Rig Veda · 561 of 1027
Mandala 7: HYMN XLV. Savitar.
1.MAY the God Savitar, rich in goodly treasures, filling the region, borne by steeds, come hither, In his hand holding much that makes men happy, lulling to slumber and arousing creatures.
2.Golden, sublime, and easy in their motion, his arms extend unto the bounds of heaven. Now shall that mightiness of his he lauded: even Sūrya yields to him in active vigour.
3.May this God Savitar, the Strong and Mighty, the Lord of precious wealth, vouchsafe us treasures. May he, advancing his far-spreading lustre, bestow on us the food that feedeth mortals.
4.These songs praise Savitar whose tongue is pleasant, praise him whose arms are full, whose hands are lovely. High vital strength, and manifold, may he grant us. Preserve us evermore, ye Gods, with blessings.
Asked of Guide
Why do the hymns call Savitar both gentle luller and mighty giver of wealth?
The chapter presents Savitar as a deity who both soothes life—“lulling to slumber and arousing creatures”—and empowers the world with radiant, far-spreading strength. The poem links his comforting role to practical blessing: his “arms…unto the bounds of heaven” and “Lord of precious wealth” supply food, treasures, and vitality for mortals.
That dual portrait reflects Vedic habit of naming a god’s different functional faces: Savitar is agent of cyclical rhythms (sleep and wake) and the source of worldly prosperity. Compare the Rig Veda hymn to the Gayatri theme in Book 3, where Savitar’s illuminating impulse grants both inner calm and active power.
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