Atharva Veda Sukta 32
Kanda 20Anuvaka 4Sukta 323 Mantras

Sukta 32

Rishi: Rigvedic provenance (Indra-stotra tradition; AV 20 is a collection of RV-derived hymns)

Devata: Indra (with solar witness/splendour invoked)

Chandas: Triṣṭubh-like cadence (RV-style; AV 20 generally preserves RV meters)

Этот трёхстишный индра-стотра, сохранённый в 20-й книге Атхарваведы из ригведийской литургии, призывает Индру прийти из обоих миров к нынешнему выжиманию Сомы и обновляет его опьяняющее воодушевление хвалой. Делая Индру «радостным» и всецело внимательным к этому приношению, гимн ищет зримые знаки благополучия: надёжный дом и двор, приумножение скота и победоносное, засвидетельствованное солнцем сияние.

Kind of charm

Paushtika (prosperity)
Recitation with translationAtharva Veda 20.32

Mantras

Mantra 1

आ रोद॑सी॒ हर्य॑माणो महि॒त्वा नव्यं॑नव्यं हर्यसि॒ मन्म॒ नु प्रि॒यम्। प्र प॒स्त्यमसुर हर्य॒तं गोरा॒विष्कृ॑धि॒ हर॑ये॒ सूर्या॑य

Сюда, охватывая оба мира, ты мчишься в своём величии; вновь и вновь ты радуешься — и ныне — этому дорогому гимну. Вперёд, о Владыка: яви рвущуюся силу жилища; открой мычание скота для Рыжего, для Солнца.

Mantra 2

आ त्वा॑ ह॒र्यन्तं॑ प्र॒युजो॒ जना॑नां॒ रथे॑ वहन्तु॒ हरि॑शिप्रमिन्द्र । पिबा॒ यथा॒ प्रति॑भृतस्य॒ मध्वो॒ हर्य॑न् य॒ज्ञं स॑ध॒मादे॒ दशो॑णिम्

Пусть сюда везут тебя, рвущегося, запряжённые силы людей на колеснице, о Индра с рыжеватой челюстью. Пей — чтобы, радуясь, ты вкусил приготовленного медового питья; чтобы на общем пире ты наслаждался жертвой, десятикратно полной.

Mantra 3

अपाः॒ पूर्वे॑षां हरिवः सु॒ताना॒मथो॑ इ॒दं सव॑नं॒ केव॑लं ते । म॒म॒द्धि सोमं॒ मधु॑मन्तमिन्द्र स॒त्रा वृ॑षं ज॒ठर॒ आ वृ॑षस्व

Ты испил прежние выжимки, о владыка рыжих коней; и ныне это савана (жертвенное выжимание) здесь — всецело твоё. Возрадуйся мёдным Сомой, о Индра; как Бык, непрерывным напором крепни в чреве.

Inside Sukta 32

How it unfolds

  1. How it opens

    Indra is hailed as rushing in greatness across both worlds, gladdened again and again by the beloved hymn.

  2. What it asks

    Come on the chariot; drink the set-out honeyed Soma; make the homestead’s might and cattle-prosperity manifest under solar splendour.

  3. Where its power lies

    The rite is framed as ‘tenfold’ in fullness and as a direct cause of Indra’s exhilaration and strengthening (bull-like growth).

  4. How it closes

    Indra is urged to be fully exhilarated and to wax strong continuously within the belly—securing uninterrupted efficacy for the sacrificer.

Famous verses

ā roda̍sī̱ harya̍māṇo mahi̱tvā
Verse 20.32.1Sets the hymn’s core movement: Indra’s world-spanning arrival and the prosperity-signs to be made visible—homestead strength and cattle-cry—under the Sun’s witness.Read verse 20.32.1 →
pibā yathā prati̍bhṛtasya madhvo
Verse 20.32.2Liturgical centerpiece: conveys Indra on the chariot and explicitly commands Soma-drinking so the sacrifice becomes ‘tenfold’ in abundance.Read verse 20.32.2 →
idaṃ sava̍naṃ keva̍laṃ te
Verse 20.32.3Seals exclusivity and continuity: after earlier pressings, this pressing is ‘wholly thine’; the mantra intensifies Indra’s bull-strength through sweet Soma.Read verse 20.32.3 →

Kind of hymn

Paustika (Prosperity) / Indra-Soma liturgical import (Rigvedic reprise in AV 20)

What it is for

Indra’s exclusive attention to the present offering, heightened potency through Soma, and resulting prosperity: cattle increase, homestead security, and victory/fame.

Who it is for

Soma-offering priests and householders seeking prosperity and victory through RV-style Indra liturgy (as preserved in AV 20).

Also used as

  • Saumya (Soma-liturgical)
  • Indra-stotra (victory/strengthening)
  • Shantika (household stability, by extension)

The deity

Indra is invoked as the rushing, world-spanning, Soma-loving lord whose bull-like strength is kindled by sweet pressing; the Sun functions as the public witness of his shining manifestation and the hymn’s success.

Powers of the deity

  • Swift approach on the chariot with tawny steeds
  • Exhilaration (mada) from Soma that amplifies strength
  • Bestowal of cattle, household prosperity, and victorious ‘roar’
  • Protection and stabilization of the sacrificer’s homestead
  • Public manifestation of success under solar splendour

Why the deity is called

To bring Indra quickly to the current pressing, make him drink the honeyed Soma, and thereby convert the rite into tenfold abundance—cattle-wealth, secure dwelling, and victorious force made visible ‘for the Sun.’

The seer

  • Rigvedic provenance (Indra-stotra lineage; RV-derived in AV 20)Angiras. Saumya-Indra praise used to quicken the deity’s arrival, intensify Soma-exhilaration, and secure victory/prosperity (cattle, household stability, fame).

Other hymns of this seer

  • AV 20.31 (adjacent Indra-stotra, RV reprise)
  • AV 20.33 (adjacent Indra-stotra, RV reprise)
  • AV 20.34 (Indra praise in RV style; same liturgical stream)

Preparing for the rite

  • Arrange the Soma-pressing space (savana) and set the offered Soma (pratibhṛta) in readiness.
  • Seat the reciter facing the offering and mentally ‘yoke’ Indra’s chariot/Harīs as the hymn visualizes swift arrival.
  • Keep a clear intention: prosperity in cattle and firmness of the homestead, with success made manifest (solar witness).

The rite

  • Recite 20.32.1 to ‘span the two worlds’ and invite Indra; frame the aim as household/cattle manifestation.
  • Recite 20.32.2 while presenting Soma: invite Indra on the chariot and urge him to drink at the common feast (sadhāmāda).
  • Recite 20.32.3 to claim continuity with earlier pressings and to make this pressing ‘wholly his,’ urging bull-like strengthening in the belly.

What it needs

  • Soma (or Soma-substitute in later practice)
  • Offering vessel(s) for the honeyed draught (madhu/madhumat)
  • Pressing implements implied by the rite (pressing-stones, strainer)

When

During a Soma-pressing session (savana), especially at the moment of presentation and urging the drink.

The main substance

Soma (madhu/madhumat, the honeyed pressing)

How it is prepared

Prepare and present the pressed Soma for the savana; offer the set-out draught (pratibhṛta) while reciting, emphasizing sweetness and exhilaration to ‘strengthen Indra’ and secure prosperity.

Frequently Asked Questions

To bring Indra swiftly to the current Soma-offering, make him drink and rejoice, and thereby produce prosperity-signs such as cattle increase, household security, and victory.

The Sun functions as a witness and emblem of visible splendour—success is asked to be ‘made manifest’ publicly, under solar light, while Indra is the active giver of power and wealth.

Traditionally it belongs to Soma-liturgy, but later practice may substitute an appropriate offering (sweet drink/oblations) and keep the core intent: invite Indra, offer, and pray for strength, prosperity, and victory.

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