HYMN I. God the Radiant.

1 Thou, who wilt have the strong, hast made me priest of devotion, to worship in assembly.

Thou shinest on the righteous; I toil; be joyful in thyself, O Radiant One.

2 East have we turned the rite; may the hymn aid it. With wood and worship shall they honour the Radiant.

From heaven the synods of the wise have learnt it: e'en for the quick and strong they seek advancement.

3 The Prudent, he whose will is pure, brought welfare, allied by birth to Heaven and Earth in kinship.

The righteous discovered in the midst of waters the beautiful Light with the Sisters' labour.

4 Him, Blessed One, the Seven strong Floods augmented, him white at birth and red when waxen mighty.

As mother mares run to their new-born youngling, so at his birth the angels wondered at him.

5 Spreading with radiant limbs throughout the region, purging his power with wise purifications,

Robing himself in light, the life of waters, he spreads abroad his high and perfect glories.

6 He sought heaven's Mighty Ones, the unconsuming, the unimpaired, not clothed and yet not naked.

Then they, ancient and young, who dwell together, Seven sounding Rivers, as one germ received him.

7 His piles, assuming every form, are scattered where flow sweet waters, at the spring of fatness;

There stood the milch-kine with full-laden udders, and both paired Mighty Mothers of the Wondrous.

8 Carefully cherished, Son of Strength, thou shonest assuming lasting and refulgent beauties.

Full streams of fatness and sweet juice descended, there where the Mighty One grew strong by wisdom.

9 From birth he knew even his Father's bosom, he set his voices and his streams in motion;

Knew him who moved with blessed Friends in secret, with the young Dames of heaven. He stayed not hidden.

10 He nursed the Infant of the Sire and Maker: alone the Babe sucked many a teeming bosom.

Guard, for the Bright and Strong, the fellow-spouses friendly to men and bound to him in kinship.

11 The Mighty One increased in space unbounded; full many a glorious flood gave strength to him.

Friend of the house, within the lap of Order lay he, in the Sister Rivers' service.

12 As keen supporter where great waters gather, light-shedder whom the brood rejoice to look on;

He who begat, and will beget, the dawnlights, most manly, Child of Floods, is youthful.

13 Him, varied in his form, the lovely Infant of floods and plants the blessed wood hath gendered.

Angels even, moved in spirit, came around him, and served him at his birth, the Strong, the Wondrous.

14 Like brilliant lightnings, mighty luminaries accompany the light-diffusing Radiant One,

Waxen, as 'twere in secret, in his dwelling, while in the boundless stall they milk out immortality.

15 Devoting ourselves we serve thee with gifts and crave with longing thy good-will and friendship.

Grant thy grace to him who lauds thee, protect us with thy rays that guard the homestead.

16 May we, thou who leadest wisely, thy followers and masters of all treasures,

Strong in the glory of our noble offspring, subdue the godless when they seek the battle.

17 Ensign of the righteous hast thou become, joy-giver, knower of all secret wisdom.

Friend of the homestead, thou hast lightened mortals: car-borne thou goest, fulfilling.

18 Within the house hath sate the King immortal of mortals, filling full their sacred synods.

Bedewed with holy oil he shineth widely, the knower of all secret wisdom.

19 Come unto us with thine auspicious friendship, come speeding, Mighty, with thy mighty succours.

Grant us abundant wealth that saves from danger, that brings a good repute, a glorious portion.

20 To thee who art of old these songs have I declared, the ancient and the later.

These great praises are offered to the Strong: in every birth is the Knower of all established.

21 Established in every birth is the Knower of all, kindled perpetual by the Visvamitras.

May we rest ever in the loving-kindness, in the auspicious grace of him the Holy.

22 This devotion of ours do thou, O Mighty, O truly Wise, bear rejoicing.

Grant us abundant food, thou priestly Herald, vouchsafe to give us ample wealth.

23 As holy food, give to thine invoker wealth in cattle, lasting, rich in marvels.

To us be born a son, and spreading offspring. Be this thy gracious will to us-ward.

HYMN II. God the Radiant.

1 To him, the Light of All Men, who strengthens Holy Law, we present our praise like oil made pure.

With thoughtful insight human priests bring him anear, our Herald from of old, as an axe forms a car.

2 He made the heaven and earth resplendent by his birth: Child of two Mothers he was meet to be implored,

Offering-bearer, gracious, ever-young, infallible, rich in radiant light, the guest of men.

3 Within the range of their surpassing power, by might, the righteous created him with inventive thought.

I, eager to win strength, address him, like a steed, resplendent with his brilliance, with his ample light.

4 Eager to gain, we crave from him the friendly Lord strength confident, choiceworthy, meet to be extolled.

The Bhrgus' bounty, willing, strong with sages' lore, even he shining forth with light that comes from heaven.

5 For happiness, men, having trimmed the sacred grass, set him glorious for his strength before them here;

Yea, with raised ladles, him bright, dear to all the righteous, perfecting aims of works, the Healer of solemn rites.

6 Around thy dwelling-place, O brightly-shining Priest, are men at devotion, whose sacred grass is trimmed.

Wishing to do thee service, they are there, desirous of thy friendship: grant them store of wealth.

7 He hath filled heaven and earth and the great realm of light, when at his birth the skilful held him in their hold.

He like a horse is led forth to the devotion, Sage, graciously inclined, that he may win us strength.

8 Honour the offering-bearer, him who knows fair rites, serve ye the Household Friend who knows all things that be.

He drives the chariot of the lofty ordinance: he is the great High Priest of the righteous.

9 They who are free from death, fain for him, purified three splendours of the mighty one, circling all.

To man, for his enjoyment, one of these they gave: the other two have passed into the sister sphere.

10 Man's food of devotion hath sharpened like an axe, for brightness, him the Sage of men, the people's Lord,

Busied with sacred rites he mounts and he descends. He hath laid down his vital germ within these worlds.

11 He stirs with life in wombs dissimilar in kind, born as a Lion or a loudly-bellowing Bull:

The Light of All Men, immortal, with wide-reaching might, bestowing goods and wealth on him who offers gifts.

12 The Light of All Men, as of old, mounted the cope of heaven, heaven's ridge, well greeted by those skilled in noble songs.

He, as of old, producing riches for the folk, still watchful, traverses the common way again.

13 For new prosperity we seek him whose course is splendid, gold-haired, excellently bright,

Whom Matarisvan stablished, dweller in the heaven, meet for high praise and holy, sage and true to Law.

14 As pure and swift of course, beholder of the light, who stands in heaven's bright sphere a sign, who wakes at dawn,

The head of heaven, whom none may turn aside, to him the Powerful with mighty prayer we seek.

15 The cheerful Priest, the pure, in whom no guile is found, Friend of the House, praise-worthy, dear to all mankind,

Fair to behold for beauty like a splendid car, the Friend of men we ever seek for wealth.

HYMN III. God the Radiant.

1 To him who shines afar, the Light of All Men, shall bards give precious things that he may go on certain paths:

For the Immortal serves the righteous, and therefore never breaks their everlasting laws.

2 He, wondrous envoy, goes between the earth and heaven, firm seated as the Herald, great High Priest of men.

He compasseth with rays the lofty dwelling-place, sent forward by command, enriched with prayer.

3 Sages shall glorify him with earnest thoughts, ensign of devotion, who fills the synod full:

In whom the singers have stored up their holy acts; to him the worshipper looks for joy and happiness.

4 The Sire of devotion, great Lord of holy bards, the measure and the symbol of the priests,

Hath entered heaven and earth that show in varied form: the Sage whom many love rejoiceth in his might.

5 Bright with the bright car, Lord of green domains, the Light of All Men, dweller in the floods, who finds the light,

Pervading, swift and wild, encompassed round with powers, him very glorious hath the Lord established here.

6 Together with the righteous and Manu's folk by thought extending devotion in varied form,

Goes, car-borne, to and fro with those who crown each rite, the fleet, the Household Friend, who turns the curse aside.

7 Sing for long life to us and noble sons: teem thou with plenty, shine upon us store of food.

Increase the great man's strength, thou ever-vigilant: thou, longing for the righteous, knowest their hymns full well.

8 The Mighty One, Lord of the people and their guest, the leader of their thoughts, devoted Friend of priests,

Our solemn rites' announcer, the Knower of all, men with worship ever praise, with urgings for their weal.

9 The Lord resplendent, giver of great joy, hath on his lovely car compassed the lands with might.

Let us with pure laudations in his house approach the high laws of the nourisher of multitudes.

10 I celebrate thy glories, O Light of All Men, wherewith thou, O far-sighted, hast found the light.

Thou filledst at thy birth both worlds, the earth and heaven: all this hast thou compassed of thyself.

11 By his great skill the Sage alone hath brought to pass a great deed, mightier than the Light of All Men's wondrous acts.

He sprang into being, magnifying both his Parents, Heaven and Earth, rich in prolific seed.

HYMN IV. The Invocations.

1 Be friendly with each kindled log of fuel, with every flash bestow the boon of riches.

Bring thou the righteous, O Lord, unto our worship: serve, well-inclined, as Friend thy friends.

2 Whom daily the All-Seeing and the Friend bring thrice a day to this our worship,

Tanunapat, enrich with meath our service that dwells with holy oil, that offers honour.

3 The thought that bringeth every boon proceedeth to worship first the Priest of the offering,

That we may greet the Strong One with our homage. Urged, may he bring the righteous, best Offerer.

4 On high your way to devotion was made ready; the radiant flames went upward to the regions.

Full in the midst of heaven the Priest is seated: strew we the sacred grass where the righteous may rest them.

5 Claiming in mind the seven priests' burnt offerings, inciting all, they came in settled order.

To this our devotion approach the many who show in hero beauty at assemblies.

6 Night and Dawn, lauded, hither come together, both smiling, different are their forms in colour,

That the All-Seeing and the Friend may accept us, and the Mighty One, girt by Maruts, with his glories.

7 I crave the grace of heaven's two chief Invokers: the seven swift steeds joy in their wonted manner.

These speak of truth, praising the truth eternal, thinking on Order as the guards of Order.

9 Well pleased with us do thou, O Lord, O Fashioner, give ready issue to our procreant vigour,

Whence springs the hero, powerful, skilled in action, lover of the righteous, adjuster of the press-stones.

10 Send the offering, Lord of Forests; and let the Immolator dress it.

He as the truer Priest shall offer worship, for the generations of the righteous well he knoweth.

11 Come thou to us, duly kindled, together with the potent servants of God and the Mighty One.

On this our grass sit, O Boundless One, happy Mother, and let our Hail delight the righteous.

HYMN V. God the Radiant.

1 The Light who shines against the Dawns is wakened. The holy Singer who precedes the sages.

With far-spread lustre, kindled by the pious, the Priest hath thrown both gates of darkness open.

2 He hath waxen mighty by laudations, to be adored with hymns of those who praise him.

Loving the varied shows of holy Order at the first flush of dawn he shines as envoy.

3 Amid men's homes he hath been established, fulfilling with the Law, Friend, germ of waters.

Loved and adored, the height he hath ascended, the Singer, object of our invocations.

4 He is the Friend when enkindled duly, the Friend as Priest, the All-Seeing, the Knower of all;

The Friend as active minister, and House-Friend, the Friend of flowing rivers and of mountains.

5 The Earth's, the Bird's dear lofty place he guardeth, he guardeth in his might the course of the Sun,

Guardeth the Seven-headed in the centre, guardeth sublime the enjoyment of the righteous.

6 The skilful One who knows all forms of knowledge made for himself a fair form, meet for worship.

He guards with care that never ceases the cloud's skin, the Bird's place rich in fatness.

7 He hath entered longingly the longing shrine rich with fatness, giving easy access.

Resplendent, pure, sublime and purifying, again, again he renovates his Mothers.

8 Born suddenly, by plants he grew to greatness, when tender shoots with holy oil increased him,

Like waters lovely when they hasten downward may he in his Parents' lap protect us.

9 Extolled, the Strong shone forth with kindled fuel to the earth's centre, to the height of heaven.

May the Friend, adorable, as envoy bring the righteous unto our worship.

10 Best of all luminaries lofty he supported with his flame the height of heaven,

When, far from Bhrgus, Matarisvan kindled the offering-bearer where he lay in secret.

11 As holy food, give to thine invoker wealth in cattle, lasting, rich in marvels.

To us be born a son and spreading offspring. Be this thy gracious will to us-ward.

HYMN VI. God the Radiant.

1 Urged on by deep devotion, O ye singers, bring, pious ones, the God-approaching ladle.

Borne onward to the right it travels eastward, and, filled with oil, bears our offering.

2 Thou at thy birth didst fill both earth and heaven, yea, Most Adorable, thou didst exceed them.

Even through the heaven's and through the earth's expanses let thy swift seven-tongued flames roll on.

3 Both Heaven and Earth and the righteous who should be worshipped establish thee as Priest for every dwelling,

Whenever human families, devoted to God, bringing offerings, laud thy splendid lustre.

4 Firm in the home of the righteous is the Mighty seated, between vast Heaven and Earth the well-beloved,

Those Cows who yield, unharmed, their nectar, Spouses of the Far-Strider, ever young, united.

5 Great are the deeds of thee, the Great: thou by thy power hast spread out earth and heaven.

As soon as thou wast born thou wast an envoy, thou, Mighty One, wast Leader of the people.

6 Bind to the pole with cords of holy Order the long-maned ruddy steeds who sprinkle fatness.

Bring hither all together: provide them noble worship, O Knower of all.

7 Even from the sky thy brilliant lights shone hither: still hast thou beamed through many a radiant morning,

That the righteous praised their joyous Herald's labour eagerly burning in the forests.

8 The righteous who take delight in air's wide region, or those the dwellers in heaven's realm of brightness,

Or those, the Holy, prompt to hear, our helpers, who, car-borne, turn their horses hither.

9 With these, borne on one ear, O God the Radiant, approach us, or borne on many, for Thy steeds are able.

Bring Thy angels, the three-and-thirty, after Thy godly nature, and be gracious.

10 He is the One at whose repeated worship even wide heaven and earth sing out for increase.

They, fair and true and holy, coming forward, stand at the worship of Him who springs from Order.

11 As holy food, O God, to him who calls upon Thee give wealth in cattle, lasting, rich in marvels.

To us be born a son and spreading offspring. O God, be this Thy gracious will to usward.