Sama Veda — Pūrvārcika, Mantra 5
Aindra Soma-invocation: Indra praised as the foremost protector and drinker of the pressed Soma, whose expansive might secures the rite and its gifts.
कया नश्चित्र आ भुवदूती सदावृधः सखा कया शचिष्ठया वृता
kayā naścitra ā bhuvadūtī sadāvṛdhaḥ sakhā kayā śaciṣṭhayā vṛtā
kayā1 naś citra ā bhuvad ūtī2 sadāvṛdhaḥ sakhā kayā śaciṣṭhayā vṛtā3
எந்த வழியால் அந்தச் சித்திர-ஒளிமிக்க இந்திரன் நமக்குச் துணையுடன் அருகில் வருவான்—எப்போதும் வளர்கின்ற நண்பன் அவன்? எந்த மிக வல்ல ‘சசி’ (சக்தி)யால் அவனை நம் துணையெனத் தேர்ந்தெடுப்போம்?
kayā | naḥ | citraḥ | ā | bhuvat | ūtī | sadā-vṛdhaḥ | sakhā | kayā | śaciṣṭhayā | vṛtā
Aindra (generic)
{ "prastava": "o / hā (prelude).", "udgitha": "kayā naś citra ā bhuvad ūtī sadāvṛdhaḥ sakhā", "pratihara": "kayā", "upadrava": "śaciṣṭhayā", "nidhana": "vṛtā (with cadential stobha as per gāna).", "structure_notes": "The second ‘kayā’ is naturally suited to pratihāra as a responsorial ‘re-asking’; ‘vṛtā’ makes a decisive nidhana.", "singer_assignments": "Prastotṛ opens; Udgātṛ carries the main interrogative line; Pratihartṛ echoes ‘kayā’; Udgātṛ completes; group seals the cadence." }
{ "gloss_summary": "The interrogatives are read as ritual deliberation: by what praise/oblation will Indra come with help? ‘Śaciṣṭhā’ denotes Indra’s special efficacy in granting boons when duly invoked; Indra is the ever-growing friend.", "ritual_interpretation": "The priests inquire into the most effective means to draw Indra’s ūtī—proper stotra and offering conditions.", "theological_insight": "Divine response is conditional upon right invocation; inquiry is part of ritual intelligence, not doubt.", "etymology_highlights": "ūtī: help/protection; śacī: power/skill (Indra’s efficacy); sadāvṛdha: ever-increasing." }