Sukta 74
Rishi: Rgvedic attribution (likely Vasiṣṭha-family Indra hymn material); AV 20 preserves Rgveda-derived suktas—exact r̥ṣi to be confirmed against AV 20 anukramaṇī.
Devata: Indra
Chandas: Mixed; refrain suggests a repeated pāda-structure typical of Rgvedic strophic composition (to be verified per anukramaṇī).
Mantras
Mantra 1
यच्चिद्धि सत्य सोमपा अनाशस्ता इव स्मसि । आ तू न इन्द्र शंसय गोष्वश्वेषु शुभ्रिषु सहस्रेषु तुवीमघ
Even though, O True Soma-drinker, we be as men unpraised, yet hither—O Indra—make us of good report, amid cows and horses, amid splendid possessions, amid thousands, O thou of abundant gifts.
Mantra 2
शिप्रिन् वाजानां पते शचीवस्तव दंसना । आ तू न इन्द्र शंसय गोष्वश्वेषु शुभ्रिषु सहस्रेषु तुवीमघ
O strong one, Lord of prizes, O mighty in power—thine are the wondrous deeds. Hither then, O Indra, make us of good report amid cows and horses, amid splendid possessions, amid thousands, O bounteous one.
Mantra 3
नि ष्वापया मिथूदृशा सस्तामबुध्यमाने । आ तू न इन्द्र शंसय गोष्वश्वेषु शुभ्रिषु सहस्रेषु तुवीमघ
Lull thou to sleep the men of hostile glance; let them lie still, unawakening. Hither then, O Indra, make us of good report amid cows and horses, amid splendid possessions, amid thousands, O bounteous one.
Mantra 4
ससन्तु त्या अरातयो बोधन्तु शूर रातयः । आ तू न इन्द्र शंसय गोष्वश्वेषु शुभ्रिषु सहस्रेषु तुवीमघ
Let those ungenerous foes be brought to naught; let the gifts, O hero, awake. Hither then, O Indra, make us of good report amid cows and horses, amid splendid possessions, amid thousands, O bounteous one.
Mantra 5
समिन्द्र गर्दभं मृण नुवन्तं पापयामुया। आ तू न इन्द्र शंसय गोष्वश्वेषु शुभ्रिषु सहस्रेषु तुवीमघ
Smite utterly, O Indra, that ass—braying forth—by that evil (of his). Hither then, O Indra, make us of good report amid cows and horses, amid splendid possessions, amid thousands, O bounteous one.
Mantra 6
पताति कुण्डृणाच्या दूरं वातो वनादधि । आ तू न इन्द्र शंसय गोष्वश्वेषु शुभ्रिषु सहस्रेषु तुवीमघ
Far off it flies from Kundṛṇācī: the Wind drives it away from out the forest. Do thou, O Indra, make us famed for wealth—among kine, among horses, among the splendid thousands, O bounteous one.
Mantra 7
सर्वं परिक्रोशं जहि जम्भया कृकदाश्वऽम्। आ तू न इन्द्र शंसय गोष्वश्वेषु शुभ्रिषु सहस्रेषु तुवीमघ
Slay thou the whole besetting outcry; crush down Kṛkadāśva. Do thou, O Indra, make us famed for wealth—among kine, among horses, among the splendid thousands, O bounteous one.
Frequently Asked Questions
It asks Indra to make the patron “well-spoken-of” (social repute) and prosperous—especially in cows, horses, and abundant possessions—repeatedly sealed by the refrain.
Because prosperity in Vedic society is tied to rivalry and public speech: the hymn seeks to neutralize hostile ungenerosity/foes (arāti) and to silence intimidating or damaging clamor (parikrośa) so wealth and gifts can flow.
Not explicitly. It functions primarily through recitation and intention; optional supportive items (water, lamp, symbolic cattle/horse tokens) may be used, but they are not mandated by the text.