HYMN LXV. Indra.

2
This Indra with his Marut Friends clave into pieces Vrtra's bead With hundred-knotted thunderbolt.

3
Indra, with Marut Friends grown strong, hath rent asunder Vrtra, and Released the waters of the sea.

4
This is that Indra who, begirt [sic] by Maruts, won the light of heaven That he might drink the Soma juice.

5
Mighty, impetuous, begirt [sic] by Maruts, him who loudly roars, Indra we invocate with songs.

6
Indra begirt [sic] by Maruts we invoke after the ancient plan, That he may drink the Soma juice.

7
O liberal Indra, Marut-girt, much-lauded Satakratu, drink The Soma at this sacrifice.

8
To thee, O Indra, Marut-girt, these Soma juices, Thunderer! Are offered from the heart with lauds.

9
Drink, Indra, with thy Marut Friends, pressed Soma at the morning rites, Whetting thy thunderbolt with strength.

10
Arising in thy might, thy jaws thou shookest, Indra, having quaffed The Soma which the mortar pressed.

11
Indra, both worlds complained to thee when uttering thy fearful roar, What time thou smotest Dasyus dead.

12
From Indra have I measured out a song eight-footed with nine parts, Delicate, faithful. to the Law.

HYMN LXVI. Indra.

1
SCARCELY was Satakratu, born when of his Mother he inquired, Who are the mighty? Who are famed?

2
Then Savassi declared to him Aurnavabha, Ahisuva: Son, these be they thou must o'erthrow

3
The Vrtra-slayer smote them all as spokes are hammered into naves: The Dasyu-killer waxed in might.

4
Then Indra at a single draught drank the contents of thirty pails, Pails that were filled with Soma juice.

5
Indra in groundless realms of space pierced the Gandharva through, that he Might make Brahmans' strength increase.

6
Down from the mountains Indra shot hither his well-directed shaft: He gained the ready brew of rice.

7
One only is that shaft of thine, with thousand feathers, hundred barbs, Which, Indra, thou hast made thy friend.

8
Strong as the gbhus at thy birth, therewith to those who praise thee, men, And women, bring thou food to eat.

9
By thee these exploits were achieved, the mightiest deeds, abundantly: Firm in thy heart thou settest them.

10
All these things Visnu brought, the Lord of ample stride whom thou hadst sent- A hundred buffaloes, a brew of rice and milk: and Indra, slew the ravening boar

11
Most deadly is thy bow, successful, fashioned well: good is thine arrow, decked with gold. Warlike and well equipped thine arms are, which increase sweetness for him who drinks the sweet.

HYMN LXVII. Indra.

1
BRING us a thousand, Indra, as our guerdon for the Soma juice: Hundreds of kine, O Hero, bring.

2
Bring cattle, bring us ornament, bring us embellishment and steeds, Give us, besides, two rings of gold.

3
And, Bold One, bring in ample store rich jewels to adorn this ear, For thou, Good Lord, art far renowned.

4
None other is there for the priest, Hero! but thou, to give him gifts, To win much spoil and prosper him.

5
Indra can never be brought low, Sakra can never be subdued: He heareth and beholdeth all.

6
He spieth out the wrath of man, he who can never be deceived: Ere blame can come he marketh it.

7
He hath his stomach full of might, the Vrtra-slayer, Conqueror, The Soma-drinker, ordering all.

8
In thee all treasures are combined, Soma all blessed things in thee, Uninjured, easy to bestow.

9
To thee speeds forth my hope that craves the gift of corn, and kine and gold, Yea, craving horses, speeds to thee.

10
Indra, through hope in thee alone even this sickle do I grasp. Fill my hand, Maghavan, with all that it can hold of barley cut or gathered up.

HYMN LXVIII. Soma.

1
THIS here is Soma, ne'er restrained, active, all-conquering bursting forth, Rsi and Sage by sapience,

2
All that is bare he covers o'er, all that is sick he medicines; The blind man sees, the cripple walks.

3
Thou, Soma, givest wide defence against the hate of alien men, Hatreds that waste and weaken us.

4
Thou by thine insight and thy skill, Impetuous One, from heaven and earth Drivest the sinner's enmity.

5
When to their task they come with zeal, may they obtain the Giver's grace, And satisfy his wish who thirsts.

6
So may he find what erst was lost, so may be speed the pious man, And lengthen his remaining life.

7
Gracious, displaying tender love, unconquered, gentle in thy thoughts, Be sweet, O Soma, to our heart.

8
O Soma, terrify us not; strike us not with alarm, O King: Wound not our heart with dazzling flame.

9
When in my dwelling-place I see the wicked enemies of Gods, King, chase their hatred far away, thou Bounteous One, dispel our foes.

HYMN LXIX. Indra

1
O Sarakratu! truely I have made none else my Comforter. Indra; be gracious unto us.

2
Thou who hast ever aided us kindly of old to win the spoil, As such, O Indra, favour us.

3
What now? As prompter of the poor thou helpest him who sheds the juice. Wilt thou not, Indra, strengthen us?

4
O Indra, help our chariot on, yea, Thunderer, though it lag behind: Give this my car the foremost place.

5
Ho there! why sittest thou at case? Make thou my chariot to be first And bring the fame of victory near.

6
Assist our car that seeks the prize. What can be easier for thee? So make thou us victorious.

7
Indra, be firm: a fort art thou. To thine appointed place proceeds The auspicious hymn in season due.

8
Let not our portion be disgrace. Broad is the course, the prize is set, The barriers are opened wide.

9
This thing we wish. that thou mayst take thy fourth, thy sacrificial name. So art thou held to be our Lord.

10
Ekadyu hath exalted you, Immortals: both Goddesses and Gods hath he delighted. Bestow upon him bounty meet for praises. May he, enriched with prayer, come soon and early.

HYMN LXX. Indra.

1
INDRA, God of the mighty arm, gather for us with thy right hand Manifold and nutritious spoil.

2
We know thee mighty in thy deeds, of mighty bounty, mighty wealth, Mighty in measure, prompt to aid.

3
Hero, when thou art fain to give, neither may Gods nor mortal men Restrain thee like a fearful Bull.

4
Come, let us glorify Indra, Lord supreme of wealth, Self-ruling King: In bounty may he harm us not.

5
Let prelude sound and following chant so let him hear the Saman sung, And with his bounty answer us.

6
O Indra, with thy right hand bring, and with thy left remember us. Let us not lose our share of wealth.

7
Come nigh, O Bold One, boldly bring hither the riches of the churl Who giveth least of all the folk.

8
Indra, the booty which thou hast with holy singers to receive, Even that booty win with us.

9
Indra, thy swiftly-coming spoil, the booty which rejoices all, Sounds quick in concert with our hopes.

HYMN LXXI. Indra.

1
HASTE forward to us from afar, or, Vrtra-slayer, from anear, To meet the offering to the meath.

2
Strong are the Soma-draughts; come nigh: the juices fill thee with delight: Drink boldly even as thou art wont'.

3
Joy, Indra, in the strengthening food et it content thy wish and thought, And be delightful to thine heart.

4
Come to us thou who hast no foe: we call thee down to hymns of praise, In heaven's sublimest realm of light.

5
This Soma here expressed with stones and dressed with milk for thy carouse, Indra, is offered up to thee.

6
Graciously, Indra, hear my call. Come and obtain the draught, and sate Thyself with juices blent with milk.

7
The Soma, Indra, which is shed in chalices and vats for thee, Drink thou, for thou art Lord thereof.

8
The Soma seen within the mats, as in the flood the Moon is seen, Drink thou, for thou art Lord thereof.

9
That which the Hawk brought in his claw, inviolate, through the air to thee, Drink thou, for thou art Lord thereof.

HYMN LXXII. Visvedevas.

1
WE choose unto ourselves that high protection of the Mighty Gods That it may help and succour us.

2
May they be ever our allies, Varuna, Mitra, Aryaman, Far-seeing Gods who prosper us.

3
Ye furtherers of holy Law, transport us safe o'er many woes, As over water-floods in ships.

4
Dear wealth be Aryaman to us, Varuna dear wealth meet for praise: Dear wealth we choose unto ourselves.

5
For Sovrans of dear wealth are ye, Adityas, not of sinner's wealth, Ye sapient Gods who slay the foe.

6
We in our homes, ye Bounteous Ones, and while we journey on the road, Invoke you, Gods, to prosper us.

7
Regard us, Indra, Visnu, here, ye Asvins and the Marut host, Us who are kith and kin to you.

8
Ye Bounteous Ones, from time of old we here set forth our brotherhood, Our kinship in. the Mother's womb.

9
Then come with Indra for your chief, as early day, ye Bounteous Gods Yea,

1
address you now for this.

HYMN LXXIII. Agni.

1
AGNI, your dearest Guest, I laud, him who is loving as a friend, Who brings us riches like a car.

2
Whom as a far-foreseeing Sage the Gods have, from the olden time, Established among mortal men.

3
Do thou, Most Youthful God, protect the men who offer, hear their songs, And of thyself preserve their seed.

4
What is the praise wherewith, O God, Angiras, Agni, Son of Strength, We, after thine own wish and thought,

5
May serve thee, O thou Child of Power, and with what sacrifice's plan? What prayer shall I now speak to thee?

6
Our God, make all of us to dwell in happy habitations, and Reward our songs with spoil and wealth.

7
Lord of the house, what plenty fills the songs which thou inspirest now, Thou whose hymn helps to win the kine?

8
Him Wise and Strong they glorify, the foremost Champion in the fray, And mighty in his dwelling-place.

9
Agni, he dwells in rest and peace who smites and no one smites again: With hero sons he prospers well

HYMN LXXIV. Asvins.

1
To this mine invocation, O ye Asvins, ye Nasatyas, come, To drink the savoury Soma juice.

2
This laud of mine, ye Asvins Twain, and this mine invitation hear, To drink the savoury Soma juice.

3
Here Krsna is invoking you, O Asvins, Lords of ample wealth. To drink the savoury Soma juice.

4
List, Heroes, to the singer's call, the call of Krsna lauding you, To drink the savoury Soma juice.

5
Chiefs, to the sage who sings your praise grant an inviolable home, To drink the savoury Soma juice.

6
Come to the worshipper's abode, Asvins, who here is lauding you, To drink the savoury Soma juice.

7
Yoke to the firmly jointed car the ass which draws you, Lords of wealth. To drink the savoury Soma juice.

8
Come hither, Asvins, on your car of triple form with triple seat, To drink the savoury Soma juice.

9
O Asvins, O Nasatyas, now accept with favouring grace my songs, To drink the savoury Soma juice.

HYMN LXXV. Asvins.

1
YE Twain are wondrous strong, well-skilled in arts that heal, both bringers of delight, ye both won Daksa's praise. Visvaka calls on you as such to save his life. Break ye not off our friendship, come and set me free.

2
How shall he praise you now who is distraught in mind? Ye Twain give wisdom for the gain of what is good. Visvaka calls on you as such to save his life. Break ye not off our friendship, come and set me free.

3
Already have ye Twain, possessors of great wealth, prospered Visnapu [sic] thus for gain of what is good. Visvaka calls on you as such to save his life. Break ye not off our friendship, come and set me free.

4
And that Impetuous Hero, winner of the spoil, though he is far away, we call to succour us, Whose gracious favour, like a father's, is most sweet. Break ye not off our friendship, come and set me free.

5
About the holy Law toils Savitar the God the horn of holy Law hath he spread far and wide. The holy Law hath quelled even mighty men of war. Break ye not off our friendship, come and act me free.

Continued...

HYMN LXXVI. Asvins.

1
SPLENDID, O Asvins, is your praise. Come fountain-like, to pour the stream. Of the sweet juice effused-dear is it, Chiefs, in heaven-drink like two wild bulls at a pool.

2
Drink the libation rich in sweets, O Asvins Twain: sit. Heroes, on the sacred grass. Do ye with joyful heart in the abode of man preserve his life by means of wealth.

3
The Priyamedhas bid you come with all the succours that are yours. Come to his house whose holy grass is trimmed, to dear sacrifice at the morning rites.

4
Drink ye the Soma rich in meath, ye Asvins Twain: sit gladly on the sacred grass. So, waxen mighty, to our eulogy from heaven come ye as wild-bulls to the pool.

5
Come to us, O ye Asvins, now with steeds of many a varied hue, Ye Lords of splendour, wondrous, borne on paths of gold, drink Soma, ye who strengthen Law.

6
For we the priestly singers, fain to hymn your praise, invoke you for the gain of strength. So, wondrous, fair, and famed for great deeds come to us, through our hymn, Asvins, when ye hear.

HYMN LXXVII. Indra.

1
As cows low to their calves in stalls, so with our songs we glorify This Indra, even your Wondrous God who checks attack, who joys in the delicious juice.

2
Celestial, bounteous Giver, girt about with might, rich, mountain-like, in precious things, Him swift we seek. for foodful booty rich in kine, brought hundredfold and thousandfold.

3
Indra, the strong and lofty hills are powerless to bar thy way. None stay that act of thine when thou wouldst fain give wealth to one like me who sings thy praise.

4
A Warrior thou by strength, wisdom, and wondrous deed, in might excellest all that is. Hither may this our hymn attract thee to our help, the hymn which Gotamas have made.

5
For in thy might thou stretchest out beyond the boundaries of heaven. The earthly region, Indra, comprehends thee not. After thy Godhead hast thou waxed.

6
When, Maghavan, thou honourest the worshipper, no one is there to stay thy wealth. Most liberal Giver thou, do thou inspire our song of praise, that we may win the spoil.

HYMN LXXVIII. Indra.

1
To Indra sing the lofty hymn, Maruts that slays the Vrtras best. Whereby the Holy Ones created for the God the light divine that ever wakes.

2
Indra who quells the curse blew curses far away, and then in splendour came to us. Indra, refulgent with thy Marut host! the Gods strove eagerly to win thy love.

3
Sing to your lofty Indra, sing, Maruts, a holy hymn of praise. Let Satakratu, Vrtra-slayer, kill the foe with hundred-knotted thunderbolt.

4
Aim and fetch boldly forth, O thou whose heart is bold: great glory will be thine thereby. In rapid torrent let the mother waters spread. Slay Vrtra, win the light of heaven.

5
When thou, unequalled Maghavan, wast born to smite the Vrtras dead, Thou spreadest out the spacious earth and didst support and prop the heavens.

6
Theri [sic] was the sacrifice produced for thee, the laud, and song of joy, Thou in thy might surpassest all, all that now is and yet shall be.

7
Raw kine thou filledst with ripe milk. Thou madest Surya rise to heaven., Heat him as milk is heated with pure Sama hymns, great joy to him who loves the song.

HYMN LXXIX. Indra.

1
MAY Indra, who in every fight must be invoked, be near to us. May the most mighty Vrtra-slayer, meet for praise, come to libations and to hymns.

2
Thou art the best of all in sending bounteous gifts, true art thou, lordly in thine act. We claim alliance with the very Glorious One, yea, with the Mighty Son of Strength.

3
Prayers unsurpassed are offered up to thee the Lover of the Song. Indra, Lord of Bay Steeds, accept these fitting hymns, hymns which we have thought out for thee.

4
For thou, O Maghavan, art truthful, ne'er subdued and bringest many a Vrtra low. As such, O Mightiest Lord, Wielder of Thunder, send wealth hither to the worshipper.

5
O Indra, thou art far-renowned, impetuous, O Lord of Strength. Alone thou slayest with the guardian of mankind resistless never-conquered foes.

6
As such we seek thee now, O Asura, thee most wise, craving thy bounty as our share. Thy sheltering defence is like a mighty cloak. So may thy glories reach to us.

HYMN LXXX. Indra.

1
DOWN to the stream a maiden came, and found the Soma by the way. Bearing it to her home she said, For Indra will I press thee out, for Sakra will I press thee out.

2
Thou roaming yonder, little man, beholding every house in turn, Drink thou this Soma pressed with teeth, accompanied with grain and curds, with cake of meal and song of praise.

3
Fain would we learn to know thee well, nor yet can we attain to thee. Still slowly and in gradual drops, O Indu, unto Indra flow.

4
Will he not help and work for us? Will he not make us wealthier? Shall we not, hostile to our lord, unite ourselves to Indra now?

5
O Indra, cause to sprout again three places, these which I declare,- My father's head, his cultured field, and this the part below my waist.

6
Make all of these grow crops of hair, you cultivated field of ours, My body, and my father's head.

7
Cleansing Apala, Indra! thrice, thou gavest sunlike skin to her, Drawn, Satakratu! through the hole of car, of wagon, and of yoke.

HYMN LXXXI. Indra

1
INVITE ye Indra with a song to drink your draught of Soma juice, All-conquering Satakratu, most munificent of all who live.

2
Lauded by many, much-invoked, leader of song, renowned of old: His name is Indra, tell it forth.

3
Indra the Dancer be to us the giver of abundant strength: May he, the mighty, bring it near.

4
Indra whose jaws are strong hath drunk of worshipping Sudaksa's draught, The Soma juice with barley mixt.

5
Call Indra loudly with your songs of praise to drink the Soma juice. For this is what augments his strength.

6
When he hath drunk its gladdening drops, the God with vigour of a God Hath far surpassed all things that are.

7
Thou speedest down to succour us this ever-conquering God of yours, Him who is drawn to all our songs

8
The Warrior not to he restrained, the Soma-drinker ne'er o'erthrown, The Chieftain of resistless might.

9
O Indra, send us riches, thou Omniscient, worthy of our praise: Help us in the decisive fray.

10
Even thence, O Indra, come to us with food that gives a hundred powers, With food that gives a thousand powers.

11
We sought the wisdom of the wise. Sakra, Kine-giver, Thunder-armed! May we with steeds o'ercome in fight.

12
We make thee, Satakratu, find enjoyment in the songs we sing. Like cattle in the pasture lands.

13
For, Satakratu, Thunder-armed, all that we craved, as men are wont, All that we hoped, have we attained.

14
Those, Son of Strength, are come to thee who cherish wishes in their hearts O Indra, none excelleth thee.

15
So, Hero, guard us with thy care, with thy most liberal providence, Speedy, and terrible to foes.

16
O Satakratu Indra, now rejoice with that carouse of thine Which is most splendid of them all

17
Even, Indra, that carouse which slays the Vrtras best, most widely famed, Best giver of thy power and might.

18
For that which is thy gift we know, true Soma-drinker, Thunder-armed, Mighty One, amid all the folk.

19
For Indra, Lover of Carouse, loud be our songs about the juice: Let poets sing the song of praise.

20
We summon Indra to the draught, in whom all glories rest, in whom The seven communities rejoice.

21
At the Trikadrukas the Gods span sacrifice that stirs the mind: Let our songs aid and prosper it.

22
Let the drops pass within thee as the rivers flow into the sea: O Indra, naught excelleth thee.

23
Thou, wakeful Hero, by thy might hast taken food of Soma juice, Which, Indra, is within thee now.

24
O Indra, Vrtra-slayer, let Soma be ready for thy maw, The drops be ready for thy forms.

25
Now Srutakaksa sings his song that cattle and the steed may come, That Indra's very self may come.

26
Here, Indra, thou art ready by our Soma juices shed for thee, Sakra, at hand that thou mayst give.

27
Even from far away our songs reach thee, O Caster of the Stone: May we come very close to thee.

28
For so thou art the hero's Friend, a Hero, too, art thou, and strong: So may thine heart be won to us.

29
So hath the offering, wealthiest Lord, been paid by all the worshippers: So dwell thou, Indra, even with me.

30
Be not thou like a slothfid [sic] priest, O Lord of spoil and wealth: rejoice In the pressed Soma blent with milk.

31
O Indra, let not ill designs surround us in the sunbeams' light: This may we gain with thee for Friend.

32
With thee to help us, Indra, let us answer all our enemies: For thou art ours and we are thine.

33
Indra, the poets and thy friends, faithful to thee, shall loudly sing Thy praises as they follow thee.

HYMN LXXXII. Indra.

1
SURYA, thou mountest up to meet the Hero famous for his wealth, Who hurls the bolt and works for man

2
Him who with might of both his arms brake nine-and-ninety castles down, Slew Vrtra and smote Ahi dead.

3
This Indra is our gracious Friend. He sends us in a full broad stream Riches in horses, kine, and corn.

4
Whatever, Vrtra-slayer! thou, Surya, hast risen upon to-day, That, Indra, all is in thy power.

5
When, Mighty One, Lord of the brave, thou thinkest thus, I shall not die, That thought of thine is true indeed.

6
Thou, Indra, goest unto all Soma libations shed for thee, Both far away and near at hand.

7
We make this Indra very strong to strike the mighty Vrtra dead: A vigorous Hero shall he be.

8
Indra was made for giving, set, most mighty, o'er the joyous draught. Bright, meet for Soma, famed in song.

9
By song as 'twere, the powerful bolt which none may parry was prepared Lofty, invincible he grew.

10
Indra, Song-lover, lauded, make even in the wilds fair ways for us, Whenever, Maghavan, thou wilt.

11
Thou whose commandment and behest of sovran sway none disregards, Neither audacious man nor God.

12
And both these Goddesses, Earth, Heaven, Lord of the beauteous helm! revere Thy might which no one may resist.

13
Thou in the black cows and the red and in the cows with spotted skin This white milk hast deposited.

14
When in their terror all the Gods shrank from the Dragon's furious might, Fear of the monster fell on them.

15
Then he was my Defender, then, Invincible, whose foe is not, The Vrtra-slayer showed his might.

16
Him your best Vrtra-slayer, him the famous Champion of mankind I urge to great munificence,

17
To come, Much-lauded! Many-named with this same thought that longs for milk, Whene'er the Soma juice is shed.

18
Much-honoured by libations, may the Vrtra-slayer wake for us: May Sakra listen to our prayers.

19
O Hero, with that aid dost thou delight us, with what succour bring Riches to those who worship thee?

20
With whose libation joys the Strong, the Hero with his team who quells The foe, to drink the Soma juice?

21
Rejoicing in thy spirit bring thousandfold opulence to us: Enrich thy votary with gifts.

22
These juices with their wedded wives flow to enjoyment lovingly: To waters speeds the restless one.

23
Presented strengthening gifts have sent Indra away at sacrifice, With might, onto the cleansing bath.

24
These two who share his feast, Bay Steeds with golden manes, shall bring him to The banquet that is laid for him.

25
For thee, O Lord of Light, are shed these Soma-drops, and grass is strewn Bring Indra to his worshippers.

26
May Indra give thee skill, and lights of heaven, wealth to his votary And priests who praise him: laud ye him.

27
O Satakratu, wondrous strength and all our lauds I bring to thee: Be gracious to thy worshippers.

28
Bring to us all things excellent, O Satakratu, food and strength: For, Indra, thou art kind to us.

29
O Satakratu, bring to us all blessings, all felicity: For, Indra, thou art kind to us.

30
Bearing the Soma juice we call, best Vrtra-slayer, unto thee: For, Indra, thou art kind to us.

31
Come, Lord of rapturous, joys, to our libation with thy Bay Steeds, come To our libation with thy Steeds.

32
Known as best Vrtra-slayer erst, as Indra Satakratu, come With Bay Steeds to the juice we shed.

33
O Vrtra-slayer, thou art he who drinks these drops of Soma: come With Bay Steeds to the juice we shed.

34
May Indra give, to aid us, wealth handy that rules the Skilful Ones: Yea, may the Strong give potent wealth.

HYMN LXXXIII. Maruts.

1
THE Cow, the famous Mother of the wealthy Maruts, pours her milk: Both horses of the cars are yoked,-

2
She in whose bosom all the Gods, and Sun and Moon for men to see, Maintain their everlasting Laws.

3
This all the pious sing to us, and sacred poets evermore: The Maruts to the Soma-draught

4
Here is the Soma ready pressed of this the Maruts drink, of this Self-luminous the Asvins drink.

5
Of this, moreover, purified, set in three places, procreant, Drink Varuna, Mitra, Aryaman.

6
And Indra, like the Herald Priest, desirous of the milky juice, At early morn will quaff thereof.

7
When have the Princes gleamed and shone through waters as through troops of foes'? When hasten they whose might is pure?

8
What favour do I claim this day of you great Deities, you who are Wondrously splendid in yourselves?

9

1
call, to drink the Soma, those Maruts who spread all realms of earth And luminous regions of the sky.

10
You, even such, pure in your might, you, O ye Maruts, I invoke From heaven to drink this Soma juice.

11
The Maruts, those who have sustained and propped the heavens and earth apart, I call to drink this Soma juice.

12
That vigorous band of Maruts that abidetb in the mountains, I Invoke to drink this Soma juice.

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