Rig Veda · 608 of 1027
Mandala 7: HYMN XCII. Vāyu
1.O VĀYU, drinker of the pure, be near us: a thousand teams are thine, Allbounteous Giver. To thee the rapture-bringing juice is offered, whose first draught, God, thou takest as thy portion.
2.Prompt at the holy rites forth came the presser with Soma-draughts for Indra and for Vāyu, When ministering priests with strong devotion bring to you Twain the first taste of the Soma.
3.The teams wherewith thou seekest him who offers, within his home, O Viyu, to direct him, Therewith send wealth: to us with full enjoyment, a hero son and gifts of kine and horses.
4.Near to the Gods and making Indra joyful, devout and ofFering precious gifts to Vāyu, Allied with princes, smiting down the hostile, may we with heroes conquer foes in battle.
5.With thy yoked teams in hundreds and in thousands come to our sacrifice and solemn worship. Come, Vāyu, make thee glad at this libation. Preserve us evermore, ye Gods, with blessings.
Asked of Guide
Why do the rishis keep offering Soma to Vāyu alongside Indra in this hymn?
The hymn shows Vāyu accepted the “first draught” of Soma along with Indra—Vāyu is treated as a principal divine guest who shares in the sacred libation. The priests “forth came the presser with Soma-draughts for Indra and for Vāyu,” which frames Vāyu as a recipient of priestly devotion and sacramental power, worthy of the same ritual honor given to Indra.
Offering Soma to Vāyu links his functions—wind, motion, and patronage of chariot-teams—with prosperity and victory: the rishis ask for “teams in hundreds and in thousands,” wealth, sons and triumphs. This pairing echoes other Rigvedic hymns where Soma confers strength on gods; see Hymn I.32 where Soma’s draught empowers the deity who drinks it.
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