Rig Veda 4.27.4: Mandala 4, Sukta 27, Mantra 4
Sukta 4.27
- Rishi
- Vāmadeva Gautama
- Devata
- Soma with Indra’s supportive force
- Chandas
- Triṣṭubh
- Rasa
- Adbhuta (wonder) and Vira (heroism)
ऋजिप्य ईमिन्द्रावतो न भुज्युं श्येनो जभार बृहतो अधि ष्णोः । अन्तः पतत्पतत्र्यस्य पर्णमध यामनि प्रसितस्य तद्वेः ॥
ṛjipyá ī́m índrāvato ná bhujyúṃ śyéno jabhāra br̥ható ádhi ṣṇóḥ | antáḥ patat patatríy asya párṇam ádha yā́mani prásitasya tád véḥ ||
El de alas rectas — como Bhujyu rescatado por los poderes de Indra— lo llevó desde lo Vasto, desde la alta cumbre. Volando por dentro, el ala del alado se agitó; y entonces, en el camino del impulso liberado, conoció aquella vía decisiva.
Word by Word
- ऋजिप्यः
- R̥jipya (a name/epithet of Indra)Noun/Adjectiveपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole कर्तृ (इन्द्रस्य विशेषणम्)Root ऋजिप्य (प्रातिपदिक; इन्द्र-विशेषण)
- ईम्
- indeed; just; himIndeclinableअव्ययRoot ईम् (निपात)
- इन्द्रावतः
- of/with Indra; Indra-possessingAdjectiveपुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन (वेदिक-प्रयोगः: -अतः = -अतः/-अस्य)Role सम्बन्ध (षष्ठी) — ‘इन्द्रवत्’ सम्बन्धःRoot इन्द्रावत् (प्रातिपदिक)
- न
- like; asIndeclinableअव्ययRoot न (निपात)
- भुज्युम्
- Bhujyu (a person/hero)Nounपुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचनRole कर्म (जभार इति क्रियायाः)Root भुज्यु (प्रातिपदिक; नाम)
- श्येनः
- the falcon/eagleNounपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole कर्तृ (जभार इति क्रियायाः)Root श्येन (प्रातिपदिक)
- जभार
- bore; carried offVerbलिट् (परोक्सभूत), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपदRoot √भृ (भरणे)
- बृहतः
- of the great (one); from the loftyAdjectiveपुं/नपुं, षष्ठी, एकवचनRole अपादान/सम्बन्ध (अधि इत्यनेन सह: ‘from/on the great …’)Root बृहन्त् (प्रातिपदिक)
- अधि
- upon; from; overIndeclinableअव्ययRoot अधि (उपसर्ग/अव्यय)
- ष्णोः
- of the summit/height (lofty place)Nounपुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचनRole अधिकरण/सम्बन्ध (अधि— ‘upon/from the summit’)Root ष्णु (प्रातिपदिक; वेदिक-शब्दः, ‘शिखर/शीर्ष/उच्चस्थान’ इत्यर्थे)
- अन्तः
- within; inwardlyIndeclinableअव्ययRoot अन्तः (अव्यय)
- पतत्
- flyingVerbशतृ-प्रत्यय (वर्तमान कृदन्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन (श्येनस्य विशेषणम्)Role कर्तृ-विशेषणRoot √पत् (गतौ/पतने)
- पतत्र्यस्य
- of the winged (bird)Noun/Adjectiveपुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचनRole सम्बन्ध (षष्ठी) — ‘of the winged one’Root पतत्रिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
- पर्णम्
- wing; featherNounनपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचनRole कर्म (पतत्/जभार इत्यर्थ-सम्बन्धे: ‘wing/feather’)Root पर्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
- अध
- then; thereuponIndeclinableअव्ययRoot अध (निपात)
- यामनि
- on the course/way; in the journeyNounनपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचनRole अधिकरण (स्थान/मार्गे)Root यामन् (प्रातिपदिक)
- प्रसितस्य
- of the sent-forth; of the extended/shot (course)Adjective (past participle)पुं/नपुं, षष्ठी, एकवचन (यामनि इत्यस्य विशेषणम्)Role सम्बन्ध/विशेषणRoot प्र-√सि/√सृ (प्रेषणे/प्रसारणे) → प्रसित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
- तत्
- thatPronounनपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचनRole कर्म (वेद् इति क्रियायाः)Root तद् (सर्वनाम)
- वेः
- know; perceiveVerbलोट्/लुङ्-इञ्जङ्क्टिव्-प्रयोगसदृशः, मध्यमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपदRoot √विद् (ज्ञाने) / वेदिक √वे (गत्यादौ/वेदने) — ‘वेः’ (2sg injunctive/imperative-like)
Sandhi Notes
- पदच्छेदः (सम्भाव्यः): ऋजिप्यः | ईम् | इन्द्रावतः | न | भुज्युम् | श्येनः | जभार | बृहतः | अधि | ष्णोः | अन्तः | पतत् | पतत्र्यस्य | पर्णम् | अध | यामनि | प्रसितस्य | तत् | वेः । सन्धि-विशेषाः: (1) ‘इन्द्रा॑वतो॒’ = इन्द्रावतः (षष्ठी एक.) — वेदिक-रूपे -अतः। (2) ‘अधि॒ ष्णोः’ इति पदद्वयम्
- ष्णोः वेदिक-शब्दः (षष्ठी एक.). (3) ‘अन्तः प॑तत्पत॒त्र्य॑स्य’ = अन्तः | पतत् | पतत्र्यस्य (पदसंयोगे संधिः/समासाभासः). (4) ‘प॒र्णमध॒’ = पर्णम् | अध (म् + अ → म् अ, पदपाठे विच्छेदः). (5) ‘तद्वेः’ = तत् | वेः (द् + व् संयोगः)
The meaning
Outer meaning
The straight-winged falcon, like Bhujyu rescued by Indra’s powers, bore it from the Vast, from the lofty summit. Flying within, the wing moved; then on the journey of the released impulse he knew the decisive way.
Inner meaning
The ‘straight-winged’ (ṛjipya) indicates a will that is aligned—direct, not crooked with desire or doubt. Supported by Indra’s powers (illumined mind-forces), the Śyena carries Soma (delight) down from the bṛhat (the Vast, higher consciousness) and from the summit (adhi ṣṇoḥ: the high seat/peak of being). ‘Flying within’ suggests the movement is internalized: the ascent/descent occurs in the inner sky of consciousness. When the impulse is ‘released’ (prasita), the seeker recognizes the right path (tad veḥ): the practical, decisive way to bring higher delight safely into embodied life without distortion.
Universal truth
Higher experiences must be integrated. With straightness of will and illumination, one can carry the summit-gain into daily life by knowing the right way of application and movement.
Themes
Indra-assisted Soma bringing, secret of safe descent, Vast (Bṛhat), inner flight
The seer
- Rishi
- Vāmadeva Gautama
- Lineage
- Gautama
- Other hymns
- RV 4.26, RV 4.27.5, RV 4.30
Family tradition
The Gautama-Vāmadeva hymns often emphasize Indra’s illumining aid and the safe bringing of higher gains into the human domain.
Significance
This verse is a key yogic instruction: straightness (ṛju) plus Indra’s light yields a reliable integration of Ananda into action—central to an integral (not escapist) spirituality.
The deity
- Devata
- Indra-Soma complex (Indra’s supportive force; Soma as the carried essence)
- Epithets
- Maghavan (bounteous, implied in the cycle), Vṛtrahan (slayer of the coverer, implied by Indra-support), Śukra Soma (bright Soma, implied)
- Related deities
- Agni, Uṣas, Vāyu
Cosmic role
Indra supplies victorious illumination and power; Soma supplies delight/immortality. Together they enable the descent of higher substance into the human sacrifice.
Inner power
Indra: luminous mind-force that discerns and conquers. Soma: Ananda that nourishes and stabilizes. Śyena: the carrier-function of intuition and will.
In ritual
Where it is used
Soma-yajña; verses supporting Soma’s successful bringing and Indra’s empowerment
ऋ॒जि॒प्य ई॒मिन्द्रा॑वतो॒ न भु॒ज्युं श्ये॒नो ज॑भार बृह॒तो अधि॒ ष्णोः । अ॒न्तः प॑तत्पत॒त्र्य॑स्य प॒र्णमध॒ याम॑नि॒ प्रसि॑तस्य॒ तद्वेः ॥
ऋ॒जि॒प्यः । ई॒म् । इन्द्र॑ऽवतः । न । भु॒ज्युम् । श्ये॒नः । ज॒भा॒र॒ । बृ॒ह॒तः । अधि॑ । स्नोः । अ॒न्तरिति॑ । प॒त॒त् । प॒त॒त्रि । अ॒स्य॒ । प॒र्णम् । अध॑ । याम॑नि । प्रऽसि॑तस्य । तत् । वेः ॥
ṛjipyaḥ | īm | indra-vataḥ | na | bhujyum | śyenaḥ | jabhāra | bṛhataḥ | adhi | snoḥ | antariti | patat | patatri | asya | parṇam | adha | yāmani | pra-sitasya | tat | veḥ
44
4 pādas × ~11 syllables
Noble, steady, and expansive; less turbulent than prior verse—suggesting secured passage.
Gives confidence and composure; the cadence supports integration and ‘knowing the way’ rather than dramatic struggle.
- ṛjipya
- Literal: straight-winged. Symbolic: straight will and purified direction; sincerity that flies true
- indrāvataḥ
- Literal: helped by Indra’s powers. Symbolic: supported by illumined intelligence and victorious mental force
- bṛhataḥ
- Literal: from the Vast. Symbolic: from wide higher consciousness (bṛhat)
- adhi ṣṇoḥ
- Literal: from the lofty summit/height. Symbolic: from the high seat of realization; peak of being
- antaḥ patat
- Literal: flying within. Symbolic: innerized yogic movement; the journey occurs in the subtle being
- prasitasya yāmani
- Literal: on the journey of the released (impulse). Symbolic: when aspiration is unbound and rightly directed, the path becomes knowable
- tad veḥ
- Literal: he knew that way. Symbolic: practical gnosis: knowledge of the right method for integration
Integrates Indra’s force with Soma’s descent: recitational support for stabilizing the Soma-power by Indra-like strength in Soma rites.
Around Soma offering sequences and Indra-Soma praises; thematically used to affirm successful conveyance
Confirms the safe arrival and right placement of Soma for Indra’s drinking and victory
Chant when trying to bring a high meditation state into work/relationships—invoking straightness and Indra’s light to ‘know the way’ of application.
bṛhat ‘vast’ from √bṛh ‘to grow, expand’ (Bṛhat as a technical Vedic ‘vastness’ of truth-consciousness); indra-vant ‘possessed of Indra’ (support of luminous force); √vid ‘know’ (veḥ: perfect/2sg? Vedic injunctive/perfect usage; here ‘he knew/has known’); pra-sita from pra- + √sī/√sā ‘to set in motion, send’ → released impulse.
Bṛhat (the Vast) as truth-plane, inner journey (antaḥ patat), support of Indra-force in descent
R̥ta is explicitly experiential as ‘the way’ that is known on the released journey—right movement of consciousness.
Knowing ‘tad veḥ’ indicates a truth-guidance (inner gnosis) rather than trial-and-error.
Descent and integration: higher substance is brought from summit into embodied field, enabling a transformed life.
Integral Vedantic-Yogic orientation: ascent to the Vast and descent into life, guided by illumination.
unspecified
unspecified
Summit/Vast = higher consciousness; straight-winged flight = sincere, aligned will; journey = applied sādhanā in life.
- What is the primary Vedic 'mythologem' present in this verse?
- The ‘rescued/assisted carrier’ myth: the Falcon’s Soma-bearing is likened to a legendary rescue (Bhujyu), emphasizing divine assistance. The core action is the safe transport of a supraconscient substance from the Vast summit into the inner field.
- How does the linguistic structure reflect Proto-Indo-European roots?
- √bṛh ‘grow, expand’ resonates with widespread IE notions of ‘great/vast’ (though not a direct single PIE cognate mapping in form, the semantic field is inherited). √vid ‘know’ is PIE *weyd-. The compound indra-vant shows productive Indo-Aryan compounding typical of early IE poetic diction (possessive bahuvrīhi).
- What is the relationship between the Rishi and the Devata here?
- The ṛṣi presents realization as a collaboration: Soma’s delight is carried, but Indra’s force makes the transit possible and safe. The ‘knowing of the way’ (tat veḥ) is the ṛṣi’s gained method—how to hold the descending ecstasy through inner flight without loss.
Cultivate straightness (ṛju) and invoke Indra’s light to integrate higher delight into action; learn the ‘right way’ of descent.
Sahasrāra/Ājñā (summit and guidance) with grounding through Maṇipūra (right action)
Inhale upward to the crown (4), exhale downward into the heart/solar plexus (6), feeling the ‘carrying down’ of calm delight.
Wide, guided, quietly powerful—ready for integration.
After chanting, ask inwardly: ‘What is the right next step (ṛta) to embody this peace/joy today?’ Wait for a simple, practical directive.
Tri-svara (udātta/anudātta/svarita) per śākhā; keep a dignified steadiness—avoid rushing.
Let ‘ṛjipya’ be clean and upright; broaden the vowel space on ‘bṛhataḥ’; soften into inwardness on ‘antaḥ patat’; end with clarity on ‘tad veḥ’.
ṛjipya: clear vocalic ‘ṛ’ and palatal ‘j’., indrāvato: keep long ‘ā’ and distinct ‘v’., antaḥ: audible visarga ‘ḥ’ before pause., prasitasya: articulate ‘pra-si-’ without collapsing into ‘prə-’.
Even, luminous, and confident; a ‘guided’ tone.
3
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