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1. FORTH from the bosom of the mountains,
eager as two swift mares with loosened rein contending,
Like two bright mother cows who lick their youngling, Vipas
and Sutudri speed down their waters.
2 Impelled by Indra whom ye pray to urge
you, ye move as 'twere on chariots to the ocean.
Flowing together, swelling with your billows, O lucid
Streams, each of you seeks the other.
3 I have attained the most maternal River,
we have approached Vipas, the broad, the blessed.
Licking as 'twere their calf the pair of Mothers flow onward
to their common home together.
4 We two who rise and swell with billowy
waters move forward to the home which Gods have made us.
Our flood may not be stayed when urged to motion. What would
the singer, calling to the Rivers?
5 Linger a little at my friendly bidding
rest, Holy Ones, a moment in your journey.
With hymn sublime soliciting your favour Kusika's son hath
called unto the River.
6 Indra who wields the thunder dug our
channels: he smote down Vrtra, him who stayed our currents.
Savitar, God, the lovely-handed, led us, and at his sending
forth we flow expanded.
7 That hero deed of Indra must be lauded
for ever that he rent Ahi in pieces.
He smote away the obstructors with his thunder, and eager
for their course forth flowed the waters.
8 Never forget this word of thine, O
singer, which future generations shall reecho.
In hymns, O bard, show us thy loving kindness. Humble us not
mid men. To thee be honour!
9 List quickly, Sisters, to the bard who
cometh to you from far away with car and wagon.
Bow lowly down; be easy to be traversed stay, Rivers, with your
floods below our axles.
10 Yea, we will listen to thy words, O
singer. With wain and car from far away thou comest.
Low, like a nursing mother, will I bend me, and yield me as
a maiden to her lover.
11 Soon as the Bharatas have fared across
thee, the warrior band, urged on and sped by Indra,
Then let your streams flow on in rapid motion. I crave your
favour who deserve our worship.
12 The warrior host, the Bharatas, fared
over the singer won the favour of the Rivers.
Swell with your billows, hasting, pouring riches. Fill full
your channels, and roll swiftly onward.
13 So let your wave bear up the pins, and
ye, O Waters, spare the thongs;
And never may the pair of Bulls, harmless and sinless, waste
away.
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