Rig Veda Sukta 16
Mandala 8Sukta 1612 Mantras

Sukta 16

Sukta 8.16

Rishi

Unknown/uncertain (not supplied)

Devata

Indra

Este himno es una alabanza exultante a Indra como soberano universal de los pueblos; se le invoca con palabra fresca e inspirada para que conceda fuerza, victoria y abundancia. Culmina en una súplica directa: que Indra guíe a los adoradores por el camino recto y otorgue la alegría interior (sumna) junto con plenitudes materiales.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 8.16

Mantras

Mantra 1

प्र सम्राजं चर्षणीनामिन्द्रं स्तोता नव्यं गीर्भिः । नरं नृषाहं मंहिष्ठम् ॥

Adelante traigo a Indra, soberano rey de los pueblos, con cantos nuevos e inspirados; al Varón, vencedor de los límites humanos, el más pródigo dador de plenitud.

Mantra 2

यस्मिन्नुक्थानि रण्यन्ति विश्वानि च श्रवस्या । अपामवो न समुद्रे ॥

En quien se deleitan todos los himnos y toda búsqueda de fama halla su plenitud — como la fuerza de las aguas reunida en el océano—, así es Indra: vasto receptáculo de nuestra palabra inspirada y de su renombre victorioso.

Mantra 3

तं सुष्टुत्या विवासे ज्येष्ठराजं भरे कृत्नुम् । महो वाजिनं सनिभ्यः ॥

A él, el rey más antiguo, consumado en la batalla, busco ganarlo con una alabanza recta y bien labrada; al gran vājin, que trae vāja — la plenitud de la fuerza— para nuestras ganancias.

Mantra 4

यस्यानूना गभीरा मदा उरवस्तरुत्राः । हर्षुमन्तः शूरसातौ ॥

Cuyos arrobos no menguan y son profundos, vastos e irresistiblemente vencedores, colmados de júbilo al ganar el premio del héroe: tal es la fuerza de Indra cuando se alza en nosotros.

Mantra 5

तमिद्धनेषु हितेष्वधिवाकाय हवन्ते । येषामिन्द्रस्ते जयन्ति ॥

A él, en verdad, lo invocan en las batallas donde están puestos los lances, por la palabra decisiva y el mandato que guía; aquellos por quienes Indra se mantiene — esos son los que vencen.

Mantra 6

तमिच्च्यौत्नैरार्यन्ति तं कृतेभिश्चर्षणयः । एष इन्द्रो वरिवस्कृत् ॥

A él, en verdad, lo alcanzan las potencias esforzadas con sus empeños; a él lo aseguran los linajes humanos con sus obras cumplidas. Este es Indra, el que hace ancho espacio, el que abre la amplitud.

Mantra 7

इन्द्रो ब्रह्मेन्द्र ऋषिरिन्द्रः पुरू पुरुहूतः । महान्महीभिः शचीभिः ॥

Indra es el Brahman, la Palabra sagrada; Indra es el Ṛṣi, el vidente. Indra es abundante, muchas veces invocado. Grande es por sus poderosas Śakti, fuerzas de voluntad eficaz.

Mantra 8

स स्तोम्यः स हव्यः सत्यः सत्वा तुविकूर्मिः । एकश्चित्सन्नभिभूतिः ॥

Él es digno del himno, digno de la ofrenda; es Verdad, ser de poder, con vastas energías que se alzan en oleadas. Aun siendo Uno, llega a ser el dominio vencedor.

Mantra 9

तमर्केभिस्तं सामभिस्तं गायत्रैश्चर्षणयः । इन्द्रं वर्धन्ति क्षितयः ॥

A él lo fortalecen con cantos Arka, con armonías Sāman y con los metros Gāyatrī; las moradas de los hombres alimentan a Indra, para que en nosotros crezca el Poder de la mente luminosa.

Mantra 10

प्रणेतारं वस्यो अच्छा कर्तारं ज्योतिः समत्सु । सासह्वांसं युधामित्रान् ॥

Hacia el guía del mejor camino avanzamos — hacia el hacedor de la Luz en las batallas; hacia el vencedor que, en la lucha, somete a los poderes hostiles.

Mantra 11

स नः पप्रिः पारयाति स्वस्ति नावा पुरुहूतः । इन्द्रो विश्वा अति द्विषः ॥

Él, el cumplidor, nos hace pasar con bienestar, como en una barca — Indra, el muy invocado — más allá de todo odio y división.

Mantra 12

स त्वं न इन्द्र वाजेभिर्दशस्या च गातुया च । अच्छा च नः सुम्नं नेषि ॥

Así tú, oh Indra, con plenitudes de fuerza, con el don del servicio recto y con la guía hacia el sendero — tráenos también tu gracia y la alegría del alma.

Inside Sukta 16

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    A fresh, elevated summons to Indra as the sovereign king of peoples and the most generous giver.

  2. Development

    Indra is magnified through layered epithets—hero, overcomer, abundant and many-invoked—until his identity expands to include sacred word and seer-vision.

  3. Climax

    The hymn’s high assertion that “Indra is brahman… Indra is ṛṣi,” presenting him as the very source of inspired speech and insight (RV 8.16.7).

  4. Where it settles

    A grounded, intimate prayer: Indra is asked to grant plenitudes, accept right service, lead on the path, and bring grace and inner gladness (RV 8.16.12).

The deity: Indra

  • In the VedaIndra is hailed as samrāj (universal king), nṛṣāha (overcomer of human limits), puruhūta (many-called), and mahān through his śacī (effective powers). He is celebrated as both the lord of victory and the inspirer of sacred speech and seer-vision (brahmā, ṛṣi) in the hymn’s bold identification.
  • Cosmic functionChampion of ṛta in the martial-cosmic sphere: he breaks obstacles, releases energies, wins the prize (vāja), and secures prosperity and protection for the community.
  • Inner significanceThe awakened force of courageous will and luminous intelligence that conquers inner resistance, clears the path, and turns inspired speech into effective realization.

Famous verses

pra samrājaṃ carṣaṇīnām
Verse 8.16.1Sets the hymn’s tone by invoking Indra as samrāj of the peoples and as the supreme, bountiful overcomer—framing both praise and expected boons.Read verse 8.16.1 →
indro brahmendra ṛṣir
Verse 8.16.7The theological summit: identifies Indra with brahman (sacred utterance) and ṛṣi (seerhood), portraying him as the fountainhead of inspired power and vision.Read verse 8.16.7 →
acchā ca naḥ sumnaṃ neṣi
Verse 8.16.12Concluding petition that binds outer success (vājebhiḥ) with inner blessing (sumna) and right guidance (gātu), making the hymn practical and devotional.Read verse 8.16.12 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Samrāj (sovereign ruler)
  • Puruhūta (often invoked)
  • Śacīvān (possessor of effective powers)
  • Vajrin (wielder of force/thunderbolt, implied by Indra’s typical profile)
  • Bounteous giver (maṃhiṣṭha)
  • Path-leader and benefactor (gātuyā, sumna)

Also by this seer

  • Many hymns in Rig Veda Mandala 8 are attributed to Kāṇva lineage poets (collective family attribution rather than a single named rishi in some cases).
  • Indra-stutis (praise hymns) emphasizing Indra as puruhūta (“much-invoked”) and as giver of vāja (strength/prize).

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the altar and kindle Agni as the carrier of offerings.
  • Recite Indra-stuti verses to invite Indra as samrāj and puruhūta.
  • Offer Soma (where applicable) and/or clarified butter while repeating key petitions for vāja and sumna.
  • Conclude with a request for guidance on the path (gātu) and for communal welfare.

Offerings

  • Soma (in Soma rites)
  • Ghee (ājya) into the fire
  • Oblations of food/grain as customary ancillary offerings

Frequently Asked Questions

It praises Indra as the supreme ruler and helper, and asks him for strength, success, guidance on the right path, and heartfelt well-being.

It poetically declares that Indra is not only a warrior-god but also the source of inspired sacred speech and seer-like insight that makes prayer effective.

The final verse asks Indra to grant vāja (power and winning energy), lead the worshippers on the path (gātu), and bring sumna—grace and inner gladness.

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