Sukta 47
Sukta 3.47
Viśvāmitra Gāthina (traditional, Mandala 3)
Triṣṭubh (likely)
This short Indra–Marut hymn invites Indra, the battle-bull accompanied by the Maruts, to drink the pressed Soma and become exhilarated for victory and protection. It links Indra’s might to ṛta (right order and right timing), recalling how the Maruts followed him in the Vṛtra-slaying and “set” power within him. The purpose is practical and ritual: to secure fresh aid, force, and triumph for the worshippers through a well-timed Soma offering.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
मरुत्वाँ इन्द्र वृषभो रणाय पिबा सोममनुष्वधं मदाय । आ सिञ्चस्व जठरे मध्व ऊर्मिं त्वं राजासि प्रदिवः सुतानाम् ॥
इंद्र, तुम मरुत देवताओं के साथ आओ। तुम जैसे लड़ाई में बैल हो, सोम पियो। अपनी खुशी के हिसाब से पियो और मस्ती महसूस करो। अपने पेट में मीठा रस भरो। तुम आगे वाले आसमान में पिए जाने वाले रस के राजा हो।
Mantra 2
सजोषा इन्द्र सगणो मरुद्भिः सोमं पिब वृत्रहा शूर विद्वान् । जहि शत्रूँरप मृधो नुदस्वाथाभयं कृणुहि विश्वतो नः ॥
इंद्र, मरुत देवताओं के साथ मिलकर सोम पियो। तुम वृत्र को मारने वाले हो, तुम बहुत बहादुर हो और सब समझते हो। दुश्मनों को खत्म करो, बुराई को भगाओ। फिर हमें चारों तरफ से डर से आज़ाद करो।
Mantra 3
उत ऋतुभिॠतुपाः पाहि सोममिन्द्र देवेभिः सखिभिः सुतं नः । याँ आभजो मरुतो ये त्वान्वहन्वृत्रमदधुस्तुभ्यमोजः ॥
इंद्र, तुम ऋतुओं के रक्षक हो। हमारे सोम रस को बचाओ, देवताओं के साथ जो तुम्हारे दोस्त हैं। मरुत देवता तुम्हारे साथ थे, तुमने उन्हें अपना बनाया। उन्होंने वृत्र को मारा और तुम्हें ताकत दी।
Mantra 4
ये त्वाहिहत्ये मघवन्नवर्धन्ये शाम्बरे हरिवो ये गविष्टौ । ये त्वा नूनमनुमदन्ति विप्राः पिबेन्द्र सोमं सगणो मरुद्भिः ॥
जिन्होंने तुम्हे बढ़ाया है, इंद्र, वोह लोग जो अहि के मारे में थे। वही लोग शम्बर की लड़ाई में थे, और जो लाइट के लिए गए थे। अब रिशि तुम्हारे नाम ले रहे हैं। इंद्र, मरुत के साथ मिलकर सोम पियो।
Mantra 5
मरुत्वन्तं वृषभं वावृधानमकवारिं दिव्यं शासमिन्द्रम् । विश्वासाहमवसे नूतनायोग्रं सहोदामिह तं हुवेम ॥
हम यहाँ बुला रहे हैं इंद्र को, जो मरुत के साथ आता है और बड़ा हो रहा है। वोह ऊपर वाला है, कोई कंजूस नहीं, सब पे जीतने वाला। हम उसे नया हेल्प के लिए पुकारते हैं।
Inside Sukta 47
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
An urgent invitation: Indra with the Maruts is called as the battle-bull to drink Soma and be filled with honeyed surge (madhu-ūrmi).
- Development
The hymn ties Indra’s drinking to rightful timing (ṛtu/ṛtupā) and to the fellowship of divine allies; the Maruts are remembered as those who followed Indra and empowered his victory.
- Climax
Recollection of the Vṛtra-smashing partnership—Maruts and Indra together—culminating in the assertion that they placed ojas (victorious force) in him.
- Where it settles
A final, confident invocation for “new help”: Indra is praised as divine ruler, non-miserly, all-overcoming, and the fierce giver of strength, and is called to be present for aid.
The deity: Indra
- In the VedaHe is invoked as the divine ruler (śāsan) who is not a miser and who overcomes all.
- Cosmic functionChampion of cosmic order by breaking obstruction (Vṛtra), releasing life-giving waters/forces, and safeguarding the community through victorious might energized by Soma and supported by storm-gods (Maruts).
- Inner significanceRepresents awakened will, courage, and decisive intelligence that—when aligned with ṛta (right timing and right measure)—breaks inner blockage and releases vitality and clarity. The Maruts signify the surging energies and disciplined powers that accompany and amplify this awakened force.
The seer
- Viśvāmitra GāthinaGāthin (Kauśika/Viśvāmitra lineage; traditionally connected with the Bharata milieu) · A royal-turned-seer credited with shaping key Indra hymns in Maṇḍala 3 and with a strong emphasis on ṛta, divine friendship, and victorious power allied with the Maruts.
Famous verses
marutvām̐ indra vṛṣabho raṇāya
ṛtupāḥ pāhi somam
viśvāsāham avase nūtanāya
Attributes of the deity
- Vṛtra-slayer and remover of obstruction
- Soma-drinker who grows in might through ritual exhilaration
- Leader/king of the pressed draughts (sutāni)
- Marut-companioned (marutvān), battle-ready
- Generous giver of strength (sahas-dā) and victory
- Guardian of right timing/seasonal order (ṛtupā)
Also by this seer
- Major portion of Rigveda Maṇḍala 3 (many hymns to Agni, Indra, and allied deities)
- Traditionally associated with foundational Vedic prayers, including the Gāyatrī mantra (RV 3.62.10)
- Hymns connected with the Bharatas and the ideological consolidation of Vedic kingship and sacrifice
The rite, step by step
- Prepare the Soma: press, filter, and mix according to rite; seat the gods through invitation (āvāhana) by praise.
- Invoke Indra as marutvān and vṛṣabha; request him to drink “according to delight” for maddening strength (mada).
- Offer the Soma libation while reciting the central verses, emphasizing fullness in Indra’s belly (jaṭhara) and his kingship over the pressed draughts.
- Invoke the Maruts as Indra’s companions and recall their shared deed (Vṛtra-slaying) to establish victorious ojas (force) in Indra.
- Conclude with a renewed call for “new help” (nūtanā avas) and a final invitation to the all-overcoming Indra for ongoing protection.
Offerings
- Pressed Soma (primary)
- Libations/oblations accompanying Soma service (as customary: clarified butter in ancillary offerings)
Frequently Asked Questions
The hymn asks Indra, together with the Maruts, to drink the pressed Soma, become powerfully exhilarated, and give renewed protection and victory to the worshippers.
The Maruts are Indra’s stormy allies who amplify his strength. The hymn recalls that they followed him in the Vṛtra battle and helped establish his victorious force (ojas).
“Ṛtupāḥ” means “guardian of the right times/seasons.” It suggests that Indra’s help is most effective when the offering and action are aligned with ṛta—right order, timing, and measure.
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