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Dhammapada · narration sample

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Rig Veda · 271 of 1027

Mandala 3: HYMN XXXVII. Indra.

1.O INDRA, for the strength that slays Vṛtra and conquers in the fight, We turn thee hitherward to us.

2.O Indra, Lord of Hundred Powers, may those who praise thee hitherward. Direct thy spirit and thine eye.

3.O Indra, Lord of Hundred Powers, with all our songs we invocate Thy names for triumph over foes.

4.We strive for glory through the powers immense of him whom many praise, Of Indra who supports mankind.

5.For Vṛtra’s slaughter I address Indra whom many invocate, To win us booty in the wars.

6.In battles be victorious. We seek thee, Lord of Hundred Powers, Indra, that Vṛtra may be slain.

7.In splendid combats of the hosts, in glories where the fight is won. Indra, be victor over foes.

8.Drink thou the Soma for our help, bright, vigilant, exceeding strong, O Indra, Lord of Hundred Powers.

9.O Śatakratu, powers which thou mid the Five Races hast displayed- These, Indra, do I claim of thee.

10.Indra, great glory hast thou gained. Win splendid fame which none may mar We make thy might perpetual.

11.Come to us either from anear, Or, Śakra, come from far away. Indra, wherever be thy home, come to us thence, O Thunder-armed.

Asked of Guide

Why do the poets keep calling Indra 'Lord of Hundred Powers' and asking him to come drink Soma?

The hymn presents Indra as a warrior-deity whose ‘hundred powers’ are the manifold strengths that win battles and ‘support mankind,’ so the repeated title emphasizes his capacity to slay Vṛtra and grant victory. Calling him to ‘drink thou the Soma’ links ritual offering to effect: Soma energizes Indra, making those powers active for the community’s needs.

This is a functional ritual logic: praise + offering + invocation summons a divine actor to perform a public service — martial success and booty, protection in war, and lasting fame. The pattern echoes other Vedic hymns where Soma empowers gods, as in Rig Veda Mandala 1 where Soma intoxicates and ennobles Indra to heroic action.

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