by Roshen Dalal
The best of chariot-borne warriors, the Lord, the very Lord of
strength.
Strong in your friendship, Indra, Lord of power and might, we have
no fear.
We glorify you with praises, the never-conquered conqueror.
The gifts of Indra exist from the earliest times, his saving grace, never fails,
To those who give gifts to the praise singers he gives the boon of substance rich in
cattle.
Crusher of forts, the young, the wise, of strength unmeasured, was
he born
Sustainer of each sacred rite, Indra, the Thunderer, much extolled.
Lord of the thunder, you burst the cave of Vala rich in cows.
The gods came pressing to your side, and free from terror aided you.
I, Hero, through your blessings have come to the flood addressing
you.
Song-lover, here the singers stand and testify to you.
The wily Shushna, Indra! You overthrew him with your wondrous
powers.
The wise saw this deed of yours: now go beyond their eulogies.
Our songs of praise have glorified Indra who rules by his might,
Whose precious gifts in thousands come, yes, even more abundantly.
(1.11)
To Agni
Like the sun’s glance, like wealth of varied sort, like breath which is the life, like one’s own son,
Like a swift bird, a cow who yields her milk, pure and refulgent to the wood he speeds.
He offers safety like a pleasant home, like ripened grain, the conqueror of men.
Like a seer lauding, famed among the people; like a steed friendly he guarantees us power.
With flame insatiate, like eternal might; caring for each one like a woman at home;
Bright when he shines forth, whitish amidst the people, like a car, gold-decked, thundering to the fight.
He strikes with terror like a dart shot forth, even like an archer’s arrow tipped with flame;
Master of present and of future life, the maidens’ lover and the matron’s Lord.
To him lead all your ways; may we attain the kindled god as cows their home at eve.
He drives the flames below, as floods push down their swell; the rays rise up to the fair place of heaven.
(1.66)
To Usha, the dawn
This light is come, amid all lights the fairest; born is the brilliant, far-extending brightness.
Night, sent away for Savitr’s uprising, has made space for the morning to be born.
The Fair, the Bright has come with her white offspring; to her the Dark One has resigned her
dwelling.
Akin, immortal, following each other, changing their colours both the heavens move onward.
Common, unending is the Sister’s pathway; taught by the Gods, alternately they travel.
Fair-formed, of different hues and yet one-minded, Night and Dawn clash not, neither do they
tarry.
Bright leader of glad sounds, our eyes behold her; splendid in hue, she has opened the portals.
She, stirring up the world, has shown us riches; Dawn has awakened every living creature.
Rich Dawn, she sets afoot the curled-up sleeper, one for enjoyment, one for wealth or worship,
Those who saw little for extended vision. All living creatures has the Dawn awakened.
One to high sway, one to exalted glory, one to pursue his gain, and one his labour;
All to regard their different vocations, all moving creatures has the Dawn awakened.
We see her there, the Child of Heaven apparent, the young Maid, flushing in her shining raiment.
Sovereign Lady of all earthly treasure, glow on us here, auspicious Dawn, this morning.
She, first of endless morns to come hereafter, follows the path of mornings that have departed.
Dawn, at her rising, urges forth the living; him who is dead, she wakes not from his slumber.
As you, Dawn, has caused Agni to be kindled, and with the Sun’s eye has revealed creation.
And has awakened men to offer worship, you have performed, for Gods, a noble service.
How long a time, and they shall be together—Dawns that have shone and Dawns to shine thereafter?
She yearns for former Dawns with eager longing, and goes forth gladly shining with the others.
Gone are the men who in the days before us looked on the rising of the earlier Morning.
We, we the living, now behold her brightness and they come near who shall hereafter see her.
Foe chaser, born of Law, the Law’s protectress, joy-giver, waker of all pleasant voices,
Auspicious, bringing food for God’s enjoyment, shine on us here, most bright, O Dawn, this morning.
From days eternal has Dawn shone, the goddess, and shows this light today, endowed with riches.
So will she shine on, in days to come; immortal, she moves on in her own strength, undecaying.
In the sky’s borders has she shone in splendour; the goddess has thrown off the veil of darkness.
Awakening the world with purple horses, on her well-harnessed chariot Dawn approaches.
Bringing all life-sustaining blessings with her, showing herself she sends forth brilliant lustre.
Last of the countless mornings that have vanished, first of bright morns to come has Dawn arisen.
Arise! The breath, the life, again has reached us; darkness has passed away and life approaches.
She for the Sun has left a path to travel; we have arrived where men prolong existence.
Singing the praises of refulgent mornings, with his hymn’s web, the priest, the poet rises.
Shine then today, rich maid on him who praises you, shine down on us the gift of life and offspring.
Dawns giving sons all heroes, cattle 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.
Mother of Gods, Aditi’s form of glory, symbol of sacrifice, shine forth exalted.
Rise up, bestowing praise on our devotion; all bounteous, make us chief among the people.
Whatever splendid wealth the Dawns bring with them to bless the man who offers praise and worship,
Even then may Mitra, Varuna protect us, and Aditi and Sindhu, Earth and Heaven.
(1.113)
MANDALA 2
Apri (hymn for sacrifices)
1. Agni is set upon the earth well kindled; he stands in the
presence of all beings.
Wise, ancient, God, the priest and purifier, let Agni serve the Gods
for he is worthy.
May Narashamsa lighting up the chambers, bright in his majesty
through threefold heaven,
Steeping the gift with oil diffusing purpose, bedew the Gods at
the chief time of worship.
Adored in heart, as is your right, O Agni, serve the Gods first
today before the mortal.
Bring the Marut host here. O men worship Indra seated on the
grass, eternal.
O grass divine, increasing, rich in heroes, strewn for wealth’s
sake, well laid upon this altar,
On this bedewed with oil sit you, O Vasus, sit all you Gods, you Holy,
you Adityas.
Wide be the Doors, the Goddesses, thrown open, easy to pass,
invoked, through adorations,
Let them unfold, expansive, everlasting, that sanctify the maghavans,
rich in heroes.
Good work for us, the glorious Night and Morning, like female
weavers, waxen from an earlier time,
Yielders of rich milk, interweave in harmony the long-extended
thread, the web of worship.
Let the two heavenly Heralds, first, most wise, most fair, present
oblation duly with the sacred verse,
Worshipping God at o
rdered seasons decking them at three high places
at the centre of the earth.
Sarasvati who perfects our devotion, Ila divine, Bharati all
surpassing,
Three goddesses, with power inherent, seated, protect this holy
grass, our flawless refuge!
Born is the pious hero swift of hearing, like gold in hue, well
formed, and full of vigour.
May Tvashtr lengthen our line and kindred, and may they reach the
place which Gods inhabit.
Vanaspati shall stand near and start us, and Agni with his arts
prepare oblation.
Let the skilled heavenly Immolator send to the Gods the
offering thrice anointed.
Oil has been mixed; oil is his habitation. In oil he rests; oil is
his proper province.
Come as you wish: O you Steer (Agni), rejoice; carry away the
oblation duly consecrated.
(2.3)
NOTE: The doors: of the place of sacrifice; Narashamsa: a name of Agni.
To various deities
Graciously further, O Heaven and Earth (Dyaus and Prithivi), this speech striving
to win reward, of I, your worshipper.
First rank I give to you, Immortal, high extolled! I, in order to win me
wealth, to you the mighty pair.
Let not man’s guile annoy us, secret or by day; give not us up a
prey to these calamities.
Sever not our friendship: think thereon for us. This, with a
heart that longs for bliss, we seek from you.
Bring here with benign mind the willing cow teeming with
plenty of milk, full, inexhaustible.
O you invoked by many, day by day I urge you with my word, a
charger rapid in his tread.
With eulogy I call on Raka swift to hear; may she, auspicious, hear
us, and herself observe.
With never-breaking needle may she sew her work, and give us a hero son
most wealthy, worthy of praise.
All your kind thoughts, O Raka, lovely in their form, with which you
grant wealth to him who offers gifts—
With these come you to us this day, benevolent, O Blessed One,
bestowing food of a thousand sorts.
O broad-tressed Sinivali, you who are the sister of the gods,
Accept the offered sacrifice, and, Goddess, grant us progeny.
With lovely fingers, lovely arms, prolific mother of many sons—
Present the sacred gifts to her, to Sinivali, Queen of men.
Her, Sinivali, her, Gungu, her, Raka, her, Sarasvati, Indrani to
my aid I call, and Varunani for my welfare.
(2.32)
NOTE: Verse 8 lists various goddesses.
To Shakunta (Indra in the form of kapinjala, a partridge)
Announcing his message aloud with repeated cries, he sends his voice
out as a steersman sends his boat.
O Shakuni, you bring good fortune to all; from no side let calamity befall you.
Let not the falcon kill you, nor the eagle; let not the
arrow-bearing archer reach you.
Still crying in the region of the Fathers, let your speech here be auspicious,
bearing joyful tidings.
O Shakuni, you are the one who brings good tidings; therefore, bird of good fortune, call out loudly
southward of our dwellings,
So that no thief, no sinner may oppress us. Loud may we together, with
heroes, celebrate you.
(2.42)
NOTE: Kapinjala: francolin partridge (in this hymn, the god Indra is said to be in the form of kapinjala, representing Shakunta, where Shakunta or Shakuni refers to a bird as an omen of good fortune; later scholars identify Shakuna and Shakuni with kites or ravens but in this hymn it has a specific connotation).
MANDALA 3
To Indra
Come to the juice that we have pressed, to Soma, Indra, blessed with milk:
Come, favouring us, with your Bay-drawn chariot!
Come, Indra, to this gladdening drink, placed on the grass,
pressed out with stones:
Will you not drink your fill of it?
To Indra have my songs of praise gone forth, thus rapidly sent
hence,
To turn him to the Soma-draught.
Here with songs of praise we call Indra to drink the Soma juice:
Will he not come to us by these hymns?
Indra, these Somas are pressed. Take them within your stomach, Lord
Of Hundred Powers, Prince of Wealth.
We know you as winner of the spoil, and resolute in battles, Sage!
Therefore your blessing we implore.
Borne here by your stallions, drink, Indra, this juice which we have pressed,
Mingled with barley and with milk.
Indra, for you, in your own place, I urge the Soma for your
drink:
Deep in your heart let it remain,
We call on you, the Ancient One, Indra, to drink the Soma juice,
We Kushikas who seek your aid.
(3.42)
To Mitra
Mitra, when speaking, stirs men to labour: Mitra sustains both the earth and heaven.
Mitra watches men with eyes that never close. To Mitra bring, with
holy oil, oblation.
He is foremost who brings you food, O Mitra, who strives to keep
your sacred Law, Aditya.
He whom you help is never killed or conquered, on him, from near
or far, no affliction falls.
Rejoicing in sacred food and free from sickness, with knees bent
low on the earth’s broad surface,
Following closely the Aditya’s statute, may we remain in Mitra’s
gracious favour.
Auspicious and adorable, this Mitra was born with fair dominion,
King, Disposer.
May we enjoy the grace of him the Holy, and rest in his propitious
loving kindness.
The great Aditya, to be served with worship, who stirs men,
is gracious to the singer.
To Mitra, him most highly to be praised, offer in fire, oblation that
he loves.
The gainful grace of Mitra, god, supporter of the race of man,
Gives splendour of most glorious fame.
Mitra whose glory spreads afar, he who in might surpasses heaven,
Surpasses earth in his renown.
All the Five Races have repaired to Mitra, ever strong to aid,
For he sustains all the gods.
Mitra to gods, to living men, to him who strews the holy grass,
Gives food fulfilling sacred Law.
(3.59)
To Usha, the dawn
O Usha, strong with strength, endowed with knowledge, accept the
singer’s praise, O wealthy Lady.
You, goddess, ancient, young, and full of wisdom, move,
all-bounteous, as the Law ordains.
Shine forth, O Morning, you auspicious goddess, on your bright chariot
awaking pleasant voices.
Let docile horses of far-reaching splendour convey you here,
the golden-coloured.
You, Morning, turning towards every creature, stands on high as
a sign of the immortal,
To one same goal ever and ever moving now, like a wheel, O
newly born, roll here.
Letting her reins drop downward, Morning comes, the wealthy Lady,
the Lady of the dwelling;
Bringing forth light, the Wonderful, the Blessed has spread her
from the bounds of earth and heaven.
Here invoke the radiant Goddess Morning, and bring with
reverence your hymn to praise her.
She, dropping sweets, has set in heaven her brightness, an
d, fair
to look on, has beamed forth her splendour.
From heaven, with hymns, the Holy One was wakened: brightly to
both worlds came the wealthy Lady.
To Morning, Agni, when she comes refulgent, you go forth
soliciting fair riches.
On Law’s firm base the speeder of the Mornings, the Bull, has
entered mighty earth and heaven.
Great is the power of Varuna and Mitra, which, bright, has spread
in every place its splendour.
(3.61)
To the Vishvedevas
Not men of magic skill, nor men of wisdom, impair the gods’ first
steadfast ordinances.
Never may the earth and heaven which know not malice, nor the fixed
hills, be bowed by sage devices.
One, moving not away, supports six burdens: the cows proceed to
him the true, the Highest.
Near stand three Mighty Ones who travel swiftly: two are concealed
from sight, one is apparent.
The bull who wears all shapes, the triple-breasted, three-uddered,
with a brood in many places,
Rules majestic with his triple aspect, the bull, the Everlasting
Ones’ Lord.
When near them, as their tracer he observed them: he called aloud
the dear name of the Adityas.
The goddesses, the Waters, stayed to meet him: they who were
wandering separate enclosed him.
Streams! The wise gods have thrice three habitations. Child of
three mothers, he is Lord in assemblies.
Three are the holy Ladies of the Waters, thrice here from heaven
supreme in our assembly.
Do you, O Savitr, from heaven thrice here, three times a day,
send down your blessings daily.
Send us, O Bhaga, triple wealth and treasure; cause the two worlds
to make us prosperous, Preserver!
Savitr thrice from heaven pours down abundance, and the
fair-handed Kings, Varuna, Mitra;
And spacious Heaven and Earth, yes, and the Waters, solicit wealth
that Savitr may send us.
Three are the bright realms, best, beyond attainment, and three,
the asura’s heroes, rule as sovereigns,
Holy and vigorous, never to be injured. Thrice may the gods from