HYMN XLVII. Indra.
1. DRINK, Indra, Marut-girt, as Bull, the Soma, for joy, for rapture even as thou listest.
Pour down the flood of meath within thy belly: thou from of old art King of Soma juices.
2. Indra, accordant, with the banded Maruts, drink Soma, Hero, as wise Vrtra-slayer.
Slay thou our foemen, drive away assailants and make us safe on every side from danger.
3. And, drinker at due seasons, drink in season, Indra, with friendly Gods, our pressed-out Soma.
The Maruts following, whom thou madest sharers, gave thee the victory, and thou slewest Vrtra.
4. Drink Soma, Indra, banded with the Maruts who, Maghavan, strengthened thee at Ahi’s slaughter,
‘Gainst Sambara, Lord of Bays! in winning cattle, and now rejoice in thee, the holy Singers.
5. The Bull whose strength hath waxed, whom Maruts follow, free-giving Indra, the celestial Ruler,
Mighty, all-conquering, the victory-giver, him let us call to grant us new protection.
HYMN XLVIII. Indra.
1. SOON as the young Bull sprang into existence he longed to taste the pressed-out Soma’s liquor.
Drink thou thy fill, according to thy longing, first, of the goodly mixture blent with Soma.
2. That day when thou wast born thou, fain to taste it, drankest the plant’s milk which the mountains nourish.
That milk thy Mother first, the Dame who bare thee, poured for thee in thy mighty Father’s dwelling.
3. Desiring food he came unto his Mother, and on her breast beheld the pungent Soma.
Wise, he moved on, keeping aloof the others, and wrought great exploits in his varied aspects.
4 Fierce, quickly conquering, of surpassing vigour, he framed his body even as he listed.
E’en from his birth-time Indra conquered Tvastar, bore off the Soma and in beakers drank it.
5. Call we on Maghavan, auspicious Indra, best Hero in the fight where spoil is gathered;
The Strong, who listens, who gives aid in battles, who slays the Vrtras, wins and gathers riches.
HYMN XLIX. Indra.
1. GREAT Indra will I laud, in whom all people who drink the Soma have attained their longing;
Whom, passing wise, Gods, Heaven and Earth, engendered, formed by a Master’s hand, to crush the Vrtras.
2. Whom, most heroic, borne by Tawny Coursers, verily none subdueth in the battle;
Who, reaching far, most vigorous, hath shortened the Dasyu’s life with Warriors bold of spirit.
3. Victor in fight, swift mover like a warhorse, pervading both worlds, rainer down of blessings,
To he invoked in war like Bhaga, Father, as ’twere, of hymns, fair, prompt to hear, strength-giver.
4. Supporting heaven, the high back of the region, his car is Vayu with his team of Vasus.
Illumining the nights, the Sun’s creator, like Dhisana he deals forth strength and riches.
5. Call we on Maghavan, auspicious Indra, best Hero in the fight where spoil is gathered;
The Strong, who listens, who gives aid in battles, who slays the Vrtras, wins and gathers treasure.
HYMN L. Indra.
1. LET Indra drink, All-hail! for his is Soma,-the mighty Bull come, girt by Maruts, hither.
Far-reaching, let him fill him with these viands, and let our offering sate his body’s longing.
2. I yoke thy pair of trusty Steeds for swiftness, whose faithful service from of old thou lovest.
Here, fair of cheek! let thy Bay Coursers place thee: drink of this lovely welleffused libation.
3. With milk they made Indra their good Preserver, lauding for help and rule the bounteous rainer.
Impetuous God, when thou hast drunk the Soma, enraptured send us cattle in abundance.
4. With kine and horses satisfy this longing with very splendid bounty still extend it.
Seeking the light, with hymns to thee, O Indra, the Kusikas have brought their gift, the singers.
5. Call we on Maghavan, auspicious Indra, best Hero in the fight where spoil is gathered;
The Strong, who listens, who gives aid in battles, who slays the Vrtras, wins and gathers riches.
HYMN LI. Indra.
1. HIGH hymns have sounded forth the praise of Maghavan, supporter of mankind, of Indra meet for lauds;
Him who hath waxen great, invoked with beauteous songs, Immortal One, whose praise each day is sung aloud.
2. To Indra from all sides go forth my songs of praise, the Lord of Hundred Powers, strong, Hero, like the sea,
Swift, winner of the booty, breaker-down of forts, faithful and ever-glorious, finder of the light.
3. Where battle’s spoil is piled the singer winneth praise, for Indra taketh care of matchless worshippers.
He in Vivasvan’s dwelling findeth his delight: praise thou the ever-conquering slayer of the foe.
4. Thee, valorous, most heroic of the heroes, shall the priests glorify with songg and praises.
Full of all wondrous power he goes to conquest: worship is his, sole Lord from days aforetime.
5. Abundant are the gifts he gives to mortals: for him the earth bears a rich store of treasures.
The heavens, the growing plants, the living waters, the forest trees preserve their wealth for Indra.
6. To thee, O Indra, Lord of Bays, for ever are offered prayers and songs: accept them gladly.
As Kinsman think thou of some fresh assistance; good Friend, give strength and life to those who praise thee.
7. Here, Indra, drink thou Soma with the Maruts, as thou didst drink the juice beside Saryata.
Under thy guidance, in thy keeping, Hero, the singers serve, skilled in fair sacrifices.
8. So eagerly desirous drink the Soma, our juice, O Indra, with thy friends the Maruts,
Since at thy birth all Deities adorned thee for the great fight, O thou invoked of many.
9. He was your comrade in your zeal, O Maruts: they, rich in noble gifts, rejoiced in Indra.
With them together let the Vrtra-slayer drink in his home the worshipper’s libation.
10. So, Lord of affluent gifts, this juice hath been pressed for thee with strength
Drink of it, thou who lovest song.
11. Incline thy body to this juice which suits thy Godlike nature well:
May it cheer thee who lovest it.
12. Brave Indra, let it work through both thy flanks, and through thy head by prayer,
And through thine arms, to prosper us.
HYMN LII. Indra.
1. INDRA, accept at break of day our Soma mixt with roasted corn,
With groats with cake, with eulogies.
2. Accept, O Indra, and enjoy the well-dressed sacrificial cake: Oblations are poured forth to thee.
3. Consume our sacrificial cake, accept the songs of praise we sing,
As he who woes accepts his bride.
4. Famed from of old, accept the cake at our libation poured at dawn,
Forgreat, O Indra, is thy power.
5. Let roasted corn of our midday libation, and sacrificial cake here please thee, Indra,
What time the lauding singer, keen of purpose and eager as a bull, with hymns implores thee.
6. At the third sacrifice, O thou whom many praise, give glory to the roasted corn and holy cake.
With offered viands and with songs may we assist thee, Sage, whom Vaja and the Rbhus wait upon.
7. The groats have we prepared for thee with Pusan, corn for thee, Lord of Bay Steeds, with thy horses.
Eat thou the meal-cake, banded with the Maruts, wise Hero, Vrtra-slayer, drink the Soma.
8. Bring forth the roasted corn to meet him quickly, cake for the bravest Hero mid the heroes.
Indra, may hymns accordant with thee daily strengthen thee, Bold One, for the draught of Soma.
HYMN LIII. Indra, Parvata, Etc.
1. ON a high car, O Parvata and Indra, bring pleasant viands, with brave heroes, hither.
Enjoy the gifts, Gods, at our sacrifices wax strong by hymns, rejoice in our oblation.
2. Stay still, O Maghavan, advance no farther. a draught of well-pressed Soma will I give thee.
With sweetest song I grasp, O Mighty Indra, thy garment’s hem as a child grasps his father’s.
3. Adhvaryu, sing we both; sing thou in answer: make we a laud acceptable to Indra.
Upon this sacrificer’s grass he seated: to Indra shall our eulogy be uttered.
4. A wife, O Maghavan is home and dwelling: so let thy Bay Steeds yoked convey thee hither.
Whenever we press out for thee the Soma, let Agni as our Herald speed to call thee.
5. Depart, O Maghavan;again come hither: both there and here thy goat is Indra, Brother,
Where thy tall chariot hath a place to rest in, and where thqu loosest thy loud-neighing Courser.
6. Thou hast drunk Soma, Indra, turn thee homeward; thy joy is in thy home, thy racious Consort;
Where thy tall chariot hath a place to rest in, and thy strong Courser is set free with guerdon.
7. Bounteous are these, Angirases, Virupas: the Asura’s Heroes and the Sons of Heaven.
They, giving store of wealth to Visvamitra, prolong his life through countless Soma-pressings.
8. Maghavan weareth every shape at pleasure, effecting magic changes in his body,
Holy One, drinker out of season, coming thrice, in a moment, through fit prayers, from heaven.
9. The mighty sage, God-born and God-incited, who looks on men, restrained the billowy river.
When Visvamitra was Sudas’s escort, then Indra through the Kusikas grew friendly.
10. Like swans, prepare a song of praise with pressing-stones, glad in your hymns with juice poured forth in sacrifice.
Ye singers, with the Gods, sages who look on men, ye Kutikas drink up the Soma’s savoury meath.
11. Come forward, Kusikas, and be attentive; let loose Sudas’s horse to win him riches.
East, west, and north, let the King slay the foeman, then at earth’s choicest place perform his worship.
12. Praises to Indra have I sung, sustainer of this earth and heaven. This prayer of Visvamitra keeps secure the race of Bharatas.
13. The Visvamitras have sung forth this prayer to Indra Thunder-aimed:
So let him make us prosperous.
14. Among the Kikatas what do thy cattle? They pour no milky draught, they heat no caldron.
Bring thou to us the wealth of Pramaganda;give up to us, O Maghavan, the low-born.
15. Sasarpari, the gift of Jamadagnis, hath lowed with mighty voice dispelling famine.
The Daughter of the Sun hath spread our glory among the Gods, imperishable, deathless.
16. Sasarpari brought glory speedily to these, over the generations of the Fivefold Race;
Daughter of Paksa, she bestows new vital power, she whom the ancient Jamadagnis gave to me.
17. Strong be the pair of oxen, firm the axles, let not the pole slip nor the yoke be broken.
May Indra, keep the yoke-pins from decaying: attend us, thou whose fellies are uninjured.
18. O Indra, give our bodies strength, strength to the bulls who draw the wains,
Strength to our seed and progeny that they may live, for thou art he who giveth strength.
19. Enclose thee in the heart of Khayar timber, in the car wrought of Sinsapa put firmness.
Show thyself strong, O Axle, fixed and strengthened: throw us not from the car whereon we travel.
20. Let not this sovran of the wood leave us forlorn or injure us.
Safe may we be until we reach our homes and rest us and unyoke.
21. With various aids this day come to us, Indra, with best aids speed us, Maghavan, thou Hero.
Let him who hatcth us fall headlong downward: him whom we hate let vital breath abandon.
22. He heats his very axe, and then cuts a mere Semal blossom off.
O Indra, like a caldron cracked and seething, so he pours out foam.
23. Men notice not the arrow, O ye people; they bring the red beast deeming it a bullock.
A sluggish steed men run not with the courser, nor ever lead an ass before a charger.
24. These men, the sons of Bharata, O Indra, regard not severance or close connexion.
They urge their own steed as it were another’s, and take him, swift as the bow’s string, to battle.
