HYMN XX Rbhus.
1. FOR the Celestial Race this song of praise which gives wealth lavishly
Was made by singers with their lips.
2. They who for Indra, with their mind, formed horses harnessed by a word,
Attained by works to sacrifice.
3. They for the two Nasatyas wrought a light car moving every way:
They formed a nectar-yielding cow.
4. The Rbhus with effectual prayers, honest, with constant labour, made
Their Sire and Mother young again.
5. Together came your gladdening drops with Indra by the Maruts girt,
With the Adityas, with the Kings.
6. The sacrificial ladle, wrought newly by the God Tvastar’s hand-
Four ladles have ye made thereof.
7. Vouchsafe us wealth, to him who pours thrice seven libations, yea, to each
Give wealth, pleased with our eulogies.
8. As ministering Priests they held, by pious acts they won themselves,
A share in sacrifice with Gods.
HYMN XXI. Indra-Agni.
1. INDRA and Agni I invoke fain are we for their song of praise
Chief Soma-drinkers are they both.
2. Praise ye, O men, and glorify Indra-Agni in the holy rites:
Sing praise to them in sacred songs.
3. Indra and Agni we invite, the Soma-drinkers, for the fame
Of Mitra, to the Soma-draught.
4. Strong Gods, we bid them come to this libation that stands ready here:
Indra and Agni, come to us.
5. Indra and Agni, mighty Lords of our assembly, crush the fiends:
Childless be the devouring ones.
6. Watch ye, through this your truthfulness, there in the place of spacious view
Indra and Agni, send us bliss.
HYMN XXII Asvins and Others
1. WAKEN the Asvin Pair who yoke their car at early morn: may they
Approach to drink this Soma juice.
2. We call the Asvins Twain, the Gods borne in a noble car, the best
Of charioteers, who reach the heavens.
3. Dropping with honey is your whip, Asvins, and full of pleasantness
Sprinkle therewith the sacrifice.
4. As ye go thither in your car, not far, O Asvins, is the home
Of him who offers Soma juice.
5. For my protection I invoke the golden-handed Savitar.
He knoweth, as a God, the place.
6. That he may send us succour, praise the Waters’ Offspring Savitar:
Fain are we for his holy ways.
7. We call on him, distributer of wondrous bounty and of wealth,
On Savitar who looks on men.
8. Come hither, friends, and seat yourselves Savitar, to be praised by us,
Giving good gifts, is beautiful.
9. O Agni, hither bring to us the willing Spouses of the Gods,
And Tvastar, to the Soma draught.
10. Most youthful Agni, hither bring their Spouses, Hotra, Bharati,
Varutri, Dhisana, for aid.
11. Spouses of Heroes, Goddesses, with whole wings may they come to us
With great protection and with aid.
12. Indrani, Varunani, and Agnayi hither I invite,
For weal, to drink the Soma juice.
13. May Heaven and Earth, the Mighty Pair, bedew for us our sacrifice,
And feed us full with nourishments.
14. Their water rich with fatness, there in the Gandharva’s steadfast place,
The singers taste through sacred songs.
15. Thornless be thou, O Earth, spread wide before us for a dwelling-place:
Vouchsafe us shelter broad and sure.
16. The Gods be gracious unto us even from the place whence Visnu strode
Through the seven regions of the earth!
17. Through all this world strode Visnu; thrice his foot he planted, and the whole
Was gathered in his footstep’s dust.
18. Visnu, the Guardian, he whom none deceiveth, made three steps; thenceforth
Establishing his high decrees.
19. Look ye on Visnu’s works, whereby the Friend of Indra, close-allied,
Hath let his holy ways be seen.
20. The princes evermore behold that loftiest place where Visnu is,
Laid as it were an eye in heaven.
21. This, Vishnu’s station most sublime, the singers, ever vigilant,
Lovers of holy song, light up.
