Yajur Sama Atharvan Vedas

ATHARVA VEDA
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IV, 38. A. Prayer for success in gambling.
1. The successful, victorious, skilfully gaming Apsarâ, that Apsarâ who makes the winnings in the
game of dice, do I call hither.
2. The skilfully gaming Apsarâ who sweeps and heaps up (the stakes), that Apsarâ who takes the
winnings in the game of dice, do I call hither.
May she, who dances about with the dice, when she takes the stakes from the game of dice, when she
desires to win for us, obtain the advantage by (her) magic! May she come to us full of abundance! Let
them not win this wealth of ours!
4. The (Apsarâs) who rejoice in dice, who carry grief and wrath-tbat joyful and exulting Apsarâ, do I
call hither.
B. Prayer to secure the return of calves that have strayed to a distance.
5. They (the cattle) who wander along the rays of the sun, or they who wander along the flood of
light) they whose bull (the. sun), full of strength, from afar protecting, with the day wanders about all
the worlds-may he (the bull), full of strength, delighting in this offering, come to us touether with the
atmosphere!
6. Together with the atmosphere, O thou who art full of strength, protect the white (karkî) calf, O
thou swift steed (the sun)! Here are many drops (of ghee) for thee; come hither! May this white calf
(karkî) of thine, may thy mind, be here!
7. Together with the atmosphere, O thou who art full of strength, protect the white (karkî) calf, O
thou swift steed (the sun)! Here is the fodder, here the stall, here do we tie down the calf. Whatever
(are your) names, we own you. Hail!
VII, 50. Prayer for success at dice.
1. As the lightning at all times smites irresistibly the tree, thus would I to-day irresistibly beat the
gamesters with my dice!
2. Whether they be alert, or not alert, the fortune of (these) folks, unresisting, shall assemble from all
sides, the gain (collect) within my hands!
3. I invoke with reverence Agni, who has his own riches; here attached he shall beap up gain for us! I
procure (wealth) for myself, as if with chariots that win the race. May I accomplish auspiciously the
song of praise to the Maruts!
4. May we by thy aid conquer the (adversary s) troop; help us (to obtain) our share in every contest!
Make for us, O Indra, a good and ample road; crush, O Maghavan, the lusty power of our enemies!
5. I have conquered and cleaned thee out (?); I have also gained thy reserve. As the wolf plucks to
pieces the sheep, thus do I pluck thy winnings.
6. Even the strong hand the bold player conquers, as the skilled gambler heaps up his winnings at the
proper time. Upon him that loves the game (the god), and does not spare his money, (the game, the
god) verily bestows the delights of wealth.
7. Through (the possession of) cattle we all would suppress (our) wretched poverty, or with grain our
hunger, O thou oft implored (god)! May we foremost among rulers, unharmed, gain wealth by our
cunning devices!
8. Gain is deposited in my right hand, victory in my left. Let me become a conqueror of cattle, horses,
wealth, and gold!
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