Dashati 8
Indra’s swift, bull-like approach to the Soma-seat and his sure hearing of the stotra
Indra
Invocatory and triumphant with a forward-driving ‘arrival’ energy
R̥ṣi attribution is not supplied in the input; this decad is treated here as an Aindra (Indra-centered) chant-unit without a fixed seer identification.
Soma-pāna invitation and offering: Indra is summoned to the suta (pressed) Soma and praised as the accepter of stotra at the savana.
Mantras
Mantra 1
सत्यमित्था वृषेदसि वृषजूतिर्नो ऽविता वृषा ह्युग्र शृण्विषे परावति वृषो अर्वावति श्रुतः
Truly, thus, O mighty (Indra), thou approachest; of vigorous succour, our protector: for, fierce bull, thou hearest (our hymns), renowned (as hearing) from afar and from near.
Mantra 2
यच्छक्रासि परावति यदर्वावति वृत्रहन् अतस्त्वा गीर्भिर्द्युगदिन्द्र केशिभिः सुतावां आ विवासति
What thou hast done, O slayer of Vṛtra, whether in the far or in the near (region), therefore the Soma-presser, day by day, invites thee, Indra, with radiant hymns.
Mantra 3
अभि वो वीरमन्धसो मदेषु गाय गिरा महा विचेतसम् इन्द्रं नाम श्रुत्यं शाकिनं वचो यथा
Sing, with your voice, unto the hero Indra, amid the exhilarations of the Soma; (sing) a great utterance, as is fitting, (to him) the wide-minded, renowned by name, the able (god).
Mantra 4
इन्द्र त्रिधातु शरणं त्रिवरूथं स्वस्तये छर्दिर्यच्छ मघवद्भ्यश्च मह्यं च यावया दिद्युमेभ्यः
Indra, who art a threefold support, a threefold refuge, bestow for our welfare a protecting shelter, for the bountiful worshippers and for me; and drive away from us the flashing assailants.
Mantra 5
श्रायन्त इव सूर्यं विश्वेदिन्द्रस्य भक्षत वसूनि जातो जनिमान्योजसा प्रति भागं न दीधिमः
As men press towards the sun, so do all (the worshippers) partake of Indra; the riches, the productions, are brought forth by his vigour; we diminish not the appointed share.
Mantra 6
न सीमदेव आप तदिषं दीर्घायो मर्त्यः एतग्वा चिद्या एतशो युयोजत इन्द्रो हरी युयोजते
Verily the god obtaineth not that invigorating food (in vain); the long-lived mortal (who worships) obtaineth it: when the swift steeds are yoked, Indra yokes his two bay horses (to come).
Mantra 7
आ नो विश्वासु हव्यमिन्द्रं समत्सु भूषत उप ब्रह्माणि सवनानि वृत्रहन्परमज्या ऋचीषम
Bring Indra to our oblation in all encounters; honour him in the conflicts: (we) rich in hymns, (approach) with prayers and with the Soma-pressings, (him) the slayer of Vṛtra, of supreme might.
Mantra 8
तवेदिन्द्रावमं वसु त्वं पुष्यसि मध्यमम् सत्रा विश्वस्य परमस्य राजसि न किष्ट्वा गोषु वृण्वते
Thine, Indra, verily is even the least of wealth; thou cherishest also the middle portion: thou rulest continually over all that is supreme; none chooseth thee in vain for cattle.
Mantra 9
क्वेयथ क्वेदसि पुरुत्रा चिद्धि ते मनः अलर्षि युध्म खजकृत्पुरन्दर प्र गायत्रा अगासिषुः
Whither hast thou gone? where indeed art thou? for thy purpose is (present) in many places. Thou reachest (all), O warlike shaker (of foes), destroyer of cities: the Gāyatra-chanters have sung forth (thy praise).
Mantra 10
वयमेनमिदा ह्योपीपेमेह वज्रिणम् तस्मा उ अद्य सवने सुतं भरा नूनं भूषत श्रुते
We, even now, have here propitiated the thunderer; therefore to-day, at the pressing, bring the expressed Soma (to him): now do ye duly honour the renowned (Indra).
Frequently Asked Questions
It proclaims that Indra truly hears the priests’ praise and therefore comes swiftly to the Soma-seat, bringing strength and invigorating gain (iṣ) to the worshipper.
The yoking of the harī is a ritual-sign of readiness and arrival: Indra is pictured as harnessing his steeds to reach the pressing and accept the offered Soma.
It functions as an invitation and confirmation chant at the savana: having ‘propitiated’ Indra by stotra, the singers prompt the act of bringing and presenting the pressed Soma to him.