Listen

Dhammapada · narration sample

A one-minute narration sample. Every book in the library is narrated end to end — hear the rest in the app.

Rig Veda · 495 of 1027

Mandala 6: HYMN LIV. Pūṣan.

1.O PUSAN, bring us to the man who knows, who shall direct us straight, And say unto us, It is here.

2.May we go forth with Pūṣan who shall point the houses out to us, And say to us, These same are they.

3.Unharmed is Pūṣan’s chariot wheel; the box ne’er falleth to the ground, Nor doth the loosened felIy shake.

4.Pūṣan forgetteth not the man who serveth him with offered gift: That man is first to gather wealth.

5.May Pūṣan follow near our kine; may Pūṣan keep our horses safe: May Pūṣan gather gear for us.

6.Follow the kine of him who pours libations out and worships thee; And ours who sing thee songs of praise.

7.Let none be lost, none injured, none sink in a pit and break a limb. Return with these all safe and sound.

8.Pūṣan who listens to our prayers, the Strong whose wealth is never lost, The Lord of riches, we implore.

9.Secure in thy protecting care, O Pūṣan, never may we fail. We here are they who sing thy praise.

10.From out the distance, far and wide, may Pūṣan stretch his right hand forth, And drive our lost again to us.

Asked of Guide

Why do they keep asking Pūṣan to find and return lost people and animals?

The hymn treats Pūṣan as a guide and protector whose role is to locate what is lost and bring it back: “Pūṣan, bring us to the man who knows” and “drive our lost again to us.” The requests cover people, cattle, horses, and goods, showing Pūṣan’s function as guardian of movement, thresholds, and safe return on journeys.

The poet stresses Pūṣan’s reliability—his chariot wheel is “unharmed,” he “forgetteth not the man who serveth him”—so invoking him promises recovery and prosperity. This theme echoes the Rig Veda’s wider praise of deities who secure wealth and community welfare, similar to hymns to Agni that seek protection and the safe coming together of people.

Guide is the guide inside the Gnosis app, where every book on these shelves is free to read. Guide is the part you pay for — your guide has read all of them, and answers about the passage you’re actually on. Ask your guide your own question.