9 Heroes who march in companies, befriending man, with serpents' ire through strength, ye greet the earth and heaven. Upon the seats of your chariots, upon the cars stands lightning visible as light.

10 Lords of all riches, dwelling in the home of wealth, endowed with mighty vigour, singers loud of voice, Heroes, of powers infinite, armed with strong men's rings, the archers, they have laid the arrow on their arms.

11 They who with golden fellies make the rain increase drive forward the big clouds like wanderers on the way. Self-moving, brisk, unwearied, they o'erthrow the firm; the angels with bright lances make all things to reel.

12 The servants of the Healer we invoke with prayer, the brisk, the bright, the worshipful, the active ones. To the strong band cleave for happiness, the chasers of the sky, impetuous, vigorous.

13 O angels, the man whom ye have guarded with your help, he verily in strength surpasseth all mankind. Spoil with his steeds he gaineth, treasure with his men; he winneth honourable strength and prospereth.

14 O angels, to the worshippers give glorious strength invincible in battle, brilliant, bringing wealth, praiseworthy, known to all men. May we foster well, during a hundred winters, son and progeny.

15 Will ye then, O ye angels, grant us riches, durable, rich in men, defying onslaught, a hundred, thousandfold, ever increasing? May he, enriched with prayer, come soon and early.

HYMN LXV. God the Radiant

1 One-minded, wise, they tracked Thee like a thief lurking in dark cave with a stolen cow: Thee claiming worship, bearing it to the angels, there nigh to Thee sat all the Holy Ones.

2 The angels approached the ways of holy Law; there was a gathering vast as heaven itself. The waters feed with praise the growing Babe, born nobly in the womb, the seat of Law.

3 Like grateful food, like some wide dwelling place, like a fruit-bearing hill, a wholesome stream; like a steed urged to run in swift career, rushing like a river, who may check His course?

4 Kin as a brother to his sister floods, He eats the woods as a King eats the rich. When through the forest, urged by wind, He spreads, verily the fire shears the hair of earth.

5 Like a swan sitting in the floods He pants, wisest in mind; mid men He wakes at morn. A Sage, sprung from Law, He grew like some young creature, mighty, shining far.

HYMN LXVI. God the Radiant

1 Like the Sun's glance, like wealth of varied sort, like breath which is the life, like one's own son, like a swift bird, a cow who yields her milk, pure and refulgent to the wood He speeds.

2 He offers safety like a pleasant home, like ripened corn, the Conqueror of men; like a Seer lauding, famed among the folk; like a steed friendly He vouchsafes us power.

3 With flame insatiate, like eternal might; caring for each one like a dame at home; bright when He shines forth, whitish mid the folk, like a car, gold-decked, thundering to the fight.

4 He strikes with terror like a dart shot forth, even like an archer's arrow tipped with flame; Master of present and of future life, the maidens' lover and the matrons' Lord.

5 To Him lead all your ways: may we attain the kindled light as cows their home at eve. He drives the flames below as floods their swell: the rays rise up to the fair place of heaven.

HYMN LXVII. God the Radiant

1 Victorious in the wood, Friend among men, ever He claims obedience as a King. Gracious like peace, blessing like mental power, Priest was He, offering-bearer, full of thought.

2 He, bearing in His hand all manly might, crouched in the cavern, struck the powers with fear. Men filled with understanding find Him there, when they have strong prayers formed within their heart.

3 He, like the Unborn, holds the broad earth up; and with effective utterance fixed the sky. O God, guard the spots which cattle love: Thou, life of all, hast gone from lair to lair.

4 Whoso hath known Him dwelling in His lair, and hath approached the stream of holy Law, they who release Him, paying sacred rites, truly to such doth He announce great wealth.

5 He who grows mightily in herbs, within each fruitful mother and each babe she bears, wise, life of all men, in the waters' home, for Him have sages built as 'twere a seat.

HYMN LXVIII. God the Radiant

1 Commingling, restless, He ascends the sky, unveiling nights and all that stands or moves, as He, the sole God, is preeminent in greatness among all these created powers.

2 All men are joyful in Thy power, O God, that living from the dry wood Thou art manifest. All truly acknowledge Thy Godhead while they keep, in their accustomed ways, eternal Law.

3 Strong is the thought of Law, the Law's behest; all works have they performed; He quickens all. Whoso will bring offering, gifts for Thy sake, to him, bethinking Thee, vouchsafe Thou wealth.

4 Seated as Guide with Manu's progeny, of all these treasures He alone is Lord. Men yearn for children to prolong their line, and are not disappointed in their hope.

5 Eagerly they who hear His word fulfil His wish as sons obey their sire's behest. He, rich in food, unbars His wealth like doors: He, the House-Friend, hath decked heaven's vault with stars.

HYMN LXIX. God the Radiant

1 Bright, splendid, like the lover of the dawn, He hath filled the two joined worlds as with the light of heaven. When manifest, with might Thou hast encompassed them.

2 God, the Sage, the humble, who discerns like the cow's udder the sweet taste of food, like a bliss-giver to be drawn to men, sits gracious in the middle of the house.

3 Born in the dwelling like a lovely son, pleased, like a strong steed, He bears on the folk. What time the men and I, with heroes, call, may God then gain all through godly power.

4 None breaks these holy laws of Thine when Thou hast granted audience to these chieftains here. This is Thy boast, Thou smotest with Thy peers, and joined with heroes drovest off disgrace.

5 Like the lover of the dawn, spreading light, well-known as hued like morn, may He remember me. They, bearing of themselves, unbar the doors: they all ascend to the fair place of heaven.

HYMN LXX. God the Radiant

1 May we, the pious, win much food by prayer, may God with fair light pervade each act, He the observer of the heavenly laws of the angels, and of the race of mortal man.

2 He who is the source of waters, the source of woods, the source of all things that move not and that move, to Him even in the rock and in the house: Immortal One, He cares for all mankind.

3 God is Lord of riches for the man who serves Him readily with sacred songs. Protect these beings Thou with careful thought, knowing the races both of angels and men.

4 Whom many dawns and nights, unlike, make strong, whom, born in Law, all things that move and stand; He hath been won, Herald who sits in light, making effectual all our holy works.

5 Thou settest value on our cows and woods: all shall bring tribute to us to the light. Men have served Thee in many and sundry spots, parting, as 'twere, an aged father's wealth.

6 Like a brave archer, like one skilled and bold, a fierce avenger, so He shines in fight.

HYMN LXXI. God the Radiant

1 Loving the loving One, as wives their husband, the sisters of one home have urged Him forward, bright-coloured, even as the cows love morning, dark, breaking forth to view, and redly beaming.

2 Our sires with lauds burst even the firm-set fortress, yea, the Angirases, with roar, the mountain. They made for us a way to reach high heaven, they found us day, light, day's sign, beams of morning.

3 They established order, made His service fruitful; then parting them among the longing faithful, not thirsting after aught, they come, most active, while with sweet food the angels they strengthen.

4 Since the wind, far-diffused, hath stirred Him, and He in every house grown bright and noble, He hath gone as a companion, as on commission to a greater Sovereign.

6 Whoso hath flames for Thee within his dwelling, or brings the worship which Thou lovest daily, do Thou of double might increase his substance: may he whom Thou incitest meet with riches.

7 All offerings wait on God as the Seven mighty Rivers seek the ocean. Not by our brethren was our food discovered: find with the angels care for us, Thou who knowest.

8 When light hath filled the Lord of men for increase, straight from the heaven descends the limpid moisture. God hath brought to light and filled with spirit the youthful host blameless and well providing.

9 He who like thought goes swiftly on his journey, the Sun, alone is ever Lord of riches. The Kings with fair hands, the All-Seeing and the Friend, protect the precious nectar in our cattle.

10 O God, break not our ancestral friendship, Sage as Thou art, endowed with deepest knowledge. Old age, like gathering cloud, impairs the body: before that evil be come nigh protect me.

HYMN LXXII. God the Radiant

1 Though holding many gifts for men, He humbleth the higher powers of each wise ordainer. God is now the treasure-lord of treasures, for ever granting all immortal bounties.

2 The angels infallible all searching found not Him, the dear Babe who still is round about us. Worn weary, following His track, devoted, they reached the lovely highest home of God.

3 Because with holy oil the pure ones served Thee, O God, the very pure three autumn seasons, therefore they won them holy names for worship, and nobly born they dignified their bodies.

4 Making them known to spacious earth and heaven, the holy ones revealed the powers of the Healer. The mortal band, discerning in the distance, found God standing in the loftiest station.

5 Nigh they approached, one-minded, with their spouses, kneeling, to Him adorable paid worship. Friend finding in his own friend's eye protection, they made their own the bodies which they chastened.

6 Soon as the holy beings had discovered the thrice-seven mystic things contained within Thee, with these, one-minded, they preserve the life-giving draught: guard Thou the life of all their plants and cattle.

7 Thou, O God, knower of men's works, hast sent us good food in constant course for our subsistence: Thou deeply skilled in paths of the angels becamest an envoy never wearied, offering-bearer.

8 Knowing the Law, the seven strong floods from heaven, full of good thought, discerned the doors of riches. Sarama found the cattle's firm-built prison whereby the race of man is still supported.

9 They who approached all noble operations making a path that leads to life eternal, to be the Bird's support, the spacious mother, the Boundless, and her great sons stood in power.

10 When angels immortal made both eyes of heaven, they gave to Him the gift of beauteous glory. Now they flow forth like rivers set in motion: they knew the Red Steeds coming down, O God.

HYMN LXXIII. God the Radiant

1 He who gives food, like patrimonial riches and guides aright like some wise man's instruction, loved like a guest who lies in pleasant lodging, may He, as Guide, prosper His servant's dwelling.

2 He who like the Light-giver, true-minded, protecteth with His power all acts of vigour, truthful, like splendour, glorified by many, like breath joy-giving, all must strive to win Him.

3 He who on earth dwells like a king surrounded by faithful friends, like a God all-sustaining, like heroes who preside, who sit in safety: like as a blameless dame dear to her husband.

4 Thee, such, in settlements secure, O God, our men serve ever kindled in each dwelling. On Him have they laid splendour in abundance: dear to all men, bearer be He of riches.

5 May Thy rich worshippers win food, O God, and princes gain long life who bring offering. May we get booty from our foe in battle, presenting to the angels their share for glory.

6 The cows of holy law, sent us by Heaven, have swelled with laden udders, loudly lowing; soliciting His favour, from a distance the rivers to the rock have flowed together.

7 O God, with Thee, soliciting Thy favour, the holy ones have gained glory in heaven. They made the Night and Dawn of different colours, and set the black and purple hues together.

8 May we and those who worship be the mortals whom Thou, O God, leadest on to riches. Thou hast filled earth and heaven and air's mid-region, and followest the whole world like a shadow.

9 Aided by Thee, O God, may we conquer steeds with steeds, men with men, heroes with heroes, lords of the wealth transmitted by our fathers: and may our princes live a hundred winters.

10 May these our hymns of praise, O God, Ordainer, be pleasant to Thee in Thy heart and spirit. May we have power to hold Thy steeds of riches, laying on Thee the God-sent gift of glory.

HYMN LXXIV. God the Radiant

1 As forth to worship we go, a hymn to a hymn let us say, to Him who hears us even when afar;

2 Who, from of old, in carnage, when the people gathered, hath preserved His household for the worshipper.

3 And let men say, God is manifest, even He who slayeth Vrtra, He who winneth wealth in every fight.

4 Him in whose house as envoy Thou lovest to receive his offered gifts, and strengthenest his devotion,

5 Him, O Guide, Thou Son of Strength, all men call happy in his God, his offerings, and his sacred grass.

6 Hitherward shalt Thou bring these good beings to our laudation, these offered gifts, fair-shining One.

7 When, O God, on Thine embassage Thou goest, not a sound is heard of steed or straining of Thy car.

8 Aided by Thee, uninjured, strong, one after other, goes he forth: the giver forward steps.

9 And splendid strength, heroic, high, O God, Thou grantest, Thou God, to him who offers gifts.

HYMN LXXV. God the Radiant

1 Accept our loudest-sounding hymn, food most delightful to the angels, pouring our offerings in Thy mouth.

2 Now, O God, will we say to Thee, O wisest and best, our precious, much-availing prayer.

3 Who, O God, is Thy kin, of men? who is Thy worthy worshipper? On whom dependent? who art Thou?

4 The kinsman of mankind, their well beloved Friend art Thou, a Friend whom friends may supplicate.

5 Bring to us the Friend and the All-Seeing, bring the angels to mighty devotion. Bring them, O God, to Thine home.

HYMN LXXVI. God the Radiant

1 How may the mind draw nigh to please Thee, O God? What hymn of praise shall bring us greatest blessing? Or who hath gained Thy power by devotion? or with what mind shall we bring Thee offerings?

2 Come hither, O God; sit Thee down as Guide; be Thou who never wast deceived our leader. May Heaven and Earth, the all-pervading, love Thee: to win for us the favour of the angels.

3 Burn Thou up all the demons, O God; ward Thou off curses from our devotions. Bring hither with His Bays the Lord of the gift: here is glad welcome for the Bounteous Giver.

4 Thou Guide with lip and voice that bring us children hast been invoked. Here with the angels be seated. Thine is the task of Cleanser and Presenter: waken us, Wealth-bestower and Producer.

5 As with offerings of the priestly Manus Thou worshippedst, a Sage with sages, so now, O truthfullest Invoker, worship this day with joy-bestowing ladle.

HYMN LXXVII. God the Radiant

1 How shall we pay our offering to God? What hymn, God-loved, is said to Him refulgent? Who, deathless, true to Law, mid men a herald, bringeth the angels as best of leaders of devotion?

2 Bring Him with reverence hither, most propitious in devotions, true to Law, the herald; for God, when He seeks the angels for mortals, knows them full well and in spirit serves.

3 For He is mental power, a man, and perfect; He is the bringer, friend-like, of the wondrous. The pious tribes at devotions address them first to Him who doeth marvels.

4 May God, foe-destroyer, manliest Hero, accept with love our hymns and our devotion. So may the liberal lords whose strength is strongest, urged by their riches, stir our thoughts with vigour.

5 Thus the Knower of all that is born, true to Order, hath by the priestly Gotamas been lauded. May He augment in them splendour and vigour: observant, as He lists, He gathers increase.

HYMN LXXVIII. God the Radiant

1 O Knower of all that is born, keen and swift, we Gotamas with sacred song exalt Thee for Thy glories' sake.

2 Thee, as Thou art, desiring wealth Gotama worships with his song: we laud Thee for Thy glories' sake.

3 As such, like Angiras we call on Thee, best winner of the spoil: we laud Thee for Thy glories' sake.

4 Thee, best of Vrtra-slayers, Thee who shakest off our Dasyu foes: we laud Thee for Thy glories' sake.

5 A pleasant song to God we, sons of Rahugana, have sung: we laud Thee for Thy glories' sake.

HYMN LXXIX. God the Radiant

1 He in mid-air's expanse hath golden tresses; a raging serpent, like the rushing tempest: purely refulgent, knowing well the morning; like honourable dames, true, active workers.

2 Thy well-winged flashes strengthen in their manner, when the black Bull hath bellowed round about us. With drops that bless and seem to smile He cometh: the waters fall, the clouds utter their thunder.

3 When He comes streaming with the milk of worship, conducting by directest paths of Order, the Companion, the Friend, the All-Seeing fill the hide full where lies the nether press-stone.

4 O God, Thou who art the lord of wealth in kine, Thou Son of Strength, vouchsafe to us, O Knower of all that is born, high renown.

5 He, kindled, good and wise, must be exalted in our song: shine, Thou of many forms, shine radiantly on us.

6 O God, shining of Thyself by night and when the morning breaks, burn, Thou whose teeth are sharp, against the demons.

7 Adorable in all our rites, favour us, O God, with Thine aid, when the great hymn is chanted forth.

8 Bring to us ever-conquering wealth, wealth, O God, worthy of our choice, in all our frays invincible.

9 Give us, O God, through Thy grace wealth that supporteth all our life, Thy favour so that we may live.

10 O Gotama, desiring bliss present thy songs composed with care to God of the pointed flames.

11 May the man fall, O God, who near or afar assaileth us: do Thou increase and prosper us.

12 Keen and swift, thousand-eyed, God chaseth the demons afar: He singeth, herald meet for lauds.

HYMN LXXX. God the Mighty (Indra)

1 Thus in the gift, in wild joy the scholar hath exalted Thee: Thou, mightiest, thunder-armed, hast driven by force the Dragon from the earth, lauding Thine own imperial sway.

2 The mighty flowing draught, brought by the Hawk, hath gladdened Thee, that in Thy strength, O Thunderer, Thou hast struck down Vrtra from the floods, lauding Thine own imperial sway.

3 Go forward, meet the foe, be bold; Thy bolt of thunder is not checked. Manliness, O Mighty One, is Thy might: stay Vrtra, make the waters Thine, lauding Thine own imperial sway.

4 Thou smotest Vrtra from the earth, smotest him, Mighty One, from the sky. Let these life-fostering waters flow attended by the host of angels, lauding Thine own imperial sway.

5 The wrathful Mighty One with His bolt of thunder rushing on the foe smote fierce on trembling Vrtra's back, and loosed the waters free to run, lauding His own imperial sway.

6 With hundred-jointed thunderbolt the Mighty One hath struck him on the back, and, while rejoicing in the gift, seeketh prosperity for friends, lauding His own imperial sway.

7 Unconquered might is Thine, Thunderer, Caster of the Stone; for Thou with Thy surpassing power smotest to death the guileful beast, lauding Thine own imperial sway.

8 Far over ninety spacious floods Thy thunderbolts were cast abroad: great, O Mighty One, is Thy hero might, and strength is seated in Thine arms, lauding Thine own imperial sway.

9 Laud Him a thousand all at once, shout twenty forth the hymn of praise. Hundreds have sung aloud to Him, to the Mighty One hath the prayer been raised, lauding His own imperial sway.

10 The Mighty One hath smitten down the power of Vrtra, might with stronger might. This was His manly exploit, He slew Vrtra and let loose the floods, lauding His own imperial sway.

11 Yea, even this great Pair of Worlds trembled in terror at Thy wrath, when, O Thunderer, with the angels girt about, Thou slewest Vrtra in Thy strength, lauding Thine own imperial sway.

12 But Vrtra scared not the Mighty One with his shaking or his thunder roar. On him that iron thunderbolt fell fiercely with its thousand points, lauding His own imperial sway.