Rig Veda on Repentance

1 NE'ER doth the man repent, who, seeking profit, bringeth his gift to the far−striding Visnu. 2 Thou, Visnu, constant in thy courses, gavest good−will to all men, and a hymn that lasteth, 3 Three times strode forth this God in all his grandeur over this earth bright with a hundred splendours. 4 Over this earth with mighty step strode Visnu, ready to give it for a home to Manu. 5 To−day I laud this name, O gipivista, I, skilled in rules, the name of thee the Noble. 6 What was there to be blamed in thee, O Visnu, when thou declaredst, I am Sipivista? 7 O Visnu, unto thee my lips cry Vasat! Let this mine offering, Sipivista, please thee.

2 To him the Bounteous say the laud, and let us glorify, as men May do, the Giver of true gifts. 3 O Indra, Lord of boundless might, for us thou winnest strength and kine, 4 Faithful to thee we loudly sing, heroic Indra, songs to thee: Mark, O Good Lord, this act of ours. 5 Give us not up to man's reproach, to foeman's hateful calumny: In thee alone is all my strength. 6 Thou art mine ample coat of mail, my Champion, Vrtra−Slayer, thou: 7 Yea, great art thou whose conquering might two independent Powers confess. 8 So let the voice surround thee, which attends the Maruts on their way, 9 Let the ascending drops attain to thee, the Wondrous God, in heaven: 10 Bring to the Wise, the Great, who waxeth mighty, your offerings, and make ready your devotion; 11 For Indra, the sublime, the far−pervading, have singers generated prayer and praises: 12 The choirs have stablished Indra King for ever, for victory, him whose anger is resistless:

2 Not this way go I forth: hard is the passage. Forth from the side obliquely will I issue. 3 He bent his eye upon the dying Mother: My word I now withdraw. That way I follow. 4 What strange act shall he do, he whom his Mother bore for a thousand months and many autumns? 5 Deeming him a reproach, his mother hid him, Indra, endowed with all heroic valour. 6 With lively motion onward flow these waters, the Holy Ones, shouting, as 'twere, together. 7 Are they addressing him with words of welcome? Will the floods take on them the shame of Indra? 8 I cast thee from me, mine,−thy youthful mother: thee, mine own offspring, Kusava hath swallowed. 9 Thou art mine own, O Maghavan, whom Vyamsa struck to the ground and smote thy jaws in pieces. 10 The Heifer hath brought forth the Strong, the Mighty, the unconquerable Bull, the furious Ind 1 Then to her mighty Child the Mother turned her, saying, My son, these Deities forsake thee. Th

2 With mine own heart I commune on the question how Varuna and I may be united. 3 Fain to know this in in I question others: I seek the wise, O Varuna, and ask them. 4 What, Varuna, hath been my chief transgression, ihat thou wouldst slay the friend who sings thy praises 5 Free us from sins committed by our fathers, from those wherein we have ourselves offended. 6 Not our own will betrayed us, but seduction, thoughtlessness, Varuna wine, dice, or anger. 7 Slavelike may I do service to the Bounteous, serve, free from sin, the God inclined to anger. 8 O Lord, O Varuna, may this laudation come close to thed and lie within thy spirit.

6 So purifying thee vouchsafe us waters, heaven's light, and cows, offipring and many children. Give us h

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