Yajur Veda on Courage

b Turn towards (us), O earth, With the sacrifice, with milk; Over thy caul let Agni, aroused, creep. c O Agni, that of thee which is pure, which is bright, Which is cleansed, which is fit for offering, That we bear to the gods. d Food and strength do I take hence [1], From the abode of holy order, from the birthplace of immortality. May it enter us, in cattle and in plants; I abandon decline, lack of food, and ill-health. e O Agni, strength and fame are thine, Thy rays shine mightily, O rich in light; O thou of broad radiance, with thy might, strength worthy of laud, Thou bestowest on the worshipper, O sage. f Do thou extend over men, O Agni, Ruling over wealth for us, O immortal one; Thou art the master of a glorious form, Thou fillest glorious wealth. g O son of strength, O all-knower, Rejoice in our fair praises [2], being adored in our prayers; In thee have they placed food, rich in seed, Of wondrous aid, of prosperous birth. h With pure radiance, with bright radiance, With undiminished radiance, thou comest forth with thy light; Visiting thy parents thou aidest them; Thou fillest both worlds. i The righteous, the bull, common to all men, Agni, men place before them for favour, Thee with their speech, that art ready to hear and most extending, The divine, the generations of men. k Preparer of the sacrifice, the wise, Who ruleth for great gain, The giver of the Bhrgus, the eager, skilled in the sacrifice Thou fillest glorious wealth. l Ye are pilers, ye are pilers around, do ye pile upwards as a support, with that deity, sit ye firm in the manner of Angiras. m Swell up, let thy strength be gathered From all sides, O Soma. Be strong in the gathering of might.

'With the hands of Pusan', he says, for restraining. 'O offering to the gods, I seize thee with the noose of sacred order', he says; sacred order is truth; verily with truth which is sacred order he seizes it. He winds (the rope) round transversely, for they fasten a (beast) for killing in front; (verily it serves) for distinction. 'Fear not men', (with these words) he fastens it, for security. 'For the waters [3] thee, for the plants thee I sprinkle', be says, for from the waters, from the plants, the beast is born. 'Thou art a drinker of the waters', he says, for he is a drinker of the waters who is offered in sacrifice. 'O ye divine waters, make it palatable, a very palatable offering for the gods', he says; verily he makes it palatable. From above he sprinkles (it); verily he makes it pure from above; he makes it drink; verily within he makes it pure; from below he besprinkles (it); verily all over he makes it pure. By means of Agni as Hotr the gods defeated the Asuras. Recite for Agni as he is kindled', he says, for the overcoming of foes. He recites seventeen kindling-verses; Prajapati is seventeenfold; (verily it serves) to win Prajapati. He recites seventeen; there are twelve months and seven seasons, that is the year; offspring are born in the course of the year; (verily it serves) for the propagation of offspring. The gods, after reciting the kindling-verses, could not discern the sacrifice; Prajapati silently performed [1] the libation of ghee; then did the gods discern the sacrifice; in that silently he performs the libation of ghee, (it serves) for the revelation of the sacrifice. The sacrifice was with the Asuras; the gods took it by the silent offering; in that silently he performs the libation of ghee, he takes away the sacrifice of his foe. He rubs the enclosing-sticks; verily he purifies them. Thrice each he rubs them, for the sacrifice is thrice repeated; also (it serves) to smite away the Raksases.

The Adityas went from this world to yonder world, they were thirsty in yonder world, having returned to this world and having established the fire, they offered these oblations; they prospered, they went to the world of heaven. He, who establishes a fire after the second establishment, should offer these oblations; be prospers with the prosperity where with the Adityas prospered. The Reverence of the Fire a As we approach the sacrifice, Let us utter a hymn to Agni, Who heareth us, even from afar. b After his ancient splendour, The bold ones have drawn the white milk From the seer who winneth a thousand. c Agni is the head of the sky, the height, Lord of the earth here, He quickeneth the seed of the waters. d Here hath he first been established by the establishers, Youngest Hotr to be invoked at the sacrifices, Whom Apnavana and the Bhrgus caused to shine, Bright in the woods, spreading from house to house. e Ye twain shall be summoned, O Indra and Agni [1], Ye twain shall rejoice together in the offering You both, givers of food and riches, You both I summon for the winning of strength. f This is thy due place of birth, Whence born thou didst shine; Mount it, O Agni, knowing it, And make our wealth increase. g O Agni, thou purifiest life; Do thou give food and strength to us; Far away drive ill-fortune. h O Agni, good worker, purify for us Glory in good heroes, Giving increase of wealth [2] to me. i O Agni, the purifying, with thy light, O god, with thy pleasant tongue, Bring hither the gods and sacrifice. k Do thou, O shining and purifying one, O Agni, bring hither the gods To our sacrifice and our oblation. l Agni, of purest vows, Pure sage, pure poet, Shineth in purity when offering is made. m O Agni, thy pure, Bright, flaming (rays) arise, Thy lights, thy flames. n Thou art giver of life, O Agni; give me life [3]. Thou art giver of radiance, O Agni; give me radiance. Thou art guardian of the body, O Agni; guard my body.

To him who approveth himself homage. To the strength of the Hotras hail! Vat! To him who approveth himself homage. To the milk of the Hotras hail! Vat! To him who approveth himself homage. To Prajapati, to Manu, hail! Vat! To him who approveth himself homage. Right, guardian of right, heaven-bearing, hail! Vat! To him who approveth himself homage. b Let the Hotras delight in the sweet ghee. c To the lord of the sacrifice the Rsis said, 'By thy sin [1] creatures are famishing and troubled'; He did not secure the two drops of honey; May Viçvakarman unite us with them. d Dread are the Rsis; homage be to them, In the union with their eye and mind; To Brhaspati great, real, and glorious reverence; Homage to Viçvakarman; may he guard us. e Deeming that the Soma-drinkers are his own, Knowing the breath like a valiant man in battle,-- He hath committed a great sin and is bound by them-- Him set free, O Viçvakarman [2], for safety. f Those who eating deserved not riches, Whom the fires of the hearths did trouble, That is their offering to expiate the ill sacrifice A good sacrifice for us may Viçvakarman make it. g Homage to the Pitrs, who have watched around us, Making the sacrifice, loving the sacrifice, the benignant deities; We have not brought you the offering without desires; Trouble us not for this sin. h All those who are in the Sadas must have presents; he who did not [3] give them a present would fall a victim to them; in that he offers the libations to Viçvakarman, he thus delights those who are in the Sadas. i Ye gods, have regard to this wonder, The good thing which the husband and wife win with the milk admixture; A male child is born, be findeth riches, And all the house prospereth unhurt. k May the husband and wife who give the milk admixture win good; May wealth unharmed attend them dwelling in harmony; May he, who poureth that which hath been milked together with the pot By the sacrifice leave misfortune on his way.

p O lord of the forest, be strong of limb, Our comrade, efficacious, of great strength; Thou art tied with cowhide, be thou strong; Let him that mounteth thee conquer what is to be conquered. q From sky, from earth [5] is might collected, From trees is strength gathered; The might of the waters surrounded with the kine, Indra's thunderbolt, the chariot, do thou adore with oblation. r The thunderbolt of Indra, the face of the Maruts, The embryo of Mitra, the navel of Varuna, Do thou, accepting this our sacrifice, O chariot divine, take to thyself the oblations. s Roar to earth and sky; Let the scattered world be ware of thee in many places; Do thou, O drum, in unison with Indra and the gods [6], Drive away the foe further than far. t Roar thou! Grant us force and might. Thunder, overthrowing obstacles; Snort away, O drum, misfortune hence; Indra's fist art thou; show thy strength. u Drive to us those, and these make to come to us; The drum speaketh aloud for a signal (of battle) Our heroes winged with steeds meet together; Be our chariotmen victorious, O Indra. a When first thou didst cry on birth, Arising from the ocean or the dust, The wings of the eagle, the limbs of the gazelle, That is thy famed birth, O steed. b The steed given by Yama hath Trita yoked, It Indra first mounted, The bridle of it the Gandharva grasped; O Vasus, from the sun ye fashioned the steed. c Thou art Yama, O steed, thou art Aditya; Thou art Trita by secret ordinance; Thou art entirely separated from Soma [1]; Three, they say, are thy bonds in the sky. d Three, they say, are thy bonds in the sky, Three in the waters, three within the ocean And like Varuna to me thou appearest, O steed, Where, say they, is thy highest birthplace. e These, O swift one, are thy cleansings, These the placings down of thy hooves in victory; Here I have seen thy fair ropes, Which the guards of holy order guard.

n Do thou with good labour elaborate this offering for the gods. o Utter food, utter strength; p Make ye glorious sounds. q May we be victorious in contest. r Thou art increased by the rain. s May that which is increased by the rain recognize thee. t The Raksas is cleared away, the evil spirits are cleared away. u Thou art the share of the Raksases. v Let the wind separate you. w Let the god Savitr of golden hands, seize you. a The 7 Raksas is shaken off, the evil spirits are shaken off. b Thou art the skin of Aditi, may the earth recognize thee. c Thou art the supporter of the sky, may the skin of Aditi recognize thee. d Thou art a bowl of rock, may the supporter of the sky recognize thee. e Thou art a bowl made of the rock, may the rock recognize thee. f On the impulse of the god Savity, with the arms of the Açvins, with the hands of Prisan, I pour thee out. g Thou art stimulating, stimulate the gods. h For expiration thee, for inspiration thee, for through-breathing thee (I pound). i May I extend for long the life (of the sacrificer). k Let the god Savitr, of golden hands, seize you. a Bold art thou, support our prayer. b O Agni, drive off the fire that eats raw flesh, send away the corpse-eating one, hither the fire that sacrifices to the gods. c The Raksas is burnt, the evil spirits are burnt. d Thou art firm; make firm the earth, make life firm, make offspring firm, make his follows subordinate to this sacrificer. e Thou art a supporter, make firm the atmosphere, make expiration firm, make inspiration firm, make his fellows subordinate to this sacrificer. f Thou are supporting, make the heaven firm, make the eye [1] firm, make the ear make his fellows, &c. g Thou art a support, make the quarters firm, make the organ firm, make offspring firm, make his fellows, &c. h Ye are gatherers, bring offspring to this sacrificer, wealth to him, make his fellows, &c. i Be ye heated with the heat of the Bhrgus and the Angirases.

m Thee that art winner of Brahmans, winner of nobles, winner of fair offspring, winner of increase of wealth, I close in. n Strengthen the Brahmans, strengthen the nobles, strengthen offspring, strengthen increase of wealth, o Thou art invested; lot the clans of the gods invest thee; let increase of wealth, let (the clans) of men invest the sacrificer here. p On the slope of the atmosphere I conceal thee. a For striving thee! b Thou art the impeller. c To the gods the servants of the gods have come, the priests, the eager d O Bihaspati, guard wealth. e Let thy oblations taste sweet. f O god Tvastr make pleasant our possessions. g Stay, ye wealthy ones, h Thou art the birthplace of Agni. i Ye are the two male ones. k Thou art Urvaçi, thou art Ayu, thou art Pururavas. l Anointed with ghee, do ye produce a male. m Be born with the Gayatri metre, with the Tristubh metre, be born with the Jagati n Be ye of one mind for us, one dwelling, spotless. o Harm not the sacrifice nor the lord of the sacrifice, O all-knowing; be ye two auspicious to-day with us. p The fire moveth entering into the fire, The son of the Rsis, the overlord he; With the cry of Hail! I offer to thee with devotion; Do thou not spoil the share of the gods. a I grasp thee. b Offering to the gods, I seize thee with the noose of sacred order. c Fear not men. d For the waters thee, for the plants thee, I sprinkle. e Thou art a drinker of the waters. f Ye divine waters, make it palatable, a very palatable offering for the g Let thy breath be united with the wind, thy limbs with the sacrificial, the lord of the sacrifice with his prayer. h Anointed with ghee, do ye guard the beast. i Ye wealthy ones, do ye kindly I resort to the lord of the sacrifice. k O broad atmosphere, in unison with the god [1] wind, sacrifice with the life of this offering; be united with its body; extending more broadly, make the sacrifice of the lord of the sacrifice most successful. l Guard from contact with earth.

a Go to the ocean, hail! Go to the atmosphere, hail! Go to god Savitr, hail! Go to day and night, hail! Go to Mitra and Varuna, hail! Go to Soma, hail! Go to the sacrifice, hail! Go to the metes, hail! Go to the sky and the earth, hail! Go to the clouds of the sky, hail! Go to Agni Vaiçvanara, hail! b To the waters thee! To the plants thee! c Give me mind and heart! d May I acquire body, skin, son, and grandson. e Thou art pain; pain him who hateth us and whom we hate. f From every rule of thine, O King Varuna, set us free; From whatever oath by the waters, by the kine, by Varuna, we have sworn, From that, O Varuna, set us free. a These waters are rich in oblation, Rich in oblation is the divine sacrifice, Rich in oblation he seeks to win (the gods?), Rich in oblation be the sun. b In the seat of Agni whose home is abiding I set you down, kindly for kindness, accord to me kindness. c Ye are the share of Indra and Agni; ye are the share of Mitra and Varuna; ye are the share of the all-gods. d Be watchful over the sacrifice. a To the heart thee! To mind thee! To the sky thee! To the sun thee! b Raise aloft the sacrifice; in the sky guide to the gods the prayers. c O King Soma, come hither, descend. d Fear not, tremble not. e Lot me not harm thee. f Do thou descend to creatures; let creatures descend to thee. g Let Agni (kindled) with the kindling-stick hear my appeal, Let the waters hear, and the divine Dhisanas; Hearken, ye pressing stones, to the sacrifice of me the wise one, Let the god Savitr hearken to my appeal. h Ye divine waters, child of the waters, that wave, Which is rich in oblation, powerful and sweetest, Give to the gods among the gods, Pure to the drinkers of the pure, (to them) whose share ye are; hail i Thou art the dragger; do thou (drag) away the foe of the waters. k I draw you for the sustenance of the waters.

He who desires prosperity should offer a cake on eight potsherds to Agni, the all- knower; verily he has recourse to Agni, the all-knower, with his own share; verily he makes him attain prosperity; he prospers. He who desires radiance should offer a cake on eight potsherds to Agni, the radiant; verily he has recourse to Agni, the radiant, with his own share; verily he bestows radiance on him; he is radiant. He who desires brilliance should offer a cake on eight potsherds to Agni, the brilliant [3]; verily he has recourse to Agni, the brilliant, with his own share; verily he bestows brilliance upon him; he becomes brilliant. He who seeks to be strong should offer a cake on eight potsherds to Agni, the strong; verily he has recourse to Agni, the strong, with his own share; verily thereby he is strong who seeks to be He who desires, 'May I possess food', should offer to Agni, possessor of food, a cake on eight potsherds; verily he has recourse to Agni, possessor of food, with his own share; verily he makes him to possess food; he becomes a possessor of food. He who desires, 'May I be an eater of food', should offer a cake on eight potsherds to Agni, eater of food; verily he has recourse to Agni, eater of food, with his own share; verily he makes him an eater of food; he becomes an eater of food [1]. He who desires, 'May I be a lord of food', should offer to Agni, lord of food, a cake on eight potsherds; verily he has recourse to Agni, lord of food, with his own share; verily he makes him a lord of food; he becomes a lord of food. He who is long ill should offer a cake on eight potsherds to Agni, the purifying, to Agni, the purifier, to Agni, the pure; in that he offers to Agni, the purifying, thereby he bestows health upon him; in that (he offers) to Agni, the purifier [2], thereby he bestows speech upon him; in that (he offers) to Agni, the pure, thereby he bestows life upon him; even if his life is gone, he yet lives.

' In that thrice he gave and thrice he accepted, that is the reason of the threefold character of the threefold. In that Visnu aided him and he gave (it) to Visnu, therefore the offering belongs to Indra and Visnu. Whatever there is here he gave to him, the Rces, the Samans, the Yajuses. A thousand he gave to him; therefore there are a thousand gifts. The gods were afraid of the warrior on his birth. While still within (the womb) they fettered him with a bond. The warrior thus is born fettered; if he were born not fettered he would continually slay his foes. If one desire of a warrior, 'May he be born not fettered, may he continually slay his foes', one should offer for him the offering for Indra and Brhaspati, for the warrior is connected with Indra, Brhaspati is the holy power (Brahman); verily by the holy power (Brahman) he frees him from the bond that fetters him. The sacrificial present is a golden bond; verily manifestly he frees him from the bond that fetters him. a He is born ever new; The banner of the days goeth before the dawns. He appointeth their portion to the gods as he advanceth The moon extendeth length of days. b The drop which the Adityas make to swell, The imperishable which the imperishable drink, With that may king Varuna, Brhaspati, The guardians of the world make us to swell. c In the eastern quarter thou art king, O Indra In the northern, O slayer of Vrtra, thou art slayer of foes Where the streams [1] go, thou hast conquered; On the south be the bull whom we invoke. d Indra shall conquer, he shall not be conquered; Over-lord among kings shall he rule; In all conflicts shall he be a protector, That he may be reverenced and honoured. e His greatness surpasseth Sky or earth or heaven; Indra sole lord, hailed by all, in his home Boisterous and brave, waxeth great for the conflict. f We call on thee, O hero, in praise, Like kine unmilked, Lord [2] of this moving world, seeing the heavenly light, Lord, O Indra, of what standeth.

Their deity is Mahendra. He who sacrifices beyond his own deity loses his own deity, and does not obtain another, and becomes worse. For a year one should sacrifice to Indra, for the vow extends not beyond the year; verily [4] his own deity, being sacrificed to, kindles him with prosperity and he becomes richer. After the year he should offer a cake on eight potsherds to Agni, lord of vows; verily for a year Agni, lord of vows, causes him to take up the vow who has slain his foe (vrtra). Thereafter he may sacrifice at will. No one who is not a Soma sacrificer should offer the Samnayya. For the milk of him who is not a Soma sacrificer is imperfect, and if one who is not a Soma sacrificer offers the Samnayya he is a thief and does wrong, and (his milk) is poured forth in vain. A Soma sacrificer only should offer the Samnayya. Soma is milk, the Samnayya is milk; verily with milk he places milk in himself. The moon deprives him of offspring and cattle, and makes his enemy wax great on whose sacrifice when offered it rises in the east [1]. He should divide the rice grains into three parts; the mean size he should make into a cake on eight potsherds for Agni, the giver, the largest lie should give as a mess to Indra, the bestower, the smallest (he should give) as a mess in boiled (milk) to Visnu Çipivista. Agni thus generates offspring for him; Indra gives it in crease; Visnu is the sacrifice, and Çipi cattle; verily on the sacrifice and cattle he rests. He should not offer twice [2]. If he were to offer now with the first he would make a failure with the second; if with the second now, he would make a failure with the first; there is no offering at all and no sacrifice, for that cause a son is born shamefaced and retiring. One offering only should one make; a valiant son is born to him. One should disregard this and offer twice. With the first (offering) one grasps the mouth of the sacrifice, and sacrifices with the second.

i Of thee, O god Soma, who hast the Adityas for thy troop, who knowest the heart, who belongest to the third pressing, who hast the Jagati for thy metre, who art drunk by Indra, who art drunk by Naraçansa, who art drunk by the fathers, who hast sweetness, and who art invited, I invited eat. k Swell up, lot thy strength be gathered From all sides, O Soma; Be strong in the gathering of might. l Impel my limbs, O thou with tawny steeds, Do not distress my troops; Propitious do thou honour for me the seven sages; Do not go below my navel [3]. m We have drunk the Soma, we have become immortal, We have seen the light, we have found the gods; What can the enmity, what the treachery, Of mortal man do to us, O immortal? n Whatever fault has been mine, Agni hath put that right, all-knower, he who belongeth to all men; Agni hath given back the eye, Indra and Brhaspati have given it back; Do ye two, O Açvins, Replace my eye within its sockets. o Of thee, O god Soma, over whom the Yajus is spoken, the Stoma sung [4], the Uktha recited, who hast tawny steeds, who art drunk by Indra, who hast sweetness, and who art invited, I invited eat. p Ye are to be filled; fill me With offspring and wealth. q That is thine, O father, and those that are after thee. That is thine, O grandfather, O great-grandfather, and those that are after thee. r Rejoice therein, O fathers, according to your shares. s Homage to your taste, O fathers; homage to your birth, O fathers; homage to your life, O fathers; homage to your [5] custom, O fathers; homage to your anger, O fathers; homage to your terrors, O fathers; O fathers, homage to you. t Ye that are in that world, may they follow you; ye that are in this world, may they u Ye that are in that world, of them be ye the most fortunate; ye that are in this world, of these may I be the most fortunate. v O Prajapati, none other than thou Comprehendeth all these creatures [6].

The Placing of the Fire in the Fire-pan a Yoking mind first, Extending his thoughts, Savitr Discerning the light, Hath brought Agni from the earth. b Yoking with mind the gods, Going to the heaven, the sky, with thought, Those that are to make great light, Savitr instigates. c With mind well yoked are we In the instigation of god Savitr, For strength to go to the heaven. d They yoke their minds, they yoke their thoughts, The priests of the mighty wise priest, He alone, who knoweth the way, appointeth their functions [1] Great is the praise of the god Savitr. e I yoke with honour your ancient prayer; The praises go like Suras on their way; All the sons of immortality hear (it), Who have achieved dwellings divine. f He whose advance others followed, Gods, of the god praising might, He who meted out the regions of earth, He is the brilliant god Savitr in greatness. g O god Savitr, instigate the sacrifice, instigate the lord of the sacrifice [2] to good luck; may the divine Gandharva, who purifieth thoughts purify our thought; may lord of speech to-day make sweet our utterance. h This sacrifice for us, O god Savitr Do thou instigate, serving the gods, Finding comrades, ever victorious, Winning booty, winning heaven. i By the Rc make the Stoma to prosper, By the Gayatra the Rathantara, The Brhat with the Gayatri for its metre. k On the impulse of the god Savitr, with the arms of the Açvins, with the hands of Pusan, with the Gayatri metre, I take thee, in the manner of Angiras. l Thou art the spade, thou art the woman [3], from the abode of the earth I bear Agni of the dust in the manner of Angiras; with the Tristubh metre I grasp thee in the manner of Angiras. m Thou art the bearer, thou art the woman; through thee may we be strong to dig Agni of the dust in his place; with the Jagati metre I grasp thee in the manner of n Grasping in thy hand, Savitr, Bearing the spade of gold, Therewith digging Agni Do thou bring for us light unperishing.

I Be ye united, that follow holy orders, Ye that wave and are fullest of sweetness, Delightful for the gaining of wealth. m With Soma I curdle thee, curds for Indra. n O Visnu, guard the offering. a For the rite you two, for the gods may I be strong. b Thee for accomplishment! c The Raksas is burnt up, the evil spirits are burnt up. d Thou art the yoke. e Injure him who injures us, injure him whom we injure. f Thou art of gods the most firmly jointed, the most richly filled, the most agreeable, the best of carriers, the best caller of the gods. g Thou art the oblation-holder that wavers not. h Be firm, waver not. i I gaze on thee with the eye of Mitra. k Be not afraid, be not troubled, let me harm thee [1] not. l (Be thou) wide open to the wind. m On the impulse of the god Savitr, with the arms of the Açvins, with the hands of Pusan, I offer thee dear to Agni, to Agni and Soma. n This of the gods, this of us too. o For prosperity thee, not for misfortune. p May I behold the light, the radiance for all men. q May they that have doors stand firm in heaven and earth. r Fare along the wide atmosphere. s I place thee in the lap of Aditi. t O Agni, guard the offering. a Let the god Savitr purify you, with a filter that has no flaw, with the rays of the bright sun. b Ye divine waters, that go in front and first purify, forward lead this sacrifice, place in front the lord of the sacrifice. c You Indra chose for the contest with Vrtra, ye chose Indra for the contest with Vrtra. d Ye are sprinkled. e I sprinkle you agreeable to Agni, to Agni and Soma. f Be ye pure for the divine rite, for the sacrifice to the gods. g The Raksas is shaken off, the evil spirits are shaken off. h Thou art the skin of Aditi, may the earth' recognize thee [1]. i Thou art the plank' of wood, may the skin of Aditi recognize thee. k Thou art the body of Agni, loostener of speech. l I grasp thee for the joy of the gods. m Thou art the stone of wood.

n Homage to the rapid, and to the hasty. o Homage to him of the wave, and to the roaring. p Homage to him of the stream, and to him of the island. a Homage to the oldest, and to the youngest. b Homage to the first born, and to the later born. c Homage to the midmost, and to the immature. d Homage to the hindmost, and to him in the depth. e Homage to Sobhya, and to him of the amulet. f Homage to him who dwelleth with Yama, and to him at peace. g Homage to him of the ploughed field, and to him of the threshing-floor. h Homage to him of fame, and to him at his end. i Homage to him of the wood, and to him of the thicket. k Homage to sound, and to echo [1]. I Homage to him of the swift host, and to him of the swift car. m Homage to the hero, and the destroyer. n Homage to the armoured, and to the corsleted. o Homage to the mailed, and to the cuirassed. p Homage to the famous, and to him of a famous host. a Homage to him of the drum, and to him of the drumstick. b Homage to the bold, and to the cautious. c Homage to the messenger, and to the servant. d Homage to the quiver-bearer, and to the owner of the quiver. e Homage to him of the sharp arrow, and to him of the weapon. f Homage to him of the good weapon, and to him of the good bow. g Homage to him of the stream,' and to him of the way. h Homage to him of the hole,' and to him of the pool. i Homage to him of the ditch, and to him of the lake. k Homage to him of the stream, and to him of the tank 1 Homage to him of the cistern, and to him of the well. m Homage to him of the rain, and to him not of the rain. n Homage to him of the cloud, and to him of the lightning. o Homage to him of the cloudy sky, and to him of the heat. p Homage to him of the wind, and to him of the storm. q Homage to him of the dwelling, and to him who guardeth the dwelling. a Homage to Soma, and to Rudra. b Homage to the dusky one, and to the ruddy one. c Homage to the giver of weal, and to the lord of cattle.

a Move I forward, O lord of the world, To all thy stations. Let no opponent find thee, Let not robbers find thee; Let not the evil-working wolves (find) thee; Nor the Gandharva, Viçvavasu, injure thee. b Become an eagle and fly away to the place in the house of the sacrificer which have prepared with the gods (for thee). Thou art the good luck of the sacrificer. c We have reached the path Which leadeth to bliss, without a foe, Whereby a man defeateth all his foes and winneth wealth. d Honour to the radiance of Mitra and Varuna. This worship, this reverence offer to the god; To the far seeing, god-born, the banner, The son of the sky, the sun, do ye sing. c Thou art the pillar of Varuna. f Thou art the prop of Varuna's pillar. g Varuna's noose is loosened. a Thou art the hospitality of Agni. For Visnu thee! Thou art the hospitality of For Visnu thee! Thou art the hospitality of the stranger. For Visnu thee! For Agni giver of wealth, for Visnu thee; for the eagle, bringer of the Soma, thee, for Visnu b Thy powers which they honour with oblation, May they all envelop the sacrifice! Giver of wealth, impeller, rich in heroes, Slaying not heroes, O Soma, enter the dwellings. c Thou art the seat of Aditi; sit on the seat of Aditi [1]. d Thou art Varuna who guardeth law; thou art of Varuna. e Be prosperity ours from our friendship with the gods. May we be not severed from our service of the gods. f For him who rushes on I seize thee; for him who rushes around I seize thee; for Tanunapat I seize thee; for the mighty I seize thee; for the mightiest in strength I seize thee. g Thou art unapproached, the unapproachable might of the gods, guarding from imprecations, impervious to imprecations. h May the lord of consecration approve my consecration, the lord of penance my penance. Speedily may I attain truth. Place me in good fortune. a May thy every shoot, O god Soma, swell, For Indra who gaineth the chiefest wealth; May Indra swell for thee; Do thou swell for Indra.

b Make thy comrades to swell with wealth and skill; with good fortune may I accomplish thy pressing, O god Soma. c Desired are riches exceedingly for food, for prosperity. Be right to the proclaimers of right. Honour to the sky, honour to the earth! d Agni, lord of vows, thou art the vow-lord of vows; this body of mine be in thee that body of thine be in me. Together, O lord of vows, be the vows of us two that e Thy dread form, O Agni, with that protect us; hail to that form of thine! f That form of thine, O Agni, which rests in iron, which rests in silver, which rests in gold, the highest, that dwells in the cleft, g (By it) I have driven away harsh speech, (by it) I have driven away angry speech. a Thou I art the abode of riches for me; thou art the resort of the afflicted for me; protect me when in want; protect me when afflicted. b May Agni, named Nabhas, know (thee). c Agni Angiras, thou who art in this earth, come with the name of Ayus. Whatsoever unapproached, holy name is thine, [1] therewith I take thee up. d Agni Angiras, thou who art in the second (the third) earth, come with the name of Ayus. Whatever inviolate, holy name is thine, therewith I take thee up. e Thou art a lioness; thou art a buffalo. f Extend wide; let the lord of the sacrifice extend wide for thee. g Thou art firm. h Be pure for the gods; be bright for the gods. i May the cry of Indra guard thee in front with the Vasus; may the swift of mind guard thee on the right with the Pitrs; may the wise one guard thee behind with the Rudras; may Viçvakarman guard thee on the left with the Adityas. k Thou art a lioness, overcoming rivals; hail! Thou art a lioness, bestowing fair offspring; hail! Thou art a lioness, [2] bestowing increase of wealth; hail! Thou art a lioness, winning (the favour of) the Adityas hail! Thou art a lioness; bring the gods to the pious sacrificer; hail! l To beings thee!

d The face of Agni hath entered the waters, The child of the waters guarding against the demons' power, In each home [1] do thou offer the kindling-stick, O Agni; Let thy tongue seek the ghee. e In the sea is thy heart, within the waters; Let the plants and the waters enter thee; With the offerings of the sacrifice, O lord of the sacrifice, Let us worship at the utterance of the hymn, at the utterance of homage. f O bath, O flood, thou glidest, O flood; thou hast removed by sacrifice the sin committed by the gods, through the gods, the sin committed by mortals, through mortals; guard us, O god, from wide hostility. g Be the water and plants friendly to us [2]; be they hostile to him who hateth us and whom we hate. h Ye divine waters, this is thy foetus, glad and well tended have we made it for proclaim us as doers of good deeds among the gods. i The noose of Varuna is tied, the noose of Varuna is loosed. k Thou art fuel; may we prosper; thou art kindling; thou art brilliance, grant me brilliance. l I have penetrated to the waters; We are united with the sap; I have come rich in milk, O Agni; Do thou unite me with radiance. a I who deeming thee immortal, Mortal myself, call on thee with prayerful heart. Upon us, O wise one, bestow glory; O Agni, through offspring may I attain immortality. b He, for whom, O Agni, thou dost make, O wise one, For his good deeds a kindly world, Shall win prosperity and wealth, Rich in sons, in heroes, in kine. c To thee, O son of strength, they turn Who have desires to be fulfilled; None excelleth thee, O Indra. d At each hymn the Soma delighteth Indra, The pressed (juices), the bountiful one [1], What time in unison with equal effort They call him to aid, like sons a father. e O Agni, O wise one, with sap, With brilliance thou shinest, Slayer of Raksases, suppressor of demons. f I have penetrated to the waters We are united with the sap; I have come rich in milk, O Agni; Do thou unite me with radiance.

m After him as he hasteneth in triumphant speed Bloweth the wind as after the wing of the bird, Of the impetuous eagle, (after him) Dadhikravan, As in his might he crosseth the winding ways. n May there come to me the instigation of strength; May there come sky and earth with all healing; Come to me father [3] and mother; May Soma come to me for immortality. o O ye steeds, prize winning, about to run for the prize, about to win the prize, do ye touch Brhaspati's portion. p O ye steeds, prize winning, that have run for the prize, that have won the prize, do ye be pure in Brhaspati's portion. q True hath been the compact That ye did make with Indra. r Ye have made Indra win the prize, O trees; now be ye loosed. a Thou art the caul of the kingly class, thou art the womb of the kingly class. b O wife, come hither to the heaven; let us two mount! Yes, let us two mount the heaven; I will mount the heaven for us both. c Strength, instigation, the later born, inspiration, heaven, the head, the Vyaçniya, the offspring of the last, the last, the offspring of being, being, the overlord. d May life accord with the sacrifice, may expiration accord with the sacrifice, may inspiration accord with the sacrifice [1], may cross-breathing accord with the may eye accord with the sacrifice, may ear accord with the sacrifice, may mind accord with the sacrifice, may the body accord with the sacrifice, may the sacrifice accord with the sacrifice. e We have come to the heaven, to the gods; we have become immortal; we have become the offspring of Prajapati. f May I be united with offspring, offspring with me; may I be united with increase of wealth, increase of wealth with me. g For food thee! For proper food thee! For strength thee! For the conquering of strength thee! h Thou art ambrosia, thou art prospering, thou art begetting.

Conceal not from us that form of thine What time thou dost change thy shape in battle [5]. u O Agni, give to the giver Wealth of heroes in abundance; Quicken us to richness in sons. v Give to us, O Agni, a hundred, give a thousandfold; Like doors disclose for us booty for renown; Make with the prayer sky and earth propitious; Like bright heaven the dawns have shone forth. w Agni give wealth that decketh the hero; Agni the Rsi who winneth thousands; Agni hath placed the oblation in the sky; In many a place are the abodes of Agni. x Destroy [6] us not. y Bring to us. z Thy body is faultless, Like ghee purified, like pure gold That of thine shineth like an ornament, O thou powerful one. aa O bright one, in thy mouth thou cookest Both ladles (full) of butter; Do thou make us full For our hymns, O lord of strength; Do thou bear food to the praisers. bb O Vayu, a hundred of bay (steeds) Worthy of nourishment do thou yoke; Or let the chariot of thee that hast a thousand (steeds) Come with might. cc The teams [7] wherewith thou comest to the giver, O Vayu, for seeking in the house, Grant us wealth rich in enjoyment, And a treasure of heroes, of horses, of cows. dd Rich banquets be ours with Indra, With mighty strength, Wherewith fed we may rejoice. ee Rich should he be, the praiser Of a generous and wealthy one like thee; (Famed) be (the praiser) of thee that art famed, O thou with the bays.

As the Rbhus bend the felly (of the chariot) [I] f To him, the heavenly, Now with constant voice, O Virupa, To the strong one urge the hymn of praise. g What Pani shall we lay low among the kine With the missile of this Agni Who seeth from afar? h May not the clans of the gods forsake us, Like the dawns entering the waters, As cows a poor man. i Let not the assault Of any ill-minded foe smite us, As a wave a ship. k Homage to thee, O Agni, for might, The people sing, O god; With strength [2] trouble thou the foe. l Wilt thou not, O Agni, Bring us wealth for our quest for cattle? O room maker, make room for us. m Cast us not aside in this great contest, Like a bearer his burden; Gather wealth and conquer it. n May this terror, this misfortune, O Agni, fasten on another than us; Increase our impetuous strength. o The reverent or generous man In whose offering he hath delighted, Agni aideth indeed with furtherance. p From a far [3] region Come hither to these lower ones, Favour those in the region where I am. q Since we have known of old Of thy help, O Agni, as a father's, Now we seek thy favour. r Thou, who art like a mighty man who slayeth with the dart Or a sharp-horned bull, O Agni, hast rent the forts. s O friends, together (offer) fit Food and praise to Agni, Highest over the folk, The son of strength, the mighty. t Thou gatherest, O strong one, All that belongeth, O Agni, to the niggard; Thou art kindled in the place of offering; Do thou bear us good things. u O Prajapati. v He knoweth. w O Soma and Pusan. x These gods. a Eagerly we hail thee, Eagerly would we kindle thee; Eager bring the eager, The fathers, to eat the offering. b Thou, O Soma, art pre-eminent in wisdom; Thou movest along the straightest path; Through thy guidance, O drop, our fathers wisely divided The treasure among the gods.

'Thou dost endure the battle; for cattle thee! Quicken cattle', he says; verily offspring and cattle he connects. 'Thou art wealthy; for the plants thee! Quicken the plants', he says; verily in the plants he makes cattle find support. 'Thou art the victorious, with ready stone; for Indra thee! Quicken Indra', he says, for victory. 'Thou art the overlord; for breath thee! Quicken breath' [4], he says; verily upon offspring he bestows breath. 'Thou art the Trivrt, thou art the Pravrt', he says, for pairing. 'Thou art the mounter, thou art the descender', he says, for propagating. 'Thou art the wealthy, thou art the brilliant, thou art the gainer of good', he says, for support. a By Agni, the god, I win battles, with the Gayatri metre, the Trivrt Stoma, the Rathantara Saman, the Vasat call, the thunderbolt, I trample under foot my foes born before me, I depress them, I repel them, in this home, in this world of earth; him who hateth us and him whom we hate I step over him with the stride of Visnu. b By Indra, the god, I win battles, with the Tristubh metre, the Pañcadaça Stoma the Brhat Saman, the Vasat call, the thunderbolt [1], (I trample under foot my foes) born along (with me), &c. c By the All-gods I win battles, with the Jagati metre, the Saptadaça Stoma, the Vamadevya Saman, the Vasat call, the thunderbolt, (I trample under foot my foes) born after (me), &c. d In unison with Indra, may we Withstand our foes, Smiting the enemy irresistibly. e With the brilliance that is thine, O Agni, may I become brilliant; with the radiance that is thine, O Agni, may I become radiant; with the splendour that is thine, O Agni, may I become resplendent. a The gods, destroying the sacrifice, stealing the sacrifice, That are seated on earth, May Agni protect me from them; May we go to those that do good deeds.

v O bright one, in thy mouth thou cookest Both ladles (full) of butter; Do thou make us full [6], For our hymns, O lord of strength; Do thou bear food to thy praisers. w O Agni to-day, let us make to prosper by praises, By devotions, for thee this (sacrifice) like a (good) steed, Like a noble resolve which toucheth the heart. x O Agni, thou hast become master Of noble resolve, of true inspiration, Of mighty holy order. y With these songs singing to thee, O Agni, This day let us pay worship; Thy strengths thunder forth as from the sky. z At these our hymns of praise do thou be propitious [7], Like the light of heaven, O Agni, propitious with all thy faces. aa Agni I deem the Hotr, the generous wealth-giver, The son of strength, the all-knower, Who knoweth all as a sage, bb Who offereth sacrifice well, With beauty soaring aloft towards the gods, the god, Following the flames of the ghee, Of the butter of brilliant radiance when offered up. cc O Agni, be thou our nearest, Our protector, kindly, a shield; dd Thee, O shining and most radiant one, We implore for favour, for our friends. ee Agni, bright, of bright fame, Come hither in thy greatest splendour and give us wealth. a I yoke thee in bonds of fellowship with Indra and Agni, with the ghee sprinklings, with brilliance, with radiance, with the hymns, with the Stomas, with the metres, for the increase of wealth, for pro-eminence among thy fellows; I yoke thee in bonds of fellowship with me. b Amba, Duhi, Nitatni, Abhrayanti, Meghayanti, Varsayanti, Cupunika, art thou by name, with Prajapati, with our every prayer, I deposit thee. c The earth penetrated by food, a reservoir of water (thou art), men are thy guardians, Agni is placed in this (brick), to it I resort, and may it [1] be my protection and my refuge. d The over-sky penetrated by holy power, the atmosphere (thou art); the Maruts are thy guardians, Vayu is placed in this (brick), to it I resort, and may it be my protection and my refuge.

b With the bellowing, unwinking, conquering, Fighter, hard to overthrow, and daring Indra, With Indra do ye conquer, do ye withstand The foe, O heroes, with the strong one who holdeth the arrow in his hands. c He is mighty with those who have arrows in their hands and quivers, Indra who joineth hosts with his band, Conquering in combat, drinker of Soma, with many a band, With bow uplifted, and shooter with well-drawn arrows. d O Brhaspati, fly round with thy chariot [1], Slaying the foe, driving away the enemy; Defeating hosts, destroyer, victor in battle, Be thou protector of our chariots. e The cleaver of the cowstalls, finder of the cows, with the thunderbolt on his arm, Victorious, crushing in might a host, Be heroes, O my fellows, like him; O comrades, follow in Indra's footsteps. f Conspicuous by might, strong, heroic, Enduring, mighty, steadfast, dread, Surpassing heroes and warriors born of strength, Do thou, winning kine, mount, O Indra, thy victorious car. g In might penetrating the cowstalls, Impetuous [2], the hero, Indra, with wrath a hundredfold, Hard to resist, enduring in battle, unovercomable, May he aid our armies in the battles. h Indra (be) their leader, and let Brhaspati, The sacrificial fee, the sacrifice and Soma go before; Let the Maruts precede the hosts divine, That overthrow and conquer. i Of Indra, the strong, of Varuna, the king, Of the Adityas, of the Maruts the mighty host-- The voice hath ascended of the gods Great-hearted that shake the worlds as they conquer. k Ours (be) Indra, when the standards meet; Ours be the arrows that conquer [3]; Ours be the heroes who are victors, And us do ye aid, O gods, at our invocations. l Exalt our weapons, O bounteous one, Exalt the might of my warriors; Exalt the strength of the steed, O slayer of Vrtra, Let the sound of the conquering chariots arise. m Go ye forward, O heroes; conquer; Be your arms strong; May Indra accord you protection That ye may be unassailable.

k Enkindled, O Agni, shine before us, O most youthful, with unfailing beam; Ever upon thee strength awaiteth. I Let us pay homage to thee in thy highest birth, O Agni; Let us pay homage with praises in thy lower abode; The place of birth whence thou didst come, to that I offer; In thee when kindled they offered the oblations. m That various lovingkindness given to all men, Of Savitr the adorable, I choose, That mighty fat cow of his which Kanva milked, Streaming with a thousand (draughts) of milk [4]. n Seven are thy kindling-sticks, O Agni, seven thy tongues, Seven seers, seven dear abodes; Seven Hotras sevenfold sacrifice to thee Seven birthplaces with ghee do thou fill. o Such like, other like, thus like, similar, measured, commensurate, harmonious; p Of pure radiance, of varied radiance, of true radiance, the radiant, true, protector of holy order, beyond distress [5]; q Winning holy order, winning truth, host-conquering, having a good host, with within, with foes afar, the troop; r Holy order, true, secure, supporting, supporter, upholder, upholding; s Such like, thus like, do ye come to us, similar and equal. t Measured and commensurate, to aid us, harmonious, at this sacrifice, O Maruts. u On Indra attend the divine folk, the Maruts; even as the divine folk, the Maruts, attend on Indra, so may the folk divine and human, attend on this sacrificer. The Horse Sacrifice a As of a thunder-cloud is the face of the warrior As he advanceth to the lap of the battles; Be victorious with unpierced body; Let the might of thine armour protect thee. b By the bow cows, by the bow the contest may we win, By the bow dread battles may we win; The bow doth work displeasure to the foe; By the bow let us win in all the quarters. c As if about to speak it approacheth the ear, Embracing its dear comrade, Like a woman this bowstring twangeth stretched over the bow [1], Saving in the battle.

d They coming together as a maiden to the assembly, As a mother her child, shall bear (the arrow) in their lap; In unison shall they pierce the foes, These two ends springing asunder, the enemies. e Father of many (daughters), many his sons, He whizzeth as he goeth to battle, The quiver, slung on the back, yielding its content, Doth conquer every band and army. f Standing on the chariot be guideth his steeds before him Wheresoever he desireth, good charioteer; The might of the reins [2] do ye admire; The reins behind obey the mind (of the driver). g Shrilly the strong-hooved horses neigh, As with the cars they show their strength; Trampling with their forefeet the enemy They unflinchingly destroy the foe. h The chariot-bearer is his oblation by name, Where is deposited his armour and his weapon; Then may we sit on the strong car, All the days, with friendly hearts. i The fathers with pleasant seats, granting strength, A support in trouble mighty and profound, With varied hosts, with arrows to strengthen them, free, With real heroes, broad conquerors of hosts. k The Brahmans [3], the fathers worthy of the Soma, And sky and earth, unequalled be propitious to us; May Pusan guard us from misfortune, us that prosper holy order Do thou guard; may no foe overpower us. I A feather her garment, a deer her tooth, Tied with cowhide she flieth shot forth; Where men run together and apart, There may the arrows accord us protection. m O thou of straight path, avoid us; Be our body as of stone May Soma favour us, And Aditi [4] grant protection! n Their backs it smites, Their thighs it belabours; O horse-whip, do ye stimulate The skilled horses in the battles. o Like a snake with its coils it encircleth his arm, Fending off the friction of the bowstring, Let the hand-guard, knowing all cunning, Manfully guard the man on all sides.

Thou art the helper, the worshipper, blow over me with healing, with wonder-working; hail! a Agni I yoke with glory, with ghee, The bird divine mighty in strength; Therewith may we fly to the expanse of the ruddy one, Mounting the heaven above the highest vault. b These are wings unaging of thee, the winged, Wherewith thou dost smite away the Raksases, O Agni; With these may we fly to the world of good men, Where are the seers, the first-born, those of yore. c Thou art piling, born of the ocean, the drop, The skilled one, the eagle, the righteous, The golden-winged busy bird, mighty, That hath sat down firmly in its place [1]. d Homage be to thee; harm me not, Thou dost stand resting on the head of all; Within the ocean is thy heart, thy life; Sky and earth are placed on the worlds. e Give of the water, cleave the holder of the water; from the sky, from Parjanya, from the atmosphere, from the earth, thence do ye help us with rain; thou art the head of the sky, the navel of earth, the strength of waters and plants, protection of all life, extending; homage to the way! f With that devotion wherewith the seers performed the session of sacrifice [2], Kindling Agni, bearing aloft the heaven, I set on this vault that Agni Whom men call him for whom the spread is strewed. g Him with our wives let us pursue, O gods, With our sons, our brothers, or by gold, Seizing the vault in the world of good action, Above the third firmament, in the light of the sky. h To the middle of speech hath the busy one arisen, Agni here, lord of the good, the wise; Established on the back of the earth, the radiant one, He casteth beneath his feet [3] the combatants. i Let Agni here, the most manly, strength-bestowing, Of a thousand shapes, shine unwearying, Radiant in the midst of the ocean; Do ye approach the abodes divine. k Move ye forward, go ye long together; Make ye the paths gods travelled, O Agni; In this highest abode O All-gods, sit ye with the sacrificer.

There are seven; the Maruts are in seven troops; verily in troops he wins the people for him; running over troop by troop he offers; verily he makes the people obedient to him. He offers the stream of wealth; 'May a stream of wealth be mine', (with this hope) is the offering made; this stream of ghee waits upon him in yonder world, swelling up. He offers with butter; butter is brilliance, the stream of wealth is brilliance; verily by brilliance he wins brilliance for him. Again the stream of wealth is desires; verily he wins desires. If he desire of a man, 'May I separate his breaths and his eating of food' [1], he should offer separately for him; verily he separates his breaths and his eating of food; if he desire of a man, 'May I continue his breaths and his eating of food', he should offer for him in a continuous stream; verily he continues his breaths and his eating of food. Twelve sets of twelve he offers; the year has twelve months; verily by the year he wins food for him. 'May for me food, for me freedom from hunger', he says; that [2] is the form of food; verily he wins food. 'May for me fire, for me the waters', be says; this is the birthplace of food; verily he wins food with its birthplace. He offers those where Indra, is half; verily he wins the deities; since Indra is half of all and a match, therefore Indra is the most appropriating of gods; he says Indra later; verily he places strength in him at the top. He offers the weapons of the sacrifice; the weapons of the sacrifice are the sacrifice [3]; verily he wins the sacrifice. Again this is the form of the sacrifice; verily he wins the sacrifice by its form. 'May for me the final bath and the cry of Godspeed!' he says, to utter Godspeed! 'May the fire for me, the cauldron', he says; that is the form of splendour; verily by the form he wins splendour. 'May the Rc for me, the Saman', he says [4]; that is the form of the metres; verily by the form he wins the metres.

As men being freed from bonds cry aloud, so the sacrificers freed from the bonds of the gods cry aloud, placing food and strength in themselves. The lute has a hundred strings. Man is of a hundred (years) of age, and of a hundredfold strength; verily they find support in age and strength. They run a race, to win what has not yet been won. They beat drums; the voice of the drum is the highest (form of) speech; verily they win the highest (form of) speech. They beat the earth-drum; verily they win that speech which has entered this (earth); verily also they conquer the earth. All (forms of) speech they utter, to gain all (forms of speech). Two strive on a dry hide, to gain strength. One reviles, another extols. He who reviles purifies them, he who extols places food in them after they are purified. They win by the first months what is done by the Rsis and by the gods; in that the Bhutechad Samans are used, both are gained. Those who perform the year rite lose their virility. There are a pair united within the sacrificial ground; verily they lose not virility. vii. 5. 10. They pierce the hide; verily they remove the sin of the (sacrificers). 'Do not miss, do not pierce through', he says; verily they now remove their sin. Slave girls dance round the Marjaliya fire with water-pots on their heads, beating the ground with their feet, and singing 'This is honey.' Honey indeed is the chiefest food of the gods; verily they win the chiefest food. They beat the ground with their feet; verily they endow the (sacrificers) with might. The Horse Sacrifice (continued) vii. 5. 11. To earth hail! To the atmosphere hail! To the sky hail! To that which will stream together hail! To that which is streaming together hail! To that which hath streamed together hail! To that which will cloud hail! To that which cloudeth hail! To that which hath been clouded hail! To cloud hail! To mist hail! To storm hail! To freezing hail! To springing hail! To that which will lighten hail!