|
1. E'EN to the
wise let that be still a wonder to which the general name of Cow is given.
The one hath swelled among
mankind for milking: Prsni hath drained but once her fair bright udder.
2 They who
like kindled flames of fire are glowing,. the Maruts, twice and thrice have
waxen mighty.
Golden and dustless were their
cars, invested with their great strength and their heroic vigour.
3 They who are
Sons of the rain-pouring Rudra, whom the long-lasting One had power to foster:
The Mighty Ones whose germ
great Mother Prsni is known to have received for man's advantage.
4 They shrink
not from the birth; in this same manner still resting there they purge away reproaches.
When they have streamed forth,
brilliant, at their pleasure, with their own splendour they bedew their bodies.
5 Even those
who bear the brave bold name of Maruts, whom not the active quickly wins for
milking.
Even the liberal wards not off
those fierce ones, those who are light and agile in their greatness.
6 When, strong
in strength and armed with potent weapons, they had united wellformed earth and
heaven,
Rodasl stood among these
furious Heroes like splendour shining with her native brightness.
7 No team of
goats shall draw your car, O Maruts, no horse no charioteer be he who drives
it.
Halting not, reinless, through
the air it travels, speeding alone its paths through earth and heaven.
8 None may
obstruct, none overtake, O Maruts, him whom ye succour in the strife of battle
For sons and progeny, for kine
and waters: he bursts the cow-stall on the day of trial.
9 Bring a
bright hymn to praise the band of Maruts, the Singers, rapid, strong in native
vigour,
Who conquer mighty strength
with strength more mighty: earth shakes in terror at their wars, O Agni.
10 Bright like
the flashing flames of sacrifices, like tongues of fire impetuous in their onset,
Chanting their psalm, singing
aloud, like heroes, splendid from birth, invincible, the Maruts.
11 That
swelling band I call with invocation, the brood of Rudra, armed with glittering
lances.
Pure hymns are meet for that
celestial army: like floods and mountains have the Strong Ones battled.
|