Rig Veda 8.36.2: Mandala 8, Sukta 36, Mantra 2
Sukta 8.36
- Devata
- Indra
- Chandas
- As in 8.36.1
- Rasa
- Vira (heroism) and Shanta (peace)
प्राव स्तोतारं मघवन्नव त्वां पिबा सोमं मदाय कं शतक्रतो । यं ते भागमधारयन्विश्वाः सेहानः पृतना उरु ज्रयः समप्सुजिन्मरुत्वाँ इन्द्र सत्पते ॥
prā́va stotā́raṃ maghavann áva tvāṃ píbā sómaṃ mádāya káṃ śatakrato | yáṃ te bhāgám ádhārayan víśvāḥ sehānáḥ pṛ́tanāḥ urú jráyaḥ sám apsu-jín marútvān índra sat-pate ||
ହେ ମଘବନ୍, ସ୍ତୋତାକୁ ରକ୍ଷା କର; ଆମ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ତୋ ଆସନ ଭାବେ ନିଜକୁ ମଧ୍ୟ ରକ୍ଷା କର। ହେ ଶତକ୍ରତୋ, ମଦ ପାଇଁ ସୋମ ପିଅ। ତୋ ପାଇଁ ଧାରିତ ସେଇ ଭାଗଦ୍ୱାରା ତୁମେ ସମସ୍ତ ପୃତନା (ଯୁଦ୍ଧ) ଉପରେ ପ୍ରବଳ ହୋଇ, ବିଶାଳ-ଗତିଶୀଳ ବଳ ଓ ଅପ୍ସୁ (ଜଳମଧ୍ୟେ/ଗଭୀରତାରେ) ମଧ୍ୟ ଜୟ ଲାଭ କର; ହେ ମରୁତ୍ୱାନ୍ ଇନ୍ଦ୍ର, ହେ ସତ୍ପତେ।
Word by Word
- प्र
- forth, forward (intensifier/prefix)Indeclinableउपसर्ग (prefix)Root प्र (उपसर्ग) / प्र-
- अव
- down, toward (prefix)Indeclinableउपसर्ग (prefix)Root अव (उपसर्ग) / अव-
- स्तोतारम्
- the praiser, singerNounपुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचनRole KarmaRoot स्तोतृ (प्रातिपदिक) < √स्तु (स्तवने)
- मघवन्
- O bountiful one (Indra)Noun (epithet)पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचनRoot मघवन् (प्रातिपदिक)
- अव
- down, toward (prefix)Indeclinableउपसर्ग (prefix)Root अव (उपसर्ग) / अव-
- त्वाम्
- youPronounद्वितीया, एकवचनRole KarmaRoot युष्मद् (सर्वनाम)
- पिब
- drink!Verbलोट् (आज्ञार्थ), मध्यमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपदRoot √पा (पाने)
- सोमम्
- Soma (the pressed drink)Nounपुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचनRole KarmaRoot सोम (प्रातिपदिक)
- मदाय
- for exhilaration, for intoxicationNounपुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी, एकवचनRole SampradānaRoot मद (प्रातिपदिक) < √मद् (हर्षे/मदे)
- कम्
- whom? (which one?)Pronounपुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन (प्रश्न/अनिर्दिष्ट)Role KarmaRoot क (सर्वनाम/प्रश्न)
- शतक्रतो
- O of a hundred powers/stratagems (Indra)Noun (epithet)पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचनRoot शतक्रतु (प्रातिपदिक; बहुव्रीहि)
- यम्
- whom/whichPronoun (relative)पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचनRole KarmaRoot यद् (सर्वनाम)
- ते
- of you, yourPronounषष्ठी, एकवचन (एन्क्लिटिक)Root युष्मद् (सर्वनाम)
- भागम्
- share, portionNounपुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचनRole KarmaRoot भाग (प्रातिपदिक)
- अधारयन्
- they placed/held (for you)Verbलङ् (अनद्यतन भूत), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन, परस्मैपदRoot √धृ (धारणे) with अधि-
- विश्वाः
- all (the hosts/forces)Adjective (substantive)स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचनRole KartāRoot विश्व (प्रातिपदिक)
- सेहानः
- prevailing, overpowering, conqueringParticipleपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; वर्तमान/परस्मै? (वेद. शानच्), आत्मनेपद-भावRole KartāRoot √सह् (सहने) → सेह् (वेद. परिपूर्ण/आर्ष) ; क्त/शानच्-प्रत्यय
- पृतनाः
- battles, hostile hostsNounस्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचनRole KartāRoot पृतना (प्रातिपदिक)
- उरु
- wide, far (greatly)Adjectiveनपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन (क्रियाविशेषणवत्)Root उरु (प्रातिपदिक)
- ज्रयः
- rush, onset, impetuous driveNounपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole KartāRoot ज्रय (प्रातिपदिक; वेद. ‘वेग/प्रेरणा/आक्रमण’)
- सम्
- together, completely (prefix)Indeclinableउपसर्ग (prefix)Root सम् (उपसर्ग) / सम्-
- अप्सु
- in the watersNounस्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, बहुवचनRole AdhikaraṇaRoot अप् (प्रातिपदिक)
- जित्
- conquering, victoriousAdjective/Participleपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन (समासाङ्ग)Role KartāRoot √जि (जये) → जित् (कृत्)
- मरुत्वान्
- accompanied by the MarutsAdjective (epithet)पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole KartāRoot मरुत्वन्त् (प्रातिपदिक; ‘मरुत्’ + वत्)
- इन्द्र
- O IndraNounपुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचनRoot इन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक)
- सत्पते
- O lord of the good/true (good lord)Noun (epithet)पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचनRoot सत्पति (प्रातिपदिक; तत्पुरुष)
Sandhi Notes
- पदच्छेद (मुख्य): प्र + अव + स्तोतारम् + मघवन् + अव + त्वाम् + पिब + सोमम् + मदाय + कम् + शतक्रतो । यम् + ते + भागम् + अधि-धारयन् (अधारयन्) + विश्वाः । सेहानः + पृतनाः + उरु + ज्रयः + सम् + अप्सु + जित् + मरुत्वान् + इन्द्र + सत्पते । विशेष-सन्धि/रूप: (1) ‘प्राव’ = ‘प्र’ + ‘अव’ (स्वर-सन्धि: अ + अ → आ). (2) ‘मघवन्नव’ पाठे ‘मघवन्’ + ‘अव’ (न् + अ → न्न अ; संहितायां ‘न्नव’). (3) ‘कं शतक्रतो’ = ‘कम्’ + ‘शतक्रतो’ (म् + श → ंश). (4) ‘यं ते’ = ‘यम्’ + ‘ते’ (म् + त → ंत). (5) ‘अधारयन्’ = ‘अधि’ + ‘अधारयन्’ इति न
- धातोः √धृ परस्मै ‘अधि-’ उपसर्गयुक्त लङ् 3pl ‘अधारयन्’. (6) ‘समप्सुजित्’ = ‘सम्’ + ‘अप्सु’ + ‘जित्’ (म् + अ → म; सम् + अप्सु → समप्सु; ततः समप्सु + जित् → समप्सुजित्)
The meaning
Outer meaning
Indra is asked to protect the singer, and also to protect himself (as established in the worshipper); he is urged to drink Soma for exhilaration and by his portion to conquer all battles and win wide force and victory in the waters, with the Maruts.
Inner meaning
“Protect the singer” is protection of the aspiring consciousness that articulates the truth-cry; “protect also yourself” indicates: safeguard and strengthen the Indra-force within us—our capacity for illumined decision—so it is not overrun by lower impulses. Soma intensifies this inner Indra. The repeated victory formula confirms the aim: conquest of conflicts and mastery of deep layers (waters) with the support of Marut energies (dynamic thought and life-force).
Universal truth
Spiritual progress needs both aspiration (the singer) and the indwelling power of illumination (Indra in us) to be protected and strengthened; delight nourishes this power, enabling victory over conflict and deep-seated patterns.
Themes
protection, Soma drinking, victory refrain
The seer
- Rishi
- Kāṇva tradition
- Lineage
- Kāṇva
- Other hymns
- RV 8.36.1, RV 8.12 (Indra praise, general Mandala 8 context)
Family tradition
Indra hymns in Mandala 8 often speak in a direct, forceful voice—protection, Soma-strength, victory—reflecting a yoga of dynamic conquest.
Significance
This verse adds a key psychological nuance: protect the aspirant and protect the divine force established in the aspirant—so the higher power can act steadily.
The deity
- Devata
- Indra (with Maruts)
- Epithets
- Maghavan, Śatakratu, Satpati, Marutvān
- Related deities
- Maruts, Soma, Agni, Bṛhaspati
Cosmic role
Bestower of power and victory; leader of the storm-forces that clear the way for the sun of truth.
Inner power
Self-protecting illumination: the higher will in the mind that must be preserved against relapse into inertia or desire.
In ritual
Where it is used
Indra Soma offering and praise; protective invocation for the stotra
प्राव॑ स्तो॒तारं॑ मघव॒न्नव॒ त्वां पिबा॒ सोमं॒ मदा॑य॒ कं श॑तक्रतो । यं ते॑ भा॒गमधा॑रय॒न्विश्वा॑: सेहा॒नः पृत॑ना उ॒रु ज्रय॒: सम॑प्सु॒जिन्म॒रुत्वाँ॑ इन्द्र सत्पते ॥
प्र । अ॒व॒ । स्तो॒तार॑म् । म॒घ॒ऽव॒न् । अव॑ । त्वाम् । पिब॑ । सोम॑म् । मदा॑य । कम् । श॒त॒क्र॒तो॒ इति॑ शतऽक्रतो । यम् । ते॒ । भा॒गम् । अधा॑रयन् । विश्वाः॑ । से॒हा॒नः । पृत॑नाः । उ॒रु । ज्रयः॑ । सम् । अ॒प्सु॒ऽजित् । म॒रुत्वा॑न् । इ॒न्द्र॒ । स॒त्ऽप॒ते॒ ॥
pra | ava | stotāram | magha-van | ava | tvām | piba | somam | madāya | kam | śatakrato itiśata-krato | yam | te | bhāgam | adhārayan | viśvāḥ | sehānaḥ | pṛtanāḥ | uru | jrayaḥ | sam | apsu-jit | marutvān | indra | sat-pate
48
Likely 4×12 with strong mid-line breaks; second hemistich repeats from 8.36.1.
Protective opening imperative followed by the same expansive victory surge.
First stabilizes (protection), then energizes (Soma), then expands (wide victory).
- प्राव (prāva)
- Literal: protect, foster. Symbolic: guard the upward movement; strengthen the inner instrument
- स्तोतारम् (stotāram)
- Literal: the praiser/singer. Symbolic: aspiring mind that calls the divine and formulates the truth-cry
- मघवन् (maghavan)
- Literal: bounteous. Symbolic: giver of inner wealth—force, light, joy
- अव त्वाम् (ava tvām)
- Literal: protect you. Symbolic: protect the Indra-principle within the seeker (divine seat in the nature)
- सोमं मदा॑य (somaṃ madāya)
- Literal: Soma for exhilaration. Symbolic: Ananda that empowers illumination and courage
- उरु ज्रयः (uru jrayaḥ)
- Literal: wide-going force/speed. Symbolic: expansive, unobstructed progress of consciousness
- अप्सुजित् (apsujit)
- Literal: victorious in the waters. Symbolic: mastery in subconscious/vital depths
- मरुत्वान् (marutvān)
- Literal: with Maruts. Symbolic: illumination supported by dynamic energies
Indra-Soma verse emphasizing protection of the stotṛ (singer/priest) and maintenance of Indra’s force in the rite.
When the singer/priest seeks protection and efficacy of the chant; at Soma-drinking invitation.
Recite as stotra-like request: protect the chanter and empower Indra’s presence; offer Soma.
Before chanting, teaching, or difficult conversations: ask for protection of speech and for the inner Indra (clear discernment) to remain intact.
pra-ava (prāva) ‘protect strongly’ (pra- intensifies √av). stotṛ ‘praiser’ from √stu. maghavan ‘bountiful’ from magha ‘gift, bounty’. The repeated refrain continues the semantic field of victory and depth-conquest.
protection of aspiration (stotā), maintenance of divine power in the human vessel
Victory is not mere dominance but restoration of right order in the being.
Satpati: truth-leadership; protection of truth-speech (stotā) and truth-force (Indra).
Expansion (uru) as a mark of growing consciousness; conquest of depths enables fuller manifestation.
Vedic yoga of transformation through illumination and energetic forces (Aurobindo-style reading).
Delight nourishes illumination; dynamic energies clear obscurity; deep waters symbolize subconscious layers to be mastered.
- What is the primary Vedic 'mythologem' present in this verse?
- Indra as protector of the singer and as Soma-empowered victor. Innerly, the verse asks that the expressing mind (stotā) be guarded so mantra remains effective, and that Indra’s force be preserved as an active presence in the practitioner.
- How does the linguistic structure reflect Proto-Indo-European roots?
- √av ‘help/protect’ is Indo-Iranian (Avestan av-). √stu ‘praise’ reflects inherited praise-poetry functions across Indo-European traditions. The doubled imperative structure is archaic and formulaic.
- What is the relationship between the Rishi and the Devata here?
- The rishi requests protection for the act of praise itself (the stotā), implying that divine force safeguards the channel by which it is invoked; the god is asked to ‘protect himself’ as seated in the human—an intimate reciprocity between worship and indwelling power.
Build a protective clarity around aspiration; strengthen the inner ‘Indra-seat’ so insight remains steady under pressure.
Ājñā (discernment) with Maṇipūra (steady will)
Square breathing 4-4-4-4 for 6 rounds, then chant once or thrice.
Steady, defended clarity; courageous calm.
If you feel relapse: chant, then affirm one boundary (what you will not consent to) and one offering (what you will do for truth today).
Rigvedic accenting; keep imperatives (prāva, pibā) prominent; exact svara requires annotated source.
Slightly lengthen ‘prāva’ (protect) to set the protective tone; then shift to energetic steadiness for the Soma-victory refrain.
: prā-va (long ā), : sto-tā-ram (long ā), : ma-gha-van (soft aspirated gh), : u-ru (short u), : sam-ap-su-jit (clear sandhi boundary)
Commanding but controlled; clarity over volume; end with grounded firmness.
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