HYMN LIII

A hymn to Kama or Time

Prolific, thousand-eyed, and undecaying, a horse with seven
reins Time bears us onward.
Sages inspired with holy knowledge mount him: his chariot
wheels are all the worlds of creatures.
This Time hath seven rolling wheels and seven naves immorality
is the chariot's axle.
This Time brings hitherward all worlds about us: as primal
Deity is he entreated.
On Time is laid an overflowing beaker: this we behold in many
a place appearing.
He carries from us all these worlds of creatures. They call him
Kala in the loftiest heaven.
He only made the worlds of life, he only gathered the worlds
of living things together.
Their son did he become who was their Father: no other higher
power than he existeth.
Kala created yonder heaven, and Kala made these realms of
earth.
By Kala, stirred to motion, both what is and what shall be
expand.
Kala created land; the Sun in Kala hath his light and heat.
In Kala rest all things that be: in Kala doth the eye discern.
In Kala mind, in Kala breath, in Kala name are fixt and joined.
These living creatures, one and all, rejoice when Kala hath
approached.
Kala embraces Holy Fire, the Highest, Brahma in himself.
Yea, Kala, who was father of Prajapati, is Lord of All.
He made, he stirred this universe to motion, and on him it rests.
He, Kala, having now become Brahma, holds Parameshthin up.
Kala created living things and, first of all, Prajapati.
From Kala self-made Kasyapa, from Kala Holy Fire was born.