Sukta 74
Sukta 10.74
This hymn praises the collective luminous powers (Vasus) as diverse divine helpers by whom seekers attain plenitude—through austere inner effort, illumined insight, and sacrificial action that unites Heaven and Earth. It then turns toward Indra as the decisive force enabling the crossing to a rich “store” of light and abundance, affirming his many powers and his capacity to accomplish what the aspirant seeks.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
वसूनां वा चर्कृष इयक्षन्धिया वा यज्ञैर्वा रोदस्योः । अर्वन्तो वा ये रयिमन्तः सातौ वनुं वा ये सुश्रुणं सुश्रुतो धुः ॥
कुछ वसु लोग अंदर से बहुत मेहनत करते हैं। कुछ लोग यज्ञ के ज़रिए ऊपर वाले और नीचे वाले को जोड़ते हैं। कुछ तेज़ घोड़े जैसी ताकत रखते हैं और धन जीतते हैं। कुछ लोग अच्छी बातें सुनते हैं और सच्ची बातें सुनते हैं।
Mantra 2
हव एषामसुरो नक्षत द्यां श्रवस्यता मनसा निंसत क्षाम् । चक्षाणा यत्र सुविताय देवा द्यौर्न वारेभिः कृणवन्त स्वैः ॥
इन लोगों की आवाज़ आसमान तक जाती है। अपने मन से वो धरती को भी छूते हैं। वहाँ देवता सही रास्ता देख के अपना आसमान अपने सहारे से बना लेते हैं।
Mantra 3
इयमेषाममृतानां गीः सर्वताता ये कृपणन्त रत्नम् । धियं च यज्ञं च साधन्तस्ते नो धान्तु वसव्यमसामि ॥
यह गाना उन अमर लोगों का है जो सब तक पहुँचता है। यह लोग खज़ाना बनाते रहते हैं। यह सोच को सही रास्ते पे लगाते हैं और यज्ञ को पूरा करते हैं। इनकी दुआ है कि हम में भी वो खूबसूरती आए। हम भी उस पूरेपन में आ जाएँ।
Mantra 4
आ तत्त इन्द्रायवः पनन्ताभि य ऊर्वं गोमन्तं तितृत्सान् । सकृत्स्वं ये पुरुपुत्रां महीं सहस्रधारां बृहतीं दुदुक्षन् ॥
इंद्र के लिए जो लोग कोशिश करते हैं वो आगे बढ़ते हैं। यह लोग उस जगह जाना चाहते हैं जहाँ ज्ञान की किरण होती है। एक बार जब यह अपनी ज़मीन को जगाते हैं तो वो बहुत सारी धारे वाली बड़ी ज़मीन बन जाती है। फिर वो अपना प्यार देने लगती है।
Mantra 5
शचीव इन्द्रमवसे कृणुध्वमनानतं दमयन्तं पृतन्यून् । ऋभुक्षणं मघवानं सुवृक्तिं भर्ता यो वज्रं नर्यं पुरुक्षुः ॥
जो लोग सही काम करते हैं वो इंद्र को मदद के लिए बुलाते हैं। इंद्र झुकता नहीं है और लड़ने वाले लोगों को रोक लेता है। वो अच्छे काम करता है, अच्छी बातें करता है, और प्यार देता है। उसके पास वज्र है जो बहुत ताकतवर है। वो बहुत लोगों को आगे बढ़ाता है।
Mantra 6
यद्वावान पुरुतमं पुराषाळा वृत्रहेन्द्रो नामान्यप्राः । अचेति प्रासहस्पतिस्तुविष्मान्यदीमुश्मसि कर्तवे करत्तत् ॥
जब इंद्र ने वृत्र को हराया था, तब उसने अपने बहुत सारे नाम लिए थे। वो पुराने दुश्मन को हराने वाला था। तब उसकी ताकत सबके सामने आ गई थी। जो भी हम उसे करते हैं वो कर सकता है। वो सब काम पूरा कर देता है।
Inside Sukta 74
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
The hymn opens by classifying the Vasus as diverse divine agencies of attainment—some strive by intense inner labor, others by dhī (illumined thought), others by yajña that joins Heaven and Earth.
- Development
It expands the image of attainment as a conquest: swift “steeds” rich in rayi, and faculties of true hearing that carry inspiration; the seekers press toward a full store of light/knowledge.
- Climax
Indra is invoked as the power by which one ‘crosses over’ to the rich store, and the wide Earth is made to yield abundance—an image of released plenitude through awakened power.
- Where it settles
The hymn ends by affirming Indra’s manifested might and many names: whatever the aspirant truly seeks him to accomplish, he is capable of doing—confidence in effective divine action.
The deity: Vasus
- In the VedaIn this hymn they appear as multiple modes of divine aid—some as intense inner striving, some as inspired intelligence, some as sacrificial powers joining Heaven and Earth; Indra stands forth as the effective champion who makes the passage to fullness possible.
- Cosmic functionThey stabilize and sustain the cosmic order and the worlds (Heaven–Earth), distribute wealth/‘rayi’ and strength, and empower the yajña so that abundance and victory can be won.
- Inner significancePsychologically, the Vasus signify the luminous faculties that build the seeker’s capacity—discipline (inner labor), insight (dhī), and consecrated action (yajña). Indra represents the breakthrough-force that defeats obstruction (Vṛtra) and releases the ‘cows/rays’—clarity, energy, and plenitude—into consciousness.
Famous verses
वसूनां वा चर्कृष इयक्षन्धिया वा यज्ञैर्वा रोदस्योः । अर्वन्तो वा ये रयिमन्तः सातौ वनुं वा ये सुश्रुणं सुश्रुतो धुः ॥आ तत्त इन्द्रायवः पनन्ताभि य ऊर्वं गोमन्तं तितृत्सान् । सकृत्स्वं ये पुरुपुत्रां महीं सहस्रधारां बृहतीं दुदुक्षन् ॥यद्वावान पुरुतमं पुराषाळा वृत्रहेन्द्रो नामान्यप्राः । अचेति प्रासहस्पतिस्तुविष्मान्यदीमुश्मसि कर्तवे करत्तत् ॥Attributes of the deity
- Luminous sustaining powers
- Multiple paths of attainment: tapas-like effort, dhī (illumined thought), yajña (sacrificial integration)
- Bestowers of rayi (plenitude/wealth/light)
- World-upholding (linking Heaven and Earth)
- Indra as Vṛtrahan: obstacle-slayer, accomplisher of the desired work
Also by this seer
- Attribution of RV 10.74 is not securely fixed in the traditional indices
- The hymn’s style aligns with late Ṛgvedic (Mandala 10) reflective compositions that integrate ritual, psychology, and cosmic symbolism.
The rite, step by step
- Ācamana and saṅkalpa: state the intention—seeking rayi, victory, and unobstructed progress.
- Kindle/attend the āhavanīya fire (or lamp) and establish a calm, attentive dhī (focused thought).
- Recite the sūkta sequentially (6 mantras), pausing after key lines to internalize the three means: inner labor, illumined thought, and yajña.
- Offer oblations while reciting verses that speak of joining Heaven and Earth and of crossing to the rich store (ūrva gomant).
- Conclude with a brief Indra-invocation (as Vṛtrahan) asking for removal of obstacles and fulfillment of the intended work.
- Śānti/closing: silent gratitude and dedication of the fruit of the recitation.
Offerings
- Ghee (ājya) into fire
- Soma (where ritually appropriate) or symbolic libation (water/milk)
- Grains (barley/rice) as simple havis
- Optional: fragrant offering (samidh/incense)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here the Vasus are portrayed as collective luminous helpers—powers that support a seeker through discipline, inspired understanding (dhī), and sacrificial action (yajña) that harmonizes Heaven and Earth.
The Vasus represent supportive modes of progress, but Indra is invoked as the decisive force that breaks obstruction (Vṛtra) and enables the final ‘crossing’ into fullness, victory, and abundance (rayi).
It is a Vedic image for reaching a state of secured plenitude—light/knowledge, strength, and resources—after overcoming limits; outwardly it can mean prosperity and success, inwardly it means clearer, empowered consciousness.
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