HYMN XLI. Visvedevas
1. WHO, Mitra-Varuna, is your pious servant to give you gifts from earth or
mighty heaven?
Preserve us in the seat of holy Order, and give the offerer power that winneth
cattle.
2 May Mitra, Varuna, Aryaman, and Ayu, Indra Rbhuksan, and the Maruts, love us,
And they who of one mind with bounteous Rudra accept the hymn and laud with
adorations.
3 You will I call to feed the car-horse, Asvins, with the wind's flight swiftest
of those who travel:
Or also to the Asura of heaven, Worshipful, bring a hymn as 'twere libation.
4 The heavenly Victor, he whose priest is Kanva, Trta with Dyaus accordant,
Vata, Agni,
All-feeding Pusan, Bhaga sought the oblation, as they whose steeds are fleetest
seek the contest.
5 Bring ye your riches forward borne on horses: let thought be framed for help
and gain of treasure.
Blest he the priest of Ausija through courses, the courses which are yours the
fleet, O Maruts.
6 Bring hither him who yokes the car, your Vayu, who praises with his songs, the
God and Singer;
And, praying and devout, noble and prudent, may the Gods' Spouses in their
thoughts retain us.
7 I speed to you with powers that should be honoured, with songs distinguishing
Heaven's mighty Daughters,
Morning and Night, the Two, as 'twere all-knowing: these bring the sacrifice
unto the mortal.
8 You I extol, the nourishers of heroes bringing you gifts, Vastospati and
Tvastar-
Rich Dhisana accords through our obeisance - andTrees and Plants, for the swift
gain of riches.
9 Ours be the Parvatas, even they, for offspring, free-moving, who are Heroes
like the Vasus.
May holy Aptya, Friend of man, exalted, strengthen our word for ever and be near
us.
10 Trta praised him, germ of the earthly hero, with pure songs him the Offspring
of the Waters.
Agn; with might neighs loudly like a charger: he of the flaming hair destroys
the forests.
11 How shall we speak to the great might of Rudra? How speak to Bhaga who takes
thought for riches?
May Plants, the Waters, and the Sky preserve us, and Woods and Mountains with
their trees for tresses.
12 May the swift Wanderer, Lord of refreshments listen to our songs, who speeds
throuih cloudy heaven:
And may the Waters, bright like castles, hear us, as they flow onward from the
cloven mountain.
13 We know your ways, ye Mighty Ones receiving choice meed, ye Wonderful, we
will proclaim it.
Even strong birds descend not to the mortal who strives to reach them with swift
blow and weapons.
14 Celestial and terrestrial generations, and Waters will I summon to the
feasting.
May days with bright dawns cause my songs to prosper, and may the conquered
streams increase their waters.
15 Duly to each one hath my laud been offered. Strong be Varutri with her powers
to succour.
May the great Mother Rasa here befriend us, straight-handed, with the princes,
striving forward.
16 How may we serve the Liberal Ones with worship, the Maruts swift of course in
invocation, the Maruts far-renowned in invocation?
Let not the Dragon of the Deep annoy us, and gladly may he welcome our
addresses.
17 Thus thinking, O ye Gods, the mortal wins you to give him increase of his
herds of cattle: the mortal wins him, O ye Gods, your favour.
Here he wins wholesome food to feed this body: as for mine old age, Nirrti
consume it
18 O Gods, may we obtain from you this favour, strengthening food through the
Cow's praise, ye Vasus.
May she who gives good gifts, the gracious Goddes. s, come speeding nigh to us
for our well-being.
19 May Ila, Mother of the herds of cattle, and Urvasi with all the streams
accept us;
May Urvasi in lofty heaven accepting, as she partakes the oblation of the
living,
20 Visit us while she shares Urjavya's food.
HYMN XLII. Visvedevas.
1. Now may our sweetest song with deep devotion reach Varuna, Mitra, Aditi, and
Bhaga.
May the Five Priests' Lord, dwelling in oblations, bliss-giving Asura, hear,
whose paths are open.
2 May Aditi welcome, even as a mother her dear heart-gladdening son, my song
that lauds her.
The prayer they love, bliss-giving, God-appointed, I offer unto Varuna and
Mitra.
3 In spirit him, the Sagest of the Sages; with sacrificial oil and meath bedew
him
So then let him, God Savitar, provide us excellent, ready, and resplendent
treasures.
4 With willing mind, Indra, vouchsafe us cattle, prosperity, Lord of Bays! and
pious patrons;
And, with the sacred prayer by Gods appointed, give us the holy Deities'
lovingkindness.
5 God Bhaga, Savitar who deals forth riches, Indra, and they who conquer Vrtra's
treasures,
And Vaja and Rbhuksan and Purandhi, the Mighty and Immortal Ones, protect us!
6 Let us declare his deeds, the undecaying unrivalled Victor whom the Maruts
follow.
None of old times, O Maghavan, nor later, none of these days hath reached thy
hero prowess.
7 Praise him the Chief who gives the boon of riches, Brhaspati distributor of
treasures,
Who, blessing most the man who sings and praises, comes with abundant wealth to
his invoker.
8 Tended, Brhaspati, with thy protections, the princes are unharmed and girt by
heroes.
Wealth that brings bliss is found among the givers of horses and of cattle and
of raiment.
9 Make their wealth flee who, through our hymns enjoying their riches, yield us
not an ample guerdon.
Far from the sun keep those who hate devotion, the godless, prospering in their
vocation.
10 With wheelless chariots drive down him, O Maruts, who at the feasts of Gods
regards the demons.
May he, though bathed in sweat, form empty wishes, who blames his sacred rite
who toils to serve you.
11 Praise him whose bow is strong and sure his arrow, him who is Lord of every
balm that bealeth.
Worship thou Rudra for his great good favour: adore the Asura, God, with
salutations.
12 May the House-friends, the cunning-handed Artists, may the Steer's Wives, the
streams carved out by Vibhvan,
And may the fair Ones honour and befriend us, Sarasvati, Brhaddiva, and Raka.
13 My newest song, thought that now springs within me, I offer to the Great, the
Sure Protector,
Who made for us this All, in fond love laying each varied form within his
Daughter's bosom.
14 Now, even now, may thy fair praise, O Singer, attain Idaspati who roars and
thunders,
Who, rich in clouds and waters with his lightning speeds forth bedewing both the
earth and heaven.
15 May this my laud attain the troop of Maruts, those who are youths in act, the
Sons of Rudra.
The wish calls me to riches and well-being: praise the unwearied Ones whose
steeds are dappled.
16 May this my laud reach earth and air's mid-region, and forest trees and
plants to win me riches.
May every Deity be swift to listen, and Mother Earth with no ill thought regard
me.
17 Gods, may we dwell in free untroubled bliss.
18 May we obtain the Asvins' newest favour, and gain their health-bestowing
happy guidance.
Bring riches hither unto us, and heroes, and all felicity and joy, Immortals!
HYMN XLIII. Visvedevas.
1. MAY the Milch-cows who hasten to their object come harmless unto us with
liquid sweetness.
The Singer, lauding, calls, for ample riches, the Seven Mighty Ones who bring
enjoyment.
2 With reverence and fair praise will I bring hither, for sake of strength,
exhaustless Earth and Heaven.
Father and Mother, sweetof speech, fairhanded, may they, far-famed, in every
fight protect us.
3 Adhvaryus, make the sweet libations ready, and bring the beautiful bright
juice to Vayu.
God, as our Priest, be thou the first to drink it: we give thee of the mead to
make thee joyful.
4 Two arms-the Soma's dexterous immo. lators-and the ten fingers set and fix the
press-stone.
The stalk hath poured, fair with its spreading branches, the mead's bright
glittering juice that dwells on mountains.
5 The Soma hath been pressed for thee, its lover, to give thee power and might
and high enjoyment.
Invoked, turn hither in thy car, O Indra, at need, thy two well-trained and dear
Bay Horses.
6 Bring by God-traversed paths, accordant, Agni, the great Aramati, Celestial
Lady,
Exalted, worshipped with our gifts and homage, who knoweth holy Law, to drink
sweet Soma.
7 As on his father's lap the son, the darling, so on the fire is set the sacred
caldron,
Which holy singers deck, as if extending and heating that which holds the fatty
membrane.
8 Hither, as herald to invite the Asvins, come the great lofty song, most sweet
and pleasant!
Come in one car, joy-givers! to the banquet, like the bolt binding pole and
nave, come hither.
9 I have declared this speech of adoration to mightiest Pusan and victorious
Vayu,
Who by their bounty are the hymns' inspirers, and of themselves give power as a
possession.
10 Invoked by us bring hither, jatavedas the Maruts all under their names and
figures.
Come to the sacrifice with aid all Maruts, all to the songs and praises of the
singer!
11 From high heaven may Sarasvati the Holy visit our sacrifice, and from the
mountain.
Eager, propitious, may the balmy Goddess hear our effectual speech, our
invocation.
12 Set in his seat the God whose back is dusky, Brhaspati the lofty, the
Disposer.
Him let us worship, set within the dwelling, the red, the golden-hued, the
allresplendent.
13 May the Sustainer, high in heaven, come hither, the Bounteous One, invoked,
with all his favours,
Dweller with Dames divine, with plants, unwearied, the Steer with triple horn,
the life-bestower.
14 The tuneful eloquent priests of him who liveth have sought the Mother's
bright and loftiest station.
As living men, with offered gifts and homage they deck the most auspicious Child
to clothe him.
15 Agni, great vital power is thine, the mighty: pairs waxing old in their
devotion seek thee.
May every Deity be swift to listen, and Mother Earth with no ill thought regard
me.
16 Gods, may we dwell in free untroubled bliss.
17 May we obtain the Asvins' newest favour, and gain their health-bestowing
happy guidance.
Bring riches hither unto us, and heroes, and all felicity and joy, Immortals!
HYMN XLIV. Visvedevas.
1. As in the first old times, as all were wont, as now, he draweth forth the
power turned hitherward with song,
The Princedom throned on holy grass, who findeth light, swift, conquering in
the' plants wherein he waxeth strong.
2 Shining to him who leaves heaven's regions undisturbed, which to his sheen who
is beneath show fair in light,
Good guardian art thou, not to be deceived, Most Wise! Far from deceits thy name
dwelleth in holy Law.
3 Truth waits upon oblation present and to come: naught checks him in his way,
this vic tory- bringing Priest:
The Mighty Child who glides along the sacred grass, the undecaying Youth set in
the midst of plants.
4 These come, well-yoked, to you for furtherance in the rite: down come the
twinborn strengtheners of Law for him,
With reins easily guided and commanding all. In the deep fall the hide stealeth
away their names.
5 Thou, moving beauteously in visibly pregnant ones, snatching with trees the
branching plant that grasps the juice,
Shinest, true Singer! mid the upholders of the voice. Increase thy Consorts
thou, lively at sacrifice.
6 Like as he is beheld such is he said to be.
They with effectual splendour in the floods have made
Earth yield us room enough and amply wide extent, great might invincible, with
store of hero sons.
7 Surya the Sage, as if unwedded, with a Spouse, in battle-loving spirit moveth
o'er the foes.
May he, self-excellent, grant us a sheltering home, a house that wards the
fierce heat off on every side.
8 Thy name, sung forth by Rsis in these hymns of ours, goes to the loftier One
with this swift mover's light.
By skill he wins the boon whereon his heart is set: he who bestirs himself shall
bring the thing to pass.
9 The chief and best of these abideth in the sea, nor doth libation fail wherein
it is prolonged.
The heart of him who praiseth trembleth not in fear there where the hymn is
found connected with the pure.
10 For it is he: with though to of Ksatra, Manasa, of Yajata, and Sadhri, and
Evavada,
With Avatsara's sweet songs will we strive to win the mightiest strength which
even he who knows should gain.
11 The Hawk is their full source, girth-stretching rapturous drink of Visvavara,
of Mayin, and Yajata.
They ever seek a fresh draught so that they may come, know when thy time to halt
and drink thy fill is near.
12 Sadaprna the holy, Tarya, Srutavit, and Bahuvrkta, joined with you, have
slain the foes.
He gains his wish in both the worlds and brightly shines-when he adores the host
with well-advancing steeds.
13 The worshipper's defender is Sutambhara, producer and uplifter of all holy
thoughts.
The milch-cow brought, sweet-flavoured milk was dealt around. Who speaks the
bidding text knows this, not he who sleeps.
11 The sacred hymns love him who wakes and watches: to him who watches come the
Sama verses.
This Soma saith unto the man who watches, I rest and have my dwelling in thy
friendship.
15 Agni is watchful, and the gcas love him; Agni is watchful, Sama verses seek
him.
Agni is watchful, to him saith this Soma, I rest and have my dwelling in thy
friendship.
HYMN XLV. Visvedevas.
1. BARDS of approaching Dawn who know the heavens are come with hymns to throw
the mountain open.
The Sun hath risen and oped the stable portals: the doors of men, too, hath the
God thrown open.
2 Surya hath spread his light as splendour: hither came the Cows' Mother,
conscious, from the stable,
To streams that flow with biting waves to deserts; and heaven is stablished like
a firm-set pillar.
3 This laud hath won the burden of the mountain. To aid the ancient birth of
mighty waters
The mountain parted, Heaven performed his office. The worshippers were worn with
constant serving.
4 With hymns and God-loved words will I invoke you, Indra and Agni, to obtain
your favour,
For verily sages, skilled in sacrificing, worship the Maruts and with lauds
invite them.
5 This day approach us: may our thoughts be holy, far from us let us cast away
misfortune.
Let us keep those who hate us at a distance, and haste to meet the man who
sacrifices.
6 Come, let us carry out, O friends, the purpose wherewith the Mother threw the
Cow's stall open,
That wherewith Manu conquered Visisipra, wherewith the wandering merchant gained
heaven's water.
7 Here, urged by hands, loudly hath rung the press-stone wherewith Navagvas
through ten months sang praises.
Sarama went aright and found the cattle. Angiras gave effect to all their
labours.
8 When at the dawning of this mighty Goddess, Angirases all sang forth with the
cattle,-
Their spring is in the loftiest place of meeting,-Sarama found the kine by
Order's pathway.
9 Borne by his Coursers Seven may Surya visit the field that spreadeth wide for
his long journey.
Down on the Soma swooped the rapid Falcon. Bright was the young Sage moving mid
his cattle.
10 Surya hath mounted to the shining ocean when he hath yoked his fair-backed
Tawny Horses.
The wise have drawn him like a ship through water: the floods obedient have
descended hither.
11 I lay upon the Floods your hymn, lightwinning, wherewith Navagvas their ten
months completed.
Through this our hymn may we have Gods to guard us: through this our hymn pass
safe beyond affliction.
HYMN XLVI. Visvedevas.
1. WELL knowing I have bound me, horselike, to the pole: I carry that which
bears as on and gives us help.
I seek for no release, no turning back therefrom. May he who knows the way, the
Leader, guide me straight.
2 O Agni, Indra, Varuna, and Mitra, give, O ye Gods, and Marut host, and Visnu.
May both Nasatyas, Rudra, heavenly Matrons, Pusan, Sarasvati, Bhaga, accept us.
3 Indra and Agni, Mitra, Varuna, Aditi, the Waters, Mountains, Maruts, Sky, and
Earth and Heaven,
Visnu I call, Pusan, and Brahmanaspati, and Bhaga, Samsa, Savitar that they may
help.
4 May Visnu also and Vata who injures none, and Soma granter of possessions give
us joy;
And may the Rbhus and the Asvins, Tvastar and Vibhvan remember us so that we may
have wealth.
5 So may the band of Maruts dwelling in the sky, the holy, come to us to sit on
sacred grass;
Brhaspati and Pusan grant us sure defence, Varuna, Mitra, Aryaman guard and
shelter us.
6 And may the Mountains famed in noble eulogies, and the fair-gleaming Rivers
keep us safe from harm.
May Bhaga the Dispenser come with power and grace, and far-pervading Aditi
listen to my call.
7 May the Gods' Spouses aid us of their own freewill, aid us to offspring and
the winning of the spoil.
Grant us protection, O ye gracious Goddesses, ye who are on the earth or in the
waters' realm.
8 May the Dames, wives of Gods, enjoy our presents, Rat, Asvini, Agnayi, and
Indrani.
May Rodasi and Varunani hear us, and Goddesses come at the Matrons' season.
HYMN XLVII. Visvedevas.
1. URGING to toil and making proclamation, seeking Heaven's Daughter comes the
Mighty Mother:
She comes, the youthful Hymn, unto the Fathers, inviting to her home and loudly
calling.
2 Swift in their motion, hasting to their duty, reaching the central point of
life immortal,
On every side about the earth and heaven go forth the spacious paths without a
limit.
3 Steer, Sea, Red Bird with strong wings, he hath entered the dwelling-place of
the Primeval Father.
A gay-hued Stone set in the midst of heaven, he hath gone forth and guards
mid-air's two limits.
4 Four bear him up and give him rest and quiet, and ten invigorate the Babe for
travel.
His kine most excellent, of threefold nature, pass swiftly round the boundaries
of heaven.
5 Wondrous, O people, is the mystic knowledge that while the waters stand the
streams are flowing:
That, separate from his Mother, Two support him, closely-united, twins, here
made apparent.
6 For him they lenghten prayers and acts of worship: the Mothers weave garments
for him their offspring.
Rejoicing, for the Steer's impregning contact, his Spouses move on paths or
heaven to meet him.
7 Be this our praise, O Varuna and Mitra may this be health and force to us, O
Agni.
May we obtain firm ground and room for resting: Glory to Heaven, the lofty
habitation!
HYMN XLVIII. Visvedevas.
1. WHAT may we meditate for the beloved Power, mighty in native strength and
glorious in itself,
Which as a magic energy seeking waters spreads even to theimmeasurable middle
region's cloud?
2 O'er all the region with their uniform advance these have spread out the lore
that giveth heroes strength.
Back, with their course reversed, the others pass away: the pious lengthens life
with those that are before.
3 With pressing-stones and with the bright beams of the day he hurls his
broadest bolt against the Guileful One.
Even he whose hundred wander in his own abode, driving the days afar and
bringing them again.
4 I, to enjoy the beauty of his form, behold that rapid rush of his as 'twere an
axe's edge,
What time he gives the man who calls on him in fight wealth like a
dwelling-house filled full with store of food.
5 Four-faced and nobly clad, Varuna, urging on the pious to his task, stirs
himself with the tongue.
Naught by our human nature do we know of him, him from whom Bhaga Savitar
bestows the boon.
HYMN XLIX. Visvedevas.
1. THIS day I bring God Savitar to meet you, and Bhaga who allots the wealth of
mortals.
You, Asvins, Heroes rich in treasures, daily seeking your friendship fain would
I turn hither.
2 Knowing full well the Asura's time of coming, worship God Savitar with hymns
and praises.
Let him who rightly knoweth speak with homage to him who dealeth out man's
noblest treasure.
3 Not for reward doth Pusan send his blessings, Bhaga, or Aditi: his garb is
splendour.
May Indra, Visniu, Varuna, Mitra, Agni produce auspicious days, the
Wonder-Workers.
4 Sending the shelter which we ask, the foeless Savitar and the Rivers shall
approach us.
When I, the sacrifice's priest, invite them, may we he lords of wealth and rich
possessions.
5 They who devote such worship to the Vasus, singing their hymns to Varuna and
Mitra,
Vouchsafe them ample room, far off be danger. Through grace of Heaven and Earth
may we be happy.
HYMN L. Visvedevas.
1. LET every mortal man elect the friendship of the guiding God.
Each one solicits him for wealth and seeks renown to prosper him.
2 These, leading God, are thine, and these here ready to speak after us.
As such may we attain to wealth and wait with services on thee.
3 So further honour as our guests the Hero Gods and then the Dames.
May he remove and keep afar our foes and all who block our path.
4 Where fire is set, and swiftly runs the victim dwelling in the trough,
He wins, with heroes in his home, friendly to man, like constant streams.
5 May these thy riches, Leader God! that rule the car, be blest to us,
Yea, blest to us for wealth and weal. This will we ponder praising strength,
this ponder as we praise the God.
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