Saturday, June 6, 2026

Does Puruṣa Sūkta contain interpolated verses?

 As far as I understood the entire Puruṣa Sūktam may not be interpolation, but a part of it can be considered as interpolation, for the following reasons:

The issues discussed in Rig Veda 10.72 and Rig Veda 10.90 (Puruṣa Sūktam) appear to be similar. Two different rishis br̥haspati Laukya and nārāyaṇa might have composed Rig Veda 10.72 and Rig Veda 10.90 respectively, to communicate the same spiritual concepts.

I) Rig Veda 10.72.1 to Rig Veda 10.72.6

Aditi indicates pure consciousness/limitlessness/infinity or Feminine part of the BRAHMAN.

a) The sukta states (Rig Veda 10.72.4), "Daksha was born of Aditi, and Aditi was Daksha's child." It positions pure consciousness/limitlessness/infinity (Aditi) and the discerning power of Illuminated mind (Daksha) as cyclical parents and children to one another.

b) The gods (Devas) are described (Rig Veda 10.72.6) as gathering in a circle or dancing in a pool , kicking up a cosmic dust that leads to creation.

II) Rig Veda 10.90.1 to Rig Veda 10.90.7

Puruṣa is the master of immortality or formless ENERGY or Masculine part of the BRAHMAN - amṛtatvasyeśāno (Rig Veda 10.90.2)

a) The Puruṣa Sukta similarly declares (Rig Veda 10.90.5), "From him Virāj was born; again Puruṣa from Virāj was born." Purusha (the universal, unmanifest cosmic person) gives birth to Virāj (the manifest universe), which then gives birth back to Purusha.

b) The Devas (gods) gather to perform a ritual (yagna), offering the cosmic giant Purusha (Rig Veda 10.90.7) as the sacrificial victim.


The remaining Riks in Rig Veda 10.90 (10.90.8 to 10.90.16might be interpolations, as the content contained therein is not fitting into the overall picture.

Further, the usage of the words vaiśya and śūdra in Rig Veda 10.90.12 is giving rise to serious doubts as,

  • the words vaiśya and śūdra were coined in subsequent ages, when the Varna system had become a normal issue in the society.
  • they cannot be found in the Rig Veda, except in Rig Veda 10.90.12, though the words brāhmaṇa and rājan can be found elsewhere in Rig Veda.

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