
Hymns to Heaven and Earth, Rig-Veda - Book I

HYMN CLIX. Heaven and Earth.
1. I PRAISE with sacrifices mighty Heaven and
Earth at festivals, the wise, the Strengtheners of Law.
Who,
having Gods for progeny, conjoined with Gods, through wonder-working
wisdom bring forth choicest boons.
2 With invocations, on
the gracious Father's mind, and on the Mother's great inherent
power I muse.
Prolific Parents, they have made the world
of life, and for their brood all round wide immortality.
3 These Sons of yours well skilled in work, of wondrous power,
brought forth to life the two great Mothers first of all.
To keep the truth of all that stands and all that moves, ye
guard the station of your Son who knows no guile.
4 They
with surpassing skill, most wise, have measured out the Twins
united in their birth and in their home.
They, the refulgent
Sages, weave within the sky, yea, in the depths of sea, a web
for ever new.
5 This is to-day the goodliest gift of Savitar:
this thought we have when now the God is furthering us.
On
us with loving-kindness Heaven and Earth bestow riches and various
wealth and treasure hundredfold!
HYMN CLX. Heaven and Earth.
1. THESE, Heaven and Earth, bestow prosperity
on all, sustainers of the region, Holy Ones and wise,
Two
Bowls of noble kind: between these Goddesses the God, the fulgent
Sun, travels by fixed decree.
2 Widely-capacious Pair, mighty,
that never fail, the Father and the Mother keep all creatures
safe:
The two world-halves, the spirited, the beautiful,
because the Father hath clothed them in goodly forms.
3 Son
of these Parents, he the Priest with power to cleanse, Sage,
sanctifies the worlds with his surpassing power.
Thereto
for his bright milk he milked through all the days the party-coloured
Cow and the prolific Bull.
4 Among the skilful Gods most
skilled is he, who made the two world-halves which bring prosperity
to all;
Who with great wisdom measured both the regions out,
and stablished them with pillars that shall ne'er decay.
5 Extolled in song, O Heaven and Earth, bestow on us, ye mighty
Pair, great glory and high lordly sway,
Whereby we may extend
ourselves ever over the folk; and send us strength that shall
deserve the praise of men.
HYMN CLXXXV. Heaven and Earth.
1. WHETHER of these is elder, whether later?
How were they born? Who knoweth it, ye sages?
These of themselves
support all things existing: as on a car the Day and Night roll
onward.
2 The Twain uphold, though motionless and footless,
a widespread offspring having feet and moving.
Like your
own fon upon his parents' bosom, protect us, Heaven and earth,
from fearful danger.
3 I call for Aditi's unrivalled bounty,
perfect, celestial, deathless, meet for worship.
Produce
this, ye Twain Worlds, for him who lauds you. Protect us, Heaven
and Earth, from fearful danger.
4 May we be close to both
the Worlds who suffer no pain, Parents of Gods, who aid with
favour,
Both mid the Gods, with Day and Night alternate.
Protect us, Heaven and Earth, from fearful danger.
5 Faring
together, young, with meeting limits, Twin Sisters lying in
their Parents' bosom,
Kissing the centre of the world together.
Protect us, Heaven and Earth, from fearful danger.
6 Duly I call the two wide seats, the mighty, the general
Parents, with the God's protection.
Who, beautiful to look
on, make the nectar. Protect us, Heaven and Earth, from fearful
danger.
7 Wide, vast, and manifold, whose bounds are distant,-these,
reverent, I address at this our worship,
The blessed Pair,
victorious, all-sustaining. Protect us, Heaven and Earth, from
fearful danger.
8 What sin we have at any time committed
against the Gods, our friend, our house's chieftain,
Thereof
may this our hymn be expiation. Protect us, Heaven and Earth,
from fearful danger.
9 May both these Friends of man, who
bless, preserve me, may they attend me with their help and favour.
Enrich the man more liberal than the godless. May we, ye Gods,
be strong with food rejoicing.
10 Endowed with understanding,
I have uttered this truth, for all to hear, to Earth and Heaven.
Be near us, keep us from reproach and trouble. Father and Mother,
with your help preserve us.
11 Be this my prayer fulfilled,
O Earth and Heaven, wherewith, Father and Mother, I address
you.
Nearest of Gods be ye with your protection. May we find
strengthening food in full abundance.
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
- 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.