Sukta 56
Sukta 1.56
Trishtubh (probable; requires metrical verification)
This hymn praises Indra’s irresistible forward surge: he rises like a swift steed, advances with the tawny-yoked chariot, and drives away darkness with roaring force. Empowered by his own Taviṣī (divine might), Indra upholds heaven and earth and, in the exhilaration of Soma, breaks Vṛtra’s bonds to release the waters. The sukta functions as an invocation of Indra’s victorious energy for protection, light, and abundance.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
एष प्र पूर्वीरव तस्य चम्रिषोऽत्यो न योषामुदयंस्त भुर्वणिः । दक्षं महे पाययते हिरण्ययं रथमावृत्या हरियोगमृभ्वसम् ॥
यह पुरानी ताकतों को आगे बढ़ाता है। जैसे घोड़ा दौड़ता है, वैसे ही वो उठ कर आता है। वो सोने जैसी कला को बड़े के लिए पिला देता है। उसका रथ पीले घोड़ों से जुड़ा है और वो आगे बढ़ता है।
Mantra 2
तं गूर्तयो नेमन्निषः परीणसः समुद्रं न संचरणे सनिष्यवः । पतिं दक्षस्य विदथस्य नू सहो गिरिं न वेना अधि रोह तेजसा ॥
लोग उसकी तरफ जाते हैं अपने मन में इच्छा लेकर। जैसे नदियाँ समुंदर में मिलती हैं, वैसे ही वो मिलते हैं। वो उस मालिक के पास जाते हैं जो समझदारी वाला है। उसकी ताकत की चमक से वो पहाड़ पर चढ़ते हैं।
Mantra 3
स तुर्वणिर्महाँ अरेणु पौंस्ये गिरेर्भृष्टिर्न भ्राजते तुजा शवः । येन शुष्णं मायिनमायसो मदे दुध्र आभूषु रामयन्नि दामनि ॥
वो बहुत तेज़ है, जैसे कोई बड़ा पहाड़ चमक रहा हो। उसमें कोई धूल नहीं, सिर्फ़ ताकत है। उसी ताकत से उसने शुष्णा नाम का जादू करने वाले को पकड़ लिया। उसे दबाके बाँध दिया, जैसे कोई क़ैदी हो। वो ऐसा लगा जैसे कोई लोहे की तरह स्ट्राँग इरादे से काम कर रहा हो।
Mantra 4
देवी यदि तविषी त्वावृधोतय इन्द्रं सिषक्त्युषसं न सूर्यः । यो धृष्णुना शवसा बाधते तम इयर्ति रेणुं बृहदर्हरिष्वणिः ॥
जब देवी शक्ति इंद्र को हमारे काम के लिए जोड़ती है, जैसे सूरज सवेरा को जोड़ता है, तब वो अंधेरा को भगाता है। वो अपनी ताकत से धूल उठाता है और चमक के साथ आगे बढ़ता है।
Mantra 5
वि यत्तिरो धरुणमच्युतं रजोऽतिष्ठिपो दिव आतासु बर्हणा । स्वर्मीळ्हे यन्मद इन्द्र हर्ष्याहन्वृत्रं निरपामौब्जो अर्णवम् ॥
जब इंद्र ने उछल के आसमान की नीचे की पक्की नीव पार की। उसके बाद वो दुनिया के बीच से गुज़र गया अपनी ताकत से। फिर उसको इतनी खुशी हुई कि सूरज की रोशनी मिल गई। इंद्र ने वृत्र को मारा और समुंदर के पानी को बाहर निकाल दिया।
Mantra 6
त्वं दिवो धरुणं धिष ओजसा पृथिव्या इन्द्र सदनेषु माहिनः । त्वं सुतस्य मदे अरिणा अपो वि वृत्रस्य समया पाष्यारुजः ॥
इंद्र की ताकत से आसमान पक्का खड़ा रहता है। वो धरती के नीचे भी बैठता है। जब इंद्र सोम पीता है तो उसका दिल खुश हो जाता है। तब वो पानी को आज़ाद करता है और वृत्र की बंधन को तोड़ देता है।
Inside Sukta 56
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
Indra’s emergence and forward drive is pictured as a swift steed rising from concealment, turning the tawny-yoked chariot into motion.
- Development
His divine might (Taviṣī) is invoked as the power that yokes him to aid, like the Sun harnessing the Dawn; Indra’s roaring advance dispels darkness and stirs the world.
- Climax
In Soma-intoxication Indra performs the decisive cosmic act: breaking Vṛtra’s enclosing bonds and releasing the waters.
- Where it settles
The hymn settles on Indra as the establisher of heaven’s support and earth’s foundations—granting enduring stability, light, and free-flowing abundance to the worshipper.
The deity: Indra
- In the VedaHe is depicted as roaring, dust-raising, daring, and irresistibly strong, especially in the Soma-ecstasy.
- Cosmic functionBreaker of Vṛtra and releaser of waters; champion who establishes the supports of heaven and earth and restores light by driving back darkness and obstruction.
- Inner significanceThe awakening of courageous will and luminous power that breaks inner constriction (fear, inertia, ignorance) and releases the ‘waters’ of inspiration, vitality, and clarity.
The seer
- Vasiṣṭha MaitrāvaruṇiVasiṣṭha (Vasiṣṭha-gotra); called Maitrāvaruṇi as ‘son/line of Mitra–Varuṇa’ in the tradition · One of the foremost Rigvedic seers, celebrated for hymns of spiritual authority and royal-protective power; associated with the Vasiṣṭha family’s theology of ṛta (cosmic order) and victorious divine aid.
Famous verses
एष प्र पूर्वीरव तस्य चम्रिषोऽत्यो न योषामुदयंस्त भुर्वणिः । दक्षं महे पाययते हिरण्ययं रथमावृत्या हरियोगमृभ्वसम् ॥देवी यदि तविषी त्वावृधोतय इन्द्रं सिषक्त्युषसं न सूर्यः । यो धृष्णुना शवसा बाधते तम इयर्ति रेणुं बृहदर्हरिष्वणिः ॥त्वं दिवो धरुणं धिष ओजसा पृथिव्या इन्द्र सदनेषु माहिनः । त्वं सुतस्य मदे अरिणा अपो वि वृत्रस्य समया पाष्यारुजः ॥Attributes of the deity
- Vṛtrahan (slayer of obstruction)
- Soma-empowered ecstasy (mada)
- Harī-yoked chariot and swift advance
- Roaring, dust-raising force
- Upholder of heaven and earth’s foundations
- Protector and giver of victory and abundance
Also by this seer
- Large portions of Rig Veda Maṇḍala 7 traditionally attributed to the Vasiṣṭhas
- Hymns to Indra, Varuṇa, Mitra-Varuṇa, and Agni within the Vasiṣṭha corpus
- Vedic ritual and priestly traditions connected with the Vasiṣṭha lineage in later śrauta memory
The rite, step by step
- Prepare the sacred space and kindle Agni; establish a focused intention for protection/victory and release of obstructions.
- Press Soma (or ritually substitute where appropriate) and consecrate the offering with recitation of the sukta.
- Invite Indra with praise of his chariot, strength, and Vṛtra-slaying deed; emphasize his Taviṣī (empowering might).
- Offer Soma (and accompanying oblations) while reciting key verses; request the driving away of darkness and the freeing of ‘waters’ (prosperity, rain, insight).
- Conclude with thanksgiving and a final petition for stable support (dharuṇa) in heaven/earth—symbolizing order and security for the sacrificer.
Offerings
- Soma libation (primary)
- Ghṛta (ghee) oblations
- Optional: puroḍāśa (rice-cake) in Indra rites, per ritual setting
Frequently Asked Questions
The hymn praises Indra, especially his victorious strength, his tawny-steed chariot, and his power to remove darkness and obstacles.
It refers to the classic Vedic story where Indra breaks Vṛtra’s blockage and lets the waters flow again—symbolizing rain, abundance, and the freeing of blocked life-energy.
Taviṣī is Indra’s divine might or empowering power. The hymn describes it as the force that ‘yokes’ Indra to help, like the Sun bringing forth the Dawn.
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