A shot across the bow from elegant Vāmadeva for those who think Indra is a priest king.
This is the ancient path traced out (anu‑vittaḥ), from which all gods were born. From that, indeed, he was born full grown (pravṛddhaḥ). He said, “Who will take me (pattave) to my mother”?
“Not I, came out by that difficult passage (durghe). I came out sideways, through the flanks (tiraścatā pārśvān). Many deeds (kartvāni) have been done by me. Ask me about them for battle (yudhyai), you who will fight with me together (saṃ‑tvena).”
He looked after his mother as she went away. “I will not follow,” he said.
In Tvaṣṭṛ’s house Indra drank Soma — the pressed that flows in one hundred streams from the pressing vessel (śatadhanyam camvoḥ sutasya).In truth (ṛdhak) what did he accomplish, he who bore a thousand months and numerous autumns (śaradaḥ)? For he has no equal (pratimānam), neither among the born nor among those who will be born (ye janitvāḥ).
Thinking as if blameworthy (avadyam iva), his mother hid him (guhākar) pressed down because of his power (vīryeṇā nyṛṣṭam). Then he rose up by himself (athod asthāt svayam) clothed in his garment (atkaṃ vasānaḥ) and filled heaven and earth as he was born.
These rush (arṣanti), crying out together like women in labour (ṛtāvarīḥ iva). Ask them what they are saying — which waters break the stone enclosure (adrim paridhiṃ rujanti)?
Indeed, what messages (nividaḥ) do the waters speak to him, wishing to declare (didhiṣantaḥ) Indra’s blame (avadyam)? “Our son (putraḥ),” they say, “having slain Vṛtra with a great blow released the rivers (vi sindhūn).”
“Even the young women recoiled (parāsa) from me. Even the potter’s wife awoke (jagāra) because of me. Even the waters pleased the child (śiśave mamṛḍyur). Even I, Indra stood up with might (sahasod atiṣṭhat).”
“Even, Oh bountiful (maghavan), you withheld your jaws (vyaṃso nivividhvām̐ ) from me.” He struck the jaws away, Dāsa’s head was crushed with the blow.
The milch cow (gṛṣṭiḥ) bore the strong one (sthaviram) who comes to you — the unassailable (anādhṛṣyam) bull, mighty Indra. The mother licked the calf that desired (icchamānam) to wander himself (tanva) on his own (svayaṃ).
And the mother followed after the bull calf (mahiṣam): “These gods shrink from you child (jahati putra).” Then Indra, about to slay Vṛtra, said, “Friend Viṣṇu (sakhe viṣṇo), stride out wide.”
Who rendered your mother a widow? Who tried to kill you as you moved about (carantam) helpless (śayuṃ)? What god was merciful (adhi mārḍīkaḥ) to you when you seized your father by the foot (pāda‑gṛhya) and struck him down (prākṣiṇaḥ)?
“I boiled the entrails of a dog (śuna āntrāṇi) in a pot. I found none who showed mercy among the gods (marḍitāram). I saw my mother humiliated (amahīyamānām). Then the falcon (śyenaḥ) brought me honey (madhū).”
RV IV.18 (Indra) ~ Vāmadeva Gautama
