1. THIS holy hymn, sublime and sevenheaded, sprung from eternal Law, our sire discovered. Ayasya, friend of all men, hath engendered the fourth hymn as he sang his laud to Indra.

2 Thinking aright, praising eternal Order, the sons of Dyaus the Asura, those heroes, Angirases, holding the rank of sages, first honoured sacrifice’s holy statute.

3 Girt by his friends who cried with swanlike voices, bursting the stony barriers of the prison, Brhaspati spake in thunder to the cattle, and uttered praise and song when he had found them.

4 Apart from one, away from two above him, he drave the kine that stood in bonds of falsehood. Brhaspati, seeking light amid the darkness, drave forth the bright cows: three he made apparent.

5 When he had cleft the lairs and western castle, he cut off three from him who held the waters. Brhaspati discovered, while he thundered like Dyaus, the dawn, the Sun, the cow, the lightning.

6 As with a hand, so with his roaring Indra cleft Vala through, the guardian of the cattle.

Seeking the milk-draught with sweatshining comrades he stole the Pani’s kine and left him weeping.

7 He with bright faithful Friends, winners of booty, hath rent the milker of the cows asunder. Brhaspati with wild boars strong and mighty, sweating with heat, hath gained a rich possession.

8 They, longing for the kine, with faithful spirit incited with their hymns the Lord of cattle. Brhaspati freed the radiant cows with comrades self-yoked, averting shame from one another.

9 In our assembly with auspicious praises exalting him who roareth like a lion, Maywe, in every fight where heroes conquer, rejoice in strong Brhaspati the Victor.

10 When he had won him every sort of booty and gone to heaven and its most lofty mansions, Men praised Brhaspati the Mighty, bringing the light within their mouths from sundry places.

11 Fulfil the prayer that begs for vital vigour: aid in your wonted manner even the humble.

Let all our foes be turned and driven backward. Hear this, O Heaven and Earth, ye All-producers.

12 Indra with mighty strength cleft asunder the head of Arbuda the watery monster,

Slain Ahi, and set free the Seven Rivers. O Heaven and Earth, with all the Gods protect us.

[10-068] HYMN LXVIII. Brhaspati.

1. LIKE birds who keep their watch, plashing in water, like the loud voices of the thundering rain- cloud,

Like merry streamlets bursting from the mountain, thus to Brhaspati our hymns have sounded.

2 The Son of Angirases, meeting the cattle, as Bhaga, brought in Aryaman among us.

As Friend of men he decks the wife and husband: as for the race, Brhaspati, nerve our coursers.

3 Brhaspati, having won them from the mountains, strewed down, like barley out of winnowing- baskets,

The vigorous, wandering cows who aid the pious, desired of all, of blameless form, well-coloured.

4 As the Sun dews with meath the seat of Order, and casts a flaming meteor down from heaven. So from the rock Brhaspati forced the cattle, and cleft the earth’s skin as it were with water.

5 Forth from mid air with light he dravc the darkness, as the gale blows a lily from the fiver. Like the wind grasping at the cloud of Vala, Brhaspati gathered to himself the cattle,

6 Brhaspati, when he with fiery lightnings cleft through the weapon of reviling Vala, Consumed.him as tongues cat what teeth have compassed: he threw the prisons of the red cows

open.

7 That secret name borne by the lowing cattle within the cave Brhaspati discovered,

And drave, himself, the bright kine from the mountain, like a bird’s young after the egg’s disclosure.

8 He looked around on rock-imprisoned sweetness as one who eyes a fish in scanty water. Brhaspati, cleaving through with varied clamour, brought it forth like a bowl from out the timber.

9 He found the light of heaven, and fire, and Morning: with lucid rays he forced apart the darkness. As from a joint, Brhaspati took the marrow of Vala as he gloried in his cattle.

10 As trees for foliage robbed by winter, Vala mourned for the cows Brhaspati had taken.

He did a deed ne’er done, ne’er to be equalled, whereby the Sun and Moon ascend alternate.

11 Like a dark steed adorned with pearl, the Fathers have decorated heaven With constellations. They set the light in day, in night the darkness. Brhaspati cleft the rock and found the cattle.

12 This homage have we.offered to the Cloud God who thunders out to many in succession. May this Brhaspati vouchsafe us fulness of life with kine and horses, men, and heroes.

[10-069] HYMN LXIX. Agni.

1. Auspicious is the aspect of Vadhryasva’s fire good is its guidance, pleasant are its visitings.

When first the people Of Sumitra kindle it, with butter poured thercon it crackles and shines bright.

2 Butter is that which makes Vadhryaiva’s fire growstrong: the butter is its food, the butter makes it fat.

It spreads abroad when butter hath been offered it, and balmed with streams of butter shines forth like the Sun.

3 Still newest is this face of thine, O Agni, which Manu and Sumitra have enkindled.

So richly shine, accept our songs with favour, so give us strengthening food, so send us glory.

4 Accept this offering, Agni, whom aforetime Vadhryasva, hath entreated and enkindled.

Guard well our homes and ople, guard our bodies, protect thy girt to us which thou hast granted.

5 Be splendid, guard us Kinsman of Vadhryasva: let not the enmity of men o’ercome thee, Like the bold hero Cyavana, I Sumitra tell forth the title of Vadhryaiva’s Kinsman.

6 All treasures hast thou won, of plains and mountains, and quelled the Dasas’ and Aryas’ hatred. Like the bold hero Cyavana, O Agni, mayst thou subdue the men who long for battle.

7 Deft Agni hath a lengthened thread, tall oxen, a thousand heifers, numberless devices. Decked by the men, splendid among the splendid, shine brightly forth amid devout Sumitras.

8 Thine is the teeming cow, O Jatavedas, who pours at once her ceaseless flow, Sabardhuk, Thou. art lit up by men enriched with guerdon, O Agni, by the pious-souled Sumitras.

9 Even Immortal Gods, O Jatavedas, Vadhryasva’s Kinsman, have declared thy grandeur.

When human tribes drew near with supplication thou conqueredst with men whom thou hadst strengthened.

10 Like as a father bears his son, O Agni, Vadhryasva bare thee in his lap and served thee.

Thou, Youngest God, having enjoyed his fuel, didst vanquish those of old though they were mighty.

11 Vadhryasva’s Agni evermore hath vanquished his foes with heroes who had pressed the Soma. Lord of bright rays, thou burntest up the battle, subduing, as our help, e’en mighty foemen.

12 This Agni of Vadhryasva, Vrtra-slayer, lit from of old, must be invoked with homage. As such assail our enemies, Vadhryasva, whether the foes be strangers or be kinsmen.

[10-070] HYMN LXX. Apris.

1. ENJOY, O Agni, this my Fuel, welcome the oil-filled ladle where we pour libation.

Rise up for worship of the Gods, wise Agni, on the earth’s height, while days are bright with beauty.

2 May he who goes before the Gods come hither with steeds whose shapes are varied, Narasarhsa. May he, most Godlike, speed our offered viands with homage God-ward on the path of Order.

3 Men with oblations laud most constant Agni, and pray him to perform an envoy’s duty.

With lightly-rolling car and best draught-horses, bring the Gods hither and sit down as Hotar.

4 May the delight of Gods spread out transversely: may it be with us long in length and fragrant. O Holy Grass divine, with friendly spirit bring thou the willing Gods whose Chief is Indra.

5 Touch ye the far-extending height of heaven or spring apart to suit the wide earth’s measure. Yearning, ye Doors, with those sublime in greatness, seize eagerly the heavenly Car that cometh.

6 Here in this shrine may Dawn and Night, the Daughters of Heaven, the skilful Goddesses, be seated.

In your wide lap, auspicious, willing Ladies may the Gods seat them with a willing spirit.

7 Up stands the stone, high burns the fire enkindled: Aditi’s lap contains the Friendly Natures

Ye Two Chief Priests who serve at this our worship, may ye, more skilled, win for us rich possessions.

8 On our wide grass, Three Goddesses be seated: for you have we prepared and made it pleasant. May Ila, she whose foot drops oil, the Goddess, taste, man-like, sacrifice and well-set presents.

9 Since thou, God Tvastar, hast made beauty perfect, since hou hast been the Angirases’ Companion,

Willing, most wealthy, Giver of possessions, grant us the Gods’ assembly, thou who knowest.

10 Well-knowing, binding with thy cord, bring hither, Lord of the Wood, the Deities’ assembly. The God prepare and season our oblations may Heaven and Earth be gracious to my calling.

11 Agni, bring hither Varuna to help us, Indra from heaven, from air’s mid-realm the Maruts. On sacred grass all Holy ones be seated and let the Immortal Gods rejoice in Svaha.

[10-071] HYMN LXXI. Jnanam

1. WHEN-men, Brhaspati, giving names to objects, sent out Vak’s first and earliest utterances,

All that was excellent and spotless, treasured within them, was disclosed through their affection.

2 Where, like men cleansing corn-flour in a cribble, the wise in spirit have created language, Friends see and recognize the marks of friendship: their speech retains the blessed sign imprinted.

3 With sacrifice the trace of Vak they foIlowed, and found her harbouring within the Rsis.

They brought her, dealt her forth in many places: seven singers make her tones resound in concert.

4 One man hath ne’er seen Vak, and yet he seeth: one man hath hearing but hath never heard her. But to another hath she shown her beauty as a fond well-dressed woman to her husband.

5 One man they call a laggard, dull in friendship: they never urge him on to deeds of valour. He wanders on in profitless illusion: the Voice he heard yields neither fruit,nor blossom.

6 No part in Vak hath he who hath abandoned his own dear friend who knows the truth of friendship. Even if he hears her still in vain he listens: naught knows he of the path of righteous action.

7 Unequal in the quickness of their spirit are friends endowed alike with eyes and hearing. Some look like tanks that reach the mouth or shoulder, others like pools of water fit to bathe in.

8 When friendly Brahmans sacrifice together with mental impulse which the heart hath fashioned, They leave one far behind through their attainments, and some who count as Brahmans wander

elsewhere.

9 Those men who step not back and move not forward, nor Brahmans nor preparers of libations, Having attained to Vak in sinful fashion spin out their thread in ignorance like spinsters.

10 All friends are joyful in the friend who cometh in triumph, having conquered in assembly. He is their blame-averter, food-provider prepared is he and fit for deed of vigour.

11 One plies his constant task reciting verses. one sings the holy psalm in Sakvari measures. One more, the Brahman, tells the lore of being, and one lays down the rules of sacrificing.

[10-072] HYMN LXXII. The Gods.

1. LET US with tuneful skill proclaim these generations of the Gods, That one may see them when these hymns are chanted in a future age.

2 These Brahmanaspati produced with blast and smelting, like a Smith, Existence, in an earlier age of Gods, from Non-existence sprang.

3 Existence, in the earliest age of Gods, from Non-existence sprang. Thereafter were the regions born. This sprang from the Productive Power.

4 Earth sprang from the Productive Power the regions from the earth were born. Daksa was born of Aditi, and Aditi was Daksa’s Child.

5 For Aditi, O Daksa, she who is thy Daughter, was brought forth. After her were the blessed Gods born sharers of immortal life.

6 When ye, O Gods, in yonder deep closeclasping one another stood, Thence, as of dancers, from your feet a thickening cloud of dust arose.

7 When, O ye Gods, like Yatis, ye caused all existing things to grow, Then ye brought Surya forward who was lying hidden in the sea.

8 Eight are the Sons of Adid who from her body sprang to life.

With seven she went to meet the Gods she cast Martanda far away.

9 So with her Seven Sons Aditi went forth to meet the earlier age. She brought Martanda thitherward to spring to life and die again.

[10-073] HYMN LXXIII. Indra.

1. THOU wast born mighty for victorious valour, exulting, strongest, full of pride and courage. There, even there, the Maruts strengthened Indra when. his most rapid Mother stirred the Hero.

2 There with fiend’s ways e’en Prsni was seated: with much laudation they exalted Indra.

As if encompassed by the Mighty-footed, from darkness, near at hand, forth came the Children.

3 High are thy feet when on thy way thou goest: the strength thou foundest here hath lent thee vigour.

Thousand hyenas in thy mouth thou holdest. O Indra, mayst thou turn the Asvins hither.

4 Speeding at once to sacrifice thou comest for friendship thou art bringing both Nasatyas. Thou hadst a thousand treasures in possession. The Asvins, O thou Hero, gave thee riches.

5 Glad, for the race that rests on holy Order, with friends who hasten to their goal, hath Indra

With these his magic powers assailed the Dasyu: he cast away the gloomy mists, the darkness.

6 Two of like name for him didst thou demolish, as Indra striking down the car of Usas.

With thy beloved lofty Friends thou camest, and with the assurance of thine heart thou slewest.

7 War-loving Namuci thou smotest, robbing the Dasa of his magic for the Rsi.

For man thou madest ready pleasant pathways, paths leading as it were directly God-ward.

8 These names of thine thou hast fulfilled completely: as Lord, thou boldest in thine arm, O Indra. In thee, through thy great might, the Gods are joyful: the roots of trees hast thou directed upward.

9 May the sweet Soma juices make him happy to cast his quoit that lies in depth of waters.

Thou from the udder which o’er earth is fastened hast poured the milk into the kine and herbage.

10 When others call him offspring of the Courser, my meaning is that Mighty Power produced him. He came from Manyu and remained in houses: whence he hath sprung is known to Indra only.

11 Like birds of beauteous wing the Priyamedhas, Rsis, imploring, have come nigh to Indra: Dispel the darkness and fill full our vision deliver us as men whom snares entangle.

[10-074] HYMN LXXIV. Indra.

1. I AM prepared to laud with song or worship the Noble Ones who are in earth and heaven,

Or Coursers who have triumphed in, the contest, or those who famed, have won the prize with glory.

2 Their call, the call of Gods, went up to heaven: they kissed the ground with glory-seeking spirit, There where the Gods look on for happy fortune, and like the kindly heavens bestow their bounties.

3 This is the song of those Immortal Beings who long for treasures in their full perfection.

May these, completing prayers and sacrifices, bestow upon us wealth where naught is wanting.

4 Those living men extolled thy deed, O Indra, those who would fain burst through the stall of cattle, Fain to milk her who bare but once, great, lofty, whose Sons are many and her streams past number.

5 Sacivan, win to your assistance Indra who never bends, who overcomes his foemen.

Rbhuksan, Maghavan, the hymn’s upholder, who, rich in food, bears man’s kind friend, the thunder.

6 Since he who won of old anew hath triumphed, Indra hath earned his name of Vrtra-slaycr.

He hath appeared, the mighty Lord of Conquest. What we would have him do let him accomplish.

[10-075] HYMN LXXV. The Rivers.

1. THE singer, O ye Waters in Vivasvan’s place, shall tell your grandeur forth that is beyond compare. The Rivers have come forward triply, seven and seven. Sindhu in might surpasses all the streams that

flow.

2 Varuna cut the channels for thy forward course, O Sindhu, when thou rannest on to win the race. Thou speedest o’er precipitous ridges of the earth, when thou art Lord and Leader of these moving

floods.

3 His roar is lifted up to heaven above the earth: he puts forth endless vigour with a flash of light. Like floods of rain that fall- in thunder from the cloud, so Sindhu rushes on bellowing like a bull.

4 Like mothers to their calves, like milch kine with their milk, so, Sindhu, unto thee the roaring rivers run.

Thou leadest as a warrior king thine army’s wings what time thou comest in the van of these swift streams.

5 Favour ye this my laud, O Ganga, Yamuna, O Sutudri, Parusni and Sarasvati: With Asikni, Vitasta, O Marudvrdha, O Arjikiya with Susoma hear my call.

6 First with Trstama thou art eager to flow forth, with Rasa, and Susartu, and with Svetya here, With Kubha; and with these, Sindhu and Mehatnu, thou seekest in thy course Krumu and Gomati.

7 Flashing and whitely-gleaming in her mightiness, she moves along her ample volumes through the realms,

Most active of the active, Sindhu unrestrained, like to a dappled mare, beautiful, fair to see.

8 Rich in good steeds is Sindhu, rich in cars and robes, rich in gold, nobly-fashioned, rich in ample wealth.

Blest Silamavati and young Urnavati invest themselves with raiment rich in store of sweets.

9 Sindhu hath yoked her car, light-rolling, drawn by steeds, and with that car shall she win booty in this fight.

So have I praised its power, mighty and unrestrained, of independent glory, roaring as it runs.

[10-076] HYMN LXXVI. Press-stones.

1. I GRASP at you when power and strength begin to dawn: bedew ye, Indra and the Maruts, Heaven and Earth,

That Day and Night, in every hall of sacrifice, may wait on us and bless us when they first spring forth.

2 Press the libation out, most excellent of all: the Pressing-stone is grasped like a hand-guided steed. So let it win the valour that subdues the foe, and the fleet courser’s might that speeds to ample

wealth.

3 Juice that this Stone pours out removes defect of ours, as in old time it brought prosperity to man. At sacrifices they established holy rites on Tvastar’s milk-blent juice bright with the hue of steeds.

4 Drive ye the treacherous demons far away from us: keep Nirrti afar and banish Penury.

Pour riches forth for us with troops of hero sons, and bear ye up, O Stones, the song that visits Gods.

5 To you who are more mighty than the heavens themselves, who, finishing your task with more than

Vibhvan’s speed,

More rapidly than Vayu seize the Soma juice, better than Agni give us food, to you I sing.

6 Stirred be the glorious Stones: let it press out the juice, the Stone with heavenly song that reaches up to heaven,

There where the men draw forth the meath for which they long, sending their voice around in rivalry of speed.

7 The Stones press out the Soma, swift as car-borne men, and, eager for the spoil, drain forth the sap thereof

To fill the beaker, they exhaust the udder’s store, as the men purify oblations with their lips.

8 Ye, present men, have been most skilful in your work, even ye, O Stones who pressed Soma for

Indra’s drink.

May all ye have of fair go to the Heavenly Race, and all your treasure to the earthly worshipper.

[10-077] HYMN LXXVII. Maruts.

1. As with their voice from cloud they sprinkle treasure so are the wise man’s liberal sacrifices. I praise their Company that merits worship as the good Martits’ priest to pay them honour.

2 The youths have wrought their ornaments for glory through many nights,-this noble band of

Maruts.

Like stags the Sons of Dyatis have striven onward, the Sons of Aditi grown strong like pillars.

3 They who extend beyond the earth and heaven, by their own mass, as from the cloud spreads

Surya;

Like mighty Heroes covetous of glory, like heavenly gallants who destroy the wicked.

4 When ye come nigh, as in the depth of waters, the earth is loosened, as it were, and shaken. This your all-feedin sacrifice approaches: come all united, fraught, as ’twere with viands.

5 Ye are like horses fastened to the chariot poles, luminous with your beams, with splendour as at dawn;

Like self-bright falcons, punishers of wicked men, like hovering birds urged forward, scattering rain around.

6 When ye come forth, O Maruts, from the distance, from the great treasury of rich possessions, Knowing, O Vasus, boons that should be granted, even from afar drive back the men who hate us.

7 He who, engaged in the rite’s final duty brings, as a man, oblation to the Maruts,

Wins him life’s wealthy fulness, blest with heroes: he shall be present, too, where Gods drink Soma.

8 For these are helps adored at sacrifices, bringing good fortune by their name Adityas. Speeding on cars let them protect our praises, delighting in our sacrifice and worship.

[10-078] HYMN LXXVIII. Maruts.

1. Ye by your hymns are like high-thoughted singers, skilful, inviting Gods with sacrifices;

Fair to behold, like Kings, with bright adornment, like spotless gallants, leaders of the people:

2 Like fire with flashing flame, breast-bound with chains of gold, like tempest-blasts, self-moving, swift to lend your aid;

As best of all foreknowers, excellent to guide, like Somas, good to guard the man who follows Law.

3 Shakers of all, like gales of wind they travel, like tongues of burning fires in their effulgence. Mighty are they as warriors clad in armour, and, like the Fathers’ prayers, Most Bounteous Givers.

4 Like spokes of car-wheels in one nave united, ever victorious like heavenly Heroes,

Shedding their precious balm like youthful suitors, they raise their voice and chant their psalm as singers.

5 They who are fleet to travel like the noblest steeds, long to obtain the prize like bounteous charioteers,

Like waters speeding on with their precipitous floods, like omniform Angirases with Sama-hymns.

6 Born from the stream, like press-stones are the Princes, for ever like the stones that crush in pieces; Sons of a beauteous Dame, like playful children, like a great host upon the march with splendour.

7 Like rays of Dawn, the visitors of sacrifice, they shine with ornaments as eager to be bright.

Like rivers hasting on, glittering with their spears, from far away they measure out the distances.

8 Gods, send us happiness and make us wealthy, letting us singers prosper, O ye Maruts. Bethink you of our praise and of our friendship: ye from of old have riches to vouchsafe us.

[10-079] HYMN LXXIX. Agni.

1. I HAVE beheld the might of this Great Being. Immortal in the midst of tribes of mortals. His jaws now open and now shut together: much they devour, insatiately chewing.

2 His eyes are turned away, his head is hidden: unsated with his tongue he eats the fuel.

With hands upraised, with reverence in the houses, for him they quickly bring his food together.

3 Seeking, as ’twere, his Mother’s secret bosom, he, like a child, creeps on through wide-spread bushes.

One he finds glowing like hot food made ready, and kissing deep within the earth’s recmes.

4 This holy Law I tell you, Earth and Heaven: the Infant at his birth dovours his Parents. No knowledge of the God have I, a mortal. Yea, Agni knoweth best, for he hath wisdom.

5 This man who quickly gives him food, who offers his gifts of oil and butter and supports him, – Him with his thousand eyes he closely looks on: thou showest him thy face from all sides, Agni.

6 Agni, hast thou committed sin or treason among the Gods? In ignorance I ask thee. Playing, not playing, he gold-hued and toothless, hath cut his food up as the knife a victim.

7 He born in wood hath yoked his horses rushing in all directions, held with reins that glitter. The well-born friend hath carved his food with Vasus: in all his limbs he hath increased and

prospered.

[10-080] HYMN LXXX. Agni.

1. AGNI bestows the fleet prize-winning courser: Agni, the hero famed and firm in duty.

Agni pervades and decks the earth and heaven, and fills the fruitful dame who teems with heroes.

2 Blest be the wood that feeds the active Agni: within the two great worlds hath Agni entered. Agni impels a single man to battle, and with him rends in pieces many a foeman.

3 Agni rejoiced the car of him who praised lim, and from the waters burnt away jarutha. Agni saved Atri in the fiery cavem, and made Nrmedha rich with troops of children.

4 Agni hath granted wealth that decks the hero, and sent the sage who wins a thousand cattle. Agni hath made oblations rise to heaven: to every place are Agni’s laws extended.

5 With songs of praise the Rsis call on Agni; on Agni, heroes worsted in the foray. Birds flying in the region call on Agni around a thousand cattle Agni wanders.

6 Races of human birth pay Agni worship, men who have sprung from Nahus’ line adore him. Stablished in holy oil is Agni’s pasture, on the Gandharva path of Law and Order.

7 The Rbhus fabricated prayer for Agni, and we with mighty hymns have called on Agni. Agni, Most Youthful God, protect the singer: win us by worship, Agni, great possessions.