Sukta 37
Sukta 6.37
Bharadvāja Bārhaspatya (Bharadvāja family)
Indra
Triṣṭubh (probable; not mechanically verified here)
अयं लघुस्त्रिष्टुभः सूक्तः इन्द्रं शीघ्रमागन्तुं समाह्वयति—सर्ववरप्रदेन रथेन, हरिभिरश्वैः युक्तेन, कविभिः सह सोमसत्रे (सधमादे) सम्मिलितुम्। इन्द्रः स्थिरां दीर्घकालिकां च बलप्रदां शक्तिं ददाति इति स्तूयते, तथा वृत्रहन्ता निश्चयेन इति; येन यजमानानां समृद्धिः, प्रेरिता वाक्, जयशक्तिश्च सुनिश्चिताः स्युः।
Mantras
Mantra 1
अर्वाग्रथं विश्ववारं त उग्रेन्द्र युक्तासो हरयो वहन्तु । कीरिश्चिद्धि त्वा हवते स्वर्वानृधीमहि सधमादस्ते अद्य ॥
अर्वाग्रथं विश्ववारं त उग्रेन्द्र युक्तासो हरयो वहन्तु। कीरिश्चिद्धि त्वा हवते स्वर्वानृधीमहि सधमादस्ते अद्य॥
Mantra 2
प्रो द्रोणे हरयः कर्माग्मन्पुनानास ऋज्यन्तो अभूवन् । इन्द्रो नो अस्य पूर्व्यः पपीयाद्द्युक्षो मदस्य सोम्यस्य राजा ॥
प्रो द्रोणे हरयः कर्माग्मन्पुनानास ऋज्यन्तो अभूवन्। इन्द्रो नो अस्य पूर्व्यः पपीयाद् द्युक्षो मदस्य सोम्यस्य राजा॥
Mantra 3
आसस्राणासः शवसानमच्छेन्द्रं सुचक्रे रथ्यासो अश्वाः । अभि श्रव ऋज्यन्तो वहेयुर्नू चिन्नु वायोरमृतं वि दस्येत् ॥
आसस्राणाः सुचक्रे रथ्यासोऽश्वाः शवसानम् इन्द्रम् अस्मान् प्रति वहन्ति; ऋज्यन्तो वयं श्रवः प्रति नयन्ति। नूनं चिद् वायोर् अमृतं मोदं जित्वा वितरितुं शक्येत।
Mantra 4
वरिष्ठो अस्य दक्षिणामियर्तीन्द्रो मघोनां तुविकूर्मितमः । यया वज्रिवः परियास्यंहो मघा च धृष्णो दयसे वि सूरीन् ॥
वरिष्ठोऽस्य दक्षिणाम् इयर्ति इन्द्रो मघोनां तुविकूर्मिततमः। यया वज्रिवः पर्यास्यंहो परि गच्छसि; मघा च धृष्णो दयसे वि सूरीन्।
Mantra 5
इन्द्रो वाजस्य स्थविरस्य दातेन्द्रो गीर्भिर्वर्धतां वृद्धमहाः । इन्द्रो वृत्रं हनिष्ठो अस्तु सत्वा ता सूरिः पृणति तूतुजानः ॥
इन्द्रो वाजस्य स्थविरस्य दाता; इन्द्रो गीर्भिर्वर्धतां वृद्धमहाः। इन्द्रो वृत्रं हनिष्ठो अस्तु सत्वा; ता सूरीः पृणति तूतुजानः।
Inside Sukta 37
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
A vivid invitation: Indra is called to come near on a boon-filled chariot drawn by yoked tawny steeds, to join the singer’s session today.
- Development
The hymn intensifies speed and approach—horses rushing, wheels shining—linking Indra’s arrival with the gaining of śravas (heard fame/word) and the distributable ‘immortal’ delight (with an associative glance toward Vāyu).
- Climax
Indra is declared the giver of enduring vāja and is urged to become (or be) the strongest slayer of Vṛtra—power at its decisive peak.
- Where it settles
The benefits are secured: Indra grows by the hymns, and the inspired leader (sūri) fills the community with abundance once obstruction is overcome.
The deity: Indra
- In the VedaIndra is invoked as ugra (fierce), śavasān (impetuous in might), the rider of a splendid chariot with tawny horses, the increasable lord who grows through hymns, and the decisive hantiṣṭha (best slayer) of Vṛtra.
- Cosmic functionHe releases obstructed powers—waters, light, and vital force—by breaking the Coverer (Vṛtra), thereby restoring movement, fertility, and victory in the world-order.
- Inner significanceIndra signifies the awakened heroic will and luminous force in the seeker that breaks inner obstruction (tamas/āvaraṇa), enabling the flow of inspiration (śravas), joy (soma-ānanda), and effective action.
The seer
- Bharadvāja BārhaspatyaBharadvāja (Bārhaspatya) gotra / Bharadvāja family of seers · A प्रमुख (principal) seer of Maṇḍala 6, celebrated for Indra-hymns that blend martial victory (Vṛtra-slaying) with the increase of inspired speech (gīr) and prosperity (vāja).
Famous verses
arvāg rathaṃ viśvavāraṃ
आसस्राणासः शवसानमच्छेन्द्रं सुचक्रे रथ्यासो अश्वाः । अभि श्रव ऋज्यन्तो वहेयुर्नू चिन्नु वायोरमृतं वि दस्येत् ॥indro vṛtraṃ haniṣṭho astu
Attributes of the deity
- Vṛtra-slayer (obstruction-breaker)
- Giver of vāja (strength, plenitude, winning power)
- Swift chariot-rider with tawny steeds (harayaḥ)
- Delights in soma and sadhamāda (ritual exhilaration)
- Increases through praise (gīrbhir vardhate)
Also by this seer
- A major share of Rig Veda Maṇḍala 6 is attributed to the Bharadvāja lineage
- Numerous Indra-sūktas in Maṇḍala 6 (Bharadvāja family collection)
- Hymns to allied deities in the same family corpus, often emphasizing soma-ritual, chariot imagery, and victory-boons
The rite, step by step
- Prepare the altar and kindle Agni; establish the ritual seat for the deity (āsana/āhavana context).
- Soma pressing (abhiṣava) and consecration; set out the soma for offering.
- Recite/chant RV 6.37 as an āvāhana (invitation), visualizing Indra’s chariot arriving with the haris.
- Offer soma with accompanying gīr (praise), asking for vāja and the breaking of obstacles (Vṛtra motif).
- Conclude with thanksgiving and a request for continued companionship in the sadhamāda (shared exhilaration/feast).
Offerings
- Soma (primary)
- Ghee/clarified butter (as supportive oblation)
- Optional sacrificial food offerings associated with Indra (as per śrauta context)
Frequently Asked Questions
The hymn asks Indra to come quickly to the ritual, share the soma-exhilaration with the singers, and grant strong, lasting power and prosperity by removing obstacles.
They symbolize Indra’s swift arrival and readiness to help—his power moves fast toward the worshippers when properly invoked with praise and offering.
Vṛtra is the ‘Coverer’ or obstructing force; Indra’s slaying of Vṛtra means breaking what blocks light, flow, success, and inner progress.
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