Rig Veda Sukta 148
Mandala 10Sukta 1485 Mantras

Sukta 148

Sukta 10.148

Devata

Indra

Este breve himno a Indra se centra en la alabanza de los prensadores de soma, pidiendo a Indra que traiga suvita (un «buen paso» y el éxito correcto) y el vāja vigorizante que acompaña su vasta potencia heroica. El poeta enmarca el culto como un gozo mutuo: los humanos alegran a Indra con soma y ofrendas nutritivas, e Indra, a cambio, sostiene su fuerza interior y su vida encarnada. El himno culmina en una vívida llamada desde la ancha tierra, con caballos veloces que llevan la palabra inspirada hacia el asiento de Indra, resplandeciente de ghee.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 10.148

Mantras

Mantra 1

सुष्वाणास इन्द्र स्तुमसि त्वा ससवांसश्च तुविनृम्ण वाजम् । आ नो भर सुवितं यस्य चाकन्त्मना तना सनुयाम त्वोताः ॥

Oh Indra, nosotros, que hemos exprimido el Soma, te alabamos; nosotros, que lo hemos hecho fluir, invocamos el Vāja de tu vasta fuerza varonil. Tráenos el buen avanzar, el logro recto, en el cual, sostenidos por ti, podamos vencer por nuestro ser interior y por nuestra naturaleza encarnada.

Mantra 2

ऋष्वस्त्वमिन्द्र शूर जातो दासीर्विशः सूर्येण सह्याः । गुहा हितं गुह्यं गूळ्हमप्सु बिभृमसि प्रस्रवणे न सोमम् ॥

Poderoso eres tú, oh Indra el héroe, nacido para someter a las potencias servidoras, auxiliado por el Sol. El secreto, puesto en lo secreto, oculto en las aguas, lo llevas—como el Soma en su derramarse: el deleite velado, guardado en las corrientes de la conciencia.

Mantra 3

अर्यो वा गिरो अभ्यर्च विद्वानृषीणां विप्रः सुमतिं चकानः । ते स्याम ये रणयन्त सोमैरेनोत तुभ्यं रथोळ्ह भक्षैः ॥

Oh noble, entona las palabras; sabiendo, ṛṣi entre los ṛṣis, gozoso del recto pensamiento. Seamos nosotros quienes te alegren con Soma, y también con ofrendas que te nutren, oh llevado en el carro: que se establezca el gozo mutuo.

Mantra 4

इमा ब्रह्मेन्द्र तुभ्यं शंसि दा नृभ्यो नृणां शूर शवः । तेभिर्भव सक्रतुर्येषु चाकन्नुत त्रायस्व गृणत उत स्तीन् ॥

Estas palabras de poder, oh Indra, te las proclamo: concede a los hombres —a los héroes entre los hombres—, oh héroe, tu fuerza. Sé de una sola voluntad con aquellos en quienes te complaces; y protege tanto al cantor del himno como a los cercanos y dependientes.

Mantra 5

श्रुधी हवमिन्द्र शूर पृथ्या उत स्तवसे वेन्यस्यार्कैः । आ यस्ते योनिं घृतवन्तमस्वारूर्मिर्न निम्नैर्द्रवयन्त वक्वाः ॥

Escucha el llamado, oh Indra el héroe, desde la ancha tierra; y sé alabado con los himnos del Deseable, con los arkas. Hacia tu seno, rico en ghṛta, los caballos veloces —como olas impulsadas por las laderas— llevan adelante las palabras inspiradas.

Inside Sukta 148

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    The hymn opens with the Soma-pressers praising Indra and invoking his mighty vāja, immediately asking for suvita—effective, auspicious progress.

  2. Development

    It develops the reciprocity of worship: wise speech and right thought are offered; worshippers seek to be those who genuinely gladden Indra with Soma and nourishing gifts.

  3. Climax

    A direct, urgent summons: “Hear the call, O Indra the hero,” with the striking image of horses like waves driving inspired utterance toward Indra’s ghṛta-bright seat.

  4. Where it settles

    It settles into assurance through praise and offering—speech, Soma, and oblations align to invite Indra’s presence and sustaining support for both inner being and embodied life.

The deity: Indra

  • In the VedaIndra is the foremost heroic deity of the Rigveda: wielder of the thunderbolt (vajra), drinker of Soma, breaker of obstacles, and giver of vāja (victorious power, prize, and abundance). He is repeatedly invoked as śūra (hero) and as the one who responds to pressed Soma and well-uttered hymns.
  • Cosmic functionHe establishes and defends ṛta by overcoming forces of obstruction, releasing vitality and resources, and empowering communities toward victory, prosperity, and safe passage.
  • Inner significanceIndra symbolizes awakened will-force and courageous clarity that breaks inner inertia, restores confidence, and turns inspired speech and disciplined offering into effective action and success.

Famous verses

ā no bhara suvitaṃ
Verse 10.148.1Programmatic verse stating the ritual situation (Soma pressed and flowing) and the central boon: suvita and vāja, won with inner power (tmanā) and embodied nature (tanā) under Indra’s support.Read verse 10.148.1 →
अर्यो वा गिरो अभ्यर्च विद्वानृषीणां विप्रः सुमतिं चकानः । ते स्याम ये रणयन्त सोमैरेनोत तुभ्यं रथोळ्ह भक्षैः ॥
Verse 10.148.3Defines the ideal worshipper as a knowing seer among seers, aiming at mutual delight—gladdening Indra with Soma and nourishing offerings, establishing reciprocity.Read verse 10.148.3 →
śrudhī havam indra śūra
Verse 10.148.5The climactic invocation: Indra is called from the wide earth; the imagery of ghṛta-rich seat and wave-like horses carrying inspired speech is a hallmark of vivid RV poetics.Read verse 10.148.5 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Śūra (heroic protector)
  • Soma-priya (delighted by Soma)
  • Vajra-bearer (obstacle-breaker)
  • Bestower of vāja (victory/strength/prize)
  • Giver of suvita (good passage and right success)
  • Responsive to stuti (praise) and arká (hymn)

Also by this seer

  • Attributed within the RV corpus only generally to late-period Indra-stuti style; specific additional hymns are not securely assigned under this rishi name in the provided tradition.

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the ritual space and fire; establish intention for suvita and vāja.
  • Press/prepare Soma (or its ritual substitute where applicable) and sanctify with mantras.
  • Recite the hymn as stuti to Indra, emphasizing the community as “pressers” and “setters flowing” of Soma.
  • Offer Soma/oblations while requesting Indra’s aid for success, protection, and empowered action.
  • Conclude with a final call for Indra to hear from the ‘wide earth’ and to come to the ghee-bright seat, sealing mutual joy between deity and worshippers.

Offerings

  • Soma (primary)
  • Ghṛta (ghee) oblations
  • Bhakṣa / nourishing food-offerings (as indicated by the hymn)
  • Optional: grains or cakes (puroḍāśa) in Indra context

Frequently Asked Questions

It asks Indra to bring suvita (a good, successful course) and vāja (victorious strength and the prize of effort), so life and action prosper under his support.

Because Indra is invoked as the deity who responds powerfully to Soma; the hymn presents Soma-pressing and praise as the means to invite his presence and help.

It suggests success on two levels—through one’s inner being (tmanā) and through embodied life and practical activity (tanā)—both upheld by Indra.

Ask anything about Sukta 148 of the Rig Veda

Answers come straight from the texts, with the shlokas they draw on. Ask in your own words.

Not sure where to start?

A free sign-in with Google or Apple keeps your chat saved across web and the app.

Read Rig Veda in the Vedapath app

Scan the QR code to open this directly in the app, with word-by-word meanings, Sanskrit recitation where available, and more.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Continue reading in the Vedapath app

Open in App
Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play