[04-021] HYMN XXI. Indra.

1. MAY Indra come to us for our protection; here be the Hero, praised, our feast-companion.

May he whose powers are many, waxen mighty, cherish, like Dyaus, his own supreme dominion.

2 Here magnify his great heroic exploits, most glorious One, enriching men with bounties, Whose will is like a Sovran in assembly, who rules the people, Conqueror, all-surpassing.

3 Hither let Indra come from earth or heaven, hither with speech from firmament or ocean; With Maruts, from the realm of light to aid us, or from a distance, from the seat of Order.

4 That Indra will we laud in our assemblies, him who is Lord of great and lasting riches,

Victor with Vayu where the herds are gathered, who leads with boldness on to higher fortune.

5 May the Priest, Lord of many blessings, striving,-who fixing reverence on reverence, giving

Vent to his voice, inciteth men to worshipwith lauds bring Indra hither to our dwellings.

6 When sitting pondering in deep devotion in Ausija’s abode they ply the press-stone,

May he whose wrath is fierce, the mighty bearer, come as the house-lord’s priest within our chambers.

7 Surely the power of Bharvara the mighty for ever helpeth to support the singer; That which in Ausija’s abode lies hidden, to come forth for delight and for devotion.

8 When he unbars the spaces of the mountains, and quickens with his floods the water-torrents, He finds in lair the buffalo and wild-ox when the wise lead him on to vigorous exploit.

9 Auspicious are thy hands, thine arms wellfashioned which proffer bounty, Indra, to thy praiser. What sloth is this? Why dost thou not rejoice thee? Why dost thou not delight thyself with giving?

10 So Indra is the truthful Lord of treasure. Freedom he gave to man by slaying Vrtra. Much-lauded! help us with thy power to riches: may I be sharer of thy Godlike favour.

11 Now, Indra! lauded, glorified with praises, let power swell high, like rivers, for,the singer.

For thee a new hymn, Lord of Bays! is fashioned. May we, care-borne, through song be victqrs ever.

[04-022] HYMN XXII. Indra.

1. THAT gift of ours which Indra loves and welcomes, even that he makes for us, the Great and

Strong One.

He who comes wielding in his might the thunder, Maghavan, gives prayer, praise, and laud, and

Soma.

2 Bull, hurler of the four-edged rain-producer with both his arms, strong, mighty, most heroic; Wearing as wool Parusni for adornment, whose joints for sake of friendship he hath covered.

3 God who of all the Gods was born divinest, endowed with ample strength and mighty powers,

And bearing in his arrns the yearning thunder, with violent rush caused heaven and earth to tremble.

4 Before the High God, at his birth, heaven trembled, earth, many floods and all the precipices. The Strong One bringeth nigh the Bull’s two Parents: loud sing the winds, like men, in air’s mid-

region.

5 These are thy great deeds, Indra, thine, the Mighty, deeds to be told aloud at all libations, That thou, O Hero, bold and boldly daring, didst with thy bolt, by strength, destroy the Dragon.

6 True are all these thy deeds, O Most Heroic. The Milch-kine issued from the streaming udder. In fear of thee, O thou of manly spirit, the rivers swiftly set themselves in motion.

7 With joy, O Indra, Lord of Tawny Coursers, the Sisters then, these Goddesses, extolled thee, When thou didst give the prisoned ones their freedom to wander at their will in long succession.

8 Pressed is the gladdening stalk as ’twere a river: so let the rite, the toiler’s power, attract thee

To us-ward, of the Bright One, as the courser strains his. exceedingly strong leather bridle.

9 Ever by us perform thy most heroic, thine highest, best victorious deeds, O Victor. For us make Vrtras easy to be conquered: destroy the weapon of our mortal foeman.

10 Graciously listen to our prayer, O Indra, and strength of varied sort bestow thou on us. Send to us all intelligence arid wisdom O Maghavan, be he who gives us cattle.

11 Now, Indra! lauded, glorified with praises, let wealth swell hiah like rivers to the singer.

For thee a new hymn, Lord of Bays, is fashioned. May we, car-borne, through song be victors ever.

[04-023] HYMN XXIII. Indra.

1. How, what priest’s sacrifice hath he made mighty, rejoicing in the Soma and its fountain? Delighting in juice, eagerly drinking, the Lofty One hath waxed for splendid riches.

2 What hero hath been made his feast-companion? Who hath been partner in his loving-kindness? What know we of his wondrous acts? How often comes he to aid and speed the pious toiler?

3 How heareth Indra offered invocation? How, hearing, marketh he the invoker’s wishes? What are his ancient acts of bounty? Wherefore call they him One who filleth full the singer?

4 How doth the priest who laboureth, ever longing, win for himself the wealth which he possesseth? May he, the God, mark well my truthful praises, having received the homage which he loveth.

5 How, and what bond of friendship with a mortal hath the God chosen as this morn is breaking? How, and what love hath he for those who love him, who have entwined in him their firm affection?

6 Is then thy friendship with thy friends most mighty? Thy brotherhood with us, -when may we tell it?

The streams of milk move, as most wondrous sunlight, the beauty of the Lovely One for glory.

7 About to stay the Indra-less destructive spirit he sharpens his keen arms to strike her.

Whereby the Strong, although our debts’ exactor, drives in the distant mornings that we know not.

8 Eternal Law hath varied food that strengthens; thought of eternal Law, removes transgressions. The praise-hymn of eternal Law, arousing, glowing, hath oped the deaf ears of the living.

9 Firm-seated are eternal Law’s foundations in its fair form are many splendid beauties. By holy Law long lasting food they bring us; by holy Law have cows come to our worship.

10 Fixing eternal Law he, too, upholds it swift moves the might of Law and wins the booty.

To Law belong the vast deep Earth and Heaven: Milch-kine supreme, to Law their milk they render.

11 Now, Indra! lauded,- glorified with praises, let power swell high like rivers to the singer.

For thee a new hymn, Lord of Bays, is fashioned. May we, car-borne, through song be victors ever.

[04-024] HYMN XXIV. Indra.

1. WHAT worthy praise will bring before us Indra, the Son of Strength, that he may grant us riches; For he the Hero, gives the singer treasures: he is the Lord who sends us gifts, ye people.

2 To be invoked and hymned in fight with Vrtra, that well-praised Indra gives us real bounties. That Maghavan brings comfort in the foray to the religious man who pours libations.

3 Him, verily, the men invoke in combat; risking their lives they make him their protector,

When heroes, foe to foe, give up their bodies, fighting, each side, for children and their offspring.

4 Strong God! the folk at need put forth their vigour, striving together in the whirl of battle. When warrior bands encounter one another some in the grapple quit themselves like Indra.

5 Hence many a one worships the might of Indra: hence let the brew succeed the meal-oblation. Hence let the Soma banish those who pour not: even hence I joy to pay the Strong One worship.

6 Indra gives comfort to the man who truly presses, for him who longs fot it, the Soma, Not disaffected, with devoted spirit this man he takes to be his friend in battles.

7 He who this day for Indra presses Soma, prepares the brew and fries the grains of barley- Loving the hymns of that devoted servant, to him may Indra give heroic vigour.

8 When the impetuous chief hath sought the confliet, and the lord looked upon the long-drawn battle, The matron calls to the Strong God whom pressers of Soma have encouraged int the dwelling.

9 He bid a small price for a thing of value: I was content, returning, still unpurchased.

He heightened not his insufficient offer. Simple and clever, both milk out the udder.

10 Who for ten milch-kine purchaseth from rne this Indra who is mine? When he hath slain the Vrtras let the buyer give him back to me.

11 Now, Indra! lauded, glorified with praises, let wealth swell high like rivers for the singer.

For thee a new hymn, Lord of Bays, is fashioned. May we, car-borne, through song be victors ever.

[04-025] HYMN XXV. Indra.

1. WHAT friend of man, God-loving, hath delighted, yearning therefor, this day in Indra’s friendship? Who with enkindled flame and flowing Soma laudeth him for his great protecting favour?

2 Who hath with prayer bowed to the Soma-lover? What pious man endues the beams of morning? Who seeks bond, fritridship, brotherhood with Indra? Who hath recourse unto the Sage for succour?

3 Who claims to-day the Deities’ protection, asks Aditi for light, or the Adityas?

Of whose pressed stalk of Soma drink the Asvins, Indra, and Agni, well-inclined in spirit?

4 To him shall Agni Bharata give shelter: long shall he look upon the Sun up-rising,

Who sayeth, Let us press the juice for Indra, man’s Friend, the Hero manliest of heroes.

5 Him neither few men overcome, nor many to him shall Aditi give spacious shelter. Dear is the pious, the devout, to Indra dear is the zealous, dear the Soma-bringer.

6 This Hero curbs the mighty for the zealous: the presser’s brew Indra possesses solely:

No brother, kin, or friend to him who pours not, destroyer of the dumb who would resist him.

7 Not with the wealthy churl who pours no Soma doth Indra, Soma-drinker, bind alliance.

He draws away his wealth and slays him naked, own Friend to him who offers, for oblation.

8 Highest and lowest, men who stand between diem, going, returning, dwelling in contentment, Those who show forth their strength when urged to battle-these are the men who call for aid on

Indra.

[04-026] HYMN XXVI. Indra.

1. I WAS aforetime Manu, I was Surya: I am the sage Kaksivan, holy singer. Kutsa the son of Arjuni I master. I am the sapient Usana behold me.

2 I have bestowed the earth upon the Arya, and rain upon the man who brings oblation. I guided forth the loudly-roaring waters, and the Gods moved according to my pleasure.

3 In the wild joy of Soma I demolished Sambara’s forts, ninety-and-nine, together; And, utterly, the hundredth habitation, when helping Divodasa Atithigva.

4 Before all birds be ranked this Bird, O Maruts; supreme of falcons be this fleet-winged Falcon, Because, strong- pinioned, with no car to bear him, he brought to Manu the Godloved oblation.

5 When the Bird brought it, hence in rapid motion sent on the wide path fleet as thought he hurried. Swift he returned with sweetness of the Soma, and hence the Falcon hath acquired his glory.

6 Bearing the stalk, the Falcon speeding onward, Bird bringing from afar the draught that gladdens, Friend of the Gods, brought, grasping fast, the Soma which be bad taken from yon loftiest heaven.

7 The Falcon took and brought the Soma, bearing thousand libations with him, yea, ten thousand. The Bold One left Malignities behind him, wise, in wild joy of Soma, left the foolish.

[04-027] HYMN XXVII. The Falcon.

1. I, As I lay within the womb, considered all generations of these Gods in order. A hundred iron fortresses confined me but forth I flew with rapid speed a Falcon.

2 Not at his own free pleasure did he bear me: he conquered with his strength and manly courage. Straightway the Bold One left the fiends behind him and passed the winds as he grew yet more

mighty.

3 When with loud cry from heaven down sped the Falcon, thence hasting like the wind he bore the

Bold One.

Then, wildly raging in his mind, the archer Krsanu aimed and loosed the string to strike him.

4 The Falcon bore him from heaven’s lofty summit as the swift car of Indra’s Friend bore Bhujyu.

Then downward bither fell a flying feather of the Bird hasting forward in his journey.

5 And now let Maghavan accept the beaker, white, filled with milk, filled with the shining liquid; The best of sweet meath which the priests have offered: that Indra to his joy may drink, the Hero,

that he may take and drink it to his rapture.

[04-028] HYMN XXVIII. Indra-Soma.

1. ALLIED with thee, in this thy friendship, Soma, Indra for man made waters flow together, Slew Ahi, and sent forth the Seven Rivers, and opened as it were obstructed fountains.

2 Indu, with thee for his confederate, Indra swiftly with might pressed down the wheel of Surya. What rolled, all life’s support, on heaven’s high summit was separated from the great oppressor.

3 Indra smote down, Agni consumed, O Indu, the Dasyus ere the noontide in the conflict.

Of those who gladly sought a hard-won dwelling he cast down many a thousand with his arrow.

4 Lower than all besides hast thou, O Indra, cast down the Dasyus, abject tribes of Dasas.

Ye drave away, ye put to death the foemen, and took great vengeance with your murdering weapons.

5 So, of a truth, Indra and Soma, Heroes, ye burst the stable of the kine and horses,

The stable which the bar or stone obstructed; and piercing through set free the habitations.

[04-029] HYMN XXIX. Indra.

1. COME, lauded, unto us with powers and succours, O Indra, with thy Tawny Steeds; exulting, Past even the foeman’s manifold libations, glorified with our hymns, true Wealth-bestower.

2 Man’s Friend, to this our sacrifice he cometh marking how he is called by Soma-pressers. Fearless, and conscious that his Steeds are noble, he joyeth with the Soma-pouring heroes.

3 Make his cars hear, that he may show his vigour and may be joyful in the way he loveth. May mighty Indra pouring forth in bounty bestow on us good roads and perfect safety;

4 He who with succour comes to his implorer, the singer here who with his song invites him;

He who himself sets to the pole swift Coursers, he who hath hundreds, thousands, Thunder-wielder.

5 O Indra Maghavan, by thee protected may we be thine, princes and priests and singers, Sharing the riches sent from lofty heaven which yields much food, and all desire its bounty.

[04-030] HYMN XXX. Indra.

1. O INDRA, Vrtra-slayer, none is better, mightier than thou: Verily there is none like thee.

2 Like chariot-wheels these people all together follow after thee: Thou ever art renowned as Great.

3 Not even all the gathered Gods conquered thee, Indra, in the war, When thou didst lengthen days by night.

4 When for the sake of those oppressed, and Kutsa as he battled, Thou stolest away the Sun’s car-wheel.

5 When, fighting singly, Indra. thou o’ercamest all the furious Gods, thou slewest those who strove with thee.

6 When also for a mortal man, Indra, thou speddest forth the Sun, And holpest Etasa with might.

7 What? Vrtra-slayer, art not thou, Maghavan, fiercest in thy wrath? So hast thou quelled the demon too.

8 And this heroic deed of might thou, Indra, also hast achieved,

That thou didst smite to death the Dame, Heaven’s Daughter, meditating ill.

9 Thou, Indra, Mighty One, didst crush Usas, though Daughter of the Sky. When lifting up herself in pride.

10 Then from her chariot Usas fled, affrighted, from her ruined car. When the strong God had shattered it.

11 So there this car of Usas lay, broken to pieces, in Vipas,

And she herself fled far away.

12 Thou, Indra, didst. with magic power resist the overflowing stream

Who spread her waters o’er the land.

13 Valiantly didst thou seize and take the store which Susna had amassed, When thou didst crush his fortresses.

14 Thou, Indra, also smotest down Kulitara’s son Sambara, The Dasa, from the lofty hill.

15 Of Dasa Varcin’s thou didst slay the hundred thousand and the five, Crushed like the fellies, of a car.

16 So Indra, Lord of Heroes, Powers, caused the unwedded damsel’s son, The castaway, to share the lauds.

17 So sapient Indra, Lord of Might, brought Turvaga and Yadu, those

Who feared the flood, in safel o’er.

18 Arpa and Citraratha, both Aryas, thou, Indra, slewest swift, On yonder side of Sarayu,

19 Thou, Vrtra-slayer, didst conduct those two forlorn, the blind, the lame. None may attain this bliss of thine.

20 For Divodasa, him who brought oblationt, 1ndra overthrew

A hundred fortresses of stone.

21 The thirty thousand Disas he with magic power and weapons sent

To slumber, for Dabhiti’s sake.

22 As such, O Vrtra-slayer, thou art general Lord of kine for all, Thou Shaker of all things that be.

23 Indra, whatever deed of might thou hast this day to execute, None be there now to hinder it.

24 O Watchful One, may Aryaman the God give thee all goodly things. May Risan, Bhaga, and the God Karulati give all things fair.

[04-031] HYMN XXXI. Indra.

1. WITH what help will he come to us, wonderful, ever-waxing Friend; With what most mighty company?

2 What genuine and most liberal draught will spirit thee with juice to burst

Open e’en strongly-guarded wealth?

3 Do thou who art Protector of us thy friends who praise thee

With hundred aids approach us.

4 Like as a courser’s circling wheel, so turn thee hitherward to us, Attracted by the hymns of men.

5 Thou seekest as it were thine own stations with swift descent of powers: I share thee even with the Sun.

6 What time thy courage and his wheels together, Indra, run their course

With thee and with the Sun alike,

7 So even, Lord of Power and Might, the people call thee Maghavan, Giver, who pauses not to think.

8 And verily to him who toils and presses Soma juice for thee

Thou quickly givest ample wealth.

9 No, not a hundred hinderers can check thy gracious bounty’s flow, Nor thy great deeds when thou wilt act.

10 May thine assistance keep us safe, thy hundred and thy thousand aids: May all thy favours strengthen us.

11 Do thou elect us this place for friendship and prosperity,

And great celestial opulence.

12 Favour us, Indra, evermore with overflowing store of wealth: With all thy succours aid thou us.

13 With new protections, Indra, like an archer, open thou forus

The stables that are filled with kine.

14 Our chariot, Indra, boldly moves endued with splendour, ne’er repulsed, Winning for us both kine andsteeds.

15 O Surya, make our fame to be most excellent among the Gods, Most lofty as the heaven on high.

[04-032] HYMN XXXII. Indra.

1. O THOU who slewest Vrtra, come, O Indra, hither to our side, Mighty One with thy mighty aids.

2 Swift and impetuous art thou, wondrous amid the well-dressed folk: Thou doest marvels for our help.

3 Even with the weak thou smitest down him who is stronger, with thy strength

The mighty, with the Friends thou hast.

4 O Indra, we are close to thee; to thee we sing aloud our songs: Help hnd defend us, even us.

5 As such, O Caster of the Stone, come with thy succours wonderful, Blameless, and irresistible.

6 May we be friends of one like thee, O Indra, with the wealth of kine, Comrades for lively energy.

7 For thou, O Indra, art alone the Lord of strength that comes from kine

So grant thou us abundant food.

8 They turn thee not another way, when, lauded, Lover of the Song, Thou wilt give wealth to those who praise.

9 The Gotamas have sung their song of praise to thee that thou mayst give, Indra, for lively energy.

10 We will declare thy hero deeds, what Disa forts thou brakest down, Attacking them in rapturous joy.

11 The sages sing those manly deeds which, Indra, Lover of the Song, Thou wrougbtest when the Soma flowed.

12 Indra, the Gotamas who bring thee praises have grown strong by thee. Give them renown with hero sons.

13 For, Indra, verily thou art the general treasure even of all . Thee, therefore, do we invocate.

14 Excellent Indra, turn to us: glad thee among us with the juice

Of Somas, Soma-drinker thou.

15 May praise from us who think Qn thee, O Indra, bring thee near to us. Turn thy two Bay Steeds hitherward.

16 Eat of our sacrificial cake: rejoice thee in the songs we sing. Even as a lover in his bride.

17 To India for a thousand steeds well-trained and fleet of foot we pray, And hundred jars of Soma juice.

18 We make a hundred of thy kine, yea, and a thousand, hasten nigh: So let thy bounty come to us.

19 We have obtained, a gift from thee, ten water-ewers wrought of gold:

Thou, Vrtra-slayer, givest much.

20 A bounteous Giver, give us much, bring much and not a trifling gift: Much, Indra, wilt thou fain bestow.

21 O Vrtra-slayer, thou art famed in many a place as bountiful

Hero, thy bounty let us share.

22 I praise thy pair of Tawny Steeds, wise Son of him who giveth kine

Terrify not the cows with these.

23 Like two slight images of girls, unrobed, upon a new-wrought post, So shine the Bay Steeds in their course.

24 For me the Bays are ready when I start, or start not, with the dawn, Innocuous in the ways they take.

[04-033] HYMN XXXIII. Rbhus.

I. I SEND my voice as herald to the Rbhus; I crave the white cow for the overspreading.

Wind-sped, the Skillful Ones in rapid motion have in an instant compassed round the heaven.

2 What time the Rbus had with care and marvels done proper service to assist their Parents, They won the friendship of the Gods; the Sages carried away the fruit of their devotion.

3 May they who made their Parents, who were lying like posts that moulder, young again for ever,- May Vaja, Vibhvan, Rbhu, joined with Indra , protect our sacrifice, the Soma-lovers.

4 As for a year the Rbhus kept the Milch-cow, throughout a year fashioned and formed her body, And through a year’s space still sustained her brightness, through these their labours they were

made immortal.

5 Two beakers let us make,- thus said the eldest. Lct us make three,- this was the younger’s sentence.

Four beakers let us make,- thus spoke the youngest. Tvastar approved this rede of yours, O Rbhus.

6 The men spake truth and even so they acted: this Godlike way of theirs the Rbhus followed. And Tvastar, when he looked on the four beakers resplendent as the day, was moved with envy.

7 When for twelve days the Rbhus joyed reposing as guests of him who never may be hidden, lley made fair fertile fields, they brought the rivers. Plants spread o’er deserts, waters filled the

hollows.

8 May they who formed the swift car, bearing Heroes, and the Cow omniform and all-impelling, Even may they form wealth for us,-the Rbhus, dexterous-handed, deft in work and gracious.

9 So in their work the Gods had satisfaction, pondering it with thought and mental insight. The Gods’ expert artificer was Vaja, Indra’s Rbhuksan, Varuna’s was Vibhvan.

10 They whol made glad with sacrifice and praises, wrought the two Bays, his docile Steeds, for

Indra,-

Rbhus, as those who wish a friend to prosper, bestow upon us gear and growth of riches.

11 This day have they set gladdening drink before you. Not without toil are Gods inclined to friendship.

Therefore do ye who are so great, O Rbhus, vouchsafe us treasures at this third libation.

[04-034] HYMN XXXIV. Rbhus.

1. To this our sacrifice come Rbhu, Vibhvan, Vaja, and Indra with the gift of riches,

Because this day hath Dhisana the Goddess set drink for you: the gladdening draughts have reached you.

2 Knowing your birth and rich in gathered treasure, Rbhus, rejoice together with the Rtus.

The gladdening draughts and wisdom have approached you: send ye us riches with good store of heroes.

3 For you was made this sacrifice, O Rbhus, which ye, like men, won for yourselves aforetime. To you come all who find in you their pleasure: ye all were-even the two elder-Vajas.

4 Now for the mortal worshipper, O Heroes, for him who served you, was the gift of riches. Drink, Vajas, Rbhus! unto you is offered, to gladden you, the third and great libation.

5 Come to us, Heroes, Vajas and Rbhuksans, glorified for the sake of mighty treasure.

These draughts approach you as the day is closing, as cows, whose calves are newly-born, their stable.

6 Come to this sacrifice of ours, ye Children of Strength, invoked with humble adoration.

Drink of this meath, Wealth-givers, joined with Indra with whom ye are in full accord, ye Princes.

7 Close knit with Varuna drink the Soma, Indra; close-knit, ilymn-lover! with the Maruts drink it: Close-knit with drinkers first, who drink in season; close-knit with heavenly Dames who give us

treasures.

8 Rejoice in full accord with the Adityas, in concord with the Parvatas, O Rbhus;

In full accord with Savitar, Divine One; in full accord with floods that pour forth riches.

9 Rbhus, who helped their Parents and the Asvins, who formed the Milch-cow and the pair of horses, Made armour, set the heaven and earth asunder,-far- reaching Heroes, they have made good

offspring.

10 Ye who have wealth in cattle and in booty, in heroes, in rich sustenance and treasure, Such, O ye Rbhus, first to drink, rejoicing, give unto us and those who laud our present.

11 Ye were not far: we have not left you thirsting, blameless in this our sacrifice, O Rbhus. Rejoice you with the Maruts and with Indra, with the Kings, Gods! that ye may give us riches.

[04-035] HYMN XXXV. Rbhus.

1. Come hither, O ye Sons of Strength, ye Rbhus; stay not afar, ye Children of Sudhanvan. At this libation is your gift of treasure. Let gladdening draughts approach you after Indra’s.

2 Hither is come the Rbhus’ gift of riches; here was the drinking of the well-pressed Soma, Since by dexterity and skill as craftsmen ye made the single chalice to be fourfold

3 Ye made fourfold the chalice that wag single: ye spake these words and said, O Friend, assist us; Then, Vajas! gained the path of life eternal, deft-handed Rbhus, to the Gods’ assembly.

4 Out of what substance was that chalice fashioned which ye made fourfold by your art and wisdom? Now for the gladdening draught press out the liquor, and drink, O Rbhus, of die meath of Soma.

5 Ye with your cunning made your Parents youthful; the cup, for Gods to drink, ye formed with cunning;

With cunning, Rbhus, rich in treasure, fashioned the two swift Tawny Steeds who carry Indra.

6 Whoso pours out for you, when days are closing, the sharp libation for your joy, O Vajas,

For him, O mighty Rbhus, ye, rejoicing, have fashioned wealth with plenteous store of heroes.

7 Lord of Bay Steeds, at dawn thejuice thou drankest: thine, only thine, is the noonday libation.

Now drink thou with the wealth-bestowing Rbhus, whom for their skill thou madest friends, O Indra.

8 Ye, whom your artist skill hath raised to Godhead have set you down above in heaven like falcons. So give us riches, Children of Sudhanvan, O Sons of Strength; ye have become immortal.

9 The third libation, that bestoweth treasure, which ye have won by skill, ye dexterous-handed,- This drink hath been effused for you, O Rbhus . drink it with high delight, with joy like Indra’s.

[04-036] HYMN XXXVI. Rbhus.

1. THia car that was not made for horses or for reins, three-wheeled, worthy of lauds, rolls round the firmament.

That is the great announcement of your Deity, that, O ye Rbhus, ye sustain the earth and heaven.

2 Ye Sapient Ones who made the lightly-rolling car out of your mind, by thought, the car that never errs,

You, being such, to drink of this drinkoffering, you, O ye Vajas, and ye Rbhus, we invoke.

3 O Vajas, Rbhus, reaching far, among the Gods this was your exaltation gloriously declared,

In that your aged Parents, worn with length of days, ye wrought again to youth so that they moved at will.

4 The chalice that wag single ye have made fourfold, and by your wisdom brought the Cow forth from the hide.

So quickly, mid the Gods, ye gained immortal life. Vajas and Rbhus, your great work must be extolled.

5 Wealth from the Rbhus is most glorious in renown, that which the Heroes, famed for vigour, have produced.

In synods must be sung the car which Vibhvan wrought: that which ye favour, Gods! is famed among mankind.

6 Strong is the steed, the man a sage in eloquence, the bowman is a hero hard to beat in fight, Great store of wealth and manly power hath he obtained whom Vaja, Vibhvan, Rbhus have looked

kindly on.

7 To you hath been assigned the fairest ornament, the hymn of praise: Vajas and Rbhus, joy therein; For ye have lore and wisdom and poetic skill: as such, with this our prayer we call on you to come.

8 According to the wishes of our hearts may ye, who have full knowledge of all the delights of men, Fashion for us, O Rbhus, power and splendid wealth, rich in high courage, excellent, and vital

strength.

9 Bestowing on us here riches and offspring, here fashion fame for us befitting heroes.

Vouchsafe us wealth of splendid sort, O Rbhus, that we may make us more renowned than others.

[04-037] HYMN XXXVII. Rbhus.

1. COME to our sacrifice, Vajas, Rbhuksans, Gods, by the paths which Gods are wont to travel, As ye, gay Gods, accept in splendid weather the sacrifice among these folk of Manus.

2 May these rites please you in your heart and spirit; may the drops clothed in oil this day approach you.

May the abundant juices bear you onward to power and strength, and, when imbibed, delight you.

3 Your threefold going near is God-appointed, so praise is given you, Vajas and Rbhuksans. So, Manus-like, mid younger folk I offer, to you who are aloft in heaven, the Soma.

4 Strong, with fair chains of gold and jaws of iron, ye have a splendid car and well-fed horses. Ye Sons of Strength, ye progeny of Indra, to you the best is offered to delight you.

5 Rbhuksans! him, for handy wealth, the mightiest comrade in the fight, Him, Indra’s equal, we invoke, most bounteous ever, rich in steeds.

6 The mortal man whom, Rbhus, ye and Indra favour with your help, Must be successful, by his thoughts, at sacrifice and with the steed.

7 O Vajas and Rbhuksans, free for us the paths to sacrifice,

Ye Princes, lauded, that we may press forward to each point of heaven.

8 O Vajas and Rbhuksans, ye Nasatyas, Indra, bless this wealth, And, before other men’s, the steed, that ample riches may be won.

[04-038] HYMN XXXVIII. Dadhikris.

1. FROM you two came the gifts in days aforetime which Trasadasyu granted to the Purus.

Ye gave the winner of our fields and plough-lands, and the strong smiter who subdued the Dasytis.

2 And ye gave mighty Dadhikras, the giver of many gifts, who visiteth all people,

Impetuous hawk, swift and of varied colour, like a brave King whom each true man must honour.

3 Whom, as ’twere down a precipice, swift rushing, each Puru praises and his heart rejoices,- Springing forth like a hero fain for battle, whirling the car and flying like the tempest.

4 Who gaineth precious booty in the combats and moveth, winning spoil, among the cattle; Shown in bright colour, looking on the assemblies, beyond the churl, to worship of the living.

5 Loudly the folk cry after him in battles, as ’twere a thief who steals away a garment; Speeding to glory, or a herd of cattle, even as a hungry falcon swooping downward.

6 And, fain to come forth first amid these armies, this way and that with rows of cars he rushes, Gay like a bridesman, making him a garland, tossing the dust, champing the rein that holds him.

7 And that strong Steed, victorious and faithful, obedient with his body in the combat, Speeding straight on amid the swiftly ressing, casts o’er his brows the dust he tosses upward.

8 And at his thunder, like the roar of heaven, those who attack tremble and are affrighted;

For when he fights against embattled thousands, dread is he in his striving; none may stay him.

9 The people praise the overpowering swiftness of this fleet Steed who giveth men abundance.

Of him they say when drawing back from battle. Dadhikras hath sped forward with his thousands.

10 Dadhikras hath o’erspread the Fivefold People with vigour, as the Sun lightens the waters.

May the strong Steed who winneth bundreds, thousands, requite with sweetness these my words and praises.

[04-039] HYMN XXXIX Dadhikras.

1. Now give we praise to Dadhikras the rapid, and mention in our laud the Earth and Heaven. May the Dawns flushing move me to exertion, and bear me safely over every trouble.

2 I praise the mighty Steed who fills my spirit, the Stallion Dadhikravan rich in bounties, Whom, swift of foot aind shining bright as Agni, ye, Varuna and Mitra, gave to Purus.

3 Him who hath honoured, when the flame is kindled at break of dawn, the Courser Dadhikrivan, Him, of one mind with Varuna and Mitra may Aditi make free from all transgression.

4 When we remember mighty Dadhikravan our food and strength, then the blest name of Maruts, Varuna, Mitra, we invoke for welfare, and Agni, and the thunder-wielding Indra.

5 Both sides invoke him as they call on Indra when they stir forth and turn to sacrificing. To us have Varuna and Mitra granted the Courser Dadhikris, a guide for mortals.

6 So have I glorified with praise strong Dadhikravan, conquering Steed. Sweet may he make our mouths; may he prolong the days we have to live.

[04-040] HYMN XL. Dadhikravan.

1. LET us recite the praise of Dadhikravan: may all the Mornings move me to exertion; Praise of the Lord of Waters, Dawn, and Agni, Brhaspati Son of Angiras, and Surya.

2 Brave, seeking war and booty, dwelling with the good and with the swift, may he hasten the food of Dawn.

May he the true, the fleet, the lover of the course, the bird-like Dadhikravan, bring food, strength, and light.

3 His pinion, rapid runner, fans him m his way, as of a bird that hastens onward to its aim,

And, as it were a falcon’s gliding through the air, strikes Dadhikravan’s side as he speeds on with might.

4 Bound by the neck and by the flanks and by the mouth, the vigorous Courser lends new swiftness to his speed.

Drawing himself together, as his strength allows, Dadhikras springs along the windings of the paths.

5 The Hamsa homed in light, the Vasu in mid-air, the priest beside the altar, in the house the guest, Dweller in noblest place, mid men, in truth, in sky, born of flood, kine, truth, mountain, he is holy

Law.