Sukta 85
Sukta 7.85
Vasiṣṭha
Triṣṭubh (probable; needs verification)
This brief hymn of Vasiṣṭha invokes the paired powers Indra–Varuṇa to receive Soma and to protect the worshipper “on the journey,” both outwardly (safe passage, welfare) and inwardly (growth of progeny/inner powers). It highlights their complementary sovereignty: one stabilizes and upholds the peoples and order, while the other smites obstructions and resistances, with the Waters themselves portrayed as installing them as divine authorities.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
पुनीषे वामरक्षसं मनीषां सोममिन्द्राय वरुणाय जुह्वत् । घृतप्रतीकामुषसं न देवीं ता नो यामन्नुरुष्यतामभीके ॥
मैं तुम दोनों के लिए एक साफ़ सोच तैयार करता हूँ। सोम रस इंद्र और वरुण को चढ़ा रहा हूँ। जैसे सुबह की रोशनी चमकती है, वैसे तुम दोनों हमारे साथ रहो और रास्ते में बचाओ।
Mantra 2
स्पर्धन्ते वा उ देवहूये अत्र येषु ध्वजेषु दिद्यवः पतन्ति । युवं ताँ इन्द्रावरुणावमित्रान्हतं पराचः शर्वा विषूचः ॥
यहाँ लोग भगवान को बुलाने के लिए लड़ रहे हैं। जहाँ झंडे खड़े हैं, वहाँ बिजली चमक रही है। इंद्र और वरुण, तुम दोनों मिल के दुश्मन को मारो। उनको तोड़ के बहुत दूर भेज दो।
Mantra 3
आपश्चिद्धि स्वयशसः सदस्सु देवीरिन्द्रं वरुणं देवता धुः । कृष्टीरन्यो धारयति प्रविक्ता वृत्राण्यन्यो अप्रतीनि हन्ति ॥
पानी भी खुद को बड़ा समझता है। उसने इंद्र और वरुण को अपने पास बिठा लिया है। एक लोगों को संभालता है, अलग-अलग कर के। दूसरा बड़े रुकावटों को तोड़ देता है जो कोई नहीं रोक सकता।
Mantra 4
स सुक्रतुॠतचिदस्तु होता य आदित्य शवसा वां नमस्वान् । आववर्तदवसे वां हविष्मानसदित्स सुविताय प्रयस्वान् ॥
जो पुजारी अच्छा काम करता है और सच समझता है, वो आगे बढ़े। जो आदित्य हैं, उनके आगे झुक के नमाज़ पढ़े। हवन लेकर वापस आए मदद के लिए। सही रास्ते पर चले और आगे बढ़ता रहे।
Mantra 5
इयमिन्द्रं वरुणमष्ट मे गीः प्रावत्तोके तनये तूतुजाना । सुरत्नासो देववीतिं गमेम यूयं पात स्वस्तिभिः सदा नः ॥
मेरा गाना इंद्र और वरुण तक पहुँच गया है। मैं बोल रहा हूँ कि हमारे बच्चे आगे बढ़ें और नए काम शुरू हों। भगवान हमें अच्छे रास्ते पर ले चलें। तुम दोनों हमेशा हमारी रक्षा करो और हम सेफ रहें।
Inside Sukta 85
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
The seer purifies intention and offers Soma to the twin deities, asking them to protect the worshipper closely on the journey (RV 7.85.1).
- Development
Their divine status is affirmed cosmically—‘even the Waters’ establish them—while their complementary roles are distinguished: one upholds communities, the other destroys obstructions (RV 7.85.3).
- Climax
A concentrated vision of paired sovereignty: stability of society and decisive removal of resistance are presented as two faces of one protective governance.
- Where it settles
The hymn concludes by stating the mantra has reached them, praying for growth of progeny/inner potential and for constant safeguarding with svasti, culminating in reaching devavīti (RV 7.85.5).
The deity: Indra–Varuṇa
- In the VedaAs a pair they are invoked as near protectors and as recipients of Soma, jointly ensuring victory and lawful stability.
- Cosmic functionTo establish and maintain order in the world by combining force that overcomes obstruction (Indra) with sovereign oversight that stabilizes law, truth, and right measure (Varuṇa), safeguarding the journey and the community.
- Inner significanceThe harmonizing of will-power and ethical clarity: Indra as the inner courage that breaks inertia and fear; Varuṇa as conscience, discernment, and self-regulation aligned to ṛta—together granting ‘svasti’ (well-being) and a clear path of communion (devavīti).
The seer
- Vasiṣṭha (Vasiṣṭha Maitrāvaruṇi)Vasiṣṭha-gotra; traditionally connected with the Maitrāvaruṇa line · Foremost seer of Maṇḍala 7, renowned for hymns of royal priesthood, protection, and the articulation of ṛta (cosmic order) in relation to Varuṇa and allied deities.
Famous verses
पुनीषे वामरक्षसं मनीषां सोममिन्द्राय वरुणाय जुह्वत् । घृतप्रतीकामुषसं न देवीं ता नो यामन्नुरुष्यतामभीके ॥आपश्चिद्धि स्वयशसः सदस्सु देवीरिन्द्रं वरुणं देवता धुः । कृष्टीरन्यो धारयति प्रविक्ता वृत्राण्यन्यो अप्रतीनि हन्ति ॥yūyaṃ pāta svastibhiḥ sadā naḥ
Attributes of the deity
- Dual sovereignty (power + law)
- Protectors ‘close at hand’ (abhīke)
- Receivers of Soma offering
- Indra as slayer of resistances (vṛtrāṇi)
- Varuṇa as upholder of ṛta and social stability
- Installed/affirmed by the Waters (āpaḥ)
- Givers of svasti (safe well-being) and guidance on the path
Also by this seer
- Principal authorship of many hymns in Rig Veda Maṇḍala 7 (Vasiṣṭha family book)
- Hymns to Varuṇa, Indra, Agni, and the Maruts emphasizing protection, truth, and right order
- Traditional association with priestly functions (hotṛ/brahmanic counsel) in early Vedic ritual culture
The rite, step by step
- Prepare the mind/intent (manīṣā) as ‘arakṣasam’—free from hostile influences
- Press/prepare Soma and set the offering with proper recitation
- Invoke Indra–Varuṇa together and offer Soma into the fire (or into the Soma rite context)
- Petition for protection on the ‘yāman’ (journey/way), welfare (svasti), and the flourishing of toke/tanaye (offspring, continuance, inner growth)
- Conclude with a blessing: continual guarding and arrival at devavīti (the divine path/communion)
Offerings
- Soma (primary)
- Ghee/clarified butter (implied by ghee-bright imagery and common offering context)
- Recited hymn/word of inspiration (gīḥ) as an offering of speech
Frequently Asked Questions
They are invoked together as a paired divine power: Indra clears obstacles and defeats resistances, while Varuṇa safeguards ṛta (right order) and stable governance. Together they protect the worshipper and the community.
The hymn asks for protection “on the journey,” removal of obstructions, and steady well-being (svasti). It also prays for growth and continuity—expressed as toke and tanaye (offspring and unfolding inner potential).
The Waters are portrayed as self-glorious powers that establish Indra and Varuṇa in their divine seats. This emphasizes that their authority is cosmic and foundational, not merely local to a single ritual.
Ask anything about Sukta 85 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.
