Hymns of the Atharva Veda, by Ralph T.H. Griffith, [1895], at sacred-texts.com
1Whence were these two produced? which was that region?'
From what world, from which earth had they their being?
Calves of Virāj, these two arose from water. I ask thee of these
twain, who was their milker.
2He who prepared a threefold home, and lying there made the
water bellow through his greatness,
Calf of Virāj, giving each wish fulfilment, made bodies for him-
self far off, in secret.
3Which are the three, the mighty three, whereof the fourth divides
the voice,
This may the Brāhman know by prayer and fervour, whereto
belongs the one, whereto the other.
4Out of the Brihat as the sixth five Salmons have been fashioned
forth:
From Brihatī was Brihat formed: whence was the Brihatī com-
posed?
5On measure Brihatī is based, and measure on the measurer:
From magic might came magic might, from magic might came
Mātali.
6Vaisvānara's image is the sky above us, so far as Agni forced
both spheres asunder. p. a347
Thence from that region as the sixth come praise-songs, and
every sixth day hence again go upward.
7We, Kagyapa! six present Rishis, ask thee—for thou hast prov-
ed things tried and meet for trial
They call Virāj the Father of Devotion: tell her to us thy
friends in all her figures.
8She whom, advancing, sacrifices follow, and when she takes her
station stand beside her,
By whose control and hest the spirit moveth, she is Virāj, in
highest heaven, O Rishis.
9Breathless, she moves by breath of living creatures, Svarāj pre-
cedes, Virāj comes closely after.
Some men behold her not, and some behold her, Virāj meet-
shaped, who thinks of all existence.
10Who hath perceived Virāj's duplication, perceived her seasons
and her rule and practice?
Who knows her steps, how oft, how far extended, who knows
her home and number of her dawnings?
11She here who first of all sent forth her lustre moves onward
resting on these lower creatures.
Exalted power and might are stored within her: the woman
hath prevailed, the new-come mother.
12Both Dawns on wings of song, with rich adornment, move on
together to their common dwelling.
Sūrya's two wives, unwasting, most prolific, knowing their way,
move, rich in light, together.
13The three have passed along the path of Order—three warm
libations have regarded offspring
One quickens progeny, one strengthens vigour, and one protects
the kingdom of the pious.
14She who was fourth was made by Agni, Soma, and Rishis as.
they formed both halves of worship,
Gāyatrī, Trishtup, Jagatī, Anushtup, Brihadarki lightening the
sacrificer.
15Five milkings answer to the fivefold dawning, five seasons to
the cow who bears five titles.
The five sky-regions made fifteen in number, one head have
these to one sole world directed.
16Six Elements arose, first-born of Order: the six-day time is
carried by six Sāmans. p. a348
Six-yoked the plough is, as each trace is numbered: they call
both broad ones six; six, Earth and Heaven.
17They call the cold months six, and six the hot ones. Which, tell
us, of the seasons is redundant?
Seven sages, eagles, have sat down together: seven metres
match the seven Consecrations.
18Seven are the Homas, seven the logs for burning, seven are the
streams of mead, and seven the seasons.
Into the world have come seven streams of butter; those we
have heard of as the Seven Vultures.
19Seven metres, by four syllables increasing, each of the seven
founded upon another
How are the hymns of praise on these supported, and how are
these imposed upon the praise-songs?
20How hath the Gāyatri filled out three triads? On the fifteen
how is the Trishtup moulded,
Jagatī fashioned on the three-and-thirty? How is Anushtup
formed? how Ekavinsa?
21Eight Elements sprang up, first born of Order: the Priests
divine are eight in number, Indra!
Eight are the wombs of Aditi, eight her children; for the eighth
night is the libation destined.
22So planning bliss for you have I come hither to win your
friendship: kind am I, and gracious.
Born from one source, propitious is your wisdom: knowing
full well to all of you it cometh.
23To Indra eight, to Yama six, seven to the Rishis, seven to
each:
The number five accompanies waters and men and healing
herbs.
24The Heifer, all his own, poured forth for Indra control and
milk at her first time of milking;
And he then satisfied the four divisions, the Gods and men and
Asuras and Rishis.
25Who is the Cow? Who is the Single Rishi? What is the law,
what are the benedictions?
What on the earth is the one only Spirit? Which of the number
is the Single Season?
26One is the Cow, one is the Single Spirit, one is the law, single
are benedictions. p. a349
The Spirit dwelling on the earth is single: the Single Season
never is transcended.