HYMN LXXVIII. Asvins.

1. YE Asvins, hither come to us: Nasatyas, be not disinclined.

Fly hither like two swans unto the juice we shed.

2 O Asvins, like a pair of deer, like two wild cattle to the mead:

Fly hither like two swans unto the juice we shed.

3 O Asvins rich in gifts, accept our sacrifice to prosper it:

Fly hither like two swans unto the juice we shed.

4 As Atri when descending to the cavem called on you loudly like a wailing woman.

Ye came to him, O Asvins, with the freshest and most auspicious fleetness of a falcon.

5 Tree, part asunder like the side of her who bringeth forth a child.

Ye Asvins, listen to my call: loose Saptavadhri from his bonds.

6 For Saptavadhri, for the seer affrighted when he wept and wafled,

Ye, Asvins, with your magic powers rent up the tree and shattered it.

7 Like as the wind on every side ruffles a pool of lotuses,

So stir in thee the babe unborn, so may the ten-month babe descend.

8 Like as the wind, like as the wood, like as the sea is set astir,

So also, ten-month babe, descend together with the after-birth.

9 The child who hath for ten months' time been lying in his mother's side, -

May he come forth alive, unharmed, yea, livingfrorn the living dame.