Sukta 52
Rishi: Ṛgvedic provenance (Soma-rite Indra hymn source)
Devata: Indra (Vṛtrahan)
Chandas: Triṣṭubh
AV 20.52 ist ein kurzer Triṣṭubh-Indra-Hymnus aus der rigvedischen Soma-Liturgie, der darauf zielt, Indras konkrete Gegenwart am Ausfluss der durch das Filter (pavitra) strömenden Soma zu verankern, wo die Sänger in geordneter Teilnahme sitzen. Er ruft den Vṛtrahan, „nach Hause“ zum Ritus zu kommen, den gepressten Soma zu trinken und schnellen Siegeslohn sowie Rinderreichtum zu gewähren, und verknüpft die korrekte rituelle Anordnung (barhis, pavitra, Stotṛ-Kreis) mit Gedeihen und Schutz.
Kind of charm
Mantras
Mantra 1
व॒यं घ॑ त्वा सु॒ताव॑न्त॒ आपो॒ न वृ॒क्तब॑र्हिषः । प॒वित्र॑स्य प्र॒स्रव॑णेषु वृत्रह॒न् परि॑ स्तो॒तार॑ आसते
Wir wahrlich, mit Soma-Pressungen, gleich den Wassern — mit recht ausgestreutem Gras-Sitz — an den Ausflüssen des Seihtuchs, o Vṛtrahan, sitzen die Sänger rings um dich in Dienstbereitschaft.
Mantra 2
स्वर॑न्ति त्वा सु॒ते नरो॒ वसो॑ निरे॒क उ॒क्थिनः॑ । क॒दा सु॒तं तृ॑षा॒ण ओक॒ आ ग॑म॒ इन्द्र॑ स्व॒ब्दीव॒ वंस॑गः
Die Männer, die Uktha-Sänger, rufen laut zu dir beim gepressten Soma, o Freigebiger, ohne Zurückhaltung. Wann wirst du, dürstend nach dem gepressten Trank, heimwärts in unser Haus kommen, o Indra, wohlbewaffnet, Preisgewinner?
Mantra 3
कण्वे॑भिर्धृष्ण॒वा धृ॒षद् वाजं॑ दर्षि सह॒स्रिण॑म्। पि॒शङ्ग॑रूपं मघवन् विचर्षणे म॒क्षू गोम॑न्तमीमहे
Mit den Kaṇvas, du Kühner, zeigst du in verwegener Weise den tausendfachen Preis. Den fahlgolden Gestalteten, den Freigebigen, den Weitblickenden — ihn flehen wir an, o Maghavan, o Weitschauer: schenke uns schnell den Reichtum an Rindern.
Inside Sukta 52
How it unfolds
- How it opens
The singers, with Soma pressings and duly strewn barhis, take their seats around Indra at the pavitra’s outflowings (20.52.1).
- What it asks
Indra is urged to come ‘home’ to the rite, thirsting for the pressed Soma, and accept the uktha praise (20.52.2).
- Where its power lies
Indra’s proven pattern is recalled: with the Kaṇvas he reveals the thousandfold prize, showing effective generosity and victory (20.52.3).
- How it closes
The hymn ends in a direct, urgent petition for quick gomad prosperity from the tawny-formed Maghavan (20.52.3).
Famous verses
pavitrasya prasravaṇeṣu
kadā sutaṃ tṛṣāṇa oka ā gama
makṣū gomantam īmahe
Kind of hymn
Paustika / Śrauta-liturgical (Soma-rite Indra attendance)
What it is for
Indra’s attendance at the Soma-rite, successful completion of offering and praise, and the gain of swift victory-prize and cattle-rich prosperity under his protection.
Who it is for
Śrauta practitioners (adhvaryu/udgātṛ/hotṛ teams), patrons (yajamāna), and reciters using AV 20 as a Rigvedic liturgical supplement.
Also used as
- Śrauta-liturgical
- Indra-Soma āhvāna (invitation)
- Protective/prosperity reinforcement of the sacrifice
The deity
Indra here is the Soma-loving champion who comes to the pressed draught, takes his seat among the singers, and turns ritual hospitality into worldly success—victory, cattle, and fearless strength.
Powers of the deity
- Slays Vṛtra and removes obstructions (vṛtrahan)
- Responds to Soma and formal praise (uktha/stotra)
- Grants vāja (victory-prize), wealth, and cattle
- Provides protection to the sacrificer and rite
- Arrives swiftly when properly invited and seated
Why the deity is called
To bring Indra to the Soma-filter outflow (pavitra-prasravaṇa), enthrone him at the rite with the stotṛs, and obtain victory and gomad prosperity as the ritual’s fruit.
The seer
- Kaṇva (Kaṇva-tradition; Ṛgvedic provenance)Angiras. Śrauta-liturgical stotra/uktha praise used to attract Indra to Soma, secure vāja (victory-prize), and increase paśu/gomad wealth through correct invitation and seating of officiants.
Other hymns of this seer
- AV 20.52 (this hymn; RV parallel)
- Rigvedic Indra-Soma hymns in the Kaṇva corpus (general RV Kaṇva tradition; specific attributions vary by recension/edition)
Preparing for the rite
- Press Soma and arrange its filtration through the pavitra (strainer).
- Strew barhis (sacrificial grass) properly to form the seat/space of reception.
- Seat/position the stotṛs/ukthins around the ritual focus, maintaining ordered attendance and readiness to chant.
The rite
- Recite/chant the three Triṣṭubh verses at the Soma-filter outflowings (prasravaṇas), treating the flow as the moment of Indra’s approach.
- Perform the vocal summons (uktha-style) with ‘no reserve’—full-voiced invitation—while presenting Soma as hospitality.
- Conclude by petitioning for vāja and gomad wealth, aligning the request with Indra’s famed generosity and prowess.
What it needs
- Soma (pressed and filtered juice)
- Pavitra (Soma-strainer)
- Barhis (strewn sacrificial grass)
- Āpaḥ (water) for purification context/handling
When
During the Soma pressing/filtration sequence—at the outflowings of the strainer—within Indra-focused portions of the Soma day.
The main substance
Soma (pressed and filtered)
How it is prepared
Press Soma and pass it through the pavitra; recite at the moments of flow (prasravaṇa), with barhis properly strewn and the singers seated in attendance.
Frequently Asked Questions
To summon Indra to the pressed and filtered Soma at the pavitra’s outflow, seat him in attendance with the singers, and gain protection, victory-prize (vāja), and cattle-wealth.
Because the Soma’s filtered flow is treated as a key ritual moment and location where Indra is invited to arrive and be present; the rite’s order and purity are emphasized there.
It is primarily paustika and śrauta-liturgical: its ‘power’ works through correct Soma-rite hospitality and praise, aiming at prosperity and success rather than a healing drug-charm or sorcery.
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