Sukta 39
Sukta 5.39
Atri (Ātreya)
Indra
Trishtubh (probable)
This short Atri hymn to Indra petitions the god of victorious power to pour out his “bright, overflowing” wealth and strength without stint, bringing prosperity “with both hands.” It emphasizes Indra’s famed will-to-give (prarādhyam) that can make even the firm yield, and it culminates in the Atris’ self-aware act of consecrated praise—speech made radiant as brahman-bearing force.
Mantras
Mantra 1
यदिन्द्र चित्र मेहनास्ति त्वादातमद्रिवः । राधस्तन्नो विदद्वस उभयाहस्त्या भर ॥
हे इंद्र, जो भी चमकदार खज़ाना तुम्हारे पास है, वो हमे दो। तुम दोनों हाथ भर के लाओ। जो भी तुम दे सकते हो, वो पूरा हमपे बरसा दो।
Mantra 2
यन्मन्यसे वरेण्यमिन्द्र द्युक्षं तदा भर । विद्याम तस्य ते वयमकूपारस्य दावने ॥
जो भी चीज़ तुम सबसे बेहतर समझते हो, वो चमकदार चीज़ हमे लाओ। तुम्हारी देन वही खत्म नहीं होती। हम भी उसमें हिस्सा लें।
Mantra 3
यत्ते दित्सु प्रराध्यं मनो अस्ति श्रुतं बृहत् । तेन दृळ्हा चिदद्रिव आ वाजं दर्षि सातये ॥
तुम्हारी इच्छा में जो बड़ा बल है, उससे तुम पक्की चीज़ें भी तोड़ कर लाते हो। जो भी हमे चाहिए, वो जीत कर हमे देता है।
Mantra 4
मंहिष्ठं वो मघोनां राजानं चर्षणीनाम् । इन्द्रमुप प्रशस्तये पूर्वीभिर्जुजुषे गिरः ॥
इंद्र सबसे ज़्यादा देने वाला है। वो लोगों का राजा है। हम उसकी तारीफ के लिए पास आते हैं। वो पुरानी बातों से खुश होता है और रिशियों की बातें सुनता है।
Mantra 5
अस्मा इत्काव्यं वच उक्थमिन्द्राय शंस्यम् । तस्मा उ ब्रह्मवाहसे गिरो वर्धन्त्यत्रयो गिरः शुम्भन्त्यत्रयः ॥
यह ऋषि का गाना इंद्र के लिए है। अत्रि ऋषि की बातें बड़ी होती हैं और चमक उठती हैं। हमारी बातें भी ताकतदार बन जाती हैं।
Inside Sukta 39
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
A direct request: whatever brilliant, overflowing bounty Indra has, he should bring it fully—‘with both hands.’
- Development
The hymn grounds the request in Indra’s celebrated capacity and intention to grant gifts; his will is vast and renowned, able to loosen even what is firm.
- Climax
Indra’s power is portrayed as effectual force that delivers vāja for winning—divine generosity becomes concrete victory and strength.
- Where it settles
The Atris seal the rite by declaring their uktha for Indra; speech itself becomes radiant, brahman-bearing power that supports the gift and the victory.
The deity: Indra
- In the VedaIndra is praised as adrivaḥ (stone/wajra-bearer), a finder and bestower of riches, whose famed might and generosity release abundance and victory to worshippers.
- Cosmic functionChampion of ṛta through victory: he breaks obstructions, releases life-sustaining plenitude, and secures winning (sāti) and vāja (vital force, prize, strength) for the community.
- Inner significanceThe awakened force of decisive will and courage that breaks inner inertia and fear, enabling the seeker’s energies (vāja) to become effective and victorious.
The seer
- Atri (Ātreya)Ātreya (Atri’s family line; the Atris) · One of the ancient Vedic seer-families; renowned for potent hymn-craft and for the Atri lineage’s distinctive self-referential voice in the Rig Veda.
Famous verses
ubhayāhasty ā bhara
prarādhyam mano
giro vardhanty atrayaḥ
Attributes of the deity
- Vajra/stone-bearer (adrivaḥ)
- Generous giver of rādhas (bounty)
- Breaker of obstacles; makes the ‘firm’ yield
- Bringer of vāja (strength/prize)
- Empowered by brahman (sacred utterance) and praise
Also by this seer
- Atri-family hymns across Mandala 5 (many sūktas attributed to the Ātreyas)
- Later Vedic-Itihāsa memory of Atri as a prominent ṛṣi in early Brahmanical tradition (genealogies and seer-lists)
The rite, step by step
- Prepare the altar/fire and seat the intention for winning (sāti) and vāja.
- Invite Indra with epithets (adrivaḥ, vidadvasu) and request abundant gifts ‘with both hands.’
- Recite the hymn as uktha (solemn praise), stressing Indra’s will-to-give (prarādhyam).
- Make offerings while repeating key lines that ask for rādhas and vāja.
- Conclude by affirming the efficacy of brahman-bearing speech: the Atris’ words ‘grow’ and ‘shine’ for Indra.
Offerings
- Soma (where applicable)
- Ghee/clarified butter into Agni
- Oblations of grains/cakes (puroḍāśa) as customary Indra-offerings
Frequently Asked Questions
It asks Indra to give abundant bounty (rādhas) and effective strength/prize (vāja) for winning (sāti), without holding back—symbolized as giving “with both hands.”
It highlights Indra’s vajra/stone power—the force that breaks obstacles and makes even “firm” things yield, so prosperity and victory can be released.
It says the hymn is not just praise; the properly uttered speech becomes brahman-bearing power that strengthens the ritual and makes the prayer effective.
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