Religion

Atharva Veda 3.15: A merchant's prayer for success in his business

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 stir and animate the merchant Indra; may he approach and be our guide and leader.
Chasing ill-will, wild beast, and highway robber, may he who hath the power give me riches.

The many paths which Gods are wont to travel, the paths which go between the earth and heaven, May they rejoice with me in milk and fatness that I may make rich profit by my purchase.

With fuel. Agni! and with butter, longing, mine offering I present for strength and conquest; With prayer, so far as I have strength, adoring—this holy hymn to gain a hundred treasures.

Pardon this stubbornness of ours. O Agni, the distant pathway which our feet have trodden.
Propitious unto us be sale and barter, may interchange of mer-chandise enrich me.
Accept, ye twain, accordant, this libation! Prosperous be our ventures and incomings.

The wealth wherewith I carry on my traffic, seeking, ye Gods!
wealth with the wealth I offer, May this grow more for me, not less: O Agni, through sacrifice chase those who hinder profit!

The wealth wherewith I carry on my traffic, seeking, ye Gods!
wealth with the wealth I offer, Herein may Indra, Savitar, and Soma, Prajāpati, and Agni give me splendour.

With reverence we sign thy praise, O Hotar-priest Vaisvānara.
Over our children keep thou watch, over our bodies, kine, and lives.

Still to thee ever will we bring oblation, as to a stabled horse, O Jātavedas.
Joying in food and in the growth of riches may we thy servants, Agni, never suffer.

MLA

Veda, The Rishis of the Atharva. “Atharva Veda 3.15: A merchant's prayer for success in his business.” Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/atharvaveda-rishis/78/.

Chicago

Veda, The Rishis of the Atharva. “Atharva Veda 3.15: A merchant's prayer for success in his business.” Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/atharvaveda-rishis/78/.

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