Essentials of Hinduism - Aindra Kanda

Essentials of Hinduism

Aindra Kanda

Indra:

Kanda 13 to 48 is devoted mostly to Indra and is known as Aindra Kanda. We have covered Indra in detail already in the Rig Veda Chapter. We will identify only what is not covered in the Rig Veda. This section of the Purvarchika is primarily involved with the Hymns to Indra. To a lesser degree, Soma, Savita or Surya, Maruts, Brihaspati, Chandrama, Mitra, Asvinis, Usha, Saraswati, Varuna, Agni, Atiti, Vayu and Vishnu.

After you have prepared the Soma juice, pray to the powerful Indra. Chant Hymns addressed to Indra. Many are the wonderous deeds that Indra has performed. Let him please us by granting us the riches. “O Indra! You are known for your valor. O powerful Indra! Grant us the objects of our Desire. You are the one who establishes everyone.

The Surya is a manifestation of the great Indra. See how he rises, Wealthy and Powerful. O Indra! You are our Protector. We are desirous of receiving you in our midst. We bow in obeisance before you. The Priests have lit a Fire in your Honor. A Hymn to the Maruts is inserted among hymns to Indra. The Maruts are Indra’s Companions.

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O Indra! Union with the Gods is our Best Protection; We have assembled to unite with you. You know what our wishes are. Please come and grace our Sacrifice. Please come and listen to our Chanting.

Where is the young and powerful Indra? Where is the one who Thunders? The Learned Ones chant Hymns to Indra. Excellent indeed are the Mantras that they chant. The Priests are singing praises to Indra. They are making offerings to Indra. Through my Sacrifice I will make Indra’s Mind turn towards me. That will make me as powerful as the Surya. O Indra! We are desirous of singing your Praise. The sage Kanva sang your glory through his Hymns. Indra will be our best friend. Your path is below Heaven, and it is along this path that you rule over the Universe. Come to our Sacrifice. O Goddess! We are following the Rites that have been laid down in the Mantras of the Vedas. Pray to the God Savita so that this Sacrifice may be properly performed. O Goddess Usha! You manifest yourself from Heaven and are unrivalled in your Radiance. You are the Goddess of Truth. We sing many Hymns in your Praise.

O Indra! Come to us for our Protection. Come to us with riches that will bring us Glory. O Saraswati, the Goddess of Learning! You Purify us, you grant us Foodgrains, you give us the Riches, you bring Wisdom to our Hearts. Come and Grace our Sacrifice. Let us be united with the Gods Mitra, Varuna and Aryama (Aryama is a manifestation of Surya).

Indra is constant and learned. Let him banish our fears. O Indra! Descend to us from Heaven with all your Power. We are waiting for your Protection. The learned Gods Mitra and Varuna guide us along the Righteous Path. The Maruts roar when they come to the Sacrifice.

O Indra! Come here, and acknowledge our offerings of soma juice. Let the Priests be pleased. Show us the Righteous Path – guide us through your Wisdom. Grant us the boons we Desire. Maruts! Come to our Sacrifice. Let the Gods Mitra, Aryama and Varuna be seated at the Sacrifice. O Indra! The Maruts, the offspring of Rudra, also acknowledge you to be Supreme and Pray to you. They compose and sing Hymns to you. Grant us Wisdom so that we may perform the Sacrifice. Teach us, the way a father teaches his son. Bless us, so that the radiance of the Surya may be always present at our Sacrifice. Be our Protector. You are the refuge of the entire Universe. Free us from our fears and make us fearless.

Please listen to our Hymns.

O Ashvinis! Grant us the riches that you have the power to grant, night and day. O Varuna! Men chant Hymns at the time of Sacrifices. Be pleased with these Prayers and protect us. O Parjanya! The God of rains! Be pleased with our Hymns and grant us the Protection. Usha is the daughter of Surya. The beautiful Usha brings radiance. O Ashvinis! Men call upon you for Riches and Protection.

O Indra! Please remove all our Impediments. Please come, protect us and grant us the riches. Splinter the clouds and bring forth torrents of Rain. Remove the darkness. Fill our eyes with Energy. Free us from our Bondage. We will chant Hymns so that we may obtain food grains. We call upon Indra to come to us so that our Welfare may be ensured.

Indra! You are like a Mountain. Listen to our Hymns, come and partake of the Oblations we have offered. You are Omniscient (knows Everything) and Omnipotent (unlimited Power). You are the Chief. Please come to the Sacrifice and partake of the Oblations. It is You who maintain all the other Gods. When Indra is pleased, He showers down rain and makes food grains grow. He grants the desires of His Devotees. Indra is the Leader of the Universe. We call upon Indra. O Maruts! We call upon you. O Gods! Come and attend our Sacrifice. Rig and Sama Mantras are being chanted at our Sacrifice. They will carry our message to you. The chief Priest prays to Indra.

Indra rules over Heaven through his Power. Gather together and chant his Praise. When he hears the Sama Hymns sung at a Sacrifice, Indra Purifies the soma juice that is offered at the Sacrifice. O Indra! May we be free of dangers and disease.

Indra is the performer of wonderful deeds. He will grant us Power and Prosperity. We pray to Indra so that our wishes may be granted. O Indra! The Brahmanas (Priests) have begun to recite the Mantras. Come close, Great Indra, so that you can hear our Hymns better. O Usha! Wake us up from our slumber so that we may tread our Path to Prosperity. O Soma! Inspire us so that we may prepare the soma juice well. Indra increases his prowess (ability) by drinking the soma juice. O Soma! Please fill our vessels to the brim.

O Indra! Grant us the Riches. Those who perform the sacrifices obtain Happiness and excellent Dwellings. We wish to be close to you; we Pray to you. The learned sing Hymns in praise of Indra. May Indra and the other Gods guide us in the observance of appropriate Rites. Let the Gods be pleased through our Prayers and grant us Food grains and Power. Indra is the driving force of the Universe. Let Indra’s power increase and let him accept our offerings. Surya brings welfare to a thousand Persons. The intelligent Worship Surya. Surya is like Pure Energy. He is clear and free from darkness.

My friends that are familiar with the Sama Ganas – please come and sing to invite Indra. Please drink the soma juice especially prepared for you and sit on this Dharba (Heavenly Grass) used during the performance of Sacrifices. Those who sing Sama Gaana loudly worship Indra mostly.

Kanda 24 describes that it is not easy to sing the Sama Gaana. A person has to really practice for a long time. O Indra! We are inviting you to the Sacrifice in so many different ways. We are inviting you as a Deva. The Devas protect the Truth at all times. Please protect us. Along with you we are praying to Varuna.

Kanda 36 talks about the Atma Satisfaction. Whatever task we are engaged in, whether it is singing or dancing or creating or writing, there should be Atma Satisfaction. For such a person, the Atma gets purified.

All Men! Worship the Indra! Sing the Sama Gaana. O Indra! Please accept our Prayers. Please come to our Sacrifice. Please get rid of our sins. Come to drink the soma juice. Make us always think of good deeds and give us the Spiritual Knowledge. Protect us from our difficult times.”

This article is a snippet from the Book Essentials of Hinduism, Authored by G.S Nilakantan. Hinduism for All is available online at www.giri.in and across Giri Trading Agency Private Limited, A chain of Speciality Stores dealing in all kinds of products needed in Indian Culture and Tradition.