Rig Veda on Patience

2 Armed with your daggers, full of wisdom, armed with spears, armed with your quivers, armed with arro 3 From hills and heaven ye shake wealth for the worshipper: in terror at your coming low the woods bow 4 Bright with the blasts of wind, wrapped in their robes of rain, like twins of noble aspect and of lovely fo 5 Rich in adornment, rich in drops, munificent, bright in their aspect, yielding bounties that endure, 6 Borne on both shoulders, O ye Maruts, are your spears: within your arms is laid your energy and 3trengt 7 Vouchsafe to us, O Maruts, splendid bounty in cattle and in steeds, in cars and heroes. 8 Ho! Maruts, Heroes, skilled in Law, immortal, be gracious unto us, ye rich in treasures,

2 He, Friend of man, most wise, victorious Hero, hears, with far−reaching aid, the singer call him. 3 The lofty axle of thy wheels, O Hero, is not surpassed by heaven and earth in greatness. 4 Strong Lord, thine energies, endowed with vigour, are like the paths of kine converging homeward. 5 One act to−day, another act tomorrow oft Indra makes what is not yet existeni. 6 By song and sacrifice men brought the waters from thee, as from a mountain's ridge, O Indra. 7 That Indra whom nor months nor autumn seasons wither with age, nor fleeting days enfeeble,− 8 Extolled, he bends not to the strong, the steadfast, nor to the bold incited by the Dasyu. 9 Impetuous Speeder through all depth and distance, give strengthening food, thou drinker of the juices. 10 Hasting to help, come hither and protect him, keep him from harm when he is here, O Indra.

2 Yea, mighty I esteem his Godlike nature: none hindereth what he hath once determined. 3 E'en now endures thine exploit of the Rivers, when, Indra, for their floods thou clavest passage. 4 This is the truth, none else is like thee, Indra, no God superior to thee, no mortal. Thou sle 2 Through fear of thee, O Indra, all the regions of earth, though naught may move them, shake and trembl 3 With Kutsa, Indra! thou didst conquer Susna, voracious, bane of crops, in fight for cattle. 4 Thou smotest to the ground the hundred castles, impregnable, of Sambara the Dasyu, 5 As such, true Hero, for great joy of battle mount thy terrific car, O Brave and Manly. 2 Amid the sages, with the Sun he brightened the Parents: glorified, he burst the mountain; 3 Famed for great deeds, with priests who kneel and laud him, he still hath conquered in the frays for cattl 4 Come with thy girthed mares, with abundant vigour and plenteous strength to him who sings thy praises 5 Indra with rush and might, sped by his Coursers, hath swiftly won the waters from the southward.

2 The bowl made Indra swift to gather booty, the High, the Lofty, Youthful, Undecaying, 3 Stretch out those hands of thine, extend to us−ward thy wide capacious arms, and grant us glory. 4 Now, fain for strength, let us invite your Indra hither, who lieth hidden with his Heroes,− 5 With steadfast laws, wealth−giver, strong through Soma, he hath much fair and precious food to feed us 6 Bring unto us the mightiest might, O Hero, strong and most potent force, thou great Subduer! 7 Bring us, grown mighty in its strength, O Indra, thy friendly rapturous joy that wins the battle, 8 Indra, bestow on us the power heroic skilled and exceeding strong, that wins the booty, 9 Let thine heroic strength come from behind us, before us, from above us or below us. 10 With most heroic aid from thee, like heroes Indra, may we win wealth by deeds glory. 11 The Bull, whose strength hath waxed, whom Maruts follow, free−giving Indra, the Celestial Ruler, 12 Give up the people who are high and haughty to these men and to me, O Thunder−wielder! 13 Through these thy friendships, God invoked of many! may we be victors over every foeman.

2 Men, Vasu! by the Soma, with lauds call thee to the foremost place: 3 Boldly, Bold Hero, bring us spoil in thousands for the Kanvas' sake. 4 Medhyatithi, to Indra sing, drink of the juice to make thee glad. 5 He Who is praised as strong of hand both right and left, most wise and hold: 6 The bold of heart whom none provokes, who stands in bearded confidence; 7 Who knows what vital ower he wins, drinking beside the flowing juice? 8 As a wild elephant rushes on this way and that way, mad with heat,' 9 When he, the Mighty, ne'er o'erthrown, steadfast, made ready for the fight, 10 Yea, verily, thou art a Bull, with a bull's rush. whom none may stay: 11 Thy reins are very bulls in strength, bulls' strength is in thy golden whip. 12 Let the strong presser press for thee. Bring hither, thou straight−rushing Bull. 13 Come, thou most potent Indra, come to drink the savoury Soma juice. 14 When thou hast mounted on thy car let thy yoked Bay Steeds carry thee, 15 O thou Most Lofty One, accept our laud as nearest to thine heart. 16 Neither in thy decree nor mine, but in another's he delights,− 17 Indra himself hath said, The mind of woman brooks not discipline, 18 His pair of horses, rushing on in their wild transport, draw his car: 19 Cast down thine eyes and look not up. More closely set thy feet. Let none

2 I sing to cattle and to Earth, to trees, to Dawns, to Night, to plants. 3 Forth go, with Agni, to the Gods our sacrifice of ancient use, 4 Lords of all wealth, may they be strengtheners of man, destroyers of his enemies. 5 Come to us with one mind to−day, come to us all with one accord, 6 Send us delightful things, ye Maruts, on your steeds: come ye, O Mitra, to our gifts. 7 We who have trimmed the grass for you, and set the banquet in array, 8 O Maruts, Visinu, Asvins, Pusan, haste away with minds turned hitherward to Me. 9 Ye Guileless Gods, bestow on us a refuge strong on every side, 10 Kinship have I with you, and close alliance O ye Gods, destroyers of our foes. 11 For now have I sent forth to you, that I may win a fair reward, 12 Excellent Savitar hath mounted up on high for you, ye sure and careful Guides. 13 Singing their praise with God−like thought let us invoke each God for grace, 14 For of one spirit are the Gods with mortal man, co−sharers all of gracious gifts. 15 I laud you, O ye Guileless Gods, here where we meet to render praise. 16 He makes his house endure, he gathers plenteous food who pays obedience to your will. 17 E'en without war he gathers wealth, and goes hisway on pleasant paths, 18 E'en on the plain for him ye make a sloping path, an easy way where road is none: 19 If ye appoint the rite to−day, kind Rulers, when the Sun ascends, 20 Or, Asuras, when ye have sheltered the worshipper who goes to sacrifice, at eve 21 If ye to−day at sunrise, or at noon, or in the gloom of eve, 22 Then we, imperial Rulers, claim of you this boon, your wide protection, as a son.

1 INDRA and Agni I invoke fain are we for their song of praise 2 Praise ye, O men, and glorify Indra−Agni in the holy rites: 3 Indra and Agni we invite, the Soma−drinkers, for the fame 4 Strong Gods, we bid them come to this libation that stands ready here: 5 Indra and Agni, mighty Lords of our assembly, crush the fiends: 6 Watch ye, through this your truthfulness, there in the place of spacious view 1 WAKEN the Asvin Pair who yoke their car at early morn: may they 2 We call the Asvins Twain, the Gods borne in a noble car, the best 3 Dropping with honey is your whip, Asvins, and full of pleasantness 4 As ye go thither in your car, not far, O Asvins, is the home 5 For my protection I invoke the golden−handed Savitar. 6 That he may send us succour, praise the Waters' Offspring Savitar: 7 We call on him, distributer of wondrous bounty and of wealth, 8 Come hither, friends, and seat yourselves Savitar, to be praised by us, 9 O Agni, hither bring to us the willing Spouses of the Gods, 10 Most youthful Agni, hither bring their Spouses, Hotra, Bharati, 11 Spouses of Heroes, Goddesses, with whole wings may they come to us 12 Indrani, Varunani, and Agnayi hither I invite, 13 May Heaven and Earth, the Mighty Pair, bedew for us our sacrifice, 14 Their water rich with fatness, there in the Gandharva's steadfast place, 15 Thornless be thou, O Earth, spread wide before us for a dwelling−place: 16 The Gods be gracious unto us even from the place whence Visnu strode 17 Through all this world strode Visnu; thrice his foot he planted, and the whole 18 Visnu, the Guardian, he whom none deceiveth, made three steps; thenceforth 19 Look ye on Visnu's works, whereby the Friend of Indra, close−allied, 20 The princes evermore behold that loftiest place where Visnu is, 21 This, Vishnu's station most sublime, the singers, ever vigilant,

2 As rapid chariot−steeds, so turned in several ways have thine exhilarating juices darted forth, 3 Like a steed urged to battle, finder of the light; speed onward to the cloud−born reservoir of heaven, 4 Fleet as swift steeds, thy drops, divine, thought−swift, have been, O Pavamana, poured with milk into th 5 O thou who seest all things, Sovran as thou art and passing strong, thy rays encompass all abodes. 6 The beams of Pavamana, sent from earth and heaven, his ensigns who is ever steadfast, travel round. 7 Served with fair rites he flows, ensign of sacrifice: Soma advances to the special place of Gods. 8 The Sovran dips him in the seain and the streams, and set in rivers with the waters' wave moves on. 9 He on whose high decree the heavens and earth depend nath roared and thundered like the summit of th 10 He, light of sacrifice distils delicious meath, most wealthy, Father and begetter of the Gods. 11 The vigorous and far−seeing one, the Lord of heaven, flows, shouting to the beaker, with his thousand 12 In forefront of the rivers Pavamana speeds, in forefront of the hymn, foremost among the kine. 13 This heedful Pavamana, like a bird sent forth, hath with his wave flowed onward to the fleecy sieve. 14 He, clad in mail that reaches heaven, the Holy One, filling the firmament stationed amid the worlds, 15 He who was first of all to penetrate his form bestowed upon his race wide shelter and defence. 16 Indu hath started for Indra's special place and slights not as a Friend the promise of his Friend. 17 Your songs, exhilarating, tuneful, uttering praise, are come into the placns where the people meet. 18 O Soma, Indu, while they cleanse thee, pour on us accumulateds Plentiful, nutritious food, 19 Far−seeing Soma flows, the Steer, the Lord of hymns, the Furtherer of day, of morning, and of heaven. 20 On, with the prudent singers, flows the ancient Sage and guided by the men hath roared about the vats.

2 Readily have the purple beams of light shot up; the Red Cows have they harnessed, easy to be yoked. 3 They sing their song like women active in their tasks, along their common path hither from far away, 4 She, like a dancer, puts her broidered garments on: as a cow yields her udder so she bares her breast. 5 We have beheld the brightness of her shining; it spreads and drives away the darkiorne monster. 6 We have o'erpast the limit of this darkness; Dawn breaking forth again brings clear perception. 7 The Gotamas have praised Heaven's radiant Daughter, the leader of the charm of pleasant voices. 8 O thou who shinest forth in wondrous glory, urged onward by thy strength, auspicious Lady, 9 Bending her looks on all the world, the Goddess shines, widely spreading with her bright eye westward. 10 Ancient of days, again again born newly, decking her beauty with the self−same raiment. 11 She hath appeared discovering heaven's borders: to the far distance she drives off her Sister. 12 The bright, the blessed One shines forth extending her rays like kine, as a flood rolls his waters. 13 O Dawn enriched with ample wealth, bestow on us the wondrous gift 14 Thou radiant mover of sweet sounds, with wealth of horses and of kine 15 O Dawn enriched with holy rites, yoke to thy car thy purple steeds, 16 O Asvins wonderful in act, do ye unanimous direct 17 Ye who brought down the hymn from heaven, a light that giveth light to man, 18 Hither may they who wake at dawn bring, to drink Soma both the Gods

1 'Through many autumns have I toiled and laboured, at night and morn, through age−inducing dawnings. 2 For even the men aforetime, law−fulfillers, who with the Gods declared eternal statutes,−− 3 Non inutilis est labor cui Dii favent: nos omnes aemulos et aemulas vincamus. 4 Cupido me cepit illius tauri [viri] qui me despicit, utrum hinc utrum illinc ab aliqua parte nata sit. 5 This Soma I address that is most near us, that which hath been imbibed within the spirit, 6 Agastya thus, toiling with strong endeavour, wishing for children, progeny and. power, 5 Membrum suum virile, quod vrotentum fuerat, mas ille retraxit. Rursus illud quod in juvenem filiam 6 Quum jam in medio connessu, semiperfecto opere, amorem in puellam pater impleverat, ambo disceden 7 Quum pater suam nilam adiverat, cum ed congressus suum semen supra wrrarn effudit. Tum Dii benigni 8 Ille tauro similis spumam in certamine jactavit, tunc discedens pusillaximis huc profectus est. Quasi dex 9 'The fire, burning the people, does not approach quickly (by day): the naked (Rakasas approach) not Ag

2 Let not man's guile annoy us, secret or by day: give not us up a prey to these calamities. 3 Bring hither with benignant mind the willing Cow teeming with plenteous milk, full, inexhaustible. 4 With eulogy I call on Raka swift to hear may she, auspicious, hear us, and herself observe. 5 All thy kind thoughts, O Raka, lovely in their form, wherewith thou grantest wealth to him who offers 6 O broad−tressed Sinivali, thou who art the Sister of the Gods, 7 With lovely fingers, lovely arms, prolific Mother of many sons− 8 Her, Sinivali, her, Gungu, her, Raka, her, Sarasvati, Indrani to mine aid I call, and Vartunani for my wea

2 She comes in front, fair, rousing up the people, making the pathways easy to be travelled. 3 She, harnessing her car with purple oxen. injuring none, hath brought perpetual riches. 4 With changing tints she gleams in double splendour while from the eastward she displays her body. 5 As conscious that her limbs are bright with bathing, she stands, as 'twere, erect that we may see her. 6 The Daughter of the Sky, like some chaste woman, bends, opposite to men, her forehead downward.

2 The Twain invincible in war, worthy to be renowned in frays, 3 Impetuous is their strength, and keen the lightning of the mighty Pair, 4 Indra and Agni, we invoke you both, as such, to send your cars: 5 These who give increase day by day, Gods without guile for mortal man, 6 The strength−bestowing offering thus to Indra−Agni hath been paid, as butter, purified by stones. Deal t

2 Let the impatient Portals be thrown open bring thou the Gods impatient to come hither. 3 Taste, Agni: serve the Gods with our oblation. Offer good sacrifices, Jatavedas! 4 Let Jatavedas pay fair sacrifices, worship andgratify the Gods Immortal. 5 Wise God, win for us things that are all−goodly, and let the prayers, we pray today be fruitful. 6 Thee, even thee, the Son of Strength, O Agni, those Gods have made the bearer of oblations. 7 To thee the God may we perform our worship: do thou, besought, grant us abundant riches.

2 For ye were strong to gain, exceeding mighty, growing together, waxing in your vigour. 3 Yea when the strong have entered our assembly, and singers seeking with their hymns your favour, 4 The singer, seeking with his hymns your favour, begs splendid riches of their first possessor. 5 When two great hosts, arrayed against each other, meet clothed with brightness, in the fierce encounter 6 To this our Soma−pressing, Indra−Agni, come ye prepared to show your loving−kindness, 7 So Agni, kindled mid this adoration, invite thou Mitra, Varuna, and Indra. 8 While we accelerate these our sacrifices, may we win strength from both of you, O Agni:

2 As with a hundred hosts, he rushes boldly on, and for the offerer slays his foes. 3 The drops effused, the gladdening draughts, O Indra, Lover of the Son 4 The matchless draught that strengthens and gives eloquence, the sweetest of the meath drink thou, 5 Come quickly to our laud, urged on by Soma−pressers like a horse− 6 With homage have we sought thee as a Hero, strong, preeminent, with unfailing wealth. 7 If now thou art at sacrifice, or if thou art upon the earth, 8 The active, fleet−foot, tawny Coursers that are thine are swift to victory, like the Wind, 9 Indra, from thee so great we crave prosperity in wealth of kine, 10 As, Maghavan, to Kanva, Trasadasyu, and to Paktha and Dasavraja;

2 Thou who subduedst Ayu, Kutsa, Atithigva, waxing daily in thy might, 3 The pressing−stones shall pour for us the essence of the meath of all, 4 Repel all enmities and keep thern far away: let all win treasure for their own. 5 Come, Indra, very near to us with aids of firmly−based resolve; 6 Bless thou with progeny the chief of men, the lord of heroes, victor in the fray. 7 May we be such in battle as are surest to obtain thy grace: 8 Thine, Lord of Bays, am I. Prayer longeth for the spoil. Still with thy help I seek the fight.

2 As ye have come effacing Mrtyu's footstep, to further times prolonging your existence, 3 Divided from the dead are these, the living: now be our calling on the Gods successful. 4 Here I erect this rampart for the living; let none of these, none other, reach this limit. 5 As the days follow days in close succession, as with the seasons duly come the seasons, 6 Live your full lives ap! find old age delightful, all of you striving one behind the other. 7 Let these unwidowed dames with noble husbands adorn themselves with fragrant balm and unguent. 8 Rise, come unto the world of life, O woman: come, he is lifeless by whose side thou liest. 9 From his dead hand I take the bow be carried, that it may be our power and might and glory. 10 Betake thee to the Iap of Earth the Mother, of Earth far−spreading, very kind and gracious. 11 Heave thyself, Earth, nor press thee downward heavily: afford him easy access, gently tending him. 12 Now let the heaving earth be free from motion: yea,− let a thousand clods remain above him. 13 I stay the earth from thee, while over thee I place this piece of earth. May I be free from injury. 14 Even as an arrow's feathers, they have set me on a fitting day.

2 Awake all pleasant strains and let the hymns flow forth: raise up abundant fulness: this is our desire. 3 Ye are the bliss of her who groweth old at home, and helpers of the slow although he linger last. 4 Ye made Cyavana, weak and worn with length of days, young again, like a car, that he had power to mo 5 We will declare among the folk your ancient deeds heroic; yea, ye were Physicians bringing health. 6 Listen to me, O Asvins; I have cried to you. Give me−your aid as sire and mother aid their son. 7 Ye, mounted on your chariot brought to Vimada the comely maid of Purumitra as a bride. 8 Ye gave a ain the vigour of his youthful life to tge sage Kali when old age was coming nigh. 9 Ye Asvins Twain, endowed with manly strength, brought forth Reblia when hidden in the cave and 10 On Pedu ye bestowed, Asvins, a courser white, mighty with nine−and−ninety varied gifts of strength, 11 From no side, ye Two Kings whom none may check or stay, doth grief, distress, or danger come u on t 12 Come on that Chariot which the Rbhus wrought for you, the Chariot, Asvins, that is speedier than thou 13 Come, Conquerors of the sundered mountain, to our home, Asvins who made the cow stream milk for 14 We have prepared this laud for you, O Asvins, and, like the Bhrgus, as a car have framed it,

2 Here is the psalm for wealth, and food, in plenty: let us do many deeds to bring us glory. 3 May we o'ercome our foes with acts of valour, as heaven is over earth, hills over lowlands. 4 Give us not up as prey to death, O Sorna still let us look upon the Sun arising. 5 O Asuniti, keep the soul within us, and make the days we have to live yet longer. 6 Give us our sight again, O Asuniti, give us again our breath and our enjoyment. 7 May Earth restore to us our vital spirit, may Heaven the Goddess and mid−air restore it. 8 May both Worlds bless Subandhu, young Mothers of everlasting Law. 9 Health−giving medicines descend sent down from heaven in twos and threes, 10 Drive forward thou the wagon−ox, O Indra, which brought Usinarani's wagon hither.

2 Make pleasant hymns, spin out your songs and praises: build ye a ship equipped with oars for transport. 3 Lay on the yokes, and fasten well the traces: formed is the furrow, sow the seed within it. 4 Wise, through desire of bliss from Gods, the skilful bind the traces fast, And lay the yokes on either side 5 Arrange the buckets in their place securely fasten on the straps. 6 I pour the water from the well with pails prepared and goodly straps, 7 Refresh the horses, win the prize before you: equip a chariot fraught with happy fortune. 8 Prepare the cow−stall, for there drink your heroes: stitch ye the coats of armour, wide and many. 9 Hither, for help, I turn the holy heavenly mind of you the Holy Gods, that longs for sacrifice. 10 Pour golden juice within the wooden vessel: with stone−made axes fashion ye and form it. 11 Between both poles the car−horse goes pressed closely, as in his dwelling moves the doubly−wedded. 12 Indra is he, O men, who gives us happiness: sport, urge the giver of delight to win us strength

2 Immortal. she hath filled the waste, the Goddess hath filled height and depth: 3 The Goddess as she comes hath set the Dawn her Sister in her place: 4 So favour us this night, O thou whose pathways we have visited 5 The villagers have sought their homes, and all that walks and all that flies, 6 Keep off the she−wolf and the wolf, O Urmya, keep the thief away; 7 Clearly hath she come nigh to me who decks the dark with richest hues: 8 These have I brought to thee like kine. O Night, thou Child of Heaven, accept

2 Relax that mortal's stubborn strength whose heart is bent on wickedness. 3 Shake down, O Slayer of the foe, those great all splendid enemies. 4 As thou, O Satakratu, thou, O Indrv, shakest all things down 5 Around, on every side like drops of sweat let lightning−flashes fall. 6 Thou bearest in thine hand a lance like a long hook, great Counsellor! 7 Never, O Gods, do we offend, nor are we ever obstinate: we walk as holy texts command.