Rig Veda Sukta 22
Mandala 2Sukta 224 Mantras

Sukta 22

Sukta 2.22

Rishi

Gṛtsamada (Bhārgava)

Chandas

Jagatī (likely; hymn 2.22 is predominantly Jagatī with a refrain-like cadence)

Dieser kurze Hymnus an Indra feiert den Machtzuwachs des Gottes nach dem Trank des Soma, der mit Viṣṇu gepresst wurde, und zeichnet Soma als eine „wahre“ göttliche Kraft, die den „wahren“ Indra treu begleitet. Er preist Indras Anwachsen an Stärke, seine Freigebigkeit gegenüber dem Verehrer sowie seine urzeitliche Tat, die Wasser zu befreien und Leben und göttliche Ordnung wiederherzustellen.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 2.22

In this hymn

Addressed to

  • Indrawith Vishnu and Soma in close association

    Indra is the mighty, manly hero (mahiṣa, vicarṣaṇi) who drinks Soma, swells in strength, conquers assaults, releases the waters, and grants wealth to the singer.

Mantras

Mantra 1

त्रिकद्रुकेषु महिषो यवाशिरं तुविशुष्मस्तृपत्सोममपिबद्विष्णुना सुतं यथावशत् । स ईं ममाद महि कर्म कर्तवे महामुरुं सैनं सश्चद्देवो देवं सत्यमिन्द्रं सत्य इन्दुः ॥

In den drei Kadru-Pressungen trank der Mächtige, von gewaltiger Kraft, den Soma, mit Gerste gemischt, von Vishnu gepresst, wie es ihm gefiel. Da jauchzte er, das große Werk zu vollbringen, das weite und mächtige; und der wahre Soma folgte dem wahren Indra, Gott an Gott sich anschließend.

Mantra 2

अध त्विषीमाँ अभ्योजसा क्रिविं युधाभवदा रोदसी अपृणदस्य मज्मना प्र वावृधे । अधत्तान्यं जठरे प्रेमरिच्यत सैनं सश्चद्देवो देवं सत्यमिन्द्रं सत्य इन्दुः ॥

Dann, von Glanz erfüllt, trat er mit Kraft dem Krivi entgegen und wurde selbst zum Kampf; mit seiner Größe füllte er beide Welten und wuchs gewaltig. Einen andern setzte er in seinen Leib und goss ihn hervor; und der wahre Soma folgte dem wahren Indra, Gott an Gott sich anschließend.

Mantra 3

साकं जातः क्रतुना साकमोजसा ववक्षिथ साकं वृद्धो वीर्यैः सासहिर्मृधो विचर्षणिः । दाता राधः स्तुवते काम्यं वसु सैनं सश्चद्देवो देवं सत्यमिन्द्रं सत्य इन्दुः ॥

Mit krátu, dem heiligen Willen, zugleich geboren, mit ójas, der Kraft, bist du herangewachsen; zugleich bist du in heldischer Macht erstarkt, der die Anstürme bezwingt, der Menschen Lenker. Spender der Gabe: dem Lobpreisenden gewährst du den ersehnten Schatz. Und der wahre Soma folgt dem wahren Indra – Gott an Gott, in Wahrheit sich fügend.

Mantra 4

तव त्यन्नर्यं नृतोऽप इन्द्र प्रथमं पूर्व्यं दिवि प्रवाच्यं कृतम् । यद्देवस्य शवसा प्रारिणा असुं रिणन्नपः । भुवद्विश्वमभ्यादेवमोजसा विदादूर्जं शतक्रतुर्विदादिषम् ॥

Dein ist jene mannhaftige Tat, o Indra, die erste, uralte, im Himmel zu verkünden: als du mit göttlicher Macht den Lebenshauch befreitest, die Wasser aufsprengend. Da wurde alles Undivine durch deine Kraft göttlich; o Śatakratu, der hundertfach Entschlossene, du fandest die Nahrung und du fandest den Antrieb.

Inside Sukta 22

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    Indra’s Soma-drinking in the ‘three pressings’ (trikadruka), with Soma pressed in association with Viṣṇu, establishing the ritual-mythic setting.

  2. Development

    Indra’s power and heroic capacity are described as growing together with will (kratu) and force (ojas), emphasizing his mastery over conflict and his generosity to the worshipper.

  3. Climax

    The primeval exploit: by divine might he breaks open the waters, frees the life-breath, and transforms the undivine into the divine through victorious power.

  4. Where it settles

    The hymn settles into the boon motif—finding nourishment and impulse—implying that Indra’s cosmic victory becomes the sacrificer’s renewed vitality and prosperity.

The deity: Indra

  • In the VedaSoma is portrayed as “true” and godlike, cleaving to Indra, while Viṣṇu is the sacral ally in the pressing and enabling of Indra’s great act.
  • Cosmic functionChampion of cosmic order: he breaks obstruction, releases life-sustaining waters, and turns what is ‘undivine’ toward the divine by force and right victory.
  • Inner significanceThe awakened will and courage that, when energized by disciplined inspiration (Soma) and right pervasion/support (Viṣṇu), breaks inner blockages, restores vitality, and yields both material and spiritual ‘nourishment’ (ūrj) and ‘impulse’ (iṣ).

The seer

  • Gṛtsamada (Bhārgava)Bhṛgu/Bhārgava lineage (Gṛtsamada family of Mandala 2) · Principal seer of much of the Second Maṇḍala, renowned for Indra-centered hymns that combine ritual exactness (Soma-pressing imagery) with mythic theology (waters released, order restored).

Famous verses

sainaṃ saścad devo devaṃ satyam indraṃ satya induḥ
Verse 2.22.1Sets the hymn’s central theology: Indra is empowered by Soma (pressed with Viṣṇu), and the ‘true Soma’ is depicted as a divine companion that adheres to the ‘true Indra,’ linking ritual drink with cosmic action.Read verse 2.22.1 →
sākaṃ jātaḥ kratunā sākam ojasā
Verse 2.22.3Defines Indra’s growth as coordinated with kratu and ojas, and ties praise directly to gifts—an archetypal Vedic exchange of stuti (praise) for rādhas (bounty).Read verse 2.22.3 →
तव त्यन्नर्यं नृतोऽप इन्द्र प्रथमं पूर्व्यं दिवि प्रवाच्यं कृतम् । यद्देवस्य शवसा प्रारिणा असुं रिणन्नपः । भुवद्विश्वमभ्यादेवमोजसा विदादूर्जं शतक्रतुर्विदादिषम् ॥
Verse 2.22.4Articulates the mythic peak: releasing the waters and freeing life-breath, then restoring divinity/order—ending with the sought results of ūrj and iṣ (nourishment and impetus).Read verse 2.22.4 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Soma-empowered strength
  • Victorious over resistance and assaults
  • Liberator of waters and life-breath
  • Giver of bounty to the praiser
  • Upholder of truth and divine order
  • Linked companionship with Soma (satya induḥ) and Viṣṇu

Also by this seer

  • Majority of Rigveda Maṇḍala 2 hymns attributed to Gṛtsamada or the Gṛtsamada family
  • Notable Indra praises in RV 2.11–2.19 (Gṛtsamada cycle to Indra)
  • Hymns to Agni and allied deities within Maṇḍala 2 reflecting Bhārgava ritual-poetic style

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the Soma with pressing and purification; mix with adjuncts (e.g., barley) as prescribed by the rite.
  • Invoke Indra with praise of his Soma-drinking and heroic growth; recall his ancient deed of releasing the waters.
  • Offer the Soma libation into the fire (or via the Soma offering sequence) while reciting the verses with the refrain-like cadence.
  • Conclude with petitions for rādhas (bounty), ūrj (nourishment), and iṣ (impulsion), aligning the sacrificer with Indra’s victorious order.

Offerings

  • Soma juice (pressed, purified, offered as libation)
  • Barley-mixture/adjunct (yavāśira) as indicated in the hymn imagery
  • Ghee (as accompanying offering in the broader fire-rite context)

Frequently Asked Questions

It says Indra becomes fully powerful through Soma, accomplishes great cosmic deeds like releasing the waters, and then rewards the worshipper with desired wealth and strength.

Soma is the sacred drink that energizes Indra, and Viṣṇu is shown as a close ritual-cosmic ally in the pressing and in enabling Indra’s great work.

It expresses a bond of reliability and right order: the purified, truthful inspiration (Soma) naturally accompanies and supports the truthful power of Indra, ‘god cleaving to god.’

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