Monday, January 2, 2012

Rig Veda - The First Book Upto Page No.5





















Rig Veda Book 1 Hymn 1

Rig Veda, tr. by Ralph T.H. Griffith, (1896)


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, Aṅgiras, 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. Vāyu.

1 BEAUTIFUL Vāyu, 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, Vāyu, with their hymns of praise.
3 Vāyu, thy penetrating stream goes forth unto the worshipper,
Far-spreading for the Soma draught.
4 These, Indra-Vāyu, have been shed; come for our offered dainties’ sake:
The drops are yearning for you both.
5 Well do ye mark libations, ye Vāyu and Indra, rich in spoil!
So come ye swiftly hitherward.
6 Vāyu 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 Varuṇa,
Who make the oil-fed rite complete.
8 Mitra and Varuṇa, through Law, lovers and cherishers of Law,
Have ye obtained your might power
9 Our Sages, Mitra-Varuṇa, wide dominion, strong by birth,
Vouchsafe us strength that worketh well.

HYMN III. Aśvins

1 YE Aśvins, rich in treasure, Lords of splendour, having nimble hands,
Accept the sacrificial food.
2 Ye Aśvins, rich in wondrous deeds, ye heroes worthy of our praise,
Accept our songs with mighty thought.
3 Nāsatyas, wonder-workers, yours are 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 Viśvedevas, who protect, reward, and cherish men, approach
Your worshipper's drink-offering.
8 Ye Viśvedevas, swift at work, come hither quickly to the draught,
As milch-kine hasten to their stalls.
9 The Viśvedevas, changing shape like serpents, fearless, void of guile,
Bearers, accept the sacred draught
10 Wealthy in spoil, enriched with hymns, may bright Sarasvatī desire,
With eager love, our sacrifice.
11 Inciter of all pleasant songs, inspirer of all gracious thought,
Sarasvatī accept our rite
12 Sarasvatī, the mighty flood,—she with her light illuminates,
She brightens every pious thought.



HYMN IV. Indra

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, Śatakratu, drankest this and wast the Vṛtras’ slayer; thou
Helpest the warrior in the fray.
9 We strengthen, Śatakratu, thee, yea, thee the powerful in fight,
That, Indra, we may win us wealth.
10 To him the mighty stream of wealth, prompt friend of 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, with 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 preëminence.
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 Śatakratu, 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.
 (posted  upto 5 th page)


RIG VEDA

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.




__________________________________________________________________________________________________

RIG VEDA

Translator Ralph T.H. Griffith

THE FIRST BOOK – Page 2
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.
.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.


Translator Ralph T.H. Griffith
THE FIRST BOOK – Page 3
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.





RIG VEDA

Translator Ralph T.H. Griffith
THE FIRST BOOK – Page 4
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.
18. 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.



RIG VEDA

Translator Ralph T.H. Griffith
THE FIRST BOOK – Page 5
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.
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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.
.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.



 (I am grateful to Sree  Ralph T H. Griffith for the collection)
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