Sukta 23

Mantra 1

उदु ब्रह्माण्यैरत श्रवस्येन्द्रं समर्ये महया वसिष्ठ । आ यो विश्वानि शवसा ततानोपश्रोता म ईवतो वचांसि ॥

Raise up the mantras for the winning of the hearing-glory; magnify Indra in the battle, O Vasiṣṭha. He who has stretched out all things by his force—may he come as the listener to my eager words.

Mantra 2

अयामि घोष इन्द्र देवजामिरिरज्यन्त यच्छुरुधो विवाचि । नहि स्वमायुश्चिकिते जनेषु तानीदंहांस्यति पर्ष्यस्मान् ॥

I send forth the cry, O Indra, kin of the gods, when the hostile restraints speak apart and confuse. For among men no one truly discerns his own span of life; therefore do thou carry us beyond these constrictions and errors.

Mantra 3

युजे रथं गवेषणं हरिभ्यामुप ब्रह्माणि जुजुषाणमस्थुः । वि बाधिष्ट स्य रोदसी महित्वेन्द्रो वृत्राण्यप्रती जघन्वान् ॥

For the yoking, the chariot that seeks the Rays is made ready with the two tawny steeds; the mantras stand near, welcoming him. By his greatness he has forced apart the two worlds; Indra, slaying the resistances without equal, has made the way free.

Mantra 4

आपश्चित्पिप्युः स्तर्यो न गावो नक्षन्नृतं जरितारस्त इन्द्र । याहि वायुर्न नियुतो नो अच्छा त्वं हि धीभिर्दयसे वि वाजान् ॥

Even the waters have swelled, like lowing cows, reaching the Truth; so have thy praisers, O Indra, arrived at the right law. Come to us like Vāyu with his yoked powers; for by the illumined thoughts thou distributest the plenitudes of force.

Mantra 5

ते त्वा मदा इन्द्र मादयन्तु शुष्मिणं तुविराधसं जरित्रे । एको देवत्रा दयसे हि मर्तानस्मिञ्छूर सवने मादयस्व ॥

May these ecstasies of delight intoxicate thee, O Indra—strong in force, wide in bounty—for the singer. Thou alone in the divine way showest grace to mortals; in this pressing, O hero, take thy joy and increase.

Mantra 6

एवेदिन्द्रं वृषणं वज्रबाहुं वसिष्ठासो अभ्यर्चन्त्यर्कैः । स नः स्तुतो वीरवद्धातु गोमद्यूयं पात स्वस्तिभिः सदा नः ॥

Thus do the Vasiṣṭhas chant with hymns to Indra, the Bull, the wielder of the thunder-arm. May he, praised, establish for us the wealth of rays and the wealth of heroic powers; and do you divine guardians protect us always with states of well-being.