आ नो भद्राः क्रतवो यन्तु विश्वतोऽदब्धासो अपरीतास उद्भिदः। देवा नो यथा सदमिद् वृधे असन्नप्रायुवो रक्षितारो दिवे दिवे॥
ā no bhadrāḥ kratavo yantu viśvato'dabdhāso aparītāsa udbhidhaḥ । devā no yathā sadamid vṛdhe asann aprāyuvo rakṣitāro dive dive ॥
Meaning of Ā No Bhadrāḥ Kratavo
May auspicious and inspiring thoughts come to us from all directions—thoughts that grant us enthusiasm, energy and the strength to move forward. May those thoughts be steadfast, unconquerable and capable of opening the path to progress. May the divine powers infuse our lives each day with growth, advancement and renewed zeal and inspire us to keep moving ahead while protecting us day after day.
Word by word
- आā
hither
- नःnaḥ
to us
अस्मद्
- भद्राःbhadrāḥ
auspicious
भद्र
- क्रतवःkratavaḥ
resolves, powers of intent
क्रतु
- यन्तुyantu
let them come
√इ
- विश्वतःviśvataḥ
from every side
विश्व
- अदब्धासःadabdhāsaḥ
unimpaired
अ + √दभ्
- अपरीतासःaparītāsaḥ
unhemmed, unobstructed
अ + परि + √इ
- उद्भिदःudbhidaḥ
breaking forth
उद् + √भिद्
- देवाःdevāḥ
the gods
√दिव्
- यथाyathā
so that
- सदम् इत्sadam it
always indeed
- वृधेvṛdhe
for our increase
√वृध्
- असन्asan
may they be
√अस्
- अप्रायुवःaprāyuvaḥ
unremitting
अ + प्र + √यु
- रक्षितारःrakṣitāraḥ
protectors
√रक्ष्
- दिवे दिवेdive dive
day after day
दिव्
Commentary
This iconic mantra from the Rigveda is one of the most celebrated expressions of the Vedic world-view—one that is open, inclusive, and proactively seeking wisdom. It reflects a mindset that does not fear external influences but instead invites 'Bhadrah Kratavo' (noble intentions/actions) from 'Vishvatah' (all sides). The verse suggests that true growth ('Vriddha') and protection ('Rakshita') come when an individual or a society remains receptive to diverse and uplifting ideas, provided they are 'Adabdhaso' (unhindered/deception-free) and 'Udbhidah' (liberating/progressive). It is a foundational prayer for intellectual humility and global harmony.
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More from Rigveda
View source pageसुत्रामाणं पृथिवीं द्यामनेहसं सुशर्माणमदितिं सुप्रणीतिम् । दैवीं नावं स्वरित्रामनागसो अस्रवन्तीमा रुहेमा स्वस्तये॥
sutrāmāṇaṃ pṛthivīṃ dyām anehasaṃ suśarmāṇam aditiṃ supraṇītim । daivīṃ nāvaṃ svaritrām anāgaso asravantīm ā ruhemā svastaye ॥
An Atharvaveda mantra envisions earth, heaven and Aditi as a secure divine boat that carries people toward well-being.
स्वस्ति न इन्द्रो वृद्धश्रवाः स्वस्ति नः पूषा विश्ववेदाः। स्वस्ति नस्तार्क्ष्यो अरिष्टनेमिः स्वस्ति नो बृहस्पतिर्दधातु॥
svasti na indro vṛddhaśravāḥ svasti naḥ pūṣā viśvavedāḥ । svasti nas tārkṣyo ariṣṭanemiḥ svasti no bṛhaspatir dadhātu ॥
A Rigveda svasti mantra in which Indra, Pushan, Tarkshya and Brihaspati are each asked to bestow well-being upon us.
तन्तुं तन्वन्रजसो भानुमन्विहि ज्योतिष्मतः पथो रक्ष धिया कृतान्। अनुल्बणं वयत जोगुवामपो मनुर्भव जनया दैव्यं जनम्॥
tantuṃ tanvan rajaso bhānum anv ihi jyotiṣmataḥ patho rakṣa dhiyā kṛtān । anulbaṇaṃ vayata joguvām apo manur bhava janayā daivyaṃ janam ॥
A Rigveda mantra invokes luminous paths shaped by insight and culminates in the call to become truly human and bring forth divine qualities.
More subhashitams on Wisdom
View topic pageज्ञानवांश्च तथा वाग्मी कर्मस्वपि च निष्ठितः। एवं युक्तोऽपि न श्रेयान् यदि शीलविवर्जितः॥
jñānavāṃśca tathā vāgmī karmasvapi ca niṣṭhitaḥ । evaṃ yukto'pi na śreyān yadi śīlavivarjitaḥ ॥
Knowledge, eloquence, and skill in work do not make a person worthy of esteem if good character is absent.
उद्यमः साहसं धैर्यं बुद्धिः शक्तिः पराक्रमः। षडेते यत्र वर्तन्ते तत्र दैवं सहायकृत्॥
udyamaḥ sāhasaṃ dhairyaṃ buddhiḥ śaktiḥ parākramaḥ । ṣaḍete yatra vartante tatra daivaṃ sahāyakṛt ॥
Effort, courage, patience, intelligence, strength, and valor prepare a person to receive the help of providence.
सुखोपविष्टास्ते तत्र पुण्यां चक्रुः कथामिमाम्। धर्मार्थकाममोक्षाणामारोग्यं मूलमुत्तमम्॥
sukhopaviṣṭās te tatra puṇyāṃ cakruḥ kathām imām । dharmārthakāmamokṣāṇām ārogyaṃ mūlam uttamam ॥
Charaka Samhita presents good health as the foremost foundation for pursuing dharma, prosperity, desire and liberation.