Rig Veda Sukta 21
Mandala 2Sukta 216 Mantras

Sukta 21

Sukta 2.21

Rishi

Gṛtsamada (Bhārgava)

Devata

Indra

Chandas

Triṣṭubh (likely; hymn 2.21 is predominantly Triṣṭubh)

这首简短的因陀罗赞歌邀请人们把苏摩献给那位无往不胜的神——他在一切胜利的疆场上取胜:财富、天界、力量、牛群与诸水。诗中称颂因陀罗不可抗拒、威力遍及四方;他为黎明女神开启光明的世界。末尾则专注祈求最上之赐:澄明的智慧、兴盛、安稳、甘美的言辞与明朗的日子。

Recitation with translationRig Veda 2.21

Mantras

Mantra 1

विश्वजिते धनजिते स्वर्जिते सत्राजिते नृजित उर्वराजिते । अश्वजिते गोजिते अब्जिते भरेन्द्राय सोमं यजताय हर्यतम् ॥

把苏摩(Soma)奉献给因陀罗——那位“遍胜者”、 “夺财者”、 “夺天光者”、 “恒胜者”、 “胜人力者”、 “胜沃野者”;那位“胜马力者”、 “胜牛光者”、 “胜水灵感者”。把它带来,献给那可敬可祭者——

Mantra 2

अभिभुवेऽभिभङ्गाय वन्वतेऽषाळ्हाय सहमानाय वेधसे । तुविग्रये वह्नये दुष्टरीतवे सत्रासाहे नम इन्द्राय वोचत ॥

向因陀罗宣告你们的敬礼:那位征服者,击碎击碎者;那位进袭者,奋勇前迫;那位不可攻克者,承受冲击;那位智者,善于布置。那位宏声者,那位驱策的火焰负载者,难以超越者,恒常得胜者——向因陀罗致敬而歌。

Mantra 3

सत्रासाहो जनभक्षो जनंसहश्च्यवनो युध्मो अनु जोषमुक्षितः । वृतंचयः सहुरिर्विक्ष्वारित इन्द्रस्य वोचं प्र कृतानि वीर्या ॥

常胜者,吞噬敌对众群者,制伏众人者;驱动者、战斗者,因喜悦而增长者;积聚正法而击杀者,于诸族中奋发者——我宣说因陀罗已成就的英雄威力。

Mantra 4

अनानुदो वृषभो दोधतो वधो गम्भीर ऋष्वो असमष्टकाव्यः । रध्रचोदः श्नथनो वीळितस्पृथुरिन्द्रः सुयज्ञ उषसः स्वर्जनत् ॥

不可被逼退者,公牛般的因陀罗;为震荡之敌而具深沉高峻的击杀之力;在圣言灵感中无与伦比;驱策正道,粉碎阻抗,广大而远及——他为诸曙光生出光明的世界。

Mantra 5

यज्ञेन गातुमप्तुरो विविद्रिरे धियो हिन्वाना उशिजो मनीषिणः । अभिस्वरा निषदा गा अवस्यव इन्द्रे हिन्वाना द्रविणान्याशत ॥

凭借祭祀,阿普图罗诸人寻得道路;激荡其思,热切者、智者。以向光明的呼号,安坐于会座,渴求护佑;在因陀罗中自我激励,遂得丰饶的赐予。

Mantra 6

इन्द्र श्रेष्ठानि द्रविणानि धेहि चित्तिं दक्षस्य सुभगत्वमस्मे । पोषं रयीणामरिष्टिं तनूनां स्वाद्मानं वाचः सुदिनत्वमह्नाम् ॥

因陀罗啊,请把最上等的财富与丰盈安置在我们之中:技艺之正见、吉祥之福分;诸般富饶之光辉的增长、我等身命无伤的安稳;言语的甘美,以及白昼的善明与吉庆。

Inside Sukta 21

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    A strong summons to bring Soma to Indra, introduced through a litany of Indra’s many victories across domains (wealth, heaven, fields, cattle, waters).

  2. Development

    Indra’s irresistible, bull-like might is detailed: deep and lofty power, unmatched in inspired speech, driving the straight course and crushing resistance, expanding the luminous world-order.

  3. Climax

    Indra is portrayed as the decisive force who ‘brings forth the light for the Dawns’—a cosmic and symbolic release of illumination after obstruction.

  4. Where it settles

    The hymn turns from praise to prayer: may Indra place in us the best riches—right perception, good fortune, growth of wealth, bodily safety, sweetness of speech, and bright days.

The deity: Indra

  • In the VedaIndra is lauded as the vṛṣabha (bull) and unconquerable hero, the great smiter who breaks resistance, wins the spoils, and brings forth the luminous realm—especially in response to Soma and praise.
  • Cosmic functionHe secures ṛta by defeating obstructive powers, releasing light and waters, and enabling the dawn-order of the world; he is the champion who makes the cosmic space safe for life and sacrifice.
  • Inner significanceIndra symbolizes the awakened will and victorious force in the seeker—courage that breaks inner inertia and obstruction, releasing clarity (light), inspiration (waters), and effective intelligence (dakṣa).

The seer

  • Gṛtsamada (Bhārgava)Bhṛgu/Bhārgava lineage; associated with the Gṛtsamada seer-family of Mandala 2 · Being the principal seer of Rigveda Mandala 2 and a major composer of Indra-centered hymns that blend martial praise with inner aspiration (light, insight, right action).

Famous verses

विश्वजिते धनजिते स्वर्जिते सत्राजिते नृजित उर्वराजिते । अश्वजिते गोजिते अब्जिते भरेन्द्राय सोमं यजताय हर्यतम् ॥
Verse 2.21.1Sets the hymn’s tone by naming Indra as conqueror in every sphere and explicitly frames the ritual act: bringing Soma to the yajatá (adorable) Indra for gladdening and victory.Read verse 2.21.1 →
अनानुदो वृषभो दोधतो वधो गम्भीर ऋष्वो असमष्टकाव्यः । रध्रचोदः श्नथनो वीळितस्पृथुरिन्द्रः सुयज्ञ उषसः स्वर्जनत् ॥
Verse 2.21.4A concentrated portrait of Indra’s invincibility and expansive force—crushing resistance and generating the luminous world for the Dawns—linking martial power with cosmic illumination.Read verse 2.21.4 →
इन्द्र श्रेष्ठानि द्रविणानि धेहि चित्तिं दक्षस्य सुभगत्वमस्मे । पोषं रयीणामरिष्टिं तनूनां स्वाद्मानं वाचः सुदिनत्वमह्नाम् ॥
Verse 2.21.6The prayer-verse that gathers the hymn’s practical and inner aims: best plenitudes, skillful intelligence (dakṣa), protection of the person, sweet speech, and auspicious days.Read verse 2.21.6 →

Attributes of the deity

  • All-conquering (viśvajit) giver of victory
  • Soma-delighted and praise-responsive
  • Breaker of obstacles and resistances
  • Wide, far-reaching power (pṛthu)
  • Bringer of light/dawn-world (svar)
  • Bestower of wealth, protection, and right perception

Also by this seer

  • Most hymns of Rigveda Mandala 2 (especially many addressed to Indra and Agni)
  • Several Soma-related invocations within Mandala 2 emphasizing victory and illumination

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the altar and kindle Agni; establish the rite with introductory recitations.
  • Press and filter Soma; ready the offering with appropriate vessels.
  • Recite RV 2.21 as an invitation and praise of Indra’s victories and powers.
  • Offer Soma to Indra with accompanying svāhā-style oblations (as per the rite’s śrauta procedure).
  • Conclude with petitions for draviṇa (plenitudes), dakṣa (skill/insight), safety, and auspicious days; follow with closing verses/śānti as customary.

Offerings

  • Soma (primary)
  • Ghee/clarified butter (supporting oblations)
  • Havis offerings as prescribed in the Soma rite (context-dependent)

Frequently Asked Questions

It invites Soma to Indra and praises him as the power of victory and illumination, then asks for the best gifts—prosperity, clear intelligence, protection, and bright, auspicious life.

The many “-jit” titles show Indra’s total mastery: he wins wealth, heaven’s light, human strength, fertile fields, cattle, and the waters—meaning both outer success and inner release of inspiration.

On the cosmic level it points to Indra’s role in opening the luminous world-order; inwardly it suggests breaking inner obstruction so clarity, right direction, and renewed beginnings can arise.

Ask anything about Sukta 21 of the Rig Veda

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