Sukta 8
Rishi: RV-derived (as preserved in AV 20).
Devata: Indra.
Chandas: Triṣṭubh/Jagatī-type cadence in RV parallels; AV transmission here is strophic and RV-like (meter to be confirmed against pada-count in critical edition).
Mantras
Mantra 1
एवा पाहि प्रत्नथा मन्दतु त्वा श्रुधि ब्रह्म वावृधस्वोत गीर्भिः । आविः सूर्यं कृणुहि पीपिहीषो जहि शत्रूंरभि गा इन्द्र तृन्धि
Thus drink, as in the ancient manner; let it exhilarate thee. Hear the sacred prayer; wax strong moreover with our songs. Make the Sun manifest; O thou eager to drink, smite the foes—drive them away from the kine, O Indra.
Mantra 2
अर्वाङेहि सोमकामं त्वाहुरयं सुतस्तस्य पिबा मदाय । उरुव्यचा जठर आ वृषस्व पितेव नः शृणुहि हूयमानः
Come hither: thee they call Soma-loving. Here is the pressed draught—drink thereof for exhilaration. Wide-spreading one, wax strong as it enters thy belly; like a father, hear us, thou who art invoked.
Mantra 3
आपूर्णो अस्य कलशः स्वाहा सेक्तेव कोशं सिसिचे पिबध्यै । समु प्रिया आववृत्रन् मदाय प्रदक्षिणिदभि सोमास इन्द्रम्
Full is his pitcher—svāhā!—as one that pours hath filled the vessel, for him to drink. The dear Soma-draughts, for exhilaration, have encompassed Indra, moving rightward in auspicious course.
Frequently Asked Questions
For prosperity and protection: it invites Indra to drink Soma, become strong, and then drive away hostile forces—especially those threatening cattle and wealth.
It is a request for visible auspiciousness—clarity, success, and the return of favorable conditions—symbolized by the Sun’s appearance.
In classical ritual it is a Soma-offering hymn; in later practice, communities often use an accepted substitute drink and focus on the intention of offering and strengthening Indra through praise.