HYMN XXIX

A charm for the destruction of malignant goblins

Made ready in the east drive forth, take notice of what is hap-
pening here, omniscient Agni!
Thou bringest medicine and healest sickness: through thee may
we win horses, kine, and people.
Accordant with all Gods, O Jatavedas Agni, perform this work
as we beseech thee,
That this defence of his may fall, whoever hath caused us pain,
whoever hath consumed us.
Unanimous, with all the Gods together, so do this thing O Agni
Jatavedas, that this defence of his may fall and fail him.
Pierce both his eyes, pierce thou the heart within him, crush
thou his teeth and cleave his tongue asunder.
Rend thou, most youthful Agni, that Pisacha whoso amid them
all of this hath eaten.
Whatever of his body hath been taken, plundered, borne off, or
eaten by Pisachas,
This, Agni, knowing it, again bring hither! We give back flesh
and spirit to his body.
If some Pisacha in my food raw, ready, thoroughly cooked, or,
spotty, hath deceived me,
Let the Pisachas with their lives and offspring atone for this,
and let this man be healthy.
If one hath cheated me in milk or porridge, in food from grain
or plants that need no culture.
Let the Pisachas, etc.
If one, flesh eater, in a draught of water have wronged me lying
in the bed of goblins,
Let the Pisachas, etc.
If one, flesh-eater, in the day or night-time have wronged me
lying in the bed of goblins,
Let the Pisachas, etc.
O Agni Jatavedas, slay the bloody Pisacha, flesh-devourer, mind-
destroyer,
Strong Indra strike him with his bolt of thunder, courageous
Soma cut his head to pieces!
Thou, Agni, ever slayest Yatudhanas, the fiends have never con-
quered thee in battles.
Consume thou from the root the flesh-devourers, let none of
them escape thy heavenly weapon
Collect, O Jatavedas, what hath been removed and borne away.
Let this man's members grow, let him swell like the tendril of a
plant.
Like as the Soma's tendril, thus, O Jatavedas let him swell,
Let him live, Agni I Make him fat, free from consumption, full
of sap.
Here, Agni, is the fuel, here are logs that crush Pisachas down.
O Jatavedas, willingly accept them and be pleased therewith.
Accept, O Agni, with thy flame the billets of Tarshtagha wood.
Let the flesh-eater who would take the flesh of this man lose his
form.