Hymns of the Samaveda

1. Kind-thoughted is the noble, gladdening, friendly one. 2. Approach, O beauteous hero, this auspicious pair that draws the car! These two are coming near to us. 3. Bend lowly down, as 'twere, your beads: be stands amid the water-flood, Pointing with his ten horns the way. CHAPTER II I Indra 1. Pressers, blend Soma juice for him, each draugbt most excellent, for him The brave, the: hero, for his joy! 2. The two stroing bay steeds, voked by prayer, hither shall bring to us our friend, Indra, song-lover, through our songs. 3. The Vritra-slayer drinks the juice. May he who gives a hundred aids Approach, nor stay afar from us! II Indra 1. Let the drops pass within thee as the rivers flow into the sea O Indra, naught excelleth thee. 2. 'Thou' wakeful hero, by thy might hast taken food of Soma juice, Which, Indra, is within thee now. 3. O Indra, Vritra-slayer, let Soma be ready for thy maw, The drops be ready for thy forms! III Agni 1. Help, thou who knowest lauds, this work, a lovely hymn in Rudra's praise, Adorable in every house 2. May this our God, great, limitless, smoke-bannered, excellently bright, Urge us to holy thought and wealth 3. Like soma rich lord of men, may he, Agni, the banner of the Gods, Refulgent, hear us through our lauds! IV Indra 1. Sing this, beside the flowing juice, to him, your hero, much invoked, To please him as a mighty Bull! 2. He, excellent, withholdeth not his bounteous gift of wealth in kine.

2. He, excellent, withholdeth not his bounteous gift of wealth in kine. When lie bath listened to our songs. 3. May he with might unclose for us the cow's stall, whosesoe'er it be, To which the Dasyu-slayer goes! V Vishnu 1. Through all this world strode Vishnu: thrice his foot he planted, and the whole Was gathered in his footstep's dust. 2. Vishnu, the guardian, he whom none deceiveth, made three steps, thenceforth Establishing his high decrees. 3. Look ye on Vishnu's works whereby the friend of Indra, close allied, Hath let his holy ways be seen 4. The princes evermore behold that loftiest place of Vishnu, like An eye extended through the heavens. 5. This, Vishou's station most sublime, the sages, ever-vigilant, Lovers of holy song, light up. 6. May the Gods help and favour us out of the place whence Vishnu strode Over the back and ridge of earth. VI Indra 1. Let none, no, not thy worshippers, delay thee far away from us! Even from far away come thou unto our feast, or listen it already here! 2. For here, like rites on honey, those who pray to thee sit by the juice that they have poured. Wealth-craving singers have on Indra set their hope, as men set foot upon a car. VII Indra 1. Sung is the song of ancient time: to Indra have ye said the prayer. They have sung many a Brihati of sacrifice, poured forth the worshipper's many thoughts. 2. Indra hath tossed together mighty stores of wealth, and both the worlds, yea, and the sun.

2. Indra hath tossed together mighty stores of wealth, and both the worlds, yea, and the sun. Pure, brightly-shining, mingled with the milk, the draughts of Soma have made Indra glad. VIII Soma Pavamana 1. For Vritra-slaying Indra, thou, Soma, art poured that he may drink, And for the guerdon-giving man, the hero sitting in his seat. 2. Friends, may the princes, ye and we, obtain this most resplendent one, Gain him who hath the smell of strength, win him whose home is very strength! 3. Him with the fleece they purify, brown, golden-hued, beloved of all. Who with exhilarating juice flows forth to all the deities. IX Indra 1. Indra whose wealth is in thyself, what mortal will attack this man? The strong will win the spoil on the decisive day through faith in thee, O Maghavan! 2. In battles with the foe urge on our mighty ones who give the treasures dear to thee And may we with our princes, Lord of tawny steeds! pass through all peril, led by thee! X Indra 1. Come, priest, and of the savoury juice pour forth a yet more gladdening draught! So is the hero praised who ever prospers us. 3. Indra, whom tawny coursers bear, praise such as thine, preeminent, None by his power or by his goodness hath attained. 3. We, seeking glory, have invoked this God of yours, the Lord of wealth, Who must be magnified by constant sacrifice. XI Agni 1. Sing praise to him, the Lord of light. The Gods have made the God to be their messenger,

1. Sing praise to him, the Lord of light. The Gods have made the God to be their messenger, To bear oblation to the Gods. 2. Agni, the bounteous giver, bright with varied flames, laud thou, O singer Sobhari, Him who controls this sacred food with Soma blent, who hath first claim to sacrifice! XII Soma Pavamana 1. Expressed by stones, O Soma, and urged through the long wool of the sheep, Thou, entering the press-boards, even as men a fort, goldbued, hast settled in the vats. 2. He beautifies himself through the sheep's long fine wool, the bounteous, like the racing steed, Even Soma Pavamana who shall be the joy of sages and of holy bards. XIII Indra 1. Here, verily, yesterday we let the Thunder-wielder drink his fill. Bring him the juice poured forth in sacrifice to-day! Now range you by the glorious one! 2. Even the wolf, the savage beast that rends the sheep, follows the path of his decrees. So graciously accepting, Indra, this our praise, with wondrous thought come forth to us! XIV Indra-Agni 1. Indra and Agni, in your deeds of might ye deck heaven's lucid realms: Famed is that hero strength of yours. 2. To Indra and to Agni prayers go forward from the holy task. Along the path of sacred Law. 3. Indra and Agni, powers are yours, yours are oblations and abodes: Good is your zealous energy. XV Indra 1. Who knows what vital power he wins, drinking beside the flowing juice? This is the fair-cheeked God who, joying in the draught, breaks down the castles in his strength.

This is the fair-cheeked God who, joying in the draught, breaks down the castles in his strength. 2. As a wild elephant rushes on, this way and that way mad with heat, None may restrain thee, yet come hither to the draught! Thou, movest mighty in thy power. 3. When he, the terrible, ne'er o'erthrown, stedfast, made ready for the fight-- When Indra Maghavan lists to his praiser's call, he will not stand aloof, but come. XVI Soma Pavamana 1. The Pavamanas have been poured, the brilliant drops of Soma juice, For holy lore of every kind. 2. From heaven, from out the firmament hath PavamAna been effused Upon the back and ridge of earth. 3. The Pavamanas have been shed, the beautified swift Somadrops, Driving all enemies afar. XVII Indra-Agni I. Indra and Agni I invoke, joint-victors, bounteous, unsubdued, Foe-slayers, best to win the spoil. 2. Indra and Agni, singers skilled in melody hymn you bringing lauds: I choose you both to bring me food. 3. Together, with one mighty deed, Indra and Agni, ye shook down. The ninety forts which Dasas held. XVIII Agni 1. O Child of Strength, to thee whose look is lovely, with oblations we, O Agni, have poured forth our songs. 2. To thee for shelter are we come, as to the shade from fervent heat, Agni, who glitterest like gold 3. Mighty as one who slays with shafts, or like a bull with sharpened horn, Agni, thou brakest down the forts. XIX Agni 1. To give eternal glow, we pray Vaisvanara the holy one, Lord of the light of sacrifice.

1. To give eternal glow, we pray Vaisvanara the holy one, Lord of the light of sacrifice. 2. Who, furthering the light of Law, hath spread himself to meet this work: He sends the seasons, mighty one. 3. Love of what is and what shall be, Agni, in his beloved forms, Shines forth alone as sovran Lord. CHAPTER III I Agni 1.Wise Agni, in the ancient way, making his body beautiful, Hath been exalted by the sage. 2. I invocate the Child of Strength, Agni whose glow is bright and pure, In this well-ordered sacrifice. 3. So, Agni, rich in many friends, with fiery splendour seat thyself. With Gods upon our sacred grass! II Soma Pavamana 1. O thou with stones for arms, thy powers, rending the fiends, have raised themselves: Drive off the foes who compass us 2. Hence conquering with might when car meets car, and when the prize is staked, With fearless heart will I sing praise. 3. None, evil-minded, may assail this Pavamana's holy laws Crush him who fain would fight with thee! 4. For Indra to the streams they urge the tawny rapture-dropping steed, Indu, the bringer of delight. III Indra 1. Come hither, Indra, with bay steeds, joyous, with tails like peacocks' plumes! Let no men check thy course as fowlers stay the bird: pass o'er them as o'er desert lands! 2. Vritra's devourer, he who burst the cloud, brake forts, and drave the floods, Indra, who mounts his chariot at his bay steeds' cry, shatters e'en things that stand most firm.

Indra, who mounts his chariot at his bay steeds' cry, shatters e'en things that stand most firm. 3. Like pools of water deep and full, like kine thou cherishest thy might; Like the milch-cows that go well-guarded to the mead, like water-brooks that reach the lake. IV Indra 1. Even as the wild bull, when he thirsts, goes to the desert's watery pool, Come hither quickly both at morning and at eve, and with the Kanvas drink thy fill! 2. May the drops gladden thee, Lord Indra, and obtain bounty for him who pours the juice! Soma, shed in the press, thou stolest and didst drink, and hence hast won surpassing might. V Indra I. Thou as a God. O mightiest, verily blessest mortal man. O Maghavan, there is no comforter but thou: Indra, I speak my words to thee. 2. Let not thy bounteous gifts, let not thy saving help all fail us good Lord, at any time! And measure out to us, thou lover of man-kind, all riches hitherward from men VI Dawn I. This Lady, excellent and kind, after her sister shining forth, Daughter of Heaven, hath shown herself. 2. Red, like a mare, and beautiful, holy, the mother of the kine, The Dawn became the Asvins' friend. 3. Yea, and thou art the Asvins', friend the mother of the cows art thou: O Dawn, thou rules over wealth VII Asvins 1. Now Morning with her earliest light shines forth, dear daughter of the Sky: High, Asvins, I extol your praise 2. Children of Ocean, mighty ones, discoverers of riches, Gods,

2. Children of Ocean, mighty ones, discoverers of riches, Gods, Finders of treasure through our prayer! 3. Your lofty coursers hasten over the everlasting realm, whea your car flies with winged steeds. VIII Dawn 1. O Dawn who hast a store of wealth, bring unto us that splendid gift Wherewith we may support children and children's sons 2. Thou radiant Lady of sweet strains, with wealth of horses and of kine Shine thou on us this day, O Dawn, auspiciously 3. O Dawn who hast a store of wealth, yoke red steeds to thy car to-day. Then bring us all delight and all felicities IX Asvins 1. O Asvins, wonderful in act, do ye unanimous direct Your chariot to our home wealthy in kine and gold! 2. Hither may they who wake at dawn bring, to drink Soma, both the Gods, Health-givers, wonder-workers, borne on paths of gold! 3. Ye who brought down the hymn from heaven, a light that giveth light to men, Do ye, O Asvins, bring strength hither unto us! X Agni 1. I think of Agni who is kind, whom, as their home, the milch-kine seek; Whom fleet-foot coursers seek as home, and strong enduring, steeds as home. Bring food to those who sing thy praise! 2. For Agni, God of all mankind, gives the strong courser to theman. Agni gives ready gear for wealth, he gives the best when he ix pleased. Bring food to those who sing thy praise! 3. The Agni who is praised as kind, to whom the milch-kine come. in herds,

3. The Agni who is praised as kind, to whom the milch-kine come. in herds, To whom the racers, swift of foot, to whom our wellborn princes come. Bring food to those who sing thy praise! XI Dawn 1. O heavenly Dawn, awaken us to ample opulence today, Even as thou didst waken us with Satyasravas, Vayya's, Son, high-born! delightful with thy steeds! 2. Daughter of heaven, thou dawnedst of Sunitha, Suchadratha's son; So dawn thou on one mightier still, on Satyasravas, Vayya's son, high-born! delightful with thy steeds! 3. So bringing treasure, shine to-day on us, thou daughter, of the Sky, As on one mightier thou hast dawned, on Satyasravas, Vayya's son, high-born! delightful with thy steeds! XII Asvins 1. To meet your treasure-bringing car, the car that is most dear to us, Asvins the Rishi is prepared, your worshipper with, songs of praise. Lovers of sweetness, hear my call 2. Pass, Asvins, over all away. May I obtain you for myself, Wonderful, with your golden paths, most gracious, bringers of the flood! Lovers of sweetness, hear my call! 3. Come to us, O ye Asvins twain, bringing your precious treasures, come Ye Rudras, on your paths of gold, rejoicing, with your store of wealth! Lovers of sweetness, hear my call! XIII Agni 1. Agni is wakened by the people's fuel to meet the Dawn who cometh like a milch-cow. Like young trees shooting up on high their branches, his flames mounting to the vault of heaven.

Like young trees shooting up on high their branches, his flames mounting to the vault of heaven. 2. For the Gods' worship hath the priest been wakened: kind Agni hath arisen erect at morning. Kindled, his radiant might is made apparent, and the great God hath been set free from darkness. 3. When he hath roused the line of his attendants, with the bright milk bright Agni is anointed. Then is prepared the effectual oblation, which spread in front, with tongues, erect, he drinketh, XIV Dawn 1. This light is come, amid all lights the fairest: born is the brilliant, far-extending brightness. Night, sent away for Savitar's uprising, hath yielded up a birthplace for the morning. 2. The fair, the bright is come with her white offspring to her the Dark one hath resigned her dwelling. Akin, immortal, following each other, changing their colours both the heavens move onward. 3. Common, unending is the sisters' pathway: taught by the Gods alternately they travel, Fair-formed, of different hues and yet one-minded, Night and Dawn clash not, neither do they tarry. XV Asvins 1. Agni, the bright face of the Dawns, is shining: the singers' pious voices have ascended. Borne on your chariot, Asvins, turn you hither, and come unto our brimming warm libation! 2. Most frequent guests, they scorn not what is ready: even now the lauded Asvins are beside us. With promptest aid they come at morn and evening, the worshipper's most healthful guards from trouble.

With promptest aid they come at morn and evening, the worshipper's most healthful guards from trouble. 3. Yea, come at milking-time, at early morning, at noon of day, and when the Sun is setting, By day, at night, with most auspicious favour! Not only now the draught hath drawn the Asvins. XVI Dawn 1. These Dawns have raised their banner: in the eastern half of middle air they spread abroad their shining light. Like heroes who prepare their weapons for the fray, the cows are coming on, the mothers, red of hue. 2. Rapidly have the ruddy beams of light shot up: the red cows have they harnessed, easy to be yoked. The Dawns have made their pathways as in former times: redhued, they have attained refulgent brilliancy. 3. They sing their song like women active in their tasks, along their common path hither from far away, Bringing refreshment to the liberal devotee, yea, all things to the worshipper who pours the juice. XVII Asvins 1. Agni is wakened: Surya riseth from the earth. Bright Dawn hath opened out the mighty twain with light. The Asvins have equipped their chariot for the course. God Savitar hath roused the world in sundry ways. 2. When, O ye Asvins, ye equip your mighty car, with fatness and with honey balm, ye twain, our power! To our devotion give victorious strength in war: may we win riches in the heroes' strife for spoil! 3. Nigh to us come the Asvins' lauded three wheeled car, the car laden with meath and drawn by fleet-foot steeds,

3. Nigh to us come the Asvins' lauded three wheeled car, the car laden with meath and drawn by fleet-foot steeds, Three-seated, opulent, bestowing all delight: may it bring weal to us, to cattle and to men! XVIII Soma Pavamana 1. Thy streams that never fail or waste flow forth like showers of rain from heaven, To bring a thousand stores of wealth. 2. He, flows beholding on his way all well-beloved sacred lore, Green-tinted, brandishing his arms. 3. He, when the people deck him like a docile king of elephants, Sits as a falcon in the wood. 4. So bring thou hitherward to us, Indu, while thou art purified. All treasures both of heaven and earth! BOOK IX CHAPTER I I Soma Pavamana 1. Forward have flowed the streams of power, of this the mighty one effused, Of him who waits upon the Gods. 2. The singers praise him with their song, and learned priests adorn the steed Born as thelight that merits laud. 3. These things thou winnest quickly, while men cleanse thee, Soma, nobly rich! II Indra 1. This Brahman, comer at the due time, named Indra, is renowned and praised. 2. To thee alone, O Lord of Strength, go, as it were, all songs of praise. 3. Like streams of water on their way, let bounties, Indra, flow from thee! III Indra 1. Even as a car to give us aid, we draw thee nigh to favour us, Strong in thy deeds, quelling attack, Indra, Lord, mightiest! of the brave. 2. Great in thou power and wisdom, strong, with thought that comprehendeth all!

2. Great in thou power and wisdom, strong, with thought that comprehendeth all! Wide hast thou spread in majesty. 3. Thou very mighty one, whose hands by virtue of thy greatness wield The golden bolt that beaks its way! IV Agni 1. He who hath lighted up the joyous castle, wise courser like the steed of cloudy heaven, Bright like the Sun with hundredfold existence 2. He, doubly born, hath spread in his effulgence through the three luminous realms, through all the regions, Best sacrificing Priest where waters gather. 3. Priest doubly born, he through his love of glory hath in his keeping all things worth the choosing. The man who brings him gifts hath noble offspring. V Agni 1. Agni, with hymns may we now accomplish that which thou lovest, Strength, like a horse auspicious, with service! 2. For, Agni, thou art now the promoter of strength auspicious, Lofty sacrifice, power effective. 3. Through these our praises, come thou to meet us, bright as the sunlight, Agni, kindly with all thy faces! VI Agni 1. Immortal Jatavedas, thou bright-hued refulgent gift of Dawn. Agni, this day to him who pays oblations bring the Gods who waken with the morn! 2. For thou art offering-bearer, well-loved messenger, and charioteer of holy rites. Accordant with the Asvins and with Dawn grant us heroic strength and lofty fame! VII Indra 1. The old hath waked the young Moon from his slumber who runs his circling course with many round him

1. The old hath waked the young Moon from his slumber who runs his circling course with many round him Behold the God's high wisdom in its greatness: he who died yesterday to-day is living. 2. Strong is the red Bird in his strength, great hero, who from of old bath had no nest to dwell in. That which he knows is truth and never idle: he wins and gives the wealth desired of many. 3. Through these Thunderer gained strong manly vigour, through whom he waxed in stren gth to slaughter Vritra; These who through might of actual operation sprang forth as Gods in course of Law and Order. VIII Maruts 1. Here is the Soma ready pressed: of this the Maruts, yea, of this Self-luminous, the Asvins, drink. 2. Of this, moreover, purified, set in three places, procreant, Drink Varuna, Mitra, Aryaman. 3. Yea, Indra, like the Hotar-priest, will in the early morning drink, At pleasure, of the milky juice: IX Surya 1. Verily, Surya, thou art great; truly, Aditya, thou art great. O most admired for greatness of thy majesty, God, by thy greatn.ess thou art great. 2. Yea, Surya, thou art great in fame: thou evermore, O God, art great. Thou by thy greatness art the Gods' High-Priest, divine, farspread unconquerable light. X Indra 1. Come, Lord of rapturous joys, to our libations with thy bay steeds, come With bay steeds to our flowing juice! 2. Known as best Vritra-slayer erst, as Indra $atakratu, come

2. Known as best Vritra-slayer erst, as Indra $atakratu, come With bay steeds to our flowing juice! 3. For, Vritra-slayer, thou art he who drinks these drops of Soma come With bay steeds to our flowing juice! XI Indra 1. Bring to the wise, the great, who waxeth mighty your offerings and make ready your devotion. Go forth to many tribes as man's controller! 2. For Indra the sublime, the far-pervading, have singers generateo prayer and praises; The sages never violate his statutes. 3. The choirs have established Indra King for ever for victory him, whose anger is resistless: And for the bays' Lord strengthened those he loveth. XII Indra 1. If I, O Indra, were the lord of riches ample as thine own, I would support the singer, God who scatterest wealth! and, not abandon him to woe. 2. Each day would I enrich the man who sang my praise, in whatsoever place he were. No kinship is there better, Maghavan, than thine: a father even, is no more. XIII Indra 1. Here thou the call of the juice-drinking press-stone: mark thou the sage's hymn who sings and lauds thee! Take to thine inmost self these adorations! 2. I know and ne'er forget the hymns and praises of thee, theconqueror, of thy power immortal. Thy name I ever utter, self-refulgent! 3. Among mankind many are thy libations, and many a time the pious sage invokes thee. O Maghavan, be not long distant from us! XIV Indra 1. Sing strength to Indra that shall. set his chariot in the foremost

1. Sing strength to Indra that shall. set his chariot in the foremost place! Giver of room in closest fight, slayer of foes in shock of war, be thou our great encorager! Let the weak bowstrings break upon the bows of our weak mies! 2. Thou didst destroy the Dragon: thou sentest the rivers down to Earth. Foeless, O Indra, wast thou born. Thou tendest well each choicest thing. Therefore we draw us close to thee. Let the weak bowstrings break upon the bows of our weak enemies! Destroyed be all malignitics and all our enemy's designs! 3. Thy bolt thou castest at the foe, O Indra, who would smite us dead: thy liberal bounty gives us wealth. Let the weak bowstrings break upon the bows of our weak enemies! XV Indra 1. Rich be the praiser of one rich and liberal, Lord of days! like thee: High rank be his who lauds the juice! 2. His wealth who hath no store of kine hath ne'er found out recited laud, Nor song of praises that is sung. 3. Give us not, Indra, as a prey unto the scornful or the proud: Help, mighty one, with power and might! XVI Indra 1. Come hither, Indra, with thy bays, come thou to Kanva's eulogy! Ye by command of yonder Dyaus, God bright by day! have gone to heaven. 2. The stones' rim shakes the Soma here like a wolf worrying a sheep. Ye by command of yonder Dyaus, God bright by day I have gone to heaven. 3. May the stone bring thee as it speaks, the Soma-stone with ringing voice!

3. May the stone bring thee as it speaks, the Soma-stone with ringing voice! Ye by command of yonder Dyaus, God bright by day! have gone to heaven. XVII Soma Pavamana 1. For Indra flow most rich in sweets, O Soma, bringing him delight! 2. Bright, meditating sacred song, these juices have sent Vayu forth. 3. They were sent forth to feast the Gods, like chariots speeding in the race. XVIII Agni 1. Agni I deem our Hotar priest, munificent wealth-giver, Son of Strength, who knoweth all that is even as the Sage who knoweth all. Lord of fair rites, a God with form erected turning to the Gods, he when the flame hath sprung forth from the holy oil, the offered fatness, longs for it as it grows bright. 2. We, sacrificing, call on the best worshipper thee eldest of Angirasas, singer! with hyrnns, thee, brilliant one! with singers' hymn; Thee, wandering round, as 'twere the sky, thee who art Hotar-priest of men, whom, Bull with hair of flame, the people must observe, tile people that he speed them on. 3. He with his blazing Power refulgent far and wide, he verily it iswho conquers demon foes, conquers the demons like an axe: At whose close touch things solid partg and what is stable yields he keeps his ground and flinches not,like trees. Subduing all from the skilled archer flinches not. CHAPTER II I Agni 1. O Agni, strength and fame are thine: thy fires blaze forth on high, O thou refulgent God!

1. O Agni, strength and fame are thine: thy fires blaze forth on high, O thou refulgent God! Sage, passing bright, thou givest to the worshipper with power, the wealth that merits laud. 2. With brilliantg purifying sheen, with perfect sheen thou liftest up thyself in light. Thou, visiting both thy mothers, aidest them as son; thou joinest close the earth and heaven. 3. O Jatavedas, Son of Strength, rejoice thyself, gracious, in our fair hymns and songs! In thee have they heaped viands various, many formed; wealthborn, of wondrous help are they. 4. Agni, spread forth, as ruler, over living things: give wealth, to us, immortal God! Thou shinest out from beauty fair to look upon: thou leadest us to beauteous Power. 5. I laud the Sage, who orders sacrifice, who hath great riches under his control. Thou givest blest award of good, and plenteous food, thou givest wealth that wins success. 6. The men have set before them, for his favour, Agni, strong, visible to all, the holy. Thee, Lord divine, with ears to hear, most famous, mens' generations magnify with praise-songs. II Agni 1. Agni, he conquers by thine aid that brings him store of valiant sons and does great deeds, Whose bond of friendship is thy choice. 2. Thy spark is black and crackling; kindled in due time, O bounteous, it is taken up. Thou art the dear friend of the mighty Mornings: thou shinest in glimmerings of the night.

Thou art the dear friend of the mighty Mornings: thou shinest in glimmerings of the night. III Agni 1. Him, duly coming, as their germ have plants received: this Agni have maternal Waters brought to life. So, in like manner, do the forest trees and plants bear him within them and produce him evermore. IV Agni 1. Agni grows bright for Indra: he shines far resplendent in the sky: He sends forth offspring like a queen. V Agni 1. The sacred hymns love him who wakes and watches: to him who watches the holy verses. This Soma saith to him Who wake my dwelling in thy friendship. VI Agni 1. Agni is watchful, and the Richas love him: Agni is watchful, Sama hymns approach him. Agni is watchful, to him saith this Soma, I rest and have my dwelling in thy friendship. VII Gods 1. Praise to the friends who sit in front! to those seated together,praise I use the hundred-footed speech speech. 2. I use the hundred-footed speech, I sing what hath a thousand paths, Gayatra, Trishtup, Jagat hymn. 3. Gayatra, Trishtup, Jagat hymn,the forms united and complete, Have the Gods made familiar friends. VIII Agni 1. Agni, is light, light is Agni, Indra is light, light is Indra Surya is light, light is Surya. 2. O Agni, turn again with strength, turn thou again with food and life: Save us again from grief and woe! 3. O Agni, turn again with wealth sprinkle thou us from everyside. With thine own all-supporting stream!

With thine own all-supporting stream! IX Indra 1. If I, O Indra, were like thee, the single ruler over wealth. My worshipper should be rich in kine. 2. I should be fain, O Lord of power, to strengthen and enrich thesage, Where I the ford of herds of kine. 3. Thy goodness, Indra, is a cow yielding in plenty kine and steeds. To worshippers who press the juice. X The Waters 1. Yea, Waters, ye bring health and bliss: so help ye us to energy. That we may look on great delight! 2. Give us a portion of the dew, the most auspicious that ye have, Like mothers in their longing love! 3. For you we gladly go to hirn to whose abode ye speed us on, And, Waters, give us procreant strength! XI Vata 1. May Vata breathe his balm on us, healthful, delightful to our heart: May he prolong our days of life! 2. Thou art our father, Vata, yea, thou art our brother and our friend: So give us strength that we may live! 3. The store of Amrit that laid away yonder, O Vata, in thine home-- Give us strength that we may live! XII Agni 1. The fleet steed wearing divers forms, the eagle bearing his golden raiment to his birthplace, Clothed in due season with the light of Surya, red, hath begot the sacrifice in person. 2. Multiform seed he laid in waters, lustre which gathered on the earth and there developed. In the mid-air establishing his greatness, he cries aloud, seed of the vigorous courser. 3. He hath, enduing thousand robes that suit him, as sacrifice upheld the light of Surya,

3. He hath, enduing thousand robes that suit him, as sacrifice upheld the light of Surya, Giver of ample gifts in hundreds, thousands, supporter of the heavens, earth's Lord and ruler. XIII Vena 1. They gaze on thee with longing in their spirit, as on a strong-winged bird that mounteth sky-ward; On thee with wings of gold, Varuna's envoy, the Bird that hasteneth to the home of Yama. 2. Erect, to heaven hath the Gandharva mounted, pointing at us his many-coloured weapons: Clad in sweet raiment beautiful to look on, for he, as light, produceth forms that please us.. 3. When as a spark he cometh ilear the ocean, looking with vulture's eye as Law commandeth, His lustre, joying in its own bright splendour, maketh dear glories in the loftiest region. CHAPTER III I Indra 1. Swift, rapidly striking, like a bull who sharpens his horns, terrific, stirring up the people. With eyes that close not, bellowing, sole hero, Indra subdued at once a hundred armies. 2. With him loud-roaring, ever watchful victcr, bold, hard to overthrow, rouser of battle, Indra. the strong, whose hand bears arrows, conquer, ye heroes, now, now vanquish in the combat! 3. He rules with those who carry shafts and quivers, Indra who with his band brings hosts together, Foe-conquering strong of arm the Soma-drinker, with mighty bow, shooting with well-laid arrows. II Brihaspati. Indra 1. Brihaspati, fly with thy chariot hither, slayer of demons, driving off our foemen!

1. Brihaspati, fly with thy chariot hither, slayer of demons, driving off our foemen! Be thou protector of our cars, destroyer, victor in battle, breaker-up of armies! 2, Conspicuous. by thy strength, firm, foremost fighter, mighty and fierce, victorious, all-subduing, The Son of Conquest, passing men and heroes, kinewinner, mount thy conquering car, O Indra! 3. Cleaver of stalls, kine-winner, armed with thunder, who quells an army and with might destroys it-- Follow him, brothers! quit yourselves like heroes, and like this Indra show your zeal and courage! III Indra. Brihaspati 1. Piercing with conquering strength the cow-stalls, Indra, pitiless hero with unbounded anger, Victor in fight, unshaken and resistless--may he protect our armies in our battles! 2. Indra guide these! Brihaspati, and Soma, the guerdon and the sacrifice precede them; And let the banded Maruts march in forefront of heavenly hosts that conquer and demolish! 3. Ours be the potent host of mighty Indra, King Varuna the Maruts, and Adityas! Uplifted is the shout of Gods who conquer, hightninded Gods who cause the worlds to tremble. IV Indra.Maruts 1. Bristle thou up, O Maghavan, our weapons: excite the spirits, of my warring heroes! Urge on the strong steed's might, O Vyitra-slayer, and let the din of conquering cars go upward 2. May Indra aid us when our flags are gathered: victorious be ther arrows of our army!

2. May Indra aid us when our flags are gathered: victorious be ther arrows of our army! May our brave men of war prevail in battle. Ye Gods, protect us in the shout of onset! 3. That army of the foemen, O ye Maruts, which, striving in its. mighty strength, approaches, Hide ye and bury it in pathless darkness that not a man oF them may know the other! V Agha 1. Bewildering the senses of our foemen, seize thou their bodies, and depart, O Agha! Attack them, set their hearts on fare with sorrows; so let our foes abide in utter darkness! 2. Advance, O heroes, win the day, May Indra be your sure defence! Mighty and awful be your arms, that none may wound or injure you! 3. Loosed from the bowstring fly away, thou arrows sharpened by our prayer! Go to the foemen, strike them home, and let not one be left alive! VI Indra and others 1. Let ravens and strong-pinioned birds pursue them: yea, let that army be the food of vultures! Indra, let none escape, no sin-remover: behind them all let following birds be gathered! 2. This host of foemen Maghavan! that cometh on in warlike show-- Meet it, O Vritra-slayer, thou, Indra, and Agni, with your flames! 3. There where the flights of arrows fall like boys whose locks are yet unshorn. Even there may Brahmanaspati, may Aditi protect us well, protect us well through all our days! VII Indra 1. Drive Rakshasas and foes away, break thou in pieces Vritra's jaws:

1. Drive Rakshasas and foes away, break thou in pieces Vritra's jaws: O Vritra-slaying Indra, quell the foeman's wrath who threatens us! 2. O Indra, beat our foes away, humble the men who challenge us: Send down to nether darkness him who seeks to do us injury! 3. Strong, ever-youthful are the arms of Indra, fair unassailable, never to be vanquished: These first let him employ when need hath come on us, wherewith the Asuras' great might was overthrown. VIII Soma, Varuna 1. Thy vital parts I cover with thine armour: with immortality King Soma clothe thee! Varuna give thee what is more than ample, and in thy victory may Gods be joyful! 2. Blind, O my foemen, shall ye be, even as headless serpents are May Indra slay each best of you when Agni's flame hath struck you down! 3. Whoso would kill us, whether he be a stranger foe or one of us, May all the Gods discomfit him! My nearest, closest mail is prayer, my closest armour and defence. IX Indra. All-Gods 1. Like a dread wild beast roaming on the mountain thou hast approached us from the farthest distance. Whetting thy bolt and thy sharp blade, O Indra, crush thou the foe and scatter those who hate us! 2. Gods, may our ears hear that which is auspicious, may our eyes see that which is good, ye holy! Extolling you with still strong limbs and bodies, may we attain the age by Gods appointed! 3. Illustrious far and wide, may Indra bless us, may Pushan bless us, master of all riches! May Tarkshya with uninjured fellies bless us! Brihaspati bestow on us his favour! Brihaspati bestow on us his favour!