Atharva Veda 12.3

pumān puṃso 'dhitiṣṭha carmehi tatra hvayasva yatamā priyā te yāvantāv agre prathamaṃ sameyathus tad vāṃ vayo yamarājye samānam

Cremation as a sacrifice

Stand, a man (púmāṅs), upon men; go to the hide; call thither her who is dear to thee; of what age (? yā́vant) ye two first came together in the beginning, let that be your same age in Yama's realm.

tāvad vāṃ cakṣus tati vīryāṇi tāvat tejas tatidhā vājināni agniḥ śarīraṃ sacate yadaidho 'dhā pakvān mithunā saṃbhavāthaḥ

So much [be] your sight, so many your powers (vīryà), so great your brilliancy (téjas), so many-fold your energies (vā́jina); Agni fastens on (sac) the body when [it is his] fuel (?); then, O paired ones (mithuná), shall ye come into being from what is cooked (pakvá).

sam asmiṃlloke sam u devayāne saṃ smā sametaṃ yamarājyeṣu pūtau pavitrair upa taddhvayethāṃ yadyad reto adhi vāṃ saṃbabhūva

Together in this world, together on the [road] the gods travel, together also unite ye (du.) in the realms of Yama; purified by purifiers, call ye to yourselves whatever seed (rétas) came into being from you.

āpas putrāso abhisaṃviśadhvam imaṃ jīvaṃ jīvadhanyāḥ sametya tāsāṃ bhajadhvam amṛtaṃ yam āhur odanaṃ pacati vāṃ janitrī

Enter together, ye sons, into the waters, coming together, ye rich in life, unto this living one (m.); of them (f.) share ye the one which (m.) they call immortal, the rice-dish which your (du.) generatrix cooks.

yaṃ vāṃ pitā pacati yaṃ ca mātā riprān nirmuktyai śamalāc ca vācaḥ sa odanaḥ śatadhāraḥ svarga ubhe vyāpa nabhasī mahitvā

What one your (du.) father cooks, and what one [your] mother, in order to release from evil (riprá) and from pollution of speech—that hundred-streamed, heaven-going rice-dish hath permeated (vi-āp) with greatness both firmaments (nábhas).

ubhe nabhasī ubhayāṃś ca lokān ye yajvanām abhijitāḥ svargāḥ teṣāṃ jyotiṣmān madhumān yo agre tasmin putrair jarasi saṃśrayethām

Both firmaments, and worlds of both kinds, what heaven-going ones are conquered of the sacrificers—which one of them is chiefly (? ágre) full of light, full of honey, in that combine ye (du.) with your sons in old age.

prācīṃ prācīṃ pradiśam ārabhethām etaṃ lokaṃ śraddadhānāḥ sacante yad vāṃ pakvaṃ pariviṣṭam agnau tasya guptaye daṃpatī saṃśrayethām

Take ye (du.) hold upon each forward direction; to this world they that have faith attach themselves (sac); what of you that is cooked is served up in the fire, combine ye, O husband-and-wife, in order to its guarding.

dakṣiṇāṃ diśam abhi nakṣamāṇau paryāvartethām abhi pātram etat tasmin vāṃ yamaḥ pitṛbhiḥ saṃvidānaḥ pakvāya śarma bahulaṃ niyacchāt

Attaining unto the southern quarter, turn ye (du.) about unto this vessel; in it shall Yama, in concord with the Fathers, assure abundant protection unto your cooked [offering].

pratīcī diśām iyam id varaṃ yasyāṃ somo adhipā mṛḍitā ca tasyāṃ śrayethāṃ sukṛtaḥ sacethām adhā pakvān mithunā saṃbhavāthaḥ

This western of the quarters verily is a thing to be preferred, in which Soma is over-ruler and favorer; to it resort (çri) ye (du.); attach yourselves to the well-doers; then, O paired ones, shall ye come into being from what is cooked.

uttaraṃ rāṣṭraṃ prajayottarāvad diśām udīcī kṛṇavan no agram pāṅktaṃ chandaḥ puruṣo babhūva viśvair viśvāṅgaiḥ saha sambhavema

A superior realm, having superiority by progeny, may the northern of the quarters make our (pl.) apex (? ágra); a five-fold (pā́n̄ta) meter hath the man become; may we come into being together with all, having all their limbs.

dhruveyaṃ virāṇ namo astv asyai śivā putrebhya uta mahyam astu sā no devy adite viśvavāra irya iva gopā abhirakṣa pakvam

This fixed [quarter] is virā́j; homage be to it; let it be propitious to [my] sons and to me; do thou, O goddess Aditi, having all choice things, like an active herdsman defend our cooked [offering].

piteva putrān abhisaṃsvajasva naḥ śivā no vātā iha vāntu bhūmau yam odanaṃ pacato devate iha taṃ nas tapa uta satyaṃ ca vettu

Do thou embrace us, as a father his sons; let propitious winds blow here for us on the earth; what rice-dish the two deities cook here, let that know our penance and also truth.

yad yat kṛṣṇaḥ śakuna eha gatvā tsaran viṣaktaṃ bila āsasāda yad vā dāsy ārdrahastā samaṅkta ulūkhalaṃ musalaṃ śumbhatāpaḥ

Whenever the black bird, coming hither, hath sat upon the orifice, surprising (tsar) what is resolved (vi-sañj), or when the barbarian woman (dāsī́) with wet hands smears over—cleanse, ye waters, the mortar [and] pestle.

ayaṃ grāvā pṛthubudhno vayodhāḥ pūtaḥ pavitrair apahantu rakṣaḥ āroha carma mahi śarma yaccha mā daṃpatī pautram aghaṃ nigātām

Let this pressing-stone, broad-based, vigor-bestowing, purified by purifiers, smite away the demon; mount thou the hide; yield great protection; let not the husband-and-wife fall into evil proceeding from sons (pāútra).

vanaspatiḥ saha devair na āgan rakṣaḥ piśācāṁ apabādhamānaḥ sa ucchrayātai pravadāti vācaṃ tena lokāṁ abhi sarvān jayema

The forest tree hath come to us together with the gods, forcing off the demon, the piçācás; he shall rise up (ut-çri), shall speak forth his voice; with him may we conquer all worlds.

sapta medhān paśavaḥ paryagṛhṇan ya eṣāṃ jyotiṣmāṁ uta yaś cakarśa trayastriṃśad devatās tānt sacante sa naḥ svargam abhi neṣa lokam

Seven sacrifices (médha) the cattle enclosed—which ⌊the relative pronoun⌋ of them was full of light, and which was pining; to them thirty deities attach themselves; do thou (m.) conduct us (pl.) unto the heavenly (svargá) world.

svargaṃ lokam abhi no nayāsi saṃ jāyayā saha putraiḥ syāma gṛhṇāmi hastam anu maitv atra mā nas tārīn nirṛtir mo arātiḥ

Unto the heavenly world shalt thou conduct us (pl.); may we be united with wife, with sons; I grasp [her (?)] hand; let her (?) come here after me; let not destruction pass us, nor the niggard.

grāhiṃ pāpmānam ati tāṁ ayāma tamo vyasya pravadāsi valgu vānaspatya udyato mā jihiṃsīr mā taṇḍulaṃ viśarīr devayantam

The seizure (grā́hi), evil (pāpmán)—may we go beyond them (pl.); dissipate thou the darkness; mayest thou speak forth what is agreeable; made of forest tree, uplifted, do not injure; do not crush to pieces ⌊vi-çṛ⌋ the god-loving rice-grain.

viśvavyacā ghṛtapṛṣṭho bhaviṣyant sayonir lokam upayāhy etam varṣavṛddham upayaccha śūrpaṃ tuṣaṃ palāvān apa tad vinaktu

About to become all-expanded, ghee-backed, go thou, of like origin (sáyoni), unto that world; hand thou (upa-yam) the rain-increased sieve; let that winnow away the husk, the chaff.

trayo lokāḥ saṃmitā brāhmaṇena dyaur evāsau pṛthivy antarikṣam aṃśūn gṛbhītvānvārabhethām āpyāyantāṃ punar āyantu śūrpam

The three worlds are commensurate with the brā́hmaṇa: yon heaven, namely, earth, atmosphere; having seized the [soma-] stalks, take ye (du.) hold after; let them swell up (ā-pyā); let them come again to the sieve.

pṛthag rūpāṇi bahudhā paśūnām ekarūpo bhavasi saṃ samṛddhyā etāṃ tvacaṃ lohinīṃ tāṃ nudasva grāvā śumbhāti malaga iva vastrā

Manifoldly separate [are] the forms of cattle; thou becomest one-formed together with success; that red skin—that thrust thou [away]; the pressing-stone shall cleanse like a fuller (? malagá) the garments.

pṛthivīṃ tvā pṛthivyām āveśayāmi tanūḥ samānī vikṛtā ta eṣā yadyad dyuttaṃ likhitam arpaṇena tena mā susror brahmaṇāpi tad vapāmi

Thee that art earth I make enter into earth; this like body of thee [is] separated; whatever of thee is burnt (? dyuttá), [or] scratched by driving (árpaṇa); with that do not leak; I cover that over by a spell (bráhman).

janitrīva pratiharyāsi sūnuṃ saṃ tvā dadhāmi pṛthivīṃ pṛthivyā ukhā kumbhī vedyāṃ mā vyathiṣṭhā yajñāyudhair ājyenātiṣaktā

Mayest thou welcome as a mother a son; I unite (sam-dhā) thee that art earth with the earth; a kettle, a vessel, do not stagger upon the sacrificial hearth, overhung by the implements of offering [and] by sacrificial butter.

agniḥ pacan rakṣatu tvā purastād indro rakṣatu dakṣiṇato marutvān varuṇas tvā dṛṃhāddharuṇe pratīcyā uttarāt tvā somaḥ saṃdadātai

Let Agni, cooking, defend thee on the east; let Indra, with the Maruts, defend on the south; may Varuṇa fix thee in the maintenance (dharúṇa) of the western [quarter]; on the north may Soma give thee together.

pūtāḥ pavitraiḥ pavante abhrād divaṃ ca yanti pṛthivīṃ ca lokān tā jīvalā jīvadhanyāḥ pratiṣṭhāḥ pātra āsiktāḥ pary agnir indhām

Purified with purifiers, they purify themselves from the cloud; they go both to heaven and to earth [as their] worlds; them, lively, rich in life, firm-standing, poured into the vessel (pā́tra), let the fire kindle about.

āyanti divaḥ pṛthivīṃ sacante bhūmyāḥ sacante adhy antarikṣam śuddhāḥ satīs tā u śumbhanta eva tā naḥ svargam abhi lokaṃ nayantu

They come from the sky, they fasten on (sac) the earth; from the earth they fasten upon the atmosphere; being cleansed, they just cleanse themselves; let them conduct us to the heavenly world.

uteva prabhvīr uta saṃmitāsa uta śukrāḥ śucayaś cāmṛtāsaḥ tā odanaṃ daṃpatibhyāṃ praśiṣṭā āpaḥ śikṣantīḥ pacatā sunāthāḥ

Both as it were prevailing (prabhú) and also commensurate, also bright and clean, immortal—as such do ye, O waters, directed, helping, cook the rich-dish for the two spouses, ye of good refuge.

saṃkhyātā stokāḥ pṛthivīṃ sacante prāṇāpānaiḥ saṃmitā oṣadhībhiḥ asaṃkhyātā opyamānāḥ suvarṇāḥ sarvaṃ vyāpuḥ śucayaḥ śucitvam

The numbered drops (stoká) fasten on the earth, being commensurate with breaths-and-expirations, with herbs; being scattered on, unnumbered, of good color, the clean ones have obtained all cleanness.

udyodhanty abhivalganti taptāḥ phenam asyanti bahulāṃś ca bindūn yoṣeva dṛṣṭvā patim ṛtviyāyaitais taṇḍulair bhavatā sam āpaḥ

They struggle up (ud-yudh), they dance on, being heated; they hurl foam and abundant drops (bindú); like a woman that is in her season, seeing her husband, unite yourselves, O waters, with these rice-grains.

utthāpaya sīdato budhna enān adbhir ātmānam abhisaṃspṛśantām amāsi pātrair udakaṃ yad etan mitās taṇḍulāḥ pradiśo yadīmāḥ

Make thou them stand up, as they sit on the bottom; let them touch themselves all over with the waters; I have measured with vessels (pā́tra) the water that is here; measured are the rice-grains that are these directions.

prayaccha parśuṃ tvarayā harauṣam ahiṃsanta oṣadhīr dāntu parvan yāsāṃ somaḥ pari rājyaṃ babhūvāmanyutā no vīrudho bhavantu

Reach thou forth the sickle (párçu), hasten, take [it] quickly; let them, not harming, cut (dā) the herbs at the joint; they of whom Soma compassed the kingship—let the plants be without wrath toward us.

navaṃ barhir odanāya stṛṇīta priyaṃ hṛdaś cakṣuṣo valgv astu tasmin devāḥ saha daivīr viśantv imaṃ prāśnantv ṛtubhir niṣadya

Strew ye a new barhís for the rice-dish; be it dear to the heart, agreeable to the eye; on it let the gods [and] the divine ones (f.) settle (viç) together; sitting down (ni-sad), let them partake of this with the seasons.

vanaspate stīrṇam āsīda barhir agniṣṭomaiḥ saṃmito devatābhiḥ tvaṣṭreva rūpaṃ sukṛtaṃ svadhityainā ehāḥ pari pātre dadṛśrām

O forest tree, sit on the strewn barhís, being commensurate with the Agni-praises (agniṣṭomá), with the deities; like a form well made by an artisan (tváṣṭṛ) with a knife, so (enā́) let the eager ones be seen round about in the vessel (pā́tra).

ṣaṣṭyāṃ śaratsu nidhipā abhīcchāt svaḥ pakvenābhyaśnavātai upainaṃ jīvān pitaraś ca putrā etaṃ svargaṃ gamayāntam agneḥ

In sixty autumns may he (?) seek unto the treasure-keepers; may he attain unto the sky with the cooked [offering]; may both fathers [and] sons live upon him; make thou this one to go unto the heaven-going end of the fire.

dhartā dhriyasva dharuṇe pṛthivyā acyutaṃ tvā devatāś cyāvayantu taṃ tvā daṃpatī jīvantau jīvaputrāv udvāsayātaḥ pary agnidhānāt

A maintainer, maintain thyself in the maintenance of the earth; thee that art unmoved let the deities make to move (cyu); thee shall the two spouses, living, having living sons, cause to remove (ud-vas) out of the fire-holder.

sarvānt samāgā abhijitya lokān yāvantaḥ kāmāḥ samatītṛpas tān vigāhethām āyavanaṃ ca darvir ekasmin pātre adhy uddharainam

Thou hast come together unto all the worlds, having conquered; however many [be] the desires, thou hast made them wholly satisfied; plunge ye (du.) in—both the stirring-stick [and] the spoon; take thou him up upon one vessel.

upastṛṇīhi prathaya purastād ghṛtena pātram abhighārayaitat vāśrevosrā taruṇaṃ stanasyum imaṃ devāso abhihiṅkṛṇota

Strew thou on, spread forward, smear over with ghee this vessel; as a lowing cow (usrā́) [toward] a young [calf] desiring the teat, do ye, O gods, utter the sound hing toward this one.

upāstarīr akaro lokam etam uruḥ prathatām asamaḥ svargaḥ tasmiṃchrayātai mahiṣaḥ suparṇo devā enaṃ devatābhyaḥ prayacchān

Thou hast strewn on, hast made that world; let the broad unequalled heavenly world (svargá) spread itself out; to it shall resort (çri) the mighty eagle; the gods shall reach him forth to the deities.

yadyaj jāyā pacati tvat paraḥ paraḥ patir vā jāye tvat tiraḥ saṃ tat sṛjethāṃ saha vāṃ tad astu sampādayantau saha lokam ekam

What in any case thy wife cooks beyond thee, or thy husband, O wife, in secret from thee, that do ye unite; that be yours together; agreeing (? sampāday-) together upon one world.

yāvanto asyāḥ pṛthivīṃ sacante asmat putrāḥ pari ye saṃbabhūvuḥ sarvāṃs tāṁ upa pātre hvayethāṃ nābhiṃ jānānāḥ śiśavaḥ samāyān

How many of her fasten on (sac) the earth, what sons came forth into being from us (pl.)—all those do ye (du.) call to you in the vessel;. knowing the navel, the young ones (çíçu) shall come together.

vasor yā dhārā madhunā prapīnā ghṛtena miśrā amṛtasya nābhayaḥ sarvās tā avarundhe svargaḥ ṣaṣṭyāṃ śaratsu nidhipā abhīcchāt

What streams (dhā́rā) of good (vásu) [there are], fattened with honey, mixed with ghee, navels of immortality—all those doth the heaven-goer (? svargá) take possession of; in sixty autumns may he seek unto the treasure-keepers.

nidhiṃ nidhipā abhy enam icchād anīśvarā abhitaḥ santu ye 'nye asmābhir datto nihitaḥ svargas tribhiḥ kāṇḍais trīnt svargān arukṣat

He shall seek unto it, [as] treasure-keepers unto a treasure; let those who are others be not lords (ánīçvara) about; given by us, deposited, heaven-going, with three divisions it has ascended to three heavens (svargá).

agnī rakṣas tapatu yad videvaṃ kravyād piśāca iha mā prapāsta nudāma enam aparudhmo asmad ādityā enam aṅgirasaḥ sacantām

Let Agni burn the demon that is godless; let the flesh-eating piçācá not have a draught here; we thrust him, we bar him away from us; let the Ādityas, the An̄girases, fasten on him.

ādityebhyo aṅgirobhyo madhv idaṃ ghṛtena miśraṃ prativedayāmi śuddhahastau brāhmaṇasyānihatyaitaṃ svargaṃ sukṛtāv apītam

To the Ādityas, the An̄girases, I announce this honey mingled with ghee; with cleansed hands, not smiting down [anything of] the Brahman's, go ye (du.), O well-doers, unto this heavenly world (svargá).

idaṃ prāpam uttamaṃ kāṇḍam asya yasmāl lokāt parameṣṭhī samāpa āsiñca sarpir ghṛtavat samaṅgdhy eṣa bhāgo aṅgiraso no atra

I have obtained this highest division of it, from which world the most exalted one obtained [it] completely; pour thou on the butter (sarpís); anoint with ghee; this is the portion of our An̄giras here.

satyāya ca tapase devatābhyo nidhiṃ śevadhiṃ paridadma etam mā no dyūte 'vagān mā samityāṃ mā smānyasmā utsṛjatā purā mat

Unto truth, unto penance, and unto the deities, we deliver this deposit (nidhí), [this] treasure (çevadhí); let it not be lost (ava-gā) in our play, nor in the meeting; do not ye release it to another in preference to (purā́) me.

ahaṃ pacāmy ahaṃ dadāmi mamed u karman karuṇe 'dhi jāyā kaumāro loko ajaniṣṭa putro 'nvārabhethāṃ vaya uttarāvat

I cook; I give; verily upon my action [and] deed (? karúṇa) the wife; a virgin (? kāúmāra) world hath been born, a son; take ye (du.) hold after vigor (váyas) that hath what is superior.

na kilbiṣam atra nādhāro asti na yan mitraiḥ samamamāna eti anūnaṃ pātraṃ nihitaṃ na etat paktāraṃ pakvaḥ punar āviśāti

No offense is here, nor support (? ādhārá), nor that one goes agreeing (sam-am) with friends; this vessel of ours is set down not empty; the cooked [dish] shall enter again him that cooked it.

priyaṃ priyāṇāṃ kṛṇavāma tamas te yantu yatame dviṣanti dhenur anaḍvān vayo vaya āyad eva pauruṣeyam apa mṛtyuṃ nudantu

May we do what is dear to them that are dear; whosoever hate [us], let them go to darkness; milch-cow, draft-ox, each coming vigor (váyas)—let them thrust away the death that comes from men.

sam agnayaḥ vidur anyo anyaṃ ya oṣadhīḥ sacate yaś ca sindhūn yāvanto devā divy ātapanti hiraṇyaṃ jyotiḥ pacato babhūva

The fires ire in concord, one with another—he that fastens on the herbs, and he that [fastens on] the rivers; as many gods as send heat (ā-tap) in the sky—gold hath become the light of him that cooks.

eṣā tvacāṃ puruṣe saṃbabhūvānagnāḥ sarve paśavo ye anye kṣatreṇātmānaṃ paridhāpayātho 'motaṃ vāso mukham odanasya

This one of skins (tvác) hath come into being on man; not naked are all the animals (paçú) that are other; ye (du.) cause to wrap (paridhā) yourselves (ātmán) with authority (kṣatrá), a home-woven garment, the mouth of the rice-dish.

yad akṣeṣu vadā yat samityāṃ yad vā vadā anṛtaṃ vittakāmyā samānaṃ tantum abhisaṃvasānau tasmint sarvaṃ śamalaṃ sādayāthaḥ

What [untruth] thou shalt speak at the dice, what at the meeting, or what untruth thou shalt speak from desire of gain—clothing yourselves (du.) in the same web (tántu), ye shall settle in it all pollution.

varṣaṃ vanuṣvāpigaccha devāṃs tvaco dhūmaṃ paryutpātayāsi viśvavyacā ghṛtapṛṣṭho bhaviṣyant sayonir lokam upayāhy etam

Win thou rain; go unto the gods; thou shalt make smoke fly up out of the skin; about to become all-expanded, ghee-backed, go thou, of like origin, unto that world.

tanvaṃ svargo bahudhā vicakre yathā vida ātmann anyavarṇām apājait kṛṣṇāṃ ruśatīṃ punāno yā lohinī tāṃ te agnau juhomi

The heaven-goer hath variously changed his body, as he finds (? vidé) in himself one of another color; he hath conquered off the black one, purifying a shining one (rúçat); the one that is red, that I offer (hu) to thee in the fire.

prācyai tvā diśe 'gnaye 'dhipataye 'sitāya rakṣitra ādityāyeṣumate etaṃ paridadmas taṃ no gopāyatāsmākam aitoḥ diṣṭaṃ no atra jarase nineṣaj jarā mṛtyave pari ṇo dadātv atha pakvena saha sambhavema

To the eastern quarter, to Agni as overlord, to the black [serpent] as defender, to Āditya having arrows, we commit thee here; guard ye him for us until our coming; may he lead on our appointed [life-time] here unto old age; let old age commit us unto death; then may we be united with the cooked [offering].

dakṣiṇāyai tvā diśa indrāyādhipataye tiraścirājaye rakṣitre yamāyeṣumate etaṃ paridadmas taṃ no gopāyatāsmākam aitoḥ diṣṭaṃ no atra jarase nineṣaj jarā mṛtyave pari ṇo dadātv atha pakvena saha sambhavema

To the southern quarter, to Indra as overlord, to the cross-lined [serpent] as defender, to Yama having arrows, we commit thee here; guard ye etc. etc.

pratīcyai tvā diśe varuṇāyādhipataye pṛdākave rakṣitre 'nnāyeṣumate etaṃ paridadmas taṃ no gopāyatāsmākam aitoḥ diṣṭaṃ no atra jarase nineṣaj jarā mṛtyave pari ṇo dadātv atha pakvena saha sambhavema

To the western quarter, to Varuṇa as overlord, to the pṛ́dāku as defender, to food having arrows, we commit thee here; guard ye etc. etc.

udīcyai tvā diśe somāyādhipataye svajāya rakṣitre 'śanyā iṣumatyai etaṃ paridadmas taṃ no gopāyatāsmākam aitoḥ diṣṭaṃ no atra jarase nineṣaj jarā mṛtyave pari ṇo dadātv atha pakvena saha sambhavema

To the northern quarter, to Soma as overlord, to the constrictor as defender, to the thunderbolt having arrows, we commit thee here; guard ye etc. etc.

dhruvāyai tvā diśe viṣṇave 'dhipataye kalmāṣagrīvāya rakṣitra oṣadhībhya iṣumatībhyaḥ etaṃ paridadmas taṃ no gopāyatāsmākam aitoḥ diṣṭaṃ no atra jarase nineṣaj jarā mṛtyave pari ṇo dadātv atha pakvena saha sambhavema

To the fixed quarter, to Vishṇu as overlord, to the spotted-necked [serpent] as defender, to the herbs having arrows, we commit thee here; guard ye etc. etc.

ūrdhvāyai tvā diśe bṛhaspataye 'dhipataye śvitrāya rakṣitre varṣāyeṣumate etaṃ paridadmas taṃ no gopāyatāsmākam aitoḥ diṣṭaṃ no atra jarase nineṣaj jarā mṛtyave pari ṇo dadātv atha pakvena saha sambhavema

To the upward quarter, to Brihaspati as overlord, to the white [serpent] as defender, to rain having arrows, we commit thee here; guard ye etc. etc.