Book 1: Hymn 21: A prayer to Indra for protection

HYMN XXI

A prayer to Indra for protection

1Lord of the clans, giver of bliss, fiend-slayer, mighty o'er the
foe,
May Indra, Soma-drinker, go before us, Bull, who brings us
peace.
2Indra, subdue our enemies, lay low the men who fight with
us:
Down into nether darkness send the man who shows us enmity:
3Strike down the fiend, strike down the foes, break thou asunder
Vritra's jaws.
O Indra, Vritra-slayer, quell the wrath of the assailing foe.
4Turn thou the foeman's thought away, his dart who fain would
conquer us:
Grant us thy great protection; keep his deadly weapon far
away.