WHITE YAJURVEDA OR VÂJASANEYA-SAMHITÂ - Books 21- 40

p. 196

BOOK THE TWENTY-FIRST.

VARUNA, hear this call of mine: be gracious unto us this
day.
Longing for help I yearn for thee.
2 I ask this of thee with my prayer, etc., as in XVIII. 49.
3 Do thou who knowest Varuna, O Agni, put far away from
us the God's displeasure.
Best Sacrificer, brightest One, refulgent, remove thou far
from us all those who hate us.
4 Be thou the nearest unto us, O Agni, our closest Friend
while now this Morn is breaking.
Reconcile Varuna to us, be bounteous: show thy compassion
and be swift to hear us.
5 We call to succour us the mighty Mother of those whose
sway is just, the Queen of Order,
Strong-ruler, far-expanding, ne’er decaying, Aditi gracious
guide and good protectress.
6 Sinless may we ascend, for weal, this vessel rowed with
good oars, divine, that never leaketh,
Earth our strong guard, incomparable Heaven. Aditi gracious
guide and good protectress.
7 May I ascend the goodly ship, free from defect, that leaketh
not,
Moved by a hundred oars, for weal.
8 O Mitra-Varuna, gracious Pair, with fatness dew our
pasturage,
With mead the regions of the air.

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9 Stretch forth your arms and let our lives be lengthened:
with fatness dew the pastures of our cattle.
Ye Youthful, make us famed among the people: hear,
Mitra-Varuna, these mine invocations.
10 Bless us the Coursers when we call, etc., as in IX. 16.
11 Deep-skilled in Law, etc., as in IX. 18.
12 Kindled is Agni with the brand, yea, kindled well, the
excellent.
The metre Gâyatrî, the steer of eighteen months, give power
and life!
13 Tanûnapât whose acts are pure, our bodies’ guard Sarasvatî,
Ushnihâ metre and the steer of two years’ age give power
and life!
14 Agni with offerings, meet for praise, and Soma the immortal
God,
Anushtup metre and the steer of thirty months give power
and life!
15 Agni with goodly grass spread out, deathless with Pûshan
at his side,
Brihatî metre and a steer of three years’ age give power
and life!
16 The Doors divine, the mighty Regions, Brahma, God
Brihaspati,
The metre Pankti, here a bull in his fourth year, give
power and life
17 The two young Darns of lovely form, the deathless Universal
Gods,
The Trishtup metre, here, a bull in his sixth year, give
power and life!
18 The two celestial Hotars, both Physicians, Indra's close-knit
friends,
The metre Jagatî, an ox who draws the wain, give power and
life!
19 The Three, Ida, Sarasvatî, and Bhâratî, the Marut folk,
Virâj the metre, here, a cow in milk, a bull, give power and
life!

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20 Tvashtar the wondrous, full of seed, Indrâgnî furtherers of
weal,
Dvipadâ metre, and a cow and vigorous bull give power and
life!
21 Our slaughterer, Vanaspatî, Savitar who promoteth wealth,
The metre Kakup, here, a cow who casts her calf, give power
and life!
22 With Svâhâ mighty Varuna give healing power to Sacrifice!
The Atichhandas, Brihat, and a steer and bull give power
and life!
23 With the Spring Season may the Gods the Vasus praised
with triple hymn
And with Rathantara, give life to Indra, splendour, sacrifice.
24 With Summer may the Rudras, Gods, praised in the Pañchadasa
hymn
With Brihat, give to Indra strength; with fame, and sacrifice
and life.
25 May the Âdityas with the Rains, lauded in Saptadasa
hymn
And with Vairûpa, with folk, strength, give Indra sacrifice
and life.
26 With Autumn may the Ribhus, Gods, praised in the Ekavimsa
hymn
And with Virâja, give with grace to Indra grace, life,
sacrifice.
27 With Winter may the Maruts, Gods, praised in the laud of
thrice nine parts,
The Sakvarîs, with strength give might to Indra, sacrifice
and life.

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28 With Dew-time may the deathless Gods praised in the
Thirty-three-part laud,
The Revatîs, with truth give sway to Indra, sacrifice and
life.
29 Let the Hotar sacrifice with fuel to Agni in the place of
libation, to the Asvins, Indra, Sarasvatî. A grey-coloured
he-goat with wheat, jujube-fruit and sprouts of rice
becomes a sweet salutary remedy, splendour, might, milk,
Soma. Let them enjoy sweet butter with foaming liquor.
Hotar, present offerings of butter.
30 Let the Hotar, Tanûnapât, worship Sarasvatî. A sheep,
a ram, a salutary remedy on the honey-sweet path, bearing
to the Asvins and Indra heroic strength, with jujube-fruit,
Indra-grains, sprouts of rice, becomes a salutary
remedy, milk, Soma. Let them enjoy, etc., as in verse 29.
31 Let the Hotar worship Narâsamsa and the Lord Nagnahu.
A ram with Surâ a salutary remedy, Sarasvatî the Physician,
the golden car of the Asvins, the victim's omentum,
with jujube-fruit, Indra-grains, and rice-sprouts, become
a salutary remedy, the manly strength of Indra, milk,
Soma. Let them, etc.
32 Let the Hotar, magnified with oblations, offering sacrifice,
worship Sarasvatî and Indra, increasing them with
strength, with a bull and a cow. Strength and medicine
to the Asvins and Indra are meath with jujube-fruit,
Mâsara with parched grain, milk, Soma. Let them, etc.
33 Let the Hotar worship the wool-soft Altar-grass, the Physicians
Nâsatyas, the Physicians Asvins. A mare with a
foal, a milch-cow is a physician. Sarasvatî the Physician
yields medicine to Indra, milk, Soma. Let them enjoy, etc.

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34 Let the Hotar worship the Doors, the Regions, the resounding,
expansive Doors, the Regions, with the Asvins. Indra
milks the two milky worlds. The Mulch-cow Sarasvatî
yields medicine for the Asvins and Indra, pure light and
strength. Milk, Soma. Let them, etc.
35 Let the Hotar worship the two fair-formed Dawns. At
night and by day the Asvins with Sarasvatî compose
impetuous power, like healing balm, in Indra, like a falcon,
Mâsara with light, thought, and grace. Milk, Soma. Let
them enjoy, etc.
36 Let the Hotar worship the two divine Hotars, the Physician
Asvins, and Indra. Watchfully by day and night Sarasvatî
as Physician, with balms, with lead, yields strength
and power. Milk, Soma. Let them enjoy, etc.
37 Let the Hotar worship the three Goddesses. The three active
ones, with three sacrificial elements, lay balm and golden
hue on Indra. The Asvins, Idâ, Bhâratî—Sarasvatî with
Speech yields might and power to Indra. Milk, Soma.
Let them enjoy, etc.
38 Let the Hotar worship Tvashtar full of good seed, the Bull
active for men, Indra, the Asvins, Sarasvatî the Physician.
Vigour, speed, power, a fierce wolf as physician,
fame with Surâ is a medicine, Mâsara with grace. Milk,
Soma. Let them enjoy, etc.
39 Let the Hotar worship Vanaspatî the Immolator, the Lord
of Hundred Powers, and awful Passion, the King, the
Tiger, and the Asvins, with reverence. Sarasvatî the
Physician yields wrath and power to Indra. Milk, Soma.
Let them enjoy, etc.

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40 Let the Hotar worship Agni. Of the drops of clarified butter,
Svâhâ! Of the fat, omentum, etc., severally, Svâhâ!
Svâhâ! the goat for the Asvins. Svâhâ! the ram for Sarasvatî.
Svâhâ! the bull for Indra. To the Lion, to his might,
power. Svâhâ! Agni the salutary remedy. Svâhâ! Soma,
the power. Svâhâ! Indra the Good Deliverer. Savitar,
Varuna Lord of Physicians. Svâhâ! Vanaspatî, beloved,
food and medicine. Svâhâ! Gods who drink clarified
butter. Agni accepting the medicine. Milk, Soma.
Let them enjoy, etc.
41 Let the Hotar worship the Asvins with the omentum of a
he-goat. Let them enjoy the fat. Hotar, offer the sacrificial
oblation.
Let the Hotar worship Sarasvatî with the omentum of a
ram. Let her enjoy the fat. Hotar offer the sacrificial
oblation.
Let the Hotar worship Indra with the omentum of a bull.
Let him, etc.
42 Let the Hotar worship the Asvins, Sarasvatî, Indra the
Good Deliverer. These your Somas, pressed, rejoicing
with goats, rams, bulls, giving pleasure with rice-shoots,
young blades of corn, parched grain, joy-givers adorned
with Mâsara, bright, milky, immortal, presented, dropping
honey. these let the Asvins, Sarasvatî, Indra the
Good Deliverer, Vritra-slayer, accept. Let them drink,
rejoice in, enjoy the Soma meath. Hotar, sacrifice.
43 Let the Hotar worship the Asvins. Let them eat of the
he-goat, the sacrifice. Let them to-day eat the fat, taken
from the middle, before those who hate us, before human
handling. Yea, let them eat amid the fodder of fields
fresh with moisture, with their expanse of barley, limbs
of those tasted by Agni, belonging to the Hundred Rudras,
portions covered with fat, from the sides, from the thighs,
from the fore-feet from the chine. From every member
of the divided victims these two make their repast. Thus
let the Asvins accept. Hotar, offer the sacrificial oblation.

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44 Let the Hotar worship Sarasvatî. Let her approach the ram,
the sacrifice.
To-day let her eat, etc., the rest of verse 43 repeated mutatis mutandis.
43 Let the Hotar worship Indra, etc., as in 44 mutatis mutandis.
46 Let the Hotar worship Vanaspatî. He has held with a very
well formed and very strong rope. There where the favourite
stations of the Asvins are, of the he-goat the sacrifice;
of Sarasvatî, of the ram the sacrifice; of Indra, of the
bull the sacrifice; there where the favourite stations of
Agni are, of Soma, of Indra the Good Deliverer, of Savitar,
of Varuna, the favourite places of Vanaspatî, the
favourite stations of Gods who drink clarified butter, and
of Agni the Hotar, there let him arrange these victims
when he has praised and lauded them, and perform when
he has made them very strong. Let divine Vanaspatî
accept. Hotar, offer oblation.
47 Let the Hotar worship Agni Svishtakrit. Let Agni worship
the favourite stations of the Asvins, of the he-goat the
sacrifice; of Sarasvatî, of the ram the sacrifice; of Indra,
of the bull the sacrifice; there, etc., to 'butter' as in 46.
Let him worship the favourite stations of Agni the Hotar.
Let him worship his own majesty. Let him win for himself
by sacrifice food worthy of sacrifice. Let him, Knower of
Beings, perform the sacred rites. Let him accept the
sacrificial food. Hotar, offer oblation.
48 The Grass divine, for the right Gods, Sarasvatî, the Asvins
Twain,
Give Indra splendour, with the Grass, sight of his eyes and
mighty strength! For gain of wealth let them enjoy.
Thou, Hotar, offer sacrifice.
49 The Doors, the Doors divine, the Two Asvins, Leeches,
Sarasvatî—
May they give breath to Indra in his nostrils, and heroic
strength.
For gain of wealth, etc., as in verse 48.

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50 May Dawn and Night, the Goddesses, both Asvins, and
Sarasvatî
Lay, with both Dawns, strength, voice within Indra the
Good Deliverer's mouth.
For gain of wealth, etc.
51 Both nursing Goddesses, the Pair of Asvins, and Sarasvatî
Have with both nurses given strength to Indra, fame, and
power to hear.
For gain of wealth, etc.
52 Bringers of strengthening sacrifice, both Goddesses,
well-yielding cows,
Sarasvatî, both Asvins, the Physicians, these are Indra's
guards.
Forth from their breasts by sacrifice they give him brilliant
light and power.
For gain of wealth, etc.
53 Both Gods, the Hotars of the Gods, the Asvins the
Physicians and
Sarasvatî with Vashat-calls, with the two Hotars have
bestowed on Indra brilliant light and power, and planted
wisdom in his heart.
For gain of wealth, etc.
54 Goddesses three, three Goddesses—Asvins, Idâ, Sarasvatî
In Indra's midmost navel have laid store of energy and
power.
For gain of wealth, etc.
55 God Narâsamsa, Indra thrice-protecting, whose car moves
by Sarasvatî and Asvins
May Tvashtar lay seed, deathless form in Indra, a fitting
place of birth and mighty powers.
For gain of wealth, etc.
56 God with the Gods, Vanaspatî of golden leaves and goodly
fruit
Ripens till Indra finds it sweet, with Asvins and Sarasvatî.
57 Strewn, soft as wool, in sacrifice, with Asvins and Sarasvatî,
The sacred robe of water-plants be, Indra, a fair seat for thee!
Together with the sacred grass limy they, for sovranty, bestow
King Passion and great power on thee.
For gain of wealth, etc.

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58 Let the God Agni Svishtakrit worship the Gods as is meet
and right for each, the two Hotars, Indra, the Asvins,
Vâk with speech, Sarasvatî, Agni, Soma. Svishtakrit
has been well worshipped, Indra Good Deliverer, Savitar,
Varuna the Physician have been worshipped. The God
Vanaspatî, the Gods who drink clarified butter have been
well worshipped, Agni by Agni. Let the Hotar Svishtakrit
give the Hotar fame, great power, energy, honour,
Ancestral libation.
59 To-day this Sacrificer cooking viands, cooking sacrificial
rice-cakes, binding a goat for the Asvins, a ram for Sarasvatî,
a hull for Indra, pressing Surâ and Soma juices for
the Asvins, Sarasvatî, and Indra the Good Deliverer, has
chosen Agni as Hotar.
60 To-day the divine Vanaspatî has done good service to the
Asvins with a goat, to Sarasvatî with a ram, to Indra
with a bull. They have eaten these from the marrow
onwards, they have accepted the cooked viands, they have
waxed strong with the rice-cakes. The Agnis, Sarasvatî,
and Indra have drunk the Surâ and Soma draughts.
61 Thee, to-day, O Rishi, Rishi's son, descendant of Rishis, hath
this Sacrificer chosen for many collected, saying: This
(Agni) shall win by sacrifice for me choice-worthy treasures
among the Gods. O God, what gifts the Gods have
given, these do thou desire and approve. And thou art
a commissioned Hotar, a human Hotar sent forward for
benediction, for good speech, Speak thou good words.

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BOOK THE TWENTY-SECOND.

SPLENDOUR art thou, bright, deathless, life-protector.
Protector of my life be thou.
By impulse of God Savitar I take thee with arms of Asvins,
with the hands of Pûshan.
2 This girdle, which in their religious meetings sages assumed
in earlier time of worship,
Is present with us here at this libation, in the Law's hymn,
proclaiming rich abundance.
3 Famous art thou, thou art the world, controller and
upholder thou.
Go, consecrate by Svâhâ to Agni Vaisvânara widely-famed.
4 For Gods and for Prajâpati I fit thee. For Gods and for
Prajâpati, O Brahman,
Will I tie up the horse. Thence may I prosper! Binding
him for Prajâpati and Gods be thou successful.
5 Thee welcome to Prajâpati I sprinkle. I sprinkle thee
welcome to Indra-Agni. I sprinkle thee acceptable to Vâyu.
Thee welcome to the All-Gods I besprinkle. Thee
welcome to all Deities I sprinkle.
With fury Varuna attacks the man who fain would slay the
steed.
Avaunt the man! Avaunt the dog!

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6 To Agni Hail! To Soma Hail! Hail to the Waters’ Joy! Hail
to Savitar! Hail to Vâyu! Hail to Vishnu! Hail to Indra!
Hail to Brihaspati! Hail to Mitra! Hail to Varuna!
7 Hail to the sound hiṅ! Hail to the uttered hiṅ! Hail to
the neigh! Hail to the down-neigh! Hail to the snort!
Hail to the roar! Hail to his smell! Hail to him smelt
at! Hail to him seated! Hail to him seated down! Hail
to him weary! Hail to him going! Hail to him sitting!
Hail to him lying! Hail to him sleeping! Hail to him
waking! Hail to him whinnying! Hail to him wakened!
Hail to him yawning! Hail to him outstretched! Hail to
him drawn together! Hail to him risen! Hail to his
going! Hail to his good going! Hail!
8 Hail to him as he goes! Hail to him running! Hail to him
running away! Hail to him when he has run away!
Hail to the cry Shoo! Hail to him scared with Shoo!
Hail to him seated! Hail to him risen! Hail to his
speed! Hail to his strength! Hail to him rolling! Hail
to him when he has rolled! Hail to him tossing about!
Hail to him when he has tossed about! Hail to him
listening! Hail to him hearing. Hail to him looking!
Hail to him looked at! Hail to him closely looked at!
Hail to his closing his eye! Hail to his food! Hail to
his drink! Hail to his stale! Hail to him in action!
Hail to what he has done!
9 May we attain that excellent glory of Savitar the God:
So may he stimulate our prayers.
10 For our protection I invoke the golden-handed Savitar:
He knoweth, as a God, the place.
11 We specially invoke the grace of Savitar, observant God,
The great good-will that gives true boons.
12 We seek the eulogy and gift of Savitar who strengthens grace,
Yea, of the God who knows our thoughts.
13 I invocate the heroes’ Lord, free-giving Savitar, and call
The Cheerer to the feast of Gods.

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14 The judgment of bright Savitar, that cheers the All-Gods’
company,
With prayer we estimate as bliss.
15 Wake Agni with thy laud and set the Immortal One aflame,
let him
Bestow our offerings on the Gods.
16 Oblation-bearer, well-inclined, immortal, eager Messenger,
Agni comes near us with the thought.
17 Agni, Envoy, I place in front, the oblation-bearer I address:
Here let him seat the Deities.
18 Yea, Pavamâna, thou didst generate the Sun and spread
the moisture out with power,
Basting to us with plenty vivified with milk.
19 Mighty through thy dam, eminent through thy sire, thou
art a horse, thou art a steed, thou art a courser, thou
art a comfort, thou art a racer, thou art a yoke-horse,
thou art a strong steed, thou art a stallion, thou art
manly-minded. Thou art called Yayu, thou art called
Sisu. Follow thou the flight of the Âdityas.
Gods, Warders of the Regions, protect for the Gods this
horse besprinkled for sacrifice.
Here is delight. Here take thy pleasure. Here is content.
Here is self-content.
20 Hail to Ka! Hail to Who?! Hail to Which?! Hail to
him who has experienced pain! Hail to Prajâpati who
knows the mind! Hail to him who discerns the thought!

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Hail to Aditi! Hail to good Aditi! Hail to gracious
Aditi! Hail to Sarasvatî! Hail to purifying Sarasvatî!
Hail to great Sarasvatî! Hail to Pûshan! Hail to
Pûshan of the highways! Hail to Pûshan observer of
men! Hail to Tvashtar! Hail to swift Tvashtar! Hail
to Tvashtar of many forms! Hail to Vishnu! Hail to
Vishnu Nibhûyapa! Hail to Vishnu Sipivishta!
21 Let every mortal man elect, etc., repeated from IV. 8.
22 O Brahman, let there be born in the kingdom the Brahman
illustrious for religious knowledge; let there be born the
Râjanya, heroic, skilled archer, piercing with shafts,
mighty warrior; the cow giving abundant milk; the ox
good at carrying; the swift courser; the industrious
woman. May Parjanya send rain according to our desire;
may our fruit-bearing plants ripen; may acquisition and
preservation of property be secured to us.
23 Hail to vital breath! Hail to out-breathing! Hail to
diffusive breath! Hail to the eye! Hail to the ear! Hail
to Speech! Hail to Mind!
24 Hail to the Eastern Region! Hail to the hitherward Region!
Hail to the Southern Region! Hail to the hitherward
Region! Hail to the Western Region! Hail to the
hitherward Region! Hail to the Northern Region! Hail
to the hitherward Region! Hail to the Upward Region!
Hail to the hitherward Region! Hail to the Downward
Region! Hail to the hitherward Region!
25 Hail to waters! Hail to floods! Hail to water! Hail to
standing waters! flail to flowing waters! Hail to trickling
waters! Hail to well waters! Hail to spring waters! Hail
to the foaming sea! Hail to the ocean! Hail to the deep!
26 Hail to wind! Hail to mist! Hail to vapour! Hail to
cloud! Hail to cloud lightening! Hail to cloud thundering!
Hail to it bursting! Hail to it raining! Hail to it
pouring! Hail to it violently raining! Hail to it swiftly
raining! Hail to it holding up! Hail to it when it has
held up! Hail to it sprinkling! Hail to it drizzling! Hail
to its drops! Hail to thunderbolts! Hail to hoar frosts!
27 Hail to Agni! Hail to Soma! Hail to Indra! Hail to Earth!
Hail to Firmament! Hail to Sky! Hail to Regions? Hail
to Quarters! Hail to the Upward Region! Hail to the
Downward Region!

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23 Hail to the lunar asterisms! Hail to those connected with
the lunar asterisms! Hail to Day and Night! Hail to
the half-months! Hail to the mouths! Hail to the Seasons!
Hail to the Season-groups! Hail to the Year!
Hail to Heaven and Earth! Hail to the Moon! Hail to
the Sun! Hail to his rays! Hail to the Vasus! Hail to
the Rudras! Hail to the Âdityas! Hail to the Maruts!
Earl to the All-Gods! Hail to roots! Hail to branches!
Hail to forest trees! Hail to flowers! Hail to fruits!
Hail to herbs!
29 Hail to Earth! Hail to Firmament t Hail to Sky! Hail to
Sun! Hail to Moon! Hail to lunar asterisms! Hail to
waters! Hail to herbs! Hail to forest trees! Hail to creatures
that swim! Hail to things moving and stationary!
Hail to things that creep and crawl!
30 Hail to breath! Hail to the Vasu! Hail to the Mighty!
Hail to Vivasvân! Hail to the trooping one! Hail to
the Troop's Lord! Hail to the Superior! Hail to the
Overlord! Hail to Strength! Hail to Samsarpa! Hail
to the Moon! Hail to light! Hail to Malimlucha! Hail
to him who flies by day!
31 Hail to Madhu! Hail to Mâdhava! Hail to Sukra! Hail to
Suchi! Hail to Nabhas! Hail to Nabhasya! Hail to Isha!
Hail to Ûrja! Hail to Sahas! Hail to Sahasya! Hail to
Tapas! Hail to Tapasya! Hail to Amhasaspati!
32 Hail to Strength! Hail to impulse! Hail to After-born!
Hail to will! Heaven, Hail? Hail to the head! Hail to
Vyasnuvin! To the final, Hail! Hail to the mundane
final! Hail to the Lord of the world! Hail to the Overlord!
Hail to the Lord of Creatures!
33 May life succeed by sacrifice, Hail! May breath succeed
by sacrifice, Hail! May downward breath, diffusive.
breath, upward breath, digestive breath, vision, hearing,
speech, mind, self, devotion, light, heaven, hymn-arrangement,
sacrifice succeed by sacrifice. All-hail!
34 Hail to One! Hail to Two! Hail to Hundred! Hail to
Hundred-and-One! Hail to Daybreak! Hail to Heaven!

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BOOK THE TWENTY-THIRD.

IN the beginning rose Hiranyagarbha, etc:
2 Taken upon a base art thou. I take thee welcome to Prajâpati.
This is thy place: Sûrya thy majesty.
The majesty that has accrued to thee in the day, in a year,
that majesty which has accrued in the wind, in the firmament,
to that majesty of thine, to Prajâpati, to the Gods,
All-hail!
3 Who, by his, grandeur hath become sole Ruler of all the.
moving world that breathes and slumbers;
He who is Sovran of these men and cattle—what God shall
we adore with our oblation?
4 Taken upon a base art thou. I take thee welcome to Prajâpati,
This is thy place: the Moon thy majesty.
Thy majesty that has accrued to thee by night, in a year,
thy majesty that has accrued in the earth, in Agni, in the
stars and in the Moon, to that majesty of thine, to Prajâpati
and to the Gods, All-hail!
5 They who stand round hills as he moves harness the bright,
the ruddy Steed:
The lights are shining in the sky.
6 On both sides to the car they yoke the two. Bay Coursers
dear to him,
Bold; tawny, bearers of the Chief.
7 When, swift as wind, the Horse has reached the form that
Indra loves, the flood,
Again, O singer, by this path bring thou our Courser hitherward.

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8 Let the Vasus anoint thee with Gâyatrî metre. Let the
Rudras anoint thee with Trishtup metre. Let the Âdityas
anoint thee with Jagatî metre. Earth! Ether! Heaven!
O Gods, eat this food, parched grains and groats in the
product of barley and in the product of cows: eat this
food, Prajâpati.
9 Who moveth single and alone? Who is brought forth to life
again?
What is the remedy of cold, or what the great receptacle?
10 The Sun moves single and alone. The Moon is brought to
life again,
Fire is the remedy of cold; Earth is the great receptacle.
11 What was the antecedent thought? What was the bird of
mighty size?
The slippery matron, who was she? Who was the
reddish-coloured one?
12 Heaven was the antecedent thought. The Courser was the
mighty bird.
The slippery matron was the earth, Night was the
reddish-coloured one.
13 Vâyu help thee with cooked viands! Blackneck with goats;
Nyagrodha with cups; Salmali with increase; this Stallion
here, good for the chariot—let him verily come with
his four feet. Brahmâkrishna help us! Obeisance to Agni!

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14 The car is fitted with the rein, the steed is fitted with the rein.
Fitted in waters, water-born, is Brahmâ following Soma's lead.
15 Steed, from thy body, of thyself, sacrifice and accept thyself.
Thy greatness can be gained by none but thee.
16 No, here thou diest not, thou art not injured: only by
fair paths to the Gods thou guest,
May Savitar the God in that world place thee where dwell
the pious, whether they have journeyed.
17 Agni was the victim. With him they sacrificed. He won this
world in which Agni is. This shall become thy world.
This shalt thou win. Drink these waters. Vâyu was the
victim. With him they sacrificed. He won this world
in which Vâyu is. This shall become, etc., as above.
Sûrya was the victim, etc, He won the world in which
Sûrya is. This shall become, etc.
18 To vital breath, Hail! To out-breathing, Hail! To diffusive
breath, Hail!
Ambâ! Ambikâ! Ambâlikâ! No one is taking me away.
The sorry horse will lie beside another, as Subhadrâ, the
dweller in Kâmpila.

p. 213

19 Thee we invoke, troop-lord of troops, Thee we invoke, the
loved ones’ lord.
Thee, lord of treasures, we invoke. My precious wealth!
.     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .
.     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .
32 Now have I glorified with praise strong Dadhikrâvan,
conquering steed,
Sweet may he make our mouths: may he prolong the days
we have to live.
33 Gâyatrî, Trishtup, Jagatî, and Pankti with Anushtup joined,
Brihatî, Kakup, Ushnihâ pacify thee with needle-points!
34 Two-footed, those that have four feet, those with three feet
and those with five,
Metteless, with one metre; these pacify thee with needle-points!
35 May Mahânâmnîs, Revatîs, all far-spread Regions of the sky,
Voices, and lightnings from the cloud pacify thee with needle-points!
36 May married dames of human birth skilfully separate thy hair:
The Regions, Consorts of the Gods, pacify thee with needle-points!

p. 214

37 They, made of silver, gold, and lead, are used as helpers in
the work.
As lines on the strong Courser's skin may they console and
give thee rest.
38 What then? As men whose fields are full of barley, etc., as
in X. 32.
39 Who flays thee? Who dissects thee? Who prepares thy limbs
for sacrifice?
Who is the Sage that slaughters thee?
40 In due time let the seasons as thy Slaughterers divide thy
joints,
And with the splendour of the Year sacrifice thee with holy
rites.
41 Let the Half-months and let the Months, while sacrificing,
flay thy limbs:
Let Day and Night and Maruts mend each fault in sacrificing
thee.
42 Let the divine Adhvaryus flay thy body and dissect thy
frame,
And let the sacrificing lines prepare thy members joint by
joint,
43 May Sky, Earth, Air, and Wind supply each failing and
defect of thine:
May Sûrya with the Stars of heaven duly prepare a world
for thee.
44 Well be it with thine upper parts, well be it with the parts
below!
Well he it with thy bones and with thy marrow and with all
thy frame!
45 Who moveth singly? etc., as in verse 9.
46 The Sun moves singly, etc., as in verse 10.
47 What lustre is like Sûrya's light? What lake is equal to the
Sea?

p. 215

What is more spacious than the Earth? What thing is that
which naught can mete?
48 Brahma is lustre like the Sea. Heaven is a flood to match
the Sea.
Indra is vaster than the Earth. Beyond all measure is the
Cow.
49 Friend of the Gods, I ask, for information, if thou in spirit
hast obtained the knowledge,
Hath Vishnu this whole Universe pervaded in the three steps
wherein the God is worshipped?
50 I also am in those three steps of Vishnu wherewith this Universe
he permeated.
The earth and heaven I circle in a moment and this heaven's
summit with a single organ.
51 What are the things which Purusha hath entered? What
things hath Purusha contained within him?
This riddle we propound to thee, O Brahman. Why dost
thou give no answer to my question?
52 Within five things hath Purusha found entrance; these
Purusha hath within himself connected.
This is the thought which I return in answer. Thou art
not my superior in wisdom.
53 What was the antecedent thought? etc., as in verse 11.
54 Heaven was the antecedent thought, etc., as in 12.
55 Who, tell me, is the yellowish she? Who is the darkly-
yellowish?
Who moves with rapid spring and bound? Who glides and
winds along the path?

p. 216

56 The she-goat, Sir, is yellowish, dark-yellowish is the porcupine.
The hare moves swift with leap and bound: the snake creeps
winding on the path.
57 How many different forms hath this, how many syllables,
burnt-oblations, brands for kindling?
Here, of the rites of sacrifice I ask thee. How many Hotars
in due season worship?
68 Sixfold its form, its syllables a hundred, eighty burnt-offerings,
just three brands for kindling.
To thee I tell the rites of sacrificing. Seven Hotars worship
in appointed season.
59 Who knoweth this world's central point? Who knoweth the
heaven, the earth, and the wide air between them?
Who knows the birthplace of the mighty Sûrya? Who knows
the Moon, whence he was generated?
60 I know the centre of the world about us. I know heaven,
earth, and the wide air between them.
I know the birthplace of the mighty Sûrya. I know the
Moon, whence he was generated.
61 I ask thee of the earth's extremest limit, where is the
centre of the world, I ask thee.
I ask thee of the Stallion's genial humour, I ask of highest
heaven where Speech abideth.
62 This altar is the earth's extremest limit; this sacrifice of
ours is the world's centre.
This Soma is the Stallion's genial humour, this Brahman
highest heaven where Speech abideth.

p. 217

63 The Strong, the Self-existent One, the First, within the
mighty flood
Laid down the timely embryo from which Prajâpati was born.
64 Let the Hotar sacrifice to Prajâpati from the Mahiman-Soma.
Let him accept. Let him drink the Soma. Hotar, sacrifice.
65 Prajâpati, thou only, etc., as in X. 20.

p. 218

BOOK THE TWENTY-FOURTH.

HORSE, hornless goat, Gomriga, these belong to Prajâpati.
A black-necked goat, devoted to Agni, (is to be bound)
in front to the forehead (of the horse); Sarasvatî's ewe
below his jaws; two goats belonging to the Asvins, with
marks on the lower parts of the body, to his fore-legs; a
dark-coloured goat, Soma's and Pûshan's, to his navel; a
white and a black, sacred to Soma and Varna, to his sides;
Tvashtar's two, with bushy tails, to his hind feet; Vâyu's
white goat to his tail; for Indra the Good Worker a cow
who slips her calf; a dwarf belonging to Vishnu.
2 The red goat, the smoky-red, the jujube-red, these belong to
Soma. The brown, the ruddy-brown, the parrot-brown,
these are Varuna's. One with white ear holes, one with
partly white, one with wholly white, belong to Savitar.
One with fore feet white, partly white, wholly white,
belongs to Brihaspati. She goats speckled, with small spots,
with big spots, these belong to Mitra-Varuna.
3 The bright-tailed, the wholly bright-tailed, the jewel-tailed,
these belong to the Asvins. The white, the white-eyed,
the reddish, these are for Rudra Lord of Beasts. Long-eared
goats are for Yama; proud ones for Rudra; cloud-coloured
ones for Parjanya.

p. 219

4 Goats speckled, transversely speckled, upward speckled are
for the Maruts. The reddish she-goat, the red-haired, the
white, these belong to Sarasvatî. The goat with diseased
ears, the short-eared, the red eared are Tvashtar's. The
black-necked, the white-flanked, one with bright-coloured
thighs belong to Indra and Agni. Those with black marks,
small marks, large marks belong to Dawn.
5 Parti-coloured female victims belong to the All-Gods;
red-coloured, eighteen mouths old to Vâk; victims without
distinguishing marks to Aditi; those of one same colour
to Dhâtar; weaned kids sacred to the Consorts of the Gods.
6 Black-necked victims for Agni; white browed for the Vasus;
red for Rudra; bright ones for the Âdityas; cloud-coloured
for Parjanya.
7 The tall goat, the sturdy, the dwarf, these are Indra-Vishnu's;
the tall, the white fore-footed, the black-backed,
Indra-Brihaspati's; parrot-coloured the Vâjins’; speckled
Agni-Maruts’; dark-coloured Pûshan's.
8 Variegated, Indra-Agni's; two-coloured, Agni-Soma's; dwarf
oxen, Agni-Vishnu's; barren cows, Mitra-Varuna's; partly
variegated, Mitra's.
9 Black-necked ones, Agni's; brown, Soma's; white, Vâyu's;
undistinguished, Aditi's; self-coloured, Dhâtar's; weanlings,
the Gods’ Consorts’.
10 Black ones for Earth; smoke-coloured for Firmament; tall
ones for Sky; brindled ones for Lightning; blotched ones
for Stars.
11 Smoke-coloured ones he sacrifices to Spring; white to
Summer; black to the Rains; red ones to Autumn;
speckled to Winter; reddish-yellow to the Dewy Season.
12 Calves eighteen months old to Gâyatrî; steers of two and
a half years to Trishtup; two year old steers to Jagatî;
three year olds to Anushtup; four year olds to Ushnih.
13 Four year old steers to Virâj; full grown bulls to Brihatî;
strong bulls to Kakup; draught oxen to Pankti; milch-cows
to Atichhandas.

p. 220

14 Black-necked victims sacred to Agni; brown to Soma; spotted
to Savitar; weaned she-kids to Sarasvatî; dark-coloured
goats to Pûshan; speckled victims to the Maruts;
many-coloured to the All-Gods; barren cows to Heaven
and Earth.
15 Called contemporary, the dappled belong to Indra-Agni;
black ones to Varuna; speckled to the Maruts; hornless
he-goats to Ka.
16 To Agni foremost in place he sacrifices firstling goats; to
the consuming Maruts those born of one mother; to the
Maruts who perform domestic rites those born after a long
time; to the sportive Maruts those born together; to the
self-strong Maruts those born in succession.
17 Called contemporaneous, the dappled belonging to Indra-Agni;
those with projecting horns to Mahendra; the many-coloured
to Visvakarman.
18 Smoke-coloured, those of brownish hue, to be offered to the
Soma-possessing Fathers; the brown and the smoky-looking
to the Fathers who sit on sacred grass; the black and
the brownish-looking to the Fathers who have been tasted
by Agni; the black and the spotted belong to Tryambaka.
19 Called contemporaneous, the dappled belong to Suna and
Sîra; white ones to Vâyu; white ones to Sûrya.
20 To Spring he offers Kapiñjalas; to Summer sparrows; to
the Rains partridges; to Autumn quails; to Winter.
Kakaras; to the Dewy Season Vikakaras.
21 To the Sea he sacrifices porpoises; to Parjanya frogs; to
the Waters fishes; to Mitra Kulîpayas; to Varuna crocodiles.

p. 221

22 To Soma he sacrifices wild geese; to Vâyu female cranes;
to Indra-Agni curlews; to Mitra divers; to Varuna
Chakravâkas.
23 To Agni he sacrifices cocks; to Vanaspatis owls; to Agni-Soma
blue jays; to the Asvins peacocks; to Mitra-Varuna
pigeons.
24 To Soma he sacrifices quails; to Tvashtar Kaulîkas; Mainas
to the Gods’ Consorts; Kulîkas to the Gods’ Sisters;
Pârushnas to Agni Lord of the Homestead.
25 To Day he sacrifices doves; to Night Sîchâpûs; to the Joints
of Day and Night bats; to the Months gallinules; to the
Year great eagles.
26 To Ground he sacrifices rats; to Firmament field-rats; to
Day voles; to the Quarters mungooses; to the Intermediate
Spaces brownish ichneumons.
27 To the Vasus he sacrifices black-bucks; to the Rudras stags;
to the Âdityas Nyanku deer; to the All-Gods spotted deer;
to the Sâdhyas Kulinga antelopes,
28 To Îsâna he sacrifices wild asses; to Mitra Gauras; to Varuna
buffaloes; to Brihaspati Gayals; to Tvashtar camels.
29 To Prajâpati he sacrifices men elephants; to Vâk white ants;
to Sight flies; to Hearing black bees.
30 To Prajâpati and to Vâyu a Gayal is to be offered; to Varuna
a wild ram; to Yama a black ram; to a human king a
monkey; to the Tiger a red doe; to the Bull a female
Gayal, to the Kshiprasyena a quail; to the Nilangu a
worm; to the Sea a porpoise; to the Snowy Mountain an
elephant.

p. 222

31 The Kinnara belongs to Prajâpati; the Ula, the Halikshna,
the cat belong to Dhâtar; the heron belongs to the Quarters;
the Dhunkshâ to Agni; sparrow, red snake, Sâras,
these are Tvashtar's; the curlew belongs to Vâk.
32 To Soma an antelope is to be offered; wild goat, mungoose,
Sakâ. these are Pûshan's; the jackal is the Mâyu's; the
Gaura Indra's; Pidva, antelope, cock, these are Anumati's;
the Chakravâka is for Echo.
33 The female crane is Sûrya's; Sârga, Srijays, Sayândaka,
these are Mitra's; to Sarasvatî belongs the human-voiced
Maina; to Ground the porcupine; tiger, wolf, viper belong
to Passion; to Sarasvân the human-voiced parrot.
34 The eagle is Parjanya's; the Âti, the Vâhasa, the wood-pecker,
these are for Vâyu; for Brihaspati Lord of Speech
is the Paingarâja; the Alaja belongs to Firmament;
pelican, cormorant, fish, these belong to the Lord of Rivers;
the tortoise belongs to Heaven and Earth.
35 The book belongs to the Moon; iguana, Kâlakâ, woodpecker,
these belong to the Vanaspatis; the cock belongs to Savitar;
the swan is Vâta's; crocodile, dolphin, Kulîpaya,
these belong to the Sea; the porcupine to Modesty.
36 The Black-doe belongs to Day; frog, female rat, partridge,
these belong to the Serpents; the jackal belongs to the
Asvins; the Black-buck to Night; bear, bat, Sushilikâ,
these belong to the Other Folk (i.e. fairies--JBH); the polecat belongs to
Vishnu.

p. 224

BOOK THE TWENTY-FIFTH.

I GRATIFY Fresh Grass with his teeth, Avakâ with his gums,
Clay with his tooth-sockets, Tegas with his fangs. The
tongue-tip for Sarasvatî; I gratify the root of the tongue
and the palate with his neigh, Vâja with his jaws, the
Waters with his mouth, the Stallion with his testicles,
the Âdityas with the beard, Path with his eyebrows,
Heaven and Earth with his eyelashes, Lightning with
the pupils of his eyes. Hail to the white! Hail to the
black! Effectual are his eyelashes, irresistible are his
lower eyelashes; irresistible are his eyelashes, effectual
are his lower eyelashes.
2 With his breath I gratify Vâta; with his outbreath the two
Nostrils; with his lower lip the Upayâma; with his
upper lip Existence. With his bright look I please Antara,
with his reflection Bâhya; the Whirlpool with his head;
Thunder with his frontal bone; the Lightning-flash with
his brain; Lightning with the pupils of his eyes; Hearing
with his external ears; Ears with his internal ears;
Blood with his lower neck; Waters with the fleshless
part of his neck; Thought with the back neck-tendons;
Aditi with his head; Nirriti with his ragged head;
Vital Breathings with his roars; Tempest with his crest.
3 I gratify Flies with his hair; Indra with his active shoulder;
Brihaspati with his quick spring; Tortoises with his
hoofs; Approach with his fetlocks; Kapiñjalas with his
heel-ropes; Speed with his two thighs; the Way with
his two fore-legs; the Forest-God with a kneepan; Agni
with his two knees; Pûshan with his two fore-feet; the
Asvins with his shoulders; Rudra with his shoulder-joints,

p. 225

4 The first rib is Agni's; the second Vâyu's; the third
Indra's; the fourth Soma's; the fifth Aditi's; the sixth
Indrânî's; the seventh the Maruts’; the eighth Brihaspati's;
the ninth Aryaman's; the tenth Dhâtar's; the
eleventh Indra's; the twelfth Varuna's; the thirteenth
Yama's.
5 (On the left side) the first rib belongs to Indra-Agni; the
second to Sarasvatî; the third to Mitra; the fourth to
the Waters; the fifth to Nirriti; the sixth to Agni-Soma;
the seventh to the Serpents; the eighth to Vishnu; the
ninth to Pûshan; the tenth to Tvashtar; the eleventh to
Indra; the twelfth to Varuna; the thirteenth to Yama.
The right flank belongs to Heaven and Earth, the left to
the All-Gods.
6 The shoulders belong to the Maruts; the first rib-cartilages
to the All-Gods; the second to the Rudras; the third to
the Âdityas; the tail belongs to Vâyu; the hind-quarters
to Agni-Soma. I gratify the two Curlews with the hips;
Indra-Brihaspati with the thighs; Mitra-Varuna with
the groins; Approach with the buttocks; Strength with
the two cavities of the loins.
7 I gratify Pûshan with the rectum; Blind-worms with the
large intestines; Serpents with the entrails; Worms with
the guts; the Waters with the bladder; Scrotum with
the testicles; the Vâjins with his penis; Offspring with
his seed; Blue jays with his bile; Fissures with his
arms; Kûshmas with his lumps of dung.
8 His chest belongs to Indra; his belly to Aditi; his clavicles
to the Quarters; his nether hind-part to Aditi. I gratify
Clouds with his aorta; Firmament with his pericardium;
Mist with his belly; the two Chakravâkas with his cardiac
bones; Sky with his kidneys; Mountains with his
ducts; hocks with his spleen; Ant-hills with his lungs;
Shrubs with his heart-vessels; Streams with his veins;
Lakes with his flanks; Sea with his belly; Vaisvânara
with his ashes.

p. 226

9 I gratify Separation with his navel; Butter with his flavour;
the Waters with his broth; Sunbeams with his drops of
fat; Hoar-frost with his heat; Ice with his marrow; Hailstones
with his tears; Thunderbolts with the rheum of
his eyes; Râkshasas with his blood; Bright things with
his limbs; Stars with his beauty; Earth with his skin.
All-hail to Jumbaka!
10 In the beginning rose Hiranyagarbha, etc., as in XIII. 4;
XXIII. 1.
11 Who by his grandeur, etc., as in XXIII. 3.
12 Whose, by his might, are these snow-covered mountains,
and men call sea and Rasâ his possession:
Whose are these arms, whose are these heavenly regions.
What God shall we adore with our oblation?
13 Giver of vital breath, of power and vigour, he whose
commandment all the Gods acknowledge:
The Lord of death, whose shade is life immortal. What
God shall we adore with our oblation?
14 May powers auspicious come to us from every side, never
deceived, unhindered and victorious,
That the Gods ever may be with us for our gain, our guardians
day by day, unceasing in their care.
15 May the auspicious favour of the Gods be ours, on us
descend the bounty of the righteous Gods.
The friendship of the Gods have we devoutly sought: so
may the Gods extend our life that we may live.

p. 227

16 We call them hither with a hymn of olden time, Bhaga, the
friendly Daksha, Mitra, Aditi,
Aryaman, Varuna, Soma, the Asvins. May Sarasvatî, auspicious,
grant felicity.
17 May the Wind waft to us that pleasant medicine, may Earth
our Mother give it, and our Father Heaven,
And the joy-giving stones that press the Soma's juice. Asvins,
may ye, for whom our spirits long, hear this.
18 Him we invoke for aid who reigns supreme, the Lord of all
that stands or moves, inspirer of the soul,
That Pûshan may promote the increase of our wealth, our
keeper and our guard infallible for our good.
19 Illustrious far and wide, may Indra prosper us: may Pûshan
prosper us, the Master of all wealth.
May Târkshya with uninjured fellies prosper us: Brihaspati
vouchsafe to us prosperity.
20 The Maruts, Sons of Prisni, borne by spotted steeds, moving
in glory, oft visiting holy rites,
Sages whose tongue is Agni and their eyes the Sun,——hither
let all the Gods for our protection come.
21 Gods, may we with our ears listen to what is good, and with
our eyes see what is good, ye Holy Ones.
With limbs and bodies firm may we extolling you attain the
term of life appointed by the Gods.
22 A hundred autumns stand before us, O ye Gods, within
whose space ye bring our bodies to decay;
Within whose space our sons become fathers in turn. Break
ye not in the midst our course of fleeting life.
23 Aditi is the heaven, Aditi is mid-air, Aditi is the Mother
and the Sire and Son.

p. 228

Aditi is all Gods, Aditi five-classed men, Aditi all that hath
been born and shall be born.
24 Slight us not Varuna, Aryaman, or Mitra, Ribhukshan,
Indra, Âyu, or the Maruts,
When we declare amid the congregation the virtues of the
Strong Steed, God-descended.
25 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 Pûshan.
26 Dear to all Gods, this goat, the share of Pûshan, is first led
forward with the vigorous Courser,
While Tvashtar sends him forward with the Charger, acceptable
for sacrifice, to glory.
27 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 Pûshan, and to the
Gods the sacrifice announceth.
28 Invoker, ministering priest, stoner, fire-kindler, Soma-presser,
sage, reciter,
With this well ordered sacrifice, well finished, do ye fill full
the channels of the rivers.
29 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.
30 Forth, for the regions of the Gods, the Charger with his
smooth back is come; my prayer attends him.
In him rejoice the singer and the sages. A good friend
have we won for the Gods’ banquet.

p. 229

31 May the fleet Courser's halter and his heel-ropes, the headstall
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.
32 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, tog, may all this he with thee.
33 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.
34 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.
35 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 our labour.
36 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.
37 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.
38 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.
39 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.
40 If one, when seated, with excessive urging hath with his
heel or with his whip distressed thee,
All these thy woes, as with oblation's ladle at sacrifices,
with my prayer I banish.
41 The four-and-thirty ribs of the swift Courser, kin to the
Gods, the slayer's hatchet pierces.

p. 230

Cut ye with skill so that the parts be flawless, and piece by
piece declaring them dissect them.
42 Of Tvashtar's Courser there is one dissector: this is the
custom: two there are who guide him.
Such of his limbs as I divide in order, all these, amid the
lumps, in fire I offer.
43 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.
44 No, here thou diest not, thou art not injured: only by easy
paths to Gods thou goest.
Both Bays, both Spotted Mares are now thy fellows, and to
the Ass's pole is yoked the Courser.
45 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!
46 We will, with Indra and all Gods to help us, bring these
existing worlds into subjection.
With the Âdityas, with the band of Maruts, may Indra
give us medicine to heal us.
Our sacrifice, our bodies, and our offspring may Indra
regulate with the Âdityas.
47 O Agni, be our nearest Friend, etc., as in III. 25.
To thee then, O Most Bright, etc., as in III. 26.

p. 231

BOOK THE TWENTY-SIXTH.

AGNI and Prithivî, closely connected, may they bring low for
me the boon I mention.
Vâyu and Firmament, closely connected, may they, etc.
Closely connected Dyaus and the Âditya, may they, etc.
Closely connected Varuna and Waters, may they, etc.
Lord of the seven communities and her who forms all beings,
eighth,
Make our ways full of pleasantness: may So-and-So and I
agree.
2 That I to all the people may address this salutary speech,
To priest and nobleman, Sûdra and Arya, to one of our own
kin and to the stranger.
Dear may I be to Gods and guerdon-giver. Fulfilled be this
my hope: be that my portion!
3 Give us, Brihaspati, that wondrous treasure, that which
exceeds the merit of the foeman,
Which shines among the folk effectual, splendid, that, Son
of Law, which is with might refulgent.
Taken upon a base art thou. Thee for Brihaspati. This is
thy home. Thee for Brihaspati,
4 Come hither, Indra, rich in kine! Drink Soma, Lord of
Hundred Powers,
Effused by braying pressing-stones.
Taken upon a base art thou. Thee for Indra, rich in kine.
This is thy home. Thee for Indra, rich in kine.

p. 232

5 O Indra, Vritra-slayer, come. Drink Soma, Lord of
Hundred Powers,
Expressed with stones whose wealth is kine.
Taken upon a base art thou, etc., as in verse 4.
6 Vaisvânara the righteous One, the Lord of sacrifice and light,
The heat that wasteth not, we seek.
Taken upon a base art thou. Thee for Vaisvânara.
This is thy home: thee for Vaisvânara.
7 Still in Vaisvânara's grace may we continue: yea, he is
King Supreme o’er all things living.
Sprung hence to life upon this All he looketh. Vaisvânara
hath rivalry with Sûrya.
Taken upon a base art thou, etc., as in verse 6.
8 Hitherward come Vaisvânara to succour us from far away,
Agni through laud that brings him near!
Taken upon a base, etc, as in verse 6.
9 Agni is Pavamâna, Sage, the Tribe-Priest of the Races Five:
To him of mighty wealth we pray.
Taken upon a base art thou. Thee for lustre. This is thy
home. Thee for lustre.
10 May mighty Indra, thunder-armed, may Shodasî protect us
well, and slay the wicked man who hateth us.
Taken upon a base art thou. Thee for Mahendra. This is
thy home. Thee for Mahendra.
11 As cows low to their calves in stalls so with our songs we
glorify
This Indra, e’en your wondrous God who checks assault,
who joys in the delicious juice.
12 Agni's is the most fetching song. Shine mightily, thou rich
in light!
Like the Chief Consort of a King, riches and strength proceed
from thee.

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13 Come, here, O Agni, will I sing verily other songs to thee,
And with these drops shalt thou grow strong.
14 The Seasons spread thy sacrifice! the Mouths protect thine
offering!
May the Year guard our sacrifice for thee and keep our children
safe.
15 There where the mountains downward slope, there by the
meeting of the streams
The sage was manifest with song.
16 High is thy juice's birth: though sat in heaven, on earth it
hath obtained
Strong sheltering power and great renown.
17 Finder of room and freedom, flow for Indra, meet for worship,
flow
For Varuna and the Marut host.
18 Striving to win, with him we gain all wealth of the ungodly
one,
Yea, all the glories of mankind.
19 May we be prosperous with brave sons, cattle, horses, each
wish of ours, and varied blessings,
With quadrupeds, and with the men about us. May the
Gods guide our sacrifice in season.
20 O Agni, bring thou hitherward the yearning Consorts of the
Gods
Bring Tvashtar to the Soma-draught.
21 O Neshtar girt by Dames, accept our sacrifice: with Ritu
drink,
For thou art he who giveth wealth.

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22 He with the Ritus fain would drink, Wealth-river, from the
Neshtar's bowl.
Begin, pay offerings: hasten ye.
28 Thine is this Soma: come thou near, approach it. Drink
thou thereof, benevolent, and cease not.
Sit on the sacred grass at this our worship, and take these
drops into thy belly, Indra.
24 Come unto us, ye swift to listen! as at home, upon the
sacred grass sit and enjoy yourselves.
And, Tvashtar, well content be joyful in the juice with Gods
and Goddesses in gladsome company.
25 In sweetest and most gladdening stream flow pure, O Soma,
on thy way,
Pressed out for Indra, for his drink.
26 Fiend-queller, Friend of all men, he hath in the vat attained
unto
His place, his iron-fashioned home.

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BOOK THE TWENTY-SEVENTH

HALF-YEARS and Seasons strengthen thee, O Agni, the Years
and all the Verities and Rishis!
Flash forth with thy celestial effulgence: illumine all four
regions of the heaven.
2 Kindle thee, Agni, rake this man to knowledge: rise up
erect for great and happy fortune.
Agni, be those uninjured who adore thee, thy priests be
glorious and none beside them!
3 The Brahmans present here elect thee, Agni: be thou
propitious in our sanctuary.
Slayer of rivals, Agni, quell our foemen: watch in thy house
with care that never ceases.
4 Even here do thou, O Agni, stablish wealth: let not oppressors
injure thee by thinking of thee first.
Light be thy task of ruling, Agni, with thy power: may he
who worships thee wax strong, invincible.
5 Kind to the people, grasp thy power, O Agni: contend thou
with the Friend by way of friendship.
Placed, Agni, in the centre of our kinsmen, flash forth to be
invoked by Kings around thee.
6 Past those who slay, past enemies, past thoughtless men,
past those who hate,—
Yes, Agni, drive away all woe and trouble: vouchsafe us
opulence with men about us.
7 Holder of sway, shine here refulgent, Agni! invincible,
unconquered Jâtavedas.
Light all the regions, chasing human terrors: with happy
helps guard us to-day for increase.

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8 Brihaspati, Savitar, give this man knowledge: sharpen him
thoroughly though already sharpened.
To great and high felicity exalt him: in him let all the Gods
rejoice and triumph.
9 As thou, Brihaspati, from curse hast freed us, from dwelling
yonder in the realm of Yama,
The Asvins, Leeches of the Gods, O Agni, have chased Death
far from us with mighty powers.
10 Looking upon the loftier light, etc., as in XX. 21.
11 Uplifted are the brands that are his fuel: lofty and brilliant
are the flames of Agni,
Splendidly bright of the Son fair of aspect.
13 Tanûnapât the Asura, all-possessing, God among Gods, the
God with mead and butter shall bedew the paths.
13 With mead to sacrifice thou comest, Agni, earnest as friendly-
minded Narâsamsa, and Savitar righteous God who brings
all blessings.
14 He cometh hitherward with power and fatness, the luminous,
implored with adoration.
While rites proceed the ladles move to Agni.
15 Let him pay worship to this Agni's greatness, daintily fed:
he verily gives enjoyments:
The wisest Vasu he, and best wealth giver.
16 Widely expansive, ruling by foundation, the Doors divine—
and, after, all—
Preserve this Agni's holy works.
17 May Dawn and Night protect—his heavenly Consorts—in
a his home this our sacrificial worship.
18 Ye two celestial Hotars, greet with praises this lofty rite of
ours, the tongue of Agni.
Cause that our sacrifice be well conducted.

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19 Upon this grass three Goddesses be seated, Idâ, Sarasvatî,
Bhâratî the Mighty glorified with song.
20 This our productive wondrous flow may Tvashtar pour down
on this man's kin, and wealth and heroes.
21 Vanaspatî, presenting of thyself, send God-ward! Let Agni,
Immolator, season our oblation.
22 Pay sacrifice to Indra, Jâtavedas Agni! with Hail! All Gods
accept the gift we offer!
23 Wise, bright, arranger of his teams, he seeketh men with
rich food whose treasures are abundant.
They have stood firm of one accord with Vâyu: yea, the
men wrought all noble operations.
24 The God whom both these worlds brought forth for riches,
whom heavenly Dhishanâ for our wealth appointeth—
His team of harnessed horses waits on Vâyu and, foremost,
on the radiant treasure-holder.
26 What time the mighty waters came containing the universal
germ, producing Agni,
Thence sprang the Gods’ one spirit into being. What God
shall we adore with our oblation?
26 Who in his might surveyed the floods enclosing productive
force and generating Worship,
He who is God mid Gods, and none beside him—What God
shall we adore with our oblation?
27 The teams wherewith thou seekest him who offers, within
his house, O Vâyu, to direct him,
Therewith send wealth to us with full enjoyment, a hero son
and gifts of kine and horses.
28 With thy yoked teams in hundreds and in thousands come
to our sacrifice and solemn worship.
O Vâyu, make thee glad at this libation. Preserve us evermore,
ye Gods, with blessings.

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29 Drawn by thy team, O Vâyu, come: to thee is offered this,
the pure.
Thou visitest the presser's house.
30 Vâyu, the bright is offered thee, best of the meath at holy
rites.
Come thou to drink the Soma juice, God longed-for, on thy
team-drawn car.
31 Lover of worship, leader, come Vâyu with thought, to sacrifice,
Propitious with propitious teams!
32 With all the thousand chariots that are thine, O Vâyu, come
to us,
Team-drawn, to drink the Soma juice.
33 Come thou with one, and ten, O Self-Existent! with two
unto the sacrifice, and twenty.
Three are the teams and thirty which convey thee. O Vâyu,
in this place unyoke thy coursers.
34 Wonderful Vâyu, Lord of Truth, thou who art Tvashtar's
Son in-law,
Thy saving succour we elect.
35 Like kine unmilked we call aloud, Hero, to thee and sing
thy praise,
Looker on heavenly light, Lord of this moving world, Lord,
Indra! of what moveth not.
36 None other like to thee, of earth or of the heavens, hath
been or ever will be born.
Desiring horses, Indra, Bounteous Lord! and kine, as men
of might we call on thee.
37 That we may win us wealth and power, we poets call on
only thee.
In war men call on thee, Indra! the hero's Lord, in the
steed's race-course call on thee.
38 As such, O Wonderful, whose hand holds thunder, praised
as mighty, Caster of the Stone!

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Pour on us boldly, Indra, kine and chariot-steeds ever to be
the conqueror's strength.
39 What succour will he bring to us, wonderful, ever-prospering
Friend?
With what most mighty company?
40 What, genuine and most liberal draught will spirit thee with
juice to burst
Open e’en strongly-guarded wealth
41 Do thou who art protector of us thy friends who praise thee
With hundred aids approach us.
42 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-belovèd Friend.
43 Protect us, Agni, through the first, protect us through the
second hymn.
Protect us through three hymns, O Lord of Power and Might;
through four hymns, Vasu! guard thou us.
44 The Son of Strength; for is he not our Friend? Let us serve
him for offering our gifts.
In battles may he be our help and strengthener, yea, be the
saviour of our lives.
45 Thou art Samvatsara; thou art Parivatsara; thou art
Idâvatsara; thou art Idvatsara; thou art Vatsara.
Prosper thy Dawns! Prosper thy Day-and-Nights! Prosper
thy Half-months, Months, Seasons, and Years!
Combine them for their going and their coming, and send
then forward on their ordered courses.
In eagle's shape thou art piled up and layered. With that
divinity, Angiras-like, lie steady.

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BOOK THE TWENTY-EIGHTH.

ON the earth's centre, at libation's place let the Priest worship
Indra with the kindling-stick.
The mightiest of the lords of men is kindled on the height
of heaven.
Let him enjoy the butter. Hotar, worship.
2 Him let the Hotar worship, him Tanûnapât with ready aids;
the conqueror never overcome,
Indra, the God who finds heaven's light on paths most rich
in pleasant sweets, with Narâsamsa all aglow. Let him
enjoy, etc., as in verse 1.
3 With viands let the Hotar worship Indra immortal, praised,
receiver of oblations.
The God, the equal of the Gods in vigour, the thunder-wielder,
breaker-down of castles. Let him enjoy, etc.
4 Let the Priest worship Indra, Bull who sitteth on sacred
grass, doer of manly actions.
Let him be seated on the grass with Vasus and Rudras and
Âdityas for companions. Let him enjoy, etc.
5 Let the Priest sacrifice. The Doors have strengthened
Indra, his force and conquering might and vigour.
At this our worship let the Doors be opened, easy to pass,
the strengtheners of Order: wide let them open out for
bounteous Indra. Let them enjoy, etc.
6 Let the Priest sacrifice to Night and Morning, the teeming
Cows of Indra, Mighty Mothers.
Indra their calf with lustre have they strengthened, even
as two mothers of a calf in common. Let them enjoy, etc.
7 Let the Priest worship both the heavenly Hotars, Friends,
Leeches, healing Indra with oblation.
The sages, Gods preëminent for wisdom bestow on Indra his
surpassing power. Let them enjoy, etc.

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8 Let the Priest offer sacrifice to the three Goddesses and balm.
Let the three triple active Ones, let Idâ and Sarasvatî and
Bhâratî the mighty Dames, Consorts of Indra, who receive
our sacrificial offerings, enjoy the butter, etc.
9 Let the Priest worship Tvashtar radiant Indra, Physician
good at sacrifice, graced with butter,
Multiform and prolific, rich and bounteous. Let Tvashtar,
giving wondrous powers to Indra, enjoy, etc.
10 Let the Priest worship him, the Forest-Sovran, the Immolator,
Lord of Hundred Powers, the lover of the prayer, the
friend of Indra.
Balming with mead, may he on easy pathways sweeten our
sacrifice with savoury butter. Let him enjoy, etc.
11 Let the Priest offer sacrifice to Indra: with Hail! to Gods
of butter; with Hail! to Gods of marrow; with Hail!
to Gods of drops; with Hail! to Gods of offerings paid with
Svâhâ; with Hail! to Gods of sacrificial hymns.
All hail! May butter-drinking Gods and Indra rejoicing
taste the butter. Hotar, worship.
12 Vigorous, strewn by Gods upon the altar the right Gods’
sacred Grass hath strengthened Indra.
Cut in the day, cherished by night it hath surpassed those
who have sacrificial Grass with wealth. For gain of riches
let him taste. Pay sacrifice.
13 Firm, closely joined, the Doors divine have strengthened
Indra in the rite.
Pressed by a calf or tender boy may they drive off the
courser as he tosses up the sand. For gain of wealth let
then enjoy. Pay sacrifice.
14 Morning and Night, the Goddesses, have called on Indra as
the rite advanced.
May they well-pleased and ordered well make the Celestial
Tribes come forth. For gain of wealth let them enjoy.
Pay sacrifice.

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