Rig Veda Sukta 49
Mandala 3Sukta 495 Mantras

Sukta 49

Sukta 3.49

Rishi

Viśvāmitra Gāthina (traditional)

Devata

Indra

Chandas

Triṣṭubh (probable)

Этот краткий гимн в размере триштубх провозглашает Индру богом, которого желают и призывают все народы, пьющие сому, — рождённым для дела сокрушения преград (Вритры) и утверждения победы. Он изображён как преодолевающий битву, расширяющий два мира и изливающий плодоносное изобилие; затем гимн завершается прямой молитвой о его внимающей помощи в нынешней борьбе и о завоевании богатств.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 3.49

Mantras

Mantra 1

शंसा महामिन्द्रं यस्मिन्विश्वा आ कृष्टयः सोमपाः काममव्यन् । यं सुक्रतुं धिषणे विभ्वतष्टं घनं वृत्राणां जनयन्त देवाः ॥

Я воспеваю великого Индру, в котором все племена, пьющие Сому, соткали своё желание; его — крепковольного, в двух Дхишанах (Вдохновениях) искусно созданного, сокрушителя преград, — боги породили.

Mantra 2

यं नु नकिः पृतनासु स्वराजं द्विता तरति नृतमं हरिष्ठाम् । इनतमः सत्वभिर्यो ह शूषैः पृथुज्रया अमिनादायुर्दस्योः ॥

Кого никто не превосходит в битвах — самодержавного, лучшего из мужей, восседающего на рыжих конях; самого стремительного в своих силах, кто порывистыми мощами и широким натиском умалил жизнь Дасью.

Mantra 3

सहावा पृत्सु तरणिर्नार्वा व्यानशी रोदसी मेहनावान् । भगो न कारे हव्यो मतीनां पितेव चारुः सुहवो वयोधाः ॥

Могучий в схватках, в битвах — переправляющий, как быстрый конь; он расширяет оба мира и, могучий изливатель, проливает плодотворные воды. Подобно Бхаге в дарении, он — призываемый нашими вдохновенными мыслями; как отец — прекрасен, легко призываем, дарующий силу жизни.

Mantra 4

धर्ता दिवो रजसस्पृष्ट ऊर्ध्वो रथो न वायुर्वसुभिर्नियुत्वान् । क्षपां वस्ता जनिता सूर्यस्य विभक्ता भागं धिषणेव वाजम् ॥

Он — держатель неба, опирающийся на хребет воздушного пространства; восходящий вверх, как колесница, как Ваю, впряжённый в нйюты с Васу. Он — ткач ночей и родитель Солнца; он распределяет долю и, как Дхишана, раздаёт ваджа — полноту силы — для нашего становления.

Mantra 5

शुनं हुवेम मघवानमिन्द्रमस्मिन्भरे नृतमं वाजसातौ । शृण्वन्तमुग्रमूतये समत्सु घ्नन्तं वृत्राणि संजितं धनानाम् ॥

К благу нашему призовём щедрого Индру — в этой битве-давке, самого мужественного, в завоевании ваджа. Да будет он, внимающий, грозный, нам в помощь в сражениях: поражающий Вритр — преграды — и победитель богатств, сокровищ.

Inside Sukta 49

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    A proclamation of the ‘great Indra’ desired by all Soma-drinking peoples, presented as divinely fashioned for decisive action (RV 3.49.1).

  2. Development

    Indra’s capacities are unfolded: he crosses battles, widens the two worlds, pours fruitful waters, and is invoked by inspired thoughts like a generous giver and fatherly support (cf. RV 3.49.3).

  3. Climax

    A focused invocation for immediate help—Indra as the fierce, listening power in the thick of conflict, actively slaying Vṛtras and securing victory.

  4. Where it settles

    The hymn settles into confident petition: may Indra be present in ‘this struggle’ and grant the conquest of riches and well-being (RV 3.49.5).

The deity: Indra

  • In the VedaIndra is praised as mahān (great), sukratu (strong-willed, effective in action), ugra (fierce), and as the ghana of Vṛtras—the smiter of obstructing powers—who listens to inspired thoughts and responds to invocation.
  • Cosmic functionHe breaks the forces of confinement, releases the waters and wideness, and grants victory, strength, and wealth to the sacrificer and the community.
  • Inner significanceIndra symbolizes the awakened will and luminous force that crosses inner conflict, shatters psychological blockages, and establishes expansive life-force (vayas) and effective power (kratu) in the seeker.

The seer

  • Viśvāmitra GāthinaGāthina (Kauśika lineage, traditionally associated with the Viśvāmitra family) · A royal-turned-seer celebrated for powerful Indra hymns and for the Viśvāmitra corpus of Maṇḍala 3, often linked with the visionary articulation of divine power aiding human striving.

Famous verses

शंसा महामिन्द्रं यस्मिन्विश्वा आ कृष्टयः सोमपाः काममव्यन् । यं सुक्रतुं धिषणे विभ्वतष्टं घनं वृत्राणां जनयन्त देवाः ॥
Verse 3.49.1Sets the theological frame: Indra is universally desired by Soma-drinkers, divinely ‘brought to birth’ as the purposeful smiter of obstructions.Read verse 3.49.1 →
सहावा पृत्सु तरणिर्नार्वा व्यानशी रोदसी मेहनावान् । भगो न कारे हव्यो मतीनां पितेव चारुः सुहवो वयोधाः ॥
Verse 3.49.3Gives the hymn’s distinctive imagery: Indra as the battle-crosser who widens the two worlds and pours abundance—fatherly and easily invoked by inspired thought.Read verse 3.49.3 →
शुनं हुवेम मघवानमिन्द्रमस्मिन्भरे नृतमं वाजसातौ । शृण्वन्तमुग्रमूतये समत्सु घ्नन्तं वृत्राणि संजितं धनानाम् ॥
Verse 3.49.5The culminating prayer: a direct call for Indra’s listening, fierce aid in present contests, for the slaying of Vṛtras and the conquest of wealth.Read verse 3.49.5 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Vṛtra-slayer (obstruction-breaker)
  • Listener to prayer (śṛṇvant)
  • Bestower of wealth and victory (maghavān, vājasāti)
  • Mighty, fierce protector in battle (ugra, pṛtsu sahāvā)
  • Widening power of the two worlds (rodasī vi-ānaśī)

Also by this seer

  • Large portions of Rig Veda Maṇḍala 3 (many sūktas attributed to the Viśvāmitra family)
  • Tradition also associates the Gāyatrī/ Sāvitrī mantra (RV 3.62.10) with Viśvāmitra in later reception

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the sacred space and kindle Agni; establish intention for protection and victory.
  • Press Soma (or symbolically offer Soma) and recite the hymn as stuti (praise) to awaken Indra’s presence.
  • Invite Indra as the Vṛtra-slayer and ‘listener’ to come to the offering; affirm his birth/manifestation for the work of removing obstacles.
  • Conclude with a direct petition for aid in the present ‘bhara’ (pressing struggle) and for the winning of wealth and plenitude.

Offerings

  • Soma libation (primary)
  • Ghee/clarified butter into the fire
  • Oblations accompanying Indra invocations (standard havis)

Frequently Asked Questions

It asks Indra to come to the Soma offering, help in the present struggle, break inner and outer obstacles (Vṛtras), and grant victory and riches.

It praises Indra as a power that expands both realms—outer life and inner consciousness—so there is more space for strength, clarity, and fruitful action.

It can be recited as a prayer for courage and breakthrough during difficult efforts—especially when seeking to remove obstacles, strengthen will, and regain momentum.

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