[08-001] HYMN I. Indra.
1. GLORIFY naught besides, O friends; so shall no sorrow trouble you.
Praise only mighty Indra when the juice is shed, and say your lauds repeatedly:
2 Even him, eternal, like a bull who rushes down, men’s Conqueror, bounteous like a cow; Him who is cause of both, of enmity and peace, to both sides most munificent.
3 Although these men in sundry ways invoke thee to obtain thine aid,
Be this our prayer, addressed, O Indra, unto thee, thine exaltation every day.
4 Those skilled in song, O Maghavan among these men o’ercome with might the foeman’s songs. Come hither, bring us strength in many a varied form most near that it may succour us.
5 O Caster of the Stone, I would not sell thee for a mighty price,
Not for a thousand, Thunderer! nor ten thousand, nor a hundred, Lord of countless wealth!
6 O Indra, thou art more to me than sire or niggard brother is.
Thou and my mother, O Good Lord, appear alike, to give me wealth abundantly.
7 Where art thou? Whither art thou gone? For many a place attracts thy mind.
Haste, Warrior, Fort-destroyer, Lord of battle’s din, haste, holy songs have sounded forth.
8 Sing out the psalm to him who breaks down castles for his faithful friend,
Verses to bring the Thunderer to destroy the forts and sit on Kanva’s sacred grass.
9 The Horses which are thine in tens, in hundreds, yea, in thousands thine,
Even those vigorous Steeds, fleet-footed in the course, with those come quickly near to us.
10 This day I call Sabardugiha who animates the holy song,
Indra the richly-yielding Milch-cow who provides unfailing food in ample stream.
11 When Sura wounded Etasa, with Vata’s rolling winged car.
Indra bore Kutsa Arjuneya off, and mocked Gandharva. the unconquered One.
12 He without ligature, before making incision in the neck,
Closed up the wound again, most wealthy Maghavan, who maketh whole the injured part.
13 May we be never cast aside, and strangers, as it were, to thee.
We, Thunder-wielding Indra, count ourselves as trees rejected and unfit to bum.
14 O Vrtra-slayer, we were thought slow and unready for the fray.
Yet once in thy great bounty may we have delight, O Hero, after praising thee.
15 If he will listen to my laud, then may out Soma-drops that flow
Rapidly through the strainer gladden Indra, drops due to the Tugryas’ Strengthener.
16 Come now unto the common laud of thee and of thy faithful friend.
So may our wealthy nobles’ praise give joy to thee. Fain would I sing thine eulogy.
17 Press out the Soma with the stones, and in the waters wash it clean.
The men investing it with raiment made of milk shall milk it forth from out the stems.
18 Whether thou come from earth or from the lustre of the lofty heaven,
Wax stronger in thy body through my song of praise: fill full all creatures, O most Wise.
19 For India press the Soma out, most gladdening and most excellent.
May Sakra make it swell sent forth with every prayer and asking, as it were, for strength.
20 Let me not, still beseeching thee with earnest song at Soma rites,
Anger thee like soma wild beast. Who would not beseech him who hath power to grant his prayer?
21 The draught made swift with rapturous joy, effectual with its mighty strength, All-conquering, distilling transport, let him drink: for he in ecstasy gives us gifts.
22 Where bliss is not, may he, All-praised, God whom the pious glorify,
Bestow great wealth upon the mortal worshipper who sheds the juice and praises him.
23 Come, Indra, and rejoice thyself, O God, in manifold affluence.
Thou fillest like a lake thy vast capacious bulk with Soma and with draughts besides.
24 A thousand and a hundred Steeds are harnessed to thy golden car.
So may the long-mancd Bays, yoked by devotion, bring Indra to drink the Soma juice.
25 Yoked to thy chariot wrought of gold, may thy two Bays with peacock tails,
Convey thee hither, Steeds with their white backs, to quaff sweet juice that makes us eloquent.
26 So drink, thou Lover of the Song, as the first drinker, of this juice.
This the outpouring of the savoury sap prepared is good and meet to gladden thee.
27 He who alone by wondrous deed is Mighty, Strong by holy works,
May he come, fair of cheek; may he not stay afar, but come and turn not from our call.
28 Susna’s quick moving castle thou hast crushed to pieces with thy bolts.
Thou, Indra, from of old, hast followed after light, since we have had thee to invoke.
29 My praises when the Sun hath risen, my praises at the time of noon,
My praises at the coming of the gloom of night, O Vasu, have gone forth to thee.
30 Praise yea, praise him. Of princes these are the most liberal of their gifts, These, Paramajya, Ninditasva, Prapathi, most bounteous, O Medhyatithi.
31 When to the car, by faith, I yoked the horses longing for the way-
For skilled is Yadu’s son in dealing precious wealth, he who is rich in herds of kine.
32 May he who gave me two brown steeds together with their cloths of gold, May he, Asanga’s son Svanadratha, obtain all joy and high felicities.
33 Playoga’s son Asanga, by ten thousand, O Agni, hath surpassed the rest in giving.
For me ten bright-hued oxen have come forward like lotus-stalks from out a lake upstanding.
34 What time her husband’s perfect restoration to his lost strength and manhood was apparent, His consort Sasvati with joy addressed him, Now art thou well, my lord, and shalt be happy.
[08-002] HYMN II. Indra.
1. HERE is the Soma juice expressed; O Vasu, drink till thou art full: Undaunted God, we give it thee.
2 Washed by the men, pressed out with stones, strained through the filter made of wool,
‘Tis like a courser bathed in stream.
3 This juice have we made sweet for thee like barley, blending it with milk. Indra, I call thee to our feast.
4 Beloved of all, Indra alone drinks up the flowing Soma juice
Among the Gods andmortal men.
5 The Friend, whom not the brilliant-hued, the badly-mixt or bitter draught, Repels, the far-extending God;
6 While other men than we with milk chase him as hunters chase a deer, And with their kine inveigle him.
7 For him, for Indra, for the God, be pressed three draughts of Soma juice
In the juice-drinker’s own abode.
8 Three reservoirs exude their drops, filled are three beakers to the brim, All for one offering to the God.
9 Pure art thou, set in many a place, and blended in the midst with milk
And curd, to cheer the Hero best.
10 Here, Indra, are thy Soma-draughts pressed out by us, the strong, the pure: They crave admixture of the milk.
11 O Indra, pour in milk, prepare the cake, and mix the Soma-draught. I hear them say that thou art rich.
12 Quaffed juices fight within the breast. The drunken praise not by their wine, The naked praise not when it rains.
13 Rich be the praiser of one rich, munificent and famed like thee:
High rank be his, O Lord of Bays.
14 Foe of the man who adds no milk, he heeds not any chanted hymn
Or holy psalm that may he sung.
15 Give us not, Indra, as a prey unto the scornful or the proud: Help, Mighty One, with power and might.
16 This, even this, O Indra, we implore. as thy devoted friends, The Kanvas praise thee with their hymns.
17 Naught else, O Thunderer, have I praised in the skilled singer’s eulogy: On thy land only have I thought.
18 The Gods seek him who presses out the Soma; they desire not sleep
They punish sloth unweariedly.
19 Come hither swift with gifts of wealth – be not thou angry with us-like
A great man with a youthful bride.
20 Let him not, wrathful with us, spend the evening far from us to-day, Like some unpleasant son-in-law.
21 For well we know this Hero’s love, most liberal of the boons he gives, His plans whom the three worlds display.
22 Pour forth the gift which Kanvas bring, for none more glorious do we know
Than the Strong Lord with countless aids.
23 O presser, offer Soma first to Indra, Hero, Sakra, him
The Friend of man, that he may drink;
24 Who, in untroubled ways, is best provider, for his worshippers. Of strength in horses and in kine.
25 Pressers, for him blend Soma juice, each draught most excellent, for him
The Brave, the Hero, for his joy.
26 The Vrtra-slayer drinks the juice. May he who gives a hundred aids
Approach, nor stay afar from us.
27 May the strong Bay Steeds, yoked by prayer, bring hither unto us our Friend, Lover of Song, renowned by songs.
28 Sweet are the Soma juices, come! Blent are the Soma juices, come! Rsi-like, mighty, fair of cheek, come hither quickly to the feast.
29 And lauds which strengthen thee for great bounty and valour, and exalt
Indra who doeth glorious deeds,
30 And songs to thee who lovest song, and all those hymns addressed to thee- These evermore confirm thy might.
31 Thus he, sole doer of great deeds whose hand holds thunder, gives us strength, He who hath never been subdued.
32 Vrtra he slays with his right hand, even Indra, great with mighty power, And much-invoked in many a place.
33 He upon whom all men depend, all regions, all achievements, he
Takes pleasure in our wealthy chiefs.
34 All this hath he accomplished, yea, Indra, most gloriously renowned, Who gives our wealthy princes strength.
35 Who drives his chariot seeking spoil, from afar, to him he loves: For swift is he to bring men wealth.
36 The Sage who, winning spoil with steeds, slays Vrtra, Hero with the men, His servant’s faithful succourer.
37 O Priyamedhas, worship with collected mind this Indra whom
The Soma hath full well inspired.
38 Ye Kanvas, sing the Mighty One, Lord of the Brave, who loves renown, All-present, glorified by song.
39 Strong Friend, who, with no trace of feet, restores the cattle to the men, Who rest their wish and hope on him.
40 Shaped as a Ram, Stone-hurler I once thou camest hither to the son
Of Kanva, wise Medhyatithi.
41 Vibhindu, thou hast helped this man, giving him thousands four times ten, And afterward eight thousand more.
42 And these twain pouring streams of milk, creative, daughters of delight, For wedlock sake I glorify.
[08-003] HYMN III. Indra.
1. DRINK, Indra, of the savoury juice, and cheer thee with our milky draught.
Be, for our weal, our Friend and sharer of the feast, and let thy wisdom guard us well.
2 In thy kind grace and favour may we still be strong: expose us not to foe’s attack. With manifold assistance guard and succour us, and bring us to felicity.
3 May these my songs of praise exalt thee, Lord, who hast abundant wealth.
Men skilled in holy hymns, pure, with the hues of fire, have sung them with their lauds to thee.
4 He, with his might enhanced by Rsis thousandfold, hath like an ocean spread himself. His majesty is praised as true at solemn rites, his power where holy singers rule.
5 Indra for worship of the Gods, Indra while sacrifice proceeds,
Indra, as worshippers in battle-shock, we call, Indra that we may win the spoil.
6 With might hath Indra spread out heaven and earth, with power hath Indra lighted up the Sun. In Indra are all creatures closely held; in him meet the distilling Soma-drops.
7 Men with their lauds are urging thee, Indra, to drink the Soma first.
The Rbhus in accord have lifted up their voice, and Rudras sung thee as the first.
8 Indra increased his manly strength at sacrifice, in the wild rapture of this juice. And living men to-day, even as of old, sing forth their praises to his majesty.
9 I crave of thee that hero strength, that thou mayst first regard this prayer,
Wherewith thou holpest Bhrgu and the Yatis and Praskanva when the prize was staked.
10 Wherewith thou sentest mighty waters to the sea, that, Indra, is thy manly strength. For ever unattainable is this power of him to whom the worlds have cried aloud.
11 Help us, O Indra, when we pray to thee for wealth and hero might.
First help thou on to strength the man who strives to win, and aid our laud, O Ancient One.
12 Help for us, Indra, as thou holpest Paura once, this man’s devotions bent on gain. Help, as thou gavest Rugama and Syavaka and Svarnara and Krpa aid.
13 What newest of imploring prayers shall, then, the zealous mortal sing?
For have not they who laud his might, and Indra-power won for themselves the light of heaven?
14 When shall they keep the Law and praise thee mid the Gods? Who counts as Rsi and as sage? When ever wilt thou, Indra Maghavan, come nigh to presser’s or to praiser’s call?
15 These songs of ours exceeding sweet, these hymns of praise ascend to thee,
Like ever-conquering chariots that display their strength, gain wealth, and give unfailing aid.
16 The Bhrgus are like Suns, like Kanvas, and have gained all that their thoughts were bent upon. The living men of Priyamedha’s race have sung exalting Indra with their lauds.
17 Best slayer of the Vrtras, yoke thy Bay Steeds, Indra, from afar.
Come with the High Ones hither, Maghavan, to us, Mighty, to drink the Soma juice.
18 For these, the bards and singers, have cried out to thee with prayer, to gain the sacrifice. As such, O Maghavan, Indra, who lovest song, even as a lover bear my call.
19 Thou from the lofty plains above, O Indra, hurledst Vrtra down.
Thou dravest forth the kine of guileful Mrgaya and Arbuda from the mountain’s hold.
20 Bright were the flaming fires, the Sun gave forth his shine, and Soma, Indra’s juice, shone clear. Indra, thou blewest the great Dragon from the air -. men must regard that valorous deed.
21 The fairest courser of them all, who runneth on as ’twere to heaven. Which Indra and the Maruts gave, and Pakasthaman Kaurayan.
22 To me hath Pakasthaman given, a ruddy horse,good at the pole, Filling is girth and rousing wealth;
23 Compared with whom no other ten strong coursers, harnessed to the pole, Bear Tugrya to his dwelling place.
24 Raiment is body, food is life, and healing ointment giveth strength.
As the free-handed giver of the ruddy steed, I have named Pakasthaman fourth.
[08-004] HYMN IV. Indra.
1. THOUGH, Indra, thou art called by men eastward and westward, north and south, Thou chiefly art with Anava and Turvasa, brave Champion I urged by men to Come.
2 Or, Indra, when with Ruma, Rusama, Syavaka, and Krpa thou rejoicest thee,
Still do the Kanvas, bringing praises, with their prayers, O Indra, draw thee hither: come.
3 Even as the wild-bull, when he thirsts, goes to the desert’s watery pool,
Come hither quickly both at morning and at eve, and with the Kanvas drink thy fill.
4 May the drops gladden thee, rich Indra, and obtain bounty for him who pours the juice. Soma pressed in the mortar didst thou take and drink, and hence hast won surpassing might.
5 With mightier strength he conquered strength, with energy he crushed their wrath.
O Indra, Strong in youth, all those who sought the fray bent and bowed down to thee like trees.
6 He who wins promise of thine aid goes girt as with a thousand mighty men of war. He makes his son preeminent in hero might – he serves with reverential prayer.
7 With thee, the Mighty, for our Friend, we will riot fear or feel fatigue. May we see Turvasa and Yadu: thy great deed, O Hero, must be glorified.
8 On his left hip the Hero hath reclined himself: the proffered feast offends him not. The milk is blended with the honey of the bee: quickly come hither, baste, and drink.
9 Indra, thy friend is fair of form and rich in horses, cars, and kine.
He evermore hath food accompanied by wealth, and radiant joins the company.
10 Come like a thirsty antelope to the drinking-place: drink Soma to thy heart’s desire. Raining it down, O Maghavan, day after day, thou gainest thy surpassing might.
11 Priest, let the Soma juice flow forth, for Indra longs to drink thereof.
He even now hath yoked his vigorous Bay Steeds: the Vrtra-slayer hath come near.
12 The man with whom thou fillcst thee with Soma deems himself a pious worshipper. This thine appropriate food is here poured out for thee: come, hasten forward. drink of it,
13 Press out the Soma juice, ye priests, for Indra borne upon his car.
The pressing-stones speak loud of Indra, while they shed the juice which, offered, honours him.
14 To the brown juice may his dear vigorous Bay Steeds bring Indra, to our holy task. Hither let thy Car-steeds who seek the sacrifice bring thee to our drink-offerings.
15 Pusan, the Lord of ample wealth, for firm alliance we elect.
May he with wisdom, Sakra! Looser! Much-invoked! aid us to riches and to seed.
16 Sharpen us like a razor in the barber’s hands: send riches thou who settest free.
Easy to find with thee are treasures of the Dawn for mortal man whom thou dost speed.
17 Pusan, I long to win thy love, I long to praise thee, Radiant God.
Excellent Lord, ’tis strange tome, no wish have I to sing the psalm that Pajra sings.
18 My kine, O Radiant God, seek pasture where they will, my during wealth, Immortal One. Be our protector, Pusan! be, most liberal Lord, propitious to our gathering strength.
19 Rich was the gift Kurunga gave, a hundred steeds at morning rites.
Among the gifts of Turvasas we thought of him, the opulent, the splendid King.
20 What by his morning songs Kanva, the powerful, hath, with the Priyamedhas, gained-
71 The herds of sixty thousand pure and spotless kine, have I, the Rsi, driven away.
21 The very trees were joyful at my coming: kine they obtained in plenty, steeds in plenty.
[08-005] HYMN V. Asvins.
1. WHEN, even as she were present here, red Dawn hath shone from far away, She spreadeth light on every side.
2 Like Heroes on your will-yoked car farshining, Wonder-Workers! ye
Attend, O Asvins, on the Dawn.
3 By you, O Lords of ample wealth our songs of praise have been observed: As envoy have I brought the prayer.
4 Kanvas must praise the Asvins dear to many, making many glad, Most rich, that they may succour us.
5 Most liberal, best at winning strength, inciters, Lords of splendour who
Visit the worshipper’s abode.
6 So for devout Sudeva dew with fatness his unfailing mead, And make it rich for sacrifice.
7 Hitherward running speedily with horses, as with rapid hawks, Come, Asvins, to our song of praise
8 Wherewith the three wide distances, and all the lights that are in heaven. Ye traverse, and three times of night.
9 O Finders of the Day, that we may win us food of kine and wealth, Open the paths for us to tread.
10 O Asvins, bring us wealth in kine, in noble heroes, and in cars: Bring us the strength that horses give.
11 Ye Lords of splendour, glorified, ye Wonder-Workers borne on paths
Of gold, drink sweets with Somajuice.
12 To us, ye Lords of ample wealth, and to our wealth chiefs extend
Wide shelter, ne’er to be assailed.
13 Come quickly downward to the prayer of people whom ye favour most: Approach not unto other folk.
14 Ye Asvins whom our minds perceive, drink of this lovely gladdening draught, The mcath which we present to you.
15 Bring riches hither unto us in hundreds and in thousands, source
Of plenteous food, sustaining all.
16 Verily sages call on you, ye Heroes, in full many a place. Moved by the priests, O Asvins, conic.
17 Men who have trimmed the sacred grass, bringing oblations and prepared, O Asvins, are invoking you.
18 May this our hymn of praise to-day, most powerful to bring you, be, O Asvins, nearest to your hearts.
19 The skin filled full of savoury meath, laid in the pathway of your car- O Asvins, drink ye both therefrom.
20 For this, ye Lords of ample wealth, bring blessing for our herd, our kine, Our progeny, and plenteous food.
21 Ye too unclose to us like doors the strengthening waters of the sky, And rivers, ye who find the day.
22 When did the son of’ Tugra serve you, Men? Abandoned in the sea, That with winged steeds your car might fly.
23 Ye, O Nasatyas, ministered to Kanva with repeated aid, When cast into the heated pit.
24 Come near with those most recent aids of yours which merit eulogy,
When I invoke you, Wealthy Gods.
25 As ye protected Kanva erst, Priyamedha and Upastuta, Atri, Sinjara, Asvins Twain
26 And Amsu in decisive fight, Agastya in the fray for kine. And, in his battles, Sobhari.
27 For so much bliss, or even more, O Asvins, Wealthy Gods, than this, We pray white singing hymns to you.
28 Ascend your car with golden seat, O Asvins, and with reins of gold, That reaches even to the sky.
29 Golden is its supporting shaft, the axle also is of gold, And both the wheels are made of gold.
30 Thereon, ye Lords of ample wealth, come to us even from afar, Come ye to this mine eulogy.
31 From far away ye come to us, Asvins, enjoying plenteous food
Of Dasas, O Immortal Ones.
32 With splendour, riches, and renown, O Asvins, hither come to us, Nasatyas, shining brilliantly.
33 May dappled horses, steeds who fly with pinions, bring you hitherward
To people skilled in sacrifice.
34 The whcel delayeth not that car of yours accompanied by song, That cometh with a store of food.
35 Borne on that chariot wrought of gold, with coursers very fleet of foot, Come, O Nasatyas, swift as thought.
36 O Wealthy Gods, ye taste and find the brisk and watchful wild beast good. Associate wealth with food for us.
37 As such, O Asvins, find for me my share of new-presented gifts,
As Kasu, Cedi’s son, gave me a hundred head of buffaloes, and ten thousand kine.
38 He who hath given me for mine own ten Kings like gold to look upon.
At Caidya’s feet are all the people round about, all those who think upon the shield.
39 No man, not any, goes upon the path on which the Cedis walk. No other prince, no folk is held more liberal of gifts than they.
[08-006] HYMN VI Indra
1. INDRA, great in his power and might, and like Parjanya rich in rain, Is magnified by Vatsa’s lauds.
2 When the priests, strengthening the Son of Holy Law, present their gifts, Singers with Order’s hymn of praiser.
3 Since Kanvas with their lauds have made Indra complete the sacrifice. Words are their own appropriate arms.
4 Before his hot displeasure all the peoples, all the men, bow down, As rivers bow them to the sea.
5 This power of his shone brightly forth when Indra brought together, like
A skin, the worlds of heaven and earth.
6 The fiercely-moving Vrtra’s head he severed with his thunderbolt, His mighty hundred-knotted bolt.
7 Here are-we sing them loudly forth-our thoughts among-the best of songs. Even lightnings like the blaze of fire.
8 When bidden thoughts, spontaneously advancing, glow, and with the stream
Of sacrifice the Kanvas shine.
9 Indra, may we obtain that wealth in horses and in herds of cows,
And prayer that may be noticed first.
10 I from my Father have received deep knowledge of the Holy Law
I was born like unto the Sun.
11 After the lore of ancient time I make, like Kanva, beauteous songs, And Indra’s selfgains strength thereby.
12 Whatever Rsis have not praised thee, Indra, or have lauded thee, By me exalted wax thou strong.
13 When his wrath thundered, when he rent Vrtra to pieces, limb by limb, He sent the waters to the sea.
14 Against the Dasyu gusna thou, Indra, didst hurl thy during bolt: Thou, Dread one, hast a hero’s fame.
15 Neither the heavens nor firmaments nor regions of the earth contain
Indra, the Thunderer with his might.
16 O Indra him who lay at length staying thy copious waters thou, In his own footsteps, smotest down
17 Thou hiddest deep in darkness itim, O Indra, who had set his grasp
On spacious heaven and earth conjoined.
18 Indra, whatever Yatis and Bhrgus have offered praise to thee, Listen, thou Mighty, to my call.
19 Indra, these spotted cows yield thee their butter and the milky draught; Aiders, thereby, of sacrifice;
20 Which, teeming, have received thee as a life-germ, Indra, with their mouth, Like Surya who sustaineth all.
21 O Lord of Might, with hymns of praise the Kanvas have increased thy power, The drops poured forth have strengthened thee.
22 Under thy guidance, Indra, mid thy praises, Lord of Thunder, shall
The sacrifice be soon performed.
23 Indra, disclose much food for us, like a stronghold with store of kine: Give progeny and heroic strength.
24 And, Indra, grant us all that wealth of fleet steeds which shone bright of old
Among the tribes of Nahusas.
25 Hither thou seemest to attract heaven’s fold which shines before our eyes, When, Indra, thou art kind to us.
26 Yea, when thou puttest forth thy power, Indra, thou governest the folk. Mighty, unlimited in strength.
27 The tribes who bring oblations call to thee, to thee to give them help, With drops to thee who spreadest far.
28 There where the mountains downward slope, there by the meeting of the streams
The Sage was manifest with song.
29 Thence, marking, from his lofty place downward he looks upon the sea, And thence with rapid stir he moves.
30 Then, verify, they see the light refulgent of primeval seed, Kindled on yonder side of heaven.
31 Indra, the Kanvas all exalt thy wisdom and thy manly power, And, Mightiest! thine heroic strength.
32 Accept this eulogy of mine, Indra, and guard me carefully: Strengthen my thought and prosper it.
33 For thee, O Mighty, Thunder-armed, we singers through devotionhave
Fashioned the hymn that we may live.
34 To Indra have the Kanvas sung, like waters speeding down a slope:
The song is fain to go to him.
35 As rivers swell the ocean, so our hymns of praise make Indra strong, Eternal, of resistIess wrath.
36 Come with thy lovely Bay Steeds, come to us from regions far away
O Indra, drink this Soma juice.
37 Best slayer of Vrtras, men whose sacred grass is ready trimmed
Invoke thee for the gain of spoil.
38 The heavens and earth come after thee as the wheel follows Etasa: To thee flow Sorna-drops effused.
39 Rejoice, O Indra, in the light, rejoice in Saryandyan, be Glad in the sacrificer’s hymn.
40 Grown strong in heaven, the Thunder-armed hath bellowed, Vrtra-slayer, Bull, Chief drinker of the Soma juice.
41 Thou art a Rsi born of old, sole Ruler over all by might: Thou, Indra, guardest well our wealth.
42 May thy Bay Steeds with beauteous backs, a hundred, bring thee to the feast, Bring thee to these our Soma-draughts.
43 The Kanvas with their hymns of praise have magnified this ancient thought
That swells with streams of meath and oil.
44 Mid mightiest Gods let mortal man choose Indra at the sacrifice, Indra, whoe’er would win, for help.
45 Thy steeds, by Priyamedhas praised, shall bring thee, God whom all invoke, Hither to drink the Somajuice.
46 A hundred thousand have I gained from Parsu, from Tirindira, And presents of the Yadavas.
47 Ten thousand head of kine, and steeds three times a hundred they bestowed
On Pajra for the Sama-song.
48 Kakuha hath reached up to heaven, bestowing buffaloes yoked in fours, And matched in fame the Yadavas.
[08-007] HYMN VII. Maruts.
1. O MARUTS, when the sage hath poured the Trstup forth as food for you, Ye shine amid the mountain-clouds.
2 When, Bright Ones, fain to show your might ye have determined on your course, The mountain-clouds have bent them down.
3 Loud roaring with the winds the Sons of Prsni have upraised themselves: They have poured out the streaming food.
4 The Maruts spread the mist abroad and make mountains rock and reel, When with the winds they go their way
5 What time the rivers and the hills before your coming bowed them down, So to sustain your mighty force.
6 We call on you for aid by night, on you for succour in the day, On you while sacrifice proceeds.
7 These, verily, wondrous, red of hue, speed on their courses with a roar
Over the ridges of the sky.
8 With might they drop the loosened rein so that the Sun may run his course, And spread themselves with beams of light.
9 Accept, ye Maruts, this my song, accept ye this mine hymn of praise, Accept, Rbhuksans, this my call.
10 The dappled Cows have poured three lakes, meath for the Thunder-wielding God,
From the great cask, the watery cloud.
11 O Maruts, quickly come to us when, longing for felicity, We call you hither from the sky.
12 For, Rudras and Rbhuksans, ye, Most Bountiful, are in the house, Wise when the gladdening draught is drunk.
13 O Maruts, send us down from heaven riches distilling rapturous joy, With plenteous food, sustaining all.
14 When, Bright Ones, hither from the hills ye have resolved to take your way, Ye revel in the drops effused.
15 Man should solicit with his lauds happiness which belongs to them, So great a band invincible.
16 They who like fiery sparks with showers of rain blow through the heaven and earth, Milking the spring that never fails.
17 With chariots and tumultuous roar, with tempests and with hymns of praise
The Sons of Prsni hurry forth.
18 For wealth, we think of that whereby ye aided Yadu, Turvasa, And KanVa who obtained the spoil.
19 May these our viands Bounteous Ones I that flow in streams like holy oil, With Kanva’s hymns, increase your might.
20 Where, Bounteous Lords for whom the grass is trimmed, are ye rejoicing now? What Brahman is adoring you?
21 Is it not there where ye of old, supplied with sacred grass, for lauds
Inspired the strong in sacrifice?
22 They brought together both the worlds, the mighty waters, and the Sun, And, joint by joint, the thunderbolt.
23 They sundered Vrtra limb from limb and split the gloomy mountain-clouds, Performing a heroic deed.
24 They reinforced the power and strength of Trita as he fought, and helped
Indra in battle with the foe.
25 They deck themselves for glory, bright, celestial, lightning in their hands, And helms of gold upon their heads.
26 When eagerly ye from far away came to the cavern of the Bull, He bellowed in his fear like Heaven.
27 Borne by your golden-footed steeds, O Gods, come hither to receive
The sacrifice we offer you.
28 When the red leader draws along their spotted deer yoked to the car. The Bright Ones come, and shed the rain.
29 Susoma, Saryakiavan, and Arjika full of homes, have they. These Heroes, sought with downward car.
30 When, Maruts, ye come to him, the singer who invokes you thus, With favours to your suppliant?
31 What now? where have ye still a friend since ye left Indra all alone? Who counteth on your friendship now?
32 The Kanvas sing forth Agni’s praise together with our Maruts’ who
Wield thunder and wear swords of gold.
33 Hither for new felicity may I attract the Impetuous Ones, The Heroes with their wondrous strength
34 Before them sink the very hills deerning themseives abysses: yea, Even the mountains bend them down.
35 Steeds flying on their tortuous path through mid-air carry them, and give
The man who lauds them strength and life.
36 Agni was born the first of all, like Surya lovely with his light: With lustre these have spread abroad.
[08-008] HYMN VIII. Asvins.
1. WITH all the succours that are yours, O Asvins, hither come to us: Wonderful, borne on paths of gold, drink ye the meath with Soma juice.
2 Come now, ye Asvins, on your car decked with a sun-bright canopy, Bountiful, with your golden forms, Sages with depth of intellect.
3 Come hither from the Nahusas, come, drawn by pure hymns, from mid-air. O Asvins, drink the savoury juice shed in the Kanvas’ sacrifice.
4 Come to us hither from the heavens, come from mid-air, well-loved by us: Here Kanva’s son hath pressed for you the pleasant meath of Soma juice.
5 Come, Asvins, to give car to us, to drink the Soma, Asvins, come.
Hail, Strengtheners of the praise-song speed onward, ye Heroes, with your thoughts.
6 As, Heroes, in the olden time the Rsis called you to their aid, So now, O Asvins, come to us, come near to this mine eulogy.
7 Even from the luminous sphere of heaven come to us, ye who find the light, Carers for Vatsa, through our prayers and lauds, O yewho hearour call.
8 Do others more than we adore the Asvins with their hymns of praise? The Rsi Vatsa, Kanva’s son, hath magnified you with his songs.
9 The holy singer with his hymns hath called you, Asvins, hither-ward; Best Vrtra-slayers, free from stain, as such bring us felicity.
10 What time, ye Lords of ample wealth, the Lady mounted on your car, Then, O ye Asvins, ye attained all wishes that your hearts desired.
11 Come thence, O Asvins, on your car that hath a thousand ornaments: Vatsa the sage, the sage’s son, hath sung a song of sweets to you.
12 Cheerers of many, rich in goods, discoverers of opulence,
The Asvins, Riders through the sky, have welcomed this my song of praise.
13 O Asvins, grant us all rich gifts wherewith no man mav interfere. Make us observe the stated times: give us not over to reproach.
14 Whether, Nasatyas, ye be nigh, or whether ye be far away,
Come thence, O Asvins, on your car that hath a thousand ornaments.
15 Vatsa the Rsi with his songs, Nasatyas, hath exalted you:
Grant him rich food distilling oil, graced with a thousand ornaments.
16 Bestow on him, O Asvins, food that strengthens, and that drops with oil, On him who praises you for bliss, and, Lords of bounty, prays for wealth.
17 Come to us, ye who slay the foe, Lords of rich treasure, to this hymn. O Heroes, give us high renown and these good things of earth for help.
18 The Priyamedhas have invoked you with all succours that are yours, You, Asvins, Lords of solemn rites, with calls entreating you to come.
19 Come to us, Asvins, ye Who bring felicity, auspicious Ones,
To Vatsa who with prayer and hymn, lovers of song, hath honoured you.
20 Aid us, O Heroes, for those hymns for which ye helped GoSarya erst, Gave Vasa, Dasavraja aid, and Kanva and Medhatithi:
21 And favoured Trasadasyu, ye Heroes, in spoil-deciding fray: For these, O Asvins, graciously assist us in acquiring strength.
22 O Asvins, may pure hymns of ours, and songs and praises, honour you: Best slayers everywhere of foes, as such we fondly yearn for you.
23 Three places of the Asvins, erst concealed, are made apparent now.
Both Sages, with the flight of Law come hither unto those who live.
[08-009] HYMN IX. Asvins.
1. To help and favour Vatsa now, O Asvins, come ye hitherward.
Bestow on him a dwelling spacious and secure, and keep malignities away.
2 All manliness that is in heaven, with the Five Tribes, or in mid-air, Bestow, ye Asvins, upon us.
3 Remember Kanva first of all among the singers, Asvins, who
Have thought upon your wondrous deeds.
4 Asvins, for you with song of praise this hot oblation is effused,
This your sweet Soma juice, ye Lords of ample wealth, through which ye think upon the foe.
5 Whatever ye have done in floods, in the tree, Wonder-Workers, and in growing plants, Therewith, O Asvins, succour me.
6 What force, Nasatyas, ye exert, whatever, Gods, ye tend and heal,
This your own Vatsa gains not by his hymns alone: ye visit him who offers gifts.
7 Now hath the Rsi splendidly thought out the Asvins’ hymn of praise.
Let the Atharvan pour the warm oblation forth, and Soma very rich in sweets.
8 Ye Asvins, now ascend your car that lightly rolls upon its way.
May these my praises make you speed hitherward like a cloud of heaven.
9 When, O Nasatyas, we this day make you speed hither with our hymns, Or, Asvins, with our songs of praise, remember Kanya specially.
10 As erst Kaksivan and the Rsi Vyasva, as erst Dirghatamas invoked your presence, Or, in the sacrificial chambers, Vainya Prthi, so be ye mindful of us here, O Asvins.
11 Come as home-guardians, saving us from foemen, guarding our living creatures and our bodies, Come to the house to give us seed and offspring,
12 Whether with Indra ye be faring, Asvins, or resting in one dwelling-place with Vayu, In concord with the Rbhus or Adityas, or standing still in Visnu’s striding-places.
13 When I, O Asvins, call on you to-day that I may gather strength, Or as all-conquering might in war, be that the Asvins’ noblest grace.
14 Now come, ye Asvins, hitherward: here are oblations set for you; These Soma-draughts to aid Yadu and
Turvasa, these offered you mid Kaniva’s Sons.
15 Whatever healing balm is yours, Nisatyas, near or far away, Therewith, great Sages, grant a home to Vatsa and to Vimada.
16 Together with the Goddess, with the Asvins’ Speech have I awoke. Thou, Goddess, hast disclosed the hymn, and holy gift from mortal men.
17 Awake the Asvins, Goddess Dawn! Up Mighty Lady of sweet strains! Rise, straightway, priest of sacrifice! High glory to the gladdening draught!
18 Thou, Dawn, approaching with thy light shinest together with the Sun, And to this man-protecting home the chariot ofthe Asvins comes.
19 When yellow stalks give forth the juice, as cows from udders pour their milk, And voices sound the song of praise, the Asvins’ worshippers show first.
20 Forward for glory and for strength, protection that shall conquer men, And power and skill, most sapient Ones!
21 When Asvins, worthy of our lauds, ye seat you in the father’s house. With wisdom or the bliss ye bring.
[08-010] HYMN X. Asvins.
1. WHETHER ye travel far away or dwell in yonder light of heaven,
Or in a mansion that is built above the sea, come thence, ye Asvins, hitherward.
2 Or if for Manu.ye prepared the sacrifice, remember also Kanva’s son.
I call Brhaspati, Indra, Visnu, all the gods, the Asvins borne by rapid steeds.
3 Those Asvins I invoke who work marvels, brought hither to receive,
With whom our friendship is most famed, and kinship passing that of Gods.
4 On whom the solemn rites depend, whose worshippers rise without the Sun:
These who foreknow the holy work of sacrifice, and by their Godhead drink the sweets of Soma juice.
5 Whether ye, Lords of ample wealth, now linger in the cast or west, With Druhyu, or with Anu, Yadu, Turvaga, I call you hither; come to me.
6 Lords of great riches, whether through the firmament ye fly or speed through heaven and earth, Or with your Godlike natures stand upon your cars, come thence, O Asvins, hitherward.
[08-011] HYMN XI. Agni.
1. THOU Agni, God mid mortal men, art guard of sacred rites, thou art
To be adored at sacrifice.
2 O Mighty Agni, thou must be glorified at our festivals, Bearing our offerings to the Gods.
3 O Jatavedas Agni, fight and drive our foes afar from us, Themand their godless enmities.
4 Thou, Jatavedas, seekest not the worship of a hostile man, However nigh itbe to thee.
5 We sages, mortals as we are, adore the mighty name oof thee, Immortal Jatavedas’ name.
6 Sages, we call the Sage to help, mortals, we call the God to aid: We call on Agni with our songs.
7 May Vatsa draw- thy mind away even from thy loftiest dwelling-place, Agni, with song that yearns for thee.
8 Thou art the same in many a place: mid all the people thou art Lord. In fray and fightt we call on thee.
9 When we are seeking strength we call Agni to help us in the strife, The giver of rich gifts in war.
10 Ancient, adorablie at sacrifices, Priest from of old, meet for our praise, thou sittest. Fill full and satisfy thy body, Agni, and win us happiness by offering worship.
[08-012] HYMN XII. Indra.
1. JOY, Mightiest Indra, known and marked, sprung most from Soma-draughts, wherewith
Thou smitest down the greedy fiend, for that we long.
2 Wherewith thou bolpest Adhrigu, the great Dasagva, and the God
Who stirs the sunlight, and the sea, for that we long.
3 Wherewith thou dravest forth like cars Sindhu and all the mighty floods
To go the way ordained by Law, for that we long.
4 Accept this laud for aid, made pure like oil, thou Caster of the Stone, Whereby even in a moment thou hast waxen great.
5 Be pleased, Song-lover, with this song it flows abundant like the sea. Indra, with all thy succours thou hast waxen great.
6 The God who from afar hath sent gifts to maintain our friendship’s bond, Thou. spreading them like rain from heaven, hast waxen great.
7 The beams that mark him have grown strong, the thunder rests between his arms, When, like the Sun, he hath increased both Heaven and Earth.
8 When, Mighty Lord of Heroes, thou didst cat a thousand buffaloes, Then grew and waxed exceeding great thine Indra-power.
9 Indra consumeth with the rays of Surya the malicious man:
Like Agni conquering the woods, he hath grown strong.
10 This newest thought of ours that suits the time approaches unto thee: Serving, beloved in many a place it metes and marks.
11 The pious germ of sacrifice directly purifies the soul. By Indra’s lauds it waxes great, it metes and marks.
12 Indra who wins the friend hath spread himself to drink the Soma-draught: Like worshipper’s dilating praise; it metes and marks.
13 He whom the sages, living men, have gladdened, offering up their hymns, Hath swelled like oil of sacrifice in Agni’s mouth.
14 Aditi also hath brought forth a hymn for Indra, Sovran Lord: The work of sacrifice for help is glorified.
15 The ministering priests have sung their songs for aid and eulogy: God, thy Bays turn not from the rite which Law ordains.
16 If, Indra, thou drink Soma by Visnu’s or Trta Aptya’s side, Or with the Maruts take delight in flowing drops;
17 Or, Sakra, if thou gladden thee afar or in the sea of air, Rejoice thee in this juice of ours, in flowing drops.
18 Or, Lord of Heroes if thou aid the worshipper who shed; the, juice, Or him whose laud delights thee, and his flowing drops.
19 To magnify the God, the God, Indra, yea, Indra for your help, And promptly end the sacrifice-this have they gained.
20 With worship, him whom men adore, with Soma, him who drinks it most, Indra with lauds have they increasedthis have they gained.
21 His leadings are with power and might and his instructions manifold: He gives the worshipper all wealth: this have they gained.
22 For slaying Vrtra have the Gods set Indra in the foremost place. Indra the choral bands have sung, for vigorous strength.
23 We to the Mighty with our might, with lauds to him who hears our call, With holy hymns have sung aloud, for vigorous strength.
24 Not earth, nor heaven, nor firmaments contain the Thunder-wielding God: They shake before his violent rush and vigorous strength.
25 What time the Gods, O Indra, get thee foremost in the furious fight, Then thy two beautiful Bay Steeds carried thee on.
26 When Vrtra, stayer of the floods, thou si”est, Thundeicr with might, Then thy two beautiful Bay Steeds carried thee on.
27 When Visnu, through thine energy, strode wide those three great steps of his, Then thy two beautiful Bay Steeds carried thee on.
28 When thy two beautiful Bay Steeds grew great and greater day by day, Even then all creatures that had life bowed down to thee.
29 When, Indra, all the Marut folk humbly submitted them to thee, Even then all creatures that had life bowed down to thee.
30 When yonder Sun, that brilliant light, thou settest in the heaven above, Even then all creatures that had life bowed down to thee.
31 To thee, O Indra, with this thought the sage lifts up this eulogy, Akin and leading as on foot to sacrifice.
32 When in thine own dear dwelling all gathered have lifted up the voice
Milk-streams at worship’s central spot, for sacrifice,
33 As Priest, O Indra, give us wealth in brave men and good steeds ana kine
That we may first remember thee for sacrifice.
[08-013] HYMN XIII. Indra.
1. INDRA, when Soma juices flow, makes his mind pure and meet for lauds. He gains the power that brings success, for great is he.
2 In heaven’s first region, in the seat of Gods, is he who brings success, Most glorious, prompt to save, who wins the water-floods.
3 Him, to win strength, have I invoked, even Indra mighty for the fray. Be thou most near to us for bliss, a Friend to aid.
4 Indra, Song -lover, here for thee the worshipper’s libation flows. Rejoicing in this sacred grass thou shinest forth.
5 Even now, O Indra, give us that which, pressing juice, we crave of thee. Bring us wealth manifold which finds the light of heaven.
6 What time the zealous worshipper hath boldly sung his songs to thee, Like branches of a tree up-grows what they desire.
7 Generate songs even as of old, give car unto the singer’s call. Thou for the pious hast grown great at each carouse.
8 Sweet strains that glorify him play like waters speeding down a slope, Yea, him who in this song is called the Lord of Heaven;
9 Yea, who alone is called the Lord, the single Ruler of the folk, By worshippers seeking aid: may he joy in the draught.
10 Praise him, the Glorious, skilled in song, Lord of the two victorious Bays: They seek the worshipper’s abode who bows in prayer.
11 Put forth thy strength: with dappled Steeds come, thou of mighty intellect, With swift Steeds to the sacrifice, for ’tis thy joy.
12 Grant wealth to those who praise thee, Lord of Heroes, Mightiest Indra: give
Our princes everlasting fame and opulence.
13 I call thee when the Sun is risen, I call thee at the noon of day: With thy car-horses, Indra, come wellpleased to us.
14 Speed forward hither, come to us, rejoice thee in the milky draught: Spin out the thread of ancient time, as well is known.
15 If, Sakra, Vrtra-slayer, thou be far away or near to us. Or in the sea, thou art the guard of Soma juice.
16 Let songs we sing and Soma-drops expressed by us make Indra strong: The tribes who bring oblations find delight in him.
17 Him sages longing for his aid, with offerings brought in eager haste, Him. even as branches, all mankind have made to grow.
18 At the Trkadrukas the Gods span sacrifice that stirred the mind: May our songs strengthen him who still hath strengthened us.
19 When, true to duty, at due times the worshipper offers lauds to thee, They call him Purifier, Pure, and Wonderful.
20 That mind of Rudra, fresh and strong, moves conscious in the ancient ways, With reference whereto the wise have ordered this.
21 If thou elect to be my Friend drink of this sacrificial juice, By help whereof we may subdue all enemies.
22 O Indra, Lover of the song, when shall thy praiser be most blest? When wilt thou grant us wealth in herds of kine and steeds?
23 And thy two highIy-lauded Bays, strong stallions, draw thy car who art
Untouched by age, most gladdening car for which we pray.
24 With ancient offerings we implore the Young and Strong whom many praise. He from of old hath sat upon dear sacred grass.
25 Wax miglity, thou whom many laud for aids which Rsis have extolled.
Pour down for us abundant food and guard us well.
26 O Indra, Caster of the Stone, thou helpest him who praises thee: From sacrifice I send to thee a mindyoked hymn.
27 Here, yoking for the Soma-draught these Horses, sharers of thy feast, Thy Bay Steeds, Indra, fraught with weal tb, consent to come.
28 Attendants on thy glory, let the Rudras roar assent to thee, And all the Marut companies come tothe feast.
29 These his victorious followers bold in the heavens the place they love, Leagued in the heart of sacrifice, as well we know.
30 That we may long behold the light, what time the ordered rite proceeds, He duly measures, as he views, the sacrifice.
31 O Indra, strong is this thy car, and strong are these Bay Steeds of thine: O Satakratu, thou art strong, strong is our call.
32 Strong is the press-stone, strong thy joy, strong is the flowing Soma juice: Strong is the rite thou furtherest, strong is our call.
33 As strong I call on thee the Strong, O Thunderer with thy thousand aids: For thou hast won the hymn of praise. Strong is our call.
[08-014] HYMN XIV. Indra.
1. IF I, O Indra, were, like thee, the single Sovran of all wealth, My worshipper should be rich in kine.
2 I should be fain, O Lord of Power, to strengthen and enrich the sage, Were I the Lord of herds of kine.
3 To worshippers who press the juice thy goodness, Indra, is a cow
Yielding in plenty kine and steeds.
4 None is there, Indra, God or man, to hinder thy munificence, The wealth which, lauded, thou wilt give.
5 The sacrifice made Indra strong when he unrolled the earth, and made
Himself a diadem in heaven.
6 Thine aid we claim, O Indra, thine who after thou hast waxen great
Hast won all treasures for thine own.
7 In Soma’s ecstasy Indra spread the firmament and realms of light, When he cleft Vala limb from limb.
8 Showing the hidden he drave forth the cows for the Angirases, And Vala he cast headlong down.
9 By Indra were the lumirious realms of heaven established and secured, Firm and immovable from their place.
10 Indra, thy laud moves quickly like a joyous wave of water-floods: Bright shine the drops that gladden thee.
11 For thou, O Indra, art the God whom hymns and praises magnify: Thou blessest those who worship thee.
12 Let the two long-maned Bay Steeds bring Indra to drink the Soma juice, The Bountiful to our sacrifice.
13 With waters’ foam thou torest off, Indra, the head of Namuci, Subduing all contending hosts.
14 The Dasyus, when they fain would climb by magic arts and mount to heaven,
Thou, Indra, castest down to earth.
15 As Soma-drinker conquering all, thou scatteredst to every side
Their settlement who poured no gifts.
[08-015] HYMN XV. Indra.
1. SING forth to him whom many men invoke, to him whom many laud. Invite the powerful Indra with your songs of praise.
2 Whose lofty might-for doubly strong is he-supports the heavens and earth, And hills and plains and floods and light with manly power.
3 Such, Praised by many! thou art King alone thou smitest Vrtras dead, To gain, O Indra, spoils of war and high renown.
4 We sing this strong and wild delight of thine which conquers in the fray, Which, Caster of the Stone! gives room and shines like gold.
5 Wherewith thou also foundest lights for Ayu and for Manu’s sake: Now joying in this sacred grass thou beamest forth.
6 This day too singers of the hymn praise, as of old, this might of thine: Win thou the waters day by day, thralls of the strong.
7 That lofty Indra-power of thine, thy strength and thine intelligence, Thy thunderbolt for which we long, the wish makes keen.
8 O Indra, Heaven and Earth augment thy manly power and thy renown; The waters and thy mountains stir and urge thee on.
9 Visnu the lofty ruling Power, Varuna, Mitra sing thy praise: In thee the Marut3′ company have great delight.
10 O Indra, thou wast born the Lord of men, most liberal of thy gifts: Excellent deeds for evermore are all thine own.
11 Ever, alone, O highly-praised, thou sendest Vrtras to their rest: None else than Indra executes the mighty deed.
12 Though here and there, in varied hymns, Indra, men call on thee for aid, Still with our heroes fight and win the light of heaven.
13 Already have all forms of him entered our spacious dwelling-place: For victory stir thou Indra, up, the Lord of Might.
[08-016] HYMN XVI. Indra.
1. PRAISE Indra whom our songs must laud, sole Sovran of mankind, the Chief
Most liberal who controlleth men.
2 In whom the hymns of praise delight, and all the glory-giving songs. Like the floods’ longing for the sea.
3 Him I invite with eulogy, best King, effective in the fight, Strong for the gain of mighty spoil.
4 Whose perfect ecstasies are wide, profound, victorious, and give joy in the field where heroes win.
5 Him, when the spoils of war are staked, men call to be their advocate: They who have Indra win the day.
6 Men honour him with stirring songs and magnify with solemn rites: Indra is he who giveth case.
7 1ndra is priest and Rsi, he is much invoked by many men, And mighty by his mighty powers.
8 Meet to be lauded and invoked, true Hero with his deeds of might, Victorious even when alone.
9 The men, the people magnify that Indra with their Slina. songs, With hymns and sacred eulogies
10 Him who advances them to wealth, sends light to lead them in the war,
And quells their foemen in the fray.
11 May he, the saviour much-invoked, may Indra bear us in a ship
Safely beyond all enemies.
12 As such, O Indra, honour us with gifts of booty, further us, And lead us to felicity.
[08-017] HYMN XVII Indra.
1. COME, we have pressed the juice for thee; O Indra, drink this Soma here
Sit thou on this my sacred grass.
2 O Indra, let thy long-maned Bays, yoked by prayer, bring thee hitherward
Give car and listen to our prayers.
3 We Soma-bearing Brahmans call thee Soma-drinker with thy friend, We, Indra, bringing Soma juice.
4 Come unto us who bring the juice, come unto this our eulogy, Fair-visored! drink thou of the juice.
5 I pour it down within thee, so through all thy members let it spread: Take with. thy tongue the pleasant drink.
6 Sweet to thy body let it be, delicious be the savoury juice: Sweet be the Soma to thine heart.
7 Like women, let this Soma-draught, invested with its robe, approach, O active Indra, close to thee.
8 Indra, transported with the juice, vast in his bulk, strong in his neck
And stout arms, smites the Vrtras down.
9 O Indra, go thou forward, thou who rulest over all by might: Thou Vrtra-slayer slay the fiends,
10 Long be thy grasping-hook wherewith thou givest ample wealth to him
Who sheds the juice and worships thee.
11 Here, Indra, is thy Soma-draught, made pure upon the sacred grass: Run hither, come and drink thereof.
12 Famed for thy radiance, worshipped well this juice is shed for thy delight
Thou art invoked, Akhandala!
13 To Kundapayya, grandson’s son, grandson of Srngavrs! to thee, To him have I addressed my thought.
14 Strong pillar thou, Lord of the home armour of Soma-offerers:
The drop of Soma breaketh all the strongholds down, and Indra is the Rsis’ Friend.
15 Holy Prdikusanu, winner of the spoil, one eminent o’er many men,
Lead on the wild horse Indra with his vigorous grasp forward to drink the Soma juice.
[08-018] HYMN XVIII. Adityas.
1. Now let the mortal offer prayer to win the unexampled grace
Of these Adityas and their aid to cherish life.
2 For not an enemy molests the paths which these Adityas tread: Infallible guards, they strengthen us in happiness.
3 Now soon may Bhaga, Savitar, Varuna, Mitra, Aryaman
Give us the shelter widely spread which we implore.
4 With Gods come thou whose fostering care none checks, O Goddesss Aditi: Come, dear to many, with the Lords who guard us well.
5 For well these Sons of Aditi know to keep enmities aloof, Unrivalled, giving ample room, they save from woe.
6 Aditi guard our herd by day, Aditi, free from guile, by night,
Aditi, ever strengthening, save us from grief!
7 And in the day our hymn is this: May Aditi come nigh to help, With loving-kindness bring us weal and chase our foes.
8 And may the Asvins, the divine Pair of Physicians, send us health: May they remove iniquity and chase our foes.
9 May Agni bless us with his fires, and Surya warm us pleasantly: May the pure Wind breathe sweet on us, and chase our foes.
10 Drive ye disease and strife away, drive ye away malignity: Adityas, keep us ever far from sore distress.
11 Remove from us the arrow, keep famine, Adityas! far away: Keep enmities afar from us, Lords of all wealth!
12 Now, O Adityas, grant to us the shelter that lets man go free, Yea, even the sinner from his sin, ye Bounteous Gods 1
13 Whatever mortal with the powe r of demons fain would injure us, May he, impetuous, suffer harm by his own deeds.
14 May sin o’ertake our human foe, the man who speaketh evil thing, Him who would cause our misery, whose heart is false.
15 Gods, ye are with the simple ones, ye know each mortal in your hearts; Ye, Vasus, well discriminate the false and true.
16 Fain would we have the sheltering aid of mountains and of water-floods: Keep far from us iniquity, O Heaven and Earth.
17 So with auspicious sheltering aid do ye, O Vasus, carry us
Beyond all trouble and distress, borne in your ship.
18 Adityas, ye Most Mighty Ones, grant to our children and their seed
Extended term of life that they may live long days.
19 Sacrifice, O Adityas, is your inward monitor: be kind, For in the bond of kindred we are bound to you.
20 The Maruts’ high protecting aid, the Asvins, and the God who saves, Mitra and Varuna for weal we supplicate.
21 Grant us a home with triple guard, Aryaman, Mitra, Varuna! Unthreatened, Maruts! meet for praise, and filled with men.
22 And as we human beings, O Adityas, are akin to death, Graciously lengthen ye our lives that we may live.
[08-019] HYMN XIX. Agni.
1. SING praise to hiin, the Lord of Light. The Gods have made the God to be their messenger, And sent oblation to Gods.
2 Agni, the Bounteous Giver, bright with varied flames, laud thou, O singer Sobhari- Him who controls this sacred food with Soma blent, who hath first claim to sacrifice.
3 Thee have we chosen skilftillest in sacrifice, Immortal Priest among the Gods, Wise finisher of this holy rite:
4 The Son of Strength, the blessed, brightly shining One, Agni whose light is excellent. May be by sacrifice win us in heaven the grace of Mitra, Varuna, and the Floods.
5 The mortal who hath ministered to Agni with oblation, fuel, ritual lore, And reverence, skilled in sacrifice.
6 Verily swift to run are his fleet-footed steeds, and most resplendent fame is his. No trouble caused by Gods or wrought by mortal man from any side o’ertaketh him.
7 May we by thine own fires be well supplied with fire, O Son of Strength, O Lord of Might: Thou as our Friend hast worthy men.
8 Agni, who praises like a guest of friendly mind, is as a car that brings us gear.
Also in thee is found perfect security thou art the Sovran Lord of wealth.
9 That man, moreover, merits praise who brings, auspicious Agni, sacrificial gifts
May he win riches by his thoughts.
10 He for whose sacrifice thou standest up erect is prosperous and rules o’er men.
He wins with coursers and with singers killed in song: with heroes he obtains the prize.
11 He in whose dwelling Agni is chief ornament, and, all-desired, loves his laud well, And zealously tends his offerings-
12 His, or the lauding sage’s word, his, Son of Strength! who Is most prompt with sacred gifts, Set thou beneath the Gods, Vasu, above mankind, the speech of the intelligent.
13 He who with sacrificial gifts or homage bringeth very skilful Agni nigh, Or him who flashes fast with song,
14 The mortal who with blazing fuel, as his laws command, adores the Perfect God,
Blest with his thoughts in splendour shall exceed all men, as though he overpassed the floods.
15 Give us the splendour, Agni, which may overcome each greedy fiend in our abode, The wrath of evil-hearted folk.
16 That, wherewith Mitra, Varuna, and Aryaman, the Asvins, Bhaga give us light,
That may we, by thy power finding best furtherance, worship, O Indra, helped by thee.
17 O Agni, most devout are they, the sages who have set thee Sage exceeding wise, O God, for men to look upon:
18 Who have arranged thine altar Blessed God, at morn brought thine oblation, pressed the juice. They by their deeds of strength have won diem, mighty wealth, who have set all their hope in thee.
19 -May Agni worshipped bring us bliss, may the gift, Blessed One, and sacrifice bring bliss; Yea, may our praises bring us bliss.
20 Show forth the mind that brings success in war with fiends, wherewith thou conquerest in fight. Bring down the many firm hopes of our enemies, and let us vanquish with thine aid.
21 I praise with song the Friend of man, whom Gods sent down to be herald and messenger, Best worshipper, bearer of our gifts.
22 Thou unto sharp-toothed Agni, Young and Radiant God, proclaimest with thy song the feast- Agni, who for our sweet strains moulds heroic strength when sacred oil is offered him,
23 While, served with sacrificial oil, now upward and now downward Agni moves his sword, As doth the Asura his robe.
24 The God, the Friend of man, who bears our gifts to heaven, the God with his sweet-smelling mouth,
Distributes, skilled in sacrifice, his precious things, Invoking Priest, Immortal God.
25 Son of Strength, Agni, if thou wert the mortal, bright as Mitra, I worshipped with our gifts! And I were the Immortal God
26 I would not give thee up, Vasu, to calumny, or misery, O Bounteous One.
My worshipper should feel no hunger or distress, nor, Agni, should he live in sin.
27 Like a son cherished in his father’s houi§e, let our oblation rise unto the Gods.
28 With thine immediate aid may I, excellent Agni, ever gain my wish
A mortal with a God to help.
29 O Agni, by thy wisdom, by thy bounties, by thy leading may I gather wealth. Excellent Agni, thou art called my Providence: delight thou to be liberal.
30 Agni, he conquers by thine aid that brings him store of noble heroes and great strength, Whose bond of friendship is thy choice.
31 Thy spark is black and crackling, kindled in due time, O Bounteous, it is taken up.
Thou art the dear Friend of the mighty Mornings: thou shinest in glimmerings of the night.
32 We Sobharis have come to him, for succour, who is good to help with thousand powers, The Sovran, Trasadasyu’s Friend.
33 O Agni, thou on whom all other fires depend, as branches on the parent stem,
I make the treasures of the folk, like songs, mine own, while I exalt thy sovran might.
34 The mortal whom, Adityas, ye, Guilelew, lead to the farther bank
Of all the princes, Bounteous Ones
35 Whoe’er he be, Man-ruling Kings! the Regent of the race of men-
May we, O Mitra, Varuna, and Aryaman, like him be furtherers of your law.
36 A gift of fifty female slaves hath Trasadasyu given me, Purukutsa’s son, Most liberal, kind, lord of the brave.
37 And Syava too for me led forth a strong steed at Suvastu’s ford:
A herd of three times seventy kine, good lord of gifts, he gave to me.
[08-020] HYMN XX Maruts.
1. LET none, Swift Travellers! check you: come hither, like-spirited, stay not far away, Ye benders even of what is firm.
2 Maruts, Rbhuksans, Rudras come ye with your cars strong-fellied and exceeding bright. Come, ye for whom we long, with food, to sacrifice, come ye with love to Sobbari.
3 For well we know the vigorous might of Rudra’s Sons, the Martits, who are passing strong, Swift Visnu’s band, who send the rain.,
4 Islands are bursting forth and misery is stayed: the heaven and earth are joined in one. Decked with bright rings, ye spread the broad expanses out, when ye, Self. luminous, stirred
yourselves.
5 Even things immovable shake and reel, the mountains and the forest trees at your approach, And the earth trembles as ye come.
6 To lend free course, O Maruts, to your furious rush, heaven high and higher still gives way, Where they, the Heroes mighty with their arms, display their gleaming omaments on their forms.
7 After their Godlike nature they, the bull. like Heroes, dazzling and impetuous, wear
Great splendour as they show erect.
8 The pivot of the Sobharis’ chariot within the golden box is balmed with milk. May they the Well-born, Mighty, kindred of the Cow, aid us to food and to delight.
9 Bring, ye who sprinkle balmy drops. oblations to your vigorous Marut company, To those whose leader is the Bull.
10 Come hither, O ye Mares, on your stronghorsed car, solid in look, with solid naves. Lightly like winged falcons, O ye Heroes, come, come to enjoy our ofrerings.
11 Their decoration is the same: their omaments of gold are bright upon their arms; Their lances glitter splendidly.
12 They toil not to defend their bodies from attack, strong Heroes with their mighty arms. Strong are your bows and strong the weapons in your cars, and glory sits on every face.
13 Whose name extendeth like a sea, alone, resplendent, so that all have joy in it, And life-power like ancestral might.
14 Pay honour to these Maruts and sing praise to them, for of the wheel-spokes of the car
Of these loud roarers none is last: this is their power, this moves them to give mighty gifts.
15 Blest by your favouring help was he, O Maruts, at the earlier flushings of the morn, And even now shall he be blest.
16 The strong man to whose sacrifice, O Heroes, ye approach that ye may taste thereof, With glories and with war that winneth spoil shall gain great bliss, ye Shakers of the world.
17 Even as Rudra’s Sons, the brood of the Creator Dyaus, the Asura, desire, O Youthful Ones, so shall it be:
18 And these the bounteous, worthy of the Maruts who move onward pouring down the rain- Even for their sake, O Youthful Ones, with kindest heart take us to you to be your own.
19 O Sobhari, with newest song sing out unto the youthful purifying Bulls, Even as a plougher to his steers.
20 Who, like a celebrated boxer, overcome the challengers in every fight:
They who, like shining bulls, are most illustrious-honour those Maruts with thy song.
21 Allied by common ancestry, ye Maruts, even the Cows, alike in energy, Lick, all by turns, each other’s head.
22 Even mortal man, ye Dancers breast adorned with gold, attains to brotherhood with you. Mark ye and notice us, O Maruts; evermore your friendship is secured to us.
23 O Maruts, rich in noble gifts, bring us a portion of the Maruts’ medicine, Ye Coursers who are Friends to us.
24 Haters of those who serve you not, bliss-bringers, bring us bliss with those auspicious aids
Wherewith ye are victorious and guard Sindhu well, and succour Krvi in his need.
25 Maruts, who rest on fair trimmed grass, what balm soever Sindhu or Asikni hath, Or mountains or the seas contain.
26 Ye carry on your bodies, ye who see it all: so bless us graciously therewith. Cast, Maruts, to the ground our sick man’s malady: replace the dislocated limb.