An Apri or propitiatory hymn

Hymns of the Atharva Veda, by Ralph T.H. Griffith, [1895], at sacred-texts.com

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HYMN XII

An Apri or propitiatory hymn

1Thou in the house of man this day enkindled worshippest Gods
   as God, O Jātavedas.
  Observant, bright as Mitra, bring them hither. Thou art a
   sapient and foreknowing envoy.
2Tanùnapāt, fair-tongued! with sweet meath balming the baths
   and ways of Order, make them pleasant.
  Bear to the Gods our sacrifice, exalting with holy thoughts our
   hymns of praise and worship.
3Invoked, deserving prayer and adoration, O Agni, come accor
   dant with the Vasus.
  Thou art, O youthful Lord, the Gods' Invoker, so, best of sacri-
   ficers, bring them quickly.
4By rule the Sacred Grass is scattered eastward, a robe to clothe
   this earth when dawns are breaking.
  Widely it spreads around and far extended, fair for the Gods
   and bringing peace and freedom,
5Let the expansive Doors be widely opened, like wives who deck
   their beauty for their husbands.
  Lofty, celestial, all-impelling Portals, admit the Gods and give
   them easy entrance!
6Pouring sweet dews let holy Night and Morning, each close to
   each, be seated at their station,—
  Lofty, celestial Dames with gold to deck them, assuming all
   their fair and radiant beauty.
7Come the first two celestial sweet-voiced Hotars, arranging
   sacrifice for man to worship, p. a169
  As singers who inspire us in assemblies, showing the eastern
   light with their direction!
8Let Bhārati come quickly to our worship and Ilā showing like a
   human being.
  So let Sarasvati and both her fellows, deft Goddesses, on this
   fair grass be seated.
9Hotar more skilled in sacrifice, bring hither with speed to-day
  God Tvashar, thou who knowest,
  Even him who formed these two, the Earth and Heaven, the
  Parents, with their forms, and every creature.
10Bring thou to our oblations which thou balmest the companies
   of Gods in ordered season.
  Agni, Vanaspati, the Immolator sweeten our offered gifts with
   meath and butter!
11Agni as soon as he was born made ready the sacrifice and was
   the Gods' preceder.
  May the Gods eat our offering consecrated according to this true
  Priest's voice and guidance.