instrumental means is shown, I believe, for instance, by IV, 14, 2. vi su'ryah rasmibhih kekitanah, 'the sun shining with his rays.' Thus in our passage the poet seems to me to say, 'We have no strong kinsmen who might add lustre to our strength. Agni, procure thou strength to us.' Comp. X, 23, 7. vidma hi te pramatim deva gamivat, 'for we know, O god, thy providing care like that of a kinsman.'--Prof. Max Muller proposes the translation: 'Our wealth is not known by our kinsmen, i. e. we cannot support them as we ought.'

Verse 8.

Note [1:71:8:1]1. The poet returns here to the myth of which he had spoken in verse 5. Should the order of the verses be changed?--On our verse, compare Geldner, Ved. Studien, II, 34.

Note [1:71:8:2]2. Tegas seems to be here a synonym of retas, as in the later language.

Note [1:71:8:3]3. Is the lord of men Agni? See the third Pada.--Ishe I consider, with Geldner, as an infinitive.

Note [1:71:8:4]4. My translation rests on the supposition that dyauh is to he corrected into dyoh; thus the ablative is obtained, of which the word abhi'ke is usually accompanied (comp. Lanman, 433; Collitz, Bezzenberger's Beitrage, X, 15). If we leave the reading dyauh, this nominative will be the subject of the verb a'nat. Then tegah must be accusative dependent on a'nat, and we can scarcely avoid making nripatim to depend on the infinitive ishe. This is the way which Geldner has followed in interpreting this passage. But I cannot consider this separation of nripatim from the verb a'nat very probable.

Note [1:71:8:5]5. The exact meaning of ganayat seems to be here, 'he caused them to be born.' Comp. Satapatha Brahmana I, 7, 4, 4. yatha tad deva retah praganayan (comp. Aitareya Brahmana III, 34; see also Rig-veda X, 61, 7).

Note [1:71:8:6]6. This may be the host of the seven Rishis. Comp. III, 31, 1-5; IV, 1, 12 seq. (?). Or the Maruts are alluded to (comp. below, 72, 4), though that seems to me less probable.

Verse 9.

Note [1:71:9:1]1. Literally, in one day. But sadyah has already in the Rig-veda the secondary meaning 'immediately, quickly.'

Note [1:71:9:2]2. Comp. III, 56, 7. ra'gana mitra'-varuna supani'.

Note [1:71:9:3]3. See below, 72, 6.

Verse 10.

Note [1:71:10:1]1. Comp. VII, 18, 2: there the words abhi viduh kavih san are identical with our text.