Sukta 23
Sukta 10.23
Vimada (Vaimada) (traditional attribution for RV 10.23)
Indra
Trishtubh (likely; requires metrical verification)
RV 10.23 is a compact Indra-hymn in which the poet-sacrificer invokes Indra as the vajra-bearing chariot-warrior who breaks through limits and apportions riches and strength to his allies. The imagery is vivid and bodily—Indra’s beard shaking, his hosts moving, rain and wind responding—linking martial power with fertility and Soma-inspired exhilaration. The hymn culminates in a plea that Indra’s friendship with the seer Vimadá remain unbroken and become auspicious for the worshippers.
Mantras
Mantra 1
यजामह इन्द्रं वज्रदक्षिणं हरीणां रथ्यं विव्रतानाम् । प्र श्मश्रु दोधुवदूर्ध्वथा भूद्वि सेनाभिर्दयमानो वि राधसा ॥
हम इंद्र की पूजा करते हैं। उसके हाथ में वज्र है और वो दो घोड़े वाली गाड़ी चलाता है। उसकी दाढ़ी हिल रही है और वो ऊपर उठता है। वो अपनी सेना के साथ आता है और सबको धन बाँटता है।
Mantra 2
हरी न्वस्य या वने विदे वस्विन्द्रो मघैर्मघवा वृत्रहा भुवत् । ऋभुर्वाज ऋभुक्षाः पत्यते शवोऽव क्ष्णौमि दासस्य नाम चित् ॥
इंद्र के दो घोड़े जंगल में जाके खज़ाना ढूँढ़ लाते हैं। इंद्र देने वाला बन जाता है और दुश्मन को मार देता है। ऋभु और वाज की ताकत चलती है। मैं दुश्मन का नाम भी मिटा देता हूँ।
Mantra 3
यदा वज्रं हिरण्यमिदथा रथं हरी यमस्य वहतो वि सूरिभिः । आ तिष्ठति मघवा सनश्रुत इन्द्रो वाजस्य दीर्घश्रवसस्पतिः ॥
जब सोना वाला वज्र और दो घोड़े वाली गाड़ी तैयार हो जाती है, तब इंद्र आके बैठता है। वो देने वाला है और उसका नाम बहुत पुराना है। वो धन और नाम दोनों का मालिक है।
Mantra 4
सो चिन्नु वृष्टिर्यूथ्या स्वा सचाँ इन्द्रः श्मश्रूणि हरिताभि प्रुष्णुते । अव वेति सुक्षयं सुते मधूदिद्धूनोति वातो यथा वनम् ॥
अब बारिश आएगी और इंद्र उसके साथ होगा। वो अपनी ताकत से बादल फैला देगा। वो नीचे आके ठीक जगह पे रुकेगा। सोमा पी के वो इतना ताकतवर हो जाता है जैसे हवा पेड़ों को हिला देती है।
Mantra 5
यो वाचा विवाचो मृध्रवाचः पुरू सहस्राशिवा जघान । तत्तदिदस्य पौंस्यं गृणीमसि पितेव यस्तविषीं वावृधे शवः ॥
वो शब्द की ताकत से दुश्मनों को हरा देता है। वो लोग बहुत चाल चलते थे, मगर इंद्र उन सब को तोड़ दिया। हम उसकी यह ताकत गाते हैं। वो बाप की तरह हमें ताकत देता है और हमें स्ट्रॉन्ग बनाता है।
Mantra 6
स्तोमं त इन्द्र विमदा अजीजनन्नपूर्व्यं पुरुतमं सुदानवे । विद्मा ह्यस्य भोजनमिनस्य यदा पशुं न गोपाः करामहे ॥
विमद रिशि ने इंद्र के लिए नया गाना बनाया है। यह बहुत बड़ा और अच्छा गाना है। हम जानते हैं कि इंद्र जो देता है वो हमें मिलता है। जैसे ग्वाला अपने गाय-भैंस को सेफ रखता है, वैसे ही हम भी उसकी दी हुई चीज़ को संभाल के रखते हैं।
Mantra 7
माकिर्न एना सख्या वि यौषुस्तव चेन्द्र विमदस्य च ऋषेः । विद्मा हि ते प्रमतिं देव जामिवदस्मे ते सन्तु सख्या शिवानि ॥
कोई भी इंद्र और विमद रिशि की दोस्ती को तोड़ न पाए। हम जानते हैं कि इंद्र हमें सही रास्ता दिखाता है। वो अपने घर वाले की तरह हमारे पास रहता है। यह दोस्ती हमारे लिए अच्छी होनी चाहिए और हमारे काम आए।
Inside Sukta 23
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
Invocation of Indra as the thunderbolt-right-handed chariot-warrior who breaks through limits and dispenses riches with his hosts.
- Development
The hymn deepens into storm and vitality imagery—Indra’s beard shaken, rain accompanying him, and Soma’s honeyed pressing energizing his movement like wind through a forest.
- Climax
Indra’s dynamic descent and world-stirring force at Soma, uniting martial power with fertility and cosmic motion.
- Where it settles
A direct covenantal plea: let no one sever Indra’s friendship with Vimadá; may Indra’s intimate guidance remain auspicious for the worshippers.
The deity: Indra
- In the VedaIndra is praised as vajradakṣiṇa—whose right hand bears the thunderbolt—riding with tawny steeds and moving with hosts, a breaker of obstacles who “divides out” rādhas (bounty). He is also portrayed through storm-fertility imagery: rain in a troop accompanies him, and like wind shaking a forest he stirs the world at the Soma pressing.
- Cosmic functionChampion of ṛta in the dynamic sense: he smashes impediments, releases waters/rain, empowers the clans in battle, and upholds prosperity through victory and timely showers.
- Inner significanceThe awakened force of will and courage that breaks inner limits, clears obstruction, and distributes energies rightly; the “friend” and guide whose pramati (forward-leading counsel) steadies the seeker.
The seer
- Vimadá (Vaimada)Vaimada (family attribution within the Vimada cycle; specific gotra not firmly preserved in the Rigvedic text-tradition) · A Rigvedic seer associated with intimate friendship (sakhyá) with Indra, expressing a personal alliance where divine guidance (pramati) protects and enriches the poet and his people.
Famous verses
vajradakṣiṇam
vāto yathā vanam
sakhyā śivāni
Attributes of the deity
- Vajra-bearer (thunderbolt power)
- Warrior-charioteer with tawny steeds
- Breaker of boundaries/obstructions
- Giver and apportioner of rādhas (bounty)
- Storm-bringer linked with rain and wind
- Soma-delighted invigorator
- Friend (sakhā) and protector of the seer
Also by this seer
- Hymns attributed to Vimadá/Vaimada in the Rigveda’s late strata (notably within the Vimada-associated cluster in Mandala 10)
- Verses emphasizing Indra’s companionship, protection in conflict, and the distribution of rādhas (bounty) to the sacrificers
The rite, step by step
- Sankalpa: state intention for Indra’s protection, victory, and auspicious friendship
- Kindle/establish the sacred fire (or prepare the Soma pressing setting, where applicable)
- Recite RV 10.23 as an Indra-stuti, emphasizing Indra’s vajra-power and bounty
- Offer oblations while voicing requests for rādhas (prosperity), strength, and safe dwelling
- Conclude with the friendship-prayer (sakhyā) for enduring divine guidance and auspiciousness
Offerings
- Soma (where Soma-ritual is performed)
- Ghee/clarified butter into Agni as Indra’s share
- Simple water libation (as a rain/prosperity symbol) where Soma is not available
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a hymn to Indra praising his thunderbolt power, his ability to break obstacles, and his generosity in giving strength and wealth. It also links Indra with rain, wind, and Soma-inspired energy.
The beard imagery is a vivid way to show Indra’s vigorous, storm-like presence—sprinkling, shaking, and stirring the world. It connects bodily power with cosmic effects like rain and wind.
It asks that no one break the bond of friendship between Indra and the seer Vimadá. The worshippers affirm they know Indra’s guiding help and pray that this friendship remains auspicious for them.
Ask anything about Sukta 23 of the Rig Veda
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