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Dhammapada · narration sample

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Rig Veda · 614 of 1027

Mandala 7: HYMN XCVIII. Indra.

1.PRIESTS, offer to the Lord of all the people the milked-out stalk of Soma, radiant-coloured. No wild-bull knows his drinking-place like Indra who ever seeks him who hath pressed the Soma,

2.Thou dost desire to drink, each day that passes, the pleasant food which thou hast had aforetime, O Indra, gratified in heart and spirit, drink eagerly the Soma set before thee.

3.Thou, newly-born, for strength didst drink the Soma; the Mother told thee of thy future greatness. O Indra, thou hast filled mid-air’s wide region, and given the Gods by battle room and freedom.

4.When thou hast urged the arrocrant to combat, proud in their strength of arm, we will subdue them. Or, Indra, when thou fightest girt by heroes, we in the glorious fray with thee will conquer.

5.I will declare the earliest deeds of Indra, and recent acts which Maghavan hath accomplished. When he had conquered godless wiles and magic, Soma became his own entire possession.

6.Thine is this world of flocks and herds around thee, which with the eye of Sūrya thou beholdest. Thou, Indra, art alone the Lord of cattle; may we enjoy the treasure which thou givest.

7.Ye Twain are Lords of wealth in earth and heaven, thou, O Bṛhaspati, and thou, O Indra. Mean though he be, give wealth to him who lauds you. Preserve us evermore, ye Gods, with blessings.

Asked of Guide

Why does the hymn call Indra the Lord of cattle and praise him for drinking Soma?

The hymn links Indra’s drinking of Soma with his power and provision: Soma makes him “newly-born” and grants strength so he can expand “mid-air’s wide region” and give the gods room by battle. Drinking Soma is framed as the ritual source of his heroism and authority, the deed that lets him conquer enemies and secure wealth for people and gods.

Cattle and herds are the measurable sign of that provision: Indra is “alone the Lord of cattle,” and the hymn asks to “enjoy the treasure which thou givest.” This ties ritual (offering Soma), divine action (victory and protection), and social wealth (flocks, sustenance) together, much as the Rig Veda generally links sacrificial practice to prosperity and cosmic order.

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