Vedic Hymns, Part I (SBE32): Vedic Hymns: VI, 66. To the ... | Internet Sacred Text Archive

MANDALA VI, HYMN 66.

ASHTAKA V, ADHYÂYA 1, VARGA 7-8.

To the Maruts (the Storm-gods).

1. This may well be a marvel, even to an intelligent man, that anything should have taken the same name dhenu, cow:—the one is always brimming to give milk among men, but Prisni (the cloud, the mother of the Maruts) poured out her bright udder once (only).

2. The Maruts who shone like kindled fires, as they grew stronger twice and thrice,—their golden, dustless (chariots 1) became full of manly courage and strength.

3. They who 1 are the sons of the bounteous Rudra, and whom she indeed was strong enough to bear; for she, the great, is known as the mother of the great, that very Prisni conceived the germ for the strong one (Rudra).

4. They who do not shrink from being born in this way 1, and who within (the womb) clean themselves from all impurity 2, when they have been brought forth brilliant, according to their pleasure, they sprinkle their bodies with splendour.

5. Among them there is no one who does not strive to be brought forth quickly; and they assume the defiant name of Maruts. They who are not (unkind 1), never tiring in strength 2, will the generous sacrificer be able to bring down these fierce ones?

6. Fierce in strength, followed by daring armies, these Maruts have brought together heaven and earth 1, both firmly established 2; then the self-shining

[paragraph continues] Rodasî stood among the impetuous Maruts, like 3 a light.

7. Even though your carriage, O Maruts, be without your deer 1, without horse's, and not driven by any charioteer, without drag 2, and without reins, yet, crossing the air 3, it passes between heaven and earth, finishing its courses.

8. No one can stop, no one can overcome him whom you, O Maruts, protect in battle. He whom you protect in his kith, his cattle, his kin, and his waters, he breaks the stronghold at the close of the day 1.

9. Offer a beautiful song to the host of the Maruts, the singers, the quick, the strong, who resist violence with violence; O Agni, the earth trembles before the champions.

10. Blazing like the flame of the sacrifices, flickering like the tongues of the fire, shouters, like roaring fighters, the flame-born Maruts are unassailable.

11. I invite with my call this strong and Marut-like son of Rudra 1, armed with flaming spears. Bright thoughts, like wild waters from the mountain 2, strove to reach the host of heaven.

NOTES.

Hymn ascribed to Bharadvâga Bârhaspatya. None of its verses occurs in SV., VS., AV. Verse 2 in MS. IV, 14, 11. Verse 9 in TS. IV, 1, 11, 3; TB. II, 8, 5, 5; MS. IV, 10, 3. Verse 10 in MS. IV, 14, 11. Metre, Trishtubh.

Verse 1.