Rig Veda Sukta 73
Mandala 6Sukta 733 Mantras

Sukta 73

Sukta 6.73

Rishi

Bharadvāja Bārhaspatya (traditional for this Bṛhaspati hymn cluster)

Devata

Bṛhaspati

Chandas

Triṣṭubh (probable)

Este breve himno en triṣṭubh alaba a Bṛhaspati como el primogénito del Ṛta, que rompe los obstáculos rocosos, derriba fortalezas y gana para el adorador esforzado espacio, aguas, luz y ganado. Se lo presenta como el poder sacerdotal victorioso cuyo bramido alcanza ambos mundos y cuyos «arkas» (himnos luminosos) se convierten ellos mismos en armas contra la hostilidad. El propósito de la sūkta es invocar a Bṛhaspati para el avance decisivo, la protección en el conflicto y la obtención de prosperidad mediante la invocación correcta.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 6.73

Mantras

Mantra 1

यो अद्रिभित्प्रथमजा ऋतावा बृहस्पतिराङ्गिरसो हविष्मान् । द्विबर्हज्मा प्राघर्मसत्पिता न आ रोदसी वृषभो रोरवीति ॥

El que hiende las rocas, el primogénito de la Verdad (ṛta), Bṛhaspati el Aṅgiras, rico en ofrenda (havis). Doble en su vasto crecimiento, sentado en el ardor llameante, nuestro Padre: ruge a los dos mundos como Toro de poder.

Mantra 2

जनाय चिद्य ईवत उ लोकं बृहस्पतिर्देवहूतौ चकार । घ्नन्वृत्राणि वि पुरो दर्दरीति जयञ्छत्रूँरमित्रान्पृत्सु साहन् ॥

Aun para el hombre que se afana, Bṛhaspati, en la invocación divina (devahūti), ha hecho un mundo, una morada. Abatiendo a los Vṛtra, despedaza las fortalezas; venciendo a los enemigos, prevalece en las batallas.

Mantra 3

बृहस्पतिः समजयद्वसूनि महो व्रजान्गोमतो देव एषः । अपः सिषासन्त्स्वरप्रतीतो बृहस्पतिर्हन्त्यमित्रमर्कैः ॥

Bṛhaspati ha ganado en conjunto las riquezas — grandes rebaños colmados de rayos; este dios. Anhelando las aguas y el Svar, irresistible, Bṛhaspati hiere al poder hostil con sus arkas, himnos de luz.

Inside Sukta 73

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    Bṛhaspati is introduced as Ṛta’s first-born, the rock-splitter and bull of power whose might resounds through both worlds.

  2. Development

    His aid is made practical: he creates ‘loka’ for the striving person and, by striking Vṛtras, shatters enemy strongholds and wins battles.

  3. Climax

    The hymn peaks in the image of Bṛhaspati winning riches and great radiant herds, seeking waters and svar, irresistible in his advance.

  4. Where it settles

    It resolves by affirming that Bṛhaspati destroys hostility with arkas—luminous hymns—making sacred speech itself the final instrument of victory.

The deity: Bṛhaspati

  • In the VedaBṛhaspati is hailed as ṛtāvā (aligned with Ṛta), an Āṅgirasa, rich in offerings, the rock-splitter and fort-shatterer who roars as a bull to both worlds and conquers foes through sacred utterance.
  • Cosmic functionHe embodies the victorious power of brahman (sacred formulation) that clears obstruction, establishes ordered space (loka), releases waters and light, and secures wealth and herds for the community.
  • Inner significanceThe awakened intelligence and disciplined speech that breaks inner ‘rocks’ (inertia, fear, confusion), opens the mind’s horizons, and turns mantra and insight into effective force for right action.

The seer

  • Bharadvāja BārhaspatyaBharadvāja (Āṅgirasa/Bārhaspatya affiliation in the Bṛhaspati hymn cycle) · A foremost seer of Maṇḍala 6, renowned for powerful, priestly (brahman) hymns—especially to Indra and Bṛhaspati—linking inspired speech with victory and the opening of hidden riches.

Famous verses

adribhit prathamajā ṛtāvā
Verse 6.73.1Defines Bṛhaspati’s essential Vedic identity: first-born of Ṛta, rock-breaker, Āṅgirasa priest-power, roaring bull spanning heaven and earth—foundation for the hymn’s theology.Read verse 6.73.1 →
vi puro dardarīti
Verse 6.73.2States the hymn’s applied promise: Bṛhaspati creates ‘space/world’ for the striving worshipper and wins by smashing forts and overcoming foes—classic breakthrough and victory motif.Read verse 6.73.2 →
hanty amitram arkaiḥ
Verse 6.73.3Culminates in the gains Bṛhaspati grants—wealth, herds, waters, and svar—while highlighting that he strikes the hostile power through arkas (hymns of light).Read verse 6.73.3 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Priest-lord (brahmaṇaspati/bṛhaspati) and master of mantra
  • Rock/obstruction breaker (adribhit)
  • Fort-shatterer and Vṛtra-slayer in function
  • Bull-like strength and roar reaching heaven and earth
  • Giver of loka (spaciousness), waters, light (svar), and wealth
  • Protector and battle-aid against enemies

Also by this seer

  • Major authorship within Rig Veda Maṇḍala 6 (Bharadvāja family hymns)
  • Notable Indra hymns emphasizing fort-breaking and cattle-winning motifs (within RV 6)
  • Bṛhaspati-focused stotras in the same mandala cluster (traditional attribution)

The rite, step by step

  • Ācamana and sankalpa: establish intention for obstacle-removal and right speech
  • Agni kindling and preliminary offerings (āhuti) to open the rite
  • Recitation of RV 6.73.1–3 with focus on ‘adribhit’ and ‘vi puro dardarīti’ as breakthrough formulas
  • Main oblation to Bṛhaspati with a request for loka (space), āpaḥ (waters), and svar (light)
  • Concluding śānti/āśīrvāda: dedicate gains to Ṛta and communal welfare

Offerings

  • Ghṛta (ghee) oblations
  • Soma (where applicable in soma-yajña context)
  • Samidhs (fuel sticks) and fragrant offerings per local śrauta/smārta custom

Frequently Asked Questions

He is the divine lord of sacred speech and priestly power, praised as the breaker of obstructions who wins space, light, waters, and prosperity through the force of mantra aligned with Ṛta.

On the outer level it evokes defeating enemies and opening hidden wealth; on the inner level it points to removing mental and spiritual blockages so clarity, strength, and right action can emerge.

Breakthrough and protection: Bṛhaspati is invoked to destroy hostile forces, create a supportive ‘loka’ (room to live and act), and grant wealth, cattle, waters, and the light of svar.

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