Indra is praised extensively in the Ṛgveda, where over 250 hymns are devoted to him.
ॐ सहस्रनेत्राय विद्महे
वज्रास्त्राय धीमहि
तन्नो इन्द्रः प्रचोदयात्॥
Om Sahasranetrāya vidmahe
Vajrāstrāya dhīmahi
Tan-no Indraḥ pracodayāt
Om. We contemplate the thousand-eyed one (Indra).
We meditate upon the wielder of the divine thunderbolt.
May that Indra inspire and guide our intellect.
This mantra invokes Indra’s divine power and awareness. His “thousand eyes” symbolize vigilance and cosmic perception. His vajra (thunderbolt) represents the force of truth and protection against chaos or adharma. By meditating on Indra, one seeks strength, courage, alertness, and the power to conquer both inner and outer obstacles.
इन्द्रः वज्रेण वृतं वि वज्रायेदभिनत्।
स इन्द्रः शत्रूणां हन्ता जयति सदा॥
Indraḥ vajreṇa vṛtaṁ vi vajrāyedabhinat |
Sa Indraḥ śatrūṇāṁ hantā jayati sadā ||
Indra, with his thunderbolt, split open the obstructing cloud (Vṛtra).
That Indra, destroyer of enemies, always triumphs.
ॐ इन्द्राय नमः॥
Om Indrāya Namaḥ
Salutations to Indra.
अयं ते, इन्द्र सोमः पिब सौम्यायं स्वस्तये।
मधुश्चुतं सधस्थे ते सुतं पिबतु शक्र तः॥
Ayaṁ te, Indra somaḥ piba saumyāyaṁ svastaye |
Madhuścutaṁ sadhasthe te sutaṁ pibatu śakra taḥ ||
O Indra, here is the Soma prepared for your delight and our well-being.
May this sweetly flowing offering be accepted and drunk by you, O Śakra (another name for Indra).
ॐ वज्रधारिणे विद्महे
बलहस्ताय धीमहि
तन्नो इन्द्रः प्रचोदयात्॥
Om vajradhāriṇe vidmahe
balahastāya dhīmahi
tan-no Indraḥ pracodayāt
Om. We contemplate the thunderbolt-holder.
We meditate on the one with a mighty hand.
May that Indra inspire our intellect.