Anuvaka 2
Suktas in Anuvaka 2
Sukta 11
AV 20.11 is a Triṣṭubh Indra-stuti (largely RV-recitational) that magnifies Indra’s many “well-wrought deeds” and channels his battle-force against hostile, obstructing powers (dasyu/vṛjina/vṛtra-type foes). Recited as an abhicārika-leaning victory-charm, it seeks to crush adversaries, secure protection in conflict, and convert martial success into prize, wealth, and radiant prestige for the patron-community.
Sukta 12
AV 20.12 is an Indra-invocation hymn that draws the god near as the ‘near-hearer’ and presses him to listen, arrive swiftly, and bestow strength, prizes, and protection. It blends prosperity-seeking (vāja, wealth-symbols like waters and cows) with the rakṣā logic of ṛta-alignment and Vṛtra-slaying power, culminating in a Soma-liturgical summons to Indra’s midday exhilaration.
Sukta 14
This short Indra-hymn (RV-derived) invokes the unrivalled, stout Maghavan as the community’s helper in contests for vāja—victory, strength, and the prize of prosperity. By recalling Indra’s “former” gifts and praising his exhilarated generosity, the sukta aims to convert laudation and offering into immediate protection and abundant cattle-and-horse wealth.
Sukta 15
AVŚ 20.15 is a Rigvedic-style Indra-stuti preserved in the Atharvavedic recitational corpus, designed to secure Indra’s attentive acceptance of praise and thereby release his “unobstructed” bounty. The hymn frames prosperity as a stable, successful outcome of sanctioned speech (vāc) offered through an ordered rite (sam-adhvara), invoking Indra’s terrible majesty, fame-giving power (indriya), and wealth that flows like waters down a slope.
Sukta 16
AV 20.16 is a Triṣṭubh hymn to Bṛhaspati that reactivates the Vala-myth paradigm: the priestly Lord of Prayer breaks the rock-like obstruction and releases the “cows” (wealth, light, and resources) hidden in confinement. It is recited for the return and consolidation of prosperity—cattle, horses, strength, and social cohesion—by aligning the sacrificer with the Angirasas’ victorious breakthrough. The hymn’s power lies in treating loss and blockage as a mythic enclosure that Bṛhaspati can cleave open, restoring abundance and vital sustenance (vayas).
Sukta 17
AV 20.17 is a Rigveda-derived Triṣṭubh hymn that yokes Indra’s unsurpassable victory-power with Bṛhaspati’s priestly guardianship to create a protected, prosperous “safe space” for the patron and his allies. It seeks dominance in contest (royal support, victory with one’s vṛjana), abundance in cattle and grain, and an all-direction shield against hostile forces and evil-doers.
Sukta 18
This six-verse Indra-stotra (RV-derived) binds the reciters to Indra through the authoritative Kaṇva identity, presenting them as his loyal “friends” who praise and impel him to act. It seeks both prosperity and battlefield advantage by portraying Indra as wealth-giver, protector, and vanguard—an “armor” that makes the speaker able to answer the foe with confidence.
Sukta 19
AV 20.19 is an Indra-stotra deployed as a protective and battle-winning charm: it turns Indra’s mind and gaze toward the patron and calls up his many names as active powers. The hymn’s force is apotropaic—repelling abhimāti (hostile aggression, enmity, harmful influence)—and saṃgrāmika—securing victory by invoking Indra as the Vr̥tra-slayer who overpowers obstruction in contests and conflict.
Sukta 20
AV 20.20 is an Indra-stotra drawn from Rigvedic material, deployed in Atharvanic use as a protective and prosperity-bringing recitation. It summons Indra from near and far, asks him to keep vigilant guard over the sacrificer and the Soma-rite, and culminates in an all-directions (sarvāśāḥ) shield of fearlessness and victory over foes.
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