Dashati 7
Aindra stotra: praising and summoning Indra to partake of the fostering Soma and to grant protection and bounty
Indra
Invitatory and triumphant with a confident tone of reliance on Indra’s strength and generosity
Kaṇva
Soma-stotra addressed to Indra in connection with the Soma-juice (andhas) inviting his participation and reciprocation in boons.
Mantras
Mantra 1
पान्तमा वो अन्धस इन्द्रमभि प्र गायत विश्वासाहं शतक्रतुं मंहिष्ठं चर्षणीनाम्
Chant forth unto Indra, for you, the most fostering Soma-draughts; (chant) to the all-subduing, the hundred-powered, the most bountiful of men.
Mantra 2
प्र व इन्द्राय मादनं हर्यश्वाय गायत सखायः सोमपाव्ने
Sing forth, O friends, the gladdening (chant) unto Indra, the tawny-steeded, the drinker of the Soma.
Mantra 3
वयमु त्वा तदिदर्था इन्द्र त्वायन्तः सखायः कण्वा उक्थेभिर्जरन्ते
We, verily, having that for our end, O Indra, seeking thee, the Kaṇva friends celebrate thee with solemn praises.
Mantra 4
इन्द्राय मद्वने सुतं परि ष्टोभन्तु नो गिरः अर्कमर्चन्तु कारवः
Unto Indra, for (his) exhilaration, (is) the pressed (Soma); let our voices sound around (him); let the singers hymn the praise.
Mantra 5
अयं त इन्द्र सोमो निपूतो अधि बर्हिषि एहीमस्य द्रवा पिब
This Soma, O Indra, well purified, is for thee upon the sacred grass; come, run hither, drink thereof.
Mantra 6
सुरूपकृत्नुमूतये सुदुघामिव गोदुहे जुहूमसि द्यविद्यवि
For succour we invoke the fair-formed (Indra), as (men invoke) the abundant milch-cow for the milker, day by day.
Mantra 7
अभि त्वा वृषभा सुते सुतं सृजामि पीतये तृम्पा व्यश्नुही मदम्
Unto thee, O mighty one, at the pressing, I send forth the pressed (Soma) for drinking; be satisfied; fully attain exhilaration.
Mantra 8
य इन्द्र चमसेष्वा सोमश्चमूषु ते सुतः पिबेदस्य त्वमीशिषे
That Soma, O Indra, which is (placed) in the cups, (and) in the bowls, pressed for thee—drink thou thereof; surely thou art the lord of it.
Mantra 9
योगेयोगे तवस्तरं वाजेवाजे हवामहे सखाय इन्द्रमूतये
At every yoking, at every contest for the prize, we, O friends, invoke Indra, the more powerful, for succour.
Mantra 10
आ त्वेता नि षीदतेन्द्रमभि प्र गायत सखायः स्तोमवाहसः
Hither to thee let these (praises) sit down; sing forth towards Indra, O friends, ye bearers of the hymn.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a sung invocation to Indra, asking him to come to the Soma offering and, pleased by the stotra, grant protection, victory, and generous gifts.
The Soma-juice is presented as sustaining and boon-giving; by offering it with song, the chanters attract Indra and activate the expected reciprocity of help and bounty.
They are the bearers of the hymn—i.e., the Sāman singers (Udgātṛ group) who carry and present the praise in its musical form before Indra.