Rig Veda Sukta 36
Mandala 8Sukta 367 Mantras

Sukta 36

Sukta 8.36

Devata

Indra (with Maruts as associated powers)

Chandas

Jagatī/triṣṭubh-like; requires verification

This hymn is a Soma-invitation to Indra—especially Indra “with the Maruts” (marutvān)—asking him to drink the pressed Soma and, through that exhilaration (mada), grant rescue, victory, and expansive strength to the sacrificer. It repeatedly links Indra’s right to the oblation (“the share set for you”) with his proven power to win battles, conquer even in the waters/depths, and uphold the efficacy of inspired speech (brahmāṇi). The final verse personalizes the appeal by naming Śyāvāśva and recalling earlier divine help to Atri and to the royal Trasadasyu, grounding present hope in remembered precedent.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 8.36

Mantras

Mantra 1

अवितासि सुन्वतो वृक्तबर्हिषः पिबा सोमं मदाय कं शतक्रतो । यं ते भागमधारयन्विश्वाः सेहानः पृतना उरु ज्रयः समप्सुजिन्मरुत्वाँ इन्द्र सत्पते ॥

You are the rescuer of the Soma-presser whose seat of offering is made ready; drink the Soma for ecstasy, O wielder of a hundred powers. The portion they have set for you—by it may you, conquering all battles, win wide-going force and victory even in the waters (the depths), O Indra, lord of the true ones, companioned by the Maruts.

Mantra 2

प्राव स्तोतारं मघवन्नव त्वां पिबा सोमं मदाय कं शतक्रतो । यं ते भागमधारयन्विश्वाः सेहानः पृतना उरु ज्रयः समप्सुजिन्मरुत्वाँ इन्द्र सत्पते ॥

Protect the singer, O bounteous one—protect also yourself (in us as your seat); drink the Soma for ecstasy, O hundred-powered. By the portion set for you, prevail over all battles, win the wide-going force and the victory in the depths, O Indra, lord of the true, companioned by the Maruts.

Mantra 3

ऊर्जा देवाँ अवस्योजसा त्वां पिबा सोमं मदाय कं शतक्रतो । यं ते भागमधारयन्विश्वाः सेहानः पृतना उरु ज्रयः समप्सुजिन्मरुत्वाँ इन्द्र सत्पते ॥

By plenitude you support the gods; by force you are the saving help—drink the Soma for ecstasy, O hundred-powered. With the portion set for you, overcome all battles, win the wide-going impetus and the victory in the depths, O Indra, lord of the true, with the Maruts.

Mantra 4

जनिता दिवो जनिता पृथिव्याः पिबा सोमं मदाय कं शतक्रतो । यं ते भागमधारयन्विश्वाः सेहानः पृतना उरु ज्रयः समप्सुजिन्मरुत्वाँ इन्द्र सत्पते ॥

O Indra, master of a hundred powers, be the begetter of our higher heaven and our wide earth; drink the Soma for the ecstasy that enlarges the being. That share of delight which all the striving battles have set in thee—press forward with vast victorious momentum; win even in the deep waters, O Indra with the Maruts, lord of the true path.

Mantra 5

जनिताश्वानां जनिता गवामसि पिबा सोमं मदाय कं शतक्रतो । यं ते भागमधारयन्विश्वाः सेहानः पृतना उरु ज्रयः समप्सुजिन्मरुत्वाँ इन्द्र सत्पते ॥

Begetter of the Horses and begetter of the Cows art thou; drink the Soma for the ecstasy of joy, O hundred-powered. The share of force and delight which all the struggles have founded in thee—advance with wide victorious drive; conquer in the waters of the depth, O Indra with the Maruts, lord of the true being.

Mantra 6

अत्रीणां स्तोममद्रिवो महस्कृधि पिबा सोमं मदाय कं शतक्रतो । यं ते भागमधारयन्विश्वाः सेहानः पृतना उरु ज्रयः समप्सुजिन्मरुत्वाँ इन्द्र सत्पते ॥

O wielder of the stone, make the hymn of the Atris a greatness; drink the Soma for the ecstasy of joy, O hundred-powered. That portion which all the battles, pressing on, have set in thee—go forward with wide victorious impetus; conquer in the waters of the depth, O Indra with the Maruts, lord of the true path.

Mantra 7

श्यावाश्वस्य सुन्वतस्तथा शृणु यथाशृणोरत्रेः कर्माणि कृण्वतः । प्र त्रसदस्युमाविथ त्वमेक इन्नृषाह्य इन्द्र ब्रह्माणि वर्धयन् ॥

Hear thus the Soma-presser Śyāvāśva, as once thou didst hear Atri while he was doing the works. Thou didst advance and protect Trasadasyu; thou alone indeed, O Indra, art irresistible in man-conquering strength, increasing the soul-forces of the mantra.

Inside Sukta 36

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    Indra is invoked as rescuer of the Soma-presser; the ritual seat is prepared and the god is urged to drink Soma for exhilaration.

  2. Development

    The hymn reiterates Indra’s allotted share and ties Soma-intoxication to concrete outcomes: conquering all battles, gaining vast momentum, and winning even in the waters/depths, with Marut support.

  3. Climax

    Indra is acclaimed with cosmic stature (begetter of heaven and earth in the hymn’s rhetoric) and as the decisive victor whose power makes the sacrifice’s aims inevitable.

  4. Where it settles

    The final verse anchors the prayer in named tradition—Śyāvāśva’s present pressing, Atri’s earlier heard works, and Indra’s protection of Trasadasyu—ending with Indra as the one who increases brahmāṇi (mantric soul-forces).

The deity: Indra

  • In the VedaIndra is hailed as Śatakratu (of a hundred powers), Satpati (lord of the true ones/true path), battle-winner, and the Soma-drinker whose exhilaration fuels heroic deeds. He is invoked as protector of the Soma-presser and as a force that breaks through obstacles, winning even in the waters/depths.
  • Cosmic functionChampion of ṛta-driven victory: he releases and directs life-power, overcomes hostile forces, and secures wide space (uru) for gods and humans; with the Maruts he embodies the storm-force that drives triumph and renewal.
  • Inner significanceIndra represents the awakened will and victorious energy that, when ‘intoxicated’ by Soma (clarified delight), turns aspiration into effective action—strengthening resolve, clearing inner resistance, and empowering mantra (brahman) to become lived force.

The seer

  • Śyāvāśva (Kāṇva-associated seer of Mandala 8; with an explicit self-reference in 8.36.7)Kāṇva lineage (Mandala 8’s predominant family tradition); the hymn itself invokes Atri as an earlier exemplar · Known for Indra-centered Soma hymns that blend direct ritual invitation with historical remembrance (Atri, Trasadasyu), emphasizing Indra’s responsiveness to inspired prayer

Famous verses

pibā somaṃ madāya kaṃ
Verse 8.36.1Sets the hymn’s core: Indra as protector of the Soma-presser, invited to drink for madāya, then asked for universal battle-victory and ‘apsu-jit’ (winning in the waters/depths) as marutvān satpati.Read verse 8.36.1 →
janitā divo janitā pṛthivyāḥ
Verse 8.36.4Heightens Indra’s stature with a sweeping, cosmic claim (begetter of heaven and earth in praise) while repeating the refrain-like Soma invitation and the victory petition.Read verse 8.36.4 →
indra brahmāṇi vardhayan
Verse 8.36.7Provides the personal and historical seal: Śyāvāśva’s direct appeal, remembrance of Atri, and the notable example of Trasadasyu—culminating in Indra as the increaser of brahmāṇi (mantric powers).Read verse 8.36.7 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Śatakratu (many-powered efficacy)
  • Soma-priya (delights in Soma; energized by madāya)
  • Pṛtanā-jit (conqueror of battles)
  • Marutvān (supported by the Maruts)
  • Satpati (lord of the true/faithful; aligned with ṛta)
  • Giver of uru (wide space, expansion, momentum)

Also by this seer

  • A cluster of Mandala 8 hymns in the Śyāvāśva/Kāṇva milieu (notably adjacent cycles such as RV 8.37)
  • Indra-Soma praise that foregrounds marutvān Indra and the strengthening of brahman (inspired formulations)

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the vedi and barhis (ritual seat/grass), making the offering-place ‘ready’ for the guest-god
  • Press Soma (savana), clarify/strain it, and set aside Indra’s portion (“bhāga”)
  • Recite the hymn as an invitation: ‘drink Soma for madāya’ while presenting the cup
  • Offer Soma with accompanying oblations (as customary) and request battle-winning force, protection, and wide-going strength
  • Conclude with remembrance of Indra’s prior aids (Atri, Trasadasyu) to seal confidence and continuity of grace

Offerings

  • Pressed Soma (primary)
  • Ghee/clarified butter (ancillary, customary in Soma contexts)
  • Barhis/ritual seat prepared for the deity (ritual furnishing rather than a poured offering)

Frequently Asked Questions

The hymn asks Indra to drink the offered Soma and, through that divine exhilaration, protect the Soma-presser and grant decisive victory, strength, and wide expansion of power.

Indra is invoked as marutvān, “accompanied by the Maruts,” highlighting storm-like force, collective power, and the driving energy that helps Indra break obstacles and win battles.

Atri is an ancient seer remembered as one whom Indra ‘heard’ and helped; Trasadasyu is a famed king whom Indra protected. They are cited as proof that Indra responds to sincere work and prayer, so he should help the present sacrificer too.

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