Rig Veda · 1004 of 1027
Mandala 10: HYMN CLXVII. Indra.
1.THIS pleasant meath, O Indra, is effused for thee: thou art the ruling Lord of beaker and of juice. Bestow upon us wealth with many hero sons: thou, having glowed with Fervour, wonnest heavenly light.
2.Let us call Śakra to libations here effused, winner of light who joyeth in the potent juice. Mark well this sacrifice of ours and come to us: we pray to Maghavan the Vanquisher of hosts.
3.By royal Soma’s and by Varuṇa’s decree, under Bṛhaspati’s and Anumati’s guard, This day by thine authority, O Maghavan, Maker, Disposer thou! have I enjoyed the jars. 4 1, too, urged on, have had my portion, in the bowl, and as first Prince I drew forth this my hymn of praise, When with the prize I came unto the flowing juice, O Viśvāmitra, Jamadagni, to your home.
Asked of Guide
Why does the hymn keep asking Indra to come to the libations and accept the soma?
The hymn stages a ritual summons: the sacrificers pour soma, name Indra (Śakra, Maghavan) and invite him to the feast so he will partake and thereby grant prosperity and “many hero sons.” The repeated calls—“Let us call Śakra… Mark well this sacrifice… come to us”—treat the god’s presence as the sacrificial result, binding his favor to the libation.
Naming Varuṇa, Bṛhaspati and Anumati situates the request within the divine order and priestly sanction; the speaker says he drew forth the hymn “as first Prince” after enjoying the bowl, making the ritual both communal and efficacious. This mirrors other Rigveda hymns where feeding the deity with soma secures cosmic and household benefits, as in Mandala 1 hymns to Indra.
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