Sukta 54
Sukta 6.54
Bharadvāja (Bārhaspatya) tradition
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.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
सं पूषन्विदुषा नय यो अञ्जसानुशासति । य एवेदमिति ब्रवत् ॥
पूषन, हमें सही रास्ता दिखाके ले चलो। वो रास्ता जो सीधा है, जहाँ कोई भटकना नहीं पड़ता। जैसे कोई बोल दे, 'यही है वो रास्ता, यहाँ से जाओ।'
Mantra 2
समु पूष्णा गमेमहि यो गृहाँ अभिशासति । इम एवेति च ब्रवत् ॥
पूषन के साथ हम चलना चाहते हैं। वो हमें घर की तरफ ले जाता है, रास्ता दिखाता है। और बोलता है, 'यह लोग सही हैं, इनके साथ चलो।'
Mantra 3
पूष्णश्चक्रं न रिष्यति न कोशोऽव पद्यते । नो अस्य व्यथते पविः ॥
पूषन का चक्का खराब नहीं होता। उसका खजाना कभी खाली नहीं होता। उसकी ताकत कम नहीं होती, वो हमेशा स्ट्रांग रहता है, कभी हार नहीं मानता।
Mantra 4
यो अस्मै हविषाविधन्न तं पूषापि मृष्यते । प्रथमो विन्दते वसु ॥
जो इंसान भगवान को पूजा में समर्पित करता है, पूषन उसको कभी नहीं भूलता। वो पहले ही इंसान को धन दिला देता है। यह धन ऐसा है जो कभी खत्म नहीं होता।
Mantra 5
पूषा गा अन्वेतु नः पूषा रक्षत्वर्वतः । पूषा वाजं सनोतु नः ॥
पूषन हमारे रोशनी की किरणों का साथ दे। वो हमारे रास्ते की हिफाजत करे। और वो हमारे लिए पूरा बल और शक्ति लाए।
Mantra 6
पूषन्ननु प्र गा इहि यजमानस्य सुन्वतः । अस्माकं स्तुवतामुत ॥
हे पूषन, पूजा करने वाले के साथ चल। जो इंसान सोम रस निकाल के भगवान को चढ़ा रहा है, उसके पास जा। और हमारे लिए भी आओ जो तुझे प्रणाम कर रहे हैं।
Mantra 7
माकिर्नेशन्माकीं रिषन्माकीं सं शारि केवटे । अथारिष्टाभिरा गहि ॥
कोई भी रास्ता न खो जाए। कोई तकलीफ में न पड़े। जब पार हो रहे हो तब कोई टूटे न। फिर तुम हमारे पास आओ, बिल्कुल ठीक-ठाक और मजबूत हो के।
Mantra 8
शृण्वन्तं पूषणं वयमिर्यमनष्टवेदसम् । ईशानं राय ईमहे ॥
हम पूषन को ढूंढते हैं जो सबकी सुनता है। वो रास्ता दिखाता है और उसकी ज्ञान कभी नहीं छूटा। हम उस भगवान को पाना चाहते हैं जो धन और संपत्ति का मालिक है।
Mantra 9
पूषन्तव व्रते वयं न रिष्येम कदा चन । स्तोतारस्त इह स्मसि ॥
हे पूषन, हम तेरे रास्ते पे चल रहे हैं। कभी भी हमारा बुरा मत होना। हम यहाँ तेरे लिए गाना गाते हैं, तेरी तारीफ करते हैं।
Mantra 10
परि पूषा परस्ताद्धस्तं दधातु दक्षिणम् । पुनर्नो नष्टमाजतु ॥
पूषन हमारे पीछे से अपना सही हाथ रखे। जो कुछ हमारा खो गया है, वो वापस ला दे।
Inside Sukta 54
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
A direct appeal: ‘Lead us together, O Pūṣan, by knowing guidance,’ emphasizing straight instruction and certainty (‘this indeed is it’).
- Development
Requests broaden from guidance to active companionship in the sacrifice and in movement—Pūṣan is asked to go forth with the light-rays and support both the yajamāna and the praising community.
- Climax
The hymn’s strongest practical prayer: Pūṣan’s power to restore what has been lost, implying mastery over mischance, theft, and misdirection.
- Where it settles
A protective closure: Pūṣan places his right hand around the devotee from beyond, sealing safety and ensuring return of the missing.
The deity: Pūṣan
- In the VedaHe is a friendly, near-at-hand deity of paths and journeys, invoked to accompany the yajamāna and to make the way auspicious.
- Cosmic functionGuardian of roads and movements: he conducts beings along right courses, oversees safe transit, and ensures rightful return/recovery—whether of cattle, goods, or one’s proper direction.
- Inner significanceThe inner guide and ‘right discernment’ that keeps one aligned with truth—restoring what is missing (clarity, purpose, integrity) and protecting against misdirection and loss.
The seer
- Bharadvāja (Bārhaspatya tradition)Bharadvāja-gotra; Bārhaspatya (linked with Bṛhaspati) family tradition · A major Rigvedic seer whose family-book (Maṇḍala 6) contains hymns of lucid ritual devotion and practical prayers for guidance, protection, and prosperity.
Famous verses
ya evedam iti bravat
पूषन्ननु प्र गा इहि यजमानस्य सुन्वतः । अस्माकं स्तुवतामुत ॥punar no naṣṭam ājatu
Attributes of the deity
- Guide on the straight path (añjas)
- Protector of travelers and the sacrificer
- Restorer of what is lost (naṣṭa)
- Wise instructor (viduṣ)
- Companion of the Soma-pressing and prayer
- Auspicious, benevolent, near to humans
Also by this seer
- Large portions of Rig Veda Maṇḍala 6 are attributed to the Bharadvāja lineage
- Hymns to Agni, Indra, the Aśvins, and Pūṣan within Maṇḍala 6
- Bharadvāja is remembered in later Vedic-Itihāsa tradition as a foundational ṛṣi associated with transmission of sacred learning
The rite, step by step
- Establish the sacred space and light Agni; recite opening praises to align intention with ṛta (right order).
- Invite Pūṣan as the ‘knowing guide’ and request direct instruction along the straight path (añjas).
- During Soma pressing/offerings, recite the central petitions asking Pūṣan to go ‘forth’ with the rays and accompany the yajamāna.
- State specific needs: safe passage, protection from misguidance, and recovery of what is missing (goods, cattle, opportunity, or direction).
- Conclude with the protective sealing prayer: Pūṣan encircling the worshipper with his right hand and bringing back the lost.
Offerings
- Soma libations (where applicable)
- Ghee/clarified butter into the fire
- Simple food offerings appropriate to Pūṣan in later practice (e.g., grains), while the Rigvedic core centers on Soma and praise
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.
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