Vedas: Rigveda Madnala – 02/10
📖 Rigveda Mandala 2 – Hymns of Strength, Light, and Sacred Order
The Songs of the Gṛtsamada Lineage
🔆 Introduction
Mandala 2 of the Rigveda is a compact yet spiritually potent collection of 43 hymns. It is the first of the “Family Books” (Maṇḍala-s 2–7), each composed by a specific sage lineage. Mandala 2 is attributed to the Gṛtsamada family, known for their brilliance in ritual poetry and devotion to Agni (Fire) and Indra (Divine Strength).
These hymns emphasize sacrifice (yajña), energy (ojas), thunder (vajra), and the cosmic flame that connects earth to the heavens. While it is smaller in volume, it offers powerful invocations that have been used in yajñas (Vedic rituals) for millennia.
📚 Overview of Mandala 2
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| 🔢 Total Sūktas | 43 |
| 🕉️ Key Deities | Agni, Indra, Ashvins, Maruts, Brahmanaspati, Rudra, Vishnu |
| 👳♂️ Primary Ṛṣi | Gṛtsamada (son of Śunahotra) |
| 🔎 Central Themes | Power of fire, ritual energy, divine intervention, rain, thunder |
| 🗣️ Metrical Style (Chandas) | Gayatri, Trishtubh, Jagati |
| 📜 Period | Early Rigvedic, after Mandala 1 |
🌟 10 Most Significant Hymns from Rigveda Mandala 2
Below are ten spiritually and ritually significant hymns from Mandala 2, each with its Sanskrit text, transliteration, and English translation.
1. 🔥 Agni Sūkta (2.1.1) – The Flame That Leads the Ritual
Sanskrit:
अग्निं नरो दीध्यति वेविध्वांसं
प्रि यं होता निषसादा यजिष्ठः।
Transliteration:
agniṃ naro dīdhyati vevidhvāṃsaṃ
priyaṃ hotā niṣasāda yajiṣṭhaḥ ||
Translation:
“Men kindle Agni, the flaming one, well adorned. The beloved Hotṛ has seated himself, best among sacrificers.”
2. ⚔️ Indra the Thunderer (2.12.1) – Strength, Rain, and Heroism
Sanskrit:
इन्द्रं वयं महाधनं सुषव्यं
महि शरवो वाजमस्मा अरक्षन्।
Transliteration:
indraṃ vayaṃ mahādhanaṃ suṣavyaṃ
mahi śravo vājam asmā arakṣan ||
Translation:
“We invoke Indra, the great treasure of strength, well-praised, the bestower of fame, protector of wealth.”
3. 🌿 Ashvins’ Speed (2.20.3) – Healers in Motion
Sanskrit:
प्रति वां याम्यश्विना दुवस्यु
उतो नो रथमश्विना तिष्ठतं नः।
Transliteration:
prati vāṃ yāmy aśvinā duvasyu
uto no ratham aśvinā tiṣṭhataṃ naḥ ||
Translation:
“O Ashvins, I approach you with devotion. Come with your chariot and stand by us.”
4. ⚡ Indra’s Vajra (2.11.18) – The Weapon of Divine Power
Sanskrit:
वज्रेण हि त्वा वज्रिनं स्वर्जितं
बभूविथ परमे व्योमनि।
Transliteration:
vajreṇa hi tvā vajriṇaṃ svarjitaṃ
babhūvitha parame vyomani ||
Translation:
“You became the thunderbolt-wielder, shining in the highest heavens with your divine weapon.”
5. 🔊 Brahmanaspati Hymn (2.23.1) – Power of Sacred Speech
Sanskrit:
ब्रह्मणस्पते शृणुहि हवमेदं
यजमानस्य सूनवो वचांसि।
Transliteration:
brahmaṇaspate śṛṇuhi havam edaṃ
yajamānasya sūnavo vacāṃsi ||
Translation:
“O Brahmanaspati, hear this invocation. The sons of the yajamāna speak words of sacrifice.”
6. 🌩️ Maruts Hymn (2.34.1) – Lords of Storm and Breath
Sanskrit:
प्र वः, सुशस्तिं मरुतो दधानाः
शृणोत्वग्निर्हविषा यजातः।
Transliteration:
pra vaḥ suśastiṃ maruto dadhānāḥ
śṛṇotv agnir haviṣā yajātaḥ ||
Translation:
“O Maruts, bear our beautiful praise. Let Agni, nourished by offerings, hear and accept our song.”
7. 🕊️ Indra of Compassion (2.13.4) – Shelter in Strength
Sanskrit:
ते स्य नः सख्ये सन्तु
य इन्द्रस्य चर्षणीधृतः सन्ति।
Transliteration:
te sya naḥ sakhye santu
ya indrasya carṣaṇīdhṛtaḥ santi ||
Translation:
“Let those be our companions who are held dear by Indra, protector of humanity.”
8. 🌞 Light Giver (2.15.6) – Indra as Bringer of Day
Sanskrit:
सप्त सूर्या अभवन् यत्परि त्रिंशत्
तिष्ठन्ति तव सूरधाराः।
Transliteration:
sapta sūryā abhavan yat pari triṃśat
tiṣṭhanti tava sūradhārāḥ ||
Translation:
“Seven suns arose, and thirty more stood in your brilliance, O Indra, radiating light.”
9. 🪔 Agni as the Priest (2.3.1) – Guide of the Sacrifice
Sanskrit:
त्वं होता मनुर्हितं
त्वं यज्ञस्य वावृधे।
Transliteration:
tvaṃ hotā manur hitaṃ
tvaṃ yajñasya vāvṛdhe ||
Translation:
“You are the priest appointed by Manu. You, Agni, have upheld the sacrifice.”
10. 💪 Indra the Champion (2.13.2) – Defeater of Evil
Sanskrit:
प्रवातासः शरदश्चर्षणिप्राः
इन्द्राय वज्रं दधिरे सवधाभिः।
Transliteration:
pravātāsaḥ śaradaś carṣaṇiprāḥ
indrāya vajraṃ dadhire svadhābhiḥ ||
Translation:
“Swift as winds and defenders of people, they forged the thunderbolt for Indra with sacred power.”
🌄 Themes and Symbolism in Mandala 2
| Theme | Symbolism | Modern Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| 🔥 Agni (Fire) | Light, ritual, sacred transformation | Inner discipline, daily renewal |
| ⚔️ Indra (Thunder) | Victory, rain, protection | Confidence, energy, fearlessness |
| 🌿 Ashvins (Healers) | Quick aid, rejuvenation | Hope, medical support, divine intervention |
| 🔊 Brahmanaspati | Sacred word and speech | Communication, mantra power |
| 🌩️ Maruts | Breath, storm, energy | Breathwork, vitality, storm-like cleansing |
🧘♂️ Daily Practice Using Mandala 2
Suggested Ritual (Morning Fire Meditation – 5 Minutes):
- Light a candle or ghee lamp facing east
- Chant Agni Sūkta (2.1.1) once slowly
- Close your eyes and visualize a golden flame in your heart
- Chant Brahmanaspati Hymn (2.23.1) to activate your voice and intention
- Sit quietly for a moment, invoking the strength of Indra and clarity of fire
🛕 Conclusion
Rigveda Mandala 2 may be small in size, but it carries the weight of divine thunder. Through the voices of the Gṛtsamada seers, we hear the ancient call to kindle the fire, awaken divine strength, and move forward in life with clarity, courage, and sacred rhythm. These hymns remain deeply relevant today—for spiritual seekers, ritual practitioners, and anyone longing to reconnect with divine energy and disciplined living.
Let the flame of Agni and the thunder of Indra rise within us as we walk the sacred path.