✶Gnosis
← Contents
Theme
0270 / 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 · 270 of 1027

Mandala 3: HYMN XXXVI. Indra.

1.WITH constant succours, fain thyself to share it, make this oblation which we bring effective. Grown great through strengthening gifts at each libation, he hath become renowned by mighty exploits.

2.For Indra were the Somas erst- discovered, whereby he grew strong-jointed, vast, and skilful. Indra , take quickly these presented juices: drink of the strong, that which the strong have shaken.

3.Drink and wax great. Thine are the juices, Indra, both Somas of old time and these we bring thee. Even as thou drankest, Indra, earlier Somas, so drink to-day, a new guest, meet for praises.

4.Great and impetuous, mighty-voiced in battle, surpassing power is his, and strength resistless. Him the broad earth hath never comprehended when Somas cheered the Lord of Tawny Coursers.

5.Mighty and strong he waxed for hero exploit: the Bull was furnished a Sage’s wisdom. Indra is our kind Lord; his steers have vigour; his cows are many with abundant offspring.

6.As floods according to their stream flow onward, so to the sea, as borne on cars, the waters. Vaster is Indra even than his dwelling, what time the stalk milked out, the Soma, fills him.

7.Eager to mingle with the sea, the rivers carry the well-pressed Soma juice to Indra. They drain the stalk out with their arms, quick-banded, and cleanse it with a stream of mead and filters.

8.Like lakes appear his flanks filled full with Soma: yea, he contains libations in abundance. When Indra had consumed the first sweet viands, he, after slaying Vṛtra, claimed the Soma.

9.Then bring thou hither, and let none prevent it: we know thee well, the Lord of wealth and treasure. That splendid gift which is thine own, O Indra, vouchsafe to us, Lord of the Tawny Coursers.

10.O Indra, Maghavan, impetuous mover, grant us abundant wealth that brings all blessings. Give us a hundred autumns for our lifetime: give us, O fair-checked Indra, store of heroes.

11.Call we on Indra, Maghavan, auspicious, best Hero in the fight where spoil is gathered, The Strong, who listens, who gives aid in battles, who slays the Vṛtras, wins and gathers riches.

Asked of Guide

Why does the hymn keep urging Indra to drink Soma again and again?

The hymn repeatedly invites Indra to drink Soma because drinking restores and magnifies his power: lines 2–3 say Soma made him “strong-jointed, vast, and skilful,” and the offering now keeps that divine strength renewed. The libation frames Soma as the means by which Indra becomes “mighty and strong” for heroic exploits and for slaying Vṛtra (line 8).

Besides empowering Indra, the ritual appeal binds divine favor to the worshippers: by asking Indra to accept these juices the poets hope he will “vouchsafe to us” wealth, offspring, and long life (lines 9–10). This transactional pattern—gift, drink, reward—recalls themes in other Vedic hymns where sacrifice secures cosmic and social prosperity, as emphasized across the Rig Veda.

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.