Recitation of Benediction - *Swastivachanam* 3
~ svasti no mimitamasvina bhagah svasti devyaditiranarvanah, swasti pusa asuro dadhatu nah svasti dyavaprthivi sucetuna. ~
- Rigved 5/5/11
svasti - welfare
nah - for us
mimitam - do
asvina - teachers and preceptors
bhagah - air and water
svasti - prosperity
devi - supreme knowledge
aditih - irresistible sun
anarvanah - energetic people
svasti - welfare
pusa - nourish
asuro - life giving clouds
dadhatu - may give
nah - us
svasti - happiness
dyava prithivi - heavens and earth
sucetuna - by knowing their scientific attributes
O Lord, with Thy grace may the teachers and preceptors be engaged for our welfare, may the water and air be purified for our prosperity. O Supreme Being, may the sun and clouds be a protective power to bestow prosperity upon us. May the heaven and earth grant us happiness.
In the first part of the mantra the focus is on the word 'asvina' which means teachers and preceptors. We call teachers those who teach us the worldly knowledge which enables us to earn our livelihood. Preceptors are those who enlighten us with spiritual knowledge. Both types of knowledge play their own vital role in our lives. The prayer says - may their knowledge be for our welfare and happiness.
In second part of the mantra the word 'bhagah' is very important. This means Air and Water. Air, water and supreme knowledge may be for the welfare of energetic people. Vedas love hard working and energetic people. There is another mantra of Rgveda which says - 'yo jagatah tamrcah kamayante' - The verses of Veda cherish energetic and alert people.'
Further, the mantra says that life giving clouds may shower rain for our welfare. Water is not only the life of human beings, it is also a life line for vegetation and for our nourishment. Finally, the mantra says, may these regions bring happiness for us.
- Prayers of Yajna
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