Rig Veda on Self-Control

2 Lauded by many, much−invoked, leader of song, renowned of old: 3 Indra the Dancer be to us the giver of abundant strength: 4 Indra whose jaws are strong hath drunk of worshipping Sudaksa's draught, 5 Call Indra loudly with your songs of praise to drink the Soma juice. 6 When he hath drqnk its gladdening drops, the God with vigour of a God 7 Thou speedest down to succour us this ever−conquering God of yours, 8 The Warrior not to he restrained, the Soma−drinker ne'er o'erthrown, 9 O Indra, send us riches, thou Omniscient, worthy of our praise: 10 Even thence, O 1ndra, come to us with food that gives a hundred powers, 11 We sought the wisdom of the wise. Sakra, Kine−giver, Thunder−armed! 12 We make thee, Satakratu, find enjoyment in the songs we sing.

27 True undeniabIc strength he found in Yadu and in Turvasa, 28 Him have I magnified, our Lord in, common, Guardian of your folk, 29 Rbhuksan, not to be restrained, who strengthened Tugra's son in lauds, 30 Who for Trisoka clave the hill that formed a wide receptacle, 31 Whate'er thy plan or purpose be, whate'er, in transport, thou wouldst do, 32 But little hath been heard of done upon the earth by one like thee i 33 Thine then shall be this high renown, thine shall these lofty praises be, 34 Not for one trespass, not for two, O Hero, slay us, nor for three, 35 I fear one powerful like thee, the crusherdown of enemies, 36 O wealthy God, ne'er may I live to see my friend or son in need*: 37 What friend, O people, unprovoked, hath ever said unto a friend, 38 Hero, insatiate enjoy this Soma juice so near to thee, 39 Hither I draw those Bays of thine yoked 40 Drive all our enemies away, smite down the foes who press around, 41 O Tndra, that which is concealed in strong firm place precipitous: 42 Great riches which the world of men shall recognize as sent by thbe:

2 Him, to be praised at each tribe's sacrifices, the Two young Matrons' sober−minded Herald, 3 Unlike in form are the Red God's two Daughters: one is the Sun's, and stars bedeck the other. 4 I with a lofty song call hither Vayu, all−bounteous, filler of his car, most wealthy. 5 That chariot of the Asvins, fair to look on, pleaseth me well, yoked with a thought, refulgent, 6 Bulls of the Earth, O Vata and Parjanya, stir up for us the regions of the water. 7 So may Sarasvati, the Hero's Consort, brisk with rare life, the lightning's Child, inspire us, 8 I praise with eloquence him who guards all pathways. He, when his love impelled him, went to Arka. 9 May Herald Agni, fulgent, bring for worship Tvastar adored, in homes and swift to listen, 10 Rudra by day, Rudra at night we honour with these our songs, the Universe's Father. 11 Ye who are youthful, wise, and meet for worship, come, Martits, to the longing of the singer. 12 Even as the herdsman driveth home his cattle, I urge my songs to him the strong swift Hero 13 He who for man's behoof in his afiliction thrice measured out the earthly regions, Visnu− 14 Sweet be this song of mine to Ahibudhnya, Parvata, Savitar, with Floods and Lightnings; 15 Give riches borne on cars, with many heroes, contenting men, the guard of mighty Order.

2 Men, Vasu! by the Soma, with lauds call thee to the foremost place: 3 Boldly, Bold Hero, bring us spoil in thousands for the Kanvas' sake. 4 Medhyatithi, to Indra sing, drink of the juice to make thee glad. 5 He Who is praised as strong of hand both right and left, most wise and hold: 6 The bold of heart whom none provokes, who stands in bearded confidence; 7 Who knows what vital ower he wins, drinking beside the flowing juice? 8 As a wild elephant rushes on this way and that way, mad with heat,' 9 When he, the Mighty, ne'er o'erthrown, steadfast, made ready for the fight, 10 Yea, verily, thou art a Bull, with a bull's rush. whom none may stay: 11 Thy reins are very bulls in strength, bulls' strength is in thy golden whip. 12 Let the strong presser press for thee. Bring hither, thou straight−rushing Bull. 13 Come, thou most potent Indra, come to drink the savoury Soma juice. 14 When thou hast mounted on thy car let thy yoked Bay Steeds carry thee, 15 O thou Most Lofty One, accept our laud as nearest to thine heart. 16 Neither in thy decree nor mine, but in another's he delights,− 17 Indra himself hath said, The mind of woman brooks not discipline, 18 His pair of horses, rushing on in their wild transport, draw his car: 19 Cast down thine eyes and look not up. More closely set thy feet. Let none

2 Quaff it pure, meal−blent, mixt with milk, O Indra; we have poured forth the Soma for thy rapture. 3 Those who gave increase to thy strength and vigour; the Maruts singing forth thy might, O Indra. 4 They, even the Maruts who were there, excited with song the meath−created strength of Indra. 5 Pleased, like a man, with our libation, Indra, drink, for enduring hero might, the Soma. 6 When thou didst loose the streams to run like racers in the swift contest, having smitten Vrtra 7 With reverence let us worship mighty Indra, great and sublime, eternal, everyouthful, 8 Many are Indra's nobly wrought achievements, and none of all the Gods transgress his statutes. 9 Herein, O Guileless One, is thy true greatness, that soon as born thou drankest up the Soma. 10 As soon as thou wast born in highest heaven thou drankest Soma to delight thee, Indra; 11 Thou, puissant God, more mighty, slewest. Ahi showing his strength when couched around the waters. 12 Sacrifice, Indra, made thee wax so mighty, the dear oblation with the flowing Soma. 13 With sacrifice and wish have I brought Indra; still for new blessings may I turn him hither, 14 I have brought forth a song when longing seized me: ere the decisive day will I laud Indra; 15 Full is his chalice: Glory! Like a pourer I have filled up the vessel for his drinking. 16 Not the deep−flowing flood, O Much−invoked One! not hills that compass thee about restrain thee, 17 Call we on Maghavan, auspicious Indra, best Hero in this fight where spoil is gathered,

2 He who with purifying stream, effused, comes flowing hitherward, 3 The men with all−pervading song send unassailable Soma forth, 4 The Somas, very rich in sweets, for which the sieve is destined, flow, 5 Indu flows on for Indra's sake: thus have the Deities declared. 6 Inciter of the voice of song, with thousand streams the ocean flows, 7 As Pusan, Fortune, Bhaga, comes this Soma while they make him pure. 8 The dear cows lowed in joyful mood together to the gladdening drink. 9 O Pavamana, bring the juice, the mightiest, worthy to be famed, 10 For us the Soma juices flow, the drops best furtherers of our weal, 11 Effused by means of pressing−stones, upon the ox−hide visible, 12 Tlese Soma juices, skilled in song, purified, blent with milk and curd, 13 Let not the power of men restrain the voice of the outpouring juice: 14 The Friend hath wrapped him in his robe, as in his parents arms, a son. 15 That Hero who produces strength, he who hath propped both worlds apart, 16 Soma upon the ox's skin through the sheep's wool flows purified. 2 The place, near the two pressing−stones of Trita, hath he occupied, 3 Urge to three courses, on the heights of Trita, riches in a stream. 4 Even at his birth the Mothers Seven taught him, for glory, like a sage, 5 Under his sway, of one accord, are all the guileless Deities: 6 The Babe whom they who strengthen Law have generated fair to see, 7 To him, united, of themselves, come the young Parents of the rite, 8 With wisdom and with radiant eyes unbar to us the stall of heaven,

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 Purified by the stones the Soma flows for thee, clothed with its lovely splendours, to the reservoir, flows 3 Come thou with hundreds, come with thousands in thy team to this our solemn rite, to taste the sacred f 4 The chariot with its team of horses bring you both, to guard us and to taste the well−appointed food, Va 5 May our songs bring you hither to our solemn rites: these drops of mighty vigour have they beauti fied, 6 These Soma juices pressed for you in waters here, borne by attendant priests, are oficredup to you: brigh 7 O Vayu, pass thou over all the,slumberers, and where the press−stone rings enter ye both that house, ye 8 Ride hither to the offering of the pleasant juice, the holy Fig−tree which victorious priests surround: 9 These Bulls of thine, O Vayu with the arm of strength, who swiftly fly within the current of thy stream,

8 May the fleet Courser's halter and his heel−ropes, the head−stall and the girths and cords about him. 9 What part of the Steed's flesh the fly hath eaten, or is left sticking to the post or hatchet, 10 Food undigested steaming from his belly, and any odour of raw flesh remaining, 11 What from thy body which with fire is roasted, when thou art set upon the spit, distilleth, 12 They who observing that the Horse is ready call out and say, the smell is good; remove it; 13 The trial−fork of the flesh−cooking caldron, the vessels out of which the broth is sprinkled, 14 The starting−place, his place of rest and rolling, the ropes wherewith the Charger's feet were fastened, 15 Let not the fire, smoke−scented, make thee crackle, nor glowing caldron smell and break to pieces. 16 The robe they spread upon the Horse to clothe him, the upper covering and the golden trappings, 17 If one, when seated, with excessive urging hath with his heel or with his whip distressed thee, 18 The four−and−thirty ribs of the. Swift Charger, kin to the Gods, the slayer's hatchet pierces. 19 Of Tvastar's Charger there is one dissector,−this is the custom−two there are who guide him. 20 Let not thy dear soul burn thee as thou comest, let not the hatchet linger in thy body. 21 No, here thou diest not, thou art not injured: by easy paths unto the Gods thou goest. 22 May this Steed bring us all−sustaining riches, wealth in good kine,good horses, manly offspring.

2 Let our strong drink, most excellent, exhilarating, come to thee, 3 Thou, Hero, winner of the spoil, urgest to speed the car of man. 4 Empowered by thine own might, O Sage, thou stolest Sarya's chariot wheel. 5 Most mighty is thy rapturous joy, most splendid is thine active power, 6 As thou, O Indra, to the ancient singers wast ever joy, as water to the thirsty,

2 Three times unto our solemn rite comes Agni like a charioteer, 3 Round the oblations hath he paced, Agni the Wise, the Lord of Strength, 4 He who is kindled eastward for Srnjaya, Devavata's son, 5 So mighty be the Agni whom the mortal hero shall command, 6 Day after day they dress him, as they clean a horse who wins the prize. 7 When Sahadeva's princely son with two bay horses thought of me, 8 And truly those two noble bays I straightway took when offered me, 9 Long, O ye Asvins, may he live, your care, ye Gods, the princely son. 10 Cause him the youthful prince, the son of Sahadeva, to enjoy

2 Forth come your viands rich with store of pleasant meath, and cars and horses at the flushing of the daw 3 Drink of the meath with lips accustomed to the draught; harness for the meath's sake the chariot that ye 4 The swans ye have are friendly, rich in store of mcath, gold−pinioned, strong to draw, awake at early m 5 Well knowing solemn rites and rich in meath, the fires sing to the morning Asvins at the break of day, 6 The rays advancing nigh, chasing with day the gloom, spread through the firmament bright radiance like 7 Devout in thought I have declared, O Asvins, your chariot with good steeds, which lasts for ever,

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 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 White−hued and thundering he dwells in splendour, Most Youthful, with the loudvoiced and eternal− 3 Incited by the wind thy flames, O Agni, move onward, Pure One! pure, in all directions. 4 Thy pure white horses from their bonds are loosened: O Radiant One, they shear the ground beneath the 5 Forth darts the Bull's tongue like the sharp stone weapon discharged by him who fights to win the cattle. 6 Thou with the sunlight of the great Impeller hast boldly over−spread the earth's expanses. 7 Wondrous! of wondrous power! give to the singer wealth wondrous, marked, most wonderful, life−givi

2 Moving to sacrifice through realms of lustre they light the radiance of the car that bears them. 3 Ye to that bounteous path of yours, ye mighty, have ever borne away our thoughts with horses, 4 So ye, when ye have yoked your chariothorses, come to the hymn of the most recent singer. 5 With newest hymn I call those Wonder−Workers, ancient and brilliant, and exceeding mighty, 6 So ye, with birds, out of the sea and waters bore Bhujyu, son of Tugra, through the regions. 7 Victors, car−borne, ye rent the rock asunder: Bulls, heard the calling of the eunuch's consort. 8 Whate'er from olden time, Heaven, Earth! existeth great object of the wrath of Gods and mortals, 9 May he who knows, as Varuna and Mitra, air's realm, appointing both the Kings in season, 10 Come to our home with friendly wheels, for offipring; come on your radiant chariot rich in heroes. 11 Come hitherward to us with teams of horses, the highest and the midmost and the lowest.

2 With Bow let us win kine, with Bow the battle, with Bow be victors in our hot encounters. 3 Close to his car, as fain to speak, She presses, holding her well−loved Friend in her embraces. 4 These, meeting like a woman and her lover, bear, mother−like, their child upon their bosom. 5 With many a son, father of many daughters, He clangs and clashes as he goes to battle. 6 Upstanding in the Car the skilful Charioteer guides his strong Horses on whithersoe'er he will. 7 Horses whose hoofs rain dust are neighing loudly, yoked to the Chariots, showing forth their vigour, 8 Car−bearer is the name of his oblation, whercon are laid his Weapons and his Armour. 9 In sweet association lived the fathers who gave us life, profound and strong in trouble, 10 The Brahmans, and the Fathers meet for Soma−draughts, and, graciously inclined, unequalled Heaven 11 Her tooth a deer, dressed in an eagle's feathers, bound with cow−hide, launched forth, She flieth onwar 12 Avoid us thou whose flight is straight, and let our bodies be as stone. 13 He lays his blows upon their backs, he deals his blows upon their thighs. 14 It compasses the arm with serpent windings, fending away the friction of the bowstring: 15 Now to the Shaft with venom smeared, tipped with deer−horn, with iron mouth, 16 Loosed from the Bowstring fly away, thou Arrow, sharpened by our prayer. 17 There where the flights of Arrows fall like boys whose locks are yet unshorn. 18 Thy vital parts I cover with thine Armour: with immortality King Soma clothe thee. 19 Whoso would kill us, whether he be a strange foe or one of us,

2 His two red horses, all−supporting, let him yoke: let him, well−worshipped, urge them fast. 3 The flame of him the Bountiful, the Much−invoked, hath mounted up, 4 Thee, thee Most Glorious One we make our messenger. Bring the Gods hither to the feast. 5 Thou, Agni, art the homestead's Lord, our Herald at the sacrifice. 6 Give riches to the sacrificer, O Most Wise, for thou art he who granteth wealth. 7 O Agni who art worshipped well, dear let our princes he to thee, 8 They in whose home, her hand bearing the sacred oil, Ila sits down well−satisfied− 9 Do thou, a Priest with pleasant tongue, most wise, and very near to us, 10 They who bestow as bounty plenteous wealth of steeds, moved by desire of great renown− 11 The God who gives your wealth demands a full libation poured to him. 12 Him have the Gods appointed Priest of sacrifice, oblation−bearer, passing wise.

2 Bearing rich treasure in your car, O Asvins, come to the mortal who presents oblation. 3 May your strong horses, seeking bliss, bring hither your chariot at the earliest flush of morning. 4 The chariot, Princes, that conveys you, moving at daylight, triple−seated, fraught with riches, 5 Ye freed Cyavana from old age and weakness: ye brought the courser fleet of food to Pedu. 6 This is the thought, this is the song, O Asvins: accept this hymn of ours, ye Steers, With favour.

2 Steer−strong thy might is as a steer's, steerstrong thywood, steer−like thy drink 3 Thou, Indu, as a vigorous horse, hast neighed together steeds and kine: 4 Out of desire of cows and steeds and horses. potent Soma−drops, 5 They purified in both the hands, made beautiful by holy men, 6 These Soma juices shall pour forth all treasures for the worshipper 7 The streams of Pavamana, thine, Finder of all, have been effused, 8 Making the light that shines from heaven thou flowest on to every form 9 Urged on thou sendest out thy voice, O Pavamana; thou hast moved, 10 Indu, Enlightener, Friend, hath been purified by the sages' hymns: 11 Thy God−delighting wave which hath flowed to purifying seive, 12 Flow to our sieve, a gladdening draught that hath most intercourse with Gods, 13 Flow onward with a stream for food, made beautiful by sapient men: 14 While thou art cleansed, Song−Lover, bring comfort and vigour to the folk, 15 Purified for the feast of Gods, go thou to Indra's special place, 16 Accelerated by the hymn, the rapid drops of Soma juice 17 Easily have the living drops, made beautiful, approached the lake, 18 Compass about, our faithful Friend, all our possessions with thy might: 19 Loud neighs the Courser Etasa, with singers, harnessed for the place, 20 What time the Swift One resteth in the golden place of sacrifice, 21 The friends have sung in unison, the prudent wish to sacrifice: 22 For Indra girt by Maruts, flow, thou Indu, very rich in sweets, 23 Controlling priests and sages skilled in holy song adorn thee well: 24 Aryaman, Mitra, Varuna drink Pavamana's juice, yea, thine: 25 O Soma, Indu, thou while thou art purified urgest onward speech. 26 Yea, Soma, Indu, while thou art purified do thou bring to us 27 O Indu, Much−invoked, while thou art purifying, as the Friend. 28 Bright are these Somas blent with milk, with light that flashes brilliantly.

2 Awake all pleasant strains and let the hymns flow forth: raise up abundant fulness: this is our desire. 3 Ye are the bliss of her who groweth old at home, and helpers of the slow although he linger last. 4 Ye made Cyavana, weak and worn with length of days, young again, like a car, that he had power to mo 5 We will declare among the folk your ancient deeds heroic; yea, ye were Physicians bringing health. 6 Listen to me, O Asvins; I have cried to you. Give me−your aid as sire and mother aid their son. 7 Ye, mounted on your chariot brought to Vimada the comely maid of Purumitra as a bride. 8 Ye gave a ain the vigour of his youthful life to tge sage Kali when old age was coming nigh. 9 Ye Asvins Twain, endowed with manly strength, brought forth Reblia when hidden in the cave and 10 On Pedu ye bestowed, Asvins, a courser white, mighty with nine−and−ninety varied gifts of strength, 11 From no side, ye Two Kings whom none may check or stay, doth grief, distress, or danger come u on t 12 Come on that Chariot which the Rbhus wrought for you, the Chariot, Asvins, that is speedier than thou 13 Come, Conquerors of the sundered mountain, to our home, Asvins who made the cow stream milk for 14 We have prepared this laud for you, O Asvins, and, like the Bhrgus, as a car have framed it,

2 Make pleasant hymns, spin out your songs and praises: build ye a ship equipped with oars for transport. 3 Lay on the yokes, and fasten well the traces: formed is the furrow, sow the seed within it. 4 Wise, through desire of bliss from Gods, the skilful bind the traces fast, And lay the yokes on either side 5 Arrange the buckets in their place securely fasten on the straps. 6 I pour the water from the well with pails prepared and goodly straps, 7 Refresh the horses, win the prize before you: equip a chariot fraught with happy fortune. 8 Prepare the cow−stall, for there drink your heroes: stitch ye the coats of armour, wide and many. 9 Hither, for help, I turn the holy heavenly mind of you the Holy Gods, that longs for sacrifice. 10 Pour golden juice within the wooden vessel: with stone−made axes fashion ye and form it. 11 Between both poles the car−horse goes pressed closely, as in his dwelling moves the doubly−wedded. 12 Indra is he, O men, who gives us happiness: sport, urge the giver of delight to win us strength