Atharva Veda · 615 of 724

HYMN XXXIV

HYMN XXXIV 1. He who just born, chief God of lofty spirit, by power and might    became the God’s protector,   Before whose breath, through greatness of his valour, the two    worlds trembled, He, O men, is Indra. 2. He who fixed fast and firm the earth that staggered, and set at    rest the agitated mountains,   Who measured out air’s wider middle region and gave the    heaven support, He, O men, is Indra. 3. Who slew the Dragon, freed the Seven Rivers, and draye the    kine forth from the cave of Vala,   Begat the fire between both stones, the spoiler in warrior’s    battle, He, O men, is Indra. 4. By whom this universe was made to tremble, who chased away    the humbled brood of demon,   Who, like a gambler gathering his winnings, seized the foe’s    riches, He, O men, is Indra. 5. Of whom, the terrible, they ask, Where is He? or verily they    say of him, He is not.   He wastes the foeman’s wealth like stakes of gamblers. Have    faith in him for He, O men, is Indra. 6. Stirrer to action of the poor and lowly, of priest, of suppliant    who sings his praises   Who, fair-faced, favours him who presseth Soma with stones    adjusted, He, O men, is Indra. 7. He under whose supreme control are horses, all chariots, and    the hamlets, and the cattle:   He who begat the Sun, begat the Morning, leader of waters.   He, O men, is Indra. 8. To whom both armies cry in close encounter, foe against foe, the    stronger and the weaker; p. 291   Whom two invoke upon one chariot mounted, each for himself,   He, O ye men, is Indra. 9. He, without whom men conquer not in battle, whom, warring,    they invoke for help and succour;   He, all this universe’s type and image, who shakes what never    shook, He, men, is Indra. 10. He who hath smitten, ere they know their danger, with his hurl-    ed weapon many grievous sinners:   Who pardons not his boldness who provokes him, who slays the   Dasyu, He, O men, is Indra. 11. He who discovered in the fortieth autumn Sambara dwelling in    the midst of mountains:   Who slew the Dragon putting forth his vigour, the demon lying    there, He, men, is Indra. 12. Who drank the juice poured at the seas of Order, subduing   Sambara by superior prowess,   Who hoarded food within the mountain’s hollow wherein he    grew in strength, He, men, is Indra. 13. Who, with seven guiding reins, the Bull, the mighty, set the   Seven Rivers free to flow at pleasure;   Who, thunder-armed, rent Rauhina in pieces when scaling    heaven, He, O ye men, is Indra. 14. Heaven, even, and the earth bow down before him, before his    very breath the mountains tremble.   Known as the Soma-drinker, armed with thunder, the wielder    of the bolt, He, men, is Indra. 15. Who aids with favour him who pours the Soma, and him who    brews it, sacrificer, singer;   Whose strength our prayer and offered Soma heighten, and this    our gift, He, O ye men, is Indra. 16. Born, manifested in his Parents’ bosom, He knoweth as a son    the Highest Father.   He who with vigorous energy assisted the companies of Gods,   He, men, is Indra 17. Lord of Bay steeds, who loves the flowing Soma, He before    whom all living creatures tremble.   He who smote Sambara and slaughtered Sushna, He the Sole   Hero, He, O men, is Indra. 18. Thou verily art true strong God who sendest wealth to the man    who brews and pours libation. p. 292   So may we evermore, thy friends, O Indra, address the synod    with brave sons about us.