Rig Veda Sukta 98
Mandala 8Sukta 9812 Mantras

Sukta 98

Sukta 8.98

Rishi

Unknown/uncertain (Anukramaṇī attribution not provided in input)

Devata

Indra

Chandas

Likely Anuṣṭubh or a short meter (verse is compact; confirm by scan)

この簡潔なインドラ讃歌は、広大なる見者インドラのためにサーマンを歌うよう呼びかける。彼はダルマを確立する者、勝利の力を授ける者として讃えられる。詩人たちは大いなる希求を奔流の水のように彼へと「動かし」、結びにsuvīrya――正しい行為のための、高貴で実効ある勇武と力――を乞い願う。

Recitation with translationRig Veda 8.98

Mantras

Mantra 1

इन्द्राय साम गायत विप्राय बृहते बृहत् । धर्मकृते विपश्चिते पनस्यवे ॥

インドラのためにサーマン(Sāman)を歌え——予見する者、広大なる者、広大そのもののために。存在の法(dharma)を立てる者、明察の者、求められ愛蔵されるに値する者のために。

Mantra 2

त्वमिन्द्राभिभूरसि त्वं सूर्यमरोचयः । विश्वकर्मा विश्वदेवो महाँ असि ॥

汝、インドラは征服する者。汝は太陽を輝かせた。汝はヴィシュヴァカルマン(Viśvakarman)—万有の造作の匠—、ヴィシュヴァデーヴァ(Viśvadeva)—全き神的力—、そして我らの内なる偉大者である。

Mantra 3

विभ्राजञ्ज्योतिषा स्वरगच्छो रोचनं दिवः । देवास्त इन्द्र सख्याय येमिरे ॥

汝は自らの光明をもって燦然と輝き、天の輝ける界(ローチャナ)へと赴きたり。インドラよ、神々は友誼(サキヤ)のために汝と結び合い——勝利の導き手に諸力は同意して従う。

Mantra 4

एन्द्र नो गधि प्रियः सत्राजिदगोह्यः । गिरिर्न विश्वतस्पृथुः पतिर्दिवः ॥

インドラよ、来たりて我らと共にあれ、愛しき者として——あらゆる戦いに常勝し、隠され得ぬ者として。四方に広き山のごとく、天の主として、我らの上昇を支え、庇い給え。

Mantra 5

अभि हि सत्य सोमपा उभे बभूथ रोदसी । इन्द्रासि सुन्वतो वृधः पतिर्दिवः ॥

まことに、真実なるソーマ飲者よ、汝は天と地、両界(ローダシー)の主となりたり。インドラよ、汝はソーマを搾る者を増し栄えさせる者、光明の高みの主なり。

Mantra 6

त्वं हि शश्वतीनामिन्द्र दर्ता पुरामसि । हन्ता दस्योर्मनोर्वृधः पतिर्दिवः ॥

まことに汝は、インドラよ、久しく堅き城塞を裂く者。汝はダスユを討つ者、またマヌを増し広げる者、天の光輝の高みの主である。

Mantra 7

अधा हीन्द्र गिर्वण उप त्वा कामान्महः ससृज्महे । उदेव यन्त उदभिः ॥

それゆえ、讃歌の主インドラよ、われらは汝に向けて大いなる願いを起こし放つ。あたかも水の奔流のごとく、上へと立ちのぼりゆく。

Mantra 8

वार्ण त्वा यव्याभिर्वर्धन्ति शूर ब्रह्माणि । वावृध्वांसं चिदद्रिवो दिवेदिवे ॥

勇士よ、みずみずしく若き力によって、ブラフマン(brahmāṇi、聖なる言葉)は汝を増し育てる。石を携える者(アドリヴァ)よ、常に増大する汝を、光の天において日ごとに増し高める。

Mantra 9

युञ्जन्ति हरी इषिरस्य गाथयोरौ रथ उरुयुगे । इन्द्रवाहा वचोयुजा ॥

彼らは、疾き者のため、また二つの讃歌のために、赤褐の二駿をつなぐ。広き車、広き轭の車に——言葉を轭としてインドラ(Indra)を運ぶ者たちを。

Mantra 10

त्वं न इन्द्रा भरँ ओजो नृम्णं शतक्रतो विचर्षणे । आ वीरं पृतनाषहम् ॥

インドラよ、われらに力と、男らしき威力の充溢をもたらせ。百の巧みを持つ者、人々の中の明見者よ——戦陣に勝つ勇士を招き来たれ。

Mantra 11

त्वं हि नः पिता वसो त्वं माता शतक्रतो बभूविथ । अधा ते सुम्नमीमहे ॥

善き者よ、汝はまことにわれらの父となり、百巧の者よ、汝はまた母となった。ゆえにわれらは汝の恩寵、幸いの恵みを乞い願う。

Mantra 12

त्वां शुष्मिन्पुरुहूत वाजयन्तमुप ब्रुवे शतक्रतो । स नो रास्व सुवीर्यम् ॥

われは言葉をもって汝に近づく――力ある者、たびたび呼ばれる者、力の充溢を推し進める者、百の技をもつ者(シャタクラトゥ)。われらに善き英雄の力(スヴィーリヤ)を授けたまえ。

Inside Sukta 98

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    A direct imperative: sing the Sāman to Indra, the Vast seer who establishes dharma.

  2. Development

    Praise expands through epithets and images: Indra as hymn-loved, discerning, and the one toward whom great desires are launched like rising waters.

  3. Climax

    The collective surge of aspiration toward Indra (kāmān mahaḥ… udeva yanta udabhiḥ) frames him as the up-lifting power that makes inner and outer energies flow upward.

  4. Where it settles

    A personal, focused approach by word and prayer ends in the boon-request: ‘Give us suvīrya’—noble heroism and effective strength.

The deity: Indra

  • In the VedaIndra is celebrated as girvaṇa (delighting in hymns), śatakratu (of a hundred powers/skills), puruhūta (much-invoked), bṛhat (vast), and as a vipaścit (clear-discerning) lord who responds to well-crafted praise.
  • Cosmic functionHe upholds ṛta/dharma by overcoming obstructive forces, releasing vitality (often imaged as waters), and granting victory, strength, and expansion to the community of sacrificers.
  • Inner significanceIndra represents the awakened force of will and illumination that breaks inner obstruction, releases the ‘waters’ of energy and insight, and establishes right order in thought and action.

Famous verses

indrāya sāma gāyata
Verse 8.98.1Sets the hymn’s keynote: musical invocation (Sāman) and Indra’s identity as vast, discerning, and a maker of dharma/order.Read verse 8.98.1 →
kāmān mahaḥ sasṛjmahe
Verse 8.98.7Expresses the hymn’s inner dynamic—aspiration and longing propelled toward Indra, imaged as waters rising upward.Read verse 8.98.7 →
suvīryam
Verse 8.98.12Concluding petition that crystallizes the desired fruit of the praise: suvīrya (good heroism), addressed to Indra as puruhūta and śatakratu.Read verse 8.98.12 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Mighty (śuṣmin)
  • Much-invoked (puruhūta)
  • Lord of hymns (girvaṇa)
  • Hundred-powered/skillful (śatakratu)
  • Order-establisher (dharma-kṛt)
  • Clear-discerning (vipaścit)
  • Giver of heroic power (suvīrya-dātṛ)

Also by this seer

  • Authorship remains uncertain for this sukta.

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the altar/fire and seat for the deity; recollect Indra’s epithets and deeds.
  • Chant or ‘sing the Sāman’ (sāma gāyata) as the principal invitation, with rhythmic recitation of the verses.
  • Offer oblations while repeating key epithets (girvaṇa, puruhūta, śatakratu) to ‘draw near’ the deity.
  • State the community’s aspirations (kāmān mahaḥ) and direct them upward like waters rising.
  • Conclude with a clear petition for the boon: suvīrya (good heroism/efficient power) and protection.

Offerings

  • Soma (where applicable in the rite)
  • Ghee/clarified butter oblations into Agni
  • Simple food-offerings or libations as per household rite

Frequently Asked Questions

It calls the singers to praise Indra with Sāman-like song, recognize him as the establisher of right order, and ask him for strength, victory, and noble heroism (suvīrya).

The image suggests that sincere desires and prayers should surge upward with force and clarity, moving toward Indra who releases and directs vital energies—like waters set free to flow.

Suvīrya is ‘good heroism’—effective courage, strength, and capacity to act rightly and win obstacles, both outwardly (success, protection) and inwardly (resolve and mastery).

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