Religion

Sama Veda I.5.1.2: Indra

by The Rishis of the Sama Veda c. 1200–1000 BCE (traditional; uncertain)

Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1895) · From Hymns of the Samaveda (1895)

Religion

1. Still, Indra, from all ancient time rivalless ever and companionless art thou:
Thou seekest friendship but in war.

2. Him who of old hath broucht to us this and that blessing, him I magnify for you,
Even Indra, O my friends, for help.

3. Fail not when marching onward: come hither, like-spirited, stay not far away
Ye who can tame even what is firm!

4. Come hither to the dropping juice, O Lord of cornland. Lord of horses, Lord of kine:
Drink thou the Soma, Soma's Lord!

5. Hero, may we, with thee for friend, withstand the man who pants against us in his wrath,
In fight with people rich in kine!

6. Yea, kin by common ancestry, the Maruts, even the oxen, close united friends!
Are licking one another's back.

7. O Indra, bring great strength to us, bring valour, Satakratu, thou most active, bring
A hero conquering in war!

8. So, Indra, friend of song, do we draw nigh to thee with longing; we have streamed to thee
Coming like floods that follow floods

9. Sitting like birds beside thy meath, mingled with milk, which gladdeneth and exalteth thee,
Indra, to thee we sing aloud.

10. We call on thee, O matchless one! We, seeking help, possessing nothing firm ourselves,
Call on thee, wondrous, Thunder-armed.

MLA

Veda, The Rishis of the Sama. “Sama Veda I.5.1.2: Indra.” Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/samaveda-rishis/41/.

Chicago

Veda, The Rishis of the Sama. “Sama Veda I.5.1.2: Indra.” Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/samaveda-rishis/41/.

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