Hinduism Index
Book 7 Index
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Hymns of the Atharva Veda, by Ralph T.H. Griffith, [1895], at
1I will declare the mighty deeds of Vishnu, of him who measured
out the earthly regions, p. a281
Who propped the highest place of congregation, thrice setting
down his footstep, widely striding.
2Loud boast doth Vishnu make of this achievement, like some
wild beast, dread, prowling, mountain-roaming.
May he approach us from the farthest distance.
3Thou within whose three wide-extended paces all worlds and
creatures have their habitation,
Drink oil, thou homed in oil! promote the sacrificer more and
more.
4Through all this world strode Vishnu: thrice his foot he planted,
and the whole
Was gathered in his footstep's dust.
5Vishnu the guardian, he whom none deceiveth, made three steps,
thenceforth.
Establishing these high decrees.
6Look ye on Vishnu's works, whereby the friend of Indra, close-
allied,
Hath let his holy ways be seen.
7The princes evermore behold that loftiest place where Vishnu is,
Like an extended eye in heaven,
8From heaven, O Vishnu, or from earth, O Vishnu, or from the
great far-spreading air's mid-region,
Fill both thy hands full of abundant treasures, and from the
right and left bestow them freely.