Sukta 52
Sukta 3.52
Viśvāmitra Gāthina (traditional attribution for RV 3.52)
Anuṣṭubh (probable; short 8-syllable pādas typical of this verse)
This hymn to Indra frames the Soma-sacrifice across its pressings, inviting him especially at dawn and again at midday to accept the prepared foods and the poet’s praise. It asks that the offerings (grains, cakes, and hymn) become “effective/beautiful” and that Indra’s heroic force increase day by day for Soma-drinking and victory.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
धानावन्तं करम्भिणमपूपवन्तमुक्थिनम् । इन्द्र प्रातर्जुषस्व नः ॥
इंद्र, सुबह-सुबह हमारी तरफ से यह सब चीज़ें लो। अनाज की शक्ति, अच्छी तरह मिलाया हुआ खाना, पकाया हुआ मीठा, और हमारे गाने की ताकत। इन सबको अपने पास रख लो और हमारे लिए काम करो।
Mantra 2
पुरोळाशं पचत्यं जुषस्वेन्द्रा गुरस्व च । तुभ्यं हव्यानि सिस्रते ॥
इंद्र, यह पकाया हुआ प्रसाद तेरे लिए तैयार हो रहा है। इसे ले ले और पसंद कर। सब लोग तेरे लिए ही भेंट ले कर आते हैं, तुझसे उम्मीद रखते हैं।
Mantra 3
पुरोळाशं च नो घसो जोषयासे गिरश्च नः । वधूयुरिव योषणाम् ॥
इंद्र, हमारी भेंट और हमारे बोल दोनों तुझे पसंद हैं। जैसे दूल्हा दुल्हन के पास आता है, वैसे ही तू भी हमारे पास आता है।
Mantra 4
पुरोळाशं सनश्रुत प्रातःसावे जुषस्व नः । इन्द्र क्रतुर्हि ते बृहन् ॥
इंद्र, तेरा नाम बहुत पुराना है। सुबह की पूजा में हमारा प्रसाद ले ले। तेरी शक्ति बहुत बड़ी है, तू सब काम कर सकता है।
Mantra 5
माध्यंदिनस्य सवनस्य धानाः पुरोळाशमिन्द्र कृष्वेह चारुम् । प्र यत्स्तोता जरिता तूर्ण्यर्थो वृषायमाण उप गीर्भिरीट्टे ॥
दोपहर की पूजा के लिए, इंद्र, हमारे अनाज और प्रसाद को अच्छा बना दे। जब गाने वाला आगे आता है, वो तुझे अपने बोल से पूजता है।
Mantra 6
तृतीये धानाः सवने पुरुष्टुत पुरोळाशमाहुतं मामहस्व नः । ऋभुमन्तं वाजवन्तं त्वा कवे प्रयस्वन्त उप शिक्षेम धीतिभिः ॥
तीसरी पूजा में, इंद्र, हमारा अनाज और प्रसाद ले ले और हमारे लिए अच्छा कर। तू बड़ा है, तुझमें बहुत हिकमत है। हम तेरे पास आना सीखें।
Mantra 7
पूषण्वते ते चकृमा करम्भं हरिवते हर्यश्वाय धानाः । अपूपमद्धि सगणो मरुद्भिः सोमं पिब वृत्रहा शूर विद्वान् ॥
हमने तुम्हारे लिए खाना तैयार किया है। तुम जो सबको पालते हो, तुम्हारे लिए यह अनाज है। तुम्हारे घोड़े चमक रहे हैं। यह रोटी भी है, मरुत देवता के साथ खाओ। सोम पियो, तुम दुश्मन को हराते हो, तुम बहादुर हो और रास्ता जानते हो।
Mantra 8
प्रति धाना भरत तूयमस्मै पुरोळाशं वीरतमाय नृणाम् । दिवेदिवे सदृशीरिन्द्र तुभ्यं वर्धन्तु त्वा सोमपेयाय धृष्णो ॥
जल्दी से अनाज और यह भोजन लाओ। यह सबसे बहादुर आदमी के लिए है। इंद्र, रोज़ तुम्हारे लिए ताकत बढ़ती रहे। सोम पीने से तुम और स्ट्राँग बनो। तुम आगे बढ़ते रहो।
Inside Sukta 52
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
A direct morning invitation: Indra is asked to accept and ‘enjoy’ the concrete offerings and the energizing hymn.
- Development
The hymn links food-offerings with effective speech, moving from simple acceptance to the ritual precision of the Soma pressings, especially the midday savana.
- Climax
The call for the offerings to become ‘cāru’ (beautiful/effective) as the swift, bull-like praise approaches—Indra is activated through perfectly matched rite and word.
- Where it settles
It ends by urging quick, daily presentation of dhānā and puroḷāśa and by praying that Indra’s fitting powers grow day by day for Soma-drinking and victorious force.
The deity: Indra
- In the VedaHe is repeatedly invoked as ‘vīratama’ (most heroic) and as one who is pleased by well-prepared offerings and potent speech (uktha).
- Cosmic functionHe upholds the world-order by overcoming obstructing forces, releasing vitality (waters/light), and empowering the community through strength, rain, and triumph.
- Inner significanceIndra symbolizes awakened will-power and victorious energy in the human being—courage, decisive action, and the surge of inspired force that breaks inner obstacles when nourished by disciplined offering and true speech.
The seer
- Viśvāmitra GāthinaGāthin; traditionally counted among the Viśvāmitra (Kauśika) seers · A royal-turned-brahmarṣi celebrated for powerful mantra-vision and for many core Rigvedic hymns that shape Indra-, Agni-, and cosmic-order (ṛta) theology.
Famous verses
indra prātar juṣasva naḥ
माध्यंदिनस्य सवनस्य धानाः पुरोळाशमिन्द्र कृष्वेह चारुम् । प्र यत्स्तोता जरिता तूर्ण्यर्थो वृषायमाण उप गीर्भिरीट्टे ॥dive-dive … vardhantu tvā somapeyāya
Attributes of the deity
- Soma-drinker (somapeya)
- Heroic, bull-like force (vṛṣan imagery)
- Swift responder to praise (uktha)
- Protector and giver of victory
- Delights in well-made offerings (food and hymn)
Also by this seer
- Large portions of Rigveda Maṇḍala 3 are attributed to Viśvāmitra and his line (including prominent Agni and Indra hymns).
- Traditional association with the famous Gāyatrī mantra (RV 3.62.10) in later Vedic memory.
- Hymns connected with Indra’s victories and the strengthening of the sacrificer through Soma and praise.
The rite, step by step
- Prepare the sacrificial space and recitation; invite Indra at the early morning (prātaḥ).
- Offer dhānā (parched grains), karambha (mixed food), apūpa (cakes), and uktha (hymn of praise) as the welcoming act.
- At the midday pressing (mādhyandina-savana), present dhānā and puroḷāśa (sacrificial cake) and intensify the stotra/śastra praise.
- Urge the officiants to bring offerings quickly and fittingly each day, asking that Indra’s strength increase for Soma-drinking and protection.
- Conclude with reaffirmation of daily repetition and the growth (vardhana) of Indra’s power through correct offering and speech.
Offerings
- Dhānā (parched grains)
- Karambha (mixed nourishment)
- Apūpa (cakes)
- Puroḷāśa (sacrificial rice/barley cake)
- Soma (implied by somapeya and savana context)
- Uktha/Stotra (hymn-praise as offering)
Frequently Asked Questions
It invites Indra to the Soma-sacrifice—especially at dawn and at the midday pressing—asking him to accept the prepared foods and the hymn, and to grant increased strength and victory.
They are standard sacrificial offerings. The hymn treats them as carriers of vitality and asks that they become ‘effective’ when presented with correct praise to Indra.
It is a ritual-spiritual idea: through daily, fitting offerings and true speech, Indra’s power is intensified in the rite—symbolically increasing protective force and overcoming obstacles for the community.
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