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Sukta 6.28
Bharadvāja (traditional for Maṇḍala 6; this hymn is the famous Go-sūkta in Book 6)
Go (Cows) / associated with Indra and Uṣas (symbolic powers of light and increase)
Triṣṭubh (probable for RV 6.28.1)
Bharadvaj ka yeh mantra gaayon ke liye hai. Wo kehte hain ki gaayen jab go-shala mein aakar bas jaayen, to ghar mein khushi aur dhan aata hai. Gaayen bahut achhi hoti hain, unmein bachche hote hain, aur wo Usha jaisi chamak rakhti hain. Indra ki taakat bhi unmein hai. Yeh prarthna hai ki gaayon ka doodh aur unki santan humesha ghar ko khush rakhe. Yajna ke kaam mein bhi gaayen madad karein. Bharadvaj maangte hain ki gaayen surakshit rahein aur humein barkat dein.
Mantra 1
आ गावो अग्मन्नुत भद्रमक्रन्त्सीदन्तु गोष्ठे रणयन्त्वस्मे । प्रजावतीः पुरुरूपा इह स्युरिन्द्राय पूर्वीरुषसो दुहानाः ॥
Gaayen aa gayi hain aur accha kaam kiya hai. Chalo woh charaane wali jagah baith jaayein aur humein khush karein. Unke bacche hon, acche roop wali hon. Jaise purani subah Indra ke liye doodh deti thi, waise hi yeh bhi humein deti rahein.
Mantra 2
इन्द्रो यज्वने पृणते च शिक्षत्युपेद्ददाति न स्वं मुषायति । भूयोभूयो रयिमिदस्य वर्धयन्नभिन्ने खिल्ये नि दधाति देवयुम् ॥
Indra jo yagya karta hai usko seekhata hai. Woh dene wale ko bhar deta hai. Woh paas aake deta hai, kisi ki cheez chori nahi karta. Baar-baar uski daulat badhata hai. Woh jisko bhagwan dhundhta hai, usko saaf jagah pe bitha deta hai.
Mantra 3
न ता नशन्ति न दभाति तस्करो नासामामित्रो व्यथिरा दधर्षति । देवाँश्च याभिर्यजते ददाति च ज्योगित्ताभिः सचते गोपतिः सह ॥
Yeh kirnein kabhi khatam nahi hoti. Chor unko dhoka nahi de sakta. Koi dushman, koi darr unko hila nahi sakta. Jis shakti se bhagwan ko bhog lagaya jata hai, usi shakti se woh rakshak hamesha saath rehta hai.
Mantra 4
न ता अर्वा रेणुककाटो अश्नुते न संस्कृतत्रमुप यन्ति ता अभि । उरुगायमभयं तस्य ता अनु गावो मर्तस्य वि चरन्ति यज्वनः ॥
Koi tez dushman un tak nahi pahunch sakta. Koi dhool utha ke peeche nahi aa sakta. Woh jaal mein nahi phansi. Woh uski sharan mein azaad ghoomti hain jo darr nahi jaanta. Yagya karne wale insaan ke paas yeh kirnein bina ruke chalti hain.
Mantra 5
गावो भगो गाव इन्द्रो मे अच्छान्गावः सोमस्य प्रथमस्य भक्षः । इमा या गावः स जनास इन्द्र इच्छामीद्धृदा मनसा चिदिन्द्रम् ॥
Yeh kirnein khushi ka hissa hain. Yeh Indra hain jo mere paas aa rahe hain. Yeh Som ras ka pehla bhojan hain. Yeh sab Indra ke log hain. Main apne dil aur dimaag se Indra ko dhundhta hoon.
Mantra 6
यूयं गावो मेदयथा कृशं चिदश्रीरं चित्कृणुथा सुप्रतीकम् । भद्रं गृहं कृणुथ भद्रवाचो बृहद्वो वय उच्यते सभासु ॥
Hey kirnein, tum patle insaan ko bhi mota bana deti ho. Bura dikhta hua insaan ko bhi acha bana deti ho. Tum ghar ko khush kar deti ho. Tum baat ko acchi bana deti ho. Log sabha mein tumhari taareef karte hain.
Mantra 7
प्रजावतीः सूयवसं रिशन्तीः शुद्धा अपः सुप्रपाणे पिबन्तीः । मा वः स्तेन ईशत माघशंसः परि वो हेती रुद्रस्य वृज्याः ॥
Hey kiran-wali, tum logon ke bacche ho, accha ghaas khao. Saaf paani piyo jahan pe accha paani milta hai. Koi chor tumpe raj na kare, koi bura bolne wala jeet na paaye. Rudra ki baan tumse door ho jaaye.
Mantra 8
उपेदमुपपर्चनमासु गोषूप पृच्यताम् । उप ऋषभस्य रेतस्युपेन्द्र तव वीर्ये ॥
Yeh paas aane aur paalne ka kaam in kiran-wali logon se jud jaaye. Bail ke beej ke saath mil jaaye. Indra, tumhari taakat paas hai, yahan aakar badh jaaye.
Because they are seen as living auspiciousness—food, wealth, fertility, and social stability—and also as symbols of radiant powers that nourish the gods (especially Indra) and sustain the sacrifice.
It works on two levels: it blesses real herds and milk-prosperity, and it also uses ‘cows’ as a symbol for rays of light, abundance, and the fruitful energies of life and mind.
Commonly at dawn or during cattle-related occasions—bringing cows to the stall, seeking protection from harm, or praying for fertility and steady milk—often alongside simple household offerings like ghee or milk.
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