[07-061] HYMN LXI. Mitra-Varuna.
1. O VARUNA and Mitra, Surya spreading the beauteous light of you Twain Gods ariseth. He who beholdetb all existing creatures observetb well the zeal that is in mortals.
2 The holy sage, renowned afar, directeth his hymns to you, O Varuna and Mitra,-
He whose devotions, sapient Gods, ye favour so that ye fill, as ’twere, with power his autumns.
3 From the wide earth, O Varuna and Mitra from the great lofty heaven, ye, Bounteous Givers, – Have in the fields and houses set your warder-, who visit every spot and watch unceasing.
4 I praise the strength of Varuna and Mitra that strength, by mightiness, keeps both worlds asunder. Heroless pass the months of the ungodly he who loves sacrifice makes his home enduring.
5 Steers, all infallible are these your people in whom no wondrous thing is seen, no worship. Guile follows close the men who are untruthful: no secrets may be hidden from your knowledge.
6 I will exalt your sacrifice with homage: as priest, I, Mitra-Varuna, invoke you.
May these new hymns and prayers that I have fashioned delight you to the profit of the singer.
7 This priestly task, Gods! Varuna and Mitra! hath been performed for you at sacrifices. Convey us safely over every peril. Preserve us evermore, ye Gods, with blessings.
[07-062] HYMN LXII. Mitra-Varuna.
1. SURYA hath sent aloft his beams of splendour o’er all the tribes of men in countless places. Together with the heaven he shines apparent, formed by his Makers well with power and wisdom.
2 So hast thou mounted up before us, Surya, through these our praises, with fleet dappled horses. Declare us free from all offence to Mitra, and Varuna, and Aryaman, and Agni.
3 May holy Agni, Varuna, and Mitra send down their riches upon us in thousands.
May they, the Bright Ones, make our praise-song perfect, and, when we laud them, grant us all our wishes.
4 O undivided Heaven and Earth, preserve us, us, Lofty Ones! your nobIy-born descendants. Let us not anger Varuna, nor Vayu, nor him, the dearest Friend of mortals, Mitra.
5 Stretch forth your arms and let our lives be lengthened: with fatness dew the pastures of our cattle. Ye Youthful, make us famed among the people: hear, Mitra-Varuna, these mine invocations.
6 Now Mitra, Varuna, Aryaman vouchsafe us freedom and room, for us and for our children. May we find paths all fair and good to travel. Preserve us evermore, ye Gods, with blessings.
[07-063] HYMN LXIII. Mitra-Varuna.
1. COMMON to all mankind, auspicious Surya, he who beholdeth all, is mounting upward; The God, the eye of Varuna and Mitra, who rolled up darkness like a piece of leather.
2 Surya’s great ensign, restless as the billow, that urgeth men to action, is advancing:
Onward he still would roll the wheel well-rounded, which Etasa, harnessed to the car-pole, moveth.
3 Refulgent from the bosom of the Mornings, he in Whom singers take delight ascendeth. This Savitar, God, is my chief joy and pleasure, who breaketh not the universal statute.
4 Golden, far-seeing, from the heaven he riseth: far is his goal, he hasteth on resplendent. Men, verily, inspirited by Surya speed to their aims and do the work assigned them.
5 Where the irrunortals have prepared his pathway he flieth through the region like a falcon. With homage and oblations will we serve you, O Mitra-Varuna, when the Sun hath risen.
6 Now Mitra, Varuna, Aryaman vouchsafe us freedom and room, for us and for our children. May we find paths all fair and good to travel. Preserve us evermore, ye Gods, with blessings.
[07-064] HYMN LXIV. Mitra-Varuna.
1. YE Twain who rule, in heaven and earth, the region, clothed be your clouds in robes of oil and fatness.
May the imperial Varuna, and Mitra, and high-born Aryaman accept our presents.
2 Kings, guards of rrtighty everlasting Order, come hitherward, ye Princes, Lords of Rivers.
Send us from heaven, O Varuna and Mitra, rain and sweet food, ye who pour down your bounties.
3 May the dear God, and Varuna and Mitra conduct us by the most effective pathways,
That foes may say unto Sudas our chieftain, May, we, too, joy in food with Gods to guard us.
4 Him who hath wrought for you this car in spirit, who makes the song rise upward and sustains it, Bedew with fatness, Varuna nd Mitra ye Kings, make glad the pleasant dwelling-places.
5 To you this laud, O Varuna and Mitra is offered like bright Soma juice to Vayu.
Favour our songs of praise, wake thought and spirit. Preserve us evermore, ye Gods, with blessings.
[07-065] HYMN LXV. Mitra-Varuna.
1. WITH hymns I call you, when the Sun hath risen, Mitra, and Varuna whose thoughts are holy, Whose Power Divine, supreme and everlasting, comes with good heed at each man’s supplication.
2 For they are Asuras of Gods, the friendly make, both of you, our lands exceeding fruitful. May we obtain you, Varuna and Mitra, wherever Heaven and Earth and days may bless us.
3 Bonds of the sinner, they bear many nooses: the wicked mortal hardly may escape them. Varuna-Mitra, may your path of Order bear us o’er trouble as a boat o’er waters.
4 Come, taste our offering, Varuna and Mitra: bedew our pasture wil sweet food and fatness. Pour down in plenty here upon the people the choicest of your fair celestial water.
5 To you this laud, O Varuna and Mitra, is offered, like bright Soma juice to Vayu.
Favour our songs of praise, wake thought and spirit. Preserve us evermore, ye Gods, with blessings.
[07-066] HYMN LXVI Mitra-Varuna.
1. LET our strong hymn of praise go forth, the laud of Mitra-Varuna, With homage to that high-born Pair;
2 The Two exceeding wise, the Sons of Daksa, whom the gods ordained
For lordship, excellently great.
3 Such, Guardians of our homes and us, O Mitra-Varuna, fulfil
The thoughts of those who sing your praise.
4 So when the Sun hath risen to-day, may sinless Mitra, Aryaman, Bhaga, and Savitar sendus forth.
5 May this our home be guarded well forward, ye Bounteous, on the way, Who bear us safely o’er distress.
6. And those Self-reigning, Aditi, whose statute is inviolate, The Kings who rule a vast domain.
7 Soon as the Sun hath risen, to you, to Mitra-Varuna, I sing, And Aryarnan who slays the foe.
8 With wealth of gold may this my song bring unmolested power and might, And, Brahmans, gain the sacrifice.
9 May we be thine, God Varuna, and with our princes, Mitra, thine. Food and Heaven’s light will we obtain.
10 Many are they who strengthen Law, Sun-eyed, with Agni for their tongue,
They who direct the three great gatherings with their thoughts, yea, all things with surpassing might.
11 They who have stablished year and month and then the day, night, sacrifice and holy verse, Varuna, Mitra, Aryarnan, the Kings, have won dominion which none else may gain.
12 So at the rising of the Sun we think of you with hymns to-day,
Even as Varuna, Mitra, Aryaman deserve: ye are the charioteers of Law.
13 True to Law, born in Law the strengtheners of Law, terrible, haters of the false, In their felicity which gives the best defence may we men and our princes dwell.
14 Uprises, on the slope of heaven, that marvel that attracts die sight
As swift celestial Etasa bears it away, prepared for every eye to see.
15 Lord of each single head, of fixt and moving things, equally through the whole expanse, The Seven sister Bays bear Surya on his car, to bring us wealth and happiness.
16 A hundred autumns may we see that bright Eye, God-ordained, arise
A hundred autumns may we live.
17 Infallible through your wisdom, come hither, resplendent Varuna, And Mitra, to the Soma draught.
18 Come as the laws of Heaven ordain, Varuna, Mitra, void of guile: Press near and drink the Soma juice.
19 Come, Mitra, Varuna, accept, Heroes, our sacrificial gift: Drink Soma, ye who strengthen Law.
[07-067] HYMN LXVII. Asvins.
1. I WITH a holy heart that brings oblation will sing forth praise to meet your car, ye Princes, Which, Much-desired! hath wakened as your envoy. I call you hither as a son his parents.
2 Brightly hath Agni shone by us enkindled: the limits even of darkness were apparent. Eastward is seen the Banner of the Morning, the Banner born to give Heaven’s Daughter glory.
3 With hymns the deft priest is about you, Asvins, the eloquent priest attends you now, Nasatyas. Come by the paths that ye are wont to travel, on car that finds the light, laden with treasure.
4 When, suppliant for your help, Lovers of Sweetness! I seeking wealth call you to our libation, Hitherward let your vigorous horses bear you: drink ye with us the well-pressed Soma juices.
5 Bring forward, Asvins, Gods, to its fulfilment my never-wearied prayer that asks for riches. Vouchsafe us all high spirit in the combat, and with your powers, O Lords of Power, assist us.
6 Favour us in these prayers of ours, O Asvins. May we have genial vigour, ne’er to fail us.
So may we, strong in children and descendants, go, wealthy, to the banquet that awaits you.
7 Lovers of Sweetness, we have brought this treasure to you as ’twere an envoy sent for friendship. Come unto us with spirits free from anger, in homes of men enjoying our oblation.
8 With one, the same, intention, ye swift movers, o’er the Seven Rivers hath your chariot travelled. Yoked by the Gods, your strong steeds never weary while speeding forward at the pole they bear
you.
9 Exhaustless be your bounty to our princes who with their wealth incite the gift of riches,
Who further friendship with their noble natures, combining wealth in kine with wealth in herses.
10 Now hear, O Youthful Twain, mine invocation: come, Asvins, to the home where food aboundeth. Vouchsafe us wealth, do honour to our nobles. Preserve us evermore, ye Gods, with blessings.
[07-068] HYMN LXVIII. Asvins.
1. COME, radiant Asvins, with your noble horses: accept your servant’s hymns, ye Wonder-Workers: Enjoy oblations which we bring to greet you.
2 The gladdening juices stand prepared before you: come quickly and partake of mine oblation. Pass by the calling of our foe and bear us.
3 Your chariot with a hundred aids, O Asvins, beareth you swift as thought across the regions, Speeding to us, O ye whose wealth is Surya.
4 What time this stone of yours, the Gods’ adorer, upraised, sounds forth for you as Soma-presser, Let the priest bring you, Fair Ones, through oblations.
5 The nourishment ye have is, truly, wondrous: ye gave thereof a quickening store to Atri, Who being dear to you, receives your favour.
6 That gift, which all may gain, ye gave Cyavana, when he grew old, who offered you oblations, When ye bestowed on him enduring beauty.
7 What time his wicked friends abandoned Bhujyu, O Asvins, in the middle of the ocean, Your horse delivered him, your faithful servant.
8 Ye lent your aid to Vrka when exhausted, and listened when invoked to Sayu’s calling.
Ye made the cow pour forth her milk like water, and, Asvins, strengthened with your strength the barren.
9 With his fair hymns this singer, too, extols you, waking with glad thoughts at the break of morning. May the cow nourish him with milk to feed llim. Preserve us evermore, ye Gods, with blessings.
[07-069] HYMN LXIX. Asvins.
1. MAY your gold chariot, drawn by vigorous horses, come to us, blocking up the earth and heaven,
Bright with its fellies while its way drops fatness, food-laden, rich in coursers, man’s protector.
2 Let it approach, yoked by thewill, three-seated, extending far and wide o’er fivefold beings, Whereon ye visit God-adoring races, bending your course whither ye will, O Asvins.
3 Renowned, with noble horses, come ye hither: drink, Wondrous Pair, the cup that holds sweet juices.
Your car whereon your Spouse is wont to travel marks with its track the farthest ends of heaven.
4 When night was turning to the grey of morning the Maiden, Surya’s Daughter, chose your splendour.
When with your power and might ye aid the pious he comes through heat to life by your assistance.
5 O Chariot-borne, this car of yours invested with rays of light comes harnessed to our dwelling. Herewith, O Asvins, while the dawn is breaking, to this our sacrifice bring peace and blessing.
6 Like the wild cattle thirsty for the lightning, Heroes, come nigh this day to our libations. Men call on you with hymns in many places, but let not other worshippers detain you.
7 Bhujyu, abandoned in the midst of ocean, ye raised from out the water with your horses, Uninjured, winged, flagging not, undaunted, with deeds of wonder saving him, O Asvins.
8 Now hear, O Youthful Twain, mine invocation: come, Asvins, to the home where food aboundeth. Vouchsafe us wealth, do honour to our nobles. Preserve us evermore, ye Gods, with blessings.
[07-070] HYMN LXX. Asvins.
1. RICH in all blessings, Asvins come ye hither: this place on earth is called your own possession, Like a strong horse with a fair back it standeth, whereon, as in a lap, ye seat you firmly.
2 This most delightful eulogy awaits you in the man’s house drink-offering hath been heated, Which bringeth you over the seas and rivers, yoking as’twere two well-matched shining horses.
3 Whatever dwellings ye possess, O Asvins, in fields of men or in the streams of heaven, Resting upon the summit of the mountain, or bringing food to him who gives oblation,
4 Delight yourselves, ye Gods, in plants and waters when Rsis give them and ye find they suit You. Enriching us with treasures in abundance ye have looked back to former generations.
5 Asvins, though ye have heard them oft aforetime, regard the many prayers which Rsis offer. Come to the man even as his heart desireth: may we enjoy your most delightful favour.
6 Come to the sacrifice offered you, Nasatyas, with men, oblations, and prayer duly uttered. Come to Vasistha as his heart desireth, for unto you these holy hymns are chanted.
7 This is the thought, this is the song, O Asvins: accept this hymn of ours, ye Steers, with favour. May these our prayers addressed to you come nigh you. Preserve us evermore, ye Gods, with
blessings.
[07-071] HYMN LXXI. Asvins.
1. THE Night retireth from the Dawn her Sister; the Dark one yieldeth to the Red her pathway. Let us invoke you rich in steeds and cattle – by day and night keep far from us the arrow.
2 Bearing rich treasure in your car, O Asvins, come to the mortal who presents oblation. Keep at a distance penury and sickness; Lovers of Sweetness, day and night preserve us.
3 May your strong horses, seeking bliss, bring hither your chariot at the earliest flush of morning. With coursers yoked by Law drive hither, Asvins, your car whose reins are light, laden with treasure.
4 The chariot, Princes, that conveys you, moving at daylight, triple-seated, fraught with riches,
Even with this come unto us, Nasatyas, that laden with all food it may approach us.
5 Ye freed Cyavana from old age and weakness: ye brought the courser fleet of food to Pedu. Ye rescued Atri from distress and darkness, and loosed for Jahusa the bonds that bound him.
6 This is the thought, this is the song, O Asvins: accept this hymn of ours, ye Steers, With favour. May these our prayers addressed to you come nigh you. Preserve us evermore, ye Gods, with
blessings.
[07-072] HYMN LXXII. Asvins.
1. COME, O Nasatyas, on your car resplendent, rich in abundant wealth of kine and horses.
As harnessed steeds, all our laudations follow you whose forms shine with most delightful beauty.
2 Come with the Gods associate, come ye hither to us, Nasatyas, with your car accordant.
‘Twixt you and us there is ancestral friendship and common kin: remember and regard it.
3 Awakened are the songs that praise the Asvins, the kindred prayers and the Celestial Mornings. Inviting those we long for, Earth and Heaven, the singer calleth these Nasatyas hither.
4 What time the Dawns break forth in light, O Asvins, to you the poets offer their devotions. God Savitar hath sent aloft his splendour, and fires sing praises with the kindled fuel.
5 Come from the west, come from the cast, Nasatyas, come, Asvins, from below and from above us. Bring wealth from all sides for the Fivefold People. Preserve us evermore, ye Gods, with blessings.
[07-073] HYMN LXXIII. Asvins.
1. WE have o’erpassed the limit of this darkness while, worshipping the Gods, we sang their praises. The song invoketh both Immortal Asvins far-reaching, born of old, great WonderWorkers.
2 And, O Nasatyas, man’s dear Priest is seated, who brings to sacrifice and offers worship, Be near and taste the pleasant juice, O Asvins: with food, I call you to the sacrifices.
3 We choosing you, have let our worship follow its course: ye Steers, accept this hymn with favour. Obeying you as your appointed servant, Vasistha singing hath with lauds aroused you.
4 And these Two Priests come nigh unto our people, united, demon-slayers, mighty-handed. The juices that exhilarate are mingled. Injure us not, but come with happy fortune.
5 Come from the west, come from the cast, Nasatyas, come, Asvins, from below and from above us. Bring wealth from all sides for the Fivefold People. Preserve us evermore, ye Gods, with blessings.
[07-074] HYMN I.XXIV. Asvins.
1. THESE morning sacrifices call you, Asvins, at the break of day.
For help have I invoked you rich in power and might: for, house by house ye visit all.
2 O Heroes, ye bestow wonderful nourishment. send it to him whose songs are sweet
Accordant, both of you, drive your car down to us, and drink the savoury Soma juice.
3 Approach ye and be near to us. drink, O ye Asvins, of the meath.
Draw forth the milk, ye Mighty, rich in genuine wealth: injure us not, and come to us.
4 The horses that convey you in their rapid flight down to the worshipper’s abode,
With these your speedy coursers, Heroes, Asvins, come, ye Gods, come well-inclined to us.
5 Yea, verily, our princes seek the Asvins in pursuit of food.
These shall give lasting glory to our liberal lords, and, both Nasatyas, shelter us.
6 Those who have led the way, like cars, offending none, those who are guardians of the men- Also through their own might the heroes have grown strong, and dwell in safe and happy homes.
[07-075] HYMN LXXV. Dawn.
1. BORN in the heavens the Dawn hath flushed, and showing her majesty is come as Law ordaineth. She hath uncovered fiends and hateful darkness; best of Angirases, hath waked the pathways.
2 Rouse us this day to high and happy fortune: to great felicity, O Dawn, promote us.
Vouchsafe us manifold and splendid riches, famed among mortals, man-befriending Goddess!
3 See, lovely Morning’s everlasting splendours, bright with their varied colours, have approached us. Filling the region of mid-air, producing the rites of holy worship, they have mounted.
4 She yokes her chariot far away, and swiftly visits the lands where the Five Tribes are settled, Looking upon the works and ways of mortals, Daughter of Heaven, the world’s Imperial Lady.
5 She who is rich in spoil, the Spouse of Surya, wondrously opulent, rules all wealth and treasures. Consumer of our youth, the seers extol her: lauded by priests rich Dawn shines out refulgent.
6 Apparent are the steeds of varied colour, the red steeds carrying resplendent Morning.
On her all-lovely car she comes, the Fair One, and brings rich treasure for her faithful servant.
7 True with the True and Mighty with the Mighty, with Gods a Goddess, Holy with the Holy,
She brake strong fences down and gave the cattle: the kine were lowing as they greeted Morning.
8 O Dawn, now give us wealth in kine and heroes, and horses, fraught with manifold enjoyment. Protect our sacred grass from man’s reproaches. Preserve us evermore, ye Gods, with blessings.
[07-076] HYMN LXXVI. Dawn.
1. SAVITAR God of all men hath sent upward his light, designed for all mankind, immortal. Through the Gods’ power that Eye was first created. Dawn hath made all the universe apparent.
2 I see the paths which Gods are wont to travel, innocuous paths made ready by the Vasus. Eastward the flag of Dawn hath been uplifted; she hath come hither o’er the tops of houses.
3 Great is, in truth, the number of the Mornings which were aforetime at the Sun’s uprising. Since thou, O Dawn, hast been beheld repairing as to thy love, as one no more to leave him.
4 They were the Gods’ companions at the banquet, the ancient sages true to Law Eternal.
The Fathers found the light that lay in darkness, and with effectual words begat the Morning.
5 Meeting together in the same enclosure, they strive not, ofone mind, one with another. They never break the Gods’ eternal statutes, and injure none, in rivalry with Vasus.
6 Extolling thee, Blest Goddess, the Vasisthas, awake at early mom, with lauds implore thee. Leader of kine and Queen of all that strengthens, shine, come as first to us, O high-born Morning.
7 She bringeth bounty and sweet charm of voices. The flushing Dawn is sung by the Vasisthas, Giving us riches famed to distant places. Preserve us evermore, ye Gods, with blessings.
[07-077] HYMN LXXVIT. Dawn.
1. SHE hath shone brightly like a youthful woman, stirring to motion every living creature. Agni hath come to feed on mortal? fuel. She hath made light and chased away the darkness.
2 Turned to this All, far-spreading, she hath risen and shone in brightness with white robes about her.
She hath beamed forth lovely with golden colours, Mother of kine, Guide of the days she bringeth.
3 Bearing the Gods’ own Eye, auspicious Lady, leading her Courser white and fair to look on, Distinguished by her bean-is Dawn shines apparent, come forth to all the world with wondrous
treasure.
4 Draw nigh with wealth and dawn away the foeman: prepare for us wide pasture free from danger. Drive away those who hate us, bring us riches: pour bounty, opulent Lady, on the singer.
5 Send thy most excellent beams to shine and light us, giving us lengthened days, O Dawn, O Goddess,
Granting us food, thou who hast all things precious, and bounty rich in chariots, kine, and horses.
6 O Usas, nobly-born, Daughter of Heaven, whom the Vasisthas with their hymns make mighty, Bestow thou on us vast and glorious riches. Preserve us evermore, ye Gods, with blessings.
[07-078] HYMN LXXVIII. Dawn.
1. WE have beheld her earliest lights approaching: her many glories part, on high, asunder. On car sublime, refulgent, wending hither, O Usas, bring the Wealth that makes us happy.
2 The fire well-kindIed sings aloud to greet her, and with their hymns the priests are chaming welcome.
Usas approaches in her splendour, driving all evil darkness far away, the Goddess.
3 Apparent eastward are those lights of Morning, sending out lustre, as they rise, around them. She hath brought forth Sun, sacrifice, and Agni, and far away hath fled detested darkness.
4 Rich Daughter of the Sky, we all behold her, yea, all men look on Dawn as she is breaking.
fler car that moves self-harnessed hath she mounted, the car drawn onward by her well-yoked horses.
5 Inspired with loving thoughts this day to greet thee, we and our wealthy nobles have awakened. Show yourselves fruitful, Dawns, as ye are rising. Preserve us evermore, ye Gods, with blessings.
[07-079] HYMN LXXIX. Dawn.
1. ROUSING the lands where men’s Five Tribes are settled, Dawn hath disclosed the pathways of the people.
She hath sent out her sheen with beauteous oxen. The Sun with light hath opened earth and heaven.
2 They paint their bright rays on the sky’s far limits. the Dawns come on like tribes arrayed for battle. Thy cattle, closely shutting up the darkness, as Savitar spreads his arms, give forth their lustre.
3 Wealthy, most like to Indra, Dawn hath risen, and brought forth lauds that shall promote our welfare.
Daughter of Heaven, a Goddess, she distributes, best of Angirases, treasures to the pious.
4 Bestow on us, O Dawn, that ample bounty which thou didst send to those who sang thy praises; Thou whom with bellowings of a bull they quickened: thou didst unbar the firm-set mountain’s
portals.
5 Impelling every God to grant his bounty sending to us the charm of pleasant voices,
Vouchsafe us thoughts, for profit, as thou breakest. Preserve us evermore, ye Gods, with blessings.
[07-080] HYMN LXXX. Dawn.
1 THE priests, Vasisthas, are the first awakened to welcome Usas with their songs and praises, Who makes surrounding regions part asunder,and shows apparent all existing creatures.
2 Giving fresh life when she hath hid the darkness, this Dawn hath wakened there with new-born lustre.
Youthful and unrestrained she cometh forward: she hath turned thoughts to Sun and fire and worship.
3 May blessed Mornings shine on us for ever, with wealth of kine, of horses, and of heroes, Streaming with all abundance, pouring fatness. Preserve us evermore, ye Gods, with blessings.