Indian J Multiling Res Dev., 3(4) (2022), 1-11 | 1 DOI: 10.54392/ijmrd2241 RESEARCH ARTICLE A Novel Interpretation of Bṛhaspatisūkta Vasudev Aital a, * a Centre for Indian Science and Technology in Sanskrit, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, India *Corresponding author Email: vasu.aital@gmail.com ; +91 91679 86690 DOI: https://doi.org/10.54392/ijmrd2241 Received: 10-10-2022; Revised: 14-11-2022; Accepted: 23-11-2022; Published: 02-12-2022 Abstract: Vedas have been studied with great interest at all times, resulting in their multi-lingual translations across the globe. There have been attempts to understand the Vedic devatās with different perspectives. These devatās are mythically glorified in the later literature, especially in the Itihāsas and Purāṇas. Among the earlier attempts made by scholars, we find detailed accounts of deities like Indra, Agni and a few others, but seldom do we find the same of Bṛhaspati. This paper presents a detailed novel interpretation with a perspective in light of ādhyātmika understanding of the Bṛhaspatisūkta (10.68) of the Ṛgveda. Here the author tried to follow the path of interpretative tradition expounded by the ācāryas like Udgītha, Sāyaṇa etc. and also the later commentators. Keywords: Ṛgveda, Ādhyātmika Interpretation, Saṃhitās, Sāyaṇācārya, Sūkta, Bṛhaspatisūkta, Aitihāsika 1. Introduction The Vedic tradition believes that the Vedas have different layers of meanings like ādhiyājñika, ādhidaivika and ādhyātmika. However, people mostly consider the yājñika interpretation of the Vedas and developed a narrative that saṃhitās are meant only for ritualistic purposes. (Wilson, 2016, p. xliii) It is necessary to see that the interpretations of the Vedic saṃhitās go way beyond the yājñika meaning, and a much deeper connection to Vedānta can be seen. When we examine Sāyaṇācārya’s commentary, he gave the applications of each sūkta in appropriate yājña in the beginning. However, in the commentary, along with his objective or literal interpretation with possible alternative derivations, he gave ādhyātmika perspective too. 1 (Rajwade, 1933, p. ११०८) But the modern interpreters have overlooked these aspects. (Wilson, 2016, p. 431) Moreover, in order to understand a hymn, the reader has to understand the continuity and connection of each mantra with the other, along with the connection of one sūkta in relation to another. There is an onus to decipher the Ṛgveda in a genuine and well- informed way. This paper presents a detailed novel interpretation with a perspective in light of ādhyātmika understanding of the Bṛhaspatisūkta (10.68) of the Ṛgveda in a way not hitherto acknowledged as prominent by following the hints given by the traditional Indian commentators. The interpretation of this sūkta contains an outlook at the beginning, followed by the novel commentary and a conclusion. The outlook includes the features of the sūkta, some pre-knowledge, and a summary of each mantra. In the commentary section, first, the mantra and its padapāṭha with svara are given. A detailed commentary in Sanskrit is provided right after the padapāṭha. Then an English translation of the same follows. 2. Pre-knowledge for the sūkta The present sūkta is the 68 th sūkta of the 10th maṇḍala or the 8 th sūkta of the 5 th anuvāka of the 10 th maṇḍala. There are 12 mantras in this sūkta. The ṛṣi of this sūkta is Ayāsya of Aṅgirasas gotra. The devatā is Bṛhaspati, and the sūkta is composed in Triṣṭup metre. 1 (ऋ०स० स०भ० १.१९०.६)