Rig Veda Sukta 82
Mandala 7Sukta 8210 Mantras

Sukta 82

Sukta 7.82

Rishi

Vasiṣṭha

Devata

Indra-Varuṇa

Chandas

Triṣṭubh

Dieser Hymnus des Vasiṣṭha ruft die gepaarte Souveränität von Indra–Varuṇa an, um «mahi śarma» (weiten, großen Schutz) für Opfer, Volk und Gemeinschaft zu erlangen und den Sieg über hartnäckige Widersacher zu sichern. Er wechselt zwischen kriegerischer Stärke (Indra) und moralisch-kosmischer Ordnung (Varuṇa) und stellt ihr Zusammenwirken als Grundlage von Beständigkeit, Wachstum und rechter Herrschaft dar. Der Schluss weitet den Blick auf den Āditya-Kreis (Mitra, Aryaman, Aditi) und Savitṛ und erbittet ein ungebrochenes Licht, das Ṛta trägt.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 7.82

Mantras

Mantra 1

इन्द्रावरुणा युवमध्वराय नो विशे जनाय महि शर्म यच्छतम् । दीर्घप्रयज्युमति यो वनुष्यति वयं जयेम पृतनासु दूढ्यः ॥

O Indra und Varuṇa, gewährt unserem Adhvára (Opfer), unserem Volk und der Gemeinschaft großen Frieden und Schutz. Den langhinziehenden Gegner, der uns entgegenstrebt, überwindend—mögen wir die Schlachten gewinnen, fest gehalten in eurer tragenden Macht.

Mantra 2

सम्राळन्यः स्वराळन्य उच्यते वां महान्ताविन्द्रावरुणा महावसू । विश्वे देवासः परमे व्योमनि सं वामोजो वृषणा सं बलं दधुः ॥

Den einen von euch nennt man Samrāṭ, den Allkönig, den andern Svarāṭ, den Selbstkönig: ihr beide seid groß, Indra und Varuṇa, große Spender von Gut. Alle Götter im höchsten Himmel haben in euch, o zwei starken Stiere, vereint die vereinte Kraft und die vereinte Macht niedergelegt.

Mantra 3

अन्वपां खान्यतृन्तमोजसा सूर्यमैरयतं दिवि प्रभुम् । इन्द्रावरुणा मदे अस्य मायिनोऽपिन्वतमपितः पिन्वतं धियः ॥

Den Bahnen der Wasser folgend spaltetet ihr mit eurer Kraft die Rinnen; ihr setztet die Sonne, das herrische Licht, an den Himmel. O Indra und Varuṇa, in der Trunkenheit dieses Herrn der Māyā ließet ihr die Eingebungen aus verborgener Tiefe anschwellen; lasst auch unsere Gedanken wachsen.

Mantra 4

युवामिद्युत्सु पृतनासु वह्नयो युवां क्षेमस्य प्रसवे मितज्ञवः । ईशाना वस्व उभयस्य कारव इन्द्रावरुणा सुहवा हवामहे ॥

Euch beide rufen in den Kämpfen die Träger der Flamme; euch beide rufen die Maßkundigen beim Hervorbringen des Friedens. Herren beider Arten von Reichtum: die Sänger rufen euch an, o Indra und Varuṇa, leicht anzurufen.

Mantra 5

इन्द्रावरुणा यदिमानि चक्रथुर्विश्वा जातानि भुवनस्य मज्मना । क्षेमेण मित्रो वरुणं दुवस्यति मरुद्भिरुग्रः शुभमन्य ईयते ॥

O Indra und Varuṇa, da ihr all diese Geburten der Welt durch eure allumfassende Größe geformt habt: in Frieden dient Mitra dem Varuṇa, und der andere, der Furchtbare, zieht mit den Maruts dem leuchtenden Heil entgegen.

Mantra 6

महे शुल्काय वरुणस्य नु त्विष ओजो मिमाते ध्रुवमस्य यत्स्वम् । अजामिमन्यः श्नथयन्तमातिरद्दभ्रेभिरन्यः प्र वृणोति भूयसः ॥

Nun, zum großen Glanz des Varuṇa, misst sich seine eigene, feste Kraft in strahlender Macht. Der eine schlägt den nieder, der nicht nachgeben will; der andere wählt aus dem Geringen den größeren Zuwachs.

Mantra 7

न तमंहो न दुरितानि मर्त्यमिन्द्रावरुणा न तपः कुतश्चन । यस्य देवा गच्छथो वीथो अध्वरं न तं मर्तस्य नशते परिह्वृतिः ॥

Weder Not noch Unheil, noch brennende Pein berührt den Sterblichen, o Indra und Varuṇa, von keiner Seite her — wenn ihr, o Götter, mit ihm den Weg des Opfers zieht. Nicht ergreift ihn die umschließende Verkrümmung.

Mantra 8

अर्वाङ्नरा दैव्येनावसा गतं शृणुतं हवं यदि मे जुजोषथः । युवोर्हि सख्यमुत वा यदाप्यं मार्डीकमिन्द्रावरुणा नि यच्छतम् ॥

Kommt herbei, ihr zwei göttlichen Helden, mit eurer göttlichen Hilfe; hört meinen Ruf, wenn ihr ihn gnädig annehmt. Denn euer ist die Freundschaft, und euer auch das wassergeborene Erbarmen—o Indra und Varuṇa, legt diese heilende Gnade in uns hinein.

Mantra 9

अस्माकमिन्द्रावरुणा भरेभरे पुरोयोधा भवतं कृष्ट्योजसा । यद्वां हवन्त उभये अध स्पृधि नरस्तोकस्य तनयस्य सातिषु ॥

O Indra und Varuṇa, seid uns in jedem Ansturm Vorkämpfer an der Front, mit der Kraft, die die Völker trägt. Wenn euch beide Seiten anrufen, dann erringt uns, o Helden, den Sieg—in den Siegen um unser Kind und unsere Nachkommenschaft.

Mantra 10

अस्मे इन्द्रो वरुणो मित्रो अर्यमा द्युम्नं यच्छन्तु महि शर्म सप्रथः । अवध्रं ज्योतिरदितेॠतावृधो देवस्य श्लोकं सवितुर्मनामहे ॥

In uns mögen Indra, Varuṇa, Mitra und Aryaman die leuchtende Macht und den großen, weithin sich ausbreitenden Frieden als Schutzraum festsetzen. Wir trachten nach dem ungebrochenen Licht der Aditi—derer, die im Ṛta wachsen—und wir sinnen über das göttliche Wort/den Ruhm Savitṛs, der den Geist zur Wahrheit erweckt.

Inside Sukta 82

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    A direct plea to Indra–Varuṇa for vast shelter and communal protection, linked to the successful completion of the sacrifice and victory in battles (7.82.1).

  2. Development

    The hymn distributes functions between the two—Varuṇa’s steady, measuring sovereignty and Indra’s force that strikes down resistance—showing how order and power cooperate for increase and security (e.g., 7.82.6).

  3. Climax

    The vision widens from immediate protection to a principled, Ṛta-grounded prosperity: luminous power (dyumna) and wide peace are asked to be established within the people (7.82.10a).

  4. Where it settles

    It resolves in contemplation of the unbroken light of Aditi and the awakening renown/word of Savitṛ, sealing the prayer with a universal, truth-aligned auspiciousness (7.82.10b).

The deity: Indra–Varuṇa

  • In the VedaIndra is the mighty victor who breaks obstacles and secures triumph and abundance; Varuṇa is the upholder of Ṛta, the binder and releaser through law, oath, and far-seeing sovereignty. Invoked together, they represent force guided by order—power that protects without becoming lawless.
  • Cosmic functionTo stabilize the world and society: Indra clears hostile forces and opens paths of increase, while Varuṇa maintains the moral-cosmic framework (Ṛta) that makes prosperity durable and legitimate.
  • Inner significanceIntegration of will-power and conscience: Indra as decisive energy that conquers inner resistance, Varuṇa as truth, restraint, and right measure that keeps the victory aligned with dharma/ṛta.

The seer

  • VasiṣṭhaVasiṣṭha-gotra (Maṇḍala 7 family book tradition) · Foremost seer of the Vasiṣṭha clan; celebrated for hymns on Ṛta (cosmic order), royal legitimacy, and the harmonizing of power (Indra) with law (Varuṇa).

Famous verses

mahi śarma
Verse 7.82.1Programmatic opening: asks Indra–Varuṇa for ‘mahi śarma’ for sacrifice and community, and for victory over a persistent adversary—setting the hymn’s protective-martial purpose.Read verse 7.82.1 →
महे शुल्काय वरुणस्य नु त्विष ओजो मिमाते ध्रुवमस्य यत्स्वम् । अजामिमन्यः श्नथयन्तमातिरद्दभ्रेभिरन्यः प्र वृणोति भूयसः ॥
Verse 7.82.6Key theological contrast: ‘anyáḥ… anyáḥ’ apportions roles—Varuṇa’s firm radiance and Indra’s decisive subduing—showing complementary governance (order + force).Read verse 7.82.6 →
avadhraṃ jyotiḥ
Verse 7.82.10Culminating synthesis: extends to Mitra and Aryaman, invokes Aditi’s unbroken light and Savitṛ’s awakening power, aligning victory and welfare with Ṛta and inner illumination.Read verse 7.82.10 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Dual sovereignty (kṣatra + ṛta)
  • Protection (mahi śarma) for sacrifice and community
  • Victory over persistent adversaries
  • Measure, restraint, and steadfast might (dhruvam ojaḥ)
  • Increase/choosing the greater good (bhūyasaḥ)
  • Association with Ādityas: social harmony (Mitra), noble order (Aryaman), boundless light (Aditi)

Also by this seer

  • Large portion of Rig Veda Maṇḍala 7 attributed to the Vasiṣṭhas
  • Hymns to Varuṇa and the Ādityas emphasizing Ṛta and moral order
  • Indra hymns connected with protection, victory, and the prosperity of the tribe/king
  • Later Vedic-Itihāsa remembrance as a paradigmatic brahmarṣi and royal purohita figure

The rite, step by step

  • Establish the fire and commence the adhvara with purificatory acts (ācamana, pavitra/śuci intention).
  • Invoke Indra–Varuṇa as joint guardians of the rite, people (jana) and clan/community (viś).
  • Recite the hymn in Triṣṭubh cadence, emphasizing requests for ‘mahi śarma’ and overcoming the long-drawn adversary.
  • Conclude by extending the invocation to Mitra–Aryaman and the Āditya light (Aditi), aligning the rite with Ṛta and auspicious mental awakening (Savitṛ).
  • Offer concluding oblations with a protective sankalpa for peace, order, and victory.

Offerings

  • Soma libations (where applicable)
  • Ghee (ājya) oblations into Agni
  • Grain/cakes (puroḍāśa) in a formal setting
  • Water and simple oblations in domestic recitation contexts

Frequently Asked Questions

They are a paired form of sovereignty: Indra represents conquering power and protection, while Varuṇa represents Ṛta (cosmic and moral order). Together they grant security that is both strong and lawful.

The hymn repeatedly asks for “mahi śarma” (vast shelter/peace) for the sacrifice and the community, and for success against adversaries—so welfare and victory are established under Ṛta.

It widens the prayer from immediate protection to a universal foundation: social harmony (Mitra), noble order (Aryaman), Aditi’s unbroken light, and Savitṛ’s awakening impulse—so prosperity is rooted in truth and right order.

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