Dashati 14
UttarārcikaPrapathaka 9Dashati 143 Mantras

Dashati 14

Indra as liberator and battle-protector who secures wealth and disables hostile forces

Deity

Indra

Melodic Character

Martial triumphant and apotropaic (protective/warding)

Rishi Family

Kāṇva (probable/traditional for Aindra material here)

Likely employed in Soma liturgy as an Aindra set for invoking Indra’s aid victory and protection for the sacrificer; exact pressing not specified in input.

Mantras

Mantra 1

प्रो ष्वस्मै पुरोरथमिन्द्राय शूषमर्चत अभीके चिदु लोककृत्सङ्गे समत्सु वृत्रह अस्माकं बोधि चोदिता नभन्तामन्यकेषां ज्याका अधि धन्वसु

Praise ye forth the might of Indra, whose chariot is foremost; even in close encounter, the world-maker, in the clash of battles, O slayer of Vṛtra: be mindful of us, as our impeller; let the bow-strings of others, upon their bows, be brought to naught.

Saman: Aindra Sāman (exact tune-name not specified in input)

Mantra 2

त्वं सिन्धूंरवासृजो ऽधराचो अहन्नहिम् अशत्रुरिन्द्र जज्ञिषे विश्वं पुष्यसि वार्यम् तं त्वा परि ष्वजामहे नभन्तामन्यकेषां ज्याका अधि धन्वसु

Thou, Indra, didst set free the streams with their roar; thou didst smite Ahi from below; born unconquered, thou cherishest all desirable wealth: therefore we clasp thee round about; may the bow-strings of others fail upon their bows.

Saman: Aindra (Uttarārcika) — melody unspecified in input

Mantra 3

वि षु विश्वा अरातयो ऽर्यो नशन्त नो धियः अस्तासि शत्रवे वधं यो न इन्द्र जिघांसति या ते रातिर्ददिवसु नभन्तामन्यकेषां ज्याका अधि धन्वसु

May all the malignant assailants perish utterly; may they not reach our devotions: thou art, Indra, the destruction of the foe who would slay us; and that bounty of thine, O giver, (be ours): may the bow-strings of others fail upon their bows.

Saman: Aindra (Uttarārcika) — melody unspecified in input

Frequently Asked Questions

It presents Indra as the unconquered protector: he frees the blocked waters (by slaying Ahi/Vṛtra), safeguards the sacrificer’s prayers, grants desirable wealth, and defeats hostile forces.

It is a protective imprecation: the singers ask Indra to neutralize opponents so their weapons—and by extension their harmful intent—lose power against the sacrificer and the rite.

The myth functions as a model of restoration: just as Indra releases the waters for the world’s sustenance, he is invoked to remove obstacles, let the sacrifice proceed unhindered, and deliver prosperity to the patron.