Sukta 49
Sukta 3.49
Viśvāmitra Gāthina (traditional)
Indra
Triṣṭubh (probable)
This short Triṣṭubh hymn proclaims Indra as the god whom all Soma-drinking peoples desire and invoke—born for the work of breaking obstructions (Vṛtra) and securing victory. It portrays him as the battle-crosser who widens the two worlds and pours fruitful abundance, then culminates in a direct prayer for his listening help in the present struggle and for the conquest of riches.
Mantras
Mantra 1
शंसा महामिन्द्रं यस्मिन्विश्वा आ कृष्टयः सोमपाः काममव्यन् । यं सुक्रतुं धिषणे विभ्वतष्टं घनं वृत्राणां जनयन्त देवाः ॥
मैं बड़ा इंद्र की बात करता हूँ। जो लोग सोम पीते हैं, सब उसकी इच्छा उसमे बुनते हैं। देवताओं ने उसे पैदा किया। वो बड़ी इच्छा वाला है, रास्ता रोकने वालों को तोड़ने वाला।
Mantra 2
यं नु नकिः पृतनासु स्वराजं द्विता तरति नृतमं हरिष्ठाम् । इनतमः सत्वभिर्यो ह शूषैः पृथुज्रया अमिनादायुर्दस्योः ॥
लड़ाई में कोई उससे आगे नहीं निकल सकता। वो खुद का मालिक है, लोगों में सबसे बड़ा। पीले घोड़ों पे सवार है। उसकी ताकत बहुत तेज़ है। उसने दुश्मन दस्यु की उमर कम कर दी।
Mantra 3
सहावा पृत्सु तरणिर्नार्वा व्यानशी रोदसी मेहनावान् । भगो न कारे हव्यो मतीनां पितेव चारुः सुहवो वयोधाः ॥
लड़ाई में वो बहुत ताकतवर है, तेज़ी से पार करता है जैसे तेज़ घोड़ा। दोनों दुनिया को फैलाता है, पानी बहाता है। भगवान जैसे देता है, उसे बुलाते हैं। बाप जैसा प्यारा है, बुलाने में आसान है, जीवन की ताकत देता है।
Mantra 4
धर्ता दिवो रजसस्पृष्ट ऊर्ध्वो रथो न वायुर्वसुभिर्नियुत्वान् । क्षपां वस्ता जनिता सूर्यस्य विभक्ता भागं धिषणेव वाजम् ॥
वो आसमान को पकड़े रखता है, दुनिया के बीच में बसे हुए। जैसे रथ ऊपर जाता है, वैसे वो उठता है। जैसे हवा के साथ लोग जुड़ते हैं, वैसे वो जुड़ता है। रात को वो बुनता है, सूरज को पैदा करता है। वो हिस्सा बाँटता है, जैसे कोई दौलत बाँट रहा हो।
Mantra 5
शुनं हुवेम मघवानमिन्द्रमस्मिन्भरे नृतमं वाजसातौ । शृण्वन्तमुग्रमूतये समत्सु घ्नन्तं वृत्राणि संजितं धनानाम् ॥
हम अपनी भलाई के लिए इंद्र को पुकारते हैं। यह लड़ाई में वो सबसे बड़ा है, जान के लिए। हम चाहते हैं वो सुनता रहे, हमारे काम आए। वो दुश्मन को मारता है और धन जीतता है।
Inside Sukta 49
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
A proclamation of the ‘great Indra’ desired by all Soma-drinking peoples, presented as divinely fashioned for decisive action (RV 3.49.1).
- Development
Indra’s capacities are unfolded: he crosses battles, widens the two worlds, pours fruitful waters, and is invoked by inspired thoughts like a generous giver and fatherly support (cf. RV 3.49.3).
- Climax
A focused invocation for immediate help—Indra as the fierce, listening power in the thick of conflict, actively slaying Vṛtras and securing victory.
- Where it settles
The hymn settles into confident petition: may Indra be present in ‘this struggle’ and grant the conquest of riches and well-being (RV 3.49.5).
The deity: Indra
- In the VedaIndra is praised as mahān (great), sukratu (strong-willed, effective in action), ugra (fierce), and as the ghana of Vṛtras—the smiter of obstructing powers—who listens to inspired thoughts and responds to invocation.
- Cosmic functionHe breaks the forces of confinement, releases the waters and wideness, and grants victory, strength, and wealth to the sacrificer and the community.
- Inner significanceIndra symbolizes the awakened will and luminous force that crosses inner conflict, shatters psychological blockages, and establishes expansive life-force (vayas) and effective power (kratu) in the seeker.
The seer
- Viśvāmitra GāthinaGāthina (Kauśika lineage, traditionally associated with the Viśvāmitra family) · A royal-turned-seer celebrated for powerful Indra hymns and for the Viśvāmitra corpus of Maṇḍala 3, often linked with the visionary articulation of divine power aiding human striving.
Famous verses
शंसा महामिन्द्रं यस्मिन्विश्वा आ कृष्टयः सोमपाः काममव्यन् । यं सुक्रतुं धिषणे विभ्वतष्टं घनं वृत्राणां जनयन्त देवाः ॥सहावा पृत्सु तरणिर्नार्वा व्यानशी रोदसी मेहनावान् । भगो न कारे हव्यो मतीनां पितेव चारुः सुहवो वयोधाः ॥शुनं हुवेम मघवानमिन्द्रमस्मिन्भरे नृतमं वाजसातौ । शृण्वन्तमुग्रमूतये समत्सु घ्नन्तं वृत्राणि संजितं धनानाम् ॥Attributes of the deity
- Vṛtra-slayer (obstruction-breaker)
- Listener to prayer (śṛṇvant)
- Bestower of wealth and victory (maghavān, vājasāti)
- Mighty, fierce protector in battle (ugra, pṛtsu sahāvā)
- Widening power of the two worlds (rodasī vi-ānaśī)
Also by this seer
- Large portions of Rig Veda Maṇḍala 3 (many sūktas attributed to the Viśvāmitra family)
- Tradition also associates the Gāyatrī/ Sāvitrī mantra (RV 3.62.10) with Viśvāmitra in later reception
The rite, step by step
- Prepare the sacred space and kindle Agni; establish intention for protection and victory.
- Press Soma (or symbolically offer Soma) and recite the hymn as stuti (praise) to awaken Indra’s presence.
- Invite Indra as the Vṛtra-slayer and ‘listener’ to come to the offering; affirm his birth/manifestation for the work of removing obstacles.
- Conclude with a direct petition for aid in the present ‘bhara’ (pressing struggle) and for the winning of wealth and plenitude.
Offerings
- Soma libation (primary)
- Ghee/clarified butter into the fire
- Oblations accompanying Indra invocations (standard havis)
Frequently Asked Questions
It asks Indra to come to the Soma offering, help in the present struggle, break inner and outer obstacles (Vṛtras), and grant victory and riches.
It praises Indra as a power that expands both realms—outer life and inner consciousness—so there is more space for strength, clarity, and fruitful action.
It can be recited as a prayer for courage and breakthrough during difficult efforts—especially when seeking to remove obstacles, strengthen will, and regain momentum.
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