[03-021] HYMN XXI. Agni.
1. SET this our sacrifice among the Immortals: be pleased with these our presents, Jatavedas. O Priest, O Agni, sit thee down before us, and first enjoy the drops of oil and fatness.
2 For thee, O Purifier, flow the drops of fatness rich in oil.
After thy wont vouchsafe to us the choicest boon that Gods may feast.
3 Agni, Most Excellent! for thee the Sage are drops that drip with oil. Thou art enkindled as the best of Seers. Help thou the sacrifice.
4 To thee, O Agni, mighty and resistless, to thee stream forth the drops of oil and fatness. With great light art thou come, O praised by poets! Accept our offering, O thou Sage.
5 Fatness exceeding rich, extracted from the midst,-this as our gift we offer thee. Excellent God, the drops run down upon thy skin. Deal them to each among the Gods.
[03-022] HYMN XXII. Agni.
1 THIS is that Agni whence the longing Indra took the pressed Soma deep within his body. Winner of spoils in thousands, like a courser, with praise art thou exalted, Jatavedas.
2 That light of thine in heaven and earth, O Agni, in plants, O Holy One, and in the waters, Wherewith thou hast spread wide the air’s mid-region-bright is that splendour, wavy, man-
beholding.
3 O Agni, to the sea of heaven thou goest: thou hast called hither Gods beheld in spirit.
The waters, too, come hither, those up yonder in the Sun’s realm of light, and those beneath it.
4 Let fires that dwell in mist, combined with those that have their home in floods, Guileless accept our sacrifice, great viands free from all disease.
5 Agni, as holy food to thine invoker give wealth in cattle, lasting, rich in marvels.
To us be born a son and spreading offspring. Agni, be this thy gracious will to us-ward.
[03-023] HYMN XXIII. Agni.
1. RUBBED into life, well stablished in the dwelling, Leader of sacrifice, the Sage, the youthful, Here in the wasting fuel Jatavedas, eternal, hath assumed immortal being.
2 Both Bharatas, Devasravas, Devavata, have strongly rubbed to life effectual Agni. O Agni, look thou forth with ample riches: be, every day, bearer of food to feed us.
3 Him nobly born of old the fingers ten produced, him whom his Mothers counted dear. Praise Devavata’s Agni, thou Devasravas, him who shall be the people’s Lord.
4 He set thee in the earth’s most lovely station, in Ila’s place, in days of fair bright weather. On man, on Apaya, Agni! on the rivers Drsadvati, Sarasvati, shine richly.
5 Agni, as holy food to thine invoker give wealth in cattle, lasting, rich in marvels.
To us be born a son and spreading offspring Agni, be this thy gracious will to us-ward
[03-024] HYMN XXIV. Agni.
1. AGNI, subdue opposing bands, and drive our enemies away. Invincible, slay godless foes: give splendour to the worshipper.
2 Lit with libation, Agni, thou, deathless, who callest Gods to feast, Accept our sacrifice with joy.
3 With splendour, Agni, Son of Strength, thou who art worshipped, wakeful One. Seat thee on this my sacred grass.
4 With all thy fires, with all the Gods, Agni, exalt the songs we sing. And living men in holy rites.
5 Grant, Agni, to the worshipper wealth rich in heroes, plenteous store, Make thou us rich with many sons.
[03-025] HYMN XXV. Agni.
1. THOU art the sapient Son of Dyaus, O Agni, yes and the Child of Earth, who knowest all things. Bring the Gods specially, thou Sage, for worship.
2. Agni the wise bestows the might of heroes grants strengthening food, preparing it for nectar. Thou who art rich in food bring the Gods hither.
3 Agni, infallible, lights Earth and Heaven, immortal Goddesses gracious to all men,- Lord through his strength, splendid through adorations.
4 Come to the sacrifice, Agni and Indra come to the offerer’s house who hath the Soma. Come, friendly-minded, Gods, to drink the Soma.
5 In the floods’ home art thou enkindled, Agni, O Jatavedas, Son of Strength, eternal, Exalting with thine help the gatheringplaces.
[03-026] HYMN XXVI. Agni.
1. REVERING in our heart Agni Vaisvanara, the finder of the light, whose promises are true,
The liberal, gladsome, car-borne God we Kusikas invoke him with oblation, seeking wealth with songs.
2 That Agni, bright, Vaisvanara, we invoke for help, and Matarisvan worthy of the song of praise; Brhaspati for man’s observance of the Gods, the Singer prompt to hear, the swiftly-moving guest.
3 Age after age Vaisvanara, neighing like a horse, is kindled with the women by the Kusikas.
May Agni, he who wakes among Immortal Gods, grant us heroic strength and wealth in noble steeds.
4 Let them go forth, the strong, as flames of fire with might. Gathered for victory they have yoked their spotted deer.
Pourers of floods, the Maruts, Masters of all wealth, they who can ne’er be conquered, make the mountains shake.
5 The Maruts, Friends of men, are glorious as the fire: their mighty and resplendent succour we implore.
Those storming Sons of Rudra clothed in robes of rain, boon-givers of good gifts, roar as the lions roar.
6 We, band on band and troop following troop, entreat with fair lauds Agni’s splendour and the
Maruts’ might,
With spotted deer for steeds, with wealth that never fails, they, wise Ones, come to sacrifice at our gatherings.
7 Agni am I who know, by birth, all creatures. Mine eye is butter, in my mouth is nectar.
I am light threefold, measurer of the region exhaustless heat am I, named burnt-oblation.
8 Bearing in mind a thought with light accordant, he purified the Sun with three refinings;
By his own nature gained the highest treasure, and looked abroad over the earth and heaven.
9 The Spring that fails not with a hundred streamlets, Father inspired of’ prayers that men should utter,
The Sparkler, joyous in his Parents’ bosorn, -him, the Truth-speaker, sate ye, Earth and Heaven.
[03-027] HYMN XXVII. Agni.
1. IN ladle dropping oil your food goes in oblation up to heaven,
Goes to the Gods in search of bliss.
2 Agni I laud, the Sage inspired, crowner of sacrifice through song, Who listens and gives bounteous gifts.
3 O Agni, if we might obtain control of thee the potent God, Then should we overcome our foes.
4 Kindled at sacrifices he is Agni, hallower, meet for praise, With flame for hair: to him we seek.
5 Immortal Agni, shining far, enrobed with oil, well worshipped, bears
The gifts of sacrifice away.
6 The priests with ladles lifted up, worshipping here with holy thought, Have brought this Agni for our aid.
7 Immortal, Sacrificer, God, with wondrous power he leads the way, Urging the great assembly on.
8 Strong, he is set on deeds ofstrength. In sacrifices led in front, As Singer he completes the rite.
9 Excellent, he was made by thought. The Germ of beings have I gained, Yea, and die Sire of active strength.
10 Thee have I stablished, Excellent, O strengthened by the sage’s prayer, Thee, Agni, longing, nobly bright.
11 Agni, the swift and active One, singers, at time of sacrifice, Eagerly kindle with their food.
12 Agni the Son of Strength who shines up to the heaven in solemn rites, The wise of heart, I glorify.
13 Meet to be lauded and adored, showing in beauty through the dark, Agni, the Strong, is kindled well.
14 Agni is kindled as a bull, like a horsebearer of the Gods: Men with oblations worship him.
15 Thee will we kindle as a bull, we who are Bulls ourselves, O Bull. Thee, Agni, shining mightily.
[03-028] HYMN XXVIII. Agni.
1. AGNI who knowest all, accept our offering and the cake of meal, At dawn’s libation, rich in prayer!
2 Agni, the sacrificial cake hath been prepared and dressed for thee: Accept it, O Most Youthful God.
3 Agni, enjoy the cake of meal and our oblation three days old: Thou, Son of Strength, art stablished at our sacrifice.
4 Here at the midday sacrifice enjoy thou the sacrificial cake, wise, Jatavedas! Agni, the sages in assemblies never minish the portion due to thee the Mighty.
5 O Agni, at the third libation takewith joy the offered cake of sacrifice, thou, Son of Strength. Through skill in song bear to the Gods our sacrifice, watchful and fraught with riches, to Immortal
God.
6 O waxing Agni, knower, thou, of all, accept our gifts, the cake, And that prepared ere yesterday.
[03-029] HYMN XXIX. Agni.
1. HERE is the gear for friction, here tinder made ready for the spark. Bring thou the Matron: we will rub Agni in ancient fashion forth.
2 1n the two fire-sticks Jatavedas lieth, even as the well-set germ in pregnant women,
Agni who day by day must be exalted by men who watch and worship with oblations.
3 Lay this with care on that which lies extended: straight hath she borne the Steerwhen made prolific.
With his red pillar-radiant is his splendour -in our skilled task is born the Son of Ila.
4 In Ila’s place we set thee down, upon the central point of earth, That, Agni Jatavedas, thou mayst bear our offerings to the Gods.
5 Rub into life, ye men, the Sage, the guileless, Immortal, very wise and fair to look on. O men, bring forth the most propitious Agni, first ensign of the sacrifice to eastward.
6 When with their arms they rub him straight he shineth forth like a strong courser, red in colour, in the wood.
Bright, checkless, as it were upon the Atvins’ path, lie passeth by the stones and burneth up the grass.
7 Agni shines forth when born, observant, mighty, the bountiful, the Singar praised by sages; Whom, as adorable and knowing all things, Gods set at solemn rites as offeringbearer.
8 Set thee, O Priest, in, thine own place, observant: lay down the sacrifice in the home of worship. Thou, dear to Gods, shalt serve them with oblation: Agni, give long life to the sacrificer.
9 Raise ye a mighty smoke, my fellow-workers! Ye shall attain to wealth without obstruction. This Agni is the battle-winning Hero by whom the Gods have overcome the Dasyus.
10 This is thine ordered place of birth whence sprung to life thou shonest forth. Knowing this, Agni, sit thee down, and prosper thou the songs we sing.
11 As Germ Celestial he is called Tanunapat, and Narasamsa born diffused in varied shape. Formed in his Mother he is Matarisvan; he hath, in his course, become the rapid flight of wind.
12 With strong attrition rubbed to life, laid down with careful hand, a Sage, Agni, make sacrifices good, and for the pious bring the Gods.
13 Mortals have brought to life the God Immortal, the Conqueror with mighty jaws, unfailing. The sisters ten, unwedded and united, together grasp the Babe, the new-born Infant.
14 Served by the seven priests, he shone forth from ancient time, when in his Mother’s bosom, in her lap, he glowed.
Giving delight each day he closeth not his eye, since from the Asura’s body hewas brought to life.
15 Even as the Maruts, onslaughts who attack the foe, those born the first of all knew the full power of prayer.
The Kusikas have made the glorious hymn ascend, and, each one singly in his home, have kindled fire.
16 As we, O Priest observant, have elected thee this day, what time the solemn sacrifice began,
So surely hast thou worshipped, surely hast thou toiled: come thou unto the Soma, wise and knowing all.
[03-030] HYMN XXX. Indra.
1. THE friends who offer Soma long to find thee: they pour forth Soma and present their viands. They bear unmoved the cursing of the people, for all our wisdom comes from thee, O Indra.
2 Not far for thee are mid-air’s loftiest regions: start hither, Lord of Bays, with thy Bay Horses. Made for the Firm and Strong are these libations. The pressing-stones are set and fire is kindled.
3 Fair cheeks hath Indra, Maghavan, the Victor, Lord of a great host, Stormer, strong in action. What once thou didst in might when mortals vexed thee,-where now, O Bull, are those thy hero
exploits?
4 For, overthrowing what hath ne’er been shaken, thou goest forth alone destroying Vrtras.
For him who followeth thy Law the mountains and heaven and earth stand as if firmly stablished.
5 Yea, Much-invoked! in safety through thy glories alone thou speakest truth as Vrtra’s slayer.
E’en these two boundless worlds to thee, O Indra, what time thou graspest them, are but a handful.
6 Forthwith thy Bay steeds down the steep, O Indra, forth, crushing foemen, go thy bolt of thunder! Slay those who meet thee, those who flee, who follow: make all thy promise true; be all completed.
7 The man to whom thou givest as Provider enjoys domestic plenty undivided.
Blest, Indra, is thy favour dropping fatness: thy worship, Much-invoked! brings gifts in thousands.
8 Thou, Indra, Much-invoked! didst crush to pieces Kunaru handless fiend who dwelt with Danu. Thou with might, Indra, smotest dead the scorner, the footless Vrtra as he waxed in vigour.
9 Thou hast established in her seat, O Indra, the level earth, vast, vigorous, unbounded.
The Bull hath propped the heaven and air’s mid-region. By thee sent onward let the floods flow hither.
10 He who withheld the kine, in silence I yielded in fear before thy blow, O Indra.
He made paths easy to drive forth the cattle. Loud-breathing praises helped the Much-invoked One.
11 Indra alone filled full the earth and heaven, the Pair who meet together, rich in treasures.
Yea, bring thou near us from the air’s mid-region strength, on thy car, and wholesome food, O Hero.
12 Surya transgresses not the ordered limits set daily by the Lord of Tawny Coursers. When to the goal he comes, his journey ended, his Steeds he looses: this is Indra’s doing.
13 Men gladly in the course of night would look on the broad bright front of the refulgent Morning; And all acknowledge, when she comes in glory, the manifold and goodly works of Indra.
14 A mighty splendour rests upon her bosom: bearing ripe milk the Cow, unripe, advances. All sweetness is collected in the Heifer, sweetness which Indra made for our enjoyment.
15 Barring the way they come. Be firm, O Indra; aid friends to sacrifice and him who singeth. These must be slain by thee, malignant mortals, armed with ill arts, our quiverbearing foemen.
16 A cry is beard from enemies most near us: against them send thy fiercest-flaming weapon. Rend them from under, crush them and subdue them. Slay, Maghavan, and make the fiends our
booty.
17 Root up the race of Raksasas, O Indra rend it in front and crush it in the middle.
How long hast thou bebaved as one who wavers? Cast thy hot dart at him who hates devotion:
18 When borne by strong Steeds for our weal, O Leader, thou seatest thee at many noble viands. May we be winners of abundant riches. May Indra be our wealth with store of children.
19 Bestow on us resplendent wealth. O Indra let us enjoy thine overflow of bounty. Wide as a sea our longing hath expanded, fulfil it, O thou Treasure-Lord of treasures.
20 With kine and horses satisfy this longing with very splendid bounty skill extend it. Seeking the light, with hymns to thee, O Indra, Kusikas have brought their gift, the singers.
21 Lord of the kine, burst the kine’s stable open: cows shall be ours, and strength that wins the booty.
Hero, whose might is true, thy home is heaven: to us, O Maghavan, grant gifts of cattle.
22 Call we on Maghavan, auspicious Indra, best Hero in this fight where spoil is gathered,
The Strong who listens, who gives aid in battles, who slays the Vrtras, wins and gathers riches.
[03-031] HYMN XXXI. Indra.
1. WISE, teaching, following the thought of Order, the sonless gained a grandson from his daughter. Fain, as a sire, to see his child prolific, he sped to meet her with an eager spirit.
2 The Son left not his portion to the brother, he made a home to hold him who should gain, it. What time his Parents gave the Priest his being, of the good pair one acted, one promoted.
3 Agni was born trembling with tongue that flickered, so that the Red’s great children should be honoured.
Great is their germ, that born of them is mighty, great the Bays’ Lord’s approach through sacrifices.
4 Conquering bands upon the Warrior waited: they recognized great light from out the darkness. The conscious Dawns went forth to meet his coming, and the sole Master of the kine was Indra.
5 The sages freed them from their firmbuilt prison: the seven priests drove them forward with their spirit.
All holy Order’s pathway they discovered he, full of knowledge, shared these deeds through worship.
6 When Sarama had found the mountain’s fissure, that vast and ancient place she plundered thoroughly.
In the floods’ van she led them forth, light-footed: she who well knew came first unto their lowing.
7 Longing for friendship came the noblest singer: the hill poured forth its treasure for the pious.
The Hero with young followers fought and conquered, and straightway Angiras was singing praises,
8 Peer of each noble thing, yea, all excelling, all creatures doth he know, he slayeth Susna. Our leader, fain for war, singing from heaven, as Friend he saved his lovers from dishonour.
9 They sate them down with spirit fain for booty, making with hymns a way to life eternal.
And this is still their place of frequent session, whereby they sought to gain the months through
Order.
10 Drawing the milk of ancient seed prolific, they joyed as they beheld their own possession.
Their shout of triumph heated earth and heaven. When the kine showed, they bade the heroes rouse them.
11 Indra drove forth the kine, that Vrtra-slayer, while hymns of praise rose up and gifts were offered. For him the Cow, noble and far-extending, poured pleasant juices, bringing oil and sweetness.
12 They made a mansion for their Father, deftly provided him a great and glorious dwelling; With firm support parted and stayed the Parents, and, sitting, fixed him there erected, mighty.
13 What time the ample chalice had impelled him, swift waxing, vast, to pierce the earth and heaven,-
Him in whom blameless songs are all united: all powers invincible belong to Indra.
14 I crave thy powers, I crave thy mighty friendship: full many a team goes to the Vrtra-slayer. Great is the laud, we seek the Princes’ favour. Be thou, O Maghavan, our guard and keeper.
15 He, having found great, splendid, rich dominion, sent life and motion to his friends and lovers. Indra who shone together with the Heroes begot the song, the fire, and Sun and Morning.
16 Vast, the House-Friend, he set the waters flowing, all-lucid, widely spread, that move together. By the wise cleansings of the meath made holy, through days, and nights they speed the swift
streams onward.
17 To thee proceed the dark, the treasure-holders, both of them sanctified by Surya’s bounty. The while thy ovely storming Friends, O Indra, fail to attain the measure of thy greatness.
18 Be Lord of joyous songs, O Vrtra-slayer, Bull dear to all, who gives the power of living. Come unto us with thine auspicious friendship, hastening, Mighty One, with mighty succours.
19 Like Angiras I honour him with worship, and renovate old song for him the Ancient.
Chase thou the many godless evil creatures, and give us, Maghavan, heaven’s light to help m.
20 Far forth are spread the purifying waters convey thou us across them unto safety. Save us, our Charioteer, from harm, O Indra, soon, very soon, make us win spoil of cattle.
21 His kine their Lord hath shown, e’en Vrtra’s slayer, through the black hosts he passed with red attendants.
Teaching us pleasant things by holy Order, to, us hath he thrown open all his portals.
22 Call we on Maghavan, auspicious Indra, best Hero in this fight where spoil is gathered.
The Strong who listens, who gives aid in battles, who slays the Vrtras, wins and gathers riches.
[03-032] HYMN XXXII. Indra
1. DRINK thou this Soma, Indra, Lord of Soma; drink thou the draught of noonday which thou Iovest. Puffing thy cheeks, impetuous, liberal Giver, here loose thy two Bay Horses and rejoice thee.
2 Quaff it pure, meal-blent, mixt with milk, O Indra; we have poured forth the Soma for thy rapture. Knit with the prayer-fulfilling band of Maruts, yea, with the Rudras, drink till thou art sated;
3 Those who gave increase to thy strength and vigour; the Maruts singing forth thy might, O Indra. Drink thou, O fair of cheek, whose hand wields thunder, with Rudras banded, at our noon libation.
4 They, even the Maruts who were there, excited with song the meath-created strength of Indra. By them impelled to act he reached the vitals Of Vrtra, though he deemed that none might wound
him.
5 Pleased, like a man, with our libation, Indra, drink, for enduring hero might, the Soma.
Lord of Bays, moved by sacrifice come hither: thou with the Swift Ones stirrest floods and waters.
6 When thou didst loose the streams to run like racers in the swift contest, having smitten Vrtra
With flying weapon where he lay, O Indra, and, godless, kept the Goddesses encompassed.
7 With reverence let us worship mighty Indra, great and sublime, eternal, everyouthful,
Whose greatness the dear world-halves have not measured, no, nor conceived the might of him the
Holy.
8 Many are Indra’s nobly wrought achievements, and none of all the Gods transgress his statutes. He beareth up this earth and heaven, and, doer of marvels, he begot the Sun and Morning.
9 Herein, O Guileless One, is thy true greatness, that soon as born thou drankest up the Soma. Days may not check the power of thee the Mighty, nor the nights, Indra, nor the months, nor
autumns.
10 As soon as thou wast born in highest heaven thou drankest Soma to delight thee, Indra; And when thou hadst pervaded earth and heaven thou wast the first supporter of the singer.
11 Thou, puissant God, more mighty, slewest. Ahi showing his strength when couched around the waters.
The heaven itself attained not to thy greatness when with one hip of thine the earth was shadowed.
12 Sacrifice, Indra, made thee wax so mighty, the dear oblation with the flowing Soma.
O Worshipful, with worship help our worship, for worship helped thy bolt when slaying Ahi.
13 With sacrifice and wish have I brought Indra; still for new blessings may I turn him hither, Him magnified by ancient songs and praises, by lauds of later time and days yet recent.
14 I have brought forth a song when longing seized me: ere the decisive day will I laud Indra; Then may lie safely bear us over trouble, as in a ship, when both sides invocate him.
15 Full is his chalice: Glory! Like a pourer I have filled up the vessel for his drinking. Presented on the right, dear Soma juices have brought us Indra, to rejoice him, hither.
16 Not the deep-flowing flood, O Much-invoked One! not hills that compass thee about restrain thee, Since here incited, for thy friends, O Indra, thou breakest e’en the firm built stall of cattle.
17 Call we on Maghavan, auspicious Indra, best Hero in this fight where spoil is gathered,
The Strong who listens, who gives aid in battles, who slays the Vrtras, wins and gathers riches.
[03-033] HYMN XXXIII. Indra.
1. FORTH from the bosom of the mountains, eager as two swift mares with loosened rein contending, Like two bright mother cows who lick their youngling, Vipas and Sutudri speed down their waters.
2 Impelled by Indra whom ye pray to urge you, ye move as ’twere on chariots to the ocean. Flowing together, swelling with your billows, O lucid Streams, each of you seeks the other.
3 I have attained the most maternal River, we have approached Vipas, the broad, the blessed. Licking as ’twere their calf the pair of Mothers flow onward to their common home together.
4 We two who rise and swell with billowy waters move forward to the home which Gods have made us.
Our flood may not be stayed when urged to motion. What would the singer, calling to the Rivers?
5 Linger a little at my friendly bidding rest, Holy Ones, a moment in your journey. With hymn sublime soliciting your favour Kusika’s son hath called unto the River.
6 Indra who wields the thunder dug our channels: he smote down Vrtra, him who stayed our currents.
Savitar, God, the lovely-handed, led us, and at his sending forth we flow expanded.
7 That hero deed of Indra must be lauded for ever that he rent Ahi in pieces.
He smote away the obstructors with his thunder, and eager for their course forth flowed the waters.
8 Never forget this word of thine, O singer, which future generations shall reecho.
In hymns, O bard, show us thy loving kindness. Humble us not mid men. To thee be honour!
9 List quickly, Sisters, to the bard who cometh to you from far away with car and wagon. Bow lowly down; be easy to be traversed stay, Rivers, with your floods below our axles.
10 Yea, we will listen to thy words, O singer. With wain and car from far away thou comest. Low, like a nursing mother, will I bend me, and yield me as a maiden to her lover.
11 Soon as the Bharatas have fared across thee, the warrior band, urged on and sped by Indra,
Then let your streams flow on in rapid motion. I crave your favour who deserve our worship.
12 The warrior host, the Bharatas, fared over the singer won the favour of the Rivers.
Swell with your billows, hasting, pouring riches. Fill full your channels, and roll swiftly onward.
13 So let your wave bear up the pins, and ye, O Waters, spare the thongs; And never may the pair of Bulls, harmless and sinless, waste away.
[03-034] HYMN XXXIV. Indra.
1. FORT-RENDER, Lord of Wealth, dispelling foemen, Indra with lightnings hath o’ercome the Dasa. Impelled by prayer and waxen great in body, he hath filled earth and heaven, the Bounteous Giver.
2 I stimulate thy zeal, the Strong, the Hero decking my song of praise forth; Immortal. O Indra, thou art equally the Leader of heavenly hosts and human generations.
3 Leading, his band Indra encompassed Vrtra; weak grew the wily leader of enchanters.
He who burns fierce in forests slaughtered Vyamsa, and made the Milch-kine of the nights apparent.
4 Indra, light-winner, days’ Creator, conquered, victorious, hostile bands with those who loved him. For man the days’ bright ensign he illumined, and found the light for his joy and gladness.
5 Forward to fiercely falling blows pressed Indra, herolike doing many hero exploits.
These holy songs he taught the bard who gaised him, and widely spread these Dawns’ resplendent colour.
6 They laud the mighty acts of him the Mighty, the many glorious deeds performed by Indra. He in his strength, with all-surpassing prowess, through wondrous arts crushed the malignant
Dasyus.
7 Lord of the brave, Indra who rules the people gave freedom to the Gods by might and battle. Wise singers glorify with chanted praises these his achievements in Vivasvan’s dwelling.
8 Excellent, Conqueror, the victory-giver, the winner of the light and Godlike Waters,
He who hath won this broad earth and this heaven, -in Indra they rejoice who love devotions.
9 He gained possession of the Sun and Horses, Indra obtained the Cow who feedeth many. Treasure of gold he won; he smote the Dasyus, and gave protection to the Aryan colour.
10 He took the plants and days for his possession; he gained the forest trees and air’s mid-region. Vala he cleft, and chased away opponents: thus was he tamer of the overweening.
11 Call we on Maghavan, auspicious Indra, best Hero in the fight where spoil is gathered,
The Strong, who listens, who gives aid in battles, who slays the Vrtras, wins and gathers treasures.
[03-035] HYMN XXXV Indra.
1. MOUNT the Bay Horses to thy chariot harnessed, and come to us like Vayu with his coursers. Thou, hastening to us, shalt drink the Soma. Hail, Indra. We have poured it for thy rapture.
2 For him, the God who is invoked by many, the two swift Bay Steeds to the pole I harness, That they in fleet course may bring Indra hither, e’en to this sacrifice arranged completely.
3 Bring the strong Steeds who drink the warm libation, and, Bull of Godlike nature, be thou gracious. Let thy Steeds eat; set free thy Tawny Horses, and roasted grain like this consume thou daily.
4 Those who are yoked by prayer I harness, fleet friendly Bays who take their joy together. Mounting thy firm and easy car, O Indra, wise and all-knowing come thou to the Soma.
5 No other worshippers must stay beside them thy Bays, thy vigorous and smooth-backed Coursers. Pass by them all and hasten onward hither: with Soma pressed we will prepare to feast thee.
6 Thine is this Sorna: hasten to approach it. Drink thou thereof, benevolent, and cease not. Sit on the sacred grass at this our worship, and take these drops into thy belly, Indra.
7 The grass is strewn for thee, pressed is the Soma; the grain is ready for thy Bays to feed on. To thee who lovest them, the very mighty, strong, girt by Maruts, are these gifts presented.
8 This the sweet draught, with cows, the men, the mountains, the waters, Indra, have for thee made ready.
Come, drink thereof, Sublime One, friendly-minded, foreseeing, knowing well the ways thou goest.
9 The Maruts, they with whom thou sharedst Soma, Indra, who made thee strong and were thine army,-
With these accordant, eagerly desirous drink thou this Soma with the tongue of Agni.
10 Drink, Indra, of the juice by thine own nature, or by the tongue of Agni, O thou Holy. Accept the sacrificial gift, O Sakra, from the Adhvaryu’s hand or from the Hotar’s.
11 Call we on Maghavan, auspicious Indra, best Hero in the fight where spoil is gathered,
The Strong, who listens, who.gives aid in battles, who slays the Vrtras, wins and gathers riches.
[03-036] HYMN XXXVI. Indra.
1. WITH constant succours, fain thyself to share it, make this oblation which we bring effective. Grown great through strengthening gifts at each libation, he hath become renowned by mighty
exploits.
2 For Indra were the Somas erst- discovered, whereby he grew strong-jointed, vast, and skilful. Indra , take quickly these presented juices: drink of the strong, that which the strong have shaken.
3 Drink and wax great. Thine are the juices, Indra, both Somas of old time and these we bring thee. Even as thou drankest, Indra, earlier Somas, so drink to-day, a new guest, meet for praises.
4 Great and impetuous, mighty-voiced in battle, surpassing power is his, and strength resistless. Him the broad earth hath never comprehended when Somas cheered the Lord of Tawny Coursers.
5 Mighty and strong he waxed for hero exploit: the Bull was furnished a Sage’s wisdom. Indra is our kind Lord; his steers have vigour; his cows are many with abundant offspring.
6 As floods according to their stream flow onward, so to the sea, as borne on cars, the waters. Vaster is Indra even than his dwelling, what time the stalk milked out, the Soma, fills him.
7 Eager to mingle with the sea, the rivers carry the well-pressed Soma juice to Indra.
They drain the stalk out with their arms, quick-banded, and cleanse it with a stream of mead and filters.
8 Like lakes appear his flanks filled full with Soma: yea, he contains libations in abundance. When Indra had consumed the first sweet viands, he, after slaying Vrtra, claimed the Soma.
9 Then bring thou hither, and let none prevent it: we know thee well, the Lord of wealth and treasure.
That splendid gift which is thine own, O Indra, vouchsafe to us, Lord of the Tawny Coursers.
10 O Indra, Maghavan, impetuous mover, grant us abundant wealth that brings all blessings. Give us a hundred autumns for our lifetime: give us, O fair-checked Indra, store of heroes.
11 Call we on Indra, Maghavan, auspicious, best Hero in the fight where spoil is gathered,
The Strong, who listens, who gives aid in battles, who slays the Vrtras, wins and gathers riches.
[03-037] HYMN XXXVII. Indra.
1. O INDRA, for the strength that slays Vrtra and conquers in the fight, We turn thee hitherward to us.
2 O Indra, Lord of Hundred Powers, may those who praise thee hitherward. Direct thy spirit and thine eye.
3 O Indra, Lord of Hundred Powers, with all our songs we invocate
Thy names for triumph over foes.
4 We strive for glory through the powers immense of him whom many praise, Of Indra who supports mankind.
5 For Vrtra’s slaughter I address Indra whom many invocate, To win us booty in the wars.
6 In battles be victorious. We seek thee, Lord of Hundred Powers, Indra, that Vrtra may be slain.
7 In splendid combats of the hosts, in glories where the fight is won. Indra, be victor over foes.
8 Drink thou the Soma for our help, bright, vigilant, exceeding strong, O Indra, Lord of Hundred Powers.
9 O Satakratu, powers which thou mid the Five Races hast displayed-
These, Indra, do I claim of thee.
10 Indra, great glory hast thou gained. Win splendid fame which none may mar
We make thy might perpetual.
11 Come to us either from anear, Or, Sakra, come from far away. Indra, wherever be thy home, come to us thence, O Thunder-armed.
[03-038] HYMN XXXVIII. Indra.
1. HASTING like some strong courser good at drawing, a thought have I imagined like a workman. Pondering what is dearest and most noble, I long to see the sages full of wisdom.
2 Ask of the sages’ mighty generations firm-minded and devout they framed the heaven.
These are thy heart-sought strengthening directions, and they have come to be sky’s upholders.
3 Assuming in this world mysterious natures, they decked the heaven and earth for high dominion, Measured with measures, fixed their broad expanses, set the great worlds apart held firm for safety.
4 Even as he mounted up they all adorned him: self-luminous he travels clothed in splendour. That is the Bull’s, the Asura’s mighty figure: he, omniform, hath reached the eternal waters.
5 First the more ancient Bull engendered offspring; these are his many draughts that lent him vigour. From days of old ye Kings, two Sons of Heaven, by hymns of sacrifice have won dominion.
6 Three seats ye Sovrans, in the Holy synod, many, yea, all, ye honour with your presence. There saw I, going thither in the spirit, Gandharvas in their course with wind-blown tresses.
7 That same companionship of her, the Milch-cow, here with the strong Bull’s divers forms they stablished.
Enduing still some new celestial figure, the skilful workers shaped a form around him.
8 Let no one here debar me from enjoying the golden light which Savitar diffuses.
He covers both all-fostering worlds with praises even as a woman cherishes her children.
9 Fulfil, ye twain, his work, the Great, the Ancient: as heavenly blessing keep your guard around us. All the wise Gods behold his varied actions who stands erect, whose voice is like a herdsman’s.
10 Call we on Indra, Maghavan, auspicious, best Hero in the fight where spoil is gathered,
The Strong, who listens, who gives aid in battles, who slays the Vrtras, wins and gathers riches.
[03-039] HYMN XXXIX. Indra.
1. To Indra from the heart the hymn proceedeth, to him the Lord, recited, built with praises; The wakening song sung forth in holy synod: that which is born for thee, O Indra, notice.
2 Born from the heaven e’en in the days aforetime, wakening, sting aloud in holy synod, Auspicious, clad in white and shining raiment, this is the ancient hymn of our forefathers.
3 The Mother of the Twins hath borne Twin Children: my tongue’s tip raised itself and rested silent. Killing the darkness at the light’s foundation, the Couple newly born attain their beauty.
4 Not one is found among them, none of mortals, to blame our sires who fought to win the cattle. Their strengthener was Indra the Majestic he spread their stalls of kine the Wonder-Worker.
5 Where as a Friend with friendly men, Navagvas, with heroes, on his knees he sought the cattle. There, verily with ten Dasagvas Indra found the Sun lying hidden in the darkness.
6 Indra found meath collected in the milch-cow, by foot and hoof, in the cow’s place of pasture. That which lay secret, hidden in the waters, he held in his right hand, the rich rewarder.
7 He took the light, discerning it from darkness: may we be far removed from all misfortune. These songs, O Soma-drinker, cheered by Soma, Indra, accept from thy most zealous poet.
8 Let there be light through both the worlds for worship: may we be far from most overwhelming evil. Great woe comes even from the hostile mortal, piled up; but good at rescue are the Vasus.
9 Call we on Maghavan, auspicious Indra, best Hero in the fight where spoil is gathered,
The Strong, who listens, who gives aid in battles, who slays the Vrtras, wins and gathers riches.
[03-040] HYMN XL. Indra.
1. THEE, Indra, we invoke, the Bull, what time the Soma is expressed. So drink thou of the savoury juice.
2 Indra, whom many laud, accept the strength-conferring Soma juice: Quaff, pour down drink that satisfies.
3 Indra, with all the Gods promote our wealth-bestowing sacrifice, Thou highly-lauded Lord of men.
4 Lord of the brave, to thee proceed these drops of Soma juice expressed, The bright drops to thy dwelling-place.
5 Within thy belly, Indra, take juice, Soma the most excellent: Thine are the drops celestial.
6 Drink our libation, Lord of hymns: with streams of meath thou art bedewed
Our glory, Indra, is thy gift.
7 To Indra go the treasures of the worshipper, which never fail: He drinks the Soma and is strong
8 From far away, from near at hand, O Vrtra-slayer, come to us: Accept the songs we sing to thee.
9 When from the space between the near and far thou art invoked by us, Thence, Indra. come thou hitherward.