Pour on us boldly, Indra, kine and chariot-steeds ever to be the conqueror's strength.

39 What succour will he bring to us, wonderful, ever-prospering Friend?

With what most mighty company?

40 What genuine and most liberal draught will spirit thee with juice to burst

Open e'en strongly-guarded wealth?

41 Do thou who ar protector of us thy friends who praise thee With hundred aids approach us.

42 Sing to your Agui with each song, at every sacrifice, for strength.

Come, let us praise the Wise and Everlasting God even as a well-beloved Friend.

43 Protect us, Agni, through the first, protect us through the second hymn.

Protect us through three hymns, O Lord of Power and Might through four hymns, Vasu! guard thou us.

44 The Son of Strength; for is he not our Friend? Let us serve him for offering our gifts.

In battles may he be our help and strengthener, yea, be the
Saviour of our lives.

45 Thou art Samvatsara; thou art Parivatsara; thou art Idâvatsara; thou art Idvatsara; thou art Vatsara.

Prosper thy Dawns! Prosper thy Day-and-Nights! Prosper thy Half-months, Months, Seasons, and Years!

Combine them for their going and their coming, and send them forward on their ordered courses.

In eagle's shape thou art piled up and layered. With that divinity, Angiras-like, lie steady.

39 This and the two following verses are taken from R. V. IV. 31. 1–3. 42 R. V. VI. 48. 1.

43 R. V. VIII. 49. 9. First, etc.: the numbers probably have reference to the four quarters of the sky.-- Ludwig. According to Mahîdhara, first refers to the Rig; second to the Yajur; three to Rig, Yajur, Sâma; four to these three and Nigada or loud recitation.

44 R. V. VI. 48. 2. A continuation of verse 42. Son of Strength: in the accusative case governed by 'let us praise' in the preceding verse.

45 The formulas contained in this verse are to be employed in the Agnichayana ceremony at the time when the Sacrificer touches as much as he can of the surface of the newly-constructed Fire-altar. See XVII. 2. Agni is addressed, as identified with Prajapati the Presiding Deity of the Year and with the Altar. Samvatsara and the rest are the names given to the years of the five year cycle intended, with the aid of an intercalary month, to adjust the difference between the lunar and the solar year. See Zimmer, Altindisches Leben, p. 370. In eagle's shape: see XI., first note. Thou: the Fire-altar. Angiras-like: as thou didst when constructed by Angiras. See XII. 53; XI. 9.

ON the earth's centre, at libation's place let the Priest worship Indra with the kindling-stick.

The mightiest of the lords of men is kindled on the height of heaven.

Let him enjoy the butter. Hotar, worship.

2 Him let the Hotar worship, him Tanûnapât with ready aids; the conqueror never overcome,

Indra, the God who finds heaven's light on paths most rich in pleasant sweets, with Narâşamsa all aglow. Let him enjoy, etc., as in verse 1.

3 With viands let the Hotar worship Indra immortal, praised, receiver of oblations.

The God, the equal of the Gods in vigour, the thunderwielder, breaker-down of castles. Let him enjoy, etc.

4 Let the Priest worship Indra, Bull who sitteth on sacred grass, doer of manly actions.

Let him be seated on the grass with Vasus and Rudras and
Adityas for compauions. Let him enjoy, etc.

5 Let the Priest sacrifice. The Doors have strengthened Indra, his force and conquering might and vigour.

A this our worship let the Doors be opened, easy to pass, the strengtheners of Order: wide let them open out for bounteous Indra. Let them enjoy, etc.

6 Let the Priest sacrifice to Night aud Morning, the teeming Cows of Indra, Mighty Mothers.

Indra their calf with lustre have they strengthened, even as two mothers of a calf in common. Let them enjoy, etc.

7 Let the Priest worship both the heavenly Hotars, Friends, Leeches, healing Indra with oblation.

The sages, Gods preeminent for wisdom bestow on Indra his surpassing power. Let them enjoy, etc.

This Book is closely connected with, and supplementary to, Books XIX.XXI. which treat of the Sautrâmanî ceremony.

1 Verses 1-11 form an Âprî or Propitiatory Hymn. See XX. 37, note. The Priest: the divine Hotar in heaven, whose example the human Hotar is to follow. Earth's centre: the altar. Hotar: the human Hotar is addressed.

2 Tanûnapât: Son of Himself; Agni as continually reproduced from other fire. Nurdṣamsa: Praise or Desire of men; Agni.

3 Castles: the cloud-castles of the demons who withhold the rain.

5 Doors: of the sacrificial hall.

7 Hotars: Firmamental and Terrestrial Agni.

8 Let the Priest offer sacrifice to the three Goddesses and balm. Let the three triple active Ones, let Idâ and Sarasvatî and Bharatî the mighty Dames, Consorts of Indra, who receive our sacrificial offerings, enjoy the butter, etc.

9 Let the Priest worship Tvashṭar radiant Indra, Physician good at sacrifice, graced with butter, Multiform and prolific, rich and bounteous.

giving wondrous powers to Indra, enjoy, etc.

Let Tvashṭar,

10 Let the Priest worship him, the Forest-Sovran, the Immolator, Lord of Hundred Powers, the lover of the prayer, the friend of Indra.

Balming with mead, may he on easy pathways sweeten our sacrifice with savoury butter. Let him enjoy, etc.

11 Let the Priest offer sacrifice to Indra: with Hail! to Gods of butter; with Hail! to Gods of marrow; with Hail! to Gods of drops; with Hail! to Gods of offerings paid with Svâhâ; with Hail! to Gods of sacrificial hymns.

All-hail! May butter-drinking Gods and Indra rejoicing taste the butter. Hotar, worship.

12 Vigorous, strewn by Gods upon the altar the right Gods' sacred Grass hath strengthened Indra.

Cut in the day, cherished by night it hath surpassed those who have sacrificial Grass with wealth. For gain of riches let him taste. Pay sacrifice.

13 Firm, closely joined, the Doors divine have strengthened Indra in the rite.

Pressed by a calf or tender boy may they drive off the courser as he tosses up the sand. For gain of wealth let them enjoy. Pay sacrifice.

14 Morning and Night, the Goddesses, have called on Indra as the rite advanced.

May they well-pleased and ordered well make the Celestial
Tribes come forth. For gain of wealth let them enjoy.
Pay sacrifice.

8 Three Goddesses: see XX, 43. Active Ones: said to mean Agni, Vâyu, Sûrya.

9 Radiant Indra: identified with, or mighty as, Indra. Multiform: as creator of all living beings.

See XX. 45, note.

10 Forest-Sovran: Vanaspati, the Sacrificial Stake.
11 Of drops: who enjoy the dripping fat or marrow. Cf. XX. 46.

13 Pressed by a calf, etc.: that is, easily closed for protection from raiders. Cf. R. V. VI. 28. 4.

14 Celestial Tribes: Vasus, Rudras, Âdityas, All-Gods, Maruts, etc.

15 Two Goddesses, wealth-givers, kind, have heightened radiant Indra's strength.

J

One drives away hatreds and sins; the other shall bring the Sacrificer boons and treasure.

Instructed, let them both enjoy, for gain of wealth. Pay sacrifice.

16 Bringers of strengthening sacrifice, the Goddesses, the teeming Cows, have prospered Indra with their milk.

Let one bring food and energy, the other feast and banqueting. Bringers of strengthening sacrifice, allotting the several portions they have put together old energy with new and new with olden, strengthening boons and treasures for the Sacrificer. Instructed, let them, etc., as in verse 15. 17 The two Celestial Hotars, Gods, have heightened radiant Indra's might.

Freed from slain sinners these have brought the Sacrificer wealth and boons. Instructed, let them, etc.

18 Goddesses three, three Goddesses have heightened their Lord Indra's strength.

One, Bhâratî, hath touched the sky, Sarasvatî the sacrifice with Rudras, and, enriched with wealth, Idâ the homesteads of the folk. For gain of wealth let them enjoy. Pay sacrifice.

19 The radiant Indra, Praise of Men, thrice-shielding, borne on three car-seats, hath heightened radiant Indra's strength. Set on a hundred white-backed cows, yea, on a thousand forth he goes. Mitra and Varuņa alone deserve to be his Hotar-Priests, Brihaspati his Chanter, and the Aṣvins his Adhvaryavas. For gain of wealth let him enjoy. Pay sacrifice.

20 Vanaspati, a God with Gods, with golden leaves, sweet boughs, fair fruit, hath heightened radiant Indra's strength. Sky with his summit hath he touched, and firmament, and stablished earth. For gain of wealth let him enjoy. Pay sacrifice.

15 Two Goddesses: Heaven and Earth, or Day and Night.

16 Instructed: knowing reality or the true nature of things.

19 Indra: equal to Indra; endowed with sovereign power. Praise of Men: Narâşamsa Agni. Three car-seats: the Sadas or Priests' shed, the Havirdhana or store of sacrificial elements, and the Âguîdhra or hearth where sacred fire is kindled; or, according to Mahîdhara, the three Vedas. Cows: as the sources of the milk and butter required for oblations. Chanter: singer of hymns of praise. Adhvaryavas: or Adhvaryus; the Aṣvins being invested with the functions of these priests among the Gods.

20 Firmament: with his waist. Earth: with his foot.

21 The grassy robe of water-plants, divine, hath heightened Indra's strength.

This, the fair seat where Indra sits, hath topped all other sacred grass. For gain of wealth let it enjoy. Pay sacrifice. 22 Agni, Fair-offering-maker, bright, hath heightened radiant Indra's strength.

To-day may Svishṭakrit, Fair-offering-maker, paying good sacrifice, for us perform it. For gain of wealth let him enjoy. Pay sacrifice.

23 To-day the Sacrificer hath elected-dressing messes of cooked food and a rice-cake, binding a goat for Indra-Agni as his Hotar.

To-day divine Vanaspati hath with a goat served Indra well. He hath eaten from the fat, he hath accepted the cooked food, he hath waxed strong with the rice-cake.

Thee, to-day, O Rishi, etc., as in XXI. 61.

24 Let the Priest worship Agni, Indra, kindled, splendidly kindled, excellent strength-giver,

Lending him mighty power, Gâyatri metre, a cow aged eighteen months, and vital vigour. Let him enjoy the butter. Hotar, worship.

25 Let the Priest serve with sacrifice him who breaks forth, Tanûnapât, the germ which Aditi conceived, pure Indra who bestoweth strength,

Bringing him mighty power, the Ushnih metre, an ox of two years old, and vital vigour. Let him enjoy, etc.

26 Let the Priest sacrifice to Soma, Indra, adorable, adored, best Vritra-slayer, strength-giver, might, to be adored with viands,

Bringing him mighty power, Anushṭup metre, a cow of thirty months, and vital vigour. Let him enjoy, etc.

27 Let the Priest worship Indra, strength-bestower, immortal, with fair grass, allied with Pûshan, seated on sacred grass, dear, everlasting,

Bringing him mighty power, Brihatî metre, a steer of three years' age and vital vigour. Let him enjoy, etc.

28 Let the Priest worship the wide-opening Portals, easy to pass, divine, Law-strengthening, golden, Indra, the Brahman Priest, the strength-bestower,

21 Water-plants: see XXI. 57.

22 Fair-offering-maker: Svishṭakrit. See XXI. 47.

23 Cf. XXI. 59.

24 Cf. XXI. 60.