Rig Veda 1.28.2: Mandala 1, Sukta 28, Mantra 2
Sukta 1.28
- Devata
- Indra
- Rasa
- Vira (heroism) and Shanta (peace)
यत्र द्वाविव जघनाधिषवण्या कृता । उलूखलसुतानामवेद्विन्द्र जल्गुलः ॥
yátra dvā́v iva jaghánā adhi-savanyā́ kṛtā́ | ulū́khala-sutānām áved índra jalguláḥ ||
जहाँ दो पत्थर रखे हैं, दोनों एक जैसे हैं। दोनों साइड में खड़े हैं। वहाँ सोम रस निकालते वक़्त आवाज़ आती है। वो आवाज़ इंद्र तक पहुँचती है। इंद्र की ताकत हमारे पास आती है। यह पत्थर की आवाज़ है।
Word by Word
- यत्र
- whereIndeclinableस्थानवाचक अव्यय (relative adverb: 'where')Role अधिकरणRoot यत्र (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक) < य- (सर्वनाम-आधार)
- द्वा
- twoNoun (Numeral)पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन (Vedic form of 'two')Role कर्तृ (सम्बन्धित/विशेषण-रूपेण)Root द्वि (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
- इव
- as, likeIndeclinableउपमा-सूचक अव्ययRoot इव (अव्यय)
- जघना
- (two) buttocks/hipsNounनपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, द्विवचन (Vedic: 'two buttocks/hips')Role कर्तृ (उपमान-रूपेण; 'like two buttocks')Root जघन (प्रातिपदिक)
- अधिषवण्या
- pertaining to the soma-pressing (place/stone)Adjectiveस्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; qualifying an implied feminine noun (e.g., शिला/अधिषवणी) 'belonging to/used for pressing on the soma-pressing place'Role अधिकरण/सम्बन्ध (विशेषण)Root अधि- + सवनीय (प्रातिपदिक; from √सु 'to press/extract' → सव/सवन)
- कृता
- made, arrangedParticiple (Adjective)स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; past passive participle 'made/placed/arranged'Role (विशेषण/विधेय)Root √कृ (करोति) → कृत (PPP)
- उलूखल
- of mortarsNounनपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन (in compound)Role सम्बन्ध (genitive in compound)Root उलूखल (प्रातिपदिक)
- सुतानाम्
- of the pressed (soma-juice)Noun/Participle used substantivelyपुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन; 'of the pressed (soma)'Role सम्बन्धRoot √सु (सुनोति) → सुत (PPP) (प्रातिपदिक)
- अवेत्
- found/recognizedVerbलुङ् (aorist), परस्मैपद, 3rd person, एकवचनRole क्रियाRoot √विद् (वेद) 'to know/find' (Vedic aorist)
- इन्द्र
- O IndraNoun (Proper)पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचनRole सम्बोधनRoot इन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक)
- जलगुलः
- the ‘jalgula’ (a ritual/onomatopoetic figure/name)Nounपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole कर्तृRoot जलगुल (प्रातिपदिक; ritual/onomatopoetic term)
Sandhi Notes
- Sandhi resolution (as given in Saṃhitā): द्वाविव → द्वा + इव (vowel coalescence)
- जघनाधिषवण्या → जघना + अधिषवण्या (ā + a with sandhi)
- उलूखलसुतानाम् → उलूखल + सुतानाम् (tatpuruṣa compound)
- अवेद्विन्द्र → अवेत् + इन्द्र (final -t before vowel; Saṃhitā writes -d- by voicing in sandhi). Accents are retained from the provided text but not re-assigned pada-by-pada here
The meaning
Outer meaning
Where the two boards like twin haunches are set as the pressing-bed, there the pounding sound of the mortar-pressers is known to Indra.
Inner meaning
The ‘two boards’ set as the pressing-bed symbolize the dual supports of the inner work—often experienced as paired energies (e.g., ida–piṅgalā, or knowledge–force) that must be properly arranged to hold the soma-process. ‘Like twin haunches’ suggests a firm seat/foundation for movement and power. When this dual foundation is correctly established, the tapas-rhythm (jalgulaḥ) becomes effective and Indra’s illumined mind recognizes and answers, bringing victory over inner resistance.
Universal truth
Spiritual extraction of essence requires a stable dual foundation and right arrangement; then disciplined effort calls down illuminating power and victory.
Themes
Soma-ritual, Indra, Ritual order (ṛta), Vibration/sound
The seer
Significance
Highlights the necessity of correct inner ‘setup’—harmonizing dual energies—before higher illumination can fully act.
The deity
- Devata
- Indra
- Epithets
- responds to the ordered pressing-ground, knower of the rhythmic labor
- Related deities
- Soma, Agni, Maruts
Cosmic role
Brings victorious light; breaks the coverer; empowers right action.
Inner power
Capacity to discern, decide, and conquer obstruction when the inner instruments are aligned.
In ritual
Where it is used
Soma pressing (savana), describing the pressing-bed arrangement
यत्र॒ द्वावि॑व ज॒घना॑धिषव॒ण्या॑ कृ॒ता । उ॒लूख॑लसुताना॒मवेद्वि॑न्द्र जल्गुलः ॥
यत्र॑ । द्वौऽइ॑व । ज॒घना॑ । अ॒धि॒ऽस॒व॒न्या॑ । कृ॒ता । उ॒लूख॑लऽसुतानाम् । अव॑ । इत् । ऊँ॒ इति॑ । इ॒न्द्र॒ । ज॒ल्गु॒लः॒ ॥
yatra | dvau-iva | jaghanā | adhi-savanyā | kṛtā | ulūkhala-sutānām | ava | it | oṃ iti | indra | jalgulaḥ
32
4 x 8 (approx.)
Compact, hammer-like; mirrors the repetitive work of setting and pressing.
Stabilizes and strengthens; supports coordination of breath and subtle channels.
- द्वौ (dvau)
- Literal: two. Symbolic: dual supports/channels; complementary forces that must be harmonized
- अधिसवन्या (adhi-savanyā)
- Literal: pressing-bed/pressing place. Symbolic: prepared inner ground where transformation occurs
- जघना (jaghanā)
- Literal: haunches. Symbolic: seat of power and support; stable base for dynamic effort
- कृता (kṛtā)
- Literal: made, arranged. Symbolic: conscious preparation; right placing of inner instruments
- इन्द्र (indra)
- Literal: Indra. Symbolic: illumined mind; victorious intelligence
- जल्गुलः (jalgulaḥ)
- Literal: pounding sound. Symbolic: persistent tapas; rhythmic insistence of practice
Savana setting: accompanies arranging the pressing-bed/boards and the pounding that follows; aligns physical setup with ordered cosmic action (ṛta).
During the setup of pressing implements or while praising the pressing action
Recited to sacralize arrangement and invite Indra’s participation
Before pranayama or concentrated work: set posture (the ‘two boards’) firmly; chant to align dual currents and awaken decisive clarity.
adhi- ‘upon’ + savanīyá- ‘pertaining to pressing (savana)’ from √su ‘press, extract’ (also ‘to set in motion’ in broader Indo-Iranian semantic fields). jaghánā ‘haunches’ relates to bodily support imagery; here metaphorical for paired supports of the rite/being.
ṛta as right arrangement, duality harmonized (paired supports)
Right arrangement (kṛtā) of the pressing-ground reflects ṛta—order as power.
Order + effort yields emergence of essence (Soma) and descent of illumination (Indra).
Yogic symbolism of dual channels and prepared ground for higher consciousness.
Paired supports = dual currents; pressing-bed = stable posture/field of practice; pounding = rhythmic discipline.
- What is the primary Vedic 'mythologem' present in this verse?
- The rite as a living body: the pressing-bed is imagined as ‘twin haunches’, implying the sacrifice is a cosmic organism. Indra is drawn by this embodied order and by the sound that signals the birth of Soma.
- How does the linguistic structure reflect Proto-Indo-European roots?
- √kṛ ‘make’ reflects PIE *kwer-/*kʷer- ‘do/make’ (widely attested in Indo-Iranian). √su ‘press’ is specifically Vedic/Iranian central for Soma/Haoma; it preserves an archaic ritual lexicon shared across Indo-Iranian tradition.
- What is the relationship between the Rishi and the Devata here?
- The rishi ‘builds’ the condition for Indra’s arrival: right formation (kṛtā adhi-savanyā) + right vibration (jalgula). Indra responds to an ordered field rather than to mere petition.
Harmonize dual energies; establish a stable inner seat for the descent of illumination.
muladhara to ajna alignment (stability to clarity)
Alternate-nostril breathing to balance ida–piṅgalā before chanting
Balanced, prepared, and decisive.
Begin with posture alignment (hips grounded, spine upright). Feel two subtle currents on left/right; with each repetition, balance them until a central clarity (Indra) awakens.
Refrain-driven; keep consistent pitch contour across repetitions; honor udatta on key openings and ‘indra’.
Emphasize ‘dvāv iva’ lightly (pairing), and ‘adhi-savanyā’ as the ‘setting’ moment; keep the refrain steady.
(dvāv iva): glide ‘v’ smoothly; avoid inserting extra vowel, (adhi-savanyā): clear ‘dh’ aspirate; ‘savanyā’ with palatal ‘ny’, (jaghanā): ‘gh’ aspirate; long ā
Rhythmic and firm, with clear consonants to mirror ‘setting’ and ‘pounding’.
12
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