Herbs and fever
Longer hymns of eight to eighteen verses: the Kushtha herb, fever and the Brahmin's rights.
Book 5 has hymns of eight to eighteen verses. Hymn 5.4 praises Kushtha, a herb fetched from the high mountains, as a cure for fever.
Hymn 5.22 sends fever away to distant peoples and describes its cycles: fever that returns every day, every other day and in the rains and autumn.
Hymns to read first
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book 5.
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Hymn 5.1A glorification of Trita and Varuna
1ऋधङ्मन्त्रो योनिं य आबभूवामृतासुर्वर्धमानः सुजन्मा । अदब्धासुर्भ्राजमानोऽहेव त्रितो धर्ता दाधार त्रीणि ॥
1He who with special plans and deathless spirit, waxing, well-born, hath come unto his birth-place, As he who shines upholds the days, thus Trita, of pure life, bears the Three as their supporter.
2आ यो धर्माणि प्रथमः ससाद ततो वपूंषि कृणुषे पुरूणि । धास्युर्योनिं प्रथम आ विवेशा यो वाचमनुदितां चिकेत ॥
2He who, the first, approached the holy statutes makes, after, many beauteous forms and figures. Eager to drink, his birth-place first he entered who understands the word when yet unspoken.
3यस्ते शोकाय तन्वं रिरेच क्षरद्धिरण्यं शुचयोऽनु स्वाः । अत्रा दधेते अमृतानि नामास्मे वस्त्राणि विश एरयन्ताम् ॥
3He who—the fluid gold, with radiant kinsmen—to fervent glow delivered up thy body, On him both set names, that shall live for ever: to him the regions shall send robes to clothe him,
4प्र यदेते प्रतरं पूर्व्यं गुः सदःसद आतिष्ठन्तो अजुर्यम् । कविः शुषस्य मातरा रिहाणे जाम्यै धुर्यं पतिमेरयेथाम् ॥
4As these have gone to their primeval station, each gaining an imperishable dwelling, May kissing mothers of the bards' beloved bring the pole-drawing husband to the sister.
5तदू षु ते महत्पृथुज्मन् नमः कविः काव्येना कृणोमि । यत्सम्यञ्चावभियन्तावभि क्षामत्रा मही रोधचक्रे वावृधेते ॥
5By holy wisdom I a sage, Far-Strider! offer to thee this lofty adoration. This worship both the mighty eddying rivers, coming together to this station, heighten.
6सप्त मर्यादाः कवयस्ततक्षुस्तासामिदेकामभ्यंहुरो गात्। आयोर्ह स्कम्भ उपमस्य नीडे पथां विसर्गे धरुणेषु तस्थौ ॥
6Seven are the pathways which the wise have fashioned: to one of these may come the troubled mortal. On sure ground where the ways are parted standeth Life's Pillar in the dwelling of the Highest.
7उतामृतासुर्व्रत एमि कृन्वन्न् असुरात्मा तन्वस्तत्सुमद्गुः । उत वा शक्रो रत्नं दधात्यूर्जया वा यत्सचते हविर्दाः ॥
7Working, I go my way with deathless spirit: life, spirit, bodies have gone gladly thither. Aye, Sakra also gives his gift of treasure as when the sacrificer meets with power.
8उत पुत्रः पितरं क्षत्रमीडे ज्येष्ठं मर्यादमह्वयन्त्स्वस्तये । दर्शन् नु ता वरुण यास्ते विष्ठा आवर्व्रततः कृणवो वपूंषि ॥
8Yea, the son asks dominion of his father: this they declared the noblest path to welfare. Varuna, let them see thy revelations: display the wondrous shapes of times to follow.
9अर्धमर्धेन पयसा पृणक्ष्यर्धेन शुष्म वर्धसे अमुर । अविं वृधाम शग्मियं सखायं वरुणं पुत्रमदित्या इषिरम् । कविशस्तान्यस्मै वपूंष्यवोचाम रोदसी सत्यवाचा ॥
9Halt with the milk, its other half, thou minglest and with that half, strong! unbeguiled! increasest. Let us exalt the gracious friend, the mighty, Varuna son of Aditi, strength-giver. We have told him the marvels sung by poets. The utterance of Heaven and Earth is truthful.
Hymn 5.2A glorification of Indra
1तदिदास भुवनेषु ज्येष्ठं यतो यज्ञ उग्रस्त्वेषनृम्णः । सद्यो जज्ञानो नि रिणाति शत्रून् अनु यदेनं मदन्ति विश्व ऊमाः ॥
1In all the worlds That was the best and highest whence sprang the Mighty One of splendid valour. As soon as born he overcomes his foemen, when those rejoice in him who bring him succour.
2ववृधानः शवसा भूर्योजाः शत्रुर्दासाय भियसं दधाति । अव्यनच्च व्यनच्च सस्नि सं ते नवन्त प्रभृता मदेषु ॥
2Grown mighty in his strength, with ample vigour, he as a foe strikes fear into the Dāsa, Eager to win the breathing and the breathless: All sang thy praise at banquet and oblation.
3त्वे क्रतुमपि पृञ्चन्ति भूरि द्विर्यदेते त्रिर्भवन्त्यूमाः । स्वदोः स्वादीयः स्वादुना सृजा समदः सु मधु मधुनाभि योधीः ॥
3All concentrate on thee their mental vigour what time these, twice or thrice, are thine assistants, Blend what is sweeter than the sweet with sweetness win quickly with our meath that meath in battle.
4यदि चिन् नु त्वा धना जयन्तं रणेरणे अनुमदन्ति विप्राः । ओजीयः शुष्मिन्त्स्थिरमा तनुष्व मा त्वा दभन् दुरेवासः कशोकाः ॥
4If verily in every war the sages joy and exult in thee who winnest treasures, With mightier power, strong God, extend thy firmness: let not malevolent Kaokas harm thee.
5त्वया वयं शाशद्महे रणेषु प्रपश्यन्तो युधेन्यानि भूरि । चोदयामि त आयुधा वचोभिः सं ते शिशामि ब्रह्मणा वयांसि ॥
5Proudly we put our trust in thee in battles, when we behold great wealth the prize of combat. I with my words impel thy weapons onward, and sharpen with my prayer thy vital vigour.
6नि तद्दधिषेऽवरे परे च यस्मिन्न् आविथावसा दुरोणे । आ स्थापयत मातरं जिगत्नुमत इन्वत कर्वराणि भूरि ॥
6Thou in that house, the highest or the lowest, which thy protection guards, bestowest riches. Establish ye the ever-wandering mother, and bring full many deeds to their completion.
7स्तुष्व वर्ष्मन् पुरुवर्त्मानं समृभ्वाणमिनतममाप्तमाप्त्यानाम् । आ दर्शति शवसा भूर्योजाः प्र सक्षति प्रतिमानं पृथिव्याः ॥
7Praise in the height Him who hath many pathways, courageous, strongest, Aptya of the Aptyas Through strength he shows himself of ample power: pattern of Prithivī, he fights and conquers.
8इमा ब्रह्म बृहद्दिवः कृणवदिन्द्राय शूषमग्रियः स्वर्षाः । महो गोत्रस्य क्षयति स्वराजा तुरश्चिद्विश्वमर्णवत्तपस्वान् ॥
8Brihaddiva, the foremost of light-winners, hath made these holy prayers, this strength for Indra. Free Lord, he rules the mighty fold of cattle, winning, aglow, even all the billowy waters.
9एवा महान् बृहद्दिवो अथर्वावोचत्स्वां तन्वमिन्द्रमेव । स्वसारौ मातरिभ्वरी अरिप्रे हिन्वन्ति चैने शवसा वर्धयन्ति च ॥
9Thus hath Brihaddiva, the great Atharvan, spoken to Indra as himself in person. Two sisters free from stain, the Mātarivans, with power impel him onward and exalt him.
Hymn 5.3A prayer to Agni, Indra, and other deities for victory and prosperity
1ममाग्ने वर्चो विहवेष्वस्तु वयं त्वेन्धानास्तन्वं पुषेम । मह्यं नमन्तां प्रदिशश्चतस्रस्त्वयाध्यक्षेण पृतना जयेम ॥
1Let strength be mine while I invoke thee, Agni! enkindling thee may we support our bodies. May the four regions bend and bow before me: with thee for guardian may we win the combat.
2अग्ने मन्युं प्रतिनुदन् परेषां त्वं नो गोपाः परि पाहि विश्वतः । अपाञ्चो यन्तु निवता दुरस्यवोऽमैषां चित्तं प्रबुधां वि नेशत् ॥
2Baffling the range of our opponents, Agni! guard us as our protector round about us. Down the steep slope go they who hate us, backward, and let their thought who watch at home be ruined.
3मम देवा विहवे सन्तु सर्व इन्द्रवन्तो मरुतो विष्णुरग्निः । ममान्तरिक्षमुरुलोकमस्तु मह्यं वातः पवतां कामायास्मै ॥
3May all the Gods be on my side in battle, the Maruts led by Indra, Vishnu, Agni. Mine be the middle air's extended region, and may the Wind blow favouring these my wishes.
4मह्यं यजन्तां मम यानीष्टाकूतिः सत्या मनसो मे अस्तु । एनो मा नि गां कतमच्चनाहं विश्वे देवा अभि रक्षन्तु मेह ॥
4For me let them present all mine oblations, and let my mind's intention be accomplished. May I be guiltless of the least transgression: may all the Gods come hither and protect me.
5मयि देवा द्रविणमा यजन्तां मयि आशीरस्तु मयि देवहूतिः । दैवाः होतारः सनिषन् न एतदरिष्टाः स्याम तन्वा सुवीराः ॥
5May the Gods grant me riches, may the blessing and invocation of the Gods assist me. This boon shall the celestial Hotars win us: may we, unwounded, have brave heroes round us.
6दैवीः षडुर्वीरुरु नः कृणोत विश्वे देवास इह मादयध्वम् । मा नो विददभिभा मो अशस्तिर्मा नो विदद्वृजिना द्वेष्या या ॥
6Ye six divine Expanses, give us freedom. Here, all ye Gods, acquit yourselves like heroes. Let not calamity or curse o'ertake us, nor deeds of wickedness that merit hatred.
7तिस्रो देवीर्महि नः शर्म यच्छत प्रजायै नस्तन्वे यच्च पुष्टम् । मा हास्महि प्रजया मा तनूभिर्मा रधाम द्विषते सोम राजन् ॥
7Do ye three Goddesses give ample shelter and all success to us ourselves and children. Let us not lose our children or our bodies: let us not benefit the foe, King Soma!
8उरुव्यचा नो महिषः शर्म यच्छत्वस्मिन् हवे पुरुहूतः पुरुक्षु । स नः प्रजायै हर्यश्व मृडेन्द्र मा नो रीरिषो मा परा दाः ॥
8Foodful and much-invoked, at this our calling may the far-reaching Bull grant us wide shelter. Lord of bay coursers, Indra, bless our children: harm us not, give us not as prey to others.
9धाता विधाता भुवनस्य यस्पतिर्देवः सविताभिमातिषाहः । आदित्या रुद्रा अश्विनोभा देवाः पान्तु यजमानं निर्ऋथात् ॥
9Lord of the world, Creator and Disposer, may the God Savitar who quells assailants, May the Ādityas, Rudras, both the Asvins, Gods, guard the sacrificer from destruction.
10ये नः सपत्ना अप ते भवन्त्विन्द्राग्निभ्यामव बाधामह एनान् । आदित्या रुद्रा उपरिस्पृशो नो उग्रं चेत्तारमधिराजमक्रत ॥
10Let those who are our foemen stay afar from us: with Indra and with Agni we will drive them off. The Ādityas and the Rudras, over us on high, have made me strong, a thinker, and a sovran lord.
11अर्वाञ्चमिन्द्रममुतो हवामहे यो गोजिद्धनजिदश्वजिद्यः । इमं नो यज्ञं विहवे शृणोत्वस्माकमभूर्हर्यश्व मेदी ॥
11Yea, we call Indra hitherward, the winner of wealth in battle and of kine and horses. May he mark this our worship when we call him, Lord of bay steeds, thou art our friend and comrade.
Hymn 5.4A charm against fever and other ailments
1यो गिरिष्वजायथा वीरुधां बलवत्तमः । कुष्ठेहि तक्मनाशन तक्मानं नाशयन्न् इतः ॥
1Thou who wast born on mountains, thou most mighty of all plants that grow. Thou Banisher of Fever, come, Kushtha! make Fever pass away.
2सुपर्णसुवने गिरौ जातं हिमवतस्परि । धनैरभि श्रुत्वा यन्ति विदुर्हि तक्मनाशनम् ॥
2Brought from the Snowy Mountain, born on the high hill where eagles breed, Men seek to buy thee when they hear: for Fever's Banisher they know.
3अश्वत्थो देवसदनस्तृतीयस्यामितो दिवि । तत्रामृतस्य चक्षणं देवाः कुष्ठमवन्वत ॥
3In the third heaven above us stands the Asvattha tree, the seat of Gods. There the Gods sought the Kushtha Plant, embodiment of endless life.
4हिरण्ययी नौरचरद्धिरण्यबन्धना दिवि । तत्रामृतस्य पुष्पं देवाः कुष्ठमवन्वत ॥
4There moved through heaven a golden ship, a ship with cordage wrought of Gold. There the Gods won the Kushtha Plant, the blossom of eternal life.
5हिरण्ययाः पन्थान आसन्न् अरित्राणि हिरण्यया । नावो हिरण्ययीरासन् याभिः कुष्ठं निरावहन् ॥
5They sailed on pathways paved with gold, the oars they piled were wrought of gold: All golden were the ships wherein they carried Kushtha down to earth.
6इमं मे कुष्ठ पूरुषं तमा वह तं निष्कुरु । तमु मे अगदं कृधि ॥
6O Kushtha, bring thou hitherward this man of mine, restore his health, Yes, free him from disease for me.
7देवेभ्यो अधि जातोऽसि सोमस्यासि सखा हितः । स प्राणाय व्यानाय चक्षुषे मे अस्मै मृड ॥
7Thou art descended from thee Gods, Soma's benignant friend art thou, Befriend my breath and vital air be gracious unto this mine eye.
8उदङ्जातो हिमवतः स प्राच्यां नीयसे जनम् । तत्र कुष्ठस्य नामान्युत्तमानि वि भेजिरे ॥
8Sprung, northward, from the Snowy Hill thou art conveyed to eastern men. There they deal out among themselves Kushtha's most noble qualities.
9उत्तमो नाम कुष्ठस्युत्तमो नाम ते पिता । यक्ष्मं च सर्वं नाशय तक्मानं चारसं कृधि ॥
9Most excellent, indeed, art thou, Kushtha! most noble is thy sire. Make all Consumption pass away and render Fever powerless.
10शीर्षामयमुपहत्यामक्ष्योस्तन्वो रपः । कुष्ठस्तत्सर्वं निष्करद्दैवं समह वृष्ण्यम् ॥
10Malady that affects the head, eye-weakness, bodily defect— All this let Kushtha heal and cure: aye, godlike is the vigorous power.
Hymn 5.5A charm to mend a broken bone
1रात्री माता नभः पितार्यमा ते पितामहः । सिलाची नाम वा असि सा देवानामसि स्वसा ॥
1Aryaman is thy grandsire, Night thy mother, and the Cloud thy sire. Thy name is called Silāchi. Thou, thyself, art sister of the Gods.
2यस्त्वा पिबति जीवति त्रायसे पुरुषं त्वम् । भर्त्री हि शश्वतामसि जनानां च न्यञ्चनी ॥
2Whoever drinketh thee hath life: thou savest and protectest man. As nursing mother of mankind, thou takest all upon thy lap.
3वृक्षंवृक्षमा रोहसि वृषण्यन्तीव कन्यला । जयन्ती प्रत्यातिष्ठन्ती स्परणी नाम वा असि ॥
3Thou clingest close to every tree, as a fond damsel clasps her love. Thy name is called The Conqueror, She who Stands Fast, The Rescuer.
4यद्दण्डेन यदिष्वा यद्वारुर्हरसा कृतम् । तस्य त्वमसि निष्कृतिः सेमं निष्कृधि पूरुषम् ॥
4Whatever wound the arrow, or the staff, or violence inflicts, Thereof thou art the remedy: as such restore this man to health.
5भद्रात्प्लक्षान् निस्तिष्ठस्यश्वत्थात्खदिराद्धवात्। भद्रान् न्यग्रोधात्पर्णात्सा न एह्यरुन्धति ॥
5Thou springest from blest Plaxa, or Asvattha, Dhava, Khadira, Parna, or blest Nyagrodha, so come thou to use, Arundhatī!
6हिरण्यवर्णे सुभगे सूर्यवर्णे वपुष्टमे । रुतं गच्छासि निष्कृते निष्कृतिर्नाम वा असि ॥
6Gold-coloured, bringing happy fate, most lovely, brilliant as the Sun, Mayst thou, O Healing! come unto the fracture: Healing is thy name.
7हिरण्यवर्णे सुभगे शुष्मे लोमशवक्षणे । अपामसि स्वसा लाक्षे वातो हात्मा बभूव ते ॥
7Gold-coloured, bringing happy fate, odorous, hairy-bodied one, The sister of the Waters art thou, Lākshā! and thy soul is Wind.
8सिलाची नाम कानीनोऽजबभ्रु पिता तव । अश्वो यमस्य यः श्यावस्तस्य हास्नास्युक्षिता ॥
8Silāchi is thy name: thy sire, O goat-brown! is a damsel's son. Thou hast been sprinkled by the mouth of Yama's tawny-coloured horse.
9अश्वस्यास्नः संपतिता सा वृक्षामभि सिष्यदे । सरा पतत्रिणी भूत्वा सा न एह्यरुन्धति ॥
9Issuing from the horse's blood away she glided to the trees. Become a winged water-brook, and come to us, Arundhatī!
Hymn 5.6A prayer for protection and prosperity
1ब्रह्म जज्ञानं प्रथमं पुरस्ताद्वि सीमतः सुरुचो वेन आवः । स बुध्न्या उपमा अस्य विष्ठाः सतश्च योनिमसतश्च वि वः ॥
1Eastward at first the prayer was generated: Vena disclosed bright flashes from the summit, Disclosed his deepest nearest revelations, womb of the non-existent and existent.
2अनाप्ता ये वः प्रथमा यानि कर्माणि चक्रिरे । वीरान् नो अत्र मा दभन् तद्व एतत्पुरो दधे ॥
2None have attained to those of old, those who wrought holy acts for you, Let them not harm our heroes here. Therefore I set before you this.
3सहस्रधार एव ते समस्वरन् दिवो नाके मधुजिह्वा असश्चतः । तस्य स्पशो न नि मिषन्ति भूर्णयः पदेपदे पाशिनः सन्ति सेतवे ॥
3Sweet-tongued, exhaustless, they have sent their voices down together in heaven's vault that pours a thousand streams. His wildly-restless warders never close an eye: in every place the snarers stand to bind men fast.
4पर्यू षु प्र धन्वा वाजसातये परि वृत्राणि सक्षणिः । द्विषस्तदध्यर्णवेनेयसे सनिस्रसो नामासि त्रयोदशो मास इन्द्रस्य गृहः ॥
4Speed forward, conquering all foes, to win the spoil, Thou comest on thy haters with a surging sea. Thy name is Fragile. The thirteenth month is Indra's home.
5न्वेतेनारात्सीरसौ स्वाहा । तिग्मायुधौ तिग्महेती सुशेवौ सोमारुद्राविह सु मृडतं नः ॥
5Through this now hast thou sent thy gifts. All hail! With sharpened arms and missiles, kind and friendly, be gracious unto us, Soma and Rudra!
6अवैतेनारात्सीरसौ स्वाहा । तिग्मायुधौ तिग्महेती सुशेवौ सोमारुद्राविह सु मृडतं नः ॥
6Through this hast thou been left in want. All hail! With sharpened arms and missiles, kind and friendly, be gracious unto us, Soma and Rudra!
7अपैतेनारात्सीरसौ स्वाहा । तिग्मायुधौ तिग्महेती सुशेवौ सोमारुद्राविह सु मृडतं नः ॥
7Through this hast thou committed faults. All hail! With sharpened arms and missiles, kind and friendly, be gracious unto us, Soma and Rudra!
8मुमुक्तमस्मान् दुरितादवद्याज्जुषेथां यज्ञममृतमस्मासु धत्तम् ॥
8Free us from trouble, free us from dishonour, accept our worship, give us life immortal.
9चक्षुषो हेते मनसो हेते ब्रह्मणो हेते तपसश्च हेते । मेन्या मेनिरस्यमेनयस्ते सन्तु येऽस्मामभ्यघायन्ति ॥
9O missile of the eye, missile of spirit, thou missile of devotion and of fervour! Thou art the weapon shot against the weapon. Let those be weaponless who sin against us.
10योऽस्मांश्चक्षुषा मनसा चित्त्याकूत्या च यो अघायुरभिदासात्। त्वं तान् अग्ने मेन्यामेनीन् कृणु स्वाहा ॥
10Make with thy weapon weaponless, O Agni, all wicked men who deal with us as foemen with eye, with thought, with spirit, or intention.
11इन्द्रस्य गृहोऽसि । तं त्वा प्र पद्ये तं त्वा प्र विशामि सर्वगुः सर्वपूरुषः सर्वात्मा सर्वतनूः सह यन् मेऽस्ति तेन ॥
11Thou art the house of Indra. I betake me to thee, I enter thee with all my cattle, With all my people and with all my body, with all my soul, with mine entire possessions.
12इन्द्रस्य शर्मासि । तं त्वा प्र पद्ये तं त्वा प्र विशामि सर्वगुः सर्वपूरुषः सर्वात्मा सर्वतनूः सह यन् मेऽस्ति तेन ॥
12Thou art the guard of Indra. I betake me to thee, etc.
13इन्द्रस्य वर्मासि । तं त्वा प्र पद्ये तं त्वा प्र विशामि सर्वगुः सर्वपूरुषः सर्वात्मा सर्वतनूः सह यन् मेऽस्ति तेन ॥
13Thou art the shield of Indra. I betake me to thee, etc.
14इन्द्रस्य वरूथमसि । तं त्वा प्र पद्ये तं त्वा प्र विशामि सर्वगुः सर्वपूरुषः सर्वात्मा सर्वतनूः सह यन् मेऽस्ति तेन ॥
14Indra's protection art thou. I betake me to thee, I enter thee with all my cattle. With all my people and with all my body, with all my soul, with mine entire possessions.
Hymn 5.7A charm to deprecate Arāti or Malignity
1आ नो भर मा परि ष्ठा अराते मा नो रक्षीर्दक्षिणां नीयमानाम् । नमो वीर्त्साया असमृद्धये नमो अस्त्वरातये ॥
1Bring thou to us, bar not the way, Arāti! Stay not the guerdon that is being brought us. Homage be paid to Failure, to Misfortune, and Malignity.
2यमराते पुरोधत्से पुरुषं परिरापिणम् । नमस्ते तस्मै कृण्मो मा वनिं व्यथयीर्मम ॥
2The man whom thou preferrest, O Arāti, he who prates to us— This man of thine, we reverence. Baffle not thou my heart's desire,
3प्र णो वनिर्देवकृता दिवा नक्तं च कल्पताम् । अरातिमनुप्रेमो वयं नमो अस्त्वरातये ॥
3May our desire which Gods have roused fulfil itself by day and night. We seek to win Arāti: to Arāti be our homage paid.
4सरस्वतीमनुमतिं भगं यन्तो हवामहे । वाचं जुष्टां मधुमतीमवादिषं देवानां देवहूतिषु ॥
4We, suppliant, call on Bhaga, on Sarasvati, Anumati, Pleasant words have I spoken, sweet as honey is, at invocations of the Gods.
5यं याचाम्यहं वाचा सरस्वत्या मनोयुजा । श्रद्धा तमद्य विन्दतु दत्ता सोमेन बभ्रुणा ॥
5The portion that I crave with speech intelligent and full of power, May faith, presented with the gift of tawny Soma, find to-day.
6मा वनिं मा वाचं नो वीर्त्सीरुभाविन्द्राग्नी आ भरतां नो वसूनि । सर्वे नो अद्य दित्सन्तोऽरातिं प्रति हर्यत ॥
6Do not thou make our words or wishes fruitless. Let the twain Indra Agni, bring us treasures. All, fain to-day to give us gifts, welcome Arāti with your love.
7परोऽपेह्यसमृद्धे वि ते हेतिं नयामसि । वेद त्वाहं निमीवन्तीं नितुदन्तीमराते ॥
7Misfortune! go thou far away: we turn thy harmful dart aside. I know thee well, Arāti! as oppressor, one who penetrates.
8उत नग्ना बोभुवती स्वप्नया सचसे जनम् । अराते चित्तं वीर्त्सन्त्याकूतिं पुरुषस्य च ॥
8Oft, coming as a naked girl thou hauntest people in their sleep, Baffling the thought, Arāti! and the firm intention of a man.
9या महती महोन्माना विश्वा आशा व्यानशे । तस्यै हिरण्यकेश्यै निर्ऋत्या अकरं नमः ॥
9To her the mighty vast in size, who penetrates all points of space, To her mine homage have I paid, Nirriti with her golden hair.
10हिरण्यवर्णा सुभगा हिरण्यकशिपुर्मही । तस्यै हिरण्यद्रापयेऽरात्या अकरं नमः ॥
10Auspicious, with her golden hue, pillowed on gold, the mighty one To this Arāti clad in robes of gold mine homage have I paid.
Hymn 5.8A charm for the discomfiture and destruction of hostile priests
1वैकङ्कतेनेध्मेन देवेभ्य आज्यं वह । अग्ने तामिह मादय सर्व आ यन्तु मे हवम् ॥
1With fuel of Vikankata bring molten butter to the Gods. O Agni, make them joyful here: let them all come unto my call.
2इन्द्रा याहि मे हवमिदं करिष्यामि तच्छृणु । इम ऐन्द्रा अतिसरा आकूतिं सं नमन्तु मे । तेभिः शकेम वीर्यं जातवेदस्तनूवशिन् ॥
2O Indra, come unto my call, This will I do. So hear it thou. Let these exertions for the sake of Indra guide my wish aright. Therewith, O Jātavedas, Lord of Bodies! may we win us strength.
3यदसावमुतो देवा अदेवः संश्चिकीर्षति । मा तस्याग्निर्हव्यं वाक्षीद्धवं देवा अस्य मोप गुर्ममैव हवमेतन ॥
3Whatever plot from yonder, O ye Gods, that godless man would frame, Let not the Gods come to his call, nor Agni bear his offering up. Come, ye, come hither to my call.
4अति धावतातिसरा इन्द्रस्य वचसा हत । अविं वृक इव मथ्नीत स वो जीवन् मा मोचि प्राणमस्यापि नह्यत ॥
4Run, ye Fxertions, farther on By Indra's order smite and slay. As a wolf worrieth a sheep, so let not him escape from you while life remains. Stop fast his breath.
5यममी पुरोदधिरे ब्रह्माणमपभूतये । इन्द्र स ते अधस्पदं तं प्रत्यस्यामि मृत्यवे ॥
5The Brāhman whom those yonder have appointed priest, for injury, He, Indra! is beneath thy feet. I cast him to the God of Death.
6यदि प्रेयुर्देवपुरा ब्रह्म वर्माणि चक्रिरे । तनूपानं परिपाणं कृण्वाना यदुपोचिरे सर्वं तदरसं कृधि ॥
6If they have issued forth, strongholds of Gods, and made their shield of prayer, Gaining protection for their lives, protection round about, make all their instigation powerless.
7यान् असावतिसरांश्चकार कृणवच्च यान् । त्वं तान् इन्द्र वृत्रहन् प्रतीचः पुनरा कृधि यथामुं तृणहां जनम् ॥
7Exertions which that man hath made, Exertions which he yet will make Turn them, O Indra, back again, O Vritra-slayer, back again on him that they may kill that man.
8यथेन्द्र उद्वाचनं लब्ध्वा चक्रे अधस्पदम् । कृण्वेऽहमधरान् तथा अमूञ्छश्वतीभ्यः समाभ्यः ॥
8As Indra, having seized him, set his foot upon Udvāchana, Even so for all the coming years I cast those men beneath my feet.
9अत्रैनान् इन्द्र वृत्रहन्न् उग्रो मर्मणि विध्य । अत्रैवैनान् अभि तिष्ठेन्द्र मेद्यहं तव । अनु त्वेन्द्रा रभामहे स्याम सुमतौ तव ॥
9Here, Indra Vritra-slayer, in thy strength pierce thou their vital. parts. Here, even here, attack them, O Indra. Thine own dear friend am I. Indra, we closely cling to thee. May we be in thy favouring grace.
Hymn 5.9A prayer to Heaven and Earth for protection and assistance
1दिवे स्वाहा ॥
1All hail to Heaven!
2पृथिव्यै स्वाहा ॥
2All hail to Earth!
3अन्तरिक्षाय स्वाहा ॥
3All hail to Air!
4अन्तरिक्षाय स्वाहा ॥
4All hail to Air!
5दिवे स्वाहा ॥
5All hail to Heaven!
6पृथिव्यै स्वाहा ॥
6All hail to Eartht!
7सूर्यो मे चक्षुर्वातः प्राणोऽन्तरिक्षमात्मा पृथिवी शरीरम् । अस्तृतो नामाहमयमस्मि स आत्मानं नि दधे द्यावापृथिवीभ्यां गोपीथाय ॥
7Mine eye is Sīirya and my breath is Vāta, Air is my soul and Prithivī my body. I verily who never have been conquered give up my life toe Heaven and Earth for keeping.
8उदायुरुद्बलमुत्कृतमुत्कृत्यामुन् मनीषामुदिन्द्रियम् । आयुष्कृदायुष्पत्नी स्वधावन्तौ गोपा मे स्तं गोपायतं मा । आत्मसदौ मे स्तं मा मा हिंसिष्टम् ॥
8Exalt my life, my strength, my deed and action; increase my understanding and my vigour. Be ye my powerful keepers, watch and guard me, ye mistresses of life and life's creators! Dwell ye within me, and forbear to harm me.
Hymn 5.10A prayer to the presiding deities of the four quarters for protection
English stanza 6 is missing from the sacred-texts transcription; supplied from the printed edition (archive.org OCR of in.ernet.dli.2015.274134 and hymnsoftheatharv029640mbp, both agree).
1अश्मवर्म मेऽसि यो मा प्राच्या दिशोऽघायुरभिदासात्। एतत्स ऋछात् ॥
1Thou art my wall of stone against the sinner who fights against me from the eastern quarter. May he encounter it!
2अश्मवर्म मेऽसि यो मा दक्षिणाया दिशोऽघायुरभिदासात्। एतत्स ऋछात् ॥
2Thou art my wall of stone against the sinner who fights against me from the southern quarter. May he encounter it!
3अश्मवर्म मेऽसि यो मा प्रतीच्या दिशोऽघायुरभिदासात्। एतत्स ऋछात् ॥
3Thou art my wall of stone against the sinner who fights against me from the western quarter. May he encounter it!
4अश्मवर्म मेऽसि यो मोदीच्या दिशोऽघायुरभिदासात्। एतत्स ऋछात् ॥
4Thou art my wall of stone against the sinner who fights against me from northern quarter. May he encounter it!
5अश्मवर्म मेऽसि यो मा ध्रुवाया दिशोऽघायुरभिदासात्। एतत्स ऋछात् ॥
5Thou art my wall of stone against the sinner who fights against me from the stedfast region. May he encounter it! r 6.Thou art my wall of stone against the sinner who fights against Lme from the lofty region! M iy he encounter it!
6अश्मवर्म मेऽसि यो मोर्ध्वाया दिशोऽघायुरभिदासात्। एतत्स ऋछात् ॥
6Thou art my wall of stone against the sinner who fights against me from the lofty region! May he encounter it!
7अश्मवर्म मेऽसि यो मा दिशामन्तर्देशेभ्योऽघायुरभिदासात्। एतत्स ऋछात् ॥
7Thou art my wall of stone against the sinner who from points intermediate fights against me. May he encounter it!
8बृहता मन उप ह्वये मातरिश्वना प्राणापानौ । सूर्याच्चक्षुरन्तरिक्षाच्छ्रोत्रं पृथिव्याः शरीरम् । सरस्वत्या वाचमुप ह्वयामहे मनोयुजा ॥
8With Brihat I invoke the mind, with Mātarisvan both the breaths, The eye from Sūrya, and the ear from Air, the body from the Earth. We, with Sarasvati who suits the mind, call Speech to come to us.
Hymn 5.11A dialogue between Atharvan and Varuna
1कथं महे असुरायाब्रवीरिह कथं पित्रे हरये त्वेषनृम्णः । पृश्निं वरुण दक्षिणां ददावान् पुनर्मघ त्वं मनसाचिकित्सीः ॥
1How, terrible in might, hast thou here spoken to the great God, how to the gold-hued Father! Thy mind watched, greedy Varuna! to recover the brindled cow thou hadst bestowed as guerdon.
2न कामेन पुनर्मघो भवामि सं चक्षे कं पृश्निमेतामुपाजे । केन नु त्वमथर्वन् काव्येन केन जातेनासि जातवेदाः ॥
2Not through desire do I revoke my present: I bring this brindled cow to contemplate her. Now by what lore, by what inherent nature, knowest thou all things that exist, Atharvan?
3सत्यमहं गभीरः काव्येन सत्यं जातेनास्मि जातवेदाः । न मे दासो नार्यो महित्वा व्रतं मीमाय यदहं धरिष्ये ॥
3Truly I am profound in wisdom, truly I know by nature all existing creatures. No Dāsa by his greatness, not an Arya, may violate the law that I will stablish.
4न त्वदन्यः कवितरो न मेधया धीरतरो वरुण स्वधावन् । त्वं ता विश्वा भुवनानि वेत्थ स चिन् नु त्वज्जनो मायी बिभाय ॥
4None, self-dependent Varuna! existeth wiser than thou or sager by his wisdom. Thou knowest well all these created beings: even the man of wondrous powers fears thee.
5त्वं ह्यङ्ग वरुण स्वधावन् विश्वा वेत्थ जनिम सुप्रणीते । किं रजस एना परो अन्यदस्त्येना किं परेणावरममुर ॥
5O self-dependent Varuna, wise director, thou knowest verily all generations. What is, unerring one! beyond this region? What more remote than that which is most distant?
6एकं रजस एना परो अन्यदस्त्येना पर एकेन दुर्णशं चिदर्वाक्। तत्ते विद्वान् वरुण प्र ब्रवीम्यधोवचसः पणयो भवन्तु नीचैर्दासा उप सर्पन्तु भूमिम् ॥
6One thing there is beyond this air, and something beyond that one, most hard to reach, remotest. I, Varuna, who know, to thee declare it. Let churls be mighty in the lower regions. Let Dāsas sink into the earth beneath them.
7त्वं ह्यङ्ग वरुण ब्रवीषि पुनर्मघेष्ववद्यानि भूरि । मो षु पणींरभ्येतावतो भून् मा त्वा वोचन्न् अराधसं जनासः ॥
7Many reproaches, Varuna, dost thou utter against the misers. who revoke their presents. Be not thou added to that crowd of niggards: let not men call thee an illiberal giver.
8मा मा वोचन्न् अराधसं जनासः पुनस्ते पृश्निं जरितर्ददामि । स्तोत्रं मे विश्वमा याहि शचीभिरन्तर्विश्वासु मानुषीषु दिक्षु ॥
8Let not men call me an illiberal giver. I give thee back the brindled cow, O singer. Attend in every place where men inhabit, with all thy powers, the hymn that tells my praises.
9आ ते स्तोत्राण्युद्यतानि यन्त्वन्तर्विश्वासु मानुषीषु दिक्षु । देहि नु मे यन् मे अदत्तो असि युज्यो मे सप्तपदः सखासि ॥
9Let hymns of praise ascend to thee, uplifted in every place of human habitation. But give me now the gift thou hast not given. Thou art my friend for ever firm and faithful.
10समा नौ बन्धुर्वरुण समा जा वेदाहं तद्यन् नावेषा समा जा । ददामि तद्यत्ते अदत्तो अस्मि युज्यस्ते सप्तपदः सखास्मि ॥
10One origin, Varuna! one bond unites us I know the nature of that common kinship. I give thee now the gift that I retracted. I am thy friend for ever firm and faithful.
11देवो देवाय गृणते वयोधा विप्रो विप्राय स्तुवते सुमेधाः । अजीजनो हि वरुण स्वधावन्न् अथर्वाणं पितरं देवबन्धुम् । तस्मा उ राधः कृणुहि सुप्रशस्तं सखा नो असि परमं च बन्धुः ॥
11God, giving life unto the god who lauds me, Sage strengthener of the sage who sings my praises. Thou, self-dependent Varuna! hast begotten the kinsman of the Gods, our sire Atharvan. On him bestow most highly-lauded riches. Thou art our friend, high over all, our kinsman.
Hymn 5.12An Apri or propitiatory hymn
1समिद्धो अद्य मनुषो दुरोणे देवो देवान् यजसि जातवेदः । आ च वह मित्रमहश्चिकित्वान् त्वं दूतः कविरसि प्रचेताः ॥
1Thou in the house of man this day enkindled worshippest Gods as God, O Jātavedas. Observant, bright as Mitra, bring them hither. Thou art a sapient and foreknowing envoy.
2तनूनपात्पथ ऋतस्य यानान् मध्वा समञ्जन्त्स्वदया सुजिह्व । मन्मानि धीभिरुत यज्ञमृन्धन् देवत्रा च कृणुह्यध्वरं नः ॥
2Tanùnapāt, fair-tongued! with sweet meath balming the baths and ways of Order, make them pleasant. Bear to the Gods our sacrifice, exalting with holy thoughts our hymns of praise and worship.
3आजुह्वान ईड्यो बन्द्यश्चा याह्यग्ने वसुभिः सजोषाः । त्वं देवानामसि यह्व होता स एनान् यक्षीषितो यजीयान् ॥
3Invoked, deserving prayer and adoration, O Agni, come accor dant with the Vasus. Thou art, O youthful Lord, the Gods' Invoker, so, best of sacrificers, bring them quickly.
4प्राचीनं बर्हिः प्रदिशा पृथिव्या वस्तोरस्या वृज्यते अग्रे अह्नाम् । व्यु प्रथते वितरं वरीयो देवेभ्यो अदितये स्योनम् ॥
4By rule the Sacred Grass is scattered eastward, a robe to clothe this earth when dawns are breaking. Widely it spreads around and far extended, fair for the Gods and bringing peace and freedom,
5व्यचस्वतीरुर्विया वि श्रयन्तां पतिभ्यो न जनयः शुम्भमानाः । देवीर्द्वारो बृहतीर्विश्वमिन्वा देवेभ्यो भवत सुप्रायणाः ॥
5Let the expansive Doors be widely opened, like wives who deck their beauty for their husbands. Lofty, celestial, all-impelling Portals, admit the Gods and give them easy entrance!
6आ सुष्वयन्ती यजते उपाके उषासानक्ता सदतां नि योनौ । दिव्ये योषणे बृहती सुरुक्मे अधि श्रियं शुक्रपिशं दधाने ॥
6Pouring sweet dews let holy Night and Morning, each close to each, be seated at their station,— Lofty, celestial Dames with gold to deck them, assuming all their fair and radiant beauty.
7दैव्या होतारा प्रथमा सुवाचा मिमाना यज्ञं मनुषो यजध्यै । प्रचोदयन्ता विदथेषु कारू प्राचीनं ज्योतिः प्रदिशा दिशन्ता ॥
7Come the first two celestial sweet-voiced Hotars, arranging sacrifice for man to worship, As singers who inspire us in assemblies, showing the eastern light with their direction!
8आ नो यज्ञं भारती तूयमेत्विडा मनुष्वदिह चेतयन्ती । तिस्रो देवीर्बर्हिरेदं स्योनं सरस्वतीः स्वपसः सदन्ताम् ॥
8Let Bhārati come quickly to our worship and Ilā showing like a human being. So let Sarasvati and both her fellows, deft Goddesses, on this fair grass be seated.
9य इमे द्यावापृथिवी जनित्री रूपैरपिंशद्भुवनानि विश्वा । तमद्य होतरिषितो यजीयान् देवं त्वष्टारमिह यक्षि विद्वान् ॥
9Hotar more skilled in sacrifice, bring hither with speed to-day God Tvashar, thou who knowest, Even him who formed these two, the Earth and Heaven, the Parents, with their forms, and every creature.
10उपावसृज त्मन्या समञ्जन् देवानां पाथ ऋतुथा हवींषि । वनस्पतिः शमिता देवो अग्निः स्वदन्तु हव्यं मधुना घृतेन ॥
10Bring thou to our oblations which thou balmest the companies of Gods in ordered season. Agni, Vanaspati, the Immolator sweeten our offered gifts with meath and butter!
11सद्यो जातो व्यमिमीत यज्ञमग्निर्देवानामभवत्पुरोगाः । अस्य होतुः प्रशिष्यृतस्य वाचि स्वाहाकृतं हविरदन्तु देवाः ॥
11Agni as soon as he was born made ready the sacrifice and was the Gods' preceder. May the Gods eat our offering consecrated according to this true Priest's voice and guidance.
Hymn 5.13A charm against snakes
The Sanskrit has 11 verses and Griffith 10, so the two are shown as whole columns.
1ददिर्हि मह्यं वरुणो दिवः कविर्वचोभिरुग्रैर्नि रिणामि ते विषम् । खातमखातमुत सक्तमग्रभमिरेव धन्वन् नि जजास ते विषम् ॥
2यत्ते अपोदकं विषं तत्त एतास्वग्रभम् । गृह्णामि ते मध्यममुत्तमं रसमुतावमं भियसा नेशदादु ते ॥
3वृषा मे रवो नभसा न तन्यतुरुग्रेण ते वचसा बाध आदु ते । अहं तमस्य नृभिरग्रभं रसं तमस इव ज्योतिरुदेतु सूर्यः ॥
4चक्षुषा ते चक्षुर्हन्मि विषेण हन्मि ते विषम् । अहे म्रियस्व मा जीवीः प्रत्यगभ्येतु त्वा विषम् ॥
5कैरात पृश्न उपतृण्य बभ्र आ मे शृणुतासिता अलीकाः । मा मे सख्युः स्तामानमपि ष्ठाताश्रावयन्तो नि विषे रमध्वम् ॥
6असितस्य तैमातस्य बभ्रोरपोदकस्य च । सात्रासाहस्याहं मन्योरव ज्यामिव धन्वनो वि मुञ्चामि रथामिव ॥
7आलिगी च विलिगी च पिता च मता च । विद्म वः सर्वतो बन्ध्वरसाः किं करिष्यथ ॥
8उरुगूलाया दुहिता जाता दास्यसिक्न्या । प्रतङ्कं दद्रुषीणां सर्वासामरसं विषम् ॥
9कर्णा श्वावित्तदब्रवीद्गिरेरवचरन्तिका । याः काश्चेमाः खनित्रिमास्तासामरसतमं विषम् ॥
10ताबुवं न ताबुवं न घेत्त्वमसि ताबुवम् । ताबुवेनारसं विषम् ॥
11तस्तुवं न तस्तुवं न घेत्त्वमसि तस्तुवम् । तस्तुवेनारसं विषम् ॥
1Varuna, Sage of heaven, hath given me the gift: with spells of mighty power I draw thy poison out. Dug up, not dug, adherent, I have seized it fast: low hath thy venom sunk like water in the sands.
2All the non-fluid portion of thy venom, I receive in these. I take thy middlemost, thy highest, lowest juice: may it be spent and lest by reason of thy fear.
3Strong is my cry like thunder with the rainy cloud: with powerful incantation let thy strength be stayed. I, with the men to aid, have seized that juice of his; as light from out the gloom, let Sūrya rise on high
4I with this eye destroy thine eye, and with this poison conquer thine. Live not, O Snake, but die the death: back go thy venom on thyself.
5Listen to me, Black Snakes and hateful creatures, Lurker-in-Grass, Karait, and Brown, and Spotty, Approach not near the house my friend inhabits: give warning, and rest quiet with your poison.
6Even as the cord that strings the bow, I slacken, as it were, the cars. Of the All-conquering serpent's wrath, of the fierce rage of Black, and Brown, Taimāta, and Apodaka.
7And Āligi and Viligi, their father and the mother too,— What will ye do? Your venomed sap, we know, is utterly powerless.
8Daughter of Urugūlā, she-fiend whom the black, skinned mother bare— All female serpents poison who crept swiftly near is impotent.
9Dwelling beside the mountain's slope, the quick-eared porcupine exclaimed: Of all these she-snakes homed in earth the poison is most powerless.
10Tābuva or not Tābuva, thou verily art not Tābuva: poison is killed by Tābuva. Tastuva or not Tastuva, thou verily art not Tastuva: poison is killed by Tastuva.
Hymn 5.14A charm against witchcraft
1सुपर्णस्त्वान्वविन्दत्सूकरस्त्वाखनन् नसा । दिप्सौषधे त्वं दिप्सन्तमव कृत्याकृतं जहि ॥
1An eagle found thee: with his snout a wild boar dug thee from the earth. Harm thou, O Plant, the mischievous, and drive the sorcerer away.
2अव जहि यातुधानान् अव कृत्याकृतं जहि । अथो यो अस्मान् दिप्सति तमु त्वं जह्योषधे ॥
2Beat thou the Yātudhānas back, drive thou away the sorcerer; And chase afar, O Plant, the man who fain would do us injury.
3रिश्यस्येव परीशासं परिकृत्य परि त्वचः । कृत्यां कृत्याकृते देवा निष्कमिव प्रति मुञ्चत ॥
3As 'twere a strip cut round from skin of a white-footed antelope, Bind, like a golden chain, O God, his witchcraft on the sorcerer.
4पुनः कृत्यां कृत्याकृते हस्तगृह्य परा णय । समक्षमस्मा आ धेहि यथा कृत्याकृतं हनत् ॥
4Take thou his sorcery by the hand, and to the sorcerer lead it back. Lay it before him, face to face, that it may kill the sorcerer.
5कृत्याः सन्तु कृत्याकृते शपथः शपथीयते । सुखो रथ इव वर्ततां कृत्या कृत्याकृतं पुनः ॥
5Back on the wizard fall his craft, upon the curser light his curse! Let witchcraft, like a well-naved car, roll back upon the sorcerer.
6यदि स्त्री यदि वा पुमान् कृत्यां चकार पाप्मने । तामु तस्मै नयामस्यश्वमिवाश्वाभिधान्या ॥
6Whoso, for other's harm hath dealt-woman or man-in magic arts, To him we lead the sorcery back, even as a courser with a rope.
7यदि वासि देवकृता यदि वा पुरुषैः कृता । तां त्वा पुनर्णयामसीन्द्रेण सयुजा वयम् ॥
7Now whether thou hast been prepared by Gods or been prepared by men, We, with our Indra at our side to aid us, lead thee back again.
8अग्ने पृतनाषाट्पृतनाः सहस्व । पुनः कृत्यां कृत्याकृते प्रतिहरणेन हरामसि ॥
8Agni, victorious in fight, subdue the armies of our foes! Back on the sorcerer we cast his sorcery, and beat it home.
9कृतव्यधनि विध्य तं यश्चकार तमिज्जहि । न त्वामचक्रुषे वयं वधाय सं शिशीमहि ॥
9Thou who hast piercing weapons, pierce him who hath wrought it; conquer him. We do not sharpen thee to slay the man who hath not practised it.
10पुत्र इव पितरं गच्छ स्वज इवाभिष्ठितो दश । बन्धमिवावक्रामी गच्छ कृत्ये कृत्याकृतं पुनः ॥
10Go as a son goes to his sire: bite as a trampled viper bites. As one who flies from bonds, go back, O Witchcraft, to the sorcerer.
11उदेणीव वारण्यभिस्कन्दं मृगीव । कृत्या कर्तारमृच्छतु ॥
11Even as the timid antelope or hind from her assailant flees, So swiftly let the sorcery o'ertake and reach the sorcerer.
12इष्वा ऋजीयः पततु द्यावापृथिवी तं प्रति । सा तं मृगमिव गृह्णातु कृत्या कृत्याकृतं पुनः ॥
12Straighter than any arrow let it fly against him, Heaven and Earth. So let that witchcraft seize again the wizard like a beast of chase.
13अग्निरिवैतु प्रतिकूलमनुकूलमिवोदकम् । सुखो रथ इव वर्ततां कृत्या कृत्याकृतं पुनः ॥
13Let it go contrary like flame, like water following its course. Let witchcraft, like a well-naved car, roll back upon the sorcerer.
Hymn 5.15A charm for general prosperity
Griffith translates only stanzas 1 and 2. His note (printed edition) says stanzas 3 to 11 are exactly the same except that the numbers increase by eleven in each stanza (thirty and three, forty and four, and so on) up to one hundred and ten in stanza 10, stanza 11 concluding with one thousand and one hundred. The Sanskrit has 11 verses and Griffith 2, so the two are shown as whole columns.
1एका च मे दश च मेऽपवक्तार ओषधे । ऋतजात ऋतावरि मधु मे मधुला करः ॥
2द्वे च मे विंशतिश्च मेऽपवक्तार ओषधे । ऋतजात ऋतावरि मधु मे मधुला करः ॥
3तिस्रश्च मे त्रिंशच्च मेऽपवक्तार ओषधे । ऋतजात ऋतावरि मधु मे मधुला करः ॥
4चतस्रश्च मे चत्वारिंशच्च मेऽपवक्तार ओषधे । ऋतजात ऋतावरि मधु मे मधुला करः ॥
5पञ्च च मे पञ्चाशच्च मेऽपवक्तार ओषधे । ऋतजात ऋतावरि मधु मे मधुला करः ॥
6षट्च मे षष्टिश्च मेऽपवक्तार ओषधे । ऋतजात ऋतावरि मधु मे मधुला करः ॥
7सप्त च मे सप्ततिश्च मेऽपवक्तार ओषधे । ऋतजात ऋतावरि मधु मे मधुला करः ॥
8अष्ट च मेऽशीतिश्च मेऽपवक्तार ओषधे । ऋतजात ऋतावरि मधु मे मधुला करः ॥
9नव च मे नवतिश्च मेऽपवक्तार ओषधे । ऋतजात ऋतावरि मधु मे मधुला करः ॥
10दश च मे शतं च मेऽपवक्तार ओषधे । ऋतजात ऋतावरि मधु मे मधुला करः ॥
11शतं च मे सहस्रं चापवक्तार ओषधे । ऋतजात ऋतावरि मधु मे मधुला करः ॥
1Plant! I have those who shall avert the threatened danger, ten and one. O sacred Plant, produced aright! make sweetness, sweet thy self, for me.
2Twenty and two, O Plant, have I who shall avert the threatened ill. O sacred Plant, produced aright! make sweetness, sweet thyself, for me.
Hymn 5.16A charm for the increase of cattle
Griffith translates only stanza 1. His note (printed edition) says the hymn contains ten other similar lines, with double bull, triple bull and so on in regular order up to eleven-fold in stanza 11, where 'waterless' stands instead of 'sapless'. The Sanskrit has 11 verses and Griffith 1, so the two are shown as whole columns.
1यद्येकवृषोऽसि सृजारसोऽसि ॥
2यदि द्विवृषोऽसि सृजारसोऽसि ॥
3यदि त्रिवृसोऽसि सृजारसोऽसि ॥
4यदि चतुर्वृषोऽसि सृजारसोऽसि ॥
5यदि पञ्चवृषोऽसि सृजारसोऽसि ॥
6यदि षड्वृषोऽसि सृजारसोऽसि ॥
7यदि सप्तवृषोऽसि सृजारसोऽसि ॥
8यद्यष्टवृषोऽसि सृजारसोऽसि ॥
9यदि नववृषोऽसि सृजारसोऽसि ॥
10यदि दशवृषोऽसि सृजारसोऽसि ॥
11यद्येकादशोऽसि सोऽपोदकोऽसि ॥
1Bull! if thou art the single bull, beget. Thou hast no vital sap.
Hymn 5.17The abduction and restoration of a Brāhman's wife
1तेऽवदन् प्रथमा ब्रह्मकिल्बिषेऽकूपारः सलिलो मातरिश्वा । वीडुहरास्तप उग्रं मयोभूरापो देवीः प्रथमजा ऋतस्य ॥
1These first, the boundless Sea, and Mātarisvan, fierce glowing Fire, the Strong, the Bliss-bestower, And heavenly Floods, first-born by holy Order, exclaimed against the outrage on a Brāhman.
2सोमो राजा प्रथमो ब्रह्मजायां पुनः प्रायच्छदहृणीयमानः । अन्वर्तिता वरुणो मित्र आसीदग्निर्होता हस्तगृह्या निनाय ॥
2King Soma first of all, without reluctance, made restitution of the Brāhman's consort. Mitra and Varuna were the inviters: Agni as Hotar took her hand and led her.
3हस्तेनैव ग्राह्य आधिरस्या ब्रह्मजायेति चेदवोचत्। न दूताय प्रहेया तस्थ एषा तथा राष्ट्रं गुपितं क्षत्रियस्य ॥
3The man, her pledge, must by the hand be taken when he hath cried, She is a Brāhman's consort. She stayed not for a herald to conduct her: thus is the kingdom of a ruler guarded.
4यामाहुस्तारकैषा विकेशीति दुच्छुनां ग्राममवपद्यमानाम् । सा ब्रह्मजाया वि दुनोति राष्ट्रं यत्र प्रापादि शश उल्कुषीमान् ॥
4She whom they call the star with loosened tresses, descending as. misfortune on the village, The Brāhman's consort, she disturbs the kingdom where hath appeared the hare with fiery flashing.
5ब्रह्मचारी चरति वेविषद्विषः स देवानां भवत्येकमङ्गम् । तेन जायामन्वविन्दद्बृहस्पतिः सोमेन नीतां जुह्वं न देवाः ॥
5Active in duty serves the Brahmachāri: he is a member of the Gods' own body. Through him Brihaspati obtained his consort, as the Gods gained the ladle brought by Soma.
6देवा वा एतस्यामवदन्त पूर्वे सप्तऋषयस्तपसा ये निषेदुः । भीमा जाया ब्राह्मणस्यापनीता दुर्धां दधाति परमे व्योमन् ॥
6Thus spake of her those Gods of old, Seven Rishis, who sate them down to their austere devotion: Dire is a Brāhman's wife led home by others: in the supremest heaven she plants confusion.
7ये गर्भा अवपद्यन्ते जगद्यच्चापलुप्यते । वीरा ये तृह्यन्ते मिथो ब्रह्मजाया हिनस्ति तान् ॥
7When infants die, untimely born, when herds of cattle waste away, When heroes strike each other dead, the Brāhman's wife destroyeth them.
8उत यत्पतयो दश स्त्रियाः पूर्वे अब्राह्मणाः । ब्रह्मा चेद्धस्तमग्रहीत्स एव पतिरेकधा ॥
8Even if ten former husbands—none a Brāhman—had espoused a dame, And then a Brāhman took her hand, he is her husband, only he,
9ब्राह्मण एव पतिर्न राजन्यो न वैश्यः । तत्सूर्यः प्रब्रुवन्न् एति पञ्चभ्यो मानवेभ्यः ॥
9Not Vaisya, not Rājanya, no, the Brāhman is indeed her lord: This Sūrya in his course proclaims to the Five Races of mankind.
10पुनर्वै देवा अददुः पुनर्मनुष्या अददुः । राजानः सत्यं गृह्णाना ब्रह्मजायां पुनर्ददुः ॥
10So then the Gods restored her, so men gave the woman back again. Princes who kept their promises restored the Brāhman's wedded wife.
11पुनर्दाय ब्रह्मजायां कृत्वा देवैर्निकिल्बिषम् । ऊर्जं पृथिव्या भक्त्वोरुगायमुपासते ॥
11Having restored the Brāhman's wife, and freed them, with Gods' aid, from sin, They shared the fulness of the earth and worn themselves extended sway.
12नास्य जाया शतवाही कल्याणी तल्पमा शये । यस्मिन् राष्ट्रे निरुध्यते ब्रह्मजायाचित्त्या ॥
12No lovely wife who brings her dower in hundreds rests upon his bed, Within whose kingdom is detained, through want of sense, a Brāhman's dame.
13न विकर्णः पृथुशिरास्तस्मिन् वेश्मनि जायते । यस्मिन् राष्ट्रे निरुध्यते ब्रह्मजायाचित्त्या ॥
13No broad-browed calf with wide-set ears is ever in his homestead born. Within whose kingdom is detained, through want of sense, a Brāhman's dame.
14नास्य क्षत्ता निष्कग्रीवः सूनानामेत्यग्रतः । यस्मिन् राष्ट्रे निरुध्यते ब्रह्मजायाचित्त्या ॥
14No steward, golden-necklaced, goes before the meat-trays of the man. Within whose kingdom is detained, through want of sense, a Brāhman's dame.
15नास्य श्वेतः कृष्णकर्णो धुरि युक्तो महीयते । यस्मिन् राष्ट्रे निरुध्यते ब्रह्मजायाचित्त्या ॥
15No black-eared courser, white of hue, moves proudly, harnessed to his car, In whose dominion is detained, through want of sense, a Brāhman's dame.
16नास्य क्षेत्रे पुष्करिणी नाण्डीकं जायते बिसम् । यस्मिन् राष्ट्रे निरुध्यते ब्रह्मजायाचित्त्या ॥
16No lily grows with oval bulbs, no lotus-pool is in his field, In whose dominion is detained, through senseless love, a Brāhman's dame.
17नास्मै पृश्निं वि दुहन्ति येऽस्या दोहमुपासते । यस्मिन् राष्ट्रे निरुध्यते ब्रह्मजायाचित्त्या ॥
17The men whose task it is to milk drain not the brindled cow for him, In whose dominion is detained, through senseless love, a Brāhman's dame.
18नास्य धेनुः कल्याणी नानड्वान्त्सहते धुरम् । विजानिर्यत्र ब्रह्मणो रात्रिं वसति पापया ॥
18His milch-cow doth not profit one, his draught-ox masters not the yoke, Wherever, severed from his wife, a Brāhman spends the mournful night.
Hymn 5.18The wickedness of oppressing and robbing Brāhmans
1नैतां ते देवा अददुस्तुभ्यं नृपते अत्तवे । मा ब्राह्मणस्य राजन्य गां जिघत्सो अनाद्याम् ॥
1The Gods, O Prince, have not bestowed this cow on thee to eat thereof. Seek not, Rājanya, to devour the Brāhman's cow which none may eat.
2अक्षद्रुग्धो राजन्यः पाप आत्मपराजितः । स ब्राह्मणस्य गामद्यादद्य जीवानि मा श्वः ॥
2A base Rājanya, spoiled at dice, and ruined by himself, may eat. The Brāhman's cow and think, To-day and not tomorrow, let me live!
3आविष्टिताघविषा पृदाकूरिव चर्मणा । सा ब्राह्मणस्य राजन्य तृष्टैषा गौरनाद्या ॥
3The Brāhman's cow is like a snake, charged with due poison, clothed with skin. Rājanya! bitter to the taste is she, and none may eat of her.
4निर्वै क्षत्रं नयति हन्ति वर्चोऽग्निरिवारब्धो वि दुनोति सर्वम् । यो ब्राह्मणं मन्यते अन्नमेव स विषस्य पिबति तैमातस्य ॥
4She takes away his strength, she mars his splendour, she ruins everything like fire enkindled. That man drinks poison of the deadly serpent who counts the Brāhman as mere food to feed him.
5य एनं हन्ति मृदुं मन्यमानो देवपीयुर्धनकामो न चित्तात्। सं तस्येन्द्रो हृदयेऽग्निमिन्धे उभे एनं द्विष्टो नभसी चरन्तम् ॥
5Whoever smites him, deeming him a weakling-blasphemer, coveting his wealth through folly Indra sets fire alight within his bosom. He who acts thus is loathed by Earth and Heaven.
6न ब्राह्मणो हिंसितव्योऽग्निः प्रियतनोरिव । सोमो ह्यस्य दायाद इन्द्रो अस्याभिशस्तिपाः ॥
6No Brāhman must be injured, safe as fire from him who loves himself. For Soma is akin to him and Indra guards him from the curse.
7शतापाष्ठां नि गिरति तां न शक्नोति निःखिदम् । अन्नं यो ब्रह्मणां मल्वः स्वाद्वद्मीति मन्यते ॥
7The fool who eats the Brāhmans' food and thinks it pleasant to the taste, Eats, but can ne'er digest, the cow that bristles with a hundred barbs,
8जिह्वा ज्या भवति कुल्मलं वाङ्नाडीका दन्तास्तपसाभिदिग्धाः । तेभिर्ब्रह्मा विध्यति देवपीयून् हृद्बलैर्धनुर्भिर्देवजूतैः ॥
8His voice an arrow's neck, his tongue a bowstring, his windpipes fire-enveloped heads of arrows, With these the Brāhman pierces through blasphemers, with God-sped bows that quell the hearts within them.
9तीक्ष्णेषवो ब्राह्मणा हेतिमन्तो यामस्यन्ति शरव्यां न सा मृषा । अनुहाय तपसा मन्युना चोत दुरादव भिन्दन्त्येनम् ॥
9Keen arrows have the Brāhmans, armed with missiles: the shaft, when they discharge it, never faileth. Pursuing him with fiery zeal and anger, they pierce the foeman even from a distance.
10ये सहस्रमराजन्न् आसन् दशशता उत । ते ब्राह्मणस्य गां जग्ध्वा वैतहव्याः पराभवन् ॥
10They who, themselves ten hundred, were the rulers of a thousand men, The Vaitahavyas, were destroyed for that they ate a Brāhman's cow.
11गौरेव तान् हन्यमाना वैतहव्यामवातिरत्। ये केसरप्राबन्धायाश्चरमाजामपेचिरन् ॥
11The cow, indeed, when she was slain o'erthrew those Vaitahavyas, who Cooked the last she-goat that remained of Kesaraprābandhā's flock.
12एकशतं ता जनता या भूमिर्व्यधूनुत । प्रजां हिंसित्वा ब्राह्मणीमसंभव्यं पराभवन् ॥
12One and a hundred were the folk, those whom the earth shook off from her: When they had wronged the Brāhman race they perished inconceivably.
13देवपीयुश्चरति मर्त्येषु गरगीर्णो भवत्यस्थिभूयान् । यो ब्राह्मणं देवबन्धुं हिनस्ति न स पितृयाणमप्येति लोकम् ॥
13Among mankind the Gods' despiser moveth: he hath drunk poison, naught but bone is left him. Who wrongs the kinsman of the Gods, the Brāhman, gains not the sphere to which the Fathers travelled.
14अग्निर्वै नः पदवायः सोमो दायाद उच्यते । हन्ताभिशस्तेन्द्रस्तथा तद्वेधसो विदुः ॥
14Agni, in sooth, is called our guide, Soma is called our next of kin. Indra quells him who curses us. Sages know well that this is so.
15इषुरिव दिग्धा नृपते पृदाकूरिव गोपते । सा ब्राह्मणस्येषुर्घोरा तया विध्यति पीयतः ॥
15Prince! like a poisoned arrow, like a deadly snake, O lord of kine! Dire is the Brāhman's arrow: he pierces his enemies therewith.
Hymn 5.19The wickedness of robbing or insulting Brāhmans
1अतिमात्रमवर्धन्त नोदिव दिवमस्पृशन् । भृगुं हिंसित्वा सृञ्जया वैतहव्याः पराभवन् ॥
1The sons of Vitahavya, the Srinjayas, waxed exceeding strong. They well-nigh touched the heavens, but they wronged Bhrigu and were overthrown.
2ये बृहत्सामानमाङ्गिरसमार्पयन् ब्राह्मणं जनाः । पेत्वस्तेषामुभयादमविस्तोकान्यावयत् ॥
2When men pierced Brihatsāman through, the Brāhman, son of Angiras, The ram with teeth in both his jaws, the sheep, devoured their progeny.
3ये ब्राह्मणं प्रत्यष्ठीवन् ये वास्मिञ्छुल्कमीषिरे । अस्नस्ते मध्ये कुल्यायाः केशान् खादन्त आसते ॥
3If men have spat upon, or shot their rheum upon a Brāhman, they. Sit in the middle of a stream running with blood, devouring hair.
4ब्रह्मगवी पच्यमाना यावत्साभि विजङ्गहे । तेजो राष्ट्रस्य निर्हन्ति न वीरो जायते वृषा ॥
4While yet the Brāhman's cow which men are dressing quivers in her throe: She mars the kingdom's splendour: there no vigorous hero springs to life.
5क्रूरमस्या आशसनं तृष्टं पिशितमस्यते । क्षीरं यदस्याः पीयते तद्वै पितृषु किल्बिषम् ॥
5Terrible is her cutting-up: her bitter flesh is cast away, And it is counted sin among the Fathers if her milk is drunk.
6उग्रो राजा मन्यमानो ब्राह्मणं यो जिघत्सति । परा तत्सिच्यते राष्ट्रं ब्राह्मणो यत्र जीयते ॥
6If any King who deems himself mighty would eat a Brāhman up, Rent and disrupted is that realm wherein a Brāhman is oppressed.
7अष्टापदी चतुरक्षी चतुःश्रोत्रा चतुर्हनुः । द्व्यास्या द्विजिह्वा भूत्वा सा राष्ट्रमव धूनुते ब्रह्मज्यस्य ॥
7She grows eight-footed, and four-eyed, four-eared, four-jawed, two-faced, two-tongued, And shatters down the kingdom of the man who doth the Brāhman wrong.
8तद्वै राष्ट्रमा स्रवति नावं भिन्नामिवोदकम् । ब्रह्माणं यत्र हिंसन्ति तद्राष्ट्रं हन्ति दुछुना ॥
8As water swamps a leaky ship so ruin overflows that realm. Misfortune smites the realm wherein a Brāhman suffers scath and harm.
9तं वृक्षा अप सेधन्ति छायां नो मोप गा इति । यो ब्राह्मणस्य सद्धनमभि नारद मन्यते ॥
9The very trees repel the man, and drive him from their sheltering shade, Whoever claims, O Nārada, the treasure that a Brāhman owns.
10विषमेतद्देवकृतं राजा वरुणोऽब्रवीत्। न ब्राह्मणस्य गां जग्ध्वा रास्त्रे जागार कश्चन ॥
10That wealth, King Varuna hath said, is poison by the Gods prepared. None hath kept watch to guard his realm who hath devoured a Brāhman's cow.
11नवैव ता नवतयो या भूमिर्व्यधूनुत । प्रजां हिंसित्वा ब्राह्मणीमसंभव्यं पराभवन् ॥
11Those nine-and-ninety people whom Earth shook and cast away from her, When they had wronged the Brāhman race were ruined inconceivably.
12यां मृतायानुबध्नन्ति कूद्यं पदयोपनीम् । तद्वै ब्रह्मज्य ते देवा उपस्तरणमब्रुवन् ॥
12Oppressor of the Brāhmans! thus the Gods have spoken and declared, The step-effacing wisp they bind upon the dead shall be thy couch.
13अश्रूणि कृपमानस्य यानि जीतस्य वावृतुः । तं वै ब्रह्मज्य ते देवा अपां भागमधारयन् ॥
13Oppressor of the Brāhmans! tears wept by the man who suffers wrong, These are the share of water which the Gods have destined to be thine.
14येन मृतं स्नपयन्ति श्मश्रूणि येनोन्दते । तं वै ब्रह्मज्य ते देवा अपां भागमधारयन् ॥
14The share of water which the Gods have destined to be thine, is that, Oppressor of the priest! wherewith men lave the corpse and wet the beard.
15न वर्षं मैत्रावरुणं ब्रह्मज्यमभि वर्षति । नास्मै समितिः कल्पते न मित्रं नयते वशम् ॥
15The rain of Mitra-Varuna falls not on him who wrongs the priest. To him no counsel brings success: he wins, no friend to do his will.
Hymn 5.20A hymn to the War-drum to secure victory
1उच्चैर्घोषो दुन्दुभिः सत्वनायन् वानस्पत्यः संभृत उसृइयाभिः । वाचं क्षुणुवानो दमयन्त्सपत्नान्त्सिंह इव जेष्यन्न् अभि तंस्तनीहि ॥
1Formed out of wood, compact with straps of leather, loud is the: War-drum as he plays the hero. Whetting thy voice and vanquishing opponents, roar at them like a lion fain to conquer!
2सिंह इवास्तानीद्द्रुवयो विबद्धोऽभिक्रन्दन्न् ऋषभो वासितामिव । वृषा त्वं वध्रयस्ते सपत्ना ऐन्द्रस्ते शुष्मो अभिमातिषाहः ॥
2The fastened frame hath roared as 'twere a lion, like a bull bellowing to meet the heifer. Thou art a bull, thine enemies are weaklings: thine is the foe-subduing strength of Indra.
3वृषेव यूथे सहसा विदानो गव्यन्न् अभि रुव संधनाजित्। शुचा विध्य हृदयं परेषां हित्वा ग्रामान् प्रच्युता यन्तु शत्रवः ॥
3Like a bull marked by strength among the cattle, roar seeking kine and gathering up the booty. Pierce through our adversaries' heart with sorrow, and let our routed foes desert their hamlets.
4संजयन् पृतना ऊर्ध्वमायुर्गृह्या गृह्णानो बहुधा वि चक्ष्व । दैवीं वाचं दुन्दुभ आ गुरस्व वेधाः शत्रूणामुप भरस्व वेदः ॥
4Victorious in the battle, loudly roaring, seizing what may be seized, look all around thee. Utter, O Drum, thy heavenly voice with triumph. Bring, as a priest, our enemies' possessions.
5दुन्दुभेर्वाचं प्रयतां वदन्तीमाशृण्वती नाथिता घोषबुद्धा । नारी पुत्रं धावतु हस्तगृह्यामित्री भीता समरे वधानाम् ॥
5Hearing the Drum's far-reaching voice resounding, let the foe's dame, waked by the roar, afflicted, Grasping her son, run forward in her terror amid the conflict of the deadly weapons.
6पूर्वो दुन्दुभे प्र वदासि वाचं भूम्याः पृष्ठे वद रोचमानः । अमित्रसेनामभिजञ्जभानो द्युमद्वद दुन्दुभे सूनृतावत् ॥
6Thou, first of all, O Drum, thy voice shalt utter: over the ridge of earth speak forth exultant. Crunching with might the army of the foemen, declare thy message pleasantly and clearly.
7अन्तरेमे नभसी घोषो अस्तु पृथक्ते ध्वनयो यन्तु शीभम् । अभि क्रन्द स्तनयोत्पिपानः श्लोककृन् मित्रतूर्याय स्वर्धी ॥
7Loud be thy roar between the earth and heaven. Swift let thy sounds go forth in all directions. Neigh at them, thunder, set in opposition, song-maker, good ally that friends may conquer.
8धीभिः कृतः प्र वदाति वाचमुद्धर्षय सत्वनामायुधानि । इन्द्रमेदी सत्वनो नि ह्वयस्व मित्रैरमित्रामव जङ्घनीहि ॥
8He shall send forth his voice whom art hath fashioned. Make thou the weapons of our warriors bristle. With Indra for ally call out our heroes, and with thy friends scatter and chase the foemen
9संक्रन्दनः प्रवदो धृष्णुषेणः प्रवेदकृद्बहुधा ग्रामघोषी । श्रियो वन्वनो वयुनानि विद्वान् कीर्तिं बहुभ्यो वि हर द्विराजे ॥
9Resonant, roaring, with thy powerful weapons, warning, and heard by troops in many places, Knowing all rules and winning us advantage, deal fame to many where two kings are fighting.
10श्रेयःकेतो वसुजित्सहीयान्त्संग्रामजित्संशितो ब्रह्मणासि । अंशून् इव ग्रावाधिषवणे अद्रिर्गव्यन् दुन्दुभेऽधि नृत्य वेदः ॥
10Bent on advantage, mightier, gaining treasures, victor in war, the spell hath made thee keener. As, in the press, the stone to stalks of Soma, thus, Drum! go dancing to our foes' possessions.
11शत्रूषाण्नीषादभिमातिषाहो गवेषणः सहमान उद्भित्। वाग्वीव मन्त्रं प्र भरस्व वाचं सांग्रामजित्यायेषमुद्वदेह ॥
11Foe-conqueror, victor, vanquishing opponents, seeker of booty, mastering, destroying. Speak out as a skilled speaker tells his counsel, speak strength to us that we may win the battle.
12अच्युतच्युत्समदो गमिष्ठो मृधो जेता पुरएतायोध्यः । इन्द्रेण गुप्तो विदथा निचिक्यद्धृद्द्योतनो द्विषतां याहि शीभम् ॥
12Shaker of things unshaken, readiest corner to battles; conquering foes, resistless leader, Guarded by Indra, watching our assemblies, go quickly, breaker of their hearts who hate us.
Hymn 5.21A hymn to the War-drum and various deities for victory
1विहृदयं वैमनस्यं वदामित्रेषु दुन्दुभे । विद्वेषं कश्मशं भयममित्रेषु नि दध्मस्यव एनान् दुन्दुभे जहि ॥
1Speak to our enemies, O Drum, discouragement and wild dismay. We bring upon our foemen fear and discord and discomfiture. Drum! drive these enemies away.
2उद्वेपमाना मनसा चक्षुषा हृदयेन च । धावन्तु बिभ्यतोऽमित्राः प्रत्रासेनाज्ये हुते ॥
2When sacrificial butter hath been offered, let our foemen flee. Through consternation, terrified, trembling in mind and eye and heart.
3वानस्पत्यः संभृत उस्रियाभिर्विश्वगोत्र्यः । प्रत्रासममित्रेभ्यो वदाज्येनाभिघारितः ॥
3Wrought out of wood, compact with straps of leather, dear to all the clan, Bedewed with sacrificial oil, speak terror to our enemies.
4यथा मृगाः संविजन्त आरण्याः पुरुषादधि । एव त्वं दुन्दुभेऽमित्रान् अभि क्रन्द प्र त्रासयाथो चित्तानि मोहय ॥
4As the wild creatures of the wood flee in their terror from a man, Even so do thou, O Drum, roar out against our foes to frighten them, and then bewilder thou their thoughts.
5यथा वृकादजावयो धावन्ति बहु बिभ्यतीः । एव त्वं दुन्दुभेऽमित्रान् अभि क्रन्द प्र त्रासयाथो चित्तानि मोहय ॥
5As, when the wolf approaches, goats and sheep run sorely terrified, Even so do thou, O Drum, roar out against our foes to frighten them, and then bewilder thou their thoughts.
6यथा श्येनात्पतत्रिणः संविजन्ते अहर्दिवि सिंहस्य स्तनथोर्यथा । एव त्वं दुन्दुभेऽमित्रान् अभि क्रन्द प्र त्रासयाथो चित्तानि मोहय ॥
6As birds of air, day after day, fly in wild terror from the hawk, as from a roaring lion's voice, Even so do thou, O Drum, roar out against our foes to frighten them, and then bewilder thou their thoughts.
7परामित्रान् दुन्दुभिना हरिणस्याजिनेन च । सर्वे देवा अतित्रसन् ये संग्रामस्येषते ॥
7May all the deities whose might controls the fortune of the fray Frighten away our enemies with Drum and skin of antelope.
8यैरिन्द्रः प्रक्रीडते पद्घोषैश्छायया सह । तैरमित्रास्त्रसन्तु नोऽमी ये यन्त्यनीकशः ॥
8Let those our enemies who go yonder in their battalions shake. In fear at shadows and the sounds of feet which Indra sporteth with.
9ज्याघोषा दुन्दुभयोऽभि क्रोशन्तु या दिशः । सेनाः पराजिता यतीरमित्राणामनीकशः ॥
9To all the quarters of the sky let clang of bowstrings and our Drums. Cry out to hosts of foes that go discomfited in serried ranks.
10आदित्य चक्षुरा दत्स्व मरीचयोऽनु धावत । पत्सङ्गिनीरा सजन्तु विगते बाहुवीर्ये ॥
10Āditya, take their sight away! Follow them close, ye motes of light. Let them cleave fast to foot-bound hosts when strength of arm hath past away.
11यूयमुग्रा मरुतः पृश्निमातर इन्द्रेण युजा प्र मृनीत शत्रून् । सोमो राजा वरुणो राजा महादेव उत मृत्युरिन्द्रः ॥
11Do ye, O mighty Maruts, sons of Prisni, crush down, with Indra for ally, our foemen. King Soma. Varuna, great God and sovran, Indra too, aye, Death,—
12एता देवसेनाः सूर्यकेतवः सचेतसः । अमित्रान् नो जयन्तु स्वाहा ॥
12May these embattled Gods, brilliant as Sūrya—All hail!—one-minded conquer those who hate us.
Hymn 5.22A charm against fever
1अग्निस्तक्मानमप बाधतामितः सोमो ग्रावा वरुणः पूतदक्षाः । वेदिर्बर्हिः समिधः शोशुचाना अप द्वेषांस्यमुया भवन्तु ॥
1Hence, filled with holy strength let Agni, Soma, and Varuna, the Press-stone, and the Altar. And Grass, and glowing Fuel banish Fever. Let hateful things stay at a distance yonder.
2अयं यो विश्वान् हरितान् कृणोष्युच्छोचयन्न् अग्निरिवाभिदुन्वन् । अधा हि तक्मन्न् अरसो हि भूया अधा न्यङ्ङधरान् वा परेहि ॥
2And thou thyself who makest all men yellow, consuming them with burning heat like Agni, Thou, Fever! then be weak and ineffective. Pass hence into the realms below or vanish.
3यः परुषः पारुषेयोऽवध्वंस इवारुणः । तक्मानं विश्वधावीर्याधराञ्चं परा सुवा ॥
3Endowed with universal power! send Fever down-ward, far away, The spotty, like red-coloured dust, sprung from a spotty ancestor.
4अधराञ्चं प्र हिणोमि नमः कृत्वा तक्मने । शकम्भरस्य मुष्टिहा पुनरेतु महावृषान् ॥
4When I have paid obeisance to Fever I send him downward forth. So let Sakambhara's boxer go again to the Mahāvrishas.
5ओको अस्य मूजवन्त ओको अस्य महावृषाः । यावज्जातस्तक्मंस्तावान् असि बल्हिकेषु न्योचरः ॥
5His mansions are the Mūjavans, and the Mahāvrishas his home, Thou, Fever, ever since thy birth hast lived among the Bahlikas.
6तक्मन् व्याल वि गद व्यङ्ग भूरि यावय । दासीं निष्टक्वरीमिच्छ तां वज्रेण समर्पय ॥
6Fever, snake, limbless one, speak out! Keep thyself far away fi om us. Seek thou a wanton Dāst girl and strike her with thy thunder-bolt.
7तक्मन् मूजवतो गच्छ बल्हिकान् वा परस्तराम् । शूद्रामिच्छ प्रफर्व्यं तां तक्मन् वीव धूनुहि ॥
7Go, Fever, to the Mūjavans, or, farther, to the Bahlikas. Seek a lascivious Sara girl and seem to shake her through and through.
8महावृषान् मूजवतो बन्ध्वद्धि परेत्य । प्रैतानि तक्मने ब्रूमो अन्यक्षेत्राणि वा इमा ॥
8Go hence and eat thy kinsmen the Mahāvrishas and Mūjavans. These or those foreign regions we proclaim to Fever for his home.
9अन्यक्षेत्रे न रमसे वशी सन् मृडयासि नः । अभूदु प्रार्थस्तक्मा स गमिष्यति बल्हिकान् ॥
9In a strange land thou joyest not; subdued, thou wilt be kind to us. Fever is eager to depart, and to the Bahlikas will go,
10यत्त्वं शीतोऽथो रूरः सह कासावेपयः । भीमास्ते तक्मन् हेतयस्ताभिः स्म परि वृङ्ग्धि नः ॥
10Since thou now cold, now burning hot, with cough besides, hast made us shake, Terrible, Fever, are thy darts: forbear to injure us with these.
11मा स्मैतान्त्सखीन् कुरुथा बलासं कासमुद्युगम् । मा स्मातोऽर्वाङैः पुनस्तत्त्वा तक्मन्न् उप ब्रुवे ॥
11Take none of these to be thy friends, Cough, or Consumption or Decline: Never come thence again to us! O Fever, thus I counsel thee.
12तक्मन् भ्रात्रा बलासेन स्वस्रा कासिकया सह । पाप्मा भ्रातृव्येण सह गछामुमरणं जनम् ॥
12Go, Fever, with Consumption, thy brother, and with thy sister, Cough. And with thy nephew Herpes, go away unto that alien folk.
13तृतीयकं वितृतीयं सदन्दिमुत शारदम् । तक्मानं शीतं रूरं ग्रैष्मं नाशय वार्षिकम् ॥
13Chase Fever whether cold or hot, brought by the summer or the rains, Tertian, intermittent, or autumnal, or continual.
14गन्धारिभ्यो मूजवद्भ्योऽङ्गेभ्यो मगधेभ्यः । प्रैष्यन् जनमिव शेवधिं तक्मानं परि दद्मसि ॥
14We to Gandhāris, Mūjavans, to Angas and to Magadhas. Hand over Fever as it were a servant and a thing of price.
Hymn 5.23A charm against parasitic worms
Verse division restored for this edition: the printed edition begins stanza 3 at 'We utterly destroy the worm'; the sacred-texts transcription lost that verse number
1ओते मे द्यावापृथिवी ओता देवी सरस्वती । ओतौ म इन्द्रश्चाग्निश्च क्रिमिं जम्भयतामिति ॥
1I have called Heaven and Earth to aid, have called divine Sarasvati, Indra and Agni have I called: Let these destroy the worm, I prayed.
2अस्येन्द्र कुमारस्य क्रिमीन् धनपते जहि । हता विश्वा अरातय उग्रेण वचसा मम ॥
2O Indra, Lord of Treasures, kill the worms that prey upon this boy. All the malignant spirits have been smitten by my potent spell.
3यो अक्ष्यौ परिसर्पति यो नासे परिसर्पति । दतां यो मध्यं गच्छति तं क्रिमिं जम्भयामसि ॥
3We utterly destroy the worm, the worm that creeps around the eyes. The worm that crawls about the nose, the worm that gets between the teeth.
4सरूपौ द्वौ विरूपौ द्वौ कृष्णौ द्वौ रोहितौ द्वौ । बभ्रुश्च बभ्रुकर्णश्च गृध्रः कोकश्च ते हताः ॥
4Two of like colour, two unlike, two coloured black, two coloured red. The tawny and the tawny-eared, Vulture and Wolf, all these are killed.
5ये क्रिमयः शितिकक्षा ये कृष्णाः शितिबाहवः । ये के च विश्वरूपास्तान् क्रिमीन् जम्भयामसि ॥
5Worms that are white about the sides, those that are black with black-hued arms, All that show various tints and hues, these worms we utterly destroy.
6उत्पुरस्तात्सूर्य एति विश्वदृष्टो अदृष्टहा । दृष्टांश्च घ्नन्न् अदृष्टांश्च सर्वांश्च प्रमृणन् क्रिमीन् ॥
6Eastward the Sun is mounting, seen of all, destroying thing unseen, Crushing and killing all the worms invisible and visible.
7येवाषासः कष्कषास एजत्काः शिपवित्नुकाः । दृष्टश्च हन्यतां क्रिमिरुतादृष्टश्च हन्यताम् ॥
7Let the Yevāshas, Kaskashas, Ejatkas, Sipavitnukas, Let both the worm that we can see, and that we see not, be destroyed.
8हतो येवाषः क्रिमीणां हतो नदनिमोत । सर्वान् नि मष्मषाकरं दृषदा खल्वामिव ॥
8Slain the Yevāsha of the worms, slain too is the Nadaniman. I have reduced them all to dust like vetches with the pounding-stone.
9त्रिशीर्षाणं त्रिककुदं क्रिमिं सारङ्गमर्जुनम् । शृणाम्यस्य पृष्टीरपि वृश्चामि यच्छिरः ॥
9The worm Sāranga, white of hue, three-headed, with a triple hump, I split and tear his ribs away, I wrench off every head he has.
10अत्रिवद्वः क्रिमयो हन्मि कण्ववज्जमदग्निवत्। अगस्त्यस्य ब्रह्मणा सं पिनष्म्यहं क्रिमीन् ॥
10I kill you, worms, as Atri, as Kanva and Jamadagni killed. I crush the worms to pieces with a spell that erst Agastya used.
11हतो राजा क्रिमीणामुतैषां स्थपतिर्हतः । हतो हतमाता क्रिमिर्हतभ्राता हतस्वसा ॥
11The King of worms hath been destroyed, he who was lord of these is slain. Slain is the worm whose mother, whose brother and sister have been slain.
12हतासो अस्य वेशसो हतासः परिवेशसः । अथो ये क्षुल्लका इव सर्वे ते क्रिमयो हताः ॥
12Destroyed are his dependants, who those dwell around him are destroyed, And all the worms that seem to be the little ones are done to death
13सर्वेषां च क्रिमीणां सर्वासां च क्रिमीनाम् । भिनद्म्यश्मना शिरो दहाम्यग्निना मुखम् ॥
13Of every worm and insect, of the female and the male alike, I crush the head to pieces with a stone and burn the face with fire.
Hymn 5.24A priest's prayer for protection and assistance
1सविता प्रसवानामधिपतिः स मावतु । अस्मिन् ब्रह्मण्यस्मिन् कर्मण्यस्यां पुरोधायामस्यां प्रतिष्ठायामस्याम् । चित्त्यामस्यामाकूत्यामस्यामाशिष्यस्यां देवहूत्यां स्वाहा ॥
1Savitar, Lord of furthering aids, protect me, in this my prayer, in this mine act, in this my sacerdotal charge, in this performance, in this thought, in this my plan and wish, in this my calling on the Gods! All hail!
2अग्निर्वनस्पतीनामधिपतिः स मावतु । अस्मिन् ब्रह्मण्यस्मिन् कर्मण्यस्यां पुरोधायामस्यां प्रतिष्ठायामस्याम् । चित्त्यामस्यामाकूत्यामस्यामाशिष्यस्यां देवहूत्यां स्वाहा ॥
2May Agni, Lord of forest trees, protect, me, in, etc.
3द्यावापृथिवी दातॄणामधिपतिः स मावतु । अस्मिन् ब्रह्मण्यस्मिन् कर्मण्यस्यां पुरोधायामस्यां प्रतिष्ठायामस्याम् । चित्त्यामस्यामाकूत्यामस्यामाशिष्यस्यां देवहूत्यां स्वाहा ॥
3May Heaven and Earth, the Queens of bounties, save me.
4वरुणोऽपामधिपतिः स मावतु । अस्मिन् ब्रह्मण्यस्मिन् कर्मण्यस्यां पुरोधायामस्यां प्रतिष्ठायामस्याम् । चित्त्यामस्यामाकूत्यामस्यामाशिष्यस्यां देवहूत्यां स्वाहा ॥
4May Varuna, the Lord of waters, save me.
5मित्रावरुणौ वृष्ट्याधिपती तौ मावताम् । अस्मिन् ब्रह्मण्यस्मिन् कर्मण्यस्यां पुरोधायामस्यां प्रतिष्ठायामस्याम् । चित्त्यामस्यामाकूत्यामस्यामाशिष्यस्यां देवहूत्यां स्वाहा ॥
5May Mitra-Varuna, Lords of rain, preserve me.
6मरुतः पर्वतानामधिपतयस्ते मावन्तु । अस्मिन् ब्रह्मण्यस्मिन् कर्मण्यस्यां पुरोधायामस्यां प्रतिष्ठायामस्याम् । चित्त्यामस्यामाकूत्यामस्यामाशिष्यस्यां देवहूत्यां स्वाहा ॥
6Lords of the mountains, may the Maruts save me.
7सोमो वीरुधामधिपतिः स मावतु । अस्मिन् ब्रह्मण्यस्मिन् कर्मण्यस्यां पुरोधायामस्यां प्रतिष्ठायामस्याम् । चित्त्यामस्यामाकूत्यामस्यामाशिष्यस्यां देवहूत्यां स्वाहा ॥
7May, Soma, Lord of plants and herbs, protect me.
8वायुरन्तरिक्षस्याधिपतिः स मावतु । अस्मिन् ब्रह्मण्यस्मिन् कर्मण्यस्यां पुरोधायामस्यां प्रतिष्ठायामस्याम् । चित्त्यामस्यामाकूत्यामस्यामाशिष्यस्यां देवहूत्यां स्वाहा ॥
8May Vāyu, Lord of middle air, protect me.
9सूर्यश्चक्षुषामधिपतिः स मावतु । अस्मिन् ब्रह्मण्यस्मिन् कर्मण्यस्यां पुरोधायामस्यां प्रतिष्ठायामस्याम् । चित्त्यामस्यामाकूत्यामस्यामाशिष्यस्यां देवहूत्यां स्वाहा ॥
9May Sūrya, sovran Lord of eyes, protect me.
10चन्द्रमा नक्षत्राणामधिपतिः स मावतु । अस्मिन् ब्रह्मण्यस्मिन् कर्मण्यस्यां पुरोधायामस्यां प्रतिष्ठायामस्याम् । चित्त्यामस्यामाकूत्यामस्यामाशिष्यस्यां देवहूत्यां स्वाहा ॥
10May the Moon, Lord of constellations, save me.
11इन्द्रो दिवोऽधिपतिः स मावतु । अस्मिन् ब्रह्मण्यस्मिन् कर्मण्यस्यां पुरोधायामस्यां प्रतिष्ठायामस्याम् । चित्त्यामस्यामाकूत्यामस्यामाशिष्यस्यां देवहूत्यां स्वाहा ॥
11May Indra who is Lord of heaven protect me.
12मरुतां पिता पशूनामधिपतिः स मावतु । अस्मिन् ब्रह्मण्यस्मिन् कर्मण्यस्यां पुरोधायामस्यां प्रतिष्ठायामस्याम् । चित्त्यामस्यामाकूत्यामस्यामाशिष्यस्यां देवहूत्यां स्वाहा ॥
12The Maruts' father, Lord of cattle, save me.
13मृत्युः प्रजानामधिपतिः स मावतु । अस्मिन् ब्रह्मण्यस्मिन् कर्मण्यस्यां पुरोधायामस्यां प्रतिष्ठायामस्याम् । चित्त्यामस्यामाकूत्यामस्यामाशिष्यस्यां देवहूत्यां स्वाहा ॥
13May Mrityu, Lord of living creatures, save me.
14यमः पितॄणामधिपतिः स मावतु । अस्मिन् ब्रह्मण्यस्मिन् कर्मण्यस्यां पुरोधायामस्यां प्रतिष्ठायामस्याम् । चित्त्यामस्यामाकूत्यामस्यामाशिष्यस्यां देवहूत्यां स्वाहा ॥
14May Yama, Regent of the Fathers, save me.
15पितरः परे ते मावन्तु । अस्मिन् ब्रह्मण्यस्मिन् कर्मण्यस्यां पुरोधायामस्यां प्रतिष्ठायामस्याम् । चित्त्यामस्यामाकूत्यामस्यामाशिष्यस्यां देवहूत्यां स्वाहा ॥
15May the Forefathers of old time protect me.
16तता अवरे ते मावन्तु । अस्मिन् ब्रह्मण्यस्मिन् कर्मण्यस्यां पुरोधायामस्यां प्रतिस्ठायामस्याम् । चित्त्यामस्यामाकूत्यामस्यामाशिष्यस्यां देवहूत्यां स्वाहा ॥
16May Fathers of succeeding ages save me.
17ततस्ततामहास्ते मावन्तु । अस्मिन् ब्रह्मण्यस्मिन् कर्मण्यस्यां पुरोधायामस्यां प्रतिष्ठायामस्याम् । चित्त्यामस्यामाकूत्यामस्यामाशिष्यस्यां देवहूत्यां स्वाहा ॥
17Next may the Fathers of our fathers save me, in this my prayer,. in this mine act, in this my sacerdotal charge, in this performance, in this thought, in this my plan and wish, in this my calling on the Gods! All hail!
Hymn 5.25A charm to facilitate conception
1पर्वताद्दिवो योनेरङ्गादङ्गात्समाभृतम् । शेपो गर्भस्य रेतोधाः सरौ पर्णमिवा दधत् ॥
1Let the man, sower of the germ, lay, as a feather on a shaft. Limb drawn from limb, whate'er is culled from cloud and from the womb of heaven.
2यथेयं पृथिवी मही भूतानां गर्भमादधे । एवा दधामि ते गर्भं तस्मै त्वामवसे हुवे ॥
2Even as this broad earth received the germ of all the things that be, Thus within thee I lay the germ. I call thee, Earth, to strengthen it.
3गर्भं धेहि सिनीवालि गर्भं धेहि सरस्वति । गर्भं ते अश्विनोभा धत्तां पुष्करस्रजा ॥
3O Sinivāli, set the germ, set thou the germ, Sarasvati! In thee let both the Asvins, crowned with lotuses, bestow the germ.
4गर्भं ते मित्रावरुणौ गर्भं देवो बृहस्पतिः । गर्भं त इन्द्रश्चाग्निश्च गर्भं धाता दधातु ते ॥
4Let Mitra-Varuna and God Brihaspati lay the germ in thee. Indra and Agni lay the germ, Dhātar bestow the germ in thee.
5विष्णुर्योनिं कल्पयतु त्वष्टा रूपाणि पिंशतु । आ सिञ्चतु प्रजापतिर्धाता गर्भं दधातु ते ॥
5Let Vishnu form and mould the womb, let Tvashtar duly shape the forms, Prajāpati infuse the stream, and Dhātar lay for thee the germ.
6यद्वेद राजा वरुणो यद्वा देवी सरस्वती । यदिन्द्रो वृत्रहा वेद तद्गर्भकरणं पिब ॥
6Drink thou the procreative draught well-known to Varuna the King, Known to divine Sarasvati, and Indra slayer of the foe.
7गर्भो अस्योषधीनां गर्भो वनस्पतीनाम् । गर्भो विश्वस्य भूतस्य सो अग्ने गर्भमेह धाः ॥
7Thou art the germ of plants and herbs, thou art the germ of forest trees, The germ of each existing thing, so here, O Agni, lay the germ.
8अधि स्कन्द वीरयस्व गर्भमा धेहि योन्याम् । वृषासि वृष्ण्यावन् प्रजायै त्वा नयामसि ॥
8Rise up, put forth thy manly strength, and lay thy germ within the womb. A bull art thou with vigorous strength: for progeny we bring thee near.
9वि जिहीष्व बार्हत्सामे गर्भस्ते योनिमा शयाम् । अदुष्टे देवाः पुत्रं सोमपा उभयाविनम् ॥
9Prepare thee, Bārhatsāmā, let the germ be laid within thy side. The Soma-drinking Gods have given a son to thee, thy son and mine.
10धातः श्रेष्ठेन रूपेणास्या नार्या गवीन्योः । पुमांसं पुत्रमा धेहि दशमे मासि सूतवे ॥
10O Dhātar, thou Disposer, lay within the body of this dame. A male germ with the noblest form, for her, in the tenth month, to bear.
11त्वष्टः श्रेष्ठेन रूपेणास्या नार्या गवीन्योः । पुमांसं पुत्रमा धेहि दशमे मासि सूतवे ॥
11Tvashtar, celestial artist, lay within the body of this dame. A male germ with the noblest form for her in the tenth month to bear.
12सवितः श्रेष्ठेन रूपेणास्या नार्या गवीन्योः । पुमांसं पुत्रमा धेहि दशमे मासि सूतवे ॥
12Savitar, vivifier, lay within the body of this dame A male germ with the noblest form for her in the tenth month to bear.
13प्रजापते श्रेष्ठेन रूपेणास्या नार्या गवीन्योः । पुमांसं पुत्रमा धेहि दशमे मासि सूतवे ॥
13O Lord of Life, Prajāpati, within this woman's body lay A male germ with the noblest form for her in the tenth month to bear.
Hymn 5.26A hymn of invitation to the gods
1यजूंषि यज्ञे समिधः स्वाहाग्निः प्रविद्वान् इह वो युनक्तु ॥
1In sacrifice for you may sapient Agni—All hail!—use Yajus texts and fuel.
2युनक्तु देवः सविता प्रजानन्न् अस्मिन् यज्ञे महिषः स्वाहा ॥
2May Savitar the God—All hail!—foreknowing, chief in this sacrifice, employ them.
3इन्द्र उक्थामदान्यस्मिन् यज्ञे प्रविद्वान् युनक्तु सुयुजः स्वाहा ॥
3In this great rite—All hail!—may sapient Indra use lauds, rejoicings, well-yoked coursers.
4प्रैषा यज्ञे निविदः स्वाहा शिष्टाः पत्नीभिर्वहतेह युक्ताः ॥
4Bring Praishas in the rite—All hail!—and Nivids, learned, connected, with the Consorts.
5छन्दांसि यज्ञे मरुतः स्वाहा मातेव पुत्रं पिपृतेह युक्ताः ॥
5As a dame brings her son—All hail! O Maruts, connected, in the rite bring measures.
6एयमगन् बर्हिषा प्रोक्षणीभिर्यज्ञं तन्वानादितिः स्वाहा ॥
6Here Aditi is come—All hail!—preparing the rite with grass and lustral waters.
7विष्णुर्युनक्तु बहुधा तपांस्यस्मिन् यज्ञे सुयुजः स्वाहा ॥
7Let Vishnu in this rite in varied manner—All hail! use well-yoked steeds, his fervours.
8त्वष्टा युनक्तु बहुधा नु रूपा अस्मिन् यज्ञे युनक्तु सुयुजः स्वाहा ॥
8Let Tvashtar in this rite in varied manner—All hail!—use forms, his well-yoked coursers.
9भगो युनक्त्वाशिषो न्वस्मा अस्मिन् यज्ञे प्रविद्वान् युनक्तु सुयुजः स्वाहा ॥
9Let Bhaga in this rite use prayers, foreknowing—All hail! for this use well-yoked coursers.
10सोमो युनक्तु बहुधा पयांस्यस्मिन् यज्ञे सुयुजः स्वाहा ॥
10Let Soma in this rite in varied manner—All hail!—use milk-streams, well-yoked coursers.
11इन्द्रो युनक्तु बहुधा पयांस्यस्मिन् यज्ञे सुयुजः स्वाहा ॥
11Let Indra in this rite in varied manner—All hail!—use powers,. his well-yoked coursers.
12अश्विना ब्रह्मणा यातमर्वाञ्चौ वषट्कारेण यज्ञं वर्धयन्तौ । बृहस्पते ब्रह्मणा याह्यर्वाङ्यज्ञो अयं स्वरिदं यजमानाय स्वाहा ॥
12Hitherward come ye with the prayer, O Asvins, exalting sacrifice with cry of Vashat! Brihaspati!—All hail!—with prayer come hither. Here is the rite, here heaven for him who worships.
Hymn 5.27An Apri or Propitiatory hymn
The Sanskrit has 12 verses and Griffith 13, so the two are shown as whole columns.
1ऊर्ध्वा अस्य समिधो भवन्त्यूर्ध्वा शुक्रा शोचीष्यग्नेः । द्युमत्तमा सुप्रतीकः ससूनुस्तनूनपादसुरो भूरिपाणिः ॥
2देवो देवेषु देवः पथो अनक्ति मध्वा घृतेन ॥
3मध्वा यज्ञं नक्षति प्रैणानो नराशंसो अग्निः सुकृद्देवः सविता विश्ववारः ॥
4अछायमेति शवसा घृता चिदीदानो वह्निर्नमसा ॥
5अग्निः स्रुचो अध्वरेषु प्रयक्षु स यक्षदस्य महिमानमग्नेः ॥
6तरी मन्द्रासु प्रयक्षु वसवश्चातिष्ठन् वसुधातरश्च ॥
7द्वारो देवीरन्वस्य विश्वे व्रतं रक्षन्ति विश्वहा ॥
8उरुव्यचसाग्नेर्धाम्ना पत्यमाने । आ सुष्वयन्ती यजते उपाके उषासानक्तेमं यज्ञमवतामध्वरं नः ॥
9दैवा होतार ऊर्ध्वमध्वरं नोऽग्नेर्जिह्वयाभि गृनत गृनता नः स्विष्टये । तिस्रो देवीर्बर्हिरेदं सदन्तामिडा सरस्वती मही भारती गृणाना ॥
10तन् नस्तुरीपमद्भुतं पुरुक्षु । देव त्वष्टा रायस्पोषं वि ष्य नाभिमस्य ॥
11वनस्पतेऽव सृजा रराणः । त्मना देवेभ्यो अग्निर्हव्यं शमिता स्वदयतु ॥
12अग्ने स्वाहा कृणुहि जातवेदः । इन्द्राय यज्ञं विश्वे देवा हविरिदं जुषन्ताम् ॥
1Uplifted be this sacrificer's fuel: lofty and brilliant be the flames of Agni! Splendidly bright, fair-faced, with all his offspring, Tanūnapāt the Asura, many-handed.
2God among Gods, the God bedews the paths with fatness and' with mead.
3With store of mead to sacrifice comes Agni, comes Narāsansa Agni, friendly-minded, comes Savitar, righteous God who brings all blessings.
4Hither he comes with power and fatness also, the luminous,. implored with adoration.
5At holy rites and offerings Agni loveth the scoops: let this man worship Agni's greatness.
6He is the furtherer at glad oblations: there stood the Vasus and the treasure-givers.
7Ever the Doors divine, and all protect this worshipper's holy work.
8Far-reaching, ruling by the Law of Agni, May Dawn and Night, the holy, speeding near us, aid this our sacrificial ceremony.
9Celestial Hotars, with the tongues of Agni praise and extol our lofty ceremony, so that our sacrifice be well conducted!
10Three Goddesses upon this grass, be seated, Idā, Sarasvati, Mahi, and Bhārati adored with praise.
11This our nutritious genial flow, God Tvashtar! and growth of wealth, pour down on this man's kindred.
12Vanaspati, rejoicing, of thyself send God-ward! Let Agni, Immolator, sweeten our libation.
13Pay sacrifice to Indra, Jātavedas Agni, with Hail! Let all the Gods accept the gifts we offer.
Hymn 5.28A charm to ensure general protection and prosperity
1नव प्राणान् नवभिः सं मिमीते दीर्घायुत्वाय शतशारदाय । हरिते त्रीणि रजते त्रीण्ययसि त्रीणि तपसाविष्टितानि ॥
1For lengthened life, to last through hundred autumns, they equalize with nine the nine aspirations. Three in gold, three in silver, three in iron by heat are stablished in their several places.
2अग्निः सूर्यश्चन्द्रमा भूमिरापो द्यौरन्तरिक्षं प्रदिशो दिशश्च । आर्तवा ऋतुभिः संविदाना अनेन मा त्रिवृता पारयन्तु ॥
2May Agni, Sun, and Moon, and Earth, and Waters, Sky, Air, the Quarters and the Points between them, And Parts of Years accordant with the Seasons by this three-threaded Amulet preserve me.
3त्रयः पोषास्त्रिवृति श्रयन्तामनक्तु पूषा पयसा घृतेन । अन्नस्य भूमा पुरुषस्य भूमा भूमा पशूनां त इह श्रयन्ताम् ॥
3In three-threaded Charm rest triple fulness! Let Pūshan cover it with milk and butter. Here rest abundant store of food and people, may ample store of cattle rest within it.
4इममादित्या वसुना समुक्षतेममग्ने वर्धय ववृधानः । इममिन्द्र सं सृज वीर्येणास्मिन् त्रिवृच्छ्रयतां पोषयिष्णु ॥
4Enrich this charm, Ādityas, with your treasure; magnify this, when magnified, O Agni. Endow it with heroic strength, O Indra: therein be lodged a triple power of increase.
5भूमिष्ट्वा पातु हरितेन विश्वभृदग्निः पिपर्त्वयसा सजोषाः । वीरुद्भिष्टे अर्जुनं संविदानं दक्षं दधातु सुमनस्यमानम् ॥
5With gold let Earth protect thee, and with iron, accordant, all-sustaining Agni save thee! And in accordance with the plants may silver, regarding thee with favour, grant thee vigour.
6त्रेधा जातं जन्मनेदं हिरण्यमग्नेरेकं प्रियतमं बभूव सोमस्यैकं हिंसितस्य परापतत्। अपामेकं वेधसां रेत आहुस्तत्ते हिरण्यं त्रिवृदस्त्वायुषे ॥
6This gold, born threefold at its first production, grew the one thing that Agni loved most dearly: it fell away, one part of injured Soma. One part they call seed of the sapient Waters. This gold bring thee long life when triply threaded!
7त्र्यायुषं जमदग्नेः कश्यपस्य त्र्यायुषम् । त्रेधामृतस्य चक्षणं त्रीण्यायूंषि तेऽकरम् ॥
7Three lives of Jamadagni, thrice the vital force of Kasyapa, Three sights of immortality, three lives have I prepared for thee.
8त्रयः सुपर्णास्त्रिवृता यदायन्न् एकाक्षरमभिसंभूय शक्राः । प्रत्यौहन् मृत्युममृतेन साकमन्तर्दधाना दुरितानि विश्वा ॥
8When with the three-stringed charm came three strong eagles, sharing the Sacred Syllable and mighty, With immortality they drove off Mrityu, obscuring and concealing all distresses.
9दिवस्त्वा पातु हरितं मध्यात्त्वा पात्वर्जुनम् । भूम्या अयस्मयं पातु प्रागाद्देवपुरा अयम् ॥
9The golden guard thee from the sky, the silvern guard thee from the air, The iron guard thee from the earth! This man hath reached the forts of Gods.
10इमास्तिस्रो देवपुरास्तास्त्वा रक्षन्तु सर्वतः । तास्त्वं बिभ्रद्वर्चस्व्युत्तरो द्विषतां भव ॥
10May these three castles of the Gods keep thee secure on every side. Endowed with strength, possessing these, be thou the master of thy foes,
11पुरं देवानाममृतं हिरण्यं य आबेधे प्रथमो देवो अग्रे । तस्मै नमो दश प्राचीः कृणोम्यनु मन्यतां त्रिवृदाबधे मे ॥
11The God who first bound on in the beginning the deities' immortal golden castle,— Him I salute with ten extended fingers. Blest be the three-stringed charm I bind upon thee.
12आ त्वा चृतत्वर्यमा पूषा बृहस्पतिः । अहर्जातस्य यन् नाम तेन त्वाति चृतामसि ॥
12Aryaman be thy binder-on, and Pūshan and Brihaspati: Whatever name the brood of day possess, therewith we fasten thee.
13ऋतुभिष्ट्वार्तवैरायुषे वर्चसे त्वा । संवत्सरस्य तेजसा तेन संहनु कृण्मसि ॥
13With Seasons and with Lengths of Time, for vigour and extended life, With all the splendour of the Sun we fasten thee about the neck.
14घृतादुल्लुप्तं मधुना समक्तं भूमिदृंहमच्युतं पारयिष्णु । भिन्दत्सपत्नान् अधरांश्च कृण्वदा मा रोह महते सौभगाय ॥
14Drawn forth from butter and with meath besprinkled, firm as the earth, unshakable, triumphant. Breaking down foes and casting them beneath me, be fastened on me for exalted fortune!
Hymn 5.29A charm for the destruction of malignant goblins
1पुरस्ताद्युक्तो वह जातवेदोऽग्ने विद्धि क्रियमाणं यथेदम् । त्वं भिषग्भेषजस्यासि कर्ता त्वया गामश्वं पुरुषं सनेम ॥
1Made ready in the east drive forth, take notice of what is happening here, omniscient Agni! Thou bringest medicine and healest sickness: through thee may we win horses, kine, and people.
2तथा तदग्ने कृणु जातवेदो विश्वेभिर्देवैः सह संविदानः । यो नो दिदेव यतमो जघास यथा सो अस्य परिधिष्पताति ॥
2Accordant with all Gods, O Jātavedas Agni, perform this work as we beseech thee, That this defence of his may fall, whoever hath caused us pain, whoever hath consumed us.
3यथा सो अस्य परिधिष्पताति तथा तदग्ने कृणु जातवेदः । विश्वेभिर्देवैर्सह संविदानः ॥
3Unanimous, with all the Gods together, so do this thing O Agni Jātavedas, that this defence of his may fall and fail him.
4अक्ष्यौ नि विध्य हृदयं नि विध्य जिह्वां नि तृन्द्धि प्र दतो मृणीहि । पिशाचो अस्य यतमो जघासाग्ने यविष्ठ प्रति शृणीहि ॥
4Pierce both his eyes, pierce thou the heart within him, crush thou his teeth and cleave his tongue asunder. Rend thou, most youthful Agni, that Pisācha whoso amid them all of this hath eaten.
5यदस्य हृतं विहृतं यत्पराभृतमात्मनो जग्धं यतमत्पिशाचैः । तदग्ने विद्वान् पुनरा भर त्वं शरीरे मांसमसुमेरयामः ॥
5Whatever of his body hath been taken, plundered, borne off, or eaten by Pisāchas, This, Agni, knowing it, again bring hither! We give back flesh and spirit to his body.
6आमे सुपक्वे शबले विपक्वे यो मा पिशाचो अशने ददम्भ । तदात्मना प्रजया पिशाचा वि यातयन्तामगदोऽयमस्तु ॥
6If some Pisācha in my food raw, ready, thoroughly cooked, or, spotty, hath deceived me, Let the Pisāchas with their lives and offspring atone for this, and let this man be healthy.
7क्षीरे मा मन्थे यतमो ददम्भाकृष्टपच्ये अशने धान्ये यः । तदात्मना प्रजया पिशाचा वि यातयन्तामगदोऽयमस्तु ॥
7If one hath cheated me in milk or porridge, in food from grain or plants that need no culture. Let the Pisāchas, etc.
8अपां मा पाने यतमो ददम्भ क्रव्याद्यातूनां शयने शयानम् । तदात्मना प्रजया पिशाचा वि यातयन्तामगदोऽयमस्तु ॥
8If one, flesh eater, in a draught of water have wronged me lying in the bed of goblins, Let the Pisāchas, etc.
9दिवा मा नक्तं यतमो ददम्भ क्रव्याद्यातूनां शयने शयानम् । तदात्मना प्रजया पिशाचा वि यातयन्तामगदोऽयमस्तु ॥
9If one, flesh-eater, in the day or night-time have wronged me lying in the bed of goblins, Let the Pisāchas, etc.
10क्रव्यादमग्ने रुधिरं पिशाचं मनोहनं जहि जातवेदः । तमिन्द्रो वाजी वज्रेण हन्तु छिनत्तु सोमः शिरो अस्य धृष्णुः ॥
10O Agni Jātavedas, slay the bloody Pisācha, flesh-devourer, mind-destroyer, Strong Indra strike him with his bolt of thunder, courageous Soma cut his head to pieces!
11सनादग्ने मृणसि यातुधानान् न त्वा रक्षांसि पृतनासु जिग्युः । सहमूरान् अनु दह क्रव्यादो मा ते हेत्या मुक्षत दैव्यायाः ॥
11Thou, Agni, ever slayest Yātudhānas, the fiends have never conquered thee in battles. Consume thou from the root the flesh-devourers, let none of them escape thy heavenly weapon
12समाहर जातवेदो यद्धृतं यत्पराभृतम् । गात्राण्यस्य वर्धन्तामंशुरिवा प्यायतामयम् ॥
12Collect, O Jātavedas, what hath been removed and borne away. Let this man's members grow, let him swell like the tendril of a plant.
13सोमस्येव जातवेदो अंशुरा प्यायतामयम् । अग्ने विरप्शिनं मेध्यमयक्ष्मं कृणु जीवतु ॥
13Like as the Soma's tendril, thus, O Jātavedas let him swell, Let him live, Agni I Make him fat, free from consumption, full of sap.
14एतास्ते अग्ने समिधः पिशाचजम्भनीः । तास्त्वं जुषस्व प्रति चैना गृहाण जातवेदः ॥
14Here, Agni, is the fuel, here are logs that crush Pisāchas down. O Jātavedas, willingly accept them and be pleased therewith.
15तार्ष्टाघीरग्ने समिधः प्रति गृह्णाह्यर्चिषा । जहातु क्रव्याद्रूपं यो अस्य मांसं जिहीर्षति ॥
15Accept, O Agni, with thy flame the billets of Tārshtāgha wood. Let the flesh-eater who would take the flesh of this man lose his form.
Hymn 5.30A charm to restore life and health
1आवतस्त आवतः परावतस्त आवतः । इहैव भव मा नु गा मा पूर्वान् अनु गाः पितॄन् असुं बध्नामि ते दृढम् ॥
1From thy vicinity I call, from near, from far, from night at hand. Stay here: depart not: follow not the Fathers of the olden time. I bind thy vital spirit fast.
2यत्त्वाभिचेरुः पुरुषः स्वो यदरणो जनः । उन्मोचनप्रमोचने उभे वाचा वदामि ते ॥
2If any man, a stranger or akin, hath cast a spell on thee, I with my voice to thee declare thy freedom and release therefrom.
3यद्दुद्रोहिथ शेपिषे स्त्रियै पुंसे अचित्त्या । उन्मोचनप्रमोचने उभे वाचा वदामि ते ॥
3If in thy folly thou hast lied or cursed a woman or a man, I with my voice declare to thee thy freedom and release therefrom.
4यतेनसो मातृकृताच्छेषे पितृकृताच्च यत्। उन्मोचनप्रमोचने उभे वाचा वदामि ते ॥
4If thou art lying there because of mother's or of father's sin, I with my voice declare to thee thy freedom and release therefrom.
5यत्ते माता यत्ते पिता जमिर्भ्राता च सर्जतः । प्रत्यक्सेवस्व भेषजं जरदष्टिं कृणोमि त्वा ॥
5Accept the healing medicine, the balm thy mother and thy sire, Thy sister and thy brother bring. I make thee live through lengthened years.
6इहैधि पुरुष सर्वेण मनसा सह । दूतौ यमस्य मानु गा अधि जीवपुरा इहि ॥
6O man, stay here among us; stay with all thy spirit: follow not Yama's two messengers. Approach the castles where the living dwell.
7अनुहूतः पुनरेहि विद्वान् उदयनं पथः । आरोहणमाक्रमणं जीवतोजीवतोऽयनम् ॥
7Come back as thou art called to come, knowing the outlet of the path, And the Approach and its ascent, the way of every living man.
8मा बिभेर्न मरिष्यसि जरदष्टिं कृणोमि त्वा । निरवोचमहं यक्ष्ममङ्गेभ्यो अङ्गज्वरं तव ॥
8Be not alarmed: thou wilt not die. I give thee lengthened years of life. Forth from thy members have I charmed Decline that caused the fever there.
9अङ्गभेदो अङ्गज्वरो यश्च ते हृदयामयः । यक्ष्मः श्येन इव प्रापप्तद्वचा साढः परस्तराम् ॥
9Gone is the pain that racked thee, gone thy fever, gone thy heart's disease. Consumption, conquered by my voice, hath, like a hawk, fled far away.
10ऋषी बोधप्रतीबोधावस्वप्नो यश्च जागृविः । तौ ते प्राणस्य गोप्तारौ दिवा नक्तं च जागृताम् ॥
10Two sages, Sense and Vigilance, the sleepless and the watchful one, These, the protectors of thy life, shall be awake both day and night.
11अयमग्निरुपसद्य इह सूर्य उदेतु ते । उदेहि मृत्योर्गम्भीरात्कृष्णाच्चित्तमसस्परि ॥
11This Agni must be waited on. Here let the Sun mount up for thee. Rise from deep death and come away, yea, from black darkness rise thou up!
12नमो यमाय नमो अस्तु मृत्यवे नमः पितृभ्य उत ये नयन्ति । उत्पारणस्य यो वेद तमग्निं पुरो दधेऽस्मा अरिष्टतातये ॥
12Homage be paid to Yama, to Mrityu, and to the Fathers, and to those who guide us! I honour first, for this man's preservation, that Agni who well knoweth how to save him.
13ऐतु प्राण ऐतु मन ऐतु चक्षुरथो बलम् । शरीरमस्य सं विदां तत्पद्भ्यां प्रति तिष्ठतु ॥
13Let breath and mind return to him, let sight and vigour come again Let all his body be restored and firmly stand upon its feet.
14प्राणेनाग्ने चक्षुषा सं सृजेमं समीरय तन्वा सं बलेन । वेत्थामृतस्य मा नु गान् मा नु भूमिगृहो भुवत् ॥
14Provide this man with breath and sight, O Agni, and with his body and his strength unite him. Thou knowest Amrit: let him not go hence, nor dwell in house of clay.
15मा ते प्राण उप दसन् मो अपानोऽपि धायि ते । सूर्यस्त्वाधिपतिर्मृत्योरुदायच्छतु रश्मिभिः ॥
15Let not thine inward breathing fail, let not thine outward breath be lost. Let Sūrya who is Lord Supreme raise thee from death with beams of light.
16इयमन्तर्वदति जिह्वा बद्धा पनिष्पदा । त्वया यक्ष्मं निरवोचं शतं रोपीश्च तक्मनः ॥
16Tied, tremulously moving, here the tongue is speaking in the mouth. With thee I charmed Decline away and Fever's hundred ago-nies.
17अयं लोकः प्रियतमो देवानामपराजितः । यस्मै त्वमिह मृत्यवे दिष्टः पुरुष जज्ञिषे । स च त्वानु ह्वयामसि मा पुरा जरसो मृथाः ॥
17This living world, unconquered of the Gods, is most beloved of all. To whatsoever death thou wast destined when thou wast born,. O man, This death and we call after thee. Die not before decrepit age!
Hymn 5.31A counter-charm against the incantations of an enemy
1यां ते चक्रुरामे पात्रे यां चक्रुर्मिश्रधान्ये । आमे मांसे कृत्यां यां चक्रुः पुनः प्रति हरामि ताम् ॥
1The spell that they have cast for thee on unbaked dish or mingled meal, The witchcraft wrought on undressed meat, this I strike back again on them.
2यां ते चक्रुः कृकवाकावजे वा यां कुरीरिणि । अव्यां ते कृत्यां यां चक्रुः पुनः प्रति हरामि ताम् ॥
2The spell that they have cast for thee on jungle-cock, goat, horned ram, The witchcraft wrought upon thy ewe, this I strike back again on them.
3यां ते चक्रुरेकशफे पशूनामुभयादति । गर्दभे कृत्यां यां चक्रुः पुनः प्रति हरामि ताम् ॥
3The spell that they have cast upon thy beast that hath uncloven hooves, The ass with teeth in both his jaws, this I strike back again on them.
4यां ते चक्रुरमूलायां वलगं वा नराच्याम् । क्षेत्रे ते कृत्यां यां चक्रुः पुनः प्रति हरामि ताम् ॥
4The secret spell upon thy plants Amūlā or Narāchi, spell That they have cast upon thy field, this I strike back again on them.
5यां ते चक्रुर्गार्हपत्ये पूर्वाग्नावुत दुश्चितः । शालायां कृत्यां यां चक्रुः पुनः प्रति हरामि ताम् ॥
5The spell that wicked men have cast on thine original household-fire, And on thy sacrificial hall, this I strike back again on them.
6यां ते चक्रुः सभायां यां चक्रुरधिदेवने । अक्षेषु कृत्यां यां चक्रुः पुनः प्रति हरामि ताम् ॥
6The spell that they have cast upon thy public room thy gambling-board, Spell they have cast upon thy dice, this I strike back again on them.
7यां ते चक्रुः सेनायां यां चक्रुरिष्वायुधे । दुन्दुभौ कृत्यां यां चक्रुः पुनः प्रति हरामि ताम् ॥
7The spell that they have cast upon thine army or thy shafts and arms, Spell they have cast upon the drum, this I throw back again on them.
8यां ते कृत्यां कूपेऽवदधुः श्मशाने वा निचख्नुः । सद्मनि कृत्यां यां चक्रुः पुनः प्रति हरामि ताम् ॥
8Charm they have laid within thy well or buried in the burning-ground, Charm they have laid within thy home, this I throw back again on them.
9यां ते चक्रुः पुरुषास्थे अग्नौ संकसुके च याम् । म्रोकं निर्दाहं क्रव्यादं पुनः प्रति हरामि ताम् ॥
9The spell that they have wrought for thee in flickering fire of human bones,— Mroka, consuming, cannibal, this I throw back again on them.
10अपथेना जभारैनां तां पथेतः प्र हिण्मसि । अधीरो मर्याधीरेभ्यः सं जभाराचित्त्या ॥
10He brought this by no proper path, by the right path we drive it back. The fool in folly brought it to those who observe established bounds.
11यश्चकार न शशाक कर्तुं शश्रे पादमङ्गुरिम् । चकार भद्रमस्मभ्यमभगो भगवद्भ्यः ॥
11No power had he who wrought the spell: he hurt his foot, he broke his toe. Unlucky for his wealthy lords, he hath wrought happiness for us.
12कृत्याकृतं वलगिनं मूलिनं शपथेय्यम् । इन्द्रस्तं हन्तु महता वधेनाग्निर्विध्यत्वस्तया ॥
12May Indra slay with mighty bolt, may Agni with his missible pierce. The sorcerer who brings the curse, who deals with roots and secret spells.
- Sanskrit text: अथर्ववेदः on Sanskrit Wikisource ↗, by Sanskrit Wikisource contributors, used under CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗; the Sanskrit on this page is shared under the same licence. Unaccented Śaunaka text, not yet proofread against a printed edition.
- English translation: Ralph T. H. Griffith, The Hymns of the Atharva-Veda (1895-96), public domain, from the sacred-texts.com transcription ↗; a few passages missing there were restored from scans of the printed edition on archive.org. Griffith's wording and spelling are kept as transcribed, including the passages he rendered in Latin. Hymn headings are Griffith's. Footnotes omitted.
- In 4 hymns of this book Griffith condenses, omits or divides the verses differently, so the two texts are shown as whole columns rather than verse by verse. Each is explained under its heading.