Rig Veda Sukta 39
Mandala 3Sukta 399 Mantras

Sukta 39

Sukta 3.39

Rishi

Viśvāmitra Gāthina (traditional attribution for RV 3)

Devata

Indra

Chandas

Triṣṭubh

这首献给因陀罗的特里什图布(Triṣṭubh)颂歌描绘了从心中升起、献予主宰的受灵感启发之“思颂”(mati/stoma),祈请他识别并唤醒祭主(献祭者)内在的自身威力。诗中追忆因陀罗的“真实之业”:与那瓦格瓦(Navagva)与达沙格瓦(Daśagva)一同寻得隐藏的太阳——从黑暗中夺回光明——继而转向当下的祈求:在争战中赐助,战胜阻遏者,并赢得财富与安康。

Recitation with translationRig Veda 3.39

Mantras

Mantra 1

इन्द्रं मतिर्हृद आ वच्यमानाच्छा पतिं स्तोमतष्टा जिगाति । या जागृविर्विदथे शस्यमानेन्द्र यत्ते जायते विद्धि तस्य ॥

向因陀罗(Indra),那由心而发、被雕琢成形的颂思(mati)直趋其主(pati)而去。她在求索的会集(vidatha)中警醒而明耀,被宣唱:因陀罗啊,凡在你之中所生起者——作为回应与力量——你当知那是你在我等之内的显现。

Mantra 2

दिवश्चिदा पूर्व्या जायमाना वि जागृविर्विदथे शस्यमाना । भद्रा वस्त्राण्यर्जुना वसाना सेयमस्मे सनजा पित्र्या धीः ॥

即便从天界(divaḥ)她亦诞生——古老而常新;当她被发声时,在求索的会集(vidatha)中警醒而扩展。她披着吉祥的明亮衣裳;这由祖先所生的慧思(dhī)——在诸父(pitṛ)中自古相传——如今在此成为我等所有。

Mantra 3

यमा चिदत्र यमसूरसूत जिह्वाया अग्रं पतदा ह्यस्थात् । वपूंषि जाता मिथुना सचेते तमोहना तपुषो बुध्न एता ॥

即在此处,那制约的双生之力诞生之地,舌之最前端跃然而出,展立其位。凡所生之形相,以成对之力而相应相合——彼等为灭暗者,根植于Tapas(苦行之热、意志之炽热)之深基。

Mantra 4

नकिरेषां निन्दिता मर्त्येषु ये अस्माकं पितरो गोषु योधाः । इन्द्र एषां दृंहिता माहिनावानुद्गोत्राणि ससृजे दंसनावान् ॥

在众凡人之中,无人能责难他们——我们的父祖——他们是在“牛”(光明)之中作战的勇士。因陀罗以其伟力之宏大使他们坚固;他以成就之能(dáṃsana)向上释放诸被围闭的牛群(隐匿的光线)。

Mantra 5

सखा ह यत्र सखिभिर्नवग्वैरभिज्ञ्वा सत्वभिर्गा अनुग्मन् । सत्यं तदिन्द्रो दशभिर्दशग्वैः सूर्यं विवेद तमसि क्षियन्तम् ॥

如同同伴,在那处与同伴——那伐格瓦(Navagva)——以存在之力而识途,他们追随诸光线(牛)。此乃真实:因陀罗与那十者——达沙格瓦(Daśagva)——在黑暗中发现了居住其中的太阳。

Mantra 6

इन्द्रो मधु सम्भृतमुस्रियायां पद्वद्विवेद शफवन्नमे गोः । गुहा हितं गुह्यं गूळ्हमप्सु हस्ते दधे दक्षिणे दक्षिणावान् ॥

因陀罗在发光之母牛(usriyā)中寻得所聚之蜜;如识途者循迹,于蹄痕处、于光线的原初劲力中发现它。那被藏于洞窟、幽秘而又潜伏于诸水之中的,他置之于右手——那具“右力”(dakṣiṇā)与施与之福者。

Mantra 7

ज्योतिर्वृणीत तमसो विजानन्नारे स्याम दुरितादभीके । इमा गिरः सोमपाः सोमवृद्ध जुषस्वेन्द्र पुरुतमस्य कारोः ॥

择取光明,辨识其别于黑暗;愿我们远离苦厄,即使它逼近在侧。噢饮苏摩者、因苏摩而增长者——因陀罗啊,请悦纳这些颂辞,出自那多作业、广行功业之祭司。

Mantra 8

ज्योतिर्यज्ञाय रोदसी अनु ष्यादारे स्याम दुरितस्य भूरेः । भूरि चिद्धि तुजतो मर्त्यस्य सुपारासो वसवो बर्हणावत् ॥

愿光明随祭而行,愿天地(Rodasī)随之应和;愿我们远离那丰溢的苦厄。因为受逼迫的凡人确有多重冲击;而你们,噢瓦苏诸神(Vasus),乃善渡之者,具抬举与扩展之威能。

Mantra 9

शुनं हुवेम मघवानमिन्द्रमस्मिन्भरे नृतमं वाजसातौ । शृण्वन्तमुग्रमूतये समत्सु घ्नन्तं वृत्राणि संजितं धनानाम् ॥

为求安泰,我们呼唤慷慨的因陀罗;在此争战的负荷中,于夺取丰盈(vāja)之胜利里,他最具男儿之勇。愿他听闻我等,为援助而显威猛,于诸战阵中击杀诸弗栗陀罗(Vṛtra)般的障碍者,征服诸财宝与福祉。

Inside Sukta 39

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    The hymn opens with the heart-born inspired thought, fashioned into praise, going straight to Indra as Lord, asking him to recognize the power awakening through the rite.

  2. Development

    It develops Indra’s identity as helper and truth-worker, recalling the companionship of the Navagvas/Daśagvas and the pursuit of the ‘cows’ (rays), culminating in the discovery of the Sun hidden in darkness.

  3. Climax

    The revelation that Indra ‘found the Sun in the darkness’—a paradigmatic victory of truth and light over concealment—becomes the warrant for present assistance.

  4. Where it settles

    The hymn closes with an urgent, practical invocation: may Indra hear, come fiercely to help in battles, slay the obstructers, and secure the conquerable riches for well-being.

The deity: Indra

  • In the VedaIndra is the Maghavan (bountiful giver), nṛtama (most manly/heroic), the slayer of Vṛtra and other obstructions, and the discoverer of light—one who hears the call of praise and comes to the soma-pressing and the battle alike.
  • Cosmic functionHe breaks the powers of confinement, releases the waters/light, and establishes the victory of ṛta (truth-order), enabling abundance and the reappearance of the Sun from darkness.
  • Inner significanceIndra symbolizes the awakened will and luminous force in the seeker that shatters inner inertia and doubt, recovers hidden clarity (the ‘Sun’), and turns inspired speech into effective power.

The seer

  • Viśvāmitra GāthinaGāthin (Viśvāmitra-gotra) · A royal-turned-seer celebrated for forging powerful Indra hymns and for the Viśvāmitra tradition that unites poetic inspiration (mati) with effective ritual speech (stoma) to win divine help and illumination.

Famous verses

इन्द्रं मतिर्हृद आ वच्यमानाच्छा पतिं स्तोमतष्टा जिगाति । या जागृविर्विदथे शस्यमानेन्द्र यत्ते जायते विद्धि तस्य ॥
Verse 3.39.1Sets the hymn’s core theology of inspired speech: the heart-born mati, shaped as stoma, reaches Indra, and the divine power ‘born’ in response is recognized as Indra’s manifestation within the worshipper.Read verse 3.39.1 →
sūryaṃ viveda tamasi kṣiyantam
Verse 3.39.5A central mythic-illumination verse: Indra with the Navagvas/Daśagvas follows the rays and discovers the Sun dwelling in darkness—an emblem of recovering truth and light.Read verse 3.39.5 →
ghnantaṃ vṛtrāṇi
Verse 3.39.9Concluding petition that applies the myth to the present: Indra is invoked for well-being, victory in struggle, the slaying of vṛtras (obstacles), and the winning of riches/plenitude.Read verse 3.39.9 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Maghavan (generous bestower)
  • Vṛtra-han (slayer of obstruction)
  • Nṛtama (supreme hero)
  • Listener to prayer and praise
  • Finder/releaser of the hidden Sun/light
  • Giver of vāja (strength, plenitude, victory)

Also by this seer

  • Primary seer for much of Rigveda Maṇḍala 3 (Viśvāmitra family hymns)
  • RV 3.62.10 (Gāyatrī/“Sāvitrī” mantra) traditionally associated with the Viśvāmitra lineage
  • Numerous Indra, Agni, and related hymns in RV 3 attributed to the Viśvāmitras

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the altar and kindle Agni; establish a focused intention for protection, victory, and clarity.
  • Press/offer Soma (or its substitute in later practice) while reciting Indra praises; invite Indra as pati (Lord) of the hymn.
  • Recite the hymn with emphasis on inspired speech (mati) and truth (satya/ṛta), asking Indra to ‘know’ and awaken the power being born in the sacrificer.
  • Offer oblations and conclude with a direct petition for help in conflicts (samatsu), removal of obstacles (vṛtrāṇi), and attainment of riches (dhana).

Offerings

  • Soma libation (primary)
  • Ghee (ājya) oblations into Agni
  • Optional: milk/curd offerings in Indra context

Frequently Asked Questions

It teaches that sincere, well-shaped praise rising from the heart reaches Indra, who then awakens his power in the worshipper—breaking obstacles and bringing victory, abundance, and light.

They represent Indra’s companions in a truth-seeking quest where the ‘rays/cows’ are followed and the Sun is discovered hidden in darkness—an image for recovering lost light and clarity.

Traditionally it fits Indra-focused soma/fire rites for strength and success; in a simple recitation practice it is used to pray for courage, removal of inner blocks, and clear insight during difficult struggles.

Ask anything about Sukta 39 of the Rig Veda

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