Rig Veda · 476 of 1027
Mandala 6: HYMN XXXV. Indra.
1.WHEN shall our prayers rest in thy car beside thee? When dost thou give the singer food for thousands? When wilt thou clothe this poet’s laud with plenty, and when wilt thou enrich our hymns with booty?
2.When wilt thou gatber men with men, O Indra, heroes with heroes, and prevail in combat? Thou shalt win triply kine in frays for cattle, so, Indra, give thou us celestial glory.
3.Yea, when wilt thou, O Indra, thou Most Mighty, make the prayer all-sustaining for the singer? When wilt thou yoke, as we yoke songs, thy Horses, and come to offerings that bring wealth in cattle?
4.Grant to the Singer food with store of cattle, splendid with horses and the fame of riches. Send food to swell the milch-cow good at milking: bright be its shine among the Bharadvājas.
5.Lead otherwise this present foeman, Śakra! Hence art thou praised as Hero, foe destroyer Him who gives pure gifts may I praise unceasing. Sage, quicken the Aṅgirases by devotion.
Asked of Guide
Why does the poet keep asking Indra when he will grant wealth and victories?
The poet repeats questions like “When shalt thou give the singer food for thousands?” to press urgency and trust: the bard expects Indra to act and frames worship as a call-and-response where blessing is promised but delayed. This layering of appeals — for cattle, horses, fame, and victory — maps the community’s needs onto Indra’s warrior-provider role so the hymn becomes both complaint and petition.
The hymn treats ritual speech as a lever to move divine will; asking when Indra will “yoke… thy Horses” and “come to offerings that bring wealth” treats the god as one who can be compelled by proper praise and sacrifice. This use of petition resembles other Rig Veda hymns that balance praise with demand, and it echoes the tone of Mandala 1 hymns where poets insistently request tangible rewards.
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