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Dhammapada · narration sample

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Rig Veda · 704 of 1027

Mandala 8: HYMN LXXXIV. Indra.

1.SONG-LOVER! like a charioteer come songs to thee when Soma flows. O Indra, they have called to thee as mother-kine unto their calves.

2.Bright juices bitherward have sped thee, Indra, Lover of the Song. Drink, Indra, of this flowing sap: in every house ’tis set for thee.

3.Drink Soma to inspirit thee, juice, Indra, which the Falcon brought: For thou art King and Sovran Lord of all the families of men.

4.O Indra, hear Tirasci’s call, the call of him who serveth thee. Satisfy him with wealth of kine and valiant offspring: Great art thou.

5.For he, O Indra, hath produced for thee the newest gladdening song, A hymn that springs from careful thought, ancient, and full of sacred truth.

6.That Indra will we laud whom songs and hymns of praise have magnified. Striving to win, we celebrate his many deeds of hero might.

7.Come now and let us glorify pure Indra with pure Sāma hymns. Let the pure milky draught delight him strengthened by pure songs of praise.

8.O Indra, come thou pure to us, with pure assistance, pure thyself. Pure, send thou riches down to us, and, meet for Soma, pure, be glad.

9.O Indra, pure, vouchsafe us wealth, and, pure, enrich the worshipper. Pure, thou dost strike the Vṛtras dead, and strivest, pure, to win the spoil.

Asked of Guide

Why does every verse call Indra “pure” and praise purity so much?

The hymn repeatedly calls Indra “pure” because purity frames his authority and efficacy: pure Soma, pure songs, and a pure Indra together make sacrifice effective and bring wealth and victory. The poets tie ceremonial cleanliness to cosmic power—“pure, thou dost strike the Vṛtras dead” shows purity as the condition for his heroic deeds.

This theme echoes what the Brāhmaṇas argue about ritual: correct, uncontaminated offerings produce the gods’ favor and tangible results. Reading this alongside the Aitareya Brāhmana clarifies that ritual purity is technical and political, not merely moral—it channels divine force into household prosperity and martial success.

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.