Rig Veda 3.47.3: Mandala 3, Sukta 47, Mantra 3
Sukta 3.47
- Rishi
- Viśvāmitra Gāthina
- Devata
- Indra
- Chandas
- Triṣṭubh
- Rasa
- Shanta (peace) and Vira (heroism)
उत ऋतुभिॠतुपाः पाहि सोममिन्द्र देवेभिः सखिभिः सुतं नः । याँ आभजो मरुतो ये त्वान्वहन्वृत्रमदधुस्तुभ्यमोजः ॥
utá ṛtúbhiḥ ṛtupāḥ pāhi sómam índra devébhīḥ sákhībhiḥ sutáṃ naḥ | yā́n ā́ abhajaḥ marúto yé tvā́ ánu áhan vṛtrám ádadhuḥ túbhyam ójaḥ ||
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।
Word by Word
- उत
- and, alsoIndeclinableसमुच्चय/उपपद-अव्ययRoot उत
- ऋतुभिः
- with the seasons/ritesNounपुंलिङ्ग; तृतीया-विभक्ति; बहुवचनRole KaraṇaRoot ऋतु
- ऋतुपाः
- O guardian of the seasons/ṛtuNoun (epithet)पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति; एकवचनRole Kartā (सम्बोधनार्थक-विशेषण)Root ऋतु-पाः (पा ‘to protect’ से बहुव्रीहि/कर्मधारय) अथवा प्रातिपदिक ‘ऋतुपा’
- पाहि
- protect!Verbलोट् (आज्ञार्थ); मध्यम-पुरुष; एकवचन; परस्मैपदRoot पा (पालने)
- सोमम्
- the SomaNounपुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया-विभक्ति; एकवचनRole KarmaRoot सोम
- इन्द्र
- O IndraNoun (proper)पुंलिङ्ग; सम्बोधन; एकवचनRole Sampradāna (सम्बोधन)Root इन्द्र
- देवेभिः
- with the godsNounपुंलिङ्ग; तृतीया-विभक्ति; बहुवचनRole KaraṇaRoot देव
- सखिभिः
- with (your) friendsNounपुंलिङ्ग; तृतीया-विभक्ति; बहुवचनRole KaraṇaRoot सखि
- सुतम्
- pressed, expressedAdjective/Participleपुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया-विभक्ति; एकवचन; कर्मणि-भूतकृदन्त (क्त)Role Karma (सोमम् का विशेषण)Root सु (सवने/प्रसवे) → सुत (PPP)
- नः
- of us, ourPronounषष्ठी (एन्क्लिटिक); बहुवचनRole Sampradāna/Adhikaraṇa (स्वाम्य/सम्बन्ध)Root अस्मद्
- यान्
- whom (those whom)Pronoun (relative)पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया-विभक्ति; बहुवचनRole KarmaRoot यद्
- आ
- towards, untoPreverbउपसर्गRoot आ
- अभजः
- I associated (with), I joinedVerbलुङ्/अorist (इष्ट-प्रयोग); उत्तम-पुरुष; एकवचन; परस्मैपदRoot भज् (सेवायाम्/विभागे)
- मरुतः
- the MarutsNounपुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति; बहुवचनRole KartāRoot मरुत्
- ये
- whoPronoun (relative)पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति; बहुवचनRole Kartā (अन्वहन् का)Root यद्
- त्वा
- youPronounद्वितीया; एकवचनRole KarmaRoot युष्मद्
- अन्वहन्
- they carried/followed (you), bore alongVerbलुङ्/अorist; तृतीय-पुरुष; बहुवचन; परस्मैपदRoot वह् (प्रापणे/वहने) + अनु
- वृत्रम्
- Vṛtra (the obstructer)Nounपुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया-विभक्ति; एकवचनRole KarmaRoot वृत्र
- अदधुः
- they placed/putVerbलिट् (परिपूर्ण/परफेक्ट); तृतीय-पुरुष; बहुवचन; परस्मैपदRoot धा (धारणे) + अ (उपसर्ग-रहित)
- तुभ्यम्
- for you, to youPronounचतुर्थी; एकवचनRole SampradānaRoot युष्मद्
- ओजः
- strength, mightNounनपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया-विभक्ति; एकवचन (कर्मरूपेण) अथवा प्रथमा (वाक्य-रचना अनुसार)Role Karma (अदधुः का) / Kartā (यदि प्रथमा)Root ओजस्
Sandhi Notes
- Sandhi resolution (Vedic): ऋतुभिः + ऋतुपाः → ऋतुभिः ऋतुपाः (no external sandhi applied in pada)
- देवेभिः सखिभिः (visarga in Saṃhitā: देवेभि:)
- सुतं नः → सुतम् नः (anusvāra before dental n)
- याँ → यान् (RV orthography shows nasalization; underlying accus. pl. of यद्)
- आभजो → आ + अभजः
- त्वान्वहन् → त्वा + अन्वहन् (अनु + वह्)
- वृत्रमदधुःस्तुभ्यमोजः → वृत्रम् + अदधुः + तुभ्यम् + ओजः (m-final + a- initial; and -s- sandhi in Saṃhitā)
The meaning
Outer meaning
With the seasons, O guardian of the right times, protect our pressed Soma, Indra, together with the friendly gods; the Maruts you chose, who followed you and struck Vṛtra, placed strength in you.
Inner meaning
Indra as ṛtupā—guardian of right timing—symbolizes the higher intelligence that knows when and how each inner movement should act. The ‘seasons’ are rhythms and phases of sādhanā: times of effort, assimilation, silence, and breakthrough. Protecting the pressed Soma means safeguarding the purified joy from being wasted, distorted, or stolen by lower impulses. The Maruts are chosen life-energies that follow illumination; when they strike Vṛtra (the cover), they deposit ojas—victory-force—into the illumined mind, making it a stable leader of the inner sacrifice.
Universal truth
Spiritual progress depends on right rhythm and timing; when joy is protected and energies are harmonized with wisdom, resistance is overcome and enduring strength is established.
Themes
Soma-ritual, Indra-Marut alliance, Vṛtra-slaying, Ṛta and right timing, inner battle: knowledge vs. obstruction
The seer
- Rishi
- Viśvāmitra Gāthina
- Lineage
- Gāthina (Kauśika lineage in later tradition)
- Other hymns
- RV 3.46, RV 3.47.1, RV 3.47.2
Family tradition
Hymns that integrate cosmic order (Ṛta) with practical inner discipline; emphasis on allies (devas/Maruts) in the conquest of resistance.
Significance
Highlights a mature yogic principle: right timing and protection of inner delight are essential; power is built by coordinated forces, not by isolated effort.
The deity
- Devata
- Indra (ṛtupā) with Maruts
- Epithets
- ṛtupāḥ (guardian of right times), indra
- Related deities
- Maruts, Soma, Mitra-Varuṇa (ṛta guardians, thematic), Agni
Cosmic role
Maintainer of right order in the dynamic world-process; leader who coordinates allied gods and energies to overcome obstruction.
Inner power
Discerning governance of rhythms; protective mastery that preserves ānanda and converts it into stable ojas.
In ritual
Where it is used
Soma ritual with emphasis on correct timing (ṛtu) and protection of the offering; Indra with allied devas
उ॒त ऋ॒तुभि॑ॠतुपाः पाहि॒ सोम॒मिन्द्र॑ दे॒वेभि॒: सखि॑भिः सु॒तं न॑: । याँ आभ॑जो म॒रुतो॒ ये त्वान्वह॑न्वृ॒त्रमद॑धु॒स्तुभ्य॒मोज॑: ॥
उ॒त । ऋ॒तुऽभिः॑ । ऋ॒तु॒ऽपाः । पा॒हि॒ । सोम॑म् । इन्द्र॑ । दे॒वेभिः॑ । सखि॑ऽभिः । सु॒तम् । नः॒ । यान् । आ । अभ॑जः । म॒रुतः॑ । ये । त्वा । अनु॑ । अह॑न् । वृ॒त्रम् । अद॑धुः । तुभ्य॑म् । ओजः॑ ॥
uta | ṛtu-bhiḥ | ṛtu-pāḥ | pāhi | somam | indra | devebhiḥ | sakhi-bhiḥ | sutam | naḥ | yān | ā | abhajaḥ | marutaḥ | ye | tvā | anu | ahan | vṛtram | adadhuḥ | tubhyam | ojaḥ
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4 × ~11
Measured and orderly; less purely martial, more governing and integrative.
Instills a sense of right rhythm and protection; steadies the practitioner into disciplined continuity.
- ऋतुभिः (ṛtubhiḥ)
- Literal: with the seasons. Symbolic: rhythms/phases of growth and practice
- ऋतुपाः (ṛtupāḥ)
- Literal: guardian of the seasons/right times. Symbolic: intelligence that governs right timing and right measure
- पाहि (pāhi)
- Literal: protect. Symbolic: guard purified joy from dilution by lower nature
- देवेभिः सखिभिः (devebhiḥ sakhibhiḥ)
- Literal: with friendly gods. Symbolic: allied higher faculties supporting the ascent
- आभजः (ābhajaḥ)
- Literal: you apportioned/assigned to yourself. Symbolic: selecting and integrating needed energies for the work
- मरुतः (marutaḥ)
- Literal: Maruts. Symbolic: dynamic life-forces aligned to illumination
- वृत्रम् (vṛtram)
- Literal: Vṛtra. Symbolic: the coverer: inertia, obscurity, subconscious resistance
- ओजः (ojaḥ)
- Literal: strength, vigor. Symbolic: victory-force deposited in the illumined mind
Soma-yajña context: invocation to Indra (often with Maruts) for protection/acceptance of the pressed Soma; applicable in Agniṣṭoma pressing sequences (general Soma liturgy usage).
At points stressing proper sequence and safeguarding the Soma; also seasonally resonant recitation.
Invocation for protection of Soma and for allied powers to support Indra’s victory.
A mantra for ‘right timing’ in life and practice—recite when needing patience, rhythm, and protection of one’s inner joy from distraction.
ṛtú- (season/right time) from √ar/ṛ (to fit, move in order) connected with ṛtá (cosmic rightness). ṛtu-pā́ḥ: pā́ (√pā ‘protect’) as ‘guardian’. abhaj(a)ḥ from √bhaj ‘to share, allot, partake’ → inner meaning: Indra ‘takes into his portion’ the life-powers (Maruts) as allies. vṛtrám from √vṛ ‘to cover, obstruct’ → the Covering that blocks the flow of light. ójaḥ from √uj/ojas ‘strength, sap’ → essentialized force, not mere physical power.
Ṛta (ordered truth in time and action), cooperation of divine powers (deva-sakhya), victory over obstruction (Vṛtra as the Covering)
Explicit: Indra as ṛtupā governing the seasons/ritual times—symbol of right measure in evolution.
Protection of Soma implies guarding truth-delight from falsehood and mixture; victory-force arises from alignment with satya.
Evolution through cycles (ṛtu) where energies are integrated and resistance is progressively overcome.
Integral yoga: cyclic sādhanā rhythms; conservation and right use of ānanda; coordinated faculties (devas) building stable power.
all seasons (ṛtu-cycle)
Practice has seasons; right timing and protection allow joy to mature into enduring strength that breaks obscurity.
- What is the primary Vedic 'mythologem' present in this verse?
- The Indra–Marut cooperation in the slaying of Vṛtra: the storm-powers ‘follow’ Indra and together break the Covering. Psychologically, the allied life-forces (Maruts) consent to the illumined mind-force (Indra) so that obstruction in the subconscient is struck down, establishing ojas (effective power) in the seeker.
- How does the linguistic structure reflect Proto-Indo-European roots?
- Key roots are archaic and widely Indo-European: han ‘to strike/kill’ (cf. PIE *gʷhen- ‘to slay’), dhā ‘to set/place’ (PIE *dʰeh₁-), and vṛ ‘to cover’ (PIE *wer- ‘to cover/enclose’). The semantic field ‘covering/obstruction’ → Vṛtra aligns with inherited dragon/obstructor motifs across IE traditions.
- What is the relationship between the Rishi and the Devata here?
- A reciprocal alliance is requested: the seer offers the clarified Soma (sutam) and calls Indra to ‘protect’ it in right timing (ṛtubhiḥ), together with friendly divine powers. Indra’s boon is not merely external victory but the inward establishment of ojas—effective force—through the consenting Maruts, indicating a yogic economy of offering (Soma) and descent of power (ojas).
Right rhythm meditation: sense cycles of effort and rest; invoke Indra as inner governor to protect joy and apply energy at the right moment.
svādhiṣṭhāna (flow/rhythm) harmonized with ājñā (governance/discernment)
Even-count breathing (e.g., 4-4-6) to embody ṛtu-rhythm; on retention, silently ‘pāhi somam’.
Ordered, rhythmic, protected ānanda; consolidated strength.
Track your ‘season’ (effort/assimilation/opening). Do not force out of rhythm; protect the subtle joy; let allied energies (breath, will, aspiration) follow the light and strike the cover gently but steadily.
Accents highlight ‘ṛtubhiḥ’, ‘ṛtupāḥ’, ‘pāhi’, ‘somam’, ‘indra’.
Keep a measured, time-keeping steadiness; slight emphasis on ‘ṛtupāḥ’ as the governing title; soften into reassurance on ‘pāhi somam’.
‘ṛtubhiḥ’ with clear vocalic ṛ; avoid ‘ritubhi’, ‘ṛtupāḥ’ keep long ā; final ḥ audible but light, ‘ābhajo’/‘ābhajaḥ’ keep initial long ā distinct
Steady, composed, protective; less percussive than 3.47.2.
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