Sukta 63

Kind of hymn

Paustika (Prosperity) / Bhaisajya (Longevity)

What it is for

To increase lifespan and vital breath, while also augmenting progeny, cattle-wealth, fame, and the overall flourishing of the yajamāna.

Who it is for

Householders and yajamānas seeking longevity and prosperity; officiants applying Atharvanic āyusya-paustika recitations alongside simple offering/ritual acts.

Also used as

• Paustika
• Āyusya (longevity)
• Prāṇāyus-bala (vitality/strength)

The deity

Personified lord of brahman (sacred formulation) and the priestly power that impels and perfects sacrifice; awakener of the gods and guardian of auspicious order in ritual.

Powers of the deity

• Animates and “awakens” the devas through yajña
• Strengthens āyus (lifespan) and prāṇa (vital breath)
• Grants prajā (offspring) and paśu (cattle/wealth)
• Bestows kīrti (renown) and success upon the yajamāna
• Removes obstacles to ritual efficacy by the force of sacred speech

Why the deity is called

He is invoked as the activating priestly power who can rouse divine participation and thereby expand life-force, continuity of lineage, wealth, and reputation for the sacrificer.

The seer

• Atharvanic (late-book) attribution; specific ṛṣi varies by anukramaṇīAtharvan. Paustika–bhaisajya prayoga: concise prosperity-and-longevity charms that activate divine support through yajña and brahman (effective speech).

Other hymns of this seer

• AV 19.62
• AV 19.64
• AV 19 (late-book paustika/longevity cluster; individual attributions vary by recensional anukramaṇī)

Preparing for the rite

• Establish a clean ritual space and seat the yajamāna facing east (or toward the fire).
• Prepare a simple offering setup (fire or symbolic offering arrangement) and mentally dedicate the act to Brahmaṇaspati.
• Set the intention: āyus and prāṇa increase for the yajamāna, with prajā-paśu-kīrti as supporting boons.

The rite

• Recite AV 19.63.1 clearly, treating “ut tiṣṭha” as the awakening call to Brahmaṇaspati.
• Coordinate recitation with a simple offering (ghee/oblations) or with the act of ‘waking’ the gods through ritual attention (yajñena bodhaya).
• Conclude by affirming the requested increases (āyuḥ, prāṇa, prajā, paśūn, kīrti, yajamāna) as granted.

What it needs

• Yajña/offerings as the primary instrument (e.g., ghee in fire, or a minimal oblation substitute where appropriate)

When

Performed at the start of a sacrifice/rite, or on auspicious mornings for āyusya-paustika intentions (e.g., new/bright fortnight days), especially when renewing vows for health and continuity.

The main substance

Yajña (sacrificial offering/ritual act)

How it is prepared

Keep the offering simple and intention-focused: prepare ghee/oblations (or a minimal symbolic offering), recite the verse as the offering is made, and dedicate the increase specifically to āyus and prāṇa of the yajamāna.