Sukta 48
Sukta 3.48
Viśvāmitra Gāthina (traditional for Maṇḍala 3); RV 3.48 often treated as Indra hymn
Triṣṭubh (probable)
This short Indra hymn praises the god’s innate, birth-born potency: like a young bull he immediately advances to receive and bear the freshly pressed Soma. It recalls his seeking nourishment from the Mother, discerning the sharp power in Soma, and then surpassing all to perform great deeds. The hymn culminates in a battle-prayer, calling Indra the best helper in conflict who smites the Vṛtras (obstructors) and wins wealth and well-being for the singers.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
सद्यो ह जातो वृषभः कनीनः प्रभर्तुमावदन्धसः सुतस्य । साधोः पिब प्रतिकामं यथा ते रसाशिरः प्रथमं सोम्यस्य ॥
जैसे ही पैदा हुआ, वोह बच्चा बुल आगे आया सोम लेने के लिए। अच्छा सोम पियो जैसे तुम्हारी मर्ज़ी हो। यह पहला पेग तुम्हारे लिए स्पेशल है।
Mantra 2
यज्जायथास्तदहरस्य कामेंऽशोः पीयूषमपिबो गिरिष्ठाम् । तं ते माता परि योषा जनित्री महः पितुर्दम आसिञ्चदग्रे ॥
जब तुम पैदा हुए, उस दिन तुमने सोम पिया था। तुम्हारी माँ ने तुम्हारे लिए पहले डाल दिया था। यह बड़े पिता के घर में हुआ।
Mantra 3
उपस्थाय मातरमन्नमैट्ट तिग्ममपश्यदभि सोममूधः । प्रयावयन्नचरद्गृत्सो अन्यान्महानि चक्रे पुरुधप्रतीकः ॥
माँ के पास खड़ा होके उसने खाना माँगा। उसने सोम में पावर देखी। वोह आगे बढ़ के दूसरों से आगे निकल गया। उसने बड़े काम किए, उसके कई रूप हैं।
Mantra 4
उग्रस्तुराषाळभिभूत्योजा यथावशं तन्वं चक्र एषः । त्वष्टारमिन्द्रो जनुषाभिभूयामुष्या सोममपिबच्चमूषु ॥
इंद्र बहुत ताकतवर है, दुश्मनों पे भारी पड़ता है। उसने अपना बदन अपनी मर्ज़ी से बनाया। जनम से ही उसने त्वष्टा को हरा दिया। उसने उस सोम को पिया, जो बाउल में था। यह ताकत और खुशी दोनों उसमे आ गयी।
Mantra 5
शुनं हुवेम मघवानमिन्द्रमस्मिन्भरे नृतमं वाजसातौ । शृण्वन्तमुग्रमूतये समत्सु घ्नन्तं वृत्राणि संजितं धनानाम् ॥
हम इंद्र को बुलाते हैं ताकि हमें खुशी मिले। वो लोगों में सबसे बड़ा है, जीतने में माहिर। वो हमारी सुनता है, लड़ाई में मदद करता है। दुश्मनों को मारता है, धन जीतता है।
Inside Sukta 48
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
Indra’s immediate, birth-born vigor is proclaimed: the young bull advances to the freshly pressed Soma and is invited to drink the first, essence-rich draught.
- Development
The hymn deepens the image: Indra approaches the Mother to seek nourishment, perceives sharp power in Soma, and moves forth beyond others, accomplishing great works in many manifestations.
- Climax
Indra is invoked as the fierce battle-helper who smites the obstructers (Vṛtras) and decisively secures victory and riches.
- Where it settles
The singers end in a practical prayer for happiness and successful winning—Indra should hear them, protect them in struggles, and grant wealth and plenitude.
The deity: Indra
- Cosmic functionHe releases and sets free: he breaks restraints (Vṛtra-like obstruction), opens the way for waters/light/abundance, and establishes victory and order through decisive force.
- Inner significanceIndra symbolizes awakened will and courageous intelligence that drinks inspiration (Soma), overcomes inner resistance, and converts energy into effective action and protection.
The seer
- Viśvāmitra GāthinaGāthin / Kauśika lineage (traditionally associated with Maṇḍala 3) · A royal-turned-seer credited with many hymns of Maṇḍala 3, renowned for powerful Indra praise and for shaping key Vedic themes of divine aid, victory, and inspired speech.
Famous verses
sadyo ha jāto vṛṣabhaḥ kanīnaḥ
purudhapratīkaḥ
maghavānam indram
Attributes of the deity
- Soma-drinker
- Bull-like strength (vṛṣabha)
- Warrior and protector in samats (battles)
- Destroyer of Vṛtras/obstructors
- Best of men (nṛtama)
- Bountiful giver of wealth (maghavān)
- Many-formed power (purudhapratīka)
Also by this seer
- Major authorship attribution for Rigveda Maṇḍala 3 (many sūktas)
- Indra-focused hymns emphasizing Soma, victory, and the breaking of obstacles
- Traditionally linked in later Vedic memory to the Gāyatrī/ Sāvitrī mantra (RV 3.62.10), though authorship is debated across traditions
The rite, step by step
- Prepare the Soma (pressing/straining) and set it forth as the fresh draught (andhas suta).
- Invoke Indra as the newly vigorous, bull-like power who comes at once to the pressed Soma.
- Offer the first draught as a rich, essence-filled mixture (rasāśiraḥ) and request Indra to drink according to his desire.
- Praise Indra’s surpassing deeds and his power discovered in Soma as a source of sharp strength.
- Conclude with a direct plea for happiness and victory: Indra should hear, come fiercely to aid, and strike down obstructers.
- Distribute blessings: wealth, winning of prizes (vājasāti), and well-being for the sacrificers.
Offerings
- Soma (freshly pressed and mixed, first draught emphasized)
- Praise/śasti (stotra-like laudation)
- Optional accompanying oblations per rite: ghee and fire offerings (context-dependent)
Frequently Asked Questions
It praises Indra’s immediate strength and invites him to drink the first Soma offering, then asks him to help in struggles by removing obstacles and granting prosperity.
The first Soma draught symbolizes the freshest, most potent inspiration and power; offering it to Indra affirms him as the foremost receiver of strength that leads to victory and protection.
They are forces that block progress—outer enemies in battle and, in a broader sense, any resistance that prevents abundance, clarity, and successful action.
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