Sukta 9
Sukta 1.9
Medhātithi Kāṇva (traditional attribution for RV 1.9)
Gāyatrī (3 pādas of 8 syllables; standard for many early Indra-invocations)
RV 1.9 is a compact Gāyatrī hymn inviting Indra to the Soma-pressing, urging him to drink the exhilarating essence and to empower the worshippers with victorious strength. The poet repeatedly links Indra’s presence with increase—of force (ojas), luminous might (dyumna), and wealth (rāyas)—so that the sacrificers may be propelled toward success and renown.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
इन्द्रेहि मत्स्यन्धसो विश्वेभिः सोमपर्वभिः । महाँ अभिष्टिरोजसा ॥
हे इंद्र, आजा। यह सोम है, इसको पूरा पी ले। इसकी ताकत तुझे जीत दिलाती है। तू बड़ा बलवान है, तेरी पावर सबसे बड़ी है। हम तुझे बुला रहे हैं, आजा और इसका पूरा फायदा उठा।
Mantra 2
एमेनं सृजता सुते मन्दिमिन्द्राय मन्दिने । चक्रिं विश्वानि चक्रये ॥
अब इस सोम को छोड़ दो, इंद्र के लिए तैयार करो। यह इंद्र को खुश करेगा। इंद्र जो कुछ भी करता है, वो सब चलाता है। वो सब काम करने वाला है, इसलिए उसे पिला दो।
Mantra 3
मत्स्वा सुशिप्र मन्दिभिः स्तोमेभिर्विश्वचर्षणे । सचैषु सवनेष्वा ॥
इंद्र, तू इस सोम से मस्त हो जा। हमारी प्रार्थना सुन, हमारे गाने सुन। तू सब जगह देख सकता है, तू सबका मालिक है। आजा और इस सोम में हमारे साथ जुड़ जा।
Mantra 4
असृग्रमिन्द्र ते गिरः प्रति त्वामुदहासत । अजोषा वृषभं पतिम् ॥
इंद्र, हमारी बातें तुझ तक पहुँची हैं। हम तुझे बुला रहे हैं। तू है बड़ा बलवान, तू है सबका मालिक। हमारी आवाज़ सुन और आजा। तेरी पावर हमें भी मिल जाए।
Mantra 5
सं चोदय चित्रमर्वाग्राध इन्द्र वरेण्यम् । असदित्ते विभु प्रभु ॥
इंद्र, हमारे पास आजा। हमारे लिए अच्छी चीज़ें ले कर आजा। तू सबसे बड़ा है, सबसे पावरफुल है। जो तू देगा वो हमें मिलेगा। हम तुझस उम्मीद रखते हैं, तू हमें मत छोड़ना।
Mantra 6
अस्मान्त्सु तत्र चोदयेन्द्र राये रभस्वतः । तुविद्युम्न यशस्वतः ॥
हे इंद्र, हुमे आगे बढ़ा। हुमे उस तरफ ले जा जहाँ धन मिले। जहाँ ताकत हो, चमक हो। जहाँ जीत हो और नाम हो।
Mantra 7
सं गोमदिन्द्र वाजवदस्मे पृथु श्रवो बृहत् । विश्वायुर्धेह्यक्षितम् ॥
इंद्र, हम में धन भर दे। हुमें ताकत दे। हुमारा नाम बड़ा कर। हुमें लंबी ज़िन्दगी दे जो कभी खत्म न हो।
Mantra 8
अस्मे धेहि श्रवो बृहद्द्युम्नं सहस्रसातमम् । इन्द्र ता रथिनीरिषः ॥
इंद्र, हम में बड़ा नाम डाल। इतना धन दे कि हज़ारों गुना हो। हुमें वो खुशी दे जो जल्दी आए, जैसे रथ दौड़ता है।
Mantra 9
वसोरिन्द्रं वसुपतिं गीर्भिर्गृणन्त ऋग्मियम् । होम गन्तारमूतये ॥
हम अपने मंत्र से इंद्र को बुलाते हैं। वो धन का मालिक है। हम उसे हवन के लिए बुलाते हैं ताकि वो हुमें रक्षा करे।
Mantra 10
सुतेसुते न्योकसे बृहद्बृहत एदरिः । इन्द्राय शूषमर्चति ॥
जब भी सोम का जूस निकलता है, इंद्र को दिया जाता है। इंद्र बहुत बड़ा है और और बड़ा होता जाता है। भक्त उसके लिए गाना गाते हैं और ताकत भेजते हैं।
Inside Sukta 9
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
A direct summons: Indra is called to come and drink deeply of Soma’s invigorating essence.
- Development
Praise turns into petition—Indra’s might is celebrated as the source of victory, wealth, swift force, and abundant luminous power for the community.
- Climax
The request intensifies into guidance and propulsion: Indra is asked to lead the worshippers ‘there’—into plenitude, radiant power, and renown (rāyas, tuvidyumna, yaśas).
- Where it settles
The hymn seals its intent with ritual recurrence: at every pressing (sute-sute), the seeker advances with praise and offers awakened energy to the ever-Vaster Indra.
The deity: Indra
- In the VedaHe is repeatedly invoked to come quickly, take his seat, and accept the pressed Soma that kindles heroic energy.
- Cosmic functionChampion of order through victory: he releases vital powers, overcomes constriction, and supports the flourishing of life, wealth, and luminous force in the world of men.
- Inner significanceIndra signifies the awakened will and courageous clarity that drinks the ‘Soma’ of inspiration, surges past inner resistance, and establishes confident mastery and wide, luminous capacity.
The seer
- Medhātithi KāṇvaKāṇva (Kanva-gotra) · A prominent early Rigvedic seer of the Kāṇva family, noted for concise, energetic Indra-invocations that closely track the Soma ritual and emphasize empowerment (ojas, dyumna) and victory.
Famous verses
indrehi
asmān su tatra codayendra
sute-sute
Attributes of the deity
- Soma-drinker (somapā)
- Victorious and forceful (ojas, śūṣa)
- Bestower of wealth and plenitude (rāyas)
- Giver of luminous power (dyumna)
- Swift helper and impeller (codaya)
- Vast and ever-expanding (bṛhat, bṛhate)
Also by this seer
- Hymns associated with the Kāṇva tradition in Mandala 1 (Indra- and Soma-centered early invocations)
- Kāṇva lineage transmission of early Soma-ritual poetry and praise-formulas used in Indra stotras
The rite, step by step
- Prepare the Soma (pressing and straining) and set the offering place for Indra.
- Recite the Gāyatrī verses as an āhvāna (invitation): call Indra to come and take delight in the Soma essence.
- Offer Soma with voiced praise, emphasizing Indra’s vastness, victory, and empowering force.
- Make the petition: ask Indra to impel the worshippers toward wealth, swift strength, and radiant might.
- Conclude with reaffirmation at each pressing (sute-sute): sustained praise as the rite continues.
Offerings
- Soma libation (pressed and strained Soma)
- Optional accompanying oblations customary to Soma rites (e.g., ghee/clarified butter in related fire offerings)
Frequently Asked Questions
It calls Indra to come to the Soma-pressing, drink the Soma, and then strengthen the worshippers—granting victory, wealth, and radiant power.
Because the hymn is meant for the Soma ritual: Soma is the offered drink that ‘gladdens’ Indra and is believed to awaken and amplify his victorious energy on behalf of the sacrificer.
On an inner level, Indra represents courageous will and luminous strength—the power that overcomes obstacles and expands the seeker into wider capability, clarity, and success.
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