rig veda book 1

8/12/2019 Rig Veda Book 1

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HYMN I. Agni.

1 I Laud Agni, the chosen Priest, God, minister of sacrifice,The hotar, lavishest of ealth.

! "orth# is Agni to $e %raised $# living as $# ancient seersHe shall $ring hitherard the Gods.

& Through Agni man o$taineth ealth, #ea, %lent# a'ing da# $# da#,Most rich in heroes, glorious.

( Agni, the %erfect sacrifice hich thou encom%assest a$out)eril# goeth to the Gods.

* Ma# Agni, sa%ient+minded Priest, truthful, most gloriousl# great,The God, come hither ith the Gods.

"hatever $lessing, Agni, thou ilt grant unto th# orshi%%er,That, A giras, is indeed th# truth.

- To thee, dis%eller of the night, Agni, da# $# da# ith %ra#er/ringing thee reverence, e come

0 uler of sacrifices, guard of La eternal, radiant ne,Increasing in thine on a$ode.

2 /e to us eas# of a%%roach, even as a father to his son3

Agni, $e ith us for our eal.

HYMN II. )4#u.

1 /5A6TI76L )4#u, come, for thee these 8oma dro%s have $een %re%ared39rin: of them, hear:en to our call.

! ;noing the da#s, ith 8oma sa:e3The dro%s are #earning for #ou $oth.

* "ell do #e mar: li$ations, #e )4#u and Indra, rich in s%oil?


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8o come #e siftl# hitherard.

)4#u and Indra, come to hat the 8oma+%resser hath %re%ared38oon, Heroes, thus I ma:e m# %ra#er.

- Mitra, of hol# strength, I call, and foe+destro#ing )aru a,

"ho ma:e the oil+fed rite com%lete.

0 Mitra and )aru a, through La, lovers and cherishers of La,Have #e o$tained #our might %oer

2 ur 8ages, Mitra+)aru a, ide dominion, strong $# $irth,)ouchsafe us strength that or:eth ell.

HYMN III. A@vins

1 Y5 A@vins, rich in treasure, Lords of s%lendour, having nim$le hands,Acce%t the sacrificial food.

! Ye A@vins, rich in ondrous deeds, #e heroes orth# of our %raise,Acce%t our songs ith might# thought.

& N4sat#as, onder+or:ers, #ours are these li$ations ith cli%t grass3ome #e hose %aths are red ith flame.

( Indra marvellousl# $right, come, these li$ations long for thee,Thus $# fine fingers %urified.

* 6rged $# the hol# singer, s%ed $# song, come, Indra, to the %ra#ers,

f the li$ation+%ouring %riest.

A%%roach, Indra, hasting thee, Lord of /a# Horses, to the %ra#ers.

In our li$ation ta:e delight.

- Ye )i@vedevas, ho %rotect, reard, and cherish men, a%%roach

Your orshi%%erBs drin:+offering.

0 Ye )i@vedevas, sift at or:, come hither Cuic:l# to the draught,

As milch+:ine hasten to their stalls.

2 The )i@vedevas, changing sha%e li:e ser%ents, fearless, void of guile,

/earers, acce%t the sacred draught


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1D "ealth# in s%oil, enriched ith h#mns, ma# $right 8arasvatE desire,

"ith eager love, our sacrifice.

11 Inciter of all %leasant songs, ins%irer of all gracious thought,

8arasvatE acce%t our rite

1! 8arasvatE, the might# flood,Fshe ith her light illuminates,

8he $rightens ever# %ious thought.

HYMN I). Indra

1 As a good co to him ho mil:s, e call the doer of fair deeds,To our assistance da# $# da#.

! ome thou to our li$ations, drin: of 8oma= 8oma+drin:er thou?

The rich neBs ra%ture giveth :ine.

& 8o ma# e $e acCuainted ith thine innermost $enevolence3

Neglect us not, come hitherard.

( Go to the ise unconCuered ne, as: thou of Indra, s:illed in song,

Him ho is $etter than th# friends.

* "hether the men ho moc: us sa#, 9e%art unto another %lace,

Ye ho serve Indra and none else=

r hether, God of ondrous deeds, all our true %eo%le call us $lest,

8till ma# e dell in IndraBs care.

- 6nto the sift ne $ring the sift, man+cheering, grace of sacrifice,

That to the 7riend gives ings and sla#er= thou

Hel%est the arrior in the fra#.

2 "e strengthen, ata:ratu, thee, #ea, thee the %oerful in fight,


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That, Indra, e ma# in us ealth.

1D To him the might# stream of ealth, %rom%t friend of him ho %ours the


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HYMN )I. Indra.

1 The# ho stand round him as he moves harness the $right, the rudd# 8teed

The lights are shining in the s:#.

! n $oth sides to the car the# #o:e the to $a# coursers dear to him,

/old, tan#, $earers of the hief.

& Thou, ma:ing light here no light as, and form, men3 here form as not,

"ast $orn together ith the 9ans.

( Thereafter the#, as is their ont, thre off the state of $a$es un$orn,Assuming sacrificial names.

* Thou, Indra, ith the Tem%est+Gods, the $rea:ers don of hat is firm,

7oundest the :ine even in the cave.

"orshi%%ing even as the# list, singers laud him ho findeth ealth,

The far+renoned, the might# ne.

- Ma#est thou veril# $e seen coming $# fearless IndraBs side3

/oth


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1 IN9A the singers ith high %raise, Indra reciters ith their lauds,

Indra the choirs have glorified.

! Indra hath ever close to him his to $a# steeds and ord+#o:ed car,

Indra the golden, thunder+armed.

& Indra hath raised the 8un on high in heaven, that he ma# see afar3

He $urst the mountain for the :ine.

( Hel% us, Indra, in the fra#s, #ea, fra#s, here thousand s%oils are gained,

"ith aful aids, aful ne.

* In might# $attle e invo:e Indra, Indra in lesser fight,

The 7riend ho $ends his $olt at fiends.

6nclose, our manl# Hero, thou for ever $ounteous, #onder cloud,

7or us, thou irresisti$le.

- 8till higher, at each strain of mine, thunder+armed IndraBs %raises rise3

I find no laud orth# of him.

0 5ven as the $ull drives on the herds, he drives the %eo%le ith his might,

The uler irresisti$le3

2 Indra ho rules ith single sa# men, riches, and the fivefold race

f those ho dell u%on the earth.

1D 7or #our sa:e from each side e call Indra aa# from other men3

urs, and none others>, ma# he $e.

HYMN )III. Indra.

1 IN9A, $ring ealth that gives delight, the victorBs ever+conCuering ealth,

Most e'cellent, to $e our aid=

! /# means of hich e ma# re%el our foes in $attle hand to hand,


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/# thee assisted ith the car.

& Aided $# thee, the thunder+armed, Indra, ma# e lift u% the $olt,

And conCuer all our foes in fight.

( "ith thee, India, for all# ith missile+darting heroes, ma#

"e conCuer our em$attled foes.

* Might# is Indra, #ea su%reme= greatness $e his, the Thunderer3

"ide as the heaven e'tends his %oer

"hich aideth those to in them sons, ho come as heroes to the fight,

r singers loving hol# thoughts.

- His $ell#, drin:ing dee%est draughts of 8oma, li:e an ocean sells,

Li:e ide streams from the co%e of heaven.

0 8o also is his e'cellence, great, vigorous, rich in cattle, li:e

A ri%e $ranch to the orshi%%er.

2 7or veril# th# might# %oers, Indra, are saving hel%s at once

6nto a orshi%%er li:e me.

1D 8o are his lovel# gifts= let lauds and %raises $e to Indra sung,

That he ma# drin: the 8oma


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( 8ongs have out%oured themselves to thee, Indra, the strong, the guardian Lord,

And raised themselves unsatisfied.

* 8end to us $ount# manifold, Indra, orth# of our ish,

7or %oer su%reme is onl# thine.

Indra, stimulate thereto us emulousl# fain for ealth,

And glorious, most s%lendid ne.

- Give, Indra, ide and loft# fame, ealth# in cattle and in strength,

Lasting our life+time, failing not.

0 Grant us high fame, Indra, grant riches $estoing thousands, those

7air fruits of earth $orne home in ains.

2 Praising ith songs the %raise+orth# ho cometh to our aid, e call

Indra, the Treasure+Lord of ealth.

1D To loft# Indra, deller $# each li$ation, the %ious man

8ings forth aloud a strengthening h#mn.

HYMN . Indra.

1 TH5 chanters h#mn thee, the# ho sa# the ord of %raise magnif# thee.

The %riests have raised thee u% on high, ata:ratu, li:e a %ole.

! As u% he clom$ from ridge to ridge and loo:ed u%on the toilsome tas:,

Indra o$serves this ish of his, and the ain hastens ith his troo%.

& Harness th# %air of strong $a# steeds, long+maned, hose $odies fill the girths,

And, Indra, 8oma+drin:er, come to listen to our songs of %raise.

( ome hither, anser thou the song, sing in a%%roval, cr# aloud.

Good Indra, ma:e our %ra#er succeed, and %ros%er this our sacrifice.

* To Indra must a laud $e said, to strengthen him ho freel# gives,

That a:ra ma# ta:e %leasure in our friendshi% and drin:+offerings.


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Him, him e see: for friendshi%, him for riches and heroic might.

7or Indra, he is a:ra, he shall aid us hile he gives us ealth.

- 5as# to turn and drive aa#, Indra, is s%oil $estoed $# thee.

6nclose the sta$le of the :ine, and give us ealth Thunder+armed

0 The heaven and earth contain thee not, together, in th# rathful mood.

"in us the aters of the s:#, and send us :ine a$undantl#.

2 Hear, thou hose ear is Cuic:, m# call= ta:e to thee readil# m# songs

Indra, let this laud of mine come nearer even than th# friend.

1D "e :no thee mightiest of all, in $attles hearer of our cr#.

f thee most might# e invo:e the aid that giveth thousandfold.

11 Indra, 8on of ;u@i:a, drin: our li$ation ith delight.

Prolong our life ane, and cause the seer to in a thousand gifts.

1! Lover of song, ma# these our songs on ever# side encom%ass thee3

8trengthening thee of lengthened life, ma# the# $e dear delights to thee.

HYMN I. Indra.

1 ALL sacred songs have magnified Indra e'%ansive as the sea,

The $est of arriors $orne on cars, the Lord, the ver# Lord of strength.

! 8trong in th# friendshi%, Indra, Lord of %oer and might, e have no fear.

"e glorif# ith %raises thee, the never+conCuered conCueror.

& The gifts of Indra from of old, his saving succours, never fail,

"hen to the %raise+singers he gives the $oon of su$stance rich in :ine.

( rusher of forts, the #oung, the ise, of strength unmeasured, as he $orn

8ustainer of each sacred rite, Indra, the Thunderer, much+e'tolled.

* Lord of the thunder, thou didst $urst the cave of )ala rich in cos.

The Gods came %ressing to th# side, and free from terror aided thee,


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I, Hero, through th# $ounties am come to the flood addressing thee.

8ong+lover, here the singers stand and testif# to thee thereof.

- The il# u a, Indra? thou o>erthreest ith th# ondrous %oers.

The ise $eheld this deed of thine3 no go $e#ond their eulogies.

0 ur songs of %raise have glorified Indra ho ruleth $# his might,

"hose %recious gifts in thousands come, #ea, even more a$undantl#.

HYMN II. Agni.

1 "5 choose Agni the messenger, the herald, master of all ealth,

"ell s:illed in this our sacrifice.! "ith callings ever the# invo:e Agni, Agni, Lord of the House,

$lation+$earer, much $eloved.

& /ring the Gods hither, Agni, $orn for him ho stres the sacred grass3

Thou art our herald, meet for %raise.

( "a:e u% the illing Gods, since thou, Agni, %erformest em$assage3

8it on the sacred grass ith Gods.

* Agni, radiant ne, to hom the hol# oil is %oured, $urn u%

ur enemies hom fiends %rotect.

/# Agni Agni is inflamed, Lord of the House, ise, #oung, ho $ears

The gift3 the ladle is his mouth.

- Praise Agni in the sacrifice, the 8age hose a#s are ever true,

The God ho driveth grief aa#.

0 God, Agni, $e his strong defence ho lord of sacrificial gifts,

"orshi%%eth thee the messenger.

2 "hoso ith sacred gift ould fain call Agni to the feast of Gods,

Purifier, favour him.


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1D 8uch, Agni, Purifier, $right, $ring hither to our sacrifice,

To our o$lation $ring the Gods.

11 8o lauded $# our neest song of %raise $ring o%ulence to us,

And food, ith heroes for our sons.

1! Agni, $# effulgent flame, $# all invo:ings of the Gods,

8ho %leasure in this laud of ours.

HYMN III. Agni

1 AGNI, ell+:indled, $ring the Gods for him ho offers hol# gifts.

"orshi% them, Purifier, Priest.! 8on of Th#self, %resent, 8age, our sacrifice to the Gods toda#.

8eet to the taste, that the# ma# feast.

& 9ear Nar4@a sa, seet of tongue, the giver of o$lations, I

Invo:e to this our sacrifice.

( Agni, on th# most eas# car, glorified, hither $ring the Gods3

Manu a%%ointed thee as Priest.

* 8tre, #e ise, the sacred grass that dri%s ith oil, in order due,

"here the Immortal is $eheld.

Thron o%en $e the 9oors 9ivine, unfailing, that assist the rite,

7or sacrifice this da# and no.

- I call the lovel# Night and 9an to seat them on the hol# grass

At this our solemn sacrifice.

0 The to Invo:ers I invite, the ise, divine and seet of tongue,

To cele$rate this our sacrifice.

2 I 4, 8arasvatE, MahE, three Goddesses ho $ring delight,

/e seated, %eaceful, on the grass.


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1D Tva ar I call, the earliest $orn, the earer of all forms at ill3

Ma# he $e ours and ours alone.

11 God, 8ovran of the "ood, %resent this our o$lation to the Gods,

And let the giver $e renoned.

1! "ith 8v4h4 %a# the sacrifice to Indra in the offererBs house3

Thither I call the 9eities.

HYMN I). )i@vedevas.

1 To drin: the 8oma, Agni, come, to our service and our songs.

"ith all these Gods= and orshi% them.! The ;a vas have invo:ed thee= the#, 8inger, sing thee songs of %raise

Agni, come hither ith the Gods=

& Indra, )4#u, / has%ati, Mitra, Agni, PJ an, /haga,

Kdit#as, and the Marut host.

( 7or #ou these


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1D "ith all the Gods, ith Indra, ith )4#u, and MitraBs s%lendours, drin:,

Agni, the %leasant 8oma


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1D As e this fourth time, "ealth+giver, honour thee ith the tus, $e

A Giver $ountiful to us.

11 9rin: #e the meath, A@vins $right ith flames, hose acts are %ure, ho ith

tus acce%t the sacrifice.

1! "ith tu, through the house+fire, thou, :ind Giver, guidest sacrifice3

"orshi% the Gods for the %ious man.

HYMN )I. Indra.

1 L5T th# /a# 8teeds $ring thee, the 8trong, hither to drin: the 8oma draughtF

Those, Indra, ho are $right as suns.! Here are the grains $edeed ith oil3 hither let the /a# oursers $ring

Indra u%on his easiest car.

& Indra at earl# morn e call, Indra in course of sacrifice,

Indra to drin: the 8oma


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HYMN )II. Indra+)aru a

1 I A)5 hel% from the Im%erial Lords, from Indra+)aru a= ma# the#

/oth favour one of us li:e me.

! Guardians of men, #e ever come ith read# succour at the call

f ever# singer such as I.

& 8ate #ou, according to #our ish, Indra+)aru a, ith ealth3

7ain ould e have #ou nearest us.

( Ma# e $e sharers of the %oers, sharers of the $enevolence

f #ou ho give strength $ounteousl#.* Indra and )aru a, among givers of thousands, meet for %raise,

Are Poers ho merit highest laud.

Through their %rotection ma# e gain great store of ealth, and hea% it u%

5nough and still to s%are, $e ours.

- Indra+)aru a, on #ou for ealth in man# a form I call3

8till :ee% #e us victorious.

0 Indra+)aru a, through our songs that see: to in #ou to ourselves,

Give us at once #our sheltering hel%.

2 Indra+)aru a, to #ou ma# fair %raise hich I offer come,

oint eulog# hich #e dignif#.

HYMN )III. /rahma as%ati.

1 /KHMA A8PATI, ma:e him ho %resses 8oma glorious,

5ven ;a: Ev4n Au@i


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& Let not the foemanBs curse, let not a mortalBs onslaught fall on us

Preserve us, /rahma as%ati.

( Ne>er is the mortal hero harmed hom Indra, /rahma as%ati,

And 8oma graciousl# ins%ire.

* 9o, thou, /rahma as%ati, and Indra, 8oma, 9a: i 4,

Preserve that mortal from distress.

To the Assem$l#Bs ondrous Lord, to IndraBs lovel# 7riend ho gives

"isdom, have I dran near in %ra#er.

- He ithout hom no sacrifice, e>en of the ise man, %ros%ers= he

8tirs u% the series of thoughts.

0 He ma:es the o$lation %ros%er, he %romotes the course of sacrifice3

ur voice of %raise goes to the Gods.

2 I have seen Nar4@a sa, him most resolute, most idel# famed,

As >tere the Household Priest of heaven.

HYMN I. Agni, Maruts.

1 To this fair sacrifice to drin: the mil:# draught thou art invo:ed3

Agni, ith the Maruts come.

! No mortal man, no God e'ceeds th# mental %oer, Might# one3

Agni, ith the Maruts come3

& All Gods devoid of guile, ho :no the might# region of mid+air3

Agni, ith those Maruts come.

( The terri$le, ho sing their song, not to $e overcome $# might3


* /rilliant, and aful in their form, might#, devourers of their foes3



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"ho sit as 9eities in heaven, a$ove the s:#+vaultBs luminous s%here3


- "ho scatter clouds a$out the s:#, aa# over the $illo# sea3


0 "ho ith their $right $eams s%read them forth over the ocean in their might


2 7or thee, to $e thine earl# draught, I %our the 8oma+mingled meath3

Agni, ith the Maruts come.

HYMN . $hus.

1 7 the elestial ace this song of %raise hich gives ealth lavishl#

"as made $# singers ith their li%s.

! The# ho for Indra, ith their mind, formed horses harnessed $# a ord,

Attained $# or:s to sacrifice.

& The# for the to N4sat#as rought a light car moving ever# a#3

The# formed a nectar+#ielding co.

( The $hus ith effectual %ra#ers, honest, ith constant la$our, made

Their 8ire and Mother #oung again.

* Together came #our gladdening dro%s ith Indra $# the Maruts girt,

"ith the Kdit#as, ith the ;ings.

The sacrificial ladle, rought nel# $# the God Tva arBs handF

7our ladles have #e made thereof.

- )ouchsafe us ealth, to him ho %ours thrice seven li$ations, #ea, to each

Give ealth, %leased ith our eulogies.

0 As ministering Priests the# held, $# %ious acts the# on themselves,

A share in sacrifice ith Gods.


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HYMN I. Indra+Agni.

1 IN9A and Agni I invo:e fain are e for their song of %raise3

hief 8oma+drin:ers are the# $oth.

! Praise #e, men, and glorif# Indra+Agni in the hol# rites3

8ing %raise to them in sacred songs.

& Indra and Agni e invite, the 8oma+drin:ers, for the fame

f Mitra, to the 8oma+draught.

( 8trong Gods, e $id them come to this li$ation that stands read# here3

Indra and Agni, come to us.* Indra and Agni, might# Lords of our assem$l#, crush the fiends3

hildless $e the devouring ones.

"atch #e, through this #our truthfulness, there in the %lace of s%acious vie

Indra and Agni, send us $liss.

HYMN II. A@vins and thers

1 "A;5N the A@vin Pair ho #o:e their car at earl# morn3 ma# the#

A%%roach to drin: this 8oma


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That he ma# send us succour, %raise the "aters> ffs%ring 8avitar3

7ain are e for his hol# a#s.

- "e call on him, distri$uter of ondrous $ount# and of ealth,

n 8avitar ho loo:s on men.

0 ome hither, friends, and seat #ourselves 8avitar, to $e %raised $# us,

Giving good gifts, is $eautiful.

2 Agni, hither $ring to us the illing 8%ouses of the Gods,

And Tva ar, to the 8oma draught.

1D Most #outhful Agni, hither $ring their 8%ouses, Hotr4, /h4ratE,

)arJtrE, 9hi a 4, for aid.

11 8%ouses of Heroes, Goddesses, ith hole ings ma# the# come to us

"ith great %rotection and ith aid.

1! Indr4 E, )aru 4nE, and Agn4#E hither I invite,

7or eal, to drin: the 8oma


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12 Loo: #e on )i uBs or:s, here$# the 7riend of Indra, close+allied,

Hath let his hol# a#s $e seen.

!D The %rinces evermore $ehold that loftiest %lace here )i u is,

Laid as it ere an e#e in heaven.

!1 This, )i uBs station most su$lime, the singers, ever vigilant,

Lovers of hol# song, light u%.

HYMN III. )4#u and thers.

1 8TNG are the 8omas= come thou nigh= these


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1D "e call the 6niversal Gods, and Maruts to the 8oma draught,

7or %assing strong are P @niBs 8ons.

11 7ierce comes the Maruts> thundering voice, li:e that of conCuerors, hen #e go

7orard to victor#, Men.

1! /orn of the laughing lightning. ma# the Maruts guard us ever#here

Ma# the# $e gracious unto 6s.

1& Li:e some lost animal, drive to us, $right PJ an, him ho $ears u% heaven,

esting on man#+coloured grass.

1( PJ an the /right has found the ;ing, concealed and hidden in a cave,

"ho rests on grass of man# hues.

1* And ma# he. dul# $ring to me the si' $ound closel#, through these dro%s,

As one ho %loughs ith steers $rings corn.

1 Along their %aths the Mothers go, 8isters of %riestl# ministrants,

Mingling their seetness ith the mil:.

1- Ma# "aters gathered near the 8un, and those hereith the 8un is


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!& The "aters I this da# have sought, and to their moisture have e come3

Agni, rich in mil:, come thou, and ith th# s%lendour cover me.

!( 7ill me ith s%lendour, Agni= give offs%ring and length of da#s= the Gods

8hall :no me even as I am, and Indra ith the is, :no.

HYMN I). )aru a and thers.

1 "H no is he, hat God among Immortals, of hose aus%icious name e ma#$ethin: us

"ho shall to might# Aditi restore us, that I ma# see m# 7ather and m# Mother

! Agni the God the first among the Immortals,Fof his aus%icious name let us $ethin: us.

He shall to might# Aditi restore us, that I ma# see m# 7ather and m# Mother.

& To thee, 8avitar, the Lord of %recious things, ho hel%est us

ontinuall#, for our share e comeF

( "ealth, highl# lauded ere re%roach hath fallen on it, hich is laid,

7ree from all hatred, in th# hands

* Through th# %rotection ma# e come to even the height of affluence

"hich /haga hath dealt out to us.

Ne>er have those $irds that fl# through air attained to th# high dominion or th# might ors%irit=

Nor these the aters that flo on for ever, nor hills, a$aters of the indBs ild fur#.

- )aru a, ;ing, of halloed might, sustaineth erect the TreeBs stem in the $aselessregion.

Its ra#s, hose root is high a$ove, stream donard. 9ee% ma# the# sin: ithin us, and$e hidden.

0 ;ing )aru a hath made a s%acious %atha#, a %atha# for the 8un herein to travel.

"here no a# as he made him set his footste%, and arned afar hate>er afflicts thes%irit.

2 A hundred $alms are thine, ;ing, a thousand= dee% and ide+reaching also $e th#favours.


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7ar from us, far aa# drive thou 9estruction. Put from us e>en the sin e havecommitted.

1D "hither $# da# de%art the constellations that shine at night, set high in heaven a$oveus

)aru aBs hol# las remain unea:ened, and through the night the Moon moves on ins%lendor

11 I as: this of thee ith m# %ra#er adoring= th# orshi%%er craves this ith his o$lation.

)aru a, sta# thou here and $e not angr#= steal not our life from us, thou "ide+uler.

1! Nightl# and dail# this one thing the# tell me, this too the thought of mine on heartre%eateth.

Ma# he to hom %ra#ed fettered una @e%a, ma# he the 8ovran )aru a release us.

1& /ound to three %illars ca%tured una @e%a thus to the Kdit#a made his su%%lication.

Him ma# the 8ovran )aru a deliver, ise, ne>er deceived, loosen the $onds that $indhim.

1( "ith $ending don, o$lations, sacrifices, )aru a, e de%recate thine anger3

"ise Asura, thou ;ing of ide dominion, loosen the $onds of sins $# us committed.

1* Loosen the $onds, )aru a, that hold me, loosen the $onds a$ove, $eteen, andunder.

8o in th# hol# la ma# e made sinless $elong to Aditi, thou Kdit#a.

HYMN ). )aru a.

1 "HAT5)5 la of thine, God, )aru a, as e are men,

9a# after da# e violate.

! give us not as a %re# to death, to $e destro#ed $# thee in rath,

To th# fierce anger hen dis%leased.& To gain th# merc#, )aru a, ith h#mns e $ind th# heart, as $inds

The charioteer his tethered horse.

( The# flee from me dis%irited, $ent onl# on o$taining ealth,

As to their nests the $irds of air.


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* "hen shall e $ring, to $e a%%eased, the Hero, Lord of arrior might,

Him, the far+seeing )aru a

This, this ith er men,

Nor those hose minds are $ent on rong.

1* He ho gives glor# to man:ind, not glor# that is incom%lete,

To our on $odies giving it.

1 Yearning for the ide+seeing ne, m# thoughts move onard unto him,

As :ine unto their %astures move.

1- nce more together let us s%ea:, $ecause m# meath is $rought3 %riest+li:e

Thou eatest hat is dear to thee.


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10 No sa I him hom all ma# see, I sa his car a$ove the earth3

He hath acce%ted these m# songs.

12 )aru a, hear this call of mine3 $e gracious unto us this da#

Longing for hel% I cried to thee.

!D Thou, ise God, art Lord of all, thou art the ;ing of earth and heaven

Hear, as thou goest on th# a#.

!1 elease us from the u%%er $ond, untie the $ond $eteen, and loose

The $onds $elo, that I ma# live.

HYMN )I. Agni.

1 "THY of o$lation, Lord of %ros%ering %oers, assume th# ro$es,

And offer this our sacrifice.

! 8it ever to $e chosen, as our Priest, most #outhful, through our h#mns,

Agni, through our heavenl# ord.

& 7or here a 7ather for his son, ;insman for :insman orshi%%eth,

And 7riend, choice+orth#, for his friend.

( Here let the foe+destro#ers sit, )aru a, Mitra, Ar#aman,

Li:e men, u%on our sacred grass.

* ancient Herald, $e thou glad in this our rite and felloshi%3

Hear:en thou ell to these our songs.

"hate>er in this %er%etual course e sacrifice to God and God,

That gift is offered u% in thee

- Ma# he $e our dear household Lord, Priest, %leasant and, choice+orth# ma#

"e, ith $right fires, $e dear to him.

0 The Gods, adored ith $rilliant fires. have granted %recious ealth to us

8o, ith $right fires, e %ra# to thee.


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2 And, Immortal ne, so ma# the eulogies of mortal men

/elong to us and thee ali:e.

1D "ith all th# fires, Agni, find %leasure in this our sacrifice,

And this our s%eech, 8on of 8trength.

HYMN )II. Agni.

1 "ITH orshi% ill I glorif# thee, Agni, li:e a long+tailed steed,

Im%erial Lord of sacred rites.

! Ma# the far+striding 8on of 8trength, $ringer of great felicit#,

"ho %ours his gifts li:e rain, $e ours.& Lord of all life, from near= from far, do thou, Agni evermore

Protect us from the sinful man.

( Agni, graciousl# announce this our o$lation to the Gods,

And this our neest song of %raise.

* Give us a share of strength most high, a share of strength that is $elo,

A share of strength that is $eteen.

Thou dealest gifts, res%lendent ne= nigh, as ith aves of 8indhu, thou

8ift streamest to the orshi%%er.

- That man is lord of endless strength hom thou %rotectest in the fight,

Agni, or urgest to the fra#.

0 Him, hosoever he ma# $e, no man ma# vanCuish, might# ne3

Na#, ver# glorious %oer is his.

2 Ma# he ho dells ith all man:ind $ear us ith ar+steeds through the fight,

And ith the singers in the s%oil.

1D Hel%, thou ho :noest lauds, this or:, this eulog# to udra, him

Adora$le in ever# house.


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11 Ma# this our God, great, limitless, smo:e+$annered e'cellentl# $right,

6rge us to strength and hol# thought.

1! Li:e some rich Lord of men ma# he, Agni the $anner of the Gods,

efulgent, hear us through our lauds.

1& Glor# to Gods, the might# and the lesser glor# to Gods the #ounger and the elder?

Let us, if e have %oer, %a# the God orshi%3 no $etter %ra#er than this, #e Gods,ac:noledge.

HYMN )III. Indra, 5tc.

1 TH55 here the $road+$ased stone raised on high to %ress the


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HYMN I. Indra.

1 8MA 9IN;5, ever true, utterl# ho%eless though e $e,

9o thou, Indra, give us ho%e of $eauteous horses and of :ine,

In thousands, most ealth# ne.

! Lord of 8trength, hose


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Most li$eral, Lord of Hundred Poers,

! "ho lets a hundred of the %ure, a thousand of the mil:+$lent draughts

7lo, even as don a de%th, to him=

& "hen for the strong, the ra%turous


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/old ne, the a'le of the car.

1* That, ata:ratu, thou to grace and %lease th# %raisers, as it ere,

8tirrest the a'le ith th# strength.

1 "ith cham%ing, neighing loudl#+snorting horses Indra hath ever on himself greattreasures

A car of gold hath he hose deeds are ondrous received from us, and let us tooreceive it.

1- ome, A@vins, ith enduring strength ealth# in horses and in :ine,

And gold, #e of ondrous deeds.

10 Your chariot #o:ed for $oth ali:e, immortal, #e of might# acts,

Travels, A@vins, in the sea.

12 High on the forehead of the /ull one chariot heel #e ever :ee%,

The other round the s:# revolves.

!D "hat mortal, immortal 9an, en


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& To M4tari@van first thou, Agni, ast disclosed, and to )ivasv4n through th# no$leinard %oer.

Heaven and 5arth, )asu? shoo: at the choosing of the Priest3 the $urthen thou didst$ear, didst orshi% might# Gods.

( Agni thou madest heaven to thunder for man:ind= thou, #et more %ious, for %iousPurJravas.

"hen thou art ra%idl# freed from th# %arents, first eastard the# $ear thee round, and,after, to the est.

* Thou, Agni, art a /ull ho ma:es our store increase, to $e invo:ed $# him ho lifts theladle u%.

"ell :noing the o$lation ith the halloing ord, uniting all ho live, thou lightenestfirst our fol:

Agni, thou savest in the s#nod hen %ursued e>en him, farseeing ne? ho al:s inevil a#s.

Thou, hen the heroes fight for s%oil hich men rush, round, sla#est in ar the man# $#the hands of fe.

- 7or glor#, Agni, da# $# da#, thou liftest u% the mortal man to highest immortalit#,

5ven thou ho #earning for $oth races givest them great $liss, and to the %rince grantesta$undant food.

0 Agni, highl# lauded, ma:e our singer famous that he ma# in us store of riches3Ma# e im%rove the rite ith ne %erformance. 5arth and Heaven, ith all the Gods,%rotect us.

2 $lameless Agni l#ing in th# ParentsB la%, a God among the Gods, $e atchful for ourgood.

7ormer of $odies, $e the singerBs Providence3 all good things hast thou son for him,aus%icious ne?

1D Agni, thou art our Providence, our 7ather thou3 e are th# $rethren and thou art our

s%ring of life.

In thee, rich in good heroes, guard of high decrees, meet hundred, thousand treasures, infalli$le?

11 Thee, Agni, have the Gods made the first living ne for living man, Lord of the houseof Nahu a.

I 4 the# made the teacher of the sons of men, hat time a 8on as $orn to the father of


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m# race.

1! "orth# to $e revered, Agni, God, %reserve our ealth# %atrons ith th# succours,and ourselves.

Guard of our seed art thou, aiding our cos to $ear, incessantl# %rotecting in th# hol#

a#.

1& Agni, thou art a guard close to the %ious man= :indled art thou, four+e#ed? for him hois unarmed.

"ith fond heart thou acce%test e>en the %oor manBs %ra#er, hen he hath $rought his giftto gain securit#.

1( Thou, Agni gainest for the loudl#+%raising %riest the highest ealth, the o$


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He sle the 9ragon, then disclosed the aters, and cleft the channels of the mountaintorrents.

! He sle the 9ragon l#ing on the mountain3 his heavenl# $olt of thunder Tva arfashioned.

Li:e loing :ine in ra%id flo descending the aters glided donard to the ocean.

& Im%etuous as a $ull, he chose the 8oma and in three sacred $ea:ers dran: the


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ro$$er.

/ut he, hen he had smitten ) tra, o%ened the cave herein the floods had $eenim%risoned.

1! A horseBs tail ast thou hen he, Indra, smote on th# $olt= thou, God ithout a

second,

Thou hast on $ac: the :ine, hast on the 8oma= thou hast let loose to flo the 8evenivers.

1& Nothing availed him lightning, nothing thunder, hailstorm or mist hich had s%readaround him3

"hen Indra and the 9ragon strove in $attle, Maghavan gained the victor# for ever.

1( "hom saest thou to avenge the 9ragon, Indra, that fear %ossessed th# heart henthou hadst slain him=

That, li:e a ha: affrighted through the regions, thou crossedst nine+and+ninet# floingrivers

1* Indra is ;ing of all that moves and moves not, of creatures tame and horned, theThunder+ielder.

ver all living men he rules as 8ovran, containing all as s%o:es ithin the fell#.

HYMN III. Indra.

1 ome, fain for $oot# let us see: to Indra3 #et more shall he increase his care thatguides us.

"ill not the Indestructi$le endo us ith %erfect :noledge of this ealth, of cattle

! I fl# to him invisi$le "ealth+giver as flies the falcon to his cherished e#rie,

"ith fairest h#mns of %raise adoring Indra, hom those ho laud him must invo:e in$attle.

& Mid all his host, he $indeth on the Cuiver3 he driveth cattle from hat foe he %leaseth3

Gathering u% great store of riches, Indra. $e thou no traffic:er ith us, most might#.

( Thou sleest ith th# $olt the ealth# 9as#u, alone, #et going ith th# hel%ers, Indra?

7ar from the floor of heaven in all directions, the ancient riteless ones fled to destruction.

* 7ighting ith %ious orshi%%ers, the riteless turned and fled, Indra? ith averted faces.


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"hen thou, fierce Lord of the /a# 8teeds, the 8ta#er, $leest from earth and heavenand s:# the godless.

The# met in fight the arm# of the $lameless3 then the Navagvas %ut forth all their%oer.

The#, li:e emasculates ith men contending, fled, conscious, $# stee% %aths from Indra,scattered.

- "hether the# ee% or laugh, thou hast o>erthron them, Indra, on the s:#Bse'tremest limit.

The 9as#u thou hast $urned from heaven, and elcomed the %ra#er of him ho %oursthe


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The dust of tram%ling horses rose to heaven, and vitr4Bs son stood u% again forconCuest.

1* vitr4Bs mild steer, Maghavan thou hel%est in com$at for the land, mid TugraBshouses.

Long stood the# there $efore the tas: as ended3 thou ast the master of the foemenBstreasure.

HYMN I). A@vins.

1 Ye ho o$serve this da# $e ith us even thrice3 far+stretching is #ou $ount#, A@vinsand #our course.

To #ou, as to a cloa: in inter, e cleave close3 #ou are to $e dran nigh unto us $# theise.

! Three are the fellies in #our hone#+$earing car, that travels after 8omaBs loved one, asall :no.

Three are the %illars set u%on it for su%%ort3 thrice assem$l#, thriceassist our thoughts.

Thrice, grant #e us %ros%erit#, thrice grant us fame= for the 8unBs daughter hath mounted

#our three+heeled car.

Thrice, A@vins, grant to us the heavenl# medicines, thrice those of earth and thricethose that the aters hold,

7avour and health and strength $esto u%on m# son= tri%le %rotection, Lords of8%lendour, grant to him.

- Thrice are #e to $e orshi%%ed da# $# da# $# us3 thrice, #e A@vins, #e travel around


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the earth.

ar+$orne from far aa#, #e N4sat#as, come, li:e vital air to $odies, come #e to thethree.

0 Thrice, #e A@vins, ith the 8even Mother 8treams= three are the


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( His chariot dec:ed ith %earl, of various colours, loft#, ith golden %ole, the God hathmounted,

The man#+ra#ed ne, 8avitar the hol#, $ound, $earing %oer and might, for dar:someregions.

* 9raing the gold+#o:ed car his /a#s, hite+footed, have manifested light to all the%eo%les.

Held in the la% of 8avitar, divine ne, all men, all $eings have their %lace for ever.

Three heavens there are= to 8avitarBs, ad


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f man# families ho dul# serve the Gods, #ea, him hom others also %raise.

! Men have on Agni, him ho ma:es their strength a$ound3 e, ith o$lations, orshi%thee.

ur gracious+minded Hel%er in our deeds of might, $e thou, 5'cellent, this da#.

& Thee for our messenger e choose, thee, the mniscient, for our Priest.

The flames of thee the might# are s%read ide around3 th# s%lendour reaches to the s:#.

( The Gods en:indle thee their ancient messenger,F)aru a, Mitra, Ar#aman.

That mortal man, Agni, gains through thee all ealth, ho hath %oured offerings untothee.

* Thou, Agni, art a cheering Priest, Lord of the House, menBs messenger3

All constant high decrees esta$lished $# the Gods, gathered together, meet in thee.

In thee, the aus%icious ne, Agni, #outhfullest, each sacred gift is offered u%3

This da#, and after, gracious, orshi% thou our Gods, that e ma# have heroic sons.

- To him in his on s%lendour $right dra near in orshi% the devout.

Men :indle Agni ith their sacrificial gifts, victorious o>er the enemies.

0 ) tra the# smote and sle, and made the earth and heaven and firmament a idea$ode.

The glorious /ull, invo:ed, hath stood at ;a vaBs side3 loud neighed the 8teed in fra#sfor :ine.

2 8eat thee, for thou art might#= shine, $est entertainer of the Gods.

"orth# of sacred food, %raised Agni? loose the smo:e, rudd# and $eautiful to see.

1D /earer of offerings, hom, $est sacrificing Priest, the Gods for ManuBs sa:e ordained=

"hom ;a va, hom Medh#4tithi made the source of ealth, and ) an and 6%astuta.

11 Him, Agni, hom Medh#4tithi, hom ;a va :indled for his rite,

Him these our songs of %raise, him, Agni, e e'tol3 his %oers shine out %reeminent.

1! Ma:e our ealth %erfect thou, Agni, Lord divine3 for thou hast :inshi% ith theGods.

Thou rulest as a ;ing o>er idel#+famous strength3 $e good to us, for thou art great.


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1& 8tand u% erect to lend us aid, stand u% li:e 8avitar the God3

5rect as strength+$estoer e call aloud, ith unguents and ith %riests, on thee.

1( 5rect, %reserve us from sore trou$le= ith th# flame $urn thou each ravening demondead.

aise thou us u% that e ma# al: and live3 so thou shalt find our orshi% mid the Gods.

1* Preserve us, Agni, from the fiend, %reserve us from malicious rong.

8ave us from him ho fain ould iner us.

1- Agni hath given heroic might to ;a va, and felicit#3

Agni hath hel%ed our friends, hath hel%ed Medh#4tithi, hath hel%ed 6%astuta to in.

10 "e call on 6gradeva, Yadu, Turva@a, $# means of Agni, from afar=

Agni, $ring Navav4stva and / hadratha, TurvEti, to su$due the foe.

12 Manu hath sta$lished thee a light, Agni, for all the race of men3

8%rung from the La, oil+fed, for ;a va hast thou $laed, thou hom the %eo%lereverence.

!D The flames of Agni full of s%lendour and of might are fearful, not to $e a%%roached.

onsume for ever all demons and sorcerers, consume thou each devouring fiend.

HYMN )II. Maruts.

1 8ING forth, ;a vas, to #our $and of Maruts unassaila$le,

8%orting, res%lendent on their car

! The# ho, self+luminous, ere $orn together, ith the s%otted deer,

8%ears, sords, and glittering ornaments.

& ne hears, as though >tere close at hand, the crac:ing of the hi%s the# hold

The# gather glor# on their a#.

( No sing #e forth the God+given h#mn to #our e'ultant Marut host,


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The fiercel#+vigorous, the strong.

* Praise #e the /ull among the cos= for >tis the Maruts> s%ortive $and3

It strengthened as it dran: the rain.

"ho is #our mightiest, Heroes, hen, sha:ers of the earth and heaven,

Ye sha:e them li:e a garmentBs hem

- At #our a%%roach man holds him don $efore the fur# of #our rath3

The rugged+


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Gods, for hom sacred grass is cli%%ed

! No hither To hat goal of #ours go #e in heaven, and not on earth

"here do #our cos dis%ort themselves

& "here are #our neest favours shon "here, Maruts, #our %ros%erit#

"here all #our high felicities

( If, #e Maruts, #e the 8ons hom P @ni $ore, ere mortal, and

Immortal he ho sings #our %raise.

* Then never ere #our %raiser loathed li:e a ild $east in %asture+land,

Nor should he go on YamaBs %ath.

Let not destructive %lague on %lague hard to $e conCuered, stri:e its don3

Let each, ith drought, de%art from us.

- Trul#, the# the fierce and might# 8ons of udra send their indless

ain e>en on the desert %laces.

0 Li:e a co the lightning los and follos, motherli:e, her #oungling,

"hen their rain+flood hath $een loosened.

2 "hen the# inundate the earth the# s%read forth dar:ness e>en in da# time,

"ith the ater+laden rain+cloud.

1D Maruts, at #our voiceBs sound this earthl# ha$itation sha:es,

And each man reels ho dells therein.

11 Maruts, ith #our strong+hoofed steeds, unhindered in their courses, haste

Along the $right em$an:ed streams.

1! 7irm $e the fellies of #our heels, stead# #our horses and #our cars,

And ma# #our reins $e fashioned ell.

1& Invite thou hither ith this song, for %raise, Agni the Lord of Pra#er,

Him ho is fair as Mitra is.

1( 7orm in th# mouth the h#mn of %raise e'%and thee li:e, a rain# cloud


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Maruts, against the %oetBs rathful enem# send #e an enem# li:e a dart.

HYMN L. /rahma as%ati

1 /AHMA A8PATI, stand u%3 God+serving men e %ra# to thee.

Ma# the# ho give good gifts, the Maruts, come to us. Indra, most sift, $e thou iththem.

! 8on of 8trength, each mortal calls to thee for aid hen s%oil of $attle aits for him.

Maruts, ma# this man ho loves #ou ell o$tain ealth of good steeds and heromight.

& Ma# /rahma as%ati dra nigh, ma# 8Jn t4 the Goddess come,

And Gods $ring to this rite hich gives the five+fold gift the Hero, lover of man:ind.

( He ho $estos a no$le guerdon on the %riest ins fame that never shall deca#.

7or him e offer sacred hero+giving food, %eerless and conCuering easil#.

* No /rahma as%ati s%ea:s forth aloud the solemn h#mn of %raise,

"herein Indra and )aru a, Mitra, Ar#aman, the Gods, have made their delling %lace.

Ma# e in hol# s#nods, Gods? recite that h#mn, %eerless, that $rings felicit#.

If #ou, Heroes, graciousl# acce%t this ord, ma# it o$tain all $liss from #ou.

- "ho shall a%%roach the %ious ho the man hose sacred grass is trimmed

The offerer ith his fol: advances more and more3 he fills his house ith %recious things.

0 He am%lifies his lordl# might, ith :ings he sla#s3 e>en mid alarms he dells secure

In great or lesser fight none chec:s him, none su$dues,Fthe ielder of the thunder$olt.

HYMN LI. )aru a, Mitra, Ar#aman.

1 N5>5 is he in


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& The ;ings drive far aa# from him his trou$les and his enemies,

And lead him safel# o>er distress.

( Thornless, Kdit#as, is the %ath, eas# for him ho see:s the La3

"ith him is naught to anger #ou.

* "hat sacrifice, Kdit#as, #e Heroes guide $# the %ath direct,F

Ma# that come nigh unto #our thought.

That mortal, ever unsu$dued, gains ealth and ever# %recious thing,

And children also of his on.

- Ho, m# friends, shall e %re%are Ar#amanBs and MitraBs laud,

Glorious food of )aru a

0 I %oint not out to #ou a man ho stri:es the %ious, or reviles3

nl# ith h#mns I call #ou nigh.

2 Let him not love to s%ea: ill ords3 $ut fear the ne ho holds all four

"ithin his hand, until the# fall.

YMN LII. PJ an.

1 8HT5N our a#s, PJ an, move aside o$struction in the %ath3

Go close $efore us, cloud+$orn God.

! 9rive, PJ an, from our road the olf, the ic:ed inaus%icious olf,

"ho lies in ait to in


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8o, Lord of all %ros%erit#, $est ielder of the golden sord,

Ma:e riches eas# to $e on.

- Past all %ursuers lead us, ma:e %leasant our %ath and fair to tread3

PJ an, find thou %oer for this.

0 Lead us to meados rich in grass3 send on our a# no earl# heat3


2 /e gracious to us, fill us full, give, feed us, and invigorate3


1D No $lame have e for PJ an= him e magnif# ith songs of %raise3

"e see: the Might# ne for ealth.

HYMN LIII. udra.

1 "HAT shall e sing to udra, strong, most $ounteous, e'cellentl# ise,

That shall $e dearest to his heart

! That Aditi ma# grant the grace of udra to our fol:, our :ine,

ur cattle and our %rogen#=

& That Mitra and that )aru a, that udra ma# remem$er us,

Yea, all the Gods ith one accord.

( To udra Lord of sacrifice, of h#mns and $alm# medicines,

"e %ra# for


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0 Let not malignities, nor those ho trou$le 8oma, hinder us.

Indu, give us a share of strength.

2 8oma? head, central %oint, love these= 8oma? :no these as serving thee,

hildren of thee Immortal, at the highest %lace of hol# la.

HYMN LI). Agni.

1 IMMTAL 4tavedas, thou man#+hued fulgent gift of 9an,

Agni, this da# to him ho %a#s o$lations $ring the Gods ho a:en ith the morn.

! 7or thou art offering+$earer and loved messenger, the charioteer of sacrifice3

Accordant ith the A@vins and ith 9an grant us heroic strength and loft# fame.& As messenger e choose to+da# Agni the good hom man# love,

8mo:e+$annered s%reader of the light, at $rea: of da# glor# of sacrificial rites.

( Him no$lest and most #outhful, richl# orshi%%ed guest, dear to the men ho offergifts,

Him, Agni 4tavedas, I $eseech at dan that he ma# $ring the Gods to us.

* Thee, Agni, ill I glorif#, deathless nourisher of the orld,

Immortal, offering+$earer, meet for sacred food, %reserver, $est at sacrifice.

Tell good things to th# %raiser, most #outhful God, as richl# orshi%%ed, hone#+tongued,

And, granting to Pras:a va lengthened da#s of life, sho honour to the Heavenl# Host.

- 7or the men, Agni, :indle thee as all %ossessor and as Priest=

8o Agni, much+invo:ed, $ring hither ith all s%eed the Gods, the e'cellentl# ise,

0 At dan of da#, at night, 6 as and 8avitar, the A@vins, /haga, AgniBs self3

8:illed in fair rites, ith 8oma %oured, the ;a vas light thee, the o$lation+afting God.

2 7or, Agni, Lord of sacrifice and messenger of men art thou3

/ring thou the Gods ho a:e at dan ho see the light, this da# to drin: the 8oma


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Thou art our hel% in $attle+strife, the 7riend of man, the great high %riest in sacrifice.

11 Li:e Manu, e ill sta$lish thee, Agni, %erformer of the rite,

Invo:er, ministering Priest, e'ceeding ise, the sift immortal messenger.

1! "hen as the Gods> High Priest, $# man# loved, thou dost their mission as theirnearest 7riend,

Then, li:e the far+resounding $illos of the flood, th# flames, Agni, roar aloud.

1& Hear, Agni, ho hast ears to hear, ith all th# train of escort Gods=

Let Mitra, Ar#aman, see:ing $etimes our rite, seat them u%on the sacred grass.

1( Let those ho strengthen La, ho $ountifull# give, the life+tongued Maruts, hear our%raise.

Ma# La+su%%orting )aru a ith the A@vins tain and 6 as, drin: the 8oma


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0 8ingers ith 8oma %ressed have made thee, Agni, hasten to the feast,

Great light to mortal orshi%%er, hat time the# $ring the sacred gift.

2 Good, $ounteous, 8on of 8trength, this da# seat here on sacred grass the Gods

"ho come at earl# morn, the host of heaven, to drin: the 8oma


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1D Light came to lighten u% the $ranch, the 8un a%%eared as it ere gold3

And ith its tongue shone forth the dar:.

11 The %ath of sacrifice as made to travel to the farther goal3

The road of heaven as manifest.

1! The singer of their %raise aaits hatever grace the A@vins give,

ho save hen 8oma gladdens them.

1& Ye dellers ith )ivasv4n come, aus%icious, as to Manu erst=

come to the 8oma and our %raise.

1( circumam$ient A@vins, 9an follos the $rightness of #our a#3

A%%rove ith $eams our solemn rites.

1* 9rin: #e of our li$ations, grant %rotection, #e A@vins Tain,

"ith aids hich none ma# interru%t.

HYMN L)II. A@vins.

1 A)IN8, for #ou ho strengthen La this seetest 8oma hath $een shed.

9rin: this e'%ressed ere #esterda# and give riches to him ho offers it.

! ome, #e A@vins, mounted on #our tri%le car three+seated, $eautiful of form

To #ou at sacrifice the ;a vas send the %ra#er3 graciousl# listen to their call.

& A@vins, #e ho strengthen La, drin: #e this seetest 8oma


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8o no vouchsafe to us the ealth hich man# crave, either from heaven or from thesea.

- N4sat#as, hether #e $e far aa# or close to Turva@a,

/orne on #our lightl#+rolling chariot come to us, together ith the sun$eams come.

0 8o let #our coursers, ornaments of sacrifice, $ring #ou to our li$ations here.

/estoing food on him ho acts and gives aright, sit, hiefs, u%on the sacred grass.

2 ome, N4sat#as, on #our car dec:ed ith a sun$right cano%#,

"hereon #e ever $ring ealth to the orshi%%er, to drin: the 8omaBs %leasant


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rich in o%ulence, after th# daning $irds that have flon forth no longer rest.

- This 9an hath #o:ed her steeds afar, $e#ond the rising of the 8un3

/orne on a hundred chariots she, aus%icious 9an, advances on her a# to Men.

0 To meet her glance all living creatures $end them don3 5'cellent ne, she ma:es thelight.

6 as, the 9aughter of the 8:#, the o%ulent, shines foes and enmities aa#.

2 8hine on us ith th# radiant light, 6 as, 9aughter of the 8:#,

/ringing to us great store of high felicit#, and $eaming on our solemn rites.

1D 7or in thee is each living creatureBs $reath and life, hen, 5'cellent? thou danestforth.

/orne on th# loft# car, Lad# of the Light, hear, thou of ondrous ealth, our call.

11 6 as, in th#self the strength hich among men is onderful.

/ring thou there$# the %ious unto hol# rites, those ho as %riests sing %raise to thee.

1! /ring from the firmament, 6 as, all the Gods, that the# ma# drin: our 8oma


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Let red steeds $ear thee to the house of him ho %ours the 8oma, er the orld of men,

Li:e flames of fire that $urn and $lae.

( 8ift and all $eautiful art thou, 8Jr#a, ma:er of the light,

Illuming all the radiant realm.

* Thou goest to the hosts of Gods, thou comest hither to man:ind,

Hither all light to $e $eheld.

"ith that same e#e of thine hereith thou loo:est $rilliant )aru a,

6%on the $us# race of men,

- Traversing s:# and ide mid+air, thou metest ith th# $eams our da#s,

8un, seeing all things that have $irth.

0 8even /a# 8teeds harnessed to th# car $ear thee, thou farseeing ne,

God, 8Jr#a, ith the radiant hair.

2 8Jr#a hath #o:ed the %ure $right 8even, the daughters of the car= ith these,


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His on dear team, he goeth forth.

1D Loo:ing u%on the loftier light a$ove the dar:ness e have come

To 8Jr#a, God among the Gods, the light that is most e'cellent.

11 ising this da#, rich in friends, ascending to the loftier heaven,

8Jr#a remove m# heartBs disease, ta:e from me this m# #ello hue.

1! To %arrots and to starlings let us give aa# m# #elloness,

r this m# #elloness let us transfer to Harit4la trees.

1& "ith all his conCuering vigour this Kdit#a hath gone u% on high,

Giving m# foe into mine hand3 let me not $e m# foemanBs %re#.

HYMN LI. Indra.

1 MA;5 glad ith songs that am hom man# men invo:e, orth# of songs of %raise,Indra, the sea of ealth=

"hose gracious deeds for men s%read li:e the heavens a$road3 sing %raise to him the8age, most li$eral for our good.

! As aids the s:ilful $hus #earned to Indra strong to save, ho fills mid+air,encom%assed round ith might,

ushing in ra%ture= and o>er ata:ratu came the gladdening shout that urged him on tovictor#.

& Thou hast disclosed the :ineBs stall for the A girases, and made a a# for Atri $# ahundred doors.

n )imada thou hast $estoed $oth food and ealth, ma:ing th# $olt dance in thesacrificerBs fight.

( Thou hast unclosed the %risons of the aters= thou hast in the mountain seied thetreasure rich in gifts.

"hen thou hadst slain ith might the dragon ) tra, thou, Indra, didst raise the 8un inheaven for all to see.

* "ith ondrous might thou $leest enchanter fiends aa#, ith %oers celestial thoseho called on thee in


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9as#us ere struc: dead.

Thou savedst ;utsa hen u a as smitten don= to Atithigva gavest am$ara for a %re#.

5>en might# Ar$uda thou troddest under foot3 thou from of old ast $orn to stri:e the

9as#us dead.

- All %oer and might is closel# gathered u% in thee= th# $ounteous s%irit


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Pa


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and fill the la:e.

Tva ar gave #et more force to thine a%%ro%riate strength, and forged th# thunder$olt ofover%oering might.

0 "hen, Indra, thou hose %oer is lin:ed ith th# /a# 8teeds hadst smitten ) tra,

causing floods to flo for man,

Thou heldst in thine arms the metal thunder$olt, and settest in the heaven the 8un for allto see.

2 In fear the# raised the loft# self+res%lendent h#mn, %raise giving and effectual, leadingu% to heaven,

"hen IndraBs hel%ers fighting for the good of men, the Maruts, faithful to man:ind,


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HYMN LIII. Indra.

1 "5 ill %resent fair %raise unto the Might# ne, our h#mns to Indra in )ivasv4nBsdelling+%lace=

7or he hath ne>er found ealth in those ho seem to slee%3 those ho give ealth tomen acce%t no %altr# %raise.

! Giver of horses, Indra, giver, thou, of :ine, giver of $arle#, thou art Lord and guard ofealth3

ManBs hel%er from of old, not disa%%ointing ho%e, 7riend of our friends, to thee as suche sing this %raise.

& Indra, most s%lendid, %oerful, rich in might# deeds, this treasure s%read around is:non to $e thine on.

Gather therefrom, onCueror, and $ring to us3 fail not the ho%e of him ho loves andsings to thee.

( "ell %leased ith these $right flames and ith these 8oma dro%s, ta:e thou aa# our%overt# ith seeds and :ine.

"ith Indra scattering the 9as#u through these dro%s, freed from their hate ma# eo$tain a$undant food.

* Let us o$tain, Indra, %lenteous ealth and food, ith strength e'ceeding glorious,

shining to the s:#3

Ma# e o$tain the Goddess Providence, the strength of heroes, s%ecial source of cattle,rich in steeds.

These our li$ations strength+ins%iring, 8oma draughts, gladdened thee in the fight ith) tra, Hero Lord,

"hat time thou sleest for the singer ith trimmed grass ten thousand ) tras, thouresistless in th# might.

- Thou goest on from fight to fight intre%idl#, destro#ing castle after castle here ith

strength.

Thou, Indra, ith th# friend ho ma:es the foe $o don, sleest from far aa# theguileful Namuci.

0 Thou hast struc: don in death ;araO


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forts of )a g ida.

2 "ith all+outstri%%ing chariot+heel, Indra, thou far+famed, hast overthron the ticeten ;ings of men,

"ith si't# thousand nine+and+ninet# folloers, ho came in arms to fight ith friendless

8u@ravas.

1D Thou hast %rotected 8u@ravas ith succour, and TJrva#4 a ith thine aid, Indra.

Thou madest ;utsa, Atithigva, K#u, su$


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Thou hel%est Nar#a, Turva@a, and Yadu, and )a##aBs son TurvEti, ata:ratu?

Thou hel%est horse and car in final $attle thou $rea:est don the nine+and+ninet#castles.

- A hero+lord is he, ;ing of a might# fol:, ho offers free o$lations and %romotes the

La,

"ho ith a $ounteous guerdon elcomes h#mns of %raise3 for him flos don thea$undant stream $elo the s:#.

0 His %oer is matchless, matchless is his isdom= chief, through their or:, $e someho drin: the 8oma,

Those, Indra, ho increase the lordl# %oer, the firm heroic strength of thee the Giver.

2 Therefore for thee are these a$undant $ea:ers IndraBs drin:, stone+%ressed


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that famed mountain don.

7oremost among the Gods is he through hero might, set in the van, the 8trong ne, foreach arduous deed.

( He onl# in the ood is %raised $# orshi%%ers, hen he shos forth to men his on

fair Indra+%oer.

A friendl# /ull is he, a /ull to $e desired hen Maghavan aus%iciousl# sends forth hisvoice.

* Yet veril# the "arrior in his vigorous strength stirreth u% ith his might great $attles forman:ind=

And men have faith in Indra, the res%lendent ne, hat time he hurleth don his $olt,his dart of death.

Though, fain for glor#, and ith strength increased on earth, he ith great mightdestro#s the dellings made ith art,

He ma:es the lights of heaven shine forth secure, he $ids, e'ceeding ise, the floodsflo for his orshi%%er.

- 9rin:er of 8oma, let th# heart incline to give= $ring th# /a#s hitherard, thou hohearest %raise.

Those charioteers of thine, $est s:illed to dra the rein, the ra%id sun$eams, Indra, leadthee not astra#.

0 Thou $earest in $oth hands treasure that never fails= the famed ne in his $od# holdsunvanCuished might.

Indra, in th# mem$ers man# %oers a$ide, li:e ells surrounded $# the ministering%riests.

HYMN L)I. Indra.

1 7 this manBs full l i$ations held in ladles, he hath roused him, eager, as a horse tomeet the mare.

He sta#s his golden car, #o:ed ith /a# Horses, sift, and drin:s the 8oma


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& )ictorious, great is he= in manl# $attle shines, unstained ith dust, his might, as shinesa mountain %ea:=

"hereith the iron one, fierce e>en against the strong, in ra%ture, fettered il# ush afast in $onds.

( "hen 8trength the Goddess, made more strong for hel% $# thee, aits u%on Indra asthe 8un attends the 9an,

Then. he ho ith his might unflinching :ills the gloom stirs u% the dust aloft, ith


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love thou this our h#mn.

* Great is th# %oer, Indra, e are thine. 7ulfil, Maghavan, the ish of this th#orshi%%er.

After thee loft# heaven hath measured out its strength3 to thee and to th# %oer this

earth hath $oed itself.

Thou, ho hast thunder for th# ea%on, ith th# $olt hast shattered into %ieces this$road massive cloud.

Thou hast sent don the o$structed floods that the# ma# flo3 thou hast, thine on forever, all victorious might.

HYMN L)III. Agni.

1 N5>5 a'eth faint the Immortal, 8on of 8trength, since he, the Herald, hath $ecome)ivasv4nBs messenger.

n %aths most e'cellent he measured out mid+air3 he ith o$lation calls to service of theGods.

! Never deca#ing, seiing his a%%ro%riate food, ra%idl#, eagerl# through the dr# ood hes%reads.

His $ac:, as he is s%rin:led, glistens li:e a horse3 loud hath he roared and shouted li:ethe heights of heaven

& 8et high in %lace o>er all that )asus, udras do, immortal, Lord of riches, seated asHigh Priest=

Hastening li:e a car to men, to those ho live, the God ithout dela# gives $oons to $edesired.

( 6rged $# the ind $e s%reads through dr# ood as he lists, armed ith his tongues forsic:les, ith a might# roar.

/lac: is th# %ath, Agni, changeless, ith glittering aves? hen li:e a $ull thou rushesteager to the trees.

* "ith teeth of flame, ind+driven, through the ood he s%eeds, trium%hant li:e a $ullamong the herd of cos,

"ith $right strength roaming to the everlasting air3 things fi'ed, things moving Cua:e$efore him as he flies.

The /h gus esta$lished thee among man:ind for men, li:e as a treasure, $eauteous,eas# to invo:e=


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Thee, Agni, as a herald and choice+orth# guest, as an aus%icious 7riend to theelestial ace.

- Agni, the seven tonguesB deftest 8acrificer, him hom the %riests elect at solemnorshi%,

The Herald, messenger of all the )asus, I serve ith daint# food, I as: for riches.

0 Grant, 8on of 8trength, thou rich in friends, a refuge ithout a fla this da# to us th#%raisers.

Agni, 8on of 8trength, ith forts of iron %reserve thou from distress the man ho laudsthee.

2 /e thou a refuge, /right ne, to the singer, a shelter, /ounteous Lord, to those hoorshi%.

Preserve the singer from distress, Agni. Ma# he, enriched ith %ra#er, come soon andearl#.

HYMN LI. Agni.

1 TH5 other fires are, veril#, th# $ranches= the Immortals all re


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his fences.

- )ai@v4nara, delling $# his might ith all men, far+shining, hol# mid the /haradv4


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& To him then ith m# li%s mine adoration, inning heavenBs light, most e'cellent, I offer,

To magnif# ith songs of invocation and ith fair h#mns the Lord, most $ounteous Giver.

( 5ven for him I frame a laud, as fashions the right a chariot for the man ho needs it,F

Praises to him ho gladl# hears our %raises, a h#mn ell+formed, all+moving, to iseIndra.

* 8o ith m# tongue I dec:, to %lease that Indra, m# h#mn, as >tere a horse, throughlove of glor#,

To reverence the Hero, $ounteous Giver, famed far and ide, destro#er of the castles.

5ven for him hath Tva ar forged the thunder, most deftl# rought, celestial, for the$attle,

"hereith he reached the vital %arts of ) tra, stri:ing+the vast, the might# ith thestri:er.

- As soon as, at li$ations of his mother, great )i u had drun: u% the draught, he%lundered.

The daint# cates, the coo:ed mess= $ut ne stronger transfi'ed the ild $oar, shootingthrough the mountain.

0 To him, to Indra, hen he sle the 9ragon, the 9ames, too, onsorts of the Gods,ove %raises.

The might# heaven and earth hath he encom%assed3 th# greatness heaven and earth,com$ined, e'ceed not.

2 Yea, of a truth, his magnitude sur%asseth the magnitude of earth, mid+air, and heaven.

Indra, a%%roved $# all men, self+res%lendent, a'ed in his home, loud+voiced and strongfor $attle.

1D Through his on strength Indra ith $olt of thunder cut %iece+meal ) tra, drier u% ofaters.

He let the floods go free, li:e cos im%risoned, for glor#, ith a heart inclined to $ount#.11 The rivers %la#ed, through his im%etuous s%lendour, since ith his $olt he com%assedthem on all sides.

6sing his might and favouring him ho orshi%%ed, he made a ford, victorious, forTurvEti.

1! )ast, ith thine am%le %oer, ith eager movement, against this ) tra cast th# $olt of


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thunder.

end thou his er much,electeth.

Indra hath hel%ed 5ta@a, 8oma+%resser, contending in the race of steeds ith 8Jr#a.

1 Thus to thee, Indra, #o:er of /a# oursers, the Gotamas have $rought their %ra#ersto %lease thee.

/esto u%on them thought, dec:ed ith all $eaut#. Ma# he, enriched ith %ra#er, comesoon and earl#.

HYMN LII. Indra.

1. LI;5 A giras a gladdening laud e %onder to him ho loveth song, e'ceeding might#.

Let us sing glor# to the far+famed Hero ho must $e %raised ith fair h#mns $# thesinger.

! 6nto the great $ring #e great adoration, a chant ith %raise to him e'ceeding might#,

Through hom our sires, A girases, singing %raises and :noing ell the %laces, foundthe cattle.

& "hen Indra and the A girases desired it, 8aram4 found %rovision for her offs%ring.

/ has%ati cleft the mountain, found the cattle3 the heroes shouted ith the :ine intrium%h.

( Mid shout, loud shout, and roar, ith the Navagvas, seven singers, hast thou,heavenl#, rent the mountain=


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Thou hast, ith s%eeders, ith 9a@agvas, Indra, a:ra, ith thunder rent o$structive)ala.

* Praised $# A girases, thou, foe+destro#er, hast, ith the 9an, 8un, ra#s, dis%elledthe dar:ness.

Thou Indra, hast s%read out the earthBs high ridges, and firml# fi'ed the region underheaven.

This is the deed most orth# of all honour, the fairest marvel of the "onder+"or:er,

That, nigh here heaven $ends don, he made four rivers flo full ith aves that carr#don seet ater.

- 6nearied, on ith lauding h#mns, he %arted of old the ancient Pair, united ever.

In highest s:# li:e /haga, he the doer of marvels set $oth 9ames and earth and heaven.

0 8till $orn afresh, #oung 9ames, each in her manner, unli:e in hue, the Pair inalternation

ound heaven and earth from ancient time have travelled, Night ith her dar: lim$s,9an ith lim$s of s%lendour.

2 ich in good actions, s:illed in o%eration, the 8on ith might maintains his %erfectfriendshi%.

Thou in the ra cos, $lac: of hue or rudd#, storest the ri%e mil: gloss# hite in colour.

1D Their %aths, of old connected, rest unin


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earl#.

YMN LIII. Indra.

1. TH6 art the Might# ne= hen $orn, Indra, ith %oer thou terrifiedst earth andheaven=

"hen, in their fear of thee, all firm+set mountains and monstrous creatures shoo: li:edust $efore thee.

! "hen th# to andering /a#s thou draest hither, th# %raiser laid ithin thine armsthe thunder,

"hereith, Much+invo:ed, in ill resistless, thou smitest foemen don and man# acastle.

& 7aithful art thou, these thou defiest, Indra= thou art the $husB Lord, heroic, victor.

Thou, $# his side, for #oung and glorious ;utsa, ith steed and car in $attle sleestu a,

( That, as a friend, thou furtheredst, Indra, hen, Thunderer, strong in act, thoucrushedst ) tra=

"hen, Hero, thou, great+souled, ith eas# conCuest didst rend the 9as#us in their

distant delling.

* This doest thou, and art not harmed, Indra, e>en in the anger of the strongest mortal.

La# thou the race+course o%en for our horses3 as ith a clu$, sla#, Thunder+armed? ourfoemen.

Hence men invo:e thee, Indra, in the tumult of $attle, in the light+$estoing conflict.

This aid of thine, Godli:e ne, as ever to $e im%lored in deeds of might in com$at.

- "arring for Puru:utsa thou, Indra, Thunder+armed? $rea:est don the sevencastles=

5asil#, for 8ud4s, li:e grass didst rend them, and out of need, ;ing, $roughtest gain toPJru.

0 Indra, God ho movest round a$out us, feed us ith varied food %lenteous as aterF

7ood hereithal, Hero, thou $estoest vigour itself to flo to us for ever.


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2 Pra#ers have $een made $# Gotamas, Indra, addressed to thee, ith laud for th#/a# Horses.

/ring us in no$le sha%e a$undant riches. Ma# he, enriched ith %ra#er, come soon andearl#.

HYMN LI). Maruts.

1. /ING for the manl# host, ise and ma


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$right red flames.

0 5'ceeding ise the# roar li:e lions mightil#, the#, all+%ossessing, are $eauteous asantelo%es=

8tirring the dar:ness ith lances and s%otted deer, com$ined as %riests, ith ser%entsB

fur# through their might.

2 Heroes ho march in com%anies, $efriending man, ith ser%entsB ire through strength,#e greet the earth and heaven.

6%on the seats, Maruts, of #our chariots, u%on the cars stands lightning visi$le aslight.

1D Lords of all riches, delling in the home of ealth, endoed ith might# vigour,singers loud of voice,

Heroes, of %oers infinite, armed ith strong menBs rings, the archers, the# have laid thearro on their arms.

11 The# ho ith golden fellies ma:e the rain increase drive forard the $ig clouds li:eanderers on the a#.

8elf+moving, $ris:, unearied, the# o>erthro the firm= the Maruts ith $right lancesma:e all things to reel.

1! The %rogen# of udra e invo:e ith %ra#er, the $ris:, the $right, the orshi%ful, theactive nes

To the strong $and of Maruts cleave for ha%%iness, the chasers of the s:#, im%etuous,vigorous.

1& Maruts, the man hom #e have guarded ith #our hel%, he veril# in strengthsur%asseth all man:ind.

8%oil ith his steeds he gaineth, treasure ith his men= he inneth honoura$le strengthand %ros%ereth.

1( Maruts, to the orshi%%ers give glorious strength invinci$le in $attle, $rilliant,$ringing ealth,

Praiseorth#, :non to all men. Ma# e foster ell, during a hundred inters, son and%rogen#.

1* "ill #e then, #e Maruts, grant us riches, dura$le, rich in men, def#ing onslaught.

A hundred, thousandfold, ever increasing Ma# he, enriched ith %ra#er, come soon andearl#.

HYMN L). Agni.


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1. N5+MIN959, ise, the# trac:ed thee li:e a thief lur:ing in dar: cave ith a stolenco3

Thee claiming orshi%, $earing it to Gods3 there nigh to thee sate all the Hol# nes.

! The Gods a%%roached the a#s of hol# La= there as a gathering vast as heavenitself.

The aters feed ith %raise the groing /a$e, $orn no$l# in the om$, the seat of La.

& Li:e grateful food, li:e some ide delling %lace, li:e a fruit+$earing hill, a holesomestream.

Li:e a steed urged to run in sift career, rushing li:e 8indhu, ho ma# chec: hiscourse

( ;in as a $rother to his sister floods, he eats the oods as a ;ing eats the rich.

"hen through the forest, urged $# ind, he s%reads, veril# Agni shears the hair of earth.

* Li:e a san sitting in the floods he %ants isest in mind mid men he a:es at morn.

A 8age li:e 8oma, s%rung from La, he gre li:e some #oung creature, might#, shiningfar.

HYMN L)I. Agni.

1. LI;5 the 8unBs glance, li:e ealth of varied sort, li:e $reath hich is the life, li:e oneBson son,

Li:e a sift $ird, a co ho #ields her mil:, %ure and refulgent to the ood he s%eeds.

! He offers safet# li:e a %leasant home, li:e ri%ened corn, the onCueror of men.

Li:e a 8eer lauding, famed among the fol:= li:e a steed friendl# he vouchsafes us %oer.

& "ith flame insatiate, li:e eternal might= caring for each one li:e a dame at home=

/right hen he shines forth, hitish mid the fol:, li:e a car, gold+dec:ed, thundering tothe fight.

( He stri:es ith terror li:e a dart shot forth, e>en li:e an archerBs arro ti%%ed ithflame=

Master of %resent and of future life, the maidens> lover and the matrons> Lord.

* To him lead all #our a#s3 ma# e attain the :indled God as cos their home at eve.


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He drives the flames $elo as floods their sell3 the ra#s rise u% to the fair %lace ofheaven.

HYMN L)II. Agni.

1. )ITI68 in the ood, 7riend among men, ever he claims o$edience as a ;ing.

Gracious li:e %eace, $lessing li:e mental %oer, Priest as he, offering+$earer, full ofthought.

! He, $earing in his hand all manl# might, crouched in the cavern, struc: the Gods ithfear.

Men filled ith understanding find him there, hen the# have sting %ra#ers formed ithintheir heart.

& He, li:e the 6n$orn, holds the $road earth u%= and ith effective utterance fi'ed thes:#.

Agni, guard the s%ots hich cattle love3 thou, life of all, hast gone from lair to lair.

( "hoso hath :non him delling in his lair, and hath a%%roached the stream of hol#La,F

The# ho release him, %a#ing sacred rites,Ftrul# to such doth he announce greatealth.

* He ho gros mightil# in her$s, ithin each fruitful mother and each $a$e she $ears,

"ise, life of all men, in the aters> home,Ffor him have sages $uilt as >tere a seat.

HYMN L)III. Agni.

1. MMINGLING, restless, he ascends the s:#, unveiling nights and all that stands ormoves,

As he the sole God is %reeminent in greatness among all these other Gods.

! All men are


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( 8eated as Priest ith ManuBs %rogen#, of all these treasures he alone is Lord.

Men #earn for children to %rolong their line, and are not disa%%ointed in their ho%e.

* 5agerl# the# ho hear his ord fulfil his ish as sons o$e# their sireBs $ehest.

He, rich in food, un$ars his ealth li:e doors3 he, the House+7riend, hath dec:edheavenBs vault ith stars.

HYMN LI. Agni.

1. /IGHT, s%lendid, li:e 9anBs lover, he hath filled the to


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move,F

To him even in the roc: and in the house3 Immortal ne, he cares for all man:ind.

& Agni is Lord of riches for the man ho serves him readil# ith sacred songs.

Protect these $eings thou ith careful thought, :noing the races $oth of Gods andmen.

( "hom man# dans and nights, unli:e, ma:e strong, hom, $orn in La, all things thatmove and stand,F

He hath $een on, Herald ho sits in light, ma:ing effectual all our hol# or:s.

* Thou settest value on our cos and oods3 all shall $ring tri$ute to us to the light.

Men have served thee in man# and sundr# s%ots, %arting, as >tere, an aged fatherBsealth.

Li:e a $rave archer, li:e one s:illed and $old, a fierce avenger, so he shines in fight.

YMN LI. Agni.

1. L)ING the loving ne, as ives their hus$and, the sisters of one home have urgedhim forard,

/right+coloured, even, as the cos love morning, dar:, $rea:ing forth to vie, and redl#$eaming.

! ur sires ith lauds $urst e>en the firm+set fortress, #ea, the A girases, ith roar, themountain.

The# made for us a a# to reach high heaven, the# found us da#, light, da#Bs sign,$eams of morning.

& The# sta$lished order, made his service fruitful= then %arting them among the longingfaithful,

Not thirsting after aught, the# come, most active, hile ith seet food the race of Godsthe# strengthen.

( 8ince M4tari@van, far+diffused, hath stirred him, and he in ever# house gron $rightand no$le,

He, /h gu+li:e I hath gone as his com%anion, as on commission to a greater 8ovran.

* "hen man %oured


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The archer $oldl# shot at him his arro, and the God thre his s%lendour on his9aughter.

"hoso, hath flames for thee ithin his delling, or $rings the orshi% hich thoulovest dail#,

9o thou of dou$le might increase his su$stance3 ma# he hom thou incitest meet ithriches.

- All sacrificial viands ait on Agni as the 8even might# ivers see: the ocean.

Not $# our $rethren as our food discovered3 find ith the Gods care for us, thou ho:noest.

0 "hen light hath filled the Lord of men for increase, straight from the heaven descendsthe lim%id moisture.

Agni hath $rought to light and filled ith s%irit the #outhful host $lameless and ell%roviding.

2 He ho li:e thought goes siftl# on his


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of udra.

The mortal $and, discerning in the distance, found Agni standing in the loftiest station.

* Nigh the# a%%roached, one+minded, ith their s%ouses, :neeling to him adora$le %aidorshi%.

7riend finding in his on friendBs e#e %rotection, the# made their on the $odies hichthe# chastened.

8oon as the hol# $eings had discovered the thrice+seven m#stic things containedithin thee,

"ith these, one+minded, the# %reserve the Am ta3 guard thou the life of all their %lantsand cattle.

- Thou, Agni, :noer of menBs or:s, hast sent us good food in constant course for oursu$sistence3

Thou dee%l# s:illed in %aths of Gods $ecamest an envo# never earied, offering+$earer.

0 ;noing the La, the seven strong floods from heaven, full of good thought, discernedthe doors of riches.

8aram4 found the cattleBs firm+$uilt %rison here$# the race of man is still su%%orted.

2 The# ho a%%roached all no$le o%erations ma:ing a %ath that leads to life immortal,

To $e the /irdBs su%%ort, the s%acious mother, Aditi, and her great 8ons stood in %oer.

1D "hen Gods immortal made $oth e#es of heaven, the# gave to him the gift of$eauteous glor#.

No the# flo forth li:e rivers set in motion3 the# :ne the ed 8teeds coming don, Agni.

HYMN LIII. Agni.

1. H5 ho gives food, li:e %atrimonial riches and guides aright li:e some ise manBsinstruction,

Loved li:e a guest ho lies in %leasant lodging,Fma# he, as Priest, %ros%er hisservantBs delling.

! He ho li:e 8avitar the God, true+minded %rotecteth ith his %oer. all acts of vigour,

Truthful, li:e s%lendour, glorified $# man#, li:e $reath


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& He ho on earth dells li:e a :ing surrounded $# faithful friends, li:e a God all+sustaining,

Li:e heroes ho %reside, ho sit in safet#3 li:e as a $lameless dame dear to herhus$and.

( Thee, such, in settlements secure, Agni, our men serve ever :indled in eachdelling.

n him have the# laid s%lendour in a$undance3 dear to all men, $earer $e he of riches.

* Ma# th# rich orshi%%ers in food, Agni, and %rinces gain long life ho $ringo$lation.

Ma# e get $oot# from our foe in $attle, %resenting to the Gods their share for glor#.

The cos of hol# la, sent us $# Heaven, have selled ith laden udders, loudl#loing=

8oliciting his favour, from a distance the rivers to the roc: have floed together.

- Agni, ith thee, soliciting th# favour, the hol# nes have gained glor# in heaven.

The# made the Night and 9an of different colours, and set the $lac: and %ur%le huestogether.

0 Ma# e and those ho orshi% $e the mortals hom thou, Agni, leadest on toriches.

Thou hast filled earth and heaven and airBs mid+region, and folloest the hole orld li:ea shado.

2 Aided $# thee, Agni, ma# e conCuer steeds ith steeds, men ith men, heroesith heroes,

Lords of the ealth transmitted $# our fathers3 and ma# our %rinces live a hundredinters.

1D Ma# these our h#mns of %raise, Agni, rdainer, $e %leasant to thee in th# heart ands%irit.

Ma# e have %oer to hold th# steeds of riches, la#ing on thee the God+sent gift ofglor#.

HYMN LI). Agni.

1. As forth to sacrifice e go, a h#mn to a h#mn let us sa#,


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"ho hears us even hen afar=

! "ho, from of old, in carnage, hen the %eo%le gathered, hath %reserved

His household for the orshi%%er.

& And let men sa#, Agni is $orn, e>en he ho sla#eth ) tra, he

"ho inneth ealth in ever# fight.

( Him in hose house an envo# thou lovest to taste his offered gifts,

And strengthenest his sacrifice,

* Him, A giras, thou 8on of 8trength, all men call ha%%# in his God,

His offerings, and his sacred grass.

Hitherard shalt thou $ring these Gods to our laudation and to taste.

These offered gifts, fair+shining ne.

- "hen, Agni, on thine em$assage thou goest not a sound is heard of steed or strainingof th# car.

0 Aided $# thee unin


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* /ring to us Mitra, )aru a, $ring the Gods to might# sacrifice.

/ring them, Agni, to thine home.

HYMN L)I. Agni.

1. Ho ma# the mind dra nigh to %lease thee, Agni "hat h#mn of %raise shall $ring usgreatest $lessing

r ho hath gained th# %oer $# sacrifices or ith hat mind shall e $ring theeo$lations

! ome hither, Agni= sit thee don as Hotar= $e thou ho never ast deceived ourleader.

Ma# Heaven and 5arth, the all+%ervading, love thee3 orshi% the Gods to in for us their

favour.

& /urn thou u% all the 4: asas, Agni= ard thou off curses from our sacrifices.

/ring hither ith his /a#s the Lord of 8oma3 here is glad elcome for the /ounteousGiver.

( Thou Priest ith li% and voice that $ring us children hast $een invo:ed. Here ith theGods $e seated.

Thine is the tas: of leanser and Presenter3 a:en us, "ealth+$estoer and Producer.

* As ith o$lations of the %riestl# Manus thou orshi%%edst the Gods, a 8age ithsages,

8o no, truthfullest Invo:er Agni, orshi% this da# ith


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rder

Ar#aman, Mitra, )aru a, Pari


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thine on im%erial sa#.

& Go forard, meet the foe, $e $old= th# $olt of thunder is not chec:ed.

Manliness, Indra, is th# might3 sta# ) tra, ma:e the aters thine, lauding thine onim%erial sa#.

( Thou smotest ) tra from the earth, smotest him, Indra, from the s:#.

Let these life+fostering aters flo attended $# the Marut host, lauding thine onim%erial sa#.

* The rathful Indra ith his $olt of thunder rushing on the foe,

8mote fierce on trem$ling ) traBs $ac:, and loosed the aters free to run, lauding hison im%erial sa#.

"ith hundred+


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1& "hen ith the thunder thou didst ma:e th# dart and ) tra meet in ar,

Th# might, Indra, fain to sla# the 9ragon, as set firm in heaven, lauding thine onim%erial sa#.

1( "hen at th# shout, Thunder+armed, each thing $oth fi'ed and moving shoo:,

5>en Tva ar trem$led at th# rath and Cua:ed ith fear $ecause of thee, lauding thineon im%erial sa#.

1* There is not, in our :noledge, one ho %asseth Indra in his strength3

In him the 9eities have stored manliness, insight, %oer and might, lauding his onim%erial sa#.

1 8till as of old, hatever rite Atharvan, Manus sire of all,

9adh#ach %erformed, their %ra#er and %raise united in that Indra meet, lauding his on

im%erial sa#.

HYMN LI. Indra.

1. TH5 men have lifted Indra u%, the ) tra sla#er, to en the fee$le, thou aidest the sacrificer, thou givest the offerer am%leealth.

& "hen ar and $attles are on foot, $oot# is laid $efore the $old.

Yo:e thou th# ildl#+rushing /a#s. "hom ilt thou sla# and hom enrich 9o thou, Indra, ma:e us rich.

( Might# through isdom, as he lists, terri$le, he hath a'ed in strength.

Lord of /a# 8teeds, strong+


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Ma# Indra lend his aid to us. 9eal forthFa$undant is th# ealthFthat in th# $ount# Ima# share.

- He, righteous+hearted, at each time of ra%ture gives us herds of :ine.

Gather in $oth th# hands for us treasures of man# hundred sorts. 8har%en thou us, and

$ring us ealth.

0 efresh thee, Hero, ith the


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The stirring draughts of tere a singer s:illed in laud,FIndra in truth delights hen

these come near to him.

HYMN LI). Indra.

1. The 8oma hath $een %ressed for thee, Indra= mightiest, $old ne, come.

Ma# Indra+vigour fill thee full, as the 8un fills mid+air ith ra#s.


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! His %air of Tan# oursers $ring Indra of unresisted might

Hither to is> songs of %raise and sacrifice %erformed $# men.

& 8la#er of ) tra, mount th# car= th# /a# 8teeds have $een #o:ed $# %ra#er.

Ma#, ith its voice, the %ressing+stone dra thine attention hitherard.

( This %oured li$ation, Indra, drin:, immortal, gladdening, e'cellent.

8treams of the $right have floed to thee here at the seat of hol# La.

* 8ing glor# no to Indra, sa# to him #our solemn eulogies.

The dro%s %oured forth have made him glad3 %a# reverence to his might su%reme.

"hen, Indra, thou dost #o:e th# 8teeds, there is no $etter charioteer3

None hath sur%assed thee in th# might, none ith good steeds o>erta:en thee.

- He ho alone $estoeth on mortal man ho offereth gifts,

The ruler of resistless %oer, is Indra, sure.

0 "hen ill he tram%le, li:e a eed, the man ho hath no gift for him

"hen, veril#, ill Indra hear our songs of %raise

2 He ho ith 8oma


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1( He, searching for the horseBs head, removed among the mountains, found

At ar#a 4v4n hat he sought.

1* Then veril# the# recognied the essential form of Tva arBs /ull,

Here in the mansion of the Moon.

1 "ho #o:es to+da# unto the %ole of rder the strong and %assionate steers ofchec:less s%irit,

"ith shaft+armed mouths, heart+%iercing, health+$estoing

Long shall he live ho richl# %a#s their service.

1- "ho fleeth forth ho suffereth ho feareth "ho :noeth Indra %resent, Indranear us

"ho sendeth $enediction on his offs%ring, his household, ealth and %erson, and thePeo%le

10 "ho ith %oured oil and offering honours Agni, ith ladle orshi%s at a%%ointedseasons

To hom to the Gods $ring o$lation Cuic:l# "hat offerer, God+favoured, :nos himthoroughl#

12 Thou as a God, Mightiest, veril# $lessest mortal man.

Maghavan, there is no comforter $ut thou3 Indra, I s%ea: m# ords to thee.

!D Let not th# $ounteous gifts, let not th# saving hel% fail us, good Lord, at an# time=

And measure out to us, thou lover of man:ind, all riches hitherard from men.

HYMN L). Maruts.

1. TH5Y ho are glancing forth, li:e omen, on their a#, doers of might# deeds, siftracers, udraBs 8ons,

The Maruts have made heaven and earth increase and gro3 in sacrifices the# delight,the strong and ild.

! Gron to their %erfect strength greatness have the# attained= the udras haveesta$lished their a$ode in heaven.

8inging their song of %raise and generating might, the# have %ut glor# on, the 8onshom P @ni $are.


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& "hen, hildren of the o

rig veda book 1

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