HYMN CXIV. God the Healer (Rudra)

1 To the strong Healer bring we these our songs of praise, to Him the Lord of heroes with the braided hair, that it be well with all our cattle and our men, that in this village all be healthy and well-fed.

2 Be gracious unto us, O Lord, bring us joy: Thee, Lord of heroes, Thee with reverence will we serve. Whatever health and strength our father Manu won by devotion may we, under Thy guidance, gain.

3 By worship of God alone may we, O Bounteous One, 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 Healer, perfecter of devotion. May He repel from us the anger of the wicked: verily we desire His favourable grace.

5 Him with the braided hair we call with reverence down, the red, the dazzling shape. May He, His hand filled full of sovereign medicines, grant us protection, shelter, and a home secure.

6 To Him, Lord of the angels of the tempest, is this hymn addressed, to strengthen His 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 Lord, 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, Lord, do not harm.

8 Harm us not, Lord, 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 offerings evermore we call to Thee.

9 Even as a herdsman I have brought Thee hymns of praise: O Lord of the angels, 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.

11 We, seeking help, have spoken and adored Him: may the Healer, girt by His angels, hear our calling. This prayer of ours may the All-Seeing grant, and the Friend, and the Boundless, the river, Earth and Heaven.

HYMN CXV. The Sun, a Sign of God (Surya)

1 The brilliant presence of the angels' Lord hath risen, the eye of the Friend, the All-Seeing and the Radiant. The Sun, the sign of God for all that moveth not or moveth, hath filled the air and earth and heaven.

2 Like as a young man followeth a maiden, so doth the Sun the dawn, refulgent: 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, the sky's ridge have they mounted, and in a moment speed round earth and heaven.

4 This is the sign, this the might of the Sun: 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 the All-Seeing and the Friend may behold it. His Bay Steeds well maintain His power eternal, at one time bright and darksome at another.

6 This day, O Lord, while the Sun is ascending, deliver us from trouble and dishonour. This prayer of ours may the All-Seeing grant, and the Friend, and the Boundless, the river, Earth and Heaven.

HYMN CXVI. God the Healer and Helper (Asvins)

1 Trim like grass my song for the twin helpers, 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 incitements of the righteous, that stallion ass of yours won that thousand in the race.

3 Yea, 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, 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.

6 The white horse which of old ye gave Aghasva, a gift to be his wealth for ever: still to be praised is that your glorious present, still to be famed is the brave horse of Pedu.

7 O Heroes, ye gave wisdom to Kaksivan who sprang from Pajra's line, who sang your praises. Ye poured forth from the hoof of your strong charger a hundred jars of sweet drink as from a strainer.

8 Ye warded off with cold the fire's fierce burning; food very rich in nourishment ye furnished. Atri, cast downward in the cavern, ye brought, with all his people, forth to comfort.

9 Ye lifted up the well, and set the base on high to open downward. Streams flowed for folk of Gotama who thirsted, like rain to bring forth thousandfold abundance.

10 Ye from the old Cyavana stripped, as 'twere mail, the skin upon his body, lengthened his life when all had left him helpless, and made him lord of youthful maidens.

11 Worthy of praise and worth the winning, Heroes, is that your favouring succour, what time ye, knowing well his case, delivered Vandana from the pit like hidden treasure.

13 In the great rite the wise dame called you, Lords of many treasures, to assist her. Ye heard the weakling's wife, as 'twere an order, and gave to her a son Hiranyahasta.

14 Ye from the wolf's jaws, as ye stood together, set free the quail, O Heroes. Ye, Lords of many treasures, gave the poet his perfect vision as he mourned his trouble.

15 When in the time of night, in Khela's battle, a leg was severed like a wild bird's pinion, straight ye gave Vispala a leg of iron that she might move what time the conflict opened.

16 His father robbed Rjrasva of his eyesight who for the she-wolf slew a hundred wethers. Ye gave him eyes, Wonder-Workers, Physicians, that he saw with sight uninjured.

17 The Daughter of the Sun your car ascended, first reaching as it were the goal with coursers. All the righteous within their hearts assented, and ye are close linked with glory.

18 When to his house ye came, to Divodasa, hasting to Bharadvaja, the car that came with you brought splendid riches: a porpoise and a bull were yoked together.

19 Ye, bringing wealth with rule, and life with offspring, life rich in noble heroes, accordant came with strength to Jahnu's children who offered you thrice every day your portion.

20 Ye bore away at night by easy pathways Jahusa compassed round on every quarter, and, with your car that cleaves the toe asunder, never decaying, rent the mountains.

21 One morn ye strengthened Vaga for the battle, to gather spoils that might be told in thousands. With the Mighty One joined ye drove away misfortunes, yea foes of Prthusravas, O ye mighty.

22 From the deep well ye raised on high the water, so that Rcatka's son, Sara, should drink it; and with your might, to help the weary Sayu, ye made the barren cow yield milk.

23 To Visvaka, son of Krsna, the righteous man who sought your aid and praised you, ye with your powers restored, like some lost creature, his son Visnapu for his eyes to look on.

24 Ye raised, like a gift in a ladle, Rebha, who for ten days and ten nights, fettered, had lain in cruel bonds, immersed and wounded, suffering sore affliction, in the waters.

25 I have declared your wondrous deeds: may this be mine, and many kine and heroes. May I, enjoying lengthened life, still seeing, enter old age as 'twere the house I live in.

HYMN CXVII. God the Healer and Helper

1 Your ancient priest invites you hither to gladden you with draughts of sweetness. Our gift is on the grass, our song apportioned: with food and strength come hither.

2 That car of yours, swifter than thought, which drawn by brave steeds cometh to the people, whereon ye seek the dwelling of the pious, come ye thereon to our abode, O Heroes.

3 Ye freed sage Atri, whom the Five Tribes honoured, from the strait pit, ye Heroes with his people, baffling the guiles of the malignant Dasyu, repelling them, ye Mighty in succession.

4 Rebha the sage, ye mighty Heroes, whom, like a horse, vile men had sunk in water, him, wounded, with your wondrous power ye rescued: your exploits of old time endure for ever.

5 Ye brought forth Vandana, ye Wonder-Workers, for triumph, like fair gold that hath been buried, like one who slumbered in destruction's bosom, or like the Sun when dwelling in the darkness.

6 Kaksivan, Pajra's son, must laud that exploit of yours, ye Heroes who wander! when from the hoof of your strong horse ye showered a hundred jars of honey for the people.

7 To Krsna's son, to Visvaka who praised you, O Heroes, ye restored his son Visnapu. To Ghosa, living in her father's dwelling, stricken in years, ye gave a husband.

8 Rusati, of the mighty people, ye gave to Syava of the line of Kanva. This deed of yours, ye Strong Ones, should be published, that ye gave glory to the son of Nrsad.

9 Wearing many forms at pleasure, on Pedu ye bestowed a fleet-foot courser, strong, winner of a thousand spoils, resistless, the serpent slayer, glorious, triumphant.

10 These glorious things are yours, ye Bounteous Givers; prayer, praise in both worlds are your habitation. When the sons of Pajra call you, send strength with nourishment to him who knoweth.

11 Hymned with the reverence of a son, ye Swift Ones giving booty to the singer, glorified by Agastya with devotion, ye established Vispala again.

12 Ye Sons of Heaven, ye Mighty, whither went ye, sought ye, for his fair praise the home of Kavya, when, like a pitcher full of gold, on the tenth day ye lifted up the buried?

13 Ye with the aid of your great powers restored to youth the ancient man Cyavana. The Daughter of the Sun with all her glory chose your car to bear her.

14 Ye, ever-youthful ones, again remembered Tugra, according to your ancient manner: with horses brown of hue that flew with swift wings ye brought back Bhujyu from the sea of billows.

15 The son of Tugra had invoked God; borne on he went uninjured through the ocean. Ye with your chariot swift as thought, well-harnessed, carried him off, O Mighty Ones, to safety.

16 The quail had cried for help, when from the wolf's devouring jaws ye freed her. With conquering car ye cleft the mountain's ridges.

17 He whom for furnishing a hundred wethers to the she-wolf his wicked father blinded, to him, Rjrasva, gave ye eyes; light to the blind ye sent for perfect vision.

18 To bring the blind man joy thus cried the she-wolf: O Mighty Ones, O Heroes, for me Rjrasva, like a youthful lover, hath cut piecemeal one and a hundred wethers.

19 Great and weal-giving is your aid, ye, objects of all thought, made whole the cripple. Purandhi also for this cause invoked you, and ye, O mighty, came to her with succours.

20 Ye, Wonder-Workers, filled with milk for Sayu the milkless cow, emaciated, barren; and by your powers the child of Purumitra ye brought to Vimada to be his consort.

21 Ploughing and sowing barley, milking out food for men, ye Wonder-Workers, blasting away the Dasyu with your trumpet, ye gave far-spreading light unto the noble.

23 O Sages, evermore I crave your favour: be gracious unto all my prayers. Grant me riches in abundance, wealth famous and accompanied with children.

24 With liberal bounty to the weakling's consort ye, Heroes, gave a son Hiranyahasta; and Syava, cut into three several pieces, ye brought to life again, O bounteous.

25 These your heroic exploits have men related, done in the days of old. May we, addressing prayer to God, speak with brave sons about us to the assembly.

HYMN CXVIII. God the Healer and Helper

1 Flying, with falcons, may your chariot, most gracious, bringing friendly help, come hither, your chariot, swifter than the mind of mortal, fleet as the wind, three-seated, O ye Mighty.

2 Come to us with your chariot triple-seated, three-wheeled, of triple form, that rolleth lightly. Fill full our cows, give mettle to our horses, and make each hero son grow strong.

3 With your well-rolling car, descending swiftly, hear this the press-stone's song, ye Wonder-Workers. How then have ancient sages said that ye most swiftly come to stay affliction?

4 Let your falcons bear you hither, yoked to your chariot, swift, with flying pinions, which, ever active, like the airy eagles, carry you to the banquet.

5 The youthful Daughter of the Sun, delighting in you, ascended there your chariot, Heroes. Borne on their swift wings let your beauteous horses, your birds of ruddy hue, convey you near us.

6 Ye raised up Vandana, strong Wonder-Workers, with great might, and with power ye rescued Rebha. From out the sea ye saved the son of Tugra, and gave his youth again unto Cyavana.

7 To Atri, cast down to the fire that scorched him, ye gave strengthening food and favour. Accepting his fair praises with approval, ye gave his eyes again to blinded Kanva.

8 For ancient Sayu in his sore affliction ye caused his cow to swell with milk. The quail from her great misery ye delivered, and a new leg for Vispala provided.

9 A white horse ye bestowed on Pedu, a serpent-slaying steed sent down by the Mighty One, loud-neighing, conquering the foe, high-mettled, firm-limbed and vigorous, winning thousand treasures.

10 Such as ye are, O nobly born, O Heroes, we in our trouble call on God for succour. Accepting these our songs, for our wellbeing come to us on your chariot treasure-laden.

11 Come unto us combined in love, with the fresh swift vigour of the falcon. Bearing offerings I invoke the Lord at the first break of everlasting morning.

HYMN CXIX. God the Healer and Helper

1 Hither, that I may live, I call unto the feast your wondrous car, thought-swift, borne on by rapid steeds, with thousand banners, hundred treasures, pouring gifts, promptly obedient, bestowing ample room.

2 Even as it moveth near my hymn is lifted up, and all the regions come together to sing praise. I sweeten the offerings; now the helpers come. Urjani hath mounted on your car.

3 When striving man with man for glory they have met, brisk, measureless, eager for victory in fight, then verily your car is seen upon the slope when ye bring some choice boon to the prince.

4 Ye came to Bhujyu while he struggled in the flood, with flying birds, self-yoked, ye bore him to his sires. Ye went to the far-distant home, O Mighty Ones; and famed is your great aid to Divodasa given.

5 The car which you had yoked for glorious show, your own two voices urged directed to its goal. Then she who came for friendship, Maid of noble birth, elected you as husbands, you to be her lords.

6 Rebha ye saved from tyranny; for Atri's sake ye quenched with cold the fiery pit that compassed him. Ye made the cow of Sayu stream refreshing milk, and Vandana was holpen to extended life.

7 Doers of marvels, skilful workers, ye restored Vandana, like a car, worn out with length of days. From earth ye brought the sage to life in wondrous mode; be your great deeds done here for him who honours you.

8 Ye went to him who mourned in a far distant place, him who was left forlorn by treachery of his sire. Rich with the light of heaven was then the help ye gave, and marvellous your succour when ye stood by him.

10 A horse did ye provide for Pedu, excellent, white, conqueror of combatants, invincible in war by arrows, seeking heaven worthy of fame, vanquisher of men.

HYMN CXX. God the Healer and Helper

1 What praise may win Thy grace? Who may be pleasing to Thee? How shall the ignorant worship Thee?

2 Here let the ignorant ask the means of Thee who knowest, for none beside Thee knoweth aught, not of a spiritless mortal man.

3 Such as Thou art, all-wise, we call Thee. Thou wise, declare to us this day accepted prayer. Loving Thee well Thy servant lauds Thee.

4 Simply, Mighty One, I ask of that wondrous offering hallowed by the mystic word. Save us from what is stronger, fiercer than ourselves.

5 Forth go the hymn that shone in Ghosa Bhrgu's like, the song wherewith the son of Pajra worships Thee, like some wise minister.

6 Hear Thou the song of him who hastens speedily. O Lord, I am he who sang Thy praise. Hither, Lord of Splendour, hither turn Thine eyes.

7 For Thou wast ever nigh to deal forth ample wealth, to give the wealth that Thou hadst gathered up. As such, Bountiful One, guard us well, and keep us safely from the wicked wolf.

8 Give us not up to any man who hateth us, nor let our milch-cows stray, whose udders give us food, far from our homes without their calves.

9 May they who love Thee gain Thee for their Friend. Prepare Thou us for opulence with strengthening food, prepare us for the food that floweth from our cows.

10 I have obtained the horseless car, rich in devotion, and I am well content therewith.

11 May it convey me evermore: may the light chariot pass from men to men unto the draught.

12 It holdeth slumber in contempt, and the rich who enjoyeth not: both vanish quickly and are lost.

HYMN CXXI. God the Mighty (Indra)

1 When will men's guardians hasting hear with favour the song of Angiras's pious children? When to the people of the home He cometh, He strideth to the devotion, the Holy.

2 He established heaven; He poured forth, skilful worker, the wealth of kine, for strength, that nurtures heroes. The Mighty One His self-born host regarded, the horse's mate, the mother of the heifer.

3 Lord of red dawns, He came victorious, daily to the Angirases' former invocation. His bolt and team hath He prepared, and established the heaven for quadrupeds and men two-footed.

4 In joy of this Thou didst restore, for worship, the lowing company of hidden cattle. When the three-pointed one descends with onslaught He opens wide the doors that cause man trouble.

5 Thine is that milk which Thy swift-moving parents brought down, a strengthening genial gift for conquest; when the pure treasure unto Thee they offered, the milk shed from the cow who streameth nectar.

6 There is He manifest. May the Swift give us rapture, and like the Sun shine forth from yonder dawning, even us who gave, whose toils are offerings, poured from the spoon, with praise, upon the altar.

7 When the wood-pile, made of good logs, is ready, at the Sun's worship to bind fast the Bullock, then when Thou shinest forth through days of action for the Car-borne, the Swift, the Cattle-seeker.

8 Eight steeds Thou broughtest down from mighty heaven, when fighting for the well that giveth splendour, that men might press with stones the gladdening yellow, strengthened with milk, fermenting, to exalt Thee.

9 Thou hurledst forth from heaven the iron missile, brought by the Skilful, from the sling of leather, when Thou, O Much-invoked, assisting Kutsa, with endless deadly darts didst compass Susna.

10 Bolt-armed, ere darkness overtook the sunlight, Thou castest at the veiling cloud Thy weapon, Thou rentest, out of heaven, though firmly knotted, the might of Susna that was thrown around him.

11 The mighty Heaven and Earth, those bright expanses that have no wheels, joyed, O Mighty One, at Thine exploit. Vrtra, the boar who lay amid the waters, to sleep Thou sentest with Thy mighty thunder.

12 Mount, Lover of the men Thou guardest, the well-yoked horses of the wind, best bearers. The bolt which Kavya Usana erst gave Thee, strong, gladdening, Vrtra-slaying, hath he fashioned.

13 The strong Bay Horses of the Sun Thou stayedst: this Etasa drew not the wheel, O Mighty One. Casting them forth beyond the ninety rivers Thou dravest down into the pit the godless.

14 O Mighty One, preserve Thou us from this affliction, Thunder-armed, save us from the misery near us. Vouchsafe us affluence in chariots, founded on horses, for our food and fame and gladness.

15 Never may this Thy loving-kindness fail us; mighty in strength, may plenteous food surround us. O Bountiful, make us share the foeman's cattle: may we be Thy most liberal feast companions.

HYMN CXXII. The Attributes of God

1 Say, bringing devotion to bounteous God the Healer: this gift for you whose wrath is fleeting! With the heroes of the Lord of heaven I have lauded the angels as with prayer to Earth and Heaven.

2 Strong to exalt the early invocation are Night and Dawn who show with varied aspect. The Barren clothes her in wide-woven raiment, and fair Morn shines with the Sun's golden splendour.

3 Cheer us the Roamer round, who strikes at morning, the Wind delight us, pourer forth of waters! Sharpen our wits, O Lord of the mountain and the Mighty. May all the righteous vouchsafe to us this favour.

4 And Ausija shall call for me that famous Pair who enjoy and drink, who come to brighten. Set ye the Offspring of the Floods before you; both Mothers of the Living One who beameth.

5 For you shall Ausija call Him who thunders, as, to win Arjuna's assent, cried Ghosa. I will invoke, that the Nourisher may be bounteous to you, the rich munificence of the Radiant.

6 Hear, Friend and All-Seeing, these mine invocations, hear them from all men in the hall of worship. Giver of famous gifts, kind hearer, Lord of the river that gives fair fields, listen with all His waters!

7 Praised, Friend and All-Seeing! is your gift, a hundred cows to the Prksayamas and the Pajra. Presented by car-famous Priyaratha, supplying nourishment, they came directly.

8 Praised is the gift of him the very wealthy: may we enjoy it, men with hero children: his who hath many gifts to give the Pajras, a chief who makes me rich in cars and horses.