The Hymns of the Atharvaveda, Book Three - Ancient Hindu Prayers and Charms

HYMN 1

A prayer or charm for the defeat and destruction of enemies in battle

1Let the wise Agni go against our foemen, burning against ill-will
and imprecation
Let him bewilder our opponents' army, Let Jātavedas smite and
make them handless.
2Mighty are ye for such a deed, O Maruts. Go forward, overcome
them and destroy them.
The Vasus slew, and these were left imploring. Wise Agni as our
messenger assail them!
3O Maghavan, O Indra, thou who slayest fiends, and, Agni, thou,
Burn, both of you, against these men, the foeman's host that
threatens us.
4Shot down the slope, with thy two tawny coursers, forth go thy
bolt, destroying foes, O Indra!
Slay those who fly, slay those who stand and follow.
On every side fulfil these men's intention.
5Indra, bewilder thou the foemen's army.
With Agni's, Vāta's furious rush drive them away to every side.
6Let Indra daze their army. Let the Maruts slay it with their
might.
Let Agni take their eyes away, and let the conquered host
retreat.

HYMN 2

A rifaccimento or recension of I

1May Agni, he who knows, our envoy, meet them, burning
against ill-will and imprecation.
May he bewilder our opponent's senses. May Jātavedas smite and
make them handless.
2This Agni hath bewildered all the senses that were in your
hearts:
Now let him blast you from your home, blast you away from
every side.
3Dazing their senses, Indra, come hitherward with the wish and
will.
With Agni's, Vāta's furious rush drive them to every side away.
4Vanish, ye hopes and plans of theirs, be ye confounded, all their
thoughts!
Whatever wish is in their heart, do thou expel it utterly.
5Bewildering the senses of our foemen, seize on their bodies and
depart, O Apvā!
Go meet them, flame within their hearts and burn them. Smite
thou the foes with darkness and amazement.
6That army of our enemies, O Maruts, that comes against us with'
its might, contending—
Meet ye and strike it with unwelcome darkness so that not one.
of them may know another.

HYMN 3

A charm for the restoration of an expelled king

L Loudly he roared. Here let him labour deftly. Spread, Agni, over
spacious earth and heaven.
Let Maruts who possesses all treasures yoke thee. Bring him who
reverently paid oblations.
2Though he be far away, let the red horses bring Indra, bring the
sage to us and friendship,
Since with Sautrāmani Gods for him o'erpower Gāyatri, Brihatī,
and hymn of praises.
3King Varuna call thee hither from the waters! From hills and
mountains Soma call thee hither!
Let Indra call thee hither to these people. Fly hither to these
people as a falcon.
4May the hawk bring the man who must be summoned, from far
away, in alien land, an exile.
May both the Asvins make thy pathway easy. Come, and unite
yourselves with him, ye Kinsmen.
5Let thine opponents call thee back. Thy friends have chosen,
thee again.
Indra and Agni, all the Gods have kept thy home amid the
tribe.
6He who disputes our calling thee, be he a stranger or akin.
Drive him, O Indra, far away, and do thou bring this man to
us.

HYMN 4

A benediction at the election of a king

1To thee hath come the kingship with its splendour: On! shine
as lord, sole ruler of the people.
King! let all regions of the heavens invite thee. Here let men
wait on thee and bow before thee.
2The tribesmen shall elect thee for the Kingship, these five celestial
regions shall elect thee.
Rest on the height and top of kingly power: thence as a mighty
man award us treasures.
3Kinsmen, inviting thee, shall go to meet thee, with thee go
Agni as an active herald.
Let women and their sons be friendly-minded. Thou mighty one,
shalt see abundant tribute.
4First shall the Asvins, Varuna and Mitra, the Universal Gods,
and Maruts call thee.
Then turn thy mind to giving gifts of treasures, thence, mighty
one, distribute wealth among us.
5Speed to us hither from the farthest distance. Propitious unto
thee be Earth and Heaven.
Even so hath Varuna this King asserted, he who himself hath
called thee: come thou hither.
6Pass to the tribes of men. O Indra, Indra. Thou the Varunas
hast been found accordant.
To his own place this one hath called thee, saying, Let him adore
the Gods and guide the clansmen.
7The Bounteous Paths in sundry forms and places,
all in accord, have given thee room and comfort.
Let all of these in concert call thee hither. Live thy tenth decade
here, a strong kind ruler.

HYMN 5

A King's address to an amulet which is to strengthen his authority

1This Parna-Amulet hath come, strong and destroying with its
strength my rivals.
The power of the Gods, the plants' sweet essence, may it incite
me ceaselessly with vigour.
2O Parna-Amulet, in me set firmly might and opulence.
Within the compass of my rule may I be rooted and supreme.
3That dear mysterious Amulet which Gods have set within the
tree,
May the Gods grant to me to wear together with extended
life.
4As Indra's gift, by Varuna instructed, Parna hath come, the
mighty strength of Soma:
This would I, brightly shining, love and cherish for long life
lasting through a hundred autumns.
5The Parna-Charm hath come to me for great security from ill.
That I may be exalted, yea, above the wealth of Aryaman.
6Sagacious builders of the car, cleaver and skilful artisans,—
Make all the men on every side, Parna, obedient to my will
7The kings and makers of the kings, troop-leaders, masters of the
horse,
Make all the men on every side, Parna, obedient to my will.
8Thou, Parna, art my body's guard, man kin my birth to me a
man.
With splendour of the circling year I bind thee on me, Amulet!

HYMN 6

Address to an amulet which is to secure the defeat of the wearer's enemies

1Masculine springs from masculine, Asvattha grows from Kha-
dira,
May it destroy mine enemies, who hate me and whom I detest.
2Crush down my foes, Asvattha! Rend, O Burster, those who
storm and rage,
With Indra, slayer of the fiends, with Mitra and with Varuna.
3As thou hast rent and torn apart, Asvattha! in the mighty sea,
So rend asundar all those men who hate me and whom I detest.
4Thou who like some victorious bull displayest thy surpassing
might,
With thee, with thee, Asvattha! we would overcome our
enemies.
5Nirriti bind them with the bonds of Death which never may be
loosed.
Mine enemies, Asvattha! those who hate me and whom I
detest.
6As thou, Asvastha!, mountest on the trees and overthrowest
them,
So do thou break my foeman's head asunder and o'erpower
him.
7Let them drift downward like a boat torn from the rope that
fastened it.
There is no turning back for those whom He who Cleaves hath
driven away.
8With mental power I drive them forth, drive them with intellect
and charm.
We banish and expel them with the branch of an Asvattha tree.

HYMN 7

A charm with an amulet of buck horn to drive away hereditary disease

1The fleet-foot Roebuck wears upon his head a healing remedy.
Innate disease he drives away to all directions with his horn.
2With his four feet the vigorous Buck hath bounded in pursuit of
thee.
Unbind the chronic sickness, Horn! deeply inwoven in the heart.
3That which shines younder, like a roof resting on four walls,
down on us,—
Therewith from out thy body we drive all the chronic malady,
4May those twin stars, auspicious, named Releasers, up in yonder
sky.
Loose of the chronic malady the uppermost and lowest bond.
5Water, indeed, hath power to heal, Water drives malady away.
May water—for it healeth all—free thee from permanent disease.
6Hath some prepared decoction brought inveterate disease on
thee,
I know the balm that healeth it: we drive the malady away.
7What time the starlight disappears, what time the gleams of
Dawn depart,
May evil fortune pass from us, the chronic sickness disappear.

HYMN 8

A charm to secure the submission, love, and fidelity of kinsmen

1Let Mitra come, arranging, with the Seasons, lulling the Earth
to rest with gleams of splendour.
And so let Agni, Varuna, and Vāyu make our dominion tran-
quil and exalted.
2May Indra, Tvashtar hear my word with favour, may Dhātar,
Rāti, Savitar accept it.
I call the Goddess Aditi, heroes' mother, that I may be the
centre of my kinsmen.
3Soma I call, and Savitar with homage, and all the Ādityas in the
time of contest.
Long may this fire send forth its splendour, lighted by kinsmen
uttering no word against me.
4Here, verily, may you stay: go ye no farther. The strong Herd,
Lord of Increase, drive you hither!
To please this man may all the Gods together come unto you
and be as dames who love him.
5We bend together all your minds, your vows and purposes we
bend.
We bend together you who stand apart with hopes opposed to
ours.
6I with my spirit seize and hold your spirits. Follow with thought
and wish my thoughts and wishes.
I make your hearts the thralls of my dominion; on me attendant
come thy way I guide you.

HYMN 9

A charm against rheumatism (vishkondha)

1Heaven is the sire, the mother Earth, of Karsapha and Visapha.
As ye have brought them hither, Gods! so do ye move therm
hence away.
2The bands hold fast without a knot: this is the way that Manu-
used.
I make Vishkandha impotent as one emasculateth bulls.
3Then to a tawny-coloured string the wise and skilful bind a
brush.
Let bandages make impotent the strong and active Kābava.
4Ye who move active in your strength like Gods with Asuras'
magic powers,
Even as the monkey scorns the dogs, Bandages! scorn the
Kābava.
5Yea, I will chide thee to thy shame, I will disgrace the Kābava.
Under our impracations ye, like rapid cars, shall pass away.
6One and one hundred over earth are the Vishkandhas spread
abroad.
Before these have they fetched thee forth. Vishkandha quelling
Amulet.

HYMN 10

A new year prayer

1The First hath dawned. With Yama may it be a cow to pour
forth milk.
May she be rich in milk and stream for us through many a com-
ing year.
2May she whom Gods accept with joy, Night who approacheth.
as a cow,
She who is Consort of the Year, bring us abundant happiness
3Thou whom with reverence we approach, O Night, as model of
the Year,
Vouchsafe. us children long to live; bless us with increase of
our wealth.
4This same is she whose light first dawned upon us: she moves
established in the midst of others:
Great powers and glories are contained within her: a first-born
bride, she conquers and bears children.
5Loud was the wooden pass-gear's ring and rattle, as it made
annual oblation ready.
First Ashtakā! may we be lords of riches, with goodly children
and good men about us.
6The shrine of Ilā flows with oil and fatness: accept, O Jātavedas,
our oblations.
Tame animals of varied form and colour—may all the seven
abide with me contented.
7Come thou to nourish me and make me prosper. Night! may the
favour of the Gods attend us.
Filled full, O Ladle, fly thou forth. Completely filled fly back
again.
Serving at every sacrifice bring to us food and energy.
8This Year hath come to us, thy lord and consort, O Ekāshtakā.
Vouchsafe us children long to live, bless us with increase of our
wealth.
9The Seasons, and the Seasons' Lords I worship, annual parts
and groups.
Half years, Years, Months, I offer to the Lord of all existing
things.
10I offer to the Seasons, to their several groups, to Months, to
Years.
Dhātar, Vidhātar, Fortune, to the lord of all existing things.
11With fatness and libation we sacrifice and adore the Gods.
Wealthy in kine may we retire to rest us in our modest homes.
12Ekāshtakā, burning with zealous fervour, brought forth her
babe the great and glorious Indra.
With him the Gods subdued their adversaries: the Lord of
Might became the Dasyus' slayer.
13Indra's and Soma's mother! thou art daughter of Prajāpati.
Satisfy thou our hearts' desires. Gladly accept our sacrifice.

HYMN 11

A charm for the recovery of a dangerously sick man

1For life I set thee free by this oblation both from unmarked'.
decline and from consumption:
Or if the grasping demon have possessed him, free him from her,.
O Indra, thou and Agni!
2Be his days ended, be he now departed, be he brought very
near to death already,
Out of Destruction's lap again I bring him, save him for life to
last a hundred autumns.
3With sacrifice thousand-eyed and hundred-powered, bringing a
hundred lives, have I restored him,
That Indra through the autumns may conduct him safe to the
farther shore of all misfortune.
4Live, waxing in thy strength a hundred autumns, live through
a hundred springs, a hundred winters!
Indra, Agni, Savitar, Brihaspati give thee a hundred! With
hundred-lived oblation have I saved him,
5Breath, Respiration, come to him, as two car-oxen to their
stall!
Let all the other deaths, whereof men count a hundred, pass
away.
6Breath, Respiration, stay ye here. Go ye not hence away from
him,
Bring, so that he may reach old age, body and members back
again.
7I give thee over to old age, make thee the subject of old age.
Let kindly old age lead thee on. Let all the other deaths, whereof
men count a hundred, pass away!
8Old age hath girt thee with its bonds even as they bind a bull
with rope.
The death held thee at thy birth bound with a firmly-knotted
noose,
Therefrom, with both the hands of Truth, Brihaspati hath loose-
ned thee.

HYMN 12

A benediction on a newly built house

1Here, even here I fix my firm-set dwelling; flowing with fatness
may it stand in safety.
May we approach thee, House! with all our people, uncharmed
and goodly men, and dwell within thee,
2Even here, O House, stand thou on firm foundation, wealthy in
horses, rich in kine and gladness.
Wealthy in nourishment. in milk and fatness, rise up for great
felicity and fortune.
3A spacious store, O House, art thou, full of clean corn and
lofty-roofed.
Let the young calf and little boy approach thee, and milch-kine
streaming homeward in the evening.
4This House may Savitar and Vāyu stablish, Brihaspati who
knows the way, and Indra.
May the moist Maruts sprinkle it with fatness, and may King
Bhaga make our corn-land fruitful.
5Queen of the home! thou, sheltering, kindly Goddess, wast sta-
blished by the Gods in the beginning.
Clad in thy robe of grass be friendly-minded, and give us wealth
with goodly men about us.
6Thou Pole, in ordered fashion mount the pillar. Strong, shining
forth afar, keep off our foemen.
House! let not those who dwell within thee suffer. Live we with
all our men, a hundred autumns.
7To this the tender boy hath come, to this the calf with all the
beasts,
To this crock of foaming drink, hither with jars of curdled
milk.
8Bring hitherward, O dame, the well-filled pitcher, the stream
of molten butter blent with nectar.
Bedew these drinkers with a draught of Amrit.
May all our hopes' fulfilment guard this dwelling.
9Water that kills Consumption, free from all Consumption, here
I bring.
With Agni, the immortal one, I enter and possess the house.

HYMN 13

A benediction on a newly cut water channel

1As ye, when Ahi had been slain, flowed forth together with a
roar,
So are ye called the Roaring Ones: this, O ye Rivers, is your
name.
2As driven forth by Varuna ye swiftly urged your rolling waves,
There Indra reached you as you flowed; hence ye are still the
Water-floods.
3Indra restrained you with his might. Goddesses, as ye glided
on
Not in accordance with his will: hence have ye got the name of
Streams.
4One only God set foot on you flowing according to your will,
The mighty ones breathed upward fast: hence; Water is the name
they bear.
5Water is good, water indeed is fatness. Agni and Soma, truly,
both bring water.
May the strong rain of those who scatter sweetness come helpful
unto me with breath and vigour.
6Then verily, I see, yea, also hear them: their sound approaches
me, their voice comes hither.
Even then I think I am enjoying Amrit, what time I drink my
fill of you, gold coloured!
7Here, O ye Waters, is your heart. Here is your calf, ye holy
ones.
Flow here, just here, O mighty Streams, whither I now am lead-
ing you.

HYMN 14

A benediction on a cattle pen

1A Pen wherein to dwell at ease, abundance and prosperity,
Whate'er is called the birth of day, all this do we bestow on
you.
2May Aryaman pour gifts on you, and Pūshan, land Brihaspati,
And Indra, winner of the prize. Make ye my riches grow with me.
3Moving together, free from fear, with plenteous droppings in
this pen,
Bearing sweet milk-like Soma-juice, come hither free from all
disease.
4Come hither, to this place, O Cows: here thrive as though ye
were manured.
Even here increase and multiply; let us be friendly, you and me.
5Auspicious be this stall to you. Prosper like cultivated rice.
Even here increase and multiply. Myself do we bestow on you.
6Follow me, Cows, as master of the cattle. Here may this Cow-
pen make you grow and prosper,
Still while we live may we approach you living, ever increasing
with the growth of riches.

HYMN 15

A merchant's prayer for success in his business

1I stir and animate the merchant Indra; may he approach and
be our guide and leader.
Chasing ill-will, wild beast, and highway robber, may he who
hath the power give me riches.
2The many paths which Gods are wont to travel, the paths which
go between the earth and heaven,
May they rejoice with me in milk and fatness that I may make
rich profit by my purchase.
3With fuel. Agni! and with butter, longing, mine offering I
present for strength and conquest;
With prayer, so far as I have strength, adoring—this holy hymn
to gain a hundred treasures.
4Pardon this stubbornness of ours. O Agni, the distant pathway
which our feet have trodden.
Propitious unto us be sale and barter, may interchange of mer-
chandise enrich me.
Accept, ye twain, accordant, this libation! Prosperous be our
ventures and incomings.
5The wealth wherewith I carry on my traffic, seeking, ye Gods!
wealth with the wealth I offer,
May this grow more for me, not less: O Agni, through sacrifice
chase those who hinder profit!
6The wealth wherewith I carry on my traffic, seeking, ye Gods!
wealth with the wealth I offer,
Herein may Indra, Savitar, and Soma, Prajāpati, and Agni give
me splendour.
7With reverence we sign thy praise, O Hotar-priest Vaisvānara.
Over our children keep thou watch, over our bodies, kine, and
lives.
8Still to thee ever will we bring oblation, as to a stabled horse, O
Jātavedas.
Joying in food and in the growth of riches may we thy servants,
Agni, never suffer.

HYMN 16

A Rishi's morning prayer

1Agni at dawn, and Indra we invoke at dawn, and Varuna and
Mitra, and the Asvins twain:
Bhaga at dawn, Pūshan and Brāhmanaspati, Soma at dawn, and
Rudra we invoke at dawn.
2We all strong Bhaga, conqueror in the morning, the son of
Aditi, the great Disposer,
Whom each who deems himself poor, strong and mighty, a king,
addresses thus, Grant thou my portion!
3Bhaga, our guide, Bhaga whose gifts are faithful, favour this
hymn and give us wealth, O Bhaga.
Bhaga, augment our store of kine and horses. Bhaga, may we be
rich in men and heroes.
4So may felicity be ours at present, and when the Sun advances,
and at noontide;
And may we still, O Bounteous One, at sunset be happy in the
Gods' protecting favour.
5May Bhaga verily be bliss-bestower, and through him, Gods!
may happiness attend us.
As such with all my might I call and call thee: as such be thou
our leader here, O Bhaga.
6To this our sacrifice may the Dawns incline them, and come to
the pure place like Dadhikrāvan.
As strong steeds draw a chariot may they bring me hitherward
Bhaga who discovers treasure.
7May the kind Mornings dawn on us for ever with, wealth of
kine, of horses, and of heroes.
Streaming with all abundance, pouring fatness,
Do ye preserve us evermore with blessings!

HYMN 17

A farmer's song and prayer to speed the plough

1Wise and devoted to the Gods the skilful men bind plough-ropes
fast,
And lay the yokes on either side.
2Lay on the yokes and fasten well the traces: formed is the
furrow, sow the seed within it.
Virāj vouchsafe us hearing fraught with plenty!
Let the ripe grain come near and near the sickle.
3The keen-shared plough that bringeth bliss, furnished with traces
and with stilts,
Shear out for me a cow, a sheep, a rapid drawer of the car, a
blooming woman, plump and strong!
4May Indra press the furrow down, may Pūshan guard and cherish
her.
May she, well stored with milk yield milk for us through each
succeeding year.
5Happily let the shares turn up the ploughland, the ploughers
happily follow the oxen.
Pleased with our sacrifice, Suna and Sira! make the plants bring
this man abundant produce.
6Happily work our steers and men! May the plough furrow
happily,
Happily be the traces bound. Happily ply the driving-goad.
7Suna and Sira, welcome ye this laud, and with the milk that ye
have made in heaven,
Bedew ye both this earth of ours.
8Auspicious Sitā, come thou near: we venerate and worship thee.
That thou mayst bless and prosper us and bring us fruits
abundantly.
9Loved by the Visvedevas and the Maruts, let Sitā be bedewed.
with oil and honey.
Turn thou to us with wealth of milk, O Sitā, in vigorous
strength and pouring streams of fatness.

HYMN 18

A jealous wife's incantation against a rival

1From out the earth I dig this Plant, and herb of most effectual
power,
Wherewith one quells the rival wife and gains the husband for
one's self.
2Auspicious, with expanded leaves, sent by the Gods, victorious
Plant,
Drive thou, the rival wife away, and make my husband only
mine.
3Indeed he hath not named her name: thou with this husband
dalliest not,
Far into distance most remote we drive the rival wife away.
4Stronger am I, O stronger one, yea, mightier than the mightier;
Beneath me be my rival wife, down, lower than the lowest
dames!
5I am the conqueror, and thou, thou also art victorious:
As victory attends us both we will subdue my fellowwife.
6I've girt thee with the conquering Plant, beneath thee laid the
mightiest one.
As a cow hastens to her calf, so let thy spirit speed to me,
hasten like water on its way.

HYMN 19

A glorification of the office of a king's household priest

1Quickened is this my priest rank, quickened is manly strength
and force,
Quickened be changeless power, whereof I am the conquering
President!
2I quicken these men's princely sway, the might, the manly
strength and force;
I rend away the foemen's arms with this presented sacrifice.
3Down fall the men, low let them lie, who fight against our
mighty prince,
I ruin foemen with my spell, and raise my friends to high estate.
4Keener than is the axe's edge, keener than Agni's self are they,
Keener than Indra's bolt are they whose Priest and President am I.
5The weapons of these men I whet and sharpen, with valiant
heroes I increase their kingdom.
Victorious be their power and ever ageless! May all the Gods
promote their thoughts and wishes.
66Let their fierce powers, O Maghavan, be heightened, and upward
go the shout of conquering heroes.
Apart and clear, let shout and roar and shriek and lamentation
rise!
Let the Gods led by Indra, let the Maruts with our army go.
7Advance and be victorious, men I Exceeding mighty be your
arms!
Smite with sharp-pointed arrows those whose bows are weak.
With your strong arms and weapons smite the feeble foe.
8Loosed from the bowstring fly away, thou Arrow, sharpened by
our prayer.
Assail the foemen, vanquish them, conquer each bravest man of
theirs, and let not one of them escape.

HYMN 20

A prayer for riches and general prosperity

1This is thine ordered place of birth whence sprung to life thou
shinest forth.
Knowing this, Agni, mount on high and cause our riches to
increase.
2Turn hither, Agni, speak to us, come to us with a friendly mind.
Enrich us, Sovran of the Tribes! Thou art the giver of our
wealth.
3Let Aryaman vouchsafe us, wealth, and Bhaga, and Brihaspati,
The Goddesses grant wealth to us, Sūnritā, Goddess, give me
wealth!
4We call King Soma to our aid, and Agni with our songs and.
hymn,
The Ādityas, Vishnu, Sūrya, and the Brāhman-priest Brihaspati.
5Do thou, O Agni, with thy fires strengthen our prayer and.
sacrifice.
Incite thou us, O God, to give, and send us riches to bestow.
6Both Indra here and Vāyu we invoke with an auspicious call,
That in assembly all the folk may be benevolent to us, and be
inclined to give us gifts.
7Urge Aryaman to send us gifts, and Indra, and Brihaspati,
Vāta, Vishnu, Sarasvati, and the strong courser Savitar.
8Now have we reached the ordering of power, and all these
worlds of life are held within it.
Let him who knows urge e'en the churl to bounty Give wealth.
to us with all good men about us.
9May heaven's five spacious regions pour their milk for me with
all their might.
May I obtain each wish and hope formed by my spirit and my
heart.
10May speech that winneth cows be mine. With splendour mount
thou over me.
May Vāyu hedge me round about May Pūshan make me pros-
perous.

HYMN 21

In honour of fire in all shapes, to appease Agni of the funeral pile and to quench the flames of cremation

1All Fires that are in water and in Vritra, all those that man and
stones contain within them,
That which hath entered herbs and trees and bushes—to all
these Fires be this oblation offered.
2That which abides in Soma and in cattle, that which lies deep in
birds and sylvan creatures,
That which hath entered quadrupeds and bipeds—to all these
Fires be this oblation offered.
3The Fire that rideth by the side of Indra, the God Vaisvānara,.
yea all-consuming,
Whom, as the victor, I invoke in battles—to all these Fires be
this oblation offered.
4The all-devouring God whom men call Kāma, he whom they
call the Giver and Receiver,
Invincible, pervading, wise, and mighty—to all these Fires be
this oblation offered.
5To thee, strength-giver, glorious, rich in pleasant strains, whom.
in their minds the thirteen creatures of the world,
And the five sons of man regard as Hotar-priest—to all these-
Fires be this oblation offered.
6To him who feeds on ox and cow, sage, bearing Soma on his
back,
To all Vaisvānara's followers—to these be this oblation paid.
7All fiery flames that follow after lightning, flashing o'er earth,
through firmament and heaven,
All that are in the wind and skyey regions—to all these Fires be
this oblation offered.
8The golden-handed Savitar and Indra, Brihaspati, Varuna,
Mitra, and Agni,
The Angirases we call, the Visve Devas: let them appease this
Agni, Flesh-devourer.
9Flesh-eating Agni is appeased, appeased is he who hurteth men.
Now him who burneth every thing, the Flesh-consumer, have I
stilled.
10The mountains where the Soma grows, the waters lying calm and
still,
Vāta, Parjanya, Agni's self have made the Flesh-consumer rest.

HYMN 22

The taming and training of an elephant for a king to ride on

1Famed be the Elephant's strength, the lofty glory, which out of
Aditi's body took existence!
They all have given me this for my possession, even all the Gods
and Aditi accordant.
2On this have Mitra, Varuna, Indra, and Rudra fixed their
thought.
May those all-fostering deities anoint and balm me with his
strength.
3The strength wherewith the Elephant was dowered, that decks a
King among the men, in waters,
O Agni, even with that strength make thou me vigorous to-day.
4The lofty strength which sacrifice brings, Jātavedas! unto thee,
What strength the Sun possesses, all strength of the royal Ele-
phant—such strength vouchsafe to me the pair of Asvins
lotus-garlanded!
5Far as the heaven's four regions spread, far as the eye's most
distant ken.
So wide, so vast let power be mine, this vigour of the Elephant.
6Now hath the Elephant become chief of all pleasant beasts to
ride.
With his high fortune and his strength I grace and conscorate
myself.

HYMN 23

A charm to remove a woman's sterility, and to assure the birth of boys

1From thee we banish and expel the cause of thy sterility.
This in another place we lay apart from thee and far removed.
2As arrow to the quiver, so let a male embryo enter thee.
Then from thy side be born a babe, a ten-month child, thy hero
son.
3Bring forth a male, bring forth a son. Another male shall follow
him.
The mother shalt thou be of sons born and hereafter to be
born.
4With that auspicious general flow wherewith steers propagate
their kind,
Do thou obtain thyself a son: be thou a fruitfu! mother-cow.
5I give thee power to bear a child: within, thee pass the germ of
life!
Obtain a son, O woman, who shall be a blessing unto thee. Be
thou a blessing unto him.
6May those celestial herbs whose sire was Heaven, the Earth their
mother, and their root the ocean.
May those celestial healing Plants assist thee to obtain a son.

HYMN 24

A song of harvest

1The plants of earth are rich in milk, and rich in milk is this
my word,
So from the rich in milk I bring thousandfold profit hitherward.
2Him who is rich in milk I know. Abundant hath he made our
corn.
The God whose name is Gatherer, him we invoke who dwelleth
in his house who sacrifices not.
3All the five regions of the heavens, all the five races of man-
kind,
As after rain the stream brings drift, let them bring increase
hitherward.
4Open the well with hundred streams, exhaustless, with a thousand
streams.
So cause this corn of ours to be exhaustless, with a thousand
streams.
5O Hundred-handed, gather up. O Thousand-handed, pour thou
forth.
Bring hither increase of the corn prepared and yet to be pre-
pared.
6Three sheaves are the Gandharvas' claim, the lady of the house
hath four.
We touch thee with the sheaf that is the most abundant of them
all.
7Adding and Gathering are thy two attendants, O Prajāpati.
May they bring hither increase, wealth abundant, inexhaustible.

HYMN 25

A man's love-charm

1Let the Impeller goad thee on. Rest not in peace upon thy bed.
Terrible is the shaft of Love: therewith I pierce thee to the
heart.
2That arrow winged with longing thought, its stem Desire, its
neck, Resolve,
Let Kāma, having truly aimed, shoot forth and pierce thee in
the heart.
3The shaft of Kāma, pointed well, that withers and consumes the
spleen.
With hasty feathers, all aglow, therewith I pierce thee to the
heart.
4Pierced through with fiercely-burning heat, steal to me with thy
parching lips,
Gentle and humble, all mine own, devoted, with sweet words of
love.
5Away Lfrom mother and from sire I drive thee hither with a
whip,
That thou mayst be at my command and yield to every wish of
mine.
6Mitra and Varuna, expel all thought and purpose from her
heart.
Deprive her of her own free will and make her subject unto me.

HYMN 26

A charm to win the favour of all serpents

1Ye Gods who dwell within this eastward region, entitled
Weapons, Agni forms your arrows.
Be kind and gracious unto us and bless us. To you be reverence,
to you be welcome!
2Ye Gods who dwell within this southward region, entitled Eager,
Kāma forms your arrows.
Be kind, etc.
3Ye Gods who dwell within this westward region, whose name is
Radiant, Water forms your arrows.
Be kind, etc.
4Ye Gods who dwell within this northward region, whose name
is Piercers, Vāta forms your arrows.
Be kind, etc.
5Ye Gods whose home is in this firm-set region—Nilimpas is your
name—Plants are your arrow.
Be kind, etc.
6Ye Gods whose home is in this upmost region, Yearners by
name, Brihaspati forms your arrows.
Be kind and gracious unto us and bless us. To you be reverence,
to you be welcome!

HYMN 27

A charm consigning an enemy to the serpents for punishment

1Agni is regent of the East, its warder is Asita, the Ādityas are
the arrows.
Worship to these the regents, these the warders, and to the
arrows, yea, to these be worship!
Within your jaws we lay the man who hateth us and whom we
hate.
2Indra is regent of the South, its warder Tiraschirāji, and the
shafts the Fathers.
Worship to these the regents, these the warders, and to the
arrows, yea, to these be worship!
Within your jaws we lay the man who hateth us and whom we
hate.
3Of the West region Varuna is ruler, Pridāku warder, Nourish-
ment the arrows.
Worship, etc.
4Soma is ruler of the Northern region, Svaja the warder, lightn-
ing's flash the arrows.
Worship, etc.
5Vishnu is ruler of the firm-set region, Kalmāshagriva warder,
Plants the arrows.
Worship, etc.
6Brihaspati controls the topmost region, Svitra is warder, and
the Rain the arrows.
Worship to these the regents, these the warders, and to the
arrows, yea, to these be worship,!
Within your jaws we lay the man who hateth us and whom we
hate.

HYMN 28

A charm to change the ill-omened birth of twin calves into a blessing

1This cow was born to bring forth offspring singly, though they
created kine of every colour.
When she produces twins in spite of Order, sullen, with groan
and grudge she harms the cattle.
2She brings destruction on the beasts, turned to a flesh-devouring
worm.
Yes, give her to the Brāhman that she may bring luck and
happiness.
3Be thou auspicious to our folk, bring luck to horses and to kine.
Auspicious unto all this farm, bring luck and happiness to us.
4Let there be rain and increase here, here be thou most munifi-
cient.
Mother of twins, prosper our herd.
5Where, having left all sickness of their bodies, the pious lead, as
friends, their lives of gladness
Nigh to that world approached the twin calves' mother. Let her
not harm our people and our cattle.
6Where lies the world of those dear friends, the pious, those who
have brought due sacrifice to Agni
Nigh to that world approached the twins calves' mother. Let her
not harm our people and our cattle.

HYMN 29

On the means to obtain immunity from taxation in the next world

1When yonder kings who sit beside Yama divide among them-
selves the sixteenth part of hopes fulfilled,
A ram bestowed as sacrifice, white-footed, frees us from the tax.
2He satisfies each hope and want, prevailing, present and pre-
pared.
The wish-fulfilling ram, bestowed, white-footed is exhaustless
still.
3He who bestows a white-hooved ram, adequate to the place he
holds.
Ascends to the celestial height, the heaven where tribute is not
paid to one more mighty by the weak.
4He who bestows a white-hooved ram, adequate to the place he
holds.
Offered with five cakes, lives on that, unwasting, in the Fathers'
world.
5He who bestows a white-hooved ram, adequate to the place he
holds,
Offered with five cakes, lives on that, wasteless, while Sun and.
Moon endure.
6Like a refreshing draught, like sea, the mighty flood, he faileth
not.
Like the two Gods whose home is one, the ram white-footed,
faileth not.
7Whose gift was this, and given to whom? Kāma to Kāma gave
the gift.
Kāma is giver, Kāma is receiver. Kāma has passed into the sea.
Through Kāma do I take thee to myself. O Kāma, this is thine.
8May Earth receive thee as her own, and this great interspace of
air.
Neither in breath and body nor in progeny may this acceptance
do me harm.

HYMN 30

A prayer or charm to secure love and concord in a family

1Freedom from hate I bring to you, concord and unanimity.
Love one another as the cow loveth the calf that she hath borne.
2One-minded with his mother let the son be loyal to his sire.
Let the wife, calm and gentle, speak words sweet as honey to her
lord.
3No brother hate his brother, no sister to sister be unkind.
Unanimous, with one intent, speak ye your speech in friend-
liness.
4That spell through which Gods sever not, nor ever bear each
other hate,
That spell we lay upon your home, a bond of union for the
men.
5Intelligent, submissive, rest united, friendly and kind, bearing
the yoke together.
Come, speaking sweetly each one to the other. I make you one-
intentioned and one-minded.
6Let what you drink, your share of food be common together,
with one common bond I bid you.
Serve Agni, gathered round him like the spokes about the
chariot nave.
7With binding charm I make you all united, obeying one sole
leader and one-minded.
Even as the Gods who watch and guard the Amrit, at morn and
eve may ye be kindly-hearted.

HYMN 31

A charm for the recovery of one dangerously ill

1May Gods release from failing strength, thou Agni, from
malignity!
I free from every evil, from decline: I compass round with life.
2May Pavamāna free from harm, and Sakra from unrighteous
deed.
I free from every evil, from decline: I compass round with life.
3Tame beasts have parted from wild beasts, water and thirst have
gone apart
I free, etc.
4Parted are heaven and earth, and paths turned to each quarter
of the sky.
I free, etc.
5Tvashtar prepares the bridal of his daughter; then all this world
of life departs and leaves him.
I free, etc.
6Agni combines the vital airs. The moon is closely joined with
breath.
I free. etc.
7The Gods have lifted up with breath the Sun whose might is
everywhere.
I free, etc.
8Die not. Live with the breath of those who make and who enjoy
long life.
I free, etc.
9Die not. Stay here. Breathe with the breath of those who draw
the vital air.
I free, etc.
10Rise up with life, conjoined with life. Up, with the sap of growing
plants!
I free, etc.
11We as immortal beings have arisen with Parjanya's rain,
I free from every evil, from decline: I compass round with life.

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