Rig Veda 7.28.3: Mandala 7, Sukta 28, Mantra 3
Sukta 7.28
- Rishi
- Vasiṣṭha
- Devata
- Indra
- Chandas
- Triṣṭubh
- Rasa
- Vira (heroism) and Adbhuta (wonder)
तव प्रणीतीन्द्र जोहुवानान्त्सं यन्नॄन्न रोदसी निनेथ । महे क्षत्राय शवसे हि जज्ञेऽतूतुजिं चित्तूतुजिरशिश्नत् ॥
tavá praṇī́tīndra jóhuvānāntsáṃ yán nṝ́n ná rodasī́ ninétha | mahé kṣatrā́ya śávase hí jajñé atū́tujim cit tū́tujiḥ aśiśnat ||
इंद्र, जब लोग तुम्हे पूरे दिल से पुकारते हैं, तुम उन्हे एक साथ ला देते हो। जैसे कोई दोनों दुनिया में लोगों को खींच के ला दे। तुम बड़े राज के लिए पैदा हुए हो, तुम्हारी ताकत बड़ी है। तुम जिसे चाहो उसे चला देते हो, जैसे कोई इंजन हो। तुम सबको आगे बढ़ाते हो।
Word by Word
- तव
- of you / yourPronounषष्ठी (gen.), एकवचनRole सम्बन्ध (genitival relation)Root त्वद्- (युष्मद्-प्रातिपदिक)
- प्रणीती
- (your) leading, guidanceNounस्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचनRole कर्तृ/हेतु-भाव (as ‘guidance/leading’ as cause/agency)Root प्र-नी- (धातु √नी ‘नेतुम्’) → प्रणीति-
- इन्द्र
- O IndraNoun (vocative)पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन एकवचनRole सम्बोधनRoot इन्द्र-
- जोहुवानान्
- (the) repeatedly invoking (men)Participle (present, intensive) used adjectivallyपुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया बहुवचन (agreeing with नॄन्)Role कर्म (qualifier of the object ‘men’)Root √ह्वे (ह्वयति ‘to call, invoke’) with intensive/reduplicated stem jo-hu- + kṛdanta
- सम्
- together, completelyIndeclinable (preverb)Root सम्- (उपसर्ग/अव्यय)
- यत्
- which / whatRelative pronounनपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया एकवचन (correlative to तत् implied)Role कर्म (object of निनेथ in relative clause)Root यद्-
- नॄन्
- menNounपुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया बहुवचनRole कर्मRoot नृ-
- न
- like, asIndeclinableRoot न (उपमा-अव्यय)
- रोदसी
- the two worlds (Heaven and Earth)Noun (dual)स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया/प्रथमा द्विवचन (here: द्वितीया as comparison-object)Role कर्म/उपमान (object of comparison)Root रोदसी- (द्विवचन-शब्द; ‘heaven-and-earth’)
- निनेथ
- you have led / guidedVerbलिट् (perfect), मध्यमपुरुष, एकवचनRole कर्तृ (implicit ‘you’, Indra)Root नि-√नी (धातु √नी ‘to lead’)
- महे
- for the great (end)Adjective (used substantively) / dative formपुं/नपुंसक, चतुर्थी एकवचनRole सम्प्रदानRoot महत्-
- क्षत्राय
- for dominion / sovereigntyNounनपुंसकलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी एकवचनRole सम्प्रदानRoot क्षत्र-
- शवसे
- for strength, mightNounनपुंसकलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी एकवचनRole सम्प्रदानRoot शवस्-
- हि
- indeed, forIndeclinableRoot हि (निपात)
- जज्ञे
- was born / has been bornVerbलिट् (perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचनRole कर्तृ (subject: Indra implied)Root √जन् (to be born)
- अतूतुजिम्
- the un-impellable / unshakableAdjectiveपुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया एकवचनRole कर्म (object/attribute in apposition)Root अ- + तूतुजि- (intensive noun/adj. from √तुज् ‘to push, impel, smite’)
- चित्
- evenIndeclinableRoot चित् (निपात)
- तूतुजिः
- the impeller / smiterNoun/Adjectiveपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचनRole कर्तृ (subject of अशिश्नत्)Root तूतुजि- (intensive from √तुज्)
- अशिश्नत्
- struck / overpoweredVerbलुङ् (aorist), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचनRole कर्तृ (subject: तूतुजिः)Root √श्नथ्/श्नथ् (Vedic: ‘to pierce/strike/overpower’; with a- augment; reduplicated a-śi-śn(a)th-)
Sandhi Notes
- Sandhi resolution (pada-wise): तव | प्रणीती इन्द्र | जोहुवानान् | सम् | यत् | नॄन् | न | रोदसी | निनेथ । महे | क्षत्राय | शवसे | हि | जज्ञे | अतूतुजिम् | चित् | तूतुजिः | अशिश्नत् ॥ Notable: जज्ञेऽतूतुजिम् = जज्ञे + अतूतुजिम् (अ- initial after e; avagraha marks external sandhi)
The meaning
Outer meaning
Indra, by his leadership, gathers the eager callers and draws human seekers as if into the two worlds (earth and heaven). Born for great sovereignty and strength, he impels even the un-impelled and drives them onward.
Inner meaning
Indra as the illumined divine Mind leads the inner journey: he collects the scattered powers of the seeker (nṛ́n) and unites them across the “two worlds” (the outer waking nature and the inner luminous consciousness). His kṣatra (spiritual kingship) awakens will and courage; even parts of us that are inert or tamasic are stirred into aspiration and progressive action by the inner Impeller.
Universal truth
True guidance is an awakening force: when higher intelligence leads, it integrates divided life into a single movement toward truth, and even inertia is converted into forward motion.
Themes
leadership and integration, sovereignty (kṣatra), impulsion of the inert
The seer
- Rishi
- Vasiṣṭha
- Lineage
- Vasiṣṭha-gotra
- Other hymns
- RV 7.18 (Vasiṣṭha’s Indra hymn, victory and truth-force), RV 7.23–7.25 (Indra hymns: strength, protection, right action), RV 7.86–7.89 (Varuṇa hymns: ṛta, inner law, confession and release)
Family tradition
Vasiṣṭha family hymns (Maṇḍala 7): emphasis on ṛta, kingship of truth, and the harmonizing power of Indra-Varuṇa.
Significance
Vasiṣṭha’s vision often moves from conflict and division toward a higher order (ṛta): the seer frames Indra not merely as a warrior-god but as the integrator and leader of the inner evolution.
The deity
- Devata
- Indra
- Epithets
- tūtují (impeller), maghavān (bountiful), vīra (heroic), harivas (lord of the tawny steeds)
- Related deities
- Agni (will that initiates the sacrifice), Soma (bliss that intoxicates and empowers Indra), Varuṇa (law of ṛta that safeguards truth)
Cosmic role
Upholder of luminous order by breaking obstruction and releasing the powers of light; gathers and leads the human striving toward the wideness of heaven.
Inner power
Illumined intelligence that organizes the faculties, awakens courage, and compels forward movement against inertia and resistance.
In ritual
Where it is used
Soma pressing (Indra-stuti within Soma-yajña sequences)
तव॒ प्रणी॑तीन्द्र॒ जोहु॑वाना॒न्त्सं यन्नॄन्न रोद॑सी नि॒नेथ॑ । म॒हे क्ष॒त्राय॒ शव॑से॒ हि ज॒ज्ञेऽतू॑तुजिं चि॒त्तूतु॑जिरशिश्नत् ॥
तव॑ । प्रऽनी॑ती । इ॒न्द्र॒ । जोहु॑वानान् । सम् । यत् । नॄन् । न । रोद॑सी॒ इति॑ । नि॒नेथ॑ । म॒हे । क्ष॒त्राय॑ । शव॑से । हि । ज॒ज्ञे । अतू॑तुजिम् । चि॒त् । तूतु॑जिः । अ॒शि॒श्न॒त् ॥
tava | pra-nītī | indra | johuvānān | sam | yat | nṝn | na | rodasī iti | ninetha | mahe | kṣatrāya | śavase | hi | jajñe | atūtujim | cit | tūtujiḥ | aśiśnat
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4 pādas × ~11 syllables
Driving, forward-thrusting cadence suited to command and propulsion.
Builds inner momentum; supports a felt sense of being ‘carried forward’ by a higher force.
- प्रणीति (praṇīti)
- Literal: leading, guidance. Symbolic: inner direction of the higher Mind guiding the sacrifice of life
- इन्द्र (indra)
- Literal: Indra. Symbolic: divine Mind-power; illumination that governs and energizes
- जोहु॑वाना (johuvānā)
- Literal: calling repeatedly, invoking intensely. Symbolic: insistent aspiration; concentrated inner call
- रोदसी (rodasī)
- Literal: the two worlds (heaven and earth). Symbolic: inner-outer planes; mind and life/body to be harmonized
- क्षत्र (kṣatra)
- Literal: sovereignty, dominion. Symbolic: spiritual mastery; rule of the illumined consciousness over nature
- शवस् (śavas)
- Literal: strength, force. Symbolic: dynamic power of realization; effective energy of the Truth
- तूतुजि (tūtují)
- Literal: impeller, driver. Symbolic: the divine push that converts resistance into progress
- अतूतुजि (atūtují)
- Literal: un-impelled, not driven. Symbolic: inert parts of the being; subconscious reluctance
Praise of Indra as leader/impeller in the Soma hymn cycle
During Soma libations and Indra invocations, especially when seeking strength, victory, and right leadership.
Recitation to invite Indra’s presence and energize the offering; strengthens the sacrificer’s intent.
Use as a mantra of guidance and activation when feeling scattered, inert, or unable to begin; recite before decisive work.
pra-nīti from √nī ‘lead’ with pra- ‘forward’ → ‘guiding leadership’. rodasī dual of rodas ‘world/firmament’ (heaven & earth). kṣatra from √kṣi ‘to rule, possess’ → ‘dominion’. tūtuji- is intensive/iterative formation from √tuj ‘to push, impel’.
divine guidance (praṇīti), integration of planes of being (rodasī as symbolic duality)
Indra’s ‘leading’ is the movement of the being into right order—alignment of inner and outer worlds.
Truth becomes dynamic when it governs action; illumination is not passive but executive.
Integration of the two worlds: the descent of higher mind into embodied life to transform it.
Proto-Vedāntic / Integral Yoga-compatible reading (Aurobindo-Kashyap): ascent and descent, integration of planes.
Heaven–earth becomes inner mind–body/life; the ‘impelling’ is pranic and mental energy awakened by illumination.
- What is the primary Vedic 'mythologem' present in this verse?
- Indra as cosmic leader who ‘gathers’ the callers and spans the two worlds: a mythic pattern of the god establishing connection between planes. Psychologically, aspiration is collected and lifted into a larger field of consciousness, integrating higher and lower nature.
- How does the linguistic structure reflect Proto-Indo-European roots?
- √nī ‘lead’ aligns with PIE *neh₁- ‘lead’; the dual rodasī preserves archaic dual cosmology. The intensive formations (johuvānān, tūtujiḥ) show inherited Indo-European strategies for expressing repeated/heightened action.
- What is the relationship between the Rishi and the Devata here?
- The rishi portrays himself and fellow seekers as ‘those who call repeatedly’; Indra’s response is guidance and integration—he does not merely grant objects but reorganizes the seeker’s forces, impelling even the inert parts of nature toward the divine movement.
Surrender scattered energies to the inner Leader; feel a higher intelligence collecting and directing the faculties.
Ājñā (guidance/illumination) with support to Maṇipūra (forceful execution).
4-4-6 breathing (inhale-hold-exhale) while sensing ‘gathering’ on inhale and ‘impelling forward’ on exhale.
Dynamic concentration (ekāgratā) moving into inspired clarity.
Before recitation, name the inert part you wish to move; chant once slowly for alignment, then 3–9 times with firm intention, ending in silent resolve.
Vedic tri-svara (udātta/anudātta/svarita) as per Śākala tradition; exact accent marks require pada-svara text.
Keep udātta syllables bright and slightly raised; svarita as a gentle fall; avoid flattening compound clusters like praṇītīndra.
praṇīti: retroflex ṇ; long ī sustained, rodasī: clear dental d; long ī at end, kṣatrāya: cluster kṣ pronounced tightly (k+ṣa), śavase: ś (palatal) not s (dental), aśiśnat: keep short vowels crisp; śi-śna- with clear ś
Firm, forward-leaning, resonant (chest-to-head transition on key epithets).
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