Atharva Veda · 36 of 724

BOOK II

HYMN I Glorification of the prime cause of all things 1. Vena beholds That Highest which lies hidden, wherein this All    resumes one form and fashion.   Thence Prisni milked all life that had existence: the hosts that    know the light with songs extolled her. 2. Knowing Eternity, may the Gandharva declare to us that highest    secret station.   Three steps thereof lie hidden in the darkness: he who knows    these shall be the father’s father. 3. He is our kinsman, father, and begetter: he knows all beings    and all Ordinances.   He only gave the Gods their appellations: all creatures go to    him to ask direction. 4. I have gone forth around the earth and heaven, I have approached    the first-born Son of Order.   He, putting voice, as ’twere, within the speaker, stands in the    world, he, verily is Agni. 5. I round the circumjacent worlds have travelled to see the far-    extended thread of Order.   Wherein the Gods, obtaining life eternal, have risen upward to    one common birthplace.