Sukta 38
Rishi: Atharvanic tradition (Anukramaṇī attribution varies; commonly treated as an Atharvanic ‘varcasyam’ charm)
Devata: Tvís/Várchas as Devī (personified splendour); with Indra as generated sovereign exemplar
Chandas: Anuṣṭubh (with Atharvanic cadence; refrain-like pāda structure)
Mantras
Mantra 1
वर्चस्यम्। सिंहे व्याघ्र उत या पृदाकौ त्विषिरग्नौ ब्राह्मणे सूर्ये या। इन्द्रं या देवी सुभगा जजान सा न ऐतु वर्चसा संविदाना
For splendour. The flashing Lustre that is in the lion, in the tiger, yea in the panther; the Lustre that is in Agni, in the Brāhman, and that which is in the Sun;—the auspicious Goddess who brought forth Indra,—let her come unto us, in concord, with her splendour.
Mantra 2
या हस्तिनि द्वीपिनि या हिरण्ये त्विषिरप्सु गोषु या पुरुषेषु । इन्द्रं या देवी सुभगा जजान सा न ऐतु वर्चसा संविदाना
The Lustre that is in the elephant, in the leopard, and that which is in gold; the Lustre that is in the waters, among the cows, and that which is among men;—the auspicious Goddess who brought forth Indra,—let her come unto us, in concord, with her splendour.
Mantra 3
रथे अक्षेष्वृषभस्य वाजे वाते पर्जन्ये वरुणस्य शुष्मे । इन्द्रं या देवी सुभगा जजान सा न ऐतु वर्चसा संविदाना
The Lustre that is in the chariot, in the axles, in the bull’s victorious prize; that which is in the Wind, in Parjanya, in Varuṇa’s impetuous might;—the auspicious Goddess who brought forth Indra,—let her come unto us, in concord, with her splendour.
Mantra 4
राजन्येऽदुन्दुभावायतायामश्वस्य वाजे पुरुषस्य मायौ। इन्द्रं या देवी सुभगा जजान सा न ऐतु वर्चसा संविदाना
The Lustre that is in the Rājanya, in the controlled advance where no drum is beaten; that which is in the horse’s victorious prize, in the man’s stratagemic skill;—the auspicious Goddess who brought forth Indra,—let her come unto us, in concord, with her splendour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Varcas is radiant splendour—charisma, authoritative presence, and the kind of brilliance that makes one respected and successful in public life.
It presents splendour as the very source of sovereignty: Indra’s kingship is modeled as arising from Várchas, so invoking her is invoking the root of victorious authority.
No. While it has strong royal and martial coloring (chariot, horse, victory), it can also be used by anyone seeking esteem, confident speech, and recognized capability—especially before assemblies or important undertakings.