Dashati 8
Aindra Soma-invocation: Indra praised as the foremost protector and drinker of the pressed Soma, whose expansive might secures the rite and its gifts.
Indra
Exultant and martial—victory-toned praise that also carries a protective auspicious confidence.
Kaṇva
Soma offering context: verses function as Indra-invocations at the Soma pressing/serving calling him to drink and empower the rite.
Mantras
Mantra 1
इदं ह्यन्वोजसा सुतं राधानां पते पिबा त्वा3स्य गिर्वणः
For this pressed (Soma), endowed with vigour, do thou drink, O lord of gifts; thee (we invoke) herein, O Girvaṇas (praised by songs).
Mantra 2
महां इन्द्रः पुरश्च नो महित्वमस्तु वज्रिणे द्यौर्न प्रथिना शवः
May Indra, the mighty, go before us; may greatness be (manifest) unto the thunderbolt-bearing (god); his strength is wide-spread, as the heaven (is extended).
Mantra 3
आ तू न इन्द्र क्षुमन्तं चित्रं ग्राभं सं गृभाय महाहस्ती दक्षिणेन
Come then unto us, Indra; seize for us, with thy right hand, thou of mighty hand, the excellent and affluent grasp (of wealth).
Mantra 4
अभि प्र गोपतिं गिरेन्द्रमर्च यथा विदे सूनुं सत्यस्य सत्पतिम्
Praise, with earnest (hymn), the lord of kine, the lord of sacred song, that we may obtain offspring; (praise) the true one's lord, the master of the good.
Mantra 5
कया नश्चित्र आ भुवदूती सदावृधः सखा कया शचिष्ठया वृता
By what (means) shall the splendid (Indra) be present to us with succour—he, the ever-increasing friend? By what most potent energy (shall he be) chosen (as our helper)?
Mantra 6
त्यमु वः सत्रासाहं विश्वासु गीर्ष्वायतम् आ च्यावयस्यूतये
Him, the battle-conqueror, do ye verily celebrate in all hymns; extend (your chant) for the succour of Cyāvaya.
Mantra 7
सदसस्पतिमद्भुतं प्रियमिन्द्रस्य काम्यम् सनिं मेधामयासिषम्
The lord of the assembly, the marvellous, the beloved, desirable to Indra—(may he grant) acquisition; (this is) a benediction fraught with sacred intelligence.
Mantra 8
ये ते पन्था अधो दिवो येभिर्व्यश्वमैरयः उत श्रोषन्तु नो भुवः
Those paths of thine, (descending) from beneath the heaven, by which, O all-steeded (god), thou hast been impelled—let the regions also hear us (as we invoke thee).
Mantra 9
भद्रंभद्रं न आ भरेषमूर्जं शतक्रतो यदिन्द्र मृडयासि नः
Bring unto us blessings, blessings; bring food and vigour, O Śatakratu; since, Indra, thou art gracious unto us.
Mantra 10
अस्ति सोमो अयं सुतः पिबन्त्यस्य मरुतः उत स्वराजो अश्विना
This Soma is (here), pressed; the Maruts drink thereof, and also the sovereign Aśvins (drink).
Frequently Asked Questions
It invites Indra to drink the pressed Soma and praises him as the foremost power who goes before the sacrificer, protects the ritual, and grants gifts and success.
‘Vajriṇ’ highlights Indra’s thunderbolt authority, and ‘śavas’ points to an efficacious, rite-securing might—cosmic in scale, like the expanse of heaven, and effective in the sacrifice.
It is a ritual epithet: the presiding power of the sadas (sacrificial hall/assembly), invoked to keep the performance orderly, auspicious, and guided by medhā (ritual intelligence).