HYMN CIX. Visvedevas.

1. THESE first, the boundless Sea, and Matarisvan, fierce-glowing Fire, the Strong, the Bliss-bestower.

And heavenly Floods, first-born by holy Order, exclaimed against the outrage on a Brahman.

2 King Soma first of all, without reluctance, made restitution of the Brahman's consort.

Mitra and Varuna were the inviters: Agni as Hota; took her hand and led her.

3 The man, her pledge, must by her hand be taken when they have cried, She is a Brahman's consort.

She stayed not for a herald to conduct her: thus is the kingdom of a ruler guarded.

4 Thus spake of her those Gods of old, Seven Rsis who sate them down to their austere devotion:

Dire is a Brahman's wife led home by others: in the supremest heaven she plants confusion.

5 The Brahmacari goes engaged in duty: he is a member of the Gods' own body.

Through him Brhaspati obtained his consort, as the Gods gained the ladle brought by Soma.

6 So then the Gods restored her, so men gave the woman back again.

The Kings who kept their promises restored the Brahman's wedded wife,

7 Having restored the Brahman's wife, and freed them, with Gods' aid, from sin,

They shared the fulness of the earth, and won themselves extended sway.