25. Adhyāya 25 — Aśvamedha
Mantras 1–10
25.1
शादं दद्भिर् अवकां दन्तमूलैर् मृदं बर्स्वैस् तेगान् दꣳष्ट्राभ्याꣳ सरस्वत्या ऽ अग्रजिह्वं जिह्वाया ऽ उत्सादम् अवक्रन्देन तालु वाजꣳ हनुभ्याम् अप ऽ आस्येन वृषणम् आण्डाभ्याम् आदित्याꣳ श्मश्रुभिः पन्थानं भ्रूभ्यां द्यावापृथिवी वर्तोभ्यां विद्युतं कनीनकाभ्याꣳ शुक्लाय स्वाहा कृष्णाय स्वाहा पार्याणि पक्ष्माण्य् अवार्या ऽ इक्षवो वार्याणि पक्ष्माणि पार्या ऽ इक्षवः ॥
śādaṃ dadbhir avakāṃ dantamūlair mṛdaṃ barsvais tegān daṁṣṭrābhyāṁ sarasvatyā ' agrajihvaṃ jihvāyā ' utsādam avakrandena tālu vājaṁ hanubhyām apa ' āsyena vṛṣaṇam āṇḍābhyām ādityāṁ śmaśrubhiḥ panthānaṃ bhrūbhyāṃ dyāvāpṛthivī vartobhyāṃ vidyutaṃ kanīnakābhyāṁ śuklāya svāhā kṛṣṇāya svāhā pāryāṇi pakṣmāṇy avāryā ' ikṣavo vāryāṇi pakṣmāṇi pāryā ' ikṣavaḥ ॥
By the teeth, test the efficiency of chewing and the texture of food, the strength of the teeth by the roots and gums, the protective enamel by the cavities, biting force by the fangs, the ease and elegance of speech by the fluent sweetness and suppleness of the tongue at the tip, the palate by the roll of the voice, the sweetness and energy by the action of the jaws, the deliciousness of drinks by the mouth, the maturity of manhood by the scrotum, the roll of years of maturity by the beard and moustache, the paths and manners of living by the eyebrows, the sense of heaven and earth by the orbits of movement, the inner light and energy by the pupils
25.2
वातं प्राणेनापानेन नासिके ऽ उपयामम् अधरेणौष्ठेन सद् उत्तरेण प्रकाशेनान्तरम् अनूकाशेन बाह्यं निवेष्यं मूर्ध्ना स्तनयित्नुं निर्बाधेनाशनिं मस्तिष्केण विद्युतं कनीनकाभ्यां कर्णाभ्याꣳ श्रोत्रꣳ श्रोत्राभ्यां कर्णौ तेदनीम् अधरकण्ठेनापः शुष्ककण्ठेन चित्तं मन्याभिर् अदितिꣳ शीर्ष्णा निर्ऋतिं निर्जर्जल्पेन शीर्ष्णा संक्रोशैः प्राणान् रेष्माणꣳ स्तुपेन ॥
vātaṃ prāṇenāpānena nāsike ' upayāmam adhareṇauṣṭhena sad uttareṇa prakāśenāntaram anūkāśena bāhyaṃ niveṣyaṃ mūrdhnā stanayitnuṃ nirbādhenāśaniṃ mastiṣkeṇa vidyutaṃ kanīnakābhyāṃ karṇābhyāṁ śrotraṁ śrotrābhyāṃ karṇau tedanīm adharakaṇṭhenāpaḥ śuṣkakaṇṭhena cittaṃ manyābhir aditiṁ śīrṣṇā nirṛtiṃ nirjarjalpena śīrṣṇā saṃkrośaiḥ prāṇān reṣmāṇaṁ stupena ॥
Receive the energy of the winds by the incoming breath of prana and the outgoing breath of apana by the nostrils. With the lower and upper lips observe the self-control of truth and the discipline of yama and niyama. With the light of higher knowledge illumine the inner personality. With cleanliness, purify the outer personality. Take in the light of divinity by the brahmarandhra, top aperture of the head. Hear the voice of thunder (of omnipotence) without interruption. Create the flash of lightning with the brain. Let the light shine by the pupils of the eyes. Develop hearing by the ears and the ears by hearing. Take in the food smoothly by the lower throat. Value the drinks by the parched throat. Develop the mind and memory by reflection and meditation. Realize the boundless in freedom with the imagination. Move on to the existential void with the head and speech unimpaired. Develop the pranas with invocations to universal energy, facing the storm with shouts of joy.
25.3
मशकान् केशैर् इन्द्रꣳ स्वपसा वहेन बृहस्पतिꣳ शकुनिसादेन कूर्माञ्छफैर् आक्रमणꣳ स्थूराभ्याम् ऋक्षलाभिः कपिञ्जलान् जवं जङ्घाभ्याम् अध्वानं बाहुभ्यां जाम्बीलेनारण्यम् अग्निम् अतिरुग्भ्यां पूषणं दोर्भ्याम् अश्विनाव् अꣳसाभ्याꣳ रुद्रꣳ रोराभ्याम् ॥
maśakān keśair indraṁ svapasā vahena bṛhaspatiṁ śakunisādena kūrmāñchaphair ākramaṇaṁ sthūrābhyām ṛkṣalābhiḥ kapiñjalān javaṃ jaṅghābhyām adhvānaṃ bāhubhyāṃ jāmbīlenāraṇyam agnim atirugbhyāṃ pūṣaṇaṃ dorbhyām aśvināv aṁsābhyāṁ rudraṁ rorābhyām ॥
Ward off mosquitoes and insects with hair. Achieve the power and greatness of Indra with hard work and great action. Reach Brihaspati, great lord of knowledge and wisdom, by the ordeal of fire and patience. Get to the tortoise and the earth with the speed
25.4
अग्नेः पक्षतिर् वायोर् निपक्षतिर् इन्द्रस्य तृतीया सोमस्य चतुर्थ्य् अदित्यै पञ्चमीन्द्राण्यै षष्ठी मरुताꣳ सप्तमी बृहस्पतेर् अष्टम्य् अर्यम्णो नवमी धातुर् दशमीन्द्रस्यैकादशी वरुणस्य द्वादशी यमस्य त्रयोदशी ॥
agneḥ pakṣatir vāyor nipakṣatir indrasya tṛtīyā somasya caturthy adityai pañcamīndrāṇyai ṣaṣṭhī marutāṁ saptamī bṛhaspater aṣṭamy aryamṇo navamī dhātur daśamīndrasyaikādaśī varuṇasya dvādaśī yamasya trayodaśī ॥
25.5
इन्द्राग्न्योः पक्षतिर् सरस्वत्यै निपक्षतिर् मित्रस्य तृतीयापां चतुर्थी निर्ऋत्यै पञ्चम्य् अग्नीषोमयोः षष्ठी सर्पाणाꣳ सप्तमी विष्णोर् अष्टमी पूष्णो नवमी त्वष्टुर् दशमीन्द्रस्यैकादशी वरुणस्य द्वादशी यम्यै त्रयोदशी द्यावापृथिव्योर् दक्षिणं पार्श्वं विश्वेषां देवानाम् उत्तरम् ॥
indrāgnyoḥ pakṣatir sarasvatyai nipakṣatir mitrasya tṛtīyāpāṃ caturthī nirṛtyai pañcamy agnīṣomayoḥ ṣaṣṭhī sarpāṇāṁ saptamī viṣṇor aṣṭamī pūṣṇo navamī tvaṣṭur daśamīndrasyaikādaśī varuṇasya dvādaśī yamyai trayodaśī dyāvāpṛthivyor dakṣiṇaṃ pārśvaṃ viśveṣāṃ devānām uttaram ॥
The body-politic of the nation has thirteen ribs on the left side of the chest. The first belongs to Indragni for air and fire. The second belongs to Sarasvati for speech and education. The third belongs to Mitra for friendship. The fourth belongs to Aps, waters. The fifth belongs to Nir-riti, the earth. The sixth belongs to Agni-soma for fire and water. The seventh belongs to Sarpas, subterranean creatures. The eighth belongs to Vishnu, cosmic spirit. The nineth belongs to Pusha, health and nourishment. The tenth is Tvashta’s for brilliance and refinement. The eleventh belongs to Indra, the soul, for self-culture. The twelfth belongs to Varuna, enlightened people. The thirteenth belongs to Yami, nation’s women. The right side is for Dyava-prithivi, heaven and earth
25.6
मरुताꣳ स्कन्धा विश्वेषां देवानां प्रथमा कीकसा रुद्राणां द्वितीयादित्यानां तृतीया वायोः पुच्छम् अग्नीषोमयोर् भासदौ क्रुञ्चौ श्रोणिभ्याम् इन्द्राबृहस्पती ऽ ऊरुभ्यां मित्रावरुणाव् अल्गाभ्याम् आक्रमणꣳ स्थूराभ्यां बलं कुष्ठाभ्याम् ॥
marutāṁ skandhā viśveṣāṃ devānāṃ prathamā kīkasā rudrāṇāṃ dvitīyādityānāṃ tṛtīyā vāyoḥ puccham agnīṣomayor bhāsadau kruñcau śroṇibhyām indrābṛhaspatī ' ūrubhyāṃ mitrāvaruṇāv algābhyām ākramaṇaṁ sthūrābhyāṃ balaṃ kuṣṭhābhyām ॥
25.7
पूषणं वनिष्ठुनान्धाहीन्त् स्थूलगुदया सर्पान् गुदाभिर् विह्रुत ऽ आन्त्रैर् अपो वस्तिना वृषणम् आण्डाभ्यां वाजिनꣳ शेपेन प्रजाꣳ रेतसा चाषान् पित्तेन प्रदरान् पायुना कूश्माञ्छकपिण्डैः ॥
pūṣaṇaṃ vaniṣṭhunāndhāhīnt sthūlagudayā sarpān gudābhir vihruta ' āntrair apo vastinā vṛṣaṇam āṇḍābhyāṃ vājinaṁ śepena prajāṁ retasā cāṣān pittena pradarān pāyunā kūśmāñchakapiṇḍaiḥ ॥
Compare national health to food digestion and assimilation, blind serpents to large intestines, snakes to the bowels, crooked people to the intestines, water storages to the bladder and lower abdomen, vital rains and clouds to the scrotum, passion to the virile seed, food consumption to the bile, clearances to wind discharges, and judge the force of governance by the concentrations of power.
25.8
इन्द्रस्य क्रोडो ऽदित्यै पाजस्यं दिशां जत्रवो ऽदित्यै भसज् जीमूतान् हृदयौपशेनान्तरिक्षं पुरीतता नभ ऽ उदर्येण चक्रवाकौ मतस्नाभ्यां दिवं वृक्काभ्यां गिरीन् प्लाशिभिर् उपलान् प्लीह्ना वल्मीकान् क्लोमभिर् ग्लौभिर् गुल्मान् हिराभिः स्रवन्तीर् ह्रदान् कुक्षिभ्याꣳ समुद्रम् उदरेण वैश्वानरं भस्मना ॥
indrasya kroḍo 'dityai pājasyaṃ diśāṃ jatravo 'dityai bhasaj jīmūtān hṛdayaupaśenāntarikṣaṃ purītatā nabha ' udaryeṇa cakravākau matasnābhyāṃ divaṃ vṛkkābhyāṃ girīn plāśibhir upalān plīhnā valmīkān klomabhir glaubhir gulmān hirābhiḥ sravantīr hradān kukṣibhyāṁ samudram udareṇa vaiśvānaraṃ bhasmanā ॥
25.9
विधृतिं नाभ्या धृतꣳ रसेनापो यूष्णा मरीचीर् विप्रुड्भिर् नीहारमूष्मणा शीनं वसया प्रुष्वा ऽ अश्रुभिर् ह्रादुनीर् दूषीकाभिर् अस्ना रक्षाꣳसि चित्राण्य् अङ्गैर् नक्षत्राणि रूपेण पृथिवीं त्वचा जुम्बकाय स्वाहा ॥
vidhṛtiṃ nābhyā dhṛtaṁ rasenāpo yūṣṇā marīcīr vipruḍbhir nīhāramūṣmaṇā śīnaṃ vasayā pruṣvā ' aśrubhir hrādunīr dūṣīkābhir asnā rakṣāṁsi citrāṇy aṅgair nakṣatrāṇi rūpeṇa pṛthivīṃ tvacā jumbakāya svāhā ॥
Know the centre-hold of the universe by the navel, liquid life of existence by the sap of nature, the waters of life by soup and decoctions, particles of light in rays by drops in a streams of oblations, the morning mist by vapours of steam, solid energy by frozen fat, precipitation of clouds by the tear glands, hail storms by shocks of disturbance, natural protections by immunity in the blood, wonders and mysteries by the limbs of the body, stars and planets by light and form, the crust of the earth by the skin of the body. Honour and homage to the Lord Supreme with surrender in truth of word and deed.
25.10
हिरण्यगर्भः सम् अवर्तताग्रे भूतस्य जातः पतिर् एक ऽ आसीत् ।
स दाधार पृथिवीं द्याम् उतेमां कस्मै देवाय हविषा विधेम ॥
hiraṇyagarbhaḥ sam avartatāgre bhūtasya jātaḥ patir eka ' āsīt ।
sa dādhāra pṛthivīṃ dyām utemāṃ kasmai devāya haviṣā vidhema ॥
The Great Golden Womb of the brilliant forms of existence, sole lord of the universe, existed by Himself
Mantras 11–20
25.11
यः प्राणतो निमिषतो महित्वैक ऽ इद् राजा जगतो बभूव ।
य ऽ ईशे ऽ अस्य द्विपदश् चतुष्पदः कस्मै देवाय हविषा विधेम ॥
yaḥ prāṇato nimiṣato mahitvaika ' id rājā jagato babhūva ।
ya ' īśe ' asya dvipadaś catuṣpadaḥ kasmai devāya haviṣā vidhema ॥
It is He who was and is the sole lord of the living, breathing and moving world of the eye (and ear). It is He who, by His own might, rules over the world of the humans and the animals. To that same lord of power and bliss we offer our homage and worship in libations of praise and fragrant havi in truth of word and deed.
25.12
यस्येमे हिमवन्तो महित्वा यस्य समुद्रꣳ रसया सहाहुः ।
यस्येमाः प्रदिशो यस्य बाहू कस्मै देवाय हविषा विधेम ॥
yasyeme himavanto mahitvā yasya samudraṁ rasayā sahāhuḥ ।
yasyemāḥ pradiśo yasya bāhū kasmai devāya haviṣā vidhema ॥
By whose might, they say, these snow-covered mountains have come into existence and the oceans roll with floods of water, and who by His arms of omnipotence wields these quarters of space, to Him we offer our homage and worship with oblations of praise and havi.
25.13
य ऽ आत्मदा बलदा यस्य विश्व ऽ उपासते प्रशिषं यस्य देवाः ।
यस्य छायामृतं यस्य मृत्युः कस्मै देवाय हविषा विधेम ॥
ya ' ātmadā baladā yasya viśva ' upāsate praśiṣaṃ yasya devāḥ ।
yasya chāyāmṛtaṃ yasya mṛtyuḥ kasmai devāya haviṣā vidhema ॥
The Lord who is the giver of birth to the soul with its power and potential, whose glory all the divinities of the world celebrate in song, whose shade of protection is immortality and falling off is death, to Him we offer our homage and worship in hymns with havi.
25.14
आ नो भद्राः क्रतवो यन्तु विश्वतो दब्धासो ऽ अपरीतास ऽ उद्भिदः ।
देवा नो यथा सदम् इद् वृधे ऽ असन्न् अप्रायुवो रक्षितारो दिवे-दिवे ॥
ā no bhadrāḥ kratavo yantu viśvato dabdhāso ' aparītāsa ' udbhidaḥ ।
devā no yathā sadam id vṛdhe ' asann aprāyuvo rakṣitāro dive-dive ॥
May thoughts of wisdom and acts of yajna come to us from all directions—thoughts and actions noble and auspicious, pure and free from violence, irresistible and unobstructed, bursting forth and fruitful, so that young, energetic and brilliant people of divinity may arise in this assembly of ours and be the protectors and promoters of our advancement.
25.15
देवानां भद्रा सुमतिर् ऋजूयतां देवानाꣳ रातिर् अभि नो नि वर्तताम् ।
देवानाꣳ सख्यम् उप सेदिमा वयं देवा न ऽ आयुः प्र तिरन्तु जीवसे ॥
devānāṃ bhadrā sumatir ṛjūyatāṃ devānāṁ rātir abhi no ni vartatām ।
devānāṁ sakhyam upa sedimā vayaṃ devā na ' āyuḥ pra tirantu jīvase ॥
25.16
तान् पूर्वया निविदा हूमहे वयं भगं मित्रम् अदितिं दक्षम् अस्रिधम् ।
अर्यमणं वरुणꣳ सोमम् अश्विना सरस्वती नः सुभगा मयस् करत् ॥
tān pūrvayā nividā hūmahe vayaṃ bhagaṃ mitram aditiṃ dakṣam asridham ।
aryamaṇaṃ varuṇaṁ somam aśvinā sarasvatī naḥ subhagā mayas karat ॥
Those we invoke and honour in yajna with the ancient, eternal and self-proclaimed voice of the Veda: Bhaga, giver of glory, Mitra, universal friend, Aditi, mother of indestructible wisdom, Daksha, lord versatile and inviolable, Aryama, sustainer of creation, Varuna, best and highest, Soma, giver of peace, prosperity, knowledge and happiness, Ashvinis, givers of health and well-being, and all the teachers and scholars of the world. May mother Sarasvati, benevolent and beatific, give us all the good and gracious gifts of life.
25.17
तन् नो वातो मयोभु वातु भेषजं तन् माता पृथिवी तत् पिता द्यौः ।
तद् ग्रावाणः सोमसुतो मयोभुवस् तद् अश्विना शृणुतं धिष्ण्या युवम् ॥
tan no vāto mayobhu vātu bheṣajaṃ tan mātā pṛthivī tat pitā dyauḥ ।
tad grāvāṇaḥ somasuto mayobhuvas tad aśvinā śṛṇutaṃ dhiṣṇyā yuvam ॥
May the joyous wind blow for us with the breath of life. May mother earth be green and fruitful for her children. May the fatherly sun bless us with light and brilliance. May the blissful clouds replete with the waters of life be generous with showers. And may you, Ashvinis, both sustaining powers of all round growth of body, mind and spirit, listen to our prayers and be kind and gracious.
25.18
तम् ईशानं जगतस् तस्थुषस् पतिं धियंजिन्वम् अवसे हूमहे वयम् ।
पूषा नो यथा वेदसाम् असद् वृधे रक्षिता पायुर् अदब्धः स्वस्तये ॥
tam īśānaṃ jagatas tasthuṣas patiṃ dhiyaṃjinvam avase hūmahe vayam ।
pūṣā no yathā vedasām asad vṛdhe rakṣitā pāyur adabdhaḥ svastaye ॥
For our protection, we invoke and worship the lord and ruler of the moving and the unmoving world who inspires our intelligence, dedication and devotion, so that He, lord supreme inviolable, may be the protector, sustainer and promoter of all our wealth of life for the sake of advancement and well-being.
25.19
स्वस्ति न ऽ इन्द्रो वृद्धश्रवाः स्वस्ति नः पूषा विश्ववेदाः ।
स्वस्ति नस् तार्क्ष्यो ऽ अरिष्टनेमिः स्वस्ति नो बृहस्पतिर् दधातु ॥
svasti na ' indro vṛddhaśravāḥ svasti naḥ pūṣā viśvavedāḥ ।
svasti nas tārkṣyo ' ariṣṭanemiḥ svasti no bṛhaspatir dadhātu ॥
May Indra, great is His glory, be kind and grant us honour and greatness. May Pusha, lord sustainer and wielder of universal wealth, be generous and bring us health and wealth. May the inviolable lord of speed and security be watchful and grant us progress and freedom. And may Brihaspati, lord of the great world of existence, be gracious and bless us with all the good and well-being in life.
25.20
पृषदश्वा मरुतः पृश्निमातरः शुभंयावानो विदथेषु जग्मयः ।
अग्निजिह्वा मनवः सूरचक्षसो विश्वे नो देवा ऽ अवसा गमन्न् इह ॥
pṛṣadaśvā marutaḥ pṛśnimātaraḥ śubhaṃyāvāno vidatheṣu jagmayaḥ ।
agnijihvā manavaḥ sūracakṣaso viśve no devā ' avasā gamann iha ॥
Great are the scholars, vibrant as the winds and brilliant as children of sunbeams. Riding on flying horses, they are ever on the move to goodness and glory in the battles of life. Fiery is their tongue and blazing are their eyes, and yet they are human, dedicated to thought and reflection. May all the scholars of the world come to bless us with protection and progress to our goal here in this life itself.
Mantras 21–30
25.21
भद्रं कर्णेभिः शृणुयाम देवा भद्रं पश्येमाक्षभिर् यजत्राः ।
स्थिरैर् अङ्गैस् तुष्टुवाꣳसस् तनूभिर् व्यशेमहि देवहितं यद् आयुः ॥
bhadraṃ karṇebhiḥ śṛṇuyāma devā bhadraṃ paśyemākṣabhir yajatrāḥ ।
sthirair aṅgais tuṣṭuvāṁsas tanūbhir vyaśemahi devahitaṃ yad āyuḥ ॥
Devas, men of knowledge and divinity, dedicated to yajna, may we hear only good with our ears, may we see only good with our eyes. Singing songs of praise with strong and stable limbs, may we live our full span of life, enjoying with strong and healthy bodies in the service of God and the divines.
25.22
शतम् इन् नु शरदो ऽ अन्ति देवा यत्रा नश् चक्रा जरसं तनूनाम् ।
पुत्रासो यत्र पितरो भवन्ति मा नो मध्या रीरिषतायुर् गन्तोः ॥
śatam in nu śarado ' anti devā yatrā naś cakrā jarasaṃ tanūnām ।
putrāso yatra pitaro bhavanti mā no madhyā rīriṣatāyur gantoḥ ॥
Scholars of knowledge and wisdom, while we are close to you, help us to live a full life of hundred years in good health of body wherein our children too may grow to be fathers of their children. Let not our life be hurt or injured. Let it not perish on the way in the middle of the course.
25.23
अदितिर् द्यौर् अदितिर् अन्तरिक्षम् अदितिर् माता स पिता स पुत्रः ।
विश्वे देवा ऽ अदितिः पञ्च जना ऽ अदितिर् जातम् अदितिर् जनित्वम् ॥
aditir dyaur aditir antarikṣam aditir mātā sa pitā sa putraḥ ।
viśve devā ' aditiḥ pañca janā ' aditir jātam aditir janitvam ॥
In the essence: Light is indestructible; sky is indestructible; mother Prakriti (matter-energy-thought) is indestructible; Father, the Cosmic Spirit is indestructible; Son, the soul (jiva), is indestructible; all the divinities of nature and humanity are indestructible; five people, Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra, others, are indestructible; whatever is born is indestructible; whatever will be born is indestructible. (All that was, is and shall be is indestructible in the essence.)
25.24
मा नो मित्रो वरुणो ऽ अर्यमायुर् इन्द्र ऽ ऋभुक्षा मरुतः परि ख्यन् ।
यद् वाजिनो देवजातस्य सप्तेः प्रवक्ष्यामो विदथे वीर्याणि ॥
mā no mitro varuṇo ' aryamāyur indra ' ṛbhukṣā marutaḥ pari khyan ।
yad vājino devajātasya sapteḥ pravakṣyāmo vidathe vīryāṇi ॥
May Mitra, friend, Varuna, great, Aryama, guide and leader, Indra, ruler, Ribhuksha, mighty, and Maruts, powers of the world, never overlook and ignore our life. And we shall praise and celebrate the warlike exploits of the divine-bom and tempestuous hero of the world of yajnic character.
25.25
यन् निर्णिजा रेक्णसा प्रावृतस्य रातिं गृभीतां मुखतो नयन्ति ।
सुप्राङ् अजो मेम्यद् विश्वरूप ऽ इन्द्रापूष्णोः प्रियम् अप्य् एति पाथः ॥
yan nirṇijā rekṇasā prāvṛtasya rātiṃ gṛbhītāṃ mukhato nayanti ।
suprāṅ ajo memyad viśvarūpa ' indrāpūṣṇoḥ priyam apy eti pāthaḥ ॥
The persons who gratefully receive the gifts of the lord giver and with that pure and sacred wealth move the cycle of charity on ward; and also the self-developing man of immortal spirit with initiative and versatile potential in many fields; they all go forward on the favourite path of Indra and Pusha, blest with power and progress.
25.26
एष छागः पुरो ऽ अश्वेन वाजिना पूष्णो भागो नीयते विश्वदेव्यः ।
अभिप्रियं यत् पुरोडाशम् अर्वता त्वष्टेद् एनꣳ सौश्रवसाय जिन्वति ॥
eṣa chāgaḥ puro ' aśvena vājinā pūṣṇo bhāgo nīyate viśvadevyaḥ ।
abhipriyaṃ yat puroḍāśam arvatā tvaṣṭed enaṁ sauśravasāya jinvati ॥
When this aggressive leader, distinguished among equals of divine quality and loved of Pusha (the President), is advanced to the front by the dynamic nation, then Tvashta, maker of men and nations, receives him as a lovely gift of national yajna and, alongwith the nation, refines him with sanctification for honour and glory.
25.27
यद्धविष्यम् ऋतुशो देवयानं त्रिर् मानुषाः पर्य् अश्वं नयन्ति ।
अत्रा पूष्णः प्रथमो भाग ऽ एति यज्ञं देवेभ्यः प्रतिवेदयन्न् अजः ॥
yaddhaviṣyam ṛtuśo devayānaṃ trir mānuṣāḥ pary aśvaṃ nayanti ।
atrā pūṣṇaḥ prathamo bhāga ' eti yajñaṃ devebhyaḥ prativedayann ajaḥ ॥
25.28
होताध्वर्युर् आवया ऽ अग्निमिन्धो ग्रावग्राभ ऽ उत शꣳस्ता सुविप्रः ।
तेन यज्ञेन स्वरंकृतेन स्विष्टेन वक्षणा आ पृणध्वम् ॥
hotādhvaryur āvayā ' agnimindho grāvagrābha ' uta śaṁstā suvipraḥ ।
tena yajñena svaraṃkṛtena sviṣṭena vakṣaṇā ā pṛṇadhvam ॥
By the national yajna, cherished and well performed with dedication and grace, may all the functionaries, the hota with oblations, adhvaryu with meticulous organisation, agnimindha with lighting of the fire, gravagrabha with handling of soma stones, shansta with invocations, expert suvipra with vedic hymns, and all the other participants refresh, replenish and overfill all the streams of national life.
25.29
यूपव्रस्का ऽ उत ये यूपवाहाश् चषालं ये ऽ अश्वयूपाय तक्षति ।
ये चार्वते पचनꣳ सम्भरन्त्य् उतो तेषाम् अभिगूर्तिर् न ऽ इन्वतु ॥
yūpavraskā ' uta ye yūpavāhāś caṣālaṃ ye ' aśvayūpāya takṣati ।
ye cārvate pacanaṁ sambharanty uto teṣām abhigūrtir na ' invatu ॥
(We thank) the cutters of wood for the yajna post, the carriers of the post, the shapers of the ring for the post and all those who collect the materials and complete the preparations for yajna, and, (we pray), may all their efforts be for our good and success.
25.30
उप प्रागात् सुमन् मे धायि मन्म देवानाम् आशा ऽ उप वीतपृष्ठः ।
अन्व् एनं विप्रा ऽ ऋषयो मदन्ति देवानां पुष्टे चकृमा सुबन्धुम् ॥
upa prāgāt suman me dhāyi manma devānām āśā ' upa vītapṛṣṭhaḥ ।
anv enaṃ viprā ' ṛṣayo madanti devānāṃ puṣṭe cakṛmā subandhum ॥
May the man of broad yajnic potential, the man able to realise the hopes of the learned, come to us spontneously and bear the wisdom of knowledge for us, so that the visionaries and intellectuals may rejoice with him and we may create a community of brotherhood among the brilliant scholars.
Mantras 31–40
25.31
यद् वाजिनो दाम संदानम् अर्वतो या शीर्षण्या रशना रज्जुर् अस्य ।
यद् वा घास्य प्रभृतम् आस्ये तृणꣳ सर्वा ता ते ऽ अपि देवेष्व् अस्तु ॥
yad vājino dāma saṃdānam arvato yā śīrṣaṇyā raśanā rajjur asya ।
yad vā ghāsya prabhṛtam āsye tṛṇaṁ sarvā tā te ' api deveṣv astu ॥
Whatever the waistband or the leg fetter or the bridle, or the reins over the head or strings of control, and whatever kind of grass is held in the mouth of the
25.32
यद् अश्वस्य क्रविषो मक्षिकाश यद् वा स्वरौ स्वधितौ रिप्तम् अस्ति ।
यद्धस्तयोः शमितुर् यन् नखेषु सर्वा ता ते ऽ अपि देवेष्व् अस्तु ॥
yad aśvasya kraviṣo makṣikāśa yad vā svarau svadhitau riptam asti ।
yaddhastayoḥ śamitur yan nakheṣu sarvā tā te ' api deveṣv astu ॥
Whatever fly stings and eats of the flesh of the fast running horse of the yajna of the nation, whatever smears the tempered steel, or whatever soils the hands and nails of the performers of ritual, all these too should be under the control of the learned and the wise for you.
25.33
यद् ऊवध्यम् उदरस्यापवाति य ऽ आमस्य क्रविषो गन्धो ऽ अस्ति ।
सुकृता तच्छमितारः कृण्वन्तूत मेधꣳ शृतपाकं पचन्तु ॥
yad ūvadhyam udarasyāpavāti ya ' āmasya kraviṣo gandho ' asti ।
sukṛtā tacchamitāraḥ kṛṇvantūta medhaṁ śṛtapākaṃ pacantu ॥
Whatever undigested waste is discharged from the stomach, and whatever are the gases of the half digested food, all that the expert yajamana (physicians) should relieve and rectify and they should also have delicious foods and fragrant materials prepared.
25.34
यत् ते गात्राद् अग्निना पच्यमानाद् अभि शूलं निहतस्यावधावति ।
मा तद् भूम्याम् आ श्रिषन् मा तृणेषु देवेभ्यस् तद् उशद्भ्यो रातम् अस्तु ॥
yat te gātrād agninā pacyamānād abhi śūlaṃ nihatasyāvadhāvati ।
mā tad bhūmyām ā śriṣan mā tṛṇeṣu devebhyas tad uśadbhyo rātam astu ॥
If your person is on the stake being developed and matured by fire, and you feel strained, exhausted, almost dead, then whatever cry of pain escapes your lips, let it not fall into the dust, nor let it be lost in the straw, but let it be a valuable subject of study for the noble scholars who are keen to rectify it.
25.35
ये वाजिनं परिपश्यन्ति पक्वं य ऽ ईम् आहुः सुरभिर् निर् हरेति ।
ये चार्वतो माꣳसभिक्षाम् उपासत ऽ उतो तेषाम् अभिगूर्तिर् न ऽ इन्वतु ॥
ye vājinaṃ paripaśyanti pakvaṃ ya ' īm āhuḥ surabhir nir hareti ।
ye cārvato māṁsabhikṣām upāsata ' uto teṣām abhigūrtir na ' invatu ॥
Those who watch the nation’s food grow to ripeness, and those who say: It is fragrant, harvest it, and those who serve their share in the growth of the nation on the move, may all their effort be for the benefit of us all.
25.36
यन्नीक्षणं माꣳस्पचन्या उखाया या पात्राणि यूष्ण ऽ आसेचनानि ।
ऊष्मण्यापिधाना चरूणाम् अङ्काः सूनाः परि भूषन्त्य् अश्वम् ॥
yannīkṣaṇaṃ māṁspacanyā ukhāyā yā pātrāṇi yūṣṇa ' āsecanāni ।
ūṣmaṇyāpidhānā carūṇām aṅkāḥ sūnāḥ pari bhūṣanty aśvam ॥
Watchful stirring (replenishment) of the earth’s fertility for the growth of grain and fruit, whatever containers and reservoirs of water there be for growth
25.37
मा त्वाग्निर् ध्वनयीद् धूमगन्धिर् मोखा भ्राजन्त्य् अभि विक्त जघ्रिः ।
इष्टं वीतम् अभिगूर्तं वषट्कृतं तं देवासः प्रति गृभ्णन्त्यश्वम् ॥
mā tvāgnir dhvanayīd dhūmagandhir mokhā bhrājanty abhi vikta jaghriḥ ।
iṣṭaṃ vītam abhigūrtaṃ vaṣaṭkṛtaṃ taṃ devāsaḥ prati gṛbhṇantyaśvam ॥
May the fire enveloped in smoke never extinguish or diminish your light. May the shining and fragrant dawn never disturb you into isolation. The noblest generous divinities accept and honour you as a hero, dear, brilliant, industrious, sanctified and marching forward.
25.38
निक्रमणं निषदनं विवर्तनं यच् च पड्वीशम् अर्वतः ।
यच् च पपौ यच् च घासिं जघास सर्वा ता ते ऽ अपि देवेष्व् अस्तु ॥
nikramaṇaṃ niṣadanaṃ vivartanaṃ yac ca paḍvīśam arvataḥ ।
yac ca papau yac ca ghāsiṃ jaghāsa sarvā tā te ' api deveṣv astu ॥
The start and gallop of your horse, the stop and sitting, turning round and rolling, halting and the fetters, what it drinks and the grass that it eats, may all these be good and graceful, and may they be appreciated by the noblest people.
25.39
यद् अश्वाय वास ऽ उपस्तृणन्त्य् अधीवासं या हिरण्यान्य् अस्मै ।
संदानम् अर्वन्तं पड्वीशं प्रिया देवेष्व् आ यामयन्ति ॥
yad aśvāya vāsa ' upastṛṇanty adhīvāsaṃ yā hiraṇyāny asmai ।
saṃdānam arvantaṃ paḍvīśaṃ priyā deveṣv ā yāmayanti ॥
The cloth for the horse, the overcloth and the golden ornaments which adorn it, the head-band, and the fetters which control this fast-moving steed, may all these be beautiful, good and appreciable among the noblest people.
25.40
यत् ते सादे महसा शूकृतस्य पार्ष्ण्या वा कशया वा तुतोद ।
स्रुचेव ता हविषो ऽ अध्वरेषु सर्वा ता ते ब्रह्मणा सूदयामि ॥
yat te sāde mahasā śūkṛtasya pārṣṇyā vā kaśayā vā tutoda ।
sruceva tā haviṣo ' adhvareṣu sarvā tā te brahmaṇā sūdayāmi ॥
Swift and brilliant as you are with mighty strength and power, still if ever you feel weak and weary and someone hits you from the back with a whip (to hurt you or spur you on), then I replenish all your weaknesses and animate you to full form with the Vedic wealth just as we rekindle the fire in yajnas with ladlefuls of holy materials.
Mantras 41–47
25.41
चतुस्त्रिꣳशद् वाजिनो देवबन्धोर् वङ्क्रीर् अश्वस्य स्वधितिः सम् एति ।
अच्छिद्रा गात्रा वयुना कृणोत परुष्-परुर् अनुघुष्या वि शस्त ॥
catustriṁśad vājino devabandhor vaṅkrīr aśvasya svadhitiḥ sam eti ।
acchidrā gātrā vayunā kṛṇota paruṣ-parur anughuṣyā vi śasta ॥
25.42
एकस् त्वष्टुर् अश्वस्या विशस्ता द्वा यन्तारा भवतस् तथ ऽ ऋतुः ।
या ते गात्राणाम् ऋतुथा कृणोमि ता-ता पिण्डानां प्र जुहोम्य् अग्नौ ॥
ekas tvaṣṭur aśvasyā viśastā dvā yantārā bhavatas tatha ' ṛtuḥ ।
yā te gātrāṇām ṛtuthā kṛṇomi tā-tā piṇḍānāṃ pra juhomy agnau ॥
One is the marker of the sun’s horse/chariot of time, that is the year, the annual cycle of seasons. Two are the guiding controllers, the summer solstice and the winter solstice. I take the divisions of your course, O sun, O ruler, O nation, according to the seasons, and I dedicate them to the fire of national yajna according to the seasons and the circumstances of the nation.
25.43
मा त्वा तपत् प्रिय ऽ आत्मापियन्तं मा स्वधितिस् तन्व ऽआ तिष्ठिपत् ते ।
मा ते गृध्नुर् अविशस्तातिहाय छिद्रा गात्राण्य् असिना मिथू कः ॥
mā tvā tapat priya ' ātmāpiyantaṃ mā svadhitis tanva 'ā tiṣṭhipat te ।
mā te gṛdhnur aviśastātihāya chidrā gātrāṇy asinā mithū kaḥ ॥
While you are on your way up in life, may your dear soul not forsake you, nor torment you. May no tempered steel fix itself in your person, nor your own power arrest you. Nor must the covetous pervert mutilate your limbs, nor tear your body asunder with the sword, for no cause or weakness whatsoever.
25.44
न वा ऽ उ ऽ एतन् म्रियसे न रिष्यसि देवाꣳ२ऽ इद् एषि पथिभिः सुगेभिः ।
हरी ते युञ्जा पृषती ऽ अभूताम् उपास्थाद् वाजी धुरि रासभस्य ॥
na vā ' u ' etan mriyase na riṣyasi devāṁ2' id eṣi pathibhiḥ sugebhiḥ ।
harī te yuñjā pṛṣatī ' abhūtām upāsthād vājī dhuri rāsabhasya ॥
This way, with this knowledge, you will not die, nor suffer wrong. Instead, you would rise to the state of the immortals by the straight paths of the divinities. Yoke your strong horses to the chariot, and let the fast horse be close to the bearer of the burden.
25.45
सुगव्यं नो वाजी स्वश्व्यं पुꣳसः पुत्राꣳ२ऽ उत विश्वापुषꣳ रयिम् ।
अनागास्त्वं नो ऽ अदितिः कृणोतु क्षत्रं नो ऽ अश्वो वनताꣳ हविष्मान् ॥
sugavyaṃ no vājī svaśvyaṃ puṁsaḥ putrāṁ2' uta viśvāpuṣaṁ rayim ।
anāgāstvaṃ no ' aditiḥ kṛṇotu kṣatraṃ no ' aśvo vanatāṁ haviṣmān ॥
May our dynamic ruler work and provide for the
25.46
इमा नु कं भुवना सीषधामेन्द्रश् च विश्वे च देवाः ।
आदित्यैर् इन्द्रः सगणो मरुद्भिर् अस्मभ्यं भेषजा करत् ।
यज्ञं च नस् तन्वं च प्रजां चादित्यैर् इन्द्रः सह सीषधाति ॥
imā nu kaṃ bhuvanā sīṣadhāmendraś ca viśve ca devāḥ ।
ādityair indraḥ sagaṇo marudbhir asmabhyaṃ bheṣajā karat ।
yajñaṃ ca nas tanvaṃ ca prajāṃ cādityair indraḥ saha sīṣadhāti ॥
Just as the sun and all the divinities of nature hold, sustain and bless these worlds, so may the ruler and the noblest powers of humanity govern and sustain the regions of the world. May they and we all realise the joy of life. Just as the sun with its light and planets and the winds through the months and seasons of the year blesses us with herbs and juices for health and vitality, so may the physician with all his aids, light and air provide us with tonics and medication for health. Just as the sun and cosmic energy through the movement of the months and seasons carry on the creative and restorative yajna of nature for the earth and her children, so may the ruler with the brilliant leaders of the nation carry on and accomplish the social yajna for the health of the body-politic and the children of the nation.
25.47
अग्ने त्वं नो ऽ अन्तम ऽ उत त्राता शिवो भव वरूथ्यः ।
वसुर् अग्निर् वसुश्रवा ऽ अच्छा नक्षि द्युमत्तमꣳ रयिं दाः ।
तं त्वा शोचिष्ठ दीदिवः सुम्नाय नूनम् ईमहे सखिभ्यः ॥
[स नो बोधि श्रुधी हवमुरुष्या णो ऽ अघायतः समस्मात्]
agne tvaṃ no ' antama ' uta trātā śivo bhava varūthyaḥ ।
vasur agnir vasuśravā ' acchā nakṣi dyumattamaṁ rayiṃ dāḥ ।
taṃ tvā śociṣṭha dīdivaḥ sumnāya nūnam īmahe sakhibhyaḥ ॥
[sa no bodhi śrudhī havamuruṣyā ṇo ' aghāyataḥ samasmāt]
Lord of the universe, most briliant power, blazing with the light of knowledge and Dharma, we pray to you for the good and well-being of life sincerely for our friends and for ourselves. Such as you are, enlighten us, listen to our prayers, save and protect us from all sin and crime against Dharma and Society.