Sukta 17
Sukta 2.17
Gṛtsamada (Bhārgava) (traditional attribution for RV 2.17)
Indra (with Agni/Vahni as operative power in the imagery)
Triṣṭubh (probable for RV 2.17; verse length and cadence consistent)
This brief Triṣṭubh hymn to Indra praises his expansive lordship that grows to encompass all worlds, and his victorious power that establishes light and coherence in the cosmos. Indra’s action is pictured through the operative “Fire-Power” (Agni/Vahni) that stretches the two realms and “sews” the torn darkness, after which the poet asks for vāja (victorious force), protection, and a bounteous dakṣiṇā for the singers.
Mantras
Mantra 4
अधा यो विश्वा भुवनाभि मज्मनेशानकृत्प्रवया अभ्यवर्धत । आद्रोदसी ज्योतिषा वह्निरातनोत्सीव्यन्तमांसि दुधिता समव्ययत् ॥
वो अपनी ताकत से सारी दुनिया के ऊपर बढ़ गया। वो सब का मालिक बन गया और आगे बढ़ता चला गया। उसने अपनी रोशनी से दोनों तरफ की दुनिया को फैला दिया। अंधेरा में जो फटा हुआ था, उसने उसे जोड़ दिया। अग्नि की ताकत ने सब को एक कर दिया।
Mantra 7
अमाजूरिव पित्रोः सचा सती समानादा सदसस्त्वामिये भगम् । कृधि प्रकेतमुप मास्या भर दद्धि भागं तन्वो येन मामहः ॥
जैसे बच्चा माँ बाप के पास रहता है, मैं भी तुम्हारे पास आया हूँ। एक ही जगह से आके मैं तुम्हे भगवान के रूप में बुलाता हूँ। हमें सही रास्ता दिखाओ, सही नज़दीक लाओ। हमें वो हिस्सा दो जो हमारे लिए सही है, ताकि हम खुश रहें।
Mantra 8
भोजं त्वामिन्द्र वयं हुवेम ददिष्ट्वमिन्द्रापांसि वाजान् । अविड्ढीन्द्र चित्रया न ऊती कृधि वृषन्निन्द्र वस्यसो नः ॥
हे इंद्र, हम तुम्हे बुलाते हैं क्योंकि तुम सब कुछ देते हो। तुम काम और ताकत दोनों देते हो। इंद्र, हमारे लिए रास्ता बना दो, अपनी मदद से। हम इतने स्ट्रांग बना दो कि हमें अच्छी लाइफ मिले।
Mantra 9
नूनं सा ते प्रति वरं जरित्रे दुहीयदिन्द्र दक्षिणा मघोनी । शिक्षा स्तोतृभ्यो माति धग्भगो नो बृहद्वदेम विदथे सुवीराः ॥
अब इंद्र तुम्हारा दिया हुआ तोहफा हमारे गाने के बदले मिले। हमारे गाने वाले को यह सिखाओ। हमें वो बड़ा ज्ञान दो जिससे हम सबके सामने बोल सकें। हमें ताकत मिले और हम अच्छे से जियें।
Inside Sukta 17
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
Indra is invoked as the powerful lord and enjoyer of plenitudes, the giver of vāja and effective works.
- Development
The hymn magnifies his cosmic action: by vastness he grows over all worlds, and through luminous force the two realms are stretched and stabilized.
- Climax
The striking image of Vahni/Fire-Power “sewing” the rents of darkness into coherence—light establishing unity and order.
- Where it settles
The poet turns to practical boons: piercing help, better fortune, a milked-out dakṣiṇā for the singer, and the ability to speak the Vast in assembly with heroic strength.
The deity: Indra
- In the VedaIndra is celebrated as the mighty lord (īśāna), the giver of vāja and works (apāṃsi), the breaker-through (aviḍdhi) who brings wide light and victory to the worshipper.
- Cosmic functionHe expands and stabilizes the worlds, overcomes obstructing darkness and constraint, and releases the powers of increase—strength, wealth, and victorious momentum.
- Inner significanceIndra represents the awakened will and heroic force that breaks inner obstruction, gathers scattered energies into coherence, and establishes clarity (light) over confusion (darkness).
The seer
- Gṛtsamada (Bhārgava)Bhṛgu/Bhārgava lineage (Gṛtsamada family of Maṇḍala 2) · Principal seer of most of Rig Veda Maṇḍala 2, famed for Indra hymns that combine martial victory with cosmic ordering imagery.
Famous verses
sīvyan tamāṃsi ("sewing the darkness")
citrayā na ūtī ("with your bright/varied help")
bṛhad vadema ("may we speak the Vast")
Attributes of the deity
- Vajra-bearing power and breakthrough force
- Lordship and mastery (īśāna)
- Bestower of vāja (victorious energy) and prosperity
- Protector with “bright/varied” aid (citrā ūtī)
- Cosmic expander who establishes light and order
Also by this seer
- Majority of RV Maṇḍala 2 (many sūktas traditionally ascribed to Gṛtsamada)
- Multiple Indra-stutis in Mandala 2 emphasizing vāja, protection, and patronage (dakṣiṇā)
- Hymns that frequently link Indra’s victory to the widening of the worlds and the establishment of light
The rite, step by step
- Kindle and steady the sacred fire (Agni) as the carrier of the hymn.
- Prepare the Soma or principal oblation; recite the Triṣṭubh verses as Indra is invited to partake.
- Praise Indra’s cosmic deeds (expansion of worlds, establishment of light) to align the rite with ṛta (order).
- Make the specific petitions: vāja, protection, breakthrough help, and a generous dakṣiṇā for the jaritṛ (singer).
- Conclude with a communal aspiration: to speak the “Vast” in the assembly and gain heroic offspring/powers (suvīra).
Offerings
- Soma libation (where applicable)
- Ghee/clarified butter into Agni
- Oblations of grain/cakes per household or śrauta setting
- Dakṣiṇā (gifts/fees) to officiants/singers
Frequently Asked Questions
It praises Indra’s supreme power that spreads over all worlds and establishes light and order, then asks him for strength (vāja), protection, and prosperity for the worshippers.
The hymn keeps Indra as the main deity, but uses “Vahni” (Fire-Power) as the operative image of luminous force—showing how Indra’s power works to extend light and bind the worlds into coherence.
It is a poetic way of saying that the divine power repairs the ‘rips’ of confusion and obstruction, joining what is scattered into unity and establishing clarity and stability (light) in the cosmos and in life.
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