Sukta 39
Sukta 6.39
likely Triṣṭubh (not verified from input alone)
This short hymn praises Indra (with a Soma/Indu radiance overlay) as the ancient king who kindles inspired speech, illumines the cycles of night and dawn, and empowers the seer’s hymn. It petitions him to increase divine “iṣaḥ” (impulses of plenty and inspiration), and to set in motion life-supporting forces—waters, healing plants, fertile woods, cattle-light, horses, and human strength—for the worshipper’s prosperity and right utterance.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
मन्द्रस्य कवेर्दिव्यस्य वह्नेर्विप्रमन्मनो वचनस्य मध्वः । अपा नस्तस्य सचनस्य देवेषो युवस्व गृणते गोअग्राः ॥
हे भगवान, उस रिशि की बातों को हमारे लिए बनाओ। वो रिशि जो भगवान का काम करता है, उसकी बातें मधुर हैं और उसका मन रोशनी से भरा है। जो लोग गाते हैं, उनके लिए उसके साथ की शक्ति बढ़ाओ। रोशनी आगे चलती है।
Mantra 2
अयमुशानः पर्यद्रिमुस्रा ऋतधीतिभिॠतयुग्युजानः । रुजदरुग्णं वि वलस्य सानुं पणीँर्वचोभिरभि योधदिन्द्रः ॥
इंद्र ने सच्चाई को अपना साथी बनाया। उसने पत्थर के आस-पास चलके रोशनी निकाली। उसने वल की दीवार तोड़ दी जो कभी नहीं टूटी थी। अपनी बात की शक्ति से उसने दुश्मनों से लड़ाई की।
Mantra 3
अयं द्योतयदद्युतो व्यक्तून्दोषा वस्तोः शरद इन्दुरिन्द्र । इमं केतुमदधुर्नू चिदह्नां शुचिजन्मन उषसश्चकार ॥
यह चमकता हुआ इंद्र रात को रोशनी देता है। रात और सवेरा और मौसम सब को उजाला करता है। दिन लोगों ने इसको एक चिराग की तरह जगह पे लगा दिया। सवेरा, जो साफ पैदा हुआ, इसने यह बनाया है।
Mantra 4
अयं रोचयदरुचो रुचानोऽयं वासयद्व्यृतेन पूर्वीः । अयमीयत ऋतयुग्भिरश्वैः स्वर्विदा नाभिना चर्षणिप्राः ॥
वो चमकता है और जहाँ रोशनी नहीं है वहाँ भी रोशनी ला देता है। सच्चाई के साथ वो पुरानी दुनिया को फैला देता है। वो सच्चाई के घोड़े जोड़ के चलता है। वो स्वर को ढूँढ लेता है और लोगों को आगे बढ़ा देता है।
Mantra 5
नू गृणानो गृणते प्रत्न राजन्निषः पिन्व वसुदेयाय पूर्वीः । अप ओषधीरविषा वनानि गा अर्वतो नॄनृचसे रिरीहि ॥
अब जब लोग गा रहे हैं तो पुराने राजा, तू अपनी शक्ति को बढ़ा। जितनी भी नदियाँ हैं उनमें पानी भर दे। पानी, दवाई वाले पौधे और जंगल सब को चला दे। गाय, घोड़े और लोगों की शक्ति को जगा दे।
Inside Sukta 39
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
A plea to the ‘deva’ to foster the seer’s honeyed, luminous speech and the powers born of divine companionship.
- Development
Indra is then envisioned in radiant, soma-like terms as the illuminator of night, dawn, and seasons—establishing him as the cosmic awakener of light and order.
- Climax
The hymn peaks in the direct royal petition: Indra, praised now, should swell the primal streams of inspiration and abundance for the generous patron.
- Where it settles
It closes by asking Indra to set all sustaining forces in motion—waters, healing plants, fertile woods, cattle-light, horses, and human capacities—so the seer’s chant becomes effective and fruitful.
The deity: Indra
- Cosmic functionChampion of ṛta in the human world: he releases and mobilizes vital resources (waters, fertility, strength), supports the dawn-cycle of light, and grants victory, wealth, and effective prayer.
- Inner significanceThe awakening power of consciousness and courage that turns inner darkness into clarity; the force that makes speech truthful and potent, and converts devotion into practical energy, healing, and growth.
The seer
- Bharadvāja Bārhaspatya (traditional attribution; some uncertainty in transmission)Bharadvāja gotra; Āṅgirasa/Bārhaspatya affiliation in the Anukramaṇī tradition · A principal seer-family of Maṇḍala 6, renowned for powerful Indra hymns and for linking inspired word (vāc) with divine force and victory.
Famous verses
मन्द्रस्य कवेर्दिव्यस्य वह्नेर्विप्रमन्मनो वचनस्य मध्वः । अपा नस्तस्य सचनस्य देवेषो युवस्व गृणते गोअग्राः ॥अयं द्योतयदद्युतो व्यक्तून्दोषा वस्तोः शरद इन्दुरिन्द्र । इमं केतुमदधुर्नू चिदह्नां शुचिजन्मन उषसश्चकार ॥pratna rājann
Attributes of the deity
- ancient king (pratna rājā)
- giver of iṣaḥ (inspiration/plenty)
- illuminer and awakener
- protector of the singer
- mobilizer of waters and fertility
- associated with Soma’s radiance (Indu)
Also by this seer
- Rig Veda Maṇḍala 6 (many sūktas traditionally attributed to Bharadvāja seers)
- Later Vedic memory associates the Bharadvāja line with priestly learning and ritual expertise (hotṛ/ṛṣi roles)
The rite, step by step
- Prepare the altar and kindle Agni; establish a focused intention for inspiration (iṣ) and prosperity.
- Recite the hymn as stotra/śastra-style praise, emphasizing the ‘honeyed word’ and luminous mind of the seer’s speech.
- Make offerings to Indra (and Soma where appropriate), requesting increase of powers for the praising singer.
- Conclude with petitions for the stirring of waters, plants, woods, cattle, horses, and human strength—framing them as supports for right chant and well-being.
Offerings
- Soma (where performed in soma context)
- Clarified butter (ghṛta)
- Oblations of milk/curds or simple havis (regional/śrauta variation)
Frequently Asked Questions
Indra is the main deity. One verse also addresses him with ‘Indu’ (Soma) imagery, highlighting his radiant, awakening power.
It asks for increased inspiration and effective speech, along with prosperity expressed as waters, healing plants, fertile growth, cattle, horses, and human strength.
To portray Indra as a cosmic illuminator who sets a beacon of light in the rhythm of time—helping both the world and the worshipper move from darkness to clarity and growth.
Ask anything about Sukta 39 of the Rig Veda
Answers come straight from the texts, with the shlokas they draw on. Ask in your own words.
A free sign-in with Google or Apple keeps your chat saved across web and the app.
Read Rig Veda in the Vedapath app
Scan the QR code to open this directly in the app, with word-by-word meanings, Sanskrit recitation where available, and more.
