Sukta 90
Sukta 8.90
Indra
This six-verse hymn invokes Indra to be present “in all battles,” to draw near to the poets’ mantras and Soma-pressings, and to break obstructing powers (vṛtra) that hinder victory and prosperity. It praises Indra as truthful, unbending, and thunder-weaponed, asking him to bring wealth close and to extend his protection like a wide mantle. The hymn culminates in seeking Indra as the far-seeing Asura (lordly power) whose grace (sumná) and shelter are to be attained.
Mantras
Mantra 1
आ नो विश्वासु हव्य इन्द्रः समत्सु भूषतु । उप ब्रह्माणि सवनानि वृत्रहा परमज्या ऋचीषमः ॥
इंद्र हमारे पास आएं, जब भी हम लड़ाई में हों। जो दुश्मन को हराए, वो हमारे मंत्र सुनने आए। वो सबसे आगे बढ़ के बैठें हमारी पूजा में।
Mantra 2
त्वं दाता प्रथमो राधसामस्यसि सत्य ईशानकृत् । तुविद्युम्नस्य युज्या वृणीमहे पुत्रस्य शवसो महः ॥
तुम पहले देते हो, तुम ही सच्चे मालिक हो। तुम जो शक्ति देते हो, उसमें बहुत चमक है। हम उस शक्ति को चुनते हैं जो तुम अपने पुत्र के रूप में देते हो।
Mantra 3
ब्रह्मा त इन्द्र गिर्वणः क्रियन्ते अनतिद्भुता । इमा जुषस्व हर्यश्व योजनेन्द्र या ते अमन्महि ॥
इंद्र, यह मंत्र तुम्हारे लिए बनाए गए हैं। यह बहुत खास हैं, इनकी कीमत नहीं बता सकते। हरे घोड़े वाले इंद्र, इन्हे अपना लो। हमने यह शक्ति तुम्हारे लिए सोच के रखी है।
Mantra 4
त्वं हि सत्यो मघवन्ननानतो वृत्रा भूरि न्यृञ्जसे । स त्वं शविष्ठ वज्रहस्त दाशुषेऽर्वाञ्चं रयिमा कृधि ॥
तू सच्चा है, देने वाला। कभी पीछे नहीं हटता। तू बहुत सारे रास्ते के बंधन तोड़ देता है। हाथ में वज्र लेकर तू सबसे तेज है। जो भगवान को समर्पित करता है, उसके लिए धन पास ला। हमें भी पूरा सुख मिलने दो।
Mantra 5
त्वमिन्द्र यशा अस्यृजीषी शवसस्पते । त्वं वृत्राणि हंस्यप्रतीन्येक इदनुत्ता चर्षणीधृता ॥
इंद्र, तू ही शान है। तू शक्ति का मालिक है और सीधा रास्ता बनाता है। तू ऐसे रास्ते के बंधन मारता है जो कोई नहीं तोड़ सकता। तू सबसे बड़ा है और लोगों को संभाल के रखता है। हमारे अंदर भी जीत पैदा कर।
Mantra 6
तमु त्वा नूनमसुर प्रचेतसं राधो भागमिवेमहे । महीव कृत्तिः शरणा त इन्द्र प्र ते सुम्ना नो अश्नवन् ॥
अब हम तुझे ढूंढते हैं, जो सब कुछ जानता है। जैसे कोई अपना हिस्सा मांगता है, वैसे ही हम तुझे मांगते हैं। तेरी सुरक्षा बड़ी है, जैसे कोई बड़ा कपड़ा ओढ़ के रखता है। तेरी खुशी हम तक पहुंचे और हम उसे पा जाएं।
Inside Sukta 90
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
A direct summons: Indra is asked to come to the sacrificers in every battle and to draw near to their mantras and Soma-pressings (8.90.1).
- Development
Indra is praised as truthful and unbending, repeatedly striking down many obstructions; the poets pivot from praise to concrete requests for wealth and well-being to approach (8.90.4).
- Climax
The hymn seeks Indra as the far-seeing lordly power (asura pracetasa), desiring a ‘share’ of fulfilment and emphasizing his vast protective shelter (8.90.6).
- Where it settles
It closes by asking that Indra’s gracious harmonies/blessings (sumnā) be reached and attained—stabilizing the invocation into lasting protection and prosperity.
The deity: Indra
- In the VedaIndra is hailed as Maghavan (the bountiful), Vṛtrahā (slayer of Vṛtra/obstruction), Vajrahasta (wielder of the thunderbolt), and the master of inspired utterance who comes to the Soma pressings and seats himself in the offering.
- Cosmic functionHe upholds ṛta by breaking constriction and releasing powers needed for life—victory, rains/flows, and the free movement of strength and fortune—especially in moments of contest (samatsu).
- Inner significanceIndra signifies the awakened force of will and clarity that smashes inner inertia, fear, and blockage, allowing inspiration, courage, and abundance to ‘come near’ to the practitioner.
Famous verses
vṛtrahā
vajrahasta
asura pracetasa
Attributes of the deity
- Vṛtrahā (obstruction-slayer)
- Vajrahasta (thunderbolt-wielder)
- Maghavan (generous giver)
- Satya (truth-aligned)
- Pracetasa (wide-perceiving)
- Protector who offers shelter (śaraṇa)
Also by this seer
- Mandala 8 contains many hymns of the Kaṇva milieu and other poet-families; RV 8.90 is part of the Indra-focused liturgical corpus used in Soma rites.
- The diction aligns with common Indra-stotra themes (vṛtrahā, vajrahasta, satya, maghavan), reflecting shared poetic conventions rather than a uniquely identifiable authorial signature.
The rite, step by step
- Prepare the altar and kindled fire; establish the rite with opening recitations.
- Press Soma (savana) and purify it; accompany with Indra-stotras inviting his approach.
- Recite the hymn while offering Soma and ghee, explicitly calling Indra to ‘sit’ in the offering and to attend the mantras.
- Petition for victory over obstacles (vṛtra), protection (śaraṇa), and the approach of wealth (rayi).
- Conclude with a request for Indra’s grace (sumná) to be attained and to remain with the sacrificer.
Offerings
- Soma (pressed juice)
- Ghee/clarified butter
- Oblations into Agni accompanying the Indra-invocation
Frequently Asked Questions
It asks Indra to come close during conflicts and rituals, to accept the Soma offerings, to destroy obstacles (vṛtra), and to bring prosperity and protection to the worshippers.
In Vedic thought, “battle” can mean both outer conflict and any intense contest where strength and clarity are tested; Indra is invoked as the power that breaks blockage and secures victory.
Here it means Indra as a lordly, far-seeing power—one with wide perception—whose protection is vast and whose grace can be ‘attained’ by those who offer and recite with sincerity.
Ask anything about Sukta 90 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.
