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Dhammapada · narration sample

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Rig Veda · 277 of 1027

Mandala 3: HYMN XLIII. Indra.

1.MOUNTED upon thy chariot-seat approach us: thine is the Soma-draught from days aforetime. Loose for the sacred grass thy dear companions. These men who bring oblation call thee hither.

2.Come our true Friend, passing by many people; come with thy two Bay Steeds to our devotions; For these our hymns are calling thee, O Indra, hymns formed for praise, soliciting thy friendship.

3.Pleased, with thy Bay Steeds, Indra, God, come quickly to this our sacrifice that heightens worship; For with my thoughts, presenting oil to feed thee, I call thee to the feast of sweet libations.

4.Yea, let thy two Bay Stallions bear thee hither, well limbed and good to draw, thy dear companions. Pleased with the corn-blent offering which we bring thee, may Indra, Friend, hear his friend’s adoration.

5.Wilt thou not make me guardian of the people, make me, impetuous Maghavan, their ruler? Make me a Ṛṣi having drunk of Soma? Wilt thou not give me wealth that lasts for ever?

6.Yoked to thy chariot, led thy tall Bays, Indra, companions of thy banquet, bear thee hither, Who from of old press to heaven’s farthest limits, the Bull’s impetuous and well-groomed Horses.

7.Drink of the strong pressed out by strong ones, Indra, that which the Falcon brought thee when thou longedst; In whose wild joy thou stirrest up the people, in whose wild joy thou didst unbar the cow-stalls.

8.Call we on Indra, Makhavan, 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 asking Indra to come with his two Bay Steeds?

The hymn repeatedly calls Indra with his two Bay Steeds because those horses symbolize his visible arrival and power: lines like “thine is the Soma-draught” and “thy two Bay Stallions bear thee hither” link his presence to the sacrificial feast and the release of prosperity. The steads mark Indra as a warrior-king who comes to accept offerings, enliven the people, and open wealth—he is the deity who “wins and gathers riches.”

This summons also frames the ritual aim: making Indra present secures victory and status for worshippers, as the speaker asks to be made “guardian of the people” and a Ṛṣi after drinking Soma. For a parallel, see hymns to Indra elsewhere in the Rig Veda where arrival by chariot repeatedly signifies divine participation in human affairs.

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