Prayer

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer.

He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.

Pray not that day for one destruction, but pray for many destructions!

And who is further astray than those who, instead of Allah, pray unto such as hear not their prayer until the Day of Resurrection, and are unconscious of their prayer,

And Noah verily prayed unto Us, and gracious was the Hearer of his prayer

Below the superior (region), above the inferior (region) here, the cow has arisen supporting (her) calf by the foot. Whither is she turned; to which half (of the universe), forsooth, has she aone away; where, forsooth, does she beget? Verily not in this herd! 42. One-footed, two-footed, four-footed is she; eight-footed, nine-footed became she, the thousand-syllabled (consisting of thousand elements) pankti (quinary stanza) of the universe: the oceans from her flow forth upon (the world). 43. Ascending the heaven, immortal, receive kindly my song! The sacrifices purified by prayer lead thee forth; the bay steeds that travel upon the road carry thee. 44. That do I know of thee, O immortal, where thy march is upon the sky, where thy habitation is in the highest heaven. 45. Sûrya (the sun) surveys the sky, Sûrya the earth, Sûrya the waters. Sûrya is the single eye of being: he has ascended the great heavens. 46. The broad (directions) where the fagots that fence in (the fire), the earth turned itself into a fire-altar. There Rohita laid on for himself these two fires, cold and heat. 47. Laying on cold and heat, using the mountains as sacrificial posts, the two fires of Rohita who knows the (heavenly) light, into which (the fires) rain (flowed) as ghee, carried out the sacrifice. 48. The fire of Rohita who knows the (heavenly) light is kindled by prayer. From it heat, from it cold, from it the sacrifice was produced. 49. The two fires swelling through prayer, increased through prayer, sacrificed into with prayer; the two fires of Rohita who knows the (heavenly) light, kindled through prayer, carried out the sacrifice. 50. One is deposited in truth, the other is kindled in the waters. The two fires of Rohita who knows the (heavenly) light, kindled through prayer, carried out the sacrifice. 51.

k What time ye came to the wedding of Surya, Choosing a seat together on the three-wheeled (chariot), I praise you, Açvins, gods, invoke seeking aid, May ye relieve us from sin. l Of the Maruts I reckon; may they aid us; May they all help this every prayer (of ours); The swift, easily controlled (ones) I call to help, May they relieve us from evil. m The sharp weapon, strong and mighty, The divine host [4] keen in the battles, I praise the gods, the Maruts; I invoke seeking aid, May they relieve us from evil. n Of the gods I reckon; may they aid us; May they all help this every prayer; The swift, easily controlled (ones) I call to help, That they may relieve us from evil. o That which now consumeth me From deed of men or gods, I praise the All-gods; I invoke seeking aid, May they free us from evil. p Us to-day Anumati. q O Anumati, thou [5]. r Vaiçvanara for aid to us. s Present in sky. t Those that expanded with unmeasured might, Those that became the supports of wealth, I praise sky and earth; I invoke seeking aid, May ye relieve us from tribulation. u O ye broad firmaments, make room for us; O rulers of the field, aid us; I praise sky and earth; I invoke seeking aid, May ye relieve us from tribulation. v Whatever sin we commit against thee, As men are wont in ignorance, O most young [6], Make us blameless before Aditi, Remove our evil deeds on all sides, O Agni. w Even as ye did set free, O bright ones, O ye that are worthy of offering, the buffalo cow bound by the foot, So do thou remove from us tribulation; Be our life prolonged further, O Agni. THE EXPLANATION OF THE PILING OF THE FIRE ALTAR

i may Dhatr give us wealth, Life in days to come and unfailing; May we obtain the favour Of the god whose gifts are true. k May Dhatr give wealth to the giver, Desiring offspring, generous in his home; Let all the immortal gods roll themselves up for him, The All-gods and Aditi in unison. l For us to-day may Anumati Among the gods favour our sacrifice, And be she and Agni, bearer of the oblation, A joy to the giver. m Accord thy favour, O Anumati [3], And grant us wealth; For inspiration, for insight impel us, Lengthen our days for us. n May she favouring, favour (us) With wealth, undecaying, rich in offspring; In her disfavour may we not fall; May the goddess easy to invoke grant us protection. o Anumati men reverence in the quarter Wherein is that which shineth; May she in whose lap is the broad atmosphere, The goddess, easy to invoke, grant us protection [4]. p Raka, easy to invoke, I invoke with fair praise; May the fortunate one hear us and be aware of us With needle that breaks not may she sew her task; May she give a hero, whose wergild is a hundred, worthy of song. q The fair thoughts of thine, O Raka, Whereby thou art wont to give wealth to the giver, With them to-day come to us in kindliness, Granting, O fortunate one, a thousandfold prosperity. r O Sinivali, s The fairhanded. t I invoke at the sacrifice Kuhn the fortunate, Who accomplisheth her work, the easy to invoke; May she give us the fame of our fathers; To thee, O goddess, let us offer with oblation. u Kuhn, lady of the gods and of immortality, Worthy of invocation, may she be aware of the oblation To the giver may she assign much good fortune, To the wise may she grant increase of wealth.

'That disease of yours, O Indra and Varuna, that is in the two footed cattle, that of yours I appease hereby', he says; so many are the waters, the plants, the trees, offspring and cattle on whom to live; verily does he free them for him from Varuna's noose. a Thou from of old. b The wise contrivings. c Indra on all sides. d Indra men. e Do thou guard us, O Soma, on all sides, O king, from him who plots evil; Lot not the friend of such as thou come to harm. f Thy places in the sky, in the earth, In the mountains, in the plants, in the waters, With all of these, kindly and without anger, Do thou, O king Soma, accept our oblations. g O Agni and Soma, united, With common offering, accept our prayers, Ye were born together among the gods. h Ye [1], O Agni and Soma, with common inspiration, Placed these lights in the sky; Ye freed the streams from the dread imprecation When they were held fast. i O Agni and Soma, hearken kindly, O ye strong ones, to my invocation; Accept gladly our songs, Be a refreshment to the giver. k One from the sky Matariçvan bore, The falcon churned another from the rock; Agni and Soma, waxing great through prayer, Ye made broad room for the sacrifice. l O Agni and Soma, the oblation which is set forth [2], Do ye taste, accept it, rejoice in it, O ye strong ones Of good protection, of good help be ye, And give to the sacrificer health and wealth. n Together thee. o Troop lord of troops we invoke thee, Sage of sages, most famous; Highest king of Brahmans, O lord of prayer, Hearkening to us with help do thou sit on thy place. p He shall win booty and prizes with tribe, With clan, with family, with sons, with men, Who shall seek to win the father of the gods [3], Pious with oblations, the lord of prayer. q He with his fair singing, harmonious troop, Crushed Vala and Phaliga with his cry; Brhaspati drove out the cows, which mix the offerings, Thundering as they lowed. r O Maruts, what time from the sky. s The protections that ye.

As he spoke he handed her the cup. Minerva thought it very right and proper of him to have given it to herself first;27 she accordingly began praying heartily to Neptune. “O thou,” she cried, “that encirclest the earth, vouchsafe to grant the prayers of thy servants that call upon thee. More especially we pray thee send down thy grace on Nestor and on his sons; thereafter also make the rest of the Pylian people some handsome return for the goodly hecatomb they are offering you. Lastly, grant Telemachus and myself a happy issue, in respect of the matter that has brought us in our ship to Pylos.”

“Offer a prayer, sir,” said he, “to King Neptune, for it is his feast that you are joining; when you have duly prayed and made your drink offering, pass the cup to your friend that he may do so also. I doubt not that he too lifts his hands in prayer, for man cannot live without God in the world. Still he is younger than you are, and is much of an age with myself, so I will give you the precedence.”

Thus did he pray, and Minerva heard his prayer, but she would not show herself to him openly, for she was afraid of her uncle Neptune, who was still furious in his endeavors to prevent Ulysses from getting home.

"Our longing souls, O hermit, burn This music of the lake to learn: We pray thee, noblest sage, explain The cause of the mysterious strain." He, as the son of Raghu prayed, With swift accord his answer made, And thus the hermit, virtuous-souled, The story of the fair lake told:

Thus by the gathered Gods addressed He pondered in his secret breast, And said: "One only way I find To slay this fiend of evil mind. He prayed me once his life to guard From demon, God, and heavenly bard, And spirits of the earth and air, And I consenting heard his prayer. But the proud giant in his scorn Recked not of man of woman born. None else may take his life away, But only man the fiend may slay." The Gods, with Indra at their head, Rejoiced to hear the words he said. Then crowned with glory like a flame, Lord Vishnu to the council came; His hands shell, mace, and discus bore, And saffron were the robes he wore. Riding his eagle through the crowd, As the sun rides upon a cloud, With bracelets of fine gold, he came Loud welcomed by the Gods' acclaim. His praise they sang with one consent, And cried, in lowly reverence bent: "O Lord whose hand fierce Madhu(106) slew, Be thou our refuge, firm and true; Friend of the suffering worlds art thou, We pray thee help thy suppliants now." Then Vishnu spake: "Ye Gods, declare, What may I do to grant your prayer?"

Returning homeward from afar Borne on his elephant or car, He ever to the townsmen bends And greets them as beloved friends, Asks how each son, each servant thrives, How fare our pupils, offerings, wives; And like a father bids us tell, Each for himself, that all is well. If pain or grief the city tries His heart is swift to sympathize. When festive scenes our thoughts employ He like a father shares the joy. High is the fate, O King, that gave Thy Rama born to bless and save, With filial virtues fair and mild Like Kasyap old Marichi's child. Hence to the kingdom's distant ends One general prayer for him ascends. Each man in town and country prays For Rama's strength, health, length of days. With hearts sincere, their wish the same, The tender girl, the aged dame, Subject and stranger, peasant, hind, One thought impressed on every mind, At evening and at dawning day To all the Gods for Rama pray. Do thou, O King, of grace comply, And hear the people's longing cry, And let us on the throne by thee The lotus-tinted Rama see. O thou who givest boons, attend; A gracious ear, O Monarch, lend And for our weal install, Consenting to our earnest prayer, Thy godlike Rama Regent Heir, Who seeks the good of all."

2 Let Aryarnan vouchsafe us wealth, and Bhaga, and Brhaspati. 3 We call King Soma to our aid, and Agni with our songs and hymns, 4 Indra, Vayu, Brhaspati, Gods swift to listen, we invoke, 5 Urge Aryaman to send us gifts, and Indra, and Brhaspati, 6 Do thou, O Agni, with thy fires strengthen our prayer and sacrifice:

2 Thy mighty Stallions, yoked by prayer, O Indra, thy. Coursers to thy mighty chariot harnessed,− 3 Ascend thy mighty car: the mighty Soma is poured for thee and sweets are sprinkled round us. 4 Here is God−reaching sacrifice, here the victim; here, Indra,are the prayers, here is the Soma. 5 Come to us, Indra, come thou highly lauded to the devotions of the singer Mana.

2 Sublime from birth, mayst thou O Indra, Hero, with Surya overcome the Dasa races. 3 Answer the votary's hymns, for these thou knowest, craving the Rsis' prayer, thyself a Singer 4 These holy prayers, O Indra, have I sung thee: grant to the men the strength of men, thou Hero. 5 Listen to Prthi's call, heroic Indra, and be thou lauded by the hymns of Venya,

Thus prayed the chief: his unavailing prayer Great Jove refused, and toss’d in empty air: The God averse, while yet the fumes arose, Prepared new toils, and doubled woes on woes. Their prayers perform’d the chiefs the rite pursue, The barley sprinkled, and the victim slew. The limbs they sever from the inclosing hide, The thighs, selected to the gods, divide. On these, in double cauls involved with art, The choicest morsels lie from every part, From the cleft wood the crackling flames aspire While the fat victims feed the sacred fire. The thighs thus sacrificed, and entrails dress’d The assistants part, transfix, and roast the rest; Then spread the tables, the repast prepare, Each takes his seat, and each receives his share. Soon as the rage of hunger was suppress’d, The generous Nestor thus the prince address’d.

“Oh awful goddess! ever-dreadful maid, Troy’s strong defence, unconquer’d Pallas, aid! Break thou Tydides’ spear, and let him fall Prone on the dust before the Trojan wall! So twelve young heifers, guiltless of the yoke, Shall fill thy temple with a grateful smoke. But thou, atoned by penitence and prayer, Ourselves, our infants, and our city spare!” So pray’d the priestess in her holy fane; So vow’d the matrons, but they vow’d in vain.

The monarch thus. The reverend Nestor then: “Great Agamemnon! glorious king of men! Such are thy offers as a prince may take, And such as fits a generous king to make. Let chosen delegates this hour be sent (Myself will name them) to Pelides’ tent. Let Phœnix lead, revered for hoary age, Great Ajax next, and Ithacus the sage. Yet more to sanctify the word you send, Let Hodius and Eurybates attend. Now pray to Jove to grant what Greece demands; Pray in deep silence,[205] and with purest hands.”[206]

1. We in King Soma place our trust, in Agni, and in Varuna, The Aditya, Vishnu, Surya, and the Brahman-priest Brihaspati. 2. Hence have these men gone up on high and mounted to the heights of heaven: On! conquer on the path by which Angirasas travelled to the skies! 3. That thou mayst send us ample wealth, O Agni, we will kindler thee: So, for the great oblation, Steer, pray Heaven and Earth to come to us! 4. He runs when one calls after him, This is the prayer of him who prays. He holds all knowledge in his grasp even as the felly rounds the wheel. 5. Shoot forth, O Agni, with thy flame: demolish them on every side! Break down the Yatudhana's strength, the vigour of the Rakshasa! 6. Worship the Vasus, Agni! here, the Rudras and Adityas, all Who know fair sacrifices, sprung from Mann, scattering blessings down!

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!

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!

Nay, and of hearts which follow other gods In simple faith, their prayers arise to me, O Kunti's Son! though they pray wrongfully; For I am the Receiver and the Lord Of every sacrifice, which these know not Rightfully; so they fall to earth again! Who follow gods go to their gods; who vow Their souls to Pitris go to Pitris; minds To evil Bhuts given o'er sink to the Bhuts; And whoso loveth Me cometh to Me. Whoso shall offer Me in faith and love A leaf, a flower, a fruit, water poured forth, That offering I accept, lovingly made With pious will. Whate'er thou doest, Prince! Eating or sacrificing, giving gifts, Praying or fasting, let it all be done For Me, as Mine. So shalt thou free thyself From Karmabandh, the chain which holdeth men To good and evil issue, so shalt come Safe unto Me-when thou art quit of flesh-- By faith and abdication joined to Me!

I pray that the highly-blessed Ganga may always inspire thy heart and mine with such attributes as are fraught with righteousness'.

Even those men live for a hundred years who, though destitute of all accomplishments, betake themselves to propriety and righteousness of conduct and become endued with faith and freed from malice. He that is free from wrath, that is truthful in speech, that never does any injury to any creature in the universe, that is divested of malice and crookedness and insincerity, succeeds in living for a hundred years. He who always breaks little clods of earth, or tears up the grass that grows under his feet, or cuts off his nails with his teeth, or is always impure, or very restless, never succeeds in acquiring a long life.[458] One should wake up from sleep at the hour known as the Brahma Muhurta and then think of both religion and profit. Getting up from bed, one should then wash one's face and mouth, and joining one's hands in an attitude of reverence, say the morning prayers.[459] In this way, one should when evening comes, say one's evening prayers also, restraining speech (with other people) the while. One should never look at the rising sun, nor at the setting sun.[460] Nor should one look at the sun when he is in eclipse; nor at his image in the water; nor at midday when he is at the meridian. The Rishis, in consequence of their adoring the two twilights with great regularity succeeded in attaining to longevity. Hence, one should, restraining speech, say one's prayers regularly at the two twilights. As regards those Brahmanas that do not say their prayers at the two twilights, a righteous king should set them to accomplish such acts as are ordained for the Sudras. Persons of every order should never have sexual congress with other people's wives. There is nothing that shortens life so effectually as sexual congress with other people's wives. For as many thousand years shall the adulterer have to live in Hell as the number of pores on the bodies of the women with whom he may commit the offence.

Decked with black locks and adorned with ear-rings, that head of Jayadratha was thrown upon Vriddhakshatra’s lap, as the latter was saying his prayers in a sitting posture. Thus thrown on his lap, that head decked with car-rings, O chastiser of foes, was not seen by king Vriddhakshatra. As the latter, however, stood up after finishing his prayers it suddenly fell down on the earth. And as the head of Jayadratha fell down on the earth, the head of Vriddhakshatra, O chastiser of foes, cracked into a hundred pieces. At the sight of this, all creatures were filled with wonder. And all of them applauded Vasudeva and the mighty Vibhatsu.

The taint of prayers is non-repetition; the taint of houses, non-repair; the taint of the body is sloth; the taint of a watchman, thoughtlessness.