Atharva Veda Sukta 72
Kanda 7Anuvaka 8Sukta 723 Mantras

Sukta 72

Rishi: Indra-hymn tradition (specific r̥ṣi not determinable from excerpt alone)

Devata: Indra

Chandas: Anuṣṭubh (probable)

Sanskrit recitationAtharva Veda 7.72

Mantras

Mantra 1

इन्द्रः। उत् ति॑ष्ठ॒ताव॑ पश्य॒तेन्द्र॑स्य भा॒गमृ॒त्विय॑म्। यदि॑ श्रा॒तं॑ जु॒होत॑न॒ यद्यश्रा॑तं म॒मत्त॑न

Arise; look forth and behold Indra’s portion, the portion that is of the rite. If ye offer what is well-cooked, (then) offer; if what is ill-cooked, then make him glad (therewith).

Mantra 2

श्रा॒तं ह॒विरो ष्वि॑न्द्र॒ प्र या॑हि ज॒गाम॒ सूरो॒ अध्व॑नो॒ वि मध्य॑म्। परि॑ त्वासते नि॒धिभिः॒ सखा॑यः कुल॒पा न व्रा॑जप॒तिं चर॑न्तम्

The well-cooked oblation—O Indra—come forth unto it: the Sun hath reached the midmost of his course. Round thee sit thy comrades with treasures, as clan-guards about the lord of the cattle-fold moving to and fro.

Mantra 3

श्रा॒तं म॑न्य॒ ऊध॑नि श्रा॒तम॒ग्नौ सुशृ॑तं मन्ये॒ तदृ॒तं नवी॑यः । माध्य॑न्दिनस्य॒ सव॑नस्य द॒ध्नः पिबे॑न्द्र वज्रिन् पुरु॒कृज्जु॑षा॒णः

Well-cooked, I deem it, in the udder; well-cooked in the fire, well-prepared—I deem that the right, the newer order. Drink, O Indra, bolt-bearer, of the curds of the midday pressing, taking pleasure, thou of many deeds.

Frequently Asked Questions

To make sure Indra receives his proper sacrificial portion at the right time (midday) and remains satisfied, so the rite yields prosperity and protection—especially for wealth and cattle.

It addresses a practical ritual problem: if the cooking is perfect, offer it; if not, the mantra provides a way to proceed so Indra is still gladdened and the ritual result is not lost.

Curds are invoked as a strengthening midday offering for Indra Vajrin; his ‘drinking’ symbolizes acceptance and enjoyment, which translates into vigor, success, and prosperity for the patron.

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