Sukta 144
Sukta 10.144
Soma (Indu) offered to an 'immortal' recipient (likely Indra or a general deva addressed as amartya); verse foregrounds Soma’s force
This short hymn celebrates the pressed Soma (Indu) as a living, rushing power offered to an “immortal” recipient—explicitly culminating in Indra—who is strengthened and made victorious by it. Soma is portrayed as swift like a steed, life-sustaining and discerning (dakṣa), and as a treasure once brought from the far beyond by the Suparṇa/Śyena motif. The hymn’s purpose is to consecrate Soma as the force that enlarges vitality, will (kratu), and divine triumph.
Mantras
Mantra 1
अयं हि ते अमर्त्य इन्दुरत्यो न पत्यते । दक्षो विश्वायुर्वेधसे ॥
This indeed is for you, O immortal: the Soma-drop, like a swift steed, rushes forward. It is a discerning power, sustaining all life, for the Seer-Worker.
Mantra 2
अयमस्मासु काव्य ऋभुर्वज्रो दास्वते । अयं बिभर्त्यूर्ध्वकृशनं मदमृभुर्न कृत्व्यं मदम् ॥
This inspired R̥bhu-force is within us as a thunderbolt for the giver; it bears aloft an upward-straining ecstasy—an R̥bhu delight, not a fabricated or forced delight.
Mantra 3
घृषुः श्येनाय कृत्वन आसु स्वासु वंसगः । अव दीधेदहीशुवः ॥
The ardent one, becoming a falcon for the act, in his own swift currents, drives downward the serpent-shooters—he makes them fall away.
Mantra 4
यं सुपर्णः परावतः श्येनस्य पुत्र आभरत् । शतचक्रं योऽह्यो वर्तनिः ॥
That which the fair-winged one brought from the far beyond—the son of the falcon—(that) hundred-wheeled power, the path that outpaces the serpent-force.
Mantra 5
यं ते श्येनश्चारुमवृकं पदाभरदरुणं मानमन्धसः । एना वयो वि तार्यायुर्जीवस एना जागार बन्धुता ॥
That which the falcon brought to thee with his step—beautiful, not wolfish, the ruddy measure of the pressed delight—by this the powers of life are carried beyond, by this the life-span is widened for living; by this kinship wakes.
Mantra 6
एवा तदिन्द्र इन्दुना देवेषु चिद्धारयाते महि त्यजः । क्रत्वा वयो वि तार्यायुः सुक्रतो क्रत्वायमस्मदा सुतः ॥
Even so Indra, by the Soma-drop, upholds that great victorious force even among the gods; by will he carries the life-powers beyond and widens life—O perfect in will—by will this pressed Soma comes to us.
Frequently Asked Questions
The hymn centers on Soma (Indu) as the divine offering-power, and it culminates by naming Indra as the one who is strengthened and made victorious by Soma.
It refers to a Vedic mythic motif where a bird-like power (Suparṇa/Śyena) fetches Soma from a distant realm, highlighting Soma’s heavenly origin and extraordinary potency.
Soma is not just a drink—it is a sacred force that brings clarity and vitality, strengthens Indra’s power, and helps expand the worshipper’s life-energy through focused will (kratu).