rigvedaindrasa-janasa-indrahstrength

Indra Suktam (Yo Jata Eva)

इन्द्र सूक्तम् (यो जात एव) in English · English

🕉️ vedic·📿 3× repetitions·🕐 Morning, before undertaking a difficult task or struggle, and during Vedic yajnas·📜 Rigveda 2.12

Read in your language / script

हिन्दी / देवनागरी తెలుగు தமிழ்ಕನ್ನಡ മലയാളം ગુજરાતી বাংলা ଓଡ଼ିଆ ਪੰਜਾਬੀEnglishසිංහල 𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥

✦ Meaning

The Indra Suktam (Rigveda 2.12) is one of the most celebrated hymns of the Veda, composed by the seer Gritsamada. Each verse describes a mighty deed of Indra — slaying the drought-serpent Vritra, releasing the seven rivers, steadying the earth and mountains, and upholding heaven — and ends with the resounding refrain 'Sa janasa Indrah' ('He, O people, is Indra'). It is chanted to invoke valour, victory and unshakeable faith in the divine power that sustains the cosmos.

Origin & Story

Rigveda 2.12 · Rishi Gritsamada Shaunahotra (Bhargava Shaunaka) · Vedic period (c. 1500–1200 BCE)

This celebrated hymn to Indra belongs to the second Mandala of the Rigveda, the family book of the seer Gritsamada. Across its verses Indra is extolled as the foremost of the gods, the slayer of the drought-demon Vritra, the liberator of the seven rivers and the cosmic hero who steadied the earth and propped up the heavens. The refrain 'Sa janasa Indrah' makes it one of the most memorable and oft-quoted hymns of the entire Veda.

✦ As told in scripture

The Rigveda recounts that when Indra struck down Vritra with his thunderbolt, the pent-up waters that had been held in drought burst forth as the seven rivers and flowed to the sea, bringing rain, harvests and life back to the world — the archetypal Vedic deliverance celebrated whenever this hymn is sung.

0all time

Complete Text with Meaning

Tap any line — or the ▶ button — to hear it recited

Verse 1

Om Yo jāta eva prathamo manasvān Devo devān kratunā paryabhūṣat Yasya śuṣmād rodasī abhyasetāṁ Nṛmṇasya mahnā sa janāsa indraḥ

Meaning:He who, the very first and full of wisdom as soon as he was born, surpassed the gods in might; before whose force, by the greatness of his valour, heaven and earth tremble — he, O people, is Indra.

Verse 2

Yo pṛthivīṁ vyathamānām adṛṁhad Yaḥ parvatān prakupitāṁ aramṇāt Yo antarikṣaṁ vimame varīyo Yo dyām astabhnāt sa janāsa indraḥ

Meaning:He who made firm the quaking earth, who set at rest the agitated mountains, who measured out the wide mid-air and upheld the heavens — he, O people, is Indra.

Verse 3

Yo hatvāhim ariṇāt sapta sindhūn Yo gā udājad apadhā valasya Yo aśmanor antar agniṁ jajāna Saṁvṛk samatsu sa janāsa indraḥ

Meaning:He who, having slain the serpent (Vritra), released the seven rivers, who drove out the hidden cattle by opening the cave of Vala, who generated fire between two stones and is the gatherer of spoils in battles — he, O people, is Indra.

Verse 4

Yenemā viśvā cyavanā kṛtāni Yo dāsaṁ varṇam adharaṁ guhākaḥ Śvaghnīva yo jigīvāṁ lakṣam ādad Aryaḥ puṣṭāni sa janāsa indraḥ

Meaning:He by whom all these changing worlds were wrought, who drove the hostile dark hordes into hiding and humbled them; who, like a victorious gambler taking the stake, seizes the riches of his foe — he, O people, is Indra.

Verse 5

Yaṁ smā pṛcchanti kuha seti ghoram utem āhur naiṣo astīty enam So aryaḥ puṣṭīr vija ivā mināti Śraddhāsmai dhatta sa janāsa indraḥ

Meaning:The awesome one of whom they ask 'Where is he?', and of whom some even say 'He is not'; who sweeps away the wealth of the foe like the throws of a gambler — have faith in him: he, O people, is Indra.

Word-by-Word Meaning

Click any word to hear its pronunciation

yo jāta eva🔊He who, as soon as he was born / the very first to be born

prathamo manasvān🔊The foremost, full of intelligence and resolve

devo devān kratunā paryabhūṣat🔊A god who surpassed / protected the other gods by his power and wisdom

yasya śuṣmād🔊By whose mighty force

rodasī abhyasetām🔊Heaven and earth tremble in awe

nṛmṇasya mahnā🔊By the greatness of his manly valour

sa janāsa indraḥ🔊He, O people, is Indra (the recurring refrain)

pṛthivīṁ vyathamānām adṛṁhad🔊Who steadied the quaking earth and made it firm

parvatān prakupitāṁ aramṇāt🔊Who set at rest the agitated / trembling mountains

antarikṣaṁ vimame varīyo🔊Who measured out the wide mid-air / atmosphere

dyām astabhnāt🔊Who propped up / supported the heavens

hatvāhim🔊Having slain the serpent (Vritra, the demon of drought)

ariṇāt sapta sindhūn🔊He released / set flowing the seven rivers

gā udājad🔊He drove out the cows (the hidden waters/light)

aśmanor antar agniṁ jajāna🔊Who generated fire from within the two stones

yenemā viśvā cyavanā kṛtāni🔊By whom all these movable things / changing worlds were made

dāsaṁ varṇam adharaṁ guhākaḥ🔊Who drove the hostile / dark hordes into hiding and subdued them

śvaghnīva yo jigīvāṁ lakṣam ādad🔊Who, like a winning gambler, takes the stake of his conquered foe

yaṁ smā pṛcchanti kuha seti🔊Of the awesome one about whom they ask, 'Where is he?'

utem āhur naiṣo astīty🔊And some even say of him, 'He does not exist'

śraddhāsmai dhatta🔊Have faith in him! (place your trust in him)

Benefits of Chanting इन्द्र सूक्तम् (यो जात एव)

✦

Invokes Indra's strength, courage and the will to overcome every obstacle

✦

Inspires victory in righteous struggles, as Indra conquered Vritra and Vala

✦

Strengthens faith ('shraddha') in the unseen divine power that upholds the world

✦

Recited for protection from drought, calamity and hostile forces

✦

Awakens leadership, valour and the spirit of perseverance

✦

Connects the chanter to the cosmic order sustained by the king of the gods

How to Chant इन्द्र सूक्तम् (यो जात एव)

Repetitions3times

Best TimeMorning, before undertaking a difficult task or struggle, and during Vedic yajnas

Recite with strength and conviction, ideally in the Vedic svara if learnt. Begin with 'Om' and chant each verse, dwelling on the refrain 'Sa janasa Indrah' as an affirmation of faith in divine power. Visualise inner obstacles being shattered as Vritra was slain and the rivers of energy set free. Suited for moments demanding courage and resolve.

Frequently Asked Questions

This page shows the complete इन्द्र सूक्तम् (यो जात एव) written in the English script — the same Sanskrit/Hindi verses, transliterated character-by-character so you can read and chant comfortably. Tap any line (or the ▶ button) to hear it recited aloud.

Yes — only the script changes; the words and their meaning are the original. The verse-by-verse meaning, benefits and how-to-chant guidance on this page apply exactly the same.

It is the hymn at Rigveda 2.12, composed by the seer Gritsamada, glorifying Indra, king of the gods. It is famous for the refrain 'Sa janasa Indrah' — 'He, O people, is Indra' — that closes each verse with a description of his heroic deeds.

It means 'He, O people, is Indra.' After narrating each mighty act — slaying Vritra, releasing the rivers, propping up the sky — the seer points to the doer and declares to all people that this is Indra, urging recognition of and faith in him.

Vritra was the serpent-demon who held back the cosmic waters, causing drought. Indra, wielding his thunderbolt (vajra), slew Vritra and released the seven rivers, restoring life and order — a central myth of the Rigveda symbolising the triumph of light and life over stagnation.

The fifth verse notes that some ask 'Where is he?' or even say 'He is not' — and answers them with 'Have faith in him; he is Indra.' It is a striking call to shraddha (faith) in the divine power that, though unseen, sustains all things.