Mantra 4
Indra’s sovereignty and exclusive praise at the Soma-pressing
तं वो दस्ममृतीषहं वसोर्मन्दानमन्धसः अभि वत्सं न स्वसरेषु धेनव इन्द्रं गीर्भिर्नवामहे
taṃ vo dasmamṛtīṣahaṃ vasormandānamandhasaḥ abhi vatsaṃ na svasareṣu dhenava indraṃ gīrbhirnavāmahe
taṃ1 vo2 dasmaṃ3 ṛtīṣahaṃ1 vasoḥ2 mandānaṃ3 andhasaḥ1 abhi2 vatsaṃ3 na1 svasareṣu2 dhenavaḥ3 indraṃ1 gīrbhir2 navāmahe3
Him, for you, the wondrous Indra, the subduer of assailants, exulting in the Soma-juice, the giver of wealth, do we magnify with praises; as milch-kine, at their own lowings, hasten unto the calf, so do our hymns press towards Indra.
tam | vaḥ | dasmam | ṛtīṣaham | vasoḥ | mandānam | andhasaḥ | abhi | vatsam | na | svasareṣu | dhenavaḥ | indram | gīrbhiḥ | navāmahe
Unknown/unspecified (requires specific Sāmavedic gāna-prayoga mapping for this arcika location)
{ "prastava": null, "udgitha": null, "pratihara": null, "upadrava": null, "nidhana": null, "structure_notes": "In Kauthuma practice, the semantic core (Indra-epithets + Soma exhilaration) is placed in udgītha/upadrava; simile-clause often receives melodic stretching to ‘paint’ the rushing motion.", "singer_assignments": "Prastotṛ intones prastāva; Udgātṛ carries udgītha and upadrava; Pratihartṛ answers in pratihāra; all join in nidhana for closure and ‘bandhana’ of the chant." }
{ "gloss_summary": "andhas is the expressed Soma; mandāna indicates Indra’s exhilaration from it. ṛtīṣaha is Indra as destroyer of rite-obstructing foes (rakṣas/śatravaḥ). The cow-to-calf simile shows hymns naturally tending toward Indra.", "ritual_interpretation": "The verse functions as an invitation and pleasing praise at the adhvara, strengthening the rite by securing Indra’s protective presence.", "theological_insight": "Indra’s delight in Soma is not mere pleasure but empowerment for dharma of the sacrifice—removing obstacles and granting vasu.", "etymology_highlights": "andhas (pressed Soma-essence); ṛtīṣaha (ṛti/obstruction + saha/overcome) as ‘obstacle-crusher’." }