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Dhammapada · narration sample

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Rig Veda · 677 of 1027

Mandala 8: HYMN LVII. Indra.

1.EVEN as a car to give us aid, we draw thee hither for our bliss, Strong in thy deeds, checking assault, Lord, Mightiest Indra, of the brave!

2.Great in thy power and wisdom, Strong, with thought that comprehendeth all Thou hast filled full with majesty.

3.Thou very Mighty One, whose hands by virtue of thy greatness grasp, The golden bolt that breaks its way.

4.Your Lord of might that ne’er hath bent, that ruleth over all mankind, I call, that he, as he is wont, may aid the chariots and the men.

5.Whom, ever furthering, in frays that win the light, in both the hosts Men call to succour and to help.

6.Indra, the Strong, the measureless, worthy of praise, Most Bountiful, Sole Ruler even over wealth.

7.Him, for his ample bounty, him, this Indra do I urge to drink, Who, as his praise was sung of old, the Dancer, is the Lord of men.

8.Thou Mighty One, whose friendship none of mortals ever hath obtained None will attain unto thy might.

9.Aided by thee, with thee allied, in frays for water and for sun, Bolt-armed! may we win ample spoil.

10.So seek we thee with sacrifice and songs, chief Lover of the Song, As, in our battles Indra, thou to Purumayya gavest help.

11.O Thunderer, thou whose friendship and whose onward guidance both are sweet, Thy sacrifice must be prepared.

12.To us, ourselves, give ample room, give for our dwelling ample room Give ample room to us to live.

13.We count the banquet of the Gods a spacious pathway for the men, And for the cattle, and the car.

14.Six men, yea, two and two, made glad with Soma juice, come near to me With offerings pleasant to the taste.

15.Two brown-hued steeds, Indrota’s gift, two bays from Rksa’s son were mine, From Asvamedha’s son two red.

16.From Atithigva good car-steeds; from Arksa rein-obeying steeds, From Asvamedha beauteous ones.

17.Indrota, Atithigva’s son, gave me six horses matched with mares And Patakratu gave besides.

18.Marked above all, amid the brown, is the red mare Vṛṣanvati, Obedient to the rein and whip.

19.O bound to me by deeds of might, not even the man who loves to blame. Hath found a single fault in you.

Asked of Guide

Why does the hymn keep asking Indra for ample room and help in battles and dwellings?

The hymn portrays Indra as the force who grants material prosperity and victory: “give for our dwelling ample room” and aid in “frays for water and for sun.” The poet links Indra’s martial power to everyday needs—space to live, cattle, cars, and spoil—so his favor secures both survival and success.

This is a practical theology where praise and sacrifice produce tangible returns; offerings and Soma bring Indra’s “ample bounty” and friendship. Compare the Rig Veda’s other hymns where gifts to a god result in wealth and protection, a theme also central in the Atharva Veda’s household charms.

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.