rig veda part 1

8/12/2019 Rig Veda Part 1

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The RIG VEDARalph T.H. Griffith, translator 1889RIG VEDA - BOOK THE IR!T

H"#$ I %1&. A'ni.1 I laud Agni, the chosen Priest, God, minister of sacrifice, the hotar, lavisher of wealth.2 Worthy is Agni to be praised by living as by ancient seers. e shall bring. hitherward the Gods.! "hrough Agni man obtaineth wealth, yea, plenty wa#ing day by day, most rich in heroes, glorious.$ Agni, the perfect sacrifice which thou encompassest about verily goeth to the Gods.% &ay Agni, sapient'minded Priest, truthful, most gloriously great, the God, come hither with the Gods.( Whatever blessing, Agni, thou wilt grant unto thy worshipper, that, Angiras, is indeed thy truth.) "o thee, dispeller of the night, * Agni, day by day with prayer bringing thee reverence, we come.+ uler of sacrifices, guard of -aw eternal, radiant one, increasing in thine own abode. /e to us easy of approach, even as a father to his son0 Agni, be with us for our weal.

H"#$ II %(&. Va)*.1 / A "I3 - 4ayu, come, for thee these 5oma drops have been prepared06rin7 of them, hear7en to our call.2 8nowing the days, with 5oma 9uice poured forth, the singers glorify"hee, 4ayu, with their hymns of praise.! 4ayu, thy penetrating stream goes forth unto the worshipper,3ar'spreading for the 5oma draught.$ "hese, Indra'4ayu, have been shed: come for our offered dainties; sa7e0"he drops are yearning for you both.% Well do ye mar7 libations, ye 4ayu and Indra, rich in spoil5o come ye swiftly hitherward.( 4ayu and Indra, come to what the 5oma. presser hath prepared05oon, eroes, thus I ma7e my prayer.) &itra, of holy strength, I call, and foe'destroying 4aruna,Who ma7e the oil'fed rite complete.+ &itra and 4aruna, through -aw, lovers and cherishers of -aw,ave ye obtained your might power *ur 5ages, &itra'4aruna, wide dominion, strong by birth,4ouchsafe us strength that wor7eth well.

H"#$ III. As+ins1 < Asvins, rich in treasure, -ords of splendour, having nimble hands,Accept the sacrificial food.2


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5arasvati accept our rite12 5arasvati, the mighty flood,' she with be light illuminates,5he brightens every pious thought.

H"#$ IV. In ri1 As a good cow to him who mil7s, we call the doer of fair deeds,"o our assistance day by day.2 >ome thou to our libations, drin7 of 5oma: 5oma'drin7er thou"he rich *ne;s rapture giveth 7ine.! 5o may we be ac?uainted with thine innermost benevolence0

=eglect us not, come hitherward.$ Go to the wise uncon?uered *ne, as7 thou of Indra, s7illed in song,im who is better than thy friends.% Whether the men who moc7 us say, 6epart unto another place,


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Protector, mighty in thy strength.2 "o Indra pour ye forth the 9uice, the active gladdening 9uice to himIle gladdening, oinnific God.! * -ord of all men, fair of chee7, re9oice thee in the gladdening lauds,Present at these drin7'offerings.$ 5ongs have outpoured themselves to thee, Indra, the strong, the guardian -ord,And raised themselves unsatisfied.% 5end to us bounty manifold, * Indra, worthy of our wish,3or power supreme is only thine.( * Indra, stimulate there to us emulously fain for wealth,And glorious, * most splendid *ne.) Give, Indra, wide and lofty fame, wealthy in cattle and in strength,-asting our life'time, failing not.+ Grant us high fame, * Indra, grant riches bestowing thousands, those3air fruits of earth borne home in wains. Praising with songs the praise'worthy who cometh to our aid, we callIndra, the "reasure'-ord of wealth.1@ "o lofty Indra, dweller by each libation, the pious man5ings forth aloud a strengthening hymn.

H"#$ . In ra.1 " chanters hymn thee, they who say the word of praise magnify thee."he priests have raised thee up on high, * 5ata7ratu, li7e a pole.2 As up he clomb from ridge to ridge and loo7ed upon the toilsome tas7,Indra observes this wish of his, and the ain hastens with his troop.! arness thy pair of strong bay steeds, long'maned, whose bodies fill the girths,And, Indra, 5oma'drin7er, come to listen to our songs of praise.$ >ome hither, answer thou the song, sing in approval, cry aloud.Good Indra, ma7e our prayer succeed, and prosper this our sacrifice.% "o Indra must a laud be said, to strengthen him who freely gives,"hat 5a7ra may ta7e pleasure in our friendship and drin7'offerings.( im, him we see7 for friendship, him for riches and heroic might.3or Indra, he is 5a7ra, he shall aid us while he gives us wealth.) asy to turn and drive away, Indra, is spoil bestowed by thee.

nclose the stable of the 7ine, and give us wealth * "hunder'armed+ "he heaven and earth contain thee not, together, in thy wrathful mood.Win us the waters of the s7y, and send us 7ine abundantly. ear, thou whose ear is ?uic7, my call: ta7e to thee readily my songs* Indra, let this laud of mine come nearer even than thy friend.1@ We 7now thee mightiest of all, in battles hearer of our cry.*f thee most mighty we invo7e the aid that giveth thousandfold.11 * Indra, 5on of 8usi7a, drin7 our libation with delight.Prolong our life anew, and cause the seer to win a thousand gifts.12 -over of song, may these our songs on every side encompass thee05trengthening thee of lengthened life, may they be dear delights to thee.

H"#$ I. In ra.1 A-- sacred songs have magnified Indra e#pansive as the sea,

"he best of warriors borne on cars, the -ord, the very -ord of strength.2 5trong in thy friendship, Indra, -ord of power and might, we have no fear.We glorify with praises thee, the never'con?uered con?ueror.! "he gifts of Indra from of; old, his saving succours, never fail,When to the praise'singers he gives the boon of substance rich in 7ine.$ >rusher of forts, the young, the wise, of strength unmeasured, was he born5ustainer of each sacred rite, Indra, the "hunderer, much'e#tolled.% -ord of the thunder, thou didst burst the cave of 4ala rich in cows."he Gods came pressing to thy side, and free from terror aided thee,


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( I, ero, through thy bounties am come to the flood addressing thee.5ong'lover, here the singers stand and testify to thee thereof.) "he wily 5usna, Indra thou o;er'threwest with thy wondrous powers."he wise beheld this deed of thine0 now go beyond their eulogies.+ *ur songs of praise have glorified Indra who ruleth by his might,Whose precious gifts in thousands come, yea, even more abundantly.

H"#$ II. A'ni.I W choose Agni the messenger, the herald, master of all wealth,Well s7illed in this our sacrifice.2 With callings ever they invo7e Agni, Agni, -ord of the ouse,*blation'bearer, much beloved.! /ring the Gods hither, Agni, born for him who strews the sacred grass0"hou art our herald, meet for praise.$ Wa7e up the willing Gods, since thou, Agni, performest embassage05it on the sacred grass with Gods.% * Agni, radiant *ne, to whom the holy oil is poured, bum up*ur enemies whom fiends protect.( /y Agni Agni is inflamed, -ord of the ouse, wise, young, who bears"he gift0 the ladle is his mouth.) Praise Agni in the sacrifice, the 5age whose ways are ever true,"he God who driveth grief away.+ God, Agni, be his strong defence who lord of sacrificial gifts,Worshippeth thee the messenger. Whoso with sacred gift would fain call Agni to the feast of Gods,* Purifier, favour him.1@ 5uch, Agni, Purifier, bright, bring hither to our sacrifice,"o our oblation bring the Gods.11 5o lauded by our newest song of praise bring opulence to us,And food, with heroes for our sons.12 * Agni, by effulgent flame, by all invo7ings of the Gods,5how pleasure in this laud of ours.

H"#$ III. A'ni1 AG=I, well'7indled, bring the Gods for him who offers holy gifts.

Worship them, Purifier, Priest.2 5on of "hyself, present, * 5age, our sacrifice to the Gods today.5weet to the taste, that they may feast.! 6ear =arasamsa, sweet of tongue, the giver of oblations, IInvo7e to this our sacrifice.$ Agni, on thy most easy car, glorified, hither bring the Gods0&anu appointed thee as Priest.% 5trew, * ye wise, the sacred grass that drips with oil, in order due,Where the Immortal is beheld.( "hrown open be the 6oors 6ivine, unfailing, that assist the rite,3or sacrifice this day and now.) I call the lovely =ight and 6awn to seat them on the holy grassAt this our solemn sacrifice.

+ "he two Invo7ers I invite, the wise, divine and sweet of tongue,"o celebrate this our sacrifice. Ila, 5arasvati, &ahi, three Goddesses who bring delight,/e seated, peaceful, on the grass.1@ "vastar I call, the earliest born, the wearer of all forms at will0&ay he be ours and curs alone.11 God, 5ovran of the Wood, present this our oblation to the Gods,And let the giver be renowned.12 With 5vaha. pay the sacrifice to Indra in the offerer;s house0


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"hither I call the 6eities.H"#$ 1V. Vis+e e+as.

1 "o drin7 the 5oma, Agni, come, to our service and our songs.With all these Gods: and worship them.2 "he 8anvas have invo7ed thee: they, * 5inger, sing thee songs of praiseAgni, come hither with the Gods:! Indra, 4ayu, /rhaspati, &itra, Agni, Pusan, /haga,Adityas, and the &arut host.$ 3or you these 9uices are poured forth that gladden and e#hilarate,"he meath'drops resting in the cup.% "he sons of 8anva fain for help adore thee, having strewn the grass,With offerings and all things prepared.( -et the swift steeds who carry thee, thought'yo7ed and dropping holy oil,/ring the Gods to the 5oma draught.) Adored, the strengtheners of -aw, unite them, Agni, with their 6ames0&a7e them drin7 meath, * bright of tongue.+ -et them, * Agni, who deserve worship and praise drin7 with thy tongue"le meath in solemn sacrifice. Away, from the 5un;s realm of light, the wise invo7ing Priest shall bringAll Gods awa7ing with the dawn.1@ With all the Gods, with Indra, with 4ayu, and &itra;s splendours, drin7,Agni, the pleasant 5oma 9uice.11 *rdained by &anu as our Priest, thou sittest, Agni, at each rite0allow thou this our sacrifice.12 arness the ed &ares to thy car, the /ays, * God, the flaming ones0With those bring hitherward the Gods.

H"#$ V. RT .1 * I=6 A drin7 the 5oma 9uice with tu: let the cheering drops5in7 deep within, which settle there.2 6rin7 from the Purifier;s cup, &aruts, with tu: sanctify"he rite, for ye give precious gifts.! * =estar, with thy 6ame accept our sacrifice: with tu drin7,3or thou art he who giveth wealth.

$ /ring the Gods, Agni: in the three appointed places set them down05urround them, and with tu drin7.% 6rin7 5oma after the tus, from the /rahmana;s bounty0 undissolved,* Indra, is thy friendship;s bond.( &itra, 4aruna, ye whose ways are firm ' a Power that none deceives',With tu ye have reached the rite.) "he 5oma'pressers, fain for wealth, praise the Wealth'giver in the rite,In sacrifices praise the God.+ &ay the Wealth'giver grant to us riches that shall be far renowned."hese things we gain, among the Gods. e with the tu fain would drin7, Wealth'giver, from the =estar;s bowl.aste, give your offering, and depart.1@ As we this fourth time, Wealth'giver, honour thee with the tus, be

A Giver bountiful to us.11 6rin7 ye the meath, * Asvins bright with flames, whose acts are pure. who withtus accept the sacrifice.12 With tu, through the house'fire, thou, 7ind Giver, guidest sacrifice0Worship the Gods for the pious man.

H"#$ VI. In ra.1 - " thy /ay 5teeds bring thee, the 5trong, hither to drin7 the 5oma draught'"hose, Indra, who are bright as suns.2 ere are the grains bedewed with oil0 hither let the /ay >oursers bring


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Indra upon his easiest car.! Indra at early morn we call, Indra in course of sacrifice,Indra to drin7 the 5oma 9uice.$ >ome hither, with thy long'maned 5teeds, * Indra, to' the draught we pour We call thee wher, the 9uice is shed.% >ome thou to this our song of praise, to the libation poured for thee6rin7 of it li7e a stag athirst.( ere are the drops of 5oma 9uice e#pressed on sacred grass0 thereof 6rin7, Indra, to increase thy might.) Welcome to thee be this our hymn, reaching thy heart, most e#cellent0"hen drin7 the 5oma 9uice e#pressed.+ "o every draught of pressed'out 9uice Indra, the 4rtra'slayer, comes,"o drin7 the 5oma for delight. 3ulfil, * 5ata7ratu, all our wish with horses and with 7ine0With holy thoughts we sing thy praise.

H"#$ VII In ra-Var*na1 I > A4 help from the Imperial -ords, from Indra'4aruna: may they/oth favour one of us li7e me.2 Guardians of men, ye ever come with ready succour at the call*f every singer such as I.! 5ate you, according to your wish, * Indra'4aruna, with wealth03ain would we have you nearest us.$ &ay we be sharers of the powers, sharers of the benevolence*f you who give strength bounteously.% Indra and 4aruna, among givers of thousands, meet for praise,Are Powers who merit highest laud.( "hrough their protection may we gain great store of wealth, and heap it upnough and still to spare, be ours.) * Indra'4aruna, on you for wealth in many a form I call05till 7eep ye us victorious.+ * Indra'4aruna, ' through our songs that see7 to win you to ourselves,Give us at once your sheltering help. * Indra'4aruna, to you may fair praise which I offer come,

9oint eulogy which ye dignify.H"#$ VIII. Brah/anaspati.

1 * / A &A=AP5A"I, ma7e him who presses 5oma glorious,ven 8a7sivan Ausi9a.2 "he rich, the healer of disease, who giveth wealth, increaseth store,"he prompt,'may he be with us still.! -et not the foeman;s curse, let not a mortal;s onslaught fall on usPreserve us, /rahmanaspati.$ =e;er is the mortal hero harmed whom Indra, /rahmanaspati,And 5oma graciously inspire.% 6o, thou, * /rahmanaspati, and Indra, 5oma, 6a7sina,Preserve that mortal from distress.( "o the Assembly;s wondrous -ord, to Indra;s lovely 3riend who gives

Wisdom, have I drawn near in prayer.) e without whom no sacrifice, e;en of the wise man, prospers: he5tirs up the series of thoughts.+ e ma7es the oblation prosper, he promotes the course of sacrifice0*ur voice of praise goes to the Gods. I have seen =arasamsa, him most resolute, most widely famed,As ;twere the ousehold Priest of heaven.

H"#$ I . A'ni, #ar*ts.1 "o this fair sacrifice to drin7 the mil7y draught thou art invo7ed0


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* Agni, with the &aruts come.2 =o mortal man, no God e#ceeds thy mental power, * &ighty one '* Agni, with the &aruts come! All Gods devoid of guile, who 7now the mighty region of mid'air0* Agni, with those &aruts come.$ "he terrible, who sing their song, not to be overcome by might0* Agni, with those &aruts come.% /rilliant, and awful in their form, mighty, devourers of their foes;0* Agni, with those &aruts come.( Who sit as 6eities in heaven, above the s7y'vault;s luminous sphere0* Agni, with those &aruts come.) Who scatter clouds about the s7y, away over the billowy sea0* Agni, with those &aruts come.+ Who with their bright beams spread them forth over the ocean in their might* Agni, with those &aruts come. 3or thee, to be thine early draught, I pour the 5oma'mingled meath0* Agni, with the &aruts come.

H"#$ R0h*s.1 3* the >elestial ace this song of praise which gives wealth lavishlyWas made by singers with their lips.2 "hey who for Indra, with their mind, formed horses harnessed by a word,Attained by wor7s to sacrifice.! "hey for the two =asatyas wrought a light car moving every way0"hey formed a nectar'yielding cow.$ "he bhus with effectual prayers, honest, with constant labour, made"heir 5ire and &other young again.% "ogether came your gladdening drops with Indra by the &aruts girt,With the Adityas, with the 8ings.( "he sacrificial ladle, wrought newly by the God "vastar;s hand'3our ladles have ye made thereof.) 4ouchsafe us wealth, to him who pours thrice seven libations, yea, to eachGive wealth, pleased with our eulogies.+ As ministering Priests they held, by pious acts they won themselves,

A share in sacrifice with Gods.H"#$ I. In ra-A'ni.

1 I=6 A and Agni I invo7e fain are we for their song of praise>hief 5oma'drin7ers are they both.2 Praise ye, * men, and glorify Indra'Agni in the holy rites05ing praise to them in sacred songs.! Indra and Agni we invite, the 5oma'drin7ers, for the fame*f &itra, to the 5oma'draught.$ 5trong Gods, we bid them come to this libation that stands ready here0Indra and Agni, come to us.% Indra and Agni, mighty -ords of our assembly, crush the fiends0>hildless be the devouring ones.( Watch ye, through this your truthfulness, there in the place of spacious view

Indra and Agni, send us bliss. H"#$ II As+ins an Others1 WA8 = the Asvin Pair who yo7e their car at early morn0 may theyApproach to drin7 this 5oma 9uice.2 We call the Asvins "wain, the Gods borne in a noble car, the best*f charioteers, who reach the heavens.! 6ropping with honey is your whip, Asvins, and full of pleasantness5prin7le therewith the sacrifice.$ As ye go thither in your car, not far, * Asvins, is the home


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*f him who offers 5oma 9uice.% 3or my protection I invo7e the golden'handed 5avitar.e 7noweth, as a God, the place.( "hat he may send us succour, praise the Waters; *ffspring 5avitar03ain are we for his holy ways.) We call on him, distributer of wondrous bounty and of wealth,*n 5avitar who loo7s on men.+ >ome hither, friends, and seat yourselves 5avitar, to be praised by us,Giving good gifts, is beautiful. * Agni, hither bring to us the willing 5pouses of the Gods,And "vastar, to the 5oma draught.1@ &ost youthful Agni, hither bring their 5pouses, otra, /harati,4arutri, 6hisana, for aid.11 5pouses of eroes, Goddesses, with whole wings may they come to usWith great protection and with aid.12 Indrani, 4arunani, and Agnayi hither I invite,3or weal, to drin7 the 5oma 9uice.1! &ay eaven and arth, the &ighty Pair, bedew for us our sacrifice,And feed us full with nourishments.1$ "heir water rich with fatness, there in the Gandharva;s steadfast place,"he singers taste through sacred songs.1% "hornless be thou, * arth, spread wide before us for a dwelling'place04ouchsafe us shelter broad and sure.1( "he Gods be gracious unto us even from the place whence 4isnu strode"hrough the seven regions of the earth1) "hrough all this world strode 4isnu: thrice his foot he planted, and the wholeWas gathered in his footstep;s dust.1+ 4isnu, the Guardian, he whom none deceiveth, made three steps: thenceforthstablishing his high decrees.1 -oo7 ye on 4isnu;s wor7s, whereby the 3riend of Indra, close'allied,ath let his holy ways be seen.2@ "he princes evermore behold that loftiest place where 4isnu is,-aid as it were an eye in heaven.

21 "his, 4ishnu;s station most sublime, the singers, ever vigilant,-overs of holy song, light up.

H"#$ III. Va)* an Others.1 5" *=G are the 5omas: come thou nigh: these 9uices have been mi#t with mil706rin7, 4ayu, the presented draughts.2 /oth 6eities who touch the heaven, Indra and 4ayu we invo7e"o drin7 of this our soma 9uice.! "he singers; for their aid, invo7e Indra and 4ayu, swift as mind,"he thousand'eyed, the -ords of thought.$ &itra and 4arupa, renowned as Gods of consecrated might,We call to drin7 the 5oma 9uice.% "hose who by -aw uphold the -aw, -ords of the shining light of -aw,&itra I call, and 4aruna.

( -et 4aruna be our chief defence, let &itra guard us with all aids/oth ma7e us rich e#ceedingly.) Indra, by &aruts girt, we call to drin7 the 5oma 9uice0 may he5ate him in union with his troop.+ Gods, &arut hosts whom Indra leads, distributers of Pusan;s gifts,ear7en ye all unto my cry. With con?uering Indra for ally, stri7e 4rtra down, ye bounteous Gods-et not the wic7ed master us.1@ We call the niversal Gods, and &aruts to the 5oma draught,


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3or passing strong are Prsni;s 5ons.11 3ierce comes the &aruts; thundering voice, li7e that of con?uerors, when ye go3orward to victory, * &en.12 /orn of the laughing lightning. may the &aruts guard us everywhere&ay they be gracious unto s.1! -i7e some lost animal, drive to us, bright Pusan, him who bears up heaven,esting on many'coloured grass.1$ Pusan the /right has found the 8ing, concealed and bidden in a cave,Who rests on grass of many hues.1% And may he. duly bring to me the si# bound closely, through these drops,As one who ploughs with steers brings corn.1( Along their paths the &others go, 5isters of priestly ministrants,&ingling their sweetness with the mil7.1) &ay Waters gathered near the 5un, and those wherewith the 5un is 9oined,5peed forth this sacrifice of ours.1+ I call the Waters, Goddesses, wherein our cattle ?uench their thirst:*blations to the 5treams be given.1 Amrit is in the Waters in the Waters there is healing balm/e swift, ye Gods, to give them praise.2@ Within the Waters'5oma thus hath told me'dwell all balms that heal,And Agni, he who blesseth all. "he Waters hold all medicines.21 * Waters, teem with medicine to 7eep my body safe from harm,5o that I long may see the 5un.22 Whatever sin is found in me, whatever evil I have wrought.If I have lied or falsely sworn, Waters, remove it far from me.2! "he Waters I this day have sought, and to their moisture have we come0* Agni, rich in mil7, come thou, and with thy splendour cover me.2$ 3ill me with splendour, Agni: give offspring and length of days: the Gods5hall 7now me even as I am, and Indra with the sis, 7now.

H"#$ IV. Var*na an Others.1 W * now is he, what God among Immortals, of whose auspicious name we may bethin7 usBWho shall to mighty Aditi restore us, that I may see my 3ather and my &otherB2 Agni the God the first among the Immortals, ' of his auspicious name let us bethin7 us.

e shall to mighty Aditi restore us, that I may see my 3ather and my &other.! "o thee, * 5avitar, the -ord of precious things, who helpest us>ontinually, for our share we come'$ Wealth, highly lauded ere reproach hath fallen on it, which is laid,3ree from all hatred, in thy hands% "hrough thy protection may we come to even the height of affluenceWhich /haga hath dealt out to us.( =e;er have those birds that fly through air attained to thy high dominion or thy might or spirit:

=or these the waters that flow on for ever, nor hills, abaters of the wind;s wild fury.) 4aruna, 8ing, of hallowed might, sustaineth erect the "ree;s stem in the baseless region.Its rays, whose root is high above, stream downward. 6eep may they sin7 within us, and be hidden.+ 8ing 4aruna hath made a spacious pathway, a pathway for the 5un wherein to travel.Where no way was he made him set his footstep, and warned afar whate;er afflicts the spirit.

A hundred balms are thine, * 8ing, a thousand: deep and wide'reaching also be thy favours.3ar from us, far away drive thou 6estruction. Put from us e;en the sin we have committed.1@ Whither by day depart the constellations that shine at night, set high in heaven above usB4aruna;s holy laws remain unwea7ened, and through the night the &oon moves on in splendor 11 I as7 this of thee with my prayer adoring: thy worshipper craves this with his oblation.4aruna, stay thou here and be not angry: steal not our life from us, * thou Wide' uler.12 =ightly and daily this one thing they tell me, this too the thought of mine own heart repeateth.&ay he to whom prayed fettered 5unahsepa, may he the 5ovran 4aruna release us.1! /ound to three pillars captured 5unahsepa thus to the Aditya made his supplication.


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im may the 5ovran 4aruna deliver, wise, ne;er deccived, loosen the bonds that bind him.1$ With bending down, oblations, sacrifices, * 4aruna, we deprecate thine anger0Wise Asura, thou 8ing of wide dominion, loosen the bonds of sins by us committed.1% -oosen the bonds, * 4aruna, that hold me, loosen the bonds above, between, and under.5o in thy holy law may we made sinless belong to Aditi, * thou Aditya.

H"#$ V. Var*na.I W A" 4 law of thine, * God, * 4arurna, as we are men,6ay after day we violate.2 give us not as a prey to death, to be destroyed by thee in wrath,"o thy fierce anger when displeased.! "o gain thy mercy, 4aruna, with hymns we bind thy heart, as binds"he charioteer his tethered horse.$ "hey flee from me dispirited, bent only on obtaining wealthsAs to their nests the birds of air.% When shall we bring, to be appeased, the ero, -ord of warrior might,im, the far'seeing 4arunaB( "his, this with 9oy they both accept in common0 never do they fail"he ever'faithful worshipper.) e 7nows the path of birds that fly through heaven, and, 5ovran of the sea,e 7nows the ships that are thereon.+ "rue to his holy law, he 7nows the twelve moons with their progeny0e 7nows the moon of later birth. e 7nows the pathway of the wind, the spreading, high, and mighty winde 7nows the Gods who dwell above.1@ 4aruna, true to holy law, sits down among his people: he,&ost wise, sits there to govern. all.11 3rom thence percerving he beholds all wondrous things, both what hath been,And what hereafter will be done.12 &ay that Aditya, very 'wise, ma7e fair paths for us all our days0&ay lie prolong our lives for us.1! 4aruna, wearing golden mail, hath clad him in a shining robe.is spies are seated found about.1$ "he God whom enemies threaten not, nor those who tyranniCe o;er men,

=or those whose minds are bent on wrong.1% e who gives glory to man7ind, not glory that is incomplete,"o our own bodies giving it.1(


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-i7e two bay horses champing herbs.+


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-ead thou us, therefore, to increasing riches: endow us with thy strength'bestowing favour.H"#$ II. In ra.

1 I WI-- declare the manly deeds of Indra, the first that he achieved, the "hunder'wielder.e slew the 6ragon, then disclosed the waters, and cleft the channels of the mountain torrents.2 e slew the 6ragon lying on the mountain0 his heavenly bolt of thunder "vastar fashioned.-i7e lowing 7ine in rapid flow descending the waters glided downward to the ocean.! Impetuous as a bull, he chose the 5oma and in three sacred bea7ers dran7 the 9uices.&aghavan grasped the thunder for his weapon, and smote to death this firstborn of the dragons.$ When, Indra, thou hadst slain the dragon;s firstborn, and overcome the charms of the enchanters,"hen, giving life to 5un and 6awn and eaven, thou foundest not one foe to stand against thee.% Indra with his own great and deadly thunder smote into pieces 4rtra, worst of 4rtras.As trun7s of trees, what time the a#e hath felled them, low on the earth so lies the prostrate 6ragon.( e, li7e a mad wea7 warrior, challenged Indra, the great impetuous many'slaying ero.e. broo7ing not the clashing of the weapons, crushed'Indra;s foe'the shattered forts in falling.) 3ootless and handless still he challenged Indra, who smote him with his bolt between the shoulders.masculate yet claiming manly vigour, thus 4rtra lay with scattered limbs dissevered.+ "here as he lies li7e a ban7'bursting river, the waters ta7ing courage flow above him."he 6ragon lies beneath the feet of torrents which 4rtra with his greatness had encompassed. "hen humbled was the strength of 4rtra;s mother0 Indra hath cast his deadly bolt against her."he mother was above, the son was under and li7e a cow beside her calf lay 6anu.1@ olled in the midst of never'ceasing currents flowing without a rest for ever onward."he waters bear off 4rtra;s nameless body0 the foe of Indra san7 to during dar7ness.11 Guarded by Ahi stood the thralls of 6asas, the waters stayed li7e 7ine held by the robber./ut he, when he had smitten 4rtra, opened the cave wherein the floods had been imprisoned.12 A horse;s tail wast thou when he, * Indra, smote on thy bolt: thou, God without a second,"hou hast won bac7 the 7ine, hast won the 5oma: thou hast let loose to flow the 5even ivers.1! =othing availed him lightning, nothing thunder, hailstorm or mist which had spread around him0When Indra and the 6ragon strove in battle, &aghavan gained the victory for ever.1$ Whom sawest thou to avenge the 6ragon, Indra, that fear possessed thy heart when thou hadst slain him:"hat, li7e a haw7 affrighted through the regions, thou crossedst nine'and'ninety flowing riversB1% Indra is 8ing of all that moves and moves not, of creatures tame and horned, the "hunder'wielder.*ver all living men he rules as 5ovran, containing all as spo7es within the felly.

H"#$ III. In ra.

1 >ome, fain for booty let us see7 to Indra0 yet more shall he increase his care that guides us.Will not the Indestructible endow us with perfect 7nowledge of this wealth, of cattleB2 I fly to him invisible Wealth'giver as flies the falcon to his cherished eyrie,With fairest hymns of praise adoring Indra, whom those who laud him must invo7e in battle.! &id all his host, he bindeth on the ?uiver he driveth cattle from what foe he pleaseth0Gathering up great store of riches, Indra. be thou no traffic7er with us, most mighty.$ "hou slewest with thy bolt the wealthy 6asyu, alone, yet going with thy helpers, Indra3ar from the floor of heaven in all directions, the ancient riteless ones fled to destruction.% 3ighting with pious worshippers, the riteless turned and fled, Indra with averted faces.When thou, fierce -ord of the /ay 5teeds, the 5tayer, blewest from earth and heaven and s7y the godless.( "hey met in fight the army of the blameless. then the =avagvas put forth all their power."hey, li7e emasculates with men contending, fled, conscious, by steep paths from Indra, scattered.) Whether they weep or laugh, thou hast o;erthrown them, * Indra, on the s7y;s e#tremest limit.

"he 6asyu thou hast burned from heaven, and welcomed the prayer of him who pours the 9uice and laudsthee.+ Adorned with their array of gold and 9ewels, they o;er the earth a covering veil e#tended.Although they hastened, they o;ercame not Indra0 their spies he compassed with the 5un of morning. As thou en9oyest heaven and earth, * Indra, on every side surrounded with thy greatness,5o thou with priests bast blown away the 6asyu, and those who worship not with those who worship.1@ "hey who pervaded earth;s e#tremest limit subdued not with their charms the Wealth'bestower0Indra, the /ull, made his ally the thunder, and with its light mil7ed cows from out the dar7ness.11 "he waters flowed according to their nature: he raid the navigable streams wa#ed mighty.


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"hen Indra, with his spirit concentrated, smote him for ever with his strongest weapon.12 Indra bro7e through Ilibisa;s strong castles, and 5uspa with his horn he cut to pieces0"hou, &aghavan, for all his might and swiftness, slewest thy fighting foeman with thy thunder 1! 3ierce on his enemies fell Indra;s weapon0 with. his sharp bull he rent their forts in pieces.e with his thunderbolt dealt blows on 4rtra: and con?uered, e#ecuting all his purpose.1$ Indra, thou helpest 8utsa whom thou lovedst, and guardedst brave 6agadyu when he battled,"he dust of trampling horses rose to heaven, and 5vitri;s son stood up again for con?uest.1% 5vitra;s mild steer, * &aghavan thou helpest in combat for the land, mid "ugra;s houses.-ong stood they there before the tas7 was ended0 thou wast the master of the foemen;s treasure.

H"#$ IV. As+ins.1 ome, * =asatyas, with the thrice'eleven Gods: come, * ye Asvins, to the drin7ing of the meath.&a7e long our days of life, and wipe out all our sins0 ward off our enemies: be with us evermore.12 /orne in your triple car, * Asvins, bring us present prosperity with noble offspring.I cry to you who hear me for protection be ye our helpers where men win the booty.

H"#$ V. !a+itar.1 AG=I I first invo7e for our prosperity: I call on &itra, 4aruna, to aid us here.I call on =ight who gives rest to all moving life: I call on 5avitar the God to lend us help.2 "hroughout the dus7y firmament advancing, laying to rest the immortal and the mortal,/orne in his golden chariot he cometh, 5avitar, God who loo7s on every creature.! "he God moves by the upward path, the downward: with two bright /ays, adorable, he 9ourneys.5avitar comes, the God from the far distance, and chases from us all distress and sorrow.

$ is chariot dec7ed with pearl, of various colours, lofty, with golden pole, the God hath mounted,"he many'rayed *ne, 5avitar the holy, bound, bearing power and might, for dar7some regions.% 6rawing the gold'yo7ed car his /ays, white'footed, have manifested light to all the peoples.eld in the lap of 5avitar, divine *ne, all men, all beings have their place for ever.( "hree heavens there are: two 5avitar;s, ad9acent0 in


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God 5avitar the gold'eyed hath come hither, giving choice treasures unto him who worships. "he golden'handed 5avitar, far'seeing, goes on his way between the earth and heaven,6rives away sic7ness, bids the 5un approach us, and spreads the bright s7y through the dar7some region.1@ &ay he, gold'handed Asura, 7ind -eader, come hither to us with his help and favour.6riving off a7sasas and


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$ =ow sing ye forth the God'given hymn to your e#ultant &arut host,"he fiercely'vigorous, the strong.% Praise ye the /ull among the cows: for ;tis the &aruts; sportive band0It strengthened as it dran7 the rain.( Who is your mightiest, eroes, when, * sha7ers of the earth and heaven,


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-et him not love to spea7 ill words0 but fear the *ne who holds all four Within his hand, until they fall.

H"#$ 2II. 3*san.I 5 * " = our ways, * Pusan, move aside obstruction in the path0Go close before us, cloud'born God.2 6rive, Pusan, from our road the wolf, the wic7ed inauspicious wolf,Who lies in Wait to in9ure us.! Who lur7s about the path we ta7e, the robber with a guileful heart03ar from the road chase him away.$ "read with thy foot and trample out the firebrand of the wic7ed one,"he double'tongued, whoe;er he be.% Wise Pusan, Wonder'Wor7er, we claim of thee now the aid wherewith"hou furtheredst our sires of old.( 5o, -ord of all prosperity, best wielder of the golden sword,&a7e riches easy to be won.) Past all pursuers lead us, ma7e pleasant our path and fair to tread0* Pusan, find thou power for this.+ -ead us to meadows rich in grass0 send on our way no early heat0* Pusan, find thou power for this. /e gracious to us, fill us full, give, feed us, and invigorate0* Pusan, find thou power for this.1@ =o blame have we for Pusan: him we magnify with songs of praise0We see7 the &ighty *ne for wealth.

H"#$ 2III. R* ra.1 W A" shall we sing to udra, strong, most bounteous, e#cellently wise,"hat shall be dearest to his heartB2 "hat Aditi may grant the grace of udra to our fol7, our 7ine,*ur cattle and our progeny:! "hat &itra and that 4aruna, that udra may remember us,hildren of thee Immortal, at the highest place of holy law.

H"#$ 2IV. A'ni.I I&&* "A- Datavedas, thou many'hued fulgent gift of 6awn,Agni, this day to him who pays oblations bring the Gods who wa7en with the morn.2 3or thou art offering'bearer and loved messenger, the charioteer of sacrifice0

Accordant with the Asvins and with 6awn grant us heroic strength and lofty fame.! As messenger we choose to'day Agni the good whom many love,5mo7e'bannered spreader of the light, at brea7 of day glory of sacrificial rites.$ im noblest and most youthful, richly worshipped guest, dear to the men who offer gifts,im, Agni Datavedas, I beseech at dawn that he may bring the Gods to us.% "hee, Agni, will I glorify, deathless nourisher of the world,Immortal, offering'bearer, meet for sacred food, preserver, best at sacrifice.( "ell good things to thy praiser, * most youthful God, as richly worshipped, honey'tongued,And, granting to Pras7anva lengthened days of life, show honour to the eavenly ost.


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Where will ye manifest your formB1@ -ight came to lighten up the branch, the 5un appeared as it were gold0And with its'tongue shone forth the dar7.11 "he path of sacrifice was made to travel to the farther goal0"he road of heaven was manifest.12 "he singer of their praise awaits whatever grace the Asvins give,who save when 5oma gladdens them.1! ome, * ye Asvins, mounted on your triple car three'seated, beautiful of form"o you at sacrifice the 8anvas send the prayer0 graciously listen to their call.! * Asvins, ye who strengthen -aw, drin7 ye this sweetest 5oma 9uice./orne on your wealth'fraught car come ye this day to him who offers, ye of wondrous deeds.$ *mniscient Asvins, on the thrice'heaped grass bedew with the sweet 9uice the sacrifice."he sons of 8anva, striving heavenward, call on you with draughts of 5oma 9uice out'poured.% * Asvins, with those aids wherewith ye guarded 8anva carefully,8eep us, * hords of 5plendour0 drin7 the 5oma 9uice, ye strengtheners of holy law.( * &ighty *nes, ye gave 5udas abundant food, brought on your treasure'laden car:5o now vouchsafe to us the wealth which many crave, either from heaven or from the sea.) =asatyas, whether ye be far away or close to "urvasa,/orne on your lightly'rolling chariot come to us, together with the sunbeams come.+ 5o let your coursers, ornaments of sacrifice, bring you to our libations here./estowing food on him who acts and gives aright, sit, >hiefs, upon the sacred grass. >ome, * =asatyas, on your car dec7ed with a sunbright canopy,Whereon ye ever bring wealth to the worshipper, to drin7 the 5oma;s pleasant 9uice.1@ With lauds and songs of praise we call them down to us, that they, most rich, may succour us:

3or ye have ever in the 8anvas; well'loved house, * Asvins, drun7 the 5oma 9uice.H"#$ 2VIII. Da4n.

1 6AW= on us with prosperity, * sas, 6aughter of the 57y,6awn with great glory, Goddess, -ady of the -ight, dawn thou with riches, /ounteous *ne.2 "hey, bringing steeds and 7ine, boon'givers of all wealth, have oft sped forth to lighten us.* sas, wa7en up for me the sounds of 9oy0 send us the riches of the great.! sas hath dawned, and now shall dawn, the Goddess, driver forth of carsWhich, as she cometh nigh, have fi#ed their thought on her, li7e glory'see7ers on the flood.$ ere 8anva, chief of 8anva;s race, sings forth aloud the glories of the heroes; names,'"he. princes who, * sas, as thou comest near, direct their thoughts to liberal gifts.% -i7e a good matron sas comes carefully tending everything0ousing all life she stirs all creatures that have feet, and ma7es the birds of air fly up.( 5he sends the busy forth, each man to his pursuit0 delay she 7nows not as she springs.

* rich in opulence, after thy dawning birds that have flown forth no longer rest.) "his 6awn hath yo7ed her steeds afar, beyond the rising of the 5un0/orne on a hundred chariots she, auspicious 6awn, advances on her way to &en.+ "o meet her glance all living creatures bend them down0 #cellent *ne, she ma7es the light.sas, the 6aughter of the 57y, the opulent, shines foes and enmities away. 5hine on us with thy radiant light, * sas, 6aughter of the 57y,/ringing to us great store of high felicity, and bearning on our solemn rites.1@ 3or in thee is each living creature;s breath and life, when, #cellent thou dawnest forth./orne on thy lofty car, * -ady of the -ight, hear, thou of wondrous wealth, our call.


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11 * sas, win thyself the strength which among men is wonderful./ring thou thereby the pious unto holy rites, those who as priests sing praise to thee.12 /ring from the firmament, * sas, all the Gods, that they may drin7 our 5oma 9uice,And, being what thou art, vouchsafe us 7ine and steeds, strength meet for praist and hero might.1! &ay sas whose auspicious rays are seen resplendent round about,Grant us great riches, fair in form, of all good things, wealth which light labour may attain.1$ &ighty *ne, whom the sis of old time invo7ed for their protection and their help,* sas, graciously answer our songs of praise with bounty and with brilliantlight.1% sas, as thou with light to day hast opened the twin doors of heaven,5o grant thou us a dwelling wide and free from foes. * Goddess, give us food with 7ine.1( /ring us to wealth abundant, sent in every shape, to plentiful refreshing food,"o all'subduing splendour, sas, &ighty *ne, to strength, thou rich in spoil and wealth.

H"#$ 2I . Da4n.1 ; = from above the s7y;s bright realm come, sas, by auspicious ways0-et red steeds bear thee to the house of him who pours the 5oma, 9uice.2 "he chariot which thou mountest, fair of shape, * sas light to move,'"herewith, * 6aughter of the 57y, aid men of noble fame today.! /right sas, when thy times return, all ?uadrupeds and bipeds stir,And round about floc7 winged birds from all theboundaries of heaven.$ "hou dawning with thy beams of light illumest all the radiant realm."hee, as thou art, the 8anvas, fain for wealth, have called with sacred songs.

H"#$ 2. !*r)a.1 I5 bright rays bear him up aloft, the God who 7noweth all that lives,5urya, that all may loo7 on him.2 "he constellations pass away, li7e thieves, together with their beams,/efore the all'beholding 5un;! is herald rays are seen afar refulgent o;er the world of men,-i7e flames of fire that burn and blaCe.$ 5wift and all beautiful art thou, * 5urya, ma7er of the light,Illuming all the radiant realm.% "hou goest to the hosts of Gods, thou comest hither to man7ind,ither all light to be belield.

( With that same eye of thine wherewith thou loo7est brilliant 4aruna,pon the busy race of men,) "raversing s7y and wide mid'air, thou metest with thy beams our days,5un, seeing all things that have birth.+ 5even /ay 5teeds harnessed to thy car bear thee, * thou farseeing *ne,God, 5urya, with the radiant hair. 5urya hath yo7ed the pure bright 5even, the daughters of the car: with these,is own dear team, he goeth forth.1@ -oo7ing upon the loftier light above the dar7ness we have come"o 5urya, God among the Gods, the light that is most e#cellent.11 ising this day, * rich in friends, ascending to the loftier heaven,5urya remove my heart;s disease, ta7e from me this my yellow hue.12 "o parrots and to starlings let us give away my yellowness,

*r this my yellowness let us transfer to aritala trees.1! With all his con?uering vigour this Aditya hath gone up on high,Giving my foe into mine hand0 let me not be my foeman;s prey.

H"#$ 2I. In ra.1 &A8 glad with songs that am whom many men invo7e, worthy of songs of praise, Indra, the sea ofwealth:Whose gracious deeds for men spread li7e the heavens abroad0 sing praise to him the 5age, most liberal forour good.2 As aids the s7ilful bhus yearned to Indra strong to save, who fills mid'air, encompassed round with


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might,ushing in rapture: and 'o;er 5ata7ratu came the gladdening shout that urged him on to victory.! "hou hast disclosed the 7ine;s stall for the Angirases, and made a way for Atri by a hundred doors.*n 4imada thou hast bestowed both food and wealth, ma7ing thy bolt dance in the sacrificer;s fight.$ "hou hast unclosed the prisons of the waters: thou hast in the mountain seiCed the treasure rich in gifts.When thou hadst slain with might the dragon 4rtra, thou, Indra, didst raise the 5un in heaven for all to see.% With wondrous might thou blewest enchanter fiends away, with powers celestial those who called on theein 9est."hou, hero'hearted, hast bro7en down Pipru;s forts, and helped 9isvan when the 6asyus were struc7 dead.( "hou savedst 8utsa when 5usna was smitten down: to Atithigva gavest 5ambara for a prey.;en mighty Arbuda thou troddest under foot0 thou from of old wast born to stri7e the 6asyus dead.) All power and might is closely gathered up in thee: thy bounteous spirit 9oys in drin7ing 5oma 9uice.8nown is the thunderbolt that lies within thine arms0 rend off therewith all manly prowess of our foe.+ 6iscern thou well Aryas and 6asyus: punishing the lawless give them up to him whose grass is strewn./e thou the sacrificer;s strong encourager all these thy deeds are my delight at festivals. Indra gives up the lawless to the pious man, destroying by the 5trong *nes those who have no strength.4amra when glorified destroyed the gathered piles of the still wa#ing great one who would reach theheaven.1@ "he might which sana hath formed for thee with might rends in its greatness and with strength bothworlds apart.* ero'souled, the steeds of 4ata, yo7ed by thought, have carried thee to fame while thou art filled with

power.11 When Indra hath re9oiced with 8avya sana, he mounts his steeds who swerve wider and wider yet."he 5trong hath loosed his bolt with the swift rush of rain, and he hath rent in pieces 5usna;s firm'builtforts.12 "hou mountest on thy car amid strong 5oma draughts0 5aryata brought thee those in which thou hastdelight.Indra, when thou art pleased with men whose 5oma flows thou risest to unchallenged glory in the s7y.1! "o old 8a7sivin, 5oma'presser, s7illed in song, * Indra, thou didst give the youthful 4rcaya."hou, very wise, wast &ena, 4rsanaiva;s child0 those deeds of thine must all be told at 5oma feasts.1$ "he good man;s refuge in his need is Indra, firm as a doorpost, praised among the Pa9ras.Indra alone is -ord of wealth, the Giver, lover of riches, chariots, 7ine, and horses.1% "o him the &ighty *ne, the self'resplendent, verily strong and great, this praise is uttered.

&ay we and all the heroes, with the princes, be, in this fray, * Indra, in thy 7eeping.H"#$ 2II. In ra.

1 I G-* I3< that am who finds the light of heaven, whose hundred nobly'natured ones go forth withhim.With hymns may I turn hither Indra to mine aid,'the >ar which li7e a strong steed hasteth to the call.2 -i7e as a mountain on firm basis, unremoved, he, thousandfold protector, wa#ed in mighty strength,When Indra, 9oying in the draughts of 5oma 9uice, forced the clouds, slaying 4rtra stayer of their flow.! 3or he stays e;en the stayers, spread o;er laden cloud, rooted in light, strengthened in rapture by the wise.Indra with thought, with s7illed activity, I call, most liberal giver, for he sates him with the 9uice.$ Whom those that flow in heaven on sacred grass, his own assistants, nobly'natured, fill full li7e the sea,'/eside that Indra when he smote down 4rtra stood his helpers, straight in form, mighty, invincible.% "o him, as in wild 9oy he fought with him who stayed the rain, his helpers sped li7e swift streams down aslope,

When Indra, thunder'armed, made bold by 5oma draughts, as "rta cleaveth 4ala;s fences, cleft him through.( 5plendour encompassed thee, forth shone thy warrior might0 the rain'obstructer lay in mid'air;s lowestdeep,What time, * Indra, thou didst cast thy thunder down upon the 9aws of 4ritra hard to be restrained.) "he hymns which magnify thee, Indra, reach to thee even as water'broo7s flow down and fill the la7e."vastar gave yet more force to thine appropriate strength, and forged thy thunderbolt of overpoweringmight.+ When, Indra, thou whose power is lin7ed with thy /ay 5teeds hadst smitten 4rtra, causing floods to flowfor man,


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"hou heldst in thine arms the metal thunderbolt, and settest in the heaven the 5un for all to see. In fear they raised the lofty self'resplendent hymn, praise giving and effectual, leading up to heaven,When Indra;s helpers fighting for the good of men, the &aruts, faithful to man7ind, 9oyed in the light.1@ "hen eaven himself, the mighty, at that 6ragon;s roar reeled bac7 in terror when, Indra, thythunderboltIn the wild 9oy of 5oma had struc7 off with might the head of 4rtra, tyrant of the earth and heaven.11 * Indra, were this earth e#tended forth tenfold, and men who dwell therein multiplied day by day,5till here thy con?uering might, &aghavan, would be famed0 it hath wa#ed vast as heaven in ma9esty and

power.12 "hou, bold of heart, in thine own native might, for help, upon the limit of this mid'air and of heaven,ast made the earth to be the pattern of thy strength0 embracing flood and light thou reachest to the s7y.1! "hou art the counterpart of earth, the &aster of lofty heaven with all its mighty eroes0"hou hast filled all the region with thy greatness0 yea, of a truth there is none other li7e thee.1$ Whose amplitude the heaven and earth have not attained, whose bounds the waters of mid'air havenever reached,'

=ot, when in 9oy he fights the stayer of the rain0 thou, and none else, hast made all things in order due.1% "he &aruts sang thy praise in this encounter, and in thee all the 6eities delighted,What time thou, Indra, with thy spi7y weapon, thy deadly bolt, smotest the face of 4rtra.

H"#$ 2III. In ra.I W will present fair praise unto the &ighty *ne, our hymns to Indra in 4ivasvdn;s dwelling'place:3or he hath ne;er found wealth in those who seem to sleep0 those who give wealth to men accept no paltry

praise.2 Giver of horses, Indra, giver, thou, of 7ine, giver of barley, thou art -ord and guard of wealth0&an;s helper from of old, not disappointing hope, 3riend of our friends, to thee ,as such we sing this praise.! Indra, most splendid, powerful, rich in mighty deeds, this treasure spread around is 7nown to be thineown.Gather therefrom, * >on?ueror, and bring to us0 fail not the hope of him who loves and sings to thee.$ Well pleased with these bright flames and with these 5oma drops, ta7e thou away our poverty with seedsand 7ine.With Indra scattering the 6asyu through these drops, freed from their hate may we obtain abundant food.% -et us obtain, * Indra, plenteous wealth and food, with strength e#ceeding glorious, shining to the s7y0&ay we obtain the Goddess Providence, the strength of heroes, special source of cattle, rich in steeds.( "hese our libations strength'inspiring, 5oma draughts, gladdened thee in the fight with 4rtra, ero -ord,

What time thou slewest for the singer with trimmed grass ten thousand 4rtras, thou resistless in thy might.) "hou goest on from fight to fight intrepidly, destroying castle after castle here with strength."hou, Indra, with thy friend who ma7es the foe bow down, slewest from far away the guileful =amuci.+ "hou hast struc7 down in death 8aran9a, Parnaya, in Atithigva;s very glorious going forth.nyielding, when 9isvan compassed them with siege, thou hast destroyed the hundred forts of 4angrida. With all'outstripping chariot'wheel, * Indra, thou far'famed, hast overthrown the twice ten 8ings of men,With si#ty thousand nine'and'ninety followers, who came in arms to fight with friendless 5usravas.1@ "hou hast protected 5usravas with succour, and "urvayana with thine aid, * Indra."hou madest 8utsa, Atithigva, Ayu, sub9ect unto this 8ing, the young, the mighty.11 &ay we protected by the Gods hereafter remain thy very prosperous friends, * Indra."hee we e#tol, en9oying through thy favour life long and 9oyful and with store of heroes.

H"#$ 2IV. In ra.1 G us not, &aghavan, to this distressful fight, for none may comprehend the limit of thy strength.

"hou with fierce shout hast made the woods and rivers roar0 did not men run in crowds together in theirfearB2 5ing hymns of praise to 5a7ra, -ord of power and might: laud thou and magnify Indra who hearcth thee,Who with his daring might, a /ull e#ceeding strong in strength, ma7eth him master of the heaven andearth.! 5ing forth to lofty 6yaus a strength'bestowing song, the /old, whose resolute mind hath independentsway.igh glory hath the Asura, compact of strength, drawn on by two /ay 5teeds0 a /ull, a >ar is he.$ "he ridges of the lofty heaven thou madest sha7e: thou, daring, of thyself smotest through 5ambara,


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When bold with gladdening 9uice, thou warredst with thy bolt, sharp and twoedged, against the bandedsorcerers.% When with a roar that fills the woods, thou forcest down on wind;s head the stores which +usga 7eptconfined,Who shall have power to stay thee firm and eager'souled from doing still this day what thou of old hastdoneB( "hou helpest =arya, "urvasa, and


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unremoved,In the light'winning war, Indra, in rapturous 9oy, thou smotest 4rtra dead and broughtest floods of rain.( "hou with thy might didst grasp,the holder'up of heaven, thou who art mighty also in the seats of earth."hou, gladdened by the 9uice, hast set the waters free, and bro7en 4rtra;s stony fences through and through.

H"#$ 2VII. In ra.I "o him most liberal, lofty -ord of lofty wealth, verily powerful and strong, I bring my hymn,'Whose chec7less bounty, as of waters down a slope, is spread abroad for all that live, to give them strength.2 =ow all this world, for worship, shall come after thee'the offerer;s libations li7e floods to the depth,When the well'loved one seems to rest upon the hill, the thunderbolt of Indra, shatterer wrought of gold.! "o him the terrible, most meet for lofty praise, li7e bright 6awn, now bring gifts with reverence in thisrite,Whose being, for renown, yea, Indra'power and light, have been created, li7e bay steeds, to move withspeed.$ "hine, Indra, praised by many, e#cellently rich are we who trusting in thy help draw near to thee.-over of praise, none else but thou receives our laud0 as earth loves all her creatures, love thou this ourhymn.% Great is thy power, * Indra, we are thine. 3ulfil, * &aghavan, the wish of this thy worshipper.After thee lofty heaven hath measured out its strength0 to thee and to thy power this earth hath bowed itself.( "hou, who hast thunder for thy weapon, with thy bolt hast shattered into pieces this broad massive cloud."hou hast sent down the obstructed floods that they may flow0 thou hast, thine own for ever, all victoriousmight.

H"#$ 2VIII., A'ni.I = ; wa#eth faint the Immortal, 5on of 5trength, since he, the erald, hath become 4ivasvan;smessenger.*n paths most e#cellent he measured out mid'air0 he with oblation calls to service of the Gods.2 =ever decaying, seiCing his appropriate food, rapidly, eagerly through the dry wood he spreads.is bac7, as he is sprin7led, glistens li7e a horse0 loud hath he roared and shouted li7e the heights ofheavenB! 5et high in place o;er all that 4asus, udras do, immortal, -ord of riches, seated as igh Priest:astening li7e a car to men, to those who live, the God without delay gives boons to be desired.$ rged by the wind be spreads through dry wood as he lists, armed with his tongues for sic7les, with amighty roar./lac7 is thy path, Agni, changeless, with glittering waves when li7e a bull thou rushest eager to the trees.

% With teeth of flame, wind'driven, through the wood he speeds, triumphant li7e a bull among the herd ofcows,With bright strength roaming to the everlasting air0 things fi#ed, things moving ?ua7e before him as heflies.( "he /hrgus established thee among man7ind for men, li7e as a treasure, beauteous, easy to invo7e:"hee, Agni, as a herald and choice'worthy guest, as an auspicious 3riend to the >elestial ace.) Agni, the seven tongues; deftest 5acrificer, him whom the priests elect at solemn worship,"he erald, messenger of all the 4asus, I serve with dainty food, I as7 for riches.+ Grant, 5on of 5trength, thou rich in friends, a refuge without a flaw this day to us thy praisers.* Agni, 5on of 5trength, with forts of iron preserve thou from distress the man who lauds thee. /e thou a refuge, /right *ne, to the singer, a shelter, /ounteous -ord, to those who worship.Preserve the singer from distress, * Agni. &ay he, enriched with prayer, come soon and early.

H"#$ 2I . A'ni.

1 " other fires are, verily, thy branches: the Immortals all re9oice in thee, * Agni.>entre art thou, 4aigvdnara, of the people, sustaining men li7e a deep'founded pillar.2 "he forehead of the s7y, earth;s centre, Agni became the messenger of earth and heaven.4aisvanara, the 6eities produced thee, a God, to be a light unto the Arya.! As in the 5un firm rays are set for ever, treasures are in 4aisvanara, in Agni.*f all the riches in the hills, the waters, the herbs, among man7ind, thou art the 5ovran.$ As the great World'halves, so are their 5on;s praises: s7illed, as a man, to act, is he the erald.4aisvanara, celestial, truly mighty, most manly *ne, hath many a youthful consort.% ven the lofty heaven, * Datavedas 4aisvanara, hath not attained thy greatness.


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"hou art the 8ing of lands where men are settled, thou hast brought comfort to the Gods in battle.( =ow will I tell the greatness of the ero whom Prarti;s sons follow as 4rtra;s slayer0Agni 4aisvanara struc7 down the 6asyu, cleave 5ambara through and shattered down his fences.) 4aisvanara, dwelling by his might with all men, far'shining, holy mid the /haradva9as,Is lauded, e#cellent, with hundred praises by Purunitha, son of 5atavani.

H"#$ 2 . A'ni.I As ;twere 5ome goodly treasure &atarisvan brought, as a gift, the glorious Priest to /hrgu,/anner of sacrifice, the good Protector, child of two births, the swiftly moving envoy.2 /oth Gods and men obey this uler;s order, Gods who are worshipped, men who yearn and worship.As Priest he ta7es his seat ere brea7 of morning, ouse'-ord, adorable with men, *rdainer.! &ay our fair praise, heart'born, most recent, reach him whose tongue, e;en at his birth, is sweet as honey:Whom mortal priests, men, with their strong endeavour, supplied with dainty viands, have created.$ Good to man7ind, the yearning Purifier hath among men been placed as Priest choice'worthy.&ay Agni be our 3riend, -ord of the ousehold, protector of the riches in the dwelling.% As such we Gotamas with hymns e#tol thee, * Agni, as the guardian -ord of riches,6ec7ing thee li7e a horse, the swift priCewinner. &ay he, enriched with prayer, come soon and early.

H"#$ 2 I In ra.1 4 = to him, swift, strong and high. e#alted, I bring my song of praise as dainty viands,&y thought to him resistless, praise'deserving, prayers offered most especially to Indra.2 Praise, li7e oblation, I present, and utter aloud my song, my fair hymn to the 4ictor.3or Indra, who is -ord of old, the singers have dec7ed their lauds with heart and mind and spirit.! "o him then with my lips mine adoration, winning heaven;s light, most e#cellent, I offer,"o magnify with songs of invocation and with fair hymns the -ord, most bounteous Giver.$ ven for him I frame a laud, as fashions the wright a chariot for the man who needs it,'Praises to him who gladly hears our praises, a hymn well'formed, all'moving, to wise Indra.% 5o with my tongue I dec7, to please that Indra, my hymn, as ;twere a horse, through love of glory,"o reverence the ero, bounteous Giver, famed far and wide, destroyer of the castles.( ven for him hath "vastar forged the thunder, most deftly wrought, celestial, for the battle,Wherewith he reached the vital parts of 4rtra, stri7ing'the vast, the mighty with the stri7er.) As soon as, at libations of his mother, great 4isnu had drun7 up the draught, he plundered."he dainty cates, the coo7ed mess: but *ne stronger transfi#ed the wild boar, shooting through themountain.+ "o him, to Indra, when he slew the 6ragon, the 6ames, too, >onsorts of the Goda, wove praises.

"he mighty heaven and earth hath he encompassed0 thy greatness heaven and earth, combined, e#ceed not.


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"hrough whom our sires, Angirases, singing praises and 7nowing well the places, found the cattle.! When Indra and the Angirases desired it, 5arama found provision for her offipring./rhaspati cleft the mountain, found the cattle0 the heroes shouted with the 7ine in triumph.$ &id shout, loud shout, and roar, with the =avagvas, seven singers, hast thou, heavenly, rent the mountain:"hou hast, with speeders, with 6asagvas, Indra, 5a7ra, with thunder rent obstructive 4ala.% Praised by Angirases, thou, foe'destroyer, hast, with the 6awn, 5un, rays, dispellcd the dar7ness."hou Indra, hast spread out the earths high ridges, and firmly fi#ed the region under heaven.( "his is the deed most worthy of all honour, the fairest marvel of the Wonder'Wor7er,"hat, nigh where heaven bends down, he made four rivers flow full with waves that carry down sweetwater.) nwearied, won with lauding hymns, he parted of old the ancient Pair, united ever.In highest s7y li7e /haga, he the doer of marvels set both 6ames and earth and heaven.+ 5till born afresh, young 6ames, each in her manner, unli7e in hue, the Pair in alternationound heaven and earth from ancient time have travelled, =ight with her dar7 limbs, 6awn with limbs ofsplendour. ich in good actions, s7illed in operation, the 5on with might maintains his perfect friendship."hou in the raw cows, blac7 of hue or ruddy, storest the ripe mil7 glossy white in colour.1@ "heir paths, of old connected, rest unin9ured: they with great might preserve the immortal statutes.3or many thousand holy wor7s the 5isters wait on the haughty -ord li7e wives and matrons.11 "houghts ancient, see7ing wealth, with adoration, with newest lauds have sped to thee, * &ighty.As yearning wives cleave to their yearning husband, so cleave our hymns to thee, * -ord most potent.12 5trong God, the riches which thy hands have holden from days of old have perished not nor wasted.5plendid art thou, * Indra, wise, unbending0strengthen us with might, * -ord of Power.1! * mighty Indra, Gotama;s son =odhas hath fashioned this new prayer to thee ternal,5ure leader, yo7er of the "awny >oursers. &ay he, enriched with prayer, come soon and early.

H"#$ 2 III. In ra.1. " * art the &ighty *ne: when born, * Indra, with power thou tcrrifiedst earth and heaven 'When, in their fear of thee, all firm'set mountains and monstrous creatures shoo7 li7e dust before thee.2 When thy two wandering /ays thou drawest hither, thy praiser laid within thine arms the thunder,Wherewith, * &uch'invo7ed, in will resistless, thou smitest foemen down and many a castle.! 3aithful art thou, these thou defiest, Indra: thou art the bhus; -ord, heroic, victor."hou, by his side, for young and glorious 8utsa, with steed and car in battle slewest 5usna,$ "hat, as a friend, thou furtheredst, * Indra, when, "hundcrer, 'strong in act, thou crushedst 4rtra:

When, ero, thou, great'souled, with easy con?uest didst rend the 6asyus in their distant dwelling.% "his doest thou, and art not harmed, * Indra, e;en in the anger of the strongest mortal.-ay thou the race'course open for our horses0 as with a club, slay, "hunderarmed 1 our foemen.( ence men invo7e thee, Indra, in the tumult of battle, in the light'bestowing conflict."his aid of thine, * Godli7e *ne, was ever to be implored in deeds of might in combat.) Warring for Puru7utsa thou, * Indra, "hunder'armed I brea7est down the seven castles:asily, for 5udis, li7e grass didst rend them, and out of need, 8ing, broughtest gain to Puru.+ * Indra, God who movest round about us, feed us with varied food plenteous as water'3ood wherewithal, * ero, thou bestowest vigour itself to flow to us for ever. Prayers have been made by Gotamas, * Indra, addressed to thee, with laud for thy /ay orses./ring us in noble shape abundant riches. &ay he, enriched with prayer, come soon and early.

H"#$ 2 IV. #ar*ts.

1. / I=G for the manly host, wise and ma9estical, * =odhas, for the &aruts bring thou a pure gift.I dec7 my songs as one deft'handed, wise in mind prepares the water that hath power in solemn rites.2 "hey spring to birth, the lofty *nes, the /ulls of eaven, divine, the youths of udra, free from spot andstain:"he purifiers, shining brightly even as suns, awful of form li7e giants, scattering rain'drops down.!


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"he lances on their shoulders pound to pieces: they were born together, of themselves, the &en of eaven.% -oud roarers, giving strength, devourers of the foe, they ma7e the winds, they ma7e the lightnings withtheir powers."he restless sha7ers drain the udders of the s7y, and ever wandering round fill the earth full with mil7.( "he bounteous &aruts with the fatness dropping mil7 fill full the waters which avail in solenm rites."hey lead, as ;twere, the 5trong orse forth, that it may rain0 they mil7 the thundering, the never'failingspring.) &ighty, with wondrous power and marvellously bright, selfstrong li7e mountains, ye glide swiftly onyour way.-i7e the wild elephants ye eat the forests up when ye assume your strength among the bright red flames.+ #ceeding wise they roar li7e lions mightily, they, all'possessing, are beauteous as antelopes:5tirring the dar7ness with lances and spotted deer, combined as priests, with serpents; fury through theirmight. eroes who march in companies, befriending man, with serpents; ire through strength, ye greet the earthand heaven.pon the seats, * &aruts, of your chariots, upon the cars stands lightning visible as light.1@ -ords of all riches, dwelling in the home of wealth, endowed with mighty vigour, singers loud of voice,eroes, of powers infinite, armed with strong men;s rings, the archers, they have laid the arrow on theirarms.11 "hey who with golden fellies ma7e the rain increase drive forward the big clouds li7e wanderers on theway.5elf'moving, bris7, unwearied, they o;erthrow the firm: the &aruts with bright lances ma7e all things toreel.12 "he progeny of udra we invo7e with prayer, the bris7, the bright, the worshipful, the active *nes"o the strong band of &aruts cleave for happiness, the chasers of the s7y, impetuous, vigorous.1! &aruts, the man whom ye have guarded with your help, he verily in strength surpasseth all man7ind.5poil with his steeds he gaineth, treasure with his men: he winneth honourable strength and prospereth.1$ * &aruts, to the worshippers give glorious strength invincible in battle, brilliant, bringing wealth,Praiseworthy, 7nown to all men. &ay we foster well, during a hundred winters, son and progeny.1% Will ye then, * ye &aruts, grant us riches, durable, rich in men, defying onslaught.A hundred, thousandfold, ever increasingB &ay he, enriched with prayer, come soon and early.

H"#$ 2 V. A'ni.1 *= '&I=6 6, wise, they trac7ed thee li7e a thief lur7ing in dar7 cave with a stolen cow0

"hee claiming worship, bearing it to Gods '. there nigh to thee sate all the oly *nes.2 "he Gods approached the ways of holy -aw: there was a gathering vast as heaven itself."he waters feed with praise the growing /abe, born nobly in the womb, the seat of -aw.! -i7e grateful food, li7e some wide dwelling place, li7e a fruit'bearing hill, a wholesome stream.-i7e a steed urged to run in swift career, rushing li7e 5indhu, who may chec7 his courseB$ 8in as a brother to his sister floods, he cats the woods as a 8ing eats the rich.When through the forest, urged by wind, he spreads, verily Agni shears the hair of earth.% -i7e a swan sitting in the floods he pants wisest in mind mid men he wa7es at morn.A 5age li7e 5oma, sprung from -aw, he grew li7e some young creature, mighty, shining far.

H"#$ 2 VI. A'ni.1. -I8 the 5un;s glance, li7e wealth of varied sort, li7e breath which is the life, li7e one;s own son,-i7e a swift bird, a cow who yields her mil7, pure and refulgent to the wood he speeds.2 e offers safety li7e a pleasant home, li7e ripened corn, the >on?ueror of men.

-i7e a 5eer lauding, famed among the fol7: li7e a steed friendly he vouchsafes us power.! With flame insatiate, li7e eternal might: caring for each one li7e a dame at home:/right when he shines forth, whitish mid the fol7, li7e a car, gold'dec7ed, thundering to the fight.$ e stri7es with terror li7e a dart shot forth, e;en li7e an archer;s arrow tipped with flame:&aster of present and of future life, the maidens; lover and the matrons; -ord.% "o him lead all your ways0 may we attain the 7indled God as cows their home at eve.e drives the flames below as floods their swell0 the rays rise up to the fair place of heaven.

H"#$ 2 VII. A'ni.1. 4I>"* I* 5 in the wood, 3riend among men, ever he claims obedience as a 8ing.


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Gracious li7e peace, blessing li7e mental power, Priest was he, offering'bearer, full of thought.2 e, bearing in his hand all manly might, crouched in the cavern, struc7 the Gods with fear.&en filled with understanding find him there, when they have sting prayers formed within their heart.! e, li7e the nborn, holds the broad earth up: and with effective utterance fi#ed the s7y.* Agni, guard the spots which cattle love0 thou, life of all, hast gone from lair to lair.$ Whoso hath 7nown him dwelling in his lair, and hath approached the stream of holy -aw,'"hey who release him, paying sacred rites, 'truly to such doth he announce great wealth.% e who grows mightily in herbs, within each fruitful mother and each babe she bears,Wise, life of all men, in the waters; home,'for him have sages built as ;twere a seat.

H"#$ 2 VIII. A'ni.1. >*&&I=G-I=G, restless, he ascends the s7y, unveiling nights and all that stands or moves,As he the sole God is preeminent in great. ness among all these other Gods.2 All men are 9oyful in thy power, * God, that living from the dry wood thou art born.All truly share thy Godhead while they 7eep, in their accustomed ways, eternal -aw.! 5trong is the thought of -aw, the -aw;s behest: all wor7s have they performed: he ?uic7ens all.Whoso will bring oblation, gifts to thee, to him, bethin7ing thee, vouchsafe thou wealth.$ 5eated as Priest with &anu;s progeny, of all these treasures he alone is -ord.&en yearn for children to prolong their line, and are not disappointed in their hope.% agerly they who hear his word fulfil his wish as sons obey their sire;s behest.e, rich in food, unbars his wealth li7e doors0 he, the ouse'3riend, bath dec7ed heaven;s vault with stars.

H"#$ 2 I . A'ni.1. / IG ", splendid, li7e 6awn;s lover, he bath filled the two 9oined worlds as with the light of heaven.When born, with might thou hast encompassed them0 3ather of Gods, and yet their 5on wast thou.2 Agni, the 5age, the humble, who discerns li7e the cow;s udder, the sweet taste of food,-i7e a bliss'giver to be drawn to men, sits gracious in the middle of the house.! /orn in the dwelling li7e a lovely son, pleased, li7e a strong steed, he bears on the fol7.What time the men and I, with heroes, call, may Agni then gain all through Godli7e power.$ =one brea7s these holy laws of thine when thou hast granted audience to these chieftains here."his is thy boast, thou smotest with thy peers, and 9oined with heroes dravest off disgrace.% -i7e the 6awn;s lover, spreading light, well'7nown as hued li7e morn, may he remember me."hey, bearing of themselves, unbar the doors0 they all ascend to the fair place of heaven.

H"#$ 2 . A'ni.1. &A< we, the pious, win much food by prayer, may Agni with fair light pervade each act,'

e the observer of the heavenly laws of Gods, and of the race of mortal man.2 e who is germ of waters, germ of woods, germ of all things that move not and that move,'"o him even in the roc7 and in the house0 Immortal *ne, he cares for all man7ind.! Agni is -ord of riches for the man who serves him readily with sacred songs.Protect these beings thou with careful thought, 7nowing the races both of Gods and men.$ Whom many dawns and nights, unli7e, ma7e strong, whom, born in -aw, all things that move and stand,'e bath been won, erald who sits in light, ma7ing effectual all our holy wor7s.% "hou settest value on our cows and woods0 all shall bring tribute to us to the light.men have served thee in many and sundry spots, parting, as ;twere, an aged father;s wealth.( -i7e a brave archer, li7e one s7illed and bold, a fierce avenger, so he shines in fight.

H"#$ 2 I. A'ni.1. -*4I=G the loving *ne, as wives their husband, the sisters of one home have urged him forward,/right'coloured, even, as the cows love morning, dar7, brea7ing forth to view, and redly beaming.

2 *ur sires with lauds burst e;en the firmset fortress, yea, the Angirases, with roar, the mountain."hey made for us a way to reach high heaven, they found us day, light, day;s sign, beams of morning.! "hey stablished order, made his service fruitful: then parting them among the longing faithful,

=ot thirsting after aught, they come, most active, while with sweet food the race of Gods they strengthen.$ 5ince &atarisvan, far'diffused, bath stirred him, and he in every house grown bright and noble,e, /hrgu'li7e I hath gone as his companion, as on commission to a greater 5ovran.% When man poured 9uice to eaven, the mighty 3ather, he 7new and freed himself from closeembracement."he archer boldly shot at him his arrow, and the God threw his splendour on his 6aughter.


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( Whoso, bath flames for thee within his dwelling, or brings the worship which thou lovest daily,6o thou of double might increase his substance0 may he whom thou incitest meet with riches.) All sacrificial viands wait on Agni as the 5even mighty ivers see7 the ocean.

=ot by our brethren was our food discovered0 find with the Gods care for us, thou who 7nowest.+ When light bath filled the -ord of men for increase, straight from the heaven descends the limpidmoisture.Agni bath brought to light and filled with spirit the youthful host blameless and well providing. e who li7e thought goes swiftly on his 9ourney, the 5un, alone is ever -ord of riches."he 8ings with fair hands, 4aruna and &itra, protect the precious nectar in our cattle.1@ * Agni, brea7 not our ancestral friendship, 5age as thou art, endowed with deepest 7nowledge.*ld age, li7e gathering cloud, impairs the body0 before that evil be come nigh protect me.

H"#$ 2 II. A'ni.1. " * G holding many gifts for men, he humbleth the higher powers of each wise ordainer.Agni is now the treasure'lord of treasures, for ever granting all immortal bounties.2 "he Gods infallible all searching found not him, the dear /abe who still is round about us.Worn weary, following his trac7, devoted, they reached the lovely highest home of Agni.! /ecause with holy oil the pure *nes, Agni, served thee the very pure three autumn seasons,"herefore they won them holy names for worship, and nobly born they dignified their bodies.$ &a7ing them 7nown to spacious earth and heaven, the holy *nes revealed the powers of udra."he mortal band, discerning in the distance, found Agni standing in the loftiest station.% =igh they approached, one'minded, with their spouses, 7neeling to him adorable paid worship.3riend finding in his own friend;s eye protection, they made their own the bodies which they chastened.( 5oon as the holy beings had discovered the thrice'seven mystic things contained within thee,With these, one'minded., they preserve the Amrta0 guard thou the life of all their plants and cattle.) "hou, Agni, 7nower of men;s wor7s, hast sent us good food in constant course for our subsistence0"hou deeply s7illed in paths of Gods becamest an envoy never wearied, offeringbearer.+ 8nowing the -aw, the seven strong floods from heaven, full of good thought, discerned the doors ofriches.5arama found the cattle;s firm'built prison whereby the race of man is still supported. "hey who approached all noble operations ma7ing a path that leads to life immortal,"o be the /ird;s support, the spacious mother, Aditi, and her great 5ons stood in power.1@ When Gods immortal made both eyes of heaven, they gave to him the gift of beauteous glory.

=ow they flow forth li7e rivers set in motion0 they 7new the ed 5teeds coming down, * Agni.

H"#$ 2 III. A'ni.I. who gives food, li7e patrimonial riches and guides aright li7e some wise man;s instruction,-oved li7e a guest who lies in pleasant lodging,'may he, as Priest, prosper his servant;s dwelling.2 e who li7e 5avitar the God, true'minded protecteth with his power. all acts of vigour,"ruthful, li7e splendourr, glorified by many, li7e breath 9oy'giving,'all must strive to win him.! e who on earth dwells li7e a 7ing surrounded by faithful friends, li7e a God all'sustaining,-i7e heroes who preside, who sit in safety0 li7e as a blameless dame dear to her husband.$ "hee, such, in settlements secure, * Agni, our men serve ever 7indled in each dwelling.*n him have they laid splendour in abundance0 dear to all men, bearer be he of riches.% &ay thy rich worshippers win food, * Agni, and princes gain long life who bring oblation.&ay we get booty from 9ur foe in battle, presenting to the Gods their share for glory.( "he cows of holy law, sent us by eaven, have swelled with laden udders, loudly lowing:5oliciting his favour, from a distance the rivers to the roc7 have flowed together.

) Agni, with thee, soliciting thy favour, the holy *nes have gained glory in heaven."hey made the =ight and 6awn of different colours, and set the blac7 and purple hues together.+ &ay we and those who worship be the mortals whom thou, * Agni, leadest on to riches."hou hast filled earth and heaven and air;s mid'region, and followest the whole world li7e a shadow. Aided by thee, * Agni, may we con?uer steeds with steeds, men with men, heroes with heroes,-ords of the wealth transmitted by our fathers0 and may our princes live a hundred winters.1@ &ay these our hymns of praise, Agni, *rdainer, be pleasant to thee in thy heart and spirit.&ay we have power to hold thy steeds of riches, laying on thee the God'sent gift of glory.


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H"#$ 2 IV. A'ni.1. As forth to sacrifice we go, a hymn to a hymn let us say,Who hears us even when afar:2 Who, from of old, in carnage, when the people gathered, hath preservedis household for the worshipper.! And let men say, Agni is born, e;en he who slayeth 4rtra, heWho winneth wealth in every fight.$ im in whose house an envoy thou lovest to taste his offered gifts,And strengthenest his sacrifice,% im, Angiras, thou 5on of 5trength, all men call happy in his God,is offerings, and his sacred grass.( itherward shalt thou bring these Gods to our laudation and to taste."hese offered gifts, fair'shining *ne.) When, Agni, on thine embassage thou goest not a sound is heard of steed or straining of thy car.+ Aided by thee unin9ured, strong, one after other, goes he forth0Agni, the ofterer forward steps. And splendid strength, heroic, high, Agni, thou grantest from the Gods,"hou God, to him who offers gifts.

H"#$ 2 V. A'ni.1. A>> P" our loudest'sounding hymn, food most delightful to the Gods,Pouring our offerings in thy mouth.2 =ow, Agni, will we say to thee, * wisest and best Afigiras,*ur precious, much'availing prayer.! Who, Agni, is thy 7in, of menB who is thy worthy worshipperB*n whom dependentB who art thouB$ "he 7insman, Agni, of man7ind, their well beloved 3riend art thou,A 3riend whom friends may supplicate.% /ring to us &itra, 4aruna, bring the Gods to mighty sacrifice./ring them, * Agni, to thine home.

H"#$ 2 VI. A'ni.1. ow may the mind draw nigh to please thee, AgniB What hymn of praise shall bring us greatest blessingB*r who hath gained thy power by sacrificesB or with what mind shall we bring thee oblationsB2 >ome hither, Agni: sit thee down as otar: be thou who never wast deceived our leader.

&ay eaven and arth, the all'pervading, love thee0 worship the Gods to win for us their favour.! /urn thou up all the i7sasas, * Agni: ward thou off curses from our sacrifices./ring hither with his /ays the -ord of 5oma0 here is glad welcome for the /ounteous Giver.$ "hou Priest with lip and voice that bring us children hast been invo7ed. ere with the Gods be seated."hine is the tas7 of >leanser and Presenter0 wa7en us, Wealth'bestower and Producer.% As with oblations of the priestly &anus thou worshippedst the Gods, a 5age with sages,5o now, * truthfullest Invo7er Agni, worship this day with 9oy'bestowing ladle.

H"#$ 2 VII. A'ni.1. ow shall we pay oblation unto AgniB What hymn, Godloved, is said to him refulgentBWho, deathless, true to -aw, mid men a herald, bringeth the Gods as best of sacrificersB2 /ring him with reverence hither, most propitious in sacrifices, true to -aw, the herald:3or Agni, when he see7s the Gods for mortals, 7nows them full well and worships them in spirit.! 3or he is mental power, a man, and perfect: he is the bringer, friend',li7e, of the wondrous.

"he pious Aryan tribes at sacrifices address them first to him who doeth marvels.$ &ay Agni, foe'destroyer, manliest ero, accept with love our hymns and our devotion.5o may the liberal lords whose strength is strongest, urged by their riches, stir our thoughts with vigour.% "hus Agni Datavedas, true to *rder, hath by the priestly Gotamas been lauded.&ay he augment in them splendour and vigour0 observant, as he lists, he gathers increase.

H"#$ 2 VIII. A'ni.1. * DA"A4 6A5, 7een and swift, we Gotamas with sacred song e#alt thee for thy glories; sa7e.2 "hee, as thou art, desiring wealth Gotama worships with his song0We laud thee for thy glories; sa7e.


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! As such, li7e Angiras we call on thee best winner of the spoil0We laud thee for thy glories; sa7e.$ "hee, best of 4rtra'slayers, thee who sha7est off our 6asyu foes0We laud thee for thy glories; sa7e.% A pleasant song to Agni we, sons of ahugana, have sung0We laud thee for thy glories; sa7e.

H"#$ 2 I . A'ni.1. in mid'air;s e#panse hath golden tresses: a raging serpent, li7e the rushing tempest0Purely refulgent, 7nowing well the morn. ing: li7e honourable dames, true, active wor7ers.2 "hy well'winged flashes strengthen in their manner, when the blac7 /ull hath bellowed round about us.With drops that bless and seem to smile he cometh0 the waters fall, the clouds utter their thunder.! When he comes streaming with the mil7 of worship, conducting by directest paths of *rder Aryaman, &itra, 4aruna, Pari9man fill the hide full where lies the nether press'stone.$ * Agni, thou who art the lord of wealth in 7ine, thou 5on of 5trength,4ouchsafe to us, * Datavetlas, high renown.% e, Agni, 7indled, good and wise, must be e#alted in our song05hine, thou of many forms, shine radiantly on us.( * Agni, shining of thyself by night and when the morning brea7s,/urn, thou whose teeth are sharp, against the a7sasas.) Adorable in all our rites, favour us, Agni, with thine.aid,When the great hymn is chanted forth.+ /ring to us ever'con?uering wealth, wealth, Agni, worthy of our choice,In all our frays invincible. Give us, * Agni, through thy grace wealth that supporteth all our life,"hy favour so that we may live.1@ * Gotama, desiring bliss present thy songs composed with care"o Agni of the pointed flames.11 &ay the man fall, * Agni, who near or afar assaileth us06o thou increase and prosper us.12 8een and swift Agni, thousand'eyed, chaseth the a7sasas afar0e singeth, herald meet for lauds.

H"#$ 2 . In ra.1. " 5 in the 5oma, in wild 9oy the /rahman hath e#alted thee0

"hou, mightiest It thunder'armed, hast driven by force he 6ragon from the earth, lauding thine ownimperial sway.2 "he mighty flowing 5oma'draught, brought by the aw7, hath gladdened thee,"hat in thy strength, * "hunderer, thou hast struc7 down 4rtra from the floods, lauding thine own imperialsway.! Go forward, meet the foe, be bold: thy bolt of thunder is not chec7ed.&anliness, Indra, is thy might0 stay 4rtra, ma7e the waters thine, lauding thine own imperial sway.$ "hou smotest 4rtra from the earth, smotest him, Indra, from the s7y.-et these life'fostering waters flow attended by the &arut host, lauding thine own imperial sway.% "he wrathful Indra with his bolt of thunder rushing on the foe,5mote fierce on trembling 4rtra;s bac7, and loosed the waters free to run, lauding his own imperial sway.( With hundred'9ointed thunderbolt Indra hath struc7 him on the bac7,And, while re9oicing in the 9uice, see7eth prosperity for friends, lauding his own imperial sway.

) Indra, uncon?uered might is thine, "hunderer, >aster of the 5tone:3or thou with thy surpassing power smotest to death the guileful beast, lauding thine own imperial sway.+ 3ar over ninety spacious floods thy thunderbolts were cast abroad0Great, Indra, is thy hero might, and strength is seated in thine arms, lauding thine own imperial sway. -aud him a thousand all at once, shout twenty forth the hymn of praise.undreds have sung aloud to him, to Indra hath the prayer been raised, lauding his own imperial sway.1@ Indra hath smitten down the power of 4rtra,'might with stronger might."his was his manly e#ploit, he slew 4rtra and let loose the floods, lauding his own imperial sway.11


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When, Indra, "hunderer, &arut'girt, thou slewest 4rtra in thy strength, lauding thine own imperial sway.12 /ut 4rtra scared not Indra with his sha7ing or his thunder roar.*n him that iron thunderbolt fell fiercely with its thousand points, lauding his own imperial sway.1! Whenwith the thunder thou didst ma7e thy dart and 4rtra meet in war,"hy might, * Indra, fain to slay the 6ragon, was set firm in heaven, lauding thine own imperial sway.1$ When at thy shout, * "hunder'armed, each thing both fi#ed and moving shoo7,;en "vastar trembled at thy wrath and ?ua7ed with fear because of thee, lauding thine own imperial sway.1% "here is not, in our 7nowledge, one who passeth Indra in his strength0In him the 6eities have stored manliness, insight, power and might, lauding his own imperial sway.1( 5till as of old, whatever rite Atharvan, &anus sire of all,6adhyach performed, their prayer and praise united in that Indra meet, lauding his own imperial sway.

H"#$ 2 I. In ra.1. " men have lifted Indra up, the 4rtra slayer, to 9oy and strength0im, verily, we invocate in battles whether great or small0 be he our aid in deeds of might.2 "hou, ero, art a warrior, thou art giver of abundant spoil.5trengthening e;en the feeble, thou aidest the sacrificer, thou givest the offerer ample wealth.! When war and battles are on foot, booty is laid before the bold.oursers; harnesser. =ow, Indra, yo7e thy two /ay5teeds.% -et, -ord of undred Powers, thy 5teeds be harnessed on the right and left."herewith in rapture of the 9uice, draw near to thy beloved 5pouse. =ow, Indra, yo7e thy two /ay 5teeds.( With holy prayer I yo7e thy long'maned pair of /ays0 come hitherward: thou holdest them in both thy

hands."he stirring draughts of 9uice outpoured have made thee glad0 thou, "hunderer, hast re9oiced with Pusanand thy 5pouse.

H"#$ 2 III. In ra.1. I=6 A, the mortal man well guarded by thine aid goes foremost in the wealth of horses and of 7ine.With amplest wealth thou fillest him, as round about the waters clearly seen afar fill 5indhu full.2 "he heavenly Waters come not nigh the priestly bowl0 they but loo7 down and see how far mid'air isspread0"he 6eities conduct the pious man to them0 li7e suitors they delight in him who loveth prayer.


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! Praiseworthy blessing hast thou laid upon the pair who with uplifted ladle serve thee, man and wife.nchec7ed he dwells and prospers in thy law0 thy power brings blessing to the sacrificer pouring gifts.$ 3irst the Angirases won themselves vital power, whose fires were 7indled through good deeds andsacrifice."he men together found the Pani;s hoarded wealth, the cattle, and the wealth in horses and in 7ine.% Atharvan first by sacrifices laid the paths then, guardian of the -aw, sprang up the loving 5un.sana 8avya straightway hither drove the 7ine. -et us with offerings honour


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H"#$ 2 V. #ar*ts.1. " < who are glancing forth, li7e women, on their way, doers of mighty deeds, swift racers, udra;s5ons,"he &aruts have made heaven and earth increase and grow0 in sacrifices they delight, the strong and wild.2 Grown to their perfect strength greatness have they attained: the udras have established their abode inheaven.5inging their song of praise and generating might, they have put glory on, the 5ons whom Prani bare.! When, >hildren of the >ow, they shine in bright attire, and on their fair limbs lay their golden ornaments,"hey drive away each adversary from their path, and, following their traces, fatness floweth down,$ When, mighty Warriors, ye who glitter with your spears, o;erthrowing with your strength e;en what isne;er o;erthrown,When, * ye &aruts, ye the host that send the rain, had harnessed to your cars the thought'fleet spotted deer.% When ye have harnessed to your cars the spotted deer, urging the thunderbol

rig veda part 1

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