{
  "meta": {
    "schema_version": "1.1",
    "endpoint": "/api/sources/rig-veda/06-book-6.json"
  },
  "work": {
    "slug": "rig-veda",
    "name": "Rig Veda"
  },
  "parents": [],
  "chapter": {
    "num": 6,
    "slug": "06-book-6",
    "title": "Maṇḍala 6",
    "of": 10,
    "words": 23043,
    "text": "## Book 6\n\n\nRIG VEDA BOOK SIX\n\nSanskrit \nRig Veda Index \nHinduism Index \npublic-domain archive Index \nPrevious \nNext \n\n### RIG VEDA - BOOK THE SIXTH\n\n#### HYMN I. Agni.\n\n1. THOU, first inventor of this prayer, O Agni, Worker of Marvels, hast become our Herald.\n\nThou, Bull, hast made us strength which none may conquer, strength that shall overcome all other prowess.\n\n2 As Priest thou sattest at the seat of worship, furthering us, best Offerer, meet for honour.\n\nSo first to thee have pious men resorted, turning thy mind to thoughts of ample riches.\n\n3 In thee, still watching, they have followed riches, who goest with much wealth as with an army,\n\nThe radiant Agni, lofty, fair to look on, worshipped with marrow, evermore resplendent.\n\n4 They who approached the God's abode with homage, eager for glory, won them perfect glory:\n\nYea, they gained even sacrificial titles, and found delight in thine auspicious aspect.\n\n5 On earth the people magnify thee greatly, thee their celestial and terrestrial riches.\n\nThou, Helper, must be known as our Preserver, Father and Mother of mankind for ever.\n\n6 Dear priest among mankind, adorable Agni hath seated him, joy-giver, skilled in worship.\n\nLet us approach thee shining in thy dwelling, kneeling upon our knees, with adoration.\n\n7 Longing for bliss, pure-minded, God-devoted, Agni, we seek thee, such, meet to be lauded.\n\nThou, Agni, leddest forth our men to battle, refulgent with the heaven's exalted splendour.\n\n8 Sage of mankind, all peoples' Lord and Master, the Bull of men, the sender down of blessings,\n\nStill pressing on, promoting, purifying, Agni the Holy One, the Lord of riches.\n\n9 Agni, the mortal who hath toiled and worshipped, brought thee oblations with his kindled fuel,\n\nAnd well knows sacrifice with adoration, gains every joy with thee to guard and help him.\n\n10 Mightily let us worship thee the Mighty, with reverence, Agni! fuel and oblations,\n\nWith songs, O Son of Strength, with hymns, with altar: so may we strive for thine auspicious favour.\n\n11 Thou who hast covered heaven and earth with splendour and with thy glories, glorious and triumphant.\n\nContinue thou to shine on us, O Agni, with strength abundant, rich, and long enduring.\n\n12 Vouchsafe us ever, as man needs, O Vasu, abundant wealth of kine for son and offspring.\n\nFood noble, plenteous, far from sin and evil, he with us, and fair fame to make us happy.\n\n13 May I obtain much wealth in many places by love of thee and through thy grace, King Agni;\n\nFor in thee Bounteous One, in thee the Sovran, Agni, are many boons for him who serves thee.\n\n#### HYMN II. Agni.\n\n1. THOU, Agni, even as Mitra, hast a princely glory of thine own.\n\nThou, active Vasu, makest fame increase like full prosperity.\n\n2 For, verily, men pray to thee with sacrifices and with songs.\n\nTo thee the Friendly Courser, seen of all, comes speeding through the air.\n\n3 Of one accord men kindle thee Heaven's signal of the sacrifice,\n\nWhen, craving bliss, this race of man invites thee to the solemn rite.\n\n4 Let the man thrive who travails sore, in prayer, far thee the Bountiful.\n\nHe with the help of lofty Dyaus comes safe through straits of enmity.\n\n5 The mortal who with fuel lights thy flame and offers unto thee,\n\nSupports a house with many a branch, Agni, to live a hundred years.\n\n6 Thy bright smoke lifts itself aloft, and far-extended shines in heaven.\n\nFor, Purifier! like the Sun thou beamest with thy radiant glow.\n\n7 For in men's houses thou must be glorified as a well-loved guest,\n\nGay like an elder in a fort, claiming protection like a son.\n\n8 Thou, Agni, like an able steed, art urged by wisdom in the wood.\n\nThou art like wind; food, home art thou, like a young horse that runs astray.\n\n9 E'en things imperishable, thou, O Agni, like a gazing ox,\n\nEatest, when hosts, Eternal One! of thee the Mighty rend the woods.\n\n10 Agni, thou enterest as Priest the home of men who sacrifice.\n\nLord of the people, prosper them. Accept the ofrering, Angiras!\n\n11 O Agni, God with Mitra's might, call hither the favour of the Gods from earth and heaven.\n\nBring weal from heaven, that men may dwell securely. May we o'ercome the foe's malign oppressions, may we o'ercome them, through thy help o'ercome them.\n\n#### HYMN III. Agni.\n\n1. TRUE, guardian of the Law, thy faithful servant wins ample light and dwells in peace, O Agni,\n\nWhom thou, as Varuna in accord with Mitra, guardest, O God, by banishing his trouble.\n\n2 He hath paid sacrifices, toiled in worship, and offered gifts to wealth-increasing Agni.\n\nHim the displeasure of the famous moves not, outrage and scorn affect not such a mortal.\n\n3 Bright God, whose look is free from stain like Surya's, thou, swift, what time thou earnestly desirest,\n\nHast gear to give us. Come with joy at evening, where, Child of Wood, thou mayest also tarry.\n\n4 Fierce is his gait and vast his wondrous body: he champeth like a horse with bit and bridle,\n\nAnd, darting forth his tongue, as 'twere a hatchet, burning the woods, smelteth them like a smelter.\n\n5 Archer-like, fain toshoot, he sets his arrow, and whets his splendour like the edge of iron:\n\nThe messenger of night with brilliant pathway, like a tree-roosting bird of rapid pinion.\n\n6 In beams of morn he clothes him like the singer, and bright as Mitra with his splendour crackles.\n\nRed in the night, by day the men's possession: red, he belongs to men by day, Immortal.\n\n7 Like Heaven's when scattering beams his voice was uttered: among the plants the radiant Hero shouted,\n\nWho with his glow in rapid course came hither to fill both worlds, well-wedded Dames, with treasure.\n\n8 Who, with supporting streams and rays that suit him, hath flashed like lightning with his native vigour.\n\nLike the deft Maker of the band of Maruts, the bright impetuous One hath shone refulgent.\n\n#### HYMN IV Agni.\n\n1. As at man's service of the Gods, Invoker, thou, Son of Strength, dost sacrifice and worship,\n\nSo bring for us to-day all Gods together, bring willingly the willing Gods, O Agni.\n\n2 May Agni, radiant Herald of the morning, meet to be known, accept our praise with favour.\n\nDear to all life, mid mortal men Immortal, our guest, awake at dawn, is Jatavedas.\n\n3 Whose might the very heavens regard with wonder: bright as the Sun he clothes himself with lustre.\n\nHe who sends forth,, Eternal Purifier, hath shattered e'en the ancient works of Asna.\n\n4 Thou art a Singer, Son! our feast-companion: Agni at birth prepared his food and pathway.\n\nTherefore vouchsafe us strength, O Strength-bestower. Win like a King: foes trouble not thy dwelling.\n\n5 Even he who cats his firm hard food with swiftness,and overtakes the nights as Vayu kingdoms.\n\nMay we o'ercome those who resist thine orders, like a steed casting down the flying foemen.\n\n6 Like Surya with his fulgent rays, O Agni, thou overspreadest both the worlds with splendour.\n\nDecked with bright colour he dispels the darkness, like Ausija, with clear flame swifily flying.\n\n7 We have elected thee as most delightful for thy beams' glow: hear our great laud, O Agni.\n\nThe best men praise thee as the peer of Indra in strength, mid Gods, like Viyu in thy bounty.\n\n8 Now, Agni, on the tranquil paths of riches come to us for our weal: save us from sorrow.\n\nGrant chiefs and bard this boon. May we live happy, with hero children, through a hundred winters.\n\n#### HYMN V. Agni.\n\n1. I INVOCATE your Son of Strength, the Youthful, with hymns, the Youngest God, whose speech is guileless;\n\nSage who sends wealth comprising every treasure, bringer of many boons, devoid of malice.\n\n2 At eve and morn thy pious servants bring thee their precious gifts, O Priest of many aspects,\n\nOn whom, the Purifier, all things living as on firm. ground their happiness have stablished.\n\n3 Thou from of old hast dwelt among these people, by mental power the charioteer of blessings.\n\nHence sendest thou, O sapient Jatavedas, to him who serves thee treasures in succession.\n\n4 Agni, whoever secretly attacks us, the neighbour, thou with Mitra's might! who harms us,\n\nBurn him with thine own Steers for ever youthful, burning with burning heat, thou fiercest burner.\n\n5 He who serves thee with sacrifice and fuel, with hymn, O Son of Strength, and chanted praises,\n\nShines out, Immortal! in the midst of mortals, a sage, with wealth, with splendour and with glory.\n\n6 Do this, O Agni, when we urge thee, quickly, triumphant in thy might subdue our foemen.\n\nWhen thou art praised with words and decked with brightness, accept this chanted hymn, the singer's worship.\n\n7 Help us, that we may gain this wish, O Agni, gain riches, Wealthy One! with store of heroes.\n\nDesiring strength from thee may we be strengthened, and win, Eternal! thine eternal glory.\n\n#### HYMN VI. Agni.\n\n1. HE who seeks furtherance and grace to help him goes to the Son of Strength with newest worship,\n\nCalling the heavenly Priest to share the banquet, who rends the wood, bright, with his blackened pathway.\n\n2 White-hued and thundering he dwells in splendour, Most Youthful, with the loudvoiced and eternal-\n\nAgni, most variform, the Purifier, who follows crunching many ample forests.\n\n3 Incited by the wind thy flames, O Agni, move onward, Pure One! pure, in all directions.\n\nThy most destructive heavenly Navagvas break the woods down and devastate them boldly.\n\n4 Thy pure white horses from their bonds are loosened: O Radiant One, they shear the ground beneath them,\n\nAnd far and wide shines out thy flame, and flickers rapidly moving over earth's high ridges.\n\n5 Forth darts the Bull's tongue like the sharp stone weapon discharged by him who fights to win the cattle.\n\nAgni's fierce flame is like a hero's onset: dread and resistless he destroys the forests.\n\n6 Thou with the sunlight of the great Impeller hast boldly over-spread the earth's expanses.\n\nSo drive away with conquering might all perils. fighting out foemen burn up those who harm us.\n\n7 Wondrous! of wondrous power! give to the singer wealth wondrous, marked, most wonderful, life-giving.\n\nWealth bright, O Bright One, vast, with many heroes, give with thy bright flames to the man who lauds thee.\n\n#### HYMN VII. Agni.\n\n1. Him, messenger of earth and head of heaven, Agni Vaisvanara, born in holy Order,\n\nThe Sage, the King, the guest of men, a vessel fit for their mouths, the Gods have generated.\n\n2 Him have they praised, mid-point of sacrifices, great cistern of libations, seat of riches.\n\nVaisvanara, conveyer of oblations, ensign of worship, have the Gods engendered.\n\n3 From thee, O Agni, springs the mighty singer, from thee come heroes who subdue the foeman.\n\nO King, Vaisvanara, bestow thou on us excellent treasures worthy to belonged fo r.\n\n4 To thee, Immortal! when to life thou springest, all the Gods sing for joy as to their infant.\n\nThey by thy mental powers were made immortal, Vaisvanara, when thou shonest from thy Parents.\n\n5 Agni Vaisvanara, no one hath ever resisted these thy mighty ordinances,\n\nWhen thou, arising from thy Parents' bosom, foundest the light for days' appointed courses.\n\n6 The summits of the heaven are traversed through and through by the Immortal's light, Vaisvanara's brilliancy.\n\nAll creatures in existence rest upon his head. The Seven swift-flowing Streams have grown like branches forth,\n\n7 Vaisvanara, who measured out the realms of air, Sage very wise who made the lucid spheres of heaven,\n\nThe Undeceivable who spread out all the worlds, keeper is he and guard of immortality.\n\n#### HYMN VIII. Agni.\n\n1. AT Jatavedas' holy gathering I will tell aloud the conquering might of the swift red-hued Steer.\n\nA pure and fresher hymn flows to Vaisvanara, even as for Agni lovely Soma is made pure.\n\n2 That Agni, when in loftiest heaven he sprang to life, Guardian of Holy Laws, kept and observed them well.\n\nExceeding wise, he measured out the firmament. Vaisvanara attained to heaven by mightiness.\n\n3 Wonderful Mitra propped the heaven and earth apart, and covered and concealed\n\nthe darkness with his light.\n\nHe made the two bowls part asunder like two skins. Vaisvanara put forth all his creative power.\n\n4 The Migbty seized him in the bosom of the floods: the people waited on the King who should be praised.\n\nAs envoy of Vivasvan MatariSvan brought Agni Vaisvanara hither from far away.\n\n5 In every age bestow upon the singers wealth, worthy of holy synods, glorious, ever new.\n\nKing, undecaying, as it were with sharpened bolt, smite down the sinner like a tree with lightning-flash.\n\n6 Do thou bestow, O Agni, on our wealthy chiefs, rule, with good heroes, undecaying, bending not.\n\nSo may we win for us strength. O Vaisvanara, hundredfold, thousandfold, O Agni, by thy help.\n\n7 O thou who dwellest in three places, Helper, keep with effective guards our princely patrons.\n\nKeep our band, Agni, who have brought thee presents. Lengthen their lives, Vaisvanara, when lauded.\n\n#### HYMN IX. Agni.\n\n1. ONE half of day is dark, and bright the other: both atmospheres move on by sage devices.\n\nAgni Vaisvanara, when born as Sovran, hath with his lustre overcome the darkness.\n\n2 I know not either warp or woof, I know not the web they weave when moving to the contest.\n\nWhose son shall here speak words that must be spoken without assistance from the Father near him?\n\n3 For both the warp and woof he understandeth, and in due time shall speak what should be spoken,\n\nWho knoweth as the immortal world's Protector, descending, seeing with no aid from other.\n\n4 He is the Priest, the first of all: behold him. Mid mortal men he is the light immortal.\n\nHere was he born, firm-seated in his station Immortal, ever waxing in his body.\n\n5 A firm light hath been set for men to look on: among all things that fly the mind is swiftest.\n\nAll Gods of one accord, with one intention, move unobstructed to a single purpose.\n\n6 Mine ears unclose to hear, mine eye to see him; the light that harbours in my spirit broadens.\n\nFar roams my mind whose thoughts are in the distance. What shall I speak, what shall I now imagine?\n\n7 All the Gods bowed them down in fear before thee, Agni, when thou wast dwelling in the darkness.\n\nVaisvanara be gracious to assist us, may the Immortal favour us and help us.\n\n#### HYMN X. Agni.\n\n1. INSTALL at sacrifice, while the rite advances, your pleasant, heavenly Agni, meet for praises.\n\nWith hymns-for he illumines us-install him. He, Jatavedas, makes our rites successful.\n\n2 Hear this laud, Radiant Priest of many aspects, O Agni with the fires of man enkindled,\n\nLaud which bards send forth pure as sacred butter, strength to this man, as 'twere for self-advantage.\n\n3 Mid mortal men that singer thrives in glory who offers gifts with hymns of praise to Agni,\n\nAnd the God, wondrous bright, with wondrous succours helps him to win a stable filled with cattle.\n\n4 He, at his birth, whose path is black behind him, filled heaven and earth with far-apparent splendour:\n\nAnd he himself hath been. through night's thick darkness, made manifest by light, the Purifier.\n\n5 With thy most mighty aid, confer, O Agni, wonderful wealth on us and on our princes,\n\nWho stand preeminent, surpassing others in liberal gifts, in fame, and hero virtues.\n\n6 Agni, accept this sacrifice with gladness, which, seated here, the worshipper presenteth.\n\nFair hymns hadst thou among the Bharadvajas, and holpest them to gain abundant vigour.\n\n7 Scatter our foes, increase our store. May we he glad a hundred winters with brave sons.\n\n#### HYMN XI. Agni.\n\n1. EAGERLY Sacrifice thou, most skilful, Agni! Priest, pressing on as if the Maruts sent thee.\n\nTo our oblation bring the two Nasatyas, Mitra and Varuna and Earth and Heaven.\n\n2 Thou art our guileless, most delightful Herald, the God, among mankind, of holy synods.\n\nA Priest with purifying tongue, O Agni, sacrifice with thy mouth to thine own body.\n\n3 For even the blessed longing that is in thee would bring the Gods down to the singer's worship,\n\nWhen the Angirases' sagest Sage, the Poet, sings the sweet measure at the solemn service.\n\n4 Bright hath he beamed, the wise, the far-refulgent. Worship the two widespreading Worlds, O Agni,\n\nWhom as the Living One rich in oblations the Five Tribes, bringing gifts, adorn with homage.\n\n5 When I with reverence clip the grass for Agni, when the trimmed ladle, fullof oil, is lifted,\n\nFirm on the seat of earth is based the altar: eye-like, the sacrifice is directed Sun-ward.\n\n6 Enrich us, O thou Priest of many aspects, with the Gods, Agni, with thy fires, enkindled.\n\nO Son of Strength, clad in the robe of riches, may we escape from woe as from\n\na prison.\n\n#### HYMN XII. Agni.\n\n1. KING of trimmed grass, Herald within the dwelling, may Agni worship the Impeller's World-halves.\n\nHe, Son of Strength, the Holy, from a distance hath spread himself abroad with light like Surya.\n\n2 In thee, most wise, shall Dyaus, for full perfection, King! Holy One! pronounce the call to worship.\n\nFound in three places, like the Speeder's footstep, come to present men's riches as oblations!\n\n3 Whose blaze most splendid, sovran in the forest, shines waxing on his way like the - Impeller.\n\nHe knows himself, like as a guileless smelter, not to be stayed among the plants, Immortal.\n\n4 Our friends extol him like a steed for vigour even Agni in the dwelling, jatave~as.\n\nTrce-fed, he fights with power as doth a champion, like Dawn's Sire to be praised with sacrifices.\n\n5 Men wonder at his shining glows when, paring the woods with case, o'er the broad earth he goeth,\n\nAnd, like a rushing flood, loosed quickly, burneth, swift as a guilty thief, o'er desert places.\n\n6 So mighty thou protectest us from slander, O Champion, Agni! with all fires enkindled.\n\nBring opulence and drive away affliction. May brave sons gladden us through a hundred winters.\n\n#### HYMN XIII. Agni.\n\n1. FROM thee, as branches from a tree, O Agni, from thee, Auspicious God! spring all our blessings-\n\nWealth swiftly, strength in battle with our foemen, the rain besought of heaven, the flow of waters.\n\n2 Thou art our Bhaga to send wealth thou dwellest, like circumambient air, with wondrous splendour.\n\nFriend art thou of the lofty Law, like Mitra, Controller, Agni! God! of many a blessing.\n\n3 Agni! the hero slays with might his foeman; the singer bears away the Pani's booty-\n\nEven he whom thou, Sage, born in Law, incitest by wealth, accordant with the Child of Waters.\n\n4 The man who, Son of Strength 1 with sacrifices, hymns, lauds, attracts thy fervour to the altar,\n\nEnjoys each precious thing, O God, O Agni, gains wealth of corn and is the lord of treasures.\n\n5 Grant, Son of Strength, to men for their subsistence such things as bring high fame and hero children.\n\nFor thou with might givest much food in cattle even to the wicked wolf when he is hungry.\n\n6 Eloquent, Son of Strength, Most Mighty, Agni, vouchsafe us seed and offspring, full of vigour.\n\nMay I by all my songs obtain abundance. May brave sons gladden us through a hundred winters.\n\n#### HYMN XIV. Agni.\n\n1. WHOSO to Agni hath endeared his thought and service by his hymns,\n\nThat mortal cats before the rest, and finds sufficiency of food.\n\n2 Agni, in truth, is passing wise, most skilled in ordering, a Seer.\n\nAt sacrifices Manus' sons glorify Agni as their Priest.\n\n3 The foeman's wealth in many a place, Agni, is emulous to help.\n\nMen fight the fiend, and seek by rites to overcome the riteless foe.\n\n4 Agni bestows the hero chief, winner of waters, firm in fray.\n\nSoon as they look upon his might his enemies tremble in alarm.\n\n5 For with his wisdom Agni, God, protects the mortal from reproach,\n\nWhose conquering wealth is never checked, is never checked in deeds of might.\n\n6 O Agni, God with Mitra's might call hither the favour of the Gods from earth and heaven.\n\nBring weal from heaven that men may dwell securely. May we o'ercome the foe's malign oppressions, may we o'ercome them, through thy help o'ercome them.\n\n#### HYMN XV. Agni.\n\n1. WITH this my song I strive to reach this guest of yours, who wakes at early morn, the Lord of all the tribes.\n\nEach time he comes from heaven, the Pure One from of old: from ancient days the Child cats everlasting food.\n\n2 Whom, well-dis sed, the Blirgus stablished as a rriend, whom men must glorify, high-flaming in the wood.\n\nAs such, most friendly, thou art every day extolled in lauds by Vitahavya, O thou wondrous God.\n\n3 Be thou the foeless helper of the skilful man, subduer of the enemy near or far away.\n\nBestow a wealthy home on men, O Son of Strength. Give Vitahavya riches spreading far and wide, give Bharadvaja wide-spread wealth.\n\n4 Him, your refulgent guest, Agni who comes from heaven, the Herald of mankind, well-skilled in sacred rites,\n\nWho, like a holy singer, utters heavenly words, oblation-bearer, envoy, God, I seek with hymns.\n\n5 Who with his purifying, eye-attracting form hath shone upon the earth as with the light of Dawn;\n\nWho speeding on, as in the fight of Etaia, cometh, untouched by age, as one athirst in heat.\n\n6 Worship ye Agni, Agni, with your log of wood; praise your beloved, your beloved guest with songs.\n\nInvite ye the Immortal hither with your hymns. A God among the Gods, he loveth what is choice, loveth our service, God mid Gods.\n\n7 Agni inflamed with fuel in my song I sing, pure, Cleanser, steadlast, set in tront at sacrifice.\n\nWise Jatavedas we implore with prayers for bliss the Priest, the holy Singer, bounteous, void of guile.\n\n8 Men, Agni, in each age have made thee, Deathiess One, their envoy, offering-bearer, guard adorable.\n\nWith reverence Gods and mortals have established thee, the ever-watchful, omnipresent Household Lord.\n\n9 Thou, Agni, ordering the works and ways of both, as envoy of the Gods traversest both the worlds.\n\nWhen we lay claim to thy regard and gracious fare, be thou to us a thriceprotecting friendly guard.\n\n10 Him fair of face, rapid, and fair to look on, him very wise may we who know not follow.\n\nLet him who knows all rules invite for worship, Agru announce our offering to the Immortals.\n\n11 Him, Agni, thou deliverest and savest who brings him prayer to thee the Wise, O Hero,\n\nThe end of sacrifice or its inception; yea, thou endowest him with power and riches.\n\n12 Guard us from him who would assail us, Agni; preserve us, O thou Victor, from dishonour.\n\nHere let the place of darkening come upon thee: may wealth be ours, desirable in thousands.\n\n13 Agni, the Priest, is King, Lord of the homestead, he, Jatayedas, knows all generations.\n\nMost skilful worshipper mid Gods and mortals, may he begin the sacrifice, the Holy.\n\n14 Whate'er to-day thou, bright-flamed Priest, enjoyest from the man's rite-for thou art sacrificer-\n\nWorship, for duly dost thou spread in greatness: bear off thine ofrerings of to-day, Most Youthful.\n\n15 Look thou upon the viands duly laid for thee. Fain would he set thee here to worship Heaven and,Earth.\n\nHelp us, O liberal Agni, in the strife for spoil, so that we may o'ercome all things that trouble us, o'ercome, o'ercome them with thy help.\n\n16 Together with all Gods, O fair-faced Agni, be seated first upon the woollined altar,\n\nNest-like, bedewed with oil. Bear this our worship to Savitar who sacrifices rightly.\n\n17 Here the arranging priests, as did Atharvan, rub this Agni forth,\n\nWhom, not bewildered, as he moved in winding ways, they brought from gloom.\n\n18 For the Gods' banquet be thou born, for full perfection and for weal.\n\nBring the Immortal Gods who strengthen holy Law: so let our sacrifice reach the Gods.\n\n19 O Agni, Lord and Master of men's homesteads, with kindled fuel we have made thee mighty.\n\nLet not our household gear be found defective. Sharpen us with thy penetrating splendour.\n\n#### HYMN XVI. Agni.\n\n1. PRIEST of all sacrifices hast thou been appointed by the Gods,\n\nAgni, amid the race of man.\n\n2 So with thy joyous tongues for us sacrifice nobly in this rite.\n\nBring thou the Gods and worship them.\n\n3 For well, O God, Disposer, thou knowest, straight on, the paths and ways,\n\nAgni, most wise in sacrifice.\n\n4 Thee, too, hath Bharata of old, with mighty men, implored for bliss.\n\nAnd worshipped thee the worshipful.\n\n5 Thou givest these abundant boons to Divodasa pouring forth,\n\nTo Bharadvaja offering gifts.\n\n6 Do thou, Immortal Messenger, bring hither the Celestial Folk;\n\nHearing the singer's eulogy.\n\n7 Mortals with pious thought implore thee, Agni, God, at holy rites,\n\nTo come unto the feast of Gods.\n\n8 I glorify thine aspect and the might of thee the Bountilul.\n\nAll those who love shall joy in thee,\n\n9 Invoker placed by Manus, thou, Agni, art near, the wisest Priest:\n\nPay worship to the Tribes of Heaven.\n\n10 Come, Agni, lauded, to the feast; come to the offering of the gifts.\n\nAs Priest be seated on the grass.\n\n11 So, Angiras, we make thee strong with fuel and with holy oil.\n\nBlaze high, thou youngest of the Gods.\n\n12 For us thou winnest, Agni, God, heroic strength exceeding great,\n\nFar-spreading and of high renown.\n\n13 Agni, Atharvan brought thee forth, by rubbing, from the lotus-flower,\n\nThe head of Visva, of the Priest.\n\n14 Thee. Vrtra's slayer, breaker down of castles, hath Atharvan's son,\n\nDadhyac the Rsi, lighted up.\n\n15 The hero Pathya kindled thee the Dasyus'. most destructive foe,\n\nWinner of spoil in every fight.\n\n16 Come, here, O Agni, will I sing verily other songs to thee,\n\nAnd with these drops shalt thou grow strong.\n\n17 Where'er tby mind applies itself, vigour preeminent bast thou:\n\nThere wilt thou gain a dwelling-place.\n\n18 Not for a moment only lasts thy bounty, good to many a one!\n\nOur service therefore shalt thou gain.\n\n19 Agni, the Bharata, hath been sought, the Vrtra-slayer, marked of all,\n\nYea, Divodasa's Hero Lord.\n\n20 For he gave riches that surpass in greatness all the things of earth,\n\nFighting untroubled, unsubdued.\n\n21 Thou, Agni, as in days of old, with recent glory, gathered light,\n\nHast overspread the lofty heaven.\n\n22 Bring to your Agni, O my friends, boldly your laud and sacrifice:\n\nGive the Disposer praise and song.\n\n23 For as sagacious Herald he hath sat through every age of man,\n\nOblation-bearing messenger.\n\n24 Bring those Two Kings whose ways are pure, Adityas, and the Marut host,\n\nExcellent God! and Heaven and Earth.\n\n25 For strong and active mortal man, excellent, Agni, is the look Of thee Immortal, Son of Strength\n\n26 Rich through his wisdom, noblest be the giver serving thee to-day:\n\nThe man hath brought his hymn of praise.\n\n27 These, Agni, these are helped by thee, who strong and active all their lives,\n\nO'ercome the malice of the foe, fight down the malice ofthe foe.\n\n28 May Agni with his pointed blaze cast down each fierce devouring fiend\n\nMay Agni win us wealth by war.\n\n29 O active Jatavedas, bring riches with store of hero sons:\n\nSlay thou the demons, O Most Wise.\n\n30 Keep us, O Jatavedas, from the troubling of the man of sin:\n\nGuard us thou Sage who knowest prayer.\n\n31 Whatever sinner, Agni, brings oblations to procure our death,\n\nSave us from woe that he would work.\n\n32 Drive from us with thy tongue, O God, the man who doeth evil deeds,\n\nThe mortal who would strike us dead.\n\n33 Give shelter reaching far and wide to Bharadvaja, conquering Lord!\n\nAgni, send wealth most excellent.\n\n34 May Agni slay the Vrtras,-fain for riches, through the lord of song,\n\nServed with oblation, kindled, bright.\n\n35 His Father's Father, shining in his Mother's everlasting side,\n\nSet on the seat of holy Law.\n\n36 O active Jatavedas, bring devotion that wins progeny, Agni, that it may shine to heaven.\n\n37 O Child of Strength, to thee whose look is lovely we with dainty food,\n\nO Agni, have poured forth our songs.\n\n38 To thee for shelter are we come, as to the shade from fervent heat\n\nAgni, who glitterest like gold.\n\n39 Mighty as one who slays with shafts, or like a bull with sharpened horn,\n\nAgni, thou breakest down the forts.\n\n40 Whom, like an infant newly born, devourer, in their arms they bear,\n\nMen's Agni, skilled in holy rites.\n\n41 Bear to the banquet of the Gods the God best finder-out of wealth,\n\nLet him he seated in his place.\n\n42 In Jatavedas kindle ye the dear guest who hath now appeared\n\nIn a soft place, the homestead's Lord.\n\n43 Harness, O Agni, O thou God, thy steeds which are most excellent:\n\nThey bear thee as thy spirit wills.\n\n44 Come hither, bring the Gods to us to taste the sacrificial feast,\n\nTo drink the draught of Soma juice.\n\n45 O Agni of the Bharatas, blaze high with everlasting might,\n\nShine forth and gleam, Eternal One.\n\n46 The mortal man who serves the God with banquet, and, bringing gifts at sacrifice, lauds Agni,\n\nMay well attract, with prayer and hands uplifted, the Priest of Heaven and Earth, true Sacrificer.\n\n47 Agni, we bring thee, with our hymn, oblation fashioned in the heart.\n\nLet these be oxen unto thee, let these be bulls and kine to thee.\n\n48 The Gods enkindle Agni, best slayer of Vrtra, first in rank,\n\nThe Mighty, One who brings us wealth and crushes down the Raksasas.\n\n#### HYMN XVII. Indra.\n\n1. DRINK Soma, Mighty One, for which, when lauded, thou breakest through the cattle-stall, O Indra;\n\nThou who, O Bold One, armed with thunder smotest Vrtra with might, and every hostile being.\n\n2 Drink it thou God who art impetuous victor, Lord of our hymns, with beauteousjaws, the Hero,\n\nRender of kine-stalls, car-borne, thunder-wielding, so pierce thy way to wondrous strength, O Indra.\n\n3 Drink as of old, and let the draught delight thee. hear thou our prayer and let our songs exalt thee.\n\nMake the Sun visible, make food abundant, slaughter the foes, pierce through and free the cattle.\n\n4 These gladdening drops, O Indra, Self-sustainer, quaffed shall augment thee in thy mighty splendour.\n\nYea, let the cheering drops delight thee greatly, great, perfect, strong, powerful, all-subduing.\n\n5 Gladdened whereby, bursting the firm enclosures, thou gavest splendour to the Sun and Morning.\n\nThe mighty rock that compassed in the cattle, ne'er moved, thou shookest from its seat, O Indra.\n\n6 Thou with thy wisdom, power, and works of wonder, hast stored the ripe milk in the raw cows' udders\n\nUnbarred the firm doors for the kine of Morning, and, with the Angirases, set free the cattle.\n\n7 Thou hast spread out wide earth, a mighty marvel, and, high thyself, propped lofty heaven, O Indra.\n\nBoth worlds, whose Sons are Gods, thou hast supported, young, Mothers from old time ofholy Order.\n\n8 Yea, Indra, all the Deities installed thee their one strong Champion in the van for battle.\n\nWhat time the godless was the Gods' assailant, Indra they chose to win the light of heaven.\n\n9 Yea, e'en that heaven itself of old bent backward before thy bolt, in terror of its anger,\n\nWhen Indra, life of every living creature, smote down within his lair the assailing Dragon.\n\n10 Yea, Strong One! Tvastar turned for thee, the Mighty, the bolt with thousand spikes and hundred edges,\n\nEager and prompt at will, wherewith thou crushedst the boasting Dragon, O impetuous Hero.\n\n11 He dressed a hundred buffaloes, O Indra, for thee whom all accordant Maruts strengthen.\n\nHe, Pusan Visnu, poured forth three great vessels to him, the juice that cheers, that slaughters Vrtra.\n\n12 Thou settest free the rushing wave of waters, the floods' great swell encompassed and obstructed.\n\nAlong steep slopes their course thou tumedst, Indra, directed downward, speeding to the ocean.\n\n13 So may our new prayer bring thee to protect us, thee well-armed Hero with thy bolt of thunder,\n\nIndra, who made these worlds, the Strong, the ty, who never groweth old, the victory-giver.\n\n14 So, Indra, form us brilliant holy singers for strength, for glory, and for food and riches.\n\nGive Bharadvaja hero patrons, Indra Indra, be ours upon the day of trial.\n\n15 With this may we obtain strength God-appointed, and brave sons gladden us through a hundred winters.\n\n#### HYMN XVIII. Indra.\n\n1. GLORIFY him whose might is all-surpassing, Indra the much-invoked who fights uninjured.\n\nMagnify with these songs the never-vanquished, the Strong, the Bull of men, the Mighty Victor.\n\n2 He, Champion, Hero, Warrior, Lord of battles, impetuous, loudly roaring, great destroyer,\n\nWho whirls the dust on high, alone, oerthrower, hath made all races of mankind his subjects.\n\n3 Thou, thou alone, hast tamed the Dasyus; singly thou hast subdued the people for the Arya.\n\nIn this, or is it not, thine hero exploit, Indra? Declare it at the proper season.\n\n4 For true, I deem, thy strength is, thine the Mighty, thine, O Most Potent, thine the Conquering Victor;\n\nStrong, of the strong, Most Mighty, of the mighty, thine, driver of the churl to acts of bounty.\n\n5 Be this our ancient bond of friendship with you and with Angirases here who speak of Vala.\n\nThou, Wondrous, Shaker of things firm, didst smite him in his fresh strength, and force his doors and castles.\n\n6 With holy thoughts must he be called, the Mighty, showing his power in the great fight with Vrtra.\n\nHe must be called to give us seed and offspring, the Thunderer must he moved and sped to battle.\n\n7 He in his might, with name that lives for ever, hath far surpassed all human generations.\n\nHe, most heroic, hath his home with splendour, with glory and with riches and with valour.\n\n8 Stranger to guile, who ne'er was false or faithless, bearing a name that may be well remembered,\n\nIndra crushed Cumuri, Dhuni, Sambara, Pipru, and Susna, that their castles fell in ruin.\n\n9 With saving might that must be praised and lauded, Indra, ascend thy car to smite down Vrtra.\n\nIn thy right hand hold fast thy bolt of thunder, and weaken, Bounteous Lord, his art and magic.\n\n10 As Agni, as the dart burns the dry forest, like the dread shaft burn down the fiends, O Indra;\n\nThou who with high deep-reaching spear hast broken, hast covered over mischief and destroyed it.\n\n11 With wealth, by thousand paths come hither, Agni, paths that bring ample strength, O thou Most Splendid.\n\nCome, Son of Strength, o'er whom, Invoked of many! the godless hath no power to keep thee distant.\n\n12 From heaven, from earth is bruited forth the greatness of him the firm, the fiery, the resplendent.\n\nNo foe hath he, no counterpart, no refuge is there from him the Conqueror full of wisdom\n\n13 This day the deed that thou hast done is famous, when thou, for him, with many thousand others\n\nLaidest low Kutsa, Ayu, Atithigva, and boldly didst deliver Turvayana.\n\n14 In thee, O God, the wisest of the Sages, all Gods were joyful when thou slewest Ahi.\n\nWhen lauded for thyself, thou gavest freedom to sore-afflicted Heaven and to the people.\n\n15 This power of thine both heaven and earth acknowledge, the deathless Gods acknowledge it, O Indra.\n\nDo what thou ne'er hast done, O Mighty Worker: beget a new hymn at thy sacrifices.\n\n#### HYMN XIX. Indra.\n\n1. GREAT, hero-like controlling men is Indra, unwasting in his powers, doubled in vastness.\n\nHe, turned to us, hath grown to hero vigour: broad, wide, he hath been decked by those who serve him.\n\n2 The bowl made Indra swift to gather booty, the High, the Lofty, Youthful, Undecaying,\n\nHim who hath waxed by strength which none may conquer, and even at once grown to complete perfection.\n\n3 Stretch out those hands of thine, extend to us-ward thy wide capacious arms, and grant us glory.\n\nLike as the household herdsman guards the cattle, so move thou round about us in the combat.\n\n4 Now, fain for strength, let us invite your Indra hither, who lieth hidden with his Heroes,-\n\nFree from all blame, without reproach, uninjured, e'en as were those who sang, of old, his praises.\n\n5 With steadfast laws, wealth-giver, strong through Soma, he hath much fair and precious food to feed us.\n\nIn him unite all paths that lead to riches, like rivers that commingle with the ocean.\n\n6 Bring unto us the mightiest might, O Hero, strong and most potent force, thou great Subduer!\n\nAll splendid vigorous powers of men vouchsafe us, Lord of Bay Steeds, that they may make us joyful.\n\n7 Bring us, grown mighty in its strength, O Indra, thy friendly rapturous joy that wins the battle,\n\nWherewith by thee assisted and triumphant, we may laud thee in gaining seed and offspring.\n\n8 Indra, bestow on us the power heroic skilled and exceeding strong, that wins the booty,\n\nWherewith, by thine assistance, we may conquer our foes in battle, be they kin or stranger.\n\n9 Let thine heroic strength come from behind us, before us, from above us or below us.\n\nFrom every side may it approach us, Indra. Give us the glory of the realm of splendour.\n\n10 With most heroic aid from thee, like heroes Indra, may we win wealth by deeds glory.\n\nThou, King, art Lord of earthly, heavenly treasure: vouchsafe us riches vast, sublime, and lasting.\n\n11 The Bull, whose strength hath waxed, whom Maruts follow, free-giving Indra, the Celestial Ruler,\n\nMighty, all-conquering, the victory-giver, him let us call to grant us new protection.\n\n12 Give up the people who are high and haughty to these men and to me, O Thunder-wielder!\n\nTherefore upon the earth do we invoke thee, where heroes win, for sons and kine and waters.\n\n13 Through these thy friendships, God invoked of many! may we be victors over every foeman.\n\nSlaying both kinds of foe, may we, O Hero, be happy, helped by thee, with ample riches.\n\n#### HYMN XX. Indra.\n\n1. GIVE us wealth, Indra, that with might, as heaven o'ertops the earth, o'ercomes our foes in battle\n\nWealth that brings thousands and that wins the corn-lands, wealth, Son of Strength! that vanquishes the foeman.\n\n2 Even as the power of Dyaus, to thee, O Indra, all Asura sway was by the Gods entrusted,\n\nWhen thou, Impetuous! leagued with Visnu, slewest Vrtra the Dragon who enclosed the waters.\n\n3 Indra, Strong, Victor, Mightier than the mighty, addressed with prayer and perfect in his splendour,\n\nLord of the bolt that breaketh forts in pieces, became the King of the sweet juice of Soma..\n\n4 There, Indra, while the light was won, the Panis f1ed, 'neath a hundred blows, for wise Dasoni,\n\nAnd greedy Susna's magical devices nor left he any of their food remaining.\n\n5 What time the thunder fell and Susna perished, all life's support from the great Druh was taken.\n\nIndra made room for his car-drivcr Kutsa who sate beside him, when he gained the sunlight.\n\n6 As the Hawk rent for him the stalk that gladdens, he wrenched the head from Namuci the Dasa.\n\nHe guarded Nam, Sayya's son, in slumber, and sated him with food, success, and riches.\n\n7 Thou, thunder-armed, with thy great might hast shattered Pipru's strong forts who knew the wiles of serpents.\n\nThou gavest to thy worshipper Rjisvan imperishable Wealth, O Bounteous Giver.\n\n8 The crafty Vetasu, the swift Dasni, and Tugra speedily with all his servants,\n\nHath Indra, gladdening with strong assistance, forced near as 'twere to glorify the Mother.\n\n9 Resistless, with the hosts he battles, bearing in both his arms the Vrtra-slaying thunder.\n\nHe mounts his Bays, as the car-seat an archer: yoked at a word they bear the lofty Indra.\n\n10 May we, O Indra, gain by thy new favour: so Parus laud thee, with their sacrifices,\n\nThat thou hast wrecked seven autumn forts, their shelter, slain Dasa tribes and aided Purukutsa.\n\n11 Favouring Usana the son of Kavi, thou wast his ancient strengthener, O Indra.\n\nThou gavest Navavastva. as a present, to the great father gavest back his grandson.\n\n12 Thou, roaring Indra, drovest on the waters that made a roaring sound like rushing rivers,\n\nWhat time, O Hero, o'er the sea thou broughtest, in safety broughtest Turvasa and Yadu.\n\n13 This Indra, was thy work in war: thou sentest Dhuni and Cumuri to sleep and slumber.\n\nDabhiti lit the flame for thee, and worshipped with fuel, hymns, poured Soma, dressed oblations.\n\n#### HYMN XXI. Indra. Visvedevas.\n\n1. THESE the most constant singer's invocations call thee who art to be invoked, O Hero;\n\nHymns call anew the chariot-borne, Eternal: by eloquence men gain abundant riches.\n\n2 I praise that Indra, known to all men, honoured with songs, extolled with hymns at sacrifices,\n\nWhose majesty, rich in wondrous arts, surpasseth the magnitude of earth, and heaven in greatness.\n\n3 He hath made pathways, with the Sun to aid him, throughout the darkness that extended pathless.\n\nMortals who yearn to worship ne'er dishonour, O Mighty God, thy Law who art Immortal.\n\n4 And he who did these things, where is that Indra? among what tribes? what people doth he visit?\n\nWhat sacrifice contents thy mind , and wishes? What priest among them all? what hymn, O Indra?\n\n5 Yea, here were they who, born of old, have served thee, thy friends of ancient time, thou active Worker.\n\nBethink thee now of these, Invoked of many! the midmost and the recent, and the youngest.\n\n6 Inquiring after him, thy later servants, Indra, have gained thy former old traditions.\n\nHero, to whom the prayer is brought, we praise thee as great for that wherein we know thee mighty.\n\n7 The demon's strength is gathered fast against thee: great as that strength hath grown, go forth to meet it.\n\nWith thine own ancient friend and companion, the thunderbolt, brave Champion! drive it backward.\n\n8 Hear, too, the prayer of this thy present beadsman, O Indra, Hero, cherishing the singer.\n\nFor thou wast aye our fathers' Friend aforetime, still swift to listen to their supplication.\n\n9 Bring to our help this day, for our protection, Varuna, Mitra , Indra, and the Maruts,\n\nPusan and Visnu, Agni and Purandhi, Savitar also, and the Plants and Mountains.\n\n10 The singers here exalt with hymns and praises thee who art very Mighty and Most Holy.\n\nHear, when invoked, the invoker's invocation. Beside thee there is nonelike thee, Immortal!\n\n11 Now to my words come quickly thou who knowest, O Son of Strength, with all who claim our worship,\n\nWho visit sacred rites, whose tongue is Agni, Gods who made Manu stronger than the Dasyu.\n\n12 On good and evil ways be thou our Leader, thou who art known to all as Path-preparer.\n\nBring power to us, O Indra, with thy Horses, Steeds that are best to draw, broad-backed, unwearied.\n\n#### HYMN XXII. Indra.\n\n1. WITH these my hymns I glorify that Indra who is alone to be invoked by mortals,\n\nThe Lord, the Mighty One, of manly vigour, victorious, Hero, true, and full of wisdom.\n\n2 Our sires of old,. Navagvas, sages seven, while urging him to show his might, extolled him,\n\nDwelling on heights, swift, smiting down opponents, guileless in word, and in his thoughts most mighty.\n\n3 We seek that Indra to obtain his riches that bring much food, and men, and store of heroes.\n\nBring us, Lord of Bay Steeds, to make us joyful, celestial wealth, abundant, undecaying.\n\n4 Tell thou us this, if at thy hand aforetime the earlier singers have obtained good fortune,\n\nWhat is thy share and portion, Strong Subduer, Asura-slayer, rich, invoked of many?\n\n5 He who for car-borne Indra, armed with thunder, hath a hymn, craving, deeply-piercing, fluent,\n\nWho sends a song effectual, firmly-grasping, and strength-bestowing, he comes near the mighty.\n\n6 Strong of thyself, thou by this art hast shattered, with thought-swift Parvata, him who waxed against thee,\n\nAnd, Mightiest! roaring! boldly rent in pieces things that were firmly fixed and never shaken.\n\n7 Him will we fit for you with new devotion, the strongest Ancient One, in ancient manner.\n\nSo may that Indra, boundless, faithful Leader, conduct us o'er all places hard to traverse.\n\n8 Thou for the people who oppress hast kindled the earthly firmament and that of heaven.\n\nWith heat, O Bull, on every side consume them: heat earth and flood for him who hates devotion.\n\n9 Of all the Heavenly Folk, of earthly creatures thou art the King, O God of splendid aspect.\n\nIn thy right hand, O Indra, grasp die thunder: Eternal! thou destroyest all enchantments.\n\n10 Give us confirmed prosperity, O Indra, vast and exhaustless for the foe's subduing.\n\nStrengthen therewith the Arya's hate and Dasa's, and let the arms of Nahusas be mighty.\n\n11 Come with thy team which brings all blessings hither, Disposer, much-invoked, exceeding holy.\n\nThou whom no fiend, no God can stay or hinder, come swittly with these Steeds in my direction.\n\n#### HYMN XXIII. Indra.\n\n1. THOU art attached to pressed-out Soma, Indra, at laud, at prayer, and when the hymn is chanted;\n\nOr when with yoked Bays, Maghavan, thou comest, O Indra, bearing in thine arms the thunder.\n\n2 Or when on that decisive day thou holpest the presser of the juice at Vrtra's slaughter;\n\nOr when thou, while the strong one feared, undaunted, gavest to death, Indra, the daring Dasyus.\n\n3 Let Indra drink the pressed-out Soma, Helper and mighty Guide of him who sings his praises.\n\nHe gives the hero room who pours oblations, and treasure even to the lowly singer.\n\n4 E'en humble rites with his Bay steeds he visits: he wields the bolt, drinks Soma, gives us cattle.\n\nHe makes the valiant rich in store of heroes, accepts our praise and hears the singer's calling.\n\n5 What he hath longed for we have brought to Indra, who from the days of old hath done us service.\n\nWhile Soma flows we will sing hymn, and laud him, so that our prayer may streng. then Indra's vigour.\n\n6 Thou hast made prayer the means of thine exalting, therefore we wait on thee with hymns, O Indra.\n\nMay we, by the pressed Soma, Somadrinker! bring thee, with sacrifice, blissful sweet refreshment.\n\n7 Mark well our sacrificial cake, delighted Indra, drink Soma and the milk commingled.\n\nHere on the sacrificer's grass be seated: give ample room to thy devoted servant.\n\n8 O Mighty One, be joyful as thou willest. Let these our sacrifices reach and find thee;\n\nAnd may this hymn and these our invocations turn thee, whom many men invoke, to help us.\n\n9 Friends, when thejuices flow, replenish duly your own, your bounteous Indra with the Soma.\n\nWill it not aid him to support us? Indra. spares him who sheds the juice to win his favour.\n\n10 While Soma flowed, thus Indra hath been lauded, Ruler of nobles, mid the Bharadvajas,\n\nThat Indra may become the singer's patron and give him wealth in every kind of treasure.\n\n#### HYMN XXIV. Indra.\n\n1. STRONG rapturous joy, praise, glory are with Indra: impetuous God, he quaffs the juice of Soma:\n\nThat Maghavan whom men must laud with singing, Heaven-dweller, King of songs, whose help is lasting.\n\n2 He, Friend of man, most wise, victorious Hero, hears, with far-reaching aid, the singer call him.\n\nExcellent, Praise of Men, the bard's Supporter, Strong, he gives strength, extolled in holy synod.\n\n3 The lofty axle of thy wheels, O Hero, is not surpassed by heaven and earth in greatness.\n\nLike branches of a tree, Invoked of many manifold aids spring forth from thee, O Indra.\n\n4 Strong Lord, thine energies, endowed with vigour, are like the paths of kine converging homeward.\n\nLike bonds of cord, Indra, that bind the younglings, no bonds are they, O thou of boundless bounty.\n\n5 One act to-day, another act tomorrow oft Indra makes what is not yet existeni.\n\nHere have we Mitra, Varuna, and Pusan to overcome the foeman's domination.\n\n6 By song and sacrifice men brought the waters from thee, as from a mountain's ridge, O Indra.\n\nUrging thy might, with these fair lauds they seek thee, O theme of song, as horses rush tobattle.\n\n7 That Indra whom nor months nor autumn seasons wither with age, nor fleeting days enfeeble,-\n\nStill may his body Wax, e'en now so mighty, glorified by the lauds and hymns that praise him.\n\n8 Extolled, he bends not to the strong, the steadfast, nor to the bold incited by the Dasyu.\n\nHigh mountains are as level plains to Indra: even in the deep he finds firm ground to rest on.\n\n9 Impetuous Speeder through all depth and distance, give strengthening food, thou drinker of the juices.\n\nStand up erect to help us, unreluctant, what time the gloom of night brightens to morning.\n\n10 Hasting to help, come hither and protect him, keep him from harm when he is here, O Indra.\n\nAt home, abroad, from injury preserve him. May brave sons gladden us through a hundred winters.\n\n#### HYMN XXV. Indra.\n\n1. WITH thine assistance, O thou Mighty Indra, be it the least, the midmost, or the highest,-\n\nGreat with those aids and by these powers support us, Strong God! in battle that subdues our foemen.\n\n2 With these discomfit hosts that fight against us, and check the opponent's wrath, thyself uninjured.\n\nWith these chase all our foes to every quarter: subdue the tribes of Dasas to the Arya.\n\n3 Those who array themselves as foes to smite us, O Indra, be they kin or be they strangers,-\n\nStrike thou their manly strength that it be feeble, and drive in headlong flight our foemen backward.\n\n4 With strength of limb the hero slays the hero, when bright in arms they range them for the combat.\n\nWhen two opposing hosts contend in battle for seed and offspring, waters, kine, or corn-lands.\n\n5 Yet no strong man hath conquered thee, no hero, no brave, no warrior trusting in his valour.\n\nNot one of these is match for thee, O Indra. Thou far surpassest all these living creatures.\n\n6 He is the Lord of both these armies' valour when the commanders call them to the conflict:\n\nWhen with their ranks expanded they are fighting with a great foe or for a home with heroes.\n\n7 And when the people stir themselves for battle, be thou their saviour, Indra, and protector,\n\nAnd theirs, thy manliest of our friends, the pious, the chiefs who have installed us priests, O Indra.\n\n8 To thee for high dominion hath been for evermore, for slaughtering the Vrtras,\n\nAll lordly power and might, O Holy Indra, given by Gods for victory in battle.\n\n9 So urge our hosts together in the combats: yield up the godless bands that fight against us.\n\nSinging, at morn may we find thee with favour, yea, Indra, and e'en now, we Bharadvajas.\n\n#### HYMN XXVI. Indra.\n\n1. O INDRA, hear us. Raining down the Soma, we call on thee to win us mighty valour.\n\nGive us strong succour on the day of trial, when the tribes gather on the field of battle.\n\n2 The warrior, son of warrior sire, invokes thee, to gain great strength that may be won as booty:\n\nTo thee, the brave man's Lord, the fiends' subduer, he looks when fighting hand to hand for cattle.\n\n3 Thou didst impel the sage to win the daylight, didst ruin Susna for the pious Kutsa.\n\nThe invulnerable demon's head thou clavest when thou wouldst win the praise of Atithigva.\n\n4 The lofty battle-car thou broughtest forward; thou holpest Dasadyu the strong when fighting.\n\nAlong with Vetasu thou slewest Tugra, and madest Tuji strong, who praised thee, Indra.\n\n5 Thou madest good the laud, what time thou rentest a hundred thousand fighting foes, O Hero,\n\nSlewest the Dasa Sambara of the mountain, and with strange aids didst succour Divodasa.\n\n6 Made glad with Soma-draughts and faith, thou sentest Cumuri to his sleep, to please Dabhiti.\n\nThou, kindly giving Raji to Pithinas, slewest with might, at once, the sixty thousand.\n\n7 May I too, with the liberal chiefs, O Indra, acquire thy blin supreme and domination,\n\nWhen, Mightiest! Hero-girt! Nahusa heroes boast them in thee, the triply-strong Defender.\n\n8 So may we he thy friends, thy best beloved, O Indra, at this holy invocation.\n\nBest be Pratardani, illustrious ruler, in slaying foemen and in gaining riches.\n\n#### HYMN XXVII. Indra.\n\n1 WHAT deed hath Indra done in the wild transport, in quaffing or in friendship with, the Soma?\n\nWhat joys have men of ancient times or recent obtained within the chamber of libation?\n\n2 In its wild joy Indra hath proved him faithful, faithful in quaffing, faithful in its friendship.\n\nHis truth is the delight that in this chamber the men of old and recent times have tasted.\n\n3 All thy vast power, O Maghavan, we know not, know not the riches of thy full abundance.\n\nNo one hath seen that might of thine, productive of bounty every day renewed, O Indra.\n\n4 This one great power of thine our eyes have witnessed, wherewith thou slewest Varasikha's children,\n\nWhen by the force of thy descending thunder, at the mere solund, their boldest was demolished.\n\n5 In aid of Abhyavartin Cayamana, Indra destroyed the seed of Varasikha.\n\nAt Hariyupiya he smote the vanguard of the Vrcivans, and the rear fled frighted.\n\n6 Three thousand, mailed, in quest of fame, together, on the Yavyavati, O much-sought Indra,\n\nVrcivan's sons, falling before the arrow, like bursting vessels went to their destruction.\n\n7 He, whose two red Steers, seeking goodly pasture, plying their tongues move on 'twixt earth and heaven,\n\nGave Turvasa to Srnjaya, and, to aid him, gave the Vrcivans up to Daivavata.\n\n8 Two wagon-teams, with damsels, twenty oxen, O Agni, Abhydvartin Cayamdna,\n\nThe liberal Sovran, giveth me. This guerdon of Prthu's seed is hard to win from others.\n\n#### HYMN XXVIII. Cows.\n\nI. THE Kine have come and brought good fortune: let them rest in the cow-pen and be happy near us.\n\nHere let them stay prolific, many-coloured, and yield through many morns their milk for Indra.\n\n2 Indra aids him who offers sacrifice and gifts: he takes not what is his, and gives him more thereto.\n\nIncreasing ever more and ever more his wealth, he makes the pious dwell within unbroken bounds.\n\n3 These are ne'er lost, no robber ever injures them: no evil-minded foe attempts to harass them.\n\nThe master of the Kine lives many a year with these, the Cows whereby he pours his gifts and serves the Gods.\n\n4 The charger with his dusty brow o'ertakes them not, and never to the shambles do they take their way.\n\nThese Cows, the cattle of the pious worshipper, roam over widespread pasture where no danger is.\n\n5 To me the Cows seem Bhaga, they seem Indra, they seem a portion of the first-poured Soma.\n\nThese present Cows, they, O ye Indra. I long for Indra with my heart and spirit.\n\n6 O Cows, ye fatten e'en the worn and wasted, and make the unlovely beautiful tolook on.\n\nProsper my house, ye with auspicious voices. Your power is glorified in our assemblies.\n\n7 Crop goodly pasturage and be prolific drink pure sweet water at good drinking places.\n\nNever be thief or sinful man your matter, and may the dart of Rudra still avoid you.\n\n8 Now let this close admixture be close intermigled with these Cows,\n\nMixt with the Steer's prolific flow, and, Indra, with thy hero might.\n\n#### HYMN XXIX Indra.\n\n1. YOUR men have followed Indra for his friendship, and for his loving-kindness glorified him.\n\nFor he bestows great wealth, the Thunder-wielder: worship him, Great and Kind, to win his favour.\n\n2 Him to whose hand, men closely cling, and drivers stand on his golden chariot firmly stationed.\n\nWith his firm arms he holds the reins; his Horses, the Stallions, are yoked ready for the journey.\n\n3 Thy devotees embrace thy feet for glory. Bold, thunder-armed, rich, through thy strength, in guerdon,\n\nRobed in a garment fair as heaven to look on, thou hast displayed thee like an active dancer.\n\n4 That Soma when effused hath best consistence, for which the food is dressed and grain is mingled;\n\nBy which the men who pray, extolling Indra chief favourites of Gods, recite their praises.\n\n5 No limit of thy might hath been appointed, which by its greatness sundered earth and heaven.\n\nThese the Prince filleth full with strong endeavour, driving, as 'twere, with help his flocks to waters.\n\n6 So be the lofty Indra prompt to listen, Helper unaided, golden-visored Hero.\n\nYea, so may he, shown forth in might unequalled, smite down the many Vrtras and the Dasyus.\n\n#### HYMN XXX. Indra.\n\n1. INDRA hath waxed yet more for hero prowess, alone, Eternal, he bestoweth treasures.\n\nIndra transcendeth both the worlds in greatness: one half of him equalleth earth and heaven.\n\n2 Yea, mighty I esteem his Godlike nature: none hindereth what he hath once determined.\n\nNear and afar he spread and set the regions, and every day the Sun became apparent.\n\n3 E'en now endures thine exploit of the Rivers, when, Indra, for their floods thou clavest passage.\n\nLike men who sit at meat the mountains settled: by thee, Most Wise! the regions were made steadfast.\n\n4 This is the truth, none else is like thee, Indra, no God superior to thee, no mortal.\n\nThou slewest Ahi who besieged the waters, and lettest loose the streams to hurry seaward.\n\n5 Indra, thou breakest up the floods and portals on all sides, and the firmness of the mountain.\n\nThou art the King of men, of all that liveth, engendering at once Sun, Heaven, and Morning.\n\n#### HYMN XXXI Indra.\n\n1. SOLE Lord of wealth art thou, O Lord of riches: thou in thine hands hast held the people, Indra!\n\nMen have invoked thee with contending voices for seed and waters, progeny and sunlight.\n\n2 Through fear of thee, O Indra, all the regions of earth, though naught may move them, shake and tremble.\n\nAll that is firm is frightened at thy coming, -the earth, the heaven, the mountain, and the forest.\n\n3 With Kutsa, Indra! thou didst conquer Susna, voracious, bane of crops, in fight for cattle.\n\nIn the close fray thou rentest him: thou stolest the Sun's wheel and didst drive away misfortunes.\n\n4 Thou smotest to the ground the hundred castles, impregnable, of Sambara the Dasyu,\n\nWhen, Strong, with might thou holpest Divodasa who poured libations out, O Soma-buyer, and madest Bharadvaja rich who praised thee.\n\n5 As such, true Hero, for great joy of battle mount thy terrific car, O Brave and Manly.\n\nCome with thine help to me, thou distant Roamer, and, glorious God, spread among men my glory.\n\n#### HYMN XXXII Indra.\n\n1. I WITH my lips have fashioned for this Hero words never matched, most plentiful and auspicious,\n\nFor him the Ancient, Great, Strong, Energetic, the very mighty Wielder of the Thunder.\n\n2 Amid the sages, with the Sun he brightened the Parents: glorified, he burst the mountain;\n\nAnd, roaring with the holy-thoughted singers, he loosed the bond that held the beams of Morning.\n\n3 Famed for great deeds, with priests who kneel and laud him, he still hath conquered in the frays for cattle,\n\nAnd broken down the forts, the Fort-destroyer, a Friend with friends, a Sage among the sages.\n\n4 Come with thy girthed mares, with abundant vigour and plenteous strength to him who sings thy praises.\n\nCome hither, borne by mares with many heroes, Lover of song! Steer! for the people's welfare.\n\n5 Indra with rush and might, sped by his Coursers, hath swiftly won the waters from the southward.\n\nThus set at liberty the rivers daily flow to their goal, incessant and exhaustless.\n\n#### HYMN XXXIII. Indra.\n\n1. GIVE us the rapture that is mightiest, Indra, prompt to bestow and swift to aid, O Hero,\n\nThat wins with brave steeds where brave steeds encounter, and quells the Vrtras and the foes in battle.\n\n2 For with loud voice the tribes invoke thee, Indra, to aid them in the battlefield of heroes.\n\nThou, with the singers, hast pierced through the Panis: the charger whom thou aidest wins the booty.\n\n3 Both races, Indra, of opposing foemen, O Hero, both the Arya and the Dasa,\n\nHast thou struck down like woods with well-shot lightnings: thou rentest them in fight, most manly Chieftain!\n\n4 Indra, befriend us with no scanty succour, prosper and aid us, Loved of all that liveth,\n\nWhen, fighting for the sunlight, we invoke thee, O Hero, in the fray, in war's division.\n\n5 Be ours, O Indra, now and for the future, be graciously inclined and near to help us.\n\nThus may we, singing, sheltered by the Mighty, win many cattle on the day of trial.\n\n#### HYMN XXXIV. Indra.\n\n1. FULL Many songs have met in thee, O Indra, and many a noble thought from thee proceedeth.\n\nNow and of old the eulogies of sages, their holy hymns and lauds, have yearned for Indra.\n\n2 He, praised of many, bold, invoked of many, alone is glorified at sacrifices.\n\nLike a car harnessed for some great achievement, Indra must be the cause of our rejoicing.\n\n3 They make their way to Indra and exalt him, bim whom no prayers and no laudations trouble;\n\nFor when a hundred or a thousand singers. laud him who loves the song their praise delights him.\n\n4 As brightness mingles with the Moon in heaven, the offered Soma yearns to mix with Indra.\n\nLike water brought to men in desert places, our gifts at sacrifice have still refreshed him.\n\n5 To him this mighty eulogy, to Indra hath this our laud been uttered by the poets,\n\nThat in the great encounter with the foemen, Loved of all life, Indra may guard and help us.\n\n#### HYMN XXXV. Indra.\n\n1. WHEN shall our prayers rest in thy car beside thee? When dost thou give the singer food for thousands?\n\nWhen wilt thou clothe this poet's laud with plenty, and when wilt thou enrich our hymns with booty?\n\n2 When wilt thou gatber men with men, O Indra, heroes with heroes, and prevail in combat?\n\nThou shalt win triply kine in frays for cattle, so, Indra, give thou us celestial glory.\n\n3 Yea, when wilt thou, O Indra, thou Most Mighty, make the prayer all-sustaining for the singer?\n\nWhen wilt thou yoke, as we yoke songs, thy Horses, and come to offerings that bring wealth in cattle?\n\n4 Grant to the Singer food with store of cattle, splendid with horses and the fame of riches.\n\nSend food to swell the milch-cow good at milking: bright be its shine among the Bharadvajas.\n\n5 Lead otherwise this present foeman, Sakra! Hence art thou praised as Hero, foe destroyer\n\nHim who gives pure gifts may I praise unceasing. Sage, quicken the Angirases by devotion.\n\n#### HYMN XXXVI. Indra.\n\n1. THY raptures ever were for all men's profit: so evermore have been thine earthly riches.\n\nThou still hast been the dealer-forth of vigour, since among Gods thou hast had power and Godhead.\n\n2 Men have obtained his strength by sacrificing, and ever urged him, on to hero valour.\n\nFor the rein-seizing, the impetuous Charger they furnished power even for Vrtra's slaughter.\n\n3 Associate with him, as teams of horses, help, manly might, and vigour follow Indra.\n\nAs rivers reach the sea, so, strong with praises, our holy songs reach him the Comprehensive.\n\n4 Lauded by us, let flow the spring, O Indra, of excellent and brightly-shining riches.\n\nFor thou art Lord of men, without an equal: of all the world thou art the only Sovran.\n\n5 Hear what thou mayst hear, thou who, fain for worship, as heaven girds earth, guardest thy servant's treasure;\n\nTlat thou mayst be our own, joying in power, famed through thy might in every generation.\n\n#### HYMN XXXVII Indra.\n\n1. LET thy Bay Horses, yoked, O mighty Indra, bring thy car hither fraught with every blessing.\n\nFor thee, the Heavenly, e'en the poor invoketh: may we this day, thy feast-companions, prosper.\n\n2 Forth to the vat the brown drops flow for service, and purified proceed directly forward.\n\nMay Indra drink of this, our guest aforetime, Celestial King of the strong draught of Soma.\n\n3 Bringing us hitherward all-potent Indra on well-wheeled chariot, may the Steeds who bear him\n\nConvey him on the road direct to glory, and ne'er may Vayu's Amrta cease and fail him.\n\n4 Supreme, he stirs this man to give the guerdon,-Indra, most efficacious of the princes,-\n\nWherewith, O Thunderer, thou removest sorrow, and, Bold One! partest wealth among the nobles.\n\n5 Indra is hewho gives enduring vigour: may our songs magnify the God Most Mighty.\n\nBest Vrtra-slayer be the Hero Indra these things he gives as Prince, with strong endeavour.\n\n#### HYMN XXXVIII. Indra.\n\n1. HE hath drunk hence, Most Marvellous, and carried away our great and splendid call on Indra.\n\nThe Bounteous, when we serve the Gods, accepteth song yet more famous and the gifts we bring him.\n\n2 The speaker filleth with a cry to Indra his ears who cometh nigh e'en from a distance.\n\nMay this my call bring Indra to my presence, this call to Gods composed in sacred verses.\n\n3 Him have I sung with my best song and praises, Indra of ancient birth and Everlasting.\n\nFor prayer and songs in him are concentrated: let laud wax mighty when addressed to Indra:\n\n4 Indra, whom sacrifice shall strengthen, Soma, and song and hymn, and praises and devotion,\n\nWhom Dawns shall strengthen when the night departeth, Indra whom days shall strengthen, months, and autumns.\n\n5 Him, born for conquering might in full perfection, and waxen strongfor bounty and for glory,\n\nGreat, Powerful, will we to-day, O singer, invite to aid. us and to quell our foemen.\n\n#### HYMN XXXIX Indra.\n\n1. OF this our charming, our celestial Soma, eloquent, wise, Priest, with inspired devotion,\n\nOf this thy close attendant, hast thou drunken. God, send the singer food with milk to grace it.\n\n2 Craving the kine, rushing against the mountain led on by Law, with holyminded comrades,\n\nHe broke the never-broken ridge of Vala. With words of might Indra subdued the Panis.\n\n3 This Indu lighted darksome nights, O Indra, throughout the years, at morning and at evening.\n\nHim have they stablished as the days' bright ensign. He made the Mornings to be born in splendour.\n\n4 He shone and caused to shme the worlds that shone not. By Law he lighted up the host of Mornings.\n\nHe moves with Steeds yoked by eternal Order, contenting men with nave that finds the sunlight.\n\n5 Now, praised, O Ancient King! fill thou the singer with plenteous food that he may deal forth treasures.\n\nGive waters, herbs that have no poison, forests, and kine, and steeds, and men, to him who lauds thee.\n\n#### HYMN XL. Indra\n\n1. DRINK, Indra; juice is shed to make thee joyful: loose thy Bay Steeds and give thy friends their freedom.\n\nBegin the song, seated in our assembly. Give strength for sacrifice to him who singeth.\n\n2 Drink thou of this whereof at birth, O Indra, thou drankest, Mighty One for power and rapture.\n\nThe men, the pressing-stones, the cows, the waters have made this Soma ready for thy drinking.\n\n3 The fire is kindled, Soma pressed, O Indra: let thy Bays, best to draw, convey thee hither.\n\nWith mind devoted, Indra, I invoke thee. Come, for our great prosperity approach us.\n\n4 Indra, come hither: evermore thou camest through our great strong desire to drink the Soma.\n\nListen and hear the prayers which now we offer, and let this sacrifice increase thy vigour.\n\n5 Mayst thou, O Indra, on the day of trial, present or absent, wheresoe'er thou dwellest,\n\nThence, with thy team, accordant with the Maruts, Song-lover! guard our sacrifice, to help us.\n\n#### HYMN XLL Indra.\n\n1. COME gracious to our sacrifice, O Indra: pressed Soma-drops are purified to please thee.\n\nAs cattle seek their home, so Thunderwielder, come, Indra, first of those who claim our worship.\n\n2 With that well-formed most wide-extending palate, wherewith thou ever drinkest streams of sweetness,\n\nDrink thou; the Adhvaryu standeth up before thee: let thy spoil-winning thunderbolt attend thee.\n\n3 This drop, steer-strong and omniform, the Soma, hath been made ready for the Bull, for India.\n\nDrink this, Lord of the Bays, thou Strong Supporter, this that is thine of old, thy food for ever.\n\n4 Soma when pressed excels the unpressed Soma, better, for one who knows, to give him pleasure.\n\nCome to this sacrifice of ours, O Victor replenish all thy powers with this libation.\n\n5 We call on thee, O Indra: come thou hither: sufficient be the Soma for thy body.\n\nRejoice thee, Satakratu! in the juices guard us in wars, guard us among our people.\n\n#### HYMN XLII- Indra.\n\n1. BRING sacrificial gifts to him, Omniscient, for he longs to drink,\n\nThe Wanderer who comes with speed, the Hero ever in the van.\n\n2 With Soma go ye nigh to him chief drinker of the Soma's juice:\n\nWith beakers to the Impetuous God, to Indra with the drops effused.\n\n3 What time, with Soma, with the juice effused, ye come before the God,\n\nFull wise he knows the hope of each, and, Bold One, strikes this foe and that.\n\n4 To him, Adhvaryu! yea, to him give offerings of the juice expressed.\n\nWill he not keep us safely from the spiteful curse of each presumptuous high-born foe?\n\n#### HYMN XLIII. Indra\n\n1. IN whose wild joy thou madest once Sambara Divodasa's prey,\n\nThis Soma is pressed out for thee, O Indra: drink!\n\n2 Whose gladdening draught, shed from the points, thou guardest in the midst and end,\n\nThis Soma is pressed out for thee, O Indra drink!\n\n3 In whose wild joy thou settest free the kine held fast within the rock,\n\nThis Soma is pressed out for thee, O Indra: drink!\n\n4 This, in whose juice delighting thou gainest the might of Maghavan,\n\nThis Soma is pressed out for thee, O Indra drink!\n\n#### HYMN XLIV. Indra.\n\n1. THAT which is wealthiest, Wealthy God in splendoursmost illustrious,\n\nSoma is pressed: thy gladdening draught, Indra! libation's Lord! is this.\n\n2 Effectual, Most Effectual One! thine, as bestowing wealth of hymns,\n\nSoma is pressed: thy gladdening draught, Indra! libation's Lord! is this.\n\n3 Wherewith thou art increased in strength, and conquerest with thy proper aids,\n\nSoma is pressed: thy gladdening draught, Indra! libation's Lord! is this.\n\n4 Him for your sake I glorify as Lord of Strength who wrongeth none,\n\nThe Hero Indra, conquering all, Most Bounteous, God of all the tribes.\n\n5 Those Goddesses, both Heaven and Earth, revere the power and might of him,\n\nHim whom our songs increase in strength, the Lord of bounty swift to come.\n\n6 To seat your Indra, I will spread abroad with power this song of praise.\n\nThe saving succours that abide in him, like songs, extend and grow.\n\n7 A recent Friend, he found the skilful priest: he drank, and showed forth treasure from the Gods.\n\nHe conquered, borne by strong all-shaking mares, and was with far-spread power his friends' Protector.\n\n8 In course of Law the sapient juice was quaffed: the Deities to glory turned their mind.\n\nWinning through hymns a lofty title, he, the Lovely, made his beauteous form apparent.\n\n9 Bestow on us the most illustrious strength ward off men's manifold malignities.\n\nGive with thy might abundant vital force, and aid us graciously in gaining riches.\n\n10 We turn to thee as Giver, liberal Indra. Lord of the Bay Steeds, be not thou ungracious.\n\nNo friend among mankind have we to lookto: why have men called thee him who spurs the niggard?\n\n11 Give us not up, Strong Hero! to the hungry: unharmed be we whom thou, so rich, befriendest.\n\nFull many a boon hast thou for men demolish those who present no gifts nor pour oblations.\n\n12 As Indra thundering impels the rain-clouds, so doth he send us store of kine and horses.\n\nThou art of old the Cherisher of singers let not the rich who bring no gifts deceive thee.\n\n13 Adbyaryu, hero, bring to mighty Indrafor he is King thereof-the pressed-out juices;\n\nTo him exalted by the hymns and praises, ancient and modern, of the singing Rsis.\n\n14 In the wild joy of this hath Indra, knowing full many a form, struck down resistless Vrtras.\n\nProclaim aloud to him the savoury Soma so that the Hero, strong of jaw, may drink it.\n\n15 May Indra drink this Soma poured to please him, and cheered therewith slay Vrtra with his thunder.\n\nCome to our sacrifice even from a distance, good lover of our songs, the bard's Supporter.\n\n16 The cup whence Indra drinks the draught is present: the Amrta dear to Indra hath been drunken,\n\nThat it may cheer the God to gracious favour, and keep far from us hatred and affliction.\n\n17 Therewith enraptured, Hero, slay our foemen, the unfriendly, Maghavan be they kin or strangers,\n\nThose who still aim their hostile darts to smite us, turn them to flight, O Indra, crush and kill them.\n\n18 O Indra Maghavan, in these our battles win easy paths for us and ample freedom.\n\nThat we may gain waters and seed and offspring, set thou our princes on thy side, O Indra.\n\n19 Let thy Bay Stallions, harnessed, bring thee hither, Steeds with strong chariot and strong reins to hold them,\n\nStrong Horses, speeding hither, bearing thunder, well-harnessed, for the strong exciting potion.\n\n20 Beside the vat, Strong God! stand thy strong Horses, shining with holy oil, like waves exulting.\n\nIndra, they bring to thee, the Strong and Mighty, Soma of juices shed by mighty press-stones.\n\n21 Thou art the Bull of earth, the Bull of heaven, Bull of the rivers, Bull of standing waters.\n\nFor thee, the Strong, O Bull, hath Indu swollen. juice pleasant, sweet to drink, for thine election.\n\n22 This God, with might, when first he had his being, with Indra for ally, held fast the Pani.\n\nThis Indu stole away the warlike weapons, and foiled the arts of his malignant father.\n\n23 The Dawns he wedded to a glorious Consort, and set within the Sun the light that lights him.\n\nHe found in heaven, in the third lucid regions, the threefold Amrta in its close concealment.\n\n24 He stayed and held the heaven and earth asunder: the chariot with the sevenfold reins he harnessed.\n\nThis Soma Set with power within the milch-kine a spring whose ripe contents ten fingers empty.\n\n#### HYMN XLV. Indra.\n\n1. THAT Indra is our youthful Friend, who with his trusty guidance led\n\nTurvasa, Yadu from afar.\n\n2 Even to the dull and uninspired Indra, gives vital power, and wins\n\nEven with slow steed the offered prize.\n\n3 Great are his ways of guiding us, and!nanilbld are Ins eulogies:\n\nHis kind protections never fail.\n\n4 Friends, sing your psalm and offer praise to him to whom the prayer is brought:\n\nFor our great Providence is he.\n\n5 Thou, Slaughterer of Vrtra, art Guardian and Friend of one and two,\n\nYea, of a man like one of us.\n\n6 Beyond men's hate thou leadest us, and givest cause to sing thy praise:\n\nGood hero art thou called by men.\n\n7 I call with hymns, as 'twere a cow to milk, the Friend who merits praise,\n\nThe Brahman who accepts the prayer.\n\n8 Him in whose hands they say are stored all treasures from the days of old,\n\nThe Hero, conquering in the fight.\n\n9 Lord of Strength, Caster of the Stone, destroy the firm forts built by men,\n\nAnd foil their arts, unbending God!\n\n10 Thee, thee as such, O Lord of Power, O Indra, Soma-drinker, true,\n\nWe, fain for glory, have invoked.\n\n11 Such as thou wast of old, and art now to be called on when the prize\n\nlies ready, listen to our call.\n\n12 With hymns and coursers we will gain, Indra, through thee, both steeds and spoil\n\nMost glorious, and the proffered prize.\n\n13 Thou, Indra, Lover of the Song, whom men must stir to help, hast been\n\nGreat in the contest for the prize.\n\n14 Slayer of foes, whatever aid of thine imparts the swiftest course,\n\nWith that impel our car to speed.\n\n15 As skilfullest of those who drive the chariot, with our art and aim,\n\nO Conqueror, win the proffered prize.\n\n16 Praise him who, Matchless and Alone, was born the Lord of living men,\n\nMost active, with heroic soul.\n\n17 Thou who hast been the singers' Friend, a Friend auspicious with thine aid,\n\nAs such, O Indra, favour us.\n\n18 Grasp in thine arms the thunderbolt, O Thunder-armed, to slay the fiends:\n\nMayst thou subdue the foemen's host.\n\n19 I call the ancient Friend, allied with wealth, who speeds the lowly man,\n\nHim to whom chiefly prayer is brought.\n\n20 For he alone is Lord of all the treasures of the earth: he speeds\n\nHither, chief Lover of the Song.\n\n21 So with thy yoked teams satisfy our wish with power and wealth in steeds\n\nAnd cattle, boldly, Lord of kine!\n\n22 Sing this, what time the ' juice is pressed, to him your Hero, Much-invoked,\n\nTo please him as a mighty Steer.\n\n23 He, Excellent, withholdeth not his gift of power and wealth in kine,\n\nWhen he hath listened to our songs.\n\n24 May he with might unclose for us the cow's stall, whosesoe'er it be,\n\nTo which the Dasyu-slayer goes.\n\n25 O Indra Satakratu, these our songs have called aloud to thee,\n\nLike mother cows to meet their calves.\n\n26 Hard is thy love to win: thou art a Steer to him who longs for steers:\n\nBe to one craving steeds a Steed.\n\n27 Delight thee with the juice we pour for thine own great munificence:\n\nYield not thy singer to reproach.\n\n28 These songs with every draught we pour come, Lover of the Song, to thee,\n\nAs milch-kine hasten to their young\n\n29 To thee most oft invoked, amid the many singers' rivalry\n\nWho beg with all their might for wealth.\n\n30 Nearest and most attractive may our laud, O Indra come to thee.\n\nUrge thou us on to ample wealth.\n\n31 Brbu hath set himself above the Panis, o'er their highest head,\n\nLike the wide bush on Ganga's bank.\n\n32 He whose good bounty, thousandfold, swift as the rushing of the wind,\n\nSuddenly offers as a gift.\n\n33 So all our singers ever praise the pious Brbu's noble deed,\n\nChief, best to give his thousands, best to give a thousand liberal gifts.\n\n#### HYMN XLVI. Indra.\n\n1. THAT we may win us wealth and power we poets, verily, call on thee:\n\nIn war men call on thee, Indra, the hero's Lord, in the steed's race-course call on thee.\n\n2 As such, O Wonderful, whose hand holds thunder, praised as mighty, Caster of the Stone!\n\nPour on us boldly, Indra, kine and chariotsteeds, ever to be the conqueror's strength.\n\n3 We call upon that Indra, who, most active, ever slays the foe:\n\nLord of the brave, Most Manly, with a thousand powers, help thou and prosper us in fight.\n\n4 Rcisama, thou forcest men as with a bull, with anger, in the furious fray.\n\nBe thou our Helper in the mighty battle fought for sunlight, water, and for life.\n\n5 O Indra, bring us name and fame, enriching, mightiest, excellent,\n\nWherewith, O Wondrous God, fair-visored, thunder-armed, thou hast filled full this earth and heaven.\n\n6 We call on thee, O King, Mighty amid the Gods, Ruler of men, to succour us.\n\nAll that is weak in us, Excellent God, make firm: make our foes easy to subdue.\n\n7 All strength and valour that is found, Indra, in tribes of Nahusas, and all the splendid fame that the Five Tribes enjoy\n\nBring, yea, all manly powers at once.\n\n8 Or, Maghavan, what vigorous strength in Trksi lay, in Druhyus or in Paru's folk,\n\nFully bestow on us, that, in the conquering fray, we may subdue our foes in fight.\n\n9 O Indra, grant a happy home, a triple refuge triply strong.\n\nBestow a dwelling-place on the rich lords and me, and keep thy dart afar from these.\n\n10 They who with minds intent on spoil subdue the foe, boldly attack and smite him down,-\n\nFrom these, O Indra Maghavan who lovest song, be closest guardian of our lives.\n\n11 And now, O Indra, strengthen us: come near and aid us in the fight,\n\nWhat time the feathered shafts are flying in the air, the arrows with their sharpened points.\n\n12 Give us, where heroes strain their bodies in the fight, the shelter that our fathers loved.\n\nTo us and to our sons give refuge: keep afar all unobserved hostility.\n\n13 When, Indra, in the mighty fray thou urgest chargers to their speed,\n\nOn the uneven road and on a toilsome path, like falcons, eager for renown,\n\n14 Speeding like rivers rushing down a steep descent, responsive to the urging call,\n\nThat come like birds attracted to the bait, held in by reins in both the driver's hands.\n\n#### HYMN XLVII. Indra, Etc.\n\n1. YEA, this is good to taste and full of. sweetness, verily it is strong and rich in flavour.\n\nNo one may conquer Indra in the battle when he hath drunken of the draught we offer.\n\n2 This sweet juice here had mightiest power to gladden: it boldened Indra when he siaughtered Vrtra,\n\nWhen he defeated Sambara's many onslaughts, and battered down his nineand ninety ramparts.\n\n3 This stirreth up my voice when I have drunk it: this hath aroused from sleep my yearning spirit.\n\nThis Sage hath measured out the six expanses from which no single creature is excluded.\n\n4 This, even this, is he who hath created the breadth of earth, the lofty height of heaven.\n\nHe formed the nectar in three headlong rivers. Soma supports the wide mid-air above us.\n\n5 He found the wavy sea of brilliant colours in forefront of the Dawns who dwell in brightness.\n\nThis Mighty One, the Steer begirt by Maruts, hath propped the heavens up with a mighty pillar.\n\n6 Drink Soma boldly from the beaker, Indra, in war for treasures, Hero, Vrtra-slayer!\n\nFill thyself full at the mid-day libation, and give us wealth, thou Treasury of riches.\n\n7 Look out for us, O Indra, as our Leader, and guide us on to gain yet goodlier treasure.\n\nExcellent Guardian, bear us well through peril, and lead us on to wealth with careful guidance.\n\n8 Lead us to ample room, O thou who knowest, to happiness, security, and sunlight.\n\nHigh, Indra, are the arms of thee the Mighty: may we betake. us to their lofty shelter.\n\n9 Set us on widest chariot-seat, O Indra, with two steeds best to draw, O Lord of Hundreds!\n\nBring us the best among all sorts of viands: let not the foe's wealth, Maghavan, subdue us.\n\n10 Be gracious, Indra, let my days be lengthened: sharpen my thought as 'twere a blade of iron\n\nApprove whatever words I speak, dependent on thee, and grant me thy divine protection.\n\n11 Indra the Rescuer, Indra the Helper, Hero who listens at each invocation,\n\nSakra I call, Indra invoked of many. May Indra Maghavan prosper and bless us.\n\n12 May helpful Indra as our good Protector, Lord of all treasures, favour us with succour,\n\nBaffle our foes, and give us rest and safety, and may we be the lords of hero vigour.\n\n13 May we enjoy the grace of him the Holy, yea, may we dwell in his auspicious favour.\n\nMay helpful Indra as our good Preserver drive from us, even from afar, our foemen.\n\n14 Like rivers rushing down a slope, O Indra, to thee haste songs and prayers and linked verses.\n\nThou gatherest, Thunderer! like widespread bounty, kine, water, drops, and manifold libations.\n\n15 Who lauds him, satisfies him, pays him worship? E'en the rich noble still hath found him mighty.\n\nWith power, as when one moves his feet alternate, he makes the last precede, the foremost follow.\n\n16 Famed is the Hero as each strong man's tamer, ever advancing one and then another.\n\nKing of both worlds, hating the high and haughty, Indra protects the men who are his people.\n\n17 He loves no more the men he loved aforetime: he turns and moves away allied with others.\n\nRejecting those who disregard his worship, Indra victorious lives through many autumns.\n\n18 In every figure he hath been the mode: this is his only form for us to look on.\n\nIndra moves multiform by his illusions; for his Bay Steeds are yoked, ten times a hundred.\n\n19 Here Tvastar, yoking to the car the Bay Steeds, hath extended sway.\n\nWho will for ever stand upon the foeman's side, even when our princes sit at ease?\n\n20 Gods, we have reached a country void of pasture the land, though spacious, was too small to hold us.\n\nBrhaspati, provide in war for cattle; find a path, Indra, for this faithful singer.\n\n21 Day after day far from their seat he drove them, alike, from place to place, those darksome creatures.\n\nThe Hero slew the meanly-huckstering Dasas, Varcin and Sambara, where the waters gather.\n\n22 Out of thy bounty, Indra, hath Prastoka bestowed ten coffers and ten mettled horses.\n\nWe have received in turn from Divodasa Sambara's wealth, the gift of Atithigva.\n\n23 Ten horses and ten treasure-chests, ten garments as an added gift,\n\nThese and ten lumps of gold have I received from Divodasa's hand.\n\n24 Ten cars with extra steed to each, for the Atharvans hundred cows,\n\nHath Asvatha to Payu given.\n\n25 Thus Srnjaya's son honoured the Bharadvajas, recipients of all noble gifts and bounty.\n\n26 Lord of the wood, be firm and strong in body: be, bearing us, a brave victorious hero\n\nShow forth thy strength, compact with straps of leather, and let thy rider win all spoils of battle.\n\n27 Its mighty strength was borrowed from the heaven and earth: its conquering force was brought from sovrans of the wood.\n\nHonour with holy gifts the Car like Indra's bolt, the Car bound round with straps, the vigour of the floods.\n\n28 Thou Bolt of Indra, Vanguard of the Maruts, close knit to Varuna and Child of Mitra,-\n\nAs such, accepting gifts which here we offer, receive, O Godlike Chariot, these oblations.\n\n29 Send forth thy voice aloud through earth and heaven, and let the world in all its breadth regard thee;\n\nO Drum, accordant with the Gods and Indra, drive thou afar, yea, very far, our foemen.\n\n30 Thunder out strength and fill us full of vigour: yea, thunder forth and drive away all dangers.\n\nDrive hence, O War-drum, drive away misfortune: thou art the Fist of Indra: show thy firmness.\n\n31 Drive hither those, and these again bring hither: the War-drum speaks aloud as battle's signal.\n\nOur heroes, winged with horses, come together. Let our car-warriors, Indra, be triumphant.\n\n#### HYMN XLVIII. Agni and Others.\n\n1. SING to your Agni with each song, at every sacrifice, for strength.\n\nCome, let us praise the Wise and Everlasting God, even as a well-beloved Friend,\n\n2 The Son of Strength; for is he not our gracious Lord? Let us serve him who bears our gifts.\n\nIn battle may he be our help and strengthener, yea, be the saviour of our lives.\n\n3 Agni, thou beamest forth with light, great Hero, never changed by time.\n\nShining, pure Agni! with a light that never fades, beam with thy fair beams brilliantly.\n\n4 Thou worshippest great Gods: bring them without delay by wisdom and thy wondrous power.\n\nO Agni, make them turn hither to succour us. Give strength, and win it for thyself.\n\n5 He whom floods, stones, and trees support, the offspring of eternal Law;\n\nHe who when rubbed with force is brought to life by men upon the lofty height of earth;\n\n6 He who hath filled both worlds fult with his brilliant shine, who hastens with his smoke to heaven;\n\nHe made himself apparent through the gloom by night, the Red Bull in the darksome nights, the Red Bull in the darksome nights.\n\n7 O Agni, with thy lofty beams, with thy pure brilliancy, O God,\n\nKindled, Most Youthful One! by Bharadvaja's hand, shine on us, O pure God, with wealth, shine, Purifier! splendidly.\n\n8 Thou art the Lord of house and home of all the tribes, O Agni, of all tribes of men.\n\nGuard with a hundred forts thy kindler from distress, through hundred winters, Youngest God! and those who make thy singers rich.\n\n9 Wonderful, with thy favouring help, send us thy bounties, gracious Lord.\n\nThou art the Charioteer, Agni, of earthly wealth: find rest and safety for our seed.\n\n10 With guards unfailing never negligent speed thou our children and our progeny.\n\nKeep far from us, O Agni, all celestial wrath and wickedness of godless men.\n\n11 Hither, O friends, with newest song drive her who freely pours her milk;\n\nLoose her who never turns away;\n\n12 Who, for the host of Maruts bright with native sheen, hath shed immortal fame like milk;\n\nWhom the impetuous Maruts look upon with love, who moves in splendour on their ways.\n\n13 For Bharadvaja she poured down in days of old\n\nThe milch-cow yielding milk for all, and food that gives all nourishment.\n\n14 Your friend like Indra passing wise, with magic power like Varuna.\n\nLike Aryaman joy-giving, bringing plenteous food like ViSnxu for my wish, I praise,\n\n15 Bright as the host of Maruts mighty in their roar. May they bring Pusan free from foes;\n\nMay they bring hither hundreds, thousands for our men: may they bring hidden stores to light, and make wealth easy to be found.\n\n16 Haste to me, Pusan, in thine car, bright Deity: I fain would speak:\n\nMost sinful is our foeman's hate.\n\n17 Tear not up by the roots the Kakambira tree: destroy thou all malignity.\n\nLet them not snare by day the neck of that Celestial Bird the Sun.\n\n18 Uninjured let thy friendship be, like the smooth surface of a skin,\n\nA flawless skin, containing curds, full to the mouth, containing curds.\n\n19 For thou art high above mankind, in glory equal to the Gods.\n\nTherefore, O Pusan, look upon us in the fight: now help us as in days of old.\n\n20 May the kind excellence of him the Kind, loud Roarers! be our guide,\n\nBe it the God's, O Maruts, or a mortal man's who worships, ye impetuous Ones!\n\n21 They whose high glory in a moment like the God, the Sun, goes round the space of heaven,\n\nThe Maruts have obtained bright strength, a sacred name, strength that destroys the Vrtras, strength Vrtra-destroying excellent.\n\n22 Once, only once, the heaven was made, once only once, the earth was formed-\n\nOnce, only Prsni's milk was shed: no second, after this, is born.\n\n#### HYMN XLIX. Visvedevas.\n\n1. I LAUD with newest songs the Righteous People, Mitra and Varuna who make us happy.\n\nLet them approach, here let them listen,Agni, Varuna, Mitra, Lords of fair dominion.\n\n2 Him, to be praised at each tribe's sacrifices, the Two young Matrons' sober-minded Herald,\n\nThe Son of Strength, the Child of Heaven, the signal of sacrifice, red Agni will I worship.\n\n3 Unlike in form are the Red God's two Daughters: one is the Sun's, and stars bedeck the other.\n\nApart, the Sanctifiers, in succession, come to the famed hymn, praised in holy verses.\n\n4 I with a lofty song call hither Vayu, all-bounteous, filler of his car, most wealthy.\n\nThou, Sage, with bright path, Lord of harnessed horses, impetuous, promptly honourest the prudent.\n\n5 That chariot of the Asvins, fair to look on, pleaseth me well, yoked with a thought, refulgent,\n\nWherewith, Nasatyas, Chiefs, ye seek our dwelling, to give new strength to us and to our children.\n\n6 Bulls of the Earth, O Vata and Parjanya, stir up for us the regions of the water.\n\nHearers of truth, ye, Sages, World-Supporters, increase his living wealth whose songs delight you.\n\n7 So may Sarasvati, the Hero's Consort, brisk with rare life, the lightning's Child, inspire us,\n\nAnd, with the Dames accordant, give the singer a refuge unassailable and flawless.\n\n8 I praise with eloquence him who guards all pathways. He, when his love impelled him, went to Arka.\n\nMay he vouchsafe us gear with gold to grace it: may Pusan make each prayer of ours efective.\n\n9 May Herald Agni, fulgent, bring for worship Tvastar adored, in homes and swift to listen,\n\nGlorious, first to share, the life-bestower, the ever active God, fair-armed, fair-handed.\n\n10 Rudra by day, Rudra at night we honour with these our songs, the Universe's Father.\n\nHim great and lofty, blissful, undecaying let us call specially as the Sage impels us.\n\n11 Ye who are youthful, wise, and meet for worship, come, Martits, to the longing of the singer.\n\nComing, as erst to Angiras, O Heroes, ye animate and quicken e'en the desert.\n\n12 Even as the herdsman driveth home his cattle, I urge my songs to him the strong swift Hero\n\nMay he, the glorious, lay upon his body the singer's hymns, as stars bedeck the heaven.\n\n13 He who for man's behoof in his afiliction thrice measured out the earthly regions, Visnu-\n\nWhen one so great as thou affordeth shelter, may we with wealth and with ourselves be happy.\n\n14 Sweet be this song of mine to Ahibudhnya, Parvata, Savitar, with Floods and Lightnings;\n\nSweet, with the Plants, to Gods who seek oblations. May liberal Bhaga speed us on to riches.\n\n15 Give riches borne on cars, with many heroes, contenting men, the guard of mighty Order.\n\nGive us a lasting home that we may battle with godless bands of men who fight against us, and meet with tribes to whom the Gods are gracious.\n\n#### HYMN L. Visvedevas.\n\n1. I CALL with prayers on Aditi your Goddess, on Agni, Mitra, Varuna for favour,\n\nOn Aryaman who gives unasked, the gracious, on Gods who save, on Savitar and Bhaga.\n\n2 Visit, to prove us free from sin, O Surya Lord of great might, the bright Gods sprung from Daksa,\n\nTwice-born and true, observing sacred duties, Holy and full of light, whose tongue is Agni.\n\n3 And, O ye Heaven and Earth, a wide dominion, O ye most blissful Worlds, our lofty shelter,\n\nGive ample room and freedom for our dwelling, a home, ye Hemispheres, which none may rival.\n\n4 This day invited may the Sons of Rudra, resistless, excellent, stoop down to meet us;\n\nFor, when beset with slight or sore affliction, we ever call upon the Gods, the Maruts;\n\n5 To whom the Goddess Rodasi clings closely, whom Pusan follows bringing ample bounty.\n\nWhat time ye hear our call and come, O Maruts, upon your separate path all creatures tremble.\n\n6 With a new hymn extol, O thou who singest, the Lover of the Song, the Hero Indra.\n\nMay he, exalted, hear our invocation, and grant us mighty wealth and strength when lauded.\n\n7 Give full protection, Friends of man, ye Waters, in peace and trouble, to our sons and grandsons.\n\nFor ye are our most motherly physicians, parents of all that standeth, all that moveth.\n\n8 May Savitar come hither and approach us, the God who rescues, Holy, goldenhanded,\n\nThe God who, bounteous as the face of Morning, discloses precious gifts for him who worships.\n\n9 And thou, O Son of Strength, do thou turn hither the Gods to-day to this our holy service.\n\nMay I for evermore enjoy thy bounty and, Agni, by thy grace be rich in heroes.\n\n10 Come also to my call, O ye Nasatyas, yea, verily, through my prayers, ye Holy Sages.\n\nAs from great darkness ye delivered Atri, protect us, Chiefs, from danger in the conflict.\n\n11 O Gods, bestow upon us riches, splendid with strength and heroes, bringing food in plenty.\n\nBe gracious, helpful Gods of earth, of heaven, born of the Cow, and dwellers in the waters.\n\n12 May Rudra and Sarasvati, accordant, Visnu and Vayu, pour down gifts and bless us;\n\nRbhuksan, Vaja, and divine Vidhatar, Parjanya, Vata make our food abundant.\n\n13 May this God Savitar, the Lord, the Offspring of Waters, pouring down his dew be gracious,\n\nAnd, with the Gods and Dames accordant, Tvastar; Dyaus with the Gods and Prthivi with oceans.\n\n14 May Aja-Ekapad and Ahibudhnya, and Earth and Ocean hear our invocation;\n\nAll Gods who strengthen Law, invoked and lauded, and holy texts uttered by sages, help us.\n\n15 So with my thoughts and hymns of praise the children of Bharadvaja sing aloud to please you.\n\nThe Dames invoked, and the resistless Vasus, and all ye Holy Ones have been exalted.\n\n#### HYMN LI. Visvedevas.\n\n1. THAT mighty eye of Varuna and Mitra, infallible and dear, is moving upward.\n\nThe pure and lovely face of holy Order hath shone like gold of heaven in its arising.\n\n2 The Sage who knows these Gods' three ranks and orders, and all their generations near and distant,\n\nBeholding good and evil acts of mortals, Sura marks well the doing of the pious.\n\n3 I praise you Guards of mighty Law eternal, Aditi, Mitra, Varuna, the noble,\n\nAryaman, Bhaga, all whose thoughts are faithful: hither I call the Bright who share in common.\n\n4 Lords of the brave, infallible, foe-destroyers, great Kings, bestowers of fair homes to dwell in,\n\nYoung, Heroes, ruling heaven with strong dominion, Adityas, Aditi I seek with worship.\n\n5 O Heaven our Father, Earth our guileless Mother, O Brother Agni, and ye Vasus, bless us.\n\nGrant us, O Aditi and ye Adityas, all of one mind, your manifold protection.\n\n6 Give us not up to any evil creature, as spoil to wolf or she-wolf, O ye Holy.\n\nFor ye are they who guide aright our bodies, ye are the rulers of our speech and vigour.\n\n7 Let us not suffer for the sin of others, nor do the deed which ye, O Vasus, punish.\n\nYe, Universal Gods! are all-controllers: may he do harm unto himself who hates Me.\n\n8 Mighty is homage: I adopt and use it. Homage hath held in place the earth and heaven.\n\nHomage to Gods! Homage commands and rules them. I banish even committed sin by homage\n\n9 You Furtherers of Law, pure in your spirit, infallible, dwellers in the home of Order,\n\nTo you all Heroes mighty and far-seeing I bow me down, O Holy Ones, with homage.\n\n10 For these are they who shine with noblest splendour; through all our troubles these conduct us safely-\n\nVaruna, Mitra, Agni, mighty Rulers, trueminded, faithful to the hymn's controllers.\n\n11 May they, Earth, Aditi, Indra, Bhaga, Pusan increase our laud, increase the Fivefold people.\n\nGiving good help, good refuge, goodly guidance, be they our good deliverers, good protectors.\n\n12 Come now, O Gods, to your celestial station: the Bharadvajas' priest entreats your favour.\n\nHe, sacrificing, fain for wealth, hath honoured the Gods vath those who sit and share oblations.\n\n13 Agni, drive thou the wicked foe, the evil-hearted thief away,\n\nFar, far, Lord of the brave I and give us easy paths.\n\n14 Soma, these pressing-stones have called aloud to win thee for our Friend.\n\nDestroy the greedy Pani, for a wolf is he.\n\n15 Ye, O most bountiful, are they who, led by Indra, seek the sky.\n\nGive us good paths for travel: guard us ivell at home.\n\n16 Now have we entered on the road that leads to bliss, without a foe,\n\nThe road whereon a man escapes all enemies and gathers wealth.\n\n#### HYMN LIL Visvedevas.\n\n1. THIS I allow not in the earth or heaven, at sacrifice or in these holy duties.\n\nMay the huge mountains crush him down: degraded be Atiyaja's sacrificing patron.\n\n2 Or he who holds us in contempt, O Maruts, or seeks to blame the prayer that we are making,\n\nMay agonies of burning be his portion. May the sky scorch the man who hates devotion.\n\n3 Why then, O Soma, do they call thee keeper of prayer? Why then our guardian from reproaches?\n\nWhy then beholdest thou how men revile us? Cast thy hot dart at him who hates devotion.\n\n4 May Mornings as they spring to life, protect me, and may the Rivers as they swell preserve me.\n\nMy guardians be the firmly-seated mountains: the Fathers, when I call on Gods, defend me!\n\n5 Through all our days may we be healthy. minded, and look upon the Sun when he arises.\n\nGrant this the Treasure-Lord of treasures, coming, observant, oftenest of Gods, with succour!\n\n6 Most near, most oft comes Indra with protection, and she Sarasvati, who swells with rivers -\n\nParjanya, bringing health with herbs, and Agni, well lauded swift to listen, like a father.\n\n7 Hear this mine invocation; come hither, O Universal Gods,\n\nBe seated on this holy grass.\n\n8 To him who comes to meet you, Gods, with offerings bathed in holy oil-\n\nApproach ye, one and all, to him.\n\n9 All Sons of Immortality shall listen to the songs we sing,\n\nAnd be exceeding good to us.\n\n10 May all the Gods who strengthen Law, with Rtus, listening to our call,\n\nBe pleased with theit appropriate draught.\n\n11 May 1ndra, with the Marut host, with Tvastar, Mitra, Aryaman,\n\nAccept the laud and these our gifts.\n\n12 O Agni, Priest, as rules ordain, offer this sacrifice of ours,\n\nRemembering the Heavenly Folk.\n\n13 Listen, All-Gods, to this mine invocation, Ye who inhabit heaven, and air's midregions,\n\nAll ye, O Holy Ones, whose tongue is Agni, seated upon this sacred grass, be joyful.\n\n14 May the All-Gods who claim our worship hear my thought; may the two World-halves hear it, and the Waters' Child.\n\nLet me not utter words that ye may disregard. Closely allied with you may we rejoice in bliss.\n\n15 And those who, Mighty, with the wiles of serpents, were born on earth, in heaven, where waters gather-\n\nMay they vouchsafe us life of full duration. May the Gods kindly give us nights and mornings.\n\n16 At this my call, O Agni and Parjanya, help, swift to hear, my thought and our laudation.\n\nOne generates holy food, the other offspring, so grant us food enough with store of children.\n\n17 When holy grass is strewn and fire enkindled, with hymn and lowly homage I invite you.\n\nAll-Gods, to day in this our great assembly rejoice, ye Holy, in the gifts we offer.\n\n#### HYMN LIII. Pusan.\n\n1. LORD of the path, O Pusan, we have yoked and bound thee to our hymn,\n\nEven as a car, to win the prize.\n\n2 Bring us the wealth that men require, a manly master of a house,\n\nFree-handed with the liberal meed.\n\n3 Even him who would not give, do thou,\n\nO glowing Pusan, urge to give,\n\nAnd make the niggard's soul grow soft.\n\n4 Clear paths that we may win the prize; scatter our enemies afar.\n\nStrong God, be all our thoughts fulfilled.\n\n5 Penetrate with an awl, O Sage, the hearts of avaricious churls,\n\nAnd make them subject to our will.\n\n6 Thrust with thine awl, O Pusan: seek that which the niggard's heart holds dear,\n\nAnd make him subject to our will.\n\n7 Tear up and read in pieces, Sage, the hearts of avaricious churls,\n\nAnd make them subject to our will.\n\n8 Thou, glowing Pusan, carriest an awl that urges men to prayer;\n\nTherewith do thou tear up and rend to shreds the heart of every one.\n\n9 Thou bearest, glowing Lord! a goad with horny point that guides the cows\n\nThence do we seek thy gift of bliss.\n\n10 And make this hymn of ours produce kine, horses, and a store of wealth\n\nFor our delight and use as men.\n\n#### HYMN LIV. Pusan.\n\n1. O PUSAN, bring us to the man who knows, who shall direct us straight,\n\nAnd say unto us, It is here.\n\n2 May we go forth with Pusan who shall point the houses out to us,\n\nAnd say to us, These same are they.\n\n3 Unharmed is Pusan's chariot wheel; the box ne'er falleth to the ground,\n\nNor doth the loosened felIy shake.\n\n4 Pusan forgetteth not the man who serveth him with offered gift:\n\nThat man is first to gather wealth.\n\n5 May Pusan follow near our kine; may Pusan keep our horses safe:\n\nMay Pusan gather gear for us.\n\n6 Follow the kine of him who pours libations out and worships thee;\n\nAnd ours who sing thee songs of praise.\n\n7 Let none be lost, none injured, none sink in a pit and break a limb.\n\nReturn with these all safe and sound.\n\n8 Pusan who listens to our prayers, the Strong whose wealth is never lost,\n\nThe Lord of riches, we implore.\n\n9 Secure in thy protecting care, O Pusan, never may we fail.\n\nWe here are they who sing thy praise.\n\n10 From out the distance, far and wide, may Pusan stretch his right hand forth,\n\nAnd drive our lost again to us.\n\n#### HYMN LV. Pusan.\n\n1. SON of Deliverance, come, bright God!\n\nLet us twain go together: be our charioteer of sacrifice.\n\n2 We pray for wealth to thee most skilled of charioteers, with braided hair,\n\nLord of great riches, and our Friend.\n\n3 Bright God whose steeds are goats, thou art a stream of wealth, a treasure-heap,\n\nThe Friend of every pious man.\n\n4 Pusan, who driveth goats for steeds, the strong and Mighty, who is called\n\nHis Sister's lover, will we laud.\n\n5 His Mother's suitor I address. May he who loves his Sister hear,\n\nBrother of Indra, and my Friend.\n\n6 May the sure-footed goats come nigh, conveying Pusan on his car,\n\nThe God who visiteth mankind.\n\n#### HYMN LVI, Pusan.\n\n1. WHOSO remembers Pusan as cater of mingled curd and meal\n\nNeed think no more upon the God.\n\n2 And he is best of charioteers. Indra, the hero's Lord, allied\n\nWith him as Friend, destroys the foes.\n\n3 And there the best of charioteers hath guided through the speckled cloud\n\nThe golden wheel of Sura's car.\n\n4 Whate'er we speak this day to thee, Wise, Wondrous God whom many praise,\n\nGive thou fulfilment of our thought.\n\n5 Lead on this company of ours, that longs for kine, to win the spoil:\n\nThou, Pusan, art renowned afar.\n\n6 Prosperity we crave from thee, afar from sin and near to wealth,\n\nTending to perfect happiness both for to. morrow and to-day.\n\n#### HYMN LVII. Indra and Pusan.\n\n1. INDRA and Pusan will we call for friend ship and prosperity\n\nAnd for the winning of the spoil.\n\n2 One by the Soma sits to drink juice which the mortar hath expressed:\n\nThe other longs for curd and meal.\n\n3 Goats are the team that draws the one: the other hath Bay Steeds at hand;\n\nWith both of these he slays the fiends.\n\n4 When Indra, wondrous strong, brought down the streams, the mighty waterfloods,\n\nPusan was standing by his side.\n\n5 To this, to Pusan's favouring love, and Indra's, may we closely cling,\n\nAs to a tree's extended bough.\n\n6 As one who drives a car draws in his reins, may we draw Pusan near,\n\nAnd Indra, for our great success.\n\n#### HYMN LVIII. Pusan.\n\n1. LIKE heaven art thou: one form is bright, one holy, like Day and Night dissimilar in colour.\n\nAll magic powers thou aidest, self-depen. dent! Auspicious be thy bounty here, O Pusan.\n\n2 Goat-borne, the guard of cattle, he whose home is strength, inspirer of the hymn, set over all the world;\n\nBrandishing here and there his lightly. moving goad, beholding every creature, Pusan, God, goes forth.\n\n3 O Pusan, with thy golden ships that travel across the ocean, in the air's mid-region,\n\nThou goest on an embassy to Surya, subdued by love, desirous of the glory.\n\n4 Near kinsman of the heaven and earth is Pusan, liberal, Lord of food, of wondrous iustre,\n\nWhom strong and vigorous and swiftlymoving, subdued by love, the Deities gave to Surya.\n\n#### HYMN LIX. Indra-Agni.\n\n1. I WILL declare, while juices flow, the manly deeds that ye have done:\n\nYour Fathers, enemies of Gods, were smitten down, and, Indra-Agni, ye survive.\n\n2 Thus, Indra-Agnip verily your greatness merits loftiest praise,\n\nSprung from one common Father, brothers, twins are ye; your Mother is in every place.\n\n3 These who delight in flowing juice, like fellow horses at their food,\n\nIndra and Agni, Gods armed with the thunderbolt, we call this day to come with help.\n\n4 Indra and Agni, Friends of Law, served with rich gifts, your speech is kind\n\nTo him who praises you while these libations flow: that man, O Gods, ye ne'er consume.\n\n5 What mortal understands, O Gods, Indra and Agni, this your way?\n\nOne of you, yoking Steeds that move to every side, advances in your common car.\n\n6 First, Indra-Agni, hath this Maid come footless unto those with feet.\n\nStretching her head and speaking loudly with her tongue, she hath gone downward thirty steps.\n\n7 E'en now, O Indra-Agni, men hold in their arms and stretch their bows.\n\nDesert us not in this great fray, in battles for the sake of kine.\n\n8 The foeman's sinful enmities, Indra and Agni, vex me sore.\n\nDrive those who hate me far away, and keep them distant from the Sun.\n\n9 Indra and Agni, yours are all the treasures of the heavens and earth.\n\nHere give ye us the opulence that prospers every living man.\n\n10 O Indra-Agni, who accept the laud, and hear us for our praise,\n\nCome near us, drawn by all our songs, to drink of this our Soma juice.\n\n#### HYMN LX. Indra-Agni.\n\n1. HE slays the foe and wins the spoil who worships Indra and Agni, strong and mighty Heroes,\n\nWho rule as Sovrans over ample riches, victorious, showing forth their power in conquest.\n\n2 So battle now, O Indra and thou, Agni, for cows and waters, sunlight, stolen Mornings.\n\nTeam-borne, thou makest kine thine own, O Agni: thou, Indra, light, Dawns, regions, wondrous waters.\n\n3 With Vrtra-slaying might, Indra and Agni, come, drawn by homage, O ye Vrtra-slayers.\n\nIndra and Agni, show yourselves among us with your supreme and unrestricted bounties.\n\n4 I call the Twain whose deeds of old have all been famed in ancient days\n\nO Indra-Agni, harm us not.\n\n5 The Strong, the scatterers of the foe, Indra and Agni, we invoke;\n\nMay they be kind to one like me.\n\n6 They slay our Arya foes, these Lords of heroes, slay our Dasyu foes\n\nAnd drive our enemies away.\n\n7 Indra and Agni, these our songs of praise have sounded forth to you:\n\nYe who bring blessings! drink the juice.\n\n8 Come, Indra-Agni, with those teams, desired of many, which ye have,\n\nO Heroes, for the worshipper.\n\n9 With those to this libation poured, ye Heroes, Indra-Agni, come:\n\nCome ye to drink the Soma juice.\n\n10 Glorify him who compasses all forests with his glowing flame,\n\nAnd leaves them blackened with his tongue.\n\n11 He who gains Indra's bliss with fire enkindled finds an easy way\n\nOver the floods to happiness.\n\n12 Give us fleet coursers to convey Indra and Agni, and bestow\n\nAbundant strengthening food on us.\n\n13 Indra and Agni, I will call you hither and make you joyful with the gifts I offer.\n\nYe Twain are givers both of food and riches: to win me strength and vigour I invoke you.\n\n14 Come unto us with riches, come with wealth in horses and in kine.\n\nIndra and Agni, we invoke you both, the Gods, as Friends for friendship, bringing bliss.\n\n15 Indra and Agni, hear his call who worships. with libations poured.\n\nCome and enjoy the offerings, drink the sweetly-flavoured Soma juice.\n\n#### HYMN LXI. Sarasvati.\n\n1. To Vadhryasva when. be worshipped her with gifts she gave fierce Divodasa, canceller of debts.\n\nConsumer of the churlish niggard, one and all, thine, O Sarasvati, are these effectual boons.\n\n2 She with her might, like one who digs for lotus-stems, hath burst with her strong waves the ridges of the hills.\n\nLet us invite with songs and holy hymns for help Sarasvati who slayeth the Paravatas.\n\n3 Thou castest down, Sarasvati, those who scorned the Gods, the brood of every Brsaya skilled in magic arts.\n\nThou hast discovered rivers for the tribes of men, and, rich in wealth! made poison flow away from them.\n\n4 May the divine Sarasvati, rich in her wealth, protect us well,\n\nFurthering all our thoughts with might\n\n5 Whoso, divine Sarasvati, invokes thee where the prize is set,\n\nLike Indra when he smites the foe.\n\n6 Aid us, divine Sarasvad, thou who art strong in wealth and power\n\nLike Pusan, give us opulence.\n\n7 Yea, this divine Sarasvati, terrible with her golden path,\n\nFoe-slayer, claims our eulogy.\n\n8 Whose limitless unbroken flood, swift-moving with a rapid rush,\n\nComes onward with tempestuous roar.\n\n9 She hath spread us beyond all foes, beyond her Sisters, Holy One,\n\nAs Surya spreadeth out the days.\n\n10 Yea, she most dear amid dear stream, Seven-sistered, graciously inclined,\n\nSarasvati hath earned our praise.\n\n11 Guard us from hate Sarasvati, she who hath filled the realms of earth,\n\nAnd that wide tract, the firmament!\n\n12 Seven-sistered, sprung from threefold source, the Five Tribes' prosperer, she must be\n\nInvoked in every deed of might.\n\n13 Marked out by majesty among the Mighty Ones, in glory swifter than the other rapid Streams,\n\nCreated vast for victory like a chariot, Sarasvati must be extolled by every sage.\n\n14 Guide us, Sarasvati, to glorious treasure: refuse us not thy milk, nor spurn us from thee.\n\nGladly accept our friendship and obedience: let us not go from thee to distant countries.\n\n \n\n#### HYMN LXII. Asvins.\n\n1. I LAUD the Heroes Twain, this heaven's Controllers: singing with songs of praise I call the Asvins,\n\nFain in a moment, when the morns are breaking, to part the earth's ends and the spacious regions.\n\n2 Moving to sacrifice through realms of lustre they light the radiance of the car that bears them.\n\nTraversing many wide unmeasured spaces, over the wastes ye pass, and fields, and waters.\n\n3 Ye to that bounteous path of yours, ye mighty, have ever borne away our thoughts with horses,\n\nMind-swift and full of vigour, that the trouble of man who offers gifts might cease and slumber.\n\n4 So ye, when ye have yoked your chariothorses, come to the hymn of the most recent singer.\n\nOur true and ancient Herald Priest shall bring you, the Youthful, bearing splendour, food, and vigour.\n\n5 With newest hymn I call those Wonder-Workers, ancient and brilliant, and exceeding mighty,\n\nBringers of bliss to him who lauds and praises, bestowing varied bounties on the singer.\n\n6 So ye, with birds, out of the sea and waters bore Bhujyu, son of Tugra, through the regions.\n\nSpeeding with winged steeds through dustless spaces, out of the bosom of the flood they bore him.\n\n7 Victors, car-borne, ye rent the rock asunder: Bulls, heard the calling of the eunuch's consort.\n\nBounteous, ye filled the cow with milk for Sayu: thus, swift and zealous Ones, ye showed your favour.\n\n8 Whate'er from olden time, Heaven, Earth! existeth great object of the wrath of Gods and mortals,\n\nMake that, Adityas, Vasus, sons of Rudra, an evil brand to one allied with demons.\n\n9 May he who knows, as Varuna and Mitra, air's realm, appointing both the Kings in season,\n\nAgainst the secret fiend cast forth his weapon, against the lying words that strangers utter.\n\n10 Come to our home with friendly wheels, for offipring; come on your radiant chariot rich in heroes.\n\nStrike off, ye Twain, the heads of our assailants who with man's treacherous attack approach us.\n\n11 Come hitherward to us with teams of horses, the highest and the midmost and the lowest.\n\nBountiful Lords, throw open to the singer doors e'en of the firm-closed stall of cattle.\n\n#### HYMN LXIII. Asvins.\n\n1. WHERE hath the hymn with reverence, like an envoy, found both fair Gods to-day, invoked of many-\n\nHymn that hath brought the two Nasatyas hither? To this man's thought be ye, both Gods, most friendly.\n\n2 Come readily to this mine invocation, lauded with songs, that ye may drink the juices.\n\nCompass this house to keep it from the foeman, that none may force it, either near or distant.\n\n3 Juice in wide room hath been prepared to feast you: for you the grass is strewn, most soft to tread on.\n\nWith lifted hands your servant hath adored you. Yearningfor you the press-stones shed the liquid.\n\n4 Agni uplifts him at your sacrifices: forth goes the oblation dropping oil and glowing.\n\nUp stands the grateful-minded priest, elected, appointed to invoke the two Nasatyas.\n\n5 Lords of great wealth! for glory, Surya's Daughter mounted your car that brings a hundred succours.\n\nFamed for your magic arts were ye, magicians! amid the race of Gods, ye dancing Heroes!\n\n6 Ye Twain, with these your glories fair to look on, brought, to win victory, rich gifts for Surya.\n\nAfter you flew your birds, marvels of beauty: dear to our hearts! the song, well lauded, reached you.\n\n7 May your winged coursers, best to draw. Nasatyas! convey you to the object of your wishes.\n\nSwift as the thought, your car hath been sent onward to food of many a sort and dainty viands.\n\n8 Lords of great wealth, manifold is your bounty: ye filled our cow with food that never faileth.\n\nLovers of sweetness! yours are praise and singers, and poured libations which have sought your favour.\n\n9 Mine were two mares of Puraya, brown, swift-footed; a hundred with Sumidha, food with Peruk\n\nSanda gave ten gold-decked and well-trained horses, tame and obedient and of lofty stature.\n\n10 Nasatyas! Purupanthas offered hundreds, thousands of steeds to him who sang your praises,\n\nGave, Heroes! to the singer Bharadvaja. Ye-Wonder-Workers, let the fiends be slaughtered.\n\n11 May I with princes share your bliss in freedom.\n\n#### HYMN LXIV. Dawn.\n\n1. THE radiant Dawns have risen up for glory, in their white splendour like the waves of waters.\n\nShe maketh paths all easy, fair to travel, and, rich, hath shown herself benign and friendly.\n\n2 We see that thou art good: far shines thy lustre; thy beams, thy splendours have flown up to heaven.\n\nDecking thyself, thou makest bare thy bosom, shining in majesty, thou Goddess Morning.\n\n3 Red are the kine and luminous that bear her the Blessed One who spreadeth through the distance.\n\nThe foes she chaseth like a valiant archer, like a swift warrior she repelleth darkness.\n\n4 Thy ways are easy on the hills: thou passest Invincible! Se1f-luminous! through waters.\n\nSo lofty Goddess with thine ample pathway, Daughter of Heaven, bring wealth to give us comfort.\n\n5 Dawn, bring me wealth: untroubled, with thine oxen thou bearest riches at thy will and pleasure;\n\nThou who, a Goddess, Child of Heaven, hast shown thee lovely through bounty when we called thee early.\n\n6 As the birds fly forth from their restingplaces, so men with store of food rise at thy dawning.\n\nYea, to the liberal mortal who rernaineth at home, O Goddess Dawn, much good thou bringest.\n\n#### HYMN LXV. Dawn.\n\n1. SHEDDING her light on human habitations this Child of Heaven hath called us from our slumber;\n\nShe who at night-time with her argent lustre hath shown herself e'en through the shades of darkness.\n\n2 All this with red-rayed steeds have they divided: the Dawns on bright cars shine in wondrous fashion.\n\nThey, bringing near the stately rite's commencement, drive far away the night's surrounding shadows.\n\n3 Dawns, bringing hither, to the man who worships, glory and power and might and food and vigour,\n\nOpulent, with imperial sway like heroes, favour your servant and this day enrich him.\n\n4 Now is there treasure for the man who serves you, now for the hero, Dawns! who brings oblation;\n\nNow for the singer when he sings the praise-song. Even to one like me ye brought aforetime.\n\n5 O Dawn who standest on the mountain ridges, Angirases now praise thy stalls of cattle.\n\nWith prayer and holy hymn they burst them open: the heroes' calling on the Gods was fruitful.\n\n6 Shine on us as of old, thou Child of Heaven,on him, rich Maid! who serves like Bharadvaja.\n\nGive to the singer wealth with noble heroes, and upon us bestow wide-spreading glory.\n\n#### HYMN LXVI. Maruts.\n\n1. E'EN to the wise let that be still a wonder to which the general name of Cow is given.\n\nThe one hath swelled among mankind for milking: Prsni hath drained but once her fair bright udder.\n\n2 They who like kindled flames of fire are glowing,. the Maruts, twice and thrice have waxen mighty.\n\nGolden and dustless were their cars, invested with their great strength and their heroic vigour.\n\n3 They who are Sons of the rain-pouring Rudra, whom the long-lasting One had power to foster:\n\nThe Mighty Ones whose germ great Mother Prsni is known to have received for man's advantage.\n\n4 They shrink not from the birth; in this same manner still resting there they purge away reproaches.\n\nWhen they have streamed forth, brilliant, at their pleasure, with their own splendour they bedew their bodies.\n\n5 Even those who bear the brave bold name of Maruts, whom not the active quickly wins for milking.\n\nEven the liberal wards not off those fierce ones, those who are light and agile in their greatness.\n\n6 When, strong in strength and armed with potent weapons, they had united wellformed earth and heaven,\n\nRodasl stood among these furious Heroes like splendour shining with her native brightness.\n\n7 No team of goats shall draw your car, O Maruts, no horse no charioteer be he who drives it.\n\nHalting not, reinless, through the air it travels, speeding alone its paths through earth and heaven.\n\n8 None may obstruct, none overtake, O Maruts, him whom ye succour in the strife of battle\n\nFor sons and progeny, for kine and waters: he bursts the cow-stall on the day of trial.\n\n9 Bring a bright hymn to praise the band of Maruts, the Singers, rapid, strong in native vigour,\n\nWho conquer mighty strength with strength more mighty: earth shakes in terror at their wars, O Agni.\n\n10 Bright like the flashing flames of sacrifices, like tongues of fire impetuous in their onset,\n\nChanting their psalm, singing aloud, like heroes, splendid from birth, invincible, the Maruts.\n\n11 That swelling band I call with invocation, the brood of Rudra, armed with glittering lances.\n\nPure hymns are meet for that celestial army: like floods and mountains have the Strong Ones battled.\n\n#### HYMN LXVIL Mitra-Varuna.\n\n1. NOW Mitra-Varuna shall be exalted high by your songs, noblest of all existing;\n\nThey who, as 'twere with reins are best Controllers, unequalled with their arms to check the people.\n\n2 To you Two Gods is this my thought extended, turned to the sacred grass with loving homage.\n\nGive us, O Mitra-Varuna, a dwelling safe from attack, which ye shall guard, Boon-Givers!\n\n3 Come hither, Mitra-Varuna, invited with eulogies and loving adoration,\n\nYe who with your might, as Work-Controllers, urge even men who quickly hear to labour.\n\n4 Whom, of pure origin, like two strong horses, Aditi bore as babes in proper season,\n\nWhom, Mighty at your birth, the Mighty Goddess brought forth as terrors to the mortal foeman.\n\n5 As all the Gods in their great joy and gladness gave you with one accord your high dominion,\n\nAs ye surround both worlds, though wide and spacious your spies are ever true and never bewildered.\n\n6 So, through the days maintaining princely power. ye prop the height as 'twere from loftiest heaven.\n\nThe Star of all the Gods, established, filleth the heaven and earth with food of man who liveth.\n\n7 Take the strong drink, to quaff till ye are sated, when he and his attendants fill the chamber.\n\nThe young Maids brook not that none seeks to win them, when, Quickeners of all! they scatter moisture.\n\n8 So with your tongue come ever, when your envoy, faithful and very wise, attends our worship.\n\nNourished by holy oil! he this yGur glory: annihilate the sacrificer's trouble.\n\n9 When, Mitra-Varuna, they strive against you and break tlie friendly laws ye have established,\n\nThey, neither Gods nor men in estimation, like Api's sons have godless sacrifices.\n\n10 When singers in their song uplift their voices, some chant the Nivid texts with steady purpose.\n\nThen may we sing you lauds that shall be fruitful: dp ye not rival all the Gods in greatness?\n\n11 O Mitra-Varuna, may your large bounty come to us hither, near to this our dwelling,\n\nWhen the kine haste to us, and when they harness the fleet-foot mettled stallion for the battle.\n\n#### HYMN LXVIII. Indra-Varuna.\n\n1. HIS honouring rite whose grass is trimmed is offered swiftly to you, in Manu's wise, accordant,\n\nThe rite which Indra-Varuna shall carry this day to high success and glorious issue.\n\n2 For at Gods' worship they are best through vigour; they have become the strongest of the Heroes;\n\nWith mighty strength, most liberal of the Princes, Chiefs of the host, by Law made Vrtra's slayers.\n\n3 Praise those Twain Gods for powers that merit worship, Indra and Varuna, for bliss, the joyous.\n\nOne with his might and thunderbolt slays Vrtra; the other as a Sage stands near in troubles.\n\n4 Though dames and men have waxen strong and mighty, and all the Gods selfpraised among the Heroes,\n\nYe, Indra-Varuna, have in might surpassed them, and thus were ye spread wide, O Earth and Heaven.\n\n5 Righteous is he, and liberal and helpful who, Indra-Varuna, brings you gifts with gladness.\n\nThat bounteous man through food shall conquer faemen, and win him opulence and wealthy people.\n\n6 May wealth which ye bestow in food and treasure on him who brings you gifts and sacrifices,\n\nWealth, Gods! which breaks the curse of those who vex us, be, Indra-Varuna, e'en our own possession.\n\n7 So also, Indra-Varuna, may our princes have riches swift to save, with Gods to guard them-\n\nThey whose great might gives victory in battles, and their triumphant glory spreads with swiftness.\n\n8 Indra. and Varuna, Gods whom we are lauding, mingle ye wealth with our heroic glory.\n\nMay we, who praise the strength of what is mighty, pass dangers, as with boats we cross the waters.\n\n9 Now will I sing a dear and far-extending hymn to Varuna the God, sublime, imperial Lord,\n\nWho, mighty Governor, Eternal, as with flame, illumines both wide worlds with majesty and power.\n\n10 True to Law, Indra-Varuna, drinkers of the juice, drink this pressed Soma which shall give you rapturous joy.\n\nYour chariot cometh to the banquet of the Gods, to sacrifice, as it were home, that ye may drink.\n\n11 Indra and Varuna, drink your fill, ye Heroes, of this invigorating sweetest Soma.\n\nThis juice is shed by us that ye may quaff it: on this trimmed grass be seated, and rejoice you\n\n#### HYMN LXIX. Indra-Visnu\n\n1. INDRA and Visnu, at my task's completion I urge you on with food and sacred service.\n\nAccept the sacrifice and grant us riches, leading us on by unobstructed pathways.\n\n2 Ye who inspire all hymns, Indra and Visnu, ye vessels who contain the Soma juices,\n\nMay hymns of praise that now are sung address you, the lauds that are recited by the singers.\n\n3 Lords of joy-giving draughts, Indra and Visnu, come, giving gifts of treasure, to the Soma.\n\nWith brilliant rays of hymns let chanted praises, repeated with the lauds, adorn and deck you.\n\n4 May your foe-conquering horses bring you hither, Indra and Visnu, sharers of the banquet.\n\nOf all our hymns accept the invocations list to my prayers and hear the songs I sing you.\n\n5 This your deed, Indra-Visnu, must be lauded: widely ye strode in the wild joy of Soma.\n\nYe made the firmament of larger compass, and made the regions broad for our existence.\n\n6 Strengthened with sacred offerings, IndraVisnu, first eaters, served with worship ana oblation,\n\nFed with the holy oil, vouchsafe us riches ye are the lake, the vat that holds the Soma.\n\n7 Drink of this meath, O Indra, thou, and Visnu; drink ye your fill of Soma, Wonder-Workers.\n\nThe sweet exhilarating juice hath reached you. Hear ye my prayers, give ear unto my calling.\n\n8 Ye Twain have conquered, ne'er have yc been conquered: never hath either of the Twain been vanquished.\n\nYe, Indra-Visnu, when ye fought the battle, produced this infinite with three divisions.\n\n#### HYMN LXX. Heaven and Earth.\n\n1. FILLED full of fatness, compassing all things that be, wide, spacious, dropping meath, beautiful in their form,\n\nThe Heaven and the Earth by Varuna's decree, unwasting, rich in germs, stand parted each from each.\n\n2 The Everlasting Pair, with full streams, rich in milk, in their pure rule pour fatness for the pious man.\n\nYe who are Regents of this world, O Earth and Heaven, pour into us the genial flow that prospers meit.\n\n3 Whoso, for righteous life, pours offerings to you, O Heaven and Earth, ye Hemispheres, that man succeeds.\n\nHe in his seed is born again and spreads by Law: from you flow things diverse in form, but ruled alike.\n\n4 Enclosed in fatness, Heaven and Earth are bright therewith: they mingle with the fatness which they still increase.\n\nWide, broad, set foremost at election of the priest, to them the singers pray for bliss to further them.\n\n5 May Heaven and Earth pour down the balmy rain for us, balm-dropping, yielding balm, with balm upon your path,\n\nBestowing by your Godhead sacrifice and wealth, great fame and strength for us and good heroic might.\n\n6 May Heaven and Earth make food swell plenteously for us, all-knowing Father, jother, wondrous in their works.\n\nPouring out bounties, may, in union, both the Worlds, all beneficial, send us gain, and power, and wealth.\n\n#### HYMN LXXI. Savitar.\n\n1. FULL of effectual wisdom Savitar the God hath stretched out golden arms that he may bring forth life.\n\nYoung and most skilful, while he holds the region up, the Warrior sprinkles fatness over both his hands.\n\n2 May we enjoy the noblest vivifying force of Savitar the God, that he may give us wealth:\n\nFor thou art mighty to produce and lull to rest the world of life that moves on two feet and on four.\n\n3 Protect our habitation, Savitar, this day, with guardian aids around, auspicious, firm and true.\n\nGod of the golden tongue, keep us for newest bliss: let not the evil-wisher have us in his power.\n\n4 This Savitar the God, the golden-handed, Friend of the home, hath risen to meet the twilight.\n\nWith cheeks of brass, with pleasant tongue, the Holy, he sends the worshipper rich gifts in plenty.\n\n5 Like a Director, Savitar hath extended his golden arms, exceeding fair to look on.\n\nHe hath gone up the heights of earth and heaven, and made each monster fall and cease from troubling.\n\n6 Fair wealth, O Savitar, to-day, to-morrow, fair wealth produce for us each day that passes.\n\nMay we through this our song be happy gainers, God, of a fair and spacious habitation.\n\n#### HYMN LXXII. Indra-Soma.\n\n1. GREAT is this might of yours, Indra and Soma: the first high exploits were your own achievements.\n\nYe found the Sun ye found the light of heaven: ye killed all darkness and the Gods' blasphemers.\n\n2 Ye, Indra-Soma, gave her light to Morning, and led the Sun on high with all his splendour.\n\nYe stayed the heaven with a supporting pillar, and spread abroad apart, the Earth, the Mother.\n\n3 Ye slew the flood -obstructing serpent Vrtra, Indra and Soma: Heaven approved your exploit.\n\nYe urged to speed the currents of the rivers, and many seas have ye filled full with waters.\n\n4 Ye in the unripe udders of the milch-kine have set the ripe milk, Indra, thou, and Soma.\n\nYe have held fast the unimpeded whiteness within these many-coloured moving creatures.\n\n5 Verily ye bestow, Indra and Soma, wealth, famed, victorious, passing to our children.\n\nYe have invested men, ye Mighty Beings, with manly strength that conquers in the battle.\n\n#### HYMN LXXIII. Brhaspati.\n\n1. SERVED with oblations, first-born, mountain-render, Angiras' son, Brhaspati, the Holy,\n\nWith twice-firm path, dwelling in light, our Father, roars loudly, as a bull, to Earth and Heaven.\n\n2 Brhaspati, who made for such a people wide room and verge when Gods were invocated,\n\nSlaying his enemies, breaks down their castles, quelling his foes and conquering those who hate him.\n\n3 Brhaspati in war hath won rich treasures, hath won, this God, the great stalls filled with cattle.\n\nStriving to win waters and light, resistless, Brhaspati with lightning smites the foeman.\n\n#### HYMN LXXIV. Soma-Rudra.\n\n1. HOLD fast your Godlike sway, O Soma-Rudra: let these our sacrifices quickly reach you.\n\nPlacing in every house your seven great treasures, bring blessing to our quadrupeds and bipeds.\n\n2 Soma and Rudra, chase to every quarter the sickness that hath visited our dwelling.\n\nDrive Nirrti away into the distance, and give us excellent and happy glories.\n\n3 Provide, O Soma-Rudra, for our bodies all needful medicines to heal and cure us.\n\nSet free and draw away the sin committed which we have still inherent in our persons.\n\n4 Armed with keen shafts and weapons, kind and loving, be gracious unto us, Soma and Rudra.\n\nRelease us from the noose of Varuna; keep us from sorrow, in your tender loving-kindness.\n\n#### HYMN LXXV. Weapons of War.\n\n1. THE warrior's look is like a thunderous rain-cloud's, when, armed with mail, he seeks the lap of battle.\n\nBe thou victorious with unwounded body: so let the thickness of thy mail protect thee.\n\n2 With Bow let us win kine, with Bow the battle, with Bow be victors in our hot encounters.\n\nThe Bow brings grief and sorrow to the foeman: armed with the Bow may we subdue all regions.\n\n3 Close to his car, as fain to speak, She presses, holding her well-loved Friend in her embraces.\n\nStrained on the Bow, She whispers like a woman-this Bowstring that preserves us in the combat.\n\n4 These, meeting like a woman and her lover, bear, mother-like, their child upon their bosom.\n\nMay the two Bow-ends, starting swift asunder, scatter, in unison, the foes who hate us.\n\n5 With many a son, father of many daughters, He clangs and clashes as he goes to battle.\n\nSlung on the back, pouring his brood, the Quiver vanquishes all opposing bands and armies.\n\n6 Upstanding in the Car the skilful Charioteer guides his strong Horses on whithersoe'er he will.\n\nSee and admire the strength of those controlling Reins which from behind declare the will of him who drives.\n\n7 Horses whose hoofs rain dust are neighing loudly, yoked to the Chariots, showing forth their vigour,\n\nWith their forefeet descending on the foemen, they, never flinching, trample and destroy them.\n\n8 Car-bearer is the name of his oblation, whercon are laid his Weapons and his Armour.\n\nSo let us here, each day that passes, honour the helpful Car with hearts exceeding joyful.\n\n9 In sweet association lived the fathers who gave us life, profound and strong in trouble,\n\nUnwearied, armed with shafts and wondrous weapons, free, real heroes, conquerors of armies.\n\n10 The Brahmans, and the Fathers meet for Soma-draughts, and, graciously inclined, unequalled Heaven and Earth.\n\nGuard us trom evil, Pusan, guard us strengtheners of Law: let not the evil-wisher master us.\n\n11 Her tooth a deer, dressed in an eagle's feathers, bound with cow-hide, launched forth, She flieth onward.\n\nThere where the heroes speed hither and thither, there may the Arrows shelter and protect us.\n\n12 Avoid us thou whose flight is straight, and let our bodies be as stone.\n\nMay Soma kindly speak to us, and Aditi protect us well.\n\n13 He lays his blows upon their backs, he deals his blows upon their thighs.\n\nThou, Whip, who urgest horses, drive sagacious horses in the fray.\n\n14 It compasses the arm with serpent windings, fending away the friction of the bowstring:\n\nSo may the Brace, well-skilled in all its duties, guard manfully the man from every quarter.\n\n15 Now to the Shaft with venom smeared, tipped with deer-horn, with iron mouth,\n\nCelestial, of Parjanya's seed, be this great adoration paid.\n\n16 Loosed from the Bowstring fly away, thou Arrow, sharpened by our prayer.\n\nGo to the foemen, strike them home, and let not one be left alive.\n\n17 There where the flights of Arrows fall like boys whose locks are yet unshorn.\n\nEven there may Brahmanaspati, and Aditi protect us well, protect us well through all our days.\n\n18 Thy vital parts I cover with thine Armour: with immortality King Soma clothe thee.\n\nVaruna give tliee what is more than ample, and in thy triumph may the Gods be joyful.\n\n19 Whoso would kill us, whether he be a strange foe or one of us,\n\nMay all the Gods discomfit him. My nearest, closest Mail is prayer.",
    "project_translation": false,
    "license": null,
    "methodology_url": null
  }
}