Rig Veda 2.22.3: Mandala 2, Sukta 22, Mantra 3
Sukta 2.22
- Rishi
- Gṛtsamada
- Devata
- Indra
- Chandas
- Jagatī
- Rasa
- Vira (heroism) and Shanta (peace)
साकं जातः क्रतुना साकमोजसा ववक्षिथ साकं वृद्धो वीर्यैः सासहिर्मृधो विचर्षणिः । दाता राधः स्तुवते काम्यं वसु सैनं सश्चद्देवो देवं सत्यमिन्द्रं सत्य इन्दुः ॥
sā́kaṃ jā́taḥ krátunā sā́kam ójasā vavakṣitha sā́kaṃ vṛddhó vī́ryaiḥ sāsahír mṛ́dho vícarṣaṇiḥ | dātā́ rā́dhaḥ stuvaté kā́myaṃ vásu sá enaṃ saścad devó deváṃ satyám índraṃ satyá índuḥ ||
Zrodzony razem z wolą, razem z siłą wzrósłeś; razem wzrosłeś przez bohaterskie moce, zwyciężając ataki, pan nad ludźmi. Dawca hojności, chwalącemu dajesz pragniony skarb; a prawdziwa Soma podąża za prawdziwym Indrą, bóg przylgnąwszy do boga.
Word by Word
- साकम्
- together, in companyIndeclinableअव्यय (क्रियाविशेषण)Role Adhikaraṇa (सहभाव/समवाय-भावे)Root साकम् (अव्यय) < सह (PIE *sem ‘together’)
- जातः
- bornVerb-derived (past participle)पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन (कर्तरि/भावे), ‘born’Role Kartā (विशेष्य-रूपेण)Root √जन् (जनने)
- क्रतुना
- by (his) resolve/insight, by willNounपुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचनRole KaraṇaRoot क्रतु (प्रातिपदिक)
- साकम्
- togetherIndeclinableअव्ययRole AdhikaraṇaRoot साकम्
- ओजसा
- by strength, with mightNounनपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचनRole KaraṇaRoot ओजस् (प्रातिपदिक)
- ववक्षिथ
- you have grown/you have become strongVerbलिट् (परस्मैपद), मध्यमपुरुष, एकवचनRole Kriyā (मुख्यक्रिया)Root √वक्ष्/√वह् (वहने/वर्धने; RV: ‘to grow/strengthen’)
- साकम्
- togetherIndeclinableअव्ययRole AdhikaraṇaRoot साकम्
- वृद्धः
- grown, increasedVerb-derived (past participle)पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole Kartā (विशेष्य-रूपेण)Root √वृध् (वर्धने)
- वीर्यैः
- with heroic powers/energiesNounनपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचनRole KaraṇaRoot वीर्य (प्रातिपदिक)
- सासहिः
- conquering, overpoweringAdjective (verbal adjective)पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole Kartā (विशेष्य-विशेषणभावे)Root √सह् (सहने/जये) → सासहि- (RV adj.)
- मृधः
- hostilities/foesNounस्त्रीलिङ्ग (RV), द्वितीया, बहुवचनRole KarmaRoot मृध्/मृध (प्रातिपदिक; ‘hostility, foe’)
- विचर्षणिः
- the far-seeing/wide-ruling one (Indra)Noun/Adjective (epithet)पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole Kartā (विशेष्य)Root विचर्षणि (प्रातिपदिक; ‘wide-ruling/men-seeing’ epithet)
- दाता
- giverNoun (agent)पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole KartāRoot √दा (दाने) → दातृ (agent noun)
- राधः
- bounty, giftNounनपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचनRole KarmaRoot राधस् (प्रातिपदिक)
- स्तुवते
- to the one who praisesVerb (present participial form used substantively)पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी, एकवचन (स्तुवते = ‘to the praiser’)Role SampradānaRoot √स्तु (स्तुतौ)
- काम्यम्
- desirableAdjectiveनपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचनRole Karma (विशेषण)Root √कम् (कान्तौ/इच्छायाम्) → काम्य (adj.)
- वसु
- wealth, goodNounनपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचनRole KarmaRoot वसु (प्रातिपदिक)
- स
- hePronounपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole KartāRoot स (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
- एनम्
- himPronounपुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचनRole KarmaRoot एतद्/इदम्-सम्बद्ध सर्वनाम ‘एना-’ (enam)
- सश्चत्
- may (he) accompany/attendVerbलोट्/विधिलिङ्-सम्भाव्य (RV injunctive-like), तृतीयपुरुष, एकवचनRole KriyāRoot √सच् (सचने ‘to accompany, follow’)
- देवः
- the godNounपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole KartāRoot देव (प्रातिपदिक)
- देवम्
- the god (i.e., Indra)Nounपुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचनRole KarmaRoot देव (प्रातिपदिक)
- सत्यम्
- true, realAdjectiveपुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचनRole Karma (विशेषण)Root सत्य (प्रातिपदिक)
- इन्द्रम्
- IndraNoun (proper)पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचनRole KarmaRoot इन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक)
- सत्यः
- trueAdjectiveपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole Kartā (विशेषण)Root सत्य (प्रातिपदिक)
- इन्दुः
- Soma (the drop)Nounपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole KartāRoot इन्दु (प्रातिपदिक)
Sandhi Notes
- Sandhi resolution (major): साकं जातः (no change)
- क्रतुना साकम् (no change)
- साकम्+ओजसा → साकमोजसा (external sandhi: final -म् before vowel)
- ववक्षिथ (finite verb)
- साकं वृद्धो → साकं वृद्धः (pada text shows -ो due to sandhi before voiced consonant/metrical; underlying nom. sg. वृद्धः)
- वीर्यैः (instr. pl.)
- सासहिः मृधः (no change)
- सश्चत्+देवः → सश्चद्देवः (t + d → dd)
- देवो+देवम् → देवो देवम् (o from visarga sandhi: देवः + देवम् → देवो देवम्)
- सत्यमिन्द्रम् → सत्यम् इन्द्रम् (m before vowel)
- सत्य इन्दुः (no change). Accents in the provided saṃhitā text are retained on the surface forms
- pada analysis gives underlying lexical forms
The meaning
Outer meaning
Indra was born together with will and force; together he has grown and increased by heroic powers, conquering assaults, master of men. He gives bounty and desired wealth to the praiser; the true Soma follows the true Indra.
Inner meaning
Indra’s origin is ‘together with kratu’—the luminous will/intention—and ‘together with ojas’—the effective force-energy. This describes a yogic ideal: will and power are not split. As he grows by vīrya (heroic energies), he becomes sāsaḥiḥ—one who overcomes—against mṛdhaḥ (attacks) of falsehood, inertia, and desire. As vicarṣaṇi (leader/master of human movements), he organizes the life of the seeker. To the stuvate (one who affirms/praises—i.e., keeps aspiration and gratitude), he grants kāmyaṃ vasu: the truly desirable treasure—inner riches that fulfill the soul, not the ego. Soma’s faithful following indicates that delight naturally accompanies this integrated will-power and right aspiration.
Universal truth
When will and force are unified in truth, obstacles are conquered and the human life is uplifted; sincere aspiration is met by real wealth—capacities of consciousness and enduring joy.
Themes
will-force integration, victory over assaults, gift economy of praise and boon, truth alliance of Soma and Indra
The seer
- Rishi
- Gṛtsamada (Bhārgava)
- Lineage
- Bhārgava
- Other hymns
- Rig Veda 2.12, Rig Veda 2.21, Rig Veda 2.22
Family tradition
Bhārgava hymns frequently stress integrated faculties—will, force, and delight—as the engine of spiritual victory.
Significance
This verse is almost a psychological definition of Indra: the power where will (kratu) and force (ojas) are born together and grow together—an archetype for integral sadhana.
The deity
- Devata
- Indra (with Soma refrain)
- Epithets
- Vicarṣaṇi, Dātā rādhaḥ (giver of bounty), Sāsaḥiḥ (overcomer), Satya (true)
- Related deities
- Soma, Agni, Maruts (heroic forces)
Cosmic role
Champion who protects human progress, grants boons, and leads the ascent by victorious power.
Inner power
Integrated will-force that conquers inner assaults and bestows stable capacities and joy.
In ritual
Where it is used
Indra-Soma praise within Soma-yajña; also general Indra stotra for strength and bounty
सा॒कं जा॒तः क्रतु॑ना सा॒कमोज॑सा ववक्षिथ सा॒कं वृ॒द्धो वी॒र्यै॑: सास॒हिर्मृधो॒ विच॑र्षणिः । दाता॒ राध॑: स्तुव॒ते काम्यं॒ वसु॒ सैनं॑ सश्चद्दे॒वो दे॒वं स॒त्यमिन्द्रं॑ स॒त्य इन्दु॑: ॥
सा॒कम् । जा॒तः । क्रतु॑ना । सा॒कम् । ओज॑सा । व॒व॒क्षि॒थ॒ । सा॒कम् । वृ॒द्धः । वी॒र्यैः॑ । स॒स॒हिः । मृधः॑ । विच॑र्षणिः । दाता॑ । राधः॑ । स्तु॒व॒ते । काम्य॑म् । वसु॑ । सः । ए॒न॒म् । स॒श्च॒त् । दे॒वः । दे॒वम् । स॒त्यम् । इन्द्र॑म् । स॒त्यः । इन्दुः॑ ॥
sākam | jātaḥ | kratunā | sākam | ojasā | vavakṣitha | sākam | vṛddhaḥ | vīryaiḥ | sasahiḥ | mṛdhaḥ | vicarṣaṇiḥ | dātā | rādhaḥ | stuvate | kāmyam | vasu | saḥ | enam | saścat | devaḥ | devam | satyam | indram | satyaḥ | induḥ
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4 pādas × ~12 syllables
Expansive yet rhythmic with repeated ‘sākaṃ’ (together), creating a mantra of integration.
Unifies scattered energies; instills a sense of coordinated will and strength.
- kratu
- Literal: will, resolve, intelligence. Symbolic: luminous intention/decisive spiritual will
- ojas
- Literal: force, vigor. Symbolic: effective energy that executes the will
- vīrya
- Literal: heroic powers. Symbolic: soul-force energies that sustain victory
- mṛdhaḥ
- Literal: assaults, hostilities. Symbolic: attacks of obscurity, doubt, desire, inertia
- vicarṣaṇi
- Literal: moving among men / master of men. Symbolic: governing power that orders human nature
- rādhaḥ
- Literal: bounty. Symbolic: grace-gift: increase of inner riches and capacities
- kāmyaṃ vasu
- Literal: desired wealth. Symbolic: what the soul truly seeks—light, strength, joy, harmony
- satya induḥ
- Literal: true Soma. Symbolic: truth-based Ananda accompanying right growth
Affirms Indra’s growth with kratu and ojas; also contains explicit dāna-relationship (giver to praiser), central to sacrificial reciprocity.
When invoking Indra’s victorious support and gifts to the sacrificer/praiser.
Recitation as praise to attract Indra’s rādhas (bounty) and protective victory.
Chant before disciplined practice (study, meditation, training) to align intention and energy and to resist distractions.
kratu: will/intelligence (often ‘resolute power’). √sah ‘overcome/endure’. rādhas ‘bounty’ (root √rādh ‘to succeed, prosper, grant’). vasu ‘good/wealth’ (PIE *wesu- ‘good’; cf. Avestan vohu). vicarṣaṇi: from vi + carṣaṇa ‘men/peoples’ (√car ‘move’ underlying ‘moving clans’).
kratu as purposeful intelligence, union of will and force (sākam ... kratunā ... ojasā), grace/bounty (rādhas) as spiritual success
‘Together with will and force’ describes ṛta in action—right intention expressed as right energy.
Truth is the basis for Soma’s companionship; false will yields unstable delight.
Growth (vṛddha) as evolutionary increase of conscious power in the human instrument.
Evolutionary/Integral Vedism: ascent through integrated faculties and divine assistance.
unspecified
unspecified
‘Treasure’ = stored light-force in the being; ‘assaults’ = adverse waves in the vital; ‘together’ = harmonization of inner powers.
- What is the primary Vedic 'mythologem' present in this verse?
- Indra’s conjoint birth and growth with kratu (will) and ojas (force), leading to victory and gift-bestowal. Inner sense: the divine will-force in us matures together; conquest of inner assaults yields the capacity to receive ‘desired treasure’—states of well-being and power.
- How does the linguistic structure reflect Proto-Indo-European roots?
- vasu ‘good’ aligns with PIE *wesu- (cf. Vohu in Avestan). The praise-for-gift structure is an Indo-European poetic economy (heroic patronage transposed to divine patronage).
- What is the relationship between the Rishi and the Devata here?
- The verse explicitly encodes reciprocity: stuvate (to the praiser) Indra is dātā rādhaḥ (giver of bounty). But the inner reciprocity is deeper: praise is a formation of kratu; when kratu aligns with Indra, the ‘desired vasu’ becomes a realized inner good.
Unify kratu (clear intention) with ojas (available energy).
Maṇipūra (ojas) aligned with Ājñā (kratu)
Inhale: set intention silently (kratu). Exhale: feel energy obeying (ojas). 12 cycles.
Collected, capable, quietly victorious.
Write one clear sankalpa, then act immediately on one small step; repeat the mantra to prevent the split between aspiration and execution.
Emphasize the repeated ‘sākaṃ’ with consistent udātta lift; keep the refrain steady and slightly lower in pitch at the very end for closure.
Use micro-pauses after each ‘sākaṃ’ phrase to preserve meaning and breath; avoid swallowing consonant clusters.
sākaṃ: long ‘ā’ held evenly, kratunā: dental ‘t’, short ‘u’, ojasā: clear ‘j’ and long ‘ā’, vīryaiḥ: long ‘īr’, visarga-like ending in transliteration corresponds to sandhi—keep vowel clear, mṛdho: vocalic ‘ṛ’ brief, stuvate: ‘v’ soft, not ‘b’
firm, resonant, integrated; not rushed.
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