Rig Veda Sukta 25
Mandala 4Sukta 258 Mantras

Sukta 25

Sukta 4.25

Rishi

Vāmadeva Gautama (traditional for RV 4.25)

Devata

Indra (with Agni as ritual locus; Soma as offering-power)

Chandas

Triṣṭubh (probable)

Este hino convida o adorador digno a escolher a amizade de Indra por meio do Agni aceso e do Soma prensado, perguntando quem buscará esse «auxílio que conduz para além». Ele louva a pessoa alinhada a Indra como inconquistável e abrigada numa ampla paz, e termina declarando que todas as classes de pessoas — próximas e distantes, sedentárias e viajantes, combatentes e esforçadas — invocam Indra por força e vitória.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 4.25

Mantras

Mantra 1

को अद्य नर्यो देवकाम उशन्निन्द्रस्य सख्यं जुजोष । को वा महेऽवसे पार्याय समिद्धे अग्नौ सुतसोम ईट्टे ॥

Quem hoje, de ânimo varonil e desejoso dos deuses, escolhe a amizade de Indra? Ou quem, pelo grande auxílio que conduz para além, com Soma prensado, presta culto junto ao Agni aceso?

Mantra 2

को नानाम वचसा सोम्याय मनायुर्वा भवति वस्त उस्राः । क इन्द्रस्य युज्यं कः सखित्वं को भ्रात्रं वष्टि कवये क ऊती ॥

Quem, ao nomear, se inclina com a palavra para a alegria do Soma, tornando-se o ardor da mente quando as auroras luminosas o revestem? Quem é apto a ser jungido a Indra—quem para a companheiragem, quem escolhe a fraternidade para o ṛṣi, quem é o auxílio verdadeiro?

Mantra 3

को देवानामवो अद्या वृणीते क आदित्याँ अदितिं ज्योतिरीट्टे । कस्याश्विनाविन्द्रो अग्निः सुतस्यांशोः पिबन्ति मनसाविवेनम् ॥

Quem hoje escolhe a tutela dos deuses? Quem venera os Ādityas—Aditi, a Luz? Para quem os Aśvins, Indra e Agni bebem a porção do prensado (Soma), com a mente sem divisão?

Mantra 4

तस्मा अग्निर्भारतः शर्म यंसज्ज्योक्पश्यात्सूर्यमुच्चरन्तम् । य इन्द्राय सुनवामेत्याह नरे नर्याय नृतमाय नृणाम् ॥

A ele, que Agni, a potência dos Bhārata, conceda abrigo — uma paz que protege, para que por longo tempo contemple o Sol que se eleva. Aquele que diz: «Prensemos o Soma para Indra», — esse homem é para o Homem, para a verdadeira varonilidade, para o mais poderoso entre os homens.

Mantra 5

न तं जिनन्ति बहवो न दभ्रा उर्वस्मा अदितिः शर्म यंसत् । प्रियः सुकृत्प्रिय इन्द्रे मनायुः प्रियः सुप्रावीः प्रियो अस्य सोमी ॥

Nem os muitos o vencem, nem os poucos: pois Aditi lhe concede ampla paz protetora. Ele é querido — fazedor do bem; querido a Indra em seu pensamento e impulso; querido como quem tem fortes proteções; querido para ele é o portador do Soma.

Mantra 6

सुप्राव्यः प्राशुषाळेष वीरः सुष्वेः पक्तिं कृणुते केवलेन्द्रः । नासुष्वेरापिर्न सखा न जामिर्दुष्प्राव्योऽवहन्तेदवाचः ॥

Este herói, de bom auxílio que vai adiante, forte no prensar, concede ao que prensa bem uma parte de madura plenitude; Indra torna-se inteiramente seu. Para o que não prensa, ele não é nem parente nem companheiro nem íntimo; os mal amparados são lançados para baixo — portadores de meras palavras vazias.

Mantra 7

न रेवता पणिना सख्यमिन्द्रोऽसुन्वता सुतपाः सं गृणीते । आस्य वेदः खिदति हन्ति नग्नं वि सुष्वये पक्तये केवलो भूत् ॥

Indra não faz amizade com o rico Paṇi; bebedor de soma, não consente com aquele que não prensa. Seu saber aflige e abate o vazio nu; mas para o bom prensador, para o amadurecido, ele se torna plenamente presente.

Mantra 8

इन्द्रं परेऽवरे मध्यमास इन्द्रं यान्तोऽवसितास इन्द्रम् । इन्द्रं क्षियन्त उत युध्यमाना इन्द्रं नरो वाजयन्तो हवन्ते ॥

A Indra invocam os distantes e os próximos, e os do meio; a Indra invocam os que viajam e os que habitam. A Indra invocam os que se estabelecem e os que lutam; a Indra invocam os homens que buscam a plenitude da força.

Inside Sukta 25

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    A probing call: who today will choose Indra’s friendship and worship with Soma at the kindled fire for the great help that carries beyond?

  2. Development

    The hymn elevates the Indra-aligned worshipper as steadfast and favored—protected with “wide peace,” dear through right action and right impulse, strengthened by Soma and protective power.

  3. Climax

    The vision of universal invocation: Indra is called by those far/near/mid, by travelers and settlers, by fighters and those striving for winning force.

  4. Where it settles

    It settles into a communal certainty that Indra is the shared refuge and source of vāja, implicitly urging continued offering through Agni with Soma as the means of access.

The deity: Indra

  • In the VedaIndra is hailed as the foremost warrior and giver of boons, the friend chosen by the god-seeking man, approached through Agni with Soma pressed; he is the one whom all call in struggle and in the quest for vāja (winning power/plenty).
  • Cosmic functionHe upholds ṛta by breaking obstacles, releasing vital forces, and granting victory, protection, and expansive wellbeing to the sacrificer and community.
  • Inner significanceIndra signifies awakened courage, decisive will, and the conquering clarity that overcomes inner foes (fear, inertia, confusion), especially when energized by disciplined offering (Soma) and focused aspiration (Agni).

The seer

  • Vāmadeva GautamaGautama gotra (Vāmadeva of the Gautamas) · A major Rigvedic seer of Mandala 4, celebrated for powerful Indra hymns and for the “Vāmadeva” visionary utterances later echoed in Upaniṣadic tradition (the seer’s realization of identity with the cosmic).

Famous verses

indrasya sakhyaṃ jujoṣa
Verse 4.25.1Sets the hymn’s core challenge and ritual frame—choosing Indra’s friendship through Agni with pressed Soma, seeking the transcending aid (“pāryāya”).Read verse 4.25.1 →
aditiḥ śarma yaṃsat
Verse 4.25.5Defines the fruit of Indra-alignment: unconquerability and “wide peace” granted by Aditi; portrays the devotee as dear to Indra through good action and strong protection.Read verse 4.25.5 →
इन्द्रं परेऽवरे मध्यमास इन्द्रं यान्तोऽवसितास इन्द्रम् । इन्द्रं क्षियन्त उत युध्यमाना इन्द्रं नरो वाजयन्तो हवन्ते ॥
Verse 4.25.8Culminates in the sweeping universality of Indra’s call—across distance, social condition, travel, settlement, and battle—linking Indra to vāja-seeking human effort.Read verse 4.25.8 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Vajra-bearing conqueror of obstacles
  • Bestower of vāja (strength, victory, plenty)
  • Friend and ally of the sincere worshipper
  • Protector granting wide peace (śarma)
  • Responsive to Soma and the fire-offering
  • Invoked by all—near/far, settled/traveling, at peace/in battle

Also by this seer

  • Rig Veda Mandala 4 (many hymns attributed to Vāmadeva Gautama)
  • Notable Vāmadeva-associated verses and themes later cited in Vedic-Śrauta and Upaniṣadic discussions of seerly realization (e.g., the famed Vāmadeva declaration tradition)

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare and kindle the sacred fire (Agni) as the ritual locus.
  • Press Soma (sutasoma) and set it forth as the empowering offering.
  • Invoke Indra as friend and helper; articulate the communal need (protection, victory, passage beyond).
  • Offer Soma and accompanying oblations into/through Agni with recitation of the hymn.
  • Conclude with reaffirmation that all conditions of life call Indra, sealing the prayer for strength and wellbeing.

Offerings

  • Pressed Soma (Soma juice)
  • Ghee/clarified butter into the fire
  • Optional accompanying oblations typical of Indra rites (e.g., cakes or libations, per ritual context)

Frequently Asked Questions

It urges the worshipper to choose Indra as a friend and protector, approached through Agni with Soma offered, so that one receives strength, safety, and the help that carries one beyond obstacles.

Agni is the ritual “seat” that carries offerings, and Soma is the energizing offering-power especially dear to Indra; together they form the practical sacrificial path for invoking Indra’s aid.

It means the Indra-favored person is granted expansive security and freedom from constriction—an all-around protection that supports success in both daily life and conflict.

Ask anything about Sukta 25 of the Rig Veda

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