Rig Veda on Pride

2 Worship, thou hero, chase the arrogant afar: put on auspicious courage for the fight with foes. 3 He with his folk, his house, his family, his sons, gains booty for himself, and, with the heroes, 4 Whoso hath honoured him with offerings rich in oil, him Brahmanaspati leads forward on his way,

2 The waters and the plants, O Indra−Varuna, had efficacious vigour, and attained to might: 3 True is your Krsa's word, Indra and Varuna: The seven holy voices pour a wave of meath. 4 Dropping oil, sweet with Soma, pouring forth their stream, are the Seven Sisters in the seat of sacrifice. 5 To our great happiness have we ascribed to these Two Bright Ones truthfulness, great strength, and 6 What ye in time of old Indra and Varuna, gave Rsis revelation, thought, and power of song, 7 O Indra−Varuna, grant to the worshippers cheerfulness void of pride, and wealth to nourish them.

2 Thou dost desire to drink, each day that passes, the pleasant food which thou hast had aforetime, 3 Thou, newly−born, for strength didst drink the Soma; the Mother told thee of thy future greatness. 4 When thou hast urged the arrocrant to combat, proud in their strength of arm, we will subdue them. 5 I will declare the earliest deeds of Indra, and recent acts which Maghavan hath accomplished. 6 Thine is this world of flocks and herds around thee, which with the eye of Surya thou beholdest. 7 Ye Twain are Lords of wealth in earth and heaven, thou, O Brhaspati, and thou, O Indra. Mean though h

2 She before all the living world hath wakened, the Lofty One who wins and gathers treasure. 3 If, Dawn, thou Goddess nobly born, thou dealest fortune this day to all the race of mortals, 4 Showing her wonted form each day that passeth, spreading the light she visiteth each dwelling. 5 Sister of Varuna, sister of Bhaga, first among all sing forth, O joyous Morning. 6 Let our glad hymns and holy thoughts rise upward, for the flames brightly burning have ascended. 7 The one departeth and the other cometh: unlike in hue day's, halves march on successive. 8 The same in form to−day, the same tomorrow, they still keep Varuna's eternal statute. 9 She who hath knowledge Of the first day's nature is born refulgent white from out the darkness. 10 In pride of beauty like a maid thou goest, O Goddess, to the God who longs to win thee, 11 Fair as a bride embellished by her mother thou showest forth thy form that all may see it. 12 Rich in kine, horses, and all goodly treasures, in constant operation with the sunbeams, 13 Obedient to the rein of Law Eternal give us each thought that more and more shall bless us.

2 The bowl made Indra swift to gather booty, the High, the Lofty, Youthful, Undecaying, 3 Stretch out those hands of thine, extend to us−ward thy wide capacious arms, and grant us glory. 4 Now, fain for strength, let us invite your Indra hither, who lieth hidden with his Heroes,− 5 With steadfast laws, wealth−giver, strong through Soma, he hath much fair and precious food to feed us 6 Bring unto us the mightiest might, O Hero, strong and most potent force, thou great Subduer! 7 Bring us, grown mighty in its strength, O Indra, thy friendly rapturous joy that wins the battle, 8 Indra, bestow on us the power heroic skilled and exceeding strong, that wins the booty, 9 Let thine heroic strength come from behind us, before us, from above us or below us. 10 With most heroic aid from thee, like heroes Indra, may we win wealth by deeds glory. 11 The Bull, whose strength hath waxed, whom Maruts follow, free−giving Indra, the Celestial Ruler, 12 Give up the people who are high and haughty to these men and to me, O Thunder−wielder! 13 Through these thy friendships, God invoked of many! may we be victors over every foeman.

2 Whose way is unattainable like Surya's: he in each fight is the strong Vrtra−slayer, 3 Whose paths go forth in their great might resistless, forthmilking, as it were, heaven's genial moisture. 4 Among Angirases he was the chiefest, a Friend with friends, mighty amid the mighty. 5 Strong with the Rudras as with his own children, in manly battle conquering his foemen ' 6 Humbler of pride, exciter of the conflict, the Lord of heroes, God invoked of many, 7 His help hath made him cheerer in the battle, the folk have made him guardian of their comfort. 8 To him the Hero, on high days of prowess, heroes for help and booty shall betake them. 9 He with his left hand checketh even the mighty, and with his righthand gathereth up the booty. 10 With hosts on foot and cars he winneth treasures: well is he known this day by all the people. 11 When in his ways with kinsmen or with strangers he speedeth to the fight, invoked of many, 12 Awful and fierce, fiend−slayer, thunder−wielder, with boundless knowledge, hymned by hundreds, 13 Winning the light, hitherward roars his thunder like the terrific mighty voice of Heaven. 14 Whose home eternal through his strength surrounds him on every side, his laud, the earth and heaven, 15 The limit of whose power not Gods by Godhead, nor mortal men have reached, nor yet the Waters. 16 The red and tawny mare, blaze−marked, high standing, celestial who, to bring Rjrasva riches, 17 The Varsagiras unto thee, O Indra, the Mighty One, sing forth this laud to please thee, 18 He, much invoked, hath slain Dasyus and Simyus, after his wont, and laid them low with arrows. 19 May Indra evermore be our protector, and unimperilled may we win the booty.

2 Brhaspati, God immortal! verily the Gods have gained from thee, the wise, a share in holy rites. 3 When thou hast chased away revilers and the gloom, thou mountest the refulgent car of sacrifice; 4 Thou leadest with good guidance and preservest men; distress o'ertakes not him who offers gifts to thee. 5 No sorrow, no distress from any side, no foes, no creatures double−tongued have overcome the man,− 6 Thou art our keeper, wise, preparer of our paths: we, for thy service, sing to thee with hymns of praise. 7 Him, too, who threatens us without offence of ours, the evilminded, arrogant, rapacious man,− 8 Thee as protector of our bodies we invoke, thee, saviour, as the comforter who loveth us. 9 Through thee, kind −prosperer, O Brahmanaspati, may we obtain the wealth of Men which all desire: 10 With thee as our own rich and liberal ally may we, Brhaspati, gain highest power of life. 11 Strong, never yielding, hastening to the battle−cry, consumer of the foe, victorious in the strife, 12 Whoso with mind ungodly seeks to do us harm, who, deeming him a man of might mid lords, would 13 The mover mid the spoil, the winner of all wealth, to be invoked in fight and reverently adored, 14 Burn up the demons with thy fiercest flaming brand, those who have scorned thee in thy manifested mi 15 Brhaspati, that which the foe deserves not which shines among the folk effectual, splendid, 16 Give us not up to those who, foes in ambuscade, are greedy for the wealth of him who sits at ease, 17 For Tvastar, he who knows each sacred song, brought thee to life, preeminent o'er all the things that be 18 The mountain, for thy glory, cleft itself apart when, Angiras! thou openedst the stall of kine. 19 O Brahmanaspati, be thou controller of this our hymn and prosper thou our children.

2 We call that perfecter of worship by the path or sacrifice; with reverence rich in offerings, with worship 3 In ordered course forthwith he traverses the earth, swift−swallowing, bellowing Steer, bearing the genia 4 That Agni, wise High−Priest, in every house takes thought for sacrifice and holy service, yea, takes 5 When through his power and in his strong prevailing flames the Maruts' gladdening boons mingle with 6 Vast, universal, good he was made messenger; the speeder with his right hand hath not loosed his hold, 7 That Agni hath been set most kind in camp of men, in sacrifice like a Lord victorious, like a dear Lord i 8 Agni the Priest they supplicate to grant them wealth: him, dear, most thoughtful, have they made their 2 Hear, Indra, thou whom men in every fight must call to show thy strength, for cry of battle with the men 3 Thou, Mighty, pourest forth the hide that holds the rain, thou keepest far away, Hero, the wicked man, t 4 We. wish our Indra here that he may further you, the Friend, beloved of all, the very strong ally, in wars 5 Bow down the overweening pride of every foe with succour like to kindling−wood in fiercest flame, wit 6 This may I utter to the present Soma−drop, which, meet to be invoked, with power, awakes the prayer, 7 By thoughtful invocation this may we obtain, obtain great wealth, O Wealthy One, with Hero sons, weal 8 On, for your good and ours, come Indra with the aid of his own lordliness to drive the wicked hence, to 9 With riches in abundance, Indra, come to us, come by an unobstructed path, come by a path from demo 10 Thou art our own, O Indra, with victorious wealth: let might accompany thee, the Strong, to give us ai 11 Save us from injury, thou who art well extolled: ever the warder−off art thou of wicked ones, even as a

2 Washed by the men, pressed out with stones, strained through the filter made of wool, 3 This juice have we made sweet for thee like barley, blending it with milk. 4 Beloved of all, Indra alone drinks up the flowing Soma juice 5 The Friend, whom not the brilliant−hued, the badly−mixt or bitter draught, 6 While other men than we with milk chase him as hunters chase a deer, 7 For him, for Indra, for the God, be pressed three draughts of Soma juice 8 Three reservoirs exude their drops, filled are three beakers to the brim, 9 Pure art thou, set in many a place, and blended in the midst with milk 10 Here, Indra, are thy Soma−draughts pressed out by us, the strong, the pure: 11 O Indra, pour in milk, prepare the cake, and mix the Soma−draught. 12 Quaffed juices fight within the breast. The drunken praise not by their wine, 13 Rich be the praiser of one rich, munificent and famed like thee: 14 Foe of the man who adds no milk, he heeds not any chanted hymn 15 Give us not, Indra, as a prey unto the scornful or the proud: 16 This, even this, O Indra, we implore. as thy devoted friends, 17 Naught else, O Thunderer, have I praised in the skilled singer's eulogy: 18 The Gods seek him who presses out the Soma; they desire not sleep 19 Come hither swift with gifts of wealth − be not thou angry with us−like 20 Let him not, wrathful with us, spend the evening far from us to−day, 21 For well we know this Hero's love, most liberal of the boons he gives, 22 Pour forth the gift which Kanvas bring, for none more glorious do we know 23 O presser, offer Soma first to Indra, Hero, Sakra, him 24 Who, in untroubled ways, is best provider, for his worshippers. 25 Pressers, for him blend Soma juice, each draught most excellent, for him 26 The Vrtra−slayer drinks the juice. May he who gives a hundred aids 27 May the strong Bay Steeds, yoked by prayer, bring hither unto us our Friend, 28 Sweet are the Soma juices, come! Blent are the Soma juices, come!

2 Thee, then, O Pusan, like a swift one on his way, I urge with lauds that thou mayst make the foemen fle 3 Thou, Pusan, in whose friendship they who sing forth praise enjoy advantage, even in wisdom, through 4 Not stirred to anger, come, Free−giver, nigh to us, to take this gift of ours, thou who hast goats for steed

2 He, Mighty, knows the gift of wealth, he knows the deep recess of heaven: 3 He knows, a God himself, to guide Gods to the righteous in his home: 4 He is the Herald: well−informed, he doth his errand to and fro, 5 May we be they who gratify Agni with sacrificial gifts, 6 Illustrious for wealth are they, and hero deeds, victorious, 7 So unto us, day after day, may riches craved by many come, 8 That holy Singer in his strength shoots forth his arrows swifter than

2 Heaven trembled at the birth of thine effulgence; Earth trembled at the fear of thy displeasure. 3 Hurling his bolt with might he cleft the mountain, while, putting forth his strength, he showed his vigou 4 Thy Father Dyaus esteemed himself a hero: most noble was the work of Indra's Maker, 5 He who alone o'erthrows the world of creatures, Indra the peoples' King, invoked of many− 6 All Soma juices are his own for ever, most gladdening draughts are ever his, the Mighty, 7 Moreover, when thou first wast born, O Indra, thou struckest terror into all the people. 8 The ever−slaying, bold and furious Indra, the bright bolt's Lord, infinite, strong and mighty, 9 Alone renowned as Maghavan in battles, he frighteneth away assembled armies. 10 Renowned is he when conquering and when slaying: 'fis he who winneth cattle in the combat. 11 Indra hath won all kine, all gold, all horses,−Maghavan, he who breaketh forts in pieces; 12 What is the care of Indra for his Mother, what cares he for the Father who begat him? 13 Maghavan makes the settled man unsettled: he scatters dust that he hath swept together, 14 He urged the chariot−wheel of Surya forward: Etasa, speeding on his way, he rested. 15 As in the night the sacrificing priest. 16 Eager for booty, craving strength and horses, we−singers stir Indra, the strong, for friendship, 17 Be thou our guardian, show thyself our kinsman, watching and blessing those who pour the Soma; 18 Be helping Friend of those who seek thy friendship. give life, when lauded, Indra, to the singer. 19 Alone, when Indra Maghavan is lauded, he slayeth many ne'er−resisted Vrtras. 20 E’en so let Maghavan, the loud−voiced Indra, give us true blessings, foeless, men's upholder. 21 Now, Indra! lauded, glorified with praises, let power swell high like rivers for the singer.

2 Not at his own free pleasure did he bear me: he conquered with his strength and manly courage. 3 When with loud cry from heaven down sped the Falcon, thence hasting like the wind he bore the Bold 4 The Falcon bore him from heaven's lofty summit as the swift car of Indra's Friend bore Bhujyu. 5 And now let Maghavan accept the beaker, white, filled with milk, filled with the shining liquid;

2 Near him thou seemest mightier still in native glory, set to hold 3 Yea, this is by the light of him whom powerful siong hath bound to act, 4 Wealth loads the Wonder−Worker's car through his, the very wise One's power. 5 Now, too, the princes shall obtain excellent riches by our lips.

2 Yea, mighty I esteem his Godlike nature: none hindereth what he hath once determined. 3 E'en now endures thine exploit of the Rivers, when, Indra, for their floods thou clavest passage. 4 This is the truth, none else is like thee, Indra, no God superior to thee, no mortal. Thou sle 2 Through fear of thee, O Indra, all the regions of earth, though naught may move them, shake and trembl 3 With Kutsa, Indra! thou didst conquer Susna, voracious, bane of crops, in fight for cattle. 4 Thou smotest to the ground the hundred castles, impregnable, of Sambara the Dasyu, 5 As such, true Hero, for great joy of battle mount thy terrific car, O Brave and Manly. 2 Amid the sages, with the Sun he brightened the Parents: glorified, he burst the mountain; 3 Famed for great deeds, with priests who kneel and laud him, he still hath conquered in the frays for cattl 4 Come with thy girthed mares, with abundant vigour and plenteous strength to him who sings thy praises 5 Indra with rush and might, sped by his Coursers, hath swiftly won the waters from the southward.

2 We see that thou art good: far shines thy lustre; thy beams, thy splendours have flown up to heaven. 3 Red are the kine and luminous that bear her the Blessed One who spreadeth through the distance. 4 Thy ways are easy on the hills: thou passest Invincible! Se1f−luminous! through waters. 5 Dawn, bring me wealth: untroubled, with thine oxen thou bearest riches at thy will and pleasure; 6 As the birds fly forth from their restingplaces, so men with store of food rise at thy dawning.

27 True undeniabIc strength he found in Yadu and in Turvasa, 28 Him have I magnified, our Lord in, common, Guardian of your folk, 29 Rbhuksan, not to be restrained, who strengthened Tugra's son in lauds, 30 Who for Trisoka clave the hill that formed a wide receptacle, 31 Whate'er thy plan or purpose be, whate'er, in transport, thou wouldst do, 32 But little hath been heard of done upon the earth by one like thee i 33 Thine then shall be this high renown, thine shall these lofty praises be, 34 Not for one trespass, not for two, O Hero, slay us, nor for three, 35 I fear one powerful like thee, the crusherdown of enemies, 36 O wealthy God, ne'er may I live to see my friend or son in need*: 37 What friend, O people, unprovoked, hath ever said unto a friend, 38 Hero, insatiate enjoy this Soma juice so near to thee, 39 Hither I draw those Bays of thine yoked 40 Drive all our enemies away, smite down the foes who press around, 41 O Tndra, that which is concealed in strong firm place precipitous: 42 Great riches which the world of men shall recognize as sent by thbe:

2 How shall he praise you now who is distraught in mind? Ye Twain give wisdom for the gainof what is 3 Already have ye Twain, possessors of great wealth, prospered Visnapu thus for gain of what is good. 4 And that Impetuous Hero, winner of the spoil, though he is far away, we call to succour us, 5 About the holy Law toils Savitar the God the horn of holy Law hath he spread far and wide.

2 Win thou the light, win heavenly light, and, Soma, all felicities; 3 Win skilful strength and mental power. O Soma, drive away our foes; 4 Ye purifiers, purify Soma for Indra, for his drink: 5 Give us our portion in the Sun through thine own mental power and aids; 6 Through thine own mental power and aid long may we look upon the Sun; 7 Well−weaponed Soma, pour to usa stream of riches doubly great; 8 As one victorious unsubdued in battle pour forth wealth to us; 9 By worship, Pavamana! men have strengthened thee to prop the Law: 10 O Indu, bring us wealth in steeds, manifold. quickening all life; 2 He, Pavamana, Self−produced, speeds onward sharpening his horns: 3 Brilliant like wealth, adorable, with splendour Pavamana shines, 4 The tawny Pavamana, who strews from of old the grass with might, 5 The golden, the Celestial Doors are lifted with their frames on high, 6 With passion Pavamana longs for the great lofty pair, well−formed 7 Both Gods who look on men I call, Celestial Heralds: Indra's Self 8 This, Pavamana's sacrifice, shall the three beauteous Goddesses, 9 1 summon Tvastar hither, our protector, champion, earliest−born, 10 O Pavamana, with the meath in streams anoint Vanaspati, 11 Come to the consecrating rite of Pavamana, all ye Gods,−

2 Even here is Indra famed, and among us this day the glorious Thunderer is praised, 3 He who is Sovran Lord of great and perfect strength, exerter of heroic might, 4 Harnessing to thy car, as God, two blustering Steeds Of the Wind−God, O Thunderer, 5 Even to these dark Steeds of Wind thou of thyself hast come to ride, 6 When ye approach, men ask you, thee and Usana: Why come ye to our dwelling−place? 7 O Indra, thou shalt speak us fair: our holy prayer is offered up. 8 Around us is the Dasyu, riteless, void of sense, inhuman, keeping alien laws. 9 Hero with Heroes, thou art ours: yea, strong are they whom thou dost help. 10 Urge thou these heroes on to slay the enemy, brave Thunderer! in the fight with swords. 11 Swift come those gifts of thine whose hand is prompt to rend and burn, O Hero Thunder−armed: 12 Let not thine excellent assistance come to us, O Hero Indra, profitless. 13 May those soft impulses of thine, O Indra, be fruitful and innocent to us. 14 That Earth, through power of knowing things that may be known, handless and footless yet might thriv 15 Drink, drink the Soma, Hero Indra; be not withheld as thou art good, O Treasure−giver.

2 He whose two Bay Steeds harnessed well, swerving, pursue the Bird's tail−plumes, 3 Bereft of skill is Indra, if, like some outwearied man he fears 4 Indra with these drives round, until he meets with one to worship him: 5 Borne onward by the long−maned Steeds who stretch themselves as 'twere for food, 6 The Mighty sang with Lofty Ones: the Hero fashioned with his strength, 7 The bolt, which pierced at once the vitals of the Dasyu easy to be slain, 8 Grind off our sins: with song will we conquer the men who sing no hymns: 9 When threefold flame burns high for thee, to rest on poles of sacrifice, 10 Thy glory was the speckled cup, thy glory was the flawless scoop. 11 As hundreds, O Immortal God, have sung to thee, so hath Sumitra, yea, Durmitra praised thee here,

2 Be even here; fall not away be like a mountain unremoved. 3 This man hath Indra stablished, made secure by strong oblation's power. 4 Firm is the sky and firm the earth, and stedfast also are these hills. 5 Stedfast, may Varuna the King, stedfast, the God Brhaspati,

2 Who from the distance far away shines brilliantly across the wastes: 3 The Bull with brightly−gleaming flame who utterly consumes the fiends 4 Who looks on all existing things and comprehends them with his view: 5 Resplendent Agni, who was born in farthest region of the air: