HYMN XV. The Radiant One.

1 With this my song I strive to reach this guest of yours, who wakes at early morn, the Lord of all the tribes. Each time He comes from heaven, the Pure One from of old: from ancient days the Child eats everlasting food.

2 Whom, well-disposed, the Bhrgus established as a Friend, whom men must glorify, high-flaming in the wood. As such, most friendly, Thou art every day extolled in lauds by Vitahavya, O Thou wondrous God.

3 Be Thou the foeless helper of the skilful man, subduer of the enemy near or far away. Bestow a wealthy home on men, O Son of Strength. Give Vitahavya riches spreading far and wide, give Bharadvaja wide-spread wealth.

4 Him, your refulgent guest, who comes from heaven, the Herald of mankind, well-skilled in sacred rites, who, like a holy singer, utters heavenly words, bearer of offerings, envoy, God, I seek with hymns.

5 Who with His purifying, eye-attracting form hath shone upon the earth as with the light of Dawn; who speeding on, as in the fight of Etasa, cometh, untouched by age, as one athirst in heat.

6 Honour ye God, the Radiant One, with your log of wood; praise your beloved, your beloved guest with songs. Invite ye the Immortal hither with your hymns. A God among the powers, He loveth what is choice, loveth our service, God amid the powers.

7 God the Radiant, enkindled with fuel, in my song I sing, pure, Cleanser, steadfast, set in front at worship. Wise Knower of all that is born we implore with prayers for bliss, the Priest, the holy Singer, bounteous, void of guile.

8 Men, O God, in each age have made Thee, Deathless One, their envoy, offering-bearer, guard adorable. With reverence angels and mortals have established Thee, the ever-watchful, omnipresent Household Lord.

9 Thou, O God, ordering the works and ways of both, as envoy of the angels traversest both the worlds. When we lay claim to Thy regard and gracious fare, be Thou to us a thrice-protecting friendly guard.

10 Him fair of face, rapid, and fair to look on, Him very wise may we who know not follow. Let him who knows all rules invite for worship, and announce our offering to the Immortals.

11 Him, O God, Thou deliverest and savest who brings Thee, the Wise, O Hero, prayer, the end of worship or its inception; yea, Thou endowest him with power and riches.

12 Guard us from him who would assail us, O God; preserve us, O Thou Victor, from dishonour. Here let the place of darkening come upon the wicked: may wealth be ours, desirable in thousands.

13 God, the Priest, is King, Lord of the homestead, He, the Knower of all that is born, knows all generations. Most skilful worshipper amid angels and mortals, may He begin the worship, the Holy.

14 Whate'er today Thou, bright-flamed Priest, enjoyest from the man's rite, for Thou art the One worshipped, worship, for duly dost Thou spread in greatness: bear off Thine offerings of today, Most Youthful.

15 Look Thou upon the viands duly laid for Thee. Fain would he set Thee here to honour Heaven and Earth. Help us, O liberal God, in the strife for spoil, so that we may overcome all things that trouble us, overcome them with Thy help.

16 Together with all the angels, O fair-faced God, be seated first upon the woollined altar, nest-like, bedewed with oil. Bear this our worship to the Light-giver who worships rightly.

17 Here the arranging priests, as did Atharvan, kindle this light, which, not bewildered, as it moved in winding ways, they brought from gloom.

18 For the angels' banquet be Thou born, for full perfection and for weal. Bring the Immortal ones who strengthen holy Law: so let our worship reach the angels.

19 O God, Lord and Master of men's homesteads, with kindled fuel we have made Thee mighty. Let not our household gear be found defective. Sharpen us with Thy penetrating splendour.

HYMN XVI. The Radiant One.

1 Priest of all worship hast Thou been appointed, O God, amid the race of man.

2 So with Thy joyous tongues for us worship nobly in this rite. Bring Thou the angels and honour them.

3 For well, O God, Disposer, Thou knowest, straight on, the paths and ways, O God, most wise in worship.

4 Thee, too, hath Bharata of old, with mighty men, implored for bliss, and worshipped Thee the worshipful.

5 Thou givest these abundant boons to Divodasa pouring forth, to Bharadvaja offering gifts.

6 Do Thou, Immortal Messenger, bring hither the Celestial Folk; hearing the singer's eulogy.

7 Mortals with pious thought implore Thee, O God, at holy rites, to come unto the feast of the righteous.

8 I glorify Thine aspect and the might of Thee the Bountiful. All those who love shall joy in Thee.

9 Invoker placed by Manu, Thou, O God, art near, the wisest Priest: pay worship to the Tribes of Heaven.

10 Come, O God, lauded, to the feast; come to the offering of the gifts. As Priest be seated on the grass.

11 So, Angiras, we make Thee strong with fuel and with holy oil. Blaze high, Thou youngest of the powers.

12 For us Thou winnest, O God, heroic strength exceeding great, far-spreading and of high renown.

13 O God, Atharvan kindled Thee, by rubbing, from the lotus-flower, the head of Visva, of the Priest.

14 Thee, Vrtra's slayer, breaker down of castles, hath Atharvan's son, Dadhyac the Seer, lighted up.

15 The hero Pathya kindled Thee, the Dasyus' most destructive foe, winner of spoil in every fight.

16 Come, here, O God, will I sing verily other songs to Thee, and with these drops shalt Thou grow strong.

17 Where'er Thy mind applies itself, vigour pre-eminent hast Thou: there wilt Thou gain a dwelling-place.

18 Not for a moment only lasts Thy bounty, good to many a one! Our service therefore shalt Thou gain.

19 The Bharata hath sought the Radiant One, the Vrtra-slayer, marked of all, yea, Divodasa's Hero Lord.

20 For He gave riches that surpass in greatness all the things of earth, fighting untroubled, unsubdued.

21 Thou, O God, as in days of old, with recent glory, gathered light, hast overspread the lofty heaven.

22 Bring to your God, O my friends, boldly your laud and worship: give the Disposer praise and song.

23 For as sagacious Herald He hath sat through every age of man, offering-bearing messenger.

24 Bring those Two Kings whose ways are pure, the Adityas, and the Marut host, Excellent God! and Heaven and Earth.

25 For strong and active mortal man, excellent, O God, is the look of Thee Immortal, Son of Strength.

26 Rich through his wisdom, noblest be the giver serving Thee today: the man hath brought his hymn of praise.

27 These, O God, these are helped by Thee, who strong and active all their lives overcome the malice of the foe, fight down the malice of the foe.

28 May God with His pointed blaze cast down each fierce devouring fiend. May God win us wealth by war.

29 O active Knower of all that is born, bring riches with store of hero sons: slay Thou the demons, O Most Wise.

30 Keep us, O Knower of all that is born, from the troubling of the man of sin: guard us, Thou Sage who knowest prayer.

31 Whatever sinner, O God, brings offerings to procure our death, save us from woe that he would work.

32 Drive from us with Thy tongue, O God, the man who doeth evil deeds, the mortal who would strike us dead.

33 Give shelter reaching far and wide to Bharadvaja, conquering Lord! O God, send wealth most excellent.

34 May God slay the Vrtras, fain for riches, through the lord of song, served with offering, kindled, bright.

36 O active Knower of all that is born, bring devotion that wins progeny, O God, that it may shine to heaven.

37 O Child of Strength, to Thee whose look is lovely we with dainty food, O God, have poured forth our songs.

38 To Thee for shelter are we come, as to the shade from fervent heat, O God, who glitterest like gold.

39 Mighty as one who slays with shafts, or like a bull with sharpened horn, O God, Thou breakest down the forts.

40 Whom, like an infant newly born, devourer, in their arms they bear, men's God, skilled in holy rites.

41 Bear to the banquet of the righteous the God best finder-out of wealth: let him be seated in his place.

42 In the Knower of all that is born kindle ye the dear guest who hath now appeared in a soft place, the homestead's Lord.

43 Harness, O God, Thy steeds which are most excellent: they bear Thee as Thy spirit wills.

44 Come hither, bring the angels to us to taste the feast of worship.

45 O God of the Bharatas, blaze high with everlasting might, shine forth and gleam, Eternal One.

46 The mortal man who serves God with banquet, and, bringing gifts at worship, lauds Him, may well attract, with prayer and hands uplifted, the Priest of Heaven and Earth, true Worshipper.

47 O God, we bring Thee, with our hymn, offering fashioned in the heart. Let these be oxen for Thy sake, let these be bulls and kine for Thy sake.

48 The angels honour the Radiant One, best slayer of Vrtra, first in rank, the Mighty One who brings us wealth and crushes down the Raksasas.

HYMN XVII. The Mighty One.

1 Accept the offering, Mighty One, for which, when lauded, Thou breakest through the cattle-stall, O Mighty One; Thou who, O Bold One, armed with thunder smotest Vrtra with might, and every hostile being.

2 Accept it, Thou God who art impetuous victor, Lord of our hymns, with beauteous jaws, the Hero, Render of kine-stalls, car-borne, thunder-wielding, so pierce Thy way to wondrous strength, O Mighty One.

3 Accept as of old, and let the offering delight Thee, hear Thou our prayer and let our songs exalt Thee. Make the Sun visible, make food abundant, slaughter the foes, pierce through and free the cattle.

4 These gladdening drops, O Mighty One, Self-sustainer, accepted shall augment Thee in Thy mighty splendour. Yea, let the cheering drops delight Thee greatly, great, perfect, strong, powerful, all-subduing.

5 Gladdened whereby, bursting the firm enclosures, Thou gavest splendour to the Sun and Morning. The mighty rock that compassed in the cattle, ne'er moved, Thou shookest from its seat, O Mighty One.

6 Thou with Thy wisdom, power, and works of wonder, hast stored the ripe milk in the raw cows' udders, unbarred the firm doors for the kine of Morning, and, with the Angirases, set free the cattle.

7 Thou hast spread out wide earth, a mighty marvel, and, high Thyself, propped lofty heaven, O Mighty One. Both worlds, whose Sons are angels, Thou hast supported, young, Mothers from old time of holy Order.

8 Yea, O Mighty One, all the angels installed Thee their one strong Champion in the van for battle. What time the godless was the assailant of the righteous, the Mighty One they chose to win the light of heaven.

9 Yea, even that heaven itself of old bent backward before Thy bolt, in terror of its anger, when the Mighty One, life of every living creature, smote down within his lair the assailing Dragon.

10 Yea, Strong One! Tvastar turned for Thee, the Mighty, the bolt with thousand spikes and hundred edges, eager and prompt at will, wherewith Thou crushedst the boasting Dragon, O impetuous Hero.

11 A hundred buffaloes were prepared, O Mighty One, for Thee whom all accordant Maruts strengthen. The All-Pervading poured forth three great vessels, the juice that cheers, that slaughters Vrtra.

12 Thou settest free the rushing wave of waters, the floods' great swell encompassed and obstructed. Along steep slopes their course Thou turnedst, O Mighty One, directed downward, speeding to the ocean.

13 So may our new prayer bring Thee to protect us, Thee well-armed Hero with Thy bolt of thunder, the Mighty One, who made these worlds, the Strong, who never groweth old, the victory-giver.

14 So, O Mighty One, form us brilliant holy singers for strength, for glory, and for food and riches. Give Bharadvaja hero patrons; O Mighty One, be ours upon the day of trial.

15 With this may we obtain strength God-appointed, and brave sons gladden us through a hundred winters.

HYMN XVIII. The Mighty One.

1 Glorify Him whose might is all-surpassing, the Mighty One, the much-invoked who fights uninjured. Magnify with these songs the never-vanquished, the Strong, the Bull of men, the Mighty Victor.

2 He, Champion, Hero, Warrior, Lord of battles, impetuous, loudly roaring, great destroyer, who whirls the dust on high, alone, o'erthrower, hath made all races of mankind His subjects.

3 Thou, Thou alone, hast tamed the Dasyus; singly Thou hast subdued the people for the Arya. In this, or is it not, Thine hero exploit, O Mighty One? Declare it at the proper season.

4 For true, I deem, Thy strength is, Thine the Mighty, Thine, O Most Potent, Thine the Conquering Victor; Strong, of the strong, Most Mighty, of the mighty, Thine, driver of the churl to acts of bounty.

5 Be this our ancient bond of friendship with you and with Angirases here who speak of Vala. Thou, Wondrous, Shaker of things firm, didst smite him in his fresh strength, and force his doors and castles.

6 With holy thoughts must He be called, the Mighty, showing His power in the great fight with Vrtra. He must be called to give us seed and offspring, the Thunderer must He be moved and sped to battle.

7 He in His might, with name that lives for ever, hath far surpassed all human generations. He, most heroic, hath His home with splendour, with glory and with riches and with valour.

8 Stranger to guile, who ne'er was false or faithless, bearing a name that may be well remembered, the Mighty One crushed Cumuri, Dhuni, Sambara, Pipru, and Susna, that their castles fell in ruin.

9 With saving might that must be praised and lauded, O Mighty One, ascend Thy car to smite down Vrtra. In Thy right hand hold fast Thy bolt of thunder, and weaken, Bounteous Lord, his art and magic.

10 As fire, as the dart burns the dry forest, like the dread shaft burn down the fiends, O Mighty One; Thou who with high deep-reaching spear hast broken, hast covered over mischief and destroyed it.

11 With wealth, by thousand paths come hither, O God the Radiant, paths that bring ample strength, O Thou Most Splendid. Come, Son of Strength, o'er whom, Invoked of many! the godless hath no power to keep Thee distant.

12 From heaven, from earth is bruited forth the greatness of Him the firm, the fiery, the resplendent. No foe hath He, no counterpart, no refuge is there from Him the Conqueror full of wisdom.

13 This day the deed that Thou hast done is famous, when Thou, for him, with many thousand others laidest low Kutsa, Ayu, Atithigva, and boldly didst deliver Turvayana.

14 In Thee, O God, the wisest of the Sages, all the righteous were joyful when Thou slewest Ahi. When lauded for Thyself, Thou gavest freedom to sore-afflicted Heaven and to the people.

15 This power of Thine both heaven and earth acknowledge, the angels acknowledge it, O Mighty One. Do what Thou ne'er hast done, O Mighty Worker: beget a new hymn at Thy worship.

HYMN XIX. The Mighty One.

1 Great, hero-like controlling men is the Mighty One, unwasting in His powers, doubled in vastness. He, turned to us, hath grown to hero vigour: broad, wide, He hath been decked by those who serve Him.

2 The bowl made the Mighty One swift to gather booty, the High, the Lofty, Youthful, Undecaying, Him who hath waxed by strength which none may conquer, and even at once grown to complete perfection.

3 Stretch out those hands of Thine, extend to us-ward Thy wide capacious arms, and grant us glory. Like as the household herdsman guards the cattle, so move Thou round about us in the combat.

4 Now, fain for strength, let us invite your Mighty One hither, who lieth hidden with His Heroes, free from all blame, without reproach, uninjured, even as were those who sang, of old, His praises.

5 With steadfast laws, wealth-giver, strong through the provision, He hath much fair and precious food to feed us. In Him unite all paths that lead to riches, like rivers that commingle with the ocean.

6 Bring unto us the mightiest might, O Hero, strong and most potent force, Thou great Subduer! All splendid vigorous powers of men vouchsafe us, Lord of Bay Steeds, that they may make us joyful.

7 Bring us, grown mighty in its strength, O Mighty One, Thy friendly rapturous joy that wins the battle, wherewith by Thee assisted and triumphant, we may laud Thee in gaining seed and offspring.

8 O Mighty One, bestow on us the power heroic, skilled and exceeding strong, that wins the booty, wherewith, by Thine assistance, we may conquer our foes in battle, be they kin or stranger.

9 Let Thine heroic strength come from behind us, before us, from above us or below us. From every side may it approach us, O Mighty One. Give us the glory of the realm of splendour.

10 With most heroic aid from Thee, like heroes, O Mighty One, may we win wealth by deeds of glory. Thou, King, art Lord of earthly, heavenly treasure: vouchsafe us riches vast, sublime, and lasting.

11 The Bull, whose strength hath waxed, whom Maruts follow, free-giving, the Celestial Ruler, Mighty, all-conquering, the victory-giver, Him let us call to grant us new protection.

12 Give up the people who are high and haughty to these men and to me, O Thunder-wielder! Therefore upon the earth do we invoke Thee, where heroes win, for sons and kine and waters.

13 Through these Thy friendships, God invoked of many! may we be victors over every foeman. Slaying both kinds of foe, may we, O Hero, be happy, helped by Thee, with ample riches.

HYMN XX. The Mighty One.

1 Give us wealth, O Mighty One, that with might, as heaven o'ertops the earth, overcomes our foes in battle; wealth that brings thousands and that wins the corn-lands, wealth, Son of Strength! that vanquishes the foeman.

2 Even as the power of Heaven, to Thee, O Mighty One, all sovereign sway was by the angels entrusted, when Thou, Impetuous! leagued with the All-Pervading, slewest Vrtra the Dragon who enclosed the waters.

3 The Mighty One, Strong, Victor, Mightier than the mighty, addressed with prayer and perfect in His splendour, Lord of the bolt that breaketh forts in pieces, became the King of the sweet provision.

4 There, O Mighty One, while the light was won, the Panis fled, beneath a hundred blows, for wise Dasoni, and greedy Susna's magical devices, nor left He any of their food remaining.

5 What time the thunder fell and Susna perished, all life's support from the great Druh was taken. The Mighty One made room for His car-driver Kutsa who sate beside Him, when He gained the sunlight.