Rig Veda 3.35.3: Mandala 3, Sukta 35, Mantra 3
Sukta 3.35
- Rishi
- Viśvāmitra Gāthina
- Devata
- Indra
- Chandas
- Triṣṭubh
- Rasa
- Shanta (peace) and Vira (heroism)
उपो नयस्व वृषणा तपुष्पोतेमव त्वं वृषभ स्वधावः । ग्रसेतामश्वा वि मुचेह शोणा दिवेदिवे सदृशीरद्धि धानाः ॥
upó nayasva vṛ́ṣaṇā tapúṣpótem áva tváṃ vṛṣabha svadhāvaḥ | grásētām áśvā ví mucéhá śóṇā divédive sadṛ́śīr addhi dhānā́ḥ ||
Prowadźcie nas blisko, o dwa mocne, pijące siłę gorąca; i ty też, o Byku, chroń, samowładny. Niech konie pasą się; rozprzęgnijcie tutaj czerwonawą parę. Dzień po dniu jedzcie ziarna, które wam odpowiadają.
Word by Word
- उपो
- near, up to (hither)Indeclinableउपसर्ग-समूहः (उप + आ), क्रियाविशेषणभावःRoot उप (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + आ (उपसर्ग) → उपो (sandhi) = उप + आ
- नयस्व
- lead (bring)Verbलोट् (आज्ञार्थे), मध्यमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्; परस्मैपदम्Role क्रिया (आह्वान/आज्ञा)Root नी (नयति) धातु
- वृषणा
- the two bulls (two mighty ones)Nounपुंलिङ्गः, द्वितीया/सम्बोधन? द्विवचनम्; (वेदे प्रायः इन्द्र-सम्बोधनद्विवचनम्)Role कर्म (यौ) / सम्बोधन (हे) (सन्दर्भानुसार)Root वृषन् (प्रातिपदिक) / वृष (वर्षण-बल)
- तपुष्पोते
- O two ‘tapuṣ-poṭa’ (two ardent/fiery ritual helpers; epithet of the invoked pair)Nounपुंलिङ्गः, सम्बोधन/प्रथमा? द्विवचनम् (वेदे: -ए इति द्विवचन/सम्बोधनप्रयोगः)Role सम्बोधनRoot तपुष् (प्रातिपदिक, ‘तपस्/तेजस्’) + पोत (प्रातिपदिक, ‘पोतृ/पोतः’ ritual helper) → समासः
- उत
- and, alsoIndeclinableसमुच्चय/अन्वयार्थकःRoot उत (अव्यय)
- इमम्
- thisPronounपुंलिङ्गः, द्वितीया, एकवचनम्Role कर्मRoot इदम् (सर्वनाम)
- अव
- down, forth; (as preverb)Indeclinableउपसर्गः (अव-), ‘down/away/for’ भावःRoot अव (उपसर्ग/अव्यय)
- त्वम्
- youPronounप्रथमा, एकवचनम्Role कर्तृRoot युष्मद् (सर्वनाम)
- वृषभ
- O bull (mighty one)Nounपुंलिङ्गः, सम्बोधन, एकवचनम्Role सम्बोधनRoot वृषभ (प्रातिपदिक)
- स्वधावः
- O possessor of svadhā (innate power/ritual potency)Adjectiveपुंलिङ्गः, सम्बोधन, एकवचनम् (वेदे -वः = voc. sg. of -vas stems)Role सम्बोधनRoot स्वधा (प्रातिपदिक) + वस्/वत् (प्रत्यय, ‘possessing’) → स्वधावस्
- ग्रसेताम्
- let the two devourVerbलोट्, तृतीयपुरुषः, द्विवचनम्; आत्मनेपदम् (आदेश/विधि)Role क्रियाRoot ग्रस् (ग्रसति) धातु
- अश्वा
- the two horsesNounपुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा, द्विवचनम्Role कर्तृRoot अश्व (प्रातिपदिक)
- वि
- apart, awayIndeclinableउपसर्गः (वि-), ‘apart/away’Root वि (उपसर्ग/अव्यय)
- मुचे
- release (set free)Verbलोट्, मध्यमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्; आत्मनेपदम्Role क्रियाRoot मुच् (मुञ्चति) धातु
- इह
- hereIndeclinableदेशवाचक-अव्ययम्Role अधिकारणRoot इह (अव्यय)
- शोणा
- the two red (mares/horses)Adjectiveस्त्रीलिङ्गः, प्रथमा, द्विवचनम् (अश्वा इत्यस्य विशेषणम्)Role कर्तृ (विशेषणरूपेण)Root शोण (प्रातिपदिक)
- दिवे-दिवे
- day by dayNounनपुंसकलिङ्गः, सप्तमी, एकवचनम्; पुनरुक्तिः (अव्ययीभाववत्) = ‘each day’Role अधिकारण (काल)Root दिव्/द्यौ (प्रातिपदिक ‘day’)
- सदृशीः
- like, matchingAdjectiveस्त्रीलिङ्गः, द्वितीया, बहुवचनम्Role कर्मRoot सदृश (प्रातिपदिक)
- अद्धि
- eatVerbलोट्, मध्यमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्; परस्मैपदम्Role क्रियाRoot अद् (अत्ति) धातु
- धानाः
- parched grains (offerings)Nounस्त्रीलिङ्गः, द्वितीया, बहुवचनम्Role कर्मRoot धान (प्रातिपदिक; ‘parched grains’)
Sandhi Notes
- पदच्छेद (सम्भाव्य): उपो = उप + आ (उपसर्ग-सन्धिः)
- तपुष्पोते = तपुष् + पोते (समास/सन्धि)
- त्वं वृ = त्वम् + वृषभ (व्यञ्जनसन्धिः, म् + व → ंव/ंवृ लेखनपरम्परा)
- ग्रसेताम् (लोट् 3द्वि आत्म.)
- दिवेदिवे = दिवे + दिवे (पुनरुक्ति)
The meaning
Outer meaning
Lead us near, O two strong ones, drinkers of heat; and you, O Bull, protect, self-powered. Let the horses graze; unyoke the ruddy pair here. Day by day eat the grains suitable to you.
Inner meaning
The seer asks the yoked energies to bring the consciousness close to Indra’s power, and asks Indra (the Bull, self-sustaining) to protect the process. Then comes a subtle discipline: allow the vital forces (horses) to be nourished rightly and periodically released (unyoked) so they do not exhaust or revolt. The ‘grains’ are steady, sattwic supplies—right habits, right impressions, daily measures of strength—that keep the instrument fit for repeated descent of illumination.
Universal truth
Spiritual progress needs both intensity and wise regulation: invoke higher power, but also nourish and rest the life-forces with right daily measures.
Themes
hospitality-to-deity, tapas-energy, daily-discipline, protection
The seer
- Rishi
- Viśvāmitra Gāthina
- Lineage
- Viśvāmitra (Gāthin lineage)
- Other hymns
- RV 3.35.1, RV 3.35.2, RV 3.35.4
Family tradition
Balances heroic invocation with practical regulation of forces—characteristic of a mature inner yajña.
Significance
Teaches that the yoga is not only battle but also care of the instrument: tapas must be accompanied by right feeding and timely release.
The deity
- Devata
- Indra (with address to his steeds)
- Epithets
- vṛṣabha (bull), svadhāvan (self-powered)
- Related deities
- Vāyu, Agni, Soma
Cosmic role
Protector and energizer of the seeker’s movement; ensures the forces serve illumination rather than disorder.
Inner power
Sovereign strength that guards the process and keeps energies aligned to a higher aim.
In ritual
Where it is used
Ancillary verse in Indra chariot/steed imagery within Soma offerings
उपो॑ नयस्व॒ वृष॑णा तपु॒ष्पोतेम॑व॒ त्वं वृ॑षभ स्वधावः । ग्रसे॑ता॒मश्वा॒ वि मु॑चे॒ह शोणा॑ दि॒वेदि॑वे स॒दृशी॑रद्धि धा॒नाः ॥
उपो॒ इति॑ । न॒य॒स्व॒ । वृष॑णा । त॒पुः॒ऽपा । उ॒त । ई॒म् । अ॒व॒ । त्वम् । वृ॒ष॒भ॒ । स्व॒धा॒ऽवः॒ । ग्रसे॑ताम् । अश्वा॑ । वि । मु॒च॒ । इ॒ह । शोणा॑ । दि॒वेऽदि॑वे । स॒ऽदृशीः॑ । अ॒द्धि॒ । धा॒नाः ॥
upo iti | nayasva | vṛṣaṇā | tapuḥ-pā | uta | īm | ava | tvam | vṛṣabha | svadhāvaḥ | grasetām | aśvā | vi | muca | iha | śoṇā | dive--dive | sa-dṛśīḥ | addhi | dhānāḥ
44
4 × ~11
Mixed: first half imperative and forceful; second half calmer, practical, ‘daily’ cadence.
Stabilizes after arousal; supports a sense of protected discipline and sustainable practice.
- वृषणा (vṛṣaṇā)
- Literal: two strong ones (dual). Symbolic: paired dynamic powers/energies that must be guided
- तपुष्पा (tapuṣpā)
- Literal: drinkers of heat. Symbolic: forces that feed on tapas—ardor, disciplined intensity
- वृषभ (vṛṣabha)
- Literal: bull. Symbolic: Indra as virile strength of illumined consciousness
- स्वधावः (svadhāvaḥ)
- Literal: self-powered, by own law. Symbolic: autonomous divine force not dependent on external supports
- अश्वा (aśvā)
- Literal: horses. Symbolic: vital energies and impulses of action
- शोणा (śoṇā)
- Literal: ruddy. Symbolic: fiery life-force; dynamic passion purified for right action
- धानाः (dhānāḥ)
- Literal: grains. Symbolic: steady nourishment: right impressions, disciplined routines, wholesome energies
Ritual management of Indra’s arrival: leading near, protection, and feeding—reflecting the hospitality code within Soma rites
After invitation—when sustaining the rite and its ‘vehicles’ is emphasized
Symbolic unyoking/resting of steeds; offering of food (dhānā) in associated contexts
Guidance for sādhanā hygiene: schedule rest, nourishment, and regular practice; avoid overstraining the vital.
√nī ‘lead’ (PIE *neh₂-). tapas from √tap ‘heat’ (PIE *tep- ‘warm’). svadhā ‘one’s own placing/law’ su- + √dhā. √muc ‘release’ (PIE *meuk- ‘slip’ debated). √ad ‘eat’ (PIE *h₁ed-).
tapas as transformative heat, svadhā as self-law/inner autonomy, nourishment (dhānāḥ) as sustaining inner force
Unyoking and feeding ‘day by day’ expresses ṛta as rhythm and measure, not mere intensity.
True protection is alignment with the divine’s own law (svadhā).
Sustaining manifestation: the divine force protects while the instrument is maintained in rhythm.
Practical yoga psychology: regulation of prāṇa and tapas to support higher consciousness.
Grazing/food = replenishment of prāṇa; heat = tapas; ruddy steeds = purified passion-energy; daily rhythm = sādhana regularity.
- What is the primary Vedic 'mythologem' present in this verse?
- The mythologem of divine hospitality and regulated power: the steeds are led, unyoked, fed; Indra protects as svadhāvaḥ. Inner sense: after summoning force, one must rightly ‘house’ it—stabilize, nourish, and integrate tapas-driven energies in daily rhythm.
- How does the linguistic structure reflect Proto-Indo-European roots?
- The basic bodily verbs √ad ‘eat’ and √nī ‘lead’ are ancient IE. The repeated imperatives and dual forms preserve a ritual grammar that is typologically archaic and characteristic of early Indo-European hymnody.
- What is the relationship between the Rishi and the Devata here?
- The rishi not only calls Indra but provides conditions for continued presence: protection is requested, and fitting nourishment is offered ‘day by day’. The reciprocity becomes a sustained practice—invocation followed by disciplined maintenance of the awakened force.
After invoking power, regulate the vital: protect the practice with rhythm, rest, and right nourishment.
svādhiṣṭhāna (vital regulation)
Cooling lengthened exhale (inhale 4, exhale 8) for 7 cycles after chanting to ‘unyoke’ excess arousal.
Protected calm with steady strength.
Use this verse as a reminder: (1) approach the Divine with ardor, (2) ask protection, (3) then consciously release tension in the body, (4) feed the system with wholesome inputs (sleep, food, silence, right company) daily.
Maintain clear accent on vocatives (vṛṣaṇā́, vṛṣabhá) and imperatives (nayasva, muceha).
Separate ‘dive-dive’ distinctly; keep ‘svadhāvaḥ’ resonant and unhurried.
(tapuṣpā): ṣp cluster; long ā, (svadhāvaḥ): dh voiced aspirate; final ḥ audible, (grasetām): retroflex? (not); keep s clear, (vi muce): do not over-sandhi; articulate vi, (sadṛśīḥ): retroflex ṣ, long īḥ
Begin firm, then soften from ‘grasetām’ onward into a steady, instructive tone.
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