Rig Veda

RIG VEDA – BOOK ONE
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with lauds when morn is breaking:
Nasatyas, wheresoe'er ye be, Heaven's Children, for him who
is more liberal than the godless.
2 With us, ye Mighty, let yourselves be joyful, glad in our
stream of Soma slay the niggards.
Graciously hear my hymns and invitations, marking, O Heroes,
with your cars my longing.
3 Nasatyas, Pusans, ye as Gods for glory arranged and set in
order Surya's bridal.
Your giant steeds move on, sprung from the waters, like
ancient times of Varuna the Mighty.
4 Your grace be with us, ye who love sweet juices: further the
hymn sung by the poet Mana,
When men are joyful in your glorious actions, to win heroic
strength, ye Bounteous Givers.
5 This praise was made, O liberal Lords, O Asvins, for you
with fair adornment by the Manas.
Come to our house for us and for our children, rejoicing, O
Nasatyas, in Agastya.
6 We have passed o'er the limit of this darkness: our praise
hath been'bestowed on you, O Asvins.
Come hitherward by paths which Gods have travelled. may we
find strengthening food in full abundance.
HYMN CLXXXV. Heaven and Earth.
1. WHETHER of these is elder, whether later? How were they
born? Who knoweth it, ye sages?
These of themselves support all things existing: as on a car the
Day and Night roll onward.
2 The Twain uphold, though motionless and footless, a
widespread offspring having feet and moving.
Like your own fon upon his parents' bosom, protect us, Heaven
and earth, from fearful danger.
3 I call for Aditi's unrivalled bounty, perfect, celestial,
deathless, meet for worship.
Produce this, ye Twain Worlds, for him who lauds you. Protect
us, Heaven and Earth, from fearful danger.
4 May we be close to both the Worlds who suffer no pain,
Parents of Gods, who aid with favour,
Both mid the Gods, with Day and Night alternate. Protect us,
Heaven and Earth, from fearful danger.
5 Faring together, young, with meeting limits, Twin Sisters
lying in their Parents' bosom,
Kissing the centre of the world together. Protect us, Heaven
and Earth, from fearful danger.
6 Duly I call the two wide seats, the mighty, the general
Parents, with the God's protection.
Who, beautiful to look on, make the nectar. Protect us, Heaven
and Earth, from fearful danger.
7 Wide, vast, and manifold, whose bounds are distant,-these,
reverent, I address at this our worship,
The blessed Pair, victorious, all-sustaining. Protect us, Heaven
and Earth, from fearful danger.
8 What sin we have at any time committed against the Gods,
our friend, our house's chieftain,
Thereof may this our hymn be expiation. Protect us, Heaven
and Earth, from fearful danger.
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9 May both these Friends of man, who bless, preserve me, may
they attend me with their help and favour.
Enrich the man more liberal than the godless. May we, ye
Gods, be strong with food rejoicing.
10 Endowed with understanding, I have uttered this truth, for
all to hear, to Earth and Heaven.
Be near us, keep us from reproach and trouble. Father and
Mother, with your help preserve us.
11 Be this my prayer fulfilled, O Earth and Heaven,
wherewith, Father and Mother, I address you.
Nearest of Gods be ye with your protection. May we find
strengthening food in full abundance.
HYMN CLXXXVI. Visvedevas.
1. LOVED of all men, may Savitar, through praises offered as
sacred food, come to our synod,
That you too, through-our hymn, ye ever-youthful, may
gladden, at your visit, all our people.
2 To us may all the Gods come trooped together, Aryaman,
Mitra, Varuna concordant,
That all may be promoters of our welfare, and with great might
preserve our strength from slackness.
3 Agni I sing, the guest you love most dearly: the Conqueror
through our lauds is friendly-minded.
That he may be our Varuna rich in glory and send food like a
prince praised by the godly.
4 To you I seek with reverence, Night and Morning, like a cow
good to milk, with hope to conquer,
Preparing on a common day the praise. song with milk of
various hues within this udder.
5 May the great Dragon of the Deep rejoice us: as one who
nourishes her young comes Sindhu,
With whom we will incite the Child of Waters whom vigorous
course swift as thought bring hither.
6 Moreover Tvastar also shall approach us, one-minded with
the princes at his visit.
Hither shall come the Vrtra-slayer Indra, Ruler of men, as
strongest of the Heroes.
7 Him too our hymns delight, that yoke swift horses, like
mother cows who lick their tender youngling.
To him our songs shall yield themselves like spouses, to him
the most delightful of the Heroes.
8 So may the Maruts, armed with mighty weapons, rest here on
heaven and earth with hearts in concord,
As Gods whose cars have dappled steeds like torrents,
destroyers of the foe allies of Mitra.
9 They hasten on to happy termination their orders when they
are made known by
glory.
As on a fair bright day the arrow flieth o'er all the barren soil
their missiles sparkle.
10 Incline the Asvins to show grace, and Pusan, for power and
might have they, their own possession.
Friendly are Visnu, Vata, and Rbhuksan so may I bring the
Gods to make us happy.
11 This is my reverent thought of you, ye Holy; may it inspire