Rig Veda Sukta 48
Mandala 3Sukta 485 Mantras

Sukta 48

Sukta 3.48

Rishi

Viśvāmitra Gāthina (traditional for Maṇḍala 3); RV 3.48 often treated as Indra hymn

Devata

Indra

Chandas

Triṣṭubh (probable)

Ten krótki hymn do Indry wychwala wrodzoną, daną mu przy narodzinach potęgę boga: jak młody byk natychmiast posuwa się naprzód, by przyjąć i nieść świeżo wyciśnięty Somę. Hymn przypomina jego poszukiwanie pożywienia u Matki, dostrzeżenie ostrej mocy w Somie, a następnie przewyższenie wszystkich, by dokonać wielkich czynów. Hymn kończy się modlitwą o zwycięstwo w walce, wzywającą Indrę jako najlepszego pomocnika w konflikcie, który pokonuje Wrytry i zdobywa bogactwo oraz pomyślność dla śpiewaków.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 3.48

Mantras

Mantra 1

सद्यो ह जातो वृषभः कनीनः प्रभर्तुमावदन्धसः सुतस्य । साधोः पिब प्रतिकामं यथा ते रसाशिरः प्रथमं सोम्यस्य ॥

Natychmiast po swych narodzinach młody byk wystąpił, aby nieść wyciśniętą rozkosz; pij z dobrej Somy według swej woli, aby dla ciebie pierwszy łyk Somyi stał się mieszanką bogatą w istotę.

Mantra 2

यज्जायथास्तदहरस्य कामेंऽशोः पीयूषमपिबो गिरिष्ठाम् । तं ते माता परि योषा जनित्री महः पितुर्दम आसिञ्चदग्रे ॥

Gdy się urodziłeś, tego dnia, zgodnie z wolą tego stawania się, piłeś górującą na górze słodycz łodygi Somy; a twoja matka, kobieta kształtująca, która cię zrodziła, najpierw wlała ją dla ciebie w domu potężnego Ojca.

Mantra 3

उपस्थाय मातरमन्नमैट्ट तिग्ममपश्यदभि सोममूधः । प्रयावयन्नचरद्गृत्सो अन्यान्महानि चक्रे पुरुधप्रतीकः ॥

Stojąc blisko Matki szukał pokarmu; ujrzał ostrą moc w Somie, wymię. Ruszając naprzód i pędząc dalej, gorliwy przekroczył innych i dokonał wielkich czynów, on o wielu formach objawienia.

Mantra 4

उग्रस्तुराषाळभिभूत्योजा यथावशं तन्वं चक्र एषः । त्वष्टारमिन्द्रो जनुषाभिभूयामुष्या सोममपिबच्चमूषु ॥

Groźny, potężny w mocy, ukształtował swoje ciało według woli; Indra, samym swoim narodzeniem panując nad Twaṣṭṛ, pił ten Somę w czarach, przyjmując w siebie uformowaną moc i jej rozkosz.

Mantra 5

शुनं हुवेम मघवानमिन्द्रमस्मिन्भरे नृतमं वाजसातौ । शृण्वन्तमुग्रमूतये समत्सु घ्नन्तं वृत्राणि संजितं धनानाम् ॥

Dla szczęścia wzywamy hojnego Indrę w tym dźwiganiu walki, najdoskonalszego wśród ludzi w zdobywaniu obfitości; słuchającego nas, groźnego dla naszej pomocy w bitwach, uderzającego w przeszkody, zwycięzcę, który gromadzi bogactwa bytu.

Inside Sukta 48

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    Indra’s immediate, birth-born vigor is proclaimed: the young bull advances to the freshly pressed Soma and is invited to drink the first, essence-rich draught.

  2. Development

    The hymn deepens the image: Indra approaches the Mother to seek nourishment, perceives sharp power in Soma, and moves forth beyond others, accomplishing great works in many manifestations.

  3. Climax

    Indra is invoked as the fierce battle-helper who smites the obstructers (Vṛtras) and decisively secures victory and riches.

  4. Where it settles

    The singers end in a practical prayer for happiness and successful winning—Indra should hear them, protect them in struggles, and grant wealth and plenitude.

The deity: Indra

  • In the VedaIndra is the youthful, bull-like, Soma-drinking hero—mighty, generous (maghavān), and fierce in battle—who hears the call of the seers and shatters obstructing powers.
  • Cosmic functionHe releases and sets free: he breaks restraints (Vṛtra-like obstruction), opens the way for waters/light/abundance, and establishes victory and order through decisive force.
  • Inner significanceIndra symbolizes awakened will and courageous intelligence that drinks inspiration (Soma), overcomes inner resistance, and converts energy into effective action and protection.

The seer

  • Viśvāmitra GāthinaGāthin / Kauśika lineage (traditionally associated with Maṇḍala 3) · A royal-turned-seer credited with many hymns of Maṇḍala 3, renowned for powerful Indra praise and for shaping key Vedic themes of divine aid, victory, and inspired speech.

Famous verses

sadyo ha jāto vṛṣabhaḥ kanīnaḥ
Verse 3.48.1Sets the core motif of the hymn: Indra’s immediate potency and his right to the first Soma draught, linking divine strength with inspired nourishment.Read verse 3.48.1 →
purudhapratīkaḥ
Verse 3.48.3A vivid theological image: Indra seeks food from the Mother and finds sharp power in Soma, then surpasses all and performs great deeds—bridging nourishment, energy, and action.Read verse 3.48.3 →
maghavānam indram
Verse 3.48.5The closing prayer summarizes ritual purpose: call Indra for happiness and victory; he hears, aids in battles, destroys obstacles, and wins riches.Read verse 3.48.5 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Soma-drinker
  • Bull-like strength (vṛṣabha)
  • Warrior and protector in samats (battles)
  • Destroyer of Vṛtras/obstructors
  • Best of men (nṛtama)
  • Bountiful giver of wealth (maghavān)
  • Many-formed power (purudhapratīka)

Also by this seer

  • Major authorship attribution for Rigveda Maṇḍala 3 (many sūktas)
  • Indra-focused hymns emphasizing Soma, victory, and the breaking of obstacles
  • Traditionally linked in later Vedic memory to the Gāyatrī/ Sāvitrī mantra (RV 3.62.10), though authorship is debated across traditions

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the Soma (pressing/straining) and set it forth as the fresh draught (andhas suta).
  • Invoke Indra as the newly vigorous, bull-like power who comes at once to the pressed Soma.
  • Offer the first draught as a rich, essence-filled mixture (rasāśiraḥ) and request Indra to drink according to his desire.
  • Praise Indra’s surpassing deeds and his power discovered in Soma as a source of sharp strength.
  • Conclude with a direct plea for happiness and victory: Indra should hear, come fiercely to aid, and strike down obstructers.
  • Distribute blessings: wealth, winning of prizes (vājasāti), and well-being for the sacrificers.

Offerings

  • Soma (freshly pressed and mixed, first draught emphasized)
  • Praise/śasti (stotra-like laudation)
  • Optional accompanying oblations per rite: ghee and fire offerings (context-dependent)

Frequently Asked Questions

It praises Indra’s immediate strength and invites him to drink the first Soma offering, then asks him to help in struggles by removing obstacles and granting prosperity.

The first Soma draught symbolizes the freshest, most potent inspiration and power; offering it to Indra affirms him as the foremost receiver of strength that leads to victory and protection.

They are forces that block progress—outer enemies in battle and, in a broader sense, any resistance that prevents abundance, clarity, and successful action.

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