Sukta 34
Sukta 6.34
Trishtubh (probable for RV 6.34)
This short Trishtubh hymn gathers the ancient and ever-renewed stream of praise that “converges into” Indra and also “flows out from” him as expansive inspiration. It emphasizes Indra’s inexhaustibility—no thought or word can finish describing him—while recalling his archetypal victory over Vṛtra as the guarantee of protection, increase, and fullness of life for the worshipper.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
सं च त्वे जग्मुर्गिर इन्द्र पूर्वीर्वि च त्वद्यन्ति विभ्वो मनीषाः । पुरा नूनं च स्तुतय ऋषीणां पस्पृध्र इन्द्रे अध्युक्थार्का ॥
इंद्र, पुराने शब्द तुम्हारे पास आके जमा हो गए। तुमसे ही नए अच्छे विचार निकलते हैं। पहले भी रिशियों की स्तुतियाँ तुम्हारी तरफ जाती थीं। आज भी सब गाने और बोल तुम्हारे ऊपर जा रहे हैं।
Mantra 2
पुरुहूतो यः पुरुगूर्त ऋभ्वाँ एकः पुरुप्रशस्तो अस्ति यज्ञैः । रथो न महे शवसे युजानोऽस्माभिरिन्द्रो अनुमाद्यो भूत् ॥
लोग बहुत नाम से इंद्र को पुकारते हैं। बहुत तरह से उसकी तारीफ करते हैं। वो एक है, बहुत ताकतवाला है। यज्ञ में सबसे ज़्यादा उसका नाम लिया जाता है। इंद्र रथ की तरह बड़ा बल पे लगा हुआ है। हमारे साथ खुश हो कर वो हमारे काम आए।
Mantra 3
न यं हिंसन्ति धीतयो न वाणीरिन्द्रं नक्षन्तीदभि वर्धयन्तीः । यदि स्तोतारः शतं यत्सहस्रं गृणन्ति गिर्वणसं शं तदस्मै ॥
लोगों के सोच से इंद्र छोटा नहीं होता। लोग जितना बोलें, इंद्र उतना ही बड़ा होता रहता है। चाहे सौ लोग स्तुति करें, या हज़ार लोग, भगवान को यह सब पसंद आता है। यह सब उन्हे शांति देता है।
Mantra 4
अस्मा एतद्दिव्यर्चेव मासा मिमिक्ष इन्द्रे न्ययामि सोमः । जनं न धन्वन्नभि सं यदापः सत्रा वावृधुर्हवनानि यज्ञैः ॥
मैं इंद्र के लिए यह स्तुति ले के आया हूँ, जैसे मंदिर में दिया जलता है। महीने-महीने में सोम रस मिलता है और इंद्र को पिलाया जाता है। पानी जैसे मिलता है और आगे बढ़ता है, वैसे ही यज्ञ से लोगों की पूजा बढ़ती रहती है।
Mantra 5
अस्मा एतन्मह्याङ्गूषमस्मा इन्द्राय स्तोत्रं मतिभिरवाचि । असद्यथा महति वृत्रतूर्य इन्द्रो विश्वायुरविता वृधश्च ॥
हमने अपनी सोच से इंद्र के लिए यह स्तुति कही है। यह बड़ी बात है, जैसे इंद्र ने वृत्र को हराया था। इंद्र सबकी जान की शक्ति है। वो हमारे रखवाले हैं और हमें बड़े करते हैं।
Inside Sukta 34
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
Ancient words and praises converge into Indra, while expansive inspirations emerge from him—Indra as both receiver and source of inspired speech.
- Development
The hymn stresses Indra’s inexhaustibility: thoughts and words cannot diminish or complete him; praise multiplies his celebrated presence without reaching an end.
- Climax
The archetypal memory of Vṛtra’s great breaking stands as the peak proof of Indra’s decisive power to remove obstruction and restore flow and life.
- Where it settles
The poet offers a ‘mighty inspired utterance’ and prays that Indra remain the universal-life power—protector and increaser—for the worshipper’s well-being.
The deity: Indra
- In the VedaHe is celebrated as the slayer of Vṛtra and the one who makes life and prosperity expand for his devotees.
- Cosmic functionHe breaks obstruction (Vṛtra), releases the waters and life-force, secures victory and order, and empowers the community through strength, protection, and increase.
- Inner significanceIndra symbolizes the awakened will and victorious energy that shatters inner blockage—fear, inertia, and constriction—so that inspiration, clarity, and vitality can flow.
The seer
- Bharadvāja (Bārhaspatya) tradition (exact individual rishi uncertain in this sukta)Bharadvāja gotra (Mandala 6 is predominantly Bharadvāja) · The Bharadvājas are renowned for powerful Indra hymns and for shaping the theological-poetic style of Mandala 6, especially praise that links inspired speech (gír, uktha, arka) with Indra’s might and protection.
Famous verses
सं च त्वे जग्मुर्गिर इन्द्र पूर्वीर्वि च त्वद्यन्ति विभ्वो मनीषाः । पुरा नूनं च स्तुतय ऋषीणां पस्पृध्र इन्द्रे अध्युक्थार्का ॥gṛṇanti girvaṇasaṃ
mahati vṛtratūrye
Attributes of the deity
- Vṛtra-slayer (obstruction-breaker)
- Inexhaustible greatness beyond full verbal capture
- Protector (avitā) and increaser (vṛdha)
- Delights in hymns and inspired speech (girvaṇas)
- Bestower of strength, victory, and well-being (śam)
Also by this seer
- Large portions of Rig Veda Mandala 6 attributed to Bharadvāja seers
- Notable Indra praises across RV 6 (e.g., Indra-centered sūktas in the Bharadvāja collection)
- Hymns to Agni and other deities within Mandala 6 in the Bharadvāja corpus
The rite, step by step
- Ācamana and saṅkalpa: state the intention for protection, strength, and removal of obstacles (vṛtra-bheda as inner/outer).
- Kindle/attend the sacred fire (or inner agni through breath and attention) and begin with a brief Indra-dhyāna.
- Recite RV 6.34 in Trishtubh cadence, emphasizing the movement of praise ‘into’ Indra and inspiration ‘from’ Indra (as in 6.34.1).
- Offer oblations with Indra’s names and epithets (girvaṇas, vṛtrahan, avitā, vṛdha), optionally repeating a chosen key verse.
- Conclude with a śānti-prārthanā: seek śam (well-being/peace) and vṛddhi (increase), aligning with the hymn’s closing aspiration.
Offerings
- Soma (where ritually appropriate) or Soma-substitute
- Ghee (ājya) into Agni as Indra’s share in the yajña
- Milk/curds and grains (anna) as strength-invoking offerings
- Water libation symbolizing the released waters after Vṛtra’s breaking
Frequently Asked Questions
It says Indra is so vast that words and thoughts can never exhaust him, yet praise continually rises to him. By remembering his victory over Vṛtra, the hymn asks for strength, protection, and increase in life.
It presents Indra as both the receiver of devotion and the source of inspired intelligence. Worship (praise) connects the human mind to a larger power that expands insight and effectiveness.
It can be recited as an Indra-stuti before difficult tasks or when facing obstacles, to cultivate courage and clarity. In a ritual setting, it pairs well with simple offerings like ghee and a closing prayer for well-being (śam) and growth (vṛddhi).
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