Rig Veda Sukta 43
Mandala 1Sukta 439 Mantras

Sukta 43

Sukta 1.43

Rishi

Kutsa Āṅgirasa (traditional for RV 1.43)

Devata

Rudra

Chandas

Gāyatrī (3 pādas of 8 syllables; typical for concise invocations)

RV 1.43 est un bref hymne en gāyatrī à Rudra, qui cherche la parole de louange juste, apaisant le cœur—celle qui fait du dieu redoutable une source de paix, de protection et de bien-être. Il met en avant l’aspect bienfaisant et lumineux de Rudra (resplendissant comme le Soleil et l’or), tout en reconnaissant implicitement sa puissance terrifiante; il vise à obtenir guérison et auspice pour l’adorant et la communauté.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 1.43

Mantras

Mantra 1

कद्रुद्राय प्रचेतसे मीळ्हुष्टमाय तव्यसे । वोचेम शंतमं हृदे ॥

Quelle parole dirons-nous à Rudra, le clairvoyant, le plus généreux, le plus puissant — afin qu’elle devienne paix elle-même dans le cœur ?

Mantra 2

यथा नो अदितिः करत्पश्वे नृभ्यो यथा गवे । यथा तोकाय रुद्रियम् ॥

Ainsi qu’Aditi agisse pour nous : bien-être pour nos souffles de vie et pour nos forces humaines, bien-être pour nos troupeaux lumineux ; de même pour la descendance — la grâce guérissante de Rudra.

Mantra 3

यथा नो मित्रो वरुणो यथा रुद्रश्चिकेतति । यथा विश्वे सजोषसः ॥

Qu’il en soit pour nous comme Mitra et Varuṇa le discernent et l’affermissent ; qu’il en soit comme Rudra éveille la juste conscience ; qu’il en soit comme tous les Dieux, d’un même accord, consentent et œuvrent ensemble.

Mantra 4

गाथपतिं मेधपतिं रुद्रं जलाषभेषजम् । तच्छंयोः सुम्नमीमहे ॥

Nous implorons la grâce de paix et de bien-être auprès de Rudra, seigneur du chant inspiré et seigneur de l’intelligence illuminée, le guérisseur dont le remède est le flot vivifiant et rafraîchissant.

Mantra 5

यः शुक्र इव सूर्यो हिरण्यमिव रोचते । श्रेष्ठो देवानां वसुः ॥

Lui qui resplendit comme le Soleil lumineux, qui brille comme l’or — il est le plus précieux trésor parmi les dieux, le Vasu suprême.

Mantra 6

शं नः करत्यर्वते सुगं मेषाय मेष्ये । नृभ्यो नारिभ्यो गवे ॥

Qu’il nous opère paix et bien; qu’il rende aisé le chemin pour le coursier de nos forces, pour le bélier et la brebis; pour les hommes et pour les femmes, pour la Vache de Lumière — passage sûr et juste mouvement pour toutes les parts de l’être.

Mantra 7

अस्मे सोम श्रियमधि नि धेहि शतस्य नृणाम् । महि श्रवस्तुविनृम्णम् ॥

En nous, ô Soma, pose et établis la splendeur de l’accomplissement — abondance pour cent puissances de l’homme; établis une grande renommée, une vaste et puissante force de l’âme.

Mantra 8

मा नः सोमपरिबाधो मारातयो जुहुरन्त । आ न इन्दो वाजे भज ॥

Qu’aucune oppression ne nous cerne, ô Soma; que les forces hostiles ne nous chassent pas. Viens à nous, ô Indu, et partage avec nous la plénitude de la force et de l’accomplissement victorieux.

Mantra 9

यास्ते प्रजा अमृतस्य परस्मिन्धामन्नृतस्य । मूर्धा नाभा सोम वेन आभूषन्तीः सोम वेदः ॥

Ces puissances‑progénitures qui sont tiennes, ô Soma, et qui demeurent dans la demeure suprême de l’immortalité, dans le siège du ṛta : couronnées au‑dessus, enracinées au centre du nombril — ô Soma, ô Vena, tu les connais, tandis qu’elles ornent et édifient l’être.

Inside Sukta 43

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    A searching question: what word can be spoken to Rudra so that it becomes peace within the heart (1.43.1).

  2. Development

    Rudra is praised through carefully chosen epithets—far-seeing, most bountiful, mightiest—then described in luminous imagery (Sun/gold), emphasizing his beneficent accessibility.

  3. Climax

    The recognition of Rudra as the ‘best treasure among the gods’—a radiant power that enriches and protects (centered in 1.43.5’s imagery).

  4. Where it settles

    The hymn settles into a śānti-oriented stance: the invoked power is to become inwardly pacifying and outwardly protective, leaving the worshipper aligned with auspiciousness and well-being.

The deity: Rudra

  • In the VedaRudra is portrayed as the far-seeing (pracetās), mighty yet most bountiful (mīḷhuṣṭama), a shining, precious presence—likened to the Sun and to gold—whose favor brings peace, health, and protection. He is approached with careful, reverent speech, seeking his gentle, auspicious face rather than his punishing arrows.
  • Cosmic functionGuardian and regulator of life-forces at the boundary of order and wild power: he can afflict with disease and disruption, yet also heal, restore wholeness, and safeguard the herds, people, and pathways of life.
  • Inner significanceThe transforming force of intense energy (tapas-like potency) that must be rightly addressed and harmonized; when invoked with truth and humility, it becomes inner calm, courage, and healing clarity in the heart.

The seer

  • Kutsa ĀṅgirasaĀṅgirasa (Angiras lineage; Kutsa is counted among the early seer-families allied with the Bharatas in tradition) · A prominent early ṛṣi associated with hymns to Indra and themes of victory and right inspiration; remembered as a seer whose speech (vāc) effectively invokes divine help and protection.

Famous verses

vocema śaṃtamaṃ hṛde
Verse 1.43.1Sets the hymn’s distinctive tone: the right speech to Rudra is not mere praise but a mantra meant to become ‘peace in the heart,’ framing Rudra as both formidable and merciful.Read verse 1.43.1 →
यः शुक्र इव सूर्यो हिरण्यमिव रोचते । श्रेष्ठो देवानां वसुः ॥
Verse 1.43.5Crystallizes Rudra’s beneficent, radiant aspect with striking similes (Sun, gold) and names him the best ‘treasure’ among the gods—important for interpreting Rudra beyond fear.Read verse 1.43.5 →
यास्ते प्रजा अमृतस्य परस्मिन्धामन्नृतस्य । मूर्धा नाभा सोम वेन आभूषन्तीः सोम वेदः ॥
Verse 1.43.9Often noted in transmission because it invokes Soma and ṛta imagery; it is significant for textual/recensional discussion and highlights how Vedic hymns can close with broader cosmic language.Read verse 1.43.9 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Far-seeing (pracetās)
  • Mighty and formidable (tavya)
  • Bountiful/merciful to devotees (mīḷhuṣṭama)
  • Luminous, radiant like Sun and gold
  • Healer-protector who grants peace (śaṃ)
  • Awe-inspiring wielder of power (implied in careful invocation)

Also by this seer

  • Rig Veda Mandala 1 hymns traditionally attributed to Kutsa (including several Indra-focused sūktas in the early portion of Book 1)
  • Association in later Vedic-Itihāsa traditions with Indra’s aid to seers and the overcoming of hostile powers (as reflected in Indra-Kutsa narrative motifs)

The rite, step by step

  • Purification and ācamana; establish a calm, truthful intention (satya-saṅkalpa)
  • Kindle or approach the sacred fire (Agni) or a clean altar-space; seat facing east or north
  • Recite the sūkta in Gāyatrī cadence with clear pronunciation; pause after key epithets (pracetase, mīḷhuṣṭamāya) to internalize meaning
  • Offer oblations synchronized with recitation (one per mantra or at selected mantras such as 1.43.1 and 1.43.5)
  • Conclude with a brief silent meditation on ‘śaṃ’ (peace) in the heart and a closing namas/prārthanā for welfare of all beings

Offerings

  • Ghee (ājya) into fire
  • Soma substitute in later practice (milk/juice) where appropriate
  • Fragrant offerings (samidh, herbs) and water libation for cooling/śānti

Frequently Asked Questions

It is a short hymn to Rudra asking for the right kind of praise—words that bring peace into the heart and draw Rudra’s protective, healing favor.

The imagery emphasizes Rudra’s beneficent and auspicious side: not only a fearsome power, but a radiant presence that enriches and safeguards life.

It is commonly used as a peace-and-protection prayer, recited in a fire offering or personal recitation—especially in times of illness, anxiety, or when seeking spiritual steadiness.

Ask anything about Sukta 43 of the Rig Veda

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