Rig Veda Sukta 19
Mandala 2Sukta 199 Mantras

Sukta 19

Sukta 2.19

Rishi

Gṛtsamada (traditional for RV 2.19)

Devata

Indra

Chandas

Triṣṭubh (probable for RV 2.19)

この讃歌は、ソーマの力に満ちた主インドラを讃える。彼は「より高き天」に座を据え、祭主の呼びかけに応えて、光・富・勝利をもたらす。正しい讃嘆(brahman)とソーマの搾りが結び付けられ、インドラの具体的な贈与――太陽のような照明、隠された財宝、そして歌い手に減ることのない取り分(bhaga)――として現れると説く。結びの祈りでは、惜しみないダクシナー(Dakṣiṇā、祭礼の贈与)が祭司共同体のために「乳しぼり出され」、彼らが集会で広大なるもの(bṛhat)を語り、強い子孫と英雄の力を得るよう願う。

Recitation with translationRig Veda 2.19

Mantras

Mantra 1

अपाय्यस्यान्धसो मदाय मनीषिणः सुवानस्य प्रयसः । यस्मिन्निन्द्रः प्रदिवि वावृधान ओको दधे ब्रह्मण्यन्तश्च नरः ॥

搾り出された歓喜は、供献の満ち足りた力より、思惟の賢者によって恍惚のために飲まれた。その(ソーマ)において、インドラは高天にて増大し、住まいを定めた。言(ヴァーチ/ブラフマン)を求める人々は彼のもとに集う。

Mantra 2

अस्य मन्दानो मध्वो वज्रहस्तोऽहिमिन्द्रो अर्णोवृतं वि वृश्चत् । प्र यद्वयो न स्वसराण्यच्छा प्रयांसि च नदीनां चक्रमन्त ॥

この甘露に歓喜しつつ、雷霆の武器を手にするインドラは、洪水を覆い塞いでいた蛇を切り裂いた。すると、鳥が自らの流れへと向かうように、河々の進みゆく勢いと奔流は動き出し、巡り始めた。

Mantra 3

स माहिन इन्द्रो अर्णो अपां प्रैरयदहिहाच्छा समुद्रम् । अजनयत्सूर्यं विदद्गा अक्तुनाह्नां वयुनानि साधत् ॥

その大いなるインドラは、蛇(アヒ)を屠る者として、水の奔流を海へと駆り立てた。彼は太陽を生み出し、光の牛(光線)を見いだし、夜と昼とによって、秩序ある洞見(vayunāni)のはたらきを成し遂げた。

Mantra 4

सो अप्रतीनि मनवे पुरूणीन्द्रो दाशद्दाशुषे हन्ति वृत्रम् । सद्यो यो नृभ्यो अतसाय्यो भूत्पस्पृधानेभ्यः सूर्यस्य सातौ ॥

彼、インドラは、マヌに抗しがたい多くの賜物を与え、施与する者のためにヴリトラを討ち滅ぼす。太陽を勝ち取る戦いにおいて、ただちに人々を征服されぬ者とする彼は、敵意をもって争う者たちに対抗する。

Mantra 5

स सुन्वत इन्द्रः सूर्यमा देवो रिणङ्मर्त्याय स्तवान् । आ यद्रयिं गुहदवद्यमस्मै भरदंशं नैतशो दशस्यन् ॥

搾り手(スーマを搾る者)に対し、神インドラは、讃歌を捧げる死すべき者のために太陽を近づける。また彼が、その者に隠された、瑕なき豊穣の財をもたらすとき、彼はそれを正当な分け前として運ぶ――奉仕の行いにおいて、エータシャがその取り分を運ぶように。

Mantra 6

स रन्धयत्सदिवः सारथये शुष्णमशुषं कुयवं कुत्साय । दिवोदासाय नवतिं च नवेन्द्रः पुरो व्यैरच्छम्बरस्य ॥

彼は天の御者クツァ(Kutsa)のために、枯渇の者シュシュナ(Śuṣṇa)とクヤヴァ(Kuyava)を屈服させた。ディヴォーダーサ(Divodāsa)のために、インドラ(Indra)はシャンバラ(Śambara)の堅固な城塞九十九を打ち破り、開き放った。

Mantra 7

एवा त इन्द्रोचथमहेम श्रवस्या न त्मना वाजयन्तः । अश्याम तत्साप्तमाशुषाणा ननमो वधरदेवस्य पीयोः ॥

かくて、インドラよ、我らは名声のために汝の讃歌を唱えよう。自らの力により奮い立ち、豊かな分け前を勝ち取らん。急ぎ進みて、かの第七の境(歩み)に到らしめよ。無神の者の武器、膨れ上がる敵対の力よ、我らの前に屈して頭を垂れよ。

Mantra 8

एवा ते गृत्समदाः शूर मन्मावस्यवो न वयुनानि तक्षुः । ब्रह्मण्यन्त इन्द्र ते नवीय इषमूर्जं सुक्षितिं सुम्नमश्युः ॥

かくて、勇士よ、グリツァマダ(Gṛtsamada)の聖賢らは汝の加護を願い、巧匠の業のごとく思念を刻み整えた。ブラフマン(brahman)の言葉を求める彼らは、インドラよ、汝の新たにしてより高き賜物に到った――衝き動かす力と増大、よき安住の境、そして満ち足りた恩寵に。

Mantra 9

नूनं सा ते प्रति वरं जरित्रे दुहीयदिन्द्र दक्षिणा मघोनी । शिक्षा स्तोतृभ्यो माति धग्भगो नो बृहद्वदेम विदथे सुवीराः ॥

今こそ、豊穣なるダクシナー(Dakṣiṇā、祭献の贈与)は満ち足りて、歌い手のために、汝インドラに応えて搾り出されよ。讃える者たちに授けたまえ。われらのバガ(Bhaga、福分・吉祥の取り分)が焼き損なわれず、減じられぬように。集会(vidatha)において、われらは広大なる讃歌(Bṛhat)を語り、善き力と英雄の力を具えてあらん。

Inside Sukta 19

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    Indra is invoked as Soma-drinker and exalted power who makes his dwelling in the higher heaven where inspired singers gather.

  2. Development

    The hymn ties Indra’s responsiveness to Soma and praise: he brings near light (Sūrya) and conveys faultless, hidden wealth as a rightful portion to the devotee.

  3. Climax

    The boon-motif peaks in the image of prosperity being brought forth and allotted—Indra’s gift as an earned share, with solar and chariot imagery (Etaśa) underscoring swift bestowal.

  4. Where it settles

    It closes with a direct petition: let bounteous Dakṣiṇā be ‘milked’ for the singer, let our bhaga not be diminished, and let us speak the Vast (bṛhat) in the assembly with good offspring and heroic strength.

The deity: Indra

  • In the VedaIndra is the foremost heroic deva of the Ṛgveda, strengthened by Soma, a breaker of obstacles and winner of cattle, light, and victory; he is drawn to strong praise and generous offering.
  • Cosmic functionHe secures order by overcoming hostile powers, releases light and abundance, and ensures the right distribution of prosperity to the sacrificer through divine might.
  • Inner significanceIndra signifies awakened will-power and courageous clarity: the force in consciousness that, fed by disciplined aspiration (Soma/offerings), breaks inertia, reveals ‘sunlight’ of insight, and secures one’s rightful share.

The seer

  • GṛtsamadaBhārgava (of the Bhr̥gu line; often connected with the Gṛtsamada lineage within the Bhārgavas) · A principal seer of Maṇḍala 2, renowned for robust Indra-stutis that bind poetic inspiration (brahman) to ritual efficacy, especially Soma-pressing and the winning of wealth and protection.

Famous verses

ओको दधे (oko dadhe) — “he has set his home/seat”
Verse 2.19.1Sets the hymn’s ritual-theological frame: Soma is drunk for ecstasy; Indra ‘grows’ and establishes his seat where brahman-seeking men congregate—linking offering, inspiration, and divine presence.Read verse 2.19.1 →
स सुन्वत इन्द्रः सूर्यमा देवो रिणङ्मर्त्याय स्तवान् । आ यद्रयिं गुहदवद्यमस्मै भरदंशं नैतशो दशस्यन् ॥
Verse 2.19.5Highlights Indra’s beneficence: he brings the Sun near (illumination and success) and delivers ‘hidden, faultless’ wealth as a due share, using Etaśa imagery to stress rightful and swift distribution.Read verse 2.19.5 →
बृहत् वदेम (bṛhat vadema) — “may we speak the Vast”
Verse 2.19.9Concluding prayer central to many ritual contexts: Dakṣiṇā as a bounteous cow to be milked for the singer; protection of bhaga (right portion) and aspiration to speak bṛhat in the assembly with heroic progeny.Read verse 2.19.9 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Soma-joyed and strength-increasing (madāya, vāvṛdhāna)
  • Warrior and obstacle-breaker
  • Giver of wealth and ‘hidden plenitude’
  • Drawn to brahman (sacred word) and the pressers
  • Bringer of light/solar clarity (Sūrya imagery)
  • Bestower of right portion (bhaga) and generous Dakṣiṇā

Also by this seer

  • Primary r̥ṣi for most of Rig Veda Maṇḍala 2 hymns (especially many Indra hymns)
  • Associated in tradition with shaping powerful Triṣṭubh praise-forms used in Soma rites
  • Contributor to the wider Bhārgava poetic and ritual heritage reflected across early Vedic liturgy

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the yajña-ground and kindled fires; establish the rite with opening praises.
  • Press Soma (savana), strain and mix according to custom; recite Indra-invocations in Triṣṭubh.
  • Offer Soma to Indra, inviting him to ‘take his seat’ among the brahman-seeking singers.
  • Recite victory/boon verses asking for the Sun-like opening of light, the release of hidden riches, and protection.
  • Conclude with prayers for Dakṣiṇā, an undiminished bhaga (right share), and strong speech in the assembly (vidatha).

Offerings

  • Soma juice (primary)
  • Ghee/clarified butter (as accompanying oblation)
  • Priestly praise (brahman) as the ‘offering of speech’
  • Dakṣiṇā (ritual gift/fee) invoked as a boon to be received

Frequently Asked Questions

It teaches that Indra responds to Soma and sincere praise by bringing light (clarity and success), granting wealth (even ‘hidden’ riches), and ensuring the singers receive their rightful share.

Dakṣiṇā is the ritual gift given to priests; calling it ‘to be milked’ uses cow imagery to ask that generous reward and nourishment flow out abundantly for the sacrificer and singers.

Bhaga means one’s allotted portion of good fortune. The hymn asks that this rightful share not be reduced or ‘burnt away,’ so prosperity and strength remain intact.

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