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Dhammapada · narration sample

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Rig Veda · 54 of 1027

Mandala 1: HYMN LIV. Indra.

1.URGE us not, Maghavan, to this distressful fight, for none may comprehend the limit of thy strength. Thou with fierce shout hast made the woods and rivers roar: did not men run in crowds together in their fear?

2.Sing hymns of praise to Śakra, Lord of power and might; laud thou and magnify Indra who heareth thee, Who with his daring might, a Bull exceeding strong in strength, maketh him master of the heaven and earth.

3.Sing forth to lofty Dyaus a strength-bestowing song, the Bold, whose resolute mind hath independent sway. High glory hath the Asura, compact of strength, drawn on by two Bay Steeds: a Bull, a Car is he.

4.The ridges of the lofty heaven thou madest shake; thou, daring, of thyself smotest through Śambara, When bold with gladdening juice, thou warredst with thy bolt, sharp and two-edged, against the banded sorcerers.

5.When with a roar that fills the woods, thou forcest down on wind’s head the stores which Śuṣṇa kept confined, Who shall have power to stay thee firm and eager-souled from doing still this day what thou of old hast done?

6.Thou helpest Narya, Turvaśa, and Yadu, and Vayya’s son Turvīti, Śatakratu! Thou helpest horse and car in final battle thou breakest down the nine-and-ninety castles.

7.A hero-lord is he, King of a mighty folk, who offers free oblations and promotes the Law, Who with a bounteous guerdon welcomes hymns of praise: for him flows down the abundant stream below the sky.

8.His power is matchless, matchless is his wisdom; chief, through their work, be some who drink the Soma, Those, Indra, who increase the lordly power, the firm heroic strength of thee the Giver.

9.Therefore for thee are these abundant beakers Indra’s drink, stone-pressed juices held in ladles. Quaff them and satisfy therewith thy longing; then fix thy mind upon bestowing treasure.

10.There darkness stood, the vault that stayed the waters’ flow: in Vṛtra’s hollow side the rain-cloud lay concealed. But Indra smote the rivers which the obstructer stayed, flood following after flood, down steep declivities.

11.So give us, Indra, bliss-increasing glory give us great sway and strength that conquers people. Preserve our wealthy patrons, save our princes; vouchsafe us wealth and food with noble offspring.

Asked of Guide

Why does the hymn repeatedly call Indra a Bull and praise his drinking of Soma?

The hymn calls Indra a Bull to name his raw, generative force: “a Bull exceeding strong in strength” marks him as a primal, conquering power who breaks barriers (Vṛtra’s hold, “the rain‑cloud lay concealed”). That bull-imagery ties his bodily vigor to kingship and martial success, the things the rishis ask him to secure for patrons and princes.

The Soma-drinking lines show how ritual fuels that force: Soma is offered and “quaff”ed so Indra may “fix thy mind upon bestowing treasure.” The hymn treats Soma like sacred fuel that intensifies wisdom and generosity, a theme you also find in the Aitareya Brāhmana where Soma empowers gods to act on behalf of worshippers.

Guide is the guide inside the Gnosis app, where every book on these shelves is free to read. Guide is the part you pay for — your guide has read all of them, and answers about the passage you’re actually on. Ask your guide your own question.