How noteworthy and wonderful hath been your advent, O Steed, when you emerged from the ocean or space and neighed seeing the light. You possessed the limbs of a deer and pinions of an eagle. Your birth must be lauded indeed. This Steed, Yama’s gift, Trita harnessed and Indra was the first to mount. The Gandharva first of all held its reins. From the substance of the Sun, O Gods, you fashioned forth this Steed. You are Yama, O Steed, you are Aditya, you are Trita by a secret operation. You are distinguished from Soma only a little. You are said to have three connections in heaven. Three bonds you are said to possess, three bonds in heaven, three in water and three in the ocean. You resemble Lord Varuna, O Steed, there they say is your highest birth place. Here, O courser, are the place where you have been groomed, here are the prints of your winning hooves. Here I have seen your auspicious reins that guide you, which, those who guard the cosmic law, protect. I perceive from far your soul, a bird that soars high in the heaven. I have seen your form soaring higher and higher along the paths free from dust and pleasant to travel. Behind you, O Steed, come a car, the hero and an offering of kine, and then the maidens. Desiring your friendship they follow with vigour have the Gods blessed you. His horns are of gold, his feet are of iron. He is as swift as though, but less swift than Indra. The Gods have assembled to taste the sacred oblation, offered to him who mounted the Steed first to all. Like swans flying in a row the celestial steeds put forth their might when they reach the heavenly pathway, the horses symmetrical in form, of thin bellies and of fiery sprit. Your body, O Steed, is made to fly as on wings, your spirit moves fast as the wind, your horns are spread wide in space, they speed with restless motion in wilderness. The mighty Steed has come to the place of sacrifice, with his mind composed and thoughts directed towards God. The goat of his kin is led before him, the sages and singers follow next. The Steed has attained the highest abode, he has reached the place of his Father and his Mother. May he receive an utmost welcome today from the Gods and win good gifts for him who offers.

The Earth standing up below the upper region, and above the lowest one, bears her calf like a cow. Wither and to what place does she go? How calves she? Not amid this herd of cattle. The two birds with beauteous wings, knit together in bonds of friendship, reside on the self same eternal tree. One o the twain enjoys the sweet and ripe fruit of the tree, whereas the other eating not simply observes.

I ask you about the farthest limit of the earth? Where is the navel of the world? What is the stallion’s prolific send? Tell me about the highest heaven where abides the speech? This altar is the earth’s farthest limit, this sacrifice of ours the world’s navel, the Soma is the Stallion’s prolific seed, and Brahma is the highest heaven where the speech abides.

The speech is measured out in four quarters, the sages with insight know it. The three kept in close secret cause no movement, the fourth is the division that is talked about by men.

God is one but sages call Him by various names. They call Him Indra, Mitra, Varuna, the mighty universal spirit Garutmat. They call Him Agni, Yama and Matarishvam.

It is not today, nor is it tomorrow. Who knows the mystery? It (the soul) has motion and action in the consciousness of another, but when approached by the thought, it vanishes. Why do thou seek Indra to strike us? The Maruts are your brothers. Achieve perfection with their help, slay us not in our struggle. Why O Agastya, my brother and friend, dost thou neglect us? Well we know the nature of thy mind and that thou will give us naught. Let them set the altar, let them kindle Agni in front. We two are here to extend to you our sacrifice that the Gods would observe. O Lord of wealth, Master of power and love, thou art the strongest. Do thou, O Indra, agree with the Maruts and enjoy the oblations in their proper seasons.

To you I come with my obeisance and by this hymn I seek the Strong One’s grace. Take delight, O Maruts, in my hymn, lay your anger aside and unyoke your steeds. This laud full of my obeisance, framed by my heart and mind, is offered to ye, O Maruts. Come unto us, ye rejoicing to make our prayer fruitful. Let our days, O Maruts, that are to follow be full of delight. Trembling with fear of Indra I fled. O Maruts, the oblations meant for you were put aside. Forgive and be gracious to us.

By whom the mind grows conscient and sharp, in the mornings through the powers of the Dawns, give us thou, O Bull amidst the herd, the glorious energy with Maruts, thou fierce with the fierce with the fierce, steadfast and giver of strength. Do thou protect the Heroes with their increased strength, O Indra, put aside thy wrath against the Maruts. With the wise Maruts be victorious. May be find nourishing food in abundance.

Which of these two came earlier, which later? How were they born? Who, O Seers, knoweth it? These of themselves support and contain all that bears name, and days and nights revolve as on a wheel. These two, though motionless and footless, nourish and uphold a variety of offspring having foot and movement. Like parents holding a child on their bosom, O Earth and Heaven protect us from evil! I call for boundless Aditi’s favour, bounteous, divine, perfect, inviolable, worthy of reverence. O ye Twain Worlds, procure it for him who worships you. O Heaven and Earth, protect us from evil! May we be close to both these worlds who know no suffering, parents of the Gods, who grant favours. Both are divine, with day and night alternate. O Heaven and Earth protect us from evil! These Twin sister, lying together in their parents bosom, kiss the centre of the world. O Heaven and Earth protect of the Gods, I call with reverence for their protection. Mat they, beautiful to look upon, grant us life. O Heaven and Earth, protect us from evil.