Rig Veda Sukta 33
Mandala 6Sukta 335 Mantras

Sukta 33

Sukta 6.33

Rishi

Bharadvāja Bārhaspatya

Devata

Indra

Chandas

Triṣṭubh

Ang maikling hymng Triṣṭubh na ito kay Indra ay humihingi ng pinakamakapangyarihang "mada" (mapanghimok na bayaning ekstasiya) ng diyos na nagpapakayang magtagumpay, sagana, at tamang pagtatamasa. Ito ay naaalala ang mapagpasyang pagpatay ni Indra sa mga pumipigil na puwersa sa labanan at nagtatapos sa isang panalangin para sa kanyang proteksyon hindi lamang sa agarang pangangailangan kundi pati na rin "sa kabila," sa mas malayong, liwanag na kalangitan.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 6.33

Mantras

Mantra 1

य ओजिष्ठ इन्द्र तं सु नो दा मदो वृषन्त्स्वभिष्टिर्दास्वान् । सौवश्व्यं यो वनवत्स्वश्वो वृत्रा समत्सु सासहदमित्रान् ॥

Ang pinakamakapangyarihang kaligayahan, O Indra, ibigay mo sa amin, O Toro, tagapagkaloob ng tamang kasiyahan. Ang maliwanag na lakas ng mabubuting kabayo, ang mananaig na kapangyarihang nananalo tulad ng kasaganaan ng kagubatan, kung saan tinalo mo ang mga Vrtra at sa mga laban ay pinasuko ang mga kaaway, ibigay mo iyon sa amin.

Mantra 2

त्वां हीन्द्रावसे विवाचो हवन्ते चर्षणयः शूरसातौ । त्वं विप्रेभिर्वि पणीँरशायस्त्वोत इत्सनिता वाजमर्वा ॥

Para sa iyong tulong, O Indra, ang maraming boses na mga tao ay tumatawag sa pagkakamit ng bayani. Ikaw, kasama ang mga mangunguna, ay nagpatapon at nagpalaganap sa mga Pani; sa iyong suporta, ang mabilis ay nananalo ng vaja, ang kasaganaan ng lakas.

Mantra 3

त्वं ताँ इन्द्रोभयाँ अमित्रान्दासा वृत्राण्यार्या च शूर । वधीर्वनेव सुधितेभिरत्कैरा पृत्सु दर्षि नृणां नृतम ॥

Ikaw, O Indra, ay bumagsak sa dalawang uri ng mga kaaway, ang mga Dasa na humahadlang at pati na ang mga Arya na lumalaban, O bayani. Tulad ng isang mangangahoy na may mga palakol na matalim na binabasan, ikaw ay nagtabas sa kanila; sa mga labanan ikaw ay nakikita bilang pinakamatapang sa mga lalaki.

Mantra 4

स त्वं न इन्द्राकवाभिरूती सखा विश्वायुरविता वृधे भूः । स्वर्षाता यद्ध्वयामसि त्वा युध्यन्तो नेमधिता पृत्सु शूर ॥

Maging ikaw nga para sa amin, O Indra, kasama ang iyong mga tulong na hindi humihina, isang kaibigan ng buong buhay, isang tagapangalaga para sa aming paglago. Kapag tinatawag ka namin bilang tagapanalo ng maliwanag na langit, kung gayon sa mga labanan, O bayani, kami ay lumalaban bilang mga nagtatayo ng matibay na pundasyon at hindi sumusuko sa lupa.

Mantra 5

नूनं न इन्द्रापराय च स्या भवा मृळीक उत नो अभिष्टौ । इत्था गृणन्तो महिनस्य शर्मन्दिवि ष्याम पार्ये गोषतमाः ॥

Ngayon nga, O Indra, maging para sa amin sa kabilang dako at hindi lamang sa malapit; maging para sa amin ang mapagkawanggawa, at sa aming minimithing layunin. Sa gayon, habang nagpupuri, sana ay manahan kami sa kanlungan ng iyong kalawakan, sa mas malayong langit, na sagana sa mga sinag ng liwanag.

Inside Sukta 33

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    A direct request for Indra’s strongest madá—an empowering force that brings rightful enjoyment and victory.

  2. Development

    Indra’s battle-power is remembered: he overcomes Vṛtra-like obstructions and subdues enemies, portrayed with vivid, practical imagery (like a woodman hewing with sharpened axes).

  3. Climax

    The hymn highlights Indra’s decisive capacity to strike down every kind of resistance and appear as the most manful in the thick of battle.

  4. Where it settles

    A concluding plea for enduring grace and protection—both in immediate life and in the farther, luminous realm—so the singers may dwell in Indra’s vast shelter.

The deity: Indra

  • In the VedaIndra is praised as vṛṣan (the Bull), the foremost warrior and soma-drinker whose might breaks fortresses and slays Vṛtra-like obstructers, releasing abundance and victory to his worshippers.
  • Cosmic functionHe is the cosmic force of breakthrough: shattering obstruction, restoring the free flow of waters/energies, and establishing victorious order in contests and battles.
  • Inner significanceIndra symbolizes the awakened power of will and courage that cuts through inner resistance—fear, inertia, and confusion—granting clarity, confidence, and forward movement toward one’s aim.

The seer

  • Bharadvāja BārhaspatyaBharadvāja gotra; Bārhaspatya (linked with Bṛhaspati/Angiras tradition) · A principal seer of Maṇḍala 6, celebrated for Indra-hymns that combine martial imagery with requests for inspired strength (mada) and well-being under divine protection.

Famous verses

ya ojiṣṭha indra taṃ su no dā
Verse 6.33.1Sets the central petition: the gift of Indra’s most puissant madá that grants victorious power, abundance, and the capacity to overcome Vṛtra-like obstruction.Read verse 6.33.1 →
vadhīr vaneva sudhitebhir atkaiḥ
Verse 6.33.3Memorable for its sweeping claim that Indra strikes down foes of both kinds and for the striking simile of a woodman cutting with well-whetted axes—emphasizing decisive removal of obstruction.Read verse 6.33.3 →
bhavā mṛḻīka uta no abhiṣṭau
Verse 6.33.5Provides the hymn’s spiritual horizon: Indra’s protection is sought not only ‘here’ but also ‘beyond,’ culminating in the wish to dwell in the shelter of his vastness in the farther heaven.Read verse 6.33.5 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Ojīṣṭha (most powerful)
  • Vṛṣan (bull-like vigor)
  • Vṛtrahan (slayer of obstruction)
  • Giver of madá (invigorating ecstasy/heroic inspiration)
  • Protector in battle and bestower of prosperity

Also by this seer

  • Major portions of Rig Veda Maṇḍala 6 traditionally associated with the Bharadvāja family of seers
  • Indra and related deity hymns emphasizing victory over Vṛtra/obstruction and the gift of strength, cattle, and prosperity

The rite, step by step

  • Ācamana and śuddhi (preparatory purification) and kindling/establishing the sacred fire (if in an Agni setting)
  • Saṅkalpa: intention for strength, protection in conflicts, and success in one’s goal (abhiṣṭi)
  • Recitation of RV 6.33 with focused remembrance of Indra as Vṛtra-slayer and remover of obstacles
  • Offering with each verse (or at least the key verses) while mentally requesting madá, victory, and shelter (śarman)
  • Śānti/closing prayer asking Indra’s grace in the near and the “beyond” (aparāya), concluding with thanksgiving

Offerings

  • Soma (where applicable in Soma rite)
  • Ghṛta (ghee) into Agni
  • Puroḍāśa/anna (simple food oblation) as customary substitute where Soma is not available

Frequently Asked Questions

The hymn asks Indra to grant his strongest “mada”—an energizing, victorious power that helps the worshipper overcome obstacles and succeed in conflict and goals.

It stresses how decisively Indra removes resistance: as a woodman cuts through wood cleanly, Indra cuts down obstructing forces in battle.

It expands the prayer from immediate help to lasting spiritual protection—seeking Indra’s shelter not only in present life but also in the farther, luminous realm of well-being.

Ask anything about Sukta 33 of the Rig Veda

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