HYMN CLXXXVII. Praise of Food.

Rig Veda, tr. by Ralph T.H. Griffith, [1896], at sacred-texts.com

HYMN CLXXXVII. Praise of Food.

1. Now will I glorify Food that upholds great strength,
By whose invigorating power Trita rent Vṛtra limb from limb.
2 O pleasant Food, O Food of meath, thee have we chosen for our own,
So be our kind protector thou.
3 Come hitherward to us, O Food, auspicious with auspicious help,
Health-bringing, not unkind, a dear and guileless friend.
4 These juices which, O Food, are thine throughout the regions are diffused.
like winds they have their place in heaven.
5 These gifts of thine, O Food, O Food most sweet to taste,
These savours of thy juices work like creatures that have mighty necks.
6 In thee, O Food, is set the spirit of great Gods.
Under thy flag brave deeds were done he slew the Dragon with thy help.
7 If thou be gone unto the splendour of the clouds,
Even from thence, O Food of meath, prepared for our enjoyment, come.
8 Whatever morsel we consume from waters or from plants of earth, O Soma, wax thou fat thereby.
9 What Soma, we enjoy from thee in milky food or barley-brew, Vātāpi, grow thou fat thereby.
10 O Vegetable, Cake of meal, he wholesome, firm, and strengthening: Vātāpi, grow thou fat thereby.
11 O Food, from thee as such have we drawn forth with lauds, like cows, our sacrificial gifts,
From thee who banquetest with Gods, from thee who banquetest with us.