Rig Veda Sukta 47
Mandala 4Sukta 474 Mantras

Sukta 47

Sukta 4.47

Rishi

Vāmadeva Gautama (traditional attribution for RV 4)

Devata

Vāyu (with Soma-invitation motif)

Chandas

Jagatī (probable; RV 4 commonly uses Jagatī/Triṣṭubh in such invocations—requires pad-count confirmation)

Ten krótki hymn jest nagłym zaproszeniem Somy skierowanym do Vāyu, szybkiego, świetlistego Wiatru, proszącym go, by przybył zaprzężony w swoje konie niyut, aby wypił pierwszy udział w Somie. Następnie rozszerza się we wspólne wezwanie Indry-Vāyu, by przybyli na jednym rydwanie, przynieśli ochronę i siłę, oraz mocno obdarzyli czcicieli swymi gorąco pożądanymi zaprzężonymi mocami.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 4.47

Mantras

Mantra 1

वायो शुक्रो अयामि ते मध्वो अग्रं दिविष्टिषु । आ याहि सोमपीतये स्पार्हो देव नियुत्वता ॥

O Waju, lśniąca Potęgo, przynoszę tobie pierwszą istotę rozkoszy pośród dążen ku niebu. Przyjdź tutaj do picia Somy, pożądany Boże, zaprzężony swymi uporządkowanymi rumakami siły.

Mantra 2

इन्द्रश्च वायवेषां सोमानां पीतिमर्हथः । युवां हि यन्तीन्दवो निम्नमापो न सध्र्यक् ॥

Indra i Waju, wy obaj jesteście godni picia tych fal Somy; albowiem do was krople zdążają niepowstrzymanie, jak wody spływające ku dolinie, prosto do swego przeznaczonego miejsca.

Mantra 3

वायविन्द्रश्च शुष्मिणा सरथं शवसस्पती । नियुत्वन्ता न ऊतय आ यातं सोमपीतये ॥

O Waju i Indro, władcy siły, przyjdźcie razem na jednym rydwanie z waszą potęgą; zaprzężeni w uporządkowane energie, przyjdźcie ku naszej pomocy, przyjdźcie do picia Somy.

Mantra 4

या वां सन्ति पुरुस्पृहो नियुतो दाशुषे नरा । अस्मे ता यज्ञवाहसेन्द्रवायू नि यच्छतम् ॥

Jakiekolwiek wasze zaprzężone energie są bardzo pożądane, o dwaj mocni, dla dającego, przyznajcie je nam, o Indro i Waju, nosiciele ofiary, ustanówcie je mocno wewnątrz nas.

Inside Sukta 47

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    A direct, vivid invitation to Vāyu as luminous power, bringing him the first essence of Soma-delight.

  2. Development

    The hymn shifts from the single deity to the dual form Indra-Vāyu, emphasizing shared chariot, might, and readiness to help.

  3. Climax

    The plea that the two ‘yoked energies’ (niyutaḥ)—highly desired and effective—arrive for Soma-drinking and for protection.

  4. Where it settles

    A concluding request that those sacrifice-bearing powers be firmly granted and established ‘in us,’ sealing the rite with an inward bestowal.

The deity: Vāyu

  • In the VedaVāyu is praised as śukra (bright/pure), swift and desirable, coming with niyut (yoked teams/energies) to the Soma-drinking; with Indra he is invoked as a strong pair who ride together and carry the sacrifice.
  • Cosmic functionAs Wind/Breath he moves between heaven and earth, quickening life, carrying offerings and inspiration; in the Indra-Vāyu dyad he channels power (Indra) through motion and prāṇa (Vāyu) to make the rite effective.
  • Inner significanceVāyu signifies prāṇa—clarity, vitality, and the dynamic force that brings the ‘first essence’ of delight into conscious experience; with Indra he represents energized will guided by right movement, enabling inner steadiness and victorious aspiration.

The seer

  • Vāmadeva GautamaGautama gotra (Vāmadeva as a Gautama seer) · A major Rigvedic seer of Mandala 4, renowned for powerful invocatory poetry and for hymns that link outer deities with inner illumination and inspired speech.

Famous verses

somapītaye
Verse 4.47.1Sets the hymn’s purpose: Vāyu is invited to the Soma-drink and offered the ‘first essence’ (agra) of sweetness/delight, highlighting Vāyu’s priority and luminosity (śukra).Read verse 4.47.1 →
sarathaṃ
Verse 4.47.3Key transition to the paired deity: Indra and Vāyu are invoked to come ‘on one chariot’ (saratham) with might, yoked with niyut energies, explicitly for help and Soma-drinking.Read verse 4.47.3 →
yajñavāhasā
Verse 4.47.4Culminating boon-request: the much-desired niyut powers are asked to be granted to the worshippers; the pair is named ‘bearers of the sacrifice’ (yajñavāhasā).Read verse 4.47.4 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Swift approach to the Soma-pressing
  • Śukra (luminous, purifying)
  • Niyutvat (possessing ordered/yoked energies)
  • Yajñavāhasa (sacrifice-bearing, especially with Indra)
  • Helper and protector (ūtī)
  • Linked with the ‘first share’ of Soma

Also by this seer

  • Primary seer associated with many hymns of Rig Veda Mandala 4 (Vāmadeva family collection)
  • Hymns to Indra, Agni, the Aśvins, and allied deities within RV 4 (traditional attribution across the mandala)

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the Soma pressing and seating for the invited deities.
  • Recite the opening invitation to Vāyu, offering the ‘first essence’/first share of Soma.
  • Invoke Vāyu to arrive with his niyut teams and take the Soma-drink.
  • Expand the call to Indra-Vāyu to come together on one chariot for help (ūtī).
  • Petition the pair to ‘set’ or establish their much-desired niyut-powers within/among the worshippers and the rite.

Offerings

  • Soma (first share/agra)
  • Associated oblations customary to Soma rites (supporting offerings to the yajña/fire)

Frequently Asked Questions

The hymn invites Vāyu to come quickly and drink the first share of Soma, and asks Indra-Vāyu together to bring help, strength, and firmly established power to the worshippers.

Vāyu is portrayed as arriving swiftly with ordered, yoked energies (niyut) to receive Soma early; this symbolizes prāṇa-like vitality and the quickening of the rite’s effectiveness.

In this hymn, niyut refers to Vāyu’s yoked teams or ordered energies—his controlled powers of movement and force—requested as a boon to support the sacrifice and the sacrificer.

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