A Prayer For Aid And Victory In Battle
drous, mighty, and successful
First, when the need hath come will I employ them by which
the heaven of Asuras was conquered.
2. Swift, like a dread bull sharpening his weapons, rapidly striking,
stirring up the people,
Loud shouting, vigilant, the one sole Hero, Indra subdued a
hundred hosts together.
3. With him loud-roaring, ever watchful, victor bold, hard to over-
throw, whom none may vanquish,
Indra the strong whose hand bears arrows, conquer, ye heroes
now, now vanquish in the combat.
4. He rules with those who carry shafts and quivers, Indra who
with his hand brings hosts together,
Foe-conquering, strong of arm, the Soma-drinker,
with mighty bow, shooting with well-laid arrows.
5. Conspicuous by thy strength, firm, foremost fighter, mighty and
fierce, victorious, all-subduing,
O'ercoming might, excelling men and heroes, mount the kine-
winning conquering car, O Indra.
6. Troop-vanquisher, kine-winner, armed with thunder, who quells
an army and with might destroys it,
Follow him, comrades! quit yourselves like heroes, and like this
Indra show your zeal and courage.
7. Piercing the cow-stalls with surpassing vigour, Indra the pitiless
hero, wild with anger, p. 224
Victor in fight, unshaken and resistless,—may he protect our
armies in our battles.
8. Brihaspati, fly with thy chariot hither, slayer of demons, driving.
off our foemen.
Be thou protector of our bodies, crushing our enemies, destroy-
ing those who hate us.
9. Indra guide these! Brihaspati, the Guerdon, and Soma, and the
Sacrifice precede them!
And let the banded Maruts march in forefront of heavenly hosts
that conquer and demolish.
10. Ours be the potent host of mighty Indra, King Varuna, and
Maruts and Ādityas.
Uplifted is the shout of Gods who conquer, high-minded God
who cause the world to tremble.
11. May Indra aid us when our flags are gathered: victorious be th
arrows of our army.
May our brave men of war prevail in battle. Ye Gods, protect u
in the shouts of onset.