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ANUVÁKA XIV.

SÚKTA I. (LXXXV).

The deities are the MARUTS; the Rishi, GOTAMA: the metre of

the fifth and twelfth verses is Trishťubh; of the rest, Jagati.

1. The MARUTS, who are going forth, decorate Varga IX. themselves like females: they are gliders (through the air), the sons of RUDRA, and the doers of good works, by which they promote the welfare of earth and heaven. Heroes, who grind (the solid rocks), they delight in sacrifices.

2. They, inaugurated by the gods," have attained majesty the sons of RUDRA have established their dwelling above the sky glorifying him (INDRA,) who merits to be glorified, they have inspired him with vigour the sons of PRISNI have acquired dominion.

3. When the sons of earth" embellish themselves with ornaments, they shine resplendent, in their persons, with (brilliant) decorations: they keep aloof every adversary: the waters follow their path.

a

4. They, who are worthily worshipped, shine with

Ukshitásah, wetted, sprinkled with holy water by the gods,— devair abhishiktáh.

b Here they are called gomátarah, having, for their mother, the cow; that is, the earth, under that type,-equivalent to Priśni in the preceding stanza.

That is, rain follows the wind,

Varga X.

various weapons: incapable of being overthrown, they are the overthrowers (of mountains). MARUTS, swift as thought, entrusted with the duty of sending rain, yoke the spotted deer to your cars.

5. When, MARUTS, urging on the cloud, for the sake of (providing) food, you have yoked the deer to your chariots, the drops fall from the radianta (sun), and moisten the earth, like a hide, with

water.

6. Let your quick-paced, smooth-gliding coursers bear you (hither); and, moving swiftly, come, with your hands (filled with good things). Sit, MARUTS, upon the broad seat of sacred grass, and regale yourselves with the sweet sacrificial food.

7. Confiding in their own strength, they have increased in (power): they have attained heaven by their greatness, and have made (for themselves,) a spacious abode. May they, for whom VISHNU defends (the sacrifice) that bestows all desires and confers delight, come, (quickly,) like birds, and sit down upon the pleasant and sacred grass.

8. Like heroes, like combatants, like men anxious for food, the swift-moving (MARUTS) have engaged in battles. All beings fear the MARUTS, who are the leaders (of the rain), and awful of aspect, like princes.

9. INDRA wields the well-made, golden, many

Arusha is the term of the text,-'the radiant,' which may apply either to the sun or to the Agni of lightning; either being, in like manner, the source of rain.

bladed thunderbolt, which the skilful TWASHTRI has framed for him, that he may achieve great exploits in war. He has slain VRITRA, and sent forth an ocean of water.

10. By their power, they bore the well aloft, and clove asunder the mountain that obstructed their path. The munificent MARUTS, blowing upon their pipe, have conferred, when exhilarated by the Soma juice, desirable (gifts upon the sacrificer).

b

11. They brought the crooked well to the place (where the Muni was), and sprinkled the water upon the thirsty GOTAMA. The variously-radiant (MARUTS) come to his succour, gratifying the desire of the sage with life-sustaining (waters).

12. Whatever blessings (are diffused) through the three worlds, and are in your gift, do you bestow upon the donor (of the oblation), who addresses you with praise. Bestow them, also, MARUTS, upon us; and grant us, bestowers of all good, riches, whence springs prosperity.

a

gods.

Twashtri here reverts to his usual office of artisan of the

b Dhamanto váham. The Scholiast explains váñam to be a lute, a viñá with a hundred strings; a sort of Æolian harp, perhaps. Dhamanta, 'blowing,' would better apply to a pipe, a wind-instrument.

c

• In this and the next stanza, allusion is made to a legend in which it is related, that the Rishi Gotama, being thirsty, prayed to the Maruts for relief, who, thereupon, brought a well, from a distance, to his hermitage. This exploit is subsequently (Súkta CXVI.) related of the Aswins.

Varga XI.

Varga XII.

SÚKTA II. (LXXXVI.)

Rishi and deities, the same; the metre is Gáyatrí. 1. The man in whose mansion, resplendent MARUTS, descending from the sky, you drink (the libation) is provided with most able protectors.

2. MARUTS, bearers of oblations, hear the invocation of the praises of the worshipper with or (without) sacrifices.a

3. And may he for whom ministrant priests have sharpened the sapient (troop of the MARUTS) walk among pastures crowded with cattle.

4. The libation is poured out for the hero (-band), at the sacrifice, on the appointed days; and the hymn is repeated; and their joy (is excited).

5. May the MARUTS, victorious over all men, hear (the praises) of this (their worshipper); and may (abundant) food be obtained by him who praises them.

6. Enjoying the protection of you who behold all things, we have offered you, MARUTS, (oblations,) for many years.

7. MARUTS, who are to be especially worshipped, may the man whose offering you accept be ever prosperous.

8. Possessors of true vigour, be cognizant of the

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a The expression is yajnair vá, with sacrifices, or:' the 'without' is supplied by the Scholiast.

b Atakshata, have sharpened, i. e., have excited, or animated, by their offerings.

wishes of him who praises you, and toils in your service, desirous of (your favour).

9. Possessors of true vigour, you have displayed your might, with the lustre (of which) you have destroyed the Rakshasas.

10. Dissipate the concealing darkness: drive away every devouring (foe): show us the light we long for.

SÚKTA III. (LXXXVII.)

Rishi and deities as before; metre, Jagati.

b

1. Annihilators (of adversaries), endowed with Varga XIII. great strength, loud-shouting, unbending, inseparable partakers of the evening oblation, constantly worshipped, and leaders (of the clouds), (the MARUTS), by their personal decorations, are conspicuous (in the sky), like certain rays of the sun.

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b The term is rijishihah, which is not very clearly explained. Rijisha, in ordinary use, means a frying-pan; but here the Scholiast seems to consider it as a synonym of Soma; the Maruts being thus named, because they are entitled, at the third daily ceremonial, or the evening worship, to a share of the effusion of the rijisha,—rijishasyábhishavát. Or the term may signify, he adds, "the acquirers or receivers of the juices,'prárjayitáro rasánám; from arj, to acquire. Rosen has lance sacrifica culti; M. Langlois, amis de nos offrandes.

c

• Stribhih, covering, or clothing; from stri, to cover; an epithet of anjibhih, ornaments: swaśarbrasyáchchhádakair ⋆ ⋆ ábharañaih,-with ornaments covering their own persons. As the word is separated from the substantive, however, by the inter

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