Sukta 44
Sukta 3.44
Viśvāmitra Gāthina (Mandala 3 Indra cycle; RV 3.44)
Gāyatrī (probable for RV 3.44; shorter pādas consistent with Gāyatrī-stotra style)
This brief Gāyatrī-style hymn invites Indra to the soma-pressing, asking him to come with his tawny horses and take his seat on the radiant chariot at the sacrifice. It then praises Indra as the upholder of Heaven and Earth who establishes abundant nourishment, culminating in the image of Indra as the tawny Bull who arms himself with the vajra for victorious action.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
अयं ते अस्तु हर्यतः सोम आ हरिभिः सुतः । जुषाण इन्द्र हरिभिर्न आ गह्या तिष्ठ हरितं रथम् ॥
यह सोम रस इंद्र के लिए है, पीले रंग के लोगों ने निकाला है। इंद्र, इसको लेके हमारे पास आओ। तुम्हारा रथ पीला-सोना है, उस पर बैठो। हमारे यहाँ आओ और खड़े रहो।
Mantra 2
हर्यन्नुषसमर्चयः सूर्यं हर्यन्नरोचयः । विद्वाँश्चिकित्वान्हर्यश्व वर्धस इन्द्र विश्वा अभि श्रियः ॥
इंद्र तुम सुबह के सूरज को चमकाते हो। तुम दिन को रोशन करते हो। तुम्हे सब पता है, तुम समझदार हो। तुम्हारे घोड़े पीले हैं और तुम्हारी ताकत बढ़ती है। तुम हर जगह चमकते हो।
Mantra 3
द्यामिन्द्रो हरिधायसं पृथिवीं हरिवर्पसम् । अधारयद्धरितोर्भूरि भोजनं ययोरन्तर्हरिश्चरत् ॥
इंद्र ने आसमान को पकड़ा है जो चमक रहा है। धरती को भी पकड़ा है जो हर रंग से भरी है। दोनों के लिए खाना-पानी दिया है। दोनों के बीच एक चमकता हुआ शक्ति चलती है।
Mantra 4
जज्ञानो हरितो वृषा विश्वमा भाति रोचनम् । हर्यश्वो हरितं धत्त आयुधमा वज्रं बाह्वोर्हरिम् ॥
इंद्र पैदा हुआ एक ताकतवर बैल की तरह। सारी दुनिया चमकने लगती है। उसके घोड़े भी चमकदे हैं और उसके हाथ में वज्र है। वो अपने हाथ में बिजली पकड़ के तैयार है।
Inside Sukta 44
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
A direct invitation: the delightful soma is pressed—Indra is asked to come with his tawny horses and take his place on the chariot at the rite.
- Development
Praise expands from the immediate ritual arrival to Indra’s cosmic stature, depicting him as sustaining Heaven and Earth and instituting plentiful nourishment.
- Climax
Indra is revealed as the tawny Bull whose presence makes the luminous world shine, and who readies the vajra for conquering work.
- Where it settles
The hymn settles into assurance: the invoked Indra, armed and radiant, stands ready to act for the sacrificer—bringing stability, victory, and plenty.
The deity: Indra
- Cosmic functionChampion of ṛta through heroic force: he stabilizes the cosmic spaces (Heaven and Earth), breaks obstacles, and sets nourishment and prosperity in motion for gods and humans.
- Inner significanceThe awakened power of will and luminous energy that overcomes inner resistance, steadies one’s world, and turns inspiration (soma) into decisive, life-supporting action.
The seer
- Viśvāmitra GāthinaGāthina (Viśvāmitra gotra) · A royal-turned-seer whose hymns powerfully shape the Indra cycle of Maṇḍala 3, celebrated for forging mantric speech that “brings” the god to the offering and for the wider Viśvāmitra tradition associated with the Gāyatrī.
Famous verses
ayaṃ te astu haryataḥ somaḥ
द्यामिन्द्रो हरिधायसं पृथिवीं हरिवर्पसम् । अधारयद्धरितोर्भूरि भोजनं ययोरन्तर्हरिश्चरत् ॥ā vajraṃ bāhvor harim
Attributes of the deity
- Soma-drinker and patron of the pressings
- Wielder of the vajra (thunderbolt)
- Rider of the tawny horses (harī) and radiant chariot
- Upholder of Heaven and Earth
- Giver of bhoga (nourishment, enjoyment, plenty)
- Victorious, bull-like strength (vṛṣan)
Also by this seer
- Primary seer of much of Rig Veda Maṇḍala 3 (notably many Indra hymns)
- Associated with the Viśvāmitra family corpus (Viśvāmitra Maṇḍala)
- Later tradition links him with the Gāyatrī mantra (ṚV 3.62.10) within the broader Viśvāmitra lineage
The rite, step by step
- Prepare the altar/vedi and kindle the sacred fire according to the rite.
- Press and filter soma; set it forth as the inviting draught for Indra.
- Recite the hymn as an āhvāna (invocation), requesting Indra to come with the harī and mount the chariot at the offering-ground.
- Offer soma with accompanying praises, affirming Indra’s cosmic support of Heaven and Earth and his gift of abundance.
- Conclude by visualizing Indra arming himself with the vajra—seeking protection, victory, and the establishment of plenty.
Offerings
- Soma (pressed and offered)
- Ghee/clarified butter (as ancillary oblation in the sacrificial setting)
Frequently Asked Questions
It invites Indra to come to the soma offering with his tawny horses, take his seat at the ritual, and bring strength, victory, and nourishment to the worshippers.
The ‘hari’ imagery points to Indra’s tawny horses and radiant power—his shining energy that moves between Heaven and Earth and turns the offering into effective, life-giving force.
The vajra symbolizes decisive power that breaks obstacles—an inner courage and clarity that protects, stabilizes one’s world, and wins the needed victory for growth and well-being.
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