
Sukta 5.36
Atri (Ātreya) (book 5 Atri corpus; verify exact rishi for RV 5.36 via Anukramaṇī)
Indra
Jagati (likely due to longer pādas; verify)
This hymn is an urgent Soma-invocation calling Indra—the knower and bestower of treasures—to come to the pressing and drink the well-prepared Soma. The poet intensifies the call with vivid ritual imagery (pressing-stone, milked Soma) and petitions Indra for wealth from both “left and right,” concluding with Indra’s youthful power and his association with the Maruts.
Mantra 1
स आ गमदिन्द्रो यो वसूनां चिकेतद्दातुं दामनो रयीणाम् । धन्वचरो न वंसगस्तृषाणश्चकमानः पिबतु दुग्धमंशुम् ॥
Let Indra come—he who knows the treasures and is conscious to give, the tamer and disposer of the riches. Like one who ranges the wide spaces, like a creature seeking its pasture, thirsting and desiring, let him drink the pressed and milked Soma-essence.
Mantra 2
आ ते हनू हरिवः शूर शिप्रे रुहत्सोमो न पर्वतस्य पृष्ठे । अनु त्वा राजन्नर्वतो न हिन्वन्गीर्भिर्मदेम पुरुहूत विश्वे ॥
To thy jaws, O lord of the bay steeds, O hero—let Soma mount, as on the ridge of a mountain. Following thee, O king, as steeds are urged on, may we all rejoice by our inspired utterances, O much-invoked, in the ecstasy that awakens thy power.
Mantra 3
चक्रं न वृत्तं पुरुहूत वेपते मनो भिया मे अमतेरिदद्रिवः । रथादधि त्वा जरिता सदावृध कुविन्नु स्तोषन्मघवन्पुरूवसुः ॥
Like a wheel that turns, O much-invoked, my mind trembles with fear from incapacity, O stone-bearing one. From the chariot the singer calls to thee, O ever-increasing; will the rich in abundance indeed praise thee, O bountiful lord?
Mantra 4
एष ग्रावेव जरिता त इन्द्रेयर्ति वाचं बृहदाशुषाणः । प्र सव्येन मघवन्यंसि रायः प्र दक्षिणिद्धरिवो मा वि वेनः ॥
This singer, like a pressing-stone, drives forth to thee, O Indra, a great utterance, eager in the offering. O bountiful one, extend to us the riches by thy left and by thy right—O lord of the bay steeds, do not turn away from us.
Mantra 5
वृषा त्वा वृषणं वर्धतु द्यौर्वृषा वृषभ्यां वहसे हरिभ्याम् । स नो वृषा वृषरथः सुशिप्र वृषक्रतो वृषा वज्रिन्भरे धाः ॥
May the Bull-force, the luminous Heaven, increase you, the Bull of power. As the Bull you are borne by the two bull-steeds, the tawny energies. So, Bull with the bull-chariot, fair-lipped, Bull in will and working, O wielder of the thunder-force—establish for us in the battle the plenitude that is carried.
Mantra 6
यो रोहितौ वाजिनौ वाजिनीवान्त्रिभिः शतैः सचमानावदिष्ट । यूने समस्मै क्षितयो नमन्तां श्रुतरथाय मरुतो दुवोया ॥
He who yokes the two ruddy, prize-bearing powers, companioned by the three hundreds, has ordained the movement. To that youthful One may the peoples bow together; O Maruts, bring your fostering service to him whose chariot is famed and heard afar.
It is a Soma-invitation hymn asking Indra to come to the pressing, drink the prepared Soma, and grant wealth, strength, and success to the worshiper.
These are ritual images from the Soma sacrifice: Soma is pressed with stones and mixed to make it pleasing. The poet compares his praise to the pressing-stone that powerfully brings forth the offering.
The Maruts are storm-gods who often accompany Indra. Mentioning them reinforces Indra’s battle-force and asks for their supportive, protective help alongside him.
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