Sukta 54
Sukta 6.54
Bharadvāja (Bārhaspatya) tradition
Pūṣan
Gāyatrī/Anuṣṭubh-like short meter (probable; verify metrically)
This hymn invokes Pūṣan as the wise guide who leads the worshipper on the straight path, protects the traveler and sacrificer, and restores what is lost. Across its ten mantras, the poet asks for right guidance, safe passage, and the deity’s active companionship in the Soma-pressing and in life’s journeys. The sukta culminates in a protective image: Pūṣan encircling the devotee with his right hand and bringing back the missing or stolen.
Mantras
Mantra 1
सं पूषन्विदुषा नय यो अञ्जसानुशासति । य एवेदमिति ब्रवत् ॥
Lead us together, O Pūṣan, by the knowing guidance—he who directs straight along the true path, who declares: ‘this indeed is it.’
Mantra 2
समु पूष्णा गमेमहि यो गृहाँ अभिशासति । इम एवेति च ब्रवत् ॥
May we go together with Pūṣan, who rightly directs us homeward, who also declares: ‘these indeed (are the right ones).’
Mantra 3
पूष्णश्चक्रं न रिष्यति न कोशोऽव पद्यते । नो अस्य व्यथते पविः ॥
Pūṣan’s wheel is not harmed; his treasury does not fall away; his sharp edge does not waver—his guiding power remains intact and unconquered.
Mantra 4
यो अस्मै हविषाविधन्न तं पूषापि मृष्यते । प्रथमो विन्दते वसु ॥
Whoever offers to him with the oblation is not disregarded by Pūṣan; he is the first to find the true substance of wealth—stable fullness of being.
Mantra 5
पूषा गा अन्वेतु नः पूषा रक्षत्वर्वतः । पूषा वाजं सनोतु नः ॥
May Pūṣan follow after our Rays of Light (the illumined herds); may Pūṣan guard us from the perilous path; may Pūṣan win for us the plenitude of effective Force.
Mantra 6
पूषन्ननु प्र गा इहि यजमानस्य सुन्वतः । अस्माकं स्तुवतामुत ॥
O Pūṣan, go forth following the Rays of Light for the sacrificer who presses the Soma; and for us also who give thee the word of praise.
Mantra 7
माकिर्नेशन्माकीं रिषन्माकीं सं शारि केवटे । अथारिष्टाभिरा गहि ॥
Let none be lost, let none be harmed, let none be shattered in the crossing; then come to us with energies that are uninjured and intact.
Mantra 8
शृण्वन्तं पूषणं वयमिर्यमनष्टवेदसम् । ईशानं राय ईमहे ॥
We seek Pūṣan who listens, the impelling Guide whose knowledge is not lost; the lord of the inner plenitude we desire to win.
Mantra 9
पूषन्तव व्रते वयं न रिष्येम कदा चन । स्तोतारस्त इह स्मसि ॥
O Pūṣan, in thy law of right movement may we never be harmed at any time; for we are here thy affirming voices of praise.
Mantra 10
परि पूषा परस्ताद्धस्तं दधातु दक्षिणम् । पुनर्नो नष्टमाजतु ॥
May Pūṣan set his right hand around us from beyond, and bring back again to us what has been lost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pūṣan is the Vedic deity of paths and right guidance—invoked to lead safely, protect the worshipper, and help recover what has gone missing.
The hymn repeatedly asks for straight, knowing guidance and practical protection—especially safe movement and the return of what is lost.
Traditionally it fits Soma-rite contexts, but it is also suited for departures, journeys, or any time one seeks clear direction and recovery from loss.