Sukta 19
Sukta 2.19
Gṛtsamada (traditional for RV 2.19)
Triṣṭubh (probable for RV 2.19)
अयं सूक्तः सोमबलसमन्वितं इन्द्रं स्तौति—यः परमे दिवि स्वं सदः स्थापयति, यजमानस्य प्रार्थनां शृणोति, च प्रकाशं धनं जयञ्च ददाति। अत्र सम्यक् स्तुतिः (ब्रह्म) सोमाभिषवश्च इन्द्रस्य प्रत्यक्षदानैः संयुज्येते—सूर्यवत् दीप्तिं, निगूढानि वसूनि, गायकानां च अक्षीणं भगम्। अन्ते प्रार्थ्यते यत् उदारा दक्षिणा ऋत्विजां समुदायाय दुह्यतां, ये सभायां बृहत् वदेरन्, दृढप्रजाः वीर्यसमन्विताश्च स्युः।
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
अपाय्यस्यान्धसो मदाय मनीषिणः सुवानस्य प्रयसः । यस्मिन्निन्द्रः प्रदिवि वावृधान ओको दधे ब्रह्मण्यन्तश्च नरः ॥
अपाय्यस्यान्धसो मदाय मनीषिणः सुवानस्य प्रयसः । यस्मिन्निन्द्रः प्रदिवि वावृधान ओको दधे ब्रह्मण्यन्तश्च नरः ॥
Mantra 2
अस्य मन्दानो मध्वो वज्रहस्तोऽहिमिन्द्रो अर्णोवृतं वि वृश्चत् । प्र यद्वयो न स्वसराण्यच्छा प्रयांसि च नदीनां चक्रमन्त ॥
अस्य मन्दानो मध्वो वज्रहस्तोऽहिमिन्द्रो अर्णोवृतं वि वृश्चत् । प्र यद्वयो न स्वसराण्यच्छा प्रयांसि च नदीनां चक्रमन्त ॥
Mantra 3
स माहिन इन्द्रो अर्णो अपां प्रैरयदहिहाच्छा समुद्रम् । अजनयत्सूर्यं विदद्गा अक्तुनाह्नां वयुनानि साधत् ॥
स महीयानिन्द्रोऽर्णोऽपां प्रैरयदहिहा च्छा समुद्रम्। अजनयत्सूर्यं विदद्गा अक्तुनाह्नां वयुनानि साधत्॥
Mantra 4
सो अप्रतीनि मनवे पुरूणीन्द्रो दाशद्दाशुषे हन्ति वृत्रम् । सद्यो यो नृभ्यो अतसाय्यो भूत्पस्पृधानेभ्यः सूर्यस्य सातौ ॥
सोऽप्रतीनि मनवे पुरूणीन्द्रः दाशुषे दाशद्दाशुषे हन्ति वृत्रम्। सद्यो यो नृभ्यो अतसाय्यो भूत् पस्पृधानेभ्यः सूर्यस्य सातौ॥
Mantra 5
स सुन्वत इन्द्रः सूर्यमा देवो रिणङ्मर्त्याय स्तवान् । आ यद्रयिं गुहदवद्यमस्मै भरदंशं नैतशो दशस्यन् ॥
स सुन्वत इन्द्रः सूर्यमादेवो रिणङ्मर्त्याय स्तवान्। आ यद्रयिं गुहदवद्यमस्मै भरदंशं नैतशो दशस्यन्॥
Mantra 6
स रन्धयत्सदिवः सारथये शुष्णमशुषं कुयवं कुत्साय । दिवोदासाय नवतिं च नवेन्द्रः पुरो व्यैरच्छम्बरस्य ॥
स दिवः सारथये कुत्साय कुयवं शुष्णमशुषं च रन्धयत्। दिवोदासाय चेन्द्रः शम्बरस्य नवनवतिं पुरो व्यैरच्छत्॥
Mantra 7
एवा त इन्द्रोचथमहेम श्रवस्या न त्मना वाजयन्तः । अश्याम तत्साप्तमाशुषाणा ननमो वधरदेवस्य पीयोः ॥
एवा त इन्द्रोचथमहेम श्रवस्याः, न त्मना वाजयन्तः। अश्याम तत् सप्तमम् आशुषाणाः; न नमो वधरदेवस्य पीयोः॥
Mantra 8
एवा ते गृत्समदाः शूर मन्मावस्यवो न वयुनानि तक्षुः । ब्रह्मण्यन्त इन्द्र ते नवीय इषमूर्जं सुक्षितिं सुम्नमश्युः ॥
एवा ते गृत्समदाः शूर मन्मावस्यवो न वयुनानि तक्षुः। ब्रह्मण्यन्त इन्द्र ते नवीय इषमूर्जं सुक्षितिं सुम्नमश्युः॥
Mantra 9
नूनं सा ते प्रति वरं जरित्रे दुहीयदिन्द्र दक्षिणा मघोनी । शिक्षा स्तोतृभ्यो माति धग्भगो नो बृहद्वदेम विदथे सुवीराः ॥
नूनं सा ते प्रति वरं जरित्रे दुहीयदिन्द्र दक्षिणा मघोनी। शिक्ष स्तोतृभ्यो माति धग्भगो नो बृहद्वदेम विदथे सुवीराः॥
Inside Sukta 19
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
Indra is invoked as Soma-drinker and exalted power who makes his dwelling in the higher heaven where inspired singers gather.
- Development
The hymn ties Indra’s responsiveness to Soma and praise: he brings near light (Sūrya) and conveys faultless, hidden wealth as a rightful portion to the devotee.
- Climax
The boon-motif peaks in the image of prosperity being brought forth and allotted—Indra’s gift as an earned share, with solar and chariot imagery (Etaśa) underscoring swift bestowal.
- Where it settles
It closes with a direct petition: let bounteous Dakṣiṇā be ‘milked’ for the singer, let our bhaga not be diminished, and let us speak the Vast (bṛhat) in the assembly with good offspring and heroic strength.
The deity: Indra
- Cosmic functionHe secures order by overcoming hostile powers, releases light and abundance, and ensures the right distribution of prosperity to the sacrificer through divine might.
- Inner significanceIndra signifies awakened will-power and courageous clarity: the force in consciousness that, fed by disciplined aspiration (Soma/offerings), breaks inertia, reveals ‘sunlight’ of insight, and secures one’s rightful share.
The seer
- GṛtsamadaBhārgava (of the Bhr̥gu line; often connected with the Gṛtsamada lineage within the Bhārgavas) · A principal seer of Maṇḍala 2, renowned for robust Indra-stutis that bind poetic inspiration (brahman) to ritual efficacy, especially Soma-pressing and the winning of wealth and protection.
Famous verses
ओको दधे (oko dadhe) — “he has set his home/seat”स सुन्वत इन्द्रः सूर्यमा देवो रिणङ्मर्त्याय स्तवान् । आ यद्रयिं गुहदवद्यमस्मै भरदंशं नैतशो दशस्यन् ॥बृहत् वदेम (bṛhat vadema) — “may we speak the Vast”Attributes of the deity
- Soma-joyed and strength-increasing (madāya, vāvṛdhāna)
- Warrior and obstacle-breaker
- Giver of wealth and ‘hidden plenitude’
- Drawn to brahman (sacred word) and the pressers
- Bringer of light/solar clarity (Sūrya imagery)
- Bestower of right portion (bhaga) and generous Dakṣiṇā
Also by this seer
- Primary r̥ṣi for most of Rig Veda Maṇḍala 2 hymns (especially many Indra hymns)
- Associated in tradition with shaping powerful Triṣṭubh praise-forms used in Soma rites
- Contributor to the wider Bhārgava poetic and ritual heritage reflected across early Vedic liturgy
The rite, step by step
- Prepare the yajña-ground and kindled fires; establish the rite with opening praises.
- Press Soma (savana), strain and mix according to custom; recite Indra-invocations in Triṣṭubh.
- Offer Soma to Indra, inviting him to ‘take his seat’ among the brahman-seeking singers.
- Recite victory/boon verses asking for the Sun-like opening of light, the release of hidden riches, and protection.
- Conclude with prayers for Dakṣiṇā, an undiminished bhaga (right share), and strong speech in the assembly (vidatha).
Offerings
- Soma juice (primary)
- Ghee/clarified butter (as accompanying oblation)
- Priestly praise (brahman) as the ‘offering of speech’
- Dakṣiṇā (ritual gift/fee) invoked as a boon to be received
Frequently Asked Questions
It teaches that Indra responds to Soma and sincere praise by bringing light (clarity and success), granting wealth (even ‘hidden’ riches), and ensuring the singers receive their rightful share.
Dakṣiṇā is the ritual gift given to priests; calling it ‘to be milked’ uses cow imagery to ask that generous reward and nourishment flow out abundantly for the sacrificer and singers.
Bhaga means one’s allotted portion of good fortune. The hymn asks that this rightful share not be reduced or ‘burnt away,’ so prosperity and strength remain intact.
Ask anything about Sukta 19 of the Rig Veda
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