Sukta 72
Sukta 6.72
Bharadvāja Bārhaspatya (traditional for Mandala 6); hymn to Indra-Soma
Triṣṭubh (probable; typical for heroic Indra hymns and cadence here)
This brief Triṣṭubh hymn praises the paired powers Indra and Soma as primordial makers who reveal the Sun and strike down inner and outer darkness. It recalls their heroic deed of slaying Vṛtra and releasing the waters, widening the rivers and seas. The hymn finally turns that cosmic victory into a human boon—granting rescuing strength, manly vigor, and battle-winning power for the people.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
इन्द्रासोमा महि तद्वां महित्वं युवं महानि प्रथमानि चक्रथुः । युवं सूर्यं विविदथुर्युवं स्वर्विश्वा तमांस्यहतं निदश्च ॥
इंद्र और सोम, तुम दोनों बहुत बड़े हो। तुमने पहले-पहले बड़े काम किए। तुमने सूरज को ढूँढ़ निकाला, तुमने ही उजाला दिया। तुमने अंधेरा और बुरी बातें सब मिटा दी।
Mantra 2
इन्द्रासोमा वासयथ उषासमुत्सूर्यं नयथो ज्योतिषा सह । उप द्यां स्कम्भथुः स्कम्भनेनाप्रथतं पृथिवीं मातरं वि ॥
इंद्र और सोम, तुम सुबह को चमकाते हो और सूरज को उजाले के साथ लाते हो। तुम आसमान को पकड़े रखते हो, गिरने नहीं देते। तुम धरती माँ को फैला के बड़ा बना देते हो।
Mantra 3
इन्द्रासोमावहिमपः परिष्ठां हथो वृत्रमनु वां द्यौरमन्यत । प्रार्णांस्यैरयतं नदीनामा समुद्राणि पप्रथुः पुरूणि ॥
इंद्र और सोम, तुमने उस बड़े साँप को मारा जो पानी को रोक के रखता था। आसमान ने भी तुम्हारा काम देख लिया। तुमने नदियों का पानी बहाया, समुंदर को भी फैला दिया।
Mantra 4
इन्द्रासोमा पक्वमामास्वन्तर्नि गवामिद्दधथुर्वक्षणासु । जगृभथुरनपिनद्धमासु रुशच्चित्रासु जगतीष्वन्तः ॥
इंद्र और सोम मिल के काम करते हैं। कच्चे में पक्का बना देते हैं। गाइयों को उनके बाँध में रख देते हैं। जो भी बाँधा नहीं गया था, उसको पकड़ लिया। रंग-बिरंगी दुनिया में चमकते हुए।
Mantra 5
इन्द्रासोमा युवमङ्ग तरुत्रमपत्यसाचं श्रुत्यं रराथे । युवं शुष्मं नर्यं चर्षणिभ्यः सं विव्यथुः पृतनाषाहमुग्रा ॥
इंद्र और सोम ने ताकत दी। मुश्किल वक्त में बचाने वाली ताकत। आगे की बात जीत ली। लोगों के लिए ताकत फैला दी। युद्ध में दुश्मन पर जीत पाने वाली ताकत।
Inside Sukta 72
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
Begins by proclaiming the vast greatness of Indra and Soma and their primordial ‘first mighty works,’ including the discovery of the Sun and Svar and the striking down of darkness.
- Development
Moves from cosmic illumination to mythic action: the slaying of the serpent/obstructor who enclosed the waters, acknowledged even by heaven, and the setting of rivers and seas in motion.
- Climax
The Vṛtra/ahi victory and the release of waters—an image of the decisive breakthrough that restores the world’s flow and abundance.
- Where it settles
Applies the divine feat to human life: Indra–Soma grant rescuing strength, future-winning support, and manly, battle-conquering power to the peoples.
The deity: Indra–Soma
- In the VedaTogether they are lauded as joint agents of the first great deeds—revealing light, releasing waters, and crushing obstruction and hostile forces.
- Cosmic functionThey break the bonds of confinement (Vṛtra/ahi), set the waters and rivers flowing, and establish light (Sun/Svar) as an ordered, life-giving cosmos.
- Inner significanceIndra–Soma symbolize awakened force plus inspired rapture: decisive courage (Indra) fueled by luminous vitality and clarity (Soma). Psychologically, they conquer tamas (darkness, inertia) and ‘nid’ (hostile inner cry/negation), restoring energy, confidence, and forward movement.
The seer
- Bharadvāja BārhaspatyaBharadvāja gotra; Bārhaspatya (linked to Bṛhaspati) · Foremost seer of Maṇḍala 6, celebrated for hymns of inspired speech and victorious power, especially to Indra and allied deities.
Famous verses
इन्द्रासोमा महि तद्वां महित्वं युवं महानि प्रथमानि चक्रथुः । युवं सूर्यं विविदथुर्युवं स्वर्विश्वा तमांस्यहतं निदश्च ॥इन्द्रासोमावहिमपः परिष्ठां हथो वृत्रमनु वां द्यौरमन्यत । प्रार्णांस्यैरयतं नदीनामा समुद्राणि पप्रथुः पुरूणि ॥इन्द्रासोमा युवमङ्ग तरुत्रमपत्यसाचं श्रुत्यं रराथे । युवं शुष्मं नर्यं चर्षणिभ्यः सं विव्यथुः पृतनाषाहमुग्रा ॥Attributes of the deity
- Vṛtra-slaying power
- Releasers of waters and life-currents
- Revealers of Sun and Svar (luminous realm)
- Battle-winning might and protection
- Inspiration, exhilaration, and strengthening through Soma
- Dispellers of darkness and hostile forces
Also by this seer
- Primary authorship/traditional association with much of Rig Veda Maṇḍala 6
- Numerous Indra hymns emphasizing Vṛtra-slaying and protection
- Hymns to Agni and other deities in Maṇḍala 6 reflecting Bharadvāja’s priestly lineage
The rite, step by step
- Prepare the altar and kindle Agni; establish ritual order (ṛta) with introductory recitations.
- Press Soma (abhisava), filter and mix according to rite; prepare the Indra–Soma offering.
- Recite the sukta as stotra/śastra-style praise while inviting Indra–Soma to partake.
- Offer Soma libations with accompanying ghee oblations into the fire; request release of ‘waters’ (prosperity/flow) and victory.
- Conclude with blessings for strength, rescue, and communal well-being (kṣema) and protection in conflict.
Offerings
- Soma juice (primary)
- Ghee/clarified butter
- Optional cakes/oblations customary to Indra in Soma rites
Frequently Asked Questions
They are praised as a paired power: Indra as the decisive warrior who breaks obstruction, and Soma as the sacred energizing force that strengthens gods and inspires clarity.
On the surface it recalls the myth of defeating Vṛtra who held back the waters; symbolically it means removing blockages so life, prosperity, and inner energy can flow again.
It presents Indra–Soma as revealers of light and higher radiance—dispelling darkness in the world and within the person, which supports courage, order, and right action.
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