Sukta 31
Sukta 6.31
Bharadvāja Bārhaspatya (RV 6.31 Indra hymn)
Triṣṭubh (probable)
This short Indra hymn praises him as the singular lord of riches who holds the peoples in his hands and is acclaimed across home, waters, offspring, and the Sun. It recalls his heroic victories with Kutsa against Śuṣṇa and other obstructers in the quest for the cows/light, and ends by urging Indra to mount his chariot, come by the wide paths, and make the worshipper’s call effectively heard.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
अभूरेको रयिपते रयीणामा हस्तयोरधिथा इन्द्र कृष्टीः । वि तोके अप्सु तनये च सूरेऽवोचन्त चर्षणयो विवाचः ॥
तूने सब कुछ का एक मालिक बन गया, इंद्र। तेरे हाथ में सब लोग हैं। घर में, पानी में, बच्चों में, सूरज में, जगह-जगह लोग तेरे बारे में बात करते हैं।
Mantra 2
त्वद्भियेन्द्र पार्थिवानि विश्वाच्युता चिच्च्यावयन्ते रजांसि । द्यावाक्षामा पर्वतासो वनानि विश्वं दृळ्हं भयते अज्मन्ना ते ॥
तुझसे डर के, इंद्र, दुनिया का हर चीज़ हिलने लगता है। जो पक्का है वो भी हिलता है। आसमान, धरती, पहाड़, जंगल, सब कुछ काँपता है जब तू आगे बढ़ता है।
Mantra 3
त्वं कुत्सेनाभि शुष्णमिन्द्राशुषं युध्य कुयवं गविष्टौ । दश प्रपित्वे अध सूर्यस्य मुषायश्चक्रमविवे रपांसि ॥
इंद्र, तुमने कुत्सा के साथ मिलके शुष्ण और कुयव से लड़ाई की। यह वो दुश्मन थे जो रोशनी और गायें छुपा के रखते थे। फिर जब सूरज दसवे मोड़ पर पहुंचा, तुमने उस पहिये को वापस कर दिया जो सही ढंग से चल रहा था। और झूठ और धोखे सब खत्म हो गए।
Mantra 4
त्वं शतान्यव शम्बरस्य पुरो जघन्थाप्रतीनि दस्योः । अशिक्षो यत्र शच्या शचीवो दिवोदासाय सुन्वते सुतक्रे भरद्वाजाय गृणते वसूनि ॥
इंद्र, तुमने शंबर की सौ किलें तोड़ दी। वो दस्यु था, उसकी बातें ऐसी थी जैसे कभी टूटेगी ही नहीं। लेकिन तुमने अपनी शक्ति दिखा दी। दिवोदास के लिए जो सोम रस निकालता है, और भरद्वाज के लिए जो भजन गाता है, तुमने उन्हें अंदर की दौलत दी। यह वो शक्ति है जो सही आनंद देती है।
Mantra 5
स सत्यसत्वन्महते रणाय रथमा तिष्ठ तुविनृम्ण भीमम् । याहि प्रपथिन्नवसोप मद्रिक्प्र च श्रुत श्रावय चर्षणिभ्यः ॥
इंद्र, तुम सच में बलवान हो। बड़ी लड़ाई के लिए अपना रथ सवार लो। तुम्हारी शक्ति बड़ी भयानक है। हमारे पास आओ, वो रास्ते ले के जो सीधे हैं। हमारी मदद करो। और लोगों तक हमारी आवाज़ पहुंचाओ, ताकि वो सुन सकें।
Inside Sukta 31
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
Indra is hailed as the single lord of plenitudes who ‘holds the peoples’ and is proclaimed across all spheres of life.
- Development
The hymn strengthens praise by recalling mythic exploits—battles in the quest for cows/light and the undoing of deceits—linking cosmic victory to human welfare.
- Climax
The vivid summons: Indra, true in being and terrible in manhood-power, mount the chariot for the great battle and come near with help.
- Where it settles
A final request that Indra’s hearing become effective for the peoples—so the worshipper’s call turns into victorious reception and protection.
The deity: Indra
- Cosmic functionHe restores right order by shattering drought/withholding powers, releasing waters and light, and securing prosperity and safe movement for peoples and clans.
- Inner significanceThe awakened force of courage and decisive intelligence that overcomes inner inertia and ‘dryness,’ recovers lost clarity (light), and turns prayer into effective power.
The seer
- Bharadvāja BārhaspatyaBharadvāja gotra (Bārhaspatya line, associated with Bṛhaspati) · A प्रमुख ऋषि of Maṇḍala 6 whose hymns combine martial Indra-praise with refined prayer for protection, wealth, and victorious hearing (śruti) of the gods.
Famous verses
rayipate rayīṇām
kutsenābhi śuṣṇam
स सत्यसत्वन्महते रणाय रथमा तिष्ठ तुविनृम्ण भीमम् । याहि प्रपथिन्नवसोप मद्रिक्प्र च श्रुत श्रावय चर्षणिभ्यः ॥Attributes of the deity
- Vajra-bearer and warrior
- Lord of ṛayi (plenitudes/wealth)
- Liberator of waters and light (cows)
- Protector of peoples (kṛṣṭīḥ)
- Swift chariot-rider on wide paths
- Listener who makes the call effective (śravaṇa/śruti)
Also by this seer
- Large portions of Rigveda Maṇḍala 6 (many sūktas attributed to the Bharadvājas)
- Indra, Agni, and allied deity hymns emphasizing victory, cattle/light recovery, and patron-protection themes
The rite, step by step
- Prepare the altar and kindle Agni; establish a focused intention for protection and ṛayi.
- Recite RV 6.31 with clear Triṣṭubh cadence, emphasizing Indra’s lordship and past victories.
- Offer oblations while naming Indra’s epithets (rayipati, tuvinṛmṇa, satyasatvan) and requesting ‘hearing’ (śravaṇa) for the people.
- Conclude with a direct invitation: Indra to mount the chariot, come on broad paths, and turn near with help (ava).
- Seal with a final oblation and silent contemplation on obstacles broken and right motion restored.
Offerings
- Soma (where applicable)
- Ghee (ājya) into the fire
- Milk/curds (payas/dadhi) as Indra-strengthening offerings
- Barley cakes or grain oblations (puroḍāśa/anna)
Frequently Asked Questions
It praises Indra as the one lord of abundance who supports communities everywhere, remembers his mythic victories that restore light and order, and asks him to come near and protect the people.
These names recall a traditional victory story: Indra aids Kutsa in defeating obstructing powers like Śuṣṇa, symbolizing the recovery of the cows/light and the defeat of deception.
It can be recited as a focused prayer for courage, removing obstacles, communal welfare, and success in difficult efforts—ideally with a simple fire offering or quiet recitation with clear intention.
Ask anything about Sukta 31 of the Rig Veda
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