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

HYMN 53

Rishi : SAVYA Deity: INDRA

1. We offer auspicious praise to mighty Indra. The lauds to Indra are from the luminous station of the supreme ether. So praised, Indra is instantly delighted as do those in sleep. Vitiated praise is not welcome among the munificent.

Those in deep sleep experience joy; likewise with Indra when superbly lauded.

2. Thou, Indra, openest the doors to Horses (life-forces), to Cows (rays of knowledge), to Grain (symbolising sustaining crop). Thou art the lord and guardian of wealth; master of instruction, ancient fulfiller of wishes, friend to seekers of companionship of the Gods. To such Indra do we offer this hymn.

3. O Indra, powerful, doer of many deeds, exceedingly luminous, all this wealth is known to be thine own. Gather from it and bring thou (what is fit) for us. Conqueror, do not disappoirit the worshipper who seeks thee.

4. Propitiated by these bright oblations, these Soma pourings, dispel our ignorance with Cow-Rays and Horse-Wealth, O Indra, be pleased. And with the aid of Indra pleased with Soma libation, we shall afflict the Robber, and relieved from enemies, be impelled together (ahead).

The Yajamanas offer bright oblations and Soma libations. Indra gives in return, Cows, Horses. Indra is pleased with the offerings of the Yajamanas; he returns gifts in the form of Cow-Wealth signifying light, Horse-Wealth, denoting life-force of enjoyment and dispels poverty that is ignorance.

5. O Indra, may we march together with wealth, with impelling force, with plenty of energies delighting many, shining around; may we march led by they superb intelligence, light-fronted, power-endowed, capable of overcoming the foe.

6. Guardian of all, thy inspiring allies gladdened thee in thy fight with Vritra, (with) those invigorating hymns, the Soma libations, when resistless, thou didst destroy the endless obstacles to the lauding Yajamana.

7. Striker of foes, thou goest indeed from battle to battle, destroyest city after city with thy might. With thy foe-flooring thunderbolt, O Indra, thou didst slay guileful Namuchi, afar off.

8. With the luminous power of Atithigva, thou hast slain Karanja and Parnaya, Unaided thou didst demolish the hundred cities of Vangrida besieged by Rijishvan.

Atithigva: the Yajamana resorted to by guests.

9. Renowned, thou overthrewest with thy unsurpassable chariot-wheel, the twice-ten kings of men who came to fight with aidless Sushravas with their sixty thousand and ninety-nine followers.

Sushravas: one who has the auspicious divine hearing.

Though apparently factual narratives, such Riks have an inner content as indicated by the use of the word sushravas. So too mention of sixty, ninety etc. Ten, hundred, thousand - these indicate some fullness. Ninety-nine indicates something lacking; sixty is less than seventy, the number seven indicating the fundamental principles of existence. Twenty i.e. two tens attack to obstruct the divinely inspired Yajamana in his direct ascent to heaven.

10. Thou, Indra, didst succour Sushravas with thy protections; so didst thou ’protect Turvayana with thy saving aids; thou has brought Kutsa, Atithigva, Ayu, under this mighty youthful king (Sushravas).

Turvayana: one who moves fast to fight for the Gods.

11. Protected by the Gods, Indra, may we remain thy most happy companions at the close of the (hymnal) sacrifice. Endowed by thee with hero-strengths, with long excellent life, may we extol thee.

At the conclusion of the inner sacrificer and even later, protected by the Gods, companions, happy, highly heroic, long-lived, may we, O Indra, remain devoted to thee.