Sama Veda on War

1. Surya, thou mountest up to meet the hero famous for his wealth, Who hurls the bolt and works for man. 2. Whatever, Vritra-slayer! thou, Surya hast risen upon to-day, That, Indra, all is in thy power. 3. That Indra is our youthful friend, who with his trusty guidanceled Turvasa, Yadu from afar. 4. O Indra, let not ill designs surround us in the sunbeams' light This may we gain with thee for friend! 5. Indra, bring wealth that gives delight, the victor's ever-conquering wealth, Most excellent, to be our aid 6. In mighty battle we invoke Indra, Indra is lesser fight, The friend who bends his bolt at fiends. 7. In battle of a thousand arms Indra drank Kadru's Soma juice There he displayed his manly might. 8. Faithful to thee, we sing aloud, heroic Indra, songs to thee Mark, O good Lord, this act of ours! 9. Hitherward! they who light the flame and straightway trim the sacred grass, Whose friend is Indra ever young. 10. Drive all our enemies away, smite down the foes who press around, And bring the wealth for which we long!

1. The 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 King laid down his weapons. 2. Flying in terror from the snort of Vritra all deities who were thy friends forsook thee. So, Indra, with the Maruts be thy friendship: in all these battles thou shalt be the victor. 3. The old hath waked the young Moon from his slumber who runs his circling course with many round him. Behold the God's high wisdom in its greatness: he who died yesterday to-day is living. 4. Then, at thy birth, thou wast the foeman, Indra, of those the seven who ne'er had met a rival. The hidden pair, heaven and the earth, thou foundest, and to the mighty worlds thou gavest pleasure. 5. A friend we count thee, sharp-edged, thunder-wielder, Steer strong of body, overthrowing Thou, helping, causest pious tribes to conquer: Indra, I laud the, heavenly Vritra-slayer. 6. Bring to the wise, the great, who waxeth mighty your offerings,. and make ready your devotion! Go forth to many tribes as man's controller! 7. Call we on Maghavan, auspicious Indra, best hero in this fight where spoil is gathered, Strong, listening to give us aid in battles, who slays the Vritras, wins and gathers riches! 8. Prayers have been offered up-through love of glory: Vasishtha, honour Indra in the battle! He who with fame extends through all existence hears words which I, his faithful servant, utter. 9. May the sweet Soma juices make him happy to cast his quoit that lies in depth of waters! Thou from the udder which o'er earth is fastened hast poured the milk into the kine and herbage.

1. Still, Indra, from all ancient time rivalless ever and companionless art thou: Thou seekest friendship but in war. 2. Him who of old hath broucht to us this and that blessing, him I magnify for you, Even Indra, O my friends, for help. 3. Fail not when marching onward: come hither, like-spirited, stay not far away Ye who can tame even what is firm! 4. Come hither to the dropping juice, O Lord of cornland. Lord of horses, Lord of kine: Drink thou the Soma, Soma's Lord! 5. Hero, may we, with thee for friend, withstand the man who pants against us in his wrath, In fight with people rich in kine! 6. Yea, kin by common ancestry, the Maruts, even the oxen, close united friends! Are licking one another's back. 7. O Indra, bring great strength to us, bring valour, Satakratu, thou most active, bring A hero conquering in war! 8. So, Indra, friend of song, do we draw nigh to thee with longing; we have streamed to thee Coming like floods that follow floods 9. Sitting like birds beside thy meath, mingled with milk, which gladdeneth and exalteth thee, Indra, to thee we sing aloud. 10. We call on thee, O matchless one! We, seeking help, possessing nothing firm ourselves, Call on thee, wondrous, Thunder-armed.

1. Yea, verily thou art a Bull, our guardian, rushing like a bull: Thou, mighty one, art celebrated as a Bull, famed as a Bull both near and far. 2. Whether, O Sakra, thou be far, or, Vritra-slayer, near at hand, Thence by heaven-reaching songs he who bath pressed the juice invites thee with thy long- maned steeds. 3. In the wild raptures of the juice sing to your hero with high laud, to him the wise, To Indra glorious in his name, the mighty one, even as the hymn alloweth it! 4. O Indra, give us for our weal a triple refuge, triply strong! Bestow a dwelling-place on our rich lords and me, and keep thy dart afar from these! 5. Turning, 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. 6. The godless mortal gaineth not this food, O thou whose life is long! But one who yokes the bright-hued horses, Etasas; then Indra yokes his tawny steeds. 7. Draw near unto our Indra who must be invoked in every fight! Come, thou most mighty Vritra-slayer, meet for praise, come to, libations and to hymns! 8. Thine, Indra, is the lowest wealth, thou cherishest the midmost wealth, Thou ever rulest all the highest: in the fray for cattle none resisteth thee. 9. Where art thou? Whither art thou gone? For many a place attracts thy mind. Haste, warrior, fort-destroyer, Lord of battle's din! haste, holy songs have sounded forth! 10. Here, verily, yesterday we let the thunder-wielder drink his fill. Bring him the juice poured forth in sacrifice to-day. Now range you by the glorious one!

1. The juice of Soma thus diffused, sweet to the taste the bright cows drink, Who travelling in splendour close to mighty Indra's side rejoice, good in their own supremacy. 2. Thus hath the Soma, gladdening draught, produced the prayer that giveth joy: Thou, mightiest, Thunder-armed, hast driven by force the Dragon from the earth, lauding thine own supremacy. 3. By men hath Indra been advanced, the Vritra-slayer, to joy and strength. Him only we invoke for help in battles whether great or small: be he our aid in deeds of might! 4. Unconquered strength is only thine, Indra, Stonecaster, Thunder-armed! When thou with thy surpassing power smotest to death that guileful beast, lauding thine own supremacy. 5. Go forward, meet the foe, be bold; thy bolt of thunder is not checked! Manliness, Indra, is thy strength. Slay Vritra, make the waters thine, lauding thine own supremacy! 6. When war and battles are on foot, booty is offered to the bold. Yoke thou thy wildly-rushing bays. Whom wilt thou slay, and whom enrich? Do thou, O Indra, make us rich! 7. Wcll have they eaten and rejoiced; the friends have risen and passed away: The sages luminous in themselves have praised thee with their latest hymn. Now, Indra, yoke thy two bay steeds! 8. Graciously listen to our songs. Maghavan, be not negligent! When wilt thou make us glorious? Make this, only this thine end and aim. Now, Indra! yoke thy two bay steeds. 9. Within the waters runs the Moon, he with the beauteous wings in heaven. Ye lightnings with your golden wheels, men find not your abiding-place. Mark this my woe, ye Earth and Sky! 10. To meet your treasure-bringing car, the mighty car most dear to us. Asvins, the Rishi is prepared, your worshipper, with songs of praise. Lovers of sweetness, hear my call!

1. This vigorous one whom deities commission, the conqueror of cars, the strong and mighty, Swift, fleet to battle, with uninjured fellies, even Tarkshya for our weal will we call hither. 2. Indra the rescuer, Indra the helper, hero who listens at each invocation, Sakra I call, Indra invoked of many. May Indra Maghavan accept our presents! 3. Indra whose right hand wields the bolt we worship, driver of bay steeds seeking sundered courses. Shaking his beard with might he hath arisen, terrible with his weapons, with his bounty. 4. The ever-slaying, bold and furious Indra, the bright bolt's Lord, the strong, the great, the boundless, Who slayeth Vritra and acquireth booty, giver of blessings, Maghavan the bounteous. 5. The man who lies in wait and fights against us, deeming himself a giant or a hero,-- By battle or with strength destroy him, Indra! With thy help, manly-souled! may we be victors! 6. He whom men call when striving with their foemen, or speeding onward in array of battle, Whom bards incite where heroes win the booty, or in the way to waters, He is Indra. 7. On a high car, O Parvata and Indra, bring pleasant viands, with brave heroes, hither! Enjoy our presents, Gods, at sacrifices: wax strong by hymns, rejoice in our oblation! 8. In ceaseless flow hath he poured forth his praises, as waters from the ocean's depth, to Indra, Who to his car on both its sides securely hath fixed the earth and heaven as with an axle. 9. May our friends turn thee hitherward to friendship! Mayst thou approach us even o'er many rivers! May the Disposer, radiant in this mansion with special lustre, bring the father's offspring! 10. Who yokes to-day unto the pole of Order the strong and passionate steers of checkless spirit, Health-bringing, bearing in their mouths no fodder? Long shall he live who richly pays their service.

1. Flow forth, O Soma, flow thou onward, sweet to Indra's Mitra's, Pushan's, Bhaga's taste. 2. Run forth to battle, conquering the Vritras; thou speedest to quell the foes like one exacting debts. 3. Flow onward, Soma, as a mighty sea, as Father of the Gods, to every form. 4. Flow onward, Soma, flow for mighty strength, as a strong courser, bathed, to win the prize. 5. Fair Indu hath flowed on for rapturous joy, sage, for good fortune, in the waters' lap. 6. In thee, effused. O Soma, we rejoice ourselves for great supremacy in fight: Thou, Pavamana, enterest into mighty deeds. 7. Who are these radiant men in serried rank, Rudra's young heroes, too, with noble steeds? 8. Agni, with hymns may we now accomplish that which thou lovest, Strength, like a horse, auspicious strength with service. 9. The strong youths have come forth to view, to show their strength, God Savitar's quickening energy: Ye warrior horsemen, win the heavens. 10. Soma, flow splendid with thy copious stream in due succession through the ample fleece. DECADE I. Indra 1. Giver from all sides, bring to us from every side, thou whom as strongest we entreat! 2. This Brahman, comer at due time, named Indra, is renowned and praised. 3. The Brahmans with their hymns exalting Indra increased his strength that he might slaughter 4. Anavas wrought a chariot for thy courser, and Tvashtar, much-invoked! the bolt that gitters: 5. Rest, wealth to him who longs for wealth! the riteless stirs not his love nor wins his way to riches. 6. The cows are ever pure and all-supporting, the Gods are ever free from stain and blemish. 7. With all thy beauty come! The kine approaching with full udders follow on thy path. 8. May we, inhabiting a meath-rich dwelling, increase our wealth, and think of thee, O Indra! 9. The Maruts with fair hymns chant out their praise-song: this Indra, famed and youthful, shouts accordant. 10. Sing to your Indra, mightiest Vritra-slayer, sing to the Sage the song that he accepteth!

1. Hither, for powerful kinship, I call Agni, him who prospers you, Most frequent at our solemn rites. 2. May Agni with his pointed blaze cast down each fierce devouring fiend: May Agni win us wealth by war! 3. Agni, be gracious; thou art great: thou hast approached the pious man, Hast come to sit on sacred grass. 4. Agni, preserve us,from distress consume our enemies, O God, Eternal, with thy hottest flames 5. Harness, O Agni, O thou God, thy steeds which are most excellent! The fleet ones bring thee rapidly. 6. Lord of the tribes, whom all must seek, we worshipped Agni set thee down, Refulgent, rich in valiant men. 7. Agni is head and height of heaven, the master of the earth is he He quickeneth the waters' seed. 8. O Agni, graciously announce this our good fortune of the Gods, And this our newest hymn of praise! 9, By song, O Agni, Angiras! Gopavana hath brought thee forth Hear thou my call, refulgent one! 10. Agni, the Sage, the Lord of Strength, hath moved around the sacred gifts, Giving the offerer precious things. 11. His heralds bear him up aloft, the God who knoweth all that lives, The Sun, that all may look on him. 12, Praise Agni in the sacrifice, the Sage whose holy laws are true The God who driveth grief away. 13. Kind be the Goddesses to lend us help, and kind that we may drink: May their streams bring us health and wealth 14. Lord of the brave, whose songs dost thou in thine abundance now inspire, Thou whose hymns help to win the kine?

What mortal man, O Asvins, glows with zeal for you, Urging you with the crushing stone and with the stalk of Soma thus or otherwise? 4. This sweetest Soma juice hath been expressed for you at morning rites. Asvins, drink this prepared ere yesterday and give treasures to him who offers it! 5. Let me not, still beseeching thee with might and sound of Soma drops, Anger at sacrifice a fierce wild creature! Who would not beseech the almighty one! 6. Adhvaryu, let the Soma flow, for Indra longs to drink thereof. He even now hath yoked his vigorous bay steeds: the Vritraslayer hath come nigh. 7. Bring thou all this unto the good, O Indra, to the old and young! For, Maghavan, thou art rich in treasures from of old, to be invoked in every fight. 8. If I, O Indra, were the lord of riches ample as thine own, I would support the singer, God who scatterest wealth! and not abandon him to woe. 9. Thou in thy battles, Indra, art subduer of all hostile bands. Father art thou, all-conquering, cancelling the curse, thou victor of the vanquisher! 10. For in thy might thou stretchest out beyond the mansions of the sky. The earthly region, Indra, comprehends thee not. Thou hast waxed mighty over all. DECADE III 1. Pressed is the juice divine with milk commingled: thereto hath Indra ever been accustomed. We wake thee, Lord of bays, with sacrifices: mark this our laud in the wild joys of Soma! 2. A home is made for thee to dwell in, Indra: O much-invoked one, with the men go thither! Thou, that thou mayest guard us and increase us, givest us wealth and joyest in the Somas. 3. The well thou clavest, settest free the fountains, and gavest rest to floods that were obstructed. Thou, Indra, laying the great mountain open, slaying the Ddnava, didst loose the torrents. 4. When we have pressed the juice we laud thee, Indra, most valorous! even about to win the booty. Bring us prosperity, and by thy great wisdom, under thine own protection, may we conquer! 5.

1. The rapture-shedding Somas have flowed forth in our assembly, pressed to glorify our liberal lords. 2. The Somas, skilled in song, the waves, have led the water forward, like buffaloes speeding to the woods. 3. Indu flow on, a mighty juice; glorify us among the folk: drive all our enemies away! 4. For thou art strong by splendour: we, O Pavamana, call on thee, the brilliant looker on the light. 5. Indu, enlightener, dear, the thought of poets, hath flowed clearly, like a charioteer who starts the steed. 6. Through our desire of heroes, kine, and horses, potent Soma drops, brilliant and swift, have been effused. God, working with mankind, flow on; to Indra go thy gladdening juice: to Vayu mount as Law commands! From heaven hath Pavamana made, as 'twere, the marvellous thunder, and the lofty light of all mankind. 9. Pressed for the gladdening draught the drops flow forth abundantly with song, flow onward with the stream of meath. 10. Reposing on the river's wave, the Sage hath widely flowed around, bearing the bard whom many love.

1. The Gods have come to Indu well-descended, beautified with milk, the active crusher of the 2. Active, while being purified, he hath assailed all enemies: they deck the Sage with holy hymns. 3. Pouring all glories hither, he, effused, hath passed within the jar: Indu on Indra is bestowed. 4. From the two press-boards is the juice sent, like a car-horse, to the sieve: the steed steps forward to the goal. 5. Impetuous, bright, have they come forth, unwearied in their speed, like bulls, driving the black skin far away. 6. Soma, thou flowest chasing foes, finder of wisdom and delight: drive thou the godless folk Flow onward with that stream wherewith thou gavest splendour to the Sun, speeding the waters kind to man! 8. Flow onward thou who strengthenedst Indra to slaughter Vritra who compassed and stayed the mighty floods! 9. Flow onward, Indu, with this food for him who in thy wild delights battered the nine-and- ninety down! 10. Flow, pressed, into the filter, speed the heavenly one who winneth wealth, who bringeth booty through our juice!

1. Let Soma juices make thee glad! Display thy bounty, Thunderer: Drive off the enemies of prayer! 2. Drink our libation, Lord of hymns! with streams of meath thou art bedewed: Yea, Indra, glory is thy gift. 3. Indra hath ever thought of you and tended you with care. The God, Heroic Indra, is not checked. 4. Let the drops pass within thee as the rivers flow into the sea O Indra, naught excelleth thee! 5. Indra, the singers with high praise, Indra reciters with their lauds, Indra the choirs have glorified. 6. May Indra give, to aid us wealth handy that rules the skilful ones! Yea, may the Strong give potent wealth 7. Verily Indra, conquering all, drives even mighty fear away, For firm is he and swift to act. 8. These songs with every draught we pour come, lover of the song, to thee As milch-kine hasten to their calves. 9. Indra and Wishan will we call for friendship and prosperity, And for the winning of the spoil. 10. O Indra, Vritra-slayer, naught is better, mightier than thou Verily there is none like thee!

1. Pass by the wrathful offerer; speed the man who pours libation, drink The juice which he presents to thee! 2. What is the word addressed to him, God great and excellently wise? For this is what exalteth him. 3, His wealth who hath no store of kine hath ne'er found out recited laud, Nor song of praises that is sung. 4. Lord of each thing that giveth strength, Indra delighteth most in lauds, Borne by bay steeds, libations' friend. 5. With wealth to our libation come, be not thou angry with us, like A great man with a youthful bride. 6. When, Vasu, wilt thou love the laud? Now let the Channel bring the stream. The juice is ready to ferment. 7. After the Seasons. Indra, drink the Soma from the Brahman's gift: Thy friendship is invincible! S. O Indra, lover of the song, we are the singers of thy praise O Soma-drinker, quicken us! 9. O Indra, in each fight and fray give to our bodies manly strength: Strong Lord, grant ever-conquering might! 10. For so thou art the brave man's friend; a hero, too, art thou, and strong: So may thine heart be won to us!

1. The God who giveth wealth accept your full libation poured to, him! Pour ye it out, then fill the vessel full again, for so the God regardeth you. 2. Let Brahmanaspati come forth, let Sunrita the Goddess come, And Gods bring to our rite which yields a fivefold gift the hero, lover of mankind! 3. Stand up erect to lend us aid, stand up like Savitar the God, Erect as strength-bestower when we call on thee with priests who balm our offerings! 4. The man who bringeth gifts to thee, bright God who fain wouldst lead to wealth, Winneth himself a brave son, Agni! skilled in lauds, one prospering in a thousand ways. 5. With hymns and holy eulogies we supplicate your Agni, Lord Of many families who duly serve the Gods, yea, him whom others too inflame. 6. This Agni is the Lord of great prosperity and hero, strength, Of wealth with noble offspring and with store of kine, the Lord of battles with the foe. 7. Thou, Agni, art the homestead's Lord, our Hotar-priest at sacrifice. Lord of all boons, thou art the Potar, passing wise. Pay worship, and enjoy the good! 8. We as thy friends have chosen thee, mortals a God, to be our help. The Waters' Child, the blessed, the most mighty one, swift conqueror, and without a peer.

1. The singers hymn thee, they who chant the psalm of praise are lauding thee. The Brahmans have exalted thee, O Satakratu, like a pole. 2. All sacred-songs have magnified Indra expansive as the sea, Best of all warriors borne on cars, the Lord of heroes, Lord of strength. 3. This poured libation, Indra, drink, immortal, gladdening, excellent: Streams of the bright have flowed to thee here at the seat of holy Law. 4. Stone-darting Indra, wondrous God, what wealth thou hast not given me here, That bounty, treasure-finder! bring, filling full both thy hands, to us! 5. O Indra, hear Tiraschi's call, the call of him who serveth thee! Satisfy him with wealth of kine and valiant offspring! Great art thou. 6. This Soma hath been pressed for thee, O Indra: bold one, mightiest, come! May Indra-vigour fill thee full, as Surya fills mid-air with rays 7. Come hither, Indra, with thy bays, come thou to Kanva's eulogy! Ye by command of yonder Dyaus, God bright by day! have gone to heaven. 8. Song-lover! like a charioteer come songs to thee when Soma flows. Together, they have called to thee as mother-kine unto their calves. 9. Come now and let us glorify pure Indra with pure Sama hymn! Let milk-blent juice delight him made stronger with pure, pure songs of praise! 10. That which, most wealthy, makes you rich, in splendours most illustrious, Soma is pressed: thy gladdening drink, Indra libation's Lord! is this.

1. Agni is wakened by the people's fuel to meet the Dawn who cometh like a milch-cow. Like young trees shooting up on high their branches, his flames. are mounting to the vault of heaven. 2. Set forth the gleaming one, the song-inspirer, not foolish with. the foolish, fort-destroyer, Who leadeth with his hymns to thought of conquest, gold-bearded, richly splendid with his armour 3. Thou art like heaven: one form is bright, one holy, like Day and Night dissimilar in colour. All magic powers thou aidest, self-dependent! Auspicious bethy bounty here, O Pushan! 4. As holy food, Agni, to thine invoker give wealth in cattle, lasting, rich in marvels! To us be born a son and spreading offspring. Agni, be this thy gracious will to us-ward! 5. Stablished to fill the juice with vital vigour, giver of wealth, guard of his servant's body, The great Priest, born, who knows the clouds, abider with men, is seated in the waters' eddy. 6. Let the song, honouring the best, with longing honour the Asura's most famous sovran, The deeds of him the mighty, deeds like Indra's, the manly one in whom the folk must triumph! 7. In the two kindling-blocks lies Jatavedas like the well-cherished germ in pregnant women,-- Agni who day by day must be entreated by men who watch provided with oblations. 8. Agni, from days of old thou slayest demons: never shall Rakshasas in fight o'ercome thee. Burn up the foolish ones, raw flesh devourers: let none of them escape thine heavenly arrow!

1. Call to your aid the eternal one who shoots and none may shoot at him, Inciter, swift, victorious, best of charioteers, unconquered, Tugriya's strengthener! 2. Let none, no, not thy worshippers, delay thee far away from us Even from faraway come thou unto our feast, or listen if' already here! 3. For Indra Soma-drinker, armed with thunder, press the Soma juice; Make ready your dressed meats: cause him to favour us! The giver blesses him who gives. 4. We call upon that Indra who, most active, ever slays the foe With boundless spirit, Lord of heroes, manliest one, help thou and prosper us in fight! 5. Ye rich in strength, through your great power vouchsafe us blessings day and night! The offerings which we bring to you shall never fail gifts brought by us shall never fail. 6. Whenever mortal worshipper will sing a bounteous giver's praise, Let him with song inspired laud Varuna who supports the folk who follow varied rites. 7. Drink milk to Indra in the joy of Soma juice, Medhyatithi! To golden Indra ever close to his bay steeds, the thunder-armed, the golden one! 8. Both boons,-may Indra, hitherward turned listen to this prayer of ours, And mightiest Maghavar, with thought inclined to us come near to drink the Soma juice! 9. Not for an ample price dost thou, Stone-caster! give thyself away, Not for a thousand, Thunderer! nor ten thousand, nor a hundred, Lord of countless wealth! 10. O Indra, thou art more to me than sire or niggard brother is. Thou and my mother, O good Lord, appear alike, to give me wealth abundantly.

1. No 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. 2 He without ligature, before making incision in the neck, Closed up the wound again, most wealthy Maghavan, who healeth the dissevered parts. 3. A thousand and a hundred steeds are harnessed to thy golden car: Yoked by devotion, Indra, let the long-maned bays bring thee to drink the Soma juice! 4. Come hither, Indra, with bay steeds, joyous, with tails like peacock's plumes! Let no men check thy course as fowlers stay the bird: pass o'er them as o'er desert lands! 5. Thou as a God, O mightiest, verily blessest mortal man. O Maghavan, there is no comforter but thou: Indra, I speak my words to thee. 6. O Indra, thou art far-renowned, impetuous Lord of power and might. Alone, the never-conquered guardian of mankind, thou smitest down resistless foes. 7. Indra 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. 8. May these my songs of praise exalt thee, Lord, who hast abundant wealth! Men skilled in holy hymns, pure, with the hues of fire, have sung them with their lauds to thee. 9. These songs of ours exceeding sweet, these hymns of praise ascend to thee, Like ever-conquering chariots that display their strength gain wealth and give unfailing help. 10. Even as the wild-bull, when he thirsts, goes to the desert's watery pool, Come to us quickly both at morning and at eve, and with the Kanvas drink thy fill!

1. He who as sovran Lord of men moves with his chariots unrestrained, The Vritra-slayer, vanquisher of fighting hosts, pre-eminent, is praised in song. 2. Indra, give us security from that whereof we are afraid Help us, O Maghavan, let thy favour aid us thus; drive away foes and enemies! 3. Strong pillar thou, Lord of the home! armour of Soma-offerers! The drop of Soma breaketh all the strongholds down, and Indra is the Rishis' friend. 4. Verily, Surya, thou art great; truly, Aditya, thou art great! O most admired for greatness of thy majesty, God, by thy greatness thou art great! 5. Indra! thy friend, when fair of form and rich in chariots, steeds, and kine, Hath ever vital power that gives him strength, and joins the company with radiant men. 6. O 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! 7. Though, Indra, thou art called by men eastward and west ward, north and south, Thou chiefly art with Anava and Turvasa, brave champion urged by men to come. 8. Indra whose wealth is in thyself, what mortal will attack this man? The strong will win the spoil on the decisive day through faith in thee, O Maghavan! 9. First, Indra! Agni! hath this Maid come footless unto those with feet. Stretching her head and speaking loudly with her tongue, she hath gone downward thirty steps. 10. Come, Indra, very near to us with aids of firmly-based resolve Come, most auspicious, with thy most auspicious help; good kinsman, with good kinsmen come!

1. Like kine unmilked we call aloud, hero, to thee, and sing thy praise, Looker on heavenly light, Lord of this moving world, Lord, Indra, of what moveth not! 2. That we may win us wealth and power 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: 3. To you will I sing Indra's praise who gives good gifts as well we know; The praise of Maghavan who, rich in treasure, aids his singers with wealth thousandfold. 4. As cows low to their calves in stalls, so with our songs we glorify This Indra, even your wondrous God who checks attack, who takes delight in precious juice. 5. Loud singing at the sacred rite where Soma flows we priests invoke With haste, that he may help, as the bard's cherisher, Indra who findeth wealth for you 6. With Plenty for his true ally the active man will gain the spoil. Your Indra, much-invoked, I bend with song, as bends a wright his wheel of solid wood. 7. Drink, Indra, of the savoury juice, and cheer thee with our milky draught! Be, for our weal, our friend and sharer of the feast, and let thy wisdom guard us well! 8. For thou--come to the worshipper!--wilt find great wealth to make us rich. Fill thyself full, O Maghavan, for gain of kine, full, Indra, for the gain of steeds! 9. Vasishtha will not overlook the lowliest one among you all Beside our Soma juice effused to-day let all the Maruts drink with eager haste! 10. Glorify naught besides, O friends; so shall no sorrow trouble you! Praise only mighty Indra when the juice is shed, and say your lauds repeatedly!

1. At the Trikadrukas the great and strong enjoyed the barley-brew. With Vishnu did he drink the pressed-out Soma juice, even as he would. That hath so heightened him the great, the wide to do his mighty work. So did the God attend the God, true Indu Indra who is true. 2. This God who sees for thousands of mankind, the light, the thought of poets, and the Law, The brilliant one, hath sent forth hither all the Dawns: spotless, one-minded, zealous in their home they dwell, with thought upon the Steer. 3. Come to us, Indra, from afar, conducting us, as, to the gatherings, a Lord of heroes, as an archer King, the heroes' Lord! We come with gifts of pleasant food, with flowing juice, invoking thee, as sons invite a sire, that we may win the spoil, thee, bounteousest, for gain of spoil. 4. Loudly I call that Indra Maghavan, the mighty, resistless, evermore possessing many glories. Holy, most liberal, may he lead us on to riches, through songs, and, thunder-armed make all our pathways pleasant! 5. Heard be our prayer! In thought I honour Agni first: now straightway we elect this heavenly company, Indra and Vayu we elect. For when our latest thought is raised and on Vivasvan centred well, then do our holy songs go forward on their way, our songs as 'twere unto the Gods. 6. To Vishnu, to the mighty whom the Maruts follow, let your hymns born in song go forth, Evayamarut! To the strong, very holy band adorned with bracelets, that rushes on in joy and ever roars for vigour! 7. With this his golden splendour purifying him, be with his own allies subdues all enemies, as Sura with his own allies. Cleansing himself with stream of juice he shines forth yellow-hued and red, when with the praisers he encompasses all, forms, with praisers having seven mouths. 8.

1. Run onward to the reservoir and seat thee: cleansed by the men speed forward to the battle! Making thee glossy like an able courser, forth to the sacred grass with reins they lead thee. 2. The God declares the deities' generations, like Uaana, proclaiming lofty wisdom. With brilliant kin, far-ruling, sanctifying, the wild boar, singing with his foot, advances. 3. Three are the voices that the car-steed utters: he speaks the lore of prayer, the thought of Order. To the cows' master come the cows inquiring: the hymns with eager longing come to Soma. 4. Made pure by this man's urgent zeal and impulse, the God hath with his juice the Gods pervaded. Pressed, singing, to the sieve he goes, as passes the Hotar to enclosures holding cattle. 5. Father of holy hymns Soma flows onward, the father of the earth, father of heaven; Father of Agni, Surya's generator, the father who begat Indra and Vishnu 6. To him, praiseworthy, sacred tones have sounded, Steer of the triple height, the life-bestower. Dwelling in wood, like Varuna, a river, lavishing treasure, he distributes blessings. 7. Guard of all being, generating creatures, loud roared the sea as highest law commanded. Strong, in the filter, on the fleecy summit, pressed from the stone, Soma hath waxen mighty. 8. Loud neighs the tawny steed when started, settling deep in the wooden vessel while they cleanse him. Led by the men he makes the milk his raiment; then shall he, of himself, engender worship. 9. This thine own Soma, rich in meath, O Indra, the Strong, hath flowed into the Strong One's filter. The swift steed, bounteous, giving hundreds, thousands, hath reached the sacred grass which never fails him. 10. Flow onward, Soma, rich in meath, and holy, enrobed in waters, on the fleecy summit! Settle in vessels that are full of fatness, as cheering and most gladdening drink for Indra!

1. Present oblations, make him splendid: set ye as Hotar in his place the Home's Lord, worshipped With gifts and homage where they pour libations! Honour him meet for reverence in our houses. 2. Verily wondrous is the tender youngling's growth who never draweth nigh to drink his mother's milk. As soon as she who hath no udder bore him, he, faring on his. great errand, suddenly grew strong. 3. Here is one light for thee, another yonder: enter the third and, be therewith united. Beautiful be thy union with the body, beloved in the Gods' sublimest birthplace! 4. For Jatavedas, 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! 5. Agni Vaisvanara, born in course of Order, the messenger of earth, the head of heaven, The Sage, the sovran, guest of men, our vessel fit for their mouth, the Gods have generated. 6. Even as the waters from the mountain ridges, so sprang the; Gods, through lauds, from thee, O To thee speed hymns and eulogies, as horses haste, bearing him who loves the song, to battle. 7. Win to protect you, Rudra, lord of worship, priest of both worlds, effectual sacrificer, Agni, invested with his golden colours, before the thunder strike and lay you senseless! 8. The King whose face is decked with oil is kindled with homage offered by his faithful servant. The men, the priests adore him with oblations. Agni hath shone forth at the flush of morning. 9. Agni advanceth with his lofty banner: through earth and heaven the Bull hath loudly bellowed He hath come nigh from the sky's farthest limit: the Steer hath waxen in the waters' bosom. 10. From the two fire-sticks have the men engendered with thoughts, urged by the hand, the glorious Agni, Far-seen, with pointed flame, Lord of the Homestead.

1. Graciously-minded he is flowing on his way to win dear names o'er which the youthful one grows great. The mighty and far-seeing one hath mounted now the mighty Surya's car which moves to every 2. Spontaneous let our drops of Soma juice flow on, pressed out and tawny-coloured, mightily, to the Gods! Still let our enemies, the godless, be in want, though filled with food; and let our prayers obtain success! 3. Most beauteous of the beauteous, Indra's thunderbolt, this Soma, rich in sweets, hath clamoured in the vat. Dropping with oil, abundant, streams of sacrifice flow unto him, and milch-kine, lowing, with their milk. 4. Indu hath started forth for Indra's settled place, and slights not, as a friend, the promise of his friend. Soma comes onward like a youth with youthful maids, and gains the beaker by a course of hundred paths. 5. On flows the potent juice, sustainer of the heavens; the strength of Gods, whom men must hail with shouts of joy. Thou, gold-hued, started like a courser by brave men, art lightly showing forth thy splendour in the streams. 6. Far-seeing Soma flows, the Steer, the Lord of hymns, the furtherer of days, of mornings, and of heaven. Breath of the rivers, he hath roared into the jars, and with the help of sages entered Indra's heart. 7. The three-times seven milch-kine in the loftiest heaven have for this Soma poured the genuine milky draught. Four other beauteous creatures hath he made for his adornment when he waxed in strength through holy rites. 8. Flow on to indra, Soma, carefully effused: let sickness stay afar together with the fiend! Let not the double-tongued delight them with thy juice: here be thy flowing drops laden with opulence! 9. Even as a King hath Soma, red and tawny Bull, been pressed: the wondrous one hath bellowed to the kine. While purified thou passest through the filtering fleece to seat thee hawk-like on the place that drops with oil. 10.

1. Ne'er is he injured whom the Gods Varuna, Mitra, Aryam. The excellently wise, protect. 2. According to our wish for kine, for steeds and chariots, as of old, Be gracious to our wealthy chiefs 3. Indra, these spotted cows yield thee their butter and the milky draught, Aiders, thereby, of sacrifice. 4. That thou much-lauded! many-named! mayst, with this thought, that longs for milk, Come to each Soma sacrifice. 5. May bright Sarasvati, endowed with plenteous wealth and spoil, enriched With prayer, desire the sacrifice. 6. Why 'mid the Nahusha tribes shall sate this Indra with his Soma juice? He shall bring precious things to us. 7. Come, we have pressed the juice for thee; O Indra, drink this Soma here: Sit thou on this my sacred grass 8. Great, unassailable must be the heavenly favour of the Three, Varuna, Mitra, Aryaman. 9. We, Indra, Lord of ample wealth, our guide, depend on one like thee, Thou driver of the tawny steeds!