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1. FOR him the Mornings made their courses
longer, and Nights with pleasant voices spake to Indra.
For him the Floods stood still, the Seven Mothers, Streams
easy for the heroes to pass over.
2 The Darter penetrated, though in trouble,
thrice-seven close-pressed ridges of the mountains.
Neither might God nor mortal man accomplish what the Strong
Hero wrought in full-grown vigour.
3 The mightiest force is Indra's bolt of
iron when firmly grasped in both the arms of Indra.
His head and mouth have powers that pass all others, and all
his people hasten near to listen.
4 1 count thee as the Holiest of the Holy,
the caster-down of what hath ne'er been shaken.
I count thee as the Banner of the heroes, I count thee as
the Chief of all men living.
5 What time, O Indra, in thine arms thou
tookest thy wildly rushing bolt to Slay the Dragon,
The mountains roared, the cattle loudly bellowed, the
Brahmans with their hymns drew nigh to Indra.
6 Let us praise him who made these worlds
and creatures, all things that after him sprang into being.
May we win Mitra with our songs, and Indra, and. wait upon
our Lord with adoration.
7 Flying in terror from the snort of Vrtra,
all Deities who were thy friends forsook thee.
So, Indra, be thy friendship with the Maruts: in all these
battles thou shalt be the victor.
8 Thrice-sixty Maruts, waxing strong, were
with thee, like piles of beaming light, worthy of worship.
We come to thee: grant us a happy portion. Let us adore thy
might with this oblation.
9 A sharpened weapon is the host of Maruts.
Who, Indra, dares withstand thy bolt of thunder?
Weaponless are the Asuras, the godless: scatter them with
thy wheel, Impetuous Hero.
10 To him the Strong and Mighty, most
auspicious, send up the beAuteous hymn for sake of cattle.
Lay oa his body many songs for Indra invoked with song, for
will not he regard. them?
11 To him, the Mighty, who accepts
laudation, send forth thy thought as by a boat o'er rivers,
Stir with thy hymn the body of the Famous and Dearest One,
for will not he regard it?
12 Serve him with gifts of thine which
Indra welcomes: praise with fair praise, invite him with thine homage.
Draw near, O singer, and refrain from outcry. Make thy voice
heard, for will not he regard it?
13 The Black Drop sank in Amsumati's bosom,
advancing with ten thousand round about it.
Indra with might longed for it as it panted: the
hero-hearted laid aside his weapons.
14 1 saw the Drop in the far distance
moving, on the slope bank of Amsumati's river,
Like a black cloud that sank into the water. Heroes, I send
you forth. Go, fight in battle.
15 And then the Drop in Amsumati's bosom,
splendid with light, assumed its proper body;
And Indra, with Brhaspati to aid him, conquered the godless
tribes that came against him.
16 Then, at thy birth, thou wast the
foeman, Indra, of those the seven who ne'er had met a rival.
The hidden Pair, the Heaven and Earth, thou foundest, and to
the mighty worlds thou gavest pleasure.
17 So, Thunder-armed! thou with thy bolt of
thunder didst boldly smite that power which none might equal;
With weapons broughtest low the migbt of Susna, and, Indra,
foundest by thy strength the cattle.
18 Then wast thou, Chieftain of all living
mortals, the very mighty slayer of the Vrtras.
Then didst thou set the obstructed rivers flowing, and win
the floods that were enthralled by Dasas.
19 Most wise is he, rejoicing in libations,
splendid as day, resistless in his anger.
He only doth great deeds, the only Hero, sole Vrtra-slayer
he, with none beside him.
20 Indra is Vrtra's slayer, man's sustainer:
he must be called; with fair praise let us call him.
Maghavan is our Helper, our Protector, giver of spoil and
wealth to make us famous.
21 This Indra, Vrtra-slayer, this Rbhuksan,
even at his birth, was meet for invocation.
Doer of many deeds for man's advantage, like Soma quaffed,
for friends we must invoke him.
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