Hymn 36 | Sacred Texts Archive

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

p. 295

HYMN XXXVI

1With these my hymns I glorify that Indra who is alone to be
   invoked by mortals. p. 296
  The Lord, the Mighty One, of manly vigour, victorious, Hero,
   true, and full of wisdom.
2Our ancient sires, Navagvas, sages seven, while urging him to
   show his might, extolled him,
  Dweller on heights, swift smiting down opponents, guileless in
   word, and in his thoughts most mighty.
3We seek that Indra to obtain his riches that yield much food,
   and men, and store of heroes.
  O Lord of Bay Steeds, bring to make us joyful, celestial wealth
   abundant, undecaying.
4Declare to us—if at thy hand aforetime the earlier singers have
   obtained good fortune
  What is thy share and portion, strong Subduer, Asura-slayer,
   rich, invoked of many?
5He who for car-borne, thunder-wielding Indra, hath a hymn,
   craving deeply-piercing, fluent,
  Who sends a song effectual, firmly-grasping, and strength-
   bestowing, he comes near the mighty.
6Strong of thyself! thou with this art hast shattered with thought-
   swift Parvata, him who waxed against thee;
  And, Mightiest! rager! boldly rent in pieces things that were
   firmly fixed and never shaken..
7Him will we fit for you with new devotion, the strongest,
  Ancient One, in ancient manner.
  So way that Indra, boundless, faithful leader, conduct us o'er all
   places hard to traverse.
8Thou for the people who oppress hast kindled the earthly firma-
   ment and that of heaven.
  With heat, O Bull, on every side consume them heat earth and
   flood for him who hates devotion:
9Of all the heavenly folk, of earthly creatures, thou art the King,
  O God of splendid aspect.
  In thy right hand, O Indra, grasp the thunder: Eternal! thou
   destroyest all enchantments.
10Give us confirmed prosperity, O Indra, vast and exhaustless for
   the foes' subduing.
  Strengthen therewith the Arya's hate and Dāsa's; and let the
   arms of Nahushas be mighty.
11Come with thy teams which bring all blessings, hither, disposer,
   much-invoked, exceeding holy! p. 297
  Come to me swiftly with these teams of coursers, these which
   no fiend, no God may stay or hinder.