Rig Veda

Mandal - 1 (Part - 1)

HYMN 54. Indra

1

 URGE us not, Maghavan, to this distressful fight, for none may comprehend the limit of thy
strength.
Thou with fierce shout hast made the woods and rivers roar: did not men run in crowds together in their fear?

2

 Sing hymns of praise to Sakra, Lord of power and might; laud thou and magnify Indra who hearcth thee,
Who with his daring might, a Bull exceeding strong in strength, maketh him master of the heaven
and earth.

3

 Sing forth to lofty Dyaus a strength-bestowing song, the Bold, whose resolute mind hath
independent sway.
High glory hath the Asura, compact of strength, drawn on by two Bay Steeds: a Bull, a Car is he.

4

 The ridges of the lofty heaven thou madest shake; thou, daring, of thyself smotest through
Sambara,
When bold with gladdening juice, thou warredst with thy bolt, sharp and twoedged, against the
banded sorcerers.

5

When with a roar that fills the woods, thou forcest down on wind's head the stores which 8usga
kept confined,
Who shall have power to stay thee firm and eager-souled from doing still this day what thou of old
hast done?

6

Thou helpest Narya, Turvasa, and Yadu, and Vayya's son Turviti, Satakratu!
Thou helpest horse and car in final battle thou breakest down the nine-and-ninety castles.

7

 A hero-lord is he, King of a mighty folk, who offers free oblations and promotes the Law,
Who with a bounteous guerdon welcomes hymns of praise: for him flows down the abundant stream below the sky.
8 His power is matchless, matchless is his wisdom; chief, through their work, be some who drink the Soma,
Those, Indra, who increase the lordly power, the firm heroic strength of thee the Giver.

9

Therefore for thee are these abundant beakers Indra's drink, stone-pressed juices held in ladles.
Quaff them and satisfy therewith thy longing; then fix thy mind upon bestowing treasure.

10

 There darkness stood, the vault that stayed the waters' flow: in Vrtra's hollow side the rain-cloud lay concealed.
But Indra smote the rivers which the obstructer stayed, flood following after flood, down steep
declivitics.

11

 So give us, Indra, bliss-increasing glory give us great sway and strength that conquers people.
Preserve our wealthy patrons, save our princes; vouchsafe us wealth and food with noble offspring.