Religion

Rig Veda 7.85: FOR you I deck a harmless hymn…

by The Rishis of the Rig Veda c. 1500–1000 BCE (traditional; uncertain)

Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1896) · From The Hymns of the Rigveda (1896)

Religion

FOR you I deck a harmless hymn, presenting the Soma juice to Varuna and Indra-
A hymn that shines like heavenly Dawn with fatness. May they be near us on the march and guard us.

Here where the arrows fall amid the banners both hosts invoke the Gods in emulation.
O Indra-Varuna, smite back those-our foemen, yea, smite them with your shaft to every quarter.

Self-lucid in their seats, e'en heavenly Waters endowed with Godhead Varuna and Indra.
One of these holds the folk distinct and sundered, the Other smites and slays resistless foemen.

Wise be the priest and skilled in Law Eternal, who with his sacred gifts and oration.
Brings you to aid us with your might, Adityas: let him have viands to promote his welfare.

May this my song reach Varuna and Indra, and, strongly urging, win me sons and offspring.
To the Gods' banquet may we go with riches. Preserve us evermore, ye Gods with blessings.

MLA

Veda, The Rishis of the Rig. “Rig Veda 7.85: FOR you I deck a harmless hymn….” Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/rigveda-rishis/599/.

Chicago

Veda, The Rishis of the Rig. “Rig Veda 7.85: FOR you I deck a harmless hymn….” Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/rigveda-rishis/599/.

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