HYMN XII

A prayer for vengeance on a malicious rival worshipper

The spacious Firmament, and Earth and Heaven, the Field's
Queen, and the wonderful Wide-Strider,
Yea, the broad middle air which Vata guardeth, may these now
burn with heat while I am burning.
Listen to this, ye Gods who merit worship. Hymns here are sung
for me by Bharadvaja.
Bound in the noose may he be doomed to trouble whoever mars
this that our mind hath purposed.
Hear this my call, O Indra, Soma-drinker, as with a burning
heart I oft invoke thee.
I smite, as 'twere a tree felled with a hatchet, the man who
marreth this my plan and purpose.
Together with thrice-eighty Sama-singers, Angirases, and Vasus,
and Adityas,
May the felicity of the Fathers guard us. I seize that man with
fire that Gods have kindled.
O Heaven and Earth, regard me with your favour, and, all ye
Gods, stand on my side and help me.
Angirases, Fathers worthy of the Soma! woe fall on him who,
caused the hateful outrage!
Whoever either scorns us, O ye Maruts, or blames devotion
which we now are paying.
Let his own wicked deeds be fires to burn him. May Heaven
consume the man who hates devotion.
Thy sevenfold vital breath, thine eight marrows I rend away
with prayer.
With Agni as thine envoy, go, prepared, to Yama's dwelling
place.
In Jatavedas kindled flame I set the place assigned to thee.
Let fire consume thy body, and thy voice go to the general
breath.