Sukta 49
Sukta 3.49
Viśvāmitra Gāthina (traditional)
Indra
Triṣṭubh (probable)
एषः संक्षिप्तः त्रिष्टुभ्-स्तोत्रः इन्द्रं तं देवं घोषयति यं सर्वे सोमपायिनो जनाः कामयन्ते आह्वयन्ति च—यो वृत्रादि-निरोध-भेदनकर्मणे जयसाधनाय च जातः। स युद्धात् पारगः, उभे लोके विस्तृणोति, फलवतीं समृद्धिं च सिञ्चति इति वर्ण्यते। अन्ते च वर्तमान-संग्रामे श्रवणसहाय्याय, धनानां च जयाय, तस्य प्रत्यक्षं प्रार्थना क्रियते।
Mantras
Mantra 1
शंसा महामिन्द्रं यस्मिन्विश्वा आ कृष्टयः सोमपाः काममव्यन् । यं सुक्रतुं धिषणे विभ्वतष्टं घनं वृत्राणां जनयन्त देवाः ॥
शंसामि महान्तम् इन्द्रं यस्मिन् विश्वाः कृष्टयः सोमपाः कामम् अव्यन्। यं सुक्रतुं धिषणे द्वे विभ्वतष्टं घनं वृत्राणां जनयन्त देवाः॥
Mantra 2
यं नु नकिः पृतनासु स्वराजं द्विता तरति नृतमं हरिष्ठाम् । इनतमः सत्वभिर्यो ह शूषैः पृथुज्रया अमिनादायुर्दस्योः ॥
यं नु न किः पृतनासु स्वराजं द्विता तरति नृतमं हरिष्ठाम्। इनतमः सत्वभिर्यो ह शूषैः पृथुज्रया अमिनादायुर्दस्योः॥
Mantra 3
सहावा पृत्सु तरणिर्नार्वा व्यानशी रोदसी मेहनावान् । भगो न कारे हव्यो मतीनां पितेव चारुः सुहवो वयोधाः ॥
सहावा पृत्सु तरणिर्नार्वा व्यानशी रोदसी मेहनावान्। भगो न कारे हव्यो मतीनां पितेव चारुः सुहवो वयोधाः॥
Mantra 4
धर्ता दिवो रजसस्पृष्ट ऊर्ध्वो रथो न वायुर्वसुभिर्नियुत्वान् । क्षपां वस्ता जनिता सूर्यस्य विभक्ता भागं धिषणेव वाजम् ॥
स एव दिवो धर्ता रजसः पृष्ठे स्पृष्ट ऊर्ध्वो रथ इव उदेति—वसुभिर्नियुत्वान् वायुरिव। स एव क्षपां वस्ताऽस्ति सूर्यस्य जनिता; स एव भागं विभजति, धिषणेवेव वाजं बलसमृद्धिं च अस्माकं भवाय वितरति।
Mantra 5
शुनं हुवेम मघवानमिन्द्रमस्मिन्भरे नृतमं वाजसातौ । शृण्वन्तमुग्रमूतये समत्सु घ्नन्तं वृत्राणि संजितं धनानाम् ॥
शुनं (कल्याणाय) वयं मघवानम् इन्द्रम् आह्वयामः—अस्मिन् भरे नृतमं वाजसातौ पुरुषार्थतमम्। समत्सु ऊतये शृण्वन्तम् उग्रम् अस्माभिः प्राप्यताम्—यो वृत्राणि घ्नाति, धनानां संजित् (विजेता) भवति।
Inside Sukta 49
How it unfolds
- 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).
- 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).
- Climax
A focused invocation for immediate help—Indra as the fierce, listening power in the thick of conflict, actively slaying Vṛtras and securing victory.
- 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 ॥सहावा पृत्सु तरणिर्नार्वा व्यानशी रोदसी मेहनावान् । भगो न कारे हव्यो मतीनां पितेव चारुः सुहवो वयोधाः ॥शुनं हुवेम मघवानमिन्द्रमस्मिन्भरे नृतमं वाजसातौ । शृण्वन्तमुग्रमूतये समत्सु घ्नन्तं वृत्राणि संजितं धनानाम् ॥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.
Ask anything about Sukta 49 of the Rig Veda
Answers come straight from the texts, with the shlokas they draw on. Ask in your own words.
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.
