Sukta 74
Sukta 10.74
Vasus (collective luminous powers); implicitly the divine helpers in attainment
This hymn praises the collective luminous powers (Vasus) as diverse divine helpers by whom seekers attain plenitude—through austere inner effort, illumined insight, and sacrificial action that unites Heaven and Earth. It then turns toward Indra as the decisive force enabling the crossing to a rich “store” of light and abundance, affirming his many powers and his capacity to accomplish what the aspirant seeks.
Mantras
Mantra 1
वसूनां वा चर्कृष इयक्षन्धिया वा यज्ञैर्वा रोदस्योः । अर्वन्तो वा ये रयिमन्तः सातौ वनुं वा ये सुश्रुणं सुश्रुतो धुः ॥
Some among the Vasus strive by an intense inner labour; others attain by the illumined thought, or by the sacrifice that joins Heaven and Earth. Some are the swift steeds of the being, rich in rayi, winning the plenitude in the conquest; others bear the good-hearing and the right-hearing—powers that carry the true inspiration.
Mantra 2
हव एषामसुरो नक्षत द्यां श्रवस्यता मनसा निंसत क्षाम् । चक्षाणा यत्र सुविताय देवा द्यौर्न वारेभिः कृणवन्त स्वैः ॥
The call of these powers reaches the Heaven; with a mind that seeks the true hearing they touch and shape the Earth. Seeing the path of right going, the gods there establish their own wideness, as Heaven is built by its proper supports.
Mantra 3
इयमेषाममृतानां गीः सर्वताता ये कृपणन्त रत्नम् । धियं च यज्ञं च साधन्तस्ते नो धान्तु वसव्यमसामि ॥
This is the all-reaching song of those immortals who foster the treasure. They accomplish both the illumined thought and the sacrifice; may they place in us the Vasu-nature—may we come to be in that fullness.
Mantra 4
आ तत्त इन्द्रायवः पनन्ताभि य ऊर्वं गोमन्तं तितृत्सान् । सकृत्स्वं ये पुरुपुत्रां महीं सहस्रधारां बृहतीं दुदुक्षन् ॥
Toward that, O Indra, thy seekers press on—those who would cross over to the full store rich in rays of knowledge. Those who once awaken their own wide Earth, many-born, thousand-streaming and vast, make her yield her abundance.
Mantra 5
शचीव इन्द्रमवसे कृणुध्वमनानतं दमयन्तं पृतन्यून् । ऋभुक्षणं मघवानं सुवृक्तिं भर्ता यो वज्रं नर्यं पुरुक्षुः ॥
O you who have the power of right action, make Indra for our help—he who does not bow, who tames the fighters within. The builder of effective works, the bountiful, the lord of a good word, he bears the manly thunder-force, wide in his power of increase.
Mantra 6
यद्वावान पुरुतमं पुराषाळा वृत्रहेन्द्रो नामान्यप्राः । अचेति प्रासहस्पतिस्तुविष्मान्यदीमुश्मसि कर्तवे करत्तत् ॥
When, O strong one, the ancient-smiting Vṛtra-slayer Indra filled out his many names in plenitude, then the lord of preeminent might became manifest in his force: whatever we desire him to do, that he can accomplish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here the Vasus are portrayed as collective luminous helpers—powers that support a seeker through discipline, inspired understanding (dhī), and sacrificial action (yajña) that harmonizes Heaven and Earth.
The Vasus represent supportive modes of progress, but Indra is invoked as the decisive force that breaks obstruction (Vṛtra) and enables the final ‘crossing’ into fullness, victory, and abundance (rayi).
It is a Vedic image for reaching a state of secured plenitude—light/knowledge, strength, and resources—after overcoming limits; outwardly it can mean prosperity and success, inwardly it means clearer, empowered consciousness.