Rig Veda Sukta 57
Mandala 10Sukta 576 Mantras

Sukta 57

Sukta 10.57

Devata

Indra (with Soma-sacrificer context)

この短い讃歌は、ソーマ祭に携わる祭主たちのための護りと回復の祈りである。インドラに、祭者が正しい道から逸れず、敵対する力に妨げられないよう願う。ついで内面へ向かい、マナス(心・意)の帰還と安定を呼びかけ、正しい意志(クラトゥ)、識別の力(ダクシャ)、生命、そして太陽を内なる光として持続的に観想することを求める。結びでは、ソーマのヴラタ(正しい働き・誓規)との一致を確認し、回復した心を身体の内に宿して、実りある創造的活力と子孫の繁栄(プラジャー)を得ることを述べる。

Recitation with translationRig Veda 10.57

Mantras

Mantra 1

मा प्र गाम पथो वयं मा यज्ञादिन्द्र सोमिनः । मान्त स्थुर्नो अरातयः ॥

われらが道(パト)から前へと迷い出でぬように。インドラよ、ソーマを携えるわれらが、祭祀からも逸れぬように。敵対する力どもが、われらの間に立ちはだかりませんように。

Mantra 2

यो यज्ञस्य प्रसाधनस्तन्तुर्देवेष्वाततः । तमाहुतं नशीमहि ॥

祭祀を真に成就させる、その糸(タントゥ)—神々の間に張り渡されたもの—その善く献じられた供物に、われらが到り、わがものとできますように。

Mantra 3

मनो न्वा हुवामहे नाराशंसेन सोमेन । पितॄणां च मन्मभिः ॥

いま我らは、ナーラーシャṃサ(Narāśaṃsa)のソーマ(Soma)によって、また祖霊たちの霊感ある思惟によって、心(manas)を呼び戻す。

Mantra 4

आ त एतु मनः पुनः क्रत्वे दक्षाय जीवसे । ज्योक्च सूर्यं दृशे ॥

汝の心(manas)が戻り来たれ、再び戻り来たれ――意志(kratu)と正しき識別(dakṣa)のために、生命のために、そして久しく太陽を観ずるために――内なる光を。

Mantra 5

पुनर्नः पितरो मनो ददातु दैव्यो जनः । जीवं व्रातं सचेमहि ॥

祖霊たちよ、我らに心(manas)を返したまえ。神なる民――諸天――もまたそれを授けたまえ。生ける群れ(vrāta)と調和して我らは歩まん。

Mantra 6

वयं सोम व्रते तव मनस्तनूषु बिभ्रतः । प्रजावन्तः सचेमहि ॥

ソーマよ、汝の聖なる誓戒(ヴラタ)のうちに、われらはこの身に心(マナス)を抱き保つ。願わくはわれら和合して歩み、子孫(創造の力)に富まん。

Inside Sukta 57

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    A plea not to stray from the path or from the yajña, and not to be blocked by hostile powers.

  2. Development

    The focus shifts from external protection to internal restoration: mind is called back for will, discernment, and life.

  3. Climax

    The prayer for enduring vision—“long seeing of the Sun”—as the sign of restored, illumined consciousness.

  4. Where it settles

    Harmony with Soma’s sacred working (vrata), bearing mind in the body and attaining fruitful creative fullness (prajā).

The deity: Indra

  • In the VedaIndra is invoked as the powerful protector and leader of the sacrificers, the one who clears obstacles and guards the rite so the Soma-bearers remain on the true path. Within the hymn’s later verses, the restoration of manas is prayed for as a returning, re-centering power, culminating in harmony with Soma’s sacred order (vrata).
  • Cosmic functionChampion of ṛta in action: he overcomes obstructing forces, secures the forward movement of the yajña, and enables the sacrificer’s progress toward light (Sūrya) and vitality.
  • Inner significanceIndra signifies decisive strength and right direction in consciousness; the ‘return of mind’ is the re-gathering of scattered attention into purposeful will and discernment, enabling an enduring vision of truth/light.

Famous verses

mā pra gāma patho vayam
Verse 10.57.1Sets the hymn’s protective intent: staying on the right path and within the sacrifice, free from obstructing hostile forces—central to the Soma-sacrificer context.Read verse 10.57.1 →
ā ta etu manaḥ punaḥ
Verse 10.57.4Core psychological-spiritual mantra: the ‘return of mind’ for kratu and dakṣa, culminating in sustained vision of Sūrya as inner light.Read verse 10.57.4 →
वयं सोम व्रते तव मनस्तनूषु बिभ्रतः । प्रजावन्तः सचेमहि ॥
Verse 10.57.6Concluding synthesis: alignment with Soma’s vrata, embodiment of restored mind, and the blessing of prajā (progeny/creative power) as the fruit of right order.Read verse 10.57.6 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Protector of the yajña and Soma-bearers
  • Remover of obstacles and hostile powers (arātayaḥ)
  • Giver of right direction (path) and steadfastness
  • Supports kratu (will/intent) and dakṣa (discernment/skill)
  • Leads toward Sūrya as enduring inner vision
  • Linked with Soma’s vrata (sacred law/working)

Also by this seer

  • Attributed only at the level of the hymn (sūkta) without a clearly preserved r̥ṣi-name in the received tradition for RV 10.57
  • Represents the 10th Maṇḍala tendency to integrate ritual prayer with inward, experiential language (manas, kratu, dakṣa)

The rite, step by step

  • Sankalpa/intent: affirm adherence to the path and the yajña as the guiding order
  • Invocation of Indra: request protection so no hostile force stands ‘between’ the sacrificer and the rite
  • Recollection/return of mind (manas): recite prayers for mind to come back for kratu and dakṣa
  • Orientation to light: pray for sustained ‘seeing of the Sun’ (outer and inner illumination)
  • Concluding alignment with Soma: affirm living in Soma’s vrata, bearing mind in the body
  • Śānti/closure: seal the rite with the wish for harmony and fruitful increase (prajā)

Offerings

  • Soma (libation/pressing in Soma-yajña context)
  • Ghee and oblations into Agni as supportive offerings
  • Water and simple oblations when used as a protective/mental-restoration recitation outside full Soma-pressing

Frequently Asked Questions

It asks for protection so the sacrificers do not deviate from the right path or the Soma-yajña, and it prays for the mind to return—bringing will, discernment, life, and clear inner vision.

In Vedic thought, scattered mind weakens both ritual effectiveness and inner clarity. The hymn calls mind back so intention (kratu) and discernment (dakṣa) become steady, leading to sustained ‘seeing of the Sun’ as light and truth.

It can be recited as a prayer before any disciplined practice—study, meditation, or ritual—asking for protection from distractions, restoration of focus, and alignment with a higher order of living (vrata).

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