Introduction
Pushan is a Vedic god of pathways, journeys and herds. He is a pastoral and pragmatic god, who protects travellers and cattle, finds lost things and guides souls. In the Puranas he is one of the twelve Adityas.
The Adityas are the sons of Aditi. The Rigveda names six (Mitra, Aryaman, Bhaga, Varuna, Daksha and Amsha in hymn 2.27), and later texts list eight or twelve. In the Puranas, the twelve Adityas correspond to the twelve months of the year, and each rides in the sun's chariot in its month. The lists vary.
Family
- Father: Kashyapa
- Mother: Aditi
- Siblings: Vishnu, Surya, Indra, Varuna, Mitra, Aryaman, Bhaga, Dhata, Amsha, Tvashtri, Savitri (aspect of Surya), Garuda, Aruna
In the Rigveda
About eight hymns in the Rigveda are addressed to Pushan (mostly in books 1, 6 and 10). He is described as carrying a golden goad and an awl, and as riding a chariot drawn by goats. He is a "lord of paths" who knows all roads, and a "keeper of the herds" who guards cattle. He is called toothless, and eats gruel.
Guide of the dead
Pushan also leads the dead along the path to the world of the ancestors (RV 10.17), and guards against the dangers of the way.
Marriage
In the wedding hymn (RV 10.85), Pushan is asked to lead the bride to the groom's house. He is also said to be the wooer of his own mother and sister, an old mythic detail.
Sun
Pushan is closely linked with the sun and is sometimes described as its aspect that travels across the sky. In the Isha Upanishad, the sun is addressed as Pushan.
In the Puranas
The Puranas tell that in the sacrifice of Daksha, Pushan lost his teeth, and had to be given food that did not need chewing. His teeth were restored by Shiva.
Nakshatra
Pushan is the deity of the lunar mansion Revati, the last of the twenty-seven nakshatras, associated with safe journeys.
Meaning
Pushan is a rare Vedic god of ordinary work and travel, and his prayers are still recited on journeys.