Rig Veda Sukta 82
Mandala 8Sukta 829 Mantras

Sukta 82

Sukta 8.82

Devata

Indra

This Indra-hymn is a swift invitation for the Vṛtrahan to come from near and far and accept the sweet Soma offering prepared for his exhilaration. It celebrates Soma’s pressing, Indra’s delight and strength, and recalls the mythic Soma brought by the śyena (falcon), urging Indra to drink as lord of its power.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 8.82

Mantras

Mantra 1

आ प्र द्रव परावतोऽर्वावतश्च वृत्रहन् । मध्वः प्रति प्रभर्मणि ॥

Run forth hither, O Slayer of the Coverer, from the far and from the near, to meet this bearing-forward of sweetness—come to the offered delight.

Mantra 2

तीव्राः सोमास आ गहि सुतासो मादयिष्णवः । पिबा दधृग्यथोचिषे ॥

Come—here are the keen Somadrinks, pressed out and eager to intoxicate with divine ecstasy; drink as the holder of the foundation, for thy luminous satisfaction.

Mantra 3

इषा मन्दस्वादु तेऽरं वराय मन्यवे । भुवत्त इन्द्र शं हृदे ॥

Be gladdened by the impulsion of the offering; let it be sufficient for thy chosen delight and thy force of will—O Indra, may it become peace and gladness in the heart.

Mantra 4

आ त्वशत्रवा गहि न्युक्थानि च हूयसे । उपमे रोचने दिवः ॥

Come, O thou without foe; thou art called by our hymns—take thy seat in the highest luminous realm of heaven.

Mantra 5

तुभ्यायमद्रिभिः सुतो गोभिः श्रीतो मदाय कम् । प्र सोम इन्द्र हूयते ॥

For thee this Soma is pressed with the stones and made rich with the rays; for ecstasy and delight—O Indra, the Soma is set forth and invoked.

Mantra 6

इन्द्र श्रुधि सु मे हवमस्मे सुतस्य गोमतः । वि पीतिं तृप्तिमश्नुहि ॥

O Indra, hear well my call: in us is the pressed Soma rich with rays; attain wide drinking and fullness of satisfaction.

Mantra 7

य इन्द्र चमसेष्वा सोमश्चमूषु ते सुतः । पिबेदस्य त्वमीशिषे ॥

That Soma which is pressed for thee in the cups and in the bowls—drink of it; thou art the lord and disposer of its power.

Mantra 8

यो अप्सु चन्द्रमा इव सोमश्चमूषु ददृशे । पिबेदस्य त्वमीशिषे ॥

That Soma which is seen in the bowls like a moon in the waters—drink of it; thou art the lord of its working.

Mantra 9

यं ते श्येनः पदाभरत्तिरो रजांस्यस्पृतम् । पिबेदस्य त्वमीशिषे ॥

That Soma which thy falcon brought by its stride, crossing beyond the spaces, untouched—drink of it; thou art the sovereign of its might.

Inside Sukta 82

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    A rapid call to Indra to run to the sacrifice from every direction, to meet the ‘bearing-forward’ of sweetness (Soma).

  2. Development

    The hymn emphasizes the prepared Soma: pressed with stones, enriched and set forth specifically for Indra’s exhilaration and empowering delight.

  3. Climax

    The śyena episode: Soma brought across the spaces, untouched—an image of divine acquisition and irresistible potency—now offered for Indra to drink.

  4. Where it settles

    Indra is affirmed as sovereign over Soma’s power; the invitation culminates in confident expectation that he will drink and act as the mighty protector.

The deity: Indra

  • In the VedaIndra is hailed as Vṛtrahan, the heroic slayer of obstruction, who hastens to the sacrifice and drinks Soma to awaken victorious might. He is the great champion invoked to come quickly, accept the sweetness, and act for the worshippers’ welfare.
  • Cosmic functionBreaker of cosmic blockages (Vṛtra/covering), releaser of waters and vital powers, and establisher of expansive order through victorious force energized by Soma.
  • Inner significanceIndra symbolizes the awakened will and courageous intelligence that breaks inner inertia, fear, and limitation; Soma is the rapture/clarity that fuels decisive spiritual and ethical action.

Famous verses

vṛtrahan (Slayer of Vṛtra) / ā pra drava (run forth hither)
Verse 8.82.1Sets the hymn’s tone as an urgent āvāhana: Indra is summoned ‘from far and near’ to the sweet offering, framing the entire sukta as a living ritual invitation.Read verse 8.82.1 →
तुभ्यायमद्रिभिः सुतो गोभिः श्रीतो मदाय कम् । प्र सोम इन्द्र हूयते ॥
Verse 8.82.5Gives the core Soma-ritual statement: Soma pressed with stones, made ‘rich’, and invoked for Indra’s ecstatic empowerment—central to Indra-Soma theology.Read verse 8.82.5 →
śyenaḥ ... abharat (the falcon brought it)
Verse 8.82.9Recalls the iconic Soma-myth of the śyena bringing Soma across the realms; it seals Indra’s right to drink as lord of the offering’s might.Read verse 8.82.9 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Vṛtrahan (slayer of obstruction)
  • swiftly invoked to the offering
  • Soma-drinker (madāya, ecstasy)
  • sovereign strength and victory
  • protector and benefactor of the sacrificer

Also by this seer

  • Mandala 8 contains many Indra- and Soma-focused hymns in similar praise-invocation style

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the altar/space and seat the deity by invitation (āvāhana) in speech.
  • Press Soma with stones (adris), strain and mix/brighten it (often with milk or clarifying additions), making it ‘rich with rays’.
  • Recite the hymn as an urgent summons: ‘come from far and near’ to the bearing-forward of sweetness.
  • Offer Soma into the rite and invite Indra to drink for maddening strength and victorious action.
  • Conclude with reaffirmation of Indra’s lordship over Soma’s might and the expected protection/boon.

Offerings

  • Soma juice (pressed with stones)
  • Sweetened/brightened Soma (with ‘rays’/milk-clarity imagery)
  • Ghee and accompanying oblations customary in Indra rites

Frequently Asked Questions

It is an urgent invitation to Indra to come quickly to the sacrifice and drink the sweet Soma prepared for his strength, joy, and victorious action.

Because Soma is ritually extracted by pressing with stones (adris). The verse highlights that the offering is properly prepared and specially intended for Indra’s exhilaration.

It recalls the myth that Soma was brought from beyond the worlds by the śyena, showing Soma as a divine, powerful substance. The hymn uses this to urge Indra to drink as master of its might.

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