Rigveda 6:1-75.

1 - Agni

You, first inventor of this prayer, Agni, Worker of Marvels, have become our Herald.

You, Bull, have made us strength which none may conquer, strength that shall overcome all other prowess. (1)

As priest you sat at the seat of worship, furthering us, best Offerer, meet for honour.

So first to you have pious men resorted, turning your mind to thoughts of ample riches. (2)

In you, still watching, they have followed riches, who go with much wealth as with an army,

The radiant Agni, lofty, fair to look on, worshipped with marrow, evermore resplendent. (3)

They who approached the god's abode with homage, eager for glory, won them perfect glory:

Yea, they gained even sacrificial titles, and found delight in your auspicious aspect. (4)

On earth the people magnify you greatly, you their celestial and terrestrial riches.

You, helper, must be known as our Preserver, Father and Mother of mankind forever. (5)

Dear priest among mankind, adorable Agni has seated him, joy-giver, skilled in worship.

Let us approach you shining in your dwelling, kneeling upon our knees, with adoration. (6)

Longing for bliss, pure-minded, God-devoted, Agni, we seek you, such, meet to be lauded.

You, Agni, leddest forth our men to battle, refulgent with the heaven's exalted splendour. (7)

Sage of mankind, all peoples' Lord and Master, the Bull of men, the sender down of blessings,

Still pressing on, promoting, purifying, Agni the Holy One, the Lord of riches. (8)

Agni, the mortal who has toiled and worshipped, brought you oblations with his kindled fuel,

And well knows sacrifice with adoration, gains every joy with you to guard and help him. (9)

Mightily let us worship you the Mighty, with reverence, Agni! fuel and oblations,

With songs, Son of Strength, with hymns, with altar: so may we strive for your auspicious favour. (10)

You who have covered heaven and earth with splendour and with your glories, glorious and triumphant.

Continue you to shine on us, Agni, with strength abundant, rich, and long enduring. (11)

Vouchsafe us ever, as man needs, Vasu, abundant wealth of cows for son and offspring.

Food noble, plenteous, far from sin and evil, he with us, and fair fame to make us happy. (12)

May I obtain much wealth in many places by love of you and through your grace, King Agni;

For in you Bounteous One, in you the Sovran, Agni, are many boons for him who serves you.

2 - Agni

You, Agni, even as Mitra, have a princely glory of yours own.

You, active Vasu, make fame increase like full prosperity. (1)

For, verily, men pray to you with sacrifices and with songs.

To you the friendly courser, seen of all, comes speeding through the air. (2)

Of one accord men kindle you Heaven's signal of the sacrifice,

When, craving bliss, this race of man invites you to the solemn rite. (3)

Let the man thrive who travails sore, in prayer, far you the Bountiful.

He with the help of lofty Dyaus comes safe through straits of enmity. (4)

The mortal who with fuel lights your flame and offers to you,

Supports a house with many a branch, Agni, to live a hundred years. (5)

Your bright smoke lifts itself aloft, and far-extended shines in heaven.

For, Purifier! like the Sun you beamest with your radiant glow. (6)

For in men's houses you must be glorified as a well-loved guest,

Gay like an elder in a fort, claiming protection like a son. (7)

You, Agni, like an able steed, are urged by wisdom in the wood.

You are like wind; food, home are you, like a young horse that runs astray. (8)

Even things imperishable, you, Agni, like a gazing ox,

Eatest, when hosts, Eternal One! of you the Mighty rend the woods. (9)

Agni, you enterest as priest the home of men who sacrifice.

Lord of the people, prosper them. Accept the ofrering, Angiras! (10)

Agni, God with Mitra's might, call here the favour of the gods from earth and heaven.

Bring weal from heaven, that men may dwell securely. May we overcome the foe's malign oppressions, may we overcome them, through your help overcome them.

3 - Agni

TRUE, guardian of the Law, your faithful servant wins ample light and dwells in peace, Agni,

Whom you, as Varuna in accord with Mitra, guardest, God, by banishing his trouble. (1)

He has paid sacrifices, toiled in worship, and offered gifts to wealth-increasing Agni.

Him the displeasure of the famous moves not, outrage and scorn affect not such a mortal. (2)

Bright God, whose look is free from stain like Surya's, you, swift, what time you earnestly desirest,

Have gear to give us. Come with joy at evening, where, Child of Wood, you may also tarry. (3)

Fierce is his gait and vast his wondrous body: he champs like a horse with bit and bridle,

And, darting forth his tongue, as it were a hatchet, burning the woods, smelts them like a smelter. (4)

Archer-like, fain toshoot, he sets his arrow, and whets his splendour like the edge of iron:

The messenger of night with brilliant pathway, like a tree-roosting bird of rapid pinion. (5)

In beams of morn he clothes him like the singer, and bright as Mitra with his splendour crackles.

Red in the night, by day the men's possession: red, he belongs to men by day, immortal. (6)

Like Heaven's when scattering beams his voice was uttered: among the plants the radiant hero shouted,

Who with his glow in rapid course came here to fill both worlds, well-wedded Dames, with treasure. (7)

Who, with supporting streams and rays that suit him, has flashed like lightning with his native vigour.

Like the deft Maker of the band of Maruts, the bright impetuous One has shone refulgent.

4 - Agni

As at man's service of the gods, Invoker, you, Son of Strength, do sacrifice and worship,

So bring for us today all gods together, bring willingly the willing gods, Agni. (1)

May Agni, radiant Herald of the morning, meet to be known, accept our praise with favour.

Dear to all life, mid mortal men immortal, our guest, awake at dawn, is Jatavedas. (2)

Whose might the very heavens regard with wonder: bright as the Sun he clothes himself with lustre.

He who sends forth,, Eternal Purifier, has shattered even the ancient works of Asna. (3)

You are a Singer, Son! our feast-companion: Agni at birth prepared his food and pathway.

Therefore vouchsafe us strength, Strength-bestower. Win like a King: foes trouble not your dwelling. (4)

Even he who cats his firm hard food with swiftness,and overtakes the nights as Vayu kingdoms.

May we overcome those who resist your orders, like a steed casting down the flying foemen. (5)

Like Surya with his fulgent rays, Agni, you overspreadest both the worlds with splendour.

Decked with bright colour he dispels the darkness, like Ausija, with clear flame swifily flying. (6)

We have elected you as most delightful for your beams' glow: hear our great laud, Agni.

The best men praise you as the peer of Indra in strength, mid gods, like Viyu in your bounty. (7)

Now, Agni, on the tranquil paths of riches come to us for our weal: save us from sorrow.

Grant chiefs and bard this boon. May we live happy, with hero children, through a hundred winters.

5 - Agni

I INVOCATE your Son of Strength, the Youthful, with hymns, the Youngest God, whose speech is guileless;

Sage who sends wealth comprising every treasure, bringer of many boons, devoid of malice. (1)

At eve and morn your pious servants bring you their precious gifts, priest of many aspects,

On whom, the Purifier, all things living as on firm. ground their happiness have stablished. (2)

You from of old have dwelt among these people, by mental power the charioteer of blessings.

Hence sendest you, sapient Jatavedas, to him who serves you treasures in succession. (3)

Agni, whoever secretly attacks us, the neighbour, you with Mitra's might! who harms us,

Burn him with your own Steers forever youthful, burning with burning heat, you fiercest burner. (4)

He who serves you with sacrifice and fuel, with hymn, Son of Strength, and chanted praises,

Shines out, immortal! in the midst of mortals, a sage, with wealth, with splendour and with glory. (5)

Do this, Agni, when we urge you, quickly, triumphant in your might subdue our foemen.

When you are praised with words and decked with brightness, accept this chanted hymn, the singer's worship. (6)

Help us, that we may gain this wish, Agni, gain riches, Wealthy One! with store of heroes.

Desiring strength from you may we be strengthened, and win, Eternal! your eternal glory.

6 - Agni

He who seeks furtherance and grace to help him goes to the Son of Strength with newest worship,

Calling the heavenly priest to share the banquet, who rends the wood, bright, with his blackened pathway. (1)

White-hued and thundering he dwells in splendour, Most Youthful, with the loudvoiced and eternal-

Agni, most variform, the Purifier, who follows crunching many ample forests. (2)

Incited by the wind your flames, Agni, move onward, Pure One! pure, in all directions.

Your most destructive heavenly Navagvas break the woods down and devastate them boldly. (3)

Your pure white horses from their bonds are loosened: Radiant one, they shear the ground beneath them,

And far and wide shines out your flame, and flickers rapidly moving over earth's high ridges. (4)

Forth darts the Bull's tongue like the sharp stone weapon discharged by him who fights to win the cattle.

Agni's fierce flame is like a hero's onset: dread and resistless he destroys the forests. (5)

You with the sunlight of the great Impeller have boldly over-spread the earth's expanses.

So drive away with conquering might all perils. fighting out foemen burn up those who harm us. (6)

Wondrous! of wondrous power! give to the singer wealth wondrous, marked, most wonderful, life-giving.

Wealth bright, Bright One, vast, with many heroes, give with your bright flames to the man who lauds you.

7 - Agni

Him, messenger of earth and head of heaven, Agni Vaisvanara, born in holy Order,

The Sage, the King, the guest of men, a vessel fit for their mouths, the gods have generated. (1)

Him have they praised, mid-point of sacrifices, great cistern of libations, seat of riches.

Vaisvanara, conveyer of oblations, ensign of worship, have the gods engendered. (2)

From you, Agni, springs the mighty singer, from you come heroes who subdue the foeman.

King, Vaisvanara, bestow you on us excellent treasures worthy to belonged fo r. (3)

To you, immortal! when to life you springest, all the gods sing for joy as to their infant.

They by your mental powers were made immortal, Vaisvanara, when you shone from your Parents. (4)

Agni Vaisvanara, no one has ever resisted these your mighty ordinances,

When you, arising from your parents' bosom, found the light for days' appointed courses. (5)

The summits of the heaven are traversed through and through by the immortal's light, Vaisvanara's brilliancy.

All creatures in existence rest upon his head. The Seven swift-flowing streams have grown like branches forth, (6)

Vaisvanara, who measured out the realms of air, Sage very wise who made the lucid spheres of heaven,

The Undeceivable who spread out all the worlds, keeper is he and guard of immortality.

8 - Agni

AT Jatavedas' holy gathering I will tell aloud the conquering might of the swift red-hued Steer.

A pure and fresher hymn flows to Vaisvanara, even as for Agni lovely Soma is made pure. (1)

That Agni, when in loftiest heaven he sprang to life, Guardian of Holy Laws, kept and observed them well.

Exceeding wise, he measured out the firmament. Vaisvanara attained to heaven by mightiness. (2)

Wonderful Mitra propped the heaven and earth apart, and covered and concealed

the darkness with his light.

He made the two bowls part asunder like two skins. Vaisvanara put forth all his creative power. (3)

The Migbty seized him in the bosom of the floods: the people waited on the King who should be praised.

As envoy of Vivasvan MatariSvan brought Agni Vaisvanara here from far away. (4)

In every age bestow upon the singers wealth, worthy of holy synods, glorious, ever new.

King, undecaying, as it were with sharpened bolt, smite down the sinner like a tree with lightning-flash. (5)

Do you bestow, Agni, on our wealthy chiefs, rule, with good heroes, undecaying, bending not.

So may we win for us strength. Vaisvanara, hundredfold, thousandfold, Agni, by your help. (6)

you who dwellest in three places, helper, keep with effective guards our princely patrons.

Keep our band, Agni, who have brought you presents. Lengthen their lives, Vaisvanara, when lauded.

9 - Agni

ONE half of day is dark, and bright the other: both atmospheres move on by sage devices.

Agni Vaisvanara, when born as Sovran, has with his lustre overcome the darkness. (1)

I know not either warp or woof, I know not the web they weave when moving to the contest.

Whose son shall here speak words that must be spoken without assistance from the Father near him? (2)

For both the warp and woof he understandeth, and in due time shall speak what should be spoken,

Who knows as the immortal world's Protector, descending, seeing with no aid from other. (3)

He is the priest, the first of all: behold him. Mid mortal men he is the light immortal.

Here was he born, firm-seated in his station immortal, ever waxing in his body. (4)

A firm light has been set for men to look on: among all things that fly the mind is swiftest.

All gods of one accord, with one intention, move unobstructed to a single purpose. (5)

Mine ears unclose to hear, mine eye to see him; the light that harbours in my spirit broadens.

Far roams my mind whose thoughts are in the distance. What shall I speak, what shall I now imagine? (6)

All the gods bowed them down in fear before you, Agni, when you were dwelling in the darkness.

Vaisvanara be gracious to assist us, may the immortal favour us and help us.

10 - Agni

INSTALL at sacrifice, while the rite advances, your pleasant, heavenly Agni, meet for praises.

With hymns-for he illumines us-install him. He, Jatavedas, makes our rites successful. (1)

Hear this laud, Radiant priest of many aspects, Agni with the fires of man enkindled,

Laud which bards send forth pure as sacred butter, strength to this man, as it were for self-advantage. (2)

Mid mortal men that singer thrives in glory who offers gifts with hymns of praise to Agni,

And the god, wondrous bright, with wondrous succours helps him to win a stable filled with cattle. (3)

He, at his birth, whose path is black behind him, filled heaven and earth with far-apparent splendour:

And he himself has been. through night's thick darkness, made manifest by light, the Purifier. (4)

With your most mighty aid, confer, Agni, wonderful wealth on us and on our princes,

Who stand preeminent, surpassing others in liberal gifts, in fame, and hero virtues. (5)

Agni, accept this sacrifice with gladness, which, seated here, the worshipper presenteth.

Fair hymns had you among the Bharadvajas, and holpest them to gain abundant vigour. (6)

Scatter our foes, increase our store. May we he glad a hundred winters with brave sons.

11 - Agni

EAGERLY Sacrifice you, most skilful, Agni! priest, pressing on as if the Maruts sent you.

To our oblation bring the two Nasatyas, Mitra and Varuna and Earth and Heaven. (1)

You are our guileless, most delightful Herald, the god, among mankind, of holy synods.

A priest with purifying tongue, Agni, sacrifice with your mouth to your own body. (2)

For even the blessed longing that is in you would bring the gods down to the singer's worship,

When the Angirases' sagest Sage, the Poet, sings the sweet measure at the solemn service. (3)

Bright has he beamed, the wise, the far-refulgent. Worship the two widespreading Worlds, Agni,

Whom as the Living One rich in oblations the Five Tribes, bringing gifts, adorn with homage. (4)

When I with reverence clip the grass for Agni, when the trimmed ladle, fullof oil, is lifted,

Firm on the seat of earth is based the altar: eye-like, the sacrifice is directed Sun-ward. (5)

Enrich us, you priest of many aspects, with the gods, Agni, with your fires, enkindled.

Son of Strength, clad in the robe of riches, may we escape from woe as from

a prison.

12 - Agni

KING of trimmed grass, Herald within the dwelling, may Agni worship the Impeller's World-halves.

He, Son of Strength, the Holy, from a distance has spread himself abroad with light like Surya. (1)

In you, most wise, shall Dyaus, for full perfection, King! Holy One! pronounce the call to worship.

Found in three places, like the Speeder's footstep, come to present men's riches as oblations! (2)

Whose blaze most splendid, sovran in the forest, shines waxing on his way like the -Impeller.

He knows himself, like as a guileless smelter, not to be stayed among the plants, immortal. (3)

Our friends extol him like a steed for vigour even Agni in the dwelling, jatave~as.

Trce-fed, he fights with power as doth a champion, like Dawn's Sire to be praised with sacrifices. (4)

Men wonder at his shining glows when, paring the woods with case, over the broad earth he goeth,

And, like a rushing flood, loosed quickly, burneth, swift as a guilty thief, over desert places. (5)

So mighty you protectest us from slander, Champion, Agni! with all fires enkindled.

Bring opulence and drive away affliction. May brave sons gladden us through a hundred winters.

13 - Agni

From you, as branches from a tree, Agni, from you, Auspicious God! spring all our blessings-

Wealth swiftly, strength in battle with our foemen, the rain besought of heaven, the flow of waters. (1)

You are our Bhaga to send wealth you dwellest, like circumambient air, with wondrous splendour.

Friend are you of the lofty Law, like Mitra, Controller, Agni! God! of many a blessing. (2)

Agni! the hero slays with might his foeman; the singer bears away the Pani's booty-

Even he whom you, Sage, born in Law, incitest by wealth, accordant with the Child of Waters. (3)

The man who, Son of Strength 1 with sacrifices, hymns, lauds, attracts your fervour to the altar,

Enjoys each precious thing, God, Agni, gains wealth of corn and is the lord of treasures. (4)

Grant, Son of Strength, to men for their subsistence such things as bring high fame and hero children.

For you with might give much food in cattle even to the wicked wolf when he is hungry. (5)

Eloquent, Son of Strength, Most Mighty, Agni, vouchsafe us seed and offspring, full of vigour.

May I by all my songs obtain abundance. May brave sons gladden us through a hundred winters.

14 - Agni

WHOSto Agni has endeared his thought and service by his hymns,

That mortal cats before the rest, and finds sufficiency of food. (1)

Agni, in truth, is passing wise, most skilled in ordering, a Seer.

At sacrifices Manus' sons glorify Agni as their priest. (2)

The foeman's wealth in many a place, Agni, is emulous to help.

Men fight the fiend, and seek by rites to overcome the riteless foe. (3)

Agni bestows the hero chief, winner of waters, firm in fray.

Soon as they look upon his might his enemies tremble in alarm. (4)

For with his wisdom Agni, God, protects the mortal from reproach,

Whose conquering wealth is never checked, is never checked in deeds of might. (5)

Agni, God with Mitra's might call here the favour of the gods from earth and heaven.

Bring weal from heaven that men may dwell securely. May we overcome the foe's malign oppressions, may we overcome them, through your help overcome them.

15 - Agni

With this my song I strive to reach this guest of yours, who wakes at early morn, the Lord of all the tribes.

Each time he comes from heaven, the Pure One from of old: from ancient days the Child cats everlasting food. (1)

Whom, well-dis sed, the Blirgus stablished as a rriend, whom men must glorify, high-flaming in the wood.

As such, most friendly, you are every day extolled in lauds by Vitahavya, you wondrous God. (2)

Be the foeless helper of the skilful man, subduer of the enemy near or far away.

Bestow a wealthy home on men, Son of Strength. Give Vitahavya riches spreading far and wide, give Bharadvaja wide-spread wealth. (3)

Him, your refulgent guest, Agni who comes from heaven, the Herald of mankind, well-skilled in sacred rites,

Who, like a holy singer, utters heavenly words, oblation-bearer, envoy, God, I seek with hymns. (4)

Who with his purifying, eye-attracting form has shone upon the earth as with the light of Dawn;

Who speeding on, as in the fight of Etaia, comes, untouched by age, as one athirst in heat. (5)

Worship you Agni, Agni, with your log of wood; praise your beloved, your beloved guest with songs.

Invite you the immortal here with your hymns. A God among the gods, he loves what is choice, loves our service, God mid gods. (6)

Agni inflamed with fuel in my song I sing, pure, Cleanser, steadfast, set in front at sacrifice.

Wise Jatavedas we implore with prayers for bliss the priest, the holy Singer, bounteous, void of guile. (7)

Men, Agni, in each age have made you, Deathiess One, their envoy, offering-bearer, guard adorable.

With reverence gods and mortals have established you, the ever-watchful, omnipresent Household Lord. (8)

You, Agni, ordering the works and ways of both, as envoy of the gods traverse both the worlds.

When we lay claim to your regard and gracious fare, be you to us a thrice-protecting friendly guard. (9)

Him fair of face, rapid, and fair to look on, him very wise may we who know not follow.

Let him who knows all rules invite for worship, Agru announce our offering to the immortals. (10)

Him, Agni, you deliver and save who brings him prayer to you the Wise, hero,

The end of sacrifice or its inception; yea, you endow him with power and riches. (11)

Guard us from him who would assail us, Agni; preserve us, you Victor, from dishonour.

Here let the place of darkening come upon you: may wealth be ours, desirable in thousands. (12)

Agni, the priest, is King, Lord of the homestead, he, Jatayedas, knows all generations.

Most skilful worshipper mid gods and mortals, may he begin the sacrifice, the Holy. (13)

Whatever today you, bright-flamed priest, enjoy from the man's rite-for you are sacrificer-

Worship, for duly do you spread in greatness: bear off your offerings of today, Most Youthful. (14)

Look you upon the viands duly laid for you. Fain would he set you here to worship Heaven and,Earth.

Help us, liberal Agni, in the strife for spoil, so that we may overcome all things that trouble us, overcome, overcome them with your help. (15)

Together with all gods, fair-faced Agni, be seated first upon the woollined altar,

Nest-like, bedewed with oil. Bear this our worship to Savitar who sacrifices rightly. (16)

Here the arranging priests, as did Atharvan, rub this Agni forth,

Whom, not bewildered, as he moved in winding ways, they brought from gloom. (17)

For the gods' banquet be you born, for full perfection and for weal.

Bring the immortal gods who strengthen holy Law: so let our sacrifice reach the gods. (18)

Agni, Lord and Master of men's homesteads, with kindled fuel we have made you mighty.

Let not our household gear be found defective. Sharpen us with your penetrating splendour.

16 - Agni

PRIEST of all sacrifices have you been appointed by the gods,

Agni, amid the race of man. (1)

So with your joyous tongues for us sacrifice nobly in this rite.

Bring you the gods and worship them. (2)

For well, God, Disposer, you know, straight on, the paths and ways,

Agni, most wise in sacrifice. (3)

You, too, has Bharata of old, with mighty men, implored for bliss.

And worshipped you the worshipful. (4)

You give these abundant boons to Divodasa pouring forth,

To Bharadvaja offering gifts. (5)

Do you, immortal Messenger, bring here the Celestial Folk;

Hearing the singer's eulogy. (6)

Mortals with pious thought implore you, Agni, God, at holy rites,

To come to the feast of gods. (7)

I glorify your aspect and the might of you the Bountiful.

All those who love shall joy in you, (8)

Invoker placed by Manus, you, Agni, are near, the wisest priest:

Pay worship to the Tribes of Heaven. (9)

Come, Agni, lauded, to the feast; come to the offering of the gifts.

As priest be seated on the grass. (10)

So, Angiras, we make you strong with fuel and with holy oil.

Blaze high, you youngest of the gods. (11)

For us you winnest, Agni, God, heroic strength exceeding great,

Far-spreading and of high renown. (12)

Agni, Atharvan brought you forth, by rubbing, from the lotus-flower,

The head of Visva, of the priest. (13)

You. Vritra's slayer, breaker down of castles, has Atharvan's son,

Dadhyac the Rishi, lighted up. (14)

The hero Pathya kindled you the Dasyus'. most destructive foe,

Winner of spoil in every fight. (15)

Come, here, Agni, will I sing verily other songs to you,

And with these drops shall you grow strong. (16)

Wherever tby mind applies itself, vigour preeminent bast you:

There will you gain a dwelling-place. (17)

Not for a moment only lasts your bounty, good to many a one!

Our service therefore shall you gain. (18)

Agni, the Bharata, has been sought, the Vritra-slayer, marked of all,

Yea, Divodasa's HerLord. (19)

For he gave riches that surpass in greatness all the things of earth,

Fighting untroubled, unsubdued. (20)

You, Agni, as in days of old, with recent glory, gathered light,

Have overspread the lofty heaven. (21)

Bring to your Agni, my friends, boldly your laud and sacrifice:

Give the Disposer praise and song. (22)

For as sagacious Herald he has sat through every age of man,

Oblation-bearing messenger. (23)

Bring those Two Kings whose ways are pure, Adityas, and the Marut host,

Excellent God! and Heaven and Earth. (24)

For strong and active mortal man, excellent, Agni, is the look Of you immortal, Son of Strength (25)

Rich through his wisdom, noblest be the giver serving you today:

The man has brought his hymn of praise. (26)

These, Agni, these are helped by you, who strong and active all their lives,

Overcome the malice of the foe, fight down the malice ofthe foe. (27)

May Agni with his pointed blaze cast down each fierce devouring fiend

May Agni win us wealth by war. (28)

active Jatavedas, bring riches with store of hero sons:

Slay you the demons, Most Wise. (29)

Keep us, Jatavedas, from the troubling of the man of sin:

Guard us you Sage who know prayer. (30)

Whatever sinner, Agni, brings oblations to procure our death,

Save us from woe that he would work.

32 Drive from us with your tongue, God, the man who dos evil deeds,

The mortal who would strike us dead.

33 Give shelter reaching far and wide to Bharadvaja, conquering Lord!

Agni, send wealth most excellent.

34 May Agni slay the Vritras,-fain for riches, through the lord of song,

Served with oblation, kindled, bright.

35 His Father's Father, shining in his Mother's everlasting side,

Set on the seat of holy Law.

36 active Jatavedas, bring devotion that wins progeny, Agni, that it may shine to heaven.

37 Child of Strength, to you whose look is lovely we with dainty food,

Agni, have poured forth our songs.

38 To you for shelter are we come, as to the shade from fervent heat

Agni, who glitterest like gold.

39 Mighty as one who slays with shafts, or like a bull with sharpened horn,

Agni, you break down the forts.

40 Whom, like an infant newly born, devourer, in their arms they bear,

Men's Agni, skilled in holy rites.

41 Bear to the banquet of the gods the god best finder-out of wealth,

Let him he seated in his place.

42 In Jatavedas kindle you the dear guest who has now appeared

In a soft place, the homestead's Lord.

43 Harness, Agni, you God, your steeds which are most excellent:

They bear you as your spirit wills.

44 Come here, bring the gods to us to taste the sacrificial feast,

To drink the draught of soma juice.

45 Agni of the Bharatas, blaze high with everlasting might,

Shine forth and gleam, Eternal One.

46 The mortal man who serves the god with banquet, and, bringing gifts at sacrifice, lauds Agni,

May well attract, with prayer and hands uplifted, the priest of Heaven and Earth, true Sacrificer.

47 Agni, we bring you, with our hymn, oblation fashioned in the heart.

Let these be oxen to you, let these be bulls and cows to you.

48 The gods enkindle Agni, best slayer of Vritra, first in rank,

The Mighty, One who brings us wealth and crushes down the Raksasas.

17 - Indra

DRINK Soma, Mighty One, for which, when lauded, you break through the cattle-stall, Indra;

You who, Bold One, armed with thunder smote Vritra with might, and every hostile being. (1)

Drink it you God who are impetuous victor, Lord of our hymns, with beauteousjaws, the hero,

Render of cows-stalls, car-borne, thunder-wielding, so pierce your way to wondrous strength, Indra. (2)

Drink as of old, and let the draught delight you. hear you our prayer and let our songs exalt you.

Make the Sun visible, make food abundant, slaughter the foes, pierce through and free the cattle. (3)

These gladdening drops, Indra, Self-sustainer, quaffed shall augment you in your mighty splendour.

Yea, let the cheering drops delight you greatly, great, perfect, strong, powerful, all-subduing. (4)

Gladdened by which, bursting the firm enclosures, you gave splendour to the Sun and Morning.

The mighty rock that compassed in the cattle, never moved, you shookest from its seat, Indra. (5)

You with your wisdom, power, and works of wonder, have stored the ripe milk in the raw cows' udders

Unbarred the firm doors for the cows of Morning, and, with the Angirases, set free the cattle. (6)

You have spread out wide earth, a mighty marvel, and, high yourself, propped lofty heaven, Indra.

Both worlds, whose Sons are gods, you have supported, young, Mothers from old time ofholy Order. (7)

Yea, Indra, all the deities installed you their one strong Champion in the van for battle.

What time the godless was the gods' assailant, Indra they chose to win the light of heaven. (8)

Yea, even that heaven itself of old bent backward before your bolt, in terror of its anger,

When Indra, life of every living creature, smote down within his lair the assailing Dragon. (9)

Yea, Strong One! Tvastar turned for you, the Mighty, the bolt with thousand spikes and hundred edges,

Eager and prompt at will, wherewith you crushedst the boasting Dragon, impetuous hero. (10)

He dressed a hundred buffaloes, Indra, for you whom all accordant Maruts strengthen.

He, Pusan Vishnu, poured forth three great vessels to him, the juice that cheers, that slaughters Vritra. (11)

You settest free the rushing wave of waters, the floods' great swell encompassed and obstructed.

Along steep slopes their course you tumedst, Indra, directed downward, speeding to the ocean. (12)

So may our new prayer bring you to protect us, you well-armed hero with your bolt of thunder,

Indra, who made these worlds, the Strong, the ty, who never groweth old, the victory-giver. (13)

So, Indra, form us brilliant holy singers for strength, for glory, and for food and riches.

Give Bharadvaja hero patrons, Indra Indra, be ours upon the day of trial. (14)

With this may we obtain strength God-appointed, and brave sons gladden us through a hundred winters.

18 - Indra

GLORIFY him whose might is all-surpassing, Indra the much-invoked who fights uninjured.

Magnify with these songs the never-vanquished, the Strong, the Bull of men, the Mighty Victor. (1)

He, Champion, hero, Warrior, Lord of battles, impetuous, loudly roaring, great destroyer,

Who whirls the dust on high, alone, oerthrower, has made all races of mankind his subjects. (2)

You, you alone, have tamed the Dasyus; singly you have subdued the people for the Arya.

In this, or is it not, your hero exploit, Indra? Declare it at the proper season. (3)

For true, I deem, your strength is, your the Mighty, your, Most Potent, your the Conquering Victor;

Strong, of the strong, Most Mighty, of the mighty, your, driver of the churl to acts of bounty. (4)

Be this our ancient bond of friendship with you and with Angirases here who speak of Vala.

You, Wondrous, Shaker of things firm, did smite him in his fresh strength, and force his doors and castles. (5)

With holy thoughts must he be called, the Mighty, showing his power in the great fight with Vritra.

He must be called to give us seed and offspring, the Thunderer must he moved and sped to battle. (6)

He in his might, with name that lives forever, has far surpassed all human generations.

He, most heroic, has his home with splendour, with glory and with riches and with valour. (7)

Stranger to guile, who never was false or faithless, bearing a name that may be well remembered,

Indra crushed Cumuri, Dhuni, Sambara, Pipru, and Susna, that their castles fell in ruin. (8)

With saving might that must be praised and lauded, Indra, ascend your car to smite down Vritra.

In your right hand hold fast your bolt of thunder, and weaken, Bounteous Lord, his art and magic. (9)

As Agni, as the dart burns the dry forest, like the dread shaft burn down the fiends, Indra;

You who with high deep-reaching spear have broken, have covered over mischief and destroyed it. (10)

With wealth, by thousand paths come here, Agni, paths that bring ample strength, you Most Splendid.

Come, Son of Strength, over whom, Invoked of many! the godless has no power to keep you distant. (11)

From heaven, from earth is bruited forth the greatness of him the firm, the fiery, the resplendent.

No foe has he, no counterpart, no refuge is there from him the Conqueror full of wisdom (12)

This day the deed that you have done is famous, when you, for him, with many thousand others

Laidest low Kutsa, Ayu, Atithigva, and boldly did deliver Turvayana. (13)

In you, God, the wisest of the Sages, all gods were joyful when you slew Ahi.

When lauded for yourself, you gave freedom to sore-afflicted Heaven and to the people. (14)

This power of yours both heaven and earth acknowledge, the deathless gods acknowledge it, Indra.

Do what you never have done, Mighty Worker: beget a new hymn at your sacrifices.

19 - Indra

Great, hero-like controlling men is Indra, unwasting in his powers, doubled in vastness.

He, turned to us, has grown to hero vigour: broad, wide, he has been decked by those who serve him. (1)

The bowl made Indra swift to gather booty, the High, the Lofty, Youthful, Undecaying,

Him who has waxed by strength which none may conquer, and even at once grown to complete perfection. (2)

Stretch out those hands of yours, extend to us-ward your wide capacious arms, and grant us glory.

Like as the household herdsman guards the cattle, so move you round about us in the combat. (3)

Now, fain for strength, let us invite your Indra here, who lieth hidden with his heroes,

Free from all blame, without reproach, uninjured, even as were those who sang, of old, his praises. (4)

With steadfast laws, wealth-giver, strong through Soma, he has much fair and precious food to feed us.

In him unite all paths that lead to riches, like rivers that commingle with the ocean. (5)

Bring to us the mightiest might, hero, strong and most potent force, you great Subduer!

All splendid vigorous powers of men vouchsafe us, Lord of bay steeds, that they may make us joyful. (6)

Bring us, grown mighty in its strength, Indra, your friendly rapturous joy that wins the battle,

Wherewith by you assisted and triumphant, we may laud you in gaining seed and offspring. (7)

Indra, bestow on us the power heroic skilled and exceeding strong, that wins the booty,

Wherewith, by your assistance, we may conquer our foes in battle, be they kin or stranger. (8)

Let your heroic strength come from behind us, before us, from above us or below us.

From every side may it approach us, Indra. Give us the glory of the realm of splendour. (9)

With most heroic aid from you, like heroes Indra, may we win wealth by deeds glory.

You, King, are Lord of earthly, heavenly treasure: vouchsafe us riches vast, sublime, and lasting. (10)

The Bull, whose strength has waxed, whom Maruts follow, free-giving Indra, the Celestial Ruler,

Mighty, all-conquering, the victory-giver, him let us call to grant us new protection. (11)

Give up the people who are high and haughty to these men and to me, Thunder-wielder!

Therefore upon the earth do we invoke you, where heroes win, for sons and cows and waters. (12)

Through these your friendships, God invoked of many! may we be victors over every foeman.

Slaying both kinds of foe, may we, hero, be happy, helped by you, with ample riches.

20 - Indra

GIVE us wealth, Indra, that with might, as heaven overtops the earth, overcomes our foes in battle

Wealth that brings thousands and that wins the corn-lands, wealth, Son of Strength! that vanquishes the foeman. (1)

Even as the power of Dyaus, to you, Indra, all Asura sway was by the gods entrusted,

When you, Impetuous! leagued with Vishnu, slew Vritra the Dragon who enclosed the waters. (2)

Indra, Strong, Victor, Mightier than the mighty, addressed with prayer and perfect in his splendour,

Lord of the bolt that breaks forts in pieces, became the King of the sweet juice of soma.. (3)

There, Indra, while the light was won, the Panis f1ed, 'neath a hundred blows, for wise Dasoni,

And greedy Susna's magical devices nor left he any of their food remaining. (4)

What time the thunder fell and Susna perished, all life's support from the great Druh was taken.

Indra made room for his car-drivcr Kutsa who sate beside him, when he gained the sunlight. (5)

As the Hawk rent for him the stalk that gladdens, he wrenched the head from Namuci the Dasa.

He guarded Nam, Sayya's son, in slumber, and sated him with food, success, and riches. (6)

You, thunder-armed, with your great might have shattered Pipru's strong forts who knew the wiles of serpents.

You gave to your worshipper Rjisvan imperishable Wealth, Bounteous Giver. (7)

The crafty Vetasu, the swift Dasni, and Tugra speedily with all his servants,

Has Indra, gladdening with strong assistance, forced near as it were to glorify the Mother. (8)

Resistless, with the hosts he battles, bearing in both his arms the Vritra-slaying thunder.

He mounts his Bays, as the car-seat an archer: yoked at a word they bear the lofty Indra. (9)

May we, Indra, gain by your new favour: so Parus laud you, with their sacrifices,

That you have wrecked seven autumn forts, their shelter, slain Dasa tribes and aided Purukutsa. (10)

Favouring Usana the son of Kavi, you were his ancient strengthener, Indra.

You gave Navavastva. as a present, to the great father gave back his grandson. (11)

You, roaring Indra, drove on the waters that made a roaring sound like rushing rivers,

What time, hero, over the sea you brought, in safety brought Turvasa and Yadu. (12)

This Indra, was your work in war: you sentest Dhuni and Cumuri to sleep and slumber.

Dabhiti lit the flame for you, and worshipped with fuel, hymns, poured Soma, dressed oblations.

21 - Indra. Visvedevas

THESE the most constant singer's invocations call you who are to be invoked, hero;

Hymns call anew the chariot-borne, Eternal: by eloquence men gain abundant riches. (1)

I praise that Indra, known to all men, honoured with songs, extolled with hymns at sacrifices,

Whose majesty, rich in wondrous arts, surpasss the magnitude of earth, and heaven in greatness. (2)

He has made pathways, with the Sun to aid him, throughout the darkness that extended pathless.

Mortals who yearn to worship never dishonour, Mighty God, your Law who are immortal. (3)

And he who did these things, where is that Indra? among what tribes? what people doth he visit?

What sacrifice contents your mind, and wishes? What priest among them all? what hymn, Indra? (4)

Yea, here were they who, born of old, have served you, your friends of ancient time, you active Worker.

Bethink you now of these, Invoked of many! the midmost and the recent, and the youngest. (5)

Inquiring after him, your later servants, Indra, have gained your former old traditions.

Hero, to whom the prayer is brought, we praise you as great for that wherein we know you mighty. (6)

The demon's strength is gathered fast against you: great as that strength has grown, go forth to meet it.

With your own ancient friend and companion, the thunderbolt, brave Champion! drive it backward. (7)

Hear, too, the prayer of this your present beadsman, Indra, hero, cherishing the singer.

For you were aye our fathers' friend aforetime, still swift to listen to their supplication. (8)

Bring to our help this day, for our protection, Varuna, Mitra, Indra, and the Maruts,

Pusan and Vishnu, Agni and Purandhi, Savitar also, and the Plants and Mountains. (9)

The singers here exalt with hymns and praises you who art very Mighty and Most Holy.

Hear, when invoked, the invoker's invocation. Beside you there is none like you, immortal! (10)

Now to my words come quickly you who know, Son of Strength, with all who claim our worship,

Who visit sacred rites, whose tongue is Agni, gods who made Manu stronger than the Dasyu. (11)

On good and evil ways be you our Leader, you who are known to all as Path-preparer.

Bring power to us, Indra, with your horses, steeds that are best to draw, broad-backed, unwearied.

22 - Indra

With these my hymns I glorify that Indra who is alone to be invoked by mortals,

The Lord, the Mighty One, of manly vigour, victorious, hero, true, and full of wisdom. (1)

Our sires of old,. Navagvas, sages seven, while urging him to show his might, extolled him,

Dwelling on heights, swift, smiting down opponents, guileless in word, and in his thoughts most mighty. (2)

We seek that Indra to obtain his riches that bring much food, and men, and store of heroes.

Bring us, Lord of bay steeds, to make us joyful, celestial wealth, abundant, undecaying. (3)

Tell us this, if at your hand aforetime the earlier singers have obtained good fortune,

What is your share and portion, Strong Subduer, Asura-slayer, rich, invoked of many? (4)

He who for car-borne Indra, armed with thunder, has a hymn, craving, deeply-piercing, fluent,

Who sends a song effectual, firmly-grasping, and strength-bestowing, he comes near the mighty. (5)

Strong of yourself, you by this art have shattered, with thought-swift Parvata, him who waxed against you,

And, Mightiest! roaring! boldly rent in pieces things that were firmly fixed and never shaken. (6)

Him will we fit for you with new devotion, the strongest Ancient One, in ancient manner.

So may that Indra, boundless, faithful Leader, conduct us over all places hard to traverse. (7)

You for the people who oppress have kindled the earthly firmament and that of heaven.

With heat, Bull, on every side consume them: heat earth and flood for him who hates devotion. (8)

Of all the Heavenly Folk, of earthly creatures you are the King, god of splendid aspect.

In your right hand, Indra, grasp die thunder: Eternal! you destroyest all enchantments. (9)

Give us confirmed prosperity, Indra, vast and exhaustless for the foe's subduing.

Strengthen therewith the Arya's hate and Dasa's, and let the arms of Nahusas be mighty. (10)

Come with your team which brings all blessings here, Disposer, much-invoked, exceeding holy.

You whom no fiend, no God can stay or hinder, come swittly with these steeds in my direction.

23 - Indra

You are attached to pressed-out Soma, Indra, at laud, at prayer, and when the hymn is chanted;

Or when with yoked Bays, Maghavan, you come, Indra, bearing in your arms the thunder. (1)

Or when on that decisive day you holpest the presser of the juice at Vritra's slaughter;

Or when you, while the strong one feared, undaunted, gave to death, Indra, the daring Dasyus. (2)

Let Indra drink the pressed-out Soma, helper and mighty Guide of him who sings his praises.

He gives the hero room who pours oblations, and treasure even to the lowly singer. (3)

Even humble rites with his bay steeds he visits: he wields the bolt, drinks Soma, gives us cattle.

He makes the valiant rich in store of heroes, accepts our praise and hears the singer's calling. (4)

What he has longed for we have brought to Indra, who from the days of old has done us service.

While Soma flows we will sing hymn, and laud him, so that our prayer may streng. then Indra's vigour. (5)

You have made prayer the means of yours exalting, therefore we wait on you with hymns, Indra.

May we, by the pressed Soma, Somadrinker! bring you, with sacrifice, blissful sweet refreshment. (6)

Mark well our sacrificial cake, delighted Indra, drink Soma and the milk commingled.

Here on the sacrificer's grass be seated: give ample room to your devoted servant. (7)

Mighty One, be joyful as you willest. Let these our sacrifices reach and find you;

And may this hymn and these our invocations turn you, whom many men invoke, to help us. (8)

Friends, when thejuices flow, replenish duly your own, your bounteous Indra with the soma.

Will it not aid him to support us? Indra. spares him who sheds the juice to win his favour. (9)

While Soma flowed, thus Indra has been lauded, Ruler of nobles, mid the Bharadvajas,

That Indra may become the singer's patron and give him wealth in every kind of treasure.

24 - Indra

Strong rapturous joy, praise, glory are with Indra: impetuous God, he quaffs the juice of soma:

That Maghavan whom men must laud with singing, Heaven-dweller, King of songs, whose help is lasting. (1)

He, friend of man, most wise, victorious hero, hears, with far-reaching aid, the singer call him.

Excellent, Praise of Men, the bard's Supporter, Strong, he gives strength, extolled in holy synod. (2)

The lofty axle of your wheels, hero, is not surpassed by heaven and earth in greatness.

Like branches of a tree, Invoked of many manifold aids spring forth from you, Indra. (3)

Strong Lord, your energies, endowed with vigour, are like the paths of cows converging homeward.

Like bonds of cord, Indra, that bind the younglings, no bonds are they, you of boundless bounty. (4)

One act today, another act tomorrow often Indra makes what is not yet existeni.

Here have we Mitra, Varuna, and Pusan to overcome the foeman's domination. (5)

By song and sacrifice men brought the waters from you, as from a mountain's ridge, Indra.

Urging your might, with these fair lauds they seek you, theme of song, as horses rush to battle. (6)

That Indra whom nor months nor autumn seasons wither with age, nor fleeting days enfeeble,

Still may his body Wax, even now so mighty, glorified by the lauds and hymns that praise him. (7)

Extolled, he bends not to the strong, the steadfast, nor to the bold incited by the Dasyu.

High mountains are as level plains to Indra: even in the deep he finds firm ground to rest on. (8)

Impetuous Speeder through all depth and distance, give strengthening food, you drinker of the juices.

Stand up erect to help us, unreluctant, what time the gloom of night brightens to morning. (9)

Hasting to help, come here and protect him, keep him from harm when he is here, Indra.

At home, abroad, from injury preserve him. May brave sons gladden us through a hundred winters.

25 - Indra

With your assistance, you Mighty Indra, be it the least, the midmost, or the highest,

Great with those aids and by these powers support us, Strong God! in battle that subdues our foemen. (1)

With these discomfit hosts that fight against us, and check the opponent's wrath, yourself uninjured.

With these chase all our foes to every quarter: subdue the tribes of Dasas to the Arya. (2)

Those who array themselves as foes to smite us, Indra, be they kin or be they strangers,

Strike you their manly strength that it be feeble, and drive in headlong flight our foemen backward. (3)

With strength of limb the hero slays the hero, when bright in arms they range them for the combat.

When two opposing hosts contend in battle for seed and offspring, waters, cows, or corn-lands. (4)

Yet no strong man has conquered you, no hero, no brave, no warrior trusting in his valour.

Not one of these is match for you, Indra. You far surpassest all these living creatures. (5)

He is the Lord of both these armies' valour when the commanders call them to the conflict:

When with their ranks expanded they are fighting with a great foe or for a home with heroes. (6)

And when the people stir themselves for battle, be you their saviour, Indra, and protector,

And theirs, your manliest of our friends, the pious, the chiefs who have installed us priests, Indra. (7)

To you for high dominion has been for evermore, for slaughtering the Vritras,

All lordly power and might, Holy Indra, given by gods for victory in battle. (8)

So urge our hosts together in the combats: yield up the godless bands that fight against us.

Singing, at morn may we find you with favour, yea, Indra, and even now, we Bharadvajas.

26 - Indra

Indra, hear us. Raining down the soma, we call on you to win us mighty valour.

Give us strong succour on the day of trial, when the tribes gather on the field of battle. (1)

The warrior, son of warrior sire, invokes you, to gain great strength that may be won as booty:

To you, the brave man's Lord, the fiends' subduer, he looks when fighting hand to hand for cattle. (2)

You did impel the sage to win the daylight, did ruin Susna for the pious Kutsa.

The invulnerable demon's head you clavest when you wouldst win the praise of Atithigva. (3)

The lofty battle-car you brought forward; you holpest Dasadyu the strong when fighting.

Along with Vetasu you slew Tugra, and made Tuji strong, who praised you, Indra. (4)

You made good the laud, what time you rent a hundred thousand fighting foes, hero,

Slew the Dasa Sambara of the mountain, and with strange aids did succour Divodasa. (5)

Made glad with Soma-draughts and faith, you sentest Cumuri to his sleep, to please Dabhiti.

You, kindly giving Raji to Pithinas, slew with might, at once, the sixty thousand. (6)

May I too, with the liberal chiefs, Indra, acquire your blin supreme and domination,

When, Mightiest! hero-girt! Nahusa heroes boast them in you, the triply-strong Defender. (7)

So may we he your friends, your best beloved, Indra, at this holy invocation.

Best be Pratardani, illustrious ruler, in slaying foemen and in gaining riches.

27 - Indra

What deed has Indra done in the wild transport, in quaffing or in friendship with, the soma?

What joys have men of ancient times or recent obtained within the chamber of libation? (1)

In its wild joy Indra has proved him faithful, faithful in quaffing, faithful in its friendship.

His truth is the delight that in this chamber the men of old and recent times have tasted. (2)

All your vast power, Maghavan, we know not, know not the riches of your full abundance.

No one has seen that might of yours, productive of bounty every day renewed, Indra. (3)

This one great power of yours our eyes have witnessed, wherewith you slew Varasikha's children,

When by the force of your descending thunder, at the mere solund, their boldest was demolished. (4)

In aid of Abhyavartin Cayamana, Indra destroyed the seed of Varasikha.

At Hariyupiya he smote the vanguard of the Vrcivans, and the rear fled frighted. (5)

Three thousand, mailed, in quest of fame, together, on the Yavyavati, much-sought Indra,

Vrcivan's sons, falling before the arrow, like bursting vessels went to their destruction. (6)

He, whose two red Steers, seeking goodly pasture, plying their tongues move on 'twixt earth and heaven,

Gave Turvasa to Srnjaya, and, to aid him, gave the Vrcivans up to Daivavata. (7)

Two wagon-teams, with damsels, twenty oxen, Agni, Abhydvartin Cayamdna,

The liberal Sovran, givs me. This guerdon of Prthu's seed is hard to win from others.

28 - Cows

The Kine have come and brought good fortune: let them rest in the cow-pen and be happy near us.

Here let them stay prolific, many-coloured, and yield through many morns their milk for Indra. (1)

Indra aids him who offers sacrifice and gifts: he takes not what is his, and gives him more thereto.

Increasing ever more and ever more his wealth, he makes the pious dwell within unbroken bounds. (2)

These are never lost, no robber ever injures them: no evil-minded foe attempts to harass them.

The master of the Kine lives many a year with these, the Cows by which he pours his gifts and serves the gods. (3)

The charger with his dusty brow overtakes them not, and never to the shambles do they take their way.

These Cows, the cattle of the pious worshipper, roam over widespread pasture where no danger is. (4)

To me the Cows seem Bhaga, they seem Indra, they seem a portion of the first-poured Soma.

These present Cows, they, you Indra. I long for Indra with my heart and spirit. (5)

Cows, you fatten even the worn and wasted, and make the unlovely beautiful tolook on.

Prosper my house, you with auspicious voices. Your power is glorified in our assemblies. (6)

Crop goodly pasturage and be prolific drink pure sweet water at good drinking places.

Never be thief or sinful man your matter, and may the dart of Rudra still avoid you. (7)

Now let this close admixture be close intermigled with these Cows,

Mixt with the Steer's prolific flow, and, Indra, with your hero might.

29 - Indra

YOUR men have followed Indra for his friendship, and for his loving-kindness glorified him.

For he bestows great wealth, the Thunder-wielder: worship him, Great and Kind, to win his favour. (1)

Him to whose hand, men closely cling, and drivers stand on his golden chariot firmly stationed.

With his firm arms he holds the reins; his horses, the stallions, are yoked ready for the journey. (2)

Your devotees embrace your feet for glory. Bold, thunder-armed, rich, through your strength, in guerdon,

Robed in a garment fair as heaven to look on, you have displayed you like an active dancer. (3)

That Soma when effused has best consistence, for which the food is dressed and grain is mingled;

By which the men who pray, extolling Indra chief favourites of gods, recite their praises. (4)

No limit of your might has been appointed, which by its greatness sundered earth and heaven.

These the Prince fills full with strong endeavour, driving, as it were, with help his flocks to waters. (5)

So be the lofty Indra prompt to listen, helper unaided, golden-visored hero.

Yea, so may he, shown forth in might unequalled, smite down the many Vritras and the Dasyus.

30 - Indra

Indra has waxed yet more for hero prowess, alone, Eternal, he bestows treasures.

Indra transcends both the worlds in greatness: one half of him equalls earth and heaven. (1)

Yea, mighty I esteem his godlike nature: none hinders what he has once determined.

Near and afar he spread and set the regions, and every day the Sun became apparent. (2)

Even now endures your exploit of the Rivers, when, Indra, for their floods you clavest passage.

Like men who sit at meat the mountains settled: by you, Most Wise! the regions were made steadfast. (3)

This is the truth, none else is like you, Indra, no God superior to you, no mortal.

You slew Ahi who besieged the waters, and lettest loose the streams to hurry seaward. (4)

Indra, you break up the floods and portals on all sides, and the firmness of the mountain.

You are the King of men, of all that lives, engendering at once Sun, Heaven, and Morning.

31 - Indra

SOLE Lord of wealth are you, Lord of riches: you in your hands have held the people, Indra!

Men have invoked you with contending voices for seed and waters, progeny and sunlight. (1)

Through fear of you, Indra, all the regions of earth, though naught may move them, shake and tremble.

All that is firm is frightened at your coming, -the earth, the heaven, the mountain, and the forest. (2)

With Kutsa, Indra! you did conquer Susna, voracious, bane of crops, in fight for cattle.

In the close fray you rent him: you stolest the Sun's wheel and did drive away misfortunes. (3)

You smote to the ground the hundred castles, impregnable, of Sambara the Dasyu,

When, Strong, with might you holpest Divodasa who poured libations out, Soma-buyer, and made Bharadvaja rich who praised you. (4)

As such, true hero, for great joy of battle mount your terrific car, Brave and Manly.

Come with your help to me, you distant Roamer, and, glorious God, spread among men my glory.

32 - Indra

I With my lips have fashioned for this hero words never matched, most plentiful and auspicious,

For him the Ancient, Great, Strong, Energetic, the very mighty Wielder of the Thunder. (1)

Amid the sages, with the Sun he brightened the Parents: glorified, he burst the mountain;

And, roaring with the holy-thoughted singers, he loosed the bond that held the beams of Morning. (2)

Famed for great deeds, with priests who kneel and laud him, he still has conquered in the frays for cattle,

And broken down the forts, the Fort-destroyer, a friend with friends, a Sage among the sages. (3)

Come with your girthed mares, with abundant vigour and plenteous strength to him who sings your praises.

Come here, borne by mares with many heroes, Lover of song! Steer! for the people's welfare. (4)

Indra with rush and might, sped by his coursers, has swiftly won the waters from the southward.

Thus set at liberty the rivers daily flow to their goal, incessant and exhaustless.

33 - Indra

GIVE us the rapture that is mightiest, Indra, prompt to bestow and swift to aid, hero,

That wins with brave steeds where brave steeds encounter, and quells the Vritras and the foes in battle. (1)

For with loud voice the tribes invoke you, Indra, to aid them in the battlefield of heroes.

You, with the singers, have pierced through the Panis: the charger whom you aidest wins the booty. (2)

Both races, Indra, of opposing foemen, hero, both the Arya and the Dasa,

Have you struck down like woods with well-shot lightnings: you rent them in fight, most manly Chieftain! (3)

Indra, befriend us with no scanty succour, prosper and aid us, Loved of all that lives,

When, fighting for the sunlight, we invoke you, hero, in the fray, in war's division. (4)

Be ours, Indra, now and for the future, be graciously inclined and near to help us.

Thus may we, singing, sheltered by the Mighty, win many cattle on the day of trial.

34 - Indra

Full Many songs have met in you, Indra, and many a noble thought from you proceedeth.

Now and of old the eulogies of sages, their holy hymns and lauds, have yearned for Indra. (1)

He, praised of many, bold, invoked of many, alone is glorified at sacrifices.

Like a car harnessed for some great achievement, Indra must be the cause of our rejoicing. (2)

They make their way to Indra and exalt him, bim whom no prayers and no laudations trouble;

For when a hundred or a thousand singers. laud him who loves the song their praise delights him. (3)

As brightness mingles with the Moon in heaven, the offered Soma yearns to mix with Indra.

Like water brought to men in desert places, our gifts at sacrifice have still refreshed him. (4)

To him this mighty eulogy, to Indra has this our laud been uttered by the poets,

That in the great encounter with the foemen, Loved of all life, Indra may guard and help us.

35 - Indra

When shall our prayers rest in your car beside you? When do you give the singer food for thousands?

When will you clothe this poet's laud with plenty, and when will you enrich our hymns with booty? (1)

When will you gatber men with men, Indra, heroes with heroes, and prevail in combat?

You shall win triply cows in frays for cattle, so, Indra, give us celestial glory. (2)

Yea, when will you, Indra, you Most Mighty, make the prayer all-sustaining for the singer?

When will you yoke, as we yoke songs, your horses, and come to offerings that bring wealth in cattle? (3)

Grant to the Singer food with store of cattle, splendid with horses and the fame of riches.

Send food to swell the milk-cow good at milking: bright be its shine among the Bharadvajas. (4)

Lead otherwise this present foeman, Sakra! Hence are you praised as hero, foe destroyer

Him who gives pure gifts may I praise unceasing. Sage, quicken the Angirases by devotion.

36 - Indra

YOUR raptures ever were for all men's profit: so evermore have been your earthly riches.

You still have been the dealer-forth of vigour, since among gods you have had power and Godhead. (1)

Men have obtained his strength by sacrificing, and ever urged him, on to hero valour.

For the rein-seizing, the impetuous Charger they furnished power even for Vritra's slaughter. (2)

Associate with him, as teams of horses, help, manly might, and vigour follow Indra.

As rivers reach the sea, so, strong with praises, our holy songs reach him the Comprehensive. (3)

Lauded by us, let flow the spring, Indra, of excellent and brightly-shining riches.

For you are Lord of men, without an equal: of all the world you are the only Sovran. (4)

Hear what you may hear, you who, fain for worship, as heaven girds earth, guardest your servant's treasure;

Tlat you may be our own, joying in power, famed through your might in every generation.

37 - Indra

Let your bay horses, yoked, mighty Indra, bring your car here fraught with every blessing.

For you, the Heavenly, even the poor invoketh: may we this day, your feast-companions, prosper. (1)

Forth to the vat the brown drops flow for service, and purified proceed directly forward.

May Indra drink of this, our guest aforetime, Celestial King of the strong draught of soma. (2)

Bringing us hereward all-potent Indra on well-wheeled chariot, may the steeds who bear him

Convey him on the road direct to glory, and never may Vayu's Amrita cease and fail him. (3)

Supreme, he stirs this man to give the guerdon,-Indra, most efficacious of the princes,

Wherewith, Thunderer, you removest sorrow, and, Bold One! partest wealth among the nobles. (4)

Indra is hewho gives enduring vigour: may our songs magnify the god Most Mighty.

Best Vritra-slayer be the HerIndra these things he gives as Prince, with strong endeavour.

38 - Indra

He has drunk hence, Most Marvellous, and carried away our great and splendid call on Indra.

The Bounteous, when we serve the gods, accepts song yet more famous and the gifts we bring him. (1)

The speaker fills with a cry to Indra his ears who coms nigh even from a distance.

May this my call bring Indra to my presence, this call to gods composed in sacred verses. (2)

Him have I sung with my best song and praises, Indra of ancient birth and Everlasting.

For prayer and songs in him are concentrated: let laud wax mighty when addressed to Indra: (3)

Indra, whom sacrifice shall strengthen, Soma, and song and hymn, and praises and devotion,

Whom Dawns shall strengthen when the night departeth, Indra whom days shall strengthen, months, and autumns. (4)

Him, born for conquering might in full perfection, and waxen strongfor bounty and for glory,

Great, Powerful, will we today, singer, invite to aid. us and to quell our foemen.

39 - Indra

OF this our charming, our celestial Soma, eloquent, wise, priest, with inspired devotion,

Of this your close attendant, have you drunken. God, send the singer food with milk to grace it. (1)

Craving the cows, rushing against the mountain led on by Law, with holyminded comrades,

He broke the never-broken ridge of Vala. With words of might Indra subdued the Panis. (2)

This Indu lighted darksome nights, Indra, throughout the years, at morning and at evening.

Him have they stablished as the days' bright ensign. He made the Mornings to be born in splendour. (3)

He shone and caused to shme the worlds that shone not. By Law he lighted up the host of Mornings.

He moves with steeds yoked by eternal Order, contenting men with nave that finds the sunlight. (4)

Now, praised, Ancient King! fill you the singer with plenteous food that he may deal forth treasures.

Give waters, herbs that have no poison, forests, and cows, and steeds, and men, to him who lauds you.

40 - Indra

DRINK, Indra; juice is shed to make you joyful: loose your bay steeds and give your friends their freedom.

Begin the song, seated in our assembly. Give strength for sacrifice to him who singeth. (1)

Drink you of this whereof at birth, Indra, you drank, Mighty One for power and rapture.

The men, the pressing-stones, the cows, the waters have made this Soma ready for your drinking. (2)

The fire is kindled, Soma pressed, Indra: let your bays, best to draw, convey you here.

With mind devoted, Indra, I invoke you. Come, for our great prosperity approach us. (3)

Indra, come here: evermore you camest through our great strong desire to drink the soma.

Listen and hear the prayers which now we offer, and let this sacrifice increase your vigour. (4)

May you, Indra, on the day of trial, present or absent, wheresoever you dwellest,

Thence, with your team, accordant with the Maruts, Song-lover, guard our sacrifice, to help us.

41 - Indra

Come gracious to our sacrifice, Indra: pressed Soma-drops are purified to please you.

As cattle seek their home, so Thunderwielder, come, Indra, first of those who claim our worship. (1)

With that well-formed most wide-extending palate, wherewith you ever drinkest streams of sweetness,

Drink you; the Adhvaryu stands up before you: let your spoil-winning thunderbolt attend you. (2)

This drop, steer-strong and omniform, the soma, has been made ready for the Bull, for India.

Drink this, Lord of the Bays, you Strong Supporter, this that is your of old, your food forever. (3)

Soma when pressed excels the unpressed Soma, better, for one who knows, to give him pleasure.

Come to this sacrifice of ours, Victor replenish all your powers with this libation. (4)

We call on you, Indra: come here: sufficient be the soma for your body.

Rejoice you, Satakratu! in the juices guard us in wars, guard us among our people.

42 - Indra

Bring sacrificial gifts to him, Omniscient, for he longs to drink,

The Wanderer who comes with speed, the hero ever in the van. (1)

With Soma go you nigh to him chief drinker of the soma's juice:

With beakers to the Impetuous God, Indra with the drops effused. (2)

What time, with Soma, with the juice effused, you come before the god,

Full wise he knows the hope of each, and, Bold One, strikes this foe and that. (3)

To him, Adhvaryu! yea, to him give offerings of the juice expressed.

Will he not keep us safely from the spiteful curse of each presumptuous high-born foe?

43 - Indra

IN whose wild joy you made once Sambara Divodasa's prey,

This Soma is pressed out for you, Indra: drink! (1)

Whose gladdening draught, shed from the points, you guardest in the midst and end,

This Soma is pressed out for you, Indra drink! (2)

In whose wild joy you settest free the cows held fast within the rock,

This Soma is pressed out for you, Indra: drink! (3)

This, in whose juice delighting you gainest the might of Maghavan,

This Soma is pressed out for you, Indra drink!

44 - Indra

That which is wealthiest, Wealthy God in splendoursmost illustrious,

Soma is pressed: your gladdening draught, Indra! libation's Lord! is this. (1)

Effectual, Most Effectual One! your, as bestowing wealth of hymns,

Soma is pressed: your gladdening draught, Indra! libation's Lord! is this. (2)

Wherewith you are increased in strength, and conquerest with your proper aids,

Soma is pressed: your gladdening draught, Indra! libation's Lord! is this. (3)

Him for your sake I glorify as Lord of Strength who wrongs none,

The HerIndra, conquering all, Most Bounteous, god of all the tribes. (4)

Those Goddesses, both Heaven and Earth, revere the power and might of him,

Him whom our songs increase in strength, the Lord of bounty swift to come. (5)

To seat your Indra, I will spread abroad with power this song of praise.

The saving succours that abide in him, like songs, extend and grow. (6)

A recent friend, he found the skilful priest: he drank, and showed forth treasure from the gods.

He conquered, borne by strong all-shaking mares, and was with far-spread power his friends' Protector. (7)

In course of Law the sapient juice was quaffed: the deities to glory turned their mind.

Winning through hymns a lofty title, he, the Lovely, made his beauteous form apparent. (8)

Bestow on us the most illustrious strength ward off men's manifold malignities.

Give with your might abundant vital force, and aid us graciously in gaining riches. (9)

We turn to you as Giver, liberal Indra. Lord of the bay steeds, be not you ungracious.

No friend among mankind have we to lookto: why have men called you him who spurs the niggard? (10)

Give us not up, Strong hero! to the hungry: unharmed be we whom you, so rich, befriendest.

Full many a boon have you for men demolish those who present no gifts nor pour oblations. (11)

As Indra thundering impels the rain-clouds, so doth he send us store of cows and horses.

You are of old the Cherisher of singers let not the rich who bring no gifts deceive you. (12)

Adbyaryu, hero, bring to mighty Indrafor he is King thereof-the pressed-out juices;

To him exalted by the hymns and praises, ancient and modern, of the singing Rishis. (13)

In the wild joy of this has Indra, knowing full many a form, struck down resistless Vritras.

Proclaim aloud to him the savoury Soma so that the hero, strong of jaw, may drink it. (14)

May Indra drink this Soma poured to please him, and cheered therewith slay Vritra with his thunder.

Come to our sacrifice even from a distance, good lover of our songs, the bard's Supporter. (15)

The cup whence Indra drinks the draught is present: the Amrita dear to Indra has been drunken,

That it may cheer the god to gracious favour, and keep far from us hatred and affliction. (16)

Therewith enraptured, hero, slay our foemen, the unfriendly, Maghavan be they kin or strangers,

Those who still aim their hostile darts to smite us, turn them to flight, Indra, crush and kill them. (17)

Indra Maghavan, in these our battles win easy paths for us and ample freedom.

That we may gain waters and seed and offspring, set you our princes on your side, Indra. (18)

Let your bay stallions, harnessed, bring you here, steeds with strong chariot and strong reins to hold them,

Strong horses, speeding here, bearing thunder, well-harnessed, for the strong exciting potion. (19)

Beside the vat, Strong God! stand your strong horses, shining with holy oil, like waves exulting.

Indra, they bring to you, the Strong and Mighty, Soma of juices shed by mighty press-stones. (20)

You are the Bull of earth, the Bull of heaven, Bull of the rivers, Bull of standing waters.

For you, the Strong, Bull, has Indu swollen. juice pleasant, sweet to drink, for your election. (21)

This God, with might, when first he had his being, with Indra for ally, held fast the Pani.

This Indu stole away the warlike weapons, and foiled the arts of his malignant father. (22)

The Dawns he wedded to a glorious Consort, and set within the Sun the light that lights him.

He found in heaven, in the third lucid regions, the threefold Amrita in its close concealment. (23)

He stayed and held the heaven and earth asunder: the chariot with the sevenfold reins he harnessed.

This Soma Set with power within the milk-cows a spring whose ripe contents ten fingers empty.

45 - Indra

That Indra is our youthful friend, who with his trusty guidance led

Turvasa, Yadu from afar. (1)

Even to the dull and uninspired Indra, gives vital power, and wins

Even with slow steed the offered prize. (2)

Great are his ways of guiding us, and!nanilbld are Ins eulogies:

His kind protections never fail. (3)

Friends, sing your psalm and offer praise to him to whom the prayer is brought:

For our great Providence is he. (4)

You, Slaughterer of Vritra, are Guardian and friend of one and two,

Yea, of a man like one of us. (5)

Beyond men's hate you leadest us, and give cause to sing your praise:

Good hero are you called by men. (6)

I call with hymns, as it were a cow to milk, the friend who merits praise,

The Brahman who accepts the prayer. (7)

Him in whose hands they say are stored all treasures from the days of old,

The hero, conquering in the fight. (8)

Lord of Strength, Caster of the Stone, destroy the firm forts built by men,

And foil their arts, unbending God! (9)

You, you as such, Lord of Power, Indra, Soma-drinker, true,

We, fain for glory, have invoked. (10)

Such as you were of old, and art now to be called on when the prize

lies ready, listen to our call. (11)

With hymns and coursers we will gain, Indra, through you, both steeds and spoil

Most glorious, and the proffered prize. (12)

You, Indra, Lover of the Song, whom men must stir to help, have been

Great in the contest for the prize. (13)

Slayer of foes, whatever aid of yours imparts the swiftest course,

With that impel our car to speed. (14)

As skilfullest of those who drive the chariot, with our art and aim,

Conqueror, win the proffered prize. (15)

Praise him who, Matchless and Alone, was born the Lord of living men,

Most active, with heroic soul. (16)

You who have been the singers' friend, a friend auspicious with your aid,

As such, Indra, favour us. (17)

Grasp in your arms the thunderbolt, Thunder-armed, to slay the fiends:

May you subdue the foemen's host. (18)

I call the ancient friend, allied with wealth, who speeds the lowly man,

Him to whom chiefly prayer is brought. (19)

For he alone is Lord of all the treasures of the earth: he speeds

Here, chief Lover of the Song. (20)

So with your yoked teams satisfy our wish with power and wealth in steeds

And cattle, boldly, Lord of cows!

22 Sing this, what time the ' juice is pressed, to him your hero, Much-invoked,

To please him as a mighty Steer. (22)

He, Excellent, withholds not his gift of power and wealth in cows,

When he has listened to our songs. (23)

May he with might unclose for us the cow's stall, whosesoever it be,

To which the Dasyu-slayer goes. (24)

Indra Satakratu, these our songs have called aloud to you,

Like mother cows to meet their calves. (25)

Hard is your love to win: you are a Steer to him who longs for steers:

Be to one craving steeds a steed. (26)

Delight you with the juice we pour for your own great munificence:

Yield not your singer to reproach. (27)

These songs with every draught we pour come, Lover of the Song, to you,

As milk-cows hasten to their young (28)

To you most often invoked, amid the many singers' rivalry

Who beg with all their might for wealth. (29)

Nearest and most attractive may our laud, Indra come to you.

Urge us on to ample wealth. (30)

Brbu has set himself above the Panis, over their highest head,

Like the wide bush on Ganga's bank.

32 He whose good bounty, thousandfold, swift as the rushing of the wind,

Suddenly offers as a gift.

33 So all our singers ever praise the pious Brbu's noble deed,

Chief, best to give his thousands, best to give a thousand liberal gifts.

46 - Indra

That we may win us wealth and power we poets, verily, call on you:

In war men call on you, Indra, the hero's Lord, in the steed's race-course call on you. (1)

As such, Wonderful, whose hand holds thunder, praised as mighty, Caster of the Stone!

Pour on us boldly, Indra, cows and chariotsteeds, ever to be the conqueror's strength. (2)

We call upon that Indra, who, most active, ever slays the foe:

Lord of the brave, Most Manly, with a thousand powers, help you and prosper us in fight. (3)

Rcisama, you force men as with a bull, with anger, in the furious fray.

Be our helper in the mighty battle fought for sunlight, water, and for life. (4)

Indra, bring us name and fame, enriching, mightiest, excellent,

Wherewith, Wondrous God, fair-visored, thunder-armed, you have filled full this earth and heaven. (5)

We call on you, King, Mighty amid the gods, Ruler of men, to succour us.

All that is weak in us, Excellent God, make firm: make our foes easy to subdue. (6)

All strength and valour that is found, Indra, in tribes of Nahusas, and all the splendid fame that the Five Tribes enjoy

Bring, yea, all manly powers at once. (7)

Or, Maghavan, what vigorous strength in Trksi lay, in Druhyus or in Paru's folk,

Fully bestow on us, that, in the conquering fray, we may subdue our foes in fight. (8)

Indra, grant a happy home, a triple refuge triply strong.

Bestow a dwelling-place on the rich lords and me, and keep your dart afar from these. (9)

They who with minds intent on spoil subdue the foe, boldly attack and smite him down,

From these, Indra Maghavan who love song, be closest guardian of our lives. (10)

And now, Indra, strengthen us: come near and aid us in the fight,

What time the feathered shafts are flying in the air, the arrows with their sharpened points. (11)

Give us, where heroes strain their bodies in the fight, the shelter that our fathers loved.

To us and to our sons give refuge: keep afar all unobserved hostility. (12)

When, Indra, in the mighty fray you urgest chargers to their speed,

On the uneven road and on a toilsome path, like falcons, eager for renown, (13)

Speeding like rivers rushing down a steep descent, responsive to the urging call,

That come like birds attracted to the bait, held in by reins in both the driver's hands.

47 - Indra, etc

YEA, this is good to taste and full of. sweetness, verily it is strong and rich in flavour.

No one may conquer Indra in the battle when he has drunken of the draught we offer. (1)

This sweet juice here had mightiest power to gladden: it boldened Indra when he siaughtered Vritra,

When he defeated Sambara's many onslaughts, and battered down his nineand ninety ramparts. (2)

This stirrs up my voice when I have drunk it: this has aroused from sleep my yearning spirit.

This Sage has measured out the six expanses from which no single creature is excluded. (3)

This, even this, is he who has created the breadth of earth, the lofty height of heaven.

He formed the nectar in three headlong rivers. Soma supports the wide mid-air above us. (4)

He found the wavy sea of brilliant colours in forefront of the Dawns who dwell in brightness.

This Mighty One, the Steer begirt by Maruts, has propped the heavens up with a mighty pillar. (5)

Drink Soma boldly from the beaker, Indra, in war for treasures, hero, Vritra-slayer!

Fill yourself full at the mid-day libation, and give us wealth, you Treasury of riches. (6)

Look out for us, Indra, as our Leader, and guide us on to gain yet goodlier treasure.

Excellent Guardian, bear us well through peril, and lead us on to wealth with careful guidance. (7)

Lead us to ample room, you who know, to happiness, security, and sunlight.

High, Indra, are the arms of you the Mighty: may we betake. us to their lofty shelter. (8)

Set us on widest chariot-seat, Indra, with two steeds best to draw, Lord of Hundreds!

Bring us the best among all sorts of viands: let not the foe's wealth, Maghavan, subdue us. (9)

Be gracious, Indra, let my days be lengthened: sharpen my thought as it were a blade of iron

Approve whatever words I speak, dependent on you, and grant me your divine protection. (10)

Indra the Rescuer, Indra the helper, hero who listens at each invocation,

Sakra I call, Indra invoked of many. May Indra Maghavan prosper and bless us. (11)

May helpful Indra as our good Protector, Lord of all treasures, favour us with succour,

Baffle our foes, and give us rest and safety, and may we be the lords of hero vigour. (12)

May we enjoy the grace of him the Holy, yea, may we dwell in his auspicious favour.

May helpful Indra as our good Preserver drive from us, even from afar, our foemen. (13)

Like rivers rushing down a slope, Indra, to you haste songs and prayers and linked verses.

You gatherest, Thunderer! like widespread bounty, cows, water, drops, and manifold libations. (14)

Who lauds him, satisfies him, pays him worship? Even the rich noble still has found him mighty.

With power, as when one moves his feet alternate, he makes the last precede, the foremost follow. (15)

Famed is the hero as each strong man's tamer, ever advancing one and then another.

King of both worlds, hating the high and haughty, Indra protects the men who are his people. (16)

He loves no more the men he loved aforetime: he turns and moves away allied with others.

Rejecting those who disregard his worship, Indra victorious lives through many autumns. (17)

In every figure he has been the mode: this is his only form for us to look on.

Indra moves multiform by his illusions; for his bay steeds are yoked, ten times a hundred. (18)

Here Tvastar, yoking to the car the bay steeds, has extended sway.

Who will forever stand upon the foeman's side, even when our princes sit at ease? (19)

gods, we have reached a country void of pasture the land, though spacious, was too small to hold us.

Brihaspati, provide in war for cattle; find a path, Indra, for this faithful singer. (20)

Day after day far from their seat he drove them, alike, from place to place, those darksome creatures.

The hero slew the meanly-huckstering Dasas, Varcin and Sambara, where the waters gather. (21)

Out of your bounty, Indra, has Prastoka bestowed ten coffers and ten mettled horses.

We have received in turn from Divodasa Sambara's wealth, the gift of Atithigva. (22)

Ten horses and ten treasure-chests, ten garments as an added gift,

These and ten lumps of gold have I received from Divodasa's hand. (23)

Ten cars with extra steed to each, for the Atharvans hundred cows,

Has Asvatha to Payu given. (24)

Thus Srnjaya's son honoured the Bharadvajas, recipients of all noble gifts and bounty. (25)

Lord of the wood, be firm and strong in body: be, bearing us, a brave victorious hero

Show forth your strength, compact with straps of leather, and let your rider win all spoils of battle. (26)

Its mighty strength was borrowed from the heaven and earth: its conquering force was brought from sovrans of the wood.

Honour with holy gifts the Car like Indra's bolt, the Car bound round with straps, the vigour of the floods. (27)

You Bolt of Indra, Vanguard of the Maruts, close knit to Varuna and Child of Mitra,

As such, accepting gifts which here we offer, receive, godlike Chariot, these oblations. (28)

Send forth your voice aloud through earth and heaven, and let the world in all its breadth regard you;

Drum, accordant with the gods and Indra, drive you afar, yea, very far, our foemen. (29)

Thunder out strength and fill us full of vigour: yea, thunder forth and drive away all dangers.

Drive hence, War-drum, drive away misfortune: you are the Fist of Indra: show your firmness. (30)

Drive here those, and these again bring here: the War-drum speaks aloud as battle's signal.

Our heroes, winged with horses, come together. Let our car-warriors, Indra, be triumphant.

48 - Agni and Others

SING to your Agni with each song, at every sacrifice, for strength.

Come, let us praise the Wise and Everlasting God, even as a well-beloved friend, (1)

The Son of Strength; for is he not our gracious Lord? Let us serve him who bears our gifts.

In battle may he be our help and strengthener, yea, be the saviour of our lives. (2)

Agni, you beamest forth with light, great hero, never changed by time.

Shining, pure Agni! with a light that never fades, beam with your fair beams brilliantly. (3)

You worshippest great gods: bring them without delay by wisdom and your wondrous power.

Agni, make them turn here to succour us. Give strength, and win it for yourself. (4)

He whom floods, stones, and trees support, the offspring of eternal Law;

He who when rubbed with force is brought to life by men upon the lofty height of earth; (5)

He who has filled both worlds fult with his brilliant shine, who hastens with his smoke to heaven;

He made himself apparent through the gloom by night, the Red Bull in the darksome nights, the Red Bull in the darksome nights. (6)

Agni, with your lofty beams, with your pure brilliancy, God,

Kindled, Most Youthful One! by Bharadvaja's hand, shine on us, pure God, with wealth, shine, Purifier! splendidly. (7)

You are the Lord of house and home of all the tribes, Agni, of all tribes of men.

Guard with a hundred forts your kindler from distress, through hundred winters, Youngest God! and those who make your singers rich. (8)

Wonderful, with your favouring help, send us your bounties, gracious Lord.

You are the Charioteer, Agni, of earthly wealth: find rest and safety for our seed. (9)

With guards unfailing never negligent speed you our children and our progeny.

Keep far from us, Agni, all celestial wrath and wickedness of godless men. (10)

Here, friends, with newest song drive her who freely pours her milk;

Loose her who never turns away; (11)

Who, for the host of Maruts bright with native sheen, has shed immortal fame like milk;

Whom the impetuous Maruts look upon with love, who moves in splendour on their ways. (12)

For Bharadvaja she poured down in days of old

The milk-cow yielding milk for all, and food that gives all nourishment. (13)

Your friend like Indra passing wise, with magic power like Varuna.

Like Aryaman joy-giving, bringing plenteous food like ViSnxu for my wish, I praise, (14)

Bright as the host of Maruts mighty in their roar. May they bring Pusan free from foes;

May they bring here hundreds, thousands for our men: may they bring hidden stores to light, and make wealth easy to be found. (15)

Haste to me, Pusan, in your car, bright deity: I fain would speak:

Most sinful is our foeman's hate. (16)

Tear not up by the roots the Kakambira tree: destroy you all malignity.

Let them not snare by day the neck of that Celestial Bird the Sun. (17)

Uninjured let your friendship be, like the smooth surface of a skin,

A flawless skin, containing curds, full to the mouth, containing curds. (18)

For you are high above mankind, in glory equal to the gods.

Therefore, Pusan, look upon us in the fight: now help us as in days of old. (19)

May the kind excellence of him the Kind, loud Roarers! be our guide,

Be it the god's, Maruts, or a mortal man's who worships, you impetuous Ones! (20)

They whose high glory in a moment like the god, the Sun, goes round the space of heaven,

The Maruts have obtained bright strength, a sacred name, strength that destroys the Vritras, strength Vritra-destroying excellent. (21)

Once, only once, the heaven was made, once only once, the earth was formed-

Once, only Prsni's milk was shed: no second, after this, is born.

49 - Visvedevas

I laud with newest songs the Righteous People, Mitra and Varuna who make us happy.

Let them approach, here let them listen,Agni, Varuna, Mitra, lords of fair dominion. (1)

Him, to be praised at each tribe's sacrifices, the Two young Matrons' sober-minded Herald,

The Son of Strength, the Child of Heaven, the signal of sacrifice, red Agni will I worship. (2)

Unlike in form are the Red God's two Daughters: one is the Sun's, and stars bedeck the other.

Apart, the Sanctifiers, in succession, come to the famed hymn, praised in holy verses. (3)

I with a lofty song call here Vayu, all-bounteous, filler of his car, most wealthy.

You, Sage, with bright path, Lord of harnessed horses, impetuous, promptly honourest the prudent. (4)

That chariot of the Asvins, fair to look on, pleass me well, yoked with a thought, refulgent,

Wherewith, Nasatyas, Chiefs, you seek our dwelling, to give new strength to us and to our children. (5)

Bulls of the Earth, Vata and Parjanya, stir up for us the regions of the water.

Hearers of truth, you, Sages, World-Supporters, increase his living wealth whose songs delight you. (6)

So may Sarasvati, the hero's Consort, brisk with rare life, the lightning's Child, inspire us,

And, with the Dames accordant, give the singer a refuge unassailable and flawless. (7)

I praise with eloquence him who guards all pathways. He, when his love impelled him, went to Arka.

May he vouchsafe us gear with gold to grace it: may Pusan make each prayer of ours efective. (8)

May Herald Agni, fulgent, bring for worship Tvastar adored, in homes and swift to listen,

Glorious, first to share, the life-bestower, the ever active God, fair-armed, fair-handed. (9)

Rudra by day, Rudra at night we honour with these our songs, the Universe's Father.

Him great and lofty, blissful, undecaying let us call specially as the Sage impels us. (10)

You who are youthful, wise, and meet for worship, come, Martits, to the longing of the singer.

Coming, as erst to Angiras, heroes, you animate and quicken even the desert. (11)

Even as the herdsman drivs home his cattle, I urge my songs to him the strong swift hero

May he, the glorious, lay upon his body the singer's hymns, as stars bedeck the heaven. (12)

He who for man's behoof in his afiliction thrice measured out the earthly regions, Vishnu-

When one so great as you affords shelter, may we with wealth and with ourselves be happy. (13)

Sweet be this song of mine to Ahibudhnya, Parvata, Savitar, with Floods and Lightnings;

Sweet, with the Plants, to gods who seek oblations. May liberal Bhaga speed us on to riches. (14)

Give riches borne on cars, with many heroes, contenting men, the guard of mighty Order.

Give us a lasting home that we may battle with godless bands of men who fight against us, and meet with tribes to whom the gods are gracious.

50 - Visvedevas

I CALL with prayers on Aditi your Goddess, on Agni, Mitra, Varuna for favour,

On Aryaman who gives unasked, the gracious, on gods who save, on Savitar and Bhaga. (1)

Visit, to prove us free from sin, Surya Lord of great might, the bright gods sprung from Daksa,

Twice-born and true, observing sacred duties, Holy and full of light, whose tongue is Agni. (2)

And, you Heaven and Earth, a wide dominion, you most blissful Worlds, our lofty shelter,

Give ample room and freedom for our dwelling, a home, you Hemispheres, which none may rival. (3)

This day invited may the Sons of Rudra, resistless, excellent, stoop down to meet us;

For, when beset with slight or sore affliction, we ever call upon the gods, the Maruts; (4)

To whom the goddess Rodasi clings closely, whom Pusan follows bringing ample bounty.

What time you hear our call and come, Maruts, upon your separate path all creatures tremble. (5)

With a new hymn extol, you who sing, the Lover of the Song, the HerIndra.

May he, exalted, hear our invocation, and grant us mighty wealth and strength when lauded. (6)

Give full protection, friends of man, you Waters, in peace and trouble, to our sons and grandsons.

For you are our most motherly physicians, parents of all that standeth, all that moves. (7)

May Savitar come here and approach us, the god who rescues, Holy, goldenhanded,

The god who, bounteous as the face of Morning, discloses precious gifts for him who worships. (8)

And you, Son of Strength, do you turn here the gods today to this our holy service.

May I for evermore enjoy your bounty and, Agni, by your grace be rich in heroes. (9)

Come also to my call, you Nasatyas, yea, verily, through my prayers, you Holy Sages.

As from great darkness you delivered Atri, protect us, Chiefs, from danger in the conflict. (10)

gods, bestow upon us riches, splendid with strength and heroes, bringing food in plenty.

Be gracious, helpful gods of earth, of heaven, born of the Cow, and dwellers in the waters. (11)

May Rudra and Sarasvati, accordant, Vishnu and Vayu, pour down gifts and bless us;

Ribhuksan, Vaja, and divine Vidhatar, Parjanya, Vata make our food abundant. (12)

May this God Savitar, the Lord, the Offspring of Waters, pouring down his dew be gracious,

And, with the gods and Dames accordant, Tvastar; Dyaus with the gods and Prthivi with oceans. (13)

May Aja-Ekapad and Ahibudhnya, and Earth and Ocean hear our invocation;

All gods who strengthen Law, invoked and lauded, and holy texts uttered by sages, help us. (14)

So with my thoughts and hymns of praise the children of Bharadvaja sing aloud to please you.

The Dames invoked, and the resistless Vasus, and all you Holy Ones have been exalted.

51 - Visvedevas

That mighty eye of Varuna and Mitra, infallible and dear, is moving upward.

The pure and lovely face of holy Order has shone like gold of heaven in its arising. (1)

The Sage who knows these gods' three ranks and orders, and all their generations near and distant,

Beholding good and evil acts of mortals, Sura marks well the doing of the pious. (2)

I praise you Guards of mighty Law eternal, Aditi, Mitra, Varuna, the noble,

Aryaman, Bhaga, all whose thoughts are faithful: here I call the Bright who share in common. (3)

lords of the brave, infallible, foe-destroyers, great Kings, bestowers of fair homes to dwell in,

Young, heroes, ruling heaven with strong dominion, Adityas, Aditi I seek with worship. (4)

Heaven our Father, Earth our guileless Mother, Brother Agni, and you Vasus, bless us.

Grant us, Aditi and you Adityas, all of one mind, your manifold protection. (5)

Give us not up to any evil creature, as spoil to wolf or she-wolf, you Holy.

For you are they who guide aright our bodies, you are the rulers of our speech and vigour. (6)

Let us not suffer for the sin of others, nor do the deed which you, Vasus, punish.

You, Universal gods! are all-controllers: may he do harm to himself who hates Me. (7)

Mighty is homage: I adopt and use it. Homage has held in place the earth and heaven.

Homage to gods! Homage commands and rules them. I banish even committed sin by homage (8)

You Furtherers of Law, pure in your spirit, infallible, dwellers in the home of Order,

To you all heroes mighty and far-seeing I bow me down, Holy Ones, with homage. (9)

For these are they who shine with noblest splendour; through all our troubles these conduct us safely-

Varuna, Mitra, Agni, mighty Rulers, trueminded, faithful to the hymn's controllers. (10)

May they, Earth, Aditi, Indra, Bhaga, Pusan increase our laud, increase the Fivefold people.

Giving good help, good refuge, goodly guidance, be they our good deliverers, good protectors. (11)

Come now, gods, to your celestial station: the Bharadvajas' priest entreats your favour.

He, sacrificing, fain for wealth, has honoured the gods vath those who sit and share oblations. (12)

Agni, drive you the wicked foe, the evil-hearted thief away,

Far, far, Lord of the brave I and give us easy paths. (13)

Soma, these pressing-stones have called aloud to win you for our friend.

Destroy the greedy Pani, for a wolf is he. (14)

You, most bountiful, are they who, led by Indra, seek the sky.

Give us good paths for travel: guard us ivell at home. (15)

Now have we entered on the road that leads to bliss, without a foe,

The road whereon a man escapes all enemies and gathers wealth.

52 - Visvedevas

This I allow not in the earth or heaven, at sacrifice or in these holy duties.

May the huge mountains crush him down: degraded be Atiyaja's sacrificing patron. (1)

Or he who holds us in contempt, Maruts, or seeks to blame the prayer that we are making,

May agonies of burning be his portion. May the sky scorch the man who hates devotion. (2)

Why then, Soma, do they call you keeper of prayer? Why then our guardian from reproaches?

Why then beholdest you how men revile us? Cast your hot dart at him who hates devotion. (3)

May Mornings as they spring to life, protect me, and may the Rivers as they swell preserve me.

My guardians be the firmly-seated mountains: the Fathers, when I call on gods, defend me! (4)

Through all our days may we be healthy. minded, and look upon the Sun when he arises.

Grant this the Treasure-Lord of treasures, coming, observant, oftenest of gods, with succour! (5)

Most near, most often comes Indra with protection, and she Sarasvati, who swells with rivers -

Parjanya, bringing health with herbs, and Agni, well lauded swift to listen, like a father. (6)

Hear this mine invocation; come here, Universal gods,

Be seated on this holy grass. (7)

To him who comes to meet you, gods, with offerings bathed in holy oil-

Approach you, one and all, to him. (8)

All Sons of Immortality shall listen to the songs we sing,

And be exceeding good to us. (9)

May all the gods who strengthen Law, with Rtus, listening to our call,

Be pleased with theit appropriate draught. (10)

May Indra, with the Marut host, with Tvastar, Mitra, Aryaman,

Accept the laud and these our gifts. (11)

Agni, priest, as rules ordain, offer this sacrifice of ours,

Remembering the Heavenly Folk. (12)

Listen, All-gods, to this mine invocation, You who inhabit heaven, and air's midregions,

All you, Holy Ones, whose tongue is Agni, seated upon this sacred grass, be joyful. (13)

May the All-gods who claim our worship hear my thought; may the two World-halves hear it, and the Waters' Child.

Let me not utter words that you may disregard. Closely allied with you may we rejoice in bliss. (14)

And those who, Mighty, with the wiles of serpents, were born on earth, in heaven, where waters gather-

May they vouchsafe us life of full duration. May the gods kindly give us nights and mornings. (15)

At this my call, Agni and Parjanya, help, swift to hear, my thought and our laudation.

One generates holy food, the other offspring, so grant us food enough with store of children. (16)

When holy grass is strewn and fire enkindled, with hymn and lowly homage I invite you.

All-gods, to day in this our great assembly rejoice, you Holy, in the gifts we offer.

53 - Pusan

LORD of the path, Pusan, we have yoked and bound you to our hymn,

Even as a car, to win the prize. (1)

Bring us the wealth that men require, a manly master of a house,

Free-handed with the liberal meed. (2)

Even him who would not give, do you,

glowing Pusan, urge to give,

And make the niggard's soul grow soft. (3)

Clear paths that we may win the prize; scatter our enemies afar.

Strong God, be all our thoughts fulfilled. (4)

Penetrate with an awl, Sage, the hearts of avaricious churls,

And make them subject to our will. (5)

Thrust with your awl, Pusan: seek that which the niggard's heart holds dear,

And make him subject to our will. (6)

Tear up and read in pieces, Sage, the hearts of avaricious churls,

And make them subject to our will. (7)

You, glowing Pusan, carry an awl that urges men to prayer;

Therewith do you tear up and rend to shreds the heart of every one. (8)

You bear, glowing Lord! a goad with horny point that guides the cows

Thence do we seek your gift of bliss. (9)

And make this hymn of ours produce cows, horses, and a store of wealth

For our delight and use as men.

54 - Pusan

PUSAN, bring us to the man who knows, who shall direct us straight,

And say to us, It is here. (1)

May we go forth with Pusan who shall point the houses out to us,

And say to us, These same are they. (2)

Unharmed is Pusan's chariot wheel; the box never falls to the ground,

Nor doth the loosened felIy shake. (3)

Pusan forgetts not the man who servs him with offered gift:

That man is first to gather wealth. (4)

May Pusan follow near our cows; may Pusan keep our horses safe:

May Pusan gather gear for us. (5)

Follow the cows of him who pours libations out and worships you;

And ours who sing you songs of praise. (6)

Let none be lost, none injured, none sink in a pit and break a limb.

Return with these all safe and sound. (7)

Pusan who listens to our prayers, the Strong whose wealth is never lost,

The Lord of riches, we implore. (8)

Secure in your protecting care, Pusan, never may we fail.

We here are they who sing your praise. (9)

From out the distance, far and wide, may Pusan stretch his right hand forth,

And drive our lost again to us.

55 - Pusan

SON of Deliverance, come, bright God!

Let us twain go together: be our charioteer of sacrifice. (1)

We pray for wealth to you most skilled of charioteers, with braided hair,

Lord of great riches, and our friend. (2)

Bright God whose steeds are goats, you are a stream of wealth, a treasure-heap,

The friend of every pious man. (3)

Pusan, who drivs goats for steeds, the strong and Mighty, who is called

His Sister's lover, will we laud. (4)

His Mother's suitor I address. May he who loves his Sister hear,

Brother of Indra, and my friend. (5)

May the sure-footed goats come nigh, conveying Pusan on his car,

The god who visits mankind.

56 - Pusan

WHOSremembers Pusan as cater of mingled curd and meal

Need think no more upon the god. (1)

And he is best of charioteers. Indra, the hero's Lord, allied

With him as friend, destroys the foes. (2)

And there the best of charioteers has guided through the speckled cloud

The golden wheel of Sura's car. (3)

Whatever we speak this day to you, Wise, Wondrous God whom many praise,

Give you fulfilment of our thought. (4)

Lead on this company of ours, that longs for cows, to win the spoil:

You, Pusan, are renowned afar. (5)

Prosperity we crave from you, afar from sin and near to wealth,

Tending to perfect happiness both for to. morrow and today.

57 - Indra and Pusan

Indra and Pusan will we call for friend ship and prosperity

And for the winning of the spoil. (1)

One by the soma sits to drink juice which the mortar has expressed:

The other longs for curd and meal. (2)

Goats are the team that draws the one: the other has bay steeds at hand;

With both of these he slays the fiends. (3)

When Indra, wondrous strong, brought down the streams, the mighty waterfloods,

Pusan was standing by his side. (4)

To this, to Pusan's favouring love, and Indra's, may we closely cling,

As to a tree's extended bough. (5)

As one who drives a car draws in his reins, may we draw Pusan near,

And Indra, for our great success.

58 - Pusan

Like heaven are you: one form is bright, one holy, like Day and Night dissimilar in colour.

All magic powers you aidest, self-depen. dent! Auspicious be your bounty here, Pusan. (1)

Goat-borne, the guard of cattle, he whose home is strength, inspirer of the hymn, set over all the world;

Brandishing here and there his lightly. moving goad, beholding every creature, Pusan, God, goes forth. (2)

Pusan, with your golden ships that travel across the ocean, in the air's mid-region,

You go on an embassy to Surya, subdued by love, desirous of the glory. (3)

Near kinsman of the heaven and earth is Pusan, liberal, Lord of food, of wondrous lustre,

Whom strong and vigorous and swiftly-moving, subdued by love, the deities gave to Surya.

59 - Indra-Agni

I will declare, while juices flow, the manly deeds that you have done:

Your Fathers, enemies of gods, were smitten down, and, Indra-Agni, you survive. (1)

Thus, Indra-Agnip verily your greatness merits loftiest praise,

Sprung from one common Father, brothers, twins are you; your Mother is in every place. (2)

These who delight in flowing juice, like fellow horses at their food,

Indra and Agni, gods armed with the thunderbolt, we call this day to come with help. (3)

Indra and Agni, friends of Law, served with rich gifts, your speech is kind

To him who praises you while these libations flow: that man, gods, you never consume. (4)

What mortal understands, gods, Indra and Agni, this your way?

One of you, yoking steeds that move to every side, advances in your common car. (5)

First, Indra-Agni, has this Maid come footless to those with feet.

Stretching her head and speaking loudly with her tongue, she has gone downward thirty steps. (6)

Even now, Indra-Agni, men hold in their arms and stretch their bows.

Desert us not in this great fray, in battles for the sake of cows. (7)

The foeman's sinful enmities, Indra and Agni, vex me sore.

Drive those who hate me far away, and keep them distant from the Sun. (8)

Indra and Agni, yours are all the treasures of the heavens and earth.

Here give us the opulence that prospers every living man. (9)

Indra-Agni, who accept the laud, and hear us for our praise,

Come near us, drawn by all our songs, to drink of this our soma juice.

60 - Indra-Agni

He slays the foe and wins the spoil who worships Indra and Agni, strong and mighty heroes,

Who rule as Sovrans over ample riches, victorious, showing forth their power in conquest. (1)

So battle now, Indra and you, Agni, for cows and waters, sunlight, stolen Mornings.

Team-borne, you make cows your own, Agni: you, Indra, light, Dawns, regions, wondrous waters. (2)

With Vritra-slaying might, Indra and Agni, come, drawn by homage, you Vritra-slayers.

Indra and Agni, show yourselves among us with your supreme and unrestricted bounties. (3)

I call the two whose deeds of old have all been famed in ancient days

Indra-Agni, harm us not. (4)

The Strong, the scatterers of the foe, Indra and Agni, we invoke;

May they be kind to one like me. (5)

They slay our Arya foes, these lords of heroes, slay our Dasyu foes

And drive our enemies away. (6)

Indra and Agni, these our songs of praise have sounded forth to you:

You who bring blessings! drink the juice. (7)

Come, Indra-Agni, with those teams, desired of many, which you have,

Heroes, for the worshipper. (8)

With those to this libation poured, you heroes, Indra-Agni, come:

Come to drink the soma juice. (9)

Glorify him who compasses all forests with his glowing flame,

And leaves them blackened with his tongue. (10)

He who gains Indra's bliss with fire enkindled finds an easy way

Over the floods to happiness. (11)

Give us fleet coursers to convey Indra and Agni, and bestow

Abundant strengthening food on us. (12)

Indra and Agni, I will call you here and make you joyful with the gifts I offer.

You two are givers both of food and riches: to win me strength and vigour I invoke you. (13)

Come to us with riches, come with wealth in horses and in cows.

Indra and Agni, we invoke you both, the gods, as friends for friendship, bringing bliss. (14)

Indra and Agni, hear his call who worships. with libations poured.

Come and enjoy the offerings, drink the sweetly-flavoured soma juice.

61 - Sarasvati

To Vadhryasva when he worshipped her with gifts she gave fierce Divodasa, canceller of debts.

Consumer of the churlish niggard, one and all, your, Sarasvati, are these effectual boons. (1)

She with her might, like one who digs for lotus-stems, has burst with her strong waves the ridges of the hills.

Let us invite with songs and holy hymns for help Sarasvati who slayeth the Paravatas. (2)

You cast down, Sarasvati, those who scorned the gods, the brood of every Brsaya skilled in magic arts.

You have discovered rivers for the tribes of men, and, rich in wealth! made poison flow away from them. (3)

May the divine Sarasvati, rich in her wealth, protect us well,

Furthering all our thoughts with might (4)

Whoso, divine Sarasvati, invokes you where the prize is set,

Like Indra when he smites the foe. (5)

Aid us, divine Sarasvad, you who are strong in wealth and power

Like Pusan, give us opulence. (6)

Yea, this divine Sarasvati, terrible with her golden path,

Foe-slayer, claims our eulogy. (7)

Whose limitless unbroken flood, swift-moving with a rapid rush,

Comes onward with tempestuous roar. (8)

She has spread us beyond all foes, beyond her Sisters, Holy One,

As Surya spreads out the days. (9)

Yea, she most dear amid dear stream, Seven-sistered, graciously inclined,

Sarasvati has earned our praise. (10)

Guard us from hate Sarasvati, she who has filled the realms of earth,

And that wide tract, the firmament! (11)

Seven-sistered, sprung from threefold source, the Five Tribes' prosperer, she must be

Invoked in every deed of might. (12)

Marked out by majesty among the Mighty Ones, in glory swifter than the other rapid Streams,

Created vast for victory like a chariot, Sarasvati must be extolled by every sage. (13)

Guide us, Sarasvati, to glorious treasure: refuse us not your milk, nor spurn us from you.

Gladly accept our friendship and obedience: let us not go from you to distant countries.

62 - Asvins

I laud the heroes two, this heaven's Controllers: singing with songs of praise I call the Asvins,

Fain in a moment, when the morns are breaking, to part the earth's ends and the spacious regions. (1)

Moving to sacrifice through realms of lustre they light the radiance of the car that bears them.

Traversing many wide unmeasured spaces, over the wastes you pass, and fields, and waters. (2)

You to that bounteous path of yours, you mighty, have ever borne away our thoughts with horses,

Mind-swift and full of vigour, that the trouble of man who offers gifts might cease and slumber. (3)

So you, when you have yoked your chariot-horses, come to the hymn of the most recent singer.

Our true and ancient Herald priest shall bring you, the Youthful, bearing splendour, food, and vigour. (4)

With newest hymn I call those Wonder-Workers, ancient and brilliant, and exceeding mighty,

Bringers of bliss to him who lauds and praises, bestowing varied bounties on the singer. (5)

So you, with birds, out of the sea and waters bore Bhujyu, son of Tugra, through the regions.

Speeding with winged steeds through dustless spaces, out of the bosom of the flood they bore him. (6)

Victors, car-borne, you rent the rock asunder: Bulls, heard the calling of the eunuch's consort.

Bounteous, you filled the cow with milk for Sayu: thus, swift and zealous Ones, you showed your favour. (7)

Whatever from olden time, Heaven, Earth! exists great object of the wrath of gods and mortals,

Make that, Adityas, Vasus, sons of Rudra, an evil brand to one allied with demons. (8)

May he who knows, as Varuna and Mitra, air's realm, appointing both the Kings in season,

Against the secret fiend cast forth his weapon, against the lying words that strangers utter. (9)

Come to our home with friendly wheels, for offspring; come on your radiant chariot rich in heroes.

Strike off, you two, the heads of our assailants who with man's treacherous attack approach us. (10)

Come over here to us with teams of horses, the highest and the midmost and the low.

Bountiful lords, throw open to the singer doors even of the firm-closed stall of cattle.

63 - Asvins

WHere has the hymn with reverence, like an envoy, found both fair gods today, invoked of many-

Hymn that has brought the two Nasatyas here? To this man's thought be you, both gods, most friendly. (1)

Come readily to this mine invocation, lauded with songs, that you may drink the juices.

Compass this house to keep it from the foeman, that none may force it, either near or distant. (2)

Juice in wide room has been prepared to feast you: for you the grass is strewn, most soft to tread on.

With lifted hands your servant has adored you. Yearningfor you the press-stones shed the liquid. (3)

Agni uplifts him at your sacrifices: forth goes the oblation dropping oil and glowing.

Up stands the grateful-minded priest, elected, appointed to invoke the two Nasatyas. (4)

lords of great wealth! for glory, Surya's Daughter mounted your car that brings a hundred succours.

Famed for your magic arts were you, magicians! amid the race of gods, you dancing heroes! (5)

You two, with these your glories fair to look on, brought, to win victory, rich gifts for Surya.

After you flew your birds, marvels of beauty: dear to our hearts! the song, well lauded, reached you. (6)

May your winged coursers, best to draw. Nasatyas! convey you to the object of your wishes.

Swift as the thought, your car has been sent onward to food of many a sort and dainty viands. (7)

lords of great wealth, manifold is your bounty: you filled our cow with food that never fails.

Lovers of sweetness! yours are praise and singers, and poured libations which have sought your favour. (8)

Mine were two mares of Puraya, brown, swift-footed; a hundred with Sumidha, food with Peruk

Sanda gave ten gold-decked and well-trained horses, tame and obedient and of lofty stature. (9)

Nasatyas! Purupanthas offered hundreds, thousands of steeds to him who sang your praises,

Gave, heroes! to the singer Bharadvaja. You-Wonder-Workers, let the fiends be slaughtered. (10)

May I with princes share your bliss in freedom.

64 - Dawn

The radiant Dawns have risen up for glory, in their white splendour like the waves of waters.

She maks paths all easy, fair to travel, and, rich, has shown herself benign and friendly. (1)

We see that you are good: far shines your lustre; your beams, your splendours have flown up to heaven.

Decking yourself, you make bare your bosom, shining in majesty, you Goddess Morning. (2)

Red are the cows and luminous that bear her the Blessed One who spreads through the distance.

The foes she chass like a valiant archer, like a swift warrior she repells darkness. (3)

Your ways are easy on the hills: you pass Invincible! Se1f-luminous! through waters.

So lofty Goddess with your ample pathway, Daughter of Heaven, bring wealth to give us comfort. (4)

Dawn, bring me wealth: untroubled, with your oxen you bear riches at your will and pleasure;

You who, a Goddess, Child of Heaven, have shown you lovely through bounty when we called you early. (5)

As the birds fly forth from their restingplaces, so men with store of food rise at your dawning.

Yea, to the liberal mortal who rernains at home, Goddess Dawn, much good you bringest.

65 - Dawn

Shedding her light on human habitations this Child of Heaven has called us from our slumber;

She who at night-time with her argent lustre has shown herself even through the shades of darkness. (1)

All this with red-rayed steeds have they divided: the Dawns on bright cars shine in wondrous fashion.

They, bringing near the stately rite's commencement, drive far away the night's surrounding shadows. (2)

Dawns, bringing here, to the man who worships, glory and power and might and food and vigour,

Opulent, with imperial sway like heroes, favour your servant and this day enrich him. (3)

Now is there treasure for the man who serves you, now for the hero, Dawns! who brings oblation;

Now for the singer when he sings the praise-song. Even to one like me you brought aforetime. (4)

Dawn who standest on the mountain ridges, Angirases now praise your stalls of cattle.

With prayer and holy hymn they burst them open: the heroes' calling on the gods was fruitful. (5)

Shine on us as of old, you Child of Heaven,on him, rich Maid! who serves like Bharadvaja.

Give to the singer wealth with noble heroes, and upon us bestow wide-spreading glory.

66 - Maruts

Even to the wise let that be still a wonder to which the general name of Cow is given.

The one has swelled among mankind for milking: Prishni has drained but once her fair bright udder. (1)

They who like kindled flames of fire are glowing, the Maruts, twice and thrice have waxen mighty.

Golden and dustless were their cars, invested with their great strength and their heroic vigour. (2)

They who are Sons of the rain-pouring Rudra, whom the long-lasting One had power to foster:

The Mighty Ones whose germ great Mother Prishni is known to have received for man's advantage. (3)

They shrink not from the birth; in this same manner still resting there they purge away reproaches.

When they have streamed forth, brilliant, at their pleasure, with their own splendour they bedew their bodies. (4)

Even those who bear the brave bold name of Maruts, whom not the active quickly wins for milking.

Even the liberal wards not off those fierce ones, those who are light and agile in their greatness. (5)

When, strong in strength and armed with potent weapons, they had united wellformed earth and heaven,

Rodasl stood among these furious heroes like splendour shining with her native brightness. (6)

No team of goats shall draw your car, Maruts, no horse no charioteer be he who drives it.

Halting not, reinless, through the air it travels, speeding alone its paths through earth and heaven. (7)

None may obstruct, none overtake, Maruts, him whom you succour in the strife of battle

For sons and progeny, for cows and waters: he bursts the cow-stall on the day of trial. (8)

Bring a bright hymn to praise the band of Maruts, the Singers, rapid, strong in native vigour,

Who conquer mighty strength with strength more mighty: earth shakes in terror at their wars, Agni. (9)

Bright like the flashing flames of sacrifices, like tongues of fire impetuous in their onset,

Chanting their psalm, singing aloud, like heroes, splendid from birth, invincible, the Maruts. (10)

That swelling band I call with invocation, the brood of Rudra, armed with glittering lances.

Pure hymns are meet for that celestial army: like floods and mountains have the Strong Ones battled.

67 - Mitra-Varuna

Now Mitra-Varuna shall be exalted high by your songs, noblest of all existing;

They who, as it were with reins are best Controllers, unequalled with their arms to check the people. (1)

To you Two gods is this my thought extended, turned to the sacred grass with loving homage.

Give us, Mitra-Varuna, a dwelling safe from attack, which you shall guard, Boon-Givers! (2)

Come here, Mitra-Varuna, invited with eulogies and loving adoration,

You who with your might, as Work-Controllers, urge even men who quickly hear to labour. (3)

Whom, of pure origin, like two strong horses, Aditi bore as babes in proper season,

Whom, Mighty at your birth, the Mighty Goddess brought forth as terrors to the mortal foeman. (4)

As all the gods in their great joy and gladness gave you with one accord your high dominion,

As you surround both worlds, though wide and spacious your spies are ever true and never bewildered. (5)

So, through the days maintaining princely power. you prop the height as it were from loftiest heaven.

The Star of all the gods, established, fills the heaven and earth with food of man who lives. (6)

Take the strong drink, to quaff till you are sated, when he and his attendants fill the chamber.

The young Maids brook not that none seeks to win them, when, Quickeners of all! they scatter moisture. (7)

So with your tongue come ever, when your envoy, faithful and very wise, attends our worship.

Nourished by holy oil! he this yGur glory: annihilate the sacrificer's trouble. (8)

When, Mitra-Varuna, they strive against you and break tlie friendly laws you have established,

They, neither gods nor men in estimation, like Api's sons have godless sacrifices. (9)

When singers in their song uplift their voices, some chant the Nivid texts with steady purpose.

Then may we sing you lauds that shall be fruitful: dp you not rival all the gods in greatness? (10)

Mitra-Varuna, may your large bounty come to us here, near to this our dwelling,

When the cows haste to us, and when they harness the fleet-foot mettled stallion for the battle.

68 - Indra-Varuna

His honouring rite whose grass is trimmed is offered swiftly to you, in Manu's wise, accordant,

The rite which Indra-Varuna shall carry this day to high success and glorious issue. (1)

For at gods' worship they are best through vigour; they have become the strongest of the heroes;

With mighty strength, most liberal of the Princes, Chiefs of the host, by Law made Vritra's slayers. (2)

Praise those two gods for powers that merit worship, Indra and Varuna, for bliss, the joyous.

One with his might and thunderbolt slays Vritra; the other as a Sage stands near in troubles. (3)

Though dames and men have waxen strong and mighty, and all the gods self-praised among the heroes,

You, Indra-Varuna, have in might surpassed them, and thus were you spread wide, Earth and Heaven. (4)

Righteous is he, and liberal and helpful who, Indra-Varuna, brings you gifts with gladness.

That bounteous man through food shall conquer foemen, and win him opulence and wealthy people. (5)

May wealth which you bestow in food and treasure on him who brings you gifts and sacrifices,

Wealth, gods! which breaks the curse of those who vex us, be, Indra-Varuna, even our own possession. (6)

So also, Indra-Varuna, may our princes have riches swift to save, with gods to guard them-

They whose great might gives victory in battles, and their triumphant glory spreads with swiftness. (7)

Indra. and Varuna, gods whom we are lauding, mingle you wealth with our heroic glory.

May we, who praise the strength of what is mighty, pass dangers, as with boats we cross the waters. (8)

Now will I sing a dear and far-extending hymn to Varuna the god, sublime, imperial Lord,

Who, mighty Governor, Eternal, as with flame, illumines both wide worlds with majesty and power. (9)

True to Law, Indra-Varuna, drinkers of the juice, drink this pressed Soma which shall give you rapturous joy.

Your chariot coms to the banquet of the gods, to sacrifice, as it were home, that you may drink. (10)

Indra and Varuna, drink your fill, you heroes, of this invigorating sweetest Soma.

This juice is shed by us that you may quaff it: on this trimmed grass be seated, and rejoice you

69 - Indra-Vishnu

Indra and Vishnu, at my task's completion I urge you on with food and sacred service.

Accept the sacrifice and grant us riches, leading us on by unobstructed pathways. (1)

You who inspire all hymns, Indra and Vishnu, you vessels who contain the soma juices,

May hymns of praise that now are sung address you, the lauds that are recited by the singers. (2)

lords of joy-giving draughts, Indra and Vishnu, come, giving gifts of treasure, to the soma.

With brilliant rays of hymns let chanted praises, repeated with the lauds, adorn and deck you. (3)

May your foe-conquering horses bring you here, Indra and Vishnu, sharers of the banquet.

Of all our hymns accept the invocations list to my prayers and hear the songs I sing you. (4)

This your deed, Indra-Vishnu, must be lauded: widely you strode in the wild joy of soma.

You made the firmament of larger compass, and made the regions broad for our existence. (5)

Strengthened with sacred offerings, IndraVisnu, first eaters, served with worship and oblation,

Fed with the holy oil, vouchsafe us riches you are the lake, the vat that holds the soma. (6)

Drink of this meath, Indra, you, and Vishnu; drink you your fill of soma, Wonder-Workers.

The sweet exhilarating juice has reached you. Hear you my prayers, give ear to my calling. (7)

You two have conquered, never have yc been conquered: never has either of the two been vanquished.

You, Indra-Vishnu, when you fought the battle, produced this infinite with three divisions.

70 - Heaven and Earth

Filled full of fatness, compassing all things that be, wide, spacious, dropping meath, beautiful in their form,

The Heaven and the Earth by Varuna's decree, unwasting, rich in germs, stand parted each from each. (1)

The Everlasting Pair, with full streams, rich in milk, in their pure rule pour fatness for the pious man.

You who are Regents of this world, Earth and Heaven, pour into us the genial flow that prospers meit. (2)

Whoso, for righteous life, pours offerings to you, Heaven and Earth, you Hemispheres, that man succeeds.

He in his seed is born again and spreads by Law: from you flow things diverse in form, but ruled alike. (3)

Enclosed in fatness, Heaven and Earth are bright therewith: they mingle with the fatness which they still increase.

Wide, broad, set foremost at election of the priest, to them the singers pray for bliss to further them. (4)

May Heaven and Earth pour down the balmy rain for us, balm-dropping, yielding balm, with balm upon your path,

Bestowing by your Godhead sacrifice and wealth, great fame and strength for us and good heroic might. (5)

May Heaven and Earth make food swell plenteously for us, all-knowing Father, jother, wondrous in their works.

Pouring out bounties, may, in union, both the Worlds, all beneficial, send us gain, and power, and wealth.

71 - Savitar

Full of effectual wisdom Savitar the god has stretched out golden arms that he may bring forth life.

Young and most skilful, while he holds the region up, the Warrior sprinkles fatness over both his hands. (1)

May we enjoy the noblest vivifying force of Savitar the god, that he may give us wealth:

For you are mighty to produce and lull to rest the world of life that moves on two feet and on four. (2)

Protect our habitation, Savitar, this day, with guardian aids around, auspicious, firm and true.

god of the golden tongue, keep us for newest bliss: let not the evil-wisher have us in his power. (3)

This Savitar the god, the golden-handed, friend of the home, has risen to meet the twilight.

With cheeks of brass, with pleasant tongue, the Holy, he sends the worshipper rich gifts in plenty. (4)

Like a Director, Savitar has extended his golden arms, exceeding fair to look on.

He has gone up the heights of earth and heaven, and made each monster fall and cease from troubling. (5)

Fair wealth, Savitar, today, tomorrow, fair wealth produce for us each day that passes.

May we through this our song be happy gainers, God, of a fair and spacious habitation.

72 - Indra-Soma

Great is this might of yours, Indra and Soma: the first high exploits were your own achievements.

You found the Sun you found the light of heaven: you killed all darkness and the gods' blasphemers. (1)

You, Indra-Soma, gave her light to Morning, and led the Sun on high with all his splendour.

You stayed the heaven with a supporting pillar, and spread abroad apart, the Earth, the Mother. (2)

You slew the flood -obstructing serpent Vritra, Indra and Soma: Heaven approved your exploit.

You urged to speed the currents of the rivers, and many seas have you filled full with waters. (3)

You in the unripe udders of the milk-cows have set the ripe milk, Indra, you, and Soma.

You have held fast the unimpeded whiteness within these many-coloured moving creatures. (4)

Verily you bestow, Indra and Soma, wealth, famed, victorious, passing to our children.

You have invested men, you Mighty Beings, with manly strength that conquers in the battle.

73 - Brihaspati

SERVED with oblations, first-born, mountain-render, Angiras' son, Brihaspati, the Holy,

With twice-firm path, dwelling in light, our Father, roars loudly, as a bull, to Earth and Heaven. (1)

Brihaspati, who made for such a people wide room and verge when gods were invocated,

Slaying his enemies, breaks down their castles, quelling his foes and conquering those who hate him. (2)

Brihaspati in war has won rich treasures, has won, this God, the great stalls filled with cattle.

Striving to win waters and light, resistless, Brihaspati with lightning smites the foeman.

74 - Soma-Rudra

Hold fast your godlike sway, Soma-Rudra: let these our sacrifices quickly reach you.

Placing in every house your seven great treasures, bring blessing to our quadrupeds and bipeds. (1)

Soma and Rudra, chase to every quarter the sickness that has visited our dwelling.

Drive Nirrti away into the distance, and give us excellent and happy glories. (2)

Provide, Soma-Rudra, for our bodies all needful medicines to heal and cure us.

Set free and draw away the sin committed which we have still inherent in our persons. (3)

Armed with keen shafts and weapons, kind and loving, be gracious to us, Soma and Rudra.

Release us from the noose of Varuna; keep us from sorrow, in your tender loving-kindness.

75 - Weapons of War

The warrior's look is like a thunderous rain-cloud's, when, armed with mail, he seeks the lap of battle.

Be victorious with unwounded body: so let the thickness of your mail protect you. (1)

With Bow let us win cows, with Bow the battle, with Bow be victors in our hot encounters.

The Bow brings grief and sorrow to the foeman: armed with the Bow may we subdue all regions. (2)

Close to his car, as fain to speak, She presses, holding her well-loved friend in her embraces.

Strained on the Bow, She whispers like a woman - this Bowstring that preserves us in the combat. (3)

These, meeting like a woman and her lover, bear, mother-like, their child upon their bosom.

May the two Bow-ends, starting swift asunder, scatter, in unison, the foes who hate us. (4)

With many a son, father of many daughters, He clangs and clashes as he goes to battle.

Slung on the back, pouring his brood, the Quiver vanquishes all opposing bands and armies. (5)

Upstanding in the Car the skilful Charioteer guides his strong horses on wheresoever he will.

See and admire the strength of those controlling Reins which from behind declare the will of him who drives. (6)

Horses whose hoofs rain dust are neighing loudly, yoked to the Chariots, showing forth their vigour,

With their forefeet descending on the foemen, they, never flinching, trample and destroy them. (7)

Car-bearer is the name of his oblation, whercon are laid his Weapons and his Armour.

So let us here, each day that passes, honour the helpful Car with hearts exceeding joyful. (8)

In sweet association lived the fathers who gave us life, profound and strong in trouble,

Unwearied, armed with shafts and wondrous weapons, free, real heroes, conquerors of armies. (9)

The Brahmans, and the Fathers meet for Soma-draughts, and, graciously inclined, unequalled Heaven and Earth.

Guard us trom evil, Pusan, guard us strengtheners of Law: let not the evil-wisher master us. (10)

Her tooth a deer, dressed in an eagle's feathers, bound with cow-hide, launched forth, She flis onward.

There where the heroes speed here and there, there may the Arrows shelter and protect us. (11)

Avoid us you whose flight is straight, and let our bodies be as stone.

May Soma kindly speak to us, and Aditi protect us well. (12)

He lays his blows upon their backs, he deals his blows upon their thighs.

You, Whip, who urgest horses, drive sagacious horses in the fray. (13)

It compasses the arm with serpent windings, fending away the friction of the bowstring:

So may the Brace, well-skilled in all its duties, guard manfully the man from every quarter. (14)

Now to the Shaft with venom smeared, tipped with deer-horn, with iron mouth,

Celestial, of Parjanya's seed, be this great adoration paid. (15)

Loosed from the Bowstring fly away, Arrow, sharpened by our prayer.

Go to the foemen, strike them home, and let not one be left alive. (16)

There where the flights of Arrows fall like boys whose locks are yet unshorn.

Even there may Brahmanaspati, and Aditi protect us well, protect us well through all our days. (17)

Your vital parts I cover with your Armour: with immortality King Soma clothe you.

May Varuna give you what is more than ample, and in your triumph may the gods be joyful. (18)

Whoso would kill us, whether he be a strange foe or one of us,

May all the gods discomfit him. My nearest, closest Mail is prayer.