HYMN CXXXIV. Vayu.

1
Vayu, let fleet-foot coursers bring thee speedily to this our feast, to drink first of the juice we pour, to the first draught of Soma juice. May our glad hymn, discerning well, uplifted, gratify thy mind. Come with thy team-drawn car, O Vayu, to the gift, come to the sacrificer's gift.

2
May the joy-giving drops, O Vayu gladden thee, effectual, well prepared, directed to the heavens, strong, blent with milk and seeking heaven; That aids, effectual to fulfil, may wait upon our skilful power. Associate teams come hitherward to grant our prayers . they shall address the hymns we sing.

3
Two red steeds Vayu yokes, Vayu two purple steeds, swift-footed, to the chariot, to the pole to draw, most able, at the pole, to draw. Wake up intelligence, as when a lover wakes his sleeping love. Illumine heaven and earth, make thou the Dawns to shine, for glory make the Dawns to shine.

4
For thee the radiant Dawns in the fardistant sky broaden their lovely gannents forth in wondrous beams, bright-coloured in their new-born beams. For thee the nectar-yielding Cow pours all rich treasures forth as milk. The Marut host hast thou engendered from the womb, the Maruts from the womb of heaven.

5
For thee the pure bright quickly-flowing Soma-drops, strong in their heightening power, hasten to mix themselves, hasten to the water to be mixed. To thee the weary coward prays for luck that he may speed away. Thou by thy law protectest us from every world, yea, from the world of highest Gods.

6
Thou, Vayu, who hast none before thee, first of all hast right to drink these offerings of Soma juice, hast right to drink the juice out-poured, Yea, poured by all invoking tribes who free themselves from taint of sin, For thee all cows are milked to yield the Soma-milk, to yield the butter and the milk.

HYMN CXXXV. Vayu, Indra-Vayu.

1
STREWN is the sacred grass; come Vayu, to our feast, with team of thousands, come, Lord of the harnessed team, with hundreds, Lord of harnessed steeds! The drops divine are lifted up for thee, the God, to drink them first. The juices rich in sweets have raised them for thy joy, have raised themselves to give thee strength.

2
Purified by the stones the Soma flows for thee, clothed with its lovely splendours, to the reservoir, flows clad in its refulgent light. For thee the Soma is poured forth, thy portioned share mid. Gods and men. Drive thou thy horses, Vayu, come to us with love, come well-inclined and loving us.

3
Come thou with hundreds, come with thousands in thy team to this our solemn rite, to taste the sacred food, Vayu, to taste the offerings. This is thy seasonable share, that comes co-radiant with the Sun. Brought by attendant priests pure juice is offered up, Vayu, pure juice is offered up.

4
The chariot with its team of horses bring you both, to guard us and to taste the well-appointed food, Vayu, to taste the offerings! Drink of the pleasant -flavoured juice the first draught is assigned to you. O Vayu, with your splendid bounty come ye both, Indra, with bounty come ye both.

5
May our songs bring you hither to our solemn rites: these drops of mighty vigour have they beautified, like a swift veed [sic] of mighty strength. Drink of them well-inclined to us, come hitherward to be our help. Drink, Indra-Vayu, of these Juices pressed with stones, Strength-givers! till they gladden you.

6
These Soma juices pressed for you in waters here, borne by attendant priests, are offered up to you: bright, Vayu, are they offered up. Swift through the strainer have they flowed, and here are shed for both of you, Soma-drops, fain for you, over the wether's fleece, Somas over the wether's fleece.

7
O Vayu, pass thou over all the,slumberers, and where the press-stone rings enter ye both that house, yea, Indra, go ye both within. The joyous Maiden is beheld, the butter flows. With richly laden team come to our solemn rite, yea, Indra, come ye to the rite.

8
Ride hither to the offering of the pleasant juice, the holy Fig-tree which victorious priests surround: victorious be they still for us. At once the cows yield milk, the barley meal is dressed. For thee, O Vayu, never shall the cows grow thin, never for thee shall they be dry.

9
These Bulls of thine, O Vayu with the arm of strength, who swiftly fly within the current of thy stream, the Bulls increasing in their might, Horseless, yet even through the waste swift-moving, whom no shout can stay, Hard to be checked are they, like sunbeams, in their course. hard to be checked by both the hands.

HYMN CXXXVI. Mitra-Varuna.

1
BRING adoration ample and most excellent, hymn, offerings, to the watchful Twain, the bountiful, your sweetest to the bounteous Ones. Sovrans adored with streams of oil and praised at every sacrifice. Their high imperial might may nowhere be assailed, ne'er may their Godhead be assailed.

2
For the broad Sun was seen a path more widely laid, the path of holy law hath been maintained with rays, the eye with Bhaga's rays of light. Firm-set in heaven is Mitra's home, and Aryaman's and Varuna's. Thence they give forth great vital strength which merits praise, high power of life that men shall praise.

3
With Aditi the luminous, the celestial, upholder of the people, come ye day by day, ye who watch sleepless, day by day. Resplendent might have ye obtained, Adityas, Lords of liberal gifts. Movers of men, mild both, are Mitra, Varuna, mover of men is Aryaman.

4
This Soma be most sweet to Mitra, Varuna: he in the drinking-feasts, shall have a share thereof, sharing, a God, among the Gods. May all the Gods of one accord accept it joyfully to-day. Therefore do ye, O Kings, accomplish what we ask, ye Righteous Ones, whate'er we ask.

5
Whoso, with worship serves Mitra and VaruiIa, him guard ye carefully, uninjured, from distress, guard from distress the liberal man. Aryaman guards him well who acts uprightly following his law, Who beautifies their service with his lauds, who makes it beautiful with songs of praise.

6
Worship will I profess to lofty Dyaus, to Heaven and Earth, to Mitra and to bounteous Varuna, the Bounteous, the Compassionate. Praise Indra, praise thou Agni, praise Bhaga and heavenly Aryaman. Long may we live and have attendant progeny, have progeny with Soma's help.

7
With the Gods' help, with Indra still beside us, may we be held self-splendid with the Maruts. May Agni, Mitra, Varuna give us shelter this may we gain, we and our wealthy princes.

HYMN CXXXVII. Mitra-Varuna.

1
WITH stones have we pressed out: O come; these gladdening drops are blent with milk, these Soma-drops which gladden you. Come to us, Kings who reach to heaven, approach us, coming hitherward. These milky drops are yours, Mitra and Varuna, bright Soma juices blent with milk.

2
Here are the droppings; come ye nigh the Soma-droppings blent with curd, juices expressed and blent with curd. Now for the wakening of your Dawn together with the Sun-God's rays, juice waits for Mitra and for Varuna to drink, fair juice for drink, for sacrifice.

3
As 'twere a radiant-coloured cow, they milk with stones the stalk for you, with stones they milk the Soma-plant. May ye come nigh us, may ye turn hither to drink the Soma juice. The men pressed out this juice, Mitra and Varuna, pressed out this Soma for your drink.

HYMN CXXXVIII. Pusan.

1
STRONG Pusan's majesty is lauded evermore, the glory of his lordly might is never faint, his song of praise is never faint. Seeking felicity I laud him nigh to help, the source, of bliss, Who, Vigorous one, hath drawn to him the hearts of all, drawn them, the Vigorous One, the God.

2
Thee, then, O Pusan, like a swift one on his way, I urge with lauds that thou mayst make the foemen flee, drive, camel-like, our foes afar. As I, a man, call thee, a God, giver of bliss, to be my Friend, So make our loudly-chanted praises glorious, in battles make them glorious.

3
Thou, Pusan, in whose friendship they who sing forth praise enjoy advantage, even in wisdom, through thy grace, in wisdom even they are advanced. So, after this most recent course, we come to thee with prayers for wealth. Not stirred to anger, O Wide-Ruler, come to us, come thou to us in every fight.

4
Not stirred to anger, come, Free-giver, nigh to us, to take this gift of ours, thou who hast goats for steeds, Goat-borne! their gift who long for fame. So, Wonder-Worker! may we turn thee hither with effectual lauds. I slight thee not, O Pusan, thou Resplendent One: thy friendship may not be despised.

HYMN CXXXIX. Visvedevas.

1
HEARD be our prayer! In thought I honour Agni first: now straightway we elect this heavenly company, Indra and Vayu we elect. For when our latest thought is raised and on Vivasvan centred well, Then may our holy songs go forward on their way, our songs as 'twere unto the Gods.

2
As there ye, Mitra, Varuna, above the true have taken to yourselves the untrue with your mind, with wisdom's mental energy, So in the seats wherein ye dwell have we beheld the Golden One, Not with our thoughts or spirit, but with these our eyes, yea, with the eyes that Soma gives.

3
Asvins, the pious call you with their hymns of praise, sounding their loud song forth to you, these living men, to their oblations, living men. All glories and all nourishment, Lords of all wealth! depend on you. The fellies of your golden chariot scatter drops, Mighty Ones! of your golden car.

4
Well is it known, O Mighty Ones: ye open heaven; for you the chariotsteeds are yoked for morning rites, unswerving steeds for morning rites, We set you on the chariot-scat, ye Mighty, on the golden car. Ye seek mid-air as by a path that leads aright, as by a path that leads direct.

5
O Rich in Strength, through your great power vouchsafe us blessings day and night. The offerings which we bring to you shall never fail, gifts brought by us shall never fail.

6
These Soma-drops, strong Indra! drink for heroes, poured, pressed out by pressing-stones, are welling forth for thee, for thee the drops are welling forth. They shall make glad thy heart to give, to give wealth great and wonderful. Thou who acceptest praise come glorified by hymns, come thou to us benevolent.

7
Quickly, O Agni, hear us: magnified by us thou shalt speck for us to the Gods adorable yea, to the Kings adorable: When, O ye Deities, ye gave that Milch-cow to the Angirases, They milked her: Aryaman, joined with them, did the work: he knoweth her as well as I.

8
Ne'er may these manly deeds of yours for us grow old, never may your bright glories fall into decay, never before our time decay. What deed of yours, new every age, wondrous, surpassing man, rings forth, Whatever, Maruts! may be difficult to gain, grant us, whate'er is hard to gain.

9
Dadhyac of old, Anigiras, Priyamedha these, and Kanva, Atri, Manu knew my birth, yea, those of ancient days and Manu knew. Their long line stretcheth to the Gods, our birth-connexions are with them. To these, for their high station,

1
bow down with song, to Indra, Agni, bow with song.

10
Let the Invoker bless: let offerers bring choice gifts; Brhaspati the Friend doth sacrifice with Steers, Steers that have many an excellence. Now with our ears we catch the sound of the press-stone that rings afar. The very Strong hath gained the waters by himself, the strong gained many a resting-place.

11
O ye Eleven Gods whose home is heaven, O ye Eleven who make earth your dwelling, Ye who with might, Eleven, live in waters, accept this sacrifice, O Gods, with pleasure.

HYMN CXL. Agni.

1
To splendid Agni seated by the altar, loving well his home, I bring the food as 'twere his place of birth. I clothe the bright One with my hymn as with a robe, him with the car of light, bright-hued, dispelling gloom.

2
Child of a double birth he grasps at triple food; in the year's course what he hath swallowed grows anew. He, by another's mouth and tongue a noble Bull, with other, as an elephant, consumes the trees.

3
The pair who dwell together, moving in the dark bestir themselves: both parents hasten to the babe, Impetuous-tongued, destroying, springing swiftly forth, one to be watched and cherished, strengthener of his sire.

4
For man, thou Friend of men, these steeds of thine are yoked, impatient, lightly running, ploughing blackened lines, Discordant-minded, fleet, gliding with easy speed, urged onward by the wind and rapid in their course.

5
Dispelling on their way the horror of black gloom , making a glorious show these flames Of his fly forth, When o'er the spacious tract he spreads himself abroad, and rushes panting on with thunder and with roar.

6
Amid brown plants he stoops as if adorning them, and rushes bellowing like a bull upon his wives. Proving his might, he decks the glory of his form, and shakes his horns like one terrific, bard to stay.

7
Now covered, now displayed he grasps as one who knows his resting-place in those who know him well. A second time they wax and gather Godlike power, and blending both together change their Parents' form.

8
The maidens with long, tresses hold him in embrace; dead, they rise up again to meet the Living One. Releasing them from age with a loud roar he comes, filling them with new spirit, living, unsubdued.

9
Licking the mantle of the Mother, far and wide he wanders over fields with beasts that flee apace. Strengthening all that walk, licking up all around, a blackened path, forsooth, he leaves where'er he goes.

10
O Agni, shine resplendent with our wealthy chiefs, like a loud-snorting bull, accustomed to the house. Thou casting off thine infant wrappings blazest forth as though thou hadst put on a coat of mail for war.

11
May this our perfect prayer be dearer unto thee than an imperfect prayer although it please thee well. With the pure brilliancy that radiates from thy form, mayest thou grant to us abundant store of wealth.

12
Grant to our chariot, to our house, O Agni, a boat with moving feet and constant oarage [sic], One that may further well our wealthy princes and all the folk, and be our certain refuge.

13
Welcome our laud with thine approval, Agni. May earth and heaven and freely flowing rivers Yield us long life and food and corn and cattle, and may the red Dawns choose for us their choicest.

HYMN CXLI. Agni.

1
YEA, verily, the fair effulgence of the God for glory was established, since he sprang from strength. When he inclines thereto successful is the hymn: the songs of sacrifice have brought him as they flow

2
Wonderful, rich in nourishment, he dwells in food; next, in the seven auspicious Mothers is his home. Thirdly, that they might drain the treasures of the Bull, the maidens brought forth him for whom the ten provide.

3
What time from out the deep, from the Steer's wondrous form, the Chiefs who had the power produced him with their strength; When Matarisvan rubbed forth him who lay concealed, for mixture of the sweet drink, in the days of old.

4
When from the Highest Father he is brought to us, amid the plants he rises hungry, wondrously. As both together join to expedite his birth, most youthful he is born resplendent in his light.

5
Then also entered he the Mothers, and in them pure and uninjured he increased in magnitude. As to the first he rose, the vigorous from of old, so now he runs among the younger lowest ones.

6
Therefore they choose him Herald at the morning rites, pressing to him as unto Bhaga, pouring gifts, When, much-praised, by the power and will of Gods, he goes at all times to his mortal worshipper to drink.

7
What time the Holy One, wind-urged, hath risen up, serpent-like winding through the dry grass unrestrained, Dust lies upon the way of him who burneth all, black-winged and pure of birth who follows sundry paths.

8
Like a swift chariot made by men who know their art, he with his red limbs lifts himself aloft to heaven. Thy worshippers become by burning black of hue: their strength flies as before a hero's violence.

9
By thee, O Agni, Varuna who guards the Law, Mitra and Aryaman, the Bounteous, are made strong; For, as the felly holds the spokes, thou with thy might pervading hast been born encompassing them round.

10
Agni, to him who toils and pours libations, thou, Most Youthful! sendest wealth and all the host of Gods. Thee, therefore, even as Bhaga, will we set anew, young Child of Strength, most wealthy! in our battle-song.

11
Vouchsafe us riches turned to worthy ends, good luck abiding in the house, and strong capacity, Wealth that directs both worlds as they were guiding-reins, and, very Wise, the Gods' assent in sacrifice.

12
May he, the Priest resplendent, joyful, hear us, he with the radiant car and rapid horses. May Agni, ever wise, with best directions to bliss and highest happiness conduct us.

13
With hymns of might hath Agni now been lauded, advanced to height of universal kingship. Now may these wealthy chiefs and we together spread forth as spreads the Sun above the rain-clouds.

Continued...

HYMN CXLII Apris.

1
KINDLED, bring, Agni, Gods to-day for him who lifts the ladle up. Spin out the ancient thread for him who sheds, with gifts, the Soma juice.

2
Thou dealest forth, Tanunapat, sweet sacrifice enriched with oil, Brought by a singer such as I who offers gifts and toils for thee.

3
He wondrous, sanctifying, bright, sprinkles the sacrifice with mead, Thrice, Narasamsa from the heavens, a God mid Gods adorable.

4
Agni, besought, bring hitherward Indra the Friend, the Wonderful, For this my hymn of praise, O sweet of tongue, is chanted forth to thee.

5
The ladle-holders strew trimmed grass at this well-ordered sacrifice; A home for Indra is adorned, wide, fittest to receive the Gods.

6
Thrown open be the Doors Divine, unfailing, that assist the rite, High, purifying, much-desired, so that the Gods may enter in.

7
May Night and Morning, hymned with lauds, united, fair to look upon, Strong Mothers of the sacrifice, seat them together on the grass.

8
May the two Priests Divine, the sage, the sweet-voiced lovers of the hymn, Complete this sacrifice of ours, effectual, reaching heaven to-day.

9
Let Hotri pure, set among Gods, amid the Maruts Bhirati, Ila, Sarasvati, Mahi, rest on the grass, adorable.

10
May Tvastar send us genial dew abundant, wondrous, rich in gifts, For increase and for growth of wealth, Tvastar our kinsman and our Friend.

11
Vanaspati, give forth, thyself, and call the Gods to sacrifice. May Agni, God intelligent, speed our oblation to the Gods.

12
To Vayu joined with Pusan, with the Maruts, and the host of Gods, To Indra who inspires the hymn cry Glory! and present the gift.

13
Come hither to enjoy the gifts prepared with cry of Glory! Come, O Indra, hear their calling; they invite thee to the sacrifice.

HYMN CXLIII. Agni.

1
To Agni I present a newer mightier hymn, I bring my words and song unto the Son of Strength, Who, Offspring of the Waters, bearing precious things sits on the earth, in season, dear Invoking Priest.

2
Soon as he sprang to birth that Agni was shown forth to Matarisvan in the highest firmament. When he was kindled, through his power and majesty his fiery splendour made the heavens and earth to shine.

3
His flames that wax not old, beams fair to look upon of him whose face is lovely, shine with beauteous sheen. The rays of Agni, him whose active force is light, through the nights glimmer sleepless, ageless, like the floods.

4
Send thou with hymns that Agni to his own abode, who rules, one Sovran Lord of wealth, like Varuna, Him, All-possessor, whom the Bhrgus with their might brought to earth's central point, the centre of the world.

5
He whom no force can stay, even as the Maruts' roar, like to a dart sent forth, even as the bolt from heaven, Agni with sharpened jaws chews up and cats the trees, and conquers them as when the warrior smites his foes.

6
And will not Agni find enjoyment in our praise, will not the Vasu grant our wish with gifts of wealth? Will not the Inspirer speed our prayers to gain their end? Him with the radiant glance

1
laud with this my song.

7
The kindler of the flame wins Agni as a Friend, promoter of the Law, whose face is bright with oil. Inflamed and keen, refulgent in our gatherings, he lifts our hymn on high clad in his radiant hues.

8
Keep us incessantly with guards that cease not, Agni, with guards auspicious, very mighty. With guards that never slumber, never heedless, never beguiled. O Helper, keep our children.

HYMN CXLIV. Agni.

1
THE Priest goes forth to sacrifice, with wondrous power sending aloft the hymn of glorious brilliancy. He moves to meet the ladles turning to the right, which are the first to kiss the place where he abides.

2
To him sang forth the flowing streams of Holy Law, encompassed in the home and birth-place of the God. He, when he dwelt extended in the waters' lap, absorbed those Godlike powers for which he is adored.

3
Seeking in course altern [sic] to reach the selfsame end the two copartners strive to win this beauteous form. Like Bhaga must he be duly invoked by us, as he who drives the car holds fast the horse's reins.

4
He whom the two copartners with observance tend, the pair who dwell together in the same abode, By night as in the day the grey one was born young, passing untouched by eld [sic] through many an age of man.

5
Him the ten fingers, the devotions. animate: we mortals call on him a God to give us help. He speeds over the sloping surface of the land: new deeds hath he performed with those who gird him round.

6
For, Agni, like a herdsman, thou by thine own might rulest o'er all that is in heaven and on the earth; And these two Mighty Ones, bright, golden closely joined, rolling them round are come unto thy sacred grass.

7
Agni, accept with joy, be glad in this our prayer, joy-giver, self-sustained, strong, born of Holy Law! For fair to see art thou turning to every side, pleasant to look on as a dwelling filled with food.

HYMN CXLV. Agni.

1
Ask ye of him for he is come, he knoweth it; he, full of wisdom, is implored, is now implored. With him are admonitions and with him commands: he is the Lord of Strength, the Lord of Power and Might.

2
They ask of him: not all learn by their questioning what he, the Sage, hath grasped, as 'twere, with his own mind. Forgetting not the former nor the later word, he goeth on, not careless, in his mental power.

3
To him these ladles go, to him these racing mares: he only will give ear to all the words I speak. All-speeding, victor, perfecter of sacrifice, the Babe with flawless help hath mustered vigorous might.

4
Whate'er he meets he grasps and then runs farther on, and straightway, newly born,creeps forward with his kin. He stirs the wearied man to pleasure and great joy what time the longing gifts approach him as he comes.

5
He is a wild thing of the flood and forest: he hath been laid upon the highest surface. He hath declared the lore of works to mortals, Agni the Wise, for he knows Law, the Truthful.

HYMN CXLVI. Agni.

1
I LAUD the seven-rayed, the triple-headed, Agni all-perfect in his Parents' bosom, Sunk in the lap of all that moves and moves not, him who hath filled all luminous realms of heaven.

2
As a great Steer he grew to these his Parents; sublime lie stands, untouched by eld [sic], far-reaching. He plants his footsteps on the lofty ridges of the broad earth: his red flames lick the udder.

3
Coming together to their common youngling both Cows, fairshaped, spread forth in all directions, Measuring out the paths that must be travelled, entrusting all desires to him the Mighty.

4
The prudent sages lead him to his dwelling, guarding with varied skill the Ever-Youthful. Longing, they turned their eyes unto the River: to these the Sun of men was manifested.

5
Born noble in the regions, aim of all mens' eyes to be implored for life by great and small alike, Far as the Wealthy One hath spread himself abroad, he is the Sire all-visible of this progeny.

HYMN CXLVII. Agni.

1
How, Agni, have the radiant ones, aspiring, endued thee with the vigour of the living, So that on both sides fostering seed and offspring, the Gods may joy in Holy Law's fulfilment?

2
Mark this my speech, Divine One, thou, Most Youthful! offered to thee by him who gives most freely. One hates thee, and another sings thy praises: I thine adorer laud thy form, O Agni.

3
Thy guardian rays, O Agni, when they saw him, preserved blind Mamateya from affliction. Lord of all riches, he preserved the pious the foes who fain would harm them did no mischief.

4
The sinful man who worships not, O Agni, who, offering not, harms us with double-dealing,- Be this in turn to him a heavy sentence may he distress himself by his revilings.

5
Yea, when a mortal knowingly, O Victor, injures with double tongue a fellow-mortal, From him, praised Agni! save thou him that lauds thee: bring us not into trouble and affliction.

HYMN CXLVIII. Agni.

1
WHAT Matarisvan, piercing, formed by friction, Herald of all the Gods. in varied figure, Is he whom they have set mid human houses, gay-hued as light and shining forth for beauty.

2
They shall not harm the man who brings thee praises: such as I am, Agni my help approves me. All acts of mine shall they accept with pleasure, laudation from the singer who presents it.

3
Him in his constant seat men skilled in worship have taken and with praises have established. As, harnessed to a chariot fleet-foot horses, at his command let bearers lead him forward.

4
Wondrous, full many a thing he chews and crunches: he shines amid the wood with spreading brightness. Upon his glowing flames the wind blows daily, driving them like the keen shaft of an archer.

5
Him, whom while yet in embryo the hostile, both skilled and fain to harm, may never injure, Men blind and sightless through his splendour hurt not: his never-failing lovers have preserved him.

HYMN CXLIX. Agni.

1
HITHER he hastens to give, Lord of great riches, King of the mighty, to the place of treasure. lie pressing-stones shall serve him speeding near us.

2
As Steer of men so Steer of earth and heaven by glory, he whose streams all life hath drunken, Who hasting forward rests upon the altar.

3
He who hath lighted up the joyous castle, wise Courser like the Steed of cloudy heaven, Bright like the Sun, with hundredfold existence.

4
He, doubly born, hath spread in his effulgence through the three luminous realms, through all the regions, Best sacrificing Priest where waters gather.

5
Priest doubly born, he through his love of glory hath in his keeping all things worth the choosing, The man who brings him gifts hath noble offspring.

HYMN CL. Agni.

1
AGNI, thy faithful servant I call upon thee with many a gift, As in the keeping of the great inciting God;

2
Thou who ne'er movest thee to aid the indolent, the godless man, Him who though wealthy never brings an offering.

3
Splendid, O Singer, is that man, mightiest of the great in heaven. Agni, may we be foremost, we thy worshippers.

HYMN CLI. Mitra and Varuna

1
HEAVEN and earth trembled at the might and voice of him, whom, loved and Holy One, helper of all mankind, The wise who longed for spoil in fight for kine brought forth with power, a Friend, mid waters, at the sacrifice.

2
As these, like friends, have done this work for you, these prompt servants of Purumilha Soma-offerer, Give mental power to him who sings the sacred song, and hearken, Strong Ones, to the master of the house.

3
The folk have glorified your birth from Earth and Heaven, to be extolled, ye Strong Ones, for your mighty power. Ye, when ye bring to singer and the rite, enjoy the sacrifice performed with holy praise and strength.

4
The people prospers, Asuras! whom ye dearly love: ye, Righteous Ones, proclaim aloud the Holy Law. That efficacious power that comes from lofty heaven, ye bind unto the work, as to the pole an ox.

5
On this great earth ye send your treasure down with might: unstained by dust, the crowding kine are in the stalls. Here in the neighbourhood they cry unto the Sun at morning and at evening, like swift birds of prey.

6
The flames with curling tresses serve your sacrifice, whereto ye sing the song, Mitra and Varuna. Send down of your free will, prosper our holy songs: ye are sole Masters of the singer's hymn of praise.

7
Whoso with sacrifices toiling brings you gifts, and worships, sage and priest, fulfilling your desire,- To him do ye draw nigh and taste his sacrifice. Come well-inclined to us unto our songs and prayer.

8
With sacrifices and with milk they deck you first, ye Righteous Ones, as if through stirrings of the mind. To you they bring their hymns with their collected thought, while ye with earnest soul come to us gloriously.

9
Rich strength of life is yours: ye, Heroes, have obtained through your surpassing powers rich far-extending might. Not the past days conjoined with nights, not rivers, not the Papis have attained your Godhead and your wealth.

HYMN CLII. Mitra-Varuna.

1
THE robes which ye put on abound with fatness: uninterrupted courses are your counsels. All falsehood, Mitra-Varuna! ye conquer, and closely cleave unto the Law Eternal.

2
This might of theirs hath no one comprehended. True is the crushing word the sage hath uttered, The fearful four-edged bolt smites down the three-edged, and those who hate the Gods first fall and perish.

3
The Footless Maid precedeth footed creatures. Who marketh, Mitra-Varuna, this your doing? The Babe Unborn supporteth this world's burden, fulfilleth Law and overcometh falsehood.

4
We look on him the darling of the Maidens, always advancing, never falling downward, Wearing inseparable, wide-spread raiment, Mitra's and Varuna's delightful glory.

5
Unbridled Courser, horn but not of horses, neighing he flieth on with back uplifted. The youthful love mystery thought-surpassing, praising in Mitra-Varuna, its glory.

6
May the milch-kine who favour Mamateya prosper in this world him who loves devotion. May he, well skilled in rites, be food, and calling Aditi with his lips give us assistance.

7
Gods, Mitra-Varuna, with love and worship, let me make you delight in this oblation. May our prayer be victorious in battles, may we have rain from heaven to make us prosper.

HYMN CLIII. Mitra-Varuna.

1
WE worship with our reverence and oblations you, Mitra Varuna, accordant, mighty, So that with us, ye Twain whose backs are sprinkled with oil, the priests with oil and hymns support you.

2
Your praise is like a mighty power, an impulse: to you, Twain Gods, a well-formed hymn is offered, As the priest decks yon, Strong Ones, in assemblies, and the prince fain to worship you for blessings.

3
O Mitra-Varuna, Aditi the Milch-cow streams for the rite, for folk who bring oblation, When in the assembly he who worships moves you, like to a human priest, with gifts presented.

4
So may the kine and heavenly Waters pour you sweet drink in families that make you joyful. Of this may he, the ancient House-Lord, give us. Enjoy, drink of the milk the cow provideth.

HYMN CLIV. Visnu

1
I WILL declare the mighty deeds of Visnu, of him who measured out the earthly regions, Who propped the highest place of congregation, thrice setting down his footstep, widely striding.

2
For this his mighty deed is Visnu lauded, like some wild beast, dread, prowling, mountain-roaming; He within whose three wide-extended paces all living creatures have their habitation.

3
Let the hymn lift itself as strength to Visnu, the Bull far-striding, dwelling on the mountains, Him who alone with triple step hath measured this common dwelling-place, long, far extended.

4
Him whose three places that are filled with sweetness, imperishable, joy as it may list them, Who verily alone upholds the threefold, the earth, the heaven, and all living creatures.

5
May I attain to that his well-loved mansion where men devoted to the Gods are happy. For there springs, close akin to the Wide-Strider, the well of meath in Visnu's highest footstep.

6
Fain would we go unto your dwelling-places where there are many-horned and nimble oxen, For mightily, there, shineth down upon us the widely-striding Bull's sublimest mansion.

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