Indra Suktam: The Vedic Hymn to God Indra
Indra is the king of the gods and Svarga in Hinduism, linked to the sky, lightning, weather, storms, rain, rivers, and war. He’s the most mentioned deity in the Rigveda, known for his power and as the god of order. Indra famously killed the evil asura Vritra, who blocked human prosperity. By defeating Vritra, Indra brings rain and sunshine, saving humanity. While his significance lessens in later Indian texts, Indra remains a key figure in many myths. The Indra Suktam is recited to seek his blessings. Let’s learn the lyrics of this hymn and their meanings.
Verse 1
indram id gāthino bṛhad indram arkebhir arkiṇaḥ |
indraṃ vāṇīr anūṣata ||
Word Meaning
• Indram: Indra (the Vedic deity of thunder and rain)
• id: Indeed, verily
• gāthinaḥ: Singers
• bṛhad: Great, vast, loud
• indram: Indra (repetition for emphasis)
• arkebhiḥ: With hymns, praises
• arkiṇaḥ: Praisers, those who sing praises
• indram: Indra (again, for emphasis)
• vāṇīḥ: Prayers, songs, praises
• anūṣata: Have praised, sung to
Translation
“Indeed, the great singers have praised Indra with loud hymns. The praisers have sung to Indra with their prayers.”
Commentary
The verse from Rigveda praises Indra, the mighty deity often lauded for his prowess in battles and control over natural forces like rain and thunder. It underscores Indra’s grandeur and supremacy through repetitive invocations (“Indram”) and emphasizes his luminous qualities (“arkebhir arkiṇaḥ”). The closing line, urging for Indra’s praise to be perpetuated (“vāṇīr anūṣata”), suggests a continuous celebration of his heroic deeds and divine attributes in Vedic hymns and rituals.
Verse 2
indra id dharyoḥ sacā sammiśla ā vacoyujā | indro vajrī hiraṇyayaḥ ||
Word Meaning
• Indraḥ – Indra
• id – indeed
• dharyoḥ – (of the) two (horses)
• sacā – together
• sammiślaḥ – mingling/associated
• ā – towards
• vacoyujā – with speech, articulate
•vajrī – the wielder of the thunderbolt
• hiraṇyayaḥ – golden
Translation
“Indeed, Indra, mingling together with the two horses, approaches with articulate speech, the golden thunderbolt-wielding Indra.”
Commentary
The verse appears to describe Indra, a prominent deity in Hindu mythology, using epithets and attributes that highlight his characteristics and powers. It suggests Indra’s association with strength (“vajrī”), courage (“dharyoḥ”), and wealth (“hiraṇyayaḥ”). These epithets underscore his multifaceted nature as a powerful protector and leader among the gods, symbolizing attributes valued in ancient Indian culture such as valor, command, and wealth.
Verse 3
indro dīrghāya cakṣasa ā sūryaṃ rohayad divi |
vi gobhir adrim airayat ||
Word Meaning
• indro: Indra (the king of the gods)
• dīrghāya: for long
• cakṣasa: vision/eye
• ā: up to, towards
• sūryam: the Sun
• rohayat: raised, ascended
• divi: in the sky
• vi: with, by means of
• gobhih: with rays, cows
• adrim: mountain
• airayat: set into motion, caused to move
Translation
Indra raised the long-lasting vision towards the Sun in the sky and set the mountain in motion with the rays.
Commentary
The verse describes an action taking place in the sky involving the sun and celestial beings. It portrays a celestial event where the sun ascends with its far-reaching gaze, elevating itself in the sky. The imagery evokes a sense of grandeur and movement, suggesting a divine or cosmic event witnessed by celestial entities.
Verse 4
indra vājeṣu no ‘va sahasrapradhaneṣu ca | ugra ugrābhir ūtibhiḥ ||
Word Meaning
• Indra: Indra (the king of the gods)
• vājeṣu: in battles
• naḥ: us
• ava: protect
• sahasrapradhaneṣu: in thousands of encounters
• ca: and
• ugra: mighty
• ugrābhiḥ: with powerful
• ūtibhiḥ: helps or protections
Translation
“O Indra, protect us in battles and in thousands of encounters with your mighty and powerful helps.”
Commentary
The verse appears to evoke a sense of power and strength, possibly in a martial context. It hints at Indra’s prowess amidst thousands of warriors, suggesting his formidable presence and the intensity of his manifestations. The use of terms like “ugra” (fierce) and “ūtibhiḥ” (manifestations) further emphasizes the dynamic and potent nature of the scene being described. The verse likely serves to underscore Indra’s dominance and might in a dramatic, almost cinematic manner, focusing on his ability to prevail even amidst overwhelming odds.
Verse 5
indraṃ vayam mahādhana indram arbhe havāmahe |
yujaṃ vṛtreṣu vajriṇam ||
Word Meaning
• indraṃ: Indra (the king of gods)
•vayam: we
• mahādhana: great wealth
• indram: Indra (repeated for emphasis)
• arbhe: from childhood
• havāmahe: we invoke/call
• yujaṃ: yoked
• vṛtreṣu: in battles (against Vṛtra)
• vajriṇam: the one with the thunderbolt
Translation
“We call upon Indra, the possessor of great wealth, from childhood. We invoke Indra, who is armed with the thunderbolt and engaged in battles against Vṛtra.”
Commentary
This verse encapsulates a profound Vedic sentiment of invoking Indra, the majestic deity of thunder and war, with reverence and ceremonial fervor. It beseeches Indra’s aid against adversaries, metaphorically depicted as Vritra, showcasing Indra’s valorous nature as the wielder of the thunderbolt. The hymn echoes the ancient belief in divine intervention and the power of ritual invocation to secure protection and victory through Indra’s prowess and benevolence.
Verse 6
sa no vṛṣann amuṃ caruṃ satrādāvann apā vṛdhi |
asmabhyam apratiṣkutaḥ ||
Word Meaning
• saḥ: he
• no: us
• vṛṣan: strong or powerful one
• amuṃ: this
• carum: offering
• satrādāvan: at the sacrificial feast
• apā: accept or take
• vṛdhi: increase or grow
• asmabhyam: for us
• apratiṣkutaḥ: irresistible or invincible
Translation
“O strong one, accept this offering at the sacrificial feast and increase it for us, making us invincible.”
Commentary
The verse appears to convey a sentiment of offering a worthy sacrifice without any hesitation or shortfall. It emphasizes the seamless execution of a ritual, likely within the context of a sacrificial ceremony (satra), ensuring completeness and adherence to tradition. The use of Sanskrit suggests a focus on the precision and integrity of the ritual, underscoring the importance of performing it flawlessly, thereby fulfilling its spiritual or religious significance.
Verse 7
tuñje-tuñje ya uttare stomā indrasya vajriṇaḥ | na vindhe asya suṣṭutim ||
Word Meaning
• tuñje-tuñje: joy, joy (repeated for emphasis)
ya: who
• uttare: lifts up, elevates
• stomā: praise, hymn
• indrasya: of Indra (the Vedic deity of rain and thunder)
• vajriṇaḥ: wielder of the thunderbolt
• na: not
• vindhe: (I) find, obtain
• asya: his
• suṣṭutim: well-sung hymn, praise
Translation
“Joy upon joy to him who elevates the praise of Indra, the wielder of the thunderbolt. I do not find his well-sung hymn.”
Commentary
The verse evokes a sense of awe and reverence, towards the powerful entity or deity, Indra, known for wielding the thunderbolt. It suggests a search for an appropriate praise or description that matches the grandeur or might of this figure, implying that mere mortal language or efforts may fall short in capturing its true essence or glory.
Verse 8
vṛṣā yūtheva vaṃsagaḥ kṛṣṭīr iyarty ojasā | īśāno apratiṣkutaḥ ||
Word Meaning
• vṛṣā: bull (a symbol of strength and virility)
• yūtheva: like a leader (or lord) of a herd
• vaṃsagaḥ: descendant
• kṛṣṭīr: people, mankind
• iyarti: raises, leads
•ojasā: with strength, with vigor
• īśānaḥ: lord, ruler
• apratiṣkutaḥ: unopposed, invincible
Translation
“Like a bull in a herd, the descendant leads the people with strength; he is the unopposed lord.”
Commentary
The verse highlights the power and authority of Indra. He is depicted as a formidable and invincible force, akin to a powerful bull leading a herd. This simile underscores his commanding presence and strength, capable of driving the forces of nature and human endeavors with great energy and might. Indra’s position as a supreme leader, unchallenged and uncontested, reflects his paramount status among the gods. His role is central to the cosmic order, symbolizing both physical prowess and divine authority. The verse thus venerates Indra’s unparalleled power and his vital role in maintaining balance and order in the universe.
Verse 9
ya ekaś carṣaṇīnāṃ vasūnām irajyati |
indraḥ pañca kṣitīnām ||
Word Meaning
• ya – who
• ekaḥ – one
• carṣaṇīnām – of the people
• vasūnām – of the riches/wealth
• irajyati – delights/enjoys
• indraḥ – Indra (the king of gods)
• pañca – five
• kṣitīnām – of the lands/territories
Translation
“Indra, who alone among the people enjoys the wealth of the five lands.”
Commentary
The verse highlights the grandeur and significance of Indra. As the king of the gods and ruler of the heavens, Indra is associated with the treasures and wealth of the world, bestowing prosperity and abundance upon people. His influence extends over the entire inhabited world, reinforcing his status as a powerful and revered figure in Vedic tradition, where he is often invoked for his strength and benevolence.
Verse 10
indraṃ vo viśvatas pari havāmahe janebhyaḥ |
asmākam astu kevalaḥ ||
Word Meaning
• uindraṃ: Indra (the Vedic deity)
• vo: for you (plural)
• viśvatas: from all directions, everywhere
• pari: around
• havāmahe: we invoke
• janebhyaḥ: for the people
• asmākam: for us
• astu: may it be, let it be
• kevalaḥ: alone, exclusively
Translation
“We invoke Indra from all directions for the people; may he be exclusively ours.”
Commentary
The verse addresses Indra, the powerful deity, invoking his all-encompassing presence and protection for the people. It emphasizes the universal reach of his influence, highlighting his role as a guardian and benefactor for the entire community. The supplicants seek his exclusive favor, expressing a desire for his singular blessings and protection. This reflects the deep relationship and reliance the devotees have on Indra, seeking his divine grace amidst their collective worship.
