Verses 1, 2, 3
स यो वृषा॒ वृष्ण्ये॑भिः॒ समो॑का म॒हो दि॒वः पृ॑थि॒व्याश्च॑ स॒म्राट् । स॒ती॒नस॑त्वा॒ हव्यो॒ भरे॑षु म॒रुत्वा॑न्नो भव॒त्विंद्र॑ ऊ॒ती ॥
sá yó vṛ́ṣā vṛ́ṣṇyebhiḥ sámokā mahó diváḥ pṛthivyā́śca samrā́ṭ ǀ satīnásatvā hávyo bháreṣu marútvānno bhavatvíndra ūtī́ ǁ
यस्याना॑प्तः॒ सूर्य॑स्येव॒ यामो॒ भरे॑भरे वृत्र॒हा शुष्मो॒ अस्ति॑ । वृषं॑तमः॒ सखि॑भिः॒ स्वेभि॒रेवै॑र्म॒रुत्वा॑न्नो भव॒त्विंद्र॑ ऊ॒ती ॥
yásyā́nāptaḥ sū́ryasyeva yā́mo bhárebhare vṛtrahā́ śúṣmo ásti ǀ vṛ́ṣantamaḥ sákhibhiḥ svébhirévairmarútvānno bhavatvíndra ūtī́ ǁ
दि॒वो न यस्य॒ रेत॑सो॒ दुघा॑नाः॒ पंथा॑सो॒ यंति॒ शव॒साप॑रीताः । त॒रद्द्वे॑षाः सास॒हिः पौंस्ये॑भिर्म॒रुत्वा॑न्नो भव॒त्विंद्र॑ ऊ॒ती ॥
divó ná yásya rétaso dúghānāḥ pánthāso yánti śávasā́parītāḥ ǀ taráddveṣāḥ sāsahíḥ páuṃsyebhirmarútvānno bhavatvíndra ūtī́ ǁ
In these opening verses, the Ṛṣi introduces Indra in his cosmic majesty, accompanied by the Maruts, standing as the supreme ruler of heaven and earth. He is described as the bull among bulls, possessing an unassailable impetus like the sun, cutting through opposition and granting victory in every battle. His paths stream with divine energy like the celestial rain, overcoming all hostility. We witness the poet invoking Indra not merely as a distant deity, but as an intimate yet overpowering force of spiritual and physical triumph. The imagery establishes Indra's movement as unhindered and radiant, carrying the devotee past darkness into luminous realization.
Verse 1: May Indra, who is the bull among powers, the universal home of heaven and earth, the self-ruler, the unyielding warrior invoked in battles and accompanied by the Maruts, be our protector.
Verse 2: Whose course like the sun's cannot be reached, whose energy slays Vṛtra in every battle, most vigorous with his own companion bands—may that Indra, accompanied by the Maruts, be our protector.
Verse 3: Whose paths of divine vitality, streaming like heaven's waters, move forth unhindered by force—surpassing all hatred and conquering by heroic might, may that Indra with the Maruts protect us.
Sāyaṇa interprets these verses through the lens of ritual victory and physical battle, whereas Sri Aurobindo sees 'Vṛtra' and 'battles' as psychological representations of inner obstacles and the conquering of the forces of darkness.
| Devanāgarī | IAST | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| वृषा | vṛṣā | bull, showerer of blessings |
| सम्राट् | samrāṭ | universal sovereign, supreme ruler |
| मरुत्वान् | marutvān | accompanied by the Maruts |
| Devanāgarī | IAST | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| अनाप्तः | anāptaḥ | unreachable, unassailable |
| वृत्रहा | vṛtrahā | slayer of Vṛtra, destroyer of obstruction |
| शुष्मः | śuṣmaḥ | impeteous energy, vigor |
| Devanāgarī | IAST | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| रेतसः | retasaḥ | of vital fluid, generative seed, rain |
| तरद्द्वेषाः | tarat-dveṣāḥ | overcoming hatred or hostility |
| सासहिः | sasahiḥ | victorious, conquering |
Picture a magnificent golden sun blazing across the sky with an unstoppable storm-chariot trailing behind it—that is Indra rolling through obstacles with the Maruts.
Verses 4, 5, 6
सो अंगि॑रोभि॒रंगि॑रस्तमो भू॒द्वृषा॒ वृष॑भिः॒ सखि॑भिः॒ सखा॒ सन् । ऋ॒ग्मिभि॑र्ऋ॒ग्मी गा॒तुभि॒र्ज्येष्ठो॑ म॒रुत्वा॑न्नो भव॒त्विंद्र॑ ऊ॒ती ॥
só áṅgirobhiráṅgirastamo bhūdvṛ́ṣā vṛ́ṣabhiḥ sákhibhiḥ sákhā sán ǀ ṛgmíbhirṛgmī́ gātúbhirjyéṣṭho marútvānno bhavatvíndra ūtī́ ǁ
स सू॒नुभि॒र्न रु॒द्रेभि॒र्ऋभ्वा॑ नृ॒षाह्ये॑ सास॒ह्वाँ अ॒मित्रा॑न् । सनी॑ळेभिः श्रव॒स्या॑नि॒ तूर्व॑न्म॒रुत्वा॑न्नो भव॒त्विंद्र॑ ऊ॒ती ॥
sá sūnúbhirná rudrébhirṛ́bhvā nṛṣā́hye sāsahvā́m̐ amítrān ǀ sánīḷebhiḥ śravasyā́ni tū́rvanmarútvānno bhavatvíndra ūtī́ ǁ
स म॑न्यु॒मीः स॒मद॑नस्य क॒र्तास्माके॑भि॒र्नृभिः॒ सूर्यं॑ सनत् । अ॒स्मिन्नह॒न्त्सत्प॑तिः पुरुहू॒तो म॒रुत्वा॑न्नो भव॒त्विंद्र॑ ऊ॒ती ॥
sá manyumī́ḥ samádanasya kartā́smā́kebhirnṛ́bhiḥ sū́ryam sanat ǀ asmínnáhantsátpatiḥ puruhūtó marútvānno bhavatvíndra ūtī́ ǁ
The Ṛṣi delves deeper into Indra's mythic associations, depicting him as the foremost among the Angirases—the ancient seers of divine light. Surrounded by his companions, he shares in the hymns and songs of praise, standing tall as the greatest warrior who overpowers all adversaries. He moves like the Rudras, crushing enemies in the clash of men, driving forward the treasures of illumination. In this act, Indra is the active catalyst who breaks open the days and claims the solar light for humanity, fulfilling the prayerful yearning of his worshippers.
Verse 4: He became the most Angiras-like among the Angirases, a friend among friendly bulls, the greatest of singers with hymns and chants—may Indra with the Maruts be our protector.
Verse 5: Like the Rudras with their sons, vast and overpowering in the battle of men, conquering enemies and driving forward luminous inspirations—may Indra with the Maruts protect us.
Verse 6: He who subdues wrath and creates the clash of battle, winning the sun with our mortal heroes on this very day—the lord of true beings, oft-invoked Indra, may he protect us.
The connection to the Angirases links Indra directly to the foundational myth of recovering the stolen cows/light from the Paṇis, a motif deeply explored by Vedic commentators.
| Devanāgarī | IAST | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| अङ्गिरस्तमः | aṅgiraḥ-tamaḥ | most akin to the Angirases (seers of light) |
| ऋग्मी | ṛgmī | praised with sacred verses, singer |
| ज्येष्ठः | jyeṣṭhaḥ | eldest, greatest, supreme |
| Devanāgarī | IAST | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| ऋभ्वा | ṛbhvā | skillful, vast, master craftsman |
| नृषाह्ये | nṛ-sahye | in the conquest of men, in battle |
| श्रवस्यानि | śravasyāni | desiring glory, inspiring hymns or boons |
| Devanāgarī | IAST | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| मन्युमीः | manyu-mīḥ | dispeller or subduer of wrath |
| सत्पतिः | sat-patiḥ | lord of truth or of true beings |
| पुरुहूतः | puru-hūtaḥ | invoked by many |
Imagine a council of ancient sages gathered around a blazing fire, joined by a towering warrior who hands them the blazing sun itself.
Verses 7, 8, 9
तमू॒तयो॑ रणयं॒छूर॑सातौ॒ तं क्षेम॑स्य क्षि॒तयः॑ कृण्वत॒ त्रां । स विश्व॑स्य क॒रुण॑स्येश॒ एको॑ म॒रुत्वा॑न्नो भव॒त्विंद्र॑ ऊ॒ती ॥
támūtáyo raṇayañchū́rasātau tám kṣémasya kṣitáyaḥ kṛṇvata trā́m ǀ sá víśvasya karúṇasyeśa éko marútvānno bhavatvíndra ūtī́ ǁ
तम॑प्संत॒ शव॑स उत्स॒वेषु॒ नरो॒ नर॒मव॑से॒ तं धना॑य । सो अं॒धे चि॒त्तम॑सि॒ ज्योति॑र्विदन्म॒रुत्वा॑न्नो भव॒त्विंद्र॑ ऊ॒ती ॥
támapsanta śávasa utsavéṣu náro náramávase tám dhánāya ǀ só andhé cittámasi jyótirvidanmarútvānno bhavatvíndra ūtī́ ǁ
स स॒व्येन॑ यमति॒ व्राध॑तश्चि॒त्स द॑क्षि॒णे संगृ॑भीता कृ॒तानि॑ । स की॒रिणा॑ चि॒त्सनि॑ता॒ धना॑नि म॒रुत्वा॑न्नो भव॒त्विंद्र॑ ऊ॒ती ॥
sá savyéna yamati vrā́dhataścitsá dakṣiṇé sáṃgṛbhītā kṛtā́ni ǀ sá kīríṇā citsánitā dhánāni marútvānno bhavatvíndra ūtī́ ǁ
Here, Indra becomes the focal point of divine grace and human aspiration. The auspicious forces of protection rush to him in conflicts, and peaceful settlements look to him for security. He is the sole master of all compassionate or dynamic power. When mortals seek wealth or rescue in times of crisis, it is Indra who reaches even into the blindest darkness to find and bestow the divine light. With his left hand he restrains the arrogant, and with his right he gathers rich bounties for the sincere singer.
Verse 7: Him do protections gladden in the winning of heroes; him settlements make their fortress of peace. He alone is the lord of all compassionate might—may Indra with the Maruts protect us.
Verse 8: Him mortals urge on in the surges of power for protection and for wealth; and he, even within thick darkness, finds and reveals the light—may Indra with the Maruts protect us.
Verse 9: With his left hand he checks the arrogant, while in his right are gathered accomplished deeds; he is the winner of treasures even for the humble singer—may Indra with the Maruts protect us.
Sāyaṇa emphasizes physical wealth and military dominance, whereas spiritual interpreters view 'andhe tamasi' (blind darkness) as the state of spiritual ignorance pierced by the inner dawn.
| Devanāgarī | IAST | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| शूरसातौ | śūra-sātau | in the winning of heroes, in battle |
| क्षेत्रस्य | kṣemasya | of peace, security, rest |
| करुणस्य | karuṇasya | of dynamic or compassionate force |
| Devanāgarī | IAST | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| उत्सवेषु | ut-saveṣu | in festivals, outbursts, or surging waters |
| अन्धे तमसि | andhe tamasi | in blind darkness |
| ज्योतिः | jyotiḥ | light, illumination |
| Devanāgarī | IAST | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| सव्येन | savyena | with the left hand |
| दक्षिणे | dakṣiṇe | in the right hand |
| कीरिणा | kīriṇā | by the praiser, the bard |
Visualize a beacon of light instantly piercing through a pitch-black cave, guided by a majestic hand holding forth boundless treasures.
Verses 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15
स ग्रामे॑भिः॒ सनि॑ता॒ स रथे॑भिर्वि॒दे विश्वा॑भिः कृ॒ष्टिभि॒र्न्व१॒॑द्य । स पौंस्ये॑भिरभि॒भूरश॑स्तीर्म॒रुत्वा॑न्नो भव॒त्विंद्र॑ ऊ॒ती ॥
sá grā́mebhiḥ sánitā sá ráthebhirvidé víśvābhiḥ kṛṣṭíbhirnvádyá ǀ sá páuṃsyebhirabhibhū́ráśastīrmarútvānno bhavatvíndra ūtī́ ǁ
स जा॒मिभि॒र्यत्स॒मजा॑ति मी॒ळ्हेऽजा॑मिभिर्वा पुरुहू॒त एवैः॑ । अ॒पां तो॒कस्य॒ तन॑यस्य जे॒षे म॒रुत्वा॑न्नो भव॒त्विंद्र॑ ऊ॒ती ॥
sá jāmíbhiryátsamájāti mīḷhé’jāmibhirvā puruhūtá évaiḥ ǀ apā́m tokásya tánayasya jeṣé marútvānno bhavatvíndra ūtī́ ǁ
स व॑ज्र॒भृद्द॑स्यु॒हा भी॒म उ॒ग्रः स॒हस्र॑चेताः श॒तनी॑थ॒ ऋभ्वा॑ । च॒म्री॒षो न शव॑सा॒ पांच॑जन्यो म॒रुत्वा॑न्नो भव॒त्विंद्र॑ ऊ॒ती ॥
sá vajrabhṛ́ddasyuhā́ bhīmá ugráḥ sahásracetāḥ śatánītha ṛ́bhvā ǀ camrīṣó ná śávasā pā́ñcajanyo marútvānno bhavatvíndra ūtī́ ǁ
तस्य॒ वज्रः॑ क्रंदति॒ स्मत्स्व॒र्षा दि॒वो न त्वे॒षो र॒वथः॒ शिमी॑वान् । तं स॑चंते स॒नय॒स्तं धना॑नि म॒रुत्वा॑न्नो भव॒त्विंद्र॑ ऊ॒ती ॥
tásya vájraḥ krandati smátsvarṣā́ divó ná tveṣó raváthaḥ śímīvān ǀ tám sacante sanáyastám dhánāni marútvānno bhavatvíndra ūtī́ ǁ
यस्याज॑स्रं॒ शव॑सा॒ मान॑मु॒क्थं प॑रिभु॒जद्रोद॑सी वि॒श्वतः॑ सीं । स पा॑रिष॒त्क्रतु॑भिर्मंदसा॒नो म॒रुत्वा॑न्नो भव॒त्विंद्र॑ ऊ॒ती ॥
yásyā́jasram śávasā mā́namukthám paribhujádródasī viśvátaḥ sīm ǀ sá pāriṣatkrátubhirmandasānó marútvānno bhavatvíndra ūtī́ ǁ
न यस्य॑ दे॒वा दे॒वता॒ न मर्ता॒ आप॑श्च॒न शव॑सो॒ अंत॑मा॒पुः । स प्र॒रिक्वा॒ त्वक्ष॑सा॒ क्ष्मो दि॒वश्च॑ म॒रुत्वा॑न्नो भव॒त्विंद्र॑ ऊ॒ती ॥
ná yásya devā́ devátā ná mártā ā́paścaná śávaso ántamāpúḥ ǀ sá praríkvā tvákṣasā kṣmó diváśca marútvānno bhavatvíndra ūtī́ ǁ
Expanding across multiple verses, this act celebrates Indra's omnipresent victory through communities, chariots, and heroic lineages. He leads tribes in victory, whether closely knit or expansive, securing the flow of waters, progeny, and flourishing fields. He is the Dasyu-slayer, the thunderbolt-bearer whose terrifying roar resembles the crash of heaven itself. No gods, mortals, or waters can measure the boundary of his boundless energy. He stands beyond heaven and earth, holding all worlds within his sustaining breath.
Verse 10: He is the winner with his gathered hosts and chariots, known to all human settlements today; by his heroic might he overcomes all malicious slander—may Indra with the Maruts protect us.
Verse 11: Whether he unites with kin or non-kin in the contest of prizes, O oft-invoked one, grant us victory in securing waters, progeny, and descendants—may Indra with the Maruts protect us.
Verse 12: He who holds the thunderbolt, slays the Dasyus, fierce, formidable, thousand-minded, master of a hundred paths, vast as the cosmic ocean, embracing all humanity—may Indra with the Maruts protect us.
Verse 13: His thunderbolt crashes, winning heaven's light; his tumultuous roar is like the voice of the sky, full of skill. To him flock gain and treasures—may Indra with the Maruts protect us.
Verse 14: Whose form and utterance are sustained unceasingly by power, embracing heaven and earth on every side—may that Indra pass us through our trials rejoicing in his energies, protected by the Maruts.
Verse 15: Whose majesty neither gods, divine powers, mortals, nor even the waters have reached the end of; he who stands transcending earth and heaven by his vast energy—may Indra with the Maruts protect us.
Commentators highlight how these verses elevate Indra from a tribal war god to a universal, transcendent Absolute whose greatness encompasses the entire cosmos.
| Devanāgarī | IAST | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| ग्रामेभिः | grāmebhiḥ | with communities, hosts, villages |
| सनिता | sanitā | the winner, acquirer |
| अशस्तीः | aśastīḥ | curses, evil recitations, malicious slander |
| Devanāgarī | IAST | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| जामिभिः | jāmibhiḥ | with relatives, kin |
| मीळ्हे | mīḷhe | in the contest, prize-fight |
| तोकस्य | tokasya | of offspring, child |
| Devanāgarī | IAST | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| वज्रभृत् | vajra-bhṛt | bearing the thunderbolt |
| सहस्रचेताः | sahasra-cetāḥ | thousand-minded, omniscient |
| पाञ्चजन्यः | pāñca-janyaḥ | belonging to or sustaining the five peoples |
| Devanāgarī | IAST | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| वज्रः | vajraḥ | thunderbolt, diamond weapon |
| स्वरूषा | svaḥ-sāḥ | winning the sun or heaven |
| शिमीवान् | śimī-vān | full of miraculous power or skill |
| Devanāgarī | IAST | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| अजस्रम् | ajasram | unceasingly, eternally |
| परिभुजत् | pari-bhujat | embracing, protecting all around |
| मन्दसानः | mandasānaḥ | rejoicing, exhilarated |
| Devanāgarī | IAST | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| प्ररिक्वा | pra-rikvā | surpassing, exceeding, overflowing |
| त्वक्षसा | tvakṣasā | by strength, vigor |
| क्ष्मः दिवः च | kṣmaḥ divaḥ ca | of earth and of heaven |
Picture a cosmic giant whose shoulders touch the stars and whose voice thunders like monsoon rain over all the nations of the earth.
Verses 16, 17, 18, 19
रो॒हिच्छ्या॒वा सु॒मदं॑शुर्लला॒मीर्द्यु॒क्षा रा॒य ऋ॒ज्राश्व॑स्य । वृष॑ण्वंतं॒ बिभ्र॑ती धू॒र्षु रथं॑ मं॒द्रा चि॑केत॒ नाहु॑षीषु वि॒क्षु ॥
rohícchyāvā́ sumádaṃśurlalāmī́rdyukṣā́ rāyá ṛjrā́śvasya ǀ vṛ́ṣaṇvantam bíbhratī dhūrṣú rátham mandrā́ ciketa nā́huṣīṣu vikṣú ǁ
ए॒तत्त्यत्त॑ इंद्र॒ वृष्ण॑ उ॒क्थं वा॑र्षागि॒रा अ॒भि गृ॑णंति॒ राधः॑ । ऋ॒ज्राश्वः॒ प्रष्टि॑भिरंब॒रीषः॑ स॒हदे॑वो॒ भय॑मानः सु॒राधाः॑ ॥
etáttyátta indra vṛ́ṣṇa ukthám vārṣāgirā́ abhí gṛṇanti rā́dhaḥ ǀ ṛjrā́śvaḥ práṣṭibhirambarī́ṣaḥ sahádevo bháyamānaḥ surā́dhāḥ ǁ
दस्यूं॒छिम्यूं॑श्च पुरुहू॒त एवै॑र्ह॒त्वा पृ॑थि॒व्यां शर्वा॒ नि ब॑र्हीत् । सन॒त्क्षेत्रं॒ सखि॑भिः श्वि॒त्न्येभिः॒ सन॒त्सूर्यं॒ सन॑द॒पः सु॒वज्रः॑ ॥
dásyūñchímyūṃśca puruhūtá évairhatvā́ pṛthivyā́m śárvā ní barhīt ǀ sánatkṣétram sákhibhiḥ śvitnyébhiḥ sánatsū́ryam sánadapáḥ suvájraḥ ǁ
वि॒श्वाहेंद्रो॑ अधिव॒क्ता नो॑ अ॒स्त्वप॑रिह्वृताः सनुयाम॒ वाजं॑ । तन्नो॑ मि॒त्रो वरु॑णो मामहंता॒मदि॑तिः॒ सिंधुः॑ पृथि॒वी उ॒त द्यौः ॥
viśvā́héndro adhivaktā́ no astváparihvṛtāḥ sanuyāma vā́jam ǀ tánno mitró váruṇo māmahantāmáditiḥ síndhuḥ pṛthivī́ utá dyáuḥ ǁ
In the concluding movement, the sūkta grounds its cosmic vision in historical and clan victory—specifically praising the patrons and heroes of the Vārṣāgira family (Ṛjrāśva, Ambarīṣa, Sahadeva). Their magnificent chariot is vividly described, bearing down on rivals. Indra strikes down the Dasyus and Śimyus, clearing the earth, securing fertile fields, the sun, and the flowing waters. The sūkta closes with a sublime universal benediction: may Indra ever be our advocate, and may Mitra, Varuṇa, Aditi, Sindhù, earth, and heaven all magnify and protect our path to victory.
Verse 16: Reddish and dark-grey are the steeds, with brilliant harness and white marks, radiant for wealth, belonging to Ṛjrāśva. Bearing a vigorous chariot, their joyous clatter is known among the Nahuṣa tribes.
Verse 17: This very hymn of praise to you, O vigorous Indra, do the Vārṣāgiras sing for bounty—Ṛjrāśva, Ambarīṣa, Sahadeva, full of fear yet rich in treasures.
Verse 18: The Dasyus and Śimyus did the oft-invoked one strike down with his weapon upon the earth; with his white-skinned companions he won the field, won the sun, won the waters, armed with his good thunderbolt.
Verse 19: At all times may Indra be our advocate; unhurt may we win the prize. And may Mitra, Varuṇa, Aditi, the Sindhu, Earth, and Heaven magnify this prayer for us.
Traditional commentary identifies the historical context of king Vṛṣāgira's sons, while spiritual commentators see the concluding verse as a cosmic harmonization of all divine forces (Devas) supporting the seeker's upward journey.
| Devanāgarī | IAST | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| रोहित् | rohit | red mare |
| श्यावा | śyāvā | dark-grey horses |
| नाहुषीषु विक्षु | nāhuṣīṣu vikṣu | among the Nahuṣa peoples/clans |
| Devanāgarī | IAST | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| वार्षागिराः | vārṣāgirāḥ | the descendants of Vṛṣāgira (the Vārṣāgiras) |
| प्रष्टिभिः | praṣṭibhiḥ | with side- horses, outriggers |
| सुराधाः | surādhāḥ | rich in bounty, possessing great gifts |
| Devanāgarī | IAST | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| दस्यून् शिम्यून् | dasyūn śimyūn | the Dasyus and Śimyus (hostile tribes/forces) |
| शर्वा | śarvā | with his missile or weapon |
| श्वित्न्येभिः | śvitnyebhiḥ | with white or radiant companions |
| Devanāgarī | IAST | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| अधिवक्ता | adhivaktā | advocate, intercessor, speaker on behalf of |
| अपरिह्वृताः | aparihvṛtāḥ | unhurt, straightforward, undeceived |
| सनुयाम | sanuyāma | may we win, attain |
Picture a royal chariot rolling triumphantly across the plains under a wide-open sky, while all the cosmic powers of nature applaud in unison.