Maṇḍala 5

5.1.1 Agni has awakened through the fuel of the people, going forth to meet the Dawn as she approaches like a cow; the great ones like young birds spreading their wings, the rays stream upward toward the vault of heaven.

5.1.2 The Hotṛ has awakened to sacrifice to the gods; Agni, well-disposed and erect, has stood up at dawn. The blazing might of him, when kindled, has been seen; the great god has been freed from darkness.

5.1.3 When he takes the tether of the host, pure Agni adorns himself with pure rays of light; thereupon the dakṣiṇā, seeking the prize, is harnessed, and he who stands erect has drunk up the oblation with his tongues of flame.

5.1.4 The minds of those who devoutly seek Agni converge toward him as eyes converge toward the sun; when the two differently-formed Dawns set him in motion, the white steed is born at the forefront of the days.

5.1.5 He was born, the conqueror, at the head of the days, the ruddy one set among the fuels in the forests; Agni, the Hotṛ bearing seven treasures in house after house, most worthy of worship, has taken his seat.

5.1.6 Agni, the Hotṛ most worthy of worship, has sat down in the lap of the mother, fragrant in the world; the young seer, much-requested, possessing Ṛta, the upholder of the peoples — he burns in their midst.

5.1.7 Even now men invoke with reverences that inspired and able Agni, the Hotṛ at the rites — he who has stretched both world-halves with Ṛta; they ever groom the prize-winner with ghee.

5.1.8 He who belongs to the cleansing rite is groomed in his own home, praised by the seer, our beneficent guest; the bull of a thousand horns, whose strength is in that very power — O Agni, by your force you surpass all others.

5.1.9 Straightway, O Agni, you surpass all others, manifest to whomever you have become most dear; worthy of praise, of beautiful form, shining widely — the beloved guest of the clans of humankind.

5.1.10 The settled peoples bring tribute to you, O youngest Agni, both those nearby and those from afar; perceive the good will of him who offers most ardent praise — great and lofty is your shelter, O Agni, blessed and excellent.

5.1.11 Mount today the radiant chariot, O Agni, surrounded on all sides by those worthy of worship; knowing the broad mid-air and its pathways, bring hither the gods to eat the oblation.

5.1.12 We have spoken a word of homage to the wise and sacred seer, the bull and the mighty; Gaviṣṭhira has offered with reverence a hymn of praise into Agni — it has spread wide like a golden ornament in the sky.

5.2.1 The young mother carries the boy, clasped close, in secret; she does not give him to the father. The people do not diminish his force; they see him placed in front, hidden in the fire-stick.

5.2.2 What is this boy, O young one, that you carry in your womb? The great queen has given birth to him. For the embryo has grown through many autumns — I saw the newborn when the mother brought him forth.

5.2.3 From afar I saw him measuring out his weapons in the field — of golden teeth and pure appearance; dispensing immortality to us, mingling it — what can those who are without Indra and their praises do to me?

5.2.4 From the field I saw him moving at a distance, shining greatly like a herd in good shape; they did not grasp those — for he was born; those that were gray-haired become young women indeed.

5.2.5 Who would separate my darling from his cows — he whose herdsman had never been a stranger? Let those who seized him release him; the knowing one will drive the cattle back to us.

5.2.6 The enemies have hidden the king who clothes the people, the dweller among mortals; let the prayers of Atri release him — may the slanderers themselves become worthy of blame.

5.2.7 Even Śunaḥśepa, bound to the thousand-post yūpa, was released — for he prayed. Even so, O Agni, release from us these fetters; O Hotṛ, knowing one, sit down here now.

5.2.8 Being angered, the guardian of the divine ordinances spoke forth to me from afar — he turned away from me; Indra, the knowing one, saw you fully — instructed by him, O Agni, I have come.

5.2.9 Agni blazes with great light, making all things manifest by his greatness; he overcomes the godless illusions and those of ill approach; he sharpens his horns to pierce the demon.

5.2.10 And may the howlers of Agni be in the sky — his sharp weapons ready to slay the demon; even in his exultation his flames burst forth, and the godless obstructions do not withstand them.

5.2.11 This hymn of praise for you, O Tuvijāta, the inspired one, the wise craftsman, has fashioned like a chariot; if, O Agni, O god, you are pleased with it, may we win by means of it the sun-lit waters.

5.2.12 The bull of mighty neck, waxing great, the lordly one without enemies, brings wealth together. Thus the immortals have declared of this Agni: may he grant shelter to Manu who spreads the sacred grass, may he grant shelter to Manu who offers oblation.

5.3.1 You, O Agni, are born as Varuṇa when kindled; you become Mitra when blazing; in you are all the gods, O son of strength; you are Indra for the mortal who worships.

5.3.2 You become Aryaman when you bear the secret name of maidens, O self-nourishing one; they anoint Mitra, well-placed, as with rays of light, when you unite the married couple in one mind.

5.3.3 For your splendor the Maruts cleanse themselves, O Rudra, for your birth is beautiful and variegated; where Viṣṇu's highest step was placed, with that you protect the secret name of the cows.

5.3.4 By your splendor, O god of beautiful appearance, the gods holding many things attended the immortal; the eager ones, honoring the praises of Āyu, placed Agni as Hotṛ for the son of Manu.

5.3.5 No Hotṛ earlier than you, O Agni, is more worthy of sacrifice; no self-nourishing one surpasses you in poetic wisdom; and the clans whose guest you become — that one will win mortals by his sacrifice, O god.

5.3.6 May we, O Agni, aided by you, win, desiring wealth, awakened through the oblation; may we prevail in battle and in the contests of the days; may we, O son of strength, prevail over mortals with riches.

5.3.7 He who brings sin and transgression against us — let guilt rest upon the evil-speaking one; smite, O knowing Agni, this curse — him who injures us with duplicity.

5.3.8 The ancients at the dawning of this day sacrificed to you with oblations, making you their messenger, O god; when you go, O Agni, toward the assembly of riches, kindled by mortals with precious fuel — a god.

5.3.9 Protect the father, fight, O knowing son who bears you, O child of strength; when, O knowing Agni, will you look upon us? When will you, the knower of Ṛta, requite justly?

5.3.10 He who worships acquires many names, O bright Vasu, if you delight in that; will Agni, delighting in the god's strength and waxing great, win favor?

5.3.11 You indeed, O youngest Agni, carry the praiser across all difficulties; the thieves and the enemy peoples have been seen — those of unknown intent have become crooked.

5.3.12 These paths have come toward you, O Vasu, or that sin has been uttered; this Agni here does not harm us for the curse, nor, waxing great, does he give us over to injury.

5.4.1 You, O Agni, O king, lord of good things — I exhilarate you with praise at the rites; striving for the prize through you, may we win; may we overcome the battle-forces of mortals.

5.4.2 Agni, the carrier of oblations, ageless, our father, all-pervading, widely shining, beautiful to see, is among us; shine brilliantly together as oblations easy to manage in the household; bring together glories directed toward us.

5.4.3 Set down as Hotṛ Agni — the seer of the clans, lord of the peoples of men, the pure, the purifying, bright-backed; he wins desirable things among the gods.

5.4.4 Be pleased, O Agni, together with Iḷā, striving with the rays of the sun; be pleased with our fuel, O Jātavedas, and bring hither the gods to eat the oblation.

5.4.5 Welcome as household guest within the home, come hither, O knowing one, to this our sacrifice; O Agni, smiting down all who assail us, bring hither the enjoyments of those who act as enemies.

5.4.6 Drive the dasyu away with your weapon, gaining strength for your own body; inasmuch as you carry the gods across, O son of strength, O Agni, most manly one, protect us in the contest.

5.4.7 May we serve you, O Agni, with recitations; may we serve you with oblations, O purifier, O auspiciously blazing one; send together for us riches containing all good things; place all treasures in us.

5.4.8 Be pleased, O Agni, with our rite, O son of strength, O dweller in three stations, with our oblation; may we be well-doers among the gods; protect us with your triple shelter.

5.4.9 O Jātavedas, carry us across all hard passages and all evils as a boat crosses a river; O Agni, praised with reverence like Atri, be the protector of our bodies.

5.4.10 I, a mortal, invoking you repeatedly, contemplating you the immortal with a praising heart — O Jātavedas, place fame in us; may I, O Agni, attain immortality through offspring.

5.4.11 For whom you make an easy world, O Jātavedas, O Agni, for the well-doer — that one attains with good fortune wealth rich in horses, in sons, in heroes, and in cattle.

5.5.1 Pour strong ghee for the blazing one well kindled — for Agni Jātavedas.

5.5.2 Narāśaṁsa, the undeceivable, shall speed this sacrifice along — for he is the honey-handed seer.

5.5.3 Being invoked, O Agni, bring hither brilliant Indra, the dear one, on his pleasant chariots for our aid.

5.5.4 O Ūrṇamradā, spread widely; the praises have sung in response — be present for our winning, O bright one.

5.5.5 Open wide, O divine doors, easy to pass through, for our aid; fulfill the sacrifice fully.

5.5.6 Of beautiful appearance, growing in strength, the two great mothers of Ṛta — we summon Night and Dawn.

5.5.7 On the path of the wind, the two divine Hotṛs invoked by the son of Manu — come to this our sacrifice.

5.5.8 Iḷā, Sarasvatī, and great Mahī — three goddesses born of bliss — may they, unfailing, take their seat on the sacred grass.

5.5.9 O auspicious Tvaṣṭar, come hither — all-pervading nourishment in person; support us at every sacrifice.

5.5.10 O Lord of the Forest, where you know the secret names of the gods, thither guide our oblations.

5.5.11 Svāhā — the oblation to Agni and Varuṇa; svāhā — to Indra and the Maruts; svāhā — the oblation to all the gods.

5.6.1 That Agni I consider the good one, toward whom the milch-cows go home, toward whom the swift coursers go home, toward whom the constant prize-winners go home — bring refreshment to the praisers.

5.6.2 That Agni whom I praise is the good one, toward whom the milch-cows come together, toward whom the swift-running coursers come together, toward whom the nobly-born lords come together — bring refreshment to the praisers.

5.6.3 For Agni, beholder of all, gives the prize to the clan; Agni, being pleased, goes to wealth self-arisen, to the desired — bring refreshment to the praisers.

5.6.4 We kindle you, O Agni, brilliant and ageless like a god; when that most admirable fuel of yours blazes day by day — bring refreshment to the praisers.

5.6.5 With the sacred verse, O Agni, the oblation of the pure one, lord of the flame — O fair-shining, wondrous lord of clans, to you as carrier of oblations it is poured — bring refreshment to the praisers.

5.6.6 Those fires in the fires nourish all that is desirable; they have propelled, they have set in motion, they impel continuously — bring refreshment to the praisers.

5.6.7 Those prize-winning flames of yours, O Agni, have grown greatly; they who with their flight have filled the cow-pens with the hooves' pounding — bring refreshment to the praisers.

5.6.8 Bring new, fresh refreshments for the praisers with good dwelling-places, O Agni; may we be those who have praised you, your messengers house by house — bring refreshment to the praisers.

5.6.9 O fair-shining one, anoint both ladles of ghee with your mouth; and fill us full through our recitations, O lord of strength — bring refreshment to the praisers.

5.6.10 Thus they have worshipped Agni without aging, with songs and sacrifices continuously; placing in us good heroic strength and also that wealth in swift horses — bring refreshment to the praisers.

5.7.1 O friends, bring together for Agni your convergent refreshment and praise — for the mightiest of the settlements, the grandson of strength, the vigorous.

5.7.2 He at whose meeting-place the joyful men sit in the seat of heroes — even those who are deserving kindle him, and living beings generate him.

5.7.3 When we seek together the refreshments, together the oblations of men, I grasp also the cord of splendor and of strength, of Ṛta.

5.7.4 He makes his beacon even at night for one sitting far away; when the purifier, the ageless one, he destroys the forest trees.

5.7.5 In his attack they pour sweat onto the paths; indeed the multitude has climbed up over him like the back of the earth, his own kinsman.

5.7.6 Whomever a mortal finds, widely desired, to sustain all things — he sets before Āyu the tasting of nourishments and even what has not been spread out.

5.7.7 For he indeed was ever the giver of what grows on the desert plain, as a beast gives; of golden beard, white-toothed, skillful, of undiminished might.

5.7.8 The pure one ever flows forth for him like Atri, like an axe going forward; the good mother brought him forth, the active one when she attained good fortune.

5.7.9 He for whom ghee is poured out, O Agni, it is bliss for his nourishing; in these ones place splendor and also renown, place insight among mortals.

5.7.10 Even so the unrestrained one, accepting his anger, receives from you the gift of cattle; thereupon, O Agni, Atri, having sated the ungiven, has overcome the dasyus in contest, has overcome the men.

5.8.1 Those who follow Ṛta have kindled you, the ancient, the ancient ones for aid, O strength-made; the much-shining, the adorable, all-sustaining, of the household, the lord of the home, the excellent.

5.8.2 The clans have set you down, O Agni, the ancient guest, flame-haired lord of the home — of lofty banner, of many forms, touching wealth, of good shelter, of good help, hating old age.

5.8.3 The human clans invoke you, O Agni, knowing the Hotṛ's lore, the discerning, the greatest bestower of gems; dwelling in the hidden place, O fortunate one, visible to all, of mighty sound, easy to sacrifice to, of ghee-splendor.

5.8.4 We have approached you, O Agni, firm and all-sustaining, praising you with songs and with reverence; be pleased with us when kindled, O Aṅgiras, a god with the splendor and fair shining of mortals.

5.8.5 You, O Agni, of many forms, place vigor in clan after clan in the ancient way, O much-praised one; you reign by might over many foods; that fierceness of yours, when you rage, is not to be defied.

5.8.6 You, O youngest Agni, being kindled, the gods have made the messenger and carrier of oblations; of wide course, ghee-born, fed with offerings — they have placed your fierce eye that impels the mind.

5.8.7 Those seeking your goodwill have from of old kindled you fed with ghees, with good fuel well alight; you waxing great, sprinkled with herbs, spread yourself over the terrestrial regions.

5.9.1 Those who possess oblations, being mortals, invoke you as a god, O Agni; I consider you Jātavedas — you carry the offerings continuously.

5.9.2 Agni is the Hotṛ of the dwelling of the generous one who has strewn the sacred grass; sacrifices go together toward him, and prize-seekers seeking renown.

5.9.3 And him whom the fire-drill has newly generated as an infant — Agni, the upholder of the human clans and settlements, performing the good rite.

5.9.4 And you are seized with difficulty like the son of those who are to be invoked; you who have burned many forests, O Agni, like a beast in pasture.

5.9.5 And he whose smoky flames come together rightly — when Trita in the sky blows upon him as a bellows-blower blows, he sharpens like a whetstone.

5.9.6 Through your aids, O Agni, and through the praises of Mitra, may we overcome, joined together against hate, the evils and the enemies of mortals.

5.9.7 Him, O Agni, as our hero, press forward and bring us wealth; may he fling it, may he nourish it, may he be for the winning of the prize; and be present for our growth in battles.

5.10.1 O Agni, bring us the most vigorous splendor, O unrestrained one; fill us with encircling riches; reveal the path to the prize.

5.10.2 You, O Agni, O wondrous one, with the generosity of wisdom and discernment — in you the lordly power has mounted, the active one, like Mitra worthy of worship.

5.10.3 You, O Agni, augment the home and prosperity of these — the heroes, the lords who have attained riches through their hymns of praise.

5.10.4 Those, O Agni, whose shining praises adorn you, the wealthy — the vigorous heroes through their vigors, whose great and fair renown blazes from heaven of its own accord.

5.10.5 Those flames of yours, O Agni, blazing, go forth boldly; like lightning going around, sounding like a chariot seeking the prize.

5.10.6 Now, O Agni, for our aid and for the giving, even when hemmed in — may our lords cross all the regions.

5.10.7 You, O Agni Aṅgiras, praised and praiseworthy, bring us wealth, all-conquering, O Hotṛ, for the praisers and for our own praise; and be present for our growth in battles.

5.11.1 Agni, the watchful guardian of the people, has been born, wise and skilled, for a newer good fortune; facing forward with ghee, touching the sky with his great flame, he shines brilliantly and purely for the Bharatas.

5.11.2 The heroes have kindled Agni, the banner of the sacrifice, the foremost priest placed in front, in his triple seat; he who sits on the sacred grass on the same chariot with Indra and the gods — the Hotṛ of good will, sitting down to sacrifice.

5.11.3 You are born unsmeared, pure from your two mothers, the roaring seer; you have risen from Vivasvat; they have increased you, O Agni, with ghee, O you fed with oblations; your smoke has become a banner resting in the sky.

5.11.4 May Agni come rightly to our sacrifice; the heroes spread Agni about in house after house; Agni has become the messenger and the carrier of oblations; choosing Agni, they choose one whose will is that of a seer.

5.11.5 For you, O Agni, is this most honey-sweet word; for you may this vision be bliss to the heart; great rivers like the Sindhu fill you with songs and increase you with strength.

5.11.6 The Aṅgirasas found you hidden, dwelling in forest after forest; you are born by churning with great might; they call you the son of strength, O Aṅgiras.

5.12.1 Forth to Agni the great, the adorable, the bull of Ṛta, the lord of might, I bring the thought; like well-purified ghee in the mouth of the sacrifice, I bring a song facing toward the bull.

5.12.2 Knowing Ṛta, do attend to Ṛta; pierce through the many currents of Ṛta; not by sorcery, not by duplicity do I serve the Ṛta of the ruddy bull.

5.12.3 Going rightly by Ṛta, in what way, O Agni, have you become the newest knower of our recitation? O god, guard of the seasons, you know the seasons — I am not the lord of this wealth of the bestower.

5.12.4 Who are your bonds for the deceiver, O Agni? Who are the brilliant guards that shall prevail? Who, O Agni, protect the foundation against falsehood? Who are the guardians of false speech?

5.12.5 These divergent companions of yours, O Agni, though appearing auspicious, have become inauspicious; they have harmed themselves through their own words, speaking crooked things to one who goes straight.

5.12.6 He who begs sacrifice from you, O Agni, with reverence — he protects the Ṛta of the ruddy bull; may the wide and good domain of that one come forward, and the remainder of the flowing, surging Nahuṣa.

5.13.1 Praising, we invoke you; praising, we kindle you; O Agni, praising, for your aid.

5.13.2 We have in mind the praise of Agni who goes straight to success today, touching the sky, the god who desires treasures.

5.13.3 May Agni, the Hotṛ who is established among humans, take pleasure in our songs; may he sacrifice to the divine folk.

5.13.4 You, O Agni, are widely extending, the welcome Hotṛ, the excellent one; through you they spread out the sacrifice.

5.13.5 You, O Agni, most gainful of prizes, the inspired ones increase, well praised; grant us good heroic power.

5.13.6 O Agni, like the rim the spokes, you encompass the gods; you stretch toward the variegated reward.

5.14.1 Awaken Agni the immortal with the hymn when kindled; may he place our oblations among the gods.

5.14.2 Him, the god and the immortal, the most worthy of sacrifice among human folk, the mortals invoke at the rites.

5.14.3 Him the constant ones ever invoke with the ladle dripping ghee — Agni, to carry the oblations.

5.14.4 Agni, being born, shone forth, smiting the dasyus, dispelling darkness with his light; he found the cows, the waters, and the sun.

5.14.5 Honor Agni the worthy of invocation, the seer of bright back; may he come and hear my call.

5.14.6 They have increased Agni, beholder of all, with ghee, with hymns, with well-inspired and eloquent words.

5.15.1 I bring a song to the wise seer, the knowledgeable, the glorious, the ancient; Agni, greased with ghee, the lord, the auspicious, the holder of wealth, the foundation of riches.

5.15.2 Holding fast Ṛta, the foundation, with Ṛta, in the highest power of the sacrifice, in the vault of heaven — those who have attained the foundation of the cosmic law in heaven, those who have reached mortals — both born and yet unborn.

5.15.3 Those who are released from distress spread out great, hard-to-cross vigor for the ancient one; the newly-born has crossed over the year, they have stood around him from all sides like an angry lion.

5.15.4 When you spread yourself wide, carrying like a mother, nourishing and watching over people after people; placing vigor in each successive stage, you go about of yourself, of diverse forms.

5.15.5 May the prize guard the far end of your strength, the wide yielding foundation of wealth, O god; like a thief placing his foot in hiding, illuminating for great wealth, you have touched Atri.

5.16.1 Sing forth great vigor for the blazing one, for the god Agni; whom, like Mitra, the mortals have placed in front with their praises.

5.16.2 For he is the Hotṛ of the peoples by day, in the arms of discernment; Agni, like Bhaga, distributes the oblation and impels the desired thing continuously.

5.16.3 In the praise of this generous one, the friend of the one whose flame has grown — in him in the greatly resounding battle they have placed all vigor.

5.16.4 Thus truly, O Agni, by the generosity of their good heroic power — around him, great as the two world-halves, fame has come to be.

5.16.5 Come now, praised, O Agni, and bring the desirable thing; we who along with the lords set forth well-being together — and be present for our growth in battles.

5.17.1 With sacrifices, O god, the mortal in this way, for the aid of the mightier — Pūru would invoke Agni at the good rite, with the deed done, for protection.

5.17.2 For of this one you think more self-gloriously in the mouth by virtue of his dispensation; him the exhilarating one of variegated flame, surpassing by his vision.

5.17.3 Clothed in this one's flame is he who is harnessed with swift song; his flames blaze greatly like the seed of heaven.

5.17.4 By the will of this discerning, wondrous one, the wealth is on the chariot; therefore Agni the invocable is praised forth in all the clans.

5.17.5 Now the lords attend upon the desirable thing with their mouths; O grandson of strength, for the conquest protect us, be capable of well-being, and be present for our growth in battles.

5.18.1 At dawn, Agni, much beloved, the guest, would be praised by the clans; the immortal one who delights in all oblations among mortals.

5.18.2 To the second one, the carrier of cleansed drops, by the generosity of his own discernment — he places the Soma drop continuously; even the praiser is yours, O immortal.

5.18.3 Him of long-lived flame I invoke with song for the generous ones; the chariot of those whose chariot goes unharmed, O horse-giver, goes forth.

5.18.4 Among those in whom a variegated vision has been, the recitations protect; with the sacred grass strewn, O he-of-the-sun-felly, they have placed fame all around.

5.18.5 Those who have given me fifty horses with the joint praise — O Agni, make great and brilliant fame for those generous men; O immortal, make it manly for the men.

5.19.1 The stations are born in advance; the cover is perceived as a cover; he looks out in the lap of the mother.

5.19.2 They have offered into the fire, illuminating, guarding the manly power without blinking; they have entered the firm stronghold.

5.19.3 The living beings of Śvaitreya have grown brilliantly, the peoples; with necklace at the throat, of lofty praise — like one who seeks the prize with this honey.

5.19.4 Like dear desirable milk — the non-kin together with the two kin; like the caldron of the prize-belly, undeceived, the ever-present deceiver.

5.19.5 Playing, the rein has come to us, finding out together with the dusty wind; these sharp and bold ones of his, well-whetted, stand on the chest and at the breast.

5.20.1 Whatever wealth, O Agni, most gainful of prizes, even you consider — that companion of ours, worthy of renown, cause to be heard through our songs among the gods.

5.20.2 Those who do not lead toward you, O Agni, the increased ones of fierce strength — let enmity and crookedness of him of alien vow depart, they have followed.

5.20.3 We choose you as Hotṛ, O Agni, the accomplisher of discernment; we invoke you with libation and song, the ancient at the sacrifices.

5.20.4 Thus as for your aid, O powerful one, day by day — for wealth, for Ṛta, O of good will, may we be co-rejoicers with cows, may we be co-rejoicers with heroes.

5.21.1 Like Manu, we set you in place; like Manu, we kindle you; O Agni, like Manu, O Aṅgiras, sacrifice to the gods for the devout one.

5.21.2 For you, O Agni, are kindled well-pleased among human folk; the ladles come to you continuously, O nobly-born one, with ghee poured out.

5.21.3 All the gods of one accord have made you the messenger; honoring you, O seer, they invoke you as a god at the sacrifices.

5.21.4 Through the worship of the gods let the mortal invoke Agni as a god; blazing, O bright one, shine; you have sat in the womb of Ṛta, you have sat in the womb of the grain.

5.22.1 Sing forth, O Viśvasāman, like Atri, to the one of purifying flame; who is the invocable Hotṛ, the most exhilarating, in the clan at the rites.

5.22.2 Set down Agni Jātavedas as the divine seasonal priest; let the sacrifice proceed continuously today — he who sees most widely to the gods.

5.22.3 You the god of knowing mind, the mortals invoke for aid; going toward the protection of your excellent one, we have thought of you.

5.22.4 O Agni, attend to this word of ours, O powerful one; you, O lord of the household of fair jaw, the Atris increase with hymns of praise; the Atris adorn you with their songs.

5.23.1 O Agni, bring hither the wealth of brilliance that overcomes all — that wealth which shall conquer all peoples at its encounter and prevail in the contests.

5.23.2 Bring here that battle-conquering wealth, O Agni; for you are the true, the wonderful, the bestower of food-prize along with cattle.

5.23.3 For all the peoples of one mind, who have strewn the sacred grass, seek you as the dear Hotṛ in their dwellings and win many desirable goods.

5.23.4 For he, the all-people's champion, has assumed the might that overwhelms the foe. O Agni, shine for us with brilliance in these abodes, O gleaming one, shine with radiance, O Purifier.

5.24.1 O Agni, be our nearest kin, our protector; be gracious and our shelter.

5.24.2 Agni is good, renowned for good things; draw near and grant wealth most glorious.

5.24.3 So be wakeful for us, hear our call, protect us from every adversary who would harm us.

5.24.4 You who shine most brilliantly, O Agni, we now implore you for favour — for the sake of our friends.

5.25.1 I approach Agni, your divine one, for protection; he is our treasure. The son of the seers who holds the truth bestows gifts and carries us beyond our foes.

5.25.2 He is the true one whom even the ancient gods kindled as the Hotṛ with the honey-tongued flame — him who shines everywhere with riches and bright splendour.

5.25.3 With the highest, the best thought, and with good mind, O Agni the most desirable, shine upon us with wealth, with fair hymns.

5.25.4 Agni reigns among the gods; Agni enters among mortals; Agni is our carrier of oblations — worship Agni with thoughts.

5.25.5 Agni bestows on the pious worshipper a son of most mighty fame, of great prayer-power, supreme — an unsurpassed lord, renowned for glory.

5.25.6 Agni grants a true lord who has overcome enemies in battle with his men — a swift steed, a conqueror, never defeated.

5.25.7 Sing the loudest praise to Agni, a great hymn, O Vibhāvasu; like a great cow from you comes wealth, from you prizes rise up.

5.25.8 Your radiant flames are called forth with a great hymn at the pressing-stone; and your thundering, like the spontaneous roar of heaven, resounds of itself.

5.25.9 Thus we have praised Agni, the ever-victorious, we who long for riches. May he, of good resolve, carry us across all our foes, as if in a ship.

5.26.1 O Agni the purifier, with your shining, joyful, divine tongue, bring hither the gods and offer sacrifice.

5.26.2 You who are bright with clarified butter, O Agni of wonderful radiance, beholder of heaven — bring the gods for our enjoyment.

5.26.3 O wise Agni, we kindle you, the inviter of gods to the feast, the radiant, the great, at the sacrifice.

5.26.4 Come, O Agni, with all the gods, for the giving of oblations; we choose you as the Hotṛ.

5.26.5 O Agni, bring manly vigour to the worshipper who presses Soma; sit with the gods on the sacred grass.

5.26.6 When kindled, O Agni, conqueror of thousands, you nourish the ordinances of the gods; you are the messenger of the gods, worthy of hymns.

5.26.7 Establish Agni Jātavedas, the bearer of oblations, the youngest, the divine priest of the season.

5.26.8 Let the sacrifice go forward today in orderly sequence, most pleasing to the gods; spread the sacred grass for the seating.

5.26.9 Here may the Maruts, the Aśvins, Mitra and Varuṇa sit — all the gods with every clan.

5.27.1 The true lord gave me gifts — wealth in cattle and in draught-animals — the most attentive, the mighty, the generous one. Tryaruṇa of the Traivṛṣṇa family has recognised you, O Agni Vaiśvānara, with ten thousands.

5.27.2 He who has given me a hundred and twenty cows and two well-yoked tawny steeds of good draught — O Agni Vaiśvānara, well-praised and ever waxing, extend your shelter to Tryaruṇa.

5.27.3 Thus Trasadasyu, seeking your favour, has made this newest hymn for you, O Agni; Tryaruṇa, yoked with purpose, praises with many praises my songs addressed to you of mighty birth.

5.27.4 He who proclaims 'this is mine' — giving through the hymn to the inspired lord at the horse-sacrifice — bestows the prize on the seeker, bestows wisdom on him who follows the truth.

5.27.5 A hundred spotted bulls rouse me with delight — the gifts of the horse-sacrifice are like Soma mixed threefold.

5.27.6 O Indra and Agni, at the horse-sacrifice of a hundred gifts, uphold heroic strength and sovereignty, great and undecaying as the sun in heaven.

5.28.1 The kindled Agni has stretched his flame to heaven, shining broadly to meet the Dawn. The all-desirable one comes eastward with obeisances, seeking the gods with an oblation of clarified butter.

5.28.2 Being kindled, you rule over the immortal realm; you accompany him who prepares the oblation, for his welfare. He gains all wealth whom you impel, O Agni; yet place the guest-offering first of all.

5.28.3 O Agni, exert your might for great felicity; let your glories be highest. Bring about good mastery over the household; tread down the great powers of those who act as foes.

5.28.4 O Agni, kindled and of great might, I praise your splendour; you are a bull of radiance, kindled together at the sacrifices.

5.28.5 Kindled, O Agni, supplied with oblations, worship the gods at the well-performed sacrifice; for you are indeed the carrier of oblations.

5.28.6 Pour the oblation; serve Agni at the advancing sacrifice; choose him as the carrier of oblations.

5.29.1 Three are the divine ranks of Aryamā among humans; three are the luminous realms of heaven which they uphold. The Maruts of purified might praise you; you, O Indra, are their seer, the wise one.

5.29.2 When the Maruts praised Indra rejoicing, when he had drunk of the pressed Soma — he seized the thunderbolt with which he smote the serpent, and set the great waters free to flow.

5.29.3 And the singer-priests — the Maruts — were mine, O Indra; you drank of the well-pressed Soma. That was indeed the oblation for mortal man; Indra, having drunk thereof, found the cows and smote the serpent.

5.29.4 He propped apart the two worlds more widely; who would frighten the beast that had wrapped itself around? Indra, roaring, struck down the swallower — he smote the Dānava that hissed against him.

5.29.5 Then, O bountiful Indra, by your might all the gods gave you the right to drink Soma; for who could stand before the tawny steeds of the sun, the upper ones set before Etaśa?

5.29.6 When the bountiful one with his thunderbolt cut off at once the ninety-nine coils of the serpent, the Maruts praised Indra at the gathering and with Triṣṭubh speech they pressed against heaven.

5.29.7 A friend cooked swiftly for a friend — Agni by his will cooked three hundred buffaloes; Indra at one time drank the three lakes of pressed Soma of Manu's folk for the slaying of Vṛtra.

5.29.8 When the bountiful Soma-drinker consumed three hundred buffaloes and three lakes — all the gods called it a great deed and brought it as tribute to Indra when he slew the serpent.

5.29.9 When you came, O Indra, with Uśanā and with swiftly rushing steeds to his house, you rode there in the same chariot, winning; with Kutsa and the gods you indeed warded off Śuṣṇa.

5.29.10 You tore away one wheel of the sun's chariot; for Kutsa you made the other free to move. You crushed the noseless Dasyus with your weapon and penned up the foul-speakers in their dark abode.

5.29.11 The hymns of Gaurivīti increased you; you gave Pipru into the power of Vaidathin's son. Ṛjiśvā enlisted you in friendship; while he was cooking the offerings you drank his Soma.

5.29.12 The Navagvas with pressed Soma, the Daśagvas with their hymns, praise Indra. The men who had laboured together drove open the pen of cows, though it was closed with a covering.

5.29.13 How shall I worthily celebrate your heroic deeds, O bountiful Indra, those you have done? And what new feats you will yet do, O mightiest — those too we shall proclaim at the assemblies.

5.29.14 Having done all these many things, O Indra, unrestrained in birth and in might — whatever you, the wielder of the thunderbolt, the bold, shall yet do — there is none to withstand that power of yours.

5.29.15 O Indra, mightiest, accept the prayers being made — the new ones we have fashioned for you. Like a skilled craftsman who has made a fine, well-wrought garment, the wise artisan has fashioned this as one might make a chariot.

5.30.1 Where is that hero? Who has seen Indra riding comfortably in his chariot drawn by the tawny horses? He who, the thunderer, with wealth seeks the pressed Soma — he the much-invoked will come to that home, with his aid.

5.30.2 I have looked southward at his resounding place of the fierce treasure-keeper, seeking my way; I asked others, and they said the same to me: may we attain to Indra, O men, when awake.

5.30.3 Now at the pressing we proclaim, O Indra, those deeds of yours which you have favoured in us. Let the unknowing know, let the knowing hear: this bountiful one commands all armies.

5.30.4 At your birth, O Indra, you made your mind firm; alone you were fain to fight against multitudes. Even the stone you split with your might and found the stall of the cows, the luminous ones.

5.30.5 When you were born the highest one in the highest sphere, bearing a name renowned in the far distance — even then the gods were afraid of Indra; he won all waters under whose dominion were the Dāsas.

5.30.6 For you these gracious Maruts sing the hymn and press the Soma-juice. The serpent that lay blocking the waters — Indra shall overcome with his powers of māyā that māyā-wielding one.

5.30.7 Scattering enemies by birth, driving forth the gift, you, O bountiful one, desiring to win cattle, rolled away the head of the Dāsa Namuci there, seeking a path for Manu.

5.30.8 For you made me your ally, O Indra, churning off the head of Namuci the Dāsa; even the sun-stone rolling along you rolled as if on wheels between the two worlds for the Maruts.

5.30.9 The Dāsa Namuci had made weapons out of women; what could his feeble armies do to me? For Indra saw both his milk-cows and then went forth to battle against the Dasyu.

5.30.10 The cows lowed on all sides here when they were separated from their calves; Indra let them go with his powers when the well-pressed Somas gladdened him.

5.30.11 When the tawny-shaken Somas had delighted him, the bull bellowed among the dwellings; Indra the city-breaker, having drunk, gave back to him the cows, the luminous ones.

5.30.12 The Ruśamas have done this good thing for Agni, giving four thousand cows; we have received the ample gifts of Ṛṇaṁcaya, the bravest of heroes.

5.30.13 The Ruśamas send me home adorned with many ornaments, with thousands of cows, O Agni; the potent pressed Somas have exhilarated Indra at the night's dawning of that Paritakmyā.

5.30.14 That night of the Paritakmyā shone bright — the night in which the Ruśamas were under king Ṛṇaṁcaya; swift as a racing steed urged on, the tawny one won four thousands.

5.30.15 Four thousand cattle we have received among the Ruśamas, O Agni; even the heated metal pot that stood at the libation-place — that we, the wise, have taken.

5.31.1 Indra makes a downward slope for the chariot on which the bountiful one has mounted, eager for booty; like a herdsman unfolding a herd of cattle, he goes first, uninjured, seeking to win.

5.31.2 Come running hither, O lord of tawny horses; do not stray away, O red-giving one; be with us. For there is nothing better than you, O Indra; even the blameless you have made to have wives.

5.31.3 When might was born from might, O Indra, all the faculties of Indra flashed forth; he drove forward the good milch-cows within the enclosure and rolled away the darkness below with his light.

5.31.4 The Anus fashioned the chariot for your horse, O much-invoked; Tvaṣṭṛ made the shining thunderbolt; the prayer-priests, magnifying Indra with hymns, increased him for the slaying of the serpent.

5.31.5 When the pressing-stones, and Aditi joined together, sang the hymn to you the bull, O Indra — they without horses, without chariots, yet impelled by Indra, turned against the Dasyus.

5.31.6 I will proclaim your former deeds, and the new ones, O bountiful one, that you have done — when, O Śakti's scion, bearing both worlds you won the bright-showering waters for Manu.

5.31.7 That indeed is your wondrous deed, O sage hero — that slaying the serpent you measured your might here; you grasped even Śuṣṇa's illusory powers, and going at the right time you drove away the Dasyus.

5.31.8 You brought the good milch-cows to rest on the bank, O Indra, for Yadu and Turvaśa; you carried mighty Kutsa across when the gods and Uśanā had allied with you both.

5.31.9 O Indra and Kutsa, being carried in the chariot, let the racing steeds carry you both ear to ear. You blew the darkness out of the waters, out of the dwelling-places, out of the heart of the bountiful one.

5.31.10 Even the well-yoked horses that were yoked to the wind — even that seer came here seeking help. Here all the Maruts are your allies, O Indra; with prayers they increased your might.

5.31.11 Even the sun made his chariot as the first in the Paritakmyā race, having already outstripped the latter; the steed Etaśa rolls the wheel forward; setting prizes before, he will win our desire.

5.31.12 He has come here, O peoples, for Indra to behold, seeking his friend with pressed Soma; resounding like the pressing-stones, the altar is to be served — for him whose nimble priests are in motion.

5.31.13 Those who have delighted and who now delight — O immortal one, may no affliction reach those mortals! Cherish the sacrificers who praise you; place your strength among those peoples among whom we would be.

5.32.1 You burst open the spring, you released the caverns; you set the seas free from their confinement. When you cleft the great mountain, O Indra, you released the streams and smote the Dānava downward.

5.32.2 You, O thunderer, set free the springs, confined by the seasons, the udder of the mountain. Even the serpent lying sent forth, O fierce Indra, you smote — and put forth your might.

5.32.3 Even of that great beast Indra struck the weapon down with his powers — he who, thinking himself alone and unrivalled, was surpassed by one mightier than him who was born after.

5.32.4 Even that one among them rejoicing in his own power — the son of the cloud-mist, the well-grown, the darkness-going — him, Śuṣṇa, the fierce one of the Dānava, the thunderer slew with his thunderbolt, the bull bearing it along.

5.32.5 Even him who through his own designs sat firm, the seemingly invulnerable — Indra found the vulnerable spot in him. When, O lord of good rule, with the outpoured exhilaration, you placed the fighting one in darkness within his stronghold.

5.32.6 Even him lying in such a pitiful state, growing great in sunless darkness — him indeed the bull Indra, exhilarated by the pressed Soma, struck down with a shout from on high.

5.32.7 When Indra raised the irresistible weapon of might against the great Dānava — when in the wielding of the thunderbolt he shattered him — he made the lowest of all creatures.

5.32.8 Even that ocean-honey-drinker lying there, unsent — the fierce one seized that great cave; he penned up the footless devourer with a great weapon, the foul-spoken one, in his dark abode.

5.32.9 Who would restrain his impetuous might? Alone, unrestrained, he carries off the prizes. Even these two divine expanses now — the two worlds — recoil from the force of Indra in fear.

5.32.10 The divine axe turned for him; it yearned toward Indra like a willing one seeking the path. When all might joined itself together with these two, the peoples bowed to the self-powerful one.

5.32.11 I hear of one true lord born to all five peoples, famous among them; let those hopes of mine seize him most recently — those who call upon Indra by night and by day.

5.32.12 For thus I hear of you, ordering things in proper season, giving gifts to the wise-men in abundance. What do your priest-friends receive, those who have placed their desire in you, O Indra?

5.33.1 I have thought deeply on behalf of great and mighty men, thus for Indra the mighty beyond measure; he who is praised among people, who notices those who seek his favour in the gaining of prizes.

5.33.2 You, O Indra, being praised with hymns and songs, have yoked the strap of the tawny horses, O bull. You who thus, O bountiful one, following their wish pressed forward — overcome the peoples before you.

5.33.3 Those tall ones harnessed from your side against us, O Indra — they would be prayerless. Stand upon that chariot, O thunderbolt-handed one; you hold the rein, O god of good horses.

5.33.4 Many praises there are of you, O Indra; fighting for cows you have carved out the plains. The bull fashioned even a dwelling for the sun and blotted out even the name of the Dāsa in battles.

5.33.5 We and those men, O Indra, the troop that has arisen, and the chariots that have set forth — may the hero of serpent-power come to us; like Bhaga, to be invoked and lovely at the offertories.

5.33.6 In you, O Indra, is the excellently mixed might, and the manly forces — you the most manly, the immortal. Provide us with shining wealth, clothed in good things; I praise the gift of the greatly bountiful one.

5.33.7 Thus protect us, O Indra, with your aids — those who sing your praises, O hero; and in the winning of prizes, gratify the Kārus who give their own skin, with the sweet well-pressed Soma so lovely.

5.33.8 And those tawny gifts of the hero Trasadasyu of Purukutsa's lineage, shining with gold, have rewarded me; may ten white horses of the Gairikṣita carry me — I have now followed his designs.

5.33.9 And those red steeds of Mārutāśva, mighty in designs and generous, at the award of the assembly — giving me thousands in cascades — the lord has not adorned his body with any equal gift.

5.33.10 And those beloved brightly-shining steeds of Dhvanya Lakṣmaṇa, setting forth — they have come to me through the greatness of the seer Saṁvaraṇa's wealth, like cows going forth into the pen.

5.34.1 He who is undecaying, heavenly, whose foes are yet unborn — the self-powerful one approaches the wondrous Indra. Press the Soma, cook the food for him who is borne by prayer — set the much-praised one further forward.

5.34.2 He who has filled his belly with Soma — the bountiful one rejoiced at the sweet draught; when Uśanā aimed the great thousand-pointed weapon for him to slay the beast.

5.34.3 He who presses Soma for him at the sun's heat or at the udder's fullness — that day becomes glorious. The blameless Śakra carries away his offspring-line; the bountiful one adorns his body who is the friend of the wise.

5.34.4 Whose father Śakra has slain, whose mother, whose brother — he does not care; he who prepares and exerts himself knows that source of wealth; the treasure-mine does not flee from impurity.

5.34.5 He does not seek a hold with five or ten; he does not stay with him who neither presses Soma nor prospers. The restless one knows and conquers or slays; he allots to the god-seeking one a share in the cow-stall.

5.34.6 He is the piercing one who has walked the battlefield as the unsent avenger — ruinous to the non-presser, increaser of the presser; Indra the subduer of all, the terrible, the noble one, leads the Dāsa according to his will.

5.34.7 He drives together the Paṇi's food for the thief's benefit; he distributes the good wealth to the pious worshipper. In no stronghold anywhere can the people who have provoked his power be held fast.

5.34.8 When Indra the bountiful recognised the two who were well-armed, of all-conquering hosts, among the gleaming cows — he made one a yoke-fellow, set the other trembling, and the raging one unleashes the cattle-wealth with his warriors.

5.34.9 I praise the Āgniveśa who wins thousands, a hundred-fold, O Agni — the supreme banner, the noble hero.

5.35.1 O Indra, bring that best plan of yours for our protection — that which conquers all peoples, that prize-winner hard to overcome in the contests.

5.35.2 Whether you have four, O Indra — or three, O hero — or five kinds of aid for the peoples, O Śūra — bring all that well to us.

5.35.3 We invoke your desirable, most bull-like aid; for you were born with the speed of a bull, O Indra the swift-striker, with overpowering forces.

5.35.4 For you are a bull born for the giving of gifts; bull-like is your strength; your own rulership, your bold mind, O Indra, and your manhood that conquers all at once.

5.35.5 O Indra, O stone-armed one, with your entire chariot force, O lord of a hundred powers, lord of might — tread down that mortal who acts as our enemy.

5.35.6 You alone, O greatest slayer of Vṛtra, O foremost of old — the peoples who have strewn the sacred grass call upon you, the fierce, for the winning of prizes.

5.35.7 O Indra, favour our chariot that is hard to overcome, that goes in front in the races, that goes alongside in prize after prize, eager for booty.

5.35.8 O Indra, come, protect our chariot with fullness of understanding; O mightiest, we would establish desirable fame in heaven; we would set our hymn of praise in heaven.

5.36.1 May Indra come — he who takes notice of treasures, of giving riches from the giver's store; like a desert-wanderer or a reed-stalker thirsting and longing — let him drink the milked Soma-stalk.

5.36.2 May Soma mount your two jaws, O hero of tawny horses, O Indra of beautiful lips, as on the back of a mountain; O king, urging you on like horses with our songs, may we all rejoice, O much-invoked.

5.36.3 Like a turning wheel, O much-invoked, it trembles; my mind, my lack of wisdom quakes with fear, O stone-armed one. He who always grows stronger, the singer from his chariot — will he not praise you, O bountiful Purūvasu?

5.36.4 This singer, O Indra, raises his voice like a pressing-stone, eagerly desiring the great reward. With your left hand, O bountiful one, push wealth forward; with your right — do not stray away, O lord of tawny horses.

5.36.5 May the bull-heaven increase you the bull; the bull conveys you with the two bull-like tawny horses. So place us, O bull of beautiful lips, of bull-resolve, the bull, the thunderer, in the battle.

5.36.6 He who ordained the two prize-winning red steeds to be accompanied by three hundreds — may the peoples bow to this young one of the renowned chariot; may the Maruts render service to him.

5.37.1 He who has a ghee-sprinkled back, well-formed, striving together with the lustre of the sun, pouring oblations — for him the undimmed Dawns have shone out, who says 'let us press Soma for Indra'.

5.37.2 Agni kindled, the sacred grass spread, the pressing-stones yoked, the Soma pressed — these are praised by the one whose pressing-stones speak vigorously; the adhvaryu has come with the oblation toward the river.

5.37.3 This bride goes seeking her husband, she who carries the vigorous great queen-cow; from his fame and from the sound of his chariot many thousands circle around.

5.37.4 That king does not waver in whose company Indra drinks the strong Soma together with the cows; he drives with warriors, smites Vṛtra, dwells among peoples, the fortunate one, fostering his name.

5.37.5 He prospers in rest and in action; both enclosing seasons joining, he wins together. He becomes dear to the sun, dear to Agni — he who has presented pressed Soma to Indra.

5.38.1 O Indra, your giving from your ample bounty is all-pervading, O lord of a hundred powers; therefore, O all-people-beholding one, bestow splendours on us, O lord of good dominion.

5.38.2 When you bestow, O mightiest Indra, the food worthy of renown — O one of golden colour, you spread it far, most renowned, hard to overcome.

5.38.3 Your mighty surges, O stone-armed Indra, are like great floods with wise intention; O two gods, you rule both heaven and earth for the support of your worshippers.

5.38.4 And from whatever power of yours, O slayer of Vṛtra — bring us manly force; you favour us with manly favour.

5.38.5 Now with these your aids, O lord of a hundred powers, may we be in your shelter; O Indra, may we have good protection; O hero, may we have good protection.

5.39.1 O Indra, O wonderful Indra of mighty floods, whatever gift is yours — O stone-armed one, knowing it, bring that bounty to us with both hands, O lord of wealth.

5.39.2 Whatever you think desirable, O Indra, the heavenly — bring that hither. May we know the giving of you, the boundless one.

5.39.3 Whatever mind is yours, inclined to give, heard of far and wide — with that, O stone-armed one, burst open even the firm strongholds for the winning of the prize.

5.39.4 For your praise we approach Indra the most munificent of the bountiful, the king of all peoples — he who has rejoiced in many hymns since ancient times.

5.39.5 To him is directed the wise word, the utterance, the hymn recited for Indra; for him who bears the prayer, the Atris magnify their songs; the Atris adorn their songs.

5.40.1 Come with the pressing-stones to the pressed Soma; drink, O lord of Soma; O bull Indra, with the bulls — O greatest slayer of Vṛtra.

5.40.2 The pressing-stone is a bull, the exhilaration is a bull; this pressed Soma is a bull — O bull Indra, with the bulls, O greatest slayer of Vṛtra.

5.40.3 As a bull I invoke you the bull, O Indra the thunderer, with wonderful aids — O bull Indra, with the bulls, O greatest slayer of Vṛtra.

5.40.4 He who possesses the Ṛjīṣa, the thunderer, the bull, the overwhelmer of foes, the powerful, the king, the Vṛtra-slayer, the Soma-drinker — having yoked the two tawny horses let Indra come hither and rejoice at the midday pressing.

5.40.5 When Svarbhānu the Asura pierced you, O Sūrya, with darkness — like one foolish and ignorant of the region — the worlds were bewildered.

5.40.6 When, O Indra, Svarbhānu's deceits — operating from below the sky — struck Sūrya down, Atri by his fourth prayer found the sun hidden by enveloping darkness.

5.40.7 Let not the deceitful malicious one swallow me here in fear — me who am yours. You are Mitra of true bounty; both Mitra and king Varuṇa shall come to my aid.

5.40.8 The priest straining at the pressing-stones, honouring the gods with song and supplication — Atri placed the eye of the sun back in heaven and wiped away the deceits of Svarbhānu.

5.40.9 The sun that Svarbhānu the Asura pierced with darkness — the Atris found him; for no others could do it.

5.41.1 Who now, O Mitra and Varuṇa, following truth — from great heaven or from earth — would protect us at the seat of truth, or bring prizes like cattle to the sacrificer?

5.41.2 May Mitra, Varuṇa, Aryaman, Āyu, Indra the strong, the Maruts favour us — those who with obeisances or with fair hymns together uphold the praise-song to the bountiful Rudra with one accord.

5.41.3 O Aśvins, I would invoke you both to come hither — on the path of the wind, in the welfare of the chariot. Or bear toward the worshipper the thought of the mighty lord of heaven, as one would bring food to the blind.

5.41.4 The divine Kaṇva-Hotṛ who follows on without pause, Trita of the sky in accord, Vāyu, Agni, Pūṣan, Bhaga, the all-nourishing one at the offering-time — they have come to the race like the swiftest of horses.

5.41.5 Bring forward for yourselves the wealth with harnessed horses; let thought be placed in the seeking of wealth for protection. The Hotṛ of the son of Uśij — with the aids that are truly gracious — these Maruts are the speedy ones.

5.41.6 Make Vāyu come forward, the chariot-yoker; make the divine, inspired one worthy of praise come forward with hymns. May those who strive like arrows, who obtain the truth, the enriching, the understanding patrons — may the good ladies place themselves in thought for us here.

5.41.7 In her approach to you with praisable vigours, in the great Heaven's illumining with hymns — Dawn-and-Night, as if knowing all, carry the sacrifice here to the mortal.

5.41.8 I sing for you prosperous, wealth-giving men — for the Lord of the Dwelling and for Tvaṣṭṛ who gives freely; may the bountiful Dhiṣaṇā, in harmony, with obeisances — may forest trees and herbs seek wealth.

5.41.9 For our offspring and lineage may the mountains be ours — those white-gleaming Vāsava-like heroes; worthy of praise, the Āptya, the reverend one, ever among us — may he, the manly, increase our fame in our conquest.

5.41.10 I have praised the embryo of the bull-like earth; Trita, the child of the waters, with fair hymns. Agni raises his voice with vigours like a racer; he of the fiery hair shatters the forests.

5.41.11 How shall we speak to the great Rudriya? How to Bhaga who has discernment about wealth? May the waters, the plants, and heaven protect us — forests and mountains whose hair is trees.

5.41.12 May the lord of nourishments hear our songs; may the energetic, all-surrounding one cross the cloud. The bright waters like forts listen; they flow around the ladle of the pressing mountain.

5.41.13 Let the great ones truly know — those to whom we speak thus, who hold the desirable; even beautiful birds come down toward us, and they shake the mortal who goes along with their striking weapons.

5.41.14 I have spoken toward the divine and earthly births, toward the waters for the sake of the gracious one. May the heavens and the bright-crested hymns increase; may the conquering floods rise up.

5.41.15 At every step my old age has been placed; but the powerful sheltering one with her guards is there. May the great mother Earth, the rich in sap, remain with us — the straight-handed, straight-bountiful one, among the wise patrons.

5.41.16 How shall we worship with obeisances the generous Maruts of good hearing — the Maruts of good hearing whose call speeds forward? May the serpent Ahi Budhnya not put us to harm; may he be the highest increaser for us.

5.41.17 Thus indeed a mortal wins from you gods, O gods, for his offspring rich in cattle — the mortal wins from you, O gods. May he establish the auspicious body-share here; even my old age let Nirṛti devour.

5.41.18 That favour of yours, O gods, that strengthening refreshment — may we Vasus attain it through the recitation of the cow. May that divine generous goddess, bestowing grace, come running toward us for our good fortune.

5.41.19 May Iḷā, the mother of the herd, praise us here together with the rivers; or may Urvaśī praise us; or Bṛhaddivā-Urvaśī, praising and spreading forth for the longevity of the offering.

5.41.20 May she remain with us for the nourishment of the vigorous one.

5.42.1 May my most pleasant thought and song now reach Varuṇa, Mitra, Bhaga, and Aditi. May the five-Hotṛ of the dappled source, the unimpeded path-maker, the mighty Asura, the source of bliss, hear.

5.42.2 May Aditi receive my praise-song as a mother receives her dear, gracious son. The prayer that is dear, established by the gods, that which is a source of bliss — may I place it in Mitra and Varuṇa.

5.42.3 Raise up the most wise among the wise; anoint him with honey and with ghee. May the divine Savitṛ set flowing for us abundant wealth, granted and established, and lovely things.

5.42.4 O Indra, guide us together with mind and with cows, with patrons, with welfare; bring us together with the prayer that is established by the gods, with the favour of the gods worthy of sacrifice.

5.42.5 Divine Bhaga, Savitṛ the sharer of wealth, Indra the conqueror of Vṛtra and of riches, Ṛbhukṣa and Vāja, and Puraṁdhi — may the immortal swift ones protect us.

5.42.6 We proclaim the deeds of him with the Maruts, the unconquered victor, who ages not. Neither those who came before, O bountiful one, nor those who came after, nor yet any new one has equalled your heroic might.

5.42.7 Praise first the giver of jewels, Bṛhaspati, the winner of riches; he who is most beneficent to him who hymns and praises — the one rich in many goods shall come to him who calls.

5.42.8 Protected by your aids, O Bṛhaspati, the bountiful ones go unharmed, the heroes; those who give horses, who give cows, who give garments — among those fortunate ones is wealth.

5.42.9 Scatter the possessions of those who enjoy without giving, who make no offering with hymns. Drive away from the sun those who transgress the law, who are waxing in arrogance, who hate the sacred word.

5.42.10 Him who opposes at the gods' feast with those who have no wheels — tread him down, O Maruts. He who would blame the laboured labour of one who has laboured for you — let that sweating one achieve only petty desires.

5.42.11 Praise him who has good arrows, a good bow, who rules over all medicines; worship Rudra with obeisances for great grace — honour the divine, the mighty Asura.

5.42.12 The household-dwelling, active ones of good hands — the wives of the bull, the rivers shaped by the Pervader — may Sarasvatī and Bṛhaddivā, and Rākā, the bright ones, show favour and do their service.

5.42.13 I now bring wisdom, a newly born song, to the great well-sheltered one. He who, striking the daughter's flanks with his arms, marring her forms, fashioned this for us.

5.42.14 O singer, may your perfect praise now reach the Lord of Iḷā who thunders and roars — he who drives forth the cloud-full, water-full one, and rains upon the two worlds with lightning.

5.42.15 May this hymn of praise now reach the Marutic troop, the sons of Rudra, the youthful; desire calls me for wealth and welfare — praise without wearying the Maruts of dappled horses.

5.42.16 May this hymn of praise reach earth and atmosphere and the forest trees and the plants for wealth. May each and every god be easy to invoke for me; may mother Earth not put us in an evil mind.

5.42.17 May we be in a wide, unobstructed space, O gods.

5.42.18 With the new aid of the Aśvins, the blissful, the well-guiding, may we meet together; bring us wealth and heroes; bring us, O immortals, all good fortunes.

5.43.1 May the milk-cows come swiftly to us, overflowing with milk, undiminishing, with sweetness; the inspired singer calls upon the seven great sources of bliss for great wealth.

5.43.2 To turn the perfect praise with obeisances — may undiminishing Heaven and Earth come to our prize-contest; the father and mother of honeyed speech, of good hands — may the two glorious ones protect us in every contest.

5.43.3 O adhvaryus who have prepared the sweet things, bring the lovely bright one to Vāyu; protect us first as does a Hotṛ; O god, we have poured sweet drink for your exhilaration.

5.43.4 Ten pressing-fingers yoke the arms to the stone — those two skilled dressers of the Soma. The stalk standing on the mountain, the well-armed one, has milked forth the bright sweet essence, drop by drop.

5.43.5 The Soma has been pressed for you who are pleased by it, for wisdom, for great discernment, for exhilaration; the two well-yoked tawny horses in your chariot — make them come hither, O Indra, when called.

5.43.6 Bring hither to us great Aramati in harmony, the divine lady who accepts oblations with obeisances; for the exhilaration of the sweet, the great one who knows the truth — bring her, O Agni, on the god-going paths.

5.43.7 Him whom the inspired ones anoint, spreading him out as it were, the one with the fatty omentum, not burning with fire — like a dear son in his father's presence, Gharma has been established, ordering Agni with truth.

5.43.8 May the great, ample, most gracious song go like a messenger to summon the Aśvins hither; come on the same chariot, you sources of bliss; come to the treasure and the draught-bar like a pin to the nave.

5.43.9 I have looked toward the praise-offering of the mighty, the swift Pūṣan and of Vāyu — who are the impellers of thoughts with bounty, who of themselves are the givers of wealth of the prize.

5.43.10 With the names of all the Maruts bring them hither, with their forms, O Jātavedas, invoking them; may the Maruts come to the sacrifice and the songs and perfect praise of the singer — all with all aids.

5.43.11 From the great heaven, from the mountain, may the holy Sarasvatī come to our sacrifice; may the divine, ghee-bright one who finds pleasure in our invocation, in her longing, hear our auspicious speech.

5.43.12 Seat great Bṛhaspati, the ordainer, the blue-backed, the ample, in the seat; may we approach him who sits established in his home, who blazes in the house, golden-coloured and ruddy.

5.43.13 May Dharṇasi the great-heavenly one, ever generous, come with all his aids, being invoked; wearing the divine ladies and the plants undiminishing — the triple-natured-horned bull, the sustainer of life.

5.43.14 At the highest station of the mother, the bright one, the Āyus, the eloquent singers with glad voices have come; those who accept oblations with obeisances for gracious shelter — the Āyus cleanse the child as if in a garment.

5.43.15 O Agni, great nourishment — may the pairs who are not wearied by thought stay together with you the great; may each and every god be easy to invoke for me; may mother Earth not put us in an evil mind.

5.43.16 May we be in a wide, unobstructed space, O gods.

5.43.17 With the new aid of the Aśvins, the blissful, the well-guiding, may we meet together; bring us wealth and heroes; bring us, O immortals, all good fortunes.

5.44.1 Him of ancient fashion, of primeval fashion, of universal fashion — him the eldest who sits on the sacred grass, who finds the light — the swift victor of the turned community, whom you magnify with your song for milking.

5.44.2 For beauty those well-visible ones of the high — shining with heavenly light he impels the quarters. You are a good shepherd; you are not to be deceived, O of good resolve; by your arts you have been called by the name of truth.

5.44.3 The oblation follows the steed and nourishment follows; he of unimpeded course, the Hotṛ who bears might — the bull-calf gliding along the sacred grass, young in the middle, ageless, placed amid the outstretched ones.

5.44.4 These well-yoked ones advance toward this worship on their course, the downward-inclined ones, to be guided, who increase the truth; with good drivers, with all-directing reins, Krivi steals the names on the downward slope.

5.44.5 Resounding together with the young ones, grasping the pressed drink, the winged one who has thought within beautiful-sounding women — he sounds well.

5.44.6 As he was seen, so he is described; they placed him together with his shadow, with the sycamore, in the waters. Great, far-reaching, of wide expanse, great, truly heroic, unimpaired strength for us.

5.44.7 The early-rising one, born of woman or overcoming rivals, the sun, the sage, with rival-conquering mind — may our well-self-rich one win shelter for us all around, guarding the glowing heat and home.

5.44.8 Greater than this Yātu by his banner — the seer's voice moves among those where your name is; what was placed therein — whoever finds that one through watchfulness — he who carries by himself will do what is fitting.

5.44.9 The foremost of these has taken its stand at the ocean; the pressing to which it has come is not harmed. There the heart of the raw-flesh eater does not tremble — where the thought is found with its pure bond.

5.44.10 For by his understanding of sovereignty, of mind, of thought — the single-voiced, the reverend, the joint one — we win with joyful songs the great prize of Avatsāra, the mightiest, worthy of the wise man's share.

5.44.11 The eagle is Aditi among these — the intoxicating drink of the armpit, of the all-desirable, the reverend, the māyā-wielding one; they direct one another and the next to go forward; they know the horn, the all-protective — it is near them.

5.44.12 The ever-giving, the reverend, has slain the enemy; the arm-embraced, the knowledge-knowing one, swift among you together — he goes toward both the choices and shines; when he partakes of the troop with good impulsions.

5.44.13 The bearer of the pressed drink, the true lord of the sacrificer, the udder of all thoughts, the uplifter — carrying the milk-cows bringing rich, sweet milk — repeating and going forward, he does not sleep.

5.44.14 He who keeps awake — the Ṛc verses desire him; he who keeps awake — the Sāman chants approach him; he who keeps awake — this Soma says to him: 'I am yours, dwelling in your friendship'.

5.44.15 Agni keeps awake — the Ṛc verses desire him; Agni keeps awake — the Sāman chants approach him; Agni keeps awake — this Soma says to him: 'I am yours, dwelling in your friendship'.

5.45.1 By hymns he knew how to open heaven, to split the mountain — the radiant Dawns came forth in their procession. He unclosed the folds, the light of heaven went upward; the god opened wide the human doors.

5.45.2 The Sun spread out his glory like splendour; the mother of the kine, the knowing one, went forth from the broad pasture. The rivers that run through desert sands, teeming with foam, — heaven stands firm, well-measured like a pillar.

5.45.3 For this hymn the womb of the mountain, primeval source of great beings, opened wide. The mountain cleft apart; heaven was made ready; those who came forward drained the darkness from the earth.

5.45.4 With well-uttered hymns, with god-pleasing words, I now call upon Indra and Agni for aid. For with hymns do the wise, skilled in sacrifice, adore and worship, making the Maruts draw near.

5.45.5 Come now, let us today be of clear mind; let us drive away adversity more fully. We place hostilities far in the distance; let us press forward, facing the sacrificer.

5.45.6 Let us, O friends, fashion this prayer by which the mother's cow-pen is opened. By which Manu won the wide-flung prize; by which the shrewd trader gained his treasure.

5.45.7 Here the stone, set moving by the arms of those who sang, resounded, by which the Navagvas for ten months did praise. Saramā, following the truth, found the cattle; Aṅgiras accomplished all things truly.

5.45.8 All [the gods] rejoiced with the cattle at the shining of that mighty dawn when the Aṅgirasas exulted. The spring of those [cows] is in the highest abode; on the path of truth Saramā found the cattle.

5.45.9 Let the Sun, drawn by seven horses, come to the field as it extends both wide and long. Swift as a falcon he wings to the soma-press; the young, wise god shines brightly as he goes among the kine.

5.45.10 The Sun mounted the bright ocean; he yoked those tawny mares with light-coloured backs. The wise ones guided him as if a boat through water; the hearkening waters stood below.

5.45.11 I set the sun-winning prayer in the waters, by which the Navagvas crossed over in ten months. By this prayer may we be guarded by the gods; by this prayer may we pass beyond all trouble.

5.46.1 Like a knowing horse I have yoked myself to the yoke; I carry this forward-bearing prayer, seeking help. I desire neither to unyoke from it nor to turn back again; the wise one who goes before leads us straight on the path.

5.46.2 Agni, Indra, Varuṇa, Mitra, O gods — let the host of the Maruts advance, and Viṣṇu too; both Nāsatyas, Rudra, and the divine wives; Pūṣan, Bhaga, and Sarasvatī — may they be pleased.

5.46.3 Indrāgnī, Mitrāvaruṇā, Aditi, heaven, earth, sky, the Maruts, mountains, and waters — I invoke Viṣṇu, Pūṣan, the Lord of Prayer (Bṛhaspati), Bhaga, and glorious Savitṛ for aid.

5.46.4 May Viṣṇu too bring us bliss, and the unwearying Wind; may Soma the wealth-giver create well-being for us. May the Ṛbhus approve our wealth, and the Aśvins; may Tvaṣṭṛ and Vibhu think kindly of us.

5.46.5 And may that host of Maruts dwelling in heaven, the adorable ones, come to sit upon our sacred grass. May Bṛhaspati, Pūṣan grant us shelter; may Varuṇa, Mitra, and Aryaman bestow protection.

5.46.6 And may those mountains, so richly praised, bright-shining, and those rivers, be for our protection. May Bhaga, the apportioner, come with strength to aid us; may wide-spreading Aditi hear my call.

5.46.7 May the eager wives of the gods favour us; may they promote us toward swift motion and the winning of spoil. Those who dwell on earth, and those who abide in the realm of waters — may those goddesses, easy to invoke, grant us shelter.

5.46.8 And may the divine wives advance — Indrāṇī, Agnāyī, the queen Aśvinī. Let Varuṇānī hear and let Rodasī come; may the goddesses advance who are appointed as the season of women.

5.47.1 Harnessing [her steeds], the great mother comes from heaven declaring her message, awakening her daughter. The youthful one, full of wisdom, calling repeatedly to the fathers in their abode, seeking to serve them.

5.47.2 Swift they come, flowing in that direction, having mounted the navel of immortality. Boundless and broad, the paths go round them on all sides — heaven and earth encompass them.

5.47.3 The bull, the ocean, the ruddy one, fair-winged, entered the womb of the ancient father. Set in the middle of heaven, the dappled stone strides apart, guarding the two ends of the atmosphere.

5.47.4 Four carry him, sustaining welfare; ten nourish the embryo for his moving. The three-fold cows of his highest dwelling range immediately about the bounds of heaven.

5.47.5 This form is the subject of discourse among people: the rivers move where the waters have stood still. When two that are alien to each other sustain the one who has a mother, the twin siblings, born here and there, are kindred.

5.47.6 The waters extend their powers for him; the mothers weave garments for the son. The bulls, rejoicing beside the watering-place, go along the paths of heaven toward the bride.

5.47.7 May that be so, O Mitrāvaruṇā; may that, O Agni, be declared auspicious and healing for us. May we obtain firm ground and a firm footing; adoration to the great heaven, the abiding-place.

5.48.1 For what dear abode shall we now direct our thought — that realm of its own sovereignty and its own glory, great and mighty? — When the magic one, gathering the clouds, spreads out the waters of that raw sky.

5.48.2 They spread out a course that swells with heroes; with a common flowing they embrace the entire atmosphere. The waters retreat to the west and farther; the god-devoted man crosses over by means of the former [paths].

5.48.3 With the pressing-stones, with the ever-recurring days and nights, the magic one drives forward the mightiest bolt. A hundred or more move about in its own house, revolving the days and turning them apart again.

5.48.4 I have seen the flood of it as an axe facing forward, its marvellous form. When, together, it places a treasure like a nourishing dwelling for the folk at the invocation of Bhara.

5.48.5 He, four-faced, strains forward with his tongue, Varuṇa, handsomely arrayed, pressing against the foe. We do not know him in his human measure, from whom Bhaga and Savitṛ bestow the desirable gift.

5.49.1 I seek for you today divine Savitṛ and Bhaga, who distributes the treasure of life. O ye two lords, many-nourishing Aśvins, I would turn you toward us as friends day after day.

5.49.2 Knowing the course of the mighty one, honouring divine Savitṛ with well-spoken hymns, the worshipper should draw near with homage, recognising him as he distributes the foremost treasure of life.

5.49.3 Without giving, he distributes the desirable things; Pūṣan, Bhaga, and Aditi clothe themselves in radiance at dawn. Indra, Viṣṇu, Varuṇa, Mitra, and Agni — those wondrous ones generate the auspicious days.

5.49.4 May resistless Savitṛ grant us that protection; may the rivers, flowing freely, follow that course. When the hotr of the sacrifice has uttered this, may we be lords of wealth, possessing prize and treasure.

5.49.5 Those who direct homage to the Vasus as much as they should, who utter fair words to Mitra and Varuṇa — may the terrible [enemy] retreat; create greater space; with the aid of heaven and earth may we rejoice.

5.50.1 Every mortal should choose the friendship of the divine leader. Every one desires wealth; let him choose the glory that he may thrive.

5.50.2 Those, O divine leader, who obey this command of thine — them, together with their wealth, with them and their attainments, may we truly associate.

5.50.3 From there, honour our men, our guests; from there, honour our wives. May the quick one drive far away all obstacles that stand in the path.

5.50.4 Where the carrier [Agni], harnessed, has rushed into the trough like a beast, with manly mind, dwelling with heroes, he will win the streams like a wise man.

5.50.5 This, thy lord of the chariot, O divine leader, brings bliss and wealth — bliss for wealth, bliss for well-being. Praised by the Iṣas we offer prayer; praised by the gods we offer prayer.

5.51.1 Come, O Agni, with all thy aids, to drink the pressed soma; come with all the gods to receive the offering of oblations.

5.51.2 Come, you who meditate on sacred order, whose laws are true — come to the sacrifice. Drink with the tongue of Agni.

5.51.3 Come, O sage among the inspired, with the inspired sages, with those who go forth at dawn; come with the gods to drink the soma.

5.51.4 This soma, pressed in the bowls, is poured into the vessel — dear to Indra, dear to Vāyu.

5.51.5 Come hither, Vāyu, for the feast, pleased with the gift of oblations; drink of the pressed plant — gladly forward to the joy.

5.51.6 Both Indra and Vāyu are worthy to drink these pressed [soma drinks]; let the two of you, sinless ones, take pleasure in them — forward to the joy.

5.51.7 The soma draughts mingled with curds are pressed for Indra and for Vāyu; they flow like rivers to the low ground — forward to the joy.

5.51.8 In accord with all the gods, in accord with the Aśvins and with the Dawn — come, O Agni, as Atri [came], and rejoice in the pressed soma.

5.51.9 In accord with Mitrāvaruṇā, in accord with Soma and Viṣṇu — come, O Agni, as Atri [came], and rejoice in the pressed soma.

5.51.10 In accord with the Ādityas and the Vasus, in accord with Indra and Vāyu — come, O Agni, as Atri [came], and rejoice in the pressed soma.

5.51.11 May the Aśvins measure out well-being to us, and Bhaga; may divine, resistless Aditi grant well-being. May Pūṣan the mighty establish well-being for us; may heaven and earth with good guidance grant well-being.

5.51.12 For well-being we invoke Vāyu, and Soma, lord of the world, for well-being. Bṛhaspati, with all his host, for well-being — may the Ādityas be for us well-being.

5.51.13 May all the Viśvedevas be for our well-being today; may Vaiśvānara, good Agni, be for our well-being. May the god-like Ṛbhus protect us — for well-being; may Rudra guard us from distress — for well-being.

5.51.14 Well-being through Mitrāvaruṇā, well-being through the prosperous road. May Indra and Agni grant us well-being; make well-being for us, O Aditi.

5.51.15 May we walk along the path of well-being like the sun and moon. May we come together again with those who give again, who do not slay, who know.

5.52.1 Praise boldly, O Śyāvāśva, with bold hymns, with the singer Maruts — those adorable ones who, free from guile and true to their nature, rejoice in glory.

5.52.2 For they are friends of steady strength, bold in their going. In their course, self-moving and bold, they protect without ceasing.

5.52.3 They, swift-running and untiring, leap through the nights. Of the Maruts indeed we think in their greatness in heaven and on earth.

5.52.4 In the Maruts we place our praise and sacrifice, boldly — they who through all ages of mankind guard the mortal from harm.

5.52.5 Deserving are they, bountiful givers, heroes of unbounded strength. Offer the sacrifice to the sacrifice-worthy ones — sing forth to the Maruts from heaven.

5.52.6 With their ornaments of gold, with their weapons, the tall heroes let fly their spears. The lightnings followed them, the Maruts like crackling fires; the light of heaven shone of itself.

5.52.7 They who have grown great on earth, or in the wide atmosphere, whether in the meeting-place of rivers, or in the great abode of heaven.

5.52.8 Praise aloud the Marut host, of true might, of skilful power. And then those bright heroes harness the swift [steeds] of themselves for their splendour.

5.52.9 And the pure ones dwell wrapped in wool upon the Paruṣṇī; and with the wheel-rims of their chariots they cleave the rock with power.

5.52.10 Those that go on the path, those that go astray from the path, those that go within the path, those that go along the path — by these names the sacrifice spreads itself out and is accomplished for me.

5.52.11 Then the heroes carry it off; then the Niyuts carry it off. Then [they are called] 'those from afar' — marvellous their visible forms.

5.52.12 The praisers, the kubha-dwellers, who utter chants, danced to the spring. Those of them that were like thieves were to me as helpers in the flash of sight.

5.52.13 Those tall ones, lightning-speared, who are wise and creative — that Marut troop, O Ṛṣi, honour with soothing song.

5.52.14 Toward the Marut troop, O Ṛṣi, [go] with gifts like a friend and a woman; praised with inspired thoughts, may the bold ones of heaven be impelled with power.

5.52.15 Now, thinking of these gods, let me go to them as to a stream-bed. Let the gifts accompany the generous patrons, those heard on their course, bright and adorned.

5.52.16 Those patrons who spoke of the dappled cow as mine, as my kin, who called her their mother — the knowing ones then spoke of the mighty Rudra as father.

5.52.17 Seven and seven, the mighty ones each gave me hundreds. On the Yamunā, glorious beyond measure — I groom away the wealth in cattle; I groom away the wealth in horses.

5.53.1 Who knows the birth of these? Who was formerly in the favour of the Maruts when these bays were yoked?

5.53.2 Who has heard of those who stood in the chariots, how they set out? Toward whom did they flow to Sudās, following him with refreshment — the rains together with libations?

5.53.3 Those heroes who come with the bright heavenly [lights], rejoicing, blameless young men — they said to me: 'Behold these; praise them thus!'

5.53.4 They who shine with their ointments, with their axes — self-luminous in their garlands, golden ornaments, and arm-rings — gleaming also in chariots and bows.

5.53.5 Following your chariots, O Maruts, swift givers, I have placed my delight; the rains of heaven [come] like those who hasten.

5.53.6 The bountiful heroes shook for the pious devotee the treasury of heaven; they release Parjanya; the rains go along the two worlds in their course across the desert.

5.53.7 The rivers, cleaving a way through the dust with their rush, flow forward like milch cows. Like wet horses released from their road when the steeds swing onward.

5.53.8 Come hither, O Maruts, from heaven, from the atmosphere, from the near and from the far. Do not stand aloof from us in the distance.

5.53.9 May neither Rasā, nor Kubhā, nor Krumu detain you; may not Sindhu hold you; may not the Sarayu with its flood-tide stand in your way. May your favour rest with us.

5.53.10 That fierce host of yours, O Maruts, that troop of chariots of the newer ones — the rains follow in their wake.

5.53.11 Band by band of theirs, troop by troop, company by company with fair praises — may we follow them with our devotions.

5.53.12 For whom today have the Maruts gone forth on this course — to the nobly-born one, to him whose sacrificial gift is bestowed?

5.53.13 The imperishable grain-seed that you carry for offspring and progeny — bestow that upon us: the wealth and all-sustaining good fortune that we seek from you.

5.53.14 May we pass through slanders, cross over them with well-being, casting away blame and enemies. Having rained down the healing remedy at dawn for well-being, may we be, O Maruts, in your company.

5.53.15 Rich in gods, abounding in heroes is that mortal man, O Maruts, whom you protect. May we be such.

5.53.16 Praise the bountiful ones — in the going of the one who praises thus, the cattle resound like [cattle] in the pasture. From where you call the former friends: summon the willing ones with your voice, praise them!

5.54.1 Forth to the Marut host, self-luminous, mountain-shaking — I sent forth this utterance; sing great heroic glory to those who praise the heat, who sacrifice on the back of heaven, who are renowned in splendour.

5.54.2 Forth for you, O mighty, watery, strength-increasing, horse-harnessing, all-running Maruts! Together with lightning they [the waters] pour; Trita cries out; the waters roar in the forests, running everywhere.

5.54.3 The heroes great with lightning, stone-hurling, wind-glittering Maruts, mountain-shaking — though again and again veiled by the rain-cloud, roaring and crashing, fierce, water-powerful.

5.54.4 The Rudras pierce through the nights, the skilful ones through the days, through the atmosphere, through the realms of light — the shakers. When you drove through the plains like ships, through difficulties, O Maruts, you are not harmed at all.

5.54.5 That heroic greatness of yours, O Maruts, has stretched out long like the Sun's yoke-path. In this your course, you of the unrestrained flame — you came down upon the mountain that gives no horses.

5.54.6 Cloud-gleaming host of Maruts, when you plunder the ocean, shaking the tree like a woodpecker, O wise ones — then, together in harmony, lead us, as an eye leads one who moves, on the easy path.

5.54.7 He is not conquered, O Maruts, nor slain, nor does he err, nor is he shaken, nor harmed. His wealth does not dwindle, nor his aid — the sage or the king whom you have cherished well.

5.54.8 Bearing the Niyuts, conquering villages like heroes, like Aryaman, O Maruts, trunk-bodied ones — they swell the spring when the mighty ones cry out; they flood the earth with the sweet plant-juice.

5.54.9 This earth inclines downward toward the Maruts; heaven inclines downward to those who press forward. The pathways of the atmosphere incline downward; the mountains incline, swift givers that they are.

5.54.10 When you rejoice, O Maruts, full of sound, of solar lustre, at the rising of the sun, O heroes of heaven — your horses never slacken their course; immediately you reach the farther end of this road.

5.54.11 Spears on your shoulders, arm-rings on your feet, golden breastplates, O Maruts, gleaming on the chariot; fire-bright lightnings at your wrists; golden helmets spread over your heads.

5.54.12 That heavenly vault, O nobly-born Maruts, you of the unrestrained flame shake — the bright pippala tree. The righteous ones gathered together, outshining the folds, when they sounded forth their spread-wide cry.

5.54.13 Of wealth given by you, O all-knowing Maruts, may we be possessors — wealth abounding in chariots and vigour, that does not fail like Tiṣya from the sky. O Maruts, bestow thousandfold upon us.

5.54.14 You, O Maruts, grant wealth rich in heroes; you protect the sage inspired with sacred song. You assign the swift horse and the prize to Bharata; you set in place the king who hearkens to command.

5.54.15 That wealth I seek from you, O Maruts, instantly helpful — by which we might spread the sun's light for heroes. May this my cherished word find favour with you, O Maruts — by its power may we cross over a hundred winters.

5.55.1 Worthy of prior worship, the Maruts with their gleaming spear-points have assumed great vigour, adorned with golden ornaments on their chests; they are set in motion by well-reined, swift horses — may the chariots roll after them in glorious array.

5.55.2 You have assumed your own might as you know how; vast, great, you shine wide and far; you have measured out the mid-air (the atmosphere) with your strength — may the chariots roll after them in glorious array.

5.55.3 Born together, goodly in form, growing together, these heroes have increased ever more for splendour; blazing like the rays of the sun — may the chariots roll after them in glorious array.

5.55.4 Your greatness, O Maruts, is worthy of adornment, worthy of beholding like the eye of the sun; establish us also in immortality — may the chariots roll after them in glorious array.

5.55.5 You stir up the rain-laden clouds from the ocean, O Maruts; you, full of water, pour down the rain; your abundant milch-cows do not fail — may the chariots roll after them in glorious array.

5.55.6 When you yoked the dappled deer to the shafts and put on your golden mantles, you scatter all your foes, O Maruts — may the chariots roll after them in glorious array.

5.55.7 Neither mountains nor rivers hinder you; wherever you have aimed, O Maruts, there you go; you encompass even heaven and earth — may the chariots roll after them in glorious array.

5.55.8 Whatever is ancient, O Maruts, whatever is new, whatever is just now proclaimed, O Vasus, or is yet to be proclaimed — you are the knowers of all that — may the chariots roll after them in glorious array.

5.55.9 Be gracious to us, O Maruts; do not smite us; extend abundant shelter to us; attend to our hymn of praise, to our friendship — may the chariots roll after them in glorious array.

5.55.10 Lead us toward better fortune, O Maruts, being praised; free us from troubles, O adorable ones; accept our oblation offered with the ladle — may we be lords of riches.

5.56.1 O Agni, I invoke today the bold host of the Maruts, adorned with golden ornaments and unguents, the peoples of the Maruts — even from the shining vault of heaven above.

5.56.2 Just as you think in your heart, so indeed have my desires come to fulfilment; those who have come closest to your invocations — strengthen them, O terrible to behold.

5.56.3 Like a bountiful earth struck and stirred, she comes exhilarated toward us; like a bear, O Maruts, is the impetuous force of you, mighty and wild, like a fearsome bull.

5.56.4 Those who cast down with their might as effortlessly as cows that are hard to yoke — with their courses they dislodge even the stone, the sky-reaching mountain, the hill.

5.56.5 Rise up now, being sprinkled with their praises; I call the most abundant, unprecedented gift of the Maruts as one calls a release of cattle.

5.56.6 Harness the tawny mares to the chariot; harness the red steeds to the chariots; harness the swift bay horses to the yoke for drawing — the best bearers to the yoke for drawing.

5.56.7 And that victorious tawny (steed), roaring loudly, has been set here as the visible one; let him not delay long in your courses, O Maruts — urge him forward in the chariots.

5.56.8 We now call hither the chariot of the Maruts, desirous of fame — the chariot on which the two worlds (heaven and earth), bearing beautiful sounds, have stood together among the Maruts.

5.56.9 I call hither that host of yours, glorious in the chariot, impetuous and worthy of praise — that host in which the well-born, fortunate, bounteous one is magnified together among the Maruts.

5.57.1 Come, O Rudras, together with Indra, in accord, on your golden chariots, for our well-being; this prayer from us reaches out to you, like a thirsty man's (longing) for a spring of water from heaven.

5.57.2 Bearing axes and lances, wise, with good bows, furnished with arrows and quivers — you are well-horsed, with good chariots, sons of Pṛśni, with fine weapons, O Maruts; come beauteously.

5.57.3 You shake heaven and the mountains to give wealth to the worshipper; the forests bow down at your passage from fear; you agitate the earth, O sons of Pṛśni — when for glory you fierce ones yoked the dappled deer.

5.57.4 The Maruts with the lustre of the wind, clad in rain-garments, equal and well-formed like twin Yamas, with tawny horses, with reddish-brown horses, spotless, swelling in their bodies, vast as the sky in their greatness.

5.57.5 Adorned with many drops, gleaming with unguents, munificent, terrifying to behold, of inexhaustible bounty — well-born by nature, golden-chested, rays of heaven, they have partaken of the immortal name.

5.57.6 The spears on your shoulders, O Maruts, the strength and the power deposited in your arms — manly vigour on your heads, weapons in your chariots — all splendour has been wrought upon your bodies.

5.57.7 Grant us, O Maruts, wealth rich in cattle, rich in horses, with good chariots, with excellent heroes, brilliant in beauty; make our praise renowned, O sons of Rudra — may I partake of your divine favour.

5.57.8 Ho, O heroic Maruts, be gracious to us — O you of mighty gifts, immortal, knowing the cosmic order; truly renowned, wise, youthful, of mighty voice, loudly roaring.

5.58.1 Now indeed I praise this mighty host of the Maruts, worthy of fresh praise — those who powerfully draw swift-horsed chariots and rule as self-sovereigns over the immortal realm.

5.58.2 Praise, O wise man, this impetuous host, mighty, with rings of metal on their hands, intent on shaking, possessing magical powers, munificent — those unlimited in greatness, producing happiness, richly rewarding men.

5.58.3 May those who carry water come here today, all the Maruts who urge on the rain; this fire, O Maruts, that is kindled — come enjoy this, O wise and youthful ones.

5.58.4 You, the adorable ones, generate for the people the king Irya, fashioned by Vibhva; from you comes the fist-fighter, propelled by his arms; from you, O Maruts, comes he of good horses and brave heroes.

5.58.5 Like spokes that are not the last, like days, they are born again and again, unceasing, through their greatness; sons of Pṛśni, supreme and vigorous — the Maruts have poured forth by their own will.

5.58.6 When you set forth, O Maruts, with your dappled horses and firm-wheeled chariots, the waters rush along, the forests bend, the she-cattle are loosened; let the bull (thunder) roar in the sky.

5.58.7 The earth spreads wide at their passing; as a nursing mother their might shakes the earth like its own womb; they have yoked wind-swift horses to the shaft, and the sons of Rudra have made rain their sweat.

5.58.8 Ho, O heroic Maruts, be gracious to us — O you of mighty gifts, immortal, knowing the cosmic order; truly renowned, wise, youthful, of mighty voice, loudly roaring.

5.59.1 Your swift scout has run forth to give good fortune; I bring forward with a hymn the cosmic order for heaven and earth; they bathe their horses, they cross the dust (atmosphere), they loosen themselves after their own lustre with their streams.

5.59.2 The earth trembles from their abode through fear; like a full ship she drifts, shaking as she goes; visible from afar, they who illumine with their flashes — these heroes have striven in the great assembly.

5.59.3 Like the highest horn of cattle for beauty, like the eye of the sun when the atmosphere is released — you stand like goodly, handsome race-horses; like young men, you heroes are observed for their beauty.

5.59.4 Who has reached the great deeds of you the great? Who your wisdom, O Maruts? Who your manliness? You make the earth tremble like a dust cloud when you carry gifts forward for good fortune.

5.59.5 Like tawny horses of the same kin, like heroes going forth to battle they have striven; like young men grown to full vigour, the heroes have grown; they dim the eye of the sun with their rains.

5.59.6 They have no eldest or youngest, no middlemost; they have grown in greatness as those who spring up spontaneously; well-born by nature, sons of Pṛśni — O youthful heroes of the sky, come here to us.

5.59.7 Like birds they have flown in rows with might around the ridges of broad heaven; their horses, both kinds as they know, have shaken loose the water-veins of the mountain.

5.59.8 Let heaven measure out for our enjoyment; let the Dawns, rich in dew, strive together; these Maruts, praised, sons of the Ṛṣi Rudra, have shaken loose the heavenly treasure-chest.

5.60.1 I praise Agni with homages as self-sheltered; set in place here, may he discern our ritual act; as if going forth with prize-seeking chariots, may I prosper the hymn of the Maruts turning clockwise.

5.60.2 Who have taken their stand on the famous, well-seated dappled mares, O Rudras, O Maruts, in your chariots — even the forests, O terrible ones, bow down before you in fear; even the earth trembles; even the mountain.

5.60.3 Even the great, lofty mountain is afraid; even the ridge of heaven trembles at your roar; when you sport together, O Maruts with your spears, you rush along like converging waters.

5.60.4 Like choice thoroughbreds (raivatas), they have adorned their bodies with gold and with their own natures; surpassing in beauty, mighty in their chariots — jointly they have wrought greatness upon their bodies.

5.60.5 These, having neither eldest nor youngest, have grown together as brothers for good fortune; Rudra, their ever-young father of good works — Pṛśni, richly milking, is fair-days-giving for the Maruts.

5.60.6 Whether you are in the highest, O Maruts, or in the middlemost, or in the lowest heaven, O blessed ones — from there, O Rudras, take note of our oblation, O Agni, of the sacrifice which we perform.

5.60.7 And that which Agni and you, O Maruts, all-knowing, bring from beyond the highest ridges of heaven — be glad and shaking, O destroyers of foes, bestow abundance on the sacrificer who presses the soma.

5.60.8 O Agni, drink the soma, rejoicing with the Maruts who make beautiful, who hymn, who lend splendour to the host — with the purifiers, the all-enlivening, the life-promoting ones, O Vaiśvānara, together with your ancient banner.

5.61.1 Who are you, the most excellent heroes, who have come each singly from the most remote distance?

5.61.2 Where are your horses? Where your reins? How did you halt? How did you come? The seat on the back, the yoke of the two nostrils — how was it?

5.61.3 Behind them, urged on, the heroes spread their thighs, like women at the act of birth.

5.61.4 Go forth, O heroes, O young men of noble birth — as you are tempered by fire (in Agni's heat).

5.61.5 That which is connected with horses, and cattle, and riches of a hundred sheep — she who resounds, praised by Śyāvāśva, bestows the hero's arm's strength upon him.

5.61.6 Moreover a woman more vigorous than a man may be more wealthy — from one who is not devoted to the gods and lacks true bounty.

5.61.7 She who discerns the exhausted man, the thirsty man, the eager man — she turns her mind toward the gods.

5.61.8 And yet surely no man who is unpraised — so says the niggardly Paṇi — he alone is equal to Vairadeva (the hero's reward).

5.61.9 And a young exhilarated woman came running toward Śyāva's path; the two red mares have been aimed at the much-lauded Purumīḍha, at the inspired poet of long-enduring fame.

5.61.10 He who gave me a hundred milch-cows as Vaidadaśvi gave — their munificence is like a crossing (of the flood).

5.61.11 Those who carry this with their swift horses, drinking the intoxicating sweet drink — here they have established their glories.

5.61.12 By whose splendour the two worlds gleam as if in their chariots — like gold above in the sky.

5.61.13 Young is this Marut host, of impetuous chariots, unsurpassed, going beauteously, unopposed.

5.61.14 Who now knows where these spotless ones, born from the cosmic order, are exhilarated as they shake?

5.61.15 You, O praiseworthy ones, are the leaders of mortal man, guiding him with your thought, the hearers at the callings for your help.

5.61.16 May those destroyers of foes, adorable, of manifold brilliance, turn to us with desirable riches.

5.61.17 O divine Ūrmī, carry this my hymn forth to Dārbhya, like a charioteer (carries) praises.

5.61.18 And let them say to me thus in the presence of Rathavīti who has pressed the soma: 'My desire does not go away from me.'

5.61.19 This Rathavīti the munificent one dwells along the cattle-rich (rivers), resting against the mountains.

5.62.1 By the cosmic order your firm cosmic order is covered, O Mitra-Varuṇa, where they unyoke the horses of the sun; a thousand ten (ten hundred) have stood together — that one I have seen, the best of divine forms.

5.62.2 That is your greatness, O Mitra-Varuṇa — the (cows) standing motionless have been milked (like waves) by the days; you two swell all the streams of the heavenly well; one wheel (of the sun) has rolled after you two.

5.62.3 You have upheld the earth and heaven with your greatness, O Mitra and Varuṇa, kings; you cause the plants to grow, you cause the cows to flow with milk; you who give swiftly, send forth the rain.

5.62.4 May the well-yoked horses bring you hither; may (the reins of) whichever chariot come hitherward; the bright garment of ghee follows after you; the rivers flow for you from ancient times.

5.62.5 Following and increasing the famed, vast thought, protecting it like the sacrificial grass with the yajus formula — bowing, holding firm power, within the seat of honour, O Mitra and Varuṇa, you two sit in the Iḍā-offerings.

5.62.6 With bloodless hands, protecting well-doers, protecting mutually — whom you two protect within the Iḍā-offerings; O kings, wielding sovereignty without anger, the two of you bear the thousand-pillared (world) together.

5.62.7 Golden-garmented, its pillar is of iron; it gleams in the sky like a (great) horse-born; fixed in a beautiful field, in a well-tilled land — may we win the mead of the seat (of the sun).

5.62.8 Of golden form at the shining forth of the dawn, with its iron pillar at the rising of the sun — you ascend, O Varuṇa and Mitra, the seat of honour; from there you two behold Aditi and Diti.

5.62.9 The greatest shelter, which none can pierce, the flawless shelter — O munificent guardians of the world, with that help us, O Mitra-Varuṇa; may we be those who desire (victory) and who conquer.

5.63.1 As guardians of the cosmic order you two stand on the chariot in the highest sky, possessing the laws of truth; him whom you two, Mitra-Varuṇa, protect here — for him the sweet rain swells from heaven.

5.63.2 You two reign as joint sovereigns of this world, O Mitra-Varuṇa, seeing the sky in the assembly; we crave rain, your bounty, and immortality; the thunders roam across heaven and earth.

5.63.3 Joint sovereigns, mighty, bull-like, lords of heaven, omniscient Mitra-Varuṇa, masters of the earth — you two take your stand with brilliant clouds and the roar; you cause the sky to rain by the māyā of the Asura-lord.

5.63.4 Your māyā is established in the sky, O Mitra-Varuṇa; the sun moves as the brilliant weapon of light; him you hide in the sky with cloud and rain; the drops of Parjanya rich in sweetness roll on.

5.63.5 The Maruts yoke the chariot for beauty and ease, like heroes in the quest for cattle, O Mitra-Varuṇa; the brilliant thunders roam across the regions; O joint sovereigns of heaven, sprinkle (the earth) with milk.

5.63.6 A speech nourishing and full of refreshing rain, brilliant and full of gleam — Parjanya speaks it well, O Mitra-Varuṇa; the Maruts clothe the clouds with their māyā; cause the pure, reddish sky to rain.

5.63.7 By the cosmic law, wise Mitra-Varuṇa, you guard the divine ordinances through the Asura's māyā; by the cosmic order you rule over all the world; you two fix in the sky the wondrous chariot of the sun.

5.64.1 With a verse-hymn we call to you Varuṇa, the destroyer of foes, and Mitra — those two who have encompassed the solar hero (or: the good man of heaven) with their arms as if with an embrace.

5.64.2 Those two arms, with clear perception, going forward for the singer of praise — for your dear, intimate (grace) in all the dwellings I have continually called.

5.64.3 If now I might attain the path, might I travel the road of Mitra — in the shelter of this dear one, the unhurt, they have come together (found their union).

5.64.4 To you two, Mitra-Varuṇa, may I offer the highest (praise) with a hymn; for in the abode of the bountiful ones you strive in rivalry with the praisers.

5.64.5 Mitra with his bright flames, and Varuṇa, (come) to our common seat; in the abode of the bountiful ones and of your friends, for increase.

5.64.6 You two bear among those, O Varuṇa, sovereignty and great might; make wide for us for the winning of prizes, for wealth, for well-being.

5.64.7 For me at the shining forth of the dawn, in the divine field, with the gleaming cattle — like pressed soma, O heroes, come running with (your) hands and feet, you two bearing the worship-face (or: the face that does not worship).

5.65.1 He who perceives is of good insight; let him speak to us of the divine realm — he whose prayers the visible Varuṇa or Mitra delights in.

5.65.2 Those two are kings of greatest lustre, of most far-reaching fame; those two lords of the good who increase the cosmic order, who possess the cosmic order, in every generation.

5.65.3 Coming to you two for help, I invoke together the ancient (prayers) in your company; O you of good horses and clear perception, for the giving forth of prizes.

5.65.4 Mitra wins even from distress a broad path to dwell; for there is the good favour of Mitra who rushes forward, for the worshipper.

5.65.5 May we be in the shelter of Mitra, the most widely renowned; sinless, with your help, those who have Varuṇa's protection entire.

5.65.6 You two, O Mitra, restrain this people and lead it together; do not pass over the bountiful; in your protection, let us not come to harm, of our seers — rescue (us).

5.66.1 Recognize these two gods of noble will, O mortal, the devourers of enemies — render homage to Varuṇa, fashioner of Order, for his great, benevolent bounty.

5.66.2 For those two hold sovereignty that cannot be turned aside, sovereign lordship rightly exercised; and in accordance with their ordinances, the human realm has been established — like heaven made visible.

5.66.3 We seek your wide chariot-track for these chariots of yours, O you two; we contemplate the excellent praise of the oblation-giver, firmly, with hymns.

5.66.4 For ye two, O poets of wonder, with the citadels of discernment, perceive the peoples by the banner — ye whose wisdom is purified.

5.66.5 That Truth is vast and lofty, the glory of the seers: these two, speeding freely, pour themselves broadly across in their courses.

5.66.6 When, O Mitra, with swift-eyed vision, we and the inspired ones strive toward the two of you in your vast sovereignty, abundant in paths.

5.67.1 Truly, so it is — O ye Ādityas, ye two gods who give accomplished worship greatly: O Varuṇa, O Mitra, O Aryaman, ye hold the most exalted sovereign power.

5.67.2 When, O Varuṇa and Mitra, ye take your seats upon the golden throne — sustainers of the peoples, devourers of enemies — guide your benevolence hither.

5.67.3 For all-knowing Varuṇa, Mitra, and Aryaman follow all the divine ordinances as if by steps, and guard the mortal from harm.

5.67.4 For these three are truthful, touching the cosmic Order, possessors of Ṛta among every tribe; they are of good guidance and good gift, and even out of distress they make wide paths.

5.67.5 Who now among those praised by Mitra, or Varuṇa himself, is dear to your persons? This prayer seeks you two — the prayer of the Atris seeks you two.

5.68.1 Sing forth to Mitra and Varuṇa with the voice of the inspired seer; ye two of vast dominion uphold the great Truth.

5.68.2 Co-sovereigns whose womb is the sacred ghee — both Mitra and Varuṇa — gods renowned among the gods.

5.68.3 Grant us of the earthly and the heavenly great wealth — your sovereignty among the gods is mighty.

5.68.4 They guard the Truth with Truth and hold swiftly the active discernment; these two gods, free of treachery, grow in greatness.

5.68.5 Lords of the rain-sky and of the streaming waters, lords of the bounteous stream — they occupy the lofty throne.

5.69.1 Three luminous realms, O Varuṇa, and three heavens and three spaces of mid-air, O Mitra, ye two sustain; waxing ever greater, ye guard the sagacity of the warrior, upholding the tireless ordinance.

5.69.2 Waters abundant in refreshment are your cows, O Varuṇa; rivers sweet with honey yield themselves for you, O Mitra; three bulls stand, seminal and brilliant, sowing seed for the three spheres.

5.69.3 At dawn I call loudly upon divine Aditi, and at midday when the sun has risen; O Mitra-Varuṇa, I entreat for wealth, for full welfare, for health and bliss for my offspring and my descendants.

5.69.4 You two, O Ādityas, sustain the shining space of the mid-region and likewise the heavenly and earthly realms — not even the immortal gods infringe upon your fixed and steadfast ordinances, O Mitra-Varuṇa.

5.70.1 For the protection of you two is indeed very great and manifold, O Varuṇa — now, O Mitra, may I win your benevolent grace.

5.70.2 May we who are free of treachery rightly obtain nourishment from you two for our sustenance — may we be your Rudras.

5.70.3 Protect us, O Rudras, with your guards, and defend us — you who give excellent protection; may we overcome the Dasyus with our bodies.

5.70.4 O two of wondrous power, may we not suffer with our bodies the affliction of yakṣma-disease, not by a remaining ailment nor by a spreading one.

5.71.1 Come to us, O devourers of foes, Varuṇa and Mitra, with great might; approach this pleasing sacrifice.

5.71.2 For ye two, O Varuṇa and Mitra, rule as all-seeing sovereigns; as lords, cause our thoughts to overflow with fullness.

5.71.3 Come to us here, to the soma-presser who makes offerings, O Varuṇa and Mitra, to drink of this soma.

5.72.1 To Mitra and Varuṇa we call with hymns in the manner of Atri; sit ye down upon the barhis-grass for the drinking of soma.

5.72.2 By your ordinance ye are of steady abode, by your law making men well-yoked; sit ye down upon the barhis-grass for the drinking of soma.

5.72.3 May both Mitra and Varuṇa delight in our sacrifice for the attainment of our wish; may they sit upon the barhis-grass for the drinking of soma.

5.73.1 Whether today ye are in the far distance or near at hand, O Aśvins; whether among the many, O ye who give many boons, or come here from mid-air —

5.73.2 Here now, these two most manifold, bearing many marvels — I approach the two unimpeded ones for the granting of the boon; I call the two most powerful for enjoyment.

5.73.3 A marvelous form for form's sake ye have fashioned, and the wheel of the chariot ye have set in motion; ye two fly around the yokes and ages of men with greatness across the spaces.

5.73.4 That is accomplished by you, and all that is praised of you two; though born differently, ye two, free of blemish, have come together as kinsmen to us.

5.73.5 When Sūryā mounts your swiftly gliding chariot always — the ruddy birds around you two, and the radiant sunshine, clothe you.

5.73.6 For you two, O heroes, Atri perceives with a benevolent spirit; the spotless warmth that the Nāsatyas stir with their lips — he busies himself with that.

5.73.7 The mighty, tall steed of yours is heard in your courses, ever onward; when by his marvels the Atri turns you Aśvins back, O heroes.

5.73.8 O Rudras who delight in sweetness, a honey-rich stream clings to you, overflowing; when ye two carry across the ocean, the ripe food-gifts they bring to you.

5.73.9 Truly indeed, O Aśvins, they call you two bringers of joy; in your course ye are most called upon in the course, and in the course ye are most merciful.

5.73.10 May these sacred utterances be most blissful and strengthening for the two Aśvins — these that we have fashioned as craftsmen fashion chariots; we have spoken the great homage.

5.74.1 Where abide you two gods, O Aśvins, today? — O you whose wealth is the mind of heaven; hear this, O two whose wealth is the bull: Atri sets himself to serve you two.

5.74.2 Where — where now are ye heard, O divine Nāsatyas in heaven? Toward which tribe do ye direct yourselves? Who accompanies you by the rivers?

5.74.3 Toward whom do ye travel? To whom do ye go? Toward whom do ye yoke your chariot? Whose sacred words do ye delight in? We are eager for your favour.

5.74.4 Even the city-dweller overwhelmed by water — from the city do ye gladden him for his city's sake, when he is held fast for seizure like a lion at the den of the deceitful.

5.74.5 From Cyavana, grown old, ye released the withered covering like a garment; when ye make him young again, the young wife's desire is fulfilled.

5.74.6 There is here a praiser of you two; we are in your sight for your glory; now that ye have been heard by me — come with your aids, O two whose wealth is swiftness.

5.74.7 Which among the many mortals has won you two today? Which inspired seer, O ye who carry the inspired ones? Which by sacrifices, O ye whose wealth is swiftness?

5.74.8 Let your chariot — the most eager of chariots — come, O Aśvins; the song of praise, desiring us greatly, comes among mortals.

5.74.9 May our repeated hymn be refreshing and sweet for you two; turn hither with keen minds and fly like eagles with swift wings.

5.74.10 O Aśvins, whenever ye would hear this call — your gifts are good and they mingle well for you; may these mixed offerings reach you well.

5.75.1 The seer-praiser adorns with his hymn your most beloved chariot, the bull-like, the wealth-bearing; O Aśvins, sweet and honeyed — hear my call.

5.75.2 Come, O Aśvins, across all primordial ages; O workers of wonder, with golden track, most gracious, borne by the flood — hear my honeyed call.

5.75.3 Come to us, ye two Aśvins, bringing your treasures; O Rudras with the golden track, delighting in it, O ye whose wealth is the swift steed — hear my honeyed call.

5.75.4 On your chariot, O two whose wealth is the bull, the song of excellent praise is set; and the tall beast bears you two nourishment and wonderful forms — hear my honeyed call.

5.75.5 Awake in mind, swift in the chariot, ye who hear the call — with swift wings ye two Aśvins came down to Cyavana who was without deceit — hear my honeyed call.

5.75.6 May your steeds, O heroes, yoked by thought, dappled in form, carry you two for the drinking, together with your graces, O Aśvins — hear my honeyed call.

5.75.7 Come here, O Aśvins, O Nāsatyas, do not miss the mark; even through the hostile one's domain, travel around, ye inviolable — hear my honeyed call.

5.75.8 At this sacrifice, O inviolable lords of beauty, the praiser who seeks your aid and who lauds you — both of you Aśvins, do ye adorn him — hear my honeyed call.

5.75.9 Dawn has come, with gleaming cattle; Agni has been set in the proper season; your chariot has been yoked, O ye whose wealth is the bull, O workers of wonder, immortal — hear my honeyed call.

5.76.1 Agni blazes forth at the face of the Dawns; the god-seeking voices of the seers have risen up; come now hither with your chariot, O Aśvins, toward the gharma-vessel that has been made full.

5.76.2 Ye do not violate what is prepared; come now most swiftly, O Aśvins, praised here; at the approach of the day come for our protection, and be most beneficent in return to the sacrificer.

5.76.3 Come also at cow-gathering time, at the morning of the day, at midday when the sun has risen; by day and by night with most blissful protection — now the time for drinking, O Aśvins, has been extended.

5.76.4 This is indeed your ancient station, your home; these are the houses, O Aśvins, this the dwelling; come to us from the great heaven, from the mountain, from the waters, bringing refreshment and strength.

5.76.5 May we go together with the new protection of the two Aśvins, the joy-bringing, of excellent guidance; bring us wealth and heroes; O immortals, bring all good fortunes.

5.77.1 Worship first these two who travel at dawn — before the vulture, may the ruddy ones drink; for it is at dawn that the two Aśvins establish the sacrifice; the poets who have the first share proclaim it.

5.77.2 Worship the Aśvins at dawn, urge them on; at evening there is no sacrifice unaccomplished by the god-seekers; even another than us worships and is distinguished; each earlier sacrificer gains the better prize.

5.77.3 Of golden skin, honey-coloured, dripping ghee, bearing food-gifts, your chariot rolls forward; swift as thought, O Aśvins, racing like the wind, with it ye two pass over all adversities.

5.77.4 Whoever has served the two Nāsatyas most and has obtained the least in the division of food — may he nourish this man's offspring with toils; may he who shines not upward always overcome.

5.77.5 May we go together with the new protection of the two Aśvins, the joy-bringing, of excellent guidance; bring us wealth and heroes; O immortals, bring all good fortunes.

5.78.1 Come hither, O Aśvins, O Nāsatyas, do not fail to come; fly down like swans toward the pressed soma.

5.78.2 O Aśvins, like two antelopes, like two wild oxen following the pasture — fly down like swans toward the pressed soma.

5.78.3 O Aśvins, O ye whose wealth is speed, delight in the sacrifice for the granting of the boon; fly down like swans toward the pressed soma.

5.78.4 When Atri, sliding down into the chasm, called to you, like a woman in need imploring — ye came with swiftness even rivalling a falcon, O Aśvins, with most blissful freshness.

5.78.5 Open wide, O lord of the forest, like the womb of a woman about to give birth; O Aśvins, hear my call and release Saptavadhri.

5.78.6 For the frightened, imploring seer Saptavadhri — by your miraculous arts, O Aśvins, ye split and opened the tree.

5.78.7 As the wind stirs the lotus-pond on every side, so let your embryo stir; let the ten-month child come forth.

5.78.8 As the wind stirs, as the forest stirs, as the ocean stirs — so stir and come forth, O ten-month child, together with the after-birth.

5.78.9 The boy who has lain ten months upon the mother — let him come forth alive, unharmed, alive, from her who is living.

5.79.1 Awaken us today, O Uṣas, possessor of heavenly light, to great wealth — as indeed thou hast awakened us before, O thou of true glory, of airy swiftness, nobly born, O Uṣas rich in horses and vigour.

5.79.2 She who shone forth in good guidance, in the pure chariot, O daughter of heaven — that same one shine forth, and more powerfully, O thou of true glory, of airy swiftness, nobly born, O Uṣas rich in horses and vigour.

5.79.3 She who has been good, the treasure-bearer — let her shine forth today, O daughter of heaven; the one who shines more powerfully, O thou of true glory, of airy swiftness, nobly born, O Uṣas rich in horses and vigour.

5.79.4 They who, the priest-officants, laud thee with hymns, O Uṣas of brilliant light — with gifts, O one rich in gifts, of good glory, holding bounty, of excellent bestowal — nobly born, O Uṣas rich in horses and vigour.

5.79.5 Even if these your companies veil themselves for the winning of bounties, even so the worshippers around have laid up unwithering largess from those who give — nobly born, O Uṣas rich in horses and vigour.

5.79.6 Place, O Uṣas, rich in gifts, heroic fame among these patrons of ours — the liberal ones who have bestowed on us unwithering treasures — nobly born, O Uṣas rich in horses and vigour.

5.79.7 Bring to those great brilliance and fame, O Uṣas rich in gifts — the patrons who have granted us treasures in horses and in cattle — nobly born, O Uṣas rich in horses and vigour.

5.79.8 Bring also to us refreshments rich in cattle, O daughter of heaven; bring them together with the rays of the sun, with the bright, blazing radiances — nobly born, O Uṣas rich in horses and vigour.

5.79.9 Shine forth, O daughter of heaven; do not delay or thin out your works too long; lest the sun with his ray scorch thee like a thief or a foe — nobly born, O Uṣas rich in horses and vigour.

5.79.10 This much thou knowest, O Uṣas, or more than this thou deservest to give — thou who, O brilliantly bright one, shining for the praisers, dost not perish — nobly born, O Uṣas rich in horses and vigour.

5.80.1 The brilliant-coursed, the great, established in truth, possessing the cosmic Order, rosy-complexioned, shining wide — the divine Dawn, the bringer of heavenly light: the inspired seers sing to her with their thoughts.

5.80.2 She, the visible, awakening the people and making the paths easy to travel, goes in front; lofty-charioted, the great Uṣas who pleases all extends the light at the front of the days.

5.80.3 She, yoked with ruddy cattle, without stumbling has made wealth without failing; the goddess who chisels the paths for well-being, much praised, all-desired, shines forth.

5.80.4 She becomes the radiant one, wearing her double mantle, revealing her body in the east; she follows the path of the cosmic Order rightly, like one who knows it well; she does not confuse the directions.

5.80.5 She, brilliant like a pure body that has been known, as if bathed upright, has stood forth for our sight; pushing away enmities and darknesses, Uṣas, the daughter of heaven, has come with her light.

5.80.6 She, the facing daughter of heaven, like an auspicious woman releases her activity toward men; unfolding the desirable gifts for the sacrificer, the young woman restores the light as it was before.

5.81.1 The inspired seers yoke the mind and yoke the thoughts of the great, inspired, omniscient one; he alone, the knower of right courses, distributes the priestly offices — great is the celebration of the god Savitṛ.

5.81.2 The seer-poet releases all forms; he has impelled good fortune for bipeds and quadrupeds; Savitṛ the Adorable has surveyed the vault of heaven and shines brilliantly following the path of Uṣas.

5.81.3 Following whose procession other gods have gone, impelled by the greatness of the god with power; he who measured out the earthly realms — that vigorous Savitṛ, the god, with his greatness.

5.81.4 And thou, O Savitṛ, goest to the three luminous realms, and thou art joined with the rays of the sun; thou goest around the night on both sides; and thou becomest Mitra, O god, by thy laws.

5.81.5 And thou alone hast command of the impulse to motion, and thou becomest Pūṣan, O god, by thy courses; and thou reignest over all this world of beings — Śyāvāśva has obtained thy praise, O Savitṛ.

5.82.1 We choose that boon of Savitṛ, the divine bestowal; we meditate upon the most excellent, all-sustaining, swift portion of the Bhaga.

5.82.2 For of this Savitṛ who is more self-resplendent, no one diminishes any dear thing, no one diminishes his self-sovereignty.

5.82.3 For he — Savitṛ the Bhaga — impels his treasures toward the worshipper; that brilliant portion do we seek.

5.82.4 Today, O god Savitṛ, impel for us good fortune with offspring; drive away the evil dream.

5.82.5 All adversities, O god Savitṛ, drive away; what is auspicious, that impel toward us.

5.82.6 At the impulse of the divine Savitṛ, for the sinless Aditi, may we meditate upon all desirable things.

5.82.7 Today with our well-spoken hymns we choose the lord of all gods, the lord of good men, Savitṛ of true impulse.

5.82.8 He who goes before both days — the day and the night — without faltering: the god Savitṛ of excellent intelligence.

5.82.9 He who makes all these beings hear by his sound, and impels them onward — that is Savitṛ.

5.83.1 Speak toward the mighty one with these songs; praise Parjanya with homage, seek to please him; the bull who cries aloud, who grants life swiftly, places his seed as an embryo in the plants.

5.83.2 He smites the trees and smites also the demons; all the world is afraid before his great weapon; even the guiltless flee before the bull's power, when Parjanya, thundering, smites the evil-doers.

5.83.3 Like a charioteer lashing horses with the whip, he makes visible his messengers of rain; from afar the roarings of a lion arise when Parjanya makes the rain-cloud.

5.83.4 The winds blow forward, lightnings fly down, plants rise up, heaven swells; nourishment is born for the whole world when Parjanya fertilises the earth with his seed.

5.83.5 At whose ordinance the earth bends down, at whose ordinance hoofed animals tremble, at whose ordinance the plants of all forms flourish — O Parjanya, grant us great shelter.

5.83.6 Grant us the rain of heaven, O Maruts; let the streams of the potent stallion flow forth; come hither with this thunder, O mighty one, O father, pouring down the waters.

5.83.7 Cry out, thunder, place the embryo; fly around with the water-bearing chariot; draw well the full waterbag downward; let the high places and the low become level.

5.83.8 Lift up the great bucket and pour it down; let the streams that have been released flow forward; drench heaven and earth with ghee; let there be good watering for the cows.

5.83.9 When Parjanya, crying aloud and thundering, smites the evil-doers, all this universe rejoices — whatever there is upon the earth.

5.83.10 Thou hast poured down rain; now withhold it again; thou hast made the deserts crossable; thou hast generated the plants for nourishment; thou hast found wisdom also for the offspring.

5.84.1 Yes, truly so, O Pṛthivī — thou bearest the cleft of the mountains; thou who quickenest and settest the earth in motion with greatness, O mighty one.

5.84.2 The hymns of praise respond to thee at night with their refrains, O thou who movest everywhere; thou who shootest the obstacle forward like a neighing steed, O bright one.

5.84.3 Even the firm trees thou shakest with the earth through thy power; when thy rains rain down from the lightning of the cloud of heaven.

5.85.1 Sing forth the great, deep, beloved prayer to the sovereign Varuṇa who is widely heard — who spread the earth as a slaughterer does a hide, for the sun to tread on.

5.85.2 He stretched out the firmament through the forests, speed in the steeds, milk in the cows; in hearts he placed purposeful will, fire in the waters, the sun in heaven, Soma on the rock.

5.85.3 Varuṇa poured forth the cask whose opening turns downward through heaven, earth, and the mid-air; with it the king of all the world wets the earth like rain wetting the barley-crop.

5.85.4 He wets the earth and the broad sky whenever Varuṇa wishes to milk it; the mountains clothe themselves with cloud, the heroes — growing mighty — loosen their strength.

5.85.5 Of this celebrated Asura, Varuṇa — his great magical power have I now declared; he who, as if standing in the mid-air with a measuring rod, measured out the earth by means of the sun.

5.85.6 This great magical power of the most wise god — no one has dared to approach it; for the shining rivers, pouring their streams, do not fill the single ocean.

5.85.7 An Aryaman's man, O Varuṇa, or a friend of Mitra, or a comrade, or even an eternal brother, or a housemate, or a stranger, O Varuṇa — whatever wrong we have done to such, loosen thou that.

5.85.8 As gamblers cheat — what wrong we have done as if in play, or what we have done that is a true transgression, or what we know not — loosen all that, O god, as if it were a loosened knot; then may we be dear to thee, O Varuṇa.

5.86.1 The mortal whom ye two, O Indra and Agni, both help in the battles — even the firm obstacles does he break through, like brilliant words, as Trita does.

5.86.2 That power which is hard to overcome in battles, which is praiseworthy in contests, which encompasses the five peoples — O Indra and Agni, we invoke that power of yours.

5.86.3 The mighty, powerful strength of those two bountiful ones — their sharp lightning — in the fists that are strong as wood, the slayer of Vṛtra seeks the cows.

5.86.4 In pursuit of the chariots we invoke you two, O Indra and Agni, lords of swift bounty, most knowing, most deserving of praise in song.

5.86.5 Both gods, growing in power through the days for the mortal, undeceived — even what is fitting do they set before him, like the two gods setting the portion for the steed.

5.86.6 Thus was the oblation offered to Indra and Agni — vigorous, pure as ghee pressed by stones; for those two establish great fame among the patrons and wealth for those who praise, nourishment for those who praise.

5.87.1 Let your great hymns go forth to Viṣṇu accompanied by the Maruts, born on the mountains — Evayāmarut; go forth to the troop that receives worship well, the joy-giver, the powerful, to him of the best aim, of roaring ordinance, of might.

5.87.2 They who were born great in greatness and who now of themselves, by their knowing, speak forth — Evayāmarut; by their will, O Maruts, that indomitable power of yours, their giving in greatness — these indomitable ones are like mountains.

5.87.3 They who are heard from the great heaven by their song, blazing brightly, of beautiful forms — Evayāmarut; of these, no enemy desires their assembly; they are like fires, they who have their own lightning, who shoot forward like the torrents of rivers.

5.87.4 He of wide stride strode forth from the great, common seat — Evayāmarut; when he yoked himself on his own glorious, gleaming peaks, the strife-winner, the mighty one, goes accompanied by the men who increase his joy.

5.87.5 Like the roaring of thunder, the mighty bull shook you, the fierce, rushing, powerful one — Evayāmarut; by whom, victorious and going straight, those self-luminous ones, firm as rocks, golden, of good weapons, of impulse, do conquer.

5.87.6 Your greatness is boundless, O ye of increased might; may the fierce power protect — Evayāmarut; for ye are standers in the front battle line; standing there, ye protect from bonds; blazing like fires.

5.87.7 Those Rudras, of good sacrifice, blazing like fires, of great brilliance — may they protect, Evayāmarut; the earthly dwelling-place has spread out long and wide for them, at whose marches the great troops of those with wondrous power gather.

5.87.8 Without enmity, O Maruts, find a path for us; O Evayāmarut, hear the call of the singer; share ye in Viṣṇu's great energy — like a charioteer skilled in craft, drive enmities far away from us.

5.87.9 O worthy of worship, go to our sacrifice which is beautifully completed; O Evayāmarut, hear the call of the unharmed one; being like the greatest mountains in the sky, may ye, the all-knowing ones, be hard to seize and restrain the bonds.