Rig Veda 1.23.8: Mandala 1, Sukta 23, Mantra 8
Sukta 1.23
इन्द्रज्येष्ठा मरुद्गणा देवासः पूषरातयः । विश्वे मम श्रुता हवम् ॥
indrajyeṣṭhā marudgaṇā devāsaḥ pūṣarātayaḥ | viśve mama śrutā havam ||
Wahai para dewa—ganjaran Marut dengan Indra sebagai yang terunggul, para pemberi kurnia seperti Pūṣan—moga kamu semua mendengar seruanku, dan halakan bantuan-bantuan bercahaya kamu kepada perjalananku.
General invitation to the All-Gods in Soma setting; consolidates divine attendance and responsiveness (‘hear the call’).
leadership of illumined force (Indra-jyeṣṭha), collective divine functioning (viśve devāsaḥ), hearing as receptivity/śruti in consciousness
‘All gods’ implies the harmony of cosmic functions; hearing the call is alignment between human aspiration and Ṛta.
A true call (havam) evokes true response (śruta).
The many powers collaborate to build the inner journey—order as a living assembly rather than a single force.
Integral/collective divine working (Aurobindo’s ‘many powers of the One’).
Storm-winds = energizing purifications; path = the psychic journey through states of consciousness under right guidance.
- What is the primary Vedic 'mythologem' present in this verse?
- The 'All-Gods hearing the call' mythologem: the sacrifice summons a plenary assembly of powers, especially the Marut host led by Indra. Psychologically, it is the integrative invocation where all supportive faculties are asked to respond to the aspirant’s intention.
- How does the linguistic structure reflect Proto-Indo-European roots?
- √śru (PIE *ḱleu-) is a clear inheritance; the imperative śruta echoes archaic performative speech where utterance effects presence. Collective plurals (devāsaḥ, marudgaṇāḥ) reflect Indo-European poetic cataloguing.
- What is the relationship between the Rishi and the Devata here?
- The rishi’s stance is direct and personal (mama havam): he asks for attentive response, implying the gods are not distant abstractions but listening powers whose ‘hearing’ is their readiness to enter and assist the inner work.
Widen the mind to invite integral help; feel a ‘council of powers’ arranging the journey under a leading light.
ājñā (leadership/clarity) with viśuddha (true call and being heard)
Gentle lengthened exhale on ‘śruta havam’ to feel release of the call into the higher spaces.
Widened, receptive, guided.
When confused or scattered, chant to re-establish inner governance: let the best light lead, while supportive energies and guidance align around it.
Vedic udātta/anudātta/svarita as per Śākala; maintain clear lift on ‘índra-’ and proper cadence on ‘śrúta hávam’.
Let ‘indra-jyeṣṭhāḥ’ be firm and leading; keep ‘viśve’ expansive; end with a clear, audible ‘havam’.
indrajyeṣṭhāḥ: cluster ‘jye’ carefully; final ‘āḥ’ open, marudgaṇā: pronounce ‘dga’ conjunct cleanly, pūṣarātayaḥ: long ‘ū’, retroflex ‘ṣ’, long ‘ā’ in rā, śruta: ‘śr’ conjunct; short ‘u’, havam: ‘v’ soft, not ‘w’
Inclusive, resonant, slightly expansive.
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