Rig Veda Sukta 41
Mandala 4Sukta 417 Mantras

Sukta 41

Sukta 4.41

Rishi

Vāmadeva Gautama (Maṇḍala 4 context)

Devata

Indra-Varuṇa (paired powers: forceful victory + vast law/purity)

Chandas

Triṣṭubh (probable)

Dieser Hymnus ruft die gepaarten Mächte Indra und Varuṇa an, die ehrfürchtige Gabe des Dichters anzunehmen und sieghafte Kraft zu begründen, die von ṛta (kosmischer Ordnung) geleitet ist. Er bittet die beiden, innere und äußere Schäden zu zerschmettern — bösen Willen, räuberische Feindseligkeit und trügerische Furcht — und beständigen Wohlstand zu gewähren, sichtbar als Rossekraft, Wagenkraft und dauernde Mehrung.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 4.41

Mantras

Mantra 1

इन्द्रा को वां वरुणा सुम्नमाप स्तोमो हविष्माँ अमृतो न होता । यो वां हृदि क्रतुमाँ अस्मदुक्तः पस्पर्शदिन्द्रावरुणा नमस्वान् ॥

O Indra und Varuṇa, welcher Hymnus als Opfergabe, welcher Stoma mit Darbringung hat eure Gunst erreicht – wie ein unsterblicher Hotar mit Opfer? Unser Wort, im Herzen mit Krátu (Willenskraft, Entschlusskraft) begabt, hat euch berührt, o Indra-Varuṇa, in Verehrung sich verneigend.

Mantra 2

इन्द्रा ह यो वरुणा चक्र आपी देवौ मर्तः सख्याय प्रयस्वान् । स हन्ति वृत्रा समिथेषु शत्रूनवोभिर्वा महद्भिः स प्र शृण्वे ॥

Der Sterbliche, der Indra und Varuṇa zu nahen Gefährten gemacht hat um des Bundes der Freundschaft willen – reich an Opferkraft –, der erschlägt die Vṛtras, die Mächte der Hemmung, und wirft in den Kämpfen die Feinde nieder; durch ihre Hilfen oder durch ihre große Macht wird er einer, den man weithin vernimmt (dessen Ruhm erschallt).

Mantra 3

इन्द्रा ह रत्नं वरुणा धेष्ठेत्था नृभ्यः शशमानेभ्यस्ता । यदी सखाया सख्याय सोमैः सुतेभिः सुप्रयसा मादयैते ॥

Indra und Varuṇa legen wahrlich so den Schatz für die Menschen nieder – für die Strebenden, die Mühevollen. Wenn die beiden Freunde um der Freundschaft willen sich an Soma erfreuen, an den ausgepressten Strömen, reich an schöner Opferkraft, dann geraten sie in berauschende Wonne (in Kraftfreude).

Mantra 4

इन्द्रा युवं वरुणा दिद्युमस्मिन्नोजिष्ठमुग्रा नि वधिष्टं वज्रम् । यो नो दुरेवो वृकतिर्दभीतिस्तस्मिन्मिमाथामभिभूत्योजः ॥

Indra und Varuṇa, ihr beiden Gewaltigen, setzt in dieses (Wesen/Sein) den stärksten, blitzenden Vajra nieder. Was immer bei uns böser Wille ist, wolfsartiges Zerreißen, trügerische Furcht — darauf zerschmettert es mit überwältigender Siegeskraft.

Mantra 5

इन्द्रा युवं वरुणा भूतमस्या धियः प्रेतारा वृषभेव धेनोः । सा नो दुहीयद्यवसेव गत्वी सहस्रधारा पयसा मही गौः ॥

Indra und Varuṇa, werdet die Führer dieses inspirierten Gedankens, wie zwei Stiere, die die melkende Kuh leiten. Möge sie uns Milch geben, dahinschreitend wie eine, die zur Weide geht — die große Kuh, tausendströmg, von leuchtender Fülle an Milch.

Mantra 8

ता वां धियोऽवसे वाजयन्तीराजिं न जग्मुर्युवयूः सुदानू । श्रिये न गाव उप सोममस्थुरिन्द्रं गिरो वरुणं मे मनीषाः ॥

Diese Eingebungen, die die Fülle der Kraft mehren, sind zu euch um Hilfe gelangt wie zu einem Wettlauf, ihr beiden Freigebigen. Wie Kühe zu ihrem Glanz standen sie beim Soma. Meine Lieder gehen zu Indra; meine Gedankenbildungen zu Varuṇa.

Mantra 10

अश्व्यस्य त्मना रथ्यस्य पुष्टेर्नित्यस्य रायः पतयः स्याम । ता चक्राणा ऊतिभिर्नव्यसीभिरस्मत्रा रायो नियुतः सचन्ताम् ॥

Mögen wir Herren des immerwährenden Reichtums sein – der Rossekraft in eigener Macht, der Wagenkraft, des nährenden Zuwachses. Und mögen jene beiden (Indra und Varuṇa), stets neue Hilfen wirkend, hier für uns die geordneten Anspannungen der Schätze anschirren.

Inside Sukta 41

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    A reverent question and invocation: what hymn-offering reaches the grace of Indra and Varuṇa, like an immortal priest bearing oblation (4.41.1).

  2. Development

    The poet establishes heartfelt intention (kratu) and asks the deities to actively place victorious force within the worshipper/community while maintaining right order.

  3. Climax

    A direct protective command: set down the flashing, strongest vajra and crush ill-will, predatory hostility, and deceiving fear with conquering power (4.41.4).

  4. Where it settles

    The hymn turns to durable prosperity—mastery of horse- and chariot-force and nourishing increase—asking the two to yoke ‘ordered’ riches to the worshipper through ever-new helps (4.41.10).

The deity: Indra-Varuṇa

  • In the VedaIndra appears as the thunder-wielding victor who breaks obstacles and protects the worshipper; Varuṇa appears as the vast sovereign upholding ṛta, binding falsehood, and purifying through truth and law. Together they are invoked as complementary guardians—force and sovereignty acting in harmony.
  • Cosmic functionTo secure the world through both decisive power (Indra’s vajra, conquest over threats) and stabilizing order (Varuṇa’s ṛta, moral governance), ensuring protection, lawful prosperity, and fearless movement for the community.
  • Inner significanceIndra-Varuṇa symbolize the integration of will and conscience: courageous energy that can act (Indra) guided by clarity, restraint, and truth (Varuṇa). Spiritually, they represent power purified by law—strength that defeats fear and hostility without falling into disorder.

The seer

  • Vāmadeva GautamaGautama gotra · A major seer of Maṇḍala 4, celebrated for powerful, psychologically acute praise-hymns that unite martial force with moral order; also remembered in later tradition as the Vāmadeva associated with profound insight and inspired speech.

Famous verses

इन्द्रा को वां वरुणा सुम्नमाप स्तोमो हविष्माँ अमृतो न होता । यो वां हृदि क्रतुमाँ अस्मदुक्तः पस्पर्शदिन्द्रावरुणा नमस्वान् ॥
Verse 4.41.1Frames the hymn as a true offering: inspired speech with inner resolve (kratu) that ‘touches’ the gods, establishing the devotional and ritual basis of the whole sukta.Read verse 4.41.1 →
इन्द्रा युवं वरुणा दिद्युमस्मिन्नोजिष्ठमुग्रा नि वधिष्टं वज्रम् । यो नो दुरेवो वृकतिर्दभीतिस्तस्मिन्मिमाथामभिभूत्योजः ॥
Verse 4.41.4Central protective petition uniting Indra’s thunderbolt-power with Varuṇa’s sovereignty—crushing hostility and fear—often taken as the sukta’s peak of forceful prayer.Read verse 4.41.4 →
अश्व्यस्य त्मना रथ्यस्य पुष्टेर्नित्यस्य रायः पतयः स्याम । ता चक्राणा ऊतिभिर्नव्यसीभिरस्मत्रा रायो नियुतः सचन्ताम् ॥
Verse 4.41.10Summarizes the desired फल (result): stable, well-yoked prosperity—mobility, strength, and nourishment—granted as ‘ever-new helps’ from the paired deities.Read verse 4.41.10 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Dual deity (paired sovereignty and might)
  • Vajra/flash of force (Indra)
  • Ṛta, truth, and moral binding (Varuṇa)
  • Protection from hostility, deception, and fear
  • Bestowers of ordered wealth and effective help (ūtī)

Also by this seer

  • Primary author of many hymns in Rig Veda Maṇḍala 4 (Vāmadeva’s family collection)
  • Hymns to Indra, the Aśvins, Agni, and allied deities within Maṇḍala 4 attributed to the Vāmadeva-Gautama tradition
  • Noted for distinctive stotra-style compositions emphasizing protection, victory, and right order (ṛta)

The rite, step by step

  • Establish the sacred fire (Agni) and seat the officiants; perform ācamana and intention (saṅkalpa) for protection and prosperity.
  • Offer preliminary oblations (āghāra) and invite Indra-Varuṇa with respectful namas (reverence).
  • Recite the hymn in Triṣṭubh cadence, emphasizing the ‘hymn-offering’ as a living hotṛ-like act (as in 4.41.1).
  • During the protective petition portion, mentally ‘set down the vajra’ and negate harms (as in 4.41.4), aligning speech with ṛta.
  • Conclude with prosperity and yoking imagery—requesting ‘ordered harnessings of riches’ and stable increase (as in 4.41.10).
  • Seal with final oblation and a short śānti-style prayer for fearlessness and right order.

Offerings

  • Soma (where applicable)
  • Ghee (ghṛta) oblations into Agni
  • Grain cakes/oblations (puroḍāśa) as customary
  • Water for purification and truth-alignment (Varuṇa)

Frequently Asked Questions

They represent complementary powers: Indra gives decisive victory and protection, while Varuṇa upholds ṛta (truth and moral order). Together, strength becomes lawful and steady rather than chaotic.

It asks them to crush harmful forces like ill-will, predatory aggression, and deceiving fear—both from outside opponents and from inner anxiety or confusion.

It seeks enduring, well-ordered prosperity: strength like horses, effective movement like chariots, steady nourishment, and “ever-new helps” that keep wealth and success aligned with ṛta.

Ask anything about Sukta 41 of the Rig Veda

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