HYMN XVI. Agni.

1
PRIEST of all sacrifices hast thou been appointed by the Gods, Agni, amid the race of man.

2
So with thy joyous tongues for us sacrifice nobly in this rite. Bring thou the Gods and worship them.

3
For well, O God, Disposer, thou knowest, straight on, the paths and ways, Agni, most wise in sacrifice.

4
Thee, too, hath Bharata of old, with mighty men, implored for bliss. And worshipped thee the worshipful.

5
Thou givest these abundant boons to Divodasa pouring forth, To Bharadvaja offering gifts.

6
Do thou, Immortal Messenger, bring hither the Celestial Folk; Hearing the singer's eulogy.

7
Mortals with pious thought implore thee, Agni, God, at holy rites, To come unto the feast of Gods.

8
I glorify thine aspect and the might of thee the Bountiful. All those who love shall joy in thee,

9
Invoker placed by Manus, thou, Agni, art near, the wisest Priest: Pay worship to the Tribes of Heaven.

10
Come, Agni, lauded, to the feast; come to the offering of the gifts. As Priest be seated on the grass.

11
So, Angiras, we make thee strong with fuel and with holy oil. Blaze high, thou youngest of the Gods.

12
For us thou winnest, Agni, God, heroic strength exceeding great, Far-spreading and of high renown.

13
Agni, Atharvan brought thee forth, by rubbing, from the lotus-flower, The head of Visva, of the Priest.

14
Thee. Vrtra's slayer, breaker down of castles, hath Atharvan's son, Dadhyac the Rsi, lighted up.

15
The hero Pathya kindled thee the Dasyus'. most destructive foe, Winner of spoil in every fight.

16
Come, here, O Agni, will I sing verily other songs to thee, And with these drops shalt thou grow strong.

17
Where'er thy mind applies itself, vigour preeminent bast thou: There wilt thou gain a dwelling-place.

18
Not for a moment only lasts thy bounty, good to many a one! Our service therefore shalt thou gain.

19
Agni, the Bharata, hath been sought, the Vrtra-slayer, marked of all, Yea, Divodasa's Hero Lord.

20
For he gave riches that surpass in greatness all the things of earth, Fighting untroubled, unsubdued.

21
Thou, Agni, as in days of old, with recent glory, gathered light, Hast overspread the lofty heaven.

22
Bring to your Agni, O my friends, boldly your laud and sacrifice: Give the Disposer praise and song.

23
For as sagacious Herald he hath sat through every age of man, Oblation-bearing messenger.

24
Bring those Two Kings whose ways are pure, Adityas, and the Marut host, Excellent God! and Heaven and Earth.

25
For strong and active mortal man, excellent, Agni, is the look Of thee Immortal, Son of Strength

26
Rich through his wisdom, noblest be the giver serving thee to-day: The man hath brought his hymn of praise.

27
These, Agni, these are helped by thee, who strong and active all their lives, O'ercome the malice of the foe, fight down the malice of the foe.

28
May Agni with his pointed blaze cast down each fierce devouring fiend May Agni win us wealth by war.

29
O active Jatavedas, bring riches with store of hero sons: Slay thou the demons, O Most Wise.

30
Keep us, O Jatavedas, from the troubling of the man of sin: Guard us thou Sage who knowest prayer.

31
Whatever sinner, Agni, brings oblations to procure our death, Save us from woe that he would work.

32
Drive from us with thy tongue, O God, the man who doeth evil deeds, The mortal who would strike us dead.

33
Give shelter reaching far and wide to Bharadvaja, conquering Lord! Agni, send wealth most excellent.

34
May Agni slay the Vrtras,-fain for riches, through the lord of song, Served with oblation, kindled, bright.

35
His Father's Father, shining in his Mother's everlasting side, Set on the seat of holy Law.

36
O active Jatavedas, bring devotion that wins progeny, Agni, that it may shine to heaven.

37
O Child of Strength, to thee whose look is lovely we with dainty food, O Agni, have poured forth our songs.

38
To thee for shelter are we come, as to the shade from fervent heat Agni, who glitterest like gold.

39
Mighty as one who slays with shafts, or like a bull with sharpened horn, Agni, thou breakest down the forts.

40
Whom, like an infant newly born, devourer, in their arms they bear, Men's Agni, skilled in holy rites.

41
Bear to the banquet of the Gods the God best finder-out of wealth, Let him he seated in his place.

42
In Jatavedas kindle ye the dear guest who hath now appeared In a soft place, the homestead's Lord.

43
Harness, O Agni, O thou God, thy steeds which are most excellent: They bear thee as thy spirit wills.

44
Come hither, bring the Gods to us to taste the sacrificial feast, To drink the draught of Soma juice.

45
O Agni of the Bharatas, blaze high with everlasting might, Shine forth and gleam, Eternal One.

46
The mortal man who serves the God with banquet, and, bringing gifts at sacrifice, lauds Agni, May well attract, with prayer and hands uplifted, the Priest of Heaven and Earth, true Sacrificer.

47
Agni, we bring thee, with our hymn, oblation fashioned in the heart. Let these be oxen unto thee, let these be bulls and kine to thee.

48
The Gods enkindle Agni, best slayer of Vrtra, first in rank, The Mighty, One who brings us wealth and crushes down the Raksasas.

HYMN XVII. Indra.

1
DRINK Soma, Mighty One, for which, when lauded, thou breakest through the cattle-stall, O Indra; Thou who, O Bold One, armed with thunder smotest Vrtra with might, and every hostile being.

2
Drink it thou God who art impetuous victor, Lord of our hymns, with beauteous jaws, the Hero, Render of kine-stalls, car-borne, thunder-wielding, so pierce thy way to wondrous strength, O Indra.

3
Drink as of old, and let the draught delight thee. hear thou our prayer and let our songs exalt thee. Make the Sun visible, make food abundant, slaughter the foes, pierce through and free the cattle.

4
These gladdening drops, O Indra, Self-sustainer, quaffed shall augment thee in thy mighty splendour. Yea, let the cheering drops delight thee greatly, great, perfect, strong, powerful, all-subduing.

5
Gladdened whereby, bursting the firm enclosures, thou gavest splendour to the Sun and Morning. The mighty rock that compassed in the cattle, ne'er moved, thou shookest from its seat, O Indra.

6
Thou with thy wisdom, power, and works of wonder, hast stored the ripe milk in the raw cows' udders Unbarred the firm doors for the kine of Morning, and, with the Angirases, set free the cattle.

7
Thou hast spread out wide earth, a mighty marvel, and, high thyself, propped lofty heaven, O Indra. Both worlds, whose Sons are Gods, thou hast supported, young, Mothers from old time of holy Order.

8
Yea, Indra, all the Deities installed thee their one strong Champion in the van for battle. What time the godless was the Gods' assailant, Indra they chose to win the light of heaven.

9
Yea, e'en that heaven itself of old bent backward before thy bolt, in terror of its anger, When Indra, life of every living creature, smote down within his lair the assailing Dragon.

10
Yea, Strong One! Tvastar turned for thee, the Mighty, the bolt with thousand spikes and hundred edges, Eager and prompt at will, wherewith thou crushedst the boasting Dragon, O impetuous Hero.

11
He dressed a hundred buffaloes, O Indra, for thee whom all accordant Maruts strengthen. He, Pusan Visnu, poured forth three great vessels to him, the juice that cheers, that slaughters Vrtra.

12
Thou settest free the rushing wave of waters, the floods' great swell encompassed and obstructed. Along steep slopes their course thou turnedst, Indra, directed downward, speeding to the ocean.

13
So may our new prayer bring thee to protect us, thee well-armed Hero with thy bolt of thunder, Indra, who made these worlds, the Strong, the ty, who never groweth old, the victory-giver.

14
So, Indra, form us brilliant holy singers for strength, for glory, and for food and riches. Give Bharadvaja hero patrons, Indra Indra, be ours upon the day of trial.

15
With this may we obtain strength God-appointed, and brave sons gladden us through a hundred winters.

HYMN XVIII. Indra.

1
GLORIFY him whose might is all-surpassing, Indra the much-invoked who fights uninjured. Magnify with these songs the never-vanquished, the Strong, the Bull of men, the Mighty Victor.

2
He, Champion, Hero, Warrior, Lord of battles, impetuous, loudly roaring, great destroyer, Who whirls the dust on high, alone, oerthrower, hath made all races of mankind his subjects.

3
Thou, thou alone, hast tamed the Dasyus; singly thou hast subdued the people for the Arya. In this, or is it not, thine hero exploit, Indra? Declare it at the proper season.

4
For true, I deem, thy strength is, thine the Mighty, thine, O Most Potent, thine the Conquering Victor; Strong, of the strong, Most Mighty, of the mighty, thine, driver of the churl to acts of bounty.

5
Be this our ancient bond of friendship with you and with Angirases here who speak of Vala. Thou, Wondrous, Shaker of things firm, didst smite him in his fresh strength, and force his doors and castles.

6
With holy thoughts must he be called, the Mighty, showing his power in the great fight with Vrtra. He must be called to give us seed and offspring, the Thunderer must he moved and sped to battle.

7
He in his might, with name that lives for ever, hath far surpassed all human generations. He, most heroic, hath his home with splendour, with glory and with riches and with valour.

8
Stranger to guile, who ne'er was false or faithless, bearing a name that may be well remembered, Indra crushed Cumuri, Dhuni, Sambara, Pipru, and Susna, that their castles fell in ruin.

9
With saving might that must be praised and lauded, Indra, ascend thy car to smite down Vrtra. In thy right hand hold fast thy bolt of thunder, and weaken, Bounteous Lord, his art and magic.

10
As Agni, as the dart burns the dry forest, like the dread shaft burn down the fiends, O Indra; Thou who with high deep-reaching spear hast broken, hast covered over mischief and destroyed it.

11
With wealth, by thousand paths come hither, Agni, paths that bring ample strength, O thou Most Splendid. Come, Son of Strength, o'er whom, Invoked of many! the godless hath no power to keep thee distant.

12
From heaven, from earth is bruited forth the greatness of him the firm, the fiery, the resplendent. No foe hath he, no counterpart, no refuge is there from him the Conqueror full of wisdom

Continued...

13
This day the deed that thou hast done is famous, when thou, for him, with many thousand others Laidest low Kutsa, Ayu, Atithigva, and boldly didst deliver Turvayana.

14
In thee, O God, the wisest of the Sages, all Gods were joyful when thou slewest Ahi. When lauded for thyself, thou gavest freedom to sore-afflicted Heaven and to the people.

15
This power of thine both heaven and earth acknowledge, the deathless Gods acknowledge it, O Indra. Do what thou ne'er hast done, O Mighty Worker: beget a new hymn at thy sacrifices.

HYMN XIX. Indra.

1
GREAT, hero-like controlling men is Indra, unwasting in his powers, doubled in vastness. He, turned to us, hath grown to hero vigour: broad, wide, he hath been decked by those who serve him.

2
The bowl made Indra swift to gather booty, the High, the Lofty, Youthful, Undecaying, Him who hath waxed by strength which none may conquer, and even at once grown to complete perfection.

3
Stretch out those hands of thine, extend to us-ward thy wide capacious arms, and grant us glory. Like as the household herdsman guards the cattle, so move thou round about us in the combat.

4
Now, fain for strength, let us invite your Indra hither, who lieth hidden with his Heroes,- Free from all blame, without reproach, uninjured, e'en as were those who sang, of old, his praises.

5
With steadfast laws, wealth-giver, strong through Soma, he hath much fair and precious food to feed us. In him unite all paths that lead to riches, like rivers that commingle with the ocean.

6
Bring unto us the mightiest might, O Hero, strong and most potent force, thou great Subduer! All splendid vigorous powers of men vouchsafe us, Lord of Bay Steeds, that they may make us joyful.

7
Bring us, grown mighty in its strength, O Indra, thy friendly rapturous joy that wins the battle, Wherewith by thee assisted and triumphant, we may laud thee in gaining seed and offspring.

8
Indra, bestow on us the power heroic skilled and exceeding strong, that wins the booty, Wherewith, by thine assistance, we may conquer our foes in battle, be they kin or stranger.

9
Let thine heroic strength come from behind us, before us, from above us or below us. From every side may it approach us, Indra. Give us the glory of the realm of splendour.

10
With most heroic aid from thee, like heroes Indra, may we win wealth by deeds glory. Thou, King, art Lord of earthly, heavenly treasure: vouchsafe us riches vast, sublime, and lasting.

11
The Bull, whose strength hath waxed, whom Maruts follow, free-giving Indra, the Celestial Ruler, Mighty, all-conquering, the victory-giver, him let us call to grant us new protection.

12
Give up the people who are high and haughty to these men and to me, O Thunder-wielder! Therefore upon the earth do we invoke thee, where heroes win, for sons and kine and waters.

13
Through these thy friendships, God invoked of many! may we be victors over every foeman. Slaying both kinds of foe, may we, O Hero, be happy, helped by thee, with ample riches.

HYMN XX. Indra.

1
GIVE us wealth, Indra, that with might, as heaven o'ertops the earth, o'ercomes our foes in battle Wealth that brings thousands and that wins the corn-lands, wealth, Son of Strength! that vanquishes the foeman.

2
Even as the power of Dyaus, to thee, O Indra, all Asura sway was by the Gods entrusted, When thou, Impetuous! leagued with Visnu, slewest Vrtra the Dragon who enclosed the waters.

3
Indra, Strong, Victor, Mightier than the mighty, addressed with prayer and perfect in his splendour, Lord of the bolt that breaketh forts in pieces, became the King of the sweet juice of Soma..

4
There, Indra, while the light was won, the Panis f1ed, 'neath a hundred blows, for wise Dasoni, And greedy Susna's magical devices nor left he any of their food remaining.

5
What time the thunder fell and Susna perished, all life's support from the great Druh was taken. Indra made room for his car-driver Kutsa who sate beside him, when he gained the sunlight.

6
As the Hawk rent for him the stalk that gladdens, he wrenched the head from Namuci the Dasa. He guarded Nam, Sayya's son, in slumber, and sated him with food, success, and riches.

7
Thou, thunder-armed, with thy great might hast shattered Pipru's strong forts who knew the wiles of serpents. Thou gavest to thy worshipper Rjisvan imperishable Wealth, O Bounteous Giver.

8
The crafty Vetasu, the swift Dasni, and Tugra speedily with all his servants, Hath Indra, gladdening with strong assistance, forced near as 'twere to glorify the Mother.

9
Resistless, with the hosts he battles, bearing in both his arms the Vrtra-slaying thunder. He mounts his Bays, as the car-seat an archer: yoked at a word they bear the lofty Indra.

10
May we, O Indra, gain by thy new favour: so Parus laud thee, with their sacrifices, That thou hast wrecked seven autumn forts, their shelter, slain Dasa tribes and aided Purukutsa.

11
Favouring Usana the son of Kavi, thou wast his ancient strengthener, O Indra. Thou gavest Navavastva. as a present, to the great father gavest back his grandson.

12
Thou, roaring Indra, drovest on the waters that made a roaring sound like rushing rivers, What time, O Hero, o'er the sea thou broughtest, in safety broughtest Turvasa and Yadu.

13
This Indra, was thy work in war: thou sentest Dhuni and Cumuri to sleep and slumber. Dabhiti lit the flame for thee, and worshipped with fuel, hymns, poured Soma, dressed oblations.

HYMN XXI. Indra. Visvedevas.

1
THESE the most constant singer's invocations call thee who art to be invoked, O Hero; Hymns call anew the chariot-borne, Eternal: by eloquence men gain abundant riches.

2
I praise that Indra, known to all men, honoured with songs, extolled with hymns at sacrifices, Whose majesty, rich in wondrous arts, surpasseth the magnitude of earth, and heaven in greatness.

3
He hath made pathways, with the Sun to aid him, throughout the darkness that extended pathless. Mortals who yearn to worship ne'er dishonour, O Mighty God, thy Law who art Immortal.

4
And he who did these things, where is that Indra? among what tribes? what people doth he visit? What sacrifice contents thy mind , and wishes? What priest among them all? what hymn, O Indra?

5
Yea, here were they who, born of old, have served thee, thy friends of ancient time, thou active Worker. Bethink thee now of these, Invoked of many! the midmost and the recent, and the youngest.

6
Inquiring after him, thy later servants, Indra, have gained thy former old traditions. Hero, to whom the prayer is brought, we praise thee as great for that wherein we know thee mighty.

7
The demon's strength is gathered fast against thee: great as that strength hath grown, go forth to meet it. With thine own ancient friend and companion, the thunderbolt, brave Champion! drive it backward.

8
Hear, too, the prayer of this thy present beadsman, O Indra, Hero, cherishing the singer. For thou wast aye our fathers' Friend aforetime, still swift to listen to their supplication.

9
Bring to our help this day, for our protection, Varuna, Mitra , Indra, and the Maruts, Pusan and Visnu, Agni and Purandhi, Savitar also, and the Plants and Mountains.

10
The singers here exalt with hymns and praises thee who art very Mighty and Most Holy. Hear, when invoked, the invoker's invocation. Beside thee there is nonelike thee, Immortal!

11
Now to my words come quickly thou who knowest, O Son of Strength, with all who claim our worship, Who visit sacred rites, whose tongue is Agni, Gods who made Manu stronger than the Dasyu.

12
On good and evil ways be thou our Leader, thou who art known to all as Path-preparer. Bring power to us, O Indra, with thy Horses, Steeds that are best to draw, broad-backed, unwearied.

HYMN XXII. Indra.

1
WITH these my hymns I glorify that Indra who is alone to be invoked by mortals, The Lord, the Mighty One, of manly vigour, victorious, Hero, true, and full of wisdom.

2
Our sires of old,. Navagvas, sages seven, while urging him to show his might, extolled him, Dwelling on heights, swift, smiting down opponents, guileless in word, and in his thoughts most mighty.

3
We seek that Indra to obtain his riches that bring much food, and men, and store of heroes. Bring us, Lord of Bay Steeds, to make us joyful, celestial wealth, abundant, undecaying.

4
Tell thou us this, if at thy hand aforetime the earlier singers have obtained good fortune, What is thy share and portion, Strong Subduer, Asura-slayer, rich, invoked of many?

5
He who for car-borne Indra, armed with thunder, hath a hymn, craving, deeply-piercing, fluent, Who sends a song effectual, firmly-grasping, and strength-bestowing, he comes near the mighty.

6
Strong of thyself, thou by this art hast shattered, with thought-swift Parvata, him who waxed against thee, And, Mightiest! roaring! boldly rent in pieces things that were firmly fixed and never shaken.

7
Him will we fit for you with new devotion, the strongest Ancient One, in ancient manner. So may that Indra, boundless, faithful Leader, conduct us o'er all places hard to traverse.

8
Thou for the people who oppress hast kindled the earthly firmament and that of heaven. With heat, O Bull, on every side consume them: heat earth and flood for him who hates devotion.

9
Of all the Heavenly Folk, of earthly creatures thou art the King, O God of splendid aspect. In thy right hand, O Indra, grasp die thunder: Eternal! thou destroyest all enchantments.

10
Give us confirmed prosperity, O Indra, vast and exhaustless for the foe's subduing. Strengthen therewith the Arya's hate and Dasa's, and let the arms of Nahusas be mighty.

11
Come with thy team which brings all blessings hither, Disposer, much-invoked, exceeding holy. Thou whom no fiend, no God can stay or hinder, come swiftly with these Steeds in my direction.

HYMN XXIII. Indra.

1
THOU art attached to pressed-out Soma, Indra, at laud, at prayer, and when the hymn is chanted; Or when with yoked Bays, Maghavan, thou comest, O Indra, bearing in thine arms the thunder.

2
Or when on that decisive day thou holpest the presser of the juice at Vrtra's slaughter; Or when thou, while the strong one feared, undaunted, gavest to death, Indra, the daring Dasyus.

3
Let Indra drink the pressed-out Soma, Helper and mighty Guide of him who sings his praises. He gives the hero room who pours oblations, and treasure even to the lowly singer.

4
E'en humble rites with his Bay steeds he visits: he wields the bolt, drinks Soma, gives us cattle. He makes the valiant rich in store of heroes, accepts our praise and hears the singer's calling.

5
What he hath longed for we have brought to Indra, who from the days of old hath done us service. While Soma flows we will sing hymn, and laud him, so that our prayer may strengthen Indra's vigour.

6
Thou hast made prayer the means of thine exalting, therefore we wait on thee with hymns, O Indra. May we, by the pressed Soma, Somadrinker! bring thee, with sacrifice, blissful sweet refreshment.

7
Mark well our sacrificial cake, delighted Indra, drink Soma and the milk commingled. Here on the sacrificer's grass be seated: give ample room to thy devoted servant.

8
O Mighty One, be joyful as thou willest. Let these our sacrifices reach and find thee; And may this hymn and these our invocations turn thee, whom many men invoke, to help us.

9
Friends, when the juices flow, replenish duly your own, your bounteous Indra with the Soma. Will it not aid him to support us? Indra. spares him who sheds the juice to win his favour.

10
While Soma flowed, thus Indra hath been lauded, Ruler of nobles, mid the Bharadvajas, That Indra may become the singer's patron and give him wealth in every kind of treasure.

HYMN XXIV. Indra.

1
STRONG rapturous joy, praise, glory are with Indra: impetuous God, he quaffs the juice of Soma: That Maghavan whom men must laud with singing, Heaven-dweller, King of songs, whose help is lasting.

2
He, Friend of man, most wise, victorious Hero, hears, with far-reaching aid, the singer call him. Excellent, Praise of Men, the bard's Supporter, Strong, he gives strength, extolled in holy synod.

3
The lofty axle of thy wheels, O Hero, is not surpassed by heaven and earth in greatness. Like branches of a tree, Invoked of many manifold aids spring forth from thee, O Indra.

4
Strong Lord, thine energies, endowed with vigour, are like the paths of kine converging homeward. Like bonds of cord, Indra, that bind the younglings, no bonds are they, O thou of boundless bounty.

5
One act to-day, another act tomorrow oft Indra makes what is not yet existent. Here have we Mitra, Varuna, and Pusan to overcome the foeman's domination.

6
By song and sacrifice men brought the waters from thee, as from a mountain's ridge, O Indra. Urging thy might, with these fair lauds they seek thee, O theme of song, as horses rush to battle.

7
That Indra whom nor months nor autumn seasons wither with age, nor fleeting days enfeeble,- Still may his body Wax, e'en now so mighty, glorified by the lauds and hymns that praise him.

8
Extolled, he bends not to the strong, the steadfast, nor to the bold incited by the Dasyu. High mountains are as level plains to Indra: even in the deep he finds firm ground to rest on.

9
Impetuous Speeder through all depth and distance, give strengthening food, thou drinker of the juices. Stand up erect to help us, unreluctant, what time the gloom of night brightens to morning.

10
Hasting to help, come hither and protect him, keep him from harm when he is here, O Indra. At home, abroad, from injury preserve him. May brave sons gladden us through a hundred winters.

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