The three ṛks given below constitute the mantras for the (three) offerings (tarpaṇa) for the prapitāmaha or great grandfathers. These are continuous ṛks and form part of a sūkta in praise of viśvedevas.
"viśvedevas" is a special category among the ṛgvedic deities. Unlike agni, indra, rudra, viṣṇu etc., it is not possible to fix their identity or the exact import of that term. It will take a separate post and, may be, I shall attempt it in future sometime. For the present let us be satisfied with the fact that our scriptures state that the pitṛs can come - in forms invisible to human eyes, of course - only if they are accompanied by the three viśvedevas called purūrava, ārdraka and saṃjñaka.
In ṛgveda the word purūru means far and wide. purūravaḥ means crying much or loudly. There is also the famous king purūravas. Which of these is the inspiration for naming one of the viśvedevas in this way is not clear.
ārdraka means, wet, moist, born under the constellation of ārdrā, the name of a particular king in viṣṇupurāṇa, and, ginger in its undried state (according to āyurveda). May be that is the reason that raw ginger is considered an essential requirement for any śrāddha cooking!
"saṃjñaka" is a word which does not seem to have any meaning; the closest one can say is "one with a name", that is all.
That apart, the verses under consideration appear to me as some of the most appealing verses of the ṛgveda, and can very well be part of one's daily prayers; these can certainly be adopted as the motto by environmentalists, the green peace foundation, etc., as well.
ऋषिः - गॊतमः राहूगणः । छन्दः - गायत्री । देवता - विश्वॆदेवाः ।
मधु वाता ऋतायतॆ मधुक्षरन्ति सिन्धवः ।
माध्वीः नः सन्तु ओषधीः ॥ ऋ. वे. १.९०.६
ṛṣiḥ - gotamaḥ rāhūgaṇaḥ | chandaḥ - gāyatrī | devatā - viśvedevāḥ |
madhu vātā ṛtāyate madhukṣaranti sindhavaḥ |
mādhvīḥ naḥ santu oṣadhīḥ || ṛ. ve. 1.90.6
मधु = sweet, delicious, charming, delightful (in R.V., T.S.)
ऋताय = to wish for sacrifice (सायण), to wish for speech
ऋतय = to observe the sacred law, be regular or proper
वाता = the winds
क्षर् = to flow, to stream
माध्वीः = sweet (R.V.)
ऒषधीः = herbs, plants
May the winds flow sweet according to the sacred law and be regular; may the rivers flow with sweet waters; may the herbs and plants become sweet (tasteful, promoting health) to us.
ऋषिः - गॊतमः राहूगणः । छन्दः - गायत्री । देवता - विश्वॆदेवाः ।
मधु नक्तं उतॊषसो मधुमत् पार्थिवँरजः ।
मधु द्यौरस्तु नः पिता ॥ ऋ. वे. १.९०.७
ṛṣiḥ - gotamaḥ rāhūgaṇaḥ | chandaḥ - gāyatrī | devatā - viśvedevāḥ |
madhu naktaṃ utoṣaso madhumat pārthivam̐rajaḥ |
madhu dyaurastu naḥ pitā || ṛ. ve. 1.90.7
तर्पण मन्त्र book shows उषसि instead of उषसॊ as seen in the ऋग्वेद संहिता.
नक्तः = night/s
उत = and
उषस् = mornings
मधुमत् =sweet, honeyed, pleasant, agreeable
पार्थिव = earthly, terrestrial
रजः = dust, sand
द्यौ = sky
पित् = in ṛgveda this means juice, drink, nourishment, food, but the usage of pitā indicates that the reference is to pitṛ, father.
Make the night(s) sweet (providing good sleep) and the mornings sweet (bringing good days); may the dust of the earth (soil) be sweet (productive, rich); may the sky be sweet (favourable, by giving abundant rains - according to sāyaṇa) to us as father.
ऋषिः - गॊतमः राहूगणः । छन्दः - गायत्री । देवता - विश्वॆदेवाः ।
मधुमान्नो वनस्पतिः मधुमाँ अस्तु सूर्यः ।
माध्वीर्गावो भवन्तु नः ॥ ऋ. वे. १.९०.८
ṛṣiḥ - gotamaḥ rāhūgaṇaḥ | chandaḥ - gāyatrī | devatā - viśvedevāḥ |
madhumānno vanaspatiḥ madhumām̐ astu sūryaḥ |
mādhvīrgāvo bhavantu naḥ || ṛ. ve. 1.90.8
मधुमान् (मधुमत्) = containing, possessing, sweetness : pleasant : agreeable
वनस्पतिः = forest trees
अस्तु = let it be, be it so
माध्वीः = sweet
गावः (plural nominative of गो) = cows
भवन्तु = become
नः = to us
May the trees of the jungle be sweet (useful) to us; may the sun be sweet to us; may the cows become sweet to us.
