Library·Ṛgveda Saṃhitā·1·1.164

Ṛgveda Saṃhitā 1.164

अस्य वामस्य पलितस्य होतुस् तस्य भ्राता मध्यमो अस्त्य् अश्नः । तृतीयो भ्राता घृतपृष्ठो अस्यात्रापश्यं विश्पतिं सप्तपुत्रम् ॥

asya vāmasya palitasya hotus tasya bhrātā madhyamo asty aśnaḥ | tṛtīyo bhrātā ghṛtapṛṣṭho asyātrāpaśyaṃ viśpatiṃ saptaputram ||

Of this benignant Priest, with eld grey-coloured, the brother midmost of the three is lightning. The third is he whose back with oil is sprinkled. Here I behold the Chief with seven male children.

Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1896)

सप्त युञ्जन्ति रथम् एकचक्रम् एको अश्वो वहति सप्तनामा । त्रिनाभि चक्रम् अजरम् अनर्वं यत्रेमा विश्वा भुवनाधि तस्थुः ॥

sapta yuñjanti ratham ekacakram eko aśvo vahati saptanāmā | trinābhi cakram ajaram anarvaṃ yatremā viśvā bhuvanādhi tasthuḥ ||

Seven to the one-wheeled chariot yoke the Courser; bearing seven names the single Courser draws it. Three-naved the wheel is, sound and undecaying, whereon are resting all these worlds of being.

Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1896)

इमं रथम् अधि ये सप्त तस्थुः सप्तचक्रं सप्त वहन्त्य् अश्वाः । सप्त स्वसारो अभि सं नवन्ते यत्र गवां निहिता सप्त नाम ॥

imaṃ ratham adhi ye sapta tasthuḥ saptacakraṃ sapta vahanty aśvāḥ | sapta svasāro abhi saṃ navante yatra gavāṃ nihitā sapta nāma ||

The seven who on the seven-wheeled car are mounted have horses, seven in tale, who draw them onward. Seven Sisters utter songs of praise together, in whom the names of the seven Cows are treasured.

Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1896)

को ददर्श प्रथमं जायमानम् अस्थन्वन्तं यद् अनस्था बिभर्ति । भूम्या असुर् असृग् आत्मा क्व स्वित् को विद्वांसम् उप गात् प्रष्टुम् एतत् ॥

ko dadarśa prathamaṃ jāyamānam asthanvantaṃ yad anasthā bibharti | bhūmyā asur asṛg ātmā kva svit ko vidvāṃsam upa gāt praṣṭum etat ||

Who hath beheld him as he sprang to being, seen how the boneless One supports the bony? Where is the blood of earth, the life, the spirit? Who may approach the man who knows, to ask it?

Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1896)

पाकः पृच्छामि मनसाविजानन् देवानाम् एना निहिता पदानि । वत्से बष्कये ऽधि सप्त तन्तून् वि तत्निरे कवय ओतवा उ ॥

pākaḥ pṛcchāmi manasāvijānan devānām enā nihitā padāni | vatse baṣkaye 'dhi sapta tantūn vi tatnire kavaya otavā u ||

Unripe in mind, in spirit undiscerning, I ask of these the Gods' established places; For up above the yearling Calf the sages, to form a web, their own seven threads have woven.

Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1896)

अचिकित्वाञ् चिकितुषश् चिद् अत्र कवीन् पृच्छामि विद्मने न विद्वान् । वि यस् तस्तम्भ षळ् इमा रजांस्य् अजस्य रूपे किम् अपि स्विद् एकम् ॥

acikitvāñ cikituṣaś cid atra kavīn pṛcchāmi vidmane na vidvān | vi yas tastambha ṣaḷ imā rajāṃsy ajasya rūpe kim api svid ekam ||

I ask, unknowing, those who know, the sages, as one all ignorant for sake of knowledge, What was that ONE who in the Unborn's image hath stablished and fixed firm these worlds' six regions.

Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1896)

इह ब्रवीतु य ईम् अङ्ग वेदास्य वामस्य निहितम् पदं वेः । शीर्ष्णः क्षीरं दुह्रते गावो अस्य वव्रिं वसाना उदकम् पदापुः ॥

iha bravītu ya īm aṅga vedāsya vāmasya nihitam padaṃ veḥ | śīrṣṇaḥ kṣīraṃ duhrate gāvo asya vavriṃ vasānā udakam padāpuḥ ||

Let him who knoweth presently declare it, this lovely Bird's securely founded station. Forth from his head the Cows draw milk, and, wearing his vesture, with their foot have drunk the water.

Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1896)

माता पितरम् ऋत आ बभाज धीत्य् अग्रे मनसा सं हि जग्मे । सा बीभत्सुर् गर्भरसा निविद्धा नमस्वन्त इद् उपवाकम् ईयुः ॥

mātā pitaram ṛta ā babhāja dhīty agre manasā saṃ hi jagme | sā bībhatsur garbharasā nividdhā namasvanta id upavākam īyuḥ ||

The Mother gave the Sire his share of Order: with thought, at first, she wedded him in spirit. She, the coy Dame, was filled with dew prolific: with adoration men approached to praise her.

Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1896)

युक्ता मातासीद् धुरि दक्षिणाया अतिष्ठद् गर्भो वृजनीष्व् अन्तः । अमीमेद् वत्सो अनु गाम् अपश्यद् विश्वरूप्यं त्रिषु योजनेषु ॥

yuktā mātāsīd dhuri dakṣiṇāyā atiṣṭhad garbho vṛjanīṣv antaḥ | amīmed vatso anu gām apaśyad viśvarūpyaṃ triṣu yojaneṣu ||

Yoked was the Mother to the boon Cow's car-pole: in the dank rows of cloud the Infant rested. Then the Calf lowed, and looked upon the Mother, the Cow who wears all shapes in three directions.

Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1896)

तिस्रो मातॄस् त्रीन् पितॄन् बिभ्रद् एक ऊर्ध्वस् तस्थौ नेम् अव ग्लापयन्ति । मन्त्रयन्ते दिवो अमुष्य पृष्ठे विश्वविदं वाचम् अविश्वमिन्वाम् ॥

tisro mātṝs trīn pitṝn bibhrad eka ūrdhvas tasthau nem ava glāpayanti | mantrayante divo amuṣya pṛṣṭhe viśvavidaṃ vācam aviśvaminvām ||

Bearing three Mothers and three Fathers, single he stood erect: they never make him weary. There on the pitch of heaven they speak together in speech all-knowing but not all-impelling.

Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1896)

द्वादशारं नहि तज् जराय वर्वर्ति चक्रम् परि द्याम् ऋतस्य । आ पुत्रा अग्ने मिथुनासो अत्र सप्त शतानि विंशतिश् च तस्थुः ॥

dvādaśāraṃ nahi taj jarāya varvarti cakram pari dyām ṛtasya | ā putrā agne mithunāso atra sapta śatāni viṃśatiś ca tasthuḥ ||

Formed with twelve spokes, by length of time, unweakened, rolls round the heaven this wheel of during Order. Herein established, joined in pairs together, seven hundred Sons and twenty stand, O Agni.

Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1896)

पञ्चपादम् पितरं द्वादशाकृतिं दिव आहुः परे अर्धे पुरीषिणम् । अथेमे अन्य उपरे विचक्षणं सप्तचक्रे षळर आहुर् अर्पितम् ॥

pañcapādam pitaraṃ dvādaśākṛtiṃ diva āhuḥ pare ardhe purīṣiṇam | atheme anya upare vicakṣaṇaṃ saptacakre ṣaḷara āhur arpitam ||

They call him in the farther half of heaven the Sire five-footed, of twelve forms, wealthy in watery store. These others say that he, God with far-seeing eyes, is mounted on the lower seven-wheeled, six-spoked car.

Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1896)

पञ्चारे चक्रे परिवर्तमाने तस्मिन्न् आ तस्थुर् भुवनानि विश्वा । तस्य नाक्षस् तप्यते भूरिभारः सनाद् एव न शीर्यते सनाभिः ॥

pañcāre cakre parivartamāne tasminn ā tasthur bhuvanāni viśvā | tasya nākṣas tapyate bhūribhāraḥ sanād eva na śīryate sanābhiḥ ||

Upon this five-spoked wheel revolving ever all living creatures rest and are dependent. Its axle, heavy-laden, is not heated: the nave from ancient time remains unbroken.

Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1896)

सनेमि चक्रम् अजरं वि वावृत उत्तानायां दश युक्ता वहन्ति । सूर्यस्य चक्षू रजसैत्य् आवृतं तस्मिन्न् आर्पिता भुवनानि विश्वा ॥

sanemi cakram ajaraṃ vi vāvṛta uttānāyāṃ daśa yuktā vahanti | sūryasya cakṣū rajasaity āvṛtaṃ tasminn ārpitā bhuvanāni viśvā ||

The wheel revolves, unwasting, with its felly: ten draw it, yoked to the far-stretching car-pole. The Sun's eye moves encompassed by the region: on him dependent rest all living creatures.

Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1896)

साकञ्जानां सप्तथम् आहुर् एकजं षळ् इद् यमा ऋषयो देवजा इति । तेषाम् इष्टानि विहितानि धामश स्थात्रे रेजन्ते विकृतानि रूपशः ॥

sākañjānāṃ saptatham āhur ekajaṃ ṣaḷ id yamā ṛṣayo devajā iti | teṣām iṣṭāni vihitāni dhāmaśa sthātre rejante vikṛtāni rūpaśaḥ ||

Of the co-born they call the seventh single-born; the six twin pairs are called Rsis, Children of Gods. Their good gifts sought of men are ranged in order due, and various in their form move for the Lord who guides.

Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1896)

स्त्रियः सतीस् तां उ मे पुंस आहुः पश्यद् अक्षण्वान् न वि चेतद् अन्धः । कविर् यः पुत्रः स ईम् आ चिकेत यस् ता विजानात् स पितुष् पितासत् ॥

striyaḥ satīs tāṃ u me puṃsa āhuḥ paśyad akṣaṇvān na vi cetad andhaḥ | kavir yaḥ putraḥ sa īm ā ciketa yas tā vijānāt sa pituṣ pitāsat ||

They told me these were males, though truly females: he who hath eyes sees this, the blind discerns not. The son who is a sage hath comprehended: who knows this rightly is his father's father.

Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1896)

अवः परेण पर एनावरेण पदा वत्सम् बिभ्रती गौर् उद् अस्थात् । सा कद्रीची कं स्विद् अर्धम् परागात् क्व स्वित् सूते नहि यूथे अन्तः ॥

avaḥ pareṇa para enāvareṇa padā vatsam bibhratī gaur ud asthāt | sā kadrīcī kaṃ svid ardham parāgāt kva svit sūte nahi yūthe antaḥ ||

Beneath the upper realm, above this lower, bearing her calf at foot the Cow hath risen. Witherward, to what place hath she departed? Where calves she? Not amid this herd of cattle.

Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1896)

अवः परेण पितरं यो अस्यानुवेद पर एनावरेण । कवीयमानः क इह प्र वोचद् देवम् मनः कुतो अधि प्रजातम् ॥

avaḥ pareṇa pitaraṃ yo asyānuveda para enāvareṇa | kavīyamānaḥ ka iha pra vocad devam manaḥ kuto adhi prajātam ||

Who, that the father of this Calf discerneth beneath the upper realm, above the lower, Showing himself a sage, may here declare it? Whence hath the Godlike spirit had its rising?

Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1896)

ये अर्वाञ्चस् तां उ पराच आहुर् ये पराञ्चस् तां उ अर्वाच आहुः । इन्द्रश् च या चक्रथुः सोम तानि धुरा न युक्ता रजसो वहन्ति ॥

ye arvāñcas tāṃ u parāca āhur ye parāñcas tāṃ u arvāca āhuḥ | indraś ca yā cakrathuḥ soma tāni dhurā na yuktā rajaso vahanti ||

Those that come hitherward they call departing, those that depart they call directed hither. And what so ye have made, Indra and Soma, steeds bear as 'twere yoked to the region's car-pole.

Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1896)

द्वा सुपर्णा सयुजा सखाया समानं वृक्षम् परि षस्वजाते । तयोर् अन्यः पिप्पलं स्वाद्व् अत्त्य् अनश्नन्न् अन्यो अभि चाकशीति ॥

dvā suparṇā sayujā sakhāyā samānaṃ vṛkṣam pari ṣasvajāte | tayor anyaḥ pippalaṃ svādv atty anaśnann anyo abhi cākaśīti ||

Two Birds with fair wings, knit with bonds of friendship, in the same sheltering tree have found a refuge. One of the twain eats the sweet Fig-tree's fruitage; the other eating not regardeth only.

Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1896)

यत्रा सुपर्णा अमृतस्य भागम् अनिमेषं विदथाभिस्वरन्ति । इनो विश्वस्य भुवनस्य गोपाः स मा धीरः पाकम् अत्रा विवेश ॥

yatrā suparṇā amṛtasya bhāgam animeṣaṃ vidathābhisvaranti | ino viśvasya bhuvanasya gopāḥ sa mā dhīraḥ pākam atrā viveśa ||

Where those fine Birds hymn ceaselessly their portion of life eternal, and the sacred synods, There is the Universe's mighty Keeper, who, wise, hath entered into me the simple.

Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1896)

यस्मिन् वृक्षे मध्वदः सुपर्णा निविशन्ते सुवते चाधि विश्वे । तस्येद् आहुः पिप्पलं स्वाद्व् अग्रे तन् नोन् नशद् यः पितरं न वेद ॥

yasmin vṛkṣe madhvadaḥ suparṇā niviśante suvate cādhi viśve | tasyed āhuḥ pippalaṃ svādv agre tan non naśad yaḥ pitaraṃ na veda ||

The, tree whereon the fine Birds eat the sweetness, where they all rest and procreate their offspring,-- Upon its top they say the fig is luscious none gaineth it who knoweth not the Father.

Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1896)

यद् गायत्रे अधि गायत्रम् आहितं त्रैष्टुभाद् वा त्रैष्टुभं निरतक्षत । यद् वा जगज् जगत्य् आहितम् पदं य इत् तद् विदुस् ते अमृतत्वम् आनशुः ॥

yad gāyatre adhi gāyatram āhitaṃ traiṣṭubhād vā traiṣṭubhaṃ niratakṣata | yad vā jagaj jagaty āhitam padaṃ ya it tad vidus te amṛtatvam ānaśuḥ ||

How on the Gayatri the Gayatri was based, how from the Tristup they fashioned the Tristup forth, How on the Jagati was based the Jagati,--they who know this have won themselves immortal life.

Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1896)

गायत्रेण प्रति मिमीते अर्कम् अर्केण साम त्रैष्टुभेन वाकम् । वाकेन वाकं द्विपदा चतुष्पदाक्षरेण मिमते सप्त वाणीः ॥

gāyatreṇa prati mimīte arkam arkeṇa sāma traiṣṭubhena vākam | vākena vākaṃ dvipadā catuṣpadākṣareṇa mimate sapta vāṇīḥ ||

With Gayatri he measures out the praise-song, Sama with praise-song, triplet with the Tristup. The triplet with the two or four-foot measure, and with the syllable they form seven metres.

Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1896)

जगता सिन्धुं दिव्य् अस्तभायद् रथन्तरे सूर्यम् पर्य् अपश्यत् । गायत्रस्य समिधस् तिस्र आहुस् ततो मह्ना प्र रिरिचे महित्वा ॥

jagatā sindhuṃ divy astabhāyad rathantare sūryam pary apaśyat | gāyatrasya samidhas tisra āhus tato mahnā pra ririce mahitvā ||

With Jagati the flood in heaven he stablished, and saw the Sun in the Rathantara Saman. Gayatri hath, they say, three brands for kindling: hence it excels in majesty and vigour.

Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1896)

उप ह्वये सुदुघां धेनुम् एतां सुहस्तो गोधुग् उत दोहद् एनाम् । श्रेष्ठं सवं सविता साविषन् नो ऽभीद्धो घर्मस् तद् उ षु प्र वोचम् ॥

upa hvaye sudughāṃ dhenum etāṃ suhasto godhug uta dohad enām | śreṣṭhaṃ savaṃ savitā sāviṣan no 'bhīddho gharmas tad u ṣu pra vocam ||

I invocate the milch-cow good for milking so that the milker, deft of hand, may drain her. May Savitar give goodliest stimulation. The caldron is made hot; I will proclaim it.

Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1896)

हिङ्कृण्वती वसुपत्नी वसूनां वत्सम् इच्छन्ती मनसाभ्य् आगात् । दुहाम् अश्विभ्याम् पयो अघ्न्येयं सा वर्धताम् महते सौभगाय ॥

hiṅkṛṇvatī vasupatnī vasūnāṃ vatsam icchantī manasābhy āgāt | duhām aśvibhyām payo aghnyeyaṃ sā vardhatām mahate saubhagāya ||

She, lady of all treasure, is come hither yearning in spirit for her calf and lowing. May this cow yield her milk for both the Asvins, and may she prosper to our high advantage.

Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1896)

गौर् अमीमेद् अनु वत्सम् मिषन्तम् मूर्धानं हिङ्ङ् अकृणोन् मातवा उ । सृक्वाणं घर्मम् अभि वावशाना मिमाति मायुम् पयते पयोभिः ॥

gaur amīmed anu vatsam miṣantam mūrdhānaṃ hiṅṅ akṛṇon mātavā u | sṛkvāṇaṃ gharmam abhi vāvaśānā mimāti māyum payate payobhiḥ ||

The cow hath lowed after her blinking youngling; she licks his forehead, as she lows, to form it. His mouth she fondly calls to her warm udder, and suckles him with milk while gently lowing.

Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1896)

अयं स शिङ्क्ते येन गौर् अभीवृता मिमाति मायुं ध्वसनाव् अधि श्रिता । सा चित्तिभिर् नि हि चकार मर्त्यं विद्युद् भवन्ती प्रति वव्रिम् औहत ॥

ayaṃ sa śiṅkte yena gaur abhīvṛtā mimāti māyuṃ dhvasanāv adhi śritā | sā cittibhir ni hi cakāra martyaṃ vidyud bhavantī prati vavrim auhata ||

He also snorts, by whom encompassed round the Cow laws as she clings unto the shedder of the rain. She with her shrilling cries hath humbled mortal man, and, turned to lightning, hath stripped off her covering robe.

Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1896)

अनच् छये तुरगातु जीवम् एजद् ध्रुवम् मध्य आ पस्त्यानाम् । जीवो मृतस्य चरति स्वधाभिर् अमर्त्यो मर्त्येना सयोनिः ॥

anac chaye turagātu jīvam ejad dhruvam madhya ā pastyānām | jīvo mṛtasya carati svadhābhir amartyo martyenā sayoniḥ ||

That which hath breath and speed and life and motion lies firmly stablished in the midst of houses. Living, by offerings to the Dead he moveth Immortal One, the brother of the mortal.

Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1896)

अपश्यं गोपाम् अनिपद्यमानम् आ च परा च पथिभिश् चरन्तम् । स सध्रीचीः स विषूचीर् वसान आ वरीवर्ति भुवनेष्व् अन्तः ॥

apaśyaṃ gopām anipadyamānam ā ca parā ca pathibhiś carantam | sa sadhrīcīḥ sa viṣūcīr vasāna ā varīvarti bhuvaneṣv antaḥ ||

I saw the Herdsman, him who never stumbles, approaching by his pathways and departing. He, clothed with gathered and diffusive splendour, within the worlds continually travels.

Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1896)

य ईं चकार न सो अस्य वेद य ईं ददर्श हिरुग् इन् नु तस्मात् । स मातुर् योना परिवीतो अन्तर् बहुप्रजा निरृतिम् आ विवेश ॥

ya īṃ cakāra na so asya veda ya īṃ dadarśa hirug in nu tasmāt | sa mātur yonā parivīto antar bahuprajā nirṛtim ā viveśa ||

He who hath made him cloth not comprehend him: from him who saw him surely is he hidden. He, yet enveloped in his Mother's bosom, source of much life, hath sunk into destruction.

Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1896)

द्यौर् मे पिता जनिता नाभिर् अत्र बन्धुर् मे माता पृथिवी महीयम् । उत्तानयोश् चम्वोर् योनिर् अन्तर् अत्रा पिता दुहितुर् गर्भम् आधात् ॥

dyaur me pitā janitā nābhir atra bandhur me mātā pṛthivī mahīyam | uttānayoś camvor yonir antar atrā pitā duhitur garbham ādhāt ||

Dyaus is my Father, my begetter: kinship is here. This great earth is my kin and Mother. Between the wide-spread world-halves is the birth-place: the Father laid the Daughter's germ within it.

Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1896)

पृच्छामि त्वा परम् अन्तम् पृथिव्याः पृच्छामि यत्र भुवनस्य नाभिः । पृच्छामि त्वा वृष्णो अश्वस्य रेतः पृच्छामि वाचः परमं व्योम ॥

pṛcchāmi tvā param antam pṛthivyāḥ pṛcchāmi yatra bhuvanasya nābhiḥ | pṛcchāmi tvā vṛṣṇo aśvasya retaḥ pṛcchāmi vācaḥ paramaṃ vyoma ||

I ask thee of the earth's extremest limit, where is the centre of the world, I ask thee. I ask thee of the Stallion's seed prolific, I ask of highest heaven where Speech abideth.

Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1896)

इयं वेदिः परो अन्तः पृथिव्या अयं यज्ञो भुवनस्य नाभिः । अयं सोमो वृष्णो अश्वस्य रेतो ब्रह्मायं वाचः परमं व्योम ॥

iyaṃ vediḥ paro antaḥ pṛthivyā ayaṃ yajño bhuvanasya nābhiḥ | ayaṃ somo vṛṣṇo aśvasya reto brahmāyaṃ vācaḥ paramaṃ vyoma ||

This altar is the earth's extremest limit; this sacrifice of ours is the world's centre. The Stallion's seed prolific is the Soma; this Brahman highest heaven where Speech abideth.

Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1896)

सप्तार्धगर्भा भुवनस्य रेतो विष्णोस् तिष्ठन्ति प्रदिशा विधर्मणि । ते धीतिभिर् मनसा ते विपश्चितः परिभुवः परि भवन्ति विश्वतः ॥

saptārdhagarbhā bhuvanasya reto viṣṇos tiṣṭhanti pradiśā vidharmaṇi | te dhītibhir manasā te vipaścitaḥ paribhuvaḥ pari bhavanti viśvataḥ ||

Seven germs unripened yet are heaven's prolific seed: their functions they maintain by Visnu's ordinance. Endued with wisdom through intelligence and thought, they compass us about present on every side.

Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1896)

न वि जानामि यद् इवेदम् अस्मि निण्यः संनद्धो मनसा चरामि । यदा मागन् प्रथमजा ऋतस्याद् इद् वाचो अश्नुवे भागम् अस्याः ॥

na vi jānāmi yad ivedam asmi niṇyaḥ saṃnaddho manasā carāmi | yadā māgan prathamajā ṛtasyād id vāco aśnuve bhāgam asyāḥ ||

What thing I truly am I know not clearly: mysterious, fettered in my mind I wander. When the first-born of holy Law approached me, then of this speech I first obtain a portion.

Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1896)

अपाङ् प्राङ् एति स्वधया गृभीतो ऽमर्त्यो मर्त्येना सयोनिः । ता शश्वन्ता विषूचीना वियन्ता न्य् अन्यं चिक्युर् न नि चिक्युर् अन्यम् ॥

apāṅ prāṅ eti svadhayā gṛbhīto 'martyo martyenā sayoniḥ | tā śaśvantā viṣūcīnā viyantā ny anyaṃ cikyur na ni cikyur anyam ||

Back, forward goes he, grasped by strength inherent, the Immortal born the brother of the mortal Ceaseless they move in opposite directions: men mark the one, and fail to mark the other.

Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1896)

ऋचो अक्षरे परमे व्योमन् यस्मिन् देवा अधि विश्वे निषेदुः । यस् तन् न वेद किम् ऋचा करिष्यति य इत् तद् विदुस् त इमे सम् आसते ॥

ṛco akṣare parame vyoman yasmin devā adhi viśve niṣeduḥ | yas tan na veda kim ṛcā kariṣyati ya it tad vidus ta ime sam āsate ||

Upon what syllable of holy praise-song, as twere their highest heaven, the Gods repose them,-- Who knows not this, what will he do with praise-song? But they who know it well sit here assembled.

Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1896)

सूयवसाद् भगवती हि भूया अथो वयम् भगवन्तः स्याम । अद्धि तृणम् अघ्न्ये विश्वदानीम् पिब शुद्धम् उदकम् आचरन्ती ॥

sūyavasād bhagavatī hi bhūyā atho vayam bhagavantaḥ syāma | addhi tṛṇam aghnye viśvadānīm piba śuddham udakam ācarantī ||

Fortunate mayst thou be with goodly pasture, and may we also be exceeding wealthy. Feed on the grass, O Cow, at every season, and coming hitherward drink limpid water.

Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1896)

गौरीर् मिमाय सलिलानि तक्षत्य् एकपदी द्विपदी सा चतुष्पदी । अष्टापदी नवपदी बभूवुषी सहस्राक्षरा परमे व्योमन् ॥

gaurīr mimāya salilāni takṣaty ekapadī dvipadī sā catuṣpadī | aṣṭāpadī navapadī babhūvuṣī sahasrākṣarā parame vyoman ||

Forming the water-floods, the buffalo hath lowed, one-footed or two-footed or four-footed, she, Who hath become eight-footed or hath got nine feet, the thousand-syllabled in the sublimest heaven.

Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1896)

तस्याः समुद्रा अधि वि क्षरन्ति तेन जीवन्ति प्रदिशश् चतस्रः । ततः क्षरत्य् अक्षरं तद् विश्वम् उप जीवति ॥

tasyāḥ samudrā adhi vi kṣaranti tena jīvanti pradiśaś catasraḥ | tataḥ kṣaraty akṣaraṃ tad viśvam upa jīvati ||

From her descend in streams the seas of water; thereby the world's four regions have their being, Thence flows the imperishable flood and thence the universe hath life.

Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1896)

शकमयं धूमम् आराद् अपश्यं विषूवता पर एनावरेण । उक्षाणम् पृश्निम् अपचन्त वीरास् तानि धर्माणि प्रथमान्य् आसन् ॥

śakamayaṃ dhūmam ārād apaśyaṃ viṣūvatā para enāvareṇa | ukṣāṇam pṛśnim apacanta vīrās tāni dharmāṇi prathamāny āsan ||

I saw from far away the smoke of fuel with spires that rose on high o'er that beneath it. The Mighty Men have dressed the spotted bullock. These were the customs in the days aforetime,

Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1896)

त्रयः केशिन ऋतुथा वि चक्षते संवत्सरे वपत एक एषाम् । विश्वम् एको अभि चष्टे शचीभिर् ध्राजिर् एकस्य ददृशे न रूपम् ॥

trayaḥ keśina ṛtuthā vi cakṣate saṃvatsare vapata eka eṣām | viśvam eko abhi caṣṭe śacībhir dhrājir ekasya dadṛśe na rūpam ||

Three with long tresses show in ordered season. One of them sheareth when the year is ended. One with his powers the universe regardeth: Of one, the sweep is seen, but his figure.

Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1896)

चत्वारि वाक् परिमिता पदानि तानि विदुर् ब्राह्मणा ये मनीषिणः । गुहा त्रीणि निहिता नेङ्गयन्ति तुरीयं वाचो मनुष्या वदन्ति ॥

catvāri vāk parimitā padāni tāni vidur brāhmaṇā ye manīṣiṇaḥ | guhā trīṇi nihitā neṅgayanti turīyaṃ vāco manuṣyā vadanti ||

Speech hath been measured out in four divisions, the Brahmans who have understanding know them. Three kept in close concealment cause no motion; of speech, men speak only the fourth division.

Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1896)

इन्द्रम् मित्रं वरुणम् अग्निम् आहुर् अथो दिव्यः स सुपर्णो गरुत्मान् । एकं सद् विप्रा बहुधा वदन्त्य् अग्निं यमम् मातरिश्वानम् आहुः ॥

indram mitraṃ varuṇam agnim āhur atho divyaḥ sa suparṇo garutmān | ekaṃ sad viprā bahudhā vadanty agniṃ yamam mātariśvānam āhuḥ ||

They call him Indra, Mitra, Varuna, Agni, and he is heavenly nobly-winged Garutman. To what is One, sages give many a title they call it Agni, Yama, Matarisvan.

Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1896)

कृष्णं नियानं हरयः सुपर्णा अपो वसाना दिवम् उत् पतन्ति । त आववृत्रन् सदनाद् ऋतस्याद् इद् घृतेन पृथिवी व्य् उद्यते ॥

kṛṣṇaṃ niyānaṃ harayaḥ suparṇā apo vasānā divam ut patanti | ta āvavṛtran sadanād ṛtasyād id ghṛtena pṛthivī vy udyate ||

Dark the descent: the birds are golden-coloured; up to the heaven they fly robed in the waters. Again descend they from the seat of Order, and all the earth is moistened with their fatness.

Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1896)

द्वादश प्रधयश् चक्रम् एकं त्रीणि नभ्यानि क उ तच् चिकेत । तस्मिन् साकं त्रिशता न शङ्कवो ऽर्पिताः षष्टिर् न चलाचलासः ॥

dvādaśa pradhayaś cakram ekaṃ trīṇi nabhyāni ka u tac ciketa | tasmin sākaṃ triśatā na śaṅkavo 'rpitāḥ ṣaṣṭir na calācalāsaḥ ||

Twelve are the fellies, and the wheel is single; three are the naves. What man hath understood it? Therein are set together spokes three hundred and sixty, which in nowise can be loosened.

Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1896)

यस् ते स्तनः शशयो यो मयोभूर् येन विश्वा पुष्यसि वार्याणि । यो रत्नधा वसुविद् यः सुदत्रः सरस्वति तम् इह धातवे कः ॥

yas te stanaḥ śaśayo yo mayobhūr yena viśvā puṣyasi vāryāṇi | yo ratnadhā vasuvid yaḥ sudatraḥ sarasvati tam iha dhātave kaḥ ||

That breast of thine exhaustless, spring of pleasure, wherewith thou feedest all things that are choicest, Wealth-giver, treasure. finder, free bestower,--bring that, Sarasvati, that we may drain it.

Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1896)

यज्ञेन यज्ञम् अयजन्त देवास् तानि धर्माणि प्रथमान्य् आसन् । ते ह नाकम् महिमानः सचन्त यत्र पूर्वे साध्याः सन्ति देवाः ॥

yajñena yajñam ayajanta devās tāni dharmāṇi prathamāny āsan | te ha nākam mahimānaḥ sacanta yatra pūrve sādhyāḥ santi devāḥ ||

By means of sacrifice the Gods accomplished their sacrifice: these were the earliest ordinances. These Mighty Ones attained the height of heaven, there where the Sadhyas, Gods of old, are dwelling.

Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1896)

समानम् एतद् उदकम् उच् चैत्य् अव चाहभिः । भूमिम् पर्जन्या जिन्वन्ति दिवं जिन्वन्त्य् अग्नयः ॥

samānam etad udakam uc caity ava cāhabhiḥ | bhūmim parjanyā jinvanti divaṃ jinvanty agnayaḥ ||

Uniform, with the passing days, this water mounts and fails again. The tempest-clouds give life to earth, and fires re-animate the heaven.

Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1896)

दिव्यं सुपर्णं वायसम् बृहन्तम् अपां गर्भं दर्शतम् ओषधीनाम् । अभीपतो वृष्टिभिस् तर्पयन्तं सरस्वन्तम् अवसे जोहवीमि ॥

divyaṃ suparṇaṃ vāyasam bṛhantam apāṃ garbhaṃ darśatam oṣadhīnām | abhīpato vṛṣṭibhis tarpayantaṃ sarasvantam avase johavīmi ||

The Bird Celestial, vast with noble pinion, the lovely germ of plants, the germ of waters, Him who delighteth us with rain in season, Sarasvan I invoke that he may help us.

Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1896)