Rig Veda Sukta 160
Mandala 10Sukta 1605 Mantras

Sukta 160

Sukta 10.160

Rishi

Traditionally Śvātrya (per padapāṭha ‘śvātryāḥ giraḥ’ in 10.160.2 indicating the clan/poet-group); exact rishi name may be Śvātrya/Śvātra line

Devata

Indra

Chandas

Triṣṭubh (typical for Indra-Soma praise; requires metrical verification)

この短いインドラ讃歌は、神に対し、いまの祭主のもとにとどまり、搾りたてで力強いソーマを守護するよう集中的に招請する。讃歌は、祭儀の場で駿馬の轡を解き、競合する施主たちに「引き離される」ことなく、礼拝者にインドラの典型的な賜物――牛、馬、そして勝利の力――を授けるよう願う。全身全霊で神を求める供献こそが、インドラの恩寵と繁栄を確かなものにする、と強調される。

Recitation with translationRig Veda 10.160

Mantras

Mantra 1

तीव्रस्याभिवयसो अस्य पाहि सर्वरथा वि हरी इह मुञ्च । इन्द्र मा त्वा यजमानासो अन्ये नि रीरमन्तुभ्यमिमे सुतासः ॥

この烈しく力あるソーマ(Soma)を護れ。あらゆる戦車のインドラ(Indra)よ、ここにて汝の二頭の栗毛を解き放て。ほかの祭主らが汝を引き離すことなかれ――これらの搾り出されたソーマは汝のためのもの。

Mantra 2

तुभ्यं सुतास्तुभ्यमु सोत्वासस्त्वां गिरः श्वात्र्या आ ह्वयन्ति । इन्द्रेदमद्य सवनं जुषाणो विश्वस्य विद्वाँ इह पाहि सोमम् ॥

汝のために搾られ、汝のためにこそ備えられる——シュヴァートリヤ(Śvātrya)の讃歌は汝を呼ぶ。インドラよ、今日このサヴァナ(savana)の搾りを喜んで受け、万有を知る者よ、ここにてソーマ(Soma)を飲み、護れ。

Mantra 3

य उशता मनसा सोममस्मै सर्वहृदा देवकामः सुनोति । न गा इन्द्रस्तस्य परा ददाति प्रशस्तमिच्चारुमस्मै कृणोति ॥

愛する意志の心と全き心臓とをもって、神々を慕い、彼のためにソーマを搾る者——インドラはその者の牛(光の光線)を他へは与えず、むしろ彼のために称賛すべき、美しく愛でらるべきものを成し遂げる。

Mantra 4

अनुस्पष्टो भवत्येषो अस्य यो अस्मै रेवान्न सुनोति सोमम् । निररत्नौ मघवा तं दधाति ब्रह्मद्विषो हन्त्यनानुदिष्टः ॥

明らかに標(しる)されるのはこの者——富みながら、彼のためにソーマを搾らぬ者。施与の主マガヴァン(Maghavan)は彼を不毛へと追いやり、また招かれずとも、ブラフマン(brahman)を憎む者どもを撃ち滅ぼす。

Mantra 5

अश्वायन्तो गव्यन्तो वाजयन्तो हवामहे त्वोपगन्तवा उ । आभूषन्तस्ते सुमतौ नवायां वयमिन्द्र त्वा शुनं हुवेम ॥

馬の力を求め、牛の光を求め、力の充溢を求めて、われらは汝を近く来たらしめんと呼ぶ。つねに新たなる汝の善意(ス・マティ)に身を飾りつつ、インドラよ、われらは幸福と繁栄のために汝を招き呼ぶ。

Inside Sukta 160

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    A direct, urgent appeal: protect this potent Soma and come here—unharness your steeds at our rite.

  2. Development

    The hymn strengthens the claim of the present sacrificer by insisting Indra not be pulled away by others, and by highlighting the power of sincere, whole-hearted offering.

  3. Climax

    The assurance that Indra does not ‘give away the cows’ of the devoted presser—he grants what is praised and beautiful (prosperity and well-being) to that worshipper.

  4. Where it settles

    A closing communal petition for horses, cows, and victorious abundance, resting in Indra’s ever-new goodwill and the hope of a ‘śuna’ (happy/prosperous) condition.

The deity: Indra

  • In the VedaIndra is the mighty, chariot-borne lord of strength who comes to the Soma, drinks it, and rewards the sacrificer with cattle, horses, and victory. He is repeatedly portrayed as responsive to right pressing and heartfelt invocation, and as a protector who “keeps” the worshipper’s goods from being diverted.
  • Cosmic functionHe upholds order through heroic power—breaking obstacles, releasing life-sustaining riches (light, waters, cattle), and securing triumph and protection for the community.
  • Inner significanceIndra signifies awakened force of will and courageous clarity that overcomes inner obstruction; Soma becomes the intensifying delight/energy that powers discernment and victorious action.

The seer

  • Śvātrya (Śvātra line; poet-group attribution)Śvātrya/Śvātra clan (as indicated by padapāṭha note ‘śvātryāḥ giraḥ’) · Associated with late Rigvedic (Maṇḍala 10) Indra-Soma praise that emphasizes patronage, exclusive invitation, and the efficacy of sincere Soma-pressing.

Famous verses

vi harī iha muñca
Verse 10.160.1Sets the ritual scene and intent: the strong Soma is to be guarded; Indra is asked to arrive, unharness, and not be diverted by rival sacrificers—an explicit ‘exclusive invitation’ formula.Read verse 10.160.1 →
na gā indras tasya parā dadāti
Verse 10.160.3States the hymn’s ethical-spiritual principle: wholehearted, god-desiring Soma-offering secures Indra’s non-transfer of blessings and his positive bestowal of what is admirable and auspicious.Read verse 10.160.3 →
aśvāyanto gavyanto vājayanto
Verse 10.160.5Summarizes desired fruits of Indra’s presence—horses, cows, and vāja—while framing the worshipper’s stance as ‘adorned’ in Indra’s ever-new good will.Read verse 10.160.5 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Soma-loving (somapā)
  • Mighty and victorious (vṛtrahan, śakra)
  • Chariot-lord with two bay steeds (harī)
  • Bestower of wealth—cows, horses, strength (rayi, go, aśva, vāja)
  • Protector of the sacrificer’s claim and offering

Also by this seer

  • Additional Maṇḍala 10 verses/hymn-fragments attributed in tradition to the Śvātrya poet-group (exact hymn-by-hymn attributions vary by recension and anukramaṇī tradition).

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the Soma (pressing/straining) and set it forth as ‘tīvra’ (strong, invigorating).
  • Invoke Indra with the request to arrive and ‘unharness the two bay steeds’ at the ritual ground.
  • Declare exclusivity: ask that no other yajamānas divert Indra from this pressing.
  • Affirm the inner qualification of the offerer—wholehearted, god-desiring intention in the Soma offering.
  • Conclude with petitions for prosperity: cows (wealth/light), horses (power/mobility), and vāja (victorious strength).

Offerings

  • Soma (strong/intense pressing)
  • Accompanying oblations customary in Soma rites (e.g., ghee/clarified butter as ancillary offerings)

Frequently Asked Questions

It asks Indra to come to this specific Soma offering, remain with the worshipper, protect the potent Soma, and grant prosperity—especially cows, horses, and victorious strength.

Indra is imagined arriving by chariot. Asking him to unharness his steeds means: stay here, settle at our ritual place, and accept our Soma rather than rushing elsewhere.

It teaches that when someone offers Soma with a sincere, wholehearted desire for the divine, Indra does not divert that person’s blessings away; instead he makes life more auspicious and admirable for them.

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