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1. FOR thee may Indra boldly
speed the car that works on either side.
Favour us, Much-invoked! in this most glorious
fight against the raiders of our wealth.
2 Loose in the wind the
woman's robe was streaming what time she won a car-load worth a thousand.
The charioteer in fight was Mudgalani: she
Indra's dart, heaped up the prize of battle.
3 O Indra, cast thy bolt among
assailants who would slaughter us:
The weapon both of Dasa and of Arya foe keep
far away, O Maghavan.
4 The bull in joy had drunk a
lake of water. His shattering horn encountered an opponent.
Swiftly, in vigorous strength, eager for glory,
he stretched his forefeet, fain to win and triumph.
5 They came anear the bull;
they made him thunder, made him pour rain down ere the fight was ended.
And Mudgala thereby won in the contest
well-pastured kine in hundreds and in thousands.
6 In hope of victory that bull
was harnessed: Kesi the driver urged him on with shouting.
As he ran swiftly with the car behind him his
lifted heels pressed close on Mudgalani.
7 Deftly for him he stretched the
car-pole forward, guided the bull thereto and firmly yoked him.
Indra vouchsafed the lord of cows his favour:
with mighty steps the buffalo ran onward.
8 Touched by the goad the
shaggy beast went nobly, bound to the pole by the yoke's thong of leather.
Performing deeds of might for many people, he,
looking on the cows, gained strength and vigour.
9 Here look upon this mace,
this bull's companion, now lying midway on the field of battle.
Therewith hath Mudgala in ordered contest won
for cattle for himself, a hundred thousand.
10 Far is the evil: who hath
here beheld it? Hither they bring the bull whom they are yoking..
To this they give not either food or water.
Reaching beyond the pole it gives directions.
11 Like one forsaken, she hath
found a husband, and teemed as if her breast were full and flowing.
With swiftly-racing chariot may we conquer, and
rich and blessed be our gains in battle.
12 Thou, Indra, art the mark
whereon the eyes of all life rest, when thou,
A Bull who drivest with thy bull, wilt win the
race together with thy weakling friend.
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