1 HIGH hymns have sounded forth the praise of Maghavan, supporter of mankind, of Indra meet for lauds; Him who hath waxen great, invoked with beauteous songs, Immortal One, whose praise each day is sung aloud.
2 To Indra from all sides go forth my songs of praise, the Lord of Hundred Powers, strong, Hero, like the sea, Swift, winner of the booty, breaker-down of forts, faithful and ever-glorious, finder of the light.
3 Where battle's spoil is piled the singer winneth praise, for Indra taketh care of matchless worshippers. He in Vivasvān's dwelling findeth his delight: praise thou the ever-conquering slayer of the foe.
4 Thee, valorous, most heroic of the heroes, shall the priests glorify with songg and praises. Full of all wondrous power he goes to conquest: worship is his, sole Lord from days aforetime.
5 Abundant are the gifts he gives to mortals: for him the earth bears a rich store of treasures. The heavens, the growing plants, the living waters, the forest trees preserve their wealth for Indra.
6 To thee, O Indra, Lord of Bays, for ever are offered prayers and songs: accept them gladly. As Kinsman think thou of some fresh assistance; good Friend, give strength and life to those who praise thee.
7 Here, Indra, drink thou Soma with the Maruts, as thou didst drink the juice beside Śāryāta. Under thy guidance, in thy keeping, Hero, the singers serve, skilled in fair sacrifices.
8 So eagerly desirous drink the Soma, our juice, O Indra, with thy friends the Maruts, Since at thy birth all Deities adorned thee for the great fight, O thou invoked of many.
9 He was your comrade in your zeal, O Maruts: they, rich in noble gifts, rejoiced in Indra. With them together let the Vṛtra-slayer drink in his home the worshipper's libation.
10 So, Lord of affluent gifts, this juice hath been pressed for thee with strength Drink of it, thou who lovest song.
11 Incline thy body to this juice which suits thy Godlike nature well: May it cheer thee who lovest it.
12 Brave Indra, let it work through both thy flanks, and through thy head by prayer, And through thine arms, to prosper us.
1 INDRA, accept at break of day our Soma mixt with roasted corn, With groats with cake, with eulogies.
2 Accept, O Indra, and enjoy the well-dressed sacrificial cake: Oblations are poured forth to thee.
3 Consume our sacrificial cake, accept the songs of praise we sing, As he who woes accepts his bride.
4 Famed from of old, accept the cake at our libation poured at dawn, Forgreat, O Indra, is thy power.
5 Let roasted corn of our midday libation, and sacrificial cake here please thee, Indra, What time the lauding singer, keen of purpose and eager as a bull, with hymns implores thee.
6 At the third sacrifice, O thou whom many praise, give glory to the roasted corn and holy cake. With offered viands and with songs may we assist thee, Sage, whom Vāja and the Ṛbhus wait upon.
7 The groats have we prepared for thee with Pūṣan, corn for thee, Lord of Bay Steeds, with thy horses. Eat thou the meal-cake, banded with the Maruts, wise Hero, Vṛtra-slayer, drink the Soma.
8 Bring forth the roasted corn to meet him quickly, cake for the bravest Hero mid the heroes. Indra, may hymns accordant with thee daily strengthen thee, Bold One, for the draught of Soma.
1 ON a high car, O Parvata and Indra, bring pleasant viands, with brave heroes, hither. Enjoy the gifts, Gods, at our sacrifices wax strong by hymns, rejoice in our oblation.
2 Stay still, O Maghavan, advance no farther. a draught of well-pressed Soma will I give thee. With sweetest song I grasp, O Mighty Indra, thy garment's hem as a child grasps his father's.
3 Adhvaryu, sing we both; sing thou in answer: make we a laud acceptable to Indra. Upon this sacrificer's grass he seated: to Indra shall our eulogy be uttered.
4 A wife, O Maghavan is home and dwelling: so let thy Bay Steeds yoked convey thee hither. Whenever we press out for thee the Soma, let Agni as our Herald speed to call thee.
5 Depart, O Maghavan;again come hither: both there and here thy goat is Indra, Brother, Where thy tall chariot hath a place to rest in, and where thqu loosest thy loud-neighing Courser.
6 Thou hast drunk Soma, Indra, turn thee homeward; thy joy is in thy home, thy racious Consort; Where thy tall chariot hath a place to rest in, and thy strong Courser is set free with guerdon.
7 Bounteous are these, Aṅgirases, Virupas: the Asura's Heroes and the Sons of Heaven. They, giving store of wealth to Viśvāmitra, prolong his life through countless Soma-pressings.
8 Maghavan weareth every shape at pleasure, effecting magic changes in his body, Holy One, drinker out of season, coming thrice, in a moment, through fit prayers, from heaven.
9 The mighty sage, God-born and God-incited, who looks on men, restrained the billowy river. When Viśvāmitra was Sudās's escort, then Indra through the Kuśikas grew friendly.
10 Like swans, prepare a song of praise with pressing-stones, glad in your hymns with juice poured forth in sacrifice. Ye singers, with the Gods, sages who look on men, ye Kutikas drink up the Soma's savoury meath.
11 Come forward, Kuśikas, and be attentive; let loose Sudās's horse to win him riches. East, west, and north, let the King slay the foeman, then at earth's choicest place perform his worship.
12 Praises to Indra have I sung, sustainer of this earth and heaven. This prayer of Viśvāmitra keeps secure the race of Bharatas.
13 The Viśvāmitras have sung forth this prayer to Indra Thunder-aimed: So let him make us prosperous.
14 Among the Kikatas what do thy cattle? They pour no milky draught, they heat no caldron. Bring thou to us the wealth of Pramaganda;give up to us, O Maghavan, the low-born.
15 Sasarpari, the gift of Jamadagnis, hath lowed with mighty voice dispelling famine. The Daughter of the Sun hath spread our glory among the Gods, imperishable, deathless.
16 Sasarpari brought glory speedily to these, over the generations of the Fivefold Race; Daughter of Paksa, she bestows new vital power, she whom the ancient Jamadagnis gave to me.
17 Strong be the pair of oxen, firm the axles, let not the pole slip nor the yoke be broken. May Indra, keep the yoke-pins from decaying: attend us, thou whose fellies are uninjured.
18 O Indra, give our bodies strength, strength to the bulls who draw the wains, Strength to our seed and progeny that they may live, for thou art he who giveth strength.
19 Enclose thee in the heart of Khayar timber, in the car wrought of Sinsapa put firmness. Show thyself strong, O Axle, fixed and strengthened: throw us not from the car whereon we travel.
20 Let not this sovran of the wood leave us forlorn or injure us. Safe may we be until we reach our homes and rest us and unyoke.
21 With various aids this day come to us, Indra, with best aids speed us, Maghavan, thou Hero. Let him who hatcth us fall headlong downward: him whom we hate let vital breath abandon.
22 He heats his very axe, and then cuts a mere Semal blossom off. O Indra, like a caldron cracked and seething, so he pours out foam.
23 Men notice not the arrow, O ye people; they bring the red beast deeming it a bullock. A sluggish steed men run not with the courser, nor ever lead an ass before a charger.
24 These men, the sons of Bhārata, O Indra, regard not severance or close connexion. They urge their own steed as it were another's, and take him, swift as the bow's string, to battle.
1 To him adorable, mighty, meet for synods, this strengthening hymn, unceasing, have they offered. May Agni hear us with his homely splendours, hear us, Eternal One, with heavenly lustre.
2 To mighty Heaven and Earth I sing forth loudly: my wish goes out desirous and well knowing Both, at whose laud in synods, showing favour, the Gods rejoice them with the living mortal.
3 O Heaven and Earth, may your great law he faithful: he ye our leaders for our high advantage. To Heaven and Earth I offer this my homage, with food, O Agni, as I pray for riches.
4 Yea, holy Heaven and Earth, the ancient sages whose word was ever true had power to find you; And brave men in the fightwhere heroes conquer, O Earth, have known you well and paid you honour.
5 What pathway leadeth to the Gods? Who knoweth this of a truth, and who will now declare it? Seen are their lowest dwelling-places only, but they are in remote and secret regions.
6 The Sage who looketh on mankind hath viewed them bedewed, rejoicing in the seat of Order. They make a home as for a bird, though parted, with one same will finding themselves together.
7 Partners though parted, with far-distant limits, on one firm place both stand for ever watchful, And, being young for evermore, as sisters, speak to each other names that are united.
8 All living things they part and keep asunder; though bearing up the mighty Gods they reel not. One All is Lord of what is fixed and moving, that walks, that flies, this multiform creation.
9 Afar the Ancient from of old I ponder, our kinship with our mighty Sire and Father,— Singing the praise whereof the Gods by custom stand on the spacious far-extended pathway.
10 This laud, O Heaven and Earth, to you I utter: let the kind-hearted hear, whose tongue is Agni, Young, Sovran Rulers, Varuṇa and Mitra, the wise and very glorious Ādityas.
11 The fair-tongued Savitar, the golden-handed, comes thrice from heaven as Lord in our assembly. Bear to the Gods this song of praise, and send us, then, Savitar, complete and perfect safety.
12 Deft worker, skiful-handed, helpful, holy, may Tvaṣṭar, God, give us these things to aid us, Take your delight, Ye Ṛbhus joined with Pūṣan: ye have prepared the rite with stones adjusted.
13 Borne on their flashing car, the spear-armed Maruts, the nimble Youths of Heaven, the Sons of Order, The Holy, and Sarasvatī, shall hear us: ye Mighty, give us wealth with noble offspring.
14 To Viṣṇu rich in marvels, songs And praises shall go as singers on the road of Bhaga,— The Chieftain of the Mighty Stride, whose Mothers, the many young Dames, never disregard him.
15 Indra, who rules through all his powers heroic, hath with his majesty filled earth and heaven. Lord of brave hosts, Fort-crusher, Vṛtra-slayer, gather thou up and bring us store of cattle.
16 My Sires are the Nāsatyas, kind tokinsmen: the Aśvins' kinship is a glorious title. For ye are they who give us store of riches: ye guard your gift uncheated by the bounteous.
17 This is, ye Wise, your great and glorious title, that all ye Deities abide in Indra. Friend, Much-invoked! art thou with thy dear Ṛbhus: fashion ye this our hymn for our advantage.
18 Aryaman, Aditi deserve our worship: the laws of Varuṇa remain unbroken. The lot of childlessness remove ye from us, and let our course be rich in kine and offspring.
19 May the Gods’ envoy, sent to many a quarter, proclaim us sinless for our perfect safety. May Earth and Heaven, the Sun, the waters, hear us, and the wide firmament and constellations.
20 Hear us the mouatains which distil the rain-drops, and, resting firm, rejoice in freshening moisture. May Aditi with the Ādityas hear us, and Maruts grant us their auspicious shelter.
21 Soft be our path for ever, well-provisioned: with pleasant meath, O Gods, the herbs besprinkle. Safe be my bliss, O Agni, in thy friendship: may I attain the seat of foodful. riches,
22 Enjoy the offering: beam thou strength upon us; combine thou for our good all kinds of glory. Conquer in battle, Agni, all those foemen, and light us every day with loving kindness.
1 AT the first shining of the earliest Mornings, in the Cow's home was born the Great Eternal. Now shall the statutes of the Gods be valid. Great is the Gods’ supreme and sole dominion -
2 Let not the Gods here injure us, O Agni, nor Fathers of old time who know the region, Nor the sign set between two ancient dwellings. Great is the Gods’ supreme and sole dominion.
3 My wishes fly abroad to many places: I glance back to the ancient sacrifices. Let us declare the truth when fire is kindled. Great is the Gods’ supreme and sole dominion.
4 King Universal, born to sundry quarters, extended through the wood be lies on couches. One Mother rests: another feeds the Infant. Great is the Gods’ supreme and sole dominion.
5 Lodged in old plants, he grows again in younger, swiftly within the newly-born and tender. Though they are unimpregned, he makes them fruitful. Great is the Gods’ supreme and sole dominion.
6 Now lying far away, Child of two Mothers, he wanders unrestrained, the single youngling. These are the laws of Varuṇa and Mitra. Great is the Gods’ supreme and sole dominion.
7 Child of two Mothers, Priest, sole Lord in synods, he still precedes while resting as foundation. They who speak sweetly bring him sweet addresses. Great is the Gods’ supreme and sole dominion.
8 As to a friendly warrior when he battles, each thing that comes anear is seen to meet him. The hymn commingles with the cow's oblation. Great is the Gods’ supreme and sole dominion.
9 Deep within these the hoary envoy pierceth; mighty, he goeth to the realm of splendour, And looketh on us, clad in wondrous beauty. Great is the Gods’ supreme and sole dominion.
10 Viṣṇu, the guardian, keeps the loftiest station, upholding dear, immortal dwelling-places. Agni knows well all these created beings. Great is the Gods’ supreme and sole dominion.
11 Ye, variant Pair, have made yourselves twin beauties: one of the Twain is dark, bright shines the other; And yet these two, the dark, the red, are Sisters. Great is the Gods’ supreme and sole dominion.
12 Where the two Cows, the Mother and the Daughter, meet and give suck yielding their lordly nectar, I praise them at the seat of law eternal. Great is the Gods’ supreme and sole dominion.
13 Loud hath she lowed, licking the other's youngling. On what world hath the Milch-cow laid her udder? This Iḷā streameth with the milk of Order. Great is the Gods’ supreme and sole dominion.
14 Earth weareth beauties manifold: uplifted, licking her Calf of eighteen months, she standeth. Well-skilled I seek the seat of law eternal. Great is the Gods’ supreme and sole dominion.
15 Within a wondrous place the Twain are treasured: the one is manifest, the other hidden. One common pathway leads in two directions. Great is the Gods’ supreme and sole dominion.
16 Let the milch-kine that have no calves storm downward, yielding rich nectar, streaming, unexhausted, These who are ever new and fresh and youthful. Great is the Gods’ supreme and sole dominion.
17 What time the Bull bellows in other regions, another herd receives the genial moisture; For he is Bhaga, King, the earth's Protector. Great is the Gods’ supreme and sole dominion.
18 Let us declare the Hero's wealth in horses, O all ye folk: of this the Gods have knowledge. Sixfold they bear him, or by fives are harnessed. Great is the Gods’ supreme and sole dominion.
19 Tvaṣṭar the God, the omniform. Creator, begets and feeds mankind in various manner. His, verily, arc all these living creatures. Great is the Gods’ supreme dominion.
20 The two great meeting Bowls hath he united: each of the Pair is laden with histreasure. The Hero is renowned for gathering riches. Great is the Gods’ supreme and sole dominion.
21 Yea, and on this our earth the All-Sustainer dwells like a King with noble friends about him. In his protection heroes rest in safety. Great is the Cods' supreme and sole dominion.
22 Rich in their gifts for thee are herbs and waters, and earth brings all her wealth for thee, O Indra. May we as friends of thine share goodly treasures. Great is the Gods’ supreme and sole dominion.
1 NOT men of magic skill, not men of wisdom impair the Gods’ first steadfast ordinances. Ne’er may the earth and heaven which know not malice, nor the fixed hills, be bowed by sage devices.
2 One, moving not away, supports six burthens: the Cows proceed to him the true, the Highest. Near stand three Mighty Ones who travel swiftly: two are concealed from sight, one is apparent.
3 The Bull who wears all shapes, the triple-breasted, three-uddered, with a brood in many places, Ruleth majestic with his triple aspect, the Bull, the Everlasting Ones' impregner.
4 When nigh them, as their tracer he observed them: he called aloud the dear name of Ādityas. The Goddesses, the Waters, stayed to meet him: they who were wandering separate enclosed him.
5 Streams! the wise Gods have thrice three habitations. Child of three Mothers, he is Lord in synods. Three are the holy Ladies of the Waters, thrice here from heaven supreme in our assembly.
6 Do thou, O Savitar, from heaven thrice hither, three times a day, send down thy blessings daily. Send us, O Bhaga, triple wealth and treasure; cause the two worlds to prosper us, Preserver!
7 Savitar thrice from heaven pours down abundance, and the fair-handed Kings Varuṇa, Mitra; And spacious Heaven and Earth, yea, and the Waters, solicit wealth that Savitar may send us.
8 Three are the bright realms, best, beyond attainment, and three, the Asura's Heroes, rule as Sovrans, Holy and vigorous, never to be injured. Thrice may the Gods from heaven attend our synod.
1 MY thought with fine discernment hath discovered the Cow who wanders free without a herdsman, Her who hath straightway poured me food in plenty: Indra and Agni therefore are her praisers.
2 Indra and Pūṣan, deft of hand and mighty, well-pleased have drained the heaven's exhaustless udder. As in this praise the Gods have all delighted, may I win blessing here from you, O Vasus.
3 Fain to lend vigour to the Bull, the siste.. with reverence recognize the germ within him. The Cows come lowing hither to the Youngling, to him endued with great and wondrous beauties.
4 Fixing with thought, at sacrifice, the press-stones, I bid the well-formed Heaven and Earth come hither; For these thy flames, which give men boons in plenty, rise up on high, the beautiful, the holy.
5 Agni, thy meath-sweet tongue that tastes fair viands, which among Gods is called the far-extended,— Therewith make all the Holy Odes be seated here for our help, and feed them with sweet juices.
6 Let thy stream give us drink, O God, O Agni, wonderful and exhaustless like the rain-clouds. Thus care for us, O Vasu Jātavedas, show us thy loving-kindness, reaching all men.
1 THE Ancient's Milch-cow yields the things we long for: the Son of Dakṣiṇā travels between them. She with the splendid chariot brings refulgence. The praise of Uṣas hath awoke the Aśvins.
2 They bear you hither by well-orderd statute: our sacred offerings rise as if to parents. Destroy in us the counsel of the niggard come hitherward, for we have shown you favour.
3 With lightly-rolling car and well-yoked horses hear this, the press-stone's song, ye Wonder-Workers. Have not the sages of old time, ye Aśvins, called you most prompt to come and stay misfortune?
4 Remember us, and come to us, for ever men, as their wont is, invocate the Aśvins. Friends as it were have offered you these juices, sweet, blent with milk at the first break of morning.
5 Even through many regions, O ye Aśvins high praise is yours among mankind, ye Mighty- Come, helpers, on the paths which Gods have travelled: here your libations of sweet meath are ready.
6 Ancient your home, auspicious is your friendship: Heroes, your wealth is with the house of Jahnu. Forming again with you auspicious friendship, let us rejoice with draughts of meath together.
7 O Aśvins, Very Mighty ones, with Vāyu and with his steeds, one-minded, ever-youthful, Nāsatyas, joying in the third day's Soma, drink it, not hostile, Very Bounteous Givers.
8 Aśvins, to you are brought abundant viands in rivalry with sacred songs, unceasing. Sprung from high Law your car, urged on by press-stones, goes round the earth and heaven in one brief moment.
9 Aśvins, your Soma sheds delicious sweetness: drink ye thereof and come unto our dwelling. Your car, assuming many a shape, most often goes to the Soma-presser's place of meeting.
1 MITRA, when speaking, stirreth men to labour: Mitra sustaineth both the earth and heaven. Mitra beholdeth men with eyes that close not. To Mitra bring, with holy oil, oblation.
2 Foremost be he who brings thee food, O Mitra, who strives to keep thy sacred Law, Āditya. He whom thou helpest ne’er is slain or conquered, on him, from near or far, falls no affliction.
3 joying in sacred food and free from sickness, with knees bent lowly on the earth's broad surface, Following closely the Āditya's statute, may we remain in Mitra's gracious favour.
4 Auspicious and adorable, this Mitra was born with fair dominion, King, Disposer. May we enjoy the grace of him the Holy, yea, rest in his propitious loving-kindness.
5 The great Āditya, to be served with wor. ship, who stirreth men, is gracious to the singer. To Mitra, him most highly to be lauded, offer in fire oblation that he loveth.
6 The gainful grace of Mitra,. God, supporter of the race of man, Gives splendour of most.glorious fame.
7 Mitra whose glory spreads afar, he who in might surpasses heaven, Surpasses earth in his renown.
8 All the Five Races have repaired to Mitra, ever strong to aid, For he sustaineth all the Gods.
9 Mitra to Gods, to living men, to him who strews the holy grass, Gives food fulfilling sacred Law.
1 HERE is your ghostly kinship, here, O Men: they came desirous to these holy rites with store of wealth, With wondrous arts, whereby, with schemes to meet each need, Ye gained, Sudhanvan's Sons! your share in sacrifice.
2 The mighty powers wherewith. ye formed the chalices, the thought by which ye drew the cow from out the hide, The intellect wherewith ye wrought the two Bay Steeds,—through these, O Ṛbhus, ye attained divinity.
3 Friendship with Indra have the Ṛbhus, fully gained: grandsons of Manu, they skilfully urged the work. Sudhanvan's Children won them everlasting life, serving with holy rites, pious with noble acts. 4:In company with Indra come ye to the juice, then gloriously shall your wishes be fulfilled. Not to be paragoned, ye Priests, are your good deeds, nor your heroic acts, Ṛbhus, Sudhanvan's Sons.
5 O Indra, with the Ṛbhus, Mighty Ones, pour down the Soma juice effused, well-blent, from both thy hands. Maghalan, urged by song, in the drink-offerer's house rejoice thee with the Heroes, with Sudhanvan's Sons.
6 With Ṛbhu near, and Vāja, Indra, here exult, with Saci, praised of many, in the juice we pour. These homes wherein we dwell have turned themselves to thee, -devotions to the Gods, as laws of men ordain.
7 Come with the mighty Ṛbhus, Indra, come to us, strengthening with thy help the singer's holy praise; At hundred eager calls come to the living man, with thousand arts attend the act of sacrifice.