Sukta 160
Sukta 10.160
Traditionally Śvātrya (per padapāṭha ‘śvātryāḥ giraḥ’ in 10.160.2 indicating the clan/poet-group); exact rishi name may be Śvātrya/Śvātra line
Triṣṭubh (typical for Indra-Soma praise; requires metrical verification)
This brief Indra-hymn is a focused invitation to the god to stay with the present sacrificer and protect the freshly pressed, potent Soma. It asks Indra to unharness his steeds at the rite, not be “drawn away” by rival patrons, and to grant the worshipper the classic Indra-gifts—cows, horses, and victorious strength. The hymn underscores that wholehearted, god-desiring offering secures Indra’s favor and prosperity.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
तीव्रस्याभिवयसो अस्य पाहि सर्वरथा वि हरी इह मुञ्च । इन्द्र मा त्वा यजमानासो अन्ये नि रीरमन्तुभ्यमिमे सुतासः ॥
इस तेज़ सोम की रक्षा करो। हे इंद्र, तुम्हारे पास सब तरह की रथ है, अपने दो घोड़े यहाँ खोल दो। कोई और लोग तुम्हे अपनी तरफ न खींचें, यह सोम रस तुम्हारे लिए है।
Mantra 2
तुभ्यं सुतास्तुभ्यमु सोत्वासस्त्वां गिरः श्वात्र्या आ ह्वयन्ति । इन्द्रेदमद्य सवनं जुषाणो विश्वस्य विद्वाँ इह पाहि सोमम् ॥
यह सोम रस तुम्हारे लिए है, जो लोग रस निकालते हैं वो भी तुम्हारे लिए काम कर रहे हैं। स्वात्र्य के गाना तुम्हे बुला रहे हैं। हे इंद्र, आज इस हवन को खुशी से स्वीकारो, तुम सब जानते हो, यहाँ सोम पियो।
Mantra 3
य उशता मनसा सोममस्मै सर्वहृदा देवकामः सुनोति । न गा इन्द्रस्तस्य परा ददाति प्रशस्तमिच्चारुमस्मै कृणोति ॥
जो कोई भगवान को पाना चाहता है, वो अपने पूरे दिल से सोम जूस निकालता है इन्द्र के लिए। इन्द्र ऐसे इंसान को अपनी किरणें किसी और को नहीं देता। वो उसके लिए ऐसी चीज़ें बना देता है जो अच्छी और प्यारी लगती हैं।
Mantra 4
अनुस्पष्टो भवत्येषो अस्य यो अस्मै रेवान्न सुनोति सोमम् । निररत्नौ मघवा तं दधाति ब्रह्मद्विषो हन्त्यनानुदिष्टः ॥
जिस इंसान के पास पैसा है, वो साफ दिखाई देता है अगर वो इन्द्र के लिए सोम जूस नहीं निकालता। भगवान उस्से ऐसी जगह फेंक देता है जहाँ कुछ नहीं मिलता। और बिना बुलाए, वो उन लोगों को मारता है जो भजन और पूजा से नफ़रत करते हैं।
Mantra 5
अश्वायन्तो गव्यन्तो वाजयन्तो हवामहे त्वोपगन्तवा उ । आभूषन्तस्ते सुमतौ नवायां वयमिन्द्र त्वा शुनं हुवेम ॥
हम घोड़े जैसी ताकत माँगते हैं, गाय जैसी चमक माँगते हैं, और पूरी ताकत माँगते हैं। हम तुम्हे बुलाते हैं कि तुम पास आओ। हम अपने आप को तुम्हारी अच्छी नज़र में सजाते हैं। हे इन्द्र, हम तुम्हे बुलाते हैं कि हमारा भला हो और हम खुश रहें।
Inside Sukta 160
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
A direct, urgent appeal: protect this potent Soma and come here—unharness your steeds at our rite.
- Development
The hymn strengthens the claim of the present sacrificer by insisting Indra not be pulled away by others, and by highlighting the power of sincere, whole-hearted offering.
- Climax
The assurance that Indra does not ‘give away the cows’ of the devoted presser—he grants what is praised and beautiful (prosperity and well-being) to that worshipper.
- Where it settles
A closing communal petition for horses, cows, and victorious abundance, resting in Indra’s ever-new goodwill and the hope of a ‘śuna’ (happy/prosperous) condition.
The deity: Indra
- In the VedaHe is repeatedly portrayed as responsive to right pressing and heartfelt invocation, and as a protector who “keeps” the worshipper’s goods from being diverted.
- Cosmic functionHe upholds order through heroic power—breaking obstacles, releasing life-sustaining riches (light, waters, cattle), and securing triumph and protection for the community.
- Inner significanceIndra signifies awakened force of will and courageous clarity that overcomes inner obstruction; Soma becomes the intensifying delight/energy that powers discernment and victorious action.
The seer
- Śvātrya (Śvātra line; poet-group attribution)Śvātrya/Śvātra clan (as indicated by padapāṭha note ‘śvātryāḥ giraḥ’) · Associated with late Rigvedic (Maṇḍala 10) Indra-Soma praise that emphasizes patronage, exclusive invitation, and the efficacy of sincere Soma-pressing.
Famous verses
vi harī iha muñca
na gā indras tasya parā dadāti
aśvāyanto gavyanto vājayanto
Attributes of the deity
- Soma-loving (somapā)
- Mighty and victorious (vṛtrahan, śakra)
- Chariot-lord with two bay steeds (harī)
- Bestower of wealth—cows, horses, strength (rayi, go, aśva, vāja)
- Protector of the sacrificer’s claim and offering
Also by this seer
- Additional Maṇḍala 10 verses/hymn-fragments attributed in tradition to the Śvātrya poet-group (exact hymn-by-hymn attributions vary by recension and anukramaṇī tradition).
The rite, step by step
- Prepare the Soma (pressing/straining) and set it forth as ‘tīvra’ (strong, invigorating).
- Invoke Indra with the request to arrive and ‘unharness the two bay steeds’ at the ritual ground.
- Declare exclusivity: ask that no other yajamānas divert Indra from this pressing.
- Affirm the inner qualification of the offerer—wholehearted, god-desiring intention in the Soma offering.
- Conclude with petitions for prosperity: cows (wealth/light), horses (power/mobility), and vāja (victorious strength).
Offerings
- Soma (strong/intense pressing)
- Accompanying oblations customary in Soma rites (e.g., ghee/clarified butter as ancillary offerings)
Frequently Asked Questions
It asks Indra to come to this specific Soma offering, remain with the worshipper, protect the potent Soma, and grant prosperity—especially cows, horses, and victorious strength.
Indra is imagined arriving by chariot. Asking him to unharness his steeds means: stay here, settle at our ritual place, and accept our Soma rather than rushing elsewhere.
It teaches that when someone offers Soma with a sincere, wholehearted desire for the divine, Indra does not divert that person’s blessings away; instead he makes life more auspicious and admirable for them.
Ask anything about Sukta 160 of the Rig Veda
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