HYMN XXV. Varuna.
I. WHATEVER law of thine, O God, O Varurna, as we are men,
Day after day we violate.
2. give us not as a prey to death, to be destroyed by thee in wrath,
To thy fierce anger when displeased.
3. To gain thy mercy, Varuna, with hymns we bind thy heart, as binds
The charioteer his tethered horse.
4. They flee from me dispirited, bent only on obtaining wealths
As to their nests the birds of air.
5. When shall we bring, to be appeased, the Hero, Lord of warrior might,
Him, the far-seeing Varuna?
6. This, this with joy they both accept in common: never do they fail
The ever-faithful worshipper.
7. He knows the path of birds that fly through heaven, and, Sovran of the sea,
He knows the ships that are thereon.
8. True to his holy law, he knows the twelve moons with their progeny:
He knows the moon of later birth.
9. He knows the pathway of the wind, the spreading, high, and mighty wind
He knows the Gods who dwell above.
10. Varuna, true to holy law, sits down among his people; he,
Most wise, sits there to govern. all.
11. From thence percerving he beholds all wondrous things, both what hath been,
And what hereafter will be done.
12. May that Aditya, very -wise, make fair paths for us all our days:
May lie prolong our lives for us.
13. Varuna, wearing golden mail, hath clad him in a shining robe.
His spies are seated found about.
14. The God whom enemies threaten not, nor those who tyrannize o’er men,
Nor those whose minds are bent on wrong.
15. He who gives glory to mankind, not glory that is incomplete,
To our own bodies giving it.
16. Yearning for the wide-seeing One, my thoughts move onward unto him,
As kine unto their pastures move.
17. Once more together let us speak, because my meath is brought: priest-like
Thou eatest what is dear to thee.
18. Now saw I him whom all may see, I saw his car above the earth:
He hath accepted these my songs.
19. Varuna, hear this call of mine: be gracious unto us this day
Longing for help I cried to thee.
20. Thou, O wise God, art Lord of all, thou art the King of earth and heaven
Hear, as thou goest on thy way.
21. Release us from the upper bond, untie the bond between, and loose
The bonds below, that I may live.
HYMN XXVI. Agni.
1. O WORTHY of oblation, Lord of prospering powers, assume thy robes,
And offer this our sacrifice.
2. Sit ever to be chosen, as our Priest., most youthful, through our hymns,
O Agni, through our heavenly word.
3. For here a Father for his son, Kinsman for kinsman worshippeth,
And Friend, choice-worthy, for his friend.
4. Fiere let the foe-destroyers sit, Varuna, Mitra, Aryaman,
Like men, upon our sacred grass.
5. O ancient Herald, be thou glad in this our rite and fellowship:
Hearken thou well to these our songs.
6. Whate’er in this perpetual course we sacrifice to God and God,
That gift is offered up in thee
7. May he be our dear household Lord, Priest, pleasant and, choice-worthy may
We, with bright fires, be dear to him.
8. The Gods, adored with brilliant fires. have granted precious wealth to us
So, with bright fires, we pray to thee.
9. And, O Immortal One, so may the eulogies of mortal men
Belong to us and thee alike.
10. With all thy fires, O Agni, find pleasure in this our sacrifice,
And this our speech, O Son of Strength.
HYMN XXVII. Agni.
1. WITH worship will I glorify thee, Agni, like a long-tailed steed,
Imperial Lord of sacred rites.
2. May the far-striding Son of Strength, bringer of great felicity,
Who pours his gifts like rain, be ours.
3. Lord of all life, from near; from far, do thou, O Agni evermore
Protect us from the sinful man.
4. O Agni, graciously announce this our oblation to the Gods,
And this our newest song of praise.
5. Give us a share of strength most high, a share of strength that is below,
A share of strength that is between.
6. Thou dealest gifts, resplendent One; nigh, as with waves of Sindhu, thou
Swift streamest to the worshipper.
7. That man is lord of endless strength whom thou protectest in the fight,
Agni, or urgest to the fray.
8. Him, whosoever he may be, no man may vanquish, mighty One:
Nay, very glorious power is his.
9. May he who dwells with all mankind bear us with war-steeds through the fight,
And with the singers win the spoil.
10. Help, thou who knowest lauds, this work, this eulogy to Rudra, him
Adorable in every house.
11. May this our God, great, limitless, smoke-bannered excellently bright,
Urge us to strength and holy thought.
12. Like some rich Lord of men may he, Agni the banner of the Gods,
Refulgent, hear us through our lauds.
13. Glory to Gods, the mighty and the lesser glory to Gods the younger and the elder!
Let us, if we have power, pay the God worship: no better prayer than this, ye Gods, acknowledge.
