Sukta 57
Sukta 6.57
Bharadvāja
Indra and Pūṣan (dual invocation)
Gāyatrī (likely, given brevity; exact confirmation requires syllable count)
This short hymn invokes Indra and Pūṣan together as friendly allies who secure svasti (safe well-being) and vājasāti (the winning of strength, plenty, and success). It recalls Indra’s r̥ta-governed release and leading of the great waters, with Pūṣan accompanying as guide, and ends by “rousing” Pūṣan like a charioteer tightening reins—so the journey moves straight and safely.
Mantras
Mantra 1
इन्द्रा नु पूषणा वयं सख्याय स्वस्तये । हुवेम वाजसातये ॥
इंद्र और पूषन, हम तुम्हे बुला रहे हैं। दोस्ती के लिए, अच्छे के लिए। ताकि हम शक्ति और शांति पा सकें।
Mantra 2
सोममन्य उपासदत्पातवे चम्वोः सुतम् । करम्भमन्य इच्छति ॥
कुछ लोग सोम के पास जाते हैं पीने के लिए। वो प्याले से नया निकाला हुआ पीते हैं। कुछ दूसरे लोग करम्भ माँगते हैं। हर इंसान की इच्छा अलग होती है। कुछ खुशी ढूंढते हैं, कुछ पेट भरते हैं।
Mantra 3
अजा अन्यस्य वह्नयो हरी अन्यस्य सम्भृता । ताभ्यां वृत्राणि जिघ्नते ॥
एक ताकत के लिए जो गाड़ी खोले वो है। दूसरी ताकत के लिए दो घोड़े तैयार हैं। इन दोनों से रास्ते के बंधन टूट जाते हैं। सच का रास्ता साफ हो जाता है।
Mantra 4
यदिन्द्रो अनयद्रितो महीरपो वृषन्तमः । तत्र पूषाभवत्सचा ॥
जब इंद्र ने बड़े पानी बहाए। सच के हिसाब से वो बड़े पानी ले आए। उस वक्त पूषण भी उनके साथ था। वो साथ चल रहा था, सही रास्ता दिखाता रहा।
Mantra 5
तां पूष्णः सुमतिं वयं वृक्षस्य प्र वयामिव । इन्द्रस्य चा रभामहे ॥
पूषण की अच्छी सोच को पकड़ना चाहते हैं। जैसे पेड़ का सहारा लेते हैं, वैसे ही। इंद्र की ताकत भी पकड़ना चाहते हैं। दोनों से हम ऊपर जाते हैं, जीत के साथ।
Mantra 6
उत्पूषणं युवामहेऽभीशूँरिव सारथिः । मह्या इन्द्रं स्वस्तये ॥
पूषण को उठाते हैं ऊपर की तरफ। जैसे गाड़ी वाला लगाम खींचता है। इंद्र को भी उठाते हैं हमारे भले के लिए। इससे हमारा सफर सीधा और सेफ चलता है।
Inside Sukta 57
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
A direct call to Indra and Pūṣan “now,” seeking comradeship (sakhya), well-being (svasti), and victorious plenty (vājasāti).
- Development
The hymn links present prayer to cosmic precedent: Indra’s r̥ta-guided leading forth of the great waters, with Pūṣan accompanying as the guiding companion.
- Climax
The r̥ta-centered image of the vast waters being led forth—power released under truth, not chaos—showing why these deities are trustworthy allies for right movement and success.
- Where it settles
The concluding ‘charioteer’ imagery: Pūṣan is roused like reins tightened, and Indra is invoked for wide well-being, sealing a straight, protected course for the worshiper.
The deity: Indra and Pūṣan
- In the VedaIndra is the vṛṣantama (most mighty in outpouring), breaker of obstacles and leader of the waters in accord with r̥ta; Pūṣan is the companion-guide who protects paths, brings safe passage, and helps the seeker keep to right courses.
- Cosmic functionIndra releases and drives the life-forces (waters, rains, energies) and grants victory and abundance; Pūṣan safeguards movement—roads, journeys, and orderly progress—so gains are preserved and direction remains auspicious.
- Inner significanceIndra represents the surge of will and illumined power that breaks inner obstruction; Pūṣan represents discerning guidance and protection that keeps consciousness on the right track. Together they signify force plus right direction: energy aligned with truth (r̥ta) leading to stable well-being (svasti).
The seer
- BharadvājaBharadvāja-gotra (Bārhaspatya/Āṅgirasa affiliation in the Rigvedic tradition) · Foremost among the great Rigvedic seers, credited with a large portion of Maṇḍala 6 and noted for hymns that combine ritual precision with inner, r̥ta-centered interpretation of divine powers.
Famous verses
svastaye … vājasātaye
mahīr apo … ritaḥ
abhīśūm̐r iva sārathiḥ
Attributes of the deity
- svasti-dā (givers of well-being)
- vājasāti-kṛt (providers of victorious plenitude)
- r̥ta-anuyāyin (aligned with truth/order)
- pathi-gopā (protector of paths; Pūṣan)
- vṛtra-han / obstacle-breaker (Indra)
- sakhya / comradeship and companionship
Also by this seer
- Major authorship within Rig Veda Maṇḍala 6 (Bharadvāja family hymns)
- Hymns to Indra, Agni, the Aśvins, and other deities across the Bharadvāja corpus
- Later Vedic/Itihāsa memory links Bharadvāja to learned lineages and transmission of sacred lore (śruti-smṛti tradition)
The rite, step by step
- Prepare the fire (Agni) or begin with a simple ācamana and intention (saṅkalpa) for svasti and successful completion of the work/journey.
- Recite the hymn (all 6 mantras) addressing Indra-Pūṣan as sakhā (allies), emphasizing svasti and vājasāti.
- At the remembrance of the waters led forth by r̥ta, mentally offer gratitude for right order and guidance in one’s own path.
- Conclude by ‘rousing’ Pūṣan and Indra—invoking steady reins (self-control) and straight movement (right course)—then perform śānti/svasti closing.
- If in a larger rite, follow with the principal offering/mantra set of the day (e.g., Indra or Pūṣan-focused anuvākas) and conclude with namas/śānti.
Offerings
- Ghee (ājya) into Agni
- Soma (where applicable in soma rites)
- Simple oblations such as sesame or barley in domestic settings
- Water libation (āpo) as a symbolic offering when emphasizing the ‘waters led forth’ motif
Frequently Asked Questions
Indra provides the power to overcome obstacles and win abundance, while Pūṣan protects the path and keeps movement in the right direction. Together they represent strength plus guidance, leading to svasti (safe well-being).
Svasti means safe welfare—protection, auspiciousness, and a smooth course free from harm. In this hymn it is both outer safety (life and travel) and inner steadiness of direction.
It suggests controlled, well-guided movement. Pūṣan is invoked to keep the ‘reins’ of one’s journey—outer or inner—steady, while Indra is called to supply the force that carries one forward successfully.
Ask anything about Sukta 57 of the Rig Veda
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