HYMN XXXI. Indra.
1. WITH what help will he come to us, wonderful, ever-waxing Friend;
With what most mighty company?
2 What genuine and most liberal draught will spirit thee with juice to burst
Open e'en strongly-guarded wealth?
3 Do thou who art Protector of us thy friends who praise thee
With hundred aids approach us.
4 Like as a courser's circling wheel, so turn thee hitherward to us,
Attracted by the hymns of men.
5 Thou seekest as it were thine own stations with swift descent of powers:
I share thee even with the Sun.
6 What time thy courage and his wheels together, Indra, run their course
With thee and with the Sun alike,
7 So even, Lord of Power and Might, the people call thee Maghavan,
Giver, who pauses not to think.
8 And verily to him who toils and presses Soma juice for thee
Thou quickly givest ample wealth.
9 No, not a hundred hinderers can check thy gracious bounty's flow,
Nor thy great deeds when thou wilt act.
10 May thine assistance keep us safe, thy hundred and thy thousand aids:
May all thy favours strengthen us.
11 Do thou elect us this place for friendship and prosperity,
And great celestial opulence.
12 Favour us, Indra, evermore with overflowing store of wealth:
With all thy succours aid thou us.
13 With new protections, Indra, like an archer, open thou forus
The stables that are filled with kine.
14 Our chariot, Indra, boldly moves endued with splendour, ne'er repulsed,
Winning for us both kine andsteeds.
15 O Surya, make our fame to be most excellent among the Gods,
Most lofty as the heaven on high.
HYMN XXXII. Indra.
1. O THOU who slewest Vrtra, come, O Indra, hither to our side,
Mighty One with thy mighty aids.
2 Swift and impetuous art thou, wondrous amid the well-dressed folk:
Thou doest marvels for our help.
3 Even with the weak thou smitest down him
who is stronger, with thy strength
The mighty, with the Friends thou hast.
4 O Indra, we are close to thee; to thee we sing aloud our songs:
Help hnd defend us, even us.
5 As such, O Caster of the Stone, come with thy succours wonderful,
Blameless, and irresistible.
6 May we be friends of one like thee, O Indra, with the wealth of kine,
Comrades for lively energy.
7 For thou, O Indra, art alone the Lord of strength that comes from kine
So grant thou us abundant food.
8 They turn thee not another way, when, lauded, Lover of the Song,
Thou wilt give wealth to those who praise.
9 The Gotamas have sung their song of praise to thee that thou mayst give,
Indra, for lively energy.
10 We will declare thy hero deeds, what Disa forts thou brakest down,
Attacking them in rapturous joy.
11 The sages sing those manly deeds which, Indra, Lover of the Song,
Thou wrougbtest when the Soma flowed.
12 Indra, the Gotamas who bring thee praises have grown strong by thee.
Give them renown with hero sons.
13 For, Indra, verily thou art the general treasure even of all .
Thee, therefore, do we invocate.
14 Excellent Indra, turn to us: glad thee among us with the juice
Of Somas, Soma-drinker thou.
15 May praise from us who think Qn thee, O Indra, bring thee near to us.
Turn thy two Bay Steeds hitherward.
16 Eat of our sacrificial cake: rejoice thee in the songs we sing.
Even as a lover in his bride.
17 To India for a thousand steeds well-trained and fleet of foot we pray,
And hundred jars of Soma juice.
18 We make a hundred of thy kine, yea, and a thousand, hasten nigh:
So let thy bounty come to us.
19 We have obtained, a gift from thee, ten water-ewers wrought of gold:
Thou, Vrtra-slayer, givest much.
20 A bounteous Giver, give us much, bring much and not a trifling gift:
Much, Indra, wilt thou fain bestow.
21 O Vrtra-slayer, thou art famed in many a place as bountiful
Hero, thy bounty let us share.
22 I praise thy pair of Tawny Steeds, wise Son of him who giveth kine
Terrify not the cows with these.
23 Like two slight images of girls, unrobed, upon a new-wrought post,
So shine the Bay Steeds in their course.
24 For me the Bays are ready when I start, or start not, with the dawn,
Innocuous in the ways they take.
HYMN XXXIII. Rbhus.
I. I SEND my voice as herald to the Rbhus; I crave the white cow for the
overspreading.
Wind-sped, the Skillful Ones in rapid motion have in an instant compassed round
the heaven.
2 What time the Rbus had with care and marvels done proper service to assist
their Parents,
They won the friendship of the Gods; the Sages carried away the fruit of their
devotion.
3 May they who made their Parents, who were lying like posts that moulder, young
again for ever,-
May Vaja, Vibhvan, Rbhu, joined with Indra , protect our sacrifice, the
Soma-lovers.
4 As for a year the Rbhus kept the Milch-cow, throughout a year fashioned and
formed her body,
And through a year's space still sustained her brightness, through these their
labours they were made immortal.
5 Two beakers let us make,- thus said the eldest. Lct us make three,- this was
the younger's sentence.
Four beakers let us make,- thus spoke the youngest. Tvastar approved this rede
of yours, O Rbhus.
6 The men spake truth and even so they acted: this Godlike way of theirs the
Rbhus followed.
And Tvastar, when he looked on the four beakers resplendent as the day, was
moved with envy.
7 When for twelve days the Rbhus joyed reposing as guests of him who never may
be hidden,
lley made fair fertile fields, they brought the rivers. Plants spread o'er
deserts, waters filled the hollows.
8 May they who formed the swift car, bearing Heroes, and the Cow omniform and
all-impelling,
Even may they form wealth for us,-the Rbhus, dexterous-handed, deft in work and
gracious.
9 So in their work the Gods had satisfaction, pondering it with thought and
mental insight.
The Gods' expert artificer was Vaja, Indra's Rbhuksan, Varuna's was Vibhvan.
10 They whol made glad with sacrifice and praises, wrought the two Bays, his
docile Steeds, for Indra,-
Rbhus, as those who wish a friend to prosper, bestow upon us gear and growth of
riches.
11 This day have they set gladdening drink before you. Not without toil are Gods
inclined to friendship.
Therefore do ye who are so great, O Rbhus, vouchsafe us treasures at this third
libation.
HYMN XXXIV. Rbhus.
1. To this our sacrifice come Rbhu, Vibhvan, Vaja, and Indra with the gift of
riches,
Because this day hath Dhisana the Goddess set drink for you: the gladdening
draughts have reached you.
2 Knowing your birth and rich in gathered treasure, Rbhus, rejoice together with
the Rtus.
The gladdening draughts and wisdom have approached you: send ye us riches with
good store of heroes.
3 For you was made this sacrifice, O Rbhus, which ye, like men, won for
yourselves aforetime.
To you come all who find in you their pleasure: ye all were-even the two
elder-Vajas.
4 Now for the mortal worshipper, O Heroes, for him who served you, was the gift
of riches.
Drink, Vajas, Rbhus! unto you is offered, to gladden you, the third and great
libation.
5 Come to us, Heroes, Vajas and Rbhuksans, glorified for the sake of mighty
treasure.
These draughts approach you as the day is closing, as cows, whose calves are
newly-born, their stable.
6 Come to this sacrifice of ours, ye Children of Strength, invoked with humble
adoration.
Drink of this meath, Wealth-givers, joined with Indra with whom ye are in full
accord, ye Princes.
7 Close knit with Varuna drink the Soma, Indra; close-knit, ilymn-lover! with
the Maruts drink it:
Close-knit with drinkers first, who drink in season; close-knit with heavenly
Dames who give us treasures.
8 Rejoice in full accord with the Adityas, in concord with the Parvatas, O
Rbhus;
In full accord with Savitar, Divine One; in full accord with floods that pour
forth riches.
9 Rbhus, who helped their Parents and the Asvins, who formed the Milch-cow and
the pair of horses,
Made armour, set the heaven and earth asunder,-far- reaching Heroes, they have
made good offspring.
10 Ye who have wealth in cattle and in booty, in heroes, in rich sustenance and
treasure,
Such, O ye Rbhus, first to drink, rejoicing, give unto us and those who laud our
present.
11 Ye were not far: we have not left you thirsting, blameless in this our
sacrifice, O Rbhus.
Rejoice you with the Maruts and with Indra, with the Kings, Gods! that ye may
give us riches.
HYMN XXXV. Rbhus.
1. Come hither, O ye Sons of Strength, ye Rbhus; stay not afar, ye Children of
Sudhanvan.
At this libation is your gift of treasure. Let gladdening draughts approach you
after Indra's.
2 Hither is come the Rbhus' gift of riches; here was the drinking of the
well-pressed Soma,
Since by dexterity and skill as craftsmen ye made the single chalice to be
fourfold
3 Ye made fourfold the chalice that wag single: ye spake these words and said, O
Friend, assist us;
Then, Vajas! gained the path of life eternal, deft-handed Rbhus, to the Gods'
assembly.
4 Out of what substance was that chalice fashioned which ye made fourfold by
your art and wisdom?
Now for the gladdening draught press out the liquor, and drink, O Rbhus, of die
meath of Soma.
5 Ye with your cunning made your Parents youthful; the cup, for Gods to drink,
ye formed with cunning;
With cunning, Rbhus, rich in treasure, fashioned the two swift Tawny Steeds who
carry Indra.
6 Whoso pours out for you, when days are closing, the sharp libation for your
joy, O Vajas,
For him, O mighty Rbhus, ye, rejoicing, have fashioned wealth with plenteous
store of heroes.
7 Lord of Bay Steeds, at dawn thejuice thou drankest: thine, only thine, is the
noonday libation.
Now drink thou with the wealth-bestowing Rbhus, whom for their skill thou madest
friends, O Indra.
8 Ye, whom your artist skill hath raised to Godhead have set you down above in
heaven like falcons.
So give us riches, Children of Sudhanvan, O Sons of Strength; ye have become
immortal.
9 The third libation, that bestoweth treasure, which ye have won by skill, ye
dexterous-handed,-
This drink hath been effused for you, O Rbhus . drink it with high delight, with
joy like Indra's.
HYMN XXXVI. Rbhus.
1. THia car that was not made for horses or for reins, three-wheeled, worthy of
lauds, rolls round the firmament.
That is the great announcement of your Deity, that, O ye Rbhus, ye sustain the
earth and heaven.
2 Ye Sapient Ones who made the lightly-rolling car out of your mind, by thought,
the car that never errs,
You, being such, to drink of this drinkoffering, you, O ye Vajas, and ye Rbhus,
we invoke.
3 O Vajas, Rbhus, reaching far, among the Gods this was your exaltation
gloriously declared,
In that your aged Parents, worn with length of days, ye wrought again to youth
so that they moved at will.
4 The chalice that wag single ye have made fourfold, and by your wisdom brought
the Cow forth from the hide.
So quickly, mid the Gods, ye gained immortal life. Vajas and Rbhus, your great
work must be extolled.
5 Wealth from the Rbhus is most glorious in renown, that which the Heroes, famed
for vigour, have produced.
In synods must be sung the car which Vibhvan wrought: that which ye favour,
Gods! is famed among mankind.
6 Strong is the steed, the man a sage in eloquence, the bowman is a hero hard to
beat in fight,
Great store of wealth and manly power hath he obtained whom Vaja, Vibhvan, Rbhus
have looked kindly on.
7 To you hath been assigned the fairest ornament, the hymn of praise: Vajas and
Rbhus, joy therein;
For ye have lore and wisdom and poetic skill: as such, with this our prayer we
call on you to come.
8 According to the wishes of our hearts may ye, who have full knowledge of all
the delights of men,
Fashion for us, O Rbhus, power and splendid wealth, rich in high courage,
excellent, and vital strength.
9 Bestowing on us here riches and offspring, here fashion fame for us befitting
heroes.
Vouchsafe us wealth of splendid sort, O Rbhus, that we may make us more renowned
than others.
HYMN XXXVII. Rbhus.
1. COME to our sacrifice, Vajas, Rbhuksans, Gods, by the paths which Gods are
wont to travel,
As ye, gay Gods, accept in splendid weather the sacrifice among these folk of
Manus.
2 May these rites please you in your heart and spirit; may the drops clothed in
oil this day approach you.
May the abundant juices bear you onward to power and strength, and, when
imbibed, delight you.
3 Your threefold going near is God-appointed, so praise is given you, Vajas and
Rbhuksans.
So, Manus-like, mid younger folk I offer, to you who are aloft in heaven, the
Soma.
4 Strong, with fair chains of gold and jaws of iron, ye have a splendid car and
well-fed horses.
Ye Sons of Strength, ye progeny of Indra, to you the best is offered to delight
you.
5 Rbhuksans! him, for handy wealth, the mightiest comrade in the fight,
Him, Indra's equal, we invoke, most bounteous ever, rich in steeds.
6 The mortal man whom, Rbhus, ye and Indra favour with your help,
Must be successful, by his thoughts, at sacrifice and with the steed.
7 O Vajas and Rbhuksans, free for us the paths to sacrifice,
Ye Princes, lauded, that we may press forward to each point of heaven.
8 O Vajas and Rbhuksans, ye Nasatyas, Indra, bless this wealth,
And, before other men's, the steed, that ample riches may be won.
HYMN XXXVIII. Dadhikris.
1. FROM you two came the gifts in days aforetime which Trasadasyu granted to the
Purus.
Ye gave the winner of our fields and plough-lands, and the strong smiter who
subdued the Dasytis.
2 And ye gave mighty Dadhikras, the giver of many gifts, who visiteth all
people,
Impetuous hawk, swift and of varied colour, like a brave King whom each true man
must honour.
3 Whom, as 'twere down a precipice, swift rushing, each Puru praises and his
heart rejoices,-
Springing forth like a hero fain for battle, whirling the car and flying like
the tempest.
4 Who gaineth precious booty in the combats and moveth, winning spoil, among the
cattle;
Shown in bright colour, looking on the assemblies, beyond the churl, to worship
of the living.
5 Loudly the folk cry after him in battles, as 'twere a thief who steals away a
garment;
Speeding to glory, or a herd of cattle, even as a hungry falcon swooping
downward.
6 And, fain to come forth first amid these armies, this way and that with rows
of cars he rushes,
Gay like a bridesman, making him a garland, tossing the dust, champing the rein
that holds him.
7 And that strong Steed, victorious and faithful, obedient with his body in the
combat,
Speeding straight on amid the swiftly ressing, casts o'er his brows the dust he
tosses upward.
8 And at his thunder, like the roar of heaven, those who attack tremble and are
affrighted;
For when he fights against embattled thousands, dread is he in his striving;
none may stay him.
9 The people praise the overpowering swiftness of this fleet Steed who giveth
men abundance.
Of him they say when drawing back from battle. Dadhikras hath sped forward with
his thousands.
10 Dadhikras hath o'erspread the Fivefold People with vigour, as the Sun
lightens the waters.
May the strong Steed who winneth bundreds, thousands, requite with sweetness
these my words and praises.
HYMN XXXIX Dadhikras.
1. Now give we praise to Dadhikras the rapid, and mention in our laud the Earth
and Heaven.
May the Dawns flushing move me to exertion, and bear me safely over every
trouble.
2 I praise the mighty Steed who fills my spirit, the Stallion Dadhikravan rich
in bounties,
Whom, swift of foot aind shining bright as Agni, ye, Varuna and Mitra, gave to
Purus.
3 Him who hath honoured, when the flame is kindled at break of dawn, the Courser
Dadhikrivan,
Him, of one mind with Varuna and Mitra may Aditi make free from all
transgression.
4 When we remember mighty Dadhikravan our food and strength, then the blest name
of Maruts,
Varuna, Mitra, we invoke for welfare, and Agni, and the thunder-wielding Indra.
5 Both sides invoke him as they call on Indra when they stir forth and turn to
sacrificing.
To us have Varuna and Mitra granted the Courser Dadhikris, a guide for mortals.
6 So have I glorified with praise strong Dadhikravan, conquering Steed.
Sweet may he make our mouths; may he prolong the days we have to live.
HYMN XL. Dadhikravan.
1. LET us recite the praise of Dadhikravan: may all the Mornings move me to
exertion;
Praise of the Lord of Waters, Dawn, and Agni, Brhaspati Son of Angiras, and
Surya.
2 Brave, seeking war and booty, dwelling with the good and with the swift, may
he hasten the food of Dawn.
May he the true, the fleet, the lover of the course, the bird-like Dadhikravan,
bring food, strength, and light.
3 His pinion, rapid runner, fans him m his way, as of a bird that hastens onward
to its aim,
And, as it were a falcon's gliding through the air, strikes Dadhikravan's side
as he speeds on with might.
4 Bound by the neck and by the flanks and by the mouth, the vigorous Courser
lends new swiftness to his speed.
Drawing himself together, as his strength allows, Dadhikras springs along the
windings of the paths.
5 The Hamsa homed in light, the Vasu in mid-air, the priest beside the altar, in
the house the guest,
Dweller in noblest place, mid men, in truth, in sky, born of flood, kine, truth,
mountain, he is holy Law.
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