✶Gnosis
← Contents
Theme
0651 / 1027

Listen

Dhammapada · narration sample

A one-minute narration sample. Every book in the library is narrated end to end — hear the rest in the app.

Rig Veda · 651 of 1027

Mandala 8: HYMN XXXI. Various Deities.

1.THAT Brahman pleases Indra well, who worships, sacrifices, pours Libation, and prepares the meal.

2.Śakra protects from woe the man who gives him sacrificial cake. And offers Soma blent with milk.

3.His chariot shall be glorious, sped by Gods, and mighty shall he be, Subduing all hostilities.

4.Each day that passes, in his house flows his libation, rich in milk, Exhaustless, bringing progeny.

5.O Gods, with constant draught of milk, husband and wife with one accord Press out and wash the Soma juice.

6.They gain sufficient food: they come united to the sacred grass, And never do they fail in strength.

7.Never do they deny or seek to hide the favour of the Gods: They win high glory for themselves.

8.With sons and daughters by their side they reach their full extent of life, Both decked with ornaments of gold.

9.Serving the Immortal One with gifts of sacrificial meal and wealth, They satisfy the claims of love and pay due honour to the Gods.

10.We claim protection from the Hills, we claim protection of the Floods, Of him who stands by Viṣṇu’s side.

11.May Pūṣan come, and Bhaga, Lord of wealth, All-bounteous, for our weal Broad be the path that leads to bliss:

12.Aramati, and, free from foes, Visva with spirit of a God, And the Ādityas’ peerless might.

13.Seeing that Mitra, Aryaman, and Varuṇa are guarding us, The paths of Law are fair to tread.

14.I glorify with song, for wealth, Agni the God, the first of you. We honour as a well-loved Friend the God who prospereth our fields.

15.As in all frays the hero, so swift moves his car whom Gods attend. The man who, sacrificing, strives to win the heart of Deities will conquer those who worship not.

16.Ne’er are ye injured, worshipper, presser of juice, or pious man. The man who, sacrificing, strives to win the heart of Deities will conquer those who worship not.

17.None in his action equals him, none holds him far or keeps him off. The man who, sacrificing, strives to win the heart of Deities will conquer those who worship not.

18.Such strength of heroes shall be his, such mastery of fleet-foot steeds. The man who, sacrificing, strives to win the heart of Deities will conquer those who worship not.

Asked of Guide

Why does the hymn repeat “The man who, sacrificing, strives to win the heart of Deities will conquer those who worship not”?

The line appears as a refrain to tie the hymn’s promises to ritual practice: sacrifice secures divine favour, protection, wealth, and heroic success. It anchors the benefits listed — glorious chariot, progeny, unbroken libations, and victory — to a clear causal act, worship through sacrifice and Soma.

Repeating the refrain makes the verse communal and liturgical, suitable for recitation during rites so the congregation hears cause and effect together. This technique resembles other Vedic hymns and the Bhagavad Gita’s insistence that right action performed as duty yields its results; both link disciplined practice to concrete spiritual and worldly outcomes.

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.