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Rig Veda · 138 of 1027
Mandala 1: HYMN CXXXVIII. Pūṣan.
1.STRONG Pūṣan’s majesty is lauded evermore, the glory of his lordly might is never faint, his song of praise is never faint. Seeking felicity I laud him nigh to help, the source, of bliss, Who, Vigorous one, hath drawn to him the hearts of all, drawn them, the Vigorous One, the God.
2.Thee, then, O Pūṣan, like a swift one on his way, I urge with lauds that thou mayst make the foemen flee, drive, camel-like, our foes afar. As I, a man, call thee, a God, giver of bliss, to be my Friend, So make our loudly-chanted praises glorious, in battles make them glorious.
3.Thou, Pūṣan, in whose friendship they who sing forth praise enjoy advantage, even in wisdom, through thy grace, in wisdom even they are advanced. So, after this most recent course, we come to thee with prayers for wealth. Not stirred to anger, O Wide-Ruler, come to us, come thou to us in every fight.
4.Not stirred to anger, come, Free-giver, nigh to us, to take this gift of ours, thou who hast goats for steeds, Goat-borne! their gift who long for fame. So, Wonder-Worker! may we turn thee hither with effectual lauds. I slight thee not, O Pūṣan, thou Resplendent One: thy friendship may not be despised.
Asked of Guide
Why does the hymn keep calling Pūṣan “Vigorous,” “Wide‑Ruler,” and “Goat‑borne” repeatedly?
The hymnist repeats titles like “Vigorous,” “Wide‑Ruler,” and “Goat‑borne” to name Pūṣan’s active roles: protector in travel and battle, generous patron, and charioteer of wealth. Those epithets map function to favor—they ask Pūṣan to “make the foemen flee,” to grant “wealth,” and to accept offerings while remaining “Not stirred to anger.”
This is the Rig Veda’s working theology: invoking specific powers summons them. The pattern resembles Prajāpati’s functional epithets in other hymns where naming a deity’s capacities secures practical aid.
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