Of course several mythical events could be mentioned within the compass
of one poem. If the poet chose to organize them into a series, the outcome
might be what has been called an ‘Aufreihlied’, listing the god’s accomplish-
ments for his greater glory.^14 In the Rigveda such lists occur especially in
hymns to the As ́vins (1. 112, 116–19; 10. 39) or to Indra (1. 51; 2. 15; 4. 30; 10.
48 f.). Let 2. 15. 1–9 serve as an example:
1 Now this great one’s great,
this true one’s true deeds will I tell forth.
At the Trikadrukas he drank of the pressed (Soma);
by it exalted, Indra smashed the Serpent.
2 In space he supported the high heaven;
hefilled the two worlds (and) the air;
he made firm the earth and extended it:
this Indra did exalted by the Soma.
3 Like a dwelling he measured out the directions;
with his vajra he opened the river channels,
let them flow at will in their long-tracked paths:
this Indra did exalted by the Soma.
4 Surrounding the abductor of Dabhı ̄ti,
he burnt up all his weapon with kindled fire
(and) sent (D.) off with cattle, horses, chariots:
this Indra did exalted by the Soma.
5 He stopped that great Dhuni in his tracks,
he brought the non-swimmers safely across;
they emerged and went on to prosper:
this Indra did exalted by the Soma.
6 He made the Indus flow northwards by his power;
with his vajra he wrecked Dawn’s wagon,
hewing through the speedless (wheels?) with the speedy:
this Indra did exalted by the Soma.
7 He knew where the girls were hidden,
the rejected one came to light and stood forth;
the lame one stood firm, the blind one saw:
this Indra did exalted by the Soma.
8 He cleft Vala, and the Angirases praised him;
he broke the fastnesses of the mountain;
he swept away the ramparts they had built:
this Indra did exalted by the Soma.(^14) F. R. Schröder, ‘Eine indogermanische Liedform: das Aufreihlied’,GRM 35 (1954), 179–85
= Schmitt (1968), 177–86; de Vries (1956), i. 439 f.; Schmitt (1967), 52–5, 138–41.
314 8. Hymns and Spells