Vedic Mythology c5.s2.29

c5.s2.29

More generally Indra is spoken of as the one compassionate helper (1, 84¹⁹; 8, 55¹³. 69¹), as the deliverer and advocate of his worshippers (8, 85²⁰), as their strength (7, 31⁵), and as a wall of defence (8, 69⁷). His friend is never slain or conquered (10, 152¹). Indra is very often called the friend of his worshippers²⁷, sometimes even a brother (3, 53⁵), a father (4, 17¹⁷; 10, 48¹) or a father and mother in one (8, 87¹¹). He was also the friend of the fathers in the olden time (6, 21⁸ cp. 7, 33⁴), and the epithet Kauśika which he once receives (1, 10¹¹), implies that he particularly favoured the family of the Kuśikas²⁸. Indra does not desire the friendship of him who offers no libations (10, 42⁴). But he bestows goods and wealth on the pious man (2, 19⁴. 22³; 7, 27³), and is implored not to be diverted by other worshippers (2, 18³ &c.)²⁹. All men share his benefits (8, 54⁷). Both his hands are full of riches (7, 37³). He is a treasury filled with wealth (10, 42²). He can shower satisfying wealth on his worshippers as a man with a hook shakes down ripe fruit from a tree (3, 45⁴). Gods and mortals can no more stop him wishing to give than a terrific bull (8, 70³). He is an ocean of riches (1, 51¹), and all the paths of wealth lead to him as the rivers to the sea (6, 19⁵). One entire hymn in particular (10, 47) dwells on the manifold wealth which Indra bestows. Cows and horses are the goods which Indra, like other gods, is most often asked to bestow (1, 16⁹. 101⁴ &c.), and it is chiefly to him that the epithet *gopati*, 'lord of cows' is applied. His combats are frequently called *gaviṣṭi*, literally 'desire of cows' (8, 24⁵ &c.) and his gifts are considered the result of victories (4, 17¹⁰. ¹¹ &c.: cp. BRV. 2, 178). Indra also bestows wives (4, 17¹⁶) and male children (1, 53⁵ &c.). His liberality is so characteristic that the very frequent attribute *maghavan*, 'bountiful' is almost entirely monopolized by him in the RV. (cp. p. 48) and in post-Vedic literature remains his exclusive epithet. The epithet *vasupati*, 'lord of wealth', is also predominantly applicable to Indra.