Rig Veda Sukta 83
Mandala 1Sukta 836 Mantras

Sukta 83

Sukta 1.83

Devata

Indra

Himne Indra yang singkat ini memuji insan fana yang makmur berkat pertolongan Indra—memperoleh kuda, “sapi” (sinar/kekayaan), dan kelimpahan laksana air yang memenuhi aliran sungai. Himne ini mengingat latar Angirasa–Pani/Vala, ketika harta dan cahaya yang tersembunyi dimenangkan melalui penyalaan api yang tepat dan upaya yang terilhami; dan ditutup dengan menempatkan sukacita Indra pada ritus Soma yang dilaksanakan dengan sempurna, dengan nyanyian, batu pemeras, dan barhis yang dibentangkan.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 1.83

Mantras

Mantra 1

अश्वावति प्रथमो गोषु गच्छति सुप्रावीरिन्द्र मर्त्यस्तवोतिभिः । तमित्पृणक्षि वसुना भवीयसा सिन्धुमापो यथाभितो विचेतसः ॥

Yang kaya akan kuda berjalan paling depan di antara sinar-sinar (lembu-lembu), wahai Indra—si fana yang diteguhkan oleh pertolonganmu. Dia Kaupenuhi dengan kelimpahan yang lebih besar, sebagaimana air, bergerak dengan kebijaksanaan, memenuhi sungai dari segala sisi.

Mantra 2

आपो न देवीरुप यन्ति होत्रियमवः पश्यन्ति विततं यथा रजः । प्राचैर्देवासः प्र णयन्ति देवयुं ब्रह्मप्रियं जोषयन्ते वरा इव ॥

Seperti para dewi, air-air mendekat kepada hotṛ, imam persembahan; mereka memandang hamparan luas, sebagaimana orang melihat ruang terbuka. Dengan daya yang menuntun ke depan, para dewa menuntun sang pencari-dewa, pecinta brahman, dan memeliharanya seperti para mempelai memelihara pengantin pilihan.

Mantra 3

अधि द्वयोरदधा उक्थ्यं वचो यतस्रुचा मिथुना या सपर्यतः । असंयत्तो व्रते ते क्षेति पुष्यति भद्रा शक्तिर्यजमानाय सुन्वते ॥

Di atas dua kekuatan yang seimbang itu Engkau menegakkan sabda yang layak bagi uktha; dua sendok persembahan yang kembar, yang melayani dan memuja. Tak terbelenggu dalam hukum kerja-Mu, Śakti yang mujur berdiam dan bertumbuh bagi yajamāna yang memeras Soma.

Mantra 4

आदङ्गिराः प्रथमं दधिरे वय इद्धाग्नयः शम्या ये सुकृत्यया । सर्वं पणेः समविन्दन्त भोजनमश्वावन्तं गोमन्तमा पशुं नरः ॥

Lalu para Aṅgirasa mula-mula menegakkan kepenuhan hidup; mereka adalah api- api yang dinyalakan, oleh kecakapan kerja yang benar. Dari Paṇi mereka merebut seluruh kenikmatan: kaya kuda, kaya sinar, dan pertambahan ternak bagi pencari manusia.

Mantra 5

यज्ञैरथर्वा प्रथमः पथस्तते ततः सूर्यो व्रतपा वेन आजनि । आ गा आजदुशना काव्यः सचा यमस्य जातममृतं यजामहे ॥

Dengan yajña Atharvan mula-mula membentangkan jalan-jalan; kemudian Surya, penjaga vrata (hukum suci), lahir sebagai Sang Pelihat. Bersamanya datang Uśanā Kāvya, menggiring sinar-sinar; kami memuja Yang Tak-Mati, yang lahir di ranah Yama.

Mantra 6

बर्हिर्वा यत्स्वपत्याय वृज्यतेऽर्को वा श्लोकमाघोषते दिवि । ग्रावा यत्र वदति कारुरुक्थ्यस्तस्येदिन्द्रो अभिपित्वेषु रण्यति ॥

Di mana barhis (alas suci) dibentangkan demi kelahiran keturunan sejati; atau di mana nyanyian pujian dibuat bergema di langit; di mana batu pemeras (grāvan) seakan berbicara dan penyanyi terilham melantunkan uktha—di sanalah Indra sungguh bersukacita di tengah pemenuhan-pemenuhan yang intim.

Inside Sukta 83

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    A mortal empowered by Indra’s aids goes foremost and is filled with abundance, like waters filling a river.

  2. Development

    Prosperity is framed as a divinely supported flow; the hymn links present gain to archetypal recovery of wealth/light through Angirasa right-working and kindled fire.

  3. Climax

    The Angirases’ winning of the Pani’s hoarded enjoyment—horses, cows (rays), and increase of herds—stands as the mythic proof of Indra’s power to restore plenitude.

  4. Where it settles

    Indra’s presence is secured where the ritual is alive: barhis spread, chant resounding, pressing-stone speaking, and the inspired singer praising—there Indra delights and fulfills.

The deity: Indra

  • In the VedaIndra is the mighty wielder of vajra, the foremost hero who grants strength, victory, and plenitude; he releases the cows (light/wealth), overcomes obstructers, and is especially drawn to Soma and to inspired praise (uktha).
  • Cosmic functionBreaker of obstruction and releaser of life-giving powers—opening the flow of waters, light, and prosperity; champion of ṛta by defeating forces that hoard or bind abundance.
  • Inner significanceThe awakened will and courageous clarity that breaks inner inertia and fear, releases blocked energies, and turns right effort and prayer into tangible growth and confidence.

The seer

  • Gotama RāhūgaṇaGautama gotra (Āṅgirasa lineage) · A seer of the early Rigvedic layer associated with Indra hymns and with Angirasa themes of winning light/wealth through sacred work (kindling, pressing, and inspired speech).

Famous verses

अश्वावति प्रथमो गोषु गच्छति सुप्रावीरिन्द्र मर्त्यस्तवोतिभिः । तमित्पृणक्षि वसुना भवीयसा सिन्धुमापो यथाभितो विचेतसः ॥
Verse 1.83.1Sets the hymn’s governing image: Indra’s help makes a mortal ‘first’ and fills him with greater wealth, as discerning waters fill the river—prosperity as a sanctioned, overflowing flow.Read verse 1.83.1 →
आदङ्गिराः प्रथमं दधिरे वय इद्धाग्नयः शम्या ये सुकृत्यया । सर्वं पणेः समविन्दन्त भोजनमश्वावन्तं गोमन्तमा पशुं नरः ॥
Verse 1.83.4Central mythic allusion: the Angirases, through right kindling and skill, recover the Pani’s hoarded ‘enjoyment’—a classic Vedic template for releasing light/wealth through sacred action.Read verse 1.83.4 →
बर्हिर्वा यत्स्वपत्याय वृज्यतेऽर्को वा श्लोकमाघोषते दिवि । ग्रावा यत्र वदति कारुरुक्थ्यस्तस्येदिन्द्रो अभिपित्वेषु रण्यति ॥
Verse 1.83.6Ritual culmination: identifies the concrete marks of the Soma rite (barhis, chant, grāvā, uktha) and declares that Indra delights precisely in such intimate, well-executed offerings.Read verse 1.83.6 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Vajra-bearing
  • Soma-loving
  • Bestower of horses/cattle/wealth
  • Victor over Panis/Vala-like hoarders
  • Friend of the inspired singer (kavi/kāru)
  • Strength-giver to mortals

Also by this seer

  • Rig Veda Mandala 1 hymns traditionally attributed to the Gautamas (including multiple Indra-focused sūktas in the 1.7x–1.8x sequence)
  • Participation in the broader Āṅgirasa mythic complex (Vala/Pani, recovery of cows/light) reflected across several Rigvedic hymns

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the vedi and spread the barhis (sacred seat) for the deity.
  • Kindle Agni and establish the rite with orderly recitation.
  • Press Soma with the grāvā (pressing-stone) and prepare the libation.
  • Chant the ark/śloka and recite the uktha to invite Indra.
  • Offer Soma and accompanying oblations while requesting increase of wealth, vigor, and victory.
  • Conclude with praise acknowledging Indra’s delight in the well-performed rite and the resulting plenitude.

Offerings

  • Soma libation
  • Ghee/clarified butter in the fire
  • Barhis (ritual grass) as the deity’s seat

Frequently Asked Questions

That prosperity and strength come when a person is supported by Indra and performs the rite rightly—abundance then ‘flows’ like waters filling a river.

It points to an older myth where hidden wealth and light are recovered from hoarders (Pani). This serves as a model for how divine power and right effort release what is blocked.

A Soma sacrifice: barhis is spread, chants resound, Soma is pressed with stones, and the inspired priest sings. The hymn says Indra especially delights in that worship.

Ask anything about Sukta 83 of the Rig Veda

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