Vedic Hymns

tve ha yat pitaraścin na indra viśvā vāmā jaritāro asanvan | tve gāvaḥ sudughāstve hyaśvāstvaṃ vasu devayatevaniṣṭhaḥ

All is with thee, O Indra, all the treasures which erst our fathers won who sang thy praises. With thee are milch-kine good to milk, and horses: best winner thou of riches for the pious.

rājeva hi janibhiḥ kṣeṣyevāva dyubhirabhi viduṣ kaviḥ san | piśā giro maghavan gobhiraśvaistvāyataḥ śiśīhirāye asmān

For like a King among his wives thou dwellest: with glories, as a Sage, surround and help us. Make us, thy servants, strong for wealth, and honour our songs with kine and steeds and decoration.

imā u tvā paspṛdhānāso atra mandrā giro devayantīrupa sthuḥ | arvācī te pathyā rāya etu syāma te sumatāvindra śarman

Here these our holy hymns with joy and gladness in pious emulation have approached thee. Hitherward come thy path that leads to riches: may we find shelter in thy favour, Indra.

dhenuṃ na tvā sūyavase dudukṣannupa brahmāṇi sasṛje vasiṣṭhaḥ | tvāmin me gopatiṃ viśva āhā na indraḥ sumatiṃ gantvaccha

Vasiṣṭha hath poured forth his prayers, desiring to milk thee like a cow in goodly pasture. All these my people call thee Lord of cattle: may Indra come unto the prayer we offer.

arṇāṃsi cit paprathānā sudāsa indro gādhānyakṛṇot supārā | śardhantaṃ śimyumucathasya navyaḥ śāpaṃ sindhūnāmakṛṇodaśastīḥ

What though the floods spread widely, Indra made them shallow and easy for Sudās to traverse. He, worthy of our praises, caused the Simyu, foe of our hymn, to curse the rivers' fury.

puroḷā it turvaśo yakṣurāsīd rāye matsyāso niśitā apīva | śruṣṭiṃ cakrurbhṛgavo druhyavaśca sakhā sakhāyamatarad viṣūcoḥ

Eager for spoil was Turvaśa Purodas, fain to win wealth, like fishes urged by hunger. The Bhṛgus and the Druhyus quickly listened: friend rescued friend mid the two distant peoples.

ā pakthāso bhalānaso bhanantālināso viṣāṇinaḥ śivāsaḥ | ā yo.anayat sadhamā āryasya gavyā tṛtsubhyo ajagan yudhā nṛn

Together came the Pakthas, the Bhalanas, the Alinas, the Sivas, the Visanins. Yet to the Trtsus came the Ārya's Comrade, through love of spoil and heroes' war, to lead them.

durādhyo aditiṃ srevayanto.acetaso vi jagṛbhre paruṣṇīm | mahnāvivyak pṛthivīṃ patyamānaḥ paśuṣ kaviraśayaccāyamānaḥ

Fools, in their folly fain to waste her waters, they parted inexhaustible Paruṣṇī. Lord of the Earth, he with his might repressed them: still lay the herd and the affrighted herdsman.

īyurarthaṃ na nyarthaṃ paruṣṇīmāśuścanedabhipitvaṃ jagāma | sudāsa indraḥ sutukānamitrānarandhayan mānuṣe vadhrivācaḥ

As to their goal they sped to their destruction: they sought Paruṣṇī; e’en the swift returned not. Indra abandoned, to Sudās the manly, the swiftly flying foes, unmanly babblers.

īyurgāvo na yavasādagopā yathākṛtamabhi mitraṃ citāsaḥ | pṛśnigāvaḥ pṛśninipreṣitāsaḥ śruṣṭiṃ cakrurniyuto rantayaśca

They went like kine unherded from the pasture, each clinging to a friend as chance directed. They who drive spotted steeds, sent down by Pṛśni, gave ear, the Warriors and the harnessed horses.

ekaṃ ca yo viṃśatiṃ ca śravasyā vaikarṇayorjanān rājā nyastaḥ | dasmo na sadman ni śiśāti barhiḥ śūraḥ sargamakṛṇodindra eṣām

The King who scattered one-and-twenty people of both Vaikarna tribes through lust of glory- As the skilled priest clips grass within the chamber, so hath the Hero Indra, wrought their downfall.

adha śrutaṃ kavaṣaṃ vṛddhamapsvanu druhyuṃ ni vṛṇag vajrabāhuḥ | vṛṇānā atra sakhyāya sakhyaṃ tvāyanto ye amadannanu tvā

Thou, thunder-armed, o’erwhelmedst in the waters famed ancient Kavasa and then the Druhyu. Others here claiming friendship to their friendship, devoted unto thee, in thee were joyful.

vi sadyo viśvā dṛṃhitānyeṣāmindraḥ puraḥ sahasā sapta dardaḥ | vyānavasya tṛtsave gayaṃ bhāg jeṣma pūruṃ vidathe mṛdhravācam

Indra at once with conquering might demolished all their strong places and their seven castles. The goods of Anu's son he gave to Trtsu. May we in sacrifice conquer scorned Pūru.

ni gavyavo.anavo druhyavaśca ṣaṣṭiḥ śatā suṣupuḥ ṣaṭ sahasrā | ṣaṣṭirvīrāso adhi ṣaḍ duvoyu viśvedindrasya vīryā kṛtāni

The Anavas and Druhyus, seeking booty, have slept, the sixty hundred, yea, six thousand, And six-and-sixty heroes. For the pious were all these mighty exploits done by Indra.

indreṇaite tṛtsavo veviṣāṇā āpo na sṛṣṭā adhavanta nīcīḥ | durmitrāsaḥ prakalavin mimānā jahurviśvāni bhojanā sudāse

These Trtsus under Indra's careful guidance came speeding like loosed waters rushing downward. The foemen, measuring exceeding closely, abandoned to Sudās all their provisions.

ardhaṃ vīrasya śṛtapāmanindraṃ parā śardhantaṃ nunude abhi kṣām | indro manyuṃ manyumyo mimāya bheje patho vartanimpatyamānaḥ

The hero's side who drank the dressed oblation, Indra's denier, far o’er earth he scattered. Indra brought down the fierce destroyer's fury. He gave them various roads, the path's Controller.

ādhreṇa cit tad vekaṃ cakāra siṃhyaṃ cit petvenā jaghāna | ava sraktīrveśyāvṛścadindraḥ prāyacchad viśvā bhojanā sudāse

E’en with the weak he wrought this matchless exploit: e’en with a goat he did to death a lion. He pared the pillar's angles with a needle. Thus to Sudās Indra gave all provisions.

śaśvanto hi śatravo rāradhuṣ ṭe bhedasya cicchardhato vinda randhim | martānena stuvato yaḥ kṛṇoti tigmaṃ tasmin ni jahi vajramindra

To thee have all thine enemies submitted: e’en the fierce Bheda hast thou made thy subject. Cast down thy sharpened thunderbolt, O Indra, on him who harms the men who sing thy praises.

āvadindraṃ yamunā tṛtsavaśca prātra bhedaṃ sarvatātāmuṣāyat | ajāsaśca śigravo yakṣavaśca baliṃ śīrṣāṇi jabhruraśvyāni

Yamuna and the Trtsus aided Indra. There he stripped Bheda bare of all his treasures. The Ajas and the Sigrus and the Yaksus brought in to him as tribute heads of horses.

na ta indra sumatayo na rāyaḥ saṃcakṣe pūrvā uṣaso na nūtnāḥ | devakaṃ cin mānyamānaṃ jaghanthāva tmanā bṛhataḥ śambaraṃ bhet

Not to be scorned, but like Dawns past and recent, O Indra, are thy favours and thy riches. Devaka, Mānyamana's son, thou slewest, and smotest Śambara from the lofty mountain.

pra ye gṛhādamamadustvāyā parāśaraḥ śatayāturvasiṣṭhaḥ | na te bhojasya sakhyaṃ mṛṣantādhā sūribhyaḥ sudinā vyucchān

They who, from home, have gladdened thee, thy servants Parasara, Vasiṣṭha, Satayatu, Will not forget thy friendship, liberal Giver. So shall the days dawn prosperous for the princes.

dve napturdevavataḥ śate gordvā rathā vadhūmantā sudāsaḥ | arhannagne paijavanasya dānaṃ hoteva sadma paryemi rebhan

Priest-like, with praise, I move around the altar, earning Paijavana's reward, O Agni, Two hundred cows from Devavan's descendant, two chariots from Sudās with mares to draw them.

catvāro mā paijavanasya dānāḥ smaddiṣṭayaḥ kṛśanino nireke | ṛjrāso mā pṛthiviṣṭhāḥ sudāsastokaṃ tokāya śravase vahanti

Gift of Paijavana, four horses bear me in foremost place, trained steeds with pearl to deck them. Sudās's brown steeds, firmly-stepping, carry me and my son for progeny and glory.

yasya śravo rodasī antarurvī śīrṣṇe-śīrṣṇe vibabhājā vibhaktā | saptedindraṃ na sravato gṛṇanti ni yudhyāmadhimaśiśādabhīke

Him whose fame spreads between wide earth and heaven, who, as dispenser, gives each chief his portion, Seven flowing Rivers glorify like Indra. He slew Yudhyamadhi in close encounter.

imaṃ naro marutaḥ saścatānu divodāsaṃ na pitaraṃ sudāsaḥ | aviṣṭanā paijavanasya ketaṃ dūṇāśaṃ kṣatramajaraṃ duvoyu

Attend on him O ye heroic Maruts as on Sudās's father Divodāsa. Further Paijavana's desire with favour. Guard faithfully his lasting firm dominion.

śvityañco mā dakṣiṇataskapardā dhiyaṃjinvāso abhi hi pramanduḥ | uttiṣṭhan voce pari barhiṣo nṝn na me dūrādavitave vasiṣṭhāḥ

These who wear hair-knots on the right, the movers of holy thought, white-robed, have won me over. I warned the men, when from the grass I raised me, Not from afar can my Vasisthas help you.

dūrādindramanayannā sutena tiro vaiśantamati pāntamugram | pāśadyumnasya vāyatasya somāt sutādindro.avṛṇītāvasiṣṭhān

With Soma they brought Indra from a distance, Over Vaisanta, from the strong libation. Indra preferred Vasisthas to the Soma pressed by the son of Vayata, Pasadyumna.

even nu kaṃ sindhumebhistatāreven nu kaṃ bhedamebhirjaghāna | even nu kaṃ dāśarājñe sudāsaṃ prāvadindro brahmaṇā vo vasiṣṭhāḥ

So, verily, with these he crossed the river, in company with these he slaughtered Bheda. So in the fight with the Ten Kings, Vasisthas! did Indra help Sudās through your devotions.

juṣṭī naro brahmaṇā vaḥ pitṝṇāmakṣamavyayaṃ na kilā riṣātha | yacchakvarīṣu bṛhatā raveṇendre śuṣmamadadhātā vasiṣṭhāḥ

I gladly, men I with prayer prayed by our fathers have fixed your axle: ye shall not be injured: Since, when ye sang aloud the Sakvari verses, Vasisthas! ye invigorated Indra.

ud dyāmivet tṛṣṇajo nāthitāso.adīdhayurdāśarājñe vṛtāsaḥ | vasiṣṭhasya stuvata indro aśroduruṃ tṛtsubhyo akṛṇodu lokam

Like thirsty men they looked to heaven, in battle with the Ten Kings, surrounded and imploring. Then Indra heard Vasiṣṭha as he praised him, and gave the Trtsus ample room and freedom.

daṇḍā ived goajanāsa āsan paricchinnā bharatā arbhakāsaḥ | abhavacca puraetā vasiṣṭha ādit tṛtsūnāṃ viśo aprathanta

Like sticks and staves wherewith they drive the cattle, Stripped bare, the Bharatas were found defenceless: Vasiṣṭha then became their chief and leader: then widely were the Trtsus' clans extended.

trayaḥ kṛṇvanti bhuvaneṣu retastisraḥ prajā āryā jyotiragrāḥ | trayo gharmāsa uṣasaṃ sacante sarvānit tānanuvidurvasiṣṭhāḥ

Three fertilize the worlds with genial moisture: three noble Creatures cast a light before them. Three that give warmth to all attend the morning. All these have they discovered, these Vasisthas.

sūryasyeva vakṣatho jyotireṣāṃ samudrasyeva mahimā gabhīraḥ | vātasyeva prajavo nānyena stomo vasiṣṭhā anvetave vaḥ

Like the Sun's growing glory is their splendour, and like the sea's is their unfathomed greatness. Their course is like the wind's. Your laud, Vasisthas, can never be attained by any other.

ta in niṇyaṃ hṛdayasya praketaiḥ sahasravalśamabhi saṃcaranti | yamena tataṃ paridhiṃ vayanto.apsarasa upa sedurvasiṣṭhāḥ

They with perceptions of the heart in secret resort to that which spreads a thousand branches. The Apsaras brought hither the Vasisthas wearing the vesture spun for them by Yama.

vidyuto jyotiḥ pari saṃjihānam mitrāvaruṇā yad apaśyatāṃ tvā | tat te janmotaikaṃ vasiṣṭhāgastyo yat tvā viśa ājabhāra

A form of lustre springing from the lightning wast thou, when Varuṇa and Mitra saw thee. This one and only birth was then, Vasiṣṭha, when from thy stock Agastya brought thee hither.

utāsi maitrāvaruṇo vasiṣṭhorvaśyā brahman manaso.adhi jātaḥ | drapsaṃ skannaṃ brahmaṇā daivyena viśve devāḥ puṣkare tvādadanta

Born of their love for Urvasi, Vasiṣṭha thou, priest, art son of Varuṇa and Mitra; And as a fallen drop, in heavenly fervour, all the Gods laid thee on a lotus-blossom.

sa praketa ubhayasya pravidvān sahasradāna uta vā sadānaḥ | yamena tataṃ paridhiṃ vayiṣyannapsarasaḥ pari jajñe vasiṣṭhaḥ

He thinker, knower both of earth and heaven, endowed with many a gift, bestowing thousands, Destined to wear the vesture spun by Yama, sprang from the Apsaras to life, Vasiṣṭha.

satre ha jātāviṣitā namobhiḥ kumbhe retaḥ siṣicatuḥ samānam | tato ha māna udiyāya madhyāt tato jātaṃ ṛṣimāhurvasiṣṭham

Born at the sacrifice, urged by adorations, both with a common flow bedewed the pitcher. Then from the midst thereof there rose up Māna, and thence they say was born the sage Vasiṣṭha.

ukthabhṛtaṃ sāmabhṛtaṃ bibharti grāvāṇaṃ bibhrat pra vadātyagre | upainamādhvaṃ sumanasyamānā ā vo gacchāti pratṛdo vasiṣṭhaḥ

He brings the bearer of the laud and Sāman: first shall he speak bringing the stone for pressing. With grateful hearts in reverence approach him: to you, O Pratrdas, Vasiṣṭha cometh.

yuvāṃ narā paśyamānāsa āpyaṃ prācā gavyantaḥ pṛthuparśavo yayuḥ | dāsā ca vṛtrā hatamāryāṇi ca sudāsamindrāvaruṇāvasāvatam

Looking to you and your alliance, O ye Men, armed with broad axes they went forward, fain for spoil. Ye smote and slew his Dāsa and his Āryan enemies, and helped Sudās with favour, Indra-Varuṇa.

yatrā naraḥ samayante kṛtadhvajo yasminnājā bhavati kiṃcana priyam | yatrā bhayante bhuvanā svardṛśastatrā na indrāvaruṇādhi vocatam

Where heroes come together with their banners raised, in the encounter where is naught for us to love, Where all things that behold the light are terrified, there did ye comfort us, O Indra-Varuṇa.

saṃ bhūmyā antā dhvasirā adṛkṣatendrāvaruṇā divi ghoṣaāruhat | asthurjanānāmupa māmarātayo.arvāgavasā havanaśrutā gatam

The boundaries of earth were seen all dark with dust: O Indra-Varuṇa, the shout went up to heaven. The enmities of the people compassed me about. Ye heard my calling and ye came to me with help.

indrāvaruṇā vadhanābhiraprati bhedaṃ vanvantā pra sudāsamāvatam | brahmāṇyeṣāṃ śṛṇutaṃ havīmani satyā tṛtsūnāmabhavat purohitiḥ

With your resistless weapons, Indra-Varuṇa, ye conquered Bheda and ye gave Sudās your aid. Ye heard the prayers of these amid the cries of war: effectual was the service of the Trtsus' priest.

indrāvaruṇāvabhyā tapanti māghānyaryo vanuṣāmarātayaḥ | yuvaṃ hi vasva ubhayasya rājatho.adha smā no.avataṃ pārye divi

O Indra-Varuṇa, the wickedness of foes and mine assailants' hatred sorely trouble me. Ye Twain are Lords of riches both of earth and heaven: so grant to us your aid on the decisive day.

yuvāṃ havanta ubhayāsa ājiṣvindraṃ ca vasvo varuṇaṃ casātaye | yatra rājabhirdaśabhirnibādhitaṃ pra sudāsamāvataṃ tṛtsubhiḥ saha

The men of both the hosts invoked you in the fight, Indra and Varuṇa, that they might win the wealth, What time ye helped Sudās, with all the Trtsu folk, when the Ten Kings had pressed him down in their attack.

daśa rājānaḥ samitā ayajyavaḥ sudāsamindrāvaruṇā na yuyudhuḥ | satyā nṛṇāmadmasadāmupastutirdevā eṣāmabhavan devahūtiṣu

Ten Kings who worshipped not, O Indra-Varuṇa, confederate, in war prevailed not o’er Sudās. True was the boast of heroes sitting at the feast: so at their invocations Gods were on their side.

dāśarājñe pariyattāya viśvataḥ sudāsa indrāvaruṇāvaśikṣatam | śvityañco yatra namasā kapardino dhiyā dhīvanto asapanta tṛtsavaḥ

O Indra-Varuṇa, ye gave Sudās your aid when the Ten Kings in battle compassed him about, There where the white-robed Trtsus with their braided hair, skilled in song worshipped you with homage and with hymn.

vṛtrāṇyanyaḥ samitheṣu jighnate vratānyanyo abhi rakṣate sadā | havāmahe vāṃ vṛṣaṇā suvṛktibhirasme indrāvaruṇaā śarma yacchatam

One of you Twain destroys the Vṛtras in the fight, the Other evermore maintains his holy Laws. We call on you, ye Mighty, with our hymns of praise. Vouchsafe us your protection, Indra-Varuṇa.

asme indro varuṇo mitro aryamā dyumnaṃ yacchantu mahi śarma saprathaḥ | avadhraṃ jyotir aditer ṛtāvṛdho devasya ślokaṃ savitur manāmahe

May Indra, Varuṇa, Mitra, and Aryaman vouchsafe us glory and great shelter spreading far. We think of the beneficent light of Aditi, and Savitar's song of praise, the God who strengthens Law.