Sama Veda on Family

1. Run onward to the reservoir and seat thee: cleansed by the men speed forward to the battle! Making thee glossy like an able courser, forth to the sacred grass with reins they lead thee. 2. The God declares the deities' generations, like Uaana, proclaiming lofty wisdom. With brilliant kin, far-ruling, sanctifying, the wild boar, singing with his foot, advances. 3. Three are the voices that the car-steed utters: he speaks the lore of prayer, the thought of Order. To the cows' master come the cows inquiring: the hymns with eager longing come to Soma. 4. Made pure by this man's urgent zeal and impulse, the God hath with his juice the Gods pervaded. Pressed, singing, to the sieve he goes, as passes the Hotar to enclosures holding cattle. 5. Father of holy hymns Soma flows onward, the father of the earth, father of heaven; Father of Agni, Surya's generator, the father who begat Indra and Vishnu 6. To him, praiseworthy, sacred tones have sounded, Steer of the triple height, the life-bestower. Dwelling in wood, like Varuna, a river, lavishing treasure, he distributes blessings. 7. Guard of all being, generating creatures, loud roared the sea as highest law commanded. Strong, in the filter, on the fleecy summit, pressed from the stone, Soma hath waxen mighty. 8. Loud neighs the tawny steed when started, settling deep in the wooden vessel while they cleanse him. Led by the men he makes the milk his raiment; then shall he, of himself, engender worship. 9. This thine own Soma, rich in meath, O Indra, the Strong, hath flowed into the Strong One's filter. The swift steed, bounteous, giving hundreds, thousands, hath reached the sacred grass which never fails him. 10. Flow onward, Soma, rich in meath, and holy, enrobed in waters, on the fleecy summit! Settle in vessels that are full of fatness, as cheering and most gladdening drink for Indra!

and heaven, So as the mighty one, great King of all the mighty race of men, the Goddess mother brought thee forth, the blessed mother gave thee life. 11. Sing, with oblation, praise to him who maketh glad, who with. Rijisvan drove the dusky brood away! Let us, desiring help, call him for friendship, him the strong, the Marut-girt, whose right hand wields the bolt!

1. Indra whose jaws are strong hath drunk of worshipping Sudaksha's draught, The Soma juice with barley brew. 2. O Lord of ample wealth, these songs of praise have called aloud to thee, Like milch-kine lowing to their calves! 3. Then straight they recognized the mystic name of the creative Steer, There in the mansion of the Moon. 4. When Indra, strongest hero, brought the streams, the mighty waters down, Pushan was standing by his side. 5. The Cow, the streaming mother of the liberal Maruts, pours her milk, Harnessed to draw their chariots on. 6. Come, Lord of rapturous joys, to our libation with thy bay steeds, come With bay steeds to the flowing juice 7. Presented strengthening gifts have sent Indra away at sacrifice, With night, unto the cleansing bath. 8. I from my Father have received deep knowledge of eternal Law: I was born like unto the Sun. 9. With Indra splendid feasts be ours, rich in all strengthening things, wherewith, Wealthy in food, we may rejoice 10. Soma and Pushan, kind to him who travels to the Gods, provide Dwellings all happy and secure.

1. Call to your aid the eternal one who shoots and none may shoot at him, Inciter, swift, victorious, best of charioteers, unconquered, Tugriya's strengthener! 2. Let none, no, not thy worshippers, delay thee far away from us Even from faraway come thou unto our feast, or listen if' already here! 3. For Indra Soma-drinker, armed with thunder, press the Soma juice; Make ready your dressed meats: cause him to favour us! The giver blesses him who gives. 4. We call upon that Indra who, most active, ever slays the foe With boundless spirit, Lord of heroes, manliest one, help thou and prosper us in fight! 5. Ye rich in strength, through your great power vouchsafe us blessings day and night! The offerings which we bring to you shall never fail gifts brought by us shall never fail. 6. Whenever mortal worshipper will sing a bounteous giver's praise, Let him with song inspired laud Varuna who supports the folk who follow varied rites. 7. Drink milk to Indra in the joy of Soma juice, Medhyatithi! To golden Indra ever close to his bay steeds, the thunder-armed, the golden one! 8. Both boons,-may Indra, hitherward turned listen to this prayer of ours, And mightiest Maghavar, with thought inclined to us come near to drink the Soma juice! 9. Not for an ample price dost thou, Stone-caster! give thyself away, Not for a thousand, Thunderer! nor ten thousand, nor a hundred, Lord of countless wealth! 10. O Indra, thou art more to me than sire or niggard brother is. Thou and my mother, O good Lord, appear alike, to give me wealth abundantly.

1. With this mine homage I invoke Agni for you, the Son of Strength, Dear, wisest envoy, skilled in noble sacrifice, immortal messenger of all. 2. Thou liest in the logs that are thy mothers: mortals kindle thee. Alert thou bearest off the sacrifleer's gift, and then thou shinest to the Gods. 3. He hath appeared, best prosperer, in whom men lay their holy acts: So may our songs of praise come nigh to Agni who was born to give the Arya strength! 4. Chief Priest is Agni at the laud, as stones and grass at sacrifice. Gods! Maruts! Brahmanaspati! I crave with song the help that is most excellent. 5. Pray Agni of the piercing flame, with sacred songs, to be our help; For wealth, famed Agni, Purumilha and ye men! He is Suditi's sure defence. 6. Hear, Agni who hast ears to hear, with all thy train of escort Gods! With those who come at dawn let Mitra, Aryaman sit on the grass at sacrifice. 7. Agni of Divodasa, God, comes forth like Indra in his might. Rapidly hath he moved along his mother earth: he stands in high heaven's dwelling-place. 8. Whether thou come from earth or from the lofty lucid realm of heaven, Wax stronger in thy body through my song of praise: fill full all creatures, O most wise! 9. If, loving well the forests, thou wentest to thy maternal floods, Not to be scorned, Agni, is that return of thine when, from afar, thou now art here. 10. O Agni, Manu stablished thee a light for all the race of men: With Kanva hast thou blazed, Law-born and waxen strong, thou whom the people reverence.

1. Observant Agni hath appeared, oblation-bearer with his car. 2. O Agni, be our nearest friend, yea, our protector and our kind deliverer! 3. Like wondrous Bhaga, Agni deals treasure among the mighty. 4. Far off or present even now, send forth thy shouting first of all! 5. Dawn drives away her sister's gloom, and through her excellence makes her retrace her path. 6. May we, with Indra and the Gods to aid us, bring these existing worlds to full completion! 7. Like streams of water on their way, let bounties, Indra, flow from thee! 8. With this may we obtain strength god-appointed, happy with brave sons through a hundred winters! 9. With strength let Mitra, Varuna swell oblations; do thou prepare for us rich food, O Indra! 10. Indra is King of all the world.

1. O Agni, God, the people sing reverent praise to thee for strength: With terrors trouble thou the foe 2. I seek with song your messenger, oblation-bearer, lord of wealth, Immortal, best at sacrifice. 3. Still turning to their aim in thee the sacrificer's sister hymns Have come to thee before the wind. 4. To thee, illuminer of night, O Agni, day by day with prayer, Bringing thee reverence, we come. 5. Help, thou who knowest lauds, this work, a lovely hymn in Rudra's praise, Adorable in every house! 6. To this fair sacrifice to drink the milky draught art thou called forth: O Agni, with the Maruts come! 7. With homage will I reverence thee, Agni, like a long-tailed steed, Imperial lord of holy rites. 8. As Aurva and as Bhrigu called, as Apnavana called, I call The radiant Agni robed with sea. 9. When he enkindles Agni, man should with his heart attend the song: I kindle Agni till he glows. 10. Then, verily, they see the light refulgent of primeval seed, Kindled on yonder side of heaven.

1. Bring forth oblations to the God who knoweth all who fain would drink, The wanderer, lagging not behind the hero, coming nigh with speed! 2. To us the mighty, lying in all vital power, who resteth in the deep, who standeth in the east. Drive thou the awful word away. 3. 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. 4. With powers of mighty ones hath he, the friend, the ancient, been equipped, Through whom our father Manu made prayers efficacious with the Gods. 5. What time the swift and shining steeds, yoked to the chariots, draw them on, Drinking the sweet delightful juice, there men perform their glorious acts. 6. Him for your sake I glorify as Lord of Strength who wrongeth none, Indra the hero, mightiest, all-conquering and omniscient. 7. I with my praise have glorified strong Dadhikravan, conquering steed Sweet may he make our mouths: may he prolong the days we have to live! 8. Render of forts, the young, the wise, of strength unmeasured, was he born, Sustainer of each sacred rite, Indra, the Thunderer, much-extolled.

1. Agni, thy faithful servant I call upon thee with many a gift, As in the keeping of the great inciting God. 2. To Agni, to the Hotar-priest offer your best, your lofty speech, To him ordainer-like who bears the light of songs. 3. O Agni, thou who art the lord of wealth in kine, thou Son of Strength, Bestow on us, O Jatavedas, high renown 4. Most skilled in sacrifice, bring the Gods, O Agni, to the pious, man: A joyful Priest, thy splendour drives our foes afar 5. Taught by seven mothers at his birth was he, for glory of the wise. He, firm and sure, hath set his mind on glorious wealth 6. And in the day our prayer is this: May Aditi come nigh to help, With loving-kindness bring us weal and chase our foes 7. Worship thou Jatavedas, pray to him who willingly accepts, Whose smoke wanders at will, and none may grasp his flame 8. No mortal man can e'er prevail by arts of magic over him Who hath served Agni well, the oblation-giving God. 9. Agni, drive thou the wicked foe, the evil-hearted thief away, Far, far, Lord of the brave! and give us easy paths! 10. O hero Agni, Lord of men, on hearing this new laud of mine Burn down the Rakshasas, enchanters, with thy flame!

1. For first possession of your juice. for the exhilarating drink, Drive ye away the dog, my friends, drive ye the long-tongued dog away! 2. As Pushan. Fortune, Bhaga, comes this Soma while they make him pure. He, Lord of all the multitude, hath looked upon the earth and heaven. 3. The Somas, very rich in sweets, for which the sieve is destined,. flow Effused, the source of Indra's joy: may your strong juices reach the Gods! 4. For us the Soma juices flow, the drops best furtherers of weal, Effused as friends, without a spot, benevolent, finders of the. light. 5. Stream on us riches that are craved by hundreds, best at winning spoil, Riches, O Indu, thousandfold, most splendid, that surpass the light! 6. The guileless ones are singing praise to Indra's well-beloved friend, As, in the morning of its life, the mothers lick the new-born calf. 7. They for the bold and lovely one ply manly vigour like a bow; Bright, glad, in front of songs they spread to form a vesture for the Lord. 8. Him with ths fleece they purify, brown, golden-hued, beloved of all, Who with exhilarating juice goes forth to all the deities. 9. Let him, as mortal, crave this speech, for him who presses, of the juice, As Bhrigu's sons chased Makha, so drive ye the niggard hound away!

1. Bring us most mighty splendour thou, Agni, resistless on thy way: Prepare for us the path that leads to glorious opulence and strength! 2. May the brave man, if full of zeal he serve and kindle Agni's flame, Duly presenting sacred gifts, enjoy the Gods' protecting help. 3. Thy bright smoke lifts itself aloft, and far-extended shines in heaven, For, Purifier! like the Sun thou beamest with thy radiant glow. 4. Thou, Agni, even as Mitra, hast a princely glory of thine own. Bright, active God, thou makest fame increase like means of nourishment. 5. At dawn let Agni, much-beloved, guest of the house, be glorified, In whom, the everlasting one, all mortals make their offerings blaze. 6. Most moving song be Agni's: shine on high, O rich in radiant light! Like the chief consort of a King riches and strength proceed from thee. 7. Exerting all our strength with thoughts of power we glorify in speech Agni your dear familiar friend, the darling guest in every house. 8. His beam hath lofty power of life: sing praise to Agni, to the God Whom men have set in foremost place, like Mitra for their eulogy! 9. To noblest Agni, friend of man, chief Vritra-slayer, have we come- Who with Srutarvan, Riksha's son, in lofty presence is inflamed. 10. Born as the loftiest Law commands, comrade of those who grew with him. Agni, the sire of Kasyapa by faith, the mother, Manu, Sage.

1. This vigorous one whom deities commission, the conqueror of cars, the strong and mighty, Swift, fleet to battle, with uninjured fellies, even Tarkshya for our weal will we call hither. 2. Indra the rescuer, Indra the helper, hero who listens at each invocation, Sakra I call, Indra invoked of many. May Indra Maghavan accept our presents! 3. Indra whose right hand wields the bolt we worship, driver of bay steeds seeking sundered courses. Shaking his beard with might he hath arisen, terrible with his weapons, with his bounty. 4. The ever-slaying, bold and furious Indra, the bright bolt's Lord, the strong, the great, the boundless, Who slayeth Vritra and acquireth booty, giver of blessings, Maghavan the bounteous. 5. The man who lies in wait and fights against us, deeming himself a giant or a hero,-- By battle or with strength destroy him, Indra! With thy help, manly-souled! may we be victors! 6. He whom men call when striving with their foemen, or speeding onward in array of battle, Whom bards incite where heroes win the booty, or in the way to waters, He is Indra. 7. On a high car, O Parvata and Indra, bring pleasant viands, with brave heroes, hither! Enjoy our presents, Gods, at sacrifices: wax strong by hymns, rejoice in our oblation! 8. In ceaseless flow hath he poured forth his praises, as waters from the ocean's depth, to Indra, Who to his car on both its sides securely hath fixed the earth and heaven as with an axle. 9. May our friends turn thee hitherward to friendship! Mayst thou approach us even o'er many rivers! May the Disposer, radiant in this mansion with special lustre, bring the father's offspring! 10. Who yokes to-day unto the pole of Order the strong and passionate steers of checkless spirit, Health-bringing, bearing in their mouths no fodder? Long shall he live who richly pays their service.

1. Present oblations, make him splendid: set ye as Hotar in his place the Home's Lord, worshipped With gifts and homage where they pour libations! Honour him meet for reverence in our houses. 2. Verily wondrous is the tender youngling's growth who never draweth nigh to drink his mother's milk. As soon as she who hath no udder bore him, he, faring on his. great errand, suddenly grew strong. 3. Here is one light for thee, another yonder: enter the third and, be therewith united. Beautiful be thy union with the body, beloved in the Gods' sublimest birthplace! 4. For Jatavedas, worthy of our praise, will we frame with our mind this eulogy as 'twere a car; For good, in his assembly, is this care of ours. Let us not, in thy friendship, Agni, suffer harm! 5. Agni Vaisvanara, born in course of Order, the messenger of earth, the head of heaven, The Sage, the sovran, guest of men, our vessel fit for their mouth, the Gods have generated. 6. Even as the waters from the mountain ridges, so sprang the; Gods, through lauds, from thee, O To thee speed hymns and eulogies, as horses haste, bearing him who loves the song, to battle. 7. Win to protect you, Rudra, lord of worship, priest of both worlds, effectual sacrificer, Agni, invested with his golden colours, before the thunder strike and lay you senseless! 8. The King whose face is decked with oil is kindled with homage offered by his faithful servant. The men, the priests adore him with oblations. Agni hath shone forth at the flush of morning. 9. Agni advanceth with his lofty banner: through earth and heaven the Bull hath loudly bellowed He hath come nigh from the sky's farthest limit: the Steer hath waxen in the waters' bosom. 10. From the two fire-sticks have the men engendered with thoughts, urged by the hand, the glorious Agni, Far-seen, with pointed flame, Lord of the Homestead.

1. Him have I magnified, our Lord in common, guardian of your folk, Discloser of great wealth in kine. 2. Songs have outpoured themselves to thee, Indra, the strong, the guardian Lord, And with one will have risen to thee! 3. Good guidance hath the mortal man whom Arya-man, the Marut host, And Mitras, void of guile, protect. 4. Bring us the wealth for which we long, O Indra, that which is concealed In strong firm place precipitous. 5. Him your best Vritra-slayer, him the famous champion of mankind I urge to great munificence. 6. Indra, may we adorn thy fame, fame of one like thee, hero! deck, Sakra! thy fame at highest feast! 7. Indra, accept at break of day our Soma mixt with roasted corn, With groats, with cake, with eulogies! 8. With waters' foam thou torest off, Indra, the head of Namuchi, When thou o'ercamest all the foes. 9. Thine are these Soma juices, thine, Indra, those still to be expressed: Enjoy them, Lord of princely wealth! 10. For thee, O Indra, Lord of light, Somas are pressed and grass is strewn: Be gracious to thy worshippers! 1. We seeking strength, with Soma drops fill full your Indra like a well, Most liberal, Lord of boundless might. 2. O Indra, even from that place come unto us with food that gives A hundred, yea, a thousand powers! 3. The new-born Vritra-slayer asked his mother, as he seized his shaft, Who are the, fierce and famous ones? 4. Let us call him to aid whose hands stretch far, the highly-lauded, who Fulfils the work to favour us 5. Mitra who knoweth leadeth us, and Varuna who guideth straight, And Aryaman in accord with Gods. 6. When, even as she were present here, red Dawn hath shone from far away, She spreadeth light on every side. 7. Varuna, Mitra, sapient pair, pour fatness on our pastures, pour Meath on the regions of the air! 8. And, at our sacrifices, these, sons, singers, have enlarged their bounds, So that the cows must walk knee-deep. 9.

1. Flow forth, O Soma, flow thou onward, sweet to Indra's Mitra's, Pushan's, Bhaga's taste. 2. Run forth to battle, conquering the Vritras; thou speedest to quell the foes like one exacting debts. 3. Flow onward, Soma, as a mighty sea, as Father of the Gods, to every form. 4. Flow onward, Soma, flow for mighty strength, as a strong courser, bathed, to win the prize. 5. Fair Indu hath flowed on for rapturous joy, sage, for good fortune, in the waters' lap. 6. In thee, effused. O Soma, we rejoice ourselves for great supremacy in fight: Thou, Pavamana, enterest into mighty deeds. 7. Who are these radiant men in serried rank, Rudra's young heroes, too, with noble steeds? 8. Agni, with hymns may we now accomplish that which thou lovest, Strength, like a horse, auspicious strength with service. 9. The strong youths have come forth to view, to show their strength, God Savitar's quickening energy: Ye warrior horsemen, win the heavens. 10. Soma, flow splendid with thy copious stream in due succession through the ample fleece. DECADE I. Indra 1. Giver from all sides, bring to us from every side, thou whom as strongest we entreat! 2. This Brahman, comer at due time, named Indra, is renowned and praised. 3. The Brahmans with their hymns exalting Indra increased his strength that he might slaughter 4. Anavas wrought a chariot for thy courser, and Tvashtar, much-invoked! the bolt that gitters: 5. Rest, wealth to him who longs for wealth! the riteless stirs not his love nor wins his way to riches. 6. The cows are ever pure and all-supporting, the Gods are ever free from stain and blemish. 7. With all thy beauty come! The kine approaching with full udders follow on thy path. 8. May we, inhabiting a meath-rich dwelling, increase our wealth, and think of thee, O Indra! 9. The Maruts with fair hymns chant out their praise-song: this Indra, famed and youthful, shouts accordant. 10. Sing to your Indra, mightiest Vritra-slayer, sing to the Sage the song that he accepteth!

1. In forefront of the cars forth goes the hero, the leader, seeking spoil: his host rejoices. Soma endues his robe of lasting colours, and blesses, for his friends, their calls on Indra. 2. Thy streams have been poured forth with all their sweetness, when, cleansed thou passest through the woollen filter. The race of kine thou cleansest, Pavamana! Thou didst beget: and speed the Sun with splendours. 3. Let us sing praises to the Gods: sing loudly, send ye the Soma forth for mighty riches! Let him flow, sweetly-flavoured, through the filter: let the God Indu settle in the beaker! 4. Urged on, the father of the earth and heaven hath gone forth like a car to gather booty. Going to Indra, sharpening his weapons, and in his hands containing every treasure. 5. When, by the law of the Most High, in presence of heaven and earth, the fond mind's utterance formed him. Then, loudly lowing, came the cows to Indu, the chosen, wellloved master in the beaker. 6. Ten sisters, pouring out the rain together, the sage's quickly-moving thoughts, adorn him. Hither hath run the gold-hued child of Surya, and reached the vat like a fleet vigorous courser. 7. When beauties strive for him as for a charger, then strive the songs as people for the sunlight. A mighty Sage, he flows enrobed in waters and hymns as 'twree a stall that kine may prosper. 8. Strong Indu, bathed in milk, flows on for Indra, Soma exciting, strength, for his carousal. He quells malignity and slays the demons, King of the homestead, he who gives us comfort. 9. Pour forth this wealth with this purification: flow onward to the yellow lake, O Indu! Here, too, the bright one, wind-swift, full of wisdom, shall give a son to him who cometh quickly. 10. Soma, the mighty, when, the waters' offspring, he chose the Gods, performed that great achievement. He, Pavamana, granted strength to Indra: he, Indu, generated light in Surya. 11. As for a chariot-race, the skilful speaker, first hymn, inventor, hath with song been started.

What mortal man, O Asvins, glows with zeal for you, Urging you with the crushing stone and with the stalk of Soma thus or otherwise? 4. This sweetest Soma juice hath been expressed for you at morning rites. Asvins, drink this prepared ere yesterday and give treasures to him who offers it! 5. Let me not, still beseeching thee with might and sound of Soma drops, Anger at sacrifice a fierce wild creature! Who would not beseech the almighty one! 6. Adhvaryu, let the Soma flow, for Indra longs to drink thereof. He even now hath yoked his vigorous bay steeds: the Vritraslayer hath come nigh. 7. Bring thou all this unto the good, O Indra, to the old and young! For, Maghavan, thou art rich in treasures from of old, to be invoked in every fight. 8. 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. 9. Thou in thy battles, Indra, art subduer of all hostile bands. Father art thou, all-conquering, cancelling the curse, thou victor of the vanquisher! 10. For in thy might thou stretchest out beyond the mansions of the sky. The earthly region, Indra, comprehends thee not. Thou hast waxed mighty over all. DECADE III 1. Pressed is the juice divine with milk commingled: thereto hath Indra ever been accustomed. We wake thee, Lord of bays, with sacrifices: mark this our laud in the wild joys of Soma! 2. A home is made for thee to dwell in, Indra: O much-invoked one, with the men go thither! Thou, that thou mayest guard us and increase us, givest us wealth and joyest in the Somas. 3. The well thou clavest, settest free the fountains, and gavest rest to floods that were obstructed. Thou, Indra, laying the great mountain open, slaying the Ddnava, didst loose the torrents. 4. When we have pressed the juice we laud thee, Indra, most valorous! even about to win the booty. Bring us prosperity, and by thy great wisdom, under thine own protection, may we conquer! 5.