HYMN XXIV. Brahmanaspati.
1. BE pleased with this our offering, thou who art the Lord; we will adore thee with this new and mighty song.
As this thy friend, our liberal patron, praises thee, do thou, Brhaspati, fulfil our hearts’ desire.
2. He who with might bowed down the things that should be bowed, and in his fury rent the holds of Sambara:
Who overthrew what shook not, Brahmapaspati,-he made his way within the mountain stored with wealth.
3. That was a great deed for the Godliest of the Gods: strong things were loosened and the firmly fixed gave way.
He drave the kine forth and cleft Vala through by prayer, dispelled the darkness and displayed the light of heaven.
4. The well with mouth of stone that poured a flood of meath, which Brahmapaspati hath opened with his might-
All they who see the light have drunk their fill thereat: together they have made the watery fount flow forth.
5. Ancient will be those creatures, whatsoe’er they be; with moons, with autumns, doors unclose themselves to you.
Effortless they pass on to perfect this and that, appointed works which Brahmanaspati ordained.
6. They who with much endeavour searching round obtained the Panis’ noblest treasure hidden in the cave,-
Those sages, having marked the falsehoods, turned them back whence they had come, and sought again to enter in.
7. The pious ones when they had seen the falsehoods turned them back, the sages stood again upon the lofty ways.
Cast down with both their arms upon the rock they left the kindled fire, and said, No enemy is he.
8. With his swift bow, strung truly, Brahmanaspati reaches the mark whate’er it be that he desires.
Excellent are the arrows wherewithal he shoots, keen-eyed to look on men and springing from his ear.
9. He brings together and he parts, the great High Priest; extolled is he, in battle Brahmapaspati.
When, gracious, for the hymn he brings forth food and wealth, the glowing Sun untroubled sends forth fervent heat.
10. First and preeminent, excelling all besides are the kind gifts of liberal Brhaspati.
These are the boons of him the Strong who should be loved, whereby both classes and the people have delight.
11. Thou who in every way supreme in earthly power, rejoicing, by thy mighty strength hast waxen great,-
He is the God spread forth in breadth against the Gods: he, Brahmanaspati, encompasseth this All.
12. From you, twain Maghavans, all truth proceedeth: even the waters break not your commandment.
Come to us, Brahmanaspati and Indra, to our oblation Iiie yoked steeds to fodder.
13. The sacrificial flames most swiftly hear the call: the priest of the assembly gaineth wealth for hymns.
Hating the stern, remitting at his will the debt, strong in the shock of fight is Brahmanaspati.
14. The wrath of Brahmanaspati according to his will had full effect when he would do a mighty deed.
The kine he drave forth and distributed to heaven, even as a copious flood with strength flows sundry ways.
15. O Brahmanaspati, may we be evermore masters of wealth well-guided, full of vital strength.
Heroes on heroes send abundantly to us, when thou omnipotent through prayer seekest my call.
16. O Brahmanaspati, be thou controller of this our hymn, and prosper thou our children.
All that the Gods regard with love is blessed. Loud may we speak, with heroes, in assembly.
HYMN XXV. Brahmanaspati.
1. HE lighting up the flame shall conquer enemies: strong shall he be who offers prayer and brings his gift.
He with his seed spreads forth beyond another’s seed, whomever Brahmanaspati takes for his friend.
2. With heroes he shall overcome his hero foes, and spread his wealth by kine wise by himself is be.
His children and his children’s children
grow in strength, whomever Brahmanaspati takes for his friend.
3. He, mighty like a raving river’s billowy flood, as a bull conquers oxen, overcomes with strength.
Like Agni’s blazing rush he may not be restrained, whomever Brahmanaspati takes for his friend.
4. For him the floods of heaven flow never failing down: first with the heroes he goes forth to war for kine.
He slays in unabated vigour with great might, whomever Brahmanaspati takes for his friend.
5. All roaring rivers pour their waters down for him, and many a flawless shelter hath been granted him.
Blest with the happiness of Gods he prospers well, whomever Brahmanaspati takes for his friend.
HYMN XXVI. Brahmanaspati.
1. THE righteous singer shall o’ercome his enemies, and he who serves the Gods subdue the godless man.
The zealous man shall vanquish the invincible, the worshipper share the food of him who worships not.
2. Worship, thou hero, chase the arrogant afar: put on auspicious courage for the fight with foes.
Prepare oblation so that thou mayst have success. we crave the favouring help of Brahmanaspati.
3. He with his folk, his house, his family, his sons, gains booty for himself, and, with the heroes, wealth,believing
Who with oblation and a true heart serves Brahmanaspati the Father of the Gods.
4. Whoso hath honoured him with offerings rich in oil, him Brahmanaspati leads forward on his way,
Saves him from sorrow, frees him from his enemy, and is his wonderful deliverer from woe.
HYMN XXVII. Adityas.
1. THESE hymns that drop down fatness, with the ladle I ever offer tothe Kings Adityas.
May Mitra, Aryanian, and Bhaga hear us, the mighty Varuna Daksa, and Amsa.
2. With one accord may Aryaman and Mitra and Varuna this day accept this praise-song-
Adityas bright and pure as streams of water, free from all guile and falsehood, blameless, perfect.
3. These Gods, Adityas, vast, profound, and faithful, with many eyes, fain to deceive the wicked,
Looking within behold the good and evil near to the Kings is even the thing most distant.
4. Upholding that which moves and that which moves not, Adityas, Gods, protectors of all being,
Provident, guarding well the world of spirits, true to eternal Law, the debt-exactors.
5. May I, Adityas, share m this your favour which, Aryaman, brings profit e’en in danger.
Under your guidance, Varuna and Mitra, round troubles may I pass, like rugged places.
6. Smooth is your path, O Aryaman and Mitra; excellent is it, Varuna, and thornless.
Thereon, Adityas, send us down your blessing: grant us a shelter hard to be demolished.
7. Mother of Kings, may Aditi transport us, by fair paths Aryaman, beyond all hatred.
May we uninjured, girt by many heroes, win Varuna’s and Mitra’s high protection.
8. With their support they stay three earths, three heavens; three are their functions in the Gods’ assembly.
Mighty through Law, Adityas, is your greatness; fair is it, Aryaman, Varuna, and Mitra.
9. Golden and splendid, pure like streams of water, they hold aloft the three bright heavenly regions.
Ne’er do they slumber, never close their eyelids, faithful, far-ruling for the righteous mortal.
10. Thou over all, O Varuna, art Sovran, be they Gods, Asura! or be they mortals.
Grant unto us to see a hundred autumns ours be the blest long lives of our forefathers.
11. Neither the right nor left do I distinguish, neither the cast nor yet the west, Adityas.
Simple and guided by your wisdom, Vasus!
may I attain the light that brings no danger.
12. He who bears gifts unto the Kings, true Leaders, he whom their everlasting blessings prosper,
Moves with his chariot first in rank and wealthy, munificent and lauded in assemblies.
13. Pure, faithful, very strong, with heroes round him, he dwells beside the waters rich with pasture.
None slays, from near at hand or from a distance, him who is under the Adityas’ guidance.
14. Aditi, Mitra, Varuna, forgive us however we have erred and sinned against you.
May I obtain the broad light free from peril: O Indra, let not during darkness seize us.
15. For him the Twain united pour their fulness, the rain from heaven: he thrives most highly favoured.
He goes to war mastering both the mansions: to him both portions of the world are gracious.
16. Your guiles, ye Holy Ones, to quell oppressors, your snares spread out against the foe, Adityas,
May I car-borne pass like a skilful horseman: uninjured may we dwell in spacious shelter.
17. May1 not live, O Varuna, to witness my wealthy, liberal, dear friend’s destitution.
King, may1 never lack well-ordered riches. Lond may we speak, with heroes, in assembly.
HYMN XXVIII. Varuna
1. THIS laud of the self-radiant wise Aditya shall be supreme o’er all that is in greatness.
1 beg renown of Varuna the Mighty, the God exceeding kind to him who worships.
2. Having extolled thee. Varuna, with thoughtful care may we have high fortune in thy service,
Sinffing thy praises like the fires at coming, day after day, of mornings rich in cattle.
3. May we be in thy keeping, O thou Leader wide-ruling Varuna, Lord of many heroes.
O sons of Aditi, for ever faithful, pardon us, Gods, admit us to your friendship.
4. He made them flow, the Aditya, the Sustainer: the rivers run by Varuna’s commandment.
These feel no weariness, nor cease from flowing: swift have they flown like birds in air around us.
5. Loose me from sin as from a bond that binds me: may we swell, Varuna, thy spring of Order.
Let not my thread, while I weave song, be severed, nor my work’s sum, before the time, be shattered.
6. Far from me, Varuna, remove all danger accept me graciously, thou Holy Sovran.
Cast off, like cords that hold a calf, my troubles: I am not even mine eyelid’s lord without thee.
7. Strike us not, Varuna, with those dread weapons which, Asura, at thy bidding wound the sinner.
Let us not pass away from light to exile. Scatter, that we may live, the men who hate us
8. O mighty Varuna, now and hereafter, even as of old, will we speak forth our worship.
For in thyself, invincible God, thy statutes ne’er to be moved are fixed as on a mountain.
9. Move far from me what sins I have committed: let me not suffer, King, for guilt of others.
Full many a morn remains to dawn upon us: in these, O Varuna, while we live direct us.
10. O King, whoever, be he friend or kinsman, hath threatened me affrighted in my slumber-
If any wolf or robber fain would harm us, therefrom, O Varuna, give thou us protection.
11. May I not live O Varuna, to witness my wealthy, liberal dear friend’s destitution.
King, may I never lack well-ordered riches. Loud may we speak, with heroes, in assembly.
