{"collection":"Hinduism","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/hin/av/av20017.htm","path":"hin/av/av20017.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/hin/av/av20017.htm","text":"Hymns of the Atharva Veda, by Ralph T.H. Griffith, [1895]\n\u00a0\u00a0I. In perfect unison all yearning hymns of mine that find the light\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0of heaven have sung forth Indra's praise.\n \u00a0\u00a0As wives embrace their lord, the comely bridegroom, so they\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0compass Maghavan about that he may help.\n 2Directed unto thee my spirit never strays, for I have set my\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0hopes on thee, O much-invoked!\n \u00a0\u00a0Sit, wonderful! as King upon the sacred grass, and let thy\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0drinking-place be by the Soma juice.\n 3From indigence and hunger Indra turns away: Maghavan hath\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0dominion over precious wealth.\n \u00a0\u00a0These the Seven Rivers flowing on their downward path increase\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0the vital vigour of the Mighty Steer.\n 4As on the fair-leafed tree rest birds, to Indra flow the gladden-\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0ing Soma juices that the bowls contain.\n \u00a0\u00a0Their face that glows with splendour through their mighty\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0power hath found the shine of heaven for man, the Aryas'\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0light.\n 5As in the game a gambler piles his winnings, so Maghavan,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0sweeping all together, gained the Sun.\n \u00a0\u00a0This mighty deed of thine none other could achieve, none,\n \u00a0\u00a0Maghavan, before thee, none in recent time.\n 6Maghavan came by turns to all the tribes of men: the Steer\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0took notice of the people's songs of praise.\n \u00a0\u00a0The man in whose libations Sakra hath delight by means of\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0potent Somas vanquisheth his foes.\n 7As waters flow together to the river, thus Somas to Indra flow,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0as rivulets to the lake.\n \u00a0\u00a0In place of sacrifice sages exalt his might, as the rain swells the\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0corn by moisture sent from heaven.\n 8He rushes through the region like a furious bull, he who hath\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0made these floods the dames of worthy lords.\n \u00a0\u00a0This Maghavan hath found light for the man who brings\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0oblation, sheds the juice, and promptly pours his gifts.\n 9Let the keen axe come forth together with the light: here be,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0as erst, the teeming cow of sacrifice.\n \u00a0\u00a0Let the Red God shine pure with his refulgent ray, and let the\n \u00a0\u00a0Lord of heroes glow like heaven's clear sheen. p. 278\n 10O much-invoked, may we subdue all famine and evil want with\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0store of grain and cattle.\n \u00a0\u00a0May we allied, as first in rank, with princes, obtain possessions\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0by our own exertion.\n 11Brihaspati protect us from the rearward, and from above, and\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0from below, from sinners.\n \u00a0\u00a0May Indra from the front, and from the centre, as friend to\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0friends, vouchsafe us room and freedom.\n 12Ye twain are Lords of wealth in earth and heaven, thou, O\n \u00a0\u00a0Brihaspati, and thou, O Indra.\n \u00a0\u00a0Mean though he be, give wealth to him who lauds you. Preserve\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0us evermore, ye Gods, with blessings.","title":"Atharva Veda: Book 20: Hymn 17","type":"page"}