Sukta 26
Rishi: Atharvanic tradition (often transmitted without a single fixed ṛṣi attribution in practical sūktas; commonly classed under Atharvan/Angiras milieu)
Devata: Bṛhaspati; Sinīvālī; Anumati (with paśu-saṃgraha as the pragmatic focus)
Chandas: Mixed/Pragātha-like cadence; functionally treated as a two-pāda verse in Atharvanic ritual recitation (often aligned to Anuṣṭubh tendencies in practice)
Mantras
Mantra 1
पशुसंवर्धनम्। एह यन्तु पशवो ये परेयुर्वायुर्येषां सहचारं जुजोष । त्वष्टा येषां रूपधेयानि वेदास्मिन् तान् गोष्ठे सविता नि यछतु
Hither let the cattle come—those that have wandered forth—whose fellow-traveller the Wind hath welcomed as companion. Whose forms and proper marks Tvaṣṭṛ knoweth: those, in this cowshed, let Savitar set fast and hold in place.
Mantra 2
इमं गोष्ठं पशवः सं स्रवन्तु बृहस्पतिरा नयतु प्रजानन्। सिनीवाली नयत्वाग्रमेषामाजग्मुषो अनुमते नि यछ
Into this cattle-stall let the beasts stream all together: let Bṛhaspati, who knoweth the creatures, lead them hither. Let Sinīvālī lead on the foremost of them; and, O Anumati, those that have come—hold them fast herein.
Mantra 3
सं सं स्रवन्तु पशवः समश्वाः समु पूरुषाः । सं धान्यऽस्य या स्फातिः संस्राव्येऽण हविषा जुहोमि
Let the cattle flow in together—together the horses, together moreover the men. What increase there is of grain, that (too) together—with a flow-compelling oblation I make offering.
Mantra 4
सं सिञ्चामि गवां क्षीरं समाज्येन बलं रसम्। संसिक्ता अस्माकं वीरा ध्रुवा गावो मयि गोपतौ
I sprinkle together the cows’ milk, and with the ghee their strength, their sap. Well-sprinkled, may our heroes be made steadfast; steadfast the cows in me, the lord of cattle.
Mantra 5
आ हरामि गवां क्षीरमाहार्षं धान्यं१ रसम्। आहृता अस्माकं वीरा आ पत्नीरिदमस्तकम्
Hither I bring the milk of kine; hither have I brought the grain, the sap. Brought hither are our heroes; hither our wives—this homestead (is made ours).
Frequently Asked Questions
It is used to bring cattle together into the stall (goṣṭha), guide them safely back, and ritually prevent them from straying or being lost—thereby stabilizing pastoral wealth.
Bṛhaspati provides knowledgeable guidance and right order, Sinīvālī brings auspicious leading and successful arrival, and Anumati grants and ‘holds fast’ what has been gained so the herd remains secured.
Driving the herd into the pen while reciting, then closing/sealing the enclosure at the ‘hold fast’ line, and sprinkling milk mixed with ghee in the stall to affirm steadfastness (dhruvā) of cows and household strength.