Sama Veda on Meditation

1. The tawny Bull hath bellowed, fair as mighty Mitra to behold: he gleams and flashes with the 2. We choose to-day that chariot-steed of thine, the strong, that brings us bliss, the guardian, the desire of all. 3. Adhvaryu, to the filter lead the Soma juice expressed with stones: make thou it pure for Indra's drink. 4. Swift runs this giver of delight, even the stream of flowingjuice: Swift runs this giver of delight. 5. Pour hitherward, O Soma, wealth in thousands and heroic strength, and keep renown secure for us! -6. The ancient living ones have come unto a newer resting-place. They made the Sun that he might shine. 7. Soma, flow on exceeding bright with loud roar to the reservoirs, resting in wooden vats, thy 8. O Soma, thou, art strong and bright, potent, O God, with potent sway: thou, mighty one, ordainest laws. 9. For food, flow onward with thy stream, cleansed and made bright by sapient men: Indu. with sheen approach the milk! 10. Soma, flow on with pleasant stream, strong and devoted to the Gods, our friend, unto the woollen sieve. 11. By this solemnity, Soma, thou, though great, hast been increased: in joy thou, verily actest like a bull! 12. Most active and benevolent, this Pavamana sent to us for lofty friendship meditates. 13. Indu, to us for this great rite, bearing as 'twere thy wave to Gods, unwearied, thou art flowing 14. Chasing our foemen, driving off the godless, Soma floweth on, going to Indra's settled place.

1. Sing to your Agni with each song, at every sacrifice for strength. Come, let us praise the wise and, everlasting God even as a well-beloved friend, 2. Agni, protect thou us by one, protect us by the second song, Protect us by three hymns, O Lord of power and might, bright God, by four hymns guard us 3. O Agni, with thy lofty beams, with thy pure brilliancy, O God, Kindled, most youthful one! by Bharadvaja's hand, shine on us richly, holy Lord! 4. O Agni who art worshipped well, dear let our princes be to thee, Our wealthy patrons who are governors of men, who part, as gifts, the stall of kine! 5. Agni, praise-singer! Lord of men, God! burning up the Rakshasas, Mighty art thou, the ever-present, household-lord! home-friend and guardian from the sky. 6. 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! 7. Wonderful, with thy favouring help, send us thy bounties, gracious Lord. Thou art the charioteer, Agni, of earthly wealth: find rest and safety for our seed! 8. Famed art thou, Agni, far and wide, preserver, righteous, and a Sage. The holy singers, O enkindled radiant one, ordainers, call on thee to come. 9. O holy Agni, give us wealth famed among men and strengthening life! Bestow on us, O helper, that which many crave, more glorious still through righteousness! 10. To him, who dealeth out all wealth, the sweet-toned Hotar-priest of men, To him like the first vessels filled with savoury juice, to Agni let the lauds go forth.

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. 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. Sing forth to him the holy, most munificent, sublime with his refulgent glow, To Agni, ye Upastutas 2. Agni, he conquers by thine aid that brings him store of valiant sons and does great deeds, Whose bond of friendship is thy choice 3. Sing praise to him the Lord of light! The Gods have made the God to be their messenger, To bear oblation to the Gods. 4. Anger not him who is our guest! He is the bright God Agni, praised by many a man, God Hotar, skilled in sacrifice. 5. May Agni, worshipped, bring us bliss: may the gift, blessed one! and sacrifice bring bliss. Yea, may our eulogies bring bliss. 6. Thee have we chosen skilfullest in sacrifice, immortal Priest among the Gods, Wise finisher of this holy rite. 7. Bring us that splendour, Agni, which may overcome each greedy fiend in our abode, And the malicious wrath of men! 8. Soon as the eager Lord of men is friendly unto Manu's race Agni averteth from us all the Rakshasas!

1. Pass by the wrathful offerer; speed the man who pours libation, drink The juice which he presents to thee! 2. What is the word addressed to him, God great and excellently wise? For this is what exalteth him. 3, His wealth who hath no store of kine hath ne'er found out recited laud, Nor song of praises that is sung. 4. Lord of each thing that giveth strength, Indra delighteth most in lauds, Borne by bay steeds, libations' friend. 5. With wealth to our libation come, be not thou angry with us, like A great man with a youthful bride. 6. When, Vasu, wilt thou love the laud? Now let the Channel bring the stream. The juice is ready to ferment. 7. After the Seasons. Indra, drink the Soma from the Brahman's gift: Thy friendship is invincible! S. O Indra, lover of the song, we are the singers of thy praise O Soma-drinker, quicken us! 9. O Indra, in each fight and fray give to our bodies manly strength: Strong Lord, grant ever-conquering might! 10. For so thou art the brave man's friend; a hero, too, art thou, and strong: So may thine heart be won to us!

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.

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.

I. When Somas flow thou makest pure, Indra, thy mind that merits laud For gain of strength that ever grows: for great is he. 2. Sing forth to him whom many men invoke, to him whom many laud: Invite the potent Indra with your songs of praise 3. We sing this strong and wild delight of thine which conquer; in the fray, Which, Caster of the Stone! gives room and shines like gold, 4. Whether thou drink the Soma by Vishnu's or Trita Aptya's side, Or with the Maruts, Indra! quaff the following drops. 5. Come, priest, and of the savoury juice pour forth a yet more gladdening draught: So is the hero praised who ever prospers us. 6. Pour out the drops for Indra; let him drink the meath of Soma juice! He through his majesty sends forth his bounteous gifts. 7. Come, sing we praise to Indra, friends! the hero who deserves the laud, Him who with none to aid o'ercomes all tribes of men. 8. Sing ye a psalm to Indra, sing a great song to the lofty Sage, To him who maketh prayer, inspired who loveth laud! 9. He who alone bestoweth wealth on mortal man who offereth gifts Is Indra only, potent Lord whom none resist. 10. Companions, let us learn a prayer to Indra, to the Thunderer, To glorify your bold and most heroic friend!

1. The juice of Soma thus diffused, sweet to the taste the bright cows drink, Who travelling in splendour close to mighty Indra's side rejoice, good in their own supremacy. 2. Thus hath the Soma, gladdening draught, produced the prayer that giveth joy: Thou, mightiest, Thunder-armed, hast driven by force the Dragon from the earth, lauding thine own supremacy. 3. By men hath Indra been advanced, the Vritra-slayer, to joy and strength. Him only we invoke for help in battles whether great or small: be he our aid in deeds of might! 4. Unconquered strength is only thine, Indra, Stonecaster, Thunder-armed! When thou with thy surpassing power smotest to death that guileful beast, lauding thine own supremacy. 5. Go forward, meet the foe, be bold; thy bolt of thunder is not checked! Manliness, Indra, is thy strength. Slay Vritra, make the waters thine, lauding thine own supremacy! 6. When war and battles are on foot, booty is offered to the bold. Yoke thou thy wildly-rushing bays. Whom wilt thou slay, and whom enrich? Do thou, O Indra, make us rich! 7. Wcll have they eaten and rejoiced; the friends have risen and passed away: The sages luminous in themselves have praised thee with their latest hymn. Now, Indra, yoke thy two bay steeds! 8. Graciously listen to our songs. Maghavan, be not negligent! When wilt thou make us glorious? Make this, only this thine end and aim. Now, Indra! yoke thy two bay steeds. 9. Within the waters runs the Moon, he with the beauteous wings in heaven. Ye lightnings with your golden wheels, men find not your abiding-place. Mark this my woe, ye Earth and Sky! 10. To meet your treasure-bringing car, the mighty car most dear to us. Asvins, the Rishi is prepared, your worshipper, with songs of praise. Lovers of sweetness, hear my call!

1. O Agni, God, we kindle thee, refulgent, wasting not away, That this more glorious fuel may send forth for thee its shine to heaven. Bring food to those who sing thy praise! 2. With offerings of our own we choose thee, Agni, as our Hotar priest, Piercing and brightly shining-at your glad carouse-served with trimmed grass at sacrifice. Thou waxest great. 3. O heavenly Dawn, awaken us to ample opulence to-day, Even as thou didst waken us with Satyasravas, Vayya's son, high born! delightful with thy steeds! 4. Send us a mind that brings delight, send energy and mental power. Then-at your glad carouse-let men joy in thy love, sweet juice! as kine in pasturage. Thou waxest great, 5. Great, as his nature is, through power, terrible, he hath waxed in strength, Lord of bay steeds, strong-jawed, sublime, he in joined hands for glory's sake hath grasped his iron thunderbolt. 6. He, Indra, verily will mount the powerful car that finds the kine, Who thinks upon the well-filled bowl, the tawny coursers' harnesser. Now, Indra, yoke thy two bay steeds! 7. 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! 8. No peril, no severe distress, ye Gods, affects the mortal man Whom Aryaman and Mitra lead, and Varuna, of one accord, beyond his foes.

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.

1. Graciously-minded he is flowing on his way to win dear names o'er which the youthful one grows great. The mighty and far-seeing one hath mounted now the mighty Surya's car which moves to every 2. Spontaneous let our drops of Soma juice flow on, pressed out and tawny-coloured, mightily, to the Gods! Still let our enemies, the godless, be in want, though filled with food; and let our prayers obtain success! 3. Most beauteous of the beauteous, Indra's thunderbolt, this Soma, rich in sweets, hath clamoured in the vat. Dropping with oil, abundant, streams of sacrifice flow unto him, and milch-kine, lowing, with their milk. 4. Indu hath started forth for Indra's settled place, and slights not, as a friend, the promise of his friend. Soma comes onward like a youth with youthful maids, and gains the beaker by a course of hundred paths. 5. On flows the potent juice, sustainer of the heavens; the strength of Gods, whom men must hail with shouts of joy. Thou, gold-hued, started like a courser by brave men, art lightly showing forth thy splendour in the streams. 6. Far-seeing Soma flows, the Steer, the Lord of hymns, the furtherer of days, of mornings, and of heaven. Breath of the rivers, he hath roared into the jars, and with the help of sages entered Indra's heart. 7. The three-times seven milch-kine in the loftiest heaven have for this Soma poured the genuine milky draught. Four other beauteous creatures hath he made for his adornment when he waxed in strength through holy rites. 8. Flow on to indra, Soma, carefully effused: let sickness stay afar together with the fiend! Let not the double-tongued delight them with thy juice: here be thy flowing drops laden with opulence! 9. Even as a King hath Soma, red and tawny Bull, been pressed: the wondrous one hath bellowed to the kine. While purified thou passest through the filtering fleece to seat thee hawk-like on the place that drops with oil. 10.

1. To Indra, to the mighty one, let these gold-coloured juices go, Drops born as Law prescribes, that find the light of heavenj 2. Flow vigilant for Indra, thou Soma, yea, Indu, run thou forth; Bring hither splendid strength that finds the light of heaven! 3. Sit down, O friends, and sing aloud to him who purifies himself. Deck him for glory, like a child, with holy rites! 4. Friends, hymn your Lord who makes him pure for rapturous carouse: let them Sweeten him, as a child, with lauds and sacred gifts! 5. Breath of the mighty Dames, the Child, speeding the plan of' sacrifice, Surpasses all things that are dear, yea, from of old! 6. In might, O Indu, with thy streams flow for the banquet of the Gods: Rich in meath, Soma, in our beaker take thy seat! 7. Soma, while filtered, with his wave flows through the long wool of the sheep, Roaring, while purified, before the voice of song. 8. The speech is uttered for the Sage, for Soma being purified: Bring meed as 'twere to one who makes thee glad with hymns! 9. Flow to us, Indu, very strong, effused, with wealth of kine and, steeds, And do thou lay above the milk thy radiant hue! 10. Voices have sung aloud to thee as finder-out of wealth for us: We clothe the hue thou wearest with a robe of milk. 11. Gold-hued and lovely in his course through tangles of the wooli he flows: Stream forth heroic fame upon the worshippers! 12. On through the long wool of the sheep to the meath-dropping vat he flows: The Rishis' sevenfold quire hath sung aloud to him.