Rig Veda Sukta 21
Mandala 2Sukta 216 Mantras

Sukta 21

Sukta 2.21

Rishi

Gṛtsamada (Bhārgava)

Chandas

Triṣṭubh (likely; hymn 2.21 is predominantly Triṣṭubh)

Ten krótki hymn do Indry jest zaproszeniem do przyniesienia Somy wszechzwycięskiemu bogu, który zdobywa każde pole zwycięstwa: bogactwo, niebiosa, siłę, bydło i wody. Sławi on Indrę jako nieodpartego i wszechobecnego, moc, która otwiera lśniący świat dla Jutrzenek, a kończy się skupioną modlitwą o najlepsze dary: jasny rozum, pomyślność, bezpieczeństwo, słodką mowę i jasne dni.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 2.21

In this hymn

Addressed to

  • Indra

    Indra is lauded as the vṛṣabha (bull) and unconquerable hero, the great smiter who breaks resistance, wins the spoils, and brings forth the luminous realm, especially in response to Soma and praise.

Mantras

Mantra 1

विश्वजिते धनजिते स्वर्जिते सत्राजिते नृजित उर्वराजिते । अश्वजिते गोजिते अब्जिते भरेन्द्राय सोमं यजताय हर्यतम् ॥

Przynieście Somę dla Indry, który zwycięża na wszystkie sposoby: zwycięża pełnię, zwycięża świetliste niebiosa, zwycięża nieustannie, zwycięża moce ludzkie, zwycięża szerokie pola wzrostu; który zdobywa siłę rumaka, bydło promieni Światła i wody natchnienia - przynieście ją dla godnego czci, dla tego, którego należy radować.

Mantra 2

अभिभुवेऽभिभङ्गाय वन्वतेऽषाळ्हाय सहमानाय वेधसे । तुविग्रये वह्नये दुष्टरीतवे सत्रासाहे नम इन्द्राय वोचत ॥

Wypowiedzcie swoją cześć dla Indry: dla przezwyciężającego, który łamie łamiących, dla nacierającego, który parcie naprzód, dla niezwyciężonego, który znosi uderzenie, dla mądrego rozporządzającego; dla potężnego w głosie, dla popychającego nosiciela płomienia, trudnego do wyprzedzenia, zawsze zwycięskiego.

Mantra 3

सत्रासाहो जनभक्षो जनंसहश्च्यवनो युध्मो अनु जोषमुक्षितः । वृतंचयः सहुरिर्विक्ष्वारित इन्द्रस्य वोचं प्र कृतानि वीर्या ॥

Zawsze zwycięski, pożerający wrogie tłumy, gromiący ludzi, poruszyciel, walczyciel, ten, który rośnie przez rozkosz; ten, który gromadzi prawdę i uderza, czynny wśród rodów - o Indrze głoszę dokonane bohaterskie moce.

Mantra 4

अनानुदो वृषभो दोधतो वधो गम्भीर ऋष्वो असमष्टकाव्यः । रध्रचोदः श्नथनो वीळितस्पृथुरिन्द्रः सुयज्ञ उषसः स्वर्जनत् ॥

Indra, którego nie można cofnąć, byk; głęboka i wzniosła moc uderzania dla drżącego przeciwnika; niedościgniony w natchnionym słowie; popychający prosty kurs, kruszący opór, szeroki i daleko sięgający - stworzył świetlisty świat dla Jutrzenek.

Mantra 5

यज्ञेन गातुमप्तुरो विविद्रिरे धियो हिन्वाना उशिजो मनीषिणः । अभिस्वरा निषदा गा अवस्यव इन्द्रे हिन्वाना द्रविणान्याशत ॥

Przez ofiarę apturowie znaleźli drogę; pobudzając swoje myśli, gorliwi, mądrzy. Z wołaniem ku Światłu, zasiadając na posiedzeniu, pragnąc pomocy, pchnęli się w Indrze i osiągnęli pełnię.

Mantra 6

इन्द्र श्रेष्ठानि द्रविणानि धेहि चित्तिं दक्षस्य सुभगत्वमस्मे । पोषं रयीणामरिष्टिं तनूनां स्वाद्मानं वाचः सुदिनत्वमह्नाम् ॥

Indro, zlej w nas najlepsze pełnie: właściwe postrzeganie umiejętności, szczęśliwy los; wzrost promieni bogactwa, nieuszkodzone bezpieczeństwo naszej istoty; słodycz mowy i piękną jasność naszych dni.

Inside Sukta 21

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    A strong summons to bring Soma to Indra, introduced through a litany of Indra’s many victories across domains (wealth, heaven, fields, cattle, waters).

  2. Development

    Indra’s irresistible, bull-like might is detailed: deep and lofty power, unmatched in inspired speech, driving the straight course and crushing resistance, expanding the luminous world-order.

  3. Climax

    Indra is portrayed as the decisive force who ‘brings forth the light for the Dawns’—a cosmic and symbolic release of illumination after obstruction.

  4. Where it settles

    The hymn turns from praise to prayer: may Indra place in us the best riches—right perception, good fortune, growth of wealth, bodily safety, sweetness of speech, and bright days.

The deity: Indra

  • Cosmic functionHe secures ṛta by defeating obstructive powers, releasing light and waters, and enabling the dawn-order of the world; he is the champion who makes the cosmic space safe for life and sacrifice.
  • Inner significanceIndra symbolizes the awakened will and victorious force in the seeker—courage that breaks inner inertia and obstruction, releasing clarity (light), inspiration (waters), and effective intelligence (dakṣa).

The seer

  • Gṛtsamada (Bhārgava)Bhṛgu/Bhārgava lineage; associated with the Gṛtsamada seer-family of Mandala 2 · Being the principal seer of Rigveda Mandala 2 and a major composer of Indra-centered hymns that blend martial praise with inner aspiration (light, insight, right action).

Famous verses

विश्वजिते धनजिते स्वर्जिते सत्राजिते नृजित उर्वराजिते । अश्वजिते गोजिते अब्जिते भरेन्द्राय सोमं यजताय हर्यतम् ॥
Verse 2.21.1Sets the hymn’s tone by naming Indra as conqueror in every sphere and explicitly frames the ritual act: bringing Soma to the yajatá (adorable) Indra for gladdening and victory.Read verse 2.21.1 →
अनानुदो वृषभो दोधतो वधो गम्भीर ऋष्वो असमष्टकाव्यः । रध्रचोदः श्नथनो वीळितस्पृथुरिन्द्रः सुयज्ञ उषसः स्वर्जनत् ॥
Verse 2.21.4A concentrated portrait of Indra’s invincibility and expansive force—crushing resistance and generating the luminous world for the Dawns—linking martial power with cosmic illumination.Read verse 2.21.4 →
इन्द्र श्रेष्ठानि द्रविणानि धेहि चित्तिं दक्षस्य सुभगत्वमस्मे । पोषं रयीणामरिष्टिं तनूनां स्वाद्मानं वाचः सुदिनत्वमह्नाम् ॥
Verse 2.21.6The prayer-verse that gathers the hymn’s practical and inner aims: best plenitudes, skillful intelligence (dakṣa), protection of the person, sweet speech, and auspicious days.Read verse 2.21.6 →

Attributes of the deity

  • All-conquering (viśvajit) giver of victory
  • Soma-delighted and praise-responsive
  • Breaker of obstacles and resistances
  • Wide, far-reaching power (pṛthu)
  • Bringer of light/dawn-world (svar)
  • Bestower of wealth, protection, and right perception

Also by this seer

  • Most hymns of Rigveda Mandala 2 (especially many addressed to Indra and Agni)
  • Several Soma-related invocations within Mandala 2 emphasizing victory and illumination

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the altar and kindle Agni; establish the rite with introductory recitations.
  • Press and filter Soma; ready the offering with appropriate vessels.
  • Recite RV 2.21 as an invitation and praise of Indra’s victories and powers.
  • Offer Soma to Indra with accompanying svāhā-style oblations (as per the rite’s śrauta procedure).
  • Conclude with petitions for draviṇa (plenitudes), dakṣa (skill/insight), safety, and auspicious days; follow with closing verses/śānti as customary.

Offerings

  • Soma (primary)
  • Ghee/clarified butter (supporting oblations)
  • Havis offerings as prescribed in the Soma rite (context-dependent)

Frequently Asked Questions

It invites Soma to Indra and praises him as the power of victory and illumination, then asks for the best gifts—prosperity, clear intelligence, protection, and bright, auspicious life.

The many “-jit” titles show Indra’s total mastery: he wins wealth, heaven’s light, human strength, fertile fields, cattle, and the waters—meaning both outer success and inner release of inspiration.

On the cosmic level it points to Indra’s role in opening the luminous world-order; inwardly it suggests breaking inner obstruction so clarity, right direction, and renewed beginnings can arise.

Ask anything about Sukta 21 of the Rig Veda

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