{"collection":"Hinduism","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/hin/av/av05020.htm","path":"hin/av/av05020.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/hin/av/av05020.htm","text":"Hymns of the Atharva Veda, by Ralph T.H. Griffith, [1895]\n1Formed out of wood, compact with straps of leather, loud is the:\n \u00a0\u00a0War-drum as he plays the hero.\n \u00a0\u00a0Whetting thy voice and vanquishing opponents, roar at them\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0like a lion fain to conquer!\n 2The fastened frame hath roared as 'twere a lion, like a bull bel-\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0lowing to meet the heifer.\n \u00a0\u00a0Thou art a bull, thine enemies are weaklings: thine is the foe-\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0subduing strength of Indra.\n 3Like a bull marked by strength among the cattle, roar seeking\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0kine and gathering up the booty.\n \u00a0\u00a0Pierce through our adversaries' heart with sorrow, and let our\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0routed foes desert their hamlets.\n 4Victorious in the battle, loudly roaring, seizing what may be\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0seized, look all around thee.\n \u00a0\u00a0Utter, O Drum, thy heavenly voice with triumph. Bring, as a\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0priest, our enemies' possessions.\n 5Hearing the Drum's far-reaching voice resounding, let the foe's\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0dame, waked by the roar, afflicted,\n \u00a0\u00a0Grasping her son, run forward in her terror amid the conflict of\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0the deadly weapons.\n 6Thou, first of all, O Drum, thy voice shalt utter: over the ridge\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0of earth speak forth exultant.\n \u00a0\u00a0Crunching with might the army of the foemen, declare thy\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0message pleasantly and clearly.\n 7Loud be thy roar between the earth and heaven. Swift let thy\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0sounds go forth in all directions.\n \u00a0\u00a0Neigh at them, thunder, set in opposition, song-maker, good\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0ally that friends may conquer. p. a181\n 8He shall send forth his voice whom art hath fashioned. Make\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0thou the weapons of our warriors bristle.\n \u00a0\u00a0With Indra for ally call out our heroes, and with thy friends\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0scatter and chase the foemen\n 9Resonant, roaring, with thy powerful weapons, warning, and\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0heard by troops in many places,\n \u00a0\u00a0Knowing all rules and winning us advantage, deal fame to many\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0where two kings are fighting.\n 10Bent on advantage, mightier, gaining treasures, victor in war,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0the spell hath made thee keener.\n \u00a0\u00a0As, in the press, the stone to stalks of Soma, thus, Drum! go\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0dancing to our foes' possessions.\n 11Foe-conqueror, victor, vanquishing opponents, seeker of booty,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0mastering, destroying.\n \u00a0\u00a0Speak out as a skilled speaker tells his counsel, speak strength\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0to us that we may win the battle.\n 12Shaker of things unshaken, readiest corner to battles; conquer-\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0ing foes, resistless leader,\n \u00a0\u00a0Guarded by Indra, watching our assemblies, go quickly, breaker\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0of their hearts who hate us.","title":"Atharva Veda: Book 5: Hymn 20: A hymn to the War-drum to ...","type":"page"}