Rig Veda Sukta 6
Mandala 1Sukta 610 Mantras

Sukta 6

Sukta 1.6

Rishi

Madhucchandas Vaiśvāmitra (traditional attribution for RV 1.1–1.11; for 1.6 commonly Vaiśvāmitra lineage)

Devata

Indra (with solar/rocanā imagery; the verse evokes the yoking of the radiant power in Indra’s cosmic action)

Chandas

Gāyatrī (3 pādas of 8 syllables; typical for early RV 1 hymns to Indra)

RV 1.6 es un himno a Indra en metro gāyatrī que vincula su poder victorioso con una luminosa radiancia solar, la «rocanā», que se unce y se pone en marcha para la acción cósmica. Los poetas se acercan a Indra mediante la palabra inspirada, buscando «sāti» (ganancia/conquista) desde todos los niveles del cosmos —cielo, tierra y los amplios espacios intermedios— para que la fuerza de la victoria se haga presente en su vida y en el rito.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 1.6

Mantras

Mantra 1

युञ्जन्ति ब्रध्नमरुषं चरन्तं परि तस्थुषः । रोचन्ते रोचना दिवि ॥

Uncen la Fuerza leonada y luminosa, que avanza en su curso circular; en torno a ella permanecen las potencias firmes. En el cielo, los ámbitos resplandecientes fulguran de Luz.

Mantra 2

युञ्जन्त्यस्य काम्या हरी विपक्षसा रथे । शोणा धृष्णू नृवाहसा ॥

Para él, como objetos del anhelo, uncen al carro a los dos Harī leonados—de amplio vuelo en su carrera; rojizos, audaces y poderosos, portadores del hombre (nṛvāhasā).

Mantra 3

केतुं कृण्वन्नकेतवे पेशो मर्या अपेशसे । समुषद्भिरजायथाः ॥

Forjando el ketú, el signo luminoso, para quien carece de él, y la bella forma (peśas) para el sin forma, oh Indra, naciste junto con los anhelos que se alzan (sam‑uṣádbhiḥ).

Mantra 4

आदह स्वधामनु पुनर्गर्भत्वमेरिरे । दधाना नाम यज्ञियम् ॥

Entonces, siguiendo su propia potencia (svadhā), volvieron a entrar en el estado de gestación; llevando el Nombre sagrado, digno del sacrificio (yajñiya).

Mantra 5

वीळु चिदारुजत्नुभिर्गुहा चिदिन्द्र वह्निभिः । अविन्द उस्रिया अनु ॥

Oh Indra, incluso la barrera firmemente asentada la quiebras con tus poderes impetuosos; incluso en la caverna oculta descubres y haces salir, en la debida sucesión, los Rayos luminosos (las vacas), con las energías flamígeras en tu interior.

Mantra 6

देवयन्तो यथा मतिमच्छा विदद्वसुं गिरः । महामनूषत श्रुतम् ॥

Como buscadores de lo Divino, nuestras palabras inspiradas avanzan rectas hacia el pensamiento despierto que halla la riqueza verdadera; han entonado lo Vasto, lo «bien oído» (la Verdad).

Mantra 7

इन्द्रेण सं हि दृक्षसे संजग्मानो अबिभ्युषा । मन्दू समानवर्चसा ॥

Con Indra, en verdad, se te ve en unión—habiendo acudido junto con la fuerza que no se amedrenta; oh Mandū, te mueves en una sola radiancia, de igual fulgor.

Mantra 8

अनवद्यैरभिद्युभिर्मखः सहस्वदर्चति । गणैरिन्द्रस्य काम्यैः ॥

Makha, con potencias irreprochables que apremian hacia el cielo, entona el himno en plenitud de fuerza; hacia las huestes deseables de Indra aspira a unirse.

Mantra 9

अतः परिज्मन्ना गहि दिवो वा रोचनादधि । समस्मिन्नृञ्जते गिरः ॥

Por eso, oh tú que te mueves por todas partes, ven aquí — ya desde el mundo luminoso del cielo, ya desde su región radiante en lo alto; aquí las palabras inspiradas se armonizan y se disponen para ti.

Mantra 10

इतो वा सातिमीमहे दिवो वा पार्थिवादधि । इन्द्रं महो वा रजसः ॥

Desde aquí buscamos la ganancia victoriosa — ya desde la luz del cielo, ya desde el fundamento terrestre; o bien, desde el vasto espacio (de los mundos intermedios), llamamos a Indra para que nos traiga la conquista.

Inside Sukta 6

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    A cosmic image of yoking a tawny, radiant force; the heavenly light-realms (rocanā) blaze as the powers stand around the moving splendor.

  2. Development

    The hymn turns from vision to invocation: inspired utterances (giraḥ) move toward awakened thought that finds true wealth, aligning the sacrificer’s mind with Indra’s victorious energy.

  3. Climax

    The decisive request for sāti—calling Indra as the great power spanning heaven, earth, and the vast mid-spaces—so victory is secured from every quarter of existence.

  4. Where it settles

    The hymn closes with a comprehensive appeal: wherever the winning lies (above, below, or in the wide atmosphere), Indra is invoked as the sure source of conquest and fulfillment.

The deity: Indra

  • In the VedaIndra is the foremost heroic god of the Rig Veda: wielder of the thunderbolt (vajra), drinker of soma, breaker of obstacles, and winner of spoils; he is frequently portrayed as releasing light and waters and establishing wide space. In this hymn his action is colored by rocanā imagery—radiant realms blazing in heaven as the tawny luminous power is “yoked.”
  • Cosmic functionChampion of ṛta through victorious force: he clears the path, opens the constricted, releases luminous order, and grants conquest (sāti) and abundance (vasu) to the sacrificer.
  • Inner significanceThe awakened will and courageous clarity that breaks inner obstruction (fear, inertia, confusion) and turns inspired thought into effective power; the “yoking” suggests disciplined harnessing of radiant energy for right action.

The seer

  • Madhucchandas VaiśvāmitraVaiśvāmitra (descendant of Viśvāmitra; Vaiśvāmitra gotra/circle) · Earliest seer of Mandala 1’s opening sequence, shaping foundational Indra-Agni praise and establishing the hymn-as-invocation style for the Rig Veda’s beginning.

Famous verses

rocante rocanā divi
Verse 1.6.1Sets the hymn’s signature imagery: the ‘yoking’ of a tawny, luminous power and the blazing rocanā in heaven, framing Indra’s action as cosmic illumination.Read verse 1.6.1 →
देवयन्तो यथा मतिमच्छा विदद्वसुं गिरः । महामनूषत श्रुतम् ॥
Verse 1.6.6Highlights the Vedic method: inspired speech moving toward awakened thought that discovers true wealth; it presents mantra as a vehicle of realization and approach to Indra.Read verse 1.6.6 →
ito vā sātim īmahe
Verse 1.6.10A culminating prayer for sāti (winning/attainment) from heaven, earth, or the vast mid-worlds—encapsulating the hymn’s practical aim and cosmic scope.Read verse 1.6.10 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Vṛtra-slayer and obstacle-breaker
  • Soma-empowered warrior-king
  • Giver of sāti (victory/attainment) and vasu (wealth, true riches)
  • Opener of wide space (uru loka) and releaser of light (rocanā)
  • Protector and ally of the seer’s inspired speech (giraḥ)

Also by this seer

  • Traditional attribution of RV 1.1–1.11 (including the famous Agni hymn RV 1.1)
  • Association with the Vaiśvāmitra poetic tradition that strongly features Indra’s victory, inspired speech (giraḥ), and the quest for wealth/illumination (vasu, rocanā)

The rite, step by step

  • Ācamana and saṅkalpa (intent for sāti—successful attainment)
  • Kindling/attending Agni and establishing the offering space
  • Recitation of RV 1.6 in Gāyatrī cadence, with focused visualization of rocanā (radiant realms) and the ‘yoked’ luminous force
  • Soma offering (where applicable) or substitute oblations while calling Indra to the rite
  • Śānti/praśasti: concluding praise and request for victory from heaven, earth, and the mid-worlds

Offerings

  • Soma (in Soma rites)
  • Ghṛta (ghee) oblations
  • Puroḍāśa (rice cake) where customary
  • Optional: milk/curds as Indra-friendly offerings in some śrauta contexts

Frequently Asked Questions

It praises Indra as the power of victory and illumination, using imagery of a radiant force being “yoked” and the heavenly light-realms (rocanā) shining. The hymn asks Indra to grant successful attainment (sāti) in life and ritual.

Rocanā points to luminous heavenly regions and the manifestation of light that accompanies Indra’s cosmic victories. Symbolically, it also suggests inner clarity that appears when obstacles are broken.

It can be recited as an Indra-stuti for strength, protection, and success—especially in morning worship or yajña contexts. The focus is on calling Indra’s victorious energy and aligning one’s thought and speech with that power.

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