Atharva Veda 14.1

satyenottabhitā bhūmiḥ sūryeṇottabhitā dyauḥ ṛtenādityās tiṣṭhanti divi somo adhiśritaḥ

Marriage ceremonies

By truth is the earth established (ut-stabh); by the sun is the sky established; by righteousness the Ādityas stand; Soma is set (çritá) upon the sky.

somenādityā balinaḥ somena pṛthivī mahī atho nakṣatrāṇām eṣām upasthe soma āhitaḥ

By Soma are the Ādityas strong; by Soma is the earth great; likewise in the lap of these asterisms is Soma placed (ā-dhā).

somaṃ manyate papivān yat sampiṃṣanty oṣadhim somaṃ yaṃ brahmāṇo vidur na tasyāśnāti pārthivaḥ

One thinks himself to have drunk Soma when they crush up an herb; what Soma the priests (brahmán) know, of that no earthly man partakes.

yat tvā soma prapibanti tata āpyāyase punaḥ vāyuḥ somasya rakṣitā samānāṃ māsa ākṛtiḥ

When, O Soma, they drink thee ⌊up⌋, then thou fillest thyself up again; Vāyu is Soma's defender; the month is norm (ā́kṛti) of the years (sámā).

āchadvidhānair gupito bārhataiḥ soma rakṣitaḥ grāvṇām icchṛṇvan tiṣṭhasi na te aśnāti pārthivaḥ

Guarded by covering-arrangements, defended by watchmen (?? bárhata), O Soma, thou standest hearing the pressing-stones; no earthly one partakes of thee.

cittir ā upabarhaṇaṃ cakṣur ā abhyañjanam dyaur bhūmiḥ kośa āsīd yad ayāt sūryā patim

Intention (cítti) was the pillow, sight was the ointment, heaven [and] earth were the coffer (kóça), when Sūryā went to her husband.

raibhy āsīd anudeyī nārāśaṃsī nyocanī sūryāyā bhadram id vāso gāthayaiti pariṣkṛtā

The rāíbhī was the parting [song] (?? anudéyī), the nārāçaṅsī́ was the welcoming one (? nyócanī); Sūryā's garment verily was excellent; she goes adorned with song (gā́thā).

stomā āsan pratidhayaḥ kurīraṃ chanda opaśaḥ sūryāyā aśvinā varāgnir āsīt purogavaḥ

The laudations (stóma) were the cross-pieces (?? pratidhí); meter was the kurī́ra, the opaçá; of Sūryā the Açvins were the wooers, Agni was the forerunner.

somo vadhūyur abhavad aśvināstām ubhā varā sūryāṃ yat patye śaṃsantīṃ manasā savitādadāt

Soma was the bride-seeker; both Açvins were wooers, when Savitar gave to her husband Sūryā, praising (çaṅs) with her mind.

mano asyā ana āsīd dyaur āsīd uta chadiḥ śukrāv anaḍvāhāv āstāṃ yad ayāt sūryā patim

Mind was her cart; heaven also was [its] canopy; the two draft-oxen were white (çukrá), when Sūryā went to her husband.

ṛksāmābhyām abhihitau gāvau te sāmanāv aitām śrotre te cakre āstāṃ divi panthāś carācaraḥ

Haltered with verse (ṛ́c) and chant (sā́man), thy two oxen went peaceful (? sāmaná); ears were thy (two) wheels; in the sky the wandering track.

śucī te cakre yātyā vyāno akṣa āhataḥ ano manasmayaṃ sūryārohat prayatī patim

Clean were the (two) wheels of thee as thou wentest; out-breathing (vyāná) was the inserted axle; a cart made of mind did Sūryā ascend when going forth to her husband.

sūryāyā vahatuḥ prāgāt savitā yam avāsṛjat maghāsu hanyante gāvaḥ phalgunīṣu vyuhyate

The bridal (vahatú) of Sūryā, which Savitar sent off (ava-sṛj), has gone forth; in the Maghās are slain the kine; in the Phalgunīs is the wedding.

yad aśvinā pṛcchamānāv ayātaṃ tricakreṇa vahatuṃ sūryāyāḥ kvaikaṃ cakraṃ vām āsīt kva deṣṭrāya tasthathuḥ

When, O Açvins, ye went asking, with your three-wheeled [chariot], to Sūryā's bridal, where was one wheel of yours? where stood ye for pointing out?

yad ayātaṃ śubhas patī vareyaṃ sūryām upa viśve devā anu tad vām ajānan putraḥ pitaram avṛṇīta pūṣā

When ye went, O lords of beauty, unto the wooing of Sūryā, all the gods assented to that [deed] of yours; Pūshan as son chose a father.

dve te cakre sūrye brahmāṇa ṛtuthā viduḥ athaikaṃ cakraṃ yad guhā tad addhātaya id viduḥ

The two wheels of thee, O Sūryā, the priests (brahmán) know seasonably; further, the one wheel that is in secret—that, verily, the enlightened (addhātí) know.

aryamaṇaṃ yajāmahe subandhuṃ pativedanam urvārukam iva bandhanāt preto muñcāmi nāmutaḥ

We make offering to Aryaman of good connections, husband-finder; like a gourd from its bond, from here I release, not from yonder.

preto muñcāmi nāmutaḥ subaddhām amutas karam yatheyam indra mīḍhvaḥ suputrā subhagāsati

I release [her] from here, not from yonder; I make her well-bound yonder, that she, O gracious Indra, may be rich in sons, well-portioned.

pra tvā muñcāmi varuṇasya pāśād yena tvābadhnāt savitā suśevāḥ ṛtasya yonau sukṛtasya loke syonaṃ te astu sahasaṃbhalāyai

I release thee from Varuṇa's fetter, with which the very propitious Savitar bound thee; in the lair (yóni) of righteousness, in the world of the well-done, be it pleasant for thee accompanied by the wooer (-sambhalá).

bhagas tveto nayatu hastagṛhyāśvinā tvā pravahatāṃ rathena gṛhān gaccha gṛhapatnī yathāso vaśinī tvaṃ vidatham āvadāsi

Let Bhaga lead thee hence, grasping thy hand; let the Açvins carry thee forth by a chariot; go to the houses, that thou mayest be housewife; thou, having control, shalt speak unto the council.

iha priyaṃ prajāyai te samṛdhyatām asmin gṛhe gārhapatyāya jāgṛhi enā patyā tanvaṃ saṃspṛśasvātha jivrir vidatham āvadāsi

Let what is dear succeed (sam-ṛdh) here for thy progeny; watch thou over this house in order to housewife-ship; mingle thy self (tanū́) with this husband; then shalt thou in advanced age speak to the council.

ihaiva staṃ mā viyauṣṭaṃ viśvam āyur vyaśnutam krīḍantau putrair naptṛbhir modamānau svastakau

Be ye (two) just here; be not separated; attain your whole lifetime, sporting with sons [and] grandsons, rejoicing, well-homed.

pūrvāparaṃ carato māyaitau śiśū krīḍantau pariyāto 'rṇavam viśvānyo bhuvanā vicaṣṭa ṛtūṃr anyo vidadhaj jāyase navaḥ

These two move on one after the other by magic; two sporting young ones go about the ocean; the one looks abroad upon all beings; thou, the other, disposing the seasons art born new.

navo navo bhavasi jāyamāno 'hnāṃ ketur uṣasām eṣy agram bhāgaṃ devebhyo vidadhāsy āyan pra candramas tirase dīrgham āyuḥ

Ever new art thou, being born; sign of the days, thou goest to the apex of the dawns; thou disposest to the gods their share as thou comest; thou extendest, O moon, a long life-time.

parā dehi śāmulyaṃ brahmabhyo vibhajā vasu kṛtyaiṣā padvatī bhūtvā jāyā viśate patim

Give thou away the çāmulyà; share out goods to the priests (brahmán); it, becoming a walking (padvánt) witchcraft, enters the husband [as] a wife.

nīlalohitaṃ bhavati kṛtyāsaktir vyajyate edhante asyā jñātayaḥ patir bandheṣu badhyate

It becomes blue-red; [as] witchcraft, infection, it is driven away (?); her relations (jñātí) thrive; her husband is bound in bonds.

aślīlā tanūr bhavati ruśatī pāpayāmuyā patir yad vadhvo vāsasaḥ svam aṅgam abhyūrṇute

Unlovely becomes [his] body, glistening in that evil way, when the husband wraps his own member with the bride's garment.

āśasanaṃ viśasanam atho adhivikartanam sūryāyāḥ paśya rūpāṇi tāni brahmota śumbhati

Carving on, carving open, also cutting over apart; see the forms of Sūryā; them also the priest (brahmán) cleans (çumbh).

tṛṣṭam etat kaṭukam apāṣṭhavad viṣavan naitad attave sūryāṃ yo brahmā veda sa id vādhūyam arhati

Harsh is that, sharp, barbed, poisoned; that is not to be eaten; what priest (brahmán) knows Sūryā, he indeed deserves the bride's [garment].

sa it tat syonaṃ harati brahmā vāsaḥ sumaṅgalam prāyaścittiṃ yo adhyeti yena jāyā na riṣyati

That priest verily takes this garment, pleasant, well-omened, who goes over the expiation, by whom the wife takes no harm.

yuvaṃ bhagaṃ saṃbharataṃ samṛddham ṛtaṃ vadantāv ṛtodyeṣu brahmaṇaspate patim asyai rocaya cāru saṃbhalo vadatu vācam etām

Do ye (two) bring together a successful (sámṛddha) portion, speaking right in right-speakings; O Brahmaṇaspati, make the husband shine (ruc) for her; let the wooer (sambhalá) speak this speech agreeably (cā́ru).

ihed asātha na paro gamāthemaṃ gāvaḥ prajayā vardhayātha śubhaṃ yatīr usriyāḥ somavarcaso viśve devāḥ krann iha vo manāṃsi

May ye be just here; may ye not go away; may ye, O kine, increase this man with progeny; going in beauty, ruddy, with soma-splendor—may all the gods turn (kṛ) your minds hither.

imaṃ gāvaḥ prajayā saṃviśāthāyaṃ devānāṃ na mināti bhāgam asmai vaḥ pūṣā marutaś ca sarve asmai vo dhātā savitā suvāti

May ye, O kine, enter this man together with progeny; this man minisheth (mī) not the share of the gods; for this man shall Pūshan, and all the Maruts, for this man shall Dhātar, Savitar quicken (sū) you.

anṛkṣarā ṛjavaḥ santu panthāno yebhiḥ sakhāyo yanti no vareyam saṃ bhagena sam aryamṇā saṃ dhātā sṛjatu varcasā

Free from thorns, straight, let the roads be by which [our] comrades go a-wooing for us; together with Bhaga, together with Aryaman—let Dhātar unite [us] with splendor.

yac ca varco akṣeṣu surāyāṃ ca yad āhitam yad goṣv aśvinā varcas tenemāṃ varcasāvatam

Both what splendor is placed in dice, and what in strong drink—what splendor, O Açvins, is in kine, with that splendor favor (av) ye this woman.

yena mahānagnyā jaghanam aśvinā yena vā surā yenākṣā abhyaṣicyanta tenemāṃ varcasāvatam

With what [splendor] the backsides of the courtezan (mahānagnī́), O Açvins, or with what the strong drink, with what the dice were flooded (abhi-sic), with that splendor favor ye this woman.

yo anidhmo dīdayad apsv antar yaṃ viprāsa īḍate adhvareṣu apāṃ napān madhumatīr apo dā yābhir indro vāvṛdhe vīryāvān

He who shines (dī) without fuel within the waters, whom the devout (vípra) praise at the sacrifices (adhvará)—O child of the waters, mayest thou give waters rich in honey, with which Indra increased, full of heroism.

idam ahaṃ ruśantaṃ grābhaṃ tanūdūṣim apohāmi yo bhadro rocanas tam udacāmi

Now do I remove (apa-ūh) the glistening seizer (grābhá), body-spoiling; what sheen is excellent, that I draw up (ud-ac).

āsyai brāhmaṇāḥ snapanīr harantv avīraghnīr udajantv āpaḥ aryamṇo agniṃ paryetu pūṣan pratīkṣante śvaśuro devaraś ca

Let the Brahmans take for her [water] for bathing; let them draw up (?) waters that slay not a hero; let her go about the fire of Aryaman, O Pūshan; father-in-law and brother-in-law are looking on (prati-īkṣ).

śaṃ te hiraṇyaṃ śam u santv āpaḥ śaṃ methir bhavatu śaṃ yugasya tardma śaṃ ta āpaḥ śatapavitrā bhavantu śam u patyā tanvaṃ saṃspṛśasva

Weal be to thee gold, and weal be waters; weal be the post (methí), weal the perforation (tárdman) of the yoke; weal be for thee the waters having a hundred cleansers (-pavítra); for weal, too, mingle thyself with thy husband.

khe rathasya khe 'nasaḥ khe yugasya śatakrato apālām indra triṣ pūtvākṛṇoḥ sūryatvacam

In the hole of the chariot, in the hole of the cart, in the hole of the yoke, O thou of a hundred activities, having thrice purified Apālā, O Indra, thou didst make her sun-skinned.

āśāsānā saumanasaṃ prajāṃ saubhāgyaṃ rayim patyur anuvratā bhūtvā saṃnahyasvāmṛtāya kam

Hoping for well-willing, offspring, good-fortune, wealth, becoming obedient (ánuvrata) to thy husband, gird thyself in order to immortality.

yathā sindhur nadīnāṃ sāmrājyaṃ suṣuve vṛṣā evā tvaṃ samrājñy edhi patyur astaṃ paretya

As the ⌊mighty (? vṛ́ṣā)⌋ river (síndhu) won (? sū) the supremacy of the streams (nadī́), so be thou supreme (samrā́jñī), having gone away to thy husband's home.

samrājñy edhi śvaśureṣu samrājñy uta devṛṣu nanānduḥ samrājñy edhi samrājñy uta śvaśrvāḥ

Be thou supreme among fathers-in-law, supreme also among brothers-in-law; be thou supreme over sister-in-law, supreme also over mother-in-law.

yā akṛntann avayan yāś ca tatnire yā devīr antāṁ abhito 'dadanta tās tvā jarase saṃvyayantv āyuṣmatīdaṃ paridhatsva vāsaḥ

They (f.) who spun, wove, and who stretched [the web], what divine ones (f.) gave the ends about, let them wrap thee in order to old age; [as] one long-lived put about thee this garment.

jīvaṃ rudanti vinayanty adhvaraṃ dīrghām anu prasitiṃ dīdhyur naraḥ vāmaṃ pitṛbhyo ya idaṃ samīrire mayaḥ patibhyo janaye pariṣvaje

They bewail the living one (m.); they lead away the sacrifice (adhvará); the men sent their thoughts after ⌊root dhī...ánu⌋ a long reach (prásiti); what is lovely (vāmá) for the Fathers who came together here; joy to the husbands for embracing the wife.

syonaṃ dhruvaṃ prajāyai dhārayāmi te 'śmānaṃ devyāḥ pṛthivyā upasthe tam ātiṣṭhānumādyā suvarcā dīrghaṃ ta āyuḥ savitā kṛṇotu

I maintain for thee, in order to progeny, a pleasant, firm (dhruvá) stone in the lap of the divine earth; stand thou on that, one to be exulted after, of excellent glory; let Savitar make for thee a long life-time.

yenāgnir asyā bhūmyā hastaṃ jagrāha dakṣiṇam tena gṛhṇāmi te hastaṃ mā vyathiṣṭhā mayā saha prajayā ca dhanena ca

Wherewith Agni grasped the right hand of this earth, therewith grasp I thy hand; do not stagger in company with me, with both progeny and riches.

devas te savitā hastaṃ gṛhṇātu somo rājā suprajasaṃ kṛṇotu agniḥ subhagāṃ jātavedāḥ patye patnīṃ jaradaṣṭim kṛṇotu

Let god Savitar grasp thy hand; let king Soma make thee to have good offspring; let Agni, Jātavedas, make the spouse well-portioned, long-lived, for her husband.

gṛhṇāmi te saubhagatvāya hastaṃ mayā patyā jaradaṣṭir yathāsaḥ bhago aryamā savitā puraṃdhir mahyaṃ tvādur gārhapatyāya devāḥ

I grasp thy hand in order to good-fortune, that with me as husband thou mayest be long-lived; Bhaga, Aryaman, Savitar, Purandhi ⌊púraṁdhi⌋—the gods have given thee to me in order to housewifeship.

bhagas te hastam agrahīt savitā hastam agrahīt patnī tvam asi dharmaṇāhaṃ gṛhapatis tava

Bhaga hath grasped thy hand; Savitar hath grasped thy hand; thou art [my] spouse by ordinance (dhárman), I thy house-lord.

mameyam astu poṣyā mahyaṃ tvādād bṛhaspatiḥ mayā patyā prajāvati saṃjīva śaradaḥ śatam

Be this woman mine, bringing prosperity (pósya); Brihaspati hath given thee to me; in company with me ⌊as husband⌋ do thou live, rich in offspring, a hundred autumns.

tvaṣṭā vāso vyadadhāc chubhe kaṃ bṛhaspateḥ praśiṣā kavīnām tenemāṃ nārīṃ savitā bhagaś ca sūryām iva paridhattāṃ prajayā

Tvashṭar disposed (vi-dhā) the garment for beauty, by direction of Brihaspati, of the poets; therewith let Savitar and Bhaga envelop this woman, like Sūryā, with progeny.

indrāgnī dyāvāpṛthivī mātariśvā mitrāvaruṇā bhago aśvinobhā bṛhaspatir maruto brahma soma imāṃ nāriṃ prajayā vardhayantu

Let Indra-and-Agni, heaven-and-earth, Mātariçvan, Mitra-and-Varuṇa, Bhaga, both Açvins, Brihaspati, the Maruts, the bráhman. Soma, increase this woman with progeny.

This verse is not included in this edition.

Brihaspati first prepared (kḷp) the hairs on the head of Sūryā; with this, O Açvins, do we thoroughly adorn (çubh) this woman for her husband.

idaṃ tad rūpaṃ yad avasta yoṣā jāyāṃ jijñāse manasā carantīm tām anvartiṣye sakhibhir navagvaiḥ ka imān vidvān vicacarta pāśān

This [is] that form in which the young woman (yóṣā) dressed herself; I desire to know with [my] mind the wife (jāyá) moving about; I will go after her with nine-fold (? návagva) comrades: who, knowing, unloosened (vi-cṛt) these fetters?

ahaṃ viṣyāmi mayi rūpam asyā vedad it paśyan manasaḥ kulāyam na steyam admi manasodamucye svayaṃ śrathnāno varuṇasya pāśān

I loosen (vi-sā) in me the form of her; he verily shall know, seeing the nest of mind; I eat not stolenly; I was freed (ud-muc) by mind, myself untying (çrath) the fetters of Varuṇa.

pra tvā muñcāmi varuṇasya pāśād yena tvābadhnāt savitā suśevāḥ uruṃ lokaṃ sugam atra panthāṃ kṛṇomi tubhyaṃ sahapatnyai vadhu

I release thee from Varuṇa's fetter, with which the very propitious Savitar bound thee; wide space (loká), an easy road here, do I make for thee, O bride (vadhū́), with thy husband.

udyacchadhvam apa rakṣo hanāthemāṃ nārīṃ sukṛte dadhāta dhātā vipaścit patim asyai viveda bhago rājā pura etu prajānan

Raise ye [your weapons]; may ye smite away the demon; set this woman in what is well done; inspired Dhātar found for her a husband; let king Bhaga go in front, foreknowing.

bhagas tatakṣa caturaḥ pādān bhagas tatakṣa catvāry uṣyalāni tvaṣṭā pipeśa madhyato 'nu vardhrānt sā no astu sumaṅgalī

Bhaga fashioned the four feet; Bhaga fashioned the four frame-pieces (? úṣyala); Tvashṭar adorned (piç) the straps (? várdhra) along in the middle; let her be to us of excellent omen.

sukiṃśukaṃ vahatuṃ viśvarūpaṃ hiraṇyavarṇaṃ suvṛtaṃ sucakram āroha sūrye amṛtasya lokaṃ syonaṃ patibhyo vahatuṃ kṛṇu tvam

The well-flowered (sukiṅçuká), all-formed bridal-car (vahatú), golden-colored, well-rolling, well-wheeled, do thou mount, O Sūryā, to the world of the immortal; make thou a bridal -car pleasant to husbands.

abhrātṛghnīṃ varuṇāpaśughnīṃ bṛhaspate indrāpatighnīm putriṇīm āsmabhyaṃ savitar vaha

Her, not brother-slaying, O Varuṇa; not cattle-slaying, O Brihaspati; not husband-slaying, possessing sons, O Indra—bring [her] for us, O Savitar.

mā hiṃsiṣṭaṃ kumāryaṃ sthūṇe devakṛte pathi śālāyā devyā dvāraṃ syonaṃ kṛṇmo vadhūpatham

Injure ye not the maiden (kumārī́), ye (two) pillars, on the god-made road; the door of the divine house we make pleasant, a road for the bride.

brahmāparaṃ yujyatāṃ brahma pūrvaṃ brahmāntato madhyato brahma sarvataḥ anāvyādhāṃ devapurāṃ prapadya śivā syonā patiloke virāja

Let the bráhman be yoked after, the bráhman before, the bráhman at the end, in the middle, the bráhman everywhere; going forward to an impenetrable stronghold of the gods, do thou (f.), propitious, pleasant, bear rule in thy husband's world.