HYMN XVI. Agni.

1
WITH this my reverent hymn I call Agni for you, the Son of Strength, Dear, wisest envoy, served with noble sacrifice, immortal messenger of all.

2
His two red horses, all-supporting, let him yoke: let him, well-worshipped, urge them fast. Then hath the sacrifice good prayers and happy end, and heavenly gift of wealth to men.

3
The flame of him the Bountiful, the Much-invoked, hath mounted up, And his red-coloured smoke-clouds reach and touch the sky: the men are kindling Agni well.

4
Thee, thee Most Glorious One we make our messenger. Bring the Gods hither to the feast. Give us, O Son of Strength, all food that feedeth man: give that for which we pray to thee.

5
Thou, Agni, art the homestead's Lord, our Herald at the sacrifice. Lord of all boons, thou art the Cleanser and a Sage. Pay worship, and enjoy the good.

6
Give riches to the sacrificer, O Most Wise, for thou art he who granteth wealth. Inspire with zeal each priest at this our solemn rite; all who are skilled in singing praise.

7
O Agni who art worshipped well, dear let our princes he to thee, Our wealthy patrons who are governors of men, who part, as gifts, their stalls of kine.

8
They in whose home, her hand bearing the sacred oil, Ila sits down well-satisfied- Guard them, Victorious God, from slander and from harm. give us a refuge famed afar.

9
Do thou, a Priest with pleasant tongue, most wise, and very near to us, Agni, bring riches hither to our liberal chiefs, and speed the offering of our gifts.

10
They who bestow as bounty plenteous wealth of steeds, moved by desire of great renown- Do thou with saving help preserve them from distress, Most Youthful! with a hundred forts.

11
The God who gives your wealth demands a full libation poured to him. Pour ye it forth, then fill the vessel full again: then doth the God pay heed to you.

12
Him have the Gods appointed Priest of sacrifice, oblation-bearer, passing wise. Agni gives wealth and valour to the worshipper, to folk who offer up their gifts.

HYMN XVII. Agni.

1
AGNI, be kindled well with proper fuel, and let the grass be scattered wide about thee.

2
Let the impatient Portals be thrown open bring thou the Gods impatient to come hither.

3
Taste, Agni: serve the Gods with our oblation. Offer good sacrifices, Jatavedas!

4
Let Jatavedas pay fair sacrifices, worship and gratify the Gods Immortal.

5
Wise God, win for us things that are all-goodly, and let the prayers, we pray today be fruitful.

6
Thee, even thee, the Son of Strength, O Agni, those Gods have made the bearer of oblations.

7
To thee the God may we perform our worship: do thou, besought, grant us abundant riches.

HYMN XVIII. Indra.

1
ALL is with thee, O Indra, all the treasures which erst our fathers won who sang thy praises. With thee are milch-kine good to milk, and horses: best winner thou of riches for the pious.

2
For like a King among his wives thou dwellest: with glories, as a Sage, surround and help us. Make us, thy servants, strong for wealth, and honour our songs wirth [sic] kine and steeds and decoration.

3
Here these our holy hymns with joy and gladness in pious emulation have approached thee. Hitherward come thy path that leads to riches: may we find shelter in thy favour, Indra.

4
Vasistha hath poured forth his prayers, desiring to milk thee like a cow in goodly pasture. All these my people call thee Lord of cattle: may Indra. come unto the prayer we offer.

5
What though the floods spread widely, Indra made them shallow and easy for Sudas to traverse. He, worthy of our praises, caused the Simyu, foe of our hymn, to curse the rivers' fury.

6
Eager for spoil was Turvasa Purodas, fain to win wealth, like fishes urged by hunger. The Bhrgus and the Druhyus quickly listened: friend rescued friend mid the two distant peoples.

7
Together came the Pakthas, the Bhalanas, the Alinas, the Sivas, the Visanins. Yet to the Trtsus came the Arya's Comrade, through love of spoil and heroes' war, to lead them.

8
Fools, in their folly fain to waste her waters, they parted inexhaustible Parusni. Lord of the Earth, he with his might repressed them: still lay the herd and the affrighted herdsman.

9
As to their goal they sped to their destruction: they sought Parusni; e'en the swift returned not. Indra abandoned, to Sudas the manly, the swiftly flying foes, unmanly babblers.

10
They went like kine unherded from the pasture, each clinging to a friend as chance directed. They who drive spotted steeds, sent down by Prsni, gave ear, the Warriors and the harnessed horses.

11
The King who scattered one-and-twenty people of both Vaikarna tribes through lust of glory- As the skilled priest clips grass within the chamber, so hath the Hero Indra, wrought their downfall.

12
Thou, thunder-armed, o'erwhelmedst in the waters famed ancient Kavasa and then the Druhyu. Others here claiming friendship to their friendship, devoted unto thee, in thee were joyful.

13
Indra at once with conquering might demolished all their strong places and their seven castles. The goods of Anu's son he gave to Trtsu. May we in sacrifice conquer scorned Puru.

14
The Anavas and Druhyus, seeking booty, have slept, the sixty hundred, yea, six thousand, And six-and-sixty heroes. For the pious were all these mighty exploits done by Indra.

15
These Trtsus under Indra's careful guidance came speeding like loosed waters rushing downward. The foemen, measuring exceeding closely, abandoned to Sudas all their provisions.

16
The hero's side who drank the dressed oblation, Indra's denier, far o'er earth he scattered. Indra brought down the fierce destroyer's fury. He gave them various roads, the path's Controller.

17
E'en with the weak he wrought this matchless exploit: e'en with a goat he did to death a lion. He pared the pillar's angles with a needle. Thus to Sudas Indra gave all provisions.

18
To thee have all thine enemies submitted: e'en the fierce Bheda hast thou made thy subject. Cast down thy sharpened thunderbolt, O Indra, on him who harms the men who sing thy praises.

19
Yamuna and the Trtsus aided Indra. There he stripped Bheda bare of all his treasures. The Ajas and the Sigrus and the Yaksus brought in to him as tribute heads of horses.

20
Not to be scorned, but like Dawns past and recent, O Indra, are thy favours and thy riches. Devaka, Manyamana's son, thou slewest, and smotest Sambara from the lofty mountain.

21
They who, from home, have gladdened thee, thy servants Parasara, Vasistha, Satayatu, Will not forget thy friendship, liberal Giver. So shall the days dawn prosperous for the princes.

22
Priest-like, with praise, I move around the altar, earning Paijavana's reward, O Agni, Two hundred cows from Devavan's descendant, two chariots from Sudas with mares to draw them.

23
Gift of Paijavana, four horses bear me in foremost place, trained steeds with pearl to deck them. Sudas's brown steeds, firmly-stepping, carry me and my son for progeny and glory.

24
Him whose fame spreads between wide earth and heaven, who, as dispenser, gives each chief his portion, Seven flowing Rivers glorify like Indra. He slew Yudhyamadhi in close encounter.

25
Attend on him O ye heroic Maruts as on Sudas's father Divodasa. Further Paijavana's desire with favour. Guard faithfully his lasting firm dominion.

HYMN XIX. Indra.

1
HE like a bull with sharpened horns, terrific, singly excites and agitates all the people: Thou givest him who largely pours libations his goods who pours not, for his own possession.

2
Thou, verily, Indra, gavest help to Kutsa, willingly giving car to him in battle, When, aiding Arjuneya, thou subduedst to him both Kuyava and the Dasa Susna.

3
O Bold One, thou with all thine aids hast boldly holpen Sudas whose offerings were accepted, Puru in winning land and slaying foemen, and Trasadasyu son of Purukutsa.

4
At the Gods' banquet, hero-souled! with Heroes, Lord of Bay Steeds, thou slewest many foemen. Thou sentest in swift death to sleep the Dasyu, both Cumuri and Dhuni, for Dabhiti.

5
These were thy mighty powers that, Thunder-wielder, thou swiftly crushedst nine-and-ninety castles: Thou capturedst the hundredth in thine onslaught; thou slewest Namuci, thou slewest Vrtra.

6
Old are the blessings, Indra, which thou gavest Sudas the worshipper who brought oblations. For thee, the Strong, I yoke thy strong Bay Horses: may our prayers reach thee and win strength, Most Mighty!

7
Give us not up, Lord of Bay Horses, Victor, in this thine own assembly, to the wicked. Deliver us with true and faithful succours: dear may we be to thee among the princes.

8
May we men, Maghavan, the friends thou lovest, near thee be joyful under thy protection. Fain to fulfil the wish of Atithigva humble. the pride of Turvasa and Yadva.

9
Swiftly, in truth, O Maghavan, about thee men skilled in hymning sing their songs and praises. ' Elect us also into their assembly who by their calls on thee despoiled the niggards.

10
Thine are these lauds, O manliest of heroes, lauds which revert to us and give us riches. Favour these, Indra, when they fight with foemen, as Friend and Hero and the heroes' Helper.

11
Now, lauded for thine aid, Heroic Indra, sped by our prayer, wax mighty in thy body. Apportion to us strength and habitations. Ye Gods, protect us evermore with blessings.

HYMN XX. Indra.

1
STRONG, Godly-natured, born for hero exploit, man's Friend, he doth whatever deed he willeth. Saving us e'en from great transgression, Indra, the Youthful, visiteth man's home with favour.

2
Waxing greatness Indra slayeth Vrtra: the Hero with his aid hath helped the singer. He gave Sudas wide room and space, and often hath granted wealth to him who brought oblations.

3
Soldier unchecked, war-rousing, battling Hero, unconquered from of old, victorious ever, Indra the very strong hath scattered armies; yea, he hath slain each foe who fought against him.

4
Thou with thy greatness hast filled full, O Indra, even both the worlds with might, O thou Most Mighty. Lord of Bays, Indra, brandishing his thunder, is gratified with Soma at the banquet.

5
A Bull begat the Bull for joy of battle, and a strong Mother brought forth him the manly. He who is Chief of men, their armies' Leader, is strong Hero, bold, and fain for booty.

6
The people falter not, nor suffer sorrow, who win themselves this God's terrific spirit. He who with sacrifices worships Indra is lord of wealth, law-born and law's protector.

7
Whene'er the elder fain would help the younger the greater cometh to the lesser's present. Shall the Immortal sit aloof' inactive? O Wondrous Indra, bring us wondrous riches.

8
Thy dear folk, Indra, who present oblations, are, in chief place, thy friends, O Thunder-wielder. May we be best content in this thy favour, sheltered by One who slays not, but preserves us.

Continued...

9
To thee the mighty hymn hath clamoured loudly, and, Maghavan, the eloquent hath besought thee. Desire of wealth hath come upon thy singer: help us then, gakra, to our share of riches.

10
Place us by food which thou hast given, O Indra, us and the wealthy patrons who command us. Let thy great power bring good to him who lauds thee. Ye Gods, preserve us evermore with blessings.

HYMN XXI. Indra.

1
PRESSED is the juice divine with milk commingled: thereto hath Indra ever been accustomed. We wake thee, Lord of Bays, with sacrifices: mark this our laud in the wild joy of Soma.

2
On to the rite they move, the grass they scatter, these Soma-drinkers eloquent in synod. Hither, for men to grasp, are brought the press-stones, far-thundering, famous, strong, that wait on heroes.

3
Indra, thou settest free the many waters that were encompassed, Hero, by the Dragon. Down rolled, as if on chariots borne, the rivers: through fear of thee all things created tremble.

4
Skilled in all manly deeds the God terrific hath with his weapons mastered these opponents. Indra in rapturous joy shook down their castles he slew them in his might, the Thunder-wielder.

5
No evil spirits have impelled us, Indra, nor fiends, O Mightiest God, with their devices. Let our true God subdue the hostile rabble: let not the lewd approach our holy worship.

6
Thou in thy strength surpassest Earth and Heaven: the regions comprehend not all thy greatness. With thine own power and might thou slewest Vrtra: no foe hath found the end of thee in battle.

7
Even the earlier Deities submitted their powers to thy supreme divine dominion. Indra wins wealth and deals it out to other's: men in the strife for booty call on Indra.

8
The humble hath invoked thee for protection, thee, Lord of great felicity, O Indra. Thou with a hundred aids hast been our Helper: one who brings gifts like thee hath his defender.

9
May we, O Indra, be thy friends for ever, eagerly, Conqueror, yielding greater homage. May, through thy grace, the strength of us who battle quell in the shock the onset of the foeman.

10
Place us by food which thou hast given, O Indra, us and the wealthy patrons who command us. Let thy great power bring good to him who lauds thee. Ye Gods, preserve us evermore with blessings.

HYMN XXII Indra.

1
DRINK Soma, Lord of Bays, and let it cheer thee: Indra, the stone, like a well guided courser, Directed by the presser's arms hath pressed it.

2
So let the draught of joy, thy dear companion, by which, O Lord of Bays, thou slayest foemen, Delight thee, Indra, Lord of princely treasures.

3
Mark closely, Maghavan, the words I utter, this eulogy recited by Vasistha: Accept the prayers I offer at thy banquet.

4
Hear thou the call of the juice-drinking press-stone: hear thou the Brahman's hymn who sings and lauds thee. Take to thine inmost self these adorations.

5
I know and ne'er forget the hymns and praises of thee, the Conqueror, and thy strength immortal. Thy name I ever utter. Self-Refulgent

6
Among mankind many are thy libations, and many a time the pious sage invokes thee. O Maghavan, be not long distant from us.

7
All these libations are for thee, O Hero: to thee I offer these my prayers. that strengthen. Ever, in every place, must men invoke thee.

8
Never do men attain, O Wonder-Worker, thy greatness, Mighty One, who must be lauded, Nor, Indra, thine heroic power and bounty.

9
Among all Rsis, Indra, old and recent, who have engendered hymns as sacred singers, Even with us be thine auspicious friendships. Ye Gods, preserve us evermore with blessings.

HYMN XXIII. Indra.

1
PRAYERS have been offered up through love of glory: Vasistha, honour Indra in the battle. He who with might extends through all existence hears words which I, his faithful servant, utter.

2
A cry was raised which reached the Gods, O Indra, a cry to them to send us strength in combat. None among men knows his own life's duration: bear us in safety over these our troubles.

3
The Bays, the booty-seeking car I harness: my prayers have reached him who accepts them gladly. Indra, when he had slain resistless foemen, forced with his might the two world-halves asunder.

4
Like barren cows, moreover, swelled the waters: the singen sought thy holy rite, O Indra. Come unto us as with his team comes Vayu: thou, through our solemn hymns bestowest booty.

5
So may these gladdening draughts rejoice thee, Indra, the Mighty, very bounteous to the singer. Alone among the Gods thou pitiest mortals: O Hero, make thee glad at this libation.

6
Thus the Vasisthas glorify with praises Indra, the Powerful whose arm wields thunder. Praised, may he guard our wealth in kine and heroes. Ye Gods, preserve us evermore with blessings.

HYMN XXIV. Indra.

1
A HOME is made for thee to dwell in, Indra: O Much-invoked, go thitherwith the heroes. That thou, to prosper us, mayst be our Helper, vouchsafe us wealth, rejoice with draughts of Soma.

2
Indra, thy wish, twice-strong, is comprehended: pressed is the Soma, poured are pleasant juices. This hymn of praise, from loosened tongue, made perfect, draws Indra to itself with loud invoking.

3
Come, thou Impetuous; God, from earth or heaven; come to our holy grass to drink the Soma. Hither to me let thy Bay Horses bring thee to listen to our hymns and make thee joyful.

4
Come unto us with all thine aids, accordant, Lord of Bay Steeds, accepting our devotions, Fair-helmeted, o'ercoming with the mighty, and lending us the strength of bulls, O Indra.

5
As to the chariot pole a vigorous courser, this laud is brought to the great strong Upholder. This hymn solicits wealth of thee: in heaven, as 'twere above the sky, set thou our glory.

6
With precious things. O Indra, thus content us: may we attain to thine exalted favour. Send our chiefs plenteous food with hero children. Preserve us evermore, ye Gods, with blessings.

HYMN XXV. Indra.

2
O Indra, where the ground is hard to traverse, smite down our foes, the mortals who assail us, Keep far from us the curse of the reviler: bring us accumulated store of treasures.

3
God of the fair helm, give Sudas a hundred succours, a thousand blessings, and thy bounty. Strike down the weapon of our mortal foeman: bestow upon us splendid fame and riches.

4
I wait the power of one like thee, O Indra, gifts of a Helper such as thou art, Hero. Strong, Mighty God, dwell with me now and ever: Lord of Bay Horses, do not thou desert us.

5
Here are the Kutsas supplicating Indra for might, the Lord of Bays for God-sent conquest. Make our foes ever easy to be vanquished: may we, victorious, win the spoil, O Hero.

6
With precious things, O Indra, thus content us: may we attain to thine exalted favour. Send our chiefs plenteous food with hero children. Preserve us evermore, ye Gods, with blessings.

HYMN XXVI. Indra.

1
SOMA unpressed ne'er gladdened liberal Indra, no juices pressed without a prayer have pleased him. I generate a laud that shall delight him, new and heroic, so that he may hear us.

2
At every laud the Soma gladdens Indra: pressed juices please him as each psalm is chanted, What time the priests with one united effort call him to aid, as sons invoke their father.

3
These deeds he did; let him achieve new exploits, such as the priests declare at their libations. Indra hath taken and possessed all castles, like as one common husband doth his spouses.

4
Even thus have they declared him. Famed is Indra as Conqueror, sole distributer of treasures; Whose many succours come in close succession. May dear delightful benefits attend us.

5
Thus, to bring help to men, Vasistha laudeth Indra, the peoples' Hero, at libation. Bestow upon us strength and wealth in thousands. Preserve us evermore, ye Gods, with blessings.

HYMN XXVII. Indra.

1
MEN call on Indra in the armed encounter that he may make the hymns they sing decisive. Hero, rejoicing in thy might, in combat give us a portion of the stall of cattle,

2
Grant, Indra Maghavan, invoked of many, to these my friends the strength which thou possessest. Thou, Maghavan, hast rent strong places open: unclose for us, Wise God, thy hidden bounty.

3
King of the living world, of men, is Indra, of all in varied form that earth containeth. Thence to the worshipper he giveth riches: may he enrich us also when we laud him.

4
Maghavan Indra, when we all invoke him, bountiful ever sendeth strength to aid us: Whose perfect guerdon, never failing, bringeth wealth to the men, to friends the thing they covet.

5
Quick, Indra, give us room and way to riches, and let us bring thy mind to grant us treasures, That we may win us cars and Steeds and cattle. Preserve us evermore, ye Gods, with blessings.

HYMN XXVIII. Indra.

1
COME to our prayers, O Indra, thou who knowest: let thy Bay Steeds be yoked and guided hither. Though mortal men on every side invoke thee, still give thine ear to us, O All-impeller.

2
Thy greatness reacheth to our invocation, the sages' prayer which, Potent God, thou guardest. What time thy hand, O Mighty, holds the thunder, awful in strength thou hast become resistless.

3
What time thou drewest both world-halves together, like heroes led by thee who call each other- For thou wast born for strength and high dominion-then e'en the active overthrew the sluggish.

4
Honour us in these present days, O Indra, for hostile men are making expiation. Our sin that sinless Varuna discovered, the Wondrous-Wise hath long ago forgiven.

5
We will address this liberal Lord, this Indra, that he may grant us gifts of ample riches, Best favourer of the singer's prayer and praises. Preserve us evermore, ye Gods, with blessings.

HYMN XXIX Indra.

1
THIS Soma hath been pressed for thee, O Indra: come hither, Lord of Bays, for this thou lovest. Drink of this fair, this well-effused libation: Maghavan, give us wealth when we implore thee.

2
Come to us quickly with thy Bay Steeds, Hero, come to our prayer, accepting our devotion. Enjoy thyself aright at this libation, and listen thou unto the prayers we offer.

3
What satisfaction do our hymns afford thee? When, Maghavan? Now let us do thee service. Hymns, only hymns, with love for thee, I weave thee: then hear, O Indra, these mine invocations.

4
They, verily, were also human beings whom thou wast wont to hear, those earlier sages. Hence I, O Indra Maghavan, invoke thee: thou art our Providence, even as a Father.

5
We will address this liberal Lord, this Indra, that he may grant us gifts of ample riches, Best favourer of the singer's prayer and praises. Preserve us evermore, ye Gods, with blessings.

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