Rig Veda

RIG VEDA – BOOK TEN
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5 These are the kine which, Sarama, thou seekest, flying, O Blest
One, to the ends of heaven.
Who will loose these for thee without a battle? Yea, and sharppointed
are our warlike weapons.
6 Even if your wicked bodies, O ye Panis, were arrow-proof, your
words are weak for wounding;
And were the path to you as yet unmastered, Brhaspati in neither
case will spare you.
7 Paved with the rock is this our treasure-chamber; filled full of
precious things, of kine, and horses.
These Panis who are watchful keepers guard it. In vain hast thou
approached this lonely station.
8 Rsis will come inspirited with Soma, Angirases unwearied, and
Navagvas.
This stall of cattle will they part among them: then will the Panis
wish these words unspoken.
9 Even thus, O Sarama, hast thou come hither, forced by celestial
might to make the journey.
Turn thee not back, for thou shalt be our sister: O Blest One, we will
give thee of the cattle.
10 Brotherhood, sisterhood, I know not either: the dread Angirases
and Indra know them.
They seemed to long for kine when I departed. Hence, into distance,
be ye gone, O Panis.
11 Hence, far away, ye Panis! Let the cattle lowing come forth as
holy Law commandeth,
Kine which Brhaspati, and Soma, Rsis, sages, and pressing-stones
have found when hidden.
HYMN CIX. Visvedevas.
1. THESE first, the boundless Sea, and Matarisvan, fierce-glowing
Fire, the Strong, the Bliss-bestower.
And heavenly Floods, first-born by holy Order, exclaimed against
the outrage on a Brahman.
2 King Soma first of all, without reluctance, made restitution of the
Brahman's consort.
Mitra and Varuna were the inviters: Agni as Hota; took her hand and
led her.
3 The man, her pledge, must by her hand be taken when they have
cried, She is a Brahman's consort.
She stayed not for a herald to conduct her: thus is the kingdom of a
ruler guarded.
4 Thus spake of her those Gods of old, Seven Rsis who sate them
down to their austere devotion:
Dire is a Brahman's wife led home by others: in the supremest
heaven she plants confusion.
5 The Brahmacari goes engaged in duty: he is a member of the
Gods' own body.
Through him Brhaspati obtained his consort, as the Gods gained the
ladle brought by Soma.
6 So then the Gods restored her, so men gave the woman back again.
The Kings who kept their promises restored the Brahman's wedded
wife,
7 Having restored the Brahman's wife, and freed them, with Gods'
aid, from sin,
They shared the fulness of the earth, and won themselves extended
sway.
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HYMN CX. Apris.
1. THOU in the house of man this day enkindled worshippest Gods
as God, O Jatavedas.
Observant, bright as Mitra, bring them hither: thou art a sapient and
foreknowing envoy.
2 Tanunapat, fair-tongued, with sweet meath balming the paths and
waysof Order, make them pleasant.
Convey our sacrifice to heaven, exalting with holy thoughts
ourhymns of praise and worship.
3 Invoked, deserving prayer and adoration, O Agni, come accordant
with the Vasus.
Thou art, O Youthful Lord, the Gods' Invoker, so, best of
Sacrificers, bring them quickly.
4 By rule the Sacred Grass is scattered eastward, a robe to clothe
this earth when dawns are breaking.
Widely it spreads around and far-extended, fair for the Gods and
bringing peace and freedom.
5 Let the expansive Doors be widely opened, like wives who deck
their beauty for their husbands.
Lofty, celestial, all-impelling Portals, admit the Gods and give them
easy entrance.
6 Pouring sweet dews let holy Night and Morning, each close to
each, he seated at their station,
Lofty, celestial Dames with gold to deck them. assuming all their
fair and radiant beauty.
7 Come the two first celestial sweet-voiced Hotars, arranging
sacrifice for man to worship
As singers who inspire us in assemblies, showing the eastward light
with their direction.
8 Let Bharati come quickly to our worship, and Ila showing like a
human being.
So let Sarasvati and both her fellows, deft Goddesses, on this fair
grass be seated.
9 Hotar more skilled in sacrifice, bring hither with speed to-day God
Tvastar, thou who knowest.
Even him who formed these two, the Earth and Heaven the Parents,
with their forms, and every creature.
10 Send to our offerings which thyself thou balmest the Companies
of Gods in ordered season.
Agni, Vanaspati the Immolator sweeten our offered gift with meath
and butter.
11 Agni, as soon as he was born, made ready the sacrifice, and was
the Gods' preceder.
May the Gods cat our offering consecrated according to this true
Priest's voice and guidance.
HYMN CXI. Indra.
1. BRING forth your sacred song ye prudent singers, even as
are the thoughts of human beings.
Let us draw Indra with true deeds anear us: he loves our songs,
the Hero, and is potent.
2 The hymn shone brightly from the seat of worship: to the
kine came the Bull, the Heifer's Offipring
With mighty bellowing hath he arisen, and hath pervaded even
the spacious regions.
3 Indra knows, verily, how to hear our singing, for he,
victorious, made a path for Surya.