Rig Veda on Prayer

2 Maruts, to you this laud with prayer and worship, formed in the mind and heart, ye Gods, is offered. 3 The Maruts, praised by us, shall show us favour; Maghavan, lauded, shall be most propitious. 4 I fled in terrror from this mighty Indra, my body trembling in alarm, O Maruts. 5 By whom the Manas recognize the day−springs, by whose strength at the dawn of endless mornings, 6 Do thou, O Indra, guard the conquering Heroes, and rid thee of thy wrath against the Maruts,

2 Stay still, O Maghavan, advance no farther. a draught of well−pressed Soma will I give thee. 3 Adhvaryu, sing we both; sing thou in answer: make we a laud acceptable to Indra. 4 A wife, O Maghavan is home and dwelling: so let thy Bay Steeds yoked convey thee hither. 5 Depart, O Maghavan;again come hither: both there and here thy goat is Indra, Brother, 6 Thou hast drunk Soma, Indra, turn thee homeward; thy joy is in thy home, thy racious Consort; 7 Bounteous are these, Angirases, Virupas: the Asura's Heroes and the Sons of Heaven. 8 Maghavan weareth every shape at pleasure, effecting magic changes in his body, 9 The mighty sage, God−born and God−incited, who looks on men, restrained the billowy river. 10 Like swans, prepare a song of praise with pressing−stones, glad in your hymns with juice poured forth 11 Come forward, Kusikas, and be attentive; let loose Sudas's horse to win him riches. 12 Praises to Indra have I sung, sustainer of this earth and heaven. This prayer of Visvamitra keeps secure 13 The Visvamitras have sung forth this prayer to Indra Thunder−aimed: 14 Among the Kikatas what do thy cattle? They pour no milky draught, they heat no caldron. 15 Sasarpari, the gift of Jamadagnis, hath lowed with mighty voice dispelling famine. 16 Sasarpari brought glory speedily to these, over the generations of the Fivefold Race; 17 Strong be the pair of oxen, firm the axles, let not the pole slip nor the yoke be broken. 18 O Indra, give our bodies strength, strength to the bulls who draw the wains, 19 Enclose thee in the heart of Khayar timber, in the car wrought of Sinsapa put firmness. 20 Let not this sovran of the wood leave us forlorn or injure us. 21 With various aids this day come to us, Indra, with best aids speed us, Maghavan, thou Hero. 22 He heats his very axe, and then cuts a mere Semal blossom off. 23 Men notice not the arrow, O ye people; they bring the red beast deeming it a bullock.

2 Who will be gracious? Who will come most uickly of all the Gods? Who will 3 So many days do ye come swiftly hither, as Indra to give help in stress of battle. 4 What is the prayer that we should bring you, Asvins, whereby ye come to us when invocated? 5 In the wide space your chariot reacheth heaven, what time it turneth hither from the ocean. 6 Let Sindhu with his wave bedew your horses: in fiery glow have the red birds come hither.

2 With their red−hued or, haply, tawny coursers which speed their chariots on, they come for glory. 3 For beauty ye have swords upon your bodies. As they stir woods so may they stir our spirits. 4 The days went round you and came back O yearners, back, to this prayer and to this solemn worship. 5 No hymn way ever known like this aforetime which Gotama sang forth for you, O Maruts, 6 To you this freshening draught of Soma rusheth, O Maruts, like the voice of one who prayeth.

2 Ensign of sacrifice, the earliest Household−Priest, the. men have kindled Agni in his threefold seat, 3 Pure, unadorned, from thy two Mothers art thou born: thou camest fromVivasvan as a charming Sage. 4 May Agni graciously come to our sacrifice. The men bear Agni here and there in every house. 5 For thee, O Agni, is this sweetest prayer of mine: dear to thy spirit be this product of my thought. 6 O Agni, the Angirases discovered thee what time thou layest hidden, fleeing back from wood to wood.

2 Make these return to us again, bring them beside us once again. 3 Let them return to us again: under this herdsman let them feed. 4 1 call upon their herdsman, him who knoweth well their coming nigh, 5 Yea, let the herdsman, too, return, who marketh well their driving−forth; 6 Home−leader, lead them home to us; Indra, restore to us our kine: 7 1 offer you on every side butter and milk and strengthening food. 8 O thou Home−leader, lead them home, restore them thou who bringest home.

2 He whom of old I called on, him I call on now. He is to be invoked; his name is He who Gives, 3 Fat may the horses be wherewith thou specdest on: Lord of the Wood, unharming, strengthen thou thyse 4 From Hotar's cup and Potar's he hath drunk and joyed: the proffered food hath pleased him from the 5 Yoke, O ye Twain, to−day your hero−bearing car, swift−moving hitherward: your loosing−place is here 6 Agni, accept the fuel and our offered gift: accept the prayer of man, accept our eulogy,

2 O Indra−Agni, with the man who lauds you comes the wakening rite: 3 Through force of sacrifice I choose Indra−Agni who love the wise: 4 Indra and Agni I invoke, joint−victors, bounteous, unsubdued, 5 Indra and Agni, singers skilled in melody hymn you, bringing lauds: 6 Indra and Agni, ye cast down the ninety forts which DAsas held, 7 To Indra−Agni eeverent thoughts go forward from the holy task 8 O Indra−Agni, powers are yours, and dwellings and delightful food 9 Indra and Agni, in your deeds of might ye deck heaven's lucid realms:

2 We pray thee, thou who droppest oil, bright−rayed! who lookest on the Sun, 3 We have enkindled thee, O Sage, bright caller of the Gods to feast. 4 O Agni, come with all the Gods, come to our sacrificial gift: 5 Bring, Agni, to the worshipper who pours the juice, heroic strength: 6 Victor of thousands, Agni, thou, enkindled, cherishest the laws, 7 Set Agni Jatavedas down, the bearer of our sacred gifts, 8 Duly proceed our sacrifice, comprising all the Gods, to−day: 9 So may the Maruts sit thereon, the Asvins, Mitra, Varuna:

2 For here, like flies on honey, these who pray to thee sit by the juice that they have poured. 3 Longing for wealth I call on him, the Thunderer with the strong right hand, 4 These Soma juices, mixed with curd, have been expressed for Indra here. 5 May he whose ear is open hear us. He is asked for wealth: will he despise our prayer? 6 The hero never checked by men hath gained his strength through Indra, he 7 When thou dost drive the fighting men together be, thou Mighty One, the mighty's shield. 8 For Indra, Soma−drinker, armed with thunder, press the Soma juice. 9 Grudge not, ye Soma pourers; stir you, pay the rites, for wealth, to the great Conqueror. 10 No one hath overturned or stayed the car of him who freely gives. 11 Indra, that man when fighting shall obtain the spoil, whose strong defender thou wilt be. 12 His portion is exceeding great like a victorious soldier's spoil. 13 Make for the Holy Gods a hymn that is not mean, but well−arranged and fair of form. 14 Indra, what mortal will attack the man who hath his wealth in thee? 15 In battles with the foe urge on our mighty ones who give the treasures dear to thee, 16 Thine, Indra, is the lowest wealth, thou cherishest the mid−most wealth, 17 Thou art renowned as giving wealth to every one in all the battles that are fought. 18 If I, O Indra, were the Lord of riches ample as thine own, 19 Each day would I enrich the man who sang my praise, in whatsoever place he were. 20 With Plenty for his true ally the active man will gain the spoil. 21 A moral wins no riches by unworthy praise: wealth comes not to the niggard churl. 22 Like kine unmilked we call aloud, Hero, to thee, and sing thy praise, 23 None other like to thee, of earth or of the heavens, hath been or ever will be born. 24 Bring, Indra, the Victorious Ones; bring, elder thou, the younger host. 25 Drive thou away our enemies, O Maghavan: make riches easy to be won. 26 O Indra, give us wisdom as a sire gives wisdom to his sons.

2 The holy sage, renowned afar, directeth his hymns to you, O Varuna and Mitra,− 3 From the wide earth, O Varuna and Mitra from the great lofty heaven, ye, Bounteous Givers, − 4 I praise the strength of Varuna and Mitra that strength, by mightiness, keeps both worlds asunder. 5 Steers, all infallible are these your people in whom no wondrous thing is seen, no worship. 6 I will exalt your sacrifice with homage: as priest, I, Mitra−Varuna, invoke you. 7 This priestly task, Gods! Varuna and Mitra! hath been performed for you at sacrifices.

2 Shine forth, O Morning, thou auspicious Goddess, on thy bright car awaking pleasant voices. 3 Thou, Morning, turning thee to every creature, standest on high as ensign of the Immortal, 4 Letting her reins drop downward, Morning cometh, the wealthy Dame, the Lady of the dwelling; 5 Hither invoke the radiant Goddess Morning, and bring with reverence your hymn to praise her. 6 From heaven, with hymns, the Holy One was wakened: brightly to both worlds came the wealthy Lady. 7 On Law's firm base the speeder of the Mornings, the Bull, hath entered mighty earth and heaven.

1 I Laud Agni, the chosen Priest, God, minister of sacrifice, 2 Worthy is Agni to be praised by living as by ancient seers. 3 Through Agni man obtaineth wealth, yea, plenty waxing day by day, 4 Agni, the perfect sacrifice which thou encompassest about 5 May Agni, sapient−minded Priest, truthful, most gloriously great, 6 Whatever blessing, Agni, thou wilt grant unto thy worshipper, 7 To thee, dispeller of the night, O Agni, day by day with prayer 8 Ruler of sacrifices, guard of Law eternal, radiant One, 9 Be to us easy of approach, even as a father to his son:

2 Thou unto whom resort the gathered people, as the kine seek the warm stall, O Most Youthful. 3 Making thee grow as 'twere some noble infant, thy Mother nurtures thee with sweet affection. 4 Foolish are we, O Wise and free from error: verily, Agni, thou dost know thy grandeur. 5 He rises ever fresh in ancient fuel: smoke−bannered, gray, he makes the wood his dwelling. 6 Like thieves who risk their lives and haunt the forest, the twain with their ten girdles have secured him. 7 Homage and prayer are thine, O Jatavedas, and this my song shall evermore exalt thee.

2 These hymns brought forth for thee, O Agni, laud thee for bounteous gifts, with cattle and with horses. 3 Agni I deem my Kinsman and my Father, count him my Brother and my Friend for ever. 4 Effectual, Agni, are our prayers for profit. He whom, at home thou, Priest for ever, guardest 5 Men with their arms have generated Agni, helpful as some kind friend, adorned with splendours, 6 Worship, thyself, O God, the Gods in heaven: what, void of knowledge, shall the fool avail thee? 7 Agni, be thou our Guardian and Protector bestow upon us life and vital vigour.

2 Blest be the wood that feeds the active Agni: within the two great worlds hath Agni entered. 3 Agni rejoiced the car of him who praised lim, and from the waters burnt away jarutha. 4 Agni hath granted wealth that decks the hero, and sent the sage who wins a thousand cattle. 5 With songs of praise the Rsis call on Agni; on Agni, heroes worsted in the foray. 6 Races of human birth pay Agni worship, men who have sprung from Nahus' line adore him. 7 The Rbhus fabricated prayer for Agni, and we with mighty hymns have called on Agni.

2 Swift in their motion, hasting to their duty, reaching the central point of life immortal, 3 Steer, Sea, Red Bird with strong wings, he hath entered the dwelling−place of the Primeval Father. 4 Four bear him up and give him rest and quiet, and ten invigorate the Babe for travel. 5 Wondrous, O people, is the mystic knowledge that while the waters stand the streams are flowing: 6 For him they lenghten prayers and acts of worship: the Mothers weave garments for him their offspring. 7 Be this our praise, O Varuna and Mitra may this be health and force to us, O Agni.

2 Thou who subduedst Ayu, Kutsa, Atithigva, waxing daily in thy might, 3 The pressing−stones shall pour for us the essence of the meath of all, 4 Repel all enmities and keep thern far away: let all win treasure for their own. 5 Come, Indra, very near to us with aids of firmly−based resolve; 6 Bless thou with progeny the chief of men, the lord of heroes, victor in the fray. 7 May we be such in battle as are surest to obtain thy grace: 8 Thine, Lord of Bays, am I. Prayer longeth for the spoil. Still with thy help I seek the fight.

2 What was the place whereon he took his station? What was it that supported him? How was it? 3 He who hath eyes on all sides round about him, a mouth on all sides, arms and feet on all sides, 4 What was the tree, what wood in sooth produced it, from which they fashioned out the earth and heaven 5 Nine highest, lowest, sacrificial natures, and these thy mid−most here, O Visvakarman, 6 Bring thou thyself, exalted with oblation, O Visvakarman, Earth and Heaven to worship. 7 Let us invoke to−day, to aid our labour, the Lord of Speech, the thought−swift Visvakarman.

2 Who hath with prayer bowed to the Soma−lover? What pious man endues the beams of morning? 3 Who claims to−day the Deities' protection, asks Aditi for light, or the Adityas? 4 To him shall Agni Bharata give shelter: long shall he look upon the Sun up−rising, 5 Him neither few men overcome, nor many to him shall Aditi give spacious shelter. 6 This Hero curbs the mighty for the zealous: the presser's brew Indra possesses solely: 7 Not with the wealthy churl who pours no Soma doth Indra, Soma−drinker, bind alliance. 8 Highest and lowest, men who stand between diem, going, returning, dwelling in contentment,

2 Wealth, fully armed, good guard and kind protector, sprung from four seas, the prop and stay of treasure 3 Wealth, with good Brahmans, Indra! God−attended, high, wide, and deep, arid based on broad foundati 4 Victorious, winning strength, with hero sages, confirmed in power, most useful, wealth−attracting, 5 Wealthy in heroes and in cars and horses, strength hundredfold and thousandfold, O Indra, 6 To Saptagu the sage, the holy−minded, to him, Brhaspati, the song approaches, 7 My lauds, like envoys, craving loving−kindness, go forth to Indra with their strong entreaty, 8 Grant us the boon for which I pray, O Indra, a spacious home unmatched among the people.

1 O BRAMANASPATI, stand up: God−serving men we pray to thee. 2 O Son of Strength, each mortal calls to thee for aid when spoil of battle waits for him. 3 May Brahmanaspati draw nigh, may Sunrta the Goddess come, 4 He who bestows a noble guerdon on the priest wins fame that never shall decay. 5 Now Brahmanaspati speaks forth aloud the solemn hymn of praise, 6 May we in holy synods, Gods! recite that hymn, peerless, that brings felicity. 7 Who shall approach the pious? who the man whose sacred grass is trimmed? 8 He amplifies his lordly might, with kings he slays: e'en mid alarms he dwells secure

2 Come ye Adityas for our full prosperity, in conquests of the foe, ye Gods, bring joy to us. 3 May the most glorious Fathers aid us, and the two Goddesses, Mothers of the Gods, who strengthen La 4 To mighty Narasamsa, strengthening his might, to Pusan, ruler over men, we pray with hymns. 5 Brhaspati, make us evermore an easy path: we crave what boon thou hast for men in rest and stir. 6 Sunk in the pit the Rsi Kutsa called, to aid, Indra the Vrtra−slayer, Lord of power and might. 7 May Aditi the Goddess guard us with the Gods: may the protecting God keep us with ceaseless care.

2 Even as thou thinkest in thy heart, thither my wishes also tend. 3 Earth, like a bounteous lady, liberal of her gifts, struck down and shaken, yet exultant, comes to us. 4 They who with mighty strength o'erthrow like oxen difficult to yoke, 5 Rise up! even now with lauds I call the very numerous company, 6 Bind to your car the bright red mares, yoke the red coursers to your car. 7 Yea, and this loudly−neighing bright red vigorous horse who hath been sutioned, fair to see, 8 The Maruts' chariot, ever fain to gather glory, we invoke, 9 I call that brilliant band of yours, adorable, rapid on the car

2 To him sang forth the flowing streams of Holy Law, encompassed in the home and birth−place of the G 3 Seeking in course altern to reach the selfsame end the two copartners strive to win this beauteous form. 4 He whom the two copartners with observance tend, the pair who dwell together in the same abode, 5 Him the ten fingers, the devotions. animate: we mortals call on him a God to give us help. 6 For, Agni, like a herdsman, thou by thine own might rulest o'er all that is in heaven and on the earth; 7 Agni, accept with joy, be glad in this our prayer, joy−giver, self−sustained, strong, born of Holy Law!

2 These here, who show o'er widest space, bringing full many a wondrous act, 3 Another beauteous wheel have ye fixed there to decorate your car. 4 That deed of yours that is extolled, Visvas! hath all been done with this. 5 When Surya mounted on your car that rolls for ever rapidly, 6 Atri bethinks himself of you, O Heroes, with a friendly mind, 7 Strong is your swiftly moving steed, famed his exertion in the course 8 Lovers of sweetness, Rudras, she who streams with sweetness waits on you. 9 Asvins, with truth they call you Twain bestowers of felicity; 10 Most pleasing to the Asvins be these prayers which magnify their might,

2 Bring us the wealth that men require, a manly master of a house, 3 Even him who would not give, do thou, 4 Clear paths that we may win the prize; scatter our enemies afar. 5 Penetrate with an awl, O Sage, the hearts of avaricious churls, 6 Thrust with thine awl, O Pusan: seek that which the niggard's heart holds dear, 7 Tear up and read in pieces, Sage, the hearts of avaricious churls, 8 Thou, glowing Pusan, carriest an awl that urges men to prayer; 9 Thou bearest, glowing Lord! a goad with horny point that guides the cows 10 And make this hymn of ours produce kine, horses, and a store of wealth

2 As mighty food speed hitherward, Indu, as a most splendid Steer: 3 The well−loved meath was made to flow, the stream of the creative juice 4 The mighty waters, yea, the floods accompany thee Mighty One, 5 The lake is brightened in the floods. Soma, our Friend, heaven's prop and stay, 6 The tawny Bull hath bellowed, fair as mighty Mitra to behold: 7 Songs, Indu, active in their might are beautified for thee, wherewith 8 To thee who givest ample room we pray, to win the joyous draught: 9 Indu as, Indra's Friend, on us pour with a stream of sweetness, like 10 Winner of kine, Indu, art thou, winner of heroes, steeds, and strength

2 For I have heard that ye give wealth more freely than worthless son−in−law or spouse's brother. 3 Let us not break the cords: with this petition we strive to gain the powers of our forefathers. 4 For you the bowl divine, Indra and Agni, presses the Soma gladly to delight you. 5 You, I have heard, were mightiest, Indra−Agni, when Vrtra fell and when the spoil was parted. 6 Surpassing all men where they shout for battle, ye Twain exceed the earth and heaven in greatness. 7 Bring wealth and give it, ye whose arms wield thunder: Indra and Agni, with your powers protect us. 8 Give, ye who shatter forts, whose hands wield thunder: Indra and Agni, save us in our battles.

2 Lord of the Quarters, flow thou on, boon Soma, from Arjika land, 3 Hither hath Surya's Daughter brought the wild Steer whom Parjanya nursed. 4 Splendid by Law! declaring Law, truthspeaking, truthful in thy works, 5 Together flow the meeting streams of him the Great and truly Strong. 6 O Pavamana, where the priest, as he recites the rhythmic prayer, 7 O Pavarnana, place me in that deathless, undecaying world 8 Make me immortal in that realm where dwells the King, Vivasvan's Son, 9 Make me immortal in that realm where they move even as they list, 10 Make me immortal in that realm of eager wish and strong desire, 11 Make me immortal in that realm where happiness and transports, where

2 This Indra with his Marut Friends clave into pieces Vrtra's bead 3 Indra, with Marut Friends grown strong, hath rent asunder Vrtra, and 4 This is that Indra who, begirt by Maruts, won the light of heaven 5 Mighty, impetuous, begirt by Maruts, him who loudly roars, 6 Indra begirt by Maruts we invoke after the ancient plan, 7 O liberal Indra, Marut−girt, much−lauded Satakratu, drink 8 To thee, O Indra, Marut−girt, these Soma juices, Thunderer! 9 Drink, Indra, with thy Marut Friends, pressed Soma at the morning rites, 10 Arising in thy might, thy jaws thou shookest, Indra, having quaffed 11 Indra, both worlds complained to thee when uttering thy fearful roar, 12 From Indra have I measured out a song eight−footed with nine parts,

2 Grown mighty in his strength, with ample vigour, he as a foe strikes fear into the Dasa, 3 All concentrate on thee their mental vigour, what time these, twice or thrice, are thine assistants. 4 Therefore in thee too, thou who winnest riches, at every banquet are the sages joyful. 5 Proudly we put our trust in thee in battles, when we behold great wealth the prize of combat. 6 Worthy of praises, many−shaped, most skilful, most energetic, Aptya of the Aptyas: 7 Thou in that house which thy protection guardeth bestowest wealth, the higher and the lower. 8 Brhaddiva, the foremost of light−winners, repeats these holy prayers, this strength of Indra. 9 Thus hath Brhaddiva, the great Atharvan, spoken to Indra as himself in person.

2 May we go forth with Pusan who shall point the houses out to us, 3 Unharmed is Pusan's chariot wheel; the box ne'er falleth to the ground, 4 Pusan forgetteth not the man who serveth him with offered gift: 5 May Pusan follow near our kine; may Pusan keep our horses safe: 6 Follow the kine of him who pours libations out and worships thee; 7 Let none be lost, none injured, none sink in a pit and break a limb. 8 Pusan who listens to our prayers, the Strong whose wealth is never lost, 9 Secure in thy protecting care, O Pusan, never may we fail. 10 From out the distance, far and wide, may Pusan stretch his right hand forth, And drive our lost ag

1 INDRA the singers with high praise, Indra reciters with their lauds, 2 Indra hath ever close to him his two bay steeds and word−yoked car, 3 Indra hath raised the Sun on high in heaven, that he may see afar: 4 Help us, O Indra, in the frays, yea, frays, where thousand spoils are gained, 5 In mighty battle we invoke Indra, Indra in lesser fight, 6 Unclose, our manly Hero, thou for ever bounteous, yonder cloud, 7 Still higher, at each strain of mine, thunder−armed Indra's praises rise: 8 Even as the bull drives on the herds, he drives the people with his might, 9 Indra who rules with single sway men, riches, and the fivefold race 10 For your sake from each side we call Indra away from other men:

2 As thou with Matarisvan, Medhya, Prsadhra, hast cheered thee Indra, with pressed juice, 3 'Tis he who made the lauds his own and boldly drank the Soma juice, 4 In whose laud thou didst joy, Indra, at the great deed, O Satakratu, Mighty One! 5 He is our Sire who gives to us, Great, Mighty, ruling as he wills. 6 He to whom thou, Good Lord, givest that he may give increases wealth that nourishes. 7 Never art thou neglectful: thou guardest both races with thy care. 8 The offercr whom thou, Indra, Lover of the Song, liberal Maghavan, favourest,− 9 Sung is the song of ancient time: to Indra have ye said the prayer. 10 Indra hath tossed together mighty stores of wealth, and both the worlds, yea, and the Sun.

2 We pray for wealth to thee most skilled of charioteers, with braided hair, 3 Bright God whose steeds are goats, thou art a stream of wealth, a treasure−heap, 4 Pusan, who driveth goats for steeds, the strong and Mighty, who is called 5 His Mother's suitor I address. May he who loves his Sister hear, 6 May the sure−footed goats come nigh, conveying Pusan on his car, 2 And he is best of charioteers. Indra, the hero's Lord, allied 3 And there the best of charioteers hath guided through the speckled cloud 4 Whate'er we speak this day to thee, Wise, Wondrous God whom many praise, 5 Lead on this company of ours, that longs for kine, to win the spoil: 6 Prosperity we crave from thee, afar from sin and near to wealth,

2 With callings ever they invoke Agni, Agni, Lord of the House, 3 Bring the Gods hither, Agni, born for him who strews the sacred grass: 4 Wake up the willing Gods, since thou, Agni, performest embassage: 5 O Agni, radiant One, to whom the holy oil is poured, bum up 6 By Agni Agni is inflamed, Lord of the House, wise, young, who bears 7 Praise Agni in the sacrifice, the Sage whose ways are ever true, 8 God, Agni, be his strong defence who lord of sacrificial gifts, 9 Whoso with sacred gift would fain call Agni to the feast of Gods, 10 Such, Agni, Purifier, bright, bring hither to our sacrifice, 11 So lauded by our newest song of praise bring opulence to us, 12 O Agni, by effulgent flame, by all invokings of the Gods,

2 This is prepared for him the first, the second, and the third time: he is man's Priest and Herald. 3 To Indra's car the Bay Steeds have I harnessed, that new well−spoken words may bring him hither. 4 Indra, come hitherward with two Bay Coursers, come thou with four, with six when invocated. 5 O Indra, come thou hither having harnessed thy car with twenty, thirty, forty horses. 6 Come to us hitherward, O Indra, carried by eighty, ninety, or an hundred horses. 7 To this my prayer, O Indra, come thou hither: bind to thy car's pole all thy two Bay Coursers. 8 Ne'er be my love from Indra disunited still may his liberal Milch−cow yield us treasure. 9 Now may that wealthy Cow Of thine, O Indra, give in return a boon to him who lauds thee.

2 Crush with thy foot the niggard churls who bring no gifts. Mighty art thou 3 Thou art the Lord of Soma pressed, Soma impressed is also thine. 4 Come, go thou forth, dwelling in heaven and listening to the prayers of men: 5 Even that hill with rocky heights, with hundreds, thousands, held within. 6 We call on thee both night and day to taste the flowing Soma juice: 7 Where is that ever−youthful Steer, strong. necked and never yet bent down? 8 To whose libation doth the Steer, betake him with delight therein? 9 Whom, Vrtra−slayer, have thy gift and hero powers accompanied? 10 For thee among mankind, among the Purus is this Soma shed. 11 This, growing by Soma and by Saryanavan, dear to thee, 12 Hasten thou hitherward, and drink this for munificence to−day,

2 So made attentive by our hymns, Steer! Indra! thou fastenedst the girth of thy Bay Coursers, 3 They were not turned to us−wtrd, lofty Indra! while yet through lack of prayer they stood unharnessed. 4 Thou, because many lauds are thine, O Indra, wast active warring in the fields 5 Thine are we, Indra; thine are all these people, conscious of might, whose cars are set in motion. 6 Strength much to be desired is in thee, Indra: the Immortal dances forth his hero exploits. 7 Thus favour us, O Indra, with ihy succour; Hero, protect the bards who sing thy praises. 8 And these ten steeds which Trasadasyu gives me, the goldrich chief, the son of Purukutsa, 9 And these, bestowed as sacrificial guerdon, the powerful tawny steeds of Marutasva; 10 And these commended horses, bright and active, by Dhvanya son of Laksmana presented,

2 Do ye, O Indra−Agni, hear the singer's call: accept his songs. 3 Give us not up to poverty, ye Heroes, Indra−Agni, nor 4 To Indra and to Agni we bring reverence, high and holy hymn, 5 For all these holy singers here implore these Twain to succour them, 6 Eager to laudyou, we with songs invoke you, bearing sacred food, 7 Indra and Agni, come to us with favour, ye who conquer men: 8 At no time let the injurious blow of hostile mortal fall on us: 9 Whatever wealth we crave of you, in gold, in cattle, or in steeds, 10 When heroes prompt in worship call Indra and Agni, Lords of steeds, 11 Call hither with the song and lauds those who best slay the foemen, those 12 Slay ye the wicked man whose thought is evil of the demon kind.

2 We set no snares to tangle you; Indra we worship and adore, Hero of heroes mightiest. 3 For, famous Indra−Agni, ye are dwellers in the midst of frays. 4 Nabhaka−like, with sacred song Indra's and Agni's praise I sing, 5 To Indra and to Agni send your prayers, as was Nabhaka's wont,− 6 Tear thou asunder, as of old, like tangles of a creeping plant, 7 What time with this same song these men call Indra−Agni sundry ways, 8 The Two refulgent with their beams rise and come downward from the sky. 9 O Indra, many are thine aids, many thy ways of guiding us, 10 Inspire him with your holy hymns, the Hero bright and glorious, 11 Inspire him worshipped with fair rites, the glorious Hero truly brave. 12 Thus have we sung anew to Indra−Agni, as sang our sires, Angirases, and Mandhatar.

2 She in whose bosom all the Gods, and Sun and Moon for men to see, 3 This all the pious sing to us, and sacred poets evermore: 4 Here is the Soma ready pressed of this the Maruts drink, of this 5 Of this, moreover, purified, set in three places, procreant, 6 And Indra, like the Herald Priest, desirous of the milky juice, 7 When have the Princes gleamed and shone through waters as through troops of foes'? 8 What favour do I claim this day of you 9 1 call, to drink the Soma, those Maruts who spread all realms of earth 10 You, even such, pure in your might, you, O ye Maruts, I invoke 11 The Maruts, those who have sustained and propped the heavens and earth apart, 12 That vigorous band of Maruts that abidetb in the mountains, I

2 Or when on that decisive day thou holpest the presser of the juice at Vrtra's slaughter; 3 Let Indra drink the pressed−out Soma, Helper and mighty Guide of him who sings his praises. 4 E'en humble rites with his Bay steeds he visits: he wields the bolt, drinks Soma, gives us cattle. 5 What he hath longed for we have brought to Indra, who from the days of old hath done us service. 6 Thou hast made prayer the means of thine exalting, therefore we wait on thee with hymns, O Indra. 7 Mark well our sacrificial cake, delighted Indra, drink Soma and the milk commingled. 8 O Mighty One, be joyful as thou willest. Let these our sacrifices reach and find thee; 9 Friends, when thejuices flow, replenish duly your own, your bounteous Indra with the Soma. 10 While Soma flowed, thus Indra hath been lauded, Ruler of nobles, mid the Bharadvajas,

2 Thou, Indra, art the Conqueror: thou gavest splendour to the Sun. 3 Radiant with light thou wentest to the sky, the luminous realm of heaven. 4 Come unto us, O Indra, dear, still conquering, unconcealable, 5 O truthful Soma−drinker, thou art mightier than both the worlds. 6 For thou art he, O Indra, wiio stormeth all castles of the foe, 7 Now have we, Indra, Friend of Song, sent our great wishes forth to thee, 8 As rivers swell the ocean, so, Hero, our prayers increase thy might, 9 With holy song mey bind to the broad wide−yoked car the Bay Steeds of the rapid God, 10 O Indra, bring great strength to us, bring valour, Satakratu, thou most active, bring 11 For, gracious Satakratu, thou hast ever been a Mother and a Sire to us, 12 To thee, Strong, Much−invoked, who showest forth thy strength, O Satakratu, do I speak:

2 Strong, bellowing, he goes, like one who slays the folk; he lets this hue of Asuras flow off from him, 3 Onward he flows, from both the hands, pressed out with stones: excited by the prayer, the water makes 4 They pour out meath around the Master of the house, Celestial Strengthener of the mountain that gives 5 They, the ten sisters, on the lap of Aditi, have sent him forward like a car from both the arms. 6 Like as a falcon to his home, so speeds the God to his own golden wisely−tashioned place to rest. 7 From far away, from heaven, the redhued noted Sage, Steer of the triple height, hath sung unto the kine. 8 His covering assumes a radiant hue; where'er he comes into the fight he drives the foe afar. 9 Like a bull roaming round the herds he bellows: he hath assumed the brilliancy of Surya.

2 He was set down mid men as Priest unerring, Agni, wise, welcome in our holy synods. 3 The glowing ladle, filled with oil, is lifted; choosing Gods' service to the right he circles. 4 When sacred grass is strewn and Agni kindled, the Adhvaryu rises to, his task rej o cing. 5 Agni himself, the Priest, with measured motion, goes round, with sweet speech, cheerful, true to Order. 6 Beautiful and auspicious is thine aspect, O lovely Agni, terrible when spreading. 7 Naught hindered his production, Bounteous Giver: his Mother and his Sire were free to send him. 8 He, Agni, whom the twice−five sisters, dwelling together, in the homes of men engendered, 9 These thy Bay Coursers, Agni, dropping fatness, ruddy vigorous, speeding straightly forward, 10 These brightly−shining games of thine, O Agni, that move for ever restless, allsubduing, 11 To thee, O flaming God, hath prayer been offered. Let the priest laud thee: give to him who worships.

2 He bellows with a roar arourd the highest twigs: the Tawny One is sweetened as he breaks them up. 3 The gladdening drink that measured out the meeting Twins fills full with milk the Eternal Ever−waxing 4 Wandering through, the Parents, strengthening the floods, the Sage makes his place swell with his own 5 With energetic intellect the Sage is born, deposited as germ of Law, far from the Twins. 6 The sages knew the form of him the Gladdener, what time the Falcon brought the plant from far away. 7 Together with the Rsis, with their prayers and hymns ten women deck thee, Soma, friendly when effuse 8 Songs resonant with praise have celebrated him. Soma, Friend, springing forth with his fair company. 9 He sends it into all the region forth from heaven. Soma, while he is filtcred, settles in the jars. 10 Even thus poured forth How on thy way, O Soma, vouchsafing us most manifold lively vigour.

2 Tanunapat, fair−tongued, with sweet meath balming the paths and waysof Order, make them pleasant. 3 Invoked, deserving prayer and adoration, O Agni, come accordant with the Vasus. 4 By rule the Sacred Grass is scattered eastward, a robe to clothe this earth when dawns are breaking. 5 Let the expansive Doors be widely opened, like wives who deck their beauty for their husbands. 6 Pouring sweet dews let holy Night and Morning, each close to each, he seated at their station, 7 Come the two first celestial sweet−voiced Hotars, arranging sacrifice for man to worship 8 Let Bharati come quickly to our worship, and Ila showing like a human being. 9 Hotar more skilled in sacrifice, bring hither with speed to−day God Tvastar, thou who knowest. 10 Send to our offerings which thyself thou balmest the Companies of Gods in ordered season. 11 Agni, as soon as he was born, made ready the sacrifice, and was the Gods' preceder.

2 The Twain uphold, though motionless and footless, a widespread offspring having feet and moving. 3 I call for Aditi's unrivalled bounty, perfect, celestial, deathless, meet for worship. 4 May we be close to both the Worlds who suffer no pain, Parents of Gods, who aid with favour, 5 Faring together, young, with meeting limits, Twin Sisters lying in their Parents' bosom, 6 Duly I call the two wide seats, the mighty, the general Parents, with the God's protection. 7 Wide, vast, and manifold, whose bounds are distant,−these, reverent, I address at this our worship, 8 What sin we have at any time committed against the Gods, our friend, our house's chieftain, 9 May both these Friends of man, who bless, preserve me, may they attend me with their help and favour. 10 Endowed with understanding, I have uttered this truth, for all to hear, to Earth and Heaven. 11 Be this my prayer fulfilled, O Earth and Heaven, wherewith, Father and Mother, I address you.

2 Without whom naught exists, Indra the Lofty One; in whom alone all powers heroic are combined. 3 Not by both worlds is thine own power to be surpassed, nor may thy car be stayed by mountains or by s 4 For all men bring their will to him the Resolute, to him the Holy One, to him the Strong they cleave. 5 The vessel of the strong flows forth, the flood of meath, unto the Strong who feeds upon the strong, for 6 Strong is thy thunderbolt, yea, and thy car is strong; strong are thy Bay Steeds and thy weapons powerfu 7 I, bold by prayer, come near thee in thy sacred rites, thee like a saving ship, thee shouting in the war. 8 Turn thee unto us ere calamity come nigh, as a cow full of pasture turns her to her calf. 9 Now let that wealthy Cow of thine, O Indra, yield in return a boon to him who lauds thee.

2 Thou, verily, Indra, gavest help to Kutsa, willingly giving car to him in battle, 3 O Bold One, thou with all thine aids hast boldly holpen Sudas whose offerings were accepted, 4 At the Gods' banquet, hero−souled! with Heroes, Lord of Bay Steeds, thou slewest many foemen. 5 These were thy mighty powers that, Thunder−wielder, thou swiftly crushedst nine−and−ninety castles: 6 Old are the blessings, Indra, which thou gavest Sudas the worshipper who brought oblations. 7 Give us not up, Lord of Bay Horses, Victor, in this thine own assembly, to the wicked. 8 May we men, Maghavan, the friends thou lovest, near thee be joyful under thy protection. 9 Swiftly, in truth, O Maghavan, about thee men skilled in hymning sing their songs and praises. ' 10 Thine are these lauds, O manliest of heroes, lauds which revert to us and give us riches. 11 Now, lauded for thine aid, Heroic Indra, sped by our prayer, wax mighty in thy body.

2 Draw thy Friend to thee like a cow at milking: O Singer, wake up Indra as a lover. 3 Why, Maghavan, do they call thee Bounteous; Giver? Quicken me: thou, I hear, art he who quickens. 4 Standing, in battle for their rights, together, the people, Indra, in the fray invoke thee. 5 Whoso with plenteous food for him expresses strong Somas as much quickly−coming treasure, 6 He unto whom we offer praises, Indra, Maghavan, who hath joined to ours his wishes,− 7 With thy fierce bolt, O God invoked of many, drive to a distance from afar the foeman. 8 Indra, the swallower of strong libations rich in the boons they bring, the potent Somas, 9 Yea, by superior play he wins advantage, when he, a gambler, piles his gains in season. 10 O Much−invoked, may we subdue all famine and evil want with store of grain and cattle. 11 Brhaspati protect us from the rearward, and from above, and from below, from sinners!

2 The God, intelligent, the speedy envoy whom thou hast sent hath come to me, Devapi: 3 Within my mouth, Brhaspati, deposit speech lucid, vigorous, and free from weakness, 4 Let the sweet drops descend on us, O Indra: give us enough to lade a thousand wagons. 5 Knowing the God's good−will, Devapi, Rsi, the son of Rstisena, sate as Hotar. 6 Gathered together in that highest ocean, the waters stood by deities obstructed. 7 When as chief priest for Santanu, Devapi, chosen for Hotar's duty, prayed beseeching, 8 O Agni whom Devapi Arstisena, the mortal man, hath kindled in his glory, 9 All ancient Rsis with their songs approached thee, even thee, O Much−invoked, at sacrifices. 10 The wagon−loads, the nine−and−ninety thousand, these have been offered up to thee, O Agni. 11 Give thou these ninety thousand loads, O Agni, to Indra, to the Bull, to be his portion. 12 O Agni, drive afar our foes, our troubles chase malady away and wicked demons.

2 Bull, hurler of the four−edged rain−producer with both his arms, strong, mighty, most heroic; 3 God who of all the Gods was born divinest, endowed with ample strength and mighty powers, 4 Before the High God, at his birth, heaven trembled, earth, many floods and all the precipices. 5 These are thy great deeds, Indra, thine, the Mighty, deeds to be told aloud at all libations, 6 True are all these thy deeds, O Most Heroic. The Milch−kine issued from the streaming udder. 7 With joy, O Indra, Lord of Tawny Coursers, the Sisters then, these Goddesses, extolled thee, 8 Pressed is the gladdening stalk as 'twere a river: so let the rite, the toiler's power, attract thee 9 Ever by us perform thy most heroic, thine highest, best victorious deeds, O Victor. 10 Graciously listen to our prayer, O Indra, and strength of varied sort bestow thou on us. 11 Now, Indra! lauded, glorified with praises, let wealth swell hiah like rivers to the singer.

2 To be invoked and hymned in fight with Vrtra, that well−praised Indra gives us real bounties. 3 Him, verily, the men invoke in combat; risking their lives they make him their protector, 4 Strong God! the folk at need put forth their vigour, striving together in the whirl of battle. 5 Hence many a one worships the might of Indra: hence let the brew succeed the meal−oblation. 6 Indra gives comfort to the man who truly presses, for him who longs fot it, the Soma, 7 He who this day for Indra presses Soma, prepares the brew and fries the grains of barley− 8 When the impetuous chief hath sought the confliet, and the lord looked upon the long−drawn battle, 9 He bid a small price for a thing of value: I was content, returning, still unpurchased. 10 Who for ten milch−kine purchaseth from rne this Indra who is mine? 11 Now, Indra! lauded, glorified with praises, let wealth swell high like rivers for the singer.

2 Surya hath spread his light as splendour: hither came the Cows' Mother, conscious, from the stable, 3 This laud hath won the burden of the mountain. To aid the ancient birth of mighty waters 4 With hymns and God−loved words will I invoke you, Indra and Agni, to obtain your favour, 5 This day approach us: may our thoughts be holy, far from us let us cast away misfortune. 6 Come, let us carry out, O friends, the purpose wherewith the Mother threw the Cow's stall open, 7 Here, urged by hands, loudly hath rung the press−stone wherewith Navagvas through ten months sang 8 When at the dawning of this mighty Goddess, Angirases all sang forth with the cattle,− 9 Borne by his Coursers Seven may Surya visit the field that spreadeth wide for his long journey. 10 Surya hath mounted to the shining ocean when he hath yoked his fair−backed Tawny Horses. 11 I lay upon the Floods your hymn, lightwinning, wherewith Navagvas their ten months completed.

2 May he who goes before the Gods come hither with steeds whose shapes are varied, Narasarhsa. 3 Men with oblations laud most constant Agni, and pray him to perform an envoy's duty. 4 May the delight of Gods spread out transversely: may it be with us long in length and fragrant. 5 Touch ye the far−extending height of heaven or spring apart to suit the wide earth's measure. 6 Here in this shrine may Dawn and Night, the Daughters of Heaven, the skilful Goddesses, be seated. 7 Up stands the stone, high burns the fire enkindled: Aditi's lap contains the Friendly Natures 8 On our wide grass, Three Goddesses be seated: for you have we prepared and made it pleasant. 9 Since thou, God Tvastar, hast made beauty perfect, since hou hast been the Angirases' Companion, 10 Well−knowing, binding with thy cord, bring hither, Lord of the Wood, the Deities' assembly. 11 Agni, bring hither Varuna to help us, Indra from heaven, from air's mid−realm the Maruts.

1 AGNI I first invoke for our prosperity; I call on Mitra, Varuna, to aid us here. 2 Throughout the dusky firmament advancing, laying to rest the immortal and the mortal, 3 The God moves by the upward path, the downward; with two bright Bays, adorable, he journeys. 4 His chariot decked with pearl, of various colours, lofty, with golden pole, the God hath mounted, 5 Drawing the gold−yoked car his Bays, white−footed, have manifested light to all the peoples. 6 Three heavens there are; two Savitar's, adjacent: in Yama's world is one, the home of heroes, 7 He, strong of wing, hath lightened up the regions, deep−quivering Asura, the gentle Leader. 8 The earth's eight points his brightness hath illumined, three desert regions and the Seven Rivers. 9 The golden−handed Savitar, far−seeing, goes on his way between the earth and heaven, 10 May he, gold−handed Asura, kind Leader, come hither to us with his help and favour. 11 O Savitar, thine ancient dustless pathways are well established in the air's midregion:

2 May the auspicious favour of the Gods be ours, on us descend the bounty of the righteous Gods. 3 We call them hither with a hymn of olden time, Bhaga, the friendly Daksa, Mitra, Aditi, 4 May the Wind waft to us that pleasant medicine, may Earth our Mother give it, and our Father Heaven, 5 Him we invoke for aid who reigns supreme, the Lord of all that stands or moves, inspirer of the soul, 6 Illustrious far and wide, may Indra prosper us: may Pusan prosper us, the Master of all wealth. 7 The Maruts, Sons of Prani, borne by spotted steeds, moving in glory, oft visiting holy rites, 8 Gods, may we with our ears listen to what is good, and with our eyes see what is good, ye Holy Ones. 9 A hundred autumns stand before us, O ye Gods, within whose space ye bring our bodies to decay; 10 Aditi is the heaven, Aditi is mid−air, Aditi is the Mother and the Sire and Son.