Rig Veda

RIG VEDA – BOOK ONE
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web the priest, the poet rises.
Shine then to-day, rich Maid, on him who lauds thee, shine
down on us the gift of life and offipring.
18 Dawns giving sons all heroes, kine and horses, shining
upon the man who brings oblations,-
These let the Soma-presser gain when ending his glad songs
louder than the voice of Vayu.
19 Mother of Gods, Aditi's forui of glory, ensign of sacrifice,
shine forth exalted.
Rise up, bestowing praise on our devotion all-bounteous, niake
us chief among the people.
20 Whatever splendid wealth the Dawns bring with them to
bless the man who offers praise and worship,
Even that may Mitra, Varuna vouchsafe us, and Aditi and
Sindhu, Earth and Heaven.
HYMN CXIV. Rudra.
1. To the strong Rudra bring we these our songs of praise, to
him the Lord of Heros with the braided hair,
That it be well with all our cattle and our men, that in this
village all he healthy and well-fed.
2 Be gracious unto us, O Rudra, bring us joy: thee, Lord of
Heroes, thee with reverence will we serve.
Whatever health and strength our father Manu won by sacrifice
may we, under thy guidance, gain.
3 By worship of the Gods may we, O Bounteous One, O
Rudra, gain thy grace, Ruler of valiant men.
Come to our families, bringing them bliss: may we, whose
heroes are uninjured, bring thee sacred gifts,
4 Hither we call for aid the wise, the wanderer, impetuous
Rudra, perfecter of sacri fice.
May he repel from us the anger of the Gods: verily we desire
his favourable grace.
5 Him with the braided hair we call with reverence down, the
wild-boar of the sky, the red, the dazzling shape.
May he, his hand filled full of sovran medicines, grant us
protection, shelter, and a home secure.
6 To him the Maruts' Father is this hymn addressed, to
strengthen Rudra's might, a song more sweet than sweet.
Grant us, Immortal One, the food which mortals eat: be
gracious unto me, my seed, my progeny.
7 O Rudra, harm not either great or small of us, harm not the
growing boy, harm not the full-grown man.
Slay not a sire among us, slay no mother here, and to our own
dear bodies, Rudra, do not harm.
8 Harm us not, Rudra, in our seed and progeny, harm us not in
the living, nor in cows or steeds,
Slay not our heroes in the fury of thy wrath. Bringing oblations
evermore we call to thee.
9 Even as a herdsman I have brought thee hymns of praise: O
Father of the Maruts, give us happiness,
Blessed is thy most favouring benevolence, so, verily, do we
desire thy saving help.
10 Far be thy dart that killeth men or cattle: thy bliss be with
us, O thou Lord of Heroes.
Be gracious unto us, O God, and bless us, and then vouchsafe
us doubly-strong protection.
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11 We, seeking help, have spoken and adored him: may Rudra,
girt by Maruts, hear our calling.
This prayer of ours may Varuna grant, and Mitra, and Aditi
and Sindhu, Earth and Heaven.
HYMN CXV. Surya.
1. THE brilliant presence of the Gods hath risen, the eye of
Mitra, Varuna and Agni.
The soul of all that moveth not or moveth, the Sun hath filled
the air and earth and heaven.
2 Like as a young man followeth a maiden, so doth the Sun the
Dawn, refulgent Goddess:
Where pious men extend their generations, before the
Auspicious One for happy fortune.
3 Auspicious are the Sun's Bay-coloured Horses, bright,
changing hues, meet for our shouts of triumph.
Bearing our prayers, die sky's ridge have they mounted, and in
a moment speed round earth and heaven.
4 This is the Godhead, this might of Surya: he hath withdrawn
what spread o'er work unfinished.
When he hath loosed his Horses from their station, straight
over all Night spreadeth out her garment.
5 In the sky's lap the Sun this form assumeth that Varuna and
Mitra may behold it.
His Bay Steeds well maintain his power eternal, at one time
bright and darksome at another.
6 This day, O Gods, while Surya is ascending, deliver us from
trouble and dishonour.
This prayer of ours may Varuna grant, and Mitra, and Aditi
and Sindhu, Earth and Heaven.
HYMN CXVI. Asvins.
1. I TRIM like grass my song for the Nasatyas and send their
lauds forth as the wind drives rain-clouds,
Who, in a chariot rapid as an arrow, brought to the youthful
Vimada a consort.
2 Borne on by rapid steeds of mighty pinion, or proudly
trusting in the Gods' incitements.
That stallion ass of yours won, O Nasatyas, that thousand in
the race, in Yama's contest.
3 Yea, Asvins, as a dead man leaves his riches, Tugra left
Bhujyu in the cloud of waters.
Ye brought him back in animated vessels, traversing air,
unwetted by the billows.
4 Bhujyu ye bore with winged things, Nasatyas, which for
three nights, three days full swiftly travelled,
To the sea's farther shore, the strand of ocean, in three cars,
hundred-footed, with six horses.
5 Ye wrought that hero exploit in the ocean which giveth no
support, or hold or station,
What time ye carried Bhujyu to his dwelling, borne in a ship
with hundred oars, O Asvins.
6 The white horse which of old ye gave Aghasva, Asvins, a
gift to be his wealth for ever,-
Still to be praised is that your glorious present, still to be
famed is the braye horse of Pedu.
7 O Heroes, ye gave wisdom to Kaksivan who sprang from