Religion
Rig Veda 10.138: ALLIED with thee in friendship, Indra, these, thy priests, remembering Holy Law, rent Vrtra limb…
Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1896) · From The Hymns of the Rigveda (1896)
ALLIED with thee in friendship, Indra, these, thy priests, remembering Holy Law, rent Vrtra limb from limb,
When they bestowed the Dawns and let the waters flow, and when thou didst chastise dragons at Kutsa's call.
Thou sentest forth productive powers, clavest the hills, thou dravest forth the kine, thou drankest pleasant meath.
Thou gavest increase through this Tree's surpassing might. The Sun shone by the hymn that sprang from Holy Law.
In the mid-way of heaven the Sun unyoked his car: the Arya found a match to meet his Dam foe.
Associate with Rjisvan Indra overthrew the solid forts of Pipru, conjuring Asura.
He boldly cast down forts which none had e'er assailed: unwearied he destroyed the godless treasure-stores.
Like Sun and Moon he took the stronghold's wealth away, and, praised in song, demolished foes with flashing dart.
Armed with resistless weapons, with vast power to cleave, the Vrtra-slayer whets his darts and deals fordi wounds.
Bright Usas was afraid of Indra's slaughtering bolt: she went upon her way and left her chariot there.
These are thy famous exploits, only thine, when thou alone hast left the other bereft of sacrifice.
Thou in the heavens hast set the ordering of the Moons: the Father bears the felly portioned out by thee.
Cite this poem
MLA
Veda, The Rishis of the Rig. “Rig Veda 10.138: ALLIED with thee in friendship, Indra, these, thy priests, remembering Holy Law, rent Vrtra limb….” Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/rigveda-rishis/973/.
Chicago
Veda, The Rishis of the Rig. “Rig Veda 10.138: ALLIED with thee in friendship, Indra, these, thy priests, remembering Holy Law, rent Vrtra limb….” Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/rigveda-rishis/973/.
Read this poem with the Codex →
More by The Rishis of the Rig Veda
- Rig Veda 2.12: HE who, just born, chief God of lofty spirit by power and might became…
- Rig Veda 5.54: THIS hymn will I make for the Marut host who bright in native splendour cast the mountains down…
- Rig Veda 7.97: WHERE Heaven and Earth combine in men's assembly…
- Rig Veda 9.94: WHEN beauties strive for him as for a charger…
- Rig Veda 10.188: Now send ye Jatavedas forth, send hitherward the vigorous Steed