Rig Veda Sukta 42
Mandala 1Sukta 4210 Mantras

Sukta 42

Sukta 1.42

Devata

Pūṣan

Ten hymn jest modlitwą podróżną do Pūṣana, proszącą go, by szedł przed czcicielem na drodze, usuwał udrękę i niebezpieczeństwo, i bezpiecznie prowadził do pożądanego celu. Prosi również o dobrze zasłużoną pomyślność, słusznie zdobytą i słusznie przeżywaną, pod opieką Pūṣana, kończąc się pokojową chwałą zamiast sporu oraz prośbą o trwałe bogactwo.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 1.42

Mantras

Mantra 1

सं पूषन्नध्वनस्तिर व्यंहो विमुचो नपात् । सक्ष्वा देव प्र णस्पुरः ॥

O Puszanie, rozciągnij się dla nas przez drogę; o dziecko uwolnienia, oddal udrękę: o boże, idź z nami na przedzie, jako nasz przewodnik-towarzysz.

Mantra 2

यो नः पूषन्नघो वृको दुःशेव आदिदेशति । अप स्म तं पथो जहि ॥

O Puszanie, szkodliwy wilk, który wskazuje nam złą drogę, odepchnij go od ścieżki dla nas.

Mantra 3

अप त्यं परिपन्थिनं मुषीवाणं हुरश्चितम् । दूरमधि स्रुतेरज ॥

Odrzuć daleko, poza nasz szlak, tego, kto blokuje drogę dookoła, złodzieja naszych zysków, ciemnoumyslnego burzyciela; przepędź go w oddalenie poza strumień naszego prawego kroczenia.

Mantra 4

त्वं तस्य द्वयाविनोऽघशंसस्य कस्य चित् । पदाभि तिष्ठ तपुषिम् ॥

Ty, przeciw temu dwulicowemu, kimkolwiek jest, złemu mówcy, który wzywa nieszczęście, stań nad nim swoim krokiem; zdeptaj jego płonącą siłę i uczyń ją bezwładną.

Mantra 5

आ तत्ते दस्र मन्तुमः पूषन्नवो वृणीमहे । येन पितॄनचोदयः ॥

Wybieramy dla siebie tę twoją zbawienną pomoc, o cudowny Puszanie, to natchnione prowadzenie, którym poruszyłeś Ojców, prowadząc ich prawdziwą drogą.

Mantra 6

अधा नो विश्वसौभग हिरण्यवाशीमत्तम । धनानि सुषणा कृधि ॥

Wtedy spraw dla nas, o wszechogarniający dawco pomyślności, ty najbogatszy w złotą pełnię, nasze skarby dobrze zdobyte i słusznie używane, ustanów w nas szczęśliwe posiadanie.

Mantra 7

अति नः सश्चतो नय सुगा नः सुपथा कृणु । पूषन्निह क्रतुं विदः ॥

Prowadź nas poza czepiające się uwikłania; uczyń dla nas dobrą wędrówkę, uczyń dla nas dobrą ścieżkę. O Puszanie, tutaj poznaj i przebudź w nas słuszną wolę.

Mantra 8

अभि सूयवसं नय न नवज्वारो अध्वने । पूषन्निह क्रतुं विदः ॥

Prowadź nas na dobrą pastwisko świetlistego wzrostu; niech żadna nowa gorączka nie pochwyci podróży. O Pūṣanie, tutaj poznaj i ustaw prawidłowo naszą wolę.

Mantra 9

शग्धि पूर्धि प्र यंसि च शिशीहि प्रास्युदरम् । पूषन्निह क्रतुं विदः ॥

Udziel nam siły i napełnij nas; daj i pomnóż; wyostrz nasze energie i zaspokój wewnętrzny głód. O Pūṣanie, tutaj poznaj i uporządkuj naszą wolę.

Mantra 10

न पूषणं मेथामसि सूक्तैरभि गृणीमसि । वसूनि दस्ममीमहे ॥

Nie spieramy się z Pūṣanem; dobrze ukształtowanymi słowami go wychwalamy. Od cudotwórcy szukamy prawdziwych bogactw istnienia.

Inside Sukta 42

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    A direct appeal to Pūṣan to stretch out the road, remove distress, and lead from the front as companion-guide.

  2. Development

    The hymn expands from immediate travel-safety to broader requests: protection from harm and the granting of auspicious, rightly obtained wealth and stable possession.

  3. Climax

    The strongest prosperity petition: Pūṣan as ‘universal giver of good fortune’ is asked to establish well-won treasures and happy possessing (RV 1.42.6).

  4. Where it settles

    It ends in conciliatory devotion—no contention with Pūṣan—only praise through well-made hymns and a final seeking of true riches from the wondrous one (RV 1.42.10).

The deity: Pūṣan

  • In the VedaPūṣan is praised as the divine path-finder and protector of travelers, the remover of obstacles, and a bestower of well-being and possessions; he is invoked to go in front (puraḥ) and lead as a companion-guide.
  • Cosmic functionGuardian of roads and journeys, overseer of safe passage and rightful acquisition; a sustaining power who helps beings reach their aim and keeps them from straying into harm or loss.
  • Inner significanceThe inner guide that aligns intention with right direction—discerning the safe path, loosening anxiety and impediments, and establishing steady, ethical prosperity (susaṇā).

The seer

  • Kutsa ĀṅgirasaĀṅgirasa (Angiras lineage) · A prominent early ṛṣi associated with hymns of guidance, protection, and prosperity; frequently linked with Pūṣan as the divine guide of paths and safe passages.

Famous verses

pra naḥ puraḥ
Verse 1.42.1Sets the core motif: Pūṣan as the forward-leading guide who clears the path and releases distress—ideal as an opening verse before travel.Read verse 1.42.1 →
अधा नो विश्वसौभग हिरण्यवाशीमत्तम । धनानि सुषणा कृधि ॥
Verse 1.42.6Central wealth-and-welfare request, emphasizing prosperity that is both gained and enjoyed rightly; highlights Pūṣan’s role as universal good-fortune giver.Read verse 1.42.6 →
न पूषणं मेथामसि सूक्तैरभि गृणीमसि । वसूनि दस्ममीमहे ॥
Verse 1.42.10Concluding theological tone: devotion without rivalry, praising Pūṣan with well-formed speech and seeking enduring riches—captures the hymn’s closing stance.Read verse 1.42.10 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Path-finder and leader (goes before)
  • Remover of distress/obstacles (aṃhas-vimocana)
  • Protector-companion of travelers
  • Bestower of good fortune and wealth
  • Associated with right enjoyment and secure possession
  • Gentle, beneficent, and sustaining

Also by this seer

  • Rig Veda Mandala 1: several hymns attributed to Kutsa Āṅgirasa (including hymns to Indra and allied deities)
  • Traditionally remembered among the Āṅgirasas as transmitters of powerful praise-poetry (sūkta) used in ritual and travel/protection contexts

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare a simple fire (if available) or begin with ācamana and a short sankalpa for safe travel and right outcome.
  • Recite RV 1.42.1 to request Pūṣan to go before and loosen distress on the road.
  • Continue recitation of the hymn (or selected verses) while facing the direction of travel, visualizing a clear, unobstructed path.
  • Offer oblations with key verses (especially those asking for protection and prosperity), concluding with praise and gratitude.
  • End with a brief prayer for safe arrival and for wealth to be ‘well-won and well-enjoyed’ (ethical prosperity).

Offerings

  • Ghee (ājya) into the fire
  • Simple food offering (anna), milk, or barley where customary
  • Water libation and respectful salutations if no fire is available

Frequently Asked Questions

Pūṣan is the Vedic deity who guides people on roads and journeys, protects them from harm, and helps them reach their goal safely while granting well-being and prosperity.

Its main purpose is to ask for safe passage—Pūṣan going in front, clearing obstacles and distress—and to request stable, rightly gained wealth and good fortune.

It is traditionally suitable before starting a journey, at dawn, or as part of a simple fire offering or prayer when seeking protection, guidance, and successful outcomes without harm.

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