Sukta 26
Sukta 4.26
Vāmadeva Gautama (RV 4.26 is traditionally his)
Indra (hymn context), with a strong self-revelatory (aham) voice; sometimes read as the seer speaking with divine identification
Triṣṭubh
RV 4.26 is a striking self-revelatory hymn where the seer speaks in an “aham” (I am) voice, identifying with archetypal powers and legendary figures, as if Indra’s own consciousness is speaking through him. It then turns to the mythic flight of the Śyena (falcon) who brings Soma for Manu—symbolizing the victorious seizure of divine ecstasy and the casting away of hostile forces. The hymn’s purpose is both praise (stuti) of Indra/Soma-power and a declaration of the seer’s inspired identity that participates in that divine victory.
Mantras
Mantra 1
अहं मनुरभवं सूर्यश्चाहं कक्षीवाँ ऋषिरस्मि विप्रः । अहं कुत्समार्जुनेयं न्यृञ्जेऽहं कविरुशना पश्यता मा ॥
I became Manu, and I became the Sun; I am Kakṣīvān the seer, the inspired one. I set in motion Kutsá the son of Arjuna; I am the poet Uśanā—behold me.
Mantra 2
अहं भूमिमददामार्यायाहं वृष्टिं दाशुषे मर्त्याय । अहमपो अनयं वावशाना मम देवासो अनु केतमायन् ॥
I gave the wide earth to the Arya; I gave the rain to the mortal who offers. I led the waters in their yearning flow; the gods followed after my beacon of consciousness.
Mantra 3
अहं पुरो मन्दसानो व्यैरं नव साकं नवतीः शम्बरस्य । शततमं वेश्यं सर्वताता दिवोदासमतिथिग्वं यदावम् ॥
I, exulting, shattered the strongholds—nine and ninety together—of Śambara. I aided Divodāsa Atithigva, the hundredth dwelling, the all-conquering.
Mantra 4
प्र सु ष विभ्यो मरुतो विरस्तु प्र श्येनः श्येनेभ्य आशुपत्वा । अचक्रया यत्स्वधया सुपर्णो हव्यं भरन्मनवे देवजुष्टम् ॥
Forth indeed let that one be, apart from you, O Maruts; forth the falcon from the falcons, swift of wing. When, wheel-less, by his own power, the fair-wing bore the offering for Manu—an oblation beloved of the gods.
Mantra 5
भरद्यदि विरतो वेविजानः पथोरुणा मनोजवा असर्जि । तूयं ययौ मधुना सोम्येनोत श्रवो विविदे श्येनो अत्र ॥
When he bore it forth, trembling with speed, he launched along the wide pathways with mind-swiftness. Quickly he went with the honeyed Soma; and here the falcon won also the fame—of that victorious bringing.
Mantra 6
ऋजीपी श्येनो ददमानो अंशुं परावतः शकुनो मन्द्रं मदम् । सोमं भरद्दादृहाणो देवावान्दिवो अमुष्मादुत्तरादादाय ॥
The straight-winged Falcon, offering the pressed shoot, brought the rapturous delight from the far beyond. Holding fast to the god-filled power, he carried Soma down from that higher region of heaven and seized it from the uppermost height—so the ecstasy may enter the human vessel.
Mantra 7
आदाय श्येनो अभरत्सोमं सहस्रं सवाँ अयुतं च साकम् । अत्रा पुरंधिरजहादरातीर्मदे सोमस्य मूरा अमूरः ॥
Having seized it, the Falcon brought Soma—an abundance of pressings, thousands and tens of thousands together. Here the Power of plenitude (Purandhi) cast away the forces of hostility; in the ecstasy of Soma the bewildering confusions become unbewildering, and the being turns clear.
Frequently Asked Questions
The hymn uses an “aham” voice to show inspired identity: the seer speaks as if his awakened consciousness participates in divine powers and legendary roles, a hallmark of Vāmadeva’s visionary style.
The Śyena is the swift, superhuman bird-power that seizes and brings Soma to Manu. In ritual and symbolism, it represents the victorious acquisition of divine inspiration/ecstasy for the sacrifice.
It teaches that through right offering and inspired speech, one can gain Soma-like clarity and strength, drive away hostile forces, and move from confusion to a steadier, luminous state of mind.