Sukta 42
Sukta 6.42
Bharadvāja (Bārhaspatya) tradition.
Indra (heroic 'nár' as Indra/Indra-like power; hymn is Indra-oriented in this sequence).
Jagatī (probable; longer cadence typical—exact syllable count should be verified against a critical text).
Yeh mantra Indra ji ko bulane ke liye hai. Yajna karne wale logon ko kehta hai ki Soma le kar aao. Indra ko veer aur mukti dene wali shakti bataya gaya hai. Woh seedha apna maqsad pakadte hain aur peeche nahi harte. Sahi tarah se puja karne se Indra ki shakti badhti hai. Woh humein buri baaton aur dushmano se bachate hain.
Mantras
Mantra 1
प्रत्यस्मै पिपीषते विश्वानि विदुषे भर । अरंगमाय जग्मयेऽपश्चाद्दघ्वने नरे ॥
Uske samne uske liye sab cheezein lao jo uski badhawa karein, woh jaannewala hai. Us aadmi ke liye jo seedha maqsad ki taraf jata hai, jo aa chuka hai, jo peeche nahi rehta, uske liye sab kuch lao.
Mantra 2
एमेनं प्रत्येतन सोमेभिः सोमपातमम् । अमत्रेभिॠजीषिणमिन्द्रं सुतेभिरिन्दुभिः ॥
Uske paas jao, Soma ras leke uske paas pahuncho. Indra sabse zyada Soma peene wale hain. Jin ras ki na koi had hai, jo seedhi taakat chalate hain, unse Indra ke paas jao.
Mantra 3
यदी सुतेभिरिन्दुभिः सोमेभिः प्रतिभूषथ । वेदा विश्वस्य मेधिरो धृषत्तंतमिदेषते ॥
Jab Som ras ki chamakti boondein tumhe sajati hain, tab ek gyani insaan ko sab samajh mein aa jata hai. Phir dil aur bada bold ho jata hai aur woh us shakti ko aur zyada pane ke liye laga rehta hai.
Mantra 4
अस्माअस्मा इदन्धसोऽध्वर्यो प्र भरा सुतम् । कुवित्समस्य जेन्यस्य शर्धतोऽभिशस्तेरवस्परत् ॥
Adhvaryu, Som ras nikal ke taiyaar hai, ise Indra ke paas le jao. Shayad woh jeetne wala apni sena ke saath aake buri baaton aur baddua ka attack hata dega.
Inside Sukta 42
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
A direct imperative: bring all supports to the heroic one for his increase—the knowing, goal-going Nár (Indra).
- Development
Indra is met and adorned with the bright pressed Soma; with Soma-contact comes heightened knowing and an ever-bolder seeking for “that” (greater power/attainment).
- Climax
The Adhvaryu is urged to bring the pressed Soma-essence to Indra—ritual action becomes the hinge for divine intervention.
- Where it settles
A protective wish: the conquering Indra with his host may ward off abhiśasti—curses, hostile speech, and assault—restoring safety and auspiciousness.
The deity: Indra
- In the VedaIndra is the foremost heroic power (vīra/nár), Soma-delighted, invoked as the knower and the one who advances straight to the aim, leading hosts and granting abundance and victory.
- Cosmic functionHe releases and increases life-force through victory over obstructive powers, stabilizes order by overcoming hostility, and empowers the sacrifice by accepting Soma and praise.
- Inner significanceThe awakened, courageous will and clarity in the seeker—strengthened by disciplined offering (attention, aspiration) that breaks inner obstruction and wards off negativity (fear, ill-will, harmful speech).
The seer
- Bharadvāja (Bārhaspatya tradition)Bharadvāja-gotra; Bārhaspatya (Angirasa-associated) line · A major Rigvedic seer whose family hymn-cycle (especially in Mandala 6) is noted for strong Indra devotion, precise ritual diction, and emphasis on Soma-powered victory and protection.
Famous verses
प्रत्यस्मै पिपीषते विश्वानि विदुषे भर । अरंगमाय जग्मयेऽपश्चाद्दघ्वने नरे ॥यदी सुतेभिरिन्दुभिः सोमेभिः प्रतिभूषथ । वेदा विश्वस्य मेधिरो धृषत्तंतमिदेषते ॥अस्माअस्मा इदन्धसोऽध्वर्यो प्र भरा सुतम् । कुवित्समस्य जेन्यस्य शर्धतोऽभिशस्तेरवस्परत् ॥Attributes of the deity
- Soma-loving (soma-pā)
- Heroic leader of hosts (śardha)
- Bestower of increase and plenitude (puṣṭi)
- Protector against curses/hostile speech (abhiśasti)
- Bold, forward-moving, goal-reaching power
Also by this seer
- Large portions of Rig Veda Mandala 6 (Bharadvāja family hymns)
- Indra and Soma-centered sūktas stressing protection (rakṣas/abhiśasti-nivāraṇa) and martial aid
- Hymns associated with the Bharadvāja lineage used in Soma-sacrifice recitations
The rite, step by step
- Prepare the Soma (pressing/clarifying) and ready the offering space.
- Recite the hymn as an invitatory praise, “bringing” all auspicious supports toward Indra.
- Present the pressed Soma to Indra (Adhvaryu-led offering), aligning speech and intention with the deity’s increase.
- Conclude with a protective petition: may Indra and his host repel hostile speech, curses, and attacks directed at the yajamāna.
Offerings
- Pressed Soma (suta, indu)
- Soma-essence/juice (andhas)
- Praise/recitation (stuti) as an offering of speech
Frequently Asked Questions
It asks Indra to grow strong through the Soma offering, grant increase and success, and protect the worshipper by driving away curses and hostile speech.
Because Soma is the empowering offering that “meets” and adorns Indra; it symbolizes the energizing essence that awakens strength, clarity, and victorious action.
Abhiśasti refers to harmful accusation, curse, or hostile utterance—negative speech or intent directed at the sacrificer—which the hymn asks Indra to ward off.
Ask anything about Sukta 42 of the Rig Veda
Answers come straight from the texts, with the shlokas they draw on. Ask in your own words.
A free sign-in with Google or Apple keeps your chat saved across web and the app.
Read Rig Veda in the Vedapath app
Scan the QR code to open this directly in the app, with word-by-word meanings, Sanskrit recitation where available, and more.
