Vedic Hymns, Part I (SBE32): Vedic Hymns: I, 37. To the M... | Internet Sacred Text Archive

MANDALA I, HYMN 37.

ASHTAKA I, ADHYÂYA 3, VARGA 12-14.

To the Maruts (the Storm-Gods).

1. Sing forth, O Kanvas, to the sportive host of your Maruts, brilliant on their chariots, and unscathed 1,—

2. They who were born together, self-luminous, with the spotted deer (the clouds) 1, the spears, the daggers, the glittering ornaments 2.

3. I hear their 1 whips, almost close by, when they crack them in their hands; they gain splendour 2 on their way 3.

4. Sing forth the god-given prayer to the wild 1 host of your Maruts, endowed with terrible vigour 2 and strength.

5. Celebrate the bull among the cows (the storm among the clouds) 1, for it is the sportive host of the Maruts; he grew as he tasted the rain 2.

6. Who, O ye men, is the strongest among you here, ye shakers of heaven and earth, when you shake them like the hem of a garment 1?

7. At your approach the son of man holds himself down; the gnarled cloud 1 fled at your fierce anger.

8. They at whose racings 1 the earth, like a hoary king, trembles for fear on their ways,

9. Their birth is strong indeed: there is strength to come forth from their mother, nay, there is vigour twice enough for it 1.

10. And these sons, the singers 1, stretched out the fences in their racings 2; the cows had to walk knee-deep.

11. They cause this long and broad unceasing rain 1 to fall on their ways.

12. O Maruts, with such strength as yours, you have caused men to tremble 1, you have caused the mountains to tremble.

13. As the Maruts pass 1 along, they talk together on the way: does any one hear them?

14. Come fast on your quick steeds! there are worshippers 1 for you among the Kanvas: may you well rejoice among them.

15. Truly there is enough for your rejoicing. We always are their servants, that we may live even the whole of life.

NOTES.

This hymn is ascribed to Kanva, the son of Ghora.

Verse 1 = TS. IV, 3, 13, 6.

Verse 3 = SV. I, 135.

Verse 10 = SV. I, 221.

Verse 1.

Wilson: Celebrate, Kanvas, the aggregate strength of the Maruts, sportive, without horses, but shining in their car.

Benfey: Kanviden, auf! begrüsst mit Sang, die muntre Heerschaar der Marut’s, die rasch’ste, wagenglänzende.

Ludwig: Eurer spilenden schar, der Marutschar, der unangreifbaren, die auf wagen glänzt, der singt, o Kanvâs, zu.