BOOK IX

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

p. a356

HYMN I

A glorification of the Asvins' whip and a prayer for blessings

1The Asvins' Honey-whip was born from heaven and earth, from
   middle air, and ocean, and from fire and wind.
  All living creatures welcome it with joyful hearts, fraught with
   the store of Amrit it hath gathered up.
2They call thee earth's great strength in every form, they call
   thee too the ocean's genial seed.
  Whence comes the Honey-whip bestowing bounty, there Vital
  Spirit is, and Amrit treasured.
3In sundry spots, repeatedly reflecting, men view upon the earth:
   her course and action;
  For she, the first-born daughter of the Maruts, derives her
   origin from Wind and Agni.
4Daughter of Vasus, mother of Ādityas, centre of Amrit breath
   of living creatures.
  The Honey-whip, gold-coloured, dropping fatness, moves as a
   mighty embryo 'mid mortals.
5The deities begat the Whip of Honey: her embryo assumed all
   forms and fashions.
  The mother nourishes that tender infant which at its birth
   looks on all worlds and beings.
6Who understandeth well, who hath perceived it, her heart's un-
   injured Soma-holding beaker?
  Let the wise Brāhman priest therein be joyful.
7He understandeth them, he hath perceived them, her breasts
   that pour a thousand streams, uninjured.
  They unreluctantly yield strength and vigour.
8She who with voice upraised in constant clamour, mighty, life-
   giving, goes unto her function,
  Bellowing to the heated three libations, suckles with streams of
   milk, and still is lowing. p. a357
9On whom, well-fed, the Waters wait in worship, and steers and
   self-refulgent bulls attend her.
  For thee, for one like thee down pour the Waters, and cause
   desire and strength to rain upon thee.
10The thunder is thy voice, O Lord of Creatures: a Bull, thou
   castest on the earth thy vigour.
  The Honey-whip, the Manus' first-born daughter, derives her
   origin from Wind and Agni.
11As at the morning sacrifice the Asvins twain love Soma well,
  Even so may both the Asvins lay splendour and strength within
   my soul.
12As at the second sacrifice Indra and Agni love him well,
  Let the pair, Indra Agni, lay splendour and strength within my
   soul.
13As at third sacrifice Soma is the Ribhus' well-beloved one,
  Even so may they, the Ribhus, store splendour and strength
   within my soul.
14Fain would I bring forth sweetness, fain would make it mine.
  Bringing milk, Agni! have I come: splendour and strength
   bestow on me!
15Grant me, O Agni, splendid strength, and progeny, and length-
   ened life.
  May the Gods know me as I am, may Indra with the Rishis
   know.
16As honey-bees collect and add fresh honey to their honey store,
  Even so may both the Asvins lay splendour and strength within
   my soul.
17As over honey flies besmear this honey which the bees have
   made,
  So may both Asvins lay in me splendour and strength and
   power and might.
18May all the sweetness that is found in hills and mountains,
   steeds and kine,
  And wine that floweth from the cup,—may all that sweetness
   be in me.
19May both the Asvins, Lords of Light, balm me with honey of
   the bees,
  That I may speak among the folk words full of splendour and
   of strength. p. a358
20The thunder is thy voice, O Lord of Creatures: a Bull, thou
   castest strength on earth and heaven.
  To that all cattle look for their existence: with this she nourishes
   their force and vigour.
21The Whip itself is Heaven, Earth is the handle, the point of
   juncture is the Air's mid-region.
  The lash is lightning, and the tip is golden.
22Whoever knows the Whip's seven kinds of honey, becomes
   himself a man endowed with sweetness.
  Brāhman and King, the draught-ox and the milch-cow, barley
   and rice, and honey is the seventh.
23Sweet is the man, sweet are his goods and chattels: he who
   knows this conquers the worlds of sweetness.
24The thundering of Prajāpati in heaven is verily manifest to living
   creatures.
  Therefore I stand from right to left invested, and, O Prajāpati,
  I cry, regard me!
  The man who hath this knowledge is regarded by living beings
   and the Lord of Creatures.