Rig Veda Sukta 17
Mandala 2Sukta 174 Mantras

Sukta 17

Sukta 2.17

Rishi

Gṛtsamada (Bhārgava) (traditional attribution for RV 2.17)

Devata

Indra (with Agni/Vahni as operative power in the imagery)

Chandas

Triṣṭubh (probable for RV 2.17; verse length and cadence consistent)

Этот краткий гимн в размере триштубх, обращённый к Индре, прославляет его всеобъемлющее владычество, разрастающееся до охвата всех миров, и его победоносную мощь, утверждающую свет и согласованность в космосе. Деяние Индры изображено через действующую «огненную силу» (Агни/Вахни), которая простирает два пространства и «сшивает» разорванную тьму; затем поэт просит о vāja (победоносной силе), защите и щедрой dakṣiṇā для певцов.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 2.17

Mantras

Mantra 4

अधा यो विश्वा भुवनाभि मज्मनेशानकृत्प्रवया अभ्यवर्धत । आद्रोदसी ज्योतिषा वह्निरातनोत्सीव्यन्तमांसि दुधिता समव्ययत् ॥

Затем тот, кто своей безмерностью возрос над всеми мирами, творец владычества, продвигаясь в напоре вперёд, — он распростёр оба неба‑земли своим светом. Сшивая разрывы тьмы, понуждающая Огненная Сила сплотила их в единое согласие.

Mantra 7

अमाजूरिव पित्रोः सचा सती समानादा सदसस्त्वामिये भगम् । कृधि प्रकेतमुप मास्या भर दद्धि भागं तन्वो येन मामहः ॥

Как дитя, прижавшееся к родителям, пребывая в одном доме сознания, я прихожу к тебе с общего седалища, о Бхага. Сотвори для нас ясное распознавание; приблизь его в должной мере; даруй долю телесному нашему существу, — ту, которой мы возрастём в благополучии.

Mantra 8

भोजं त्वामिन्द्र वयं हुवेम ददिष्ट्वमिन्द्रापांसि वाजान् । अविड्ढीन्द्र चित्रया न ऊती कृधि वृषन्निन्द्र वस्यसो नः ॥

Тебя, о Индра, мы призываем — как Бходжу, Наслаждающегося, владыку изобилий; ты, о Индра, даруешь деяния и ваджа‑силу. Пронзи для нас, о Индра, своей светлой, многообразной помощью; соделай нас, о Бык могущества, обладателями лучшего удела.

Mantra 9

नूनं सा ते प्रति वरं जरित्रे दुहीयदिन्द्र दक्षिणा मघोनी । शिक्षा स्तोतृभ्यो माति धग्भगो नो बृहद्वदेम विदथे सुवीराः ॥

Ныне пусть та щедрая дакшина будет выдоена как твой ответный дар певцу, о Индра. Научи ей восхваляющих; да не будет сожжён наш Бхага. Да возгласим мы Великое на собраниях, богатые героической силой.

Inside Sukta 17

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    Indra is invoked as the powerful lord and enjoyer of plenitudes, the giver of vāja and effective works.

  2. Development

    The hymn magnifies his cosmic action: by vastness he grows over all worlds, and through luminous force the two realms are stretched and stabilized.

  3. Climax

    The striking image of Vahni/Fire-Power “sewing” the rents of darkness into coherence—light establishing unity and order.

  4. Where it settles

    The poet turns to practical boons: piercing help, better fortune, a milked-out dakṣiṇā for the singer, and the ability to speak the Vast in assembly with heroic strength.

The deity: Indra

  • In the VedaIndra is celebrated as the mighty lord (īśāna), the giver of vāja and works (apāṃsi), the breaker-through (aviḍdhi) who brings wide light and victory to the worshipper.
  • Cosmic functionHe expands and stabilizes the worlds, overcomes obstructing darkness and constraint, and releases the powers of increase—strength, wealth, and victorious momentum.
  • Inner significanceIndra represents the awakened will and heroic force that breaks inner obstruction, gathers scattered energies into coherence, and establishes clarity (light) over confusion (darkness).

The seer

  • Gṛtsamada (Bhārgava)Bhṛgu/Bhārgava lineage (Gṛtsamada family of Maṇḍala 2) · Principal seer of most of Rig Veda Maṇḍala 2, famed for Indra hymns that combine martial victory with cosmic ordering imagery.

Famous verses

sīvyan tamāṃsi ("sewing the darkness")
Verse 2.17.4Central cosmological verse: Indra’s vast expansion over all worlds and the luminous ‘sewing’ of darkness via Vahni, expressing establishment of order and clarity.Read verse 2.17.4 →
citrayā na ūtī ("with your bright/varied help")
Verse 2.17.8Core petition: Indra as bhoja (enjoyer/lord) and giver of vāja; asks for ‘bright, varied’ protection and a higher state of well-being.Read verse 2.17.8 →
bṛhad vadema ("may we speak the Vast")
Verse 2.17.9Ritual-social payoff: requests the bounteous dakṣiṇā as Indra’s answering gift to the singer and prays to preserve Bhaga (share of fortune) and speak bṛhat (the Vast) in assembly.Read verse 2.17.9 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Vajra-bearing power and breakthrough force
  • Lordship and mastery (īśāna)
  • Bestower of vāja (victorious energy) and prosperity
  • Protector with “bright/varied” aid (citrā ūtī)
  • Cosmic expander who establishes light and order

Also by this seer

  • Majority of RV Maṇḍala 2 (many sūktas traditionally ascribed to Gṛtsamada)
  • Multiple Indra-stutis in Mandala 2 emphasizing vāja, protection, and patronage (dakṣiṇā)
  • Hymns that frequently link Indra’s victory to the widening of the worlds and the establishment of light

The rite, step by step

  • Kindle and steady the sacred fire (Agni) as the carrier of the hymn.
  • Prepare the Soma or principal oblation; recite the Triṣṭubh verses as Indra is invited to partake.
  • Praise Indra’s cosmic deeds (expansion of worlds, establishment of light) to align the rite with ṛta (order).
  • Make the specific petitions: vāja, protection, breakthrough help, and a generous dakṣiṇā for the jaritṛ (singer).
  • Conclude with a communal aspiration: to speak the “Vast” in the assembly and gain heroic offspring/powers (suvīra).

Offerings

  • Soma libation (where applicable)
  • Ghee/clarified butter into Agni
  • Oblations of grain/cakes per household or śrauta setting
  • Dakṣiṇā (gifts/fees) to officiants/singers

Frequently Asked Questions

It praises Indra’s supreme power that spreads over all worlds and establishes light and order, then asks him for strength (vāja), protection, and prosperity for the worshippers.

The hymn keeps Indra as the main deity, but uses “Vahni” (Fire-Power) as the operative image of luminous force—showing how Indra’s power works to extend light and bind the worlds into coherence.

It is a poetic way of saying that the divine power repairs the ‘rips’ of confusion and obstruction, joining what is scattered into unity and establishing clarity and stability (light) in the cosmos and in life.

Ask anything about Sukta 17 of the Rig Veda

Answers come straight from the texts, with the shlokas they draw on. Ask in your own words.

Not sure where to start?

A free sign-in with Google or Apple keeps your chat saved across web and the app.

Read Rig Veda in the Vedapath app

Scan the QR code to open this directly in the app, with word-by-word meanings, Sanskrit recitation where available, and more.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Continue reading in the Vedapath app

Open in App
Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play