Religion
Atharva Veda 3.19: A glorification of the office of a king's household priest
Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1895–96) · From The Hymns of the Atharva-Veda (1895–96)
Quickened is this my priest rank, quickened is manly strength and force, Quickened be changeless power, whereof I am the conquering President!
I quicken these men's princely sway, the might, the manly strength and force; I rend away the foemen's arms with this presented sacrifice.
Down fall the men, low let them lie, who fight against our mighty prince, I ruin foemen with my spell, and raise my friends to high estate.
Keener than is the axe's edge, keener than Agni's self are they, Keener than Indra's bolt are they whose Priest and President am I.
The weapons of these men I whet and sharpen, with valiant heroes I increase their kingdom.
Victorious be their power and ever ageless! May all the Gods promote their thoughts and wishes.
Let their fierce powers, O Maghavan, be heightened, and upward go the shout of conquering heroes.
Apart and clear, let shout and roar and shriek and lamentation rise!
Let the Gods led by Indra, let the Maruts with our army go.
Advance and be victorious, men I Exceeding mighty be your arms!
Smite with sharp-pointed arrows those whose bows are weak.
With your strong arms and weapons smite the feeble foe.
Loosed from the bowstring fly away, thou Arrow, sharpened by our prayer.
Assail the foemen, vanquish them, conquer each bravest man of theirs, and let not one of them escape.
Cite this poem
MLA
Veda, The Rishis of the Atharva. “Atharva Veda 3.19: A glorification of the office of a king's household priest.” Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/atharvaveda-rishis/82/.
Chicago
Veda, The Rishis of the Atharva. “Atharva Veda 3.19: A glorification of the office of a king's household priest.” Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/atharvaveda-rishis/82/.
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