[08-061] HYMN LXI. Agni.
1. PREPARE oblation: let him come; and let the minister serve again
Who knows the ordering thereof,
2 Rejoicing in his friendship, let the priest be seated over man, Beside the shoot of active power.
3 Him, glowing bright beyond all thought, they seek among the race of man; With him for tougue they seize the food.
4 He hath inflamed the twofold plain: lifegiving, he hath climbed the wood, And with his tongue hath struck the rock.
5 Wandering here the radiant Calf finds none to fetter him, and seeks
The Mother to declare his praise.
6 And now that great and mighty team, the team of horses that are his, And traces of his car, are seen.
7 The seven milk a single cow; the two set other five to work, On the stream’s loud-resounding bank.
8 Entreated by Vivasvan’s ten, Indra cast down the water-jar
With threefold hammer from the sky.
9 Three times the newIy-kindled flame proceeds around the sacrifice: The priests anoint it with the meath.
10 With reverence they drain the fount that circles with its wheel above, Exhaustless, with the mouth below.
11 The pressing-stones are set at work: the meath is poured into the tank, At the out-shedding of the fount.
12 Ye cows, protect the fount: the two Mighty Ones bless the sacrifice. The handles twain are wrought of gold.
13 Pour on the juice the ornament which reaches both the heaven and earth
Supply the liquid to the Bull.
14 These know their own abiding-place: like calves beside the mother cows
They meet together with their kin.
15 Devouring in their greedy jaws, they make sustaining food in heaven, To Indra, Agni light and prayer.
16 The Pious One milked out rich food, sustenance dealt in portions seven, Together with the Sun’s seven rays.
17 I took some Soma when the Sun rose up, O Mitra, Varuna. That is the sick man’s medicine.
18 From where oblations must be laid, which is the Well-beloved’s home, He with his tongue hath compassed heaven.
[08-062] HYMN LXII. Asvins.
1. ROUSE ye for him who keeps the Law, yoke your steeds, Aiyins, to your car
Let your protecting help be near.
2 Come, Asvins, with your car more swift than is the twinkling of an eye
Let your protecting help be near.
3 Asvins, ye overlaid with cold the fiery pit for Atri’s sake: Let your protecting help be near.
4 Where are ye? whither are ye gone? whither, like falcons, have ye flown? Let your protecting help be near.
5 If ye at any time this day are listening to this my call, Let your protecting help be near.
6 The Asvins, fust to hear our prayer, for closest kinship I approach: Let your protecting help be near.
7 For Atri ye, O Asvins, made a dwellingplace to shield him well, Let your protecting help be near.
8 Ye warded off the fervent heat for Atri when he sweetly spake: Let your protecting help be near.
9 Erst Saptavadbri by his prayer obtained the trenchant edge of fire: Let your protecting help be near.
10 Come hither, O ye Lords of wealth, and listen to this call of mine: Let your protecting help be near.
11 What is this praise told forth of you as Elders in the ancient way?
Let your protecting help be near.
12 One common brotherhood is yours, Asvins your kindred is the same: Let your protecting help be near.
13 This is your chariot, Asvins, which speeds through the regions, earth and heaven
Let your protecting aid be near.
14 Approach ye hitherward to us with thousands both of steeds and kine: Let your protecting help be near.
15 Pass us not by, remember us with thousands both of kine aud steeds: Let your protecting help be near.
16 The purple-tinted Dawn hath risen, and true to Law hath made the light
Let your protecting help be near.
17 He looked upon the Asvins, as an axearmed man upon a tree: Let your protecting help be near.
18 By the black band encompassed round, break it down, bold one, like a fort. Let your protecting help be near.
[08-063] HYMN LXIII. Agni.
1. EXERTING all our strength with thoughts of power we glorify in speech
Agni your dear familiar Friend, the darling Guest in every home.
2 Whom, served with sacrificial oil like Mitra, men presenting gifts
Eulogize with their songs of praise
3 Much-lauded Jatavedas, him who bears oblations up to heaven
Prepared in service of the Gods.
4 To noblest Agni, Friend of man, best Vrtra-slayer, are we come, Him in whose presence Rksa’s son, mighty Srutarvan, waxes great;
5 To deathless Jatavedas, meet for praise, adored, with sacred oil, Visible through the gloom o:f night
6 Even Agni whom these priestly men worship with sacrificial gifts, With lifted ladles offering them.
7 O Agni, this our newest hymn hath been addressed from us to thee,
O cheerful Guest, well-born, most wise, worker of wonders, ne’er deceived.
8 Agni, may it be dear to thee, most grateful, and exceeding sweet: Grow mightier, eulogized therewith.
9 Splendid with splendours may it be, and in the battle with the foe
Add loftier glory to thy fame.
10 Steed, cow, a lord of heroes, bright like Indra, who shall fill the car. Whose high renown ye celebrate, and people praise each glorious deed.
11 Thou whom Gopavana made glad with song, O Agni Angiras, Hear this my call, thou Holy One.
12 Thou whom the priestly folk implore to aid the gathering of the spoil, Such be thou in the fight with foes.
13 I, called to him who reels with joy, Srutarvan, Rksa’s son, shall stroke
The heads of four presented steeds, like the long wool of fleecy rams.
14 Four coursers with a splendid car, Savistha’s horses, fleet of foot, Shall bring me to the sacred feast, as flying steeds brought Tugra’s son.
15 The very truth do I declare to thee, Parusni, mighty flood.
Waters! no man is there who gives more horses than Savistha gives.
[08-064] HYMN LXIV. Agni.
1. YOKE, Agni, as a charioteer, thy steeds who best invite the Gods: As ancient Herald seat thyself.
2 And, God, as skilfullest of all, call for us bitherward the Gods:
Give all our wishes sure effect.
3 For thou, Most Youthful, Son of Strength, thou to whom sacrifice is paid, Art holy, faithful to the Law.
4 This Agni, Lord of wealth and spoil hundredfold, thousandfold, is head
And chief of riches and a Sage.
5 As craftsmen bend the felly, so bend at our general call: come nigh, Angiras, to the sacrifice.
6 Now, O Virupa, rouse for him, Strong God who shines at early morn, Fair praise with voice that ceases not.
7 With missile of this Agni, his who looks afar, will we lay low
The thief in combat for the kine.
8 Let not the Companies of Gods fail us, like Dawns that float away, Like cows who leave the niggardly.
9 Let not the sinful tyranny of any fiercely hating foe
Smite us, as billows smite a ship.
10 O Agni, God, the people sing reverent praise to thee for strength: With terrors trouble thou the foe.
11 Wilt thou not, Agni, lend us aid in winning cattle, winning wealth? Maker of room, make room for us.
12 In this great battle cast us not aside as one who bears a load: Snatch up the wealih and win it all.
13 O Agni, let this plague pursue and fright another and not us: Make our impetuous strength more strong.
14 The reverent or unwearied man whose holy labour he accepts, Him Agni favours with success.
15 Abandoning the foeman’s host pass hither to this company: Assist the men with whom I stand.
16 As we have known thy gracious help, as of a Father, long ago, So now we pray to thee for bliss.
[08-065] HYMN LXV. Indra.
I. NOT to forsake me, I invoke this Indra girt by Maruts, Lord Of magic power who rules with might.
2 This Indra with his Marut Friends clave into pieces Vrtra’s bead
With hundred-knotted thunderbolt.
3 Indra, with Marut Friends grown strong, hath rent asunder Vrtra, and
Released the waters of the sea.
4 This is that Indra who, begirt by Maruts, won the light of heaven
That he might drink the Soma juice.
5 Mighty, impetuous, begirt by Maruts, him who loudly roars, Indra we invocate with songs.
6 Indra begirt by Maruts we invoke after the ancient plan, That he may drink the Soma juice.
7 O liberal Indra, Marut-girt, much-lauded Satakratu, drink
The Soma at this sacrifice.
8 To thee, O Indra, Marut-girt, these Soma juices, Thunderer! Are offered from the heart with lauds.
9 Drink, Indra, with thy Marut Friends, pressed Soma at the morning rites, Whetting thy thunderbolt with strength.
10 Arising in thy might, thy jaws thou shookest, Indra, having quaffed
The Soma which the mortar pressed.
11 Indra, both worlds complained to thee when uttering thy fearful roar, What time thou smotest Dasyus dead.
12 From Indra have I measured out a song eight-footed with nine parts, Delicate, faithful. to the Law.
[08-066] HYMN LXVI. Indra.
1. SCARCELY was Satakratu, born when of his Mother he inquired, Who are the mighty? Who are famed?
2. Then Savassi declared to him Aurnavabha, Ahisuva: Son, these be they thou must o’erthrow
3 The Vrtra-slayer smote them all as spokes are hammered into naves: The Dasyu-killer waxed in might.
4 Then Indra at a single draught drank the contents of thirty pails, Pails that were filled with Soma juice.
5 Indra in groundless realms of space pierced the Gandharva through, that he
Might make Brahmans’ strength increase.
6 Down from the mountains Indra shot hither his well-directed shaft: He gained the ready brew of rice.
7 One only is that shaft of thine, with thousand feathers, hundred barbs, Which, Indra, thou hast made thy friend.
8 Strong as the gbhus at thy birth, therewith to those who praise thee, men, And women, bring thou food to eat.
9 By thee these exploits were achieved, the mightiest deeds, abundantly: Firm in thy heart thou settest them.
10 All these things Visnu brought, the Lord of ample stride whom thou hadst sent- A hundred buffaloes, a brew of rice and milk: and Indra, slew the ravening boar
11 Most deadly is thy bow, successful, fashioned well: good is thine arrow, decked with gold. Warlike and well equipped thine arms are, which increase sweetness for him who drinks the sweet.
[08-067] HYMN LXVII. Indra.
1. BRING us a thousand, Indra, as our guerdon for the Soma juice: Hundreds of kine, O Hero, bring.
2 Bring cattle, bring us ornament, bring us embellishment and steeds, Give us, besides, two rings of gold.
3 And, Bold One, bring in ample store rich jewels to adorn thi; ear, For thou, Good Lord, art far renowned.
4 None other is there for the priest, Hero! but thou, to give him gifts, To win much spoil and prosper him.
5 Indra can never be brought low, Sakra can never be subdued: He heareth and beholdeth all.
6 He spieth out the wrath of man, he who can never be deceived: Ere blame can come he marketh it.
7 He hath his stomach full of might, the Vrtra-slayer, Conqueror, The Soma-drinker, ordering all.
8 In thee all treasures are combined, Soma all blessed things in thee, Uninjured, easy to bestow.
9 To thee speeds forth my hope that craves the gift of corn, and kine and gold, Yea, craving horses, speeds to thee.
10 Indra, through hope in thee alone even this sickle do I grasp.
Fill my hand, Maghavan, with all that it can hold of barley cut or gathered up.
[08-068] HYMN LXVIII. Soma.
1. THIS here is Soma, ne’er restrained, active, all-conquering bursting forth, Rsi and Sage by sapience,
2 All that is bare he covers o’er, all that is sick he medicines; The blind man sees, the cripple walks.
3 Thou, Soma, givest wide defence against the hate of alien men, Hatreds that waste and weaken us.
4 Thou by thine insight and thy skill, Impetuous One, from heaven and earth
Drivest the sinner’s enmity.
5 When to their task they come with zeal, may they obtain the Giver’s grace, And satisfy his wish who thirsts.
6 So may he find what erst was lost, so may be speed the pious man, And lengthen his remaining life.
7 Gracious, displaying tender love, unconquered, gentle in thy thoughts, Be sweet, O Soma, to our heart.
8 O Soma, terrify us not; strike us not with alarm, O King: Wound not our heart with dazzling flame.
9 When in my dwelling-place I see the wicked enemies of Gods,
King, chase their hatred far away, thou Bounteous One, dispel our foes.
[08-069] HYMN LXIX. Indra
1. O Sarakratu! truely I have made none else my Comforter. Indra; be gracious unto us.
2 Thou who hast ever aided us kindly of old to win the spoil, As such, O Indra, favour us.
3 What now? As prompter of the poor thou helpest him who sheds the juice. Wilt thou not, Indra, strengthen us?
4 O Indra, help our chariot on, yea, Thunderer, though it lag behind: Give this my car the foremost place.
5 Ho there! why sittest thou at case? Make thou my chariot to be first
And bring the fame of victory near.
6 Assist our car that seeks the prize. What can be easier for thee? So make thou us victorious.
7 Indra, be firm: a fort art thou. To thine appointed place proceeds
The auspicious hymn in season due.
8 Let not our portion be disgrace. Broad is the course, the prize is set, The barriers are opened wide.
9 This thing we wish. that thou mayst take thy fourth, thy sacrificial name. So art thou held to be our Lord.
10 Ekadyu hath exalted you, Immortals: both Goddesses and Gods hath he delighted.
Bestow upon him bounty meet for praises. May he, enriched with prayer, come soon and early.
[08-070] HYMN LXX. Indra.
1. INDRA, God of the mighty arm, gather for us with thy right hand
Manifold and nutritious spoil.
2 We know thee mighty in thy deeds, of mighty bounty, mighty wealth, Mighty in measure, prompt to aid.
3 Hero, when thou art fain to give, neither may Gods nor mortal men
Restrain thee like a fearful Bull.
4 Come, let us glorify Indra, Lord supreme of wealth, Self-ruling King: In bounty may he harm us not.
5 Let prelude sound and following chant so let him hear the Saman sung, And with his bounty answer us.
6 O Indra, with thy right hand bring, and with thy left remember us. Let us not lose our share of wealth.
7 Come nigh, O Bold One, boldly bring hither the riches of the churl
Who giveth least of all the folk.
8 Indra, the booty which thou hast with holy singers to receive, Even that booty win with us.
9 Indra, thy swiftly-coming spoil, the booty which rejoices all, Sounds quick in concert with our hopes.
[08-071] HYMN LXXI. Indra.
1. HASTE forward to us from afar, or, Vrtra-slayer, from anear, To meet the offering to the meath.
2 Strong are the Soma-draughts; come nigh: the juices fill thee with delight: Drink boldly even as thou art wont’.
3 Joy, Indra, in the strengthening food et it content thy wish and thought, And be delightful to thine heart.
4 Come to us thou who hast no foe: we call thee down to hymns of praise, In heaven’s sublimest realm of light.
5 This Soma here expressed with stones and dressed with milk for thy carouse, Indra, is offered up to thee.
6 Graciously, Indra, hear my call. Come and obtain the draught, and sate
Thyself with juices blent with milk.
7 The Soma, Indra, which is shed in chalices and vats for thee, Drink thou, for thou art Lord thereof.
8 The Soma seen within themats, as in the flood the Moon is seen, Drink thou, for thou art Lord thereof.
9 That which the Hawk brought in his claw, inviolate, through the air to thee, Drink thou, for thou art Lord thereof.
[08-072] HYMN LXXII. Visvedevas.
1. WE choose unto ourselves that high protection of the Mighty Gods
That it may help and succour us.
2 May they be ever our allies, Varuna, Mitra, Aryaman, Far-seeing Gods who prosper us.
3 Ye furtherers of holy Law, transport us safe o’er many woes, As over water-floods in ships.
4 Dear wealth be Aryaman to us, Varuna dear wealth meet for praise: Dear wealth we choose unto ourselves.
5 For Sovrans of dear wealth are ye, Adityas, not of sinner’s wealth, Ye sapient Gods who slay the foe.
6 We in our homes, ye Baunteous Ones, and while we journey on the road, Invoke you, Gods, to prosper us.
7 Regard us, Indra, Visnu, here, ye Asvins and the Marut host, Us who are kith and kin to you.
8 Ye Bounteous Ones, from time of old we here set forth our brotherhood,
Our kinship in. the Mother’s womb.
9 Then come with Indra for your chief, as early day, ye Bounteous Gods
Yea, 1 address you now for this.
[08-073] HYMN LXXIII. Agni.
1. AGNI, your dearest Guest, I laud, him who is loving as a friend, Who brings us riches like a car.
2 Whom as a far-foreseeing Sage the Gods have, from the olden time, Established among mortal men.
3 Do thou, Most Youthful God, protect the men who offer, hear their songs, And of thyself preserve their seed.
4 What is the praise wherewith, O God, Afigiras, Agni, Son of Strength, We, after thine own wish and thought,
5 May serve thee, O thou Child of Power, and with what sacrifice’s plan? What prayer shall I now speak to thee?
6 Our God, make all of us to dwell in happy habitations, and
Reward our songs with spoil and wealth.
7 Lord of the house, what plenty fills the songs which thou inspirest now, Thou whose hymn helps to win the kine?
8 Hirn Wise and Strong they glorify, the foremost Champion in the fray, And mighty in his dwelling-place.
9 Agni, he dwells in rest and peace who smites and no one smites again: With hero sons he prospers well.
[08-074] HYMN LXXIV. Asvins.
1. To this mine invocation, O ye Asvins, ye Nasatyas, come, To drink the savoury Soma juice.
2 This laud of mine, ye Asvins Twain, and this mine invitation hear, To drink the savoury Soma juice.
3 Here Krsna is invoking you, O Asvins, Lords of ample wealth. To drink the savoury Soma juice.
4 List, Heroes, to the singer’s call, the call of Krsna lauding you, To drink the savoury Soma juice.
5 Chiefs, to the sage who sings your praise grant an inviolable home, To drink the savoury Soma juice.
6 Come to the worshipper’s abode, Asvins, who here is lauding you, To drink the savoury Soma juice.
7 Yoke to the firmly jointed car the ass which draws you, Lords of wealth. To drink the savoury Soma juice.
8 Come hither, Asvins, on your car of triple form with triple seat, To drink the savoury Soma juice.
9 O Asvins, O Nasatyas, now accept with favouring grace my songs, To drink the savoury Soma juice.
[08-075] HYMN LXXV. Asvins.
1. YE Twain are wondrous strong, well-skilled in arts that heal, both bringers of delight, ye both won
Daksa’s praise.
Visvaka calls on you as such to save his life. Break ye not off our friendship, come and set me free.
2 How shall he praise you now who is distraught in mind? Ye Twain give wisdom for the gainof what is good.
Visvaka calls on you as such to save his life. Break ye not off our friendship, come and set me free.
3 Already have ye Twain, possessors of great wealth, prospered Visnapu thus for gain of what is good.
Visvaka calls on you as such to save his life. Break ye not off our friendship, come and set me free.
4 And that Impetuous Hero, winner of the spoil, though he is far away, we call to succour us, Whose gracious favour, like a father’s, is most sweet. Break ye not off our friendship, come and set
me free.
5 About the holy Law toils Savitar the God the horn of holy Law hath he spread far and wide.
The holy Law hath quelled even mighty men of war. Break ye not off our ftiendship, come and act me free.
[08-076] HYMN LXXVI. Asvins.
1. SPLENDID, O Asvins, is your praise. Come fountain-like, to pour the stream.
Of the sweet juice effused-dear is it, Chiefs, in heaven-drink like two wild bulls at a pool.
2 Drink the libation rich in sweets, O Asvins Twain: sit. Heroes, on the sacred grass. Do ye with joyful heart in the abode of man preserve his life by means of wealth.
3 The Priyamedhas bid you come with all the succours that are yours.
Come to his house whose holy grass is trimmed, to dear sacrifice at the morning rites.
4 Drink ye the Soma rich in meath, ye Asvins Twain: sit gladly on the sacred grass. So, waxen mighty, to our eulogy from heaven come ye as wild-bulls to the pool.
5 Come to us, O ye Asvins, now with steeds of many a varied hue,
Ye Lords of splendour, wondrous, borne on paths of gold, drink Soma, ye who strengthen Law.
6 For we the priestly singers, fain tohymn your praise, invoke you for the gain of strength.
So, wondrous, fair, and famed for great deeds come to us, through our hymn, Asvins, when ye hear.
[08-077] HYMN LXXVII. Indra.
1. As cows low to their calves in stalls, so with our songs we glorify
This Indra, even your Wondrous God who checks attack, who joys in the delicious juice.
2 Celestial, bounteous Giver, girt about with might, rich, mountain-like, in precious things, Him swift we seek. for foodful booty rich in kine, brought hundredfold and thousandfold.
3 Indra, the strong and lofty hills are powerless to bar thy way.
None stay that act of thine when thou wouldst fain give wealth to one like me who sings thy praise.
4 A Warrior thou by strength, wisdom, and wondrous deed, in might excellest all that is. Hither may this our hymn attract thee to our help, the hymn which Gotamas have made.
5 For in thy might thou stretchest out beyond the boundaries of heaven.
The earthly region, Indra, comprehends thee not. After thy Godhead hast thou waxed.
6 When, Maghavan, thou honourest the worshipper, no one is there to stay thy wealth. Most liberal Giver thou, do thou inspire our song of praise, that we may win the spoil.
[08-078] HYMN LXXVIII. Indra.
1. To Indra sing the lofty hymn, Maruts that slays the Vrtras best.
Whereby the Holy Ones created for the God the light divine that ever wakes.
2 Indra who quells the curse blew curses far away, and then in splendour came to us. Indra, refulgent with thy Marut host! the Gods strove eagerly to win thy love.
3 Sing to your lofty Indra, sing, Maruts, a holy hymn of praise.
Let Satakratu, Vrtra-slayer, kill the foe with hundred-knotted thunderbolt.
4 Aim and fetch boldly forth, O thou whose heart is bold: great glory will be thine thereby. In rapid torrent let the mother waters spread. Slay Vrtra, win the light of heaven.
5 When thou, unequalled Maghavan, wast born to smite the Vrtras dead,
Thou spreadest out the spacious earth and didst support and prop the heavens.
6 Theri was the sacrifice produced for thee, the laud, and song of joy, Thou in thy might surpassest all, all that now is and yet shall be.
7 Raw kine thou filledst with ripe milk. Thou madest Surya rise to heaven.,
Heat him as milk is heated with pure Sama hymns, great joy to him who loves the song.
[08-079] HYMN LXXIX. Indra.
1. MAY Indra, who in every fight must be invoked, be near to us.
May the most mighty Vrtra-slayer, meet for praise, come to libations and to hymns.
2 Thou art the best of all in sending bounteous gifts, true art thou, lordly in thine act. We claim alliance with the very Glorious One, yea, with the Mighty Son of Strength.
3 Prayers unsurpassed are offered up to thee the Lover of the Song.
Indra, Lord of Bay Steeds, accept these fitting hymns, hymns which we have thought out for thee.
4 For thou, O Maghavan, art truthful, ne’er subdued and bringest many a Vrtra low. As such, O Mightiest Lord, Wielder of Thunder, send wealth hither to the worshipper.
5 O Indra, thou art far-renowned, impetuous, O Lord of Strength.
Alone thou slayest with the guardian of mankind resistless never-conquered foes.
6 As such we seek thee now, O Asura, thee most wise, craving thy bounty as our share. Thy sheltering defence is like a mighty cloak. So may thy glories reach to us.
[08-080] HYMN LXXX. Indra.
1. DOWN to the stream a maiden came, and found the Soma by the way.
Bearing it to her home she said, For Indra will I press thee out, for Sakra will I press thee out.
2 Thou roaming yonder, little man, beholding every house in turn,
Drink thou this Soma pressed with teeth, accompanied with grain and curds, with cake of meal and song of praise.
3 Fain would we learn to know thee well, nor yet can we attain to thee. Still slowly and in gradual drops, O Indu, unto Indra flow.
4 Will he not help and work for us? Will he not make us wealthier? Shall we not, hostile to our lord, unite ourselves to Indra now?
5 O Indra, cause to sprout again three places, these which I declare,- My father’s head, his cultured field, and this the part below my waist.
6 Make all of these grow crops of hair, you cultivated field of ours, My body, and my father’s head.
7 Cleansing Apala, Indra! thrice, thou gavest sunlike skin to her, Drawn, Satakratu! through the hole of car, of wagon, and of yoke.