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Dhammapada · narration sample

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Rig Veda · 632 of 1027

Mandala 8: HYMN XII. Indra.

1.JOY, Mightiest Indra, known and marked, sprung most from Soma-draughts, wherewith Thou smitest down the greedy fiend, for that we long.

2.Wherewith thou bolpest Adhrigu, the great Daśagva, and the God Who stirs the sunlight, and the sea, for that we long.

3.Wherewith thou dravest forth like cars Sindhu and all the mighty floods To go the way ordained by Law, for that we long.

4.Accept this laud for aid, made pure like oil, thou Caster of the Stone, Whereby even in a moment thou hast waxen great.

5.Be pleased, Song-lover, with this song it flows abundant like the sea. Indra, with all thy succours thou hast waxen great.

6.The God who from afar hath sent gifts to maintain our friendship’s bond, Thou. spreading them like rain from heaven, hast waxen great.

7.The beams that mark him have grown strong, the thunder rests between his arms, When, like the Sun, he hath increased both Heaven and Earth.

8.When, Mighty Lord of Heroes, thou didst cat a thousand buffaloes, Then grew and waxed exceeding great thine Indra-power.

9.Indra consumeth with the rays of Sūrya the malicious man: Like Agni conquering the woods, he hath grown strong.

10.This newest thought of ours that suits the time approaches unto thee: Serving, beloved in many a place it metes and marks.

11.The pious germ of sacrifice directly purifies the soul. By Indra’s lauds it waxes great, it metes and marks.

12.Indra who wins the friend hath spread himself to drink the Soma-draught: Like worshipper’s dilating praise; it metes and marks.

13.He whom the sages, living men, have gladdened, offering up their hymns, Hath swelled like oil of sacrifice in Agni’s mouth.

14.Aditi also hath brought forth a hymn for Indra, Sovran Lord: The work of sacrifice for help is glorified.

15.The ministering priests have sung their songs for aid and eulogy: God, thy Bays turn not from the rite which Law ordains.

16.If, Indra, thou drink Soma by Viṣṇu’s or Tṛta Āptya’s side, Or with the Maruts take delight in flowing drops;

17.Or, Śakra, if thou gladden thee afar or in the sea of air, Rejoice thee in this juice of ours, in flowing drops.

18.Or, Lord of Heroes if thou aid the worshipper who shed; the, juice, Or him whose laud delights thee, and his flowing drops.

19.To magnify the God, the God, Indra, yea, Indra for your help, And promptly end the sacrifice-this have they gained.

20.With worship, him whom men adore, with Soma, him who drinks it most, Indra with lauds have they increasedthis have they gained.

21.His leadings are with power and might and his instructions manifold: He gives the worshipper all wealth: this have they gained.

22.For slaying Vṛtra have the Gods set Indra in the foremost place. Indra the choral bands have sung, for vigorous strength.

23.We to the Mighty with our might, with lauds to him who hears our call, With holy hymns have sung aloud, for vigorous strength.

24.Not earth, nor heaven, nor firmaments contain the Thunder-wielding God: They shake before his violent rush and vigorous strength.

25.What time the Gods, O Indra, get thee foremost in the furious fight, Then thy two beautiful Bay Steeds carried thee on.

26.When Vṛtra, stayer of the floods, thou si”est, Thundeicr with might, Then thy two beautiful Bay Steeds carried thee on.

27.When Viṣṇu, through thine energy, strode wide those three great steps of his, Then thy two beautiful Bay Steeds carried thee on.

28.When thy two beautiful Bay Steeds grew great and greater day by day, Even then all creatures that had life bowed down to thee.

29.When, Indra, all the Marut folk humbly submitted them to thee, Even then all creatures that had life bowed down to thee.

30.When yonder Sun, that brilliant light, thou settest in the heaven above, Even then all creatures that had life bowed down to thee.

31.To thee, O Indra, with this thought the sage lifts up this eulogy, Akin and leading as on foot to sacrifice.

32.When in thine own dear dwelling all gathered have lifted up the voice Milk-streams at worship’s central spot, for sacrifice,

33.As Priest, O Indra, give us wealth in brave men and good steeds ana kine That we may first remember thee for sacrifice.

Asked of Guide

Why does this hymn keep saying Indra "waxen great" after drinking Soma and in battle?

The hymn insists Indra “waxen great” to record how ritual and myth enlarge his power: Soma-draughts, praise, and heroic deeds make him grow—“whereby even in a moment thou hast waxen great.” The poets tie his increase to sacrificial acts (Soma, lauds, oil of sacrifice) so the cultic performance and divine favor are one process.

It also links Indra’s growth to concrete victories—slaying Vṛtra, striking floods, carrying Viṣṇu’s steps—so his magnitude is both cosmological and social, causing “all creatures that had life bowed down.” This mirrors themes in the Bhagavad Gita where divine glory is revealed through action and devotion, though here the Rishi-poets focus on sacrifice and communal praise as the means.

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.