Sukta 57
Sukta 3.57
Viśvāmitra Gāthina (attributed for RV 3.57)
Indra-Agni (dual), with the Cow/Manīṣā motif central
Triṣṭubh (probable; verify metrically)
This hymn praises the paired powers Indra–Agni as discoverers and secure possessors of the “Cow” of inspiration (manīṣā), a flowing source of nourishment, insight, and victory. It links poetic illumination to sacrificial action—especially the Soma-pressing—so that the hidden abundance rises upward to the gods and returns as guidance, prosperity, and a universal “good mind.”
Mantras
Mantra 1
प्र मे विविक्वाँ अविदन्मनीषां धेनुं चरन्तीं प्रयुतामगोपाम् । सद्यश्चिद्या दुदुहे भूरि धासेरिन्द्रस्तदग्निः पनितारो अस्याः ॥
मेरे लिए किसी ने एक अच्छा खयाल ढूँढ लिया। यह गाय जैसी है जो चलती है, बहुत दूर तक और कोई उसकी देखभाल नहीं करता। उसने तुरंत बहुत सारा दूध दिया। इंद्र और अग्नि ने उसे ढूँढ के पा लिया।
Mantra 2
इन्द्रः सु पूषा वृषणा सुहस्ता दिवो न प्रीताः शशयं दुदुह्रे । विश्वे यदस्यां रणयन्त देवाः प्र वोऽत्र वसवः सुम्नमश्याम् ॥
इंद्र और पूषन, दोनों बलवान हैं और अच्छे हाथ वाले हैं। उन्होंने आसमान की तरह खुशी से मीठा दूध निकाला। जब सारे भगवान उसमें खुश होते हैं, हम भी वहाँ आपकी कृपा पाएँ। वसु भगवान, हमें भी आपका आशीर्वाद मिले।
Mantra 3
या जामयो वृष्ण इच्छन्ति शक्तिं नमस्यन्तीर्जानते गर्भमस्मिन् । अच्छा पुत्रं धेनवो वावशाना महश्चरन्ति बिभ्रतं वपूंषि ॥
जिन बहनें उस ताकतवर की शक्ति माँगती हैं, वो झुक के उसके अंदर की बात समझ जाती हैं। गाइयाँ अपने बेटे की तरफ आवाज़ करती हैं। वो खुले में घूमती हैं और अपना बोझ उठाए चलती हैं।
Mantra 4
अच्छा विवक्मि रोदसी सुमेके ग्राव्णो युजानो अध्वरे मनीषा । इमा उ ते मनवे भूरिवारा ऊर्ध्वा भवन्ति दर्शता यजत्राः ॥
मैं धरती और आसमान को पुकारता हूँ, यह दोनों पक्के हैं। यज्ञ के टाइम मैं अपना दिमाग लगाके पत्थर को जोड़ता हूँ। तुम्हारे लिए यह सब चीज़ें ऊपर उठती हैं। यह साफ दिखती हैं और भगवान को चढ़ाने लायक हैं।
Mantra 5
या ते जिह्वा मधुमती सुमेधा अग्ने देवेषूच्यत उरूची । तयेह विश्वाँ अवसे यजत्राना सादय पायया चा मधूनि ॥
अग्नि, तुम्हारी जीभ में मीठा रस है और तुम्हारा दिमाग तेज़ है। देवता लोग इसकी तारीफ करते हैं कि यह बहुत चमकती है। इससे सब ताकतवाले लोगों को यहाँ बिठाओ हमारे काम के लिए। और इन्हें मीठा रस पिलाओ।
Mantra 6
या ते अग्ने पर्वतस्येव धारासश्चन्ती पीपयद्देव चित्रा । तामस्मभ्यं प्रमतिं जातवेदो वसो रास्व सुमतिं विश्वजन्याम् ॥
अग्नि, तुम्हारी नदी ऐसे बहती है जैसे पहाड़ से पानी गिरता है। यह कभी रुकती नहीं और हर तरह का पानी लाए रहती है। जातवेदस, हमें सही रास्ता दिखाओ। हम सब लोगों के लिए अच्छा दिमाग दो।
Inside Sukta 57
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
A discerning seer ‘finds’ manīṣā as a roaming, unguarded Cow—immediately yielding abundant nourishment—claimed by Indra and Agni (recovery of hidden wealth/insight).
- Development
The hymn ties inspiration to ritual mechanics: speech is directed to the stable Heaven-and-Earth while the pressing-stones are yoked; offerings and praises are made to rise upward, becoming worthy and effective.
- Climax
The image of Agni’s ceaseless, many-colored stream—like a mountain torrent—appears as the sustaining current that makes all thrive, transforming ritual fire into a universal life-flow.
- Where it settles
A final petition asks Agni for pramati (clear, steady guidance) and a sumati that benefits all peoples, grounding the hymn’s power in ethical and communal well-being.
The deity: Indra–Agni, with the Cow/Manīṣā motif
- In the VedaIndra and Agni are invoked together as complementary powers: Indra as the conquering lord of force and release, Agni as the priestly fire who conveys offerings and kindles insight. In this sukta they are “seekers/possessors” of the unguarded, far-driven Cow—an image for recovered inspiration and plenty.
- Cosmic functionThey open and secure the channels of abundance: Indra breaks obstructions and wins the prize; Agni establishes the rite, carries the offering, and makes the divine currents continuously flow for the community.
- Inner significanceIndra–Agni symbolizes the union of will-power and illumined aspiration: decisive energy (Indra) guided by sacred intelligence and inner fire (Agni). The Cow/stream imagery points to the mind’s hidden creative plenitude becoming accessible through disciplined sacrifice and truthful speech.
The seer
- Viśvāmitra GāthinaGāthin / Kauśika line (Viśvāmitra tradition) · A royal-turned-seer famed for forging powerful mantra-speech (brahman), especially hymns to Indra and for shaping the Viśvāmitra cycle of Maṇḍala 3.
Famous verses
dhenuṃ carantīm … manīṣām
grāvṇo yujāno adhvare manīṣā
sumatiṃ viśvajanyām
Attributes of the deity
- Dual power of force and flame (vīrya + tejas)
- Finders and guardians of inspired thought (manīṣā)
- All-nourishing abundance symbolized as Cow/flowing stream
- Ritual efficacy: empowers Soma-pressing and offerings
- Bestowers of sumati (right-mindedness) and pramati (clear guidance)
Also by this seer
- Major portions of Rig Veda Maṇḍala 3 attributed to the Viśvāmitra family
- RV 3.62.10 (Gāyatrī mantra) traditionally associated with the Viśvāmitra lineage
- Numerous Indra and Agni hymns in Book 3 emphasizing victory, inspiration, and right ritual order
The rite, step by step
- Kindle and establish Agni with recitation, aligning speech (vāc) and intention (manīṣā).
- Prepare and yoke the Soma-pressing stones (grāvan) and begin the pressing in an orderly adhvara.
- Offer Soma and clarified butter into Agni while invoking Indra–Agni as joint recipients and protectors of the ‘Cow’ of abundance.
- Praise Heaven-and-Earth (Rodasī) as the firm foundation so the offerings ‘rise upward’ and become visible/acceptable.
- Conclude with a direct request to Agni Jātavedas for pramati (sure guidance) and a viśvajanyā sumati (good mind for all).
Offerings
- Soma juice (pressed and offered)
- Ghee/clarified butter (ājyāhuti)
- Optional: milk/curds as ‘cow’ symbolism (conceptual support for the hymn’s imagery)
Frequently Asked Questions
In Vedic poetry the Cow often symbolizes a hidden source of wealth and insight. Here it especially represents manīṣā—an inspired, fruitful thought that, once found, “yields” nourishment and success through Indra–Agni.
Manīṣā is inspired intelligence or poetic insight—clear understanding that guides right action. The hymn presents it as something discoverable and productive, like a cow or a flowing stream.
One verse explicitly mentions yoking the pressing-stones (grāvan) in the adhvara (rite). The hymn links correct pressing and offering to the rising of gifts to the gods and the return of guidance, prosperity, and good-mindedness.
Ask anything about Sukta 57 of the Rig Veda
Answers come straight from the texts, with the shlokas they draw on. Ask in your own words.
A free sign-in with Google or Apple keeps your chat saved across web and the app.
Read Rig Veda in the Vedapath app
Scan the QR code to open this directly in the app, with word-by-word meanings, Sanskrit recitation where available, and more.
