Sukta 55
Rishi: Bhṛgu
Devata: Indra
Chandas: Virāṭ Paroṣṇik
ଏହି ଏକ-ମନ୍ତ୍ରୀୟ ସୂକ୍ତରେ ଇନ୍ଦ୍ରଙ୍କୁ ପ୍ରାର୍ଥନା କରାଯାଏ ଯେ ସେ svasty-ayana—ଶୁଭ, ବାଧାହୀନ ଯାତ୍ରାପଥ—ଦାନ କରନ୍ତୁ; ଯାତ୍ରୀକୁ ଇନ୍ଦ୍ରଙ୍କ ନିଜ “ସ୍ୱର୍ଗରୁ ଅବତରିତ” ସେହି ପଥମାନଙ୍କ ସହ ସମନ୍ୱୟ କରି, ଯେଉଁମାନେ ଜଗତକୁ ଗତିଶୀଳ କରନ୍ତି। ସେହି ଦିବ୍ୟ ମାର୍ଗଗୁଡ଼ିକୁ ରକ୍ଷାକବଚ ଆଦର୍ଶ ଭାବେ ଆହ୍ୱାନ କରି, ଏହି ମନ୍ତ୍ର ଯାତ୍ରାକାଳୀନ ସଫଳ ଉଦ୍ୟମ ପାଇଁ ପୌଷ୍ଟିକ ମଙ୍ଗଳକାମନା ଏବଂ ଅପୋତ୍ରୋପାଇକ ସୁରକ୍ଷା—ଦୁର୍ଘଟନା, ବିଳମ୍ବ ଓ ଶତ୍ରୁତାପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ଶକ୍ତିକୁ ଦୂର କରିବା—ଦୁହେଁ ଭାବେ କାମ କରେ।
Kind of charm
Mantras
Inside Sukta 55
How it unfolds
- How it opens
Addresses Indra by recalling his ‘paths’ that descend from heaven (divaḥ) and are inherently auspicious.
- What it asks
“By those paths, in gracious favor (sumna), place us (dhehi no)”—a direct petition for safe passage and successful progress.
- Where its power lies
Indra is described as the one ‘by whom all is set in motion’ (viśvam airayaḥ), implying that the same power can move the traveler safely through impediments.
- How it closes
Ends with the vocative ‘vaso’ (bounteous one), sealing the request in Indra’s generosity and protective bounty.
Famous verses
ye te panthāno'va divo
yebhir viśvam airayaḥ
Kind of hymn
Paustika (Prosperity) / Apotropaic (Safe-travel)
What it is for
To obtain svasty-ayana (safe passage), remove hindrances, and secure Indra’s favor for a successful journey or risky undertaking.
Who it is for
Travelers, merchants, messengers, pilgrims, and householders beginning a venture; also priests reciting for a patron’s safe transit.
Also used as
- Apotropaic (Safe-travel)
- Shantika (Obstacle-pacification)
The deity
Indra is the Vedic power of victorious force, initiative, and world-ordering motion—one who opens ways, overcomes resistance, and makes passage possible where it is blocked.
Powers of the deity
- Path-opening and obstacle-breaking
- Protection of travelers and enterprises
- Bestowal of sumna (gracious favor) and vasu (bounty)
- Setting things in motion; enabling successful progress
Why the deity is called
Invoked to lend the traveler Indra’s own cosmic pathways—those “from heaven”—so that the journey proceeds with safety, speed, and auspicious success.
The seer
- BhṛguBhrigu. Paustika and protective (apotropaic) charms—especially for securing auspicious movement, success in undertakings, and warding obstacles through concise, forceful invocations.
Other hymns of this seer
- AV.7.55
Preparing for the rite
- State the travel intention (destination, purpose) and mentally dedicate the journey to Indra.
- Perform simple cleansing (sip water/ācamana if customary) and face an auspicious direction (commonly east) before departure.
- Collect the party and ensure calm, focused attention for a single, deliberate recitation.
The rite
- Recite AV 7.55.1 once (or in practice, 3/9/11 repetitions) at the threshold, at the first step onto the road, or before mounting a vehicle/animal.
- On the phrase invoking Indra’s paths, visualize an open, protected route and mentally ‘place’ oneself upon it.
- Conclude by stepping forward immediately after recitation, treating the first movement as sealed by the mantra.
When
Immediately before starting travel; also at crossroads, river-crossings, or before entering a risky stretch.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is used for svasty-ayana—safe, auspicious passage—especially to prevent obstacles, delays, and mishaps during travel or a risky undertaking.
The verse recalls Indra’s own ‘paths from heaven’ by which he set the world in motion, so the traveler asks to be placed on those same protected, successful routes through Indra’s favor (sumna).
No substances are specified in the verse. In practice it can be recited plainly just before departure, at a threshold, or at a difficult crossing, with focused intention for safe passage.
Ask anything about Sukta 55 of the Atharva Veda
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