Rig Veda Sukta 45
Mandala 3Sukta 455 Mantras

Sukta 45

Sukta 3.45

Rishi

Viśvāmitra Gāthina (traditional for RV 3.45 Indra hymn)

Chandas

Gāyatrī (probable)

Dieser kurze Hymnus ruft Indra, rasch mit seinen fahlgelben Rossen/Kräften (harī) herbeizueilen, von keinerlei Fesseln gehemmt, um die Opfergabe zu genießen und den Opfernden zu stärken. Gepriesen wird Indras tiefer, ozeangleicher Entschluss (kratu), der Wachstum nährt wie gut behütete Ströme und wie Rinder, die zur Weide ziehen. Der Hymnus gipfelt in der Bekräftigung Indras als selbstangetrieben und selbstherrschend und bittet, dass seine wachsende Macht dem Verehrer den höchsten, dauerhaftsten Ruhm und günstiges Gehörtwerden verleihe.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 3.45

In this hymn

Addressed to

  • Indra

    Indra is the foremost warrior and lord of might, drawn by soma and praise, arriving with his harī (tawny horses) to break obstacles, release abundance, and protect the sacrificer.

Mantras

Mantra 1

आ मन्द्रैरिन्द्र हरिभिर्याहि मयूररोमभिः । मा त्वा के चिन्नि यमन्विं न पाशिनोऽति धन्वेव ताँ इहि ॥

Komm, o Indra, mit deinen frohlockenden fahlgoldenen Kräften, mit den Energien von pfauenfederhellem Glanz. Keine Fesselnden sollen dich in deinem Gang hemmen: geh an ihnen vorbei wie über weites offenes Land; komm geradenwegs zu uns.

Mantra 2

वृत्रखादो वलंरुजः पुरां दर्मो अपामजः । स्थाता रथस्य हर्योरभिस्वर इन्द्रो दृळ्हा चिदारुजः ॥

Verschlinger der Hüllen Vṛtras, Zerbrecher des Vala-Verschlusses, Spalter der Burgen, der den Ursprung der Wasser hervorbringt: Indra, auf dem Wagen der fahlgoldenen Kräfte stehend, zerschmettert im dröhnenden Ansturm selbst das fest Gefügte.

Mantra 3

गम्भीराँ उदधीँरिव क्रतुं पुष्यसि गा इव । प्र सुगोपा यवसं धेनवो यथा ह्रदं कुल्या इवाशत ॥

Du nährst den Krátu, den tiefen Willen zur Tat, wie die Ozeane tief sind, wie die leuchtenden Herden gepflegt werden. Vorwärts ziehen die wohlgehüteten Ströme des Zuwachses, wie Milchkühe zur Weide eilen, wie die Rinnen zum See, zum inneren Gewässer, hinlaufen.

Mantra 4

आ नस्तुजं रयिं भरांशं न प्रतिजानते । वृक्षं पक्वं फलमङ्कीव धूनुहीन्द्र सम्पारणं वसु ॥

Bring uns den antreibenden Reichtum, den Anteil, der nicht vorenthalten werden darf. Schüttle ihn uns herab, o Indra, wie reife Frucht vom Baum: ein Gut, das uns sicher hinüberträgt.

Mantra 5

स्वयुरिन्द्र स्वराळसि स्मद्दिष्टिः स्वयशस्तरः । स वावृधान ओजसा पुरुष्टुत भवा नः सुश्रवस्तमः ॥

Selbstangetrieben bist du, o Indra; selbstherrschend, von deinem eigenen Gesetz geleitet, überragend in deinem eigenen Ruhm. Wachsend an Kraft, o Vielgepriesener, werde uns der ruhmreichste: der unsere Wahrheit hört und sie hörbar macht.

Inside Sukta 45

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    A vivid summons: Indra is invited to come with gladdening harī, urged not to be restrained by any ‘binders’.

  2. Development

    Praise shifts from arrival to Indra’s sustaining power—his deep resolve (kratu) that fosters increase like cattle to pasture and channels flowing to a lake.

  3. Climax

    Indra is proclaimed self-impelled and self-sovereign (svayur, svarāṭ), growing by his own might—an apex statement of autonomous divine power.

  4. Where it settles

    The worshipper petitions that this ever-growing Indra become most ‘fame-bringing’ for them—hearing their call and establishing auspicious renown and strength.

The deity: Indra

  • In the VedaHe is celebrated as strong, fame-bearing, and responsive to well-formed hymns, with a will (kratu) deep as the oceans.
  • Cosmic functionHe maintains ṛta by overcoming constriction, opening the paths for waters, light, and prosperity, and empowering the community through victory and increase.
  • Inner significanceIndra signifies the awakened force of resolve and courageous intelligence that cuts through inner bonds (fear, inertia, limitation), releasing the ‘waters’ of energy, clarity, and fruitful action.

The seer

  • Viśvāmitra GāthinaGāthina (Viśvāmitra-gotra) · A royal-turned-seer celebrated for powerful Indra hymns and for embodying the Vedic ideal that tapas and insight can transform status into realized brahmarṣi-hood.

Famous verses

ā mandrair indra haribhir yāhi
Verse 3.45.1Sets the hymn’s ritual core: a direct invitation to Indra’s swift approach with harī, paired with a strong plea that no restraints hinder the god’s movement toward the offering.Read verse 3.45.1 →
गम्भीराँ उदधीँरिव क्रतुं पुष्यसि गा इव । प्र सुगोपा यवसं धेनवो यथा ह्रदं कुल्या इवाशत ॥
Verse 3.45.3Offers the central prosperity-image: Indra’s kratu is ‘deep as oceans’ and his increase moves like protected streams and cows to pasture—an emblem of orderly, life-giving flow under divine guardianship.Read verse 3.45.3 →
svayur indra svarāḻ asi
Verse 3.45.5Climactic theological affirmation: Indra is self-impelled and self-ruling (svayur, svarāṭ), and the verse turns that sovereignty into a concrete blessing—strength and the highest, most enduring fame for the worshipper.Read verse 3.45.5 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Vṛtra-slayer and obstacle-breaker
  • Soma-loving, praise-responsive
  • Lord of strength (ojas) and victorious power
  • Protector and giver of abundance (rāyas)
  • Swift-coming with harī (tawny steeds/energies)
  • Fame-bearing and widely invoked (puruṣṭuta)

Also by this seer

  • Major portion of Rig Veda Maṇḍala 3 (many hymns to Indra, Agni, and allied deities)
  • Tradition later associates him with the Gāyatrī mantra (RV 3.62.10), though this is beyond the present hymn
  • Important figure in later Itihāsa-Purāṇa narratives (as a paradigmatic seer of tapas and mantra-śakti)

The rite, step by step

  • Establish the sacred fire and seat the rite with preliminary purifications and silent intention (saṅkalpa).
  • Recite the opening invitation to Indra, visualizing his harī and unobstructed approach.
  • Offer soma (or its substitute) and ghee with praise, emphasizing removal of restraints and swift arrival.
  • Recite the ‘kratu’ and ‘streams-to-lake’ imagery as a prayer for steady growth, protected nourishment, and right-directed flow.
  • Conclude with the affirmation of Indra as self-ruling and pray for strength, protection, and enduring fame; perform final oblations and śānti.

Offerings

  • Soma (where applicable) or soma-substitute
  • Ghee (ājya)
  • Grain/cakes (puroḍāśa) in Indra context where customary
  • Water libations and fragrant fuel/wood as local practice

Frequently Asked Questions

It invites Indra to come quickly to the sacrifice with his harī and to overcome any obstacles or restraints, so he can strengthen the worshipper and bless them with increase and renown.

Kratu here is Indra’s purposeful will and effective intelligence. Calling it ocean-deep means it is vast, steady, and powerful—able to sustain growth and right action over time.

It emphasizes that Indra’s power does not depend on external support—he acts from his own sovereignty. The worshipper then asks that this autonomous strength become a direct protection and a source of lasting fame.

Ask anything about Sukta 45 of the Rig Veda

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