Rig Veda Sukta 34
Mandala 8Sukta 3418 Mantras

Sukta 34

Sukta 8.34

Rishi

Kāṇva lineage (explicitly referenced: ‘kaṇvasya’)

Devata

Indra

Chandas

likely Gāyatrī/Anuṣṭubh-like refrain structure; exact meter not provided in input

Cet hymne est une invitation pressante à Indra : qu’il vienne avec ses coursiers fauves, qu’il accepte le soma et qu’il vivifie la louange bien façonnée du voyant de la lignée des Kāṇva (kaṇvasya). Un refrain récurrent appelle Indra « depuis ce ciel d’ordre souverain » jusque dans le champ présent de l’adorant, lui demandant de stabiliser les forces rapides et de convertir le mouvement en puissance victorieuse, porteuse de vérité.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 8.34

Mantras

Mantra 1

एन्द्र याहि हरिभिरुप कण्वस्य सुष्टुतिम् । दिवो अमुष्य शासतो दिवं यय दिवावसो ॥

Ô Indra, viens avec tes coursiers fauves, approche-toi de la louange bien formée de Kaṇva. De ce ciel qui commande, viens vers ce ciel-ci, ô Divāvasu.

Mantra 2

आ त्वा ग्रावा वदन्निह सोमी घोषेण यच्छतु । दिवो अमुष्य शासतो दिवं यय दिवावसो ॥

Que la pierre à presser, parlant ici, t’amène, et que le fracas du Soma te conduise. De ce ciel qui commande, viens vers ce ciel-ci, ô Divāvasu.

Mantra 3

अत्रा वि नेमिरेषामुरां न धूनुते वृकः । दिवो अमुष्य शासतो दिवं यय दिवावसो ॥

Ici le cercle de leur course ne chancelle pas, comme le loup ne peut ébranler l’étendue. Du ciel qui ordonne, viens en ce ciel, ô Indra, maître du jour lumineux; établis en nous un mouvement inébranlable.

Mantra 4

आ त्वा कण्वा इहावसे हवन्ते वाजसातये । दिवो अमुष्य शासतो दिवं यय दिवावसो ॥

Les Kāṇva t’appellent ici pour secours, pour gagner le vā́ja, la force victorieuse. Du ciel qui ordonne, viens en ce ciel, ô Indra, maître du jour lumineux; établis en nous la victoire de la puissance.

Mantra 5

दधामि ते सुतानां वृष्णे न पूर्वपाय्यम् । दिवो अमुष्य शासतो दिवं यय दिवावसो ॥

Je dépose pour toi le Soma pressé, ô puissant — breuvage d’autrefois, le premier à boire. Du ciel qui ordonne, viens en ce ciel, ô Indra, maître du jour lumineux; que l’antique délice devienne en nous puissance.

Mantra 6

स्मत्पुरंधिर्न आ गहि विश्वतोधीर्न ऊतये । दिवो अमुष्य शासतो दिवं यय दिवावसो ॥

Ô Indra, riche de plénitudes promptes à s’accomplir, viens à nous ; deviens pour nous l’intelligence tournée vers tous les côtés, pour notre sauvegarde. De ce ciel-là, par sa puissance qui commande, marche vers le ciel lumineux, ô Divāvasu, en nous apportant l’aide qui affermit la juste marche.

Mantra 7

आ नो याहि महेमते सहस्रोते शतामघ । दिवो अमुष्य शासतो दिवं यय दिवावसो ॥

Viens à nous, ô magnanime, ô dispensateur de mille secours, ô seigneur de cent largesses. De ce ciel-là, selon son ordre souverain, marche vers le ciel lumineux, ô Divāvasu, et apporte la force salvatrice dans notre devenir.

Mantra 8

आ त्वा होता मनुर्हितो देवत्रा वक्षदीड्यः । दिवो अमुष्य शासतो दिवं यय दिवावसो ॥

Le Hotar, établi par Manu, te portera ici vers le divin, ô digne de louange. De ce ciel-là, selon son ordre qui commande, marche vers le ciel lumineux, ô Divāvasu, et sois présent comme notre puissance d’élévation.

Mantra 9

आ त्वा मदच्युता हरी श्येनं पक्षेव वक्षतः । दिवो अमुष्य शासतो दिवं यय दिवावसो ॥

Vers toi, inébranlable dans l’ivresse (mada), tes deux coursiers fauves te porteront ici, comme le faucon est porté par ses ailes. De ce ciel dont l’ordonnance fait loi, viens, en vol rapide de puissance, dans notre vaste clarté, ô Divāvasu.

Mantra 10

आ याह्यर्य आ परि स्वाहा सोमस्य पीतये । दिवो अमुष्य शासतो दिवं यय दिवावसो ॥

Viens, ô Noble, viens de toutes parts; svāhā — vers la boisson du Soma. De ce ciel dont l’ordonnance fait loi, avance vers le ciel lumineux, ô Divāvasu.

Mantra 11

आ नो याह्युपश्रुत्युक्थेषु रणया इह । दिवो अमुष्य शासतो दिवं यय दिवावसो ॥

Viens à nous, toi qui écoutes de près; dans nos hymnes, nos uktha, fais résonner ici la joie. De ce ciel dont l’ordonnance fait loi, avance vers le ciel lumineux, ô Divāvasu.

Mantra 12

सरूपैरा सु नो गहि सम्भृतैः सम्भृताश्वः । दिवो अमुष्य शासतो दिवं यय दिवावसो ॥

Viens vite à nous avec des puissances de forme accordée (sarūpa) — avec des coursiers bien attelés et rassemblés en unité. Selon l’ordre souverain de ce ciel, ô Divāvasu, va vers le ciel lumineux.

Mantra 13

आ याहि पर्वतेभ्यः समुद्रस्याधि विष्टपः । दिवो अमुष्य शासतो दिवं यय दिवावसो ॥

Viens — des montagnes, d’au-dessus du fondement de l’océan, de tout siège élevé. Selon l’ordre souverain de ce ciel, ô Divāvasu, va vers le ciel lumineux.

Mantra 14

आ नो गव्यान्यश्व्या सहस्रा शूर दर्दृहि । दिवो अमुष्य शासतो दिवं यय दिवावसो ॥

Apporte-nous — les richesses bovines (gavya) et les forces des chevaux (aśvya), par milliers, ô héros; affermis-les en nous, rends-les durables. Selon l’ordre souverain de ce ciel, ô Divāvasu, va vers le ciel lumineux.

Mantra 15

आ नः सहस्रशो भरायुतानि शतानि च । दिवो अमुष्य शासतो दिवं यय दिवावसो ॥

Apporte-nous par milliers — oui, par dizaines de milliers et par centaines — ces plénitudes. Selon l’ordonnance souveraine de ce Ciel, va vers le Ciel lumineux, ô Divāvasu, et que l’abondance devienne la loi de notre vie.

Mantra 16

आ यदिन्द्रश्च दद्वहे सहस्रं वसुरोचिषः । ओजिष्ठमश्व्यं पशुम् ॥

Quand Indra aussi s’approche de notre offrande, qu’il vienne à nous mille richesses lumineuses, et la force la plus puissante — prompte comme un coursier — un bien tel un troupeau, à maîtriser et à conduire.

Mantra 17

य ऋज्रा वातरंहसोऽरुषासो रघुष्यदः । भ्राजन्ते सूर्या इव ॥

Ces lumineux — allant droit, rapides comme le vent, roux de l’énergie de l’aurore, se ruant en avant — resplendissent comme des soleils.

Mantra 18

पारावतस्य रातिषु द्रवच्चक्रेष्वाशुषु । तिष्ठं वनस्य मध्य आ ॥

Dans les dons venus de l’au-delà, au milieu des roues rapides qui courent—tiens-toi, prends ta place; demeure au centre de la forêt, dans sa profondeur intérieure.

Inside Sukta 34

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    A direct summons: Indra is called to come with tawny steeds to the Kānva’s well-fashioned praise.

  2. Development

    The hymn reiterates arrival and participation—Indra is invited to circle near, drink Soma, and bring the authority of the higher order (‘śāsataḥ’) into the worshipper’s luminous field.

  3. Climax

    The svāhā-driven Soma invitation peaks as Indra’s descent is imagined as a transfer of power from the commanding heaven to the here-and-now of the rite and heart.

  4. Where it settles

    The closing imagery seeks steadiness amid speed—Indra (or the invoked force) is asked to take a firm stand within the moving ‘wheels,’ centering energy in the inner ‘forest’ (depth of being).

The deity: Indra

  • In the VedaIndra is hailed as the mighty Soma-drinker who rides with tawny horses, answers well-shaped stuti (praise), and turns inspired speech into force that conquers obstacles and releases abundance.
  • Cosmic functionHe upholds ṛta by defeating obstructive powers, releasing waters/light, and empowering the life-force through storms, victory, and the invigorating surge associated with Soma.
  • Inner significanceIndra signifies the awakened will and courageous intelligence that breaks inner resistance, harnesses turbulent energies, and establishes a clear, victorious order in the seeker’s consciousness.

The seer

  • Kāṇva (Kānva seer of the Kāṇva family)Kāṇva gotra (Kānva lineage; explicitly invoked as ‘kaṇvasya’) · The Kāṇvas are among the most prolific Rigvedic poet-families, renowned for strong Indra-invocations, Soma-centered praise, and vivid images of speed, chariot-force, and victorious inspiration.

Famous verses

divo amuṣya śāsato divaṃ yaya divāvaso
Verse 8.34.1Sets the core program of the sukta: Indra’s arrival with tawny steeds to the Kānva praise, and the refrain-like movement from the higher heaven of command into the worshipper’s present ‘divam.’Read verse 8.34.1 →
svāhā somasya pītaye
Verse 8.34.10Highlights the Soma-ritual pivot with ‘svāhā’ and explicitly frames Indra as the noble power approaching for Soma-drinking, repeating the key refrain of descent from the higher order.Read verse 8.34.10 →
पारावतस्य रातिषु द्रवच्चक्रेष्वाशुषु । तिष्ठं वनस्य मध्य आ ॥
Verse 8.34.18Concludes with a dense symbolic image—swift wheels and the ‘middle of the forest’—often read as the need to govern rapid forces by establishing an inner center.Read verse 8.34.18 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Soma-priya (delights in Soma)
  • Vajrin (wielder of irresistible force)
  • Swift rider with tawny steeds (hari)
  • Protector and giver of victory and abundance
  • Upholder of ṛta (right order)
  • Responsive to inspired praise (suṣṭuti)

Also by this seer

  • Large portions of Mandala 8 are associated with Kāṇva poets (Kānva family hymns).
  • Numerous Indra–Soma hymns in the Rigveda are attributed to Kāṇva seers, emphasizing invitation (ā yāhi), Soma-drinking, and battle/victory motifs.
  • Kāṇva tradition is also remembered in later Vedic lore as a prominent ṛṣi-line sustaining mantra-craft and ritual praise.

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the altar/space and establish the offering-fire (where applicable).
  • Press and purify Soma; ready the cup for Indra.
  • Recite the invitation verses calling Indra ‘ā yāhi’ with his tawny steeds to the Kānva praise.
  • Offer Soma with svāhā, requesting Indra’s arrival from the ‘heaven of command’ into the present rite.
  • Repeat the refrain to seal the descent of power and alignment with ṛta.
  • Conclude with a stabilizing request: that the swift forces (wheels/energies) be governed and centered (standing in the ‘middle of the forest’).

Offerings

  • Soma (primary)
  • Ghee/oblations as ancillary offerings
  • Praise (stuti) as the essential ‘offering’ of speech

Frequently Asked Questions

It asks Indra to come quickly with his tawny steeds, accept the Soma offering, and bring victorious, truth-sustaining strength into the worshipper’s present life and ritual.

It poetically describes a descent of power: the higher, orderly realm of ṛta is invited to manifest here—so the rite, mind, and life become aligned and energized.

On the surface it evokes chariot-speed and movement; inwardly it suggests stabilizing fast, restless energies by standing in a centered depth—the calm core from which action can be governed.

Ask anything about Sukta 34 of the Rig Veda

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