Bhägya-Süktam

Bhägya-Süktam (ÅV-VII.41, also Taittiréya-Brähmaëa-II.8.9)

In the Ågveda, out of the 10 Maëòalas, 2^nd-7^th Maëòalas are known as vaàça-maëòalas or family-books. Of these, the 7^th maëòala is known as ‘Väsiñöha-Maëòala’. This maëòala has 104 süktas revealed to Vasiñöha and his 12 descendants, the Väsiñöhas. The süktas are addressed to Agni, Indra, Varuna, the Açvins, Miträ-Varuëa, Dyävä-Påthivé, Äditya, Viçvedevä, Västoñpati, Savitä, Bhaga and Uñä.

Bhägya-Süktam (ÅV.VII.41) containing seven åcä was envisioned by Vasiñöha. This Süktam invokes all the Devatäs and Bhaga for prosperity and well-being. This Süktam is repeated in Taittiréya Brähmaëa II.8.9.

Free Translation:

1. oà, prätar-agnià prätar-indragà havämahe prätar-miträ varuëä pratar-açvinä|   

   prätar-bhagaà püñanaà brahmaëaspatià prätas-somam-uta rudragà huvema||1||

Early in the morning, we invite Agni (the fire deity), Indra (the rain deity), Miträ (the Sun), Varuna (the ocean deity), the Açvins (the celestial physician twins), Bhaga (the wealth deity), Puñan (the Sun as the deity of nutrition), Båhaspati (the god of the Vedas), Soma (the Moon), and Rudra (the god of dissolution). (1)

2. prätar-jitaà bhagam-ugragà huvema vayaà putram-aditer yo vidhartä|

   ädhraçcidyaà manyamänasturaçcid räjä cidyaà-bhagaà bhakñétyäha||2||

Early morning, we invite the victorious Bhaga, the son (manifestation) of Aditi (the Cosmic Power). Bhaga is the very sustainer of the creation. Whether a pauper, a busy person, or a king, everyone worships and contemplates upon Bhaga saying, 'I would worship Bhaga.' (2)

3.  bhaga praëeta bhaga satyarädho bhagemäà dhiyam-udavadadan-naù|

     bhagapraëo janaya gobhir-açvair-bhagapranåbhir-nåvantas-syäma||3||.

O Bhaga! You are a great leader, and truth is your wealth. Bestow it upon us, and elevate our intellect and protect it. Bless us with cattle-wealth, horses, and good people (offspring, relatives, domestic help, and other support system). (3)

4. utedänéà bhagavantas-syämota prapitva uta madhye ahnäm|

    utoditä maghavan süryasya vayaà devänägà sumatau syäma||4||

May we be blessed by Bhaga now (during this fire-ritual), and in the morning, afternoon, and evening day after day, O Lord Indra! May we find favor with the Sun, and other gods. (4)

5.  bhaga eva bhagavägà astu deväs-tena vayaà bhagavantas-syäma|

     taà tvä bhaga sarva ijjohavémi sano bhaga pura etä bhaveha||5||

O gods! May Bhaga indeed be full of good fortune, so that we may be blessed with good fortune by that god. O Bhaga!, all the people including myself invite you to bring in good fortune. O Bhaga! Kindly lead us being present in the ritual. (5)

6.  samadhvaräyoñaso'namanta dadhikräveva çucaye padäya|

     arväcénaà vasuvidaà bhaganno rathamivaçväväjina ävahantu||6||

May the presiding deities of the early morning-hour arrive here, like the horse that puts its foot in the place of Vedic ritual for establishing the fire altar. (May they bring Bhaga, the Lord of wealth, as speedily as swift horses would pull a chariot. (6)

7.  açvävatér-gomatér-na uñäso véravatés-sadam-ucchantu bhadräù|

     ghåtaà duhänä viçvataù prapénäyüyaà päta svastibhis-sadä naù||7||

May the presiding deities of the morning-hours bless us with many horses and cattle, and milk-products in plenty. May these auspicious gods bless us with good progeny, and nourish all life. May they herald auspiciousness in the place of worship. May they always ensure our good fortune. (7)

8.  yo mä'gne! bhäginagà santam-athäbhägaà cikirñati|

     abhägà agne! taà kuru, mäm agne! bhäginaà kuru||8||

O Agni! I am fortunate as of now, but if anyone desires to see me divested of my fortune, strike him down, and bless me with wealth and fortune. (8)

Om Peace Peace Peace.

***