Rig Veda Sukta 39
Mandala 4Sukta 396 Mantras

Sukta 39

Sukta 4.39

Rishi

Vāmadeva Gautama (traditional for many hymns in Maṇḍala 4; this Dadhikrā praise belongs to the same family collection)

Chandas

Triṣṭubh

Himne enam rangkap ini memuji Dadhikrāvan, kuasa-kuda yang pantas dan menakluk, memohon agar kelajuannya serta dorongan kemenangannya membawa penyanyi melampaui bahaya dan lintasan yang sukar. Fajar-fajar (Uṣas) diseru sebagai para pembangkit yang mengejutkan pemuja kepada gerak yang benar, sementara himne ini berkembang menjadi doa perlindungan dan kesejahteraan, yang seketika menyeru dewa-dewa sekutu (Marut, Mitra–Varuṇa, Agni, Indra) untuk meneguhkan svasti (keutuhan). Penutupnya bersifat transformatif: Dadhikrāvan diminta menjadikan “bahagian hadapan” kesedaran harum/bercahaya dan menuntun daya-daya hidup maju melintasi penyeberangan yang membatasi.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 4.39

In this hymn

Addressed to

  • DadhikraMantra 1Dadhikrā with support of Uṣas (Dawns) as awakeners
  • DadhikravanMantras 2-4, 6Dadhikrāvan

    Dadhikrāvan is celebrated as āśu (swift), jiṣṇu (conquering), and vājín (bearing plenitude/strength), a horse-like divine power whose rushing movement brings protection, success, and forward passage.

  • Mitra-VarunaMantra 5Mitra-Varuṇa as bestowers

Mantras

Mantra 1

आशुं दधिक्रां तमु नु ष्टवाम दिवस्पृथिव्या उत चर्किराम । उच्छन्तीर्मामुषसः सूदयन्त्वति विश्वानि दुरितानि पर्षन् ॥

Dadhikrā yang pantas—dialah kini kami puji, dan kami wartakan dari Langit dan dari Bumi. Semoga Fajar-fajar yang terbit menyedarkanku, dan semoga mereka membawaku melampaui segala laluan sukar dan gerak yang tersasar.

Mantra 2

महश्चर्कर्म्यर्वतः क्रतुप्रा दधिक्राव्णः पुरुवारस्य वृष्णः । यं पूरुभ्यो दीदिवांसं नाग्निं ददथुर्मित्रावरुणा ततुरिम् ॥

Aku mewartakan kebesaran kuda Dadhikrāvan, sang banteng yang banyak harta, yang memenuhi tekad dengan daya. Dia—bercahaya laksana Agni—engkau, Mitra dan Varuṇa, telah mengurniakannya kepada banyak kaum sebagai penewas yang tangkas.

Mantra 3

यो अश्वस्य दधिक्राव्णो अकारीत्समिद्धे अग्ना उषसो व्युष्टौ । अनागसं तमदितिः कृणोतु स मित्रेण वरुणेना सजोषाः ॥

Dia yang telah menyusun persembahan bagi Dadhikrāvan, Sang Kuasa-Kuda, ketika Agni dinyalakan pada fajar yang terbuka luas—moga Aditi menjadikannya tanpa cela batin; moga dia hidup seia-sekata, seiring sejalan, bersama Mitra dan Varuṇa.

Mantra 4

दधिक्राव्ण इष ऊर्जो महो यदमन्महि मरुतां नाम भद्रम् । स्वस्तये वरुणं मित्रमग्निं हवामह इन्द्रं वज्रबाहुम् ॥

Kerana kami telah memegang Dadhikrāvan sebagai kelimpahan agung pemakanan dan daya, dan telah meneguhkan dalam kesedaran Nama Marut yang berkat; demi sejahtera batin kami menyeru Varuṇa dan Mitra, Agni, serta Indra yang berlengan wajra (petir).

Mantra 5

इन्द्रमिवेदुभये वि ह्वयन्त उदीराणा यज्ञमुपप्रयन्तः । दधिक्रामु सूदनं मर्त्याय ददथुर्मित्रावरुणा नो अश्वम् ॥

Seakan-akan menyeru Indra, kedua-dua pihak berseru, bangkit dan mara menuju yajña (korban). Mitra dan Varuṇa telah mengurniakan kepada kami, untuk perjalanan fana, Dadhikrāvan—kuda pendorong yang membawa kami kepada kemenangan.

Mantra 6

दधिक्राव्णो अकारिषं जिष्णोरश्वस्य वाजिनः । सुरभि नो मुखा करत्प्र ण आयूंषि तारिषत् ॥

Aku telah menggubah madah ini bagi Dadhikrāvan, kuda penakluk yang sarat kelimpahan. Semoga ia menjadikan wajah-hadapan kami harum dan bercahaya; semoga ia membawa daya-hayat kami melampaui lintasan-lintasan yang membatasi.

Inside Sukta 39

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    A direct proclamation of praise to the swift Dadhikrā, voiced ‘from Heaven and Earth,’ coupled with the request that the rising Dawns awaken the singer and ferry him beyond all duritāni.

  2. Development

    Dadhikrā is contemplated as nourishment and force (iṣ/ūrj), and the hymn broadens into a well-being frame (svasti), briefly summoning major protective and ordering powers—Maruts, Mitra–Varuṇa, Agni, and Indra.

  3. Climax

    The recognition of Dadhikrāvan as a great plenitude and protective momentum, sufficient to ground a comprehensive invocation of cosmic supports for inner and outer safety.

  4. Where it settles

    The hymn ends with a crafted offering of speech to the conquering steed and a final boon: may he make the leading edge of life fragrant/bright and carry the life-forces forward across limiting crossings.

The deity: Dadhikrāvan

  • In the VedaHe is linked with auspiciousness and with the morning awakening, as the Dawns rouse the worshipper to align with his victorious momentum.
  • Cosmic functionHe embodies victorious speed and the power of safe crossing—driving the chariot of life through peril, opening paths, and securing prosperity and well-being in the day’s course.
  • Inner significancePsychologically, Dadhikrāvan signifies the awakened life-force and disciplined impulse that turns aspiration into effective action: the power that carries the mind beyond wrong turns (duritāni) and establishes a clear, luminous ‘front’ (mukhā) for right movement.

The seer

  • Vāmadeva GautamaGautama gotra (Vāmadeva family of Maṇḍala 4) · A principal seer of the Fourth Maṇḍala, renowned for hymns that unite heroic vitality with inner awakening—often reading the gods as powers that lift the human being beyond obstruction (duritāni).

Famous verses

ati viśvāni duritāni parṣan
Verse 4.39.1Sets the hymn’s core program: praise of Dadhikrā’s swiftness, the Dawns as awakeners, and the central prayer to pass beyond all duritāni (difficult passages/wrong movements).Read verse 4.39.1 →
svastaye varuṇam mitram agniṃ havāmaha
Verse 4.39.4Expands the Dadhikrā praise into a svasti-prayer, explicitly calling Mitra–Varuṇa, Agni, and Indra; it shows how this hymn integrates personal momentum with cosmic order and protection.Read verse 4.39.4 →
surabhi no mukhā karat
Verse 4.39.6Concluding benediction: the hymn is ‘fashioned’ as an offering to the conquering steed, requesting a transformed, auspicious ‘front’ (mukhā) and forward-carriage of the life-powers.Read verse 4.39.6 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Swift (āśu)
  • Conquering/victorious (jiṣṇu)
  • Vigorous, plenitude-bearing (vājín)
  • Protector in crossings and difficult passages
  • Awakening ally of Uṣas (Dawns)
  • Bringer of svasti (well-being) and auspiciousness

Also by this seer

  • A large portion of Rigveda Maṇḍala 4 is attributed to Vāmadeva and his family line
  • Hymns to Indra, Agni, and the Viśve Devāḥ in RV 4 (family collection)
  • Tradition also remembers Vāmadeva as a paradigmatic ṛṣi of inspired speech (brahman) and victorious prayer (stotra)

The rite, step by step

  • Begin at dawn (or before sunrise) with a brief saṅkalpa for safe passage and right movement
  • Kindle or honor the household fire (Agni) or a lamp; establish a clean, quiet space
  • Recite RV 4.39 sequentially, emphasizing the opening praise of Dadhikrā and the request to pass beyond duritāni
  • Optionally add a short invocation for svasti calling the allied deities named in the hymn (Mitra–Varuṇa, Agni, Indra, Maruts)
  • Conclude with a closing prayer that the ‘front’ (mukhā) be made surabhi—clear, auspicious, and fit for leadership—and that life-powers move forward

Offerings

  • Ghee or sesame oil into fire (if performing a homa-style offering)
  • Milk/curds or simple white offerings symbolically resonant with horse/strength and morning freshness
  • Water libation (ācamanīya/arghya) at dawn
  • Flowers or fragrant substances (as a gesture aligned with surabhi)

Frequently Asked Questions

Dadhikrāvan is a divine “steed-power” praised for swift, conquering movement. In this hymn he represents victorious momentum that protects the worshipper and carries them safely beyond obstacles.

Uṣas are asked to “awaken” the singer as they rise. Dawn symbolizes the start of right action and clear perception, helping the worshipper move beyond wrong turns and difficult passages.

The hymn repeatedly seeks safe passage beyond duritāni (hard crossings, errors, dangers) and asks for svasti (well-being). It concludes by praying that the leading edge of life and consciousness be made auspicious and that the life-forces move forward.

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