Sukta 10
Rishi: RV-derived; exact AV 20 r̥ṣi assignment varies.
Devata: Indra (implicit in Indra-stuti context)
Chandas: Anuṣṭubh-like cadence is possible in some recensional analyses, but the RV source context typically favors Triṣṭubh/Jagatī groupings; meter identification here remains uncertain without full pada-count verification.
Diese kurze Indra-Stuti setzt den Stoma (Lobpreis) als sieghafte Kraft in Gang: „honigsüße“ Hymnen steigen auf wie Wagen und tragen den Opfernden zu Reichtum, Beute und unfehlbarer Hilfe. Indem die gegenwärtige Rezitation mit berühmten Seherlinien (Kaṇva, Bhṛgu, Āyava) verbunden wird, autorisiert der Hymnus das Ritual und steigert seine wohlstandsbringende Wirksamkeit.
Kind of charm
Mantras
Mantra 1
उदु॒ त्ये मधु॑मत्तमा॒ गिर॒ स्तोमा॑स ईरते । स॒त्रा॒जितो॑ धन॒सा अक्षि॑तोतयो वाज॒यन्तो॒ रथा॑ इव
Empor steigen wahrlich jene honigsüßesten Lieder; die Lobgesänge werden in Bewegung gesetzt. Allzeit siegreich, mit Reichtum, mit unerschöpflicher Hilfe, preisgewinnend — wie Wagen in ihrem Lauf.
Mantra 2
कण्वा॑ इव॒ भृग॑वः॒ सूर्या॑ इव॒ विश्व॒मिद्धी॒तमा॑नशुः । इन्द्रं॒ स्तोमे॑भिर्म॒हय॑न्त आ॒यवः॑ प्रि॒यमे॑धासो अस्वरन्
Wie die Kaṇvas, wie die Bhṛgus, wie Sonnen — sie gewannen wahrlich die ganze Fülle heiligen Sinnens. Indra mit Lobgesängen erhebend, ließen die Āyavas, von liebenswerter Weisheit, ihr Lied aufsteigen.
Inside Sukta 10
How it unfolds
- How it opens
The hymn begins by ‘lifting up’ honey-sweet songs and stirring the stomas into action.
- What it asks
That Indra’s ever-victorious power, wealth, and unperishing help be secured through energized praise.
- Where its power lies
Praise itself is framed as a kinetic instrument—like chariots—capable of winning prizes and sustaining aid; lineage comparison (Kaṇva/Bhṛgu/suns) asserts proven efficacy.
- How it closes
It ends by stating that the Āyavas exalt Indra with lauds and raise their song—closing on the successful act of magnification (mahāy) and vocal uplift.
Famous verses
मधु॑मत्तमा॒ गिरः॑ (madhumattamā giraḥ) / रथा॑ इव (rathā iva)कण्वा॑ इव॒ भृग॑वः (kaṇvā iva bhṛgavaḥ) / इन्द्रं॒ स्तोमे॑भिः (indraṃ stomebhiḥ)Kind of hymn
Paustika (Prosperity) / Indra-stuti (Stoma activation)
What it is for
To generate momentum for prosperity: converting sweet, well-formed praise into victory, prizes, and reliable divine support.
Who it is for
Householders, patrons of sacrifice, and reciters seeking success in undertakings (competitions, acquisitions, or general prosperity rites) through Indra-centered praise.
Also used as
- Indra-stuti
- Stoma/Mantra-activation
- Saubhāgya (success/fortune)
The deity
Indra is the paradigmatic Vedic victor and giver: the power that breaks obstacles, wins contests, and converts inspired thought and laud into tangible prosperity.
Powers of the deity
- Grants victory and prize-winning success (vāja)
- Bestows wealth and resources (dhana)
- Provides unfailing aid and protection (akṣita-ūti)
- Energizes and accepts stoma/praise as a force that accomplishes aims
Why the deity is called
To propel the hymn as an effective ‘vehicle’ of success—securing wealth, victory, and unperishing assistance by magnifying Indra through energized praise.
The seer
- RV-derived; seer-lineage invoked: Kaṇva–Bhṛgu–Āyava (AV 20 r̥ṣi assignment varies by recension)Bhrigu. Stuti-based paustika activation: empowering praise (stoma) to secure victory, wealth, and enduring support; lineage-authorization of mantra performance
Other hymns of this seer
- AV 20.10 (this sukta; RV-derived)
- Related Indra-stutis in AV 20 (RV-derived collection; exact attributions vary by recension)
Preparing for the rite
- Establish a clean recitation space; face east or toward the ritual fire if present.
- Compose mind with dhīti (focused inspired thought); set a clear intention: victory/prosperity with ‘unfailing aid’.
- Optionally prepare a small offering of sweetness (madhu) as a symbolic attractor for ‘honey-sweet’ speech.
The rite
- Recite 20.10.1 to ‘raise’ the songs and set the stomas in motion, visualizing them as prize-winning chariots.
- Recite 20.10.2 to link the performance to authoritative seer lineages (Kaṇva, Bhṛgu, Āyava), then mentally ‘offer’ the stoma to Indra.
- If accompanying an offering: present a small sweet oblation (or sweetened water) after the recitation, dedicating it to Indra.
What it needs
- Madhu (honey) or another sweet (symbolic)
- Water for ācamana/sipping and mental clarity (optional)
- A simple offering medium if used (ghee or sweetened water)
When
Morning or before an undertaking where ‘winning’ and resources are sought; also suitable at the start of a stotra/praise sequence.
The main substance
Madhu (honey/sweetness; primarily symbolic as ‘sweet speech’ made tangible)
How it is prepared
Keep a small amount of honey (or sweetened water) as an optional offering; the main ‘substance’ is disciplined dhīti—sweet, well-aimed speech shaped into stoma.
Frequently Asked Questions
For paustika aims—prosperity, prize-winning success, and steady help—by energizing Indra-focused praise (stoma) as an effective force.
They function as proof of efficacy: the hymn links your recitation to celebrated seer lineages whose praise successfully magnified Indra and ‘won’ inspired thought and results.
Not strictly. The core requirement is focused dhīti and clear intention; a small sweet offering (honey or sweetened water) can be added as a symbolic support for ‘honey-sweet’ speech.
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