Sukta 152
Sukta 10.152
Traditionally attributed in Anukramaṇī to a late Vedic seer (RV 10.152 is an Indra hymn; exact r̥ṣi attribution varies across recensions and needs external confirmation)
Indra
Triṣṭubh (probable for RV 10.152; common for Indra battle-hymns)
يستدعي هذا النشيد الإندري القصير قدرةَ الحاكم الإلهي بوصفه حليفًا لا يخذل، يجعل رفيقَه غيرَ مقهور. ويلتمس من إندرا أن يحطّم قوى العرقلة (rakṣas، mṛdhaḥ، Vṛtra)، وأن يبدّد السخطَ المعادي، وأن يُقيم ملاذًا واسعًا (śarma) يقي من ضربة الأعداء. وفي الجملة فهو صلاةٌ موجزة للحماية والنصر لمن يواجهون الصراع والمنافسة واضطرابَ النفس.
Mantras
Mantra 1
शास इत्था महाँ अस्यमित्रखादो अद्भुतः । न यस्य हन्यते सखा न जीयते कदा चन ॥
يا قوةَ السُّلطان، هكذا أنت عظيمٌ—عجيبٌ، مُلتَهِمٌ لقوى العداوة. من كنتَ له صاحبًا لا يُصرَع، ولا يُغلَب أبدًا.
Mantra 2
स्वस्तिदा विशस्पतिर्वृत्रहा विमृधो वशी । वृषेन्द्रः पुर एतु नः सोमपा अभयंकरः ॥
يا واهبَ السَّلامة، يا ربَّ الشعوب—يا قاتلَ فِرِترا (Vṛtra)، يا مُزيلَ الهجمات بقوةٍ وسلطان—لِيَتَقَدَّمْنا إندرا الثور. يا شاربَ السُّوما، يا صانعَ الأمان من الخوف، قُدْ زحفَنا.
Mantra 3
वि रक्षो वि मृधो जहि वि वृत्रस्य हनू रुज । वि मन्युमिन्द्र वृत्रहन्नमित्रस्याभिदासतः ॥
بَدِّدْ قوى الظلام، بَدِّدْ الهجمات؛ واضربْهم صَرعًا. حَطِّمْ فَكَّيِ المُعَوِّق. يا إندرا قاتلَ فِرِترا (Vṛtra)، فَرِّقْ سَخَطَ العدوِّ الذي يبتغي قهرَنا.
Mantra 4
वि न इन्द्र मृधो जहि नीचा यच्छ पृतन्यतः । यो अस्माँ अभिदासत्यधरं गमया तमः ॥
يا إندرا، بدِّدِ الاعتداءات الواقعة علينا، وادفعِ المقاتلَ إلى أسفل. ومن يسعى إلى قهرِنا—فأهبِطْه إلى أسفل، إلى الظلمةِ السفلى.
Mantra 5
अपेन्द्र द्विषतो मनोऽप जिज्यासतो वधम् । वि मन्योः शर्म यच्छ वरीयो यवया वधम् ॥
يا إندرا، اطردْ عقلَ العدوّ، واصرفْ ضربةَ من يبتغي الغَلَبة. وابسطْ لنا مَلاذًا أوسعَ في وجهِ الغضب، وادفعْ بعيدًا تلك الضربة.
Inside Sukta 152
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
Indra is hailed as the great ruling power and ‘devourer of hostility,’ whose friendship makes one unconquerable (10.152.1).
- Development
The hymn turns to concrete petitions: scatter dark forces and assaults, disable the Obstructor, and disperse the enemy’s wrath (10.152.3).
- Climax
The Vṛtra-slaying image peaks in the command to break the ‘jaws’ of obstruction—symbolizing the cutting off of harm at its source.
- Where it settles
It closes by pushing away hostile mind and the enemy’s blow, and by asking for expansive shelter (śarma) against anger and injury (10.152.5).
The deity: Indra
- In the VedaIndra is praised as śāsaḥ (ruling power), adbhuta (marvelous), and amitrakhāda (devourer of foes), famed as Vṛtrahan who breaks the Obstructor’s power and protects his allies from defeat.
- Cosmic functionHe upholds ṛta by breaking obstruction, releasing blocked energies, and granting victory, protection, and expansive space for life and order.
- Inner significanceIndra represents decisive will, courage, and the capacity to pierce fear, anger, and inertia; the ‘Vṛtra’ motif mirrors inner blockages that constrict clarity and strength.
The seer
- Anukramaṇī attribution uncertain (late Vedic seer; varies by recension)Associated with late Maṇḍala 10 battle-protective Indra stotras emphasizing Indra as the undefeatable ally who ‘devours’ hostility (amitrakhāda) and grants security (śarma).
Famous verses
amitrakhādo adbhutaḥ
indra vṛtrahan
vi manyoḥ śarma yaccha varīyaḥ
Attributes of the deity
- Vṛtrahan (slayer of Vṛtra)
- Protector of companions (sakhā)
- Bestower of śarma (shelter, safety)
- Destroyer/scatterer of hostile forces (rakṣas, mṛdhaḥ)
- Embodiment of victorious power and command (śāsaḥ)
Also by this seer
- General association with late Maṇḍala 10 Indra hymns in some traditions
The rite, step by step
- Establish the sacred fire (if in a śrauta/gṛhya setting) and take a protective resolve (saṅkalpa) for victory and safety.
- Invoke Indra as śāsaḥ and ally: recite RV 10.152.1 to affirm Indra’s protection and unconquerability for the worshipper.
- Offer oblations while reciting the middle verses, asking Indra to scatter rakṣas and assaults and to break Vṛtra’s ‘jaws’ (imagery of disabling harm).
- Conclude with RV 10.152.5 as a sealing prayer: drive away hostile intention and set ‘wide shelter’ (varīyaḥ śarma) against wrath and injury.
- End with a quiet dedication (praṇidhāna) and protective circumambulation or sprinkling (as per local practice).
Offerings
- Ghee (ājya) into Agni
- Indra-focused soma offering where applicable (śrauta context)
- Simple water/flower offerings in non-śrauta devotional use
Frequently Asked Questions
It asks Indra to protect the worshipper, scatter hostile forces and attacks, break obstruction (Vṛtra imagery), and grant safe shelter (śarma) so one is not conquered.
“Vṛtrahan” means “slayer of Vṛtra,” the Obstructor. In the hymn it signals Indra’s power to destroy whatever blocks life, safety, and success—outer enemies and inner obstacles alike.
Yes. Traditionally its tone is protective and victory-seeking: it can be recited before challenges, during fear or conflict, or as a daily prayer for courage, clarity, and safeguarding from hostility.
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