Rig Veda Sukta 101
Mandala 10Sukta 10112 Mantras

Sukta 101

Sukta 10.101

Devata

Agni, Uṣas, Dadhikrāvan; supported by Indra (indra-vat)

Chandas

Triṣṭubh (probable for RV 10.101 opening)

Himne ini ialah seruan bersama untuk mengejutkan sekumpulan sahabat sehaluan agar bersama-sama menyalakan Agni dan menggerakkan korban suci (yajña), sambil menyeru Fajar (Uṣas) dan Dadhikrāvan, dengan Indra sebagai sekutu pemberi daya (indra-vat). Dengan citra yang hidup tentang pembuatan kereta, menyegarkan “kuda-kuda” (kuasa hayat), serta memenuhi palung/bejana, ia menggambarkan yajña sebagai kerja yang teratur dan mahir—yang meraih kekuatan, kemakmuran, dan gerak kemenangan. Pada akhirnya ia mendesak kerja yang tegas dan secara jelas memanggil Indra untuk meminum Soma serta mengurniakan pertolongan.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 10.101

Mantras

Mantra 1

उद्बुध्यध्वं समनसः सखायः समग्निमिन्ध्वं बहवः सनीळाः । दधिक्रामग्निमुषसं च देवीमिन्द्रावतोऽवसे नि ह्वये वः ॥

Bangkitlah, wahai sahabat-sahabat yang sejiwa; bersama-sama nyalakan Agni, kamu yang ramai, sehuni dalam satu sarang. Dadhikrāvan, Agni, dan Dewi Uṣas (Fajar)—mereka kupanggil turun demi pertolongan, dengan Indra sebagai daya pengiring.

Mantra 2

मन्द्रा कृणुध्वं धिय आ तनुध्वं नावमरित्रपरणीं कृणुध्वम् । इष्कृणुध्वमायुधारं कृणुध्वं प्राञ्चं यज्ञं प्र णयता सखायः ॥

Jadikan fikiranmu merdu dan luaskanlah; bentuklah perahu yang digerakkan oleh dayung. Sediakanlah anak panah; tegakkanlah daya yang memanggul senjata. Bawalah yajña ke hadapan, lurus maju, wahai sahabat-sahabat.

Mantra 3

युनक्त सीरा वि युगा तनुध्वं कृते योनौ वपतेह बीजम् । गिरा च श्रुष्टिः सभरा असन्नो नेदीय इत्सृण्यः पक्वमेयात् ॥

Pasangkanlah bajak; bentangkanlah kuk-kuknya. Dalam rahim yang telah disediakan, taburkanlah benih di sini. Semoga seruan kami dan kepatuhan kami yang sigap menyertai daya pemikul beban; maka semoga hasil yang masak mendekat kepada kami dengan segera.

Mantra 4

सीरा युञ्जन्ति कवयो युगा वि तन्वते पृथक् । धीरा देवेषु सुम्नया ॥

Para kavi (para resi) memasang bajak; mereka membentangkan kuk-kuk itu berasingan, masing-masing pada tempatnya. Yang teguh lagi bijaksana, berpaut pada para dewa, dengan daya niat baik dan kurnia (sumná).

Mantra 5

निराहावान्कृणोतन सं वरत्रा दधातन । सिञ्चामहा अवतमुद्रिणं वयं सुषेकमनुपक्षितम् ॥

Bersihkanlah saluran-saluran seruan (āhāva); satukanlah tali kendali (varatrā) dengan seia dan selaras. Kami hendak mencurahkan telaga yang terangkat di dalam diri kami—tersiram baik, tidak berkurang—agar ladang batin perbuatan menjadi sedia.

Mantra 6

इष्कृताहावमवतं सुवरत्रं सुषेचनम् । उद्रिणं सिञ्चे अक्षितम् ॥

Apabila saluran pemanggilan (āhāva) telah dibentuk dengan benar, telaga itu menjadi ber-kendali baik dan berair baik; maka curahkanlah mata air yang terangkat—tidak menyusut, tidak habis—agar kelimpahan batin berdiri teguh.

Mantra 7

प्रीणीताश्वान्हितं जयाथ स्वस्तिवाहं रथमित्कृणुध्वम् । द्रोणाहावमवतमश्मचक्रमंसत्रकोशं सिञ्चता नृपाणम् ॥

Gembirakanlah daya-hidup (kuda-kuda) dan menangkan apa yang telah ditetapkan di hadapanmu; bentuklah benar-benar rata yang membawa sejahtera. Curahkanlah ke palung seruan, ke telaga beroda-batu dan bejana yang dipegang teguh—penuhilah minuman para lelaki (nṛpāṇam) yang menegakkan wujud kita yang mulia.

Mantra 8

व्रजं कृणुध्वं स हि वो नृपाणो वर्म सीव्यध्वं बहुला पृथूनि । पुरः कृणुध्वमायसीरधृष्टा मा वः सुस्रोच्चमसो दृंहता तम् ॥

Buatlah kepungan/pagar (vraja), kerana itulah minuman penopangmu; jahitlah baju zirah, banyak dan luas. Dirikanlah pertahanan besi di hadapan, tidak terserang; jangan biarkan cawan itu bocor—teguhkanlah ia dengan baik.

Mantra 9

आ वो धियं यज्ञियां वर्त ऊतये देवा देवीं यजतां यज्ञियामिह । सा नो दुहीयद्यवसेव गत्वी सहस्रधारा पयसा मही गौः ॥

Berpalinglah kepada kami untuk pertolongan: fikiran (dhī) yang layak bagi yajña, wahai para dewa—Dewi Fikiran, yang patut disembah, yang yajñiya, di sini. Semoga ia memerah bagi kami, seperti lembu menuju padang ragut, arus besar—seribu aliran—dengan susu pemeliharaan yang kaya.

Mantra 10

आ तू षिञ्च हरिमीं द्रोरुपस्थे वाशीभिस्तक्षताश्मन्मयीभिः । परि ष्वजध्वं दश कक्ष्याभिरुभे धुरौ प्रति वह्निं युनक्त ॥

Marilah; tuangkan daya keemasan itu ke riba palung kayu; dengan pahat seumpama batu bentuklah ia dengan elok. Kepunglah ia dengan sepuluh ikatan; pada kedua kuk ikatlah pembawa api—kuklah kehendak pada dua kekuatannya.

Mantra 11

उभे धुरौ वह्निरापिब्दमानोऽन्तर्योनेव चरति द्विजानिः । वनस्पतिं वन आस्थापयध्वं नि षू दधिध्वमखनन्त उत्सम् ॥

Pada kedua kuk itu Sang Pembawa bergerak, sambil meneguk, bagaikan anak dalam rahim, yang dua-kali-lahir. Dirikan Vanaspati, tuan rimba, di dalam rimba; letakkan ia teguh—menggali keluar mata air.

Mantra 12

कपृन्नरः कपृथमुद्दधातन चोदयत खुदत वाजसातये । निष्टिग्र्यः पुत्रमा च्यावयोतय इन्द्रं सबाध इह सोमपीतये ॥

Wahai para pekerja, angkatlah kerja itu dan majukanlah; paculah, galilah, demi kemenangan kelimpahan. Wahai Niṣṭigrya, gerakkan puteramu untuk pertolongan—bawalah Indra bersama para sahabatnya ke mari untuk meminum Soma.

Inside Sukta 101

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    A direct exhortation: wake up, unite in mind, and kindle Agni together; invoke Dadhikrāvan, Agni, and Dawn with Indra as supporting power (10.101.1).

  2. Development

    The hymn develops a ‘ritual-as-craft’ vision—right preparation, energizing the team’s powers (horses), building the well-being-bearing chariot, and filling the vessels that sustain the rite (e.g., 10.101.7).

  3. Climax

    A surge of imperative action—lift the work, drive forward, dig in for vājasāti—paired with the explicit summoning of Indra to come for Soma-drinking (10.101.12).

  4. Where it settles

    The rite is secured as a coordinated endeavor: with Agni lit, Dawn opened, momentum established, and Indra invited, the sacrificers proceed toward protection, victory, and increase.

The deity: Agni, Uṣas, Dadhikrāvan

  • In the VedaAgni is the kindled fire and divine messenger who carries offerings; Uṣas is the radiant Dawn who awakens life and sets the world to right activity; Dadhikrāvan is the swift, victorious steed-power invoked for speed, prowess, and auspicious momentum; Indra stands as the companion-force who empowers the rite and grants winning.
  • Cosmic functionAgni mediates between humans and gods through oblation; Uṣas opens the day and renews order; Dadhikrāvan propels movement and success; Indra breaks obstacles and secures victory and plenitude for the sacrificers.
  • Inner significanceAgni signifies awakened will and focused aspiration; Uṣas signifies illumination, fresh beginnings, and clarity; Dadhikrāvan signifies disciplined energy and swift right action; Indra signifies courageous force that overcomes inertia and inner foes.

The seer

  • Anonymous (RV 10.101 traditionally classed among late, mixed-author hymns)A pragmatic, ‘work-and-ritual’ style hymn that treats the sacrifice as a coordinated communal enterprise—waking the group, kindling Agni, and mobilizing Indraic victory through right preparation.

Famous verses

ud budhyadhvaṃ samanasaḥ sakhāyaḥ
Verse 10.101.1Programmatic opening that sets the hymn’s communal tone (samanasaḥ), the shared kindling of Agni (sanīḻāḥ), and the distinctive triad-invocation of Dadhikrāvan–Agni–Uṣas with Indra as ally.Read verse 10.101.1 →
प्रीणीताश्वान्हितं जयाथ स्वस्तिवाहं रथमित्कृणुध्वम् । द्रोणाहावमवतमश्मचक्रमंसत्रकोशं सिञ्चता नृपाणम् ॥
Verse 10.101.7Rich symbolic center: energizing the ‘horses’ (vital powers), crafting the auspicious chariot, and filling the trough/vessel imagery that highlights careful ritual preparation and capacity-building.Read verse 10.101.7 →
indraṃ sabādha iha somapītaye
Verse 10.101.12Concluding push that turns exhortation into decisive action and culminates in calling Indra (with companions) specifically for Soma-drinking—linking effort (karma) to divine empowerment.Read verse 10.101.12 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Communal awakening and concord (samanasaḥ)
  • Kindling and mediation (Agni as hotṛ/messenger)
  • Renewal and illumination (Uṣas)
  • Speed, victory, auspicious drive (Dadhikrāvan)
  • Indraic power: overcoming, winning, strengthening
  • Ritual craftsmanship: chariot, vessels, troughs as symbols of prepared capacities

Also by this seer

  • Several hymns in Mandala 10 are transmitted without a secure rishi attribution; RV 10.101 is commonly included among these anonymous/uncertain authorial strata.
  • The diction and imagery align with late Rigvedic ‘collective exhortation’ hymns that emphasize ritual technique, teamwork, and efficacy.

The rite, step by step

  • Assemble the companions/ritual team in shared intention (samanasaḥ).
  • Awaken and commence the rite; kindle Agni together in the common hearth (sanīḻāḥ).
  • Invoke Dadhikrāvan for swift, victorious movement; invoke Uṣas for auspicious opening and clarity.
  • Prepare the ‘chariot’ imagery in practice: ready the ritual course—implements, pressing, and conveyance of offerings.
  • Energize the ‘horses’ (vital powers/assistants) and set the work in motion; ensure orderly distribution of tasks.
  • Fill/prepare vessels and troughs: arrange Soma and libations; make the offering fit for the gods.
  • Call Indra with his companions to the Soma-drinking; request protection, victory, and abundance.
  • Conclude with renewed impetus: continue the work for vājasāti (winning of plenitude) under Indra’s support.

Offerings

  • Soma (primary, explicitly in v.12)
  • Ghee/clarified butter into Agni
  • Libations in prepared vessels/troughs (symbolic of well-made receptacles)

Frequently Asked Questions

It urges a group of companions to wake up, unite in purpose, kindle Agni, and carry out the sacrifice skillfully, so that divine help brings strength, victory, and abundance.

Agni starts and carries the offering, Uṣas opens the day and renews right activity, and Dadhikrāvan represents swift victorious momentum—together they launch the rite with clarity and power.

It means the invocation is supported by Indra’s characteristic power—overcoming obstacles and securing ‘winning’—so the rite is not only performed but made effective and victorious.

Ask anything about Sukta 101 of the Rig Veda

Answers come straight from the texts, with the shlokas they draw on. Ask in your own words.

Not sure where to start?

A free sign-in with Google or Apple keeps your chat saved across web and the app.

Read Rig Veda in the Vedapath app

Scan the QR code to open this directly in the app, with word-by-word meanings, Sanskrit recitation where available, and more.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Continue reading in the Vedapath app

Open in App
Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play