Rig Veda Quotes - A Collection of Quotes from Rig Veda

This is a collection of quotes from Rig Veda. The source is mostly translation in English by western scholars.

Man conquers his fear of death only through his intuitive perception of the Supreme Entity.

Wisdom comes to a man, who meditates, acts and lives according to the true eternal laws of Nature.

Men enjoy riches not only due to their personal efforts and through the grace of god but also mainly through their own patience and perseverance.

Let noble thoughts come to us from every side. – Rg Veda I-89-i

One should act with one mind and one thought. – Rg Veda Samhita X-64-7

Deeds shall be pure. — Rg Veda Samhita X-18-2

One who does not work is a social evil. — Rg Veda Samhita X-22-8

Do not abandon all the great, pure, calm oceans of the mind and cling to one bubble of confusion and accept it as the whole ocean. Be like the Ocean, which receives all streams and rivers. The Ocean’s mighty calm remains unmoved; it feels them not.

Each object in the world is not merely itself but involves every other object, and in fact is every other object.

All the Vedic rites, oblational and sacrificial, pass away; but this imperishable syllable Om is to be known to the Supreme Truth.

The man who wins food with fruitless labour: that food – I speak the truth – shall be his ruin.

Give prominence to intellect over emotions.

Allow me to leave my actions and their consequences to Thy infinite will and mercy.

Let not the fruits of action be the motive of your actions, otherwise you might be disappointed and leave the path of right direction.

Look upon all the animate beings as your bosom friends, for in all of them there resides one soul.

All that lives or moves on earth transient or permanent exists in the glory of God.

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Maho Arnaha Saraswati Pra Chetayati Ketuna
Dhiyo Vishwa Vi Raajati (Mandal 1 Hymn 3 Verse 12)
Only 'knowledge' can help us to know the universe, which is vast like an ocean. It enlightens all minds.

Knowledge destroys the darkness of ignorance. There are two ways of obtaining knowledge – from an able guru and through self-study. By attaining knowledge, the mind becomes enlightened. We should try to acquire knowledge from all sources and by all means – studying the scriptures, contemplation, meditation, etc. Scriptures are invaluable sources of knowledge because it is only through their study that the mind is filled with good thoughts. Good thoughts help us in leading a virtuous life. This is the sure way for growth of the mind and to acquire eternal happiness and peace.

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Asmantsu Tatra Chodyendra Raye Rabhaswatah
Tu Vidyumna Yashaswatah (Mandal 1 Hymn 9 Verse 6)

O radiant one! Inspire the diligent and the successful only to earn wealth.

Only those who are industrious can earn wealth. Those who try, definitely acquire wealth. Those with fixed aims are the ones who are prosperous, wealthy and successful. They should realize that their efforts never go in vain.

'Let noble thoughts come to us from every 'corner of the world,'

(Rigveda 1.89.1)

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Be united. Speak in harmony.
Let your minds apprehend alike.
Common be your prayer;
Common be the end of your assembly;
Common be your resolution;
Common be your deliberations.
Alike be your feelings;
United be your hearts;
Common be your intentions;
Perfect be your unity.

Sam gacchadvam, sam vadhadvam
sam vo manamsi janatam
deva bhagam yatha purve, sam janana upasate
samano mantrah, samiti samani
samanam manah saha cittamesam
samanam mantramabhi mantraye vah
samanena havisa juhomi
samani va akutih samana hridayani vah
samanamastu vo mano yatha vah susahasati.

Rig Veda Quotes On Creation

Then even nothingness was not, nor existence.
There was no air then, nor the heavens beyond it.
Who covered it? Where was it? In whose keeping?
Was there then cosmic water, in depths unfathomed?
But, after all, who knows, and who can say,
Whence it all came, and how creation happened?
The gods themselves are later than creation,
So who knows truly whence it has arisen?

Rig Veda, X, 129

Quotes on Water from Rig Veda 

Waters which come from heaven, or those that wander dug from the earth, or flowing free by nature, bright, purifying, speeding to the ocean, here let those waters, goddesses protect me. Rig Veda 7.49.2

I will declare the manly deeds of Indra, the first that he achieved, the Thunder-wielder. He slew the Dragon, then disclosed the waters and cleft the channels of the mountain torrents. Rig Veda 1.32.1

Then even nothingness was not, nor existence,

There was no air then, nor the heavens beyond it.

What covered it? Where was it?

In whose keeping was there then cosmic water, in depths unfathomed?

At first there was only darkness wrapped in darkness.

All this was only un-illumined water.

That one which came to be, enclosed in nothing,

Arose at last, born of the power of heat. Rig Veda 10.129.1, 3