Atharva Veda

The Hymns of the Atharvaveda

Translation by Ralph T.H. Griffith

HYMN XXI

A prayer to Indra for protection

1 Lord of the clans, giver of bliss, fiend-slayer, mighty o'er the foe,
May Indra, Soma-drinker, go before us, Bull, who brings us peace.

2 Indra, subdue our enemies, lay low the men who fight with us:
Down into nether darkness send the man who shows us enmity:

3 Strike down the fiend, strike down the foes, break thou asunder Vritra's jaws.
O Indra, Vritra-slayer, quell the wrath of the assailing foe.

4 Turn thou the foeman's thought away, his dart who fain would conquer us:
Grant us thy great protection; keep his deadly weapon far away.