HYMNS from the RIG VEDA1 (C

HYMNS FROM THE RIG VEDA1 (c. 1500 BC) Introductory Note on the Vedas: "The only extant Vedic materials are the texts known as the Vedas, which were written down over a period of about 10 centuries, from about the 15th to the 5th century BC, this being the period when Vedism was a living force. The Vedic corpus is written in an archaic Sanskrit. The most important texts are also the oldest ones. They are the four collections (Samhita) that we call the Veda, or Vedas. The Rigveda, or "Veda of Verses," the earliest of these, is composed of about 1,000 hymns addressed to various deities, and mostly arranged to serve the needs of the priestly families who were the custodians of this sacred literature. The Yajurveda, or "Veda of Sacrificial Formulas," contains prose formulas applicable to various cultic rites, along with verses intended for a similar purpose. The Samaveda, or "Veda of Chants" is made up of a selection of verses (drawn almost wholly from the Rigveda) that are provided with musical notation and are intended as an aid to the performance of sacred songs. Finally, the Atharvaveda is considered to be either of less worth than or of similar content to the three earlier collections. To each Veda is attached a body of prose writings of later date called Brahmanas (c. 800-600 BC), which are intended to explain the ceremonial applications of the texts and the origin and importance of the sacrificial rites for which the Vedas were supposed to have been composed. Further appendices, the Aranyakas (c. 600 BC) and the Upanishads (c. 700-500 BC), respectively expound the symbolism of the more difficult rites and speculate on the nature of the universe and man's relation to it." (Encyclopedia Britannica Online) Hymns to the Gods – Early Polytheism 10.72 The Birth of the Gods [1] Let us with tuneful skill proclaim these generations of the gods, that one may see them when these hymns are chanted in a future age . [3] Existence, in the earliest age of gods, from non-existence sprang. Thereafter were the regions [of the earth] born. This sprang from the Productive Power. [4] Earth sprang from the Productive Power; the regions from the earth were born. Daksa [power] was born of Aditi [the Infinite], and Aditi was Daksa's child. [5] For Aditi . was brought forth. After her were the blessed gods born, sharers of immortal life. [6] When ye, O gods, in yonder deep close-clasping one another stood. Thence, as of dancers, from your feet a thickening cloud of dust arose. [7] When, O ye gods, like yatis [devotees], ye caused all existing things to grow. Then ye brought Surya [the sun] forward who was lying hidden in the sea. [8] Eight are the sons of Aditi, who from her body sprang to life. With seven, she went to meet the gods; she cast Martanda [the sun] far away. [9] So with her seven sons, Aditi went forth to meet the earlier age. She brought Martanda thitherward to spring to life and die again. 10.89 Indra (The God of Thunder) [1] I will extol the most heroic Indra, who with his might forced earth and sky asunder; who hath filled all with width as man's upholder, surpassing floods and rivers in his greatness. [2] Surya [the sun] is he: throughout the wide expanses shall Indra turn him, swift as car-wheels, hither, like a stream resting not but ever-active, he hath destroyed, with light, the black-hued darkness. [3] To him I sing a holy prayer, incessant, new, matchless, common to the earth and heaven, who marks . all living creatures: ne'er doth he fail a friend, the noble Indra. [4] I will send forth my songs in flow unceasing, like water from the ocean's depth, to Indra, who to his car on both its sides securely hath fixed the earth and heaven as with an axle. [5] Rousing with draughts, the shaker, rushing onward, impetuous, very strong, armed as with arrows, is Soma [the god of the sacred liquor of the Soma plant]; forest trees and all the bushes deceive not Indra with their offered likeness. [6] Soma hath flowed to him whom naught can equal; the earth, the heavens, the firmament, the mountains — when heightened in his ire, his indignation shatters the firm and breaks the strong in pieces. 1Trans. R.T.H. Griffith, 1896. Ed. George Cronk. 11 [7] As an axe fells the tree so he [Indra] slew Vrtra [a cloud demon], broke down the strongholds, and dug out the rivers. He cleft the mountain like a new-made pitcher. Indra brought forth the kine with his companions. [8] Wise art thou, punisher of guilt, O Indra. The sword lops limbs; thou smitest down the sinner; the men who injure, as it were a comrade, the lofty Law of Varuna [the god of oceans] and Mitra [a god of light]. [9] Men who lead evil lives, who break agreements and injure Varuna, Aryaman [one of Aditi's sons], and Mitra — against these foes, O Mighty Indra, sharpen, as furious death, thy bull of fiery color. [10] Indra is sovereign lord of Earth and Heaven; Indra is Lord of waters and of mountains; Indra is Lord of prosperers and sages; Indra must be invoked in rest and effort. [11] Vaster than days and nights, giver of increase, vaster than firmament and flood of ocean, vaster than bounds of earth and wind's extension, vaster than rivers and our lands is Indra. [12] Forward, as herald of refulgent morning, let thine insatiate arrow fly, O Indra, and pierce, as 'twere a stone launched forth from heaven, with hottest blaze the men who love deception. [13] Him, verily, the moons, the mountains followed, the tall trees followed and the plants and herbage. Yearning with love, both worlds approached, the waters waited on Indra when he first had being. [14] Where was the vengeful dart when thou, O Indra, clavest the demon ever bent on outrage? When fiends lay there upon the ground extended like cattle in the place of immolation? [15] Those who are set in enmity against us, the Oganas [a hostile clan], O Indra, waxen mighty — let blinding darkness follow those our foemen, while these shall have bright shining nights to light them. [16] May plentiful libations of the people, and singing Rishis' [sages'] holy prayers rejoice thee. Hearing with love this common invocation, come unto us, pass by all those who praise thee. [17] O Indra, thus may we be made partakers of thy new favors that shall bring us profit. Singing with love, may we . win daylight even now through thee, O Indra. [18] Call we on Maghavan [breaker of forts], auspicious Indra, best hero in the fight where spoil is gathered. The strong who listens, who gives aid in battles, who slays the Vrtras [cloud demons], wins and gathers riches. 2.12 Indra [1] He who, just born, chief god of lofty spirit, by power and might became the gods' protector, before whose breath through greatness of his valor the two worlds trembled; he, O men, is Indra. [2] He who fixed fast and firm the earth that staggered, and set at rest the agitated mountains, who measured out the air's wide middle region and gave the heaven support; he, men, is Indra. [3] Who slew the Dragon, freed the Seven Rivers, and drove the kine forth from the cave of Vala, begat the fire between two stones, the spoiler in warriors' battle; he, O men, is Indra. [4] By whom this universe was made to tremble, who chased away the humbled brood of demons, who, like a gambler gathering his winnings seized the foe's riches; he, O men, is Indra. [5] Of whom, the Terrible, they ask, Where is He? or verily they say of him, He is not. He sweeps away, like birds, the foe's possessions. Have faith in him, for he, O men, is Indra. [6] Stirrer to action of the poor and lowly, of priest, of suppliant who sings his praises; who, fair-faced, favors him who presses Soma [the sacred liquor] with stones made ready; he, O men, is Indra. [7] He under whose supreme control are horses, all chariots, and the villages, and cattle; he who gave being to the Sun and Morning, who leads the waters; he, O men, is Indra. [8] To whom two armies cry in close encounter, both enemies, the stronger and the weaker; whom two invoke upon one chariot mounted, each for himself; he, O ye men, is Indra. [9] Without whose help our people never conquer; whom, battling, they invoke to give them succor; he of whom all this world is but the copy, who shakes things moveless; he, O men, is Indra. [10] He who hath smitten, ere they knew their danger, with his hurled weapon many grievous sinners; who pardons not his boldness who provokes him, who slays the Dasyti; he, O men, is Indra. [11] He who discovered in the fortieth autumn Sambara [a dragon] as he dwelt among the mountains; who slew the Dragon putting forth his vigor, the demon lying there; he, men, is Indra. [12] Who with seven guiding reins, the Bull, the Mighty, set free the Seven great Floods to flow at pleasure; who, thunder-armed, rent Rauhina in pieces when scaling heaven; he, O ye men, is Indra. [13] Even the Heaven and Earth bow down before him, before his very breath the mountains tremble.

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