Sukta 16
Sukta 2.16
Gṛtsamada Bhārgava (RV 2.16)
Triṣṭubh (probable; verify with Anukramaṇī)
ऋग्वेदस्य २.१६ सूक्तं सप्तर्चकं त्रिष्टुभं; अत्र गृत्समदः प्रज्वलितेऽग्नौ हविरिव सम्यग् वहितं स्तोमं निवेद्य, पुराणं नित्यनवं च इन्द्रं सोमपीडनेषु आगन्तुं आह्वयति। सूक्ते इन्द्रः धृष्णुः वृषभः इव स्तूयते, यः जनानां क्रतुम् उपगृह्णाति; तं तेजस्विना बलेन सोमं पातुम् प्रेरयन्ति, यथा स उपासकेभ्यः धनं रक्षां च वर्षेत्।
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
प्र वः सतां ज्येष्ठतमाय सुष्टुतिमग्नाविव समिधाने हविर्भरे । इन्द्रमजुर्यं जरयन्तमुक्षितं सनाद्युवानमवसे हवामहे ॥
वः पुरतः सुष्टुतिं वहामि—यथा समिधानेऽग्नौ हविर्भरति—सतां ज्येष्ठतमाय इन्द्राय। अजर्यं नित्यनवीनम् उक्षितबलं सनातनयुवानं तमिन्द्रमवसे रक्षणाय च हवामहे।
Mantra 2
यस्मादिन्द्राद्बृहतः किं चनेमृते विश्वान्यस्मिन्त्सम्भृताधि वीर्या । जठरे सोमं तन्वी सहो महो हस्ते वज्रं भरति शीर्षणि क्रतुम् ॥
बृहतोऽिन्द्राद् न कश्चन किंचनापि पृथग्भवितुमर्हति; अस्मिन्नेव सर्वाणि वीर्याणि शक्तयश्च सम्भृतानि निहितानि। जठरे सोमः, तन्व्यां सहो महत्त्वं च; हस्ते वज्रं बिभर्ति; शीर्षणि च क्रतुं—कार्यसाधकं प्रज्ञासंकल्पम्।
Mantra 3
न क्षोणीभ्यां परिभ्वे त इन्द्रियं न समुद्रैः पर्वतैरिन्द्र ते रथः । न ते वज्रमन्वश्नोति कश्चन यदाशुभिः पतसि योजना पुरु ॥
हे इन्द्र, क्षोणीभ्यां न ते इन्द्रियं परिभवति; समुद्रैः पर्वतैश्च न ते रथो निरुध्यते। यदा त्वमाशुभिः सह बहूनि योजनानि पतसि, तदा कश्चन ते वज्रमन्वश्नोति न।
Mantra 4
विश्वे ह्यस्मै यजताय धृष्णवे क्रतुं भरन्ति वृषभाय सश्चते । वृषा यजस्व हविषा विदुष्टरः पिबेन्द्र सोमं वृषभेण भानुना ॥
विश्वे ह्यस्मै यजताय धृष्णवे वृषभाय क्रतुं भरन्ति सश्चते च। वृषा यजस्व हविषा विदुष्टरः; पिबेन्द्र सोमं वृषभेण भानुना॥
Mantra 5
वृष्णः कोशः पवते मध्व ऊर्मिर्वृषभान्नाय वृषभाय पातवे । वृषणाध्वर्यू वृषभासो अद्रयो वृषणं सोमं वृषभाय सुष्वति ॥
वृष्णः कोशः पवते मध्व ऊर्मिर्वृषभान्नाय वृषभाय पातवे। वृषणाध्वर्यू वृषभासो अद्रयो वृषणं सोमं वृषभाय सुष्वति॥
Mantra 6
वृषा ते वज्र उत ते वृषा रथो वृषणा हरी वृषभाण्यायुधा । वृष्णो मदस्य वृषभ त्वमीशिष इन्द्र सोमस्य वृषभस्य तृप्णुहि ॥
वृषा ते वज्र उत ते वृषा रथो वृषणा हरी वृषभाण्यायुधा। वृष्णो मदस्य वृषभ त्वमीशिष इन्द्र सोमस्य वृषभस्य तृप्णुहि॥
Mantra 7
प्र ते नावं न समने वचस्युवं ब्रह्मणा यामि सवनेषु दाधृषिः । कुविन्नो अस्य वचसो निबोधिषदिन्द्रमुत्सं न वसुनः सिचामहे ॥
प्र ते नावं न समने वचस्युवं ब्रह्मणा यामि सवनेषु दाधृषिः। कुविन्नोऽस्य वचसो निबोधिषदिन्द्रमुत्सं न वसुनः सिचामहे॥
Inside Sukta 16
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
The poet ‘carries forward’ a well-made praise as if bearing an oblation to the kindled fire, calling Indra—ancient yet young—for help and protection (RV 2.16.1).
- Development
Indra is progressively portrayed as the adorable, daring Bull to whom all bring kratu; he is urged to sacrifice/accept the offering and drink Soma with radiant, bull-like brilliance (notably RV 2.16.4).
- Climax
The central ritual-theological turn: Indra’s Soma-drinking and radiance are invoked as the decisive means by which divine power becomes present and effective for the sacrificer.
- Where it settles
The seer approaches Indra with mantra at the pressings like a boat to the crossing, asking Indra to heed the words and to be poured forth as an inexhaustible spring of wealth (RV 2.16.7).
The deity: Indra
- Cosmic functionChampion of ṛta in the field of action: wielder of victorious power, breaker of obstacles, releaser of abundance, and protector who turns inspired will (kratu) into effective force.
- Inner significanceThe awakened heroic consciousness—courage, clarity, and decisive energy—made luminous by Soma (ecstatic inspiration), enabling the seeker to cross inner conflict and unlock “streams” of prosperity and strength.
The seer
- Gṛtsamada BhārgavaBhṛgu lineage (Bhārgava); traditionally linked with the Gṛtsamada/Gṛtsamāda family of seers · A principal seer of Maṇḍala 2, renowned for powerful Indra-hymns that combine vivid ritual imagery (hymn-as-oblation, Soma-pressings) with theological praise of Indra’s enduring youth and might.
Famous verses
sanād yuvānam
pibendra somaṃ
indraṃ utsaṃ na vasunaḥ
Attributes of the deity
- Bull-like strength (vṛṣabha)
- Undecaying and ever-renewing (ajurya; ancient yet young)
- Daring/impetuous power (dhṛṣṇu)
- Soma-drinker who amplifies radiance
- Giver of wealth and protection (avase; vasu)
- Responsive to brahman (sacred speech) and stuti (praise)
Also by this seer
- Primary attribution for much of Rigveda Maṇḍala 2 (numerous sūktas to Indra, Agni, and allied deities)
- Associated with the Bhārgava stream of Vedic seership and its sacrificial-poetic style (stuti framed as havis/brahman)
The rite, step by step
- Kindle/maintain the ritual fire and establish the offering context (hymn likened to havis brought to Agni).
- Recite the Triṣṭubh stuti to Indra, praising him as foremost, undecaying, and ever-youthful.
- Invite Indra to the Soma-pressing(s) (savana) and urge him to drink the prepared Soma.
- Offer oblations while affirming communal kratu (shared resolve) joining Indra’s power.
- Conclude with a request that Indra ‘notice’ the speech and pour riches like a spring/fountain.
Offerings
- Soma (pressed and offered for Indra to drink)
- Havis/oblations (e.g., ghee and sacrificial portions, as customary in the Soma rite)
- Brahman/stuti (the hymn itself as a ritual offering)
Frequently Asked Questions
It invites Indra to come to the Soma-pressings, drink Soma, and then grant protection and riches to the worshippers who praise him.
It highlights Indra’s timeless power: he is ever-present from of old, yet always fresh and renewing in strength when invoked and offered Soma.
The “boat” suggests the mantra helps the worshipper cross difficulties by reaching Indra, and the “fountain” portrays Indra as an overflowing source of wealth and blessings when he responds to the hymn.
Ask anything about Sukta 16 of the Rig Veda
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