Rig Veda

RIG VEDA – BOOK SEVEN
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7 Even the earlier Deities submitted their powers to thy
supreme divine dominion.
Indra wins wealth and deals it out to other's: men in the strife
for booty call on Indra.
8 The humble hath invoked thee for protection, thee, Lord of
great felicity, O Indra.
Thou with a hundred aids hast been our Helper: one who
brings gifts like thee hath his defender.
9 May we, O Indra, be thy friends for ever, eagerly,
Conqueror, yielding greater homage.
May, through thy grace, the strength of us who battle quell in
the shock the onset of the foeman.
10 Place us by food which thou hast given, O Indra, us and the
wealthy patrons who command us.
Let thy great power bring good to him who lauds thee. Ye
Gods, preserve us evermore with blessings.
HYMN XXII Indra.
1. DRINK Soma, Lord of Bays, and let it cheer thee: Indra, the
stone, like a well guided courser,
Directed by the presser's arms hath pressed it.
2 So let the draught of joy, thy dear companion, by which, O
Lord of Bays, thou slayest foemen,
Delight thee, Indra, Lord of princely treasures.
3 Mark closely, Maghavan, the words I utter, this eulogy
recited by Vasistha:
Accept the prayers I offer at thy banquet.
4 Hear thou the call of the juice-drinking press-stone: hear
thou the Brahman's hymn who sings and lauds thee.
Take to thine inmost self these adorations.
5 I know and ne'er forget the hymns and praises of thee, the
Conqueror, and thy strength immortal.
Thy name I ever utter. Self-Refulgent
6 Among mankind many are thy libations, and many a time the
pious sageinvokes thee.
O Maghavan, be not long distant from us.
7 All these libations are for thee, O Hero: to thee I offer these
my prayers. that strengthen.
Ever, in every place, must men invoke thee.
8 Never do men attain, O Wonder-Worker, thy greatness,
Mighty One, who must be lauded,
Nor, Indra, thine heroic power and bounty.
9 Among all Rsis, Indra, old and recent, who have engendered
hymns as sacred singers,
Even with us be thine auspicious friendships. Ye Gods,
preserve us evermore with blessings.
HYMN XXIII. Indra.
1. PRAYERS have been offered up through love of glory:
Vasistha, honour Indra in the battle.
He who with might extends through all existence hears words
which I, his faithful servant, utter.
2 A cry was raised which reached the Gods, O Indra, a cry to
them to send us strength in combat.
None among men knows his own life's duration: bear us in
safety over these our troubles.
3 The Bays, the booty-seeking car I harness: my prayers have
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reached him who accepts them gladly.
Indra, when he had slain resistless foemen, forced with his
might the two world-halves asunder.
4 Like barren cows, moreover, swelled the waters: the singen
sought thy holy rite, O Indra.
Come unto us as with his team comes Vayu: thou, through our
solemn hymns bestowest booty.
5 So may these gladdening draughts rejoice thee, Indra, the
Mighty, very bounteous to the singer.
Alone among the Gods thou pitiest mortals: O Hero, make thee
glad at this libation.
6 Thus the Vasisthas glorify with praises Indra, the Powerful
whose arm wields thunder.
Praised, may he guard our wealth in kine and heroes. Ye Gods,
preserve us evermore with blessings.
HYMN XXIV. Indra.
1. A HOME is made for thee to dwell in, Indra: O Muchinvoked,
go thitherwith the heroes.
That thou, to prosper us, mayst be our Helper, vouchsafe us
wealth, rejoice with draughts of Soma.
2 Indra, thy wish, twice-strong, is comprehended: pressed is
the Soma, poured are pleasant juices.
This hymn of praise, from loosened tongue, made perfect,
draws Indra to itself with loud invoking.
3 Come, thou Impetuous; God, from earth or heaven; come to
our holy grass to drink the Soma.
Hither to me let thy Bay Horses bring thee to listen to our
hymns and make thee joyful.
4 Come unto us with all thine aids, accordant, Lord of Bay
Steeds, accepting our devotions,
Fair-helmeted, o'ercoming with the mighty, and lending us the
strength of bulls, O Indra.
5 As to the chariot pole a vigorous courser, this laud is brought
to the great strong Upholder.
This hymn solicits wealth of thee: in heaven, as 'twere above
the sky, set thou our glory.
6 With precious things. O Indra, thus content us: may we attain
to thine exalted favour.
Send our chiefs plenteous food with hero children. Preserve us
evermore, ye Gods, with blessings.
HYMN XXV. Indra.
WHEN with thy mighty help, O potent Indra, the armies rush
together in their fury.
When from the strong man's arm the lightning flieth, let not the
mind go forth to side with others.
2 O Indra, where the ground is hard to traverse, smite down
our foes, the mortals who assail us,
Keep far from us the curse of the reviler: bring us accumulated
store of treasures.
3 God of the fair helm, give Sudas a hundred succours, a
thousand blessings, and thy bounty.
Strike down the weapon of our mortal foeman: bestow upon us
splendid fame and riches.
4 I wait the power of one like thee, O Indra, gifts of a Helper
such as thou art, Hero.