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Vedic religionRig Veda 1.32HOLYMAP · SACRED TEXTS
Rig VedaRig Veda 1.32

Rig Veda

Rig Veda 1.32

1
English · Ralph T. H. Griffith

I will declare the manly deeds of Indra, the first that he achieved, the Thunder-wielder. He slew the Dragon, then disclosed the waters, and cleft the channels of the mountain torrents.

2
English · Ralph T. H. Griffith

He slew the Dragon lying on the mountain: his heavenly bolt of thunder Tvashṭar fashioned. Like lowing kine in rapid flow descending the waters glided downward to the ocean.

3
English · Ralph T. H. Griffith

Impetuous as a bull, he chose the Soma, and in three sacred beakers drank the juices. Maghavan grasped the thunder for his weapon, and smote to death this firstborn of the dragons.

4
English · Ralph T. H. Griffith

When, Indra, thou hadst slain the dragons’ firstborn, and overcome the charms of the enchanters, Then, giving life to Sun and Dawn and Heaven, thou foundest not one foe to stand against thee.

5
English · Ralph T. H. Griffith

Indra with his own great and deadly thunder smote into pieces Vṛitra, worst of Vṛitras. As trunks of trees, what time the axe hath felled them, low on the earth so lies the prostrate Dragon.

6
English · Ralph T. H. Griffith

He, like a mad weak warrior, challenged Indra, the great impetuous many-slaying Hero. He, brooking not the clashing of the weapons, crushed—Indra’s foe—the shattered forts in falling.

7
English · Ralph T. H. Griffith

Footless and handless still he challenged Indra, who smote him with his bolt between the shoulders. Emasculate yet claiming manly vigour, thus Vṛitra lay with scattered limbs dissevered.

8
English · Ralph T. H. Griffith

There as he lies like a bank-bursting river, the waters taking courage flow above him. The Dragon lies beneath the feet of torrents which Vṛitra with his greatness had encompassed.

9
English · Ralph T. H. Griffith

Then humbled was the strength of Vṛitra’s mother: Indra hath cast his deadly bolt against her. The mother was above, the son was under, and like a cow beside her calf lay Dânu.

10
English · Ralph T. H. Griffith

Rolled in the midst of never-ceasing currents flowing without a rest for ever onward, The waters bear off Vṛitra’s nameless body: the foe of Indra sank to during darkness.

11
English · Ralph T. H. Griffith

Guarded by Ahi stood the thralls of Dâsas, the waters stayed like kine held by the robber. But he, when he had smitten Vṛitra, opened the cave wherein the floods had been imprisoned.

12
English · Ralph T. H. Griffith

A horse's tail wast thou when he, O Indra, smote on thy bolt; thou, God without a second, Thou hast won back the kine, hast won the Soma; thou hast let loose to flow the Seven Rivers.

13
English · Ralph T. H. Griffith

Nothing availed him lightning, nothing thunder, hailstorm or mist which he had spread around him: When Indra and the Dragon strove in battle, Maghavan gained the victory for ever.

14
English · Ralph T. H. Griffith

Whom sawest thou to avenge the Dragon, Indra, that fear possessed thy heart when thou hadst slain him; That, like a hawk affrighted through the regions, thou crossedst nine-and-ninety flowing rivers?

15
English · Ralph T. H. Griffith

Indra is King of all that moves and moves not, of creatures tame and horned, the Thunder-wielder. Over all living men he rules as Sovran, containing all as spokes within the felly.

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Rig Veda 1.32English
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Rig Veda 1.320%

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Ralph T. H. Griffith's translation (1896–97). It is dated, and scholars now read many verses differently. A few verses Griffith left untranslated or moved to an appendix are not included.

Ralph T. H. Griffith, The Hymns of the Rigveda, 2nd edition (Benares: E. J. Lazarus, 1896–97). Public domain. Text from English Wikisource, checked against Internet Archive scans of the 1896–97 printing. · Source ↗

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