✶Gnosis
← Contents
Theme
0206 / 1027

Listen

Dhammapada · narration sample

A one-minute narration sample. Every book in the library is narrated end to end — hear the rest in the app.

Rig Veda · 206 of 1027

Mandala 2: HYMN XV. Indra

1.Now, verily, will I declare the exploits, mighty and true, of him the True and Mighty. In the Trikadrukas he drank the Soma: then in its rapture Indra slew the Dragon.

2.High heaven unsupported in space he stablished: he filled the two worlds and the air’s mid-region. Earth he upheld, and gave it wide expansion. These things did Indra in the Soma’s rapture.

3.From front, as ’twere a house, he ruled and measured; pierced with his bolt the fountains of the rivers, And made them flow at ease by paths far-reaching, These things did Indra in the Soma’s rapture.

4.Compassing those who bore away Dabhīti, in kindled fire he burnt up all their weapons. And made him rich with kine and cars and horses. These things did Indra in the Soma’s rapture.

5.The mighty roaring flood he stayed from flowing, and carried those who swam not safely over. They having crossed the stream attained to riches. These things did Indra in the Soma’s rapture.

6.With mighty power he made the stream flow upward, crushed with his thunderbolt the car of Uṣas, Rending her slow steeds with his rapid coursers. These things did Indra in the Soma’s rapture.

7.Knowing the place wherein the maids were hiding, the outcast showed himself and stood before them. The cripple stood erect, the blind beheld them. These things did Indra in the Soma’s rapture.

8.Praised by the Aṅgirases he slaughtered Vala, and burst apart the bulwarks of the mountain. He tore away their deftly-built defences. These things did Indra in the Soma’s rapture.

9.Thou, with sleep whelming Cumuri and Dhuni, slewest the Dasyu, keptest safe Dabhīti. There the staff-bearer found the golden treasure. These things did Indra in the Soma’s rapture.

10.Now let that wealthy Cow of thine, O Indra , yield in return a boon to him who lauds thee. Give to thy praisers: let not fortune fail us. Loud may we speak, with brave men, in assembly.

Asked of Guide

Why does the hymn keep repeating “These things did Indra in the Soma's rapture” after each deed?

The repeated line marks the deeds as performed specifically in the intoxicated, sacrificial state induced by Soma; each miracle—he “pierced with his bolt the fountains” and “burst apart the bulwarks of the mountain”—is tied to that divine moment. The refrain fixes a causal frame: the Soma-ritual energizes Indra and legitimizes his world-shaping acts.

This pattern resembles other Vedic hymns that link divine action to ritual power, for example parts of the Rig Veda where the pūrṇa-soma grants strength and glory to gods and kings. The repetition also creates a liturgical rhythm, turning a list of exploits into an affirmation the community can recite in praise.

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.