Rig Veda Sukta 18
Mandala 1Sukta 189 Mantras

Sukta 18

Sukta 1.18

Rishi

Kakṣīvant Dairghatamasa (traditionally for RV 1.18)

Devata

Brahmaṇaspati

Chandas

Gāyatrī (probable for RV 1.18 opening; short compact verse typical of gāyatrī)

Este himno invoca a Brahmaṇaspati, señor de la palabra sagrada y del poder sacerdotal, para que haga al Soma «dorado» y vuelva al vidente apto para la expresión inspirada y el sacrificio eficaz. Pide protección —junto con Soma, Indra y el poder Dakṣiṇā que otorga lo recto— contra el pecado, el error y la constricción, para que el rito se convierta en una morada de alabanza luminosa, semejante al cielo.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 1.18

Mantras

Mantra 1

सोमानं स्वरणं कृणुहि ब्रह्मणस्पते । कक्षीवन्तं य औशिजः ॥

Oh Brahmaṇaspati, Señor de la Palabra, haz del Soma un oro resplandeciente; (haz) a Kakṣīvant, hijo de Uśij, apto y radiante para la obra de la palabra inspirada.

Mantra 2

यो रेवान्यो अमीवहा वसुवित्पुष्टिवर्धनः । स नः सिषक्तु यस्तुरः ॥

Aquel que es rico en abundancia luminosa, que mata la dolencia, que halla la riqueza verdadera y acrecienta nuestro crecimiento—que ese poder veloz se una a nosotros y nos impulse hacia adelante.

Mantra 3

मा नः शंसो अररुषो धूर्तिः प्रणङ्मर्त्यस्य । रक्षा णो ब्रह्मणस्पते ॥

Que no nos hieran la proclamación hostil ni el ataque engañoso del mortal. Guárdanos, oh Brahmanaspati, Señor de la Palabra.

Mantra 4

स घा वीरो न रिष्यति यमिन्द्रो ब्रह्मणस्पतिः । सोमो हिनोति मर्त्यम् ॥

En verdad, no perece ese héroe—a quien Indra, Brahmanaspati, Señor de la Palabra, y Soma impulsan hacia delante. Pues Soma pone en marcha al mortal.

Mantra 5

त्वं तं ब्रह्मणस्पते सोम इन्द्रश्च मर्त्यम् । दक्षिणा पात्वंहसः ॥

Oh Señor de la Palabra sagrada (Brahmaṇaspati), tú — junto con Soma e Indra— protege a ese mortal del estrechamiento de la falta y del error; y que Dakṣiṇā, la potencia que da lo justo, lo guarde, asentándolo en el verdadero intercambio entre el esfuerzo humano y el aumento divino.

Mantra 6

सदसस्पतिमद्भुतं प्रियमिन्द्रस्य काम्यम् । सनिं मेधामयासिषम् ॥

He procurado ganar al maravilloso Señor de la Asamblea (Sadaspati), amado de Indra y deseable, para que nos conceda la obtención de medhā, la inteligencia formada que sostiene y ordena la verdad.

Mantra 7

यस्मादृते न सिध्यति यज्ञो विपश्चितश्चन । स धीनां योगमिन्वति ॥

Sin quien el sacrificio no prospera —ni siquiera para el vidente de clara percepción—, él es quien fomenta la unión de los pensamientos: él pone nuestra dhī bajo el yugo recto del Orden de la Verdad.

Mantra 8

आदृध्नोति हविष्कृतिं प्राञ्चं कृणोत्यध्वरम् । होत्रा देवेषु गच्छति ॥

Él perfecciona la preparación de la ofrenda; hace avanzar el curso del sacrificio. Por el poder del Hotṛ camina entre los dioses.

Mantra 9

नराशंसं सुधृष्टममपश्यं सप्रथस्तमम् । दिवो न सद्ममखसम् ॥

He contemplado a Narāśaṃsa, al más firmemente asentado, al más ampliamente extendido — como una casa del cielo, sin tacha, morada del sacrificio.

Inside Sukta 18

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    A direct appeal to Brahmaṇaspati to transfigure Soma into ‘gold’—radiant, consciousness-bright—and to empower the seer for inspired speech.

  2. Development

    The hymn broadens into protection and right-order: Brahmaṇaspati works with Soma and Indra, while Dakṣiṇā safeguards the sacrificer from error and constriction, ensuring the exchange between humans and gods is sound.

  3. Climax

    The protective nexus (Brahmaṇaspati–Soma–Indra–Dakṣiṇā) is affirmed as the decisive force that saves the mortal from aṃhas and makes the rite victorious.

  4. Where it settles

    It ends in a visionary confirmation: Narāśaṃsa is ‘seen’ as firmly founded and wide-spreading, like a heavenly house for the sacrifice—signaling completion and stability of the yajña’s inner dwelling.

The deity: Brahmaṇaspati

  • In the VedaBrahmaṇaspati is praised as the lord/master of brahman—sacred formulation, prayer, and the priestly utterance that shapes the sacrifice and opens the way for the gods. He is invoked to strengthen hymn and rite, to remove obstacles, and to make the offering radiant and efficacious.
  • Cosmic functionHe orders the ritual-cosmic exchange: by right speech and rite he clears paths, wins divine cooperation, and establishes auspicious order (ṛta) in the human sphere.
  • Inner significanceThe awakened power of articulate truth—disciplined intelligence, right intention, and inspired speech that turns inner clarity into outer effectiveness.

The seer

  • Kakṣīvant DairghatamasaAuśija (descendant of Uśij); associated with the Dīrghatamas line · A celebrated early Vedic poet credited with powerful, practical hymns for prosperity and victorious speech; remembered as an inspired singer whose praise ‘makes’ the rite succeed.

Famous verses

somānaṃ svaraṇaṃ kṛṇuhi
Verse 1.18.1Sets the hymn’s keynote: Brahmaṇaspati is asked to make Soma ‘svaraṇa’ (golden/radiant) and to render the poet fit—linking inspired speech with luminous offering.Read verse 1.18.1 →
dakṣiṇā pātv aṃhasaḥ
Verse 1.18.5Central protective prayer: Brahmaṇaspati together with Soma and Indra guards the mortal from aṃhas, while Dakṣiṇā secures right reciprocity and ritual well-being.Read verse 1.18.5 →
divo na sadmam
Verse 1.18.9Concluding vision that seals the rite: Narāśaṃsa is beheld as a broad, firm ‘house of heaven’ for sacrifice—an image of the yajña becoming a stable divine habitation.Read verse 1.18.9 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Lord of sacred speech (brahman)
  • Remover of obstacles and errors
  • Ritual protector and establisher of the sacrifice
  • Bestower of inspiration and eloquence
  • Makes offerings radiant/efficacious
  • Allied with Soma’s illumination and Indra’s force

Also by this seer

  • Hymns attributed to Kakṣīvant in Maṇḍala 1 (notably the Kakṣīvant cycle, e.g., RV 1.116–1.126 in traditional listings)
  • Tradition links him with praise-poetry used in Soma and Indra contexts, emphasizing gift, patronage, and effective mantra-power

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the ritual space and kindle/maintain the sacred fire (Agni) as the seat of mantra.
  • Press and purify Soma; arrange vessels and seats for the officiants.
  • Invoke Brahmaṇaspati to ‘make Soma golden’—i.e., luminous, fit for offering and insight.
  • Recite the hymn to strengthen brahman (the formulated prayer) and to secure unobstructed ritual flow.
  • Offer Soma and ghee with accompanying praise; invite Indra and allied powers to partake.
  • Ask for protection from aṃhas (wrong, constriction) and for Dakṣiṇā to establish right reciprocity (gift and increase).
  • Conclude with affirming vision/praise (e.g., Narāśaṃsa) as the rite becomes a ‘heavenly dwelling’ for the sacrifice.

Offerings

  • Soma libation
  • Ghee (ājya)
  • Oblations into fire (havis)
  • Dakṣiṇā (ritual gift/fee to priests)

Frequently Asked Questions

Brahmaṇaspati is the lord of sacred speech and priestly power. The hymn asks him to make the prayer effective, remove obstacles, and ensure the sacrifice succeeds.

It means making Soma radiant and fit for offering—both as a physical libation and as a symbol of clarified, luminous awareness that supports true speech and right action.

Indra represents victorious force that helps overcome resistance, while Dakṣiṇā represents the right gift and right exchange that stabilizes the ritual. Together they protect the sacrificer from error and misfortune.

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