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Dhammapada · narration sample

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Rig Veda · 718 of 1027

Mandala 9: HYMN VI. Indra.

1.INDRA, the poets with. their hymns extol this hero might of thine: They strengthened, loud in song, thy power that droppeth oil. With hymns the Pauras came to thee.

2.Through piety they came to Indra for his aid, they whose libations give theejoy. As thou with, Krsa and Samvarta hast rejoiced, so, Indra, be thou glad with us.

3.Agreeing in your spirit, all ye Deities, come nigh to us. Vasus and Rudras shall come near to give us aid, and Maruts listen to our call.

4.May Pūṣan, Viṣṇu, and Sarasvatī befriend, and the Seven Streams, this call of mine: May Waters, Wind, the Mountains, and the Forest-Lord, and Earth give ear unto my cry.

5.Indra, with thine own bounteous gift, most liberal of the Mighty Ones, Be our boon benefactor, Vṛtra-slayer, be our feast-companion for our weal.

6.Leader of heroes, Lord of battle, lead thou us to combat, thou Most Sapient One. High fame is theirs who win by invocations, feasts and entertainment of the Gods.

7.Our hopes rest on the Faithful One: in Indra is the people’s life. O Maghavan, come nigh that thou mayst give us aid: make plenteous food stream forth for us.

8.Thee would we worship, Indra, with our songs of praise: O Śatakratu, be thou ours. Pour down upon Praskaṇva bounty vast and firm, exuberant, that shall never fail.

Asked of Guide

Why do the poets call Indra both feast-companion and Vṛtra-slayer here?

The hymn names Indra as feast-companion to invoke his generous, life-giving side: lines ask him to “make plenteous food stream forth” and to be “our boon benefactor,” which ties his hospitality to communal well‑being. Calling him Vṛtra‑slayer recalls his heroic role defeating the drought‑demon, guaranteeing rains and abundance that allow those feasts to exist.

The poem weaves worship, sacrifice, and battle as a single economy: praise and libations attract the deity whose martial victory secures the natural resources the people need. This double image echoes themes in other Rig Veda hymns where Indra’s strength and largesse together sustain society (see other Mandala 9 hymns).

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