13 When with the thunder Thou didst make Thy dart and Vrtra meet in war, Thy might, O Mighty One, fain to slay the Dragon, was set firm in heaven, lauding Thine own imperial sway.

14 When at Thy shout, O Thunder-armed, each thing both fixed and moving shook, even the Creator-Craftsman trembled at Thy wrath and quaked with fear because of Thee, lauding Thine own imperial sway.

15 There is not, in our knowledge, one who passeth the Mighty One in His strength: in Him the angels have their manliness, insight, power and might, lauding His own imperial sway.

16 Still as of old, whatever rite Atharvan, Manu, sire of all, Dadhyach performed, their prayer and praise united in that Mighty One, lauding His own imperial sway.

HYMN LXXXI. God the Mighty (Indra)

1 The men have lifted up the Slayer of Vrtra to joy and strength: Him, verily, we invoke in battles whether great or small: be He our aid in deeds of might.

2 Thou, Hero, art a warrior, Thou art giver of abundant spoil. Strengthening even the feeble, Thou aidest the offerer, Thou givest the giver ample wealth.

3 When war and battles are on foot, booty is laid before the bold. Yoke Thou Thy wildly-rushing Bays. Whom wilt Thou slay and whom enrich? Do Thou, O Mighty One, make us rich.

4 Mighty through wisdom, as He lists, terrible, He hath waxed in strength. Lord of Bay Steeds, strong-jawed, sublime, He in joined hands for glory's sake hath grasped His iron thunderbolt.

5 He filled the earthly atmosphere and pressed against the lights in heaven. None like Thee ever hath been born, none, O Mighty One, will be born like Thee. Thou hast waxed mighty over all.

6 May He who to the giver gives the foeman's man-sustaining food, may the Mighty One lend His aid to us. Deal forth, abundant is Thy wealth, that in Thy bounty I may share.

7 He, righteous-hearted, at each time of rapture gives us herds of kine. Gather in both Thy hands for us treasures of many hundred sorts. Sharpen Thou us, and bring us wealth.

8 Refresh Thee, Hero, with the offering outpoured for bounty and for strength. We know Thee Lord of ample store, to Thee have sent our hearts' desires: be therefore our Protector Thou.

9 These people, O Mighty One, keep for Thee all that is worthy of Thy choice. Discover Thou, as Lord, the wealth of men who offer up no gifts: bring Thou to us this wealth of theirs.

HYMN LXXXII. God the Mighty (Indra)

1 Graciously listen to our songs, O Bountiful, be not negligent. As Thou hast made us full of joy and lettest us solicit Thee, now, O Mighty One, yoke Thy two Bay Steeds.

2 Well have they eaten and rejoiced; the friends have risen and passed away. The sages luminous in themselves have praised Thee with their latest hymn. Now, O Mighty One, yoke Thy two Bay Steeds.

3 O Bountiful, we will reverence Thee who art so fair to look upon. Thus praised, according to our wish come now with richly laden car. Now, O Mighty One, yoke Thy two Bay Steeds.

4 He will in very truth ascend the powerful car that finds the kine, who thinks upon the well-filled bowl, the Tawny Coursers' harnesser. Now, O Mighty One, yoke Thy two Bay Steeds.

5 Let, Lord of Hundred Powers, Thy Steeds be harnessed on the right and left. Now, O Mighty One, yoke Thy two Bay Steeds.

6 With holy prayer I yoke Thy long-maned pair of Bays: come hitherward; Thou holdest them in both Thy hands. The stirring draughts outpoured have made Thee glad.

HYMN LXXXIII. God the Mighty (Indra)

1 O Mighty One, the mortal man well guarded by Thine aid goes foremost in the wealth of horses and of kine. With amplest wealth Thou fillest him, as round about the waters clearly seen afar fill the river full.

2 The heavenly Waters come not nigh the priestly bowl: they but look down and see how far mid-air is spread: the angels conduct the pious man to them: like suitors they delight in him who loveth prayer.

3 Praiseworthy blessing hast Thou laid upon the pair who with uplifted ladle serve Thee, man and wife. Unchecked he dwells and prospers in Thy law: Thy power brings blessing to the giver pouring gifts.

4 First the Angirases won themselves vital power, whose fires were kindled through good deeds and devotion. The men together found the Pani's hoarded wealth, the cattle, and the wealth in horses and in kine.

5 Atharvan first by devotions laid the paths; then, guardian of the Law, sprang up the loving Sun. Usana Kavya straightway hither drove the kine. Let us with offerings honour the birth of the dead who do not die.

6 When sacred grass is trimmed to aid the auspicious work, or the hymn makes its voice of praise sound to the sky, where the stone rings as 'twere a singer skilled in laud, the Mighty One in truth delights when these come near to Him.

HYMN LXXXIV. God the Mighty (Indra)

1 The gift hath been prepared for Thee, O Mighty One; mightiest, bold One, come. May the strength of the Mighty fill Thee full, as the Sun fills mid-air with rays.

2 His pair of Tawny Coursers bring the Mighty One of unresisted might hither to the seers' songs of praise and devotion performed by men.

3 Slayer of Vrtra, mount Thy car; Thy Bay Steeds have been yoked by prayer. May, with its voice, the pressing-stone draw Thine attention hitherward.

4 This poured offering, O Mighty One, accept, immortal, gladdening, excellent. Streams of the bright have flowed to Thee here at the seat of holy Law.

5 Sing glory now to the Mighty One, say to Him your solemn eulogies. The drops poured forth have made Him glad: pay reverence to His might supreme.

6 When Thou dost yoke Thy Steeds, there is no better charioteer: none hath surpassed Thee in Thy might, none with good steeds overtaken Thee.

7 He who alone bestoweth on mortal man who offereth gifts, the ruler of resistless power, is the Mighty One, sure.

8 When will He trample, like a weed, the man who hath no gift for Him? When, verily, will the Mighty One hear our songs of praise?

9 He who with the gift prepared amid the many honours Thee, verily gains thereby tremendous might.

10 The juice thus diffused, sweet to the taste, the bright cows drink, who for the sake of splendour close to the Mighty One's side rejoice, good in their own supremacy.

11 Craving His touch the dappled kine mingle it with their milk. The milch-kine dear to the Mighty One send forth His death-dealing thunderbolt, good in their own supremacy.

12 With veneration, passing wise, honouring His victorious might, they follow close His many laws to win them due preeminence, good in their own supremacy.

16 Who yokes today unto the pole of Order the strong and passionate steers of checkless spirit, with shaft-armed mouths, heart-piercing, health-bestowing? Long shall he live who richly pays their service.

17 Who fleeth forth? who suffereth? who feareth? Who knoweth the Mighty One present, near us? Who sendeth benediction on his offspring, his household, wealth and person, and the People?

18 Who with poured oil and offering honours God, with ladle worships at appointed seasons? To whom do the angels bring offering quickly? What giver, God-favoured, knows Him thoroughly?

19 Thou as God, O Mightiest, verily blessest mortal man. O Bountiful, there is no comforter but Thou: O Lord, I speak my words to Thee.

20 Let not Thy bounteous gifts, let not Thy saving help fail us, good Lord, at any time; and measure out to us, Thou lover of mankind, all riches hitherward from men.

HYMN LXXXV. The Angels of the Tempest

1 They who are glancing forth, like women, on their way, doers of mighty deeds, swift racers, servants of the Healer, the angels have made heaven and earth increase and grow: in devotions they delight, the strong and wild.

2 Grown to their perfect strength greatness have they attained; the servants have established their abode in heaven. Singing their song of praise and generating might, they have put glory on, the sons whom Prsni bare.

3 When, children of the Cow, they shine in bright attire, and on their fair limbs lay their golden ornaments, they drive away each adversary from their path, and, following their traces, fatness floweth down.

4 When, mighty Warriors, ye who glitter with your spears, overthrowing with your strength even what is never overthrown, when, O ye angels, ye the host that send the rain, had harnessed to your cars the thought-fleet spotted deer.

5 When ye have harnessed to your cars the spotted deer, urging the thunderbolt, O angels, to the fray, forth rush the torrents of the dark red stormy cloud, and moisten, like a skin, the earth with water-floods.

6 Let your swift-gliding coursers bear you hitherward with their fleet pinions. Come ye forward with your arms. Sit on the grass; a wide seat hath been made for you: delight yourselves in the pleasant food.

7 Strong in their native strength to greatness have they grown, stepped to the firmament and made their dwelling wide. When the All-Pervading saved the gift bringing wild delight, they sat like birds on their dear holy grass.

8 In sooth like heroes fain for fight they rush about, like combatants fame-seeking have they striven in war. Before them every creature is afraid: the men are like to kings, terrible to behold.

9 When the Creator-Craftsman deft of hand had turned the thunderbolt, golden, with thousand edges, fashioned more skilfully, the Mighty One received it to perform heroic deeds. Vrtra He slew, and forced the flood of water forth.

10 They with their vigorous strength pushed the well up on high, and clove the cloud in twain though it was passing strong. The angels, bounteous Givers, sending forth their voice, in the wild joy wrought their glorious deeds.

11 They drave the cloud transverse directed hitherward, and poured the fountain forth for thirsting Gotama. Shining with varied light they come to him with help: they with their might fulfilled the longing of the sage.

12 The shelters which ye have for him who lauds you, bestow them threefold on the man who offers. Extend the same boons unto us, ye angels. Give us, O Heroes, wealth with noble offspring.

HYMN LXXXVI. The Angels of the Tempest

1 The best of guardians hath that man within whose dwelling place ye abide, O giants of the sky.

2 Honoured with devotion or with the worship of the sages' hymns, O angels, listen to the call.

3 Yea, the strong man to whom ye have vouchsafed to give a sage, shall move into a stable rich in kine.

4 Upon this hero's sacred grass the gift is poured in daily rites: praise and delight are sung aloud.

5 Let the strong ones hear him, him surpassing all men: strength be his that reaches even to the Sun.

6 For, through the swift ones' loving help, in many an autumn, O angels, we have offered up our devotion.

7 Fortunate shall that mortal be, O most adorable, whose offerings ye bear away.

8 O Heroes truly strong, ye know the toil of him who sings your praise, the heart's desire of him who loves.

9 O ye of true strength, make this thing manifest by your greatness: strike the demon with your thunderbolt.

10 Conceal the horrid darkness, drive far from us each devouring fiend. Create the light for which we long.

HYMN LXXXVII. The Angels of the Tempest

1 Loud Singers, never humbled, active, full of strength, immovable, impetuous, manliest, best-beloved, they have displayed themselves with glittering ornaments, a few in number only, like the heavens with stars.

2 When, O angels, on the steeps ye pile the moving cloud, ye are like birds on whatsoever path it be. Clouds everywhere shed forth the rain upon your cars. Drop fatness, honey-hued, for him who sings your praise.

3 Earth at their racings trembles as if weak and worn, when on their ways they yoke their cars for victory. They, sportive, loudly roaring, armed with glittering spears, shakers of all, themselves admire their mightiness.

4 Self-moving is that youthful band, with spotted steeds; thus it hath lordly sway, endued with power and might. Truthful art thou, and blameless, searcher out of sin: so thou, Strong Host, wilt be protector of this prayer.

5 We speak by our descent from our primeval Sire; our tongue, when we behold the gift, stirs itself. When, shouting, they had joined the Mighty One in toil of fight, then only they obtained their names of honour.

6 Splendours they gained for glory, they who wear bright rings; rays they obtained, and men to celebrate their praise. Armed with their swords, impetuous and fearing naught, they have possessed their own beloved home.

HYMN LXXXVIII. The Angels of the Tempest

1 Come hither, ye angels, on your lightning-laden cars, sounding with sweet songs, armed with lances, winged with steeds. Fly unto us with noblest food, like birds, O ye of mighty power.

2 With their red-hued or, haply, tawny coursers which speed their chariots on, they come for glory. Brilliant like gold is he who holds the thunder. Earth have they smitten with the chariot's felly.

3 For beauty ye have swords upon your bodies. As they stir woods so may they stir our spirits. For your sake, O ye angels, very mighty and well-born, have they set the stone in motion.

4 The days went round you and came back, O yearners, back, to this prayer and to this solemn worship. The Gotamas making their prayer with singing have pushed the well's lid up to drink the water.

5 No hymn was ever known like this aforetime which Gotama sang forth for you, O angels, what time upon your golden wheels he saw you, wild boars rushing about with tusks of iron.

6 To you this freshening draught rusheth, O angels, like the voice of one who prayeth. It rusheth freely from our hands as these libations wont to flow.

HYMN LXXXIX. The Angels and the Attributes of God

1 May powers auspicious come to us from every side, never deceived, unhindered, and victorious, that the angels ever may be with us for our gain, our guardians day by day unceasing in their care.

2 May the auspicious favour of the angels be ours, on us descend the bounty of the righteous. The friendship of the righteous have we devoutly sought: so may God extend our life that we may live.

3 We call them hither with a hymn of olden time, the Bestower, the friendly Skilful One, the Friend, the Boundless, the Companion, the All-Seeing, the Gift, the twin angels. May Sarasvati, auspicious, grant felicity.

4 May the Wind waft to us that pleasant medicine, may Earth our Mother give it, and our Father Heaven, and the joy-giving stones that press out the juice. O twin angels, may ye, for whom our spirits long, hear this.

5 Him we invoke for aid who reigns supreme, the Lord of all that stands or moves, inspirer of the soul, that the Nourisher may promote the increase of our wealth, our keeper and our guard infallible for our good.

6 Illustrious far and wide, may the Mighty One prosper us: may the Nourisher prosper us, the Master of all wealth. May the Lord of Prayer vouchsafe to us prosperity.

7 The angels of the tempest, sons of Prsni, borne by spotted steeds, moving in glory, oft visiting holy rites, sages whose tongue is light, brilliant as the Sun, hither let all the angels for our protection come.

8 Holy ones, may we with our ears listen to what is good, and with our eyes see what is good. With limbs and bodies firm may we, extolling God, attain the term of life appointed by Him.

9 A hundred autumns stand before us, in whose space our bodies come to decay; within whose space our sons become fathers in turn. Break not in the midst our course of fleeting life.

10 The heaven, the mid-air, the Mother and the Sire and Son, all the angels, the five classes of men, all that hath been born and shall be born: all are the signs of the Boundless God, and exist by His command.

HYMN XC. God's Attributes

1 May the All-Seeing with guidance straight, and the Friend lead us, He who knows, and the Companion in accord with the angels.

2 For they are dealers forth of wealth, and, not deluded, with their might guard evermore the holy laws.

3 Shelter may they vouchsafe to us, immortals to mortal men, chasing our enemies away.

4 May they mark out our paths to bliss, the Mighty One, the angels of the tempest, the Nourisher, and the Bestower, to be adored.

5 Yea, Nourisher, All-Pervading, ye who run your course, enrich our hymns with kine; bless us with all prosperity.

6 The winds waft sweets, the rivers pour sweets for the man who keeps the Law: so may the plants be sweet for us.

7 Sweet be the night and sweet the dawns, sweet the terrestrial atmosphere; sweet be our Father Heaven to us.

8 May the tall tree be full of sweets for us, and full of sweets the Sun: may our milch-kine be sweet for us.

9 Be the Friend gracious unto us, and the All-Seeing and the Companion: be the Mighty One and the Lord of Prayer kind, and the All-Pervading of the mighty stride.

HYMN XCI. The Gift of God (Soma)

1 Thou, O Lord, art preeminent for wisdom; along the straightest path Thou art our leader. Our wise forefathers by Thy guidance dealt out among the righteous their share of treasure.

2 Thou by Thine insight art most wise, strong by Thine energies and all possessing, mighty art Thou by all Thy powers and greatness, by glories art Thou glorious, guide of mortals.

3 Thine are the eternal statutes of the King, the All-Seeing, lofty and deep is Thy glory. All-pure art Thou like the beloved Friend, adorable, like the Companion.

4 With all Thy glories on the earth, in heaven, on mountains, in the plants, and in the waters, with all of these, well-pleased and not in anger, accept, O Lord, our offerings.

5 Thou art the Lord of heroes, King, yea, Vrtra-slayer Thou: Thou art auspicious energy.

6 And let it be Thy wish that we may live and may not die: praise-loving Lord of plants art Thou.

7 To him who keeps the law, both old and young, Thou givest happiness, and energy that he may live.

8 Guard us, O King, on all sides from him who threatens us: never let the friend of one like Thee be harmed.

9 With those delightful aids which Thou hast for the worshipper, even with those protect Thou us.

10 Accepting this our devotion and this our praise, come, and be Thou nigh to prosper us.

11 Well-skilled in speech we magnify Thee with our sacred songs: come Thou to us, most gracious One.

12 Enricher, healer of disease, wealth-finder, prospering our store, be a good Friend to us.

13 Be happy in our heart, as milch-kine in the grassy meads, as a young man in his own house.

14 O God, the mortal man who in Thy friendship hath delight, him doth the mighty Sage befriend.

15 Save us from slanderous reproach, keep us, O Lord, from distress: be unto us a gracious Friend.

16 Wax great. From every side may vigorous powers unite in Thee: be in the gathering-place of strength.

17 Wax, O most gladdening, great through all Thy rays of light, and be a Friend of most illustrious fame to prosper us.

18 In Thee be juicy nutriments united, and powers and mighty foe-subduing vigour, waxing to immortality: win highest glories for Thyself in heaven.

19 Such of Thy glories as with poured offerings men honour, may they all invest our worship. Wealth-giver, furtherer with troops of heroes, sparing the brave, come, O Lord, to our houses.

20 To him who worships God gives the milch-cow, a fleet steed and a man of active knowledge, skilled in home duties, meet for holy assembly, for council meet, a glory to his father.

21 Invincible in fight, saver in battles, guard of our camp, winner of light and water, born amid hymns, well-housed, exceeding famous, victor, in Thee will we rejoice, O Lord.

22 These herbs, these milch-kine, and these running waters, all these, O Lord, Thou hast generated. The spacious firmament hast Thou expanded, and with the light Thou hast dispelled the darkness.

23 Do Thou, O God, with Thy godly spirit, victorious, win for us a share of riches. Let none prevent Thee: Thou art Lord of valour. Provide for both sides in the fray for booty.

HYMN XCII. The Dawn, a Sign of God

1 These dawns have raised their banner; in the eastern half of the mid-air they spread abroad their shining light. Like heroes who prepare their weapons for the war, onward they come bright red in hue, the Mother Cows.

2 Readily have the purple beams of light shot up; the Red Cows have they harnessed, easy to be yoked. The dawns have brought distinct perception as before: red-hued, they have attained their fulgent brilliancy.