Rig Veda 6.41.2: Mandala 6, Sukta 41, Mantra 2
Sukta 6.41
- Rishi
- Bharadvāja Bārhaspatya
- Devata
- Indra
- Chandas
- Triṣṭubh
- Rasa
- Vira (heroism) and Adbhuta (wonder)
या ते काकुत्सुकृता या वरिष्ठा यया शश्वत्पिबसि मध्व ऊर्मिम् । तया पाहि प्र ते अध्वर्युरस्थात्सं ते वज्रो वर्ततामिन्द्र गव्युः ॥
yā́ te kākút su-kṛtā́ yā́ váriṣṭhā yayā́ śáśvat píbasi mádhva ū́rmim | táyā pāhi prá te adhvaryúr asthāt sáṃ te vájro vartatām indra gavyúḥ ||
इंद्र, तुम्हारी जो बड़ी ताकत है, जिससे तुम हमेशा मध का रस पीते हो, उस्से हमारी रक्षा करो। पुरोहित तुम्हारे लिए तैयार है। तुम्हारा वज्र चमक रहा है, उस्से हमे रोशनी और ताकत दो।
Word by Word
- या
- which (she/that)Pronounस्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole KartāRoot यद् (sarvanāma-prātipadika) स्त्री-
- ते
- of you/yourPronounषष्ठी, एकवचन (enclitic)Role SambandhaRoot युष्मद् (sarvanāma)
- काकुत्सु
- O Kākutsu (epithet)Noun (proper/epithet)पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन/प्रथमा, एकवचन (addressing Indra)Role SambodhanaRoot काकुत्सु (prātipadika; epithet/name)
- कृता
- made, preparedParticiple (past passive)स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole KartāRoot कृ (dhātu) → कृत (PPP)
- या
- whichPronounस्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole KartāRoot यद् (sarvanāma-prātipadika) स्त्री-
- वरिष्ठा
- best, most excellentAdjectiveस्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole ViśeṣaṇaRoot वृ (वरणे) / वर (prātipadika) + -इष्ठ (superlative)
- यया
- by whichPronounस्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचनRole KaraṇaRoot यद् (sarvanāma-prātipadika) स्त्री-
- शश्वत्
- always, continuallyIndeclinableअव्ययRole Adhikaraṇa (काल)Root शश्वत् (avyaya-prātipadika)
- पिबसि
- you drinkVerbलट् (वर्तमान), परस्मैपद, मध्यमपुरुष, एकवचनRole KriyāRoot पा (पाने)
- मध्वः
- of honey/sweet drink (soma)Nounनपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचनRole SambandhaRoot मधु (prātipadika)
- ऊर्मिम्
- wave, surgeNounपुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचनRole KarmaRoot ऊर्मि (prātipadika)
- तया
- with that (by that)Pronounस्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचनRole KaraṇaRoot तद् (sarvanāma-prātipadika) स्त्री-
- पाहि
- protect!Verbलोट् (आज्ञार्थ), परस्मैपद, मध्यमपुरुष, एकवचनRole KriyāRoot पा (पालने/पाने; here ‘protect/guard’)
- प्र
- forth, forwardIndeclinableअव्ययRole UpasargaRoot प्र (upasarga/avyaya)
- ते
- for you/to youPronounचतुर्थी, एकवचन (enclitic)Role SampradānaRoot युष्मद् (sarvanāma)
- अध्वर्युः
- the Adhvaryu priestNounपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole KartāRoot अध्वर्यु (prātipadika)
- अस्थात्
- has stood/stepped forthVerbलुङ् (अorist), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचनRole KriyāRoot स्था (तिष्ठति)
- सम्
- together, completelyIndeclinableअव्ययRole UpasargaRoot सम् (upasarga/avyaya)
- ते
- yourPronounषष्ठी, एकवचन (enclitic)Role SambandhaRoot युष्मद् (sarvanāma)
- वज्रः
- the thunderboltNounपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole KartāRoot वज्र (prātipadika)
- वर्तताम्
- let it turn/roll, let it be set in motionVerbलोट् (आज्ञार्थ), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचनRole KriyāRoot वृत् (वर्तने)
- इन्द्र
- O IndraNoun (proper)पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचनRole SambodhanaRoot इन्द्र (prātipadika)
- गव्युः
- cow-seeking, seeking cattle (as booty)Adjective/Nounपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole ViśeṣaṇaRoot गव्यु (prātipadika; ‘seeking cows’)
Sandhi Notes
- पदच्छेद (RV-style): या ते काकुत्सु-कृता या वरिष्ठा | यया शश्वत् पिबसि मध्वः ऊर्मिम् || तया पाहि | प्र ते अध्वर्युः अस्थात् | सम् ते वज्रः वर्तताम् इन्द्र गव्युः || प्रमुख सन्धि: (1) काकुत्सुकृता = काकुत्सु + कृता (समास/सन्निकर्ष)
- (2) शश्वत्पिबसि = शश्वत् + पिबसि (त् + प् → त्प्)
- (3) मध्व ऊर्मिम् = मध्वः + ऊर्मिम् (विसर्ग-लोप/विकार before vowel; RV orthography writes मध्व)
- (4) ते अध्वर्युरस्थात् = ते + अध्वर्युः + अस्थात् (उः + अ → उर् + अ; orthographic: अध्वर्युर-)
- (5) वर्ततामिन्द्र = वर्तताम् + इन्द्र (म् + इ → मिन्द्र)
The meaning
Outer meaning
By Indra’s well-made, excellent ‘uplift’ (kākut), by which he drinks the wave of sweetness, he should protect the worshippers. The Adhvaryu stands ready; Indra’s vajra should turn toward the quest for cattle (gavyu).
Inner meaning
The kākut—Indra’s ‘well-made elevation/uplift’—is the poised upward surge of consciousness by which the illumined mind continually drinks the honey-wave of Soma (madhva ūrmim): the rising tide of delight that carries truth. By that same uplifted power, Indra is asked to protect the seeker. The Adhvaryu ‘stands forth’ as the disciplined will/operative priest in us ready for offering and right action. The vajra is prayed to turn wholly toward gavyu—not literal cattle, but the quest of the rays: the recovery of lost illuminations and knowledges from the cave of obscurity.
Universal truth
The same uplift that lets consciousness taste deep joy can be turned into protection and effective action; disciplined will enables illumination to strike at ignorance and recover hidden knowledge.
Themes
protection through delight-force, vajra as focused will, seeking the cows (light), ritual-executive will (adhvaryu)
The seer
- Rishi
- Bharadvāja Bārhaspatya
- Lineage
- Bharadvāja
- Other hymns
- Rig Veda 6.41.1, Rig Veda 6.40.3
Family tradition
Bharadvāja’s line integrates mantra (brahman), will (adhvaryu/Agni), and illumined force (Indra) to recover the ‘cows’ (rays) and establish victorious knowledge.
Significance
This verse is a compact yoga-instruction: assume the right uplift (kākut), drink the delight-wave, stand in disciplined will, and direct the thunderbolt toward the recovery of light.
The deity
- Devata
- Indra
- Epithets
- Vajrin, Somapā, Gavyu (seeker of the rays)
- Related deities
- Soma, Agni, Brihaspati, Maruts
Cosmic role
Drinker of Soma who gains force; wielder of vajra to release the hidden lights (go) and establish victory over obstruction.
Inner power
Uplifted poise of consciousness plus penetrating discernment-force; protection through illumination.
In ritual
Where it is used
Indra-Soma rite; the mention of Adhvaryu points to active Soma ritual performance and readiness for offering/action.
या ते॑ का॒कुत्सुकृ॑ता॒ या वरि॑ष्ठा॒ यया॒ शश्व॒त्पिब॑सि॒ मध्व॑ ऊ॒र्मिम् । तया॑ पाहि॒ प्र ते॑ अध्व॒र्युर॑स्था॒त्सं ते॒ वज्रो॑ वर्ततामिन्द्र ग॒व्युः ॥
या । ते॒ । का॒कुत् । सुऽकृ॑ता । या । वरि॑ष्ठा । यया॑ । शश्व॑त् । पिब॑सि । मध्वः॑ । ऊ॒र्मिम् । तया॑ । पा॒हि॒ । प्र । ते॒ । अ॒ध्व॒र्युः । अ॒स्था॒त् । सम् । ते॒ । वज्रः॑ । व॒र्त॒ता॒म् । इ॒न्द्र॒ । ग॒व्युः ॥
yā | te | kākut | su-kṛtā | yā | variṣṭhā | yayā | śaśvat | pibasi | madhvaḥ | ūrmim | tayā | pāhi | pra | te | adhvaryuḥ | asthāt | sam | te | vajraḥ | vartatām | indra | gavyuḥ
44
4 pādas × ~11 syllables
Rising-and-striking movement: first half evokes uplift and sweetness-wave; second half pivots to ritual readiness and decisive turning of the vajra.
Creates an inner ‘lift’ followed by a focused, cutting resolve—useful for directing energy toward insight.
- काकुत् (kākut)
- Literal: uplift, raised posture/peak (of power). Symbolic: poised elevation of consciousness; the upsurge that enables higher tasting and victory
- सुकृता (sukṛtā)
- Literal: well-made. Symbolic: rightly formed inner instrument—well-prepared poise
- वरिष्ठा (variṣṭhā)
- Literal: most excellent. Symbolic: supreme mode of uplift—best condition for divine action
- मध्वः ऊर्मिम् (madhvaḥ ūrmim)
- Literal: wave of sweetness. Symbolic: surge of Soma-delight/ānanda in consciousness
- अध्वर्यु: (adhvaryuḥ)
- Literal: the officiating priest. Symbolic: the executive will and right action in the being
- वज्रः (vajraḥ)
- Literal: thunderbolt. Symbolic: penetrating force of illumination that breaks resistance
- गव्युः (gavyuḥ)
- Literal: seeking cows/cattle. Symbolic: seeking rays of knowledge/light (go) hidden by obstruction
Soma rite with active adhvaryu; requests protection and a concentrated turning of Indra’s vajra toward the recovery of light (gavyu).
During Soma offering sequences; when invoking Indra’s protection and victory for obtaining ‘cows’ (boons/wealth, symbolically rays).
Adhvaryu stands by the altar; recitation accompanies offering and the call for Indra’s victorious action.
Use before problem-solving or inner inquiry: establish uplift, access sweetness/joy, then direct sharp discernment toward recovering clarity/knowledge.
kākút is rare; sense ‘uplift/raised posture/impulse’ fits the context of a ‘well-made’ means by which Indra drinks the madhu-wave—psychologically, a perfected upward intensification enabling reception of delight. gavyú from go ‘cow/ray’ + desiderative/agentive nuance: ‘seeking the cows’—in Vedic symbolism, seeking the rays of knowledge. vajra ‘thunderbolt’ is the concentrated decisive force that breaks the covering and releases light.
uplift (kākut) as upward intensification, madhu (delight) as sustaining essence, recovery of rays (gavyu)
Sukṛtā/variṣṭhā imply right formation—ṛta as correct arrangement of forces enabling divine action.
Go (rays) as satya-knowledge recovered; vajra as satya’s cutting edge against falsehood/covering.
From delight to form: Soma-wave empowers Indra; then illumination acts to bring hidden truths into manifestation.
Vedic symbolic psychology: delight (Soma) feeds luminous force (Indra) which releases knowledge (go) through decisive action (vajra).
unspecified
unspecified
Wave = rising energetic current of joy; thunderbolt = concentrated insight-force; cows = rays/knowledges returning to consciousness; uplift = inner posture enabling reception.
- What is the primary Vedic 'mythologem' present in this verse?
- The mythologem is the ‘cow-seeking’ action empowered by Indra’s vajra: the thunderbolt turns toward the recovery of the luminous herds. Innerly, the perfected uplift that allows Indra to drink delight becomes the means of protection, while the concentrated will-force strikes toward releasing rays of knowledge from concealment.
- How does the linguistic structure reflect Proto-Indo-European roots?
- su-kṛtā (well-made) from √kṛ (PIE *kwer-/*kʷer- ‘do/make’ in broad IE morphology) shows the archaic valuation of ‘well-fashioned’ power. The ‘cow-seeking’ formula parallels IE cattle-raid mythic patterns, but Vedic consistently elevates it into a light-recovery paradigm.
- What is the relationship between the Rishi and the Devata here?
- The rishi links ritual exactitude (adhvaryu standing forth) with divine action: human executive will prepares the offering, and Indra is asked to respond by turning his decisive force toward illumination. Protection is requested not as passive shelter but as active victory in the search for light.
Assume the ‘uplift’ (kākut) as an inner posture; taste a subtle sweetness; then direct a concentrated beam of discernment to recover hidden knowledge.
Ajna (vajra-like focus) with Sahasrara/upper field (uplift)
Inhale lifting the inner posture (spine/attention up), exhale sending a focused ‘vajra’ line into the question/obstacle; keep breath smooth, not forceful.
Elevated, bliss-touched, then sharply lucid and goal-directed.
Chant once; feel a gentle rise at crown; allow a sweetness in the heart; then choose one obscurity (confusion, habit) and apply steady discerning attention until a ‘ray’ of understanding emerges.
Give a gentle lift to ‘yā te kākut sukṛtā’ to mirror uplift; sustain ‘madhva ūrmim’; sharpen articulation on ‘vajro vartatām’ to convey decisive turning.
Two-phase delivery: (1) elevated, flowing tone through sweetness-wave; (2) firmer, more percussive tone on Adhvaryu/vajra lines.
: ‘kā-kut’ (long ā), : ‘su-kṛ-tā’ with vocalic ṛ, : ‘va-riṣ-ṭhā’ retroflex ṣṭh, : long ū—‘ūr-mim’, : ‘adh-var-yu’ clear dhv cluster, : ‘var-ta-tām’ long ā
Bright, uplifted first half; decisive, vajra-like clarity in second half.
3
Ask anything about this verse
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.
