The Rig Veda

by Anonymous

HYMN XXXI. Indra.

21. His kine their Lord hath shown, e'en Vṛitra's slayer, through the black hosts he passed with red attendants. Teaching us pleasant things by holy Order, to, us hath he thrown open all his portals. 22. Call we on Maghavan, auspicious Indra, best Hero in this fight where spoil is gathered. The Strong who listens, who gives aid in battles, who slays the Vṛtras, wins and gathers riches.

7. With reverence let us worship mighty Indra, great and sublime, eternal, ever-youthful, Whose greatness the dear world-halves have not measured, no, nor conceived the might of him the Holy. 8. Many are Indra's nobly wrought achievements, and none of all the Gods transgress his statutes. He beareth up this earth and heaven, and, doer of marvels, he begot the Sun and Morning. 9. Herein, O Guileless One, is thy true greatness, that soon as born thou drankest up the Soma. Days may not check the power of thee the Mighty, nor the nights, Indra, nor the months, nor autumns.

11. Thou, puissant God, more mighty, slewest. Ahi showing his strength when couched around the waters. The heaven itself attained not to thy greatness when with one hip of thine the earth was shadowed. 12. Sacrifice, Indra, made thee wax so mighty, the dear oblation with the flowing Soma. O Worshipful, with worship help our worship, for worship helped thy bolt when slaying Ahi. 13. With sacrifice and wish have I brought Indra; still for new blessings may I turn him hither, Him magnified by ancient songs and praises, by lauds of later time and days yet recent.

HYMN XXXIV. Indra. 1. FORT-RENDER, Lord of Wealth, dispelling foemen, Indra with lightnings hath o'ercome the Dâsa. Impelled by prayer and waxen great in body, he hath filled earth and heaven, the Bounteous Giver. 2. I stimulate thy zeal, the Strong, the Hero decking my song of praise forth; Immortal. O Indra, thou art equally the Leader of heavenly hosts and human generations. 3. Leading, his band Indra encompassed Vṛitra; weak grew the wily leader of enchanters. He who burns fierce in forests slaughtered Vyansa, and made the Milch-kine of the nights apparent. 4. Indra, light-winner, days' Creator, conquered, victorious, hostile bands with those who loved him. For man the days' bright ensign he illumined, and found the light for his joy and gladness. 5. Forward to fiercely falling blows pressed Indra, herolike doing many hero exploits. These holy songs he taught the bard who praised him, and widely spread these Dawns' resplendent colour.

HYMN XXXVI. Indra. 1. WITH constant succours, fain thyself to share it, make this oblation which we bring effective. Grown great through strengthening gifts at each libation, he hath become renowned by mighty exploits. 2. For Indra were the Somas erst- discovered, whereby he grew strong-jointed, vast, and skilful. Indra , take quickly these presented juices: drink of the strong, that which the strong have shaken. 3. Drink and wax great. Thine are the juices, Indra, both Somas of old time and these we bring thee. Even as thou drankest, Indra, earlier Somas, so drink to-day, a new guest, meet for praises. 4. Great and impetuous, mighty-voiced in battle, surpassing power is his, and strength resistless. Him the broad earth hath never comprehended when Somas cheered the Lord of Tawny Coursers. 5. Mighty and strong he waxed for hero exploit: the Bull was furnished a Sage's wisdom. Indra is our kind Lord; his steers have vigour; his cows are many with abundant offspring. 6. As floods according to their stream flow onward, so to the sea, as borne on cars, the waters. Vaster is Indra even than his dwelling, what time the stalk milked out, the Soma, fills him. 7. Eager to mingle with the sea, the rivers carry the well-pressed Soma juice to Indra. They drain the stalk out with their arms, quick-banded, and cleanse it with a stream of mead and filters. 8. Like lakes appear his flanks filled full with Soma: yea, he contains libations in abundance. When Indra had consumed the first s...

HYMN XXXVII. Indra. 1. O INDRA, for the strength that slays Vṛitra and conquers in the fight, We turn thee hitherward to us. 2. O Indra, Lord of Hundred Powers, may those who praise thee hitherward. Direct thy spirit and thine eye. 3. O Indra, Lord of Hundred Powers, with all our songs we invocate Thy names for triumph over foes. 4. We strive for glory through the powers immense of him whom many praise, Of Indra who supports mankind. 5. For Vṛitra's slaughter I address Indra whom many invocate, To win us booty in the wars. 6. In battles be victorious. We seek thee, Lord of Hundred Powers, Indra, that Vṛitra may be slain. 7. In splendid combats of the hosts, in glories where the fight is won. Indra, be victor over foes. 8. Drink thou the Soma for our help, bright, vigilant, exceeding strong, O Indra, Lord of Hundred Powers. 9. O Ṣatakratu, powers which thou mid the Five Races hast displayed— These, Indra, do I claim of thee. 10. Indra, great glory hast thou gained. Win splendid fame which none may mar We make thy might perpetual. 11. Come to us either from anear, Or, Ṣakra, come from far away. Indra, wherever be thy home, come to us thence, O Thunder-armed.

Let no one here debar me from enjoying the golden light which Savitar diffuses. He covers both all-fostering worlds with praises even as a woman cherishes her children. 9. Fulfil, ye twain, his work, the Great, the Ancient: as heavenly blessing keep your guard around us. All the wise Gods behold his varied actions who stands erect, whose voice is like a herdsman's. 10. Call we on Indra, Maghavan, auspicious, best Hero in the fight where spoil is gathered, The Strong, who listens, who gives aid in battles, who slays the Vṛtras, wins and gathers riches.

HYMN LXI. Ushas. 1. O Ushas, strong with strength, endowed with knowledge, accept the singer's praise, O wealthy Lady. Thou, Goddess, ancient, young, and full of wisdom, movest, all-bounteous! as the Law ordaineth. 2. Shine forth, O Morning, thou auspicious Goddess, on thy bright car awaking pleasant voices. Let docile horses of far-reaching splendour convey thee hitherward, the golden-coloured. 3. Thou, Morning, turning thee to every creature, standest on high as ensign of the Immortal, To one same goal ever and ever wending now, like a wheel, O newly-born, roll hither. 4. Letting her reins drop downward, Morning cometh, the wealthy Dame, the Lady of the dwelling; Bringing forth light, the Wonderful, the Blessed hath spread her from the bounds of earth and heaven. 5. Hither invoke the radiant Goddess Morning, and bring with reverence your hymn to praise her. She, dropping sweets, hath set in heaven her brightness, and, fair to look on, hath beamed forth her splendour. 6. From heaven, with hymns, the Holy One was wakened: brightly to both worlds came the wealthy Lady. To Morning, Agni, when she comes refulgent, thou goest forth soliciting fair riches. 7. On Law's firm base the speeder of the Mornings, the Bull, hath entered mighty earth and heaven. Great is the power of Varuṇa and Mitra, which, bright, hath spread in every place its splendour.

BOOK 4 HYMN I. Agni. 1. THEE Agni, have the Gods, ever of one accord, sent hither down, a God, appointed messenger, yea, with their wisdom sent thee down. The Immortal, O thou Holy One, mid mortal men, the God-devoted God, the wise, have they brought forth, brought forth the omnipresent God-devoted Sage. 2. As such, O Agni, bring with favour to the Gods thy Brother Varuṇa who loveth sacrifice, True to the Law, the Âditya who supporteth men, the King, supporter of mankind. 3. Do thou, O Friend, turn hither him who is our Friend, swift as a wheel, like two car-steeds in rapid course, Wondrous! to us in rapid course. O Agni, find thou grace for us with Varuṇa, with Maruts who illumine all. Bless us, thou Radiant One, for seed and progeny, yea, bless us, O thou Wondrous God.

Agni, be this our sacrifice eternal, with brave friends, rich in kine and sheep and horses, Rich, Asura! in sacred food and children, in full assembly, wealth broad-based and during. 6. The man who, sweating, brings for thee the fuel, and makes his head to ache, thy faithful servant,— Agni, to him be a self-strong Protector guard him from all who seek to do him mischief. 7. Who brings thee food, though thou hast food in plenty, welcomes his cheerful guest and speeds him onward, Who kindles thee devoutly in his dwelling,—to him be wealth secure and freely giving. 8. Whoso sings praise to thee at eve or morning, and, with oblation, doth the thing thou lovest,— In his own home, even as a gold-girt courser, rescue him from distress, the bounteous giver. 9. Whoso brings gifts to thee Immortal, Agni, and doth thee service with uplifted ladle,— Let him not, sorely toiling, lose his riches; let not the sinner's wickedness enclose him.

10. Whose well-wrought worship thou acceptest, Agni, thou God a mortal's gift, thou liberal Giver,— Dear be his sacrifice to thee, Most Youthful! and may we strengthen him when he adores thee.

May he who knows distinguish sense and folly of men, like straight and crooked backs of horses. Lead us, O God, to wealth and noble offspring...

HYMN IV. Agni.

Rise, Agni, drive off those who fight against us: make manifest thine own celestial vigour. Slacken the strong bows of the demon-driven: destroy our foemen whether kin or stranger.

6. Most Youthful God, he knoweth well thy favour who gave an impulse to this high devotion. All fair days and magnificence of riches hast thou beamed forth upon the good man's portals. 7. Blest, Agni, be the man, the liberal giver, who with his lauds and regular oblation Is fain to please thee for his life and dwelling. May all his days be bright: be this his longing. 8. I praise thy gracious favour: sing in answer.

May this my song sing like a loved one with thee. Lords of good steeds and cars may we adorn thee, and day by day vouchsafe thou us dominion. 9. Here of free choice let each one serve thee richly, resplendent day by day at eve and morning. So may we honour...

10. Whoso with good steeds and fine gold, O Agni, comes nigh thee on a car laden with treasure, His Frie...

HYMN VIII. Agni.

He knows, a God himself, to guide Gods to the righteous in his home: He gives e'en treasures that we love. 4. He is the Herald: well-informed, he doth his errand to and fro, Knowing the deep recess of heaven. 5. May we be they who gratify Agni with sacrificial gifts, Who cherish and enkindle him. 6. Illustrious for wealth are they, and hero deeds, victorious, Who have served Agni reverently. 7. So unto us, day after day, may riches craved by many come, And power and might spring up for us. 8. That holy Singer in his strength shoots forth his arrows swifter than The swift shafts of the tribes of men.

All hate and mischief, yea, if committed, Agni, thou turnest, Holy One, from the man who rightly worships. 8. Agni, with you Gods, prosperous be our friendships and kinships. Be this our bond here by this place, thine altar.

HYMN XI. Agni. 1. THY blessed majesty, victorious Agni, shines brightly in the neighbourhood of Sûrya. Splendid to see, it shows even at nighttime, and food is fair to look on in thy beauty. 2. Agni, disclose his thought for him who singeth, the well, Strong God! while thou art praised with fervour. Vouchsafe to us that powerful hymn, O Mighty, which, Radiant One! with all the Gods thou lovest. 3. From thee, O Agni, springs poetic wisdom, from thee come thoughts and hymns of praise that prosper;

From thee flows wealth, with heroes to adorn it, to the true-hearted man who gives oblation. 4. From thee the hero springs who wins the booty, bringer of help, mighty, of real courage. From thee comes wealth, sent by the Gods, bliss-giving; Agni, from thee the fleet impetuous charger.

Immortal Agni, thee whose voice is pleasant, as first in rank, as God, religious mortals Invite with hymns; thee who removest hatred, Friend of the...

Far from us thou removest want and sorrow, far from us all ill-will when thou protectest. Son of Strength, Agni, blest is he at evening, whom...

HYMN XII. Agni. 1. WHOSO enkindles thee, with lifted ladle, and thrice this day offers thee food, O Agni, May he excel, triumphant through thy splendours, wise through thy mental power, O Jâtavedas.

2. Whoso with toil and trouble brings thee fuel, serving the majesty of mighty Agni, He, kindling thee at evening and at morning, prospers, and comes to wealth, and slays his foemen.

3. Agni is Master of sublime dominion, Agni is Lord of strength and lofty riches. Straightway the self-reliant God, Most Youthful, gives ...

HYMN XVIII. Indra and Others.

There is a lot of weird stuff in this him, but the time has come for me to comment on two repeated themes that might conflict. Did he fill the earth in heaven as soon as he was born or did he require worship to reach such power?

HYMN XXIV. Indra. 1. WHAT worthy praise will bring before us Indra, the Son of Strength, that he may grant us riches; For he the Hero, gives the singer treasures: he is the Lord who sends us gifts, ye people. 2. To be invoked and hymned in fight with Vṛitra, that well-praised Indra gives us real bounties. That Maghavan brings comfort in the foray to the religious man who pours libations.

6. Indra gives comfort to the man who truly presses, for him who longs for it, the Soma, Not disaffected, with devoted spirit this man he takes to be his friend in battles.

HYMN XXVI. Indra. 1. I WAS aforetime Manu, I was Sûrya: I am the sage Kakshîvân, holy singer. Kutsa the son of Ârjuni I master. I am the sapient Uṣanâ behold me.

2. I have bestowed the earth upon the Ârya, and rain upon the man who brings oblation.

HYMN XXX. Indra. 1. O INDRA, Vṛitra-slayer, none is better, mightier than thou: Verily there is none like thee. 2. Like chariot-wheels these people all together follow after thee: Thou ever art renowned as Great. 3. Not even all the gathered Gods conquered thee, Indra, in the war, When thou didst lengthen days by night. 4.

When for the sake of those oppressed, and Kutsa as he battled, Thou stolest away the Sun's car-wheel.

When, fighting singly, Indra. thou o'ercamest all the furious Gods, thou slewest those who strove with thee. 6. When also for a mortal man, Indra, thou speddest ...

HYMN XXXI. Indra.

Like as a courser's circling wheel, so turn thee hitherward to us, Attracted by the hymns of men. 5. Thou seekest as it were thine own stations with swift descent of powers: I share thee even with the Sun. 6. What time thy courage and his wheels together, Indra, run their course With thee and with the Sun alike,

8. And verily to him who toils and presses Soma juice for thee Thou quickly givest ample wealth. 9. No, not a hundred hinderers can check thy gracious bounty's flow, Nor thy great deeds when thou wilt act.

We have obtained, a gift from thee, ten water-ewers wrought of gold: Thou, Vṛitra-slayer, givest much. 20. A bounteous Giver, give us much, bring much and not a trifling gift: Much, Indra, wilt thou fain bestow.

1. To this our sacrifice come Ṛibhu, Vibhvan, Vâja, and Indra with the gift of riches, Because this day hath Dhishaṇâ the Goddess set drink for you: the gladdening draughts have reached you. 2. Knowing your birth and rich in gathered treasure, Ṛibhus, rejoice together with the Ṛitus. The gladdening draughts and wisdom have approached you: send ye us riches with good store of heroes.

10. Ye who have wealth in cattle and in booty, in heroes, in rich sustenance and treasure, Such, O ye Ṛibhus, first to drink, rejoicing, give unto us and those who laud our present.

COME to our sacrifice, Vâjas, Ṛibhukshans, Gods, by the paths which Gods are wont to travel, As ye, gay Gods, accept in splendid weather the sacrifice among these folk of Manus. 2. May these rites please you in your heart and spirit; may the drops clothed in oil this day approach you. May the abundant juices bear you onward to power and strength, and, when imbibed, delight you.

HYMN XXXVIII. Dadhikrâs.

And at his thunder, like the roar of heaven, those who attack tremble and are affrighted; For when he fights against embattled thousands, dread is he in his striving; none may stay him.

3. Indra and Varuṇa are most liberal givers of treasure to the men who toil to serve them, When they, as Friends inclined to friendship, honoured with dainty food, delight in flowing Soma.

HYMN LIV. Savitar. 1. Now must we praise and honour Savitar the God: at this time of the day the men must call to him, Him who distributes wealth to Manu's progeny, that he may grant us here riches most excellent. 2. For thou at first producest for the holy Gods the noblest of all portions, immortality: Thereafter as a gift to men, O Savitar, thou openest existence, life succeeding life. 3. If we, men as we are, have sinned against the Gods through want of thought, in weakness, or through insolence, Absolve us from the guilt and make us free from sin, O Savitar, alike among both Gods and men.

8. Thou hast sped from me, Agni, in thine anger: this the protector of Gods' Laws hath told me. Indra who knoweth bent his eye upon thee: by him instructed am I come, O Agni. 9. Agni shines far and wide with lofty splendour, and by his greatness makes all things apparent. He conquers godless and malign enchantments, and sharpens both his horns to gore the Rakshas. 10. Loud in the heaven above be Agni's roarings with keen-edged weapons to destroy the demons. Forth burst his splendours in the Soma's rapture. The godless bands press round but cannot stay him.

11. As a skilled craftsman makes a car, a singer I, Mighty One! this hymn for thee have fashioned. If thou, O Agni, God, accept it gladly, may we obtain thereby the heavenly Waters.

HYMN III. Agni. 1. THOU at thy birth art Varuṇa, O Agni; when thou art kindled thou becomest Mitra. In thee, O Son of Strength, all Gods are centred. Indra art thou to man who brings oblation.