Sukta 58
Sukta 6.58
Bharadvāja (Bārhaspatya) (Mandala 6 convention)
Jagatī (probable due to length; requires metrical verification)
This short hymn to Pūṣan praises him as a many-powered guide whose luminous and adorable forms protect all paths and workings by his own innate order (svadhā). It depicts Pūṣan moving in “golden vessels” through sea and midspace on Sūrya’s mission, and culminates in his role as heaven-to-earth kinsman and lord of iḷā (inspired invocation), bringing beneficent giving and safe passage.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
शुक्रं ते अन्यद्यजतं ते अन्यद्विषुरूपे अहनी द्यौरिवासि । विश्वा हि माया अवसि स्वधावो भद्रा ते पूषन्निह रातिरस्तु ॥
पूषन, तुम्हारी एक ताकत चमकदार है, दूसरी ताकत सबको अपनी तरफ खींचती है। तुम दिन और रात दोनों में आसमान जैसा हो, अलग-अलग रूप में। तुम सब काम अपने नियम से संभालते हो। पूषन, तुम्हारी देना हमारे लिए अच्छी हो।
Mantra 2
अजाश्वः पशुपा वाजपस्त्यो धियंजिन्वो भुवने विश्वे अर्पितः । अष्ट्रां पूषा शिथिरामुद्वरीवृजत्संचक्षाणो भुवना देव ईयते ॥
पूषन बकरी और घोड़े का मालिक है, जानवरों का रक्षक है, खुशहाली का दाता है। वो सब दुनिया में सोच को आगे बढ़ाता है। वो बंधन को ढीला करता है और रास्ता साफ करता है। भगवान सब जगह देख के चलता है।
Mantra 3
यास्ते पूषन्नावो अन्तः समुद्रे हिरण्ययीरन्तरिक्षे चरन्ति । ताभिर्यासि दूत्यां सूर्यस्य कामेन कृत श्रव इच्छमानः ॥
पूषन, तुम्हारे सोना के बर्तन समुंदर के अंदर और आसमान में चलते हैं। इनसे तुम सूर्य के पास जाते हो। तुम अच्छी कीर्ति चाहते हो जो खुशी से बनती है।
Mantra 4
पूषा सुबन्धुर्दिव आ पृथिव्या इळस्पतिर्मघवा दस्मवर्चाः । यं देवासो अददुः सूर्यायै कामेन कृतं तवसं स्वञ्चम् ॥
पूषन आसमान से धरती तक अच्छा दोस्त है, प्रार्थना का मालिक है, दाता है और चमकदार है। भगवानों ने उसे सूर्य को दिया, खुशी से बनाया, ताकतवर और अपने आप चलने वाला।
Inside Sukta 58
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
Pūṣan is praised as possessing distinct yet harmonious powers—luminous and adorable—spanning the two days like heaven itself.
- Development
His guardianship extends over all ‘workings’ (māyāḥ) by svadhā, and the hymn turns to his cosmic mobility: golden vessels moving through sea and midspace as he serves Sūrya’s purpose.
- Climax
Pūṣan’s role as Sūrya’s envoy and as the gods’ gifted power to Sūryā—strong, self-going, and delight-fashioned—reveals him as the dynamic guide of the solar order.
- Where it settles
The hymn settles in a practical boon: Pūṣan as good kinsman and lord of iḷā, asked to grant beneficent giving here and now, ensuring safe passage and auspicious outcome.
The deity: Pūṣan
- Cosmic functionProtector of roads and journeys, fosterer of increase and safe return, and a solar-associated mediator who moves between realms (sea, midspace, and heaven) to support the Sun’s order and right movement.
- Inner significanceThe inner guide that safely conducts consciousness through changing days and diverse forms, guarding the soul’s workings and leading aspiration toward truth, clarity, and rightful enjoyment (kāma aligned with ṛta).
The seer
- Bharadvāja (Bārhaspatya)Bharadvāja-gotra; Bārhaspatya line (descended from Bṛhaspati) · A principal Ṛgvedic seer of Mandala 6, celebrated for hymns of luminous intelligence and right guidance, often linking ritual speech (brahman/iḷā) with divine protection and prosperity.
Famous verses
शुक्रं ते अन्यद्यजतं ते अन्यद्विषुरूपे अहनी द्यौरिवासि । विश्वा हि माया अवसि स्वधावो भद्रा ते पूषन्निह रातिरस्तु ॥यास्ते पूषन्नावो अन्तः समुद्रे हिरण्ययीरन्तरिक्षे चरन्ति । ताभिर्यासि दूत्यां सूर्यस्य कामेन कृत श्रव इच्छमानः ॥pūṣā subandhur diva ā pṛthivyā
Attributes of the deity
- Guide of paths and travelers
- Bounteous giver (maghavā)
- Wondrous radiance (dasmavarcāḥ)
- Protector by svadhā (innate order)
- Mediator linked with Sūrya/Sūryā
- Lord of iḷā (inspired speech/invocation)
- Many-formed across the two days (night/day)
Also by this seer
- Majority of Rig Veda Mandala 6 hymns attributed to the Bharadvāja family
- Notable deity hymns in Mandala 6 to Agni, Indra, the Aśvins, and allied powers of the solar order
- Bharadvāja is later remembered in Itihāsa-Purāṇa traditions as a great ṛṣi and teacher (distinct from, yet connected to, the Vedic Bharadvāja line)
The rite, step by step
- Prepare the altar and kindle Agni; establish a calm, directional intention (safe passage/prosperity).
- Recite RV 6.58 as an anuvāka-style praise to Pūṣan, emphasizing his guardianship of paths and his beneficent giving.
- Make offerings while naming Pūṣan as subandhu (good kinsman) and iḷaspati (lord of inspired invocation), requesting protection for the ‘inner and outer journey’.
- Conclude with a brief prayer for rāti (gracious giving) and kṣema (well-being/secure arrival), then perform pradakṣiṇā or a closing oblation (as per śrauta/gṛhya setting).
Offerings
- Ghee (ājya) into the fire
- Simple oblations such as milk/curd or grains (as customary)
- Optional sweet offering (payas/anna) in Pūṣan’s nourishing aspect
Frequently Asked Questions
Pūṣan is praised as a benevolent guide and protector—one who watches over paths and movements, brings nourishment and prosperity, and helps the seeker arrive safely in both outer travel and inner progress.
It is a poetic image for Pūṣan’s divine means of movement through different realms (sea and midspace). The phrase highlights his ability to travel between worlds and carry out the Sun’s purpose.
Traditionally it suits prayers for safe journeys, smooth beginnings, and protection of one’s work. It can be recited at dawn or before travel with a simple offering like ghee, asking Pūṣan for beneficent giving and right guidance.
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