Sukta 35
Sukta 6.35
Indra
Trishtubh (probable for RV 6.35)
This short Indra-hymn is a sequence of urgent petitions: the poet repeatedly asks “when?” Indra will empower the brahman (inspired word), enrich the stotra/stoma (hymn of praise), and arrive at the sacrificer’s call. It culminates in Indra’s characteristic act—breaking open the closed stronghold—so that the “bright-milking Cow” (image of luminous abundance) does not run dry, and the Angiras-forces within are quickened to bring forth hidden riches.
Mantras
Mantra 1
कदा भुवन्रथक्षयाणि ब्रह्म कदा स्तोत्रे सहस्रपोष्यं दाः । कदा स्तोमं वासयोऽस्य राया कदा धियः करसि वाजरत्नाः ॥
कब तुम हमारी बात को इतना मज़बूत करोगे कि रथ की तरह चले? कब तुम हमारी स्तुति को हज़ार गुना बड़ा करोगे? कब तुम इस गाने को अपनी दौलत से भरा दोगे? कब तुम हमारे सोच को खज़ाना बना दोगे?
Mantra 2
कर्हि स्वित्तदिन्द्र यन्नृभिर्नॄन्वीरैर्वीरान्नीळयासे जयाजीन् । त्रिधातु गा अधि जयासि गोष्विन्द्र द्युम्नं स्वर्वद्धेह्यस्मे ॥
कब होगा यह, इंद्र? जब तुम लोगों के बीच बहादुर लोग रखोगे और जंग जीताओगे? तीन जगह से गायें जीत के, इंद्र, तुम हमारे अंदर चमक डालो। यह चमक आसमान तक पहुंचे।
Mantra 3
कर्हि स्वित्तदिन्द्र यज्जरित्रे विश्वप्सु ब्रह्म कृणवः शविष्ठ । कदा धियो न नियुतो युवासे कदा गोमघा हवनानि गच्छाः ॥
हे इंद्र, कब ऐसा टाइम आएगा जब तुम गाने वाले के लिए सब काम कर दोगे? तुम तो बहुत ताकतवाले हो। कब तुम अपनी ताकत हमारे खयालों के साथ जोड़ोगे? कब तुम हमारी पूजा में आओगे? तुम तो रोशनी वाले हो, बहुत कुछ देने वाले हो।
Mantra 4
स गोमघा जरित्रे अश्वश्चन्द्रा वाजश्रवसो अधि धेहि पृक्षः । पीपिहीषः सुदुघामिन्द्र धेनुं भरद्वाजेषु सुरुचो रुरुच्याः ॥
इंद्र, हमारे अंदर भी वो ताकत डाल दो। गाय जैसी ताकत जो रोशनी लाए, घोड़े जैसी ताकत जो आगे बढ़ाए, और जीत की ताकत। हमें वो दिया दे जो बहुत कुछ देती रहे। भारद्वाज के लोगों में चमक चमक के दिखे।
Mantra 5
तमा नूनं वृजनमन्यथा चिच्छूरो यच्छक्र वि दुरो गृणीषे । मा निररं शुक्रदुघस्य धेनोराङ्गिरसान्ब्रह्मणा विप्र जिन्व ॥
शक्र, तुम बहुत बहादुर हो। तुम बंद कमरे के दरवाज़े तोड़ देते हो, जैसे भी हो। इसलिए हम तुम्हे गाते हैं। वो दिया जो रोशनी देती है, वो कभी सूखी न हो। भगवान, शब्द की ताकत से अंदर की ताकत को जगा दो।
Inside Sukta 35
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
A rapid series of questions—“when?”—asking Indra to stabilize and empower the poet’s word and enrich the hymn with thousandfold increase.
- Development
The requests intensify: make the brahman all-accomplishing, yoke powers to the seer’s thoughts, and come promptly to the calls of worship.
- Climax
Indra’s decisive action is invoked: the hero breaks open the cramped stronghold and its doors, releasing what is held back.
- Where it settles
The poet prays that the luminous abundance (“bright-milking cow”) never fail and that the Angiras powers be quickened by brahman to bring forth hidden splendors.
The deity: Indra
- In the VedaIndra is the mighty wielder of the vajra, the heroic drinker of soma, champion of the Arya, and breaker of forts who releases the waters, light, and wealth for the worshipper.
- Cosmic functionHe embodies victorious force that overcomes obstruction (vṛtra/fortress imagery), restores flow (waters, rays, nourishment), and secures increase—cattle, horses, and strength—for the ritual patron.
- Inner significanceIndra signifies the awakened will and courageous energy that breaks inner blockages, makes thought effective, and turns aspiration (prayer/hymn) into tangible power and abundance.
The seer
- Bharadvāja BārhaspatyaBharadvāja-gotra (Āṅgirasa / Bārhaspatya line) · A principal seer of Mandala 6, renowned for powerful Indra and Agni hymns and for linking inspired speech (brahman) with victory, release, and prosperity.
Famous verses
kadā… (repeated ‘When wilt thou…?’)
कर्हि स्वित्तदिन्द्र यज्जरित्रे विश्वप्सु ब्रह्म कृणवः शविष्ठ । कदा धियो न नियुतो युवासे कदा गोमघा हवनानि गच्छाः ॥śukradughasya dhenoḥ (the bright-milking cow)
Attributes of the deity
- Vajra-bearer (thunder/force)
- Soma-delighted
- Fort-breaker and obstacle-slayer
- Giver of wealth (rāyaḥ), cattle, and victory
- Swift responder to invocation (havana)
- Empowerer of brahman (inspired word)
Also by this seer
- Rig Veda Mandala 6 (many sūktas attributed to the Bharadvāja family)
- Prominent hymns to Agni, Indra, and the Maruts within RV 6
- Associated in later tradition with the Bharadvāja lineage influential in Vedic ritual and transmission
The rite, step by step
- Prepare the altar/fire and establish the intention: increase of hymn, wealth, and effective inspiration (brahman).
- Recite/chant the hymn in Triṣṭubh cadence, emphasizing the repeated interrogative ‘kadā’ as a pressing summons.
- Offer soma (or its substitute) and ghee while inviting Indra to ‘come to the invocations’ (havanāni).
- Conclude with a request for the opening of ‘doors’/strongholds and for the unfailing flow of the ‘bright-yielding cow’ (abundance/light).
Offerings
- Soma (where applicable)
- Ghee (ājya)
- Oblations with praise (stotra/stoma)
- Optional: milk/curds as symbolic support of the ‘cow of plenty’ imagery
Frequently Asked Questions
The repeated “kadā” is a deliberate summons. It expresses urgency and confidence that Indra’s help is near: he should empower the prayer, enrich the hymn, and arrive quickly to the sacrifice.
In this context brahman means the inspired, effective sacred word. The poet asks Indra to make the chant and the seer’s intention powerful enough to achieve results—victory, release, and increase.
It is an image for unfailing luminous abundance—light, nourishment, and prosperity. The hymn prays that this source should not ‘run dry’ and that hidden riches be brought out by awakened Angiras power.
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