BOOK THE TWENTY-SEVENTH
HALF-YEARS and Seasons strengthen thee, O Agni, the Years
and all the Verities and Rishis!
Flash forth with thy celestial effulgence: illumine all four
regions of the heaven.
2 Kindle thee, Agni, rake this man to knowledge: rise up
erect for great and happy fortune.
Agni, be those uninjured who adore thee, thy priests be
glorious and none beside them!
3 The Brahmans present here elect thee, Agni: be thou
propitious in our sanctuary.
Slayer of rivals, Agni, quell our foemen: watch in thy house
with care that never ceases.
4 Even here do thou, O Agni, stablish wealth: let not oppressors
injure thee by thinking of thee first.
Light be thy task of ruling, Agni, with thy power: may he
who worships thee wax strong, invincible.
5 Kind to the people, grasp thy power, O Agni: contend thou
with the Friend by way of friendship.
Placed, Agni, in the centre of our kinsmen, flash forth to be
invoked by Kings around thee.
6 Past those who slay, past enemies, past thoughtless men,
past those who hate,—
Yes, Agni, drive away all woe and trouble: vouchsafe us
opulence with men about us.
7 Holder of sway, shine here refulgent, Agni! invincible,
unconquered Jâtavedas.
Light all the regions, chasing human terrors: with happy
helps guard us to-day for increase.
8 Brihaspati, Savitar, give this man knowledge: sharpen him
thoroughly though already sharpened.
To great and high felicity exalt him: in him let all the Gods
rejoice and triumph.
9 As thou, Brihaspati, from curse hast freed us, from dwelling
yonder in the realm of Yama,
The Asvins, Leeches of the Gods, O Agni, have chased Death
far from us with mighty powers.
10 Looking upon the loftier light, etc., as in XX. 21.
11 Uplifted are the brands that are his fuel: lofty and brilliant
are the flames of Agni,
Splendidly bright of the Son fair of aspect.
13 Tanûnapât the Asura, all-possessing, God among Gods, the
God with mead and butter shall bedew the paths.
13 With mead to sacrifice thou comest, Agni, earnest as friendly-
minded Narâsamsa, and Savitar righteous God who brings
all blessings.
14 He cometh hitherward with power and fatness, the luminous,
implored with adoration.
While rites proceed the ladles move to Agni.
15 Let him pay worship to this Agni's greatness, daintily fed:
he verily gives enjoyments:
The wisest Vasu he, and best wealth giver.
16 Widely expansive, ruling by foundation, the Doors divine—
and, after, all—
Preserve this Agni's holy works.
17 May Dawn and Night protect—his heavenly Consorts—in
a his home this our sacrificial worship.
18 Ye two celestial Hotars, greet with praises this lofty rite of
ours, the tongue of Agni.
Cause that our sacrifice be well conducted.
19 Upon this grass three Goddesses be seated, Idâ, Sarasvatî,
Bhâratî the Mighty glorified with song.
20 This our productive wondrous flow may Tvashtar pour down
on this man's kin, and wealth and heroes.
21 Vanaspatî, presenting of thyself, send God-ward! Let Agni,
Immolator, season our oblation.
22 Pay sacrifice to Indra, Jâtavedas Agni! with Hail! All Gods
accept the gift we offer!
23 Wise, bright, arranger of his teams, he seeketh men with
rich food whose treasures are abundant.
They have stood firm of one accord with Vâyu: yea, the
men wrought all noble operations.
24 The God whom both these worlds brought forth for riches,
whom heavenly Dhishanâ for our wealth appointeth—
His team of harnessed horses waits on Vâyu and, foremost,
on the radiant treasure-holder.
26 What time the mighty waters came containing the universal
germ, producing Agni,
Thence sprang the Gods’ one spirit into being. What God
shall we adore with our oblation?
26 Who in his might surveyed the floods enclosing productive
force and generating Worship,
He who is God mid Gods, and none beside him—What God
shall we adore with our oblation?
27 The teams wherewith thou seekest him who offers, within
his house, O Vâyu, to direct him,
Therewith send wealth to us with full enjoyment, a hero son
and gifts of kine and horses.
28 With thy yoked teams in hundreds and in thousands come
to our sacrifice and solemn worship.
O Vâyu, make thee glad at this libation. Preserve us evermore,
ye Gods, with blessings.
29 Drawn by thy team, O Vâyu, come: to thee is offered this,
the pure.
Thou visitest the presser's house.
30 Vâyu, the bright is offered thee, best of the meath at holy
rites.
Come thou to drink the Soma juice, God longed-for, on thy
team-drawn car.
31 Lover of worship, leader, come Vâyu with thought, to sacrifice,
Propitious with propitious teams!
32 With all the thousand chariots that are thine, O Vâyu, come
to us,
Team-drawn, to drink the Soma juice.
33 Come thou with one, and ten, O Self-Existent! with two
unto the sacrifice, and twenty.
Three are the teams and thirty which convey thee. O Vâyu,
in this place unyoke thy coursers.
34 Wonderful Vâyu, Lord of Truth, thou who art Tvashtar's
Son in-law,
Thy saving succour we elect.
35 Like kine unmilked we call aloud, Hero, to thee and sing
thy praise,
Looker on heavenly light, Lord of this moving world, Lord,
Indra! of what moveth not.
36 None other like to thee, of earth or of the heavens, hath
been or ever will be born.
Desiring horses, Indra, Bounteous Lord! and kine, as men
of might we call on thee.
37 That we may win us wealth and power, we poets call on
only thee.
In war men call on thee, Indra! the hero's Lord, in the
steed's race-course call on thee.
38 As such, O Wonderful, whose hand holds thunder, praised
as mighty, Caster of the Stone!
Pour on us boldly, Indra, kine and chariot-steeds ever to be
the conqueror's strength.
39 What succour will he bring to us, wonderful, ever-prospering
Friend?
With what most mighty company?
40 What, genuine and most liberal draught will spirit thee with
juice to burst
Open e’en strongly-guarded wealth
41 Do thou who art protector of us thy friends who praise thee
With hundred aids approach us.
42 Sing to your Agni with each song, at every sacrifice, for
strength.
Come, let us praise the Wise and Everlasting God even as a
well-belovèd Friend.
43 Protect us, Agni, through the first, protect us through the
second hymn.
Protect us through three hymns, O Lord of Power and Might;
through four hymns, Vasu! guard thou us.
44 The Son of Strength; for is he not our Friend? Let us serve
him for offering our gifts.
In battles may he be our help and strengthener, yea, be the
saviour of our lives.
45 Thou art Samvatsara; thou art Parivatsara; thou art
Idâvatsara; thou art Idvatsara; thou art Vatsara.
Prosper thy Dawns! Prosper thy Day-and-Nights! Prosper
thy Half-months, Months, Seasons, and Years!
Combine them for their going and their coming, and send
then forward on their ordered courses.
In eagle's shape thou art piled up and layered. With that
divinity, Angiras-like, lie steady.
BOOK THE TWENTY-EIGHTH.
ON the earth's centre, at libation's place let the Priest worship
Indra with the kindling-stick.
The mightiest of the lords of men is kindled on the height
of heaven.
Let him enjoy the butter. Hotar, worship.
2 Him let the Hotar worship, him Tanûnapât with ready aids;
the conqueror never overcome,
Indra, the God who finds heaven's light on paths most rich
in pleasant sweets, with Narâsamsa all aglow. Let him
enjoy, etc., as in verse 1.
3 With viands let the Hotar worship Indra immortal, praised,
receiver of oblations.
The God, the equal of the Gods in vigour, the thunder-wielder,
breaker-down of castles. Let him enjoy, etc.
4 Let the Priest worship Indra, Bull who sitteth on sacred
grass, doer of manly actions.
Let him be seated on the grass with Vasus and Rudras and
Âdityas for companions. Let him enjoy, etc.
5 Let the Priest sacrifice. The Doors have strengthened
Indra, his force and conquering might and vigour.
At this our worship let the Doors be opened, easy to pass,
the strengtheners of Order: wide let them open out for
bounteous Indra. Let them enjoy, etc.
6 Let the Priest sacrifice to Night and Morning, the teeming
Cows of Indra, Mighty Mothers.
Indra their calf with lustre have they strengthened, even
as two mothers of a calf in common. Let them enjoy, etc.
7 Let the Priest worship both the heavenly Hotars, Friends,
Leeches, healing Indra with oblation.
The sages, Gods preëminent for wisdom bestow on Indra his
surpassing power. Let them enjoy, etc.
8 Let the Priest offer sacrifice to the three Goddesses and balm.
Let the three triple active Ones, let Idâ and Sarasvatî and
Bhâratî the mighty Dames, Consorts of Indra, who receive
our sacrificial offerings, enjoy the butter, etc.
9 Let the Priest worship Tvashtar radiant Indra, Physician
good at sacrifice, graced with butter,
Multiform and prolific, rich and bounteous. Let Tvashtar,
giving wondrous powers to Indra, enjoy, etc.
10 Let the Priest worship him, the Forest-Sovran, the Immolator,
Lord of Hundred Powers, the lover of the prayer, the
friend of Indra.
Balming with mead, may he on easy pathways sweeten our
sacrifice with savoury butter. Let him enjoy, etc.
11 Let the Priest offer sacrifice to Indra: with Hail! to Gods
of butter; with Hail! to Gods of marrow; with Hail!
to Gods of drops; with Hail! to Gods of offerings paid with
Svâhâ; with Hail! to Gods of sacrificial hymns.
All hail! May butter-drinking Gods and Indra rejoicing
taste the butter. Hotar, worship.
12 Vigorous, strewn by Gods upon the altar the right Gods’
sacred Grass hath strengthened Indra.
Cut in the day, cherished by night it hath surpassed those
who have sacrificial Grass with wealth. For gain of riches
let him taste. Pay sacrifice.
13 Firm, closely joined, the Doors divine have strengthened
Indra in the rite.
Pressed by a calf or tender boy may they drive off the
courser as he tosses up the sand. For gain of wealth let
then enjoy. Pay sacrifice.
14 Morning and Night, the Goddesses, have called on Indra as
the rite advanced.
May they well-pleased and ordered well make the Celestial
Tribes come forth. For gain of wealth let them enjoy.
Pay sacrifice.
15 Two Goddesses, wealth-givers, kind, have heightened radiant
Indra's strength.
One drives away hatreds and sins; the other shall bring the
Sacrificer boons and treasure.
Instructed, let them both enjoy, for gain of wealth. Pay
sacrifice.
16 Bringers of strengthening sacrifice, the Goddesses, the teeming
Cows, have prospered Indra with their milk.
Let one bring food and energy, the other feast and banqueting.
Bringers of strengthening sacrifice, allotting the several portions
they have put together old energy with new and new
with olden, strengthening boons and treasures for the
Sacrificer. Instructed, let them, etc., as in verse 15.
17 The two Celestial Hotars, Gods, have heightened radiant
Indra's might.
Freed from slain sinners these have brought the Sacrificer
wealth and boons. Instructed, let them, etc.
18 Goddesses three, three Goddesses have heightened their
Lord Indra's strength.
One, Bhâratî, hath touched the sky, Sarasvatî the sacrifice
with Rudras, and, enriched with wealth, Idâ the homesteads
of the folk. For gain of wealth let them enjoy.
Pay sacrifice.
19 The radiant Indra, Praise of Men, thrice-shielding, borne on
three car-seats, hath heightened radiant Indra's strength.
Set on a hundred white-backed cows, yea, on a thousand
forth he goes. Mitra and Varuna alone deserve to be his
Hotar-Priests, Brihaspati his Chanter, and the Asvins his
Adhvaryavas. For gain of wealth let him enjoy. Pay
sacrifice.
20 Vanaspatî, a God with Gods, with golden leaves, sweet
boughs, fair fruit, hath heightened radiant Indra's strength.
Sky with his summit hath he touched, and firmament, and
stablished earth. For gain of wealth let him enjoy. Pay
sacrifice.
21 The grassy robe of water-plants, divine, hath heightened
Indra's strength.
This, the fair seat where Indra sits, hath topped all other
sacred grass. For gain of wealth let it enjoy. Pay sacrifice.
22 Agni, Fair-offering-maker, bright, hath heightened radiant
Indra's strength.
To-day may Svishtakrit, Fair-offering-maker, paying good
sacrifice, for us perform it. For gain of wealth let him
enjoy. Pay sacrifice.
23 To-day the Sacrificer hath elected—dressing messes of cooked
food and a rice-cake, binding a goat for Indra—Agni as
his Hotar.
To-day divine Vanaspatî hath with a goat served Indra well.
He hath eaten from the fat, he hath accepted the cooked
food, he hath waxed strong with the rice-cake.
Thee, to-day, O Rishi, etc., as in XXI. 61.
21 Let the Priest worship Agni, Indra, kindled, splendidly
kindled, excellent strength-giver,
Lending him mighty power, Gâyatrî metre, a cow aged
eighteen months, and vital vigour. Let him enjoy the
butter. Hotar, worship.
25 Let the Priest serve with sacrifice him who breaks forth,
Tanûnapât, the germ which Aditi conceived, pure Indra
who bestoweth strength,
Bringing him mighty power, the Ushnih metre, an ox of two
years old, and vital vigour. Let him enjoy; etc.
26 Let the Priest sacrifice to Soma, Indra, adorable, adored,
best Vritra-slayer, strength-giver, might, to be adored
with viands,
Bringing him mighty power, Anushtup metre, a cow of
thirty months, and vital vigour. Let him enjoy, etc
27 Let the Priest worship Indra, strength-bestower, immortal,
with fair grass, allied with Pûshan, seated on sacred grass,
dear, everlasting,
Bringing him mighty power, Brihatî metre, a steer of three
years’ age and vital vigour. Let him enjoy, etc.
28 Let the Priest worship the wide-opening Portals, easy to
pass, divine, Law-strengthening, golden, Indra, the Brahman
Priest, the strength-bestower,
Bringing him mighty power, the Pankti metre, a bullock
four years old, and vital vigour. Let them enjoy the
butter. Hotar, worship.
29 Let the Priest worship lofty Night and Morning,
well-decked, of varied hue, lovely to look on, Indra the
Universal, strength-bestower,
Bringing him mighty power, the Trishtup metre, a bullock
four years old, and vital vigour. Let them enjoy the
butter. Hotar, worship.
30 Let the Priest worship both celestial Hotars, the Gods’ best
glory, sages famed for wisdom, the two companions, Indra
strength-bestower,
Bringing him mighty power, Jagatî metre, an ox that draws
the wain, and vital vigour. Let them enjoy the butter.
Hotar, worship.
31 Let the Priest sacrifice to three well-decorated Goddesses,
gold-decked, great, lofty, Bhâratîs, Indra their Lord who
giveth strength,
Bringing him mighty power, Virâj the metre, and a cow in
milk. Let him enjoy the butter. Hotar, worship.
32 Let the Priest worship Tvashtar the prolific, strengthener
of growth, maintaining varied growth and form, Indra
who giveth vital force,
Bringing him Dvipad metre, mighty power, and an ox
full-grown. Let him enjoy the butter. Hotar, sacrifice.
33 Let the Priest serve with sacrifice the Forest Lord Vanaspatî,
the Immolator, hundred-powered, praise-worthy, golden-leafed,
who wears the girdle, loved, the gracious Lord,
Indra who gives the strength of life,
Giving him Kakup metre, mighty power, a barren, a calf-
slipping cow, and vital vigour. Let him enjoy the butter.
Hotar, sacrifice.
34 Let the Priest offer worship to the Svâhâkriti Goddesses, to
Agni Household Lord apart, to Varuna the Leech and
Sage. might, Indra who bestoweth strength,
Bringing him Atichhandas metre, great and mighty power,
a strong bull, his prime, and vital vigour. Let them
enjoy the butter. Hotar, sacrifice.
35 The Grass divine hath added might to radiant Indra
strength-giver,
Laying in Indra wondrous power and sight and strength by
Gâyatrî. For gain of wealth let him enjoy the butter.
Offer sacrifice.
36 The Doors divine have magnified bright Indra, who bestoweth
strength.
With Ushnih laying mighty power in Indra, vital breath
and force. For gain of wealth let them enjoy the butter.
Offer sacrifice.
37 Morning and Night, divine Ones, have strengthened bright
Indra, strength-giver, the Goddesses advanced the God,
With the Anushtup laying power in Indra, strength and
vital force. For gain of wealth let them enjoy. Pay
sacrifice.
38 Kind, bounteous, and divine, they have strengthened bright
Indra, force-giver, the Goddesses advanced the God,
Laying in Indra power and force and hearing with the
Brihatî. For gain of wealth let them enjoy. Pay sacrifice.
39 Bringers of strengthening sacrifice, the Goddesses, two
teeming cows, have heightened Indra's power with milk,
Laying bright power in Indra with Pankti, and vital energy.
For gain of wealth let them enjoy. Pay sacrifice.
40 The Gods, two heavenly Hotars, have strengthened bright
Indra, force-giver, those Gods have magnified the God,
With Trishtup giving Indra power, impetuous might, and
vital strength. For gain of wealth let them enjoy. Pay
sacrifice.
41 Goddesses three, three Goddesses have heightened their
Lord Indra's strength, his who bestoweth vital force,
Laying in Indra power and might and vital strength with
Jagatî. For gain of wealth let them enjoy. Pay sacrifice.
42 The God, the Praise of all men, hath strengthened bright
Indra force-giver, the God hath magnified the God,
Laying in Indra with Virâj beauty and power and vital force.
For gain of wealth let him enjoy. Pay sacrifice.
43 The God the Forest Sovran hath strengthened bright Indra,
force-giver, the God hath magnified the God,
With Dvipad storing Indra with fortune and power and vital
strength. For gain of wealth let him enjoy. Pay sacrifice.
force-giver, the God hath magnified the God,
Laying in Indra mighty power with Kakup, fame and vital
strength. For gain of wealth let it enjoy. Pay sacrifice.
45 Agni, the God who makes fair rites, hath strengthened
Indra force-giver, the God hath magnified the God,
Laying with Atichhandas power in Indra, sway, and vital
strength. For gain of wealth let him enjoy. Pay sacrifice.
46 To-day the Sacrificer hath elected, etc., as in verse 23.
To-day divine Vanaspatî, etc. . . . . . .
Thee, to-day, O Rishi, et
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