Rig Veda

RIG VEDA – BOOK TEN
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Blameless One, with heart that longed for fame.
Heroes elect thee when they battle for the prey, thee in all
sacrifices worthy of renown.
3 God Much-invoked, take pleasure in these princes here, who,
thine exalters, Maghavan, have come to wealth.
In synods, when the rite succeeds, they hymn the Strong for
sons and progeny and riches undisturbed.
4 That man shall find delight in well-protected wealth whose
care provides for him the quick-sought joyous draught.
Bringing oblations, strengthened Maghavan, by thee, he
swiftly wins the spoil with heroes in the fight.
5 Now for our band, O Maghavan, when lauded, make ample
room with might, and grant us riches.
Magician thou, our Varuna and Mitra, deal food to us, O
Wondrous, as Dispenser.
HYMN CXLVIII. Indra.
1. WHEN we have pressed the juice we laud thee, Indra, and
when, Most Valorous we have won the booty.
Bring us prosperity, as each desires it under thine own
protection may we conquer.
2 Sublime from birth, mayst thou O Indra, Hero, with Surya
overcome the Dasa races.
As by a fountain's side, we bring the Soma that lay concealed,
close-hidden in the waters.
3 Answer the votary's hymns, for these thou knowest, craving
the Rsis' prayer, thyself a Singer
May we be they who take delight in Somas: these with sweet
food for thee, O Chariot-rider.
4 These holy prayers, O Indra, have I sung thee: grant to the
men the strength of men, thou Hero.
Be of one mind with those in whom thou joyest: keep thou the
singers safe and their companions.
5 Listen to Prthi's call, heroic Indra, and be thou lauded by the
hymns of Venya,
Him who hath sung thee to thine oil-rich dwelling, whose
rolling songs have sped thee like a torrent.
HYMN CXLIX. Savitar.
1. SAVITAR fixed the earth with bands to bind it, and made
heaven stedfast where no prop supported.
Savitar milked, as 'twere a restless courser, air, sea bound fast
to what no foot had trodden.
2 Well knoweth Savitar, O Child of Waters, where ocean,
firmly fixt, o'erflowed its limit.
Thence sprang the world, from that uprose the region: thence
heaven spread out and the wide earth expanded.
3 Then, with a full crowd of Immortal Beings, this other realm
came later, high and holy.
First, verily, Savitar's strong-pinioned Eagle was born: and he
obeys his law for ever.
4 As warriors to their steeds, kine to their village, as fond milk
giving cows approach their youngling,
As man to wife, let Savitar come downward to us, heaven's
bearer, Lord of every blessing.
5 Like the Angirasa Hiranvastupa, I call thee, Savitar, to this
achievement:
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So worshipping and lauding thee for favour I watch for thee as
for the stalk of Soma.
HYMN CL. Agni.
1. THOU, bearer of oblations, though kindled, art kindled for
the Gods.
With the Adityas, Rudras, Vasus, come to us: to show us
favour come to us.
2 Come hither and accept with joy this sacrifice and hymn of
ours.
O kindled God, we mortals are invoking thee, calling on thee
to show us grace.
3 I laud thee Jatavedas, thee Lord of all blessings, with my
song.
Agni, bring hitherward the Gods whose Laws we love, whose
laws we love, to show us grace.
4 Agni the God was made the great High-Priest of Gods, Rsis
have kindled Agni, men of mortal mould.
Agni I invocate for winning ample wealth. kindly disposed for
winning wealth.
5 Atri and Bharadvaja and Gavisthira, Kanva and Trasadasyu,
in our fight he helped.
On Agni calls Vasistha, even the household priest, the
household priest to win his grace.
HYMN CLI. Faith.
1. By Faith is Agni kindled, through Faith is oblation offered
up.
We celebrate with praises Faith upon the height of happiness.
2 Bless thou the man who gives, O Faith; Faith, bless the man
who fain would give.
Bless thou the liberal worshippers: bless thou the word that I
have said.
3 Even as the Deities maintained Faith in the mighty Asuras,
So make this uttered wish of mine true for the liberal
worshippers.
4 Guarded by Vayu, Gods and men who sacrifice draw near to
Faith.
Man winneth Faith by yearnings of the heart, and opulence by
Faith.
5 Faith in the early morning, Faith at noonday will we
invocate,
Faith at the setting of the Sun. O Faith, endow us with belief.
HYMN CLII. Indra.
1. A MIGHTY Governor art thou, Wondrous, Destroyer of the
foe,
Whose friend is never done to death, and never, never
overcome.
2 Lord of the clan, who brings us bliss, Strong, Warrior, Slayer
of the fiend,
May India, Soma-drinker, go before us, Bull who gives us
peace.
3 Drive Raksasas and foes away, break thou in pieces
Vrtra'sjaws:
O Vrtra-slaying Indra, quell the foeman's wrath who threatens
us.