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1. THE praise-song let him sing forth
bursting bird-like: sing we that hymn which like heaven's light expandeth,
That the milk-giving cows may, unimpeded call to the sacred
grass the Gods' assembly.
2 Let the Bull sing with Bulls whose toil
is worship, with a loud roar like some wild beast that hungers.
Praised God! the glad priest brings his heart's devotion;
the holy youth presents twofold oblation.
3 May the Priest come circling the measured
stations, and with him bring the earth's autumnal fruitage.
Let the Horse neigh led near, let the Steer bellow: let the
Voice go between both worlds as herald,
4 To him we offer welcomest oblations, the
pious bring their strength-inspiring praises.
May Indra, wondrous in his might, accept them, car-borne and
swift to move like the Nasatyas.
5 Praise thou that Indra who is truly
mighty, the car-borne Warrior, Maghavan the Hero;
Stronger in war than those who fight against him, borne by strong
steeds, who kills enclosing darkness;
6 Him who surpasses heroes in his
greatness: the earth and heavens suffice not for his girdles.
Indra endues the earth to be his garment, and, God-like,
wears the heaven as 'twere a frontlet,
7 Thee, Hero, guardian of the brave in
battles, who roamest in the van,-to draw thee hither,
Indra, the hosts agree beside the Soma, and joy, for his
great actions, in the Chieftain.
8 Libations in the sea to thee are pleasant,
when thy divine Floods come to cheer these people.
To thee the Cow is sum of all things grateful when with the
wish thou seekest men and princes.
9 So may we in this One be well befriended,
well aided as it were through praise of chieftains,
That Indra still may linger at our worship, as one led swift
to work, to hear our praises.
10 Like men in rivalry extolling princes,
our Friend be Indra, wielder of the thunder.
Like true friends of some city's lord within them held in
good rule with sacrifice they help him.
11 For every sacrifice makes Indra
stronger, yea, when he goes around angry in spirit;
As pleasure at the ford invites the thirsty, as the long way
brings him who gains his object.
12 Let us not here contend with Gods, O
Indra, for here, O Mighty One, is thine own portion,
The Great, whose Friends the bounteous Maruts honour, as
with a stream, his song who pours oblations.
13 Addressed to thee is this our praise, O
Indra: Lord of Bay Steeds, find us hereby advancement.
So mayst thou lead us on, O God, to comfort. May we find
strengthening food in full abundance.
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