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Dhammapada · narration sample

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Rig Veda · 930 of 1027

Mandala 10: HYMN XCIII. Viśvedevas.

1.MIGHTY are ye, and far-extended, Heaven and Earth: both Worlds are evermore to us like two young Dames. Guard us thereby from stronger foe; guard us hereby to give us strength.

2.In each succeeding sacrifice that mortal honoureth the Gods, He who, most widely known and famed for happiness, inviteth them.

3.Ye who are Rulers over all, great is your sovran power as Gods. Ye all possess all majesty: all must be served in sacrifice.

4.These are the joyous Kings of Immortality, Parijman, Mitra, Aryaman, and Varuṇa. What else is Rudra, praised of men? the Maruts, Bhaga, Pūṣaṇa?

5.Come also to our dwelling, Lords of ample wealth, common partakers of our waters, Sun and Moon, When the great Dragon of the Deep hath settled down upon their floors.

6.And let the Aśvins, Lords of splendour, set us free,—both Gods, and, with their Laws, Mitra and Varuṇa. Through woes, as over desert lands, he speeds to ample opulence.

7.Yea, let the Aśvins Twain he gracious unto us, even Rudras, and all Gods, Bhaga, Rathaspati; Parijman, Ṛbhu, Vāja, O Lords of all wealth Ṛbhukṣaṇas.

8.Prompt is Ṛbhukṣan, prompt the worshipper’s strong drink: may thy fleet Bay Steeds, thine who speedest on, approach. Not mans but God’s is sacrifice whose psalm is unassailable.

9.O God Savitar, harmed by none, lauded, give us a place among wealthy princes. With his Car-steeds at once ‘hath our Indra guided the reins and the car of these men.

10.To these men present here, O Heaven and Earth, to us grant lofty fame extending over all mankind. Give us a steed to win us strength, a steed with wealth for victory.

11.This speaker, Indra—for thou art our Friend—wherever he may be, guard thou, Victor! for help, ever for help Thy wisdom, Vasu! prosper him.

12.So have they strengthened this mine hymn which seems to take its bright path to the Sun, and reconciles the men: Thus forms a carpenter the yoke of horses, not to be displaced.

13.Whose chariot-seat hath come again laden with wealth and bright with gold, Lightly, with piercing ends, as ’twere two ranks of heroes ranged for fight.

14.This to Duḥśīma Pṛthavāna have I sung, to Vena, Rama, to the nobles, and the King. They yoked five hundred, and their love of us was famed upon their way.

15.Besides, they showed us seven-and-seventy horses here. Tānva at once displayed his gift, Pārthya at once displayed his gift; and straightway Māyava showed his.

Asked of Guide

Why does the hymn list many gods together—Mitra, Varuṇa, Aśvins, Rudra, Maruts—instead of praising one main deity?

The hymn addresses a council of deities because it presents the Viśvedevas—literally “all-gods”—as collective patrons of the community’s prosperity and protection. Lines like “Ye who are Rulers over all” and the naming of groups (Parijman, Mitra, Aryaman, Varuṇa, the Aśvins, Maruts) show the ritual aim: to summon every relevant power so the sacrifice secures wealth, victory, and safety for the chanters and their king.

This inclusive list also reflects how Vedic ritual treats divine functions as complementary rather than exclusive; different names point to different roles—justice (Mitra), cosmic order (Varuṇa), dawn and aid (Aśvins), storm and might (Rudra, Maruts). The hymn’s requests—wealth, steeds, fame—map onto those roles, like calling specialists for specific needs.

Guide is the guide inside the Gnosis app, where every book on these shelves is free to read. Guide is the part you pay for — your guide has read all of them, and answers about the passage you’re actually on. Ask your guide your own question.