Rig Veda Sukta 72
Mandala 6Sukta 725 Mantras

Sukta 72

Sukta 6.72

Rishi

Bharadvāja Bārhaspatya (traditional for Mandala 6); hymn to Indra-Soma

Devata

Indra and Soma (dual)

Chandas

Triṣṭubh (probable; typical for heroic Indra hymns and cadence here)

Este breve himno en triṣṭubh alaba las potencias gemelas Indra y Soma como hacedores primordiales que revelan el Sol y derriban la oscuridad interior y exterior. Recuerda su hazaña heroica de matar a Vṛtra y liberar las aguas, ensanchando ríos y mares. Por último, el himno convierte esa victoria cósmica en un don humano: fuerza salvadora, vigor varonil y poder vencedor en la batalla para el pueblo.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 6.72

Mantras

Mantra 1

इन्द्रासोमा महि तद्वां महित्वं युवं महानि प्रथमानि चक्रथुः । युवं सूर्यं विविदथुर्युवं स्वर्विश्वा तमांस्यहतं निदश्च ॥

Oh Indra y Soma, grande es esa grandeza vuestra: vosotros dos realizasteis las primeras obras poderosas. Descubristeis el Sol y el Svar; abatísteis todas las tinieblas y el clamor hostil, dentro y fuera.

Mantra 2

इन्द्रासोमा वासयथ उषासमुत्सूर्यं नयथो ज्योतिषा सह । उप द्यां स्कम्भथुः स्कम्भनेनाप्रथतं पृथिवीं मातरं वि ॥

Oh Indra y Soma, hacéis brillar a Uṣas, la Aurora, y conducís a Sūrya, el Sol, con el poder de la luz. Sostenéis el cielo con vuestra fuerza sustentadora; ensancháis a la Madre Tierra en su vasta amplitud.

Mantra 3

इन्द्रासोमावहिमपः परिष्ठां हथो वृत्रमनु वां द्यौरमन्यत । प्रार्णांस्यैरयतं नदीनामा समुद्राणि पप्रथुः पुरूणि ॥

Oh Indra y Soma, abatísteis a la Serpiente que retenía las aguas en cerco; el mismo cielo reconoció vuestra hazaña. Pusisteis en marcha las corrientes impetuosas de los ríos; hicisteis que muchos mares se ensancharan y se colmaran.

Mantra 4

इन्द्रासोमा पक्वमामास्वन्तर्नि गवामिद्दधथुर्वक्षणासु । जगृभथुरनपिनद्धमासु रुशच्चित्रासु जगतीष्वन्तः ॥

Oh Indra y Soma, dentro de lo inmaduro instauráis la madurez; colocáis los rayos — las «vacas» — en sus cercados. Atrapasteis lo que no estaba atado, resplandeciendo dentro de los mundos móviles de muchos colores, en lo íntimo.

Mantra 5

इन्द्रासोमा युवमङ्ग तरुत्रमपत्यसाचं श्रुत्यं रराथे । युवं शुष्मं नर्यं चर्षणिभ्यः सं विव्यथुः पृतनाषाहमुग्रा ॥

Indra y Soma, vosotros dos en verdad otorgasteis la fuerza salvadora, que gana la descendencia, digna de ser oída. Para los pueblos unisteis y desplegasteis ampliamente el vigor varonil, la potencia vencedora en la batalla, oh poderosos.

Inside Sukta 72

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    Begins by proclaiming the vast greatness of Indra and Soma and their primordial ‘first mighty works,’ including the discovery of the Sun and Svar and the striking down of darkness.

  2. Development

    Moves from cosmic illumination to mythic action: the slaying of the serpent/obstructor who enclosed the waters, acknowledged even by heaven, and the setting of rivers and seas in motion.

  3. Climax

    The Vṛtra/ahi victory and the release of waters—an image of the decisive breakthrough that restores the world’s flow and abundance.

  4. Where it settles

    Applies the divine feat to human life: Indra–Soma grant rescuing strength, future-winning support, and manly, battle-conquering power to the peoples.

The deity: Indra–Soma

  • In the VedaIndra is the thunder-wielding Vṛtra-slayer and giver of victory; Soma is the pressed, exhilarating sacred draught that empowers gods and seers. Together they are lauded as joint agents of the first great deeds—revealing light, releasing waters, and crushing obstruction and hostile forces.
  • Cosmic functionThey break the bonds of confinement (Vṛtra/ahi), set the waters and rivers flowing, and establish light (Sun/Svar) as an ordered, life-giving cosmos.
  • Inner significanceIndra–Soma symbolize awakened force plus inspired rapture: decisive courage (Indra) fueled by luminous vitality and clarity (Soma). Psychologically, they conquer tamas (darkness, inertia) and ‘nid’ (hostile inner cry/negation), restoring energy, confidence, and forward movement.

The seer

  • Bharadvāja BārhaspatyaBharadvāja gotra; Bārhaspatya (linked to Bṛhaspati) · Foremost seer of Maṇḍala 6, celebrated for hymns of inspired speech and victorious power, especially to Indra and allied deities.

Famous verses

इन्द्रासोमा महि तद्वां महित्वं युवं महानि प्रथमानि चक्रथुः । युवं सूर्यं विविदथुर्युवं स्वर्विश्वा तमांस्यहतं निदश्च ॥
Verse 6.72.1States the hymn’s central theology: Indra–Soma as primordial agents who reveal light (Sun/Svar) and destroy darkness and hostile negation within.Read verse 6.72.1 →
इन्द्रासोमावहिमपः परिष्ठां हथो वृत्रमनु वां द्यौरमन्यत । प्रार्णांस्यैरयतं नदीनामा समुद्राणि पप्रथुः पुरूणि ॥
Verse 6.72.3Classic Vṛtra-slaying and ‘release of the waters’ motif, linking divine victory to the world’s rivers, floods, and widening seas—symbol of restored cosmic flow.Read verse 6.72.3 →
इन्द्रासोमा युवमङ्ग तरुत्रमपत्यसाचं श्रुत्यं रराथे । युवं शुष्मं नर्यं चर्षणिभ्यः सं विव्यथुः पृतनाषाहमुग्रा ॥
Verse 6.72.5Concludes with the practical boon: rescuing strength, heard-worthy aid, and battle-winning vigor granted to the community—key for ritual intent and application.Read verse 6.72.5 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Vṛtra-slaying power
  • Releasers of waters and life-currents
  • Revealers of Sun and Svar (luminous realm)
  • Battle-winning might and protection
  • Inspiration, exhilaration, and strengthening through Soma
  • Dispellers of darkness and hostile forces

Also by this seer

  • Primary authorship/traditional association with much of Rig Veda Maṇḍala 6
  • Numerous Indra hymns emphasizing Vṛtra-slaying and protection
  • Hymns to Agni and other deities in Maṇḍala 6 reflecting Bharadvāja’s priestly lineage

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the altar and kindle Agni; establish ritual order (ṛta) with introductory recitations.
  • Press Soma (abhisava), filter and mix according to rite; prepare the Indra–Soma offering.
  • Recite the sukta as stotra/śastra-style praise while inviting Indra–Soma to partake.
  • Offer Soma libations with accompanying ghee oblations into the fire; request release of ‘waters’ (prosperity/flow) and victory.
  • Conclude with blessings for strength, rescue, and communal well-being (kṣema) and protection in conflict.

Offerings

  • Soma juice (primary)
  • Ghee/clarified butter
  • Optional cakes/oblations customary to Indra in Soma rites

Frequently Asked Questions

They are praised as a paired power: Indra as the decisive warrior who breaks obstruction, and Soma as the sacred energizing force that strengthens gods and inspires clarity.

On the surface it recalls the myth of defeating Vṛtra who held back the waters; symbolically it means removing blockages so life, prosperity, and inner energy can flow again.

It presents Indra–Soma as revealers of light and higher radiance—dispelling darkness in the world and within the person, which supports courage, order, and right action.

Ask anything about Sukta 72 of the Rig Veda

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