[10-001] HYMN I. Agni.

1. HIGH hath the Mighty risen before the dawning, and come to us with light from out the darkness. Fair-shapen Agni with white-shining splendour hath filled at birth all human habitations.

2 Thou, being born, art Child of Earth and Heaven, parted among the plants in beauty, Agni! The glooms of night thou, Brilliant Babe, subduest, and art come forth, loud roaring, from thy

Mothers.

3 Here, being manifested, lofty Visnu, full wise, protects his own supremest station.

When they have offered in his mouth their sweet milk, to him with one accord they sing forth praises.

4 Thence bearing food the Mothers come to meet thee, with food for thee who givest food its increase.

These in their altered form again thou meetest. Thou art Invoking Priest in homes of mortals.

5 Priest of the holy rite, with car that glitters, refulgent Banner of each act of worship, Sharinging every God through might and glory, even Agni Guest of men I summon hither.

6 So Agni stands on earth’s most central station, invested in well-decorated garments.

Born, red of hue, where men pour out libations, O King, as great High Priest bring the Gods hither.

7 Over the earth and over heaven, O Agni, thou, Son, hast ever spread above thy Parents.

Come, Youthfullest! to those who long to meet thee, and hither bring the Gods, O Mighty Victor.

[10-002] HYMN II. Agni.

1. GLADDEN the yearning Gods, O thou Most Youthful: bring them, O Lord of Seasons, knowing seasons,

With all the Priests Celestial, O Agni. Best worshipper art thou of all Invokers.

2 Thine is the Herald’s, thine the Cleanser’s office, thinker art thou, wealth-giver, true to Order. Let us with Svaha offer up oblations, and Agni, worthy God, pay the Gods worship.

3 To the Gods’ pathway have we travelled, ready to execute what work we may accomplish. Let Agni, for he knows, complete the worship. He is the Priest: let him fix rites and seasons.

4 When we most ignorant neglect the statutes of you, O Deities with whom is knowledge, Wise Agni shall correct our faults and failings, skilled to assign each God his fitting season.

5 When, weak in mind, of feeble understanding, mortals bethink them not of sacrificing, Then shall the prudent and discerning Agni worship the Gods, best worshipper, in season.

6 Because the Father hath produced thee, Leader of all our solemn rites, their brilliant Banner: So win by worship pleasant homes abounding in heroes, and rich food to nourish all men.

7 Thou whom the Heaven and Earth, thou whom the Waters, and Tvastar, maker of fair things, created,

Well knowing, all along the Fathers’ pathway, shine with resplendent light, enkindled, Agni.

[10-003] HYMN III. Agni.

1. O KING, the potent and terrific envoy, kindled for strength, is manifest in beauty.

He shines, all-knowing, with his lotty splendour: chasing black Night he comes with white-rayed

Morning.

2 Having o’ercome the glimmering Black with beauty, and bringing forth the dame the Great Sire’s

Daughter,

Holding aloft the radiant light of Surya, as messenger of heaven he shines with treasures.

3 Attendant on the Blessed Dame the Blessed hath come: the Lover followeth his Sister.

Agni, far-spreading with conspicuous lustre, hath compassed Night with whitelyshining garments.

4 His goings-forth kindle as ’twere high voices the goings of the auspicious Friend of Agni.

The rays, the bright beams of the strong-jawed, mighty, adorable Steer are visible as he cometh.

5 Whose radiant splendours flow, like sounds, about us, his who is lofty, brilliant, and effulgent,

Who reaches heaven with best and brightest lustres, sportive and piercing even to the summit.

6 His powers, whose chariot fellies gleam and glitter have loudly roared while, as with teams, he hasted.

He, the most Godlike, far-extending envoy, shines with flames ancient, resonant, whitely-shining.

7 So bring us ample wealth: seat thee as envoy of the two youthful Matrons, Earth and Heaven. Let Agni rapid with his rapid, horses, impetuous with impetuous Steeds, come hither.

[10-004] HYMN IV. Agni.

1. To thee will send praise and bring oblation, as thou hast merited lauds when we invoked thee. A fountain in the desert art thou, Agni, O Ancient King, to man who fain would worship,

2 Thou unto whom resort the gathered people, as the kine seek the warm stall, O Most Youthful. Thou art the messenger of Gods and mortals, and goest glorious with thy light between them.

3 Making thee grow as ’twere some noble infant, thy Mother nurtures thee with sweet affection. Over the desert slopes thou passest longing, and seekest, like some beast set free, thy fodder.

4 Foolish are we, O Wise and free from error: verily, Agni, thou dost know thy grandeur.

There lies the form: he moves and licks, and swallows, and, as House-Lord, kisses the Youthful

Maiden.

5 He rises ever fresh in ancient fuel: smoke-bannered, gray, he makes the wood his dwelling.

No swimmer, Steer, he presses through the waters, and to his place accordant mortals bear him.

6 Like thieves who risk their lives and haunt the forest, the twain with their ten girdles have secured him.

This is a new hymn meant for thee, O Agni: yoke as it were thy car with parts that glitter.

7 Homage and prayer are thine, O Jatavedas, and this my song shall evermore exalt thee. Agni, protect our children and descendants, and guard with ever-watcliful care our bodies.

[10-005] HYMN V. Agni.

1. HE only is the Sea, holder of treasures: born many a time he views the hearts within us. He hides him in the secret couple’s bosom. The Bird dwells in the middle of the fountain.

2 Inhabiting one dwelling-place in common, strong Stallions and the Mares have come together. The sages guard the seat of Holy Order, and keep the highest names concealed within them.

3 The Holy Pair, of wondrous power, have coupled: they formed the Infant, they who bred produced him.

The central point of all that moves and moves not, the while they wove the Sage’s thread with insight

4 For tracks of Order and refreshing viands attend from ancient times the goodly Infant. Wearing him as a mantle, Earth and Heaven grow strong by food of pleasant drink and fatness.

5 He, calling loudly to the Seven red Sisters, hath, skilled in sweet drink, brought them to be looked on.

He, born of old, in middle air hath halted, and sought and found the covering robe of Pusan.

6 Seven are the pathways which the wise have fashioned; to one of these may come the troubled mortal.

He standeth in the dwelling of the Highest, a Pillar, on sure ground where paths are parted.

7 Not Being, Being in the highest heaven, in Aditi’s bosom and in Daksa’s birthplace, Is Agni, our first-born of Holy Order, the Milch-cow and the Bull in life’s beginning.

[10-006] HYMN VI Agni

1. THIS is that Agni, he by whose protection, favour, and help. the singer is successful;

Who with the noblest flames of glowing fuel comes forth encompassed with far-spreading lustre.

2 Agni, the Holy One, the everlasting, who shines far beaming with celestial splendours;

He who hath come unto his friends with friendship, like a fleet steed who never trips or stumbles.

3 He who is Lord of all divine oblation, shared by all living men at break of morning,

Agni to whom our offerings are devoted, in whom rests he whose car, through might, is scatheless.

4 Increasing by his strength. while lauds content him, with easy flight unto the Gods he travels. Agni the cheerful Priest, best Sacrificer, balms with his tongue the Gods with whom he mingles.

5 With songs and adorations bring ye hither Agni who stirs himself at dawn like Indra, Whom sages laud with hymns as Jatavedas of those who wield the sacrificial ladle.

6 In whom all goodly treasures meet together, even as steeds and riders for the booty. Inclining hither bring us help, O Agni, even assistance most desired by Indra.

7 Yea, at thy birth, when thou hadst sat in glory, thou, Agni, wast the aim of invocations.

The Gods came near, obedient to thy sunimons, and thus attained their rank as chief Protectors.

[10-007] HYMN VII. Agni.

1. O AGNI, shared by all men living bring us good luck for sacrifice from earth and heaven.

With us be thine intelligence, WonderWorker! Protect us, God, with thy far-reaching blessings.

2 These hymns brought forth for thee, O Agni, laud thee for bounteous gifts, with cattle and with horses.

Good Lord, when man from thee hath gained enjoyment, by hymns, O noblyborn, hath he obtained it.

3 Agni I deem my Kinsman and my Father, count him my Brother and my Friend for ever. I honour as the face of lofty Agni in heaven the bright and holy light of Surya.

4 Effectual, Agni, are our prayers for profit. He whom, at home thou, Priest for ever, guardest

Is rich in food, drawn by red steeds, and holy: by day and night to him shall all be pleasant.

5 Men with their arms have generated Agni, helpful as some kind friend, adorned with splendours, And stablished as Invoker mid the people the ancient Priest the sacrifice’s lover.

6 Worship, thyself, O God, the Gods in heaven: what, void of knowledge, shall the fool avail thee? As thou, O God, hast worshipped Gods by seasons, so, nobly-born! to thine own self pay worship.

7 Agni, be thou our Guardian and Protector bestow upon us life and vital vigour. Accept, O Mighty One, the gifts we offer, and with unceasing care protect our bodies.

[10-008] HYMN VIII. Agni.

1. AGNI advances with his lofty banner: the Bull is bellowing to the earth and heavens. He hath attained the sky’s supremest limits. the Steer hath waxen in the lap of waters.

2 The Bull, the youngling with the hump, hath frolicked, the strong and never-ceasing Calf hath bellowed.

Bringing our offerings to the God’s assembly, he moves as Chief in his own dwelling-places.

3 Him who hath grasped his Parents’ head, they stablished at sacrifice a wave of heavenly lustre. In his swift flight the red Dawns borne by horses refresh their bodies in the home of Order.

4 For, Vasu thou precedest every Morning, and still hast been the Twins’ illuminator.

For sacrifice, seven places thou retainest while for thine own self thou engenderest Mitra.

5 Thou art the Eye and Guard of mighty Order, and Varuna when to sacrifice thou comest. Thou art the Waters’ Child O Jatavedas, envoy of him whose offering thou acceptest.

6 Thou art the Leader of the rite and region, to which with thine auspicious teams thou teadest, Thy light-bestowing head to heaven thou liftest, making thy tongue the oblationbearer, Agni.

7 Through his wise insight Trita in the cavern, seeking as ever the Chief Sire’s intention, Carefully tended in his Parents’ bosom, calling the weapons kin, goes forth to combat.

8 Well-skilled to use the weapons of his Father, Aptya, urged on by Indra, fought the battle. Then Trita slew the foe seven-rayed, three-headed, and freed the cattle of the Son of Tvastar.

9 Lord of the brave, Indra cleft him in pieces who sought to gain much strength and deemed him mighty.

He smote his three heads from his body, seizing the cattle of the oniniform Son of Tvastar.

[10-009] HYMN IX. Waters.

1. YE, Waters, are beneficent: so help ye us to energy

That we may look on great delight.

2 Give us a portion of the sap, the most auspicious that ye have, Like mothers in their longing love.

3 To you we gladly come for him to whose abode ye send us on; And, Waters, give us procreant strength.

4 The Waters. be to us for drink, Goddesses for our aid and bliss: Let them stream to us health and strength.

5 1 beg the Floods to give us balm, these Queens who rule o’er precious things, And have supreme control of men.

6 Within the Waters-Soma thus hath told me-dwell all balms that heal, And Agni, he who blesseth all.

7 O Waters, teem with medicine to keep my body safe from harm, So that I long may see the Sun.

8 Whatever sin is found in me, whatever evil I have wrought, If I have lied or falsely sworn, Waters, remove it far from me.

9 The Waters I this day have sought, and to their moisture have we come: O Agni, rich in milk, come thou, and with thy splendour cover me.

[10-010] HYMN X.Yama Yami.

1. FAIN would I win my friend to kindly friendship. So may the Sage, come through the air’s wide ocean,

Remembering the earth and days to follow, obtain a son, the issue of his father.

2 Thy friend loves not the friendship which considers her who is near in kindred as stranger. Sons of the mighty Asura, the Heroes, supporters of the heavens, see far around them.

3 Yea, this the Immortals seek of thee with longing, progeny of the sole existing mortal. Then let thy soul and mine be knit together, and as a loving husband take thy consort.

4 Shall we do now what we ne’er did aforetime? we who spake righteously now talk impurely? Gandharva in the floods, the Dame of Waters-such is our bond, such our most lofty kinship.

5 Even in the womb God Tvastar, Vivifier, shaping all forms, Creator, made us consorts. None violates his holy ordinances: that we are his the heavens and earth acknowledge.

6 Who knows that earliest day whereof thou speakest? Who hatb beheld it? Who can here declare it? Great is the Law of Varuna and Mitra. What, wanton! wilt thou say to men to tempt them?

7 I, Yami, am possessed by love of Yama, that I may rest on the same couch beside him.

I as a wife would yield me to my husband. Like car-wheels let us speed to meet each other.

8 They stand not still, they never close their eyelids, those sentinels of Gods who wander round us. Not me-go quickly, wanton, with another, and hasten like a chariot wheel to meet him.

9 May Surya’s eye with days and nights endow him, and ever may his light spread out before him. In heaven and earth the kindred Pair commingle. On Yam! be the unbrotherly act of Yama.

10 Sure there will come succeeding times when brothers and sisters will do acts unmeet for kinsfolk. Not me, O fair one,-seek another husband, and make thine arm a pillow for thy consort.

11 Is he a brother when no lord is left her? Is she a sister when Destruction cometh?

Forced by my love these many words I utter. Come near, and hold me in thy close embraces.

12 I will not fold mine arms about thy body: they call it sin when one comes near his sister. Not me,-prepare thy pleasures with another: thy brother seeks not this from thee, O fair one.

13 Alas! thou art indeed a weakling, Yama we find in thee no trace of heart or spirit.

As round the tree the woodbine clings, another will cling albout thee girt as with a girdle.

14 Embrace another, Yami; let another, even as the woodbine rings the tree, enfold thee. Win thou his heart and let him win thy fancy, and he shall form with thee a blest alliance.

[10-011] HYMN XI. Agni

1. THE Bull hath yielded for the Bull the milk of heaven: the Son of Aditi can never be deceived.

According to his wisdom Varuna knoweth all: may he, the Holy, hallow times for sacrifice.

2 Gandharvi spake: may she, the Lady of the flood, amid the river’s roaring leave my heart untouched. May Aditi accomplish all that we desire, and may our eldest Brother tell us this as Chief.

3 Yea, even this blessed Morning, rich in store of food, splendid, with heavenly lustre, hath shone out for man,

Since they, as was the wish of yearning Gods, brought forth that yearning Agni for the assembly as the Priest.

4 And the fleet Falcon brought for sacrifice from afar this flowing Drop most excellent and keen of sight,

Then when the Aryan tribes chose as Invoking Priest Agni the Wonder-Worker, and the hymn rose up.

5 Still art thou kind to him who feeds thee as with grass, and, skilled in sacrifice, offers thee holy gifts.

When thou, having received the sage’s strengthening food with lauds, after long toil, cornest with many more.

6 Urge thou thy Parents, as a lover ‘ to delight: the Lovely One desires and craves it from his heart. The priest calls out, the sacrificer shows his skill, the Asura tries his strength, and with the hymn is

stirred.

7 Far-famed is he, the mortal man, O Agni, thou Son of Strength, who hath obtained thy favour.

He, gathering power, borne onward by his horses, makes his days lovely in his might and splendour.

8 When, Holy Agni, the divine assembly, the sacred synod mid the Gods, is gathered,

And when thou, Godlike One, dealest forth treasures, vouchsafe us, too, our portion of the riches.

9 Hear us, O Agni, in your common dwelling: harness thy rapid car of Amrta.

Bring Heaven and Earth, the Deities’ Parents, hither: stay with us here, nor from the Gods be distant.

[10-012] HYMN XII. Agni

1. HEAVEN and Earth, first by everlasting Order, speakers of truth, are near enough to hear us, When the God, urging men to worship. sitteth as Priest, assuming all his vital vigour.

2 As God comprising Gods by Law Eternal, bear, as the Chief who knoweth, our oblation, Smoke-bannered with the fuel, radiant, joyous, better to praise and worship, Priest for ever.

3 When the cow’s nectar wins the God completely, men here below are heaven’s sustainers. All the Gods came to this thy heavenly Yajus which from the motley Pair milked oil and water.

4 1 praise your work that ye may make me prosper: hear, Heaven and Earth, Twain Worlds that drop with fatness.

While days and nights go to the world of spirits, here let the Parents with sweet meath refresh us

5 Hath the King siezed us? How have we offended against his holy ordinance? Who knoweth? For even Mitra mid the Gods is angry there are both song and strength for those who come not.

6 ‘Tis hard to understand the Immortal’s nature, where she who is akin becomes astranger. Guard ceaselessly, great Agni, him who ponders Yama’s name, easy to be comprehended.

7 They in the synod where the Gods rejoice them, where they are seated in Vivasvan’s dwelling, Have given the Moon his beams, the Sun his splendour-the Two unweariedly maintain their

brightness.

8 The counsel which the Gods meet to consider, their secret plan,-of that we have no knowledge. There let God Savitar, Aditi, and Mitra proclaim to Varuna that we are sinless.

9 Hear us, O Agni, in your comninn dwell ing: harness thy rapid car, the car of Amrta.

Bring Heaven and Earth, the Deities’ Parents, hither: stay with us here, nor from the Gods be distant.

[10-013] HYMN XIII Havirdhanas.

1. I YOKE with prayer your ancient inspiration: may the laud rise as on the prince’s pathway. All Sons of Immortality shall hear it, all the possessors of celestial natures.

2 When speeding ye came nigh us like twin sisters, religious-hearted votaries brought you forward.

Take your place, ye who know your proper station: be near, be very near unto our Soma.

3 Five paces have I risen from Earth. I follow her who hath four feet with devout observance. This by the Sacred Syllable have I measured: I purify in the central place of Order,

4 He, for God’s sake, chose death to be his portion. He chose not, for men’s good, a life eternal

They sacrificed Brhaspati the Rsi. Yama delivered up his own dear body.

5 The Seven flow to the Youth on whom the Maruts wait: the Sons unto the Father brought the sacrifice.

Both these are his, as his they are the Lords of both: both toil; belonging unto both they prosper well.

[10-014] HYMN XIV. Yama.

1. HONOUR the King with thine oblations, Yama, Vivasvan’s Son, who gathers men together, Who travelled to the lofty heights above us, who searcbes out and shows the path to many.

2 Yama first found for us a place to dwell in: this pasture never can be taken from

Us.

Men born on earth tread their own paths that lead them whither our ancient Fathers have departed.

3 Mitali prospers there with Kavyas, Yama with Angiras’ sons, Brhaspati with Rkvans: Exalters of the Gods, by Gods exalted, some joy in praise and some in our oblation.

4 Come, seat thee on this bed of grass, O Yama, in company with Angirases and Fathers. Let texts recited by the sages bring thee O King, let this oblation make thee joyful.

5 Come, Yama, with the Angirases the Holy, rejoice thee here with children of Virupa. To sit on sacred grass at this our worship, I call Vivasvan, too, thy Father hither.

6 Our Fathers are Angirases, Navagvas, Atharvans, Bhrgus who deserve the Soma.

May these, the Holy, look on us with favour, may we enjoy their gracious loving-kindness.

7 Go forth, go forth upon the ancient pathways whereon our sires of old have gone before us.

‘Mere shalt thou look on both the Kings enjoying their sacred food, God Varuna and Yama.

8 Meet Yama, meet the Fathers, meet the merit of free or ordered acts, in highest heaven. Leave sin and evil, seek anew thy dwelling, and bright with glory wear another body.

9 Go hence, depart ye, fly in all directions: this place for him the Fathers have provided. Yama bestows on him a place to rest in adorned with days and beams of light and waters.

10 Run and outspeed the two dogs, Sarama’s offspring, brindled, four-eyed, upon thy happy pathway. Draw nigh then to the gracious-minded Fathers where they rejoice in company with Yama.

11 And those two dogs of thine, Yama, the watchers, four-eyed, who look on men and guard the pathway,-

Entrust this man, O King, to their protection, and with prosperity and health endow him.

12 Dark-hued, insatiate, with distended nostrils, Yama’s two envoys roam among the People; May they restore to us a fair existence here and to-day, that we may see the sunlight.

13 To Yama pour the Soma, bring to Yama consecrated gifts: To Yama sacrifice prepared and heralded by Agni goes.

14 Offer to Yama holy gifts enriched with butter, and draw near:

So may he grant that we may live long days of life among the Gods.

15 Offer to Yama, to the King, oblation very rich in meath:

Bow down before the Rsis of the ancient times, who made this path in days of old.

16 Into the six Expanses flies the Great One in Trkadrukas. The Gayatri, the Trstup, all metres in Yama are contained.

[10-015] HYMN XV. Fathers.

1. MAY they ascend, the lowest, highest, midmost, the Fathers who deserve a share of Soma- May they who have attained the life of spirits, gentle and righteous, aid us when we call them.

2 Now let us pay this homage to the Fathers, to those who passed of old and those who followed, Those who have rested in the earthly region, and those who dwell among the Mighty Races.

3 1 have attained the gracious-minded Fathers, I have gained son and progeny from Visnu.

They who enjoy pressed juices with oblation seated on sacred grass, come oftenest hither.

4 Fathers who sit on sacred grass, come, help us: these offerings have we made for you; accept them. So come to us with most auspicious favour, and give us health and strength without a trouble.

5 May they, the Fathers, worthy of the Soma, invited to their favourite oblations.

Laid on the sacred grass, come nigh and listen: may they be gracious unto us and bless us.

6 Bowing your bended knees and seated southward, accept this sacrifice of ours with favour. Punish us not for any sin, O Fathers, which we through human frailty have committed.

7 Lapped in the bosom of the purple Mornings, give riches to the man who brings oblations. Grant to your sons a portion of that treasure, and, present, give them energy, ye Fathers.

8 Our ancient Fathers who deserve the Soma, who came, most noble, to our Soma banquet,- With these let Yama, yearning with the yearning, rejoicing eat our offerings at his pleasure.

9 Come to us, Agni, with the gracioug Fathers who dwell in glowing light, the very Kavyas, Who thirsted mid the Gods, who hasten hither, oblation winners, theme of singers’ praises.

10 Come, Agni, come with countless ancient Fathers, dwellers in light, primeval, God-adorers, Eaters and drinkers of oblations, truthful, who travel with the Deities and Indra.

11 Fathers whom Agni’s flames have tasted, come ye nigh: ye kindly leaders, take ye each your proper place.

Eat sacrificial food presented on the grass: grant riches with a multitude of hero sons.

12 Thou, Agni Jatavedas, when entreated, didst bear the offerings which thou madest fragrant,

And give them to the Fathers who did cat them with Svadha. Eat, thou God, the gifts we bring thee.

13 Thou, Jatavedas, knowest well the number of Fathers who are here and who are absent,

Of Fathers whom we know and whom we know not: accept the sacrifice wellprepared with portions.

14 They who, consumed by fire or not cremated, joy in their offering in the midst of heaven,- Grant them, O Sovran Lord, the world of spirits and their own body, as thy pleasure wills it.

[10-016] HYMN XVI. Agni.

1. Burn him not up, nor quite consume him, Agni: let not his body or his skin be scattered. O Jatavedas, when thou hast matured him, then send him on his way unto the Fathers.

2 When thou hast made him ready, Jatavedas, then do thou give him over to the Fathers. When he attains unto the life that waits him, he shall become the Deities’ controller.

3 The Sun receive thine eye, tne Wind thy spirit; go, as thy merit is, to earth or heaven. Go, if it be thy lot, unto the waters; go, make thine home in plants with all thy members.

4 Thy portion is the goat: with heat consume him: let thy fierce flame, thy glowing splendour, burn him

With thine auspicious forms, o Jatavedas, bear this man to the region of the pious.

5 Again, O Agni, to the Fathers send him who, offered in thee, goes with our oblations. Wearing new life let him increase his offspring: let him rejoin a body, Jatavedas.

6 What wound soe’er the dark bird hath inflicted, the emmet, or the serpent, or the jackal, May Agni who devoureth all things heal it and Soma who hath passed into the Brahmans.

7 Shield thee with flesh against the flames of Agni, encompass thee about with fat and marrow, So will the Bold One, eager to attack thee with fierce glow fail to girdle and consume thee.

8 Forbear, O Agni, to upset this ladle: the Gods and they who merit Soma love it.

This ladle, this which serves the Gods to drink from, in this the Immortal Deities rejoice them.

9 1 send afar flesh eating Agni, bearing off stains may he depart to Yama’s subjects. But let this other Jatavedas carry oblation to the Gods, for he is skilful.

10 I choose as God for Father-worship Agni, flesh-eater, who hath past within your dwelling, While looking on this other Jatavedas. Let him light flames in the supreme assembly.

11 With offerings meet let Agni bring the Fathers who support the Law. Let him announce oblations paid to Fathers and to Deities.

12 Right gladly would we set thee down, right gladly make thee burn and glow. Gladly bring yearning Fathers nigh to cat the food of sacrifice.

13 Cool, Agni, and again refresh the spot which thou hast scorched and burnt.

Here let the water-lily grow, and tender grass and leafy herb.

14 O full of coolness, thou cool Plant, full of fresh moisture, freshening Herb, Come hither with the female frog: fill with delight this Agni here.

[10-017] HYMN XVII. Various Deities.

1. TVASTAR prepares the bridal of his Daughter: all the world hears the tidings and assembles. But Yama’s Mother, Spouse of great Vivasvan, vanished as she was carried to her dwelling.

2 From mortal men they hid the Immortal Lady, made one like her and gave her to Vivasvan. Saranyu brought to him the Asvin brothers, and then deserted both twinned pairs of children.

3 Guard of the world, whose cattle ne’er are injured, may Pusan bear thee hence, for he hath knowledge.

May he consign thee to these Fathers’ keeping, and to the gracious Gods let Agni give thee.

4 May Ayu, giver of all life, protect thee, and bear thee forward on the distant pathway.

Thither let Savitar the God transport thee, where dwell the pious who have passed-before thee.

5 Pusan knows all these realms: may he conduct us by ways that are most free from fear and danger. Giver of blessings, glowing, all-heroic, may he, thewise and watchful, go before us.

6 Pusan was born to move on distant pathways, on the road far from earth and far from heaven. To both most wonted places of assembly he travels and returns with perfect knowledge.

7 The pious call Sarasvati, they worship Sarasvati while sacrifice proceedeth. The pious called Sarasvati aforetime. Sarasvati send bliss to him who giveth.

8 Sarasvati, who camest with the Fathers, with them rejoicing thee in our oblations,

Seated upon this sacred grass be joyful, and give us strengthening food that brings no sickness.

9 Thou, called on as Sarasvati by Fathers who come right forward to our solemn service, Give food and wealth to present sacrificers, a portion, worth a thousand, of refreshment.

10 The Mother Floods shall make us bright and shining, cleansers of holy oil, with oil shall cleanse us: For, Goddesses, they bear off all defilement: I, rise up from them purified and brightened.

11 Through days of earliest date the Drop descended on this place and on that which was before it. I offer up, throughout the seven oblations, the Drop which still to one same place is moving.

12 The Drop that falls, thy stalk which arms have shaken, which from the bosom of the press hath fallen,

Or from the Adhvaryu’s purifying filter, I offer thee with heart and cry of Vasat!

13 That fallen Drop of thine, the stalk which from the ladle fell away, This present God Brhaspati shall pour it forth to make us rich.

14 The plants of earth are rich in milk, and rich in milk is this my speech; And rich in milk the essence of the Waters: make me pure therewith.

[10-018] HYMN XVIII. Various Deities.

1. Go hence, O Death, pursue thy special pathway apart from that which Gods are wont to travel. To thee I say it who hast eyes and hearest: Touch not our offspring, injure not our heroes.

2 As ye have come effacing Mrtyu’s footstep, to further times prolonging your existence, May ye be rich in children and possessions. cleansed, purified, and meet for sacrificing.

3 Divided from the dead are these, the living: now be our calling on the Gods successful. We have gone forth for dancing and for laughter, tofurther times prolonging our existence.

4 Here I erect this rampart for the living; let none of these, none other, reach this limit.

May they survive a hundred lengthened autumns, and may they bury Death beneath this mountain.

5 As the days follow days in close succession, as with the seasons duly come the seasons, As each successor fails not his foregoer, so form the lives of these, O great Ordainer.

6 Live your full lives ap! find old age delightful, all of you striving one behind the other.

May Tvastar, maker of fair things, be gracious and lengthen out the days of your existence.

7 Let these unwidowed dames with noble husbands adorn themselves with fragrant balm and unguent.

Decked with fair jewels, tearless, free from sorrow, first let the dames go up to where he lieth.

8 Rise, come unto the world of life, O woman: come, he is lifeless by whose side thou liest. Wifehood with this thy husband was thy portion, who took thy hand and wooed thee as a lover.

9 From his dead hand I take the bow be carried, that it may be our power and might and glory. There art thou, there; and here with noble heroes may we o’ercome all hosts that fight against us.

10 Betake thee to the Iap of Earth the Mother, of Earth far-spreading, very kind and gracious. Young Dame, wool-soft unto the guerdongiver, may she preserve tbee from Destruction’s bosom.

11 Heave thyself, Earth, nor press thee downward heavily: afford him easy access, gently tending him.

Cover him, as a mother wraps her skirt about her child, O Earth.

12 Now let the heaving earth be free from motion: yea,- let a thousand clods remain above him. Be they to him a home distilling fatness, here let them ever be his place of refuge.

13 I stay the earth from thee, while over thee I place this piece of earth. May I be free from injury. Here let the Fathers keep this pillar firm for thee, and there let Yama make thee an abiding-place.

14 Even as an arrow’s feathers, they have set me on a fitting day.

The fit word have I caught and held as ’twere a courser with the rein.

[10-019] HYMN XIX. Waters or Cows.

1. TURN, go not farther on your way: visit us, O ye Wealthy Ones. Agni and Soma, ye who bring riches again, secure us wealth.

2 Make these return to us again, bring them beside us once again. May. Indra give them back to us, and Agni drive them hither-ward.

3 Let them return to us again: under this herdsman let them feed.

Do thou, O Agni, keep them here, and let the wealth we have remain.

4 1 call upon their herdsman, him who knoweth well their coming nigh, Their parting and their home-return, and watcheth their approach and rest.

5 Yea, let the herdsman, too, return, who marketh well their driving-forth; Marketh their wandering away, their turning back and coming home.

6 Home-leader, lead them home to us; Indra, restore to us our kine: We will rejoice in them alive.

7 1 offer you on every side butter and milk and strengthening food. May all the Holy Deities pour down on us a flood of wealth.

8 O thou Home-leader, lead them home, restore them thou who bringest home. Four are the quarters of the earth; from these bring back to us our kine,

[10-020] HYMN XX. Agni.

1. SEND unto us a good and happy mind.

2 1 worship Agni, Youthfullest of Gods, resistless, Friend of laws;

Under whose guard and heavenly light the Spotted seek the Mother’s breast:

3 Whom with their mouth they magnify, bannered with flame and homed in light. He glitters with his row of teeth.

4 Kind, Furtherer of men, he comes, when he hath reached the ends of heaven, Sage, giving splendour to the clouds.

5 To taste man’s offerings, he, the Strong, hath risen erect at sacrifice: Fixing his dwelling he proceeds.

6 Here are oblation, worship, rest: rapidly comes his furtherance. To sword-armed Agni come the Gods.

7 With service for chief bliss I seek the Lord of Sacrifice, Agni, whom

They call the Living, Son of Cloud.

8 Blest evermore be all the men who come from us, who magnify