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Mandala X

HYMN XCVIII. The Gods.

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1

Come, be Mitra, Varuṇa, Pūṣa, or Brihaspathi, to my Yajña: With Maruts, Vasus, or Adityas, let Parjanya pour Santanu’s rain.

2

The God, wise, swift, who you have sent has come to me, Devāpi: Address yourself to me and I will place brilliant speech within your lips.

3

Within my mouth, Brihaspathi, store speech clear, strong, and unyielding, So that Santanu may win the rain. Heaven’s rich drop enters it.

4

May sweet drops descend upon us, O Indra: give us enough to fill a thousand chariots. Sit as Hotar, perform the rites, and honor the Gods, Devāpi, with offerings.

5

As Hotar, Devāpi, wise ṛṣi, son of Rstisena, sat down. He brought down from heaven’s highest peak the ocean of rain, celestial waters.

6

In that highest ocean, waters gathered by gods, obstructed by Arstisena, Buried by him in gaps, urged on by Devāpi.

7

As chief priest for Santanu, chosen for Hotar’s duty, Devāpi prayed beseeching, Brihaspathi graciously granted him a voice reaching the Gods and won the waters.

8

O Agni, Devāpi, Arstisena, the mortal man, kindled in glory, Joying in him with all the Gods together, urge Parjanya, the rain-bringer.

9

Ancient ṛṣis with their songs approached you, even you, Much-invoked, at sacrifices. We have offered wagon-loads in thousands: come to the solemn rite, Lord of Red Horses.

10

Offerings of wagon-loads, ninety-nine thousand, have been made to you, O Agni. Hero, with these increase your many bodies, and, stimulated, send rain from heaven.

11

Give these ninety thousand loads, O Agni, to Indra, the Bull, as his share. Knowing the paths Deities travel, set Aulana also among the Gods in heaven.

12

O Agni, drive away our foes, chase away illness, and wicked demons. From this air-ocean, from the lofty heavens, send down a mighty flood of water.

Source: Sacred Texts Archive
Hymn 97Hymn 99