Rig Veda Sukta 10
Mandala 1Sukta 1012 Mantras

Sukta 10

Sukta 1.10

Rishi

Madhucchandas Vaiśvāmitra (traditionally for RV 1.1–1.11; RV 1.10 attributed to him in Anukramaṇī lists)

Devata

Indra (Śatakratu)

Chandas

Gāyatrī (8+8+8 syllables)

Este himno invoca a Indra (Śatakratu) como el poder que se fortalece con el canto inspirado y que, a cambio, concede energía victoriosa, fama y abundancia. Mediante una alabanza que «alza» a Indra como un báculo, el poeta le pide que abra las «vacas» ocultas (luces/tesoros), ensanche el camino y haga manifiesto para los adoradores el rādhas (plenitud, dones generosos).

Recitation with translationRig Veda 1.10

Mantras

Mantra 1

गायन्ति त्वा गायत्रिणोऽर्चन्त्यर्कमर्किणः । ब्रह्माणस्त्वा शतक्रत उद्वंशमिव येमिरे ॥

Los cantores del Gāyatrī te cantan; los cantores del himno proclaman tu arka (himno luminoso). Oh Śatakratu, los brahmanes te alzan como se yergue una vara de bambú.

Mantra 2

यत्सानोः सानुमारुहद्भूर्यस्पष्ट कर्त्वम् । तदिन्द्रो अर्थं चेतति यूथेन वृष्णिरेजति ॥

Cuando (el ascendente) sube de cumbre en cumbre, mucha obra se hace clara y debe ser ordenada con rectitud; ese fin Indra lo percibe, y la fuerza del Toro avanza con la grey.

Mantra 3

युक्ष्वा हि केशिना हरी वृषणा कक्ष्यप्रा । अथा न इन्द्र सोमपा गिरामुपश्रुतिं चर ॥

Unce, en verdad, los dos corceles leonados de crines sueltas — los fuertes que colman el ceñidor (del ser). Entonces, oh Indra, bebedor de Soma, acércate a nuestra palabra inspirada (girā́) y escucha su llamado.

Mantra 4

एहि स्तोमाँ अभि स्वराभि गृणीह्या रुव । ब्रह्म च नो वसो सचेन्द्र यज्ञं च वर्धय ॥

Ven; responde a nuestros stomas con tu voz resplandeciente: canta, clama en alto. Oh Indra, compañero de nuestro anhelo, acrecienta para nosotros el brahman (la palabra inspirada) y el yajña (la ofrenda interior).

Mantra 5

उक्थमिन्द्राय शंस्यं वर्धनं पुरुनिष्षिधे । शक्रो यथा सुतेषु णो रारणत्सख्येषु च ॥

Un uktha para Indra — digno de ser proclamado — aumento de fuerza para el Poder de muchos logros; para que Śakra se deleite en nuestras libaciones de soma y también en nuestros actos de camaradería.

Mantra 6

तमित्सखित्व ईमहे तं राये तं सुवीर्ये । स शक्र उत नः शकदिन्द्रो वसु दयमानः ॥

A él, en el gozo de la camaradería, lo buscamos: a él por el rāyí (plenitud de abundancia), a él por el su-vīrya (plenitud de fuerza heroica). Que Indra, el Śakra, sea capaz para nosotros, otorgando como don el vasu, la sustancia luminosa del ser.

Mantra 7

सुविवृतं सुनिरजमिन्द्र त्वादातमिद्यशः । गवामप व्रजं वृधि कृणुष्व राधो अद्रिवः ॥

Oh Indra, portador de la piedra de prensar, la gloria (yaśas) que tú otorgas es una amplia abertura y un impulso seguro. Acrecienta para nosotros el redil de las Vacas (los rayos de la Luz interior); ábrelo — haz manifiesta la plenitud (rādhas), oh Adriván.

Mantra 8

नहि त्वा रोदसी उभे ऋघायमाणमिन्वतः । जेषः स्वर्वतीरपः सं गा अस्मभ्यं धूनुहि ॥

Pues ni el Cielo ni la Tierra, ambos, pueden hacerte retroceder cuando avanzas en tu poder impetuoso. Oh Vencedor, sacude para nosotros, juntos, las aguas que portan el mundo luminoso (svar) y los rayos de la Luz — las Vacas.

Mantra 9

आश्रुत्कर्ण श्रुधी हवं नू चिद्दधिष्व मे गिरः । इन्द्र स्तोममिमं मम कृष्वा युजश्चिदन्तरम् ॥

Oh Indra, de oído presto, escucha el llamado; aun ahora recibe y guarda en ti mis palabras inspiradas. Haz de este himno mío (stoma) una unión íntima — que penetre incluso en el espacio más interior de las potencias uncidas (yuj).

Mantra 10

विद्मा हि त्वा वृषन्तमं वाजेषु हवनश्रुतम् । वृषन्तमस्य हूमह ऊतिं सहस्रसातमाम् ॥

Pues te conocemos como el Toro más potente, el que oye la invocación en medio de las fuerzas y de las riquezas; por eso llamamos a la ayuda de ese Poderosísimo: su amparo que conquista mil veces, el fuerte rescate en nuestra batalla interior.

Mantra 11

आ तू न इन्द्र कौशिक मन्दसानः सुतं पिब । नव्यमायुः प्र सू तिर कृधी सहस्रसामृषिम् ॥

Ven, pues, a nosotros, oh Indra de los Kuśikas; gozoso por dentro, bebe el Soma prensado. Haz para nosotros una nueva prolongación de vida y condúcela hacia adelante en un cruce feliz; forma en nosotros al ṛṣi como cantor de mil himnos.

Mantra 12

परि त्वा गिर्वणो गिर इमा भवन्तु विश्वतः । वृद्धायुमनु वृद्धयो जुष्टा भवन्तु जुष्टयः ॥

Oh Indra que te deleitas en el canto, que estas palabras te rodeen por todas partes. Siguiendo tu fuerza vital acrecentada, que nuestros crecimientos sean aceptados y hechos queridos; que los gozos rectos y las armonías nos otorguen su asentimiento.

Inside Sukta 10

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    The hymn begins by depicting Indra being sung into presence by Gāyatrī-chanters and ‘brahmāṇas’ who raise him up through sacred speech.

  2. Development

    Praises frame Indra as the giver of expansive glory and the force that creates a wide, sure passage; the poet turns this into concrete petitions for opening and increase.

  3. Climax

    The plea to open and enlarge the ‘vraja of the cows’—a decisive image of releasing hidden light/wealth and making rādhas manifest.

  4. Where it settles

    The hymn closes by encircling Indra with words from every side and asking that, in accord with his increased life-force, the worshippers’ growth and right enjoyments be accepted (juṣṭa).

The deity: Indra

  • In the VedaIndra is the mighty, many-deeded lord of strength and victory, friend of the singer, exhilarated by soma and uplifted by brahman (sacred formulation). He is invoked as ‘girvaṇas’ (delighting in hymns) and as the opener of enclosures, releasing the ‘cows’ and widening the paths of power.
  • Cosmic functionChampion of ṛta in action: he breaks obstructions, releases light and waters, and establishes expansive order by victorious force.
  • Inner significanceThe awakened will and luminous power in the seeker that breaks inner limitations, releases hidden clarity (the ‘cows’ as rays/insights), and converts aspiration into effective energy and growth.

The seer

  • Madhucchandas VaiśvāmitraVaiśvāmitra (descendant of Viśvāmitra; Kuśika line) · Foremost early seer of the first maṇḍala, credited in tradition with foundational Indra-Agni hymns and with establishing the tone of the Rigvedic opening invocations.

Famous verses

ud vaṃśam iva yemire
Verse 1.10.1Establishes the central ritual psychology: Indra is ‘uplifted’ by inspired chant and brahman, like raising a staff—praise as a power that makes divine force stand erect in the sacrificer.Read verse 1.10.1 →
gavām apa vrajaṃ vṛdhi
Verse 1.10.7Contains the pivotal request to open the enclosure of the cows and manifest rādhas—classic Indra imagery of releasing light/treasure and widening the way.Read verse 1.10.7 →
pari tvā girvaṇo giraḥ
Verse 1.10.12A concluding ‘encompassing’ benediction: words surround Indra; the worshipper asks for accepted growth and harmonies, sealing the hymn’s intent.Read verse 1.10.12 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Śatakratu (of a hundred powers/works)
  • Vṛtrahan (obstacle-slayer)
  • Soma-joyed, strength-giving
  • Girvaṇas (lover of chant)
  • Opener of the ‘vraja’ (enclosure)
  • Giver of rādhas (plenitude, bounty)

Also by this seer

  • Traditionally associated with RV 1.1–1.11 in Anukramaṇī attribution
  • Key role in hymns praising Agni and Indra at the start of the Rig Veda
  • Connected in later tradition with the Vaiśvāmitra stream of mantra and priestly lore

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the altar/fire and seat the intention: victory, widening of way, increase of light/wealth.
  • Recite or chant the hymn in Gāyatrī cadence where applicable, with clear stotra-style elevation of Indra.
  • Offer soma (or symbolic substitute where soma is unavailable) while repeating key epithets (Śatakratu, girvaṇas).
  • Make a specific request: ‘open the vraja of the cows’—remove obstacles, reveal resources/insight.
  • Conclude with enclosing praise (pari… giraḥ) and a prayer for accepted growth and harmonies (juṣṭi).

Offerings

  • Soma libation (or ritual substitute)
  • Ghee/ājya into Agni
  • Oblations with barley/cakes (puroḍāśa) in Indra-contexts
  • Water and fragrant offerings as ancillary upacāras

Frequently Asked Questions

The hymn is addressed to Indra, especially as Śatakratu—“the one of many powers/works”—who is strengthened by sacred speech and grants victory and abundance.

In Vedic imagery it can mean releasing wealth and cattle, but it also points to releasing hidden light—clarity, insight, and spiritual riches that were enclosed by obstacles.

It can be recited as an Indra prayer before difficult tasks, asking for strength, removal of inner and outer blocks, and the manifestation of rādhas (support, resources, and right growth).

Ask anything about Sukta 10 of the Rig Veda

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