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Dhammapada · narration sample

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Rig Veda · 910 of 1027

Mandala 10: HYMN LXXIII. Indra.

1.THOU wast born mighty for victorious valour, exulting, strongest, full of pride and courage. There, even there, the Maruts strengthened Indra when. his most rapid Mother stirred the Hero.

2.There with fiend’s ways e’en Pṛśni was seated: with much laudation they exalted Indra. As if encompassed by the Mighty-footed, from darkness, near at hand, forth came the Children.

3.High are thy feet when on thy way thou goest: the strength thou foundest here hath lent thee vigour. Thousand hyenas in thy mouth thou holdest. O Indra, mayst thou turn the Aśvins hither.

4.Speeding at once to sacrifice thou comest for friendship thou art bringing both Nāsatyas. Thou hadst a thousand treasures in possession. The Aśvins, O thou Hero, gave thee riches.

5.Glad, for the race that rests on holy Order, with friends who hasten to their goal, hath Indra With these his magic powers assailed the Dasyu: he cast away the gloomy mists, the darkness.

6.Two of like name for him didst thou demolish, as Indra striking down the car of Uṣas. With thy beloved lofty Friends thou camest, and with the assurance of thine heart thou slewest.

7.War-loving Namuci thou smotest, robbing the Dāsa of his magic for the Ṛṣi. For man thou madest ready pleasant pathways, paths leading as it were directly God-ward.

8.These names of thine thou hast fulfilled completely: as Lord, thou boldest in thine arm, O Indra. In thee, through thy great might, the Gods are joyful: the roots of trees hast thou directed upward.

9.May the sweet Soma juices make him happy to cast his quoit that lies in depth of waters. Thou from the udder which o’er earth is fastened hast poured the milk into the kine and herbage.

10.When others call him offspring of the Courser, my meaning is that Mighty Power produced him. He came from Manyu and remained in houses: whence he hath sprung is known to Indra only.

11.Like birds of beauteous wing the Priyamedhas, Ṛṣis, imploring, have come nigh to Indra: Dispel the darkness and fill full our vision deliver us as men whom snares entangle.

Asked of Guide

Why does the hymn keep calling Indra producer of riches and paths to the gods?

The chapter shows Indra as both warrior and benefactor: he defeats enemies (lines 5–7) and returns treasures and “a thousand treasures” (line 4) to the worshippers. The image of opening “pleasant pathways” and directing “the roots of trees…upward” (lines 7–8) links his martial victory to cosmic ordering and material blessing.

This hymn treats Indra’s strength as the cause of abundance and religious access; the Aśvins and Nāsatyas come bearing wealth and he “cast away the gloomy mists” (line 5), which lets worshippers see and proceed toward the divine. Compare the Brihadaranyaka and other Vedic hymns where a deity’s triumph establishes routes between humans and gods and secures prosperity.

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.