Sama Veda on Service

1. Agni, thy faithful servant I call upon thee with many a gift, As in the keeping of the great inciting God. 2. To Agni, to the Hotar-priest offer your best, your lofty speech, To him ordainer-like who bears the light of songs. 3. O Agni, thou who art the lord of wealth in kine, thou Son of Strength, Bestow on us, O Jatavedas, high renown 4. Most skilled in sacrifice, bring the Gods, O Agni, to the pious, man: A joyful Priest, thy splendour drives our foes afar 5. Taught by seven mothers at his birth was he, for glory of the wise. He, firm and sure, hath set his mind on glorious wealth 6. And in the day our prayer is this: May Aditi come nigh to help, With loving-kindness bring us weal and chase our foes 7. Worship thou Jatavedas, pray to him who willingly accepts, Whose smoke wanders at will, and none may grasp his flame 8. No mortal man can e'er prevail by arts of magic over him Who hath served Agni well, the oblation-giving God. 9. Agni, drive thou the wicked foe, the evil-hearted thief away, Far, far, Lord of the brave! and give us easy paths! 10. O hero Agni, Lord of men, on hearing this new laud of mine Burn down the Rakshasas, enchanters, with thy flame!

1. Come, Agni, praised with song, to feast and sacrificial offering: sit As Hotar on the holy grass! 2. O Agni, thou hast been ordained Hotar of every sacrifice, By Gods, among the race of men. 3. Agni we choose as envoy, skilled performer of this holy rite, Hotar, possessor of all wealth. 4. Served with oblation, kindled, bright, through love of song may Agni, bent On riches, smite the Vritras dead! 5. I laud your most beloved guest like a dear friend, O Agni, him Who, like a chariot, wins us wealth. 6. Do thou, O Agni, with great might guard us from all malignity, Yea, from the hate of mortal man! 7. O Agni, come; far other songs of praise will I sing forth to thee. Wax mighty with these Soma-drops! 8. May Vatsa draw thy mind away even from thy loftiest dwelling place! Agni, I yearn for thee with song. 9. Agni, Atharvan brought thee forth by rubbing from the sky, the head Of all who offer sacrifice. 10. O Agni, bring us radiant light to be our mighty succour, for Thou art our visible deity!

1. The God who giveth wealth accept your full libation poured to, him! Pour ye it out, then fill the vessel full again, for so the God regardeth you. 2. Let Brahmanaspati come forth, let Sunrita the Goddess come, And Gods bring to our rite which yields a fivefold gift the hero, lover of mankind! 3. Stand up erect to lend us aid, stand up like Savitar the God, Erect as strength-bestower when we call on thee with priests who balm our offerings! 4. The man who bringeth gifts to thee, bright God who fain wouldst lead to wealth, Winneth himself a brave son, Agni! skilled in lauds, one prospering in a thousand ways. 5. With hymns and holy eulogies we supplicate your Agni, Lord Of many families who duly serve the Gods, yea, him whom others too inflame. 6. This Agni is the Lord of great prosperity and hero, strength, Of wealth with noble offspring and with store of kine, the Lord of battles with the foe. 7. Thou, Agni, art the homestead's Lord, our Hotar-priest at sacrifice. Lord of all boons, thou art the Potar, passing wise. Pay worship, and enjoy the good! 8. We as thy friends have chosen thee, mortals a God, to be our help. The Waters' Child, the blessed, the most mighty one, swift conqueror, and without a peer.

1. Bring us most mighty splendour thou, Agni, resistless on thy way: Prepare for us the path that leads to glorious opulence and strength! 2. May the brave man, if full of zeal he serve and kindle Agni's flame, Duly presenting sacred gifts, enjoy the Gods' protecting help. 3. Thy bright smoke lifts itself aloft, and far-extended shines in heaven, For, Purifier! like the Sun thou beamest with thy radiant glow. 4. Thou, Agni, even as Mitra, hast a princely glory of thine own. Bright, active God, thou makest fame increase like means of nourishment. 5. At dawn let Agni, much-beloved, guest of the house, be glorified, In whom, the everlasting one, all mortals make their offerings blaze. 6. Most moving song be Agni's: shine on high, O rich in radiant light! Like the chief consort of a King riches and strength proceed from thee. 7. Exerting all our strength with thoughts of power we glorify in speech Agni your dear familiar friend, the darling guest in every house. 8. His beam hath lofty power of life: sing praise to Agni, to the God Whom men have set in foremost place, like Mitra for their eulogy! 9. To noblest Agni, friend of man, chief Vritra-slayer, have we come- Who with Srutarvan, Riksha's son, in lofty presence is inflamed. 10. Born as the loftiest Law commands, comrade of those who grew with him. Agni, the sire of Kasyapa by faith, the mother, Manu, Sage.

1. Agni is wakened by the people's fuel to meet the Dawn who cometh like a milch-cow. Like young trees shooting up on high their branches, his flames. are mounting to the vault of heaven. 2. Set forth the gleaming one, the song-inspirer, not foolish with. the foolish, fort-destroyer, Who leadeth with his hymns to thought of conquest, gold-bearded, richly splendid with his armour 3. Thou art like heaven: one form is bright, one holy, like Day and Night dissimilar in colour. All magic powers thou aidest, self-dependent! Auspicious bethy bounty here, O Pushan! 4. As holy food, Agni, to thine invoker give wealth in cattle, lasting, rich in marvels! To us be born a son and spreading offspring. Agni, be this thy gracious will to us-ward! 5. Stablished to fill the juice with vital vigour, giver of wealth, guard of his servant's body, The great Priest, born, who knows the clouds, abider with men, is seated in the waters' eddy. 6. Let the song, honouring the best, with longing honour the Asura's most famous sovran, The deeds of him the mighty, deeds like Indra's, the manly one in whom the folk must triumph! 7. In the two kindling-blocks lies Jatavedas like the well-cherished germ in pregnant women,-- Agni who day by day must be entreated by men who watch provided with oblations. 8. Agni, from days of old thou slayest demons: never shall Rakshasas in fight o'ercome thee. Burn up the foolish ones, raw flesh devourers: let none of them escape thine heavenly arrow!

1. The black drop sank in Ansumati's bosom, advancing with ten thousand round about it. Indra with might longed for it as it panted: the hero-hearted King laid down his weapons. 2. Flying in terror from the snort of Vritra all deities who were thy friends forsook thee. So, Indra, with the Maruts be thy friendship: in all these battles thou shalt be the victor. 3. The old hath waked the young Moon from his slumber who runs his circling course with many round him. Behold the God's high wisdom in its greatness: he who died yesterday to-day is living. 4. Then, at thy birth, thou wast the foeman, Indra, of those the seven who ne'er had met a rival. The hidden pair, heaven and the earth, thou foundest, and to the mighty worlds thou gavest pleasure. 5. A friend we count thee, sharp-edged, thunder-wielder, Steer strong of body, overthrowing Thou, helping, causest pious tribes to conquer: Indra, I laud the, heavenly Vritra-slayer. 6. Bring to the wise, the great, who waxeth mighty your offerings,. and make ready your devotion! Go forth to many tribes as man's controller! 7. Call we on Maghavan, auspicious Indra, best hero in this fight where spoil is gathered, Strong, listening to give us aid in battles, who slays the Vritras, wins and gathers riches! 8. Prayers have been offered up-through love of glory: Vasishtha, honour Indra in the battle! He who with fame extends through all existence hears words which I, his faithful servant, utter. 9. May the sweet Soma juices make him happy to cast his quoit that lies in depth of waters! Thou from the udder which o'er earth is fastened hast poured the milk into the kine and herbage.

1. This vigorous one whom deities commission, the conqueror of cars, the strong and mighty, Swift, fleet to battle, with uninjured fellies, even Tarkshya for our weal will we call hither. 2. Indra the rescuer, Indra the helper, hero who listens at each invocation, Sakra I call, Indra invoked of many. May Indra Maghavan accept our presents! 3. Indra whose right hand wields the bolt we worship, driver of bay steeds seeking sundered courses. Shaking his beard with might he hath arisen, terrible with his weapons, with his bounty. 4. The ever-slaying, bold and furious Indra, the bright bolt's Lord, the strong, the great, the boundless, Who slayeth Vritra and acquireth booty, giver of blessings, Maghavan the bounteous. 5. The man who lies in wait and fights against us, deeming himself a giant or a hero,-- By battle or with strength destroy him, Indra! With thy help, manly-souled! may we be victors! 6. He whom men call when striving with their foemen, or speeding onward in array of battle, Whom bards incite where heroes win the booty, or in the way to waters, He is Indra. 7. On a high car, O Parvata and Indra, bring pleasant viands, with brave heroes, hither! Enjoy our presents, Gods, at sacrifices: wax strong by hymns, rejoice in our oblation! 8. In ceaseless flow hath he poured forth his praises, as waters from the ocean's depth, to Indra, Who to his car on both its sides securely hath fixed the earth and heaven as with an axle. 9. May our friends turn thee hitherward to friendship! Mayst thou approach us even o'er many rivers! May the Disposer, radiant in this mansion with special lustre, bring the father's offspring! 10. Who yokes to-day unto the pole of Order the strong and passionate steers of checkless spirit, Health-bringing, bearing in their mouths no fodder? Long shall he live who richly pays their service.

1. Present oblations, make him splendid: set ye as Hotar in his place the Home's Lord, worshipped With gifts and homage where they pour libations! Honour him meet for reverence in our houses. 2. Verily wondrous is the tender youngling's growth who never draweth nigh to drink his mother's milk. As soon as she who hath no udder bore him, he, faring on his. great errand, suddenly grew strong. 3. Here is one light for thee, another yonder: enter the third and, be therewith united. Beautiful be thy union with the body, beloved in the Gods' sublimest birthplace! 4. For Jatavedas, worthy of our praise, will we frame with our mind this eulogy as 'twere a car; For good, in his assembly, is this care of ours. Let us not, in thy friendship, Agni, suffer harm! 5. Agni Vaisvanara, born in course of Order, the messenger of earth, the head of heaven, The Sage, the sovran, guest of men, our vessel fit for their mouth, the Gods have generated. 6. Even as the waters from the mountain ridges, so sprang the; Gods, through lauds, from thee, O To thee speed hymns and eulogies, as horses haste, bearing him who loves the song, to battle. 7. Win to protect you, Rudra, lord of worship, priest of both worlds, effectual sacrificer, Agni, invested with his golden colours, before the thunder strike and lay you senseless! 8. The King whose face is decked with oil is kindled with homage offered by his faithful servant. The men, the priests adore him with oblations. Agni hath shone forth at the flush of morning. 9. Agni advanceth with his lofty banner: through earth and heaven the Bull hath loudly bellowed He hath come nigh from the sky's farthest limit: the Steer hath waxen in the waters' bosom. 10. From the two fire-sticks have the men engendered with thoughts, urged by the hand, the glorious Agni, Far-seen, with pointed flame, Lord of the Homestead.

1. Flow forth, O Soma, flow thou onward, sweet to Indra's Mitra's, Pushan's, Bhaga's taste. 2. Run forth to battle, conquering the Vritras; thou speedest to quell the foes like one exacting debts. 3. Flow onward, Soma, as a mighty sea, as Father of the Gods, to every form. 4. Flow onward, Soma, flow for mighty strength, as a strong courser, bathed, to win the prize. 5. Fair Indu hath flowed on for rapturous joy, sage, for good fortune, in the waters' lap. 6. In thee, effused. O Soma, we rejoice ourselves for great supremacy in fight: Thou, Pavamana, enterest into mighty deeds. 7. Who are these radiant men in serried rank, Rudra's young heroes, too, with noble steeds? 8. Agni, with hymns may we now accomplish that which thou lovest, Strength, like a horse, auspicious strength with service. 9. The strong youths have come forth to view, to show their strength, God Savitar's quickening energy: Ye warrior horsemen, win the heavens. 10. Soma, flow splendid with thy copious stream in due succession through the ample fleece. DECADE I. Indra 1. Giver from all sides, bring to us from every side, thou whom as strongest we entreat! 2. This Brahman, comer at due time, named Indra, is renowned and praised. 3. The Brahmans with their hymns exalting Indra increased his strength that he might slaughter 4. Anavas wrought a chariot for thy courser, and Tvashtar, much-invoked! the bolt that gitters: 5. Rest, wealth to him who longs for wealth! the riteless stirs not his love nor wins his way to riches. 6. The cows are ever pure and all-supporting, the Gods are ever free from stain and blemish. 7. With all thy beauty come! The kine approaching with full udders follow on thy path. 8. May we, inhabiting a meath-rich dwelling, increase our wealth, and think of thee, O Indra! 9. The Maruts with fair hymns chant out their praise-song: this Indra, famed and youthful, shouts accordant. 10. Sing to your Indra, mightiest Vritra-slayer, sing to the Sage the song that he accepteth!

1. Sing to your Agni with each song, at every sacrifice for strength. Come, let us praise the wise and, everlasting God even as a well-beloved friend, 2. Agni, protect thou us by one, protect us by the second song, Protect us by three hymns, O Lord of power and might, bright God, by four hymns guard us 3. O Agni, with thy lofty beams, with thy pure brilliancy, O God, Kindled, most youthful one! by Bharadvaja's hand, shine on us richly, holy Lord! 4. O Agni who art worshipped well, dear let our princes be to thee, Our wealthy patrons who are governors of men, who part, as gifts, the stall of kine! 5. Agni, praise-singer! Lord of men, God! burning up the Rakshasas, Mighty art thou, the ever-present, household-lord! home-friend and guardian from the sky. 6. Immortal Jatavedas, thou bright-hued refulgent gift of Dawn, Agni, this day to him who pays oblations bring the Gods who waken with the morn! 7. Wonderful, with thy favouring help, send us thy bounties, gracious Lord. Thou art the charioteer, Agni, of earthly wealth: find rest and safety for our seed! 8. Famed art thou, Agni, far and wide, preserver, righteous, and a Sage. The holy singers, O enkindled radiant one, ordainers, call on thee to come. 9. O holy Agni, give us wealth famed among men and strengthening life! Bestow on us, O helper, that which many crave, more glorious still through righteousness! 10. To him, who dealeth out all wealth, the sweet-toned Hotar-priest of men, To him like the first vessels filled with savoury juice, to Agni let the lauds go forth.

1. Invite ye Indra with a song to drink your draught of Soma steeds, juice, All-conquering Satakratu, most munificent of all who live 2. Sing ye a song, to make him glad, to Indra, Lord of tawny The Soma-drinker, O my friends! 3. This, even this, O Indra, we implore: as thy devoted friends The Kanvas praise thee with their hymns! 4. For Indra, lover of carouse, loud be our songs about the juice Let poets sing the song of praise. 5. Here, Indra, is thy Soma draught, made pure upon the sacred grass: Run hither, come and drink thereof 6. As a good cow to him who milks, we call the doer of good deeds To our assistance duy by day. 7. Hero, the Soma being shed, I pour the juice for thee to drink Sate thee and finish thy carouse! 8. The Soma, Indra, which is shed in saucers and in cups for thee, Drink thou, for thou art lord thereof! 9. In every need, in every fray we call, as friends, to succour us, Indra, the mightiest of all. 10. O come ye hither, sit ye down: to Indra sing ye forth your song, Companions, bringing hymns of praise

1. Pass by the wrathful offerer; speed the man who pours libation, drink The juice which he presents to thee! 2. What is the word addressed to him, God great and excellently wise? For this is what exalteth him. 3, His wealth who hath no store of kine hath ne'er found out recited laud, Nor song of praises that is sung. 4. Lord of each thing that giveth strength, Indra delighteth most in lauds, Borne by bay steeds, libations' friend. 5. With wealth to our libation come, be not thou angry with us, like A great man with a youthful bride. 6. When, Vasu, wilt thou love the laud? Now let the Channel bring the stream. The juice is ready to ferment. 7. After the Seasons. Indra, drink the Soma from the Brahman's gift: Thy friendship is invincible! S. O Indra, lover of the song, we are the singers of thy praise O Soma-drinker, quicken us! 9. O Indra, in each fight and fray give to our bodies manly strength: Strong Lord, grant ever-conquering might! 10. For so thou art the brave man's friend; a hero, too, art thou, and strong: So may thine heart be won to us!

1. Like kine unmilked we call aloud, hero, to thee, and sing thy praise, Looker on heavenly light, Lord of this moving world, Lord, Indra, of what moveth not! 2. That we may win us wealth and power we poets, verily, call on thee: In war men call on thee, Indra, the hero's Lord, in the steed's race-course call on thee: 3. To you will I sing Indra's praise who gives good gifts as well we know; The praise of Maghavan who, rich in treasure, aids his singers with wealth thousandfold. 4. As cows low to their calves in stalls, so with our songs we glorify This Indra, even your wondrous God who checks attack, who takes delight in precious juice. 5. Loud singing at the sacred rite where Soma flows we priests invoke With haste, that he may help, as the bard's cherisher, Indra who findeth wealth for you 6. With Plenty for his true ally the active man will gain the spoil. Your Indra, much-invoked, I bend with song, as bends a wright his wheel of solid wood. 7. Drink, Indra, of the savoury juice, and cheer thee with our milky draught! Be, for our weal, our friend and sharer of the feast, and let thy wisdom guard us well! 8. For thou--come to the worshipper!--wilt find great wealth to make us rich. Fill thyself full, O Maghavan, for gain of kine, full, Indra, for the gain of steeds! 9. Vasishtha will not overlook the lowliest one among you all Beside our Soma juice effused to-day let all the Maruts drink with eager haste! 10. Glorify naught besides, O friends; so shall no sorrow trouble you! Praise only mighty Indra when the juice is shed, and say your lauds repeatedly!

1. Call to your aid the eternal one who shoots and none may shoot at him, Inciter, swift, victorious, best of charioteers, unconquered, Tugriya's strengthener! 2. Let none, no, not thy worshippers, delay thee far away from us Even from faraway come thou unto our feast, or listen if' already here! 3. For Indra Soma-drinker, armed with thunder, press the Soma juice; Make ready your dressed meats: cause him to favour us! The giver blesses him who gives. 4. We call upon that Indra who, most active, ever slays the foe With boundless spirit, Lord of heroes, manliest one, help thou and prosper us in fight! 5. Ye rich in strength, through your great power vouchsafe us blessings day and night! The offerings which we bring to you shall never fail gifts brought by us shall never fail. 6. Whenever mortal worshipper will sing a bounteous giver's praise, Let him with song inspired laud Varuna who supports the folk who follow varied rites. 7. Drink milk to Indra in the joy of Soma juice, Medhyatithi! To golden Indra ever close to his bay steeds, the thunder-armed, the golden one! 8. Both boons,-may Indra, hitherward turned listen to this prayer of ours, And mightiest Maghavar, with thought inclined to us come near to drink the Soma juice! 9. Not for an ample price dost thou, Stone-caster! give thyself away, Not for a thousand, Thunderer! nor ten thousand, nor a hundred, Lord of countless wealth! 10. O Indra, thou art more to me than sire or niggard brother is. Thou and my mother, O good Lord, appear alike, to give me wealth abundantly.

1. Offer the triple sacred draught to Indu hero-worshipper! With hymn and plenty he invites you to complete the sacrifice. 2. Those whom they call the attendant pair of Kasyapa who knows the light, Lords of each holy duty when the wise have honoured sacrifice. 3. Sing, sing ye forth your songs of praise, men, Priya-medhas, sing your songs: Yea, let young children sing their lauds: yea, glorify our firm stronghold! 4. To Indra must a laud be said, a joy to him who freely gives, That Sakra may be joyful in our friendship and the juice we pour. 5. Your Lord of might that ne'er hath bent, that ruleth over all mankind, I call, that he, as he is wont, may aid the chariots and the men. 6. Even he who is thine own, through thought of Heaven, of mortal man who toils, He with the help of lofty Dyaus comes safe through straits of enmity. 7. Wide, Indra Satakratu, spreads the bounty of thine ample grace: So, good and liberal giver, known to all men, send us splendid wealth! 8. Bright Ushas, when thy times return, all quadrupeds and bipeds stir, And round about flock winged birds from all the boundaries of heaven. 9. Ye Gods who yonder have your home amid the luminous realm of heaven, What count ye right? what endless life? What is the ancient call on you? 10. We offer laud and psalm wherewith men celebrate their holy rites. They govern at the sacred place and bear the sacrifice to Gods.

1. Heroes of one accord brought forth and formed for kingship Indra who wins the victory in all encounters, For power, in firmness, in the field, the great destroyer, fierce and exceeding strong,rstalwart and full of vigour. 2. I trust in thy first wrathful deed, O Indra, when thou slewest Vritra and didst work to profit When the two world-halves fled for refuge unto thee, and earth even trembled at thy strength, O Thunder-armed! 3. Come all with might together to the Lord of heaven, the only one who is indeed the guestof He is the first: to him who fain would come to us all pathways turn; he is in truth the only one. 4. Thine, Indra, praised of many, excellently rich, are we who trusting in thy help draw near to For none but thou, song-lover, shall receive our lauds: as Earth loves all her creatures, welcome this our hymn! 5. High hymns have sounded forth the praise of Maghavan, supporter of mankind, of Indra meet for lauds; Him who hath waxen mighty, much-invoked with prayers, immortal one whose praise each day is sung aloud. 6. In perfect unison have all your longing hymns that find the light of heaven sounded forth Indra's praise. As wives embrace their lord, the comely bridegroom, so they compass Maghavan about that he may help. 7. Make glad with songs that Ram whom many men invoke, worthy hymns of praise, Indra the sea of wealth; Whose boons spread like the heavens, the - lover of mankind: sing praise to him the Sage, most liberal for our good! 8. I glorify that Ram who finds the light of heaven, whose hundred strong and mighty ones go forth with him. With prayers may I turn hither Indra to mine aid;-the car which like a swift steed hasteth to the 9. Filled full of fatness, compassing all things that be, wide, spacious, dropping meath, beautiful in their form, The heaven and the earth by Varuna's decree, unwasting, rich in germs, stand parted each from 10. As like the Morning, thou hast filled, O Indra, both the earth.

I. When Somas flow thou makest pure, Indra, thy mind that merits laud For gain of strength that ever grows: for great is he. 2. Sing forth to him whom many men invoke, to him whom many laud: Invite the potent Indra with your songs of praise 3. We sing this strong and wild delight of thine which conquer; in the fray, Which, Caster of the Stone! gives room and shines like gold, 4. Whether thou drink the Soma by Vishnu's or Trita Aptya's side, Or with the Maruts, Indra! quaff the following drops. 5. Come, priest, and of the savoury juice pour forth a yet more gladdening draught: So is the hero praised who ever prospers us. 6. Pour out the drops for Indra; let him drink the meath of Soma juice! He through his majesty sends forth his bounteous gifts. 7. Come, sing we praise to Indra, friends! the hero who deserves the laud, Him who with none to aid o'ercomes all tribes of men. 8. Sing ye a psalm to Indra, sing a great song to the lofty Sage, To him who maketh prayer, inspired who loveth laud! 9. He who alone bestoweth wealth on mortal man who offereth gifts Is Indra only, potent Lord whom none resist. 10. Companions, let us learn a prayer to Indra, to the Thunderer, To glorify your bold and most heroic friend!

1. O Agni, God, we kindle thee, refulgent, wasting not away, That this more glorious fuel may send forth for thee its shine to heaven. Bring food to those who sing thy praise! 2. With offerings of our own we choose thee, Agni, as our Hotar priest, Piercing and brightly shining-at your glad carouse-served with trimmed grass at sacrifice. Thou waxest great. 3. O heavenly Dawn, awaken us to ample opulence to-day, Even as thou didst waken us with Satyasravas, Vayya's son, high born! delightful with thy steeds! 4. Send us a mind that brings delight, send energy and mental power. Then-at your glad carouse-let men joy in thy love, sweet juice! as kine in pasturage. Thou waxest great, 5. Great, as his nature is, through power, terrible, he hath waxed in strength, Lord of bay steeds, strong-jawed, sublime, he in joined hands for glory's sake hath grasped his iron thunderbolt. 6. He, Indra, verily will mount the powerful car that finds the kine, Who thinks upon the well-filled bowl, the tawny coursers' harnesser. Now, Indra, yoke thy two bay steeds! 7. I think of Agni who is kind, whom, as their home, the milch-kine seek: Whom fleet-foot coursers seek as home, and strong enduring steeds as home. Bring food to those who sing thy praise! 8. No peril, no severe distress, ye Gods, affects the mortal man Whom Aryaman and Mitra lead, and Varuna, of one accord, beyond his foes.