Yajur Veda on Protection

b May the Rathantara with the Samans protect us, The Gayatri with every form of metres, The Trivrt Stoma with the order of the days, The ocean, the wind, make full this strength. c (May) the dread among the quarters, the overpowering, giver of strength, Pure, full of might on a bright day (protect us); O Indra, as overlord, make full, And for us [1] on all sides do thou preserve this great kingly power. d (May) the Brhat Saman, which supporteth kingly power, with vast strength, The force made beautiful by the Tristubh, that of fierce strength (protect us); O Indra, with the fifteenfold Stoma Do thou guard this in the midst with the wind, with the ocean. e (May) the eastern among the quarters, famous and renowned, O ye All-gods, heavenly with the rain of the days (protect us); Let this kingly power be unassailable, Force unoverpowerable, a thousandfold and mighty. f Here in the Vairupa Saman may we have strength for this; With the Jagati we place him in the people; O ye All-gods [2] through the seventeenfold (Stoma) this radiance, This kingly power with the ocean wind (be) dread. g The supporter among the quarters doth support this lordly power, The stay of the regions; may force rich in friends be ours; O Mitra and Varuna, ye wise ones with the autumn of the days, Do ye accord great protection to this kingdom. h In the Vairaja Saman is my devotion; By the Anustubh (be) manly strength collected; This kingly power rich in friends, with dripping wet, Do ye, O Mitra and Varuna, guard through your overlordship. i May the victorious among quarters, with the Saman, the strong one, The season winter in order make us full; May the great ones, the Çakvari (verses), with favouring winds [8] Aid this sacrifice, full of ghee. k May the heavenly of the quarters, the easily milked, the rich in milk, The goddess aid us, full of ghee; Thou art the protector, who goest in front and behind; O Brhaspati, yoke a voice in the south.

c In the wealth of earth I place thee; in the wealth of the atmosphere I place thee; in the wealth of the sky I place thee; in the wealth of the quarters I place thee; giver of wealth I place thee in wealth. d Protect my expiration; protect my inspiration; protect my cross-breathing [1]; protect my life; protect all my life; protect the whole of my life. e O Agni, thy highest name, the heart, Come let us join together, Be thou, O Agni, among those of the five races. f (Thou art) the Yavas, the Ayavas, the courses, the helpers, the Sabda, the ocean, the firm one. (Thou I art) all overcoming through Agni; self-ruling through the sun; lord of strength through might; creator with the bull; bountiful through the sacrifice; heavenly through the sacrificial fee; slayer of enemies through rage; supporter of the body through kindliness; wealth through food; through the earth he hath won; (thou art) eater of food with verses; increased by the Vasat cry; protector of the body through the Saman; full of light with the Viraj; drinker of Soma through the holy power; with cows he supporteth the sacrifice; with lordly power men; with horse and car bearer of the bolt; lord with the seasons; enclosing with the year; unassailable through penance; the sun with bodies.

g Thou art the protection of Visnu, the protection of the sacrificer, grant me protection. h Guard me from the lustre of the Naksatras. i Thou art the birthplace of Indra [2]; harm me not. k For ploughing thee, for good crops, l For the plants with good berries thee! m Thou art of easy access, divine tree. Being erect, guard me until the completion (of the sacrifice). n Hail! with my mind the sacrifice (I grasp); hail! from heaven and earth, bail! broad atmosphere, hail! from the wind the sacrifice I grasp. a The thought divine we meditate, Merciful, for our help, That giveth glory, and carrieth the sacrifice. May it guide us safely according as we will. b The gods, mind-born, mind-using, The wise, the sons of wisdom, May they guard us, may they protect us, To them honour! to them hail! c O Agni, be thou wakeful; Let us be glad; Guard us to prosperity; Grant to us to wake again. d Thou, O Agni, art the guardian of vows, Among the gods and men. Thou [1] art to be invoked at our sacrifices. e All the gods have surrounded me, Pusan with gain, Soma with a gift, The god Savitr the giver of brightness. f O Soma, give so much, and bear more hither. g May he that filleth never miss of fullness. Let me not be parted with life. h Thou art gold; be for my enjoyment. Thou art raiment; be for my enjoyment. Thou art a cow; be for my enjoyment. Thou art a horse; be for my enjoyment [2]. Thou art a goat; be for my enjoyment. Thou art a ram; be for my enjoyment. i To Vayu thee; to Varuna thee; to Nirrti thee; to Rudra thee! k O divine waters, son of the waters, the stream Fit for oblation, mighty, most exhilarating, That stream of yours may I not step upon. l Along an unbroken web of earth may I go. m From good to better do thou advance. n May Brhaspati be thy leader; Then set him free, on the chosen spot of earth; Drive afar the foes with all thy strength. o We have come to the place on earth for sacrifice to the gods, Wherein aforetime all the gods rejoiced.

a With the impulse of strength, With elevation he hath lifted me up; Then Indra hath made my enemies Humble by depression. b The gods have increased my prayer. What is elevation and depression; Then do ye, O Indra and Agni, Scatter my foes on every side. c To the Vasus thee, to the Rudras thee, to the Adityas thee! d Licking the anointed lot the birds go asunder. e May I not brush offispring and the organ. f Swell, ye waters and plants. g Ye are the spotted steeds of the Maruts. h Fare to the sky [1], thence bring us rain. i Guardian of life art thou, O Agni, guard my life. k Guardian of the eye art thou, O Agni, guard my eye. I Thou art the secure one. m The fence which thou didst put round thee When thou wast beset by the Panis, O god Agni, That do I bring here to thee that thou mayst rejoice in it, That it be not removed from thee. n Go ye two to the place of the gods. o Ye are sharers in the remains (of the oblation), well nourished, mighty Ye gods that are on the prastara and sit on the strew [2]. Accepting this supplication, do ye all, Seated on this strew enjoy yourselves. p I set thee in the seat of Agni whose abode is secure. q For goodwill, O ye two with goodwill, place me in goodwill. r Guard ye the yoke-horses at the yoke. s O Agni, with life unhurt, with not-cool body, guard me this day from the sky, guard from bondage, guard from error in sacrifice, guard from evil food, guard from ill deed. t Make our food free from poison, the lap pleasant to sit in; hail! u O ye gods that know the way, knowing the way, go ye the way. v O lord of mind, this sacrifice for us place among the gods, O god, hail! in speech, hail! in the wind, hail! a Ye twain shall be summoned, O Indra and Agni. Ye twain shall rejoice together in the offering. You both givers of food and riches, You both I summon for the winning of strength. b For I have heard that ye both are more generous Than a worthless son-in-law or a wife's brother.

d Protect my life; protect my expiration; protect my inspiration; protect my cross- breathing; protect my eye; protect my ear; quicken my mind; strengthen my voice; protect my breath; accord me light. a (Thou art) Ma metre, Prama metre, Pratima metre, Asrivis metre, Pankti metre, Usnih metre, Brhati metre, Anustubh metre, Viraj metre, Gayatri metre, Tristubh metre, Jagati metre. (Thou art) earth metre, atmosphere metro, sky metre, seasons metre, Naksatras metre, mind metre, speech metre, ploughing metre, gold metre, cow metre, female goat metre, horse metre. (Thou art) Agni, the deity [1], Vata, the deity, Surya, the deity, Candramas, the deity, the Vasus, the deity, the Rudras, the deity, the Adityas, the deity, the All-gods, the deity, the Maruts, the deity, Brhaspati, the deity, Indra, the deity, Varuna, the deity. b The head thou art, ruling; thou art the firm, the supporting; thou art the prop, the restrainer; for food thee; for strength thee; for ploughing thee: for safety thee! (Thou art) the prop, ruling; thou art the firm, the supporting; thou art the holder, the sustainer; for life thee; for radiance thee; for force thee; for might thee! (Thou art) the swift, the triple (Stoma); the shining, the fifteenfold the sky, the seventeenfold; speed, the eighteenfold; fervour, the nineteen. fold; attack, the twentyfold; support, the twenty-onefold; radiance, the twenty-twofold; maintenance, the twenty-threefold; the womb, the twenty-fourfold; the embryo, the twenty-fivefold; might, the twenty sevenfold; inspiration, the thirty-onefold; support, the thirtythreefold; the surface of the tawny one, the thirty-fourfold; the vault, the thirty-six fold; the revolving, the forty-eightfold; the support, the fourfold Stoma. a Thou art the portion of Agni, the overlordship of consecration, the holy power saved, the threefold Stoma. b Thou art the portion of Indra, the overlordship of Visnu, the lordly power saved, the fifteenfold Stoma.

b Make thy comrades to swell with wealth and skill; with good fortune may I accomplish thy pressing, O god Soma. c Desired are riches exceedingly for food, for prosperity. Be right to the proclaimers of right. Honour to the sky, honour to the earth! d Agni, lord of vows, thou art the vow-lord of vows; this body of mine be in thee that body of thine be in me. Together, O lord of vows, be the vows of us two that e Thy dread form, O Agni, with that protect us; hail to that form of thine! f That form of thine, O Agni, which rests in iron, which rests in silver, which rests in gold, the highest, that dwells in the cleft, g (By it) I have driven away harsh speech, (by it) I have driven away angry speech. a Thou I art the abode of riches for me; thou art the resort of the afflicted for me; protect me when in want; protect me when afflicted. b May Agni, named Nabhas, know (thee). c Agni Angiras, thou who art in this earth, come with the name of Ayus. Whatsoever unapproached, holy name is thine, [1] therewith I take thee up. d Agni Angiras, thou who art in the second (the third) earth, come with the name of Ayus. Whatever inviolate, holy name is thine, therewith I take thee up. e Thou art a lioness; thou art a buffalo. f Extend wide; let the lord of the sacrifice extend wide for thee. g Thou art firm. h Be pure for the gods; be bright for the gods. i May the cry of Indra guard thee in front with the Vasus; may the swift of mind guard thee on the right with the Pitrs; may the wise one guard thee behind with the Rudras; may Viçvakarman guard thee on the left with the Adityas. k Thou art a lioness, overcoming rivals; hail! Thou art a lioness, bestowing fair offspring; hail! Thou art a lioness, [2] bestowing increase of wealth; hail! Thou art a lioness, winning (the favour of) the Adityas hail! Thou art a lioness; bring the gods to the pious sacrificer; hail! l To beings thee!

'For him indeed is the Çatarudriya offered in truth', they say, 'for whom this (oblation) is made on the fire.' l May the Vasus, with the Rudras, protect thee on the east; may the Pitrs whose lord is Yama, with the Pitrs, protect thee on the south; may the Adityas, with the All-gods, protect thee on the west; may Dyutana Maruta, with the Maruts, protect thee on the north [4]; may the gods, whose chief is Indra, protect thee from below and from above. m It is not purified, nor made worthy of sacrifice, nor really anointed, if it is anointed before this point; in that he anoints it with ghee after it has been piled, thereby is it purified, made worthy of sacrifice and really anointed. a Thou art the eastern quarter, the favourable by name; of thee as such Agni is the overlord, the black (snake) the guardian; the overlord and the guardian, to them homage; may they be gentle to us; him whom we hate and who hateth us I place within the jaws of you two. Thou art the southern quarter, the mighty by name; of thee as such Indra is the overlord, the scorpion, &c. Thou art the western quarter, the forward by name; of thee as such [1] Soma is the overlord, the viper, &c. Thou art the northern quarter, the stable by name; of thee as such Varuna is overlord, the striped snake, &c. Thou art the great quarter, the lady paramount by name; of thee as such Brhaspati is overlord, the white, &c. Thou art this quarter, the powerful by name; of thee as such Yama is the overlord, the spotted necked (snake) the guardian; the overlord and the guardian, to them homage; may they be gentle to us; him whom we hate and [2] who hateth us I place within the jaws of you two. b These deities guard the fire when kindled; if he were not to offer libations to them, they would suck the Adhvaryu and the sacrificer; in that he offers these libations he soothes them with their proper portion; neither Adhvaryu nor sacrificer goes to ruin.

, in this folk, this kingdom, for great lordship, for great overlordship, for great rule over the people. h This is your king, O Bharatas; Soma is the king of us Brahmans. i Thou art the bolt of Indra [2] slaying foes; with thee may he slay his foe. k Ye are overcomers of foes. l Protect me in front, protect me at the side, protect me from behind; from the protect me; from all deadly things protect me. m Gold hued in the glowing of the dawns, Bronze pillared at the rising of the sun, O Varuna, O Mitra, mount your chariot seat, And thence behold ye Aditi and Diti. a Do I thou mount the kindling (quarter); let the Gayatri of metres help thee; the Trivrt Stoma, the Rathantara Saman, the deity Agni, the treasure the Brahman b Do thou mount the dread (quarter); let the Tristubh of metres help thee, the Pañcadaça Stoma, the Brhat Saman, the deity Indra, the treasure the ruling class. c Do thou mount the shining (quarter); let the Jagati of metres help thee, the Saptadaça Stoma, the Vairapa Saman, the deity the Maruts, the treasure the peasant d Do thou mount the northern (quarter); let the Anustubh of metres help thee [1], the Ekavinça Stoma, the Vairaja Saman, the deity Mitra and Varuna, the treasure e Do thou mount the zenith; let the Pañkti of metres help thee, the Trinava, and Trayastrinça Stomas, the Çakvara and Raivata Samans, the deity Brhaspati, the treasure radiance. f Such like, other like, thus like, similar, the measured, commensurate, harmonious, g Of pure radiance, of varied radiance, of true radiance, the radiant, true, protector of holy order [2], beyond distress. h To Agni hail! To Soma hail! To Savitr hail! To Sarasvati hail! To Pusan hail! To Brhaspati hail! To Indra hail! To sound hail! To verse hail! To Ança hail! To Bhaga hail! To the lord of the field hail! i To earth hail! To atmosphere hail! To sky hail! To the sun hail! To the moon hail! To the Naksatras hail! To the waters hail! To plants hail! To trees hail! To moving creatures hail!

v O bright one, in thy mouth thou cookest Both ladles (full) of butter; Do thou make us full [6], For our hymns, O lord of strength; Do thou bear food to thy praisers. w O Agni to-day, let us make to prosper by praises, By devotions, for thee this (sacrifice) like a (good) steed, Like a noble resolve which toucheth the heart. x O Agni, thou hast become master Of noble resolve, of true inspiration, Of mighty holy order. y With these songs singing to thee, O Agni, This day let us pay worship; Thy strengths thunder forth as from the sky. z At these our hymns of praise do thou be propitious [7], Like the light of heaven, O Agni, propitious with all thy faces. aa Agni I deem the Hotr, the generous wealth-giver, The son of strength, the all-knower, Who knoweth all as a sage, bb Who offereth sacrifice well, With beauty soaring aloft towards the gods, the god, Following the flames of the ghee, Of the butter of brilliant radiance when offered up. cc O Agni, be thou our nearest, Our protector, kindly, a shield; dd Thee, O shining and most radiant one, We implore for favour, for our friends. ee Agni, bright, of bright fame, Come hither in thy greatest splendour and give us wealth. a I yoke thee in bonds of fellowship with Indra and Agni, with the ghee sprinklings, with brilliance, with radiance, with the hymns, with the Stomas, with the metres, for the increase of wealth, for pro-eminence among thy fellows; I yoke thee in bonds of fellowship with me. b Amba, Duhi, Nitatni, Abhrayanti, Meghayanti, Varsayanti, Cupunika, art thou by name, with Prajapati, with our every prayer, I deposit thee. c The earth penetrated by food, a reservoir of water (thou art), men are thy guardians, Agni is placed in this (brick), to it I resort, and may it [1] be my protection and my refuge. d The over-sky penetrated by holy power, the atmosphere (thou art); the Maruts are thy guardians, Vayu is placed in this (brick), to it I resort, and may it be my protection and my refuge.

b Thou art taken with a support; thou art the leader, thou art the good leader; quicken the sacrifice, quicken the lord of the sacrifice; guard the pressings; let Visnu guard thee, do thou guard the folk with thy power; this is thy birthplace; to the All-gods thee! a Three and thirty in troops the Rudras Frequent the sky and earth, the destructive ones, Eleven seated on the waters; May all of them accept the Soma pressed for the pressing. b Thou art taken with a support; thou art the leader, thou art the good leader; quicken the sacrifice, quicken the lord of the sacrifice; guard the pressings; let Visnu guard thee, do thou guard the folk with thy power; this is thy birthplace; to the all-gods thee! a Thou art taken with a support. To Indra thee, to him of the Brhat (Saman), The strong, eager for praise. Thy great strength, O Indra, To that thee! To Visnu thee! This is thy birthplace; to Indra, eager for praise, thee! a The head of the sky, the messenger of earth, Vaiçvanara, born for holy order, Agni, The sage, the king, the guest of men, The gods have produced as a cup for their mouths. b Thou art taken with a support; to Agni Vaiçvanara thee! Thou art secure, of secure foundation, most secure of the secure, with securest foundation of those which are secure. This is thy birthplace; to Agni Vaiçvanara thee! a Thou art Madhu and Madhava; thou art Çukra and Çuci; thou art Nabha and Nabbasya; thou art Isa and Urja; thou art Saha and Sahasya; thou art Tapa and b Thou art taken with a support. c Thou art Samsarpa. d To Anhaspatva thee! a O Indra and Agni, come For our prayers to the pressed drink, the delightful fumes Drink ye of it, impelled by our prayer. b Thou art taken with a support; to Indra and Agni thee! This is thy birthplace; to Indra and Agni thee! a Ye dread ones, guardians of men, O All-gods, come ye, Generous, to the pressed drink of the generous one. b Thou art taken with a support; to the All-gods thee! This is thy birthplace; to the All-gods thee!

The Hotr is this (earth), the Adhvaryu yonder (sky); in that he recites sitting, so the Hotr goes not away from the (earth), for this (earth) is seated as it were; verily thereby the sacrifice milks this (earth). In that he responds standing, so the Adhvaryu goes not away from yonder (sky) [6], for yonder (sky) stands as it were; verily thereby the sacrificer milks yonder (sky). In that he recites sitting, therefore the gods live on that which is given hence; in that he responds standing, therefore men live on what is given thence. In that he recites seated towards the east, and he responds standing towards the west, therefore seed is impregnated in front, offspring are born behind. In that the Hotr addresses the Adhvaryu, he makes the thunderbolt advance towards him; he turns towards the West; verily he overcomes the thunderbolt. iii. 2. 10. a Thou art taken with a support; thou art seated in speech for the guardians of for the guardians of insight, for the overseers of this established sacrifice do I take b Thou art taken with a support; thou art seated in holy order; for the guardians of sight, &c., do I take thee. c Thou art taken with a support; thou art seated in holy lore; for the guardians of ear, &c., do I take thee. d For the gods thee! e For the All-gods thee! f For all the gods thee! g O Visnu, wide striding, this is thy Soma; guard it [1] let not the evil-eyed one espy this of thine. h In me is the Vasu, whom wealth precedeth, who guardeth the voice; guard my i In me is the Vasu, who winneth wealth, who guardeth the eye; guard my eye. k In me is the Vasu, who keepeth wealth together, who guardeth the ear; guard my l Thou art Bhuh, best of rays, guardian of expiration; guard my expiration. m Thou art Dhuh, best of rays, guardian of inspiration; guard my inspiration. n The foe who, O Indra and Vayu, is hostile to us, Who seeketh to assail us, O lords of splendour, May I here burl him below my feet, So that, O Indra, I may shine as the highest.

b Thou art the altar, to the strew thee, hail! c Thou art the strew,' to the ladles thee, hail d To the sky thee, to the atmosphere thee, to the earth thee! e Be thou refreshment to the fathers, strength to those that sit on f With strength go ye to the earth. g Thou art the hair-knot of Visnu. h Soft as wool I strew thee, offering a good seat to the gods. i Thou art the Gandharva, Viçvavasu (possessing all wealth), the fence of the from every attacker, praised and to be praised. k Thou art the right arm of Indra, the fence of the sacrificer, praised and to be l May Mitra and Varuna lay thee around in the north with firm law, thou art the of the sacrificer, praised and to be praised. m May the sun in the east protect thee from all evil. n May we kindle thee, O wise one, That dost invite to the sacrifice, the radiant one, O Agni, thee that art mighty at the sacrifice. o Ye two are the props of the people. p Sit on the seat of the Vasus, Rudras, Adityas. q Thou art named juhu, upabhrt, dhruva, loving the ghee, sit on thy dear seat with thy dear name. r These have sat down in the world of good action. s Protect them, O Visnu. t Protect the sacrifice, protect the lord of the sacrifice, protect me that conduct the a Thou art the world, be extended. b O Agni, sacrificer, this reverence. c O juhu, come hither, Agni summons thee for the sacrifice to the gods. d O upabhrt, come hither, the god Savitr summons thee for the sacrifice to the gods. e O Agni and Visnu, let me not step down upon you. f Be ye parted, consume me not. g Make ye a place for me, ye place-makers. h Thou art the abode of Visnu. i Hence Indra wrought mighty deeds.' k Great, grasping the sky, imperishable. 1 The sacrifice of the lord of the sacrifice is undisturbed. m Offered to Indra, hail! n Great light. o Guard me, O Agni, from misfortune, place me in good fortune. p Thou art the head of Makha, be light united with light.

The Soma Sacrifice a May I the waters wet (thee) for life, For length of days, for glory. b O plant, protect him. c Axe, hurt him not. d Obedient to the gods I shear these. e With success may I reach further days. f Let the waters, the mothers, purify us, With ghee let those that purify our ghee purify us, Let them bear from us all pollution, Forth from these waters do I come bright, in purity. g Thou art the body of Soma, guard my body. h Thou art the milk of the great ones, thou art the giver of splendour; splendour [1] place in me. i Thou art the pupil of Vrtra's eye, thou art the guardian of the eye, guard my eye. k Let the lord of thought purify thee, let the lord of speech purify thee, let the god Savitr purify thee With the flawless purifier, With the rays of the bright sun. l O lord of the purifier, with thy purifier for whatsoever I purify myself, that may I have strength to accomplish. m We approach you, O gods, Ye that have true ordinances at the sacrifice What O gods ye can assent to, For that we ask you, O holy ones.' n Indra and Agni, heaven and earth, waters, plants. o Thou art the lord of consecrations, guard me that am here. a To the purpose, to the impulse, to Agni, hail! To wisdom, to thought, to Agni, hail! To consecration, to penance, to Agni, hail! To Sarasvati, to Prisan, to Agni, b O ye divine, vast, all-sootbing waters! Heaven and earth, wide atmosphere! May Brhaspati rejoice in our oblation, hail! c Let every man choose the companionship Of the god who leadeth. Every man prayeth for wealth; Let him choose glory that he may prosper, hail! d Ye are images of the Rc and the Saman. I grasp you two; do ye two [1] protect me until the completion of this sacrifice. e O god,Varuna, do thou sharpen this prayer of him who implores thee, Sharpen his strength, his insight; May we mount that safe ship Whereby we' may pass over all our difficulties. f Thou art the strength of the Angirases, soft as wool; grant me strength, guard me, harm me not.

g Protect my expiration; protect my inspiration; protect my cross breathing; make eye to shine widely; make my ear to hear. h Make thick the waters; quicken the plants; protect bipeds; help quadrupeds; from sky make rain to start. a (Thou art) the calf of eighteen months in strength, the Tristubh metre; the two- year-old in strength, the Viraj metre; the two-and-a-half year-old in strength, the Gayatri metre; the three-year-old in strength, the Usnih metre; the four-year-old in strength, the Anustubh metre; the draught ox in strength, the Brhati metre; the bull in strength, the Satobrhati metre; the bullock in strength, the Kakubh metre; the milch cow in strength, the Jagati metre; the beast of burden in strength, the Pankti metre; the goat in strength, the spacious metre; the ram in strength, the slow metre; the tiger in strength, the unassailable metre; the lion in strength, the covering metre; the support in strength, the overlord metre; the lordly power in strength, the delight-giving metre; the all-creating in strength, the supreme lord metro; the head in strength, the Prajapati metre. a O Indra and Agni, do ye two make firm The brick that quaketh not; And let it with its back repel The sky and earth and atmosphere. b Let Viçvakarman place thee in the ridge of the atmosphere, encompassing, expanding, resplendent, possessing the sun, thee that dost illumine the sky, the earth, the broad atmosphere, support the atmosphere, make firm the atmosphere, harm not the atmosphere; for every expiration, inspiration, cross-breathing, out- breathing, support, movement; let Vayu protect thee with great prosperity, with a covering [1] most healing; with that deity do thou sit firm in the manner of c Thou art the queen, the eastern quarter; thou art the ruling, the southern quarter; thou art the sovereign, the western quarter; thou art the self-ruling, the northern quarter; thou art the lady paramount, the great quarter.

d They coming together as a maiden to the assembly, As a mother her child, shall bear (the arrow) in their lap; In unison shall they pierce the foes, These two ends springing asunder, the enemies. e Father of many (daughters), many his sons, He whizzeth as he goeth to battle, The quiver, slung on the back, yielding its content, Doth conquer every band and army. f Standing on the chariot be guideth his steeds before him Wheresoever he desireth, good charioteer; The might of the reins [2] do ye admire; The reins behind obey the mind (of the driver). g Shrilly the strong-hooved horses neigh, As with the cars they show their strength; Trampling with their forefeet the enemy They unflinchingly destroy the foe. h The chariot-bearer is his oblation by name, Where is deposited his armour and his weapon; Then may we sit on the strong car, All the days, with friendly hearts. i The fathers with pleasant seats, granting strength, A support in trouble mighty and profound, With varied hosts, with arrows to strengthen them, free, With real heroes, broad conquerors of hosts. k The Brahmans [3], the fathers worthy of the Soma, And sky and earth, unequalled be propitious to us; May Pusan guard us from misfortune, us that prosper holy order Do thou guard; may no foe overpower us. I A feather her garment, a deer her tooth, Tied with cowhide she flieth shot forth; Where men run together and apart, There may the arrows accord us protection. m O thou of straight path, avoid us; Be our body as of stone May Soma favour us, And Aditi [4] grant protection! n Their backs it smites, Their thighs it belabours; O horse-whip, do ye stimulate The skilled horses in the battles. o Like a snake with its coils it encircleth his arm, Fending off the friction of the bowstring, Let the hand-guard, knowing all cunning, Manfully guard the man on all sides.

i Thine anger, O Varuna, would we avert with reverence, With sacrifices, with oblations Ruling, O wise Asura, O king, Do thou unloose the sins we have committed. k Unloose from us, O Varuna, the highest, The lowest, the midmost knot; Then may we, O Aditya [3], in thy rule, Be guiltless before Aditi. I Of Dadhikravan have I sung, The swift strong horse; May he make our mouths fragrant; May he lengthen our days. m Dadhikra with his glory hath overspread the five peoples, As the sun with his light the waters; May the strong steed, winning a hundred, a thousand, Fill with boney these words of ours. n Agni, the head. o Thou art. p O Maruts, what time seeking your favour We call on you from the sky, Do ye come unto us [4]. q The protections which ye have for the earnest worshipper, Threefold do ye grant them to the generous giver, To us, O Maruts, do ye accord them; O strong ones, give us wealth rich in heroes: r Let Aditi save us, Let Aditi give us protection, Let Aditi guard us from tribulation. s The mighty mother of the righteous, The spouse of holy order, let us invoke to aid us, The powerful, the unageing, the wide Aditi, who giveth good protection and good guidance. t Earth strong to save, sky unrivalled, Aditi who giveth good protection and good guidance, The divine ship with good oars, the blameless, Which leaketh not, let us mount for prosperity. u Happily have I mounted this ship With a hundred oars and a hundred spars, Without leak, able to convey across.

o In unison with thee, aided by thee, Under thy leadership, let us gain strength; Fulfil both our desires, O truthful one; Perform it forthwith, O fearless one. p With this fuel, O Agni, will we serve thee; Accept the song of praise recited for thee; Burn those that revile, the Raksases; guard us, From the foe, the reviler, O rich in friends, from blame. I touch the steed that slayeth the Raksases; I go for shelter to the friend most spreading; May Agni, enkindled with our offerings, sharpening (his dart) Guard us by day, [6] from harm and by night. r With great radiance Agni shineth; All things doth he reveal by his might; He overcometh godless and malign enchantments He sharpeneth his horns to pierce the Raksas. s Let the roarings of Agni rise to the heaven, Sharp weapons to slay the Raksas; In the carouse his radiance bursteth forth The godless assailers cannot restrain him.

Then the gods prospered, the Asuras were defeated. He who has foes should offer these (offerings); verily by the Abhyatanas he overpowers his foes, by the Jayas he conquers them, by the Rastrabhrts he wins the kingdom; he prospers himself, his foe is defeated. a Supporting holy order, abounding in truth, Agni is the Gandharva; his Apsarases are the plants, called strength; may he protect this holy power, this lordly power; may they protect this holy power, this lordly power; to him hail! To them hail! b The compact, possessing all the Samans, the sun is the Gandharva, his Apsarases are the rays (called) active, &c. c The all-blessed, sun-rayed Candramas is the Gandharva; his Apsarases are the Naksatras, (called) the bright, &c. d The active, the winged sacrifice is the Gandharva, his Apsarases are the sacrificial fees, (called) praises, &c. e Prajapati, all-creator, the mind [1], is the Gandharva; his Apsarases are the Rc and Saman verses, (called) hymns, &c. f The swift, all-pervading wind is the Gandharva; his Apsarases are the waters, (called) delights, &c. g O lord of the world, thou who hast houses above and here, do thou give us increase of wealth, unfailing, rich in heroes, prosperity abiding through the year. h The supreme ruler, the overlord, death is the Gandharva; his Apsarases are the whole (world), (called) the worlds. &c. i With fair abode, fair wealth, doer of good deeds, holding the light, Parjanya. is the Gandharva; his Apsarases are the lightnings, (called) the radiant, &c. k Whose dart speeds afar, the pitiless [2], death is the Gandharva; the Apsarases are his offspring, (called) the timid, &c. I The dear one, looking with desire, love is the Gandharva; his Apsarases are thoughts, (called) the burning; may he protect this our holy power, our lordly power; may they protect this our holy power, our lordly power; to him hail!

The fire is piled for the world of heaven; whatever is done out of order, that is not heavenly; the fire is heavenly; having put down the layer he should stroke it, (saying), 'May the wise discern wisdom and folly, like backs straight and crooked, like men; for wealth and good offspring, O god, grant us freedom, and keep bondage from us.' Verily he puts it down in order. He piles (the fire) facing east; it becomes heavenly for him. Viçvakarman, lord of the quarters, may he protect our cattle, may he protect us, to him homage! Prajapati; Rudra; Varuna; Agni; lord of the quarters; may he protect our cattle, may he protect us, to him homage!' These are the deities, overlords of these animals; to them he is cut off who puts down the heads of the animals. He puts down the gold bricks; verily he pays honour to these deities. The theologians [1] say, 'In the fire he places the domesticated animals, with pain he afflicts the wild animals; what then does he leave?' In that he puts down the golden bricks, and gold is immortality, by immortality he makes healing for the domesticated animals, he hurts them not. The first naturally perforated brick is expiration, the second cross -breathing, the third inspiration. Having put down the first naturally perforated brick he should breathe out along it; verily he unites expiration with expiration; having put down the second [2] he should breathe across; verily he unites cross-breathing with cross-breathing; having put down the third, he should breathe in; verily he unites inspiration with inspiration; verily he kindles him with the breaths. 'Bhuh, Bhuvah, Suvar', (with these words) he puts down the naturally perforated bricks; the naturally perforated bricks are these worlds; with these exclamations Prajapati was propagated; in that he puts down the naturally perforated bricks with these exclamations, he puts down these worlds, and over these [3] worlds he is propagated.

a The wooden sword is safety, the hammer is safety, the knife, the sacrificial enclosure, the axe is safety; sacrificial ye art, makers of the sacrifice; do ye invite me to this sacrifice. b May sky and earth invite me; (May) the place of singing, the bowl, Soma, the fire (invite me); (May) the gods, the sacrifice, The Hotras call upon me in invitation. c 'Homage to Agni, slayer of Makha; may the glory of Makha impel me'--(with these words) he reverences the Ahavaniya. Makha is the sacrifice [1]; verily he slays the sacrifice; verily paying homage to him he creeps to the Sadas, for his own d 'Homage to Rudra, slayer of Makha; for this homage guard me' (with these words he reverences) the place of the Agnidh; verily paying homage to him he creeps to the Sadas, for his own safety. e 'Homage to Indra, slayer of Makha; injure not my power and strength'--(with these words he reverences) the place of the Hotr; verily he invokes this blessing, for the preserving of his power and strength [2]. f He who creeps forward knowing the gods who cause ruin at the Sadas is not ruined at the Sadas. 'Homage to Agni, slayer of Makha', he says. These gods cause ruin at the Sadas. He, who knowing them thus creeps forward, is not ruined at the g Ye two are firm, loose; united guard me from trouble. h May the sun, the god, guard me from trouble from the sky, Vayu from the atmosphere [3], Agni from earth, Yama from the fathers, Sarasvati i O ye divine doors, oppress me not. k Homage to the Sadas, homage to the lord of the Sadas, homage to the eye of the friends who go before, homage to sky, homage to earth. l Ho! son of a second marriage, get thee hence; sit on the seat of another more foolish than we are. m From the low, from the high may I go. n O sky and earth protect me from this day to-day.

g Thou art the internal bond of the fire, Be sky and earth in place, Be waters and plants in place, Be the fires severally in place In unison for my greatness [1] May the fires which of one mind Are between sky and earth, Taking place according to the months of the cool season, Attend (on them), as the gods on Indra. h (Thou art) the uniter and forethinker of Agni, Soma, Surya. i Thou art the dread, the terrible, of the fathers, of Yama, of Indra. k Thou art the firm (quarter) and the earth of the god Savitr, the Maruts, Varuna. l Thou art the support, the upholder, of Mitra and Varuna, Mitra, Dhatr, m Thou art the eastern, the western (quarter) of the Vasus, the Rudras [2], the n These are thine overlords, to them honour, be they gracious to us, him whom we and who hateth us I place in your jaws. o Thou art the measure of a thousand, thou art the image of a thousand, thou art the size of a thousand, thou art the replica of a thousand, thou art of a thousand, for a thousand thee! p May these bricks, O Agni, be milch cows for me, one, and a hundred, and a thousand, and ten thousand [3], and a hundred thousand, and a million, and ten million, and a hundred million, and a thousand million, and ten thousand million, and a hundred thousand million, and ten hundred thousand million, and a hundred hundred thousand million; may these bricks, O Agni, be for me milch cows, sixty, a thousand, ten thousand unperishing; ye are standing on holy order, increasing holy order, dripping ghee, dripping honey, full of strength, full of power; may these bricks, O Agni, be for me milkers of desires named the glorious yonder in yon world. The Horse Sacrifice a May the kindling-stick of the quarters, that winneth the heaven, (Guard us) to our hopes; from Madhu may Madhava protect us; Agni, the god, hard to overcome, the undeceivable, May he guard our kingly power, may he protect us.

l That by which thou bearest a thousand, Thou, O Agni, all wealth, With that highest (path) for the gods to travel, Do thou bear this sacrifice for us. m Awake, O Agni; be roused for him; With this one do thou create sacrifice and donation; Making thee, his father, young again He hath stretched over thee this covering. n This is thy due place of birth, Whence born thou didst shine, Mount it, O Agni, knowing it, And make our wealth increase. a May radiance be mine, O Agni, in rival invocations, May we, kindling thee, make ourselves to prosper; To me let the four quarters bow; With thee as overseer may we conquer the fighters. b Let all the gods be at my invocation, The Maruts with Indra, Visnu, Agni; May the broad atmosphere be my guardian; May the wind blow for me unto this desire. c May the gods bestow wealth upon me through sacrifice; May blessing be mine, and mine divine invocation; The divine sacrificers of old shall win for us [1]; Unharmed may we be in ourselves, rich in heroes. d For me let them sacrifice whatever sacrifices are mine Fulfilled be the intent of my mind; No sin whatever may I commit; May the All-gods befriend me. e O ye six spaces divine, for us make broad room; O ye All-gods, here show your prowess; May we not lose offspring nor ourselves; May we not fall victims to our foe, O king Soma. f Agni, driving away wrath in front [2], As guardian unfailing, do thou guard us on all sides; Let thy foes turn away again And be their plotting at home ruined through thy foresight. g The creator of creators, lord of the world, The god Savitr overcoming enmity, This sacrifice may the two Açvins and Brhaspati, The gods (guard) and protect the sacrificer from misfortune. h May the bull, wide extending, afford us protection rich in food, He much invoked in this invocation; O thou of the bay steeds, be gracious unto our progeny; Harm us not [3], abandon not us.

r May we not [5], O strong one, in this distress, Be handed over to evil, O lord of the ways; Guard us with true protection; May we be dear to you among the princes. s The Anus have wrought a chariot for thy steed; Tvastr a glorious bolt, O thou invoked of many; The Brahmans magnifying Indra with their praises Have strengthened him for the slaying of the serpent. t What time the strong sang praise to the strong, O Indra, the stones and Aditi in unison, Without steeds or chariots were the fellies Which, sped by Indra, rolled against the Dasyus.

He whose dart is not as it were sharp should offer an oblation to Indrani; the deity of the arrow is Indrani; verily he has recourse to Indrani with her own share; she sharpens his arrow. Balbaja grass he should fasten to the kindling-stick [1]; where the cow being covered made water, thence grew the Balbaja; verily making him follow the way of the cows he causes him to obtain cows. To Indra, the angry, the wise, he should offer a cake on eleven potsherds when battle is joined; with power, with anger, and with wisdom one wins the battle; verily he has recourse to Indra, the angry, the wise, with his own share; verily he bestows upon him power, anger, and mind; he wins [2] the battle. The same offering should he make whose mind is affected and who as it were injures himself, for these are departed from him; verily he whose mind is affected and who injures himself has recourse to Indra, the angry, the wise, with his own share; verily he bestows upon him power, anger, and wisdom; his mind is not affected and he does not injure himself. He who desires, 'May people be fain to give to me', should offer a cake on eleven potsherds to Indra, the giver [3]; verily he has recourse to Indra, the giver, with his own share; verily he makes people fain to give to him; people become fain to give to him. He upon whom what is as it were ready to be given is not bestowed should offer a cake on eleven potsherds to Indra, the bestower; verily he has recourse to Indra, the bestower, with his own share; verily he makes (men) bestow upon him. He who has been expelled or is being expelled should offer a cake on eleven potsherds to Indra, the good protector [4]; verily he has recourse to Indra, the good protector, with his own share; verily he protects him; he becomes unexpellable.

i Ye have made me, who am not younger, the younger; Speaking the truth I desire this; May I [3] enjoy his lovingkindness as do ye; May not one of you supplant another. k He hath enjoyed my lovingkindness, the all-knower; He hath found a support, for he hath won the shallow; May I enjoy his lovingkindness as do ye May not one of you supplant another. l On the five dawns follow the five milkings, On the cow with five names the five seasons; The five quarters are established by the fifteenfold (Stoma), With equal heads over the one world [4]. M She who first shone forth is the child of holy order; One supporteth the might of the waters; One moveth in the places of the sun, And one in those of the heat; Savitr governeth one. n She who first shone forth Hath become a cow with Yams; Do thou, rich in milk, milk for us Season after season. O She of bright bulls hath come with the cloud, the light, She of all forms, the motley, whose banner is fire; Accomplishing thy common task, Bringing old age, thou hast come, O unaging dawn. P Lady, of seasons the first, she hath come hither, Leading the days, and bearer of offspring; Though one, O Usas, in many places dost thou shine forth Unaging thou dost make to age all else. a O Agni, drive away those foes of ours that are born; Drive away those too that are unborn, O all-knower; Shine out for us in kindliness and without anger, In thy protection may I be with threefold protection and victorious. b O Agni, drive away those foes of ours that are born with force; Drive away those that are unborn, O all-knower; Favour us in kindliness, May we (enjoy thy protection); drive away our foes. c (Thou art) the forty-fourfold Stoma, radiance the wealth. d (Thou art) the sixteenfold Stoma, force the wealth. e Thou art the dust of earth [1], called Apsas.

c Agni is the deity, Gayatri the metre, thou art the vessel of the silent offering. Soma is the deity, Tristubh the metre, thou art the vessel of the restrained offering. Indra is the deity, Jagati the metre, thou art the vessel of Indra and Vayu. Brhaspati is the deity, Anustubh the metre, thou art the vessel of Mitra and Varuna. The Açvins are the deity, Pañkti the metre, thou art the vessel of the Açvins. Surya is the deity, Brhati the metre [2], thou art the vessel of the pure (Soma). Candramas is the deity, Satobrhati the metre, thou art the vessel of the mixed (Soma). The All- gods are the deity, Usnih the metre, thou art the vessel of the opening offering. Indra is the deity, Kakubh the metre, thou art the vessel of the hymns. Earth is the deity, Viraj the metre, thou art the vessel of the reserved (offering). The Adhvaryu is he that brings trouble on the sacrificer, and he that brings trouble himself is ruined before the trouble. 'From the formula spoken, guard me, from every execration'--(with these words) he should pour a libation before the morning litany (of the Hotr). So the Adhvaryu girds himself in front with a protection, to avert trouble. For entry thee, for rest thee, for the overcoming of the Gayatri, of the Tristubh, of the Jagati, hail! O expiration and inspiration, protect me from death, O expiration and inspiration forsake me not. They contend as to the deities and to expiration and inspiration [1], whose Soma (offerings) compete. 'For entry thee, for rest thee', he says; entry and rest are the metres; verily by the metres he appropriates his metres. The Ajya (Stotras) have the word 'forward' in them, for conquest. The beginning verses are addressed to the Maruts, for victory. Both the Brhat and the Rathantara (Samans) are used. The Rathantara is this (earth), the What yonder (sky); verily he cuts him off from these two. The Rathantara is to-day, the Brhat to-morrow; verily he cuts him off from to- day and to-morrow.

He takes a kindling-stick, for the support of the subsequent offerings; verily he pours on that which has a kindling stick. He rubs the enclosing-sticks; verily he purifies them. He rubs each once, for the sacrifice there is as it were turned away. It makes up four, cattle are four-footed; verily he wins cattle. 'O Brahman, will we set out?' he says; there indeed is the sacrifice placed [1], where the Brahman is; where the sacrifice is placed, thence does he commence it. If he were to instigate him with his hand, he would shiver; if with his head, he would have a headache; if he were to sit in silence, the sacrifice would not proceed; he should say, 'Set out! In speech the sacrifice is placed; where the sacrifice is placed, thence does he bestow it. 'O god Savitr, that he [2] hath proclaimed to thee', he says, for impelling. 'Brhaspati is the (priest) Brahman', he says, for he is fullest of the holy power (Brahman). 'Do thou guard the sacrifice, guard the lord of the sacrifice, guard me', he says; for the sacrifice, the sacrificer, and himself, for these he thus invokes a blessing, to prevent misfortune, Having caused (him) to call out, he says, 'Utter the verse for sacrifice to the gods.' The theologians say, 'The gods have been sacrificed to; what gods are they?' 'The metres', he should reply, 'Gayatri Tristubh [3], and Jagati.' Then they say, 'The metres are the Brahmans'; verily he sacrifices to them. The deities were sacrificed to by the gods; then Agni did not burn forth; the gods found him by the offerings in the after-sacrifices; in that he offers the after-sacrifices verily thus one kindles Agni. There was an Asura, named Etadu. He then appropriated the blessing of the sacrifice. If one were to say, 'That indeed (etád u) hath been glorious, O sky and earth' [4], one would cause Etadu to attain the blessing of the sacrifice. 'This (idám) has been glorious, sky and earth', he should say; verily he makes the sacrificer attain the blessing of the sacrifice.

He who desires food should offer a cake on eleven potsherds to Indra of the hymn; the hymn is the food of the gods; verily he has recourse to Indra of the hymn with his own share [2]; he gives him food; verily he becomes an eater of food. He who desires prosperity should offer a cake on eleven potsherds to Indra, possessed of heat, and to Indra, the powerful, and to Indra of the hymn; in that he offers to Indra, possessed of heat, he thereby makes his head; in that (he offers) to Indra, the powerful, he thereby makes his body; in that (he offers) to Indra of the hymn, he becoming prosperous finds support in food; verily he prospers. He who is seized by misfortune should offer a cake on eleven potsherds to Indra [3], deliverer from tribulation, tribulation is misfortune; verily he has recourse to Indra, deliverer from tribulation, with his own share; verily he delivers him from the misfortune, from tribulation. He whom enemies menace or invade his realms should offer a cake on eleven potsherds to Indra, repeller of foes; verily he has recourse to Indra, repeller of foes, with his own share; verily he repels foes from him [4]. He who is bound or beset should offer a cake on eleven potsherds to Indra, the protector; verily he has recourse to Indra, the protector, with his own share; verily he protects him. He to whom the great sacrifice does not resort should offer a cake on eleven potsherds to Indra, of the Arka and the Açvamedha; the Arka and the Açvamedha are the two end bodies of the great sacrifice; verily he has recourse to Indra, of the Arka and the Açvamedha, with his own share; verily he moves for him the great sacrifice from the ends, and the great sacrifice resorts to He who desires a village should offer a cake on eleven potsherds to Indra, who goes straight forward; verily he has recourse to Indra, who goes straight forward, with his own share; verily he makes his followers obedient to him; he becomes possessed of a village.

h O Agni, lord of vows, I shall perform this vow; may I accomplish it; may it be successful for me. i Agni, the priest, I summon hither; The gods worthy of sacrifice whom we invoke, Let these gods come in kindly mind; Let the gods enjoy this oblation of me. k Who yoketh thee? Let him yoke thee. l The potsherds for the cauldron [3], Which wise men collect, These are in Pusan's guardianship; Indra and Vayu set them free. m Unbroken is the cauldron, sprinkling abundantly, It hath returned to that whence it came; The kindling-wood, the Vedi, and all the enclosing-sticks Attend the life of the sacrifice. n The three and thirty threads that stretch, That maintain in security the sacrifice, Of these the broken one I restore; hail! Let the cauldron go to the gods. a Let Vaiçvanara with succour for us Come from afar, Agni through the hymn which brings (him). b The righteous Vaiçvanara, Lord of right and of light, The immortal cauldron we seek.' c A greater than the marvels of Vaiçvanara By his craftsmanship the sage hath performed alone; Magnifying both parents, sky and earth, Rich in seed, was Agni born. d Desired in the sky, Agni, desired on earth, Desired he entereth all the plants; Agni Vaiçvanara eagerly desired, May he by day [1] and night protect us from the foe. e In that, when born, O Agni, thou didst survey the worlds, Like a busy herd that goeth around his flock, Do thou, O Vaiçvanara, find a way for the Brahman; Do ye protect us ever with your blessings. f Thou, O Agni, blazing with light, Didst fill the firmament at thy birth; Thou, O Vaiçvanara, wise one, by thy might Didst free the gods from misfortune.' g O Agni, among our bountiful lords, preserve The lordship, uninjured, unageing, rich in heroes; May we win booty a hundred, a thousandfold, O Vaiçvanara [2], O Agni, through thy help. h May we enjoy the loving kindness of Vaiçvanara, For he is the king, the orderer of the worlds Hence born be discerneth all the (earth), Vaiçvanara vieth with the sun.

To swimming creatures hail! To creeping creatures hail! a Thou art the glittering of Soma; as thine may my glittering be. b Thou art ambrosia; from death protect me. c From the thunderbolt protect me. d Propitiated are biting flies. e Cast away is Namuci's head. f Soma, king Varuna, and the gods which instigate righteousness, may they thy speech, may they instigate thy breath, may they instigate thy sight, may they instigate thine ear. g With the glory of Soma I besprinkle thee, with the brilliance of Agni [1], with the radiance of the sun, with the power of Indra, with the strength of Mitra and Varuna, with the force of the Maruts. h Thou art the lord of kingly powers. i Protect from the sky. k Out from below have they come, Following the serpent of the deep; On the back of the mountain, the hill, The ships that pour spontaneously go ever. l O Rudra, that highest active name of thee, to that thou art offered, thou art offered m O Prajapati, none other than thou Hath encompassed all these beings; Be that ours for which we sacrifice to thee May we be lords of wealth. a Thou art the bolt of Indra, slaying foes; with thee may he slay his foe. b By the precept of Mitra and Varuna, the directors, I yoke thee with the yoking of the sacrifice. c Thou art the stepping of Visnu, thou art the step of Visnu, thou art the stride of d On the instigation of the Maruts may I conquer. e Be mind ready. f May I be united with power and strength. g Thou art the spirit of cattle; like them may my spirit be. h Homage to mother earth; may I not harm mother earth [1]; may mother earth harm me not. i So great art thou, thou art life, bestow life upon me; thou art strength, bestow strength upon me; thou art the yoker; thou art radiance, bestow radiance upon me. k To Agni, lord of the house, hail! To Soma, lord of the forest, hail! To Indra's strength hail! To the Maruts' force hail!

He said to Viçvakarman and the sacrifice, 'Let me come to you two'; 'There is no space here', they answered. He said to the supreme lord, 'Let me come to thee.' 'In what way wilt thou come to me?' 'By the space- filler', he replied. He came to him by the space filler; therefore the space-filler is unexhausted, for yonder Aditya is unexhausted [6]. To them the seers said, 'Let us come to you.' 'In what way will ye come?' 'By greatness', they replied. To them they came with two (more) layers; (the fire) became one of five layers. He who knowing thus piles the fire becomes greater, he conquers these worlds, the gods know him; moreover he attains community with these deities. a The fire is a bird; if the piler of the fire were to eat of a bird, he would be eating the fire, he would go to ruin. For a year should he observe the vow, for a vow goes not beyond a year. b The fire is an animal; now an animal destroys him who moves up to it face to face; therefore he should go up to it from behind while it is looking towards the front, to prevent injury to himself. c 'Brilliance art thou, grant me brilliance, restrain earth [1], guard me from the earth. Light art thou, grant me light, restrain the atmosphere, guard me from the atmosphere. Heavenly light art thou, grant me heavenly light, restrain the heavenly light, guard me from the sky', he says; by these are these worlds supported; in that he puts them down, (it is) for the support of these worlds. Having put down the naturally perforated (bricks) he puts down the gold bricks; the naturally perforated are these worlds, gold is light; in that having put down the naturally perforated [2] he puts down the gold bricks; verily he makes these worlds full of light by means of them; verily also by them these worlds shine forth for him. d Those flames of thine, O Agni, which rising in the sun, With rays envelop the sky, With all of them bring us to brilliance, to man.

g O thou in whom joy is taken, may I attain joy from thee; O thou who art invoked, may I obtain invocation [1] from thee. h May the prayer of the sacrificer be fulfilled for me. i With untroubled mind may I have strength for this. k May the sacrifice mount the sky, may the sacrifice reach the sky. l The path that leadeth to the gods, along it may the sacrifice go to the gods. m On us may Indra bestow power; Us may wealth and sacrifices attend Ours be blessings; To us be she dear, victorious, bountiful. n Thou art joy, give joy to us; thou art enjoyed by us [2], may I attain joy from o Mind, light, rejoice in the sacrifice May he unite this scattered sacrifice; May Brhaspati extend this for us. May the All-gods rejoice here. p Swell, O ruddy one. q May (my act) as I give be not destroyed; may (my act) as I work not perish. r Thou art the portion of Prajapati, full of strength and milk. s Protect my expiration and inspiration; protect my breathing together and cross-breathing; protect my out-breathing and cross-breathing. t Thou art imperishable, for imperishableness thee; mayst thou not perish for me, yonder, in yonder world. a By sacrifice to the divine straw, may I be possessed of children. b By sacrifice to the god Naraçansa, may I be possessed of cattle. c By sacrifice to the god Agni Svistakrt, may I attain security through the sacrifice, having long life. d May I be victorious through the victory of Agni. e May I be victorious through the victory of Soma. f May I be victorious through the victory of Agni. g May I be victorious through the victory of Agni and Soma. h May I be victorious through the victory of Indra and Agni. i May I be victorious through the victory of Indra [1]. k May I be victorious through the victory of Mahendra. I May I be victorious through the victory of Agni Svistakrt. m With the impulse of strength, With elevation he hath seized me; then Indra hath made my enemies Humble with depression.

Milk (is the drink) of the Brahman, the Brahman is brilliance, milk is brilliance; verily by brilliance he endows himself with brilliance and milk. Again by milk foetuses grow; the man who is consecrated is as it were a foetus; in that milk is his drink, verily thus he causes himself to grow. Manu was wont thrice to take drink, the Asuras twice, the gods once [3]. Morning, midday, evening, were the times of Manu's drinking, the symbol of the sacrifice of cooked food, (serving) for prosperity. Morning and evening were those of the Asuras, without a middle, a symbol of hunger; thence were they overcome. Midday and midnight were those of the gods; thence they prospered and went to the world of heaven. Now with regard to his drinking at midday and at midnight, it is in the middle that people feed themselves; verily he places strength in the middle of himself, for the overcoming of his foes. He prospers himself [4], his foe is overcome. Now the man who is consecrated is a foetus, the consecration-shed is the womb (in which he is). If the man who is consecrated were to leave the consecration-shed, it would be as when a foetus falls from the womb. He must not leave, to guard himself. The fire here is a tiger to guard the house. Therefore if the man who is consecrated were to leave (the shed), he would be likely to spring up and slay him. He must not leave, to protect himself. He lies on the right side; that is the abode of the sacrifice; verily he lies in his own abode. He lies turned towards the fire; verily he lies turned towards the gods and the sacrifice. On a place of sacrifice where the sacrifice faces the east should he make him to sacrifice for whom he wishes, 'May the higher sacrifice condescend to him, may he gain the world of heaven.' That is the place of sacrifice where the sacrifice faces the east, where the Hotr as be recites the Prataranuvaka gazes upon the fire, water, and the sun. To him the higher sacrifice condescends, he gains the world of heaven.

e O bright Aditya, this is thy Soma drink, Delight in it, have gladness in it; may we that gladden thee have gladness; With the rain of the sky I mix thee. a Prosperity to-day, O Savitr, prosperity to-morrow, Day by day prosperity mayst thou procure for us; Through this prayer may be won the prosperity Of many a prosperous dwelling, O god. b Thou art taken with a foundation; to the god Savitr thee! a O Savitr with unfailing guardians, Propitious, do thou to-day guard our house; Golden-tongued do thou protect us for new prosperity; May no plotter of evil overpower us. b Thou art taken with a support; to the god Savity thee a To help us I summon The golden-handed Savitr He as a god knoweth the place. b Thou art taken with a support; to the god Savitr thee! a Thou givest good protection, and art well established. b Homage to the great bull! c This is thy birthplace; to the All-gods thee! a Of thee, O drop, pressed by Brhaspati, and possessing power, I draw the cup connected with the wives. b O Agni, with the wives, in unison with the god Tvastr, drink the Soma, hail. a Thou art a bay, yoker of bays, mounter on the bays, bearer of the bolt, lover of to thee, O god Soma, for whom the formula of sacrifice is uttered, the song sung, the hymn recited, I draw the cup connected with the bays. b Ye two are bays; ye are the grains for the bays, mixed with Soma. c To Indra hail! a O Agni, thou purifiest life; Do thou give food and strength to us; Far away drive ill fortune. b Thou art taken with a support; to Agni the radiant thee! This is thy birthplace; to Agni the radiant thee! a Arising in might, Thou didst move thy jaws, O Indra, When thou hadst drunk the cup-pressed Soma. b Thou art taken with a support; to Indra the mighty thee! This is thy birthplace; to Indra the mighty thee! a Overcoming, seen of all, Light-making art thou, Surya; Thou dost illumine all the firmament. b Thou art taken with a support; to Surya the radiant thee!

On the Ekastaka the divider of the days, he should cook a cake of four Çaravas in size, and early with it should fire the thicket; if [4] it burns, it becomes a good season, if it does not burn, a bad season. By this mode of prognostication the seers of old used to undertake a long Sattra. He who knowing the seer, the hearer, the reciter, sacrifices, is united in yonder world with what he has sacrificed and bestowed. The seer is Agni, the hearer is Vayu, the reciter Aditya; he, who offers knowing thus to them, in yonder world is united with what be has sacrificed and bestowed. 'May he from in front with the cloud' [5], he says; (he that is) from in front with the cloud is Agni; verily he says to Agni, 'Guard this for me.' 'Do thou, O lord of cloud', he says; the lord of cloud is Vayu; verily he says to Vayu, 'Guard this for me.' 'O god, that dost fatten', he says; the god that fattens is yonder Aditya; verily he says to Aditya, 'Guard this for me.' The Special Animal Offerings a This young one I put around you, Playing with him that is dear do ye move; Afflict us not in birth, O ye prosperous ones; May we rejoice in increase of wealth, in food. b Homage to thy greatness, to thine eye, 0 father of the Maruts, that do I sing; Be propitious, with a fair sacrifice may we offer; Be this oblation acceptable to the gods. c This was the bundle of the gods, The germ of the waters smeared upon the plants; Pusan chose a drop of Soma [1]; A great stone was there then for them. d Father of calves, husband of cows, And father too of great gulfs, Calf, afterbirth, fresh milk, beestings, Clotted milk, curd, ghee is his seed. e Thee the cows chose for lordship, Thee the Maruts, sweet singers, bailed; Resting on the summit, the pinnacle, of lordly power, Then O dread one to us assign wealth. Unsuccessful is his animal offering for whom these (rites) are not performed; successful is the offering of him for whom they are performed. iii. 3. 10.

m Thee that art winner of Brahmans, winner of nobles, winner of fair offspring, winner of increase of wealth, I close in. n Strengthen the Brahmans, strengthen the nobles, strengthen offspring, strengthen increase of wealth, o Thou art invested; lot the clans of the gods invest thee; let increase of wealth, let (the clans) of men invest the sacrificer here. p On the slope of the atmosphere I conceal thee. a For striving thee! b Thou art the impeller. c To the gods the servants of the gods have come, the priests, the eager d O Bihaspati, guard wealth. e Let thy oblations taste sweet. f O god Tvastr make pleasant our possessions. g Stay, ye wealthy ones, h Thou art the birthplace of Agni. i Ye are the two male ones. k Thou art Urvaçi, thou art Ayu, thou art Pururavas. l Anointed with ghee, do ye produce a male. m Be born with the Gayatri metre, with the Tristubh metre, be born with the Jagati n Be ye of one mind for us, one dwelling, spotless. o Harm not the sacrifice nor the lord of the sacrifice, O all-knowing; be ye two auspicious to-day with us. p The fire moveth entering into the fire, The son of the Rsis, the overlord he; With the cry of Hail! I offer to thee with devotion; Do thou not spoil the share of the gods. a I grasp thee. b Offering to the gods, I seize thee with the noose of sacred order. c Fear not men. d For the waters thee, for the plants thee, I sprinkle. e Thou art a drinker of the waters. f Ye divine waters, make it palatable, a very palatable offering for the g Let thy breath be united with the wind, thy limbs with the sacrificial, the lord of the sacrifice with his prayer. h Anointed with ghee, do ye guard the beast. i Ye wealthy ones, do ye kindly I resort to the lord of the sacrifice. k O broad atmosphere, in unison with the god [1] wind, sacrifice with the life of this offering; be united with its body; extending more broadly, make the sacrifice of the lord of the sacrifice most successful. l Guard from contact with earth.

The Yajya and the Anuvakya are in the Pañkti metre the sacrifice is fivefold; verily thereby he does not depart from the a May Surya, the god, protect me from the gods, Vayu from the atmosphere; may the sacrificer, protect me from the (evil) eye; O strong one, O impetuous one, O instigator, O thou of all men, with these names, O Soma, we will worship thee; these names, O Soma, we will worship thee. b I from above, I from below, I revealed the darkness with the light; The atmosphere hath become my father; On both sides have I seen the sun; May I become highest of my equals [1]. c To the ocean, to the atmosphere, Prajapati makes the cloud to fall; may Indra (it), may the Maruts cause (it) to rain. d Flood the earth, Break this divine cloud; Give to us of the divine water; Ruling loosen the water bag. e The Aditya (cup) is these cattle, Agni is Rudra here, having cast plants in the fire he offers the Aditya (cup); verily he hides the cattle from Rudra, and causes the cattle to find support in the plants [2]. f The sage stretcheth the path of the sacrifice, On the back of the vault, above the light of the sky, Whereby thou carriest the offering, thou goest as messenger, Hence wisely, thence with more gain. g All the fire-sticks that are thine, O Agni, Or on earth, on the strew, or in the sun, Lot these of thine approach the oblation of ghee, A protection to the pious sacrificer. h Invoking increase of wealth, Rich in heroes and rich in steeds, Bidden I God-speed' by Brhaspati, with wealth Abide thou for me, the sacrificer. a I yoke thee with milk, with ghee; I yoke thee with water, and plants; I yoke thee with offspring; To-day being consecrated do thou win strength for us. b Let the lady of holy power advance, Let her sit on the altar with fair colour; c Then may I, full of desire, Enter my own place, here. d With fair offspring, with noble husbands, We are come to thee, O Agni, to thee that deceivest the foe, The undeceivable, we that are not deceived.

a He offers to Soma with the Pitrs a cake on six potsherds, to the Pitrs who sit on the straw fried grains, for the Pitrs prepared by Agni he milks a beverage from a cow which has to be won over (to another calf). b This for thee, O father, and for thy line; This for thee, O grandfather, great-grandfather, and for thy line Do ye Pitrs rejoice in your portions. c May we gladden thee, O bountiful one, fair to see; Forth now with full chariot seat Being praised, dost thou fare according to our will; Yoke, O Indra, thy two bay steeds [1]. d They have eaten, they have rejoiced, The dear ones have dispelled (evil), The radiant sages have been praised with newest hymn; Yoke, O Indra, thy two bay steeds. e The Pitrs have eaten, the Pitrs have rejoiced, the Pitrs have been glad, the Pitrs have purified themselves. f Go away, O ye Pitrs, Soma loving, With your majestic ancient paths; Then reach ye the kindly Pitrs Who carouse in company with Yama. h Mind let us summon hither With the praise of Naraçansa And the reverence of the Pitrs. h Let mind return to us [2] For vigour, for insight, for life, And that long we may see the sun.' i May the Pitrs restore mind to us, May the host of the gods; May we belong to the band of the living. k Whatever hurt we have done to atmosphere, to earth, to sky, To mother or to father, May Agni of the house free me from this sin; May he make me blameless In respect of all the ill we have wrought. a For each he offers on one potsherd, and one over. b As many as we are of the house, to them have I made prosperity. c Thou art the protection of cattle, the protection of the sacrifice; give me protection. d Rudra alone yieldeth to no second. e The mole is thy beast, O Rudra; rejoice in it. f This is thy portion, O Rudra, with thy sister Ambika; rejoice in it. g (Give) medicine for ox, for horse, for man, And medicine for us, medicine That it be rich in healing, Good [1] for ram and sheep.

The Piling of the Fire Altar (Continued) a O Agni and Visnu, may these songs gladden you in unison; come ye with radiance and strength. b May for me strength, instigation, influence, inclination, thought, inspiration, speech, fame, renown, reputation, light, heaven, expiration, inspiration [1], cross- breathing, breath, mind, learning, voice, mind, eye, ear, skill, might, force, strength, life, old age, breath, body, protection, guard, limbs, bones, joints, bodies (prosper through the sacrifice). May for me pre-eminence, overlordship, spirit, anger, violence, impetuosity, victorious power, greatness, breadth, extent, greatness, length, growth, growing, truth, faith, world [1], wealth, power, radiance, play, delight, what is born, what is to be born, good words, good deeds, finding, what there is to find, what has been, what will be, easy road, good way, prosperity, prospering, agreement, agreeing, thought, good thought (prosper through the sacrifice). May for me prosperity, comfort, desire, wish, longing, kindliness, good, better, superior, fame, good luck, riches, restrainer, supporter, peace, firmness, all [1], greatness, discovery, knowledge, begetting, procreation, plough, harrow, holy order, immortality, freeness from disease, freedom from illness, life, longevity, freedom from foes, fearlessness, ease of going, lying, fair dawning, and fair day (prosper through the sacrifice). May for me strength, righteousness, milk, sap, ghee, honey, eating and drinking in company, ploughing, rain, conquest, victory, wealth, riches, prosperity, prospering, plenteousness [1], lordship, much, more, fun, fuller, imperishableness, bad crops, food, freedom from hunger, rice, barley, beans, sesame, kidney beans, vetches, wheat, lentils, Millet, Panicum miliaceum, Panicum frumentaceum, and wild rice (prosper through the sacrifice).

'Thou art the portion of Prajapati' [3], he says; verily he unites Prajapati with his own portion. 'Full of strength and milk', he says; verily he confers upon him strength and milk. 'Protect my expiration and inspiration; protect my breathing together and cross-breathing', he says; verily he invokes this blessing. 'Thou art imperishable, for imperishableness thee; mayst thou not perish for me, yonder, in yonder world', he says. Food perishes in yonder world, for given hence in yonder world people live upon it; in that he touches thus, he makes it imperishable; his food perishes not in yonder world. 'By I sacrifice to the divine strew, may I be possessed of children', he says; by the strew Prajapati created offspring, verily he creates offspring. 'By sacrifice to the god Naraçansa, may I be possessed of cattle', he says; by Naraçansa Prajapati created cattle; verily he creates cattle. 'By sacrifice to the god, Agni Svistakrt, may I attain security through the sacrifice, having long life', he says; verily he confers life on himself, and finds support through the sacrifice. With the victory of the new and full moon sacrifices [1] the gods conquered, and by means of the new and full moon sacrifices they drove away the Asuras. 'May I be victorious through the victory of Agni', he says; verily through the victory of the deities in the new and full moon sacrifices the sacrificer is victorious, and by means of the new and full moon offerings drives away his enemies. With two verses containing the word 'strength', he accompanies the separation (of the ladles) strength is food verily he wins food; (he uses) two, for support. He who sacrifices knowing the two milkings of the sacrifice milks thus the sacrifice on both sides [2], in front and behind; this is one milking of the sacrifice, another is in the Ida.

i may Dhatr give us wealth, Life in days to come and unfailing; May we obtain the favour Of the god whose gifts are true. k May Dhatr give wealth to the giver, Desiring offspring, generous in his home; Let all the immortal gods roll themselves up for him, The All-gods and Aditi in unison. l For us to-day may Anumati Among the gods favour our sacrifice, And be she and Agni, bearer of the oblation, A joy to the giver. m Accord thy favour, O Anumati [3], And grant us wealth; For inspiration, for insight impel us, Lengthen our days for us. n May she favouring, favour (us) With wealth, undecaying, rich in offspring; In her disfavour may we not fall; May the goddess easy to invoke grant us protection. o Anumati men reverence in the quarter Wherein is that which shineth; May she in whose lap is the broad atmosphere, The goddess, easy to invoke, grant us protection [4]. p Raka, easy to invoke, I invoke with fair praise; May the fortunate one hear us and be aware of us With needle that breaks not may she sew her task; May she give a hero, whose wergild is a hundred, worthy of song. q The fair thoughts of thine, O Raka, Whereby thou art wont to give wealth to the giver, With them to-day come to us in kindliness, Granting, O fortunate one, a thousandfold prosperity. r O Sinivali, s The fairhanded. t I invoke at the sacrifice Kuhn the fortunate, Who accomplisheth her work, the easy to invoke; May she give us the fame of our fathers; To thee, O goddess, let us offer with oblation. u Kuhn, lady of the gods and of immortality, Worthy of invocation, may she be aware of the oblation To the giver may she assign much good fortune, To the wise may she grant increase of wealth.

b We have come, O noble ones, Mitra and Varuna, To the share of the nights that is yours, Grasping the firmament, in the place of good deeds, On the third ridge above the light of the sky. c The gods, destroyers of the sacrifice, stealers of the sacrifice, That sit in the atmosphere, From them may Vayu guard me; May we go to those that do good deeds. d The nights of thine, O Savitr [1], that go, traversed by gods, Between sky and earth, With all your houses and offspring, Do ye first mounting the light traverse the regions. e The gods, destroyers of the sacrifice, stealers of the sacrifice, That sit in the sky, From them may Surya guard me; May we go to those that do good deeds. f That highest oblation wherewith, O All-knower, Thou didst collect milk for Indra, Therewith, O Agni, do thou make him grow; Bestow on him lordship over his fellows. The gods are destroyers of the sacrifice, stealers of the sacrifice [2]; they sit these worlds taking and destroying from him who gives and sacrifices. 'The gods, destroyers of the sacrifice, that sit on the earth, that (sit) in the atmosphere, that sit in the sky', he says; verily traversing the worlds, he goes to the world of heaven with his household, with his cattle. From him who has sacrificed with the Soma (sacrifice), the deities and the sacrifice depart; he should offer to Agni on five potsherds as the final act; all the deities are Agni [3], the sacrifice is fivefold; verily he wins the deities and the sacrifice. Now Agni is connected with the Gayatri and has the Gayatri as his metre; he severs him from his metre, if he offers on five potsherds; it should be made on eight potsherds; the Gayatri has eight syllables, Agni is connected with the Gayatri and has the Gayatri for his metre; verily he unites him with his own metre.

k Enkindled, O Agni, shine before us, O most youthful, with unfailing beam; Ever upon thee strength awaiteth. I Let us pay homage to thee in thy highest birth, O Agni; Let us pay homage with praises in thy lower abode; The place of birth whence thou didst come, to that I offer; In thee when kindled they offered the oblations. m That various lovingkindness given to all men, Of Savitr the adorable, I choose, That mighty fat cow of his which Kanva milked, Streaming with a thousand (draughts) of milk [4]. n Seven are thy kindling-sticks, O Agni, seven thy tongues, Seven seers, seven dear abodes; Seven Hotras sevenfold sacrifice to thee Seven birthplaces with ghee do thou fill. o Such like, other like, thus like, similar, measured, commensurate, harmonious; p Of pure radiance, of varied radiance, of true radiance, the radiant, true, protector of holy order, beyond distress [5]; q Winning holy order, winning truth, host-conquering, having a good host, with within, with foes afar, the troop; r Holy order, true, secure, supporting, supporter, upholder, upholding; s Such like, thus like, do ye come to us, similar and equal. t Measured and commensurate, to aid us, harmonious, at this sacrifice, O Maruts. u On Indra attend the divine folk, the Maruts; even as the divine folk, the Maruts, attend on Indra, so may the folk divine and human, attend on this sacrificer. The Horse Sacrifice a As of a thunder-cloud is the face of the warrior As he advanceth to the lap of the battles; Be victorious with unpierced body; Let the might of thine armour protect thee. b By the bow cows, by the bow the contest may we win, By the bow dread battles may we win; The bow doth work displeasure to the foe; By the bow let us win in all the quarters. c As if about to speak it approacheth the ear, Embracing its dear comrade, Like a woman this bowstring twangeth stretched over the bow [1], Saving in the battle.

It should be sloping east of the Ahavaniya and west of the Garhapatya. That is a place of sacrifice which is distinctly marked, be is distinguished from his evil foe, they doubt not of him for common meal or wedding. On a place of sacrifice which is artificial should he make him sacrifice who desires wealth. Man must be made; verily he prospers. The high altar taking the form of a lioness went away and remained between the two parties. The gods reflected, 'Whichever of the two she joins, they will become this.' They called to her; she said, 'Let me choose a boon; through me shall ye obtain all your desires, but the oblation shall come to me before (it comes to) the fire.' Therefore do they besprinkle the high altar before (they sprinkle) the fire, for that was its chosen boon. He measures (it) round with the yoke-pin [1], that is its measure; verily also by what is fitting he wins what is fitting. 'Thou art the abode of riches (vitta) for me', he says, for being found (vitta) she helped them; thou art the resort of the afflicted for me', he says, for she helped them in affliction; 'protect me when in want', he says, for she protected them when in want; 'protect me when afflicted', he says, for she protected them when afflicted. 'May Agni, named Nabhas, know (thee) [2], O Agni Angiras', (with these words) he thrice strokes with (the wooden sword); verily he wins the fires that are in these worlds. He strokes in silence for the fourth time, verily he wins that which is not indicated. 'Thou art a lioness; thou art a buffalo', he says, for it (the high altar) taking the form of a lioness went away and remained between the two parties. 'Extend wide; let the lord of the sacrifice extend wide for thee', he says; verily he enriches the sacrificer with offspring and cattle. 'Thou art firm' [3], (with these words) he strikes (the earth) together, for firmness.

a Him with the Maruts, the mighty bull, The bountiful, the divine ruler, Indra, All-powerful, the dread, giver of strength, For present aid let us invoke. b Thou art taken with a support; to Indra with the Maruts thee! This is thy birthplace; to Indra with the Maruts thee! a O Indra with the Maruts drink here the Soma, As thou didst drink the pressed drink with Çaryata Under thy guidance, in thy protection, O hero, The singers skilled in sacrifice are fain to serve. b Thou art taken with a support; to Indra with the Maruts thee! This is thy birthplace; to Indra with the Maruts thee! a Indra with the Maruts, the bull, for gladness, Drink the Soma, for joy, to thy content; Pour within thy belly the wave of sweetness; Thou art from of old the king of the pressed drinks. b Thou art taken with a support; to Indra with the Maruts thee, This is thy birthplace; to Indra with the Maruts thee! a Great is Indra who through his might Is like Parjanya with the rain; He waxeth with the praises of Vatsa. b Thou art taken with a foundation; to Mahendra thee! This is thy birthplace; to Mahendra thee! a Great is Indra, manfully controlling men, Unfailing in strength, of double force; Towards us for strength doth he wax; Broad and wide hath he been adorned by the offerers. b Thou art taken with a foundation; to Mahendra thee! This is thy birthplace; to Mahendra thee! a Never art thou barren, O Indra, Never dost thou fail thy worshipper; Now more and more is thy divine gift increased, O bountiful one. b Thou art taken with a support; to the Adityas thee! c At no time art thou heedless, But dost guard the two generations; The pressing is thy strength, O fourth Aditya The ambrosia is ready in the sky. d The sacrificer seeketh the favour of the gods; Be ye kindly, O Adityas; May thy lovingkindness come hither, That it may the more free us from affliction.

b With the bellowing, unwinking, conquering, Fighter, hard to overthrow, and daring Indra, With Indra do ye conquer, do ye withstand The foe, O heroes, with the strong one who holdeth the arrow in his hands. c He is mighty with those who have arrows in their hands and quivers, Indra who joineth hosts with his band, Conquering in combat, drinker of Soma, with many a band, With bow uplifted, and shooter with well-drawn arrows. d O Brhaspati, fly round with thy chariot [1], Slaying the foe, driving away the enemy; Defeating hosts, destroyer, victor in battle, Be thou protector of our chariots. e The cleaver of the cowstalls, finder of the cows, with the thunderbolt on his arm, Victorious, crushing in might a host, Be heroes, O my fellows, like him; O comrades, follow in Indra's footsteps. f Conspicuous by might, strong, heroic, Enduring, mighty, steadfast, dread, Surpassing heroes and warriors born of strength, Do thou, winning kine, mount, O Indra, thy victorious car. g In might penetrating the cowstalls, Impetuous [2], the hero, Indra, with wrath a hundredfold, Hard to resist, enduring in battle, unovercomable, May he aid our armies in the battles. h Indra (be) their leader, and let Brhaspati, The sacrificial fee, the sacrifice and Soma go before; Let the Maruts precede the hosts divine, That overthrow and conquer. i Of Indra, the strong, of Varuna, the king, Of the Adityas, of the Maruts the mighty host-- The voice hath ascended of the gods Great-hearted that shake the worlds as they conquer. k Ours (be) Indra, when the standards meet; Ours be the arrows that conquer [3]; Ours be the heroes who are victors, And us do ye aid, O gods, at our invocations. l Exalt our weapons, O bounteous one, Exalt the might of my warriors; Exalt the strength of the steed, O slayer of Vrtra, Let the sound of the conquering chariots arise. m Go ye forward, O heroes; conquer; Be your arms strong; May Indra accord you protection That ye may be unassailable.

'May Indra swell for thee; do thou swell for Indra', he says; verily he makes to swell both Indra and Soma. 'Make thy comrades to.swell with wealth and skill', he says. The priests are his comrades; verily he makes them to swell. 'With good fortune may I accomplish thy pressing, O god Soma' [5], he says; verily he invokes this blessing (on himself). Those who make the Soma to swell fall away from this world, for the Soma when made to swell has the atmosphere as its deity. 'Desired are riches exceedingly, for food, for prosperity', he says; verily by paying homage to heaven and earth they find support in this world. The gods and the Asuras were in conflict. The gods in fear entered Agni; therefore they say, 'Agni is all the gods'. They [6], making Agni their protection, overcame the Asuras. Now he as it were enters Agni who undergoes the intermediate consecration, (and it serves) for the overcoming of his foes; he prospers himself, his foe is overcome. He protects himself by the consecration, his offspring by the intermediate consecration. The girdle he makes tighter; for his offspring are closer to him than himself. He drinks warm milk, and rubs himself with bubbling water; for fire is extinguished by cold, (and these serve) for kindling. 'Thy dread form, O Agni', he says; verily with its own deity he consumes the hot milk, for unity, for atonement. The Asuras had three citadels; the lowest was of iron, then there was one of silver, then one of gold. The gods could not conquer them; they sought to conquer them by siege; therefore they say--both those who know thus and those who do not--'By siege they conquer great citadels.' They made ready an arrow, Agni as the point, Soma as the socket, Visnu as the shaft. They said, 'Who shall shoot it?' [1] 'Rudra', they said, 'Rudra is cruel, let him shoot it.' He said, 'Let me choose a boon; let me be overlord of animals.' Therefore is Rudra overlord of animals.

He draws (the cup) for the All-gods from the tub with the Savitr-vessel; people are connected with the All- gods, the tub is connected with the All-gods, Savitr rules instigations; in that he draws (the cup) for the All-gods from the tub with the Savitr vessel, verily instigated by Savitr he produces offspring for him [2]. He draws Soma in Soma; verily thus he impregnates seed. 'Thou givest good protection, and art well established', he says, for he draws Soma in Soma, for support. In this same cup (offering) is made for men, gods, and Pitrs; 'Thou givest good protection, and art well established', he says; verily thereby he makes (it) for men; 'The great', he says; verily thereby he makes (it) for the gods; 'Homage', he says; verily thereby he makes (it) for the Pitrs; so many are the gods; verily he draws it for them all. 'This is thy birthplace; to the All-gods thee!' he says, for it is connected with the All- The Upançu is the breath; in that the first and the, last cups are drawn with the Upançuvessel, verily they follow forward the breath, they follow back the breath. The Agrayana is Prajapati, the Upançu is the breath, the wives produce offspring; in that he draws (the cup) for (Tvastr) with the wives from the Agrayana with the Upançu-vessel, (it serves) for the production of offspring. Therefore offspring are born in accordance with the breath. The gods desired that the wives should go to the world of heaven [1]; they could not discern the world of heaven, they saw this (cup) for the wives, they drew it; then indeed did they discern the world of heaven; in that (the cup) for the wives is drawn, (it serves) to reveal the world of heaven. Soma could not bear being drawn for women; making the ghee a bolt they beat it, they drew it when it had lost its power; therefore women are powerless, have no inheritance, and speak more humbly than even a bad man [2].

l Indra, the protector, the granter of aid with his aids; All knowing, be kindly to us; Let him restrain the enemy, let him make security, May we be lords of strength [4]. m May we enjoy the favour of him the worshipful, And also his loving kindness; May the protector Indra, the granter of aid, For ever fend far from us the enemy. n Rich banquets be ours with Indra, With mighty strength, Wherewith fed we may be glad. o To Indra, here sing strength To place his chariot in the front; Even in conflict in battle he maketh wide room; Slayer of foes in the contests Be thou our comforter; Let the feeble bowstrings Of the others break on their bows. PRAPKTHAKA VIII The Rajasuya a Anumati he offers a cake on eight potsherds; the sacrificial fee is a cow. The (grains) which are thrown down to the west of the support he (offers) on one potsherd to Nirrti; the sacrificial fee is a black garment with a black fringe. Go away, hail! rejoicing in the oblation. This is thy share, O Nirrti; O thou who hast prospered, thou art rich in oblation; Free him from evil. Hail! Honour to him who hath done this. He offers an oblation to Aditya; the sacrificial fee is a choice (ox). (He offers) to Agni and Visnu on eleven potsherds; the sacrificial fee is a dwarf beast of burden. (He offers) to Agni and Soma [1] on eleven potsherds; the sacrificial fee is gold. (He offers) to Indra on eleven potsherds; the sacrificial fee is a bull as a beast of burden. (He offers) to Agni on eight potsherds, and curds to Indra; the sacrificial fee is a bull as a beast of burden. (He offers) to Indra and Agni on twelve potsherds, and an oblation (caru) to the All-gods; the sacrificial fee is a first- born calf. (He offers) an oblation of millet to Soma; the sacrificial fee is a garment. (He offers) an oblation to Sarasvati, and an oblation to Sarasvant; the sacrificial fee is a pair of oxen.

k Their arms have I uplifted, Their radiance, their might; With holy power I waste the foes, I support [3] my own. I Shining like gold, he hath become widely resplendent, For glory shining with immortal life; Agni became immortal in his strength What time prolific Dyaus begat him. m The sage showeth all forms; He hath produced bliss for biped and quadruped; Savitr, the desirable, hath discerned the vault; After the moving forward of the dawn he shineth. n Night and the dawn, one-minded but of various form, United suckle one child; The radiant one shineth between sky and earth [4] The gods, granters of wealth, support Agni. o Thou art the bird of fair feathers; thy head the Trivrt (Stoma), thy eye the Gayatra, thy breath the Stoma, thy body the Vamadevya Saman, thy wings the Brhat and the Rathantara, thy tail the Yajñayajñiya, thy limbs the metres, thy hoofs the altars, thy name the Yajus formulae. p Thou art the bird of fair feathers; go to the sky, fly to the heaven. a O Agni, that sacrifice, that offering, Which on all sides thou dost encircle, It of a truth goeth to the gods. b O Soma, the wondrous aids That there are of thine for the generous man, With these be thou our helper. c Agni the, head. e Thou, O Soma. f These abodes of thine. g That excellent glory of Savitr, The god, we meditate, That he may stimulate our prayers. h What we have done in thoughtlessness against the host divine, With feeble insight, with violence as is man's way [1], Among gods and men, do thou, O Savitr, There instigate us to sinlessness. i Impeller of righteousness, Instigator of devotions, Sarasvati hath established the sacrifice. k May the maiden of the lightning, the one of varied life, Sarasvati, wife of a hero, inspire our devotion; In accord with the ladies, may she accord to the singer Protection uninjured, and guardianship unsurpassable. I May Pusan follow the cows for us, May he guard our horses; May Pusan win booty for us.

b That auspicious form of thine, O Rudra, Auspicious and ever healing, Auspicious and healing (form of) Rudra, With that show mercy on us for life. c This prayer we offer up to the impetuous Rudra, With plaited hair, destroyer of men, That health be for our bipeds and quadrupeds, And that all in this village be prosperous [1] and free from ill. d Be merciful to us, O Rudra, and give us delight; With honour let us worship thee, destroyer of men; The health and wealth which father Manu won by sacrifice, May we attain that, O Rudra, under thy leadership. e Neither our great, nor our small, Our waxing or what has waxed, Do thou slay, nor father nor mother; Injure not, O Rudra, our dear bodies [2]. f Harm us not in our children, our descendants, our life; Harm us not in our cattle, in our horses; Smite not in anger our heroes, O Rudra; With oblations lot us serve thee with honour. g From afar to thee, slayer of cows, and slayer of men, Destroyer of heroes, be goodwill for us; Guard us and accord us aid And grant us protection in abundance. h Praise [3] the famous youth, mounted on the chariot seat, Dread and destructive like a fierce wild beast; Being praised, O Rudra, be merciful to the singer; Let thy missiles smite down another than us. i May the missile of Rudra spare us, May the wrath of the brilliant evil worker (pass over us); Unstring for the generous donors (thy) strong (bows); O bounteous one, be merciful to our children and descendants. k O most bounteous, most auspicious, Be auspicious and favourably inclined to us; Placing down thy weapon on the highest tree, Clad in thy skin, come, And approach us bearing the spear [4]. 1 O blood-red scatterer, Homage to thee, O adorable one; May thy thousand missiles Smite down another than us. m A thousandfold in thousands Are the missiles in thine arms; O adorable one, do thou turn away The points of those which thou dost rule.

k The strong, bearing the strong Agni, Germ of the waters, him of the ocean, O Agni, come hither, for enjoyment [3], As holy order and truth. l O plants, do ye accept Agni here Who cometh auspicious towards you; Casting aside all hostilities, all evil imaginings, Sitting down, may he smite away from us misfortune. m O plants, do ye rejoice in him, O ye that are rich in flowers, and have fair berries; This germ of yours, of due season, Hath sat him in his ancient seat. a Radiant with extending blaze, Do thou repel the enemy, the Raksas's hostility; May I enjoy the protection of the great protector, May I enjoy the leadership of Agni, easy to invoke. b Ye, waters, are healing; Further us to strength, To see great joy. c The most auspicious flavour that is yours, Accord to us here, Like eager mothers. d To him may we come with satisfaction, To whose dwelling ye quicken us, O waters, and propagate us. e Mitra [1], having united the earth And the ground with light, Agni well-born, all-knower, Common to all men, the wide extending. f For health I unite thee, for offspring; may the All-gods, common to all men, unite thee with the Anustubh metre, in the manner of Angiras. g The Rudras, having gathered together the earth, Kindled a great light; Their ray undying Shineth clear among the gods. h United by the Vasus, the cunning Rudras, The mud fit for the rite, Making it smooth with her hands, May Sinivali fashion [2] this (pan). i Sinivali, of fair braids, Of fair head-dress, with fair locks, May she, O Aditi, O great one, Place within thy hands the pan. k Let Aditi fashion the pan with might, With her arms, with wisdom, Let her bear Agni in her womb As a mother a child in her lap. I Thou art the head of Makha. m Ye are the two feet of the sacrifice. n May the Vasus fashion thee with the Gayatri metre, in the manner of Angiras. art the earth; may the Rudras fashion thee with the Tristubh metre, in the manner Angiras.

c Send forth thy spies, swiftest in thy motion; Be an unfailing guardian to this folk, From him who afar plans evil [1], from him who near; O Agni let no trouble from thee overwhelm us. d Arise, O Agni; spread thyself out; Burn up our foes, O thou of keen dart; Him who hath wrought evil for us, O blazing one, Do thou consume utterly like dry stubble. e Arise; drive from us (our foes); Reveal thy heavenly strength, O Agni, Slacken the strung (weapon) of the demon-driven; Crush our foes, kin or not kin. f He knows thy [2] loving kindliness, O most youthful one, Who hath given furtherance to this devotion; All happy days for him, glory, and wealth --Opening the doors of the miser--he hath revealed.' g Let him, O Agni, be fortunate and munificent, Who with constant oblation, who with praise, Seeks to delight thee in his life in his house; May all days be happy for him; be that the will. h I praise thy loving kindness; loud sounding (thou singest) a reply; Let this song of mine, beloved of thee, sing with thee [3] With good steeds and fair chariots may we adorn thee; Maintain for us the lordly power as the days go by. i Here let each serve thee readily, That shinest in the darkness, as the days go by; Happy and joyous may we attend thee That dost surpass the glories of men.' k He who with good steeds and rich in gold Approacheth thee, O Agni, with a rich chariot, His protector thou art, the comrade of him Who duly offereth thee glad reception. l The great I overcome [4] through kinship and my songs; That hath descended to me from Gotama, my sire; Pay heed to this song of ours, O Hotr, most youthful, skilful, friend of the house. m Sleepless, speedy, propitious, Unwearied, never hostile, unexhausted, May thy guardians, O Agni, taking their places here united, Protect us, O wise one. n In Thy guardians, O Agni, who seeing, Guarded from ill the blind Mamateya, He of all wisdom guarded these kindly ones; The foes that were fain to deceive could not [5] deceive.

The Soma Cups a I take thee. Thou art the stone which maketh the sacrifice for the gods; make this sacrifice deep, with thy highest edge, (make) the Soma well pressed for Indra, rich in sweetness, in milk, bringing rain. b To Indra, slayer of Vrtra, thee! To Indra, conqueror of Vrtra, thee! To Indra, slayer of foes, thee! To Indra with the Adityas, thee! To Indra with the all-gods, thee! c Ye are savoury, conquerors of Vrtra, delightful through your gifts, spouses of immortality, Do ye, O goddesses, place this sacrifice among the gods Do ye, invoked, drink the Soma; Invoked by you [1] let Soma drink. d With thy light which is in the sky, on the earth, in the broad atmosphere, do thou for this sacrificer spread wealth broadly; be favour able to the giver. c Ye Dhisanas, that are strong, be strengthened; gather strength, and give me strength; let me not harm you, harm me not. f Forward, backward, upward, downward, let these quarters speed to you; O mother, come forth. g Thy unerring, watchful name, O Soma, to that of thee, O Soma, to Soma, hail! a Be pure for the lord of speech, O strong one; male, purified by the arms with the shoots of the male; thou art the god purifier of gods; to those thee whose portion b Thou art he who is appropriated; make our food full of sweetness for us; to all the powers of sky and earth thee! c May mind enter thee. d Fare along the broad atmosphere. e Hail! Thee, of kindly nature, to the sun! f To the gods that drink the rays thee f g This is thy birthplace; to expiration thee! a Thou art taken with a support. b O bounteous one, restrain (it), protect Soma, guard wealth, win food by sacrifice, I place within thee sky and earth, within thee the broad atmosphere; in unison with the gods, the lower and the higher, O bounteous one, do thou rejoice in the Antaryama (cup). e Thou art he who is appropriated; make our food full of sweetness for us; to all the powers of sky and earth thee! d May mind enter thee.

k Sit thou, O Hotr, in thine own world, wise, Place thou the sacrifice in the birthplace of good deeds, Eager for the gods, do thou sacrifice to them with oblation; O Agni, bestow great strength on the sacrificer. l The Hotr hath sat him down in the place of the Hoty, wise, Glittering, shining, skilful, With vows and foresight undeceived, most wealthy, Bearing a thousand, pure-tongued Agni. m Sit thou down, thou art great, Burn [3] best servant of the gods; O Agni, pure one, send forth the ruddy smoke, O famous one, that can be seen afar. n Be born noble in the forefront of the days, Kind to the kindly, red in the woods; Bestowing seven jewels in every home Hath Agni sat him down as Hotr. a May I Vayu, Matariçvan, unite The broken heart of thee that art outstretched To him who moveth with the expiration of the gods, With thee, O goddess, be Vasat. b Wellborn, with light, Guard and protector, thou hast sat on the heaven; O Agni, thy garment of many hues, Put on, O thou that dost abound in light. c Arise, thou of fair sacrifice, Aid us with thy divine radiance; Brilliant to behold, with mighty blaze, Do thou come hither, O Agni, in response to our prayers [1]. d Arise erect to aid us, Like Savitr, the god; Erect to win the booty, When in contest we call on thee with the shining praisers. e Born, thou art the child of the two worlds, O Agni; a brilliant child distributed among the plants; A beauteous babe beyond the darkness outspread, Thou didst come thundering from thy mothers. f Be firm, of strong limbs, Swift, a mighty steed; Be broad, of kindly seat, Thou art the carrier of dust for Agni. g Be auspicious [2], for offspring Of men, O Angiras; Scorch not sky and earth, Nor the atmosphere, nor the trees. h Let the steed advance, thundering And resounding, the ass, the flier; Bearing Agni of the dust May he fall not before his day. i The ass, well yoked to your chariot, O ye strong ones, that thundereth, May he as swift envoy Bear hence Agni of the dust.

The New and Full Moon Sacrifices a For food thee, for strength thee! b Ye are winds, ye are approachers. c Let the god Savitr impel you to the most excellent offering. d O invincible ones, swell with the share for the gods, Full of strength, of milk, rich in offspring, free from sickness, from disease. e Let no thief, no evil worker, have control over you. f Let Rudra's dart avoid you. g Abide ye, numerous, with this lord of cattle. h Do thou protect the cattle of the sacrificer. a Thou art the substance of the sacriflee. b The Raksas is burned up, the evil spirits are burned up. c The Vedi hath come to the sacrificial straw, Made by Manu, fashioned with the Svadha call. The sages fetch it from in front, The delightful straw for the gods to sit on here. d Thou art impelled by the gods. e Thou art made to grow by the rains. f O divine straw, lot me not hit thee either across or along, g Let me hit thy joints, h Let me come to no harm in cutting thee. i O divine straw, rise with a hundred shoots, Let us rise with a thousand shoots. k Guard from the contact of earth. l I gather thee with good gathering. m Thou art the girdle of Aditi, the cord of Indrani. n Let Pusan tie a knot for thee, that knot shall mount me. o I hold thee up with the arms of Indra, I seize thee with the head of Brhaspati. p Fare along the wide atmosphere. q Thou art going to the gods. a Be ye pure for the divine rite, the sacrifice to the gods. b Thou art the cauldron of Matariçvan. c Thou art the heaven, thou art the earth. d Thou art the all-supporting with the highest support. e Be firm, waver not. f Thou art the strainer of the Vasus, of a hundred streams, thou art that of the Vasus, of a thousand streams. g The spot (stoka) has been offered, the drop has been offered. h To Agni, to the mighty firmament! i Hail to sky and earth! k This is she of all life, this is the all-encompassing, this is the all-doing.

e Fare along the broad atmosphere. f Hail! Thee, of kindly nature, to the sun! g To the gods that drink the rays thee! h This is thy birthplace; to inspiration thee! a O Vayu, drinker of the pure, come to us; A thousand are thy teams, O thou that hast all choice boons. For thee this sweet drink hath been drawn, Whereof, O god, thou hast the first drink. b Thou art taken with a support; to Vayu thee! c O Indra and Vayu, these draughts are ready; Come ye for the libations, For the drops desire you. d Thou art taken with a support; to Indra and Vayu thee! This is thy birthplace; to the comrades thee! a This Soma is pressed for you, O Mitra and Varuna, Who prosper holy order; Hearken ye now to my supplication. b Thou art taken with a support; to Mitra and Varuna thee! This is thy birthplace; to the righteous thee! a That I whip of yours which is rich in sweetness And full of mercy, O Açvins, With that touch the sacrifice. b Thou art taken with a support; to the Açvins thee! This is thy birthplace; to the sweet thee! a Ye that yoke early be unloosed O Açvins, come ye hither, To drink this Soma. b Thou art taken with a support; to the Açvins thee! This is thy birthplace; to the Açvins thee! a Vena hath stirred those born of Prçni, He enveloped in light, in the expanse of the Him in the meeting-place of the waters, of the sun, Like a child, the priests tend with their songs. b Thou art taken with a support; to Çanda thee! This is thy birthplace; guard the a Him, as aforetime, as of old, as always, as now, The prince, who hath his seat on the strew and knoweth the heaven, The favouring, the strong, thou milkest with thy speech, The swift who is victor in those among whom thou dost wax. b Thou art taken with a support; to Marka thee! This is thy birth. place; guard offspring. a Ye gods that are eleven in the sky, Eleven on the earth, Who sit mightily in the waters, eleven in number, Do ye accept this saerifice.

o O Agni, whatever is deficient in my body, do thou make that good for me. p O thou of various splendour, in safety may I reach the end of thee. q Kindling thee may we kindle thee for a hundred winters, in radiance, strong the giver of strength, famous the giver of fame, with good heroes, the undeceived, O Agni, the deceiver of foes in the highest firmament. r Thou, O Agni, hast attained the radiance of the sun, the praises of the Rsis, thy beloved abode. s Thou, O Agni, hast the radiance of the sun; grant me life, radiance, and offspring. a I gaze on offspring, Offspring of Ida, connected with Manu; May they all be in our house. b Ye are water; may I share your water. Ye are greatness, may I share your ye are might, may I share your might; ye are strength, may I share your strength. c Ye wealthy ones, stay in this place, this fold, this dwelling, this birthplace; be ye here; go not hence; be many for me [1]. d Thou art composed of every form; enter me with strength, with lordship of kine, with increase of wealth. e May I prosper with your thousandfold prosperity; may your wealth rest in me. f To thee, O Agni, day by day, That shinest in the darkness, with our devotion, We come bearing honour. g Lord of the sacrifices, Guardian of holy order, shining, Waxing in his own horne. h O Agni, be of easy access to us, As a father to his son; Befriend us for prosperity. i O Agni [2] be thou our nearest, Our protector, kindly, a shield; Thee, O shining and most radiant one, We implore for favour, for our friends; Agni, bright, of bright fame, Come hither in thy greatest splendour and give us wealth. k With strength I gaze on you; gaze on me with strength. With increase of wealth I gaze on you; gaze on me with increase of wealth. l Ye are food, making sweetness; kindly enter me, nourishment and drink; may I prosper with your thousandfold prosperity [3], may your wealth rest on me, m That excellent glory of Savitr The god we meditate, That be may stimulate our prayers.

He whom men calumniate though he has slain no one should offer a Gayal to Vayu; impure speech comes to him whom men calumniate though he has slain no one; the Gayal is neither a domestic nor a wild animal; he is neither in the village nor the forest whom men calumniate though he has slain no one; Vayu is the purifier of the gods; verily he has recourse to Vayu with his own share; verily he [2] purifies him. The dawn shines away from him and he enters the darkness, the evil, to whom when the litany to the Açvins is being recited the sun becomes not visible; he should offer to Surya (a beast) of many forms; verily he has resort to yonder sun with its own share; verily it drives away the darkness, the evil, from him, the dawn shines upon him, he strikes away the darkness, the evil. a Indra on all sides. b On Indra men. c O Maruts, what time from the sky. d The protection which ye. e In contests we invoke Indra, swift to hear, The divine folk working good, freeing from distress, Agni, Mitra, Varuna, for gain, Bhaga, Sky and earth, the Maruts for welfare. f May the moving one who strikes at morning delight us; May Vata delight us, pourer of waters; Indra and Parvata quicken us; May the All-gods vouchsafe us this. g I hail the dear names [1] of yon impetuous ones, That, O Maruts, calling they may rejoice. h For glory they are wreathed in flames, In the rays (of the sun), adorned with rings they (are accompanied) with singers; They wearing daggers, impetuous, fearless, Here found the dear home of the Maruts. i First let Agni with the Vasus aid us; Let Soma with the Rudras protect (us); Let Indra with the Maruts act in due course; Let Varuna with the Adityas quicken us.' k God Agni with the Vasus [2], Soma with the dread forms, Indra with the Maruts, worthy of sacrifice, Varuna with the Adityas hath been in harmony with us. l As the Adityas are united with the Vasus, The Rudras with the Maruts, So, O thou of three names, May the All-gods without anger be of one mind.

'That disease of yours, O Indra and Varuna, that is in the two footed cattle, that of yours I appease hereby', he says; so many are the waters, the plants, the trees, offspring and cattle on whom to live; verily does he free them for him from Varuna's noose. a Thou from of old. b The wise contrivings. c Indra on all sides. d Indra men. e Do thou guard us, O Soma, on all sides, O king, from him who plots evil; Lot not the friend of such as thou come to harm. f Thy places in the sky, in the earth, In the mountains, in the plants, in the waters, With all of these, kindly and without anger, Do thou, O king Soma, accept our oblations. g O Agni and Soma, united, With common offering, accept our prayers, Ye were born together among the gods. h Ye [1], O Agni and Soma, with common inspiration, Placed these lights in the sky; Ye freed the streams from the dread imprecation When they were held fast. i O Agni and Soma, hearken kindly, O ye strong ones, to my invocation; Accept gladly our songs, Be a refreshment to the giver. k One from the sky Matariçvan bore, The falcon churned another from the rock; Agni and Soma, waxing great through prayer, Ye made broad room for the sacrifice. l O Agni and Soma, the oblation which is set forth [2], Do ye taste, accept it, rejoice in it, O ye strong ones Of good protection, of good help be ye, And give to the sacrificer health and wealth. n Together thee. o Troop lord of troops we invoke thee, Sage of sages, most famous; Highest king of Brahmans, O lord of prayer, Hearkening to us with help do thou sit on thy place. p He shall win booty and prizes with tribe, With clan, with family, with sons, with men, Who shall seek to win the father of the gods [3], Pious with oblations, the lord of prayer. q He with his fair singing, harmonious troop, Crushed Vala and Phaliga with his cry; Brhaspati drove out the cows, which mix the offerings, Thundering as they lowed. r O Maruts, what time from the sky. s The protections that ye.