Atharva Veda · 672 of 724

HYMN XCI

HYMN XCI 1. This holy hymn sublime and seven-headed, sprung from eternal   Law, our sire discovered.   Ayāsya, friend of all men, hath engendered the fourth hymn as    he sang his laud to Indra. 2. Thinking aright, praising eternal Order, the sons of Dyaus the   Asura, those heroes,   Angirases, holding the rank of sages, first honoured sacrifice’s    holy statute. 3. Girt by his friends who cried with swanlike voices, bursting the    stoney barriers of the prison,   Brihaspati spake in thunder to the cattle, and uttered praise and.    song when he had found them. 4. Apart from one, away from two above him, he draye the kine    that stood in bonds of falsehood.   Brihaspati, seeking light amid the darkness, draye forth the    bright cows: three he made apparent. 5. When he had cleft the lairs and western castle, he cut off three    from him who held the waters.   Brihaspati discovered, while he thundered like Dyaus, the dawn,.    the sun, the cow, the lightning. 6. As with a hand, so with his roaring Indra cleft Vala through,.    the guardian of the cattle.   Seeking the milk-draught with sweat-shining comrades he stole:    the Pani’s kine and left him weeping. 7. He with bright faithful friends, winners of booty, hath rent the    milker of the cows asunder.   Brihaspati with wild boars strong and mighty sweating with heat    hath gained a rich possession. 8. They, longing for the kine, with faithful spirit incited with their    hymns the Lord of cattle.   Brihaspati freed the radiant cows with comrades self-yoked,.    averting shame from one another. 9. In our assembly with auspicious praises exalting him who roareth.    like a lion.   May we in every fight where heroes conquer rejoice in strong.   Brihaspati the victor. 10. When he had won him strength of every nature and gone to    heaven and its most lofty mansions, Men praised Brihaspati the mighty, bringing the light within    their mouths from sundry places. 11. Fulfil the prayer that begs for vital vigor: aid in your wonted    manner e’en the humble.   Let all our foes be turned and driven backward. Hear this, O   Heaven and Earth, ye all-producers. 12. Indra with mighty strength hath cleft asunder the head of Arbuda    the watery monster,   Slain Ahi, and set free the Seven Rivers. O Heaven and Earth,    with all the Gods, protect us.