Rig Veda 3.53.1: Mandala 3, Sukta 53, Mantra 1
Sukta 3.53
- Rishi
- Viśvāmitra Gāthina
- Devata
- Indra-Parvata
- Chandas
- Triṣṭubh
- Rasa
- Adbhuta (wonder) and Vira (heroism)
इन्द्रापर्वता बृहता रथेन वामीरिष आ वहतं सुवीराः । वीतं हव्यान्यध्वरेषु देवा वर्धेथां गीर्भिरिळया मदन्ता ॥
índrāparvatā bṛhatā́ ráthena vāmī́r íṣa ā́ vahatam su-vī́rāḥ | vītáṃ havyā́ny adhvaréṣu devā várdhethāṃ gīrbhír iḷiyā́ mádantā ||
హే ఇంద్రా, పర్వతా! విశాల రథంతో రండి; కోరుకున్న ఇషాలు—పోషణమూ వీరబలమూ ప్రసాదించే ధారలు—మాకు మోసుకొండి. దేవులారా! అధ్వర యజ్ఞాలలో హవ్యాలను ఆస్వాదించండి; మా గీరులతో వృద్ధి పొందండి, ఆ వృద్ధిలో ఇళా ఆనందంతో మత్తులై కార్యప్రవృత్తులవండి.
Word by Word
- इन्द्रा
- O Indra (as one of the two)Nounपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/सम्बोधन, द्विवचनRole कर्तृRoot इन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक)
- पर्वता
- O Parvata (as one of the two)Nounपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/सम्बोधन, द्विवचनRole कर्तृRoot पर्वत (प्रातिपदिक)
- बृहता
- with the lofty/greatAdjectiveपुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन (विशेषणम्)Role करणRoot बृहन्त् (प्रातिपदिक)
- रथेन
- by/with the chariotNounपुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचनRole करणRoot रथ (प्रातिपदिक)
- वा
- orIndeclinableविकल्पार्थक अव्ययRoot वा
- वाम्
- of you two / you twoPronounषष्ठी/द्वितीया, द्विवचन (वेदे ‘वाम्’ = ‘युवयोः/युवाम्’)Role सम्प्रदान/सम्बन्ध (सन्दर्भानुसार)Root युष्मद् (सर्वनाम)
- ईरिषः
- refreshments, invigorating draughtsNounस्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचनRole कर्मRoot ईरिष् (प्रातिपदिक; स्त्री.)
- आ
- hither, towardsIndeclinable (Preverb)उपसर्गRoot आ
- वहतम्
- carry/bring (you two)!Verbलोट् (आज्ञार्थ), मध्यमपुरुष, द्विवचन, परस्मैपदRole क्रियाRoot वह्
- सुवीराः
- having good heroes/strong, manlyAdjectiveपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन (ईरिषः इत्यस्य विशेषणम्)Role कर्म (विशेषण-सम्बन्ध)Root सु-वीर (प्रातिपदिक)
- वीतम्
- enjoyed/acceptedParticiple/Adjectiveभूतकृदन्त (क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन (हव्यानि इत्यस्य समष्टि-रूपेण)Role कर्म (ग्रहणार्थे)Root वी (धातु) / वीत (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
- हव्यानि
- oblationsNounनपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचनRole कर्मRoot हव्य (प्रातिपदिक)
- अध्वरेषु
- in the sacrificesNounपुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, बहुवचनRole अधिकरणRoot अध्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
- देवा
- O godsNounपुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, बहुवचनRole सम्बोधनRoot देव (प्रातिपदिक)
- वर्धेथाम्
- may you two grow/increaseVerbलोट् (आज्ञार्थ), मध्यमपुरुष, द्विवचन, आत्मनेपदRole क्रियाRoot वृध्
- गीर्भिः
- with songs/hymnsNounस्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचनRole करणRoot गिर् (प्रातिपदिक; स्त्री.)
- इळया
- with Iḷā (ritual nourishment/Idā)Nounस्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचनRole करणRoot इळा (प्रातिपदिक; स्त्री.)
- मदन्ता
- rejoicing, exhilarated (you two)Participleवर्तमानकृदन्त (शतृ/शानच्-समकक्ष; वेद. रूप), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन (वर्धेथाम् इत्यस्य सहवर्ती)Role कर्तृ (सहक्रिया)Root मद्
Sandhi Notes
- पदच्छेद (sandhi-resolved): इन्द्रा | पर्वता | बृहता | रथेन | वा | वाम् | ईरिषः | आ | वहतम् | सुवीराः || वीतम् | हव्यानि | अध्वरेषु | देवा | वर्धेथाम् | गीर्भिः | इळया | मदन्ता || 1) इन्द्रा॑पर्वता = इन्द्रा + पर्वता (द्वन्द्व-सम्बोधन-द्विवचन)
- 2) वा॒मीरिष॒ः = वाम् + ईरिषः (सन्धिः: म् + ई → मी)
- 3) आ व॑हतं = आ + वहतम् (उपसर्ग + लोट्)
- 4) ह॒व्यान्य॑ध्व॒रेषु॑ = हव्यानि + अध्वरेषु (इ + अ → य)
- 5) गी॒र्भिरिळ॑या = गीर्भिः + इळया (ः + इ → रि; विसर्ग-परिवर्तन)
The meaning
Outer meaning
Indra and Parvata are invited to come on a vast chariot bringing desirable streams of nourishment and heroic energies. They are asked to enjoy offerings in the sacrifice, to grow by the hymns, and to be exhilarated by the delight that spurs action.
Inner meaning
Indra (illumined mind) with Parvata (the ‘mountain’ power—firmness, the stable foundation/height of consciousness) are called to descend/arrive in our being on the ‘vast chariot’ of wide receptivity. They bring iṣaḥ—streams of inner nourishment: inspirations, right impulses, and energies that generate ‘suvīra’ (heroic strength). As they accept the offerings (our works and self-givings) in the inner adhvara (journeying sacrifice), they ‘grow’ in us through mantra (gīrbhiḥ): the Word enlarges the god-power. Their madá (exhilaration) is not intoxication but ananda that moves to effective action.
Universal truth
When wide receptivity and firm groundedness support illumination, inspiration flows abundantly; through sincere offering and true speech, higher powers increase in us and joy becomes effective force.
Themes
dual invocation, nourishing impulsions (iṣ), growth through hymn, soma-like exhilaration (mad)
The seer
- Rishi
- Viśvāmitra Gāthina
- Lineage
- Gāthin / Kauśika
- Other hymns
- RV 3.53.1-24 (Indra-Parvata section)
Family tradition
Viśvāmitra’s hymns often invoke wide (bṛhat) consciousness and the powers that establish victory and stability; Parvata appears as a companion-force giving firmness to Indra’s action.
Significance
The seer’s method: widen the being (bṛhat), call the higher powers, feed them by mantra, and let joy become effective action in life.
The deity
- Devata
- Indra-Parvata
- Epithets
- bṛhata-ratha (implied), suvīra, madanta (rejoicing)
- Related deities
- Maruts, Soma, Agni, Bṛhaspati
Cosmic role
Indra releases light and waters; Parvata symbolizes the stable mass/height that holds and channels the flow—together they bring abundance and firm victory.
Inner power
Clarity (Indra) anchored in steadfastness (Parvata), producing a stable influx of inspiration (iṣaḥ) and courageous action.
In ritual
Where it is used
Invocation of Indra-Parvata in Soma/Agni rites; general adhvara praise
इन्द्रा॑पर्वता बृह॒ता रथे॑न वा॒मीरिष॒ आ व॑हतं सु॒वीरा॑: । वी॒तं ह॒व्यान्य॑ध्व॒रेषु॑ देवा॒ वर्धे॑थां गी॒र्भिरिळ॑या॒ मद॑न्ता ॥
इन्द्रा॑पर्वता । बृ॒ह॒ता । रथे॑न । वा॒मीः । इषः॑ । आ । व॒ह॒त॒म् । सु॒ऽवीराः॑ । वी॒तम् । ह॒व्यानि॑ । अ॒ध्व॒रेषु॑ । दे॒वा॒ । वर्धे॑थाम् । गीः॒ऽभिः । इळि॑या । मद॑न्ता ॥
indrāparvatā | bṛhatā | rathena | vāmīḥ | iṣaḥ | ā | vahatam | su-vīrāḥ | vītam | havyāni | adhvareṣu | devā | vardhethām | gīḥ-bhiḥ | iḷiyā | madantā
44
4 × ~11
Expansive opening (bṛhatā) followed by flowing middle phrases (iṣaḥ), concluding with a buoyant uplift (madantā).
Induces wideness and uplift; supports invocation of stable strength and joyful dynamism.
- Indrā-Parvatā
- Literal: Indra and Parvata. Symbolic: illumined mind joined with stable height/foundation—clarity plus steadfastness
- bṛhatā rathena
- Literal: with a vast chariot. Symbolic: wide consciousness-vehicle; expanded receptivity that can carry higher forces
- vāmiḥ iṣaḥ
- Literal: desirable streams of nourishment. Symbolic: currents of inspiration, right enjoyment, and strengthening energies
- ā vahatam
- Literal: bring/come carrying. Symbolic: descent/arrival of higher powers into the active nature
- suvīrāḥ
- Literal: bringing good heroes/heroic strength. Symbolic: birth of courageous capacities in mind and life
- adhvareṣu
- Literal: in the sacrifices. Symbolic: in the inner journey-work: ongoing transformation through offering
- vardhethām
- Literal: may you grow. Symbolic: increase of divine powers in the being through receptivity and mantra
- gīrbhiḥ
- Literal: by hymns/words. Symbolic: mantric speech that shapes consciousness
- iḻayā
- Literal: with refreshment/flow (iḍā). Symbolic: the sap of inspiration; the nourishing current of truth-speech
- madantā
- Literal: rejoicing/exhilarated. Symbolic: Ananda that energizes right action
Invocation of a dual deity in sacrificial session; calling the powers to come with iṣ (nourishing impulsions) and to be strengthened by hymn
At the welcoming (āvāhana) and offering sequences; when calling joint powers to partake and strengthen the rite.
Invitation to the deities to come, accept havis, and be increased by stotra/uktha.
Use to open a meditation session: widen the awareness (‘vast chariot’), ground it (‘Parvata’), then invite clarity and inspiration to flow into action.
Parvata ‘mountain’ from parvata ‘height/peak’—symbolically the stable mass that supports ascent; paired with Indra as dynamic force. / (iṣ) ‘refreshment, impulse’ from √iṣ ‘to impel, be strong’ → impulsion/nourishment. (adhvara) ‘sacrifice’ (often explained as ‘non-injurious’ a-dhvara, but philologically a ritual term): inwardly, the ordered work. (vardh) from √vṛdh ‘grow’. (mad) from √mad ‘be exhilarated’—soma-intoxication as divine delight-power.
bṛhat (vastness), iḷā as inspired flow of speech, ṛta as ordered adhvara-work
The gods ‘grow by hymns’ when speech aligns with R̥ta; right utterance sustains cosmic order in the being.
True word (gīr) is effective; it increases the god-power because it corresponds to truth.
Inflow of iṣaḥ as a creation-current; widening (bṛhat) as the condition for manifestation of higher forces.
Aurobindonian psychology of the Vast (Bṛhat) and Ananda as dynamis.
Mountain = stable consciousness; streams = inspirations/energies; chariot = widened receptivity carrying the gods into the nature.
- What is the primary Vedic 'mythologem' present in this verse?
- The paired-power mythologem: dynamic victorious force (Indra) joined with stabilizing height/firmness (Parvata). Their ‘vast chariot’ is the vehicle of integrated energies; the rite calls these complementary powers to enter and grow through mantric speech.
- How does the linguistic structure reflect Proto-Indo-European roots?
- √vṛdh ‘grow’ and √mad ‘be exhilarated’ are archaic ritual verbs; the chariot as divine conveyance is a pan-Indo-European poetic inheritance (cf. chariot gods in Greek/Indic). The semantic pairing of ‘nourishment/impulse’ (iṣ) with ‘heroic strength’ reflects IE formulaic diction linking food/force/valor.
- What is the relationship between the Rishi and the Devata here?
- The rishi summons and offers: the gods are asked to come bearing iṣ (supporting energies) and to enjoy the offerings; in return they ‘grow’ by the hymns—meaning the invoked powers become more present and potent within the practitioner’s ordered work (adhvara), culminating in energized delight (mad) that drives effective action.
Widening and grounding: hold a vast field of awareness while keeping a steady inner ‘mountain’ of calm strength; invite inspiration to descend as usable energy.
mūlādhāra (Parvata-ground) supporting ājñā (Indra-clarity)
4-4-6 breathing (inhale-hold-exhale) to widen gently; feel exhale grounding into ‘mountain’ stability.
Wide, steady, joyfully energized.
Begin with ‘bṛhat’—expand attention beyond the body. Establish ‘Parvata’—a firm still base. Then call ‘Indra’—a clear directive intention. Let any arising joy translate into one concrete right action.
Follow Saṃhitā accent marks: udātta on key invocatory names (índrā-, párvatā) and action verbs; maintain smooth svarita transitions in sandhi.
Open with breadth on ‘bṛhatā rathena’; keep a flowing legato on ‘vāmiḥ iṣaḥ’; end with uplift on ‘madantā’.
indrāparvatā: clear long ā junction, bṛhatā: retroflex ṛ; aspirate lightly, adhvareṣu: dhv conjunct; ṣ retroflex, gīrbhir: ‘rbh’ cluster, iḻayā: retroflex ḻ (as written iḻ) approximated carefully per tradition
Expansive and resonant; slightly lyrical to convey flow and delight.
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