Sukta 29
Sukta 6.29
Bharadvāja Bārhaspatya (Mandala 6 default attribution)
Triṣṭubh
This short Triṣṭubh hymn turns the worshippers toward Indra as a trusted ally (sakhā) and mighty benefactor, invoked for protection and expansive aid. It situates Indra’s praise within the Soma-sacrifice—pressed Soma, prepared food, and sung ukthas—so that the rite becomes the channel for Indra’s unconquerable power to break obstacles (Vṛtras) and subdue hostile forces (Dasyus).
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
इन्द्रं वो नरः सख्याय सेपुर्महो यन्तः सुमतये चकानाः । महो हि दाता वज्रहस्तो अस्ति महामु रण्वमवसे यजध्वम् ॥
दोस्तो, इंद्र के पास जाओ, दोस्ती के लिए। बड़े बड़े काम करो, अच्छा मन रखो। इंद्र वज्र हाथ में लेके बहुत देता है। बड़े लोगों को पूजो, मदद के लिए। बड़ी मदद तुम्हे मिलेगी।
Mantra 2
आ यस्मिन्हस्ते नर्या मिमिक्षुरा रथे हिरण्यये रथेष्ठाः । आ रश्मयो गभस्त्योः स्थूरयोराध्वन्नश्वासो वृषणो युजानाः ॥
जिसके हाथ में पूरी ताकत है, वो सोना रथ पे खड़ा है। उसके हाथ में लगाम है, दोनों हाथ पकड़े हैं। उसके घोड़े ताकत से भरे हैं, रास्ते पे चल रहे हैं। ऐसे ताकत आती है जो रास्ता साफ करती है।
Mantra 3
श्रिये ते पादा दुव आ मिमिक्षुर्धृष्णुर्वज्री शवसा दक्षिणावान् । वसानो अत्कं सुरभिं दृशे कं स्वर्ण नृतविषिरो बभूथ ॥
तुम्हारे पाँव चमक के लिए आगे बढ़ रहे हैं। तुम वज्र लेके डरते नहीं हो, बहुत देने वाले हो। सुराही कपड़ा पहन के तुम सूरज जैसा चमक रहे हो। युद्ध के नाच में तुम तेज़ हो, जल्दी चलते हो।
Mantra 4
स सोम आमिश्लतमः सुतो भूद्यस्मिन्पक्तिः पच्यते सन्ति धानाः । इन्द्रं नरः स्तुवन्तो ब्रह्मकारा उक्था शंसन्तो देववाततमाः ॥
सोम रस पीस के तैयार हो गया है, जहाँ खाना पक रहा है और अनाज पड़ा है। लोग इंद्र की तारीफ कर रहे हैं और वेद के शब्द बोल रहे हैं। यह सब मिल के एक ताकत बना देता है जो भगवान की तरफ से आती है।
Mantra 5
न ते अन्तः शवसो धाय्यस्य वि तु बाबधे रोदसी महित्वा । आ ता सूरिः पृणति तूतुजानो यूथेवाप्सु समीजमान ऊती ॥
तुम्हारी ताकत की कोई हद नहीं है। तुमने इतनी बड़ी ताकत दिखाई कि दुनिया और आसमान अलग हो गए। जो लोग रोशनी बाँट रहे हैं, वो भर के आते हैं, जैसे पानी में जानवर एक साथ चलते हैं। तुम्हारी मदद से यह सब होता है।
Mantra 6
एवेदिन्द्रः सुहव ऋष्वो अस्तूती अनूती हिरिशिप्रः सत्वा । एवा हि जातो असमात्योजाः पुरू च वृत्रा हनति नि दस्यून् ॥
इंद्र को ऐसे ही बुलाया जाता है जो बड़ा है और मदद करता है। उसकी दाढ़ी सुनहरी है और वो बहुत ताकतवर है। वो पैदा होते ही दुश्मनों पे जीत पाता है। वो बहुत रुकावटें तोड़ देता है और बुरी ताकतों को नीचे गिरा देता है।
Inside Sukta 29
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
The hymn opens by turning the community toward Indra for comradeship and right-mindedness, urging sacrifice to the great helper.
- Development
It builds Indra’s profile as a mighty giver and protector, then grounds the praise in concrete ritual action—Soma pressed, food prepared, and hymns fashioned by brahmakārāḥ (makers of sacred speech).
- Climax
Indra is invoked as the lofty, easy-to-call power who gives repeated help; his innate, unmatched strength is proclaimed.
- Where it settles
The hymn resolves in assurance of Indra’s victory: he smites many Vṛtras and drives down the Dasyus, securing protection and the descent of expansive aid.
The deity: Indra
- In the VedaHe is the force who smites Vṛtra-like obstructers and casts down the Dasyus, responding to well-formed praise and Soma.
- Cosmic functionBreaker of obstruction and releaser of vital powers (waters, light, abundance); guardian of ṛta through victorious strength; patron of the sacrificer who empowers the rite’s success.
- Inner significanceRepresents awakened will, courage, and decisive clarity that cuts through inner inertia and fear; the ‘Indra-force’ is the capacity to overcome psychological blockages and restore flow (energy, inspiration, prosperity).
The seer
- Bharadvāja BārhaspatyaBharadvāja-gotra; Bārhaspatya (of the line of Bṛhaspati) · Principal seer of Maṇḍala 6, renowned for Indra-centered hymns that combine martial victory motifs with precise Soma-ritual imagery and a strong emphasis on divine friendship and patronage.
Famous verses
maho hi dātā vajrahasto asti
स सोम आमिश्लतमः सुतो भूद्यस्मिन्पक्तिः पच्यते सन्ति धानाः । इन्द्रं नरः स्तुवन्तो ब्रह्मकारा उक्था शंसन्तो देववाततमाः ॥asamātyojāḥ
Attributes of the deity
- Vajrahasta (thunderbolt-bearing)
- Maghavan (bounteous giver)
- Suhava (easy/good to invoke)
- Ṛṣva (lofty, exalted)
- Satvan (strong, potent being)
- Hiriśipra (tawny-bearded)
- Vṛtrahan (slayer of obstructers)
- Protector and ally (sakhā) of the worshipper
Also by this seer
- Rig Veda Maṇḍala 6 (many sūktas traditionally attributed to the Bharadvāja family)
- Indra, Agni, and Soma hymns across Maṇḍala 6 reflecting Bharadvāja ritual theology
- Foundational role in the Bharadvāja śākhā/line remembered in later Vedic tradition (gotra and pravara usage)
The rite, step by step
- Prepare the altar and kindle Agni as the carrier of offerings (standard Vedic opening).
- Press Soma (savana) and blend it suitably; arrange the ritual food (pākti) and grains (dhānāḥ) as indicated in the hymn’s imagery.
- Recite/chant Triṣṭubh praises (ukthas) to Indra, emphasizing friendship (sakhyā), greatness (mahas), and his gift-giving power.
- Offer Soma to Indra with accompanying stotra/śastra-style praise; request repeated help (ūtī, anūtī).
- Conclude with a victory/protection petition: Indra’s unconquerable force to strike down obstructers and hostile powers.
- Distribute remnants (prasāda-like sharing in later idiom) and close with benediction for ‘vast aid’ to descend upon the community.
Offerings
- Soma (pressed and blended)
- Cooked offering/food portion (pākti)
- Grains (dhānāḥ)
- Ghee/clarified butter (as customary accompaniment)
Frequently Asked Questions
It calls the community to approach Indra as a trusted friend and mighty giver, and to worship him through Soma and hymns so his protection and strength remove obstacles.
Because the hymn is set inside a sacrificial scene: Soma is pressed and offerings are prepared, while the priests’ hymns (ukthas) are sung to invite Indra’s presence and power.
They are images of obstruction and hostility—outer enemies and inner darkness alike. Indra’s role here is to break what blocks progress and to restore strength, order, and well-being.
Ask anything about Sukta 29 of the Rig Veda
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