Sukta 29
Sukta 4.29
Vāmadeva Gautama (traditional for Mandala 4)
Trishtubh (probable; requires scan)
This short Indra-hymn is an urgent invitation for the god to come—even from afar—to the many Soma pressings, gladdened by the tawny steeds and the singers’ inspired praise. The poet prays that Indra be made to “hear” the call, then rise in overflowing power to grant fulfilment: victory-strength (vāja), a safe ford (su-tīrtha), and fearlessness. It closes with a communal wish: under Indra’s protection may the singers become true seers and share the wide riches of heaven through his generous giving.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
आ नः स्तुत उप वाजेभिरूती इन्द्र याहि हरिभिर्मन्दसानः । तिरश्चिदर्यः सवना पुरूण्याङ्गूषेभिर्गृणानः सत्यराधाः ॥
इंद्र, हम तुम्हारी स्तुति कर रहे हैं। आओ हमारे पास, तुम्हारी मदद से हमें ताकत मिले। तुम अपने बाल रंग के घोड़ों के साथ खुश होकर आओ। तुम दूर से भी आओ, यहाँ बहुत सारे यज्ञ हो रहे हैं। हम तुम्हारे लिए गाना गा रहे हैं, तुम सच का काम करते हो।
Mantra 2
आ हि ष्मा याति नर्यश्चिकित्वान्हूयमानः सोतृभिरुप यज्ञम् । स्वश्वो यो अभीरुर्मन्यमानः सुष्वाणेभिर्मदति सं ह वीरैः ॥
इंद्र आता है, वो सब जानता है। जब लोग उसे बुलाते हैं यज्ञ के लिए, वो आता है। उसके अच्छे घोड़े हैं, वो डर नहीं मानता। जो लोग अच्छे से सोम का रस निकालते हैं, उनके साथ वो खुश होता है। वो बहुत ताकत वाले लोगों के साथ मिलता है।
Mantra 3
श्रावयेदस्य कर्णा वाजयध्यै जुष्टामनु प्र दिशं मन्दयध्यै । उद्वावृषाणो राधसे तुविष्मान्करन्न इन्द्रः सुतीर्थाभयं च ॥
इंद्र को सुनाओ ताकि वो हमें ताकत दे। हर तरफ से उसे बुलाओ ताकि वो खुश हो। इंद्र बहुत ताकत वाला है, वो ऊपर उठ रहा है हमारे काम के लिए। वो हमारे लिए अच्छा रास्ता बना दे और हमें डर नहीं लगे।
Mantra 4
अच्छा यो गन्ता नाधमानमूती इत्था विप्रं हवमानं गृणन्तम् । उप त्मनि दधानो धुर्याशून्त्सहस्राणि शतानि वज्रबाहुः ॥
जो किसी की मदद के लिए सीधा आता है, और जो लोग उसे बुलाते हैं उनकी सुनता है, वो इंद्र है। उसके हाथ में वज्र है, बहुत ताकत है। वो अपने ऊपर हज़ारों और सौओं की ताकत ले लेता है ताकि हम आगे बढ़ सकें।
Mantra 5
त्वोतासो मघवन्निन्द्र विप्रा वयं ते स्याम सूरयो गृणन्तः । भेजानासो बृहद्दिवस्य राय आकाय्यस्य दावने पुरुक्षोः ॥
इंद्र, तुम्हारी वजह से हम सेफ हैं। हम तुम्हारी हमेशा स्तुति करते रहें। तुम हमें ऐसी समझ दो जो साफ हो। आसमान की दुनिया की दौलत में हम हिस्सा लें। तुम जो बहुत देते हो, वो हमें मिले।
Inside Sukta 29
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
A direct summons: Indra is praised and invited to come near with aid and plenitude, even if he is far away.
- Development
The hymn intensifies the call—make him hear, send the beloved summons in every direction—so he may rejoice and arrive empowered.
- Climax
Indra rises in overflowing might to establish ‘su-tīrtha’ (a good crossing) and ‘abhaya’ (fearlessness) for the worshippers.
- Where it settles
A closing prayer for lasting relationship: protected by Indra, may the poets become luminous seers and partake of the vast heavenly wealth through his generous giving.
The deity: Indra
- Cosmic functionBreaker of obstacles and winner of divine power (vāja); he secures space for life and order by overcoming hostile forces and by releasing prosperity, safe passage, and courage.
- Inner significanceThe awakened will and victorious energy in the seeker—courage that hears the soul’s call, surges upward, and creates an inner ‘good crossing’ beyond fear and limitation.
The seer
- Vāmadeva GautamaGautama (Gautama-gotra) · A major seer of the Rig Veda’s 4th Maṇḍala, famed for powerful Indra hymns and for visionary self-identifications that later tradition links with high realization (e.g., the celebrated “I was Manu and the Sun” motif).
Famous verses
आ नः स्तुत उप वाजेभिरूती इन्द्र याहि हरिभिर्मन्दसानः । तिरश्चिदर्यः सवना पुरूण्याङ्गूषेभिर्गृणानः सत्यराधाः ॥sutīrthābhayaṃ
त्वोतासो मघवन्निन्द्र विप्रा वयं ते स्याम सूरयो गृणन्तः । भेजानासो बृहद्दिवस्य राय आकाय्यस्य दावने पुरुक्षोः ॥Attributes of the deity
- Maghavan (generous giver)
- Tuviṣmān (mighty, overflowing in power)
- Soma-delighted
- Harivān (linked with tawny steeds)
- Protector who grants fearlessness
- Bestower of vāja (victorious force)
Also by this seer
- Primary rishi associated with much of Rig Veda Maṇḍala 4 (numerous Indra- and allied deva-sūktas)
- Tradition associates him with the Vāmadeva lineage and with later Upaniṣadic remembrance (Vāmadeva-vidyā motif)
The rite, step by step
- Prepare the yajña space and kindle the fire; arrange Soma and vessels.
- At the Soma pressing(s), recite the invitation verses calling Indra ‘praised’ to come with help and with the haris.
- Project the call in all directions so that Indra ‘hears’ (a ritualized summons), sustaining the chant with inspired speech (āṅgūṣa).
- Make the offering into the fire/into the Soma rite while requesting vāja, a ‘good crossing’ (su-tīrtha), and abhaya (fearlessness).
- Conclude with the benediction: under Indra’s protection may the singers become vipra-s and share in the ‘wide heaven’ riches.
Offerings
- Soma (libation/pressing)
- Ghee (ājya)
- Optional cakes/oblations customary to Indra in Soma contexts
Frequently Asked Questions
It calls Indra to the Soma pressings and asks for victorious strength (vāja), a safe passage or “good crossing” (su-tīrtha), and fearlessness (abhaya).
It is a poetic way of intensifying the ritual summons—urging that Indra truly heed the chant and respond quickly with help and gifts.
It can be recited as an invocation for courage and protection, especially in a fire offering or devotional setting, focusing on the themes of strength, safe passage, and freedom from fear.
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