Rig Veda 6.33.4: Mandala 6, Sukta 33, Mantra 4
Sukta 6.33
- Rishi
- Bharadvāja Bārhaspatya
- Devata
- Indra
- Chandas
- Trishtubh
- Rasa
- Vira (heroism) and Shanta (peace)
स त्वं न इन्द्राकवाभिरूती सखा विश्वायुरविता वृधे भूः । स्वर्षाता यद्ध्वयामसि त्वा युध्यन्तो नेमधिता पृत्सु शूर ॥
sa tvaṃ na indra akavābhir ūtī sakhā viśvāyur avitā vṛdhe bhūḥ | svaḥ-sātā yad hvayāmasi tvā yudhyanto nema-dhitā pṛtsu śūra ||
So sei uns denn, o Indra, mit deinen unermattenden Hilfen ein Freund für das ganze Leben, ein Schützer zu unserem Gedeihen. Wenn wir dich als Sieger des lichtglänzenden Himmels anrufen, dann kämpfen wir in den Schlachten, o Held, fest gegründet und ohne den Boden preiszugeben.
Word by Word
- सः
- he (that one)Pronounपुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा, एकवचनम्Role KartāRoot तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) → स
- त्वम्
- youPronounमध्यमपुरुष-सर्वनाम, प्रथमा, एकवचनम्Role KartāRoot युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
- नः
- for us / of usPronounषष्ठी/चतुर्थी, बहुवचनम् (एन्क्लिटिक)Role SampradānaRoot अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
- इन्द्र
- O IndraNoun (proper)पुंलिङ्गः, सम्बोधन, एकवचनम्Role (सम्बोधन)Root इन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक)
- अकवाभिः
- with the non-poets / unskilled onesAdjective (used substantively)पुं/नपुंसकलिङ्गः, तृतीया, बहुवचनम्Role KaraṇaRoot अकव (प्रातिपदिक)
- ऊती
- with help, with aidNounस्त्रीलिङ्गः, तृतीया, एकवचनम्Role KaraṇaRoot ऊति (प्रातिपदिक)
- सखा
- (as) a friendNounपुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा, एकवचनम्Role KartāRoot सखि (प्रातिपदिक)
- विश्वायुः
- all-life-giving / of universal lifetimeAdjectiveपुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा, एकवचनम्Role KartāRoot विश्वायु (प्रातिपदिक; विश्व + आयु)
- अविता
- protectorNounपुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा, एकवचनम्Role KartāRoot अवितृ (प्रातिपदिक; agent noun from √अव् ‘to protect’)
- वृधे
- for increase, for strengtheningNoun (verbal/abstract)द्वितीया? न; here: चतुर्थी, एकवचनम् (दातिव्: ‘for growth’)Role SampradānaRoot वृध् (धातु) → वृधि/वृध (कृदन्त-भाव/उद्देश्य) / or वृध् as verbal noun
- भूः
- be (become)!Verbलोट्/विधिलिङ्?; here best as लोट् (आशीर्लिङ्-प्राय) मध्यमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्Role (मुख्यक्रिया)Root √भू (धातु)
- स्वःषाता
- winner of heaven/lightNoun (epithet)पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा, एकवचनम्Role KartāRoot स्वःषातृ (प्रातिपदिक; स्वः + √षा/√सन्? ‘to win/obtain’ in RV usage)
- यत्
- when / thatRelative pronounनपुंसकलिङ्गः, द्वितीया/प्रथमा, एकवचनम् (अव्ययीभाव-प्राय: ‘when/that’)Role AdhikaraṇaRoot यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
- ह्वयामसि
- we invokeVerbलट्, उत्तमपुरुषः, बहुवचनम्Role (मुख्यक्रिया)Root √ह्वे/√ह्वा (धातु ‘to call, invoke’)
- त्वा
- youPronounद्वितीया, एकवचनम् (एन्क्लिटिक)Role KarmaRoot युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
- युध्यन्तः
- fightingParticipleवर्तमान-कर्तरि कृदन्तः, पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा, बहुवचनम्Role KartāRoot √युध् (धातु ‘to fight’) → युध्यन्त् (वर्तमान कृदन्त)
- नेमधिताः
- set/placed in order; steadfastParticipleभूतकर्मणि/कृत (PPP), पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा, बहुवचनम्Role KartāRoot √नेम्/नम्? + √धा (धातु ‘to place’) → नेमधित (कृदन्त; RV form)
- पृत्सु
- in battlesNounस्त्रीलिङ्गः, सप्तमी, बहुवचनम्Role AdhikaraṇaRoot पृत्/पृतना (प्रातिपदिक; ‘battle, fight’)
- शूर
- O heroNoun (epithet)पुंलिङ्गः, सम्बोधन, एकवचनम्Role (सम्बोधन)Root शूर (प्रातिपदिक)
Sandhi Notes
- Sandhi resolution (padapāṭha-style): स त्वं न इन्द्र अकवाभिः ऊती सखा विश्वायुः अविता वृधे भूः । स्वःषाता यत् ह्वयामसि त्वा युध्यन्तः नेमधिताः पृत्सु शूर । Key sandhis: न॑ इन्द्राक॑वाभिरू॒ती → नः + इन्द्र + अकवाभिः + ऊती
- स्व॑र्षाता॒ → स्वःषाता
- यद्ध्वया॑मसि → यत् + ह्वयामसि
- त्वा॒ युध्य॑न्तो → त्वा + युध्यन्तः. Accents retained as in saṃhitā
- pada forms given without explicit accent marks
The meaning
Outer meaning
Indra, with unweakened helps, be our friend for the whole of life, our protector for increase. When we call you as the winner of the luminous heaven, then we fight in battles without yielding ground, firmly founded.
Inner meaning
The seeker asks the illumined Mind (Indra) to become a constant companion across all parts of life (viśvāyuḥ), not only in isolated spiritual moments. Indra’s ‘unfailing aids’ are recurring descents of clarity, courage, and right force. When invoked as ‘winner of svar’ (the luminous plane), the aspirant’s inner faculties stand their ground—no relapse into old formations—because the foundation is set in the soul’s resolve and truth-alignment (nemadhitā).
Universal truth
Lasting transformation needs a power that supports the entire life-field, not merely peak experiences. When the aim is the higher light (svar), perseverance and firm footing become natural.
Themes
inner battle, invocation for protection, victory of light/knowledge, friendship with the god-power
The seer
- Other hymns
- RV 6.33 (within Bharadvāja Maṇḍala context; likely connected to Bharadvāja tradition even if individual verse attribution is uncertain)
Significance
Even without a named seer, the mantra carries a mature yogic demand: Indra must become ‘friend of the whole life,’ indicating integrality rather than compartmentalized spirituality.
The deity
- Devata
- Indra
- Epithets
- Svaḥsātā (winner of svar), Śūra (hero), Sakhā (friend, as invoked)
- Related deities
- Sūrya (svar/light), Agni (aspiration), Maruts (energies that aid Indra), Sarasvatī (inspired flow of thought)
Cosmic role
Opens the luminous world (svar) and supports victorious growth in the human being.
Inner power
Sustaining illumination—clarity that remains, protection that stabilizes, force that helps life obey the higher light.
In ritual
Where it is used
Indra invocation for protection and increase within Soma/Agni rites.
स त्वं न॑ इ॒न्द्राक॑वाभिरू॒ती सखा॑ वि॒श्वायु॑रवि॒ता वृ॒धे भू॑: । स्व॑र्षाता॒ यद्ध्वया॑मसि त्वा॒ युध्य॑न्तो ने॒मधि॑ता पृ॒त्सु शू॑र ॥
सः । त्वम् । नः॒ । इ॒न्द्र॒ । अक॑वाभिः । ऊ॒ती । सखा॑ । वि॒श्वऽआ॑युः । अ॒वि॒ता । वृ॒धे । भूः॒ । स्वः॑ऽसाता । यत् । ह्वया॑मसि । त्वा॒ । युध्य॑न्तः । ने॒मऽधि॑ता । पृ॒त्ऽसु । शू॒र॒ ॥
saḥ | tvam | naḥ | indra | akavābhiḥ | ūtī | sakhā | viśva-āyuḥ | avitā | vṛdhe | bhūḥ | svaḥ-sātā | yat | hvayāmasi | tvā | yudhyantaḥ | nema-dhitā | pṛt-su | śūra
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4 x ~11 syllables
Resolute and steady; less ‘striking’ than 6.33.3, more ‘supporting’ and foundational.
Encourages endurance and integration; the rhythm feels like firm steps that do not retreat.
- अकवाभिः ऊती (akavābhiḥ ūtī)
- Literal: with unweakened helps/aid. Symbolic: steady influx of supporting force; non-declining guidance in practice
- सखा (sakhā)
- Literal: friend. Symbolic: intimate inner ally—guiding intelligence present in all circumstances
- विश्वायुः (viśvāyuḥ)
- Literal: of all life/entire lifespan. Symbolic: integration: spiritual force permeating mind, life, body
- अविता (avitā)
- Literal: protector. Symbolic: guardian power that prevents relapse and shields aspiration
- वृधे (vṛdhe)
- Literal: for increase/growth. Symbolic: expansion of consciousness, strength, and capacity to hold the light
- स्वःसाता (svaḥ-sātā)
- Literal: winner of heaven (svar). Symbolic: conqueror of luminous consciousness; establisher of higher mind
- ह्वयामसि (hvayāmasi)
- Literal: we call/invoke. Symbolic: active aspiration and remembrance (smaraṇa) that opens reception
- युध्यन्तः (yudhyantaḥ)
- Literal: fighting. Symbolic: engaged tapas against inertia, falsehood, and confusion
- नेमधिता (nemadhitā)
- Literal: not moved from the base; firmly founded. Symbolic: stable poise; non-compromise with lower movements; settled intention in truth
- पृत्सु (pṛtsu)
- Literal: in battles. Symbolic: repeated inner crises where progress is tested
Invocatory and strengthening verse for Indra in Soma offerings; applicable in Indra-focused Soma rites (e.g., Agniṣṭoma sequences) as a call for victorious force and protection.
When seeking sustained support—before competitive undertakings, journeys, or crucial phases of the rite.
Recitation as a protective stuti; offering with the intention of ‘non-yielding’ steadiness.
Daily recitation for resilience: before work, exams, conflict-resolution, or to prevent relapse into old habits after a breakthrough.
: noun from √av/√ū (to help, favour) in RV usage 'protective aid'. : agent noun from √av 'to protect'. : dat. sg. of vṛdh- 'increase' from √vṛdh 'to grow'. (svàr): luminous heaven/solar truth-light; - from √san 'to win, gain'. : 1pl pres. from √hū 'to call'. : pres. mid. ptc. from √yudh 'to fight'. : compound (nema + dhita), dhita from √dhā 'to set/place'; nema in RV often 'measure, settled portion/ground', hence 'firmly placed foundation/standpoint'. : instrumental pl.; kavi in RV = seer/inspired intelligence; a-kavi here read as 'not falling into mis-seeing/false inspiration', i.e., undistorted aids.
Rita (right order) as the stable 'foundation' in battle, inner growth (vṛdhi) of being, victory of light (svàr-sāti) over obscurity
To be ‘nemadhitā’ is to hold the r̥ta-position and not fall back into disorder.
Calling Indra as svaḥsātā aligns the will with truth-light rather than immediate comfort.
Ascent to svar through sustained aid; stabilization of higher consciousness in life.
Integral-Vedic yoga reading: ascent (to svar) plus integration (viśvāyuḥ).
‘Battle’ is the pressure of transformation; ‘svar’ is the sunlit clarity of higher mind; ‘friend’ is the constant inner guidance.
- What is the primary Vedic 'mythologem' present in this verse?
- Indra as svaḥ-sātā, the 'winner of svàr'—the archetypal conquering of the luminous truth-world. The outward battle (pṛtṣu) is the inner combat where the seeker calls Indra’s force to secure the light against powers of obstruction.
- How does the linguistic structure reflect Proto-Indo-European roots?
- Key verbs preserve archaic Indo-European patterns: √bhū 'become/be' (PIE *bʰuH-) in; √yudh 'fight' (PIE *h₁eudh- / *yewdh- often compared with Germanic *beudan?; more safely Indo-Iranian *yudh-) in; √san 'gain, win' (PIE *senh₂ 'to gain' often proposed) in -. The agentive -tṛ/-tā formations (avitā) are also old IE nominal strategies for doers.
- What is the relationship between the Rishi and the Devata here?
- A reciprocal alliance is articulated: the human side offers the call (hvayāmasi) and the steadfast striving (yudhyantaḥ, nema-dhitā), while Indra is asked to become the intimate helper (sakhā, ūtī, avitā) who ensures growth (vṛdhe) and the decisive attainment of light (svaḥ-sātā).
Invoke Indra as the stable inner friend: ‘Let the light govern my whole life.’
anāhata (friendship/inner support)
Even-count breathing (e.g., 4-4 or 6-6) to build steadiness; silently emphasize ‘sakhā viśvāyuḥ’.
Steady, integrated aspiration; non-reactive courage.
After chanting, review the day’s life-areas (speech, work, relationships, body) and offer each to Indra’s governance; choose one place where you will ‘not yield ground’ to an old pattern.
Rigvedic accentuation with clear udātta rises on invocatory words (indra, svaḥsātā).
Maintain triṣṭubh steadiness; keep pāda breaks clean to convey ‘firm footing’.
In ‘viśvāyur’, keep śv cluster light: viś-vā-yuḥ., ‘svarṣātā/svaḥsātā’: articulate the visarga (ḥ) if present in your recension; avoid turning it into a hard ‘h’., ‘nemadhitā’: keep dental n and clear short vowels; don’t over-lengthen e.
Steady, supportive, confident.
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