Tribute to the Radiant Goddess of the Night
Invoking the Grace of the Shimmering Black Goddess
While exploring the sacred literature around the worship of the Divine Goddess, I came across this haunting chant dedicated to Ratri, the Goddess of Night. The Ratri Sukta (literally, hymn of praise) forms part of the Rig Veda, the oldest religious scriptures known to humanity. It forms an integral part of the Shakta tradition (that worships the Goddess as the Supreme Deity). Like Devi Suktam, (link to my earlier article given below), this hymn too was composed by a woman (Rsi Kusika Saubhara, granddaughter of sage Sobhari or Ratri Bharadvaji, daughter of Bharadvaja).
Ratri is the daughter of Space and the sister of Usha, the Goddess of Dawn. At first read, the chant propitiates the Goddess for protection and safety from the dangers of the night. A person with bad dreams at night was meant to chant this prayer at a sacrifice in the early morning. But like many other Vedic chants, this hymn has multiple layers of meaning and interpretation, which elevates this from a simple prayer for protection to a deeper and profound invocation of the Primordial Energy.
Before diving into the esoteric meaning of this hymn, let’s first revel in the lyrical imagery drawn by the verses.
Ratri Sukta - Hymn of Praise to the Goddess of the Night
The black night lit up by the glittering starlit sky exemplifies the paradox that is life. Its tranquility shelters the innocent as well as the evil. Its stillness beckons creation to rest and quiet; the darkness evokes danger and crime. Bewitching and bewildering, the night fascinates and inspires fear. Its beauty is elusive, for only in the backdrop of darkness do we see light.
This hymn can be read as a simple prayer to the Goddess for protection from the dangers of the night. But like the night that first hides and then reveals, concealed in the simplicity is a powerful invocation to the Dark Goddess, Kali, the Primordial Energy whence Creation arises, is supported, and is entirely diffused with. The universe plays on the Mother’s lap, as She pervades every part of creation as its very essence.
The Verses Elaborated or Drinking the Sweet Nectar of Profound Wisdom
The divine Night approaching looked upon many places with her eyes, she has assumed all beauties. The immortal Goddess has filled the expanse, the low places and the high places, she fights the darkness with lustre
The Goddess of the Night approaches. Resplendent in her glittering attire of a brilliant starlit night sky, She comes quietly, much like the first flush of spiritual awakening lighting up the dark recesses of our ignorant minds. The Luminous Being casts Her soft and subtle light as She illuminates the unknown path. Nothing is hidden from Her; nothing can be, for after all, all that there is, is only Her energy.
The advancing goddess prepared (the way for) her sister Dawn, and then the darkness departs
The Dark Mother prepares the way for true knowledge to dawn in our hearts. Ignorance vanishes in the sunlight of knowledge and devotion.
Samarpan explains in Veda Vihangam, “In spiritual traditions, Ratri is seen as Cit Sakti, the power that manifests in the universe as consciousness, while Usa is seen as Brahma Vidyamaya, the universal consciousness, Brahman. When a spiritual person awakens his Cit Sakti, he slowly starts moving towards the knowledge of and oneness with Brahman”.
May she be favourable to us today upon whose approach we re-enter (our dwellings), as birds (re-enter) their nest upon the tree
The twilight sky rings with the chorus of birds returning to their nests to rest. As night approaches, we return home to its quiet shelter. When the Goddess favours us with Her Grace, and comes into our hearts, we retreat from the mad rush of the outer world and retire into the solitude of our inner self. Our true home lies there.
Men have entered (their dwelings), and beasts and birds and the swift hawks
Not just all humans, beasts, and birds eventually (after repeated cycles) retire to their homes. Swift hawks, known as fierce predators, too pause their activities to rest when the night approaches.
Keep off, O Urmya, the she-wolf and the wolf, keep the thief away, be easy for us to pass
Protect us, O Goddess of the Night, from the she-wolf, wolf and robbers. As per Samarpan in Veda Vihangam, some commentators have described the she-wolf as representing lust and confusion, and the male wolf is associated with egotism. Robbers are distractions, born of desire and attachment, that run away with our inner peace and equanimity. O Mother, untie the bonds of ignorance and attachment so that I may seek only Thee.
The all-embracing black diffused darkness has approached me, clear it, Usas, as if it were a debt
The black night embraces me. It hangs heavily over me like an unpaid debt, which only the light of dawn can clear fully.
The darkness here refers to the transient, material world. When the Divine Mother awakens spiritual yearning in one, the material world ceases to promise happiness or joy to the spiritual seeker. Instead, wanting to break the repeated cycles of samsara, he wishes to stay away from worldly attractions that can bind him.
He prays to the Divine Goddess to lead him through the darkness of ignorance unto the bright light of knowledge and devotion, from the world of illusions to Reality, and from death to immortality.
O Mother, the benighted world is holding me tight, taking away my peace and tranquility. I am anxious to clear it as I would a debt. Clear this darkness, Mother, I beseech Thee, and grant me the light of enlightenment.
I have brought (these verses) before you like milch kine (milch giving cow); accept. O night, daughter of the Sun, my prayer as the eulogy of one about to conquer and grant us victory
I stand before You like a devotee in front of a milk-giving cow. Please accept my prayers and help me overcome my lower nature and baser instincts to emerge victorious.
The Essence of the Hymn is Captured in the Magic of the Creator’s Hour
The last quarter of the night is called Brahma-muhurta, or the Creator’s hour. It starts 1 hour and 36 minutes before sunrise and ends 48 minutes before sunrise. Brahma-muhurta is considered the best time for meditation and spiritual practices. From ancient times, yogis, monks, and spiritual practitioners have begun their day with their spiritual sadhana at this auspicious time, a practice that continues today.
The holy hour of Brahma-muhurta best symbolizes the essence of the hymn. The Goddess holds the devotee’s hand when the night is darkest. She lights the lamp of spiritual awakening and guides him through the labyrinth of his mind muddled with cobwebs of ignorance, attachment and desire. She protects him from dangers obstructing his way and puts him on the path of knowledge and devotion. She paves the way for the emergence of the dawn of enlightenment. By the blazing light of enlightenment, the devotee is immersed in the Eternal Ocean of Absolute Consciousness Bliss
Acknowledgements:
I have been inspired and influenced by Veda Vihangam, The Essential Veda, written by Samarpan. Only after reading his explanation multiple times was I able to get the essence of this remarkably beautiful and powerful hymn. I have taken the English translation of the original hymn in Sanskrit from Rgveda Samhita English translation according to H.H. Wilson & Bhasya Sayanacarya.
That’s fascinating how expressions through vedas convey the deep meaning of how night was perceived . It also makes one aware and alert and guides a human being on a particular period during the day-night cycle
Beautiful. Thank you for connecting the threads in each of your posts