HYMN CLX. Heaven and Earth.
1. THESE, Heaven and Earth, bestow prosperity on all, sustainers of the region,
Holy Ones and wise,
Two Bowls of noble kind: between these Goddesses the God, the fulgent Sun,
travels by fixed decree.
2 Widely-capacious Pair, mighty, that never fail, the Father and the Mother keep
all creatures safe:
The two world-halves, the spirited, the beautiful, because the Father hath
clothed them in goodly forms.
3 Son of these Parents, he the Priest with power to cleanse, Sage, sanctifies
the worlds with his surpassing power.
Thereto for his bright milk he milked through all the days the party-coloured
Cow and the prolific Bull.
4 Among the skilful Gods most skilled is he, who made the two world-halves which
bring prosperity to all;
Who with great wisdom measured both the regions out, and stablished them with
pillars that shall ne'er decay.
5 Extolled in song, O Heaven and Earth, bestow on us, ye mighty Pair, great
glory and high lordly sway,
Whereby we may extend ourselves ever over the folk; and send us strength that
shall deserve the praise of men.
HYMN CLXI. Rbhus.
1 WHY hath the Best, why hath the Youngest come to us? Upon what embassy comes
he? What have we said?
We have not blamed the chalice of illustrious birth. We, Brother Agni, praised
the goodness of the wood.
2 The chalice that is single make ye into four: thus have the Gods commanded;
therefore am I come.
If, O Sudhanvan's Children, ye will do this thing ye shall participate in
sacrifice with Gods.
3 What to the envoy Agni in reply ye spake, A courser must be made, a chariot
fashioned here,
A cow must be created, and the Twain made young. When we have done these things,
Brother, we turn to you.
4 When thus, O Rbhus, ye had done ye questioned thus, Whither went he who came
to us a messenger?
Then Tvastar, when he viewed the four wrought chalices, concealed himself among
the Consorts of the Gods.
5 As Tvastar thus had spoken, Let us slay these men who have reviled the
chalice, drinking-cup of Gods,
They gave themselves new names when Soma juice was shed, and under these new
names the Maiden welcomed them.
6 Indra hath yoked his Bays, the Asvins' car is horsed, Brhaspati hath brought
the Cow of every hue.
Ye went as Rbhus, Vibhvan, Vaja to the Gods, and skilled in war, obtained your
share in sacrifice.
7 Ye by your wisdom brought a cow from out a hide; unto that ancient Pair ye
gave again their youth.
Out of a horse, Sudhanvan's Sons, ye formed a horse: a chariot ye equipped, and
went unto the Gods.
8 Drink ye this water, were the words ye spake to them; or drink ye this, the
rinsing of the Munja-grass.
If ye approve not even this, Sudhanvan's Sons, then at the third libation
gladden ye yourselves.
9 Most excellent are waters, thus said one of you; most excellent is Agni, thus
another said.
Another praised to many a one the lightning cloud. Then did ye shape the cups,
speaking the words of truth.
10 One downward to the water drives the crippled cow, another trims the flesh
brought on the carving-board.
One carries off the refuse at the set of sun. How did the Parents aid their
children in their task!
11 On the high places ye have made the grass for man, and water in the valleys,
by your skill, O Men.
Rbhus, ye iterate not to-day that act of yours, your sleeping in the house of
him whom naught can hide.
12 As, compassing them round, ye glided through the worlds, where had the
venerable Parents their abode?
Ye laid a curse on him who raised his arm at you: to him who spake aloud to you
ye spake again.
13 When ye had slept your fill, ye Rbhus, thus ye asked, O thou whom naught may
hide, who now hath wakened us?
The goat declared the hound to be your wakener. That day, in a full year, ye
first unclosed our eyes.
14 The Maruts move in heaven, on earth this Agni; through the mid-firmament the
Wind approaches.
Varuna comes in the sea's gathered waters, O Sons of Strength, desirous of your
presence.
HYMN CLXIL The Horse.
1. SLIGHT us not Varuna, Aryaman, or Mitra, Rbhuksan, Indra, Ayu, or the Maruts,
When we declare amid the congregation the virtues of the strong Steed,
God-descended.
2 What time they bear before the Courser, covered with trappings and with
wealth, the grasped oblation,
The dappled goat goeth straightforward, bleating, to the place dear to Indra and
to Pusan.
3 Dear. to all Gods, this goat, the share of Pusan, is first led forward with
the vigorous Courser,
While Tvastar sends him forward with the Charger, acceptable for sacrifice, to
glory.
4 When thrice the men lead round the Steed, in order, who goeth to the Gods as
meet oblation,
The goat precedeth him, the share of Pusan, and to the Gods the sacrifice
announceth.
5 Invoker, ministering priest, atoner, fire-kindler Soma-presser, sage, reciter,
With this well ordered sacrifice, well finished, do ye fill full the channels of
the rivers.
6 The hewers of the post and those who carry it, and those who carve the knob to
deck the Horse's stake;
Those who prepare the cooking-vessels for the Steed,-may the approving help of
these promote our work.
7 Forth, for the regions of the Gods, the Charger with his smooth back is come
my prayer attends him.
In him rejoice the singers and the sages. A good friend have we won for the
Gods' banquet.
8 May the fleet Courser's halter and his heel-ropes, the head-stall and the
girths and cords about him.
And the grass put within his mouth to bait him,-among the Gods, too, let all
these be with thee.
9 What part of the Steed's flesh the fly hath eaten, or is left sticking to the
post or hatchet,
Or to the slayer's hands and nails adhereth,-among the Gods, too, may all this
be with thee.
10 Food undigested steaming from his belly, and any odour of raw flesh
remaining,
This let the immolators set in order and dress the sacrifice with perfect
cooking.
11 What from thy body which with fire is roasted, when thou art set upon the
spit, distilleth,
Let not that lie on earth or grass neglected, but to the longing Gods let all be
offered.
12 They who observing that the Horse is ready call out and say, the smell is
good; remove it;
And, craving meat, await the distribution, -may their approving help promote
labour.
13 The trial-fork of the flesh-cooking caldron, the vessels out of which the
broth is sprinkled,
The warming-pots, the covers of the dishes, hooks, carving-boards,-all these
attend the Charger.
14 The starting-place, his place of rest and rolling, the ropes wherewith the
Charger's feet were fastened,
The water that he drank, the food he tasted, -among the Gods, too, may all these
attend thee.
15 Let not the fire, smoke-scented, make thee crackle, nor glowing caldron smell
and break to pieces.
Offered, beloved, approved, and consecrated,-such Charger do the Gods accept
with favour.
16 The robe they spread upon the Horse to clothe him, the upper covering and the
golden trappings,
The halters which restrain the Steed, the heel-ropes,-all these, as grateful to
the Gods, they offer.
17 If one, when seated, with excessive urging hath with his heel or with his
whip distressed thee,
All these thy woes, as with the oblations' ladle at sacrifices, with my prayer I
banish.
18 The four-and-thirty ribs of the. Swift Charger, kin to the Gods, the slayer's
hatchet pierces.
Cut ye with skill, so that the parts be flawless, and piece by piece declaring
them dissect them.
19 Of Tvastar's Charger there is one dissector,-this is the custom-two there are
who guide him.
Such of his limbs as I divide in order, these, amid the balls, in fire I offer.
20 Let not thy dear soul burn thee as thou comest, let not the hatchet linger in
thy body.
Let not a greedy clumsy immolator, missing the joints, mangle thy limbs unduly.
21 No, here thou diest not, thou art not injured: by easy paths unto the Gods
thou goest.
Both Bays, both spotted mares are now thy fellows, and to the ass's pole is
yoked the Charger.
22 May this Steed bring us all-sustaining riches, wealth in good kine,good
horses, manly offspring.
Freedom from sin may Aditi vouchsafe us: the Steed with our oblations gain us
lordship!
HYMN CLXIII. The Horse.
1. WHAT time, first springing into life, thou neighedst, proceeding from the sea
or upper waters,
Limbs of the deer hadst thou, and eagle pinions. O Steed, thy birth is nigh and
must be lauded.
2 This Steed which Yama gave hath Trita harnessed, and him, the first of all,
hath Indra mounted.
His bridle the Gandharva grasped. O Vasus, from out the Sun ye fashioned forth
the Courser.
3 Yama art thou, O Horse; thou art Aditya; Trita art thou by secret operation.
Thou art divided thoroughly from Soma. They say thou hast three bonds in heaven
that hold thee.
4 Three bonds, they say, thou hast in heaven that bind thee, three in the
waters,
three within the ocean.
To me thou seernest Varuna , O Courser, there where they say is thy sublimest
birth-place.
5 Here-, Courser, are the places where they groomed thee, here are the traces of
thy hoofs as winner.
Here have I seen the auspicious reins that guide thee, which those who guard the
holy Law keep safely.
6 Thyself from far I recognized in spirit,-a Bird that from below flew through
the heaven.
I saw thy head still soaring, striving upward by paths unsoiled by dust,
pleasant to travel.
7 Here I beheld thy form, matchless in glory, eager to win thee food at the
Cow's station.
Whene'er a man brings thee to thine enjoyment, thou swallowest the plants most
greedy eater.
8 After thee, Courser, come the car, the bridegroom, the kine come after, and
the charm of maidens.
Full companies have followed for thy friendship: the pattern of thy vigour Gods
have copied.
9 Horns made of gold hath he: his feet are iron: less fleet than he, though
swift as thought, is Indra.
The Gods have come that they may taste the oblation of him who mounted, first of
all, the Courser.
10 Symmetrical in flank, with rounded haunches, mettled like heroes, the
Celestial Coursers
Put forth their strength, like swans in lengthened order, when they, the Steeds,
have reached the heavenly causeway.
11 A body formed for flight hast thou, O Charger; swift as the wind in motion is
thy spirit.
Thy horns are spread abroad in all directions: they move with restless beat in
wildernesses.
12 The strong Steed hath come forward to the slaughter, pondering with a mind
directed God-ward.
The goat who is his kin is led before him the sages and the singers follow
after.
13 The Steed is come unto the noblest mansion, is come unto his Father and his
Mother.
This day shall he approach the Gods, most welcome: then he declares good gifts
to him who offers.
HYMN CLXIV. Visvedevas.
1. OF this benignant Priest, with eld grey-coloured, the brother midmost of the
three is lightning.
The third is he whose back with oil is sprinkled. Here I behold the Chief with
seven male children.
2 Seven to the one-wheeled chariot yoke the Courser; bearing seven names the
single Courser draws it.
Three-naved the wheel is, sound and undecaying, whereon are resting all these
worlds of being.
3 The seven who on the seven-wheeled car are mounted have horses, seven in tale,
who draw them onward.
Seven Sisters utter songs of praise together, in whom the names of the seven
Cows are treasured.
4 Who hath beheld him as he sprang to being, seen how the boneless One supports
the bony?
Where is the blood of earth, the life, the spirit? Who may approach the man who
knows, to ask it?
5 Unripe in mind, in spirit undiscerning, I ask of these the Gods' established
places; For up above the yearling Calf the sages, to form a web, their own seven
threads have woven.
6 I ask, unknowing, those who know, the sages, as one all ignorant for sake of
knowledge,
What was that ONE who in the Unborn's image hath stablished and fixed firm these
worlds' six regions.
7 Let him who knoweth presently declare it , this lovely Bird's securely founded
station.
Forth from his head the Cows draw milk, and, wearing his vesture, with their
foot have drunk the water.
8 The Mother gave the Sire his share of Order: with thought, at first, she
wedded him in spirit.
She, the coy Dame, was filled with dew prolific: with adoration men approached
to praise her.
9 Yoked was the Mother to the boon Cow's car-pole: in the dank rows of cloud the
Infant rested.
Then the Calf lowed, and looked upon the Mother, the Cow who wears all shapes in
three directions.
10 Bearing three Mothers and three Fathers, single he stood erect: they never
make him weary.
There on the pitch of heaven they speak together in speech all-knowing but not
all-impelling.
11 Formed with twelve spokes, by length of time, unweakened, rolls round the
heaven this wheel of during Order.
Herein established, joined in pairs together, seven hundred Sons and twenty
stand, O Agni.
12 They call him in the farther half of heaven the Sire five-footed, of twelve
forms, wealthy in watery store.
These others say that he, God with far-seeing eyes, is mounted on the lower
seven-wheeled, six-spoked car.
13 Upon this five-spoked wheel revolving ever all living creatures rest and are
dependent.
Its axle, heavy-laden, is not heated: the nave from ancient time remains
unbroken.
14 The wheel revolves, unwasting, with its felly: ten draw it, yoked to the
far-stretching car-pole.
The Sun's eye moves encompassed by the region: on him dependent rest all living
creatures.
15 Of the co-born they call the seventh single-born; the six twin pairs are
called Rsis, Children of Gods.
Their good gifts sought of men are ranged in order due, and various in their
form move for the Lord who guides.
16 They told me these were males, though truly females: he who hath eyes sees
this, the blind discerns not.
The son who is a sage hath comprehended: who knows this rightly is his father's
father.
17 Beneath the upper realm, above this lower, bearing her calf at foot the Cow
hath risen.
Witherward, to what place hath she departed? Where calves she? Not amid this
herd of cattle.
18 Who, that the father of this Calf discerneth beneath the upper realm, above
the lower,
Showing himself a sage, may here declare it? Whence hath the Godlike spirit had
its rising?
19 Those that come hitherward they call departing, those that depart they call
directed hither.
And what so ye have made, Indra and Soma, steeds bear as 'twere yoked to the
region's car-pole.
20 Two Birds with fair wings, knit with bonds of friendship, in the same
sheltering tree have found a refuge.
One of the twain eats the sweet Fig-tree's fruitage; the other eating not
regardeth only.
21 Where those fine Birds hymn ceaselessly their portion of life eternal, and
the sacred synods,
There is the Universe's mighty Keeper, who, wise, hath entered into me the
simple.
22 The, tree whereon the fine Birds eat the sweetness, where they all rest and
procreate their offspring,-
Upon its top they say the fig is luscious none gaineth it who knoweth not the
Father.
23 How on the Gayatri. the Gayatri was based, how from the Tristup they
fashioned the Tristup forth,
How on the Jagati was based the Jagati,- they who know this have won themselves
immortal life.
24 With Gayatri he measures out the praise-song, Sama with praise-song, triplet
with the Tristup.
The triplet witli the two or four-foot measure, and with the syllable they form
seven metres.
25 With Jagati the flood in heaven he stablished, and saw the Sun in the
Rathantara Saman.
Gavatri hath, they say, three brands for kindling: hence it excels in majesty
and vigour.
26 I invocate the milch-cow good for milking so that the milker, deft of hand,
may drain her.
May Savitar give goodliest stimulation. The caldron is made hot; I will proclaim
it.
27 She, lady of all treasure, is come hither yearning in spirit for her calf and
lowing.
May this cow yield her milk for both the Asvins, and may she prosper to our high
advantage.
28 The cow hath lowed after her blinking youngling; she licks his forehead, as
she lows, to form it.
His mouth she fondly calls to her warm udder, and suckles him with milk while
gently lowing.
29 He also snorts, by whom encompassed round the Cow laws as she clings unto the
shedder of the rain.
She with her shrilling cries hath humbled mortal man, and, turned to lightning,
hath stripped off her covering robe.
30 That which hath breath and speed and life and motion lies firmly stablished
in the midst of houses.
Living, by offerings to the Dead he moveth Immortal One, the brother of the
mortal.
31 I saw the Herdsman, him who never stumbles, approaching by his pathways and
departing.
He, clothed with gathered and diffusive splendour, within the worlds continually
travels.
32 He who hath made him cloth not comprehend him: from him who saw him surely is
he hidden.
He, yet enveloped in his Mother's bosom, source of much life, hath sunk into
destruction.
33 Dyaus is my Father, my begetter: kinship is here. This great earth is my kin
and Mother.
Between the wide-spread world-halves is the birthb-place: the Father laid the
Daughter's germ within it.
341ask thee of the earth's extremest limit, where is the centre of the world, I
ask
thee.
1ask thee of the Stallion's seed prolific, I ask of highest heaven where Speech
abideth.
35 This altar is the earth's extremest limit; this sacrifice of ours is the
world's centre.
The Stallion's seed prolific is the Soma; this Brahman highest heaven where
Speech abideth.
36 Seven germs unripened yet are heaven's prolific, seed: their functions they
maintain by Visnu's ordinance.
Endued with wisdom through intelligence and thought, they compass us about
present on every side.
37 What thing I truly am I know not clearly: mysterious, fettered in my mind I
wander.
When the first-born of holy Law approached me, then of this speech I first
obtain a portion.
38 Back, forward goes he, grasped by strength inherent, the Immortal born the
brother of the mortal
Ceaseless they movelnopposite directions: men mark the one, and fail to mark the
other.
39 Upon what syllable of holy praise-song, as twere their highest heaven, the
Gods repose them,-
Who knows not this, what will he do with praise-song? But they who know it well
sit here assembled.
40 Forunate mayst thou be with goodly pasture, and may we also be exceeding
wealthy.
Feed on the grass, O Cow, at every season, and coming hitherward drink limpid
water.
41 Forming the water-floods, the buffalo hath lowed, one-footed or two-footed or
four-
footed, she,
Who hath become eight-footed or hath got nine feet, the thou sand-syllabled in
the sublimest heaven.
42 From her descend in streams the seas of water; thereby the world's four
regions have their being,
Thence flows the imperishable flood and thence the universe hath life.
43 I saw from far away the smoke of fuel with spires that rose on high o'er that
beneath it.
The Mighty Men have dressed the spotted bullock. These were the customs in the
days aforetime,
44 Three with long tresses show in ordered season. One of them sheareth when the
year is ended.
One with his powers the universe regardeth: Of one, the sweep is seen, but his
figure.
45 Speech hath been measured out in four divisions, the Brahmans who have
understanding know them.
Three kept in close concealment cause no motion; of speech, men speak only the
fourth division.
46 They call him Indra, Mitra, Varuna, Agni, and he is heavenly nobly-winged
Garutman.
To what is One, sages give many a title they call it Agni, Yama, Matarisvan.
47 Dark the descent: the birds are golden-coloured; up to the heaven they fly
robed in the waters.
Again descend they from the seat of Order, and all the earth is moistened with
their fatness.
48 Twelve are the fellies, and the wheel is single; three are the naves. What
man hath understood it?
Therein are set together spokes three hundred and sixty, which in nowise can be
loosened.
49 That breast of thine exhaustless, spring of pleasure, wherewith thou feedest
all things that are choicest,
Wealth-giver, treasure. finder, free bestower,-bring that, Sarasvati, that we
may drain it.
50 By means of sacrifice the Gods accomplished their sacrifice: these were the
earliest ordinances.
These Mighty Ones attained the height of heaven, there where the Sadhyas, Gods
of old, are dwelling.
51 Uniform, with the passing days, this water mounts and fails again.
The tempest-clouds give life to earth, and fires re-animate the heaven.
52 The Bird Celestial, vast with noble pinion, the lovely germ of plants, the
germ of waters,
Him who delighteth us with rain in season, Sarasvan I invoke that he may help
us.
HYMN CLXV. Indra. Maruts.
1. WITH what bright beauty are the Maruts jointly invested, peers in age, who
dwell together?
From what place have they come? With what intention? Sing they their strength
through love of wealth, these Heroes?
2 Whose prayers have they, the Youthful Ones, accepted? Who to his sacrifice
hath turned the Maruts?
We will delay them on their journey sweeping-with what high spirit!-through the
air like eagles.
3 Whence comest thou alone, thou who art mighty, Indra, Lord of the Brave? What
is thy purpose?
Thou greetest us when meeting us the Bright Ones. Lord of Bay Steeds, say what
thou hast against us.
4 Mine are devotions, hymns; sweet are libations. Strength stirs, and hurled
forth is my bolt of thunder.
They call for me, their lauds are longing for me. These my Bay Steeds bear me to
these oblations.
5 Therefore together with our strong companions, having adorned our bodies, now
we harness,
Our spotted deer with might, for thou, O Indra, hast learnt and understood our
Godlike nature.
6 Where was that nature then of yours, O Maruts, that ye charged me alone to
slay the Dragon?
For I in truth am fierce and strong and mighty. I bent away from every foeman's
weapons.
7 Yea, much hast thou achieved with us for comrades, with manly valour like
thine own, thou Hero.
Much may we too achieve, O mightiest Indra, with our great power, we Maruts,
when we will it.
8 Vrtra I slew by mine own strength, O Maruts, having waxed mighty in mine
indignation.
I with the thunder in my hand created for man these lucid softly flowing waters.
9 Nothing, O Maghavan, stands firm before thee; among the Gods not one is found
thine equal.
None born or springing into life comes nigh thee. Do what thou hast to do,
exceeding mighty?
10 Mine only be transcendent power, whatever I, daring in my spirit, may
accomplish.
For I am known as terrible, O Maruts I, Indra, am the Lord of what I ruined.
11 Now, O ye Maruts, hath your praise rejoiced me, the glorious hymn which ye
have made me, Heroes!
For me, for Indra, champion strong in battle, for me, yourselves, as lovers for
a lover.
12 Here, truly, they send forth their sheen to meet me, wearing their blameless
glory and their vigour.
When I have seen you, Matuts, in gay splendour, ye have delighted me, so now
delight me.
13 Who here hath magnified you, O ye Maruts? speed forward, O ye lovers, to your
lovers.
Ye Radiant Ones, assisting their devotions, of these my holy rites he ye
regardful.
14 To this hath Minya's wisdom brought us, so as to aid, as aids the poet him
who worships.
Bring hither quick! On to the sage, ye Maruts! These prayers for you the singer
hath recited.
15 May this your praise, may this your song, O Maruts, sung by the poet, Mana's
son, Mandarya,
Bring offspring for ourselves with food to feed us. May we find strengthening
food in full abundance!
HYMN CLXVI. Maruts.
1. Now let us publish, for the vigorous company the herald of the Strong One,
their primeval might.
With fire upon your way, O Maruts loud of voice, with battle, Mighty Ones,
achieve your deeds of strength.
2 Bringing the pleasant mcath as 'twere their own dear son, they sport in
sportive wise gay at their gatherings.
The Rudras come with succour to the worshipper; self-strong they fail not him
who offers sacrifice.
3 To whomsoever, bringer of oblations, they immortal guardians, have given
plenteous wealth,
For him, like loving friends, the Maruts bringing bliss bedew the regions round
with milk abundantly.
4 Ye who with mighty powers have stirred the regions up, your coursers have sped
forth directed by themselves.
All creatures of the earth, all dwellings are afraid, for brilliant is your
coming with your spears advanced.
5 When they in dazzling rush have made the mountains roar, and shaken heaven's
high back in their heroic strength,
Each sovran of the forest fears as ye drive near, aid the shrubs fly before you
swift as whirling wheels.
6 Terrible Maruts, ye with ne'er-diminished host, with grcat benevolence fulfil
our heart's desire.
Where'er your lightning bites armed with its gory teeth it crunches up the
cattle like a well-aimed dart.
7 Givers of during gifts whose bounties never fail, free from ill-will, at
sacrifices glorified,
They sing their song aloud that they may drink sweet juice: well do they know
the Hero's first heroic deeds.
8 With castles hundredfold, O Maruts, guard ye well the man whom ye have loved
from ruin and from sin,-
The man whom ye the fierce, the Mighty ones who roar, preserve from calumny by
cherishing his seed.
9 O Maruts, in your cars are all things that are good: great powers are set as
'twere in rivalry therein.
Rings are upon your shoulders when ye journey forth: your axle turns together
both the chariot wheels.
10 Held in your manly arms are many goodly things, gold chains are on your
chests, and glistering ornaments,
Deer-skins are on their shoulders, on their fellies knives: they spread their
glory out as birds spread out their wings.
11 Mighty in mightiness, pervading, passing strong, visible from afar as 'twere
with stars of heaven,
Lovely with pleasant tongues, sweet singers with their mouths, the Maruts,
joined with Indra, shout forth all around.
12 This is your majesty, ye Maruts nobly born, far as the sway of Adid your
bounty spreads.
Even Indra by desertion never disannuls the boon bestowed by you upon the pious
man.
13 This is your kinship, Maruts, that, Immortals, ye were oft in olden time
regardful of our call,
Having vouchsafed to man a hearing through this prayer, by wondrous deeds the
Heroes have displayed their might.
14 That, O ye Maruts, we may long time flourish through your abundant riches, O
swift movers,
And that our men may spread in the encampment, let me complete the rite with
these oblations.
15 May this your laud, may this your song, O Maruts, sung by the poet, Mana's
son, Mandarya,
Bring offspring for ourselves with food to feed us. May we find strengthening
food in full abundance.
HYMN CLXVII. Indra. Maruts.
1. A THOUSAND are thy helps for us, O Indra: a thousand, Lord of
Bays, thy choice refreshments.
Wealth of a thousand sorts hast thou to cheer us: may precious goods come nigh
to us in thousands.
2 May the most sapient Maruts, with protection, with best boons brought from
lofty heaven, approach us,
Now when their team of the most noble horses speeds even on the sea's extremest
limit.
3 Close to them clings one moving in seclusion, like a man's wife, like a spear
carried rearward,
Well grasped, bright, decked with gold there is Vak also, like to a courtly,
eloquent dame, among them.
4 Far off the brilliant, never-weary Maruts cling to the young Maid as a joint
possession.
The fierce Gods drave not Rodasi before them, but wished for her to grow their
friend and fellow.
5 When chose immortal Rodasi to follow- she with loose tresses and heroic
spirit-
She climbed her servant's chariot, she like Surya with cloud-like motion and
refulgent aspect.
6 Upon their car the young men set the Maiden wedded to glory, mighty in
assemblies,
When your song, Maruts, rose, and, with oblation, the Soma-pourer sang his hymn
in worship.
7 I will declare the greatness of these Maruts, their real greatness, worthy to
be lauded,
How, with them, she though firm, strong-minded, haughty, travels to women happy
in their fortune.
8 Mitra and Varuna they guard from censure: Aryaman too, discovers worthless
sinners Firm things are overthrown that ne'er were shaken: he prospers, Maruts,
who gives choice oblations.
9 None of us, Maruts, near or at a distance, hath ever reached the limit of your
vigour.
They in courageous might still waxing boldly have compassed round their foemen
like an ocean.
10 May we this day be dearest friends of Indra, and let us call on him in fight
to-morrow.
So were we erst. New might attend us daily! So be with us! Rbhuksan of the
Heroes!
11 May this your laud, may this your song, O Maruts, sung by the poet, Mana's
son, Mandarya,
Bring offspring for ourselves with. food to feed us. May we find strengthening
food in full abundance.
HYMN CLXVIII. Maruts.
1. SWIFT gain is his who hath you near at every rite: ye welcome
every song of himwho serves the Gods.
So may I turn you hither with fair hymns of praise to give great succour for the
weal of both the worlds.
2 Surrounding, as it were, self-born, self-powerful, they spring to life the
shakers-down of food and light;
Like as the countess undulations of the floods, worthy of praise when near, like
bullocks and like kine.
3 They who, like Somas with their well-grown stalks pressed out, imbibed within
the heart, dwell there in friendly wise.
Upon their shoulders rests as 'twere a warrior's spear and in their hand they
hold a dagger and a ring.
4 Self-yoked they have descended lightly from the sky. With your own lash,
Immortals, urge yourselve's to speed.
Unstained by dust the Maruts, mighty in their strength, have cast down e'en firm
things, armed with their shining spears.
5 Who among you, O Maruts armed with lightning-spears, moveth you by himself, as
with the tongue his jaws?
Ye rush from heaven's floor as though ye sought for food, on many errands like
the Sun's diurnal Steed.
6 Say where, then, is this mighty region's farthest bound, where, Maruts, is the
lowest depth that ye have reached,
When ye cast down like chaff the firmly stablished pile, and from the mountain
send the glittering water-flood?
7 Your winning is with strength, dazzling, with heavenly light, with fruit
mature, O Maruts, fall of plenteousness.
Auspicious is your gift like a free giver's meed, victorious, spreading far, as
of immortal Gods.
8 The rivers roar before your chariot fellies when they are uttering the voice
of rain-clouds.
The lightnings laugh upon the earth beneath them, what time the Maruts scatter
forth their fatness.
9 Prani brought forth, to fight the mighty battle, the glittering army of the
restless Maruts.
Nurtured together they begat the monster, and then looked round them for the
food that strengthens.
10 May this your laud, may this your song O Maruts, sung by the poet Mana's son,
Mandarya,
Bring offspring for ourselves with food to feed us. May we find strengthening
food in full abundance.
HYMN CLXIX. Indra.
1. As, Indra, from great treason thou protectest, yea, from great
treachery these who approach us,
So, marking well, Controller of the Maruts grant us their blessings, for they
are thy dearest.
2 The various doings of all mortal people by thee are ordered, in thy wisdom,
Indra.
The host of Marutg goeth forth exulting to win the light-bestowing spoil of
battle.
3 That spear of thine sat firm for us, O Indra: the Maruts set their whole dread
power in motion.
E'en Agni shines resplendent in the brush-wood: the viands hold him as floods
hold an island.
4 Vouchsafe us now that opulence, O Indra, as guerdon won by mightiest donation.
May hymns that please thee cause the breast of Vayu to swell as with the mead's
refreshing sweetness.
5 With thee, O Indra, are most bounteous riches that further every one who lives
uprightly.
Now may these Maruts show us loving-kindness, Gods who of old were ever prompt
to help us.
6 Bring forth the Men who rain down boons, O Indra: exert thee in the great
terrestrial region;
For their broad-chested speckled deer are standing like a King's armies on the
field of battle.
7 Heard is the roar of the advancing Maruts, terrific, glittering, and swiftly
moving,
Who with their rush o'erthrow as 'twere a sinner the mortal who would fight with
those who love him
8 Give to the Manas, Indra with Maruts, gifts universal, gifts of cattle
foremost.
Thou, God, art praised with Gods who must be lauded. May we find strengthening
food in full abundance.
by Griffith 1896
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