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Dhammapada · narration sample

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Rig Veda · 480 of 1027

Mandala 6: HYMN XXXIX Indra.

1.OF this our charming, our celestial Soma, eloquent, wise, Priest, with inspired devotion, Of this thy close attendant, hast thou drunken. God, send the singer food with milk to grace it.

2.Craving the kine, rushing against the mountain led on by Law, with holyminded comrades, He broke the never-broken ridge of Vala. With words of might Indra subdued the Paṇis.

3.This Indu lighted darksome nights, O Indra, throughout the years, at morning and at evening. Him have they stablished as the days’ bright ensign. He made the Mornings to be born in splendour.

4.He shone and caused to shme the worlds that shone not. By Law he lighted up the host of Mornings. He moves with Steeds yoked by eternal Order, contenting men with nave that finds the sunlight.

5.Now, praised, O Ancient King! fill thou the singer with plenteous food that he may deal forth treasures. Give waters, herbs that have no poison, forests, and kine, and steeds, and men, to him who lauds thee.

Asked of Guide

Why does the hymn call Soma Indu and link him with Morning and Indra?

The hymn names Soma “Indu” to mark Soma as the bright, renewing draught that brings dawn’s presence: “This Indu lighted darksome nights” makes Soma the agent who makes mornings be born in splendour. Calling Soma Indu ties the sacrificial juice to cosmic renewal, so the ritual drink and the sunrise share the same life-giving role.

Indra appears as the hero who liberates and orders through Law, and Soma/Indu empowers that work—“By Law he lighted up the host of Mornings.” This pairing echoes themes in the Brihadaranyaka and later Upanishads where ritual substance and deity cooperate to sustain cosmic order.

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