Sukta 38
Sukta 6.38
likely Triṣṭubh (not verified from input alone)
This brief Indra-hymn raises a luminous “indra-hūti” (invocation/call to Indra), asking the god to carry the people’s inspired thought and win for them gifts and protection. It praises Indra as ancient-born and ageless, the focus in whom mantra (brahman) and song (giraḥ) cohere, and culminates in an urgent invitation for aid in the battles against Vṛtra, the cosmic “Coverer.”
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
अपादित उदु नश्चित्रतमो महीं भर्षद्द्युमतीमिन्द्रहूतिम् । पन्यसीं धीतिं दैव्यस्य यामञ्जनस्य रातिं वनते सुदानुः ॥
यहाँ से ऊपर उठ के वो हमारे लिए इंद्र को बुला ले। यह बुलाना बहुत बड़ा और चमकदार है। इससे एक अच्छा खयाल आता है। भगवान की तरफ से लोगों के लिए तोहफा मिलता है। वो अच्छे से देता है।
Mantra 2
दूराच्चिदा वसतो अस्य कर्णा घोषादिन्द्रस्य तन्यति ब्रुवाणः । एयमेनं देवहूतिर्ववृत्यान्मद्र्यगिन्द्रमियमृच्यमाना ॥
वो कितना भी दूर हो, उसके कान हमारी आवाज़ सुनते हैं। जब लोग इंद्र का नाम लेते हैं तो आवाज़ पहुँचती है। यह प्रार्थना उसे हमारे पास लाती है। यह मंत्र जब पढ़ा जाता है, इंद्र सही दिशा में आता है।
Mantra 3
तं वो धिया परमया पुराजामजरमिन्द्रमभ्यनूष्यर्कैः । ब्रह्मा च गिरो दधिरे समस्मिन्महाँश्च स्तोमो अधि वर्धदिन्द्रे ॥
हम सब मिलकर इंद्र को पुकारते हैं। वो पुराना है, पर कभी बूढ़ा नहीं होता। हम अपनी सबसे बड़ी सोच से उसके पास जाते हैं, अपने गानों से। उसमें ही ब्रह्मा और सब शब्द बैठे हैं। इंद्र के लिए एक बड़ा स्तोत्र बन रहा है।
Mantra 4
वर्धाद्यं यज्ञ उत सोम इन्द्रं वर्धाद्ब्रह्म गिर उक्था च मन्म । वर्धाहैनमुषसो यामन्नक्तोर्वर्धान्मासाः शरदो द्याव इन्द्रम् ॥
यज्ञ और सोम दोनों इंद्र को बड़ा देते हैं। ब्रह्मा और शब्द और गान भी उसको बढ़ा देते हैं। सुबह की रोशनी और रात की अंधेरी भी उसको बढ़ा देती है। महीने और मौसम और आसमान सब इंद्र को शक्ति देते हैं।
Mantra 5
एवा जज्ञानं सहसे असामि वावृधानं राधसे च श्रुताय । महामुग्रमवसे विप्र नूनमा विवासेम वृत्रतूर्येषु ॥
मैं उसके पास जाता हूँ जो शक्ति के लिए पैदा हुआ। वो बढ़ता रहता है और हमारी सुनता है। वो बड़ा है, तेज़ है, हमारी रक्षा के लिए। हे रिशि, अब हम उसे अपनी लड़ाई में साथ बुलाते हैं।
Inside Sukta 38
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
A rising, expansive invocation: the poet asks that the vast, luminous indra-hūti be borne upward for the community, joined with delightful inspired thought (dhī).
- Development
Indra is approached with the ‘supreme’ dhī and with hymns; the text emphasizes the convergence of brahman (sacred formulation) and giraḥ (uttered songs) in him, making praise efficacious.
- Climax
Indra is invoked as the great and fierce protector, explicitly summoned for help in vṛtratūrya—struggles against the Coverer/obstructor.
- Where it settles
The hymn ends in confident invitation and dependence: the poet draws Indra near for aid, trusting his growth in power and his readiness to hear and grant plenitude.
The deity: Indra
- Cosmic functionHe is the champion who breaks obstruction (Vṛtra), releases the powers of light and waters, and secures victory and abundance—upholding ṛta by overcoming the forces that constrict life.
- Inner significanceIndra signifies awakened force and courage in the seeker: the capacity to pierce inner inertia and obscuration, to make inspiration (dhī) effective, and to turn prayer into victorious action.
The seer
- Bharadvāja (attribution to the Bharadvāja family)Bharadvāja-gotra (Book 6 tradition) · The Bharadvājas are the principal poet-priest lineage of Rig Veda Maṇḍala 6, noted for powerful Indra and Agni hymns and for articulating the link between inspired vision (dhī), sacred formulation (brahman), and effective praise (stoma).
Famous verses
indrahūtim (इन्द्रहूतिम्)brahmā ca giro dadhire sam asmin (ब्रह्मा च गिरो दधिरे समस्मिन्)ā vivāsema vṛtratūryeṣu (आ विवासेम वृत्रतूर्येषु)Attributes of the deity
- Vṛtra-slayer (obstruction-breaker)
- Luminous and wondrous (dyumat, citratama)
- Ancient-born yet ageless (purājā, ajara)
- Giver of gifts and increase (sudānu, vāvṛdhāna)
- Protector in conflict (avase, vṛtratūryeṣu)
Also by this seer
- Rig Veda Maṇḍala 6 (many sūktas traditionally ascribed to Bharadvāja and his descendants)
- Prominent Indra-stutis and Agni hymns within Book 6
- Later Vedic memory associates Bharadvāja with priestly learning and transmission of mantra (general tradition)
The rite, step by step
- Prepare the ritual space and kindle Agni; establish attentive silence and intention.
- Recite/chant the hymn as an indra-hūti, explicitly ‘raising’ the call and the dhī (inspired thought).
- Offer oblations while affirming that brahman and giraḥ are ‘set together’ in Indra (mantra + song).
- Make a direct request for rāti (boons) and avas (protection), especially for overcoming Vṛtra-like obstacles.
- Conclude with an invitation (ā vivāsema) drawing Indra near for aid and victory.
Offerings
- Ghee (ājya) into the fire
- Soma (where applicable, as Indra’s primary drink)
- Grain-cakes or simple food offerings (context-dependent)
- Water/clarified butter libations accompanied by praise
Frequently Asked Questions
It raises a strong call to Indra and asks him to bring gifts, protection, and success—especially victory over obstructing forces symbolized by Vṛtra.
It highlights that inspired insight (dhī), sacred formulation (brahman), and praise-hymn (stoma) work together; when aligned, they make the invocation effective and draw Indra’s help.
No. While it can be used for victory and protection in worldly struggles, Vṛtra also represents inner blockage—fear, inertia, and confusion—so the hymn is equally about breaking inner obstruction through awakened strength (Indra).
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