Hinduism Index
Book 20 Index
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Hymns of the Atharva Veda, by Ralph T.H. Griffith, [1895], at
1Even as an archer shoots afar his arrow, offer the laud to him
with meet adornment.
Quell with your voice the wicked's voice, O sages, Singer, make
Indra rest beside the Soma.
2Draw thy Friend to thee like a cow at milking: O singer, wake
up Indra as a lover.
Make thou the Hero haste to give us riches even as a vessel
filled brimful with treasure.
3Why, Maghavan, do they call thee bounteous Giver? Quicken
me: thou, I hear, art he who quickens.
Sakra, let my intelligence be active, and bring us luck that finds
great wealth, O Indra.
4Standing, in battle for their rights, together, the people, Indra,
in the fray invoke thee.
Him who brings gifts the Hero makes his comrade: with him
who pours no juice he seeks not friendship.
5Whoso with plenteous juice for him expresses strong Somas as
much quickly-coming treasure,
For him he everthrows in early morning his swift well-weapon-
ed foes and slays the tyrant.
6He unto whom we offer praises, Indra, Maghavan, who hath
joined to ours his wishes
Before him even afar the foe must tremble: low before him must
bow all human glories.
7With thy fierce bolt, O God invoked of many, drive to a distance
from afar the foeman.
O Indra, give us wealth in corn and cattle, and make the singer's
prayer gain strength and riches.
8Indra the swallower of strong libations with their thick residue,
the potent Somas,
He, Maghavan, will not restrict his bounty: he brings much
wealth unto the Soma-presser.
9Yea, by superior play he wins advantage when he, a gambler,
piles his gains in season. p. 335
Celestial-natured, he o'erwhelms with riches the devotee who
keeps not back his money.
10O much-invoked, may we subdue all famine and evil want with
store of grain and cattle.
May we allied, as first in rank, with princes,:obtain possessions
by our own exertion
11Brihaspati protect us from the rearward, and from above and
from below, from sinners.
May Indra from the front and from the centre, as friend to
friends, vouchsafe us room and freedom.