Rig Veda Sukta 88
Mandala 8Sukta 886 Mantras

Sukta 88

Sukta 8.88

Devata

Indra

Dieser kurze Indra-Hymnus preist den wunderwirkenden, am Soma sich ergötzenden Krieger, der durch Willen, Kraft und wirksame Taten alle geborenen Wesen überragt. Die Dichter (die Gautamas) drängen mit ihrer Rede zu ihm wie Kühe zu ihrem Kalb und bitten ihn, zu ihrem Gesang zu erwachen und grenzenlose Freigebigkeit, Schutz und Sieg beim Gewinn der Macht zu verleihen.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 8.88

Mantras

Mantra 1

तं वो दस्ममृतीषहं वसोर्मन्दानमन्धसः । अभि वत्सं न स्वसरेषु धेनव इन्द्रं गीर्भिर्नवामहे ॥

Ihn besingen wir euch: Indra, den wunderwirkenden, den Bezwinger feindlicher Anstürme, der sich am Wesen des Soma erfreut. Wie Kühe zu ihrem Kalb an den strömenden Stellen, so drängen wir mit unseren Worten zu Indra hin.

Mantra 2

द्युक्षं सुदानुं तविषीभिरावृतं गिरिं न पुरुभोजसम् । क्षुमन्तं वाजं शतिनं सहस्रिणं मक्षू गोमन्तमीमहे ॥

Ihn suchen wir: den Leuchtenden, reich an guten Gaben, von Kräften umhüllt wie ein Berg, der vieler Genüsse voll ist; die kraftvolle Fülle, hundertfach und tausendfach, die schnell die lichten Reichtümer — Strahlen/Kühe — herbeibringt.

Mantra 3

न त्वा बृहन्तो अद्रयो वरन्त इन्द्र वीळवः । यद्दित्ससि स्तुवते मावते वसु नकिष्टदा मिनाति ते ॥

O Indra, stark in unwiderstehlicher Macht: Weder ragende Bollwerke noch harte, steinerne Kräfte halten dich zurück. Welchen inneren Reichtum du dem lobpreisenden Sucher, der dem Wachstum offen ist, zu geben begehrst — niemand schmälert dir diese Gabe.

Mantra 4

योद्धासि क्रत्वा शवसोत दंसना विश्वा जाताभि मज्मना । आ त्वायमर्क ऊतये ववर्तति यं गोतमा अजीजनन् ॥

Du bist der Kämpfer: durch Willenskraft (krátu) und durch Stärke (śávas); und durch die Macht deiner wirksamen Taten (daṃsánā) überragst du alles Geborene. Zu dir wendet sich dieser Gesang um Schutz – das inspirierte Wort, das die Gautamas hervorgebracht haben.

Mantra 5

प्र हि रिरिक्ष ओजसा दिवो अन्तेभ्यस्परि । न त्वा विव्याच रज इन्द्र पार्थिवमनु स्वधां ववक्षिथ ॥

Denn durch deine Macht (ójas) bist du hervorgesprungen, über die fernsten Grenzen des Himmels hinaus. Kein irdischer Raum (rájas) vermag dich zu umfassen, o Indra; du trägst und hältst dein eigenes Seinsgesetz (svadhā) gemäß deiner innewohnenden Kraft.

Mantra 6

नकिः परिष्टिर्मघवन्मघस्य ते यद्दाशुषे दशस्यसि । अस्माकं बोध्युचथस्य चोदिता मंहिष्ठो वाजसातये ॥

Niemand setzt deiner Gabe eine Grenze, o Maghavan, wenn du den Opfernden (dāśúṣ) ehrst. Erwache zu unserem Hymnus; sei der Antreiber unseres Wortes – du Freigebigster – zum Gewinn der Fülle an Kraft und Beute (vāja).

Inside Sukta 88

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    Indra is invoked as the marvel-working Soma-delighter, and the poets move toward him with words like cows toward a calf (8.88.1).

  2. Development

    His identity as the willful, forceful warrior is unfolded; the Gautamas’ inspired chant turns to him specifically for protection (8.88.4).

  3. Climax

    Indra’s supremacy is asserted—he surpasses all that is born by his effective power—and the hymn becomes an urgent appeal for his safeguarding presence.

  4. Where it settles

    The sukta ends by stressing the boundlessness of Indra’s giving and asking him to awaken to the hymn and propel the poets toward victorious gain (8.88.6).

The deity: Indra

  • In the VedaIndra is hailed as dasma (marvel-working), ṛtīṣaha (overcomer of hostile forces/movements), a warrior by resolve (kratu) and strength (śavas), and as Maghavan, the bountiful giver who honors the sacrificer. He is repeatedly approached through hymns and Soma, and is asked to be attentive and to impel the poets’ utterance.
  • Cosmic functionChampion of ṛta against obstruction: he breaks resistance, releases and restores vital powers, and secures victory and increase for the community that offers Soma and praise.
  • Inner significanceThe awakened force of decisive will and courageous energy that breaks inner inertia and fear; the power that turns inspired speech into effective action and attainment.

The seer

  • Gautama(s) (Gautama lineage poets)Gautama gotra (Gautamas) · A prominent Rigvedic seer-family celebrated for inspired speech (arka/uktha) and for hymns that invoke Indra’s protection and victorious might; their name is explicitly mentioned within the sukta (8.88.4).

Famous verses

abhi vatsaṃ na svasareṣu dhenavaḥ
Verse 8.88.1Sets the devotional tone: Indra as wonder-worker rejoicing in Soma, and the famous pastoral simile of the singers pressing toward him like cows to their calf—an emblem of intimate, natural attraction to the deity.Read verse 8.88.1 →
yoddhāsi kratvā śavasā
Verse 8.88.4Names the seer-family (Gautamas) and portrays Indra as the archetypal warrior by will and strength; it frames the hymn as a protective appeal (ūtaye) grounded in inspired speech (arka).Read verse 8.88.4 →
nakiḥ pariṣṭir maghavan maghasya te
Verse 8.88.6Concluding petition: declares no limit to Indra’s generosity toward the worshipper, and asks him to awaken to the hymn and impel the utterance for vājāsāti (winning of power/victory).Read verse 8.88.6 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Wonder-working (dasma)
  • Warrior might (yoddhā)
  • Will/resolve (kratu)
  • Strength/force (śavas)
  • Bountiful generosity (Maghavan, magha)
  • Soma-rejoicing
  • Protector and victory-giver (vājāsāti)

Also by this seer

  • Rig Veda Mandala 1: several hymns attributed to Gautama/Rahugana Gautama (Gautama family corpus)
  • Rig Veda Mandala 4: hymns of the Gautama/Vāmadeva-related family milieu (broader Rishi-family networks)
  • Later Vedic memory of “Gautama” as an archetypal seer and teacher in śrauta–smārta traditions (family name continuing beyond the Rigveda)

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the rite-space and establish the sacred fire(s) as appropriate to the ceremony.
  • Press/prepare Soma (or symbolically offer Soma-essence) and invite Indra with opening praise that ‘presses toward’ him through speech.
  • Recite the hymn as an uktha/arka, emphasizing Indra’s warrior nature and surpassing power.
  • Make the principal offering while requesting protection (ūtī), generosity, and awakening to the chant.
  • Conclude with a direct petition for unbounded giving and success in vājāsāti (winning of strength/booty/victory).

Offerings

  • Soma (primary)
  • Ghee/clarified butter (common ancillary offering)
  • Oblations accompanying uktha/arka recitation

Frequently Asked Questions

It asks Indra to come to the hymn, protect the worshippers, and give generous help—especially strength, success, and victory.

It shows how naturally and urgently the singers move toward Indra with their words, seeking closeness and support just as cows seek their calf.

They are a Rigvedic seer-family (a lineage of poets). The hymn says their inspired chant is directed to Indra for protection.

Ask anything about Sukta 88 of the Rig Veda

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