Rig Veda

hymns Pay worship unto Agni of the splendid flame. 24 Now sing, as Sth^raydpa sang, with lauds to him who spread- eth far. To Agni of the home, 0 Eishi, Vyasva's son. 25 As welcome guest of human kind, as ofl^spring of the forest kings. The sages worship ancient Agni for his aid. 26 For men's oblations brought to him who is the mighty Lord of all. Sit, Agni, mid our homage, on the sacred grass. 27 Grant us abundant treasures, grant the opulence which many crave. With store of heroes, progeny, and high renown. 28 Agni, Most Youthful of the Gods, send evermore the gift of wealth Unto Varosush&man and to all his folk. 29 A mighty Conqueror art thou, 0 Agni, so disclose to us Food in our herds of kine and gain of ample wealth. 30 Thou, Agni, art a glorious God : bring hitlier Mitra, Varuna, Imperial Sovrans, holy-minded, true to Law. 18 Through heaHng : and, by causing the Gods to hear, men*s prayers. 24 SthHrayUpa : said by Sftyana to be the name of a Rishi. 25 Forest kings : tall trees, or trees in general. 28 Varosushdman : I follow the St. Petersburg Lexicon in joining varo to

sush^mne and taking the whole as one word and the name of a chief. Ludwig translates somewhat as follows : ' Agni, send quickly to the folk who know the goodly S4man well, the gift of wealth, for ever, Youngeat God ! to all* Ifut in a later volume of his work (III. p. 162) he comes to the conclusion that SushAman is a proper name, and that uaro (;w\ii.<i\i xq».^ jV'i^Jcdjaks, be an 'o^rjectioaj must not be combined with it.

Companions, let us learn a prayer to Indra whom the thunder arms, To glorify your bold and most heroic Friend. 2 For thou by slaying Vritra art the Vritra-slayer, famed for might. Thou, Hero, in rich gifts surpassest wealthy chiefs. 3 As such, when glorified, bring us riches of very wondrous fame, Set in the highest rank, Wealth-giver, Lord of Bays ! 4 Yea, Indra, thou disclosest that preeminent dear wealth of men : Boldly, 0 Bold One, glorified, bring it to us. 5 The workers of destruction stay neither thy right hand nor thy left : Nor hosts that press about thee, Lord of Bays, in fight. 6 0 Thunder-armed, I come with songs to thee as to a stall with kine : Fulfil the wish and thought of him who sings thy praise. 7 Chief Vritra-slayer, through the hymn of Visvamanas think of all, All that concemeth us, Excellent, Mighty Guide. 8 May we, O Vritra-slayer, O Hero, find this thy newest boon, Longed-for, and excellent, thou who art much invoked ! 9 0 Indra, Dancer, Much-invoked ! as thy great power is un- surpassed. So be thy bounty to the worshipper unchecked. 10 Most Mighty, most heroic One, for mighty bounty fill thee full. Though strong, strengthen thyself to win wealth, Magha\an !

110 Thunderer, never have our prayers gone forth to any God but thee : So help us, Maghavan, with thine assistance now. 12 For, Dancer, verily I find none else for bounty, saving thee, For splendid wealth and power, thou Lover of the Song. 13 For Indra pour ye out the drops ; meath blent with Soma let him drink : With bounty and with majesty will he further us. 9 Dancer : of the dance of war. According to S4yana, * dancer, or who cause? to dance^ i. e. Agitator, e-xciter, from Indra' B iacvxU^ olm\AT\i"a\.\\£k:^>aNs«k in all heingfi, '— Wilson, 158 THE HYMNS OP [BOOK VI fh 14 I spake to the Bay Coursers' Lord, to him who gives ability: Now hear the son of Asva as he praises thee. 15 Never was any Hero born before thee mightier than thou : None certainly like thee in goodness and in wealth. 16 0 ministering priest, pour out of the sweet juice what glad- dens most : So is the Hero praised who ever prospers us. 17 Indra, whom Tawny Coursers bear, praise such as thine, preeminent, None by his power or by his goodness hath attained. 18 We, seeking glory, have invoked this Master of all power and

might Who must be glorified by constant sacrifice. 19 Come, sing we praise to Indra, friends, the Hero who deserves the laud, Him who with none to aid overcomes all tribes of men. 20 To him who wins the kine, who keeps no cattle back, Celes- tial God, Speak wondrous speech more sweet than butter and than meath. 21 Whose hero powers are measureless, whose bounty ne'er may be surpassed, Whose liberality, like light, is over all. 22 As Vyasva did, praise Indra, praise the Strong unfluctuating Guide, Who gives the foe's possessions to the worshipper. 23 Now, son of Vyasva, praise thou him who to the tenth time still is new, The very Wise, whom living men must glorify. 24 Thou knowest, Indra, Thunder-armed, how to avoid destructive powers, As one secure from pitfalls each returning day. 14 Son of Asva: i. e. of Vyasva, the Rishi Visvamauas. 20 Who keeps no caitle hcveh : either literally who aids his worshippers to win cattle in their raids and gives them all the booty ; or, who sends forth all the kine or rays of light that he has recovered from the powers of darkness. According to Sdyana, ' who rejects no praise.'

28 Who to the tenth time still is new : continually renews his liberality to us. This seems to be the meaning of the dasamdm ndvam (tenth new) of the . text. S&yana explains differently : * who is the tenth (of the pervading vital princfplea), the adorable.* 24 Z>estrtict{ve poioer8 : the plural of "NirTiW, T)Qak\^i ox X^^txuotioii. I ^opt Ludwig'a /nteipretation of the second Une. 25 O Indra, bring that aid wherewith of old, Most Wondrous ! thou didst slay His foes for active Kutsa : send it down to us. 26 So now we seek thee fresh in might, Most Wonderful in act ! for gain : For thou art he who conquers all our foes for us. 27 Who will set free from ruinous woe, or Arya on the Seven 0 valiant Hero, bend the Dasa's weapon down. 28 As to Yarosushslman thou broughtest great riches, for their gain, To Vyasva's sons, Blest Lady, rich in ample wealth ! 29 Let Narya's sacrificial meed reach Vyasva's Soma-beariug sons : In hundreds and in thousands be the great reward. 30 If one should ask thee. Where is he who sacrificed ? Whither lookest thou ? Like Yala he hath passed away and dwelleth now on Gomatu

1 WORSHIP you who guard this AU, Gods holiest among the Gods, You, faithful to the Law, whose power is sanctified. 2 So, too, like charioteers are they, Mitra and sapient Yaruna, Sons high-bom from of old, whose holy laws stand fast. 3 These Twain, possessors of all wealth, most glorious, for supremest sway Aditi, Mighty Mother, true to Law, brought forth. 27 Ainfa on the Seven Streams : from any Aryan enemy in the land of the Seven Rivers, probably the Indus, the five rivers of the Paiij&b, and the KubhA. 23 VarosusMman : see VIII. 23. 28. Blest Lady: Ushas or Dawn is addressed. 29 Ndrya*s saa^iflcial meed : N&rya appears to be the name of the institutor of the sacrifice. 30 Ludwig observes : * This stanza clearly refers to the greatness of the reward given by N4rya, and its meaning is : here are so many cows (presented by N&rya) that one might think that, in consequence of the sacrifice, Vala had giveti up his cows [which he had stolen from the Gods, and hidden In a cave], and taken his departure.' Ushae says also, * my cows are quite superfluous here, and I will drive them away to some other place.' The stanza is addressed to Ushas, and the second line is the answer she is to give to the question contained in the first. GomoUt : some affluent of the Indus, which in later times lent its name to the Gomati, or Gumti, whieh flows through Oudh and falls into the Ganges.

2 CAarioieera : furtberen of eterual Law. See TLl. ^^. 1*3^ 4 Great Varuna and Mitra, Gods, Asuras and imperial Lords, True to Eternal Law proclaim the high decree. 5 The offspring of a lofty Power, Daksha's Two Sons exceeding strong, Who, Lords of flowing rain, dwell in the place of food. 6 Ye wIjo have gathered up your gifts, celestial and terrestrial food, Let your rain come to us fraught with the mist of heaven. 7 The Twain, who from the lofty sky seem to look down on herds below. Holy, imperial Lords, are set to be revered. 8 They, true to Law, exceeding strong, have sat them down for sovran rule : Princes whose laws stand fast, they have obtained their sway, 9 Pathfinders even better than the eye, with unobstructed sight, Even when they close their lids, observant, they perceive. 10 So may the Goddess Aditi, may the Nasatyas guard us well, The Maruts guard us well, endowed with mighty strength. 11 Do ye, 0 Bounteous Gods, protect our dwelling-place by day and night : With you for our defenders may we go unharmed. 12 May we, unharmed, serve bountiful Vishiiu, the God who slayeth none : Self-moving Sindhu hear and be the first to mark.

13 This sure protection we elect, desirable and reaching far. Which Mitra, Varuna, and Aryaman afford. 14 And may the Sindhu of the floods, the Maruts, and the Asvin Pair, Boon Indra, and boon Vishnu have one mind with us. 15 Because these warring Heroes stay the enmity of every foe, As the fierce water-flood repels the furious ones. 1 6 Here this one God, the Lord of men, looks forth exceeding far and wide : And we, for your advantage, keep his holy laws. 17 We keep the old accustomed laws, the statutes of supremacy. The long-known laws of Mitra and of Varuna. 5 Daksha's Two Sons : or sons of power or energy, according to Sftyana. I^aksLa. Hs a cre&the pov/evj is frequently associated with Aditi. Place' rf ybod .■ heaven from which, the food-producing vam cornea. 12 Sit/dku : the Indus. According to SfiLyskAa, WaWu \?\va <:a.\v»R& ^«i&i^ 9 £ow to his worshippers. MTMIfU.} MB RtOVSDA. lU 18 Ue who hath measured with his ray the boundaries of heaven and earth. And with his majesty hath filled the two worlds full, 19 S4rya hath spread his light aloft up to the region of the sky, Like Agni all aflame when gifts are offered him.

20 With him who sits afar the word is lord of food that comes from kine, Ck>ntroller of the gift of unempoisoned food. 21 So unto Sarya, Heaven, and Earth at morning and at eve 1 speak. Bringing enjoyments ever rise thou up for us. 22 From Ukshany&yana a bay, from Harayana a white steed. And from SusMman we obtained a harnessed car. 23 These two shall bring me further gain of troops of tawny- coloured steeds, The carriers shall they be of active men of war. 24 And the two sages have I gained who hold the reins and bear the whip, And the two great strong coursers, with my newest song.

I CALL your chariot to receive united praise mid princely men. Strong Gods who pour down wealth, of never vanquished 2 Ye to VarosushUman come, Nslsatyas, for this glorious rite. With your protecting aid, Strong Gods, who pour down wealth. 20 Yanina has only to command and men have milk and wholesome food. SAyana explains differeutly : ' Raise your voice in the spacious hall of sacrifice to him who is lord over food derived from cattle.' — Wilson. 21 Tliou : SQrya, that is, according to SAya.ia, Mitra and Varuna in Siirya's shape. 22 Swhdifum : here without VarOy the prefix or interjection or whatever it may be. See VIII. 23. 28. 23 These two : horses. 24 Two sages : vtprd : the meaning is uncertain. According to Sftyana th« word is an epithet of ' coursers ' : * sagacious.' — Wilson. Ludwig thinks that the grooms (probably enslaved enemies) are ironically called sages, or as he translates, Brfthmans. Dr. Muir translates the stanza differently : ' I have celebrated at the same time with a new hymn, these two sages and mighty [princes], strong, swift, and carrying whips.' But this rendering has little to recommend it.

1 Princely men : the S4ris or institutors of the sacrifice. 2 Varosfishdman : see YIII. 23. 28. Who pour down wealth : vrisKanvat^ ; •ee IV. 50. 10^ note, Tag ETMHS or [BOOK VHL 3 So with oblations W0 inyoke yo«i, fich in ampl9 wealth, to-4a7« When night hath passed, 0 ye who send us plenteous food. 4 O Asvins, Heroes, let your car, famed, best to travel, come to us, And, for his glory, mark your zealous seryant's lauds. 5 Asvins, who send us precious gifts, eren when offended, think of him : For ye, 0 Rudras, lead us safe beyond our foes* 6 For, Wonder-Workers, with fleet steeds ye fly completely round this All, Stirring our thoughts, ye Lords of splendour, honey-hued. 7 With all-sustaining c^ulence, Asvins, ooine hitberward to us, Ye rich and noble Heroes, ne'er to be overthrown. 8 To welcome this mine offering, 0 ye Indralike NlUuityas, oome As Gods of best accord this day with other €k)ds. 9 For we, like Yyasva, lifting up our voice like oxen, call on you : With all your loving kindness, Sages, come to us. 10 0 Bishi, laud the Asvins well. Will they not listen to thy cal} t Will they not bum the Panis who are nearer them t

110 Heroes, listen to the son of Yyafva, and regard me here, Yaruna, Mitra, Aryaman, of one accord. 12 Gods whom we yearn for, of your gifts, of what ye bring to us, bestow By princes' bands on me, ye Mighty, day by day. 1 3 Him whom your sacrifices clothe, even as a woman with her robe, The Asvins help to glory honouring him well. 14 Whoso regards your care of men as succour widest in its reach. About his dwelling go, ye Asvins, loving us. 15 Come to us ye who pour down wealth, oome to the home which men must guard : Like shafts, ye are made meet for sacrifice by song. 16 Most fetching of all calls, the laud, as envoy, Heroes, called to you : Be it your own, 0 Asvin Pair. 17 Be ye in yonder sea of heaven, or joying ii^ the home of food. Listen to me, Immortal Ones. 5 Rudrcu : bright Gods. 6 Soney-hued : madhuvamd : ' of fascinating complexion.'— Wilsoii. 15 Like shafU : as arrows are sharpened for their work, so the Asyina are prepared for the sacrifice by the Rishi's hymn. The wprd viihwiriSM, expMwud bj^ SAyai^ M two arrows, is difficult, and other readings and explanai/oof n»v9 be^n guggegted.

jmr/f tr.] nw mo vjsda, la li Tb0 river with his lucid flow attracU jou* moro than all the BtreamSy — Even SiocLhu with his path of gold. 19 0 Ajsvins, with that glorious fame oome hither, through our briUiMit song) CoBOB ye whose ways are marked with light. 80 Harness the steeds who draw the car, 0 Vasii, hring the wellfed pair« 0 V&yu, drink thou of our meath : oome unto^ our drinkoffbrings. 21 Wonderful V&yu, Lord of Right, thou who art Tvashtur's sonin-law. Thy saving succour we elect. tS To Tvashtar^s son-in-law we pray for wealth whereof he hath control : For glory we seek Ykju^ men with juice effused. 23 From heaven, auspicioujB Y&yu, come ; drive hither with thy noble steeds : Come on thy mighty car with wide-extending seat. 24 We call thee to the homes of men, thee wealthiest in noble food, And liberal as a press-stone with a home's bkck. 25 So, glad and joyful in thine heart, do thou, Qod, V&yu, first of all Vouchsafe us water, strength, imd tiiought.

3 Forth go. with Agni, to the Gods our sacrifice of ancient use. To the Adityas, Varuna whose Law stands fast, and the alllightening Marut troop. 4 Lords of all wealth, may they be strengtheners of man, de- stroyers of his enemies. Lords of all wealth, do ye, with guards which none may harm, preserve our dwelling free from foes. 5 Come to us with one mind to-day, come to us all with one accord, Maruts with holy song, and, Goddess Aditi, Mighty One, to our house and home. 6 Send us delightful things, ye Maruts, on your steeds : come ye, 0 Mitra, to our gifts. Let Indra, Varuna, and the Adityas sit, swift Heroes, on our sacred grass. 7 We who have trimmed the grass for you, and set the banquet in array. And pressed the Soma, call you, Yaruna, like men, with sacrificial fires aflame. 8 0 Maruts, Vishnu, Asvins, Piishan, haste away with minds turned hitherward to me. Let the Strong Indra, famed as Vritra's slayer, come first with the winners of the spoil. 9 Ye Guileless Gods, bestow on us a refuge strong on every side, A sure protection, Vasus, unassailable from near at hand or

10 Kinship have I with you, and close alliance, 0 ye Gods, de- stroyers of our foes. Call us to our prosperity of former days, and soon to new felicity. 11 For now have I sent forth to you, that I may win a fair reward, Lords of all wealth, with homage, this my song of praise like a milch-cow that faileth not. 2 / ting to: or I glorify, in order that I may win or propitiate them. ■ 6 Com€ ye, 0 Miira : Yaruna and Aiyaman being understood. 7 Like men : manuehvdt : or after the manner of Manus. .11 Ziiee a nUUk-eow thatfkUeth not : the meaning of dnydm here is aome^ .whAt uncertain. SAya^a ezplains it by adriehtapiirviim, unprecedented, and ^^nueauuw bjr *M airetkm tout never dries up.* I have adopted Ludwig'n ETMN «7.1 TBS niQVSDA. IM 1% Excellent Savitar hath mounted up on high for you, je sure and careful Guides. Bipeds and quadrupeds, with several hopes and aims, and birds have settled to their tasks. IS Singing their praise with Grodlike thought let us inyoke each God for grace, Each God to bring you help, each God to strengthen you. 14 For of one spirit are the Gods with mortal man, coHsharers all

of gracious gifts. May they increase our strength hereafter and to-day, providing ease and ample room. 15 1 laud you, 0 ye Guileless Gods, here where we meet to render praise. None, Varuna and Mitra, harms the mortal man who honours and obeys your laws. 16 He makes his house endure, he gathers plenteous food who pays obedience to your will. Bom in his sons anew he spreads as Law commands, and prospers every way unharmed. 17 E'en without war he gathers wealth, and goes his way on pleasant paths, Whom Mitra, Varuna, and Aryaman protect, sharing the gift, of one accord. Id E'en on the plain for him ye make a sloping path, an easy way where road is none : And far away from him the ineffectual shaft must vanish, shot at him in vain. 19 If ye appoint the rite to-day, kind Rulers, when the Sun as- . cends, Lords of all wealth, at sunset or at waking-time, or be it at the noon of day, ' 20 Or, Asuras, when ye have sheltered the worshipper who goes to sacrifice, at eve. May we, 0 Vasus, ye possessors of all wealth, come then into the midst of you.

21 If ye to-day at sunrise, or at noon, or in the gloom of eve. Lords of all riches, give fair treasure to the man, the wise man who hath sacrificed, 22 Then we, imperial Rulers, claim of you this boon, your wide protection, as a son. May we, Adityas, offering holy gifts, o\>\;8ATi \)aaX, ^qVvfiti'^^SMSw bring u8 greater blm. IH * TMS STMirS OF [SOCJt Yltl Thb Thirty Gods and Three besidesi whose seat hath be^ik the sacred grass, From time of old have found and gained. 2 Varuria, Mitra, Aryaman, Agnis, with Consorts^ sending boons, To whom our Vasha^ ! is addressed : S These are our guardians in the west^ and northward here, and in the south, And on the east, with all the tribe. 4 Even as the Gods desire so verily shall it be. None minisheth this power of theirs, No demon, and no mortal man. 5 The Seven carry seven spears ; seven are the splendours they possess, And seven the glories they assume.

Oiris is a ytntl^ brown, active, manifold : he decks the golden one with ornament. 3 Anotfaer,^ InmisMw, oocuptes the place of sacrifioe^ ^*%% among 3 One blandishes in his hand an iron knife, firm, in his seat 4 Another holds the thunderbolt, wherewith he slays the Y^itras^ resting in his band. 1 Tkirly Ood» and Three : see I. 139. 11. 2 Jt^ftm : Agiii in hia vartom toma mad under different a«in«6. With (7oi»> forte ; wifch the Qnfts, Oelostial Dames, wives of the Qods. Va$htU/: the exiUmatioii made whea the oblation k offiiBred. 4 iVb demon and no mortal man : or no mortal who prMonta no offering* to the Qods. 5 l%e Seven; ^6 Maruttf, seven, or seven times nine, or seven tames sevae in number. Sftyapa mentions the legend of their Mrtb, whiob wUl be found in the Mdmdipxna, Bftok L, Cantos 4&, 47. The meaning is merely that the Haruts oarry lances, that is, their lightnings, and are spleadidlj adorned. See I* 87* The connexion of this stansa with the preceding is not obvious. 1 One : Soma. ' The yeUow Soma juiee ia itself an emament to the gold on the finger (Atharvaveda, XVIII. 3. 18, hira^yapiivfi^) of the priest.'— Lud wig. According to others, Soma as the Bloon is intended, who ' decorates (himself) With gel&n craamento.'-'WilBoii.

^ jinather, luminous : Agni. ^ Ojte iramdi$he$ : TvMhtar^ as thft ArU&Mie cd ^« CMmu 4 Mnoe^er >|^<^ the (Aun4crbolt : Indra. 5 Anolher bean & pointed weapon : bright is he, and strong, 6 Another, thieMike, watches well the ways, and knows the places where the treasures lie. 7 Another with his mighty stride hath made his three steps thither where tibe Gk)ds rejoice. 8 Two with one Dame ride on with wingM steeds^ and journey forth like travellers on their way. 9 Two, highest) in the heavens have set their seat, worshipped with holy oil. Imperial Kings. 10 Some, singing lauds, conceived the S&mahymn, great hymn ^Thereby they caused the San to shine.

Not one of you, ye Gods, is small, none of you is a feeble child : All of you, verily, are great. :^ Thus be ye lauded, ye destroyers of the foe^ ye Three-andThirty Deities, The Grods of man, the Holy Ones. 3 As such defend and suecoor us, with benedictions speak to us : Lead us not from our fathers' and from Manu's path into the 4 Ye Deities who stay with us, and all ye Gods of all mankind, Give us your wide protection, give shelter for cattle and for

That Brahman pleases Indra well, who worships, sacrifices, pours Libation, and prepares the meal. i Another : Rudra. See I. 43. 4. e Another : POsban. See I. 42. 7 Another vilh hU migktaf. etride : Vishnu. Thither : to his station in the lieigbt of kearea. 8 Two with one Dame : the AsvhM with Sfiry&v See I. 119. 17. 9 Two, higher : Mitra and Varunaw 10 Some, $inging laude: the Angirases, or, according to Sftyana, the Atrfs. 2 Three-etnd-Thirty Ddties : see I. 139. 11. The Cfods of man: or, God whom Mann wonfaipped, which interpretation is supported by stanza 3. ' 4 Who stay with ut : Or are present at this saerifice. 1 Brahman : here any jnours worshipper, not one of the regular professional priests, but the iustitutor of sacrifice who during the ceremony may be rep^fded as their chief. Frepare* the wual: pofupurod^fidikampaehaH: SAyana; ' cooks the cake wbSeh ia an essential pMrt.ei tk« aautt^ tMcV&M, %W 16« TBE HYMNS OF [BOOK Vltt. 2 Sakra protects from woe the man who givee him sacrificial cake And oflfers Soma blent with milk. 3 His chariot shall be glorious, sped by €k)ds, and mighty shall

he be, Subduing all hostilities. 4 Each day that passes, in his house flows his libation, rich in milk, Exhaustless, bringing progeny. 5 0 Gods, with constant draught of milk, husband and wife with one accord Press out and wash the Soma juice. 6 They gain sufficient food : they come united to the sacred grass, And never do they fail in strength. 7 Never do they deny or seek to hide the favour of the Crods : They win high glory for themselves. 8 With sons and daughters by their side they reach their full extent of life, Both decked with ornaments of gold. 9 Serving the Immortal One with gifts of sacrificial meal and wealth. They satisfy the claims of love and pay due honour to the Gods. 10 We claim protection from the Hills, we claim protection of the Floods, Of him who stands by Vishpu's side. 1 1 May Pushan come, and Bhaga, Lord of wealth, All-bounteous, for our weal : Broad be the path that leads to bliss : 1 2 Aramati, and, free from foes, Visva with spirit of a Grod, And the Adityas' peerless might. 1 3 Seeing that Mitra, Aryaman, and Varuna are guarding us, The paths of Law are fair to tread.

■ - — ■ -■■■ — ■ — - « 9 The Immortal One : amritdya : Agni, or the Immortal (host), that is, the Gkxis in general. According to S&y;ina, * that they may obtain immortality (in their sons and descendants).' They aatufy : this plULa is considered by some, on metrical and other grounds, to be an interpolation. According to Pischel {VedUehe Studien, I. p. 178), the half -line refers to the beating and preparation of the rough stalks of the Soma plant. 10 0/ him who itands by Vishnu* 8 tide : of Vishnu and his associate Indra. — Ludwig. 12 Aramati: the Genius of Devotion. Visva: Dyaus!^ — Ludwig. *AH i/ie worabippera/ according to S&ya^a« mrUN St.] TBB RIOVBDA. let 14 I glorify with song, for wealth, Agni the God, the first of you. We honour as a well-loved Friend the God who proepereth our fields. 15 As in all frays the hero, so swift moves his car whom Gods attend. The man who, sacrificing, strives to win the heart of Deities will conquer those who worship not. 16 Ne'er are ye injured, worshipper, presser of juice, or pious man. The man who, sacrificing, strives to win the heart of Deities

will conquer those who worship not. 17 None in his action equals him, none holds him far or keeps him off. 'Tii^ mail who, sacrificing, strives to win the heart of Deities will conquer those who worship not. 18 Such strength of heroes shall be his, such mastery of fleet- foot steeds. The man who, sacrificing, strives to win the heart of Deities will conquer those who worship not.

Eanvas, tell forth with song the deeds of Indra, the Impetuous, Wrought in the Soma's wild delight. 2 Strong God, he slew Anarsani, Sribinda, Pipru, and the fiend Ahisuva, and loosed the floods. 3 Thou broughtest down the dwelling-place, the height of lofty Arbuda. That exploit, Indra, must be famed. 4 Bold, to your famous Soma I call the fair-visored God for aid, Down like a torrent from the hill. 5 Rejoicing in the Soma-draughts, Hero, burst open, like a fort, The stall of horses and of kine. 6 If my libation gladdens, if thou takest pleasure in my laud, Come with thy Godhead from afar. 14 Wlw proapereth our fields: kshetrctsSdhasam : S4yana explains kaketra (ibe moderD Hiudt khet, a field), as sacrifice : ' the bouutiful perfecter of th« sacrifice.* — Wilson. 1 The Impetuous : rijUhinaK : * the drinker of the stale Soma,* —WiIboti. 2 The fiend : the DAsa, or savage. All the uames are names of demons of drought, of whom Pipru has been mentioned frequently in preceding Books. 3 Jrbuda: see I. 51. 6 ; II. 11. 20; 14. 4. 4 Like a torrent from the hill : *afl(a traveller iu\okea^ \,\Dkft "vt^^wt'lt^TSW^ cloud. * — WJJaou,

170 TBE Brum OF [BOOB Yin. 7 O Indra, TiOver of the Scmg, the singeim of tby pimiM Bte we : O Soma-drinker, quicken us. 8 And, taking thy delight with us, bring us still undiminshed food: Great is thy wealth, O Maghavan. 9 Make thou us rich in herds of kine» in steeds, in gold : let us exert Our strength in sacrificial gifts. 10 Let us call him to aid whose hands stretch far, to whom high laud is due, Who worketh well to succour us! 1 1 He, Satakratu, eren in fight acts as a Vritra-stayer still : He gives his worshippers much wealth. 12 May he, this Sakra, strengthen us, Boon Qod who satisfies our needs, Indra, with all his saving helps. 13 To him» the mighty stream of wealth, the Soma-pres^er^s rescuing Friend, To Indra sing your song of praise ; 14 Who bringeth what is great and firm, who winneth gloxy in his wars, Lord of vast wealth through power and might. 15 There liveth none to check or stay his energies and gracious deeds : None who can say. He giveth not. 16 No debt is due by Brahmans now, by aotiye men who press

the juice : Well hath each Soma-draught been paid. 17 Sing ye to him who must be praised, say lauds to him who must be praised, Bring prayer to him who must be praised. 18 May he, unchecked, strong, meet for praise, bring hundreds, thousands forth to light, Indra who aids the worshipper. 19 Go with thy Godlike nature forth, go where the folk are calling thee : Drink, Indra, of the drops we pour. 11 Batakratu: Lord off a Hundred Powers. 12 Sakra: the Migfaty. 16 The Brahmans or worshippej-s hat^e. by ofFering libaetiont, di8chat)sed their obligations to the Qods, and the Gkids have repaid thc^, or wiU soon *ep»jr them tor their oSenngn. 18 JTundrecU, thousand* : countless treaaurea tot u%Va «cl\o7« 20 Drink ndUiy dtMighUi whieh are Uune own, thia too which was with Tugrya once, Thia is lit Indray that is thine. 21 Pass him who pours libations out m angty mood or after sin : Here drink the juiee we ofkit thee. 22 Over the three great distances, past the five Peoples g^ thj waj, O Indra, no^ioing oar voice. 23 Send forth thy ray like Sdrya : let mj songs attract thee hithenmrd Like w»t€ffs galhm&g to the Tale.

24 Now to the Hero fair of cheek, Adhvaiyu, ponr the Soma forth : Bring of the juice that he may drink : 25 Who cleft the water-cloud in twain, loosed rivers for their downvrard flow, And set the ripe milk in the kine. 26 He, meet for praise, slew Vritra, slew Ahfsuva, Ornav&bha's son, And pierced through Arbuda with frost. iS7 To him your matchless Mighty One, unconquerable Conqueror, Sing forth, the prayo: which Gods have given : 28 Indra, who in the wild delight of Soma juice considers ' e All holy Laws among the Gods. 29 Hither let these thy Bays who share tiiy banquet, Steeds with golden mane% Convey thee to the feast prepared. 80 Hither, O thou whom many laud, the Bays whom Prijamedha praised Shall bring thee to the Soma^raugbt.

Ws compass thee like waters, we whose grass is trimmed and Soma pressed. Here where the filter pours its stream, thy worshippers round thee, 0 Vritra-slayer, sit. 20 Whieh wot with Tugrya : like that which thy favourite Bhajyu (see Yol. I., Index) formerly offered thee. S2 The three great distances: the space in front of thee, behind thee, and at thy side. Noticing our voice : hearing and attending to our invocations. Come to us who are tbj true worshippers, and pass by others who worship thee in the hope of being avenged upon their enemies or of obtaining pardon for some sin. 26 Ui'navdbha*s §on : Aurnav&bha: a demon of droug;ht. Sea II. 11. 18. With frost : making the piercing ooid of winter his weapon. . I The fiU^r; or wooUeu »Urunw througjb wluchVbA ^otoAiVxvsAS&x>)Xk\A purl/f it. 171 TBB HYMNS OP [BOOK VtIL 2 Men, Yasu ! by the Soma, with lauds call thee to the fore- most place : When comest thou athirst unto the juice as home, 0 Indra, like a bellowing bull ? 3 Boldly, Bold Hero, bring us spoil in thousands for the Kanvas' sake: O active Maghavan, with eager prayer we crave the yellowhued with store of kine.

4 MedbyS.tithi, to Indra sing, drink of the juice to make thee glad. Close-knit to Ids Bay Steeds, bolt-armed, beside the juice is he : his chariot is of gold. 5 He who is praised as stropg of hand both right and left^ most wise and bold : Indra who, rich in hundreds, gathers thousands up, honoured as breaker-down of forts. 6 The bold of heart whom none provokes, who stands in bearded confidence ; >. ; Much-lauded, very glorious, overthrowing foes, stfcng Helper, like a bull with might. ' 7 Who knows what vital power he wins, drinking besfde the > flowing juice ? This is the fair-cheeked God who, joying in the draughty breaks down the castles in his strength. 8 As a wild elephant rushes on, this way and that way, mad with heat, None may compel thee, yet come hither to the draught : thoi^ movest mighty in thy power. 9 When he, the Mighty,_ne'er overthrown, stedfast, made ready for the fight. When Indra Maghavan lists to his praiser^s call, he will not stand aloof, but come. 10 Yea, verily, thou art a Bull, with a bull's rush, whom none may stay : 2 As home: as familiar to thee as thine owd home.

3 The yellow-hued : there is no substantive, but gold must be intended. 6 In bearded confidence : a conjectural paraphrase. Smdfi'uthu (m (his) beard) is said by Sftyana to mean here * m combats,' that is, perhaps, as Ludwig suggests, among ranks of men bristling with spears. But this can hardly be the meaning of the word which * is probably an idiomatic expression for the fierce look of a warrior who challenges the foe.' — Ludwig. So, in the Edda, Thdrr, when about to meet a foe, is said to have * raised his beard's voice.' See Grimm, Teutonic Mythology ^ I. 177 (English TranslHtion). 8 Mad with heat : that is, maaty or as phonetically spelt, must. 2 0 Thou art a Bull : vrishd : or strong and mighty. As has been observed before (VIII. 13. 31, note), some of the \edic ^o^^ d^li^ht in the repetition of tbia word and ita denvatives. JmnrSS.] THE MOVE DA. lit Thou, Mighty Ooe, art celebrated as a Bull, &imed as a Bull both near and far. 11 Thy reins are very bulls in strength, bulls' strength is in thy golden whip. Thy oar, O Maghavan, thy Bays are strong as bulls : thou, Satakrattt, art a Bull.

12 Let the strong presser press for thee. Bring hither, thou straight-rushing Bull. The mighty makes the mighty run in flowing streams for thee whom thy Bay Horses bear. 13 Come, thou most potent Indra, come to drink the savoury Soma juice. Maghavan, very wise, will quickly come to hear the songs, the prayer, the hymns of praise. 14 When thou hast mounted on thy car let thy joked Bay Steeds carry thee Past other mens' libations, Lord of Hundred Powers, thee, Vritranslayer, thee our Friend. 15 O thou Most Lofty One, accept our laud as nearest to thine heart. May our libations be most sweet to make thee glad, O Somadrinker. Heavenly Lord. 16 Neither in thy decree nor mine, but in another's he delights, — The man who brought us unto this. 17 Indra himself hath said. The mind of woman brooks not dis- cipline, Her intellect hath little weight. 18 His pair of horses, rushing on in their wild transport, draw his car : High-lifted is the stallion's yoke. 19 Oast down thine eyes and look not up. More closely set thy feet. Let none See what thy garment veils, for thou, a Brahman, hast become a dame.

11 QohUn whip : the lightning, with which Indra Iftshes the clouds, his bomeB. 12 The mighty makea the mighty run : the priest makes the Soma juice flow. 16 The last four stanzas of the hymn are not very intelligible, nor is their eoqnexion with the preceding verses obvious. Stanzas 16 and 18 appear to be spoken by a woman and 17 by a man. Stanza 19 is said to be addressed by Indra to Aaanga son of Play oga who had been changed to «k '^lotoasv b^ tbft impreoution of the Oode, and wii6 was afterwaxda TeatoT«^ V> isAK^^cyA.

Come hither, Indra, with thy Bays, oozd« thou to Kan^a's eulogy. Ye by command of yonder Dyaus, God bright by day ! have 2 May the stone draw thee as it spedcs^ th« Sk>Q»BHitoi|e with ringing voice. Ye by command of yonder Dyans, etc* 3 The stones' rim shakes the Soma here like a wolf wcMrryiAg a 4 The Kaifvas call thee hitherward for succour and to win the 5 I set for thoC) as for th^ Strong, the first dmught of the juicel 6 Come with abundant blessings, oome with perfect care to suc- 7 Come, Lord of lofty thought» who hast iii(init0 wealth and 8 Adorable mid Gods, the Priest good to mankind siuill bring 9 As wiiigs the falcon, so thy Bays rushing in joy shall carry 10 Come from the enemy to us, to Svah& 1 and the SomHrdftiught, 1 1 Come hither with thine ear inclined to hear, take pleMure in 12 Lord of weil-nourished Horses, oome with well-fed Steeds alik4 13 Come hither from the mountains^ come fh>m regions of the The Kishi is Kip&tithi of the family of Kativa, but stabzlul l6— 18 ar* aAcribed in the Index to the thousand Vasurochishas who are said io have been a division of ^e family of Angiras.

1 The exact meaning of the second line, which is thd burden qI the first fifteen stanzas, is obscure. Ye probably means Indra's horses, and Ood kriffiil^ by day / (divdvcuoj Indra himself j that is, ye, horses, and thou, Inflr^k, hl^ve gone to heaven. The Scholiast offers two dmerent eiplanatiOiiB, in olte a^e boldly altering two words of the text. See Wilson's Tra&slatio&, adtS< 8 The Pi-Ust good to fAanJcind: or, the Invoking M«it, Invokef Or 8enj4 ^stahymhed by Mana, namely AgnL JO Sv4Ad: «o ex0lsx]aat|9n used in saien^os ', ^^%\ ^i ^«i]L I 14 Disdose to oa, O Hero, wealth in thousands both of kine and 15 Bring riches hitherward to us in hundreds, thousands, myriads. Ye by command of yonder Dyaus, God bright by day ! have 16 The thousand steedn, the mightiest troop, which we and Indra From Yasurochis as a gift, 17 The brown that match the wind in speed, and bright bay coursers fleet c^ foot, Like Suns, resplendent are they all. 18 Mid the P4r4vata's rich gifts, swift steeds whose wheels run rapidly, I seemed to stand amid a wood.

With Agni and vith Indra, Yishnu, Varuna, with the Adityas, Rudras, Vasus, closely leagued ; Accordant, of one mind with Sdrya and with Dawn, 0 Asvibs, drink the Soma juice. 2 With all the Holy Thoughts, all being. Mighty Ones ! in close alliance with the Mountains, Heaven, and Earth ; Accordant^ of one mind with S^rya and with Dawn, O Afiyins, drink the Soma juice. 3 With all the Deities, three times eleven, here, in close alliance with the Maruts, Bhrigus, Floods; Accordant, of one mind with Sdrya and with Dawn, 0 Asvins, drink the Soma juice. 4 Accept the sacrifice, attend to this my call : come nigh, 0 ye Twain Gods, to all libations here. Accordant, of one mind with Siirya and with Dawn, 0 Asvins, bring us strengthening food. 5 Accept our praise-song as a youth accepts a maid. Come nigh, O ye Twain Grods, to all libations here. Accordant, of one mind with Sikrya and with Dawn, 0 Asvins, bring us strengthening food. 16 VaauroehU : vdturockishal^ is probably the ablative singular, and not thf nominatiye plural, of the name of the inatitutor ot the saerifioe. Wilson* following S&yana, translates : * We, the thousand Vasuroohisha*, and Indra (our le^er), when we obtain vigorouB herds of horses,—.*

18 The Pdrdvaia ia Yasurochis. The P^fAva^s are probably the w^PV1lTai •f Ptolemy, who were settled northwards of Arachosia. — Ludwig. 5 A youth : literally two youths. ' As youths aitt 4ftV\^\k\A^ ^^ VXx* ^^v^m^ of maidMw.' — Wikon. 17tf TBJS ffFMNS CtP ^ . [ROOK V III 6 Accept the songs we sing, accept the solemn rite. Come nigh, O ye Twain Gods, to all libations here. Accordant, of one mind with Siirya and with Dawn, 0 Asvins, bring us strengthening food. 7 Ye fly as starlings fly unto the forest trees ; like buffaloes ye seek the Soma we have shed. Accordant, of one mind with Surysb and with Dawn, come thrice, 0 Asvins, to our home. 8 Ye fly like swans, like those who travel on their way ; like buffaloes ye seek the Soma we have shed. Accordant, of one mind with Sdrya and with Dawn, come thrice, 0 Asvins, to our home. 9 Ye fly to our oblation like a pair of hawks ; like buffaloes ye seek the Soma we have shed. Accordant, of one mind with Sarya and with Dawn, come thrice, 0 Asvins, to our home. 10 Coxne hitherward and drink and satisfy yourselves, bestow

upon us progeny and affluence. Accordant, of one mind with S&rya and with Dawn, 0 Asvins, grant us vigorous strength. 11 Conquer your foes, protect us, praise your worshippers ; bestow upon us progeny and affluence. Accordant, of one mind with Siirya and with Dawn, 0 Asvins, grant us vigorous strength. 12 Slay enemies, animate men whom ye befriend; bestow upon us progeny and affluence. Accordant, of one mind with Siirya and with Dawn, 0 Asvins, grant us vigorous strength. 13 With Mitra, Varuna, Dharms^ and the Maruts in your com- pany approach unto your praiser's call. Accordant, of one mind with Siirya and with Dawn, and with the Adityas, Asvins ! come. 14 With Vishnu and the Angirases attending you, and with the Maruts come unto your praiser's call. Accordant, of one mind with Siirya and with Dawn, and with the Adityas, Asvins ! come. 15 With Kibhus and with Vajas, 0 ye Mighty Ones, leagued with the Maruts come ye to your praiser's call. Accordant, of one mind with Surya and with Dawn, and with the Adityas, Asvins ! come. S Ye come eagerly to the Soma as thirsty hansat (swans, geese, or flamiii' £'oegJ traveuerBf And buboes hasten to t^« -wat^er. IS ^Aanna : Right^ Justice, Law, Virtue ox I>utj T^wwn&ftft.,

\% Give spirit to our prayer and animate our thoughts ; slay ye the. RS.kshasas and drive away disease. Accordant, of one mind with Siirya and with Dawn, the presser's Soma, A§vins ! drink. 17 Strengthen the Ruling Power, strengthen the men of war; slay ye the Rslkshasas and drive away disease. Accordant, of one mind with Surya and with Dawn, the presser's Soma, Asvins ! drink. 18 Give strength unto the milch-kine, give the people strength, slay ye the Rakshasas and drive away disease. Accordant, of one mind with SArya and with Dawn, the presser's Soma, Asvins ! drink. 19 As ye heard Atri's earliest eulogy, so hear Sy&visva, Somia- presser, ye who reel in joy. Accordant, of one niind with Surya and with Dawn, drink juice, 0 Asvins, three days old. 20 Further like running streams Sy&vasva's eulogies who presses out the Soma, ye who reel in joy. Accordant, of one mind with Surya and with Dawn, drink juice, 0 Asvins, three days old. 21 Seize, as ye grasp the reins, Syav^sva's solemn rites who pres- ses out the Soma, ye who reel in joy. Accordant, of one mind with Surya and with Dawn, drink juice, O Asvins, three days old.

22 Drive down your chariot hitherward : drink ye the Soma's savoury juice. Appro&rch, ye Asvins, come to us : I call you, eager for your aid. Grant treasures to the worshipper, 23 When sacrifice which tells our reverence hath begun. Heroes ! to drink the gushing juice, Approach, ye Asvins, come to us : I call you, eager for your aid. Grant treasures to the worshipper. 24 Sate you with consecrated drink, with juice effused, ye Deities. Approach, ye Asvins, come to us : I call you, eager for your aid. Grant treasures to the worshipper. 17 The Ruling Power : hshatrdm : hence Kahatriya, a man of the princely or military order. 13 The people : vlfoe : hence Vaisya, a man of the mercantile class or order. ' 19 AtrTs : as he was the progenitor of the Rishi of the Hymn. See Vol. I., Index. 21 Solemn rites : that ia, the oblations presented thetesA*. , J24 Comecraeed drink: libations offered with the Bacr\^cvai\ «xA^W£k»X}va\jL SvAhd ! Ave ! or Hail ! ^

Thou helpest him whose grass is trimmed, who sheds the juice, 0 Satakratu, drink Soma to make thee glad. The share which they have fixed for thee, thoUf Indra, Victor o'er all hosts and space^ begirt with Maruts, Lord of Heroes, winner of the floods. 2 Maghavan, help thy worshipper : let him help thee. 0 Satakratu, drink Soma to make thee glad. The share which they have fixed for thee, etc. ' 3 Thou aidest Gods with food, and that with might aids thee. 0 Satakratu, drink Soma to make thee glad. • 4 Creator of the heaven, creator of the earth, O Satakratu, drink Soma to make thee glad. 5 Father of cattle, father of all steeds art thou. O Satakratu, drink Soma to make thee glad. 6 Stone-hurler, glorify the Atris' hymn of praise. 0 Satakratu, drink Soma to make thee glad. 7 Hear thou Sy^vasva while he pours to thee, as erst thou heardeat Atri when he wrought his holy rites. Indra, thou only gavest Trasadasyu aid in the fierce fight with heroes, strengthening his prayers.

This prayer, and those who shed the juice, in wars with Vritra thou holpest, Indrs^ Lord of Strength, with all thy succouis. 0 Vritra-slayer, from libation poured at noon, drink of the Soma juice, thou blameless Thunderer. 2 Thou mighty Conqueror of hostile armaments, O Indra, Lord of Strength, with all thy saving help. 1 Which they have fixed : which all the (Jods have assigned. This half- verse is the refrain of stanzas 1 — 6. And space, begirt : or, and wide space, girt. The floods : the waters of heaven, the rain. 2 Let him help thee : according to S&yana, * protect thyself (by drinking the Soma).' *The mutual relation between the God and his worshipper is expressed, and the translation * help thyself ' is ridiculous.'— Ludwig. S Food : sacrificial food. That : food, especially in the shape of Soma. 7 Trasadasyu : an especial favourite of Indra and the Asvins, celebrated far bis rictories and liberality. See Index. I O Vr/ti'a'slayer, etc: this half -verse \b repeats Wb ^ t^^iwsxYDL'Osskfe ^^^^ 'lowiDg 8i»nza8, 3 Sole Ruler, thou art Sovran of this world of life, O Indra, Lord of Strength, with all thy saving help.

4 Thou only sunderest these two consistent worlds, O Indra, Lord of Strength, with all thy saving help. 5 Thou art the Lord supreme o'er rest and energy, O Indra, Lord of Strength, with all thy saving help . 6 Thou helpest one to power, and one thou hast not helped, O Indra, Lord of Strength, with all thy saving aid. 7 Hear thou Syslvsisva while he sings to thee, as erst thou heardest Atri when he wrought his holy rites. Indra, thou only gavest Trasadasyu aid in the fierce fight with heroes, strengthening his powers.

Ye Twain are Priests of sacrifice, winners in war and holy works : Indra and Agni, mark this well. 2 Ye bounteous riders on the car, ye Vritra-slayers unsubdued : Indra and Agni, mark this well. 2 The men with pressing-stones have pressed this meath of yours which gives delight : Indra and Agni, mark this well. 4 Accept our sacrifice for weal, sharers of praise ! the Soma shed : Indra and Agni, Heroes, come. 5 Be pleased with these libations which attract you to our sacred gifts : Indra and Agni, Heroes, come. 6 Accept this eulogy of mine whose model is the G&yatrl : Indra and Agni, Heroes, come. 4 Consistent worlds : there is no substantive in the text> and hhau (worlcU) is supplied by S&jana. 5 Rest and energy : or peace and war. ' Prosperity and gains.*— -Wilson. 0 To power : hsatrSya : the rule exercised by princes. 7 Repeated from the preceding hymn with the alteration of two words — r^bhatahf singing, instead of sunvatdK^ pouring (libations), and kshatrlXni (princely) powers instead of h'dhmdni^ prayers, *as if/ observes Dr. Miiir, ' the former (brahmdni,) contained a reference to the functions of the priest, and the latter to those of the prince.' — 0. S, Texts, I. 268.

1 Mark this well: * hear (the praise) of this (thy wot«\\V^'^tV~-^''^^3wai« ^ Smtnie^iut : iotStgd : according to SAyana, * destvoyerft (ol lowC^C ^ /f^Aose modd is the Odyatri : composedin QAy«ktrt m^tx^. lao THE HYMNS OP [BOOK VITL 7 Come with the early-faring Gods, ye who are Lords of genuine wealth : Indra-Agni, to the Soma-draught ! 8 Hear ye the call of Atris, hear Syavasva as he sheds the juice : Indra-Agni to the Soma-draught ! : 9 Thus have I called you to our aid as sages called on you of old : Indra-Agni to the Soma draught ! 10 ludra's and Agni's grace I claim, Sarasvati's associates To whom this psalm of praise is sung.

The glorious Agni have I praised, and worshipped with the sacred food. May Agni deck the Gods for us. Between both gatheringplaces he goes on his embassy, the Sage. May all the others die away. 2 Agni, bum down the word within their bodies through our I newest speech, | All hatreds of the godless, all the wicked man's malignities. Away let the destroyers go. May all the others die away. . 3 Agnij I offer hymns to thee, like holy oil within thy mouth. Acknowledge them among the Gods, for thou art the most excellent, the worshipper's blissful messenger. Let all the others die away. ' 4 Agni bestows all vital power even as each man supplicates. He brings the Vasus strengthening gifts, and grants delight, in rest and stir, for every calling on the Gods. Let all the others die away. 5 Agni hath made himself renowned by wonderful victorious act. He is the Priest of all the tribes, chosen with sacrificial meeds. He urges Deities to receive* Let all the others die away. I I «■ « ■■ ■ ' ■ I ■ ■ . __-^ — __ 7 Early-faring Gods: *But Thou wast up at break of day,' — George Herbert. XO Sara8vat^8 associates : according to S4yana, ' to whom praise belongs,^

1 Deck the Gods for us : * brighten the gods with the oblations at our sacrifice.' — Wilson. Both gathering-places : heaven and earth. AH the others : anyaki same : meaning, according to S4yapa, all our euemies. 2 jiU Aatred of the godless : ardtXr ardvndm must be read instead of ardtt rarthmiitm. — Ludwig, ' . . T a WteA sacri/teuzf meeds : dakskindhhx^ : Vna daJwKwAa otVouwwtt.^j^'^^^ri^ ^ the oblations which he receives' as a God. MTMiA* 40.1 y^^ rioveda: m ^ Agni knowB all that springs from Gods, he Isnows the mystery of men. Giver of wealth is Agni, he uncloses both the doors to us when worshipped with our newest gift. Let all the others di^ away. 7 Agni inhabiteth with Gods and men who offer sacrifice. He cherisheth with great delight much wisdom, as all thin)9i|s that be, God among Gods adorable. May all the others die away. 8 Agni who liveth in all streams. Lord of the Sevenfold Race of men, Him dweller in three homes we seek, best slayer of the Dasyus for Mandhlitar, first in sacrifice. Let all the others die away. 9 Agni the Wise inhabiteth three gathering-places, triply formed. Decked as our envoy let the Sage bring hither and conciliate

the Thrice Eleven Deities. Let all the others die away. 10 Oar Agni, thou art first among the Gods, and first mid living men. Thou only rulest over wealth. Round about thee, as natural dams, circumfluous the waters run. Let all the others die away.

Indra and Agni, surely ye as Conquerors will give us wealth, Wiiereby in fight we may overcome that which is strong and firmly fixed, as Agni burns the woods with wind. Let all the others die away. 2 We^et no snares to tangle you; Indra we worship and adore, Hero of heroes mightiest. Onoe may he come unto us with his Steed, come unto us to win us strength, and to complete the sacrifice. 6 ThtU springs from Oods : the past and the present, while ike mystery of men is the future. — Ludwig. Both, the doors: of wealth, or, perhaps of heaven also. 8 Lord of ike Sevenfold Race of men : perhaps meaning, God of all men, fike Vaisv&nara ; or the reference may be to the seven priests : ' Who is ministered to by seven priests.' — Wilson. * Acting as seven priests.* — M. Miiller. Mandkdtar : said to be the same as M&ndhfttar, son of Tuvan&sva, and Rishi of X. 134. 9 Three gathering -places : heaven, firmament, and earth. 10 Round about thee ..the waters run: Cf. 'Him, pure, resplendent, Offspring of the Waters, the waters pure have on all sides encompassed' (II. 35. 3).

1 Let all the others die atoay : this refrain recuTS Va ^\V«\A.TiiftA Qk\. \)DA\ic^\ttQk except the GobI a Onee: ^adtXehit: erpressive of impatience.— Lud^V^. 3 For, famous Indra-Agiii, ye are dwellers in the midst of frays. Sages in wisdom, ye are knit to him who seeketh you as friends. Heroes, bestow on him his wish. 4 NabhS.ka-like, with sacred song Indra's and Agni's praise I sing, Theirs to whom all this world belongs, this heaven and this mighty earth which bear rich treasure in their lap. 5 To Indra and to Agni send your prayers, as was Nabhaka's wont, — Who oped with side way opening the sea with its foundations seven — Indra all powerful in his might. 6 Tear thou asunder, as of old, like tangles of a creeping plant, Demolish thou the DUsa's might. May we with Indra's help divide the treasure he hath gathered up. 7 What time with this same song these men call Indra-Agni sundry ways. May we with our own heroes quell those who provoke us to the fight, and conquer those who strive with us. 8 The Two refulgent with their beams rise and come downward from the sky. By Indra's and by Agni's best, flowing away, the rivers run which they released from tbeir restraint.

9 0 Indra, many are thine aids, many thy ways of guiding us, Lord of the Bay Steeds, Hinva's Son. To a Good Hero come our prayers, which soon shall have accomplishment. 10 Inspire him with your holy hymns, the Hero bright and glorious. Him who with might demolisheth even the brood of Sushna, and winneth for us the heavenly streams. 11 Inspire him worshipped with fair rites, the glorious Hero truly brave. He brake in pieces Sushna's brood who still expected not the stroke, and won for us the heavenly streams. Let all the others die away. 4 Ndbhdka-like : Nabh&ka may have been the father of N&bh&ka the Hishi of the hymn. 5 Who oped : * who overspread (with their lustre).* — Wilson, The Commentator does not explain the passage. 7 This same song : a hymn like our own, for victory in battle. S The Two refulgent with their beams : apparently the Sun and Moon. According to S4yana, Indra and Agni are intended. ff JTinva's Son : Hinva (the driver, impeller, instigator of actions), a father in vented for Indra by the poet. To a Good Hero : to ltt.^T«b. * '^Vw^ TCk^Mun^ of f/ie vorae, even with the help of the acho\\ajBt,\alw lto\ixVa\«^\^gWVft: — '^'1aaRn^^

\% Thus have we sung anew to Indra-Agni, as sang our sires, Angirases, and Mandh^tar. Guard us with triple shelter and preserve us : may we be masters of a store of riches.

To make this Varuna come forth, sing thou a song unto tlie band of Maruts wiser than thyself, — This Varuna who guardeth well the thoughts of men like herds of kine. Let all the others die away. 2 Him altogether praise I with the song and hymns our fathers sang, and with Nabhaka*s eulogies, — Him dwelling at the rivers' source, surrounded by his Sisters Seven. 3 The nights he hath encompassed, and stablished the morns with magic art : visible over all is he. His dear Ones, following his Law, have prospered the Three Dawns for him. 4 He, visible o'er all the earth, stablished the quarters of the sky: He measured out the eastern place, that is the fold of Varuna : like a strong herdsman is the God. 5 He who supports the worlds of life, he who well knows the hidden names mysterious of ti»e morning-beams, He cherishes much wisdom. Sage, as heaven brings forth each varied form. 6 In whom all wisdom centres, as the nave is set within the Haste ye to honour Trita, as kine haste to gather in the fold, even as they muster steeds to yoke. 1 To make tkU Varuna come forth : Srlyana explains pi-abhiUaye as an adjective = praJcrishtadkandi/a : ' to that opulent Varuna.' — Wilson. Wiser: more skilled m Hinging. The thoughts: holy thoughts and devotions. The refrain, Let all, etc., recurs at the end of every stanza.

2 Ndbfidka^s : that is, mine own Sisters Seven : the five rivers of the Panjdb, the Indus, and perhaps the Kubh&. See I 32, note. 3 His dear Ones : apparently the nights, which give place to the mornings. Three Dawns : according to S&yana, morning, noon, and evening. 4 The fold : or, perhaps, the course, meaning the place from which he starts. 6 Trita: Varuna, here, apparently ^ identi&ed with thxa wvd«v\X. Qtoft. ^\\a repreaentti the expanse of hea\en. According to S^yatiik, (^\ «xM\i^^ *■ ^>aa ^v^«^ /a the three worlda. ' 184 THE HYMNS OP [BOOK VllL 7 He wraps these regions as a robe ; he contemplates the tribes^ of Gods and all the works of mortal men. Before the home of Varuna all the Gods follow his decree. 8 He is an Ocean far-removed, yet through the heaven tb him ascends the worship which these realms possess. With his bright foot he overthrew their magic, and went up to heaven. 9 Ruler, whose bright far-seeing rays, pervading all three earths, have filled the three superior realms of heaven. Firm is the seat of Varuna : over the Seven he rules as King. 10 Who, after his decree, o'erspread the Dark Ones with a robe of light; Who measured out the ancient seat, who pillared both the worlds apart as the Unborn supported heaven. Let all the others die away.

Lord of all wealth, the Asura propped the heavens, aud measured out the broad earth's wide expanses. He, King supreme, approached all living creatures. All thei^e are Varuna's holy ^operations. : 2 So humbly worship Varuna the Mighty; revere the wise Guard of the World Immortal. May he vouchsafe us triply-barred protection. 0 Earth and Heaven, within your lap preserve us. 7 This stanza is very obscure, and my rendering is conjectural. The commentary is defective, and von Roth and Ludwig think that the correctness of ene word in the tez t is doubtful. According to the slight alteration suggested by the latter scholar, ^ under the lead ' would stand instead of ' before the home.' 8 The first line of this stanza also is difficult. Wilson, following SAyans, translates : * He is the hidden ocean ; swift he mounts (the heaven) as (the sun) the sky ; when he has placed the sacrifice in those (regions of the firmament).' Ludwig's interpretation, which I follow, requires tirdli to be read instead of turdh (swift). Their magic : the magical arts of the fiends of darkness. 9 Firm: so Hesiod (Thepg. V. 127) calls Ouranos= Varuna the ?5oc a<r<fiaXiQ, the firm seat of the Qods. See M. Miiller, Chips from a Germim Workshop, IV. XX (new edition). The Seven : rivers, understood.

10 The Dark Ones : the nights, which Varuna turns into days. But see Chips f IV. xxii. The Unhotva : the primeval, everlasting, uncreated Divine Being. According to S&yana, the Sun. J TAeJsura: ^/le High God, Varuna. * T\ie ma^ ai^irit.* — M. Miiller. 2 OJ'iAe World Immortal ; omrltosya ; siccotdm^ \tt ^^wm., \>1 ^xoLTiX. « STMN 41] TBS RIQVEDA. l^ '. 3 Sharpen this song of him who strives his utmost, sharpen, (jroid Varuna, his strength and insight ; May we ascend the ship that bears us safely, whereby we may pass over all misfortune. 4 Asvins, with songs the singer stones have made you hasten hitherward, N&satyas, to the Soma-draugbt. Let all the others die away. 5 As the sage Atri with his hymns, 0 Asvins, called you eagerly, NSiSatyas, to the Soma-draught. Let all the others die away. 6 So have I called you to our aid, even as the wise have called of old, Nllsatyas, to the Soma-draught. Let all the others die away.

Thbsb songs of mine go forth as lauds of Agni, the disposing Sage, Whose worsiiipper is ne'er o'erthrown. 2 Wise Agni Jtltavedas, I beget a song of praise for thee. Who willingly receivest it. 3 Thy sharpened flames, 0 Agni, like the gleams of light that glitter through, Devour the forests with their teeth. 4 Gold-coloured, bannered with the smoke, urged by the wind, aloft to heaven Rise, lightly borne, the flames of fire. 5 These lightly kindled fiery flames are all around made visible. Even as the gleamings of the Dawns. 6 As Jatavedas speeds along, the dust is black beneath his feet. When Agni spreads upon the earth. 7 Making the plants his nourishment, Agni devours and wearies not. Seeking the tender shrubs again. 8 Bending him down with all his tongues, he flickers with his fiery glow : Splendid is Agni in the woods. 9 Agni, thine home is in the floods: into the plants thou forcest way. And as their Child art bom anew. 10 Worshipped with offerings shines thy flame, 0 Agni, from the sacred oil. With kisses on the ladle's mouth. S TAesMp : a metaphorical expression lor bymn w\d micn&i^^. d,\. ^^»^-'- J40, 12; IX. 89. 2 ; X 44. Q ; 63. 10 ; 101. 2 ; \05, %.

11 Let us serve Agni with our hymns, Disposer, fed on ox and cow, Who bears the Soma on his back. 12 Yea, thee, 0 Agni, do we seek with homage and with fuel, Priest Whose wisdom is most excellent. . 13 0 worshipped with oblations, pure Agni, we call on thee as erst Did Bhngu, Manus, Angiras. 14 For thou, 0 Agni, by the fire, Sage by the Sage, Good by the Good, Friend by the Friend, art lighted up. 16 So wealth in thousands, food with store of heroes give thou to the sage, 0 Agni, to the worshipper. 16 0 Agni, Brother, made by strength, Lord of red steeds and brilliant sway. Take pleasure in this laud of mine. 17 My praises, Agni, go to thee, as the cows seek the stall to meet The lowing calf that longs for milk. 18 Agni, best Angiras, to thee all people who have pleasant homes Apart, have turned as to their wish* 19 The sages skilled in holy song and thinkers with their thoughts have urged Agni to share the sacred feast. 20 So, Agni, unto thee the Priest, Invoker, strong in forays, pray Those who spin out the sacrifice.

21 In many a place, the same in look art thou, a Prince o'er all the tribes : In battles we invoke thine aid. 11 Fed on ox and cow: *the eater of the ox, the eater of the marrow.* — Wilaon. Who bears the Soma on his back ; s&mapriakthdya : * on whose ba^k the libation is poured.' — Wilson. 14 S&yana refers to the ilt^areya Brdhmana,!. 16, * which describes how the fire produced by friction from the two aranis [fire-sticks] is thrown into the iLhavaniya fire, in the Atitbyeshti ceremony. " In the verse twam hyagne [For thou, 0 Agni] etc., the one vipra (a sage) means one Agni, the other vipra the other Agm ; the one san (being, existing) means the one, the other san O'n saM) the other AgnL' (Haug'a trana-V— -^ota by E. B. C. in Wilson's Translatiou. Sdn and aatd may also mean * good* '^ -^(idg bi/ strength : produced by vioVeat a^\aA»\oTi ol \3tia ^T^-si>iKs3«.» HYMN 44.] THE RIGVEDA. m 22 Pray thou to Agni, pray to him who blazes served with sacred oil: Let him give ear to this our call. 23 We call on thee as such, as one who hears, as Jataveda^, one, Agni ! who beats away our foes.

24 I pray to Agni, King of men, the Wonderful, the President Of holy Laws : may he give ear. 25 Him like a bridegroom, him who stirs all people, like a noble horse, Like a fleet steed, we instigate. 26 Slaying things deadly, burning up foes, Rakshasas, on every side, Shine, Agni, with thy sharpened flame. 27 Thou whom the people kindle even as Manus did, best Angiras ! O Agni, mark thou this my speech. 28 0 Agni, made by strength ! be thou bom in the heavens or bom in floods. As such we call on thee with songs. 29 Yea, all the people, all the folk who have good dwellings, each apart. Send food for thee to eat thereof. 30 0 Agni, so may we, devout, gazed at by men, throughout our days Pass lightly over all distress. 31 We venerate with cheerful hearts the cheerful Agni, dear to all, Burning, with purifying flame. 32 So thou, 0 Agni rich in light, beaming like Surya with thy rays Boldly demolishest the gloom. 33 We pray to thee for this thy gift, Victor ! the gift that faileth not, O Agni, choicest wealth from thee.

Pay service unto Agni with your fuel, rouse your Guest with oil : In him present your offerings. 2 Agni, do thou accept my laud, be magnified by this my song : Welcome my sweetly-spoken words. 28 In the heavens: as the Sun. In floods: in the waters of the firmament as lightning. 30 (S^ddaidy mm/ objects o£ their 9Am\r9X\(m. *Be\io\dvsvttm<e«i?— '^'^Qsx, 'Lfvwg (tuaoDg meo). '^St. Petersburg Lexicoa. 188 THk HYMNS OP [JSOOK VII I. 3 A^ni, envoy, I place in front ; the oblation-bearer I address : Here let him seat the Deities. 4 Agni,the lofty flames of thee enkindled have gone up on high, Thy bright flames, thou Refulgent One. 5 BelovM ! let my ladles full of sacred oil come near to thee : Agni, accept our offerings. 6 I worship Agni — may he hear ! — the cheerful, the Invoker, Priest Of varied splendour, rich in light. 7 Ancient Invoker, meet for praise, belovM Agni, wise and strong, The visitant of solemn rites. 8 Agni, best Angiras, accept straightway these offerings, and guide The seasonable sacrifice. 9 Excellent God, with brilliant flames, enkindled bring thou hitherward. Knowing the way, the Heavenly Host. 10 Him, Sage and Herald, void of guile, ensign of sacrifices, him Smoke-bannered, rich in light, we seek.

11 0 Agni, be our Guardian thou, Grod, against thosie who injure us : Destroy our foes, thou Son of Strength. 12 Making his body beautiful, Agni the Sage hath waxen by The singer and his ancient hymn. 13 1 invocate the Child of Strength, Agni with purifying flame. At this well-ordered sacrifice. 14 So Agni, rich in many friends, with fiery splendour, seat thyself With Gods upon our sacred grass. 1 5 The mortal man who serves the God Agni within his own abode, For him he causes wealth to shine. 16 Agni is head and height of heaven, the Master of the earth is he : He quickeneth the waters' seed. 1 7 Upward, 0 Agni, rise thy flames, pure and resplendent, blaz- ing high, Thy lustres, fair effulgences. J J Hieh in manyfriendi: 'thou who hast Mitra's splendour.* — Ludwig. 7ff J^or Aim he causes wealth to shine ; or, * To YiiaiYife %\imeB forth opulence.' *To him he gives nches/— Wilson. I^ 2'4e zoaters* seed : as lightning, he impTega^ii^^a \.\i^ ^*X» ^a lA VJaa ^* ^ 46J . THE RiaVEDA. IW 18 For, Agni, thou as Lord of Light mlcst o'er choicest gifts: may I, Thy singer, find defence in thee.

1^ O Agni, they who understand stir thee to action with their thoughts : So let our songs enhance thy might. 20 We ever claim the friendship of Agni, the singing messenger, Of Godlike nature, void of guile. 24 Agni who bears most holy sway, the holy Singer, holy Sage, Shines holy when we worship him. : 2S Yea, let my meditations, let my songs exalt thee evermore : Think, Agni, of our friendly bond. 23 If I were thou and thou wert T, 0 Agni, every prayer of thine Should have its due fulfilment here. 24 For Excellent and Lord of wealth art thou, O Agni, rich in light : May we enjoy thy favouring grace. r%^ Agni, to thee whose laws stand fast our resonant songs of praise speed forth As rivers hasten to the sea. 26 Agni, the Youthful Lord of men, who stirreth much and eateth all, The Sage, T glorify with hymns. 27 To Agni let us haste with latids, the Guide of sacrificial rites. Armed with sharp teeth, the Mighty One. 28 And let this man, good Agni, be with thee the singer of thy praise : Be gmcious. Holy One, to him. 29 For thou art sharer of our feast, wise, ever watchful as a

Sage : Agni, thou shin est in the sky. 30 0 Agni, Sage, before our foes, before misfortunes fall on us, Excellent Lord, prolong our lives.

HiTHERWARD ! they who light the flame and straightway trim the sacred grass, Whose Friend is Tndra ever young. 26 Eateth all : oonsumes the entire oblation. — S&yana. But the meaning Ib probably general. is TAit man : the ^Uhi or eioger himself. SP y» tAe sly; or, up to beayexi. 2 High is tlierr fuel, great their laud, wide is their splinter from the stake, Whose Friend is Indra ever young. 3 Unquelled in fight the hero leads his army with the warrior chiefs, Whose Friend is Indra ever youug. 4 The new-born Vritra-slayer asked his Mother, as he seized his shaft. Who are the fierce 1 Who are renowned ? 5 Savasi answered, He who seeks thine enmity will battle like A stately elephant on a hill. 6 And hear, 0 Magbavan; to him who craves of thee thou gran test all : Whatever thou makest firm is firm. 7 What time the Warrior Indra goes to battle, borne by noble steeds. Best of all charioteers is he. 8 Repel, 0 Thunder-armed, in all directions all attacks on UB : And be our own most glorious God. 9 May Indra set our car in front, in foremost place to win the spoik He whom the wicked injure not.

10 Thine enmity may we escape, and, Sakra, for thy bounty, rich In kine, may we come near to thee ; 11 Softly approaching. Thunder armed ! wealthy by hundreds, rich in steeds. Unrivalled, ready with our gifts. 12 For thine exalted excellence gives to thy worshippers each day Hundreds and thousands of thy boons. 13 Indra, we know thee breaker-down even of strong forts, winner of spoil, As one who conquers wealth for us. 14 Though thou art highest. Sage and Bold ! let the drops cheer thee when we come To thee as to a trafl&cker. 2 SpUntei^: the first sbaviDg, splinter, or strip of wood, cut from the yUpa or sacrificial post, and used in the sacrifice. 4 As soon as he was born Indra showed his warlike disposition, and asked what worthy opponents he should have. 5 Suvastf or, the Strong Dame ; his mother Adlti. A stately elephant : I follow Sdyana who explains apsah as darsaniyo gajah, a beautiful elephant, although in other places the word seems t^ mean beauty (I. 124 7), and fore- beHd(V. 80. 6)t The allusion is to the size and strength of Vritra, Indra's fuiure antagonht, 14^ As to a trafficker : as to one who kno'wa tVifc N«X>3ift ol w« \?OT^tcc^ %jb^ mtiona and will ^ive us something in TCtuin*

ffTMN 45.] • THE RIGVEDA.. 191 15 Bring unto us the treasure of the opulent man who, loth to give. Hath slighted thee for gain of wealth. 16 Indra, these friends of ours, supplied with Soma, wait and look to thee, As men with fodder to the herd. 17 And thee who art not deaf, whose ears are quick to listen, for our aid, We call to us from far away. 18 When thou hast listened, make our call one which thou never wilt forget. And be our very nearest Friend. 19 When even now, when we have been in trouble, we have thought of thee, O Indra, give us gifts of kine. 20 O Lord of Strength, we rest on thee, as old men rest upon a staff : We long to have thee dwell with us. 21 To Indra sing a song of praise. Hero of mighty valour, him Whom no one challenges to war. 22 Hero, the Soma being shed, I pour the juice for thee to drink: Sate thee and finish thy carouse. 23 Let not the fools, or tho:se who mock, beguile thee when they seek thine aid : Love not the enemies of praver.

24 Here let them with rich milky draught cheer thee to great munificence : Drink as the wild-bull drinks the lake. 25 Proclaim in our assemblies what deeds, new and ancient, far away The Vritra-slayer hath achieved. 26 In battle of a thousand arms Indra drank Kadru's Soma juice: There he displayed his manly might. 27 True undeniable strength he found in Yadu and in Turvasa, Aud conquered through the sacrifice. 23 The enemies ofpi'ayer : according to S&yana those who bate Brfthmana. 24 The wild-bull : the gaura, 26 KadiiVs Soma juice : Kadril here is apparently the name of a Ilishi or of one of the officiating priests. The St. Petersbui^g Lexicon takes it to mean, from a kctdi'ii or Soma-vessd. 27 l/ndem'able : ahnavdyydm, according to S&yanft, \a t\ie UMAft <A V\!k& ^sckso^ TurvHBa and Vadu : 'be overcame Ahnavftyya* in laaltle: — N^VVaoa^ i9i TH^ HYMNS OP 'iAOOK VIlL 28 Him have I magnified, our Lord in common, Guardian of youi: folk, . Discloser of great wealth in kine ; 29 Kibhukshan, not to be restrained, who strengthened Tugra'ii son in lauds, Indra beside the flowing juice ; 30 Who for Trisoka clave the hill that formed a wide receptacle, So that the cows might issue forth.

31 Whatever thy plan or purpose be, whatever, in transport, thou wouldst do, Do it not, Indra, but be kind. 32 But little hath been heard of done upon the earth by one like thee : Let thine heart, Indra, turn to us. 33 Thine then shall be this high renown, thine shall these lofty When, Indra, thou art kind to us. 34 Not for one trespass, riot for two, 0 Hero, slay us, nor for three. Nor yet for many trespasses. 35 I fear one powerful like thee, the icrusher-down of enemies, Mighty, repelling all attacks. 36 O wealthy God, ne'er may I live to see my friend or son in need : Hitherward let thy heart be turned. 37 What friend, 0 people, unprovoked, hath ever said unto a friend. He turns and leaves us in distress ) 38 Hero, insatiate enjoy this Soma juice so near to thee, £ven as a hunter rushing down. ' ' — - — » - 29 jRi6^ui(;s^n ; Indra, Lord of the Ribhus. Tugra'a son: Bhujyu. According to S&yana, tugryavridham means * augmenter of water.' 30 The hill is the massive rain-cloud, and the cows are streams of water. 31 Do it not : * Sftyana understands this, " do it not, for thou hast done it ior us, — only make us happy,** Could it be that the worshipper had a feeling of nemesis ? or would he monopolize all ? * — Note by E. B. C. in Wilson's Translation.

32 * In the following verses (32 — 36) the poet seems to express disappointment at the inadequate manifestation of Indra's power, while he at the same >ijne entreats his grace, and forgiveness.' — 0. S. Texts, V. p. 111. S/ This stanza is Indra's answer to the poet's complaint. The meaning meems to be: no friend without good cause cstWa Vv\% irvaw^ ^ Xst^vWc. What thea have I done, or left undottCi that thou ft\io\i\As\) ft«^ ^i^^%.\.\\^!^N^ Vscwfiiaja^ ^oe / ^ee Lud wig's Commentdry on the -ver^ d\?£wi\3\\. JaWt lc4\ at ^oM.Va^ STMS i6.] THB RIQVEDA. 193 3d Hither I draw those Bays of thine yoked by our hymn, ^ ith splendid car, That thou mayst give unto the priests. 40 Drive all our enemies away, smite down the foes who press around, And bring the wealth for which we long : 41 O Indra, that which is concealed in strong firm place precipi- tous: Bring us the wealth for which wo long : 42 Great riches which the world of men shall recognize as sent by thee : Bring us the wealth for which we long.

Wb, Indra, Lord of ample wealth, our Guide, depend on one like thee, Thou driver of the Tawny Steeds. 2 For, Hurler of the Bolt^ we know thee true, the giver of our food. We know thee giver of our wealth. 3 O thou whose majesty the bards celebrate with their songs, thou Lord Of hundred powers and hundred aids. 4 Fair guidance hath the mortal man whom Aryaman, the Marut host, And Mitra, void of guile, protect. 5 Kine, steeds, and hero strength he gains, and prospers, by the Adityas sped. Ever in wealth which all desire. 6 We pray to Indra for his gift, to him the Fearless and the Strong, We pray to him the Lord of wealth. 7 For verily combined in him are all the fearless powers of aid. Him, rich in wealth, let swift Steeds bring to us, his Bays, to Soma juice for his carouse : 8 Tea, that most excellent carouse, Indra, which slays most ene- mies, With Heroes wins the light of heaven, and is invincible in war : The hymn appears to be composed of two or more originally separate hymns (see Pischel, Veduche Studien, I. pp. 7 — 9). There are seventeen varieties of metre (see Index of Hymns). The hymn is difficult and obscure in parts, where only conjectural translations can be given.

/ Potffers of aid: or, Buccourera ; the MiUTuts ma^ \a m^AisdAdu J3 9 Which merits fame, all-bouutiful ! and, unsubdued, hath victory in deeds of raight. So come to our libations, Strongest \ Excellent ! May we obtain a stall of kine. 10 Resjx>nding to our wish for cows, for steeds, and chariots, as of old, Be gracious. Greatest of the Great ! < 1 1 For, Hero, nowhere can I find the bounds of thy munificence. Still do thou favour us, O Bolt-armed Maghavan : with strength hast thou rewarded hymns. 12 High, glorifier of his friend, he knows all generation]^ he whom many praise. All races of mankind with ladles lifted up invoke that Mighty Indra's aid. 13 Be he our Champion and Pix>tector in great deedsy rich in adl wealth, the Vritranslayer, Maghavan. 14 In the wild raptures of the juice sing to your Hero with high laud, to Lim the Wise, To Indra, glorious in his name, the Mighty One, even as the hymn allow eth it. 15 Thou givest wealth to me myself, thou givest treasure, Ex- cellent I and the strong steed, 0 Much-iuvoked, in deeds of might, yea, even now. 16 Him, Sovran Ruler of all precious things, who even bath

power o'er this fair form of his. As now it taketh shape, and after ward, 17 We praise, so that the Mighty One may speed to you, Pourer of bounties. Traveller, prepared to go. Thou favourest the Maruts known to all, by song and sacrifice. With song and praise I sing to thee. 18 We in the sacrifice perform their will whose voice is lifted The worship of those Thundering Ones who o'er the ridges of these mountains fly in troops. 13 This stanza may have been the conclusion of one of the original hymxn^ \i As the hymn alloweth it : in due accordance with the metre. 16 S4yana explains the latter part of the first line and the following part of the second as, * who overcomes this obstructor (the enemy) as he wages war.' I follow Lud wig's interpretation who refers to III. 53. 8, * Maghavan weareth every shape at pleaatire, effecting magic changes in his body ; * aod VI. 47. 18, * ludra moves multiform by bis \\\us.\oiaa' 18 TAeir tnll : the pleasure ol the Marut*. ISTMK 4«.l THE RIQVEDA. 195 29 OIndra, Mightiest, bring us that which crushes men of evil minds, Wealth suited to our needs, 0 Stirrer of the thought, best wealth, 0 thou who stirrest thought.

20 O Winner, noble winner, strong, wondrous, most splendid, excellent, Sole Lord of victory, bring all-overpowering wealth, joy-giving, chief in deeds of might. 21 Now let the godless man approach who hath received reward As Vasa Asvya, when this light of morning dawned, received from Prithusravas, from Kanita's son. • . ' '22 Steeds sixty thousand and ten thousand klne, and twenty hundred camels I obtained ; Ten hundred brown in hue, and other ten red in three spots : in ally ten thousand kine. 23 Ten browns that make my wealth increase, fleet steeds whose tails are long and fair, Turn with swift whirl my chariot wheel ; 24 The gifts w^hich Prithusravas gave, Kanita's son munificent. He gave a chariot wrought of gold : the prince was passing bountiful, and won himself most lofty fame. 25 Come thou to this great rite of ours, Vslyu I to give us vigor- ous light. We have served thee that thou miglitest give much to us, yea, mightest quickly give great wealth. 26 Who with thrice seven times seventy horses comes to us invested with the rays of morn, Through these our Soma-draughts and those who press, to give, drinker of pure bright Soma juice.

27 Who hath inclined this glorious one, bounteous himself, to give me gifts. Borne on firm chariot with the prosperous Nahusha, wise, to a man yet more devout. 20 0 winner : of wealth to be given to thy worshippers. * 0 bountiful, most bountiful.' — Wilson. 21 Tttaa i4«y^a; the Rishi of the hymn. Seel. 112. 10. PrithufravM : see I lie. 21* 22 In ally ten tliomand kine : the exact meaning is not very clear. The last line is rendered differently in Wilson's Translation : * a thousand brown mares, —and ten times ten thousand cows with three red patches.' 26 Who : apparently V&yu, but, according to Sftyana, Prithusravas. 27 On firm chariot: literally, on a car made of the wood of the ArtvdM tr^^ {CaXofmnthes Indica). But S^yanA makes two proper Tvaxcie^ ol ^Jsi^'^ot^^ ' w/i^ Aradra and Akalta. " 28 Sole Lord in beauty meet for praise, O VHyu, dropping fatness down, Hurried along by steeds, by camels, and by hounds, spreads forth thy train : even this it is. 29 So, as a prize dear to the strong, the sixty thousand have Igained, Bulls that resemble vigorous steeds. 30 To me come oxen like a herd, yea, unto me the oxen oome.

3 1 And in the grazing herd he made a hundred camels Meat for me« And twenty hundred mid the white. 82 A hundred has the sage received, Dasa B^batha's and Taruksha's gifts. These are thy people, V&yu, who rejoice with Indra for their guard, rejoice with ,Gods for guards. *• 3S And now to Vasa Asvya here this stately woman is led forth. Adorned with ornaments of gold.

Great help ye give the worshipper, Vamna,Mitra, Mighty Ones ! No sorrow over reaches him whom ye, Adityas, keep from harm. Yours are incomparable aids, and good the succour they afford. 2 0 Gods, Adityas, well ye know the way to keep all woes afar. As the birds spread their sheltering wings, spread your protection over us. 3 As the birds spread their sheltering wings let your protection cover us. We mean all ahelter and defence, ye who have all things for your own. 4 To whomsoever they, Most Wise, have given a home and means of life. O'er the whole riches of this man they, the Adityas, have control. 5 As drivers of the car avoid ill roads, let sorrows pass us by. May we be under Indra's guard, in the Adityas* favouring grace. 6 For verily men sink and faint through loss of wealth which ye have given. Much hath he gained from you, 0 Gods, whom ye, Adityas^ have approached. 28 The steeds, camehy and hounds are apparently the fantastic forma of tixe clouds that tiy before Vftyu or the wind. 31 Mid the white: herds of cows. 32 Ddsa BalbiUha: probably an aboriginal ally of PrithusravaB. See Weber, Episches im vedisohen Ritualf p. 30,

33 TAis statdif woman : probably the wife of the conquered Kiog.-r-Ludwig. 1 Vours are, etc: the refrain recurs in o\er^ veta^ ol V3tok» V^xaxu ffTMlf if.] Tff^mOVEDA. W •7 On him shall no fierce anger fall, no sore distress shall visit him, To whom, Adityas, ye have lent your shelter that extendeth £ar. 8 Resting in you, 0 Gods, we are like men who fight in coats of mail. ' Te guard us from each great offence, ye guard us from each lighter fault. 9 May Aditi defend us, may Aditi guard and shelter us, Mother of wealthy Mitra and of Aryaman and Varuipa. , 10 The shelter, Gods, that is secure, auspicious, free from malady, A sure protection, triply strong, even that do ye extend to us. 11 Look down on us, Adityas, as a guide exploring from the bank. Lead us to pleasant ways as men lead horses to an easy ford. 12 111 be it for the demons' friend to find us or come near to us. But for the milch-cow be it well, and for the man who strives 13 £ach evil deed made manifest, and that which is concealed, OGods, The whole thereof remove from us to Trita Aptya far away.

14 Daughter of Heaven, the dream that bodes evil to us or to our kine, Remove, O Lady of the Light, to Trita Aptya far away. 15 £ven if, 0 Cbild of Heaven, it make a garland or a chain of gold, The whole bad dream, whatever it be, to Trita Aptya we consign. 16 To him whose food and work is this, who comes to take his share therein. To Trita, and to Dvita^ Dawn ! bear thou the evil dream away. IZ To Trita Aptya far away : Trita Aptya is a divinity dwelling in the remotest part of the heavens to whom it was customary to wish away and consign any threatened calamity or unpleasantness. As S&yana regards Trita Aptya as the Uishi of the hymn, he is compelled to force a diiOferent interpretetion on the first half of the second line : ' (let it nut be found) in Trita Aptya^keep it far from us.' — Wilson. li Daughter of Heaven : Ushas or Dawn. 15 ' The sense would then be ' even though parts of it be pleasant, we put the whole of the evil dream away." — Macdonell, Journal of R. A. S., July, 1893, p. 461.

16 To him : to Trita wboae business it is to receive \)tt^eafc <ioxi^\8KCi^'o^a'» !FoIHnUt: a aimihr being, sometimes aBsociated m\.\i1t\\iei» ^Wk'^ *^S>*'^* 17 As we collect the utmost debt, even the eighth and sixteenth part, ^ So unto Aptya we transfer together all the evil dream. 18 Now have we conquered and obtained, and from our trespas- ses are free. Shine thou away the evil dream, O Dawn, whereof we are afraid. Tours are inco^nparable aids, and good the succour they aflford.

Wisely have I enjoyed the savoury viand, religious-thoughted, best to find out treasure. The food to which all Deities and mortals, calling it meath, 2 Thou shalt be Aditi as thou hast entered within, appeaser of celestial anger. Indu, enjoying Indra's friendship, bring us — as a swift steed the car — forward to riches. 3 We have drunk Soma and become immortal ; we have attained the light, the Gods discovered. y Now what may foeman's malice do to harm us ] What, 0 Immortal, mortal man's deception ? 4 Absorbed into the heart, be sweet, 0 Indu, ets a kind father to his son, 0 Soma, As a wise Friend to friend : do thou, wide-ruler, O Soma, lengthen out our days for living. 6 These glorious drops that give me freedom have I drunk. Closely they knit my joints as straps secure a car. Let them protect my foot from slipping on the way : yea, let the drops I drink preserve me from disease. 6 Make me shine bright like fire produced by friction : give us a clearer sight and make us better. For in carouse I think of thee, 0 Soma, Shall I, as a rich man, attain to comfort 1

7 May we enjoy with an enlivened spirit the juice thou givest, like ancestral riches. 0 Soma, King, prolong thou our existence as Surya makes the shining days grow longer. 1 Meath : mddhu : or, sweet. 2 Within : within my heart. Indu : Soma. S We/iave drunk Soma : see Muir, 0. 8. Texts, III. 264, 265. S J^rom slipping on the way : * may tYi^^j V^e^ >» ixQm ^ l<ioae]y-knit worship. '— Wilson, BTMK «.] THE RtQVEDA, IM 8 King Soma, favour us and make us prosper : we are thy <leYOtees ; of this be mindful. Spirit and power are fresh in us, 0 ludu : give us not up unto : our foeman's pleasure. \ % For thou hast settled in eaoh joint, 0 Soma, aim of men's eyes and guardian of our bodies. When we offend against thine holy statutes, as a kiud Friend, Grod, best of all, be gracious. 10 Uay I be with the Friend whose heart is tender, who, Lord of Bays ! when quaffed will never harm me — This Soma now deposited within me. For this, I pray for longer life to [udra. H Our maladies have lost their strength and vanished: they feared, and p issed away into the darkness. Soma hath risen in u^, exceeding mighty, and we are come where men prolong existence.

^^ Fathers, that Indu which our hearts have drunken, Immortal in himself, hath entered mortals. So let us serve this Soma with oblation, and rest securely in his grace and favour. *3 Associate with the Fathers thou, 0 Soma, hast spread thyself abroad through earth an 1 heaven. So with oblation let us serve thee, Indu, and so let us become the lords of riches, 14 Give us your blessing, 0 ye Gods, preservers. Never may sleep or idle talk control us. But evermore may we, as friends of Soma, speak to the synod with brave sons around us. 15 On all sides, Soma, thou art our life-giver : aim of all eyes, light-finder, come within us. Indu, of one accord with thy protections both from behind and from before preserve us.

Agni, come hither with thy fires ; we choose thee as Invoking Priest. Let the extended ladle full of oil balm thee, best Priest, to sit on sacred grass. 9 Aim of men't eyes : or, beholder of men. 12 Immortal in himself: see note on I. 18. 4. 13 Soma: here the Moon-God, whe is intimately connected with the Pitris or Fathers. See Hymns of the Atharva-veda, XVIII. 4. 72. I place at the end of this Book the eleven hymns, cfi2i\A^ \)Ei'^ '^ ^^si^-^^^^ wb/cA Are usually inaerted after Hymn XLYlll. T\i«» "Viqtasia «» ^as^ 200 TBE HYMNS OP [bOOK Vlll 2 For unto thee, O Angiras, O Son of Strength, move ladles in the sacrifice. To Agni, Child of Force, Tvhose locks drop oil, we seek, foremost in sacrificial rites. 3 Agni, thou art Disposer, Sage, Herald, bright God ! and worshipful. Best offerer, cheerful, to be praised in holy rites, pure Lord ! by singers with their hymns. 4 Most Youthful and Eternal, bring the longing Gods to me, the guileless, for the feast. Come, Vasu, to the banquet that is well-prepared : rejoice thee, gracious, with our songs. 5 Famed art thou, Agni, far and wide. Preserver, righteous, and

a Sage. The holy singers, 0 refulgent kindled God ! arrangers, call on thee to come. 6 Shine, Most Resplendent ! blaze, send bliss unto the folk, and to thy worshipper : Great art thou. So may my princes, with good fires, subduing foes, rest in the keeping of the Gods. 7 0 Agni, as thou bumest down to earth even high-grown underwood, So, bright as Mitra is, bum him who injures us, him who plots ill against thy friend. 8 Give us not as a prey to mortal enemy, nor to the wicked friend of fiends. With conquering guards, auspicious, unassailable, protect us, 0 Most Youthful God. 9 Protect us, Agni, through the first, protect us through the second hymn, Protect us through three hymns, 0 Lord of Power and Might, through four hymns, Vasu, guard thou us. reckoned in the division of the Rigveda into Maudalas (Books) and Anuvftkas (Chapters), and S&yana does ni)t notice them in his Commentary. See "Wilson's Translation, V. p. 96, note by Cowell. See also Max Miiller's Vedie Hymnt I. (Sacred Books of the East, Vol. XXXII.), pp. xlvi — xlviii. Eleven must be added to the number of this hymn and of all that follow in this Book to make them correspond with the numbers in Max Miiller's edition of the text.

2 Wh(y8e locks drop oil : * butter-haired.' — Wilson. . 6 The arrangers : of the ritual of sacrifice. 6 Princes : wealthy patrons. According to S&yana, the Rishi's own sons and others may be intended. 9 The nambera probably have reference to t\xe 1o>3it <:^«c\«t^ ol the sky.— J^udwMg, SIMN 49.1 TffS RTGVEDA. 201 10 ProBerve us from each fiend who brings the Gkxls no gift, preserve thou us in deeds of strength : For we possess in tbee the nearest Friend of all, for service of the Qods and weal. 11 O Holy Agni, give us wealth renowned with men and strength- ening Me. Bestow on us, O Helper, that which many crave, more glorious BtiU by righteousness ; It Wherewith we may overcome our rivals in the war, o'erpower- ing the foe's designs. • So wax thou by our food, O Excellent in strength. Quicken our thoughts that find oat wealth. 13 Agni is even as a bull who whets and brandishes his horns. Well-sharpened are his jaws which may not be withstood : tho Child of Strength hath powerful teeth. 14 Not to be stayed, 0 Bull, O Agni, are thy teeth when thou art spreading far and wide. Make our oblations duly offered up, O Priest, and give us store of precious things.

15 Thou liest in the wood : from both thy Mothers mortals kindle thee. Unweariedly thou bearest up the offerer's gifts, then shinest bright among the Gods. 16 And so the seven priests, 0 Agni, worship thee. Free-giver, Everlasting One. Thou cleavest through the rock with heat and fervent glow. Agni, rise up above the men. 17 For you let us whose grass is trimmed call Agni, Agni, rest- less Qod. Let us whose food is offered call to all the tribes Agni the Invoking Priest of men. 18 Agni, with noble psalm that tells his wish he dwells, thinking on thee who guardest him. Speedily bring us strength of many varied sorts to be most near to succour us. 19 Agni, Praise-singer! Lord of men, God ! bumer-up of Rakshasas, Mighty art thou, the ever-present Household-Lord, Homefriend and Guardian from the sky. 12 Wherewith: referring to the wealth which Agni is asked to give.' 15 In the wood: in the pieces of wood used for the production of Agni. Itf Seven prieits : minor Hotar priests, such as the Maitr&varuna and others. The rock : adrinif explained by S&yana as meghanij the cloud. 17 The restless (?od .' or, 'f/ie irresistible/ — ^Wilson. J 8 /Te dn/elis: th&t ia, the pioua institutor oi &acxi&co«

a02 THE HYMNS OP [BOOK VIIL 20 Let no fiend come among us, 0 thou rich in light, no spell of those who deal in spells. To distant pastures drive faint hunger : far away, 0 Agni, chase the demons' friends.

Both boons, — may Indra, hitherward turned, listen to this prayer of ours, And mightiest Maghavan with thought inclined to as come near to drink the Soma juice. 2 For him, strong, independent Ruler, Heaven and Earth have fashioned forth for power and might. Thou seatest thee as first among thy peers in place, for thy soul longs for Soma juice. 3 Fill thyself full, 0 Lord of wealth, 0 Indra, with the juice we shed. We know thee. Lord of Bay Steeds ! victor in the fight^ vanquishing e'en the invincible. 4 Chaugeless in truth, 0 Maghavan Indra, let it be as thou in wisdom wiliest it. May we, 0 fair of cheek, win booty with thine aid, 0 Thunderer, swiftly seeking it. 5 Indra, with all thy saving helps give us assistance, Lord of power. For after thee we follow even as glorious bliss, thee. Hero, finder-out of wealth. 6 Increaser of our steeds and multiplying kine, a golden well, O God, art thou, For no one may impair the gifts laid up in thee. Bring me whatever thing I ask. 7 For thou, — come to the worshipper ! — wilt find great wealth to make us rich.

Fill thyself full, 0 Maghavan, for gain of kine, full, Indra, for the gain of steeds. 8 Thou as thy gift bestowest many hundred herds, yea, many thousands* dost thou give. With singers' hymns have we brought the Fort-render near, singing to Indra for his grace. 20 Spell of those who deal in spells : ydtHrydtumJXvatAm : * torment of the ep// spirits. '— Wilson, 1 ^oiA boons: Indr^ is asked to hear tYie ^xajet wi^ Vi ^ro^'Oa^^-aft., 9 Wliether the simple or the sage, Indra, have offered praise to thee, He, Satakratu ! by his love hath gladdened thee, ambitious ! ever pressing on 1 10 If he the Strong of arm, the hreaker-down of forts, the great Destroyer, hear my call. We, seeking riches cry to Indra, Lord of wealth, to Satakratu with our lauds. 1 1 We count not then as sinners, nor as niggardly or foolish men. When with the Soma juice which we have shed we make Indra, the Mighty One, our Friend. 12 Him have we yoked in fight, the powerful Conqueror, debt- claimer, not to be deceived. Best charioteer, the Victor ma»rks each fault, he knows the strong to whom he will come near.

13 Indra, give us security from that whereof we are afraid. Help us, 0 Maghavan, let thy succour give us this : drive away foes and enemies. 14 For thou, 0 liberal Lord of bounty, strengthenest his ample home who worships thee. So Indra, Maghavan, thou Lover of the Song, we with pressed Soma call on thee. 15 Indra is Vritra-slayer, guard, our best defender from the foe. May he preserve our last and middlemost, and keep watch from behind us and before. 16 Defend us from behind, below, above, in front, on all sides, Indra, shield us well. Keep far away from us the terror sent from heaven : keep impious weapons far away. 17 Protect us, Indra, each to-day, each morrow, and each follow- ing day. Our singers, through all days, shalt thou. Lord of the brave, keep safely both by day and night. 18 A crushing Warrior, passing rich is Maghavan, endowed with all heroic might. Thine arms, 0 Satakratu, are exceeding strong, arms which have grasped the thunderbolt. 9 The simple or the sage : * the unskilled or the skilled.' — Wilson. 12 Marks eaeh fault : the meaning of bhrimdm is uncertain : according to Ludwig it is * his supporter or feeder,' that is, the worshipper who presents hiua with sacrificial food. S&yaua takes it with v(l/mam : * the stroijg racer.' — Wilson. The strong : the rich and powerful worshipper.

Offer ye up as praise to him that wherein Indra take^ delight. The Soma-bringers magnify Indra's great energy with hymns. Good are the gifts that Indra gives. 2 Sole among chiefs, companionless, impetuous^ and peerless, he Hath waxen great o'er many folk, yea, over all things bom, 3 Lord of swift bounty, he will win e'en with a steed of worth- less sort. This, Indra, must be told of thee who wilt perform heroic deeds. 4 Come to us hither : let us pay devotions that enhance thy might, For which, Most Potent ! thou wouldst fain bless the man here who strives for fame. 5 For thou, 0 Indra, makest yet more bold the spirit of the bold Who with strong Soma serveth thee, stiU ready with his 6 Worthy of song, he looketh down as a man looketh into wells. Pleased with the Soma-bringer's skill he maketh him his mate 7 In strength and wisdom all the Gods, Indra, have yielded unta thee. Be thou the Guard of all, 0 thou whom many praise. 8 Praised, Indra, is this might of thine, best for the service of the Gods, That thou with power dost slay Vritra, 0 Lord of Strength.

9 He makes the races of mankind like synods of the Beauteous One. Indra knows this his manifest deed, and is renowned. 10 Thy might, 0 Indra, at its birth, thee also, and thy mental power, In thy care, Maghavan rich in kine ! they have increased exceedingly. 1 Good are, etc : the refrain is repeated m each verse. 2 Chiefs : nribhih : men, meaning Gods, according to Sftjana. Folk : or. 3 lie will win e'en toith a steed of worthless sort: * He wishes to bestow blessings (upon us) with his unurged courser.'— Wilson. 3 He looketh down : kindly on us as a thirsty man looks eagerly into a well. 9 ZH^e synods of the Beauteous Qxit ; like aaaemblies that meet to honotur in* ^"^ *^® xneanjng is obscure. 10 TAej^ : thy worshippers. jsmrar 9i] the rtovbda. ^os 11 0 Yritra-slayer, thou and I will both combine for winning spoil. Even malignity will consent, 0 Bolt-armed Hero, unto us. 12 Let us extol this Indra as truthful and never as untrue. Dire is his death who pours no gifts : great light hath he who offers them. Good are the gifts that Indra gives.

With powers of Mighty Ones hath he, Ancient, Belov^, been equipped, Through whom the Father Manu made prayers efficacious 2 Him, Maker of the sky, let stones wet with the Soma ne'er forsake, Nor hymns and prayer that must be said. 3 Indra who knew full well disclosed the kine to the Angirases. This his great deed must be extolled. 4 Indra, promoter of the song, the sage's Strengthener as of old. Shall come to bless and succour us at presentation of this 5 Now after their desire's intent the pious singers with the cry Of Hail ! have sung loud hymns to thee, Indra, to gain a stall 6 With Indra rest all deeds of might, deeds done and yet to be performed. Whom singers know devoid of guile. 7 When the Five Tribes with all their men to Indra have sent out their voice, And when the priest hath strewn much grass, this is the Friend's own dwelling-place. 8 This praise is verily thine own : thou hast performed these manly deeds, And sped the wheel upon its way. 11 Malignity : or the malignant man. * The niggard.' — Wilson. 12 Dire U his death : or, great is Lis destruction.

1 This difficult verse is variously interpreted both by Indian commentators and by European scholars. I foUow partly Aufrecht's translation as given by Dr. Muir, and partly Ludwig's Commentary. See 0. S. Texts, I. pp. 163 — 164; Ludwig's Rigveda, V. pp. 167 — 168 ; and Wilson's Translation, V. p. 107. The A noient, Beloved appears to be Soma and not Indra. 7 The Friend's : Indra's. The second line is very obscure. See Bergaigoa^ I. vi., and Vedic Bymns, L, p. 226, I adopt IiUd>Nig'& *mlergi«^M\QiCu S TAe wheel: the Sun, 206 TffB HYMNS OF [BOOK Vltl. 9 At the o'erflpwing of this Steer, boldly he strode for life, and took Soma as cattle take their corn. 10 Receiving this and craving help, we, who with you are Daksha's sons, Would fain exalt the Maruts' Lord. 11 Yea, Hero, with the singers we sing to the duly-coming Band* Allied with thee may we prevail. 12 With us are raining Riidras, clouds accordant in call to battle^ at the death of Vritra, The strong assigned to him who sings and praises. May Gods with Indra at their head protect us.

May pur hymns give tbee great delight. Display thy bounty,. Thunderer. Drive off the enemies of prayer. 2 Crush with thy foot the niggard churls who bring no gifts. Mighty art thou : There is not one to equal thee. 3 Thou art the Lord of Soma pressed, Soma unpressed is alsa thine. Thou art the Sovran of the folk. 4 Come, go thou forth, dwelling in heaven and listening to the prayers of men : Thou fillest both the heavens and earth. 5 Even that hill with rocky heights, with hundreds, thousands, held within. Thou for thy worsliippers brakest through. 6 We call on thee both night and day to ta^te the flowing Soma juice : Do thou fulfil our heart?*' desire. 9 T/iisSteei': Soma; that is, when abundant libations had been offered, He: Indra. ] 0 Daksha'» sons : of the same origin with you. * Lords of food,* according to S&> ana. 11 Duly-commq Band: of Marnts^ledbj Indra 12 The itrong : perhaps the thunderbolt with which Indra aidis the worshipper. 3 Unpresged : in its natural state in the stalks of the piant. Or, as Ludwig tiug^eata, the Soma which Indra drinks in heaven may be meant. See VIL

o TAae hm.' the cloud with its countleaa tTeaaux^^ oi tvwdl d J>r^he: juet before dawn. MYMI^Si.] ' THE RIGVEDA. 207 7 Where is that ever-youthful Steer, strong-necked and never yet bent down ? What Brahman ministers to him 1 8 To whose libation doth the Steer, betake him with delight therein ? Who takes delight in Indra now % 9 Whom, Vritra-slayer, have thy gifts and liera powers accom- panied ? Who is thy dearest in the laud I 10 For thee among mankind, among the Par us is this Soma shed. Hasten thou hither : drink thereof. 1 1 This, growing by Sushoma and by Saryanllvan, dear to thee, In Arjikiya, cheers thee best. 12 Hasten thou hitherward, and drink this iw rnumficence to-day, Delightful for thine eager draught.