HYMN XVIII. Indra

1. THE rich new car hath been equipped at morning; four yokes it hath, three whips, seven reins to guide it:

Ten-sided, friendly to mankind, light-winner, that must be urged to speed with prayers and wishes.

2 This is prepared for him the first, the second, and the third time: he is man's Priest and Herald.

Others get offspring of another parent he goeth, as a noble Bull, with others.

3 To Indra's car the Bay Steeds have I harnessed, that new well-spoken words may bring him hither.

Here let not other worshippers detain thee, for among us are many holy singers.

4 Indra, come hitherward with two Bay Coursers, come thou with four, with six when invocated.

Come thou with eight, with ten, to drink the Soma. Here is the juice, brave Warrior: do not scorn it.

5 O Indra, come thou hither having harnessed thy car with twenty, thirty, forty horses.

Come thou with fifty well trained coursers, Indra, sixty or seventy, to drink the Soma.

6 Come to us hitherward, O Indra, carried by eighty, ninety, or an hundred horses.

This Soma juice among the Sunahotras hath been poured out, in love, to glad thee, Indra.

7 To this my prayer, O Indra, come thou hither: bind to thy car's pole all thy two Bay Coursers.

Thou art to be invoked in many places Hero, rejoice thyself in this libation.

8 Ne'er be my love from Indra disunited still may his liberal Milch-cow yield us treasure.

So may we under his supreme protection, safe in his arms, succeed in each forth-going.

9 Now may that wealthy Cow Of thine, O Indra, give in return a boon to him who lauds thee.

Give to thy praisers: let not fortune fail us. Loud may we speak, with heroes, in assembly.