Rig Veda Sukta 16
Mandala 2Sukta 167 Mantras

Sukta 16

Sukta 2.16

Rishi

Gṛtsamada Bhārgava (RV 2.16)

Chandas

Triṣṭubh (probable; verify with Anukramaṇī)

RV 2.16 to siedmiowersowy hymn Triṣṭubh, w którym Gṛtsamada składa starannie „niesioną” chwałę jak ofiarę w rozpalony ogień, zapraszając Indrę, starożytnego, lecz wiecznie młodego, by przybył na wyciskanie Somy. Hymn wychwala Indrę jako odważnego Byka, który przyjmuje wolę ludów (kratu), i wzywa go do picia Somy z promienną siłą, aby mógł wylać bogactwo i ochronę na czcicieli.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 2.16

In this hymn

Addressed to

  • Indra

    Indra is praised as satāṃ jyeṣṭhatama (“eldest/foremost among the true”), ajurya (“undecaying”), a dhṛṣṇu (“daring”) vṛṣabha (“bull”) who is continually strengthened and invited to drink Soma; he responds to stuti and brings aid (avase).

Mantras

Mantra 1

प्र वः सतां ज्येष्ठतमाय सुष्टुतिमग्नाविव समिधाने हविर्भरे । इन्द्रमजुर्यं जरयन्तमुक्षितं सनाद्युवानमवसे हवामहे ॥

Naprzód dla was niesę piękną pieśń, jak ktoś przynosi ofiarę do rozpalonego Ognia, do Indry, najstarszego spośród prawdziwych. Indrę, niezniszczalnego, zawsze odnawiającego się, obficie napełnionego siłą, pradawnego, a jednak młodego, wzywamy na naszą pomoc i opiekę.

Mantra 2

यस्मादिन्द्राद्बृहतः किं चनेमृते विश्वान्यस्मिन्त्सम्भृताधि वीर्या । जठरे सोमं तन्वी सहो महो हस्ते वज्रं भरति शीर्षणि क्रतुम् ॥

Od Indry Ogromnego nikt nie może być oddzielony, nawet odrobinę: w nim wszystkie moce są zgromadzone i umieszczone. W jego brzuchu jest Soma; w jego ciele są potęga i wielkość; w jego ręku dzierży piorun, a w swojej głowie wolę skutecznej wiedzy.

Mantra 3

न क्षोणीभ्यां परिभ्वे त इन्द्रियं न समुद्रैः पर्वतैरिन्द्र ते रथः । न ते वज्रमन्वश्नोति कश्चन यदाशुभिः पतसि योजना पुरु ॥

Ani dwa światy nie mogą ogarnąć twojej mocy, o Indro, ani oceany i góry nie mogą ograniczyć twojego rydwanu. Nikt nie może dogonić twojego piorunu, gdy ze swoimi szybkimi przelatujesz przez wiele mil.

Mantra 4

विश्वे ह्यस्मै यजताय धृष्णवे क्रतुं भरन्ति वृषभाय सश्चते । वृषा यजस्व हविषा विदुष्टरः पिबेन्द्र सोमं वृषभेण भानुना ॥

Wszyscy istotnie przynoszą jemu, czcigodnemu i śmiałemu Bykowi, moc woli i przyłączają się do niego. O Byku, składaj ofiarę z darem, o najmędrszy; pij, Indro, Somę ze swoją byczą blaskiem.

Mantra 5

वृष्णः कोशः पवते मध्व ऊर्मिर्वृषभान्नाय वृषभाय पातवे । वृषणाध्वर्यू वृषभासो अद्रयो वृषणं सोमं वृषभाय सुष्वति ॥

Silne naczynie płynie; fala słodyczy spływa dla Byka jako pokarm, dla Byka do picia. Silni Adhwaryu, bykowate kamienie do tłoczenia, wyciskają silną Somę dla Byka.

Mantra 6

वृषा ते वज्र उत ते वृषा रथो वृषणा हरी वृषभाण्यायुधा । वृष्णो मदस्य वृषभ त्वमीशिष इन्द्र सोमस्य वृषभस्य तृप्णुहि ॥

Bykiem jest twój piorun, i bykiem jest twój rydwan; bykami są dwa kasztanowate rumaki, a bykowata jest twoja broń. O Byku, panujesz ekstazą silnych; Indro, bądź zadowolony z bykowatej Somy.

Mantra 7

प्र ते नावं न समने वचस्युवं ब्रह्मणा यामि सवनेषु दाधृषिः । कुविन्नो अस्य वचसो निबोधिषदिन्द्रमुत्सं न वसुनः सिचामहे ॥

Jak łódź do przeprawy, idę do ciebie ze słowem pragnącym wypowiedzenia, z mantrą, w tłoczeniach Somy, o niewzruszony. Niech on istotnie zwróci uwagę na tę naszą mowę; niech wylejemy Indrę jak źródło bogactw.

Inside Sukta 16

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    The poet ‘carries forward’ a well-made praise as if bearing an oblation to the kindled fire, calling Indra—ancient yet young—for help and protection (RV 2.16.1).

  2. Development

    Indra is progressively portrayed as the adorable, daring Bull to whom all bring kratu; he is urged to sacrifice/accept the offering and drink Soma with radiant, bull-like brilliance (notably RV 2.16.4).

  3. Climax

    The central ritual-theological turn: Indra’s Soma-drinking and radiance are invoked as the decisive means by which divine power becomes present and effective for the sacrificer.

  4. Where it settles

    The seer approaches Indra with mantra at the pressings like a boat to the crossing, asking Indra to heed the words and to be poured forth as an inexhaustible spring of wealth (RV 2.16.7).

The deity: Indra

  • Cosmic functionChampion of ṛta in the field of action: wielder of victorious power, breaker of obstacles, releaser of abundance, and protector who turns inspired will (kratu) into effective force.
  • Inner significanceThe awakened heroic consciousness—courage, clarity, and decisive energy—made luminous by Soma (ecstatic inspiration), enabling the seeker to cross inner conflict and unlock “streams” of prosperity and strength.

The seer

  • Gṛtsamada BhārgavaBhṛgu lineage (Bhārgava); traditionally linked with the Gṛtsamada/Gṛtsamāda family of seers · A principal seer of Maṇḍala 2, renowned for powerful Indra-hymns that combine vivid ritual imagery (hymn-as-oblation, Soma-pressings) with theological praise of Indra’s enduring youth and might.

Famous verses

sanād yuvānam
Verse 2.16.1Sets the hymn’s governing metaphor—praise as oblation—and frames Indra’s paradoxical nature (ancient yet young) while explicitly seeking aid (avase).Read verse 2.16.1 →
pibendra somaṃ
Verse 2.16.4A concise theological-ritual centerpiece: Indra as the daring Bull joined by all through kratu, then directly invited to drink Soma with radiant power.Read verse 2.16.4 →
indraṃ utsaṃ na vasunaḥ
Verse 2.16.7Memorable closing imagery: the mantra as a boat to the crossing and Indra as a fountain of riches, emphasizing attentive reception of speech and abundance.Read verse 2.16.7 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Bull-like strength (vṛṣabha)
  • Undecaying and ever-renewing (ajurya; ancient yet young)
  • Daring/impetuous power (dhṛṣṇu)
  • Soma-drinker who amplifies radiance
  • Giver of wealth and protection (avase; vasu)
  • Responsive to brahman (sacred speech) and stuti (praise)

Also by this seer

  • Primary attribution for much of Rigveda Maṇḍala 2 (numerous sūktas to Indra, Agni, and allied deities)
  • Associated with the Bhārgava stream of Vedic seership and its sacrificial-poetic style (stuti framed as havis/brahman)

The rite, step by step

  • Kindle/maintain the ritual fire and establish the offering context (hymn likened to havis brought to Agni).
  • Recite the Triṣṭubh stuti to Indra, praising him as foremost, undecaying, and ever-youthful.
  • Invite Indra to the Soma-pressing(s) (savana) and urge him to drink the prepared Soma.
  • Offer oblations while affirming communal kratu (shared resolve) joining Indra’s power.
  • Conclude with a request that Indra ‘notice’ the speech and pour riches like a spring/fountain.

Offerings

  • Soma (pressed and offered for Indra to drink)
  • Havis/oblations (e.g., ghee and sacrificial portions, as customary in the Soma rite)
  • Brahman/stuti (the hymn itself as a ritual offering)

Frequently Asked Questions

It invites Indra to come to the Soma-pressings, drink Soma, and then grant protection and riches to the worshippers who praise him.

It highlights Indra’s timeless power: he is ever-present from of old, yet always fresh and renewing in strength when invoked and offered Soma.

The “boat” suggests the mantra helps the worshipper cross difficulties by reaching Indra, and the “fountain” portrays Indra as an overflowing source of wealth and blessings when he responds to the hymn.

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