✶Gnosis
← Contents
Theme
0211 / 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 · 211 of 1027

Mandala 2: HYMN XX. Indra.

1.As one brings forth his car when fain for combat, so bring we power to thee—regard us, Indra— Well skilled in song, thoughtful in spirit, seeking great bliss from one like thee amid the Heroes.

2.Indra, thou art our own with thy protection, a guardian near to men who love thee truly, Active art thou, the liberal man’s defender, his who draws near to thee with right devotion.

3.May Indra, called with solemn invocations. the young, the Friend, be men’s auspicious keeper, One who will further with his aid the singer, the toiler, praiser, dresser of oblations.

4.With laud and song let me extol that Indra in whom of old men prospered and were mighty. May he, implored, fulfil the prayer for plenty of him who worships, of the living mortal.

5.He, Indra whom the Aṅgirases’ praise delighted, strengthened their prayer and made their goings prosper. Stealing away the mornings with the sunlight, he, lauded, crushed even Aśna’s ancient powers.

6.He verily, the God, the glorious Indra, hath raised him up for man, best Wonder-Worker. He, self-reliant, mighty and triumphant, brought low the dear head of the wicked Dāsa.

7.Indra the Vṛtra-slayer, Fort-destroyer, scattered the Dāsa hosts who dwelt in darkness. For men hath he created earth and waters, and ever helped the prayer of him who worships.

8.To him in might the Gods have ever yielded, to Indra in the tumult of the battle. When in his arms they laid the bolt, he slaughtered the Dasyus and cast down their forts of iron.

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.

Asked of Guide

Why does this hymn keep calling Indra a protector who 'further[s] the singer' and 'brought low the dear head of the wicked Dāsa'?

The hymn presents Indra as both a patron of ritual speech and a warrior-king: the praise-singer (the ā́rya or priest) receives worldly prosperity because Indra responds to solemn invocation and ‘strengthened their prayer.’ The poem links successful ritual speech to real-world effects—cattle, earth, waters, triumph in battle—so praise is a means of securing social and material order.

Naming Indra as the Vṛtra-slayer and Fort-destroyer ties his cosmic deed to protection from hostile powers called Dāsa, whose defeat restores light and community well-being. This blend of liturgical reciprocity and martial myth resembles the action in the Iliad, where the favor of a war-god secures honor and goods for his worshippers.

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.