Nila Suktam

NILA SUKTAM

Nila devi is praised in the Fourth kanda of the Taittiya Samhita of the Yajur Veda, in the hymn commonly known as Nila Suktam.

This is also known as Vishnu Pathni Suktam and Adithi Suktam. Nila Devi or Adithi, the creator of the world is addressed here.

Narpinnai

Narpinnai is the daughter of Yashoda's brother, Kumbhaka.

Krishna married Narpinnai after defeating the seven ferocious bulls of Kumbhaka.

Story of Narpinnai is described in Harivamsa, Garuda purana and story of Alwars.

Vishnu's wives

·         1st wife -         Sridevi

·         2nd wife -       Bhu devi

·         3rd wife -        Nila devi (Vaishnava sect believes in 3rd wife) She is the one who took an incarnation as Narpinnai.

Alwar mentions 3 nachiyars as

·         Sridevi - Ponmagal - Goddess of wealth

·         Bhudevi - Nilamagal - Goddess of Land

·         Niladevi - Pulamagal - Goddess of Senses

It is believed that Nila devi keeps the Bhagawan under control by her Bhogam.

Saivaite Literature

Nila devi refers to Devi Aditi who is worshipped in the Taittreya Samhita just before the beginning of the popular Rudra mantras, indicating that many rituals including rudra worship began with worship of Devi.

Adithi means Undivided (or) Indivisible (or) Infinity.

Nila Suktam

S.No	Chant	Meaning	Veda pushpanjali meaning
1	Niladevigm sharanamaham prapadye (Sutara sitarasse namaha)	Nila - Blue Devim - divinity shining, feminine divinity Sharanam - Shelter Aham - I Pra + Padye - fall at (Her) feet Su-tarasi - excellent + Swimmer Tarase - to the swimmer Namah - my namaskarams I surrender myself at the feet of Nila devi, the excellent swimmer, who helps us swim and cross this samsara sagara.	I salute Nila devi (the consort of Lord Vishnu)
2	Grunahi Grutavati savitaradhipatyaih payasvathirantirasano astu.	Grunahi - (we all) sing in praise to involve her presence. (from the root 'Gru') Grutavati - Full of ghee (Ghee represents the final essence of all intellect) SavitaH - Sa + VitaH = with knowledge Aadhi patyaiH - Through (your) overlordship (or) governance. Payasvati - Payas + vati - full of milk (or) full of juices. Rantih - Full of rati (or) affection (for us). Aasha - the disha (or) directions NaH - for us all Astu - be We all sing in praise to Her as full of knowledge and its final essence (that is, knowledge of the self), so that her affection overflows for us from all directions.	O Savitr (Sun)! may our prosperous region flourish in ghee and milk under your overloadship.
3	Dhruva disham vishnu patnyaghorasyeshaanaa sahasoya manotaa	Dhruva - Firmly focused Disham - in all directions Vishnu patni - consort of Vishnu. Aghora - A + Ghora - not fearsome Asya - His Ishaanaa - over lordship Sahasaha - with Him (with Vishnu) Ya - who so ever She Manotaa - mana + Uta - mind + elevator = favorite Our favourite, (here Niladevi), She is firmly focussed, not fearsome, as the consort of Vishnu along with His overlordship. (Simply meaning: She is very loving for us all).	O divine consort of Vishnu! Who supports the earth and the sky and rules over the worlds with strength and firmness, be compassionate to us.
4	Brhaspatir matarishvota vayusandhu vanavata abhinou grnantu.	Brhaspati - the divine teacher Matarishva - the principle mother vayuhu that drives and animates all other vayus (winds). Uta - also VayuH - winds Sandhuvaanaa - saint dhuvaanaa = equal, same + Cleansing Vata - winds Abhi - lovingly naH - us grnantu - mentally wishing May Bruhaspati and Matarishva (both) lovingly wish us well with their equally cleansing winds.	May Brhaspati and Matarisyan be gracious to us.
5	Vishtambho divodharunah prthivya asyeyana jagato visnupatni	Vishtambhaha - vi + stambhaha - vishesha + Stambhaha = Special pillar Divaha - of the heavens dharunaH - Hold together and hold aloft. Prithivya - by the earth Asya - His Ishana - overlordship JagataH - Universe Vishnu patni - consort of Lord Vishnu. As the consort of Vishnu, (and Owning) His overlordship - powers (of maintenance) may she hold us all together, (like a) special pillar holding aloft the heavens.	May Vayu, the God of winds blow over us gently.
6	Add ons Vishvavyachha ishayanti subhutini shivaa nau astvaditirupasye	Vishva + vyachha = all emcompassing Ishayanti - impelling (by Her power) Subhutini - sut bhutiHi - Superb materialization Shiva - good or auspicious NaH - for us Astu - be AditiHi - Infinity (here, it is referring to Nila Devi) Upasthe - in (Her) lap O Devi Aditi, Superb materialization, (by) thy all-encompassing extent, (by your) inherent power, may you be shiva for us all in your (comforting) lap.

      Niladevigm sharanamaham prapadye

Salute Niladevi (Consort of Vishnu)

      Grunahi

I invoke you

      Grutavati savitaradhi patyaih

The one who is full of ghee. The one who has control over the sun.

      Payasvatirantirasano astu

May she who is full of milk protect us.

      Dhruva disam visnu patnyaghora syesanasahasooya manota

O Divine consort of Vishnu who supports the earth and the sky and rules over the worlds with strength and firmness, be compassionate to us.

      Brhaspatir matarishvota vayussandhuvanavata abhi no grunantu

May Brhaspati and Matarishwa and vayu and vata praise you.

      Vishtambo divo dharunaH pritivyah Asyesyaanaa jagato visnu patni

Obstacles of Heavens and earth and the world may be removed by consort (Nila Devi) of Lord Vishnu.

O thou of the three and thirty fold stoma, lady of the world.

Breathed on by Visasvant, do thou be gracious to us.

Rich in ghee, O Savitr, through thy overlordship.

Be the bounteous region rich in milk, for us.

The firm among the quarters, Lady of Visnu, the mild.

Ruling over this strength, the desirable.

Brhaspati, matarisvin, Vayu

The winds blowing together be gracious to us.

Prop of the sky, supporter of the earth.

Ruling this world, lady of Vishnu,

All extending, seeking food, with prosperity

May Aditi be auspicious to us in her life.

SAIRAM