Book 5: Hymn 2: A glorification of Indra

HYMN II

A glorification of Indra

1In all the worlds That was the best and highest whence sprang
the Mighty One of splendid valour.
As soon as born he overcomes his foemen, when those rejoice in
him who bring him succour.
2Grown mighty in his strength, with ample vigour, he as a foe
strikes fear into the Dāsa,
Eager to win the breathing and the breathless: All sang thy
praise at banquet and oblation.
3All concentrate on thee their mental vigour what time these,
twice or thrice, are thine assistants,
Blend what is sweeter than the sweet with sweetness win quickly
with our meath that meath in battle.
4If verily in every war the sages joy and exult in thee who win-
nest treasures,
With mightier power, strong God, extend thy firmness: let not
malevolent Kaokas harm thee.
5Proudly we put our trust in thee in battles, when we behold
great wealth the prize of combat.
I with my words impel thy weapons onward, and sharpen with
my prayer thy vital vigour.
6Thou in that house, the highest or the lowest, which thy protec-
tion guards, bestowest riches.
Establish ye the ever-wandering mother, and bring full many
deeds to their completion.
7Praise in the height Him who hath many pathways, courageous,
strongest, Aptya of the Aptyas
Through strength he shows himself of ample power: pattern of
Prithivī, he fights and conquers.
8Brihaddiva, the foremost of light-winners, hath made these holy
prayers, this strength for Indra. p. a156
Free Lord, he rules the mighty fold of cattle, winning, aglow,
even all the billowy waters.
9Thus hath Brihaddiva, the great Atharvan, spoken to Indra as
himself in person.
Two sisters free from stain, the Mātarivans, with power impel
him onward and exalt him.