Religion

Atharva Veda 7.26: Praise of Vishnu

by The Rishis of the Atharva Veda c. 1200–900 BCE (traditional; uncertain)

Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1895–96) · From The Hymns of the Atharva-Veda (1895–96)

Religion

I will declare the mighty deeds of Vishnu, of him who measured out the earthly regions, Who propped the highest place of congregation, thrice setting down his footstep, widely striding.

Loud boast doth Vishnu make of this achievement, like some wild beast, dread, prowling, mountain-roaming.
May he approach us from the farthest distance.

Thou within whose three wide-extended paces all worlds and creatures have their habitation, Drink oil, thou homed in oil! promote the sacrificer more and more.

Through all this world strode Vishnu: thrice his foot he planted, and the whole Was gathered in his footstep's dust.

Vishnu the guardian, he whom none deceiveth, made three steps, thenceforth.
Establishing these high decrees.

Look ye on Vishnu's works, whereby the friend of Indra, close-allied, Hath let his holy ways be seen.

The princes evermore behold that loftiest place where Vishnu is, Like an extended eye in heaven,

From heaven, O Vishnu, or from earth, O Vishnu, or from the great far-spreading air's mid-region, Fill both thy hands full of abundant treasures, and from the right and left bestow them freely.

MLA

Veda, The Rishis of the Atharva. “Atharva Veda 7.26: Praise of Vishnu.” Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/atharvaveda-rishis/328/.

Chicago

Veda, The Rishis of the Atharva. “Atharva Veda 7.26: Praise of Vishnu.” Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/atharvaveda-rishis/328/.

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