The Āyuṣya Sūktam originates from the Rigveda and Yajurveda, and is one of the oldest Vedic hymns dedicated to invoking long life, good health, and divine protection. Traditionally chanted during birthdays, healing rituals, and Āyuṣya Homas (fire ceremonies), the hymn calls upon deities like Agni (fire), Sūrya (sun), Indra, and the Ashwini Kumāras—twin physicians of the gods. Chanting the Āyuṣya Sūktam is believed to purify the life force (prāṇa), remove obstacles to health, and promote physical vitality, mental clarity, and spiritual well-being. It aligns the chanter with the cosmic rhythm of life and fosters gratitude for the gift of embodiment, supporting a balanced and auspicious path through one’s lifespan.

Āyuṣya Sūktam – Transliteration and Translation

Verse 1
yo brahmā brahmaṇa ujjahāra prāṇaiḥ śiraḥ kṛttivāsāḥ pinākī |
īśāno devaḥ sa na āyur-dadhātu tasmai juhomi haviṣā ghṛtēna ||

Translation:
Lord Brahmā, the creator, was born from the breath (prāṇa) of Brahman. Śiva, clad in an elephant skin and wielding the Pināka (his bow), arose from Brahman's head. To these divine forms, I offer ghee in sacrifice and pray for long life.

Verse 2
vibhrājamānas-'śarīrasya madhyād rocamāno gharmarucir ya āgāt |
sa mṛtyupāśān apanudya ghorān ihāyuṣeṇo ghṛtam attu devaḥ ||

Translation:
From the radiant center of Brahman's body, arose Agni, the resplendent fire deity, glowing with heat and brilliance. May this Agni remove the terrifying noose of death and grant us long life. I offer him ghee as oblation.

Verse 3
brahmajyotir brahmapatnīṣu garbhaṁ yam ādadhāt pururūpaṁ jayantam |
suvarṇaraṁ-bhagraham arkam arcyaṁ tam āyuṣe vardhayāmo ghṛtēna ||

Translation:
From the radiance of Brahman, the golden-orbed, victorious Sun (Arka) was born within the divine consorts of Brahman. We offer ghee in worship to the Sun, the life-giver, praying that he may increase our lifespan.

Verse 4
yamagne sāyaṣeṇaṁ prabhāte vidma vidvāṇsaṁ rātrim ahāni |
so ayur indraṁ sa rayiṁ sa vīrān devaṁ no dadhātu jīvase ||

Translation:
O Agni, whom we know as the bringer of light both at dawn and dusk, during day and night—may you, along with Indra, bless us with long life, prosperity, and strength, so that we may live well.

Verse 5
pūraṁ rakṇātu pathikṛvato naḥ păḌāt saṅrakṇa aṇhasaspāre ||
tan māvadhīr agnaye varma me dadhāmy ahastāt pātudharmaḥ svasti ||

Translation:
May the eastern direction protect us as we travel; may the western side safeguard us from mishaps and evil. O Agni, I place your armor upon me for protection. May righteousness guard me from all sides.

Verse 6
Āyur devā na ayur yajñapataya āyur hotāra āyurindrāgnī āyuṣeṇa āyur viśvedevāṁ somaāyaāyuṣaṁ juhomi ||

Translation:
O gods, grant us long life! O lords of sacrifice, may the Hotṛ priests, Indra and Agni, and all the gods bless us with long life. I offer this oblation to Soma for the sake of vitality and longevity.

Verse 7
āyuṣaṁ tvā devajanaḥ saḍāya bṛhaspate prathamajāya rudrāṁ |
viśvā devā aṇhasaḍām abhiśūvānāyāyurjuḍantu jīvase naḥ ||

Translation:
I invoke the divine beings, the Rudras and Bṛhaspati, the eldest among gods, to grant me a long life. May all the deities who protect us from misfortunes and darkness bless us with vitality, so that we may live well.

Verse 8
āyur devīdhyo ghṛtavatyo daśapatnīrbhyo barhir āstaraṁ naḥ |
saptahotṛbhyo juhvā juhoomi sarvābhyo devebhya āyuṣam ||

Translation:
I spread the sacred seat of grass and offer oblations to the goddesses of life, to the ten divine consorts, and to the seven officiating priests. I offer this ghee to all the deities for the sake of long life.

Verse 9
āyuṣaṁ devebhya āyurjuḍema āyuryaōniṁ tanvāō rudriyāŁsi |
tathāyuṣaṁ yajamāna āyātām āyuragnirāsvo ratham iva dhuryaṁ ||

Translation:
We offer this oblation for longevity to the gods. May our lifespan extend and our bodies remain youthful and strong, like Rudra's own. May Agni carry this offering for a long and healthy life, like a swift horse pulling a chariot.