Atharva Veda · 562 of 724

HYMN LIII

A hymn to Kāma or Time 1. Prolific, thousand-eyed, and undecaying, a horse with seven    reins Time bears us onward.   Sages inspired with holy knowledge mount him: his chariot    wheels are all the worlds of creatures. 2. This Time hath seven rolling wheels and seven naves immorality    is the chariot’s axle.   This Time brings hitherward all worlds about us: as primal   Deity is he entreated. 3. On Time is laid an overflowing beaker: this we behold in many    a place appearing.   He carries from us all these worlds of creatures. They call him   Kāla in the loftiest heaven. 4. He only made the worlds of life, he only gathered the worlds    of living things together.   Their son did he become who was their Father: no other higher    power than he existeth. 5. Kāla created yonder heaven, and Kāla made these realms of    earth.   By Kāla, stirred to motion, both what is and what shall be    expand. 6. Kāla created land; the Sun in Kāla hath his light and heat.   In Kāla rest all things that be: in Kāla doth the eye discern. 7. In Kāla mind, in Kāla breath, in Kāla name are fixt and joined.   These living creatures, one and all, rejoice when Kāla hath    approached. 8. Kāla embraces Holy Fire, the Highest, Brahma in himself.   Yea, Kāla, who was father of Prajāpati, is Lord of All. 9. He made, he stirred this universe to motion, and on him it rests.   He, Kāla, having now become Brahma, holds Parameshthin up. p. 255 10. Kāla created living things and, first of all, Prajāpati.   From Kāla self-made Kasyapa, from Kāla Holy Fire was born.