Sukta 8
Sukta 1.8
Madhucchandas Vaiśvāmitra (traditional ascription for RV 1.1–1.11; applied here by continuity of the early Mandala 1 opening set)
Indra
Gāyatrī (3 pādas of 8 syllables; RV 1.8 is classically in Gāyatrī addressing Indra)
RV 1.8 is a Gāyatrī hymn to Indra that asks for a victorious, ever-increasing rayi (wealth/power of plenitude) and for Indra’s protection in the communal sacrifice. It moves through images of gathering, inspired thought, and the winning of “offspring” (toka) toward the culminating act of praise to Indra as Soma-drinker, by which strength and delight are secured.
Mantras
Mantra 1
एन्द्र सानसिं रयिं सजित्वानं सदासहम् । वर्षिष्ठमूतये भर ॥
हे इंद्र, हमारे लिए वो दौलत ला जो सच में मिलनी चाहिए। यह दौलत ऐसी हो जो हमेशा जीतती रहे, कोई हार न माने। सबसे ज़्यादा बड़ी, हमारे काम आने वाली।
Mantra 2
नि येन मुष्टिहत्यया नि वृत्रा रुणधामहै । त्वोतासो न्यर्वता ॥
जिस ताकत से हम रास्ते के बंधन तोड़ देते हैं, उसी से दुश्मनों को पीछे धकेलना है। तुम्हारे सहारे हम उनको गिरा देंगे, वो मदद नहीं कर पाएंगे।
Mantra 3
इन्द्र त्वोतास आ वयं वज्रं घना ददीमहि । जयेम सं युधि स्पृधः ॥
इंद्र, तुम्हारे सहारे हम आगे बढ़ते हैं। हम दुश्मनों को वो ताकत मारना चाहते हैं जो बिजली की तरह काम करे। जंग में मिल के जीतना है।
Mantra 4
वयं शूरेभिरस्तृभिरिन्द्र त्वया युजा वयम् । सासह्याम पृतन्यतः ॥
हम भी बहादुर हैं और कोई हमें मार नहीं सकता। इंद्र, तुम्हारे साथ जुड़ के हम दुश्मनों पर भारी पड़ेंगे। जो हमसे लड़ने आएंगे, उनको हराना है।
Mantra 5
महाँ इन्द्रः परश्च नु महित्वमस्तु वज्रिणे । द्यौर्न प्रथिना शवः ॥
इंद्र बहुत बड़ा है। उस वज्र वाले की महत्व ऐसी हो जैसे आसमान फैला हो। उसकी ताकत इतनी बड़ी हो कि सब जगह फैल जाए।
Mantra 6
समोहे वा य आशत नरस्तोकस्य सनितौ । विप्रासो वा धियायवः ॥
जब लोग एक जगह इकट्ठे होते हैं, वो भी आत्मा की जीत के लिए। कुछ वाइज रिशि होते हैं, कुछ लाइट ढूँढने वाले। भगवान की शक्ति उन सबकी मदद करे।
Mantra 7
यः कुक्षिः सोमपातमः समुद्र इव पिन्वते । उर्वीरापो न काकुदः ॥
जिसका पेट सोम पीता है, वो समुंदर की तरह फैलता है। जैसे बड़े पानी में लहरें उठती हैं, वैसे ही अंदर एक ताकत बढ़ती है।
Mantra 8
एवा ह्यस्य सूनृता विरप्शी गोमती मही । पक्वा शाखा न दाशुषे ॥
जो सच बोलता है, उसकी बात फैलती है। जैसे पेड़ की पक्की डाल फल देती है, वैसे ही जो देता है उसके लिए सब पक जाता है।
Mantra 9
एवा हि ते विभूतय ऊतय इन्द्र मावते । सद्यश्चित्सन्ति दाशुषे ॥
इंद्र, तेरी ताकतें और मदद दोनों मिल जाते हैं। जो देता है, उसके लिए ये तुरंत काम करती हैं। वो तेरे बड़े होने के साथ बड़ा होता है।
Mantra 10
एवा ह्यस्य काम्या स्तोम उक्थं च शंस्या । इन्द्राय सोमपीतये ॥
इंद्र के लिए गाना गाना है, उसकी तारीफ करनी है। जो सोम पीता है, उसके लिए ये सब करना है ताकि खुशी पूरी मिले।
Inside Sukta 8
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
A direct call to Indra to bring the most abundant, ever-winning rayi for fostering and protection.
- Development
The hymn broadens to the social-ritual setting: the gathered men striving for toka (offspring/continuity) and the vipras and dhiyāyavas—seers and thought-seekers—who rely on Indra’s force.
- Climax
Indra is affirmed as the one to whom the desired stoma and uktha must be proclaimed—Indra as Soma-drinker, empowered by delight and therefore able to bestow victory and increase.
- Where it settles
The praise is sealed as the proper means of approach: by well-spoken hymn and inspired word, Indra is drawn to drink Soma and to grant the requested plenitude and safeguarding.
The deity: Indra
- In the VedaIndra is the foremost heroic power of the Ṛgveda: strong, victorious, a breaker of obstacles, friend of the worshipper, and pre-eminently the Soma-drinker who grows by the pressed nectar and answers the call of praise.
- Cosmic functionHe upholds the victorious order of life by conquering resistance, releasing the powers of increase (rays/wealth), and strengthening the community through protection and triumph in conflict and contest.
- Inner significanceIndra symbolizes the awakened force of will and luminous energy in the seeker—courage, decisive action, and the capacity to overcome inner inertia and obstruction so that joy (soma) and plenitude (rayi) can be possessed.
The seer
- Madhucchandas VaiśvāmitraVaiśvāmitra (Viśvāmitra-gotra) · Traditionally the seer of the opening run of Mandala 1 (RV 1.1–1.11), setting the archetypal tone of Vedic invocation—calling divine powers to the sacrifice for protection, victory, and increase.
Famous verses
sadāsaham
समोहे वा य आशत नरस्तोकस्य सनितौ । विप्रासो वा धियायवः ॥indrāya somapītaye
Attributes of the deity
- Soma-pīt (Soma-drinker)
- Vṛtra-slayer / obstacle-breaker
- Giver of rayi (wealth, plenitude)
- Ever-victorious and unconquerable (sadāsaha)
- Protector and increaser of the worshipper’s strength
- Responsive to stoma and uktha (praise and inspired utterance)
Also by this seer
- RV 1.1–1.11 (traditional ascription, including the opening Agni hymns)
- Association with the Vaiśvāmitra hymn-cycle and the early Indra-centered praises of Mandala 1
The rite, step by step
- Prepare the ritual ground and kindle the sacred fires; establish the assembly (sam-oha) of priests and patrons.
- Press Soma (or ritually prepare its substitute in later practice), purify it, and set it for offering.
- Recite/chant the Gāyatrī verses of RV 1.8 as an āhvāna (invitation) to Indra, focusing on rayi, protection, and victory.
- Offer Soma to Indra with accompanying stoma (praise) and uktha (inspired recitation).
- Conclude with reaffirmation that praise is to be proclaimed for Indra Soma-drinker, sealing the rite with requests for increase and safeguarding.
Offerings
- Soma (primary)
- Ghee/ājya into the fire (supporting offering)
- Oblations accompanying stoma and uktha (praise as offering)
Frequently Asked Questions
It asks Indra to bring victorious, abundant rayi—prosperity and strengthening power—along with protection and increase for the worshipper and community.
Because Indra is invoked as the deity who drinks the offered Soma and, by that delight and strength, becomes able to grant victory, protection, and gifts to the sacrificers.
They point to two kinds of participants: inspired seers (vipras) and those who pursue the Light through thought and meditation (dhiyāyus), both seeking Indra’s aid in the sacrifice.
Ask anything about Sukta 8 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.
