Sukta 68

Mantra 1

आ त्वा रथं यथोतये सुम्नाय वर्तयामसि । तुविकूर्मिमृतीषहमिन्द्र शविष्ठ सत्पते ॥

We turn your chariot hither for our help and for the bliss of wholeness—O Indra, most forceful, lord of the true path—wide-waved in power, conqueror of the assaults against the right.

Mantra 2

तुविशुष्म तुविक्रतो शचीवो विश्वया मते । आ पप्राथ महित्वना ॥

O Indra of mighty ardor, of vast will and effective power, lord of the creative Shacī—by your all-embracing thought you have expanded by greatness.

Mantra 3

यस्य ते महिना महः परि ज्मायन्तमीयतुः । हस्ता वज्रं हिरण्ययम् ॥

By whose greatness your mighty glory moves around, advancing—(you) whose hands go forth bearing the golden thunderbolt: the luminous instrument of victorious force.

Mantra 4

विश्वानरस्य वस्पतिमनानतस्य शवसः । एवैश्च चर्षणीनामूती हुवे रथानाम् ॥

I call for the protecting help of the Lord of the wide Energy (Viśvānara), the unconquered Power of force; with his swift impulsions he becomes the succour of all the human-kindreds and the master of the chariots of our movement.

Mantra 5

अभिष्टये सदावृधं स्वर्मीळ्हेषु यं नरः । नाना हवन्त ऊतये ॥

For the fulfilment of the soul’s desire they call the ever-increasing One; in the delight-givings of the luminous worlds, men invoke him in many ways for his saving help.

Mantra 6

परोमात्रमृचीषममिन्द्रमुग्रं सुराधसम् । ईशानं चिद्वसूनाम् ॥

Indra, supreme beyond measure, most rich in the power of the Word, the formidable one of perfect plenitudes—he is indeed the sovereign even of all the treasures of being.

Mantra 7

तंतमिद्राधसे मह इन्द्रं चोदामि पीतये । यः पूर्व्यामनुष्टुतिमीशे कृष्टीनां नृतुः ॥

That Indra, for the great plenitude, I urge forward for the drinking of delight; he who, the leader of men, rules the ancient following praise of the peoples.

Mantra 8

न यस्य ते शवसान सख्यमानंश मर्त्यः । नकिः शवांसि ते नशत् ॥

O mighty one full of force, no mortal has attained your friendship; none has reached the measures of your powers.

Mantra 9

त्वोतासस्त्वा युजाप्सु सूर्ये महद्धनम् । जयेम पृत्सु वज्रिवः ॥

With you as our protector, with you as our yoked companion, in the waters and in the sun we win a great treasure; O wielder of the thunderbolt, may we conquer in the battles.

Mantra 10

तं त्वा यज्ञेभिरीमहे तं गीर्भिर्गिर्वणस्तम । इन्द्र यथा चिदाविथ वाजेषु पुरुमाय्यम् ॥

You we seek by our sacrifices, you by our inspired words, O Indra most responsive to the chant; as you have helped before, help now in the plenitudes of force—O you of manifold effective powers.

Mantra 11

यस्य ते स्वादु सख्यं स्वाद्वी प्रणीतिरद्रिवः । यज्ञो वितन्तसाय्यः ॥

He for whom your friendship is sweet, and sweet your leading, O holder of the stone—his sacrifice is stretched out toward the goal of victory.

Mantra 12

उरु णस्तन्वे तन उरु क्षयाय नस्कृधि । उरु णो यन्धि जीवसे ॥

Make for us a wide space for the body’s becoming, make for us a wide dwelling; grant us a wide way for our living.

Mantra 13

उरुं नृभ्य उरुं गव उरुं रथाय पन्थाम् । देववीतिं मनामहे ॥

A wide way for the powers in man, a wide way for the rays of light, a wide path for the chariot of our progress—we seek the godward movement and winning.

Mantra 14

उप मा षड्द्वाद्वा नरः सोमस्य हर्ष्या । तिष्ठन्ति स्वादुरातयः ॥

Draw near to me: the twelve heroic powers, rejoicing in the ecstasy of Soma, stand firm as bearers of a sweet largess—delight that nourishes the inner being.

Mantra 15

ऋज्राविन्द्रोत आ ददे हरी ऋक्षस्य सूनवि । आश्वमेधस्य रोहिता ॥

Indra has granted the two tawny steeds—powers of luminous movement—to the son of Ṛkṣa, to the Ashvamedha: the red-gold forces that carry the offering forward within.

Mantra 16

सुरथाँ आतिथिग्वे स्वभीशूँरार्क्षे । आश्वमेधे सुपेशसः ॥

He grants fine chariots and well-reined powers to Ātithigva, O son of Ṛkṣa—beautifully formed energies for the Ashvamedha, for the perfected offering of the life-force.

Mantra 17

षळश्वाँ आतिथिग्व इन्द्रोते वधूमतः । सचा पूतक्रतौ सनम् ॥

Indra gives six horses to Ātithigva, to the one rich in the bride’s power; together with you, O purified in will, may the gain be lasting—an enduring attainment of force.

Mantra 18

ऐषु चेतद्वृषण्वत्यन्तॠज्रेष्वरुषी । स्वभीशुः कशावती ॥

Awaken your awareness in these: the impelling, bull-strong power within the tawny forces—ruddy in flame; well-reined, whip-bearing—driving the energies to their right goal.

Mantra 19

न युष्मे वाजबन्धवो निनित्सुश्चन मर्त्यः । अवद्यमधि दीधरत् ॥

No mortal, O comrades bound to plenitude of force, can fasten any blame upon you; no hostile will can set a fault over your luminous working.