Rigveda: Indra and the Battle Across the

Sea

Hymn 9.73

– Translated by Kant Singh

A number of experts have opined that the Vedic people did not know of the Sea (or ocean).
However, in many hymns, one can find references to

“ocean going rivers.” As I show below,

they were definitely a seafaring people.

The hymn describes how a tribe from the Vedic times, on a ship/row boat/galley under
Indra’s leadership, first moves along the river, then enters the sea and finally crosses the sea
to reach another country, attacks it and defeats it, thereby establishing control beyond the sea.

[Incidentally, previous translations have been unable to decipher this hymn at all

– and have

assumed the hymn is a generic one about Soma.]

1.

The flag flutters vigorously,

as the tribe under the command of our beloved,
moves ahead for the battle, fearlessly,
to reach the capital of the Asura dominion,
we set out in this beautiful, well constructed ship,
made up of fig tree wood.

2.

Perfectly in sync, we powerfully and

quickly row across the river, eagerly and
excitedly.
Mid-stream, the onlookers admire,
the sunlit, majestic, body of our loved one,
Indra.

3.

Purified through spoken chants

and having drunk the excellent one (Soma),
he has undertaken to protect his devotees.
May Varuna, the God of the great ocean,
give you strength,
so whatever the desires your followers have,
may be fulfilled.

4.

Holding your sharp bolt, favour the tribe,

go to war against the sweet talking foreigners.

Beware, here the enemy has, across the battlefield,
set up traps all over the place.

5.

Drink quickly the nourishing water, protect the tribe,

go burn down the unreligious with your flame.
O’ Indra, blow away the magic of the enemy,
just as the break of the day across the earth,
blows away the dark cover of the night.

6.

In the past, whenever the tribe has honoured you,

you have solved

people’s problems,

keeping their needs in mind.
(Once) upon the rivers the obstructions
that the villains had constructed,
not allowing boats to ride the waves,

7.

You released those thousands of streams,

the pure ones, in response of the pure words
recited by the sages in their prayers.
Forcefully moving, when released,
unstoppable by enemies, the swift ones,
so good looking, were admired by all mankind.

8.

The protector has never been injured

even by well made weapons,
the wise and pure one,
has obtained, protected, conquered and donated.
It’s known across the world
that whenever people have looked up to you
and worshipped you, you have pierced through
and cut down the irreverent.

9.

In response to this holy speech,

he has successfully extended the

tribe’s influence

far beyond

Varuna’s dominion (viz. across the sea).

Together, with the brave and shining one,
we have (successfully) striven and fulfilled our desires,
destroying the dominion of others.

* * *