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.
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.