Sukta 50
Sukta 3.50
Viśvāmitra Gāthina (hymn-level attribution assumed for Mandala 3)
Triṣṭubh (probable)
This brief hymn invokes Marutvat Indra—the impetuous, wide-pervading bull who comes with the Maruts—to drink Soma and empower the sacrificer. It asks Indra to be filled by the offerings, to grant the “cows” (rays/wealth) of fullness, and to slay the Vṛtra-like obstructions so victory and well-being are secured in the struggle.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
इन्द्रः स्वाहा पिबतु यस्य सोम आगत्या तुम्रो वृषभो मरुत्वान् । ओरुव्यचाः पृणतामेभिरन्नैरास्य हविस्तन्वः काममृध्याः ॥
इंद्र को सोम पीना है, जिसके लिए बुलाया जाता है। वो बैल की तरह आता है, तेज़ी से। मरुत के साथ आता है। यह खाना उसे भरता है, और यह पूजा से दिल की इच्छा पूरी होती है।
Mantra 2
आ ते सपर्यू जवसे युनज्मि ययोरनु प्रदिवः श्रुष्टिमावः । इह त्वा धेयुर्हरयः सुशिप्र पिबा त्वस्य सुषुतस्य चारोः ॥
मैं तुम्हारे लिए दो ताकत जोड़ता हूँ, ताकि तुम तेज़ी से आओ। तुम आसमान से सुन के आते हो। यहाँ तुम्हारे घोड़े तुम्हे लाकर खड़ा करें। तुम यह अच्छा सोम पियो।
Mantra 3
गोभिर्मिमिक्षुं दधिरे सुपारमिन्द्रं ज्यैष्ठ्याय धायसे गृणानाः । मन्दानः सोमं पपिवाँ ऋजीषिन्त्समस्मभ्यं पुरुधा गा इषण्य ॥
रोशनी की किरणों से लोग इंद्र को बिठाते हैं, उसे बड़ा बनाने के लिए। वो सोम पीकर खुश होता है। वो हमारे लिए बहुत सारी किरणों को लाकर जोड़ता है।
Mantra 4
इमं कामं मन्दया गोभिरश्वैश्चन्द्रवता राधसा पप्रथश्च । स्वर्यवो मतिभिस्तुभ्यं विप्रा इन्द्राय वाहः कुशिकासो अक्रन् ॥
हमारी इच्छा को खुश कर दो, चमक और ताकत के साथ। इसको फैला दो जैसे रोशनी फैलती है। रिशि लोग सोच-सोच के इन्द्र के लिए एक रथ बना रहे हैं। कुशिक नाम के रिशियों ने इन्द्र के लिए यह गाड़ी बनायी है।
Mantra 5
शुनं हुवेम मघवानमिन्द्रमस्मिन्भरे नृतमं वाजसातौ । शृण्वन्तमुग्रमूतये समत्सु घ्नन्तं वृत्राणि संजितं धनानाम् ॥
हमारे भले के लिए हम इन्द्र को पुकारते हैं। वो देने वाला है और लड़ाई में सबसे बड़ा है। हम चाहते हैं वो सुनने वाला हो, लड़ाई में मदद करने वाला। वो रास्ते में आने वाली चीज़ें मारता है और धन जीतता है।
Inside Sukta 50
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
A direct svāhā-invitation: Indra is summoned to drink Soma, arriving as the impetuous bull with the Maruts and being filled by offerings.
- Development
Praise intensifies: Indra is established for highest mastery; the hymn links Soma-joy with the gathering of ‘cows’—rays of illumination and concrete wealth.
- Climax
Indra appears as the fierce, listening helper in battle—actively slaying Vṛtra-like resistances and enabling decisive conquest.
- Where it settles
The hymn settles into a final petition for well-being and plenitude: victory in the struggle and the full winning of treasures through Indra’s aid.
The deity: Indra
- Cosmic functionHe breaks obstructions (Vṛtra), releases the hidden powers of light and abundance, and establishes mastery and victorious order in the worlds through storm-force and decisive action.
- Inner significanceIndra symbolizes the awakened will and courageous clarity that drinks the Soma of inspiration, overcomes inner resistances, and gathers scattered energies into a unified, victorious consciousness.
The seer
- Viśvāmitra GāthinaGāthin (Viśvāmitra gotra / Kauśika lineage in later tradition) · A royal-turned-seer celebrated for transforming kṣatriya power into brahmanic tapas and for composing many of the most forceful Indra hymns of the third maṇḍala.
Famous verses
indraḥ svāhā pibatu
purudhā gā iṣaṇya
शुनं हुवेम मघवानमिन्द्रमस्मिन्भरे नृतमं वाजसातौ । शृण्वन्तमुग्रमूतये समत्सु घ्नन्तं वृत्राणि संजितं धनानाम् ॥Attributes of the deity
- Soma-drinker (somapā)
- Heroic slayer of obstructions (Vṛtrahan)
- Marut-associated storm-power (marutvān)
- Bounteous giver of wealth and rays (maghavān; giver of gāḥ)
- Listener and helper in battle (śṛṇvant; ūtaye)
- Wide-pervading, forceful presence (uruvyacāḥ; ugram)
Also by this seer
- Major portions of Rig Veda Maṇḍala 3 (many hymns attributed to the Viśvāmitra family)
- Association in later Vedic/Itihāsa tradition with the Gāyatrī mantra (RV 3.62.10) as a Viśvāmitra attribution
- Hymns to Agni and Indra emphasizing victory, protection, and right guidance (e.g., core themes across RV 3.1–3.62)
The rite, step by step
- Prepare the Soma (pressing/straining) and set the offering space with fire and ladles.
- Invite Marutvat Indra to “come” (āgatyā) and drink with the svāhā-call.
- Offer Soma with accompanying food-offerings (anna) so the deity is ‘filled’ and pleased.
- Recite praise to establish Indra in highest mastery (jyaiṣṭhya) and request gathering of the ‘cows’ (gāḥ: rays/wealth).
- Conclude with a protective victory-prayer: Indra as fierce helper in battles, slaying obstacles and securing treasures.
Offerings
- Soma (pressed and offered with svāhā)
- Food offerings (anna: oblations of substance—often grains/clarified butter depending on rite)
- Praise/recitation (stoma) as a verbal offering
Frequently Asked Questions
The hymn invokes Indra, specifically “Marutvat Indra,” Indra accompanied by the Maruts (storm-gods), asking him to come, drink Soma, and help the worshipper.
It asks Indra to accept Soma and offerings, grant fullness and prosperity (including the “cows” as wealth and rays of light), and remove obstacles like Vṛtra so victory is gained.
“Cows” can mean actual cattle as wealth, but the verse also uses the common Vedic symbolism of cows as rays of light—powers of illumination and increase that Indra gathers for the devotees.
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