Rig Veda Sukta 14
Mandala 8Sukta 1415 Mantras

Sukta 14

Sukta 8.14

Devata

Indra

Chandas

Likely Anuṣṭubh-like shorter meter in this opening (exact scansion required)

Dieser Hymnus preist Indra als den Herrscher über Reichtum und Sieg, der Hindernisse zerschlägt, das verborgene Licht (die „Kühe“) freisetzt und dem Opfernden den rechten Gang wiederherstellt. Er verbindet ein persönliches Verlangen — „wenn ich doch wie du über Reichtümer gebieten könnte“ — mit mythischer Erinnerung an Indras Taten für die Aṅgirases sowie an seinen Sturz des Vala und feindlicher, opferloser Mächte. Ziel ist es, Indras Soma-Kraft anzurufen, damit sie Wohlstand, Inspiration und Triumph über inneren wie äußeren Widerstand gewährt.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 8.14

Mantras

Mantra 1

यदिन्द्राहं यथा त्वमीशीय वस्व एक इत् । स्तोता मे गोषखा स्यात् ॥

Wenn ich, o Indra, über die Reichtümer herrschen könnte wie du, der eine Herr — dann würde mein Sänger ein Gefährte der Strahlen-Kühe (gó) in mir werden.

Mantra 2

शिक्षेयमस्मै दित्सेयं शचीपते मनीषिणे । यदहं गोपतिः स्याम् ॥

Möge ich für ihn lernen und ihm geben, o Herr der Śacī, dem Weisen — damit ich ein Herr der Strahlen (Kühe) werde, ein Meister erleuchteten Besitzes.

Mantra 3

धेनुष्ट इन्द्र सूनृता यजमानाय सुन्वते । गामश्वं पिप्युषी दुहे ॥

Deine Kuh der wahrhaftigen Rede, o Indra, gibt Milch dem Opferherrn, der Soma presst; sie melkt die Strahlen-Kuh und das Ross der Lebenskraft aus und nährt den Suchenden mit Wachstum.

Mantra 4

न ते वर्तास्ति राधस इन्द्र देवो न मर्त्यः । यद्दित्ससि स्तुतो मघम् ॥

Kein Maß gibt es für deine Gabe, o Indra: weder Gott noch Sterblicher. Welche Fülle du zu schenken wählst, die gewährst du umso reichlicher, wenn dich der Hymnus anruft und bekräftigt.

Mantra 5

यज्ञ इन्द्रमवर्धयद्यद्भूमिं व्यवर्तयत् । चक्राण ओपशं दिवि ॥

Das Opfer ließ Indra wachsen, als er den Grund der Erde weitete und in rechte Ordnung setzte, indem er im Himmel die feste Stütze schuf — den sicheren Halt.

Mantra 6

वावृधानस्य ते वयं विश्वा धनानि जिग्युषः । ऊतिमिन्द्रा वृणीमहे ॥

Wir, die wir alle Schätze des Seins erringen wollen, erwählen deinen Schutz, o Indra, du stets Wachsender; denn mit deinem Wachsen werden unsere Kräfte des Besitzes vollendet.

Mantra 7

व्यन्तरिक्षमतिरन्मदे सोमस्य रोचना । इन्द्रो यदभिनद्वलम् ॥

Im Rausch des Soma überschritt Indra den Mittelraum und seine leuchtenden Weiten, als er die Höhle des Vala aufbrach — als die lichtvolle Kraft des Denkens den Verschluss des verborgenen Lichts zerschmetterte.

Mantra 8

उद्गा आजदङ्गिरोभ्य आविष्कृण्वन्गुहा सतीः । अर्वाञ्चं नुनुदे वलम् ॥

Er trieb die Strahlen – die Kühe – für die Aṅgirasas empor, indem er offenbar machte, was in der Höhle verborgen lag; und er stieß Vala, den umschließenden Widerstand, zurück, damit das Licht zu uns wiederkehre.

Mantra 9

इन्द्रेण रोचना दिवो दृळ्हानि दृंहितानि च । स्थिराणि न पराणुदे ॥

Durch Indra werden die leuchtenden Räume des Himmels gefestigt, stark gegründet; sie stehen unbeweglich und werden nicht fortgedrängt — so stürze in uns das gegründete Licht des höheren Denkens nicht ein.

Mantra 10

अपामूर्मिर्मदन्निव स्तोम इन्द्राजिरायते । वि ते मदा अराजिषुः ॥

Wie eine aufwallende Wasserwoge, die jubelt, so eilt der Hymnus schnell zu dir, o Indra; und deine Rauschekstasien leuchten auf und breiten sich aus — Kräfte der Wonne, im Sein erstrahlend.

Mantra 11

त्वं हि स्तोमवर्धन इन्द्रास्युक्थवर्धनः । स्तोतॄणामुत भद्रकृत् ॥

Denn du, o Indra, bist der Mehrer des Lobgesangs, der Mehrer des inspirierten Wortes (uktha); und den Sängern wirst du zum Wirker des Guten, der Heil und Gedeihen schafft.

Mantra 12

इन्द्रमित्केशिना हरी सोमपेयाय वक्षतः । उप यज्ञं सुराधसम् ॥

Die beiden fahlen, langmähnigen Haris tragen Indra, den Somatrinker, zum Opfer, reich an wahrer Fülle.

Mantra 13

अपां फेनेन नमुचेः शिर इन्द्रोदवर्तयः । विश्वा यदजयः स्पृधः ॥

Mit dem Schaum der Wasser, o Indra, wälztest du Namucis Haupt hinweg; und du besiegtest alle feindlichen Anfeindungen.

Mantra 14

मायाभिरुत्सिसृप्सत इन्द्र द्यामारुरुक्षतः । अव दस्यूँरधूनुथाः ॥

Durch deine Māyās, die Kräfte leuchtender Kunst, o Indra, als du aufwärts drängtest und zum Himmel emporstiegst, warfst du die Dasyus nieder und schütteltest sie ab — die dunklen Hemmer des Seelenfortschritts.

Mantra 15

असुन्वामिन्द्र संसदं विषूचीं व्यनाशयः । सोमपा उत्तरो भवन् ॥

O Indra, du zerschlugst und zerstreutest die verkehrte Versammlung der Unopfernden, die auf krummen Wegen gehen; Soma trinkend wurdest du zur höheren, überwindenden Macht.

Inside Sukta 14

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    A personal, intimate appeal: the speaker longs to command wealth as Indra does, so the praise-singer becomes a "companion of the cows/rays"—i.e., joined to abundance and illumination.

  2. Development

    The hymn broadens from personal aspiration to Indra’s archetypal feats—helping the Aṅgirases, making hidden light manifest, and driving back Vala—linking mythic victory to present aid.

  3. Climax

    The decisive Vala episode: the concealed cows/rays are driven upward and revealed, symbolizing the breakthrough of light and freedom from enclosure.

  4. Where it settles

    Indra’s soma-powered superiority is affirmed as he disperses crooked, unsacrificing opposition; the hymn settles into confidence that Indra grants higher overcoming strength and auspicious gain.

The deity: Indra

  • In the VedaIndra is lauded as the mighty soma-drinker, wielder of the thunderbolt (vajra), breaker of forts and restraints, and the heroic ally of the seers who wins cattle, light, and wide space. He is repeatedly invoked as the one who makes the hidden manifest, drives out hostile powers, and establishes the singer in abundance and strength.
  • Cosmic functionHe upholds ṛta by shattering obstructive forces, releasing the imprisoned radiance (light/cows), and opening the paths for life, waters, and expansive space; he is the dynamic power of victorious emergence.
  • Inner significanceIndra signifies the awakened force of will and illumined energy that breaks inner inertia, fear, and falsehood (Vala-like enclosure), releasing inspiration and clarity from the "cave" of the subconscious and enabling right action empowered by soma (ecstatic insight).

Famous verses

यदिन्द्राहं यथा त्वमीशीय वस्व एक इत् । स्तोता मे गोषखा स्यात् ॥
Verse 8.14.1Sets the hymn’s personal tone: the devotee’s wish to share in Indra’s sovereign command of wealth and to become allied with the "cows" (rays of light/prosperity) through inspired praise.Read verse 8.14.1 →
उद्गा आजदङ्गिरोभ्य आविष्कृण्वन्गुहा सतीः । अर्वाञ्चं नुनुदे वलम् ॥
Verse 8.14.8Central mythic statement of Indra’s role as revealer: he brings forth the hidden cows for the Aṅgirases and drives back Vala—an emblem of illumination and liberation from obstruction.Read verse 8.14.8 →
somapā uttaro bhavan
Verse 8.14.15Concluding victory note: Indra shatters the perverse, unsacrificing assembly and, as soma-drinker, stands "higher"—a compact formula for overcoming hostile forces through divine strength.Read verse 8.14.15 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Soma-drinker (somapā)
  • Vajra-bearer, obstacle-breaker
  • Giver of wealth and cattle (rays of light)
  • Ally of Aṅgirases and seer-powers
  • Revealer of what is hidden
  • Protector of the sacrificer and singer
  • Conqueror of hostile/unsacrificing assemblies

Also by this seer

  • Related Indra praise themes are common across Mandala 8, but specific additional hymns cannot be responsibly assigned here.

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the altar/fire (Agni) and establish purity of space and intention.
  • Invite Indra with recitation of the hymn, emphasizing his lordship over riches and his deeds of releasing the cows/light.
  • Offer soma (where ritually applicable) or soma-substitutes while voicing petitions for wealth, inspiration, and victory over obstruction.
  • Recount/meditate on the Vala-breaking and cow-releasing myth as a model for removing present resistances.
  • Conclude with thanksgiving and a closing oblation, asking for continued protection and right guidance.

Offerings

  • Soma libation (in soma context)
  • Ghee (ājya)
  • Milk/curds and grains (as supportive offerings)
  • Oblations accompanied by Indra-invocations and praise

Frequently Asked Questions

It is a hymn of praise to Indra asking for wealth, strength, and victory, while recalling his great deed of releasing the hidden “cows” (light and riches) and defeating obstructing forces like Vala.

The “cows” often symbolize rays of light, inspiration, and abundance that are hidden or withheld; Vala is the enclosing obstruction that keeps them trapped until Indra breaks it open.

It can be recited as an Indra-invocation for courage and obstacle-removal—especially when seeking success and clarity—ideally with a simple offering (like ghee in a fire) and a focused intention to break inner resistance and regain light.

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