Varga III. pasturage (of his cattle) for the devout donor (of the oblation). 7. Come, AşWINS, to our adoration, hastening quickly with your rapid falcon-like horses, 8. With which in three days and three nights you traverse from afar all the brilliant (constellations). 9. Bringers of the day, (bestow) upon us food with cattle, or donations of wealth; and close the path (against aggression) upon our gains.1 10. Bring to us, AşWINS, riches comprising cattle, male offspring, chariots, horses, food. 11. Magnificent lords of good fortune,* handsome ASWINS, riding in a golden chariot, drink the sweet Soma beverage. 12. Affluent in sacrifices, grant to us who are opulent (in oblations) a spacious unassailable dwelling. 13. Do you who ever carefully protect the Brahman amongst men,2 come quickly: tarry not with other (worshippers). 1 Vi pathah sátaye sitam is explained asmákam gavádínám lábháya tadupáyarúpán márgán viṣesheņa badhnítam yathánye na praviṣanti, or the vi may reverse the sense of sitam and imply open, vimunchatam pradarṣayatam márgán, open, or show to us the paths of profit. 2 Brahma janánám yá avishṭam: one explanation of the first is Bráhmana-játim, the Bráhmana caste; another is given, parivṛidham stotram havirlakshanam annam vá, the great praise or sacrificial food. * Or "lords of bright ornaments," or " of water." 14. Adorable AşWINS, drink of this exhilarating, delightful, sweet (Soma beverage) presented by us. 15. Bring unto us riches by hundreds and by thousands, desired by many,* sustaining all. 16. Leaders (of rites), wise men worship you in Varga IV. many places: come to us with your steeds. 17. Men bearing the clipped sacred grass, presenting oblations, and completely fulfilling (their functions), worship you, AṣWINS. 18. May this our praise to-day be conveyed successfully to you, AṣWINS, and be most nigh to you. 19. Drink, AṣWINS, from the skin (filled) with the sweet (Soma juice) which is suspended in view of your car. 20. Affluent in oblations, bring to us with that (chariot) abundant food, so that there may be prosperity in horses, progeny, and cattle. 21. Bringers of the day, ye rain upon us by the Varga V. (open) door (of the clouds) the waters of heaven, or (with them fill) the rivers. 22. When did the son of TUGRA, thrown into the ocean, glorify you, leaders (of rites)? then when chariot and horses descended. your 23. TO KANWA when blinded (by the Asuras) * Literally, "to be praised by many," bahubhiḥ stutyam; or it may mean "giving a home to many," bahunivásam. Benfey explains it "viele speisend." Varga VI. Varga VII. in his dwelling,' you rendered, NÁSATYAS,2 effectual aid. 24. Rich in showers, come with your newest and most excellent protections when I call upon you. 25. In like manner as you protected KANWA, PRIYAMEDHA, UPASTUTA, and the praise-repeating ATRI, 26. And in like manner as (you protected) ANSU when wealth was to be bestowed, and AGASTYA when his cattle (were to be recovered), and SOBHARI when food (was to be supplied to him),— 27. So praising you, AṣwINS, rich in showers, we solicit of you happiness as great or greater than that (which they obtained). 28. Ascend, AşWINS, your sky-touching chariot with a golden seat and golden reins. 29. Golden is its supporting shaft, golden the axle, both golden the wheels. 30. Come to us, affluent in sacrifices, from afar, come to this mine adoration. 31. Immortal AşWINS, destroyers of the cities of the Dásas,3 ye bring to us food from afar. 1 See vol. i. p. 320, v. 7. 2 The scholiast cites Yáska for an unusual etymology of this title of the Aswins, which is generally explained, those in whom there is no untruth; here one meaning is said to be, born of the nose, Násiká-prabhavau. 3 Púrvír aşnantau dásíh, the first word is rendered puríh, or bahvih, many. [In the latter sense, the clause is explained 32. Come to us, AṣWINS, with food, with fame, with riches, NÁSATYAS, delighters of many. 33. Let your sleek, winged, rapid (horses) bring you to the presence of the man offering holy sacrifice. 34. No hostile force arrests that car of your's which is hymned (by the devout), and which is laden with food. 35. Rapid as thought, NÁSATYAS, (come) with your golden chariot drawn by quick-footed steeds. 36. Affluent in showers, taste the wakeful de- Varga VIII. sirable Soma: combine for us riches with food. 37. Become apprised, AṣWINS, of my recent gifts, how that KASU, the son of CHEDI, has presented me with a hundred camels and ten thousand cows, 38. The son of CHEDI, who has given me for servants' ten Rajas, bright as gold, for all men are beneath his feet; all those around him wear cuirasses of leather.2 39. No one proceeds by that path which the CHEDIS follow, no other pious man as a more liberal benefactor confers (favour on those who praise him). as "taking away much food from the enemy, ye bring it to us."] 1 Having taken these Rajas prisoners in battle, he gives them to me in servitude; yuddhe parájitán grihítwá tán dásatwenásmai dattaván. 2 Charmamnáh is explained Charmamayasya kavacháder dhárane kritábhyásáh, practised in wearing armour of leather; Varga IX. ANUVÁKA II. ADHYAYA VIII. CONTINUED. SÚKTA I. (VI.) The deity is INDRA, except in the last triplet, in which it is the donation of TIRINDIRA, the son of PARAȘU; the Rishi is VATSA, the son of KANWA; the metre Gáyatrí. 1. INDRA, who is great in might like PARJANYA the distributor of rain, is magnified by the praises of VATSA.1 2. When his steeds filling (the heavens) bear onwards the progeny of the sacrifice,3 then the pious (magnify him) with the hymns of the rite.* 3. When the KANWAS by their praises have made INDRA the accomplisher of the sacrifice, they declare all weapons needless.5 or charma may mean charaṇasádhanáni aṣwádíni váhanáni, 1 Sáma Veda II. 657 [II. 5. 2. 10. 1]. Yajur Veda 7. 40. 4 Sáma Veda II. 659 [II. 5. 2. 10. 3]. 5 Jámi bruvata áyudham. The first is explained prayojanarahitam; or áyudham may imply Indra, ayodhanaṣilam Indram, when jámi, put for jámim, will have its usual sense, "kinsman," they call Indra bearing weapons, brother, bhrátáram bruvate. Sáma Veda II. 658 [II. 5. 2. 10. 2]. |