Book 9: Hymn 1: A glorification of the Asvins' whip and a prayer for blessings

1The Asvins' Honey-whip was born from heaven and earth, from middle air, and ocean, and from fire and wind. All living creatures welcome it with joyful hearts, fraught with the store of Amrit it hath gathered up. 2They call thee earth's great strength in every form, they call thee too the ocean's genial seed. Whence comes the Honey-whip bestowing bounty, there Vital Spirit is, and Amrit treasured. 3In sundry spots, repeatedly reflecting, men view upon the earth: her course and action; For she, the first-born daughter of the Maruts, derives her origin from Wind and Agni. 4Daughter of Vasus, mother of Ādityas, centre of Amrit breath of living creatures. The Honey-whip, gold-coloured, dropping fatness, moves as a mighty embryo 'mid mortals. 5The deities begat the Whip of Honey: her embryo assumed all forms and fashions. The mother nourishes that tender infant which at its birth looks on all worlds and beings. 6Who understandeth well, who hath perceived it, her heart's un- injured Soma-holding beaker? Let the wise Brāhman priest therein be joyful. 7He understandeth them, he hath perceived them, her breasts that pour a thousand streams, uninjured. They unreluctantly yield strength and vigour. 8She who with voice upraised in constant clamour, mighty, life-

8She who with voice upraised in constant clamour, mighty, life- giving, goes unto her function, Bellowing to the heated three libations, suckles with streams of milk, and still is lowing. p. a357 9On whom, well-fed, the Waters wait in worship, and steers and self-refulgent bulls attend her. For thee, for one like thee down pour the Waters, and cause desire and strength to rain upon thee. 10The thunder is thy voice, O Lord of Creatures: a Bull, thou castest on the earth thy vigour. The Honey-whip, the Manus' first-born daughter, derives her origin from Wind and Agni. 11As at the morning sacrifice the Asvins twain love Soma well, Even so may both the Asvins lay splendour and strength within my soul. 12As at the second sacrifice Indra and Agni love him well, Let the pair, Indra Agni, lay splendour and strength within my soul. 13As at third sacrifice Soma is the Ribhus' well-beloved one, Even so may they, the Ribhus, store splendour and strength within my soul. 14Fain would I bring forth sweetness, fain would make it mine. Bringing milk, Agni! have I come: splendour and strength bestow on me! 15Grant me, O Agni, splendid strength, and progeny, and length- ened life. May the Gods know me as I am, may Indra with the Rishis know. 16As honey-bees collect and add fresh honey to their honey store, Even so may both the Asvins lay splendour and strength within my soul. 17As over honey flies besmear this honey which the bees have

made, So may both Asvins lay in me splendour and strength and power and might. 18May all the sweetness that is found in hills and mountains, steeds and kine, And wine that floweth from the cup,—may all that sweetness be in me. 19May both the Asvins, Lords of Light, balm me with honey of the bees, That I may speak among the folk words full of splendour and of strength. p. a358 20The thunder is thy voice, O Lord of Creatures: a Bull, thou castest strength on earth and heaven. To that all cattle look for their existence: with this she nourishes their force and vigour. 21The Whip itself is Heaven, Earth is the handle, the point of juncture is the Air's mid-region. The lash is lightning, and the tip is golden. 22Whoever knows the Whip's seven kinds of honey, becomes himself a man endowed with sweetness. Brāhman and King, the draught-ox and the milch-cow, barley and rice, and honey is the seventh. 23Sweet is the man, sweet are his goods and chattels: he who knows this conquers the worlds of sweetness. 24The thundering of Prajāpati in heaven is verily manifest to living creatures. Therefore I stand from right to left invested, and, O Prajāpati, I cry, regard me! The man who hath this knowledge is regarded by living beings and the Lord of Creatures.