Sukta 173

Mantra 1

गायत्साम नभन्यं यथा वेरर्चाम तद्वावृधानं स्वर्वत् । गावो धेनवो बर्हिष्यदब्धा आ यत्सद्मानं दिव्यं विवासान् ॥

Let the chant sing the heaven-born Sāman, as we would praise That which is ever increasing and full of the solar wideness. The rays—nourishing like cows—faultless upon the seat of offering, come to the divine dwelling as we serve and make it manifest.

Mantra 2

अर्चद्वृषा वृषभिः स्वेदुहव्यैर्मृगो नाश्नो अति यज्जुगुर्यात् । प्र मन्दयुर्मनां गूर्त होता भरते मर्यो मिथुना यजत्रः ॥

The Bull is praised by the bulls, by those whose offering is their own delight; like a wild beast he passes beyond the eater when he is to be awakened. The inspired and eager Hotar bears forward the thought; the youthful sacrificer brings the paired offerings, worthy of worship.

Mantra 3

नक्षद्धोता परि सद्म मिता यन्भरद्गर्भमा शरदः पृथिव्याः । क्रन्ददश्वो नयमानो रुवद्गौरन्तर्दूतो न रोदसी चरद्वाक् ॥

The Hotar reaches and encompasses the measured dwelling as he bears the embryo from the earth’s seasons. Like a neighing horse led onward, like a lowing bull, the word moves within—like a messenger between the two worlds—wandering in speech between Heaven and Earth.

Mantra 4

ता कर्माषतरास्मै प्र च्यौत्नानि देवयन्तो भरन्ते । जुजोषदिन्द्रो दस्मवर्चा नासत्येव सुग्म्यो रथेष्ठाः ॥

They, aspiring toward the Divine, bring forward for him those more and more perfected works and puissant initiatives. May Indra, of wondrous radiance, accept them—swift in the right movement, firm in the chariot like the Nāsatyas (the twin powers of sure arrival).

Mantra 5

तमु ष्टुहीन्द्रं यो ह सत्वा यः शूरो मघवा यो रथेष्ठाः । प्रतीचश्चिद्योधीयान्वृषण्वान्ववव्रुषश्चित्तमसो विहन्ता ॥

Praise that Indra—he who is the true being-force, the hero, the bounteous lord, firm in the chariot. Even against what confronts and resists, he is the stronger fighter; bull-like in power, he smites away even the enwrapping darkness.

Mantra 6

प्र यदित्था महिना नृभ्यो अस्त्यरं रोदसी कक्ष्ये नास्मै । सं विव्य इन्द्रो वृजनं न भूमा भर्ति स्वधावाँ ओपशमिव द्याम् ॥

For when thus by his greatness there is room enough for men, the two worlds are not as a narrow enclosure to him. Indra has spread out in fullness; like the wide earth he bears the field of our striving, and by his own inherent power he upholds the heaven as with a supporting band.

Mantra 7

समत्सु त्वा शूर सतामुराणं प्रपथिन्तमं परितंसयध्यै । सजोषस इन्द्रं मदे क्षोणीः सूरिं चिद्ये अनुमदन्ति वाजैः ॥

In the clashes we seek you, O hero, the strong delight of the true; the most forward-going on the paths, to be fully encompassed and possessed. In the ecstasy, the earth-powers consent to Indra in union; even the illumined leaders rejoice after him by the plenitudes of force (vāja).

Mantra 8

एवा हि ते शं सवना समुद्र आपो यत्त आसु मदन्ति देवीः । विश्वा ते अनु जोष्या भूद्गौः सूरीँश्चिद्यदि धिषा वेषि जनान् ॥

Thus indeed, your pressings are bliss in the ocean: when the divine waters take delight in you within them. Then all things become consenting to you; and the Cow (the ray of illumination) too—if by the inspired understanding you seek out and guide the peoples, even the illumined leaders follow.

Mantra 9

असाम यथा सुषखाय एन स्वभिष्टयो नरां न शंसैः । असद्यथा न इन्द्रो वन्दनेष्ठास्तुरो न कर्म नयमान उक्था ॥

May we be, in this way, good companions—well supported—like men by right praises. May Indra be for us established in our acts of adoration, driving our works forward with swiftness, leading our hymns to their effective fulfillment.

Mantra 10

विष्पर्धसो नरां न शंसैरस्माकासदिन्द्रो वज्रहस्तः । मित्रायुवो न पूर्पतिं सुशिष्टौ मध्यायुव उप शिक्षन्ति यज्ञैः ॥

By our praises, like those of men who contend, may Indra of the thunderbolt-hand become ours. As comrades of Mitra train a city-lord in good discipline, so do the middle-young (growing powers) instruct and draw near by the sacrifices.

Mantra 11

यज्ञो हि ष्मेन्द्रं कश्चिदृन्धञ्जुहुराणश्चिन्मनसा परियन् । तीर्थे नाच्छा तातृषाणमोको दीर्घो न सिध्रमा कृणोत्यध्वा ॥

For the sacrifice indeed can win Indra—someone, even while offering, moving around by the mind. Like a ford approached, it reaches the desired home; like a long road it makes ready the straight passage to its goal.

Mantra 12

मो षू ण इन्द्रात्र पृत्सु देवैरस्ति हि ष्मा ते शुष्मिन्नवयाः । महश्चिद्यस्य मीळ्हुषो यव्या हविष्मतो मरुतो वन्दते गीः ॥

Do not abandon us here, O Indra, in the battles among the gods; for truly, O mighty one, your protections are present. Great indeed is that gracious giver whose ancient, offered oblation the Maruts salute with their song.

Mantra 13

एष स्तोम इन्द्र तुभ्यमस्मे एतेन गातुं हरिवो विदो नः । आ नो ववृत्याः सुविताय देव विद्यामेषं वृजनं जीरदानुम् ॥

This is the hymn, O Indra, for you among us; by it, O lord of the tawny steeds, know for us the path. Turn toward us for the good going, O god, that we may find this active field and the swift-giving abundance.