Anuvaka 3
Indra’s invocation to the Soma-rite for victory, wealth, and ritual success (Rigveda-derived Indra-stutis)
Kinds of charm
Paushtika (prosperity): 5Shantika (pacifying): 5
Suktas in Anuvaka 3
Sukta 21
AV 20.21 is an Indra-stuti drawn from Ṛgvedic battle-narrative material, praising Indra’s proven victories over named foes and fortified strongholds. By recounting precedents of overwhelming conquest and wealth-bestowal, the hymn aims to transfer that same momentum to a present patron—securing royal success, routed enemies, and consolidated prosperity for the allied host.
Sukta 22
This six-verse hymn is an Indra-stotra centered on the Soma-pressing: the pressed draught is “sent forth” to the Bull (vṛṣabha) Indra so he becomes fully exhilarated (mada) and turns that power into victory and protection for the patron. It also frames Indra as gopati (lord of cattle) and satpati (true/good lord), linking divine exhilaration to prosperity—especially cattle-wealth—and stable lordship. Mythic validation appears in the image of cows “milking out” a strengthening sweet mixture (āśira, madhu) for the vajrin, underscoring the offering’s fitness and efficacy.
Sukta 23
AV 20.23 is a Śrauta-liturgical Indra–Soma hymn (Rigvedic in provenance) meant to inaugurate and stabilize the morning Soma-service through correct ritual sequencing: invitation, preparation of the seat and barhis, and the activation of the pressing stones. Its power lies in aligning speech (stotra), action (pressing/offerings), and divine reception—summoning Indra to drink Soma, to bestow rādhas (bounty), and to protect the praising priest from nindā (reproach) that follows failed rite.
Sukta 24
AV 20.24 is a Rigveda-derived Indra-stuti meant to draw Indra back toward the sacrifice and seat him at the Soma-drink through praise that “turns” the god to the rite. Across nine anuṣṭubh verses it invites Indra to drink the pressed Soma—often described with admixtures like milk and barley—so that his presence becomes active help (avas) for the patrons, especially in strength, winning, and prosperity.
Sukta 25
This Triṣṭubh hymn, taken over from a Rigvedic Indra-prosperity context, petitions Indra to make the patron pre-eminent in horses, cattle, followers, and replenishing treasure. It frames abundance as a continual “filling” (like waters filling a river) and anchors success in primordial precedent: the Angirasas and kindled fires recover wealth from withholding forces (Paṇi). By Soma-exhilaration and praise, Indra is urged to grant victory, status, and material plenty.
Sukta 26
AV 20.26 is a compact Indra-invocation that calls the god again and again “at every yoking and every prize,” asking him to hear the sacrificer and come near with thousandfold protections and victory-bringing strength. The hymn’s power lies in its repetitive, refrain-like summons and in the vivid image of Indra’s wish-granting bay steeds being yoked—an assurance that divine help is mobilized quickly for success, safety, and gain.
Sukta 27
AV 20.27 is an Indra-stuti drawn from Ṛgvedic material, used as a prosperity-and-victory charm through praise that “opens” Indra’s limitless giving. The hymn seeks exclusive lordship over wealth—especially cattle—together with reliable support (a friendly praiser/ally) and Indra’s chosen protection for winning all treasures.
Sukta 28
AV 20.28 is a short Indra-hymn from the RV-derived Indra–Vala cycle that ritually re-enacts Indra’s cleaving of Vala: the breaking of a tight obstruction that hides light, cattle, and prosperity. By praising Indra’s soma-charged force and his establishment of the heavenly “shining realms” as firm and unmoved, the sukta is used to remove impediments, stabilize fortune, and release blocked resources. Its imagery of mid-air passage, wave-like praise, and radiant manifestation makes it apt for liminal transitions and for restoring momentum when success feels “sealed up.”
Sukta 29
AV 20.29 is an RV-derived Indra-stotra that strengthens praise (stoma/uktha) as a ritual force, so that the sacrificer’s words become effective for welfare and victory. It recalls Indra’s paradigmatic feats—especially the Namuci episode and the shattering of Soma-less factions—to protect the patron’s community, break hostile opposition, and secure superiority under Indra’s Soma-backed sovereignty.
Sukta 30
AV 20.30 is an Indra-stuti drawn from the Rigvedic hymn-stream, designed to “bring Indra near” through vivid praise of his Hari (tawny) power—his bay steeds, tawny radiance, and tawny vajra. The sukta frames effective speech (giraḥ/uktha) and ghee-like oblation as the attractor that awakens Indra’s mada (invigorating force), converting it into victory, protection, and desired bounty (rādhas). Its power lies in merging color-imagery (hari-) with weapon-force (vajra) and precedent (pūrve yajvānaḥ), asserting that Indra reliably responds when praised in the ancestral way.
Inside Anuvaka 3
The theme
Indra’s invocation to the Soma-rite for victory, wealth, and ritual success (Rigveda-derived Indra-stutis)
Threads through it
- Āvāhana: turning/bringing Indra to the sacrifice and Soma-seat
- Soma-exhilaration as the engine of Indra’s gifts
- Royal/warrior victory and overcoming rivals
- Paustika abundance: cattle, horses, treasure, followers
- Swift arrival through the Haris (bay steeds) and vajra power
- Stabilizing the morning Soma-service through correct liturgical sequence
Who it serves
Used when seeking success in major rites (especially Soma contexts), securing patronly prosperity (cattle/horse/wealth), and gaining competitive victory and protection through Indra’s favor.
What it heals
- Loss of strength/low vitality and need for renewed vigor (ojas) through divine exhilarationSukta 20.23, 20.24, 20.30, 20.31, 20.32
- Fear, insecurity, and exposure to hostile forces (need for protection and victory)Sukta 20.24, 20.27, 20.30, 20.31, 20.32
- Poverty/financial blockage; need for cattle, horses, and replenishing wealthSukta 20.25, 20.27
Frequently Asked Questions
They are predominantly Rigveda-derived Indra-stutis that ritually “bring” Indra to the Soma-pressing, seat him at the drink, and obtain victory, protection, and wealth through praise.
It is chiefly ritual and paustika/shāntika in orientation: strengthening the Soma rite, inviting Indra, and securing prosperity and victory rather than treating specific diseases.
Suktas 20.25 and 20.27 most explicitly petition Indra for pre-eminence in cattle, horses, followers, and replenishing treasure, framing prosperity as Indra’s gift to the patron.
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