Sukta 99
Sukta 8.99
Indra
अयं इन्द्रसूक्तः वज्रभृतं प्रति त्वरितं निमन्त्रणं करोति—गायकेभ्यः शृणोतु, शीघ्रं चास्माकं ह्वानं प्रति आगच्छतु; यतः स पूर्वमपि स्तुतिभिः बलं प्राप्तवान्। अत्रेन्द्रः विश्वजित् इव स्तूयते—यो वैरिणां प्रतिरोधान् भिनत्ति, मिथ्यावाचं च नाशयति, तथा यत्नशीलाय उपासकाय पुनःपुनः सहाय्यानि सम्यक्फलानि च प्रयच्छति।
Mantras
Mantra 1
त्वामिदा ह्यो नरोऽपीप्यन्वज्रिन्भूर्णयः । स इन्द्र स्तोमवाहसामिह श्रुध्युप स्वसरमा गहि ॥
त्वामिदा ह्यो नरोऽपीप्यन् वज्रिन् भूर्णयः। स इन्द्र स्तोमवाहसामिह श्रुध्युप स्वसरमा गहि॥
Mantra 2
मत्स्वा सुशिप्र हरिवस्तदीमहे त्वे आ भूषन्ति वेधसः । तव श्रवांस्युपमान्युक्थ्या सुतेष्विन्द्र गिर्वणः ॥
मत्स्वा सुशिप्र हरिवस् तदीमहे त्वे आ भूषन्ति वेधसः। तव श्रवांसि उपमान्युक्थ्या सुतेष्विन्द्र गिर्वणः॥
Mantra 3
श्रायन्त इव सूर्यं विश्वेदिन्द्रस्य भक्षत । वसूनि जाते जनमान ओजसा प्रति भागं न दीधिम ॥
श्रायन्त इव सूर्यं विश्वे शक्तय इन्द्रस्य भक्ष्यं भजन्ताम्। वयं च जातेन नित्यं च जायमानेन ओजसा दीप्तानां वसूनां स्वभागं दृढं धारयेम।
Mantra 4
अनर्शरातिं वसुदामुप स्तुहि भद्रा इन्द्रस्य रातयः । सो अस्य कामं विधतो न रोषति मनो दानाय चोदयन् ॥
अनर्शरातिं वसुदामुप स्तुहि; भद्रा इन्द्रस्य रातयः। स चास्य कामं विधतः न रोषति, मनो दानाय चोदयन्।
Mantra 5
त्वमिन्द्र प्रतूर्तिष्वभि विश्वा असि स्पृधः । अशस्तिहा जनिता विश्वतूरसि त्वं तूर्य तरुष्यतः ॥
त्वमिन्द्र प्रतूर्तिष्वभि विश्वा असि स्पृधः। अशस्तिहा जनिता विश्वतूरसि; त्वं तूर्य तरुष्यतः।
Mantra 6
अनु ते शुष्मं तुरयन्तमीयतुः क्षोणी शिशुं न मातरा । विश्वास्ते स्पृधः श्नथयन्त मन्यवे वृत्रं यदिन्द्र तूर्वसि ॥
अनु ते शुष्मं तुरयन्तम् ईयतुः क्षोणी शिशुं न मातरा। विश्वास्ते स्पृधः श्नथयन्ते मन्यवे, वृत्रं यदिन्द्र तूर्वसि॥
Mantra 7
इत ऊती वो अजरं प्रहेतारमप्रहितम् । आशुं जेतारं हेतारं रथीतममतूर्तं तुग्र्यावृधम् ॥
इत ऊती वो अजरं प्रहेतारम् अप्रहितम्। आशुं जेतारं हेतारं रथीतमम् अमतूर्तं तुग्र्यावृधम्॥
Mantra 8
इष्कर्तारमनिष्कृतं सहस्कृतं शतमूतिं शतक्रतुम् । समानमिन्द्रमवसे हवामहे वसवानं वसूजुवम् ॥
इष्कर्तारम् अनिष्कृतं सहस्कृतं शतमूतिं शतक्रतुम्। समानम् इन्द्रम् अवसे हवामहे वसवानं वसूजुवम्॥
Inside Sukta 99
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
A direct summons: Indra has been strengthened by men’s praise and is asked to listen and come to the singers’ call.
- Development
Indra is described as the forward-driving victor against all resistances, destroying ill-speaking negation and enabling the aspirant to cross beyond.
- Climax
The hymn peaks in portraying Indra as the all-overcoming creator-force—Śatakratu with a hundred helps—who decisively turns struggle into victory.
- Where it settles
It closes with a steady communal invocation of ‘this same Indra’ for protection: unperverted, force-made, rich in plenitude, and driving toward true riches.
The deity: Indra
- In the VedaIndra is lauded as Vajrin (thunderbolt-wielder), Śatakratu (of a hundred powers/strategies), and a mighty helper who responds to stoma, overcomes foes, and grants abundant succor.
- Cosmic functionHe upholds ṛta by smashing obstructive forces, releasing vitality and prosperity, and securing victory and safe passage for the community and the sacrificer.
- Inner significanceIndra symbolizes the awakened force of will and discerning power that breaks inner obstacles (fear, inertia, negation) and turns aspiration into effective action and achievement.
Famous verses
iha śrudhy upa ... ā gahi
aśastihā ... viśvatūr asi
śatamūtiṃ śatakratum
Attributes of the deity
- Vajrin (wielder of the thunderbolt)
- Śatakratu (many-powered, many-skilled)
- Protector and helper (avase)
- Conqueror of resistances (spṛdhaḥ)
- Slayer of ill-speaking/negation (aśastihā)
- Bestower of abundant aids (śatamūti)
- Responsive to hymns and invocation (stoma-vāhas)
The rite, step by step
- Prepare the altar/fire and seat the rite with opening recitations.
- Invite Indra with stoma: call him to ‘hear here’ and ‘come near’ (ā gahi).
- Offer oblations while praising his victorious rush and power against resistances.
- Petition for protection (avase), abundance, and right issue/outcome.
- Conclude with reaffirmation of Indra’s enduring presence and capacity to grant repeated help.
Offerings
- Soma (where applicable in the Soma rite)
- Ghee/clarified butter oblations
- Grain cakes or simple food offerings (context-dependent)
- Libations of water and accompanying praise (stoma)
Frequently Asked Questions
It calls Indra to listen to the singers and come near, praising him as the power that overcomes every resistance and grants protection and success.
It highlights Indra’s repeated, many-sided capacity to assist—victory, protection, abundance, and effective action in many situations.
It can be recited as an invocation for courage and obstacle-removal—especially before demanding tasks—while offering simple oblations (like ghee) or sincere praise as the ‘stoma.’
Ask anything about Sukta 99 of the Rig Veda
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