Sukta 36
Sukta 8.36
Indra (with Maruts as associated powers)
Jagatī/triṣṭubh-like; requires verification
अयं सूक्तः सोमाह्वानरूपः, मरुत्वन्तं विशेषतः इन्द्रं प्रति—यत् सुतं सोमं पिबतु, तस्य मदेन यजमानाय त्राणं जयम् उरुं बलं च प्रयच्छत्विति। पुनःपुनः अस्य हविषोऽधिकारः (“तुभ्यं निहितो भागः”) तस्य च सिद्धा युद्धजयशक्तिः संबध्यते—येन सः संग्रामान् जयति, अप्सु गूढेष्वपि (गहनेषु) अभिभवति, ब्रह्माणां (प्रेरितवाचः) प्रभावं च धारयति। अन्त्यऋचि प्रार्थना व्यक्तीभवति—श्यावाश्वस्य नामोच्चारणेन, अत्रये पूर्वं कृतां देवसहायतां तथा राज्ञे त्रसदस्यवे दत्तां स्मृत्वा, वर्तमानाशां स्मृतपूर्वदृष्टान्तेन दृढयति।
Mantras
Mantra 1
अवितासि सुन्वतो वृक्तबर्हिषः पिबा सोमं मदाय कं शतक्रतो । यं ते भागमधारयन्विश्वाः सेहानः पृतना उरु ज्रयः समप्सुजिन्मरुत्वाँ इन्द्र सत्पते ॥
अवितासि सुन्वतो वृक्तबर्हिषः; पिब सोमं मदाय कं शतक्रतो। यं ते भागमधारयन्—विश्वाः सेहानः पृतना उरु ज्रयः समप्सुजिन्; मरुत्वाँ इन्द्र सत्पते॥
Mantra 2
प्राव स्तोतारं मघवन्नव त्वां पिबा सोमं मदाय कं शतक्रतो । यं ते भागमधारयन्विश्वाः सेहानः पृतना उरु ज्रयः समप्सुजिन्मरुत्वाँ इन्द्र सत्पते ॥
प्राव स्तोतारं मघवन्, अव त्वाम्; पिब सोमं मदाय कं शतक्रतो। यं ते भागमधारयन्—विश्वाः सेहानः पृतना उरु ज्रयः समप्सुजिन्; मरुत्वाँ इन्द्र सत्पते॥
Mantra 3
ऊर्जा देवाँ अवस्योजसा त्वां पिबा सोमं मदाय कं शतक्रतो । यं ते भागमधारयन्विश्वाः सेहानः पृतना उरु ज्रयः समप्सुजिन्मरुत्वाँ इन्द्र सत्पते ॥
ऊर्जया देवान् अवस्योऽसि, ओजसा त्वं रक्षिता सहायः। शतक्रतो, मदाय सोमं पिब। यं ते भागम् अधारयन् सर्वाः पृतनाः, तेन सर्वाः पृतनाः सेहानः जहीहि; उरु ज्रयः समाप्नुहि, अप्सु अपि जिन्—मरुत्वान् इन्द्र सत्पते।
Mantra 4
जनिता दिवो जनिता पृथिव्याः पिबा सोमं मदाय कं शतक्रतो । यं ते भागमधारयन्विश्वाः सेहानः पृतना उरु ज्रयः समप्सुजिन्मरुत्वाँ इन्द्र सत्पते ॥
दिवो जनिता, पृथिव्याश्च जनिता त्वम्। शतक्रतो, मदाय सोमं पिब। यं ते भागम् अधारयन् सर्वाः पृतनाः, तेन सर्वाः पृतनाः सेहानः जहीहि; उरु ज्रयः समाप्नुहि, अप्सु अपि जिन्—मरुत्वान् इन्द्र सत्पते।
Mantra 5
जनिताश्वानां जनिता गवामसि पिबा सोमं मदाय कं शतक्रतो । यं ते भागमधारयन्विश्वाः सेहानः पृतना उरु ज्रयः समप्सुजिन्मरुत्वाँ इन्द्र सत्पते ॥
अश्वानां जनिता, गवां जनिता चासि त्वम्। शतक्रतो, मदाय सोमं पिब। यं ते भागम् अधारयन् सर्वाः पृतनाः, तेन सर्वाः पृतनाः सेहानः जहीहि; उरु ज्रयः समाप्नुहि, अप्सु अपि जिन्—मरुत्वान् इन्द्र सत्पते।
Mantra 6
अत्रीणां स्तोममद्रिवो महस्कृधि पिबा सोमं मदाय कं शतक्रतो । यं ते भागमधारयन्विश्वाः सेहानः पृतना उरु ज्रयः समप्सुजिन्मरुत्वाँ इन्द्र सत्पते ॥
अद्रिवो इन्द्र, अत्रीणां स्तोमं महस्कृधि; शतक्रतो, मदाय सोमं पिब। यं ते भागमधारयन् विश्वाः सेहानाः पृतनाः—उरु ज्रयः समप्सुजित्; मरुत्वान् इन्द्र सत्पते।
Mantra 7
श्यावाश्वस्य सुन्वतस्तथा शृणु यथाशृणोरत्रेः कर्माणि कृण्वतः । प्र त्रसदस्युमाविथ त्वमेक इन्नृषाह्य इन्द्र ब्रह्माणि वर्धयन् ॥
श्याावाश्वस्य सुन्वतः तथा शृणु, यथाऽशृणोरत्रेः कर्माणि कृण्वतः। प्र त्रसदस्युमाविथ; त्वमेक इन्नृषाह्य इन्द्र, ब्रह्माणि वर्धयन्।
Inside Sukta 36
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
Indra is invoked as rescuer of the Soma-presser; the ritual seat is prepared and the god is urged to drink Soma for exhilaration.
- Development
The hymn reiterates Indra’s allotted share and ties Soma-intoxication to concrete outcomes: conquering all battles, gaining vast momentum, and winning even in the waters/depths, with Marut support.
- Climax
Indra is acclaimed with cosmic stature (begetter of heaven and earth in the hymn’s rhetoric) and as the decisive victor whose power makes the sacrifice’s aims inevitable.
- Where it settles
The final verse anchors the prayer in named tradition—Śyāvāśva’s present pressing, Atri’s earlier heard works, and Indra’s protection of Trasadasyu—ending with Indra as the one who increases brahmāṇi (mantric soul-forces).
The deity: Indra
- In the VedaIndra is hailed as Śatakratu (of a hundred powers), Satpati (lord of the true ones/true path), battle-winner, and the Soma-drinker whose exhilaration fuels heroic deeds. He is invoked as protector of the Soma-presser and as a force that breaks through obstacles, winning even in the waters/depths.
- Cosmic functionChampion of ṛta-driven victory: he releases and directs life-power, overcomes hostile forces, and secures wide space (uru) for gods and humans; with the Maruts he embodies the storm-force that drives triumph and renewal.
- Inner significanceIndra represents the awakened will and victorious energy that, when ‘intoxicated’ by Soma (clarified delight), turns aspiration into effective action—strengthening resolve, clearing inner resistance, and empowering mantra (brahman) to become lived force.
The seer
- Śyāvāśva (Kāṇva-associated seer of Mandala 8; with an explicit self-reference in 8.36.7)Kāṇva lineage (Mandala 8’s predominant family tradition); the hymn itself invokes Atri as an earlier exemplar · Known for Indra-centered Soma hymns that blend direct ritual invitation with historical remembrance (Atri, Trasadasyu), emphasizing Indra’s responsiveness to inspired prayer
Famous verses
pibā somaṃ madāya kaṃ
janitā divo janitā pṛthivyāḥ
indra brahmāṇi vardhayan
Attributes of the deity
- Śatakratu (many-powered efficacy)
- Soma-priya (delights in Soma; energized by madāya)
- Pṛtanā-jit (conqueror of battles)
- Marutvān (supported by the Maruts)
- Satpati (lord of the true/faithful; aligned with ṛta)
- Giver of uru (wide space, expansion, momentum)
Also by this seer
- A cluster of Mandala 8 hymns in the Śyāvāśva/Kāṇva milieu (notably adjacent cycles such as RV 8.37)
- Indra-Soma praise that foregrounds marutvān Indra and the strengthening of brahman (inspired formulations)
The rite, step by step
- Prepare the vedi and barhis (ritual seat/grass), making the offering-place ‘ready’ for the guest-god
- Press Soma (savana), clarify/strain it, and set aside Indra’s portion (“bhāga”)
- Recite the hymn as an invitation: ‘drink Soma for madāya’ while presenting the cup
- Offer Soma with accompanying oblations (as customary) and request battle-winning force, protection, and wide-going strength
- Conclude with remembrance of Indra’s prior aids (Atri, Trasadasyu) to seal confidence and continuity of grace
Offerings
- Pressed Soma (primary)
- Ghee/clarified butter (ancillary, customary in Soma contexts)
- Barhis/ritual seat prepared for the deity (ritual furnishing rather than a poured offering)
Frequently Asked Questions
The hymn asks Indra to drink the offered Soma and, through that divine exhilaration, protect the Soma-presser and grant decisive victory, strength, and wide expansion of power.
Indra is invoked as marutvān, “accompanied by the Maruts,” highlighting storm-like force, collective power, and the driving energy that helps Indra break obstacles and win battles.
Atri is an ancient seer remembered as one whom Indra ‘heard’ and helped; Trasadasyu is a famed king whom Indra protected. They are cited as proof that Indra responds to sincere work and prayer, so he should help the present sacrificer too.
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