Sukta 43
Sukta 6.43
Bharadvāja (Bārhaspatya) tradition.
Indra.
Gāyatrī (likely; refrain-like structure; verify by syllable count in critical edition).
这首简短的因陀罗赞歌，是一篇凝练的苏摩邀请辞：追忆因陀罗的英雄功业——为提沃达萨制伏商婆罗，从石中释放“牛群／光芒”，并在慷慨的施主身上确立得胜的力量。每一颂都以近似副歌的呼唤为枢纽：“这就是为你、因陀罗啊，所榨出的那苏摩：请饮。”由此把赞颂（stuti）直接系于供献（havis）。其目的在于召引因陀罗临至榨取之处，更新他的欢奋（mada），并为祭主与施主求得护佑、胜利与丰饶。
Mantras
Mantra 1
यस्य त्यच्छम्बरं मदे दिवोदासाय रन्धयः । अयं स सोम इन्द्र ते सुतः पिब ॥
你在狂喜的醉力中，为提沃达萨制伏了那位商婆罗——这就是那为你而榨出的苏摩，因陀罗啊：请饮。
Mantra 2
यस्य तीव्रसुतं मदं मध्यमन्तं च रक्षसे । अयं स सोम इन्द्र ते सुतः पिब ॥
你守护那由锐烈之榨所成的醉力——也守护其中段与末段——这就是那为你而榨出的苏摩，因陀罗啊：请饮。
Mantra 3
यस्य गा अन्तरश्मनो मदे दृळ्हा अवासृजः । अयं स सोम इन्द्र ते सुतः पिब ॥
你在狂喜的醉力中，从石中之内释放出被牢牢拘束的光线之牛——这就是那为你而榨出的苏摩，因陀罗啊：请饮。
Mantra 4
यस्य मन्दानो अन्धसो माघोनं दधिषे शवः । अयं स सोम इन्द्र ते सुतः पिब ॥
你因苏摩之精髓而欢悦，安置那慷慨施与者的力量；此即为你，因陀罗啊，这被榨出的苏摩——饮吧。
Inside Sukta 43
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
Indra is addressed through a remembered victory—his subduing of Śambara for Divodāsa—immediately tied to the present Soma invitation.
- Development
The hymn moves from martial aid to cosmic liberation: Indra’s power releases the cows/rays from within the stone, portraying him as opener of hidden abundance and light.
- Climax
Indra, exhilarated by Soma-essence, ‘sets in place’ (establishes) force in the bounteous giver—mythic power becomes present social prosperity and victorious capacity.
- Where it settles
The refrain repeatedly resolves the hymn into ritual immediacy: the Soma is ready now—‘pressed out, drink’—so the praised deeds become operative blessings.
The deity: Indra
- In the VedaIndra is the Soma-loving, thunderbolt-bearing champion who is strengthened by pressing and praise, famed for breaking fortresses, releasing the cows (light/wealth), and granting victory and generous gifts to patrons.
- Cosmic functionHe restores and maintains ṛta by overcoming obstructive powers, opening the channels of light and waters, and empowering the sacrificer’s community with strength, rain, and triumph.
- Inner significanceIndra symbolizes awakened force and courageous clarity—the inner power that breaks inertia, frees the ‘rays’ of insight from confinement, and turns intoxication (mada) into victorious energy rather than confusion.
The seer
- Bharadvāja (Bārhaspatya tradition)Bharadvāja gotra; associated with the Bārhaspatya/Angirasa stream · Foremost among the Bharadvājas of Maṇḍala 6, celebrated for Indra-centered Soma hymns that blend mythic recollection (e.g., Śambara, release of the cows) with direct ritual summons to drink.
Famous verses
ayaṃ sa soma indra te sutaḥ piba
ayaṃ sa soma indra te sutaḥ piba
ayaṃ sa soma indra te sutaḥ piba
Attributes of the deity
- Soma-drinker (somapā)
- Vajra-bearer and fortress-breaker
- Liberator of cows/rays (light, wealth)
- Protector of patrons (e.g., Divodāsa)
- Bounteous giver (māghavan)
- Warrior of ecstatic power (mada)
Also by this seer
- Major portion of Rigveda Maṇḍala 6 (Bharadvāja family collection), especially Indra and allied deities in Soma contexts
- Hymns invoking Indra’s Vṛtra-slaying and cow-releasing motifs across the Bharadvāja corpus (Mandala 6 family hymns)
The rite, step by step
- Prepare the Soma pressing and seat the deity mentally through recitation (āvāhana by praise).
- Recite the verses with the repeated invitation to drink, aligning each remembrance of Indra’s deed with the offering.
- Offer Soma (or its later substitute in non-Soma settings) while maintaining the refrain as the act-link (yajña-bandhu) between speech and oblation.
- Conclude with a request for strength, protection, and patronal bounty, sealing the hymn’s intention.
Offerings
- Pressed Soma (suta soma)
- Associated oblations in Soma ritual setting (supporting offerings as customary, e.g., ghee in the fire alongside the Soma service)
Frequently Asked Questions
It praises Indra’s famous victories and liberations and then repeatedly invites him to drink the freshly pressed Soma, so he grants strength, protection, and success to the worshippers and their patron.
The repetition acts like a ritual refrain: it ties each remembered deed of Indra to the present offering, making the praise immediately effective as an invitation and request for blessing.
On the surface it recalls a mythic act of freeing cattle/wealth; symbolically it suggests Indra releasing hidden light, inspiration, and abundance from obstruction—turning confinement into openness and clarity.
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