HYMN XXXVII. Rbhus.
1. COME to our sacrifice, Vajas, Rbhuksans, Gods, by the paths which Gods are wont to travel,
As ye, gay Gods, accept in splendid weather the sacrifice among these folk of Manus.
2. May these rites please you in your heart and spirit; may the drops clothed in oil this day approach you.
May the abundant juices bear you onward to power and strength, and, when imbibed, delight you.
3. Your threefold going near is God-appointed, so praise is given you, Vajas and Rbhuksans.
So, Manus-like, mid younger folk I offer, to you who are aloft in heaven, the Soma.
4. Strong, with fair chains of gold and jaws of iron, ye have a splendid car and well-fed horses.
Ye Sons of Strength, ye progeny of Indra, to you the best is offered to delight you.
5. Rbhuksans! him, for handy wealth, the mightiest comrade in the fight,
Him, Indra’s equal, we invoke, most bounteous ever, rich in steeds.
6. The mortal man whom, Rbhus, ye and Indra favour with your help,
Must be successful, by his thoughts, at sacrifice and with the steed.
7. O Vajas and Rbhuksans, free for us the paths to sacrifice,
Ye Princes, lauded, that we may press forward to each point of heaven.
8. O Vajas and Rbhuksans, ye Nasatyas, Indra, bless this wealth,
And, before other men’s, the steed, that ample riches may be won.
HYMN XXXVIII. Dadhikris.
1. FROM you two came the gifts in days aforetime which Trasadasyu granted to the Purus.
Ye gave the winner of our fields and plough-lands, and the strong smiter who subdued the Dasytis.
2. And ye gave mighty Dadhikras, the giver of many gifts, who visiteth all people,
Impetuous hawk, swift and of varied colour, like a brave King whom each true man must honour.
3. Whom, as ’twere down a precipice, swift rushing, each Puru praises and his heart rejoices,-
Springing forth like a hero fain for battle, whirling the car and flying like the tempest.
4. Who gaineth precious booty in the combats and moveth, winning spoil, among the cattle;
Shown in bright colour, looking on the assemblies, beyond the churl, to worship of the living.
5. Loudly the folk cry after him in battles, as ’twere a thief who steals away a garment;
Speeding to glory, or a herd of cattle, even as a hungry falcon swooping downward.
6. And, fain to come forth first amid these armies, this way and that with rows of cars he rushes,
Gay like a bridesman, making him a garland, tossing the dust, champing the rein that holds him.
7. And that strong Steed, victorious and faithful, obedient with his body in the combat,
Speeding straight on amid the swiftly ressing, casts o’er his brows the dust he tosses upward.
8. And at his thunder, like the roar of heaven, those who attack tremble and are affrighted;
For when he fights against embattled thousands, dread is he in his striving; none may stay him.
9. The people praise the overpowering swiftness of this fleet Steed who giveth men abundance.
Of him they say when drawing back from battle. Dadhikras hath sped forward with his thousands.
10. Dadhikras hath o’erspread the Fivefold People with vigour, as the Sun lightens the waters.
May the strong Steed who winneth bundreds, thousands, requite with sweetness these my words and praises.
HYMN XXXIX Dadhikras.
1. Now give we praise to Dadhikras the rapid, and mention in our laud the Earth and Heaven.
May the Dawns flushing move me to exertion, and bear me safely over every trouble.
2. I praise the mighty Steed who fills my spirit, the Stallion Dadhikravan rich in bounties,
Whom, swift of foot aind shining bright as Agni, ye, Varuna and Mitra, gave to Purus.
3. Him who hath honoured, when the flame is kindled at break of dawn, the Courser Dadhikrivan,
Him, of one mind with Varuna and Mitra may Aditi make free from all transgression.
4. When we remember mighty Dadhikravan our food and strength, then the blest name of Maruts,
Varuna, Mitra, we invoke for welfare, and Agni, and the thunder-wielding Indra.
5. Both sides invoke him as they call on Indra when they stir forth and turn to sacrificing.
To us have Varuna and Mitra granted the Courser Dadhikris, a guide for mortals.
6. So have I glorified with praise strong Dadhikravan, conquering Steed.
Sweet may he make our mouths; may he prolong the days we have to live.
HYMN XL. Dadhikravan.
1. LET us recite the praise of Dadhikravan: may all the Mornings move me to exertion;
Praise of the Lord of Waters, Dawn, and Agni, Brhaspati Son of Angiras, and Surya.
2. Brave, seeking war and booty, dwelling with the good and with the swift, may he hasten the food of Dawn.
May he the true, the fleet, the lover of the course, the bird-like Dadhikravan, bring food, strength, and light.
3. His pinion, rapid runner, fans him m his way, as of a bird that hastens onward to its aim,
And, as it were a falcon’s gliding through the air, strikes Dadhikravan’s side as he speeds on with might.
4. Bound by the neck and by the flanks and by the mouth, the vigorous Courser lends new swiftness to his speed.
Drawing himself together, as his strength allows, Dadhikras springs along the windings of the paths.
5. The Hamsa homed in light, the Vasu in mid-air, the priest beside the altar, in the house the guest,
Dweller in noblest place, mid men, in truth, in sky, born of flood, kine, truth, mountain, he is holy Law.
HYMN XLI. Indra-Varuna.
1. WHAT laud, O Indra-Varuna, with oblation, hath like the Immortal Priest obtained your favour?
Hath our effectual laud, addressed with homage, touched you, O Indra-Varuna, in spirit?
2. He who with dainty food hath won you, Indra and Varuna, Gods, as his allies to friendship,
Jayeth the Vrtras and his foes in battles, and through your mighty favours is made famous.
3. Indra and Varuna are most liberal givers of treasure to the men who toil to serve them,
When they, as Friends inclined to friendship, honoured with dainty food, delight in flowing Soma.
4. Indra and Varuna, ye hurl, O Mighty, on him your strongest flashing bolt of thunder
Who treats us ill, the robber and oppressor: measure on him your overwhelming vigour.
5. O Indra-Varuna, be ye the lovers of this my song, as steers who love the milch-Cow.
Milk may it yield us as, gone forth to pasture, the great Cow pouring out her thousand rivers.
6. For fertile fields, for worthy sons and grandsons, for the Sun’s beauty and for steer-like vigour,
May Indra-Varuna with gracious favours work marvels for us in the stress of battle.
7. For you, as Princes, for your ancient kindness, good comrades of the man who seeks for booty,
We choose to us for the dear bond of friendship, most liberal Heroes bringing bliss like parents.
8. Showing their strength, these hymns for grace, Free-givers I have gone to you, devoted, as to battle.
For glory have they gone, as milk to Soma, to Indra-Varuna my thoughts and praises.
9. To Indra and to Varuna, desirous of gaining wealth have these my thoughts proceeded.
They have come nigh to you as treasurelovers, like mares, fleet-footed, eager for the glory.
10. May we ourselves be lords of during riches, of ample sustenance for car and hones.
So may the Twain who work with newest succours bring yoked teams hitherward to us and riches.
11. Come with your mighty succours, O ye Mighty; come, Indra-Varuna, to us in battle.
What time the flashing arrows play in combat, may we through you be winners in the contest.
HYMN XLIL Indra-Varuna.
1. I AM the royal Ruler, mine is empire, as mine who sway all life are all Immortals.
Varuna’s will the Gods obey and follow. I am the King of men’s most lofty cover.
2. I am King Varuna. To me were given these first existinghigh celestial powers.
Varuna’s will the Gods obey and follow. I am the King of men’s most lofty cover.
3. I Varuna am Indra: in their greatness, these the two wide deep fairly-fashioned regions,
These the two world-halves have I, even as Tvastar knowing all beings, joined and held together.
4. I made to flow the moisture-shedding waters, and set the heaven firm in the scat of Order.
By Law the Son of Aditi, Law Observer, hath spread abroad the world in threefold measure.
5. Heroes with noble horses, fain for battle, selected warriors, call on me in combat.
I Indra Maghavan, excite the conflict; I stir the dust, Lord of surpassing vigour.
6. All this I did. The Gods’ own conquering power never impedeth me whom none opposeth.
When lauds and Soma juice have made me joyful, both the unbounded regions are affrighted.
7. All beings know these deeds of thine thou tellest this unto Varuna, thou great Disposer!
Thou art renowned as having slain the Vrtras. Thou madest flow the floods that were obstructed.
8. Our fathers then were these, the Seven his, what time the son of Durgaha was captive.
For her they gained by sacrifice Trasadasyu, a demi-god, like Indra, conquering foemen.
9. The spouse of Purukutsa gave oblations to you, O Indra-Varuna, with homage.
Then unto her ye gave King Trasadasyu, the demi-god, the slayer of the foeman.
10. May we, possessing much, delight in riches, Gods in oblations and the kine in pasture;
And that Milch-cow who ahrinks not from the milking, O Indra-Varuna, give to us daily.
HYMN XLIII. Asvins.
1. WHO will hear, who of those who merit worship, which of all Gods take pleasure in our homage?
On whose heart shall we lay this laud celestial, rich with fair offerings, dearest to Immortals?
2. Who will be gracious? Who will come most uickly of all the Gods? Who will
bring liss most largely?
What car do they call swift with rapid coursers? That which the Daughter of the Sun elected.
3. So many days do ye come swiftly hither, as Indra to give help in stress of battle.
Descended from the sky, divine, strong-pinioned, by which of all your powers are ye most mighty?
4. What is the prayer that we should bring you, Asvins, whereby ye come to us when invocated?
Whether of you confronts e’en great betrayal? Lovers of sweetness, Dasras, help and save us.
5. In the wide space your chariot reacheth heaven, what time it turneth hither from the ocean.
Sweets from your sweet shall drop, lovers of sweetness! These have they dressed for you as dainty viands.
6. Let Sindhu with his wave bedew your horses: in fiery glow have the red birds come hither.
Observed of all was that your rapid going, whereby ye were the Lords of Siirya’s Daughter.
7. Whene’er I gratified you here together, your grace was given us, O ye rich in booty.
Protect, ye Twain, the singer of your praises: to you, Nasatyas, is my wish directed.
