Sukta 37
Sukta 8.37
Not specified in the provided excerpt; within RV 8.37 Indra hymn tradition (Anukramaṇī typically assigns to a specific seer family for the sukta)
Indra
Jagatī (likely; recurring refrain with mādhyandina-savana)
This hymn summons Indra to the mādhyandina (midday) Soma-pressing, urging him to drink and to extend his “all-aids” (viśvābhir ūtibhiḥ) to the pressing priest and patron. It recalls Indra’s Vṛtra-battles and his power to drive off besieging forces, then closes by invoking his past responsiveness to seers—especially Śyāvāśva and Atri—and his protection of Trasadasyu, as Indra increases kṣatra (sovereign might).
Mantras
Mantra 1
प्रेदं ब्रह्म वृत्रतूर्येष्वाविथ प्र सुन्वतः शचीपत इन्द्र विश्वाभिरूतिभिः । माध्यंदिनस्य सवनस्य वृत्रहन्ननेद्य पिबा सोमस्य वज्रिवः ॥
Forward this mantric power—thou hast helped it in the Vṛtra-battles; forward the Soma-presser, O Indra lord of the plenitude, with all thy succours. At the midday pressing, O slayer of Vṛtra, faultless one, drink of the Soma, O wielder of the thunder-force.
Mantra 2
सेहान उग्र पृतना अभि द्रुहः शचीपत इन्द्र विश्वाभिरूतिभिः । माध्यंदिनस्य सवनस्य वृत्रहन्ननेद्य पिबा सोमस्य वज्रिवः ॥
O fierce Indra, pressing forward, confront the treacheries in the battles with all thy succours. At the midday pressing, O Vṛtra-slayer, blameless one, drink of the Soma, O wielder of the thunder-force.
Mantra 3
एकराळस्य भुवनस्य राजसि शचीपत इन्द्र विश्वाभिरूतिभिः । माध्यंदिनस्य सवनस्य वृत्रहन्ननेद्य पिबा सोमस्य वज्रिवः ॥
Sole sovereign, thou rulest this world with all thy succours, O Indra lord of plenitude. At the midday pressing, O Vṛtra-slayer, blameless one, drink of the Soma, O thunderbolt-bearer.
Mantra 4
सस्थावाना यवयसि त्वमेक इच्छचीपत इन्द्र विश्वाभिरूतिभिः । माध्यंदिनस्य सवनस्य वृत्रहन्ननेद्य पिबा सोमस्य वज्रिवः ॥
Thou alone, O Indra lord of plenitude, drivest away the standing and besieging powers with all thy succours. At the midday pressing, O Vṛtra-slayer, blameless one, drink of the Soma, O thunderbolt-bearer.
Mantra 5
क्षेमस्य च प्रयुजश्च त्वमीशिषे शचीपत इन्द्र विश्वाभिरूतिभिः । माध्यंदिनस्य सवनस्य वृत्रहन्ननेद्य पिबा सोमस्य वज्रिवः ॥
Thou rulest both peace and the right yoking of forces, O Indra lord of plenitude, with all thy succours. At the midday pressing, O Vṛtra-slayer, blameless one, drink of the Soma, O thunderbolt-bearer.
Mantra 6
क्षत्राय त्वमवसि न त्वमाविथ शचीपत इन्द्र विश्वाभिरूतिभिः । माध्यंदिनस्य सवनस्य वृत्रहन्ननेद्य पिबा सोमस्य वज्रिवः ॥
For the kṣatra (sovereign power) thou givest protection—none but thou gives it, O Indra lord of plenitude, with all thy succours. At the midday pressing, O Vṛtra-slayer, blameless one, drink of the Soma, O thunderbolt-bearer.
Mantra 7
श्यावाश्वस्य रेभतस्तथा शृणु यथाशृणोरत्रेः कर्माणि कृण्वतः । प्र त्रसदस्युमाविथ त्वमेक इन्नृषाह्य इन्द्र क्षत्राणि वर्धयन् ॥
Hear in the same way the inspired chant of Śyāvāśva, as once you heard Atri labouring in his works. You did indeed advance and protect Trasadasyu; you alone, O Indra, irresistible to men, are the increaser of the soul’s powers of rule and mastery.
Frequently Asked Questions
It calls Indra to the midday Soma-pressing and asks him to drink the Soma and bring his full protection and help to the sacrificer.
Vṛtra represents obstruction. By recalling Indra’s Vṛtra-slaying, the hymn reminds listeners that he can remove obstacles and secure victory in both ritual and life.
Śyāvāśva is the singer associated with this hymn in the Ātreya tradition. Atri is invoked as an earlier seer whom Indra heard—so the hymn asks Indra to respond now in the same way.