Rig Veda 5.29.2: Mandala 5, Sukta 29, Mantra 2
Sukta 5.29
- Devata
- Indra
- Rasa
- Vira (heroism) and Raudra (fury)
अनु यदीं मरुतो मन्दसानमार्चन्निन्द्रं पपिवांसं सुतस्य । आदत्त वज्रमभि यदहिं हन्नपो यह्वीरसृजत्सर्तवा उ ॥
ánu yád īṃ marúto mandasānám ā́rcann índraṃ papivā́ṃsaṃ sutásya | ā́datta vájram abhí yád ahíṃ hánn ápo yáhvīr asṛ́jat sártavā ú ||
जब मरुत देवता खुश हो के इंद्र की तारीफ करने लगे, इंद्र ने सोम पी लिया था। तब उसने वज्र उठाया। उसने उस बड़े साँप को मारा जो रास्ता रोक रहा था। उसने पानी को आज़ाद कर दिया ताकि वो बह सके।
Word by Word
- अनु
- after, alongIndeclinableअव्ययRoot अनु (उपसर्ग/अव्यय)
- यत्
- when/that (relative)Pronounनपुंसकलिङ्गे प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचनम् (सम्बन्धसूचकं)Root यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
- ईम्
- indeed, justIndeclinableअव्ययRoot ईम् (निपात)
- मरुतः
- the MarutsNounपुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा बहुवचनम्Role KartāRoot मरुत् (प्रातिपदिक)
- मन्दसानम्
- rejoicing, exhilaratedParticiple (Adj.)पुंलिङ्गे द्वितीया एकवचनम् (इन्द्रम्-विशेषणम्)Role Karma (विशेषणरूपेण)Root मन्द् (धातु) → मन्दसान (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक, शानच्)
- आर्चन्
- they praised/sangVerbलङ् (इम्पर्फेक्ट्), परस्मैपदम्, 3 पुरुषः बहुवचनम्Role KriyāRoot ऋच्/अर्च् (धातु)
- इन्द्रम्
- IndraNounपुंलिङ्गे द्वितीया एकवचनम्Role KarmaRoot इन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक)
- पपिवांसम्
- having drunkPerfect participle (Adj.)पुंलिङ्गे द्वितीया एकवचनम् (इन्द्रम्-विशेषणम्)Role Karma (विशेषणरूपेण)Root पा (धातु) → पपिवांस् (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक, क्तवतुँ)
- सुतस्य
- of the pressed (Soma)Nounपुं/नपुंसकलिङ्गे षष्ठी एकवचनम्Role सम्बन्ध (Genitive)Root सुत (प्रातिपदिक; √सु ‘to press’ → ‘pressed’)
- आ
- towards, forthIndeclinableअव्ययRoot आ (उपसर्ग/अव्यय)
- अदत्त
- he took/put (took up)Verbलङ् (इम्पर्फेक्ट्), परस्मैपदम्, 3 पुरुषः एकवचनम्Role KriyāRoot दा (धातु)
- वज्रम्
- the thunderboltNounपुंलिङ्गे द्वितीया एकवचनम्Role KarmaRoot वज्र (प्रातिपदिक)
- अभि
- against, uponIndeclinableअव्ययRoot अभि (उपसर्ग/अव्यय)
- यत्
- when/thatPronounनपुंसकलिङ्गे प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचनम् (सम्बन्धसूचकं)Root यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
- अहिम्
- the serpent (Vṛtra)Nounपुंलिङ्गे द्वितीया एकवचनम्Role KarmaRoot अहि (प्रातिपदिक)
- हन्
- he slewVerbलङ् (इम्पर्फेक्ट्), परस्मैपदम्, 3 पुरुषः एकवचनम्Role KriyāRoot हन् (धातु)
- अपः
- the watersNounस्त्रीलिङ्गे द्वितीया बहुवचनम्Role KarmaRoot अप् (प्रातिपदिक)
- यह्वीः
- swift/impetuousAdjectiveस्त्रीलिङ्गे द्वितीया बहुवचनम् (अपः-विशेषणम्)Role Karma (विशेषणरूपेण)Root यह्वी (प्रातिपदिक)
- असृजत्
- he releasedVerbलङ् (इम्पर्फेक्ट्), परस्मैपदम्, 3 पुरुषः एकवचनम्Role KriyāRoot सृज् (धातु)
- सर्तवा
- as flowing streamsAdjective/Nounस्त्रीलिङ्गे द्वितीया बहुवचनम् (अपः-विशेषणम्/अपां प्रकारः)Role Karma (विशेषणरूपेण)Root सर्तु (प्रातिपदिक; ‘flowing/streaming’) → सर्तवा (द्वितीया बहुवचनम्, वैदिक-रूप)
- उ
- indeed, andIndeclinableअव्ययRoot उ (निपात)
Sandhi Notes
- पदच्छेदः (वैदिक-सन्धि-विग्रह): अनु | यत् | ईम् | मरुतः | मन्दसानम् | आर्चन् | इन्द्रम् | पपिवांसम् | सुतस्य || आ | अदत्त | वज्रम् | अभि | यत् | अहिम् | हन् | अपः | यह्वीः | असृजत् | सर्तवा | उ । मुख्य-सन्धयः: (1) यदीं = यत् + ईम् (त् + ई → दी, दीर्घीभाव/सवर्णदीर्घ-प्रकृति वैदिक-लेखनम्)
- (2) मन्दसानम् + आर्चन्: अन्त्य-अ + आ → आ (दीर्घ), लेखे ‘…मन्दसानमार्चन्…’
- (3) आदत्त = आ + अदत्त (उपसर्ग-समास/सन्धि)
- (4) यदहिम् = यत् + अहिम् (त् + अ → द, ‘यदहिम्’)
- (5) हन्नपो = हन् + अपः (न् + अ → न्न, ‘हन्नपो’)
- (6) असृजत्सर्तवा = असृजत् + सर्तवा (त् + स → त्स)
The meaning
Outer meaning
The Maruts sang to Indra, exhilarated after drinking pressed Soma. Indra took up the thunderbolt; striking the Serpent, he released the mighty waters to flow.
Inner meaning
When purified dynamic energies (Maruts) intensify the illumined mind (Indra) and it drinks the Soma (inner bliss/rapture), the mind takes up the vajra: concentrated force of discrimination and decisive will. It strikes Ahi/Vṛtra, the coiling obstruction in the subconscient, and releases the “waters”—the free flow of life-energy, inspiration, and truth currents that were dammed by inner resistance.
Universal truth
Illumination becomes effective when supported by purified energy and nourished by inner joy. Then decisive insight can break entrenched patterns and restore the natural flow of life and consciousness.
Themes
Vṛtra-slaying, release of waters, Soma-empowerment, victory over darkness
The seer
- Lineage
- Ātreya (probable)
- Other hymns
- RV 5.29.1, RV 5.29.3, RV 5.29.4
Family tradition
Atri’s line often celebrates Indra’s release of waters/light as inner liberation.
Significance
This is a classic Ārya yoga motif: joy (Soma) + force (Maruts) empower illumination (Indra) to break the subconscient obstruction and free the life-streams.
The deity
- Devata
- Indra (with Maruts)
- Epithets
- Somapā (Soma-drinker, explicit), Vajrabhṛt (thunderbolt-bearer, explicit), Ahi-han (serpent-slayer, explicit)
- Related deities
- Soma, Maruts, Agni (as initiator of offering that leads to Soma/Indra action)
Cosmic role
Breaker of cosmic obstruction; releaser of waters and light; champion of the gods’ expansion.
Inner power
Decisive illuminative force that can penetrate the subconscient and restore flow.
In ritual
Where it is used
Soma-yajña: Indra invoked after Soma pressing; Indra’s drinking and victory celebrated.
अनु॒ यदीं॑ म॒रुतो॑ मन्दसा॒नमार्च॒न्निन्द्रं॑ पपि॒वांसं॑ सु॒तस्य॑ । आद॑त्त॒ वज्र॑म॒भि यदहिं॒ हन्न॒पो य॒ह्वीर॑सृज॒त्सर्त॒वा उ॑ ॥
अनु॑ । यत् । ई॒म् । म॒रुतः॑ । म॒न्द॒सा॒नम् । आर्च॑न् । इन्द्र॑म् । प॒पि॒ऽवांस॑म् । सु॒तस्य॑ । आ । अ॒द॒त्त॒ । वज्र॑म् । अ॒भि । यत् । अहि॑म् । हन् । अ॒पः । य॒ह्वीः । अ॒सृ॒ज॒त् । सर्त॒वै । ऊँ॒ इति॑ ॥
anu | yat | īm | marutaḥ | mandasānam | ārcan | indram | papi-vāṃsam | sutasya | ā | adatta | vajram | abhi | yat | ahim | han | apaḥ | yahvīḥ | asṛjat | sartavai | oṃ iti
Triṣṭubh (probable; typical for Indra’s battle narratives)
44
4 × ~11 syllables (subject to recension).
Driving, narrative surge; strong mid-line stresses suit ‘taking up the vajra’ and ‘releasing waters’.
Builds heroic momentum; evokes a felt breakthrough and release in the listener.
- मरुतः (marutaḥ)
- Literal: Maruts. Symbolic: purified prāṇic forces; energetic allies of illumination
- मन्दसानम् (mandasānam)
- Literal: exulting, rejoicing. Symbolic: uplifted energy-state; enthusiasm born of purification
- इन्द्रम् (indram)
- Literal: Indra. Symbolic: illumined mind; force of revelation and victory
- पपिवांसम् (papivāṃsam)
- Literal: having drunk. Symbolic: mind saturated with Soma-bliss
- सुतस्य (sutasya)
- Literal: of the pressed (Soma). Symbolic: distilled essence of experience offered upward
- वज्रम् (vajram)
- Literal: thunderbolt. Symbolic: one-pointed power of discernment; truth-force that breaks obstruction
- अहिम् (ahim)
- Literal: serpent. Symbolic: coiled resistance; subconscient knot; Vṛtra-like coverer
- अपः (apo)
- Literal: waters. Symbolic: streams of consciousness, inspiration, life-force, and truth
- सर्तवै (sartavai)
- Literal: to flow, to run. Symbolic: restored movement; liberated circulation of inner energies
Classic Indra-Vṛtra narrative used in soma context; inner application: when life-forces (Maruts) exalt and the Soma-delight is received, decisive force (vajra) breaks the coiling obstruction (ahi), releasing the streams of energy/knowledge (waters).
Around Soma offering sequences; praise to strengthen Indra’s presence in the rite.
Recitation accompanying Soma offering; symbolic reinforcement of ‘breaking obstruction’ for successful rite.
Use during periods of stagnation: chant to invoke decisive clarity and to ‘release the waters’—unstuck emotions, creativity, prāṇa flow.
vajra 'thunderbolt' possibly from √vaj 'be strong' (vaja/vajra strength cluster). ahi 'serpent' is old IE (cf. Avestan aži, Greek ophis is different root; but Indo-Iranian aži/ahi is strong). √pā 'drink' is PIE *peh₃- (drink). √han 'smite' is PIE *gʷhen- (slay). Waters (ap-) are central Vedic symbol: released energies/streams of truth once obstruction is broken.
obstruction vs release, Soma as ecstasy enabling victory, ṛta as free flow of energies
Obstruction is anti-ṛta; Indra’s act restores the lawful movement of waters/energies.
Vajra as truth-force; waters as truth-streams released into manifestation.
Release of waters as a cosmogonic renewal: the world becomes livable when flows are freed.
Integral Yoga hermeneutic: subconscient resistance must be broken by illumined force supported by purified energies and bliss.
Storm-break after pressure; dawn/daybreak archetype of release (implied)
Monsoon imagery (storm + waters)
Storm = mobilized prāṇa; Soma = inner delight; vajra = concentrated will of light; serpent = inertia/covering; waters = liberated life and inspiration.
- What is the primary Vedic 'mythologem' present in this verse?
- The central mythologem is Indra’s slaying of the Serpent/obstructor (Ahi/Vṛtra) and the consequent release of the waters. Psychologically: illumined force, strengthened by Soma-delight and supported by the Maruts’ dynamic energies, breaks the knot of subconscient resistance and frees the flowing currents of consciousness.
- How does the linguistic structure reflect Proto-Indo-European roots?
- √han 'smite' aligns with PIE *gʷhen- 'slay'. √pā 'drink' aligns with PIE *peh₃- 'drink'. Indo-Iranian ahi/aži is a shared serpent/dragon term in the Vṛtra/Aži Dahāka complex, pointing to a common mythic lexicon.
- What is the relationship between the Rishi and the Devata here?
- The rishi recounts the god’s decisive act as a paradigm for inner victory: by offering Soma (human aspiration and delight), one calls Indra’s vajra-force into action. The Maruts’ praise symbolizes the disciplined life-energies that must align with Indra for the obstruction to be struck and the waters to be released.
Invoke Soma-delight in the heart; then bring a focused ‘vajra’ attention to a specific obstruction (habit/fear); visualize it cleaving and releasing a cool inner stream.
Ājñā (vajra-like focus) + Anāhata (Soma-delight)
Inhale: receive Soma (cool joy). Exhale: vajra-focus through the brow into the knot; after a few rounds, allow longer exhales to feel ‘waters’ flowing.
Forceful clarity with joy; breakthrough state.
Do not fight from dryness. First establish delight/faith (Soma), then apply concentrated discernment (vajra). After breakthrough, rest in the released flow without grasping.
Chant with rising energy through the first half (Maruts praising; Soma drunk), a firm accent on ‘vajram’, and a resolving descent on the release of ‘apo… asṛjat’.
Keep ‘ādatta’ and ‘vajram’ crisp; avoid dragging consonants in ‘papivāṃsaṃ’.
: ‘man-da-sā-nam’ long ‘sā’, : nasalized ‘vāṃ’ (anusvāra), : ‘va-jram’ with clear ‘jr’ cluster, : ‘a-sṛ-ja-t’ vocalic ‘ṛ’
Charged, forward, slightly percussive on key action-words.
7
Ask anything about this verse
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.
