Rig Veda Sukta 22
Mandala 6Sukta 2211 Mantras

Sukta 22

Sukta 6.22

Rishi

Bharadvāja Bārhaspatya

Devata

Indra

Chandas

Triṣṭubh (probable; needs verification)

Himne ini memuji Indra sebagai yang secara sejagat layak diseru—benar, gagah seperti lembu jantan dalam kekuatan, dan penguasa banyak kuasa berkesan (māyāḥ). Ia mengingatkan perbuatan-perbuatannya yang tidak dapat ditahan: memecahkan apa yang tampak tidak tergoyahkan dan melepaskan apa yang terbelenggu; lalu beralih menjadi undangan langsung agar Indra datang ke korban dengan kuasa-kuasanya yang dipasang pada kuk (niyut). Tujuannya ialah pujian sekaligus seruan liturgi demi perlindungan, kemenangan, dan penganugerahan kurnia pada yajña.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 6.22

Mantras

Mantra 1

य एक इद्धव्यश्चर्षणीनामिन्द्रं तं गीर्भिरभ्यर्च आभिः । यः पत्यते वृषभो वृष्ण्यावान्त्सत्यः सत्वा पुरुमायः सहस्वान् ॥

Dialah satu-satunya yang benar-benar patut diseru oleh segala bangsa: Indra—dia kupuji dengan nyanyian ini. Ia memerintah sebagai Sang Banteng, penuh daya keperkasaan; benar pada hakikat, suatu kuasa yang nyata, banyak perbuatan, dan gagah dalam tenaga.

Mantra 2

तमु नः पूर्वे पितरो नवग्वाः सप्त विप्रासो अभि वाजयन्तः । नक्षद्दाभं ततुरिं पर्वतेष्ठामद्रोघवाचं मतिभिः शविष्ठम् ॥

Dialah yang dicapai oleh leluhur kami—para Navagva, tujuh resi—yang mara mendesak demi kepenuhan (vāja). Mereka meraih yang tidak tertembus, sang penakluk, yang tegak di puncak-puncak gunung; yang katanya tanpa khianat; yang paling kuat—dengan fikiran-fikiran mereka yang terhimpun.

Mantra 3

तमीमह इन्द्रमस्य रायः पुरुवीरस्य नृवतः पुरुक्षोः । यो अस्कृधोयुरजरः स्वर्वान्तमा भर हरिवो मादयध्यै ॥

Dialah yang kami cari—Indra—bagi kekayaan kelimpahan ini: kaya dengan wira, penuh dengan insan, melimpah pertambahan. Dia yang tidak pernah culas dalam pemberian, tidak menua, memiliki cahaya langit—bawalah dia ke mari, wahai Harivo (tuan kuda-kuda perang keemasan), untuk kemabukan daya kami.

Mantra 4

तन्नो वि वोचो यदि ते पुरा चिज्जरितार आनशुः सुम्नमिन्द्र । कस्ते भागः किं वयो दुध्र खिद्वः पुरुहूत पुरूवसोऽसुरघ्नः ॥

Nyatakanlah itu dengan terang kepada kami: jika sejak dahulu para penyanyi (jaritar) pun memperoleh rahmatmu, wahai Indra—apakah bahagianmu untuk kami kini, apakah santapan penguat bagi usaha perahan soma kami? Wahai yang banyak diseru, luas kekayaan, pembunuh kuasa-kuasa yang memusuhi.

Mantra 5

तं पृच्छन्ती वज्रहस्तं रथेष्ठामिन्द्रं वेपी वक्वरी यस्य नू गीः । तुविग्राभं तुविकूर्मिं रभोदां गातुमिषे नक्षते तुम्रमच्छ ॥

Bertanya kepadanya—pemegang vajra, teguh di atas kereta—Indra: nyanyianku yang bergetar, berliku, kini bergerak menuju dia. Kepada yang kuat menggenggam, yang banyak mara ke hadapan, pemberi daya yang menggebu, ia sampai—mencari jalan—kepada yang garang.

Mantra 6

अया ह त्यं मायया वावृधानं मनोजुवा स्वतवः पर्वतेन । अच्युता चिद्वीळिता स्वोजो रुजो वि दृळ्हा धृषता विरप्शिन् ॥

Dengan kuasa ini—dia yang bertambah besar oleh māyā (daya pembentuk), sepantas fikiran, teguh dalam tenaga dirinya—dengan gunung ia memecahkan bahkan yang tidak tergoyahkan, yang terpasak. Dengan ojas (kekuatan asli) ia meremukkan belenggu yang dipegang kukuh, dengan berani, wahai pemilik daya yang meluas kerjanya.

Mantra 7

तं वो धिया नव्यस्या शविष्ठं प्रत्नं प्रत्नवत्परितंसयध्यै । स नो वक्षदनिमानः सुवह्मेन्द्रो विश्वान्यति दुर्गहाणि ॥

Dia itu—yang paling perkasa—dengan dhī (wawasan) yang lebih baharu ingin kami rangkum, sebagai yang purba, menurut cara purba. Semoga Indra, tanpa keakuan, membawa kami dengan baik, melampaui segala laluan yang sukar diseberangi.

Mantra 8

आ जनाय द्रुह्वणे पार्थिवानि दिव्यानि दीपयोऽन्तरिक्षा । तपा वृषन्विश्वतः शोचिषा तान्ब्रह्मद्विषे शोचय क्षामपश्च ॥

Terhadap kaum yang memusuhi, nyalakanlah yang bumi dan yang langit, dan (api) wilayah antara—antarikṣa. Membaralah, wahai Lembu Jantan, dari segala arah dengan nyala-mu; hanguskan para pembenci Brahman (Sabda Suci)—bagi mereka, hanguskan bumi dan perairan.

Mantra 9

भुवो जनस्य दिव्यस्य राजा पार्थिवस्य जगतस्त्वेषसंदृक् । धिष्व वज्रं दक्षिण इन्द्र हस्ते विश्वा अजुर्य दयसे वि मायाः ॥

Wahai Indra, Raja kaum ilahi dan alam bergerak di bumi, yang memandang dengan cahaya yang menyala; letakkanlah vajra-mu pada tangan kananmu. Wahai yang tidak menua, curahkan dan bahagikan segala māyā-mu—daya-daya pembentuk yang berkesan—agar bagi kami ia menjadi keluasan kerja Cahaya.

Mantra 10

आ संयतमिन्द्र णः स्वस्तिं शत्रुतूर्याय बृहतीममृध्राम् । यया दासान्यार्याणि वृत्रा करो वज्रिन्त्सुतुका नाहुषाणि ॥

Datanglah mendekat dan pasangkan bagi kami, wahai Indra, kesejahteraan yang luas dan tidak menipu untuk mengatasi kuasa-kuasa yang memusuhi. Dengan itu, wahai pemegang vajra, jadikanlah perlawanan gelap dan bentukan-bentukan yang menentang sebagai sesuatu yang mudah dihalau, agar sifat Arya mara ke hadapan dalam kemenangan.

Mantra 11

स नो नियुद्भिः पुरुहूत वेधो विश्ववाराभिरा गहि प्रयज्यो । न या अदेवो वरते न देव आभिर्याहि तूयमा मद्र्यद्रिक् ॥

Datanglah kepada kami, wahai yang banyak diseru, wahai Sang Pengetahu, dengan tenaga-tenaga yang terpasang dan dengan segala kurnia yang diingini; wahai yang cepat menuju yajña. Tiada yang tidak-ilahi dapat memilih kuasa-kuasa ini, bahkan para dewa pun (tanpa izinmu); dengan kuasa-kuasa itu datanglah segera kepada penglihatan gembira kami dan minumlah kenikmatan.

Inside Sukta 22

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    Indra alone is declared the true, universal recipient of invocation; the poet approaches him with praise and epithets of truth and virile power.

  2. Development

    The hymn amplifies Indra’s might through deed-memory: his māyā-driven growth, speed, and ability to break the immovable and shatter firm restraints—establishing him as the decisive liberator.

  3. Climax

    A concentrated portrayal of irresistible force: the unshakable is shaken, the bound is broken—Indra’s native power triumphs over all obstruction.

  4. Where it settles

    The poet turns from narration to liturgy: Indra is invited to come swiftly with niyut and with every boon, to the sacrificer’s glad vision and soma-delight.

The deity: Indra

  • In the VedaIndra is hailed as the preeminent, much-invoked lord of peoples, a vṛṣabha (bull) overflowing with vṛṣṇya (virile force), true in essence (satyaḥ), and mighty in energy. He grows by māyā (formative power), breaks the firm and the fastened, and arrives to drink soma and grant boons to the worshipper.
  • Cosmic functionHe upholds ṛta by overcoming obstructive forces, releasing the blocked (waters/light/cattle), and securing space, rain, and victory for the community through decisive, world-ordering power.
  • Inner significanceIndra symbolizes the awakened heroic will and illumined force that shatters inner bonds—fear, inertia, and limitation—so the seeker’s energies can move freely toward clarity, joy, and right action.

The seer

  • Bharadvāja BārhaspatyaBharadvāja gotra (Āṅgirasa/Bārhaspatya line) · A principal seer of Mandala 6, celebrated for powerful Indra-hymns that combine martial imagery with precise sacrificial invocation; associated with the Bharadvāja priestly tradition.

Famous verses

ya eka id dhavyaś carṣaṇīnām
Verse 6.22.1Sets the thesis of the sukta: Indra as the single, universally worthy god of invocation—true, bull-strong, and of many effective workings (purumāyaḥ).Read verse 6.22.1 →
अया ह त्यं मायया वावृधानं मनोजुवा स्वतवः पर्वतेन । अच्युता चिद्वीळिता स्वोजो रुजो वि दृळ्हा धृषता विरप्शिन् ॥
Verse 6.22.6A vivid centerpiece describing Indra’s māyā-powered growth and his shattering of the firm and fastened—classic Indra imagery of breaking obstruction and releasing power.Read verse 6.22.6 →
sa no niyudbhiḥ puruhūta
Verse 6.22.11The concluding invitation (āhvāna): Indra is called to come with niyut and all boons, emphasizing his unique sovereignty over those powers and his quick arrival to the yajña.Read verse 6.22.11 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Puruhūta (much-invoked)
  • Vṛṣabha (bull-like strength)
  • Sahasvān (full of energy/might)
  • Māyāvān (possessor of effective formative power)
  • Breaker of obstacles and restraints
  • Bestower of boons and victory
  • Soma-drinker, yajña-friendly

Also by this seer

  • Major portion of Rigveda Mandala 6 attributed to the Bharadvāja family of seers
  • Indra-stutis emphasizing vṛṣabha (bull) strength, niyut (yoked powers), and victory-bestowing aid to the sacrificer
  • Foundational influence on later Bharadvāja śrauta/priestly lineages (as remembered in Vedic tradition)

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the altar/fire (Agni) and establish the sacrificial space with purity and intention.
  • Recite the opening praise acknowledging Indra as the universally worthy recipient of hymns (stuti).
  • Recount Indra’s deeds (breaking the firm/immovable; releasing what is bound) to intensify the deity’s presence through remembrance.
  • Offer soma/oblations while repeating key epithets (puruhūta, vṛṣabha, satyaḥ) as a formal invitation (āhvāna).
  • Conclude with the direct summons: call Indra to come with niyut (yoked powers) bringing viśvavāra (all-desirable boons), and request protection and success.

Offerings

  • Soma (where applicable)
  • Ghee (ājya)
  • Grain/cakes (puroḍāśa) or simple oblations according to rite
  • Praise-hymns (stotra) as the primary offering of speech

Frequently Asked Questions

It is a praise-and-invocation hymn to Indra, declaring him the foremost god to be called by all peoples, recalling his power to break obstacles, and inviting him to come quickly to the sacrifice with boons.

In Vedic poetry, “bull” symbolizes overflowing strength, leadership, and virile energy. Here it highlights Indra’s commanding force and his ability to rule and protect.

Niyut refers to Indra’s yoked powers or harnessed energies (often imagined as teams that bring him swiftly). The hymn asks him to arrive with these powers and with every desirable gift for the worshipper.

Ask anything about Sukta 22 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