Similarly, we saw in the first mantra that the definition of Hiranyagarbha, we see it as the creator, that something is born from it. That is why it is called Garbha. That something will be born from the womb. It has been further defined that when we say that it is the creator, then along with it, it is also the master of death. That is, it has given birth, but all the things that it gives birth to, they go at the same time and meet at the same source. That is, along with being the creator, it is also the master of death. So, in the second mantra, two things have been clarified, that Hiranyagarbha is not only the creator, but also the destroyer. And along with it, it does not only give birth to the material world, but also the consciousness that is seen in this material world, the consciousness that is seen in things, the life that is seen, it also gives birth to it.
Third Mantar
Similarly, when you go to the third mantra, then the extension of the second mantra, which is told in the second mantra, that Hiranyagarbha is the creator of life. So, in the third mantra, the same thing has been advanced. Here it is said that because of the life that is there, its creator is Hiranyagarbha. So, all the beings who have life, that is, those who breathe, blink, who have two legs, four legs, the master of all those beings is Hiranyagarbha.
Now, friends, we saw in the third mantra that Hiranyagarbha has been worshipped as the creator of life.
Fourth Mantar
Now, friends, we saw in the third mantra that Hiranyagarbha has been worshipped as the creator of life. Now, in the fourth mantra, life is fine, life has been created by him, but the material world, how good it is, how beautiful it is, this has also been praised. The big mountains, the snow-covered mountains, the oceans, full of water, the rivers, how beautiful our earth is, or whatever system we see, the earthly system, in our universe, behind all that laws, the Hiranyagarbha, whom we can also take as intelligent creator, so in the fourth mantra, the Hiranyagarbha, has been praised in that Tapasvi Roop.
Fifth Mantar
Similarly, in the fifth mantra, the fourth mantra has been increased, and as I said, in the fourth mantra, the beauty of the earth, the mountains, the rivers, the trees, the forests, in the fifth mantra, we have gone beyond the earth, and to create the infinite stars like the sun, the Hiranyagarbha has been praised. The material world has been created. Why is it so beautiful, so vast, so amazing? It is amazing because our mind is curious about it. The Hiranyagarbha has been praised because the universe has been illuminated in our mind. If we did not have consciousness, we would not be able to observe things, then there would be no meaning of the universe. No matter how big, how long, how much time, all these things are meaningful only when we observe these things. The human mind is curious about it. When there is consciousness in this universe, which wants to understand it, then the universe becomes special. If we did not have consciousness, if we did not have that curiosity in our mind, then no matter how vast, how long, there would be no meaning of the universe.
Okay, got it. Let me summarize the explanation of the 6th mantra from the video:
Sixth Mantar
In the 6th mantra of the Hiranyagarbha Sukta, the focus is on how the Hiranyagarbha is the source of both the material world as well as the consciousness or life force (prana) that animates it.The 6th mantra addresses this by stating that Hiranyagarbha is the source not just of the material elements, but also of the prana or life force that pervades them.
Just as Hiranyagarbha is the foundation (pratiṣṭhā) for the Vedic meters (chandas), it is the basis for all beings (viśvā bhūtāni) and their consciousness.The mantra also says that the "shadow" or reflection (chāyā) of Hiranyagarbha is immortality (amṛtam), indicating its role as the source of life. At the same time, Hiranyagarbha also has dominion over death (mṛtyuḥ), being the ultimate controller of the cycle of life and death.
So in summary, this mantra establishes Hiranyagarbha as the origin not just of the material cosmos, but also of the consciousness and life force that animates it. It is the all-encompassing source of existence.
Seventh Mantar
Now, friends, before understanding the seventh mantra, let's ask a question. What is it that is available in every part of the material world, and if we have to answer it from the scientific point of view, from the philosophical point of view, or from the religious point of view, then we say that God is in every part. But from the scientific point of view, then we get the answer of energy. And now in modern science, it has also been proved that matter is also made from energy. So matter is somehow connected to energy. So in every matter, in everything, we get energy. This is what the Greek philosopher Heraclitus called fire. Here it is being said that the universe born from the hiranyagarbha, is made of fire elements. That is, there is fire in every element. There is heat. And this heat, which we call heat or vibrational energy, is the symbol of activity.
Eighth Mantar
Now, friends, if we move to the eighth mantra, then here, the hiranyagarbha is the lord of all the gods. That is, all the gods are born from the Hiranyagarbha. If you have seen the video of Nasdiya Sukta, then it was said at the end that even the gods do not know what the Hiranyagarbha is like or how creation happens or how the creator looks. Because the gods are born after the creation. So since all the gods come from the Hiranyagarbha, the Hiranyagarbha is called the lord of all the gods.
Ninth and Tenth Mantar
Now when we know that the Hiranyagarbha is the primary source of this world and the ultimate power, then the ninth and tenth mantra, when we know who is the ultimate, who is the master of the world, then in the ninth and tenth mantra, it is prayed to Hiranyagarbha, to lighten our life with the light of knowledge and give us wealth.
So friends, I hope that through this article, you will not only know about the Hiranyagarbha Sukta, but also understand the good meanings hidden behind it. Whether it is Hiranyagarbha Sukta or Nasadiya Sukta or Purush Sukta, these are such Sukta, these are a group of mantras that prove the level of thought of our Vedic sages. And only imagining such unimaginable thoughts a hundred years ago, tells us about their intellectual power and our magnificent knowledge tradition.
FAQs On Hiranyagarbha sukta
1 What is the Hiranyagarbha Sukta?
The Hiranyagarbha Sukta is a hymn from the Rigveda (10.121) that describes the cosmic golden womb (Hiranyagarbha), which is considered the source of all creation in Hindu philosophy.
2 What is the significance of Hiranyagarbha in Hindu cosmology?
In Hindu cosmology, Hiranyagarbha (meaning "Golden Womb" or "Golden Egg") represents the origin of the universe. It is believed to be the first manifestation of creation, containing all the fundamental elements of life. Later Hindu scriptures, including the Puranas, further elaborate on this concept, linking it to the birth of Brahma, the creator deity.
3 What are the key themes of the Hiranyagarbha Sukta?
The main themes of the Hiranyagarbha Sukta include: The primordial existence of a divine creator before the universe. The omnipotence of the supreme being, who governs all elements. The universal order (Rita), which is maintained by this creator. The concept of monotheism, where a single divine entity is responsible for creation, making it an early reference to Hindu Brahman (Supreme Reality).
4 How is the Hiranyagarbha Sukta relevant today?
The Hiranyagarbha Sukta is significant in both philosophy and spirituality, as it highlights the idea of a single source of creation. It is studied in Vedanta and Upanishadic philosophy to understand the concept of Brahman, the ultimate reality. Many spiritual practitioners recite or contemplate on the hymn for meditation, self-inquiry, and understanding the unity of existence.
