Rig Veda
asya vāmasya palitasya hotus tasya bhrātā madhyamo asty aśnaḥ tṛtīyo bhrātā ghṛtapṛṣṭho asyātrāpaśyaṃ viśpatiṃ saptaputram
Of this benignant Priest, with eld grey-coloured, the brother midmost of the three is lightning. The third is he whose back with oil is sprinkled. Here I behold the Chief with seven male children.
sapta yuñjanti ratham ekacakram eko aśvo vahati saptanāmā trinābhi cakram ajaram anarvaṃ yatremā viśvā bhuvanādhi tasthuḥ
Seven to the one-wheeled chariot yoke the Courser; bearing seven names the single Courser draws it. Three-naved the wheel is, sound and undecaying, whereon are resting all these worlds of being.
imaṃ ratham adhi ye sapta tasthuḥ saptacakraṃ sapta vahanty aśvāḥ sapta svasāro abhi saṃ navante yatra gavāṃ nihitā sapta nāma
The seven who on the seven-wheeled car are mounted have horses, seven in tale, who draw them onward. Seven Sisters utter songs of praise together, in whom the names of the seven Cows are treasured.
ko dadarśa prathamaṃ jāyamānam asthanvantaṃ yad anasthā bibharti bhūmyā asur asṛg ātmā kva svit ko vidvāṃsam upa gāt praṣṭum etat
Who hath beheld him as he sprang to being, seen how the boneless One supports the bony? Where is the blood of earth, the life, the spirit? Who may approach the man who knows, to ask it?
This verse is not included in this edition.
Unripe in mind, in spirit undiscerning, I ask of these the Gods' established places; For up above the yearling Calf the sages, to form a web, their own seven threads have woven.
acikitvāñcikituṣaś cid atra kavīn pṛcchāmi vidmane na vidvān vi yas tastambha ṣaﾱ imā rajāṃsy ajasya rūpe kim api svid ekam
I ask, unknowing, those who know, the sages, as one all ignorant for sake of knowledge, What was that ONE who in the Unborn's image hath stablished and fixed firm these worlds' six regions.
iha bravītu ya īm aṅga vedāsya vāmasya nihitam padaṃ veḥ śīrṣṇaḥ kṣīraṃ duhrate gāvo asya vavriṃ vasānā udakam padāpuḥ
Let him who knoweth presently declare it, this lovely Bird's securely founded station. Forth from his head the Cows draw milk, and, wearing his vesture, with their foot have drunk the water.
mātā pitaram ṛta ā babhāja dhīty agre manasā saṃ hi jagme sā bībhatsur garbharasā nividdhā namasvanta id upavākam īyuḥ
The Mother gave the Sire his share of Order: with thought, at first, she wedded him in spirit. She, the coy Dame, was filled with dew prolific: with adoration men approached to praise her.
yuktā mātāsīd dhuri dakṣiṇāyā atiṣṭhad garbho vṛjanīṣv antaḥ amīmed vatso anu gām apaśyad viśvarūpyaṃ triṣu yojaneṣu
Yoked was the Mother to the boon Cow's car-pole: in the dank rows of cloud the Infant rested. Then the Calf lowed, and looked upon the Mother, the Cow who wears all shapes in three directions.
tisro mātṝs trīn pitṝn bibhrad eka ūrdhvas tasthau nem ava glāpayanti mantrayante divo amuṣya pṛṣṭhe viśvavidaṃ vācam aviśvaminvām
Bearing three Mothers and three Fathers, single he stood erect: they never make him weary. There on the pitch of heaven they speak together in speech all-knowing but not all-impelling.
dvādaśāraṃ nahi taj jarāya varvarti cakram pari dyām ṛtasya ā putrā agne mithunāso atra sapta śatāni viṃśatiś ca tasthuḥ
Formed with twelve spokes, by length of time, unweakened, rolls round the heaven this wheel of during Order. Herein established, joined in pairs together, seven hundred Sons and twenty stand, O Agni.
pañcapādam pitaraṃ dvādaśākṛtiṃ diva āhuḥ pare ardhe purīṣiṇam atheme anya upare vicakṣaṇaṃ saptacakre ṣaﾱara āhur arpitam
They call him in the farther half of heaven the Sire five-footed, of twelve forms, wealthy in watery store. These others say that he, God with far-seeing eyes, is mounted on the lower seven-wheeled, six-spoked car.
pañcāre cakre parivartamāne tasminn ā tasthur bhuvanāni viśvā tasya nākṣas tapyate bhūribhāraḥ sanād eva na śīryate sanābhiḥ
Upon this five-spoked wheel revolving ever all living creatures rest and are dependent. Its axle, heavy-laden, is not heated: the nave from ancient time remains unbroken.
sanemi cakram ajaraṃ vi vāvṛta uttānāyāṃ daśa yuktā vahanti sūryasya cakṣū rajasaity āvṛtaṃ tasminn ārpitā bhuvanāni viśvā
The wheel revolves, unwasting, with its felly: ten draw it, yoked to the far-stretching car-pole. The Sun's eye moves encompassed by the region: on him dependent rest all living creatures.
sākañjānāṃ saptatham āhur ekajaṃ ṣaﾱ id yamā ṛṣayo devajā iti teṣām iṣṭāni vihitāni dhāmaśa sthātre rejante vikṛtāni rūpaśaḥ
Of the co-born they call the seventh single-born; the six twin pairs are called Rishis, Children of Gods. Their good gifts sought of men are ranged in order due, and various in their form move for the Lord who guides.
striyaḥ satīs tāṃ u me puṃsa āhuḥ paśyad akṣaṇvān na vi cetad andhaḥ kavir yaḥ putraḥ sa īm ā ciketa yas tā vijānāt sa pituṣ pitāsat
They told me these were males, though truly females: he who hath eyes sees this, the blind discerns not. The son who is a sage hath comprehended: who knows this rightly is his father's father.
avaḥ pareṇa para enāvareṇa padā vatsam bibhratī gaur ud asthāt sā kadrīcī kaṃ svid ardham parāgāt kva svit sūte nahi yūthe antaḥ
Beneath the upper realm, above this lower, bearing her calf at foot the Cow hath risen. Witherward, to what place hath she departed? Where calves she? Not amid this herd of cattle.
avaḥ pareṇa pitaraṃ yo asyānuveda para enāvareṇa kavīyamānaḥ ka iha pra vocad devam manaḥ kuto adhi prajātam
Who, that the father of this Calf discerneth beneath the upper realm, above the lower, Showing himself a sage, may here declare it? Whence hath the Godlike spirit had its rising?
ye arvāñcas tāṁ u parāca āhur ye parāñcas tāṁ u arvāca āhuḥ indraś ca yā cakrathuḥ soma tāni dhurā na yuktā rajaso vahanti
Those that come hitherward they call departing, those that depart they call directed hither. And what so ye have made, Indra and Soma, steeds bear as 'twere yoked to the region's car-pole.
dvā suparṇā sayujā sakhāyā samānaṃ vṛkṣam pari ṣasvajāte tayor anyaḥ pippalaṃ svādv atty anaśnann anyo abhi cākaśīti
Two Birds with fair wings, knit with bonds of friendship, in the same sheltering tree have found a refuge. One of the twain eats the sweet Fig-tree's fruitage; the other eating not regardeth only.
yatrā suparṇā amṛtasya bhāgam animeṣaṃ vidathābhisvaranti ino viśvasya bhuvanasya gopāḥ sa mā dhīraḥ pākam atrā viveśa
Where those fine Birds hymn ceaselessly their portion of life eternal, and the sacred synods, There is the Universe's mighty Keeper, who, wise, hath entered into me the simple.
yasmin vṛkṣe madhvadaḥ suparṇā niviśante suvate cādhi viśve tasyed āhuḥ pippalaṃ svādv agre tan non naśad yaḥ pitaraṃ na veda
The, tree whereon the fine Birds eat the sweetness, where they all rest and procreate their offspring,— Upon its top they say the fig is luscious none gaineth it who knoweth not the Father.
yad gāyatre adhi gāyatram āhitaṃ traiṣṭubhād vā traiṣṭubhaṃ niratakṣata yad vā jagaj jagaty āhitam padaṃ ya it tad vidus te amṛtatvam ānaśuḥ
How on the Gayatri the Gayatri was based, how from the Trishtup they fashioned the Trishtup forth, How on the Jagati was based the Jagati,—they who know this have won themselves immortal life.
gāyatreṇa prati mimīte arkam arkeṇa sāma traiṣṭubhena vākam vākena vākaṃ dvipadā catuṣpadākṣareṇa mimate sapta vāṇīḥ
With Gayatri he measures out the praise-song, Sama with praise-song, triplet with the Trishtup. The triplet with the two or four-foot measure, and with the syllable they form seven metres.
jagatā sindhuṃ divy astabhāyad rathantare sūryam pary apaśyat gāyatrasya samidhas tisra āhus tato mahnā pra ririce mahitvā
With Jagati the flood in heaven he stablished, and saw the Sun in the Rathantara Saman. Gayatri hath, they say, three brands for kindling: hence it excels in majesty and vigour.
upa hvaye sudughāṃ dhenum etāṃ suhasto godhug uta dohad enām śreṣṭhaṃ savaṃ savitā sāviṣan no 'bhīddho gharmas tad u ṣu pra vocam
I invocate the milch-cow good for milking so that the milker, deft of hand, may drain her. May Savitar give goodliest stimulation. The caldron is made hot; I will proclaim it.
hiṃkṛṇvatī vasupatnī vasūnāṃ vatsam icchantī manasābhy āgāt duhām aśvibhyām payo aghnyeyaṃ sā vardhatām mahate saubhagāya
She, lady of all treasure, is come hither yearning in spirit for her calf and lowing. May this cow yield her milk for both the Asvins, and may she prosper to our high advantage.
gaur amīmed anu vatsam miṣantam mūrdhānaṃ hiṅṅ akṛṇon mātavā u sṛkvāṇaṃ gharmam abhi vāvaśānā mimāti māyum payate payobhiḥ
The cow hath lowed after her blinking youngling; she licks his forehead, as she lows, to form it. His mouth she fondly calls to her warm udder, and suckles him with milk while gently lowing.
ayaṃ sa śiṅkte yena gaur abhīvṛtā mimāti māyuṃ dhvasanāv adhi śritā sā cittibhir ni hi cakāra martyaṃ vidyud bhavantī prati vavrim auhata
He also snorts, by whom encompassed round the Cow laws as she clings unto the shedder of the rain. She with her shrilling cries hath humbled mortal man, and, turned to lightning, hath stripped off her covering robe.
anacchaye turagātu jīvam ejad dhruvam madhya ā pastyānām jīvo mṛtasya carati svadhābhir amartyo martyenā sayoniḥ
That which hath breath and speed and life and motion lies firmly stablished in the midst of houses. Living, by offerings to the Dead he moveth Immortal One, the brother of the mortal.
apaśyaṃ gopām anipadyamānam ā ca parā ca pathibhiś carantam sa sadhrīcīḥ sa viṣūcīr vasāna ā varīvarti bhuvaneṣv antaḥ
I saw the Herdsman, him who never stumbles, approaching by his pathways and departing. He, clothed with gathered and diffusive splendour, within the worlds continually travels.
ya īṃ cakāra na so asya veda ya īṃ dadarśa hirug in nu tasmāt sa mātur yonā parivīto antar bahuprajā nirṛtim ā viveśa
He who hath made him cloth not comprehend him: from him who saw him surely is he hidden. He, yet enveloped in his Mother's bosom, source of much life, hath sunk into destruction.
dyaur me pitā janitā nābhir atra bandhur me mātā pṛthivī mahīyam uttānayoś camvor yonir antar atrā pitā duhitur garbham ādhāt
Dyaus is my Father, my begetter: kinship is here. This great earth is my kin and Mother. Between the wide-spread world-halves is the birth-place: the Father laid the Daughter's germ within it.
pṛcchāmi tvā param antam pṛthivyāḥ pṛcchāmi yatra bhuvanasya nābhiḥ pṛcchāmi tvā vṛṣṇo aśvasya retaḥ pṛcchāmi vācaḥ paramaṃ vyoma
I ask thee of the earth's extremest limit, where is the centre of the world, I ask thee. I ask thee of the Stallion's seed prolific, I ask of highest heaven where Speech abideth.
iyaṃ vediḥ paro antaḥ pṛthivyā ayaṃ yajño bhuvanasya nābhiḥ ayaṃ somo vṛṣṇo aśvasya reto brahmāyaṃ vācaḥ paramaṃ vyoma
This altar is the earth's extremest limit; this sacrifice of ours is the world's centre. The Stallion's seed prolific is the Soma; this Brahman highest heaven where Speech abideth.
saptārdhagarbhā bhuvanasya reto viṣṇos tiṣṭhanti pradiśā vidharmaṇi te dhītibhir manasā te vipaścitaḥ paribhuvaḥ pari bhavanti viśvataḥ
Seven germs unripened yet are heaven's prolific seed: their functions they maintain by Vishnu's ordinance. Endued with wisdom through intelligence and thought, they compass us about present on every side.
na vi jānāmi yad ivedam asmi niṇyaḥ saṃnaddho manasā carāmi yadā māgan prathamajā ṛtasyād id vāco aśnuve bhāgam asyāḥ
What thing I truly am I know not clearly: mysterious, fettered in my mind I wander. When the first-born of holy Law approached me, then of this speech I first obtain a portion.
apāṅ prāṅ eti svadhayā gṛbhīto 'martyo martyenā sayoniḥ tā śaśvantā viṣūcīnā viyantā ny anyaṃ cikyur na ni cikyur anyam
Back, forward goes he, grasped by strength inherent, the Immortal born the brother of the mortal Ceaseless they move in opposite directions: men mark the one, and fail to mark the other.
ṛco akṣare parame vyoman yasmin devā adhi viśve niṣeduḥ yas tan na veda kim ṛcā kariṣyati ya it tad vidus ta ime sam āsate
Upon what syllable of holy praise-song, as twere their highest heaven, the Gods repose them,— Who knows not this, what will he do with praise-song? But they who know it well sit here assembled.
sūyavasād bhagavatī hi bhūyā atho vayam bhagavantaḥ syāma addhi tṛṇam aghnye viśvadānīm piba śuddham udakam ācarantī
Fortunate mayst thou be with goodly pasture, and may we also be exceeding wealthy. Feed on the grass, O Cow, at every season, and coming hitherward drink limpid water.
gaurīr mimāya salilāni takṣaty ekapadī dvipadī sā catuṣpadī aṣṭāpadī navapadī babhūvuṣī sahasrākṣarā parame vyoman
Forming the water-floods, the buffalo hath lowed, one-footed or two-footed or four-footed, she, Who hath become eight-footed or hath got nine feet, the thousand-syllabled in the sublimest heaven.
tasyāḥ samudrā adhi vi kṣaranti tena jīvanti pradiśaś catasraḥ tataḥ kṣaraty akṣaraṃ tad viśvam upa jīvati
From her descend in streams the seas of water; thereby the world's four regions have their being, Thence flows the imperishable flood and thence the universe hath life.
śakamayaṃ dhūmam ārād apaśyaṃ viṣūvatā para enāvareṇa ukṣāṇam pṛśnim apacanta vīrās tāni dharmāṇi prathamāny āsan
I saw from far away the smoke of fuel with spires that rose on high o'er that beneath it. The Mighty Men have dressed the spotted bullock. These were the customs in the days aforetime,
trayaḥ keśina ṛtuthā vi cakṣate saṃvatsare vapata eka eṣām viśvam eko abhi caṣṭe śacībhir dhrājir ekasya dadṛśe na rūpam
Three with long tresses show in ordered season. One of them sheareth when the year is ended. One with his powers the universe regardeth: Of one, the sweep is seen, but his figure.
catvāri vāk parimitā padāni tāni vidur brāhmaṇā ye manīṣiṇaḥ guhā trīṇi nihitā neṅgayanti turīyaṃ vāco manuṣyā vadanti
Speech hath been measured out in four divisions, the Brahmans who have understanding know them. Three kept in close concealment cause no motion; of speech, men speak only the fourth division.
This verse is not included in this edition.
They call him Indra, Mitra, Varuna, Agni, and he is heavenly nobly-winged Garutman. To what is One, sages give many a title they call it Agni, Yama, Matarisvan.
kṛṣṇaṃ niyānaṃ harayaḥ suparṇā apo vasānā divam ut patanti ta āvavṛtran sadanād ṛtasyād id ghṛtena pṛthivī vy udyate
Dark the descent: the birds are golden-coloured; up to the heaven they fly robed in the waters. Again descend they from the seat of Order, and all the earth is moistened with their fatness.
dvādaśa pradhayaś cakram ekaṃ trīṇi nabhyāni ka u tac ciketa tasmin sākaṃ triśatā na śaṅkavo 'rpitāḥ ṣaṣṭir na calācalāsaḥ
Twelve are the fellies, and the wheel is single; three are the naves. What man hath understood it? Therein are set together spokes three hundred and sixty, which in nowise can be loosened.
yas te stanaḥ śaśayo yo mayobhūr yena viśvā puṣyasi vāryāṇi yo ratnadhā vasuvid yaḥ sudatraḥ sarasvati tam iha dhātave kaḥ
That breast of thine exhaustless, spring of pleasure, wherewith thou feedest all things that are choicest, Wealth-giver, treasure. finder, free bestower,—bring that, Sarasvati, that we may drain it.
yajñena yajñam ayajanta devās tāni dharmāṇi prathamāny āsan te ha nākam mahimānaḥ sacanta yatra pūrve sādhyāḥ santi devāḥ
By means of sacrifice the Gods accomplished their sacrifice: these were the earliest ordinances. These Mighty Ones attained the height of heaven, there where the Sadhyas, Gods of old, are dwelling.
samānam etad udakam uc caity ava cāhabhiḥ bhūmim parjanyā jinvanti divaṃ jinvanty agnayaḥ
Uniform, with the passing days, this water mounts and fails again. The tempest-clouds give life to earth, and fires re-animate the heaven.
divyaṃ suparṇaṃ vāyasam bṛhantam apāṃ garbhaṃ darśatam oṣadhīnām abhīpato vṛṣṭibhis tarpayantaṃ sarasvantam avase johavīmi
The Bird Celestial, vast with noble pinion, the lovely germ of plants, the germ of waters, Him who delighteth us with rain in season, Sarasvan I invoke that he may help us.