9 Then humbled was the strength of Vrtra's mother: the Mighty One hath cast His deadly bolt against her. The mother was above, the son was under, and like a cow beside her calf lay Danu.

10 Rolled in the midst of never-ceasing currents flowing without a rest for ever onward, the waters bear off Vrtra's nameless body: the foe of the Mighty One sank to enduring darkness.

11 Guarded by the serpent stood the thralls of the Dasas, the waters stayed like kine held by the robber. But He, when He had smitten Vrtra, opened the cave wherein the floods had been imprisoned.

12 Thou, God without a second, hast won back the kine, hast won the gift; Thou hast let loose to flow the Seven Rivers.

13 Nothing availed him lightning, nothing thunder, hailstorm or mist which had spread around him: when the Mighty One and the Dragon strove in battle, the Bountiful gained the victory for ever.

14 Whom sawest Thou to avenge the Dragon, that fear possessed Thy heart when Thou hadst slain him; that, like a hawk affrighted through the regions, Thou crossedst nine-and-ninety flowing rivers?

15 The Mighty One is King of all that moves and moves not, of creatures tame and horned, the Thunder-wielder. Over all living men He rules as Sovereign, containing all as spokes within the felly.

HYMN XXXIII. God the Mighty (Indra)

1 Come, fain for booty let us seek the Mighty One: yet more shall He increase His care that guides us. Will not the Indestructible endow us with perfect knowledge of this wealth of cattle?

2 I fly to Him, the invisible Wealth-giver, as flies the falcon to his cherished eyrie, with fairest hymns of praise adoring the Mighty One, whom those who laud Him must invoke in battle.

3 Mid all His host, He bindeth on the quiver; He driveth cattle from what foe He pleaseth. Gathering up great store of riches, O Mighty One, be Thou no trafficker with us, most mighty.

4 Thou slewest with Thy bolt the wealthy Dasyu, alone, yet going with Thy helpers. Far from the floor of heaven in all directions, the ancient riteless ones fled to destruction.

5 Fighting with pious worshippers, the riteless turned and fled, with averted faces, when Thou, fierce Lord of the Bay Steeds, the Stayer, blewest from earth and heaven and sky the godless.

6 They met in fight the army of the blameless, then the Navagvas put forth all their power. They, like emasculates with men contending, fled, conscious, by steep paths from the Mighty One, scattered.

7 Whether they weep or laugh, Thou hast o'erthrown them, O Mighty One, on the sky's extremest limit. The Dasyu Thou hast burned from heaven, and welcomed the prayer of him who gives and lauds Thee.

8 Adorned with their array of gold and jewels, they o'er the earth a covering veil extended. Although they hastened, they o'ercame not the Mighty One: their spies He compassed with the Sun of morning.

9 As Thou enjoyest heaven and earth, on every side surrounded with Thy greatness, so Thou with priests hast blown away the Dasyu, and those who worship not with those who worship.

10 They who pervaded earth's extremest limit subdued not with their charms the Wealth-bestower: the Mighty Bull made His ally the thunder, and with its light milked cows from out the darkness.

11 The waters flowed according to their nature; He raised the navigable streams waxed mighty. Then the Mighty One, with His spirit concentrated, smote him for ever with His strongest weapon.

12 The Mighty One broke through the strong castles of Ilibisa, and Suspa with His horn He cut to pieces: Thou, O Bountiful, for all his might and swiftness, slewest Thy fighting foeman with Thy thunder.

13 Fierce on His enemies fell His weapon: with His sharp bull He rent their forts in pieces. He with His thunderbolt dealt blows on Vrtra, and conquered, executing all His purpose.

14 Thou helpest Kutsa whom Thou lovedst, and guardedst brave Dagadyu when he battled. The dust of trampling horses rose to heaven, and Svitri's son stood up again for conquest.

15 Svitra's mild steer, O Bountiful, Thou helpest in combat for the land, mid Tugra's houses. Long stood they there before the task was ended: Thou wast the master of the foemen's treasure.

HYMN XXXIV. The Angels of Healing (Asvins)

1 Ye who observe this day be with us even thrice: far-stretching is your bounty, O twin angels, and your course. To you, as to a cloak in winter, we cleave close: you are to be drawn nigh unto us by the wise.

2 Three are the fellies in your honey-bearing car, that travels after the loved one, as all know. Three are the pillars set upon it for support: thrice journey ye by night, O angels, thrice by day.

3 Thrice in the self-same day, ye who banish want, sprinkle ye thrice to-day our devotion with sweetness; and thrice vouchsafe us store of food with plenteous strength, at evening, O ye angels, and at break of day.

4 Thrice come ye to our home, thrice to the righteous folk, thrice triply aid the man who well deserves your help. Thrice, O ye angels, bring us what shall make us glad; thrice send us store of food as nevermore to fail.

5 Thrice, O ye angels, bring to us abundant wealth: thrice in the assembly, thrice assist our thoughts. Thrice, grant ye us prosperity, thrice grant us fame; for the Sun's daughter hath mounted your three-wheeled car.

6 Thrice, O angels, grant to us the heavenly medicines, thrice those of earth and thrice those that the waters hold. Favour and health and strength bestow upon my son; triple protection, Lords of Splendour, grant to him.

7 Thrice are ye to be remembered day by day by us: thrice, O ye angels, ye travel around the earth. Car-borne from far away, come, like vital air to bodies, come ye to the three.

8 Thrice, O ye angels, with the Seven Mother Streams; three are the jars, the triple offering is prepared. Three are the worlds, and moving on above the sky ye guard the firm-set vault of heaven through days and nights.

9 Where are the three wheels of your triple chariot, where are the three seats thereto firmly fastened? When will ye yoke the mighty ass that draws it, to bring you to our devotion?

10 Come, angels: the sacred gift is offered up; drink the sweet juice with lips that know the sweetness well. The Light-giver sends, before the dawn of day, your car, fraught with oil, various-coloured, to our devotion.

11 Come, O angels, with the thrice-eleven; come, O ye twin angels, to the drinking of the sweetness. Make long our days of life, and wipe out all our sins: ward off our enemies; be with us evermore.

12 Borne in your triple car, O angels, bring us present prosperity with noble offspring. I cry to you who hear me for protection: be ye our helpers where men win the booty.

HYMN XXXV. God the Light-giver (Savitar)

1 God the Radiant I first invoke for our prosperity; I call on the Friend and the All-Seeing to aid us here. I call on Night who gives rest to all moving life; I call on the Light-giver, God, to lend us help.

2 Throughout the dusky firmament advancing, laying to rest the immortal and the mortal, borne in His golden chariot He cometh, the Light-giver, God who looks on every creature.

3 The God moves by the upward path, the downward; with two bright Bays, adorable, He journeys. The Light-giver comes, the God from the far distance, and chases from us all distress and sorrow.

4 His chariot decked with pearl, of various colours, lofty, with golden pole, the God hath mounted, the many-rayed One, the holy Light-giver, bound, bearing power and might, for darksome regions.

5 Drawing the gold-yoked car His Bays, white-footed, have manifested light to all the peoples. Held in the lap of the Light-giver, divine One, all men, all beings have their place for ever.

6 Three heavens there are; two of the Light-giver, adjacent, and one the home of heroes, as on a linch-pin, firm, rest things immortal: he who hath known it let him here declare it.

7 He, strong of wing, hath lightened up the regions, deep-quivering Lord, the gentle Leader. Where now is the Sun, where is one to tell us to what celestial sphere its ray hath wandered?

8 The earth's eight points His brightness hath illumined, three desert regions and the Seven Rivers. God the Light-giver, the gold-eyed, hath come hither, giving choice treasures unto him who worships.

9 The golden-handed Light-giver, far-seeing, goes on His way between the earth and heaven, drives away sickness, bids the Sun approach us, and spreads the bright sky through the darksome region.

10 May He, gold-handed Lord, kind Leader, come hither to us with His help and favour. Driving off demons and sorcerers, the God is present, praised in hymns at evening.

11 O Light-giver, Thine ancient dustless pathways are well established in the air's midregion: O God, come by those paths so fair to travel, preserve Thou us from harm this day, and bless us.

HYMN XXXVI. God the Radiant

1 With words sent forth in holy hymns, O God, we supplicate Thee, the Lord of many families who duly serve, yea, Him whom others also praise.

2 Men have won the Radiant One, who makes their strength abound: we, with offerings, worship Thee. Our gracious-minded Helper in our deeds of might, be Thou, O Excellent, this day.

3 Thee for our messenger we choose, Thee, the Omniscient, for our Guide. The flames of Thee the mighty are spread wide around: Thy splendour reaches to the sky.

4 The angels kindle Thee, their ancient messenger, together with the Friend, the All-Seeing, the Companion. That mortal man, O God, gains through Thee all wealth, who hath poured offerings unto Thee.

5 Thou, O God, art a cheering Guide, Lord of the House, men's messenger: all constant high decrees established, gathered together, meet in Thee.

6 In Thee, the auspicious One, youthfullest, each sacred gift is offered up: this day, and after, gracious, grant us that we may have heroic sons.

7 To Him in His own splendour bright draw near in worship the devout. Men kindle light with their gifts, victorious over the enemies.

8 Vrtra they smote and slew, and made the earth and heaven and firmament a wide abode. The glorious Bull, invoked, hath stood at Kanva's side: loud neighed the Steed in frays for kine.

9 Seat thee, for Thou art mighty; shine, best entertainer of the angels.

Worthy of sacred food, praised God of Light! loose the smoke, ruddy and beautiful to see.

10 Bearer of offerings, whom, best leader of devotion, the angels for Manu's sake ordained; whom Kanva, whom Medhyatithi made the source of wealth, and Vrsan and Upastuta.

11 Him, O Radiant God, whom Medhyatithi, whom Kanva kindled for his rite, Him these our songs of praise, Him, O God, we extol: His powers shine out preeminent.

12 Make our wealth perfect, Thou, O Lord divine: for Thou hast kinship with the angels. Thou rulest as a King over widely-famous strength: be good to us, for Thou art great.

13 Stand up erect to lend us aid, stand up like the Light-giver: erect as strength-bestower we call aloud on Thee, with unguents and with priests.

14 Erect, preserve us from sore trouble; with Thy flame burn every ravening demon dead. Raise Thou us up that we may walk and live, so shalt Thou find our worship among the angels.

15 Preserve us, O God, from the fiend, preserve us from malicious wrong. Save us from him who fain would injure us or slay, Most Youthful, Thou with lofty light.

16 Smite down as with a club, Thou who hast fire for teeth, smite Thou the wicked, right and left. Let not the man who plots against us in the night, nor any foe prevail over us.

17 God hath given heroic might to Kanva, and felicity: God hath helped our friends, hath helped Medhyatithi, hath helped Upastuta to win.

18 We call on Ugradeva, Yadu, Turvasa, by means of God, from afar; O God, bring Navavastva and Brhadratha, Turviti, to subdue the foe.

19 Manu hath established Thee a light, O God, for all the race of men: sprung from the Law, oil-fed, for Kanva hast Thou blazed, Thou whom the people reverence.

20 The flames of God full of splendour and of might are fearful, not to be approached. Consume for ever all demons and sorcerers, consume Thou each devouring fiend.

HYMN XXXVII. The Angels of the Tempest (Maruts)

1 Sing forth, O Kanvas, to the band of tempest-angels unassailable, sporting, resplendent on their car.

2 They who, self-luminous, were created together, with the spotted deer, spears, swords, and glittering ornaments.

3 One hears, as though 'twere close at hand, the cracking of the whips they hold. They gather glory on their way.

4 Now sing ye forth the hymn of praise to your exultant host, the fiercely vigorous, the strong.

5 Praise ye the Bull among the cows; for 'tis the sportive band: it strengthened as it drank the rain.

6 Who is your mightiest, O Heroes, when, O shakers of the earth and heaven, ye shake them like a garment's hem?

7 At your approach man holds himself down before the fury of your wrath: the rugged-jointed mountain yields.

8 They at whose racings forth the earth, like an age-weakened lord of men, trembles in terror on their ways.

9 Strong is their creation: vigour have they to issue from their Mother; strength, yea, even twice enough, is theirs.

10 And these, the Sons, the Singers, in their racings have enlarged the bounds, so that the kine must walk knee-deep.

11 Before them, on the ways they go, they drop this offspring of the cloud, long, broad, and inexhaustible.

12 O ye angels, as your strength is great, so have ye cast men down on earth, so have ye made the mountains fall.

13 The while they pass along, they talk together on the way: doth any hear them as they speak?

14 Come quick with swift steeds, for ye have worshippers among Kanva's sons. May you rejoice among them well.

15 All is prepared for your delight. We are servants of God evermore, to live as long as life may last.

HYMN XXXVIII. The Angels of the Tempest

1 What now? When will ye take us by both hands, as a dear sire his son, O ye for whom sacred grass is clipped?

2 Now whither? To what goal of yours go ye in heaven, and not on earth? Where do your cows disport themselves?

3 Where are your newest favours shown? Where is your prosperity? Where all your high felicities?

4 If, O ye sons of Prsni, ye were mortal, and immortal he who sings your praise,

5 Then never were your praiser loathed like a wild beast in pasture-land, nor should he go on the path of death.

6 Let not destructive plague on plague hard to be conquered strike us down: let each, with drought, depart from us.

7 Truly, the fierce and mighty servants of the Healer send their windless rain even on the desert places.

8 Like a cow the lightning lows and follows, motherlike, her youngling, when their rain-flood hath been loosened.

9 When they inundate the earth they spread forth darkness even in day time, with the water-laden rain-cloud.

10 O ye angels, at your voice's sound this earthly habitation shakes, and each man reels who dwells therein.

11 O ye angels, with your strong-hoofed steeds, unhindered in their courses, haste along the bright embanked streams.

12 Firm be the fellies of your wheels, steady your horses and your cars, and may your reins be fashioned well.

13 Invite thou hither with this song, for praise, God the Radiant, the Lord of Prayer, Him who is fair as the Friend.

14 Form in thy mouth the hymn of praise, expand thee like a rainy cloud, sing forth the measured eulogy.

15 Sing glory to the host of the tempest, praiseworthy, tuneful, vigorous: here let the Strong Ones dwell with us.

HYMN XXXIX. The Angels of the Tempest

1 When thus, like flame, from far away, ye angels, ye cast your measure forth, to whom go ye, to whom, O shakers of the earth, moved by whose wisdom, whose design?

2 Strong let your weapons be to drive away your foes, firm for resistance let them be. Yea, passing glorious must be your warrior might, not as a guileful mortal's strength.

3 When what is strong ye overthrow, and whirl about each ponderous thing, O heroes, your course is through the forest trees of earth, and through the fissures of the rocks.

4 Consumers of your foes, no enemy of yours is found in heaven or on the earth: may the strength, held in this bond, be yours, to bid defiance even now.

5 They make the mountains rock and reel, they rend the forest-kings apart. Onward, ye angels, drive, in all your company.

6 Ye to your chariot have yoked the spotted deer: a red deer, as a leader, draws. Even the Earth herself listened as ye came near, and men were sorely terrified.

7 Quickly we desire your succour for this work of ours. Come to us with your aid as in the days of old, so now for frightened Kanva's sake.

8 Should any monstrous foe, sent by you or sent by mortals, threaten us, tear ye him from us with your power and with your might, and with the succours that are yours.

9 For ye, the worshipful and wise, have guarded Kanva perfectly. Come to us with full protecting help, as lightning flashes seek the rain.

10 Whole strength have ye, O Bounteous Ones; perfect, earth-shakers, is your might. Against the poet's wrathful enemy send ye an enemy like a dart.

HYMN XL. God the Lord of Prayer (Brahmanaspati)

1 O Lord of Prayer, stand up: God-serving men we pray to Thee. May they who give good gifts come to us. O Mighty One, most swift, be Thou with them.

2 O Son of Strength, each mortal calls to Thee for aid when spoil of battle waits for him. May this man who loves you well obtain wealth of good steeds and hero might.

3 May the Lord of Prayer draw nigh, may Truth and Kindness come, and angels bring to this rite which gives the five-fold gift the Hero, lover of mankind.

4 He who bestows a noble guerdon on the priest wins fame that never shall decay. For him we offer sacred hero-giving food, peerless and conquering easily.

5 Now the Lord of Prayer speaks forth aloud the solemn hymn of praise, wherein the Mighty, the All-Seeing, the Friend, the Companion, and the angels have made their dwelling place.

6 May we in holy assemblies recite that hymn, peerless, that brings felicity. If Thou, O Hero, graciously accept this word, may it obtain all bliss from Thee.

7 Who shall approach the pious? who the man whose sacred grass is trimmed? The giver with his folk advances more and more: he fills his house with precious things.

8 He amplifies his lordly might, with kings he slays: even mid alarms he dwells secure. In great or lesser fight none checks him, none subdues, the wielder of the thunderbolt.

HYMN XLI. God the All-Seeing, the Friend, the Companion

1 Never is he injured whom the All-Seeing, the Friend, the Companion, the excellently wise, protect.

2 He prospers ever, free from scathe, whom they, as with full hands, enrich, whom they preserve from every foe.

3 The Kings drive far away from him his troubles and his enemies, and lead him safely over distress.

4 Thornless, O Adityas, is the path, easy for him who seeks the Law: with him is naught to anger you.

5 What devotion, O Adityas, ye Heroes guide by the path direct, may that come nigh unto your thought.

6 That mortal, ever unsubdued, gains wealth and every precious thing, and children also of his own.