When you first sprang into being, O Horse, from the sea or upper waters, Your deer limbs and eagle wings were present. You are near to birth and must be praised.
This Horse Yama gave, Trita yoked it, and Indra rode on it, first among all. The Gandharva grasped its reins. Vasus, from the Sun, you fashioned the Courser.
You are Yama, O Horse; you are Āditya; you are Trita by secret operation. You are thoroughly separated from Soma. They say you have three bonds in heaven that hold you.
They say you have three bonds in heaven that bind you, three in the waters, three within the ocean. To me you seem Varuṇa, O Courser, there where they say is your highest birthplace.
Here, Courser, are the places where they groomed you, here are the traces of your hooves as a victor. Here I saw the auspicious reins that guide you, which those who guard the holy Law keep safely.
In spirit, I recognized you— a Bird that flew from below through the sky. I saw your head still soaring, striving upward by untrodden paths, pleasant to travel.
Here I beheld your form, unmatched in glory, eager to win food at the Cow’s station. Whenever a man brings you to your enjoyment, you greedily devour the choicest plants.
After you, Courser, comes the chariot, the bridegroom, the cows follow, and the charm of maidens. Full companies have gathered for your friendship: the pattern of your strength, Gods have copied.
His horns are made of gold, his feet are iron; though less fleet, he is swift as thought, Indra. The Gods have come to taste the offering of him who mounted, first of all, the Courser.
Symmetrical in flank, with rounded haunches, mettled like heroes, the Celestial Coursers Put forth their strength, like swans in orderly formation, when the Steeds reach the heavenly causeway.
A body formed for flight you are, O Charger; swift as the wind in motion is your spirit. Your horns spread wide in all directions; they move with restless beat in wildernesses.
The strong Steed has come forward to slaughter, thinking with a mind