MEDHASUKTAM OF RIGVEDA

Dr. Purushotam sista, Veda Student, NVAK

Medha suktam is part of Mahanarayanopanishat (MNU), associated with Krishna Yajurveda. Medha
suktam also appears in Rigveda and Atharva Veda with some variants in text. We consider MNU as
the main source for the Medha suktam; however, MNU itself appears in more than one version.
While the longer version or Andhra Paatham is widely accepted and used; there are some minor
differences in different publications. We have two versions in that while the other being Dravida
patham (South Indian Tradition).

Medhasuktam is in praise of the deity of Intellect, Medha devi. Here we are asking her to bestow all
the attributes associated with pure intelligence including wisdom (Manisha). The deity herself has
graceful powers to grant many other boons, besides intelligence, like making the devotee a Rishi; or
a very rich person; or pumping up the devotee with high energy, and many others like this.

Main boon of Medha Devi is to bestow the cognitive powers in the devotee. Medha suktam and
Shraddha suktam together are generally taught to the children at a very young age, so that they
can develop the twin powers of deep commitment and intelligence which are required for
mastering shastras. Moreover, Gayatri upadesha also is done quickly to the children in earlier days
at right time (8 years ..) with a hope that he would be a fruitful person to himself and the society.
Now the sukta proper has four parts which extends only to :

Part-1

मेधा दे वी जुषमाणा न आगाद्विश्वाची भद्रा सुमनस्यमाना ।

त्वया जुष्टा जुषमाणा दु रुक्तान्बृद्विदे म िवदथेसुवीराााा ॥

Oh Medha devi (deity of cognitive power of quick ‘grasping’, abundant intelligence, wisdom &
prudence) you are all pervading, all auspicious and one who take delight in all minds; you please
come to us. Previously we used to take pleasure in trifling conversations, but by your grace we are
now transformed; and can speak meaningfully and wisely in the open literary councils.

त्वया जुष्ट ऋिषभभवद्वि दे िव त्वया ब्रह्माऽऽद्वगश्रीरुद्वा त्वया ।

त्वया जुष्ट-द्वित्रं िवन्दे वसुसानो जुषस्व द्रिवणो न मेधे॥

By your grace, one can become a seer, or a brahman (i.e., wise person), and very wealthy. Blessed
by you, one develops clarity of vision, excellence, curiosity brilliance, and prosperity. Oh, That
Medha devi! Please bless us with that essence, the power of intellect and Emancipation. In the next
part the tone changes and other relevant deities too are invoked for the assignment of wealth of
sharpness and wealth of intelligence owing to our prayers. Here we see Indra, Goddess Sarasvati,
Ashvins to be graceful to strengthen our intellect and visionary power.

Part-2

मेधां म इन्द्रो ददाद्वााु मेधां दे वी सरन्स्वी। मेधां मे अिश्वनावुभावाधत्ताम्पुष्करस्रजा ।

अप्सरासुच या मेधा गन्धवेषुच यन्मना । दै वी ां मेधा सरन्स्वी सा मांमेधा सुरिभजुभद्वषाााास्वािा॥

May Indra (God of mental powers) grant me the mental nourishment, may Goddess Sarasvati (deity
associated with powerful speech, wisdom, eloquence and education) grant me the intellect. May
the twin Ashvins, garlanded with lotuses (the divine physicians), join to infuse the power of
intellect. May the Apsaras (known for their beauty, intelligence and grace) and the Gandharvas
(known for their mind inclined to divine music) give us creative and effective intelligence. May
Sarasvati, manifested as Surabhi (fulfiller of all our wishes), endow me with divine intelligence.
Salutations to Her.

Part-3

आमांमेधा सुरिभिवभश्वरूपा ििरण्य़वणाभजद्वगी जगम्या।

ऊजभन्स्वी पयसा िपन्वमाना सामांमेधा सुद्वरीका जुषन्ताम्॥

May She, the one with many forms and the golden complexion, who spreads fragrance in all
directions – may grace me with intelligence. The one who is powerful, has a lovely form and has the
ability to nourish us with abundant energy and pure knowledge; may she be pleased. Here we note
the personality and picture of Devi Sarasvati.

Part-4

मिय मेधांमिय रजांमय्यद्विस्तेजो दधाद्वााु

मिय मेधांमिय रजांमयीन्द्र इन्द्रन्द्रयं दधाद्वााु

मिय मेधांमिय रजांमिय सूयो भ्राजो दधाद्वााु ॥

May Agni infuse in me prudence, virility (progeny & people), and the splendour born of Vedic study.
May Indra render in me prudence, virility (progeny & people) and powerful senses (vigour). May
Surya infuse in me prudence, virility (progeny & people) and prowess (enlightenment). In this
mantra we notice intelligence should also be from the deities, Agni, Vayu and Surya who are
described to be the custodians of tejas (speed and Brilliance ), indriya (sensory apparatus ) and
Bhrajas (brilliance and splendour).

This sukta is to be recited and goddess Medhadevi prayers be done as devi would remove pasutva
and promote in us the journey in the spiritual path and attain goals of the same.