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


HYMN XXXIV

1He who just born, chief God of lofty spirit, by power and might
   became the God's protector,
  Before whose breath, through greatness of his valour, the two
   worlds trembled, He, O men, is Indra.
2He who fixed fast and firm the earth that staggered, and set at
   rest the agitated mountains,
  Who measured out air's wider middle region and gave the
   heaven support, He, O men, is Indra.
3Who slew the Dragon, freed the Seven Rivers, and draye the
   kine forth from the cave of Vala,
  Begat the fire between both stones, the spoiler in warrior's
   battle, He, O men, is Indra.
4By whom this universe was made to tremble, who chased away
   the humbled brood of demon,
  Who, like a gambler gathering his winnings, seized the foe's
   riches, He, O men, is Indra.
5Of whom, the terrible, they ask, Where is He? or verily they
   say of him, He is not.
  He wastes the foeman's wealth like stakes of gamblers. Have
   faith in him for He, O men, is Indra.
6Stirrer to action of the poor and lowly, of priest, of suppliant
   who sings his praises
  Who, fair-faced, favours him who presseth Soma with stones
   adjusted, He, O men, is Indra.
7He under whose supreme control are horses, all chariots, and
   the hamlets, and the cattle:
  He who begat the Sun, begat the Morning, leader of waters.
  He, O men, is Indra.
8To whom both armies cry in close encounter, foe against foe, the
   stronger and the weaker; p. 291
  Whom two invoke upon one chariot mounted, each for himself,
  He, O ye men, is Indra.
9He, without whom men conquer not in battle, whom, warring,
   they invoke for help and succour;
  He, all this universe's type and image, who shakes what never
   shook, He, men, is Indra.
10He who hath smitten, ere they know their danger, with his hurl-
   ed weapon many grievous sinners:
  Who pardons not his boldness who provokes him, who slays the
  Dasyu, He, O men, is Indra.
11He who discovered in the fortieth autumn Sambara dwelling in
   the midst of mountains:
  Who slew the Dragon putting forth his vigour, the demon lying
   there, He, men, is Indra.
12Who drank the juice poured at the seas of Order, subduing
  Sambara by superior prowess,
  Who hoarded food within the mountain's hollow wherein he
   grew in strength, He, men, is Indra.
13Who, with seven guiding reins, the Bull, the mighty, set the
  Seven Rivers free to flow at pleasure;
  Who, thunder-armed, rent Rauhina in pieces when scaling
   heaven, He, O ye men, is Indra.
14Heaven, even, and the earth bow down before him, before his
   very breath the mountains tremble.
  Known as the Soma-drinker, armed with thunder, the wielder
   of the bolt, He, men, is Indra.
15Who aids with favour him who pours the Soma, and him who
   brews it, sacrificer, singer;
  Whose strength our prayer and offered Soma heighten, and this
   our gift, He, O ye men, is Indra.
16Born, manifested in his Parents' bosom, He knoweth as a son
   the Highest Father.
  He who with vigorous energy assisted the companies of Gods,
  He, men, is Indra
17Lord of Bay steeds, who loves the flowing Soma, He before
   whom all living creatures tremble.
  He who smote Sambara and slaughtered Sushna, He the Sole
  Hero, He, O men, is Indra.
18Thou verily art true strong God who sendest wealth to the man
   who brews and pours libation. p. 292
  So may we evermore, thy friends, O Indra, address the synod
   with brave sons about us.


Next: Hymn 35