Sukta 43
Sukta 6.43
Bharadvāja (Bārhaspatya) tradition.
Indra.
Gāyatrī (likely; refrain-like structure; verify by syllable count in critical edition).
Este breve himno a Indra es una invitación concisa al Soma que evoca sus hazañas heroicas: someter a Śambara por Divodāsa, liberar las «vacas/rayos» de la piedra y establecer una fuerza victoriosa en el generoso patrono. Cada verso gira en torno al llamado a modo de estribillo: «Este es aquel Soma para ti, oh Indra, exprimido: bebe», enlazando la alabanza (stuti) directamente con la ofrenda (havis). Su propósito es atraer a Indra al prensado, renovar su embriaguez-exaltación (mada) y asegurar protección, victoria y abundancia para el sacrificante y el patrono.
Mantras
Mantra 1
यस्य त्यच्छम्बरं मदे दिवोदासाय रन्धयः । अयं स सोम इन्द्र ते सुतः पिब ॥
Tú que, en el éxtasis (made), sometiste a aquel Śambara para Divodāsa: éste es ese Soma para ti, oh Indra, exprimido; bebe.
Mantra 2
यस्य तीव्रसुतं मदं मध्यमन्तं च रक्षसे । अयं स सोम इन्द्र ते सुतः पिब ॥
Tú que guardas el éxtasis (mada), prensado con aguda intensidad — su medio y también su fin —: éste es ese Soma para ti, oh Indra, exprimido; bebe.
Mantra 3
यस्य गा अन्तरश्मनो मदे दृळ्हा अवासृजः । अयं स सोम इन्द्र ते सुतः पिब ॥
Tú que, en el éxtasis (made), soltaste las vacas—los rayos—fuertemente retenidas desde dentro de la piedra: éste es ese Soma para ti, oh Indra, exprimido; bebe.
Mantra 4
यस्य मन्दानो अन्धसो माघोनं दधिषे शवः । अयं स सोम इन्द्र ते सुतः पिब ॥
Tú que, regocijándote en la esencia del Soma, estableces la fuerza del dador generoso — éste es para ti, oh Indra, el Soma exprimido: bebe.
Inside Sukta 43
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
Indra is addressed through a remembered victory—his subduing of Śambara for Divodāsa—immediately tied to the present Soma invitation.
- Development
The hymn moves from martial aid to cosmic liberation: Indra’s power releases the cows/rays from within the stone, portraying him as opener of hidden abundance and light.
- Climax
Indra, exhilarated by Soma-essence, ‘sets in place’ (establishes) force in the bounteous giver—mythic power becomes present social prosperity and victorious capacity.
- Where it settles
The refrain repeatedly resolves the hymn into ritual immediacy: the Soma is ready now—‘pressed out, drink’—so the praised deeds become operative blessings.
The deity: Indra
- In the VedaIndra is the Soma-loving, thunderbolt-bearing champion who is strengthened by pressing and praise, famed for breaking fortresses, releasing the cows (light/wealth), and granting victory and generous gifts to patrons.
- Cosmic functionHe restores and maintains ṛta by overcoming obstructive powers, opening the channels of light and waters, and empowering the sacrificer’s community with strength, rain, and triumph.
- Inner significanceIndra symbolizes awakened force and courageous clarity—the inner power that breaks inertia, frees the ‘rays’ of insight from confinement, and turns intoxication (mada) into victorious energy rather than confusion.
The seer
- Bharadvāja (Bārhaspatya tradition)Bharadvāja gotra; associated with the Bārhaspatya/Angirasa stream · Foremost among the Bharadvājas of Maṇḍala 6, celebrated for Indra-centered Soma hymns that blend mythic recollection (e.g., Śambara, release of the cows) with direct ritual summons to drink.
Famous verses
ayaṃ sa soma indra te sutaḥ piba
ayaṃ sa soma indra te sutaḥ piba
ayaṃ sa soma indra te sutaḥ piba
Attributes of the deity
- Soma-drinker (somapā)
- Vajra-bearer and fortress-breaker
- Liberator of cows/rays (light, wealth)
- Protector of patrons (e.g., Divodāsa)
- Bounteous giver (māghavan)
- Warrior of ecstatic power (mada)
Also by this seer
- Major portion of Rigveda Maṇḍala 6 (Bharadvāja family collection), especially Indra and allied deities in Soma contexts
- Hymns invoking Indra’s Vṛtra-slaying and cow-releasing motifs across the Bharadvāja corpus (Mandala 6 family hymns)
The rite, step by step
- Prepare the Soma pressing and seat the deity mentally through recitation (āvāhana by praise).
- Recite the verses with the repeated invitation to drink, aligning each remembrance of Indra’s deed with the offering.
- Offer Soma (or its later substitute in non-Soma settings) while maintaining the refrain as the act-link (yajña-bandhu) between speech and oblation.
- Conclude with a request for strength, protection, and patronal bounty, sealing the hymn’s intention.
Offerings
- Pressed Soma (suta soma)
- Associated oblations in Soma ritual setting (supporting offerings as customary, e.g., ghee in the fire alongside the Soma service)
Frequently Asked Questions
It praises Indra’s famous victories and liberations and then repeatedly invites him to drink the freshly pressed Soma, so he grants strength, protection, and success to the worshippers and their patron.
The repetition acts like a ritual refrain: it ties each remembered deed of Indra to the present offering, making the praise immediately effective as an invitation and request for blessing.
On the surface it recalls a mythic act of freeing cattle/wealth; symbolically it suggests Indra releasing hidden light, inspiration, and abundance from obstruction—turning confinement into openness and clarity.
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