Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
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The Gods Sacrificed to the Gods

Through the sacrifice the gods sacrificed to the sacrifice. Those were the first established rites. Their greatness increased and thy ascended to heaven where dwell the ancient gods, who had attained perfection.

Thus sacrifice came to be and it manifested itself. It was practised and then it increased. It became overlord of the gods. May it bestow wealth upon us!

The gods offered sacrifice to the gods through oblation. The immortals worshipped the immortal with immortal mind. May we also enjoy ourselves in the highest heave. May we see with wonder the rising of the sun!

When using the man for their oblation the gods made the sacrifice, but still more powerful was the sacrifice they offered with invocation.

In Praise of Pushan

On the forward pathway has Pushan been born, on the distant path of heaven, on the distant path of the earth. He comes to both the dearest abodes, hither and yonder, knowing each path.

He knows and traverses all these heavenly realms. May he guide us by that path which is most secure and free from fear, granting us our well-being protecting our heroes. May he lead the way who foreknows.

O Pushan, we worship you that we may never be harmed. We take up stance, O Lord, in thy domain.

May Pushan put his right hand to protect us, may he restore us what we have lost, may recover that which we have lost!

Protection Against Lightning

With thy broad thundering, which elevated by the gods, pervades all this, with that lightning do thou not ruin our grain, nor do thou destroy it with the rays of the sun.

For Success in the Gathering

May both the assembly and meeting, the two daughters of Prajapati, favour me! May he, with whom I shall meet, aid me, may I, O Father, speak what is pleasant among those who have assembled here!

We know thy name, O assembly; verily, 'sport' is thy name. May all those who sit there in assembly speak in harmony with me!

Of these who have assembled together I take to myself the splendour and discernment. Of all the assembled, O Indra, make me successful!

If your mind has gone away, or has been chained either here or there, that we cause to return here. Let your mind rest in me!

Against Enemies

As the rising sun takes to himself the glory of the stars, thus do I take away the strength of both the men and women who hate me.

As many of enemies as look upon me, as I come along, of those who hate me do I take to myself the strength, of them who sleep while the sun rises!

I offer my song of praise to Savitar, of true impulse, wealth-giving, exceedingly wise, most dear and possessed of real strength.

His lofty splendour stretches far and wide, his light shines brightly in his creation, golden-handed, measuring the heaven by his appearance, he traverses the sky.

It were you, O god, who inspired our first father of old, granting him height and breadth in space. May we also enjoy, O Savitar, desirable things in abundance day by day!

The adorable Savitar bestowed upon our Fathers wealth, skill and life. May he drink Soma at the sacrifice and take delight in our offerings. In his ordinance walks the pilgrim!

Prayer to Sun

Come ye together with prayer to the lord of heaven, He is the one, the all pervading, mighty guest of people May the ancient one, abide in the present. Him, the one, the many follow on the track.

This one is a thousand for our sight, inspiration to the poets, light far extending.

The effulgent one sends together the Dawns, blameless, like-minded, most splendid, for the benefit of the entire Earth.

Prayer to Vishnu

Of Vishnu now I would declare the mighty deeds, of one who measured out the earthly realms, who established the highest region, striding out thrice, he, the wide-striding one.

For this his heroic deed is Vishnu praised, like some fearful wild beast, prowling the mountains and saying, "From far off place may he come hither".

He, upon whose three wide extended paces all living beings dwell. Widely, O Vishnu, stride out, widely make us to live, enjoy the oblation. O ghee-wombed one, make us drink the ghee-like life-giving sap and prolong the master of sacrifice on and on!

Through all this world strode Vishnu, thrice he planted his foot, and it collected in his footstep's dust.

He strode three steps, he whom none can harm, the guardian of all, ordaining his high decrees!

Look ye here the deeds of Vishnu, whereby he, the friend of Indra, close allied, has allowed his holy works to be seen.

The princes ever behold that loftiest step of Vishnu, laid as it were, an eye stretched in heaven.

Between Wife and Husband

The eyes of both of us be of honey-aspect, our foreheads be gleaming like an ointment. Put me thou within thy heart, may we two of us be together in mind.

I wrap thee in my garment produced by Manu, so that thou mayest be wholly mine also, mayest not speak of another woman!

 
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