Vishnu in the Rig Veda - a few mantras

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ato devaa avantu noyato viShNur vichakrame |

pR^ithivyaaH sapta dhaamabhiH || RV 1.22.16 ||

May the gods preserve us (from that portion) of the earth whence Vishnu

(aided) by the seven metres, stepped. (R^ig veda sa.mhitaa 1.22.16)

 

ida.m viShNur vicha krametre dhaanidadhe padam |

samuuLhamasya paa.msure || RV 1.22.17 ||

Vishnu traversed this (world); three times he planted His foot and the whole

(world) was collected in the dust of His (footstep). (R^ig veda sa.mhitaa

1.22.17)

 

triiNipadaavi chakrame viShNur gopaadaabhyaH |

ato dharmaaNi dhaarayan || RV 1.22.18 ||

Vishnu, the preserver, the uninjurable, stepped three steps, upholding

thereby righteous acts. (R^ig veda sa.mhitaa 1.22.18)

 

viShNoH karmaaNi pashyata yato vrataani paspashe |

indrasya yujyaH sakhaa || RV 1.22.19 ||

Behold the deeds of Vis.n.u, through which (the worshipper) has accomplished

(pious) vows; He is the worthy friend of Indra. (R^ig veda sa.mhitaa

1.22.19)

 

tad viShNoH paramam pada.m sadaa pashyanti suurayaH |

diviiva chakShur aatatam || RV 1.22.20 ||

The wise ever contemplate that supreme station of Vishnu, as the eye ranges

over the sky. (R^ig veda sa.mhitaa 1.22.20)

 

tad vipraaso vipanyavo jaagR^ivaa.msaH samindhate |

viShNor yat paramam padam || RV 1.22.21 ||

The wise, ever vigilant and diligent in praise, amply glorify that which is

the supreme station of Vishnu. (R^ig veda sa.mhitaa 1.22.21)

 

viShNornu ka.m viiryaaNi pravocha.m yaH paarthivaani vimame rajaa.msi |

yo aska bhaaya duttara.m sa dhastha.m vichakramaaNastre dhorugaayaH || RV

1.154.1 ||

Earnestly I glorify the exploits of Vishnu, who made the three worlds; who

sustained the lofty aggregate site (of the spheres); thrice traversing (the

whole); who is praised by the exalted. (R^ig veda sa.mhitaa 1.154.1)

 

pra tad viShNu stavate viiryeNa mR^igo na bhiimaH kucharo giriShThaaH |

yasyo ruShu triShu vikramaNeShvadhikShi yantibhuvanaani vishvaa || RV

1.154.2 ||

Vishnu is therefore glorified, that by His prowess He is like a fearful,

ravenous, and mountain-haunting wild beast, and because of that in His three

paces all worlds abide. (R^ig veda sa.mhitaa 1.154.2)

 

pra viShNave shuuShametu manma girikShita urugaayaaya vR^iShNe |

ya idaM diirgham prayata.m sadhastham eko vimame tribhiritpadebhiH || RV

1.154.3 ||

1.154.03 May acceptable vigor attend Vishnu, who abides in prayer, the

hymned of many, the showerer (of benefits), who alone made, by three steps,

this spacious and durable aggregate (of the three worlds). (R^ig veda

sa.mhitaa 1.154.3)

 

yasya trii puurNaa madhunaa padaanyakShiiyamaaNaa svadhayaa madanti |

ya u tridhaatu pR^ithiviim uta dyaam eko daadhaara bhuvanaani vishvaa || RV

1.154.4 ||

Whose three imperishable paces, filled with ambrosia, delight (mankind) with

sacred food; Who verily alone upholds the three elements, and earth and

heaven. (R^ig veda sa.mhitaa 1.154.4)

 

tadasyapriyam abhipaatho ashyaa.m naroyatra deva yavomadanti |

urukramasya sa hi bandhuritthaaviShNoH padeparame madhva utsaH || RV 1.154.5

||

May I attain His favourite path, in which god-seeking men delight; (the

path) of that wide-stepping Vishn, in Whose exalted station there is a

(perpetual) flow of felicity; for to such a degree is He the friend (of the

pious). (R^ig veda sa.mhitaa 1.154.5)

 

taa vaa.m vaastuunyushmasigamadhyaiyatra gaavo bhuurishR^i~ngaa ayaasaH |

atraahatad urugaayasya vR^iShNaH paramam padamavabhaati bhuuri || RV 1.154.6

||

We pary (to Vishnu) that you may both go to those regions where the

many-pointed and wide-spreading rays (of light expand); for here the supreme

station of the many-hymned, the showerer (of benefits), shines (with) great

(splendour). (R^ig veda sa.mhitaa 1.154.6)

 

(incidentally, Tripurari Swami says that the above mantra, when it says "you

two" refers to Krishna and Radha. But the translator who is commenting

according to Sayana says it refers to the performer of the yajna and his

wife. Frankly, Sayana's interpretation makes more sense. But I try to

reassure myself by thinking that Tripurari probably has no idea what he is

talking about).