{"collection":"Hinduism","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/hin/av/av18003.htm","path":"hin/av/av18003.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/hin/av/av18003.htm","text":"Hymns of the Atharva Veda, by Ralph T.H. Griffith, [1895]\n1Choosing her husband's world, O man, this woman lays herself\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0down beside thy lifeless body. p. 192\n \u00a0\u00a0Preserving faithfully the ancient custom. Bestow upon here both\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0wealth and offspring.\n 2Rise, come unto the world of life, O woman: come, he is lifeless\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0by whose side thou liest.\n \u00a0\u00a0Wifehood with this thy husband was thy portion who took thy\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0hand and wooed thee as a lover.\n 3I looked and saw the youthful dame escorted, the living to the\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0dead: I saw them, bear her.\n \u00a0\u00a0When she with blinding darkness was enveloped, then did I turn\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0her back and lead her homeward.\n 4Knowing the world of living beings, Aghny\u0101! treading the path.\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0of Gods which lies before thee,\n \u00a0\u00a0This is thy husband: joyfully receive him and let him mount\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0into the world of Svarga.\n 5The speed of rivers craving heaven and cane, thou, Agni, art the\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0waters' gall.\n 6Cool, Agni, and again refresh the spot which thou hast scorched\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0and burnt.\n \u00a0\u00a0Here let the water-lily grow, and tender grass and leafy plant.\n 7Here is one light for thee, another yonder: enter the third and\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0be therewith united.\n \u00a0\u00a0Uniting with a body be thou lovely, dear to the Gods in their\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0sublimest mansion.\n 8Rise up, advance, run forward: make thy dwelling in water\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0that shall be thy place to rest in\n \u00a0\u00a0There dwelling in accordance with the Fathers delight thyself\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0with Soma and libations.\n 9Prepare thy body: speed thou on thy journey: let not thy limbs,.\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0thy frame be left behind thee.\n \u00a0\u00a0Follow to its repose thy resting spirit: go to whatever spot of\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0earth thou lovest.\n 10With splendour may the Fathers, meet for Soma, with mead and.\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0fatness may the Gods anoint me.\n \u00a0\u00a0Lead me on farther to extended vision, and prosper me through\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0life of long duration.\n 11May Agni balm me thoroughly with splendour; may Vishnu.\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0touch my lips with understanding.\n \u00a0\u00a0May all the Deities vouchsafe me riches, and pleasant Waters\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0purify and cleanse me. p. 193\n 12Mitra and Varuna have stood about me. \u0100dityas, Sacirifical\n \u00a0\u00a0Posts exalt me!\n \u00a0\u00a0May Indra balm my hands with strength and splendour. A long,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0long life may Savitar vouchsafe me.\n 13Worship with sacrificial gift King Yama, Vivasv\u0101n's son who\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0gathers men together,\n \u00a0\u00a0Yama who was the first to die of mortals, the first who travelled\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0to the world before us.\n 14Depart, O Fathers, and again come hither; this sacrifice of yours\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0is balmed with sweetness.\n \u00a0\u00a0Enrich us here with gift of great possessions; grant blessed\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0wealth with ample store of heroes.\n 15Kanva, Kakshiv\u0101n, Purumidha, Agastya, Sy\u0101v\u0101sva Sobhari, and\n \u00a0\u00a0Archan\u0101nas,\n \u00a0\u00a0This Visv\u0101mitra, Jamadagni, Atri, Kasyapa, V\u0101madeva be our\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0helpers!\n 16Vasishtha, Jamadagni, Visv\u0101mitra, Gotama, V\u0101madeva, Bhara-\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0dvaja!\n \u00a0\u00a0Atri hath won your favour with homage. Gracious to us be ye\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0praiseworthy Fathers.\n 17They, making for themselves a new existence, wash off defilement\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0in the brazen vessel.\n \u00a0\u00a0May we be fragrant in our houses, ever increasing in our\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0children and our riches.\n 18They balm him, balm him over, balm him thoroughly, caress\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0the mighty power and balm it with the mead,\n \u00a0\u00a0They seize the flying steer at the stream's breathing-place:\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0cleansing with gold they grasp the animal herein.\n 19Fathers, be glorious in yourselves, and follow all that is glad in\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0you and meet for Soma.\n \u00a0\u00a0Give ear and listen, swiftly-moving Sages, benevolent, invoked in\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0our assembly.\n 20Atris, Angirases, Navagvas, givers of liberal gifts, continual\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0sacrificers,\n \u00a0\u00a0Devout and pious, granting guerdon freely, sit on this holy grass\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0and be ye joyful.\n 21As in the days of old our ancient Fathers, speeding the work of\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0sacred worship, Agni!\n \u00a0\u00a0Sought pure light and devotion, singing praises, they cleft the\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0ground and made red Dawns apparent. p. 194\n 22Gods, doing holy acts, devout, resplendent, smelting like ore\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0their human generation,\n \u00a0\u00a0Brightening Agni and exalting Indra, they came encompassing\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0the stall of cattle.\n 23Strong One! he marked them, and the gods before them, like\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0herds of cattle in a foodful pasture.\n \u00a0\u00a0There man moaned forth their strong desires, to strengthen even\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0the true; the nearest One, the living.\n 24We have worked for thee, we have toiled and laboured: bright\n \u00a0\u00a0Dawns have shed their light upon our worship.\n \u00a0\u00a0All that the Gods regard with love is blessed. Loud may we\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0speak, with heroes, in assembly.\n 25From eastward Indra, Lord or Maruts, guard me, as in her\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0arms Earth guards the heaven above us!\n \u00a0\u00a0Those who give room, who made the paths, we worship, you,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0mid the Gods, who share the gifts we offer.\n 26Dh\u0101tar with Nirriti save me from southward, etc. (as in stanza\n \u00a0\u00a025).\n 27From westward Aditi was \u0100dityas save me! etc.\n 28From westward with the All-Gods save me Soma! etc.\n 29May the strong firm Sustainer bear thee upright, as Savitar bears\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0light above the heaven.\n \u00a0\u00a0Those who give room, who made the paths, we worship, you\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0mid the Gods, whe share the gifts we offer.\n 30Toward the eastward region I supply thee before thou goest\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0homeward, with oblation, as in her arms, etc. (as in stanza 25).\n 31Toward the southern region, etc.\n 32Toward the western region, etc.\n 33Toward the northern region, etc.\n 34Toward the stedfast region, etc.\n 35Toward the upmost region I supply thee, before thou goest\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0homeward, with oblation, as in her arms Earth bears the\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0heaven above us.\n \u00a0\u00a0Those who give room, who made the paths, we worship, you,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0mid the Gods, who share the gifts we offer.\n 36Thou art the Bull, Supporter, and Upholder,\n 37Who purifiest wind and mead and water.\n 38From this side and from that let both assist me. As, speeding,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0ye have come like two twin sisters, p. 195\n \u00a0\u00a0Religious-hearted votaries brought you forward. Knowing your\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0several places be ye seated.\n 39Sit near, sit very near beside our Soma: for you I fit the ancient\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0prayer with homage.\n \u00a0\u00a0The praise-song, like a chieftain on his pathway, spreads far and\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0wide. Let all Immortals hear it.\n 40Three paces hath the stake gone up, and followed her, the four-\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0footed, with devout observance.\n \u00a0\u00a0He with the Syllable copies the praise-song; he thoroughly\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0purifies at Order's centre.\n 41Chose he then, death for Gods to be their portion? Why chose\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0he not for men a life eternal?\n \u00a0\u00a0Brihaspati span sacrifice, the Rishi; and Yama yielded up his\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0own dear body.\n 42Thou, Agni J\u0101tavedas, when entreated, didst bear our offerings,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0having made them fragrant.\n \u00a0\u00a0And give them to the Fathers who consumed them with Svadh\u0101.\n \u00a0\u00a0Eat, thou God, the gifts we bring thee.\n 43Lapped in the bosom of the purple Mornings, give riches to the\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0man who brings oblations.\n \u00a0\u00a0Grant to your sons a portion of that treasure, and, present, give\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0them energy, O Fathers.\n 44Fathers whom Agni's flames have tasted, come ye nigh: in per-\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0fect order take ye each your proper place.\n \u00a0\u00a0Eat sacrificial food presented on the grass: grant riches with a\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0multitude of hero sons.\n 45May they, the Fathers who deserve the Soma, invited to their\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0favourite oblations.\n \u00a0\u00a0Laid on the sacred grass, come nigh and listen. May they be\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0gracious unto us and bless us.\n 46Our Father's Fathers and their sires before them who came,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0most noble, to the Soma banquet,\n \u00a0\u00a0With these let Yama, yearning with the yearning, rejoicing eat\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0our offerings at his pleasure.\n 47Come to us, Agni, with the gracious Fathers who dwell in glow-\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0ing light, the very Sages,\n \u00a0\u00a0Who thirsted mid the Gods, who hasten hither, oblation-winners,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0theme of singers' praises.\n 48Come, Agni, come with countless ancient Fathers, dwellers in\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0light, primeval, God-adorers, p. 196\n \u00a0\u00a0Eaters and drinkers of oblation, truthful, who travel with the\n \u00a0\u00a0Deities and Indra.\n 49Betake thee to the lap of Earth, our mother, of Earth far-spread-\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0ing, very kind and gracious.\n \u00a0\u00a0May she, wool-soft unto the guerdon-giver, guard thee in front\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0upon the distant pathway.\n 50Heave thyself, Earth, nor press him downward heavily: afford\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0him easy access pleasant to approach,\n \u00a0\u00a0Cover him as a mother wraps her skirt about her child, O\n \u00a0\u00a0Earth!\n 51Now let the heaving earth be free from motion: yea, let a\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0thousand clods remain above him.\n \u00a0\u00a0Be they to him a home distilling fatness: here let them ever be\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0his place of refuge.\n 52I stay the earth from thee, while over thee I place this piece of\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0earth. May I be free from injury.\n \u00a0\u00a0The Fathers firmly fix this pillar here for thee; and there let\n \u00a0\u00a0Yama make thee an abiding-place.\n 53Forbear, O Agni, to upset this chalice: the Gods and they who\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0merit Soma love it.\n \u00a0\u00a0This cup, yea this which serves the Gods to drink from,\u2014in this\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0let the Immortals take their pleasure.\n 54The chalice brimming o'er which erst Atharvan offered to Indra,\n \u00a0\u00a0Lord of wealth and treasure,\n \u00a0\u00a0Indu therein sets draught of virtuous action, and ever purifies\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0himself within it.\n 55What wound soe'er the dark bird hath inflicted, the emmet, or\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0the serpent, or the jackal,\n \u00a0\u00a0May Agni who devoureth all things heal it, and Soma, who hath\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0passed into the Br\u0101hmans.\n 56The plants of earth are rich in milk, and rich in milk is this my\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0milk.\n \u00a0\u00a0With all the milky essence of the Waters let them make me\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0clean.\n 57Let these unwidowed dames with goodly husbands adorn them-\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0selves with fragrant balm and unguent.\n \u00a0\u00a0Decked with fair jewels, tearless, free, from trouble, first let the\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0dames go up to where he lieth.\n 58Meet Yama, meet the Fathers, meet the merit of virtuous action\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0in the loftiest heaven. p. 197\n \u00a0\u00a0Leave sin and evil, seek anew thy dwelling: so bright with glory\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0let him join his body.\n 59Our Father's Fathers and their sires before them, they who have\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0entered into air's wide region,\n \u00a0\u00a0For them shall self-resplendent Asuniti form bodies now accord-\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0ing to her pleasure.\n 60Let the hoar-frost be sweet to thee. sweetly on thee the rain\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0descend!\n \u00a0\u00a0O full of coolness, thou cool Plant, full of fresh moisture, fresh-\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0ening Herb,\n \u00a0\u00a0Bless us in waters, female Frog: calm and allay this Agni here.\n 61Vivasv\u0101n make us free from fear and peril, good rescuer, quick-\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0pouring, bounteous giver!\n \u00a0\u00a0Many in number be these present heroes! Increase of wealth be\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0mine in kine and horses!\n 62In immortality Vivasv\u0101n set us! Go from us Death, come to us\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0life eternal!\n \u00a0\u00a0To good old age may he protect these people: let not their\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0spirits pass away to Yama.\n 63The Sage of Fathers, guardian of devotions who holds thee up\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0with might in air's mid-region,\u2014\n \u00a0\u00a0Praise him ye Visv\u0101mitras, with oblation. To lengthened life\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0shall be, this Yama, lead us.\n 64Mount and ascend to highest heaven, O Rishis: be ye not afraid.\n \u00a0\u00a0Soma-drinkers to you is paid this Soma-lover's sacrifice. We\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0have attained the loftiest light.\n 65Agni is shining forth with lofty banner: the Bull is bellowing to\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0earth and heaven.\n \u00a0\u00a0From the sky's limit even hath he stretched near us: the Steer\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0hath waxen in the waters' bosom.\n 66They gaze on thee with longing in their spirit, as on an eagle\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0that is mounting skyward;\n \u00a0\u00a0On thee with wings of gold, Varuna's envoy, the Bird that\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0hasteth to the home of Yama.\n 67O Indra, bring us wisdom as a sire gives wisdom to his sons.\n \u00a0\u00a0Guide us, O much-invoked in this our way: may we still living\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0look upon the Sun.\n 68Let these which Gods have held for thee, the beakers covered\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0o'er with cake,\n \u00a0\u00a0Be full of sacred food for thee, distilling fatness, rich in mead. p. 198\n 69Grains which for thee I scatter, mixt with Sesamum, as holy\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0food,\n \u00a0\u00a0May they for thee be excellent and potent: King Yama look on\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0them as thine with favour!\n 70O Tree, give back again this man who is deposited on thee.\n \u00a0\u00a0That he may dwell in Yama's home addressing the assemblies\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0there.\n 71Seize hold O J\u0101tavedas; let thy flame be full of fervent heat.\n \u00a0\u00a0Consume his body: to the world of pious ones transport this\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0man.\n 72To these, thy Fathers who have passed away at first and after-\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0ward,\n \u00a0\u00a0Let the full brook of butter run, o'erflowing with a hundred\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0streams.\n 73Mount to this life, removing all defilement: here thine own\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0kindred shine with lofty splendour.\n \u00a0\u00a0Depart thou; be not left behind: go forward, first of those here,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0unto the world of Fathers.","title":"Atharva Veda: Book 18: Hymn 3: A funeral hymn, taken part...","type":"page"}