Sukta 35
Sukta 6.35
Indra
Trishtubh (probable for RV 6.35)
This short Indra-hymn is a sequence of urgent petitions: the poet repeatedly asks “when?” Indra will empower the brahman (inspired word), enrich the stotra/stoma (hymn of praise), and arrive at the sacrificer’s call. It culminates in Indra’s characteristic act—breaking open the closed stronghold—so that the “bright-milking Cow” (image of luminous abundance) does not run dry, and the Angiras-forces within are quickened to bring forth hidden riches.
Mantras
Mantra 1
कदा भुवन्रथक्षयाणि ब्रह्म कदा स्तोत्रे सहस्रपोष्यं दाः । कदा स्तोमं वासयोऽस्य राया कदा धियः करसि वाजरत्नाः ॥
When wilt thou make our word a home of chariots (a stable power of movement)? When wilt thou give to the hymn the thousandfold increase? When wilt thou clothe this chant with thy wealth? When wilt thou make our thoughts rich in plenitudes of force and treasures?
Mantra 2
कर्हि स्वित्तदिन्द्र यन्नृभिर्नॄन्वीरैर्वीरान्नीळयासे जयाजीन् । त्रिधातु गा अधि जयासि गोष्विन्द्र द्युम्नं स्वर्वद्धेह्यस्मे ॥
When indeed is that, O Indra, when with men thou settest heroes among heroes, conquering the battles? Winning the threefold-founded cows (the lights) among the herds, O Indra, place in us a splendour that is full of svàr.
Mantra 3
कर्हि स्वित्तदिन्द्र यज्जरित्रे विश्वप्सु ब्रह्म कृणवः शविष्ठ । कदा धियो न नियुतो युवासे कदा गोमघा हवनानि गच्छाः ॥
When indeed is that, O Indra, when for the singer thou makest the brahman all-accomplishing, O most forceful? When wilt thou yoke (thy powers) like teams to our thoughts? When, O giver rich in rays, wilt thou come to our invocations?
Mantra 4
स गोमघा जरित्रे अश्वश्चन्द्रा वाजश्रवसो अधि धेहि पृक्षः । पीपिहीषः सुदुघामिन्द्र धेनुं भरद्वाजेषु सुरुचो रुरुच्याः ॥
O Indra, set in us—upon the praiser—thy luminous energies: the cow-force that brings rays of knowledge, the horse-force that bears shining impulsions, and the plenitude of victorious power. Make grow for us the richly yielding Cow of Light, and in the Bharadvāja-strivings let the bright splendours blaze forth.
Mantra 5
तमा नूनं वृजनमन्यथा चिच्छूरो यच्छक्र वि दुरो गृणीषे । मा निररं शुक्रदुघस्य धेनोराङ्गिरसान्ब्रह्मणा विप्र जिन्व ॥
Even now, O Shakra, thou Hero, thou breakest open the hard-pressed place and its doors, in whatever way; therefore we hymn thee. Let not the bright-yielding Cow of Light run dry for us; by the power of the Word, O seer, quicken the Angiras-forces within, that they may bring out the hidden splendours.
Frequently Asked Questions
The repeated “kadā” is a deliberate summons. It expresses urgency and confidence that Indra’s help is near: he should empower the prayer, enrich the hymn, and arrive quickly to the sacrifice.
In this context brahman means the inspired, effective sacred word. The poet asks Indra to make the chant and the seer’s intention powerful enough to achieve results—victory, release, and increase.
It is an image for unfailing luminous abundance—light, nourishment, and prosperity. The hymn prays that this source should not ‘run dry’ and that hidden riches be brought out by awakened Angiras power.