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Sukta 2.18
Gṛtsamada (Bhārgava) (traditional for RV 2.18)
Indra (hymn context), with chariot imagery central
Triṣṭubh (probable)
Is mantra mein Indra ko naye rath ke liye bulaya ja raha hai. Ye rath subah ke saath juda hai aur isme kai jua aur baal hain. Kavi log apni soch aur offering se is rath ko tez banana chahte hain. Indra ko Soma peene ke liye bahut zor se bulaya ja raha hai. Jab Indra aate hain to jeet aur suraksha milti hai. Ant mein yahi ki daan denewale log amir hon aur bacche bhi veer hon.
Mantra 1
प्राता रथो नवो योजि सस्निश्चतुर्युगस्त्रिकशः सप्तरश्मिः । दशारित्रो मनुष्यः स्वर्षाः स इष्टिभिर्मतिभी रंह्यो भूत् ॥
Subah hone par naya ratha taiyaar hota hai. Char ghode, saat baag, das log usme baithe hain. Yeh ratha suraj ki taraf jata hai. Hamari puja aur hamare iraade se yeh ratha tezi se chale aur humein le jaaye.
Mantra 2
सास्मा अरं प्रथमं स द्वितीयमुतो तृतीयं मनुषः स होता । अन्यस्या गर्भमन्य ऊ जनन्त सो अन्येभिः सचते जेन्यो वृषा ॥
Yeh pahle kaam ke liye sahi hai, dusre ke liye bhi, aur teesre ke liye bhi. Yeh insaan ke andar ek hota hai jo sabse upar baith ke sab sambhalta hai. Ek dusre ke kaam mein madad karta hai, aur sab mil ke ek hi kaam ko chalate hain. Yeh ek taakat wala hai jo sabke saath jud ke chalta hai.
Mantra 3
हरी नु कं रथ इन्द्रस्य योजमायै सूक्तेन वचसा नवेन । मो षु त्वामत्र बहवो हि विप्रा नि रीरमन्यजमानासो अन्ये ॥
Main Indra ke do ghode uske rath mein jod raha hoon. Naya gaana ga raha hoon taaki woh aaye. Itne saare rishi hain jo tumhe bula rahe hain, tum unki taraf mat jao. Dusre log bhi apni taraf bula rahe hain, par tum wahi raho jahan ho.
Mantra 4
आ द्वाभ्यां हरिभ्यामिन्द्र याह्या चतुर्भिरा षड्भिर्हूयमानः । आष्टाभिर्दशभिः सोमपेयमयं सुतः सुमख मा मृधस्कः ॥
Aaja Indra, do ghodon ke saath aaja. Chaar ke saath aaja, chh ke saath bhi aaja jab hum bula rahe hain. Aath ke saath aaja, das ke saath aaja, som peene ke liye. Yeh som pees ke rakha hai, aaja aur pi le. Hamein koi takleef mat dena.
Mantra 5
आ विंशत्या त्रिंशता याह्यर्वाङा चत्वारिंशता हरिभिर्युजानः । आ पञ्चाशता सुरथेभिरिन्द्रा षष्ट्या सप्तत्या सोमपेयम् ॥
Bees ghodon ke saath aaja, tees ke saath aaja. Chalis ke saath aaja, apne ghodon ko jod ke. Indra, pachas achhi rathon mein aaja. Saath ke saath aaja, sattar ke saath som peene ke liye.
Mantra 6
आशीत्या नवत्या याह्यर्वाङा शतेन हरिभिरुह्यमानः । अयं हि ते शुनहोत्रेषु सोम इन्द्र त्वाया परिषिक्तो मदाय ॥
Assi ke saath aaja, nabbe ke saath aaja. Sau ghodon ke saath aaja. Yeh som tumhare liye hai, Sunahotra ke naam ke puja mein. Indra, yeh som tumhare liye dala gaya hai taaki tum khush ho jao.
Mantra 8
न म इन्द्रेण सख्यं वि योषदस्मभ्यमस्य दक्षिणा दुहीत । उप ज्येष्ठे वरूथे गभस्तौ प्रायेप्राये जिगीवांसः स्याम ॥
Meri Indra se dosti kabhi na toote. Woh jo denewali shakti hai, woh humare liye doodh jaisa phal de. Indra sabse bade rakshak hain, unki pakad mein hum safe rehte hain. Har kadam par hum jeette rahen.
Mantra 9
नूनं सा ते प्रति वरं जरित्रे दुहीयदिन्द्र दक्षिणा मघोनी । शिक्षा स्तोतृभ्यो माति धग्भगो नो बृहद्वदेम विदथे सुवीराः ॥
Ab woh denewali shakti gaane wale ke liye vardaan de. Indra, humare liye seekho aur badho. Hamara hissa kam na ho. Hum sabke saamne badi baat bolein.
The ‘new chariot’ is a poetic and ritual image for freshly mobilized divine power at dawn. It also suggests the disciplined harnessing of faculties—reins, yokes, and direction—so the rite and the mind move swiftly toward success.
They intensify the summons, portraying Indra’s approach as ever larger and more complete. The escalating count signals urgency, abundance, and a wish for the deity’s full presence and strength at the Soma-drinking.
Dakṣiṇā is the ritual gift given to priests/singers, and more broadly the principle of generous recompense that sustains the rite. The hymn asks that this generosity ‘yield’ fruitfully, while safeguarding Bhaga—the community’s rightful share of good fortune.
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