Hymns in Praise of Food From the Rig Veda
HYMN CLXXXVII. Praise of Food.
1. Now will I glorify Food that upholds great
strength,
By whose invigorating power Trita rent Vrtra limb
frorn limb.
2 O pleasant Food, O Food of meath, thee have
we chosen for our own,
So be our kind protector thou.
3 Come hitherward to us, O Food, auspicious with auspicious
help,
Health-bringing, not unkind, a dear and guileless friend.
4 These juices which, O Food, are thine throughout the regions
are diffused.
like winds they have their place in heaven.
5 These gifts of thine, O Food, O Food most sweet to taste,
These savours of thy juices work like creatures that have mighty
necks.
6 In thee, O Food, is set the spirit of great Gods.
Under thy flag brave deeds were done he slew the Dragon with
thy help.
7 If thou be gone unto the splendour of the clouds,
Even from thence, O Food of meath, prepared for our enjoyment,
come.
8 Whatever morsel we consume from waters or from plants
of earth, O Soma, wax thou fat thereby.
9 What Soma, we enjoy
from thee in milky food or barley-brew, Vatapi, grow thou fat
thereby.
10 O Vegetable, Cake of meal, he wholesome, firm,
and strengthening: Vatapi, grow thou fat thereby.
11 O Food,
from thee as such have we drawn forth with lauds, like cows,
our sacrificial gifts,
From thee who banquetest with Gods,
from thee who banquetest with us.
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Suggestions for Further Reading
- The Rig Veda translation by Griffith, Introduction
- Hymns of the Sama veda translated by Ralph T.H. Griffith
- Yajur Veda: The Veda Of The Black Yajus School
- Hymns Of The Atharva-Veda
- Anugita English Translation
- THE Sanatsugâtîya, A Spiritual Dialogue
- Dharmashastras, the Sacred Law Books of Hindus
- The Hindu Dharmashastras, Subject Index
- The Grihya Sutras, The Vedic Domestic Ritual Texts
- The Sankhya Sutras of Kapila, Index page
- Translation of Upanishads by Swami Paramananda, Index
- A History Of Indian Philosophy - Chapter Index
- The Upanishads translated by Max Muller
- Vedic Reader for Students
- The Bhagavad-gita in a nutshell
HYMN CLXXXVII. Praise of Food.
1. Now will I glorify Food that upholds great
strength,
By whose invigorating power Trita rent Vrtra limb
frorn limb.
2 O pleasant Food, O Food of meath, thee have
we chosen for our own,
So be our kind protector thou.
3 Come hitherward to us, O Food, auspicious with auspicious
help,
Health-bringing, not unkind, a dear and guileless friend.
4 These juices which, O Food, are thine throughout the regions
are diffused.
like winds they have their place in heaven.
5 These gifts of thine, O Food, O Food most sweet to taste,
These savours of thy juices work like creatures that have mighty
necks.
6 In thee, O Food, is set the spirit of great Gods.
Under thy flag brave deeds were done he slew the Dragon with
thy help.
7 If thou be gone unto the splendour of the clouds,
Even from thence, O Food of meath, prepared for our enjoyment,
come.
8 Whatever morsel we consume from waters or from plants
of earth, O Soma, wax thou fat thereby.
9 What Soma, we enjoy
from thee in milky food or barley-brew, Vatapi, grow thou fat
thereby.
10 O Vegetable, Cake of meal, he wholesome, firm,
and strengthening: Vatapi, grow thou fat thereby.
11 O Food,
from thee as such have we drawn forth with lauds, like cows,
our sacrificial gifts,
From thee who banquetest with Gods,
from thee who banquetest with us.
- Essays On Dharma
- Esoteric Mystic Hinduism
- Introduction to Hinduism
- Hindu Way of Life
- Essays On Karma
- Hindu Rites and Rituals
- The Origin of The Sanskrit Language
- Symbolism in Hinduism
- Essays on The Upanishads
- Concepts of Hinduism
- Essays on Atman
- Hindu Festivals
- Spiritual Practice
- Right Living
- Yoga of Sorrow
- Happiness
- Mental Health
- Concepts of Buddhism
- General Essays
Source: An English translation of the Vedas by Ralph T.H. Griffith, 1896.