Sukta 57
Sukta 1.57
Vasiṣṭha Maitrāvaruṇi
Triṣṭubh
This six-verse Triṣṭubh hymn praises Indra as the immeasurable giver whose “hard-to-hold” bounty pours forth for all beings. It recalls his decisive victory-act: cleaving the great mountain with the vajra and releasing the pent-up waters, thereby sustaining the world. The poet positions the community as Indra’s dependents, urging him to accept their word and empower their life and strength.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
प्र मंहिष्ठाय बृहते बृहद्रये सत्यशुष्माय तवसे मतिं भरे । अपामिव प्रवणे यस्य दुर्धरं राधो विश्वायु शवसे अपावृतम् ॥
मैं अपनी सोच बड़े वाले भगवान के पास ले के जा रहा हूँ। वो बहुत देता है, उसके पास बहुत पैसा है, और वो सच में ताकत वाला है। उसकी देन जैसे पहाड़ से पानी नीचे गिर रहा हो, सबको मिलता है। यह ताकत सबकी ज़िन्दगी के लिए है।
Mantra 2
अध ते विश्वमनु हासदिष्टय आपो निम्नेव सवना हविष्मतः । यत्पर्वते न समशीत हर्यत इन्द्रस्य वज्रः श्नथिता हिरण्ययः ॥
जब इंद्र यज्ञ के लिए आया तो सब लोग उसके पीछे चले गए। पानी नीचे की तरफ बहा, जैसे कोई यज्ञ में डाल रहा हो। इंद्र का सोना का बनाया हुआ वज्र पहाड़ पर गिरा और उसको तोड़ दिया। वो रुका नहीं।
Mantra 3
अस्मै भीमाय नमसा समध्वर उषो न शुभ्र आ भरा पनीयसे । यस्य धाम श्रवसे नामेन्द्रियं ज्योतिरकारि हरितो नायसे ॥
इस डरावने भगवान को यज्ञ में प्रणाम करो। सुबह की तरह साफ चीज़ लाओ जो उसको पसंद हो। उसका घर नाम के लिए है, उसका नाम ताकत है। रोशनी बनी है आगे बढ़ने के लिए, जैसे हरे घोड़े गाड़ी में जोड़े जायें।
Mantra 4
इमे त इन्द्र ते वयं पुरुष्टुत ये त्वारभ्य चरामसि प्रभूवसो । नहि त्वदन्यो गिर्वणो गिरः सघत्क्षोणीरिव प्रति नो हर्य तद्वचः ॥
इंद्र, यह सब तेरा है और हम भी तेरा हैं। लोग तुझे बहुत तारीफ करते हैं। हम तुझे पकड़ के चलते हैं, क्योंकि तू ही बड़ा है। तुझे छोड़ के और कोई नहीं जो हमारे गाने सुन सके। ज़मीन बोझ उठाती है, वैसे ही तू हमारे गाने उठा। इसलिए हमारी बात सुन ले।
Mantra 5
भूरि त इन्द्र वीर्यं तव स्मस्यस्य स्तोतुर्मघवन्काममा पृण । अनु ते द्यौर्बृहती वीर्यं मम इयं च ते पृथिवी नेम ओजसे ॥
इंद्र, तेरी ताकत बहुत बड़ी है। हम तेरा ही हैं। तू इस गाने वाले की इच्छा पूरी कर दे। आसमान और ज़मीन दोनों तेरी ताकत के साथ चलते हैं। तू इतना बड़ा है कि सब तेरे आगे हिलता है।
Mantra 6
त्वं तमिन्द्र पर्वतं महामुरुं वज्रेण वज्रिन्पर्वशश्चकर्तिथ । अवासृजो निवृताः सर्तवा अपः सत्रा विश्वं दधिषे केवलं सहः ॥
इंद्र, तूने बड़े पहाड़ को तोड़ दिया। तूने अपना वज्र मारा और पहाड़ टुकड़ों में बिखर गया। उसमें जो पानी बंद था, वो नीचे आ गया और बहने लगा। अब तू पूरी दुनिया को अपनी ताकत से संभालता है।
Inside Sukta 57
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
The poet ‘brings forth thought’ to the most bountiful Indra, emphasizing vastness, true force, and freely pouring abundance.
- Development
Praise intensifies by aligning the worshippers with Indra’s lordship and stressing that no other deity can truly carry/receive their songs as Indra can.
- Climax
Indra’s archetypal deed: with the vajra he cleaves the great mountain and releases the restrained waters to flow.
- Where it settles
The hymn ends with Indra’s universal support—his concentrated might upholds the whole world—sealing the plea for sustained strength and prosperity.
The deity: Indra
- Cosmic functionHe breaks the powers of constraint, opens the channels of waters and abundance, and stabilizes the ordered world through victorious might.
- Inner significanceIndra symbolizes the awakened force of will and clarity that shatters inner blockage (fear, inertia, ignorance) and releases the ‘waters’ of inspiration, vitality, and right movement.
The seer
- Vasiṣṭha MaitrāvaruṇiVasiṣṭha gotra (Maitrāvaruṇa line; traditionally linked with the Vasiṣṭhas, though many in RV 1.51–1.60 are also connected in tradition with Viśvāmitra) · One of the most revered Vedic seers, associated with authoritative Indra hymns and the Vasiṣṭha priestly lineage; celebrated for powerful, direct praise that ties Indra’s cosmic deeds to human prosperity.
Famous verses
प्र मंहिष्ठाय बृहते बृहद्रये सत्यशुष्माय तवसे मतिं भरे । अपामिव प्रवणे यस्य दुर्धरं राधो विश्वायु शवसे अपावृतम् ॥इमे त इन्द्र ते वयं पुरुष्टुत ये त्वारभ्य चरामसि प्रभूवसो । नहि त्वदन्यो गिर्वणो गिरः सघत्क्षोणीरिव प्रति नो हर्य तद्वचः ॥त्वं तमिन्द्र पर्वतं महामुरुं वज्रेण वज्रिन्पर्वशश्चकर्तिथ । अवासृजो निवृताः सर्तवा अपः सत्रा विश्वं दधिषे केवलं सहः ॥Attributes of the deity
- Vajrin (thunderbolt-bearer)
- Vṛtra-slayer / obstruction-breaker
- Giver of wide riches (bṛhadraya)
- Protector and sustainer through strength
- Lover/receiver of hymns (girvaṇas)
- Opener of the waters and paths
Also by this seer
- Major portions of Rigveda Mandala 7 are traditionally attributed to the Vasiṣṭha family
- Indra-focused hymns and priestly formulations used in Soma and Agni rites within later Śrauta tradition
The rite, step by step
- Ācamana and saṅkalpa: intention for strength, success, and release of ‘blocked’ prosperity
- Kindling/attention to the sacred fire (Agni) and establishment of a praise-setting
- Recitation/chant of RV 1.57 in Triṣṭubh cadence with clear pada articulation
- Mental visualization of Indra cleaving the mountain and releasing waters (obstruction removed; flow restored)
- Concluding request: accept the hymn/word and grant wide life, energy, and riches
- Śānti/closing: dedicate the fruit to communal well-being
Offerings
- Soma (where applicable in Śrauta context)
- Ghee (ājya) into fire
- Oblation-cakes or simple food offering (in simplified domestic adaptation)
- Water libation as a symbolic ‘release of waters’
Frequently Asked Questions
It praises Indra as the great giver and obstacle-breaker, recalling how he split the mountain with the thunderbolt and released the blocked waters—symbolizing restored flow of life and prosperity.
In Vedic imagery, ‘waters’ stand for rain, fertility, inspiration, and abundance. Indra releasing them means removing constraints so life can flourish again.
It can be recited as a strength-and-obstacle-removal prayer—especially before important work—asking for clear energy, steady support, and the unhindered flow of resources and understanding.
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