HYMN XVII. Indra.

1
GREAT art thou, Indra; yea, the earth, with gladness, and heaven confess to thee thine high dominion. Thou in thy vigour having slaughtered Vrtra didst free the floods arrested by the Dragon.

2
Heaven trembled at the birth of thine effulgence; Earth trembled at the fear of thy displeasure. The stedfast mountains shook in agitation . the waters flowed, and desert spots were flooded.

3
Hurling his bolt with might he cleft the mountain, while, putting forth his strength, he showed his vigour. He slaughtered Vrtra with his bolt, exulting, and, their lord slain, forth flowed the waters swiftly.

4
Thy Father Dyaus esteemed himself a hero: most noble was the work of Indra's Maker, His who begat the strong bolt's Lord who roareth, immovable like earth from her foundation.

5
He who alone o'erthrows the world of creatures, Indra the peoples' King, invoked of many- Verily all rejoice in him, extolling the boons which Maghavan the God hath sent them.

6
All Soma juices are his own for ever, most gladdening draughts are ever his, the Mighty, Thou ever wast the Treasure-Lord of treasures: Indra, thou lettest all folk share thy bounty.

7
Moreover, when thou first wast born, O Indra, thou struckest terror into all the people. Thou, Maghavan, rentest with thy bolt the Dragon who lay against the waterfloods of heaven.

8
The ever-slaying, bold and furious Indra, the bright bolt's Lord, infinite, strong and mighty, Who slayeth Vrtra and acquireth booty, giver of blessings, Maghavan the bounteous:

9
Alone renowned as Maghavan in battles, he frighteneth away assembled armies. He bringeth us the booty that he winneth may we, well-loved, continue in his friendship.

10
Renowned is he when conquering and when slaying: 'fis he who winneth cattle in the combat. When Indra hardeneth his indignation all that is fixed and all that moveth fear him.

11
Indra hath won all kine, all gold, all horses,-Maghavan, he who breaketh forts in pieces; Most manly with these men of his who help him, dealing out wealth and gathering the treasure.

12
What is the care of Indra for his Mother, what cares he for the Father who begat him? His care is that which speeds his might in conflicts, like wind borne onward by the clouds that thunder.

13
Maghavan makes the settled man unsettled: he scatters dust that he hath swept together, Breaking in pieces like Heaven armed with lightning: Maghavan shall enrich the man who lauds h;m.

14
He urged the chariot-wheel of Surya forward: Etasa, speeding on his way, he rested. Him the black undulating cloud bedeweth, in this mid-air's depth, at the base of darkness,

15
As in the night the sacrificing priest.

16
Eager for booty, craving strength and horses, we-singers stir Indra, the strong, for friendship, Who gives the wives we seek, whose succour fails not, to hasten, like a pitcher to the fountain.

17
Be thou our guardian, show thyself our kinsman, watching and blessing those who pour the Soma; As Friend, as Sire, most fatherly of fathers giving the suppliant vital strength and freedom.

18
Be helping Friend of those who seek thy friendship . give life, when lauded, Indra, to the singer. For, Indra, we the priests have paid thee worship, exalting thee with these our sacrifices.

19
Alone, when Indra Maghavan is lauded, he slayeth many ne'er-resisted Vrtras. Him in whose keeping is the well-loved singer never do Gods or mortals stay or hinder.

20
E’en so let Maghavan, the loud-voiced Indra, give us true blessings, foeless, men's upholder. King of all creatures, give us glory amply, exalted glory due to him who lauds thee.

21
Now, Indra! lauded, glorified with praises, let power swell high like rivers for the singer. For thee a new hymn, Lord of Bays! is fashioned. May we, car-borne, through song be victors ever.

HYMN XVIII. Indra and Others.

1
THIS is the ancient and accepted pathway by which all Gods have come into existence. Hereby could one be born though waxen mighty. Let him not, otherwise, destroy his Mother.

2
Not this way go I forth: hard is the passage. Forth from the side obliquely will I issue. Much that is yet undone must I accomplish; one must I combat and the other question.

3
He bent his eye upon the dying Mother: My word I now withdraw. That way I follow. In Tvastar's dwelling India drank the Soma, a hundredworth of juice pressed from the mortar.

4
What strange act shall he do, he whom his Mother bore for a thousand months and many autumns? No peer hath he among those born already, nor among those who shall be born hereafter.

5
Deeming him a reproach, his mother hid him, Indra, endowed with all heroic valour. Then up he sprang himself, assumed his vesture, and filled, as soon as born, the earth and heaven.

6
With lively motion onward flow these waters, the Holy Ones, shouting, as 'twere, together. Ask them to. tell thee what the floods are saying, what girdling rock the waters burst asunder.

7
Are they addressing him with words of welcome? Will the floods take on them the shame of Indra? With his great thunderbolt my Son hath slaughtered Vrtra, and set these rivers free to wander.

8
I cast thee from me, mine,-thy youthful mother: thee, mine own offspring, Kusava hath swallowed. To him, mine infant, were the waters gracious. Indra, my Son, rose up in conquering vigour.

9
Thou art mine own, O Maghavan, whom Vyamsa struck to the ground and smote thy jaws in pieces. But, smitten through, the mastery thou wonnest, and with thy bolt the Dasa's head thou crushedst.

10
The Heifer hath brought forth the Strong, the Mighty, the unconquerable Bull, the furious Indra. The Mother left her unlicked Calf to wander, seeking himself, the path that he would follow.

11
Then to her mighty Child the Mother turned her, saying, My son, these Deities forsake thee. Then Indra said, about to slaughter Vrtra, O my friend Vrtra, stride full boldly forward.

12
Who was he then who made thy Mother widow? Who sought to stay thee lying still or moving? What God, when by the foot thy Sire thou tookest and slewest, was at hand to give thee comfort?

13
In deep distress I cooked a dog's intestines. Among the Gods I found not one to comfort. My consort I beheld in degradation. The Falcon then brought me the pleasant Soma.

HYMN XIX. Indra.

1
THEE, verily, O Thunder-wielding Indra, all the Gods here, the Helpers swift to listen, And both the worlds elected, thee the Mighty, High, waxen strong, alone to slaughter Vrtra.

2
The Gods, as worn witheld, relaxed their efforts: thou, Indra, born of truth, wast Sovran Ruler. Thou slewest Ahi who besieged the waters, and duggest out their all-supporting channels.

3
The insatiate one, extended, hard to waken, who slumbered in perpetual sleep, O Indra,- The Dragon stretched against the seven prone rivers, where no joint was, thou rentest with thy thunder.

4
Indra with might shook earth and her foundation as the wind stirs the water with its fury. Striving, with strength he burst the firm asunder, and tore away the summits of the mountains.

5
They ran to thee as mothers to their offspring: the clouds, like chariots, hastened forth together. Thou didst refresh the streams and force the billows: thou, Indra, settest free obstructed rivers.

6
Thou for the sake of Vayya and Turviti didst stay the great stream, flowing, allsustaining: Yea, at their prayer didst check the rushing river and make the floods easy to cross, O Indra.

7
He let the young Maids skilled in Law, unwedded, like fountains, bubbling, flow forth streaming onward. He inundated thirsty plains and deserts, and milked the dry Cows of the mighty master.

8
Through many a morn and many a lovely autumn, having slain Vrtra, lie set free the rivers. Indra hath set at liberty to wander on earth the streams encompassed pressed together.

9
Lord of Bay Steeds, thou broughtest from the ant-hill the unwedded damsel's son whom ants were eating. The blind saw clearly, as he grasped the serpent, rose, brake the jar: his joints again united.

10
To the wise man, O Sage and Sovran Ruler, the man who knoweth all thine ancient exploits. Hath told these deeds of might as thou hast wrought them, great acts, spontaneous, and to man's advantage.

11
Now, Indra! lauded, glorified with praises, let powers swell high, like rivers, for the singer. For thee a new hymn, Lord of Bays! is fashioned. May we, car-borne, through song be victors ever.

HYMN XX. Indra.

1
FROM near or far away may mighty Indra giver of succour, come for our protection Lord of men, armed with thunder, with the Strongest, slaying his foes in conflict, in the battles.

2
May Indra come to us with Tawny Coursers, inclined to us, to favour and enrich us. May Maghavan, loud-voiced and wielding thunder, stand by us at this sacrifice, in combat.

3
Thou, honouring this our sacrifice, O Indra, shalt give us strength and fill us full of courage. To win the booty, Thunder-armed! like hunters may we with thee subdue in fight our foemen.

4
Loving us well, benevolent, close beside us, drink, Godlike Indra, of the wellpressed Soma. Drink of the meath we offer, and delight thee with food that cometh from the mountain ridges.

5
Him who is sung aloud by recent sages, like a ripe-fruited tree, a scythe-armed victor,- I, like a bridegroom thinking of his consort, call hither Indra, him invoked of many;

6
Him who in native strength is like a mountain, the lofty Indra born or old for conquest, Terrific wielder of the ancient thunder. filled full with splendour as a jar with water.

7
Whom from of old there is not one to hinder, none to curtail the riches of his bounty. Pouring forth freely, O thou Strong and Mighty, vouchsafe us riches, God invoked of many!

8
Of wealth and homes of men thou art the ruler, and opener of the stable of the cattle. Helper of men, winner of spoil in combats, thou leadest to an ample heap of riches.

9
By what great might is he renowned as strongest, wherewith the Lofty One stirs up wild battles? Best soother of the worshipper's great sorrow, he gives possessions to the man who lauds him.

10
Slay us not; bring, bestow onus the ample gift which thou hast to give to him who offers. At this new gift, with this laud sung before thee, extolling thee, we, Indra, will declare it.

11
Now, Indra! lauded, glorified with praises, let power swell high, like rivers, for the singer. A new hymn, Lord of Bays! for thee is fashioned. May we, car-born, through song be victors ever.

Continued...

HYMN XXI. Indra.

1
MAY Indra come to us for our protection; here be the Hero, praised, our feast-companion. May he whose powers are many, waxen mighty, cherish, like Dyaus, his own supreme dominion.

2
Here magnify his great heroic exploits, most glorious One, enriching men with bounties, Whose will is like a Sovran in assembly, who rules the people, Conqueror, all-surpassing.

3
Hither let Indra come from earth or heaven, hither with speech from firmament or ocean; With Maruts, from the realm of light to aid us, or from a distance, from the seat of Order.

4
That Indra will we laud in our assemblies, him who is Lord of great and lasting riches, Victor with Vayu where the herds are gathered, who leads with boldness on to higher fortune.

5
May the Priest, Lord of many blessings, striving,-who fixing reverence on reverence, giving Vent to his voice, inciteth men to worship with lauds bring Indra hither to our dwellings.

6
When sitting pondering in deep devotion in Ausija's abode they ply the press-stone, May he whose wrath is fierce, the mighty bearer, come as the house-lord's priest within our chambers.

7
Surely the power of Bharvara the mighty for ever helpeth to support the singer; That which in Ausija's abode lies hidden, to come forth for delight and for devotion.

8
When he unbars the spaces of the mountains, and quickens with his floods the water-torrents, He finds in lair the buffalo and wild-ox when the wise lead him on to vigorous exploit.

9
Auspicious are thy hands, thine arms wellfashioned which proffer bounty, Indra, to thy praiser. What sloth is this? Why dost thou not rejoice thee? Why dost thou not delight thyself with giving?

10
So Indra is the truthful Lord of treasure. Freedom he gave to man by slaying Vrtra. Much-lauded! help us with thy power to riches: may I be sharer of thy Godlike favour.

11
Now, Indra! lauded, glorified with praises, let power swell high, like rivers, for,the singer. For thee a new hymn, Lord of Bays! is fashioned. May we, care-borne, through song be victors ever.

HYMN XXII. Indra.

1
THAT gift of ours which Indra loves and welcomes, even that he makes for us, the Great and Strong One. He who comes wielding in his might the thunder, Maghavan, gives prayer, praise, and laud, and Soma.

2
Bull, hurler of the four-edged rain-producer with both his arms, strong, mighty, most heroic; Wearing as wool Parusni for adornment, whose joints for sake of friendship he hath covered.

3
God who of all the Gods was born divinest, endowed with ample strength and mighty powers, And bearing in his arms the yearning thunder, with violent rush caused heaven and earth to tremble.

4
Before the High God, at his birth, heaven trembled, earth, many floods and all the precipices. The Strong One bringeth nigh the Bull's two Parents: loud sing the winds, like men, in air's mid-region.

5
These are thy great deeds, Indra, thine, the Mighty, deeds to be told aloud at all libations, That thou, O Hero, bold and boldly daring, didst with thy bolt, by strength, destroy the Dragon.

6
True are all these thy deeds, O Most Heroic. The Milch-kine issued from the streaming udder. In fear of thee, O thou of manly spirit, the rivers swiftly set themselves in motion.

7
With joy, O Indra, Lord of Tawny Coursers, the Sisters then, these Goddesses, extolled thee, When thou didst give the prisoned ones their freedom to wander at their will in long succession.

8
Pressed is the gladdening stalk as 'twere a river: so let the rite, the toiler's power, attract thee To us-ward, of the Bright One, as the courser strains his. exceedingly strong leather bridle.

9
Ever by us perform thy most heroic, thine highest, best victorious deeds, O Victor. For us make Vrtras easy to be conquered: destroy the weapon of our mortal foeman.

10
Graciously listen to our prayer, O Indra, and strength of varied sort bestow thou on us. Send to us all intelligence arid wisdom O Maghavan, be he who gives us cattle.

11
Now, Indra! lauded, glorified with praises, let wealth swell hiah [sic] like rivers to the singer. For thee a new hymn, Lord of Bays, is fashioned. May we, car-borne, through song be victors ever.

HYMN XXIII. Indra.

1
How, what priest's sacrifice hath he made mighty, rejoicing in the Soma and its fountain? Delighting in juice, eagerly drinking, the Lofty One hath waxed for splendid riches.

2
What hero hath been made his feast-companion? Who hath been partner in his loving-kindness? What know we of his wondrous acts? How often comes he to aid and speed the pious toiler?

3
How heareth Indra offered invocation? How, hearing, marketh he the invoker's wishes? What are his ancient acts of bounty? Wherefore call they him One who filleth full the singer?

4
How doth the priest who laboureth, ever longing, win for himself the wealth which he possesseth? May he, the God, mark well my truthful praises, having received the homage which he loveth.

5
How, and what bond of friendship with a mortal hath the God chosen as this morn is breaking? How, and what love hath he for those who love him, who have entwined in him their firm affection?

6
Is then thy friendship with thy friends most mighty? Thy brotherhood with us, -when may we tell it? The streams of milk move, as most wondrous sunlight, the beauty of the Lovely One for glory.

7
About to stay the Indra-less destructive spirit he sharpens his keen arms to strike her. Whereby the Strong, although our debts' exactor, drives in the distant mornings that we know not.

8
Eternal Law hath varied food that strengthens; thought of eternal Law, removes transgressions. The praise-hymn of eternal Law, arousing, glowing, hath oped the deaf ears of the living.

9
Firm-seated are eternal Law's foundations in its fair form are many splendid beauties. By holy Law long lasting food they bring us; by holy Law have cows come to our worship.

10
Fixing eternal Law he, too, upholds it swift moves the might of Law and wins the booty. To Law belong the vast deep Earth and Heaven: Milch-kine supreme, to Law their milk they render.

11
Now, Indra! lauded,- glorified with praises, let power swell high like rivers to the singer. For thee a new hymn, Lord of Bays, is fashioned. May we, car-borne, through song be victors ever.

HYMN XXIV. Indra.

1
WHAT worthy praise will bring before us Indra, the Son of Strength, that he may grant us riches; For he the Hero, gives the singer treasures: he is the Lord who sends us gifts, ye people.

2
To be invoked and hymned in fight with Vrtra, that well-praised Indra gives us real bounties. That Maghavan brings comfort in the foray to the religious man who pours libations.

3
Him, verily, the men invoke in combat; risking their lives they make him their protector, When heroes, foe to foe, give up their bodies, fighting, each side, for children and their offspring.

4
Strong God! the folk at need put forth their vigour, striving together in the whirl of battle. When warrior bands encounter one another some in the grapple quit themselves like Indra.

5
Hence many a one worships the might of Indra: hence let the brew succeed the meal-oblation. Hence let the Soma banish those who pour not: even hence I joy to pay the Strong One worship.

6
Indra gives comfort to the man who truly presses, for him who longs for it, the Soma, Not disaffected, with devoted spirit this man he takes to be his friend in battles.

7
He who this day for Indra presses Soma, prepares the brew and fries the grains of barley- Loving the hymns of that devoted servant, to him may Indra give heroic vigour.

8
When the impetuous chief hath sought the conflict, and the lord looked upon the long-drawn battle, The matron calls to the Strong God whom pressers of Soma have encouraged int the dwelling.

9
He bid a small price for a thing of value: I was content, returning, still unpurchased. He heightened not his insufficient offer. Simple and clever, both milk out the udder.

10
Who for ten milch-kine purchaseth from me this Indra who is mine? When he hath slain the Vrtras let the buyer give him back to me.

11
Now, Indra! lauded, glorified with praises, let wealth swell high like rivers for the singer. For thee a new hymn, Lord of Bays, is fashioned. May we, car-borne, through song be victors ever.

HYMN XXV. Indra.

1
WHAT friend of man, God-loving, hath delighted, yearning therefor, this day in Indra's friendship? Who with enkindled flame and flowing Soma laudeth him for his great protecting favour?

2
Who hath with prayer bowed to the Soma-lover? What pious man endues the beams of morning? Who seeks bond, friendship, brotherhood with Indra? Who hath recourse unto the Sage for succour?

3
Who claims to-day the Deities' protection, asks Aditi for light, or the Adityas? Of whose pressed stalk of Soma drink the Asvins, Indra, and Agni, well-inclined in spirit?

4
To him shall Agni Bharata give shelter: long shall he look upon the Sun up-rising, Who sayeth, Let us press the juice for Indra, man's Friend, the Hero manliest of heroes.

5
Him neither few men overcome, nor many to him shall Aditi give spacious shelter. Dear is the pious, the devout, to Indra dear is the zealous, dear the Soma-bringer.

6
This Hero curbs the mighty for the zealous: the presser's brew Indra possesses solely: No brother, kin, or friend to him who pours not, destroyer of the dumb who would resist him.

7
Not with the wealthy churl who pours no Soma doth Indra, Soma-drinker, bind alliance. He draws away his wealth and slays him naked, own Friend to him who offers, for oblation.

8
Highest and lowest, men who stand between diem, going, returning, dwelling in contentment, Those who show forth their strength when urged to battle-these are the men who call for aid on Indra.

HYMN XXVI. Indra.

1
I WAS aforetime Manu, I was Surya: I am the sage Kaksivan, holy singer. Kutsa the son of Arjuni I master. I am the sapient Usana behold me.

2
I have bestowed the earth upon the Arya, and rain upon the man who brings oblation. I guided forth the loudly-roaring waters, and the Gods moved according to my pleasure.

3
In the wild joy of Soma I demolished Sambara's forts, ninety-and-nine, together; And, utterly, the hundredth habitation, when helping Divodasa Atithigva.

4
Before all birds be ranked this Bird, O Maruts; supreme of falcons be this fleet-winged Falcon, Because, strong- pinioned, with no car to bear him, he brought to Manu the Godloved oblation.

5
When the Bird brought it, hence in rapid motion sent on the wide path fleet as thought he hurried. Swift he returned with sweetness of the Soma, and hence the Falcon hath acquired his glory.

6
Bearing the stalk, the Falcon speeding onward, Bird bringing from afar the draught that gladdens, Friend of the Gods, brought, grasping fast, the Soma which be bad taken from yon loftiest heaven.

7
The Falcon took and brought the Soma, bearing thousand libations with him, yea, ten thousand. The Bold One left Malignities behind him, wise, in wild joy of Soma, left the foolish.

HYMN XXVII. The Falcon.

1
I, As I lay within the womb, considered all generations of these Gods in order. A hundred iron fortresses confined me but forth I flew with rapid speed a Falcon.

2
Not at his own free pleasure did he bear me: he conquered with his strength and manly courage. Straightway the Bold One left the fiends behind him and passed the winds as he grew yet more mighty.

3
When with loud cry from heaven down sped the Falcon, thence hasting like the wind he bore the Bold One. Then, wildly raging in his mind, the archer Krsanu aimed and loosed the string to strike him.

4
The Falcon bore him from heaven's lofty summit as the swift car of Indra's Friend bore Bhujyu. Then downward hither fell a flying feather of the Bird hasting forward in his journey.

5
And now let Maghavan accept the beaker, white, filled with milk, filled with the shining liquid; The best of sweet meath which the priests have offered: that Indra to his joy may drink, the Hero, that he may take and drink it to his rapture.

Back to Top