Rig Veda Sukta 26
Mandala 6Sukta 268 Mantras

Sukta 26

Sukta 6.26

Rishi

Bharadvāja Bārhaspatya

Devata

Indra

Chandas

Triṣṭubh

Himne ini ialah seruan bersifat perang dan perlindungan kepada Indra, memohon agar baginda mendengar penyanyi Bharadvāja dan mengurniakan pertolongan yang garang pada “hari penentu” ketika bangsa-bangsa berhimpun demi kemenangan. Ia mengingatkan akan perbuatan Indra yang telah terbukti—terutama pembunuhan Śambara dan perlindungan terhadap Divodāsa—sebagai dasar bagi bantuan pada masa kini serta untuk memperoleh kekuatan, ternakan/kekayaan, dan kuasa kedaulatan bagi para penaung.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 6.26

Mantras

Mantra 1

श्रुधी न इन्द्र ह्वयामसि त्वा महो वाजस्य सातौ वावृषाणाः । सं यद्विशोऽयन्त शूरसाता उग्रं नोऽवः पार्ये अहन्दाः ॥

Dengarlah kami, wahai Indra; kami menyeru-Mu, bertambah dalam penaklukan kelimpahan besar kekuatan. Apabila bangsa-bangsa berhimpun untuk meraih kemenangan sang wira, maka kurniakanlah kepada kami perlindungan-Mu yang dahsyat pada hari penentu itu.

Mantra 2

त्वां वाजी हवते वाजिनेयो महो वाजस्य गध्यस्य सातौ । त्वां वृत्रेष्विन्द्र सत्पतिं तरुत्रं त्वां चष्टे मुष्टिहा गोषु युध्यन् ॥

Pencari daya menyeru Engkau, wahai pemenang daya, demi memperoleh kelimpahan yang besar dan teguh berasas. Dalam pertempuran melawan para penghalang, wahai Indra, dia melihat Engkau sebagai tuan yang benar, penyelamat yang menyeberangkan; Engkau terlihat sebagai pemukul dengan genggaman, berjuang demi sinar-sinar Cahaya.

Mantra 3

त्वं कविं चोदयोऽर्कसातौ त्वं कुत्साय शुष्णं दाशुषे वर्क् । त्वं शिरो अमर्मणः पराहन्नतिथिग्वाय शंस्यं करिष्यन् ॥

Engkau menggerakkan sang kavi (resi) dalam kemenangan madah; Engkau menumpaskan Śuṣṇa untuk Kutsā yang mempersembahkan. Engkau memenggal kepala si tidak mahu tunduk, agar menjadi perbuatan yang layak diwartakan bagi Atithigva.

Mantra 4

त्वं रथं प्र भरो योधमृष्वमावो युध्यन्तं वृषभं दशद्युम् । त्वं तुग्रं वेतसवे सचाहन्त्वं तुजिं गृणन्तमिन्द्र तूतोः ॥

Engkau mengemukakan kereta dan menolong pejuang yang tinggi menjulang, sang banteng berkilau sepuluh kali ganda, ketika dia bertempur. Engkau menumbangkan Tugra bersama Vetasava; Engkau menolong Tuji, penyanyi pujianmu, wahai Indra, dalam keturunan Tūtu.

Mantra 5

त्वं तदुक्थमिन्द्र बर्हणा कः प्र यच्छता सहस्रा शूर दर्षि । अव गिरेर्दासं शम्बरं हन्प्रावो दिवोदासं चित्राभिरूती ॥

Engkau, wahai Indra, menjadikan uktha itu berkesan dengan kekuatanmu yang terangkat; engkau menyingkapkan, wahai wira, ratusan dan ribuan (daya). Engkau menumbangkan Śambara, si Dāsa, dari gunung; engkau melindungi Divodāsa dengan teguh, dengan pertolonganmu yang beraneka-ragam.

Mantra 6

त्वं श्रद्धाभिर्मन्दसानः सोमैर्दभीतये चुमुरिमिन्द्र सिष्वप् । त्वं रजिं पिठीनसे दशस्यन्षष्टिं सहस्रा शच्या सचाहन् ॥

Engkau, yang bersukacita oleh soma-soma dengan perbuatan iman, wahai Indra, membuat Cumuri tenggelam demi Dabhīti. Engkau membunuh Raji bagi Pithīnas, memuliakannya; enam puluh ribu engkau hentam serentak oleh kuasamu.

Mantra 7

अहं चन तत्सूरिभिरानश्यां तव ज्याय इन्द्र सुम्नमोजः । त्वया यत्स्तवन्ते सधवीर वीरास्त्रिवरूथेन नहुषा शविष्ठ ॥

Moga aku juga, bersama para tuan yang bercahaya, mencapai kurniamu yang lebih besar dan daya-kekuatanmu, wahai Indra. Olehmu para wira, yang teguh bersatu, memuji—dengan perlindungan perisai tiga lapis, wahai Yang Maha Perkasa, (dalam keturunan Nahusha).

Mantra 8

वयं ते अस्यामिन्द्र द्युम्नहूतौ सखायः स्याम महिन प्रेष्ठाः । प्रातर्दनिः क्षत्रश्रीरस्तु श्रेष्ठो घने वृत्राणां सनये धनानाम् ॥

Moga kami menjadi sahabat-sahabatmu, wahai Indra, dalam seruan kuasa yang bercahaya ini—yang paling Engkau kasihi dalam kebesaran-Mu. Moga Prātardani, yang kaya dengan kemuliaan kṣatra (kedaulatan sejati), menjadi yang terbaik dalam menumpaskan para penghalang (Vṛtra), demi memperoleh khazanah-khazanah (kekayaan rohani).

Inside Sukta 26

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    A direct summons: “Hear us, O Indra,” asking for fierce protection when peoples gather for victory (RV 6.26.1).

  2. Development

    Praise intensifies by recalling Indra’s effective power and proven interventions—his ability to make the hymn efficacious and to reveal abundant forces/wealth; his defeat of Śambara and protection of Divodāsa (RV 6.26.5).

  3. Climax

    The hymn reaches its peak in the assurance of Indra’s companionship and the request that the patron be foremost in smiting obstructers and winning treasures (RV 6.26.8).

  4. Where it settles

    It settles into a bond-of-alliance conclusion: the singers seek enduring friendship with Indra and the stable enjoyment of victory and riches under his guardianship.

The deity: Indra

  • In the VedaIndra is the mighty, weapon-bearing hero who hears the call, breaks forts and obstacles, and grants ‘vaja’ (victorious force/booty). He is praised as fierce protector (ugra) and as the one whose past victories validate the sacrificer’s present request.
  • Cosmic functionBreaker of obstruction and releaser of life-supporting powers—opening the way for waters, light, and victory; securing order by defeating hostile, enclosing forces.
  • Inner significanceThe awakened will and courageous intelligence that smites inner ‘Vṛtras’ (inertia, fear, confusion), enabling clarity, strength, and the attainment of one’s rightful ‘treasures’ (capacities and supports).

The seer

  • Bharadvāja BārhaspatyaBharadvāja gotra (Bārhaspatya—descendant/affiliated with Bṛhaspati) · A principal seer of Mandala 6, renowned for Indra-centered hymns that blend historical memory (royal patrons and battles) with potent ritual speech (uktha) to secure victory and protection.

Famous verses

śrudhī na indra
Verse 6.26.1Sets the hymn’s ritual aim: to be heard by Indra and to receive ‘ugra’ protection at the critical moment of collective striving for victory.Read verse 6.26.1 →
त्वं तदुक्थमिन्द्र बर्हणा कः प्र यच्छता सहस्रा शूर दर्षि । अव गिरेर्दासं शम्बरं हन्प्रावो दिवोदासं चित्राभिरूती ॥
Verse 6.26.5Anchors the prayer in remembered mytho-historical deeds—Śambara’s defeat and Divodāsa’s protection—presenting Indra as the reliable ally of the patron and priest.Read verse 6.26.5 →
vayaṃ te asyām indra
Verse 6.26.8Concluding aspiration for intimate alliance with Indra and for the patron’s sovereign splendor to excel in crushing obstacles and gaining treasures.Read verse 6.26.8 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Vṛtra-slayer and obstacle-breaker
  • Bestower of victory (śūra-sāti) and wealth
  • Fierce protector in crisis (ugra avas)
  • Responsive to hymns/uktha and soma-offering
  • Champion of righteous patrons (e.g., Divodāsa)

Also by this seer

  • Rig Veda Mandala 6 (many sūktas attributed to the Bharadvāja family)
  • Indra and Marut hymns in Book 6 emphasizing victory, protection, and patronage
  • Tradition associates the Bharadvājas with priestly service to kings such as Divodāsa (as reflected in RV narratives)

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the altar/fire and seat the rite with purificatory acts.
  • Recite the opening Triṣṭubh verses as an audible ‘call’ (hvāna) to Indra to “hear” (śrudhī).
  • Offer soma/libations while praising Indra’s past deeds (e.g., Śambara’s slaying; aid to Divodāsa) to establish confidence (śraddhā) in his help.
  • State the specific intention: protection on the decisive day, victory over obstructers, and winning of treasures.
  • Conclude with a companionship-prayer—asking to be Indra’s allies and for the patron’s kṣatra-śrī (sovereign splendor) to prevail.
  • Seal with final oblations and a closing recitation for steadiness and success.

Offerings

  • Soma (where applicable)
  • Ghee/ājya oblations into Agni
  • Optional milk, grains, or cakes according to household/śrauta setting

Frequently Asked Questions

It asks Indra to hear the singers and give strong protection and victory at a crucial time, so obstacles are crushed and treasures/wealth are won.

These are remembered examples of Indra’s help: he struck down the enemy Śambara and powerfully protected the patron Divodāsa, showing he can help again now.

It includes material gains like cattle and spoils, but also broader ‘dhana’—strength, support, and capacities that come when obstacles are removed and right power is established.

Ask anything about Sukta 26 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