Sukta 138
Sukta 10.138
This short Indra hymn recalls the god’s famed breakthroughs: he shatters the enclosing powers (Vala), releases Dawn and the waters, and secures victory for Kutsa against serpent-like constriction. It also elevates Indra from mere battle-lord to cosmic organizer, crediting him with establishing the ordinance of time (the months) and transforming the “non-sacrificer” into one fit for yajña.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
तव त्य इन्द्र सख्येषु वह्नय ऋतं मन्वाना व्यदर्दिरुर्वलम् । यत्रा दशस्यन्नुषसो रिणन्नपः कुत्साय मन्मन्नह्यश्च दंसयः ॥
इंद्र, तुम्हारे दोस्ती में वो ताकतें जो सच्चाई ढूंढती थी, उन्होंने बंद गुफा तोड़ दी। वहाँ उन्होंने सुबह को उसका हक दिया और पानी को आज़ाद कर दिया। कुत्सा के लिए तुमने सोच समझ के काम किया, और वो साँप जैसी ताकतें झुक गई।
Mantra 2
अवासृजः प्रस्वः श्वञ्चयो गिरीनुदाज उस्रा अपिबो मधु प्रियम् । अवर्धयो वनिनो अस्य दंससा शुशोच सूर्य ऋतजातया गिरा ॥
तू आगे की तरफ भेजा। पहाड़ ऊपर उठा दिए। चमकते हुए सितारों को मधु पिलाया। अपने काम की शक्ति से उसकी जीत की ताकत बढ़ा दी। सूरज चमक उठा, सच से पैदा हुए शब्द से।
Mantra 3
वि सूर्यो मध्ये अमुचद्रथं दिवो विदद्दासाय प्रतिमानमार्यः । दृळ्हानि पिप्रोरसुरस्य मायिन इन्द्रो व्यास्यच्चकृवाँ ऋजिश्वना ॥
सूर्य ने आसमान में अपना रथ छोड़ा। आर्यों ने एक तरीका ढूंढा जो दुश्मनों का सामना कर सकता था। इंद्र ने असुर पिप्रु की सारी चाल-बाज़ी तोड़ दी। वो सीधी ताकत से काम कर रहा था।
Mantra 4
अनाधृष्टानि धृषितो व्यास्यन्निधीँरदेवाँ अमृणदयास्यः । मासेव सूर्यो वसु पुर्यमा ददे गृणानः शत्रूँरशृणाद्विरुक्मता ॥
इंद्र ने वो तोड़ दिया जिसे कोई नहीं तोड़ सकता था। उसने दुश्मनों की फौज को बरबाद कर दिया। जैसे महीने के बदलने पर सूर्य चमकता है, वैसे ही उसने दुश्मनों को मार के ख़ज़ाना हासिल किया। उसकी चमक से दुश्मन टूट गए।
Mantra 5
अयुद्धसेनो विभ्वा विभिन्दता दाशद्वृत्रहा तुज्यानि तेजते । इन्द्रस्य वज्रादबिभेदभिश्नथः प्राक्रामच्छुन्ध्यूरजहादुषा अनः ॥
इंद्र के पास कोई सेना नहीं थी, फिर भी वो दुश्मनों को तोड़ने में सबसे आगे था। उसने वृत्र को मारा और उसकी ताकत चमक उठी। दुश्मन इंद्र की वज्र से डर गए। अंधेरा भाग गया और उजाला आ गया।
Mantra 6
एता त्या ते श्रुत्यानि केवला यदेक एकमकृणोरयज्ञम् । मासां विधानमदधा अधि द्यवि त्वया विभिन्नं भरति प्रधिं पिता ॥
यह तुम्हारे सबसे बड़े काम हैं। तुमने अकेला एक ऐसा इंसान बनाया जो यज्ञ के लायक हो। तुमने आसमान में महीनों का हिसाब लगाया। तुम्हारी वजह से दुनिया अपना काम करती है।
Inside Sukta 138
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
Indra’s companionship with the truth-seeking powers: the forces aligned to ṛta break open Vala and begin liberation.
- Development
Mythic victories unfold—Dawn is given her due, waters are released, Kutsa is aided, and serpent-like constraints are compelled to yield; the hymn links praise (stotra) with triumph.
- Climax
Indra’s irresistible casting-apart of the unassailable and shattering of godless hoards, likened to the Sun’s decisive turning that reveals and installs treasure.
- Where it settles
The hymn closes by naming Indra’s ‘renowned deeds’ in a cosmic key: he makes the non-sacrificer fit for sacrifice and sets the ordinance of months/time in heaven.
The deity: Indra
- Cosmic functionHe restores ṛta by breaking obstruction, releasing the life-giving waters and dawn-light, and by establishing measurable order in the heavens (time’s divisions such as months).
- Inner significanceIndra symbolizes the awakened will and luminous power that breaks inner constriction (fear, inertia, falsehood), releases insight and vitality, and aligns life with a higher order and rhythm.
Famous verses
तव त्य इन्द्र सख्येषु वह्नय ऋतं मन्वाना व्यदर्दिरुर्वलम् । यत्रा दशस्यन्नुषसो रिणन्नपः कुत्साय मन्मन्नह्यश्च दंसयः ॥अनाधृष्टानि धृषितो व्यास्यन्निधीँरदेवाँ अमृणदयास्यः । मासेव सूर्यो वसु पुर्यमा ददे गृणानः शत्रूँरशृणाद्विरुक्मता ॥एता त्या ते श्रुत्यानि केवला यदेक एकमकृणोरयज्ञम् । मासां विधानमदधा अधि द्यवि त्वया विभिन्नं भरति प्रधिं पिता ॥Attributes of the deity
- Vṛtra/ahi-slayer (remover of obstruction)
- Vala-bhedin (cave/covering breaker)
- Liberator of waters and bringer of Dawn
- Protector and ally of seers and heroes (e.g., Kutsa)
- Radiant, victorious, enemy-shattering
- Upholder of ṛta and organizer of cosmic measures (time/months)
Also by this seer
- Attribution of RV 10.138 is uncertain; the seer’s name and family are not consistently preserved across traditions.
- The hymn’s diction and themes align with late Ṛgvedic Mandala 10 style: mythic recap + abstract/cosmic generalization.
The rite, step by step
- Prepare the altar and kindle Agni; establish purity and intention (saṃkalpa).
- Recite RV 10.138 (or selected mantras) as Indra-āvāhana (invocation), emphasizing liberation of waters/light and victory over obstruction.
- Offer oblations with Indra’s names and epithets (Vala-bhedin, ahi-han, ṛta-vid).
- Conclude with prayers for protection, right timing, and success; perform śānti-style closing oblation.
Offerings
- Soma (where applicable)
- Ghṛta (ghee) oblations
- Milk/curd offerings (payas)
- Puroḍāśa/anna offerings (as per śrauta/gṛhya context)
Frequently Asked Questions
The hymn recalls Indra breaking the enclosure (Vala), releasing the waters and honoring Dawn, and helping the hero Kutsa against serpent-like obstructing forces.
Near the end it credits Indra with setting the ordinance of the months in heaven, portraying him not only as a warrior but also as a power that establishes cosmic order and rhythm.
It is commonly suited for Indra-invocation in fire/Soma contexts to seek victory, removal of obstacles, and renewed clarity—symbolically, a prayer for inner and outer ‘breakthrough.’
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