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1. THESE the
most constant singer's invocations call thee who art to be invoked, O Hero;
Hymns call anew the
chariot-borne, Eternal: by eloquence men gain abundant riches.
2 I praise
that Indra, known to all men, honoured with songs, extolled with hymns at
sacrifices,
Whose majesty, rich in wondrous
arts, surpasseth the magnitude of earth, and heaven in greatness.
3 He hath made
pathways, with the Sun to aid him, throughout the darkness that extended
pathless.
Mortals who yearn to worship
ne'er dishonour, O Mighty God, thy Law who art Immortal.
4 And he who
did these things, where is that Indra? among what tribes? what people doth he
visit?
What sacrifice contents thy mind
, and wishes? What priest among them all? what hymn, O Indra?
5 Yea, here
were they who, born of old, have served thee, thy friends of ancient time, thou
active Worker.
Bethink thee now of these,
Invoked of many! the midmost and the recent, and the youngest.
6 Inquiring
after him, thy later servants, Indra, have gained thy former old traditions.
Hero, to whom the prayer is
brought, we praise thee as great for that wherein we know thee mighty.
7 The demon's
strength is gathered fast against thee: great as that strength hath grown, go
forth to meet it.
With thine own ancient friend
and companion, the thunderbolt, brave Champion! drive it backward.
8 Hear, too,
the prayer of this thy present beadsman, O Indra, Hero, cherishing the singer.
For thou wast aye our fathers'
Friend aforetime, still swift to listen to their supplication.
9 Bring to our
help this day, for our protection, Varuna, Mitra , Indra, and the Maruts,
Pusan and Visnu, Agni and
Purandhi, Savitar also, and the Plants and Mountains.
10 The singers
here exalt with hymns and praises thee who art very Mighty and Most Holy.
Hear, when invoked, the
invoker's invocation. Beside thee there is nonelike thee, Immortal!
11 Now to my
words come quickly thou who knowest, O Son of Strength, with all who claim our
worship,
Who visit sacred rites, whose
tongue is Agni, Gods who made Manu stronger than the Dasyu.
12 On good and
evil ways be thou our Leader, thou who art known to all as Path-preparer.
Bring power to us, O Indra,
with thy Horses, Steeds that are best to draw, broad-backed, unwearied.
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