A prayer for aid and victory in battle

Hymns of the Atharva Veda, by Ralph T.H. Griffith, [1895], at sacred-texts.com

HYMN XIII

A prayer for aid and victory in battle

1These the two sturdy, manly arms of Indra, these that are won-
   drous, mighty, and successful
  First, when the need hath come will I employ them by which
   the heaven of Asuras was conquered.
2Swift, like a dread bull sharpening his weapons, rapidly striking,
   stirring up the people,
  Loud shouting, vigilant, the one sole Hero, Indra subdued a
   hundred hosts together.
3With him loud-roaring, ever watchful, victor bold, hard to over-
   throw, whom none may vanquish,
  Indra the strong whose hand bears arrows, conquer, ye heroes
   now, now vanquish in the combat.
4He rules with those who carry shafts and quivers, Indra who
   with his hand brings hosts together,
  Foe-conquering, strong of arm, the Soma-drinker,
   with mighty bow, shooting with well-laid arrows.
5Conspicuous by thy strength, firm, foremost fighter, mighty and
   fierce, victorious, all-subduing,
  O'ercoming might, excelling men and heroes, mount the kine-
   winning conquering car, O Indra.
6Troop-vanquisher, kine-winner, armed with thunder, who quells
   an army and with might destroys it,
  Follow him, comrades! quit yourselves like heroes, and like this
  Indra show your zeal and courage.
7Piercing the cow-stalls with surpassing vigour, Indra the pitiless
   hero, wild with anger, p. 224
  Victor in fight, unshaken and resistless,—may he protect our
   armies in our battles.
8Brihaspati, fly with thy chariot hither, slayer of demons, driving.
   off our foemen.
  Be thou protector of our bodies, crushing our enemies, destroy-
   ing those who hate us.
9Indra guide these! Brihaspati, the Guerdon, and Soma, and the
  Sacrifice precede them!
  And let the banded Maruts march in forefront of heavenly hosts
   that conquer and demolish.
10Ours be the potent host of mighty Indra, King Varuna, and
  Maruts and Ādityas.
  Uplifted is the shout of Gods who conquer, high-minded God
   who cause the world to tremble.
11May Indra aid us when our flags are gathered: victorious be th
   arrows of our army.
  May our brave men of war prevail in battle. Ye Gods, protect u
   in the shouts of onset.