
The Rig-Veda - Book I

HYMN I. Agni.
1 I Laud Agni, the chosen Priest, God, minister of sacrifice,
The hotar, lavishest of wealth.
2 Worthy is Agni to be praised
by living as by ancient seers.
He shall bring. hitherward
the Gods.
3 Through Agni man obtaineth wealth, yea, plenty
waxing day by day,
Most rich in heroes, glorious.
4 Agni, the perfect sacrifice which thou encompassest about
Verily goeth to the Gods.
5 May Agni, sapient-minded Priest,
truthful, most gloriously great,
The God, come hither with
the Gods.
6 Whatever blessing, Agni, thou wilt grant unto
thy worshipper,
That, Angiras, is indeed thy truth.
7
To thee, dispeller of the night, O Agni, day by day with prayer
Bringing thee reverence, we come
8 Ruler of sacrifices, guard
of Law eternal, radiant One,
Increasing in thine own abode.
9 Be to us easy of approach, even as a father to his son:
Agni, be with us for our weal.
HYMN II. Vayu.
1 BEAUTIFUL Vayu, come, for thee these Soma drops have been
prepared:
Drink of them, hearken to our call.
2 Knowing
the days, with Soma juice poured forth, the singers glorify
Thee, Vayu, with their hymns of praise.
3 Vayu, thy penetrating
stream goes forth unto the worshipper,
Far-spreading for
the Soma draught.
4 These, Indra-Vayu, have been shed; come
for our offered dainties' sake:
The drops are yearning for
you both.
5 Well do ye mark libations, ye Vayu and Indra,
rich in spoil
So come ye swiftly hitherward.
6 Vayu and
Indra, come to what the Soma. presser hath prepared:
Soon,
Heroes, thus I make my prayer.
7 Mitra, of holy strength,
I call, and foe-destroying Varuna,
Who make the oil-fed rite
complete.
8 Mitra and Varuna, through Law, lovers and cherishers
of Law,
Have ye obtained your might power
9 Our Sages,
Mitra-Varuna, wide dominion, strong by birth,
Vouchsafe us
strength that worketh well.
HYMN III. Asvins
1 YE Asvins, rich in treasure, Lords of splendour, having
nimble hands,
Accept the sacrificial food.
2 Ye Asvins,
rich in wondrous deeds, ye heroes worthy of our praise,
Accept
our songs with mighty thought.
3 Nisatyas, wonder-workers,
yours arc these libations with clipt grass:
Come ye whose
paths are red with flame.
4 O Indra marvellously bright,
come, these libations long for thee,
Thus by fine fingers
purified.
5 Urged by the holy singer, sped by song, come,
Indra, to the prayers,
Of the libation-pouring priest.
6 Approach, O Indra, hasting thee, Lord of Bay Horses, to the
prayers.
In our libation take delight.
7 Ye Visvedevas,
who protect, reward, and cherish men, approach
Your worshipper's
drink-offering.
8 Ye Visvedevas, swift at work, come hither
quickly to the draught,
As milch-kine hasten to their stalls.
9 The Visvedevas, changing shape like serpents, fearless, void
of guile,
Bearers, accept the sacred draught
10 Wealthy
in spoil, enriched with hymns, may bright Sarsavad desire,
With eager love, our sacrifice.
11 Inciter of all pleasant
songs, inspirer o all gracious thought,
Sarasvati accept
our rite
12 Sarasvati, the mighty flood,- she with be light
illuminates,
She brightens every pious thought.
HYMN IV. Indri
1 As a good cow to him who milks, we call the doer of fair
deeds,
To our assistance day by day.
2 Come thou to our
libations, drink of Soma; Soma-drinker thou!
The rich One's
rapture giveth kine.
3 So may we be acquainted with thine
innermost benevolence:
Neglect us not, come hitherward.
4 Go to the wise unconquered One, ask thou of Indra, skilled
in song,
Him who is better than thy friends.
5 Whether
the men who mock us say, Depart unto another place,
Ye who
serve Indra and none else;
6 Or whether, God of wondrous
deeds, all our true people call us blest,
Still may we dwell
in Indra's care.
7 Unto the swift One bring the swift, man-cheering,
grace of sacrifice,
That to the Friend gives wings and joy.
8 Thou, Satakratu, drankest this and wast the Vrtras' slayer;
thou
Helpest the warrior in the fray.
9 We strengthen,
Satakratu, thee, yea, thee the powerful in fight,
That, Indra,
we may win us wealth.
10 To him the mighty stream of wealth,
prompt friend ot'him who pours the juice,
yea, to this Indra
sing your song.
HYMN V. Indra.
1 O COME ye hither, sit ye down: to Indra sing ye forth,
your song,
companions, bringing hymns of praise.
2 To
him the richest of the rich, the Lord of treasures excellent,
Indra, wi th Soma juice outpoured.
3 May he stand by us in
our need and in abundance for our wealth:
May he come nigh
us with his strength.
4 Whose pair of tawny horses yoked
in battles foemen challenge not:
To him, to Indra sing your
song.
5 Nigh to the Soma-drinker come, for his enjoyment,
these pure drops,
The Somas mingled with the curd.
6 Thou,
grown at once to perfect strength, wast born to drink the Soma
juice,
Strong Indra, for preeminence.
7 O Indra, lover
of the song, may these quick Somas enter thee:
May they bring
bliss to thee the Sage.
8 Our chants of praise have strengthened
thee, O Satakratu, and our lauds
So strengthen thee the songs
we sing.
9 Indra, whose succour never fails, accept these
viands thousandfold,
Wherein all manly powers abide.
10
O Indra, thou who lovest song, let no man hurt our bodies, keep
Slaughter far from us, for thou canst.
HYMN VI. Indra.
1 They who stand round him as he moves harness the bright,
the ruddy Steed
The lights are shining in the sky.
2 On
both sides to the car they yoke the two bay coursers dear to
him,
Bold, tawny, bearers of the Chief.
3 Thou, making
light where no light was, and form, O men: where form was not,
Wast born together with the Dawns.
4 Thereafter they, as
is their wont, threw off the state of' babes unborn,
Assuming
sacrificial names.
5 Thou, Indra, with the Tempest-Gods,
the breakers down of what is firm '
Foundest the kine even
in the cave.
6 Worshipping even as they list, singers laud
him who findeth wealth,
The far-renowned, the mighty One.
7 Mayest thou verily be seen coming by fearless Indra's side:
Both joyous, equal in your sheen.
8 With Indra's well beloved
hosts, the blameless, hastening to heaven,
The sacrificer
cries aloud.
9 Come from this place, O Wanderer, or downward
from the light of heaven:
Our songs of praise all yearn for
this.
10 Indra we seek to give us help, from here, from heaven
above the earth,
Or from the spacious firmament.
HYMN VII. Indra.
1 INDRA the singers with high praise, Indra reciters with
their lauds,
Indra the choirs have glorified.
2 Indra
hath ever close to him his two bay steeds and word-yoked car,
Indra the golden, thunder-armed.
3 Indra hath raised the
Sun on high in heaven, that he may see afar:
He burst the
mountain for the kine.
4 Help us, O Indra, in the frays,
yea, frays, where thousand spoils are gained,
With awful
aids, O awful One.
5 In mighty battle we invoke Indra, Indra
in lesser fight,
The Friend who bends his bolt at fiends.
6 Unclose, our manly Hero, thou for ever bounteous, yonder cloud,
For us, thou irresistible.
7 Still higher, at each strain
of mine, thunder-armed Indra's praises rise:
I find no laud
worthy of him.
8 Even as the bull drives on the herds, he
drives the people with his might,
The Ruler irresistible:
9 Indra who rules with single sway men, riches, and the fivefold
race
Of those who dwell upon the earth.
10 For your sake
from each side we call Indra away from other men:
Ours, and
none others', may he be.
HYMN VIII. Indra.
1 INDRA, bring wealth that gives delight, the victor's ever-conquering
wealth,
Most excellent, to be our aid;
2 By means of which
we may repel our foes in battle hand to hand,
By thee assisted
with the car.
3 Aided by thee, the thunder-armed, Indra,
may we lift up the bolt,
And conquer all our foes in fight.
4 With thee, O India, for ally with missile-darting heroes,
may
We conquer our embattled foes.
5 Mighty is Indra,
yea supreme; greatness be his, the Thunderer:
Wide as the
heaven extends his power
6 Which aideth those to win them
sons, who come as heroes to the fight,
Or singers loving
holy thoughts.
7 His belly, drinking deepest draughts of
Soma, like an ocean swells,
Like wide streams from the cope
of heaven.
8 So also is his excellence, great, vigorous,
rich in cattle, like
A ripe branch to the worshipper.
9 For verily thy mighty powers, Indra, are saving helps at once
Unto a worshipper like me.
10 So are his lovely gifts; let
lauds and praises be to Indra sung,
That he may drink the
Soma juice.
HYMN IX. Indra.
1 COME, Indra, and delight thee with the juice at all the
Soma feasts,
Protector, mighty in thy strength.
2 To Indra
pour ye forth thejuice, the active gladdening juice to him
Ile gladdening, oinnific God.
3 O Lord of all men, fair of
cheek, rejoice thee in the gladdening lauds,
Present at these
drink-offerings.
4 Songs have outpoured themselves to thee,
Indra, the strong, the guardian Lord,
And raised themselves
unsatisfied.
5 Send to us bounty manifold, O Indra, worthy
of' our wish,
For power supreme is only thine.
6 O Indra,
stimulate thereto us emulously fain for wealth,
And glorious,
O most splendid One.
7 Give, Indra, wide and lofty fame,
wealthy in cattle and in strength,
Lasting our life-time,
failing not.
8 Grant us high fame, O Indra, grant riches
bestowing thousands, those
Fair fruits of earth borne home
in wains.
9 Praising with songs the praise-worthy who cometh
to our aid, we call
Indra, the Treasure-Lord of wealth.
10 To lofty Indra, dweller by each libation, the pious man
Sings forth aloud a strengthening hymn.
HYMN X. Indra.
1 THE chanters hymn thee, they who say the word of praise
magnify thee.
The priests have raised thee up on high, O
Satakratu, like a pole.
2 As up he clomb from ridge to ridge
and looked upon the toilsome task,
Indra observes this wish
of his, and the Rain hastens with his troop.
3 Harness thy
pair of strong bay steeds, long-maned, whose bodies fill the
girths,
And, Indra, Soma-drinker, come to listen to our songs
of praise.
4 Come hither, answer thou the song, sing in approval,
cry aloud.
Good Indra, make our prayer succeed, and prosper
this our sacrifice.
5 To Indra must a laud be said, to strengthen
him who freely gives,
That Sakra may take pleasure in our
friendship and drink-offerings.
6 Him, him we seek for friendship,
him for riches and heroic might.
For Indra, he is Sakra,
he shall aid us while he gives us wealth.
7 Easy to turn
and drive away, Indra, is spoil bestowed by thee.
Unclose
the stable of the kine, and give us wealth O Thunder-armed
8 The heaven and earth contain thee not, together, in thy wrathful
mood.
Win us the waters of the sky, and send us kine abundantly.
9 Hear, thou whose ear is quick, my call; take to thee readily
my songs
O Indra, let this laud of mine come nearer even
than thy friend.
10 We know thee mightiest of all, in battles
hearer of our cry.
Of thee most mighty we invoke the aid
that giveth thousandfold.
11 O Indra, Son of Kusika, drink
our libation with delight.
Prolong our life anew, and cause
the seer to win a thousand gifts.
12 Lover of song, may these
our songs on every side encompass thee:
Strengthening thee
of lengthened life, may they be dear delights to thee.
HYMN XI. Indra.
1 ALL sacred songs have magnified Indra expansive as the
sea,
The best of warriors borne on cars, the Lord, the very
Lord of strength.
2 Strong in thy friendship, Indra, Lord
of power and might, we have no fear.
We glorify with praises
thee, the never-conquered conqueror.
3 The gifts of Indra
from of' old, his saving succours, never fail,
When to the
praise-singers he gives the boon of substance rich in kine.
4 Crusher of forts, the young, the wise, of strength unmeasured,
was he born
Sustainer of each sacred rite, Indra, the Thunderer,
much-extolled.
5 Lord of the thunder, thou didst burst the
cave of Vala rich in cows.
The Gods came pressing to thy
side, and free from terror aided thee,
6 I, Hero, through
thy bounties am come to the flood addressing thee.
Song-lover,
here the singers stand and testify to thee thereof.
7 The
wily Susna, Indra! thou o'er-threwest with thy wondrous powers.
The wise beheld this deed of thine: now go beyond their eulogies.
8 Our songs of praise have glorified Indra who ruleth by his
might,
Whose precious gifts in thousands come, yea, even
more abundantly.
HYMN XII. Agni.
I WE choose Agni the messenger, the herald, master of all
wealth,
Well skilled in this our sacrifice.
2 With callings
ever they invoke Agni, Agni, Lord of the House,
Oblation-bearer,
much beloved.
3 Bring the Gods hither, Agni, born for him
who strews the sacred grass:
Thou art our herald, meet for
praise.
4 Wake up the willing Gods, since thou, Agni, performest
embassage:
Sit on the sacred grass with Gods.
5 O Agni,
radiant One, to whom the holy oil is poured, bum up
Our enemies
whom fiends protect.
6 By Agni Agni is inflamed, Lord of
the House, wise, young, who bears
The gift: the ladle is
his mouth.
7 Praise Agni in the sacrifice, the Sage whose
ways are ever true,
The God who driveth grief away.
8
God, Agni, be his strong defence who lord of sacrificial gifts,
Worshippeth thee the messenger.
9 Whoso with sacred gift
would fain call Agni to the feast of Gods,
O Purifier, favour
him.
10 Such, Agni, Purifier, bright, bring hither to our
sacrifice,
To our oblation bring the Gods.
11 So lauded
by our newest song of praise bring opulence to us,
And food,
with heroes for our sons.
12 O Agni, by effulgent flame,
by all invokings of the Gods,
Show pleasure in this laud
of ours.
HYMN XIII. Agni
1 AGNI, well-kindled, bring the Gods for him who offers holy
gifts.
Worship them, Purifier, Priest.
2 Son of Thyself,
present, O Sage, our sacrifice to the Gods today.
Sweet to
the taste, that they may feast.
3 Dear Narasamsa, sweet of
tongue, the giver of oblations, I
Invoke to this our sacrifice.
4 Agni, on thy most easy car, glorified, hither bring the Gods:
Manu appointed thee as Priest.
5 Strew, O ye wise, the sacred
grass that drips with oil, in order due,
Where the Immortal
is beheld.
6 Thrown open be the Doors Divine, unfailing,
that assist the rite,
For sacrifice this day and now.
7 I call the lovely Night and Dawn to seat them on the holy
grass
At this our solemn sacrifice.
8 The two Invokers
I invite, the wise, divine and sweet of tongue,
To celebrate
this our sacrifice.
9 Ila, Sarasvati, Mahi, three Goddesses
who bring delight,
Be seated, peaceful, on the grass.
10 Tvastar I call, the earliest born, the wearer of all forms
at will:
May he be ours and curs alone.
11 God, Sovran
of the Wood, present this our oblation to the Gods,
And let
the giver be renowned.
12 With Svaha. pay the sacrifice to
Indra in the offerer's house:
Thither I call the Deities.
HYMN X1V. Visvedevas.
1 To drink the Soma, Agni, come, to our service and our songs.
With all these Gods; and worship them.
2 The Kanvas have
invoked thee; they, O Singer, sing thee songs of praise
Agni,
come hither with the Gods;
3 Indra, Vayu, Brhaspati, Mitra,
Agni, Pusan, Bhaga,
Adityas, and the Marut host.
4 For
you these juices are poured forth that gladden and exhilarate,
The meath-drops resting in the cup.
5 The sons of Kanva fain
for help adore thee, having strewn the grass,
With offerings
and all things prepared.
6 Let the swift steeds who carry
thee, thought-yoked and dropping holy oil,
Bring the Gods
to the Soma draught.
7 Adored, the strengtheners of Law,
unite them, Agni, with their Dames:
Make them drink meath,
O bright of tongue.
8 Let them, O Agni, who deserve worship
and praise drink with thy tongue
Tle meath in solemn sacrifice.
9 Away, from the Sun's realm of light, the wise invoking Priest
shall bring
All Gods awaking with the dawn.
10 With all
the Gods, with Indra, with Vayu, and Mitra's splendours, drink,
Agni, the pleasant Soma juice.
11 Ordained by Manu as our
Priest, thou sittest, Agni, at each rite:
Hallow thou this
our sacrifice.
12 Harness the Red Mares to thy car, the Bays,
O God, the flaming ones:
With those bring hitherward the
Gods.
HYMN XV. RTU.
1 O INDRA drink the Soma juice with Rtu; let the cheering
drops
Sink deep within, which settle there.
2 Drink from
the Purifier's cup, Maruts, with Rtu; sanctify
The rite,
for ye give precious gifts.
3 O Nestar, with thy Dame accept
our sacrifice; with Rtu drink,
For thou art he who giveth
wealth.
4 Bring the Gods, Agni; in the three appointed places
set them down:
Surround them, and with Rtu drink.
5 Drink
Soma after the Rtus, from the Brahmana's bounty: undissolved,
O Indra, is thy friendship's bond.
6 Mitra, Varuna, ye whose
ways are firm - a Power that none deceives-,
With Rtu ye
have reached the rite.
7 The Soma-pressers, fain for wealth,
praise the Wealth-giver in the rite,
In sacrifices praise
the God.
8 May the Wealth-giver grant to us riches that shall
be far renowned.
These things we gain, among the Gods.
9 He with the Rtu fain would drink, Wealth-giver, from the Nestar's
bowl.
Haste, give your offering, and depart.
10 As we
this fourth time, Wealth-giver, honour thee with the Rtus, be
A Giver bountiful to us.
11 Drink ye the meath, O Asvins
bright with flames, whose acts are pure. who with
Rtus accept
the sacrifice.
12 With Rtu, through the house-fire, thou,
kind Giver, guidest sacrifice:
Worship the Gods for the pious
man.
HYMN XVI. Indra.
1 LET thy Bay Steeds bring thee, the Strong, hither to drink
the Soma draught-
Those, Indra, who are bright as suns.
2 Here are the grains bedewed with oil: hither let the Bay Coursers
bring
Indra upon his easiest car.
3 Indra at early morn
we call, Indra in course of sacrifice,
Indra to drink the
Soma juice.
4 Come hither, with thy long-maned Steeds, O
Indra, to- the draught we pour
We call thee wher, the juice
is shed.
5 Come thou to this our song of praise, to the libation
poured for thee
Drink of it like a stag athirst.
6 Here
are the drops of Soma juice expressed on sacred grass: thereof
Drink, Indra, to increase thy might.
7 Welcome to thee be
this our hymn, reaching thy heart, most excellent:
Then drink
the Soma juice expressed.
8 To every draught of pressed-out
juice Indra, the Vrtra-slayer, comes,
To drink the Soma for
delight.
9 Fulfil, O Satakratu, all our wish with horses
and with kine:
With holy thoughts we sing thy praise.
HYMN XVII Indra-Varuna
1 I CRAVE help from the Imperial Lords, from Indra-Varuna;
may they
Both favour one of us like me.
2 Guardians of
men, ye ever come with ready succour at the call
Of every
singer such as I.
3 Sate you, according to your wish, O Indra-Varuna,
with wealth:
Fain would we have you nearest us.
4 May
we be sharers of the powers, sharers of the benevolence
Of
you who give strength bounteously.
5 Indra and Varuna, among
givers of thousands, meet for praise,
Are Powers who merit
highest laud.
6 Through their protection may we gain great
store of wealth, and heap it up
Enough and still to spare,
be ours.
7 O Indra-Varuna, on you for wealth in many a form
I call:
Still keep ye us victorious.
8 O Indra-Varuna,
- through our songs that seek to win you to ourselves,
Give
us at once your sheltering help.
9 O Indra-Varuna, to you
may fair praise which I offer come,
joint eulogy which ye
dignify.
HYMN XVIII. Brahmanaspati.
1 O BRAHMANAPSATI, make him who presses Soma glorious,
Even Kaksivan Ausija.
2 The rich, the healer of disease,
who giveth wealth, increaseth store,
The prompt,-may he be
with us still.
3 Let not the foeman's curse, let not a mortal's
onslaught fall on us
Preserve us, Brahmanaspati.
4 Ne'er
is the mortal hero harmed whom Indra, Brahmanaspati,
And
Soma graciously inspire.
5 Do, thou, O Brahmanaspati, and
Indra, Soma, Daksina,
Preserve that mortal from distress.
6 To the Assembly's wondrous Lord, to Indra's lovely Friend
who gives
Wisdom, have I drawn near in prayer.
7 He without
whom no sacrifice, e'en of the wise man, prospers; he
Stirs
up the series of thoughts.
8 He makes the oblation prosper,
he promotes the course of sacrifice:
Our voice of praise
goes to the Gods.
9 I have seen Narasamsa, him most resolute,
most widely famed,
As 'twere the Household Priest of heaven.
HYMN XIX. Agni, Maruts.
1 To this fair sacrifice to drink the milky draught thou
art invoked:
O Agni, with the Maruts come.
2 No mortal
man, no God exceeds thy mental power, O Mighty one -
O Agni,
with the Maruts come
3 All Gods devoid of guile, who know
the mighty region of mid-air:
O Agni, with those Maruts come.
4 The terrible, who sing their song, not to be overcome by might:
O Agni, with those Maruts come.
5 Brilliant, and awful in
their form, mighty, devourers of their foes':
O Agni, with
those Maruts come.
6 Who sit as Deities in heaven, above
the sky-vault's luminous sphere:
O Agni, with those Maruts
come.
7 Who scatter clouds about the sky, away over the billowy
sea:
O Agni, with those Maruts come.
8 Who with their
bright beams spread them forth over the ocean in their might
O Agni, with those Maruts come.
9 For thee, to be thine early
draught, I pour the Soma-mingled meath:
O Agni, with the
Maruts come.
HYMN XX Rbhus.
1 FOR the Celestial Race this song of praise which gives
wealth lavishly
Was made by singers with their lips.
2
They who for Indra, with their mind, formed horses harnessed
by a word,
Attained by works to sacrifice.
3 They for
the two Nasatyas wrought a light car moving every way:
They
formed a nectar-yielding cow.
4 The Rbhus with effectual
prayers, honest, with constant labour, made
Their Sire and
Mother young again.
5 Together came your gladdening drops
with Indra by the Maruts girt,
With the Adityas, with the
Kings.
6 The sacrificial ladle, wrought newly by the God
Tvastar's hand-
Four ladles have ye made thereof.
7 Vouchsafe
us wealth, to him who pours thrice seven libations, yea, to
each
Give wealth, pleased with our eulogies.
8 As ministering
Priests they held, by pious acts they won themselves,
A share
in sacrifice with Gods.
HYMN XXI. Indra-Agni.
1 INDRA and Agni I invoke fain are we for their song of praise
Chief Soma-drinkers are they both.
2 Praise ye, O men, and
glorify Indra-Agni in the holy rites:
Sing praise to them
in sacred songs.
3 Indra and Agni we invite, the Soma-drinkers,
for the fame
Of Mitra, to the Soma-draught.
4 Strong Gods,
we bid them come to this libation that stands ready here:
Indra and Agni, come to us.
5 Indra and Agni, mighty Lords
of our assembly, crush the fiends:
Childless be the devouring
ones.
6 Watch ye, through this your truthfulness, there in
the place of spacious view
Indra and Agni, send us bliss.
HYMN XXII Asvins and Others
1 WAKEN the Asvin Pair who yoke their car at early morn:
may they
Approach to drink this Soma juice.
2 We call
the Asvins Twain, the Gods borne in a noble car, the best
Of charioteers, who reach the heavens.
3 Dropping with honey
is your whip, Asvins, and full of pleasantness
Sprinkle therewith
the sacrifice.
4 As ye go thither in your car, not far, O
Asvins, is the home
Of him who offers Soma juice.
5 For
my protection I invoke the golden-handed Savitar.
He knoweth,
as a God, the place.
6 That he may send us succour, praise
the Waters' Offspring Savitar:
Fain are we for his holy ways.
7 We call on him, distributer of wondrous bounty and of wealth,
On Savitar who looks on men.
8 Come hither, friends, and
seat yourselves Savitar, to be praised by us,
Giving good
gifts, is beautiful.
9 O Agni, hither bring to us the willing
Spouses of the Gods,
And Tvastar, to the Soma draught.
10 Most youthful Agni, hither bring their Spouses, Hotra, Bharati,
Varutri, Dhisana, for aid.
11 Spouses of Heroes, Goddesses,
with whole wings may they come to us
With great protection
and with aid.
12 Indrani, Varunani, and Agnayi hither I invite,
For weal, to drink the Soma juice.
13 May Heaven and Earth,
the Mighty Pair, bedew for us our sacrifice,
And feed us
full with nourishments.
14 Their water rich with fatness,
there in the Gandharva's steadfast place,
The singers taste
through sacred songs.
15 Thornless be thou, O Earth, spread
wide before us for a dwelling-place:
Vouchsafe us shelter
broad and sure.
16 The Gods be gracious unto us even from
the place whence Visnu strode
Through the seven regions of
the earth!
17 Through all this world strode Visnu; thrice
his foot he planted, and the whole
Was gathered in his footstep's
dust.
18 Visnu, the Guardian, he whom none deceiveth, made
three steps; thenceforth
Establishing his high decrees.
19 Look ye on Visnu's works, whereby the Friend of Indra, close-allied,
Hath let his holy ways be seen.
20 The princes evermore behold
that loftiest place where Visnu is,
Laid as it were an eye
in heaven.
21 This, Vishnu's station most sublime, the singers,
ever vigilant,
Lovers of holy song, light up.
HYMN XXIII. Vayu and Others.
1 STRONG are the Somas; come thou nigh; these juices have
been mixt with milk:
Drink, Vayu, the presented draughts.
2 Both Deities who touch the heaven, Indra and Vayu we invoke
To drink of this our soma juice.
3 The singers' for their
aid, invoke Indra and Vayu, swift as mind,
The thousand-eyed,
the Lords of thought.
4 Mitra and Varupa, renowned as Gods
of consecrated might,
We call to drink the Soma juice.
5 Those who by Law uphold the Law, Lords of the shining light
of Law,
Mitra I call, and Varuna.
6 Let Varuna be our
chief defence, let Mitra guard us with all aids
Both make
us rich exceedingly.
7 Indra, by Maruts girt, we call to
drink the Soma juice: may he
Sate him in union with his troop.
8 Gods, Marut hosts whom Indra leads, distributers of Pusan's
gifts,
Hearken ye all unto my cry.
9 With conquering Indra
for ally, strike Vrtra down, ye bounteous Gods
Let not the
wicked master us.
10 We call the Universal Gods, and Maruts
to the Soma draught,
For passing strong are Prsni's Sons.
11 Fierce comes the Maruts' thundering voice, like that of conquerors,
when ye go
Forward to victory, O Men.
12 Born of the laughing
lightning. may the Maruts guard us everywhere
May they be
gracious unto Us.
13 Like some lost animal, drive to us,
bright Pusan, him who bears up heaven,
Resting on many-coloured
grass.
14 Pusan the Bright has found the King, concealed
and bidden in a cave,
Who rests on grass of many hues.
15 And may he. duly bring to me the six bound closely, through
these drops,
As one who ploughs with steers brings corn.
16 Along their paths the Mothers go, Sisters of priestly ministrants,
Mingling their sweetness with the milk.
17 May Waters gathered
near the Sun, and those wherewith the Sun is joined,
Speed
forth this sacrifice of ours.
18 I call the Waters, Goddesses,
wherein our cattle quench their thirst;
Oblations to the
Streams be given.
19 Amrit is in the Waters in the Waters
there is healing balm
Be swift, ye Gods, to give them praise.
20 Within the Waters-Soma thus hath told me-dwell all balms
that heal,
And Agni, he who blesseth all. The Waters hold
all medicines.
21 O Waters, teem with medicine to keep my
body safe from harm,
So that I long may see the Sun.
22
Whatever sin is found in me, whatever evil I have wrought.
If I have lied or falsely sworn, Waters, remove it far from
me.
23 The Waters I this day have sought, and to their moisture
have we come:
O Agni, rich in milk, come thou, and with thy
splendour cover me.
24 Fill me with splendour, Agni; give
offspring and length of days; the Gods
Shall know me even
as I am, and Indra with the Rsis, know.
HYMN XXIV. Varuna and Others.
1 WHO now is he, what God among Immortals, of whose auspicious
name we may bethink us?
Who shall to mighty Aditi restore
us, that I may see my Father and my Mother?
2 Agni the God
the first among the Immortals, - of his auspicious name let
us bethink us.
He shall to mighty Aditi restore us, that
I may see my Father and my Mother.
3 To thee, O Savitar,
the Lord of precious things, who helpest us
Continually,
for our share we come-
4 Wealth, highly lauded ere reproach
hath fallen on it, which is laid,
Free from all hatred, in
thy hands
5 Through thy protection may we come to even the
height of affluence
Which Bhaga hath dealt out to us.
6 Ne'er have those birds that fly through air attained to thy
high dominion or thy might or spirit;
Nor these the waters
that flow on for ever, nor hills, abaters of the wind's wild
fury.
7 Varuna, King, of hallowed might, sustaineth erect
the Tree's stem in the baseless region.
Its rays, whose root
is high above, stream downward. Deep may they sink within us,
and be hidden.
8 King Varuna hath made a spacious pathway,
a pathway for the Sun wherein to travel.
Where no way was
he made him set his footstep, and warned afar whate'er afflicts
the spirit.
9 A hundred balms are thine, O King, a thousand;
deep and wide-reaching also be thy favours.
Far from us,
far away drive thou Destruction. Put from us e'en the sin we
have committed.
10 Whither by day depart the constellations
that shine at night, set high in heaven above us?
Varuna's
holy laws remain unweakened, and through the night the Moon
moves on in splendor
11 I ask this of thee with my prayer
adoring; thy worshipper craves this with his oblation.
Varuna,
stay thou here and be not angry; steal not our life from us,
O thou Wide-Ruler.
12 Nightly and daily this one thing they
tell me, this too the thought of mine own heart repeateth.
May he to whom prayed fettered Sunahsepa, may he the Sovran
Varuna release us.
13 Bound to three pillars captured Sunahsepa
thus to the Aditya made his supplication.
Him may the Sovran
Varuna deliver, wise, ne'er deccived, loosen the bonds that
bind him.
14 With bending down, oblations, sacrifices, O
Varuna, we deprecate thine anger:
Wise Asura, thou King of
wide dominion, loosen the bonds of sins by us committed.
15 Loosen the bonds, O Varuna, that hold me, loosen the bonds
above, between, and under.
So in thy holy law may we made
sinless belong to Aditi, O thou Aditya.
HYMN XXV. Varuna.
I WHATEVER law of thine, O God, O Varurna, as we are men,
Day after day we violate.
2 give us not as a prey to death,
to be destroyed by thee in wrath,
To thy fierce anger when
displeased.
3 To gain thy mercy, Varuna, with hymns we bind
thy heart, as binds
The charioteer his tethered horse.
4 They flee from me dispirited, bent only on obtaining wealths
As to their nests the birds of air.
5 When shall we bring,
to be appeased, the Hero, Lord of warrior might,
Him, the
far-seeing Varuna?
6 This, this with joy they both accept
in common: never do they fail
The ever-faithful worshipper.
7 He knows the path of birds that fly through heaven, and, Sovran
of the sea,
He knows the ships that are thereon.
8 True
to his holy law, he knows the twelve moons with their progeny:
He knows the moon of later birth.
9 He knows the pathway
of the wind, the spreading, high, and mighty wind
He knows
the Gods who dwell above.
10 Varuna, true to holy law, sits
down among his people; he,
Most wise, sits there to govern.
all.
11 From thence percerving he beholds all wondrous things,
both what hath been,
And what hereafter will be done.
12 May that Aditya, very -wise, make fair paths for us all our
days:
May lie prolong our lives for us.
13 Varuna, wearing
golden mail, hath clad him in a shining robe.
His spies are
seated found about.
14 The God whom enemies threaten not,
nor those who tyrannize o'er men,
Nor those whose minds are
bent on wrong.
15 He who gives glory to mankind, not glory
that is incomplete,
To our own bodies giving it.
16 Yearning
for the wide-seeing One, my thoughts move onward unto him,
As kine unto their pastures move.
17 Once more together let
us speak, because my meath is brought: priest-like
Thou eatest
what is dear to thee.
18 Now saw I him whom all may see,
I saw his car above the earth:
He hath accepted these my
songs.
19 Varuna, hear this call of mine: be gracious unto
us this day
Longing for help I cried to thee.
20 Thou,
O wise God, art Lord of all, thou art the King of earth and
heaven
Hear, as thou goest on thy way.
21 Release us from
the upper bond, untie the bond between, and loose
The bonds
below, that I may live.
HYMN XXVI. Agni.
1 O WORTHY of oblation, Lord of prospering powers, assume
thy robes,
And offer this our sacrifice.
2 Sit ever to
be chosen, as our Priest., most youthful, through our hymns,
O Agni, through our heavenly word.
3 For here a Father for
his son, Kinsman for kinsman worshippeth,
And Friend, choice-worthy,
for his friend.
4 Fiere let the foe-destroyers sit, Varuna,
Mitra, Aryaman,
Like men, upon our sacred grass.
5 O ancient
Herald, be thou glad in this our rite and fellowship:
Hearken
thou well to these our songs.
6 Whate'er in this perpetual
course we sacrifice to God and God,
That gift is offered
up in thee
7 May he be our dear household Lord, Priest, pleasant
and, choice-worthy may
We, with bright fires, be dear to
him.
8 The Gods, adored with brilliant fires. have granted
precious wealth to us
So, with bright fires, we pray to thee.
9 And, O Immortal One, so may the eulogies of mortal men
Belong to us and thee alike.
10 With all thy fires, O Agni,
find pleasure in this our sacrifice,
And this our speech,
O Son of Strength.
HYMN XXVII. Agni.
1 WITH worship will I glorify thee, Agni, like a long-tailed
steed,
Imperial Lord of sacred rites.
2 May the far-striding
Son of Strength, bringer of great felicity,
Who pours his
gifts like rain, be ours.
3 Lord of all life, from near;
from far, do thou, O Agni evermore
Protect us from the sinful
man.
4 O Agni, graciously announce this our oblation to the
Gods,
And this our newest song of praise.
5 Give us a
share of strength most high, a share of strength that is below,
A share of strength that is between.
6 Thou dealest gifts,
resplendent One; nigh, as with waves of Sindhu, thou
Swift
streamest to the worshipper.
7 That man is lord of endless
strength whom thou protectest in the fight,
Agni, or urgest
to the fray.
8 Him, whosoever he may be, no man may vanquish,
mighty One:
Nay, very glorious power is his.
9 May he
who dwells with all mankind bear us with war-steeds through
the fight,
And with the singers win the spoil.
10 Help,
thou who knowest lauds, this work, this eulogy to Rudra, him
Adorable in every house.
11 May this our God, great, limitless,
smoke-bannered excellently bright,
Urge us to strength and
holy thought.
12 Like some rich Lord of men may he, Agni
the banner of the Gods,
Refulgent, hear us through our lauds.
13 Glory to Gods, the mighty and the lesser glory to Gods the
younger and the elder!
Let us, if we have power, pay the
God worship: no better prayer than this, ye Gods, acknowledge.
HYMN XXVIII Indra, Etc.
1 THERE where the broad-based stone raised on high to press
the juices out,
O Indra, drink with eager thirst the droppings
which the mortar sheds.
2 Where, like broad hips, to hold
the juice the platters of the press are laid,
O Indra, drink
with eager thirst the droppings which the mortar sheds.
3
There where the woman marks and leans the pestle's constant
rise and fall,
O Indra, drink with eager thirst the droppings
which the mortar sheds.
4 Where, as with reins to guide a
horse, they bind the churning-staff with cords,
O Indra,
drink with eager thirst the droppings which the mortar sheds.
5 If of a truth in every house, O Mortar thou art set for work,
Here give thou forth thy clearest sound, loud as the drum of
conquerors.
6 O Sovran of the Forest, as the wind blows soft
in front of thee,
Mortar, for Indra press thou forth the
Soma juice that he may drink.
7 Best strength-givers, ye
stretch wide jaws, O Sacrificial Implements,
Like two bay
horses champing herbs.
8 Ye Sovrans of the Forest, both swift,
with swift pressers press to-day
Sweet Soma juice for Indra's
drink.
9 Take up in beakers what remains: the Soma on the
filter pour,
and on the ox-hide set the dregs.
HYMN XXIX. Indra.
1 O SOMA DRINKER, ever true, utterly hopeless though we be,
Do thou, O Indra, give us hope of beauteous horses and of kine,
In thousands, O most wealthy One.
2 O Lord of Strength, whose
jaws are strong, great deeds are thine, the powerful:
Do
thou, O Indra, give us hope of beauteous horses and of kine,
In thousands, O most wealthy One.
3 Lull thou asleep, to
wake no more, the pair who on each other look
Do thou, O
Indra, give us, help of beauteous horses and of kine,
In
thousands, O most wealthy One.
4 Hero, let hostile spirits
sleep, and every gentler genius wake:
Do thou, O Indra,.
give us hope of beauteous horses and of kine,
In thousands,
O most wealthy One.
5 Destroy this ass, O Indra, who in tones
discordant brays to thee:
Do thou, O Indra, give us hope
of beauteous horses and of kine,
In thousands, O most wealthy
One.
6 Far distant on the forest fall the tempest in a circling
course!
Do thou, O Indra, give us hope of beauteous horses
and of kine,
In thousands, O most wealthy One.
7 Slay
each reviler, and destroy him who in secret injures us:
Do
thou, O Indra, give us hope of beauteous horses and of kine
In thousands, O most wealthy One.
HYMN XXX. Indra.
1 WE seeking strength with Soma-drops fill full your Indra
like a well,
Most liberal, Lord of Hundred Powers,
2 Who
lets a hundred of the pure, a thousand of the milk-blent draughts
Flow, even as down a depth, to him;
3 When for the strong,
the rapturous joy he in this manner hath made room
Within
his belly, like the sea.
4 This is thine own. Thou drawest
near, as turns a pigeon to his mate:
Thou carest too for
this our prayer.
5 O Hero, Lord of Bounties, praised in hymns,
may power and joyfulness
Be his who sings the laud to thee.
6 Lord of a Hundred Powers, stand up to lend us succour in this
fight
In others too let us agree.
7 In every need, in
every fray we call as friends to succour us
Indra the mightiest
of all.
8 If he will hear us let him come with succour of
a thousand kinds,
And all that strengthens, to our call.
9 I call him mighty to resist, the Hero of our ancient home,
Thee whom my sire invoked of old.
10 We pray to thee, O much-invoked,
rich in all prccious gifts, O Friend,
Kind God to those who
sing thy praise.
11 O Soma-drinker, Thunder-armed, Friend
of our lovely-featured dames
And of our Soma-drinking friends.
12 Thus, Soma-drinker, may it be; thus, Friend, who wieldest
thunder, act
To aid each wish as we desire.
13 With Indra
splendid feasts be ours, rich in all strengthening things wherewith,
Wealthy in food, we may rejoice.
14 Like thee, thyself, the
singers' Friend, thou movest, as it were, besought,
Bold
One, the axle of the car.
15 That, Satakratu, thou to grace
and please thy praisers, as it were,
Stirrest the axle with
thy strength.
16 With champing, neighing loudly-snorting
horses Indra hath ever won himself great treasures
A car
of gold hath he whose deeds are wondrous received from us, and
let us too receive it.
17 Come, Asvins, with enduring strength
wealthy in horses and in kine,
And gold, O ye of wondrous
deeds.
18 Your chariot yoked for both alike, immortal, ye
of mighty acts,
Travels, O Aivins, in the sea.
19 High
on the forehead of the Bull one chariot wheel ye ever keep,
The other round the sky revolves.
20 What mortal, O immortal
Dawn, enjoyeth thee? Where lovest thou?
To whom, O radiant,
dost thou go?
21 For we have had thee in our thoughts whether
anear or far away,
Red-hued and like a dappled mare.
22
Hither, O Daughter of the Sky, come thou with these thy strengthenings,
And send thou riches down to us.
HYMN XXXI. Agni.
1 Thou, Agni, wast the earliest Angiras, a Seer; thou wast,
a God thyself, the Gods' auspicious Friend.
After thy holy
ordinance the Maruts, sage, active through wisdom, -with their
glittering spears, were born.
2 O Agni, thou, the best and
earliest Angiras, fulfillest as a Sage the holy law of Gods.
Sprung from two mothers, wise, through all existence spread,
resting in many a place for sake of living man.
3 To Matarisvan
first thou, Agni, wast disclosed, and to Vivasvan through thy
noble inward power.
Heaven and Earth, Vasu! shook at the
choosing of the Priest: the burthen thou didst bear, didst worship
mighty Gods.
4 Agni thou madest heaven to thunder for mankind;
thou, yet more pious, for pious Pururavas.
When thou art
rapidly freed from thy parents, first eastward they bear thee
round, and, after, to the west.
5 Thou, Agni, art a Bull
who makes our store increase, to be invoked by him who lifts
the ladle up.
Well knowing the oblation with the hallowing
word, uniting all who live, thou lightenest first our folk
6 Agni, thou savest in the synod when pursued e'en him, farseeing
One! who walks in evil ways.
Thou, when the heroes fight
for spoil which men rush, round, slayest in war the many by
the hands of few.
7 For glory, Agni, day by day, thou liftest
up the mortal man to highest immortality,
Even thou who yearning
for both races givest them great bliss, and to the prince grantest
abundant food.
8 O Agni, highly lauded, make our singer famous
that he may win us store of riches:
May we improve the rite
with new performance. O Earth and Heaven, with all the Gods,
protect us.
9 O blameless Agni lying in thy Parents' lap,
a God among the Gods, be watchful for our good.
Former of
bodies, be the singer's Providence: all good things hast thou
sown for him, auspicious One!
10 Agni, thou art our Providence,
our Father thou - we are thy brethren and thou art our spring
of life. in thee, rich in good heroes, guard of high decrees,
meet hundred, thousand treasures, O infallible!
11 Thee,
Agni, have the Gods made the first living One for living man,
Lord of the house of Nahusa.
Ila they made the teacher of
the sons of men, what time a Son was born to the father of my
race.
12 Worthy to be revered, O Agni, God, preserve our
wealthy patrons with thy succours, and ourselves.
Guard of
our seed art thou, aiding our cows to bear, incessantly protecting
in thy holy way.
13 Agni, thou art a guard close to the pious
man; kindled art thou, four-eyed! for him who is unarmcd.
With fond heart thou acceptest e'en the poor man's prayer, when
he hath brought his gift to gain security.
14 Thou, Agni
gainest for the loudly-praising priest the highest wealth, the
object of a man's desire.
Thou art called Father, caring
even for the weak, and wisest, to the simple one thou teachest
lore.
15 Agni, the man who giveth guerdon to the priests,
like well-sewn armour thou guardest on every side.
He who
with grateful food shows kindness in his house, an offerer to
the living, is the type of heaven.
16 Pardon, we pray, this
sin of ours, O Agni, -- the path which we have trodden, widely
straying,
Dear Friend and Father, caring for the pious, who
speedest nigh and who inspirest mortals.
17 As erst to Manus,
to Yayiti, Angiras, so Angiras! pure Agni! come thou to our
hall
Bring hither the celestial host and seat them here upon
the sacred grass, and offer what they love.
18 By this our
prayer be thou, O Agni, strengthened, prayer made by us after
our power and knowledge.
Lead thou us, therefore, to increasing
riches; endow us with thy strength-bestowing favour.
HYMN XXXII. Indra.
1 I WILL declare the manly deeds of Indra, the first that
he achieved, the Thunder-wielder.
He slew the Dragon, then
disclosed the waters, and cleft the channels of the mountain
torrents.
2 He slew the Dragon lying on the mountain: his
heavenly bolt of thunder Tvastar fashioned.
Like lowing kine
in rapid flow descending the waters glided downward to the ocean.
3 Impetuous as a bull, he chose the Soma and in three sacred
beakers drank the juices.
Maghavan grasped the thunder for
his weapon, and smote to death this firstborn of the dragons.
4 When, Indra, thou hadst slain the dragon's firstborn, and
overcome the charms of the enchanters,
Then, giving life
to Sun and Dawn and Heaven, thou foundest not one foe to stand
against thee.
5 Indra with his own great and deadly thunder
smote into pieces Vrtra, worst of Vrtras.
As trunks of trees,
what time the axe hath felled them, low on the earth so lies
the prostrate Dragon.
6 He, like a mad weak warrior, challenged
Indra, the great impetuous many-slaying Hero.
He. brooking
not the clashing of the weapons, crushed-Indra's foe-the shattered
forts in falling.
7 Footless and handless still he challenged
Indra, who smote him with his bolt between the shoulders.
Emasculate yet claiming manly vigour, thus Vrtra lay with scattered
limbs dissevered.
8 There as he lies like a bank-bursting
river, the waters taking courage flow above him.
The Dragon
lies beneath the feet of torrents which Vrtra with his greatness
had encompassed.
9 Then humbled was the strength of Vrtra's
mother: Indra hath cast his deadly bolt against her.
The
mother was above, the son was under and like a cow beside her
calf lay Danu.
10 Rolled in the midst of never-ceasing currents
flowing without a rest for ever onward.
The waters bear off
Vrtra's nameless body: the foe of Indra sank to during darkness.
11 Guarded by Ahi stood the thralls of Dasas, the waters stayed
like kine held by the robber.
But he, when he had smitten
Vrtra, opened the cave wherein the floods had been imprisoned.
12 A horse's tail wast thou when he, O Indra, smote on thy bolt;
thou, God without a second,
Thou hast won back the kine,
hast won the Soma; thou hast let loose to flow the Seven Rivers.
13 Nothing availed him lightning, nothing thunder, hailstorm
or mist which had spread around him:
When Indra and the Dragon
strove in battle, Maghavan gained the victory for ever.
14
Whom sawest thou to avenge the Dragon, Indra, that fear possessed
thy heart when thou hadst slain him;
That, like a hawk affrighted
through the regions, thou crossedst nine-and-ninety flowing
rivers?
15 Indra is King of all that moves and moves not,
of creatures tame and horned, the Thunder-wielder.
Over all
living men he rules as Sovran, containing all as spokes within
the felly.
HYMN XXXIII. Indra.
1 Come, fain for booty let us seek to Indra: yet more shall
he increase his care that guides us.
Will not the Indestructible
endow us with perfect knowledge of this wealth, of cattle?
2 I fly to him invisible Wealth-giver as flies the falcon to
his cherished eyrie,
With fairest hymns of praise adoring
Indra, whom those who laud him must invoke in battle.
3 Mid
all his host, he bindeth on the quiver he driveth cattle from
what foe he pleaseth:
Gathering up great store of riches,
Indra. be thou no trafficker with us, most mighty.
4 Thou
slewest with thy bolt the wealthy Dasyu, alone, yet going with
thy helpers, Indra!
Far from the floor of heaven in all directions,
the ancient riteless ones fled to destruction.
5 Fighting
with pious worshippers, the riteless turned and fled, Indra!
with averted faces.
When thou, fierce Lord of the Bay Steeds,
the Stayer, blewest from earth and heaven and sky the godless.
6 They met in fight the army of the blameless. then the Navagvas
put forth all their power.
They, like emasculates with men
contending, fled, conscious, by steep paths from Indra, scattered.
7 Whether they weep or laugh, thou hast o'erthrown them, O Indra,
on the sky's extremest limit.
The Dasyu thou hast burned
from heaven, and welcomed the prayer of him who pours the juice
and lauds thee.
8 Adorned with their array of gold and jewels,
they o'er the earth a covering veil extended.
Although they
hastened, they o'ercame not Indra: their spies he compassed
with the Sun of morning.
9 As thou enjoyest heaven and earth,
O Indra, on every side surrounded with thy greatness,
So
thou with priests bast blown away the Dasyu, and those who worship
not with those who worship.
10 They who pervaded earth's
extremest limit subdued not with their charms the Wealth-bestower:
Indra, the Bull, made his ally the thunder, and with its light
milked cows from out the darkness.
11 The waters flowed according
to their nature; he raid the navigable streams waxed mighty.
Then Indra, with his spirit concentrated, smote him for ever
with his strongest weapon.
12 Indra broke through Ilibisa's
strong castles, and Suspa with his horn he cut to pieces:
Thou, Maghavan, for all his might and swiftness, slewest thy
fighting foeman with thy thunder
13 Fierce on his enemies
fell Indra's weapon: with. his sharp bull he rent their forts
in pieces.
He with his thunderbolt dealt blows on Vrtra;
and conquered, executing all his purpose.
14 Indra, thou
helpest Kutsa whom thou lovedst, and guardedst brave Dagadyu
when he battled,
The dust of trampling horses rose to heaven,
and Svitri's son stood up again for conquest.
15 Svitra's
mild steer, O Maghavan thou helpest in combat for the land,
mid Tugra's houses.
Long stood they there before the task
was ended: thou wast the master of the foemen's treasure.
HYMN XXXIV. Asvins.
1 Ye who observe this day be with us even thrice: far-stretching
is you bounty, Asvins and your course.
To you, as to a cloak
in winter, we cleave close: you are to be drawn nigh unto us
by the wise.
2 Three are the fellies in your honey-bearing
car, that travels after Soma's loved one, as all know.
Three
are the pillars set upon it for support: thrice journey ye by
night, O Asvins, thrice by day.
3 Thrice in the self-same
day, ye Gods who banish want, sprinkle ye thrice to-day our
sacrifice with meath;
And thrice vouchsafe us store of food
with plenteous strength, at evening, O ye Asvins, and at break
of day.
4 Thrice come ye to our home, thrice to the righteous
folk, thrice triply aid the man who well deserves your help.
Thrice, O ye Asvins, bring us what shall make us glad; thrice
send us store of food as nevermore to fail.
5 Thrice, O ye
Asvins, bring to us abundant wealth: thrice in the Gods' assembly,
thrice assist our thoughts.
Thrice, grant ye us prosperity,
thrice grant us fame; for the Sun's daughter hath mounted your
three-wheeled car.
6 Thrice, Asvins, grant to us the heavenly
medicines, thrice those of earth and thrice those that the waters
hold,
Favour and health and strength bestow upon my son;
triple protection, Lords of Splendour, grant to him.
7 Thrice
are ye to be worshipped day by day by us: thrice, O ye Asvins,
ye travel around the earth.
Car-borne from far away, O ye
Nasatyas, come, like vital air to bodies, come ye to the three.
8 Thrice, O ye Asvins, with the Seven Mother Streams; three
are the jars, the triple offering is prepared.
Three are
the worlds, and moving on above the sky ye guard the firm-set
vault of heaven through days and nights.
9 Where are the
three wheels of your triple chariot, where are the three seats
thereto firmly fastened?
When will ye yoke the mighty ass
that draws it, to bring you to our sacrifice. Nasatyas?
10
Nasatyas, come: the sacred gift is offered up; drink the sweet
juice with lips that know the sweetness well.
Savitar sends,
before the dawn of day, your car, fraught with oil, various-coloured,
to our sacrifice.
11 Come, O Nasatyas, with the thrice-eleven
Gods; come, O ye Asvins, to the drinking of the meath.
Make
long our days of life, and wipe out all our sins: ward off our
enemies; be with us evermore.
12 Borne in your triple car,
O Asvins, bring us present prosperity with noble offspring.
I cry to you who hear me for protection be ye our helpers where
men win the booty.
HYMN XXXV. Savitar.
1 AGNI I first invoke for our prosperity; I call on Mitra,
Varuna, to aid us here.
I call on Night who gives rest to
all moving life; I call on Savitar the God to lend us help.
2 Throughout the dusky firmament advancing, laying to rest the
immortal and the mortal,
Borne in his golden chariot he cometh,
Savitar, God who looks on every creature.
3 The God moves
by the upward path, the downward; with two bright Bays, adorable,
he journeys.
Savitar comes, the God from the far distance,
and chases from us all distress and sorrow.
4 His chariot
decked with pearl, of various colours, lofty, with golden pole,
the God hath mounted,
The many-rayed One, Savitar the holy,
bound, bearing power and might, for darksome regions.
5 Drawing
the gold-yoked car his Bays, white-footed, have manifested light
to all the peoples.
Held in the lap of Savitar, divine One,
all men, all beings have their place for ever.
6 Three heavens
there are; two Savitar's, adjacent: in Yama's world is one,
the home of heroes,
As on a linch-pin, firm, rest things
immortal: he who hath known it let him here declare it.
7
He, strong of wing, hath lightened up the regions, deep-quivering
Asura, the gentle Leader.
Where now is Surya, where is one
to tell us to what celestial sphere his ray hath wandered?
8 The earth's eight points his brightness hath illumined, three
desert regions and the Seven Rivers.
God Savitar the gold-eyed
hath come hither, giving choice treasures unto him who worships.
9 The golden-handed Savitar, far-seeing, goes on his way between
the earth and heaven,
Drives away sickness, bids the Sun
approach us, and spreads the bright sky through the darksome
region.
10 May he, gold-handed Asura, kind Leader, come hither
to us with his help and favour.
Driving off Raksasas and
Yatudhanas, the God is present, praised in hymns at evening.
11 O Savitar, thine ancient dustless pathways are well established
in the air's midregion:
O God, come by those paths so fair
to travel, preserve thou us from harm this day, and bless us.
HYMN XXXVI. Agni.
1 WITH words sent forth in holy hymns, Agni we supplicate,
the Lord
Of many families who duly serve the Gods, yea, him
whom others also praise.
2 Men have won Agni, him who makes
their strength abound: we, with oblations, worship thee.
Our gracious-minded Helper in our deeds of might, be thou, O
Excellent, this day.
3 Thee for our messenger we choose,
thee, the Omniscient, for our Priest.
The flames of thee
the mighty are spread wide around: thy splendour reaches to
the sky.
4 The Gods enkindle thee their ancient messenger,
- Varuna, Mitra, Aryaman.
That mortal man, O Agni, gains
through thee all wealth, who hath poured offerings unto thee.
5 Thou, Agni, art a cheering Priest, Lord of the House, men's
messenger:
All constant high decrees established by the Gods,
gathered together, meet in thee.
6 In thee, the auspicious
One, O Agni, youthfullest, each sacred gift is offered up:
This day, and after, gracious, worship thou our Gods, that we
may have heroic sons.
7 To him in his own splendour bright
draw near in worship the devout.
Men kindle Agni with their
sacrificial gifts, victorious o'er the enemies.
8 Vrtra they
smote and slew, and made the earth and heaven and firmament
a wide abode.
The glorious Bull, invoked, hath stood at Kanva's
side: loud neighed the Steed in frays for kine.
9 Seat thee,
for thou art mighty; shine, best entertainer of the Gods.
Worthy of sacred food, praised Agni! loose the smoke, ruddy
and beautiful to see.
10 Bearer of offerings, whom, best
sacrificing Priest, the Gods for Manu's sake ordained;
Whom
Kanva, whom Medhyatithi made the source of wealth, and Vrsan
and Upastuta.
11 Him, Agni, whom Medhyatithi, whom Kanva
kindled for his rite,
Him these our songs of praise, him,
Agni, we extol: his powers shine out preeminent.
12 Make
our wealth perfect thou, O Agni, Lord divine: for thou hast
kinship with the Gods.
Thou rulest as a King o'er widely-famous
strength: be good to us, for thou art great.
13 Stand up
erect to lend us aid, stand up like Savitar the God:
Erect
as strength-bestower we call aloud, with unguents and with priests,
on thee.
14 Erect, preserve us from sore trouble; with thy
flame burn thou each ravening demon dead.
Raise thou us up
that we may walk and live. so thou shalt find our worship mid
the Gods.
15 Preserve us, Agni, from the fiend, preserve
us from malicious wrong.
Save us from him who fain would
injure us or slay, Most Youthful, thou with lofty light.
16 Smite down as with a club, thou who hast fire for teeth,
smite thou the wicked, right and left.
Let not the man who
plots against us in the night, nor any foe prevail o'er us.
17 Agni hath given heroic might to Kainva, and felicity:
Agni hath helped our friends, hath helped Medhyitithi, hath
helped Upastuta to win.
18 We call on Ugradeva, Yadu, Turvasa,
by means of Agni, from afar;
Agni, bring Navavastva and Brhadratba,
Turviti, to subdue the foe.
19 Manu hath stablished thee
a light, Agni, for all the race of men:
Sprung from the Law,
oil-fed, for Kanva hast thou blazed, thou whom the people reverence.
20 The flames of Agni full of splendour and of might are fearful,
not to be approached.
Consume for ever all demons and sorcerers,
consume thou each devouring fiend.
HYMN XXXVII. Maruts.
1 SING forth, O Kanvas, to your band of Maruts unassailable,
Sporting, resplendent on their car
2 They who, self-luminous,
were born together, with the spotted deer,
Spears, swords,
and glittering ornaments.
3 One hears, as though 'twere close
at hand, the cracking of the whips they hold
They gather
glory on their way.
4 Now sing ye forth the God-given hymn
to your exultant Marut host,
The fiercely-vigorous, the strong.
5 Praise ye the Bull among the cows; for 'tis the Maruts' sportive
band:
It strengthened as it drank the rain.
6 Who is your
mightiest, Heroes, when, O shakers of the earth and heaven,
Ye shake them like a garment's hem?
7 At your approach man
holds him down before the fury of your wrath:
The rugged-jointed
mountain yields.
8 They at whose racings forth the earth,
like an age-weakened lord of men,
Trembles in terror on their
ways.
9 Strong is their birth: vigour have they to issue
from their Mother; strength,
Yea, even twice enough, is theirs.
10 And these, the Sons, the Singers, in their racings have enlarged
the bounds,
So that the kine must walk knee-deep.
11 Before
them, on the ways they go, they drop this offspring of the cloud,
Long, broad, and inexhaustible.
12 O Maruts, as your strength
is great, so have ye cast men down on earth,
So have ye made
the mountains fall.
13 The while the Maruts pass along, they
talk together on the way:
Doth any hear them as they speak?
14 Come quick with swift steeds, for ye have worshippers among
Kanva's sons
May you rejoice among them well.
15 All is
prepared for your delight. We are their servants evermore,
To live as long as life may last.
HYMN XXXVIII. Maruts.
I WHAT now? When will ye take us by both hands, as a dear
sire his son,
Gods, for whom sacred grass is clipped?
2 Now whither? To what goal of yours go ye in heaven, and not
on earth?
Where do your cows disport themselves?
3 Where
are your newest favours shown? Where, Maruts, your prosperity?
Where all your high felicities?
4 If, O ye Maruts, ye the
Sons whom Prsni bore, were mortal, and
Immortal he who sings
your praise.
5 Then never were your praiser loathed like
a wild beast in pasture-land,
Nor should he go on Yama's
path.
6 Let not destructive plague on plague hard to be conquered,
strike its down:
Let each, with drought, depart from us.
7 Truly, they the fierce and mighty Sons of Rudra send their
windless
Rain e'en on the desert places.
8 Like a cow
the lightning lows and follows, motherlike, her youngling,
When their rain-flood hath been loosened.
9 When they inundate
the earth they spread forth darkness e'en in day time,
With
the water-laden rain-cloud.
10 O Maruts, at your voice's
sound this earthly habitation shakes,
And each man reels
who dwells therein.
11 O Maruts, with your strong-hoofed
steeds, unhindered in their courses, haste
Along the bright
embanked streams.
12 Firm be the fellies of your wheels,
steady your horses and your cars,
And may your reins be fashioned
well.
13 Invite thou hither with this song, for praise, Agni
the Lord of Prayer,
Him who is fair as Mitra is.
14 Form
in thy mouth the hymn of praise expand thee like, a rainy cloud
Sing forth the measured eulogy.
15 Sing glory to the Marut
host, praiseworthy, tuneful, vigorous:
Here let the Strong
Ones dwell with us.
HYMN XXXIX Maruts.
1 WHEN thus, like flame, from far away, Maruts, ye cast your
measure forth,
To whom go Ye, to whom, O shakers of the earth,
moved by whose wisdom, whose design?
2 Strong let your weapons
be to drive away your foes, firm for resistance let them be.
Yea, passing glorious must be your warrior might, not as a guileful
mortal's strength.
3 When what is strong ye overthrow, and
whirl about each ponderous thing,
Heroes, your course is
through the forest trees of earth, and through the fissures
of the rocks.
4 Consumers of your foes, no enemy of yours
is found in heaven or on the earth:
Ye Rudras, may the strength,
held in this bond, be yours, to bid defiance even now.
5
They make the mountains rock and reel, they rend the forest-kings
apart.
onward, ye Maruts, drive, like creatures drunk with
wine, ye, Gods with all your company.
6 Ye to your chariot
have yoked the spotted deer: a red deer, as a leader, draws.
Even the Earth herself listened as ye came near, and men were
sorely terrified.
7 O Rudras, quickly we desire your succour
for this work of ours.
Come to us with your aid as in the
days of old, so now for frightened Kanva's sake.
8 Should
any monstrous foe, O Maruts, sent by you or sent by mortals
threaten us,
Tear ye him from us with your power and with
your might, and with the succours that are yours.
9 For ye,
the worshipful and wise, have guarded Kanva perfectly.
O
Maruts, come to us with full protecting help, as lightning flashes
seek the rain.
10 Whole strength have ye, O Bounteous Ones;
perfect, earth-shakers, is your might.
Maruts, against the
poet's wrathful enemy send ye an enemy like a dart.
HYMN XL. Brahmanaspati
1 O BRAMANASPATI, stand up: God-serving men we pray to thee.
May they who give good gifts, the Maruts, come to us. Indra,
most swift, be thou with them.
2 O Son of Strength, each
mortal calls to thee for aid when spoil of battle waits for
him.
O Maruts, may this man who loves you well obtain wealth
of good steeds and hero might.
3 May Brahmanaspati draw nigh,
may Sunrta the Goddess come,
And Gods bring to this rite
which gives the five-fold gift the Hero, lover of mankind.
4 He who bestows a noble guerdon on the priest wins fame that
never shall decay.
For him we offer sacred hero-giving food,
peerless and conquering easily.
5 Now Brahmanaspati speaks
forth aloud the solemn hymn of praise,
Wherein Indra and
Varuna, Mitra, Aryaman, the Gods, have made their dwelling place.
6 May we in holy synods, Gods! recite that hymn, peerless, that
brings felicity.
If you, O Heroes, graciously accept this
word, may it obtain all bliss from you.
7 Who shall approach
the pious? who the man whose sacred grass is trimmed?
The
offerer with his folk advances more and more: he fills his house
with precious things.
8 He amplifies his lordly might, with
kings he slays: e'en mid alarms he dwells secure
In great
or lesser fight none checks him, none subdues,-the wielder of
the thunderbolt.
HYMN XLI. Varuna, Mitra, Aryaman.
1 NE'ER is he injured whom the Gods Varuna, Mitra, Aryaman,
The excellently wise, protect.
2 He prospers ever, free from
scathe, whom they, as with full hands, enrich,
Whom they
preserve from every foe.
3 The Kings drive far away from
him his troubles and his enemies,
And lead him safely o'er
distress.
4 Thornless, Adityas, is the path, easy for him
who seeks the Law:
With him is naught to anger you.
5
What sacrifice, Adityas, ye Heroes guide by the path direct,-
May that come nigh unto your thought.
6 That mortal, ever
unsubdued, gains wealth and every precious thing,
And children
also of his own.
7 How, my friends, shall we prepare Aryaman's
and Mitra's laud,
Glorious food of Varuna?
8 I point not
out to you a man who strikes the pious, or reviles:
Only
with hymns I call you nigh.
9 Let him not love to speak ill
words: but fear the One who holds all four
Within his hand,
until they fall.
HYMN XLII. Pusan.
I SHORTEN our ways, O Pusan, move aside obstruction in the
path:
Go close before us, cloud-born God.
2 Drive, Pusan,
from our road the wolf, the wicked inauspicious wolf,
Who
lies in Wait to injure us.
3 Who lurks about the path we
take, the robber with a guileful heart:
Far from the road
chase him away.
4 Tread with thy foot and trample out the
firebrand of the wicked one,
The double-tongued, whoe'er
he be.
5 Wise Pusan, Wonder-Worker, we claim of thee now
the aid wherewith
Thou furtheredst our sires of old.
6
So, Lord of all prosperity, best wielder of the golden sword,
Make riches easy to be won.
7 Past all pursuers lead us,
make pleasant our path and fair to tread:
O Pusan, find thou
power for this.
8 Lead us to meadows rich in grass: send
on our way no early heat:
O Pusan, find thou power for this.
9 Be gracious to us, fill us full, give, feed us, and invigorate:
O Pusan, find thou power for this.
10 No blame have we for
Pusan; him we magnify with songs of praise:
We seek the Mighty
One for wealth.
HYMN XLIII. Rudra.
1 WHAT shall we sing to Rudra, strong, most bounteous, excellently
wise,
That shall be dearest to his heart?
2 That Aditi
may grant the grace of Rudra to our folk, our kine,
Our cattle
and our progeny;
3 That Mitra and that Varuna, that Rudra
may remember us,
Yea, all the Gods with one accord.
4
To Rudra Lord of sacrifice, of hymns and balmy medicines,
We pray for joy and health and strength.
5 He shines in splendour
like the Sun, refulgent as bright gold is he,
The good, the
best among the Gods.
6 May he grant health into our steeds,
wellbeing to our rams and ewes,
To men, to women, and to
kine.
7 O Soma, set thou upon us the glory of a hundred men,
The great renown of mighty chiefs.
8 Let not malignities,
nor those who trouble Soma, hinder us.
Indu, give us a share
of strength.
9 Soma! head, central point, love these; Soma!
know these as serving thee,
Children of thee Immortal, at
the highest place of holy law.
HYMN XLIV. Agni.
I IMMORTAL Jatavedas, thou many-hued fulgent gift of Dawn,
Agni, this day to him who pays oblations bring the Gods who
waken with the morn.
2 For thou art offering-bearer and loved
messenger, the charioteer of sacrifice:
Accordant with the
Asvins and with Dawn grant us heroic strength and lofty fame.
3 As messenger we choose to-day Agni the good whom many love,
Smoke-bannered spreader of the light, at break of day glory
of sacrificial rites.
4 Him noblest and most youthful, richly
worshipped guest, dear to the men who offer gifts,
Him, Agni
Jatavedas, I beseech at dawn that he may bring the Gods to us.
5 Thee, Agni, will I glorify, deathless nourisher of the world,
Immortal, offering-bearer, meet for sacred food, preserver,
best at sacrifice.
6 Tell good things to thy praiser, O most
youthful God, as richly worshipped, honey-tongued,
And, granting
to Praskanva lengthened days of life, show honour to the Heavenly
Host.
7 For the men, Agni, kindle thee as all possessor and
as Priest;
So Agni, much-invoked, bring hither with all speed
the Gods, the excellently wise,
8 At dawn of day, at night,
Usas and Savitar, the Asvins, Bhaga, Agni's self:
Skilled
in fair rites, with Soma poured, the Kanvas light thee, the
oblation-wafting God.
9 For, Agni, Lord of sacrifice and
messenger of men art thou:
Bring thou the Gods who wake at
dawn who see the light, this day to drink the Soma juice.
10 Thou shonest forth, O Agni, after former dawns, all visible,
O rich in light.
Thou art our help in battle-strife, the
Friend of inan, the great high priest in sacrifice.
11 Like
Manu, we will stablish thee, Agni, performer of the rite,
Invoker, ministering Priest, exceeding wise, the swift immortal
messenger.
12 When as the Gods' High Priest, by many loved,
thou dost their mission as their nearest Friend,
Then, like
the far-resounding billows of the flood, thy flames, O Agni,
roar aloud.
13 Heat-, Agni, who hast ears to hear, with all
thy train of escort Gods;
Let Mitra, Aryaman,- seeking betimes
our rite, seat them upon the sacred grass.
14 Let those who
strengthen Law, who bountiUly give, the life-tongued Maruts,
hear our praise.
May Law-supporting Varuna with the Asvins
twain and Usas, drink the Soma juice.
HYMN XLV Agni.
I WORSHIP the Vasus, Agni! here, the Rudras, the Adityas,
all
Who spring from Manu, those who know fair rites, who
pour their blessings down.
2 Agni, the Gods who understand
give ear unto the worshipper:
Lord of Red Steeds, who lovest
song, bring thou those Three-and-Thirty Gods.
3 O Jatavedas,
great in act, hearken thou to Praskanva's call,
As Priyamedha
erst was heard, Atri, Virupa, Angiras.
4 The sons of Priyamedha
skilled in lofty praise have called for help
On Agni who
with fulgent flame is Ruler of all holy rites.
5 Hear thou,
invoked withholy oil, bountiful giver of rewards,
These eulogies,
whereby the sons of Kanva call thee to their aid.
6 O Agni,
loved by many, thou of fame most wondrous, in their homes
Men call on thee whose hair is flame, to be the bearer of their
gifts.
7 Thee, Agni, best to find out wealth, most widely
famous, quick to hear,
Singers have stablished in their rites
Herald and ministering Priest.
8 Singers with Soma pressed
have made thee, Agni, hasten to the feast,
Great light to
mortal worshipper, what time they bring the sacred gift.
9 Good, bounteous, Son of Strength, this day seat here on sacred
grass the Gods
Who come at early morn, the host of heaven,
to drink the Soma juice
10 Bring with joint invocations thou,
O Agni, the celestial host:
Here stands the Soma, bounteous
Gods drink this expressed ere yesterday.
HYMN XLVI. Asvins.
1 Now Morning with her earliest light shines forth, dear
Daughter of the Sky:
High, Asvins, I extol your praise,
2 Sons of the Sea, mighty to save discoverers of riches, ye
Gods with deep thought who find out wealth.
3 Your giant
coursers hasten on over the region all in flames, -
When
your car flies with winged steeds.
4 He, liberal, lover of
the flood, Lord of the House, the vigilant,
Chiefs! with
oblations feeds you full.
5 Ye have regard unto our hymns,
Nasatyas, thinking of our words:
Drink boldly of the Soma
juice.
6 Vouchsafe to us, O Asvin Pair, such strength as,
with attendant light,
May through the darkness carry us.
7 Come in the ship of these our hymns to bear you to the hither
shore
O Asvins, harness ye the car.
8 The heaven's wide
vessel is your own on the flood's shore your chariot waits
Drops, with the hymn, have been prepared.
9 Kanvas, the drops
are in the heaven; the wealth is at the waters' place:
Where
will ye manifest your form?
10 Light came to lighten up the
branch, the Sun appeared as it were gold:
And with its-tongue
shone forth the dark.
11 The path of sacrifice was made to
travel to the farther goal:
The road of heaven was manifest.
12 The singer of their praise awaits whatever grace the Asvins
give,
who save when Soma gladdens them.
13 Ye dwellers
with Vivasvan come, auspicious, as to Manu erst;
come to
the Soma and our praise.
14 O circumambient Asvins, Dawn
follows the brightness of your way:
Approve with beams our
solemn rites.
15 Drink ye of our libations, grant protection,
O ye Asvins Twain,
With aids which none may interrupt.
HYMN XLVlI. Asvins.
1 ASVINS, for you who strengthen Law this sweetest Soma hath
been shed.
Drink this expressed ere yesterday and give riches
to him who offers it.
2 Come, O ye Asvins, mounted on your
triple car three-seated, beautiful of form
To you at sacrifice
the Kanvas send the prayer: graciously listen to their call.
3 O Asvins, ye who strengthen Law, drink ye this sweetest Soma
juice.
Borne on your wealth-fraught car come ye this day
to him who offers, ye of wondrous deeds.
4 Omniscient Asvins,
on the thrice-heaped grass bedew with the sweet juice the sacrifice.
The sons of Kanva, striving heavenward, call on you with draughts
of Soma juice out-poured.
5 O Asvins, with those aids wherewith
ye guarded Kanva carefully,
Keep us, O hords of Splendour:
drink the Soma juice, ye strengtheners of holy law.
6 O Mighty
Ones, ye gave Sudas abundant food, brought on your treasure-laden
car;
So now vouchsafe to us the wealth which many crave,
either from heaven or from the sea.
7 Nasatyas, whether ye
be far away or close to Turvasa,
Borne on your lightly-rolling
chariot come to us, together with the sunbeams come.
8 So
let your coursers, ornaments of sacrifice, bring you to our
libations here.
Bestowing food on him who acts and gives
aright, sit, Chiefs, upon the sacred grass.
9 Come, O Nasatyas,
on your car decked with a sunbright canopy,
Whereon ye ever
bring wealth to the worshipper, to drink the Soma's pleasant
juice.
10 With lauds and songs of praise we call them down
to us, that they, most rich, may succour us;
For ye have
ever in the Kanvas' well-loved house, O Asvins, drunk the Soma
juice.
HYMN XLVIII. Dawn.
1 DAWN on us with prosperity, O Usas, Daughter of the Sky,
Dawn with great glory, Goddess, Lady of the Light, dawn thou
with riches, Bounteous One.
2 They, bringing steeds and kine,
boon-givers of all wealth, have oft sped forth to lighten us.
O Usas, waken up for me the sounds of joy: send us the riches
of the great.
3 Usas hath dawned, and now shall dawn, the
Goddess, driver forth of cars
Which, as she cometh nigh,
have fixed their thought on her, like glory-seekers on the flood.
4 Here Kanva, chief of Kanva's race, sings forth aloud the glories
of the heroes' names,-
The. princes who, O Usas, as thou
comest near, direct their thoughts to liberal gifts.
5 Like
a good matron Usas comes carefully tending everything:
Rousing
all life she stirs all creatures that have feet, and makes the
birds of air fly up.
6 She sends the busy forth, each man
to his pursuit: delay she knows not as she springs.
O rich
in opulence, after thy dawning birds that have flown forth no
longer rest.
7 This Dawn hath yoked her steeds afar, beyond
the rising of the Sun:
Borne on a hundred chariots she, auspicious
Dawn, advances on her way to Men.
8 To meet her glance all
living creatures bend them down: Excellent One, she makes the
light.
Usas, the Daughter of the Sky, the opulent, shines
foes and enmities away.
9 Shine on us with thy radiant light,
O Usas, Daughter of the Sky,
Bringing to us great store of
high felicity, and bearning on our solemn rites.
10 For in
thee is each living creature's breath and life, when, Excellent!
thou dawnest forth.
Borne on thy lofty car, O Lady of the
Light, hear, thou of wondrous wealth, our call.
11 O Usas,
win thyself the strength which among men is wonderful.
Bring
thou thereby the pious unto holy rites, those who as priests
sing praise to thee.
12 Bring from the firmament, O Usas,
all the Gods, that they may drink our Soma juice,
And, being
what thou art, vouchsafe us kine and steeds, strength meet for
praist and hero might.
13 May Usas whose auspicious rays
are seen resplendent round about,
Grant us great riches,
fair in form, of all good things, wealth which light labour
may attain.
14 Mighty One, whom the Rsis of old time invoked
for their protection and their help,
O Usas, graciously answer
our songs of praise with bounty and with brilliant
light.
15 Usas, as thou with light to day hast opened the twin doors
of heaven,
So grant thou us a dwelling wide and free from
foes. O Goddess, give us food with kine.
16 Bring us to wealth
abundant, sent in every shape, to plentiful refreshing food,
To all-subduing splendour, Usas, Mighty One, to strength, thou
rich in spoil and wealth.
HYMN XLIX. Dawn.
1 E'EN from above the sky's bright realm come, Usas, by auspicious
ways:
Let red steeds bear thee to the house of him who pours
the Soma, juice.
2 The chariot which thou mountest, fair
of shape, O Usas light to move,-
Therewith, O Daughter of
the Sky, aid men of noble fame today.
3 Bright Usas, when
thy times return, all quadrupeds and bipeds stir,
And round
about flock winged birds from all theboundaries of heaven.
4 Thou dawning with thy beams of light illumest all the radiant
realm.
Thee, as thou art, the Kanvas, fain for wealth, have
called with sacred songs.
HYMN L. Surya.
1 HIS bright rays bear him up aloft, the God who knoweth
all that lives,
Surya, that all may look on him.
2 The
constellations pass away, like thieves, together with their
beams,
Before the all-beholding Sun'
3 His herald rays
are seen afar refulgent o'er the world of men,
Like flames
of fire that burn and blaze.
4 Swift and all beautiful art
thou, O Surya, maker of the light,
Illuming all the radiant
realm.
5 Thou goest to the hosts of Gods, thou comest hither
to mankind,
Hither all light to be belield.
6 With that
same eye of thine wherewith thou lookest brilliant Varuna,
Upon the busy race of men,
7 Traversing sky and wide mid-air,
thou metest with thy beams our days,
Sun, seeing all things
that have birth.
8 Seven Bay Steeds harnessed to thy car
bear thee, O thou farseeing One,
God, Surya, with the radiant
hair.
9 Surya hath yoked the pure bright Seven, the daughters
of the car; with these,
His own dear team, he goeth forth.
10 Looking upon the loftier light above the darkness we have
come
To Surya, God among the Gods, the light that is most
excellent.
11 Rising this day, O rich in friends, ascending
to the loftier heaven,
Surya remove my heart's disease, take
from me this my yellow hue.
12 To parrots and to starlings
let us give away my yellowness,
Or this my yellowness let
us transfer to Haritala trees.
13 With all his conquering
vigour this Aditya hath gone up on high,
Giving my foe into
mine hand: let me not be my foeman's prey.
HYMN LI. Indra.
1 MAKE glad with songs that Ram whom many men invoke, worthy
of songs of praise, Indra, the sea of wealth;
Whose gracious
deeds for men spread like the heavens abroad: sing praise to
him the Sage, most liberal for our good.
2 As aids the skilful
Rbhus yearned to Indra strong to save, who fills mid-air, encompassed
round with might,
Rushing in rapture; and -o'er Satakratu
came the gladdening shout that urged him on to victory.
3
Thou hast disclosed the kine's stall for the Angirases, and
made a way for Atri by a hundred doors.
On Vimada thou hast
bestowed both food and wealth, making thy bolt dance in the
sacrificer's fight.
4 Thou hast unclosed the prisons of the
waters; thou hast in the mountain seized the treasure rich in
gifts.
When thou hadst slain with might the dragon Vrtra,
thou, Indra, didst raise the Sun in heaven for all to see.
5 With wondrous might thou blewest enchanter fiends away, with
powers celestial those who called on thee in jest.
Thou,
hero-hearted, hast broken down Pipru's forts, and helped Rjisvan
when the Dasyus were struck dead.
6 Thou savedst Kutsa when
Susna was smitten down; to Atithigva gavest Sambara for a prey.
E'en mighty Arbuda thou troddest under foot: thou from of old
wast born to strike the Dasyus dead.
7 All power and might
is closely gathered up in thee; thy bounteous spirit joys in
drinking Soma juice.
Known is the thunderbolt that lies within
thine arms: rend off therewith all manly prowess of our foe.
8 Discern thou well Aryas and Dasyus; punishing the lawless
give them up to him whose grass is strewn.
Be thou the sacrificer's
strong encourager all these thy deeds are my delight at festivals.
9 Indra gives up the lawless to the pious man, destroying by
the Strong Ones those who have no strength.
Vamra when glorified
destroyed the gathered piles of the still waxing great one who
would reach the heaven.
10 The might which Usana hath formed
for thee with might rends in its greatness and with strength
both worlds apart.
O Hero-souled, the steeds of Vata, yoked
by thought, have carried thee to fame while thou art filled
with power.
11 When Indra hath rejoiced with Kavya Usana,
he mounts his steeds who swerve wider and wider yet.
The
Strong hath loosed his bolt with the swift rush of rain, and
he hath rent in pieces Susna's firm-built forts.
12 Thou
mountest on thy car amid strong Soma draughts: Saryata brought
thee those in which thou hast delight.
Indra, when thou art
pleased with men whose Soma flows thou risest to unchallenged
glory in the sky.
13 To old Kaksivin, Soma-presser, skilled
in song, O Indra, thou didst give the youthful Vrcaya.
Thou,
very wise, wast Mena, Vrsanaiva's child: those deeds of thine
must all be told at Soma feasts.
14 The good man's refuge
in his need is Indra, firm as a doorpost, praised among the
Pajras.
Indra alone is Lord of wealth, the Giver, lover of
riches, chariots, kine, and horses.
15 To him the Mighty
One, the self-resplendent, verily strong and great, this praise
is uttered.
May we and all the heroes, with the princes,
be, in this fray, O Indra, in thy keeping.
HYMN LII. Indra.
1 I GLORIFY that Ram who finds the light of heaven, whose
hundred nobly-natured ones go forth with him.
With hymns
may I turn hither Indra to mine aid,-the Car which like a strong
steed hasteth to the call.
2 Like as a mountain on firm basis,
unremoved, he, thousandfold protector, waxed in mighty strength,
When Indra, joying in the draughts of Soma juice, forced the
clouds, slaying Vrtra stayer of their flow.
3 For he stays
e'en the stayers, spread o'er laden cloud, rooted in light,
strengthened in rapture by the wise.
Indra with thought,
with skilled activity, I call, most liberal giver, for he sates
him with the juice.
4 Whom those that flow in heaven on sacred
grass, his own assistants, nobly-natured, fill full like the
sea,-
Beside that Indra when he smote down Vrtra stood his
helpers, straight in form, mighty, invincible.
5 To him,
as in wild joy he fought with him who stayed the rain, his helpers
sped like swift streams down a slope,
When Indra, thunder-armed,
made bold by Soma draughts, as Trta cleaveth Vala's fences,
cleft him through.
6 Splendour encompassed thee, forth shone
thy warrior might: the rain-obstructer lay in mid-air's lowest
deep,
What time, O Indra, thou didst cast thy thunder down
upon the jaws of Vritra hard to be restrained.
7 The hymns
which magnify thee, Indra, reach to thee even as water-brooks
flow down and fill the lake.
Tvastar gave yet more force
to thine appropriate strength, and forged thy thunderbolt of
overpowering might.
8 When, Indra, thou whose power is linked
with thy Bay Steeds hadst smitten Vrtra, causing floods to flow
for man,
Thou heldst in thine arms the metal thunderbolt,
and settest in the heaven the Sun for all to see.
9 In fear
they raised the lofty self-resplendent hymn, praise giving and
effectual, leading up to heaven,
When Indra's helpers fighting
for the good of men, the Maruts, faithful to mankind, joyed
in the light.
10 Then Heaven himself, the mighty, at that
Dragon's roar reeled back in terror when, Indra, thy thunderbolt
In the wild joy of Soma had struck off with might the head of
Vrtra, tyrant of the earth and heaven.
11 O Indra, were this
earth extended forth tenfold, and men who dwell therein multiplied
day by day,
Still here thy conquering might, Maghavan, would
be famed: it hath waxed vast as heaven in majesty and power.
12 Thou, bold of heart, in thine own native might, for help,
upon the limit of this mid-air and of heaven,
Hast made the
earth to be the pattern of thy strength: embracing flood and
light thou reachest to the sky.
13 Thou art the counterpart
of earth, the Master of lofty heaven with all its mighty Heroes:
Thou hast filled all the region with thy greatness: yea, of
a truth there is none other like thee.
14 Whose amplitude
the heaven and earth have not attained, whose bounds the waters
of mid-air have never reached,-
Not, when in joy he fights
the stayer of the rain: thou, and none else, hast made all things
in order due.
15 The Maruts sang thy praise in this encounter,
and in thee all the Deities delighted,
What time thou, Indra,
with thy spiky weapon, thy deadly bolt, smotest the face of
Vrtra.
HYMN LIII. Indra.
I WE will present fair praise unto the Mighty One, our hymns
to Indra in Vivasvdn's dwelling-place;
For he hath ne'er
found wealth in those who seem to sleep: those who give wealth
to men accept no paltry praise.
2 Giver of horses, Indra,
giver, thou, of kine, giver of barley, thou art Lord and guard
of wealth:
Man's helper from of old, not disappointing hope,
Friend of our friends, to thee ,as such we sing this praise.
3 Indra, most splendid, powerful, rich in mighty deeds, this
treasure spread around is known to be thine own.
Gather therefrom,
O Conqueror, and bring to us: fail not the hope of him who loves
and sings to thee.
4 Well pleased with these bright flames
and with these Soma drops, take thou away our poverty with seeds
and kine.
With Indra scattering the Dasyu through these drops,
freed from their hate may we obtain abundant food.
5 Let
us obtain, O Indra, plenteous wealth and food, with strength
exceeding glorious, shining to the sky:
May we obtain the
Goddess Providence, the strength of heroes, special source of
cattle, rich in steeds.
6 These our libations strength-inspiring,
Soma draughts, gladdened thee in the fight with Vrtra, Hero
Lord,
What time thou slewest for the singer with trimmed
grass ten thousand Vrtras, thou resistless in thy might.
7 Thou goest on from fight to fight intrepidly, destroying castle
after castle here with strength.
Thou, Indra, with thy friend
who makes the foe bow down, slewest from far away the guileful
Namuci.
8 Thou hast struck down in death Karanja, Parnaya,
in Atithigva's very glorious going forth.
Unyielding, when
Rjisvan compassed them with siege, thou hast destroyed the hundred
forts of Vangrida.
9 With all-outstripping chariot-wheel,
O Indra, thou far-famed, hast overthrown the twice ten Kings
of men,
With sixty thousand nine-and-ninety followers, who
came in arms to fight with friendless Susravas.
10 Thou hast
protected Susravas with succour, and Turvayana with thine aid,
O Indra.
Thou madest Kutsa, Atithigva, Ayu, subject unto
this King, the young, the mighty.
11 May we protected by
the Gods hereafter remain thy very prosperous friends, O Indra.
Thee we extol, enjoying through thy favour life long and joyful
and with store of heroes.
HYMN LIV. Indra.
1 URGE us not, Maghavan, to this distressful fight, for none
may comprehend the limit of thy strength.
Thou with fierce
shout hast made the woods and rivers roar: did not men run in
crowds together in their fear?
2 Sing hymns of praise to
Sakra, Lord of power and might; laud thou and magnify Indra
who hearcth thee,
Who with his daring might, a Bull exceeding
strong in strength, maketh him master of the heaven and earth.
3 Sing forth to lofty Dyaus a strength-bestowing song, the Bold,
whose resolute mind hath independent sway.
High glory hath
the Asura, compact of strength, drawn on by two Bay Steeds:
a Bull, a Car is he.
4 The ridges of the lofty heaven thou
madest shake; thou, daring, of thyself smotest through Sambara,
When bold with gladdening juice, thou warredst with thy bolt,
sharp and twoedged, against the banded sorcerers.
5 When
with a roar that fills the woods, thou forcest down on wind's
head the stores which 8usga kept confined,
Who shall have
power to stay thee firm and eager-souled from doing still this
day what thou of old hast done?
6 Thou helpest Narya, Turvasa,
and Yadu, and Vayya's son Turviti, Satakratu!
Thou helpest
horse and car in final battle thou breakest down the nine-and-ninety
castles.
7 A hero-lord is he, King of a mighty folk, who
offers free oblations and promotes the Law,
Who with a bounteous
guerdon welcomes hymns of praise: for him flows down the abundant
stream below the sky.
8 His power is matchless, matchless
is his wisdom; chief, through their work, be some who drink
the Soma,
Those, Indra, who increase the lordly power, the
firm heroic strength of thee the Giver.
9 Therefore for thee
are these abundant beakers Indra's drink, stone-pressed juices
held in ladles.
Quaff them and satisfy therewith thy longing;
then fix thy mind upon bestowing treasure.
10 There darkness
stood, the vault that stayed the waters' flow: in Vrtra's hollow
side the rain-cloud lay concealed.
But Indra smote the rivers
which the obstructer stayed, flood following after flood, down
steep declivitics.
11 So give us, Indra, bliss-increasing
glory give us great sway and strength that conquers people.
Preserve our wealthy patrons, save our princes; vouchsafe us
wealth and food with noble offspring.
HYMN LV. Indra.
1 THOUGH e'en this heaven's wide space and earth have spread
them out, nor heaven nor earth may be in greatness Indra's match.
Awful and very mighty, causing woe to men, he whets his thunderbolt
for sharpness, as a bull.
2 Like as the watery ocean, so
doth he receive the rivers spread on all sides in their ample
width.
He bears him like a bull to drink of Soma juice, and
will, as Warrior from of old, be praised for might.
3 Thou
swayest, Indra, all kinds of great manly power, so as to bend,
as't were, even that famed mountain down.
Foremost among
the Gods is he through hero might, set in the van, the Strong
One, for each arduous deed.
4 He only in the wood is praised
by worshippers, when he shows forth to men his own fair Indra-power.
A friendly Bull is he, a Bull to be desired when Maghavan auspiciously
sends forth his voice.
5 Yet verily the Warrior in his vigorous
strength stirreth up with his might great battles for mankind;
And men have faith in Indra, the respIendent One, what time
he hurleth down his bolt, his dart of death.
6 Though, fain
for glory, and with strength increased on earth, he with great
might destroys the dwellings made with art,
He makes the
lights of heaven shine forth secure, he bids, exceeding wise,
the floods flow for his worshipper.
7 Drinker of Soma, let
thy heart incline to give; bring thy Bays hitherward, O thou
who hearest praise.
Those charioteers of' thine, best skilled
to draw the rein, the rapid sunbeams, Indra, lead thee not astray.
8 Thou bearest in both hands treasure that never fails; the
famed One in his body holds unvanquished might.
O Indra,
in thy members many powers abide, like wells surrounded by the
ministering priests.
HYMN LVI. Indra.
I FOR this man's full libations held in ladles, he hath roused
him, eager, as a horse to meet the mare.
He stays his golden
car, yoked with Bay Horses, swift, and drinks the Soma juice
which strengthens for great deeds.
2 To him the guidance-following
songs of praise flow full, as those who seek gain go in company
to the flood.
To him the Lord of power, the holy synod's
might, as to a hill, with speed, ascend the loving ones.
3 Victorious, great is he; in manly battle shines, unstained
with dust, his might, as shines a mountain peak;
Wherewith
the iron one, fierce e'en against the strong, in rapture, fettered
wily Sushna fast in bonds.
4 When Strength the Goddess, made
more strong for help by thee, waits upon Indra as the Sun attends
the Dawn,
Then. he who with his might unflinching kills the
gloom stirs up the dust aloft, with joy and triumphing.
5
When thou with might, upon the framework of the heaven, didst
fix, across, air's region firmly, unremoved,
In the light-winning
war, Indra, in rapturous joy, thou smotest Vrtra dead and broughtest
floods of rain.
6 Thou with thy might didst grasp,the holder-up
of heaven, thou who art mighty also in the seats of earth.
Thou, gladdened by the juice, hast set the waters free, and
broken Vrtra's stony fences through and through.
HYMN LVII. Indra.
I To him most liberal, lofty Lord of lofty wealth, verily
powerful and strong, I bring my hymn,-
Whose checkless bounty,
as of waters down a slope, is spread abroad for all that live,
to give them strength.
2 Now all this world, for worship,
shall come after thee-the offerer's libations like floods to
the depth,
When the well-loved one seems to rest upon the
hill, the thunderbolt of Indra, shatterer wrought of gold.
3 To him the terrible, most meet for lofty praise, like bright
Dawn, now bring gifts with reverence in this rite,
Whose
being, for renown, yea, Indra-power and light, have been created,
like bay steeds, to move with speed.
4 Thine, Indra, praised
by many, excellently rich! are we who trusting in thy help draw
near to thee.
Lover of praise, none else but thou receives
our laud: as earth loves all her creatures, love thou this our
hymn.
5 Great is thy power, O Indra, we are thine. Fulfil,
O Maghavan, the wish of this thy worshipper.
After thee lofty
heaven hath measured out its strength: to thee and to thy power
this earth hath bowed itself.
6 Thou, who hast thunder for
thy weapon, with thy bolt hast shattered into pieces this broad
massive cloud.
Thou hast sent down the obstructed floods
that they may flow: thou hast, thine own for ever, all victorious
might.
HYMN LVIII., Agni.
I NE'ER waxeth faint the Immortal, Son of Strength, since
he, the Herald, hath become Vivasvan's messenger.
On paths
most excellent he measured out mid-air: he with oblation calls
to service of the Gods.
2 Never decaying, seizing his appropriate
food, rapidly, eagerly through the dry wood he spreads.
His
back, as he is sprinkled, glistens like a horse: loud hath he
roared and shouted like the heights of heaven?
3 Set high
in place o'er all that Vasus, Rudras do, immortal, Lord of riches,
seated as High Priest;
Hastening like a car to men, to those
who live, the God without delay gives boons to be desired.
4 Urged by the wind be spreads through dry wood as he lists,
armed with his tongues for sickles, with a mighty roar.
Black
is thy path, Agni, changeless, with glittering waves! when like
a bull thou rushest eager to the trees.
5 With teeth of flame,
wind-driven, through the wood he speeds, triumphant like a bull
among the herd of cows,
With bright strength roaming to the
everlasting air: things fixed, things moving quake before him
as he flies.
6 The Bhrgus established thee among mankind
for men, like as a treasure, beauteous, easy to invoke;
Thee,
Agni, as a herald and choice-worthy guest, as an auspicious
Friend to the Celestial Race.
7 Agni, the seven tongues'
deftest Sacrificer, him whom the priests elect at solemn worship,
The Herald, messenger of all the Vasus, I serve with dainty
food, I ask for riches.
8 Grant, Son of Strength, thou rich
in friends, a refuge without a flaw this day to us thy praisers.
O Agni, Son of Strength, with forts of iron preserve thou from
distress the man who lauds thee.
9 Be thou a refuge, Bright
One, to the singer, a shelter, Bounteous Lord, to those who
worship.
Preserve the singer from distress, O Agni. May he,
enriched with prayer, come soon and early.
HYMN LIX. Agni.
1 THE other fires are, verily, thy branches; the Immortals
all rejoice in thee, O Agni.
Centre art thou, Vaigvdnara,
of the people, sustaining men like a deep-founded pillar.
2 The forehead of the sky, earth's centre, Agni became the messenger
of earth and heaven.
Vaisvanara, the Deities produced thee,
a God, to be a light unto the Arya.
3 As in the Sun firm
rays are set for ever, treasures are in Vaisvanara, in Agni.
Of all the riches in the hills, the waters, the herbs, among
mankind, thou art the Sovran.
4 As the great World-halves,
so are their Son's praises; skilled, as a man, to act, is he
the Herald.
Vaisvanara, celestial, truly mighty, most manly
One, hath many a youthful consort.
5 Even the lofty heaven,
O Jatavedas Vaisvanara, hath not attained thy greatness.
Thou art the King of lands where men are settled, thou hast
brought comfort to the Gods in battle.
6 Now will I tell
the greatness of the Hero whom Prarti's sons follow as Vrtra's
slayer:
Agni Vaisvanara struck down the Dasyu, cleave Sambara
through and shattered down his fences.
7 Vaisvanara, dwelling
by his might with all men, far-shining, holy mid the Bharadvajas,
Is lauded, excellent, with hundred praises by Purunitha, son
of Satavani.
HYMN LX. Agni.
I As 'twere Some goodly treasure Matarisvan brought, as a
gift, the glorious Priest to Bhrgu,
Banner of sacrifice,
the good Protector, child of two births, the swiftly moving
envoy.
2 Both Gods and men obey this Ruler's order, Gods
who are worshipped, men who yearn and worship.
As Priest
he takes his seat ere break of morning, House-Lord, adorable
with men, Ordainer.
3 May our fair praise, heart-born, most
recent, reach him whose tongue, e'en at his birth, is sweet
as honey;
Whom mortal priests, men, with their strong endeavour,
supplied with dainty viands, have created.
4 Good to mankind,
the yearning Purifier hath among men been placed as Priest choice-worthy.
May Agni be our Friend, Lord of the Household, protector of
the riches in the dwelling.
5 As such we Gotamas with hymns
extol thee, O Agni, as the guardian Lord of riches,
Decking
thee like a horse, the swift prizewinner. May he, enriched with
prayer, come soon and early.
HYMN LXI Indra.
1 EVEN to him, swift, strong and high. exalted, I bring my
song of praise as dainty viands,
My thought to him resistless,
praise-deserving, prayers offered most especially to Indra.
2 Praise, like oblation, I present, and utter aloud my song,
my fair hymn to the Victor.
For Indra, who is Lord of old,
the singers have decked their lauds with heart and mind and
spirit.
3 To him then with my lips mine adoration, winning
heaven's light, most excellent, I offer,
To magnify with
songs of invocation and with fair hymns the Lord, most bounteous
Giver.
4 Even for him I frame a laud, as fashions the wright
a chariot for the man who needs it,-
Praises to him who gladly
hears our praises, a hymn well-formed, all-moving, to wise Indra.
5 So with my tongue I deck, to please that Indra, my hymn, as
'twere a horse, through love of glory,
To reverence the Hero,
bounteous Giver, famed far and wide, destroyer of the castles.
6 Even for him hath Tvastar forged the thunder, most deftly
wrought, celestial, for the battle,
Wherewith he reached
the vital parts of Vrtra, striking-the vast, the mighty with
the striker.
7 As soon as, at libations of his mother, great
Visnu had drunk up the draught, he plundered.
The dainty
cates, the cooked mess; but One stronger transfixed the wild
boar, shooting through the mountain.
8 To him, to Indra,
when he slew the Dragon, the Dames, too, Consorts of the Goda,
wove praises.
The mighty heaven and earth hath he encompassed:
thy greatness heaven and earth, combined, exceed not.
9 Yea,
of a truth, his magnitude surpasseth the magnitude of earth,
mid-air, and heaven.
Indra, approved by all men, self-resplendent,
waxed in his home, loud-voiced and strong for battle.
10
Through his own strength Indra with bolt of thunder cut piece-meal
Vrtra, drier up of waters.
He let the floods go free, like
cows imprisoned, for glory, with a heart inclined to bounty.
11 The rivers played, through his impetuous splendour, since
with his bolt he compassed them on all sides.
Using his might
and favouring him who worshipped, he made a ford, victorious,
for Turviti.
12 Vast, with thine ample power, with eager
movement, against this Vrtra cast thy bolt of thunder.
Rend
thou his joints, as of an ox, dissevered, with bolt oblique,
that floods of rain may follow.
13 Sing with new lauds his
exploits wrought aforetime, the deeds of him, yea, him who moveth
swiftly,
When, hurling forth his weapons in the battle, he
with impetuous wrath lays low the foemen.
14 When he, yea,
he, comes forth the firm. Set mountains and the whole heaven
and earth, tremble for terror.
May Nodhas, ever praising
the protection of that dear Friend, gain quickly strength heroic.
15 Now unto him of these things hath been given what he who
rules alone o'er much, electeth.
Indra hath helped Etasa,
Soma-presser, contending in the race of steeds with Sarya.
16 Thus to thee, Indra, yoker of Bay Coursers, the Gotamas have
brought their prayers to please thee.
Bestow upon them thought,
decked with all beauty. May he, enriched with prayer, come soon
and early.
HYMN LXII. Indra.
1. LIKE Angiras a gladdening laud we ponder to him who loveth
song, exceeding mighty.
Let us sing glory to the far-famed
Hero who must be praised with fair hymns by the singer.
2
Unto the great bring ye great adoration, a chant with praise
to him exceeding mighty,
Through whom our sires, Angirases,
singing praises and knowing well the places, found the cattle.
3 When Indra and the Angirases desired it, Sarama found provision
for her offipring.
Brhaspati cleft the mountain, found the
cattle: the heroes shouted with the kine in triumph.
4 Mid
shout, loud shout, and roar, with the Navagvas, seven singers,
hast thou, heavenly, rent the mountain;
Thou hast, with speeders,
with Dasagvas, Indra, Sakra, with thunder rent obstructive Vala.
5 Praised by Angirases, thou, foe-destroyer, hast, with the
Dawn, Sun, rays, dispellcd the darkness.
Thou Indra, hast
spread out the earths high ridges, and firmly fixed the region
under heaven.
6 This is the deed most worthy of all honour,
the fairest marvel of the Wonder-Worker,
That, nigh where
heaven bends down, he made four rivers flow full with waves
that carry down sweet water.
7 Unwearied, won with lauding
hymns, he parted of old the ancient Pair, united ever.
In
highest sky like Bhaga, he the doer of marvels set both Dames
and earth and heaven.
8 Still born afresh, young Dames, each
in her manner, unlike in hue, the Pair in alternation
Round
heaven and earth from ancient time have travelled, Night with
her dark limbs, Dawn with limbs of splendour.
9 Rich in good
actions, skilled in operation, the Son with might maintains
his perfect friendship.
Thou in the raw cows, black of hue
or ruddy, storest the ripe milk glossy white in colour.
10
Their paths, of old connected, rest uninjured; they with great
might preserve the immortal statutes.
For many thousand holy
works the Sisters wait on the haughty Lord like wives and matrons.
11 Thoughts ancient, seeking wealth, with adoration, with newest
lauds have sped to thee, O Mighty.
As yearning wives cleave
to their yearning husband, so cleave our hymns to thee, O Lord
most potent.
12 Strong God, the riches which thy hands have
holden from days of old have perished not nor wasted.
Splendid
art thou, O Indra, wise, unbending:strengthen us with might,
O Lord of Power.
13 O mighty Indra, Gotama's son Nodhas hath
fashioned this new prayer to thee Eternal,
Sure leader, yoker
of the Tawny Coursers. May he, enriched with prayer, come soon
and early.
HYMN LXIII. Indra.
1. THOU art the Mighty One; when born, O Indra, with power
thou tcrrifiedst earth and heaven -
When, in their fear of
thee, all firm-set mountains and monstrous creatures shook like
dust before thee.
2 When thy two wandering Bays thou drawest
hither, thy praiser laid within thine arms the thunder,
Wherewith,
O Much-invoked, in will resistless, thou smitest foemen down
and many a castle.
3 Faithful art thou, these thou defiest,
Indra; thou art the Rbhus' Lord, heroic, victor.
Thou, by
his side, for young and glorious Kutsa, with steed and car in
battle slewest Susna,
4 That, as a friend, thou furtheredst,
O Indra, when, Thundcrer, -strong in act, thou crushedst Vrtra;
When, Hero, thou, great-souled, with easy conquest didst rend
the Dasyus in their
distant dwelling.
5 This doest thou,
and art not harmed, O Indra, e'en in the anger of the strongest
mortal.
Lay thou the race-course open for our horses: as
with a club, slay, Thunderarmed 1 our foemen.
6 Hence men
invoke thee, Indra, in the tumult of battle, in the light-bestowing
conflict.
This aid of thine, O Godlike One, was ever to be
implored in deeds of might in combat.
7 Warring for Purukutsa
thou, O Indra, Thunder-armed I breakest down the seven castles;
Easily, for Sudis, like grass didst rend them, and out of need,
King, broughtest gain to Puru.
8 O Indra, God who movest
round about us, feed us with varied food plenteous as water-
Food wherewithal, O Hero, thou bestowest vigour itself to flow
to us for ever.
9 Prayers have been made by Gotamas, O Indra,
addressed to thee, with laud for thy Bay Horses.
Bring us
in noble shape abundant riches. May he, enriched with prayer,
come soon and early.
HYMN LXIV. Maruts.
1. BRING for the manly host, wise and majestical, O Nodhas,
for the Maruts bring thou a pure gift.
I deck my songs as
one deft-handed, wise in mind prepares the water that hath power
in solemn rites.
2 They spring to birth, the lofty Ones,
the Bulls of Heaven, divine, the youths of Rudra, free from
spot and stain;
The purifiers, shining brightly even as suns,
awful of form like giants, scattering rain-drops down.
3
Young Rudras, demon-slayers, never growing old, they have waxed,
even as mountains, irresistible.
They make all beings tremble
with their mighty strength, even the very strongest, both of
earth and heaven.
4 With glittering ornaments they deck them
forth for show; for beauty on their breasts they bind their
chains of gold.
The lances on their shoulders pound to pieces;
they were born together, of themselves, the Men of Heaven.
5 Loud roarers, giving strength, devourers of the foe, they
make the winds, they make the lightnings with their powers.
The restless shakers drain the udders of the sky, and ever wandering
round fill the earth full with milk.
6 The bounteous Maruts
with the fatness dropping milk fill full the waters which avail
in solenm rites.
They lead, as 'twere, the Strong Horse forth,
that it may rain: they milk the thundering, the never-failing
spring.
7 Mighty, with wondrous power and marvellously bright,
selfstrong like mountains, ye glide swiftly on your way.
Like the wild elephants ye eat the forests up when ye assume
your strength among the bright red flames.
8 Exceeding wise
they roar like lions mightily, they, all-possessing, are beauteous
as antelopes;
Stirring the darkness with lances and spotted
deer, combined as priests, with serpents' fury through their
might.
9 Heroes who march in companies, befriending man,
with serpents' ire through strength, ye greet the earth and
heaven.
Upon the seats, O Maruts, of your chariots, upon
the cars stands lightning visible as light.
10 Lords of all
riches, dwelling in the home of wealth, endowed with mighty
vigour, singers loud of voice,
Heroes, of powers infinite,
armed with strong men's rings, the archers, they have laid the
arrow on their arms.
11 They who with golden fellies make
the rain increase drive forward the big clouds like wanderers
on the way.
Self-moving, brisk, unwearied, they o'erthrow
the firm; the Maruts with bright lances make all things to reel.
12 The progeny of Rudra we invoke with prayer, the brisk, the
bright, the worshipful, the active Ones
To the strong band
of Maruts cleave for happiness, the chasers of the sky, impetuous,
vigorous.
13 Maruts, the man whom ye have guarded with your
help, he verily in strength surpasseth all mankind.
Spoil
with his steeds he gaineth, treasure with his men; he winneth
honourable strength and prospereth.
14 O Maruts, to the worshippers
give glorious strength invincible in battle, brilliant, bringing
wealth,
Praiseworthy, known to all men. May we foster well,
during a hundred winters, son and progeny.
15 Will ye then,
O ye Maruts, grant us riches, durable, rich in men, defying
onslaught.
A hundred, thousandfold, ever increasing? May
he, enriched with prayer, come soon and early.
HYMN LXV. Agni.
1 ONE-MINDED, wise, they tracked thee like a thief lurking
in dark cave with a stolen cow:
Thee claiming worship, bearing
it to Gods -. there nigh to thee sate all the Holy Ones.
2 The Gods approached the ways of holy Law; there was a gathering
vast as heaven itself.
The waters feed with praise the growing
Babe, born nobly in the womb, the seat of Law.
3 Like grateful
food, like some wide dwelling place, like a fruit-bearing hill,
a wholesome stream.
Like a steed urged to run in swift career,
rushing like Sindhu, who may check his course?
4 Kin as a
brother to his sister floods, he cats the woods as a King eats
the rich.
When through the forest, urged by wind, he spreads,
verily Agni shears the hair of earth.
5 Like a swan sitting
in the floods he pants wisest in mind mid men he wakes at morn.
A Sage like Soma, sprung from Law, he grew like some young creature,
mighty, shining far.
HYMN LXVI. Agni.
1. LIKE the Sun's glance, like wealth of varied sort, like
breath which is the life, like one's own son,
Like a swift
bird, a cow who yields her milk, pure and refulgent to the wood
he speeds.
2 He offers safety like a pleasant home, like
ripened corn, the Conqueror of men.
Like a Seer lauding,
famed among the folk; like a steed friendly he vouchsafes us
power.
3 With flame insatiate, like eternal might; caring
for each one like a dame at home;
Bright when he shines forth,
whitish mid the folk, like a car, gold-decked, thundering to
the fight.
4 He strikes with terror like a dart shot forth,
e'en like an archer's arrow tipped with flame;
Master of
present and of future life, the maidens' lover and the matrons'
Lord.
5 To him lead all your ways: may we attain the kindled
God as cows their home at eve.
He drives the flames below
as floods their swell: the rays rise up to the fair place of
heaven.
HYMN LXVII. Agni.
1. VICTORIOUS in the wood, Friend among men, ever he claims
obedience as a King.
Gracious like peace, blessing like mental
power, Priest was he, offering-bearer, full of thought.
2
He, bearing in his hand all manly might, crouched in the cavern,
struck the Gods with fear.
Men filled with understanding
find him there, when they have sting prayers formed within their
heart.
3 He, like the Unborn, holds the broad earth up; and
with effective utterance fixed the sky.
O Agni, guard the
spots which cattle love: thou, life of all, hast gone from lair
to lair.
4 Whoso hath known him dwelling in his lair, and
hath approached the stream of holy Law,-
They who release
him, paying sacred rites, -truly to such doth he announce great
wealth.
5 He who grows mightily in herbs, within each fruitful
mother and each babe she bears,
Wise, life of all men, in
the waters' home,-for him have sages built as 'twere a seat.
HYMN LXVIII. Agni.
1. COMMINGLING, restless, he ascends the sky, unveiling nights
and all that stands or moves,
As he the sole God is preeminent
in great. ness among all these other Gods.
2 All men are
joyful in thy power, O God, that living from the dry wood thou
art born.
All truly share thy Godhead while they keep, in
their accustomed ways, eternal Law.
3 Strong is the thought
of Law, the Law's behest; all works have they performed; he
quickens all.
Whoso will bring oblation, gifts to thee, to
him, bethinking thee, vouchsafe thou wealth.
4 Seated as
Priest with Manu's progeny, of all these treasures he alone
is Lord.
Men yearn for children to prolong their line, and
are not disappointed in their hope.
5 Eagerly they who hear
his word fulfil his wish as sons obey their sire's behest.
He, rich in food, unbars his wealth like doors: he, the House-Friend,
bath decked heaven's vault with stars.
HYMN LXIX. Agni.
1. BRIGHT, splendid, like Dawn's lover, he bath filled the
two joined worlds as with the light of heaven.
When born,
with might thou hast encompassed them: Father of Gods, and yet
their Son wast thou.
2 Agni, the Sage, the humble, who discerns
like the cow's udder, the sweet taste of food,
Like a bliss-giver
to be drawn to men, sits gracious in the middle of the house.
3 Born in the dwelling like a lovely son, pleased, like a strong
steed, he bears on the folk.
What time the men and I, with
heroes, call, may Agni then gain all through Godlike power.
4 None breaks these holy laws of thine when thou hast granted
audience to these chieftains here.
This is thy boast, thou
smotest with thy peers, and joined with heroes dravest off disgrace.
5 Like the Dawn's lover, spreading light, well-known as hued
like morn, may he remember me.
They, bearing of themselves,
unbar the doors: they all ascend to the fair place of heaven.
HYMN LXX. Agni.
1. MAY we, the pious, win much food by prayer, may Agni with
fair light pervade each act,-
He the observer of the heavenly
laws of Gods, and of the race of mortal man.
2 He who is
germ of waters, germ of woods, germ of all things that move
not and that move,-
To him even in the rock and in the house:
Immortal One, he cares for all mankind.
3 Agni is Lord of
riches for the man who serves him readily with sacred songs.
Protect these beings thou with careful thought, knowing the
races both of Gods and men.
4 Whom many dawns and nights,
unlike, make strong, whom, born in Law, all things that move
and stand,-
He bath been won, Herald who sits in light, making
effectual all our holy works.
5 Thou settest value on our
cows and woods: all shall bring tribute to us to the light.
men have served thee in many and sundry spots, parting, as 'twere,
an aged father's wealth.
6 Like a brave archer, like one
skilled and bold, a fierce avenger, so he shines in fight.
HYMN LXXI. Agni.
1. LOVING the loving One, as wives their husband, the sisters
of one home have urged him forward,
Bright-coloured, even,
as the cows love morning, dark, breaking forth to view, and
redly beaming.
2 Our sires with lauds burst e'en the firmset
fortress, yea, the Angirases, with roar, the mountain.
They
made for us a way to reach high heaven, they found us day, light,
day's sign, beams of morning.
3 They stablished order, made
his service fruitful; then parting them among the longing faithful,
Not thirsting after aught, they come, most active, while with
sweet food the race of Gods they strengthen.
4 Since Matarisvan,
far-diffused, bath stirred him, and he in every house grown
bright and noble,
He, Bhrgu-like I hath gone as his companion,
as on commission to a greater Sovran.
5 When man poured juice
to Heaven, the mighty Father, he knew and freed himself from
close embracement.
The archer boldly shot at him his arrow,
and the God threw his splendour on his Daughter.
6 Whoso,
bath flames for thee within his dwelling, or brings the worship
which thou lovest daily,
Do thou of double might increase
his substance: may he whom thou incitest meet with riches.
7 All sacrificial viands wait on Agni as the Seven mighty Rivers
seek the ocean.
Not by our brethren was our food discovered:
find with the Gods care for us, thou who knowest.
8 When
light bath filled the Lord of men for increase, straight from
the heaven descends the limpid moisture.
Agni bath brought
to light and filled with spirit the youthful host blameless
and well providing.
9 He who like thought goes swiftly on
his journey, the Sun, alone is ever Lord of riches.
The Kings
with fair hands, Varuna and Mitra, protect the precious nectar
in our cattle.
10 O Agni, break not our ancestral friendship,
Sage as thou art, endowed with deepest knowledge.
Old age,
like gathering cloud, impairs the body: before that evil be
come nigh protect me.
HYMN LXXII. Agni.
1. THOUGH holding many gifts for men, he humbleth the higher
powers of each wise ordainer.
Agni is now the treasure-lord
of treasures, for ever granting all immortal bounties.
2
The Gods infallible all searching found not him, the dear Babe
who still is round about us.
Worn weary, following his track,
devoted, they reached the lovely highest home of Agni.
3
Because with holy oil the pure Ones, Agni, served thee the very
pure three autumn seasons,
Therefore they won them holy names
for worship, and nobly born they dignified their bodies.
4 Making them known to spacious earth and heaven, the holy Ones
revealed the powers of Rudra.
The mortal band, discerning
in the distance, found Agni standing in the loftiest station.
5 Nigh they approached, one-minded, with their spouses, kneeling
to him adorable paid worship.
Friend finding in his own friend's
eye protection, they made their own the bodies which they chastened.
6 Soon as the holy beings had discovered the thrice-seven mystic
things contained within thee,
With these, one-minded., they
preserve the Amrta: guard thou the life of all their plants
and cattle.
7 Thou, Agni, knower of men's works, hast sent
us good food in constant course for our subsistence:
Thou
deeply skilled in paths of Gods becamest an envoy never wearied,
offeringbearer.
8 Knowing the Law, the seven strong floods
from heaven, full of good thought, discerned the doors of riches.
Sarama found the cattle's firm-built prison whereby the race
of man is still supported.
9 They who approached all noble
operations making a path that leads to life immortal,
To
be the Bird's support, the spacious mother, Aditi, and her great
Sons stood in power.
10 When Gods immortal made both eyes
of heaven, they gave to him the gift of beauteous glory.
Now they flow forth like rivers set in motion: they knew the
Red Steeds coming down, O Agni.
HYMN LXXIII. Agni.
I. HE who gives food, like patrimonial riches and guides
aright like some wise man's instruction,
Loved like a guest
who lies in pleasant lodging,-may he, as Priest, prosper his
servant's dwelling.
2 He who like Savitar the God, true-minded
protecteth with his power. all acts of vigour,
Truthful,
like splendourr, glorified by many, like breath joy-giving,-all
must strive to win him.
3 He who on earth dwells like a king
surrounded by faithful friends, like a God all-sustaining,
Like heroes who preside, who sit in safety: like as a blameless
dame dear to her husband.
4 Thee, such, in settlements secure,
O Agni, our men serve ever kindled in each dwelling.
On him
have they laid splendour in abundance: dear to all men, bearer
be he of riches.
5 May thy rich worshippers win food, O Agni,
and princes gain long life who bring oblation.
May we get
booty from jur foe in battle, presenting to the Gods their share
for glory.
6 The cows of holy law, sent us by Heaven, have
swelled with laden udders, loudly lowing;
Soliciting his
favour, from a distance the rivers to the rock have flowed together.
7 Agni, with thee, soliciting thy favour, the holy Ones have
gained glory in heaven.
They made the Night and Dawn of different
colours, and set the black and purple hues together.
8 May
we and those who worship be the mortals whom thou, O Agni, leadest
on to riches.
Thou hast filled earth and heaven and air's
mid-region, and followest the whole world like a shadow.
9 Aided by thee, O Agni, may we conquer steeds with steeds,
men with men, heroes with heroes,
Lords of the wealth transmitted
by our fathers: and may our princes live a hundred winters.
10 May these our hymns of praise, Agni, Ordainer, be pleasant
to thee in thy heart and spirit.
May we have power to hold
thy steeds of riches, laying on thee the God-sent gift of glory.
HYMN LXXIV. Agni.
1. As forth to sacrifice we go, a hymn to a hymn let us say,
Who hears us even when afar;
2 Who, from of old, in carnage,
when the people gathered, hath preserved
His household for
the worshipper.
3 And let men say, Agni is born, e'en he
who slayeth Vrtra, he
Who winneth wealth in every fight.
4 Him in whose house an envoy thou lovest to taste his offered
gifts,
And strengthenest his sacrifice,
5 Him, Angiras,
thou Son of Strength, all men call happy in his God,
His
offerings, and his sacred grass.
6 Hitherward shalt thou
bring these Gods to our laudation and to taste.
These offered
gifts, fair-shining One.
7 When, Agni, on thine embassage
thou goest not a sound is heard of steed or straining of thy
car.
8 Aided by thee uninjured, strong, one after other,
goes he forth:
Agni, the ofterer forward steps.
9 And
splendid strength, heroic, high, Agni, thou grantest from the
Gods,
Thou God, to him who offers gifts.
HYMN LXXV. Agni.
1. ACCEPT our loudest-sounding hymn, food most delightful
to the Gods,
Pouring our offerings in thy mouth.
2 Now,
Agni, will we say to thee, O wisest and best Afigiras,
Our
precious, much-availing prayer.
3 Who, Agni, is thy kin,
of men? who is thy worthy worshipper?
On whom dependent?
who art thou?
4 The kinsman, Agni, of mankind, their well
beloved Friend art thou,
A Friend whom friends may supplicate.
5 Bring to us Mitra, Varuna, bring the Gods to mighty sacrifice.
Bring them, O Agni, to thine home.
HYMN LXXVI. Agni.
1. How may the mind draw nigh to please thee, Agni? What
hymn of praise shall bring us greatest blessing?
Or who hath
gained thy power by sacrifices? or with what mind shall we bring
thee oblations?
2 Come hither, Agni; sit thee down as Hotar;
be thou who never wast deceived our leader.
May Heaven and
Earth, the all-pervading, love thee: worship the Gods to win
for us their favour.
3 Burn thou up all the Riksasas, O Agni;
ward thou off curses from our sacrifices.
Bring hither with
his Bays the Lord of Soma: here is glad welcome for the Bounteous
Giver.
4 Thou Priest with lip and voice that bring us children
hast been invoked. Here with the Gods be seated.
Thine is
the task of Cleanser and Presenter: waken us, Wealth-bestower
and Producer.
5 As with oblations of the priestly Manus thou
worshippedst the Gods, a Sage with sages,
So now, O truthfullest
Invoker Agni, worship this day with joy-bestowing ladle.
HYMN LXXVII. Agni.
1. How shall we pay oblation unto Agni? What hymn, Godloved,
is said to him refulgent?
Who, deathless, true to Law, mid
men a herald, bringeth the Gods as best of sacrificers?
2
Bring him with reverence hither, most propitious in sacrifices,
true to Law, the herald;
For Agni, when he seeks the Gods
for mortals, knows them full well and worships them in spirit.
3 For he is mental power, a man, and perfect; he is the bringer,
friend-,like, of the wondrous.
The pious Aryan tribes at
sacrifices address them first to him who doeth marvels.
4
May Agni, foe-destroyer, manliest Hero, accept with love our
hymns and our devotion.
So may the liberal lords whose strength
is strongest, urged by their riches, stir our thoughts with
vigour.
5 Thus Agni Jatavedas, true to Order, hath by the
priestly Gotamas been lauded.
May he augment in them splendour
and vigour: observant, as he lists, he gathers increase.
HYMN LXXVIII. Agni.
1. O JATAVEDAS, keen and swift, we Gotamas with sacred song
exalt thee for thy glories' sake.
2 Thee, as thou art, desiring
wealth Gotama worships with his song:
We laud thee for thy
glories' sake.
3 As such, like Angiras we call on thee best
winner of the spoil:
We laud thee for thy glories' sake.
4 Thee, best of Vrtra-slayers, thee who shakest off our Dasyu
foes:
We laud thee for thy glories' sake.
5 A pleasant
song to Agni we, sons of Rahugana, have sung:
We laud thee
for thy glories' sake.
HYMN LXXIX. Agni.
1. HE in mid-air's expanse hath golden tresses; a raging
serpent, like the rushing tempest:
Purely refulgent, knowing
well the morn. ing; like honourable dames, true, active workers.
2 Thy well-winged flashes strengthen in their manner, when the
black Bull hath bellowed round about us.
With drops that
bless and seem to smile he cometh: the waters fall, the clouds
utter their thunder.
3 When he comes streaming with the milk
of worship, conducting by directest paths of Order
Aryaman,
Mitra, Varuna, Parijman fill the hide full where lies the nether
press-stone.
4 O Agni, thou who art the lord of wealth in
kine, thou Son of Strength,
Vouchsafe to us, O Jatavetlas,
high renown.
5 He, Agni, kindled, good and wise, must be
exalted in our song:
Shine, thou of many forms, shine radiantly
on us.
6 O Agni, shining of thyself by night and when the
morning breaks,
Burn, thou whose teeth are sharp, against
the Raksasas.
7 Adorable in all our rites, favour us, Agni,
with thine.aid,
When the great hymn is chanted forth.
8 Bring to us ever-conquering wealth, wealth, Agni, worthy of
our choice,
In all our frays invincible.
9 Give us, O
Agni, through thy grace wealth that supporteth all our life,
Thy favour so that we may live.
10 O Gotama, desiring bliss
present thy songs composed with care
To Agni of the pointed
flames.
11 May the man fall, O Agni, who near or afar assaileth
us:
Do thou increase and prosper us.
12 Keen and swift
Agni, thousand-eyed, chaseth the Raksasas afar:
He singeth,
herald meet for lauds.
HYMN LXXX. Indra.
1. THUS in the Soma, in wild joy the Brahman hath exalted
thee:
Thou, mightiest It thunder-armed, hast driven by force
he Dragon from the earth, lauding thine own imperial sway.
2 The mighty flowing Soma-draught, brought by the Hawk, hath
gladdened thee,
That in thy strength, O Thunderer, thou hast
struck down Vrtra from the floods, lauding thine own imperial
sway.
3 Go forward, meet the foe, be bold; thy bolt of thunder
is not checked.
Manliness, Indra, is thy might: stay Vrtra,
make the waters thine, lauding thine own imperial sway.
4
Thou smotest Vrtra from the earth, smotest him, Indra, from
the sky.
Let these life-fostering waters flow attended by
the Marut host, lauding thine own imperial sway.
5 The wrathful
Indra with his bolt of thunder rushing on the foe,
Smote
fierce on trembling Vrtra's back, and loosed the waters free
to run, lauding his own imperial sway.
6 With hundred-jointed
thunderbolt Indra hath struck him on the back,
And, while
rejoicing in the juice, seeketh prosperity for friends, lauding
his own imperial sway.
7 Indra, unconquered might is thine,
Thunderer, Caster of the Stone;
For thou with thy surpassing
power smotest to death the guileful beast, lauding thine own
imperial sway.
8 Far over ninety spacious floods thy thunderbolts
were cast abroad:
Great, Indra, is thy hero might, and strength
is seated in thine arms, lauding thine own imperial sway.
9 Laud him a thousand all at once, shout twenty forth the hymn
of praise.
Hundreds have sung aloud to him, to Indra hath
the prayer been raised, lauding his own imperial sway.
10
Indra hath smitten down the power of Vrtra,-might with stronger
might.
This was his manly exploit, he slew Vrtra and let
loose the floods, lauding his own imperial sway.
11 Yea,
even this great Pair of Worlds trembled in terror at thy wrath,
When, Indra, Thunderer, Marut-girt, thou slewest Vrtra in thy
strength, lauding thine own imperial sway.
12 But Vrtra scared
not Indra with his shaking or his thunder roar.
On him that
iron thunderbolt fell fiercely with its thousand points, lauding
his own imperial sway.
13 Whenwith the thunder thou didst
make thy dart and Vrtra meet in war,
Thy might, O Indra,
fain to slay the Dragon, was set firm in heaven, lauding thine
own imperial sway.
14 When at thy shout, O Thunder-armed,
each thing both fixed and moving shook,
E'en Tvastar trembled
at thy wrath and quaked with fear because of thee, lauding thine
own imperial sway.
15 There is not, in our knowledge, one
who passeth Indra in his strength:
In him the Deities have
stored manliness, insight, power and might, lauding his own
imperial sway.
16 Still as of old, whatever rite Atharvan,
Manus sire of all,
Dadhyach performed, their prayer and praise
united in that Indra meet, lauding his own imperial sway.
HYMN LXXXI. Indra.
1. THE men have lifted Indra up, the Vrtra slayer, to joy
and strength:
Him, verily, we invocate in battles whether
great or small: be he our aid in deeds of might.
2 Thou,
Hero, art a warrior, thou art giver of abundant spoil.
Strengthening
e'en the feeble, thou aidest the sacrificer, thou givest the
offerer ample wealth.
3 When war and battles are on foot,
booty is laid before the bold.
Yoke thou thy wildly-rushing
Bays. Whom wilt thou slay and whom enrich? Do thou, O Indra,
make us rich.
4 Mighty through wisdom, as he lists, terrible,
he hath waxed in strength.
Lord of Bay Steeds, strong-jawed,
sublime, he in joined hands for glory's sake hath grasped his
iron thunderbolt.
5 He filled the earthly atmosphere and
pressed against the lights in heaven.
None like thee ever
hath been born, none, Indra, will be born like thee. Thou hast
waxed mighty over all.
6 May he who to the offerer gives
the foeman's man-sustaining food,
May Indra lend his aid
to us. Deal forth -abundant is thy wealth-that in thy bounty
1 may share.
7 He, righteous-hearted, at each time of rapture
gives us herds of kine.
Gather in both thy hands for us treasures
of many hundred sorts. Sharpen thou us, and bring us wealth.
8 Refresh thee, Hero, with the juice outpoured for bounty and
for strength.
We know thee Lord of ample store, to thee have
sent our hearts' desires: be therefore our Protector thou.
9 These people, Indra, keep for thee all that is worthy of thy
choice.
Discover thou, as Lord, the wealth of men who offer
up no gifts: bring thou to us this wealth of theirs.
HYMN LXXXII. Indra.
1. GRACIOUSLY listen to our songs, Maghavan, be not negligent.
As thou hast made us full of joy and lettest us solicit thee,
now, Indra, yoke thy two Bay Steeds.
2 Well have they eaten
and rejoiced; the friends have risen and passed away.
The
sages luminous in themselves have. praised thee with their latest
hymn. Now, Indra, yoke thy two Bay Steeds.
3 Maghavan, we
will reverence thee who art so fair to look upon.
Thus praised,
according to our wish come now with richly laden car. Now, Indra,
yoke thy two Bay Steeds.
4 He will in very truth ascend the
powerful car that finds the kine,
Who thinks upon the well-filled
bowl, the Tawny Coursers' harnesser. Now, Indra, yoke thy two
Bay Steeds.
5 Let, Lord of Hundred Powers, thy Steeds be
harnessed on the right and left.
Therewith in rapture of
the juice, draw near to thy beloved Spouse. Now, Indra, yoke
thy two Bay Steeds.
6 With holy prayer I yoke thy long-maned
pair of Bays: come hitherward; thou holdest them in both thy
hands.
The stirring draughts of juice outpoured have made
thee glad: thou, Thunderer, hast rejoiced with Pusan and thy
Spouse.
HYMN LXXXIII. Indra.
1. INDRA, the mortal man well guarded by thine aid goes foremost
in the wealth of horses and of kine.
With amplest wealth
thou fillest him, as round about the waters clearly seen afar
fill Sindhu full.
2 The heavenly Waters come not nigh the
priestly bowl: they but look down and see how far mid-air is
spread:
The Deities conduct the pious man to them: like suitors
they delight in him who loveth prayer.
3 Praiseworthy blessing
hast thou laid upon the pair who with uplifted ladle serve thee,
man and wife.
Unchecked he dwells and prospers in thy law:
thy power brings blessing to the sacrificer pouring gifts.
4 First the Angirases won themselves vital power, whose fires
were kindled through good deeds and sacrifice.
The men together
found the Pani's hoarded wealth, the cattle, and the wealth
in horses and in kine.
5 Atharvan first by sacrifices laid
the paths then, guardian of the Law, sprang up the loving Sun.
Usana Kavya straightway hither drove the kine. Let us with offerings
honour Yama's deathless birth.
6 When sacred grass is trimmed
to aid the auspicious work, or the hymn makes its voice of praise
sound to the sky.
Where the stone rings as'twere a singer
skilled in laud, --Indra in truth delights when these come near
to him.
HYMN LXXXIV. Indra.
1. The Soma hath been pressed for thee, O Indra; mightiest,
bold One, come.
May Indra-vigour fill thee full, as the Sun
fills mid-air with rays.
2 His pair of Tawny Coursers bring
Indra of unresisted might
Hither to Rsis' songs of praise
and sacrifice performed by men.
3 Slayer of Vrtra, mount
thy car; thy Bay Steeds have been yoked by prayer.
May, with
its voice, the pressing-stone draw thine attention hitherward.
4 This poured libation, Indra, drink, immortal, gladdening,
excellent.
Streams of the bright have flowed to thee here
at the seat of holy Law.
5 Sing glory now to Indra, say to
him your solemn eulogies.
The drops poured forth have made
him glad: pay reverence to his might supreme.
6 When, Indra,
thou dost yoke thy Steeds, there is no better charioteer:
None hath surpassed thee in thy might, none with good steeds
o'ertaken thee.
7 He who alone bestoweth on mortal man who
offereth gifts,
The ruler of resistless power, is Indra,
sure.
8 When will he trample, like a weed, the man who hath
no gift for him?
When, verily, will Indra hear our songs
of praise?
9 He who with Soma juice prepared amid the many
honours thee,-
Verily Indra gains thereby tremendous might.
10 The juice of Soma thus diffused, sweet to the taste, the
bright cows drink,
Who for the sake of splendour close to
mighty Indra's side rejoice, good in their own supremacy.
11 Craving his touch the dappled kine mingle the Soma with their
milk.
The milch-kine dear to Indra send forth his death-dealing
thunderbolt, good in their own supremacy.
12 With veneration,
passing wise, honouring his victorious might,
They follow
close his many laws to win them due preeminence, good in their
own supremacy.
13 With bones of Dadhyac for his arms, Indra,
resistless in attack,
Struck nine-and-ninety Vrtras dead.
14 He, searching for the horse's head, removed among the mountains,
found
At Suryanavan what he sought.
15 Then verily they
recognized the essential form of Tvastar's Bull,
Here in
the mansion of the Moon.
16 Who yokes to-day unto the pole
of Order the strong and passionate steers of checkless spirit,
With shaft-armed mouths, heart-piercing, health-bestowing?
Long shall he live who richly pays their service.
17 Who
fleeth forth? who suffereth? who feareth? Who knoweth Indra
present, Indra near us?
Who sendeth benediction on his offspring,
his household, wealth and person, and the People?
18 Who
with poured oil and offering honours Agni, with ladle worships
at appointed seasons?
To whom to the Gods bring oblation
quickly? What offerer, God-favoured, knows him thoroughly?
19 Thou as a God, O Mightiest, verily blessest mortal man.
O Maghavan, there is no comforter but thou: Indra, I speak my
words to thee.
20 Let not thy bounteous gifts, let not thy
saving help fail us, good Lord, at any time;
And measure
out to us, thou lover of mankind, all riches hitherward from
men.
HYMN LXXXV. Maruts.
1. THEY who are glancing forth, like women, on their way,
doers of mighty deeds, swift racers, Rudra's Sons,
The Maruts
have made heaven and earth increase and grow: in sacrifices
they delight, the strong and wild.
2 Grown to their perfect
strength greatness have they attained; the Rudras have established
their abode in heaven.
Singing their song of praise and generating
might, they have put glory on, the Sons whom Prani bare.
3 When, Children of the Cow, they shine in bright attire, and
on their fair limbs lay their golden ornaments,
They drive
away each adversary from their path, and, following their traces,
fatness floweth down,
4 When, mighty Warriors, ye who glitter
with your spears, o'erthrowing with your strength e'en what
is ne'er o'erthrown,
When, O ye Maruts, ye the host that
send the rain, had harnessed to your cars the thought-fleet
spotted deer.
5 When ye have harnessed to your cars the spotted
deer, urging the thunderbolt, O Maruts, to the fray,
Forth
rush the torrents of the dark red stormy cloud, and moisten,
like a skin, the earth with water-floods.
6 Let your swift-gliding
coursers bear you hitherward with their fleet pinions. Come
ye forward with your arms.
Sit on the grass; a wide scat
hath been made for you: delight yourselves, O Maruts, in the
pleasant food.
7 Strong in their native strength to greatness
have they grown, stepped to the firmament and made their dwelling
wide.
When Visnu saved the Soma bringing wild delight, the
Maruts sate like birds on their dear holy grass.
8 In sooth
like heroes fain for fight they rush about, like combatants
fame-seeking have they striven in war.
Before the Maruts
every creature is afraid: the men are like to Kings, terrible
to behold.
9 When Tyastar deft of hand had turned the thunderbolt,
golden, with thousand edges, fashioned more skilfully,
Indra
received it to perform heroic deeds. Vrtra he slew, and forced
the flood of water forth.
10 They with their vigorous strength
pushed the well up on high, and clove the cloud in twain though
it was passing strong.
The Maruts, bounteous Givers, sending
forth their voice, in the wild joy of Soma wrought their glorious
deeds.
11 They drave the cloud transverse directed hitherward,
and poured the fountain forth for thirsting Gotama.
Shining
with varied light they come to him with help: they with their
might fulfilled the longing of the sage.
12 The shelters
which ye have for him who lauds you, bestow them threefold on
the man who offers.
Extend the same boons unto us, ye Maruts.
Give us, O Heroes, wealth with noble offipring.
HYMN LXXXVI. Maruts.
1. THE best of guardians hath that man within whose dwelling
place ye drink,
O Maruts, giants of the sky.
2 Honoured
with sacrifice or with the worship of the sages' hymns,
O
Maruts, listen to the call.
3 Yea, the strong man to whom
ye have vouchsafed to give a sage, shall move
Into a stable
rich in kine.
4 Upon this hero's sacred grass Soma is poured
in daily rites:
Praise and delight are sung aloud.
5 Let
the strong Maruts hear him, him surpassing all men: strength
be his
That reaches even to the Sun.
6 For, through the
swift Gods' loving help, in many an autumn, Maruts, we
Have
offered up our sacrifice.
7 Fortunate shall that mortal be,
O Maruts most adorable,
Whose offerings ye bear away.
8 O Heroes truly strong, ye know the toil of him who sings your
praise,
The heart's desire of him who loves.
9 O ye of
true strength, make this thing manifest by your greatness -
strike
The demon with your thunderbolt.
10 Conceal the
horrid darkness, drive far from us each devouring fiend.
Create the light for which we long.
HYMN LXXXVII Maruts.
1. LOUD Singers, never humbled, active, full of strength,
immovable, impetuous, manliest, best-beloved,
They have displayed
themselves with glittering ornaments, a few in number only,
like the heavens with stars.
2 When, Maruts, on the steeps
ye pile the moving cloud, ye are like birds on whatsoever path
it be.
Clouds everywhere shed forth the rain upon your cars.
Drop fatness, honey-hued, for him who sings your praise.
3 Earth at their racings trembles as if weak and worn, when
on their ways they yoke their cars for victory.
They, sportive,
loudly roaring, armed with glittering spears, shakers of all,
themselves admire their mightiness.
4 Self-moving is that
youthful band, with spotted steeds; thus it hath lordly sway,
endued with power and might.
Truthful art thou, and blameless,
searcher out of sin: so thou, Strong Host, wilt be protector
of this prayer.
5 We speak by our descent from our primeval
Sire; our tongue, when we behold the Soma, stirs itself.
When, shouting, they had joined Indra in toil of fight, then
only they obtained their sacrificial names.
6 Splendours
they gained for glory, they who wear bright rings; rays they
obtained, and men to celebrate their praise.
Armed with their
swords, impetuous and fearing naught, they have possessed the
Maruts' own beloved home.
HYMN LXXXVIII. Maruts.
1. COME hither, Maruts, on your lightning laden cars, sounding
with sweet songs, armed with lances, winged with steeds.
Fly unto us with noblest food, like birds, O ye of mighty power.
2 With their red-hued or, haply, tawny coursers which speed
their chariots on, they come for glory.
Brilliant like gold
is he who holds the thunder. Earth have they smitten with the
chariot's felly.
3 For beauty ye have swords upon your bodies.
As they stir woods so may they stir our spirits.
For your
sake, O ye Maruts very mighty and well-born, have they set the
stone, in motion.
4 The days went round you and came back
O yearners, back, to this prayer and to this solemn worship.
The Gotamas making their prayer with singing have pushed the
well's lid up to drink the water.
5 No hymn way ever known
like this aforetime which Gotama sang forth for you, O Maruts,
What time upon your golden wheels he saw you, wild boars rushing
about with tusks of iron.
6 To you this freshening draught
of Soma rusheth, O Maruts, like the voice of one who prayeth.
It rusheth freely from our hands as these. libations wont to
flow.
HYMN LXXXIX. Visvedevas.
1. MAY powers auspicious come to us from every side, never
deceived, unhindered, and victorious,
That the Gods ever
may be with us for our gain, our guardians day by day unceasing
in their care.
2 May the auspicious favour of the Gods be
ours, on us descend the bounty of the righteous Gods.
The
friendship of the Gods have we devoutly sought: so may the Gods
extend our life that we may live.
3 We call them hither with
a hymn of olden time, Bhaga, the friendly Daksa, Mitra, Aditi,
Aryaman, Varuna, Soma, the Asvins. May Sarasvati, auspicious,
grant felicity.
4 May the Wind waft to us that pleasant medicine,
may Earth our Mother give it, and our Father Heaven,
And
the joy-giving stones that press the Soma's juice. Asvins, may
ye, for whom our spirits long, hear this.
5 Him we invoke
for aid who reigns supreme, the Lord of all that stands or moves,
inspirer of the soul,
That Pusan may promote the increase
of our wealth, our keeper and our guard infallible for our good.
6 Illustrious far and wide, may Indra prosper us: may Pusan
prosper us, the Master of all wealth.
May Tarksya with uninjured
fellies prosper us: Brhaspati vouchsafe to us prosperity.
7 The Maruts, Sons of Prani, borne by spotted steeds, moving
in glory, oft visiting holy rites,
Sages whose tongue is
Agni, brilliant as the Sun,-hither let all the Gods for our
protection come.
8 Gods, may we with our ears listen to what
is good, and with our eyes see what is good, ye Holy Ones.
With limbs and bodies firm may we extolling you attain the term
of life appointed by the Gods.
9 A hundred autumns stand
before us, O ye Gods, within whose space ye bring our bodies
to decay;
Within whose space our sons become fathers in turn.
Break ye not in the midst our course of fleeting life.
10
Aditi is the heaven, Aditi is mid-air, Aditi is the Mother and
the Sire and Son.
Aditi is all Gods, Aditi five-classed men,
Aditi all that hath been bom and shall be born.
HYMN XC. Visvedevas.
1. MAY Varuna with guidance straight, and Mitra lead us,
he who knows,
And Aryaman in accord with Gods.
2 For they
are dealers forth of wealth, and, not deluded, with their might
Guard evermore the holy laws.
3 Shelter may they vouchsafe
to us, Immortal Gods to mortal men,
Chasing our enemies away.
4 May they mark out our paths to bliss, Indra, the Maruts, Pusan,
and Bhaga, the Gods to be adored.
5 Yea, Pusan, Visnu, ye
who run your course, enrich our hymns with kine;
Bless us
with all prosperity.
6 The winds waft sweets, the rivers
pour sweets for the man who keeps the Law
So may the plants
be sweet for us.
7 Sweet be the night and sweet the dawns,
sweet the terrestrial atmosphere;
Sweet be our Father Heaven
to us.
8 May the tall tree be full of sweets for us, and
full of sweets the Sun:
May our milch-kine be sweet for us.
9 Be Mitra gracious unto us, and Varuna and Aryaman:
Indra,
Brhaspati be kind, and Visnu of the mighty stride.
HYMN XCI Soma.
1. Thou, Soma, art preeminent for wisdom; along the straightest
path thou art our leader.
Our wise forefathers by thy guidance,
Indu, dealt out among the Gods their share of treasure.
2
Thou by thine insight art most wise, O Soma, strong by thine
energies and all possessing,
Mighty art thou by all thy powers
and greatness, by glories art thou glorious, guide of mortals.
3 Thine are King Varuna's eternal statutes, lofty and deep,
O Soma, is thy glory.
All-pure art thou like Mitra the beloved,
adorable, like Aryaman, O Soma.
4 With all thy glories on
the earth, in heaven, on mountains, in the plants, and in the
waters,-
With all of these, well-pleased and not in anger,
accept, O royal Soma, our oblations.
5 Thou, Soma, art the
Lord of heroes, King, yea, Vrtra-slayer thou:
Thou art auspicious
energy.
6 And, Soma, let it be thy wish that we may
live
and may not die:
Praise-loving Lord of plants art thou.
7 To him who keeps the law, both old and young, thou givest
happiness,
And energy that he may live.
8 Guard us, King
Soma, on all sides from him who threatens us: never let
The
friend of one like thee be harmed.
9 With those delightful
aids which thou hast, Soma, for the worshipper,-
Even with
those protect thou us.
10 Accepting this our sacrifice and
this our praise, O Soma, come,
And be thou nigh to prosper
us.
11 Well-skilled in speech we magnify thee, Soma, with
our sacred songs:
Come thou to us, most gracious One.
12 Enricher, healer of disease, wealth-finder, prospering our
store,
Be, Soma, a good Friend to us.
13 Soma, be happy
in our heart, as milch-kine in the grassy meads,
As a young
man in his own house.
14 O Soma, God, the mortal man who
in thy friendship hath delight,
Him doth the mighty Sage
befriend.
15 Save us from slanderous reproach, keep us.,
O Soma, from distress:
Be unto us a gracious Friend.
16
Soma, wax great. From every side may vigorous powers unite in
thee:
Be in the gathering-place of strength.
17 Wax, O
most gladdening Soma, great through all thy rays of light, and
be
A Friend of most illustrious fame t6 prosper us.
16
In thee be juicy nutriments united, and powers and mighty foe-subduing
vigour,
Waxing to immortality, O Soma: win highest glories
for thyself in heaven.
19 Such of thy glories as with poured
oblations men honour, may they all invest our worship.
Wealth-giver,
furtherer with troops of heroes, sparing the brave, come, Soma,
to our houses.
20 To him who worships Soma gives the milchcow,
a fleet steed and a man of active knowledge,
Skilled in home
duties, meet for holy synod, for council meet, a glory to his
father.
21 Invincible in fight, saver in battles, guard of
our camp, winner of light and water,
Born amid hymns, well-housed,
exceeding famous, victor, in thee will we rejoice, O Soma.
22 These herbs, these milch-kine, and these running waters,
all these, O Soma, thou hast generated.
The spacious firmament
bast thou expanded, and with the light thou hast dispelled the
darkness.
23 Do thou, God Soma, with thy Godlike spirit,
victorious, win for us a share of riches.
Let none prevent
thee: thou art Lord of valour. Provide for both sides in the
fray for booty.
HYMN XCII. Dawn.
1. THESE Dawns have raised their banner; in the eastern half
of the mid-air they spread abroad their shinine light.
Like
heroes who prepare their weapons for the war, onward they come
bright red in hue, the Mother Cows.
2 Readily have the purple
beams of light shot up; the Red Cows have they harnessed, easy
to be yoked.
The Dawns have brought distinct perception as
before: red-hued, they have attained their fulgent brilliancy.
3 They sing their song like women active in their tasks, along
their common path hither from far away,
Bringing refreshment
to the liberal devotee, yea, all things to the worshipper who
pours the juice.
4 She, like a dancer, puts her broidered
garments on: as a cow yields her udder so she bares her breast.
Creating light for all the world of life, the Dawn hath laid
the darkness open as the cows their stall.
5 We have beheld
the brightness of her shining; it spreads and drives away the
darkiorne monster.
Like tints that deck the Post at sacrifices,
Heaven's Daughter hath attained her wondrous splendour.
6
We have o'erpast the limit of this darkness; Dawn breaking forth
again brings clear perception.
She like a flatterer smiles
in light for glory, and fair of face hath wakened to rejoice
us.
7 The Gotamas have praised Heaven's radiant Daughter,
the leader of the charm of pleasant voices.
Dawn, thou conferrest
on us strength with offspring and men, conspicuous with kine
and horses.
8 O thou who shinest forth in wondrous glory,
urged onward by thy strength, auspicious Lady,
Dawn, may
I gain that wealth, renowned and ample, in brave sons, troops
of slaves, far-famed for horses.
9 Bending her looks on all
the world, the Goddess shines, widely spreading with her bright
eye westward.
Waking to motion every living creature, she
understands the voice of each adorer.
10 Ancient of days,
again again born newly, decking her beauty with the self-same
raiment.
The Goddess wastes away the life of mortals, like
a skilled hunter cutting birds in pieces.
11 She hath appeared
discovering heaven's borders: to the far distance she drives
off her Sister.
Diminishing the days of human creatures,
the Lady shines with all her lover's splendour.
12 The bright,
the blessed One shines forth extending her rays like kine, as
a flood rolls his waters.
Never transgressing the divine
commandments, she is beheld visible with the sunbeams.
13
O Dawn enriched with ample wealth, bestow on us the wondrous
gift
Wherewith we may support children and children's sons.
14 Thou radiant mover of sweet sounds, with wealth of horses
and of kine
Shine thou on us this day, O Dawn auspiciously.
15 O Dawn enriched with holy rites, yoke to thy car thy purple
steeds,
And then bring thou unto us all felicities.
16
O Asvins wonderful in act, do ye unanimous direct
Your chariot
to our home wealthy in kine and gold.
17 Ye who brought down
the hymn from heaven, a light that giveth light to man,
Do
ye, O Asvius, bring strength bither unto us.
18 Hither may
they who wake at dawn bring, to drink Soma both the Gods
Health-givers Wonder-Workers, borne on paths of gold.
HYMN XCIII. Agni-Sona.
1 AGNI and Soma, mighty Pair, graciously hearken to my call,
Accept in friendly wise my hymn, and prosper him who offers
gifts.
2 The man who honours you to-day, Agni and Soma, with
this hymn,
Bestow on him heroic strength, increase of kine,
and noble steeds.
3 The man who offers holy oil and burnt
oblations unto you,
Agni and Soma, shall enjoy great strength,
with offspring, all his life.
4 Agni and Soma, famed is that
your. prowess wherewith ye stole the kine, his food, from Pani.
Ye caused the brood of Brsaya to perish; ye found the light,
the single light for many.
5 Agni and Soma, joined in operation
ye have set up the shining lights in heaven.
From curse and
from reproach, Agni and Soma, ye freed the rivers that were
bound in fetters.
6 One of you Mitarisvan brought from heaven,
the Falcon rent the other from the mountain.
Strengthened
by holy prayer Agni and Soma have made us ample room for sacrificing.
7 Taste, Agni, Soma, this prepared oblation; accept it, Mighty
Ones, and let it please you.
Vouchsafe us good protection
and kind favour: grant to the sacrificer health and riches.
8 Whoso with oil and poured oblation honours, with God-devoted
heart, Agni and Soma,-
Protect his sacrifice, preserve him
from distress, grant to the sacrificer great felicity.
9
Invoked together, mates in wealth, AgniSoma, accept our hymns:
Together be among the Gods.
10 Agni and Soma, unto him who
worships you with holy oil
Shine forth an ample recompense.
11 Agni and Sonia, be ye pleased with these oblations brought
to you,
And come, together, nigh to us.
12 Agni and Soma,
cherish well our horses, and let our cows be fat who yield oblations.
Grant power to us and to our wealthy patrons, and cause our
holy rites to be successful.
HYMN XCIV. Agni
1 FOR Jatavedas worthy of our praise will we frame with our
mind this eulogy as 'twere a car.
For good, in his assembly,
is this care of ours. Let us not, in thy friendship, Agni, suffer
harm.
2 The man for whom thou sacrificest prospereth, dwelleth
without a foe, gaineth heroic might.
He waxeth strong, distress
never approacheth him. Let us riot, in thy friendship, Agni,
suffer harm.
3 May we have power to kindle thee. Fulfil our
thoughts. In thee the Gods eat the presented offering,
Bring
hither the Adityas, for we long for them. Let us not in thy
friendship, Agni, suffer harm.
4 We will bring fuel and prepare
burnt offerings, reminding thee at each successive festival.
Fulfil our thought that so we may prolong our lives. Let us
not in thy friendship, Agni, suffer harm.
5 His ministers
move forth, the guardians of the folk, protecting quadruped
and biped with their rays.
Mighty art thou, the wondrous
herald of the Dawn. Let us not in thy friend. ship, Agni, suffer
harm.
6 Thou art Presenter and the chief Invoker, thou Director,
Purifier, great High Priest by birth.
Knowing all priestly
work thou perfectest it, Sage. Let us not in thy friendship,
Agni, suffer harm.
7 Lovely of form art thou, alike on every
side; though far, thou shinest brightly
as if close at hand.
O God, thou seest through even the dark of night. Let us not
in thy friendship, Agni, suffer harm.
8 Gods, foremost he
his car who pours libations out, and let our hymn prevail o'er
evil-hearted men.
Attend to this our speech and make it prosper
well. Let us not in thy friendship, Agni, suffer harm.
9
Smite with thy weapons those of evil speech and thought, devouring
demons, whether near or tar away.
Then to the singer give
free way for sacrifice. Let us not in thy friendship, Agni,
suffer harm.
10 When to thy chariot thou hadst yoked two
red steeds and two ruddy steeds, wind-sped, thy roar was like
a bull's.
Thou with smoke-bannered flame attackest forest
trees. Let us not in thy friendship, Agni, suffer harm.
11
Then at thy roar the very birds are terrified, when, eating-up
the grass, thy sparks fly forth abroad.
Then is it easy for
thee and thy car to pass. Let us not in thy friendship, Agni,
suffer harm.
12 He hath the Power to soothe Mitra and Varuna:
wonderful is the Maruts' wrath when they descend.
Be gracious;
let their hearts he turned to us again. Let us not in thy friendship,
Agni, suffer harm.
13 Thou art a God, thou art the wondrous
Friend of Gods, the Vasu of the Vasus, fair in sacrifice.
Under, thine own most wide protection may we dwell. Let us not
in thy friendship, Agni, suffer harm.
14 This is thy grace
that, kindled in thine own abode, invoked with Soma thou soundest
forth most benign,
Thou givest wealth and treasure to the
worshipper. Let us not in thy friendship, Agni, suffer harm.
15 To whom thou, Lord of goodly riches, grantest freedom from
every sin with perfect wholeness,
Whom with good strength
thou quikenest, with children and wealth-may we be they, Eternal
Being.
16 Such, Agni, thou who knowest all good fortune,
God, lengthen here the days of our existence.
This prayer
of ours may Varuna grant, and Mitra, and Aditi and Sindhu, Earth
and Heaven.
HYMN XCV. Agni
1. To fair goals travel Two unlike in semblance: each in
succession nourishes an infant.
One bears a Godlike Babe
of golden colour; bright and fair-shining, is he with the other.
2 Tvastar's ten daughters, vigilant and youthful, produced this
Infant borne to sundry quarters.
They bear around him whose
long flames are pointed, fulgent among mankind with native splendour.
3. Three several places of his birth they honour, in mid-air,
in the heaven, and in the waters.
Governing in the cast of
earthly regions, the seasons hath he stablished in their order.
4 Who of you knows this secret One? The Infant by his own nature
hath brought forth his Mothers.
The germ of many, from the
waters' bosom he goes forth, wise and great, of Godlike nature.
5 Visible, fair, he grows in native brightness uplifted in the
lap of waving waters.
When he was born both Tvastar's worlds
were frightened: they turn to him and reverence the Lion.
6 The Two auspicious Ones, like women, tend him: like lowing
cows they seek him in their manner.
He is the Lord of Might
among the mighty; him, on the right, they balm with their oblations.
7 Like Savitar his arms with might he stretches; awful, he strives
grasping the world's two borders.
He forces out from all
a brilliant vesture, yea, from his Mothers draws he forth new
raiment.
8 He makes him a most noble form of splendour, decking
him in his home with milk and waters.
The Sage adorns the
depths of air with wisdom . this is the meeting where the Gods
are worshipped.
9 Wide through the firmament spreads forth
triumphant the far-resplendent strength of' thee the Mighty.
Kindled by us do thou preserve us, Agni, with all thy self-bright
undiminished succours.
10 In dry spots he makes stream, and
course, and torrent, and inundates the earth with floods that
glisten.
All ancient things within his maw he gathers, and
moves among the new fresh-sprouting grasses.
11 Fed with
our fuel, purifying Agni, so blaze to us auspiciously for glory.
This prayer of ours may Varuna grant, and Mitra, and Aditi and
Sindhu, Earth and Heaven.
HYMN XCVI. Agni.
1. HE in the ancient way by strength engendered, lo! straight
hath taken to himself all wisdom.
The waters and the bowl
have made him friendly. The Gods possessed the wealth bestowing
Agni.
2 At Ayu's ancient call he by his wisdom gave all this
progeny of men their being,
And, by refulgent light, heaven
and the waters. The Gods possessed the wealth. bestowing Agni.
3 Praise him, ye Aryan folk, as chief performer of sacrifice
adored and ever toiling,
Well-tended, Son of Strength, the
Constant Giver. The Gods possessed the wealth bestowing Agni.
4 That Matarisvan rich in wealth and treasure, light-winner,
finds a pathway for his offispring.
Guard of our folk, Father
of earth and heaven. The Gods possessed the wealth bestowing
Agni.
5 Night and Dawn, changing each the other's colour,
meeting together suckle one same Infant:
Golden between the
heaven and earth he shineth. The Gods possessed the wealth bestowing
Agni.
6 Root of wealth, gathering-place of treasures, banner
of sacrifice, who grants the suppliant's wishes:
Preserving
him as their own life immortal, the Gods possessed the wealth-bestowing
Agni.
7 Now and of old the home of wealth, the mansion of
what is born and what was born aforetime,
Guard of what is
and what will be hereafter,-the Gods possessed the wealth bestowing
Agni.
8 May the Wealth-Giver grant us conquering riches;
may the Wealth-Giver grant us wealth with heroes.
May the
Wealth-Giver grant us food with offspring, and length of days
may the Wealth-Giver send us.
9 Fed with our fuel, purifying
Agni, so blaze to us auspiciously for glory.
This prayer
of ours may Varuna grant, and Mitra, and Aditi and Sindhu, Earth
and Heaven.
HYMN XCVII. Agni.
1. CHASING with light our sin away, O Agni, shine thou wealth
on us.
May his light chase our sin away.
2 For goodly
fields, for pleasant homes, for wealth we sacrifice to thee.
May his light chase our sin away.
3 Best praiser of all these
be he; foremost, our chiefs who sacrifice.
May his light
chase our sin away.
4 So that thy worshippers and we, thine,
Agni, in our sons may live.
May his light chase our sin away.
5 As ever- conquering Agni's beams of splendour go to every
side,
May his light chase our sin away.
6 To every side
thy face is turned, thou art triumphant everywhere.
May his
light chase our sin away.
7 O thou whose face looks every
way, bear us past foes as in a ship.
May his light chase
our sin away.
8 As in a ship, convey thou us for our advantage
o'er the flood.
May his light chase our sin away.
HYMN XCVIII Agni.
1. STILL in Vaisvanara's grace may we continue: yea, he is
King supreme o'er all things living.
Sprung hence to life
upon this All he looketh. Vaisvanara hath rivalry with Surya.
2 Present in heaven, in earth, all-present Agni,-all plants
that grow on ground hath he pervaded.
May Agni, may Vaisvanara
with vigour, present, preserve us day and night from foemen.
3 Be this thy truth, Vaisvanara, to us-ward: let wealth in rich
abundance gather round us.
This prayer of ours may Varuna
grant, and Mitra, and Aditi and Sindhu, Earth and Heaven.
HYMN XCIX. Agni.
1. FOR Jatavedas let us press the Soma: may he consume the
wealth of the malignant.
May Agni carry us through all our
troubles, through grief as in a boat across the river.
HYMN C. Indra.
1. MAY he who hath his home with strength, the Mighty, the
King supreme of earth and spacious heaven,
Lord of true power,
to he invoked in battles,-may Indra, girt by Maruts, be our
succour.
2 Whose way is unattainable like Surya's: he in
each fight is the strong Vrtra-slayer,
Mightiest with his
Friends in his own courses. May Indra, girt by Maruts, be our
succour.
3 Whose paths go forth in their great might resistless,
forthmilking, as it were, heaven's genial moisture.
With
manly strength triumphant, foe-subduer,-may Indra, girt by Maruts,
be our succour.
4 Among Angirases he was the chiefest, a
Friend with friends, mighty amid the mighty.
Praiser mid
praisers, honoured most of singers. May Indra, girt by Maruts,
be our succour.
5 Strong with the Rudras as with his own
children, in manly battle conquering his foemen '
With his
close comrades doing deeds of glory,-may Indra, girt by Maruts,
be our succour.
6 Humbler of pride, exciter of the conflict,
the Lord of heroes, God invoked of many,
May he this day
gain with our men the sunlight. May Indra, girt by Maruts, be
oursuccour.
7 His help hath made him cheerer in the battle,
the folk have made him guardian of their comfort.
Sole Lord
is he of every holy service. May Indra, girt by Maruts, be our
succour.
8 To him the Hero, on high days of prowess, heroes
for help and booty shall betake them.
He hath found light
even in the blinding darkness. May Indra, girt by Maruts, be
our succour.
9 He with his left hand checketh even the mighty,
and with his righthand gathereth up the booty.
Even with
the humble he acquireth riches. May Indra, girt by Maruts, be
our succour.
10 With hosts on foot and cars he winneth treasures:
well is he known this day by all the people.
With manly might
he conquereth those who hate him. May Indra, girt by Maruts,
be our succour.
11 When in his ways with kinsmen or with
strangers he speedeth to the fight, invoked of many,
For
gain of waters, and of sons and grandsons, may Indra, girt by
Maruts, be our succour.
12 Awful and fierce, fiend-slayer,
thunder-wielder, with boundless knowledge, hymned by hundreds,
mighty,
In strength like Soma, guard of the Five Peoples,
may Indra, girt by Maruts, be our succour.
13 Winning the
light, hitherward roars his thunder like the terrific mighty
voice of Heaven.
Rich gifts and treasures evermore attend
him. May Indra, girt by Maruts, be our succour.
14 Whose
home eternal through his strength surrounds him on every side,
his laud, the earth and heaven,
May he, delighted with our
service, save us. May Indra, girt by Maruts, be our succour.
15 The limit of whose power not Gods by Godhead, nor mortal
men have reached, nor yet the Waters.
Both Earth and Heaven
in vigour he surpasseth. May Indra, girt by Maruts, he our succour.
16 The red and tawny mare, blaze-marked, high standing, celestial
who, to bring Rjrasva riches,
Drew at the pole the chariot
yoked with stallions, joyous, among the hosts of men was noted.
17 The Varsagiras unto thee, O Indra, the Mighty One, sing forth
this laud to please thee,
Rjrasva with his fellows, Ambarisa,
Suradhas, Sahadeva, Bhayamana.
18 He, much invoked, hath
slain Dasyus and Simyus, after his wont, and laid them low with
arrows.
The mighty Thunderer with his fair-complexioned friends
won the land, the sunlight, and the waters.
19 May Indra
evermore be our protector, and unimperilled may we win the booty.
This prayer of ours may Varuna grant, and Mitra, and Aditi and
Sindhu, Earth and Heaven.
HYMN CI. Indra.
1. SING, with oblation, praise to him who maketh glad, who
with Rjisvan drove the dusky brood away.
Fain for help, him
the strong whose right hand wields the bolt, him girt by Maruts
we invoke to be our Friend.
2 Indra, who with triumphant
wrath smote Vyamsa down, and Sambara, and Pipru the unrighteous
one;
Who extirpated Susna the insatiate, him girt by Maruts
we invoke to be our Friend.
3 He whose great work of manly
might is heaven and earth, and Varuna and Surya keep his holy
law;
Indra, whose law the rivers follow as they flow,-him
girt by Maruts we invoke to be our Friend.
4 He who is Lord
and Master of the steeds and kine, honoured -the firm and sure-
at every holy act;
Stayer even of the strong who pours no
offering out, -him girt by Maruts we invoke to be our Friend.
5 He who is Lord of all the world that moves and breathes, who
for the Brahman first before all found the Cows;
Indra who
cast the Dasyus down beneath his feet,-him girt by Maruts we
invoke to be our Friend.
6 Whom cowards must invoke and valiant
men of war, invoked by those who conquer and by those who flee;
Indra, to whom all beings turn their constant thought,-him girt
by Maruts we invoke to be our Friend.
7 Refulgent in the
Rudras' region he proceeds, and with the Rudras through the
wide space speeds the Dame.
The hymn of praise extols Indra
the far-renowned: him girt by Maruts we invoke to be our Friend.
8 O girt by Maruts, whether thou delight thee in loftiest gathering-place
or lowly dwelling,
Come thence unto our rite, true boon-best-ower:
through love of thee have we prepared oblations.
9 We, fain
for thee, strong Indra, have pressed Soma, and, O thou sought
with prayer, have made oblations.
Now at this sacrifice,
with all thy Maruts, on sacred grass, O team-borne God, rejoice
thee.
10 Rejoice thee with thine own Bay Steeds, O Indra,
unclose thy jaws and let thy lips be open.
Thou with the
fair cheek, let thy Bay Steeds bring thee: gracious to us, he
pleased with our oblation.
11 Guards of the camp whose praisers
are the Maruts, may we through Indra, get ourselves the booty.
This prayer of ours may Varuna grant, and Mitra, and Aditi and
Sindhu, Earth and Heaven.
HYMN CII. Indra.
1. To thee the Mighty One I bring this mighty hymn, for thy
desire hath been gratified by my laud.
In Indra, yea in him
victorious through his strength, the Gods have joyed at feast
and when the Soma flowed.
2 The Seven Rivers bear his glory
far and wide, and heaven and sky and earth display his comely
form.
The Sun and Moon in change alternate run their course,
that we, O Indra, may behold and may have faith.
3 Maghavan,
grant us that same car to bring us spoil, thy conquering car
in which we joy in shock of fight.
Thou, Indra, whom our
hearts praise highly in the war, grant shelter, Maghavan, to
us who love thee well.
4 Encourage thou our side in every
fight: may we, with thee for our ally, conquer the foeman's
host.
Indra, bestow on us joy and felicity break down, O
Maghavan, the vigour of our foes.
5 For here in divers ways
these men invoking thee, holder of treasures, sing hymns to
win thine aid.
Ascend the car that thou mayest bring spoil
to us, for, Indra, thy fixt winneth the victory.
6 His arms
win kine, his power is boundless in each act best, with a hundred
helps waker of battle's din
Is Indra: none may rival him
in mighty strength. Hence, eager for the spoil the people call
on him.
7 Thy glory, Maghavan, exceeds a hundred yea, more
than a hundred, than a thousand mid the folk,
The great bowl
hath inspirited thee boundlessly: so mayst thou slay the Vrtras
breaker-down of forts!
8 Of thy great might there is a three
counterpart, the three earths, Lord men and the three realms
of light.
Above this whole world, Indra, thou hast waxen
great: without a foe art thou, nature, from of old.
9 We
invocate thee first among the Deities: thou hast become a mighty
Conquer in fight.
May Indra fill with spirit this our singer's
heart, and make our car impetuous, foremost in attack.
10
Thou hast prevailed, and hast not kept the booty back, in trifling
battles in those of great account.
We make thee keen, the
Mighty One, succour us: inspire us, Maghavan, when we defy the
foe.
11 May Indra evermore be our Protector, and unimperilled
may we win the booty.
This prayer of ours may Vartuna grant
and Mitra, and Aditi and Sindhu, Earth and Heaven.
HYMN CIII. Indra.
1. THAT highest Indra-power of thine is distant: that which
is here sages possessed aforetime.
This one is on the earth,
in heaven the other, and both unite as flag with flag in battle.
2 He spread the wide earth out and firmly fixed it, smote with
his thunderbolt and loosed the waters.
Maghavan with his
puissance struck down Ahi, rent Rauhipa to death and slaughtered
Vyarnsa.
3 Armed with his bolt and trusting in his prowess
he wandered shattering the forts of Dasas.
Cast thy dart,
knowing, Thunderer, at the Dasyu; increase the Arya's might
and glory, Indra.
4 For him who thus hath taught these human
races, Maghavan, bearing a fame-worthy title,
Thunderer,
drawing nigh to slay the Dasyus, hath given himself the name
of Son for glory.
5 See this abundant wealth that he possesses,
and put your trust in Indra's hero vigour.
He found the cattle,
and he found the horses, he found the plants, the forests and
the waters.
6 To him the truly strong, whose deeds are many,
to him the strong Bull let us pour the Soma.
The Hero, watching
like a thief in ambush, goes parting the possessions of the
godless.
7 Well didst thou do that hero deed, O Indra, in
waking with thy bolt the slumbering Ahi.
in thee, delighted,
Dames divine rejoiced them, the flying Maruts and all Gods were
joyful.
8 As thou hast smitten Susna, Pipru, Vrtra and Kuyava,
and Sambara's forts O Indra.
This prayer of ours may Varuna
grant, and Mitra, and Aditi and Sindhu, Earth and Heaven.
HYMN CIV. Indra.
1. THE altar hath been made for thee to rest on: come like
a panting courser and be seated.
Loosen thy flying Steeds,
set free thy Horses who bear thee swiftly nigh at eve and morning.
2 These men have come to Indra for assistance: shall he not
quickly come upon these pathways?
May the Gods quell the
fury of the Dasa, and may they lead our folk to happy fortune.
3 He who hath only wish as his possession casts on himself,
casts foam amid the waters.
Both wives of Kuyava in milk
have bathed them: may they be drowned within the depth of Sipha.
4 This hath his kinship checked who lives beside us: with ancient
streams forth speeds and rules the Hero, Anjasi, Kulisi, and
Virapatni, delighting him, bear milk upon their waters.
5
Soon as this Dasyu's traces were discovered, as she who knows
her home, he sought the dwelling.
Now think thou of us, Maghavan,
nor cast us away as doth a profligate his treasure.
6 Indra,
as such, give us a share of sunlight, of waters, sinlessness,
and reputation.
Do thou no harm to our yet unborn offspring:
our trust is in thy mighty Indra-power.
7 Now we, I think,
in thee as such have trusted: lead us on, Mighty One, to ample
riches.
In no unready house give us, O Indra invoked of many,
food and drink when hungry.
8 Slay us not, Indra; do not
thou forsake us: steal not away the joys which we delight in.
Rend not our unborn brood, strong Lord of Bounty! our vessels
with the life that is within them.
9 Come to us; they have
called thee Soma-lover: here is the pressed juice. Drink thereof
for rapture.
Widely-capacious, pour it down within thee,
and, invocated, hear us like a Father.
HYMN CV. Visvedevas.
1. WITHIN the waters runs the Moon, he with the beauteous
wings in heaven.
Ye lightnings with your golden wheels, men
find not your abiding-place. Mark this my woe, ye Earth and
Heaven.
2 Surely men crave and gain their wish. Close to
her husband clings the wife.
And, in embraces intertwined,
both give and take the bliss of love. Mark this my woe, ye Earth
and Heaven.
3 O never may that light , ye Gods, fall from
its station in the sky.
Ne'er fail us one like Soma sweet,
the spring of our felicity. Mark this my woe ye Earth and Heaven.
4 I ask the last of sacrifice. As envoy he shall tell it forth.
Where is the ancient law divine? Who is its new diffuser now?
Mark this my woe, ye Earth and Heaven.
5 Ye Gods who yonder
have your home in the three lucid realms of heaven,
What
count ye truth and what untruth? Where is mine ancient call
on you? Mark this my woe, ye Earth and Heaven.
6 What is
your firm support of Law? What Varuna's observant eye?
How
may we pass the wicked on the path of mighty Aryaman? Mark this
my woe, ye Earth and Heaven.
7 1 am the man who sang of old
full many a laud when Soma flowed.
Yet torturing cares consume
me as the wolf assails the thirsty deer. Mark this my woe, ye
Earth and Heaven.
8 Like rival wives on every side enclosing
ribs oppress me sore.
O Satakratu, biting cares devour me,
singer of thy praise, as rats devour the weaver's threads. Mark
this my woe, ye Earth and Heaven.
9 Where those seven rays
are shining, thence my home and family extend.
This Trta
Aptya knoweth well, and speaketh out for brotherhood. Mark this
my woe, ye Earth and Heaven.
10 May those five Bulls which
stand on high full in the midst of mighty heaven,
Having
together swiftly borne my praises to the Gods, return. Mark
this my woe, ye Earth and Heaven.
11 High in the mid ascent
of heaven those Birds of beauteous pinion sit.
Back from
his path they drive the wolf as he would cross the restless
floods. Mark this my woe, ye Earth and Heaven.
12 Firm is
this new-wrought hymn of praise, and meet to be told forth,
O Gods.
The flowing of the floods is Law, Truth is the Sun's
extended light. Mark this my woe, ye Earth and Heaven.
13
Worthy of laud, O Agni, is that kinship which thou hast with
Gods.
Here seat thee like a man: most wise, bring thou the
Gods for sacrifice. Mark this my woe, ye Earth and Heaven.
14 Here seated, man-like as a priest shall wisest Agni to the
Gods
Speed onward our oblations, God among the Gods, intelligent.
Mark this my woe, ye Earth and Heaven.
15 Varuna makes the
holy prayer. To him who finds the path we pray.
He in the
heart reveals his thought. Let sacred worship rise anew. Mark
this my woe, ye Earth and Heaven.
16 That pathway of the
Sun in heaven, made to be highly glorified,
Is not to be
transgressed, O Gods. O mortals, ye behold it not. Mark this
my woe, ye Earth and Heaven.
17 Trta, when buried in the
well, calls on the Gods to succour him.
That call of his
Brhaspati heard and released him from distress. Mark this my
woe, ye Earth and Heaven.
18 A ruddy wolf beheld me once,
as I was faring on my path.
He, like a carpenter whose back
is aching crouched and slunk away. Mark this my woe, ye Earth
and Heaven.
19 Through this our song may we, allied with
Indra, with all our heroes conquer in the battle.
This prayer
of ours may Varuna grant, and Mitra, and Aditi and Sindhu, Earth
and Heaven.
HYMN CVI. Visvedevas.
1. CALL we for aid on Indra, Mitra, Varuna and Agni and the
Marut host and Aditi.
Even as a chariot from a difficult
ravine, bountiful Vasus, rescue us from all distress.
2 Come
ye Adityas for our full prosperity, in conquests of the foe,
ye Gods, bring joy to us.
Even as a chariot from a difficult
ravine, bountiful Vasus, rescue us from all distress.
3 May
the most glorious Fathers aid us, and the two Goddesses, Mothers
of the Gods, who strengthen Law.
Even as a chariot from a
difficult ravine, bountiful Vasus, rescue us from all distress.
4 To mighty Narasamsa, strengthening his might, to Pusan, ruler
over men, we pray with hymns.
Even as a chariot from a difficult
ravine, bountiful Vasus, rescue us from all distress.
5 Brhaspati,
make us evermore an easy path: we crave what boon thou hast
for men in rest and stir.
Like as a chariot from a difficult
ravine, bountiful Vasus, rescue us from all distress.
6 Sunk
in the pit the Rsi Kutsa called, to aid, Indra the Vrtra-slayer,
Lord of power and might.
Even as a chariot from a difficult
ravine, bountiful Vasus, rescue us from all distress.
7 May
Aditi the Goddess guard us with the Gods: may the protecting
God keep us with ceaseless care.
This prayer of ours may
Varuna grant, and Mitra, and Aditi and Sindhu, Earth and Heaven.
HYMN CVII. Visvedevas.
1. THE sacrifice obtains the Gods' acceptance: be graciously
inclined to us, Adityas.
Hitherward let your favour be directed,
and be our best deliverer from trouble.
2 By praise-songs
of Angirases exalted, may!he Gods come to us with their protection.
May Indra with his powers, Maruts with Maruts, Aditi with Adityas
grant us shelter.
3 This laud of ours may Varuna and Indra,
Aryaman Agni, Savitar find pleasant.
This prayer' of ours
may Varuna grant, and Mitra, and Aditi and Sindhu, Earth and
Heaven.
HYMN CVIII. Indra-Agni.
1. ON that most wondrous car of yours, O Indra and Agni,
which looks round on all things living,
Take ye your stand
and come to us together, and drink libations of the flowing
Soma.
2 As vast as all this world is in its compass, deep
as it is, with its far-stretching surface,
So let this Soma
be, Indra and Agni, made for your drinking till your soul be
sated.
3 For ye have won a blessed name together: yea, with
one aim ye strove, O Vrtra-slayers.
So Indra-Agni, seated
here together, pour in, ye Mighty Ones, the mighty Soma.
4 Both stand adorned, when fires are duly kindled, spreading
the sacred grass, with lifted ladles.
Drawn by strong Soma
juice poured forth around us, come, Indra-Agni, and display
your favour.
5 The brave deeds ye have done, Indra and Agni,
the forms ye have displayed and mighty exploits,
The ancient
and auspicious bonds of friendship,-for sake of these drink
of the flowing Soma.
6 As first I said when choosing you,
in battle we must contend with Asuras for this Soma.
So came
ye unto this my true conviction, and drank libations of the
flowing Soma.
7 If in your dwelling, or with prince or Brahman,
ye, Indra-Agni, Holy Ones, rejoice you,
Even frorn thence,
ye mighty Lords, come hither, and drink libation of the flowing
Soma.
8 If with, the Yadus, Turvasas, ye sojourn, with Druhyus,
Anus, Purus, Indra-Agni!
Even from thence, ye mighty Lords,
come hither, and drink libations of the flowing Soma.
9 Whether,
O Indra-Agni, ye be dwelling in lowest earth, in central, or
in highest.
Even from thence, ye mighty Lords, come hither,
and drink libations of the flowing Soma.
10 Whether, O Indra-Agni,
ye be dwelling in highest earth, in central, or in lowest,
Even from thence, ye mighty Lords, come hither, and drink libations
of the flowing Soma.
11 Whether ye be in heaven, O Indra-Agni,
on earth, on mountains, in the herbs, or waters,
Even from
thence, ye mighty Lords, come hither, and drink libations of
the flowing Soma.
12 If, when the Sun to the mid-heaven hath
mounted, ye take delight in food, O Indra-Agni,
Even from
thence, ye mighty Lords, come hither, and drink libations of
the flowing Soma.
13 Thus having drunk your fill of our libation,
win us all kinds of wealth, Indra and Agni.
This prayer of
ours may Varuna grant, and Mitra, and Aditi and Sindhu, Earth
and Heaven.
HYMN CIX. Indra-Agni.
1. LONGING for weal I looked around, in spirit, for kinsmen,
Indra-Agni, or for brothers.
No providence but yours alone
is with me so have I wrought for you this hymn for succour.
2 For I have heard that ye give wealth more freely than worthless
son-in-law or spouse's brother.
So offering to you this draught
of Soma, I make you this new hymn, Indra and Agni,
3 Let
us not break the cords: with this petition we strive to gain
the powers of our forefathers.
For Indra-Agni the strong
drops are joyful-, for here in the bowl's lap are both the press-stones.
4 For you the bowl divine, Indra and Agni, presses the Soma
gladly to delight you.
With hands auspicious and fair arms,
ye Asvins, haste, sprinkle it with sweetness in the waters.
5 You, I have heard, were mightiest, Indra-Agni, when Vrtra
fell and when the spoil was parted.
Sit at this sacrifice,
ye ever active, on the strewn grass, and with the juice delight
you.
6 Surpassing all men where they shout for battle, ye
Twain exceed the earth and heaven in greatness.
Greater are
ye than rivers and than mountains, O Indra-Agni, and all things
beside them.
7 Bring wealth and give it, ye whose arms wield
thunder: Indra and Agni, with your powers protect us.
Now
of a truth these be the very sunbeams wherewith our fathers
were of old united.
8 Give, ye who shatter forts, whose hands
wield thunder: Indra and Agni, save us in our battles.
This
prayer of ours may Varuna grant, and Mitra, and Aditi and Sindhu,
Earth and Heaven.
HYMN CX. Rbhus.
1. THE holy work I wrought before is wrought again: my sweetest
hymn is sung to celebrate your praise.
Here, O ye Rbhus,
is this sea for all the Gods: sate you with Soma offered with
the hallowing word.
2 When, seeking your enjoyment onward
from afar, ye, certain of my kinsmen, wandered on your way,
Sons of Sudhanvan, after your long journeying, ye came unto
the home of liberal Savitar.
3 Savitar therefore gave you
immortality, because ye came proclaiming him whom naught can
hide;
And this the drinking-chalice of the Asura, which till
that time was one, ye made to be fourfold.
4 When they had
served with zeal at sacrifice as priests, they, mortal as they
were, gained immortality.
The Rbhus, children of Sudhanvan,
bright as suns, were in a year's course made associate with
prayers.
5 The Rbhus, with a rod measured, as 'twere a field,
the single sacrificial chalice. wide of mouth,
Lauded of
all who saw, praying for what is best, desiring glorious fame
among Immortal Gods.
6 As oil in ladles, we through knowledge
will present unto the Heroes of the firmament our hymn,-
The Rbhus who came near with this great Father's speed, and
rose to heaven's high sphere to cat the strengthening food.
7 Rbhu to us is Indra freshest in his might, Rbhu with powers
and wealth is giver of rich gifts.
Gods, through your favour
may we on the happy day quell the attacks of those who pour
no offerings forth.
8 Out of a skin, O Rbhus, once ye formed
a cow, and brought the mother close unto her calf again.
Sons of Sudhanvan, Heroes, with surpassing skill ye made your
aged Parents youthful as before.
9 Help us with strength
where spoil is won, O Indra: joined with the gbhus give us varied
bounty.
This prayer of ours may Varuna grant, and Mitra,
and Aditi and Sindhu, Earth and Heaven.
HYMN CXI. Rbhus.
1. WORKING with skill they wrought the lightly rolling car:
they wrought the Bays who bear Indra and bring great gifts.
The Rbhus for their Parents made life young again; and fashioned
for the calf a mother by its side.
2 For sacrifice make for
us active vital power for skill and wisdom food with noble progeny.
Grant to our company this power most excellent, that with a
family all-heroic we may dwell.
3 Do ye, O Rbhus, make prosperity
for us, prosperity for car, ye Heroes, and for steed.
Grant
us prosperity victorious evermore,
conquering foes in battle,
strangers or akin.
4 Indra, the Rbhus' Lord, I invocate for
aid, the Rbhus, Vajas, Maruts to the Soma draught.
Varuna,
Mitra, both, yea, and the Asvins Twain: let them speed us to
wealth, wisdom, and victory.
5 May Rbhu send prosperity for
battle, may Vaja conquering in the fight protect us.
This
prayer of ours may Varuna grant, and Mitra, and Aditi and Sindhu,
Earth and Heaven.
HYMN CXII. Asvins.
1 To give first thought to them, I worship Heaven and Earth,
and Agni, fair bright glow, to hasten their approach.
Come
hither unto us, O Asvins, with those aids wherewith in fight
ye speed the war-cry to the spoil.
2 Ample, unfailing, they
have mounted as it were an eloquent car that ye may think of
us and give.
Come hither unto us, O Asvins, with those aids
wherewith ye help our thoughts to further holy acts.
3 Ye
by the might which heavenly nectar giveth you are in supreme
dominion Lords of all these folk.
Come hither unto us, O
Asvins, with those aids wherewith ye, Heroes, made the barren
cow give milk.
4 The aids wherewith the Wanderer through
his offipring's might, or the Two-Mothered Son shows swiftest
mid the swift;
Wherewith the sapient one acquired his triple
lore,-Come hither unto us, O Asvins, with those aids.
5 Wherewith
ye raised from waters, prisoned and fast bound, Rebha, and Vandana
to look upon the light;
Wherewith ye succoured Kapva as he
strove to win,-Come hither unto us, O Asvins, with those aids.
6 Wherewith ye rescued Antaka when languishing deep in the pit,
and Bhujyu with unfailing help.
And comforted Karkandhu,
Vayya, in their woe,-Come hither unto us, O Asvins, with those
aids.
7 Wherewith ye gave gucanti wealth and happy home,
and made the fiery pit friendly for Atri's sake;
Wherewith
ye guarded Purukutsa, Prsnigu, -Come hither unto us, O Agvin;,
with those aids.
8 Mighty Ones, with what powers ye gave
Paravrj aid what time ye made the blind and lame to see and
walk;
Wherewith ye set at liberty the swallowed quail,-Come
hither unto us, O Asvins, with those aids.
9 Wherewith ye
quickened the most sweet exhaustless flood, and comforted Vasistha,
ye who ne'er decay;
And to Srutarya, Kutsa, Narya gave your
help,-Come hither unto us, O Asvins, with those aids.
10
Wherewith ye helped, in battle of a thousand spoils, Vispala
seeking booty, powerless to move.
Wherewith ye guarded friendly
Vaga, Asva's son,-Come hither unto us, O Asvins, with those
aids.
11 Whereby the cloud, ye Bounteous Givers, shed sweet
rain for Dirghasravas, for the merchant Ausija,
Wherewith
ye helped Kaksivan, singer of your praise,-Come hither unto
us, O Asvins, with those aids.
12 Wherewith ye made Rasa
swell full with water-floods, and urged to victory the car without
a horse;
Wherewith Trisoka drove forth his recovered cows,-Come
hither unto us, O Asvins, with those aids.
13 Wherewith ye,
compass round the Sun when far away, strengthened Manddatar
in his tasks as lord of lands,
And to sage Bharadvija gave
protecting help,-Come hither unto us, O Asvins, with those aids.
14 Wherewith, when Sambara was slain, ye guarded well great
Atithigva, Divodisa, Kasoju,
And Trasadasyu when the forts
were shattered down,-Come hither unto us, O Asvins, with those
aids.
15 Wherewith ye honoured the great drinker Vamra, and
Upastuta and Kali when he gained his wife,
And lent to Vyasva.
and to Prthi favouring help,-Come hither unto us, O Asvins,
with those aids.
16 Wherewith, O Heroes, ye vouchsafed deliverance
to Sayu, Atri, and to Manu long ago;
Wherewith ye shot your
shafts in Syumarasmi's cause.-Come hither unto us, O Asvins,
with those aids.
17 Wherewith Patharva, in his majesty of
form, shone in his course like to a gathered kindled fire;
Wherewith ye helped Suryata in the mighty fray,-Come hither
unto us, O Asvins, with those aids.
18 Wherewith, Angirases!
ye triumphed in your heart, and onward went to liberate the
flood of milk;
Wherewith ye helped the hero Manu with new
strength,-Come hither unto us, O Asvins, with those aids.
19 Wherewith ye brought awife for Vimada to wed, wherewith ye
freely gave the ruddy cows away;
Wherewith ye brought the
host of kind Gods to Sudas-Come hither unto us, O Asvins, with
those aids.
20 Wherewith ye bring great bliss to him who
offers gifts, wherewith ye have protected Bhujyu, Adhrigu,
And good and gracious Subhara and Rtastup,-Come hither unto
us, O Asvins, with those aids.
21 Wherewith ye served Krsanu
where the shafts were shot, and helped the young man's horse
to swiftness in the race;
Wherewith ye bring delicious honey
to the bees,-Come hither unto us, O Asvins, with those aids.
22 Wherewith ye speed the hero as he fights for kine in hero
battle, in the strife for land and sons,
Wherewith ye safely
guard his horses and his car,-Come hither unto us, O Asvins
with those aids.
23 Wherewith ye, Lords of Hundred Powers,
helped Kutsa, son of Aduni, gave Turviti and Dabhiti strength,
Favoured Dhvasanti and lent Purusanti help,-Come hither unto
us, O Asvins, with those aids.
24 Make ye our speech effectual,
O ye Asvins, and this our hymn, ye mighty Wonder-Workers.
In luckless game I call on you for succour . strengthen us also
on the field of battle.
25 With, undiminished blessings,
O ye Asvins, for evermore both night and day protect us.
This prayer of ours may Varuna grant, and Mitra, and Aditi and
Sindhu, Earth and Heaven.
HYMN CXIII. Dawn.
1. This light is come, amid all lights the fairest; born
is the brilliant, far-extending brightness.
Night, sent away
for Savitar's uprising, hath yielded up a birth-place for the
Morning.
2 The Fair, the Bright is come with her white offspring;
to her the Dark One hath resigned her dwelling.
Akin, immortal,
following each other, changing their colours both the heavens
move onward.
3 Common, unending is the Sisters' pathway;
taught by the Gods, alternately they travel.
Fair-formed,
of different hues and yet one-minded, Night and Dawn clash not,
neither do they travel.
4 Bright leader of glad sounds, our
eyes behold her; splendid in hue she hath unclosed the portals.
She, stirring up the world, hath shown us riches: Dawn hath
awakened every living creature.
5 Rich Dawn, she sets afoot
the coiled-up sleeper, one for enjoyment, one for wealth or
worship,
Those who saw little for extended vision. All living
creatures hath the Dawn awakened.
6 One to high sway, one
to exalted glory, one to pursue his gain, and one his labour:
All to regard their different vocations, all moving creatures
hath the Dawn awakened.
7 We see her there, the Child of
Heaven apparent, the young Maid, flushing in her shining raiment.
Thou soyran Lady of all earthly treasure, flush on us here,
auspicious Dawn, this morning.
8 She first of endless morns
to come hereafter, follows the path of morns that have departed.
Dawn, at her rising, urges forth the living him who is dead
she wakes not from his slumber.
9 As thou, Dawn, hast caused
Agni to be kindled, and with the Sun's eye hast revealed creation.
And hast awakened men to offer worship, thou hast performed,
for Gods, a noble service.
10 How long a time, and they shall
be together,-Dawns that have shone and Dawns to shine hereafter?
She yearns for former Dawns with eager longing, and goes forth
gladly shining with the others.
11 Gone are the men who in
the days before us looked on the rising of the earlier Morning.
We, we the living, now behold her brightness and they come nigh
who shall hereafter see her.
12 Foe-chaser, born of Law,
the Law's protectress, joy-giver waker of all pleasant voices,
Auspicious, bringing food for Gods' enjoyment, shine on us here,
most bright, O Dawn, this morning.
13 From days eternal hath
Dawn shone, the Goddess, and shows this light to-day, endowed
with riches.
So will she shine on days to come immortal she
moves on in her own strength, undecaying.
14 In the sky's
borders hath she shone in splendour: the Goddess hath thrown
off the veil of darkness.
Awakening the world with purple
horses, on her well-harnessed chariot Dawn approaches.
15
Bringing all life-sustaining blessings with her, showing herself
she sends forth brilliant lustre.
Last of the countless mornings
that have vanished, first of bright morns to come hath Dawn
arisen.
16 Arise! the breath, the life, again hath reached
us: darkness hath passed away and light approacheth.
She
for the Sun hath left a path to travel we have arrived where
men prolong existence.
17 Singing the praises of refulgent
Mornings with his hymn's web the priest, the poet rises.
Shine then to-day, rich Maid, on him who lauds thee, shine down
on us the gift of life and offipring.
18 Dawns giving sons
all heroes, kine and horses, shining upon the man who brings
oblations,-
These let the Soma-presser gain when ending his
glad songs louder than the voice of Vayu.
19 Mother of Gods,
Aditi's forui of glory, ensign of sacrifice, shine forth exalted.
Rise up, bestowing praise on our devotion all-bounteous, niake
us chief among the people.
20 Whatever splendid wealth the
Dawns bring with them to bless the man who offers praise and
worship,
Even that may Mitra, Varuna vouchsafe us, and Aditi
and Sindhu, Earth and Heaven.
HYMN CXIV. Rudra.
1. To the strong Rudra bring we these our songs of praise,
to him the Lord of Heros with the braided hair,
That it be
well with all our cattle and our men, that in this village all
he healthy and well-fed.
2 Be gracious unto us, O Rudra,
bring us joy: thee, Lord of Heroes, thee with reverence will
we serve.
Whatever health and strength our father Manu won
by sacrifice may we, under thy guidance, gain.
3 By worship
of the Gods may we, O Bounteous One, O Rudra, gain thy grace,
Ruler of valiant men.
Come to our families, bringing them
bliss: may we, whose heroes are uninjured, bring thee sacred
gifts,
4 Hither we call for aid the wise, the wanderer, impetuous
Rudra, perfecter of sacri fice.
May he repel from us the
anger of the Gods: verily we desire his favourable grace.
5 Him with the braided hair we call with reverence down, the
wild-boar of the sky, the red, the dazzling shape.
May he,
his hand filled full of sovran medicines, grant us protection,
shelter, and a home secure.
6 To him the Maruts' Father is
this hymn addressed, to strengthen Rudra's might, a song more
sweet than sweet.
Grant us, Immortal One, the food which
mortals eat: be gracious unto me, my seed, my progeny.
7
O Rudra, harm not either great or small of us, harm not the
growing boy, harm not the full-grown man.
Slay not a sire
among us, slay no mother here, and to our own dear bodies, Rudra,
do not harm.
8 Harm us not, Rudra, in our seed and progeny,
harm us not in the living, nor in cows or steeds,
Slay not
our heroes in the fury of thy wrath. Bringing oblations evermore
we call to thee.
9 Even as a herdsman I have brought thee
hymns of praise: O Father of the Maruts, give us happiness,
Blessed is thy most favouring benevolence, so, verily, do we
desire thy saving help.
10 Far be thy dart that killeth men
or cattle: thy bliss be with us, O thou Lord of Heroes.
Be
gracious unto us, O God, and bless us, and then vouchsafe us
doubly-strong protection.
11 We, seeking help, have spoken
and adored him: may Rudra, girt by Maruts, hear our calling.
This prayer of ours may Varuna grant, and Mitra, and Aditi and
Sindhu, Earth and Heaven.
HYMN CXV. Surya.
1. THE brilliant presence of the Gods hath risen, the eye
of Mitra, Varuna and Agni.
The soul of all that moveth not
or moveth, the Sun hath filled the air and earth and heaven.
2 Like as a young man followeth a maiden, so doth the Sun the
Dawn, refulgent Goddess:
Where pious men extend their generations,
before the Auspicious One for happy fortune.
3 Auspicious
are the Sun's Bay-coloured Horses, bright, changing hues, meet
for our shouts of triumph.
Bearing our prayers, die sky's
ridge have they mounted, and in a moment speed round earth and
heaven.
4 This is the Godhead, this might of Surya: he hath
withdrawn what spread o'er work unfinished.
When he hath
loosed his Horses from their station, straight over all Night
spreadeth out her garment.
5 In the sky's lap the Sun this
form assumeth that Varuna and Mitra may behold it.
His Bay
Steeds well maintain his power eternal, at one time bright and
darksome at another.
6 This day, O Gods, while Surya is ascending,
deliver us from trouble and dishonour.
This prayer of ours
may Varuna grant, and Mitra, and Aditi and Sindhu, Earth and
Heaven.
HYMN CXVI. Asvins.
1. I TRIM like grass my song for the Nasatyas and send their
lauds forth as the wind drives rain-clouds,
Who, in a chariot
rapid as an arrow, brought to the youthful Vimada a consort.
2 Borne on by rapid steeds of mighty pinion, or proudly trusting
in the Gods' incitements.
That stallion ass of yours won,
O Nasatyas, that thousand in the race, in Yama's contest.
3 Yea, Asvins, as a dead man leaves his riches, Tugra left Bhujyu
in the cloud of waters.
Ye brought him back in animated vessels,
traversing air, unwetted by the billows.
4 Bhujyu ye bore
with winged things, Nasatyas, which for three nights, three
days full swiftly travelled,
To the sea's farther shore,
the strand of ocean, in three cars, hundred-footed, with six
horses.
5 Ye wrought that hero exploit in the ocean which
giveth no support, or hold or station,
What time ye carried
Bhujyu to his dwelling, borne in a ship with hundred oars, O
Asvins.
6 The white horse which of old ye gave Aghasva, Asvins,
a gift to be his wealth for ever,-
Still to be praised is
that your glorious present, still to be famed is the braye horse
of Pedu.
7 O Heroes, ye gave wisdom to Kaksivan who sprang
from Pajra's line, who sang your praises.
Ye poured forth
from the hoof of your strong charger a hundred jars of wine
as from a strainer.
8 Ye warded off with cold the fire's
fierce burning; food very rich in nouripliment ye furnished.
Atri, cast downward in the cavern, Asvins ye brought, with all
his people, forth to comfort.
9 Ye lifted up the well, O
ye Nasatyas, and set the base on high to open downward.
Streams
flowed for folk of Gotama who thirsted, like rain to bring forth
thousandfold abundance.
10 Ye from the old Cyavana, O Nasatyas,
stripped, as 'twere mail, the skin upon
his body,
Lengthened
his life when all had left him helpless, Dasras! and made him
lord of youthful maidens.
11 Worthy of praise and worth the
winning, Heroes, is that your favouring succour O Nasatyas,
What time ye, knowing well his case, delivered Vandana trom
the pit like hidden treasure.
12 That mighty deed of yours,
for gain, O Heroes, as thunder heraldeth the rain, I publish,
When, by the horse's head, Atharvan's offspring Dadhyac made
known to you the Soma's sweetness.
13 In the great rite the
wise dame called, Nasatyas, you, Lords of many treasures, to
assist her.
Ye heard the weakling's wife, as 'twere an order,
and gave to her a son Hiranyahasta.
14 Ye from the wolf's
jaws, as ye stood together, set free the quail, O Heroes, O
Nasatyas.
Ye, Lords of many treasures, gave the poet his
perfect vision as he mourned his trouble.
15 When in the
time of night, in Khela's battle, a leg was severed like a wild
bird's pinion,
Straight ye gave Vispali a leg of iron that
she might move what time the conflict opened.
16 His father
robbed Rjrasva of his eyesight who for the she-wolf slew a hundred
wethers.
Ye gave him eyes, Nasatyas, Wonder-Workers, Physicians,
that he saw with sight uninjured.
17 The Daughter of the
Sun your car ascended, first reaching as it were the goal with
coursers.
All Deities within their hearts assented, and ye,
Nasatyas, are close linked with glory.
18 When to his house
ye came, to Divodasa, hasting to Bharadvaja, O ye Asvins,
The car that came with you brought splendid riches: a porpoise
and a bull were yoked together.
19 Ye, bringing wealth with
rule, and life with offspring, life rich in noble heroes; O
Nasatyas,
Accordant came with strength to Jahnu's children
who offered you thrice every day your portion.
20 Ye bore
away at night by easy pathways Jahusa compassed round on every
quarter,
And, with your car that cleaves the toe asunder,
Nasatyas never decaying! rent the mountains.
21 One morn
ye strengthened Vaga for the battle, to gather spoils that might
be told in thousands.
With Indra joined ye drove away misfortunes,
yea foes of Prthusravas, O ye mighty.
22 From the deep well
ye raised on high the water, so that Rcatka's son, Sara, should
drink it;
And with your might, to help the weary Sayu, ye
made the barren cow yield milk, Nasatyas.
23 To Visvaka,
Nasatyas! son of Krsna, the righteous man who sought your aid
and praised you,
Ye with your powers restored, like some
lost creature, his son Visnapu for his eyes to look on.
24
Asvins, ye raised, like Soma in a ladle Rebha, who for ten days
and ten nights, fettered.
Had lain in cruel bonds, immersed
and wounded, suffering sore affliction, in the waters.
25
1 have declared your wondrous deeds, O Asvins: may this be mine,
and many kine and heroes.
May I, enjoying lengthened life,
still seeing, enter old age as 'twere the house I live in.
HYMN CXVII. Asvins.
1. ASVINS, your ancient priest invites you hither to gladden
you with draughts of meath of Soma.
Our gift is on the grass,
our song apportioned: with food and strength come hither, O
Nasatyas.
2 That car of yours, swifter than thought, O Asvins,
which drawn by brave steeds cometh to the people,
Whereon
ye seek the dwelling of the pious,-come ye thereon to our abode,
O Heroes.
3 Ye freed sage Atri, whom the Five Tribes honoured,
from the strait pit, ye Heroes with his people,
Baffling
the guiles of the malignant Dasyu, repelling them, ye Mighty
in succession.
4 Rebha the sage, ye mighty Heroes, Asvins!
whom, like a horse, vile men had sunk in water,-
Him, wounded,
with your wondrous power ye rescued: your exploits of old time
endure for ever.
5 Ye brought forth Vandana, ye Wonder-Workers,
for triumph, like fair gold that hath been buried,
Like one
who slumbered in destruction's bosom, or like the Sun when dwelling
in the darkness.
6 Kaksivan, Pajra's son, must laud that
exploit of yours, Nasatyas, Heroes, ye who wander!
When from
the hoof of your strong horse ye showered a hundred jars of
honey for the people.
7 To Krsna's son, to Visvaka who praised
you, O Heroes, ye restored his son Visnapu.
To Ghosa, living
in her father's dwelling, stricken in years, ye gave a husband,
Asvins.
8 Rusati, of the mighty people, Asvins, ye gave to
Syava of the line of Kanva.
This deed of yours, ye Strong
Ones should be published, that ye gave glory to the son of Nrsad.
9 O Asvins, wearing many forms at pleasure, on Pedu ye bestowed
a fleet-foot courser,
Strong, winner of a thousand spoils,
resistless the serpent slayer, glorious, triumphant.
10 These
glorious things are yours, ye Bounteous Givers; prayer, praise
in both worlds are your habitation.
O Asvins, when the sons
of Paira call you, send strength with nourishment to him who
knoweth.
11 Hymned with the reverence of a son, O Asvins
ye Swift Ones giving booty to the singer,
Glorified by Agastya
with devotion, established Vispala again, Nasatyas.
12 Ye
Sons of Heaven, ye Mighty, whither went ye, sought ye, for his
fair praise the home of Kdvya.
When, like a pitcher full
of gold, O Asvins, on the tenth day ye lifted up the buried?
13 Ye with the aid of your great powers, O Asvins, restored
to youth the ancient man Cyavana.
The Daughter of the Sun
with all her glory, O ye Nasatyas, chose your car to bear her.
14 Ye, ever-youthful Ones, again remembered Tugra, according
to your ancient manner:
With horses brown of hue that flew
with swift wings ye brought back Bhujyu from the sea of billows.
15 The son of Tugra had invoked you, Asvins; borne on he went
uninjured through the ocean.
Ye with your chariot swift as
thought, well-harnessed, carried him off, O Mighty Ones, to
safety.
16 The quail had invocated you, O Asvins, when from
the wolf's devouring jaws ye freed her.
With conquering car
ye cleft the mountain's ridges: the offspring of Visvac ye killed
with poison.
17 He whom for furnishing a hundred wethers
to the she-wolf, his wicked father blinded,
To him, Rjrasva,
gave ye eyes, O Asvins; light to the blind ye sent for perfect
vision.
18 To bring the blind man joy thus cried the she-wolf:
O Asvins, O ye Mighty Ones, O Heroes,
For me Rjrasva, like
a youthful lover, hath. cut piecemeal one and a hundred wethers.
19 Great and weal-giving is your aid, O Asvins, ye, objects
of all thought, made whole the cripple.
Purandhi also for
this cause invoked you, and ye, O mighty, came to her with succours.
20 Ye, Wonder-Workers, filled with milk for Sayu the milkless
cow, emaciated, barren;
And by your powers the child of Purumitra
ye brought to Vimada to be his consort.
21 Ploughing and
sowing barley, O ye Asvins, milking out food for men, ye Wonder-Workers,
Blasting away the Dasyu with your trumpet, ye gave far-spreading
light unto the Arya.
22 Ye brought the horse's head, Asvins,
and gave it unto Dadhyac the offspring of Atharvan.
True,
he revealed to you, O WonderWorkers, sweet Soma, Tvastar's secret,
as your girdle.
23 O Sages, evermore I crave your favour:
be gracious unto all my prayers, O Asvins.
Grant me, Nasatyas,
riches in abundance, wealth famous and accompanied with children.
24 With liberal bounty to the weakling's consorts ye, Heroes,
gave a son Hiranyahasta;
And Syava, cut into three several
pieces, ye brougnt to life again, O bounteous Asvins.
25
These your heroic exploits, O ye Asvins, done in the days. of
old, have men related.
May we, addressing prayer to you,
ye Mighty, speak with brave sons about us to. the synod.
HYMN CXVIII. Asvins.
1. FLYING, with falcons, may your chariot, Asvins, most gracious,
bringing friendly
help, come hither,-
Your chariot, swifter
than the mind of mortal, fleet as the wind, three-seated O ye
Mighty.
2 Come to us with your chariot triple seated, three-wheeled,
of triple form, that rolleth lightly.
Fill full our cows,
give mettle to our horses, and make each hero son grow strong,
O Asvins.
3 With your well-rolling car, descending swiftly,
hear this the press-stone's song, ye Wonder-Workers.
How
then have ancient sages said, O Asvins, that ye most swiftly
come to stay affliction?
4 O Asvins, let your falcons bear
you hither, yoked to your chariot, swift, with flying pinions,
Which, ever active, like the airy eagles, carry you, O Nasatyas,
to the banquet.
5 The youthful Daughter of the Sun, delighting
in you, ascended there your chariot, Heroes.
Borne on their
swift wings let your beauteous horses, your birds of ruddy hue,
convey you near us.
6 Ye raised up Vandana, strong WonderWorkers!
with great might, and with power ye rescued Rebha.
From out
the sea ye saved the son of Tugra, and gave his youth again
unto Cyavana.
7 To Atri, cast down to the fire that scorched
him, ye gave, O Asvins, strengthening tbod and favour.
Accepting
his fair praises with approval, ye gave his eyes again to blinded
Kanva.
8 For ancient Sayti in his sore affliction ye caused
his cow to swell with milk, O Asvins.
The quail from her
great misery ye delivered, and a new leg for Vispala provided.
9 A white horse, Asvins, ye bestowed on Pedu, a serpent-slaying
steed sent down by Indra,
Loud-neighing, conquering the foe,
highmettled, firm-limbed and vigorous, winning thousand treasures.
10 Such as ye are, O nobly horn, O Heroes, we in our trouble
call on you for succour.
Accepting these our songs, for our
wellbeing come to us on your chariot treasure-laden.
11 Come
unto us combined in love, Nasatyas come with the fresh swift
vigour of the falcon.
Bearing oblations I invoke you, Asvins,
at the first break of everlasting morning.
HYMN CXIX. Asvins.
1. HITHER, that I may live, I call unto the feast your wondrous
car, thought-swift, borne on by rapid steeds.
With thousand
banners, hundred treasures, pouring gifts, promptly obedient,
bestowing ample room.
2 Even as it moveth near my hymn is
lifted up, and all the regions come together to sing praise.
I sweeten the oblations; now the helpers come. Urjani hath,
O Asvins, mounted on your car.
3 When striving man with man
for glory they have met, brisk, measurcIess, eager for victory
in fight,
Then verily your car is seen upon the slope when
ye, O Asvins, bring some choice boon to the prince.
4 Ye
came to Bhujyu while he struggled in the flood, with flying
birds, self-yoked, ye bore him to his sires.
Ye went to the
far-distant home, O Mighty Ones; and famed is your great aid
to Divodisa given.
5 Asvins, the car which you had yoked
for glorious show your own two voices urged directed to its
goal.
Then she who came for friendship, Maid of noble birth,
elected you as Husbands, you to be her Lords.
6 Rebha ye
saved from tyranny; for Atri's sake ye quenched with cold the
fiery pit that compassed him.
Ye made the cow of Sayu stream
refreshing milk, and Vandana was holpen to extended life.
7 Doers of marvels, skilful workers, ye restored Vandana, like
a car, worn out with length of days.
From earth ye brought
the sage to life in wondrous mode; be your great deeds done
here for him who honours you.
8 Ye went to him who mourned
in a far distant place, him who was left forlorn by treachery
of his sire.
Rich with the light ofheaven was then the help
ye gave, and marvellous your succour when ye stood by him.
9 To you in praise of sweetness sang the honey-bee: Ausija calleth
you in Soma's rapturous joy.
Ye drew unto yourselves the
spirit of Dadhyac, and then the horse's head uttered his words
to you.
10 A horse did ye provide for Pedu, excellent, white,
O ye Asvins, conqueror of combatants,
Invincible in war by
arrows, seeking heaven worthy of fame, like Indra, vanquisher
of men.
HYMN CXX. Asvins.
1. ASVINS, what praise may win your grace? Who may be pleasing
to you both?
How shall the ignorant worship you?
2 Here
let the ignorant ask the means of you who know-for none beside
you knoweth aught -
Not of a spiritless mortal man.
3
Such as ye: are, all-wise, we call you. Ye wise, declare to
us this day accepted prayer.
Loving you well your servant
lauds you.
4 Simply, ye Mighty Ones, I ask the Gods of that
wondrous oblation hallowed by the mystic word.
Save us from
what is stronger, fiercer than ourselves.
5 Forth go the
hymn that shone in Ghosa Bhrgu's like, the song wherewith the
son of Pajra worships you,
Like some wise minister.
6
Hear ye the song of him who hastens speedily. O Asvins, I am
he who sang your praise.
Hither, ye Lords of Splendour, hither
turn your eyes.
7 For ye were ever nigh to deal forth ample
wealth, to give the wealth that ye had gathered up.
As such,
ye Vasus, guard us well, and keep us safely from the wicked
wolf.
8 Give us not up to any man who hateth us, nor let
our milch-cows stray, whose udders give us food,
Far from
our homes without their calves.
9 May they who love you gain
you for their Friends. Prepare ye us for opulence with strengthening
food,
Prepare us for the food that floweth from our cows
10 1 have obtained the horseless car of Asvins rich in sacrifice,
And I am well content therewith.
11 May it convey me evermore:
may the light chariot pass from men
To men unto the Soma
draught.
12 It holdeth slumber in contempt. and the rich
who enjoyeth not:
Both vanish quickly and are lost.
HYMN CXXI, Indra.
1. WHEN Will men's guardians hasting hear with favour the
song of Angiras's pious
childern?
When to the people of
the home he cometh he strideth to the sacrifice, the Holy.
2 He stablished heaven; he poured forth, skilful worker, the
wealth of kine, for strength, that nurtures heroes.
The Mighty
One his self-born host regarded, the horse's mate, the mother
of the heifer.
3 Lord of red dawns, he came victorious, daily
to the Angirases' former invocation.
His bolt and team hath
he prepared, and stablished the heaven for quadrupeds and men
two-footed.
4 In joy of this thou didst restore, for worship,
the lowing company of hidden cattle.
When the three-pointed
one descends with onslaught he opens wide the doors that cause
man trouble.
5 Thine is that milk which thy swift-moving
Parents brought down, a strengthening genial gift for conquest;
When the pure treasure unto thee they offered, the milk shed
from the cow who streameth nectar.
6 There is he born. May
the Swift give us rapture, and like the Sun shine forth from
yonder dawning,
Indu, even us who drank, whose toils are
offerings, poured from the spoon, with praise, upon the altar.
7 When the wood-pile, made of good logs, is ready, at the Sun's
worship to bind fast the Bullock,
Then when thou shinest
forth through days of action for the Car-borne, the Swift, tile
Cattle-seeker.
8 Eight steeds thou broughtest down from mighty
heaven, when fighting for the well that giveth splendour,
That men might press with stones the gladdening yellow, strengthened
with milk, fermenting, to exalt thee.
9 Thou hurledst forth
from heaven the iron missile, brought by the Skilful, from the
sling of leather,
When thou, O Much-invoked, assisting Kutsa
with endless deadly darts didst compass Susna.
10 Bolt-armed,
ere darkness overtook the sunlight, thou castest at the veiling
cloud thy weapon,
Thou rentest, out of heaven, though firmly
knotted, the might of Susna that was thrown around him.
11
The mighty Heaven and Earth, those bright expanses that have
no wheels, joyed, Indra, at thine exploit.
Vrtra, the boar
who lay amid the waters, to sleep thou sentest with thy mighty
thunder.
12 Mount Indra, lover of the men thou guardest,
the well-yoked horses of the wind, best bearers.
The bolt
which Kavya Usana erst gave thee, strong, gladdening, Vrtra-slaying,
hath he fashioned *
13 The strong Bay Horses of the Sun thou
stayedst: this Etasa drew not the wheel, O Indra.
Casting
them forth beyond the ninety rivers thou dravest down into the
pit the godless.
14 Indra, preserve thou us from this affliction
Thunder-armed, save us from the misery near us.
Vouchsafe
us affluence in chariots, founded on horses, for our food and
fame and gladness.
15 Never may this thy loving-kindness
fail us; mighty in strength, may plenteous food surround us.
Maghavan, make us share the foeman's cattle: may we be thy most
liberal feast companions.
HYMN CXXII Visvadevas.
1. SAY, bringing sacrifice to bounteous Rudra, This juice
for drink to you whose wrath is fleeting!
With Dyaus the
Asura's Heroes I have lauded the Maruts as with prayer to Earth
and Heaven.
2 Strong to exalt the early invocation are Night
and Dawn who show with varied aspect.
The Barren clothes
her in wide-woven raiment, and fair Morn shines with Surya's
golden splendour.
3 Cheer us the Roamer round, who strikes
at morning, the Wind delight us, pourer forth of waters!
Sharpen our wits, O Parvata and Indra. May all the Gods vouchsafe
to us this favour.
4 And Ausija shall call for me that famous
Pair who enjoy and drink, who come to brighten.
Set ye the
Offspring of the Floods before you; both Mothers of the Living
One who beameth.
5 For you shall Ausija call him who thunders,
as, to win Arjuna's assent, cried Ghosa.
I will invoke, that
Pusan may be bounteous to you, the rich munificence of Agni.
6 Hear, Mitra-Varuna, these mine invocations, hear them from
all men in the hall of worship.
Giver of famous gifts, kind
hearer, Sindhu who gives fair fields, listen with all his waters
1
7 Praised, Mitra, Varuna! is your gift, a hundred cows
to the Prksayamas and the Pajra.
Presented by car-famous
Priyaratha, supplying nourishment, they came directly.
8
Praised is the gift of him the very wealthy: may we enjoy it,
men with hero children:
His who hath many gifts to give the
Pajras, a chief who makes me rich in cars and horses.
9 The
folk, O Mitra-Varuna, who hate you, who sinfully hating pour
you no libations,
Lay in their hearts, themselves, a wasting
sickness, whereas the righteous gaineth all by worship.
10
That man, most puissant, wondrously urged onward, famed among
heroes, liberal in giving,
Moveth a warrior, evermore undaunted
in all encounters even with the mighty.
11 Come to the man's,
the sacrificer's calling: hear, Kings of Immortality, joy-givers!
While ye who speed through clouds decree your bounty largely,
for fame, to him the chariot rider.
12 Vigour will we bestow
on that adorer whose tenfold draught we come to taste, so spake
they.
May all in whom rest splendour and great riches obtain
refreshment in these sacrifices.
13 We will rejoice to drink
the tenfold present when the twicefive come bearing sacred viands.
What can he do whose steeds and reins are choicest? These, the
all-potent, urge brave men to conquest.
14 The sea and all
the Deities shall give us him with the golden car and neck bejewelled.
Dawns, hasting to the praises otthe pious, be pleased with us.
both offerers and singers.
15 Four youthful sons of Masarsara
vex me, three, of the king, the conquering Ayavasa.
Now like
the Sun, O Varuna and Mitra, your car hath shone, long-shaped
and reined with splendour.
HYMN CXXIII. Dawn.
1. THE Daksina's broad chariot hath been harnessed: this
car the Gods Immortal have ascended.
Fain to bring light
to homes of men the noble and active Goddess hath emerged from
darkness.
2 She before all the living world hath wakened,
the Lofty One who wins and gathers treasure.
Revived and
ever young on high she glances. Dawn hath come first unto our
morning worship.
3 If, Dawn, thou Goddess nobly born, thou
dealest fortune this day to all the race of mortals,
May
Savitar the God, Friend of the homestead, declare before the
Sun that we are sinless.
4 Showing her wonted form each day
that passeth, spreading the light she visiteth each dwelling.
Eager for conquest, with bright sheen she cometh. Her portion
is the best of goodly treasures.
5 Sister of Varuna, sister
of Bhaga, first among all sing forth, O joyous Morning.
Weak
be the strength of him who worketh evil - may we subdue him
with our car the guerdon.
6 Let our glad hymns and holy thoughts
rise upward, for the flames brightly burning have ascended.
The far-refulgent Mornings make apparent the lovely treasures
which the darkness covered.
7 The one departeth and the other
cometh: unlike in hue day's, halves march on successive.
One hides the gloom of the surrounding Parents. Dawn on her
shining chariot is resplendent.
8 The same in form to-day,
the same tomorrow, they still keep Varuna's eternal statute.
Blameless, in turn they traverse thirty regions, and dart across
the spirit in a moment.
9 She who hath knowledge Of the first
day's nature is born refulgent white from out the darkness.
The Maiden breaketh not the law of Order, day by day coming
to the place appointed.
10 In pride of beauty like a maid
thou goest, O Goddess, to the God who longs to win thee,
And smiling youthful, as thou shinest brightly, before him thou
discoverest thy bosom.
11 Fair as a bride embellished by
her mother thou showest forth thy form that all may see it.
Blessed art thou O Dawn. Shine yet more widely. No other Dawns
have reached what thou attainest.
12 Rich in kine, horses,
and all goodly treasures, in constant operation with the sunbeams,
The Dawns depart and come again again assuming their wonted
forms that promise happy fortune.
13 Obedient to the rein
of Law Eternal give us each thought that more and more shall
bless us.
Shine thou on us to-day, Dawn, swift to listen.
With us be riches and with chiefs who worship.
HYMN CXXIV. Dawn.
1. THE Dawn refulgent when the fire is kindled, and the Sun
rising, far diffuse their brightness.
Savitar, God, hath
sentus forth to labour, each quadruped, each biped, to be active.
2 Not interrupting heavenly ordinances, although she minisheth
human generations.
The last of endless morns that have departed,
the first of those that come, Dawn brightly shineth.
3 There
in the eastern region she, Heaven's Daughter, arrayed in garments
all of light, appeareth.
Truly she fo1loweth the path of
Order, nor faileth, knowing well, the heavenly quarters.
4 Near is she seen, as 'twere the Bright One's bosom: she showeth
sweet things like a new song-singer.
She cometh like a fly
awaking sleepers, of all. returning dames most true and constant.
5 There in the east half of the watery region the Mother of
the Cows hath shown her ensign.
Wider and wider still she
spreadeth onward, and filleth full the laps of both heir Parents.
6 She, verily, exceeding vast to look on debarreth from her
light nor kin nor stranger.
Proud of her spotless form she,
brightly shiming, turneth not from the high nor froom the humble.
7 She seeketh men, as she who hath no brother, mounting her
car, as 'twere to gather riches.
Dawn, like a loving matron
for her husband, smiling and well attired, unmasks her beauty.
8 The Sister quitteth, for the elder Sister, her place, and
having looked on her departeth.
She decks her beauty, shining
forth with sunbeams, like women trooping to the festal meeting.
9 To all these Sisters who ere now have vanished a later one
each day in course succeedeth.
So, like the past, with days
of happy fortune, may the new Dawns shine forth on us with riches.
10 Rouse up, O Wealthy One, the liberal givers; let niggard
traffickers sleep on unwakened:
Shine richly, Wealthy One,
on those who worship, richly, glad.
Dawn while wasting, on
the singer.
11 This young Maid from the east hath shone upon
us; she harnesseth her team of bright red oxen.
She will
beam forth, the light will hasten hither, and Agni will be present
in each dwelling.
12 As the birds fly forth from their resting
places, so men with store of food rise at thy dawning.
Yea,
to the liberal mortal who remaineth at home, O Goddess Dawn,
much good thou bringest.
13 Praised through my prayer be
ye who should be lauded. Ye have increased our wealth, ye Dawns
who love us.
Goddesses, may we win by your good favour wealth
to be told by hundreds and by thousands.
HYMN CXXV. Svanaya.
1. COMING at early morn he gives his treasure; the prudent
one receives and entertains him.
Thereby increasing still
his life and offspring, he comes with brave sons to abundant
riches.
2 Rich shall he be in gold and kine and horses. Indra
bestows on him great vital power,
Who stays thee, as thou
comest, with his treasure, like game caught in the net, O early
comer.
3 Longing, I came this morning to the pious, the son
of sacrifice, with car wealth. laden.
Give him to drink juice
of the stalk that gladdens; prosper with pleasant hymns the
Lord of Heroes.
4 Health-bringing streams, as milch-cows,
flow to profit him who hath worshipped, him who now will worship.
To him who freely gives and fills on all sides full streams
of fatness flow and make him famous.
5 On the high ridge
of heaven he stands exalted, yea, to the Gods he goes, the liberal
giver.
The streams, the waters flow for him with fatness:
to him this guerdon ever yields abundance.
6 For those who
give rich meeds are all these splendours, for those who give
rich meeds suns shine in heaven.
The givers of rich meeds
are made immortal; the givers of rich fees prolong their lifetime.
7 Let not the liberal sink to sin and sorrow, never decay the
pious -chiefs who worship!
Let every man besides be their
protection, and let affliction fall upon the niggard.
HYMN CXXVI. Bhavayavya.
1. WITH wisdom I present these lively praises of Bhavya dweller
on the bank of Sindhu;
For he, unconquered King, desiring
glory, hath furnished me a thousand sacrifices.
2 A hundred
necklets from the King, beseeching, a hundred gift-steeds I
at once accepted;
Of the lord's cows a thousand, I Kaksivan.
His deathless glory hath he spread to heaven.
3 Horses of
dusky colour stood beside me, ten chariots, Svanaya's gift,
with mares to draw them.
Kine numbering sixty thousand followed
after. Kaksivan gained them when the days were closing.
4
Forty bay horses of the ten cars' master before a thousand lead
the long procession.
Reeling in joy Kaksivan's sons and Pajra's
have grounded the coursers decked with pearly trappings.
5 An earlier gift for you have I accepted eight cows, good milkers,
and tree harnessed horses,
Pajras, who with your wains with
your great kinsman, like troops of subjects, have been fain
for glory.
HYMN CXXVII Agni.
1. AGNI I hold as herald, the munificent, the gracious, Son
of Strength, who knoweth all that live, as holy Singer, knowing
all,
Lord of fair rites, a God with form erected turning
to the Gods,
He, when the flame hath sprung forth from the
holy oil, the offered fatness, longeth for it with his glow.
2 We, sacrificing, call on thee best worshipper, the eldest
of Angirases, Singer, with hymns, thee, brilliant One! with
singers' hymns;
Thee, wandering round as 't were the sky,
who art the invoking Priest of men,
Whom, Bull with hair
of flame the people must observe, the people that he speed them
on.
3 He with his shining glory blazing far and wide, he
verily it is who slayeth demon foes, slayeth the demons like
an axe:
At whose close touch things solid shake, and what
is stable yields like trees.
Subduing all, he keeps his ground
and flinches not, from the skilled archer flinches not.
4
To him, as one who knows, even things solid yield: unrough fire-sticks
heated hot he gives his gifts to aid. Men offer Agni gifts for
aid.
He deeply piercing many a thing hews it like wood with
fervent glow.
Even hard and solid food he crunches with his
might, yea, hard and solid food with might.
5 Here near we
place the sacrificial food for him who shines forth fairer in
the night than in the day, with life then stronger than by day.
His life gives sure and firm defence as that one giveth to a
son.
The during fires enjoy things given and things not given,
the during fires enjoy as food.
6 He, roaring very loudly
like the Maruts' host, in fertile cultivated fields adorable,
in desert spots adorable,
Accepts and eats our offered gifts,
ensign of sacrifice by desert;
So let all, joying, love his
path when he is glad, as men pursue a path for bliss.
7 Even
as they who sarig forth hymns, addressed to heaven, the Blirgus
with their prayer and praise invited him, the Bhrgus rubbing,
offering gifts.
For radiant Agni, Lord of all these treasures,
is exceeding strong.
May he, the wise, accept the grateful
coverings, the wise accept the coverings.
8 Thee we invoke,
the Lord of all our settled homes, common to all, the household's
guardian, to enjoy, bearer of true hymns, to enjoy.
Thee
we invoke, the guest of men, by whose mouth, even as a sire's,
All these Immortals come to gain their food of life, oblations
come to Gods as food.
9 Thou, Agni, most victorious with
thy conquering strength, most Mighty One, art born for service
of the Gods, like wealth for service of the Gods.
Most mighty
is thine ecstasy, most splendid is thy mental power.
Therefore
men wait upon thee, undecaying One, like vassals, undecaying
One.
10 To him the mighty, conquering with victorious strength,
to Agni walking with the dawn, who sendeth kine, be sung your
laud, to Agni sung;
As he who with oblation comes calls him
aloud in every place.
Before the brands of fire he shouteth
singerlike, the herald, kindler of the brands.
11 Agni, beheld
by us in nearest neighbourhood, accordant with the Gods, bring
us, with gracious love, great riches with thy gracious love.
Give us O Mightiest, what is great, to see and to enjoy the
earth.
As one of awful power, stir up heroic might for those
who praise thee, Bounteous Lord!
HYMN CXXVIII. Agni.
1. By Manu's law was born this Agni, Priest most skilled,
born for the holy work of those who yearn therefore, yea, born
for his own holy work.
All ear to him who seeks his love
and wealth to him who strives for fame,
Priest ne'er deceived,
he sits in Ila's holy place, girt round in Ila's holy place.
2 We call that perfecter of worship by the path or sacrifice;
with reverence rich in offerings, with worship rich in offerings.
Through presentation of our food he grows not old in this his
from;
The God whom Matarisvan brought from far away, for
Manu brought from far away.
3 In ordered course forthwith
he traverses the earth, swift-swallowing, bellowing Steer, bearing
the genial seed, bearing the seed and bellowing.
Observant
with a hundred eyes the God is conqueror in the wood:
Agni,
who hath his seat in broad plains here below, and in the high
lands far away.
4 That Agni, wise High-Priest, in every house
takes thought for sacrifice and holy service, yea, takes thought,
with mental power, for sacrifice.
Disposer, he with mental
power shows all things unto him who strives;
Whence he was
born a guest enriched with holy oil, born as Ordainer and as
Priest.
5 When through his power and in his strong prevailing
flames the Maruts' gladdening boons mingle with Agni's roar,
boons gladdening for the active One,
Then he accelerates
the gift, and by the greatness of his wealth,
Shall rescue
us from overwhelming misery, from curse and overwhelming woe.
6 Vast, universal, good he was made messenger; the speeder with
his right hand hath not loosed his hold, through love of fame
not loosed his hold.
He bears oblations to the Gods for whosoever
supplicates.
Agni bestows a blessing on each pious man, and
opens wide the doors for him.
7 That Agni hath been set most
kind in camp of men, in sacrifice like a Lord victorious, like
a dear Lord in sacred rites.
His are the oblations of mankind
when offered up at Ili's place.
He shall preserve us from
Varuna's chastisement, yea, from the great God's chastisement.
8 Agni the Priest they supplicate to grant them wealth: him,
dear, most thoughtful, have they made their messenger, him,
offering-bearer have they made,
Beloved of all, who knoweth
all, the Priest, the Holy one, the Sage-
Him, Friend, for
help, the Gods when they are fain for wealth, him, Friend, with
hymns, when fain for wealth.
HYMN CXXIX Indra.
1. THE car which Indra, thou, for service of the Gods though
it be far away, O swift One, bringest near, which, Blameless
One, thou bringest near,
Place swiftly nigh us for our help:
be it thy will that it be strong.
Blameless and active, hear
this speech of orderers, this speech of us like orderers.
2 Hear, Indra, thou whom men in every fight must call to show
thy strength, for cry of battle with the men, with men of war
for victory.
He who with heroes wins the light, who with
the singers gains the prize,
Him the rich seek to gain even
as a swift strong steed, even as a courser fleet and strong.
3 Thou, Mighty, pourest forth the hide that holds the rain,
thou keepest far away, Hero, the wicked man, thou shuttest out
the wicked man.
Indra, to thee I sing, to Dyaus, to Rudra
glorious in himself,
To Mitra, Varuna I sing a far-famed
hymn to the kind God a far-famed hymn.
4 We. wish our Indra
here that he may further you, the Friend, beloved of all, the
very strong ally, in wars the very strong ally
In all encounters
strengthen thou our prayer to be a help to us.
No enemy-whom
thou smitest downsubdueth thee, no enemy, whom thou smitest
down.
5 Bow down the overweening pride of every foe with
succour like to kindling-wood in fiercest flame, with mighty
succour, Mighty One.
Guide us, thou Hero, as of old, so art
thou counted blameless still.
Thou drivest, as a Priest,
all sins of man away, as Priest, in person, seeking us.
6
This may I utter to the present Soma-drop, which, meet to be
invoked, with power, awakes the prayer, awakes the demon-slaying
prayer.
May he himself with darts of death drive far from
us the scorner's hate.
Far let him flee away who speaketh
wickedness and vanish like a mote of dust.
7 By thoughtful
invocation this may we obtain, obtain great wealth, O Wealthy
One, with Hero sons, wealth that is sweet with hero sons.
Him who is wroth we pacify with sacred food and eulogies,
Indra the Holy with our calls inspired and true, the Holy One
with calls inspired.
8 On, for your good and ours, come Indra
with the aid of his own lordliness to drive the wicked hence,
to rend the evilhearted ones!
The weapon which devouring
fiends cast at us shall destroy themselves.
Struck down,
it shall not reach the mark; hurled forth, the fire-brand shall
not strike.
9 With riches in abundance, Indra, come to us,
come by an unobstructed path, come by a path from demons free.
Be with us when we stray afar, be with us when our home is nigh.
Protect us with thy help both near and far away: protect us
ever with thy help.
10 Thou art our own, O Indra, with victorious
wealth: let might accompany thee, the Strong, to give us aid,
like Mitra, to give mighty aid.
O strongest saviour, helper
thou, Immortal! of each warrior's car.
Hurt thou another
and not us, O Thunderarmed, one who would hurt, O Thunder-armed!
11 Save us from injury, thou who art well extolled: ever the
warder-off art thou of wicked ones, even as a God, of wicked
ones;
Thou slayer of the evil fiend, saviour of singer such
as I.
Good Lord, the Father made thee slayer of the fiends,
made thee, good Lord, to slay the fiends.
HYMN CXXX. Indra.
1. Come to us, Indra, from afar, conducting us even as a
lord of heroes to the gatherings, home, like a King, his heroes'
lord.
We come with gifts of pleasant food, with juice poured
forth, invoking thee,
As sons invite a sire, that thou mayst
get thee strength thee, bounteousest, to get thee strength.
2 O Indra, drink the Soma juice pressed out with stones. poured
from the reservoir, as an ox drinks the spring, a very thirsty
bull the spring.
For the sweet draught that gladdens thee,
for mightiest freshening of thy strength.
Let thy Bay Horses
bring thee hither as the Sun, as every day they bring the Sun.
3 He found the treasure brought from heaven that lay concealed,
close-hidden, like the nestling of a bird, in rock, enclosed
in never-enffing rock.
Best Angiras, bolt-armed, he strove
to win, as 'twere, the stall of kine;
So Indra hath disclosed
the food concealed, disclosed the doors, the food that lay concealed.
4 Grasping his thunderbolt with both hands, Indra made its edge
most keen, for hurling, like a carving-knife for Ahi's slaughter
made it keen.
Endued with majesty and strength, O Indra,
and with lordly might,
Thou crashest down the trees, as when
a craftsman fells, crashest them down as with an axe.
5 Thou,
Indra, without effort hast let loose the floods to run their
free course down,
like chariots, to the sea, like chariots
showing forth their strength.
They, reaching hence away,
have joined their strength for one eternal end,
Even as the
cows who poured forth every thing for man, Yea, poured forth
all thing- for mankind.
6 Eager for riches, men have formed
for thee this song, like as a skilful craftsman fashioneth a
car, so have they wrought thee to their bliss;
Adorning thee,
O Singer, like a generous steed for deeds of might,
Yea,
like a steed to show his strength and win the prize, that he
may bear each prize away.
7 For Puru thou hast shattered,
Indra ninety forts, for Divodasa thy boon servant with thy bolt,
O Dancer, for thy worshipper.
For Atithigva he, the Strong,
brought Sambara. from the mountain down,
Distributing the
mighty treasures with his strength, parting all treasures with
his strength.
8 Indra in battles help his Aryan worshipper,
he who hath hundred helps at hand in every fray, in frays that
win the light of heaven.
Plaguing the lawless he gave up
to Manu's seed the dusky skin;
Blazing, 'twere, he burns
each covetous man away, he burns, the tyrannous away.
9 Waxed
strong in might at dawn he tore the Sun's wheel off. Bright
red, he steals away their speech, the Lord of Power, their speech
he steals away from them,
As thou with eager speed, O Sage,
hast come from far away to hel
As winning for thine own all
happiness of men, winning all happiness each day.
10 Lauded
with our new hymns, O vigorous in deed, save us with strengthening
help, thou Shatterer of the Forts!
Thou, Indra, praised by
Divodasa's clansmen, as heaven grows great with days, shalt
wax in glory.
HYMN CXXXI. Indra.
1. To Indra Dyaus the Asura hath bowed him down, to Indra
mighty Earth with wide-extending tracts, to win the light, with
wide-spread tracts.
All Gods of one accord have set Indra
in front preeminent.
For Indra all libations must be set
apart, all man's libations set apart.
2 In all libations
men with hero spirit urge the Universal One, each seeking several
light, each fain to win the light apart.
Thee, furthering
like a ship, will we set to the chariot-pole of strength,
As men who win with sacrifices Indra's thought, men who win
Indra with their lauds.
3 Couples desirous of thine aid are
storming thee, pouring their presents forth to win a stall of
kine, pouring gifts, Indra, seeking thee.
When two men seeking
spoil or heaven thou bringest face to face in war,
Thou showest,
Indra, -then the bolt thy constant friend, the Bull that ever
waits on thee.
4 This thine heroic power men of old time
have known, wherewith thou breakest down, Indra, autumnal forts,
breakest them down with conquering might.
Thou hast chastised,
O Indra, Lord of Strength, the man who worships not,
And
made thine own this great earth and these water-floods; with
joyous heart these waterfloods.
5 And they have bruited far
this hero-might when thou, O Strong One, in thy joy helpest
thy suppliants, who sought to win thee for their Friend.
Their battle-cry thou madest sound victorious in the shocks
of war.
One stream after another have they gained from thee,
eager for glory have they gained.
6. Also this morn may he
be well inclined to us, mark at our call our offerings and our
song of praise, our call that we may win the light.
As thou,
O Indra Thunder-armed, wilt, as the Strong One, slay the foe,
Listen thou to the prayer of me a later sage, hear thou a later
sage's prayer.
7 O Indra, waxen strong and well-inclined
to us, thou very mighty, slay the man that is our foe, slay
the man, Hero! with thy bolt.
Slay thou the man who injures
us: hear thou, as readiest, to hear.
Far be malignity, like
mischief on the march, afar be all malignity.
HYMN CXXXII. Indra.
1. HELPED, Indra Maghavan, by thee in war of old, may we
subdue in fight the men who strive with us, conquer the men
who war with us.
This day that now is close at hand bless
him who pours the Soma juice.
In this our sacrifice may we
divide the spoil, showing our strength, the spoil of war.
2 In war which wins the light, at the freegiver's call, at due
oblation of the early-rising one, oblation of the active one,
Indra slew, even as we know-whom each bowed head must reverence.
May all thy bounteous gifts be gathered up for us, yea, the
good gifts of thee the Good.
3 This food glows for thee as
of old at sacrifice, wherein they made thee chooser of the place
, for thou choosest the place of sacrifice.
Speak thou and
make it known to us they see within with beams of light.
Indra, indeed, is found a seeker after spoil, spoil-seeker for
his own allies.
4 So now must thy great deed be lauded as
of old, when for the Angirases thou openedst the stall, openedst,
giving aid, the stall.
In the same manner for us here fight
thou and be victorious:
To him who pours the juice give up
the lawless man, the lawless who is wroth with us.
5 When
with wise plan the Hero leads the people forth, they conquer
in the ordered battle, seeking fame, press, eager, onward seeking
fame.
To him in time of need they sing for life with offspring
and with strength.
Their hymns with Indra find a welcome
place of rest: the hynins go forward to the Gods.
6 Indra
and Parvata, our champions in the fight, di ive ye away each
man who fain would war with us, drive him far from us with the
bolt.
Welcome to him concealed afar shall he the lair that
he hath found.
So may the Render rend our foes on every side,
rend them, O Hero, everywhere.
HYMN CXXXIII. Indra.
1. WITH sacrifice I purge both earth and heaven: I burn up
great she-fiends who serve not Indra,
Where throttled by
thy hand the foes were slaughtered, and in the pit of death
lay pierced and mangled.
2 O thou who castest forth the stones
crushing the sorceresses' heads,
Break them with thy wide-spreading
foot, with thy wide-spreading mighty foot.
3 Do thou, O Maghavan,
beat off these sorceresses' daring strength.
Cast them within
the narrow pit. within the deep and narrow pit.
4 Of whom
thou hast ere now destroyed thrice-fifty with thy fierce attacks.
That deed they count a glorious deed, though small to thee,
a glorious deed.
5 O Indra, crush and bray to bits the fearful
fiery-weaponed fiend:
Strike every demon to the ground.
6 Tear down the mighty ones. O Indra, hear thou us. For heaven
hath glowed like earth in fear, O nunder-armed, as dreading
fierce heat, Thunder-armed!
Most Mighty mid the Mighty Ones
thou speedest with strong bolts of death,
Not slaying men,
unconquered Hero with the brave, O Hero, with the thrice-seven
brave.
7 The pourer of libations gains the home of wealth,
pouring his gift conciliates hostilities, yea, the hostilities
of Gods.
Pouring, he strives, unchecked and strong, to win
him riches thousandfold.
Indra gives lasting wealth to him
who pours forth gifts, yea, wealth he gives that long shall
last.
HYMN CXXXIV. Vayu.
1. Vayu, let fleet-foot coursers bring thee speedily to this
our feast, to drink first of the juice we pour, to the first
draught of Soma juice.
May our glad hymn, discerning well,
uplifted, gratify thy mind.
Come with thy team-drawn car,
O Vayu, to the gift, come to the sacrificer's gift.
2 May
the joy-giving drops, O Vayu gladden thee, effectual, well prepared,
directed to the heavens, strong, blent with milk and seeking
heaven;
That aids, effectual to fulfil, may wait upon our
skilful power.
Associate teams come hitherward to grant our
prayers . they shall address the hymns we sing.
3 Two red
steeds Vayu yokes, Vayu two purple steeds, swift-footed, to
the chariot, to the pole to draw, most able, at the pole, to
draw.
Wake up intelligence, as when a lover wakes his sleeping
love.
Illumine heaven and earth, make thou the Dawns to shine,
for glory make the Dawns to shine.
4 For thee the radiant
Dawns in the fardistant sky broaden their lovely gannents forth
in wondrous beams, bright-coloured in their new-born beams.
For thee the nectar-yielding Cow pours all rich treasures forth
as milk.
The Marut host hast thou engendered from the womb,
the Maruts from the womb of heaven.
5 For thee the pure bright
quickly-flowing Soma-drops, strong in their heightening power,
hasten to mixthemselves, hasten to the water to be mixed.
To thee the weary coward prays for luck that he may speed away.
Thou by thy law protectest us from every world, yea, from the
world of highest Gods.
6 Thou, Vayu, who hast none before
thee, first of all hast right to drink these offerings of Soma
juice, hast right to drink the juice out-poured,
Yea, poured
by all invoking tribes who free themselves from taint of sin,
For thee all cows are milked to yield the Soma-milk, to yield
the butter and the milk.
HYMN CXXXV. Vayu, Indra-Vayu.
1. STREWN is the sacred grass; come Vayu, to our feast, with
team of thousands, come, Lord of the harnessed team, with hundreds,
Lord of harnessed steeds!
The drops divine are lifted up
for thee, the God, to drink them first.
The juices rich in
sweets have raised thern for thy joy, have raised themselves
to give thee strength.
2 Purified by the stones the Soma
flows for thee, clothed with its lovely splendours, to the reservoir,
flows clad in its refulgent light.
For thee the Soma is poured
forth, thy portioned share mid. Gods and men.
Drive thou
thy horses, Vayu, come to us with love, come well-inclined and
loving us.
3 Come thou with hundreds, come with thousands
in thy team to this our solemn rite, to taste the sacred food,
Vayu, to taste the offerings.
This is thy seasonable share,
that comes co-radiant with the Sun.
Brought by attendant
priests pure juice is offered up, Vayu, pure juice is offered
up.
4 The chariot with its team of horses bring you both,
to guard us and to taste the well-appointed food, Vayu, to taste
the offerings!
Drink of the pleasant -flavoured juice the
first draught is assigned to you.
O Vayu, with your splendid
bounty come ye both, Indra, with bounty come ye both.
5 May
our songs bring you hither to our solemn rites: these drops
of mighty vigour have they beauti fied, like a swift veed of
mighty strength.
Drink of them well-inclined to us, come
hitherward to be our help.
Drink, Indra-Vayu, of these Juices
pressed with stones, Strength-givers! till they gladden you.
6 These Soma juices pressed for you in waters here, borne by
attendant priests, are oficredup to you: bright, Vayu, are they
offered up.
Swift through the strainer have they flowed,
and here are shed for both ofyou,
Soma-drops, fain for you,
over the wether's fleece, Somas over the wether's fleece.
7 O Vayu, pass thou over all the,slumberers, and where the press-stone
rings enter ye both that house, yea, Indra, go ye both within.
The joyous Maiden is beheld, the butter flows. With richly laden
team come to our solemn rite, yea, Indra, come ye to the rite.
8 Ride hither to the offering of the pleasant juice, the holy
Fig-tree which victorious priests surround: victorious be they
still for us.
At once the cows yield milk, the barleymeal
is dressed. For thee,
O Vayu, never shall the cows grow thin,
never for thee shall they be dry.
9 These Bulls of thine,
O Vayu with the arm of strength, who swiftly fly within the
current of thy stream, the Bulls increasing in their might,
Horseless, yet even through the waste swift-moving, whom no
shout can stay,
Hard to be checked are they, like sunbeams,
in their course. hard to be checked by both the hands.
HYMN CXXXVI. Mitra-Varuna.
1. BRING adoration ample and most excellent, hymn, offierings,
to the watchful Twain, the bountiful, your sweetest to the bounteous
Ones.
Sovrans adored with streams of oil and praised at every
sacrifice.
Their high imperial might may nowhere be assailed,
ne'er may their Godhead be assailed.
2 For the broad Sun
was seen a path more widely laid, the path of holy law hath
been maintained with rays, the eye with Bhaga's rays of light.
Firm-set in heaven is Mitra's home, and Aryaman's and Varuna's.
Thence they give forth great vital strength which merits praise,
high power of life that men shall praise.
3 With Aditi the
luminous, the celestial, upholder of the people, come ye day
by day, ye who watch sleepless, day by day.
Resplendent might
have ye obtained, Adityas, Lords of liberal gifts.
Movers
of men, mild both, are Mitra, Varuna, mover of men is Aryaman.
4 This Soma be most sweet to Mitra, Varuna: he in the drinking-feasts,
shall have a share thereof, sharing, a God, among the Gods.
May all the Gods of one accord accept it joyfully to-day.
Therefore do ye, O Kings, accomplish what we ask, ye Righteous
Ones, whate'er we ask.
5 Whoso, with worship serves Mitra
and VaruiIa, him guard ye carefully, uninjured, from distress,
guard from distress the liberal man.
Aryaman guards him well
who acts uprightly following his law,
Who beautifies their
service with his lauds, who makes it beautiful with songs of
praise.
6 Worship will I proress to lofty Dyaus, to Heaven
and Earth, to Mitra and to bounteous Varuna, the Bounteous,
the Compassionate.
Praise Indra, praise thou Agni, praise
Bhaga and heavenly Aryaman.
Long may we live and have attendant
progeny, have progeny with Soma's help.
7 With the Gods'
help, with Indra still beside us, may we be held self-splendid
with the Maruts.
May Agni, Mitra, Varuna give us shelter
this may we gain, we and our wealthy princes.
HYMN CXXXVII. Mitra-Varuna.
1. WITH stones have we pressed out: O come; these gladdening
drops are blent with milk, these Soma-drops which gladden you.
Come to us, Kings who reach to heaven, approach us, coming hitherward.
These milky drops are yours, Mitra and Varuna, bright Soma juices
blent with milk.
2 Here are the droppings; come ye nigh the
Soma-droppings blent with curd, juices expressed and blent with
curd.
Now for the wakening of your Dawn together with the
Sun-God's rays,
juice waits for Mitra and for Varuna to drink,
fair juice for drink, for sacrihce.
3 As 'twere a radiant-coloured
cow, they milk with stones the stalk for you, with stones they
milk the Soma-plant.
May ye come nigh us, may ye turn hither
to drink the Soma juice.
The men pressed out this juice,
Mitra and Varuna, pressed out this Soma for your drink.
HYMN CXXXVIII. Pusan.
1. STRONG Pusan's majesty is lauded evermore, the glory of
his lordly might is never faint, his song of praise is never
faint.
Seeking felicity I laud him nigh to help, the source,
of bliss,
Who, Vigorous one, hath drawn to him the hearts
of all, drawn them, the Vigorous One, the God.
2 Thee, then,
O Pusan, like a swift one on his way, I urge with lauds that
thou mayst make the foemen flee, drive, camel-like, our foes
afar.
As I, a man, call thee, a God, giver of bliss, to be
my Friend,
So make our loudly-chanted praises glorious, in
battles make them glorious.
3 Thou, Pusan, in whose friendship
they who sing forth praise enjoy advantage, even in wisdom,
through thy grace, in wisdom even they are advanced.
So,
after this most recent course, we come to thee with prayers
for wealth.
Not stirred to anger, O Wide-Ruler, come to us,
come thou to us in every fight.
4 Not stirred to anger, come,
Free-giver, nigh to us, to take this gift of ours, thou who
hast goats for steeds, Goat-borne! their gift who long for fame.
So, Wonder-Worker! may we turn thee hither with effectual lauds.
I slight thee not, O Pusan, thou Resplendent One: thy friendship
may not be despised.
HYMN CXXXIX. Visvedevas.
1. HEARD be our prayer! In thought I honour Agni first: now
straightway we elect this heavenly company, Indra and Vayu we
elect.
For when our latest thought is raised and on Vivasvan
centred well,
Then may our holy songs go forward on their
way, our songs as 'twere unto the Gods.
2 As there ye, Mitra,
Varuna, above the true have taken to yourselves the untrue with
your mind, with wisdom's mental energy,
So in the seats wherein
ye dwell have we beheld the Golden One,
Not with our thoughts
or spirit, but with these our eyes, yea, with the eyes that
Soma gives.
3 Asvins, the pious call you with their hymns
of praise, sounding their loud song forth to you, these living
men, to their oblations, living men.
All glories and all
nourishment, Lords of all wealth! depend on you.
The fellies
of your golden chariot scatter drops, Mighty Ones! of your golden
car.
4 Well is it known, O Mighty Ones: ye open heaven; for
you the chariotsteeds are yoked for morning rites, unswerving
steeds for morning rites,
We set you on the chariot-scat,
ye Mighty, on the golden car.
Ye seek mid-air as by a path
that leads aright, as by a path that leads direct.
5 O Rich
in Strength, through your great power vouchsafe us blessings
day and night.
The offerings which we bring to you shall
never fail, gifts brought by us shall never fail.
6 These
Soma-drops, strong Indra! drink for heroes, poured, pressed
out by pressing-stones, are welling forth for thee, for thee
the drops are welling forth.
They shall make glad thy heart
to give, to give wealth great and wonderful.
Thou who acceptest
praise come glorified by hymns, come thou to us benevolent.
7 Quickly, O Agni, hear us: magnified by us thou shalt speck
for us to the Gods adorable yea, to the Kings adorable:
When,
O ye Deities, ye gave that Milch-cow to the Angirases,
They
milked her: Aryaman, joined with them, did the work: he knoweth
her as well as I.
8 Ne'er may these manly deeds of yours
for us grow old, never may your bright glories fall into decay,
never before our time decay.
What deed of yours, new every
age, wondrous, surpassing man, rings forth,
Whatever, Maruts!
may be difficult to gain, grant us, whate'er is hard to gain.
9 Dadhyac of old, Anigiras, Priyamedha these, and Kanva, Atri,
Manu knew my birth, yea, tbose of ancient days and Manu knew.
Their long line stretcheth to the Gods, our birth-connexions
are with them.
To these, for their high station, 1 bow down
with song, to Indra, Agni, bow with song.
10 Let the Invoker
bless: let offerers bring choice gifts; Brhaspati the Friend
doth sacrifice with Steers, Steers that have many an excellence.
Now with our ears we catch the sound of the press-stone that
rings afar.
The very Strong hath gained the waters by himself,
the strong gained many a resting-place.
11 O ye Eleven Gods
whose home is heaven, O ye Eleven who make earth your dwelling,
Ye who with might, Eleven, live in waters, accept this sacrifice,
O Gods, with pleasure.
HYMN CXL. Agni.
1 To splendid Agni seated by the altar, loving well his home,
I bring the food as 'twere his place of birth.
I clothe the
bright One with my hymn as with a robe, him with the car of
light, bright-hued, dispelling gloom.
2 Child of a double
birth he grasps at triple food; in the year's course what he
hath swallowed grows anew.
He, by another's mouth and tongue
a noble Bull, with other, as an elephant, consumes the trees.
3 The pair who dwell together, moving in the dark bestir themselves:
both parents hasten to the babe,
Impetuous-tongued, destroying,
springing swiftly forth, one to be watched and cherished, strengthener
of his sire.
4 For man, thou Friend of men, these steeds
of thine are yoked, impatient, lightly running, ploughing blackened
lines,
Discordant-minded, fleet, gliding with easy speed,
urged onward by the wind and rapid in their course.
5 Dispelling
on their way the horror of black gloom , making a glorious show
these flames Of his fly forth,
When o'er the spacious tract
he spreads himself abroad, and rushes panting on with thunder
and with roar.
6 Amid brown plants he stoops as if adorning
them, and rushes bellowing like a bull upon his wives.
Proving
his might, he decks the glory of his form, and shakes his horns
like one terrific, bard to stay.
7 Now covered, now displayed
he grasps as one who knows his resting-place in those who know
him well.
A second time they wax and gather Godlike power,
and blending both together change their Parents' form.
8
The maidens with long, tresses hold him in embrace; dead, they
rise up again to meet the Living One.
Releasing them from
age with a loud roar he comes, filling them with new spirit,
living, unsubdued.
9 Licking the mantle of the Mother, far
and wide he wanders over fields with beasts that flee apace.
Strengthening all that walk, licking up all around, a blackened
path, forsooth, he leaves where'er he goes.
10 O Agni, shine
resplendent with our wealthy chiefs, like a loud-snorting bull,
accustomed to the house.
Thou casting off thine infant wrappings
blazest forth as though thou hadst put on a coat of mail for
war.
11 May this our perfect prayer be dearer unto thee than
an imperfect prayer although it please thee well.
With the
pure brilliancy that radiates from thy form, mayest thou grant
to us abundant store of wealth.
12 Grant to our chariot,
to our house, O Agni, a boat with moving feet and constant oarage,
One that may further well our wealthy princes and all the folk,
and be our certain refuge.
13 Welcome our laud with thine
approval, Agni. May earth and heaven and freely flowing rivers
Yield us long life and food and corn and cattle, and may the
red Dawns choose for us their choicest.
HYMN CXLI. Agni.
1. YEA, verily, the fair effulgence of the God for glory
was established, since he sprang from strength.
When he inclines
thereto successful is the hymn: the songs of sacrifice have
brought him as they flow
2 Wonderful, rich in nourishment,
he dwells in food; next, in the seven auspicious Mothers is
his home.
Thirdly, that they might drain the treasures of
the Bull, the maidens brought forth him for whom the ten provide.
3 What time from out the deep, from the Steer's wondrous form,
the Chiefs who had the power produced him with their strength;
When Matarisvan rubbed forth him who lay concealed, for mixture
of the sweet drink, in the days of old.
4 When from the Highest
Father he is brought to us, amid the plants he rises hungry,
wondrously.
As both together join to expedite his birth,
most youthful he is born resplendent in his light.
5 Then
also entered he the Mothers, and in them pure and uninjured
he increased in magnitude.
As to the first he rose, the vigorous
from of old, so now he runs among the younger lowest ones.
6 Therefore they choose him Herald at the morning rites, pressing
to him as unto Bhaga, pouring gifts,
When, much-praised,
by the power and will of Gods, he goes at all times to his mortal
worshipper to drink.
7 What time the Holy One, wind-urged,
hath risen up, serpent-like winding through the dry grass unrestrained,
Dust lies upon the way of him who burneth all, black-winged
and pure of birth who follows sundry paths.
8 Like a swift
chariot made by men who know their art, he with his red limbs
lifts himself aloft to heaven.
Thy worshippers become by
burning black of hue: their strength flies as before a hero's
violence.
9 By thee, O Agni, Varuna who guards the Law, Mitra
and Aryaman, the Bounteous, are made strong;
For, as the
felly holds the spokes, thou with thy might pervading hast been
born encompassing them round.
10 Agni, to him who toils and
pours libations, thou, Most Youthful! sendest wealth and all
the host of Gods.
Thee, therefore, even as Bhaga, will we
set anew, young Child of Strength, most wealthy! in our battle-song.
11 Vouchsafe us riches turned to worthy ends, good luck abiding
in the house, and strong capacity,
Wealth that directs both
worlds as they were guiding-reins, and, very Wise, the Gods'
assent in sacrifice.
12 May he, the Priest resplendent, joyful,
hear us, he with the radiant car and rapid horses.
May Agni,
ever wise, with best directions to bliss and highest happiness
conduct us.
13 With hymns of might hath Agni now been lauded,
advanced to height of universal kingship.
Now may these wealthy
chiefs and we together spread forth as spreads the Sun above
the rain-clouds.
HYMN CXLII Apris.
1. KINDLED, bring, Agni, Gods to-day for him who lifts the
ladle up.
Spin out the ancient thread for him who sheds,
with gifts, the Soma juice.
2 Thou dealest forth, Tanunapat,
sweet sacrifice enriched with oil,
Brought by a singer such
as I who offers gifts and toils for thee.
3 He wondrous,
sanctifying, bright, sprinkles the sacrifice with mead,
Thrice,
Narasamsa from the heavens, a God mid Gods adorable.
4 Agni,
besought, bring hitherward Indra the Friend, the Wonderful,
For this my hymn of praise, O sweet of tongue, is chanted forth
to thee.
5 The ladle-holders strew trimmed grass at this
well-ordered sacrifice;
A home for Indra is adorned, wide,
fittest to receive the Gods.
6 Thrown open be the Doors Divine,
unfailing, that assist the rite,
High, purifying, much-desired,
so that the Gods may enter in.
7 May Night and Morning, hymned
with lauds, united, fair to look upon,
Strong Mothers of
the sacrifice, seat them together on the grass.
8 May the
two Priests Divine, the sage, the sweet-voiced lovers of the
hymn,
Complete this sacrifice of ours, effectual, reaching
heaven to-day.
9 Let Hotri pure, set amang Gods, amid the
Maruts Bhirati, Ila, Sarasvati, Mahi, rest on the grass, adorable.
10 May Tvastar send us genial dew abundant, wondrous, rich in
gifts,
For increase and for growth of wealth, Tvastar our
kinsman and our Friend.
11 Vanaspati, give forth, thyself,
and call the Gods to sacrifice.
May Agni, God intelligent,
speed our oblation to the Gods.
12 To Vayu joined with Pusan,
with the Maruts, and the host of Gods,
To Indra who inspires
the hymn cry Glory! and present the gift.
13 Come hither
to enjoy the gifts prepared with cry of Glory! Come,
O Indra,
hear their calling; they invite thee to the sacrifice.
HYMN CXLIII. Agni.
1. To Agni I present a newer mightier hymn, I bring my words
and song unto the Son of Strength,
Who, Offspring of the
Waters, bearing precious things sits on the earth, in season,
dear Invoking Priest.
2 Soon as he sprang to birth that Agni
was shown forth to Matarisvan in the highest firmament.
When
he was kindled, through his power and majesty his fiery splendour
made the heavens and earth to shine.
3 His flames that wax
not old, beams fair to look upon of him whose face is lovely,
shine with beauteous sheen.
The rays of Agni, him whose active
force is light, through the nights glimmer sleepless, ageless,
like the floods.
4 Send thou with hymns that Agni to his
own abode, who rules, one Sovran Lord of wealth, like Varuna,
Him, All-possessor, whom the Bhrgus with their might brought
to earth's central point, the centre of the world.
5 He whom
no force can stay, even as the Maruts' roar, like to a dart
sent forth, even as the bolt from heaven,
Agni with sharpened
jaws chews up and cats the trees, and conquers them as when
the warrior smites his foes.
6 And will not Agni find enjoyment
in our praise, will not the Vasu grant our wish with gifts of
wealth?
Will not the Inspirer speed our prayers to gain their
end? Him with the radiant glance 1 laud with this my song.
7 The kindler of the flame wins Agni as a Friend, promoter of
the Law, whose face is bright with oil.
Inflamed and keen,
refulgent in our gatherings, he lifts our hymn on high clad
in his radiant hues.
8 Keep us incessantly with guards that
cease not, Agni, with guards auspicious, very mighty.
With
guards that never slumber, never heedless, never beguiled. O
Helper, keep our children.
HYMN CXLIV. Agni.
1. THE Priest goes forth to sacrifice, with wondrous power
sending aloft the hymn of glorious brilliancy.
He moves to
meet the ladles turning to the right, which are the first to
kiss the place where he abides.
2 To him sang forth the flowing
streams of Holy Law, encompassed in the home and birth-place
of the God.
He, when he dwelt extended in the waters' lap,
absorbed those Godlike powers for which he is adored.
3 Seeking
in course altern to reach the selfsame end the two copartners
strive to win this beauteous form.
Like Bhaga must he be
duly invoked by us, as he who drives the car holds fast the
horse's reins.
4 He whom the two copartners with observance
tend, the pair who dwell together in the same abode,
By night
as in the day the grey one was born young, passing untouched
by eld through many an age of man.
5 Him the ten fingers,
the devotions. animate: we mortals call on him a God to give
us help.
He speeds over the sloping surface of the land:
new deeds hath he performed with those who gird him round.
6 For, Agni, like a herdsman, thou by thine own might rulest
o'er all that is in heaven and on the earth;
And these two
Mighty Ones, bright, golden closely joined, rolling them round
are come unto thy sacred grass.
7 Agni, accept with joy,
be glad in this our prayer, joy-giver, self-sustained, strong,
born of Holy Law!
For fair to see art thou turning to every
side, pleasant to look on as a dwelling filled with food.
HYMN CXLV. Agni.
1. Ask ye of him for he is come, he knoweth it; he, full
of wisdom, is implored, is now implored.
With him are admonitions
and with him commands: he is the Lord of Strength, the Lord
of Power and Might.
2 They ask of him: not all learn by their
questioning what he, the Sage, hath grasped, as 'twere, with
his own mind.
Forgetting not the former nor the later word,
he goeth on, not careless, in his mental power.
3 To him
these ladles go, to him these racing mares: he only will give
ear to all the words I speak.
All-speeding, victor, perfecter
of sacrifice, the Babe with flawless help hath mustered vigorous
might.
4 Whate'er he meets he grasps and then runs farther
on, and straightway, newly born,creeps forward with his kin.
He stirs the wearied man to pleasure and great joy what time
the longing gifts approach him as he comes.
5 He is a wild
thing of the flood and forest: he hath been laid upon the highest
surface.
He hath declared the lore of works to mortals, Agni
the Wise, for he knows Law, the Truthful.
HYMN CXLVI. Agni.
1. I LAUD the seven-rayed, the triple-headed, Agni all-perfect
in his Parents' bosom,
Sunk in the lap of all that moves
and moves not, him who hath filled all luminous realms of heaven.
2 As a great Steer he grew to these his Parents; sublime lie
stands, untouched by eld, far-reaching.
He plants his footsteps
on the lofty ridges of the broad earth: his red flames lick
the udder.
3 Coming together to their common youngling both
Cows, fairshaped, spread forth in all directions,
Measuring
out the paths that must be travelled, entrusting all desires
to him the Mighty.
4 The prudent sages lead him to his dwelling,
guarding with varied skill the Ever-Youthful.
Longing, they
turned their eyes unto the River: to these the Sun of men was
manifested.
5 Born noble in the regions, aim of all mens'
eyes to be implored for life by great and small alike,
Far
as the Wealthy One hath spread himself abroad, he is the Sire
all-visible of this progeny.
HYMN CXLVII. Agni.
1. How, Agni, have the radiant ones, aspiring, endued thee
with the vigour of the living,
So that on both sides fostering
seed and offspring, the Gods may joy in Holy Law's fulfilment?
2 Mark this my speech, Divine One, thou, Most Youthful! offered
to thee by him who gives most freely.
One hates thee, and
another sings thy praises: I thine adorer laud thy form, O Agni.
3 Thy guardian rays, O Agni, when they saw him, preserved blind
Mamateya from affliction.
Lord of all riches, he preserved
the pious the foes who fain would harm them did no mischief.
4 The sinful man who worships not, O Agni, who, offering not,
harms us with double-dealing,-
Be this in turn to him a heavy
sentence may he distress himself by his revilings.
5 Yea,
when a mortal knowingly, O Victor, injures with double tongue
a fellow-mortal,
From him, praised Agni! save thou him that
lauds thee: bring us not into trouble and affliction.
HYMN CXLVIII. Agni.
1. WHAT Matarisvan, piercing, formed by friction, Herald
of all the Gods. in varied figure,
Is he whom they have set
mid human houses, gay-hued as light and shining forth for beauty.
2 They shall not harm the man who brings thee praises: such
as I am, Agni my help approves me.
All acts of mine shall
they accept with pleasure, laudation from the singer who presents
it.
3 Him in his constant seat men skilled in worship have
taken and with praises have established.
As, harnessed to
a chariot fleet-foot horses, at his command let bearers lead
him forward.
4 Wondrous, full many a thing he chews and crunches:
he shines amid the wood with spreading brightness.
Upon his
glowing flames the wind blows daily, driving them like the keen
shaft of an archer.
5 Him, whom while yet in embryo the hostile,
both skilled and fain to harm, may never injure,
Men blind
and sightless through his splendour hurt not: his never-failing
lovers have preserved him.
HYMN CXLIX. Agni.
1. HITHER he hastens to give, Lord of great riches, King
of the mighty, to the place of treasure.
lie pressing-stones
shall serve him speeding near us.
2 As Steer of men so Steer
of earth and heaven by glory, he whose streams all life hath
drunken,
Who hasting forward rests upon the altar.
3 He
who hath lighted up the joyous castle, wise Courser like the
Steed of cloudy heaven,
Bright like the Sun, with hundredfold
existence.
4 He, doubly born, hath spread in his effulgence
through the three luminous realms, through all the regions,
Best sacrificing Priest where waters gather.
5 Priest doubly
born, he through his love of glory hath in his keeping all things
worth the choosing,
The man who brings him gifts hath noble
offspring.
HYMN CL. Agni.
1. AGNI, thy faithful servant I call upon thee with many
a gift,
As in the keeping of the great inciting God;
2
Thou who ne'er movest thee to aid the indolent, the godless
man,
Him who though wealthy never brings an offering.
3 Splendid, O Singer, is that man, mightiest of the great in
heaven.
Agni, may we be foremost, we thy worshippers.
HYMN CLI. Mitra and Varuna
1. HEAVEN and earth trembled at the might and voice of him,
whom, loved and Holy One, helper of all mankind,
The wise
who longed for spoil in fight for kine brought forth with power,
a Friend, mid waters, at the sacrifice.
2 As these, like
friends, have done this work for you, these prompt servants
of Purumilha Soma-offerer,
Give mental power to him who sings
the sacred song, and hearken, Strong Ones, to the master ofthe
house.
3 The folk have glorified your birth from Earth and
Heaven, to be extolled, ye Strong Ones, for your mighty power.
Ye, when ye bring to singer and the rite, enjoy the sacrifice
periormed with holy praise and strength.
4 The people prospers,
Asuras! whom ye dearly love: ye, Righteous Ones, proclaim aloud
the Holy Law.
That efficacious power that comes from lofty
heaven, ye bind unto the work, as to the pole an ox.
5 On
this great earth ye send your treasure down with might: unstained
by dust, the crowding kine are in the stalls.
Here in the
neighbourhood they cry unto the Sun at morning and at evening,
like swift birds of prey.
6 The flames with curling tresses
serve your sacrifice, whereto ye sing the song, Mitra and Varuna.
Send down of your free will, prosper our holy songs: ye are
sole Masters of the singer's hymn of praise.
7 Whoso with
sacrifices toiling brings you gifts, and worships, sage and
priest, fulfilling your desire,-
To him do ye draw nigh and
taste his sacrifice. Come well-inclined to us unto our songs
and prayer.
8 With sacrifices and with milk they deck you
first, ye Righteous Ones, as if through stirrings of the mind.
To you they bring their hymns with their collected thought,
while ye with earnest soul come to us gloriously.
9 Rich
strength of life is yours: ye, Heroes, have obtained through
your surpassing powers rich far-extending might.
Not the
past days conjoined with nights, not rivers, not the Papis have
attained your Godhead and your wealth.
HYMN CLII. Mitra-Varuna.
1. THE robes which ye put on abound with fatness: uninterrupted
courses are your counsels.
All falsehood, Mitra-Varuna! ye
conquer, and closely cleave unto the Law Eternal.
2 This
might of theirs hath no one comprehended. True is the crushing
word the sage hath uttered,
The fearful four-edged bolt smites
down the three-edged, and those who hate the Gods first fall
and perish.
3 The Footless Maid precedeth footed creatures.
Who marketh, Mitra-Varuna, this your doing?
The Babe Unborn
supporteth this world's burthen, fuIfilleth Law and overcometh
falsehood.
4 We look on him the darling of the Maidens, always
advancing, never falling downward,
Wearing inseparable, wide-spread
raiment, Mitra's and Varuna's delightful glory.
5 Unbridled
Courser, horn but not of horses, neighing he flieth on with
back uplifted.
The youthful love mystery thought-surpassing,
praising in Mitra-Varuna, its glory.
6 May the milch-kine
who favour Mamateya prosper in this world him who loves devotion.
May he, well skilled in rites, be food, and calling Aditi with
his lips give us assistance.
7 Gods, Mitra-Varuna, with love
and worship, let me make you delight in this oblation.
May
our prayer be victorious in battles, may we have rain from heaven
to make us prosper.
HYMN CLIII. Mitra-Varuna.
1. WE worship with our reverence and oblations you, Mitra
Varuna, accordant, mighty,
So that with us, ye Twain whose
backs are sprinkled with oil, the priests with oil and hymns
support you.
2 Your praise is like a mighty power, an impulse:
to you, Twain Gods, a well-formed hymn is offered,
As the
priest decks yon, Strong Ones, in assemblies, and the prince
fain to worship you for blessings.
3 O Mitra-Varuna, Aditi
the Milch-cow streams for the rite, for folk who bring oblation,
When in the assembly he who worships moves you, like to a human
priest, with gifts presented.
4 So may the kine and heavenly
Waters pour you sweet drink in families that make you joyful.
Of this may he, the ancient House-Lord, give us. Enjoy, drink
of the milk the cow provideth.
HYMN CLIV. Visnu
1. I WILL declare the mighty deeds of Visnu, of him who measured
out the earthly regions,
Who propped the highest place of
congregation, thrice setting down his footstep, widely striding.
2 For this his mighty deed is Visnu lauded, like some wild beast,
dread, prowling, mountain-roaming;
He within whose three
wide-extended paces all living creatures have their habitation.
3 Let the hymn lift itself as strength to Visnu, the Bull far-striding,
dwelling on the mountains,
Him who alone with triple step
hath measured this common dwelling-place, long, far extended.
4 Him whose three places that are filled with sweetness, imperishable,
joy as it may list them,
Who verily alone upholds the threefold,
the earth, the heaven, and all living creatures.
5 May I
attain to that his well-loved mansion where men devoted to the
Gods are happy.
For there springs, close akin to the Wide-Strider,
the well of meath in Visnu's highest footstep.
6 Fain would
we go unto your dwelling-places where there are many-horned
and nimble oxen,
For mightily, there, shineth down upon us
the widely-striding Bull's sublimest mansion.
HYMN CLV. Visnu-Indra.
1. To the great Hero, him who sets his mind thereon, and
Visnu, praise aloud in song your draught of juice,-
Gods
ne'er beguiled, who borne as 'twere by noble steed, have stood
upon the lofty ridges of the hills.
2 Your Soma-drinker keeps
afar your furious rush, Indra and Visnu, when ye come with all
your might.
That which hath been directed well at mortal
man, bow-armed Krsanu's arrow, ye turn far aside.
3 These
offerings increase his mighty manly strength: he brings both
Parents down to share the genial flow.
He lowers, though
a son, the Father's highest name; the third is that which is
high in the light of heaven.
4 We laud this manly power of
him the Mighty One, preserver, inoffensive, bounteous and benign;
His who strode, widely pacing, with three steppings forth over
the realms of earth for freedom and for life.
5 A mortal
man, when he beholds two steps of him who looks upon the light,
is restless with amaze.
But his third step doth no one venture
to approach, no, nor the feathered birds of air who fly with
wings.
6 He, like a rounded wheel, hath in swift motion set
his ninety racing steeds together with the four.
Developed,
vast in form, with those who sing forth praise, a youth, no
more a child, he cometh to our call.
HYMN CLVI. Visnu
1. FAR-SHINING, widely famed, going thy wonted way, fed with
the oil, be helpful. Mitra-like, to us.
So, Visnu, e'en the
wise must swell thy song of praise, and he who hath oblations
pay thee solemn rites.
2 He who brings gifts to him the Ancient
and the Last, to Visnu who ordains, together with his Spouse,
Who tells the lofty birth of him the Lofty One, shall verily
surpass in glory e'en his peer.
3 Him have ye satisfied,
singers, as well as ye know, primeval germ of Order even from
his birth.
Ye, knowing e'en his name, have told it forth:
may we, Visnu, enjoy the grace of thee the Mighty One.
4
The Sovran Varuna and both the Asvins wait on this the will
of him who guides the Marut host.
Visnu hath power supreme
and might iliat finds the day, and with his Friend unbars the
stable of the kine.
5 Even he the Heavenly One who came for
fellowship, Visnu to Indra, godly to the godlier,
Who Maker,
throned in three worlds, helps the Aryan man, and gives the
worshipper his share of Holy Law.
HYMN CLVII. Asvins.
1. AGNI is wakened: Surya riseth from the earth. Mighty,
refulgent Dawn hath shone with all her light.
The Asvins
have equipped their chariot for the course. God Savitar hath
moved the folk in sundry ways.
2 When, Asvins, ye equip your
very mighty car, bedew, ye Twain, our power with honey and with
oil.
To our devotion give victorious strength in war: may
we win riches in the heroes' strife for spoil.
3 Nigh to
us come the Asvins' lauded three-wheeled car, the car laden
with meath and drawn by fleet-foot steeds,
Three-seated,
opulent, bestowing all delight. may it bring weal to us, to
cattle and to men.
4 Bring hither nourishment for us, ye
Asvins Twain; sprinkle us with your whip that drops with honey-dew.
Prolong our days of life, wipe out our trespasses; destroy our
foes, be our companions and our Friends.
5 Ye store the germ
of life in female creatures, ye lay it up within all living
beings.
Ye have sent forth, O Asvins passing mighty, the
fire, the sovrans of the wood, the waters,
6 Leeches are
ye with medicines to heal us, and charioteers are ye with skill
in driving.
Ye Strong, give sway to him who brings oblation
and with his heart pours out his gift before you.
HYMN CLVIII. Asvins.
1. YE Vasus Twain, ye Rudras full of counsel, grant us, Strong
Strengtheners, when ye stand beside us,
What wealth Aucathya
craves of you, great Helpers when ye come forward with no niggard
succour.
2 Who may give you aught, Vasus, for your favour,
for what, at the Cow's place, ye grant through worship?
Wake
for us understanding full of riches, come with a heart that
will fulfil our longing.
3 As erst for Tugra's son your car,
sea-crossing, strong, was equipped and set amid the waters,
So may I gain your shelter and protection as with winged course
a hero seeks his army.
4 May this my praise preserve Ucathya's
offispring: let not these Twain who fly with wings exhaust me.
Let not the wood ten times up-piled consume me, when fixed for
you it bites the ground it stands on.
5 The most maternal
streams, wherein the Dilsas cast me securely bound, have not
devoured me.
When Traitana would cleave my head asunder,
the Dasa wounded his own breast and shoulders.
6 Dirghatamas
the son of Mamati hath come to length of days in the tenth age
of human kind.
He is the Brahman of the waters as they strive
to reach their end and aim: their charioteer is he.
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 CLXI. Rbhus.
1 WHY hath the Best, why hath the Youngest come to us? Upon
what embassy comes he? What have we said?
We have not blamed
the chalice of illustrious birth. We, Brother Agni, praised
the goodness of the wood.
2 The chalice that is single make
ye into four: thus have the Gods commanded; therefore am I come.
If, O Sudhanvan's Children, ye will do this thing ye shall participate
in sacrifice with Gods.
3 What to the envoy Agni in reply
ye spake, A courser must be made, a chariot fashioned here,
A cow must be created, and the Twain made young. When we have
done these things, Brother, we turn to you.
4 When thus,
O Rbhus, ye had done ye questioned thus, Whither went he who
came to us a messenger?
Then Tvastar, when he viewed the
four wrought chalices, concealed himself among the Consorts
of the Gods.
5 As Tvastar thus had spoken, Let us slay these
men who have reviled the chalice, drinking-cup of Gods,
They
gave themselves new names when Soma juice was shed, and under
these new names the Maiden welcomed them.
6 Indra hath yoked
his Bays, the Asvins' car is horsed, Brhaspati hath brought
the Cow of every hue.
Ye went as Rbhus, Vibhvan, Vaja to
the Gods, and skilled in war, obtained your share in sacrifice.
7 Ye by your wisdom brought a cow from out a hide; unto that
ancient Pair ye gave again their youth.
Out of a horse, Sudhanvan's
Sons, ye formed a horse: a chariot ye equipped, and went unto
the Gods.
8 Drink ye this water, were the words ye spake
to them; or drink ye this, the rinsing of the Munja-grass.
If ye approve not even this, Sudhanvan's Sons, then at the third
libation gladden ye yourselves.
9 Most excellent are waters,
thus said one of you; most excellent is Agni, thus another said.
Another praised to many a one the lightning cloud. Then did
ye shape the cups, speaking the words of truth.
10 One downward
to the water drives the crippled cow, another trims the flesh
brought on the carving-board.
One carries off the refuse
at the set of sun. How did the Parents aid their children in
their task!
11 On the high places ye have made the grass
for man, and water in the valleys, by your skill, O Men.
Rbhus, ye iterate not to-day that act of yours, your sleeping
in the house of him whom naught can hide.
12 As, compassing
them round, ye glided through the worlds, where had the venerable
Parents their abode?
Ye laid a curse on him who raised his
arm at you: to him who spake aloud to you ye spake again.
13 When ye had slept your fill, ye Rbhus, thus ye asked, O thou
whom naught may hide, who now hath wakened us?
The goat declared
the hound to be your wakener. That day, in a full year, ye first
unclosed our eyes.
14 The Maruts move in heaven, on earth
this Agni; through the mid-firmament the Wind approaches.
Varuna comes in the sea's gathered waters, O Sons of Strength,
desirous of your presence.
HYMN CLXIL The Horse.
1. SLIGHT us not Varuna, Aryaman, or Mitra, Rbhuksan, Indra,
Ayu, or the Maruts,
When we declare amid the congregation
the virtues of the strong Steed, God-descended.
2 What time
they bear before the Courser, covered with trappings and with
wealth, the grasped oblation,
The dappled goat goeth straightforward,
bleating, to the place dear to Indra and to Pusan.
3 Dear.
to all Gods, this goat, the share of Pusan, is first led forward
with the vigorous Courser,
While Tvastar sends him forward
with the Charger, acceptable for sacrifice, to glory.
4 When
thrice the men lead round the Steed, in order, who goeth to
the Gods as meet oblation,
The goat precedeth him, the share
of Pusan, and to the Gods the sacrifice announceth.
5 Invoker,
ministering priest, atoner, fire-kindler Soma-presser, sage,
reciter,
With this well ordered sacrifice, well finished,
do ye fill full the channels of the rivers.
6 The hewers
of the post and those who carry it, and those who carve the
knob to deck the Horse's stake;
Those who prepare the cooking-vessels
for the Steed,-may the approving help of these promote our work.
7 Forth, for the regions of the Gods, the Charger with his smooth
back is come my prayer attends him.
In him rejoice the singers
and the sages. A good friend have we won for the Gods' banquet.
8 May the fleet Courser's halter and his heel-ropes, the head-stall
and the girths and cords about him.
And the grass put within
his mouth to bait him,-among the Gods, too, let all these be
with thee.
9 What part of the Steed's flesh the fly hath
eaten, or is left sticking to the post or hatchet,
Or to
the slayer's hands and nails adhereth,-among the Gods, too,
may all this be with thee.
10 Food undigested steaming from
his belly, and any odour of raw flesh remaining,
This let
the immolators set in order and dress the sacrifice with perfect
cooking.
11 What from thy body which with fire is roasted,
when thou art set upon the spit, distilleth,
Let not that
lie on earth or grass neglected, but to the longing Gods let
all be offered.
12 They who observing that the Horse is ready
call out and say, the smell is good; remove it;
And, craving
meat, await the distribution, -may their approving help promote
labour.
13 The trial-fork of the flesh-cooking caldron, the
vessels out of which the broth is sprinkled,
The warming-pots,
the covers of the dishes, hooks, carving-boards,-all these attend
the Charger.
14 The starting-place, his place of rest and
rolling, the ropes wherewith the Charger's feet were fastened,
The water that he drank, the food he tasted, -among the Gods,
too, may all these attend thee.
15 Let not the fire, smoke-scented,
make thee crackle, nor glowing caldron smell and break to pieces.
Offered, beloved, approved, and consecrated,-such Charger do
the Gods accept with favour.
16 The robe they spread upon
the Horse to clothe him, the upper covering and the golden trappings,
The halters which restrain the Steed, the heel-ropes,-all these,
as grateful to the Gods, they offer.
17 If one, when seated,
with excessive urging hath with his heel or with his whip distressed
thee,
All these thy woes, as with the oblations' ladle at
sacrifices, with my prayer I banish.
18 The four-and-thirty
ribs of the. Swift Charger, kin to the Gods, the slayer's hatchet
pierces.
Cut ye with skill, so that the parts be flawless,
and piece by piece declaring them dissect them.
19 Of Tvastar's
Charger there is one dissector,-this is the custom-two there
are who guide him.
Such of his limbs as I divide in order,
these, amid the balls, in fire I offer.
20 Let not thy dear
soul burn thee as thou comest, let not the hatchet linger in
thy body.
Let not a greedy clumsy immolator, missing the
joints, mangle thy limbs unduly.
21 No, here thou diest not,
thou art not injured: by easy paths unto the Gods thou goest.
Both Bays, both spotted mares are now thy fellows, and to the
ass's pole is yoked the Charger.
22 May this Steed bring
us all-sustaining riches, wealth in good kine,good horses, manly
offspring.
Freedom from sin may Aditi vouchsafe us: the Steed
with our oblations gain us lordship!
HYMN CLXIII. The Horse.
1. WHAT time, first springing into life, thou neighedst,
proceeding from the sea or upper waters,
Limbs of the deer
hadst thou, and eagle pinions. O Steed, thy birth is nigh and
must be lauded.
2 This Steed which Yama gave hath Trita harnessed,
and him, the first of all, hath Indra mounted.
His bridle
the Gandharva grasped. O Vasus, from out the Sun ye fashioned
forth the Courser.
3 Yama art thou, O Horse; thou art Aditya;
Trita art thou by secret operation.
Thou art divided thoroughly
from Soma. They say thou hast three bonds in heaven
that
hold thee.
4 Three bonds, they say, thou hast in heaven that
bind thee, three in the waters,
three within the ocean.
To me thou seernest Varuna , O Courser, there where they say
is thy sublimest birth-place.
5 Here-, Courser, are the places
where they groomed thee, here are the traces of thy hoofs as
winner.
Here have I seen the auspicious reins that guide
thee, which those who guard the holy Law keep safely.
6 Thyself
from far I recognized in spirit,-a Bird that from below flew
through the heaven.
I saw thy head still soaring, striving
upward by paths unsoiled by dust, pleasant to travel.
7 Here
I beheld thy form, matchless in glory, eager to win thee food
at the Cow's station.
Whene'er a man brings thee to thine
enjoyment, thou swallowest the plants most greedy eater.
8 After thee, Courser, come the car, the bridegroom, the kine
come after, and the charm of maidens.
Full companies have
followed for thy friendship: the pattern of thy vigour Gods
have copied.
9 Horns made of gold hath he: his feet are iron:
less fleet than he, though swift as thought, is Indra.
The
Gods have come that they may taste the oblation of him who mounted,
first of all, the Courser.
10 Symmetrical in flank, with
rounded haunches, mettled like heroes, the Celestial Coursers
Put forth their strength, like swans in lengthened order, when
they, the Steeds, have reached the heavenly causeway.
11
A body formed for flight hast thou, O Charger; swift as the
wind in motion is thy spirit.
Thy horns are spread abroad
in all directions: they move with restless beat in wildernesses.
12 The strong Steed hath come forward to the slaughter, pondering
with a mind directed God-ward.
The goat who is his kin is
led before him the sages and the singers follow after.
13
The Steed is come unto the noblest mansion, is come unto his
Father and his Mother.
This day shall he approach the Gods,
most welcome: then he declares good gifts to him who offers.
HYMN CLXIV. Visvedevas.
1. OF this benignant Priest, with eld grey-coloured, the
brother midmost of the three is lightning.
The third is he
whose back with oil is sprinkled. Here I behold the Chief with
seven male children.
2 Seven to the one-wheeled chariot yoke
the Courser; bearing seven names the single Courser draws it.
Three-naved the wheel is, sound and undecaying, whereon are
resting all these worlds of being.
3 The seven who on the
seven-wheeled car are mounted have horses, seven in tale, who
draw them onward.
Seven Sisters utter songs of praise together,
in whom the names of the seven Cows are treasured.
4 Who
hath beheld him as he sprang to being, seen how the boneless
One supports the bony?
Where is the blood of earth, the life,
the spirit? Who may approach the man who knows, to ask it?
5 Unripe in mind, in spirit undiscerning, I ask of these the
Gods' established places; For up above the yearling Calf the
sages, to form a web, their own seven threads have woven.
6 I ask, unknowing, those who know, the sages, as one all ignorant
for sake of knowledge,
What was that ONE who in the Unborn's
image hath stablished and fixed firm these worlds' six regions.
7 Let him who knoweth presently declare it , this lovely Bird's
securely founded station.
Forth from his head the Cows draw
milk, and, wearing his vesture, with their foot have drunk the
water.
8 The Mother gave the Sire his share of Order: with
thought, at first, she wedded him in spirit.
She, the coy
Dame, was filled with dew prolific: with adoration men approached
to praise her.
9 Yoked was the Mother to the boon Cow's car-pole:
in the dank rows of cloud the Infant rested.
Then the Calf
lowed, and looked upon the Mother, the Cow who wears all shapes
in three directions.
10 Bearing three Mothers and three Fathers,
single he stood erect: they never make him weary.
There on
the pitch of heaven they speak together in speech all-knowing
but not all-impelling.
11 Formed with twelve spokes, by length
of time, unweakened, rolls round the heaven this wheel of during
Order.
Herein established, joined in pairs together, seven
hundred Sons and twenty stand, O Agni.
12 They call him in
the farther half of heaven the Sire five-footed, of twelve forms,
wealthy in watery store.
These others say that he, God with
far-seeing eyes, is mounted on the lower seven-wheeled, six-spoked
car.
13 Upon this five-spoked wheel revolving ever all living
creatures rest and are dependent.
Its axle, heavy-laden,
is not heated: the nave from ancient time remains unbroken.
14 The wheel revolves, unwasting, with its felly: ten draw it,
yoked to the far-stretching car-pole.
The Sun's eye moves
encompassed by the region: on him dependent rest all living
creatures.
15 Of the co-born they call the seventh single-born;
the six twin pairs are called Rsis, Children of Gods.
Their
good gifts sought of men are ranged in order due, and various
in their form move for the Lord who guides.
16 They told
me these were males, though truly females: he who hath eyes
sees this, the blind discerns not.
The son who is a sage
hath comprehended: who knows this rightly is his father's father.
17 Beneath the upper realm, above this lower, bearing her calf
at foot the Cow hath risen.
Witherward, to what place hath
she departed? Where calves she? Not amid this herd of cattle.
18 Who, that the father of this Calf discerneth beneath the
upper realm, above the lower,
Showing himself a sage, may
here declare it? Whence hath the Godlike spirit had its rising?
19 Those that come hitherward they call departing, those that
depart they call directed hither.
And what so ye have made,
Indra and Soma, steeds bear as 'twere yoked to the region's
car-pole.
20 Two Birds with fair wings, knit with bonds of
friendship, in the same sheltering tree have found a refuge.
One of the twain eats the sweet Fig-tree's fruitage; the other
eating not regardeth only.
21 Where those fine Birds hymn
ceaselessly their portion of life eternal, and the sacred synods,
There is the Universe's mighty Keeper, who, wise, hath entered
into me the simple.
22 The, tree whereon the fine Birds eat
the sweetness, where they all rest and procreate their offspring,-
Upon its top they say the fig is luscious none gaineth it who
knoweth not the Father.
23 How on the Gayatri. the Gayatri
was based, how from the Tristup they fashioned the Tristup forth,
How on the Jagati was based the Jagati,- they who know this
have won themselves immortal life.
24 With Gayatri he measures
out the praise-song, Sama with praise-song, triplet with the
Tristup.
The triplet witli the two or four-foot measure,
and with the syllable they form seven metres.
25 With Jagati
the flood in heaven he stablished, and saw the Sun in the Rathantara
Saman.
Gavatri hath, they say, three brands for kindling:
hence it excels in majesty and vigour.
26 I invocate the
milch-cow good for milking so that the milker, deft of hand,
may drain her.
May Savitar give goodliest stimulation. The
caldron is made hot; I will proclaim it.
27 She, lady of
all treasure, is come hither yearning in spirit for her calf
and lowing.
May this cow yield her milk for both the Asvins,
and may she prosper to our high advantage.
28 The cow hath
lowed after her blinking youngling; she licks his forehead,
as she lows, to form it.
His mouth she fondly calls to her
warm udder, and suckles him with milk while gently lowing.
29 He also snorts, by whom encompassed round the Cow laws as
she clings unto the shedder of the rain.
She with her shrilling
cries hath humbled mortal man, and, turned to lightning, hath
stripped off her covering robe.
30 That which hath breath
and speed and life and motion lies firmly stablished in the
midst of houses.
Living, by offerings to the Dead he moveth
Immortal One, the brother of the mortal.
31 I saw the Herdsman,
him who never stumbles, approaching by his pathways and departing.
He, clothed with gathered and diffusive splendour, within the
worlds continually travels.
32 He who hath made him cloth
not comprehend him: from him who saw him surely is he hidden.
He, yet enveloped in his Mother's bosom, source of much life,
hath sunk into destruction.
33 Dyaus is my Father, my begetter:
kinship is here. This great earth is my kin and Mother.
Between
the wide-spread world-halves is the birthb-place: the Father
laid the Daughter's germ within it.
341ask thee of the earth's
extremest limit, where is the centre of the world, I ask
thee.
1ask thee of the Stallion's seed prolific, I ask of
highest heaven where Speech abideth.
35 This altar is the
earth's extremest limit; this sacrifice of ours is the world's
centre.
The Stallion's seed prolific is the Soma; this Brahman
highest heaven where Speech abideth.
36 Seven germs unripened
yet are heaven's prolific, seed: their functions they maintain
by Visnu's ordinance.
Endued with wisdom through intelligence
and thought, they compass us about present on every side.
37 What thing I truly am I know not clearly: mysterious, fettered
in my mind I wander.
When the first-born of holy Law approached
me, then of this speech I first obtain a portion.
38 Back,
forward goes he, grasped by strength inherent, the Immortal
born the brother of the mortal
Ceaseless they movelnopposite
directions: men mark the one, and fail to mark the other.
39 Upon what syllable of holy praise-song, as twere their highest
heaven, the Gods repose them,-
Who knows not this, what will
he do with praise-song? But they who know it well sit here assembled.
40 Forunate mayst thou be with goodly pasture, and may we also
be exceeding wealthy.
Feed on the grass, O Cow, at every
season, and coming hitherward drink limpid water.
41 Forming
the water-floods, the buffalo hath lowed, one-footed or two-footed
or four-
footed, she,
Who hath become eight-footed or
hath got nine feet, the thou sand-syllabled in the sublimest
heaven.
42 From her descend in streams the seas of water;
thereby the world's four regions have their being,
Thence
flows the imperishable flood and thence the universe hath life.
43 I saw from far away the smoke of fuel with spires that rose
on high o'er that beneath it.
The Mighty Men have dressed
the spotted bullock. These were the customs in the days aforetime,
44 Three with long tresses show in ordered season. One of them
sheareth when the year is ended.
One with his powers the
universe regardeth: Of one, the sweep is seen, but his figure.
45 Speech hath been measured out in four divisions, the Brahmans
who have understanding know them.
Three kept in close concealment
cause no motion; of speech, men speak only the fourth division.
46 They call him Indra, Mitra, Varuna, Agni, and he is heavenly
nobly-winged Garutman.
To what is One, sages give many a
title they call it Agni, Yama, Matarisvan.
47 Dark the descent:
the birds are golden-coloured; up to the heaven they fly robed
in the waters.
Again descend they from the seat of Order,
and all the earth is moistened with their fatness.
48 Twelve
are the fellies, and the wheel is single; three are the naves.
What man hath understood it?
Therein are set together spokes
three hundred and sixty, which in nowise can be loosened.
49 That breast of thine exhaustless, spring of pleasure, wherewith
thou feedest all things that are choicest,
Wealth-giver,
treasure. finder, free bestower,-bring that, Sarasvati, that
we may drain it.
50 By means of sacrifice the Gods accomplished
their sacrifice: these were the earliest ordinances.
These
Mighty Ones attained the height of heaven, there where the Sadhyas,
Gods of old, are dwelling.
51 Uniform, with the passing days,
this water mounts and fails again.
The tempest-clouds give
life to earth, and fires re-animate the heaven.
52 The Bird
Celestial, vast with noble pinion, the lovely germ of plants,
the germ of waters,
Him who delighteth us with rain in season,
Sarasvan I invoke that he may help us.
HYMN CLXV. Indra. Maruts.
1. WITH what bright beauty are the Maruts jointly invested,
peers in age, who dwell together?
From what place have they
come? With what intention? Sing they their strength through
love of wealth, these Heroes?
2 Whose prayers have they,
the Youthful Ones, accepted? Who to his sacrifice hath turned
the Maruts?
We will delay them on their journey sweeping-with
what high spirit!-through the air like eagles.
3 Whence comest
thou alone, thou who art mighty, Indra, Lord of the Brave? What
is thy purpose?
Thou greetest us when meeting us the Bright
Ones. Lord of Bay Steeds, say what thou hast against us.
4 Mine are devotions, hymns; sweet are libations. Strength stirs,
and hurled forth is my bolt of thunder.
They call for me,
their lauds are longing for me. These my Bay Steeds bear me
to these oblations.
5 Therefore together with our strong
companions, having adorned our bodies, now we harness,
Our
spotted deer with might, for thou, O Indra, hast learnt and
understood our Godlike nature.
6 Where was that nature then
of yours, O Maruts, that ye charged me alone to slay the Dragon?
For I in truth am fierce and strong and mighty. I bent away
from every foeman's weapons.
7 Yea, much hast thou achieved
with us for comrades, with manly valour like thine own, thou
Hero.
Much may we too achieve, O mightiest Indra, with our
great power, we Maruts, when we will it.
8 Vrtra I slew by
mine own strength, O Maruts, having waxed mighty in mine indignation.
I with the thunder in my hand created for man these lucid softly
flowing waters.
9 Nothing, O Maghavan, stands firm before
thee; among the Gods not one is found
thine equal.
None
born or springing into life comes nigh thee. Do what thou hast
to do, exceeding mighty?
10 Mine only be transcendent power,
whatever I, daring in my spirit, may accomplish.
For I am
known as terrible, O Maruts I, Indra, am the Lord of what I
ruined.
11 Now, O ye Maruts, hath your praise rejoiced me,
the glorious hymn which ye have made me, Heroes!
For me,
for Indra, champion strong in battle, for me, yourselves, as
lovers for a lover.
12 Here, truly, they send forth their
sheen to meet me, wearing their blameless glory and their vigour.
When I have seen you, Matuts, in gay splendour, ye have delighted
me, so now delight me.
13 Who here hath magnified you, O
ye Maruts? speed forward, O ye lovers, to your lovers.
Ye
Radiant Ones, assisting their devotions, of these my holy rites
he ye regardful.
14 To this hath Minya's wisdom brought us,
so as to aid, as aids the poet him who worships.
Bring hither
quick! On to the sage, ye Maruts! These prayers for you the
singer hath recited.
15 May this your praise, may this your
song, O Maruts, sung by the poet, Mana's son, Mandarya,
Bring
offspring for ourselves with food to feed us. May we find strengthening
food in full abundance!
HYMN CLXVI. Maruts.
1. Now let us publish, for the vigorous company the herald
of the Strong One, their primeval might.
With fire upon your
way, O Maruts loud of voice, with battle, Mighty Ones, achieve
your deeds of strength.
2 Bringing the pleasant mcath as
'twere their own dear son, they sport in sportive wise gay at
their gatherings.
The Rudras come with succour to the worshipper;
self-strong they fail not him who offers sacrifice.
3 To
whomsoever, bringer of oblations, they immortal guardians, have
given plenteous wealth,
For him, like loving friends, the
Maruts bringing bliss bedew the regions round with milk abundantly.
4 Ye who with mighty powers have stirred the regions up, your
coursers have sped forth directed by themselves.
All creatures
of the earth, all dwellings are afraid, for brilliant is your
coming with your spears advanced.
5 When they in dazzling
rush have made the mountains roar, and shaken heaven's high
back in their heroic strength,
Each sovran of the forest
fears as ye drive near, aid the shrubs fly before you swift
as whirling wheels.
6 Terrible Maruts, ye with ne'er-diminished
host, with grcat benevolence fulfil our heart's desire.
Where'er
your lightning bites armed with its gory teeth it crunches up
the cattle like a well-aimed dart.
7 Givers of during gifts
whose bounties never fail, free from ill-will, at sacrifices
glorified,
They sing their song aloud that they may drink
sweet juice: well do they know the Hero's first heroic deeds.
8 With castles hundredfold, O Maruts, guard ye well the man
whom ye have loved from ruin and from sin,-
The man whom
ye the fierce, the Mighty ones who roar, preserve from calumny
by cherishing his seed.
9 O Maruts, in your cars are all
things that are good: great powers are set as 'twere in rivalry
therein.
Rings are upon your shoulders when ye journey forth:
your axle turns together both the chariot wheels.
10 Held
in your manly arms are many goodly things, gold chains are on
your chests, and glistering ornaments,
Deer-skins are on
their shoulders, on their fellies knives: they spread their
glory out as birds spread out their wings.
11 Mighty in mightiness,
pervading, passing strong, visible from afar as 'twere with
stars of heaven,
Lovely with pleasant tongues, sweet singers
with their mouths, the Maruts, joined with Indra, shout forth
all around.
12 This is your majesty, ye Maruts nobly born,
far as the sway of Adid your bounty spreads.
Even Indra by
desertion never disannuls the boon bestowed by you upon the
pious man.
13 This is your kinship, Maruts, that, Immortals,
ye were oft in olden time regardful of our call,
Having vouchsafed
to man a hearing through this prayer, by wondrous deeds the
Heroes have displayed their might.
14 That, O ye Maruts,
we may long time flourish through your abundant riches, O swift
movers,
And that our men may spread in the encampment, let
me complete the rite with these oblations.
15 May this your
laud, may this your song, O Maruts, sung by the poet, Mana's
son, Mandarya,
Bring offspring for ourselves with food to
feed us. May we find strengthening food in full abundance.
HYMN CLXVII. Indra. Maruts.
1. A THOUSAND are thy helps for us, O Indra: a thousand,
Lord of Bays, thy choice refreshments.
Wealth of a thousand
sorts hast thou to cheer us: may precious goods come nigh to
us in thousands.
2 May the most sapient Maruts, with protection,
with best boons brought from lofty heaven, approach us,
Now
when their team of the most noble horses speeds even on the
sea's extremest limit.
3 Close to them clings one moving
in seclusion, like a man's wife, like a spear carried rearward,
Well grasped, bright, decked with gold there is Vak also, like
to a courtly, eloquent dame, among them.
4 Far off the brilliant,
never-weary Maruts cling to the young Maid as a joint possession.
The fierce Gods drave not Rodasi before them, but wished for
her to grow their friend and fellow.
5 When chose immortal
Rodasi to follow- she with loose tresses and heroic spirit-
She climbed her servant's chariot, she like Surya with cloud-like
motion and refulgent aspect.
6 Upon their car the young men
set the Maiden wedded to glory, mighty in assemblies,
When
your song, Maruts, rose, and, with oblation, the Soma-pourer
sang his hymn in worship.
7 I will declare the greatness
of these Maruts, their real greatness, worthy to be lauded,
How, with them, she though firm, strong-minded, haughty, travels
to women happy in their fortune.
8 Mitra and Varuna they
guard from censure: Aryaman too, discovers worthless sinners
Firm things are overthrown that ne'er were shaken: he prospers,
Maruts, who gives choice oblations.
9 None of us, Maruts,
near or at a distance, hath ever reached the limit of your vigour.
They in courageous might still waxing boldly have compassed
round their foemen like an ocean.
10 May we this day be dearest
friends of Indra, and let us call on him in fight to-morrow.
So were we erst. New might attend us daily! So be with us! Rbhuksan
of the Heroes!
11 May this your laud, may this your song,
O Maruts, sung by the poet, Mana's
son, Mandarya,
Bring
offspring for ourselves with. food to feed us. May we find strengthening
food in full abundance.
HYMN CLXVIII. Maruts.
1. SWIFT gain is his who hath you near at every rite: ye
welcome every song of himwho serves the Gods.
So may I turn
you hither with fair hymns of praise to give great succour for
the weal of both the worlds.
2 Surrounding, as it were, self-born,
self-powerful, they spring to life the shakers-down of food
and light;
Like as the countess undulations of the floods,
worthy of praise when near, like bullocks and like kine.
3 They who, like Somas with their well-grown stalks pressed
out, imbibed within the heart, dwell there in friendly wise.
Upon their shoulders rests as 'twere a warrior's spear and in
their hand they hold a dagger and a ring.
4 Self-yoked they
have descended lightly from the sky. With your own lash, Immortals,
urge yourselve's to speed.
Unstained by dust the Maruts,
mighty in their strength, have cast down e'en firm things, armed
with their shining spears.
5 Who among you, O Maruts armed
with lightning-spears, moveth you by himself, as with the tongue
his jaws?
Ye rush from heaven's floor as though ye sought
for food, on many errands like the Sun's diurnal Steed.
6
Say where, then, is this mighty region's farthest bound, where,
Maruts, is the lowest depth that ye have reached,
When ye
cast down like chaff the firmly stablished pile, and from the
mountain send the glittering water-flood?
7 Your winning
is with strength, dazzling, with heavenly light, with fruit
mature, O Maruts, fall of plenteousness.
Auspicious is your
gift like a free giver's meed, victorious, spreading far, as
of immortal Gods.
8 The rivers roar before your chariot fellies
when they are uttering the voice of rain-clouds.
The lightnings
laugh upon the earth beneath them, what time the Maruts scatter
forth their fatness.
9 Prani brought forth, to fight the
mighty battle, the glittering army of the restless Maruts.
Nurtured together they begat the monster, and then looked round
them for the food that strengthens.
10 May this your laud,
may this your song O Maruts, sung by the poet Mana's son,
Mandarya,
Bring offspring for ourselves with food to feed
us. May we find strengthening food in full abundance.
HYMN CLXIX. Indra.
1. As, Indra, from great treason thou protectest, yea, from
great treachery these who approach us,
So, marking well,
Controller of the Maruts grant us their blessings, for they
are thy dearest.
2 The various doings of all mortal people
by thee are ordered, in thy wisdom, Indra.
The host of Marutg
goeth forth exulting to win the light-bestowing spoil of battle.
3 That spear of thine sat firm for us, O Indra: the Maruts set
their whole dread power in motion.
E'en Agni shines resplendent
in the brush-wood: the viands hold him as floods hold an island.
4 Vouchsafe us now that opulence, O Indra, as guerdon won by
mightiest donation.
May hymns that please thee cause the
breast of Vayu to swell as with the mead's refreshing sweetness.
5 With thee, O Indra, are most bounteous riches that further
every one who lives uprightly.
Now may these Maruts show
us loving-kindness, Gods who of old were ever prompt to help
us.
6 Bring forth the Men who rain down boons, O Indra: exert
thee in the great terrestrial region;
For their broad-chested
speckled deer are standing like a King's armies on the field
of battle.
7 Heard is the roar of the advancing Maruts, terrific,
glittering, and swiftly moving,
Who with their rush o'erthrow
as 'twere a sinner the mortal who would fight with those who
love him
8 Give to the Manas, Indra with Maruts, gifts universal,
gifts of cattle foremost.
Thou, God, art praised with Gods
who must be lauded. May we find strengthening food in full abundance.
HYMN CLXX. Indra. Maruts.
1. NAUGHT is to-day, to-morrow naught. Who comprehends the
mystery?
We must address ourselves unto another's thought,
and lost is then the hope we formed.
2 The Maruts are thy
brothers. Why, O Indra, wouldst thou take our lives?
Agree
with them in friendly wise, and do not slay us in the fight.
3 Agastya, brother, why dost thou neglect us, thou who art our
friend?
We know the nature of thy mind. Verity thou wilt
give us naught.
4 Let them prepare the altar, let them kindle
fire in front: we two
Here will spread sacrifice for thee,
that the Immortal may observe.
5 Thou, Lord of Wealth, art
Master of all treasures, thou, Lord of friends, art thy
friends'
best supporter.
O Indra, speak thou kindly with the Maruts,
and taste oblations in their proper season.
HYMN CLXXI. Maruts.
1. To you I come with this mine adoration, and with a hymn
I crave the Strong Ones' favour
A hymn that truly makes you
joyful, Maruts. Suppress your anger and unyoke your horses.
2 Maruts, to you this laud with prayer and worship, formed in
the mind and heart, ye Gods, is offered.
Come ye to us, rejoicing
in your spirit, for ye are they who make our prayer effective.
3 The Maruts, praised by us, shall show us favour; Maghavan,
lauded, shall be most propitious.
Maruts,, may all our days
that are to follow be very pleasant, lovely and triumphant.
4 I fled in terrror from this mighty Indra, my body trembling
in alarm, O Maruts.
Oblations meant for you had been made
ready; these have we set aside: for this forgive us.
5 By
whom the Manas recognize the day-springs, by whose strength
at the dawn of endless mornings,
Give us, thou Mighty, glory
with Maruts. fierce with the fierce, the Strong who givest triumph.
6 Do thou, O Indra, guard the conquering Heroes, and rid thee
of thy wrath against the Maruts,
With them, the wise, victorious
and bestowing. May we find strengthening food in full abundance.
HYMN CLXXII. Maruts.
1. WONDERFUL let your coming be, wondrous with help, ye Bounteous
Ones,
Maruts, who gleam as serpents gleam.
2 Far be from
us, O Maruts, ye free givers, your impetuous shaft;
Far from
us be the stone ye hurl.
3 O Bounteous Givers, touch ye not,
O Maruts, Trnskanda's folk;
Lift ye us up that we may live.
HYMN CLXXIII. Indra.
1. THE praise-song let him sing forth bursting bird-like:
sing we that hymn which like heaven's light expandeth,
That
the milk-giving cows may, unimpeded call to the sacred grass
the Gods' assembly.
2 Let the Bull sing with Bulls whose
toil is worship, with a loud roar like some wild beast that
hungers.
Praised God! the glad priest brings his heart's
devotion; the holy youth presents twofold oblation.
3 May
the Priest come circling the measured stations, and with him
bring the earth's autumnal fruitage.
Let the Horse neigh
led near, let the Steer bellow: let the Voice go between both
worlds as herald,
4 To him we offer welcomest oblations,
the pious bring their strength-inspiring praises.
May Indra,
wondrous in his might, accept them, car-borne and swift to move
like the Nasatyas.
5 Praise thou that Indra who is truly
mighty, the car-borne Warrior, Maghavan the Hero;
Stronger
in war than those who fight against him, borne by strong steeds,
who kills enclosing darkness;
6 Him who surpasses heroes
in his greatness: the earth and heavens suffice not for his
girdles.
Indra endues the earth to be his garment, and, God-like,
wears the heaven as 'twere a frontlet,
7 Thee, Hero, guardian
of the brave in battles, who roamest in the van,-to draw thee
hither,
Indra, the hosts agree beside the Soma, and joy,
for his great actions, in the Chieftain.
8 Libations in the
sea to thee are pleasant, when thy divine Floods come to cheer
these people.
To thee the Cow is sum of all things grateful
when with the wish thou seekest men and princes.
9 So may
we in this One be well befriended, well aided as it were through
praise of chieftains,
That Indra still may linger at our
worship, as one led swift to work, to hear our praises.
10
Like men in rivalry extolling princes, our Friend be Indra,
wielder of the thunder.
Like true friends of some city's
lord within them held in good rule with sacrifice they help
him.
11 For every sacrifice makes Indra stronger, yea, when
he goes around angry in spirit;
As pleasure at the ford invites
the thirsty, as the long way brings him who gains his object.
12 Let us not here contend with Gods, O Indra, for here, O Mighty
One, is thine own portion,
The Great, whose Friends the bounteous
Maruts honour, as with a stream, his song who pours oblations.
13 Addressed to thee is this our praise, O Indra: Lord of Bay
Steeds, find us hereby advancement.
So mayst thou lead us
on, O God, to comfort. May we find strengthening food in full
abundance.
HYMN CLXXIV. Indra.
1. THOU art the King of all the Gods, O Indra: protect the
men, O Asura, preserve us.
Thou Lord of Heroes, Maghavan,
our saver, art faithful, very rich, the victory-giver.
2
Indra, thou humbledst tribes that spake with insult by breaking
down seven autumn forts, their refuge.
Thou stirredst, Blameless!
billowy floods, and gavest his foe a prey to youthful Purukutsa.
3 With whom thou drivest troops whose lords are heroes, and
bringest daylight now, much worshipped Indra,
With them guard
lion-like wasting active Agni to dwell in our tilled fields
and in our homestead.
4 They through the greatness of thy
spear, O Indra, shall, to thy praise, rest in this earthly station.
To loose the floods, to seek, for kine, the battle, his Bays
he mounted boldly seized the booty.
5 Indra, bear Kutsa,
him in whom thou joyest: the dark-red horses of the Wind are
docile.
Let the Sun roll his chariot wheel anear us, and
let the Thunderer go to meet the foemen.
6 Thou Indra, Lord
of Bays, made strong by impulse, hast slain the vexers of thy
friends, who give not.
They who beheld the Friend beside
the living were cast aside by thee as they rode onward.
7
Indra, the bard sang forth in inspiration: thou madest earth
a covering for the Dasa.
Maghavan made the three that gleam
with moisture, and to his home brought Kuyavac to slay him.
8 These thine old deeds new bards have sung, O Indra. Thou conqueredst,
boundest many tribes for ever.
Like castles thou hast crushed
the godless races, and bowed the godless scorner's deadly weapon.
9 A Stormer thou hast made the stormy waters flow down, O Indra,
like the running rivers.
When o'er the flood thou broughtest
them, O Hero, thou keptest Turvaga and Yadu safely.
10 Indra,
mayst thou be ours in all occasions, protector of the men, most
gentle-hearted,
Giving us victory over all our rivals. May
we find strengthening food in full abundance.
HYMN CLXXV. Indra.
1. GLAD thee: thy glory hath been quaffed, Lord of Bay Steeds,
as 'twere the bowl's enlivening mead.
For thee the Strong
there is strong drink, mighty, omnipotent to win.
2 Let our
strong drink, most excellent, exhilarating, come to thee,
Victorious, Indra1 bringing gain, immortal conquering in fight,
3 Thou, Hero, winner of the spoil, urgest to speed the car of
man.
Burn, like a vessel with the flame, the lawless Dasyu,
Conqueror!
4 Empowered by thine own might, O Sage, thou stolest
Sarya's chariot wheel.
Thou barest Kutsa with the steeds
of Wind to Susna as his death.
5 Most mighty is thy rapturous
joy, most splendid is thine active power,
Wherewith, foe-slaying,
sending bliss, thou art supreme in gaining steeds.
6 As thou,
O Indra, to the ancient singers wast ever joy, as water to the
thirsty,
So unto thee I sing this invocation. May we find
strengthening food in full abundance.
HYMN CLXXVI. Indra.
1. CHEER thee with draughts to win us bliss: Soma, pierce
Indra in thy strength.
Thou stormest trembling in thy rage,
and findest not a foeman nigh.
2 Make our songs penetrate
to him who is the Only One of men;
For whom the sacred food
is spread, as the steer ploughs the barley in.
3 Within whose
hands deposited all the Five Peoples' treasures rest.
Mark
thou the man who injures us and kill him like the heavenly bolt.
4 Slay everyone who pours no gift, who, hard to reach, delights
thee not.
Bestow on us what wealth he hath: this even the
worshipper awaits.
5 Thou helpest him the doubly strong whose
hymns were sung unceasingly.
When Indra fought, O Soma, thou
helpest the mighty in the fray.
6 As thou, O Indra, to the
ancient singers wast ever joy, like water to the thirsty,
So unto thee I sing this invocation. May we find strengthenifig
food in full abundance.
HYMN CLXXVII. Indra.
1. THE Bull of men, who cherishes all people, King of the
Races, Indra, called of many,
Fame-loving, praised, hither
to me with succour turn having yoked both vigorous Bay Horses!
2 Thy mighty Stallions, yoked by prayer, O Indra, thy. Coursers
to thy mighty chariot harnessed,-
Ascend thou these, and
borne by them come hither: with Soma juice out. poured, Indra,
we call thee.
3 Ascend thy mighty car: the mighty Soma is
poured for thee and sweets are sprinkled round us.
Come down
to us-ward, Bull of human races,come, having harnessed them,
with strong Bay Horses.
4 Here is God-reaching sacrifice,
here the victim; here, Indra,are the prayers, here is the Soma.
Strewn is thesacred grass: come hither, Sakra; seatthee and
drink: unyoke thy two Bay Coursers.
5 Come to us, Indra,
come thou highly lauded to the devotions of the singer Mana.
Singing, may we find early through thy succour, may we find
strengthening food in full abundance.
HYMN CLXXVIII. Indra.
1. IF, Indra, thou hast given that gracious hearing where
with thou helpest those who sang thy praises.
Blast not the
wish that would exalt us may I gain all from thee, and pay all
man's devotions.
2 Let not the Sovran Indra disappoint us
in what shall bring both Sisters to our dwelling.
To him
have run the quickly flowing waters.May Indra come to us with
life and friendship.
3 Victorious with the men, Hero in battles,
Indra, who hearsthe singer's supplication,
Will bring his
car nigh to the man who offers, if he himself upholds the songs
that praise him.
4 Yea,Indra, with the men, through love
of gloryconsumes the sacred food which friends have offered.
The ever-strengthening song of him who worships is sung in fight
amid the clash of voices.
5Aided by thee, O Maghavan, O Indra,
may we subdue our foes who count them mighty.
Be our protector,
strengthen and increase us.May we find strengthening food in
full abundance.
HYMN CLXXIX. Rati.
The deified object of this omitted hymn is said to be Rati
or Love, and its Rsis or authors are Lopamudrd, Agastya, and
a disciple. Lopamudra is represented as inviting the caresses
of her aged husband Agastya, and complaining of his coldness
and neglect. Agastya responds in stanza 3, and in the second
half of stanza 4 the disciple or the poet briefly tells the
result of the dialogue. Stanza 5 is supposed to be spoken by
the disciple who has overheard the conversation, but its connexion
with the rest of the hymn is not very apparent. In stanza 6
'toiling with strong endeavour' is a paraphrase and not a translation
of the original khanamanah khanitraib (ligonibus fodiens) which
Sayana explains by 'obtaining the desired result by means of
lauds and sacrifices.'
M. Bergaigne is of opinion that the
hymn has a mystical meaning, Agastya being identifiable with
the celestial Soma whom Lopamudra, representing fervent Prayer,
succeeds after long labour in drawing down from his secret dwelling
place. See La Religion Vedique, ii. 394 f.
1 'Through many
autumns have I toiled and laboured, at night and morn, through
age-inducing dawnings.
Old age impairs the beauty of our
bodies. Let husbands still come near unto their spouses.
2 For even the men aforetime, law-fulfillers, who with the Gods
declared eternal statutes,--
They have decided, but have
not accomplished: so now let Wives come near unto their husbands.
3 Non inutilis est labor cui Dii favent: nos omnes aemulos et
aemulas vincamus.
Superemus in hac centum artium pugna in
qua duas partes convenientes utrinque commovemus.
4 Cupido
me cepit illius tauri [viri] qui me despicit, utrum hinc utrum
illinc ab aliqua parte nata sit.
Lopamudra taururn [mariturn
suum] ad se detrahit: insipiens illa sapientem anhelantern absorbet.
5 This Soma I address that is most near us, that which hath
been imbibed within the spirit,
To pardon any sins we have
committed. Verily mortal man is full of longings.
6 Agastya
thus, toiling with strong endeavour, wishing for children, progeny
and. power,
Cherished - a sage of mighty strength - both
classes, and with the Gods obtained his prayer's fulfilment.
By 'both classes' probably priests and princes, or institutors
of sacrifices, are meant. M. Bergaigne understands the expression
to mean the two forms or essences of Soma, the celestial and
the terrestrial.
5 Membrum suum virile, quod vrotentum fuerat,
mas ille retraxit. Rursus illud quod in juvenem filiam sublatum
fuerat, non aggressurus, ad se rerahit.
6 Quum jam in medio
connessu, semiperfecto opere, amorem in puellam pater impleverat,
ambo discedentes seminis paulum in terrae superficiem sacrorum
sede effusum emiserunt.
7 Quum pater suam nilam adiverat,
cum ed congressus suum semen supra wrrarn effudit. Tum Dii benigni
precem (brahma) prgeduerunt, et Vastoshpatim, legum sacrarum
custodem, formaverunt.
8 Ille tauro similis spumam in certamine
jactavit, tunc discedens pusillaximis huc profectus est. Quasi
dextro pede claudus processit, "inutiles fuerunt illi mei
complexus," ita locutus.
9 'The fire, burning the people,
does not approach quickly (by day): the naked (Rakasas approach)
not Agni by night; the giver of fuel, and the giver of food,
he, the upholder (of the rite), is born, overcoming enemies
by his might.'
HYMN CLXXX. Asvins.
1. LIGHTLY your coursers travel through the regions when
round thesea of air your car is flying.
Your golden fellies
scatter drops of moisture: drinking the sweetness ye atend the
Mornings.
2 Ye as ye travel overtake the Courser who flies
apart, the Friend of man, most holy.
The prayer is that the
Sister may convey you, all praised, meath-drinkers! to support
and strengthen.
3 Ye have deposited, matured within her,
in the raw cow the first milk of the milch-cow,
Which the
bright offerer, shining like a serpent mid trees, presents to
you whose form is perfect.
4 Ye made the fierce heat to be
full of sweetness for Atri at his wish, like streaming water.
Fire-offering thence is yours, O Asvins, Heroes: your car-wheels
speed to us like springs of honey.
5 Like Tugra's ancient
son may I, ye Mighty, bring you to give your gifts with milk-oblations.
Your greatness compasseth Earth, Heaven, and Waters: decayed
for you is sorrow's net, ye Holy.
6 When, Bounteous Ones,
ye drive your yoked team downward, ye send, by your own natures,
understanding.
Swift as the wind let the prince please and
feast you: he, like a pious man, gains strength for increase.
7 For verily we truthful singers praise you the niggard trafficker
is here excluded.
Now, even now do ye O blameless Advins,
ye Mighty, guard the man whose God is near him.
8 You of
a truth day after day, O Asvins, that he might win the very
plenteous torrent,
Agastya, famous among mortal heroes, roused
with a thousand lauds like sounds of music.
9 When with the
glory of your car ye travel, when we go speeding like the priest
of mortals,
And give good horses to sacrificers, may we,
Nasatyas! gain our share of riches.
10 With songs of praise
we call to-day, O Asvins, that your new chariot, for our own
well-being,
That circles heaven with never-injured fellies.
May we find strengthening food in full abundance.
HYMN CLXXXI. Asvins
1. WHAT, dearest Pair, is this in strength and riches that
ye as Priests are bring from the waters?
This sacrifice is
your glorification, ye who protect mankind and give them treasures.
2 May your pure steeds, rain-drinkers, bring you hither, swift
as the tempest, your celestial coursers,
Rapid as thought,
with fair backs, full of vigour, resplendent in their native
light, O Asvins.
3 Your car is like a torrent rushing downward:
may it come nigh, broad-seated, for our welfare,-
Car holy,
strong, that ever would be foremost, thought-swift, which ye,
for whom we long, have mounted.
4 Here sprung to life, they
both have sung together, with bodies free from stain, with signs
that mark them;
One of you Prince of Sacrifice, the Victor,
the other counts as Heaven's auspicious offspring.
5 May
your car-seat, down-gliding, golden-coloured, according to your
wish approach our dwellings.
Men shall feed full the bay
steeds of the other, and, Asvins they with roars shall stir
the regions.
6 Forth comes your strong Bull like a cloud
of autumn, sending abundant food of liquid sweetness.
Let
them feed with the other's ways and vigour: the upper streams
have come and do us service.
7 Your constant song hath been
sent forth, Disposers! that flows threefold in mighty strength,
O Asvins.
Thus lauded, give the suppliant protection moving
or resting hear mine invocation.
8 This song of bright contents
for you is swelling in the men's hall where three-fold grass
is.ready.
Your strong rain-cloud, ye Mighty Ones, hath swollen,
honouring men as 'twere with milk's outpouring.
9 The prudent
worshipper, like Pusan, Asvins! praises you as he praises Dawn
and Agni,
When, singing with devotion, he invokes you. May
we find strengthening food in full abundance.
HYMN CLXXXII. Asvins.
1. THIS was the task. Appear promptly, ye prudent Ones. Here
is the chariot drawn by strong steeds: be ye glad.
Heart-stirring,
longed for, succourers of Vispala, here are Heaven's Sons whose
sway blesses the pious man.
2 Longed for, most Indra-like,
mighty, most Marut-like, most w6nderful in deed, car-borne,
best charioteers,
Bring your full chariot hither heaped with
liquid sweet: thereon, ye Mvins, come to him who offers gifts.
3 What make ye there, ye Mighty? Wherefore linger ye with folk
who, offering not, are held in high esteem?
Pass over them;
make ye the niggard's life decay: give light unto the singer
eloquent in praise.
4 Crunch up on. every side the dogs who
bark at us: slay ye our foes, O Asvins this ye understand.
Make wealthy every word of him who praises you: accept with
favour, both Nasatyas, this my laud.
5 Ye made for Tugra's
son amid the water-floods that animated ship with wings to fly
withal,
Whereon with God-devoted mind ye brought him forth,
and fled with easy flight from out the mighty surge.
6 Four
ships most welcome in the midst of ocean, urged by the Asvins,
save the son of Tugra,
Him who was cast down headlong in
the waters, plunged in the thick inevitable darkness.
7 What
tree was that which stood fixed in surrounding sea to which
the son of Tugra supplicating clung?
Like twigs, of which
some winged creature may take hold, ye, Asvins, bore him off
safely to your renown.
8 Welcome to you be this the hymn
of praises uttered by Manas, O Nasatyas, Heroes,
From this
our gathering where we offer Soma. May we find strengthening
food in full abundance.
HYMN CLXXXIII. Asvins.
1. MAKE ready that which passes thought in swiftness, that
hath three wheels and triple seat, ye Mighty,
Whereon ye
seek the dwelling of the pious, whereon, threefold, ye fly like
birds with pinions.
2 Light rolls your easy chariot faring
earthward, what time, for food, ye, full of wisdom, mount it.
May this song, wondrous fair, attend your glory: ye, as ye travel,
wait on Dawn Heaven's Daughter.
3 Ascend your lightly rolling
car, approaching the worshipper who turns him to his duties,-
Whereon ye come unto the house to quicken man and his offspring,
O Nasatyas, Heroes.
4 Let not the wolf, let not the she-wolf
harm you. Forsake me not, nor pass me by or others.
Here
stands your share, here is your hymn, ye Mighty: yours are these
vessels, full of pleasant juices.
5 Gotama, Purumilha, Atri
bringing oblations all invoke you for protection.
Like one
who goes strai ht to the point directed, ye Nasatyas, to mine
invocation.
6 We have passed o'er the limit of this darkness:
our praise hath been bestowed on you, O Asvins.
Come hitherward
by paths which Gods have travelled. May we find strengthening
food in full abundance.
HYMN CLXXXIV Asvins.
1. LET us invoke you both this day and after the priest is
here with lauds when morn is breaking:
Nasatyas, wheresoe'er
ye be, Heaven's Children, for him who is more liberal than the
godless.
2 With us, ye Mighty, let yourselves be joyful,
glad in our stream of Soma slay the niggards.
Graciously
hear my hymns and invitations, marking, O Heroes, with your
cars my longing.
3 Nasatyas, Pusans, ye as Gods for glory
arranged and set in order Surya's bridal.
Your giant steeds
move on, sprung from the waters, like ancient times of Varuna
the Mighty.
4 Your grace be with us, ye who love sweet juices:
further the hymn sung by the poet Mana,
When men are joyful
in your glorious actions, to win heroic strength, ye Bounteous
Givers.
5 This praise was made, O liberal Lords, O Asvins,
for you with fair adornment by the Manas.
Come to our house
for us and for our children, rejoicing, O Nasatyas, in Agastya.
6 We have passed o'er the limit of this darkness: our praise
hath been'bestowed on you, O Asvins.
Come hitherward by paths
which Gods have travelled. may we find strengthening food in
full abundance.
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.
HYMN CLXXXVI. Visvedevas.
1. LOVED of all men, may Savitar, through praises offered
as sacred food, come to our synod,
That you too, through-our
hymn, ye ever-youthful, may gladden, at your visit, all our
people.
2 To us may all the Gods come trooped together, Aryaman,
Mitra, Varuna concordant,
That all may be promoters of our
welfare, and with great might preserve our strength from slackness.
3 Agni I sing, the guest you love most dearly: the Conqueror
through our lauds is friendly-minded.
That he may be our
Varuna rich in glory and send food like a prince praised by
the godly.
4 To you I seek with reverence, Night and Morning,
like a cow good to milk, with hope to conquer,
Preparing
on a common day the praise. song with milk of various hues within
this udder.
5 May the great Dragon of the Deep rejoice us:
as one who nourishes her young comes Sindhu,
With whom we
will incite the Child of Waters whom vigorous course swift as
thought bring hither.
6 Moreover Tvastar also shall approach
us, one-minded with the princes at his visit.
Hither shall
come the Vrtra-slayer Indra, Ruler of men, as strongest of the
Heroes.
7 Him too our hymns delight, that yoke swift horses,
like mother cows who lick their tender youngling.
To him
our songs shall yield themselves like spouses, to him the most
delightful of the Heroes.
8 So may the Maruts, armed with
mighty weapons, rest here on heaven and earth with hearts in
concord,
As Gods whose cars have dappled steeds like torrents,
destroyers of the foe allies of Mitra.
9 They hasten on to
happy termination their orders when they are made known by
glory.
As on a fair bright day the arrow flieth o'er all
the barren soil their missiles sparkle.
10 Incline the Asvins
to show grace, and Pusan, for power and might have they, their
own possession.
Friendly are Visnu, Vata, and Rbhuksan so
may I bring the Gods to make us happy.
11 This is my reverent
thought of you, ye Holy; may it inspire you, make you dwell
among us,-
Thought, toiling for the Gods and seeking treasure.
May we find strengthening food in full abundance.
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.
HYMN CLXXXVIII. April
1. WINNER of thousands, kindled, thou shinest a God with
Gods to-day.
Bear out oblations, envoy, Sage.
2 Child
of Thyself the sacrifice is for the righteous blent with meath,
Presenting viands thousandfold.
3 Invoked and worthy of our
praise bring Gods whose due is sacrifice:
Thou, Agni, givest
countless gifts.
4 To seat a thousand Heroes they eastward
have strewn the grass with might,
Whereon, Adityas, ye shine
forth.
5 The sovran all-imperial Doors, wide, good, many
and manifold,
Have poured their streams of holy oil.
6
With gay adornment, fair to see, in glorious beauty shine they
forth:
Let Night and Morning rest them here.
7 Let these
two Sages first of all, heralds divine and eloquent,
Perform
for us this sacrifice.
8 You I address, Sarasvati, and Bharati,
and Ila, all:
Urge ye us on to glorious fame.
9 Tvastar
the Lord hath made all forms and all the cattle of the field
Cause them to multiply for us.
10 Send to the Gods, Vanaspati,
thyself, the sacrificial draught:
Let Agni make the oblations
sweet.
11 Agni, preceder of the Gods, is honoured with the
sacred song:
He glows at offerings blest with Hail!
HYMN CLXXXIX. Agni.
1. BY goodly paths lead us to riches, Agni, God who knowest
every sacred duty.
Remove the sin that makes us stray and
wander. most ample adoration will we bring thee.
2 Lead us
anew to happiness, O Agni; lead us beyond all danger and affliction.
Be unto us a wide broad ample castle bless, prosper on their
way our sons and offspring.
3 Far from us, Agni, put thou
all diseases let them strike lauds that have no saving Agni.
God, make our home again to be a b1ess ing, with all the Immortal
Deities, O Holy.
4 Preserve us, Agni, with perpetual succour,
refulgent in the dwelling which thou lovest.
O Conqueror,
most youthful, let no danger touch him who praises thee to-day
or after.
5 Give not us up a prey to sin, O Agni, the greedy
enemy that brings us trouble;
Not to the fanged that bites,
not to the toothless: give not us up, thou Conqueror, to the
spoiler.
6 Such as thou art, born after Law, O Agni when
lauded give protection to our bodies,
From whosoever would
reproach or injure: for thou, God, rcscuest from all oppression.
7 Thou, well discerning both these classes, comest to men at
early morn, O holy Agni.
Be thou obedient unto man at evening,
to be adorned, as keen, by eager suitors.
8 To him have we
addressed our pious speeches, I, Mana's son, to him victorious
Agni.
May we gain countless riches with the sages. May we
find strengthening food in full abundance.
HYMN CXC. Brhaspati.
1.GLORIFY thou Brhaspati, the scatheless, who must be praised
with hymns, sweet-tongued and mighty,
To whom as leader of
the song, resplendent, worthy of lauds, both Gods and mortals
listen.
2 On him wait songs according to the season even
as a stream of pious men set moving.
Brhaspati-for helaid
out the expanses- was, at the sacrifice, vast Matarisvan.
3 The praise, the verse that offers adoration, may he bring
forth, as the Sun sends his arms out,
He who gives daily
light through this God's wisdom, strong as a dread wild beast,
and inoffensive.
4 His song of praise pervades the earth
and heaven - let the wise worshipper draw it, like a courser.
These of Brhaspati, like hunters' arrows, go to the skies that
change their hue like serpents.
5 Those, God, who count thee
as a worthless bullock, and, wealthy sinners, live on thee the
Bounteous,-
On fools like these no blessing thou bestowest:
Brhaspati, thou punishest the spiteful.
6 Like a fair path
is he, where grass is pleasant, though hard to win, a Friend
beloved most early.
Those who unharmed by enemies behold
us, while: they would make them bare, stood closely compassed.
7 He to whom songs of praise go forth like torrents, as rivers
eddying under banks flow sea-ward-
Brhaspati the wise, the
eager, closely looks upon both, the waters and the vessel.
8 So hath Brhaspati, great, strong and mighty, the God exceeding
powerful, been brought hither.
May he thus lauded give us
kine and horses. May we find strengthening food in full abundance.
HYMN CXCI Water. Grass. Sun.
1. VENOMOUS, slightly venomous, or venomous aquatic worm,-
Both creatures, stinging, unobserved, with poison have infected
me.
2 Coming, it kills the unobserved; it kills them as it
goes away,
It kills them as it drives them off, and bruising
bruises them to death.
3 Sara grass, Darbha, Kusara, and
Sairya, Munja, Virana,
Where all these creatures dwell unseen,
with poison have infected me.
4 The cows had settled in their
stalls, the beasts of prey had sought their lairs,
Extinguished
were the lights of men, when things unseen infected me.
5
Or these, thesereptiles, are observed, like lurking thieves
at evening time.
Seers of all, themselves unseen: be therefore
very vigilant.
6 Heaven is your Sire, your Mother Earth,
Soma your Brother, Aditi
Your Sister: seeing all, unseen,
keep still and dwell ye happily.
7 Biters of shoulder or
of limb, with needle-stings, most venomous,
Unseen, whatever
ye may be, vanish together and be gone.
8 Slayer of things
unseen, the Sun, beheld of all, mounts, eastward, up,
Consuming
all that are not seen, and evil spirits of the night.
9 There
hath the Sun-God mounted up, who scorches much and everything.
Even the Aditya from the hills, all-seen, destroying things
unseen.
10 I hang the poison in the Sun, a wine-skin in a
vintner's house,
He will not die, nor shall we die: his path
is far: he whom Bay Horses bear hath turned thee to sweet meath.
11 This little bird, so very small, hath swallowed all thy poison
up.
She will not die, nor shall we die: his path is far:
he whom Bay Horses bear hath turned thee to sweet meath.
12 The three-times-seven bright sparks of fire have swallowed
up the poison's strength.
They will not die, nor shall we
die: his path is far: he whom Bay Horses bear hath turned thee
to sweet meath.
13 Of ninety rivers and of nine with power
to stay the venom's course,-
The names of all I have secured:
his path is far: he whom Bay Horses bear hath turned thee to
sweet meath.
14 So have the peahens three-times-seven, so
have the maiden Sisters Seven
Carried thy venom far away,
as girls bear water in their jars.
15 The poison-insect is
so small; I crush the creature with a stone.
I turn the poison
hence away, departed unto distant lands.
16 Forth issuing
from the mountain's side the poison-insect spake and said:
The scorpion's venom hath no strength Scorpion, thy venom is
but weak.
Suggestions for Further Reading
- Rig Veda translation by Griffith
- Rig Veda translation by Griffith Book 2
- Rig Veda translation by Griffith, Book 3
- Rig Veda translation by Griffith Book 4
- Rig Veda translation by Griffith, Book 5
- Rig Veda translation by Griffith Book 6
- Rig Veda translation by Griffith, book 7
- Rig Veda translation by Griffith, book 8
- Rig Veda translation by Griffith, book 9
- Rig Veda translation by Griffith, book 10
- Hymns of the Sama veda translated by Ralph T.H. Griffith
- Hymns Of The Atharva-Veda
- Yajur Veda: The Veda Of The Black Yajus School
- 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: This is a translation by Ralph T.H. Griffith, 1896.