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Rig Veda · 697 of 1027
Mandala 8: HYMN LXXVII. Indra.
1.As cows low to their calves in stalls, so with our songs we glorify This Indra, even your Wondrous God who checks attack, who joys in the delicious juice.
2.Celestial, bounteous Giver, girt about with might, rich, mountain-like, in precious things, Him swift we seek. for foodful booty rich in kine, brought hundredfold and thousandfold.
3.Indra, the strong and lofty hills are powerless to bar thy way. None stay that act of thine when thou wouldst fain give wealth to one like me who sings thy praise.
4.A Warrior thou by strength, wisdom, and wondrous deed, in might excellest all that is. Hither may this our hymn attract thee to our help, the hymn which Gotamas have made.
5.For in thy might thou stretchest out beyond the boundaries of heaven. The earthly region, Indra, comprehends thee not. After thy Godhead hast thou waxed.
6.When, Maghavan, thou honourest the worshipper, no one is there to stay thy wealth. Most liberal Giver thou, do thou inspire our song of praise, that we may win the spoil.
Asked of Guide
Why does this hymn call Indra “Maghavan” and praise him with cattle and booty imagery?
The hymn calls Indra “Maghavan” to name him as the generous giver; Maghavan means “the bountiful” and the verses keep returning to gifts—“foodful booty rich in kine” and wealth that comes “hundredfold and thousandfold.” The poets describe giving in concrete terms the society values: cattle, spoils, and protection, because Indra’s power is measured by the material prosperity he bestows on his worshippers.
This hymn makes generosity the central divine trait: Indra is praised as one who “honoureth the worshipper” and whose wealth no one can stop. For a parallel, see the Rig Veda’s other Indra hymns and the similar emphasis in the Mahabharata, where kings and gods are praised by their liberality and the social bonds that generosity creates.
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