HYMN XXXI. Agni.
1 Thou, Agni, wast the earliest Angiras, a Seer; thou wast, a God thyself, the
Gods' auspicious Friend.
After thy holy ordinance the Maruts, sage, active through wisdom, -with their
glittering spears, were born.
2 O Agni, thou, the best and earliest Angiras, fulfillest as a Sage the holy law
of Gods.
Sprung from two mothers, wise, through all existence spread, resting in many a
place for sake of living man.
3 To Matarisvan first thou, Agni, wast disclosed, and to Vivasvan through thy
noble inward power.
Heaven and Earth, Vasu! shook at the choosing of the Priest: the burthen thou
didst bear, didst worship mighty Gods.
4 Agni thou madest heaven to thunder for mankind; thou, yet more pious, for
pious Pururavas.
When thou art rapidly freed from thy parents, first eastward they bear thee
round, and, after, to the west.
5 Thou, Agni, art a Bull who makes our store increase, to be invoked by him who
lifts the ladle up.
Well knowing the oblation with the hallowing word, uniting all who live, thou
lightenest first our folk
6 Agni, thou savest in the synod when pursued e'en him, farseeing One! who walks
in evil ways.
Thou, when the heroes fight for spoil which men rush, round, slayest in war the
many by the hands of few.
7 For glory, Agni, day by day, thou liftest up the mortal man to highest
immortality,
Even thou who yearning for both races givest them great bliss, and to the prince
grantest abundant food.
8 O Agni, highly lauded, make our singer famous that he may win us store of
riches:
May we improve the rite with new performance. O Earth and Heaven, with all the
Gods, protect us.
9 O blameless Agni lying in thy Parents' lap, a God among the Gods, be watchful
for our good.
Former of bodies, be the singer's Providence: all good things hast thou sown for
him, auspicious One!
10 Agni, thou art our Providence, our Father thou - we are thy brethren and thou
art our spring of life. in thee, rich in good heroes, guard of high decrees,
meet hundred, thousand treasures, O infallible!
11 Thee, Agni, have the Gods made the first living One for living man, Lord of
the house of Nahusa.
Ila they made the teacher of the sons of men, what time a Son was born to the
father of my race.
12 Worthy to be revered, O Agni, God, preserve our wealthy patrons with thy
succours, and ourselves.
Guard of our seed art thou, aiding our cows to bear, incessantly protecting in
thy holy way.
13 Agni, thou art a guard close to the pious man; kindled art thou, four-eyed!
for him who is unarmcd.
With fond heart thou acceptest e'en the poor man's prayer, when he hath brought
his gift to gain security.
14 Thou, Agni gainest for the loudly-praising priest the highest wealth, the
object of a man's desire.
Thou art called Father, caring even for the weak, and wisest, to the simple one
thou teachest lore.
15 Agni, the man who giveth guerdon to the priests, like well-sewn armour thou
guardest on every side.
He who with grateful food shows kindness in his house, an offerer to the living,
is the type of heaven.
16 Pardon, we pray, this sin of ours, O Agni, -- the path which we have trodden,
widely straying,
Dear Friend and Father, caring for the pious, who speedest nigh and who
inspirest mortals.
17 As erst to Manus, to Yayiti, Angiras, so Angiras! pure Agni! come thou to our
hall
Bring hither the celestial host and seat them here upon the sacred grass, and
offer what they love.
18 By this our prayer be thou, O Agni, strengthened, prayer made by us after our
power and knowledge.
Lead thou us, therefore, to increasing riches; endow us with thy
strength-bestowing favour.
HYMN XXXII. Indra.
1 I WILL declare the manly deeds of Indra, the first that he achieved, the
Thunder-wielder.
He slew the Dragon, then disclosed the waters, and cleft the channels of the
mountain torrents.
2 He slew the Dragon lying on the mountain: his heavenly bolt of thunder Tvastar
fashioned.
Like lowing kine in rapid flow descending the waters glided downward to the
ocean.
3 Impetuous as a bull, he chose the Soma and in three sacred beakers drank the
juices.
Maghavan grasped the thunder for his weapon, and smote to death this firstborn
of the dragons.
4 When, Indra, thou hadst slain the dragon's firstborn, and overcome the charms
of the enchanters,
Then, giving life to Sun and Dawn and Heaven, thou foundest not one foe to stand
against thee.
5 Indra with his own great and deadly thunder smote into pieces Vrtra, worst of
Vrtras.
As trunks of trees, what time the axe hath felled them, low on the earth so lies
the prostrate Dragon.
6 He, like a mad weak warrior, challenged Indra, the great impetuous
many-slaying Hero.
He. brooking not the clashing of the weapons, crushed-Indra's foe-the shattered
forts in falling.
7 Footless and handless still he challenged Indra, who smote him with his bolt
between the shoulders.
Emasculate yet claiming manly vigour, thus Vrtra lay with scattered limbs
dissevered.
8 There as he lies like a bank-bursting river, the waters taking courage flow
above him.
The Dragon lies beneath the feet of torrents which Vrtra with his greatness had
encompassed.
9 Then humbled was the strength of Vrtra's mother: Indra hath cast his deadly
bolt against her.
The mother was above, the son was under and like a cow beside her calf lay Danu.
10 Rolled in the midst of never-ceasing currents flowing without a rest for ever
onward.
The waters bear off Vrtra's nameless body: the foe of Indra sank to during
darkness.
11 Guarded by Ahi stood the thralls of Dasas, the waters stayed like kine held
by the robber.
But he, when he had smitten Vrtra, opened the cave wherein the floods had been
imprisoned.
12 A horse's tail wast thou when he, O Indra, smote on thy bolt; thou, God
without a second,
Thou hast won back the kine, hast won the Soma; thou hast let loose to flow the
Seven Rivers.
13 Nothing availed him lightning, nothing thunder, hailstorm or mist which had
spread around him:
When Indra and the Dragon strove in battle, Maghavan gained the victory for
ever.
14 Whom sawest thou to avenge the Dragon, Indra, that fear possessed thy heart
when thou hadst slain him;
That, like a hawk affrighted through the regions, thou crossedst nine-and-ninety
flowing rivers?
15 Indra is King of all that moves and moves not, of creatures tame and horned,
the Thunder-wielder.
Over all living men he rules as Sovran, containing all as spokes within the
felly.
HYMN XXXIII. Indra.
1 Come, fain for booty let us seek to Indra: yet more shall he increase his care
that guides us.
Will not the Indestructible endow us with perfect knowledge of this wealth, of
cattle?
2 I fly to him invisible Wealth-giver as flies the falcon to his cherished eyrie,
With fairest hymns of praise adoring Indra, whom those who laud him must invoke
in battle.
3 Mid all his host, he bindeth on the quiver he driveth cattle from what foe he
pleaseth:
Gathering up great store of riches, Indra. be thou no trafficker with us, most
mighty.
4 Thou slewest with thy bolt the wealthy Dasyu, alone, yet going with thy
helpers, Indra!
Far from the floor of heaven in all directions, the ancient riteless ones fled
to destruction.
5 Fighting with pious worshippers, the riteless turned and fled, Indra! with
averted faces.
When thou, fierce Lord of the Bay Steeds, the Stayer, blewest from earth and
heaven and sky the godless.
6 They met in fight the army of the blameless. then the Navagvas put forth all
their power.
They, like emasculates with men contending, fled, conscious, by steep paths from
Indra, scattered.
7 Whether they weep or laugh, thou hast o'erthrown them, O Indra, on the sky's
extremest limit.
The Dasyu thou hast burned from heaven, and welcomed the prayer of him who pours
the juice and lauds thee.
8 Adorned with their array of gold and jewels, they o'er the earth a covering
veil extended.
Although they hastened, they o'ercame not Indra: their spies he compassed with
the Sun of morning.
9 As thou enjoyest heaven and earth, O Indra, on every side surrounded with thy
greatness,
So thou with priests bast blown away the Dasyu, and those who worship not with
those who worship.
10 They who pervaded earth's extremest limit subdued not with their charms the
Wealth-bestower:
Indra, the Bull, made his ally the thunder, and with its light milked cows from
out the darkness.
11 The waters flowed according to their nature; he raid the navigable streams
waxed mighty.
Then Indra, with his spirit concentrated, smote him for ever with his strongest
weapon.
12 Indra broke through Ilibisa's strong castles, and Suspa with his horn he cut
to pieces:
Thou, Maghavan, for all his might and swiftness, slewest thy fighting foeman
with thy thunder
13 Fierce on his enemies fell Indra's weapon: with. his sharp bull he rent their
forts in pieces.
He with his thunderbolt dealt blows on Vrtra; and conquered, executing all his
purpose.
14 Indra, thou helpest Kutsa whom thou lovedst, and guardedst brave Dagadyu when
he battled,
The dust of trampling horses rose to heaven, and Svitri's son stood up again for
conquest.
15 Svitra's mild steer, O Maghavan thou helpest in combat for the land, mid
Tugra's houses.
Long stood they there before the task was ended: thou wast the master of the
foemen's treasure.
HYMN XXXIV. Asvins.
1 Ye who observe this day be with us even thrice: far-stretching is you bounty,
Asvins and your course.
To you, as to a cloak in winter, we cleave close: you are to be drawn nigh unto
us by the wise.
2 Three are the fellies in your honey-bearing car, that travels after Soma's
loved one, as all know.
Three are the pillars set upon it for support: thrice journey ye by night, O
Asvins, thrice by day.
3 Thrice in the self-same day, ye Gods who banish want, sprinkle ye thrice
to-day our sacrifice with meath;
And thrice vouchsafe us store of food with plenteous strength, at evening, O ye
Asvins, and at break of day.
4 Thrice come ye to our home, thrice to the righteous folk, thrice triply aid
the man who well deserves your help.
Thrice, O ye Asvins, bring us what shall make us glad; thrice send us store of
food as nevermore to fail.
5 Thrice, O ye Asvins, bring to us abundant wealth: thrice in the Gods'
assembly, thrice assist our thoughts.
Thrice, grant ye us prosperity, thrice grant us fame; for the Sun's daughter
hath mounted your three-wheeled car.
6 Thrice, Asvins, grant to us the heavenly medicines, thrice those of earth and
thrice those that the waters hold,
Favour and health and strength bestow upon my son; triple protection, Lords of
Splendour, grant to him.
7 Thrice are ye to be worshipped day by day by us: thrice, O ye Asvins, ye
travel around the earth.
Car-borne from far away, O ye Nasatyas, come, like vital air to bodies, come ye
to the three.
8 Thrice, O ye Asvins, with the Seven Mother Streams; three are the jars, the
triple offering is prepared.
Three are the worlds, and moving on above the sky ye guard the firm-set vault of
heaven through days and nights.
9 Where are the three wheels of your triple chariot, where are the three seats
thereto firmly fastened?
When will ye yoke the mighty ass that draws it, to bring you to our sacrifice.
Nasatyas?
10 Nasatyas, come: the sacred gift is offered up; drink the sweet juice with
lips that know the sweetness well.
Savitar sends, before the dawn of day, your car, fraught with oil, various-coloured, to our sacrifice.
11 Come, O Nasatyas, with the thrice-eleven Gods; come, O ye Asvins, to the
drinking of the meath.
Make long our days of life, and wipe out all our sins: ward off our enemies; be
with us evermore.
12 Borne in your triple car, O Asvins, bring us present prosperity with noble
offspring.
I cry to you who hear me for protection be ye our helpers where men win the
booty.
HYMN XXXV. Savitar.
1 AGNI I first invoke for our prosperity; I call on Mitra, Varuna, to aid us
here.
I call on Night who gives rest to all moving life; I call on Savitar the God to
lend us help.
2 Throughout the dusky firmament advancing, laying to rest the immortal and the
mortal,
Borne in his golden chariot he cometh, Savitar, God who looks on every creature.
3 The God moves by the upward path, the downward; with two bright Bays,
adorable, he journeys.
Savitar comes, the God from the far distance, and chases from us all distress
and sorrow.
4 His chariot decked with pearl, of various colours, lofty, with golden pole,
the God hath mounted,
The many-rayed One, Savitar the holy, bound, bearing power and might, for
darksome regions.
5 Drawing the gold-yoked car his Bays, white-footed, have manifested light to
all the peoples.
Held in the lap of Savitar, divine One, all men, all beings have their place for
ever.
6 Three heavens there are; two Savitar's, adjacent: in Yama's world is one, the
home of heroes,
As on a linch-pin, firm, rest things immortal: he who hath known it let him here
declare it.
7 He, strong of wing, hath lightened up the regions, deep-quivering Asura, the
gentle Leader.
Where now is Surya, where is one to tell us to what celestial sphere his ray
hath wandered?
8 The earth's eight points his brightness hath illumined, three desert regions
and the Seven Rivers.
God Savitar the gold-eyed hath come hither, giving choice treasures unto him who
worships.
9 The golden-handed Savitar, far-seeing, goes on his way between the earth and
heaven,
Drives away sickness, bids the Sun approach us, and spreads the bright sky
through the darksome region.
10 May he, gold-handed Asura, kind Leader, come hither to us with his help and
favour.
Driving off Raksasas and Yatudhanas, the God is present, praised in hymns at
evening.
11 O Savitar, thine ancient dustless pathways are well established in the air's
midregion:
O God, come by those paths so fair to travel, preserve thou us from harm this
day, and bless us.
HYMN XXXVI. Agni.
1 WITH words sent forth in holy hymns, Agni we supplicate, the Lord
Of many families who duly serve the Gods, yea, him whom others also praise.
2 Men have won Agni, him who makes their strength abound: we, with oblations,
worship thee.
Our gracious-minded Helper in our deeds of might, be thou, O Excellent, this
day.
3 Thee for our messenger we choose, thee, the Omniscient, for our Priest.
The flames of thee the mighty are spread wide around: thy splendour reaches to
the sky.
4 The Gods enkindle thee their ancient messenger, - Varuna, Mitra, Aryaman.
That mortal man, O Agni, gains through thee all wealth, who hath poured
offerings unto thee.
5 Thou, Agni, art a cheering Priest, Lord of the House, men's messenger:
All constant high decrees established by the Gods, gathered together, meet in
thee.
6 In thee, the auspicious One, O Agni, youthfullest, each sacred gift is offered
up:
This day, and after, gracious, worship thou our Gods, that we may have heroic
sons.
7 To him in his own splendour bright draw near in worship the devout.
Men kindle Agni with their sacrificial gifts, victorious o'er the enemies.
8 Vrtra they smote and slew, and made the earth and heaven and firmament a wide
abode.
The glorious Bull, invoked, hath stood at Kanva's side: loud neighed the Steed
in frays for kine.
9 Seat thee, for thou art mighty; shine, best entertainer of the Gods.
Worthy of sacred food, praised Agni! loose the smoke, ruddy and beautiful to
see.
10 Bearer of offerings, whom, best sacrificing Priest, the Gods for Manu's sake
ordained;
Whom Kanva, whom Medhyatithi made the source of wealth, and Vrsan and Upastuta.
11 Him, Agni, whom Medhyatithi, whom Kanva kindled for his rite,
Him these our songs of praise, him, Agni, we extol: his powers shine out
preeminent.
12 Make our wealth perfect thou, O Agni, Lord divine: for thou hast kinship with
the Gods.
Thou rulest as a King o'er widely-famous strength: be good to us, for thou art
great.
13 Stand up erect to lend us aid, stand up like Savitar the God:
Erect as strength-bestower we call aloud, with unguents and with priests, on
thee.
14 Erect, preserve us from sore trouble; with thy flame burn thou each ravening
demon dead.
Raise thou us up that we may walk and live. so thou shalt find our worship mid
the Gods.
15 Preserve us, Agni, from the fiend, preserve us from malicious wrong.
Save us from him who fain would injure us or slay, Most Youthful, thou with
lofty light.
16 Smite down as with a club, thou who hast fire for teeth, smite thou the
wicked, right and left.
Let not the man who plots against us in the night, nor any foe prevail o'er us.
17 Agni hath given heroic might to Kainva, and felicity:
Agni hath helped our friends, hath helped Medhyitithi, hath helped Upastuta to
win.
18 We call on Ugradeva, Yadu, Turvasa, by means of Agni, from afar;
Agni, bring Navavastva and Brhadratba, Turviti, to subdue the foe.
19 Manu hath stablished thee a light, Agni, for all the race of men:
Sprung from the Law, oil-fed, for Kanva hast thou blazed, thou whom the people
reverence.
20 The flames of Agni full of splendour and of might are fearful, not to be
approached.
Consume for ever all demons and sorcerers, consume thou each devouring fiend.
HYMN XXXVII. Maruts.
1 SING forth, O Kanvas, to your band of Maruts unassailable,
Sporting, resplendent on their car
2 They who, self-luminous, were born together, with the spotted deer,
Spears, swords, and glittering ornaments.
3 One hears, as though 'twere close at hand, the cracking of the whips they hold
They gather glory on their way.
4 Now sing ye forth the God-given hymn to your exultant Marut host,
The fiercely-vigorous, the strong.
5 Praise ye the Bull among the cows; for 'tis the Maruts' sportive band:
It strengthened as it drank the rain.
6 Who is your mightiest, Heroes, when, O shakers of the earth and heaven,
Ye shake them like a garment's hem?
7 At your approach man holds him down before the fury of your wrath:
The rugged-jointed mountain yields.
8 They at whose racings forth the earth, like an age-weakened lord of men,
Trembles in terror on their ways.
9 Strong is their birth: vigour have they to issue from their Mother; strength,
Yea, even twice enough, is theirs.
10 And these, the Sons, the Singers, in their racings have enlarged the bounds,
So that the kine must walk knee-deep.
11 Before them, on the ways they go, they drop this offspring of the cloud,
Long, broad, and inexhaustible.
12 O Maruts, as your strength is great, so have ye cast men down on earth,
So have ye made the mountains fall.
13 The while the Maruts pass along, they talk together on the way:
Doth any hear them as they speak?
14 Come quick with swift steeds, for ye have worshippers among Kanva's sons
May you rejoice among them well.
15 All is prepared for your delight. We are their servants evermore,
To live as long as life may last.
HYMN XXXVIII. Maruts.
I WHAT now? When will ye take us by both hands, as a dear sire his son,
Gods, for whom sacred grass is clipped?
2 Now whither? To what goal of yours go ye in heaven, and not on earth?
Where do your cows disport themselves?
3 Where are your newest favours shown? Where, Maruts, your prosperity?
Where all your high felicities?
4 If, O ye Maruts, ye the Sons whom Prsni bore, were mortal, and
Immortal he who sings your praise.
5 Then never were your praiser loathed like a wild beast in pasture-land,
Nor should he go on Yama's path.
6 Let not destructive plague on plague hard to be conquered, strike its down:
Let each, with drought, depart from us.
7 Truly, they the fierce and mighty Sons of Rudra send their windless
Rain e'en on the desert places.
8 Like a cow the lightning lows and follows, motherlike, her youngling,
When their rain-flood hath been loosened.
9 When they inundate the earth they spread forth darkness e'en in day time,
With the water-laden rain-cloud.
10 O Maruts, at your voice's sound this earthly habitation shakes,
And each man reels who dwells therein.
11 O Maruts, with your strong-hoofed steeds, unhindered in their courses, haste
Along the bright embanked streams.
12 Firm be the fellies of your wheels, steady your horses and your cars,
And may your reins be fashioned well.
13 Invite thou hither with this song, for praise, Agni the Lord of Prayer,
Him who is fair as Mitra is.
14 Form in thy mouth the hymn of praise expand thee like, a rainy cloud
Sing forth the measured eulogy.
15 Sing glory to the Marut host, praiseworthy, tuneful, vigorous:
Here let the Strong Ones dwell with us.
HYMN XXXIX Maruts.
1 WHEN thus, like flame, from far away, Maruts, ye cast your measure forth,
To whom go Ye, to whom, O shakers of the earth, moved by whose wisdom, whose
design?
2 Strong let your weapons be to drive away your foes, firm for resistance let
them be.
Yea, passing glorious must be your warrior might, not as a guileful mortal's
strength.
3 When what is strong ye overthrow, and whirl about each ponderous thing,
Heroes, your course is through the forest trees of earth, and through the
fissures of the rocks.
4 Consumers of your foes, no enemy of yours is found in heaven or on the earth:
Ye Rudras, may the strength, held in this bond, be yours, to bid defiance even
now.
5 They make the mountains rock and reel, they rend the forest-kings apart.
onward, ye Maruts, drive, like creatures drunk with wine, ye, Gods with all your
company.
6 Ye to your chariot have yoked the spotted deer: a red deer, as a leader,
draws.
Even the Earth herself listened as ye came near, and men were sorely terrified.
7 O Rudras, quickly we desire your succour for this work of ours.
Come to us with your aid as in the days of old, so now for frightened Kanva's
sake.
8 Should any monstrous foe, O Maruts, sent by you or sent by mortals threaten
us,
Tear ye him from us with your power and with your might, and with the succours
that are yours.
9 For ye, the worshipful and wise, have guarded Kanva perfectly.
O Maruts, come to us with full protecting help, as lightning flashes seek the
rain.
10 Whole strength have ye, O Bounteous Ones; perfect, earth-shakers, is your
might.
Maruts, against the poet's wrathful enemy send ye an enemy like a dart.
HYMN XL. Brahmanaspati
1 O BRAMANASPATI, stand up: God-serving men we pray to thee.
May they who give good gifts, the Maruts, come to us. Indra, most swift, be thou
with them.
2 O Son of Strength, each mortal calls to thee for aid when spoil of battle
waits for him.
O Maruts, may this man who loves you well obtain wealth of good steeds and hero
might.
3 May Brahmanaspati draw nigh, may Sunrta the Goddess come,
And Gods bring to this rite which gives the five-fold gift the Hero, lover of
mankind.
4 He who bestows a noble guerdon on the priest wins fame that never shall decay.
For him we offer sacred hero-giving food, peerless and conquering easily.
5 Now Brahmanaspati speaks forth aloud the solemn hymn of praise,
Wherein Indra and Varuna, Mitra, Aryaman, the Gods, have made their dwelling
place.
6 May we in holy synods, Gods! recite that hymn, peerless, that brings felicity.
If you, O Heroes, graciously accept this word, may it obtain all bliss from you.
7 Who shall approach the pious? who the man whose sacred grass is trimmed?
The offerer with his folk advances more and more: he fills his house with
precious things.
8 He amplifies his lordly might, with kings he slays: e'en mid alarms he dwells
secure
In great or lesser fight none checks him, none subdues,-the wielder of the
thunderbolt.
by Griffith 1896
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