MANDALA III, HYMN 7.

ASHTAKA III, ADHYAYA 1, VARGA 1-2.

1. They who have risen out of the drink of the white-backed one, have entered the two parents, the seven sounds. The (all-)encompassing parents come together; they go forth to aspire after long life .

2. The milch-cows dwelling in heaven are the mares of the manly one. He has bestridden the goddesses who carry the sweet (food) . Thee who livest in peace in the abode of Rita, the one cow circumambulates, making her way.

3. He has mounted the (mares) that became well-manageable, the wise lord, the finder of riches. He with the dark blue back, with many faces, has made them depart from the drink of the brush-wood .

4. Giving mighty vigour to the never-ageing son of Tvashtri , the streams carry Him the firmly fixed one. Flashing in his abode with his limbs he has entered upon the two worlds as if they were one.

5. They know friendship towards the manly, the red one, and they delight in the command of ruddy (Agni), (the gods) shining from heaven, resplendent with bright shine, to whose host Ila belongs, the mighty praise.

6. And finding it out by following the noise they brought to the great one's great parents a song of praise, when the bull about nightfall (?) has grown strong according to the singer's own law .

[p. "9"]

7. With the five Adhvaryus the seven priests watch the beloved footstep which the bird has made . Turned forwards the never-ageing bulls rejoice: for they, being gods, have followed the laws of the gods.

8 = III, 4, 7.

9. The many (mares) are full of desire for the mighty stallion. For the manly, bright one, the reins easily direct (the horses) . Divine Hotri! Thou who art a great joy-giver and wise, bring hither the great gods and the two worlds .

10. The dawns, O wealth-giver, the mighty sacrificers , well spoken and bright have shone with wealth. And by the earth's greatness , O Agni, forgive us even committed sin , that we may be great.

11 = III, 1, 23.

NOTES.

The same Rishi and metre.--No verse of this hymn occurs in the other Samhitas.

Verse 1.

Note [3:7:1:1]1. On the meaning of this difficult verse conjectures only can be given. The white-backed one may be Agni. If this is right, 'they who have risen out of Agni's drink,' may be Agni's rays or flames (ye rasmayah ... prakarshenodgakkhanti, Sayana); these flames enter upon the two mothers, i. e. Heaven and Earth, and upon the seven sounds, the sacrificial songs which are identified with the terrestrial and celestial seven rivers (comp. above, III, 1, 6). All this rests on the supposition that the traditional text is correct. Now Ludwig remarks with reference