Rig Veda Sukta 29
Mandala 6Sukta 296 Mantras

Sukta 29

Sukta 6.29

Rishi

Bharadvāja Bārhaspatya (Mandala 6 default attribution)

Devata

Indra

Chandas

Triṣṭubh

Este breve hino em triṣṭubh volta os adoradores para Indra como um aliado confiável (sakhā) e um poderoso benfeitor, invocado para proteção e auxílio amplo e expansivo. A exaltação de Indra é situada no sacrifício do Soma —Soma prensado, alimento preparado e ukthas cantados—, de modo que o rito se torna o canal de seu poder inconquistável para romper os obstáculos (Vṛtras) e subjugar forças hostis (Dasyus).

Recitation with translationRig Veda 6.29

Mantras

Mantra 1

इन्द्रं वो नरः सख्याय सेपुर्महो यन्तः सुमतये चकानाः । महो हि दाता वज्रहस्तो अस्ति महामु रण्वमवसे यजध्वम् ॥

A Indra, ó homens, vos voltastes por amizade, caminhando para a Grandeza, jubilando na reta mente. Pois o portador do vajra, que tem na mão a força do trovão, é de fato um grande doador. Sacrificai ao Grande, ao deleitoso, por socorro — para que o vasto amparo desça em vós.

Mantra 2

आ यस्मिन्हस्ते नर्या मिमिक्षुरा रथे हिरण्यये रथेष्ठाः । आ रश्मयो गभस्त्योः स्थूरयोराध्वन्नश्वासो वृषणो युजानाः ॥

Para aquele em cuja mão se ajuntam as forças viris; em cujo carro de ouro ele se mantém, firme no carro. Em suas duas mãos robustas são postas as rédeas; pelo caminho avançam seus garanhões, touros em vigor, já jungidos — assim vem o poder que nos conduz para além dos entraves.

Mantra 3

श्रिये ते पादा दुव आ मिमिक्षुर्धृष्णुर्वज्री शवसा दक्षिणावान् । वसानो अत्कं सुरभिं दृशे कं स्वर्ण नृतविषिरो बभूथ ॥

Para a glória avançaram teus pés no ato de dar; ousado, portador do raio, poderoso em força, rico no dom justo. Vestindo o manto fragrante para a visão, tornaste-te como o sol — impetuoso na dança da batalha, veloz no teu movimento.

Mantra 4

स सोम आमिश्लतमः सुतो भूद्यस्मिन्पक्तिः पच्यते सन्ति धानाः । इन्द्रं नरः स्तुवन्तो ब्रह्मकारा उक्था शंसन्तो देववाततमाः ॥

Esse Soma, ricamente mesclado, foi prensado — ali onde a cozedura se cumpre e onde estão os grãos. Homens louvando Indra, artífices da palavra sagrada, entoando os hinos, são os mais movidos pelo sopro divino — assim a oferenda se torna uma corrente viva de poder.

Mantra 5

न ते अन्तः शवसो धाय्यस्य वि तु बाबधे रोदसी महित्वा । आ ता सूरिः पृणति तूतुजानो यूथेवाप्सु समीजमान ऊती ॥

Não há limite interior para a tua força; pela tua grandeza afastaste e dilataste o Céu-e-a-Terra. A eles vem o doador iluminado, impelido e impelindo, enchendo-os — como um rebanho que se reúne nas águas — pela tua ajuda protetora (ūti).

Mantra 6

एवेदिन्द्रः सुहव ऋष्वो अस्तूती अनूती हिरिशिप्रः सत्वा । एवा हि जातो असमात्योजाः पुरू च वृत्रा हनति नि दस्यून् ॥

Assim seja Indra, o bem-invocável, o excelso — nossa ajuda e ajuda repetida — de barba fulva, o forte. Pois assim, nascido com força inconquistável, ele fere muitos Vṛtra e abate os Dasyu (potências da escuridão).

Inside Sukta 29

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    The hymn opens by turning the community toward Indra for comradeship and right-mindedness, urging sacrifice to the great helper.

  2. Development

    It builds Indra’s profile as a mighty giver and protector, then grounds the praise in concrete ritual action—Soma pressed, food prepared, and hymns fashioned by brahmakārāḥ (makers of sacred speech).

  3. Climax

    Indra is invoked as the lofty, easy-to-call power who gives repeated help; his innate, unmatched strength is proclaimed.

  4. Where it settles

    The hymn resolves in assurance of Indra’s victory: he smites many Vṛtras and drives down the Dasyus, securing protection and the descent of expansive aid.

The deity: Indra

  • In the VedaIndra is praised as vajrahasta (wielder of the thunderbolt), a great giver (mahó dātā), delightful and approachable, repeatedly called for aid (ūtī, anūtī). He is the force who smites Vṛtra-like obstructers and casts down the Dasyus, responding to well-formed praise and Soma.
  • Cosmic functionBreaker of obstruction and releaser of vital powers (waters, light, abundance); guardian of ṛta through victorious strength; patron of the sacrificer who empowers the rite’s success.
  • Inner significanceRepresents awakened will, courage, and decisive clarity that cuts through inner inertia and fear; the ‘Indra-force’ is the capacity to overcome psychological blockages and restore flow (energy, inspiration, prosperity).

The seer

  • Bharadvāja BārhaspatyaBharadvāja-gotra; Bārhaspatya (of the line of Bṛhaspati) · Principal seer of Maṇḍala 6, renowned for Indra-centered hymns that combine martial victory motifs with precise Soma-ritual imagery and a strong emphasis on divine friendship and patronage.

Famous verses

maho hi dātā vajrahasto asti
Verse 6.29.1Sets the keynote of sakhyā (divine friendship) and frames Indra as the ‘great giver’ whose help is accessed through yajña; it is the hymn’s primary invitation and purpose statement.Read verse 6.29.1 →
स सोम आमिश्लतमः सुतो भूद्यस्मिन्पक्तिः पच्यते सन्ति धानाः । इन्द्रं नरः स्तुवन्तो ब्रह्मकारा उक्था शंसन्तो देववाततमाः ॥
Verse 6.29.4Explicitly situates the praise within the Soma-rite, linking pressed Soma, cooked offering, and the power of ukthas—showing how ritual speech and offering jointly ‘move’ the divine.Read verse 6.29.4 →
asamātyojāḥ
Verse 6.29.6Culminating affirmation of Indra’s suhava nature and unconquerable force; it closes with the classic Vedic victory motif of overcoming obstructers and subduing hostile powers.Read verse 6.29.6 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Vajrahasta (thunderbolt-bearing)
  • Maghavan (bounteous giver)
  • Suhava (easy/good to invoke)
  • Ṛṣva (lofty, exalted)
  • Satvan (strong, potent being)
  • Hiriśipra (tawny-bearded)
  • Vṛtrahan (slayer of obstructers)
  • Protector and ally (sakhā) of the worshipper

Also by this seer

  • Rig Veda Maṇḍala 6 (many sūktas traditionally attributed to the Bharadvāja family)
  • Indra, Agni, and Soma hymns across Maṇḍala 6 reflecting Bharadvāja ritual theology
  • Foundational role in the Bharadvāja śākhā/line remembered in later Vedic tradition (gotra and pravara usage)

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the altar and kindle Agni as the carrier of offerings (standard Vedic opening).
  • Press Soma (savana) and blend it suitably; arrange the ritual food (pākti) and grains (dhānāḥ) as indicated in the hymn’s imagery.
  • Recite/chant Triṣṭubh praises (ukthas) to Indra, emphasizing friendship (sakhyā), greatness (mahas), and his gift-giving power.
  • Offer Soma to Indra with accompanying stotra/śastra-style praise; request repeated help (ūtī, anūtī).
  • Conclude with a victory/protection petition: Indra’s unconquerable force to strike down obstructers and hostile powers.
  • Distribute remnants (prasāda-like sharing in later idiom) and close with benediction for ‘vast aid’ to descend upon the community.

Offerings

  • Soma (pressed and blended)
  • Cooked offering/food portion (pākti)
  • Grains (dhānāḥ)
  • Ghee/clarified butter (as customary accompaniment)

Frequently Asked Questions

It calls the community to approach Indra as a trusted friend and mighty giver, and to worship him through Soma and hymns so his protection and strength remove obstacles.

Because the hymn is set inside a sacrificial scene: Soma is pressed and offerings are prepared, while the priests’ hymns (ukthas) are sung to invite Indra’s presence and power.

They are images of obstruction and hostility—outer enemies and inner darkness alike. Indra’s role here is to break what blocks progress and to restore strength, order, and well-being.

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