Sukta 53
Sukta 6.53
Bharadvāja (Bārhaspatya) tradition (Mandala 6 attribution)
Gayatri (likely; short 3×8 pattern—needs verification)
This hymn invokes Pūṣan as Pathaspati, the Lord of roads, to yoke his guiding power to the seer’s thought and to secure safe passage, right direction, and winning of sustenance. It also asks Pūṣan to pierce and expose the hoarded wealth of the Paṇi (the withholder), bringing hidden “dear” treasures into the worshipper’s rightful possession. The sukta culminates in prayers for a victorious, manly inspiration (dhī) that gains cows, horses, and vital plenitude for enjoyment and offering.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
वयमु त्वा पथस्पते रथं न वाजसातये । धिये पूषन्नयुज्महि ॥
हे पूषन, तुम रास्ते के मालिक हो। हम तुम्हे रथ की तरह जोड़ते हैं ताकि हमें सफल करो। तुम हमारे इरादे को अपने साथ जोड़ो ताकि हम मंज़िल तक पहुँच सकें।
Mantra 2
अभि नो नर्यं वसु वीरं प्रयतदक्षिणम् । वामं गृहपतिं नय ॥
हमारे पास वो खज़ाना लाओ जो बहादुर है और काम आता है। घर का मालिक जो है, उसे ठीक से ले आओ ताकि हमारा घर शांति में चले।
Mantra 3
अदित्सन्तं चिदाघृणे पूषन्दानाय चोदय । पणेश्चिद्वि म्रदा मनः ॥
हे पूषन, तुम्हारी रोशनी बहुत अच्छी है। जिनको देना पसंद नहीं, उन्हे भी देना सिखा दो। जो लोग सिर्फ लेना चाहते हैं, उनका दिल नरम कर दो ताकि वो भी खुल के दें।
Mantra 4
वि पथो वाजसातये चिनुहि वि मृधो जहि । साधन्तामुग्र नो धियः ॥
पूषन, रास्ते खोल दो ताकि हमें पूरा मिल जाए। जो लोग रास्ते में रोके खड़े हैं, उनको हटा दो। हे बलवान, हमारे अच्छे खयालों को काम करने दो।
Mantra 5
परि तृन्धि पणीनामारया हृदया कवे । अथेमस्मभ्यं रन्धय ॥
हे पूषन रिशि, अंदर से जो समझ आता है उसकी तार से उन धनवालों के दिल को काट दो। जो कुछ वो छुपा के बैठा है, वो हमें मिल जाए।
Mantra 6
वि पूषन्नारया तुद पणेरिच्छ हृदि प्रियम् । अथेमस्मभ्यं रन्धय ॥
पूषन, तेज़ नोक से मारो और उस धनवाले के दिल में जो छुपा है उसको ढूंढो। फिर उसको हमारे काम का बना दो।
Mantra 7
आ रिख किकिरा कृणु पणीनां हृदया कवे । अथेमस्मभ्यं रन्धय ॥
हे पूषन रिशि, अंदर तक खोदो और उन धनवालों का दिल तोड़ दो। जो वो पकड़े बैठा है, उसको हमें दे दो।
Mantra 8
यां पूषन्ब्रह्मचोदनीमारां बिभर्ष्याघृणे । तया समस्य हृदयमा रिख किकिरा कृणु ॥
पूषन, जो भाषण से चलती है और रोशनी से भरी है, वो तार तुम्हारे पास है। उस्से उसके दिल में घुसो और जो सीधा नहीं है उसको तोड़ दो।
Mantra 9
या ते अष्ट्रा गोपशाघृणे पशुसाधनी । तस्यास्ते सुम्नमीमहे ॥
हे पूषन, तुम्हारी जो चाबुक है जो गाय-भैंस के हर्ड को संभालती है, और जानवर मिलने में मदद करती है, उसकी हम दुआ माँग रहे हैं। तुम उस चाबुक से हम पे अपनी कृपा रखो और हमें सुरक्षित रखना।
Mantra 10
उत नो गोषणिं धियमश्वसां वाजसामुत । नृवत्कृणुहि वीतये ॥
और हमारे लिए एक ऐसी सोच बना दो जिससे हमें गाय-भैंस मिल जाएँ। घोड़े भी मिलें और खुशाली भी आए। यह सोच ऐसी हो जो काम करे, और हमें फायदा पहुँचे।
Inside Sukta 53
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
The hymn begins by “yoking” Pūṣan to the worshipper’s thought like a chariot, seeking guided movement toward plenitude and success.
- Development
Requests expand into protection and right finding, including the power to uncover and obtain what is hidden or withheld—especially the Paṇi’s hoarded ‘dear’ treasure.
- Climax
A forceful appeal to Pūṣan to pierce and expose concealment, converting withheld wealth into rightful possession and effective gain.
- Where it settles
The sukta closes with a prayer for a victorious dhī that wins cattle, horses, and strength—made ‘manful’ for receiving and enjoying the divine gifts.
The deity: Pūṣan
- In the VedaHe is invoked to “yoke” with the mind, to grant nourishment and prosperity, and to open what is hidden in hostile or miserly hearts.
- Cosmic functionHe governs right movement and right finding—safe journeys, successful seeking, recovery, and the orderly circulation of wealth and nourishment in the world.
- Inner significancePūṣan symbolizes the inner guide that aligns intention and intelligence, leading consciousness along the true path; he also represents the force that pierces self-deception and releases hoarded inner riches (light, delight, capacity) into rightful use.
The seer
- Bharadvāja (Bārhaspatya tradition)Bharadvāja-gotra; Bārhaspatya (Br̥haspati-related) family stream within Mandala 6 · Foremost Mandala-6 seer whose lineage is strongly associated with hymns of guidance, protection, and right acquisition—often linking inspired thought (dhī) with effective ritual action.
Famous verses
pathas pate
वि पूषन्नारया तुद पणेरिच्छ हृदि प्रियम् । अथेमस्मभ्यं रन्धय ॥उत नो गोषणिं धियमश्वसां वाजसामुत । नृवत्कृणुहि वीतये ॥Attributes of the deity
- Lord of paths and safe passage (Pathaspati)
- Guide and protector of travelers and herds
- Finder/recoverer of what is lost or concealed
- Bestower of nourishment, cattle, and prosperity
- Piercing revealer of the Paṇi’s hidden treasure
- Yoked to inspired thought (dhī) for successful attainment
Also by this seer
- Large portions of Rig Veda Mandala 6 traditionally attributed to the Bharadvāja family
- Hymns to Agni and Indra in Mandala 6 emphasizing priestly power, protection, and victory
- Later Vedic memory associates Bharadvāja with authoritative brahmanical insight and transmission of sacred learning
The rite, step by step
- Ācamana and sankalpa for safe passage/right finding and prosperous completion of the intended work
- Kindling or honoring the household fire (or a simple lamp) and establishing a calm, attentive dhī (focused intention)
- Recitation of the sukta (or selected mantras) with Pūṣan visualized as the guiding power on the road and within the mind
- Specific petition for removal of obstacles and for the release of withheld resources (symbolized by the Paṇi)
- Concluding offering and prayer for strengthened, ‘manly’ inspiration and successful enjoyment/participation (vīti)
Offerings
- Ghee (ājya) into fire
- Milk/curds or simple food offering (naivedya) as nourishment-symbol
- Water libation and a brief oblation with the name of Pūṣan
Frequently Asked Questions
Pūṣan is a Vedic deity of guidance and nourishment. He is called Pathaspati, “Lord of the paths,” because he protects journeys, helps one find the right way, and brings the seeker safely to the goal.
The Paṇi represents the withholder who hides wealth and light. The hymn asks Pūṣan to pierce concealment and reveal the hidden treasure—so it can come into rightful possession and be used for good purpose.
It can be recited before travel or any important undertaking to seek clarity, protection, and right direction. Many also use it as a prayer for recovering what is lost and for gaining steady prosperity with a focused, strong mind.
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