Sukta 53
Sukta 8.53
Kaṇva (Kāṇva tradition)
Indra
Triṣṭubh (probable; 8.53 frequently Triṣṭubh in Indra hymns, though confirmation requires full metrical count)
This Indra-hymn from the Kāṇva stream invokes Indra as the supreme bountiful power—elder among the strong, breaker of forts, and finder of the “cows” (rays/wealth)—to win plenitude and protection. It asks him to crush hostilities, to drink Soma to fullness, and to lead the worshipper through the contest of life toward victory, cattle, and horse-force (strength and dynamism).
Mantras
Mantra 1
उपमं त्वा मघोनां ज्येष्ठं च वृषभाणाम् । पूर्भित्तमं मघवन्निन्द्र गोविदमीशानं राय ईमहे ॥
इंद्र, हम तुझे ढूँढ़ते हैं। तू सबसे बड़ा दाता है। तू सबसे ताकतवर है। तू किलों को तोड़ने वाला है। तू किरणों को ढूँढ़ता है। तू धन का मालिक है। हम तेरी पूरी ताकत पाना चाहते हैं।
Mantra 2
य आयुं कुत्समतिथिग्वमर्दयो वावृधानो दिवेदिवे । तं त्वा वयं हर्यश्वं शतक्रतुं वाजयन्तो हवामहे ॥
आयु, कुत्सा और अतिथिग्व को तू ने हराया था। दिन भर तेरी ताकत बढ़ती गई। तू पीले घोड़ों वाला है। तेरी सौ ताकतें हैं। हम तुझे पुकारते हैं और जीत की ताकत पैदा करते हैं।
Mantra 3
आ नो विश्वेषां रसं मध्वः सिञ्चन्त्वद्रयः । ये परावति सुन्विरे जनेष्वा ये अर्वावतीन्दवः ॥
यह पत्थर हमारे लिए मीठा रस निकालें। सोम का रस चाहे दूर किसी गाँव में निकाला जाए, या यहीं पास के खेत में। वो सब जगह से आ के एक हो जाए, जैसे एक ही धारा बन जाए।
Mantra 4
विश्वा द्वेषांसि जहि चाव चा कृधि विश्वे सन्वन्त्वा वसु । शीष्टेषु चित्ते मदिरासो अंशवो यत्रा सोमस्य तृम्पसि ॥
तू सब दुश्मन हरकतों को मार के दूर फेंक दे। सब अच्छी चीज़ें हमारे पास आ जाएँ। सोम के बाकी हुए भी तेरे लिए हों, जहाँ तू उसको पी के खुश होता है।
Mantra 6
आजितुरं सत्पतिं विश्वचर्षणिं कृधि प्रजास्वाभगम् । प्र सू तिरा शचीभिर्ये त उक्थिनः क्रतुं पुनत आनुषक् ॥
हमें जंग में जीतने वाला बना दे, सच्चा मालिक बना दे, सब लोगों का मालिक बना दे। हमारी औलाद में हिस्सा देने वाला बना दे। अपनी शक्ति से हमें आगे ले जा, जो लोग तेरे भजन गाते हैं, वो हमारे मन को साफ करते रहें।
Mantra 7
यस्ते साधिष्ठोऽवसे ते स्याम भरेषु ते । वयं होत्राभिरुत देवहूतिभिः ससवांसो मनामहे ॥
हम तेरे साथ रहें, तेरे मदद के लिए, हर जंग में जो तू लड़ता है। हम अपनी पूजा और भजन से तुझे पुकारते हैं, और मन से तुझे मानते हैं।
Mantra 8
अहं हि ते हरिवो ब्रह्म वाजयुराजिं यामि सदोतिभिः । त्वामिदेव तममे समश्वयुर्गव्युरग्रे मथीनाम् ॥
मैं हरिवोह, अपनी पूजा के साथ तेरे लिए यह सब करता हूँ, तेरे साथ रह के। मैं सिर्फ तुझे चाहता हूँ, घोड़े और गाय जैसे सम्पन्न हो, सबसे आगे।
Inside Sukta 53
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
Indra is invoked as the highest among givers and the eldest among mighty powers—fort-breaker and finder of cows/rays, lord of abundance.
- Development
Requests intensify: Indra is asked to smash and cast down all hostile forces and to bring every form of wealth; Soma-intoxication is framed as the ground of his effective help.
- Climax
The worshipper’s personal vow of alliance with Indra—entering the contest by the power of inspired speech (brahman) and seeking horse-force and cow-light at the forefront of the ‘churnings’ (pressings).
- Where it settles
The hymn settles into confident dependence on Indra’s ongoing aid: protection, victory, and the steady arrival of riches through his Soma-strengthened might.
The deity: Indra
- In the VedaIndra is hailed as Maghavan (the bounteous), vṛṣabha (bull of powers), purbhid (fort-breaker), and govid (finder of cows/rays), the heroic drinker of Soma who grants wealth and victory.
- Cosmic functionHe releases the obstructed waters/light, shatters demonic resistance, restores the flow of abundance, and secures triumph for the worshipper and community.
- Inner significanceIndra symbolizes the awakened force of will and illumination that breaks inner ‘forts’ (habits, fears, ignorance), releases hidden energies (cows/rays), and turns aspiration into victorious action.
The seer
- KaṇvaKāṇva (Kaṇva gotra / Kāṇva tradition) · Eponymous seer of the Kāṇvas, a major Rigvedic priestly-poet lineage especially prominent in Mandala 8, noted for vigorous Indra praise and Soma-centric hymnody.
Famous verses
pūrbhittamam … govidam
विश्वा द्वेषांसि जहि चाव चा कृधि विश्वे सन्वन्त्वा वसु । शीष्टेषु चित्ते मदिरासो अंशवो यत्रा सोमस्य तृम्पसि ॥ahaṃ hi te harivo brahma
Attributes of the deity
- Bounteous giver (Maghavan)
- Fort-destroyer (purbhid)
- Victor in contest (ājí-jit)
- Soma-drinker who grows in might
- Finder/releaser of cows (rays, wealth)
- Protector who smites hostility (dveṣāṃsi)
Also by this seer
- A large body of Mandala 8 hymns is associated with the Kāṇva family tradition (Kāṇva corpus).
- Kāṇva poets are frequently connected with Indra-Soma praise, victory hymns, and royal/ritual patronage themes across the Rigveda.
The rite, step by step
- Prepare the altar and kindle Agni; establish the sacrificial space.
- Press and filter Soma; ready the cup for Indra (graha).
- Recite the hymn to invite Indra as the foremost bounteous power and fort-breaker.
- Offer Soma with accompanying praises, asking for the slaying/expulsion of hostilities and the coming of riches.
- Conclude with petitions for sustained aid in the ‘contest’ (ājí) and for the gifts of horse-force and cow-light.
Offerings
- Soma (primary)
- Ghee/clarified butter (supporting oblation)
- Optional: milk/curds as Soma accompaniments in Soma-rite contexts
Frequently Asked Questions
The hymn praises Indra, the Vedic power of victory and abundance, described as the fort-breaker and the finder of the “cows” (rays/wealth).
In Vedic poetry, “cows” can mean real cattle and also symbolic “rays” or hidden riches. Calling Indra govid asks him to uncover and release what is concealed—light, prosperity, and strength.
Soma is the offered sacred drink that “fills” Indra with power in the ritual imagery. The hymn links his Soma-satiety with his ability to destroy hostility and bring wealth and victory to the worshipper.
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