Goddess Ratri

rātri sūktam

(Ratri Suktam in English (IAST))

From Rigveda (10.127)

Also known as srijagadamba prityarthe saptasatipathadau jape viniyogah

The Ratri Suktam is a powerful Vedic hymn from the tenth mandala of the Rigveda, dedicated to Ratri, the Goddess of Night. Unlike common perceptions of darkness, this hymn venerates the night as a divine, protective force that provides rest and sanctuary to all living beings. It is recited to invoke the grace of the Divine Mother, offering profound spiritual tranquility and protection from fear. In the context of the Devi Mahatmya, it is often chanted to prepare the mind for deep meditation, helping the practitioner overcome darkness, ignorance, and internal anxieties while inviting auspiciousness and clarity.

(ṛ.10.127)
asya śrī rātrīti sūktasya kuśika ṛṣiḥ rātrirdevatā, gāyatrīcchandaḥ,
śrījagadambā prītyarthe saptaśatīpāṭhādau jape viniyogaḥ |
rātrī vya̭khyadāyatī pṷrutrā devya1̭kṣabhiḥ̭ |
viśvā adhi śriyo̭-'dhita || 1
orva̭prā ama̭rtyā nivato̭ devyu1̭dvataḥ̭ |
jyoti̭ṣā bādhate tamaḥ̭ || 2
niru svasā̭ramaskṛtoṣasa̭-ndevyā̭yatī |
apedṷ hāsate tamaḥ̭ || 3
sā no̭ adya yasyā̭ vaya-nni te yāmannavi̭kṣmahi |
vṛkṣe na va̭satiṃ-va~yaḥ̭ || 4
ni grāmā̭so avikṣata ni padvanto ni pakṣiṇaḥ̭ |
ni śyenāsa̭ścidarthinaḥ̭ || 5
yāvayā̭ vṛkyaṃ1̭ vṛkaṃ̭-ya~vaya̭ stenamṷ̄rmye |
athā̭ na-ssutarā̭ bhava || 6
upa̭ mā pepi̭śattamaḥ̭ kṛṣṇaṃ-vya~̭ktamasthita |
uṣa̭ ṛṇeva̭ yātaya || 7
upa̭ te gā ivāka̭raṃ-vṛ~ṇīṣva dṷhitardivaḥ |
rātri stoma-nna jigyuṣḙ || 8

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