Great Epics of India: Vedas

The Rig Veda

Bibek Debroy
Dipavali Debroy

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Introduction
The Vedas are ancient texts that are sacred in India and renowned the
world over. The word veda literally means knowledge. The root is vid, ‘to
know’. The Vedas are thus texts that provide knowledge.
There are four Vedas, known as the Rig Veda, the Yajur Veda, the
Sama Veda and the Atharva Veda. Many years ago, the Vedas were
referred to as trayi or three. There must have been some point of time
when there were only three Vedas. These are acknowledged to have been
the Rig Veda, the Yajur Veda and the Sama Veda. The Atharva Veda is
believed to have been a later addition to the sacred canon.
Each of the Vedas has two parts, a samhita and the brahmanas. The
samhita part consists of mantras or incantations. These were hymns that
were used in sacrifices. But these mantras are difficult to interpret without
commentaries. This is what the brahmanas set out to do. They explain the
hymns and indicate how these are to be used in sacrifices. The brahmanas
also have detailed descriptions of sacrifices and how they are to be
conducted. The samhitas and the brahmanas are often known as karma
kanda, that is, the part of the Vedas that deals with rituals.
In addition, Vedic literature also includes jnana kanda. This is the part
that deals with supreme knowledge. Included in jnana kanda are the
aranyakas and the upanishads. These are identified with various Vedas.
We can therefore have a narrow definition of a Veda as well as a
broad one. The narrow definition would take the word Veda to mean the
samhita alone. The broad definition would include, in addition, associated
brahmanas, aranyakas and upanishads. By the word Veda, here we mean
the samhita alone. That is, when we are retelling the Rig Veda, we are
retelling the Rig Veda Samhita.
When were the Vedas composed and who composed them? Strictly
speaking, there is no answer to these questions. The Vedas were revealed;
they were shrutis. They were not written down or composed. They were
communicated by the supreme godhead or the divine essence (brahman) to
the ancient seers (rishis). These rishis did not compose the Vedas; they
merely obtained this divine knowledge through their extraordinary powers.
In this sense, the Vedas are apourusheya. Their authorship cannot be
ascribed to any human author.
Just as it is impossible to determine who composed the Vedas, it is

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also impossible to determine when they were composed. Widely different
dates have been suggested by scholars. Tilak suggested a date of around
6000 B.C., while Jacobi’s date was around 4500 B.C. Most scholars would
agree that the Vedas were compiled sometime between 4000 B.C. and
1000 B.C. and that it is impossible to narrow down the range further. The
earliest of the Vedas is clearly the Rig Veda. This reached a stage of final
compilation between 1000 B.C. and 900 B.C.
The Rig Veda Samhita
It is first important to understand that there were four classes of priests
who were required at any sacrifice, or yajna. The first class consisted of
the officiating priests or acolytes (hotri). They invoked the gods by
reciting the mantras, prepared the sacrificial ground and the altar, and
poured out the libations. The hymns of the Rig Veda are for this class of
priests. The second class of priests consisted of the choristers (udgatri).
These were the ones who chanted the sacred hymns and the hymns of the
Sama Veda are for this class of priests. The third class of priests consisted
of the reciters (adhvaryu). They carried out sacrificial rites while chanting
the sacred texts and the hymns of the Yajur Veda are for this class of
priests. The fourth class of priests consisted of brahmana overseers. They
supervised the sacrifice and the hymns of the Atharva Veda are for this
class of priests.
The Rig Veda derives its name from the word rik, which means a
mantra. There are 10,589 verses in the Rig Veda Samhita. These are
divided into ten mandalas or books. Each of the mandalas is subdivided
into anuvakas (lessons) and suktas (hymns). The ten mandalas have 85
anuvakas, 1080 suktas and 10,589 verses. There is also a valakhilya
section or supplement. This seems to have been a later addition.
Let us now see what the Rig Veda has to say. Since the Rig Veda is
fairly long, we will have to be selective. We cannot be exhaustive.
Mandala One
(This mandala has 181 suktas and 2006 mantras. The bulk of the
mantras are addressed to Indra. Agni comes next in order of importance.)
Agni
(Agni is the fire-god. It is to Agni that oblations in a sacrifice are
offered. Agni is regarded as a messenger who summons the other gods to
the sacrifice and carries the offerings to them. This particular hymn is
ascribed to a sage named Madhuchhanda Vaishvamitra. He was descended

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from the famous sage Vishvamitra. Various hymns follow various metres
and this one is in the gayatri metre.)
I pray to Agni. He advances to the front so that he can bring about the
welfare of men. It is Agni who makes the sacrifice a success. This is a
sacrifice that is being performed according to the rites of the season. Agni
is the prosperous one. He will summon the gods to this sacrifice.
Agni has been praised by many sages of earlier times. He is being
praised by the sages who are here now. May Agni bring the gods to this
sacrifice.
Every day, men will obtain nourishment from Agni. They will
certainly obtain fame, valour and riches.
O Agni! This is a non-violent sacrifice that is being performed. Make
it successful from every direction. May we be able to attain the proximity
of the gods.
You are the one who will summon the gods. You are the one who will
ensure that the sacrifice is successfully completed. You are the one who
inspires learned men to action. O Agni! Many are your forms and you are
always truthful. You are the radiant one who has performed wonderous
deeds. Agni has come to the sacrifice with the other gods.
O my beloved Agni! You ensure the welfare of those who give alms.
You are the one who is present in every portion of our anatomy. The acts
you perform are the ones that are truly righteous.
O Agni! We pray to you always, night and day. May we use our
intelligence to come close to you.
You are the radiant one. You are the protector of non-violent
sacrifices. You are the one who manifests the immutable truth. We bow in
obeisance before Agni and come close to him. He will make our houses
prosper.
O Agni! You are the famous one. We are like your sons; be like a
father unto us. Grant us happiness and ensure our welfare. Aid us in our
endeavours.
Vayu
(Vayu is the god of the wind. This hymn is also ascribed to the sage
Madhuchhanda Vaishvamitra. And this too, is in the gayatri metre.)
O Vayu! You are the one who is fit to be seen. Come here. This soma
juice has been prepared for you. Drink the soma juice and listen to our

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prayers.
O Vayu! The learned priests are well-versed in the knowledge of
which days are auspicious and which are not. They have prepared the
soma juice on an auspicious day. The choristers are singing your praise
through their hymns.
O Vayu! These great words are being addressed to you. You are the
great one. You are the one who grants boons. We desire that you may
drink this soma juice.
O Indra! O Vayu! This is soma juice that has been prepared. Take
great care in coming here. This soma juice wishes to be united with you.
O Vayu! You and Indra know well the wonderful properties of the
soma juice. You are the ones who have an abundance of riches and
foodgrains. Come here quickly.
O Vayu! You and Indra are the leaders. You are always in the
forefront. Use your wisdom to come here quickly. Accept the soma juice
that has been extracted.
I call upon the powerful god Mitra. I call upon the god Varuna who is
the destroyer of enemies. Through their benevolent wisdom, may they
enable our tasks to be completed.
Mitra and Varuna are always connected with truth. They are the ones
who enhance the truth. They will use the power of truth to make the
sacrifice a success.
Mitra and Varuna are omnipresent. They are learned and powerful.
They will provide us the strength that will inspire us to action.
(Although the hymn is basically addressed to Vayu, Indra, Mitra and
Varuna also figure in it. Indra is the chief god of the Vedas. He rules over
the atmosphere (antariksha), the intervening region between the earth
(prithivi) and heaven (dyuloka). Indra kills the demons with his weapon
vajra. In particular, he killed the demon Vritra. Mitra is an aspect of the
sun that presided over the day. Correspondingly, Varuna presided over the
night. Soma juice was extracted from the soma herb, the herbs having been
collected by moonlight. The herbs were crushed to extract the juice, which
was next purified by straining. The purified juice was mixed with water,
milk and flour and offered to the gods).
Indra
(This hymn is also ascribed to Madhuchhanda Vaishamitra and the

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metre continues to be gayatri.)
O friends! You who are desirous of performing a sacrifice. Come here
and be seated. Sing the praise of the great Indra.
When you are seated and have begun to extract the soma juice, praise
the wonderful qualities of the great lndra. He is the one who has destroyed
many enemies. He is the one who is the lord of a lot of riches.
Indra will certainly grant us an abundance of riches. Indra will grant
us riches and a lot of wisdom. He will come to us with an abundant supply
of food grains.
When there is a battle, enemies are not even able to touch Indra’s
horses. His chariot cannot be touched. Sing his praise.
This soma juice has been extracted and pure curds have been mixed
with it. This is the juice that deserves to be drunk. It will be united with
Indra.
O Indra! You are the performer of wonderful deeds. You are the great
one who drinks the soma juice. You become great so as to perform these
wonderful deeds.
O lndra! You are the one who deserves to be praised. May the soma
juice, which is a source of inspiration, be united with you. May it gladden
your heart.
O brave one! You are the performer of several wonderful deeds. May
these hymns enhance your greatness and increase your fame. May our
words increase your fame.
O Indra! You have the unlimited power to protect. Partake of these
offerings of food grains. All forms of strength can be found in these
offerings .
O Indra! You are the one who deserves to be praised. May the soldiers
of the enemy not be able to harm our bodies. You are the lord of all that
there is. Please keep the weapons of the enemies at a distance.
The Ribhus
(The Angirasa formed an important priestly family. In this line was
born a sage named Sudhanva. Sudhanva had three sons named Ribhu,
Vibhvan and Vaja. These three were collectively referred to as the Ribhus.
Their deeds were such that they were elevated to the status of gods. This
hymn is ascribed to the sage Medhatithi, son of the sage Kanva. The metre
is gayatri.)

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 The learned recited the words of this hymn with their own mouths. So
sacred is this hymn that it gives birth to a cluster of jewels. This hymn is
addressed to the Ribhus, the ones who had divine births.
The Ribhus were very skilled. They trained two horses so that the
horses could follow instructions given by signs. The Ribhus gave Indra
these horses. The Ribhus will come to every sacrifice.
The Ribhus constructed a beautiful and swift chariot for the Ashvinis.
They made the cows yield a lot of milk.
The Ribhus were righteous and straightforward in conduct. They
travelled in all the directions and they made their aged parents young
again.
O Ribhus! This soma juice is being offered for your pleasure. Come
and savour it with Indra, the Maruts and the other gods.
Tvashta made only one ladle. But the Ribhus, with their skills, made
four sacrificial ladles out of that.
(Tvashta was the architect of the gods. It has been suggested that the
Ribhus were Tvashta’s disciples.)
May the Ribhus be pleased with our prayers. May they come to our
sacrifice and accept the soma juice that the priests have offered. May they
grant us twenty-one types of riches.
(Twenty-one simply signifies a large number.)
The energy of the Ribhus rivals that of Agni. Through their deeds, the
Ribhus came to be accepted as gods. They are entitled to a share of the
oblations made at sacrifices.
Varuna
(This hymn is ascribed to a sage named Shunahshepa. He was the son
of the sage Ajigarta. The metre in which this hymn is composed is
gayatri.)
O Varuna! Other men commit sin. We are no different, we too commit
sin. We violate your commandments every day.
Your anger is terrible. You raise your weapon to kill those who sin
and those who violate you. But despite the sins we have committed, spare
us from your anger.
O Varuna! A charioteer pacifies his horses when they are tired. Like
that brave warrior, we use these hymns to pacify your anger. May you look
upon us with favour and may you grant us happiness.

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 A bird flies here and there and finally returns to its nest. Like that, my
mind and my heart roam here and there in search of riches. (What is left
implicit is that the mind and the heart seek refuge with Varuna after the
pursuit of riches is over.)
Varuna is the source of all valour. Varuna is the source of all good
fortune. Varuna is the one who sees everything. We desire to ensure our
happiness. Who can we pray to but Varuna?
Mitra and Varuna are the gods who wish to elevate those who observe
religious rites. They elevate those who give alms. Mitra and Varuna will
partake of the oblations we have offered. They will never desert their
devotees.
These two gods know the ways of the birds that fly in the atmosphere.
They know the ways of the boats that travel in the oceans.
Varuna is the god who follows the proper rites. He is acquainted with
the twelve months that bring prosperity to the subjects. He knows well the
thirteenth month that comes in between.
(The twelve lunar months add up to 360 days. Therefore, a
supplementary and intercalary thirteenth month has to be introduced every
sixth year to bring conformity between the solar and the lunar years.)
Varuna knows the ways of the great and fast winds. He knows well
the ways of the gods who rule.
Varuna observes the proper rites. He is the performer of excellent
deeds. He comes amidst his subjects so that kingdoms may flourish.
He is the one who knows how extraordinary deeds are to be
performed. He knows what has been done and what remains to be done.
He is the one who sees everything.
Varuna is the son of Aditi. He is the performer of wonderous deeds.
May Varuna guide us along the righteous path. May he increase our life
expectancy.
Varuna is the one who wears a golden gown. On top of this, he dons
clothings that radiate energy. The rays of the sun spread out in the four
directions and are his messengers.
The evil ones who are assassins can bring no harm to Varuna. Those
who bear hatred in their hearts can bring no harm to Varuna. Enemies can
bring no harm to the great god.
He is the one who brings fame to mankind. He is the one who brings

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fruition to all action. He is the one who created our wonderful digestive
systems.
Varuna is a witness to everything. When our intelligence is elevated,
we wish to attain his proximity, the way a cow desires closeness to a
pasture.
I have brought you offerings of honey. May these offerings be as
beloved to you as the officiating priest himself. Accept this honey. And
after you have eaten it, you and I will sit together and converse.
I have seen the god whose glory can be seen everywhere in the
universe. I have seen his chariot travel on the ground. He has accepted my
prayers.
O Varuna! Listen to my prayers. Make us happy today. We seek your
protection. Grant it to us.
O god! You are the one who manifests himself through wisdom. You
rule over earth, heaven and the rest of the universe. Listen to our prayers
and grant us our wishes.
Remove all the bondage that we suffer from. Free us. And grant us
long lives.
The Ashvinis
(The two Ashvinis were gods whose identities are not very clear. They
brought light to the morning sky. They were probably two stars, one
identified with the morning and the other with the evening. They were
subsequently characterised as the physicians of the gods. This hymn is
ascribed to a sage named Hiranyastupa, son of the sage Angirasa. The
metre is partly jagati and partly trishtupa.)
O learned Ashvinis! We are performing three sacrifices today. Come
and be with us on the occasion. The two of you travel on a chariot that is
huge and greatness characterises your generous hearts. You are as
intimately connected with us as clothing is connected to the coldness of
winter. Those who are learned can easily attain proximity to you.
The chariot of the Ashvinis bears honey and three wheels are attached
to the chariot. (This is a reference to the three daily sacrifices that are
held). Everyone knows that the two of you desire to partake of the soma
juice. Three are the pillars that hold up your chariot. And you travel thrice
during the day and thrice during the night.
O Ashvinis! You are the ones who forgive all sins. Today we will

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perform three sacrifices. Come here and make our sacrifices overflow with
honey. Morning and evening, grant us three offerings of food grains.
O Ashvinis! Come to our household thrice. Come thrice to your
devotees. Come thrice to those who deserve to be protected. Come thrice
and increase our learning. The two of you will bring us wonderful objects
three times. You will thrice nourish us by bringing food grains and other
objects.
O Ashvinis! You will come to the sacrifice thrice. You will bring us
riches thrice. Three are the occasions on which you will protect and
preserve our sacrifices. You will thrice bring us riches and foodgrains.
Your chariot has three wheels. And the daughter of the sun sits in your
chariot. (The Ashvinis were married to the sun's daughter.)
O Ashvinis! You are the ones who ensure the performance of
righteous deeds. Grant us thrice, medicines from heaven. Grant us thrice,
herbs from the earth. Grant us thrice, herbs from the water. Grant
protection and happiness to our sons. Grant them a proper balance of the
three constituents.
(The three constituents (dhatu) of the human body are vata (wind),
pitta (bile) and kafa (phlegm). When these are in perfect balance, a person
is well.)
O Ashvinis! You are the ones who deserve to be worshipped. The
earth is the altar on which we perform three sacrifices every day. Come on
your chariot and be seated here thrice. You are the protectors of the truth.
You may be far away. But like the breath of life that unites with the atman
(the human soul), come and be united with us.
O Ashvinis! There are seven sacred rivers. The vessels have been
filled thrice with water from these sacred rivers. The oblations have been
divided into three. The two of you travel in the three worlds (loka). You
are the ones who protect divine happiness during night and day.
(The seven sacred rivers were Indus (Sindhu), Vitasta, Asikli,
Parushni, Vipasha, Shatadru and Sarasvati. The three lokas were the earth
(prithivi), the atmosphere (antariksha) and heaven (dyuloka).)
O gods who ensure that truth prevails! Where are the three pillars that
hold up your chariot? Where are its three wheels? When will powerful
donkeys be harnessed to your chariot? When will you climb into your
chariot and come here?
O Nasatyas! The oblations have been poured into the fire. Come here.

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Drink the sweet soma juice with your mouths. Wonderful are the
decorations on your chariot. Before the onset of dawn, the sun sends your
chariot to the sacrifice.
(Nasatyas is another name for the Ashvinis. Literally, the word means
one who preserves the truth. Sacrifices were begun at the stroke of dawn.)
O Nasatyas! Come with the thirty-three gods to drink the soma juice
we have offered. Grant us long lives and purify us of our sins. Stay with us
and purge us of all thoughts of enmity.
O Ashvinis! Three are the pillars that hold up your chariot. Bring us
riches in that chariot. Bring us valour. We call upon you for protection and
happiness. Increase our intelligence at the time of battle.
(The thirty-three gods included eight Vasus, eleven Rudras and twelve
Adityas. This adds up to thirty-one. The remaining two are sometimes
identified as Prajapati and Vashatkar.)
The Vishvadevas
(The ‘Vishvadevas’ was a general expression which signified all the
gods collectively. Sometimes the suggestion however is that Vishvadevas
were a special group of gods. In the hymn that follows, most verses are
addressed to the Vishvadevas, although other gods are also mentioned.
This hymn is important as it includes a phrase that is often quoted. Ekam
sad vipra vahudha vadanti - truth is one, but the learned speak of it in
various ways. The hymn is ascribed to the sage Dirghatama, the son of the
sage Ouchathya. The metres that figure are trishtupa, jagati,
prastarapamkti and anushtupa.)
Surya is the beautiful one. He is the one who rules over everything
and sucks out the juices from the earth. The brother who is in the middle
pervades everything. The younger brother has a radiant back and his back
is sprinkled with clarified butter. I have seen the one who rules over the
world through his seven sons.
(Surya is the god of the sun. The three brothers are Surya, Vayu and
Agni. Surya rules in dyuloka and is the eldest. Vayu rules in antariksha
and is the brother who is in the middle. Agni rules on prithivi and is the
youngest brother. The seven sons are Surya's seven rays with which Surya
governs the world.)
Surya's chariot has only one wheel, but seven horses are harnessed to
it. Although there seem to be seven horses, there is actually only one horse
with seven names. The immortal and constant wheel has three naves. It is

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through this wheel that the entire universe is established.
(The seven horses are again the seven rays of the sun, which actually
are but one. The three naves have been identified as the seasons autumn,
summer and monsoon.)
Seven are the rays that sit astride the sun’s chariot. Seven are the
wheels and seven the horses that Surya uses to drive through time. Seven
are the forms of speech that worship the sun. The seven sisters praise
Surya in the four directions.
(The seven wheels refer to different periods into which time is
divided. These are ayana (six months), ritu (season), masa (month),
paksha (fortnight), dina (day), rata (night) and muhurta (roughly
equivalent to an hour). The seven forms of speech are the seven major
metres. The seven sisters could be these metres. Alternatively, they could
be the seven sacred rivers.)
He who has no bones created all living beings that have bones. Did
anyone see him being created? Where then were to be found the life, the
blood and the soul of the earth? Who is the learned one who knows the
answers to these questions?
(This refers to the creation and the one with no bones is Prajapati, the
creator. The life of the earth is the wind, the blood is the water, and the
soul is the sun. The sense is that these were not present prior to creation.)
I am the one whose learning is incomplete. Yet, with all due humility,
I wish to know how the gods were created. The learned ones used seven
different types of thread to create the universe that can be seen and lived
in.
(The learned ones are the gods. They created the universe with seven
threads - mind, life, earth, water, energy, wind and the sky.)
He who created the six regions of the universe is Prajapati. He himself
was not born. Who can comprehend the nature of Prajapati? I am the
ignorant one, but I wish to learn of this knowledge. I will resort to the
learned for wisdom.
(Three lokas or regions have already been mentioned. There is a
reference here to three additional regions that are above these.)
Surya is handsome and always mobile. Who knows of the origin of
the sun? Let that learned one come here and reveal to me the knowledge.
The supreme rays of the sun suck up the water from the earth. The water is
borne by the sun and is then rained down on earth.

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 The earth is the mother and heaven is the father. They had united to
bring about the cosmic act of creation. The earth bore the food grains in
her womb. May those who desire food grains worship the earth.
It is the sun’s powers of preservation that bear up the earth. The calf
saw the many forms of the cow in the three worlds and began to call. It
was then that the seed was implanted in the womb of the earth.
(The cow symbolises the rays of the sun that create clouds and rain,
and the clouds are the calf. The calling of the calf indicated thunder and
then it began to rain. It is this rain that leads to the seed of food grains
being implanted in the womb of the earth.)
Prajapati alone bears aloft the three mothers and the three fathers. He
bears them, but is above them all. He is untouched by misery. He knows
the universe and rules over it, but himself remains unattached. The gods
who populate heaven debate about the nature of Prajapati.
(The three mothers are heaven, the atmosphere and the earth. The
three fathers are Surya, Vayu and Agni.)
Twelve are the spokes (the twelve months) on the sun's wheel. Surya's
wheel traverses heaven in the four directions. It never wears thin. O Agni!
The seven hundred and twenty twin sons are always present.
(The seven hundred and twenty twin sons are the three hundred and
sixty days and three hundred and sixty nights in any year.)
The father has five feet and twelve forms. Some say that he traverses
the further half of heaven. Others say that the chariot has seven wheels and
six spokes.
(This is difficult to interpret. The father is Surya. He traverses the
further half of heaven, that is, the sky as opposed to the earth. The twelve
forms are the twelve months and the five feet are the five seasons spring,
monsoon, summer, autumn and winter. There are six spokes when autumn
is further subdivided into early autumn and late autumn. The seven wheels
are the seven rays of the sun.)
All the worlds are gathered together in the movement of the wheel
with the five spokes (the five seasons). No matter what the weight may be,
the axle of the wheel never gets heated. It travels perpetually through time,
but never breaks.
The wheel with the axle is like the universe and moves all the time. It
never breaks. When nature was created, the chariot began to be drawn by
ten horses. The sun's radiance is shrouded in water and it is the sun who

15
rules over all the worlds.
(The ten horses are intelligence, mind, heart, ego, the earth, water,
fire, wind, sky and the soul.)
The seven elements were created at the same time. They have the
same origin, that is, Prajapati. Six of these are connected to one another,
like twins. They are like the sages who were created by the gods. In six of
them, independent sacrifices are held, depending on the occasion.
Although the seven elements function independently, they were created at
the same time and have the same origin.
(This is difficult to interpret. The six who are connected to one
another seem to be the six seasons, of two months each. The seventh
element is the thirteenth intercalary month.)
The rays of the sun have both masculine and feminine traits. He who
has the eyes of learning can see this. He who is blind and ignorant never
realises this. Learned sons know this wisdom and become so learned that
they are as revered as fathers.
The cow (the sun) has borne her calf (the clouds) in the region that is
below heaven and above the earth. Who knows where the cow travels?
And who knows where the calf is born? This much is certain that the calf
is not born on earth.
The earth is below heaven and Agni is the ruler of the earth. Heaven is
above the earth and Surya is the ruler of heaven. Who knows where divine
minds originate? He who knows the answer to this question is learned. Let
him come here and tell us the answer.
The universe is in constant movement. That which is near today, is far
tomorrow. That which is far today, is near tomorrow. O Soma! You and
Indra have created the paths that you traverse. Along these paths, your
steeds draw your chariots. Thus it is that all the worlds are pulled.
(Soma is a personification of the soma herb, but is also identified with
the moon-god. In this context, the sun is being referred to as Indra. That is,
the sun and the moon traverse paths across the sky).
The two birds have beautiful wings. They sit on the same tree and are
friends. One of the birds eats the sweet fruit that grows on the tree. The
other does not eat the fruit, it merely manifests itself.
(The two birds are the divine soul (paramatman) and the human soul
(atman). The tree is the world. The paramatman and the atman are
intimately connected with each other. The atman savours the fruit of the

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world, that is, the rewards of actions. But the paramatman does not savour
these fruit. It remains a detached and passive spectator.)
The two birds with beautiful wings sit on the tree and pray for
immortality with their words. May the learned one who is the lord of the
universe impart wisdom to my ignorant heart .
The two birds with beautiful wings sit on the tree that is the world.
They create all living beings and drink the honey that the tree provides.
Sweet are the fruits that grow in the upper parts of the tree. But he who
does not know the nature of the paramatman, does not get to eat these
fruits.
Gayatri is established on gayatri, trishtupa is established on trishtupa
and jagati is established on jagati. He who knows this, attains the
immortality that knowledge confers.
(Gayatri, trishtupa and jagati are metres. But this verse is interpreted
as follows. Agni (the first gayatri) has been established on earth (the
second gayatri). Vayu (the first trishtupa) has been established in the
atmosphere (the second trishtupa). Surya (the first jagati) has been
established in heaven (the second jagati).)
Riks have been composed in the gayatri metre. Many riks taken
together, constitute sama hymns. Hymns have also been composed in the
trishtupa metre. With different combinations of syllables, the seven major
metres can be formed.
Surya is the speedy one. Through the sun, Prajapati ensured that there
is always water in heaven. The sun is united with the earth through the
medium of rain. It is said that the sun is like a verse that has three
components. It is Surya who enhances the strength and greatness of
Prajapati.
(The three components of the sun are heaven, the atmosphere and the
earth.)
For the sacrifice, I call upon the cow which yields excellent milk. I
call upon the person who will milk the cow with his hands. May Savita
(the sun) grant me a plentiful supply of milk. May the containers for
boiling the milk be heated.
The cow calls to her beloved calf. She yields the milk that will ensure
prosperity and nourish the eight Vasus. This cow does not deserve to be
killed. Milk will be provided for the Ashvinis. May the cow thrive so that
prosperity is ensured.

17
 The eyes of the calf are closed. The cow calls and goes near the calf.
She licks its head and drags its mouth to her udders. The cow calls. Her
udders are warm. She will satiate the calf with her milk.
The clouds have covered the sun's rays form the four directions. The
clouds thunder. The lightning that is in the clouds roars. Through their act
of showering rain, the clouds ensure that mankind thrives. Once it rains,
the clouds shine in their glory.
The atman is always mobile. When life is over, the atman forsakes the
physical body that is dead and enters a new one. The atman resides with
the physical body, but is itself immortal. Through its powers, the atman
moves all the time.
I have seen the sun which never falls down. I have seen the sun which
travels far and near. I have seen the sun who is the protector. The sun is the
one whose energy blazes forth in the four directions. The sun manifests
himself in the world.
So vast is the universe that he who has created it does not know its full
expanse. When the atman tries to visualise the universe, the universe
seems to disappear. The atman is born in the mother's womb. It has many
offspring. And although the atman is itself immortal, the physical body
must eventually die.
Heaven has created me and heaven is my preserver. Heaven is like my
brother and is the fulcrum of my being. This vast earth is my mother.
Heaven and earth are like two vessels that face each other. The sun is
between the two. It is the sun who implants the seed of food grains in the
womb of the earth.
I ask you about the end of this earth. I ask you about the centre of this
universe. I ask you about the origin of horses. I ask you about the origin of
speech.
This sacrificial altar is the end of the earth. This sacrifice is the centre
of the universe. Soma is the origin of all horses. The brahman (the divine
essence) is the origin of all speech.
(The sacrificial altar is the end of the earth as it is the place that is
closest to heaven. It is there that the gods come to meet men. The brahman
is used synonymously with the paramatman.)
The essence of the universe is in seven sons. They follow their own
paths according to the instructions received from the supreme godhead.
The seven sons encompass the entire universe. There is nothing that is

18
beyond their reach.
(The seven sons are mind, life and the five elements of earth, water,
energy, the wind and the sky. Everything in the universe is formed out of
these seven constituents.)
I do not know what the atman may be compared to. The atman is
constrained inside the physical body, but the mind is free to wander. When
the atman is united with the paramatman and realises the truth, it is then
that I grasp the significance of these words.
The atman is immortal. But it remains with the mortal body through
its own powers. The atman attains higher births and lower ones. The
physical body and the atman are together, but their destinations are
different. People can easily see the physical body. But it is difficult to
visualise the atman.
The paramatman is as vast as the sky and as constant as the syllables
of the riks. All the gods are to be found in the paramatman. What use are
the mantras of the Vedas to someone who does not understand the nature
of the great brahman? He who knows the paramatman is the one who is
the most learned. He gets to sit in the most elevated of places.
O cows! You do not deserve to be killed. Drink the purest of water
and eat the best of grass. May you have good fortune. Roam at will. May
we also have good fortune.
The cow (here symbolising clouds) which gives water has thundered.
Sometimes the cow has one foot, sometimes two, sometimes four,
sometimes eight and sometimes nine. It is the voice of heaven itself that
thunders in a thousand syllables.
(The clouds have only one foot when they thunder only from the
cloud. There are two feet when the thunder is heard both from the cloud
and from the sky. Similarly, the four feet refer to the four cardinal points
and the eight feet to the four cardinal points plus the four intermediate
points. Nine feet include, in addition, the zenith.)
From the cow, the oceans flow. It is because of the cow that the four
directions prosper. The rains shower so that the entire universe can live.
From a great distance, I have seen the many forms of powerful smoke.
(I therefore know that there must be a fire.) There the brave ones are
preparing the soma juice that is the source of strength. This is what must
always be done before any major task is embarked on.
The objects with three rays can be seen, depending on the season. One

19
of them is lit once every year. The second lights up the entire universe
with its rays. The movement of the third can be seen, but its form itself
remains invisible.
(The objects with three rays are Agni, Surya and Vayu. The flames of
the fire were lit at the beginning of the year and the fire was not put out
throughout the year. Surya's rays light up the universe. Vayu is the one
who remains invisible, although the movement of the wind can be seen.)
Speech has been measured out in four divisions. Learned brahmanas
are aware of this division. Three of these divisions remain secret and do
not appear. It is the fourth division that mankind are familiar with.
(This is obscure, but the meaning seems to be as follows. The first
division of speech is its origin. The second division of speech is when it
reaches the heart. The third division of speech is when it reaches the brain.
These three divisions cannot be seen. The fourth and final division of
speech is when it reaches the mouth. This is the one that can be seen, or
felt.)
Truth is one (the paramatman). Learned people refer to it by various
names. Some call it Indra, others Mitra, others Varuna and still others
Agni. It is referred to as Yama or as Matarishvan. It is also known as the
golden-winged Garutman (a celestial bird).
The rays of the sun carry water up into the sky. The water next
descends from the atmosphere in the form of rain. It is this water that
makes the earth wet.
There is a wheel which has twelve bounds around it. The wheel has
three naves and three hundred and sixty spokes. Only the learned ones
know of this.
(The bounds are the twelve months. The naves are the three seasons of
summer, autumn and monsoon. The spokes are the three hundred and sixty
days.)
O Sarasvati! You are the source of happiness. Nurture us with all sorts
of riches. You are the possessor of jewels, you are the one who grants
jewels. You grant the gifts that ensure our welfare. May you look upon us
with favour.
(Sarasvati was a river. It was only later that she came to be identified
as the goddess of learning.)
The gods themselves worship the paramatman. The worship of the
paramatman is the righteous path. He who follows this dictum achieves

20
the best of worlds, where there is perpetual happiness. It is there that the
gods dwell.
During the space of a day, it is the same water that goes up (into the
sky) and comes down. The clouds satisfy the earth and the fires of heaven.
I call upon Surya for the sake of my protection. He is the one who was
born in heaven and he is the one who is always on the move. He is the
fulcrum of the water as he ensures that it rains. He nourishes the herbs and
satisfies the earth. I worship Surya.
Mandala Two
(This mandala has 43 suktas and 429 mantras. Almost all the suktas
are ascribed to a sage named Gritsamada).
Rudra
(The bulk of the suktas in mandala two are addressed to Indra. Then
follow those addressed to Agni. But since we have already recapitulated
suktas addressed to Indra and Agni, we now choose one that is addressed
to Rudra. The Rudra of the Vedas seems to have been a god of storms. It
was only later that he came to be identified with Shiva. Rudra is the father
of the Maruts, who were gods of the wind. The hymn that follows is
composed in the trishtupa metre.)
O father of the Maruts! Confer happiness on us. May we not be parted
from the rays of the sun. May our warriors be able to vanquish enemies in
battle. O Rudra! May we have many subjects.
O Rudra! You will grant us the herbs that bring happiness. With their
aid, we will be able to live for a hundred years. May we be free of all
thoughts of hatred. May we never sin. May the diseases that overcome the
body maintain their distance.
O Rudra! Your riches make you the best of all objects that have been
created. You are the one who holds weapons in your hands. You are the
strongest of the strong. Preserve us from sin and ensure our welfare. May
we never tread the path of evil.
O Rudra! May we never anger you through worship that is fraudulent.
May we not anger you through the utterance of hymns that are improper.
May we not anger you through mixed worship. Make our progeny strong
through your herbs. I have learnt that you are the best of all physicians.
(Mixed worship signifies worship in which other gods are also
invoked together with Rudra.)

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 Rudra is the one who is summoned through oblations and hymns. May
I pacify Rudra through my hymns. He is the one who has a soft heart. He
is the one who deserves to be prayed to. He is the nourisher and preserver.
He is the one who grants us the best of protection. May we not fall prey to
envy and anger Rudra.
Rudra is the strong one. He is the one who is associated with the
Maruts. We seek Rudra's favour. May he satisfy us through food grains
that provide energy. Those who suffer from the sun seek the refuge of the
shade. Like that, we are plagued by sin and seek refuge with Rudra. May
we be happy. May we be able to serve Rudra.
O Rudra! Your hands banish disease. Your hands grant happiness.
Where are those hands? Lay them on us. Forgive us our sins and remove
any impediments that the gods may cast in our paths.
You are the one who nourishes everything. You permeate all objects
that are full of strength and energy. I praise you as best as I can. May the
radiant Rudra be pleased with our prayers. We chant Rudra's glorious
names.
Rudra is the one whose body is firm. Many are his forms. He is the
radiant one who nourishes. He is the one who is lit up through his energy.
He nurtures all that there is in this universe. He is the supreme ruler. Rudra
always has the power to destroy the demons.
O Rudra! You are the deserving one who holds bows and arrows. You
are the one who deserves worship. You bear the metal gold, gold of many
hues. You are the protector of this vast universe. O Rudra! There is no one
to rival your energy.
O man! Rudra is the famous one. He is the one who rides in a chariot.
He is as terrible as a young lion. He is the brave one who destroys
enemies. Pray to him. O Rudra! Be pleased and confer happiness on your
devotees. Let your soldiers not kill us, let them kill others instead.
O Rudra! A son worships his revered father. Like that, we are praying
to you. We pray that you may be near us. You are the one who protects
those who are righteous. You are the one who grants boons. May Rudra be
pleased through our prayers and grant us herbs.
O Maruts! You are the strong ones. You possess pure and sacred
herbs. Grant us the herbs that will ensure our welfare and confer happiness
on us. These are the herbs that our father Manu accepted. These are the
herbs that please Rudra and banish disease. We crave those herbs.

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 (Manu was the father of the human race, although there were several
Manus. One of these Manus built a boat when there was a universal flood,
and preserved himself in it. The Mahabharata states that Manu took some
seeds with him into the boat.)
May we not suffer from Rudra's terrible weapons. May his anger
plague others. O Rudra! Grant us happiness. May you not use your bow
when you deal with us. Make our sons and grandsons happy.
You are the nourisher and the preserver of the universe. You are the
strong and radiant one. You are the one who is omniscient. Listen to our
prayers and do not be angered. Reveal to us the way in which we may
please you. May we be blessed with excellent sons and grandsons. May we
thus be able to perform sacrifices in your honour.
The Maruts
(This hymn follows the jagati metre.)
The Maruts are supreme in the field of battle. They are as terrible as
lions and force enemies to flee. They are as radiant as Agni and their
strength deserves worship. The Maruts are swift of feet. They are the ones
who drink the soma juice. May the powers of the brave Maruts free us
from the prisons of our enemies.
As stars adorn the sky, bangles adorn the hands of the brave Maruts.
The Maruts are the brave ones who shower strength. They are like
lightning in the clouds. O radiant Maruts! You wear golden necklaces on
your chests. O brave ones! The great Rudra gave you birth and the earth
was your mother.
The Maruts make their steeds as strong as race horses. They are the
ones who thunder as they swiftly charge into battle. O brave Maruts! You
are the source of inspiration. You are adorned with golden helmets. You
are the ones who vanquish your enemies. You obtain food grains from
those enemies. Come to us with your spotted deer.
(The relevance of a deer is not at all clear. The horses of the Maruts
are probably being compared with deer.)
You are the ones who swiftly accomplish victory. You are the ones
who possess spotted steeds. Your riches can never be stolen. You are the
ones who follow the straight path to upliftment. You are always at the
forefront of every deed. O Maruts! You are seated first at every sacrifice
and grant food grains to our friends who are performing the sacrifice. You
are the ones who shelter the entire universe.

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 O brave Maruts! Great is your inspiration. You wield flaming
weapons. You are the radiant and energetic ones. You are the possessors of
riches. You are the ones who deserve to be worshipped. You are the
owners of cows. Come along the immortal paths to the sacrifice at which
soma juice is being offered. Come here the way a swan returns to its nest.
O Maruts! You are the source of inspiration. You are the bravest of
the brave. Our sacrifice is blessed with learning and soma juice is being
offered on the occasion. Come and bless our cows with on abundant
supply of milk. Perform the acts that will ensure to your devotees
unlimited food grains and beauty.
O brave Maruts! Grant us courageous sons who may ride on our
chariots. May we be blessed with learned sons. May your devotees be
blessed with the food grains that they desire. Please grant riches and
intelligence to the warriors who are brave in battle. May their powers of
endurance be increased.
The Maruts are generous in their gifts. They wear golden necklaces on
their breasts. They will harness their horses to their chariots and come
here. They will grant us prosperity. They will make our houses full of food
grains. They will nourish us the way a cow nourishes her calf with milk.
O brave Maruts! You will establish us. There are men who are cruel
as wolves; they are our enemies. Protect us from their violence. Surround
them with your chariots, hurl your weapons at them. You are the ones who
will make our enemies weep. Our enemies are greedy. They deserve to be
killed. Slay them.
O brave Maruts! Everyone is familiar with your prowess in battle.
You will bless us with your friendship. You are the ones who drink milk
from the udders of cows. You are the invincible ones. May those who
criticise your devotees come to grief. It is well known that you will bring
destruction to the enemies who are attempting to kill the sage Trita.
O brave Maruts! You are the swift ones. You are the great ones. We
call upon you so that you may ensure our welfare. We call upon you so
that our wisdom may be increased. We call upon you so that we may be
able to perform righteous deeds. You are as radiant as gold. You are the
superior ones. We pray to the brave Maruts for riches.
They are the brave ones who performed a sacrifice for ten months.
May they inspire us at the time of dawn. The blushing rays of dawn
encompass the dark night. May the shining rays of the brave Maruts

24
encompass the entire world.
(The word that is used for the Maruts is Dashavgas. This literally
means one who has performed a sacrifice for ten months. The Maruts are
believed to have been the first ones to have performed a sacrifice.)
The Maruts are the brave ones who make the enemies weep. They
scatter the enemies in all directions. They are adorned in yellow ornaments
and yellow clothing. May the Maruts thrive in houses where there is no
shortage of water. May they be beauteous and handsome. May they look
upon us with favour and impart their strength to us.
The sage Trita called upon the five brave ones for his protection.
Those were the ones who performed a sacrifice. (This is clearly a reference
to the Maruts. But the number five remains obscure, the Maruts were not
five in number.) We call upon those to whom the sage Trita prayed. We
praise them for our protection.
O brave Maruts! Your powers preserve your devotees from sin. Your
powers preserve those who pray to you from all manner of criticism. We
pray to your powers of protection. May your powers of protection preserve
us. May wisdom come to us like a lowing cow comes home.
Mandala Three
(This mandala has 62 suktas and 617 mantras. Most of these are
ascribed to the sage Vishvamitra or to his family. The bulk of the suktas
are addressed to Indra, followed by Agni. But for the sake of variety, we
will start with a sukta that is primarily addressed to the sacrificial post or
yupa. The hymn is composed in a mixture of the metres trishtupa and
anushtupa.).
Yupa
O tree! We wish to become like the gods themselves. On the occasion
of the sacrifice, we sprinkle you with divine nectar (clarified butter).
Whether you stand straight upright or whether you lie down on the lap of
the earth, may you grant us riches on the occasion of the sacrifice.
O sacrificial post! You are the superior one and you stand up before
the fire of the sacrifice. You are the one who listens to the hymns that are a
source of valour. Banish all evil thoughts from our heads. Stand up straight
so that you may bring us good fortune.
O sacrificial post made out of a tree! Stand up straight at an auspicious
spot on the earth. The ground of the sacrifice has been measured out. Stand
up there and energise the one who is performing the sacrifice.

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 The youthful sacrificial post has been wrapped up in excellent
clothing and brought to the place of the sacrifice. Wonderful is the sight of
the sacrificial post ever since it was erected. We are the intelligent and
learned ones who, through this sacrifice, wish to become like the gods
themselves. We have erected the sacrificial post.
The sacrificial post will increase in glory as the sacrifice proceeds
through the day. The learned ones who are performing the sacrifice will
sanctify the post through their wisdom. The learned ones who pray to the
gods will chant hymns.
O sacrificial post made out of a tree! There are men who, by dint of
this sacrifice, wish to become godlike. It is they who have measured you
out. An axe has been used to fashion the divine sacrificial post. The yupa
which stands upright is as radiant as the sun. May the sacrificial post grant
the devotee subjects and riches.
An axe was used to cut and trim the sacrificial post. The officiating
priests set it up on the ground. The post will purify the sacrifice. May the
post grant us the best of riches on the occasion of this sacrifice.
Aditya, Rudra, the Vasus and the other gods traverse the best of paths.
They populate the vast heaven, the atmosphere and the earth and increase
love in these worlds. May the gods preserve this sacrifice. May they hold
aloft the post which is the symbol of the sacrifice.
The sacrificial post is full of energy. It shines like the sun itself. When
the post is set up on the ground, chips are lopped off so that a stake may be
formed. When these chips fall to the ground, it seems as if a flock of geese
is flying in the sky. The learned ones have set up this post on the occasion
of the sacrifice. It rises up into the atmosphere, the place where the gods
roam.
The sacrificial post shines like the sun. Its sides have been lined with
rings of iron before the pillar was set up in the ground. The yupa gleams
like the horns of animals. May the sacrificial post listen to the hymns that
are being chanted at the time of the sacrifice. May it protect us at the time
of battle.
A sharp axe was used to fashion out the sacrificial post, so that our
good fortune may be ensured. O tree from which this yupa was made! May
you flourish with many branches. May we have a thousand branches, and
prosper.
Usha

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 (Usha is the personification of the dawn. We now have a sukta
addressed to Usha. The sage to whom this hymn is ascribed continues to
be Vishvamitra. The metre is trishtupa.)
O Usha! You are the one who grants food grains and riches. Listen
attentively to the hymns we are chanting. You are the goddess who
deserves to be praised by all of us. You have been around for a long time,
but you are always youthful. You are the wise one who permits the
observance of religious rites.
O goddess Usha! You ride on a chariot that is as beautiful as the
moon. You are the one who inspires sweet speech. You are the
manifestation of immortality. May you manifest yourself. There are strong
steeds which have the hue of gold. May those steeds bring you here.
O Usha! You are at the forefront of all the worlds. You are in the
loftiest of places, like the flag of immortality. You are the one who is
always youthful. You keep rotating like a wheel. May you grant us
prosperity.
Your radiant rays banish the darkness. You are the wife of the day
which brings riches. You are the beautiful one who makes the day
manifest. You are the one who grants good fortune. Your light spreads to
the furthest extremity of heaven and earth.
O those who are chanting the hymns! The goddess Usha is
manifesting herself before you. Bow in obeisance before her and chant
hymns to her. She is the one whose energy can be felt in the loftiest parts
of heaven. She is the one who is the source of all sweetness. Beauteous is
her form. Radiant Usha is becoming manifest.
Usha is the preserver of truth. Her rays percolate through to heaven.
Usha is the source of all prosperity. It is she who sustains the myriad hues
of heaven and earth. O Agni! You are lit on earth and your flames spread
upwards as if to greet Usha.
It is the powerful Surya who sends Usha at the onset of the day. Usha
spreads herself in heaven and on earth. The energies of Mitra and Vanina
bear Usha's rays in the four directions. Usha is golden.
Mandala Four
(This mandala has 58 suktas and 589 mantras. Most of these are
ascribed to the sage Vamadeva, the son of the sage Goutama. The bulk of
the suktas are addressed to Agni. We however start with one that is
addressed to the falcon (shyena). This falcon brings down soma juice from

27
heaven. Agni, in his form of lightning, rends the clouds and brings down a
shower of rain. The lightning is being compared to a falcon and the rain to
soma juice. The metre in which the hymn is composed is mostly
trishtupa.)
Shyena
When 1 (the falcon) was in the womb, I learnt the account of the birth
of the gods. A hundred cities fortified with iron protected me. But I swiftly
emerged in the form of a falcon.
(The context is that of the falcon bringing soma juice from heaven.
The hundred cities of the gods in heaven were protected through iron
fortifications. But despite these, the falcon managed to emerge with the
soma juice.)
Those dries could not surround me well. I overcame the dries with my
great powers. The paramatman, who is the creator of all that there is,
destroyed the enemies. The paramatman killed the enemies who were as
swift as the wind.
The falcon thundered in heaven when it grasped the soma. The
learned ones who were the protectors of the soma, tried to take it away
from the falcon. The swift archer Krishanu strung his bow and let fly an
arrow at the falcon.
(Krishanu was one of the guards who protected the soma.)
The falcon flew in a straight path. It brought the soma from heaven,
despite the fact that Indra himself protects heaven. The falcon rescued the
soma the way the Ashvinis rescued Bhujyu. In the fight that ensued, one of
the wings of the falcon was cut off with a weapon.
(Bhujyu was a sage who was rescued by the Ashvinis from drowning.
The fight and the weapon refer to Krishanu's shooting an arrow at the
falcon. Krishanu has been interpreted as the demon of drought. He
prevents mankind from enjoying the fruits of rainfall. The wing of the
falcon fell off and became the parna or palasha tree.)
It was after all this that the powerful soma juice was kept in pots. The
energetic adhvaryu priests mixed the soma juice with the milk of cows.
The excellent juice was sweet and brought satiation. It was like food and
brought bliss to the prosperous Indra. The brave Indra drank soma juice for
his happiness. May Indra accept the soma juice.
Dadhikra

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 (This sukta is addressed to Dadhikra. Dadhikra was a mythical being,
a bit like a celestial horse. The name is derived from dadhi (curds) and kri
(to scatter). Dadhikra has been identified as a personification of the
morning sun. The rising sun seems to spread dew and frost and these are
likened to curds. This sukta also is ascribed to Vamadeva and the metre is
trishtupa.)
O heaven and earth! The generous Trasadasyu gave mankind many
riches. All of these riches belong to the two of you. You have granted us
horses that conquer the land. You have granted us sons who will make the
land fertile. You have granted us sharp weapons so that we may triumph
over the evil ones.
(Heaven and earth were regarded as the parents of Dadhikra.
Trasadasyu was a victorious king. He was favoured by the gods,
particularly the Ashvinis.)
Heaven and earth bore the strong Dadhikra. He is the destroyer of
many enemies. He is the one who brings welfare to all of mankind. The
energetic Dadhikra traverses a straight path like the falcon bird. The best
of men have praised him. He is as swift and brave as a great king.
The god Dadhikra is as fast as water flowing downhill. He is the brave
one who desires to triumph in all battles. He is the one who advances on
his feet and is as fleet-footed as Vayu. Dadhikra is the one who inspires
our chariots. It is him that all men seek to please.
He is the god who prevents riches from falling into the hands of the
enemy at the time of battle. He is the one who travels everywhere and in
all the directions with his riches. Dadhikra is the one who uses his
weapons and becomes famous in battle. He is the god who will vanquish
the enemies of the best of men.
Men shout when they see a thief running off with articles of clothing.
Like that, the soldiers of the enemy shout when they see Dadhikra's
prowess in battle. Great are his riches and great his animals. Other birds
flee when they see a hungry vulture descending. Like that, enemies flee
when they catch sight of Dadhikra.
Dadhikra advances in the front. The wheels of his chariot plough
through the ranks of the enemy. The handsome Dadhikra adorns his body
with garlands, like women do. He bites at the bridle and his hooves raise a
cloud of dust. (Remember that the image is that of a horse.)
The strong horse destroys enemies in the course of battle. He licks his

29
body and serves himself. Swiftly does Dadhikra advance on the enemies.
Straight is his path as the cloud of dust is raised. The dust is such that it
blinds his own eyes.
So great is Dadhikra's prowess that enemies cower before him, the
way they shrink before a stroke of lightning. The enemies are scared of his
attack, as they know that it brings certain destruction. In the four
directions, Dadhikra fights with thousands of enemies. And no one can
stand up to the terrible one.
He is the swift one who fulfils the desires of all men. Men pray to his
speed and valour. Warriors who advance into battle say that Dadhikra tore
through the ranks of a thousand enemies.
Surya spreads his radiance throughout the atmosphere. Like that,
Dadhikra's energy spreads through the five types of men. Hundreds and
thousands are the riches that this powerful horse grants. May Dadhikra
listen to our prayers and grant us sweet boons.
(The five types of men are priests, warriors, traders, artisans and
slaves.)
Ghrita
(Ghrita is clarified butter. Although Agni and Surya are mentioned in
the hymn that follows, the hymn is essentially addressed to clarified butter.
The sukta is ascribed to the sage Vamadeva and the metre is a combination
of trishtupa and jagati.)
From the ocean, waves of sweetness surged forth. These mixed with
soma juice and attained immortality. Ghrita has a secret name. It is the
tongue of the gods and the navel of amrita.
(Amrita is a heavenly drink that confers immortality. But that apart,
the rest of the passage is exceedingly obscure. The ocean probably
represents the sacrificial fire and the waves are the clarified butter that is
poured into the fire as libation. The sense of the second part may be that
ghrita pleases the tongues of the gods and is like a heavenly drink.)
We praise ghrita. May we worship it on the occasion of this sacrifice.
May the brahman listen to the prayers that we are chanting. The buffalo
(goura) with four horns created this universe.
(The buffalo is the paramatman or the brahman. The four horns are
interpreted as the four Vedas.)
The god of the sacrifice (Agni) has four horns (the four Vedas) and

30
three legs (morning, afternoon and evening). He has two heads. (The two
heads are two ceremonies named brahmoudana and pravargya. At the
brahmoudana ceremony, boiled rice was distributed to brahmanas.
Pravargya formed part of the ceremony of offering soma juice. At this,
fresh milk was poured into a heated vessel.) The god has seven hands (the
seven basic metres). He is the strong god who roars at the three places
where he is tethered. (The three bonds are the three components of the
sacrifice, mantras, brahmanas and kalpas. Kalpas refer to ceremonies.)
The god of the sacrifice is always to be found among men.
The gods discovered how the panis had hidden the three types of
clarified butter among cows. The first type was created by Indra, the
second by Surya, and the third type by all the gods from the energy of fire.
(The three types of clarified butter signify milk, curds and butter. The
creation of milk is ascribed to Indra, that of curds to Surya, and that of
butter primarily to Agni. The panis were robbers or malignant demons.
They stole cows and hid them in caves.)
From the ocean, the sacred flow issues in a hundred streams. The
enemies have not been able to see this flow. I have seen the sacred flow of
clarified butter. I see the radiant and golden Agni in the midst of this flow.
This flow of energy issues out of the heart. It is purified by the mind
and flows like a river that is the source of happiness. The flow of clarified
butter is as swift as a deer fleeing from a hunter.
The juice flows as swiftly as the water of a river coursing downhill. It
is as strong as Vayu. The waves surge and the juice dashes like a strong
horse. Great streams of clarified butter flow.
Wives who are good at heart happily unite with their husbands. Like
that, the flows of clarified butter unite with Agni. The flames of the fire are
pleased at the offerings of clarified butter. They rise upwards.
A sacrifice is held at the place where soma juice is extracted. It is
there that flows of clarified butter are to be found. A bride who is about to
be married, is adorned with ornaments and looks radiant. Radiant are the
flows of clarified butter, as I gaze upon them.
O men! Chant excellent hymns for the gods. O gods! Grant us cows
and victory. Grant us riches that will ensure our welfare. May our sacrifice
attain the gods. Sweet indeed is the clarified butter that flows.
O paramatman! The entire universe seeks refuge in your energy. Your
sweet juices flow in the ocean. Your sweet juices flow in our hearts. They

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are to be found in food grains and in water. They are to be found in the
midst of battles. May your sweet juices fulfil us.
Mandala Five
(This mandala has 87 suktas and 727 mantras. These are ascribed to
various sages. The suktas are addressed mostly to Agni, followed by the
Vishvadevas, the Maruts and Indra, in that order. We begin with a sukta
addressed to the apris. Apris is a collective name for gods and deified
objects. Many such deified objects were forms of Agni. Apri suktas were
recited prior to animal sacrifices. The sukta we reproduce is ascribed to the
sage Vasushruta, the son of the sage Atri. The metre is gayatri.)
Apris
O men! Agni is the learned one. His flames are full of energy and flare
up well. Offer into the fire oblations of powerful clarified butter.
Agni is the one who is praised by men. May Agni inspire this
sacrifice. Agni is the non-violent one. He is the learned one. His rays are
full of sweetness.
O Agni! Be praised and offer us protection. Come to us on the chariot
that brings happiness. Bring our beloved Indra here. Indra is the one who
is strong.
O men! Spread out as seats mats that are soft as wool. The chanting of
hymns has begun. O powerful seats! May you grant us riches.
O divine doors! May you open. May you be blessed with excellent
qualities and may you grant us protection in the course of the sacrifice.
(This refers to the doors of the sacrificial hall.)
O night and dawn! You are beauteous of form. You increase our life
expectancies. You enable this great sacrifice to be performed. We pray to
you.
O officiating priests! You are divine. May the two of you be praised.
May your speed be that of the wind and may you swiftly come to this
sacrifice that is being performed by men. (The two divine officiating
priests could be Agni and Aditya, or Agni and Varuna.)
May the three goddesses Ila, Sarasvati and Bharati grant us happiness.
May they be non-violent. May they come and be seated on the occasion of
the sacrifice.
(Ila has been identified as the goddess of sacred speech and action.
Sarasvati was a river, and so, a river-deity. Later, she came to be identified

32
with the goddess of speech. Bharati has also been identified as a goddess
of speech.)
O Tvashta! You are great and you are the one who grants welfare.
Come here and nourish us on the occasion of every sacrifice. Grant us
protection.
(Tvashta was a divine artisan and the architect of the gods.)
O vanaspati! You are acquainted with the secret places of the gods.
Take our oblations to the gods.
(Vanaspati means a tree. But here, it seems to signify the sacrificial
stake.)
These offerings are being made to Agni. These offerings are being
made to Varuna. These offerings are being made to Indra and the Maruts.
These offerings are being made to all the gods.
Mitravaruna
(Mitra and Varuna are often addressed in unison and referred to as
Mitravaruna. Mitra presides over the day and Varuna over the night. This
sukta is addressed to Mitravaruna and is composed in the trishtupa metre.
It is ascribed to the sage Shrutavidatreya.)
O Mitravaruna! The two of you have places that are always constant.
That is the place where the sun's horses (the rays) are unharnessed and the
true nature of the sun is shrouded in water. (This seems to visualise an
ocean in heaven. And the sun traverses this ocean.) One thousand horses
dwell together. I have seen the beauty of those handsome gods.
O Mitravaruna! Wonderful is your greatness. One of you is always
mobile and instils juices in trees and herbs. The second one nourishes the
celestial cow with energy. One of you possesses a wheel that always
moves.
(Both Mitra and Varuna were probably manifestations of Surya. But
in this passage, Mitra seems to be identified with the sun and Varuna with
water. The sun is the one who is always mobile and whose wheel moves
constantly. The celestial cow is an image for clouds and these are
nourished by Varuna’s water.)
O powerful Mitravaruna! You are the ones who bear up heaven and
earth through your energy. You are the ones who nourish and sustain trees,
herbs and cows. You are the ones who grant boons with quickness. You
are the ones who make rain flow in torrents.

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 O Mitravaruna! May steeds that are harnessed well bring you here.
May the bridles of the horses bring you here. Your forms mirror clarified
butter. You make rivers of clarified butter flow down from heaven.
(The rivers of clarified butter that flow down from heaven must be an
image for rain.)
O Mitravaruna! You are the source of strength. You have been famous
from time immemorial. You protect the earth in the way that mantras
protect a sacrifice. You are the source of food grains. You climb into your
chariot and come to the place of the sacrifice.
Your hands remove all impediments. You are capable of protecting us
even when you are at a distance. You are the ones who do not cause
violence to anyone. O Mitravaruna! The two of you combine to preserve
righteous deeds through a sacrifice. May you grant us riches. May you
grant us houses with a thousand pillars.
Beautiful is the chariot of these gods. The pillars in the chariot are
made of gold. The chariot shines in heaven like lightning. The sacrificial
altar has been measured out in an auspicious place. It has been sprinkled
with sacred water. May Mitravaruna come here on their chariot.
O Mitravaruna! When dawn manifests herself and the sun rises, you
climb into your chariot. You climb into the chariot with golden pillars.
From your chariot you gaze upon the earth and the beings who dwell here.
O Mitravaruna! You are the protector of the universe and the granters
of excellent boons. You are the ones who cannot be vanquished by the
most powerful of enemies. O Mitravaruna! Pure is your home. Protect us
from that home of yours. We desire to obtain riches. We desire to plunder
the riches of our enemies. Grant us these boons.
Savita
(Savita is a manifestation of Surya in his form of the generator. The
sukta that follows is addressed to Savita and is composed in the metre
jagati. It is ascribed to the sage Shyavashva, son of the sage Atri.)
The god Savita is great, intelligent and learned. Learned ones devote
their minds and their intelligence to the worship of Savita. Savita is the one
who knows the best of paths and the best of deeds. It is for that reason that
he alone is the source of all fame. May Savita's praise increase.
Savita is the one who can see far into the future. Savita is the god who
has many forms. He is the one who grants welfare to all bipeds and
quadrupeds. Savita is the superior god who mokes heaven manifest. When

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dawn comes, Savita makes his presence felt.
All the other gods follow the path that is indicated by Savita. It is
Savita who energises the other gods. Savita is the one who measures out
the dimensions of the earth. Great is Savita's energy.
O Savita! You travel in the three radiant worlds. You are the one who
is associated with the rays of the sun. You approach the night from both
directions (rising and setting). O god! Such are your qualities that you
befriend everyone.
O Savita! You alone are the lord and ruler of all the worlds that were
created. You nourish the universe through your care. You are the king of
all the worlds. Brave warriors who possess energetic horses chant hymns
dedicated to you.
Parjanya
(We now have a sukta that is addressed to Parjanya. Parjanya is the
god of thunderstorms and rain. The sukta is ascribed to the sage
Bhoumotri. It is composed in a mixture of the metres trishtupa, anushtupa
and jagati.)
The clouds are strong and swift. They thunder and grant boons. They
instil juices into the wombs of trees and herbs. O men! Pray to the
powerful clouds. Pray to them well. Pray to them through these words.
And chant their praise in all humility.
Clouds lead to lightning and burn down trees. Clouds destroy demons.
Such is the terrible fury of clouds that the universe trembles. Those who
are evil are destroyed through the thunder of clouds. Clouds shower down
rain and preserve those who are righteous.
Parjanya encompasses the sky with rain. Like a charioteer spurring on
his horses with a whip, Parjanya spurs on the clouds to shower down rain.
Parjanya's roar is like that of a lion. It can be heard from a great distance.
The clouds shower down the life force on earth. It is then that winds
begin to blow. Lightning blazes and trees and herbs drink up the water.
The sky itself is nourished. The earth and the entire universe is nourished
and begins to prosper.
It is the acts of the clouds that make the land fertile. It is the acts of
the clouds that make living beings thrive. It is the acts of the clouds that
make trees and herbs grow. O Parjanya! May you grant us a lot of
happiness.

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 O Maruts! Grant us rain from heaven. Nourish us through the
showers. O clouds! Come towards us with your thunder. Shower down
rain and make life flourish. May the clouds nurture us.
O Parjanya! May you thunder and roar. May you instil juices into the
wombs of the trees. Travel in the four directions in your watery chariot.
Overturn your vessels of water so that we may have showers. May there be
such a lot of rain that there remains no difference between mountains and
plains.
O Parjanya! Open up your treasure-house of water. May the water
flow downwards. May the rivers overflow with water and head towards the
east. Fill heaven and earth with water so that the cows may drink their fill.
O Parjanya! When you roar and thunder, the evil ones are killed.
Everything that there is on earth is pleased by your action. (The evil ones
are the demons of drought.)
O Parjanya! It has rained for many years. Now withdraw your
showers. You have made the deserts fertile. You have provided food for
our delight in the form of trees and herbs. All the subjects have sung your
praise.
Prithivi
(Prithivi is the earth and the next sukta is addressed to prithivi. This
too is ascribed to the sage Bhoumotri. It is in the anushtupa metre.)
O prithivi! You are the possessor of excellent qualities. You are
greatness itself. You satisfy living beings through your greatness. You are
indeed the one who bears aloft the mountains.
O land! You are full of energy and you move in all the directions. You
roar like a horse when you accept rain from the clouds. Your devotees sing
your praise through the hymns that they chant.
O land! There are clouds in heaven and lightning streaks through
them. It rains and it is your strength that sustains trees and herbs on the
ground.
Mandala Six
(This mandala has 75 suktas and 765 mantras. Almost all the suktas
are ascribed to the sage Bharadvaja and his family. The suktas are
addressed mostly to Indra, followed by Agni. But we have already
reproduced suktas addressed to Indra and Agni. Let us therefore start with
a sukta that is addressed to cows. This is ascribed to the sage Bharadvaja,

36
descended from Brihaspati. It is composed in a mixture of the metres
trishtupa, jagati and anushtupa.)
Cows
May cows come to our homes and may they ensure our welfare. May
cows reside in the cowsheds and please us. Many are the forms that cows
take, many the hues. Some of them have calves. May the cows yield milk
in the morning so that offerings can be made to Indra.
Indra is the one who enables sacrifices to be performed. He is the one
who grants food grains. He is the one who grants riches. Indra never
reduces the riches of one who gives alms; instead, he increases them.
Those who wish to become like the gods are thereby protected at their
homes.
Cows never perish. Even thieves bear them no hatred. The weapons of
the enemies do not pierce cows. Me who possesses cows uses their milk to
make offerings to the gods. May he always have cows that yield milk.
May those who invade us on horses not be able to rob us of our cows.
May they not be able to kill these cows. May the cows remain in the
possession of he who performs sacrifices. May the cows be free from fear
and roam the vast expanses at will.
Cows are wealth. May Indra grant me cows. The milk obtained from
cows should first be mixed with soma juice. O men! These cows are
nothing but forms of Indra. With great devotion, I pray for the proximity
of the Indra who is in these cows.
O cows! Make us strong. Make those who are ill and lean, strong and
handsome. O cows! You are the source of blessed speech. Make our
households happy. Grant us food. May your fame be chanted in the
assemblies.
O cows! May you have calves. Eat soft grass and drink limpid water
from the ponds. May you not be stolen by thieves. May you not be
possessed by sinners. May Rudra's weapons never pierce you.
May various objects which give strength be mixed with the milk of
cows. O Indra! We have mixed milk with soma juice so that your strength
is increased.
Pusha
(Pusha is a manifestation of Surya; that is, he is a solar deity. In
particular, Pusha acts as a guide on travels and protects cows and other

37
possessions. The next sukta is addressed to Pusha. It is ascribed to the sage
Bharadvaja and is composed in the metres gayatri and anushtupa.)
O Pusha! You are the protector of all routes. You harness steeds to
your chariot so that you may come and grant us food grains. May you
come and increase the wisdom of mankind.
O Pusha! Grant us the riches that will bring welfare to mankind. Grant
us brave sons who will be generous. Take us to households where the
residents are generous of heart.
O radiant Pusha! There are those who are miserly. Change their hearts
so that they may become generous. Traders tend to be hard of heart. Make
their hearts soft.
Seek out the paths that lead to prosperity. Defeat assassins and
enemies. O brave Pusha! May all our acts come to fruition.
O learned and far-sighted one! If traders continue to be hard of heart,
destroy them with your weapons. For our welfare, demolish all these evil
ones.
O Pusha! The panis are robbers. Bring misery to their hearts. May you
desire to bring welfare to everyone. But destroy our enemies for us.
O radiant Pusha! You are learned in the usage of weapons. But others
also display the same knowledge in the usage of weapons. O god! Bring
wisdom to our hearts so that we may look upon everyone as an equal. May
our minds be purified and may all thoughts of evil be banished.
O brave warrior! Your power is all pervasive and increases the
number of animals we possess. May your wisdom be imparted to us. This
is our desire.
O god! Motivate us so that we may serve our cows and horses. May
we attain food grains as well as sons and grandsons. May we live in peace
with the rest of mankind. May our hearts be directed towards that purpose.
Sarasvati
(The next sukta is addressed to Sarasvati. It is ascribed to the sage
Bharadvaja and is composed in a mixture of the metres gayatri, jagati and
trishtupa.)
Vadhryashvaya (a sage) was generous and patient. When he prayed to
Sarasvati, the goddess granted him a son named Divodasa. Divodasa
cancelled all his father's debts. O Sarasvati! Your wisdom is such that it
destroys those who are misers and bring harm to others.

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 (Every man owes a debt to his ancestors. That debt is repaid only
when he gives birth to a son. Once Divodasa was born, his father's
ancestral debt was cancelled.)
This Sarasvati (the river) tears down the highest peaks of mountains
with her torrents. Such is her strength that the mountains seem to be as
delicate as lotus stalks. With sincere devotion, we pray to the goddess
Sarasvati for our protection.
O Sarasvati! Destroy those who criticise god. Destroy all the subjects
who are fraudulent and evil. For the welfare of mankind, grant us the land
masses that are well protected. You are the one who grants food grains.
You make the waters flow. You nourish the worlds.
The goddess Sarasvati is the source of all food grains. She is the one
who grants food grains. May the one who protects our intelligence grant us
protection.
O goddess Sarasvati! Indra prayed to you before he set out to do battle
with the demon Vritra. Others too invoke you before a fight.
O goddess Sarasvati! You are the source of strength. May you grant us
protection in the course of a battle. Like Pusha, grant us riches.
Sarasvati is the valiant one. She rides in a golden chariot. She is the
one who destroys Vritra. She is the one who desires to listen to our
prayers.
Sarasvati's waters know no bounds. They are swift and constantly on
the move. The waters roar as they course.
Sarasvati will banish all our enemies. She is a lover of the truth. She
will take us to her sisters, the other rivers. Sarasvati's radiance is like the
sun during the day.
Sarasvati is our beloved one. She is the one who deserves to be
worshipped. The seven sisters are the seven rivers. Sarasvati is the one
who deserves to be praised.
(The seven rivers have been named earlier.)
Sarasvati is the one who grants material wealth. She is the one who
radiates energy in the atmosphere. May Sarasvati preserve us from those
who criticise us.
Sarasvati resides in the three worlds (heaven, the atmosphere and the
earth). She has seven sisters. She increases the prosperity of the five types
of men. (The five types of men have been enumerated earlier.) She is the

39
goddess who should be worshipped before every battle. She is the goddess
who should be praised before every action.
Sarasvati is supreme among rivers in her greatness, her energy and her
influence. Her stream is swifter than that of other rivers. Her flow is as
vast as a chariot. The supreme creator himself gave birth to Sarasvati. Such
is her learning that she should be praised.
O Sarasvati! Take us to the riches that we desire. May the flow of
your waters not bring us any harm. May we not be denied your proximity.
Accept our devotion and our friendship. Please ensure that we do not
forsake you and go to others.
Dyavaprithivi
(Dyavaprithivi is a word that connotes heaven and earth taken
together. The next sukta is addressed to Dyavaprithivi. It is ascribed to the
sage Bharadvaja and is composed in the jagati metre.)
Dyavaprithivi is full of water and is the refuge of all the worlds. Vast
is the expanse of Dyavaprithivi and sweet are the juices of food grains that
grow there. Beautiful is heaven, and the earth never decays. Both these
regions possess wonderful powers. Varuna is the one who decrees the rules
that heaven and earth follow.
O Dyavaprithivi! The two of you are actually separate. You are full of
water. You are full of milk. You ensure the performance of religious
deeds. You are the source of sacred rites and clarified butter. You make
this universe manifest. O Dyavaprithivi! Make the waters flow so that the
welfare of mankind can be ensured.
O Dyavaprithivi! You are the ones who sustain everything. A man
who devotes himself to the pursuit of a simple life is the one who becomes
famous. One who lives according to the norms of righteousness is the one
who is blessed with sons and grandsons. Many are the codes of conduct
that emanate from you and they are all sacred.
O Dyavaprithivi! You are full of water. You have an intimate
association with that beautiful water. You are great and you know no
bounds. You are at the forefront to receive any oblations that an officiating
priest may make. Learned ones pray to you for the sake of happiness.
O Dyavaprithivi! May you unite us with the sweetest of juices. The
two of you are the sources of all kinds of sweet juices. The two of you
shower down sweet juices. The granting of sweet juices forms part of your
nature. You sustain fame, sacrifices and divinity. Grant us strength, energy

40
and great fame.
May heaven and earth increase our strength. They are like our parents.
They are the omniscient ones who ensure the performance of the best of
deeds. O powerful heaven and earth! You grant welfare to everyone. Grant
us fame, strength and riches.
Brihaspati
(Brihaspati is not quite a god. He is divinity personified in the
officiating priest. He is also the priest of the gods, and subsequently, their
preceptor. The next sukta is addressed to Brihaspati. It is ascribed to the
sage Bharadvaja and is composed in the trishtupa metre.)
Brihaspati is the one who destroys the fortresses of the enemies. He is
the one who was created first and he is the one who ensures the
performance of righteous deeds. He was born in the lineage of Angirasa
and he is personified in the oblations made by warriors. Brihaspati is the
one who protects the land through his excellent qualities. He is radiant
with energy. Brihaspati is the strong one and he is like our father. His roar
can be heard in heaven and on earth.
Brihaspati is the one who ensures the preservation of those who are
righteous. It is righteousness that Brihaspati preserves in the sacrifices of
the gods. He has killed the enemies, demolished their cities and triumphed
over them.
Brihaspati wins riches from the enemies. He wins cows and cowsheds
from the enemies. It is he who brings down water from heaven. Brihaspati
is the invincible one. Through his powers, he destroys the enemies.
Weapons of War
(The next sukta is addressed to various weapons of war. It is ascribed
to the sage Bharadvaja and is composed in the metres trishtupa, jagati,
anushtupa and pamkti.)
Armour - The warrior dons this armour and goes forth to do battle. He
looks like a cloud in the armour. The warrior will not be killed, he will
attain victory. May the glory of the armour protect the soldier.
Bow - This bow will be used to win cows in battle. This bow will be
used for the sake of victory. Fierce will be the battle, but the bow will
triumph. The bow will nullify all the desires of the enemies. The enemies
will be defeated and the bow will be victorious in all the directions.
The string of the bow - The string of the bow is drawn back upto the

41
ear. It seems to be whispering something into the ear. The string of the
bow is extended on the bow. It makes a sound that is like the voice of a
woman. The string of the bow will remove all impediments in battle
The ends of the bow - Like two co-wives who have similar minds, the
two ends of the bow remain united in action. Like a mother carrying her
son on her lap, the two ends of the bow cradle the arrow. The two ends of
the bow help to pierce enemies in battle and destroy them.
The quiver - The quiver is the father of many arrows. It has many
sons. The clanging of the quiver can be heard in battle. This father of
arrows is slung onto the back. The arrows that come out of the quiver
destroy the soldiers of the enemy.
The charioteer - An excellent charioteer sits astride a chariot and
drives the horses where he wills. Marvel at the power of the reins. They
take the chariot where one wants.
The horses - The horses are stronger than bulls. They are so powerful
that they swiftly run with the chariot. Loud is the noise that the horses
make. They attack the enemies with their hooves. Not retreating for a
moment, the horses destroy the enemies.
The chariot - In the chariot has been kept fodder that will please the
horses. In the chariot have been kept weapons for destroying the enemies.
Armour too has been kept in the chariot. May I always be able to sit on the
superior chariot that brings pleasure to the mind.
Defenders of the chariot - These are the ones who bring pleasure and
aid. These are the ones who grant refuge in times of danger. These are the
firm and strong ones, armed with the power of arrows. These brave
warriors fight on the side of righteousness. Enemies can bring them no
harm. Many are the enemies who are defeated by these defenders.
Various gods - May brahmanas, the ancestors, Soma, Pusha and
Dyavaprithivi preserve us from sin and ensure our welfare. May those who
traverse the righteous paths grant us protection. May the evil ones not be
able to enslave us.
(This passage does not quite seem to belong to the sukta.)
The point of the arrow - The arrow has an excellent trail made of
feathers. Sharp indeed is the point of the arrow. The string of the bow is
made out of cowhide. And it is with this that the arrow is shot into the
ranks of the enemy. There are battles in which warriors fight together and
there are battles in which warriors fight singly. Whatever the nature of the

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battle, may the point of the arrow bring me pleasure.
The arrow - O arrow! May you follow a straight path. Protect me from
the four directions and make my body as firm as stone. May Soma increase
my inspiration and may Aditi grant me happiness.
The whip - O whip! You are the one who drives the horses. It is you
who inspire the horses in the course of battle. You descend on the horses
from above. And you lash at them from below.
The arm-guard - It twirls around the arm like a snake. It guards the
arm from the lash of the string of the bow. The arm-guard is like a learned
person who knows the secret of all action. May the arm-guard protect the
warrior from the four directions.
(The arm-guard was worn on the archer's left arm and was fastened on
with leather straps.)
The shaft of the arrow - The shaft of the arrow has been dipped in
snake-venom. It is like the horn of a deer and a bit of iron has been fixed to
the mouth. Parjanya himself has increased the strength of the arrow with
his showers. I bow in obeisance before the god of arrows.
(The head of the arrow used to be tipped with deer- horn. Later, iron
came to be used. The shaft was often made out of reeds and it was the rain
that made the reeds grow.)
The arrow - The arrow has been sharpened by our knowledge. When
one lets go, the arrow flies into the ranks of the enemy. May not a single
one of the enemy lives.
The battlefield - Like a boy who does not have a tonsure, let the arrow
fly where it will. Let Brahmanaspati and Aditi bring us happiness on the
battlefield. May we always be happy.
(This is not dear. Brahmanaspati is the god of prayers and is
sometimes used synonymously with Brihaspati. A boy who does not have
a tonsure has not had his sacred thread ceremony. There are thus no
restrictions on his movements. And like such a boy, the arrow is free to go
anywhere.)
The armour - I cover the delicate parts of your anatomy with armour.
King Soma will bless you with the boon of immortality. Varuna will make
you great and grant you the best of riches. May all the gods be pleased
when you attain victory and may they work towards this end.
Gods - Those who want to kill us may be close to us, or they may be

43
far away. They may be our inferiors. But whatever be their nature, may all
the gods destroy them. I will be protected as I am armed with the armour
of knowledge.
Mandala Seven
(This mandala has 104 suktas and 841 mantras. Most of the suktas are
addressed to Indra, followed by those addressed to Agni. All the hymns are
ascribed to the sage Vasishtha, although his sons also feature in a few
suktas. The first sukta that we choose glorifies Vasishtha and his family. It
is composed in the trishtupa metre.)
Vasishtha
Those who belong to Vasishtha's family are fair in complexion. They
are the intelligent ones who perform righteous action. They wear their
tonsures to the right. Great is the joy that Vasishtha and his family have
brought me. I arose from my seat and told everyone that I did not wish to
be separated from Vasishtha and his family.
(There is an interpretation that the above words are being uttered by
Indra.)
The brave Indra drinks the soma juice that is offered in vessels. He
comes from far away to drink the soma juice that is offered. Soma juice
was also offered by Pashadyumna, the son of Vayat. But Indra preferred
the soma juice offered by Vasishtha.
(There was a king named Sudas and Vasishtha was his priest. So
Vasishtha offered the soma juice on behalf of Sudas. Pashadyumna was a
rival king.)
Indra crossed the river easily and removed all impediments. Thus did
Indra help Sudas in the battle of the ten kings. O Vasishtha! It is because
of your prayers that Indra protected Sudas.
(This needs some explanation. The battle of the ten kings (dasha
rajna) was a fairly important battle to which stray references can be found
in the Rig Veda. Sudas was the king of the Tritsu tribe. He crossed the
river Parushni (Iravati or Ravi) with Indra’s aid and put his enemies to
flight. Ten kings or tribes were allied against Sudas, but they were
defeated.)
O leaders! Your hymns please the ancestors. I have driven the axle of
my chariot. I have driven the chariot so that I can go home. (This "I" may
be Indra.) O those who belong to the family of Vasishtha! May you be
strong and may you not grow infirm. Recite hymns and be blessed with the

44
strength that Indra confers. Increase your strength and chant Indra's praise.
Vasishtha was like a man who was thirsting for water. He sang Indra's
praise prior to the battle of the ten kings. Indra heard the hymns that
Vasishtha chanted. He made vast expanses free for the Tritsu tribe.
The Bharatas were initially as small and insignificant as a rod that is
used to beat cows. But Vasishtha became the priest of the Tritsus and the
Bharatas. It is then that the Bharatas began to prosper.
(In this verse, the suggestion is that the Bharatas and the Tritsus were
identical. Other parts of the Rig Veda indicate that this was not quite the
case. Sudas was originally the king of the Bharatas, not of the Tritsus. At
this point, the priest of the Bharatas was Vishvamitra and Vasishtha was
the priest of the Tritsus. Sudas made Vasishtha his priest and thus forged
an alliance between the Bharatas and the Tritsus. Vishvamitra felt slighted
and formed a confederation of ten kings against Sudas. But the ten kings,
who were led by Bheda, were defeated.)
There are three gods (Agni, Vayu and Surya) who infuse the worlds
with energy. There are three types of subjects who are known as aryas.
(These are brahmanas or priests, kshatriyas or warriors and vaishyas or
traders.) There are three types of sacrifice that are begun at the stroke of
dawn. Vasishtha is well-versed in all this knowledge.
O sons of Vasishtha! May your glory spread before the rays of the
sun. May your fame be deep as the ocean itself. May your hymns reach the
gods as swiftly as Vayu. May no one else be able to duplicate the hymns
that you chant. It is only you who possess that special knowledge.
O those who belong to the family of Vasishtha! There are hundreds
and thousands who labour hard to attain this knowledge. They strive to
light up their hearts with this wisdom. To a person who has attained this
knowledge, the entire universe is like a piece of cloth spread out.
O Vasishtha! Your energy flashed out like a streak of lightning. When
you appeared from the lightning, that was like a birth and Mitra and
Varuna witnessed this birth of yours. The sage Agastya introduced you to
mankind.
(Vasishtha is believed to have been Agastya's younger brother.
Presumaby, Agastya introduced Vasishtha to the Tritsus.)
O Vasishtha! You are the son of Mitra and Varuna. O brahmona! You
were mothered by the celestial nymph Urvashi. When you were born,
divine hymns were chanted and the gods showered down their benediction.

45
 Vasishtha is acquainted with all the knowledge of heaven and earth.
He is the one who gives a thousand forms of alms. He is the one who
donates everything. Vasishtha is the one who spreads out knowledge like
an open piece of cloth. Vasishtha was born of an apsara (a celestial
nymph).
Mitra and Vanina were initiated as priests at the time of a sacrifice.
They put their energy into a pot. From this energy, first Agastya was born.
Vasishtha was born after that.
O Bharatas! Vasishtha is coming to you. Welcome him with due
respect. Vasishtha will be your leader in the chanting of sacred hymns. He
will be the chief of the adhvaryus.
Water
(The next sukta is addressed to water and is composed in the trishtupa
metre.)
O water! You will enable us to obtain divinity. Soma herbs have been
obtained from the ground, thanks to the generosity of water. Water has
been mixed with the extracted soma juice and is being offered to Indra.
The water that comes from rain is pure and free of sin. May this sweet
water be mixed with soma juice. May we obtain this juice today. May we
drink it today.
O water! Your sweet flow has been mixed with the soma juice. May
Agni protect the water and the soma juice. Indra and the Vasus are pleased
when they drink this soma juice. We wish to become like the gods
themselves. May we too obtain the soma juice today. May we get to drink
it.
Divine water performs purification in a hundred, ways. It grants
pleasure through the provision of
Food grains. Divine water is used in the sacrifices of the gods. This is
the water that preserves all of Indra's actions. Offer oblations of clarified
butter to the water of the rivers.
With its rays, the sun spreads the water in all directions. Indra himself
dug the routes along which water could travel. O water of the rivers! May
your flow grant us the best of food grains and riches. May water always
protect us and ensure our welfare.
Vastoshpati
(The next sukta is addressed to Vastoshpati. The word vastu means

46
house and Vastoshpati is the god of the household. In the course of the
hymn, he is also referred to as Indu. Indu is another name for Soma. The
sukta is composed in the trishtupa metre.)
O Vastoshpati! May you look upon us as your own. Make sure that
disease does not frequent our houses. Grant us the riches that we ask of
you. Ensure the welfare of all bipeds and quadrupeds.
O Vastoshpati! You are the one who delivers us. You are the one who
increases our prosperity. O Indu! May we be blessed with cows and
horses. May we not suffer from old age. May you look upon us as friends.
A father takes care of his son. Like that, you will take care of us.
O Vastoshpati! May we attain happiness and beauty through your
blessings. May we get to attend your assembly. May we be counted as
members of your assembly. You will grant us the riches that we deserve.
You will also grant us the riches that we do not deserve. You will protect
all our riches and ensure our welfare.
Vishnu
(Vishnu was a minor god in the Vedas. He became prominent in post-
Vedic times. In the Vedas, Vishnu seems to have been a manifestation of
Surya. The next sukta is addressed to Vishnu and is composed in the
trishtupa metre.)
O Vishnu! Your superior form is one that expands. No one is capable
of fathoming your greatness. I know of the two worlds, heaven and earth,
that you inhabit. But O god! There is also a world above all these that you
inhabit.
O Vishnu! The furthest extremities of your greatness remain
unknown. He who has been born does not know this. Nor will he who will
be born, ever know this. It is you who have established heaven above. That
is a beautiful sight, fit to behold. It is you who hold up the eastern frontiers
of the earth.
O Dyavaprithivi! You wish to ensure the welfare of all of mankind. It
is for that reason that you produce food grains and cows. O Vishnu! You
have held aloft heaven and earth. With mountain ranges, you have made
the earth firm.
O Vishnu! You have created vast expanses so that sacrifices may be
held. O Vishnu and Indra! The two of you are the leaders. You have given
birth to Surya, Usha and Agni. The enemies were strong and well-
protected. But you invaded and vanquished them in your clever way.

47
 O Indra and Vishnu! The demon Shambara possessed ninety-nine
invincible fortresses. But you demolished them. You killed the hundreds
and thousands of soldiers that the demon Varchasvi sent.
This hymn of praise is indeed lofty. It is a hymn that has been
composed in praise of the strong and valiant Indra and Vishnu. O Indra
and Vishnu! 1 have submitted these hymns so that they may be chanted on
the occasion of the sacrifice. May you provide us food at the time the
battle.
O Vishnu! I have offered these oblations of food grains to you. O
Vishnu! You are the energetic one. Accept the offerings that I have made.
May these excellent hymns that I have composed add to your fame. Grant
us protection and ensure our welfare.
The Frog Song
(Our final sukta from mandala seven is the frog song. This is
composed in the trishtupa and anushtupa metres. What is remarkable
about this sukta is the element of satire in the comparison of the priests to
the frogs.)
The brahmanas who have been observing religious rites have been
quiet for a year while the rites were going on. Now that the rites are over,
they have begun to recite hymns. They are like the frogs which have
remained quiet for a year, as long as it was hot. Now that the monsoon has
started, the frogs have started to croak.
The frogs lay there, in ponds that were dry. They seemed to be
wrinkled bags made of skin. As soon as water descended from the
monsoon clouds, the frogs began to croak. Their sound was like the lowing
of cows that have calved.
One whose throat is parched thirsts for water. The frogs were like
thirsty people. When the clouds gave rise to monsoon showers, the frogs
started to croak. The sound of the croaking was like the sound of a father
talking to his son. One frog went to another, and they gathered together.
One frog welcomed another, as the monsoon showers made them all
happy. Once it rained, the frogs began to leap. A spotty frog leaped to a
green frog and the two seemed to talk.
One frog seemed to talk to another. It was almost as if a disciple was
conversing with his teacher. The frogs leaped on the water and croaked,
and their bodies glistened and shone.
One frog croaked like a cow, another croaked like a goat. One frog

48
was spotty, another was green. All of them were frogs, as commonly
referred to. And yet they were all different. Distinct from one another.
Many were their forms and different were the voices in which they
croaked.
At the sacrifice named atiratra, brahmanas gather together. The frogs
were like brahmanas assembled for such a sacrifice. As soon as the
monsoon made the pond full, the frogs gathered together. The first day of
monsoon showers is earmarked for such an assembly.
Brahmanas observe sacrifices for a year. Soma juice is offered at
these sacrifices and hymns are recited at the end of the year. The adhvaryu
priests sweat as they chant the mantras. No one leaves the place of the
sacrifice. No one stays hidden. The frogs were like these priests.
The leaders are the ones who follow the divine codes of conduct. They
observe the religious rites in each of the twelve months. As soon as it
rains, the frogs which have suffered from the heat, emerge.
The frog which croaks like a cow will grant us riches. The frog which
croaks like a goat will grant us riches. The frog that is spotty will grant us
riches, the one that is green will grant us riches. The monsoon indicates the
advent of a thousand herbs. The frogs will grant us a hundred cows. They
will increase our life expectancies.
(The frogs grant all these objects as they proclaim the onset of the
monsoon. The rains revive the earth, and in this sense, grant all these
riches.)
Mandala Eight
(This mandala has 103 suktas and 1716 mantras. The suktas are
ascribed to various sages. Most of the mantras are addressed to Indra,
followed by those to Agni and the Ashvinis. The valakhilya section that
was mentioned in the introduction forms part of this mandala. In order to
learn about gods other than those who have figured earlier, we start with a
sukta addressed to the Adityas. Aditi is the mother of the gods and Aditya
signifies 'son of Aditi'. Thus, Aditya is a general expression for all gods.
But the word Aditya is also used in a more specific sense. There are twelve
manifestations of Surya, one for each of the twelve solar months. These
are the twelve Adityas. The sukta that we reproduce is ascribed to the sage
Kanva and is composed in the ushnika metre.)
It is certain that a man who worships the Adityas and follows the rules
indicated by them, will obtain riches and happiness such as have never

49
been obtained before.
The path followed by the Adityas is a straight one and is free of all
violence. The path indicated by the Adityas is the path that should be
followed by mankind. It is the path that leads to happiness.
May Savita, Bhaga, Varuna, Mitra and Aryama (five Adityas) grant us
the great happiness that we have been desiring.
O goddess! You nourish us along the path that Is blessed with the best
of qualities. That path is free of all violence and is full of love. You are the
immortal goddess. Come to us with learning and come to us with
happiness. Come to us with all the gods.
(The goddess in question is Aditi.)
O mother Aditi! Your great sons are free from evil and perform the
best of deeds. They know well how to banish the enemies who hate them.
They know well the means of destroying sinners.
Aditi is the goddess who is never destroyed. May the pure Aditi
protect our animals during the day. May she protect them during the night.
May mother Aditi ensure the prosperity of our sons and our animals. May
she preserve us from sin.
Aditi is the source of all intelligence. She will come to us with her
powers of protection. Aditi will grant us peace and happiness. She will
banish all our enemies.
The two Ashvinis are the physicians of the gods. May they grant us
happiness and may they protect us from sin. May they banish our enemies.
Agni's flames and energies will ensure our welfare. Surya will radiate
just the right amount of heat, so that we are warmed, but not burnt up. May
the pure Vayu blow and grant us happiness. May all the gods banish our
enemies.
O Adityas! May disease not come dose to us. Banish our enemies.
May we not fall prey to evil thoughts. Preserve us from all manner of sin.
O Adityas! Banish all our enemies and banish all our evil thoughts.
You are the ones who possess all the wisdom that there is. Please make
sure that those who hate us do not get to come near us.
O Adityas! You are the generous ones. Grant us the happiness that
makes even sinners forsake the path of sin.
There are men who have become like demons and wish to kill us. May
such men be destroyed through their own deeds. May such men not be able

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to come near us.
There are those who hate us and are treacherous towards us. These
violent and evil ones are our enemies. May their sins devour them up.
O Adityas! You are the gods who establish everything. You know
who are fraudulent and who are not. May you only reside with men who
are pure of heart.
We desire to obtain the happiness that there is in mountains and in
water. May heaven and earth protect us from sin.
O gods! You are the ones who establish everything. Grant us
happiness and ensure our welfare. The chanting of your names will protect
us from all sin.
O great Adityas! The sacrifice to which you wish to come is being
performed. We are the ones who desire to be like your friends. May you
look upon us with favour.
We call upon the Indra who protects the Maruts. We call upon the
Ashvinis, Mitra and Varuna. We call upon Vastoshpati, the lord of
households. May all these gods ensure our welfare.
O Mitra, Aryama and Varuna! O Maruts! Make us non-violent and
grant us fame. Grant us three - storeyed houses.
O Adityas! All of us men will eventually die. But grant us long lives.
May we live for many years.
Praskanva's Gift
(We next have a sukta from the valakhilya section. The valakhilyas
were sages who were physically small in stature. In mandala eight, there
are eleven suktas which constitute the valakhilya section. These eleven
hymns are not included in mandala eight, but are placed after it, as a sort
of supplement. Commentators on the Rig Veda have tended to ignore
them.)
The sukta we reproduce from the valakhilya section is called
Praskanva's gift and is composed in the gayatri and anushtupa metres. It is
ascribed to the sage Kanva. But there seems to have been a sage named
Praskanva, who belonged to the Kanva family. He invoked Indra to aid a
king in a fight against the enemies.)
It is Indra's great valour which becomes manifest the four directions.
O Indra! You are the one who slices up all the demons. May we receive
your bounty.

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 O Indra! There are a hundred white bulls in heaven. They shine like
the stars in the sky. Indra has granted us these bulls, he has granted us a
hundred bamboos. He has granted us a hundred dogs and as many soft
hides. Indra gave us a hundred bundles of sacrificial grass and four
hundred red horses.
O son of Kanva! (This is a reference to Praskanva.) May you become
like a god and room like the birds. May you roam like a horse.
O men! Pray to the Indra who is the lord of the seven regions that
there are. Indra is the complete one and his fame is widespread. There are
paths that are dark with the shadow of sin. One who has managed to cross
these paths gets to see Indra.
Mandala Nine
(There are 114 suktas and 1108 mantras in mandala nine. Barring a
single exception, all the suktas are addressed to Pavamana Soma. Soma is
the personification of the soma juice, and is also identified with the moon-
god. Pavamana signifies 'that which is being purified. This refers to the
purification of the extracted soma juice, to its being strained through
strainers. To avoid repetition, we reproduce only one sukta from mandala
nine. This is composed in the gayatri metre and is ascribed to the sage
Vishvamitra.)
Pavamana Soma
The soma juice has been extracted so that Indra may drink it. O Soma!
May you be pleasing to the palate. Flow in streams that will be a source of
happiness.
Soma is the one who destroys all the demons. Soma is the one who
sees everything. The place where pots of soma juice have been placed has
been made firm with iron stakes.
O Soma! You are the one who grants riches. You are the one who
destroys powerful enemies. Rob the enemies of their riches and grant those
riches to us.
Sacrifices are being performed for the great gods. May soma juice be
offered at these sacrifices, together with food grains. May soma juice grant
us food grains and riches.
O Soma! We serve you well. That is our desire every day. O Soma! It
is to you that we express all our wishes.
Soma juice is extracted from soma herbs. It is then purified. It is

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poured through a piece of doth that is spread out. It is Surya’s daughter
who performs the act of straining, an act of purification.
(Surya's daughter is shraddha, or respect. The implication is that soma
juice is strained most respectfully, with faith and devotion in one's heart.)
On the day of the sacrifice, ten fingers grasp the soma herbs. The ten
fingers of the hand are like ten women who are sisters.
The fingers bring the soma herbs. They extract the powerful soma
juice from the herbs. Sweet is the juice and there are three types of power
in it. Soma juice prevents all sorts of misery.
(The three types of power in soma juice are the powers to purify the
body, the mind and intelligence.)
Cows should never be killed. They look upon Soma as their son. The
milk from cows is mixed with soma juice and an offering is then made to
Indra.
It is the pleasure that is derived from drinking the soma juice which
provides Indra energy to demolish the enemies who surround him. It is the
valiant Indra who grants riches.
Mandala Ten
(Mandala ten is the richest mandala of the Rig Veda Samhita. Most of
the references that one finds to the Rig Veda are from this mandala. As a
whole, the mandala has 181 suktas and 1754 mantras.
We start with a dialogue between Yama and Yami. Yama and Yami
were, respectively, the son and daughter of Vivasvana or Surya. They were
thus, brother and sister. The sukta is ascribed to no particular sage. Yama
and Yami are themselves referred to as the sages. The hymn is composed
in the trishtupa metre.)
Yama and Yami
Yami tells Yama - In the secret places that are near the vast ocean, I
would like to become your friend. I welcome you with an open heart.
Prajapati, the creator, has made us and is like our father. He has desired
that we may unite and have an excellent son. Otherwise, the human race
will not multiply.
Yama replies - I am indeed your friend and your companion. But I do
not desire to become your husband. You are my sister and a brother cannot
marry a sister. Besides, this is not a secret place at all. There are the sons
of the demons, who are mighty and strong. They are everywhere and see

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all that happens on heaven and earth.
Yami says - You may be right. Such a union between a brother and a
sister may be forbidden among men. But such a union is not frowned upon
or discouraged by the gods. I wish to become your wife, do not refuse me.
Become my husband and grant me a son that I may bear in my womb.
Yama replies -I have never done anything like this before, I always
follow the path of truth. I have never lied. Our parents are the gandharvas
(a semi-divine species) in heaven, the Adityas who rule over the water, and
the great Pusha. They are our best friends. What you propose is not proper,
as our parents would disapprove of such a union.
Yami says - The great god Tvashta is the creator of all that there is.
He is everywhere and bears up everything. It is Tvashta himself who
decreed that we should be man and wife; for, there is no one else. How can
one go against the wishes of that great creator? Heaven and earth will
approve of our marriage.
Yama replies - Who knows the secrets of the first day of creation?
Who knows how the universe was created? Who knows what relationships
are sanctioned? But what you propose is a sin. It will lead to a downfall of
the world that Mitra and Varuna preside over.
Yami says - All that I know is that I want you to become my husband.
We will be like the two wheels of a chariot, united in action. Let us be man
and wife.
Yama replies - The spies of the gods roam throughout the world, night
and day. They never rest in one place, their eyes are never closed. If we
commit a sin, it will not escape them. You will bring unhappiness to both
of us. Go to some other man. You and he can be like the two wheels of a
chariot. Establish a relationship with him.
Yami says - Let night and day grant us what we desire. Let the energy
of the sun grant Yama what he wants. Heaven and earth know that there is
no one but the pair of us. May Yami become Yama's wife. There is no sin
in this.
Yama replies - Perhaps there will be some era in the future, when a
brother may become his sister's husband. But that day has not come. O
beauteous one! Wish for someone else as your husband. Seek refuge with
another.
Yami says - What sort of a brother do I have? He cannot even satisfy
his sister's wishes. What sort of a sister am I? I am forced to be unhappy,

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even though I have a brother to succour me. Many are the words I have
uttered. I love you. Marry me.
Yama replies - Unfortunately, it is also true that I do not wish to marry
you. A brother who marries a sister commits a sin. Leave me alone. Go to
some other man and find your pleasure with him. O beautiful one! Your
brother does not wish to become your husband.
Yami says - O Yama! You are indeed weak. I have not been able to
fathom what goes on in your mind. Do you have some other wife? Has
some other woman tied you up, the way a horse is tied up with a noose?
Like a creeper entwines itself around a tree, has some other woman
embraced you?
Yama replies - O Yami! Go and embrace some other man like a
creeper embracing a tree. May some other man embrace you. May you be
able to charm his mind. May he be able to charm you. May you be happy
with him.
Havirdhanas
(The next sukta is addressed to the Havirdhanas. Two shakatas or
carts were used at sacrifices to carry offerings, for example, soma herbs.
These carts were known as the Havirdhanas. The sukta is composed in the
trishtupa and jagati metres. It is not clear to which sage the sukta is
ascribed, but he seems to have belonged to the Angirasa family.)
O carts! These mantras originated many years ago. I utter the mantras
and place food grains and other sacrificial offerings on you. I take you to
the place of the sacrifice. My hymns are like the oblations. May they attain
the gods. The gods are the sons of the great creator. They live in divine
places. May the gods listen to my prayers.
The two carts are taken to the place of sacrifice together. Men who are
devoted to the gods place oblations on the carts. You (the carts) know the
place where you are supposed to stand. You are the excellent stands on
which soma juice is placed.
There are five steps that lead to the sacrifice. May I climb each of the
steps. Four of these are trishtupa and other metres in which hymns are
composed. The fifth step is the sacred syllable om, to whose chanting I
perform the sacrifice. On the altar of the sacrifice is placed the purified
soma juice.
For the sake of the gods, may death be banished. May the immortal
life that all living beings are entitled to, not be destroyed. The officiating

55
priests are performing the sacrifice to the chanting of sacred hymns. May
the nooses of death not be able to encompass our physical bodies.
Soma juice is like our father. It deserves to be praised. It is from soma
juice that the seven basic metres emanate. The choristers are chanting the
hymns. The two carts shine in heaven and on earth. The two carts try to
nourish men and gods.
Manasa
(Manasa means spirit. This hymn is addressed to the spirit of a man
who is about to die. It attempts to call the spirit back. The sukta is
composed in the anushtupa metre. It is ascribed to sages named
Shrutabandhu, Viprabandhu and Gopayana.)
Your spirit has gone far away. Yama is the son of Vivasvana. Your
spirit has gone to Yama. May your spirit come back. You have been born
so that you may live in this world.
Your spirit has gone far away. It has gone near heaven and the earth.
May your spirit return. You have been born so that you may live in this
world.
Your spirit has gone far away. It has reached the earth which is heated
from the four directions. (This suggests the desert.) May your spirit return.
You have been born so that you may live in this world.
Your spirit has gone far away in the four directions. May your spirit
return. You have been born so that you may live in this world.
Your spirit has gone far away. It has reached the water of the ocean.
May your spirit return. You have been born so that you may live in this
world.
Your spirit has gone far away. It has reached the rays that radiate out
in the four directions. May your spirit return. You have been born so that
you may live in this world.
Your spirit has gone far away. It has reached the water, the trees and
the herbs. May your spirit return. You have been born so that you may live
in this world.
Your spirit has gone far away. It has reached the sun and the dawn.
May your spirit return. You have been born so that you may live in this
world.
Your spirit has gone far away. It has reached the lofty mountains. May
your spirit return. You have been born so that you may live in this world.

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 Your spirit has gone far away, beyond the portals of this world. May
your spirit return. You have been born so that you may live in this world.
Your spirit has gone far away, as far away as is possible to imagine.
May your spirit return. You have been born so that you may live in this
world.
Your spirit has gone far away. It has reached the past and the future.
May your spirit return. You have been born so that you may live in this
world.
Rivers
(The next sukta is addressed to rivers. It is composed in the jagati
metre and is ascribed to the sage Preyamedha.)
O waters! I sing hymns in praise of your greatness. I chant them at the
house of the one who is performing the sacrifice. Twenty-one are the
rivers that flow, seven for each of the three worlds. The most famous of all
these rivers is the Sindhu (Indus). It is the greatest.
O Sindhu! When you headed for the fertile plains, Varuna himself
charted out a path for you. Excellent is the course that you follow. You are
the source of life for all living beings.
The thunder of your roar is heard in the sky, above the earth. Your
waters shine as they speed past. The river Sindhu thunders like a bull. The
sound it makes is like the clouds thundering before the onset of showers. It
has been said that the Sindhu roars in the sky before descending on earth.
O Sindhu! A mother goes to her son with love in her heart. A cow
goes to a calf that has just been born, to offer it milk. Like that, other rivers
head towards a confluence with the Sindhu. You are the leader of the
rivers, like a king is the leader of his army. You are foremost among all the
rivers.
O Ganga! O Yamuna! O Sarasvati! O Shutudri! (The Shutudri is the
Sutlej.) O Parushni! O Asikli! (The Asikli is the Chandrabhaga or the
Chenab.) O Marudvridha! (This river has not been identified.) O Vitasta!
(The Vitasta is the Jhelum.) O Sushoma! (The Sushoma is said to be
another name for the Sindhu.) O Arjikiya! (The Arjikiya has been
identified as the Vipasha or the Beas.) O Sindhu! May you and the other
seven rivers listen to our prayers.
(Originally, there were seven rivers including the Sindhu. Moreover,
in addition to the Sindhu, nine rivers are mentioned in the above passage.)

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 O Sindhu! You wish to unite with the fast-flowing Gomati river. But
first you unite with the river named Tushtama. Then you unite with the
rivers Susartu, Shveti, Kubha and Mehatnu. You unite with them, as if you
are riding on the same chariot with them.
White are the waters of the Sindhu and they flow straight ahead. Fast
is the Sindhu and its speed cannot be stemmed. The river is like a fleet-
footed stallion. It is as handsome as a beautiful woman.
Sindhu possesses excellent horses, beautiful chariots, handsome
clothing and golden ornaments. Its water is pure and it abounds in aquatic
plants. Flowering trees line its banks.
Sindhu possesses a chariot that brings happiness. To this chariot,
steeds are harnessed. Sindhu will bring us food grains in that chariot. The
praise of the river is chanted at the time of a battle or a sacrifice. Great and
famous is Sindhu's chariot. It performs no violent deeds.
Vishvakarma
(The next sukta is addressed to Vishvakarma. Vishvakarma is
regarded as the creator of the universe. Later, he came to be regarded as
the architect of the gods. The sukta is composed in the trishtupa metre and
is ascribed to the sage Bhouvana.)
Vishvakarma was the first priest. He performed a sacrifice so that all
the worlds and all the riches could be created. He offered oblations to Agni
and to himself. He is our father. Vishvakarma recited hymns so that the
riches that are typified in heaven might be created. First, he created the
universe. Next, he merged into Agni.
Where was Vishvakarma at the time of creation? What did he look
like then? Where did he start his act of creation? How did he go about the
task? Who knows why Vishvakarma created the land masses of the earth?
Why did he create the vast expanse of the sky? Who knows the answers to
these questions?
Vishvakarma is the paramatman. He is omniscient. His mouths, his
arms, and his feet are everywhere. It is this paramatman who created the
three worlds. With his own hands and feet, he created heaven and earth at
the same time. He is the single and supreme godhead who oversees the
functioning of the universe.
What was the forest and what the trees with which heaven and earth
were fashioned? O learned one! Search in your mind to see if you know
the answer to this question. Think of the place where the supreme godhead

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resides. It is there that he bears up the entire universe.
O Vishvakarma! You are the supreme creator. You have a superior
body, you have a medium body, and you have an inferior body. May all
these bodies make the elements our friends. May water be mixed with your
body to generate food grains. May we obtain these food grains.
O Vishvakarma! The oblations increase your strength. Through your
power and wisdom, you bear up heaven and earth. May oblations be
offered to heaven and earth at the time of sacrifices. Those who do not
perform sacrifices according to the proper rites, may, they be deluded.
Vishvakarma is the lord of all riches at all sacrifices. May he grant us
heaven and earth.
Vishvakarma is the lord of all speech. He is as swift as the speed of
thought. We call upon Vishvakarma so that he may offer us protection at
the time of this sacrifice. May he accept our oblations and grant us
protection. He is the one who is the source of all happiness and the source
of all righteous action.
Purusha
(The next sukta is the famous Purusha sukta. Purusha is the
embodiment of the universal soul and is thus regarded as the origin of the
universe. The sukta is composed in the anushtupa and trishtupa metres and
is ascribed to the sage Narayana.)
Purusha is the supreme godhead who has a thousand heads, a
thousand eyes and a thousand feet. He surrounds the earth from the four
directions. One of his forms is merely ten fingers tall. But it pervades
creation.
(One interpretation is that, purusha or the paramatman also has a
manifestation in terms of the individual soul or atman. It is the atman
which is ten fingers in length.)
It is the purusha who is the past and the future. It is the purusha who
is the present. The purusha flourishes through food grains. He is the lord
of immortality and of divine bliss.
Immense is the greatness of the purusha. But there is a purusha who
is superior to him as well. All the elements that constitute the universe are
merely like one foot of the purusha. Three of his footsteps provide
immortality in heaven.
Three of the purusha's footsteps can be traced in heaven. His form is
divided into four quarters. One fourth of his form is born again and again

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in the universe in the shape of living beings. He created in the four
directions being that live on food grains and beings that do not.
(Beings that live on food grains are the sentient ones. The others are
insentient.)
It is from the purusha that virat was created. Above virat, there is the
greater purusha. Virat was divided into various parts. First, the land and
the worlds were created. Physical bodies emerged later.
(Virat is regarded as the female counterpart of the primeval purusha.)
The gods offered oblations to purusha and virat. They performed a
sacrifice. The spring season was the clarified butter that was offered on the
occasion of the sacrifice. The summer season was the kindling and the
autumn season was the oblation.
Virat was the first to be created and deserved to be worshipped. The
gods and the sages saw virat and purusha and performed a sacrifice in
their honour.
From that sacrifice were obtained curds and clarified butter. The birds
that fly in the sky were created. The animals that live in the forests where
Vayu rules, also emerged. Domesticated animals were created.
From the sacrifice emerged the mantras of the Rig veda, Sama hymns,
Various metres and the mantras of the Atharva Veda and the mantras of
the Yajur Veda as well.
From that sacrifice were created horses and animals that have two
tusks. Cows, goats and sheep emerged.
The purusha who has been mentioned was described in all sorts of
ways. What was his mouth like? Where were his two arms? Where were
his thighs and where were his feet? Such are the questions that are asked.
From the mouth of the purusha were born the learned brahmanas.
From his arms were bom the brave kshatriyas. From his thighs were bom
vaishyas and from his feet were bom the shudras (a servant or slave class).
The moon was created from the mind of the paramatman. His eyes
became the sun. Indra and Agni were born from the mouth and Vayu was
created from the breath of life.
The atmosphere was made from the paramatman's navel. His head
became heaven and his feet the earth. The directions were created from his
ears. In this fashion, other worlds can be thought to have been created
from other parts of the paramatman's anatomy.

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 Seven were the fencings (the metres) that encircled the place where
the sacrifice was held. Twenty-one bundles of kindling were used. The
gods performed the sacrifice and the paramatman himself was the
sacrificial beast.
The gods began to perform the sacrifice with the aid of the purusha.
This was one of the most righteous acts ever performed. The individuals
who performed this righteous act reside in the most sacred of places. It is
certainly the case that learned men go to that most happy of places.
Urvashi and Pururava
(In this sukta, Urvashi and Pururava are described as the divinities to
whom the hymn is addressed. They are also described as the sages to
whom the hymn is ascribed. The entire hymn is in the form of a dialogue
between Urvashi and Pururava. The sukta is composed in the trishtupa
metre.
In a naturalistic sense, Pururava has been interpreted as the morning
sun and Urvashi as the dawn. The sukta in question is however based on a
more earthy legend. Urvashi was an apsara from heaven who was
banished to the earth. There she encountered King Pururava and Pururava
wished to marry Urvashi. Urvashi agreed, subject to two conditions being
met. The first was that Pururava should always take care of two rams that
Urvashi possessed. The second condition was that Urvashi should never
see Pururava naked. The couple married and lived together for four years.
But the gandharvas plotted to take Urvashi back to heaven. One night,
they stole one of the rams. In an attempt to catch the thief, Pururava rose
from his bed, without having the time to put his clothes on. At that
moment, there was a flash of lightning and Urvashi caught a glimpse of
her husband naked. Since the conditions were violated, Urvashi vanished
and returned to heaven. Pururava met her subsequently and begged her to
return to him. Urvashi consented to do this, but only until a son was born
to them.)
Pururava - O cruel wife! Stay here for a short while with your loving
words. May the two of us remain together for some time and converse.
The memory of the conversation that we have together will be a source of
happiness in the days to come.
Urvashi - What purpose will these dry words serve? What happiness
can be gleaned from them? I will disappear from your presence like the
dawn. O Pururava! Return to your home. I am as elusive as the wind.

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 Pururava - Your separation has caused me much pain. I can no longer
lift an arrow from my quiver in pursuit of victory. I am strong. Yet, I find
myself unable to rob my enemies of their cattle and riches. I no longer find
the power to carry on with my kingly duties. I used to be like a lion whose
roars struck terror into enemies on the field of battle. Alas, all that is a
thing of the past.
Urvashi - O dawn! This Urvashi wishes to cook food for her father-in-
law. I think of my husband often, and I wish to go to his house. Night and
day, I think of my happy life with him. O Pururava! I think of the joy we
have had together. I never had any feelings of jealousy for my co-wives. O
brave warrior! You were my lord.
Pururava - O Urvashi! You came to me with four of your friends.
Their names were Sujurni, Shreni, Sumnapi and Hridechakshu. But after
you left, they no longer come to visit me, dressed in their gorgeous
clothing. I no longer hear the sounds of their voices, like the voices of
cows that have just calved.
Urvashi - O Pururava! When you were born, the wives of the gods
came to witness the birth. The rivers that flow bowed down in salutation
before the baby. The gods gave you the strength to vanquish and kill
enemies in battle. When Pururava came before the apsaras, they fled
before his energy. It was as if deer were fleeing from a hunter. Yet
Pururava married this apsara and loved her. Urvashi had a fleeting
presence like the lightning that flashes through the clouds. My wishes will
be fulfilled if I bear your son. Urvashi prays that the boy may have a long
life. O Pururava! The son that I bear you will rule over the whole world. I
warned you that my conditions would have to be met, but you paid no
heed. You broke the conditions. What is the point of sorrowing now?
Pururava - When will you give birth to a son who will address me as
father? He will come to me and ay. Who will wipe his tears then? How can
a son be born who will lead to his parents being separated? When will your
son frolic in the house of your father-in-law?
Urvashi - I will answer your questions. When your son cries, I will
pray for his welfare. I will make sure that he has no reason to cry. I will
send your son to you when he is bom. It is time for you to return home
now. Do not be ignorant. It is impossible for me to be with you now.
Pururava -I was your beloved husband, but I have fallen from that
pedestal. How does it matter if I die unprotected in distant lands? How

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does it matter if I sleep on the ground or die in grief? How does it matter if
wolves devour me in the forests?
Urvashi - O Pururava! May you not die. Do not fall from your
pedestal. May you come to no harm and may wolves not bring you grief.
May you be preserved. The love of women is but fickle. Their hearts are as
cruel as those of wolves. I adopted the form of a woman and lived among
men. I lived with you for the space of four years. I loved you. Those
memories will serve me well once I take leave of you.
Pururava - You are the joy of the atmosphere. I am the generous
Pururava, I am the performer of great deeds. 1 love you. May I be united
with you. My heart is suffering at the thought of the impending separation.
Do not go away. Please return to me.
Urvashi - O Pururava! You are the son of Ila. The gods are telling you
that you are mortal. But you will worship the best of gods. And after your
death, you will go to heaven and be happy.
Herbs
(The next sukta is a praise to herbs. It is ascribed to a sage named
Bhishag, bom in the line of the sage Atharvan. The hymn is composed in
the anushtupa metre.)
Many are the forms that herbs take. They are full of juices. The gods
themselves gave birth to herbs in three different periods of time. (The three
periods of time are the seasons spring, monsoon and autumn.) I know that
the brown herbs are to be found in a hundred and seven different places.
(Hundred and seven is probably simply a large number.)
O herbs! You are like our mothers. You are to be found in a hundred
different places. You have a thousand saplings. Many are the acts that you
are capable of performing. May you cure us of all ailments.
O herbs! May you thrive and may you have flowers. May you look
upon patients with favour. The diseases are like enemies, may you invade
them like horses attacking foes. You free us from illnesses. You deliver us
from disease.
O herbs! You are the possessors of divine qualities. You are like
mothers in the way that you take care of us. That is what I feel about you.
O physician! I grant you my horses, cows and clothing for the sake of
these herbs.
O herbs! It is certain that you grow on trees. You are to be found on
the palasha tree. You are praised by mankind and you are the ones who

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nourish cows.
Like kings coming together to do battle, various herbs come together
and mingle. The physician is a learned person. He is well-versed in the
treatment of diseases and ailments.
I know the names of the herbs Ashvavati, Somavati, Udojasa and
Urjayanti. These and other herbs heal the body.
Like cows emerging from cowsheds, all sorts of powerful juices
emerge from herbs. O man! These herbs will serve your body and grant
you the wealth of good health.
O herbs! Your mother is named lshkriti (relief) . You cure
ailments and banish all disease. May you quickly fall down (presumably,
from the trees). May he who is a patient, be quickly cured.
Like a thief invading a cowshed, the herbs invade all sorts of disease.
Herbs banish all the ailments that cause trouble to the body.
I grasp with my hands herbs that are a source of strength.
Like animals fleeing before a hunter, the symptoms of the disease run
away.
O herbs! The disease has entered the limbs and the bones of the
patient. May the herbs enter his body and purge all disease.
O disease! Fly away like birds. Run quickly away. May you have the
speed of the wind.
O herbs! The juice of one herb is mixed with that of a second. The
juice of the second herb is mixed with that of a third. May all the herbs of
the world be united in listening to my prayers. May I be protected.
There are herbs that have fruit, and there are those that do not. There
are herbs that have flowers, and there are those that do not. All these herbs
were created by Brihaspati. May all herbs free us from illness.
May herbs protect me from all curses. May herbs protect me from the
weapons of Varuna, Yama and the other gods. May herbs make me free.
The herbs descended from heaven. If the herbs look upon a person
with favour, he never suffers from ill health.
Soma is the king of herbs. Soma is blessed with many qualities. O
Soma! You are the best of the herbs. May you fulfil my desires and may
you bring happiness into my life.
The herbs are to be found on earth and Soma is their chief. Brihaspati
created the herbs so that they may cure patients.

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 O herbs! The one who digs you out of the ground, may he not be
destroyed. I dig you out from the ground for the sake of the patient. May
the patient not be destroyed. May all bipeds and quadrupeds be free from
disease. May our sons and our animals be free from disease.
The herbs which are far away will listen to these prayers. The herbs
which are near will also listen to these prayers. All the herbs will combine
to make the diseased body healthy again.
The physician uses the herbs for treatment. Soma is the king of the
herbs. The other herbs propose to Soma that the patient may be cured. May
the danger of disease be removed.
O herbs! You are the best of all the herbs. You are superior to all other
trees. There are those who wish to destroy us. (This means ailments.) May
such foes become our slaves.
Sarama and the Panis
(The next sukta is in the form of a dialogue between Sarama and the
panis. Sarama is a messenger of the gods. Later, she became the divine
dog. As mentioned earlier, the panis were robbers. This sukta is composed
in the trishtupa metre. It is not ascribed to any particular sage. Sarama and
the panis are named as the sages.)
The panis - O Sarama! Why have you come here to visit us? The path
that comes here is long and difficult. How did you come here? How did
you pass the night? How did you manage to cross the waters of the river?
(The panis have stolen some cows and have hidden them in a
mountain cavern. This place is surrounded by a river.)
Sarama - O panis! I am Indra's messenger. It is he who has sent me to
you. You have stolen a lot of cows and it is my desire to retrieve them. The
waters of the river could do me no harm as I was protected by the gods. It
is true that, at first, I was scared of the crossing. But I managed to cross
and come over to the other bank.
The panis - O Sarama! What is your master Indra like? How strong is
he? What does he look like? How many soldiers does he have? You have
come a long way at the behest of your master. We would like Indra to be
our friend. We would like him to be our master. We would like Indra to
look after our cattle as well.
Sarama - I know that my master can never be destroyed. He is the one
who destroys everything. Such is the master at whose behest I have
travelled such a long distance. The deep waters of the river could not run

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counter to the wishes of my master. O panis! Listen to what I have to say.
It is certain that Indra will slaughter you all.
The panis - O Sarama! You are the fortunate one. You may be able to
reach the furthest points of the sky. You expressed a desire to obtain the
cows. But who is going to let go of the cows without a fight? We have
many sharp weapons that we can fight with.
Sarama - O panis! Your words are not those that should be used by
warriors. You are sinners. And therefore you will not have the strength to
use your arrows. You will not be able to tread properly. Brihaspati will
never grant you happiness.
The panis - O Sarama! We have hidden the treasure in a place that is
surrounded by mountains. There are cows, horses and many other riches.
We panis are well-versed in the art of defence. We will be able to protect
our treasure. Our cows and riches are safe. You have wasted a trip.
Sarama - The sages Angirasa and Ayasya will be fortified after
drinking the soma juice. They will come here straight. They will free all
the cows. O panis! Then you will have to retract your proud words.
The panis - O Sarama! We know that you have been frightened by the
gods and forced to come here. We look upon as our own sister. Do not
return to Indra. O beautiful one! Stay here. We will give you a share of the
cows.
Sarama - O panis! I cannot be your sister and you are not my brothers.
I do not know these relationships. I only know Indra and the powerful
Angirasa. When I return and tell Indra what has happened, he will come
and invade you. He will deliver the cows. You will run far away if you
know what is good for you. O panis! Flee far away. Free the cows and let
them go up to heaven. Brihaspati will receive the cows that you have
secreted so well. You have tried to keep it a secret. But Soma, Indra and
the sages have found out where the cows are hidden.
Prajapati
(The next sukta is addressed to Hiranyagarba or Prajapati, the creator.
It is composed in the trishtupa metre and is ascribed to no particular sage.)
Prior to the act of creation, only Hiranyagarbha was there.
Hiranyagarbha is the paramatman. He is the one and only one who created
the universe. He is the one who bears aloft the earth and the atmosphere.
The paramatman is the source of all happiness. It is him that we worship
through our oblations.

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 He is the one who provides the knowledge of the atman. He is the
source of all strength. All the worlds and all the gods follow his
instructions. It is his decree that is followed everywhere. In the shadow of
his refuge there is the seed of immortality. To forsake the paramatman is
to get to know death. The paramatman is the source of all happiness. It is
him that we worship through our oblations.
His greatness makes him the lord of all things, sentient and insentient.
He alone is the king of all things, mobile and immobile. He is the master
of all bipeds and quadrupeds. The paramatman is the source of all
happiness. It is him that we worship through our oblations.
The snow-clad mountains have been created by his power. The rivers
that flow and the earth that moves have been created by him. It is he who
created the oceans and the sky. The four directions owe their origin to his
strength. The paramatman is the source of all happiness. It is him that we
worship through our oblations.
It is he who instilled energy in the sky and the atmosphere. It is
through his grace that the earth has been made firm. He created heaven and
he established the sun in the atmosphere. It is he who placed water in the
sky. The paramatman is the source of all happiness. It is him that we
worship through our oblations.
Heaven and earth are full of sound. But they are firm so that living
beings may be protected. It is his will that has achieved all this. It is
through his powers that the sun rises and shines in the sky. The
paramatman is the source of all happiness. It is him that we worship
through our oblations.
The great fire and the entire universe was created by him. It is he who
bore the golden (hiranya) egg (anda) from which the universe was created.
He is Hiranyagarbha. He is the one who made water course in the
universe. He is the supreme Prajapati. He is the one who provided water so
that gods and other living beings could thrive. The paramatman is the
source of all happiness. It is him that we worship through our oblations.
He is the creator of sacrifices and of the water that pervades the
universe at the time of destruction. It is through his grace that the waters
rise up into the sky. He is the lord of all the gods. He alone is supreme.
The paramatman is the source of all happiness. It is him that we worship
through our oblations.
May the creator of the earth preserve us from all harm. He is the

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origin of righteousness and he is the creator of heaven. He is the source of
the waters that bring bliss. The paramatman is the source of all happiness.
It is him that we worship through our oblations.
O Prajapati! There is no one else but you. You alone are the one who
permeates the past, the present and the future. You are the vastness itself.
We offer oblations to you so that our desires may be fulfilled. Grant us our
wishes. May we be the possessors of riches.
Creation
(Let us next have a sukta on creation. It is addressed to Prajapati and
is composed in the trishtupa metre. The sukta is not ascribed to any
particular sage.)
After the destruction, there was no truth. Nor was there any untruth.
This was prior to the creation and there were no worlds then. The objects
that can be seen in the sky were not present. Who was it that covered up
everything then? Where were all objects then? Where were the deep and
silent waters?
At that time, there was no death. But nor was there immortality. The
sun and the moon were not there. Therefore, there was no sense of night or
day. Winds did not blow. The brahman alone was there. And it was the
brahman alone who breathed through his powers. Apart from the
brahman, there was no other object.
This was the scene of destruction and chaos that prevailed before
creation began. Everything was shrouded in darkness. There was water all
around. All that could be seen around was the power of the brahman.
The time of creation came. The idea of creation entered the
paramatman's mind. From the powers of his mind, he first created the
origin of seeds. Through the intelligence of his heart, he next created the
elements that constitute the universe.
It was the purusha who bore the seeds. The power of greatness was
created. The rays that emanated from the paramatman spread out In all the
directions, above and below.
No man knows and no man can tell how creation began. Men are
ignorant of who performed the act of creation. Even the learned ones were
born only after creation started. How can one oneself say how one was
created?
No one is learned enough to know about the creation. How does one
know who bore all that was created? The learned ones only know that the

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paramatman , the creator, resides above. And even that knowledge is
probably suspect.
The Forests
(We now have a sukta addressed to the goddess of the forests. This is
composed in the anushtupa metre and is ascribed to the sage Devamuni.)
O goddess of the forests! You can be seen in the forests and in the
wilderness. But you vanish before our eyes. Why are you not seen in
towns and villages? Why do you go to the deserted forests? Do you not
feel sacred there?
There are animals that roar in a loud voice. There are animals that call
in a soft voice. When these two types of voices mingle, the sound is that of
a musical instrument (veena) being played. It is as if the animals are
chanting the praise of the goddess of the forest.
Animals like cows also graze in the forest. The trees and creepers that
grow in the forest seem to set up a canopy above one's head. When it is
evening, carts emerge from the forest. They are laden with saplings and
firewood. It is almost as if the goddess of the forests is sending the carts
home.
O goddess of the forest! There a man is calling to his cows. There is
another chopping down firewood. Men who spend the night in the forests
hear all sorts of sounds and are frightened. So it is said.
The forests do not perform violent acts towards anyone. In fact, no
one brings any harm to the forests. The forest is the place where sweet
fruits can be found. One can eat those and live happily.
All sorts of fragrances can be found in the forest. There is food in the
form of fruits and roots. The forest is a fertile region. It is the mother of the
deer. Is it not natural that I should sing the praise of the goddess of the
forests?
Shraddha
(Shraddha connotes respect, faith and devotion, and in the sukta
which follows, shraddha is itself described as the sage to whom the sukta
is ascribed. The hymn is composed in the anushtupa metre.)
It is through devotion that a fire is kindled in every household. It is
through devotion that oblations are offered at a sacrifice. We praise
shraddha. It is the best of all riches.
O shraddha! May the desires of one who gives alms be fulfilled. O

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shraddha! Ensure the welfare of one who is generous. Listen to these
words of mine. And grant the desired fruit to those who are performing the
sacrifice.
Indra and the other gods decided to destroy the powerful demons. You
ensured that their desires were fulfilled. Like that, may the wishes of those
who are performing the sacrifice be granted.
Gods and men pray to devotion so that they may be protected from
strong winds. They make up their minds that they will worship shraddha.
May shraddha grant them riches.
We pray to devotion in the morning. We pray to devotion in the
middle of the day. We pray to devotion in the evening. O shraddha! Grant
devotion to those of us who live in this world.
Shachi
(Shachi is Indra's wife. In the sukta that follows, she exults at her
triumph over her co-wives. She is the sage to whom the hymn is ascribed
and the hymn is composed in the anushtupa metre.)
The sun which is established in heaven has risen. It is Indra himself
who adopts the form of Surya. May my good fortune also dawn like the
sun. I know my husband and I know that he will be devoted to me. I have
the power to triumph over my co-wives. I will be victorious over them.
I am the chief of the wives, like the head is the chief of the body. I am
learned and rise above, like a flag. Even when I am angry, I can persuade
my husband to utter sweet words to me. I am the one who triumphs over
my co-wives. They will listen to me and obey my wishes.
It is my son who will defeat the enemies. It is my daughter who will
be adorned. I will triumph over everyone. I am the one who, with my
husband, will be famous.
My husband Indra gains his strength from the oblations that are
offered. He is supreme in the universe. O gods! It is I who offered those
oblations. It is thanks to this that my co-wives have been subdued.
I do not have enemies. I triumph over my enemies. I am the victorious
one who triumphs over all. Just as the power and the energy of enemies
gets destroyed, the power and energy of my co-wives have been
neutralised by me.
I am the one who defeats others. I have defeated my co-wives. I will
lord over Indra and his relations. Such is my wish.

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A Charm against Nightmares
(We now have a charm against nightmares. This is ascribed to the
sage Angirasa, descended from the sage Prachetas. The hymn is composed
in a mixture of the metres anushtupa, trishtupa and pamkti.)
O lord of the mind! Do not cause me distraction while I sleep. May
you be banished. Go far away. Go and dwell in distant regions. Tell Nirriti,
the goddess of sin, to keep her distance. I am still alive and my mind is
preoccupied with thoughts of the material world. Let her not bring me
grief.
(Nirriti is the goddess of destruction.)
Everyone desires to have the best of rewards. And they do attain what
they want. I ask the favour of Yama, the son of Vivasvana. May he not
cause me unhappiness. May my mind be able to think of various subjects.
When I am awake, I think of the various misfortunes that may descend
on me. When I go to sleep, I try to be free from fear and think of the good
things that may happen to me. But the various misfortunes plague me in
my sleep. O Agni! Please ensure that such nightmares keep their distance.
O Indra! O Brihaspati! If I have committed sins against you, please
forgive me. May those sins not give rise to nightmares. May Angirasa arid
the learned Varuna preserve me from all manner of sin.
Today is the day when I will be victorious. Today is the day when I
will attain my desires. I have been cleansed of all sin. I have been forgiven
all the sins that I, asleep or awake, may have committed. I have even been
forgiven the sins that I may have thought of committing. May sin plague
only those who hate me.
The Destruction of Rivals
(The next sukta is a prayer for the destruction of rivals. It is ascribed
to the sage Rishabha and is composed in the anushtupa and mahapamkti
metres.)
O Indra! Make me the best among all my peers. May I have special
powers so that I can defeat my enemies. May I defeat my enemies and
become radiant. May I become the possessor of cows.
I am the one who destroys enemies. I will be like Indra. No one will
be able to hate or hurt me. All my enemies will have to cower down before
my feet.
The two ends of a bow are tied down with the string of the bow. O

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lord of speech! I tie you down like the two ends of a bow. Influence the
words that my enemies utter; make them speak humbly to me.
I will be the one who will vanquish everyone. I will be the powerful
and strong one. O my enemies! I conquer your minds. I conquer your
deeds. I conquer you in battle.
O my enemies! I will rob you of all your good qualities and become
superior to you in every respect. I will be acknowledged as your leader and
adorn you like a crown. You will be gathered together at my feet and croak
like frogs do from a pond.
The King
(Our next sukta is a hymn that was recited when a new king was
crowned. It is ascribed to the sage Dhruva Angirasa and is composed in the
anushtupa metre.)
O king! You have been crowned the lord of this kingdom. You are our
king. May you always be constant and firm. May all the subjects love you.
We pray that you may not bring any harm to the kingdom.
O king! May you be firm and constant in this kingdom. May you
never be dislodged from your throne. May you be as firm as a mountain.
May you rule on earth the way Indra rules in heaven. May you sustain the
kingdom.
Many are the oblations that have been offered to Indra. May Indra be
pleased and bless this king. May Soma look upon this king with favour.
May Brahmanaspati look upon this king with favour.
Let the sky be firm. Let the earth be firm. Let the mountains also be
firm. May the entire universe be firm. This king is the lord of his subjects.
May he be firm.
O king! The powerful Varuna will preserve your kingdom. Brihaspati
is the generous one. He will preserve your kingdom. Indra and Agni will
preserve your kingdom. You have made offerings of cakes. These
oblations will please Soma. They will please Indra. Indra will ensure that
your subjects, pay their taxes.
There are many other hymns in the Rig Veda Samhita. We cannot
hope to reproduce them all. But the sample that we have given you should
have stimulated your interest. The Rig Veda is like a vast storehouse. If
your interest has been stimulated, why don't you read the original text?
And if you cannot read all of it, you should certainly read the tenth
mandala.

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