Hymn To Indra

1\:lCh 01 lhl' V"dk httoks is made III' o( (0111" rarrs;G each contains a sectioll of hymlls
to lit\; gods. As i,s the case in many ancient religions, hymns and religious poetry
(1I/{llIlr(l:;)
,II (' lobe regarded ;18 lilc most ancient of all religious literature because they reflect the
he Vcd;ls. 'I'lw Vnl:ls ;11'(: thc basic sourc(' or ill('
111'!'iod when statements about and to the gods were memorized, chanted, and passed
ater texts arc seen ;IS Inere commentary upon
110m one generation to the next without benefit of the written word. Each Vedic book
IS ideas. The Vedas were developed as the
I!so contains a section of ritual materials (Brahmanas) in which the worshippers are given
mingled their religion with that of the native
IIISIl"Uction in the proper way to perform their sacrifices, and so on. The Brahmanas are
riod in which the Vedas were written. Some
t I Insidered to be later than the mantta sections. A third section in each of the Vedas is the
ic hymns may have developed prior to the corn-
'.1) called Forest Treatises (Aranyakas), which are materials for hermits in their religious
that they were still developing as late as the sixth
pursuits. The fourth sections are called Upanishads and are made up of philosophical ma-
)f the Vedic material carne into being between
IniaJs. The mantra and Brahmana sections are considered the oldest material in the
ler ancient religious literature, there is no way of
Vt:das, with the Aranyakas and the Upanishads having been added later. The Vedas in
evelopment of these books. Undoubtedly, they
tlteir final form are written in a language called Vedic, a predecessor of early Sanskrit.
, for many generations before they were commit-
Within the Vedas are basic descriptions and mythology of the various Aryan and
ssed between their origin and completion.
prc-Aryan gods. The god who receives the most attention in terms of numbers of hymns
e first and most important is the Rig- Veda
IS Indra, the god of the thunderbolt, of clouds and rain, and the ruler of heaven. Indra is
are"), a collection of over 1,000 hymns to the
('specially important because he is remembered as the conqueror of Vrtra, the personifi-
:hology of these gods.
I ,1tion of chaos. Contained within the Rig- Veda alone are over 250 hymns specifically
nowledge of rites), a collection of materials to
.Iddressed to him. One of these follows:
e third book, the Sama- Veda (knowledge of
basic hymns recited by priests at sacrifices. The
D the Rig- Veda, is the Atharva- Veda (knowl-
mtains rituals to be used in the home and pop-
: and incantations to ward off evil. That highest Indra power of thine is distant: that See this abundant wealth that he possesses, and
which is here sages possessed aforetime. put your trust in Indra's hero vigor.
This one is on the earth, in heaven the other, and He found the cattle, and he found the horses, he
both unite as flag with flag in battle. found the plants, the forests and the waters.
He spread the wide earth out and firmly fixed it, To him the truly strong, whose deeds are many, to
smote with his thunderbolt and loosed the waters. him the strong bull let us pour the Soma.
Maghavan with his puissance struck down Ahi, rent The Hero, watching like a thief in ambush, goes
Rauhina to death and slaughtered Vyansa. parting the possessions of the godless.
Armed with his bolt and trusting in his prowess he Well didst thou do that hero deed, 0 Indra, in wak-
wandered shattering the forts of Dasas. ing with thy bolt the slumbering Ahi.
Cast thy dart, knowing, Thunderer, at the Daysu: In thee, delighted, Dames divine rejoiced them, the
increase the Arya's might and glory, Indra. flying Maruts and all gods were joyful.
For him who thus hath taught these human races, As thou hast smitten Sushna, Pipru, Vrtra and Kuya-
Maghavan, bearing a fame-worthy title. va, and Samhara's forts, 0 Indra.
Thunderer, drawing nigh to slay the Dasyus, hath This prayer of ours may Varuna grant, and Mitra,
given himself the name of Son for glory. and Aditi, and Sindhu, Earth and Heaven.7
Many other Aryan gods are also mentioned in the Vedic literature. Agni, the god of
fire, is mentioned in over 200 hymns. He is basically regarded as the god of the priests
and the priest of the gods. He leads the gods in proper sacrifice, and as the god of fire,
he brings the burnt sacrifices to the other gods. The god Varuna also receives his share of
. Varanasi, India. hymns in the Vedic material. He is viewed as the god who presides over the order of the
universe and the god who forgives those who have sinned.

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1\:lCh 01 lhl' V"dk httoks is made III' o( (0111" rarrs;G each contains a sectioll of hymlls

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