Sukta 28
Sukta 4.28
Vāmadeva Gautama (traditional for RV 4.28)
Indra-Soma (Indra empowered by Soma)
Triṣṭubh (probable)
This brief hymn praises Indra in intimate alliance with Soma, recalling the classic victory in which the Vṛtra-obstacle is slain and the seven rivers (life-bearing waters) are released for Manu and mankind. It links Soma’s inspiriting power with Indra’s decisive force: together they break open what is sealed, clear hostile resistances, and widen the “field of the Cow” (luminous knowledge and abundance). The purpose is to invoke that same joint power in the sacrifice so blocked channels—outer and inner—are opened and the right path becomes passable.
Mantras
Mantra 1
त्वा युजा तव तत्सोम सख्य इन्द्रो अपो मनवे सस्रुतस्कः । अहन्नहिमरिणात्सप्त सिन्धूनपावृणोदपिहितेव खानि ॥
With you as his yoke-fellow, in that friendship, O Soma, Indra set the waters flowing for Manu. He slew the constrictor and released the seven rivers; he opened the blocked channels as if uncovering what had been shut—so the currents of life and knowledge may run in the law of Truth.
Mantra 2
त्वा युजा नि खिदत्सूर्यस्येन्द्रश्चक्रं सहसा सद्य इन्दो । अधि ष्णुना बृहता वर्तमानं महो द्रुहो अप विश्वायु धायि ॥
With you as yoked companion, O Indu, Indra by force drove down the wheel of the Sun (the fixed turning of the ordinary light). Moving upon the Vast summit, he put away the great falsehoods and hostilities from the all-life—so a truer illumination may govern the whole being.
Mantra 3
अहन्निन्द्रो अदहदग्निरिन्दो पुरा दस्यून्मध्यंदिनादभीके । दुर्गे दुरोणे क्रत्वा न यातां पुरू सहस्रा शर्वा नि बर्हीत् ॥
Indra slew; Agni burned, O Indu, the Dasyus of old—even from midday, in the near battle. In the hard pass, in the difficult dwelling, those who would not move by true will were struck down; many thousands of hostile shafts were made to fall—so the path of the soul may be cleared for right journeying.
Mantra 4
विश्वस्मात्सीमधमाँ इन्द्र दस्यून्विशो दासीरकृणोरप्रशस्ताः । अबाधेथाममृणतं नि शत्रूनविन्देथामपचितिं वधत्रैः ॥
From every side, O Indra, you press down the Dasyus (powers of obscurity) and you turn the peoples into servitudes that do not praise the Truth. You and your force beat back and crush the enemies within; by your instruments of decisive action you recover the ‘apaciti’—the lost right ordering and clear discernment that had been taken away.
Mantra 5
एवा सत्यं मघवाना युवं तदिन्द्रश्च सोमोर्वमश्व्यं गोः । आदर्दृतमपिहितान्यश्ना रिरिचथुः क्षाश्चित्ततृदाना ॥
Thus indeed it is Truth, O two lords of plenitude: Indra and Soma—you opened out the wide field of the Cow (the luminous knowledge) and its swift movements. You broke open what was hardened and removed the coverings; even the earth’s resistances you pierced through, releasing what had been shut in.
Frequently Asked Questions
The hymn primarily invokes Indra together with Soma (Indu). Soma is the empowering, inspiring force, and Indra is the heroic power that breaks obstacles and releases the waters.
On the mythic level it recalls Indra’s victory that frees the world’s waters. Symbolically it means restoring blocked life-currents—health, prosperity, and the flow of truth and knowledge—by removing constriction.
It fits naturally in Soma offerings, especially when seeking strength, victory, and the removal of obstacles. Reciting it with Soma libations (and ghee into Agni) aligns the rite with the archetype of opening sealed channels and widening abundance.