Rig Veda

RIG VEDA – BOOK TEN
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3 If by address, by blame, by imprecation we have committed
sin, awake or sleeping,
All hateful acts of ours, all evil doings may Agni bear away to
distant places.
4 When, Indra, Brahmanaspati, our deeds are wrongful and
unjust,
May provident Angirasa prevent our foes from troubling, us.
5 We have prevailed this day and won: we are made free from
sin and guilt.
Ill thoughts, that visit us awake or sleeping, seize the man we
hate, yea, seize the man who hateth us.
HYMN CLXV. Visvedevas.
1. GODS, whatsoe'er the Dove came hither seeking, sent to us
as the envoy of Destruction,
For that let us sing hymns and make atonement. Well be it with
our quadrupeds and bipeds.
2 Auspicious be the Dove that hath been sent us, a harmless
bird, ye Gods, within our dwelling.
May Agni, Sage, be pleased with our oblation, and may the
Missile borne on wings avoid us.
3 Let not the Arrow that hath wings distract us: beside the fireplace,
on the hearth it settles.
May, it bring welfare to our men and cattle: here let the Dove,
ye Gods, forbear to harm us.
4 The screeching of the owl is ineffective and when beside the
fire the Dove hath settled,
To him who sent it hithcr as an envoy, to him be reverence
paid, to Death, to Yama.
5 Drive forth the Dove, chase it with holy verses: rejoicing,
bring ye hither food and cattle,
Barring the way against all grief and trouble. Let the swift bird
fly forth and leave us vigour.
HYMN CLXVI. Sapatnanasanam.
1. MAKE me a bull among my peers, make me my rivals,
conqueror:
Make me the slayer of my foes, a sovran ruler, lord of kine
2 I am my rivals' slayer, like Indra unwounded and unhurt,
And all these enemies of mine are vanquished and beneath my
feet.
3 Here, verily, I bind you fast, as the two bow-ends with the
string.
Press down these men, O Lord of Speech, that they may
humbly speak to me.
4 Hither I came as conqueror with mighty all-effecting power,
And I have mastered all your thought, your synod, and your
holy work.
5 May I be highest, having gained your strength in war, your
skill in peace
my feet have trodden on your heads.
Speak to me from beneath my feet, as frogs from out the water
croak, as frogs from out the water croak.
HYMN CLXVII. Indra.
1. THIS pleasant meath, O Indra, is effused for thee: thou art
the ruling Lord of beaker and of juice.
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Bestow upon us wealth with many hero sons: thou, having
glowed with Fervour, wortnest heavenly light.
2 Let us call Sakra to libations here effused, winner of light
who joyeth in the potent juice.
Mark well this sacrifice of ours and come to us: we pray to
Maghavan the Vanquisher of hosts.
3 By royal Soma's and by Varuna's decree, under Brhaspati's
and Anumati's guard,
This day by thine authority, O Maghavan, Maker, Disposer
thou! have I enjoyed the jars.
4 1, too, urged on, have had my portion, in the bowl, and as
first Prince I drew forth this my hymn of praise,
When with the prize I came unto the flowing juice, O
Visvamitra, Jamadagni, to your home.
HYMN CLXVIII. Vayu.
1. O THE Wind's chariot, O its power and glory! Crashing it
goes and hath a voice of thunder.
It makes the regions red and touches heaven, and as it moves
the dust of earth is scattered.
2 Along the traces of the Wind they hurry, they come to him as
dames to an assembly.
Borne on his car with these for his attendants, the God speeds
forth, the universe's Monarch.
3 Travelling on the paths of air's midregion, no single day doth
he take rest or slumber.
Holy and earliest-born, Friend of fhe waters, where did he
spring and from what region came he?
4 Germ of the world, the Deities' vital spirit, this God moves
ever as his will inclines him.
His voice is heard, his shape is ever viewless. Let us adore this
Wind with our oblation.
HYMN CLXIX. COWS.
1. MAY the wind blow upon our Cows with healing: may they
eat herbage full of vigorous juices.
May they drink waters rich in life and fatness: to food that
moves on feet be gracious, Rudra.
2 Like-coloured, various-hued, or single-coloured, whose
names through sacrifice are known to Agni,
Whom the Angirases produced by Fervour,vouchsafe to these,
Parjanya, great protection.
3 Those who have offered to the Gods their bodies, whose
varied forms are all well known to Soma,-
Those grant us in our cattle-pen, O Indra, with their full
streams of milk and plenteous offspring.
4 Prajapati, bestowing these upon me, one-minded with all
Gods and with the Fathers,
Hath to our cow-pen brought auspicious cattle: so may we own
the offspring they will bear us.
HYMN CLXX. Surya.
1. MAY the Bright God drink glorious Soma-mingled meath,
giving the sacrifice's lord uninjured life;
He who, wind-urged, in person guards our offspring well, hath
nourished them with food and shines o'er many a land.
2 Radiant, as high Truth, cherished, best at winning strength,