Sukta 47
Sukta 4.47
Vāmadeva Gautama (traditional attribution for RV 4)
Jagatī (probable; RV 4 commonly uses Jagatī/Triṣṭubh in such invocations—requires pad-count confirmation)
This short hymn is an urgent Soma-invitation to Vāyu, the swift, luminous Wind, asking him to come yoked with his niyut-steeds to drink the first share of Soma. It then expands into a joint summons of Indra-Vāyu to arrive on one chariot, bring protection and strength, and firmly bestow their much-desired yoked powers upon the worshippers.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
वायो शुक्रो अयामि ते मध्वो अग्रं दिविष्टिषु । आ याहि सोमपीतये स्पार्हो देव नियुत्वता ॥
वायु भगवान, तुम चमकदार हो, तुम्हारी शक्ति है। मैं तुम्हारे लिए सोम का पहला प्याला ला रहा हूँ। यह देवताओं के लिए भी है। तुम अपने घोड़ों की रथ में बैठ के यहाँ आओ। सोम पियो और हमें आशीर्वाद दो।
Mantra 2
इन्द्रश्च वायवेषां सोमानां पीतिमर्हथः । युवां हि यन्तीन्दवो निम्नमापो न सध्र्यक् ॥
इन्द्र और वायु, तुम दोनों के लिए यह सोम है। तुम इसको पियो, तुम इसके हकदार हो। जैसे पानी नीचे की तरफ बहा जाता है, वैसे ही सोम की बूँदें तुम्हारी तरफ आती हैं। तुम्हारे लिए ही है यह।
Mantra 3
वायविन्द्रश्च शुष्मिणा सरथं शवसस्पती । नियुत्वन्ता न ऊतय आ यातं सोमपीतये ॥
वायु और इंद्र, दोनों ताकत के मालिक, एक ही रथ पर आओ। अपनी पूरी ताकत लेकर आओ। सही तरीके से जुड़ के हमारी मदद के लिए आओ। सोम पीने के लिए आओ।
Mantra 4
या वां सन्ति पुरुस्पृहो नियुतो दाशुषे नरा । अस्मे ता यज्ञवाहसेन्द्रवायू नि यच्छतम् ॥
जो भी ताकतें तुम्हारी हैं, जो लोग देते हैं उनके लिए ज़रूरी हैं, वो हमें दे दो। इंद्र और वायु, तुम यज्ञ के धारक हो, वो ताकतें हमारे अंदर स्थिर कर दो।
Inside Sukta 47
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
A direct, vivid invitation to Vāyu as luminous power, bringing him the first essence of Soma-delight.
- Development
The hymn shifts from the single deity to the dual form Indra-Vāyu, emphasizing shared chariot, might, and readiness to help.
- Climax
The plea that the two ‘yoked energies’ (niyutaḥ)—highly desired and effective—arrive for Soma-drinking and for protection.
- Where it settles
A concluding request that those sacrifice-bearing powers be firmly granted and established ‘in us,’ sealing the rite with an inward bestowal.
The deity: Vāyu
- Cosmic functionAs Wind/Breath he moves between heaven and earth, quickening life, carrying offerings and inspiration; in the Indra-Vāyu dyad he channels power (Indra) through motion and prāṇa (Vāyu) to make the rite effective.
- Inner significanceVāyu signifies prāṇa—clarity, vitality, and the dynamic force that brings the ‘first essence’ of delight into conscious experience; with Indra he represents energized will guided by right movement, enabling inner steadiness and victorious aspiration.
The seer
- Vāmadeva GautamaGautama gotra (Vāmadeva as a Gautama seer) · A major Rigvedic seer of Mandala 4, renowned for powerful invocatory poetry and for hymns that link outer deities with inner illumination and inspired speech.
Famous verses
somapītaye
sarathaṃ
yajñavāhasā
Attributes of the deity
- Swift approach to the Soma-pressing
- Śukra (luminous, purifying)
- Niyutvat (possessing ordered/yoked energies)
- Yajñavāhasa (sacrifice-bearing, especially with Indra)
- Helper and protector (ūtī)
- Linked with the ‘first share’ of Soma
Also by this seer
- Primary seer associated with many hymns of Rig Veda Mandala 4 (Vāmadeva family collection)
- Hymns to Indra, Agni, the Aśvins, and allied deities within RV 4 (traditional attribution across the mandala)
The rite, step by step
- Prepare the Soma pressing and seating for the invited deities.
- Recite the opening invitation to Vāyu, offering the ‘first essence’/first share of Soma.
- Invoke Vāyu to arrive with his niyut teams and take the Soma-drink.
- Expand the call to Indra-Vāyu to come together on one chariot for help (ūtī).
- Petition the pair to ‘set’ or establish their much-desired niyut-powers within/among the worshippers and the rite.
Offerings
- Soma (first share/agra)
- Associated oblations customary to Soma rites (supporting offerings to the yajña/fire)
Frequently Asked Questions
The hymn invites Vāyu to come quickly and drink the first share of Soma, and asks Indra-Vāyu together to bring help, strength, and firmly established power to the worshippers.
Vāyu is portrayed as arriving swiftly with ordered, yoked energies (niyut) to receive Soma early; this symbolizes prāṇa-like vitality and the quickening of the rite’s effectiveness.
In this hymn, niyut refers to Vāyu’s yoked teams or ordered energies—his controlled powers of movement and force—requested as a boon to support the sacrifice and the sacrificer.
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