Rig Veda
Rig Veda
Rig Veda
Two Hymns
The Vedas are collections of hymns dating back to the Aryan period of Indian history. The
Rig Veda is the most important of these collections. It is very likely that some of these
hymns originated well before the time the Aryans came to northwestern India as warrior
elite. It was probably compiled into its present form between 1200 and 900 BC but was
probably not written down until 600 BC. The first of the two selections is among the
oldest in the collection and celebrates the victory of Indra, one of the most important
gods, over Vritra, the dragon of drought. The second hymn is much later and tells of
Prusha, the universal spirit, sacrificing himself to himself.
Chronologies
I will declare the manly deeds of Indra, the first that he achieved, the thunder wielder.
He slew the dragon [1], then disclosed the waters, and cleft the channels of the mountain
torrents.
He slew the dragon lying on the mountain: his heavenly bolt of thunder Twashtar [2]
fashioned.
Like lowing cows in rapid flow descending the waters glided downward to the ocean.
Impetuous as a bull, he chose the Soma [3], and quaffed in threefold sacrifice the juices.
Maghavan [4] grasped the thunder for his weapon, and smote to death this firstborn of the
dragons.
When, Indra, thou hadst slain the dragons' firstborn, and overcome the charms of the
enchanters,
Then, giving life to sun and dawn and heaven, thou foundest not one foe to stand against
thee.
Indra with his own great and deadly thunder smote into pieces Vritra worst of Vritras.
As trunks of trees, what time the axe hath felled them, low on the earth so lies the
prostrate dragon.
He, like a mad weak warrior, challenged Indra, the great impetuous many-slaying hero.
He, brooking not the clashing of the weapons, crushed Indra's foe, the shattered forts in
falling [5],
Footless and handless, still he challenged Indra, who smote him with his bolt between the
shoulders.
Emasculate yet claiming manly vigor, thus Vritra lay with scattered limbs dissevered. . .
Nothing availed him lightning, nothing thunder, hailstorm or mist which he had spread
around him: [6]
When Indra and the dragon strove in battle, Maghavan gained the victory forever.
Whom sawest thou to avenge the dragon, Indra, that fear possessed thy heart when thou
hadst slain him;
That, like a hawk affrighted through the regions, thou crossedst nine-and-ninety flowing
rivers?
Indra is king of all that moves and moves not, of creatures tame and horned, the thunder-
wielder.
Over all living men he rules as sovereign, containing all as spokes within the felly. [7]