Sukta 167
Sukta 10.167
Traditionally associated with the late Rigvedic Indra-hymn corpus of Mandala 10; specific rishi attribution varies by recension and is not securely inferable from the provided text alone.
Indra (with Soma-pressing context; svah-conquest motif)
Likely Triṣṭubh (based on verse shape and cadence typical for Indra praises in X); exact syllable count should be confirmed by pada-level metrical scan.
This brief Indra-hymn is framed as a Soma-pressing address: the sweet Soma is poured for Indra, who is hailed as lord of the pressed vessel and the giver of rayi (abundance with heroic strength). It links Indra’s victory—winning svah (the luminous heaven)—with ritual order upheld by Soma, Varuṇa, and Bṛhaspati, and ends by foregrounding the poet’s active role in preparing the offering and shaping the stoma (hymn).
Mantras
Mantra 1
तुभ्येदमिन्द्र परि षिच्यते मधु त्वं सुतस्य कलशस्य राजसि । त्वं रयिं पुरुवीरामु नस्कृधि त्वं तपः परितप्याजयः स्वः ॥
For you, O Indra, this honeyed delight is being poured all around; you are the lord of the pressed Soma-vessel. Make for us the rayi—fullness of being rich in many heroic powers; you, by the ardour that ripens all, did win the luminous heaven (svah).
Mantra 2
स्वर्जितं महि मन्दानमन्धसो हवामहे परि शक्रं सुताँ उप । इमं नो यज्ञमिह बोध्या गहि स्पृधो जयन्तं मघवानमीमहे ॥
We call the Mighty, the heaven-winning, the exultant in the Soma-essence; we invoke the Strong One to the pressed draughts. Awaken to this our sacrifice here and come; we seek the bounteous Indra, victor over all opposing forces.
Mantra 3
सोमस्य राज्ञो वरुणस्य धर्मणि बृहस्पतेरनुमत्या उ शर्मणि । तवाहमद्य मघवन्नुपस्तुतौ धातर्विधातः कलशाँ अभक्षयम् ॥
In the law (dharma) of King Soma, in Varuṇa’s ordered truth, and in the benign consent of Bṛhaspati, in that sheltering peace—today, O bounteous one, in your near-praise, O Dhātṛ, O Vidhātṛ, I have partaken of the Soma-vessels.
Mantra 4
प्रसूतो भक्षमकरं चरावपि स्तोमं चेमं प्रथमः सूरिरुन्मृजे । सुते सातेन यद्यागमं वां प्रति विश्वामित्रजमदग्नी दमे ॥
Set in motion, I have prepared the portion in the bowl, and I fashion forth this hymn—first as the illumined giver. When, by the winning in the pressed Soma, I came to you two, in the house—O Viśvāmitra and Jamadagni (powers of inspired seeing and fiery mastery).
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a short hymn inviting Indra to the pressed Soma, praising him as the generous giver of strength and wealth, and recalling his victory in winning the luminous realm (svah).
They frame the offering as ritually and cosmically valid: Soma represents the rite’s power, Varuṇa the ordered truth/law, and Bṛhaspati the priestly sanction that makes the praise effective.
Not necessarily. In this verse they can function as invoked authorities or seer-powers supporting the poet’s act; firm authorship needs external Anukramaṇī attribution.