Translations of Rig Veda Suktas 33-121 by M.P. Pandit

HYMN 121

Rishi: KAKSHIVAN Deity: INDRA-VISHVEDEVAH

1. When will Indra, guardian of men, impeller of the seekers of God, listen to these prayers of the Angirasas? When he comes to the people in the mansion (of the Yajamana), he is to be worshipped in the sacrifice; and he greatly exults.

2. Verily, he upholds the Heaven; leader of the Herd, as Ribhu he pours forth the flowing waters for prosperity; mighty, he beholds his daughter (Earth) who is covered, to light her up. He has made the Steed’s mate mother of the Cow.

Upholding the Heaven in the third station; pouring pranic energies as Ribhu in the second station; lighting up the Prithivi in the lower station; after these three deeds Indra proceeds to manifest the host of Rays of Consciousness through the profusion of Life-energies – the fourth deed.

3. May he, illuminating the red rays of Dawn, listen to this invocation of old; impeller of the race of Angirasas every day, he has sharpened his ready bolt; he has upheld the Heaven for men, four-stationed and two-stationed.

4. In the exhilaration of Soma, thou hast restored the host of Rays, concealed (in the cave), for the (attainment) of Truth-Light Heaven-born. When he stands up in the three stations in the combat, he opens the doors inimical to men.

Doors shut by the enemies.

5. When the nourishing Parents brought to thee, quick to act, nectar that is enriching and potent and when they (Yajamanas) offered to thee the pure and most rich milk of the nectar-streaming Cow.

6. Then is he manifested. He shines bright like the sun before the approaching dawn. Laudable Soma, sprinkled with aspiration on the place on high is imbibed by us carrying rich offerings. May Indra, the overcomer⁷⁵

7. The impeller (Indra) dispels the coverings over the Herd in the sacrifice when the stream of Soma, brightly shining, delightful, seeks to flow. When thou shinest forth through days of action, the animals⁷⁶

8. Thou hast brought here from the great Heaven thy Steeds, eaters (of nectar). Overcome, warrior, the adversary shadowing light when the rapturous Soma, treated by words (of Mantra), pleasing, invigorating, attained by the swift, is poured out for thy increase.

9. Thou didst hurl thy iron thunderbolt brought from Heaven by Ribhu for the host of Cows. When, O much-invoked, for the sake of Kutsa thou striking Shushma with endless weapons, thou didst encompass him.

10. When formerly the awakener Sun emerged from the enveloping darkness, then O thunder-armed, thou brokest the veiling cloud, his weapon. So didst thou loosen even the well-knotted might of Shushma covering the Sun.

11. O Indra, Earth and Heaven, vast, powerful, wheelless, rejoiced in thy deed. And thou didst hurl down into the Waters with thy mighty thunderbolt, Vritra, feller of the great, spreading everywhere.

12. Indra, friend of men, mount the strong Steeds, well-yoked, fleet as wind, bearing excellently, whom thou cherishest. Thou hast sharpened the gladdening, Vritra-killing, foe-destroying, thunderbolt which Ushanas, son of Kavya, gave thee.

13. Thou stayest the strong Bay Steeds of the Sun; Etasa did not draw the wheel; O Indra, casting the nongivers across the ninety rivers thou didst complete what was to be done.

14. O Indra, bearer of the thunderbolt, save us from affliction, from the misery near us, difficult to wipe out. Grant us riches with the cars, knowable by the Steeds, for impulsion for Hearing, for truth-speech.

15. Adorable in affluence, never may thy grace fail us; may impulsions be around us, O Maghavan, Lord, make us share in the Cows. Most assiduous in thy worship, may we rejoice together with thee.