Sukta 55
Sukta 8.55
Kāṇva / Kāṇvāyana (RV 8.55 is in the Kāṇva collection; specific r̥ṣi uncertain from excerpt)
Indra
Not securely determinable from excerpt alone
This short Kāṇva hymn to Indra celebrates the manifest surge of his vīrya (heroic power) as it “comes toward” the worshipper, bringing rādhas (bounty) to the striving supplicant. Through striking enumerations of “hundreds” and “four hundreds,” it frames Indra’s gift as overflowing plenitude—material, martial, and vital. It culminates in an image of Indra establishing a sevenfold order and driving the dark obstructive forces beyond the paths, clearing the way for fame, sight, and success.
Mantras
Mantra 1
भूरीदिन्द्रस्य वीर्यं व्यख्यमभ्यायति । राधस्ते दस्यवे वृक ॥
Abundant indeed is Indra’s heroic power, clearly made manifest as it advances towards us. Your abundance comes forth, O Wolf (strong one), for the serving seeker—an offering of plenitude to the one who strives.
Mantra 2
शतं श्वेतास उक्षणो दिवि तारो न रोचन्ते । मह्ना दिवं न तस्तभुः ॥
A hundred bright bulls shine in heaven like stars; by greatness they uphold the heaven itself—so stands the wide field of consciousness supported by the powers of light.
Mantra 3
शतं वेणूञ्छतं शुनः शतं चर्माणि म्लातानि । शतं मे बल्बजस्तुका अरुषीणां चतुःशतम् ॥
A hundred instruments of vibration, a hundred swift impulses, a hundred coverings made ready; a hundred woven attainments for me, and four hundred of the ruddy powers—so the plenitudes are reckoned when force answers the call.
Mantra 4
सुदेवाः स्थ काण्वायना वयोवयो विचरन्तः । अश्वासो न चङ्क्रमत ॥
Be of good divinity, O Kāṇvāyanas, moving through each and every vital plane; step forward like horses—pressing on in the journey of the soul.
Mantra 5
आदित्साप्तस्य चर्किरन्नानूनस्य महि श्रवः । श्यावीरतिध्वसन्पथश्चक्षुषा चन संनशे ॥
Then indeed, praising the sevenfold, the great fame of the undiminished grows. The dark ones are driven beyond the paths; even by sight they cannot come into union—so the obscurity is excluded from the way.
Frequently Asked Questions
It praises Indra’s heroic strength as something that actively comes to help the worshipper, asks for abundant gifts, and affirms that Indra drives away dark obstacles so the path becomes clear.
In Vedic praise, such numbers often signal overflowing plenty rather than exact counting. Here they intensify the sense that Indra’s giving is vast, well-stocked, and reliable.
It commonly points to a complete, well-ordered structure of reality (often linked with ṛta). In the hymn’s context, it means Indra establishes fullness and order, and therefore pushes obstructive darkness beyond the way.