Vedic Hymns, Part I (SBE32): Vedic Hymns: II, 34. To the ... | Internet Sacred Text Archive

MANDALA II, HYMN 34.

ASHTAKA II, ADHYÂYA 7, VARGA 19-21.

To the Maruts (the Storm-gods).

1. The Maruts charged with rain 1, endowed with fierce force, terrible like wild beasts 2, blazing 3 in their strength 4, brilliant like fires, and impetuous 5, have uncovered the (rain-giving) cows by blowing away the cloud 6.

2. The (Maruts) with their rings 1 appeared like the heavens with their stars 2, they shone wide like streams from clouds as soon as Rudra, the strong man, was born for you, O golden-breasted Maruts, in the bright lap of Prisni 3.

3. They wash 1 their horses like racers in the courses, they hasten with the points of the reed 2 on their quick steeds. O golden jawed 3 Maruts, violently shaking (your jaws), you go quick 4 with your spotted deer 5, being friends of one mind.

4. Those Maruts have grown to feed 1 all these beings, or, it may be, (they have come) hither for the sake of a friend, they who always bring quickening rain. They have spotted horses, their bounties cannot be taken away, they are like headlong charioteers on their ways 2.

5. O Maruts, wielding your brilliant spears, come hither on smooth 1 roads with your fiery 2 cows (clouds) whose udders are swelling; (come hither), being of one mind, like swans toward their nests, to enjoy the sweet offering.

6. O one-minded Maruts, come to our prayers, come to our libations like (Indra) praised by men 1!

[paragraph continues] Fulfil (our prayer) like the udder of a barren cow 2, and make the prayer glorious by booty to the singer.

7. Grant us this strong horse for our chariot, a draught 1 that rouses our prayers, from day to day, food to the singers, and to the poet in our homesteads 2 luck 3, wisdom, inviolable and invincible strength.

8. When the gold-breasted Maruts harness the horses to their chariots, bounteous 1 in wealth, then it is as if a cow in the folds poured out 2 to her calf copious food, to every man who has offered libations.

9. Whatever mortal enemy may have placed us among wolves 1, shield us from hurt, ye Vasus! Turn the wheels with burning heat2 against him, and strike down the weapon of the impious fiend, O Rudras!

10. Your march, O Maruts, appears brilliant, whether even friends have milked the udder of Prisni, or whether, O sons of Rudra, you mean to blame him who praises you, and to weaken those who are weakening Trita, O unbeguiled heroes 1.

11. We invoke you, the great Maruts, the constant wanderers, at the offering of the rapid Vishnu 1; holding ladles (full of libations) and prayerful we ask the golden-coloured and exalted Maruts for glorious wealth.