Sukta 22
Sukta 2.22
Gṛtsamada (Bhārgava)
Indra (with Vishnu and Soma in close association)
Jagatī (likely; hymn 2.22 is predominantly Jagatī with a refrain-like cadence)
This short hymn to Indra celebrates the god’s surge of power after drinking Soma pressed with Viṣṇu, and it frames Soma as a “true” divine force that faithfully accompanies the “true” Indra. It praises Indra’s growth in might, his generosity to the worshipper, and his primeval exploit of releasing the waters and restoring life and divine order.
Mantras
Mantra 1
त्रिकद्रुकेषु महिषो यवाशिरं तुविशुष्मस्तृपत्सोममपिबद्विष्णुना सुतं यथावशत् । स ईं ममाद महि कर्म कर्तवे महामुरुं सैनं सश्चद्देवो देवं सत्यमिन्द्रं सत्य इन्दुः ॥
In the three Kadru presses the mighty one, of vast force, drank the Soma mixed with barley, pressed with Vishnu, as he willed. Then he exulted to accomplish the great work, the wide and mighty; and the true Soma followed the true Indra, god cleaving to god.
Mantra 2
अध त्विषीमाँ अभ्योजसा क्रिविं युधाभवदा रोदसी अपृणदस्य मज्मना प्र वावृधे । अधत्तान्यं जठरे प्रेमरिच्यत सैनं सश्चद्देवो देवं सत्यमिन्द्रं सत्य इन्दुः ॥
Then, full of radiance, he confronted the Krivi with force and became battle; he filled the two worlds with his greatness and grew mightily. He set another in his belly and poured him forth; and the true Soma followed the true Indra, god cleaving to god.
Mantra 3
साकं जातः क्रतुना साकमोजसा ववक्षिथ साकं वृद्धो वीर्यैः सासहिर्मृधो विचर्षणिः । दाता राधः स्तुवते काम्यं वसु सैनं सश्चद्देवो देवं सत्यमिन्द्रं सत्य इन्दुः ॥
Born together with will, together with force you have grown; together you have increased by heroic powers, conquering the assaults, master of men. Giver of bounty, to the praiser you grant the desired treasure; and the true Soma follows the true Indra, god cleaving to god.
Mantra 4
तव त्यन्नर्यं नृतोऽप इन्द्र प्रथमं पूर्व्यं दिवि प्रवाच्यं कृतम् । यद्देवस्य शवसा प्रारिणा असुं रिणन्नपः । भुवद्विश्वमभ्यादेवमोजसा विदादूर्जं शतक्रतुर्विदादिषम् ॥
Yours is that manly deed, O Indra, first and ancient, to be proclaimed in heaven: when by the god’s might you set free the life-breath, breaking open the waters. Then all that was undivine became divine by your force; O hundred-powered, you found the nourishment and you found the impulsion.
Frequently Asked Questions
It says Indra becomes fully powerful through Soma, accomplishes great cosmic deeds like releasing the waters, and then rewards the worshipper with desired wealth and strength.
Soma is the sacred drink that energizes Indra, and Viṣṇu is shown as a close ritual-cosmic ally in the pressing and in enabling Indra’s great work.
It expresses a bond of reliability and right order: the purified, truthful inspiration (Soma) naturally accompanies and supports the truthful power of Indra, ‘god cleaving to god.’