RIG-VEDA SANHITÁ.

FIFTH ASHTAKA.

FIRST ADHYAYA.

MANDALA VI. (continued).

ANUVÁKA VI.

SÚKTA I. (LXII.)

The deities are the AswINS; the Rishi is BHARADWAJA; the

metre Trishṭubh.

1. I praise the two leaders of heaven, the presiders over this world: I invoke the ASWINS, glorifying them with sacred hymns, them, who are ever the discomfiters (of foes), who at dawn scatter the investing glooms to the ends of the earth.

2. Coming to the sacrifice with their bright splendours, they light up the lustre of (their) car; emitting vast and infinite radiance: they drive their horses over deserts (refreshing them) with water.

3. Fierce AşWINS, from that humble mansion to which (you have repaired), you have ever borne with your desirable horses, as swift as thought, the pious worshippers in some manner (to heaven): Let

Varga I.

Varga II.

the injurer of the liberal man (be consigned by you) to (final) repose.

4. Harnessing their horses, bringing excellent food, nourishment, and strength, they approach (to receive) the adoration of their recent worshipper; and may the benevolent ancient invoker of the Gods (AGNI) sacrifice to the ever youthful (deities).

5. I worship with a new hymn those two quickmoving, good-looking, ancient (AṣWINS), the achievers of many exploits, who are the givers of great felicity to him who prays to (them), or praises (them); the bestowers of wondrous gifts on him who adores (them).

6. They bore up from the waters, from the ocean, by the winged horses attached to their car, (passing) by roads unsoiled by dust, BHUJYU, the son of TUGRA; they (bore him) from out of the lap of the water.1

7. Riders in your car, you have penetrated the mountain by your triumphant chariot: showerers (of benefits) you heard the invocation of VADHRIMATÍ:3 you have nourished, bountiful givers, the cow for SAYU and in this manner displaying benevolence are you everywhere present.

8. Heaven and Earth, Adityas, Vasus, Maruts,

1 Arnaso nirupasthát, from the womb of the water, jalasya yoneh, samudrád, adbhyo nir ágamayatám: see vol. 1. p. 306. 2 Vol. 1. p. 312, verse 20, &c. 3 Vol. 1. p. 310, verse 13, &c. 4 Vol. 1. p. 313, verse 22, &c.

render that dread anger of the gods which (has) of old (been directed) against mortals, destructive and fatal to him who is associated with the Rakshasas.1

9. MITRA and VARUNA recognise him who of all the world worships the royal (AşWINS) in due season; he hurls his weapon against the strong Rákshasa, against the malignant menaces of man.2

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10. Come with your shining and well-guided 3 chariot, (fitted) with excellent wheels, to our dwelling, (to bestow upon us) male offspring: cut off with secret indignation the heads of those obstructing (the adoration) of the mortal (who worships you).

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11. Come down, whether with the most excellent, or middling, or inferior Niyut steeds; set open the doors of the fast-shut stall of the cattle: be bountiful to him who praises you.

SÚKTA II. (LXIII.)

The deities, Rishi, and metre as before; but the last stanza has only one páda.

1. Where may our praise and oblations find to

1 Rakshoyuje is explained Rakshasám swámine, prerakáya vá; or, Rakshobhir yuktáya yajwane, one who sacrifices, assisted or joined by the Rákshasas

2 Drogháya chid vachase ánaraya is explained, abhidrohátmakaya manushyasambhandine vachanaya eva.

3 Nrivatá rathena, having a leader, a driver; or nri may mean a horse.

4 Antaraischakraih. The commentator explains the adjective anikrishṭaih, with not inferior wheels.

5 Sanutyena tyajasá are explained tirohitena krodhena.

Varga III.

day, for a messenger, those two splendid (ASWINS), the invoked of many, and bring the NASATYAS to our presence? Be propitiated (AṣWINS) by the adoration of this (your worshipper).

2. Praised, that you may drink the (sacrificial) beverage, you come promptly upon this my invocation: keep guard around the dwelling against (all) adversaries, so that neither one that abides at a distance nor a neighbour may do us harm.

3. (What is essential) for the copious effusion of (the sacrificial) food has been done for you: the very delicate sacred grass has been strewn; the (priest with) uplifted hands desirous of your presence praises you; the stones express (the Soma juice), designing it for you.

4. AGNI is above for you: he is present at (your) sacrifices: the oblation flows diffusive and redolent of ghí: diligent and zealous is the ministrant priest who is engaged, NÁSATYAS, in your invocation.

5. Protectors of many, the daughter of SÚRYÁ ascended your chariot, the defence of hundreds, for refuge: Sagacious leaders and guides,' you have excelled by your devices 2 (all others) at this appearance of the adorable (deities).

6. You have provided with these beautiful splen

1 Nará-nrityú would be, literally, guides and dancers.

2 It is not very clear what is intended: the scholiast refers to the legend of the Aswins carrying off in their car the daughter of Súrya from the other gods, as narrated in the Aitareya Brahmana, Iv. 7.

dours, gratification for the enjoyment of SÚRYÁ, your horses have descended for felicity, deserving of praise, the laudation (of the sages) has reached you glorified.

7. May your rapid burthen-bearing steeds bring you NÁSATYAS to the (sacrificial) food: your chariot swift as thought has dispensed substantial, desirable, abundant food.

8. Protectors of many, vast (wealth) is to be distributed by you: give us then nutritious and invariable food.1 Givers of delight, there are to you, adorers, and fit praise, and libations, which are prepared to acknowledge your liberality.

9. May the two straight-going, light-moving, (mares) of PURAYA be mine; may the hundred cows belonging to SUMÍTHA, may the dressed viands prepared by PERUKA be for me: may SANDA bestow upon. me ten handsome golden chariots, and obedient, valiant, and well-favoured (dependants).2

The expression is singular, dhenum na isham pinvatam asakrám, literally, give us a cow, food, that does not stray. Sayana explains dhenu by prínayitrí, gratifying: or isham may be the adjective for eshaniyam, give us a desirable cow.

2 We have nothing in this verse but epithets; in the first half, rijre raghví, two straight-right-going, require some such noun as váḍave, mares: to satam, a hundred, the scholiast supplies gavám, of cows: and to pakwá, for pakwáni, he adds, annáni, viands: in the second half we have hiraninah asmad, dishtin daşa, ten golden to us handsome, i. e. rathán, cars, understood; and again, vasásah abisháchak rishwán, obedient, valorous, handsome-what? we must ask the scholiast.

The