32. We, the SOBHARIS, have come to the thousandrayed, the sincerely worshipped, the universal sovereign, the ally of TRASADASYU, for his protection.

33. AGNI, on whom thy other fires are dependent, like branches (on the stem of the tree), may I among men, magnifying thy powers, become possessed, like (other) votaries, of (abundant) food.

34. Benevolent and generous ÁDITYAS, amidst all the offerers of oblations, the man whom you conduct to the limit (of his undertakings obtains his reward).1

35. Royal (ÁDITYAS), overcomers of (hostile) men, (ye subdue) any one harassing those (who are engaged in sacred rites) and may we, VARUNA, MITRA, and ARYAMAN, be the conveyers of the sacrifice (addressed) to you.

36. The magnificent lord, the protector of the virtuous, TRASADASYU, the son of PURUKUTSA, has given me five hundred brides.

37. The affluent SYÁVA, the lord of kine, has given to me upon the banks of the SUVÁSTU a present of seventy-three (cows).2

1 The text has only yam nayatha páram, "whom you lead to the opposite bank." The scholiast supplies the rest.

2 The printed edition has no comment upon this stanza. The MSS. are imperfect, especially as regards the first half line, uta me prayiyor vayiyoh. [Durga, in his comment on the Nirukta,

protector," mama stotur rakshakam twám eva brahmavádinaḥ kathayanti.

SÚKTA VIII. (XX.)

The deities are the MARUTS; the Rishi is SOBHARI; the odd verses are in the Kakubh metre, the even in the Satobrihati.

1. Far-travelling (winds), alike wrathful, come hither, harm us not: benders of the solid (mountains), withdraw not from us.

2. Mighty sons of RUDRA, MARUTS, come with brilliant, strong-wheeled (chariots): desired of many, well disposed to SOBHARI, come to-day to our sacrifice with (abundant) food.

3. We know the great strength of the active sons of RUDRA, the MARUTS, the shedders of the diffusive rain.1

4. They fall upon the islands: the firm-set (trees) are with difficulty sustained; they agitate both heaven and earth; they urge on the waters: brightweaponed, far-shining, whatever (you approach) you cause to tremble.*

explains the verse as follows, "Moreover, on the banks of the Suvástu (he has given) to me (plenty) of beasts of burden and garments; he, the affluent leader and lord of thrice seventy noble dark-coloured (cows has given them to me)." He explains prayiyu by dhanam aṣwádi; vayiyu by vastrádi; bhuvadvasuḥ by bhávayítá vasúnám prasastaḥ; and syávaḥ by syámavarnánám, scil. gavám.]

1 Vishnor eshasya mílhushám is explained vyáptasya eshanéyasya vrishṭyudakasya sektrínám.

* Sáyana seems to explain this verse, "The islands fall

Varga XXXVI.

Varga XXXVII.

Varga

XXXVIII.

5. At your coming the unprecipitated mountains and trees resound; the earth shakes at your passage.

6. (Alarmed) at your violence, MARUTS, the heaven seeks to rise higher, abandoning the firmament, where (you) the strong-armed leaders (of rites) display the ornaments of (your) persons.

7. The radiant, strong, rain-shedding, undisguised leaders of rites display their great glory when accepting the (sacrificial) food.

8. The voice* (of the MARUTS) blends with the songs of the SOBHARIS in the receptacle of their golden chariot: may the mighty well-born MARUTS, the offspring of the (brindled) cow, (be gracious) to us in regard of food, enjoyment, and kindness.

9. Sprinklers of the libation, present the offerings to the rain-bestowing swift-passing company of the MARUTS.

10. MARUTS, leaders (of rites), come like swiftflying birds in your rain-shedding, strong-horsed chariot, whose wheels bestow showers, to partake of our oblations.

11. Their decoration is the same; gold (necklaces) shine (on their breasts), lances gleam upon their shoulders.

asunder, the firmest (trees) experience distress; they (the winds) distress heaven and earth; the waters hurry onward, O brightweaponed, self-shining ones, when you agitate them.”

12. Fierce, vigorous, strong-armed, they need not exert (the energy of their) persons:* bows and arrows are ready in your chariots; the glory (of conquest) over (hostile) armies is yours.

13. One illustrious name is given to them all, as widely diffused as water for the gratification (of their worshippers), like invigorating paternal food.1

14. Praise them, praise the MARUTS, for we are (dependent) upon those agitators (of all things) as a menial is upon his lords; therefore are their donations (characterised) by munificence; such are their (gifts).

15. Fortunate was he, MARUTS, who, in former days, was secure in your protections, as is he who now enjoys them.

16. The sacrificer, to partake of whose oblations you approach, leaders of rites, enjoys, agitators of all things, the felicity you bestow, together with abundant viands and the gift of strength.

17. May this (our praise) take effect, so that the ever-youthful sons of RUDRA, creators of the cloud, (coming) from heaven, may be pleased with us.

Varga XXXIX.

1 Vayo na pitryam sahah. The latter is explained prasahanasilam, but the exact purport is not very obvious; apparently, it is intended to say that the worshipper may rely upon it.

* Or rather, "they need not exert themselves to defend their persons," nakishṭanúshu yetire.

Varga XL.

18. Youthful (MARUTS), approaching us with benevolent hearts, grant prosperity to those liberal menwho worship you, who zealously propitiate you, the showerers of rain, with oblations.

19. Praise, SOBHARI, (and attract hither) by a new song the youthful purifying showerers, as (a ploughman) repeatedly drags his oxen.*

20. Propitiate with praise the MARUTS, the senders of rain, the givers of pleasure, the liberal bestowers of food; who are ever victorious in combats, and like a boxer who has been challenged over his challengers.

21. MARUTS, who are of like wrath, offspring of the maternal cow (Prișni), related by a common origin, they severally spread through the quarters of the horizon.1

22. MARUTS, dancing (through the air), decorated with golden breast-plates, the mortal (who worships you) attains your brotherhood; speak favourably to us, for your affinity is ever (made known) at the regulated (sacrifice).

1 Sáma Veda I. 404 [I. 5. 1. 2. 6]. [Or rather, "O Maruts, alike in energy, your kindred, the cows, severally lick up the quarters of the horizon." Benfey understands by gávaḥ the sun's rays.]

* Sáyana says, "as a ploughman repeatedly drawing the furrows (praises or addresses) of his oxen."

† Or, "the most illustrious," suṣravastamán.-Sáyana explains the latter clause, " who are ever victorious in combats and over challengers, like a challenge-worthy boxer."