1:19One MessageMany witnesses · one GOD
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Plain text of Book The Eighth · HYMN XXIV. The Mighty (Indra)

1 Companions, let us learn a prayer to God the Mighty (Indra), whom the thunder arms, To glorify your bold and most

heroic Friend.

2 For thou by overthrowing Vrtra art the Vrtra-slayer, famed for might.

Thou, Hero, in rich gifts surpassest wealthy chiefs.

3 As such, when glorified, bring us riches of very wondrous fame,

Set in the highest rank, Wealth-giver, Lord of Bays!

4 Yea, Mighty One, thou disclosest that preeminent dear wealth of men:

Boldly, O Bold One, glorified, bring it to us.

5 The workers of destruction stay neither Thy right hand nor Thy left:

Nor hosts that press about Thee, Lord of Bays, in fight.

6 O Thunder-armed, I come with songs to Thee as to a stall with kine:

Fulfil the wish and thought of him who sings Thy praise.

7 Chief Vrtra-slayer, through the hymn of Visvamanas think of all,

All that concerneth us, Excellent, Mighty Guide.

8 May we, O Vrtra-slayer, O Hero, find this Thy newest boon,

Longed-for, and excellent, Thou who art much invoked!

9 O Mighty One, Much-invoked! as Thy great power is unsurpassed,

So be Thy bounty to the worshipper unchecked.

10 Most Mighty, most heroic One, for mighty bounty fill Thee full.

Though strong, strengthen us to win wealth, O Bountiful!

11 O Thunderer, never have our prayers gone forth to any God but Thee:

So help us, Bountiful One, with Thine assistance now.

12 For, Bountiful, verily I find none else for bounty, saving Thee,

For splendid wealth and power, Thou Lover of the Song.

13 For God pour ye out the drops, meath blent with Soma; let Him accept:

With bounty and with majesty will He further us.

14 I spake to the Lord of the Bay Coursers, to Him who gives ability:

Now hear the son of Asva as he praises Thee.

15 Never was any Hero born before Thee mightier than Thou:

None certainly like Thee in goodness and in wealth.

16 O ministering priest, pour out of the sweet juice for the poor and needy:

So is the Hero praised who ever prospers us.

17 O Lord, whom Tawny Coursers bear, praise such as Thine, preeminent,

None by his power or by his goodness hath attained.

18 We, seeking glory, have invoked this Master of all power and might

Who must be glorified by constant devotion.

19 Come, sing we praise to God, friends, the Hero who deserves the laud,

Him who with none to aid o'ercomes all tribes of men.

20 To Him who wins the kine, who keeps no cattle back, Celestial God,

Speak wondrous speech more sweet than butter and than meath.

21 Whose hero powers are measureless, whose bounty ne'er may be surpassed,

Whose liberality, like light, is over all.

22 As Vyasva did, praise the Mighty, praise the Strong unfluctuating Guide,

Who gives the foe's possessions to the worshipper.

23 Now, son of Vyasva, praise thou Him who to the tenth time still is new,

The very Wise, whom living men must glorify.

24 Thou knowest, Thunder-armed, how to avoid destructive powers,

As one secure from pitfalls each returning day.

25 O Mighty One, bring that aid wherewith of old, Most Wondrous! Thou didst overthrow

His foes for active Kutsa: send it down to us.

26 So now we seek Thee fresh in might, Most Wonderful in act! for gain:

For Thou art He who conquers all our foes for us.

27 Who will set free from ruinous woe the Arya on the Seven Streams:

O valiant Hero, bend the oppressor's weapon down.

28 As to Varosusaman Thou broughtest great riches, for their gain,

To Vyasva's sons, Lord rich in ample wealth!

29 Let Narya's offering reach Vyasva's Soma-bearing sons:

In hundreds and in thousands be the great reward.

30 If one should ask thee, Where is he who gave in worship? Whither lookest thou?

Like Vala he hath passed away and dwelleth now on Gomati.