Rig Veda 10.48.2: Mandala 10, Sukta 48, Mantra 2
Sukta 10.48
- Devata
- Indra
- Rasa
- Vira (heroism) and Raudra (fury)
अहमिन्द्रो रोधो वक्षो अथर्वणस्त्रिताय गा अजनयमहेरधि । अहं दस्युभ्यः परि नृम्णमा ददे गोत्रा शिक्षन्दधीचे मातरिश्वने ॥
ahám índro ródho vákṣo átharvaṇas tritā́ya gā́ ajanayam áher ádhi | aháṃ dásyubhyaḥ pári nṛ́mṇam ā́ dade gotrā́ śíkṣan dadhī́ce mātáriśvane ||
मैं इन्द्र हूँ। मैं रास्ता रोक लेता हूँ और चौड़ा कर देता हूँ। त्रित के लिए मैंने उस साँप से रोशनी निकाली। दुश्मनों के अगेंस्ट मैं ताकत लगा देता हूँ। दधीचि को मैंने गुप्त बातें सिखाई ताकि अग्नि सही से चले।
Word by Word
- अहम्
- IPronounपुं/स्त्री/नपुं; प्रथमा; एकवचनRole कर्तृRoot अहम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
- इन्द्रः
- IndraNounपुं; प्रथमा; एकवचनRole कर्तृ (अहम्-समनाधिकरण)Root इन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक)
- रोधः
- a barrier, obstructionNounनपुं; प्रथमा; एकवचनRole कर्म (अहम्…[अस्मि] इति निहित-क्रियायाः विधेय-नाम)Root रोधस् (प्रातिपदिक)
- वक्षः
- chest; breast (strength)Nounनपुं; प्रथमा; एकवचनRole कर्म/विधेय-नाम (अहम्…[अस्मि] इति)Root वक्षस् (प्रातिपदिक)
- अथर्वणः
- of AtharvanNounपुं; षष्ठी; एकवचनRole सम्बन्ध (त्रिताय इत्यस्य/गाः इत्यस्य सन्दर्भे)Root अथर्वन् (प्रातिपदिक)
- त्रिताय
- for TritaNoun (proper name)पुं; चतुर्थी; एकवचनRole सम्प्रदानRoot त्रित (प्रातिपदिक)
- गाः
- cowsNounस्त्री; द्वितीया; बहुवचनRole कर्मRoot गो (प्रातिपदिक)
- अजनयम्
- I generated, producedVerbलङ् (अनद्यतनभूत); उत्तमपुरुष; एकवचन; परस्मैपदRole क्रियाRoot √जन् (जनयति) [णिच्]
- अहेः
- of the serpent (Ahi)Nounपुं; षष्ठी; एकवचनRole अपादान/सम्बन्ध (अधि इत्यनेन सह: ‘अहेः अधि’ = ‘अहेः उपरि/अधिष्ठानात्’)Root अहि (प्रातिपदिक)
- अधि
- upon, over; from onIndeclinableअव्ययRole अधिकरण-निर्देशकRoot अधि (उपसर्ग/अव्यय)
- अहम्
- IPronounप्रथमा; एकवचनRole कर्तृRoot अहम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
- दस्युभ्यः
- to/for the DasyusNounपुं; चतुर्थी; बहुवचनRole सम्प्रदान (परि-निर्दिष्ट-परिसर/विषयः)Root दस्यु (प्रातिपदिक)
- परि
- around; away from; completelyIndeclinableअव्ययRole क्रियाविशेषण/उपसर्गRoot परि (उपसर्ग/अव्यय)
- नृम्णम्
- manly might, heroic powerNounनपुं; द्वितीया; एकवचनRole कर्मRoot नृम्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
- आ
- towards, forthIndeclinableअव्ययRole क्रियाविशेषण/उपसर्गRoot आ (उपसर्ग/अव्यय)
- ददे
- I have given / I gaveVerbलिट् (परिपूर्ण/अनद्यतन-परिपूर्ण); उत्तमपुरुष; एकवचन; आत्मनेपद (ददे)Role क्रियाRoot √दा (ददाति)
- गोत्रा
- cow-pens; enclosures (of cows)Nounनपुं; द्वितीया; बहुवचनRole कर्मRoot गोत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
- शिक्षन्
- teaching; instructingParticipleशतृ-प्रत्यय; प्रथमा; एकवचन; पुं (कर्तरि)Role कर्तृ-विशेषण (अहम् इत्यस्य)Root √शिक्ष् (शिक्षते/शिक्षति) → वर्तमान-कृदन्त
- दधीचे
- to DadhīciNoun (proper name)पुं; चतुर्थी; एकवचनRole सम्प्रदानRoot दधीचि (प्रातिपदिक; ऋषिनाम)
- मातरिश्वने
- to MātariśvanNoun (proper name)पुं; चतुर्थी; एकवचनRole सम्प्रदानRoot मातरिश्वन् (प्रातिपदिक; देव/ऋषिनाम)
Sandhi Notes
- सन्धि-विच्छेद (मुख्य): अहम्+इन्द्रः → अहम् इन्द्रः
- अथर्वणः+त्रिताय → अथर्वणः त्रिताय
- गाः+अजनयम् → गाः अजनयम्
- अहेः+अधि → अहेः अधि
- दस्युभ्यः+परि → दस्युभ्यः परि
- नृम्णम्+आ+ददे → नृम्णम् आ ददे
- गोत्रा+शिक्षन् → गोत्रा शिक्षन्
- दधीचे+मातरिश्वने → दधीचे मातरिश्वने
The meaning
Outer meaning
Indra declares: he is the barrier and the widening breast of Atharvan; for Trita he produced the cows (rays) from over the serpent; he set strength against the dasyus; he taught the hidden pens to Dadhīci for Mātariśvan.
Inner meaning
Indra identifies with the force that both resists hostile formations (rodha) and expands the being (vakṣas) through Atharvan power—effective inner working of the will. He releases the ‘cows’ (go) as rays of knowledge from the ‘serpent’ (ahi), the coiled obscurity of the subconscient. ‘Dasyus’ are the dark, divisive impulses that steal light; Indra sets a protective circumference of strength (nṛmṇa). The teaching of ‘go-trā’ (cow-pens) to Dadhīci for Mātariśvan symbolizes unveiling the secret enclosures of light/knowledge so that the hidden Fire (Agni/Mātariśvan as carrier) can be brought into manifestation.
Universal truth
Spiritual progress requires both resistance to lower compulsions and expansion into a vaster consciousness. Illumination is recovered from obscurity by a decisive force; then the secret powers are taught to the life-force so they can act in the world.
Themes
Cow-release motif, Indra versus dasyu, Mythic memory as inner psychology, Fire and inspiration
The seer
- Other hymns
- Rig Veda 10.48.1-5
Significance
The verse compresses key Vedic yoga-myths (release of cows, defeat of dasyus, transmission of secret fire) into a single psychological program: recover light, protect it, and embody it through life-force.
The deity
- Devata
- Indra
- Epithets
- go-jit (winner of the cows), vṛtra-han (slayer of the coverer), nṛmṇa-dhā (giver of strength)
- Related deities
- Agni, Mātariśvan, Vāyu, Trita, Atharvan
Cosmic role
Liberator of hidden light; defender against dark powers; initiator of transmission of secret knowledge into manifestation.
Inner power
Decisive illumination-force that breaks subconscient cover, sets protective strength, and enables embodied realization.
In ritual
Where it is used
Recitation supporting the release of ‘cows’ (lights) and the protection of the sacrifice against hostile forces; thematically aligned with Soma ritual mythology (Trita) and the Fire-bringing (Mātariśvan).
अ॒हमिन्द्रो॒ रोधो॒ वक्षो॒ अथ॑र्वणस्त्रि॒ताय॒ गा अ॑जनय॒महे॒रधि॑ । अ॒हं दस्यु॑भ्य॒: परि॑ नृ॒म्णमा द॑दे गो॒त्रा शिक्ष॑न्दधी॒चे मा॑त॒रिश्व॑ने ॥
अ॒हम् । इन्द्रः॑ । रोधः॑ । वक्षः॑ । अथ॑र्वणः । त्रि॒तायः॑ । गाः । अ॒ज॒न॒य॒म् । अहेः॑ । अधि॑ । अ॒हम् । दस्यु॑ऽभ्यः । परि॑ । नृ॒म्णम् । आ । द॒दे॒ । गो॒त्रा । शिक्ष॑न् । द॒धी॒चे । मा॒त॒रिश्व॑ने ॥
aham | indraḥ | rodhaḥ | vakṣaḥ | atharvaṇaḥ | tritāyaḥ | gāḥ | ajanayam | aheḥ | adhi | aham | dasyu-bhyaḥ | pari | nṛmṇam | ā | dade | gotrā | śikṣan | dadhīce | mātariśvane
44
4×11
Heroic and rapid; mythic images come in strong beats.
Energizes courage and cutting clarity; good for breaking inertia and fear.
- रोधः (rodhaḥ)
- Literal: barrier/resistance. Symbolic: protective obstruction against hostile forces; the power to block lower invasions
- वक्षः (vakṣaḥ)
- Literal: breast, wideness. Symbolic: expansive capacity; broadening of consciousness
- अथर्वणः (atharvaṇaḥ)
- Literal: of Atharvan (priestly power). Symbolic: effective inner working; force of right practice and secret fire
- त्रिताय (tritāya)
- Literal: for Trita. Symbolic: for the triple-being (mind-life-body) seeking liberation; or the inner hero in the waters
- गाः (gāḥ)
- Literal: cows. Symbolic: rays of light/knowledge recovered
- अहि (ahi)
- Literal: serpent. Symbolic: subconscient coil; Vṛtra-like coverer of light
- दस्युभ्यः (dasyubhyaḥ)
- Literal: to/against dasyus. Symbolic: forces of darkness, division, falsehood
- नृम्णम् (nṛmṇam)
- Literal: manly strength. Symbolic: dynamic soul-force and courageous energy
- गोत्रा (gotrā)
- Literal: cow-pens/enclosures. Symbolic: sealed domains of knowledge/light within the being
- दधीचि (dadhīci)
- Literal: sage Dadhīci. Symbolic: the seer-will that can give even the ‘bones’ (firm supports) for the work
- मातरिश्वन् (mātariśvan)
- Literal: Vāyu/Fire-carrier. Symbolic: life-force that bears the secret fire into manifestation
Recitation supporting the release of ‘cows’ (lights) and the protection of the sacrifice against hostile forces; thematically aligned with Soma ritual mythology (Trita) and the Fire-bringing (Mātariśvan).
Indra-Vṛtra/cow-release themed recitations; protective invocations against hostile influences.
Recitation as a protective and victory-invocation; could accompany offerings seeking strength and illumination.
Use when confronting addiction, depression, confusion: chant as a ‘cow-release’ practice—invoke Indra to break the coil of obscurity and restore clarity.
ahi ‘serpent’ from PIE *h₂engʷʰi-? (often compared with Lat anguis); Vedic ‘serpent’ becomes a symbol of coiled obstruction. dasyu likely ‘enemy/raider’ but psychologized as forces that divide and obscure. gotra ‘cow-pen’ = go ‘light/cow’ + -tra instrument/place suffix; symbol of hidden light in the cave. mātariśvan epithet ‘one who moves in the mother’ (mātari + √śvā/śvi ‘to swell/drive/move’)—the fire-bearer moving in the matrix.
Release of light from obstruction, Transmission of secret knowledge (teaching gotrā), Protection against hostile forces
Dasyus represent anṛta; Indra’s action restores ṛta by releasing true light.
Recovered ‘go’ are satya-knowledge—truth-rays unveiled.
Unsealing hidden plenitudes and bringing secret fire into active life.
Yoga of transformation (Aurobindo): subconscient obstruction must be broken, then higher force embodied.
Serpent = coiled subconscient; cows = rays of insight; pens = sealed inner centers; Mātariśvan = prāṇa carrying Agni (will) into action.
- What is the primary Vedic 'mythologem' present in this verse?
- A compressed cluster: (1) release of the cows/lights from the serpent-obstruction; (2) the protective encircling of strength against dasyus; (3) transmission of the secret of the cow-pens to Dadhīci for Mātariśvan (fire-bearer). In inner terms, Indra brings illumination out of the coiled subconscient and teaches the routes to the hidden light so the inner Fire can be carried and established.
- How does the linguistic structure reflect Proto-Indo-European roots?
- dyau/Indo-European sky vocabulary is not central here, but the serpent term ahi is often compared with PIE serpent words (e.g., Latin anguis). The ‘cow’ go remains a strong PIE inheritance (*gʷou-), resemanticized in Vedic poetics into ‘rays of light’ through the dawn/illumination nexus.
- What is the relationship between the Rishi and the Devata here?
- The rishi is made participant in Indra’s mythic capacities: by hearing Indra’s ‘I did’ statements, the sacrificer aligns with that victorious pattern. The devata is not remote; he is the operative power in the seeker that releases light, guards against inner dasyus, and instructs the being in the secret pathways of illumination.
Break the ‘coil’ of obscurity: call Indra’s force to release rays of clarity from the subconscient and establish protective strength.
Maṇipūra (force) and Ājñā (illumination)
Kapalabhāti 3 rounds (30–40 strokes) if suitable, then slow exhale chanting; otherwise, strong ujjāyī on exhale.
Forceful purification → illumination → protection → embodiment.
Identify one ‘dasyu’ habit (divisive impulse). Chant, then immediately do one concrete act that contradicts it (truthful speech, clean action, disciplined choice).
Mixed; give strong lift to ‘ahám índro’, ‘gā́’, ‘áheḥ’, ‘nṛmṇám’, ‘mātariśváne’ as marked in traditional svara recitation.
Maintain sharp articulation on the mythic nouns; do not rush through ‘gotrā śikṣan’.
‘atharvaṇas’: clear retroflex ṇ., ‘ajanayam’: a-ja-na-yam (not ‘ajna’)., ‘dasyubhyaḥ’: keep ‘bhyaḥ’ crisp with visarga-like release., ‘mātariśvane’: śva cluster: śva-ne, not ‘suva’.
Bright, forceful, slightly metallic clarity; avoid shouting—keep controlled power.
11
Ask anything about this verse
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.
