Was Bhajeratha mentioned in Rig Veda 10.60.2, the earlier version of Bhagiratha of Ramayana?

 

I am providing the Translation of Stephanie W. Jamison and Joel P. Brereton to the following 4 Riks from Rig Veda 10.60, which are related to the subject in the question.

It is about pure spiritual experience.

The Sukta starts with (Rig Veda 10.60.1) praising the Māhīnas, an epithet to the SOMA, the DIVINE BLISS or BRAHMAN that will be experienced by an individual.

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Rig Veda 10.60.1

आ जनं त्वेषसंदृशं माहीनानामुपस्तुतम् । अगन्म बिभ्रतो नमः ॥
ā janaṃ tveṣasaṃdṛśam māhīnānām upastutam | aganma bibhrato namaḥ ||

English translation:

To the man of the Māhīnas, with glittering appearance, approached with praise, we have come, bearing homage—

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Please note that the divinity addressed in the Rig Veda 10.60.2 is Asamāti - has no equal, which is none other than BLISS/SOMA/BRAHMAN itself, which is incomprehensible or incomparable as it can only be experienced, but cannot be described.

As the BLISS engulfs the individual during the culmination of spiritual practices, it was mentioned in a poetic language, as glittering and overflowing. As the BLISS/SOMA flows swiftly, it was compared with a chariot. And, it says finally that it flowed towards the settlements of Bhajeratha.

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Rig Veda 10.60.2

असमातिं नितोशनं त्वेषं निययिनं रथम् । भजेरथस्य सत्पतिम् ॥
asamātiṃ nitośanaṃ tveṣaṃ niyayinaṃ ratham | bhajerathasya satpatim ||

English translation:

To Asamāti [/the incomparable], the lavishly overflowing, glittering, downward coursing chariot, master of settlements of Bhajeratha,

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Rig Veda 10.60.3 talks about Soma’s control over various settlements/people.

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Rig Veda 10.60.3

यो जनान्महिषाँ इवातितस्थौ पवीरवान् । उतापवीरवान्युधा ॥
yo janān mahiṣām̐ ivātitasthau pavīravān | utāpavīravān yudhā ||

English translation:

Who dominated the peoples like buffaloes, both those with metal weapons and those without, in battle,

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Finally, Rig Veda 10.60.4 talks about Ikṣvāku, who with the blessings of BLISS/SOMA/BRAHMAN, possessed wealth and shone like the Sun and among 5 categories of people.

If understood in esoteric sense, this Rik provides spiritual meaning also.

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Rig Veda 10.60.4

यस्येक्ष्वाकुरुप व्रते रेवान्मराय्येधते । दिवीव पञ्च कृष्टयः ॥
yasyekṣvākur upa vrate revān marāyy edhate | divīva pañca kṛṣṭayaḥ ||

English translation:

Under whose commandment Ikṣvāku, the wealthy possessor of grain-stores, is radiant like (the sun) in heaven, (as are) the five peoples.

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If we summarise the meaning of the above 4 Riks, the meaning would be as follows;

Starting with the priase of Māhīnas or SOMA/BRAHMAN, SOMA was mentioned as had flowed/engulfed downward towards the settlements of Bhajeratha and also as the ONE who blessed Ikṣvāku.

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If we understand the story of Bhagiratha of Ikṣvāku from Ramayana, it also states that Ganga descends from Heaven and follows the chariot of Bhagiratha towards the Netherworld, where the Bhagiratha’s ancestors were lying in the form of ashes to get liberated.

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Hence, this Rig Vedic narration of SOMA following Bhajeratha might be an earlier version of Ganga following the Bhagiratha.