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Dhammapada · narration sample

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Rig Veda · 55 of 1027

Mandala 1: HYMN LV. Indra.

1.THOUGH e’en this heaven’s wide space and earth have spread them out, nor heaven nor earth may be in greatness Indra’s match. Awful and very mighty, causing woe to men, he whets his thunderbolt for sharpness, as a bull.

2.Like as the watery ocean, so doth he receive the rivers spread on all sides in their ample width. He bears him like a bull to drink of Soma juice, and will, as Warrior from of old, be praised for might.

3.Thou swayest, Indra, all kinds of great manly power, so as to bend, as’t were, even that famed mountain down. Foremost among the Gods is he through hero might, set in the van, the Strong One, for each arduous deed.

4.He only in the wood is praised by worshippers, when he shows forth to men his own fair Indra-power. A friendly Bull is he, a Bull to be desired when Maghavan auspiciously sends forth his voice.

5.Yet verily the Warrior in his vigorous strength stirreth up with his might great battles for mankind; And men have faith in Indra, the resplendent One, what time he hurleth down his bolt, his dart of death.

6.Though, fain for glory, and with strength increased on earth, he with great might destroys the dwellings made with art, He makes the lights of heaven shine forth secure, he bids, exceeding wise, the floods flow for his worshipper.

7.Drinker of Soma, let thy heart incline to give; bring thy Bays hitherward, O thou who hearest praise. Those charioteers of thine, best skilled to draw the rein, the rapid sunbeams, Indra, lead thee not astray.

8.Thou bearest in both hands treasure that never fails; the famed One in his body holds unvanquished might. O Indra, in thy members many powers abide, like wells surrounded by the ministering priests.

Asked of Guide

Why does this hymn keep calling Indra a 'Bull' and a 'Warrior' together?

The hymn uses ‘Bull’ and ‘Warrior’ to hold two images of Indra at once: the bull names his raw, bodily strength—“A friendly Bull…a Bull to be desired”—while ‘Warrior’ frames that force as skilled, heroic action who “whets his thunderbolt” and “stirreth up…great battles for mankind.” The poem presents power as both animal vigor and disciplined, public force required to protect cosmos and people.

That pairing matches other Rig Veda hymns where gods are praised in layered epithets; compare Mandala 1, Hymn 32, which similarly mixes pastoral and martial metaphors to show a deity’s full social role. Read this hymn as celebrating strength that is at once fertile, feared, and responsibly wielded.

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.