Vedic Mythology c5.s1.t4.4

c5.s1.t4.4

As knower of paths, Pūṣan is conceived as a guardian of roads. He is besought to remove dangers, the wolf, the waylayer, from the path (1, 42 ¹⁻³). In this connexion he is called *vimuco napāt*, ‘son of deliverance’⁴. The same epithet is applied to him in another passage (6, 55¹) and he is twice (8, 4¹⁵. ¹⁶) called *vimocana*, ‘deliverer’. As *vimuco napāt* he is invoked to deliver from sin’ (AV. 6, 112³). Pūṣan is prayed to disperse foes and make the paths lead to booty (6, 53⁴), to remove foes, to make the paths good, and to lead to good pasture (1, 42⁷. ⁸). He is invoked to protect from harm on his path (6, 54⁹) and to grant an auspicious path (10, 59⁷). He is the guardian of every path (6, 49⁸) and lord of the road (6, 53¹). He is a guide (*prapathya*) on roads (VS. 22, 20). So in the Sūtras, whoever is starting on a journey makes an offering to Pūṣan, the road-maker, while reciting RV. 6, 53; and whoever loses his way, turns to Pūṣan (AGS. 3, 7⁸. ⁹; ŚSS. 3, 4⁹). Moreover, in the morning and evening offerings to all gods and beings, Pūṣan the road-maker receives his on the threshold of the house (ŚGS. 2, 14⁹).