{"collection":"Hinduism","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/hin/av/av12003.htm","path":"hin/av/av12003.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/hin/av/av12003.htm","text":"Hymns of the Atharva Veda, by Ralph T.H. Griffith, [1895]\n1Mount, male from male, the skin. Go thither: summon those\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0whom thou lovest, one and all, to meet thee,\n \u00a0\u00a0Strong as ye were when first ye met each other, still be your\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0strength the same in Yama's kingdom.\n 2So strong your sight, so many be your powers, so great your\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0force, your energies so many,\n \u00a0\u00a0When fire attends the body as its fuel, then may, ye gain full\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0chargers, O ye couple.\n 3Together in this world, in God-ward pathway, together be ye in\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0the realms of Yama.\n \u00a0\u00a0Invite, made pure with means of purifying, whatever seed of\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0yours hath been developed.\n 4Do ye, O sons, unite you with the waters, meeting this living\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0man, ye life-sustainers,\n \u00a0\u00a0Allot to them the Odana your mother is making ready, which\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0they call immortal.\n 5That which your mother and your sire, to banish sin and un-\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0cleanness from their lips, are cooking.\n \u00a0\u00a0That Odana with hundred streams, sky-reaching, hath in its\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0might prevaded earth and heaven.\n 6Live with your sons, when life on earth is ended, live in the\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0sphere most rich in light and sweetness.\n \u00a0\u00a0In skies that have been won by sacrificers make both the worlds,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0earth, heaven, your habitation.\n 7Approach the eastern, yea: the eastern region, this is the\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0sphere to which the faithful turn them,\n \u00a0\u00a0Your cooked oblation that in fire was offered, together, wife and\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0husband, meet to guard it. p. 90\n 8Now, as your steps approach the southern quarter, move in.\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0your circling course about this vessel.\n \u00a0\u00a0Herein, accordant with the Fathers, Yama shall mightily protect\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0your cooked oblation.\n 9Best of the regions is indeed this western wherein the King and\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0gracious Lord is Soma.\n \u00a0\u00a0Thither resort for rest, follow the pious. Then gain the laden\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0chargers, O ye couple.\n 10Ever victorious is the northern region: may the east quarter set\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0us first and foremost.\n \u00a0\u00a0The Man became the five-divisioned metre. May we abide wit .\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0all our members perfect.\n 11This stedfast realm is Queen. To her be homage! To me and\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0to my sons may she be gracious.\n \u00a0\u00a0Guard thou, O Goddess Aditi, all-bounteous, our cooked oblation\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0as an active warder.\n 12Embrace us as a father clasps his children. Here on the Earth\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0let kindly breezes fan us.\n \u00a0\u00a0Let the rice-mess these two cook here, O Goddess, know this\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0our truthfulness and zealous fervour.\n 13If the dark bird hath come to us and, stealing the hanging. .\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0morsel, settled in his dwelling,\n \u00a0\u00a0Or if the slave-girl hath, wet-handed, smearing the pestle and\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0the mortar, cleansed the waters,\n 14This pressing-stone, broad-based and strength-bestowing, made\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0pure by cleansing means, shall chase the demon.\n \u00a0\u00a0Mount on the skin: afford us great protection, Let not the sons'\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0sin fall on wife and husband.\n 15Together with the Gods, banning Pis5chas and demons, hath\n \u00a0\u00a0Vanaspati come hither.\n \u00a0\u00a0He shall rise up and send his voice out loudly. May we win all\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0the worlds with him to help us.\n 16Seven victims held the sacrificial essence, the bright one and the\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0one that hath grown feeble.\n \u00a0\u00a0The three-and-thirty Deities attend them. As such, conduct us\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0io the world of Svarga.\n 17Unto the world of Svarga shalt thou lead us: there may we dwell\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0beside our wife and children.\n \u00a0\u00a0I take thy hand Let not Destruction, let not Malignity come\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0hither and subdue us. p. 91\n 18We have subdued that sinful-hearted Gr\u0101hi. Thou shalt speak\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0sweetly having chased the darkness.\n \u00a0\u00a0Let not the wooden gear made ready fail us, nor harm the grain\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0of rice that pays due worship.\n 19Soon to be, decked with butter, all-embracing, come to this\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0world wherewith birth unites thee.\n \u00a0\u00a0Seize thou the winnowing-fan which rains have nourished, and\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0let this separate the chaff and refuse.\n 20Three worlds hath Power Divine marked out and measured,\n \u00a0\u00a0Fheaven yonder, and the earth, and airs mid-region.\n \u00a0\u00a0Grasp ye the stalks and in your hands retain them: let them be\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0watered and again be winnowed.\n 21Manifold, various are the shapes of victims. Thou growest uni-\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0form by great abundance.\n \u00a0\u00a0Push thou away this skin of ruddy colour: the stone will cleanse\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0as one who cleanses raiment.\n 22Earth upon earth l set thee. This thy body is con-substantial,.\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0but in form it differs.\n \u00a0\u00a0Whate'er hath been worn off or scratched in fixing, leak not\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0thereat: I spread a charm to mend it.\n 23Thou for thy son shalt yearn as yearns a mother. I lay thee\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0down and with the earth unite thee.\n \u00a0\u00a0Conjoined with sacrificial gear and butter may pot and jar stand\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0firmly on the altar.\n 24Eastward may Agni as he cooks preserve thee. Southward may\n \u00a0\u00a0Indra, grit by Maruts, guard thee,\n \u00a0\u00a0Varuna strengthen and support thee westward, and Soma on\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0the north hold thee together.\n 25Drops flow, made pure by filters, from the rain-cloud: to heaven\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0and earth and to the worlds they travel,\n \u00a0\u00a0May Indra light them up, poured in the vessel, lively and sted-\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0fast, quickening living creatures.\n 26From heaven they come, they visit earth, and rising from earth\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0unite themselves with air's mid-region,\n \u00a0\u00a0Purified, excellent, they with shine in beauty. Thus may they lead us\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0to the world of Svarga.\n 27Yea, and supreme, alike in conformation, and brilliant and\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0refulgent and immortal,\n \u00a0\u00a0As such, enjoined, well-guarding, water-givers, dress ye the\n \u00a0\u00a0Odana for wife and husband. p. 92\n 28Numbered, they visit earth, these drops of moisture, commensu-\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0rate with plants and vital breathings,\n \u00a0\u00a0Unnumbered, scattered, beautiful in colour, the bright, ones\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0have pervaded all refulgence.\n 29Heated, they rage and boil in agitation, they cast about their\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0foam and countless bubbles\n \u00a0\u00a0Like a fond woman when she sees her husband\u2014what time ye\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0waters and these rice-grains mingle,\n 30Take up these rice-grains lying at the bottom: led them be blent\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0and mingled with the waters.\n \u00a0\u00a0This water I have measured in the vessel, if as mid-points the\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0rice-grains have been meted.\n 31Present the sickle: quickly bring it hither. Let them out plants\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0and joints with hands that harm not.\n \u00a0\u00a0So may the plants be free from wrath against us, they o'er\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0whose realm Soma hath won dominion.\n 32Strew ye fresh grass for the boiled rice to rest on: fair let it be,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0sweet to the eye and spirit.\n \u00a0\u00a0Hither come Goddesses with Gods, and sitting here taste in\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0proper season this oblation.\n 33On the strewn grass. Vanaspati, be seated; commensurate with\n \u00a0\u00a0Gods and Agnishtomas.\n \u00a0\u00a0Let thy fair form, wrought as by Tvashtar's hatchet, mark these\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0that yearn for thee within the vessel.\n 34In sixty autumns may the Treasure-Guardian seek to gain\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0heavenly light by cooked oblation.\n \u00a0\u00a0On this may sons and fathers live dependent. Send thou this\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0mess to Fire that leads to heaven.\n 35On the earth's breast stand firmly as supporter: may Deities\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0stir thee who ne'er hast shaken.\n \u00a0\u00a0So living man and wife with living children remove thee from\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0the hearth of circling Agni.\n 36All wishes that have blessed those with fulfilment, having won\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0all the worlds have met together.\n \u00a0\u00a0Let them plunge in both stirring-spoon and ladle: raise this and\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0set it in a single vessel.\n 37Pour out the covering butter, spread it eastward: sprinkle this\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0vessel over with the fatness.\n \u00a0\u00a0Greet this, ye Deities, with gentle murmur, as lowing cows wel-\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0come their tender suckling. p. 93\n 38Thou hast poured oil and made the worlds: let heaven, unequal-\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0led, be spread out in wide extension.\n \u00a0\u00a0Herein be cooked the buffalo, strong-pinioned: the Gods shall\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0give the Deities this oblation.\n 39Whate'er thy wife, away from thee, makes ready, or what, O\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0wife, apart from thee, thy husband,\n \u00a0\u00a0Combine it all: let it be yours in common while ye produce one\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0world with joint endeavour.\n 40All these now dwelling on the earth, mine offspring, these whom,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0this woman here, my wife, hath borne me,\n \u00a0\u00a0Invite them all unto the vessel: knowing their kinship have the\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0children met together.\n 41Swollen with savoury meath, the stream of treasures, sources of\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0immortality blent with fatness\n \u00a0\u00a0Soma retains all these; in sixty autumns the Guardian Lord of\n \u00a0\u00a0Treasures may desire them.\n 42The Lord of Treasures may desire this treasure: lordless on.\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0every side be all the others.\n \u00a0\u00a0Our mess, presented seeking heaven, hath mounted in three\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0divisions all three realms of Svarga.\n 43May Agni burn the God-denying demon: let no carnivorous.\n \u00a0\u00a0Pis icha drink here.\n \u00a0\u00a0We drive him off, we keep him at a distance. \u0100dityas and\n \u00a0\u00a0Angirases pursue him!\n 44This meath do I announce, mingled with butter, to the Angi-\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0rases and the \u0100dityas.\n \u00a0\u00a0With pure hands ne'er laid roughly on a Brahman go, pious.\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0couple, to the world of Svarga.\n 45Of this have I obtained the noblest portion from that same\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0world whence Parmeshthin gained it.\n \u00a0\u00a0Pour forth, besprinkle butter rich in fatness: the share of\n \u00a0\u00a0Angiras is here before us.\n 46To Deities, to Truth, to holy Fervour this treasure we consign,.\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0this rich deposit,\n \u00a0\u00a0At play, in meeting led it not desert us, never give out to anyone\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0besides me.\n 47I cook the offering, I present oblation: only my wife attends\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0the holy service.\n \u00a0\u00a0A youthful world, a son hath been begotten. Begin a life that\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0brings success and triumph. p. 94\n 48There is no fault in this, no reservation, none when it goes with\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0friends in close alliance.\n \u00a0\u00a0We have laid down this vessel in perfection: the cooked mess\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0shall re-enter him who cooked it.\n 49To those we love may we do acts that please them. Away to\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0darkness go all those who hate us!\n \u00a0\u00a0Cow, ox, and strength of every kind approach us! Thus let\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0them banish death of human beings.\n 50Perfectly do the Agnis know each other, one visitor of plants\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0and one of rivers,\n \u00a0\u00a0And all the Gods who shine and glow in heaven. Gold is the\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0light of him who cooks oblation.\n 51Man hath received this skin of his from nature: of other\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0animals not one is naked.\n \u00a0\u00a0Ye make him clothe himself with might for raiment. Odana's\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0mouth is a home-woven vesture.\n 52Whatever thou may say at dice, in meeting, whatever falsehood\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0through desire of riches,\n \u00a0\u00a0Ye two, about one common warp uniting, deposit all impurity\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0within it.\n 53Win thou the rain: approach the Gods. Around thee thou from\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0the skin shalt make the smoke rise upward.\n \u00a0\u00a0Soon to be, decked with butter, all-embracing, come to this\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0world wherewith one birth unites thee.\n 54In many a shape hath heaven transformed its body, as in itself\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0is known, of varied eolour.\n \u00a0\u00a0Cleansing the bright, the dark form hath it banished: the red\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0form in the fire to thee I offer.\n 55To the eastern region, to Agni the Regent, to Asita the Protector,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u0100ditya the Archer, we present thee, this offering of ours. Do\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0ye preserve it from aggression\n \u00a0\u00a0To full old age may Destiny conduct us; may full old age deliver\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0us to Mrityu. Then may we be with our prepared oblation.\n 56To the southern region, to Indra the Regent, to Tiraschir\u0101ji the\n \u00a0\u00a0Protector, to Yama the Archer, we present, etc. (as in stanza\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a055)\n 57To the western region, to Varuna the Regent, to Prid\u0101ku the\n \u00a0\u00a0Protector, to Food the Archer, we present, etc.\n 58To the northern region, to Soma the Regent, to Svaja the Protec-\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0tor, to Thunderbolt the Archer, we present, etc. p. 95\n 59To the stedfast region, to Vishnu the Regent, to Kalm\u0101shagriva\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0the Protector, to Plants the Archers, we present, etc.\n 60To the upper region, to Brihaspati the Regent, to Svitra the\n \u00a0\u00a0Protector, to Rain the Archer, we present thee, this offering\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0of ours. Do ye preserve it from aggression.\n \u00a0\u00a0To full old age may Destiny conduct us, may full old age deliver\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0us to Mrityu. Then may we be with our prepared oblation.","title":"Atharva Veda: Book 12: Hymn 3: An accompaniment to the preparation and presentation of sacrificial offerings by a householder and his wife, with prayer for prosperity and happiness on earth and in heaven","type":"page"}