RIG VEDA

HYMN XCVI. Agni.

1. HE in the ancient way by strength engendered, lo! straight hath taken to himself all wisdom.
The waters and the bowl have made him friendly. The Gods possessed the wealth bestowing Agni.

2. At Ayu’s ancient call he by his wisdom gave all this progeny of men their being,
And, by refulgent light, heaven and the waters. The Gods possessed the wealth. bestowing Agni.

3. Praise him, ye Aryan folk, as chief performer of sacrifice adored and ever toiling,
Well-tended, Son of Strength, the Constant Giver. The Gods possessed the wealth bestowing Agni.

4. That Matarisvan rich in wealth and treasure, light-winner, finds a pathway for his offispring.
Guard of our folk, Father of earth and heaven. The Gods possessed the wealth bestowing Agni.

5. Night and Dawn, changing each the other’s colour, meeting together suckle one same Infant:
Golden between the heaven and earth he shineth. The Gods possessed the wealth bestowing Agni.

6. Root of wealth, gathering-place of treasures, banner of sacrifice, who grants the suppliant’s wishes:
Preserving him as their own life immortal, the Gods possessed the wealth-bestowing Agni.

7. Now and of old the home of wealth, the mansion of what is born and what was born aforetime,
Guard of what is and what will be hereafter,-the Gods possessed the wealth bestowing Agni.

8. May the Wealth-Giver grant us conquering riches; may the Wealth-Giver grant us wealth with heroes.
May the Wealth-Giver grant us food with offspring, and length of days may the Wealth-Giver send us.

9. Fed with our fuel, purifying Agni, so blaze to us auspiciously for glory.
This prayer of ours may Varuna grant, and Mitra, and Aditi and Sindhu, Earth and Heaven.


HYMN XCVII. Agni.

1. CHASING with light our sin away, O Agni, shine thou wealth on us.
May his light chase our sin away.

2. For goodly fields, for pleasant homes, for wealth we sacrifice to thee.
May his light chase our sin away.

3. Best praiser of all these be he; foremost, our chiefs who sacrifice.
May his light chase our sin away.

4. So that thy worshippers and we, thine, Agni, in our sons may live.
May his light chase our sin away.

5. As ever- conquering Agni’s beams of splendour go to every side,
May his light chase our sin away.

6. To every side thy face is turned, thou art triumphant everywhere.
May his light chase our sin away.

7. O thou whose face looks every way, bear us past foes as in a ship.
May his light chase our sin away.

8. As in a ship, convey thou us for our advantage o’er the flood.
May his light chase our sin away.


HYMN XCVIII Agni.

1. STILL in Vaisvanara’s grace may we continue: yea, he is King supreme o’er all things living.
Sprung hence to life upon this All he looketh. Vaisvanara hath rivalry with Surya.

2. Present in heaven, in earth, all-present Agni,-all plants that grow on ground hath he pervaded.
May Agni, may Vaisvanara with vigour, present, preserve us day and night from foemen.

3. Be this thy truth, Vaisvanara, to us-ward: let wealth in rich abundance gather round us.
This prayer of ours may Varuna grant, and Mitra, and Aditi and Sindhu, Earth and Heaven.


HYMN XCIX. Agni.

1. FOR Jatavedas let us press the Soma: may he consume the wealth of the malignant.
May Agni carry us through all our troubles, through grief as in a boat across the river.


HYMN C. Indra.

1. MAY he who hath his home with strength, the Mighty, the King supreme of earth and spacious heaven,
Lord of true power, to he invoked in battles,-may Indra, girt by Maruts, be our succour.

2. Whose way is unattainable like Surya’s: he in each fight is the strong Vrtra-slayer,
Mightiest with his Friends in his own courses. May Indra, girt by Maruts, be our succour.

3. Whose paths go forth in their great might resistless, forthmilking, as it were, heaven’s genial moisture.
With manly strength triumphant, foe-subduer,-may Indra, girt by Maruts, be our succour.

4. Among Angirases he was the chiefest, a Friend with friends, mighty amid the mighty.
Praiser mid praisers, honoured most of singers. May Indra, girt by Maruts, be our succour.

5. Strong with the Rudras as with his own children, in manly battle conquering his foemen ‘
With his close comrades doing deeds of glory,-may Indra, girt by Maruts, be our succour.

6. Humbler of pride, exciter of the conflict, the Lord of heroes, God invoked of many,
May he this day gain with our men the sunlight. May Indra, girt by Maruts, be oursuccour.

7. His help hath made him cheerer in the battle, the folk have made him guardian of their comfort.
Sole Lord is he of every holy service. May Indra, girt by Maruts, be our succour.

8. To him the Hero, on high days of prowess, heroes for help and booty shall betake them.
He hath found light even in the blinding darkness. May Indra, girt by Maruts, be our succour.

9. He with his left hand checketh even the mighty, and with his righthand gathereth up the booty.
Even with the humble he acquireth riches. May Indra, girt by Maruts, be our succour.

10. With hosts on foot and cars he winneth treasures: well is he known this day by all the people.
With manly might he conquereth those who hate him. May Indra, girt by Maruts, be our succour.

11. When in his ways with kinsmen or with strangers he speedeth to the fight, invoked of many,
For gain of waters, and of sons and grandsons, may Indra, girt by Maruts, be our succour.

12. Awful and fierce, fiend-slayer, thunder-wielder, with boundless knowledge, hymned by hundreds, mighty,
In strength like Soma, guard of the Five Peoples, may Indra, girt by Maruts, be our succour.

13. Winning the light, hitherward roars his thunder like the terrific mighty voice of Heaven.
Rich gifts and treasures evermore attend him. May Indra, girt by Maruts, be our succour.

14. Whose home eternal through his strength surrounds him on every side, his laud, the earth and heaven,
May he, delighted with our service, save us. May Indra, girt by Maruts, be our succour.

15. The limit of whose power not Gods by Godhead, nor mortal men have reached, nor yet the Waters.
Both Earth and Heaven in vigour he surpasseth. May Indra, girt by Maruts, he our succour.

16. The red and tawny mare, blaze-marked, high standing, celestial who, to bring Rjrasva riches,
Drew at the pole the chariot yoked with stallions, joyous, among the hosts of men was noted.

17. The Varsagiras unto thee, O Indra, the Mighty One, sing forth this laud to please thee,
Rjrasva with his fellows, Ambarisa, Suradhas, Sahadeva, Bhayamana.

18. He, much invoked, hath slain Dasyus and Simyus, after his wont, and laid them low with arrows.
The mighty Thunderer with his fair-complexioned friends won the land, the sunlight, and the waters.

19. May Indra evermore be our protector, and unimperilled may we win the booty.
This prayer of ours may Varuna grant, and Mitra, and Aditi and Sindhu, Earth and Heaven.