Book 4: Hymn 21: Glorification and benediction of cows

1The kine have come and brought good fortune: let them rest in the cow-pen and be happy near us. Here let them stay prolific, many-coloured, and yield through many morns their milk for Indra. 2Indra aids him who offers sacrifice and praise: he takes not what is his, and gives him more thereto. Increasing ever more and ever more his wealth, he makes the pious dwell within unbroken bounds. 3These are ne'er lost, no robber ever injures them: no evil-minded foe attempts to harass them. The master of the kine lives a long life with these, the Cows whereby he pours his gifts and serves the Gods. 4The charger with his dusty brow o'ertakes them not, and never to the shambles do they take their way. These Cows, the cattle of the pious worshipper, roam over wide- spread pasture where no danger is. 5To me the Cows seem Bhaga, they seem Indra, they seem a portion of the first poured Soma. These present Cows, they, O ye men, are Indra. I long for Indra with my heart and spirit. 6O Cows, ye fatten e'en the worn and wasted, and make the unlovely beautiful to look on. Prosper my home, ye with auspicious voices! Your power is magnified in our assemblies. 7In goodly pasturage, bright-hued, prolific, drinking pure water at fair drinking-places, Never be thief or sinful man your master, and may the dart of Rudra still avoid you!