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Dhammapada · narration sample

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Rig Veda · 10 of 1027

Mandala 1: HYMN X. Indra.

1.THE chanters hymn thee, they who say the word of praise magnify thee. The priests have raised thee up on high, O Śatakratu, like a pole.

2.As up he clomb from ridge to ridge and looked upon the toilsome task, Indra observes this wish of his, and the Rain hastens with his troop.

3.Harness thy pair of strong bay steeds, long-maned, whose bodies fill the girths, And, Indra, Soma-drinker, come to listen to our songs of praise.

4.Come hither, answer thou the song, sing in approval, cry aloud. Good Indra, make our prayer succeed, and prosper this our sacrifice.

5.To Indra must a laud be said, to strengthen him who freely gives, That Śakra may take pleasure in our friendship and drink-offerings.

6.Him, him we seek for friendship, him for riches and heroic might. For Indra, he is Śakra, he shall aid us while he gives us wealth.

7.Easy to turn and drive away, Indra, is spoil bestowed by thee. Unclose the stable of the kine, and give us wealth O Thunder-armed

8.The heaven and earth contain thee not, together, in thy wrathful mood. Win us the waters of the sky, and send us kine abundantly.

9.Hear, thou whose ear is quick, my call; take to thee readily my songs O Indra, let this laud of mine come nearer even than thy friend.

10.We know thee mightiest of all, in battles hearer of our cry. Of thee most mighty we invoke the aid that giveth thousandfold.

11.O Indra, Son of Kuśika, drink our libation with delight. Prolong our life anew, and cause the seer to win a thousand gifts.

12.Lover of song, may these our songs on every side encompass thee: Strengthening thee of lengthened life, may they be dear delights to thee.

Asked of Guide

Why do the chanters call Indra both Śatakratu and Śakra in this hymn?

They use Śatakratu and Śakra to name different aspects of Indra: Śatakratu highlights his mighty deeds—literally “hundred‑deeds” or “much‑wrought”—while Śakra names him the powerful, sovereign god who rules and grants wealth. The hymn makes those roles practical by asking the deed‑doer to accept songs and drink‑offerings and the sovereign to bestow cattle, rains, and victory.

This pairing follows a common Vedic move of invoking a deity’s epithets to summon the function the worshipper needs; compare the Rigveda hymn to Agni who is praised as both “messenger” and “protector.” Here the poem’s repeated requests—“drink our libation,” “give us wealth,” “win us the waters”—show why both names are called.

Guide is the guide inside the Gnosis app, where every book on these shelves is free to read. Guide is the part you pay for — your guide has read all of them, and answers about the passage you’re actually on. Ask your guide your own question.