Atharva Veda 19.49

Praise and prayer to night

The lively woman, household maiden, night, of god Savitar, of Bhaga, all-expanded, of easy invocation, of assembled fortune (? -çrī́), hath filled heaven-and-earth with greatness.

The profound one hath surmounted all things; the most mighty one hath ascended to the loftiest sky; the eager night spreads toward me like a friend with excellent svadhā́s.

O desirable, welcome, well-portioned, well-born one! thou didst come, O night; mayest thou be well-willing here; save thou for us the things that are produced (jātá) for men, likewise what [are] for cattle, by prosperity ⌊puṣṭyā́⌋.

The eager night has taken to herself the splendor of the lion, of the stag, of the tiger, of the leopard, the horse's bottom, man's (púruṣa) roar (? māyú); many forms thou makest for thyself, shining out.

Propitious to me [be] night and [the time] after sunrise; be the mother of cold (himá) easy of invocation for us; notice, O well-portioned one, this song of praise, with which I greet thee in all the quarters.

Our song of praise, O shining (vibhā́van) night, like a king thou enjoyest; may we be having all heroes, may we become having all possessions, through (ánu) the out-shining dawns.

Pleasant names thou assumest:—whoso desire to damage my riches, them, O night, do thou burn continually, so that no thief be found, so that he be not found again.

Excellent art thou, O night, like a decorated bowl; thou bearest [as] maiden the whole form of kine; full of eyes, eager, [thou showest] me wondrous forms; thou hast put on (prati-muc) the stars of heaven (divyá).

What thief shall come today, [what] malicious mortal villain, may night, going to meet him, smite away the neck, ⌊away⌋ the head of him;—

⌊Away⌋ his feet, that he may not go; ⌊away⌋ his hands, that he may not harm. What marauder shall approach, may he go away all crushed; may he go away, may he go well away; may he go away in a dry place (?).