Religion
Rig Veda 10.48: I WAS the first possessor of all precious gear: the wealth of every man I win and gather up.
Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1896) · From The Hymns of the Rigveda (1896)
I WAS the first possessor of all precious gear: the wealth of every man I win and gather up.
On me as on a Father living creatures call; I deal enjoyment to thou man who offers gifts.
I, Indra, am Atharvan's stay and firm support: I brought forth kine to Trita from the Dragon's grasp.
I stripped the Dasyus of their manly might, and gave the cattle-stalls to Matarigvan and Dadhyac.
For me hath Tvastar forged the iron thunderbolt: in me the Gods have centred intellectual power.
My sheen is like the Sun's insufferably bright: men honour me as Lord for past and future deeds.
I won myself these herdi of cattle, steeds and kine, and gold in ample store, with my destructive bolt.
I give full many a thousand to the worshipper, what time the Somas and the lauds have made me glad.
Indra am I none ever wins my wealth from me never at any time am I a thrall to death.
Pressing the Soma, ask riches from me alone: ye, Purus, in my friendship shall not suffer harm.
These, breathing loud in fury, two and two, who caused Indra to bring his bolt of thunder to the fray,
The challengers, I struck with deadly weapon down: firm stand what words the God speaks to his worshippers.
This One by stronger might I conquered singly; yea, also two: shall three prevail against me?
Like many sheaves upon the floor I thrash them. How can my foes, the Indraless, revile me?
Against the Gungus I made Atithigva strong, and kept him mid the folk like Vrtra-conquering strength,
When I won glory in the great foe-slaying fight, in battle where Karanja fell, and Parnaya.
With food for mine enjoyment Sapya Nami came: he joined me as a friend of old in search of kine.
As I bestowed on him an arrow for the fight I made him worthy of the song apd hymn of praise.
One of the two hath Soma, seen within it; the Herdsman with the bone shows forth the other.
He, fain to fight the Bull whose horns were sharpened, stood fettered in the demon's ample region.
I, as a God, ne'er violate the statutes of Gods, of Vasus, Rudriyas, Adityas.
These Gods have formed me for auspicious vigour, unconquered and invincible for ever.
Cite this poem
MLA
Veda, The Rishis of the Rig. “Rig Veda 10.48: I WAS the first possessor of all precious gear: the wealth of every man I win and gather up.” Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/rigveda-rishis/883/.
Chicago
Veda, The Rishis of the Rig. “Rig Veda 10.48: I WAS the first possessor of all precious gear: the wealth of every man I win and gather up.” Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/rigveda-rishis/883/.
Read this poem with the Codex →
More by The Rishis of the Rig Veda
- Rig Veda 2.6: AGNI, accept this flaming brand, this waiting with my prayer on thee
- Rig Veda 5.48: WHAT may we meditate for the beloved Power…
- Rig Veda 7.91: WERE not in sooth, the Gods aforetime blameless, whose pleasure was…
- Rig Veda 9.88: FOR thee this Soma is effused, O Indra: drink of this juice…
- Rig Veda 10.182: BRHASPATI lead us safely over troubless and turn his evil thought against the sinner