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

HYMN 52

Rishi: SAVYA Deity: INDRA

1. Worship well the celebrated, ever-wakeful, knower of the Light of the heaven, whose hundred followers go together. For increase, with hymns I urge Indra to his high steed-like car that speeds to the call.

2. When Indra, highly exhilarated with the quaff of Soma, slew Vritra the coverer, stayer of the streams, and forced the flow of waters, he stood immovable like a mountain amidst the upbearing waters; thousand-fold protector, he increased in vigour.

After the slaying of Vritra, Indra stands firm amidst the currents of light and force. Increased by their varied strengths, Indra is able to effect the many fold growth of the Yajamana.

3. I invoke with auspicious thought bountiful Indra who stays the stayers, covers the Source, is rooted in Delight, increased in rapture by the wise. Indeed he sates with Soma-essence.

4. Soma libations on sacred grass fill full Indra in heaven, even as well-formed rivers, self-impelled, fill the ocean. Supporters of Indra, blotters (of the enemy) stood by him at the slaying of Vritra, stable, elegant of form.

5. His allies, exhilarated (by Soma) went ahead of him against the fighting holder of the rain (Vritra), like flowing waters going down the slopes where Indra, emboldened by Soma draughts, broke Vala as Trita did the ringed lids.

In order to raise up the power – signified by the waters concealed in inconscient Matter of the threefold world, Trita son of the waters - descends in the inconscient but finds the door of exit shut by the Asuras; he prays to the Gods and with the power of their grace tears open the lids in circling formation.

Even as Trita did with the coverings, Indra deals with the encircling Asura.

6. When, Indra, thou smotest with thy thunderbolt the cheeks of Vritra, who ringing the waters reposed unrestrained in the lowest deep of the mid-region, splendour encompassed thee and thy might shone out.

7. The hymns that increase thee, Indra, attain to thee like the waters to the lake. Tvashtri himself has greatened thy worthy might and sharpened thy weapon with overpowering might.

8. Thou hast accomplished deeds, O Indra, with thy steeds. Desiring the course of waters for man thou hast indeed slain Vritra (coverer); thou hast taken in thy hands the bolt of steel; thou hast established the sun in heaven for us to see.

9. When, afraid, they did the worthy Saman, selfdelighting, powerful, leading up to heaven, the Maruts, battling for men, guarding heaven, followed and enthused Indra.

10. Even the mighty heaven was rent asunder with fear at the clamour of Ahi. In thy exhilaration of Soma, O Indra, thy bolt struck off, with its luminous power, the head of Vritra, afflicting earth and heaven.

Then was heaven freed from fear.

11. Were the earth to became tenfold, men multiply day by day, even then, O Indra, thy prowess will stay renowned. The increase by thy might is like the spread of heaven.

The earth may multiply ten times, the number of humans increase day by day; thy celebrated glory of might is resplendent everywhere like the heaven.

12. Bold of spirit, abiding in thy might beyond the limits of the firmament, thou hast formed the earth on the pattern of thy might, for thy increase. Encompassing the waters and the Light, thou attainest the heavens.

13. Thou art the counterpart of the earth; thou art the guardian of the lofty heaven of mighty heroes; thou hast, indeed, filled the entire mid-region with thy greatness. True it is that there is none else like thee.

In the previous Rik the earth was described as patterned after Indra; here it is Indra who is the counterpart of earth. This indicates the indescribable glory of earth.

14. Earth and heaven are unable to compass his extent; the rivers flowing above the firmament do not reach his limit; nor is the streaming prowess of him fighting (Vritra) in the joy (of Soma) equalled; unequalled, thou hast set in order all besides thee.

15. When thou smotest the face of Vritra with thy spiky weapon, the fatal bolt, the Maruts worshipped thee, O Indra, in this battle; all the gods, in this engagement, followed thee in exultation.