HYMN XXXVII. The Mighty One.

1 Bedewed with holy oil and meetly worshipped, the Swift One vies with Surya's beam in splendour. For him may mornings dawn without cessation who saith, Let us make our offering for the Mighty One.

2 With kindled fire and strewn grass let him worship, and, giver of the offering, sing with stones adjusted: and let the priest whose press-stones ring forth loudly, go down with his oblation to the river.

3 This wife is coming near who loves her husband who carries to his home a vigorous consort. Here may his car seek fame, here loudly thunder, and his wheel make a thousand revolutions.

4 No troubles vex that King in whose home the Mighty One accepts the offering of the sharp provision with milk commingled. With heroes he drives near, he slays the foeman: blest, cherishing that name, he guards his people.

5 May he support in peace and win in battle: he masters both the hosts that meet together. Dear shall he be to the Sun, dear to the Radiant One, who with his offering gives gifts for the sake of God.

HYMN XXXVIII. The Mighty One.

1 Wide, O Mighty One, Lord of a hundred powers, spreads the bounty of Thine ample grace: so, Lord of fair dominion, Friend of all men, give us splendid wealth.

2 The food which, Mightiest One, Thou possessest worthy of renown is bruited as most widely famed, invincible, O Golden-hued!

3 O Darter of the Stone, the powers which readily obey Thy will, the angels, both Thou and they, ye rule, to guard them, earth and heaven.

4 And from whatever power of Thine, O Slayer of Vrtra, it may be, bring Thou to us heroic strength: Thou hast a man's regard for us.

5 In Thy protection, with these aids of Thine, O Lord of Hundred Powers, O Mighty One, may we be guarded well, Hero, may we be guarded well.

HYMN XXXIX. The Mighty One.

1 Stone-darting, Wondrous One, what wealth is richly given from Thee, that bounty, Treasure-Finder! bring, filling both Thy hands, to us.

2 Bring what Thou deemest worth the wish, O Mighty One, that which is in heaven. So may we know Thee as Thou art, boundless in Thy munificence.

3 Thy lofty spirit, far-renowned as fain to give and prompt to win, with this Thou rendest even the firm, Stone-Darter! so to gain Thee strength.

4 Singers with many songs have made the Mighty One propitious to their fame, Him who is King of human kind, most liberal of your wealthy ones.

5 To Him, to the Mighty One must be sung the poet's word, the hymn of praise. To Him, accepter of the prayer, the Atris raise their songs on high, the Atris beautify their songs.

HYMN XL. The Mighty One. The Sun. Atri.

1 Come Thou to what the stones have pressed, accept the offering, O Thou Lord of provision, Mighty One, best Slayer of Vrtra, Strong One, with the Strong.

2 Strong is the stone, the draught is strong, strong is this offering that is pressed, O Mighty One, best Slayer of Vrtra, Strong One with the Strong.

3 As strong I call on Thee the Strong, O Thunder-armed, with various aids, O Mighty One, best Slayer of Vrtra, Strong One with the Strong.

4 Impetuous, Thunderer, Strong, quelling the mighty, King, potent, Slayer of Vrtra, may He come hither with His yoked Bay Horses; may He be gladdened at the noon offering.

5 O Sun, when the Asura's descendant Svarbhanu pierced thee through and through with darkness, all creatures looked like one who is bewildered, who knoweth not the place where he is standing.

6 What time Thou smotest down Svarbhanu's magic that spread itself beneath the sky, O Mighty One, by his fourth sacred prayer Atri discovered the Sun concealed in gloom that stayed his function.

7 Let not the oppressor with this dread, through anger swallow me up, for I am Thine, O Atri. Friend art Thou, the sender of true blessings: Thou and the King, the All-Seeing, be both my helpers.

8 The Brahman Atri, as he set the press-stones, serving God with praise and adoration, established in the heaven the eye of the Sun, and caused Svarbhanu's magic arts to vanish.

9 The Atris found the Sun again, him whom Svarbhanu of the brood of Asuras had pierced with gloom. This none besides had power to do.

HYMN XLI. All the Powers of God

1 Who, O Friend and All-Seeing, is Your pious servant to give You gifts from earth or mighty heaven? Preserve us in the seat of holy Order, and give the giver power that winneth cattle.

2 May the Friend, the All-Seeing, the Companion, and Ayu, the Mighty One, Rbhuksan, and the Maruts, love us, and they who of one mind with bounteous God the Healer accept the hymn and laud with adorations.

3 You will I call to feed the car-horse, Asvins, with the wind's flight swiftest of those who travel: or also to the Lord of heaven, Worshipful, bring a hymn as it were an offering.

4 The heavenly Victor, he whose priest is Kanva, Trta with Dyaus accordant, Vata, the Radiant One, all-feeding Pusan, Bhaga sought the offering, as they whose steeds are fleetest seek the contest.

5 Bring ye your riches forward borne on horses: let thought be framed for help and gain of treasure. Blest be the priest of Ausija through courses, the courses which are yours the fleet, O Maruts.

6 Bring hither Him who yokes the car, your Vayu, who praises with his songs, the Singer; and, praying and devout, noble and prudent, may the wives of the righteous in their thoughts retain us.

7 I speed to you with powers that should be honoured, with songs distinguishing Heaven's mighty Daughters, Morning and Night, the Two, as it were all-knowing: these bring the devotion unto the mortal.

8 You I extol, the nourishers of heroes bringing you gifts, Vastospati and Tvastar, rich Dhisana accords through our obeisance, and Trees and Plants, for the swift gain of riches.

9 Ours be the Parvatas, even they, for offspring, free-moving, who are Heroes like the Vasus. May holy Aptya, Friend of man, exalted, strengthen our word for ever and be near us.

10 Trta praised him, germ of the earthly hero, with pure songs, him the Offspring of the Waters. The Radiant One with might neighs loudly like a charger: he of the flaming hair destroys the forests.

11 How shall we speak to the great might of God the Healer? How speak to Bhaga who takes thought for riches? May Plants, the Waters, and the Sky preserve us, and Woods and Mountains with their trees for tresses.

12 May the swift Wanderer, Lord of refreshments, listen to our songs, who speeds through cloudy heaven: and may the Waters, bright like castles, hear us, as they flow onward from the cloven mountain.

13 We know your ways, ye Mighty Ones receiving choice meed, ye Wonderful, we will proclaim it. Even strong birds descend not to the mortal who strives to reach them with swift blow and weapons.

14 Celestial and terrestrial generations, and Waters will I summon to the feasting. May days with bright dawns cause my songs to prosper, and may the conquered streams increase their waters.

15 Duly to each one hath my laud been offered. Strong be Varutri with her powers to succour. May the great Mother Rasa here befriend us, straight-handed, with the princes, striving forward.

16 How may we serve the Liberal Ones with worship, the Maruts swift of course in invocation, the Maruts far-renowned in invocation? Let not the Dragon of the Deep annoy us, and gladly may he welcome our addresses.

17 Thus thinking, O ye angels, the mortal wins your favour to give him increase of his herds of cattle. Here he wins wholesome food to feed this body: as for mine old age, let misfortune consume it.

18 O angels, may we obtain from you this favour, strengthening food through the Cow's praise, ye Vasus. May she who gives good gifts, the gracious one, come speeding nigh to us for our well-being.

19 May Ila, Mother of the herds of cattle, and Urvasi with all the streams accept us; may Urvasi in lofty heaven accepting, as she partakes the offering of the living,

20 visit us while she shares Urjavya's food.

HYMN XLII. All the Powers of God.

1 Now may our sweetest song with deep devotion reach God the All-Seeing, the Friend, Aditi, and Bhaga. May the Lord of the Five Peoples, dwelling in offerings, the bliss-giving Lord, hear, whose paths are open.

2 May Aditi welcome, even as a mother her dear heart-gladdening son, my song that lauds her. The prayer they love, bliss-giving, God-appointed, I offer unto the All-Seeing and the Friend.

3 In spirit Him, the Sagest of the Sages; with oil and sweet drink bedew Him. So then let God the Light-giver provide us excellent, ready, and resplendent treasures.

4 With willing mind, O Mighty One, vouchsafe us cattle, prosperity, Lord of Bays! and pious patrons; and, with the sacred prayer by God appointed, give us the holy lovingkindness.

5 God Bhaga, the Light-giver who deals forth riches, the Mighty One, and they who conquer Vrtra's treasures, and Vaja and Rbhuksan and Purandhi, the Mighty and Immortal Ones, protect us!

6 Let us declare His deeds, the undecaying unrivalled Victor whom the Maruts follow. None of old times, O Bountiful One, nor later, none of these days hath reached Thy hero prowess.

7 Praise Him the Chief who gives the boon of riches, Brhaspati distributor of treasures, who, blessing most the man who sings and praises, comes with abundant wealth to his invoker.

8 Tended, O Brhaspati, with Thy protections, the princes are unharmed and girt by heroes. Wealth that brings bliss is found among the givers of horses and of cattle and of raiment.

9 Make their wealth flee who, through our hymns enjoying their riches, yield us not an ample guerdon. Far from the sun keep those who hate devotion, the godless, prospering in their vocation.

10 With wheelless chariots drive down him, O Maruts, who at the feasts of the righteous regards the demons. May he, though bathed in sweat, form empty wishes, who blames his sacred rite who toils to serve you.

11 Praise Him whose bow is strong and sure His arrow, Him who is Lord of every balm that healeth. Worship thou God the Healer for His great good favour: adore the Lord with salutations.

12 May the House-friends, the cunning-handed Artists, may the Steer's Wives, the streams carved out by Vibhvan, and may the fair Ones honour and befriend us, Sarasvati, Brhaddiva, and Raka.

13 My newest song, thought that now springs within me, I offer to the Great, the Sure Protector, who made for us this All, in fond love laying each varied form within His creation.

14 Now, even now, may thy fair praise, O Singer, attain the Lord of Prayer who roars and thunders, who, rich in clouds and waters with His lightning speeds forth bedewing both the earth and heaven.

15 May this my laud attain the troop of Maruts, those who are youths in act, the servants of God the Healer. The wish calls me to riches and well-being: praise the unwearied Ones whose steeds are dappled.

16 May this my laud reach earth and air's mid-region, and forest trees and plants to win me riches. May every angel be swift to listen, and Mother Earth with no ill thought regard me.

17 O angels, may we dwell in free untroubled bliss.

18 May we obtain the Asvins' newest favour, and gain their health-bestowing happy guidance. Bring riches hither unto us, and heroes, and all felicity and joy, O Immortal Ones!

HYMN XLIII. All the Powers of God.

1 May the Milch-cows who hasten to their object come harmless unto us with liquid sweetness. The Singer, lauding, calls, for ample riches, the Seven Mighty Ones who bring enjoyment.

2 With reverence and fair praise will I bring hither, for sake of strength, exhaustless Earth and Heaven. Father and Mother, sweet of speech, fair-handed, may they, far-famed, in every fight protect us.

3 Adhvaryus, make the sweet offerings ready, and bring the beautiful bright juice to Vayu. O God, as our Priest, be Thou the first to accept it: we give Thee of the sweet drink to make Thee joyful.

4 Two arms, the dexterous preparers of the offering, and the ten fingers set and fix the press-stone. The stalk hath poured, fair with its spreading branches, the bright glittering juice that dwells on mountains.

5 The offering hath been prepared for Thee, its lover, to give Thee power and might and high enjoyment. Invoked, turn hither in Thy car, O Mighty One, at need, Thy two well-trained and dear Bay Horses.

6 Bring by God-traversed paths, accordant, O God the Radiant, the great Aramati, Celestial Lady, exalted, worshipped with our gifts and homage, who knoweth holy Law.

7 As on his father's lap the son, the darling, so on the fire is set the sacred caldron, which holy singers deck.

8 Hither, as herald to invite the Asvins, come the great lofty song, most sweet and pleasant! Come in one car, joy-givers! to the banquet, like the bolt binding pole and nave, come hither.

9 I have declared this speech of adoration to mightiest Pusan and victorious Vayu, who by their bounty are the hymns' inspirers, and of themselves give power as a possession.

10 Invoked by us bring hither, O Knower of all that is born, the Maruts all under their names and figures. Come to the worship with aid, all Maruts, all to the songs and praises of the singer!

11 From high heaven may Sarasvati the Holy visit our gathering, and from the mountain. Eager, propitious, may the balmy one hear our effectual speech, our invocation.

12 Set in his seat the one whose back is dusky, Brhaspati the lofty, the Disposer. Him let us worship, set within the dwelling, the red, the golden-hued, the all-resplendent.

13 May the Sustainer, high in heaven, come hither, the Bounteous One, invoked, with all His favours, dweller with the righteous, with plants, unwearied, the Steer with triple horn, the life-bestower.

14 The tuneful eloquent priests of him who liveth have sought the Mother's bright and loftiest station. As living men, with offered gifts and homage they deck the most auspicious Child to clothe him.

15 O God the Radiant, great vital power is Thine, the mighty: pairs waxing old in their devotion seek Thee. May every angel be swift to listen, and Mother Earth with no ill thought regard me.

16 O angels, may we dwell in free untroubled bliss.

17 May we obtain the Asvins' newest favour, and gain their health-bestowing happy guidance. Bring riches hither unto us, and heroes, and all felicity and joy, O Immortal Ones!

HYMN XLIV. All the Powers of God.

1 As in the first old times, as all were wont, as now, He draweth forth the power turned hitherward with song, the Princedom throned on holy grass, who findeth light, swift, conquering in the plants wherein he waxeth strong.

2 Shining to him who leaves heaven's regions undisturbed, which to His sheen who is beneath show fair in light, good guardian art Thou, not to be deceived, Most Wise! Far from deceits Thy name dwelleth in holy Law.

3 Truth waits upon offering present and to come: naught checks Him in His way, this victory-bringing Priest: the Mighty Child who glides along the sacred grass, the undecaying Youth set in the midst of plants.

4 These come, well-yoked, to you for furtherance in the rite: down come the twinborn strengtheners of Law for him, with reins easily guided and commanding all.

5 Thou, moving beauteously in visibly pregnant ones, snatching with trees the branching plant that grasps the juice, shinest, true Singer! amid the upholders of the voice. Increase Thy consorts Thou, lively at worship.

6 Like as He is beheld such is He said to be. They with effectual splendour in the floods have made Earth yield us room enough and amply wide extent, great might invincible, with store of hero sons.

7 The Sun the Sage, as if unwedded, with a Spouse, in battle-loving spirit moveth over the foes. May he, self-excellent, grant us a sheltering home, a house that wards the fierce heat off on every side.

8 Thy name, sung forth by Seers in these hymns of ours, goes to the loftier One with this swift mover's light. By skill he wins the boon whereon his heart is set: he who bestirs himself shall bring the thing to pass.

9 The chief and best of these abideth in the sea, nor doth the offering fail wherein it is prolonged. The heart of him who praiseth trembleth not in fear there where the hymn is found connected with the pure.

10 For it is He: with thought of Ksatra, Manasa, of Yajata, and Sadhri, and Evavada, with Avatsara's sweet songs will we strive to win the mightiest strength which even he who knows should gain.

11 The Hawk is their full source, girth-stretching rapturous drink of Visvavara, of Mayin, and Yajata. They ever seek a fresh draught so that they may come, know when thy time to halt and take thy fill is near.

12 Sadaprna the holy, Tarya, Srutavit, and Bahuvrkta, joined with you, have slain the foes. He gains his wish in both the worlds and brightly shines when he adores the host with well-advancing steeds.

13 The worshipper's defender is Sutambhara, producer and uplifter of all holy thoughts. The milch-cow brought, sweet-flavoured milk was dealt around. Who speaks the bidding text knows this, not he who sleeps.

14 The sacred hymns love him who wakes and watches: to him who watches come the Sama verses. This provision saith unto the man who watches, I rest and have my dwelling in thy friendship.

15 The Radiant One is watchful, and the righteous love Him; the Radiant One is watchful, Sama verses seek Him. The Radiant One is watchful, to Him saith this provision, I rest and have my dwelling in Thy friendship.

HYMN XLV. All the Powers of God.

1 Bards of approaching Dawn who know the heavens are come with hymns to throw the mountain open. The Sun hath risen and oped the stable portals: the doors of men, too, hath God thrown open.

2 The Sun hath spread his light as splendour: hither came the Cows' Mother, conscious, from the stable, to streams that flow with biting waves to deserts; and heaven is stablished like a firm-set pillar.

3 This laud hath won the burden of the mountain. To aid the ancient birth of mighty waters the mountain parted, Heaven performed his office. The worshippers were worn with constant serving.

4 With hymns and God-loved words will I invoke Thee, O Mighty and Radiant One, to obtain Thy favour, for verily sages, skilled in devotion, honour the Maruts and with lauds invite them.

5 This day approach us: may our thoughts be holy, far from us let us cast away misfortune. Let us keep those who hate us at a distance, and haste to meet the man who offers worship.

6 Come, let us carry out, O friends, the purpose wherewith the Mother threw the Cow's stall open, that wherewith Manu conquered Visisipra, wherewith the wandering merchant gained heaven's water.

7 Here, urged by hands, loudly hath rung the press-stone wherewith Navagvas through ten months sang praises. Sarama went aright and found the cattle. Angiras gave effect to all their labours.

8 When at the dawning of this mighty one, Angirases all sang forth with the cattle, their spring is in the loftiest place of meeting, Sarama found the kine by Order's pathway.

9 Borne by his Coursers Seven may the Sun visit the field that spreadeth wide for his long journey. Down on the offering swooped the rapid Falcon. Bright was the young Sage moving amid his cattle.

10 The Sun hath mounted to the shining ocean when he hath yoked his fair-backed Tawny Horses. The wise have drawn him like a ship through water: the floods obedient have descended hither.

11 I lay upon the Floods your hymn, light-winning, wherewith Navagvas their ten months completed. Through this our hymn may we have angels to guard us: through this our hymn pass safe beyond affliction.

HYMN XLVI. All the Powers of God.

1 Well knowing I have bound me, horselike, to the pole: I carry that which bears us on and gives us help. I seek for no release, no turning back therefrom. May He who knows the way, the Leader, guide me straight.

2 O God the Radiant, Mighty, Friend, and All-Seeing, give, O ye angels, and Marut host, and the All-Pervading. May both Nasatyas, God the Healer, the heavenly Matrons, Pusan, Sarasvati, Bhaga, accept us.

3 The Mighty and Radiant One, the Friend, the All-Seeing, Aditi, the Waters, Mountains, Maruts, Sky, and Earth and Heaven, the All-Pervading I call, Pusan, and Brahmanaspati, and Bhaga, Samsa, the Light-giver, that they may help.

4 May the All-Pervading also and Vata who injures none, and the Provider of possessions give us joy; and may the Rbhus and the Asvins, Tvastar and Vibhvan remember us so that we may have wealth.

5 So may the band of Maruts dwelling in the sky, the holy, come to us to sit on sacred grass; Brhaspati and Pusan grant us sure defence, the All-Seeing, the Friend, Aryaman guard and shelter us.