MANDALA I, HYMN 71.

ASHTAKA I, ADHYAYA 5, VARGA 15-16.

1. The loving (women) have (amorously) excited their lover, as wives of the same nest (house) their own husband. The sisters have delighted in the dark and in the red (goddess) , as the cows in the brightly shining dawn.

2. Our fathers, the Angiras , have broken even the strong fortresses by their hymns, the rock by their shouting. They have opened to us the path of the great heaven; they have obtained day and sun and the shine of the dawn .

3. They founded the Rita; they set into motion the thought of it . Thus then the widely-spread (prayers) of the poor which seek to obtain (wealth), which are free from thirst , the active, approach the tribe of the gods , strengthening them by offering them delight.

4. When Matarisvan had produced him by attrition, he, the reddish, the noble one, who was brought to many places , has come to every house. Then the Bhrigu-like has undertaken the messengership (for the mortal) as for a mightier king, being attached to him.

5. When he had created sap to the great father Heaven, the knowing one stealthily approached the speckled (cows). The archer fiercely shot an arrow at him. The god turned his impetuous power against his daughter .

6. Augment, O Agni, twofold the strength of

the man who worships thee in his house, or offers adoration to the loving one day by day. May he whom thou incitest be united with riches .

7. Every nourishment goes towards Agni , as the seven young rivers (flow) into the ocean. Our strength does not shine from kinsmen . Do thou therefore who knowest this, procure among the gods kindness for us.

8 . When the sharp splendour reached the lord of men to incite him , the bright sperm poured down from Heaven (or, from the god Dyaus) , Agni produced and furthered the blameless, young, well-wishing host .

9. He who traverses the paths quickly like thought, the Sun alone rules over wealth altogether. (There are) the two kings Mitra and Varuna with graceful hands , who watch over the beloved ambrosia in the cows.

10. Do not forget, O Agni, who art a sage possessed of knowledge , our paternal friendship. Old age impairs the appearance (of men) as a cloud (covers the sun or the sky). Before this curse (attains us), think thou (of us) .

NOTES.

The same Rishi. Metre, Trishtubh.

Though the hymns 71-73 are not composed in the Virag metre like the preceding hymns, it is shown by 'manifold evidence that they had the same origin. Verse 8 = VS. XXXIII, 11; TS. I, 3, 14, 6; MS. IV, 14, 15.

Verse 1.

Note [1:71:1:1]1. Comp. Geldner, Vedische Studien, II, 134.

Note [1:71:1:2]2. if the text is correct, the 'sisters' may either