Rig Veda Sukta 52
Mandala 1Sukta 5215 Mantras

Sukta 52

Sukta 1.52

Rishi

Vasiṣṭha (traditional for RV 1.52 in many Anukramaṇī lists)

Devata

Indra

Chandas

Triṣṭubh

RV 1.52はインドラ讃歌(Indra-stuti)であり、ヴリトラ(Vṛtra)を討ち倒す勝利を中心に据える。その勝利は水々を解き放ち、人の目に見える太陽を立て、秩序を確立する。賛歌は、よく練られた言葉によって招かれる、力強く迅速に進む闘士としてのインドラを讃え、マルット(Maruts)を伴い、神々に喜ばれる者として描く。目的は、祭主に向けてインドラを振り向かせ、守護、通行・到達の道(gātu)、そして決定的な戦闘力によって勝ち取られる豊穣を授けさせることにある。

Recitation with translationRig Veda 1.52

Mantras

Mantra 1

त्यं सु मेषं महया स्वर्विदं शतं यस्य सुभ्वः साकमीरते । अत्यं न वाजं हवनस्यदं रथमेन्द्रं ववृत्यामवसे सुवृक्तिभिः ॥

われは彼を讃える――力を駆り立てる牡羊のごとき者、光明界(svar)を見いだす者を。彼のもとに、速く輝く諸力がともに起こり、百重に躍動する。豊穣の駿馬のように、呼びかけに応じて来る戦車のように、よく整えた讃歌の言葉によって、助けのためインドラをわれらへと向けさせよう。

Mantra 2

स पर्वतो न धरुणेष्वच्युतः सहस्रमूतिस्तविषीषु वावृधे । इन्द्रो यद्वृत्रमवधीन्नदीवृतमुब्जन्नर्णांसि जर्हृषाणो अन्धसा ॥

彼は山のごとく立ち、支えの上に揺るがず;千の助けをもつ者は、その諸々の威力においていよいよ増し広がる。インドラが、河々を塞ぐヴリトラ(Vṛtra)を討ち倒したとき、洪水の水を搾り出し、ソーマ(Soma)の歓喜に酔いて躍った。

Mantra 3

स हि द्वरो द्वरिषु वव्र ऊधनि चन्द्रबुध्नो मदवृद्धो मनीषिभिः । इन्द्रं तमह्वे स्वपस्यया धिया मंहिष्ठरातिं स हि पप्रिरन्धसः ॥

まことに彼は門を開く者;門口にあっては覆いとなり、乳房(ūdhán)に秘められた宝を守る。月を底(candra-budhna)とし、賢者たちの思惟(manīṣā)によって、歓喜の酔いにより増し広がる。正しき働きへの意志(svapasyā)と光ある知(dhī)をもって、われはそのインドラを呼ぶ——最も豊かに与える者を。彼はソーマ(andhas)の汁に満ち満ちているゆえに。

Mantra 4

आ यं पृणन्ति दिवि सद्मबर्हिषः समुद्रं न सुभ्वः स्वा अभिष्टयः । तं वृत्रहत्ये अनु तस्थुरूतयः शुष्मा इन्द्रमवाता अह्रुतप्सवः ॥

天の座に住まう者たちは、天上において彼を満たす——海のごとく——彼ら自身の、速く輝く成就と願い(abhiṣṭi)によって。ヴリトラ討滅の業において、助け(ūtí)は後に従い立った——インドラを取り巻く諸々の力(śuṣmá)、熱に疲れず、燃え尽きぬ。

Mantra 5

अभि स्ववृष्टिं मदे अस्य युध्यतो रघ्वीरिव प्रवणे सस्रुरूतयः । इन्द्रो यद्वज्री धृषमाणो अन्धसा भिनद्वलस्य परिधीँरिव त्रितः ॥

彼が恍惚の戦いにおいて、自らの注ぎ(svavṛṣṭi)へと向かうとき、救援(ūtayaḥ)は、坂を奔り下る速き流れのごとく走り来た。金剛(vajra)を執るインドラ(Indra)は、ソーマ(Soma)の歓喜において敢然として、ヴァラ(Vala)の囲いを、輪の縁を砕くがごとく裂き開き——隠された豊穣は顕れ出た。

Mantra 6

परीं घृणा चरति तित्विषे शवोऽपो वृत्वी रजसो बुध्नमाशयत् । वृत्रस्य यत्प्रवणे दुर्गृभिश्वनो निजघन्थ हन्वोरिन्द्र तन्यतुम् ॥

燃ゆる輝きは彼の周りを巡り、力は閃く。水々を囲み取りて、彼はそれらを世界空間(rajas)の基底に据えた。インドラよ、ヴリトラ(Vṛtra)の斜面において、荒き衝突の響きの中、汝がその顎より雷霆(tanyatu)を打ち落としたとき、汝は塞ぐものを倒した。

Mantra 7

ह्रदं न हि त्वा न्यृषन्त्यूर्मयो ब्रह्माणीन्द्र तव यानि वर्धना । त्वष्टा चित्ते युज्यं वावृधे शवस्ततक्ष वज्रमभिभूत्योजसम् ॥

波が深き心の湖を揺るがし得ぬように、インドラよ、汝のブラフマン(brahmāṇi)—汝を増し育てるそれら—は覆されない。工匠神トヴァシュトリ(Tvaṣṭṛ)さえも、汝のためにふさわしき力を強め、征服の威力を帯びた金剛(vajra)を鍛え上げた。

Mantra 8

जघन्वाँ उ हरिभिः सम्भृतक्रतविन्द्र वृत्रं मनुषे गातुयन्नपः । अयच्छथा बाह्वोर्वज्रमायसमधारयो दिव्या सूर्यं दृशे ॥

集められた意志をもつインドラよ、汝は黄駒(はり)を駆りてヴリトラ(Vṛtra)を討ち、人のために道を求めて水々を解き放ちたまえり。汝は両腕に鉄のヴァジュラ(vajra)を取り、天に神なる太陽を掲げて、見る者のために顕したまえり。

Mantra 9

बृहत्स्वश्चन्द्रममवद्यदुक्थ्यमकृण्वत भियसा रोहणं दिवः । यन्मानुषप्रधना इन्द्रमूतयः स्वर्नृषाचो मरुतोऽमदन्ननु ॥

彼らは讃歌を広大にして輝かせ、力に満ちしものとした。畏敬によって天への昇り路を形づくった。人の戦いにおいて、スヴァル(svar)に住むマルット(Maruts)—人に寄り添う者たち—は、インドラに従いて歓喜し、助け手となった。

Mantra 10

द्यौश्चिदस्यामवाँ अहेः स्वनादयोयवीद्भियसा वज्र इन्द्र ते । वृत्रस्य यद्बद्बधानस्य रोदसी मदे सुतस्य शवसाभिनच्छिरः ॥

強き天さえも、その蛇の轟きに畏れてたじろいだ。インドラよ、汝のヴァジュラはいかに恐るべきことか。ヴリトラが二つの世界(天と地)を縛りつつあったとき、搾りしソーマ(Soma)の恍惚のうちに、汝は力をもってその頭を裂きたまえり。

Mantra 11

यदिन्न्विन्द्र पृथिवी दशभुजिरहानि विश्वा ततनन्त कृष्टयः । अत्राह ते मघवन्विश्रुतं सहो द्यामनु शवसा बर्हणा भुवत् ॥

そのとき、インドラよ、十の腕をもつかのごとく大地は、もろもろの民のために日ごとに広がり伸びた。まさにここに、施与者よ、汝の遠く聞こゆる力は、勢いによって大いなる高揚となり、天へと及んだ。

Mantra 12

त्वमस्य पारे रजसो व्योमनः स्वभूत्योजा अवसे धृषन्मनः । चकृषे भूमिं प्रतिमानमोजसोऽपः स्वः परिभूरेष्या दिवम् ॥

汝はこの中界の彼方にあり、存在は広大、力において自生し、われらを護るために、敢然たる心の者よ。汝は大地を汝の力の尺度として造り、諸水と光明の界(スヴァル)を包みつつ、天へと進みゆく。

Mantra 13

त्वं भुवः प्रतिमानं पृथिव्या ऋष्ववीरस्य बृहतः पतिर्भूः । विश्वमाप्रा अन्तरिक्षं महित्वा सत्यमद्धा नकिरन्यस्त्वावान् ॥

汝は大地のありようの尺度となり、広大なるものと高き英雄の力との主となった。汝の偉大さによって、すべての中空(アンタリクシャ)を満たした。まことに、まことに、力と護りにおいて汝に並ぶ者は他にない。

Mantra 14

न यस्य द्यावापृथिवी अनु व्यचो न सिन्धवो रजसो अन्तमानशुः । नोत स्ववृष्टिं मदे अस्य युध्यत एको अन्यच्चकृषे विश्वमानुषक् ॥

その広がりには、天と地すら従い得ず、河々もまたその中空の果てに達しない。戦の陶酔においても、彼自身の「雨」(力の降注)に比肩する者はいない。ひとり彼は、全世界を人の秩序に従って動かした。

Mantra 15

आर्चन्नत्र मरुतः सस्मिन्नाजौ विश्वे देवासो अमदन्ननु त्वा । वृत्रस्य यद्भृष्टिमता वधेन नि त्वमिन्द्र प्रत्यानं जघन्थ ॥

この戦場にてマルト(Marut)らは詠い、すべての神々は汝に従って歓喜した。ヴリトラ(Vṛtra)に向け、死のきらめく武器をもって、インドラ(Indra)よ、汝は抗う敵を打ち倒した。

Inside Sukta 52

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    The hymn opens by magnifying Indra as a powerful, impelling force and ‘finder of the luminous world,’ inviting him like a swift steed/chariot to the call of praise.

  2. Development

    Praise expands into Indra’s heroic deeds—his gathered resolve, his tawny steeds, his thunderbolt, and his function of making a way for humanity by freeing the waters.

  3. Climax

    The Vṛtra-slaying moment: Indra strikes down the resisting adversary with the gleaming weapon, the waters are released, and the Sun is upheld for vision.

  4. Where it settles

    With the gods and Maruts rejoicing, the hymn settles into affirmation of Indra’s supremacy and a renewed petition that his power now assist and protect the worshippers.

The deity: Indra

  • In the VedaIndra is the thunder-wielding, soma-delighting, chariot-riding hero who smashes obstruction (Vṛtra), frees the waters, and makes the Sun visible; he is invoked as swift to hear and mighty in battle.
  • Cosmic functionBreaker of cosmic blockage and restorer of circulation—releasing rivers/rains, opening paths for humans, and re-establishing luminous order (svar, sūrya) after the defeat of chaos.
  • Inner significanceThe awakened will and victorious clarity that pierces inner inertia, releases blocked energies ("waters"), and restores vision and forward movement on the path.

The seer

  • VasiṣṭhaVasiṣṭha gotra (Āṅgirasa-associated priestly line in later tradition) · Foremost Brahman-priest (purohita) figure in Vedic memory, renowned for authoritative hymn-craft, royal consecratory power, and the Vasiṣṭha family corpus in the Rig Veda.

Famous verses

त्यं सु मेषं महया स्वर्विदं शतं यस्य सुभ्वः साकमीरते । अत्यं न वाजं हवनस्यदं रथमेन्द्रं ववृत्यामवसे सुवृक्तिभिः ॥
Verse 1.52.1Sets the invocation-frame: Indra is praised as the impelling power and ‘finder of light,’ and the poets explicitly ‘turn’ him toward them through well-fashioned speech.Read verse 1.52.1 →
जघन्वाँ उ हरिभिः सम्भृतक्रतविन्द्र वृत्रं मनुषे गातुयन्नपः । अयच्छथा बाह्वोर्वज्रमायसमधारयो दिव्या सूर्यं दृशे ॥
Verse 1.52.8A compact theological core: Vṛtra’s defeat, liberation of the waters, grasping of the iron vajra, and the upholding of the Sun—Indra’s cosmic restoration in one verse.Read verse 1.52.8 →
आर्चन्नत्र मरुतः सस्मिन्नाजौ विश्वे देवासो अमदन्ननु त्वा । वृत्रस्य यद्भृष्टिमता वधेन नि त्वमिन्द्र प्रत्यानं जघन्थ ॥
Verse 1.52.15Summative climax and closure: Maruts sing, all gods rejoice, and Indra’s decisive strike against the resisting foe is celebrated as the hymn’s culminating victory-image.Read verse 1.52.15 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Vajra-bearer (thunderbolt)
  • Vṛtra-slayer and liberator of waters
  • Path-maker (gātu-kṛt) for humans
  • Associated with tawny steeds (harī) and swift chariot
  • Soma-joyful, battle-leading, god-supported (Maruts/Viśve Devāḥ)

Also by this seer

  • Major authorship of Mandala 7 (Vasiṣṭha family hymns)
  • Foundational Indra, Varuṇa–Mitra, and Agni hymns in the Vasiṣṭha tradition
  • Later Vedic-Itihāsa tradition links Vasiṣṭha with royal priesthood and dharmic counsel

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the altar and kindle Agni; establish the sacred space with ācamana and sankalpa.
  • Offer preliminary oblations (ājya) while reciting opening praise to ‘turn’ Indra toward the rite (āvṛṇīma/vavṛtyāma sense).
  • Recite the sukta in Triṣṭubh cadence with attention to the Vṛtra episode (release of waters, upholding of the Sun).
  • At key verses, make Soma/ghṛta offerings calling Indra with the Maruts as companions.
  • Conclude with a final oblation and a request for gātu (safe passage), protection, and abundance; perform śānti closing.
  • Distribute prasāda/remaining offerings and maintain ritual silence briefly to ‘seal’ the invocation.

Offerings

  • Soma (where applicable)
  • Ghṛta (clarified butter)
  • Milk/curds as anupāna offerings
  • Barley cakes (puroḍāśa) in Indra context
  • Optional: water libation symbolizing ‘released waters’

Frequently Asked Questions

It praises Indra’s great battle in which he defeats Vṛtra, releases the blocked waters, and restores the Sun’s visibility, then asks Indra to help the worshippers.

They symbolize the return of cosmic order: when obstruction is broken, life-flow (waters) and clear vision (Sun) become available again for human beings.

It can be recited as an Indra prayer for strength, removing obstacles, and gaining forward movement—especially alongside a simple fire offering with ghee or a morning prayer routine.

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