Atharvaveda - Book 20

HYMN XI

1Fort-render, Lord of Wealth, dispelling foemen, Indra with
lightnings hath o'ercome the Dāsa.
Impelled by prayer and waxen great in body, he hath filled
earth and heaven, the bounteous Giver.
2I stimulate this zeal, the Strong, the Hero, decking my song of
praise for thee Immortal.
O Indra, thou art equally the leader of heavenly hosts and
human generations.
3Leading his band Indra encompassed Vritra; weak grew the wily
leader enchanters.
He who burns fierce in forests slaughtered Vyansa, and made
the milch-kine of nights apparent.
4Indra, light-winner, days' creator, conquered, as guardian, hostile
bands with those who loved him.
For man the days' bright ensign he illumined, and found the
light for his great joy and gladness. p. 271
5Forward to fiercely falling blows pressed Indra, hero-like doing
many hero exploits.
Those holy songs he taught the bard who praised him, and
widely spread these Dawns' resplendent colour.
6They laud the mighty acts of him the mighty, the many glorious
deeds performed by Indra.
He in his strength, with all-surpassing prowess, through wond-
rous arts crushed the malignant Dasyus.
7Lord 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 Vivasvān's dwelling.
8Excellent, 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.
9He 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 protec-
tion to the race of Aryas.
10He 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.
11Call 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
Vritras, wins and gathers treasures.

HYMN XII

1Prayers have been offered up through love of glory: Vasishtha,
honour Indra in the battle.
He who with might extends through all existence hears words
which I, his faithful servant, utter.
2A 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.
3The Bays, the booty-seeking car I harness: my prayers have
reached him who accepts them gladly.
Indra, when he had slain resistless Vritras, forced with his might
the two world-halves asunder.
4Like barren cows, moreover, swelled the waters: the singers
sought thy holy rite, O Indra.
Come unto us as with his team comes Vāyu: thou, through our
solemn hymns, bestowest booty.
5So 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.
6Thus the Vasishthas glorify with praises Indra, the Mighty One,
whose arm wields thunder.
Praised, may he guard our wealth in kine and heroes. Ye Gods,.
preserve us evermore with blessings.
7Impetuous, Thunderer, strong, quelling the mighty, King, potent,
Vritra-slayer, Soma-drinker,
May he come hither with his yoked bay horses. May Indra glad-
den him at noon libation.

HYMN XIII

1Lords of great wealth, Brihaspati and Indra, rejoicing at this
sacrifice drink Soma.
Let the abundant drops sink deep within you: vouchsafe us
riches with full store of heroes.
2Let your swift-gliding coursers bear you hitherward with their
fleet pinions. Come ye forward with your arms.
Sit on the grass; a wide seat hath been made for you: delight
yourselves, O Maruts, in the pleasant food.
3For Jātavedas, worthy of our praise, will we frame with our
mind this eulogy as 'twere a car.
For good in his assembly is this care of ours. Let us not in thy
friendship, Agni, suffer harm.
4With these, borne on one car, Agni, approach us; or borne on
many, for thy steeds are able.
Bring, with their Dames, the Gods, the Three-and-Thirty, after
thy Godlike nature, and he joyful.

HYMN XIV

1We call on thee, O peerless One. We, seeking help, possessing
nothing firm ourselves,
Call on thee wonderful in fight.
2On thee for aid in sacrifice. This youth of ours, the bold, the
mighty, hath gone forth.
We, therefore, we thy friends, Indra, have chosen thee, free-
giver, as our guardian God.
3Him who of old hath brought to us this and that blessing, him
I magnify for you,
Even Indra, O my friends, for help:
4Borne by bay steeds, the Lord of heroes, ruling men, for it is he
who takes delight. p. 274
The Bounteous Lord bestows on us his worshippers hundreds of
cattle and of steeds.

HYMN XV

1To him most liberal, lofty Lord of lofty wealth, verily powerful
and strong, I bring my hymn,
Whose checkless bounty, as of waters down a slope, is spread
abroad for all that live, to give them strength.
2Now all this world, for worship, shall come after thee—the
offerer's libations like descending floods,
When the well-loved one seems to rest upon the hill, the thun-
derbolt of Indra, shatterer wrought of gold.
3To him the terrible, most worthy of high praise, like radiant
Dawn, bring gifts with reverence in this rite,
Whose being, for renown, yea, Indra-power and light, have been
created, like bay steeds, to move with speed.
4Thine, Indra, praised by many excellently rich! are we who
trusting in thy help draw near to thee.
Lover of praise, none else but thou receives our laud: as Earth
loves all her creatures, love thou this our hymn.
5Great is thy power, O Indra, we are thine. Fulfil, O Maghavan,
the wish of this thy worshipper.
After thee lofty heaven hath measured out its strength to thee
and to thy power this earth hath bowed itself.
6Thou, who hast thunder for thy weapon, with thy bolt hast
shattered into pieces this broad massive cloud.
Thou hast sent down obstructed floods that they may flow: thou
hast, thine own for ever, all victorious might.

HYMN XVI

1Like birds who keep their watch, plashing in water, like the loud
voices of the thundering rain-cloud,
Like merry streamlets bursting from the mountain thus to
Brihaspati our hymns have sounded.
2The son of Angiras, meeting the cattle, as Bhaga, brought in
Aryaman among us.
As Friend of men he decks the wife and husband. As for the
race, Brihaspati, nerve our coursers.
3Brihaspati, having won them from the mountains, strewed down,
like barley out of winnowing-baskets,
The vigorous, wandering cows who aid the pious, desired of all,
of blameless form, well-coloured.
4As the Sun dews with meath the seat of Order, and casts a flam-
ing meteor down from heaven,
So from the rock Brihaspati forced the cattle, and cleft the
earth's skin as it were with water.
5Forth from mid-air with light he draye the darkness, as the gale
blows a lily from the river.
Like the wind grasping at the cloud of Vala, Brihaspati gathered
to himself the cattle.
6Brihaspati, when he with fiery lightnings cleft through the
weapon of reviling Vala,
Consumed him as tongues eat what teeth have compassed: he
threw the prisons of the red cows open.
7That secret name borne by the lowing cattle within the cave
Brihaspati discovered,
And draye, himself, the bright kine from the mountain, like a
bird's young after the eggs' disclosure.
8He looked around on rock-imprisoned sweetness as one who
eyes a fish in scanty water.
Brihaspati, cleaving through with varied clamour, brought it
forth like a bowl from out the timber. p. 276
9He found the light of heaven, and fire, and Morning: with lucid
rays he forced apart the darkness.
As from a joint, Brihaspati took the marrow of Vala as he
gloried in his cattle.
10As trees for foliage robbed by winter, Vala mourned for the
cows Brihaspati had taken.
He did a deed ne'er done, ne'er to be equalled, whereby the sun
and moon ascend alternate.
11Like a dark steed adorned with pearl, the Fathers have decorat-
ed heaven with constellations.
They set the light in day, in night the darkness, Brihaspati cleft
the rock and found the cattle.
12This homage have we offered to the Cloud-God who thunders
out to many in succession.
May this Brihaspati vouchsafe us fulness of life with kine and
horses, men, and heroes.

HYMN XVII

I. In perfect unison all yearning hymns of mine that find the light
of heaven have sung forth Indra's praise.
As wives embrace their lord, the comely bridegroom, so they
compass Maghavan about that he may help.
2Directed unto thee my spirit never strays, for I have set my
hopes on thee, O much-invoked!
Sit, wonderful! as King upon the sacred grass, and let thy
drinking-place be by the Soma juice.
3From indigence and hunger Indra turns away: Maghavan hath
dominion over precious wealth.
These the Seven Rivers flowing on their downward path increase
the vital vigour of the Mighty Steer.
4As on the fair-leafed tree rest birds, to Indra flow the gladden-
ing Soma juices that the bowls contain.
Their face that glows with splendour through their mighty
power hath found the shine of heaven for man, the Aryas'
light.
5As in the game a gambler piles his winnings, so Maghavan,
sweeping all together, gained the Sun.
This mighty deed of thine none other could achieve, none,
Maghavan, before thee, none in recent time.
6Maghavan came by turns to all the tribes of men: the Steer
took notice of the people's songs of praise.
The man in whose libations Sakra hath delight by means of
potent Somas vanquisheth his foes.
7As waters flow together to the river, thus Somas to Indra flow,
as rivulets to the lake.
In place of sacrifice sages exalt his might, as the rain swells the
corn by moisture sent from heaven.
8He rushes through the region like a furious bull, he who hath
made these floods the dames of worthy lords.
This Maghavan hath found light for the man who brings
oblation, sheds the juice, and promptly pours his gifts.
9Let the keen axe come forth together with the light: here be,
as erst, the teeming cow of sacrifice.
Let the Red God shine pure with his refulgent ray, and let the
Lord of heroes glow like heaven's clear sheen. p. 278
10O much-invoked, may we subdue all famine and evil want with
store of grain and cattle.
May we allied, as first in rank, with princes, obtain possessions
by our own exertion.
11Brihaspati protect us from the rearward, and from above, and
from below, from sinners.
May Indra from the front, and from the centre, as friend to
friends, vouchsafe us room and freedom.
12Ye twain are Lords of wealth in earth and heaven, thou, O
Brihaspati, and thou, O Indra.
Mean though he be, give wealth to him who lauds you. Preserve
us evermore, ye Gods, with blessings.

HYMN XVIII

1This, even this, O Indra, we implore: as thy devoted friends,
The Kanvas praise thee with their hymns.
2Naught else, O Thunderer, have I praised in the skilled singer's
eulogy:
On thy laud only have I thought.
3The Gods seek him who presses out the Soma; they desire not
sleep:
Incessantly they punish sloth.
4Faithful to thee we loudly sing, heroic Indra, songs to thee.
Mark, gracious Lord, this act of ours.
5Give us not up to man's reproach, to foeman's hateful calumny:
In thee alone is all my strength.
6Thou art mine ample coat of mail, my champion, Vritra-slayes,
thou.
With thee for Friend I brave the foe.

HYMN XIX

1O Indra, for the strength that slays the foe and conquers in the
fight
We turn thee hitherward to us.
2O Indra, Lord of Hundred Powers, may those who praise thee
hitherward.
Direct thy spirit and thine eye.
3O Indra, Lord of Hundred Powers, with all our songs we
invocate.
Thy names for triumph over foes.
4We strive for glory through the powers immense of him whom
many praise,
Of Indra who supports mankind.
5For the foe's slaughter I address Indra whom many invocate,
To win us booty in the wars.
6In battles be victorious. We seek thee, Lord of Hundred Powers,
O Indra, that the foe may fall.
7In splendid combats of the hosts, in glories where the fight is
won,
Indra, be victor over foes.

HYMN XX

1Drink thou the Soma for our help, bright, vigilant, exceeding
strong,
O Indra, Lord of Hundred Powers.
2O Satakratu, powers which thou mid the Five Races hast dis-
played
These, Indra, do I claim of thee.
3Indra, great glory hast thou gained. Win splendid fame which
none may mar:
We make thy might perpetual.
4Come to us either from anear, or, Sakra, come from far away. p. 280
Indra, wherever be thy home, come to us thence, O Thunder-
armed.
5Verily Indra, conquering all, driveth even mighty fear away;
For firm is he and swift to act.
6Indra be gracious unto us: sin shall not reach us afterward .
And good shall be before us still,
7From all the regions of the world let Indra send security.
The foe-subduer, swift to act.

HYMN XXI

1We will present fair praise unto the Mighty One, our hymns to
Indra in Vivasvān's dwelling-place;
For he hath ne'er found wealth in those who seem to sleep;
those who give wealth to men accept no paltry praise.
2Giver of horses, Indra, giver, thou, of kine, giver of barley,
thou art Lord and guard of wealth:
Man's helper from of old, not disappointing hope, Friend of
our friends, to thee as such we sing this praise.
3Indra, most splendid, powerful, rich in mighty deeds, this
treasure spread around is known to be thine own.
Gather therefrom. O Conqueror, and bring to us: fail not the
hope of him who loves and sings to thee.
4Well-pleased with these bright flames and with these Soma
drops, take thou away our poverty with steeds and kine.
With Indra scattering the Dasyu through these drops, freed
from their hate may we obtain abundant food.
5Let us obtain, O Indra, plenteous wealth and food, with strength
exceeding glorious, shining to the sky.
May we obtain the Goddess Providence, the strength of heroes,
special source of cattle, rich in steeds.
6These our libations, strength inspiring Soma draughts, gladdened
thee in the fight with Vritra, Hero-Lord, p. 281
What time thou slewest for the singer with trimmed grass ten
thousand Vritras, thou resistless in thy might.
7Thou goest on from fight to fight intrepidly, destroying castle
after castle here with strength;
Thou Indra, with thy friend who makes the foe bow down,
slewest from far away the guileful Namuchi.
8Thou hast stuck down in death Karanja, Parnaya, in Atithigva's
very glorious going forth:
Unyielding, when Rijisvan compassed them with siege, thou hast
destroyed the hundred towns of Vangrida.
9With all-outstripping chariot wheel, O Indra, thou far-famed,
hast overthrown the twice ten kings of men,
With sixty thousand nine-and-ninety followers, who came in
arms to fight with friendless Susravas.
10Thou hast protected Susravas with succour, and Tūrvayāna with
thine aid, O Indra:
Thou madest Kutsa, Atithigva, Ayu subject unto this king, the
young, the mighty.
11May we protected by the Gods hereafter remain thy very pro-
sperous friends, O Indra.
Thee we extol, enjoying through thy favour life-long and joyful
and with store of heroes.

HYMN XXII

1Hero, the Soma being pressed I pour the juice for thee to drink
Sate thee and finish thy carouse.
2Let not the fools, or those who mock, beguile thee when they
seek thine aid:
Love not the enemies of prayer.
3Here let them with rich milky draught cheer thee to great
munificence:
Drink as the wild bull drinks the lake.
4Praise, even as he is known, with song Indra, the guardian of
the kine,
The Son of Truth, Lord of the brave.
5Hither his bay steeds have been sent, red steeds are on the
sacred grass.
Where we in concert sing our songs.
6For Indra, Thunder-armed, the kine have yielded mingled milk
and meath,
What time he found them in the vault.

HYMN XXIII

1Invoked to drink the Soma juice come with thy bay steeds,
Thunder-armed!
Come, Indra, hitherward, to me.
2Our priest is seated true to time; the grass is regularly strewn;
The pressing-stones were set at morn.
3These prayers, O thou who bearest prayer, are offered. Seat
thee on the grass.
Hero, enjoy the offered cake.
4O Vritra-slayer, be thou pleased with these libations, with these
hymns,
Song-loving Indra, with our lauds.
5Our hymns caress the Lord of Strength, vast, drinker of the
Soma's juice, p. 283
Indra, as mother-cows their calf.
6Delight thee with the juice we pour for thine own great
munificence:
Yield not thy singer to reproach.
7We, Indra, dearly loving thee, bearing oblation, sing thee
hymns:
Thou, Vasu, nearly lovest us.
8O thou to whom thy Bays are dear, loose not thy horses far
from us:
Here glad thee, Indra, Lord Divine.
9May long-maned courses, dropping oil, bring thee on swift car
hitherward.
Indra, to seat thee on the grass.

HYMN XXIV

1Come to the juice that we have pressed, to Soma, Indra! blent
with milk:
Come, favouring us, thy bay-drawn car!
2Come, Indra, to this gladdening drink, placed on the grass,
pressed out with stones:
Wilt thou not drink thy fill thereof?
3To Indra have my songs of praise gone forth, thus rapidly sent
hence,
To turn him to the Soma-draught.
4Hither with songs of praise we call Indra to drink the Soma.
juice:
Will he not come to us by lauds?
5Indra, these Somas are expressed, Take them within thy belly,
Lord Of Hundred Powers, thou Prince of wealth.
6We know thee winner of the spoil and resolute in battles, Sage!
Therefore thy blessing we implore.
7Borne hither by thy stallions, drink, Indra, this juice which we
have pressed,
Mingled with barley and with milk.
8Indra, for thee in thine own place I urge the Soma for thy
draught: p. 284
Deep in thy heart let it remain.
9We call on thee, the Ancient One, Indra, to drink the Soma
juice,
We Kusikas who seek thine aid.

HYMN XXV

1Indra, the mortal man well guarded by thine aid goes foremost
in the wealth of horses and of kine.
With amplest wealth thou fillest him, as round about the waters
clearly seen afar fill Sindhu full.
2The heavenly waters come not nigh the priestly bowl: they but
look down and see how far mid-air is spread:
The Deities conduct the pious man to them: like suitors they
delight in him who loveth prayer.
3Praiseworthy blessing hast thou laid upon the pair who with
uplifted ladle serve thee, man and wife.
Unchecked he dwells and prospers in thy law: thy power brings
blessing to the sacrificer pouring gifts.
4First the Angirases won themselves vital power, whose fires were
kindled through good deeds and sacrifice.
The men together found the Pani's hoarded wealth, the cattle,
and the wealth in horses and in kine,
5Atharvan first by sacrifices laid the path; then, guardian of the
Law, sprang up the loving Sun.
Usanā Kāvya drove the kine hither with him: let us with offer-
ings honour Yama's deathless birth.
6When sacred grass is trimmed to aid the auspicious work, or
the hymn makes its voice of praise sound to the sky,
Where the stone rings as 'twere a singer skilled in laud,—Indra
in truth delights when these come near to him.
7To make thee start, a strong true draught I offer to thee the
Bull, O thou whom bay steeds carry.
Here take delight. O Indra, in our voices while thou art hymned
with power and all our spirit.

HYMN XXVI

1In every need, in every fray we call, as friends, to succour us
Indra the mightiest of all.
2If he will hear us let him come with succour of a thousand
kinds,
And all that strengthens, to our call.
3I call him, mighty to resist, the Hero of our ancient home,
Thee whom my sire invoked of old.
4They who stand round him as he moves harness the bright, the
ruddy steed:
The lights are shining in the sky.
5On both sides of the car they yoke the two bay coursers dear to
him,
Bold, tawny, bearers of the thief.
6Thou, making light where no light was, and form, O Men!
where form was not,
Wast born together with the Dawns.

HYMN XXVII

1If I, O Indra, were, like thee, the single sovran of all wealth.
My worshipper should be rich in kine.
2I should be fain, O Lord of Might, to strengthen and enrich the
sage,
Were I the lord of herds of kine,
3To worshippers who press the juice thy goodness, Indra, is a
cow.
Yielding in plenty kine and steeds.
4None is there, Indra, God or man, to hinder thy munificence,
The wealth which, lauded, thou wilt give.
5The sacrifice made Indra strong when he unrolled the earth and
made
Himself a diaden in heaven.
6Thine aid we claim, O Indra, thine who after thou hast waxen
great.
Hast won all treasures for thine own.

HYMN XXVIII

1In Soma's ecstasy Indra spread the firmament and realms of
light.
When he cleft Vala limb from limb.
2Showing the hidden he draye forth the cows for the Angirases,
And Vala he cast headlong down.
3By Indra were the luminous realms of heaven established and
secured.
Firm and immovable in their place.
4Indra, thy laud moves quickly like a joyous wave of water-floods.
Bright shine the drops that gladden thee.

HYMN XXIX

I. For thou, O Indra, art the God whom hymns and praises
magnify:
Thou blessest those who worship thee.
2Bay horses with their long manes bring Indra to drink the
Soma juice,
The Bountiful to our sacrifice.
3With waters' foam thou torest off, Indra, the head of Namuchi,
Subduing all contending hosts.
4The Dasyus, when they fain would climb by magic arts and
mount to heaven,
Thou, Indra, castest down to earth.
5As Soma-drinker conquering all, thou scatteredst to every side
Their band who poured no gifts to thee.

HYMN XXX

1In the great synod will I laud thy two bay steeds: I prize the
sweet strong drink of thee the Warrior-God,
His who pours lovely oil as'twere with yellow drops. Let my
songs enter thee whose form hath golden tints.
2Ye who—in concert sing unto the gold-hued place, like bay steeds
driving onward to the heavenly seat,
For Indra laud ye strength allied with tawny steeds, laud him
whom cows content as'twere with yellow drops.
3His is that thunderbolt, of iron, golden-hued, gold-coloured,
very dear, and yellow in his arms;
Bright with strong teeth, destroying with its tawny rage. In
Indra are set fast all forms of golden hue.
4As if a lovely ray were laid upon the sky, the golden thunder-
bolt spread out as in a race.
That iron bolt with yellow jaw smote Ahi down. A thousand
flames had he who bore the tawny-hued. p. 288
5Thou, thou, when praised by men who sacrificed of old, hadst
pleasure in their lauds, O Indra golden-haired.
All that befits thy song of praise thou welcomest, the perfect:
pleasant gift, O golden-hued from birth.

HYMN XXXI

1These two dear Bays bring hither Indra on his car, thunder-
armed, joyous, meet for laud, to drink his fill.
Many libations flow for him who loveth them: to Indra have:
the gold-hued Soma juices run.
2The gold-hued drops have flowed to gratify his wish: the yellow.
drops have urged the swift Bays to the Strong.
He who speeds on with bay steeds even as he lists hath satisfied
his longing for the golden drops.
3At the swift draught the Soma-drinker waxed in might, the iron.
One with yellow beard and golden hair,
He, Lord of tawny coursers. Lord of fleet-foot mares, will bear
his bay steeds safely over all distress.
4His yellow-coloured jaws, like ladles, move apart, what time,.
for strength, he makes the yellow-tinted stir,
When. while the bowl stands there, he grooms his tawny steeds,
when he hath drunk strong drink, the sweet juice that he:
loves.
5Yea, to the dear one's seat in homes of heaven and earth the-
bay steeds' Lord hath whinnied like a horse for food.
Then the great wish hath seized upon him mightily, and the
beloved One hath gained high power of life.

HYMN XXXII

1Thou, comprehending with thy might the earth and heaven,
acceptest the dear hymn for ever new and new.
O Asura, disclose thou and make visible the Cow's beloved
home to the bright golden Sun.
2O Indra, let the eager wishes of the folk bring thee the golden-
jawed, delightful, on thy car.
That, pleased with sacrifice wherein ten fingers toil, thou mayest
at the feast drink of our offered mead.
3Juices aforetime, Lord of Bays, thou drankest, and thine, and
only thine, is this libation.
Gladden thee, Indra, with the mead-rich Soma: pour it down
ever, Mighty One, within thee.

HYMN XXXIII

1Drink of the juice which men have washed in waters and fill the-
full, O Lord of tawny horses.
O Indra, hearer of the laud, with Soma which stones have mix-
ed for thee enhance thy rapture.
2To make thee start, a strong true draught I offer to thee the
Bull, O thou whom bay steeds carry.
Here take delight, O Indra, in our voices while thou art hymned
with power and all our spirit. p. 290
3O mighty Indra, through thine aid, thy prowess, obtaining life,
zealous, and skilled in worship.
Men in the house who share the sacred banquet stand singing
praise that brings them store of children.

HYMN XXXIV

1He who just born, chief God of lofty spirit, by power and might
became the God's protector,
Before whose breath, through greatness of his valour, the two
worlds trembled, He, O men, is Indra.
2He who fixed fast and firm the earth that staggered, and set at
rest the agitated mountains,
Who measured out air's wider middle region and gave the
heaven support, He, O men, is Indra.
3Who slew the Dragon, freed the Seven Rivers, and draye the
kine forth from the cave of Vala,
Begat the fire between both stones, the spoiler in warrior's
battle, He, O men, is Indra.
4By whom this universe was made to tremble, who chased away
the humbled brood of demon,
Who, like a gambler gathering his winnings, seized the foe's
riches, He, O men, is Indra.
5Of whom, the terrible, they ask, Where is He? or verily they
say of him, He is not.
He wastes the foeman's wealth like stakes of gamblers. Have
faith in him for He, O men, is Indra.
6Stirrer to action of the poor and lowly, of priest, of suppliant
who sings his praises
Who, fair-faced, favours him who presseth Soma with stones
adjusted, He, O men, is Indra.
7He under whose supreme control are horses, all chariots, and
the hamlets, and the cattle:
He who begat the Sun, begat the Morning, leader of waters.
He, O men, is Indra.
8To whom both armies cry in close encounter, foe against foe, the
stronger and the weaker; p. 291
Whom two invoke upon one chariot mounted, each for himself,
He, O ye men, is Indra.
9He, without whom men conquer not in battle, whom, warring,
they invoke for help and succour;
He, all this universe's type and image, who shakes what never
shook, He, men, is Indra.
10He who hath smitten, ere they know their danger, with his hurl-
ed weapon many grievous sinners:
Who pardons not his boldness who provokes him, who slays the
Dasyu, He, O men, is Indra.
11He who discovered in the fortieth autumn Sambara dwelling in
the midst of mountains:
Who slew the Dragon putting forth his vigour, the demon lying
there, He, men, is Indra.
12Who drank the juice poured at the seas of Order, subduing
Sambara by superior prowess,
Who hoarded food within the mountain's hollow wherein he
grew in strength, He, men, is Indra.
13Who, with seven guiding reins, the Bull, the mighty, set the
Seven Rivers free to flow at pleasure;
Who, thunder-armed, rent Rauhina in pieces when scaling
heaven, He, O ye men, is Indra.
14Heaven, even, and the earth bow down before him, before his
very breath the mountains tremble.
Known as the Soma-drinker, armed with thunder, the wielder
of the bolt, He, men, is Indra.
15Who aids with favour him who pours the Soma, and him who
brews it, sacrificer, singer;
Whose strength our prayer and offered Soma heighten, and this
our gift, He, O ye men, is Indra.
16Born, manifested in his Parents' bosom, He knoweth as a son
the Highest Father.
He who with vigorous energy assisted the companies of Gods,
He, men, is Indra
17Lord of Bay steeds, who loves the flowing Soma, He before
whom all living creatures tremble.
He who smote Sambara and slaughtered Sushna, He the Sole
Hero, He, O men, is Indra.
18Thou verily art true strong God who sendest wealth to the man
who brews and pours libation. p. 292
So may we evermore, thy friends, O Indra, address the synod
with brave sons about us.

HYMN XXXV

1To him, to him swift, strong, and high-exalted, I bring my song
of praise as dainty viands;
My thought to him resistless, meet for praises, prayers offered
most devotedly to Indra. p. 293
2To him I offer praise as choice refreshment, bring forth my song,
with seemly laud besiege him.
For Indra, Lord of olden time, the singers shall deck their hymns
with heart and mind and spirit.
3To him then with my lips my song of praises, excellent, winning
heavenly light, I offer,
To magnify with hymns of invocation and eulogies the Lord,
most bounteous Giver.
4Even for him I frame a laud—so fashions the wright a chariot
for the man who needs it
Songs for wise Indra hymned with invocation, a song composed
with care and all-impelling.
5So with my tongue I deck, to please that Indra, my hymn as't-
were a horse, through love of glory,
To reverence the Hero, bounteous Giver, famed far and wide,
destroyer of the castles.
6Even for him hath Tvashtar forged the thunder, most deftly
wrought, celestial, for the battle.
Wherewith he reached the vital parts of Vritra, striking—the
vast, the mighty—with the striker,
7As soon as, at libations of his mother, great Vishnu had drunk
up the draught, he plundered.
The dainty cates, the cooked mess; but One stronger transfixed
the wild boar, shooting through the mountain.
8To him, to Indra when he slew the Dragon, the Dames too,
Consorts of the Gods, wove praises.
The mighty heaven and earth hath he encompassed: thy great-
ness heaven and earth, combined, exceed not.
9Yea, of a truth, his magnitude surpasseth the magnitude of
earth, mid-air and heaven.
Indra whom all men praise, the Sovran Ruler, waxed in his
home loud-voiced and strong for battle.
10Through his own strength with bolt of thunder Indra smote
piece-meal Vritra, drier up of waters.
He let the floods go free, like cows imprisoned, for glory, with
a heart inclined to bounty.
11Through his resplendent power still stood the rivers when with
his bolt on every side he stayed them. p. 294
With lordly might favouring him who worshipped, he made a
ford, victorious, for Turviti.
12Vast, with thine ample power, with eager movement against this
Vritra cast thy bolt of thunder.
Rend thou his joints, as of an ox dissevered, with bolt oblique
that floods of rain may follow.
13Sing with new lauds his exploits wrought aforetime, the deeds
of him, yea, him who moveth swiftly,
When, hurling forth his weapons in the battle, he with impetuous
wrath lays low the foemen.
14When he, yea, he is born the firm-set mountains and the whole
heaven and earth tremble in terror.
May Nodhas ever lauding the protection of this dear Friend win
straightway strength heroic.
15Now unto him of these things hath been given what he, who
rules alone o'er much, electeth.
Indra helped Etasa, the Soma presser, contending in the chariot-
race with Sūrya.
16Thus to thee, Indra, yoker of bay coursers, the Gotamas have
brought their prayers and praises.
Bestow upon them thought, decked with all beauty. May he,
enriched with prayer, come soon and early.

HYMN XXXVI

1With these my hymns I glorify that Indra who is alone to be
invoked by mortals. p. 296
The Lord, the Mighty One, of manly vigour, victorious, Hero,
true, and full of wisdom.
2Our ancient sires, Navagvas, sages seven, while urging him to
show his might, extolled him,
Dweller on heights, swift smiting down opponents, guileless in
word, and in his thoughts most mighty.
3We seek that Indra to obtain his riches that yield much food,
and men, and store of heroes.
O Lord of Bay Steeds, bring to make us joyful, celestial wealth
abundant, undecaying.
4Declare to us—if at thy hand aforetime the earlier singers have
obtained good fortune
What is thy share and portion, strong Subduer, Asura-slayer,
rich, invoked of many?
5He who for car-borne, thunder-wielding Indra, hath a hymn,
craving deeply-piercing, fluent,
Who sends a song effectual, firmly-grasping, and strength-
bestowing, he comes near the mighty.
6Strong of thyself! thou with this art hast shattered with thought-
swift Parvata, him who waxed against thee;
And, Mightiest! rager! boldly rent in pieces things that were
firmly fixed and never shaken..
7Him will we fit for you with new devotion, the strongest,
Ancient One, in ancient manner.
So way that Indra, boundless, faithful leader, conduct us o'er all
places hard to traverse.
8Thou for the people who oppress hast kindled the earthly firma-
ment and that of heaven.
With heat, O Bull, on every side consume them heat earth and
flood for him who hates devotion:
9Of all the heavenly folk, of earthly creatures, thou art the King,
O God of splendid aspect.
In thy right hand, O Indra, grasp the thunder: Eternal! thou
destroyest all enchantments.
10Give us confirmed prosperity, O Indra, vast and exhaustless for
the foes' subduing.
Strengthen therewith the Arya's hate and Dāsa's; and let the
arms of Nahushas be mighty.
11Come with thy teams which bring all blessings, hither, disposer,
much-invoked, exceeding holy! p. 297
Come to me swiftly with these teams of coursers, these which
no fiend, no God may stay or hinder.

HYMN XXXVII

1He, like a bull with sharpened horns, terrific, singly excites and
agitates all the people.
Then givest him who largely pours libation his wealth who pours
not, for his own possession.
2Thou verily, Indra, gavest help to Kutsa, willingly lending ear
to him in battle.
When, aiding Arjunneya, thou subduedst to him both Kuyava and
the Dāsa Sushna.
3O Bold One, thou with all thine aids hast boldly helped Sudās
whose offerings were accepted,
Pūru in winning land and slaying foemen, and Trasadasyu son
of Purukutsa.
4At the Gods' banquet, Hero-souled! with heroes, Lord of Bay
Steeds, thou slewest many Vritras.
Thou sentest in swift death to sleep the Dasyu, both Chumuri
and Dhuni, for Dabhiti,
5These were thy mighty powers that, Thunder-wielder! then
swiftly crushedst nine-and ninety castles. p. 298
Thou capturedst the hundredth in thine onslaught; thou slewest
Namuchi, thou slewest Vritra.
6Old are the blessings, Indra, which thou gavest Sudās the wor-
shipperwho brought oblations.
For thee, the strong I yoke thy strong bay horses: let them,
approach our prayers and wealth, Most Mighty!
7Give us not up, Lord of Bay Horses, victor, in this our time of-
trouble, to the wicked.
Deliver us with true and faithful succour: dear may we be to
thee among the princes.
8May we men, Bounteous Lord, the friends thou lovest, near i
thee be joyful under thy protection.
Fain to fulfil the wish of Atithigva, bow Turvasa, bow down,.
the son of Yadu.
9Swiftly, in truth, O Bounteous Lord, about thee men skilled im
hymning sing their songs and praises.
Elect us shares of their love and friendship who by their calls on,
thee despoiled the niggards.
10Thine are these Lauds, O manliest of heroes, Lauds which revert
to us and give us riches.
Favour these, Indra, when they strike the foemen, as Friend and
Hero and the heroes' helper.
11Now, lauded for thine aid, heroic Indra, sped by our prayer,,
wax mighty in thy body.
To us apportion wealth and habitations. Ye Gods, protect us-
evermore with blessings.

HYMN XXXVIII

1Come, we have pressed the juice for thee. O Indra, drink the
Soma here.
Sit thou on this my sacred grass.
2O Indra, let thy long-maned Bays, yoked by prayer, bring thee
hitherward.
Give ear and listen to our prayers.
3We, Soma-bearing Brāhmans, call thee, Soma-drinker, with thy
friend,
We, Indra, bringing juice expressed.
4Indra the singers with high praise, Indra reciters with their
lauds,
Indra the choirs have glorified.
5Indra hath ever close to him his two bay steeds and word-yoked:
car,
Indra, the golden, Thunder-armed.
6Indra hath raised the Sun aloft in heaven that he may see afar.
He burst the mountain for the kine.

HYMN XXXIX

1For you, from every side, we call Indra away from other men:
Ours, and none others,’ let him be.
2In Soma's ecstasy Indra spread the firmament and realms of
light.
When he cleft Vala limb from limb.
3Showing the hidden cows he draye them forth for the Angirases,
And Vala he cast headlong down.
4By Indra were the luminous realms of heaven established and
secured,
Firm and immovable from their place.
05. Indra, thy laud moves quickly like a joyous wave of waters:
bright.
Have shone the drops that gladden thee.

HYMN XL

1Mayest thou verily be seen coming by fearless Indra's side:
Both joyous: equal in your sheen.
2With Indra's well-beloved hosts, the blameless, hastening to
heaven,
The sacrificer cries aloud.
3Thereafter they, as is their wont, threw off the state of babes
unborn,
Assuming sacrificial name.

HYMN XLI

1With bones of Dadhyach for his arms, Indra, resistless in attack,
Struck nine-and-ninety Vritras dead,
2He, searching for the horse's head, removed among the moun-
tains, found
At Saryanāvān what he sought.
3Then verily they recognized the essential form of Tvashtar's Bull.
Here in the mansion of the Moon.

HYMN XLII

1From Indra have I measured an eight-footed and nine-cornered.
song, p. 302
Delicate, faithful to the Law.
2Indra, both worlds complained to thee when uttering thy fearful
roar,
What time thou smotest Dasyus dead.
3Arising in thy might thy jaws thou shookest, Indra, having
quaffed
The Soma poured into the bowls.

HYMN XLIII

1Drive all our enemies away, smite down the foes who press
around,
And bring the wealth for which we long;
2O Indra, that which is concealed in firm strong place
precipitous:
Bring us the wealth for which we long:
3Great riches which the world of men shall recognize as sent by
thee:
Bring us the wealth for which we long,

HYMN XLIV

1Praise Indra whom our songs must laud, great Sovran of man-
kind, the Chief
Most liberal who controlleth men.
2In whom the hymns of praise delight, and all the glory-giving
songs,
Like the flood's longing for the sea. p. 303
3Him I invite with eulogy, best King, effective in the fight,
Strong for the gain of mighty spoil.

HYMN XLV

1This is thine own. Thou drawest near, as the dove turneth to his
mate.
Thou carest too for this our prayer.
2O Hero, Lord of Bounties, praised in hymns, may power and
pleasantness
Be his who signs the laud to thee.
3Lord of a Hundred Powers, stand up to lend us succour in this
fight:
In others too let us agree.

HYMN XLVI

1Him who advances men to wealth, sends light to lead them in
their wars,
And quells their foemen in the fray:
2May he, the saviour much-invoked, may Indra bear us in a ship
Safely beyond all enemies.
3As such, O Indra, honour us with wealth and treasure: further
us,
And lead us to felicity.

HYMN XLVII

1We make this Indra show his strength, to strike the mighty
Vritra dead:
A vigorous Hero shall he be.
2Indra was made for giving, most powerful, friendly in carouse,
Bright, meet for Soma, famed in song. p. 304
3By song, as 'twere, the mighty bolt, which none may parry, was
prepared:
Lofty, invincible he grew.
10They who stand round him as he moves harness the bright, the
ruddy Steed:
The lights are shining in the sky.
11They yoke on both sides to the car the two bay coursers dear to
him,
Bold, tawny, bearers of the Chief.
12Thou, making light where no light was, and form, O Men r
where no form was,
Wast born together with the Dawns,
13His bright rays bear him up aloft, the God who knoweth all that=
is,
Sūrya, that every one may see.
14The constellations pass away, like thieves, together with their-
beams,
Before the all-beholding Sun.
15His herald rays are seen afar refulgent o'er the world of men,
Like fiery flames that burn and blaze.
16Swift and all-beautiful art thou, O Sūrya, maker of the light.
Illuming all the radiant realm.
17Thou guest to the troops of Gods, thou comest hither to man-
kind,
Hither, all light for us to see.
18Thou with that eye of thine wherewith thou seest, brilliant.
Varuna,
The active one throughout mankind.
19Pervadest heaven and wide mid-air, melting the days out with.
thy beams,
Sun, seeing all things that have birth.
20Seven bay steeds, harnessed to thy car, bear thee, O.thou far-
seeing One,
God, Sūrya, thee with radiant hair.
21Sūrya hath yoked the seven bright mares, the daughters of the
car: With these,
His own dear team, he travelleth.

HYMN XLVIII

1The swiftly-moving songs of praise pour on thee streams of vital
strength
As mother cows refresh the calf.
2Swift move the bright ones while they blend the Milk with vital
vigour, as
A dame her infant with her heart.
3Fair hymns bring glory to the Strong, and Indra-vigour; unto,
me
Fatness and milk and length of days.
4This brindled Bull hath come and sat before the Mother in the
east,
Advancing to the Father Heaven.
5As expiration from breath she moves along the lucid spheres:
The Bull shines forth through all the sky.
6Song is bestowed upon the Bird. It reigns supreme throughout
thirty realms
Throughout the days at break of morn.

HYMN XLIX

1When voices, fain to win mid-air, ascended to the Mighty One,
The vigorous God was filled with joy.
2Praise with the voice the Mighty, praise the awful with the voice:
in heaven
He, the most bounteous, hath been glad.
3Praise with the voice the Mighty: he rules in each realm. In
transport he
Hath set upon the sacred grass.
4As cows low to their calf in stalls, so with our songs we glorify
This Indra, even your wondrous God who checks attack, who
joys in the delightful juice.
5Celestial, bounteous Giver, God, with power and might, rich,
mountain-like, in precious things.
Him soon we see for foodful booty rich in kine, brought
hundredfold and thousandfold.
6I crave of thee that hero strength—that thou mayst first regard
this prayer
Wherewith thou helpest Bhrigu and the Yatis and Praskanva
when the prize was staked.
7Wherewith thou sentest mighty waters to the sea—Indra, that
manly strength of thine.
For ever unattainable is this power of him to whom the worlds
have cried aloud.

HYMN L

1What newest of imploring hymns shall, then, the zealous mortal
sing?
For have not they who laud his might and Indra-power won for
themselves the light of heaven?
2When shall they keep the Law and praise thee mid the Gods?
Who counts as Rishi and as sage?
When wilt thou ever, Indra, Bounteous Lord, come nigh to
presser's or to praiser's call?

HYMN LI

1For you will I sing Indra's praise who gives good gifts as well we
know;
Praise of the Bounteous Lord who, rich in treasure, aids his
singers with wealth thousandfold.
2As with a hundred hosts he rushes boldly on, and for the offerer
slays his foes.
As from a mountain flow the water-brooks, thus flow his gifts
who feedeth many a one.
3Sakra I praise, for victory, far-famed, exceeding bountiful.
Who gives, as 'twere in thousands, precious wealth to him who
sheds the juice and worships him.
4Arrows with hundred points, unconquerable, are this Indra's
mighty arms in war.
He streams on liberal worshippers like a hill with springs, when
juices poured have gladdened him.

HYMN LII

1We compass thee like waters, we whose grass is trimmed and
Soma pressed.
Here where the filter pours its stream thy worshipper round
thee, O Vritra-slayer, sit.
2Men, Vasu! by the Soma, with lauds call thee to the foremost
place.
When comest thou athirst unto the juice as home, O Indra, like
a bellowing bull?

HYMN LIII

1Who knows what vital power he wins, drinking beside the
flowing juice?
This is the fair-cheeked God who, joying in the draught, breaks
down the castles in his strength.
2As a wild elephant rushes on, this way and that way, mad with
heat.
None may restrain thee; yet come hither to the draught: thou
movest mighty in thy power.
3When he, the mighty, ne'er o'erthrown, stedfast, made ready for
the fight.
When Indra, Bounteous Lord, lists to his praiser's call, he will
not stand aloof, but come.

HYMN LIV

1Of one accord they made and formed for kingship Indra, the
Hero who in all encounters overcometh,
Most eminent for power, destroyer in the conflict, fierce and
exceeding strong, stalwart and full of vigour.
2Bards joined in song to Indra so that he might drink the Soma
juice, p. 309
The Lord of Light, that he whose laws stand fast might aid with
power and with help he gives.
3The holy sages form a ring, looking and singing to the Ram.
Your very bright inciters, void of all deceit, are with the chan-
ters nigh to hear.

HYMN LV

1Oft, oft I call that Indra, Maghavan the mighty, who evermore
possesses power, ever resistless.
Holy, most liberal, may he lead us on to riches, and, thunder
armed, make all our pathways pleasant for us.
2Indra, what joys as Lord of Light thou broughtest from the
Asuras,
Prosper therewith, O Maghavan, him who lauds that deed, and
those whose grass is trimmed for thee.
3The wasteless share of steeds and kine which, Indra, thou hast
fast secured.
Grant to the worshipper who presses Soma and gives guerdon,
not unto the churl.

HYMN LVI

1Indra, foe-slayer, hath been raised to joy and power by the men.
Him, verily, we invocate in battles whether great or small: be
he our aid in fights for spoil.
2For, Hero, thou art like a host, art giver of abundant prey.
Strengthening even the feeble, thou aidest the sacrificer, thou
givest the worshipper ample wealth.
3When war and battles are on foot, booty is laid before the bold. p. 310
Yoke thou thy wildly rushing Bays. Whom wilt thou slay and
whom enrich? Do thou, O Indra, make us rich,
4He, righteous-hearted, at each time of rapture gives us herds of
kine.
Gather in both thy hands for us treasures of many hundred
sorts. Sharpen thou us, and bring us wealth.
5Refresh thee, Hero, with the juice outpoured for bounty and
for strength.
We know thee Lord of ample store, to thee have sent our heart's
desires: be therefore our protector thou.
6These people, Indra, keep for thee all that is worthy of thy
choice.
Discover thou, as Lord, the wealth of men who offer up no
gifts: bring thou to us this wealth of theirs.

HYMN LVII

1As a good cow to him who milks, we call the doer of fair deeds.
To our assistance day by day.
2Come thou to our libations, drink of Soma, Soma-drinker thou!
The rich One's rapture giveth kine.
3So may we be acquainted with thine innermost benevolence:
Neglect us not, come hitherward.
4Drink for our help the Soma bright, vigilant, and exceeding
strong,
O Indra, Lord of Hundred Powers.
5O Satakratu, powers which thou mid the Five Races hast dis-
played,
These, Indra, do I claim of thee.
6Indra, great glory hast thou gained. Win splendid fame which
none may mar.
We make thy might perpetual.
7Come to us either from anear, or, Sakra, come from far away.
Indra, wherever be thy home, come thence, O Caster of the
Stone. p. 311
8Verily Indra, conquering all, driveth even mighty fear away.
For firm is he and swift to act.
9Indra be gracious unto us: sin shall not reach us afterward,
And good shall be before us still.
10From all the regions of the world let Indra send security.
The foe-subduer, swift to act.
14We compass thee like waters, we whose grass in trimmed and
Soma pressed.
Here where the filter pours its stream thy worshippers round
thee, O Vritra-slayer, sit.
15Men, Vasu, by the Soma with lauds call thee to the foremost
place.
When comest thou athirst unto the juice as home, O Indra, like
a bellowing bull?
16Boldly, bold Hero, bring us spoil in thousands for the Kanvas'
sake.
O active Maghavan, with eager prayer we crave the yellow-hued
with store of kine.

HYMN LVIII

1Turning, as 'twere, to meet the Sun, enjoy from Indra all good
things.
When he who will be born is born with power we look to
treasures as our heritage.
2Praise him who sends us wealth, whose bounties injure none.
Good are the gifts which Indra gives.
He is not wroth with one who satisfies his wish: he turns his
mind to granting boons. p. 312
3Verily, Sūrya, thou art great; truly, Āditya, thou art great.
As thou art great indeed thy greatness is admired: yea, verily,
great art thou, O God.
4Yea, Sūrya, thou art great in fame: thou evermore, O God,
art great.
By greatness thou art President of Gods, divine, far-spread,
inviolable light.

HYMN LIX

3His portion is exceeding great, like a victorious soldier's spoil.
Him who is Indra, Lord of Bays, no foes subdue. He gives the
Soma-pourer strength.
4Make for the holy Gods a hymn that is not mean, but well
arranged and fair in form.
Full many snares and bonds subdue not him who dwells with
Indra through his sacrifice.

HYMN LX

1For so thou art the hero's Friend, a Warrior too art thou, and
strong:
So may thy heart be won to us.
2So hath the offering; wealthiest Lord, been paid by all the
worshippers:
So dwell thou, Indra, even with me.
3Be not thou, like a slothful priest, O Lord of wealth and spoil:
rejoice.
In the pressed Soma blent with milk.
4So also is his excellence, great copious, rich in cattle, like
A ripe branch to the worshipper. p. 313
5For verily thy mighty powers, Indra, are saving helps at once
Unto a worshipper like me.
6So are his lovely gifts: let laud be said and praise to Indra sung.
That he may drink the Soma juice.

HYMN LXI

1We sing this strong and wild delight of thine which conquers in
the fray,
Which, Caster of the Stone, gives room and shine like gold.
2Wherewith thou also foundest lights for Āyu and for Manu's
sake:
Now joying in!!this sacred grass thou beamest forth.
3This day to singers of the hymn praise, as of old, this, might of
thine.
Win thou the waters, day by day, thralls of the strong.
4Sing forth to him whom many men invoke, to him whom many
laud:
Invite the potent Indra with your songs of praise;
5Whose lofty might—for doubly strong is he—supports the
heaven and earth.
And hills and plains and floods and light with manly power.
6Such, praised by many! thou art King: alone thou smitest foe-
men dead,
To gain, O Indra, spoils of war and high renown.

HYMN LXII

5To Indra sing a Sāman, sing to the high Sage a lofty song,
To him who keeps the Law, inspired and fain for praise.
6Thou, Indra, art preeminent: thou gavest splendour to the Sun.
Maker of all things, thou art mighty and All-God. p. 314
7Radiant with light thou wentest to the sky, the luminous realms:
of heaven.
The Gods, O Indra, strove to win thee for their friend.
8Sing forth to him whom many men invoke, to him whom many
laud:
Invite the potent Indra with your songs of praise;
9Whose lofty might—for doubly strong is he—supports the
heaven and earth,
And hills and plains and floods and light with manly power.
10Such, praised by many! thou art King. Alone thou smitest foe-
men dead,
To gain, O Indra, spoils of war and high renown.

HYMN LXIII

1We will, with Indra, and all Gods to aid us, bring these existing.
worlds into subjection.
Our sacrifice, our bodies, and our offspring, let Indra form to-
gether with the Ādityas.
2With the Ādityas with the band of Maruts, may Indra be pro-
tector of our bodies;
As when the Gods came, after they had slaughtered the Asuras,.
keeping safe their godlike nature,
3Brought the Sun hitherward with mighty powers, and looked!
about them on their vigorous God-head.
With this may we obtain strength God-appointed, and brave
sons gladden us through a hundred winters.
4He who alone bestoweth might on mortal man who offereth
gifts,
The ruler of resistless power, is Indra, sure.
5When will he trample like a weed the man who hath no gift for
him?
When verily will Indra hear our songs of praise?
6He who with Soma juice prepared among the many harbours.
thee,
Verily Indra gains thereby tremendous might. p. 315
7Joy, mightiest Indra, known and marked, sprung most from
Soma draughts, wherewith
Thou smitest down the greedy fiend, for that we pray.
8Wherewith thou helpest Adhrigu, the great Dasagva, and the
God
Who stirs the sunlight, and Sea, for that we pray.
9Wherewith thou dravest forth like cars Sindhu and all the
mighty floods.
To go the way ordained by Law, for that we pray.

HYMN LXIV

1Come unto us, O Indra, dear, still conquering, unconcealable,
Vast as a mountain spread on all sides, Lord of heaven.
2O truthful Soma-drinker, thou art mightier than both the
worlds.
Thou strengthenest him who pours libation, Lord of heaven.
3For thou art, he, O Indra, who stormest all castles of the foe,
Slayer of Dasyus, man's supporter, Lord of heaven.
4O ministering priest, pour out of the sweet juice what gladdens
most.
So is the Hero praised who ever prospers us.
5Indra whom tawny coursers bear, praise such a thine,.
preeminent
None by his power or by his goodness hath attained
6We seeking glory, have invoked this Master of all power and'
might.
Who must be glorified by constant sacrifice.

HYMN LXV

1Come, sing we praise to Indra, friends! the Hero who deserves
the laud,
Him who with none to aid o'ercomes all tribes of men. p. 316
2To him who wins the kine, who keeps no cattle back, celestial
God,
Speak wondrous speech more sweet than butter and than mead.
3Whose hero powers are measureless, whose bounty ne'er may be
surpassed,
Whose liberality, like light, is over all.

HYMN LXVI

1As Vyasva did, praise Indra, praise the strong unfluctuating
guide.
Who gives the foe's possessions to the worshipper.
2Now, son of Vyasva, praise thou him who to the tenth time still
is new.
The very wise, whom living men must glorify.
3Thou knowest, Indra, thunder-armed, how to avoid destructive
Powers,
As one secure from pitfalls each succeeding day.

HYMN LXVII

1The pourer of oblations gains the home of wealth pouring his
gift conciliates hostilities, yea, the hostilities of Gods.
Pouring he strives, unchecked and strong, to win him riches
thousandfold.
Indra gives lasting wealth to him who pours forth gifts; yea,
wealth he gives that long shall last.
2Ne'er may those manly deeds of yours for us grow old, never
may your bright glories fall into decay, never before your
time decay. p. 317
What deed of yours, new every age, wondrous, surpassing man,.
rings forth,
Whatever, Maruts may be difficult to gain grant us whate'er is
hard to win.
3I think on Agni, Hotar, the munificent, the gracious Son of
strength, who knoweth all that live, as holy Sage who knoweth
all.
Lord of fair rites, a God with form erected turning to the Gods.
He, when the flame hath sprung forth from the holy oil, the
offered fatness, longeth for it with his glow.
4Busied with sacrifice, with spotted deer and spears, gleaming.
upon your way with ornaments, yea, our friends,
Sitting on sacred grass, ye sons of Bharata, drink Soma from
the Potar's bowl, O Men of heaven.
5Bring the Gods hither, Sage, and offer sacrifice. At the three
altars seat thee willingly .O Priest.
Accept for thy delight the proffered Soma mead: drink from
the Kindler's bowl and sate thee with thy share.
6This is the strengthener of thy body's manly might: strength,.
victory for all time are laid within thine arms.
Pressed for thee, Maghavan, it is offered unto thee: drink from
the chalice of this Brāhman, drink thy fill.
7Him whom of old I called on, him I call on now. He is to be
invoked: his name is He who Gives.
Here brought by priests in Soma mead. Granter of Wealth,
drink Soma with the Seasons from the Hotar's Cup.

HYMN LXVIII

4Go to the wise unconquered One, ask thou of Indra, skilled in
song,
Him who is better than thy friends.
5Whether the men who mock us say, Depart unto another place,
Ye who serve Indra and none else;
6Or whether, God of wondrous deeds, all our true people call us
blest,
Still may we dwell in Indra's care.
7Unto the swift One bring the swift, man-cheering, grace of
sacrifice.
That to the Friend gives wings and joy.
8Thou, Satakratu, drankest this and wast the Vritras' slayer;
thou.
Helpest the warrior in the fray.
9We strengthen, Satakratu, thee, yea, thee the powerfull in fight,
That, Indra, we may win us wealth.
10To him the mighty stream of wealth, prompt Friend of him who
pours the juice,
Yea, to this Indra sing your song.
41O come ye hither, sit ye down: to Indra sing ye forth your
song,
Companions, bringing hymns of praise.
12To him the richest of the rich, the Lord of treasures excellent,
Indra, with Soma juice outpoured.

HYMN LXIX

1May he stand by us in our need and in abundance for our
wealth:
With riches may he come to us;
2Whose pair of tawny horses yoked in battles foemen challenge
not:
To him, to Indra, sing your song.
3Nigh to the Soma-drinker come, for his enjoyment, these bright
drops,
The Somas mingled with the curd.
4Thou, grown at once to perfect strength, wast born to drink the
Soma juice, strong Indra, for preeminence.
5O Indra, lover of the song, may these quick Somas enter thee:
May they bring bliss to thee the Sage.
06. O Lord of Hundred Powers, our chants of praise and lauds have
strengthened thee:
So strengthen thee the songs we sing!
7Indra, whose succour never fails, accept this treasure thousand-
fold,
Wherein all manly powers abide.
8O Indra, thou who lovest song, let no man hurt our bodies,
keep.
Slaughter far from us, for thou canst.
12Thereafter they, as is their wont, threw off the state of babes
urborn,
Taking their sacrificial name.

HYMN LXX

1Thou, Indra, with the Tempest-Gods, the breakers down of
what is firm,
Foundest the kine even in the cave.
2Worshipping even as they list, singers laud him who findeth
wealth,
The far-renowned, the mighty One.
3Then, faring on by Indra's side, the fearless, let thyself be seen,.
Both gracious and in splendour peers.
4With Indra's well-beloved hosts, the blameless, tending heaven-
ward,
The sacrificer cries aloud.
5Come from this place, O wanderer, or downward from the light
of heaven!
Our songs of praise all yearn for this.
6Or Indra we implore for help from here, from heaven above the
earth,
Or from the spacious firmament.
7Indra the singers with high praise, Indra reciters with their
lauds,
Indra the choirs have glorified.
8Indra hath ever close to him his two bay steeds and word-yoked
car,
Indra the golden, Thunder-armed.
9Indra hath raisedjthe Sun on high in heaven, that he may see
afar:
He burst the mountain for the kine.
10Help us, O Indra, in the frays, yea, frays where thousand spoils
are gained,
With awful aids, O awful One.
11In mighty battle we invoke, Indra, Indra in lesser fight,
The friend who bends his bolt at fiends.
12Unclose, our manly Hero, thou for ever bounteous, yonder
cloud,
For us, thou irresistible.
13Still higher, at each strain of mine, thunder-armed Indra's,
praises rise:
I find no laud worthy of him. p. 321
14Even as the bull drives on the herds, he drives the people with
his might,
The ruler irresistible:
15Indra who rules with single sway men, riches, and the fivefold
race.
Of those who dwell upon the earth.
16For your sake from each side we call Indra away from other
men:
Ours, and none others', may he be.
17Indra, bring wealth that gives delight, the victor's ever-conquer-
ing wealth,
Most excellent, to be our aid;
18By means of which we may repel our foes in battle hand to
hand.
By thee assisted with the car.
19Aided by thee, the Thunder-armed, Indra; may we lit up the
bolt,
And conquer all our foes in fight.
20With thee, O Indra, for ally, with missile-darting heroes may
We conquer our embattled foes.

HYMN LXXI

1Mighty is Indra, yea, supreme; greatness becomes the
Thunderer!
Wide as the heaven extends his power;
2Which aideth those to win them sons who come as heroes to the
fight,
Or singers loving holy thoughts.
3His belly drinking deepest draughts of Soma like an ocean
swells,
Like wide streams from the cope of heaven.
7Come, Indra, and delight thee with the juice at all the Soma
feasts,
Protector, mighty in thy strength.
8To Indra pour ye forth the juice, the active gladdening juice, to
him
The gladdening omnific God.
9O Lord of all men, fair of cheek, rejoice thee in the gladdening
buds,
Present at these drink-offerings.
10Songs have outpoured themselves to thee, Indra, the strong, the
guardian Lord.
And raised themselves unsatisfied.
11Send to us bounty manifold, O Indra, worthy of our wish,
For power supreme is only thine.
12O Indra, stimulate thereto us emulously fain for wealth.
And glorious, O most splendid One.
13Give, Indra, wide and lofty fame, wealthy in cattle and in
strength,
Lasting our life-time, failing not.
14Grant us high fame, O Indra, grant riches bestowing thousands,
those
Fair fruits of earth borne home in wains.
15Praising with songs the praise-worthy who cometh to our aid,
we call
Indra, the Treasure-Lord of wealth.
16To lofty Indra, dweller by each libation, the pious man Sings
forth aloud a strengthening hymn.

HYMN LXXII

1In all libations men with hero spirit urge thee, Universal, One,
each seeking several light, each fain to win the light apart.
Thee, furthering like a ship, will we set to the chariot pole of
strength,
As men who win with sacrifices Indra's thought, men who win
Indra with their lauds.
2Couples desirous of thine aid are storming thee, pouring their
presents forth to win a stall of kine, pouring gifts, Indra,
seeking thee.
When two men seeking spoil or heaven thou bringest face to
face in war,
Thou showest Indra, then the bolt thy constant friend, the bull
that ever waits on thee,
3Also this morn may he be well inclined to us, mark at our call
our offerings and our song of praise, our call that we may win
the light.
As thou, O Indra Thunder-armed, wilt, as the Strong One,
slay the foe,
Listen, thou to the prayer of me a later sage, hear thou a later
sage's prayer.

HYMN LXXIII

1All these libations are for thee, O Hero: to thee I offer these
my prayers that strengthen.
Ever, in every place, must men invoke thee. p. 324
2Never do men attain, O Wonder-worker, thy greatness, Mighty
One who must be lauded,
Nor, Indra, thine heroic power and bounty.
3Bring to the Wise, the Great who waxeth mighty your offerings
and make ready your devotion:
To many clans he goeth, man's Controller.
4When, with the Princes, Maghavan, famed of old, comes nigh
the thunderbolt of gold and the Controller's car
Which his two tawny coursers draw, then Indra is the Sovran
Lord of power whose fame spreads far and wide.
5With him too is this rain of his that comes like herds: Indra
throws drops of moisture on his yellow beard.
When the sweet juice is shed he seeks the pleasant place, and
stirs the worshipper as the wind disturbs the wood.
6We laud and praise his several deeds of valour who, fatherlike,.
with power hath made us stronger;
Who with his voice slew many thousand wicked ones who spake
in varied manner with contemptuous cries.

HYMN LXXIV

1O Soma-drinker, ever true, utterly hopeless though we be,
Do thou, O Indra, give us hope of beauteous horses and of kine,
In thousands, O most wealthy One.
2O Lord of strength, whose jaws are strong, great deeds are thine,
the powerful:
Do thou, O Indra, give us hope of beauteous horses and of kine,
In thousands, O most wealthy One.
3Lull thou asleep, to wake no more, the pair who on each other
look:
Do thou, O Indra, give us hope of beauteous horses and of kine,
In thousands, O most wealthy One. p. 325
4Hero, let hostile spirits sleep, and every gentler Genius wake:
Do thou, O Indra, give us hope of beauteous horses and of kine,
In thousands, O most wealthy One.
5Destroy this ass, O Indra, who in tones discordant brays to
thee:
Do thou, O Indra, give us hope of beauteous horses and of kine,
In thousands, O most wealthy One.
6Far distant on the forest fall the tempest in a circling course;
Do thou, O Indra, give us hope of beauteous horses and of kine,
In thousands, O most wealthy One.
7Slay each reviler and destroy him who in secret injures us:
Do thou, O Indra, give us thope of beauteous horses and of
kine,
In thousands, O most wealthy One.

HYMN LXXV

1Couples desirous of thine aid are storming thee, pouring their
presents forth to win a stall of king pouring gifts, Indra,
seeking thee.
When two men seeking spoil or heaven thou bringest face to
face in war,
Thou showest, Indra, then the bolt, thy constant friend, the bull
that ever waits on thee.
2This thine heroic power full well the people knew, wherewith
thou brakest down, Indra, autumnal forts, brakest them down
with conquering might. p. 326
Thou hast chastised. O Indra, Lord of strength, the man who
worships not,
And made thine own this great earth and these water-floods,
with joyous heart these water-floods.
3And they have bruited far this hero might, when thou, O Strong
One, in thy joy helpest thy suppliants who sought to win thee
for their Friend.
Their battle-cry thou madest sound victorious in the shocks of
war.
One stream after another have they gained from thee, eager for
glory have they gained.

HYMN LXXVI

1As sits the young bird on the tree rejoicing, ye, swift pair, have
been roused by clear laudation,
Whose Hoter-priest through many days is Indra, earth's
guardian, friend of men, the best of heroes.
2May we, when this Dawn and the next dance hither, be thy best
servants, most heroic Hero!
Let the victorious car with triple splendour bring hitherward the
hundred chiefs with Kutsa.
3What was the gladdening draught that pleased thee, Indra?
Speed to our doors, our songs, for thou art mighty.
Why comest thou to me, what gift attracts thee?
Fain would I bring thee food most meet to offer.
4Indra, what fame hath one like thee mid heroes? With what
plan wilt thou act? Why hast thou sought us?
As a true friend, Wide-Strider! to sustain us, since food absorbs
the thought of each among us.
5Speed happily those, as Sūrya ends his journey, who meet his
wish as bridegrooms meet their spouses;
Men who support, O Indra strong by nature, with food the
many songs that tell thy praises. p. 327
6Thine are two measures, Indra, wide, well-meted, heaven for thy
majesty, earth for thy wisdom.
Here for thy choice are Somas mixed with butter: may the
sweet meath be pleasant for thy drinking.
7They have poured out a bowl to him, to Indra, full of sweet
juice, for faithful is his bounty.
O'er earth's expanse hath he grown great by wisdom, the friend
of man, and by heroic exploits.
8Indra hath conquered in his wars the mighty: men strive in
multitudes to win his friendship.
Ascend thy chariot as it were in battle, which thou shalt drive
to us with gracious favour,

HYMN LXXVII

1Impetuous, true, let Maghavan come hither, and let his tawny
coursers speed to reach us.
For him have we pressed juice exceeding potent: here, praised
with song, let him effect his visit.
2Unyoke, as at thy journey's end, O Hero, to gladden thee to-day
at this libation.
Like Usanā, the priest a laud shall utter, a hymn to thee, the
Lord Divine, who markest. p. 328
3When the Bull quaffing praises our libation, as a sage paying
holy rites in secret,
Seven singers here from heaven hath he begotten, who e'en by
day have wrought their works while singing.
4When heaven's fair light by hymns was made apparent. (they
made great splendour shine at break of morning),
He with his succour, best of heroes, scattered the blinding dark-
ness so that men saw clearly.
5Indra, impetuous One, hath waxed immensely: he with his
vastness hath filled earth and heaven.
E'en beyond this his majesty extendeth who hath exceeded all
the worlds in greatness,
6Sakra who knoweth well all human actions hath with his eager
friends let loose the waters.
They with their songs cleft e'en the mountain open, and willingly
disclosed the stall of cattle.
7He smote away the flood's obstructer Vritra: Earth conscious
lent her aid to speed thy thunder.
Thou sentest forth the waters of the ocean as Lord through
power and might, O daring Hero.
8When, Much-invoked! the waters' rock thou deftest, Saramā
showed herself and went before thee.
Hymned by Angirases, bursting the cowstalls, thou foundest
ample strength for us as leader.

HYMN LXXVIII

1Sing this, what time the juice is pressed, to him your Hero
much-invoked,
To please him as a mighty, Bull.
2He, excellent, withholdeth not his gift of power and wealth in
kine,
When he hath listened to our songs.
3May he with might disclose for us the cows' stall, whosesoe'er
it be,
To which the Dasyu-slayer goes.

HYMN LXXIX

1O Indra, give us wisdom as a sire gives wisdom to his sons.
Guide us, O Much-invoked, on this our foray: may we, living,
still enjoy the light.
2Grant that no mighty foes, unknown, malevolent, unhallowed,
tread us to the ground.
With thine assistance, Hero! may we pass through all the waters
that are rushing down.

HYMN LXXX

1Bring us, O Indra, name and fame, enriching, mightiest,
excellent,
Wherewith, O wondrous God, fair-cheeked and thunder-armed,
thou hast filled full this earth and heaven.
2We call on thee, O King, mighty among the Gods, ruler of men,
to succour us,
All that is weak in us, excellent God, make firm: make our foes
easy to subdue.

HYMN LXXXI

1O Indra, if a hundred heavens and if a hundred earths were:
thine
No, not a hundred suns could match thee at thy birth, not, both,
the worlds, O Thunderer.
2Thou, Hero, hast performed thy hero needs with might, yea, all+
with strength, O Strongest One.
Maghavan, help us to a stable full of kine, O Thunderer, with)
wondrous aids.

HYMN LXXXII

1If I, O Indra, were the lord of riches ample as thine own,
I should support the singer, God who scatterest wealth! and!
not abandon him to woe.
2Each day would I enrich the man who sang my praise, in what-
soever place he were.
No kinship is there better, Maghavan, than thine: a father even)
is no more.

HYMN LXXXIII

1O Indra, grant a happy home, a triple refuge, triply strong.
Bestow a dwelling-place on the rich lords and me, and keep thy
dart afar from these.
2They who with minds intent on spoil subdue the foe, boldly
attack and smite him down.
From these, O Indra, Bounteous Lord who lovest song, be
closest guardian of our lives.

HYMN LXXXIV

1O Indra marvellously bright, come, these libations long for thee,
Thus by fine fingers purified.
2Urged by the holy singer, sped by song, come, Indra, to the
prayers.
Of the libation-pouring priest.
3Approach, O Indra, hasting thee, Lord of Bay Horses, to the
prayers:
Take pleasure in the juice we pour.

HYMN LXXXV

1Glorify naught besides, O friends; so shall no sorrow trouble
you.
Praise only mighty Indra when the juice is shed, and say your
lauds repeatedly:
2Even him, eternal, like a bull who rushes down, men's con-
queror, bounteous like a cow;
Him who is cause of both, of enmity and peace, to both sides
most munificent.
3Although these men in sundry ways invoke thee to obtain thine
aid.
Be this our prayer, addressed, O Indra, unto thee, thine exalta-
tion every day.
4Those skilled in song, O Maghavan, among these men o'ercome
with might the foeman's songs,
Come hither, bring us strength in many a varied form most near
that it may succour us.

HYMN LXXXVI

1Those who are yoked by prayer with prayer I harness, the two.
fleet friendly Bays who joy together. p. 332
Mounting thy firm and easy car, O Indra, wise and all-knowing
come thou to the Soma.

HYMN LXXXVII

1Priests, offer to the Lord of all the people the milked-out stalk
of Soma, radiant-coloured.
No wild bull knows his drinking-place like Indra who ever seeks
him who hath pressed the Soma.
2Thou dost desire to drink, each day that passes, the pleasant
food which thou hast had aforetime.
O Indra, gratified in heart and spirit, drink eagerly the Soma set
before thee.
3Thou, newly-born, for strength didst drink the Soma; thy
mother told thee of thy future greatness.
O Indra, thou hast filled mid-air's wide region, and given the
Gods by battle room and freedom.
4When thou hast urged the arrogant to combat, proud in their
strength of arm, we will subdue them.
Or, Indra, when thou fightest girt by heroes, we in the glorious
fray with thee will conquer.
5I will declare the earliest deeds of Indra, and recent acts which
Maghavan hath accomplished.
When he had conquered godless wiles and magic, Soma became
his own entire possession.
6Thine is this world of flocks and herds around thee, which with
the eye of Surya thou beholdest.
Thou, Indra, art alone the Lord of cattle: may we enjoy the
treasure which thou givest.
7Ye twain are Lords of wealth in earth and heaven, thou, O
Brihaspati, and thou, O Indra .
Mean though he be, give wealth to him who lauds you. Preserve
us evermore, ye Gods, with blessings.

HYMN LXXXVIII

1Him who with might hath propped earth's ends, who sitteth in
threefold seat, Brihaspati, with thunder,
Him of the pleasant tongue have ancient sages, deep thinking,.
holy singers, set before them.
2Wild in their course, in well-marked wise rejoicing were they,.
Brihaspati, who pressed around us
Preserve, Brihaspati, the stall uninjured,r,this company's raining.
ever-moving birth-place.
3Brihaspati, from thy remotest distance have they sat down who
love the law eternal.
For thee were dug wells springing from the mountain, which
murmuring round about pour streams of sweetness.
4Brihaspati, when first he had his being from mighty splendour in
supremest heaven.
Strong, with his sevenfold mouth, with noise of thunder, with
his seven rays blew and dispersed the darkness.
5With the loud-shouting band who sang his praises, with thunder,
he destroyed malignant Vala.
Brihaspati thundering drave forth the cattle, the lowing cows
who make oblations ready.
6Serve we with sacrifices, gifts, and homage even thus the Steer
of all the Gods, the Father.
Brihaspati, may we be lords of riches, with noble progeny and,
store of heroes.

HYMN LXXXIX

1Even as an archer shoots afar his arrow, offer the laud to him
with meet adornment.
Quell with your voice the wicked's voice, O sages, Singer, make
Indra rest beside the Soma.
2Draw thy Friend to thee like a cow at milking: O singer, wake
up Indra as a lover.
Make thou the Hero haste to give us riches even as a vessel
filled brimful with treasure.
3Why, Maghavan, do they call thee bounteous Giver? Quicken
me: thou, I hear, art he who quickens.
Sakra, let my intelligence be active, and bring us luck that finds
great wealth, O Indra.
4Standing, in battle for their rights, together, the people, Indra,
in the fray invoke thee.
Him who brings gifts the Hero makes his comrade: with him
who pours no juice he seeks not friendship.
5Whoso with plenteous juice for him expresses strong Somas as
much quickly-coming treasure,
For him he everthrows in early morning his swift well-weapon-
ed foes and slays the tyrant.
6He unto whom we offer praises, Indra, Maghavan, who hath
joined to ours his wishes
Before him even afar the foe must tremble: low before him must
bow all human glories.
7With thy fierce bolt, O God invoked of many, drive to a distance
from afar the foeman.
O Indra, give us wealth in corn and cattle, and make the singer's
prayer gain strength and riches.
8Indra the swallower of strong libations with their thick residue,
the potent Somas,
He, Maghavan, will not restrict his bounty: he brings much
wealth unto the Soma-presser.
9Yea, by superior play he wins advantage when he, a gambler,
piles his gains in season. p. 335
Celestial-natured, he o'erwhelms with riches the devotee who
keeps not back his money.
10O much-invoked, may we subdue all famine and evil want with
store of grain and cattle.
May we allied, as first in rank, with princes,:obtain possessions
by our own exertion
11Brihaspati protect us from the rearward, and from above and
from below, from sinners.
May Indra from the front and from the centre, as friend to
friends, vouchsafe us room and freedom.

HYMN XC

1Served with oblations, first-born, mountain-render, Angiras' Son,
Brihaspati the holy.
With twice-firm path, dwelling in light, our Father, roars loudly,
as a bull, to earth and heaven.
2Brihaspati who made for such a people wide room and verge
when Gods were invocated—
Slaying his foe he breaketh down their cattles, quelling his
enemies and those who hate him.
3Brihaspati in war hath won rich treasures, hath won, this God,
the great stalls filled with cattle.
Striving to win waters and light, resistless, Brihaspati with light-
ning smites the foeman.

HYMN XCI

1This holy hymn sublime and seven-headed, sprung from eternal
Law, our sire discovered.
Ayāsya, friend of all men, hath engendered the fourth hymn as
he sang his laud to Indra.
2Thinking aright, praising eternal Order, the sons of Dyaus the
Asura, those heroes,
Angirases, holding the rank of sages, first honoured sacrifice's
holy statute.
3Girt by his friends who cried with swanlike voices, bursting the
stoney barriers of the prison,
Brihaspati spake in thunder to the cattle, and uttered praise and.
song when he had found them.
4Apart from one, away from two above him, he draye the kine
that stood in bonds of falsehood.
Brihaspati, seeking light amid the darkness, draye forth the
bright cows: three he made apparent.
5When he had cleft the lairs and western castle, he cut off three
from him who held the waters.
Brihaspati discovered, while he thundered like Dyaus, the dawn,.
the sun, the cow, the lightning.
6As with a hand, so with his roaring Indra cleft Vala through,.
the guardian of the cattle.
Seeking the milk-draught with sweat-shining comrades he stole:
the Pani's kine and left him weeping.
7He with bright faithful friends, winners of booty, hath rent the
milker of the cows asunder.
Brihaspati with wild boars strong and mighty sweating with heat
hath gained a rich possession.
8They, longing for the kine, with faithful spirit incited with their
hymns the Lord of cattle.
Brihaspati freed the radiant cows with comrades self-yoked,.
averting shame from one another.
9In our assembly with auspicious praises exalting him who roareth.
like a lion.
May we in every fight where heroes conquer rejoice in strong.
Brihaspati the victor.
10When he had won him strength of every nature and gone to
heaven and its most lofty mansions, p. 337
Men praised Brihaspati the mighty, bringing the light within
their mouths from sundry places.
11Fulfil the prayer that begs for vital vigor: aid in your wonted
manner e'en the humble.
Let all our foes be turned and driven backward. Hear this, O
Heaven and Earth, ye all-producers.
12Indra with mighty strength hath cleft asunder the head of Arbuda
the watery monster,
Slain Ahi, and set free the Seven Rivers. O Heaven and Earth,
with all the Gods, protect us.

HYMN XCII

1Praise, even as he is known, with song Indra the guardian of the
kine,
The Son of Truth, Lord of the brave.
2Hither his bay steeds have been sent, red steeds are on the sacred
grass.
Where we in concert sing our songs. p. 338
3For Indra thunder-armed the kine have yielded mingled milk
and meath.
What time he found them in the vault.
4When I and Indra amount on high up to the bright One's place
and home,
We, having drunk of meath, will reach his seat whose Friends
are three-times-seven.
5Sing, sing ye forth your songs of praise, ye Priyamedhas, sing
your songs:
Yea, let young children sing their lauds: as a strong castle praise
ye him.
6Now loudly let the viol sound, the lute send out its voice with
might,
Shrill be the music of the string. To Indra is the hymn upraised.
7When hither speed the dappled cows, unflinching, easy to be
milked,
Seize quickly, as it bursts away, the Soma juice for Indra's
drink.
8Indra hath drunk; Agni hath drunk all Deities have drunk their
fill.
Here Varuna shall have his home, to whom the floods have sung
aloud as mother-kine unto their calves.
9Thou, Varuna, to whom belong the Seven Streams, art a glorious
God.
The waters flow into thy throat as'twere a pipe with ample
mouth.
10He who hath made the fleet steeds spring, well-harnessed, to the
worshipper,
He, the swift guide, is that fair form thot loosed the horses near
at hand.
11Indra, the very mighty, holds his enemies in utter scorn.
He, far away, and yet a child, cleft the cloud smitten by his
voice.
12He, yet a boy exceeding small, mounted his newly-fashioned car.
He for his Mother and his Sire cooked the wild mighty buffalo.
13Lord of the Home, with beauteous cheeks, ascend thy chariot
wrought of gold.
We will attend the heavenly One; the thousand-footed, red of
hue, matchless, who blesses where he goes.
14With reverence they come hitherward to him as to a sovran lord, p. 339
That they may bring him near for this man's good success, to
prosper and bestow his gifts.
15The Priyamedhas have observed the offering of the men of old,
Of ancient custom, while they strewed the sacred grass and
spread their sacrificial food.
16He who as sovran Lord of men moves with his chariots
unrestrained,
The Vritra-slayer, queller of all fighting hosts, preeminent, is
praised in song.
17Honour that Indra, Puruhanman! for his aid, in whose sustain-
ing hand of old.
The splendid bolt of thunder was deposited, as the great Sun
was set in heaven.
18No one by deed attains to him who works and strengthens
evermore:
No, not by sacrifice, to Indra praised of all, resistless, daring,
bold in might;
19The potent Conqueror, invincible in war, him at whose birth
the mighty ones,
The kine who spread afar, sent their loud voices out, heavens,
earths sent their loud voices out.
20O Indra, if a hundred heavens and if a hundred earths were
thine
No, not a thousand suns could match thee at thy birth, not
both the worlds, O Thunderer.
21Thou, Hero, hast performed thy hero deeds with might, yea, all
with strength, O Strongest One.
Maghavan, help us to a stable full of kine, O Thunderer, with
wondrous aids.

HYMN XCIII

1May our hymns give thee great delight. Display thy bounty,
Thunderer.
Drive off the enemies of prayer.
2Crush with thy foot the niggard churls who bring no gifts.
Might art thou:
There is not one to equal thee.
3Thou art the Lord of Soma pressed, Soma unpressed is also
thine,
Thou art the Sovran of the folk.
4Swaying about the active Ones came nigh to Indra at his birth,
And shared his great heroic might.
5Based upon strength and victory and power, O Indra is thy
birth.
Thou, Mighty One, art strong indeed.
6Thou art the Vritra-slayer, thou, Indra, hast spread the
firmament:
Thou hast with might upheld the heavens.
7Thou, Indra, bearest in thine arms the lightning that accords
with thee,
Whetting thy thunderbolt with might.
8Thou, Indra, art pre-eminent over all creatures in thy strength:
Thou hast pervaded every place.

HYMN XCIV

1May Sovran Indra come to the carousal, he who by holy Law is
strong and active.
The overcomer of all conquering forces with his great bull-like
power that hath no limit.
2Firm-seated is thy car, thy steeds are docile: thy hand, O King,
holds, firmly grasped, the thunder.
On thy fair path, O Lord of men, come quickly: we will increase
thy power when thou hast drunken.
3Let strong and mighty steeds who bear this mighty Indra, the
Lord of men, whose arm wields thunder,
Bring unto us, as shares of our banquet, the Bull of conquering
might, of real vigour.
4So like a bull thou rushest to the Lord who loves the trough,
the Sage, the prop of vigour, in the vat.
Prepare thine energies, collect them in thyself: be for our profit
as the Master of the wise.
5May precious treasures come to us,— so will I pray. Come to the
votary's gift offered with beauteous laud.
Thou art the Lord, as such sit on this holy grass: thy vessels
are inviolate as Law commands.
6Far went our earliest invocations of the Gods, and won us
glories that can never be surpassed.
They who could not ascend the ship of sacrifice sink down in
desolation, trembling with alarm.
7So be the others, evil-hearted, far away, whose horses difficult to
harness have been yoked.
Here in advance man stand anear to offer gifts, by whom full
many a work that brings reward is done.
8He firmly fixed the plains and mountains as they shook. Dyaus
thundered forth and made the air's mid-region quake.
He stays apart the two confronting bowls; he sings lauds in the
potent Soma's joy when he hath drunk.
9I bear this deftly-fashioned goad of thine wherewith thou,
Maghavan, shalt break the strikers with the hoof. p. 342
At the libation mayst thou be well satisfied. Partake the juice,
partake the banquet, Bounteous Lord.
10O Much-invoked, may we subdue all famine and evil want with
store of grain and cattle.
May we allied, as first in rank, with princes, obtain possessions
by our own exertions.
11Brihaspati protect us from the rearward, and from above, and
from below, from sinners!
May Indra from the front and from the centre, as friend to
friends, vouchsafe us room and freedom.

HYMN XCV

1From the three jars the Great and Strong hath drunk drink blent
with meal. With Vishnu hath he quaffed the flowing Soma
juice, all that he would.
That hath so heightened him the Great, the Vast, to do his
mighty work.
So may the God attend the God, true Indu Indra who is true.
2Sing strength to Indra that shall set his chariot in the foremost
place. p. 343
Giver of room in closest fight, slayer of foes in shock of war, be
thou our great encourager. Let the weak bowstrings break
upon the bows of feeble enemies.
3Thou didst destroy the Dragon: thou sentest the rivers down to
earth.
Foeless, O Indra, wast thou born. Thou tendest well each
choicest thing. Therefore we draw us close to thee. Let the
weak bowstrings break upon the bows of feeble enemies.
4Destroyed be all malignities and all our enemy's designs.
Thy bolt thou castest at the foe, O Indra, who would smite us
dead: thy liberal bounty gives us wealth. Let the weak bow-
strings break upon the bows of feeble enemies.

HYMN XCVI

1Taste this strong draught that gives thee vital vigour: with all
thy chariot here unyoke thy coursers.
Let not those other sacrificers stay thee, Indra: these juices shed
for thee are ready.
2Thine is the juice effused, thine are the juices yet to be pressed:
our resonant songs invite thee.
O Indra, pleased to-day with this libation, come, thou who
knowest all, and drink the Soma.
3Whoso, devoted to the God, effuses Soma for him with yearning
heart and spirit,
Never doth Indra give away his cattle: for him he makes the
lovely Soma famous.
4He looks with loving favour on the mortal who, like a rich man,
pours for him the Soma.
Maghavan in his bended arm supports him: he slays, unasked,
the men who hate devotion.
5We call on thee to come to us, desirous of booty, and of cattle,
and of horses. p. 344
For thy new love and favour are we present: let us invoke thee,
Indra, as our welfare.
6For life I set thee free by this oblation from the unknown
decline and from consumption;
Or, if the grasping demon have possessed him, free him from
her, O Indra, thou and Agni.
7Be his days ended, be he how departed, be he brought very near
to death already,
Out of Destruction's lap again I bring him, save him for life to
last a hundred autumns.
8With thousand-eyed oblation, hundred-autumned, bringing a
hundred lives, have 1 restored him.
That Indra for a hundred years may lead him safe to the farther
shore of all misfortune.
9Live waxing in thy strength a hundred autumns, live through a
hundred springs, a hundred winters.
Through hundred-lived oblation Indra, Agni, Brihaspati, Savitar
yield him for a hundred!
10So have I found and rescued thee: thou hast returned with
youth renewed.
Whole in thy members! I have found whole sight and all thy
life for thee.
11May Agni yielding to our prayer, the Rakshas-killer, drive away.
The malady of evil name that hath beset thy labouring womb.
12Agni, concurring in the prayer, drive off the eater of thy flesh,
The malady of evil name that hath attacked thy babe and
womb.
13That which destroys the sinking germ, the settled, moving
embryo,
That which would kill the babe at birth, even this will we drive
far away.
14That which divides thy legs that it may lie between the married
pair,
That penetrates and licks thy side, even this will we exterminate.
15What rests by thee in borrowed form of brother, lover, or of
lord,
And would destroyed the progeny,—even this will we exter-
minate.
16That which through sleep or darkness hath deceived thee and
lies down by thee, p. 345
And will destroy thy progeny,—even this will we exterminate.
17From both thy nostrils, from thine eyes, from both thine ears
and from thy chin,
Forth from thy head and brain and tongue I drive thy malady
away.
18From the neck-tendons and the neck, from the breast-bones
and from the spine,
From shoulders, upper, lower arms, I drive thy malady away.
19From viscera and all within, forth from the rectum, from the
heart,
From kidneys, liver and from spleen, I drive thy malady away.
20From thighs, from knee-caps, and from heels, and from the
forepart of the feet,
From hips, from stomach, and from groin, I drive thy malady
away.
21From what is voided from within, and from thy hair, and from
thy nails,
From all thyself, from top to toe, I drive thy malady away.
22From every member, every hair, disease that comes in every
joint,
From all thyself, from top to toe, I drive thy malady away.
23Avaunt, thou Master of the Mind, I Depart and vanish far away.
Look on Destruction far from us. The live man's mind is
manifold.

HYMN XCVII

1Here verily yesterday we let the Thunder-wielder drink his fill.
So in like manner, offer him the juice to day. Now range you.
by the Glorious One.
2Even the wolf, the savage beast that rends the sheep, follows the
path of his decrees.
So, India, graciously accepting this our praise, with wondrous.
thought come forth to us.
3What manly deed of vigour now remains that Indra hath not
done?
Who hath not heard his glorious title and his fame, the Vritra-
slayer from his birth?

HYMN XCVIII

1That we may win us wealth and spoil we poets verily call on
thee.
In war men call on thee, Indra, the hero's Lord, in the steed's,
race-course call on thee.
2As such, O Wonderful whose hand holds thunder, praised as
mighty, Caster of the Stone.
Pour on us boldly, Indra, kie and chariot-steeds, ever to be the
conqueror's strength.

HYMN XCIX

1Men with their lauds are urging thee, Indra, to drink the Soma
first.
The Ribhus in accord have lifted up their voice and Rudras.
sung thee as the First.
2Indra increased his manly strength at sacrifice, in the wild
rapture of this juice;
And living men to-day, even as of old, sing forth their praises to
his majesty.

HYMN C

1Now have we, Indra, Friend of Song, sent our great wishes
forth to thee.
Coming like floods that follow floods.
2As rivers swell the ocean, so, Hero, our prayers increase thy
might,
Though of thyself, O Thunderer, waxing day by day.
3With holy song they bind to the broad wide-yoked car the bay
steeds of the rapid God,
Bearers of India, yoked by prayer.

HYMN CI

1Agni we choose, the messenger, the herald, master of all wealth,.
Well skilled in this our sacrifice.
2With calls they ever invocate Agni, Agni, Lord of the House,
Oblation-bearer, much-beloved.
3Bring the Gods hither, Agni, born for him who strews the
sacred grass.
Thou art our herald, meet for praise.

HYMN CII

1Meet to be lauded and adored, showing in beauty through the=
dark, p. 348
Agni the Bull is kindled well,
2Agni is kindled as a Bull, like a horse bearer of the Gods;
Men with oblations worship him.
3Thee will we kindle as a Bull, we who are bulls ourselves, O
Bull,
Thee, Agni, shining mightily.

HYMN CIII

1Solicit with your hymns, for aid, Agni the God with piercing
flame,
For riches famous Agni, Purmilha ‘and ye men, Agni to light
our dwelling well.
2Agni, come hither with thy fires: we choose thee as our Hotai-
priest.
Let the extended ladle full of oil balm thee, best priest, to sit on
sacred grass.
3For unto thee, O Angiras, O Son of Strength, move ladles in the
sacrifice,
To Agni, Child of Force, whose locks drop oil, we seek, fore-
most in sacrificial rites.

HYMN CIV

1May these my songs of praise exalt thee, Lord who hast abun-
dant wealth.
Men skilled in holy hymns, bright with the hues of fire, have
sung them with their lauds to thee.
2He with his might enhanced by Rishis thousand-fold, hath like
an ocean spread himself. p. 349
His majesty is praised as true at solemn rites, his power where
holy singers rule
3May Indra, who in every fight must be invoked, be near to us.
May the most mighty Vritra-slayer, meet for praise, come to
libations and to hymns.
4Thou 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.

HYMN CV

1Thou in the battles, Indra, art subduer of all hostile bands.
Father art thou, all-conquering, cancelling the curse, thou victor
of the vanquisher.
2The earth, and heaven cling close to thy victorious might, as sire
and mother to their child.
When thou attackest Vritra all the hostile bands shrink and
faint, Indra at thy wrath.
3Bring to your aid the Eternal One, who shoots and none may
shoot at him,
Inciter, swift, victorious, best of charioteers, Tugrya's unvan-
quished strengthener;

HYMN CVI

1That lofty energy of thine, thy strength and thine intelligence,
Thy thunderbolt for which we long, our wish makes keen.
2O Indra, heaven and earth augment thy manly power and thy
renown,
The waters and the mountains stir and urge thee on. p. 350
3Vishnu, the lofty Ruling Power, Varuna, Mitra sing thy praise:
In thee the Maruts' company hath great delight.

HYMN CVII

1Before his hot displeasure all the peoples, all the men bow
down,
As rivers bend them to the sea.
2This power of his shone brightly forth when Indra brought to-
gether like
A skin the worlds of earth and heaven.
3The fiercely-moving Vritra's head he severed with his thunder-
bolt,
His hundred-knotted thunderbolt.
4In all the worlds That was the best and highest whence sprang
the mighty God, of splendid valour.
As soon as born he overcomes his foemen, he in whom all who
lend him aid are joyful.
5Grown mighty in his strength, with ample vigour, he as a foe
strikes fear into the Dāsa,
Eager to win the breathing and the breathless. All sang thy
praise at banquet and oblation.
6All concentrate on thee their mental vigour, what time these,
twice or thrice, are thine assistants.
Blend what is sweeter than the sweet with sweetness: win quickly
with our meath that meath in battle.
7Therefore in thee too, thou who winnest riches, at every banquet
are the sages joyful
With mighter power, bold God, extend thy firmness: let not
malignant Yātudhānas harm thee.
8Proudly we put our trust in thee in battles, when we behold great
wealth the prize of combat.
I with my words impel thy weapons onward, and sharpen with
my prayer thy vital vigour.
9Worthy of praises many-shaped, most skilful, most energetic,
Āptya of the Aptyas: p. 351
He with his might destroys the seven Dānus, subduing many
who were deemed his equals.
10Thou in that house which thy protection guardedh bestowest-
wealth, the higher and the lower.
Thou stablishest the two much-wandering Mothers, and bringest
many deeds to their completion.
11Brihaddiva, the foremost of light-winners, repeasts these holy
prayers, this strength to Indra.
He rules the great self-luminous fold of cattle, and all the doors
of light hath he thrown open.
12Thou hath Brihaddiva the great Atharvan, spoken to Indra as
himself in person.
The Mātarisvarīs, the spotless sisters, with power exalt him and
impel him onward.
13Bright, Presence of the Gods, the luminous herald, Siirya hath
mounted the celestial regions.
Day's maker, he hath shone away the darkness, and radiant
passed o'er places hard to traverse.
14The brilliant Presence of the Gods hath risen, the eye of Mitra,
Varuna, and Agni.
The soul of all that moveth not or moveth, Sūrya hath filled the
earth and air and heaven.
15Even as a lover followeth a maiden, so doth the Sun the Dawn,
refulgent Goddess:
Where pious men extend their generations before the Gracious
One for happy fortune.

HYMN CVIII

1O Indra, bring great strength to us, bring valour, Satakratu, thou
most active, bring.
A hero conquering in war.
2For, gracious Satakratu, thou hast ever been a mother and a
sire to us,
So now for bliss we pray to thee.
3To thee, Strong, Much-invoked who showest forth thy strength,
O Satakratu, do I speak:
So grant thou us heroic might.

HYMN CIX

1The juice of Soma thus diffused, sweet to the taste, the bright
Cows drink
Who for the sake of splendour close to mighty Indra's side
rejoice, good in their own supremacy.
2Craving his touch the dappled Kine mingle the Soma with their
milk. p. 353
The milch-kine dear to Indra send forth his death-dealing thun-
derbolt, good in their own supremacy.
3With veneration, passing wise, honouring his victorious might,
They follow close his many laws to win them due preeminence,
good in their own supremacy.

HYMN CX

1For Indra, lover of carouse, loud be our songs about the juice:
Let poets sing the hymn of praise.
2We summon Indra to the draught, in whom all glories rest, in
whom
The seven communities rejoice.
3By the three Soma jars the Gods span sacrifice that stirs the
mind:
Let our songs aid and prosper it.

HYMN CXI

1If, Indra, thou drink Soma by Vishnu's or Trita Āptya's side,
Or with the Maruts take delight in flowing drops;
2Or, Sakra, if thou gladden thee afar or in the sea of air,
Rejoice thee in this juice of ours, in flowing drops.
3Or, Lord of Heroes, if thou aid the worshipper who sheds the
juice,
Or him whose laud delights thee, and his flowing drops.

HYMN CXII

1Whatever, Vritra-slayer! thou Sūrya, hast risen upon to-day,
That, Indra, all is in thy power.
2When, Mighty One, Lord of the Brave, thou thinkest, I shall
never die,
That thought of thine is true indeed.
3Thou, Indra, goest unto all Soma libations shed for thee,
Both far away and near at hand.

HYMN CXIII

1Both boons—may Indra hitherward turned, listen to this, prayer
of ours,
And, mightiest Maghavan with thought inclined to us come nigh
to drink the Soma juice.
2For him, strong independent Ruler, Heaven and Earth have
fashioned forth for power and might.
Thou seatest thee as first among thy peers in place, for thy soul
longs for Soma juice.

HYMN CXIV

1O Indra, from all ancient time rivalless ever and companionless
art thou:
In war thou seekest comradeship.
2Thou findest not the wealthy man to be thy friend: those scorn
thee who are flown with wine.
What time thou thunderest and gatherest, then thou, even as a
father, art invoked.

HYMN CXV

1I from my Father have received deep knowledge of the holy
Law:
I was born like unto the Sun.
2After the lore of ancient time I make, like Kanva, beauteous
songs,
And Indra's self gains strength thereby.
3Whatever Rishis have not praised thee, Indra, or have lauded
thee,
By me exalted wax thou strong.

HYMN CXVI

1Never may we be cast aside and strangers, as it were to thee.
We, Thunder-wielding Indra, count ourselves as trees rejected
and unfit to burn.
2O Vritra slayer, we were thought slow and unready for the fray:
Yet once in thy great bounty may we have delight, O Hero,
after praising thee.

HYMN CXVII

1Drink 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.
2So let the draught of joy, thy dear companion, by which, O Lord
of Bays, thou slayest foemen,
Delight thee, Indra, Lord of princely treasures.
3Mark closely, Maghavan; the words I utter, this eulogy recited
by Vasishtha:
Accept the prayers I offer at thy banquet.

HYMN CXVIII

1Indra with all thy saving helps give us assistance, Lord of Power
For after thee we follow even as glorious bliss, thee, Hero,
finder-out of wealth.
2Increaser of our steeds and multiplying kine, a golden well, O
God, art thou;
For no one may impair the gifts laid up in thee, Bring me what-
ever thing I ask.
3Indra for worship of the Gods, Indra while sacrifice proceeds,
Indra as warriors in the battle-shock we call, Indra that we may
win the spoil.
4With might hath Indra spread out heaven and earth, with power
hath Indra lighted up the Sun.
In Indra are all creatures closely held; in him meet the distilling
Soma drops.

HYMN CXIX

1An ancient praise-song hath been sung: to Indra have ye said
the prayer.
They have sung many a Brihatī of sacrifice, poured forth th,
worshipper's many thoughts.
2In zealous haste the singers have sung forth a song distilling oil
and rich in sweets.
Riches have spread among us, and heroic strength; with us are
flowing Soma drops.

HYMN CXX

1Though, Indra, thou art called by men eastward and westward,
north and south, p. 357
Thou chiefly art with Anava and Turvasa, brave Champion!
urged by men to come.
2Or, Indra, when with Ruma, Rusama, Syāvaka, and Kripa thou
rejoicest thee,
Still do the Kanvas bring praises, with their prayers, O Indra,
draw thee hither: come.

HYMN CXXI

1Over the three great distances, past the Five Peoples go thy way,
O Indra, noticing our voice.
2Send forth thy ray like Sūrya: let my songs attract thee hither-
ward.
Like waters gathering to the vale.

HYMN CXXII

1With Indra splendid feasts be ours enriched with ample spoil,
wherewith,
Wealthy in food, we may rejoice.
2Like thee, thyself, the singers' friend, thou movest as it were,
besought,
Bold One, the axle of the car.
3That, Satakratu, thou to grace and please thy praisers, as it
were,
Stirrest the axle with thy strength.

HYMN CXXIII

1This is the Godhead, this the might of Sūrya: he hath with-
drawn what spread o'er work unfinished.
When he hath loosed his horses from their station, straight over
all night spreadeth out her garment.
2In the sky's lap the Sun this form assumeth for Mitra and for
Vāruna to look on.
His bay steeds well maintain his power eternal, at one time
bright and darksome at another.

HYMN CXXIV

1With what help will he come to us, wonderful, ever-waxing
Friend,
With what most mighty company?
2What genuine and most liberal draught will spirit thee with
juice to burst.
Open e'en strongly-guarded wealth?
3Do thou who art protector us thy friends who praise thee
With hundred aids approach us.
4We will, with Indra and all Gods to help us, bring these existing
worlds into subjection.
Our sacrifice, our bodies, and our offspring shall Indra form
together with the Ādityas.
5With the Ādityas, with the band of Maruts, may Indra be pro-
tector of our bodies.
As when the Gods came after they had slaughtered the Asuras,
keeping safe their Godlike nature,
6Brought the Sun hitherward with mighty powers, and looked
about them on their vigorous Godhead. p. 359
With this may we obtain strength God-appointed, and joy with
brave sons through a hundred winters.

HYMN CXXV

1Drive all our enemies away, O Indra, the western, mighty Con-
queror, and the eastern,
Hero, drive off our northern foes and southern, that we in thy
wide shelter may be joyful.
2What then? As men whose fields are full of barley reap the ripe
corn removing it in order,
So bring the food of those men, bring it hither, who come not
to prepare the grass for worship.
3Men come not with one horse at sacred seasons; thus they
obtain no honour in assemblies.
Sages desiring herds of kine and horses strengthen the mighty
Indra for his friendship.
4Ye, Asvins, Lords of Splendour, drank full draughts of grateful
Soma juice,
And aided Indra in his work with Namuchi of Asura birth.
5As parents aid a son, both Asvins, Indra, aided thee with their
wondrous powers and wisdom
When thou, with might, hadst drunk the draught that glad-
dens, Sarasvati, O Maghavan refreshed thee.
6Indra is strong to save, rich in assistance: may he, possessing
all, be kind and gracious.
May he disperse our foes and give us safety, and may we be the
lords of hero vigour.
7May we enjoy his favour, his the holy: may we enjoy his blessed
loving-kindness.
May this rich Indra, as our good protector, drive off and keep
afar all those who hate us.

HYMN CXXVI

1Men have abstained from pouring juice; nor counted Indra as a
God.
Where at the votary's store my friend Vrishākapi hath drunk his
fill. Supreme is Indra over all.
2Thou, Indra, heedless passest by the ill Vrishākapi hath
wrought;
Yet nowhere else thou findest place wherein to drink the Soma
juice. Supreme is Indra over all.
3What hath he done to injure thee, this tawny beast Vrishākapi,
With whom thou art so angry now? What is the votary's food-
ful store? Supreme is Indra over all.
4Soon may the hound who hunts the boar seize him and bite him
in the ear,
O Indra, that Vrishākapi whom thou protectest as a friend.
Supreme is Indra over all.
5Kapi hath marred the beauteous things, all deftly wrought, that
were my joy.
In pieces will I rend his head; the sinner's portion shall be woe.
Supreme is Indra over all.
6No dame hath ampler charms than I, or greater wealth of love's
delights.
None with more ardour offers all her beauty to her lord's
embrace. Supreme is Indra over all.
7Mother whose love is quickly won,I say what verily will be,
My breast, O mother, and my head and both my hips seem
quivering Supreme is Indra over all.
8Dame with the lovely hands and arms, with broad hair-plaits
and ample hips,
Why, O thou hero's wife, art thou angry with our Vrishākapi?
Supreme is Indra over all.
9This noxious creature looks on me as one bereft of hero's love. p. 361
Yet heroes for my sons have I, the Maruts' friend and Indra's
Queen Supreme is Indra over all.
10From olden time the matron goes to feast and general sacrifice.
Mother of heroes, Indra's Queen, the rite's ordainer is extolled.
Supreme is Indra over all.
11So have I heard Indrāni called most fortunate among these
dames,
For never shall her Consort die in future time through length
of days. Supreme is Indra over all.
12Never, Indrāni have I joyed without my friend Vrishākapi,
Whose welcome offering here, made pure with water, goeth to
the Gods. Supreme is Indra over all.
13Wealthy Vrishākapāyi, blest with sons and consorts of thy sons,
Indra will eat thy bulls, thy dear oblation that effecteth much.
Supreme is Indra over all.
14Fifteen in number, then, for me a score of bullocks they
prepare.
And I devour the fat thereof: they fill my belly full with food.
Supreme is Indra over all.
15Like as a bull with pointed horn, loud bellowing amid the herds,
Sweet to thine heart, O Indra, is the brew which she who tends
thee pours. Supreme is Indra over all.
16Indrāni speaks. Non ille fortis (ad Venerem) est cujus mentula
laxe inter femora dependet; fortis vero estille cujus, quum
sederit, membrum pilosum se extendit. Super omnia est
Indra.
17Indra speaks. Non fortis est ille cujus, quum sederit, membrum
pilosum se extendit: fortis vero est ille cujus mentula laxe
inter femora dependet. Super omnia est Indra.
18O Indra, this Vrishākapi hath found a slain wild animal,
Dresser, and new-made pan, and knife, and wagon with a load
of wood. Supreme is Indra over all.
19Distinguishing the Dāsa and the Arya, viewing all, I go.
I look upon the wise, and drink the simple votary's Soma juice.
Supreme is Indra over all.
20The desert plains and steep descents, how many leagues in length
they spread!
Go to the nearest houses, go unto thine home, Vrishākapi.
Supreme is Indra over all.
21Turn thee again Vrishākapi; we twain will bring thee happiness.
Thou goest homeward on thy way along this path which leads
to sleep. Supreme is Indra over all.
22When, Indra and Vrishākapi, ye travelled upward to your home,
Where was that noisome beast, to whom went it, the beast that
troubles man? Supreme is Indra over all.
23Daughter of Manu, Parsu bare a score of children at a birth. p. 362
Her portion verily was bliss although her burthen caused her
grief.

HYMN CXXVII

A hymn in praise of the good Government of King Kaurama

1Listen to this, ye men, a laud of glorious bounty shall be sung.
Thousands sixty, and ninety we, O Kaurama, among the
Rusamas have received.
2Camels twice-ten that draw the car, with females by their side,
he gave.
Fain would the chariot's top bow down escaping from the stroke
of heaven.
3A hundred chains of gold, ten wreaths, upon thee Rishi he
bestowed,
And thrice-a-hundred mettled steeds, ten-times-a-thousand cows
he gave.
4Glut thee, O Singer, glut thee like a bird on a ripe-fruited tree.
Thy lips and tongue move swiftly like the sharp blades of a pair
of shears.
5Quickly and willingly like kine forth come the singers and their
hymns:
Their little maidens are at home, at home they wait upon the
cows.
6O Singer, bring thou forth the hymn that findeth cattle, findeth:
wealth. p. 364
Even as an archer aims his shaft address this prayer unto the
Gods.
7List to Parikshit's eulogy, the sovran whom all people love,
The King who ruleth over all, excelling mortals as a God.
8'Mounting his throne, Parikshit, best of all, hath given us peace
and rest,'
Saith a Kauravya to his wife as he is ordering his house.
9'Which shall I set before thee, curds, gruel of milk, or barley-
brew?'
Thus the wife asks her husband in the realm which King
Parikshit rules.
10Up as it were to heavenly light springs the ripe corn above the
cleft.
Happily thrive the people in the land where King Parikshit
reigns.
11Indra hath waked the bard and said, Rise, wander singing here
and there.
Praise me, the strong: each pious man will give thee riches in
return,
12Here, cows! increase and multiply, here ye, O horses, here, O
men.
Here, with a thousand rich rewards, doth Pūshan also seat him-
self.
13O Indra, let these cows be safe, their master free from injury.
Let not the hostile-hearted or the robber have control of them.
14Oft and again we glorify the hero with our hymn of praise, with
prayer, with our auspicious prayer.
Take pleasure in the songs we sing: let evil never fall on us.

HYMN CXXVIII

Sacrificial formulas

1The worshipper who pours the juice, for gathering and assembly
fit,
And yonder foe-destroying Sun,—these have the Gods designed
of old.
2He who defiles a sister, he who willingly would harm a friend,
The fool who slights his elder, these, they say, must suffer down.
below.
3Whenever any good man's son becometh bold and spirited,
Then hath the wise Gandharva said this pleasant upward-point-
ing word.
4The most unprofitable churl, the wealthy men who brings no.
gift,
These, verily, as we have heard, are cast away by all the wise.
5But they who have adored the Gods, and they who have best-
owed their gifts,
Those liberal lords are filled with wealth like Sūrya risen up to
heaven.
6With unanointed eyes and limbs, wearing no gem or ring of
gold.
No priest, no Brāhman's son is he: these things are ordered in
the rules.
7With well-anointed limbs and eyes, wearing fair gem and golden,
ring,
Good priest is he, the Brāhman's son; these things are ordered
in the rules.
8Pools with no place for drinking, and the wealthy man who.
giveth naught,
The pretty girl you may not touch, these things are ordered in:
the rules. p. 366
9Pools with good drinking places, and the wealthy man who
freely gives,
The pretty girl who may be touched, these things are ordered in
the rules.
10The favourite wife neglected, and the man who safely shuns the
fight,
A sluggish horse whom none may guide, these things are order-
ed in the rules.
11The favourite wife most dearly loved, the man who safely goes
to war,
The fleet steed who obeys the rein, these things are ordered in
the rules.
12When, Indra, thou, as no man could, didst plunge into the Ten
Kings' fight,
That was a guard for every man: for he is formed to stay
disease.
13Easily conquering Maghavan, thou, Hero, bentest Raji down,
Rentest asunder Rauhina, calvest in pieces Vritra's head.
14Thou who didst separate the clouds and penetrate the water-
floods,
To thee, great slayer of the foe, be glory, Indra, yea, to thee!
15They said to Auchchaihsravasa running as side-horse of the
Bays,
Safely to victory, O Steed, bear Indra with the beauteous wreath.
16They yoke the white mares, on the Bay's right harness Auchchai-
hsravasa.
He joyeth as he carrieth Indra the foremost of the Gods.

HYMN CXXIX

1These mares come springing forward to Pratipa Prātisutvana.
34. One of them is Hariknikā. Hariknikā, what seekest thou?
56. The excellent, the golden son: where now hast thou aban-
doned him?
78. There where around those distant trees, three Sisus that are
standing there,
910. Three adders, breathing angrily, are blowing loud the
threatening horn.
1112. Hither hath come a stallion: he is known by droppings on
his way,
1314. As by their dung the course of kine. What wouldst thou in
the home of men?
1516. Barley and ripened rice I seek. On rice and barley hast thou
fed,
1718. As the big serpent feeds on sheep. Cow's hoof and horse's
tail hast thou,
1920. Winged with a falcon's pinion is that harmless swelling of
thy tongue.

HYMN CXXX

1, 2Who carried off these stores of milk? Who took the dark
cow's milk away?
3, 4Who took away the white cow's milk t Who took the black
cow's milk away?
5, 6 Question this man, Where do I ask? Where, whom that
knoweth do I ask?
7, 8Not to the belly comes the grain. The patient ones are
angry now.
9, 10Undecked with gems, and decked with gems: deity rivalling
the Sun.
11, 12Dapple, Harinikā, and Bay ran forward to the liberal gifts.
13, 14When the horn's blast hath sounded forth let not our friend
discover thee.
15, 16Hither to the cow's son they come. Libation hath rejoiced
the God.
17, 18Then cried they. Here he is, and, Here; again the cry was,
Here is he.
19, 20Then not defective be our steeds! A splinter so diminutive!

HYMN CXXXI

1He minishes, he splits in twain: crush it and let it be
destroyed. p. 369
3, 4Varuna with the Vasus goes: the Wind-God hath a hundred
reins.
5, 6A hundred golden steeds hath he, a hundred chariots
wrought of gold.
7, 8A hundred bits of golden bronze, a hundred golden
necklaces.
9, 10Lover of Kusa grass, Unploughed! Fat is not reckoned in
the hoof.
11, 12The ladle doth not hold apart the entrails and the clotted
blood.
13, 14This O Mandūrikā, is mine. Thy trees are standing in a
clump.
15, 16The plain domestic sacrifice, the sacrifice with burning
dung.
17, 18Asvattha, Dhava, Khadira, leaf taken from the Aratu.
19, 20The man pervaded thoroughly lies on the ground as he were
slain.
21, 22The biestings only have they milked: one-and-a half of the
wild ass,
23And two hides of an elephant.

HYMN CXXXII

1, 2Then too the single bottle-gourd, the bottle-gourd dug
from the earth,
3, 4The lute dug up from out the ground: this the wind stirs
and agitates. p. 370
5, 6Let him prepare a nest, they say: he shall obtain it strong
and stretched.
7, 8He shall not gain it unspread out. Who among these will
touch the lute?
9, 10Who among these will beat the drum? How, if he beat it,
will he beat?
11, 12Where beating will the Goddess beat again again about the
house?
13, 14Three are the names the camel bears, Golden is one of them,
he said.
15, 16Glory and power, these are two. He with black tufts of hair
shall strike.

HYMN CXXXIII

The Enigmatical Verses

1Two rays of light are lengthened out, and the man gently
touches them with the two beatings on the drum.
Maiden, it truly is not so as thou, O maiden, fanciest.
Two are thy mother's rays of light: the skin is guarded from the
man.

HYMN CXXXIV

The Ajijnasenya Verses

1Here are we sitting east and west and north and south, with
waters. Bottle-gourd vessels.
2Here east and west and north and south sit the calves sprinkling
Curds and oil. p. 371
3Here east and west and north and south the offering of rice
clings on. The leaf of the Asvattha tree.
4Here east and west and north and south adheres when touched.
That water-drop.
5Here east and west and north and south in iron mayst thou not
be caught. The cup.
6Here east and west and north and south fain would it clasp what
would not clasp. Emmet hole.

HYMN CXXXV

Verses called Frustration, Abuse, the Gods' Offering, and Dazzling Power

1Bang! here he is. A dog,
2Swish! it is gone. Falling of leaves.
3Crunch! it is trodden on. A cow's hoof.
4These Gods have gone astray. Do thou, Adhvaryu, quickly do
thy work.
5There is good resting for the cows. Take thy delight.
6O singer, the Ādityas brought rich guerdon to the Angirases.
Singer, they went not near to it. Singer, they did not take the
gift.
7Singer, they went not near to that; but, singer, they accepted
this:
That days may not be indistinct, nor sacrifices leaderless. p. 372
8And quickly Both he fly away, the White Horse swiftest on his
feet,
And swiftly fills his measure up.
9Ādityas, Rudras, Vasus, all pay worship unto thee. Accept this
liberal gift, O Angiras,
This bounty excellent and rich, this ample bounty spreading far.
10The Gods shall give the precious boon: let it be pleasant to
your hearts.
Let it be with you every day: accept our offerings in return.
11Vouchsafe us shelter, Indra, thou to be invoked from far away.
Bring treasure hither to reward the far-famed bard who praises
thee.
12Thou, Indra, to the trembling dove whose pinions had been rent
and torn.
Gayest ripe grain and Pilu fruit, gavest him water when athirst.
13The ready praiser loudly speaks though fastened triply with a
strap.
Yea, he commends the freshening draught, deprecates languor
of disease.

HYMN CXXXVI

Erotica

1Si quis in hujus tenui rima praeditae feminae augustias
fascinum intromittit, vaccae ungularum et Sakula. rum pisci-
um more pudenda ejus agitantur.
2Quum magno pene parvula ejus pudenda vir percutit, huc et
illuc ilia increscunt veluti duo asini in solo arenoso.
3Quum parvum, admodum parvum, Ziziphi Jujubae quasi granum
in eam incidit, ventris ejus partes interiores, velut verno
tempore arundo, extentae videntur.
4Si Dii mentulae intumescenti faverunt, cum femoribus suis se:
ostentat femina tanquam vero testi.
5Magnopere delectata est arnica: ut equns solutus adveniens
vocem edidit: Vaginam juvenis! pene percute: medium.
femur paratum est.
6Arnica, pilam superans, dixit: Ut tua, Arbor, ! (verbera) pinsunt,
sic etiam nunc (hic me permolit).
7Arnica eum alloquitur: Tum etiam tu defecisti. Ut tua. Arbor!
(verbera) Pinsunt, sic etiam nunc (me permole).
81Arnica eum alloquitur: Tum etiam tu defceisti. Ut silvae ignis.
inflammatur, sic ardent mea membra.
9Arnica eum alloquitur: Fauste infixus est penis; arboris fructu
celeriter fruamur.
10Arnica cum fuste gallum circumcurrit. Nos nescimus quae
bestia pudendum muliebre in capite gerat.
11Arnica post currentem amatorem currit: Has ejus boves custodi
tu. Me futue: coctam oryzam ede.
12Fortunatus, Arnica, te opprimit. Bona est magni viri fututio,
Macrum pinguis. femina obtineat. Futue me, etc.
13Sine digito mulcta vacca vanankaram producit, Magna et
bona est Aegle Marmelos. Futue me, etc.
14Infelix, Amice, te opprimit. Bona est magni viri fututio. Flava
puollula, opere suo perfecto, procurrit.
15Magna certe et bona est Aegle Marmelos. Bona est magna
Ficus Glomerata. Magnus vir ubique opprimit. Bona est
magni viri fututio.
16Quem macrum factum puella flava pinguisque capiat sicut
pollicem ex olei cado fossorem ilium extrahat.

HYMN CXXXVII

A composite hymn in praise of Indra

1When, foul with secret spot and stain, ye hastened onward to
the breast.
All Indra's enemies were slain and passed away like froth and
foam.
2Indra is he, O men, who gives us happiness: sport, urge the
giver of delight to win the spoil.
Bring quickly down, O priests, hither to give us aid, to drink
the Soma, Indra son of Nishtigri.
3So have I glorified with praise strong Dadhikrāvan, conquering
steed.
Sweet may he make our mouths; may he prolong the days we
have to live.
4The Somas very rich in sweets, for which the sieve is destined,
flow,
Effused, the source of Indra's joy. May your strong juices reach
the Gods.
5Indu flows on for Indra's sake—thus have the deities declared.
The Lord of Speech exerts himself, ruler of all, because of
might.
6Inciter of the voice of song, with thousand streams the ocean
flows,
Even Soma, Lord of Opulence, the friend of Indra, day by day.
7The black drop sank in Ansumati's bosom, advancing with ten
thousand round about it.
Indra with might longed for it as it panted: the hero-hearted
laid aside his weapons.
8I saw the drop in the far distance moving, on the slope bank of
Ansumati's river,
Like a black cloud that sank into the water. Heroes. I send you
forth. Go, fight in battle.
9And then the drop in Ansumati's bosom, splendid with light,
assumed its proper body;
And Indra with Brihaspati to aid him, conquered the godless
tribes that came against him.
10Then, at thy birth, thou wast the foeman, Indra, of those the
seven who ne'er had met a rival. p. 374
The hidden pair, the heaven and earth, thou foundest, and to
the mighty worlds thou gavest pleasure.
11So, Thunder-armed! thou with thy bolt of thunder didst boldly
smite that power which none might equal;
With weapons broughtest low the might of Sushna, and, Indra,
foundest by thy strength the cattle.
12We make this Indra very strong to strike the mighty Vritra
dead:
A vigorous Hero shall he be.
13Indra was made for giving, set, most mighty, o'er the joyous
draught,
Bright, meet for Soma, famed in song.
14By song, as 'twere, the powerful bolt which none may parry was
prepared:
Lofty, invincible he grew.

HYMN CXXXVIII

In praise of Indra

1Indra, great in his power and might and, like Parjanya, rich in
rain,
Is magnified by Vatsa's lauds,
2When the priests, strengthening the Son of holy Law, present
their gifts,
Singers with Order's hymn of praise.
3Since Kanvas with their lauds have made Indra complete the
sacrifice,
Words are their own appropriate arms.

HYMN CXXXIX

A hymn to the Asvins

1To help and favour Vatsa now, O Asvins, come ye hitherward.
Bestow on him a dwelling spacious and secure, and keep malig-
nites afar.
2All manliness that is in heaven, with the Five Tribes, or in mid-
air,
Bestow, ye Asvins, upon us.
3Remember Kārnva first of all among the singers,, Asvins, who
Have thought upon your wondrous deeds.
4Asvins, for you with song of praise this hot oblation is effused,
This your sweet Soma juice, ye Lords of wealth and spoil,
through which ye think upon the foe.
5Whatever ye have done in floods, in the tree, Wonder-workers,
and in growing plants,
Therewith, O Asvins, succour me.

HYMN CXL

Continuation of the preceding hymn to the Asvins

1What force, Nāsatyas, ye exert, whatever, Gods, ye tend and
heal,
This your own Vatsa gains not by his hymns alone: ye visit him
who offers gifts.
2Now hath the Rishi splendidly thought out the Asvins' hymn
of praise.
Let the Atharvan pour the warm oblation forth, and Soma very
rich in sweets.
3Ye Asvins, now ascend your car that lightly rolls upon its way.
May these my praises make you speed hitherward like a cloud of
heaven.
4When, O Nāsatyas, we this day make you speed hither N ith our
hymns,
Or, Asvins, with our songs of praise, remember Kānva specially.
5As erst Kakshivān and the Rishi Vyasva, as erst Dirghatamas
invoked your presence,
Or, in the sacrificial chambers, Vainya Prithī, so be ye mindful
of us here, O Asvins.

HYMN CXLI

Hymn to the Asvins

1Come as home-guardians, saving us from foemen, guarding our
living creatures and our bodies,
Come to the house to give us seed and offspring:
2Whatever with Indra ye be faring, Asvins, or resting in one
dwelling-place with Vāyu,
In concord with the Ribhus or Ādityas, or standing still in
Vishnu's striding-places.
3When 1, O Asvins, call on you to-day that I may gather strength,
Or as all-conquering might in war, be that the Asvins' noblest
grace.
4Now come, ye Asvins, hitherward: here are oblations set for
you;
These Soma draughts to aid Yadu and Turvasa, these offered
you mid Kanva's sons.
5Whatever healing balm is yours, Nāsatyas near or far away,
Therewith, great Sages, grant a home to Vatsa and to Vimāda.

HYMN CXLII

Hymn to Dawn and the Asvins

1Together with the Goddess, with the Asvins' Speech have I
awoke.
Thou, Goddess, hast disclosed the hymn and holy gift from
mortal men.
2Awake the Asvins, Goddess Dawn! Up, mighty Lady of Sweet
Strains!
Rise straightway, priest of sacrifice! High glory to the glad-
dening draught!
3Thou, Dawn, approaching with thy light, shinest together with
the Sun, p. 378
And to this man-protecting home the chariot of the Asvins
comes.
4When yellow stalks give forth the juice as cows from udders
pour their milk,
And voices sound the song of praise, the Asvins' worshippers
show first.
5Forward for glory and for strength, protection that shall con-
quer men,
And power and skill, most sapient Ones!
6When, Asvins worthy of our lauds, ye seat you in the father's
house.
With wisdom or the bliss ye bring.

HYMN CXLIII

Hymn to the Asvins

1We invocate this day your car, far-spreading, O Asvins, even
the gathering of the sunlight,
Car praised in hymns, most ample, rich in treasure, fitted with
seats, the car that beareth Sūryā.
2Asvins, ye gained that glory by your Godhead, ye Sons of
Heaven, by your own might and power.
Food followeth close upon your bright appearing when stately
horses in your chariot draw you.
3Who bringeth you to-day for help with offered oblations, or with
hymns to drink the juices?
Who, for the sacrifice's ancient lover, turneth you hither, Asvins,
offering homage?
4Borne on your golden car, ye omnipresent! come to this sacrifice
of ours, Nāsatyas.
Drink of the pleasant liquor of the Soma: give riches to the
people who adore you.p. 379
5Come hitherward to us from earth, from heaven, borne on your
golden chariot rolling lightly.
Suffer not other worshippers to stay you: here are ye bound by
earlier bonds of friendship.
6Now for us both, mete out, O Wonder-Workers, riches exceed-
ing great with store of heroes,
Because the men have sent you praise, O Asvins, and Ajamīlhas
come to the laudation.
7Whene'er I gratified you here together, your grace was given us,
O ye rich in booty.
Protect, ye twain, the singer of your praises: to you, Nāsatyas,
is my wish directed.
8Sweet be the plants for us, the heavens, the waters, and full of
sweets for us be air's mid-region!
May the Field's Lord for us be full of sweetness, and may we
follow after him uninjured.
9Asvins, that work of yours deserves our wonder, the Bull of
firmament and earth and heaven;
Yes, and your thousand promises in battle. Come near to all
these men and drink beside us.

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Source: The Hymns of the Atharvaveda. translation by Ralph T.H. Griffith [1895-6]. The text has been reformatted by Jayaram V for Hinduwebsite.com.  As far as the presentation of the material is concerned, this online version does not follow the original book. While all possible care has been taken to reproduce the text accurately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or the authenticity of the text produced. We strongly recommend to  use this text for general reading and understanding and refer the original edition for serious studies and academic projects .