Sukta 38
Sukta 8.38
Śyāvāśva Ātreya (Anukramaṇī attribution for this Indrāgnī hymn; consistent with 8.38 context)
Gāyatrī (8.38 is a gāyatrī hymn; short 3-pāda structure typical)
This gāyatrī hymn invites Indra and Agni together as the twin ṛtvij-priests and victorious powers who make the sacrifice effective and fruitful in all “works of strength” (vājeṣu karmasu). The poet asks them to awaken to the offering, accept the well-formed praise moving in the gāyatrī “course,” and grant protection and inspired speech, with Sarasvatī’s empowering presence explicitly invoked toward the close.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
यज्ञस्य हि स्थ ऋत्विजा सस्नी वाजेषु कर्मसु । इन्द्राग्नी तस्य बोधतम् ॥
यज्ञ के पुजारी तुम दोनों हो। तुम हर काम में जीते हो। इन्द्र और अग्नि, उठो और हमारी तरफ ध्यान दो।
Mantra 2
तोशासा रथयावाना वृत्रहणापराजिता । इन्द्राग्नी तस्य बोधतम् ॥
तुम दोनों खुश होते हो और रथ में आते हो। तुम वृत्र को मारते हो और कोई तुम्हे हरा नहीं सकता। इन्द्र और अग्नि, उठो और हमारी पूजा देखो।
Mantra 3
इदं वां मदिरं मध्वधुक्षन्नद्रिभिर्नरः । इन्द्राग्नी तस्य बोधतम् ॥
यह मीठा सोम जूस तुम दोनों के लिए है। हमने पत्थर से प्रेस करके निकाला है। इन्द्र और अग्नि, उठो और इसको पियो।
Mantra 4
जुषेथां यज्ञमिष्टये सुतं सोमं सधस्तुती । इन्द्राग्नी आ गतं नरा ॥
इंद्र और अग्नि, यह यज्ञ तुम्हारे लिए है। जो कुछ चाहिए वो मिले, इसलिए यह करना है। सोम का पानी निकाल के तैयार है, सब मिलकर गाना गा रहे हैं। आओ दोनों, यहाँ आओ।
Mantra 5
इमा जुषेथां सवना येभिर्हव्यान्यूहथुः । इन्द्राग्नी आ गतं नरा ॥
यह सोम की तैयारी देखो, तुम्हे पसंद आनी चाहिए। इससे जो चीज़ें भवती जाती हैं, वो पहुँच जाती हैं। इंद्र और अग्नि, आओ दोनों, यहाँ आओ।
Mantra 6
इमां गायत्रवर्तनिं जुषेथां सुष्टुतिं मम । इन्द्राग्नी आ गतं नरा ॥
मेरा गाना सुनो, यह अच्छे से बना है। गायत्री के चलने के साथ यह चलता है। इंद्र और अग्नि, इसे अपना लो। आओ दोनों, यहाँ आओ।
Mantra 7
प्रातर्यावभिरा गतं देवेभिर्जेन्यावसू । इन्द्राग्नी सोमपीतये ॥
सुबह के वक़्त आओ, सवेरा होने वाला है। सारे देवी-देवता तुम्हारे साथ आएंगे। तुम दोनों अच्छे लोग हो, अच्छा काम करते हो। इंद्र और अग्नि, सोम पीने आओ।
Mantra 8
श्यावाश्वस्य सुन्वतोऽत्रीणां शृणुतं हवम् । इन्द्राग्नी सोमपीतये ॥
श्यावाश्व सोम निकाल रहा है, उसकी आवाज़ सुनो। अत्रि रिशि भी बोल रहे हैं। इंद्र और अग्नि, सोम पीने आओ।
Mantra 9
एवा वामह्व ऊतये यथाहुवन्त मेधिराः । इन्द्राग्नी सोमपीतये ॥
मैं दोनों को बुलाता हूँ मदद के लिए। जैसे पंडित लोग पहले बुलाते आए हैं। इंद्र और अग्नि, तुम दोनों सोम पियो।
Mantra 10
आहं सरस्वतीवतोरिन्द्राग्न्योरवो वृणे । याभ्यां गायत्रमृच्यते ॥
मैं इंद्र और अग्नि की मदद माँगता हूँ। उनके पास सरस्वती की शक्ति है। इन दोनों से गायत्री मंत्र ज़िंदा होता है।
Inside Sukta 38
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
Indrāgnī are hailed as the true ṛtvij-priests of the yajña and as victors in strength-bringing works; they are urged to awaken to the rite.
- Development
The hymn repeatedly calls them to approach, to accept the poet’s well-made praise, and to grant practical aid—success, protection, and potency in action—through the union of fire and might.
- Climax
The poet highlights the hymn’s own form—“moving in the gāyatrī course”—and asks the two heroes to relish this suṣṭuti, making the mantra itself the turning point of efficacy.
- Where it settles
It ends with a deliberate choosing of their protective help, explicitly tying their aid to Sarasvatī’s power and to gāyatrī becoming a living, effective utterance (ṛcyate).
The deity: Indrāgnī
- In the VedaTogether they are addressed as “two heroes” (narā) and as the effective officiants who awaken to and perfect the rite.
- Cosmic functionThey unite celestial might (Indra’s victory and protection) with terrestrial/ritual mediation (Agni’s fire, conveyance, and purification), ensuring that offerings reach the gods and that strength, wealth, and right order are established.
- Inner significanceIndrāgnī symbolizes the integration of will/force (Indra) with aspiration/transforming fire (Agni): decisive action guided by consecrated intention, where inspired speech (gāyatrī) becomes efficacious through inner heat (tapas) and courageous clarity.
The seer
- Śyāvāśva ĀtreyaĀtreya (descendant of Atri) · A Mandala 8 poet associated with brisk, energetic gāyatrī-styled invocations, especially to Indra and allied powers, emphasizing effective praise (stuti) and ritual success.
Famous verses
यज्ञस्य हि स्थ ऋत्विजा सस्नी वाजेषु कर्मसु । इन्द्राग्नी तस्य बोधतम् ॥gāyatravartaniṃ juṣethām
yābhyāṃ gāyatram ṛcyate
Attributes of the deity
- Dual divine agency (strength + sacrifice)
- Ṛtvij-like guidance of the yajña
- Victory and overcoming of obstacles
- Quick responsiveness to praise and call
- Bestowers of protection (avaḥ) and vitality (vāja)
- Linked with inspired speech and Sarasvatī’s power
Also by this seer
- Hymns in Rig Veda Mandala 8 attributed to Śyāvāśva/Ātreya tradition (including Indra-centered and allied-deity praises)
- Participation in the Ātreya poetic lineage that preserves mantra-craft focused on yajña efficacy and inspired speech
The rite, step by step
- Establish Agni and begin the rite with purification and intention (saṅkalpa).
- Recite the gāyatrī-formed stuti inviting Indrāgnī to “awaken” to the offering and to come near.
- Offer oblations into Agni while calling Indra for strength and victorious help in works (karmasu).
- Sustain praise (suṣṭuti) in measured gāyatrī cadence, reaffirming the dual role as officiants and protectors.
- Conclude by choosing (vṛṇe) their protective aid, invoking Sarasvatī’s empowering presence for inspired utterance and right performance.
Offerings
- Ājya (ghee) oblations into Agni
- Soma libations (where applicable in the larger rite)
- Havis offerings (simple food oblations)
- Stuti/mantra as the primary ‘offering’ of speech
Frequently Asked Questions
Indrāgnī means Indra and Agni invoked together as a single paired power—Indra bringing victory and protection, and Agni carrying offerings and perfecting the sacrifice.
Because the hymn is composed in the gāyatrī meter and treats that measured form of praise as a vehicle of power; the poet asks the gods to accept this “gāyatrī-course” stuti.
To call Indra and Agni to the ritual, have them “awaken” to the offering, and receive their help for successful action—protection, strength, and the effectiveness of sacred speech in the rite.
Ask anything about Sukta 38 of the Rig Veda
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