Hinduism Texts

The Rig Veda - Book 1

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The Rig Veda - Book 1

Ralph T.H. Griffith, Translator [1896]

This is the Ralph T.H. Griffith English translation of the Rig Veda.

HYMN I. Agni.1 I Laud Agni, the chosen Priest, God, minister of sacrifice,The hotar, lavishest of wealth.2 Worthy is Agni to be praised by living

as by ancient seers.He shall bring hitherward the Gods.3 Through Agni man obtaineth wealth, yea, plenty waxing day by day,Most rich in

heroes, glorious.4 Agni, the perfect sacrifice which thou encompassest aboutVerily goeth to the Gods.5 May Agni, sapient-minded Priest,

truthful, most gloriously great,The God, come hither with the Gods.6 Whatever blessing, Agni, thou wilt grant unto thy worshipper,That,

Aṅgiras, is indeed thy truth.7 To thee, dispeller of the night, O Agni, day by day with prayerBringing thee reverence, we come8 Ruler of

sacrifices, guard of Law eternal, radiant One,Increasing in thine own abode.9 Be to us easy of approach, even as a father to his son:Agni, be

with us for our weal.

HYMN II. Vāyu.1 BEAUTIFUL Vāyu, come, for thee these Soma drops have been prepared:Drink of them, hearken to our call.2 Knowing the

days, with Soma juice poured forth, the singers glorifyThee, Vāyu, with their

HYMNs of praise.3 Vāyu, thy penetrating stream goes forth unto the worshipper,Far-spreading for the Soma draught.4 These, Indra-Vāyu,

have been shed; come for our offered dainties’ sake:The drops are yearning for you both.5 Well do ye mark libations, ye Vāyu and Indra, rich in

spoil!So come ye swiftly hitherward.6 Vāyu and Indra, come to what the Soma-presser hath prepared:Soon, Heroes, thus I make my prayer.7

Mitra, of holy strength, I call, and foe-destroying Varuṇa,Who make the oil-fed rite complete.8 Mitra and Varuṇa, through Law, lovers and

cherishers of Law,Have ye obtained your might power9 Our Sages, Mitra-Varuṇa, wide dominion, strong by birth,Vouchsafe us strength that

worketh well.

HYMN III. Aśvins1 YE Aśvins, rich in treasure, Lords of splendour, having nimble hands,Accept the sacrificial food.2 Ye Aśvins, rich in wondrous

deeds, ye heroes worthy of our praise,Accept our songs with mighty thought.3 Nāsatyas, wonder-workers, yours are these libations with clipt

grass:Come ye whose paths are red with flame.4 O Indra marvellously bright, come, these libations long for thee,Thus by fine fingers purified.5

Urged by the holy singer, sped by song, come, Indra, to the prayers,Of the libation-pouring priest.6 Approach, O Indra, hasting thee, Lord of

Bay Horses, to the prayers.In our libation take delight.7 Ye Viśvedevas, who protect, reward, and cherish men, approachYour worshipper's

drink-offering.8 Ye Viśvedevas, swift at work, come hither quickly to the draught,As milch-kine hasten to their stalls.9 The Viśvedevas, changing

shape like serpents, fearless, void of guile,Bearers, accept the sacred draught10 Wealthy in spoil, enriched with

HYMNs, may bright Sarasvatī desire,With eager love, our sacrifice.11 Inciter of all pleasant songs, inspirer of all gracious thought,Sarasvatī

accept our rite12 Sarasvatī, the mighty flood,—she with her light illuminates,She brightens every pious thought.

HYMN IV. Indra1 As a good cow to him who milks, we call the doer of fair deeds,To our assistance day by day.2 Come thou to our libations,

drink of Soma; Soma-drinker thou!The rich One's rapture giveth kine.3 So may we be acquainted with thine innermost benevolence:Neglect us

not, come hitherward.4 Go to the wise unconquered One, ask thou of Indra, skilled in song,Him who is better than thy friends.5 Whether the

men who mock us say, Depart unto another place,Ye who serve Indra and none else;6 Or whether, God of wondrous deeds, all our true people

call us blest,Still may we dwell in Indra's care.7 Unto the swift One bring the swift, man-cheering, grace of sacrifice,That to the Friend gives

wings and joy.8 Thou, Śatakratu, drankest this and wast the Vṛtras’ slayer; thouHelpest the warrior in the fray.9 We strengthen, Śatakratu,

thee, yea, thee the powerful in fight,That, Indra, we may win us wealth.10 To him the mighty stream of wealth, prompt friend of him who

pours the juice,Yea, to this Indra sing your song.

HYMN V. Indra.1 O COME ye hither, sit ye down: to Indra sing ye forth, your song,companions, bringing

HYMNs of praise.2 To him the richest of the rich, the Lord of treasures excellent,Indra, with Soma juice outpoured.3 May he stand by us in our

need and in abundance for our wealth:May he come nigh us with his strength.4 Whose pair of tawny horses yoked in battles foemen challenge

not:To him, to Indra sing your song.5 Nigh to the Soma-drinker come, for his enjoyment, these pure drops,The Somas mingled with the curd.6

Thou, grown at once to perfect strength, wast born to drink the Soma juice,Strong Indra, for preëminence.7 O Indra, lover of the song, may

these quick Somas enter thee:May they bring bliss to thee the Sage.8 Our chants of praise have strengthened thee, O Śatakratu, and our

laudsSo strengthen thee the songs we sing.9 Indra, whose succour never fails, accept these viands thousandfold,Wherein all manly powers

abide.10 O Indra, thou who lovest song, let no man hurt our bodies, keepSlaughter far from us, for thou canst.

HYMN VI. Indra.1 They who stand round him as he moves harness the bright, the ruddy SteedThe lights are shining in the sky.2 On both sides

to the car they yoke the two bay coursers dear to him,Bold, tawny, bearers of the Chief.3 Thou, making light where no light was, and form, O

men: where form was not,Wast born together with the Dawns.4 Thereafter they, as is their wont, threw off the state of babes

unborn,Assuming sacrificial names.5 Thou, Indra, with the Tempest-Gods, the breakers down of what is firm,Foundest the kine even in the

cave.6 Worshipping even as they list, singers laud him who findeth wealth,The far-renowned, the mighty One.7 Mayest thou verily be seen

coming by fearless Indra's side:Both joyous, equal in your sheen.8 With Indra's well beloved hosts, the blameless, hastening to heaven,The

sacrificer cries aloud.9 Come from this place, O Wanderer, or downward from the light of heaven:Our songs of praise all yearn for this.10 Indra

we seek to give us help, from here, from heaven above the earth,Or from the spacious firmament.

The Rig Veda Ralph T.H. Griffith, Translator [1896] Book 1 StreetWitnessing.org

HYMN VII. Indra.1 INDRA the singers with high praise, Indra reciters with their lauds,Indra the choirs have glorified.2 Indra hath ever close to

him his two bay steeds and word-yoked car,Indra the golden, thunder-armed.3 Indra hath raised the Sun on high in heaven, that he may see

afar:He burst the mountain for the kine.4 Help us, O Indra, in the frays, yea, frays, where thousand spoils are gained,With awful aids, O awful

One.5 In mighty battle we invoke Indra, Indra in lesser fight,The Friend who bends his bolt at fiends.6 Unclose, our manly Hero, thou for ever

bounteous, yonder cloud,For us, thou irresistible.7 Still higher, at each strain of mine, thunder-armed Indra's praises rise:I find no laud worthy

of him.8 Even as the bull drives on the herds, he drives the people with his might,The Ruler irresistible:9 Indra who rules with single sway men,

riches, and the fivefold raceOf those who dwell upon the earth.10 For your sake from each side we call Indra away from other men:Ours, and

none others’, may he be.

HYMN VIII. Indra.1 INDRA, bring wealth that gives delight, the victor's ever-conquering wealth,Most excellent, to be our aid;2 By means of

which we may repel our foes in battle hand to hand,By thee assisted with the car.3 Aided by thee, the thunder-armed, Indra, may we lift up the

bolt,And conquer all our foes in fight.4 With thee, O India, for ally with missile-darting heroes, mayWe conquer our embattled foes.5 Mighty is

Indra, yea supreme; greatness be his, the Thunderer:Wide as the heaven extends his power6 Which aideth those to win them sons, who come

as heroes to the fight,Or singers loving holy thoughts.7 His belly, drinking deepest draughts of Soma, like an ocean swells,Like wide streams

from the cope of heaven.8 So also is his excellence, great, vigorous, rich in cattle, likeA ripe branch to the worshipper.9 For verily thy mighty

powers, Indra, are saving helps at onceUnto a worshipper like me.10 So are his lovely gifts; let lauds and praises be to Indra sung,That he may

drink the Soma juice.

HYMN IX. Indra.1 COME, Indra, and delight thee with the juice at all the Soma feasts,Protector, mighty in thy strength.2 To Indra pour ye forth

the juice, the active gladdening juice to himThe gladdening, omnific God.3 O Lord of all men, fair of cheek, rejoice thee in the gladdening

lauds,Present at these drink-offerings.4 Songs have outpoured themselves to thee, Indra, the strong, the guardian Lord,And raised themselves

unsatisfied.5 Send to us bounty manifold, O Indra, worthy of our wish,For power supreme is only thine.6 O Indra, stimulate thereto us

emulously fain for wealth,And glorious, O most splendid One.7 Give, Indra, wide and lofty fame, wealthy in cattle and in strength,Lasting our

life-time, failing not.8 Grant us high fame, O Indra, grant riches bestowing thousands, thoseFair fruits of earth borne home in wains.9 Praising

with songs the praise-worthy who cometh to our aid, we callIndra, the Treasure-Lord of wealth.10 To lofty Indra, dweller by each libation, the

pious manSings forth aloud a strengthening

HYMN.

HYMN X. Indra.1 THE chanters HYMN thee, they who say the word of praise magnify thee.The priests have raised thee up on high, O

Śatakratu, like a pole.2 As up he clomb from ridge to ridge and looked upon the toilsome task,Indra observes this wish of his, and the Rain

hastens with his troop.3 Harness thy pair of strong bay steeds, long-maned, whose bodies fill the girths,And, Indra, Soma-drinker, come to

listen to our songs of praise.4 Come hither, answer thou the song, sing in approval, cry aloud.Good Indra, make our prayer succeed, and

prosper this our sacrifice.5 To Indra must a laud be said, to strengthen him who freely gives,That Śakra may take pleasure in our friendship and

drink-offerings.6 Him, him we seek for friendship, him for riches and heroic might.For Indra, he is Śakra, he shall aid us while he gives us

wealth.7 Easy to turn and drive away, Indra, is spoil bestowed by thee.Unclose the stable of the kine, and give us wealth O Thunder-armed8

The heaven and earth contain thee not, together, in thy wrathful mood.Win us the waters of the sky, and send us kine abundantly.9 Hear, thou

whose ear is quick, my call; take to thee readily my songsO Indra, let this laud of mine come nearer even than thy friend.10 We know thee

mightiest of all, in battles hearer of our cry.Of thee most mighty we invoke the aid that giveth thousandfold.11 O Indra, Son of Kuśika, drink our

libation with delight.Prolong our life anew, and cause the seer to win a thousand gifts.12 Lover of song, may these our songs on every side

encompass thee:Strengthening thee of lengthened life, may they be dear delights to thee.

HYMN XI. Indra.1 ALL sacred songs have magnified Indra expansive as the sea,The best of warriors borne on cars, the Lord, the very Lord of

strength.2 Strong in thy friendship, Indra, Lord of power and might, we have no fear.We glorify with praises thee, the never-conquered

conqueror.3 The gifts of Indra from of old, his saving succours, never fail,When to the praise-singers he gives the boon of substance rich in

kine.4 Crusher of forts, the young, the wise, of strength unmeasured, was he bornSustainer of each sacred rite, Indra, the Thunderer, much-

extolled.5 Lord of the thunder, thou didst burst the cave of Vala rich in cows.The Gods came pressing to thy side, and free from terror aided

thee,6 I, Hero, through thy bounties am come to the flood addressing thee.Song-lover, here the singers stand and testify to thee thereof.7 The

wily Śuṣṇa, Indra! thou o’erthrewest with thy wondrous powers.The wise beheld this deed of thine: now go beyond their eulogies.8 Our songs

of praise have glorified Indra who ruleth by his might,Whose precious gifts in thousands come, yea, even more abundantly.

HYMN XII. Agni.1 WE choose Agni the messenger, the herald, master of all wealth,Well skilled in this our sacrifice.2 With callings ever they

invoke Agni, Agni, Lord of the House,Oblation-bearer, much beloved.3 Bring the Gods hither, Agni, born for him who strews the sacred

grass:Thou art our herald, meet for praise.4 Wake up the willing Gods, since thou, Agni, performest embassage:Sit on the sacred grass with

Gods.5 O Agni, radiant One, to whom the holy oil is poured, burn upOur enemies whom fiends protect.6 By Agni Agni is inflamed, Lord of the

House, wise, young, who bearsThe gift: the ladle is his mouth.7 Praise Agni in the sacrifice, the Sage whose ways are ever true,The God who

driveth grief away.8 God, Agni, be his strong defence who lord of sacrificial gifts,Worshippeth thee the messenger.9 Whoso with sacred gift

would fain call Agni to the feast of Gods,O Purifier, favour him.10 Such, Agni, Purifier, bright, bring hither to our sacrifice,To our oblation bring

the Gods.11 So lauded by our newest song of praise bring opulence to us,And food, with heroes for our sons.12 O Agni, by effulgent flame, by

all invokings of the Gods,Show pleasure in this laud of ours.

The Rig Veda Ralph T.H. Griffith, Translator [1896] Book 1 StreetWitnessing.org

HYMN XIII. Agni1 AGNI, well-kindled, bring the Gods for him who offers holy gifts.Worship them, Purifier, Priest.2 Son of Thyself, present, O

Sage, our sacrifice to the Gods today.Sweet to the taste, that they may feast.3 Dear Narāśaṁsa, sweet of tongue, the giver of oblations, IInvoke

to this our sacrifice.4 Agni, on thy most easy car, glorified, hither bring the Gods:Manu appointed thee as Priest.5 Strew, O ye wise, the sacred

grass that drips with oil, in order due,Where the Immortal is beheld.6 Thrown open be the Doors Divine, unfailing, that assist the rite,For

sacrifice this day and now.7 I call the lovely Night and Dawn to seat them on the holy grassAt this our solemn sacrifice.8 The two Invokers I

invite, the wise, divine and sweet of tongue,To celebrate this our sacrifice.9 Iḷā, Sarasvatī, Mahī, three Goddesses who bring delight,Be seated,

peaceful, on the grass.10 Tvaṣṭar I call, the earliest born, the wearer of all forms at will:May he be ours and ours alone.11 God, Sovran of the

Wood, present this our oblation to the Gods,And let the giver be renowned.12 With Svāhā pay the sacrifice to Indra in the offerer's

house:Thither I call the Deities.

HYMN XIV. Viśvedevas.1 To drink the Soma, Agni, come, to our service and our songs.With all these Gods; and worship them.2 The Kaṇvas

have invoked thee; they, O Singer, sing thee songs of praiseAgni, come hither with the Gods;3 Indra, Vāyu, Bṛhaspati, Mitra, Agni, Pūṣan,

Bhaga,Ādityas, and the Marut host.4 For you these juices are poured forth that gladden and exhilarate,The meath-drops resting in the cup.5

The sons of Kaṇva fain for help adore thee, having strewn the grass,With offerings and all things prepared.6 Let the swift steeds who carry

thee, thought-yoked and dropping holy oil,Bring the Gods to the Soma draught.7 Adored, the strengtheners of Law, unite them, Agni, with

their Dames:Make them drink meath, O bright of tongue.8 Let them, O Agni, who deserve worship and praise drink with thy tongueThe meath

in solemn sacrifice.9 Away, from the Sun's realm of light, the wise invoking Priest shall bringAll Gods awaking with the dawn.10 With all the

Gods, with Indra, with Vāyu, and Mitra's splendours, drink,Agni, the pleasant Soma juice.11 Ordained by Manu as our Priest, thou sittest, Agni,

at each rite:Hallow thou this our sacrifice.12 Harness the Red Mares to thy car, the Bays, O God, the flaming ones:With those bring hitherward

the Gods.

HYMN XV. Ṛtu.1 O INDRA drink the Soma juice with Ṛtu; let the cheering dropsSink deep within, which settle there.2 Drink from the Purifier's

cup, Maruts, with Ṛtu; sanctifyThe rite, for ye give precious gifts.3 O Neṣṭar, with thy Dame accept our sacrifice; with Ṛtu drink,For thou art he

who giveth wealth.4 Bring the Gods, Agni; in the three appointed places set them down:Surround them, and with Ṛtu drink.5 Drink Soma after

the Ṛtus, from the Brāhmaṇa's bounty: undissolved,O Indra, is thy friendship's bond.6 Mitra, Varuṇa, ye whose ways are firm—a Power that

none deceives—,With Ṛtu ye have reached the rite.7 The Soma-pressers, fain for wealth, praise the Wealth-giver in the rite,In sacrifices praise

the God.8 May the Wealth-giver grant to us riches that shall be far renowned.These things we gain, among the Gods.9 He with the Ṛtu fain

would drink, Wealth-giver, from the Neṣṭar's bowl.Haste, give your offering, and depart.10 As we this fourth time, Wealth-giver, honour thee

with the Ṛtus, beA Giver bountiful to us.11 Drink ye the meath, O Aśvins bright with flames, whose acts are pure, who withṚtus accept the

sacrifice.12 With Ṛtu, through the house-fire, thou, kind Giver, guidest sacrifice:Worship the Gods for the pious man.

HYMN XVI. Indra.1 LET thy Bay Steeds bring thee, the Strong, hither to drink the Soma draught—Those, Indra, who are bright as suns.2 Here

are the grains bedewed with oil: hither let the Bay Coursers bringIndra upon his easiest car.3 Indra at early morn we call, Indra in course of

sacrifice,Indra to drink the Soma juice.4 Come hither, with thy long-maned Steeds, O Indra, to he draught we pourWe call thee when the juice

is shed.5 Come thou to this our song of praise, to the libation poured for theeDrink of it like a stag athirst.6 Here are the drops of Soma juice

expressed on sacred grass: thereofDrink, Indra, to increase thy might.7 Welcome to thee be this our

HYMN, reaching thy heart, most excellent:Then drink the Soma juice expressed.8 To every draught of pressed-out juice Indra, the Vṛtra-slayer,

comes,To drink the Soma for delight.9 Fulfil, O Śatakratu, all our wish with horses and with kine:With holy thoughts we sing thy praise.

HYMN XVII. Indra-Varuṇa1 I CRAVE help from the Imperial Lords, from Indra-Varuṇa; may theyBoth favour one of us like me.2 Guardians of

men, ye ever come with ready succour at the callOf every singer such as I.3 Sate you, according to your wish, O Indra-Varuṇa, with wealth:Fain

would we have you nearest us.4 May we be sharers of the powers, sharers of the benevolenceOf you who give strength bounteously.5 Indra

and Varuṇa, among givers of thousands, meet for praise,Are Powers who merit highest laud.6 Through their protection may we gain great

store of wealth, and heap it upEnough and still to spare, be ours.7 O Indra-Varuṇa, on you for wealth in many a form I call:Still keep ye us

victorious.8 O Indra-Varuṇa, through our songs that seek to win you to ourselves,Give us at once your sheltering help.9 O Indra-Varuṇa, to you

may fair praise which I offer come,Joint eulogy which ye dignify.

HYMN XVIII. Brahmaṇaspati.1 O BRĀHMAṆASPATI, make him who presses Soma glorious,Even Kakṣīvān Auśija.2 The rich, the healer of

disease, who giveth wealth, increaseth store,The prompt,—may he be with us still.3 Let not the foeman's curse, let not a mortal's onslaught fall

on usPreserve us, Brahmaṇaspati.4 Ne’er is the mortal hero harmed whom Indra, Brahmaṇaspati,And Soma graciously inspire.5 Do, thou, O

Brahmaṇaspati, and Indra, Soma, Dakṣiṇā,Preserve that mortal from distress.6 To the Assembly's wondrous Lord, to Indra's lovely Friend who

givesWisdom, have I drawn near in prayer.7 He without whom no sacrifice, e’en of the wise man, prospers; heStirs up the series of thoughts.8

He makes the oblation prosper, he promotes the course of sacrifice:Our voice of praise goes to the Gods.9 I have seen Narāśaṁsa, him most

resolute, most widely famed,As ’twere the Household Priest of heaven.

HYMN XIX. Agni, Maruts.1 To this fair sacrifice to drink the milky draught thou art invoked:O Agni, with the Maruts come.2 No mortal man, no

God exceeds thy mental power, O Mighty one:O Agni, with the Maruts come:3 All Gods devoid of guile, who know the mighty region of mid-

air:O Agni, with those Maruts come.4 The terrible, who sing their song, not to be overcome by might:O Agni, with those Maruts come.5

Brilliant, and awful in their form, mighty, devourers of their foes:O Agni, with those Maruts come.6 Who sit as Deities in heaven, above the sky-

vault's luminous sphere:O Agni, with those Maruts come.7 Who scatter clouds about the sky, away over the billowy sea:O Agni, with those

The Rig Veda Ralph T.H. Griffith, Translator [1896] Book 1 StreetWitnessing.org

Maruts come.8 Who with their bright beams spread them forth over the ocean in their mightO Agni, with those Maruts come.9 For thee, to be

thine early draught, I pour the Soma-mingled meath:O Agni, with the Maruts come.

HYMN XX. Ṛbhus.1 FOR the Celestial Race this song of praise which gives wealth lavishlyWas made by singers with their lips.2 They who for

Indra, with their mind, formed horses harnessed by a word,Attained by works to sacrifice.3 They for the two Nāsatyas wrought a light car

moving every way:They formed a nectar-yielding cow.4 The Ṛbhus with effectual prayers, honest, with constant labour, madeTheir Sire and

Mother young again.5 Together came your gladdening drops with Indra by the Maruts girt,With the Ādityas, with the Kings.6 The sacrificial

ladle, wrought newly by the God Tvaṣṭar's hand—Four ladles have ye made thereof.7 Vouchsafe us wealth, to him who pours thrice seven

libations, yea, to eachGive wealth, pleased with our eulogies.8 As ministering Priests they held, by pious acts they won themselves,A share in

sacrifice with Gods.

HYMN XXI. Indra-Agni.1 INDRA and Agni I invoke fain are we for their song of praise:Chief Soma-drinkers are they both.2 Praise ye, O men, and

glorify Indra-Agni in the holy rites:Sing praise to them in sacred songs.3 Indra and Agni we invite, the Soma-drinkers, for the fameOf Mitra, to

the Soma-draught.4 Strong Gods, we bid them come to this libation that stands ready here:Indra and Agni, come to us.5 Indra and Agni, mighty

Lords of our assembly, crush the fiends:Childless be the devouring ones.6 Watch ye, through this your truthfulness, there in the place of

spacious viewIndra and Agni, send us bliss.

HYMN XXII. Aśvins and Others1 WAKEN the Aśvin Pair who yoke their car at early morn: may theyApproach to drink this Soma juice.2 We call

the Aśvins Twain, the Gods borne in a noble car, the bestOf charioteers, who reach the heavens.3 Dropping with honey is your whip, Aśvins,

and full of pleasantnessSprinkle therewith the sacrifice.4 As ye go thither in your car, not far, O Aśvins, is the homeOf him who offers Soma

juice.5 For my protection I invoke the golden-handed Savitar.He knoweth, as a God, the place.6 That he may send us succour, praise the

Waters’ Offspring Savitar:Fain are we for his holy ways.7 We call on him, distributer of wondrous bounty and of wealth,On Savitar who looks

on men.8 Come hither, friends, and seat yourselves Savitar, to be praised by us,Giving good gifts, is beautiful.9 O Agni, hither bring to us the

willing Spouses of the Gods,And Tvaṣṭar, to the Soma draught.10 Most youthful Agni, hither bring their Spouses, Hotrā, Bhāratī,Varūtrī,

Dhiṣaṇā, for aid.11 Spouses of Heroes, Goddesses, with whole wings may they come to usWith great protection and with aid.12 Indrāṇī,

Varuṇānī, and Agnāyī hither I invite,For weal, to drink the Soma juice.13 May Heaven and Earth, the Mighty Pair, bedew for us our sacrifice,And

feed us full with nourishments.14 Their water rich with fatness, there in the Gandharva's steadfast place,The singers taste through sacred

songs.15 Thornless be thou, O Earth, spread wide before us for a dwelling-place:Vouchsafe us shelter broad and sure.16 The Gods be gracious

unto us even from the place whence Viṣṇu strodeThrough the seven regions of the earth!17 Through all this world strode Viṣṇu; thrice his foot

he planted, and the wholeWas gathered in his footstep's dust.18 Viṣṇu, the Guardian, he whom none deceiveth, made three steps;

thenceforthEstablishing his high decrees.19 Look ye on Viṣṇu's works, whereby the Friend of Indra, close-allied,Hath let his holy ways be

seen.20 The princes evermore behold that loftiest place where Viṣṇu is,Laid as it were an eye in heaven.21 This, Viṣṇu's station most sublime,

the singers, ever vigilant,Lovers of holy song, light up.

HYMN XXIII. Vāyu and Others.1 STRONG are the Somas; come thou nigh; these juices have been mixt with milk:Drink, Vāyu, the presented

draughts.2 Both Deities who touch the heaven, Indra and Vāyu we invokeTo drink of this our Soma juice.3 The singers' for their aid, invoke

Indra and Vāyu, swift as mind,The thousand-eyed, the Lords of thought.4 Mitra and Varuṇa, renowned as Gods of consecrated might,We call to

drink the Soma juice.5 Those who by Law uphold the Law, Lords of the shining light of Law,Mitra I call, and Varuṇa.6 Let Varuṇa be our chief

defence, let Mitra guard us with all aidsBoth make us rich exceedingly.7 Indra, by Maruts girt, we call to drink the Soma juice: may heSate him

in union with his troop.8 Gods, Marut hosts whom Indra leads, distributers of Pūṣan's gifts,Hearken ye all unto my cry.9 With conquering Indra

for ally, strike Vṛtra down, ye bounteous GodsLet not the wicked master us.10 We call the Universal Gods, and Maruts to the Soma draught,For

passing strong are Pṛśni's Sons.11 Fierce comes the Maruts’ thundering voice, like that of conquerors, when ye goForward to victory, O Men.12

Born of the laughing lightning. may the Maruts guard us everywhereMay they be gracious unto Us.13 Like some lost animal, drive to us, bright

Pūṣan, him who bears up heaven,Resting on many-coloured grass.14 Pūṣan the Bright has found the King, concealed and hidden in a cave,Who

rests on grass of many hues.15 And may he. duly bring to me the six bound closely, through these drops,As one who ploughs with steers brings

corn.16 Along their paths the Mothers go, Sisters of priestly ministrants,Mingling their sweetness with the milk.17 May Waters gathered near

the Sun, and those wherewith the Sun is joined,Speed forth this sacrifice of ours.18 I call the Waters, Goddesses, wherein our cattle quench

their thirst;Oblations to the Streams be given.19 Amrit is in the Waters in the Waters there is healing balmBe swift, ye Gods, to give them

praise.20 Within the Waters—Soma thus hath told me—dwell all balms that heal,And Agni, he who blesseth all. The Waters hold all

medicines.21 O Waters, teem with medicine to keep my body safe from harm,So that I long may see the Sun.22 Whatever sin is found in me,

whatever evil I have wrought.If I have lied or falsely sworn, Waters, remove it far from me.23 The Waters I this day have sought, and to their

moisture have we come:O Agni, rich in milk, come thou, and with thy splendour cover me.24 Fill me with splendour, Agni; give offspring and

length of days; the GodsShall know me even as I am, and Indra with the Ṛṣis, know.

HYMN XXIV. Varuṇa and Others.1 WHO now is he, what God among Immortals, of whose auspicious name we may bethink us?Who shall to

mighty Aditi restore us, that I may see my Father and my Mother?2 Agni the God the first among the Immortals,—of his auspicious name let us

bethink us.He shall to mighty Aditi restore us, that I may see my Father and my Mother.3 To thee, O Savitar, the Lord of precious things, who

helpest usContinually, for our share we come—4 Wealth, highly lauded ere reproach hath fallen on it, which is laid,Free from all hatred, in thy

hands5 Through thy protection may we come to even the height of affluenceWhich Bhaga hath dealt out to us.6 Ne’er have those birds that fly

through air attained to thy high dominion or thy might or spirit;Nor these the waters that flow on for ever, nor hills, abaters of the wind's wild

The Rig Veda Ralph T.H. Griffith, Translator [1896] Book 1 StreetWitnessing.org

fury.7 Varuṇa, King, of hallowed might, sustaineth erect the Tree's stem in the baseless region.Its rays, whose root is high above, stream

downward. Deep may they sink within us, and be hidden.8 King Varuṇa hath made a spacious pathway, a pathway for the Sun wherein to

travel.Where no way was he made him set his footstep, and warned afar whate’er afflicts the spirit.9 A hundred balms are thine, O King, a

thousand; deep and wide-reaching also be thy favours.Far from us, far away drive thou Destruction. Put from us e’en the sin we have

committed.10 Whither by day depart the constellations that shine at night, set high in heaven above us?Varuṇa's holy laws remain

unweakened, and through the night the Moon moves on in splendor11 I ask this of thee with my prayer adoring; thy worshipper craves this

with his oblation.Varuṇa, stay thou here and be not angry; steal not our life from us, O thou Wide-Ruler.12 Nightly and daily this one thing they

tell me, this too the thought of mine own heart repeateth.May he to whom prayed fettered Śunaḥśepa, may he the Sovran Varuṇa release

us.13 Bound to three pillars captured Śunaḥśepa thus to the Āditya made his supplication.Him may the Sovran Varuṇa deliver, wise, ne’er

deceived, loosen the bonds that bind him.14 With bending down, oblations, sacrifices, O Varuṇa, we deprecate thine anger:Wise Asura, thou

King of wide dominion, loosen the bonds of sins by us committed.15 Loosen the bonds, O Varuṇa, that hold me, loosen the bonds above,

between, and under.So in thy holy law may we made sinless belong to Aditi, O thou Āditya.

HYMN XXV. Varuṇa.1 WHATEVER law of thine, O God, O Varuṇa, as we are men,Day after day we violate.2 give us not as a prey to death, to be

destroyed by thee in wrath,To thy fierce anger when displeased.3 To gain thy mercy, Varuṇa, with

HYMNs we bind thy heart, as bindsThe charioteer his tethered horse.4 They flee from me dispirited, bent only on obtaining wealth,As to their

nests the birds of air.5 When shall we bring, to be appeased, the Hero, Lord of warrior might,Him, the far-seeing Varuṇa?6 This, this with joy

they both accept in common: never do they failThe ever-faithful worshipper.7 He knows the path of birds that fly through heaven, and, Sovran

of the sea,He knows the ships that are thereon.8 True to his holy law, he knows the twelve moons with their progeny:He knows the moon of

later birth.9 He knows the pathway of the wind, the spreading, high, and mighty wind:He knows the Gods who dwell above.10 Varuṇa, true to

holy law, sits down among his people; he,Most wise, sits there to govern all.11 From thence perceiving he beholds all wondrous things, both

what hath been,And what hereafter will be done.12 May that Āditya, very wise, make fair paths for us all our days:May he prolong our lives for

us.13 Varuṇa, wearing golden mail, hath clad him in a shining robe.His spies are seated found about.14 The God whom enemies threaten not,

nor those who tyrannize o’er men,Nor those whose minds are bent on wrong.15 He who gives glory to mankind, not glory that is

incomplete,To our own bodies giving it.16 Yearning for the wide-seeing One, my thoughts move onward unto him,As kine unto their pastures

move.17 Once more together let us speak, because my meath is brought: priest-likeThou eatest what is dear to thee.18 Now saw I him whom

all may see, I saw his car above the earth:He hath accepted these my songs.19 Varuṇa, hear this call of mine: be gracious unto us this

dayLonging for help I cried to thee.20 Thou, O wise God, art Lord of all, thou art the King of earth and heavenHear, as thou goest on thy way.21

Release us from the upper bond, untie the bond between, and looseThe bonds below, that I may live.

HYMN XXVI. Agni.1 O WORTHY of oblation, Lord of prospering powers, assume thy robes,And offer this our sacrifice.2 Sit ever to be chosen, as

our Priest, most youthful, through our

HYMNs,O Agni, through our heavenly word.3 For here a Father for his son, Kinsman for kinsman worshippeth,And Friend, choice-worthy, for

his friend.4 Here let the foe-destroyers sit, Varuṇa, Mitra, Aryaman,Like men, upon our sacred grass.5 O ancient Herald, be thou glad in this

our rite and fellowship:Hearken thou well to these our songs.6 Whate’er in this perpetual course we sacrifice to God and God,That gift is

offered up in thee7 May he be our dear household Lord, Priest, pleasant and, choice-worthy mayWe, with bright fires, be dear to him.8 The

Gods, adored with brilliant fires. have granted precious wealth to usSo, with bright fires, we pray to thee.9 And, O Immortal One, so may the

eulogies of mortal menBelong to us and thee alike.10 With all thy fires, O Agni, find pleasure in this our sacrifice,And this our speech, O Son of

Strength.

HYMN XXVII. Agni.1 WITH worship will I glorify thee, Agni, like a long-tailed steed,Imperial Lord of sacred rites.2 May the far-striding Son of

Strength, bringer of great felicity,Who pours his gifts like rain, be ours.3 Lord of all life, from near; from far, do thou, O Agni evermoreProtect

us from the sinful man.4 O Agni, graciously announce this our oblation to the Gods,And this our newest song of praise.5 Give us a share of

strength most high, a share of strength that is below,A share of strength that is between.6 Thou dealest gifts, resplendent One; nigh, as with

waves of Sindhu, thouSwift streamest to the worshipper.7 That man is lord of endless strength whom thou protectest in the fight,Agni, or

urgest to the fray.8 Him, whosoever he may be, no man may vanquish, mighty One:Nay, very glorious power is his.9 May he who dwells with

all mankind bear us with war-steeds through the fight,And with the singers win the spoil.10 Help, thou who knowest lauds, this work, this

eulogy to Rudra, himAdorable in every house.11 May this our God, great, limitless, smoke-bannered excellently bright,Urge us to strength and

holy thought.12 Like some rich Lord of men may he, Agni the banner of the Gods,Refulgent, hear us through our lauds.13 Glory to Gods, the

mighty and the lesser glory to Gods the younger and the elder!Let us, if we have power, pay the God worship: no better prayer than this, ye

Gods, acknowledge.

HYMN XXVIII. Indra, Etc.1 THERE where the broad-based stone raised on high to press the juices out,O Indra, drink with eager thirst the

droppings which the mortar sheds.2 Where, like broad hips, to hold the juice the platters of the press are laid,O Indra, drink with eager thirst

the droppings which the mortar sheds.3 There where the woman marks and leans the pestle's constant rise and fall,O Indra, drink with eager

thirst the droppings which the mortar sheds.4 Where, as with reins to guide a horse, they bind the churning-staff with cords,O Indra, drink with

eager thirst the droppings which the mortar sheds.5 If of a truth in every house, O Mortar thou art set for work,Here give thou forth thy

clearest sound, loud as the drum of conquerors.6 O Sovran of the Forest, as the wind blows soft in front of thee,Mortar, for Indra press thou

forth the Soma juice that he may drink.7 Best strength-givers, ye stretch wide jaws, O Sacrificial Implements,Like two bay horses champing

The Rig Veda Ralph T.H. Griffith, Translator [1896] Book 1 StreetWitnessing.org

herbs.8 Ye Sovrans of the Forest, both swift, with swift pressers press to-daySweet Soma juice for Indra's drink.9 Take up in beakers what

remains: the Soma on the filter pour,and on the ox-hide set the dregs.

HYMN XXIX. Indra.1 O SOMA DRINKER, ever true, utterly hopeless though we be,Do thou, O Indra, give us hope of beauteous horses and of

kine,In thousands, O most wealthy One.2 O Lord of Strength, whose jaws are strong, great deeds are thine, the powerful:Do thou, O Indra, give

us hope of beauteous horses and of kine,In thousands, O most wealthy One.3 Lull thou asleep, to wake no more, the pair who on each other

lookDo thou, O Indra, give us hope of beauteous horses and of kine,In thousands, O most wealthy One.4 Hero, let hostile spirits sleep, and

every gentler genius wake:Do thou, O Indra, give us hope of beauteous horses and of kine,In thousands, O most wealthy One.5 Destroy this

ass, O Indra, who in tones discordant brays to thee:Do thou, O Indra, give us hope of beauteous horses and of kine,In thousands, O most

wealthy One.6 Far distant on the forest fall the tempest in a circling course!Do thou, O Indra, give us hope of beauteous horses and of kine,In

thousands, O most wealthy One.7 Slay each reviler, and destroy him who in secret injures us:Do thou, O Indra, give us hope of beauteous

horses and of kineIn thousands, O most wealthy One.

HYMN XXX. Indra.1 WE seeking strength with Soma-drops fill full your Indra like a well,Most liberal, Lord of Hundred Powers,2 Who lets a

hundred of the pure, a thousand of the milk-blent draughtsFlow, even as down a depth, to him;3 When for the strong, the rapturous joy he in

this manner hath made roomWithin his belly, like the sea.4 This is thine own. Thou drawest near, as turns a pigeon to his mate:Thou carest too

for this our prayer.5 O Hero, Lord of Bounties, praised in

HYMNs, may power and joyfulnessBe his who sings the laud to thee.6 Lord of a Hundred Powers, stand up to lend us succour in this fightIn

others too let us agree.7 In every need, in every fray we call as friends to succour usIndra the mightiest of all.8 If he will hear us let him come

with succour of a thousand kinds,And all that strengthens, to our call.9 I call him mighty to resist, the Hero of our ancient home,Thee whom my

sire invoked of old.10 We pray to thee, O much-invoked, rich in all precious gifts, O Friend,Kind God to those who sing thy praise.11 O Soma-

drinker, Thunder-armed, Friend of our lovely-featured damesAnd of our Soma-drinking friends.12 Thus, Soma-drinker, may it be; thus, Friend,

who wieldest thunder, actTo aid each wish as we desire.13 With Indra splendid feasts be ours, rich in all strengthening things

wherewith,Wealthy in food, we may rejoice.14 Like thee, thyself, the singers' Friend, thou movest, as it were, besought,Bold One, the axle of

the car.15 That, Śatakratu, thou to grace and please thy praisers, as it were,Stirrest the axle with thy strength.16 With champing, neighing

loudly-snorting horses Indra hath ever won himself great treasuresA car of gold hath he whose deeds are wondrous received from us, and let

us too receive it.17 Come, Aśvins, with enduring strength wealthy in horses and in kine,And gold, O ye of wondrous deeds.18 Your chariot

yoked for both alike, immortal, ye of mighty acts,Travels, O Aśvins, in the sea.19 High on the forehead of the Bull one chariot wheel ye ever

keep,The other round the sky revolves.20 What mortal, O immortal Dawn, enjoyeth thee? Where lovest thou?To whom, O radiant, dost thou

go?21 For we have had thee in our thoughts whether anear or far away,Red-hued and like a dappled mare.22 Hither, O Daughter of the Sky,

come thou with these thy strengthenings,And send thou riches down to us.

HYMN XXXI. Agni.1 Thou, Agni, wast the earliest Aṅgiras, a Seer; thou wast, a God thyself, the Gods’ auspicious Friend.After thy holy ordinance

the Maruts, sage, active through wisdom, with their glittering spears, were born.2 O Agni, thou, the best and earliest Aṅgiras, fulfillest as a

Sage the holy law of Gods.Sprung from two mothers, wise, through all existence spread, resting in many a place for sake of living man.3 To

Mātariśvan first thou, Agni, wast disclosed, and to Vivasvān through thy noble inward power.Heaven and Earth, Vasu! shook at the choosing of

the Priest: the burthen thou didst bear, didst worship mighty Gods.4 Agni thou madest heaven to thunder for mankind; thou, yet more pious,

for pious Purūravas.When thou art rapidly freed from thy parents, first eastward they bear thee round, and, after, to the west.5 Thou, Agni, art

a Bull who makes our store increase, to be invoked by him who lifts the ladle up.Well knowing the oblation with the hallowing word, uniting all

who live, thou lightenest first our folk6 Agni, thou savest in the synod when pursued e’en him, farseeing One! who walks in evil ways.Thou,

when the heroes fight for spoil which men rush, round, slayest in war the many by the hands of few.7 For glory, Agni, day by day, thou liftest

up the mortal man to highest immortality,Even thou who yearning for both races givest them great bliss, and to the prince grantest abundant

food.8 O Agni, highly lauded, make our singer famous that he may win us store of riches:May we improve the rite with new performance. O

Earth and Heaven, with all the Gods, protect us.9 O blameless Agni lying in thy Parents' lap, a God among the Gods, be watchful for our

good.Former of bodies, be the singer's Providence: all good things hast thou sown for him, auspicious One!10 Agni, thou art our Providence,

our Father thou: we are thy brethren and thou art our spring of life.In thee, rich in good heroes, guard of high decrees, meet hundred,

thousand treasures, O infallible!11 Thee, Agni, have the Gods made the first living One for living man, Lord of the house of Nahuṣa.Iḷā they

made the teacher of the sons of men, what time a Son was born to the father of my race.12 Worthy to be revered, O Agni, God, preserve our

wealthy patrons with thy succours, and ourselves.Guard of our seed art thou, aiding our cows to bear, incessantly protecting in thy holy way.13

Agni, thou art a guard close to the pious man; kindled art thou, four-eyed! for him who is unarmed.With fond heart thou acceptest e’en the

poor man's prayer, when he hath brought his gift to gain security.14 Thou, Agni gainest for the loudly-praising priest the highest wealth, the

object of a man's desire.Thou art called Father, caring even for the weak, and wisest, to the simple one thou teachest lore.15 Agni, the man

who giveth guerdon to the priests, like well-sewn armour thou guardest on every side.He who with grateful food shows kindness in his house,

an offerer to the living, is the type of heaven.16 Pardon, we pray, this sin of ours, O Agni,—the path which we have trodden, widely

straying,Dear Friend and Father, caring for the pious, who speedest nigh and who inspirest mortals.17 As erst to Manus, to Yayāti, Aṅgiras, so

Aṅgiras! pure Agni! come thou to our hall.Bring hither the celestial host and seat them here upon the sacred grass, and offer what they love.18

By this our prayer be thou, O Agni, strengthened, prayer made by us after our power and knowledge.Lead thou us, therefore, to increasing

riches; endow us with thy strength-bestowing favour.

The Rig Veda Ralph T.H. Griffith, Translator [1896] Book 1 StreetWitnessing.org

HYMN XXXII. Indra.1 I WILL declare the manly deeds of Indra, the first that he achieved, the Thunder-wielder.He slew the Dragon, then

disclosed the waters, and cleft the channels of the mountain torrents.2 He slew the Dragon lying on the mountain: his heavenly bolt of thunder

Tvaṣṭar fashioned.Like lowing kine in rapid flow descending the waters glided downward to the ocean.3 Impetuous as a bull, he chose the

Soma and in three sacred beakers drank the juices.Maghavan grasped the thunder for his weapon, and smote to death this firstborn of the

dragons.4 When, Indra, thou hadst slain the dragon's firstborn, and overcome the charms of the enchanters,Then, giving life to Sun and Dawn

and Heaven, thou foundest not one foe to stand against thee.5 Indra with his own great and deadly thunder smote into pieces Vṛtra, worst of

Vṛtras.As trunks of trees, what time the axe hath felled them, low on the earth so lies the prostrate Dragon.6 He, like a mad weak warrior,

challenged Indra, the great impetuous many-slaying Hero.He, brooking not the clashing of the weapons, crushed—Indra's foe—the shattered

forts in falling.7 Footless and handless still he challenged Indra, who smote him with his bolt between the shoulders.Emasculate yet claiming

manly vigour, thus Vṛtra lay with scattered limbs dissevered.8 There as he lies like a bank-bursting river, the waters taking courage flow above

him.The Dragon lies beneath the feet of torrents which Vṛtra with his greatness had encompassed.9 Then humbled was the strength of Vṛtra's

mother: Indra hath cast his deadly bolt against her.The mother was above, the son was under and like a cow beside her calf lay Danu.10 Rolled

in the midst of never-ceasing currents flowing without a rest for ever onward.The waters bear off Vṛtra's nameless body: the foe of Indra sank

to during darkness.11 Guarded by Ahi stood the thralls of Dāsas, the waters stayed like kine held by the robber.But he, when he had smitten

Vṛtra, opened the cave wherein the floods had been imprisoned.12 A horse's tail wast thou when he, O Indra, smote on thy bolt; thou, God

without a second,Thou hast won back the kine, hast won the Soma; thou hast let loose to flow the Seven Rivers.13 Nothing availed him

lightning, nothing thunder, hailstorm or mist which had spread around him:When Indra and the Dragon strove in battle, Maghavan gained the

victory for ever.14 Whom sawest thou to avenge the Dragon, Indra, that fear possessed thy heart when thou hadst slain him;That, like a hawk

affrighted through the regions, thou crossedst nine-and-ninety flowing rivers?15 Indra is King of all that moves and moves not, of creatures

tame and horned, the Thunder-wielder.Over all living men he rules as Sovran, containing all as spokes within the felly.

HYMN XXXIII. Indra.1 Come, fain for booty let us seek to Indra: yet more shall he increase his care that guides us.Will not the Indestructible

endow us with perfect knowledge of this wealth, of cattle?2 I fly to him invisible Wealth-giver as flies the falcon to his cherished eyrie,With

fairest

HYMNs of praise adoring Indra, whom those who laud him must invoke in battle.3 Mid all his host, he bindeth on the quiver: he driveth cattle

from what foe he pleaseth:Gathering up great store of riches, Indra. be thou no trafficker with us, most mighty.4 Thou slewest with thy bolt

the wealthy Dasyu, alone, yet going with thy helpers, Indra!Far from the floor of heaven in all directions, the ancient riteless ones fled to

destruction.5 Fighting with pious worshippers, the riteless turned and fled, Indra! with averted faces.When thou, fierce Lord of the Bay Steeds,

the Stayer, blewest from earth and heaven and sky the godless.6 They met in fight the army of the blameless: then the Navagvas put forth all

their power.They, like emasculates with men contending, fled, conscious, by steep paths from Indra, scattered.7 Whether they weep or laugh,

thou hast o’erthrown them, O Indra, on the sky's extremest limit.The Dasyu thou hast burned from heaven, and welcomed the prayer of him

who pours the juice and lauds thee.8 Adorned with their array of gold and jewels, they o’er the earth a covering veil extended.Although they

hastened, they o’ercame not Indra: their spies he compassed with the Sun of morning.9 As thou enjoyest heaven and earth, O Indra, on every

side surrounded with thy greatness,So thou with priests hast blown away the Dasyu, and those who worship not with those who worship.10

They who pervaded earth's extremest limit subdued not with their charms the Wealth-bestower:Indra, the Bull, made his ally the thunder, and

with its light milked cows from out the darkness.11 The waters flowed according to their nature; he raid the navigable streams waxed

mighty.Then Indra, with his spirit concentrated, smote him for ever with his strongest weapon.12 Indra broke through Ilībiśa's strong castles,

and Śuṣṇa with his horn he cut to pieces:Thou, Maghavan, for all his might and swiftness, slewest thy fighting foeman with thy thunder13

Fierce on his enemies fell Indra's weapon: with. his sharp bull he rent their forts in pieces.He with his thunderbolt dealt blows on Vṛtra; and

conquered, executing all his purpose.14 Indra, thou helpest Kutsa whom thou lovedst, and guardedst brave Daśadyu when he battled,The dust

of trampling horses rose to heaven, and Śvitrā's son stood up again for conquest.15 Śvitrā's mild steer, O Maghavan thou helpest in combat for

the land, mid Tugra's houses.Long stood they there before the task was ended: thou wast the master of the foemen's treasure.

HYMN XXXIV. Aśvins.1 Ye who observe this day be with us even thrice: far-stretching is you bounty, Aśvins and your course.To you, as to a

cloak in winter, we cleave close: you are to be drawn nigh unto us by the wise.2 Three are the fellies in your honey-bearing car, that travels

after Soma's loved one, as all know.Three are the pillars set upon it for support: thrice journey ye by night, O Aśvins, thrice by day.3 Thrice in

the self-same day, ye Gods who banish want, sprinkle ye thrice to-day our sacrifice with meath;And thrice vouchsafe us store of food with

plenteous strength, at evening, O ye Aśvins, and at break of day.4 Thrice come ye to our home, thrice to the righteous folk, thrice triply aid the

man who well deserves your help.Thrice, O ye Aśvins, bring us what shall make us glad; thrice send us store of food as nevermore to fail.5

Thrice, O ye Aśvins, bring to us abundant wealth: thrice in the Gods’ assembly, thrice assist our thoughts.Thrice, grant ye us prosperity, thrice

grant us fame; for the Sun's daughter hath mounted your three-wheeled car.6 Thrice, Aśvins, grant to us the heavenly medicines, thrice those

of earth and thrice those that the waters hold,Favour and health and strength bestow upon my son; triple protection, Lords of Splendour, grant

to him.7 Thrice are ye to be worshipped day by day by us: thrice, O ye Aśvins, ye travel around the earth.Car-borne from far away, O ye

Nāsatyas, come, like vital air to bodies, come ye to the three.8 Thrice, O ye Aśvins, with the Seven Mother Streams; three are the jars, the triple

offering is prepared.Three are the worlds, and moving on above the sky ye guard the firm-set vault of heaven through days and nights.9 Where

are the three wheels of your triple chariot, where are the three seats thereto firmly fastened?When will ye yoke the mighty ass that draws it,

to bring you to our sacrifice. Nāsatyas?10 Nāsatyas, come: the sacred gift is offered up; drink the sweet juice with lips that know the sweetness

well.Savitar sends, before the dawn of day, your car, fraught with oil, various-coloured, to our sacrifice.11 Come, O Nāsatyas, with the thrice-

eleven Gods; come, O ye Aśvins, to the drinking of the meath.Make long our days of life, and wipe out all our sins: ward off our enemies; be

The Rig Veda Ralph T.H. Griffith, Translator [1896] Book 1 StreetWitnessing.org

with us evermore.12 Borne in your triple car, O Aśvins, bring us present prosperity with noble offspring.I cry to you who hear me for protection

be ye our helpers where men win the booty.

HYMN XXXV. Savitar.1 AGNI I first invoke for our prosperity; I call on Mitra, Varuṇa, to aid us here.I call on Night who gives rest to all moving

life; I call on Savitar the God to lend us help.2 Throughout the dusky firmament advancing, laying to rest the immortal and the mortal,Borne in

his golden chariot he cometh, Savitar, God who looks on every creature.3 The God moves by the upward path, the downward; with two bright

Bays, adorable, he journeys.Savitar comes, the God from the far distance, and chases from us all distress and sorrow.4 His chariot decked with

pearl, of various colours, lofty, with golden pole, the God hath mounted,The many-rayed One, Savitar the holy, bound, bearing power and

might, for darksome regions.5 Drawing the gold-yoked car his Bays, white-footed, have manifested light to all the peoples.Held in the lap of

Savitar, divine One, all men, all beings have their place for ever.6 Three heavens there are; two Savitar's, adjacent: in Yama's world is one, the

home of heroes,As on a linch-pin, firm, rest things immortal: he who hath known it let him here declare it.7 He, strong of wing, hath lightened

up the regions, deep-quivering Asura, the gentle Leader.Where now is Sūrya, where is one to tell us to what celestial sphere his ray hath

wandered?8 The earth's eight points his brightness hath illumined, three desert regions and the Seven Rivers.God Savitar the gold-eyed hath

come hither, giving choice treasures unto him who worships.9 The golden-handed Savitar, far-seeing, goes on his way between the earth and

heaven,Drives away sickness, bids the Sun approach us, and spreads the bright sky through the darksome region.10 May he, gold-handed

Asura, kind Leader, come hither to us with his help and favour.Driving off Rākṣasas and Yātudhānas, the God is present, praised in

HYMNs at evening.11 O Savitar, thine ancient dustless pathways are well established in the air's mid-region:O God, come by those paths so

fair to travel, preserve thou us from harm this day, and bless us.

HYMN XXXVI. Agni.1 WITH words sent forth in holy

HYMNs, Agni we supplicate, the LordOf many families who duly serve the Gods, yea, him whom others also praise.2 Men have won Agni, him

who makes their strength abound: we, with oblations, worship thee.Our gracious-minded Helper in our deeds of might, be thou, O Excellent,

this day.3 Thee for our messenger we choose, thee, the Omniscient, for our Priest.The flames of thee the mighty are spread wide around: thy

splendour reaches to the sky.4 The Gods enkindle thee their ancient messenger,—Varuṇa, Mitra, Aryaman.That mortal man, O Agni, gains

through thee all wealth, who hath poured offerings unto thee.5 Thou, Agni, art a cheering Priest, Lord of the House, men's messenger:All

constant high decrees established by the Gods, gathered together, meet in thee.6 In thee, the auspicious One, O Agni, youthfullest, each

sacred gift is offered up:This day, and after, gracious, worship thou our Gods, that we may have heroic sons.7 To him in his own splendour

bright draw near in worship the devout.Men kindle Agni with their sacrificial gifts, victorious o’er the enemies.8 Vṛtra they smote and slew, and

made the earth and heaven and firmament a wide abode.The glorious Bull, invoked, hath stood at Kaṇva's side: loud neighed the Steed in frays

for kine.9 Seat thee, for thou art mighty; shine, best entertainer of the Gods.Worthy of sacred food, praised Agni! loose the smoke, ruddy and

beautiful to see.10 Bearer of offerings, whom, best sacrificing Priest, the Gods for Manu's sake ordained;Whom Kaṇva, whom Medhyātithi

made the source of wealth, and Vṛṣan and Upastuta.11 Him, Agni, whom Medhyātithi, whom Kaṇva kindled for his rite,Him these our songs of

praise, him, Agni, we extol: his powers shine out preeminent.12 Make our wealth perfect thou, O Agni, Lord divine: for thou hast kinship with

the Gods.Thou rulest as a King o’er widely-famous strength: be good to us, for thou art great.13 Stand up erect to lend us aid, stand up like

Savitar the God:Erect as strength-bestower we call aloud, with unguents and with priests, on thee.14 Erect, preserve us from sore trouble; with

thy flame burn thou each ravening demon dead.Raise thou us up that we may walk and live: so thou shalt find our worship mid the Gods.15

Preserve us, Agni, from the fiend, preserve us from malicious wrong.Save us from him who fain would injure us or slay, Most Youthful, thou

with lofty light.16 Smite down as with a club, thou who hast fire for teeth, smite thou the wicked, right and left.Let not the man who plots

against us in the night, nor any foe prevail o’er us.17 Agni hath given heroic might to Kaṇva, and felicity:Agni hath helped our friends, hath

helped Medhyātithi, hath helped Upastuta to win.18 We call on Ugradeva, Yadu, Turvaśa, by means of Agni, from afar;Agni, bring Navavāstva

and Bṛhadratha, Turvīti, to subdue the foe.19 Manu hath stablished thee a light, Agni, for all the race of men:Sprung from the Law, oil-fed, for

Kaṇva hast thou blazed, thou whom the people reverence.20 The flames of Agni full of splendour and of might are fearful, not to be

approached.Consume for ever all demons and sorcerers, consume thou each devouring fiend.

HYMN XXXVII. Maruts.1 SING forth, O Kaṇvas, to your band of Maruts unassailable,Sporting, resplendent on their car2 They who, self-

luminous, were born together, with the spotted deer,Spears, swords, and glittering ornaments.3 One hears, as though ’twere close at hand,

the cracking of the whips they holdThey gather glory on their way.4 Now sing ye forth the God-given

HYMN to your exultant Marut host,The fiercely-vigorous, the strong.5 Praise ye the Bull among the cows; for ’tis the Maruts’ sportive band:It

strengthened as it drank the rain.6 Who is your mightiest, Heroes, when, O shakers of the earth and heaven,Ye shake them like a garment's

hem?7 At your approach man holds him down before the fury of your wrath:The rugged-jointed mountain yields.8 They at whose racings forth

the earth, like an age-weakened lord of men,Trembles in terror on their ways.9 Strong is their birth: vigour have they to issue from their

Mother; strength,Yea, even twice enough, is theirs.10 And these, the Sons, the Singers, in their racings have enlarged the bounds,So that the

kine must walk knee-deep.11 Before them, on the ways they go, they drop this offspring of the cloud,Long, broad, and inexhaustible.12 O

Maruts, as your strength is great, so have ye cast men down on earth,So have ye made the mountains fall.13 The while the Maruts pass along,

they talk together on the way:Doth any hear them as they speak?14 Come quick with swift steeds, for ye have worshippers among Kaṇva's

sonsMay you rejoice among them well.15 All is prepared for your delight. We are their servants evermore,To live as long as life may last.

HYMN XXXVIII. Maruts.1 WHAT now? When will ye take us by both hands, as a dear sire his son,Gods, for whom sacred grass is clipped?2 Now

whither? To what goal of yours go ye in heaven, and not on earth?Where do your cows disport themselves?3 Where are your newest favours

shown? Where, Maruts, your prosperity?Where all your high felicities?4 If, O ye Maruts, ye the Sons whom Pṛśni bore, were mortal,

The Rig Veda Ralph T.H. Griffith, Translator [1896] Book 1 StreetWitnessing.org

andImmortal he who sings your praise.5 Then never were your praiser loathed like a wild beast in pasture-land,Nor should he go on Yama's

path.6 Let not destructive plague on plague hard to be conquered, strike its down:Let each, with drought, depart from us.7 Truly, they the

fierce and mighty Sons of Rudra send their windlessRain e’en on the desert places.8 Like a cow the lightning lows and follows, motherlike, her

youngling,When their rain-flood hath been loosened.9 When they inundate the earth they spread forth darkness e’en in day time,With the

water-laden rain-cloud.10 O Maruts, at your voice's sound this earthly habitation shakes,And each man reels who dwells therein.11 O Maruts,

with your strong-hoofed steeds, unhindered in their courses, hasteAlong the bright embanked streams.12 Firm be the fellies of your wheels,

steady your horses and your cars,And may your reins be fashioned well.13 Invite thou hither with this song, for praise, Agni the Lord of

Prayer,Him who is fair as Mitra is.14 Form in thy mouth the

HYMN of praise expand thee like, a rainy cloudSing forth the measured eulogy.15 Sing glory to the Marut host, praiseworthy, tuneful,

vigorous:Here let the Strong Ones dwell with us.

HYMN XXXIX Maruts.1 WHEN thus, like flame, from far away, Maruts, ye cast your measure forth,To whom go Ye, to whom, O shakers of the

earth, moved by whose wisdom, whose design?2 Strong let your weapons be to drive away your foes, firm for resistance let them be.Yea,

passing glorious must be your warrior might, not as a guileful mortal's strength.3 When what is strong ye overthrow, and whirl about each

ponderous thing,Heroes, your course is through the forest trees of earth, and through the fissures of the rocks.4 Consumers of your foes, no

enemy of yours is found in heaven or on the earth:Ye Rudras, may the strength, held in this bond, be yours, to bid defiance even now.5 They

make the mountains rock and reel, they rend the forest-kings apart.Onward, ye Maruts, drive, like creatures drunk with wine, ye, Gods with all

your company.6 Ye to your chariot have yoked the spotted deer: a red deer, as a leader, draws.Even the Earth herself listened as ye came near,

and men were sorely terrified.7 O Rudras, quickly we desire your succour for this work of ours.Come to us with your aid as in the days of old,

so now for frightened Kaṇva's sake.8 Should any monstrous foe, O Maruts, sent by you or sent by mortals threaten us,Tear ye him from us with

your power and with your might, and with the succours that are yours.9 For ye, the worshipful and wise, have guarded Kaṇva perfectly.O

Maruts, come to us with full protecting help, as lightning flashes seek the rain.10 Whole strength have ye, O Bounteous Ones; perfect, earth-

shakers, is your might.Maruts, against the poet's wrathful enemy send ye an enemy like a dart.

HYMN XL. Brahmaṇaspati1 O BRAHMAṆASPATI, stand up: God-serving men we pray to thee.May they who give good gifts, the Maruts, come

to us. Indra, most swift, be thou with them.2 O Son of Strength, each mortal calls to thee for aid when spoil of battle waits for him.O Maruts,

may this man who loves you well obtain wealth of good steeds and hero might.3 May Brahmaṇaspati draw nigh, may Sūnṛtā the Goddess

come,And Gods bring to this rite which gives the five-fold gift the Hero, lover of mankind.4 He who bestows a noble guerdon on the priest wins

fame that never shall decay.For him we offer sacred hero-giving food, peerless and conquering easily.5 Now Brahmaṇaspati speaks forth aloud

the solemn

HYMN of praise,Wherein Indra and Varuṇa, Mitra, Aryaman, the Gods, have made their dwelling place.6 May we in holy synods, Gods! recite

that

HYMN, peerless, that brings felicity.If you, O Heroes, graciously accept this word, may it obtain all bliss from you.7 Who shall approach the

pious? who the man whose sacred grass is trimmed?The offerer with his folk advances more and more: he fills his house with precious things.8

He amplifies his lordly might, with kings he slays: e’en mid alarms he dwells secureIn great or lesser fight none checks him, none subdues,—the

wielder of the thunderbolt.

HYMN XLI. Varuṇa, Mitra, Aryaman.1 NE’ER is he injured whom the Gods Varuṇa, Mitra, Aryaman,The excellently wise, protect.2 He prospers

ever, free from scathe, whom they, as with full hands, enrich,Whom they preserve from every foe.3 The Kings drive far away from him his

troubles and his enemies,And lead him safely o’er distress.4 Thornless, Ādityas, is the path, easy for him who seeks the Law:With him is naught

to anger you.5 What sacrifice, Ādityas, ye Heroes guide by the path direct,—May that come nigh unto your thought.6 That mortal, ever

unsubdued, gains wealth and every precious thing,And children also of his own.7 How, my friends, shall we prepare Aryaman's and Mitra's

laud,Glorious food of Varuṇa?8 I point not out to you a man who strikes the pious, or reviles:Only with

HYMNs I call you nigh.9 Let him not love to speak ill words: but fear the One who holds all fourWithin his hand, until they fall.

HYMN XLII. Pūṣan.1 SHORTEN our ways, O Pūṣan, move aside obstruction in the path:Go close before us, cloud-born God.2 Drive, Pūṣan, from

our road the wolf, the wicked inauspicious wolf,Who lies in wait to injure us.3 Who lurks about the path we take, the robber with a guileful

heart:Far from the road chase him away.4 Tread with thy foot and trample out the firebrand of the wicked one,The double-tongued, whoe’er

he be.5 Wise Pūṣan, Wonder-Worker, we claim of thee now the aid wherewithThou furtheredst our sires of old.6 So, Lord of all prosperity,

best wielder of the golden sword,Make riches easy to be won.7 Past all pursuers lead us, make pleasant our path and fair to tread:O Pūṣan,

find thou power for this.8 Lead us to meadows rich in grass: send on our way no early heat:O Pūṣan, find thou power for this.9 Be gracious to

us, fill us full, give, feed us, and invigorate:O Pūṣan, find thou power for this.10 No blame have we for Pūṣan; him we magnify with songs of

praise:We seek the Mighty One for wealth.

HYMN XLIII. Rudra.1 WHAT shall we sing to Rudra, strong, most bounteous, excellently wise,That shall be dearest to his heart?2 That Aditi may

grant the grace of Rudra to our folk, our kine,Our cattle and our progeny;3 That Mitra and that Varuṇa, that Rudra may remember us,Yea, all

the Gods with one accord.4 To Rudra Lord of sacrifice, of

HYMNs and balmy medicines,We pray for joy and health and strength.5 He shines in splendour like the Sun, refulgent as bright gold is he,The

good, the best among the Gods.6 May he grant health into our steeds, wellbeing to our rams and ewes,To men, to women, and to kine.7 O

Soma, set thou upon us the glory of a hundred men,The great renown of mighty chiefs.8 Let not malignities, nor those who trouble Soma,

The Rig Veda Ralph T.H. Griffith, Translator [1896] Book 1 StreetWitnessing.org

hinder us.Indu, give us a share of strength.9 Soma! head, central point, love these; Soma! know these as serving thee,Children of thee

Immortal, at the highest place of holy law.

HYMN XLIV. Agni.1 IMMORTAL Jātavedas, thou many-hued fulgent gift of Dawn,Agni, this day to him who pays oblations bring the Gods who

waken with the morn.2 For thou art offering-bearer and loved messenger, the charioteer of sacrifice:Accordant with the Aśvins and with Dawn

grant us heroic strength and lofty fame.3 As messenger we choose to-day Agni the good whom many love,Smoke-bannered spreader of the

light, at break of day glory of sacrificial rites.4 Him noblest and most youthful, richly worshipped guest, dear to the men who offer gifts,Him,

Agni Jātavedas, I beseech at dawn that he may bring the Gods to us.5 Thee, Agni, will I glorify, deathless nourisher of the world,Immortal,

offering-bearer, meet for sacred food, preserver, best at sacrifice.6 Tell good things to thy praiser, O most youthful God, as richly worshipped,

honey-tongued,And, granting to Praskaṇva lengthened days of life, show honour to the Heavenly Host.7 For the men, Agni, kindle thee as all

possessor and as Priest;So Agni, much-invoked, bring hither with all speed the Gods, the excellently wise,8 At dawn of day, at night, Uṣas and

Savitar, the Aśvins, Bhaga, Agni's self:Skilled in fair rites, with Soma poured, the Kaṇvas light thee, the oblation-wafting God.9 For, Agni, Lord of

sacrifice and messenger of men art thou:Bring thou the Gods who wake at dawn who see the light, this day to drink the Soma juice.10 Thou

shonest forth, O Agni, after former dawns, all visible, O rich in light.Thou art our help in battle-strife, the Friend of man, the great high priest in

sacrifice.11 Like Manu, we will stablish thee, Agni, performer of the rite,Invoker, ministering Priest, exceeding wise, the swift immortal

messenger.12 When as the Gods’ High Priest, by many loved, thou dost their mission as their nearest Friend,Then, like the far-resounding

billows of the flood, thy flames, O Agni, roar aloud.13 Hear, Agni, who hast ears to hear, with all thy train of escort Gods;Let Mitra, Aryaman,

seeking betimes our rite, seat them upon the sacred grass.14 Let those who strengthen Law, who bountifully give, the life-tongued Maruts,

hear our praise.May Law-supporting Varuṇa with the Aśvins twain and Uṣas, drink the Soma juice.

HYMN XLV. Agni.1 WORSHIP the Vasus, Agni! here, the Rudras, the Ādityas, allWho spring from Manu, those who know fair rites, who pour

their blessings down.2 Agni, the Gods who understand give ear unto the worshipper:Lord of Red Steeds, who lovest song, bring thou those

Three-and-Thirty Gods.3 O Jātavedas, great in act, hearken thou to Praskaṇva's call,As Priyamedha erst was heard, Atri, Virūpa, Aṅgiras.4 The

sons of Priyamedha skilled in lofty praise have called for helpOn Agni who with fulgent flame is Ruler of all holy rites.5 Hear thou, invoked with

holy oil, bountiful giver of rewards,These eulogies, whereby the sons of Kaṇva call thee to their aid.6 O Agni, loved by many, thou of fame most

wondrous, in their homesMen call on thee whose hair is flame, to be the bearer of their gifts.7 Thee, Agni, best to find out wealth, most widely

famous, quick to hear,Singers have stablished in their rites Herald and ministering Priest.8 Singers with Soma pressed have made thee, Agni,

hasten to the feast,Great light to mortal worshipper, what time they bring the sacred gift.9 Good, bounteous, Son of Strength, this day seat

here on sacred grass the GodsWho come at early morn, the host of heaven, to drink the Soma juice10 Bring with joint invocations thou, O Agni,

the celestial host:Here stands the Soma, bounteous Gods drink this expressed ere yesterday.

HYMN XLVI. Aśvins.1 Now Morning with her earliest light shines forth, dear Daughter of the Sky:High, Aśvins, I extol your praise,2 Sons of the

Sea, mighty to save discoverers of riches, yeGods with deep thought who find out wealth.3 Your giant coursers hasten on over the region all in

flames, When your car flies with winged steeds.4 He, liberal, lover of the flood, Lord of the House, the vigilant,Chiefs! with oblations feeds you

full.5 Ye have regard unto our

HYMNs, Nāsatyas, thinking of our words:Drink boldly of the Soma juice.6 Vouchsafe to us, O Aśvin Pair, such strength as, with attendant

light,May through the darkness carry us.7 Come in the ship of these our

HYMNs to bear you to the hither shoreO Aśvins, harness ye the car.8 The heaven's wide vessel is your own on the flood's shore your chariot

waitsDrops, with the

HYMN, have been prepared.9 Kaṇvas, the drops are in the heaven; the wealth is at the waters' place:Where will ye manifest your form?10

Light came to lighten up the branch, the Sun appeared as it were gold:And with its tongue shone forth the dark.11 The path of sacrifice was

made to travel to the farther goal:The road of heaven was manifest.12 The singer of their praise awaits whatever grace the Aśvins give,who

save when Soma gladdens them.13 Ye dwellers with Vivasvān come, auspicious, as to Manu erst;come to the Soma and our praise.14 O

circumambient Aśvins, Dawn follows the brightness of your way:Approve with beams our solemn rites.15 Drink ye of our libations, grant

protection, O ye Aśvins Twain,With aids which none may interrupt.

HYMN XLVII. Aśvins.1 AŚVINS, for you who strengthen Law this sweetest Soma hath been shed.Drink this expressed ere yesterday and give

riches to him who offers it.2 Come, O ye Aśvins, mounted on your triple car three-seated, beautiful of formTo you at sacrifice the Kaṇvas send

the prayer: graciously listen to their call.3 O Aśvins, ye who strengthen Law, drink ye this sweetest Soma juice.Borne on your wealth-fraught car

come ye this day to him who offers, ye of wondrous deeds.4 Omniscient Aśvins, on the thrice-heaped grass bedew with the sweet juice the

sacrifice.The sons of Kaṇva, striving heavenward, call on you with draughts of Soma juice out-poured.5 O Aśvins, with those aids wherewith ye

guarded Kaṇva carefully,Keep us, O Lords of Splendour: drink the Soma juice, ye strengtheners of holy law.6 O Mighty Ones, ye gave Sudās

abundant food, brought on your treasure-laden car;So now vouchsafe to us the wealth which many crave, either from heaven or from the

sea.7 Nāsatyas, whether ye be far away or close to Turvaśa,Borne on your lightly-rolling chariot come to us, together with the sunbeams

come.8 So let your coursers, ornaments of sacrifice, bring you to our libations here.Bestowing food on him who acts and gives aright, sit,

Chiefs, upon the sacred grass.9 Come, O Nāsatyas, on your car decked with a sunbright canopy,Whereon ye ever bring wealth to the

worshipper, to drink the Soma's pleasant juice.10 With lauds and songs of praise we call them down to us, that they, most rich, may succour

us;For ye have ever in the Kaṇvas' well-loved house, O Aśvins, drunk the Soma juice.

The Rig Veda Ralph T.H. Griffith, Translator [1896] Book 1 StreetWitnessing.org

HYMN XLVIII. Dawn.1 DAWN on us with prosperity, O Uṣas, Daughter of the Sky,Dawn with great glory, Goddess, Lady of the Light, dawn thou

with riches, Bounteous One.2 They, bringing steeds and kine, boon-givers of all wealth, have oft sped forth to lighten us.O Uṣas, waken up for

me the sounds of joy: send us the riches of the great.3 Uṣas hath dawned, and now shall dawn, the Goddess, driver forth of carsWhich, as she

cometh nigh, have fixed their thought on her, like glory-seekers on the flood.4 Here Kaṇva, chief of Kaṇva's race, sings forth aloud the glories of

the heroes’ names,—The. princes who, O Uṣas, as thou comest near, direct their thoughts to liberal gifts.5 Like a good matron Uṣas comes

carefully tending everything:Rousing all life she stirs all creatures that have feet, and makes the birds of air fly up.6 She sends the busy forth,

each man to his pursuit: delay she knows not as she springs.O rich in opulence, after thy dawning birds that have flown forth no longer rest.7

This Dawn hath yoked her steeds afar, beyond the rising of the Sun:Borne on a hundred chariots she, auspicious Dawn, advances on her way to

Men.8 To meet her glance all living creatures bend them down: Excellent One, she makes the light.Uṣas, the Daughter of the Sky, the opulent,

shines foes and enmities away.9 Shine on us with thy radiant light, O Uṣas, Daughter of the Sky,Bringing to us great store of high felicity, and

beaming on our solemn rites.10 For in thee is each living creature's breath and life, when, Excellent! thou dawnest forth.Borne on thy lofty car,

O Lady of the Light, hear, thou of wondrous wealth, our call.11 O Uṣas, win thyself the strength which among men is wonderful.Bring thou

thereby the pious unto holy rites, those who as priests sing praise to thee.12 Bring from the firmament, O Uṣas, all the Gods, that they may

drink our Soma juice,And, being what thou art, vouchsafe us kine and steeds, strength meet for praise and hero might.13 May Uṣas whose

auspicious rays are seen resplendent round about,Grant us great riches, fair in form, of all good things, wealth which light labour may attain.14

Mighty One, whom the Ṛṣis of old time invoked for their protection and their help,O Uṣas, graciously answer our songs of praise with bounty

and with brilliant light.15 Uṣas, as thou with light to day hast opened the twin doors of heaven,So grant thou us a dwelling wide and free from

foes. O Goddess, give us food with kine.16 Bring us to wealth abundant, sent in every shape, to plentiful refreshing food,To all-subduing

splendour, Uṣas, Mighty One, to strength, thou rich in spoil and wealth.

HYMN XLIX. Dawn.1 E'EN from above the sky's bright realm come, Uṣas, by auspicious ways:Let red steeds bear thee to the house of him who

pours the Soma, juice.2 The chariot which thou mountest, fair of shape, O Uṣas light to move,—Therewith, O Daughter of the Sky, aid men of

noble fame today.3 Bright Uṣas, when thy times return, all quadrupeds and bipeds stir,And round about flock winged birds from all the

boundaries of heaven.4 Thou dawning with thy beams of light illumest all the radiant realm.Thee, as thou art, the Kaṇvas, fain for wealth, have

called with sacred songs.

HYMN L. Sūrya.1 HIS bright rays bear him up aloft, the God who knoweth all that lives,Sūrya, that all may look on him.2 The constellations pass

away, like thieves, together with their beams,Before the all-beholding Sun.3 His herald rays are seen afar refulgent o’er the world of men,Like

flames of fire that burn and blaze.4 Swift and all beautiful art thou, O Sūrya, maker of the light,Illuming all the radiant realm.5 Thou goest to

the hosts of Gods, thou comest hither to mankind,Hither all light to be beheld.6 With that same eye of thine wherewith thou lookest brilliant

Varuṇa,Upon the busy race of men,7 Traversing sky and wide mid-air, thou metest with thy beams our days,Sun, seeing all things that have

birth.8 Seven Bay Steeds harnessed to thy car bear thee, O thou farseeing One,God, Sūrya, with the radiant hair.9 Sūrya hath yoked the pure

bright Seven, the daughters of the car; with these,His own dear team, he goeth forth.10 Looking upon the loftier light above the darkness we

have comeTo Sūrya, God among the Gods, the light that is most excellent.11 Rising this day, O rich in friends, ascending to the loftier

heaven,Sūrya remove my heart's disease, take from me this my yellow hue.12 To parrots and to starlings let us give away my yellowness,Or

this my yellowness let us transfer to Haritāla trees.13 With all his conquering vigour this Āditya hath gone up on high,Giving my foe into mine

hand: let me not be my foeman's prey.

HYMN LI. Indra.1 MAKE glad with songs that Ram whom many men invoke, worthy of songs of praise, Indra, the sea of wealth;Whose gracious

deeds for men spread like the heavens abroad: sing praise to him the Sage, most liberal for our good.2 As aids the skilful Ṛbhus yearned to

Indra strong to save, who fills mid-air, encompassed round with might,Rushing in rapture; and o’er Śatakratu came the gladdening shout that

urged him on to victory.3 Thou hast disclosed the kine's stall for the Aṅgirases, and made a way for Atri by a hundred doors.On Vimada thou

hast bestowed both food and wealth, making thy bolt dance in the sacrificer's fight.4 Thou hast unclosed the prisons of the waters; thou hast

in the mountain seized the treasure rich in gifts.When thou hadst slain with might the dragon Vṛtra, thou, Indra, didst raise the Sun in heaven

for all to see.5 With wondrous might thou blewest enchanter fiends away, with powers celestial those who called on thee in jest.Thou, hero-

hearted, hast broken down Pipru's forts, and helped Ṛjiśvan when the Dasyus were struck dead.6 Thou savedst Kutsa when Śuṣṇa was smitten

down; to Atithigva gavest Śambara for a prey.E’en mighty Arbuda thou troddest under foot: thou from of old wast born to strike the Dasyus

dead.7 All power and might is closely gathered up in thee; thy bounteous spirit joys in drinking Soma juice.Known is the thunderbolt that lies

within thine arms: rend off therewith all manly prowess of our foe.8 Discern thou well Āryas and Dasyus; punishing the lawless give them up to

him whose grass is strewn.Be thou the sacrificer's strong encourager all these thy deeds are my delight at festivals.9 Indra gives up the lawless

to the pious man, destroying by the Strong Ones those who have no strength.Vamra when glorified destroyed the gathered piles of the still

waxing great one who would reach the heaven.10 The might which Uśanā hath formed for thee with might rends in its greatness and with

strength both worlds apart.O Hero-souled, the steeds of Vāta, yoked by thought, have carried thee to fame while thou art filled with power.11

When Indra hath rejoiced with Kāvya Uśanā, he mounts his steeds who swerve wider and wider yet.The Strong hath loosed his bolt with the

swift rush of rain, and he hath rent in pieces Śuṣṇa's firm-built forts.12 Thou mountest on thy car amid strong Soma draughts: Śāryāta brought

thee those in which thou hast delight.Indra, when thou art pleased with men whose Soma flows thou risest to unchallenged glory in the sky.13

To old Kakṣīvān, Soma-presser, skilled in song, O Indra, thou didst give the youthful Vṛcayā.Thou, very wise, wast Menā, Vrsanśva's child: those

deeds of thine must all be told at Soma feasts.14 The good man's refuge in his need is Indra, firm as a doorpost, praised among the Pajras.Indra

alone is Lord of wealth, the Giver, lover of riches, chariots, kine, and horses.15 To him the Mighty One, the self-resplendent, verily strong and

great, this praise is uttered.May we and all the heroes, with the princes, be, in this fray, O Indra, in thy keeping.

The Rig Veda Ralph T.H. Griffith, Translator [1896] Book 1 StreetWitnessing.org

HYMN LII. Indra.1 I GLORIFY that Ram who finds the light of heaven, whose hundred nobly-natured ones go forth with him.With

HYMNs may I turn hither Indra to mine aid,—the Car which like a strong steed hasteth to the call.2 Like as a mountain on firm basis,

unremoved, he, thousandfold protector, waxed in mighty strength,When Indra, joying in the draughts of Soma juice, forced the clouds, slaying

Vṛtra stayer of their flow.3 For he stays e’en the stayers, spread o’er laden cloud, rooted in light, strengthened in rapture by the wise.Indra

with thought, with skilled activity, I call, most liberal giver, for he sates him with the juice.4 Whom those that flow in heaven on sacred grass,

his own assistants, nobly-natured, fill full like the sea,—Beside that Indra when he smote down Vṛtra stood his helpers, straight in form,

mighty, invincible.5 To him, as in wild joy he fought with him who stayed the rain, his helpers sped like swift streams down a slope,When Indra,

thunder-armed, made bold by Soma draughts, as Tṛta cleaveth Vala's fences, cleft him through.6 Splendour encompassed thee, forth shone thy

warrior might: the rain-obstructer lay in mid-air's lowest deep,What time, O Indra, thou didst cast thy thunder down upon the jaws of Vṛitra

hard to be restrained.7 The

HYMNs which magnify thee, Indra, reach to thee even as water-brooks flow down and fill the lake.Tvaṣṭar gave yet more force to thine

appropriate strength, and forged thy thunderbolt of overpowering might.8 When, Indra, thou whose power is linked with thy Bay Steeds hadst

smitten Vṛtra, causing floods to flow for man,Thou heldst in thine arms the metal thunderbolt, and settest in the heaven the Sun for all to see.9

In fear they raised the lofty self-resplendent

HYMN, praise giving and effectual, leading up to heaven,When Indra's helpers fighting for the good of men, the Maruts, faithful to mankind,

joyed in the light.10 Then Heaven himself, the mighty, at that Dragon's roar reeled back in terror when, Indra, thy thunderboltIn the wild joy of

Soma had struck off with might the head of Vṛtra, tyrant of the earth and heaven.11 O Indra, were this earth extended forth tenfold, and men

who dwell therein multiplied day by day,Still here thy conquering might, Maghavan, would be famed: it hath waxed vast as heaven in majesty

and power.12 Thou, bold of heart, in thine own native might, for help, upon the limit of this mid-air and of heaven,Hast made the earth to be

the pattern of thy strength: embracing flood and light thou reachest to the sky.13 Thou art the counterpart of earth, the Master of lofty heaven

with all its mighty Heroes:Thou hast filled all the region with thy greatness: yea, of a truth there is none other like thee.14 Whose amplitude

the heaven and earth have not attained, whose bounds the waters of mid-air have never reached,—Not, when in joy he fights the stayer of the

rain: thou, and none else, hast made all things in order due.15 The Maruts sang thy praise in this encounter, and in thee all the Deities

delighted,What time thou, Indra, with thy spiky weapon, thy deadly bolt, smotest the face of Vṛtra.

HYMN LIII. Indra.1 WE will present fair praise unto the Mighty One, our

HYMNs to Indra in Vivasvān's dwelling-place;For he hath ne’er found wealth in those who seem to sleep: those who give wealth to men accept

no paltry praise.2 Giver of horses, Indra, giver, thou, of kine, giver of barley, thou art Lord and guard of wealth:Man's helper from of old, not

disappointing hope, Friend of our friends, to thee as such we sing this praise.3 Indra, most splendid, powerful, rich in mighty deeds, this

treasure spread around is known to be thine own.Gather therefrom, O Conqueror, and bring to us: fail not the hope of him who loves and sings

to thee.4 Well pleased with these bright flames and with these Soma drops, take thou away our poverty with seeds and kine.With Indra

scattering the Dasyu through these drops, freed from their hate may we obtain abundant food.5 Let us obtain, O Indra, plenteous wealth and

food, with strength exceeding glorious, shining to the sky:May we obtain the Goddess Providence, the strength of heroes, special source of

cattle, rich in steeds.6 These our libations strength-inspiring, Soma draughts, gladdened thee in the fight with Vṛtra, Hero Lord,What time thou

slewest for the singer with trimmed grass ten thousand Vṛtras, thou resistless in thy might.7 Thou goest on from fight to fight intrepidly,

destroying castle after castle here with strength.Thou, Indra, with thy friend who makes the foe bow down, slewest from far away the guileful

Namuci.8 Thou hast struck down in death Karañja, Parṇaya, in Atithigva's very glorious going forth.Unyielding, when Ṛjiśvan compassed them

with siege, thou hast destroyed the hundred forts of Vaṅgṛida.9 With all-outstripping chariot-wheel, O Indra, thou far-famed, hast overthrown

the twice ten Kings of men,With sixty thousand nine-and-ninety followers, who came in arms to fight with friendless Suśravas.10 Thou hast

protected Suśravas with succour, and Tūrvayāṇa with thine aid, O Indra.Thou madest Kutsa, Atithigva, Āyu, subject unto this King, the young,

the mighty.11 May we protected by the Gods hereafter remain thy very prosperous friends, O Indra.Thee we extol, enjoying through thy

favour life long and joyful and with store of heroes.

HYMN LIV. Indra.1 URGE us not, Maghavan, to this distressful fight, for none may comprehend the limit of thy strength.Thou with fierce shout

hast made the woods and rivers roar: did not men run in crowds together in their fear?2 Sing

HYMNs of praise to Śakra, Lord of power and might; laud thou and magnify Indra who heareth thee,Who with his daring might, a Bull

exceeding strong in strength, maketh him master of the heaven and earth.3 Sing forth to lofty Dyaus a strength-bestowing song, the Bold,

whose resolute mind hath independent sway.High glory hath the Asura, compact of strength, drawn on by two Bay Steeds: a Bull, a Car is he.4

The ridges of the lofty heaven thou madest shake; thou, daring, of thyself smotest through Śambara,When bold with gladdening juice, thou

warredst with thy bolt, sharp and two-edged, against the banded sorcerers.5 When with a roar that fills the woods, thou forcest down on

wind's head the stores which Śuṣṇa kept confined,Who shall have power to stay thee firm and eager-souled from doing still this day what thou

of old hast done?6 Thou helpest Narya, Turvaśa, and Yadu, and Vayya's son Turvīti, Śatakratu!Thou helpest horse and car in final battle thou

breakest down the nine-and-ninety castles.7 A hero-lord is he, King of a mighty folk, who offers free oblations and promotes the Law,Who with

a bounteous guerdon welcomes

HYMNs of praise: for him flows down the abundant stream below the sky.8 His power is matchless, matchless is his wisdom; chief, through

their work, be some who drink the Soma,Those, Indra, who increase the lordly power, the firm heroic strength of thee the Giver.9 Therefore

for thee are these abundant beakers Indra's drink, stone-pressed juices held in ladles.Quaff them and satisfy therewith thy longing; then fix thy

mind upon bestowing treasure.10 There darkness stood, the vault that stayed the waters’ flow: in Vṛtra's hollow side the rain-cloud lay

concealed.But Indra smote the rivers which the obstructer stayed, flood following after flood, down steep declivities.11 So give us, Indra, bliss-

The Rig Veda Ralph T.H. Griffith, Translator [1896] Book 1 StreetWitnessing.org

increasing glory give us great sway and strength that conquers people.Preserve our wealthy patrons, save our princes; vouchsafe us wealth and

food with noble offspring.

HYMN LV. Indra.1 THOUGH e’en this heaven's wide space and earth have spread them out, nor heaven nor earth may be in greatness Indra's

match.Awful and very mighty, causing woe to men, he whets his thunderbolt for sharpness, as a bull.2 Like as the watery ocean, so doth he

receive the rivers spread on all sides in their ample width.He bears him like a bull to drink of Soma juice, and will, as Warrior from of old, be

praised for might.3 Thou swayest, Indra, all kinds of great manly power, so as to bend, as’t were, even that famed mountain down.Foremost

among the Gods is he through hero might, set in the van, the Strong One, for each arduous deed.4 He only in the wood is praised by

worshippers, when he shows forth to men his own fair Indra-power.A friendly Bull is he, a Bull to be desired when Maghavan auspiciously

sends forth his voice.5 Yet verily the Warrior in his vigorous strength stirreth up with his might great battles for mankind;And men have faith in

Indra, the resplendent One, what time he hurleth down his bolt, his dart of death.6 Though, fain for glory, and with strength increased on

earth, he with great might destroys the dwellings made with art,He makes the lights of heaven shine forth secure, he bids, exceeding wise, the

floods flow for his worshipper.7 Drinker of Soma, let thy heart incline to give; bring thy Bays hitherward, O thou who hearest praise.Those

charioteers of thine, best skilled to draw the rein, the rapid sunbeams, Indra, lead thee not astray.8 Thou bearest in both hands treasure that

never fails; the famed One in his body holds unvanquished might.O Indra, in thy members many powers abide, like wells surrounded by the

ministering priests.

HYMN LVI. Indra.1 FOR this man's full libations held in ladles, he hath roused him, eager, as a horse to meet the mare.He stays his golden car,

yoked with Bay Horses, swift, and drinks the Soma juice which strengthens for great deeds.2 To him the guidance-following songs of praise

flow full, as those who seek gain go in company to the flood.To him the Lord of power, the holy synod's might, as to a hill, with speed, ascend

the loving ones.3 Victorious, great is he; in manly battle shines, unstained with dust, his might, as shines a mountain peak;Wherewith the iron

one, fierce e’en against the strong, in rapture, fettered wily Śushṇa fast in bonds.4 When Strength the Goddess, made more strong for help by

thee, waits upon Indra as the Sun attends the Dawn,Then. he who with his might unflinching kills the gloom stirs up the dust aloft, with joy and

triumphing.5 When thou with might, upon the framework of the heaven, didst fix, across, air's region firmly, unremoved,In the light-winning

war, Indra, in rapturous joy, thou smotest Vṛtra dead and broughtest floods of rain.6 Thou with thy might didst grasp, the holder-up of heaven,

thou who art mighty also in the seats of earth.Thou, gladdened by the juice, hast set the waters free, and broken Vṛtra's stony fences through

and through.

HYMN LVII. Indra.1 To him most liberal, lofty Lord of lofty wealth, verily powerful and strong, I bring my

HYMN,—Whose checkless bounty, as of waters down a slope, is spread abroad for all that live, to give them strength.2 Now all this world, for

worship, shall come after thee—the offerer's libations like floods to the depth,When the well-loved one seems to rest upon the hill, the

thunderbolt of Indra, shatterer wrought of gold.3 To him the terrible, most meet for lofty praise, like bright Dawn, now bring gifts with

reverence in this rite,Whose being, for renown, yea, Indra-power and light, have been created, like bay steeds, to move with speed.4 Thine,

Indra, praised by many, excellently rich! are we who trusting in thy help draw near to thee.Lover of praise, none else but thou receives our

laud: as earth loves all her creatures, love thou this our

HYMN.5 Great is thy power, O Indra, we are thine. Fulfil, O Maghavan, the wish of this thy worshipper.After thee lofty heaven hath measured

out its strength: to thee and to thy power this earth hath bowed itself.6 Thou, who hast thunder for thy weapon, with thy bolt hast shattered

into pieces this broad massive cloud.Thou hast sent down the obstructed floods that they may flow: thou hast, thine own for ever, all

victorious might.

HYMN LVIII. Agni.1 NE’ER waxeth faint the Immortal, Son of Strength, since he, the Herald, hath become Vivasvān's messenger.On paths most

excellent he measured out mid-air: he with oblation calls to service of the Gods.2 Never decaying, seizing his appropriate food, rapidly, eagerly

through the dry wood he spreads.His back, as he is sprinkled, glistens like a horse: loud hath he roared and shouted like the heights of

heaven?3 Set high in place o’er all that Vasus, Rudras do, immortal, Lord of riches, seated as High Priest;Hastening like a car to men, to those

who live, the God without delay gives boons to be desired.4 Urged by the wind be spreads through dry wood as he lists, armed with his

tongues for sickles, with a mighty roar.Black is thy path, Agni, changeless, with glittering waves! when like a bull thou rushest eager to the

trees.5 With teeth of flame, wind-driven, through the wood he speeds, triumphant like a bull among the herd of cows,With bright strength

roaming to the everlasting air: things fixed, things moving quake before him as he flies.6 The Bhṛgus established thee among mankind for men,

like as a treasure, beauteous, easy to invoke;Thee, Agni, as a herald and choice-worthy guest, as an auspicious Friend to the Celestial Race.7

Agni, the seven tongues' deftest Sacrificer, him whom the priests elect at solemn worship,The Herald, messenger of all the Vasus, I serve with

dainty food, I ask for riches.8 Grant, Son of Strength, thou rich in friends, a refuge without a flaw this day to us thy praisers.O Agni, Son of

Strength, with forts of iron preserve thou from distress the man who lauds thee.9 Be thou a refuge, Bright One, to the singer, a shelter,

Bounteous Lord, to those who worship.Preserve the singer from distress, O Agni. May he, enriched with prayer, come soon and early.

HYMN LX. Agni.1 As ’twere Some goodly treasure Mātariśvan brought, as a gift, the glorious Priest to Bhṛgu,Banner of sacrifice, the good

Protector, child of two births, the swiftly moving envoy.2 Both Gods and men obey this Ruler's order, Gods who are worshipped, men who

yearn and worship.As Priest he takes his seat ere break of morning, House-Lord, adorable with men, Ordainer.3 May our fair praise, heart-

born, most recent, reach him whose tongue, e’en at his birth, is sweet as honey;Whom mortal priests, men, with their strong endeavour,

supplied with dainty viands, have created.4 Good to mankind, the yearning Purifier hath among men been placed as Priest choice-worthy.May

Agni be our Friend, Lord of the Household, protector of the riches in the dwelling.5 As such we Gotamas with

The Rig Veda Ralph T.H. Griffith, Translator [1896] Book 1 StreetWitnessing.org

HYMNs extol thee, O Agni, as the guardian Lord of riches,Decking thee like a horse, the swift prizewinner. May he, enriched with prayer, come

soon and early.

HYMN LXI. Indra.1 EVEN to him, swift, strong and high. exalted, I bring my song of praise as dainty viands,My thought to him resistless, praise-

deserving, prayers offered most especially to Indra.2 Praise, like oblation, I present, and utter aloud my song, my fair

HYMN to the Victor.For Indra, who is Lord of old, the singers have decked their lauds with heart and mind and spirit.3 To him then with my lips

mine adoration, winning heaven's light, most excellent, I offer,To magnify with songs of invocation and with fair

HYMNs the Lord, most bounteous Giver.4 Even for him I frame a laud, as fashions the wright a chariot for the man who needs it,—Praises to

him who gladly hears our praises, a

HYMN well-formed, all-moving, to wise Indra.5 So with my tongue I deck, to please that Indra, my

HYMN, as ’twere a horse, through love of glory,To reverence the Hero, bounteous Giver, famed far and wide, destroyer of the castles.6 Even

for him hath Tvaṣṭar forged the thunder, most deftly wrought, celestial, for the battle,Wherewith he reached the vital parts of Vṛtra, striking-

the vast, the mighty with the striker.7 As soon as, at libations of his mother, great Viṣṇu had drunk up the draught, he plundered.The dainty

cates, the cooked mess; but One stronger transfixed the wild boar, shooting through the mountain.8 To him, to Indra, when he slew the

Dragon, the Dames, too, Consorts of the Gods, wove praises.The mighty heaven and earth hath he encompassed: thy greatness heaven and

earth, combined, exceed not.9 Yea, of a truth, his magnitude surpasseth the magnitude of earth, mid-air, and heaven.Indra, approved by all

men, self-resplendent, waxed in his home, loud-voiced and strong for battle.10 Through his own strength Indra with bolt of thunder cut piece-

meal Vṛtra, drier up of waters.He let the floods go free, like cows imprisoned, for glory, with a heart inclined to bounty.11 The rivers played,

through his impetuous splendour, since with his bolt he compassed them on all sides.Using his might and favouring him who worshipped, he

made a ford, victorious, for Turvīti.12 Vast, with thine ample power, with eager movement, against this Vṛtra cast thy bolt of thunder.Rend

thou his joints, as of an ox, dissevered, with bolt oblique, that floods of rain may follow.13 Sing with new lauds his exploits wrought aforetime,

the deeds of him, yea, him who moveth swiftly,When, hurling forth his weapons in the battle, he with impetuous wrath lays low the foemen.14

When he, yea, he, comes forth the firm. Set mountains and the whole heaven and earth, tremble for terror.May Nodhas, ever praising the

protection of that dear Friend, gain quickly strength heroic.15 Now unto him of these things hath been given what he who rules alone o’er

much, electeth.Indra hath helped Etaśa, Soma-presser, contending in the race of steeds with Sūrya.16 Thus to thee, Indra, yoker of Bay

Coursers, the Gotamas have brought their prayers to please thee.Bestow upon them thought, decked with all beauty. May he, enriched with

prayer, come soon and early.

HYMN LXII. Indra.1. LIKE Aṅgiras a gladdening laud we ponder to him who loveth song, exceeding mighty.Let us sing glory to the far-famed

Hero who must be praised with fair

HYMNs by the singer.2 Unto the great bring ye great adoration, a chant with praise to him exceeding mighty,Through whom our sires,

Aṅgirases, singing praises and knowing well the places, found the cattle.3 When Indra and the Aṅgirases desired it, Saramā found provision for

her offspring.Bṛhaspati cleft the mountain, found the cattle: the heroes shouted with the kine in triumph.4 Mid shout, loud shout, and roar,

with the Navagvas, seven singers, hast thou, heavenly, rent the mountain;Thou hast, with speeders, with Daśagvas, Indra, Śakra, with thunder

rent obstructive Vala.5 Praised by Aṅgirases, thou, foe-destroyer, hast, with the Dawn, Sun, rays, dispelled the darkness.Thou Indra, hast

spread out the earth's high ridges, and firmly fixed the region under heaven.6 This is the deed most worthy of all honour, the fairest marvel of

the Wonder-Worker,That, nigh where heaven bends down, he made four rivers flow full with waves that carry down sweet water.7 Unwearied,

won with lauding

HYMNs, he parted of old the ancient Pair, united ever.In highest sky like Bhaga, he the doer of marvels set both Dames and earth and

heaven.8 Still born afresh, young Dames, each in her manner, unlike in hue, the Pair in alternationRound heaven and earth from ancient time

have travelled, Night with her dark limbs, Dawn with limbs of splendour.9 Rich in good actions, skilled in operation, the Son with might

maintains his perfect friendship.Thou in the raw cows, black of hue or ruddy, storest the ripe milk glossy white in colour.10 Their paths, of old

connected, rest uninjured; they with great might preserve the immortal statutes.For many thousand holy works the Sisters wait on the haughty

Lord like wives and matrons.11 Thoughts ancient, seeking wealth, with adoration, with newest lauds have sped to thee, O Mighty.As yearning

wives cleave to their yearning husband, so cleave our

HYMNs to thee, O Lord most potent.12 Strong God, the riches which thy hands have holden from days of old have perished not nor

wasted.Splendid art thou, O Indra, wise, unbending: strengthen us with might, O Lord of Power.13 O mighty Indra, Gotama's son Nodhas hath

fashioned this new prayer to thee Eternal,Sure leader, yoker of the Tawny Coursers. May he, enriched with prayer, come soon and early.

HYMN LXIII. Indra.1. THOU art the Mighty One; when born, O Indra, with power thou terrifiedst earth and heaven;When, in their fear of thee,

all firm-set mountains and monstrous creatures shook like dust before thee.2 When thy two wandering Bays thou drawest hither, thy praiser

laid within thine arms the thunder,Wherewith, O Much-invoked, in will resistless, thou smitest foemen down and many a castle.3 Faithful art

thou, these thou defiest, Indra; thou art the Ṛbhus' Lord, heroic, victor.Thou, by his side, for young and glorious Kutsa, with steed and car in

battle slewest Śuṣṇa,4 That, as a friend, thou furtheredst, O Indra, when, Thunderer, strong in act, thou crushedst Vṛtra;When, Hero, thou,

great-souled, with easy conquest didst rend the Dasyus in theirdistant dwelling.5 This doest thou, and art not harmed, O Indra, e’en in the

anger of the strongest mortal.Lay thou the race-course open for our horses: as with a club, slay, Thunder-armed! our foemen.6 Hence men

invoke thee, Indra, in the tumult of battle, in the light-bestowing conflict.This aid of thine, O Godlike One, was ever to be implored in deeds of

might in combat.7 Warring for Purukutsa thou, O Indra, Thunder-armed! breakest down the seven castles;Easily, for Sudās, like grass didst

rend them, and out of need, King, broughtest gain to Pūru.8 O Indra, God who movest round about us, feed us with varied food plenteous as

The Rig Veda Ralph T.H. Griffith, Translator [1896] Book 1 StreetWitnessing.org

water—Food wherewithal, O Hero, thou bestowest vigour itself to flow to us for ever.9 Prayers have been made by Gotamas, O Indra,

addressed to thee, with laud for thy Bay Horses.Bring us in noble shape abundant riches. May he, enriched with prayer, come soon and early.

HYMN LXIV. Maruts.1. BRING for the manly host, wise and majestical, O Nodhas, for the Maruts bring thou a pure gift.I deck my songs as one

deft-handed, wise in mind prepares the water that hath power in solemn rites.2 They spring to birth, the lofty Ones, the Bulls of Heaven,

divine, the youths of Rudra, free from spot and stain;The purifiers, shining brightly even as suns, awful of form like giants, scattering rain-drops

down.3 Young Rudras, demon-slayers, never growing old, they have waxed, even as mountains, irresistible.They make all beings tremble with

their mighty strength, even the very strongest, both of earth and heaven.4 With glittering ornaments they deck them forth for show; for

beauty on their breasts they bind their chains of gold.The lances on their shoulders pound to pieces; they were born together, of themselves,

the Men of Heaven.5 Loud roarers, giving strength, devourers of the foe, they make the winds, they make the lightnings with their powers.The

restless shakers drain the udders of the sky, and ever wandering round fill the earth full with milk.6 The bounteous Maruts with the fatness

dropping milk fill full the waters which avail in solemn rites.They lead, as ’twere, the Strong Horse forth, that it may rain: they milk the

thundering, the never-failing spring.7 Mighty, with wondrous power and marvellously bright, selfstrong like mountains, ye glide swiftly on your

way.Like the wild elephants ye eat the forests up when ye assume your strength among the bright red flames.8 Exceeding wise they roar like

lions mightily, they, all-possessing, are beauteous as antelopes;Stirring the darkness with lances and spotted deer, combined as priests, with

serpents' fury through their might.9 Heroes who march in companies, befriending man, with serpents' ire through strength, ye greet the earth

and heaven.Upon the seats, O Maruts, of your chariots, upon the cars stands lightning visible as light.10 Lords of all riches, dwelling in the

home of wealth, endowed with mighty vigour, singers loud of voice,Heroes, of powers infinite, armed with strong men's rings, the archers,

they have laid the arrow on their arms.11 They who with golden fellies make the rain increase drive forward the big clouds like wanderers on

the way.Self-moving, brisk, unwearied, they o’erthrow the firm; the Maruts with bright lances make all things to reel.12 The progeny of Rudra

we invoke with prayer, the brisk, the bright, the worshipful, the active OnesTo the strong band of Maruts cleave for happiness, the chasers of

the sky, impetuous, vigorous.13 Maruts, the man whom ye have guarded with your help, he verily in strength surpasseth all mankind.Spoil with

his steeds he gaineth, treasure with his men; he winneth honourable strength and prospereth.14 O Maruts, to the worshippers give glorious

strength invincible in battle, brilliant, bringing wealth,Praiseworthy, known to all men. May we foster well, during a hundred winters, son and

progeny.15 Will ye then, O ye Maruts, grant us riches, durable, rich in men, defying onslaught.A hundred, thousandfold, ever increasing? May

he, enriched with prayer, come soon and early.

HYMN LXV. Agni.1. ONE-MINDED, wise, they tracked thee like a thief lurking in dark cave with a stolen cow:Thee claiming worship, bearing it

to Gods: there nigh to thee sate all the Holy Ones.2 The Gods approached the ways of holy Law; there was a gathering vast as heaven itself.The

waters feed with praise the growing Babe, born nobly in the womb, the seat of Law.3 Like grateful food, like some wide dwelling place, like a

fruit-bearing hill, a wholesome stream.Like a steed urged to run in swift career, rushing like Sindhu, who may check his course?4 Kin as a

brother to his sister floods, he eats the woods as a King eats the rich.When through the forest, urged by wind, he spreads, verily Agni shears

the hair of earth.5 Like a swan sitting in the floods he pants wisest in mind mid men he wakes at morn.A Sage like Soma, sprung from Law, he

grew like some young creature, mighty, shining far.

HYMN LXVI. Agni.1. LIKE the Sun's glance, like wealth of varied sort, like breath which is the life, like one's own son,Like a swift bird, a cow who

yields her milk, pure and refulgent to the wood he speeds.2 He offers safety like a pleasant home, like ripened corn, the Conqueror of men.Like

a Seer lauding, famed among the folk; like a steed friendly he vouchsafes us power.3 With flame insatiate, like eternal might; caring for each

one like a dame at home;Bright when he shines forth, whitish mid the folk, like a car, gold-decked, thundering to the fight.4 He strikes with

terror like a dart shot forth, e’en like an archer's arrow tipped with flame;Master of present and of future life, the maidens’ lover and the

matrons’ Lord.5 To him lead all your ways: may we attain the kindled God as cows their home at eve.He drives the flames below as floods their

swell: the rays rise up to the fair place of heaven.

HYMN LXVII. Agni.1. VICTORIOUS in the wood, Friend among men, ever he claims obedience as a King.Gracious like peace, blessing like mental

power, Priest was he, offering-bearer, full of thought.2 He, bearing in his hand all manly might, crouched in the cavern, struck the Gods with

fear.Men filled with understanding find him there, when they have sting prayers formed within their heart.3 He, like the Unborn, holds the

broad earth up; and with effective utterance fixed the sky.O Agni, guard the spots which cattle love: thou, life of all, hast gone from lair to lair.4

Whoso hath known him dwelling in his lair, and hath approached the stream of holy Law,—They who release him, paying sacred rites,—truly to

such doth he announce great wealth.5 He who grows mightily in herbs, within each fruitful mother and each babe she bears,Wise, life of all

men, in the waters’ home,—for him have sages built as ’twere a seat.

HYMN LXVIII. Agni.1. COMMINGLING, restless, he ascends the sky, unveiling nights and all that stands or moves,As he the sole God is

preeminent in greatness among all these other Gods.2 All men are joyful in thy power, O God, that living from the dry wood thou art born.All

truly share thy Godhead while they keep, in their accustomed ways, eternal Law.3 Strong is the thought of Law, the Law's behest; all works

have they performed; he quickens all.Whoso will bring oblation, gifts to thee, to him, bethinking thee, vouchsafe thou wealth.4 Seated as

Priest with Manu's progeny, of all these treasures he alone is Lord.Men yearn for children to prolong their line, and are not disappointed in

their hope.5 Eagerly they who hear his word fulfil his wish as sons obey their sire's behest.He, rich in food, unbars his wealth like doors: he, the

House-Friend, hath decked heaven's vault with stars.

The Rig Veda Ralph T.H. Griffith, Translator [1896] Book 1 StreetWitnessing.org

HYMN LXIX. Agni.1. BRIGHT, splendid, like Dawn's lover, he hath filled the two joined worlds as with the light of heaven.When born, with

might thou hast encompassed them: Father of Gods, and yet their Son wast thou.2 Agni, the Sage, the humble, who discerns like the cow's

udder, the sweet taste of food,Like a bliss-giver to be drawn to men, sits gracious in the middle of the house.3 Born in the dwelling like a lovely

son, pleased, like a strong steed, he bears on the folk.What time the men and I, with heroes, call, may Agni then gain all through Godlike

power.4 None breaks these holy laws of thine when thou hast granted audience to these chieftains here.This is thy boast, thou smotest with

thy peers, and joined with heroes dravest off disgrace.5 Like the Dawn's lover, spreading light, well-known as hued like morn, may he

remember me.They, bearing of themselves, unbar the doors: they all ascend to the fair place of heaven.

HYMN LXX. Agni.1. MAY we, the pious, win much food by prayer, may Agni with fair light pervade each act,—He the observer of the heavenly

laws of Gods, and of the race of mortal man.2 He who is germ of waters, germ of woods, germ of all things that move not and that move,—To

him even in the rock and in the house: Immortal One, he cares for all mankind.3 Agni is Lord of riches for the man who serves him readily with

sacred songs.Protect these beings thou with careful thought, knowing the races both of Gods and men.4 Whom many dawns and nights,

unlike, make strong, whom, born in Law, all things that move and stand,—He hath been won, Herald who sits in light, making effectual all our

holy works.5 Thou settest value on our cows and woods: all shall bring tribute to us to the light.Men have served thee in many and sundry

spots, parting, as ’twere, an aged father's wealth.6 Like a brave archer, like one skilled and bold, a fierce avenger, so he shines in fight.

HYMN LXXI. Agni.1. LOVING the loving One, as wives their husband, the sisters of one home have urged him forward,Bright-coloured, even, as

the cows love morning, dark, breaking forth to view, and redly beaming.2 Our sires with lauds burst e’en the firm-set fortress, yea, the

Aṅgirases, with roar, the mountain.They made for us a way to reach high heaven, they found us day, light, day's sign, beams of morning.3 They

stablished order, made his service fruitful; then parting them among the longing faithful,Not thirsting after aught, they come, most active,

while with sweet food the race of Gods they strengthen.4 Since Mātariśvan, far-diffused, hath stirred him, and he in every house grown bright

and noble,He, Bhṛgu-like I hath gone as his companion, as on commission to a greater Sovran.5 When man poured juice to Heaven, the mighty

Father, he knew and freed himself from close embracement.The archer boldly shot at him his arrow, and the God threw his splendour on his

Daughter.6 Whoso, hath flames for thee within his dwelling, or brings the worship which thou lovest daily,Do thou of double might increase his

substance: may he whom thou incitest meet with riches.7 All sacrificial viands wait on Agni as the Seven mighty Rivers seek the ocean.Not by

our brethren was our food discovered: find with the Gods care for us, thou who knowest.8 When light hath filled the Lord of men for increase,

straight from the heaven descends the limpid moisture.Agni hath brought to light and filled with spirit the youthful host blameless and well

providing.9 He who like thought goes swiftly on his journey, the Sun, alone is ever Lord of riches.The Kings with fair hands, Varuṇa and Mitra,

protect the precious nectar in our cattle.10 O Agni, break not our ancestral friendship, Sage as thou art, endowed with deepest knowledge.Old

age, like gathering cloud, impairs the body: before that evil be come nigh protect me.

HYMN LXXII. Agni.1. THOUGH holding many gifts for men, he humbleth the higher powers of each wise ordainer.Agni is now the treasure-lord

of treasures, for ever granting all immortal bounties.2 The Gods infallible all searching found not him, the dear Babe who still is round about

us.Worn weary, following his track, devoted, they reached the lovely highest home of Agni.3 Because with holy oil the pure Ones, Agni, served

thee the very pure three autumn seasons,Therefore they won them holy names for worship, and nobly born they dignified their bodies.4

Making them known to spacious earth and heaven, the holy Ones revealed the powers of Rudra.The mortal band, discerning in the distance,

found Agni standing in the loftiest station.5 Nigh they approached, one-minded, with their spouses, kneeling to him adorable paid

worship.Friend finding in his own friend's eye protection, they made their own the bodies which they chastened.6 Soon as the holy beings had

discovered the thrice-seven mystic things contained within thee,With these, one-minded, they preserve the Amṛta: guard thou the life of all

their plants and cattle.7 Thou, Agni, knower of men's works, hast sent us good food in constant course for our subsistence:Thou deeply skilled

in paths of Gods becamest an envoy never wearied, offering-bearer.8 Knowing the Law, the seven strong floods from heaven, full of good

thought, discerned the doors of riches.Saramā found the cattle's firm-built prison whereby the race of man is still supported.9 They who

approached all noble operations making a path that leads to life immortal,To be the Bird's support, the spacious mother, Aditi, and her great

Sons stood in power.10 When Gods immortal made both eyes of heaven, they gave to him the gift of beauteous glory.Now they flow forth like

rivers set in motion: they knew the Red Steeds coming down, O Agni.

HYMN LXXIII. Agni.1. HE who gives food, like patrimonial riches and guides aright like some wise man's instruction,Loved like a guest who lies

in pleasant lodging,—may he, as Priest, prosper his servant's dwelling.2 He who like Savitar the God, true-minded protecteth with his power.

all acts of vigour,Truthful, like splendour, glorified by many, like breath joy-giving,—all must strive to win him.3 He who on earth dwells like a

king surrounded by faithful friends, like a God all-sustaining,Like heroes who preside, who sit in safety: like as a blameless dame dear to her

husband.4 Thee, such, in settlements secure, O Agni, our men serve ever kindled in each dwelling.On him have they laid splendour in

abundance: dear to all men, bearer be he of riches.5 May thy rich worshippers win food, O Agni, and princes gain long life who bring

oblation.May we get booty from our foe in battle, presenting to the Gods their share for glory.6 The cows of holy law, sent us by Heaven, have

swelled with laden udders, loudly lowing;Soliciting his favour, from a distance the rivers to the rock have flowed together.7 Agni, with thee,

soliciting thy favour, the holy Ones have gained glory in heaven.They made the Night and Dawn of different colours, and set the black and

purple hues together.8 May we and those who worship be the mortals whom thou, O Agni, leadest on to riches.Thou hast filled earth and

heaven and air's mid-region, and followest the whole world like a shadow.9 Aided by thee, O Agni, may we conquer steeds with steeds, men

with men, heroes with heroes,Lords of the wealth transmitted by our fathers: and may our princes live a hundred winters.10 May these our

HYMNs of praise, Agni, Ordainer, be pleasant to thee in thy heart and spirit.May we have power to hold thy steeds of riches, laying on thee the

God-sent gift of glory.

The Rig Veda Ralph T.H. Griffith, Translator [1896] Book 1 StreetWitnessing.org

HYMN LXXIV. Agni.1. As forth to sacrifice we go, a

HYMN to a

HYMN let us say,Who hears us even when afar;2 Who, from of old, in carnage, when the people gathered, hath preservedHis household for

the worshipper.3 And let men say, Agni is born, e’en he who slayeth Vṛtra, heWho winneth wealth in every fight.4 Him in whose house an

envoy thou lovest to taste his offered gifts,And strengthenest his sacrifice,5 Him, Aṅgiras, thou Son of Strength, all men call happy in his

God,His offerings, and his sacred grass.6 Hitherward shalt thou bring these Gods to our laudation and to taste.These offered gifts, fair-shining

One.7 When, Agni, on thine embassage thou goest not a sound is heard of steed or straining of thy car.8 Aided by thee uninjured, strong, one

after other, goes he forth:Agni, the offerer forward steps.9 And splendid strength, heroic, high, Agni, thou grantest from the Gods,Thou God, to

him who offers gifts.

HYMN LXXV. Agni.1. ACCEPT our loudest-sounding

HYMN, food most delightful to the Gods,Pouring our offerings in thy mouth.2 Now, Agni, will we say to thee, O wisest and best Aṅgiras,Our

precious, much-availing prayer.3 Who, Agni, is thy kin, of men? who is thy worthy worshipper?On whom dependent? who art thou?4 The

kinsman, Agni, of mankind, their well beloved Friend art thou,A Friend whom friends may supplicate.5 Bring to us Mitra, Varuṇa, bring the

Gods to mighty sacrifice.Bring them, O Agni, to thine home.

HYMN LXXVI. Agni.1. How may the mind draw nigh to please thee, Agni? What

HYMN of praise shall bring us greatest blessing?Or who hath gained thy power by sacrifices? or with what mind shall we bring thee

oblations?2 Come hither, Agni; sit thee down as Hotar; be thou who never wast deceived our leader.May Heaven and Earth, the all-pervading,

love thee: worship the Gods to win for us their favour.3 Burn thou up all the Rākṣasas, O Agni; ward thou off curses from our sacrifices.Bring

hither with his Bays the Lord of Soma: here is glad welcome for the Bounteous Giver.4 Thou Priest with lip and voice that bring us children hast

been invoked. Here with the Gods be seated.Thine is the task of Cleanser and Presenter: waken us, Wealth-bestower and Producer.5 As with

oblations of the priestly Manus thou worshippedst the Gods, a Sage with sages,So now, O truthfullest Invoker Agni, worship this day with joy-

bestowing ladle.

HYMN LXXVII. Agni.1. How shall we pay oblation unto Agni? What

HYMN, Godloved, is said to him refulgent?Who, deathless, true to Law, mid men a herald, bringeth the Gods as best of sacrificers?2 Bring him

with reverence hither, most propitious in sacrifices, true to Law, the herald;For Agni, when he seeks the Gods for mortals, knows them full well

and worships them in spirit.3 For he is mental power, a man, and perfect; he is the bringer, friend-like, of the wondrous.The pious Āryan tribes

at sacrifices address them first to him who doeth marvels.4 May Agni, foe-destroyer, manliest Hero, accept with love our

HYMNs and our devotion.So may the liberal lords whose strength is strongest, urged by their riches, stir our thoughts with vigour.5 Thus Agni

Jātavedas, true to Order, hath by the priestly Gotamas been lauded.May he augment in them splendour and vigour: observant, as he lists, he

gathers increase.

HYMN LXXVIII. Agni.1. O JĀTAVEDAS, keen and swift, we Gotamas with sacred song exalt thee for thy glories' sake.2 Thee, as thou art, desiring

wealth Gotama worships with his song:We laud thee for thy glories' sake.3 As such, like Aṅgiras we call on thee best winner of the spoil:We

laud thee for thy glories' sake.4 Thee, best of Vṛtra-slayers, thee who shakest off our Dasyu foes:We laud thee for thy glories' sake.5 A pleasant

song to Agni we, sons of Rahūgaṅa, have sung:We laud thee for thy glories' sake.

HYMN LXXIX. Agni.1. HE in mid-air's expanse hath golden tresses; a raging serpent, like the rushing tempest:Purely refulgent, knowing well the

morning; like honourable dames, true, active workers.2 Thy well-winged flashes strengthen in their manner, when the black Bull hath bellowed

round about us.With drops that bless and seem to smile he cometh: the waters fall, the clouds utter their thunder.3 When he comes streaming

with the milk of worship, conducting by directest paths of OrderAryaman, Mitra, Varuṇa, Parijman fill the hide full where lies the nether press-

stone.4 O Agni, thou who art the lord of wealth in kine, thou Son of Strength,Vouchsafe to us, O Jātavedas, high renown.5 He, Agni, kindled,

good and wise, must be exalted in our song:Shine, thou of many forms, shine radiantly on us.6 O Agni, shining of thyself by night and when the

morning breaks,Burn, thou whose teeth are sharp, against the Rākṣasas.7 Adorable in all our rites, favour us, Agni, with thine aid,When the

great

HYMN is chanted forth.8 Bring to us ever-conquering wealth, wealth, Agni, worthy of our choice,In all our frays invincible.9 Give us, O Agni,

through thy grace wealth that supporteth all our life,Thy favour so that we may live.10 O Gotama, desiring bliss present thy songs composed

with careTo Agni of the pointed flames.11 May the man fall, O Agni, who near or afar assaileth us:Do thou increase and prosper us.12 Keen and

swift Agni, thousand-eyed, chaseth the Rākṣasas afar:He singeth, herald meet for lauds.

HYMN LXXX. Indra.1. THUS in the Soma, in wild joy the Brahman hath exalted thee:Thou, mightiest thunder-armed, hast driven by force the

Dragon from the earth, lauding thine own imperial sway.2 The mighty flowing Soma-draught, brought by the Hawk, hath gladdened thee,That

in thy strength, O Thunderer, thou hast struck down Vṛtra from the floods, lauding thine own imperial sway.3 Go forward, meet the foe, be

bold; thy bolt of thunder is not checked.Manliness, Indra, is thy might: stay Vṛtra, make the waters thine, lauding thine own imperial sway.4

Thou smotest Vṛtra from the earth, smotest him, Indra, from the sky.Let these life-fostering waters flow attended by the Marut host, lauding

thine own imperial sway.5 The wrathful Indra with his bolt of thunder rushing on the foe,Smote fierce on trembling Vṛtra's back, and loosed

the waters free to run, lauding his own imperial sway.6 With hundred-jointed thunderbolt Indra hath struck him on the back,And, while

The Rig Veda Ralph T.H. Griffith, Translator [1896] Book 1 StreetWitnessing.org

rejoicing in the juice, seeketh prosperity for friends, lauding his own imperial sway.7 Indra, unconquered might is thine, Thunderer, Caster of

the Stone;For thou with thy surpassing power smotest to death the guileful beast, lauding thine own imperial sway.8 Far over ninety spacious

floods thy thunderbolts were cast abroad:Great, Indra, is thy hero might, and strength is seated in thine arms, lauding thine own imperial

sway.9 Laud him a thousand all at once, shout twenty forth the

HYMN of praise.Hundreds have sung aloud to him, to Indra hath the prayer been raised, lauding his own imperial sway.10 Indra hath smitten

down the power of Vṛtra,—might with stronger might.This was his manly exploit, he slew Vṛtra and let loose the floods, lauding his own

imperial sway.11 Yea, even this great Pair of Worlds trembled in terror at thy wrath,When, Indra, Thunderer, Marut-girt, thou slewest Vṛtra in

thy strength, lauding thine own imperial sway.12 But Vṛtra scared not Indra with his shaking or his thunder roar.On him that iron thunderbolt

fell fiercely with its thousand points, lauding his own imperial sway.13 When with the thunder thou didst make thy dart and Vṛtra meet in

war,Thy might, O Indra, fain to slay the Dragon, was set firm in heaven, lauding thine own imperial sway.14 When at thy shout, O Thunder-

armed, each thing both fixed and moving shook,E’en Tvaṣṭar trembled at thy wrath and quaked with fear because of thee, lauding thine own

imperial sway.15 There is not, in our knowledge, one who passeth Indra in his strength:In him the Deities have stored manliness, insight, power

and might, lauding his own imperial sway.16 Still as of old, whatever rite Atharvan, Manus sire of all,Dadhyach performed, their prayer and

praise united in that Indra meet, lauding his own imperial sway.

HYMN LXXXI. Indra.1. THE men have lifted Indra up, the Vṛtra slayer, to joy and strength:Him, verily, we invocate in battles whether great or

small: be he our aid in deeds of might.2 Thou, Hero, art a warrior, thou art giver of abundant spoil.Strengthening e’en the feeble, thou aidest

the sacrificer, thou givest the offerer ample wealth.3 When war and battles are on foot, booty is laid before the bold.Yoke thou thy wildly-

rushing Bays. Whom wilt thou slay and whom enrich? Do thou, O Indra, make us rich.4 Mighty through wisdom, as he lists, terrible, he hath

waxed in strength.Lord of Bay Steeds, strong-jawed, sublime, he in joined hands for glory's sake hath grasped his iron thunderbolt.5 He filled

the earthly atmosphere and pressed against the lights in heaven.None like thee ever hath been born, none, Indra, will be born like thee. Thou

hast waxed mighty over all.6 May he who to the offerer gives the foeman's man-sustaining food,May Indra lend his aid to us. Deal forth—

abundant is thy wealth—that in thy bounty I may share.7 He, righteous-hearted, at each time of rapture gives us herds of kine.Gather in both

thy hands for us treasures of many hundred sorts. Sharpen thou us, and bring us wealth.8 Refresh thee, Hero, with the juice outpoured for

bounty and for strength.We know thee Lord of ample store, to thee have sent our hearts' desires: be therefore our Protector thou.9 These

people, Indra, keep for thee all that is worthy of thy choice.Discover thou, as Lord, the wealth of men who offer up no gifts: bring thou to us

this wealth of theirs.

HYMN LXXXII. Indra.1. GRACIOUSLY listen to our songs, Maghavan, be not negligent.As thou hast made us full of joy and lettest us solicit thee,

now, Indra, yoke thy two Bay Steeds.2 Well have they eaten and rejoiced; the friends have risen and passed away.The sages luminous in

themselves have. praised thee with their latest

HYMN. Now, Indra, yoke thy two Bay Steeds.3 Maghavan, we will reverence thee who art so fair to look upon.Thus praised, according to our

wish come now with richly laden car. Now, Indra, yoke thy two Bay Steeds.4 He will in very truth ascend the powerful car that finds the

kine,Who thinks upon the well-filled bowl, the Tawny Coursers' harnesser. Now, Indra, yoke thy two Bay Steeds.5 Let, Lord of Hundred Powers,

thy Steeds be harnessed on the right and left.Therewith in rapture of the juice, draw near to thy beloved Spouse. Now, Indra, yoke thy two Bay

Steeds.6 With holy prayer I yoke thy long-maned pair of Bays: come hitherward; thou holdest them in both thy hands.The stirring draughts of

juice outpoured have made thee glad: thou, Thunderer, hast rejoiced with Pūṣan and thy Spouse.

HYMN LXXXIII. Indra.1. INDRA, the mortal man well guarded by thine aid goes foremost in the wealth of horses and of kine.With amplest

wealth thou fillest him, as round about the waters clearly seen afar fill Sindhu full.2 The heavenly Waters come not nigh the priestly bowl: they

but look down and see how far mid-air is spread:The Deities conduct the pious man to them: like suitors they delight in him who loveth

prayer.3 Praiseworthy blessing hast thou laid upon the pair who with uplifted ladle serve thee, man and wife.Unchecked he dwells and

prospers in thy law: thy power brings blessing to the sacrificer pouring gifts.4 First the Aṅgirases won themselves vital power, whose fires were

kindled through good deeds and sacrifice.The men together found the Paṇi's hoarded wealth, the cattle, and the wealth in horses and in kine.5

Atharvan first by sacrifices laid the paths then, guardian of the Law, sprang up the loving Sun.Uśanā Kāvya straightway hither drove the kine.

Let us with offerings honour Yama's deathless birth.6 When sacred grass is trimmed to aid the auspicious work, or the

HYMN makes its voice of praise sound to the sky.Where the stone rings as ’twere a singer skilled in laud,—Indra in truth delights when these

come near to him.

HYMN LXXXIV. Indra.1. The Soma hath been pressed for thee, O Indra; mightiest, bold One, come.May Indra-vigour fill thee full, as the Sun fills

mid-air with rays.2 His pair of Tawny Coursers bring Indra of unresisted mightHither to Ṛṣis’ songs of praise and sacrifice performed by men.3

Slayer of Vṛtra, mount thy car; thy Bay Steeds have been yoked by prayer.May, with its voice, the pressing-stone draw thine attention

hitherward.4 This poured libation, Indra, drink, immortal, gladdening, excellent.Streams of the bright have flowed to thee here at the seat of

holy Law.5 Sing glory now to Indra, say to him your solemn eulogies.The drops poured forth have made him glad: pay reverence to his might

supreme.6 When, Indra, thou dost yoke thy Steeds, there is no better charioteer:None hath surpassed thee in thy might, none with good

steeds o’ertaken thee.7 He who alone bestoweth on mortal man who offereth gifts,The ruler of resistless power, is Indra, sure.8 When will he

trample, like a weed, the man who hath no gift for him?When, verily, will Indra hear our songs of praise?9 He who with Soma juice prepared

amid the many honours thee,—Verily Indra gains thereby tremendous might.10 The juice of Soma thus diffused, sweet to the taste, the bright

cows drink,Who for the sake of splendour close to mighty Indra's side rejoice, good in their own supremacy.11 Craving his touch the dappled

kine mingle the Soma with their milk.The milch-kine dear to Indra send forth his death-dealing thunderbolt, good in their own supremacy.12

The Rig Veda Ralph T.H. Griffith, Translator [1896] Book 1 StreetWitnessing.org

With veneration, passing wise, honouring his victorious might,They follow close his many laws to win them due preeminence, good in theirown

supremacy.13 With bones of Dadhyach for his arms, Indra, resistless in attack,Struck nine-and-ninety Vṛtras dead.14 He, searching for the

horse's head, removed among the mountains, foundAt Śaryaṇāvān what he sought.15 Then verily they recognized the essential form of

Tvaṣṭar's Bull,Here in the mansion of the Moon.16 Who yokes to-day unto the pole of Order the strong and passionate steers of checkless

spirit,With shaft-armed mouths, heart-piercing, health-bestowing?Long shall he live who richly pays their service.17 Who fleeth forth? who

suffereth? who feareth? Who knoweth Indra present, Indra near us?Who sendeth benediction on his offspring, his household, wealth and

person, and the People?18 Who with poured oil and offering honours Agni, with ladle worships at appointed seasons?To whom to the Gods

bring oblation quickly? What offerer, God-favoured, knows him thoroughly?19 Thou as a God, O Mightiest, verily blessest mortal man.O

Maghavan, there is no comforter but thou: Indra, I speak my words to thee.20 Let not thy bounteous gifts, let not thy saving help fail us, good

Lord, at any time;And measure out to us, thou lover of mankind, all riches hitherward from men.

HYMN LXXXV. Maruts.1. THEY who are glancing forth, like women, on their way, doers of mighty deeds, swift racers, Rudra's Sons,The Maruts

have made heaven and earth increase and grow: in sacrifices they delight, the strong and wild.2 Grown to their perfect strength greatness

have they attained; the Rudras have established their abode in heaven.Singing their song of praise and generating might, they have put glory

on, the Sons whom Pṛśni bare.3 When, Children of the Cow, they shine in bright attire, and on their fair limbs lay their golden ornaments,They

drive away each adversary from their path, and, following their traces, fatness floweth down,4 When, mighty Warriors, ye who glitter with

your spears, o’erthrowing with your strength e’en what is ne’er o’erthrown,When, O ye Maruts, ye the host that send the rain, had harnessed

to your cars the thought-fleet spotted deer.5 When ye have harnessed to your cars the spotted deer, urging the thunderbolt, O Maruts, to the

fray,Forth rush the torrents of the dark red stormy cloud, and moisten, like a skin, the earth with water-floods.6 Let your swift-gliding coursers

bear you hitherward with their fleet pinions. Come ye forward with your arms.Sit on the grass; a wide seat hath been made for you: delight

yourselves, O Maruts, in the pleasant food.7 Strong in their native strength to greatness have they grown, stepped to the firmament and made

their dwelling wide.When Viṣṇu saved the Soma bringing wild delight, the Maruts sate like birds on their dear holy grass.8 In sooth like heroes

fain for fight they rush about, like combatants fame-seeking have they striven in war.Before the Maruts every creature is afraid: the men are

like to Kings, terrible to behold.9 When Tvaṣṭar deft of hand had turned the thunderbolt, golden, with thousand edges, fashioned more

skilfully,Indra received it to perform heroic deeds. Vṛtra he slew, and forced the flood of water forth.10 They with their vigorous strength

pushed the well up on high, and clove the cloud in twain though it was passing strong.The Maruts, bounteous Givers, sending forth their voice,

in the wild joy of Soma wrought their glorious deeds.11 They drave the cloud transverse directed hitherward, and poured the fountain forth for

thirsting Gotama.Shining with varied light they come to him with help: they with their might fulfilled the longing of the sage.12 The shelters

which ye have for him who lauds you, bestow them threefold on the man who offers.Extend the same boons unto us, ye Maruts. Give us, O

Heroes, wealth with noble offspring.

HYMN LXXXVI. Maruts.1. THE best of guardians hath that man within whose dwelling place ye drink,O Maruts, giants of the sky.2 Honoured

with sacrifice or with the worship of the sages’

HYMNs,O Maruts, listen to the call.3 Yea, the strong man to whom ye have vouchsafed to give a sage, shall moveInto a stable rich in kine.4

Upon this hero's sacred grass Soma is poured in daily rites:Praise and delight are sung aloud.5 Let the strong Maruts hear him, him surpassing

all men: strength be hisThat reaches even to the Sun.6 For, through the swift Gods’ loving help, in many an autumn, Maruts, weHave offered

up our sacrifice.7 Fortunate shall that mortal be, O Maruts most adorable,Whose offerings ye bear away.8 O Heroes truly strong, ye know the

toil of him who sings your praise,The heart's desire of him who loves.9 O ye of true strength, make this thing manifest by your greatness:

strikeThe demon with your thunderbolt.10 Conceal the horrid darkness, drive far from us each devouring fiend.Create the light for which we

long.

HYMN LXXXVII. Maruts.1. LOUD Singers, never humbled, active, full of strength, immovable, impetuous, manliest, best-beloved,They have

displayed themselves with glittering ornaments, a few in number only, like the heavens with stars.2 When, Maruts, on the steeps ye pile the

moving cloud, ye are like birds on whatsoever path it be.Clouds everywhere shed forth the rain upon your cars. Drop fatness, honey-hued, for

him who sings your praise.3 Earth at their racings trembles as if weak and worn, when on their ways they yoke their cars for victory.They,

sportive, loudly roaring, armed with glittering spears, shakers of all, themselves admire their mightiness.4 Self-moving is that youthful band,

with spotted steeds; thus it hath lordly sway, endued with power and might.Truthful art thou, and blameless, searcher out of sin: so thou,

Strong Host, wilt be protector of this prayer.5 We speak by our descent from our primeval Sire; our tongue, when we behold the Soma, stirs

itself.When, shouting, they had joined Indra in toil of fight, then only they obtained their sacrificial names.6 Splendours they gained for glory,

they who wear bright rings; rays they obtained, and men to celebrate their praise.Armed with their swords, impetuous and fearing naught,

they have possessed the Maruts’ own beloved home.

HYMN LXXXVIII. Maruts.1. COME hither, Maruts, on your lightning laden cars, sounding with sweet songs, armed with lances, winged with

steeds.Fly unto us with noblest food, like birds, O ye of mighty power.2 With their red-hued or, haply, tawny coursers which speed their

chariots on, they come for glory.Brilliant like gold is he who holds the thunder. Earth have they smitten with the chariot's felly.3 For beauty ye

have swords upon your bodies. As they stir woods so may they stir our spirits.For your sake, O ye Maruts very mighty and well-born, have they

set the stone, in motion.4 The days went round you and came back O yearners, back, to this prayer and to this solemn worship.The Gotamas

making their prayer with singing have pushed the well's lid up to drink the water.5 No

The Rig Veda Ralph T.H. Griffith, Translator [1896] Book 1 StreetWitnessing.org

HYMN way ever known like this aforetime which Gotama sang forth for you, O Maruts,What time upon your golden wheels he saw you, wild

boars rushing about with tusks of iron.6 To you this freshening draught of Soma rusheth, O Maruts, like the voice of one who prayeth.It

rusheth freely from our hands as these libations wont to flow.

HYMN LXXXIX. Viśvedevas.1. MAY powers auspicious come to us from every side, never deceived, unhindered, and victorious,That the Gods

ever may be with us for our gain, our guardians day by day unceasing in their care.2 May the auspicious favour of the Gods be ours, on us

descend the bounty of the righteous Gods.The friendship of the Gods have we devoutly sought: so may the Gods extend our life that we may

live.3 We call them hither with a

HYMN of olden time, Bhaga, the friendly Dakṣa, Mitra, Aditi,Aryaman, Varuṇa, Soma, the Aśvins. May Sarasvatī, auspicious, grant felicity.4

May the Wind waft to us that pleasant medicine, may Earth our Mother give it, and our Father Heaven,And the joy-giving stones that press the

Soma's juice. Aśvins, may ye, for whom our spirits long, hear this.5 Him we invoke for aid who reigns supreme, the Lord of all that stands or

moves, inspirer of the soul,That Pūṣan may promote the increase of our wealth, our keeper and our guard infallible for our good.6 Illustrious

far and wide, may Indra prosper us: may Pūṣan prosper us, the Master of all wealth.May Tārkṣya with uninjured fellies prosper us: Bṛhaspati

vouchsafe to us prosperity.7 The Maruts, Sons of Pṛśni, borne by spotted steeds, moving in glory, oft visiting holy rites,Sages whose tongue is

Agni, brilliant as the Sun,—hither let all the Gods for our protection come.8 Gods, may we with our ears listen to what is good, and with our

eyes see what is good, ye Holy Ones.With limbs and bodies firm may we extolling you attain the term of life appointed by the Gods.9 A

hundred autumns stand before us, O ye Gods, within whose space ye bring our bodies to decay;Within whose space our sons become fathers

in turn. Break ye not in the midst our course of fleeting life.10 Aditi is the heaven, Aditi is mid-air, Aditi is the Mother and the Sire and Son.Aditi

is all Gods, Aditi five-classed men, Aditi all that hath been born and shall be born.

HYMN XC. Viśvedevas.1. MAY Varuṇa with guidance straight, and Mitra lead us, he who knows,And Aryaman in accord with Gods.2 For they

are dealers forth of wealth, and, not deluded, with their mightGuard evermore the holy laws.3 Shelter may they vouchsafe to us, Immortal

Gods to mortal men,Chasing our enemies away.4 May they mark out our paths to bliss, Indra, the Maruts, Pūṣan,and Bhaga, the Gods to be

adored.5 Yea, Pūṣan, Viṣṇu, ye who run your course, enrich our

HYMNs with kine;Bless us with all prosperity.6 The winds waft sweets, the rivers pour sweets for the man who keeps the LawSo may the

plants be sweet for us.7 Sweet be the night and sweet the dawns, sweet the terrestrial atmosphere;Sweet be our Father Heaven to us.8 May

the tall tree be full of sweets for us, and full of sweets the Sun:May our milch-kine be sweet for us.9 Be Mitra gracious unto us, and Varuṇa and

Aryaman:Indra, Bṛhaspati be kind, and Viṣṇu of the mighty stride.

HYMN XCI. Soma.1. Thou, Soma, art preeminent for wisdom; along the straightest path thou art our leader.Our wise forefathers by thy

guidance, Indu, dealt out among the Gods their share of treasure.2 Thou by thine insight art most wise, O Soma, strong by thine energies and

all possessing,Mighty art thou by all thy powers and greatness, by glories art thou glorious, guide of mortals.3 Thine are King Varuṇa's eternal

statutes, lofty and deep, O Soma, is thy glory.All-pure art thou like Mitra the beloved, adorable, like Aryaman, O Soma.4 With all thy glories on

the earth, in heaven, on mountains, in the plants, and in the waters,—With all of these, well-pleased and not in anger, accept, O royal Soma,

our oblations.5 Thou, Soma, art the Lord of heroes, King, yea, Vṛtra-slayer thou:Thou art auspicious energy.6 And, Soma, let it be thy wish that

we may live and may not die:Praise-loving Lord of plants art thou.7 To him who keeps the law, both old and young, thou givest happiness,And

energy that he may live.8 Guard us, King Soma, on all sides from him who threatens us: never letThe friend of one like thee be harmed.9 With

those delightful aids which thou hast, Soma, for the worshipper,—Even with those protect thou us.10 Accepting this our sacrifice and this our

praise, O Soma, come,And be thou nigh to prosper us.11 Well-skilled in speech we magnify thee, Soma, with our sacred songs:Come thou to

us, most gracious One.12 Enricher, healer of disease, wealth-finder, prospering our store,Be, Soma, a good Friend to us.13 Soma, be happy in

our heart, as milch-kine in the grassy meads,As a young man in his own house.14 O Soma, God, the mortal man who in thy friendship hath

delight,Him doth the mighty Sage befriend.15 Save us from slanderous reproach, keep us., O Soma, from distress:Be unto us a gracious

Friend.16 Soma, wax great. From every side may vigorous powers unite in thee:Be in the gathering-place of strength.17 Wax, O most

gladdening Soma, great through all thy rays of light, and beA Friend of most illustrious fame to prosper us.16 In thee be juicy nutriments

united, and powers and mighty foe-subduing vigour,Waxing to immortality, O Soma: win highest glories for thyself in heaven.19 Such of thy

glories as with poured oblations men honour, may they all invest our worship.Wealth-giver, furtherer with troops of heroes, sparing the brave,

come, Soma, to our houses.20 To him who worships Soma gives the milch-cow, a fleet steed and a man of active knowledge,Skilled in home

duties, meet for holy synod, for council meet, a glory to his father.21 Invincible in fight, saver in battles, guard of our camp, winner of light and

water,Born amid

HYMNs, well-housed, exceeding famous, victor, in thee will we rejoice, O Soma.22 These herbs, these milch-kine, and these running waters, all

these, O Soma, thou hast generated.The spacious firmament hast thou expanded, and with the light thou hast dispelled the darkness.23 Do

thou, God Soma, with thy Godlike spirit, victorious, win for us a share of riches.Let none prevent thee: thou art Lord of valour. Provide for both

sides in the fray for booty.

HYMN XCII. Dawn.1. THESE Dawns have raised their banner; in the eastern half of the mid-air they spread abroad their shining light.Like

heroes who prepare their weapons for the war, onward they come bright red in hue, the Mother Cows.2 Readily have the purple beams of

light shot up; the Red Cows have they harnessed, easy to be yoked.The Dawns have brought distinct perception as before: red-hued, they have

attained their fulgent brilliancy.3 They sing their song like women active in their tasks, along their common path hither from far away,Bringing

refreshment to the liberal devotee, yea, all things to the worshipper who pours the juice.4 She, like a dancer, puts her broidered garments on:

as a cow yields her udder so she bares her breast.Creating light for all the world of life, the Dawn hath laid the darkness open as the cows their

The Rig Veda Ralph T.H. Griffith, Translator [1896] Book 1 StreetWitnessing.org

stall.5 We have beheld the brightness of her shining; it spreads and drives away the darksome monster.Like tints that deck the Post at

sacrifices, Heaven's Daughter hath attained her wondrous splendour.6 We have o’erpast the limit of this darkness; Dawn breaking forth again

brings clear perception.She like a flatterer smiles in light for glory, and fair of face hath wakened to rejoice us.7 The Gotamas have praised

Heaven's radiant Daughter, the leader of the charm of pleasant voices.Dawn, thou conferrest on us strength with offspring and men,

conspicuous with kine and horses.8 O thou who shinest forth in wondrous glory, urged onward by thy strength, auspicious Lady,Dawn, may I

gain that wealth, renowned and ample, in brave sons, troops of slaves, far-famed for horses.9 Bending her looks on all the world, the Goddess

shines, widely spreading with her bright eye westward.Waking to motion every living creature, she understands the voice of each adorer.10

Ancient of days, again again born newly, decking her beauty with the self-same raiment.The Goddess wastes away the life of mortals, like a

skilled hunter cutting birds in pieces.11 She hath appeared discovering heaven's borders: to the far distance she drives off her

Sister.Diminishing the days of human creatures, the Lady shines with all her lover's splendour.12 The bright, the blessed One shines forth

extending her rays like kine, as a flood rolls his waters.Never transgressing the divine commandments, she is beheld visible with the

sunbeams.13 O Dawn enriched with ample wealth, bestow on us the wondrous giftWherewith we may support children and children's sons.14

Thou radiant mover of sweet sounds, with wealth of horses and of kineShine thou on us this day, O Dawn auspiciously.15 O Dawn enriched

with holy rites, yoke to thy car thy purple steeds,And then bring thou unto us all felicities.16 O Aśvins wonderful in act, do ye unanimous

directYour chariot to our home wealthy in kine and gold.17 Ye who brought down the

HYMN from heaven, a light that giveth light to man,Do ye, O Aśvins, bring strength hither unto us.18 Hither may they who wake at dawn bring,

to drink Soma both the GodsHealth-givers Wonder-Workers, borne on paths of gold.

HYMN XCIII. Agni-Soma.1 AGNI and Soma, mighty Pair, graciously hearken to my call,Accept in friendly wise my

HYMN, and prosper him who offers gifts.2 The man who honours you to-day, Agni and Soma, with this

HYMN,Bestow on him heroic strength, increase of kine, and noble steeds.3 The man who offers holy oil and burnt oblations unto you,Agni and

Soma, shall enjoy great strength, with offspring, all his life.4 Agni and Soma, famed is that your. prowess wherewith ye stole the kine, his food,

from Paṇi.Ye caused the brood of Bṛsaya to perish; ye found the light, the single light for many.5 Agni and Soma, joined in operation ye have

set up the shining lights in heaven.From curse and from reproach, Agni and Soma, ye freed the rivers that were bound in fetters.6 One of you

Mātariśvan brought from heaven, the Falcon rent the other from the mountain.Strengthened by holy prayer Agni and Soma have made us

ample room for sacrificing.7 Taste, Agni, Soma, this prepared oblation; accept it, Mighty Ones, and let it please you.Vouchsafe us good

protection and kind favour: grant to the sacrificer health and riches.8 Whoso with oil and poured oblation honours, with God-devoted heart,

Agni and Soma,—Protect his sacrifice, preserve him from distress, grant to the sacrificer great felicity.9 Invoked together, mates in wealth,

Agni-Soma, accept our

HYMNs:Together be among the Gods.10 Agni and Soma, unto him who worships you with holy oilShine forth an ample recompense.11 Agni

and Soma, be ye pleased with these oblations brought to you,And come, together, nigh to us.12 Agni and Soma, cherish well our horses, and

let our cows be fat who yield oblations.Grant power to us and to our wealthy patrons, and cause our holy rites to be successful.

HYMN XCIV. Agni1 FOR Jātavedas worthy of our praise will we frame with our mind this eulogy as ’twere a car.For good, in his assembly, is this

care of ours. Let us not, in thy friendship, Agni, suffer harm.2 The man for whom thou sacrificest prospereth, dwelleth without a foe, gaineth

heroic might.He waxeth strong, distress never approacheth him. Let us not, in thy friendship, Agni, suffer harm.3 May we have power to kindle

thee. Fulfil our thoughts. In thee the Gods eat the presented offering,Bring hither the Ādityas, for we long for them. Let us not in thy

friendship, Agni, suffer harm.4 We will bring fuel and prepare burnt offerings, reminding thee at each successive festival.Fulfil our thought that

so we may prolong our lives. Let us not in thy friendship, Agni, suffer harm.5 His ministers move forth, the guardians of the folk, protecting

quadruped and biped with their rays.Mighty art thou, the wondrous herald of the Dawn. Let us not in thy friendship, Agni, suffer harm.6 Thou

art Presenter and the chief Invoker, thou Director, Purifier, great High Priest by birth.Knowing all priestly work thou perfectest it, Sage. Let us

not in thy friendship, Agni, suffer harm.7 Lovely of form art thou, alike on every side; though far, thou shinest brightly as if close at hand.O God,

thou seest through even the dark of night. Let us not in thy friendship, Agni, suffer harm.8 Gods, foremost be his car who pours libations out,

and let our

HYMN prevail o’er evil-hearted men.Attend to this our speech and make it prosper well. Let us not in thy friendship, Agni, suffer harm.9 Smite

with thy weapons those of evil speech and thought, devouring demons, whether near or tar away.Then to the singer give free way for sacrifice.

Let us not in thy friendship, Agni, suffer harm.10 When to thy chariot thou hadst yoked two red steeds and two ruddy steeds, wind-sped, thy

roar was like a bull's.Thou with smoke-bannered flame attackest forest trees. Let us not in thy friendship, Agni, suffer harm.11 Then at thy roar

the very birds are terrified, when, eating-up the grass, thy sparks fly forth abroad.Then is it easy for thee and thy car to pass. Let us not in thy

friendship, Agni, suffer harm.12 He hath the Power to soothe Mitra and Varuṇa: wonderful is the Maruts’ wrath when they descend.Be

gracious; let their hearts he turned to us again. Let us not in thy friendship, Agni, suffer harm.13 Thou art a God, thou art the wondrous Friend

of Gods, the Vasu of the Vasus, fair in sacrifice.Under, thine own most wide protection may we dwell. Let us not in thy friendship, Agni, suffer

harm.14 This is thy grace that, kindled in thine own abode, invoked with Soma thou soundest forth most benign,Thou givest wealth and

treasure to the worshipper. Let us not in thy friendship, Agni, suffer harm.15 To whom thou, Lord of goodly riches, grantest freedom from

every sin with perfect wholeness,Whom with good strength thou quickenest, with children and wealth—may we be they, Eternal Being.16

Such, Agni, thou who knowest all good fortune, God, lengthen here the days of our existence.This prayer of ours may Varuṇa grant, and Mitra,

and Aditi and Sindhu, Earth and Heaven.

HYMN XCV. Agni1. To fair goals travel Two unlike in semblance: each in succession nourishes an infant.One bears a Godlike Babe of golden

colour; bright and fair-shining, is he with the other.2 Tvaṣṭar's ten daughters, vigilant and youthful, produced this Infant borne to sundry

The Rig Veda Ralph T.H. Griffith, Translator [1896] Book 1 StreetWitnessing.org

quarters.They bear around him whose long flames are pointed, fulgent among mankind with native splendour.3. Three several places of his

birth they honour, in mid-air, in the heaven, and in the waters.Governing in the east of earthly regions, the seasons hath he stablished in their

order.4 Who of you knows this secret One? The Infant by his own nature hath brought forth his Mothers.The germ of many, from the waters'

bosom he goes forth, wise and great, of Godlike nature.5 Visible, fair, he grows in native brightness uplifted in the lap of waving waters.When

he was born both Tvaṣṭar's worlds were frightened: they turn to him and reverence the Lion.6 The Two auspicious Ones, like women, tend him:

like lowing cows they seek him in their manner.He is the Lord of Might among the mighty; him, on the right, they balm with their oblations.7

Like Savitar his arms with might he stretches; awful, he strives grasping the world's two borders.He forces out from all a brilliant vesture, yea,

from his Mothers draws he forth new raiment.8 He makes him a most noble form of splendour, decking him in his home with milk and

waters.The Sage adorns the depths of air with wisdom: this is the meeting where the Gods are worshipped.9 Wide through the firmament

spreads forth triumphant the far-resplendent strength of thee the Mighty.Kindled by us do thou preserve us, Agni, with all thy self-bright

undiminished succours.10 In dry spots he makes stream, and course, and torrent, and inundates the earth with floods that glisten.All ancient

things within his maw he gathers, and moves among the new fresh-sprouting grasses.11 Fed with our fuel, purifying Agni, so blaze to us

auspiciously for glory.This prayer of ours may Varuṇa grant, and Mitra, and Aditi and Sindhu, Earth and Heaven.

HYMN XCVI. Agni.1. HE in the ancient way by strength engendered, lo! straight hath taken to himself all wisdom.The waters and the bowl have

made him friendly. The Gods possessed the wealth bestowing Agni.2 At Āyu's ancient call he by his wisdom gave all this progeny of men their

being,And, by refulgent light, heaven and the waters. The Gods possessed the wealth. bestowing Agni.3 Praise him, ye Āryan folk, as chief

performer of sacrifice adored and ever toiling,Well-tended, Son of Strength, the Constant Giver. The Gods possessed the wealth bestowing

Agni.4 That Mātariśvan rich in wealth and treasure, light-winner, finds a pathway for his offspring.Guard of our folk, Father of earth and

heaven. The Gods possessed the wealth bestowing Agni.5 Night and Dawn, changing each the other's colour, meeting together suckle one

same Infant:Golden between the heaven and earth he shineth. The Gods possessed the wealth bestowing Agni.6 Root of wealth, gathering-

place of treasures, banner of sacrifice, who grants the suppliant's wishes:Preserving him as their own life immortal, the Gods possessed the

wealth-bestowing Agni.7 Now and of old the home of wealth, the mansion of what is born and what was born aforetime,Guard of what is and

what will be hereafter,—the Gods possessed the wealth bestowing Agni.8 May the Wealth-Giver grant us conquering riches; may the Wealth-

Giver grant us wealth with heroes.May the Wealth-Giver grant us food with offspring, and length of days may the Wealth-Giver send us.9 Fed

with our fuel, purifying Agni, so blaze to us auspiciously for glory.This prayer of ours may Varuṇa grant, and Mitra, and Aditi and Sindhu, Earth

and Heaven.

HYMN XCVII. Agni.1. CHASING with light our sin away, O Agni, shine thou wealth on us.May his light chase our sin away.2 For goodly fields, for

pleasant homes, for wealth we sacrifice to thee.May his light chase our sin away.3 Best praiser of all these be he; foremost, our chiefs who

sacrifice.May his light chase our sin away.4 So that thy worshippers and we, thine, Agni, in our sons may live.May his light chase our sin away.5

As ever-conquering Agni's beams of splendour go to every side,May his light chase our sin away.6 To every side thy face is turned, thou art

triumphant everywhere.May his light chase our sin away.7 O thou whose face looks every way, bear us past foes as in a ship.May his light

chase our sin away.8 As in a ship, convey thou us for our advantage o’er the flood.May his light chase our sin away.

HYMN XCVIII. Agni.1. STILL in Vaiśvānara's grace may we continue: yea, he is King supreme o’er all things living.Sprung hence to life upon this

All he looketh. Vaiśvānara hath rivalry with Sūrya.2 Present in heaven, in earth, all-present Agni,—all plants that grow on ground hath he

pervaded.May Agni, may Vaiśvānara with vigour, present, preserve us day and night from foemen.3 Be this thy truth, Vaiśvānara, to us-ward:

let wealth in rich abundance gather round us.This prayer of ours may Varuṇa grant, and Mitra, and Aditi and Sindhu, Earth and Heaven.

HYMN XCIX. Agni.1. FOR Jātavedas let us press the Soma: may he consume the wealth of the malignant.May Agni carry us through all our

troubles, through grief as in a boat across the river.

HYMN C. Indra.1. MAY he who hath his home with strength, the Mighty, the King supreme of earth and spacious heaven,Lord of true power,

to he invoked in battles,—may Indra, girt by Maruts, be our succour.2 Whose way is unattainable like Sūrya's: he in each fight is the strong

Vṛtra-slayer,Mightiest with his Friends in his own courses. May Indra, girt by Maruts, be our succour.3 Whose paths go forth in their great

might resistless, forthmilking, as it were, heaven's genial moisture.With manly strength triumphant, foe-subduer,—may Indra, girt by Maruts,

be our succour.4 Among Aṅgirases he was the chiefest, a Friend with friends, mighty amid the mighty.Praiser mid praisers, honoured most of

singers. May Indra, girt by Maruts, be our succour.5 Strong with the Rudras as with his own children, in manly battle conquering his foemen

'With his close comrades doing deeds of glory,—may Indra, girt by Maruts, be our succour.6 Humbler of pride, exciter of the conflict, the Lord

of heroes, God invoked of many,May he this day gain with our men the sunlight. May Indra, girt by Maruts, be our succour.7 His help hath

made him cheerer in the battle, the folk have made him guardian of their comfort.Sole Lord is he of every holy service. May Indra, girt by

Maruts, be our succour.8 To him the Hero, on high days of prowess, heroes for help and booty shall betake them.He hath found light even in

the blinding darkness. May Indra, girt by Maruts, be our succour.9 He with his left hand checketh even the mighty, and with his right hand

gathereth up the booty.Even with the humble he acquireth riches. May Indra, girt by Maruts, be our succour.10 With hosts on foot and cars he

winneth treasures: well is he known this day by all the people.With manly might he conquereth those who hate him. May Indra, girt by Maruts,

be our succour.11 When in his ways with kinsmen or with strangers he speedeth to the fight, invoked of many,For gain of waters, and of sons

and grandsons, may Indra, girt by Maruts, be our succour.12 Awful and fierce, fiend-slayer, thunder-wielder, with boundless knowledge,

HYMNed by hundreds, mighty,In strength like Soma, guard of the Five Peoples, may Indra, girt by Maruts, be our succour.13 Winning the light,

hitherward roars his thunder like the terrific mighty voice of Heaven.Rich gifts and treasures evermore attend him. May Indra, girt by Maruts,

The Rig Veda Ralph T.H. Griffith, Translator [1896] Book 1 StreetWitnessing.org

be our succour.14 Whose home eternal through his strength surrounds him on every side, his laud, the earth and heaven,May he, delighted

with our service, save us. May Indra, girt by Maruts, be our succour.15 The limit of whose power not Gods by Godhead, nor mortal men have

reached, nor yet the Waters.Both Earth and Heaven in vigour he surpasseth. May Indra, girt by Maruts, he our succour.16 The red and tawny

mare, blaze-marked, high standing, celestial who, to bring Ṛjrāśva riches,Drew at the pole the chariot yoked with stallions, joyous, among the

hosts of men was noted.17 The Vārṣāgiras unto thee, O Indra, the Mighty One, sing forth this laud to please thee,Ṛjrāśva with his fellows,

Ambarīṣa, Surādhas, Sahadeva, Bhayamāna.18 He, much invoked, hath slain Dasyus and Śimyus, after his wont, and laid them low with

arrows.The mighty Thunderer with his fair-complexioned friends won the land, the sunlight, and the waters.19 May Indra evermore be our

protector, and unimperilled may we win the booty.This prayer of ours may Varuṇa grant, and Mitra, and Aditi and Sindhu, Earth and Heaven.

HYMN CI. Indra.1. SING, with oblation, praise to him who maketh glad, who with Ṛjiśvan drove the dusky brood away.Fain for help, him the

strong whose right hand wields the bolt, him girt by Maruts we invoke to be our Friend.2 Indra, who with triumphant wrath smote Vyaṁsa

down, and Śambara, and Pipru the unrighteous one;Who extirpated Śuṣṇa the insatiate,—him girt by Maruts we invoke to be our Friend.3 He

whose great work of manly might is heaven and earth, and Varuṇa and Sūrya keep his holy law;Indra, whose law the rivers follow as they

flow,—him girt by Maruts we invoke to be our Friend.4 He who is Lord and Master of the steeds and kine, honoured—the firm and sure—at

every holy act;Stayer even of the strong who pours no offering out,—him girt by Maruts we invoke to be our Friend.5 He who is Lord of all the

world that moves and breathes, who for the Brahman first before all found the Cows;Indra who cast the Dasyus down beneath his feet,—him

girt by Maruts we invoke to be our Friend.6 Whom cowards must invoke and valiant men of war, invoked by those who conquer and by those

who flee;Indra, to whom all beings turn their constant thought,—him girt by Maruts we invoke to be our Friend.7 Refulgent in the Rudras’

region he proceeds, and with the Rudras through the wide space speeds the Dame.The

HYMN of praise extols Indra the far-renowned: him girt by Maruts we invoke to be our Friend.8 O girt by Maruts, whether thou delight thee in

loftiest gathering-place or lowly dwelling,Come thence unto our rite, true boon-bestower: through love of thee have we prepared oblations.9

We, fain for thee, strong Indra, have pressed Soma, and, O thou sought with prayer, have made oblations.Now at this sacrifice, with all thy

Maruts, on sacred grass, O team-borne God, rejoice thee.10 Rejoice thee with thine own Bay Steeds, O Indra, unclose thy jaws and let thy lips

be open.Thou with the fair cheek, let thy Bay Steeds bring thee: gracious to us, he pleased with our oblation.11 Guards of the camp whose

praisers are the Maruts, may we through Indra, get ourselves the booty.This prayer of ours may Varuṇa grant, and Mitra, and Aditi and Sindhu,

Earth and Heaven.

HYMN CII. Indra.1. To thee the Mighty One I bring this mighty

HYMN, for thy desire hath been gratified by my laud.In Indra, yea in him victorious through his strength, the Gods have joyed at feast and

when the Soma flowed.2 The Seven Rivers bear his glory far and wide, and heaven and sky and earth display his comely form.The Sun and

Moon in change alternate run their course, that we, O Indra, may behold and may have faith.3 Maghavan, grant us that same car to bring us

spoil, thy conquering car in which we joy in shock of fight.Thou, Indra, whom our hearts praise highly in the war, grant shelter, Maghavan, to us

who love thee well.4 Encourage thou our side in every fight: may we, with thee for our ally, conquer the foeman's host.Indra, bestow on us joy

and felicity break down, O Maghavan, the vigour of our foes.5 For here in divers ways these men invoking thee, holder of treasures, sing

HYMNs to win thine aid.Ascend the car that thou mayest bring spoil to us, for, Indra, thy fixt winneth the victory.6 His arms win kine, his

power is boundless in each act best, with a hundred helps, waker of battle's dinIs Indra: none may rival him in mighty strength. Hence, eager

for the spoil the people call on him.7 Thy glory, Maghavan, exceeds a hundred yea, more than a hundred, than a thousand mid the folk,The

great bowl hath inspirited thee boundlessly: so mayst thou slay the Vṛtras, breaker-down of forts!8 Of thy great might there is a three

counterpart, the three earths, Lord men and the three realms of light.Above this whole world, Indra, thou hast waxen great: without a foe art

thou, nature, from of old.9 We invocate thee first among the Deities: thou hast become a mighty Conquer in fight.May Indra fill with spirit this

our singer's heart, and make our car impetuous, foremost in attack.10 Thou hast prevailed, and hast not kept the booty back, in trifling battles

in those of great account.We make thee keen, the Mighty One, succour us: inspire us, Maghavan, when we defy the foe.11 May Indra

evermore be our Protector, and unimperilled may we win the booty.This prayer of ours may Varuṇa grant and Mitra, and Aditi and Sindhu,

Earth and Heaven.

HYMN CIII. Indra.1. THAT highest Indra-power of thine is distant: that which is here sages possessed aforetime.This one is on the earth, in

heaven the other, and both unite as flag with flag in battle.2 He spread the wide earth out and firmly fixed it, smote with his thunderbolt and

loosed the waters.Maghavan with his puissance struck down Ahi, rent Rauhiṇa to death and slaughtered Vyaṁsa.3 Armed with his bolt and

trusting in his prowess he wandered shattering the forts of Dāsas.Cast thy dart, knowing, Thunderer, at the Dasyu; increase the Ārya's might

and glory, Indra.4 For him who thus hath taught these human races, Maghavan, bearing a fame-worthy title,Thunderer, drawing nigh to slay

the Dasyus, hath given himself the name of Son for glory.5 See this abundant wealth that he possesses, and put your trust in Indra's hero

vigour.He found the cattle, and he found the horses, he found the plants, the forests and the waters.6 To him the truly strong, whose deeds

are many, to him the strong Bull let us pour the Soma.The Hero, watching like a thief in ambush, goes parting the possessions of the godless.7

Well didst thou do that hero deed, O Indra, in waking with thy bolt the slumbering Ahi.in thee, delighted, Dames divine rejoiced them, the

flying Maruts and all Gods were joyful.8 As thou hast smitten Śuṣṇa, Pipru, Vṛtra and Kuyava, and Śambara's forts, O Indra.This prayer of ours

may Varuṇa grant, and Mitra, and Aditi and Sindhu, Earth and Heaven.

HYMN CIV. Indra.1. THE altar hath been made for thee to rest on: come like a panting courser and be seated.Loosen thy flying Steeds, set free

thy Horses who bear thee swiftly nigh at eve and morning.2 These men have come to Indra for assistance: shall he not quickly come upon

these pathways?May the Gods quell the fury of the Dāsa, and may they lead our folk to happy fortune.3 He who hath only wish as his

The Rig Veda Ralph T.H. Griffith, Translator [1896] Book 1 StreetWitnessing.org

possession casts on himself, casts foam amid the waters.Both wives of Kuyava in milk have bathed them: may they be drowned within the

depth of Śiphā.4 This hath his kinship checked who lives beside us: with ancient streams forth speeds and rules the Hero,Añjasī, Kuliśī, and

Virapatnī, delighting him, bear milk upon their waters.5 Soon as this Dasyu's traces were discovered, as she who knows her home, he sought

the dwelling.Now think thou of us, Maghavan, nor cast us away as doth a profligate his treasure.6 Indra, as such, give us a share of sunlight, of

waters, sinlessness, and reputation.Do thou no harm to our yet unborn offspring: our trust is in thy mighty Indra-power.7 Now we, I think, in

thee as such have trusted: lead us on, Mighty One, to ample riches.In no unready house give us, O Indra invoked of many, food and drink when

hungry.8 Slay us not, Indra; do not thou forsake us: steal not away the joys which we delight in.Rend not our unborn brood, strong Lord of

Bounty! our vessels with the life that is within them.9 Come to us; they have called thee Soma-lover: here is the pressed juice. Drink thereof for

rapture.Widely-capacious, pour it down within thee, and, invocated, hear us like a Father.

HYMN CV. Viśvedevas.1. WITHIN the waters runs the Moon, he with the beauteous wings in heaven.Ye lightnings with your golden wheels,

men find not your abiding-place. Mark this my woe, ye Earth and Heaven.2 Surely men crave and gain their wish. Close to her husband clings

the wife.And, in embraces intertwined, both give and take the bliss of love. Mark this my woe, ye Earth and Heaven.3 O never may that light,

ye Gods, fall from its station in the sky.Ne’er fail us one like Soma sweet, the spring of our felicity. Mark this my woe, ye Earth and Heaven.4 I

ask the last of sacrifice. As envoy he shall tell it forth.Where is the ancient law divine? Who is its new diffuser now? Mark this my woe, ye Earth

and Heaven.5 Ye Gods who yonder have your home in the three lucid realms of heaven,What count ye truth and what untruth? Where is mine

ancient call on you? Mark this my woe, ye Earth and Heaven.6 What is your firm support of Law? What Varuṇa's observant eye?How may we

pass the wicked on the path of mighty Aryaman? Mark this my woe, ye Earth and Heaven.7 I am the man who sang of old full many a laud

when Soma flowed.Yet torturing cares consume me as the wolf assails the thirsty deer. Mark this my woe, ye Earth and Heaven.8 Like rival

wives on every side enclosing ribs oppress me sore.O Śatakratu, biting cares devour me, singer of thy praise, as rats devour the weaver's

threads. Mark this my woe, ye Earth and Heaven.9 Where those seven rays are shining, thence my home and family extend.This Tṛta Āptya

knoweth well, and speaketh out for brotherhood. Mark this my woe, ye Earth and Heaven.10 May those five Bulls which stand on high full in

the midst of mighty heaven,Having together swiftly borne my praises to the Gods, return. Mark this my woe, ye Earth and Heaven.11 High in

the mid ascent of heaven those Birds of beauteous pinion sit.Back from his path they drive the wolf as he would cross the restless floods. Mark

this my woe, ye Earth and Heaven.12 Firm is this new-wrought

HYMN of praise, and meet to be told forth, O Gods.The flowing of the floods is Law, Truth is the Sun's extended light. Mark this my woe, ye

Earth and Heaven.13 Worthy of laud, O Agni, is that kinship which thou hast with Gods.Here seat thee like a man: most wise, bring thou the

Gods for sacrifice. Mark this my woe, ye Earth and Heaven.14 Here seated, man-like as a priest shall wisest Agni to the GodsSpeed onward our

oblations, God among the Gods, intelligent. Mark this my woe, ye Earth and Heaven.15 Varuṇa makes the holy prayer. To him who finds the

path we pray.He in the heart reveals his thought. Let sacred worship rise anew. Mark this my woe, ye Earth and Heaven.16 That pathway of the

Sun in heaven, made to be highly glorified,Is not to be transgressed, O Gods. O mortals, ye behold it not. Mark this my woe, ye Earth and

Heaven.17 Tṛta, when buried in the well, calls on the Gods to succour him.That call of his Bṛhaspati heard and released him from distress. Mark

this my woe, ye Earth and Heaven.18 A ruddy wolf beheld me once, as I was faring on my path.He, like a carpenter whose back is aching

crouched and slunk away. Mark this my woe, ye Earth and Heaven.19 Through this our song may we, allied with Indra, with all our heroes

conquer in the battle.This prayer of ours may Varuṇa grant, and Mitra, and Aditi and Sindhu, Earth and Heaven.

HYMN CVI. Viśvedevas.1. CALL we for aid on Indra, Mitra, Varuṇa and Agni and the Marut host and Aditi.Even as a chariot from a difficult

ravine, bountiful Vasus, rescue us from all distress.2 Come ye Ādityas for our full prosperity, in conquests of the foe, ye Gods, bring joy to

us.Even as a chariot from a difficult ravine, bountiful Vasus, rescue us from all distress.3 May the most glorious Fathers aid us, and the two

Goddesses, Mothers of the Gods, who strengthen Law.Even as a chariot from a difficult ravine, bountiful Vasus, rescue us from all distress.4 To

mighty Narāśaṁsa, strengthening his might, to Pūṣan, ruler over men, we pray with

HYMNs.Even as a chariot from a difficult ravine, bountiful Vasus, rescue us from all distress.5 Bṛhaspati, make us evermore an easy path: we

crave what boon thou hast for men in rest and stir.Like as a chariot from a difficult ravine, bountiful Vasus, rescue us from all distress.6 Sunk in

the pit the Ṛṣi Kutsa called, to aid, Indra the Vṛtra-slayer, Lord of power and might.Even as a chariot from a difficult ravine, bountiful Vasus,

rescue us from all distress.7 May Aditi the Goddess guard us with the Gods: may the protecting God keep us with ceaseless care.This prayer of

ours may Varuṇa grant, and Mitra, and Aditi and Sindhu, Earth and Heaven.

HYMN CVII. Viśvedevas.1. THE sacrifice obtains the Gods’ acceptance: be graciously inclined to us, Ādityas.Hitherward let your favour be

directed, and be our best deliverer from trouble.2 By praise-songs of Aṅgirases exalted, may the Gods come to us with their protection.May

Indra with his powers, Maruts with Maruts, Aditi with Ādityas grant us shelter.3 This laud of ours may Varuṇa and Indra, Aryaman Agni, Savitar

find pleasant.This prayer of ours may Varuṇa grant, and Mitra, and Aditi and Sindhu, Earth and Heaven.

HYMN CVIII. Indra-Agni.1. ON that most wondrous car of yours, O Indra and Agni, which looks round on all things living,Take ye your stand and

come to us together, and drink libations of the flowing Soma.2 As vast as all this world is in its compass, deep as it is, with its far-stretching

surface,So let this Soma be, Indra and Agni, made for your drinking till your soul be sated.3 For ye have won a blessed name together: yea, with

one aim ye strove, O Vṛtra-slayers.So Indra-Agni, seated here together, pour in, ye Mighty Ones, the mighty Soma.4 Both stand adorned, when

fires are duly kindled, spreading the sacred grass, with lifted ladles.Drawn by strong Soma juice poured forth around us, come, Indra-Agni, and

display your favour.5 The brave deeds ye have done, Indra and Agni, the forms ye have displayed and mighty exploits,The ancient and

auspicious bonds of friendship,—for sake of these drink of the flowing Soma.6 As first I said when choosing you, in battle we must contend

with Asuras for this Soma.So came ye unto this my true conviction, and drank libations of the flowing Soma.7 If in your dwelling, or with prince

The Rig Veda Ralph T.H. Griffith, Translator [1896] Book 1 StreetWitnessing.org

or Brahman, ye, Indra-Agni, Holy Ones, rejoice you,Even from thence, ye mighty Lords, come hither, and drink libation of the flowing Soma.8 If

with, the Yadus, Turvaśas, ye sojourn, with Druhyus, Anus, Pūrus, Indra-Agni!Even from thence, ye mighty Lords, come hither, and drink

libations of the flowing Soma.9 Whether, O Indra-Agni, ye be dwelling in lowest earth, in central, or in highest.Even from thence, ye mighty

Lords, come hither, and drink libations of the flowing Soma.10 Whether, O Indra-Agni, ye be dwelling in highest earth, in central, or in

lowest,Even from thence, ye mighty Lords, come hither, and drink libations of the flowing Soma.11 Whether ye be in heaven, O Indra-Agni, on

earth, on mountains, in the herbs, or waters,Even from thence, ye mighty Lords, come hither, and drink libations of the flowing Soma.12 If,

when the Sun to the mid-heaven hath mounted, ye take delight in food, O Indra-Agni,Even from thence, ye mighty Lords, come hither, and

drink libations of the flowing Soma.13 Thus having drunk your fill of our libation, win us all kinds of wealth, Indra and Agni.This prayer of ours

may Varuṇa grant, and Mitra, and Aditi and Sindhu, Earth and Heaven.

HYMN CIX. Indra-Agni.1. LONGING for weal I looked around, in spirit, for kinsmen, Indra-Agni, or for brothers.No providence but yours alone is

with me so have I wrought for you this