HYMN XXVIII. Indra-Soma.

1
ALLIED with thee, in this thy friendship, Soma, Indra for man made waters flow together, Slew Ahi, and sent forth the Seven Rivers, and opened as it were obstructed fountains.

2
Indu, with thee for his confederate, Indra swiftly with might pressed down the wheel of Surya. What rolled, all life's support, on heaven's high summit was separated from the great oppressor.

3
Indra smote down, Agni consumed, O Indu, the Dasyus ere the noontide in the conflict. Of those who gladly sought a hard-won dwelling he cast down many a thousand with his arrow.

4
Lower than all besides hast thou, O Indra, cast down the Dasyus, abject tribes of Dasas. Ye drave away, ye put to death the foemen, and took great vengeance with your murdering weapons.

5
So, of a truth, Indra and Soma, Heroes, ye burst the stable of the kine and horses, The stable which the bar or stone obstructed; and piercing through set free the habitations.

HYMN XXIX. Indra.

1
COME, lauded, unto us with powers and succours, O Indra, with thy Tawny Steeds; exulting, Past even the foeman's manifold libations, glorified with our hymns, true Wealth-bestower.

2
Man's Friend, to this our sacrifice he cometh marking how he is called by Soma-pressers. Fearless, and conscious that his Steeds are noble, he joyeth with the Soma-pouring heroes.

3
Make his cars hear, that he may show his vigour and may be joyful in the way he loveth. May mighty Indra pouring forth in bounty bestow on us good roads and perfect safety;

4
He who with succour comes to his implorer, the singer here who with his song invites him; He who himself sets to the pole swift Coursers, he who hath hundreds, thousands, Thunder-wielder.

5
O Indra Maghavan, by thee protected may we be thine, princes and priests and singers, Sharing the riches sent from lofty heaven which yields much food, and all desire its bounty.

HYMN XXX. Indra.

1
O INDRA, Vrtra-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.

5
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 forth the Sun, And holpest Etasa with might.

7
What? Vrtra-slayer, art not thou, Maghavan, fiercest in thy wrath? So hast thou quelled the demon too.

8
And this heroic deed of might thou, Indra, also hast achieved, That thou didst smite to death the Dame, Heaven's Daughter, meditating ill.

9
Thou, Indra, Mighty One, didst crush Usas, though Daughter of the Sky. When lifting up herself in pride.

10
Then from her chariot Usas fled, affrighted, from her ruined car. When the strong God had shattered it.

11
So there this car of Usas lay, broken to pieces, in Vipas, And she herself fled far away.

12
Thou, Indra, didst. with magic power resist the overflowing stream Who spread her waters o'er the land.

13
Valiantly didst thou seize and take the store which Susna had amassed, When thou didst crush his fortresses.

14
Thou, Indra, also smotest down Kulitara's son Sambara, The Dasa, from the lofty hill.

15
Of Dasa Varcin's thou didst slay the hundred thousand and the five, Crushed like the fellies, of a car.

16
So Indra, Lord of Heroes, Powers, caused the unwedded damsel's son, The castaway, to share the lauds.

17
So sapient Indra, Lord of Might, brought Turvaga and Yadu, those Who feared the flood, in safel [sic] o'er.

18
Arpa and Citraratha, both Aryas, thou, Indra, slewest swift, On yonder side of Sarayu,

19
Thou, Vrtra-slayer, didst conduct those two forlorn, the blind, the lame. None may attain this bliss of thine.

20
For Divodasa, him who brought oblation, Indra overthrew A hundred fortresses of stone.

21
The thirty thousand Disas he with magic power and weapons sent To slumber, for Dabhiti's sake.

22
As such, O Vrtra-slayer, thou art general Lord of kine for all, Thou Shaker of all things that be.

23
Indra, whatever deed of might thou hast this day to execute, None be there now to hinder it.

24
O Watchful One, may Aryaman the God give thee all goodly things. May Risan, Bhaga, and the God Karulati give all things fair.

HYMN XXXI. Indra.

1
WITH what help will he come to us, wonderful, ever-waxing Friend; With what most mighty company?

2
What genuine and most liberal draught will spirit thee with juice to burst Open e'en strongly-guarded wealth?

3
Do thou who art Protector of us thy friends who praise thee With hundred aids approach us.

4
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,

7
So even, Lord of Power and Might, the people call thee Maghavan, Giver, who pauses not to think.

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.

10
May thine assistance keep us safe, thy hundred and thy thousand aids: May all thy favours strengthen us.

11
Do thou elect us this place for friendship and prosperity, And great celestial opulence.

12
Favour us, Indra, evermore with overflowing store of wealth: With all thy succours aid thou us.

13
With new protections, Indra, like an archer, open thou for us The stables that are filled with kine.

14
Our chariot, Indra, boldly moves endued with splendour, ne'er repulsed, Winning for us both kine and steeds.

15
O Surya, make our fame to be most excellent among the Gods, Most lofty as the heaven on high.

HYMN XXXII. Indra.

1
O THOU who slewest Vrtra, come, O Indra, hither to our side, Mighty One with thy mighty aids.

2
Swift and impetuous art thou, wondrous amid the well-dressed folk: Thou doest marvels for our help.

3
Even with the weak thou smitest down him who is stronger, with thy strength The mighty, with the Friends thou hast.

4
O Indra, we are close to thee; to thee we sing aloud our songs: Help and defend us, even us.

5
As such, O Caster of the Stone, come with thy succours wonderful, Blameless, and irresistible.

6
May we be friends of one like thee, O Indra, with the wealth of kine, Comrades for lively energy.

7
For thou, O Indra, art alone the Lord of strength that comes from kine So grant thou us abundant food.

8
They turn thee not another way, when, lauded, Lover of the Song, Thou wilt give wealth to those who praise.

9
The Gotamas have sung their song of praise to thee that thou mayst give, Indra, for lively energy.

10
We will declare thy hero deeds, what Disa forts thou brakest down, Attacking them in rapturous joy.

11
The sages sing those manly deeds which, Indra, Lover of the Song, Thou wroughtest when the Soma flowed.

12
Indra, the Gotamas who bring thee praises have grown strong by thee. Give them renown with hero sons.

13
For, Indra, verily thou art the general treasure even of all . Thee, therefore, do we invocate.

14
Excellent Indra, turn to us: glad thee among us with the juice Of Somas, Soma-drinker thou.

15
May praise from us who think Qn [sic] thee, O Indra, bring thee near to us. Turn thy two Bay Steeds hitherward.

16
Eat of our sacrificial cake: rejoice thee in the songs we sing. Even as a lover in his bride.

17
To India for a thousand steeds well-trained and fleet of foot we pray, And hundred jars of Soma juice.

18
We make a hundred of thy kine, yea, and a thousand, hasten nigh: So let thy bounty come to us.

19
We have obtained, a gift from thee, ten water-ewers wrought of gold: Thou, Vrtra-slayer, givest much.

20
A bounteous Giver, give us much, bring much and not a trifling gift: Much, Indra, wilt thou fain bestow.

21
O Vrtra-slayer, thou art famed in many a place as bountiful Hero, thy bounty let us share.

22
I praise thy pair of Tawny Steeds, wise Son of him who giveth kine Terrify not the cows with these.

23
Like two slight images of girls, unrobed, upon a new-wrought post, So shine the Bay Steeds in their course.

24
For me the Bays are ready when I start, or start not, with the dawn, Innocuous in the ways they take.

HYMN XXXIII. Rbhus.

2
What time the Rbus had with care and marvels done proper service to assist their Parents, They won the friendship of the Gods; the Sages carried away the fruit of their devotion.

3
May they who made their Parents, who were lying like posts that moulder, young again for ever,- May Vaja, Vibhvan, Rbhu, joined with Indra , protect our sacrifice, the Soma-lovers.

4
As for a year the Rbhus kept the Milch-cow, throughout a year fashioned and formed her body, And through a year's space still sustained her brightness, through these their labours they were made immortal.

5
Two beakers let us make,- thus said the eldest. Let us make three,- this was the younger's sentence. Four beakers let us make,- thus spoke the youngest. Tvastar approved this rede [sic] of yours, O Rbhus.

6
The men spake truth and even so they acted: this Godlike way of theirs the Rbhus followed. And Tvastar, when he looked on the four beakers resplendent as the day, was moved with envy.

7
When for twelve days the Rbhus joyed reposing as guests of him who never may be hidden, They made fair fertile fields, they brought the rivers. Plants spread o'er deserts, waters filled the hollows.

8
May they who formed the swift car, bearing Heroes, and the Cow omniform and all-impelling, Even may they form wealth for us,-the Rbhus, dexterous-handed, deft in work and gracious.

9
So in their work the Gods had satisfaction, pondering it with thought and mental insight. The Gods' expert artificer was Vaja, Indra's Rbhuksan, Varuna's was Vibhvan.

10
They whol [sic] made glad with sacrifice and praises, wrought the two Bays, his docile Steeds, for Indra,- Rbhus, as those who wish a friend to prosper, bestow upon us gear and growth of riches.

11
This day have they set gladdening drink before you. Not without toil are Gods inclined to friendship. Therefore do ye who are so great, O Rbhus, vouchsafe us treasures at this third libation.

HYMN XXXIV. Rbhus.

1
To this our sacrifice come Rbhu, Vibhvan, Vaja, and Indra with the gift of riches, Because this day hath Dhisana the Goddess set drink for you: the gladdening draughts have reached you.

2
Knowing your birth and rich in gathered treasure, Rbhus, rejoice together with the Rtus. The gladdening draughts and wisdom have approached you: send ye us riches with good store of heroes.

3
For you was made this sacrifice, O Rbhus, which ye, like men, won for yourselves aforetime. To you come all who find in you their pleasure: ye all were-even the two elder-Vajas.

4
Now for the mortal worshipper, O Heroes, for him who served you, was the gift of riches. Drink, Vajas, Rbhus! unto you is offered, to gladden you, the third and great libation.

5
Come to us, Heroes, Vajas and Rbhuksans, glorified for the sake of mighty treasure. These draughts approach you as the day is closing, as cows, whose calves are newly-born, their stable.

6
Come to this sacrifice of ours, ye Children of Strength, invoked with humble adoration. Drink of this meath, Wealth-givers, joined with Indra with whom ye are in full accord, ye Princes.

7
Close knit with Varuna drink the Soma, Indra; close-knit, Hymn-lover! with the Maruts drink it: Close-knit with drinkers first, who drink in season; close-knit with heavenly Dames who give us treasures.

8
Rejoice in full accord with the Adityas, in concord with the Parvatas, O Rbhus; In full accord with Savitar, Divine One; in full accord with floods that pour forth riches.

9
Rbhus, who helped their Parents and the Asvins, who formed the Milch-cow and the pair of horses, Made armour, set the heaven and earth asunder,-far- reaching Heroes, they have made good offspring.

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

11
Ye were not far: we have not left you thirsting, blameless in this our sacrifice, O Rbhus. Rejoice you with the Maruts and with Indra, with the Kings, Gods! that ye may give us riches.

HYMN XXXV. Rbhus.

1
Come hither, O ye Sons of Strength, ye Rbhus; stay not afar, ye Children of Sudhanvan. At this libation is your gift of treasure. Let gladdening draughts approach you after Indra's.

2
Hither is come the Rbhus' gift of riches; here was the drinking of the well-pressed Soma, Since by dexterity and skill as craftsmen ye made the single chalice to be fourfold

3
Ye made fourfold the chalice that wag single: ye spake these words and said, O Friend, assist us; Then, Vajas! gained the path of life eternal, deft-handed Rbhus, to the Gods' assembly.

4
Out of what substance was that chalice fashioned which ye made fourfold by your art and wisdom? Now for the gladdening draught press out the liquor, and drink, O Rbhus, of die meath of Soma.

5
Ye with your cunning made your Parents youthful; the cup, for Gods to drink, ye formed with cunning; With cunning, Rbhus, rich in treasure, fashioned the two swift Tawny Steeds who carry Indra.

6
Whoso pours out for you, when days are closing, the sharp libation for your joy, O Vajas, For him, O mighty Rbhus, ye, rejoicing, have fashioned wealth with plenteous store of heroes.

7
Lord of Bay Steeds, at dawn the juice thou drankest: thine, only thine, is the noonday libation. Now drink thou with the wealth-bestowing Rbhus, whom for their skill thou madest friends, O Indra.

8
Ye, whom your artist skill hath raised to Godhead have set you down above in heaven like falcons. So give us riches, Children of Sudhanvan, O Sons of Strength; ye have become immortal.

9
The third libation, that bestoweth treasure, which ye have won by skill, ye dexterous-handed,- This drink hath been effused for you, O Rbhus . drink it with high delight, with joy like Indra's.

HYMN XXXVI. Rbhus.

1
Thia [sic] car that was not made for horses or for reins, three-wheeled, worthy of lauds, rolls round the firmament. That is the great announcement of your Deity, that, O ye Rbhus, ye sustain the earth and heaven.

2
Ye Sapient Ones who made the lightly-rolling car out of your mind, by thought, the car that never errs, You, being such, to drink of this drink offering, you, O ye Vajas, and ye Rbhus, we invoke.

3
O Vajas, Rbhus, reaching far, among the Gods this was your exaltation gloriously declared, In that your aged Parents, worn with length of days, ye wrought again to youth so that they moved at will.

4
The chalice that wag single ye have made fourfold, and by your wisdom brought the Cow forth from the hide. So quickly, mid the Gods, ye gained immortal life. Vajas and Rbhus, your great work must be extolled.

5
Wealth from the Rbhus is most glorious in renown, that which the Heroes, famed for vigour, have produced. In synods must be sung the car which Vibhvan wrought: that which ye favour, Gods! is famed among mankind.

6
Strong is the steed, the man a sage in eloquence, the bowman is a hero hard to beat in fight, Great store of wealth and manly power hath he obtained whom Vaja, Vibhvan, Rbhus have looked kindly on.

7
To you hath been assigned the fairest ornament, the hymn of praise: Vajas and Rbhus, joy therein; For ye have lore and wisdom and poetic skill: as such, with this our prayer we call on you to come.

8
According to the wishes of our hearts may ye, who have full knowledge of all the delights of men, Fashion for us, O Rbhus, power and splendid wealth, rich in high courage, excellent, and vital strength.

9
Bestowing on us here riches and offspring, here fashion fame for us befitting heroes. Vouchsafe us wealth of splendid sort, O Rbhus, that we may make us more renowned than others.

HYMN XXXVII. Rbhus.

1
COME to our sacrifice, Vajas, Rbhuksans, 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.

3
Your threefold going near is God-appointed, so praise is given you, Vajas and Rbhuksans. So, Manus-like, mid younger folk I offer, to you who are aloft in heaven, the Soma.

4
Strong, with fair chains of gold and jaws of iron, ye have a splendid car and well-fed horses. Ye Sons of Strength, ye progeny of Indra, to you the best is offered to delight you.

5
Rbhuksans! him, for handy wealth, the mightiest comrade in the fight, Him, Indra's equal, we invoke, most bounteous ever, rich in steeds.

6
The mortal man whom, Rbhus, ye and Indra favour with your help, Must be successful, by his thoughts, at sacrifice and with the steed.

7
O Vajas and Rbhuksans, free for us the paths to sacrifice, Ye Princes, lauded, that we may press forward to each point of heaven.

8
O Vajas and Rbhuksans, ye Nasatyas, Indra, bless this wealth, And, before other men's, the steed, that ample riches may be won.