Rig Veda
gharmā samantā trivṛtaṃ vy āpatus tayor juṣṭim mātariśvā jagāma divas payo didhiṣāṇā aveṣan vidur devāḥ sahasāmānam arkam
Two perfect springs of heat pervade the Threefold, and come for their delight is Matarisvan. Craving the milk of heaven the Gods are present: well do they know the praisesong and the Saman.
tisro deṣṭrāya nirṛtīr upāsate dīrghaśruto vi hi jānanti vahnayaḥ tāsāṃ ni cikyuḥ kavayo nidānam pareṣu yā guhyeṣu vrateṣu
The priests beard far away, as they are ordered, serve the three Nirritis, for well they know them. Sages have traced the cause that first produced them, dwelling in distant and mysterious chambers.
catuṣkapardā yuvatiḥ supeśā ghṛtapratīkā vayunāni vaste tasyāṃ suparṇā vṛṣaṇā ni ṣedatur yatra devā dadhire bhāgadheyam
The Youthful One, well-shaped, with four locks braided, brightened with oil, puts on the ordinances. Two Birds of mighty power are seated near her, there where the Deities receive their portion.
ekaḥ suparṇaḥ sa samudram ā viveśa sa idaṃ viśvam bhuvanaṃ vi caṣṭe tam pākena manasāpaśyam antitas tam mātā reḍhi sa u reḍhi mātaram
One of these Birds hath passed into the sea of air: thence he looks round and views this universal world. With simple heart I have beheld him from anear: his Mother kisses him and he returns her kiss.
suparṇaṃ viprāḥ kavayo vacobhir ekaṃ santam bahudhā kalpayanti chandāṃsi ca dadhato adhvareṣu grahān somasya mimate dvādaśa
Him with fair wings though only One in nature, wise singers shape, with songs, in many figures. While they at sacrifices fix the metres, they measure out twelve chalices of Soma.
ṣaṭtriṃśāṃś ca caturaḥ kalpayantaś chandāṃsi ca dadhata ādvādaśam yajñaṃ vimāya kavayo manīṣarksāmābhyām pra rathaṃ vartayanti
While they arrange the four and six-and-thirty, and duly order, up to twelve, the measures, Having disposed the sacrifice thoughtful sages send the Car forward with the Rc and Saman.
caturdaśānye mahimāno asya taṃ dhīrā vācā pra ṇayanti sapta āpnānaṃ tīrthaṃ ka iha pra vocad yena pathā prapibante sutasya
The Chariot's majesties are fourteen others: seven sages lead it onward with their Voices. Who will declare to us the ford Apnana, the path whereby they drink first draughts of Soma?
sahasradhā pañcadaśāny ukthā yāvad dyāvāpṛthivī tāvad it tat sahasradhā mahimānaḥ sahasraṃ yāvad brahma viṣṭhitaṃ tāvatī vāk
The fifteen lauds are in a thousand places that is as vast as heaven and earth in measure. A thousand spots contain the mighty thousand. Vak spreadeth forth as far as Prayer extendeth.
kaś chandasāṃ yogam ā veda dhīraḥ ko dhiṣṇyām prati vācam papāda kam ṛtvijām aṣṭamaṃ śūram āhur harī indrasya ni cikāya kaḥ svit
What sage hath learned the metres' application? Who hath gained Vak, the spirit's aim and object? Which ministering priest is called eighth Hero? Who then hath tracked the two Bay Steeds of Indra?
bhūmyā antam pary eke caranti rathasya dhūrṣu yuktāso asthuḥ śramasya dāyaṃ vi bhajanty ebhyo yadā yamo bhavati harmye hitaḥ
Yoked to his chariot-pole there stood the Coursers: they only travel round earth's farthest limits. These, when their driver in his home is settled, receive the allotted meed of their exertion.