Rgvedic Dialogue Hymns (ऋग्वैदिकसंवादसूक्तानि)

The Rigveda contains a number of samvada suktas where a conversation between two entities (animate and inanimate) is presented in the sukta. It represents the earliest surviving sample of this genre, and can be thought of as an early precursor of Sanskrit poetics and dramaturgy.

Samvada or conversational form is a delightful style of teaching concepts. In the Rigveda we find that such suktas abound with refined linguistic aspects rich in sentiment and emotional expressions along with poetic eloquence. Many scholars have declared that these suktas gave the impetus to subsequent generations to develop the art of dramaturgy. The Vedic samvadas are believed to originate from sources which are either aitihasik (historical) or kavi-kalpana (poetic imagination). Commentators such as Sayanacharya and Madhavaacharya focused on the bringing out the rich poetic and literary aspects instead of paying more attention to the characters or place of the storyline mentioned in the sukta.

The commentaries for the samvada suktas indicate natural phenomenon in the Brahmana granthas, Nirukta, other texts such as Brhaddevata. Many western scholars have studied the samvada suktas to express other perspectives of the suktas such as the spiritual and ethical aspects. Samvada style of presenting mantra meanings are specifically found in the Rigveda. In Yajurveda and Atharvaveda we rarely find the samvada suktas while in Samaveda a clear such sukta is not found.

Samvada Suktas

Samvada suktas found in Rigveda include

1. Indra Marut Samvada - 1.165
2. Indra Agastya Samvada - 1.170
3. Agasthya Lopamudra Samvada - 1.179
4. Vishvamitra Nadi Samvada - 3.33
5. Indra Aditi Vamadeva Samvada - 4.19
6. Vasishta Vasishtaputra Samvada - 7.33
7. Vasishta Sudas Samvada - 7.83
8. Indra Nema Samvada 8.100
9. Yama Yami Samvada (यम यमि सम्वादः) - 10.10
10. Indra Vasukapatni Samvada - 10.28
11. Agni Devagana Samvada - 10. 51 to 53
12. Indra Indrani Vrshakapi Samvada - 10.86
13. Pururava Urvashi Samvada (पुरुरवा-ऊर्वशी संवादः) - 10.95
14. Sarama Pani Samvada (सरमापणिसंवादः) - 10.108

Some suktas are said to be in the samvada shaili (style) of presentation although the Anukramanika does not mention so.

Summary of Important Samvada Suktas

Indra Marut Samvada (1.165) and Agastya Indra Samvada (1.170)

Mandala 1 Sukta 165 of Rigveda contains the samvada of Indra and Marutganas. It contains 15 mantras. According to Katyayana's Sarvanukramani mantras 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10-12 are from Indra, mantras 3, 5, 7 and 9 are by Maruts and the rest 13, 14 and 15 are by Agastya.

In a yajna that Agasthya conducted both Indra and Marutgana are present to receive the havishya offerings. Indra observes the Marutganas and offers few words of praise for them, "Maruts who are of same age and splendor are quite strong. On whose wish they are here? whose invitation did they hear? How much can praise the greatness of these Maruts who travel with great speeds just like the Syena birds." Marutganas hearing these words, think that Indra cannot be victorious over Vrtra nor can cause rains without our help. Overcome with Ahankara or pride they ask Indra about the purpose behind such a praise. Annoyed Indra tells them that he does not need any subordinates nor the Maruts and indulges self praise and boasting about his greatness. Indra is powerful, fierce and omnipotent. He is an expert in warfare capable of destroying his enemies with ease. The Maruts are also powerful supporting Indra in wars as well as in fighting wars independently, so they did not like Indra treating them lowly. When Indra reiterates his might the Maruts bow down and offer worship to Indra. Agastya worships the Maruts and asks them for their benevolence.

In the context of Sukta 170 of Mandala 1, there are 5 mantras.