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Vedic religionRig Veda 3.33HOLYMAP · SACRED TEXTS
Rig VedaRig Veda 3.33

Rig Veda

Rig Veda 3.33

1
English · Ralph T. H. Griffith

Forth from the bosom of the mountains, eager as two swift mares with loosened rein contending, Like two bright mother cows who lick their youngling, Vipas and Sutudri speed down their waters.

2
English · Ralph T. H. Griffith

Impelled by Indra whom ye pray to urge you, ye move as 'twere on chariots to the ocean. Flowing together, swelling with your billows, O lucid Streams, each of you seeks the other.

3
English · Ralph T. H. Griffith

I have attained the most maternal River, we have approached Vipas, the broad, the blessed. Licking as 'twere their calf the pair of Mothers flow onward to their common home together.

4
English · Ralph T. H. Griffith

We two who rise and swell with billowy waters move forward to the home which Gods have made us. Our flood may not be stayed when urged to motion. What would the singer, calling to the Rivers?

5
English · Ralph T. H. Griffith

Linger a little at my friendly bidding rest, Holy Ones, a moment in your journey. With hymn sublime soliciting your favour Kusika's son hath called unto the River.

6
English · Ralph T. H. Griffith

Indra who wields the thunder dug our channels: he smote down Vritra, him who stayed our currents. Savitar, God, the lovely-handed, led us, and at his sending forth we flow expanded.

7
English · Ralph T. H. Griffith

That hero deed of Indra must be lauded for ever that he rent Ahi in pieces. He smote away the obstructers with his thunder, and eager for their course forth flowed the waters.

8
English · Ralph T. H. Griffith

Never forget this word of thine, O singer, which future generations shall reecho. In hymns, O bard, show us thy loving kindness. Humble us not mid men. To thee be honour!

9
English · Ralph T. H. Griffith

List quickly, Sisters, to the bard who cometh to you from far away with car and wagon. Bow lowly down; be easy to be traversed stay, Rivers, with your floods below our axles.

10
English · Ralph T. H. Griffith

Yea, we will listen to thy words, O singer. With wain and car from far away thou comest. Low, like a nursing mother, will I bend me, and yield me as a maiden to her lover.

11
English · Ralph T. H. Griffith

Soon as the Bharatas have fared across thee, the warrior band, urged on and sped by Indra, Then let your streams flow on in rapid motion. I crave your favour who deserve our worship.

12
English · Ralph T. H. Griffith

The warrior host, the Bharatas, fared over the singer won the favour of the Rivers. Swell with your billows, hasting, pouring riches. Fill full your channels, and roll swiftly onward.

13
English · Ralph T. H. Griffith

So let your wave bear up the pins, and ye, O Waters, spare the thongs; And never may the pair of Bulls, harmless and sinless, waste away.

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Rig Veda 3.33English
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Rig Veda 3.330%

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Ralph T. H. Griffith's translation (1896–97). It is dated, and scholars now read many verses differently. A few verses Griffith left untranslated or moved to an appendix are not included.

Ralph T. H. Griffith, The Hymns of the Rigveda, 2nd edition (Benares: E. J. Lazarus, 1896–97). Public domain. Text from English Wikisource, checked against Internet Archive scans of the 1896–97 printing. · Source ↗

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