Yajur Veda 1

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
KANDA I
PRAPATHAKA I
The New and Full Moon Sacrifices
i. 1. 1.
a For food thee, for strength thee!
b Ye are winds, ye are approachers.
c Let the god Savitr impel you to the most excellent offering.
d O invincible ones, swell with the share for the gods,
Full of strength, of milk, rich in offspring, free from sickness, from disease.
e Let no thief, no evil worker, have control over you.
f Let Rudra's dart avoid you.
g Abide ye, numerous, with this lord of cattle.
h Do thou protect the cattle of the sacrificer.
i. 1. 2
a Thou art the substance of the sacriflee.
b The Raksas is burned up, the evil spirits are burned up.
c The Vedi hath come to the sacrificial straw,
Made by Manu, fashioned with the Svadha call.
The sages fetch it from in front,
The delightful straw for the gods to sit on here.
d Thou art impelled by the gods.
e Thou art made to grow by the rains.
f O divine straw, lot me not hit thee either across or along,
g Let me hit thy joints,
h Let me come to no harm in cutting thee.
i O divine straw, rise with a hundred shoots,
Let us rise with a thousand shoots.
k Guard from the contact of earth.
l I gather thee with good gathering.
m Thou art the girdle of Aditi, the cord of Indrani.
617













































































Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
n Let Pusan tie a knot for thee, that knot shall mount me.
o I hold thee up with the arms of Indra, I seize thee with the head of Brhaspati.
p Fare along the wide atmosphere.
q Thou art going to the gods.
i. 1. 3.
a Be ye pure for the divine rite, the sacrifice to the gods.
b Thou art the cauldron of Matariçvan.
c Thou art the heaven, thou art the earth.
d Thou art the all-supporting with the highest support.
e Be firm, waver not.
f Thou art the strainer of the Vasus, of a hundred streams, thou art that of the
Vasus, of a thousand streams.
g The spot (stoka) has been offered, the drop has been offered.
h To Agni, to the mighty firmament!
i Hail to sky and earth!
k This is she of all life, this is the all-encompassing, this is the all-doing.
I Be ye united, that follow holy orders,
Ye that wave and are fullest of sweetness,
Delightful for the gaining of wealth.
m With Soma I curdle thee, curds for Indra.
n O Visnu, guard the offering.
i. 1. 4.
a For the rite you two, for the gods may I be strong.
b Thee for accomplishment!
c The Raksas is burnt up, the evil spirits are burnt up.
d Thou art the yoke.
e Injure him who injures us, injure him whom we injure.
f Thou art of gods the most firmly jointed, the most richly filled,
the most agreeable, the best of carriers, the best caller of the gods.
g Thou art the oblation-holder that wavers not.
h Be firm, waver not.
i I gaze on thee with the eye of Mitra.
618

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
k Be not afraid, be not troubled, let me harm thee [1] not.
l (Be thou) wide open to the wind.
m On the impulse of the god Savitr, with the arms of the Açvins,
with the hands of Pusan, I offer thee dear to Agni, to Agni and Soma.
n This of the gods, this of us too.
o For prosperity thee, not for misfortune.
p May I behold the light, the radiance for all men.
q May they that have doors stand firm in heaven and earth.
r Fare along the wide atmosphere.
s I place thee in the lap of Aditi.
t O Agni, guard the offering.
i. 1. 5.
a Let the god Savitr purify you, with a filter that has no flaw,
with the rays of the bright sun.
b Ye divine waters, that go in front and first purify, forward lead
this sacrifice, place in front the lord of the sacrifice.
c You Indra chose for the contest with Vrtra, ye chose Indra for
the contest with Vrtra.
d Ye are sprinkled.
e I sprinkle you agreeable to Agni, to Agni and Soma.
f Be ye pure for the divine rite, for the sacrifice to the gods.
g The Raksas is shaken off, the evil spirits are shaken off.
h Thou art the skin of Aditi, may the earth' recognize thee [1].
i Thou art the plank' of wood, may the skin of Aditi recognize thee.
k Thou art the body of Agni, loostener of speech.
l I grasp thee for the joy of the gods.
m Thou art the stone of wood.
n Do thou with good labour elaborate this offering for the gods.
o Utter food, utter strength;
p Make ye glorious sounds.
q May we be victorious in contest.
r Thou art increased by the rain.
619

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
s May that which is increased by the rain recognize thee.
t The Raksas is cleared away, the evil spirits are cleared away.
u Thou art the share of the Raksases.
v Let the wind separate you.
w Let the god Savitr of golden hands, seize you.
i. 1. 6.
a The 7 Raksas is shaken off, the evil spirits are shaken off. b Thou art the skin of
Aditi, may the earth recognize thee.
c Thou art the supporter of the sky, may the skin of Aditi recognize thee.
d Thou art a bowl of rock, may the supporter of the sky recognize thee.
e Thou art a bowl made of the rock, may the rock recognize thee.
f On the impulse of the god Savity, with the arms of the Açvins, with the hands of
Prisan, I pour thee out.
g Thou art stimulating, stimulate the gods.
h For expiration thee, for inspiration thee, for through-breathing thee (I pound).
i May I extend for long the life (of the sacrificer).
k Let the god Savitr, of golden hands, seize you.
1. 1. 7
a Bold art thou, support our prayer.
b O Agni, drive off the fire that eats raw flesh, send away the corpse-eating one,
bring
hither the fire that sacrifices to the gods.
c The Raksas is burnt, the evil spirits are burnt.
d Thou art firm; make firm the earth, make life firm, make offspring firm, make his
follows subordinate to this sacrificer.
e Thou art a supporter, make firm the atmosphere, make expiration firm, make
inspiration firm, make his fellows subordinate to this sacrificer.
f Thou are supporting, make the heaven firm, make the eye [1] firm, make the ear
firm,
make his fellows, &c.
g Thou art a support, make the quarters firm, make the organ firm, make offspring
firm, make his fellows, &c.
620

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
h Ye are gatherers, bring offspring to this sacrificer, wealth to him, make his
fellows, &c.
i Be ye heated with the heat of the Bhrgus and the Angirases.
k The potsherds which wise men collect for the cauldron, these are in Pusan's
guardianship. Lot Indra and Vayu set them free.
i. 1. 8.
a I pour together.
b The waters have joined with the waters, the plants with sap.
c Join ye rich ones with the moving ones, sweet ones with the sweet.
d From the waters ye are born, be united with the waters.
e For generation I unite thee.
f For Agni thee, for Agni and Soma.
g Thou art the head of Makha.
h Thou art the cauldron that contains all life.
i Be extended wide, let the lord of the sacrifice be extended wide.
k Grasp the skin.
I The Raksas is obstructed, the evil spirits are obstructed.
m Let the god Savitr make thee ready on the highest firmament.
n May Agni burn not too much thy body.
o O Agni, guard the offering.
p Be united with our prayer.
q Hail to Ekata, hail to Dvita, hail to Trita.
i. 1. 9.
a I grasp (thee).
b Thou art Indra's right arm with a thousand spikes, a hundred edges.
c Thou art the wind of sharp edge.
d O earth whereon sacrifice is offered to the gods, let me harm not the root of thy
plant.
e Araru is smitten away from the earth.
f Go to the fold where the cattle are.
621

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
g May heaven rain for thee.
h O god Savitr, bind thou in the furthest distance with a hundred fetters him who
hateth us and whom we hate, thence let him not free.
i Araru is smitten away from the earth, the place of sacrifice.
k Go to the fold [1] where the cattle are.
l May heaven rain for thee.
m O god Savitr &c.
n Araru is smitten away from the earth, he that sacrifices not to the gods.
o Go to the fold where the cattle are.
p May heaven rain for thee.
q O god Savitr, &c. [2]
r Let not Araru mount the sky for thee.
s Let the Vasus grasp thee with the Gayatri metre, let the Rudras grasp thee with
the Tristubb. metre, let the Adityas grasp thee with the Jagati metre.
t On the impulse of the god Savitr wise ones perform the rite.
u Thou art the right, thou art the seat of right, thou art the glory of right.
v Thou art the holder, thou art the self-holder.
w Thou art broad, and wealthy art thou.
x Before the cruel foe slips away, O glorious one,
Taking up the earth, with plenteous drops,
The earth which they place in the moon by their offerings,
Which wise men use to guide them in the sacrifice.
i. 1. 10.
a The Raksas is burnt up, the evil spirits are burnt up.
b With Agni's keenest flame I burn you.
c May I not brush the place of the cattle, I brush thee that art strong and
overcomest foes.
d Speech, breath, eye, ear, offspring, the organ of generation may I not brush, I
brush thee that art strong and overcomest foes.
e Beseeching favour, offspring, prosperity, in devotion to Agni,
I gird my body for good action.
f With fair offspring, with noble husbands,
We are come to thee,
O Agni, to thee that deceivest the foe,
The undeceivable, we that are not deceived.
622

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
g I loosen this bond of Varuna,
Which Savitr the kindly hath bound,
And in the birthplace of the creator, in the place of good action,
I make it pleasant for me with my husband.
h With life, with offspring,
O Agni, with splendour again,
As wife with my husband I am united.
United be my spirit with my body.
i Of the great ones thou art the milk, of plants the sap. Of thee that art the
imperishable I make the offering.
k Thou art the milk of the great ones, of plants the sap; with undeceived eye I gaze
on thee for fair offspring.
l Thou art brilliance; follow thou brilliance; may Agni not take away the brilliance.
m Thou art the tongue of Agni, the good one of the gods.
n Be thou (good) for every sacrifice, for the gods, for every prayer.
o Thou art the shining, the radiance, the brilliance.
p May the god Savitr purify you
With a flawless strainer,
With the rays of the bright sun.
q I grasp thee shining in the shining, for every sacrifice, for the gods, for every
prayer.
r I grasp thee radiance in the radiance, thee resplendent in the resplendence for
every sacrifice, for the gods, for every prayer.
i. 1. 11.
a Thou I art a black deer, living in the lair, to Agni thee, hail!
b Thou art the altar, to the strew thee, hail!
c Thou art the strew,' to the ladles thee, hail
d To the sky thee, to the atmosphere thee, to the earth thee!
e Be thou refreshment to the fathers, strength to those that sit on
the strew.
f With strength go ye to the earth.
g Thou art the hair-knot of Visnu.
h Soft as wool I strew thee, offering a good seat to the gods.
623

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
i Thou art the Gandharva, Viçvavasu (possessing all wealth), the fence of the
sacrificer
from every attacker, praised and to be praised.
k Thou art the right arm of Indra, the fence of the sacrificer, praised and to be
praised.
l May Mitra and Varuna lay thee around in the north with firm law, thou art the
fence
of the sacrificer, praised and to be praised.
m May the sun in the east protect thee from all evil.
n May we kindle thee, O wise one,
That dost invite to the sacrifice, the radiant one,
O Agni, thee that art mighty at the sacrifice.
o Ye two are the props of the people.
p Sit on the seat of the Vasus, Rudras, Adityas.
q Thou art named
juhu
,
upabhrt
,
dhruva
, loving the ghee, sit on thy dear seat
with thy dear name.
r These have sat down in the world of good action.
s Protect them, O Visnu.
t Protect the sacrifice, protect the lord of the sacrifice, protect me that conduct the
sacrifice.
i. 1. 12.
a Thou art the world, be extended.
b O Agni, sacrificer, this reverence.
c O
juhu
, come hither, Agni summons thee for the sacrifice to the gods.
d O
upabhrt
, come hither, the god Savitr summons thee for the sacrifice
to the gods.
e O Agni and Visnu, let me not step down upon you.
f Be ye parted, consume me not.
g Make ye a place for me, ye place-makers.
h Thou art the abode of Visnu.
i Hence Indra wrought mighty deeds.'
k Great, grasping the sky, imperishable.
1 The sacrifice of the lord of the sacrifice is undisturbed.
624

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
m Offered to Indra, hail!
n Great light.
o Guard me, O Agni, from misfortune, place me in good fortune.
p Thou art the head of Makha, be light united with light.
i. 1. 13.
a With the impulse of strength,
With elevation he hath lifted me up;
Then Indra hath made my enemies
Humble by depression.
b The gods have increased my prayer.
What is elevation and depression;
Then do ye, O Indra and Agni,
Scatter my foes on every side.
c To the Vasus thee, to the Rudras thee, to the Adityas thee!
d Licking the anointed lot the birds go asunder.
e May I not brush offispring and the organ.
f Swell, ye waters and plants.
g Ye are the spotted steeds of the Maruts.
h Fare to the sky [1], thence bring us rain.
i Guardian of life art thou, O Agni, guard my life.
k Guardian of the eye art thou, O Agni, guard my eye.
I Thou art the secure one.
m The fence which thou didst put round thee
When thou wast beset by the Panis, O god Agni,
That do I bring here to thee that thou mayst rejoice in it,
That it be not removed from thee.
n Go ye two to the place of the gods.
o Ye are sharers in the remains (of the oblation), well nourished, mighty
prastara
Ye gods that are on the
and sit on the strew [2].
Accepting this supplication, do ye all,
Seated on this strew enjoy yourselves.
625

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
p I set thee in the seat of Agni whose abode is secure.
q For goodwill, O ye two with goodwill, place me in goodwill.
r Guard ye the yoke-horses at the yoke.
s O Agni, with life unhurt, with not-cool body, guard me this day from the sky,
guard from bondage, guard from error in sacrifice, guard from evil food, guard
from ill deed.
t Make our food free from poison, the lap pleasant to sit in; hail!
u O ye gods that know the way, knowing the way, go ye the way.
v O lord of mind, this sacrifice for us place among the gods, O god,
hail! in speech, hail! in the wind, hail!
i. 1. 14.
a Ye twain shall be summoned, O Indra and Agni.
Ye twain shall rejoice together in the offering.
You both givers of food and riches,
You both I summon for the winning of strength.
b For I have heard that ye both are more generous
Than a worthless son-in-law or a wife's brother.
So with the offering of Soma I make for you,
O 1ndra and Agni, a new hymn of praise;
c O Indra and Agni, ninety forts
Of which the Dasas were lords ye overtbrew
Together in one deed.
d This pure new-born hymn of praise this day,
O Indra and Agni, slayers of Vrtra, accept with joy [1].
For on you both I call that are ready to listen,
You that are ever readiest to give strength to the eager.
e We thee, O lord of the path,
As a chariot to win the prize,
Have yoked for our prayer, O Pusan.
f Lord of each way with eloquence;
Driven by love he went to Arka;
May he give us the comfort of gold,
May Pusan further our every prayer.
g By the lord of the field
As by a friend may we win
626

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
What nourishes our kine and horses;
May he be [2] favourable to such as we are.
h O lord of the field, the honey-bearing wave,
As a cow milk, so for us milk;
May the lords of right graciously accord us
That which drops honey and is well purified like ghee.
i O Agni, lead us by a fair path to wealth,
O god, knowing all the ways;
Keep away from us the sin that makes us wander;
We will accord to thee most abundant honour.
k We have come to the path of the gods
To accomplish that which we have power to do;
Let wise Agni sacrifice [3], let him be Hotr
Let him arrange the offerings him the seasons.
l What carrieth best is for Agni;
Sing aloud, O thou of brilliant radiance.
From thee wealth, like a cow,
From thee strength riseth forth.
m O Agni, once more lead us
With thy favour over every trouble.
Be a broad, thick, wide fortress for us,
Health and wealth for our children and descendants.
Thou, O Agni, art the guardian of law,
Among the gods and mortals;
Thou art to be invoked at the sacrifices.
o If laws of you wise ones, O gods,
In our ignorance we transgress,
May Agni make good all that,
He that knoweth the seasons wherein he may satisfy the gods.
627

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
PRAPATHAKA II
The Soma Sacrifice
i. 2. 1.
a May I the waters wet (thee) for life,
For length of days, for glory.
b O plant, protect him.
c Axe, hurt him not.
d Obedient to the gods I shear these.
e With success may I reach further days.
f Let the waters, the mothers, purify us,
With ghee let those that purify our ghee purify us,
Let them bear from us all pollution,
Forth from these waters do I come bright, in purity.
g Thou art the body of Soma, guard my body.
h Thou art the milk of the great ones, thou art the giver of splendour; splendour [1]
place in me.
i Thou art the pupil of Vrtra's eye, thou art the guardian of the eye, guard my eye.
k Let the lord of thought purify thee, let the lord of speech purify thee, let the god
Savitr purify thee
With the flawless purifier,
With the rays of the bright sun.
l O lord of the purifier, with thy purifier for whatsoever I purify myself, that may I
have strength to accomplish.
m We approach you, O gods,
Ye that have true ordinances at the sacrifice
What O gods ye can assent to,
For that we ask you, O holy ones.'
n Indra and Agni, heaven and earth, waters, plants.
o Thou art the lord of consecrations, guard me that am here.
628

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
i. 2. 2.
a To the purpose, to the impulse, to Agni, hail! To wisdom, to thought, to Agni,
hail! To consecration, to penance, to Agni, hail! To Sarasvati, to Prisan, to Agni,
hail!
b O ye divine, vast, all-sootbing waters!
Heaven and earth, wide atmosphere! May Brhaspati rejoice in our oblation, hail!
c Let every man choose the companionship
Of the god who leadeth.
Every man prayeth for wealth;
Let him choose glory that he may prosper, hail!
d Ye are images of the Rc and the Saman. I grasp you two; do ye two [1] protect
me until the completion of this sacrifice.
e O god,Varuna, do thou sharpen this prayer of him who implores thee,
Sharpen his strength, his insight;
May we mount that safe ship
Whereby we' may pass over all our difficulties.
f Thou art the strength of the Angirases, soft as wool; grant me strength, guard me,
harm me not.
g Thou art the protection of Visnu, the protection of the sacrificer, grant me
protection.
h Guard me from the lustre of the Naksatras.
i Thou art the birthplace of Indra [2]; harm me not.
k For ploughing thee, for good crops,
l For the plants with good berries thee!
m Thou art of easy access, divine tree. Being erect, guard me until the completion
(of the sacrifice).
n Hail! with my mind the sacrifice (I grasp); hail! from heaven and earth, bail!
from the
broad atmosphere, hail! from the wind the sacrifice I grasp.
i. 2. 3.
a The thought divine we meditate,
Merciful, for our help,
That giveth glory, and carrieth the sacrifice.
629

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
May it guide us safely according as we will.
b The gods, mind-born, mind-using,
The wise, the sons of wisdom,
May they guard us, may they protect us,
To them honour! to them hail!
c O Agni, be thou wakeful;
Let us be glad;
Guard us to prosperity;
Grant to us to wake again.
d Thou, O Agni, art the guardian of vows,
Among the gods and men.
Thou [1] art to be invoked at our sacrifices.
e All the gods have surrounded me,
Pusan with gain, Soma with a gift,
The god Savitr the giver of brightness.
f O Soma, give so much, and bear more hither.
g May he that filleth never miss of fullness. Let me not be parted with life.
h Thou art gold; be for my enjoyment. Thou art raiment; be for my enjoyment.
Thou art a cow; be for my enjoyment. Thou art a horse; be for my enjoyment [2].
Thou art a goat; be for my enjoyment. Thou art a ram; be for my enjoyment.
i To Vayu thee; to Varuna thee; to Nirrti thee; to Rudra thee!
k O divine waters, son of the waters, the stream
Fit for oblation, mighty, most exhilarating,
That stream of yours may I not step upon.
l Along an unbroken web of earth may I go.
m From good to better do thou advance.
n May Brhaspati be thy leader;
Then set him free, on the chosen spot of earth;
Drive afar the foes with all thy strength.
o We have come to the place on earth for sacrifice to the gods,
Wherein aforetime all the gods rejoiced.
Accomplishing (the rite) with Rc, Saman, and Yajus,
Let us rejoice in fullness of wealth, in sustenance.
630

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
i. 2. 4.
a This is thy body, O pure one. This is thy splendour. With it be united. Win
brightness.
b Thou art the strong, grasped by mind, acceptable to Visnu.
c In the impulse of thee, of true impulse, may I win a support for my speech. Hail!
d Thou art pure, thou art nectar, thou art the sacrifice for all the gods.
e I have mounted the eye of the sun.
The pupil of the eye of Agni,
When thou goest with thy steeds,
Blazing with the wise.
f Thou art thought, thou art mind, thou art meditation, thou art the gift (to the
priests)
[1], thou art of the sacrifice, thou art of kingly power, thou art Aditi, double-
headed.
g Be thou successful for us in going, successful in returning.
h May Mitra bind thee by the foot.
i May Pusan guard the ways,
k For Indra, the overseer!
l May thy mother approve thee, thy father, thy brother sprung of the same womb,
thy friend in the herd.
m Go, goddess, to the god, to Soma for Indra's sake.
n May Rudra guide thee hither in the path of Mitra.
o Hail! Return with Soma as thy comrade, with wealth.
i. 2. 5.
a Thou art a Vasvi, thou art a Rudra, thou art Aditi, thou art an Aditya, thou art
Çukra,
thou art Candra.
b May Brhaspati make thee rejoice in happiness. May Rudra with the Vasus be
favourable to thee.
c I pour thee on the head of the earth, on the place of sacrifice,
on the abode of the offering, rich in ghee; hail!
631

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
d The Raksas is enclosed, the evil spirits are enclosed. Thus I cut the neck of the
Raksas.
e Thus I cut the neck of him who hates us and whom we hate [1].
f With us be wealth, with thee be wealth, thine be wealth.
g Gaze, O goddess, together with the goddess Urvaçi.
h Let me attend on thee, with Tvastr's aid; rich in seed, bearing seed, may I find a
hero in thy presence.
i May I not be separated from abundance of wealth.
i. 2. 6.
a Let thy shoot be joined with shoot, joint with joint, let thy scent further desire, let
thy
savour which falls not cause rejoicing. Thou art a home dweller, thy libation is
bright.
b Unto that god, Savitr, within the two bowls,
The sage, I sing, him of true impulse,
The bestower of treasures, unto tile wise friend;
He at whose impulse the resplendent light shone high,
The golden-banded sage hath measured the heaven with his form.
c For offspring thee! For expiration thee! For cross-breathing thee! Breathe thou
after offspring. Let offspring breathe after thee.
i. 2. 7.
a I buy Soma from thee, strong, rich in sap, full of force, overcoming the foe, the
pure with the pure I buy, the bright with the bright, the immortal with the
immortal, to match thy cow.
b With us be the gold.
c Thou art the bodily form of penance, Prajapati's kind, I buy (Soma) with the last
offspring of thee that bast a thousandfold prosperity.
d With us be union with thee; with me let thy wealth abide.
e With us be light, darkness be on the Soma-seller.
f Come as a friend to us, creating firm friendships.
g Enter the right thigh of Indra, glad the glad, tender the tender.
632

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
h O Svana, Bhraja, Anghari, Bambhari, Hasta, Suhasta, and Krçanu, here are your
wages for Soma; guard them, let them not fail you.
i. 2. 8.
a Up with life, with fair life,
Up with the sap of plants,
Up with the force of Parjanya,
Up have I arisen along with the immortals.
b Fare along the wide atmosphere.
c Thou art the seat of Aditi.
d Sit on the seat of Aditi.
e The bull hath stablished the sky, the atmosphere;
Hath meted the breadth of the earth;
Hath set him in all worlds as king.
All these are Varuna's ordinances.
f He hath stretched out the sky over the woods;
He hath placed strength in horses, milk in kine;
Varuna hath set skill in the heart [1], Agni in dwellings,
The sun in the sky, the Soma on the hill.
g Thee, all-knowing god,
Thy rays bear upwards,
The sun for all to see.
h Come hither, ye oxen, strong to bear the yoke,
Tearless, slaying not man, furthering the prayer.
i Thou art the pillar of Varuna.
k Thou art the prop of Varuna's pillar.
I Varuna's noose is tied.
i. 2. 9.
a Move I forward, O lord of the world,
To all thy stations.
Let no opponent find thee,
Let not robbers find thee;
633

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
Let not the evil-working wolves (find) thee;
Nor the Gandharva, Viçvavasu, injure thee.
b Become an eagle and fly away to the place in the house of the sacrificer which
we
have prepared with the gods (for thee). Thou art the good luck of the sacrificer.
c We have reached the path
Which leadeth to bliss, without a foe,
Whereby a man defeateth all his foes and winneth wealth.
d Honour to the radiance of Mitra and Varuna.
This worship, this reverence offer to the god;
To the far seeing, god-born, the banner,
The son of the sky, the sun, do ye sing.
c Thou art the pillar of Varuna.
f Thou art the prop of Varuna's pillar.
g Varuna's noose is loosened.
i. 2. 10.
a Thou art the hospitality of Agni. For Visnu thee! Thou art the hospitality of
Soma.
For Visnu thee! Thou art the hospitality of the stranger. For Visnu thee! For Agni
thee,
giver of wealth, for Visnu thee; for the eagle, bringer of the Soma, thee, for Visnu
thee!
b Thy powers which they honour with oblation,
May they all envelop the sacrifice!
Giver of wealth, impeller, rich in heroes,
Slaying not heroes, O Soma, enter the dwellings.
c Thou art the seat of Aditi; sit on the seat of Aditi [1].
d Thou art Varuna who guardeth law; thou art of Varuna.
e Be prosperity ours from our friendship with the gods. May we be not severed
from our service of the gods.
f For him who rushes on I seize thee; for him who rushes around I seize thee; for
Tanunapat I seize thee; for the mighty I seize thee; for the mightiest in strength I
seize thee. g Thou art unapproached, the unapproachable might of the gods,
634

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
guarding from imprecations, impervious to imprecations. h May the lord of
consecration approve my consecration, the lord of penance my penance. Speedily
may I attain truth. Place me in good fortune.
i. 2. 11.
a May thy every shoot, O god Soma, swell,
For Indra who gaineth the chiefest wealth;
May Indra swell for thee;
Do thou swell for Indra.
b Make thy comrades to swell with wealth and skill; with good fortune
may I accomplish thy pressing, O god Soma.
c Desired are riches exceedingly for food, for prosperity. Be right to the
proclaimers of right. Honour to the sky, honour to the earth!
d Agni, lord of vows, thou art the vow-lord of vows; this body of mine be in thee
[1],
that body of thine be in me. Together, O lord of vows, be the vows of us two that
keep vows.
e Thy dread form, O Agni, with that protect us; hail to that form of thine!
f That form of thine, O Agni, which rests in iron, which rests in silver, which rests
in gold, the highest, that dwells in the cleft,
g (By it) I have driven away harsh speech, (by it) I have driven away angry speech.
Hail!
i. 2. 12.
a Thou I art the abode of riches for me; thou art the resort of the afflicted for me;
protect me when in want; protect me when afflicted.
b May Agni, named Nabhas, know (thee).
c Agni Angiras, thou who art in this earth, come with the name of Ayus.
Whatsoever unapproached, holy name is thine, [1] therewith I take thee up.
d Agni Angiras, thou who art in the second (the third) earth, come with the name
of Ayus. Whatever inviolate, holy name is thine, therewith I take thee up.
e Thou art a lioness; thou art a buffalo.
f Extend wide; let the lord of the sacrifice extend wide for thee.
635

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
g Thou art firm.
h Be pure for the gods; be bright for the gods.
i May the cry of Indra guard thee in front with the Vasus; may the swift of mind
guard thee on the right with the Pitrs; may the wise one guard thee behind with the
Rudras; may Viçvakarman guard thee on the left with the Adityas.
k Thou art a lioness, overcoming rivals; hail! Thou art a lioness, bestowing fair
offspring; hail! Thou art a lioness, [2] bestowing increase of wealth; hail! Thou art
a lioness, winning (the favour of) the Adityas hail! Thou art a lioness; bring the
gods to the pious sacrificer; hail!
l To beings thee!
m Thou containest all life, strengthen the earth; thou restest firm, strengthen the
atmosphere; thou restest inviolable, strengthen the heaven.
n Thou art the ashes of Agni; thou art the rubble of Agni.
i. 2. 13.
a They yoke their minds, and yoke their thoughts,
The priests of the mighty wise priest;
He alone, who knows the way, ordains their priestly functions;
Great is the praise of the god Savitr.
b With fair voice, O god, do thou address the dwelling.
c Ye two, famed among the gods, make proclamation among the gods.
d For us be born a hero of great deeds,
On whom we may all depend,
Who shall be ruler over many.
e Over this Visnu strode;
Thrice did he set down his foot;
(All) is gathered [1] in its dust.
f So then be ye two rich in food, in cows,
In good grass, ye that are famous, for man
These two firmaments Visnu held asunder;
He holdeth the earth on all sides with pegs.
g Come ye two then forward, ordaining the offering; bring upward the sacrifice; do
not falter; there rest on the height of the earth.
h From the sky, O Visnu, or from the earth,
Or from the great (sky), or from the atmosphere,
636

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
Fill thy hands with many good things,
Give to us [2] from right and from left.
i I shall proclaim the mighty deeds of Visnu
Who meted out the spaces of the earth,
Who established the highest abode,
Stepping thrice, the far-goer.
k Thou art the forehead of Visnu; thou art the back of Visvu.
I Ye two are the corners' of Visnu's mouth.
m Thou art the thread of Visnu. n Thou art the fixed point of Visnu.
o Thou art of Vishu; to Visnu thee!
i. 2. 14.
a Put forth thy strength like a spreading net;
Come like a mighty king with thy retainers;
Hurling thy swift net thou shootest arrows;
Pierce the Raksases with thy keenest (darts).
b Swiftly thy whirling flames descend;
bring upward Follow them, glowing in thy fury;
Thy heat, O Agni, thy winged (flames) with thy tongue,
Unfettered, on all sides spread thy firebrands.
c Send forth thy spies, swiftest in thy motion;
Be an unfailing guardian to this folk,
From him who afar plans evil [1], from him who near;
O Agni let no trouble from thee overwhelm us.
d Arise, O Agni; spread thyself out;
Burn up our foes, O thou of keen dart;
Him who hath wrought evil for us, O blazing one,
Do thou consume utterly like dry stubble.
e Arise; drive from us (our foes);
Reveal thy heavenly strength, O Agni,
Slacken the strung (weapon) of the demon-driven;
Crush our foes, kin or not kin.
f He knows thy [2] loving kindliness, O most youthful one,
637

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
Who hath given furtherance to this devotion;
All happy days for him, glory, and wealth
--Opening the doors of the miser--he hath revealed.'
g Let him, O Agni, be fortunate and munificent,
Who with constant oblation, who with praise,
Seeks to delight thee in his life in his house;
May all days be happy for him; be that the will.
h I praise thy loving kindness; loud sounding (thou singest) a reply;
Let this song of mine, beloved of thee, sing with thee [3]
With good steeds and fair chariots may we adorn thee;
Maintain for us the lordly power as the days go by.
i Here let each serve thee readily,
That shinest in the darkness, as the days go by;
Happy and joyous may we attend thee
That dost surpass the glories of men.'
k He who with good steeds and rich in gold
Approacheth thee, O Agni, with a rich chariot,
His protector thou art, the comrade of him
Who duly offereth thee glad reception.
l The great I overcome [4] through kinship and my songs;
That hath descended to me from Gotama, my sire;
Pay heed to this song of ours,
O Hotr, most youthful, skilful, friend of the house.
m Sleepless, speedy, propitious,
Unwearied, never hostile, unexhausted,
May thy guardians, O Agni, taking their places here united,
Protect us, O wise one.
n In Thy guardians, O Agni, who seeing,
Guarded from ill the blind Mamateya,
He of all wisdom guarded these kindly ones;
The foes that were fain to deceive could not [5] deceive.
o In unison with thee, aided by thee,
Under thy leadership, let us gain strength;
Fulfil both our desires, O truthful one;
638

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
Perform it forthwith, O fearless one.
p With this fuel, O Agni, will we serve thee;
Accept the song of praise recited for thee;
Burn those that revile, the Raksases; guard us,
From the foe, the reviler, O rich in friends, from blame.
I touch the steed that slayeth the Raksases;
I go for shelter to the friend most spreading;
May Agni, enkindled with our offerings, sharpening (his dart)
Guard us by day, [6] from harm and by night.
r With great radiance Agni shineth;
All things doth he reveal by his might;
He overcometh godless and malign enchantments
He sharpeneth his horns to pierce the Raksas.
s Let the roarings of Agni rise to the heaven,
Sharp weapons to slay the Raksas;
In the carouse his radiance bursteth forth
The godless assailers cannot restrain him.
III
PRAPATHAKA
The Victim for Agni and Soma
i. 3. 1.
a On the impulse of the god Savity, with the arms of the Açvins, with the hands of
Pusan, I take thee; thou art the spade, thou art the woman.
b The Raksas is encompassed, the evil spirits are encompassed, here do I cut off
the neck of the Raksas.
c He who hates us and whom we hate, here do I cut off his neck.
d To sky thee, to atmosphere thee, to earth thee!
e Pure be the world where the Pitrs sit.
f Thou art barley (
yava
); bar (
yavaya
) from us foes, bar evil spirits.
g Thou art the seat of the Pitrs.
639

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
h Support the sky, fill the atmosphere, make firm the earth.
i May Dyutana Maruta set thee up according to the established law of Mitra and
Varuna.
k Thee that art winner of Brahmans, winner of nobles, winner of fair offspring,
winner of increase of wealth, I close in.
l Strengthen the Brahmans, strengthen the nobles, strengthen offspring, strengthen
increase of wealth.
m With ghee, O sky and earth, be filled.
n Thou art the seat of Indra, the shade of all folk.
o May these our songs, O lover of song,
Encompass thee on all sides,
Strengthening thee whose life is strong;
May they be dear delights.
p Thou art the string of Indra; thou art the fixed point of Indra.
q Thou art of Indra.
r To Indra thee!
i. 3. 2.
a I dig those which slay the Raksas, which slay the spell, which
are of Visnu.
b Here do I cast out the spell which an equal or an unequal hath
buried against us.
c Here do I overthrow him who equal or unequal is ill-disposed to us.
d The spell is overcome by the Gayatri metre.
e What is here? Good. Let it be ours.
f Thou art Viraj, slaying our rivals; thou art Samraj, slaying our foes; thou art
Svaraj,
slaying the enemy; thou art Viçvaraj, slayer of all destructive things [1].
g I sprinkle those which slay the Raksas, which slay the spell, and which are of
Visnu.
h I pour down those which slay the Raksas, which slay the spell, and which are of
Visnu.
i Thou art barley (
yava
); bar (
yavaya
) from us foes, bar evil spirits.
640

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
k I bestrew those which slay the Raksas, which slay the spell, and which are of
Visnu.
l I pour the libation over those which slay the Raksas, which slay the spell, and
which are of Visnu.
m I lay down the two Which slay the Raksas, which slay the spell, and which are
of Visnu.
n I surround the two which slay the Raksas, which slay the spell, and which are of
Visnu.
o I bestrew the two which slay the Raksas, which slay the spell, and which are of
Visnu. p The two which slay the Raksas, which slay the spell, and which are of
Visnu. q Thou art great, with a great pressing stone; call forth to Indra with a great
voice.
i. 3. 3.
a Thou I art the expanding, the carrier.
b Thou art the bearer which carrieth the offering.
c Thou art the savoury, the wise.
d Thou art Tutha, the all-knower.
e Thou art Uçij, the wise.
f Thou art Anghari, Bamhhari.
g Thou art the seeker of aid, the worshipper.
h Thou art the bright, the Marjaliya.
i Thou art the king, Kyçanu.
k Thou art the purifying, around which men must sit.
1 Thou art the impetuous, the cloudy.
m Thou art the untouched, the preparer of the offering.
n Thou art be whose home is right, whose light is the heaven.
o Thou art be whose light is the Brahman, whose home is the heaven.
p Thou art the goat with one foot.
q Thou art the dragon of the deep.
r With thy dread countenance guard me, Agni; content me; hurt me not.
641

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
i. 3. 4.
a Thou, O Soma, art the giver of wide protection from hostility, brought about by
ourselves or by others; hail!
b May the active one gladly partake of the ghee.
c May Agni here make room for us;
May he go before us cleaving the foe;
Joyously may he conquer our foes;
May he win booty in the contest for booty.
d Step widely, O Visnu;
Give us broad space for dwelling in;
Drink the ghee, thou whose birthplace is in the ghee;
Lengthen (the years) of the lord of the sacrifice.
e Soma goeth, who knoweth the way;
He approacheth the place of the gods,
To sit on the birthplace of Order .
f Thou art the seat of Aditi.
g Do thou sit on the seat of Aditi.
h This, god Savitr, is the Soma of you (gods); guard it; let it escape you not.
i So, O Soma, god to the gods, hast thou gone, and I here man to man, with
offspring, with increase of wealth.
k Honour to the gods I Homage to the Pitrs!
1 Here (may) I (be free) from Varuna's noose; may I gaze on the heaven, on the
light that is for all men,
M Agni, lord of vows, thou art the vow-lord of vows.
n May my body that bath been in thee be here in me; may thy body that hath been
in me be there in thee.
o Be aright the vows, O vow-lord, of both of us votaries.
i. 3. 5.
a I have passed by some, I have not approached others.
b I have found thee nearer than the farther, farther than the near.
c So I welcome thee, that art of Visnu, for the sacrifice to the gods.
d Let the god Savitr anoint thee with honey.
642

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
e O plant, guard it.
f O axe, harm it not.
g With thy top graze not the sky, with thy middle harm not the atmosphere, with
earth be united.
h O tree, grow with a hundred shoots; may we grow with a thousand shoots.
i Thou, whom this sharp axe hath brought forward for great good
fortune, uncut, with wealth of heroes, (give us) riches.
i. 3. 6.
a To I earth thee! To atmosphere thee! To sky thee!
b Pure be the world where the Pitrs sit.
c Thou art barley (yava); bar (yavaya) from us foes, bar evil spirits.
d Thou art the seat of the Pitrs.
e Thou art easy of approach, first among leaders; the tree will mount thee, be aware
of it.
f Let the god Savitr anoint thee with honey.
g For the plants with good berries thee!
h Support the sky, fill the atmosphere, with thy base make firm the earth.
i To these dwellings of thine are we fain to go,
Where are the many-horned active kine;
There is resplendent the highest step
Of the wide-stepping Visnu, the mighty!
k Behold the deeds of Visnu
Wherein he displayed his laws,
Indra's true friend.
l That highest step of Visnu
The singers ever gaze upon
Like an eye stretched in the sky.
m Thee that art winner of Brahmans, winner of nobles, winner of fair
offspring, winner of increase of wealth, I close in.
n Strengthen the Brahmans, strengthen the nobles, strengthen offspring,
strengthen increase of wealth,
o Thou art invested; lot the clans of the gods invest thee; let increase
of wealth, let (the clans) of men invest the sacrificer here.
p On the slope of the atmosphere I conceal thee.
643

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
i. 3. 7.
a For striving thee!
b Thou art the impeller.
c To the gods the servants of the gods have come, the priests, the eager
ones.
d O Bihaspati, guard wealth.
e Let thy oblations taste sweet.
f O god Tvastr make pleasant our possessions.
g Stay, ye wealthy ones,
h Thou art the birthplace of Agni.
i Ye are the two male ones.
k Thou art Urvaçi, thou art Ayu, thou art Pururavas.
l Anointed with ghee, do ye produce a male.
m Be born with the Gayatri metre, with the Tristubh metre, be born with the Jagati
metre.
n Be ye of one mind for us, one dwelling, spotless.
o Harm not the sacrifice nor the lord of the sacrifice, O all-knowing;
be ye two auspicious to-day with us.
p The fire moveth entering into the fire,
The son of the Rsis, the overlord he;
With the cry of Hail! I offer to thee with devotion;
Do thou not spoil the share of the gods.
i. 3. 8.
a I grasp thee.
b Offering to the gods, I seize thee with the noose of sacred order.
c Fear not men.
d For the waters thee, for the plants thee, I sprinkle.
e Thou art a drinker of the waters.
f Ye divine waters, make it palatable, a very palatable offering for the
gods.
644

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
g Let thy breath be united with the wind, thy limbs with the sacrificial, the lord of
the sacrifice with his prayer.
h Anointed with ghee, do ye guard the beast.
i Ye wealthy ones, do ye kindly I resort to the lord of the sacrifice.
k O broad atmosphere, in unison with the god [1] wind, sacrifice with the life of
this offering; be united with its body; extending more broadly, make the sacrifice
of the lord of the sacrifice most successful.
l Guard from contact with earth.
m Homage to thee, O extended one.
n Come forward, irresistible, along the stream of ghee, with offspring, with
increase of wealth.
o O ye waters, goddesses, purifying and pure, do ye bring the gods; may we, pure
and served (by you), be servers upon you.
i. 3. 9.
a Let thy speech swell, let thy breath swell, let thine eye swell, let thine ear swell. b
The pain that hath reached thy vital airs, that (hath reached) thine eye, that (hath
reached) thine ear, what is harsh in thee, what is in its place,--let that swell, let that
hereby be pure.
c Lot thy navel swell, let thine anus swell.
d Be thy feet pure.
e Hail to the waters [1]! Hail to the plants! Hail to earth! Hail to night and day!
f O plant, protect him.
g O axe, harm him not.
h Thou art the share of the Raksases.
i This Raksas here I lead to the lowest darkness.
k Him who hateth us and whom we hate, here him I lead to the lowest darkness.
I For food thee!
m In ghee, O sky and earth, be covered.
n Uncut, with wealth of heroes, (give us) riches.
o Fare along the broad atmosphere.
p O Vayu, taste the drops.
645

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
q Hail! go to Urdhvanabhas, offspring of the Maruts.
i. 3. 10.
a Let thy mind with the mind, let thy breath with the breath (of the gods be united).
b Be this offering rich in ghee pleasing to the gods; hail!
c May Indra's expiration be set in every limb;
May Indra's inspiration be in every limb.
d O god Tvastr, let mind be united for thee,
When ye that are various become of one form;
Over thee as thou goest among the gods for help let thy comrades
And thy father and mother rejoice.
e Thou art fortune (
çri
).
f Let Agni cook (
çrinatu
) thee.
g The waters are come together.
h For the whirl of the wind [1] thee, for the rush of Pusan, for the growth of the
waters, of the plants.
i Drink ghee, ye drinkers of ghee; drink fat, ye drinkers of fat.
k Thou art the oblation of the atmosphere.
l Hail! thee to the atmosphere!
m The quarters, the Pradiçes, the Adiçes, the Vidiçes, the Uddiçes.
n Hail to the quarters!
o Homage to the quarters.
i. 3. 11.
a Go to the ocean, hail! Go to the atmosphere, hail! Go to god Savitr, hail! Go to
day and night, hail! Go to Mitra and Varuna, hail! Go to Soma, hail! Go to the
sacrifice, hail! Go to the metes, hail! Go to the sky and the earth, hail! Go to the
clouds of the sky, hail! Go to Agni Vaiçvanara, hail!
b To the waters thee! To the plants thee!
c Give me mind and heart!
d May I acquire body, skin, son, and grandson.
e Thou art pain; pain him who hateth us and whom we hate.
646

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
f From every rule of thine, O King Varuna, set us free;
From whatever oath by the waters, by the kine, by Varuna, we have sworn,
From that, O Varuna, set us free.
i. 3. 12.
a These waters are rich in oblation,
Rich in oblation is the divine sacrifice,
Rich in oblation he seeks to win (the gods?),
Rich in oblation be the sun.
b In the seat of Agni whose home is abiding I set you down, kindly
for kindness, accord to me kindness.
c Ye are the share of Indra and Agni; ye are the share of Mitra and
Varuna; ye are the share of the all-gods.
d Be watchful over the sacrifice.
i. 3. 13.
a To the heart thee! To mind thee! To the sky thee! To the sun thee!
b Raise aloft the sacrifice; in the sky guide to the gods the prayers.
c O King Soma, come hither, descend.
d Fear not, tremble not.
e Lot me not harm thee.
f Do thou descend to creatures; let creatures descend to thee.
g Let Agni (kindled) with the kindling-stick hear my appeal,
Let the waters hear, and the divine Dhisanas;
Hearken, ye pressing stones, to the sacrifice of me the wise one,
Let the god Savitr hearken to my appeal.
h Ye divine waters, child of the waters, that wave,
Which is rich in oblation, powerful and sweetest,
Give to the gods among the gods,
Pure to the drinkers of the pure, (to them) whose share ye are; hail
i Thou art the dragger; do thou (drag) away the foe of the waters.
k I draw you for the sustenance of the waters.
l That mortal, O Agni, whom thou hast helped in the battles,
647

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
Whom thou hast strengthened in the contest for booty,
He winneth I abiding strength.
i. 3. 14.
a Thou, O Agni, art Rudra, the Asura of the mighty sky,
Thou art the host of the Maruts, thou art lord of food;
Thou farest with ruddy winds, blessing the household;
Thou, as Pasan dost, protectest thy worshippers with thyself.
b Rudra, king of the sacrifice,
True offerer, priest of both worlds,
Agni before the dreadful thunder,'
Of golden colour, win ye for help.
c Agni hath set him down as priest, good sacrificer,
On the lap of his mother, in the fragrant place,
The youthful, the wise, pre-eminent among men [1], righteous,
Supporter of the folk in whose midst he is kindled.
d Good hath he made our sacrifice this day;
The hidden tongue of the sacrifice have we found
He hath come, fragrant, clothed in life;
He hath made our sacrifice this day to prosper.
e Agni hath cried like Dyaus thundering,
Licking the earth, devouring the plants;
Straightway on birth he shone aflame;
He blazeth with his light within the firmaments.
In thee, O many-faced sacrificer [2],
Morning and evening, the sacrificers place their treasures,
In whom, purifying, good things are placed, even as the heaven and earth (support)
all beings.
q To thee, best of Angirases,
All folk with fair dwellings severally,
O Agni, have turned to gain their wish.
h May we win by thy help, O Agni, our wish,
Wealth with fair offspring, O wealthy one:
May we win booty, seeking for booty;
May we win, O deathless, undying glory.
648

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
i O Agni, of the Bharatas, youngest,
Bear to us excellent, glorious wealth, [3]
O bright one, wealth which many desire.
k White robed is he, thundering, standing in the firmament.
Youngest, with loud-sounding immortal ones,
Who, purifying, most manifold,
Agni, marcheth devouring many broad (forests).
l May he give thee life on every side,
Agni here, the desirable.
Let thy breath come back to thee;
I drive away the disease from thee.
m Giving life, O Agni, rejoicing in the oblation
Be thou faced with ghee, and with birthplace of ghee
Having drunk the ghee, the sweet, the delightful product of the cow,
As a father his son [4], do thou protect him.
n To thee, the eager one,
O knower of all, O active one,
Agni, I offer this fair praise.
o From the sky was Agni first born,
From us secondly he who knoweth all,
In the waters thirdly the manly;
The pious man singeth of him, the undying, as he kindleth him.
p Pure, O purifying one, to be lauded,
O Agni, mightily thou shinest,
To whom offering is made with ghee.
q Shining like gold, he hath become widely resplendent,
For glory shining with immortal life;
Agni became immortal in his strength [5],
What time prolific Dyaus begat him.
r What time his glory urged the lord to strength,
Then (did) Dyaus (let) the pure seed be sprinkled openly;
Agni begot the host, the blameless, the youthful,
The worshipping, and gave it impulse.
s He (flourishes) with keener mind, aided by thee.
649

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
O giver! give (us wealth) in good offspring;
O Agni, may we enjoy wealth richest in heroes;
(Wealth) that is excellent, uttering praises to thee.,'
t O Agni, bring us strong wealth,
By the force of thy glory,
That is above [6] all men
And openly prevaileth in contests for booty.
u O Agni, mighty one, bring to us
That wealth which prevaileth in contests;
For thou art true, wondrous,
The giver of booty of kine.
v To Agni let us make service with hymns,
Who feedeth on bull and cow,
The disposer, backed with Soma.
w For thou art, O son, a singer, seated at the feast;
Agni made at birth a path and food;
Do thou, O giver of strength, bestow strength upon us;
Be victorious like a king; thou rulest within without a foe.
x O Agni, thou purifiest life [7];
Do thou give food and strength to us;
Far away drive ill-fortune.
y O Agni, good worker, purify for us
Glory in good heroes;
Giving increase and wealth to me.
z O Agni the purifying, with thy light,
0 god, with thy pleasant tongue,
Bring hither the gods and sacrifice.
aa Do thou, O shining and purifying one,
O Agni, bring hither the gods
To our sacrifice and our oblation.
bb Agni, of purest vows,
Pure sage, pure poet,
Shineth in purity, when offering is made.
cc O Agni, thy pure,
Bright, flaming (rays) arise,
650

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
Thy lights, thy flames.
PRAPATHAKA IV
The Soma Cups
i. 4. 1.
a I take thee. Thou art the stone which maketh the sacrifice for the gods; make this
sacrifice deep, with thy highest edge, (make) the Soma well pressed for Indra, rich
in sweetness, in milk, bringing rain. b To Indra, slayer of Vrtra, thee! To Indra,
conqueror of Vrtra, thee! To Indra, slayer of foes, thee! To Indra with the Adityas,
thee! To Indra with the all-gods, thee! c Ye are savoury, conquerors of Vrtra,
delightful through your gifts, spouses of immortality,
Do ye, O goddesses, place this sacrifice among the gods
Do ye, invoked, drink the Soma;
Invoked by you [1] let Soma drink.
d With thy light which is in the sky, on the earth, in the broad atmosphere, do thou
for this sacrificer spread wealth broadly; be favour able to the giver.
c Ye Dhisanas, that are strong, be strengthened; gather strength, and give me
strength; let me not harm you, harm me not.
f Forward, backward, upward, downward, let these quarters speed to you; O
mother, come forth.
g Thy unerring, watchful name, O Soma, to that of thee, O Soma, to Soma, hail!
1 4. 2.
a Be pure for the lord of speech, O strong one; male, purified by the arms with the
shoots of the male; thou art the god purifier of gods; to those thee whose portion
thou art!
b Thou art he who is appropriated; make our food full of sweetness for us; to all
the powers of sky and earth thee!
c May mind enter thee.
d Fare along the broad atmosphere.
e Hail! Thee, of kindly nature, to the sun!
651

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
f To the gods that drink the rays thee f
g This is thy birthplace; to expiration thee!
i. 4. 3.
a Thou art taken with a support.
b O bounteous one, restrain (it), protect Soma, guard wealth, win food by sacrifice,
I place within thee sky and earth, within thee the broad atmosphere; in unison with
the gods, the lower and the higher, O bounteous one, do thou rejoice in the
Antaryama (cup).
e Thou art he who is appropriated; make our food full of sweetness for us; to all the
powers of sky and earth thee!
d May mind enter thee.
e Fare along the broad atmosphere.
f Hail! Thee, of kindly nature, to the sun!
g To the gods that drink the rays thee!
h This is thy birthplace; to inspiration thee!
i. 4. 4.
a O Vayu, drinker of the pure, come to us;
A thousand are thy teams, O thou that hast all choice boons.
For thee this sweet drink hath been drawn,
Whereof, O god, thou hast the first drink.
b Thou art taken with a support; to Vayu thee!
c O Indra and Vayu, these draughts are ready;
Come ye for the libations,
For the drops desire you.
d Thou art taken with a support; to Indra and Vayu thee! This is
thy birthplace; to the comrades thee!
i. 4. 5.
a This Soma is pressed for you, O Mitra and Varuna,
Who prosper holy order;
Hearken ye now to my supplication.
b Thou art taken with a support; to Mitra and Varuna thee! This is
652

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
thy birthplace; to the righteous thee!
i. 4. 6.
a That I whip of yours which is rich in sweetness
And full of mercy, O Açvins,
With that touch the sacrifice.
b Thou art taken with a support; to the Açvins thee! This is thy birthplace; to the
sweet thee!
i. 4. 7.
a Ye that yoke early be unloosed
O Açvins, come ye hither,
To drink this Soma.
b Thou art taken with a support; to the Açvins thee! This is thy
birthplace; to the Açvins thee!
i. 4. 8.
a Vena hath stirred those born of Prçni, He enveloped in light, in the expanse of the
welkin;
Him in the meeting-place of the waters, of the sun,
Like a child, the priests tend with their songs.
b Thou art taken with a support; to Çanda thee! This is thy birthplace; guard the
folk.
i. 4. 9.
a Him, as aforetime, as of old, as always, as now,
The prince, who hath his seat on the strew and knoweth the heaven,
The favouring, the strong, thou milkest with thy speech,
The swift who is victor in those among whom thou dost wax.
b Thou art taken with a support; to Marka thee! This is thy birth.
place; guard offspring.
653

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
i. 4. 10.
a Ye gods that are eleven in the sky,
Eleven on the earth,
Who sit mightily in the waters, eleven in number,
Do ye accept this saerifice.
b Thou art taken with a support; thou art the leader, thou art the good leader;
quicken the sacrifice, quicken the lord of the sacrifice; guard the pressings; let
Visnu guard thee, do thou guard the folk with thy power; this is thy birthplace; to
the All-gods thee!
i. 4. 11.
a Three and thirty in troops the Rudras
Frequent the sky and earth, the destructive ones,
Eleven seated on the waters;
May all of them accept the Soma pressed for the pressing.
b Thou art taken with a support; thou art the leader, thou art the good leader;
quicken the sacrifice, quicken the lord of the sacrifice; guard the pressings; let
Visnu guard thee, do thou guard the folk with thy power; this is thy birthplace; to
the all-gods thee!
i. 4. 12.
a Thou art taken with a support.
To Indra thee, to him of the Brhat (Saman),
The strong, eager for praise.
Thy great strength, O Indra,
To that thee!
To Visnu thee! This is thy birthplace; to Indra, eager for praise, thee!
i. 4. 13.
a The head of the sky, the messenger of earth,
Vaiçvanara, born for holy order, Agni,
654

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
The sage, the king, the guest of men,
The gods have produced as a cup for their mouths.
b Thou art taken with a support; to Agni Vaiçvanara thee! Thou art
secure, of secure foundation, most secure of the secure, with securest
foundation of those which are secure. This is thy birthplace; to Agni
Vaiçvanara thee!
i. 4. 14.
a Thou art Madhu and Madhava; thou art Çukra and Çuci; thou art Nabha and
Nabbasya; thou art Isa and Urja; thou art Saha and Sahasya; thou art Tapa and
Tapasya.
b Thou art taken with a support.
c Thou art Samsarpa.
d To Anhaspatva thee!
i. 4. 15.
a O Indra and Agni, come For our prayers to the pressed drink, the delightful
fumes Drink ye of it, impelled by our prayer. b Thou art taken with a support; to
Indra and Agni thee! This is thy birthplace; to Indra and Agni thee!
i. 4. 16.
a Ye dread ones, guardians of men,
O All-gods, come ye,
Generous, to the pressed drink of the generous one.
b Thou art taken with a support; to the All-gods thee! This is thy birthplace; to the
All-gods thee!
i. 4. 17.
a Him with the Maruts, the mighty bull,
The bountiful, the divine ruler, Indra,
All-powerful, the dread, giver of strength,
For present aid let us invoke.
655

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
b Thou art taken with a support; to Indra with the Maruts thee! This is thy
birthplace; to Indra with the Maruts thee!
i. 4. 18.
a O Indra with the Maruts drink here the Soma,
As thou didst drink the pressed drink with Çaryata
Under thy guidance, in thy protection, O hero,
The singers skilled in sacrifice are fain to serve.
b Thou art taken with a support; to Indra with the Maruts thee!
This is thy birthplace; to Indra with the Maruts thee!
i. 4. 19.
a Indra with the Maruts, the bull, for gladness,
Drink the Soma, for joy, to thy content;
Pour within thy belly the wave of sweetness;
Thou art from of old the king of the pressed drinks.
b Thou art taken with a support; to Indra with the Maruts thee,
This is thy birthplace; to Indra with the Maruts thee!
i. 4. 20.
a Great is Indra who through his might
Is like Parjanya with the rain;
He waxeth with the praises of Vatsa.
b Thou art taken with a foundation; to Mahendra thee! This is thy
birthplace; to Mahendra thee!
i. 4. 21.
a Great is Indra, manfully controlling men,
Unfailing in strength, of double force;
Towards us for strength doth he wax;
Broad and wide hath he been adorned by the offerers.
b Thou art taken with a foundation; to Mahendra thee! This is thy birthplace; to
Mahendra thee!
656

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
i. 4. 22.
a Never art thou barren, O Indra,
Never dost thou fail thy worshipper;
Now more and more is thy divine gift increased,
O bountiful one.
b Thou art taken with a support; to the Adityas thee!
c At no time art thou heedless,
But dost guard the two generations;
The pressing is thy strength, O fourth Aditya
The ambrosia is ready in the sky.
d The sacrificer seeketh the favour of the gods;
Be ye kindly, O Adityas;
May thy lovingkindness come hither,
That it may the more free us from affliction.
e O bright Aditya, this is thy Soma drink,
Delight in it, have gladness in it; may we that gladden thee have gladness;
With the rain of the sky I mix thee.
i. 4. 23.
a Prosperity to-day, O Savitr, prosperity to-morrow,
Day by day prosperity mayst thou procure for us;
Through this prayer may be won the prosperity
Of many a prosperous dwelling, O god.
b Thou art taken with a foundation; to the god Savitr thee!
i. 4. 24.
a O Savitr with unfailing guardians,
Propitious, do thou to-day guard our house;
Golden-tongued do thou protect us for new prosperity;
May no plotter of evil overpower us.
b Thou art taken with a support; to the god Savity thee
i. 4. 25.
657

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
a To help us I summon The golden-handed Savitr He as a god knoweth the place. b
Thou art taken with a support; to the god Savitr thee!
i. 4. 26.
a Thou givest good protection, and art well established.
b Homage to the great bull!
c This is thy birthplace; to the All-gods thee!
i. 4. 27.
a Of thee, O drop, pressed by Brhaspati, and possessing power, I draw
the cup connected with the wives.
b O Agni, with the wives, in unison with the god Tvastr, drink the Soma, hail.
i. 4. 28.
a Thou art a bay, yoker of bays, mounter on the bays, bearer of the bolt, lover of
Prçni;
to thee, O god Soma, for whom the formula of sacrifice is uttered, the song sung,
the hymn recited, I draw the cup connected with the bays.
b Ye two are bays; ye are the grains for the bays, mixed with Soma.
c To Indra hail!
i. 4. 29.
a O Agni, thou purifiest life;
Do thou give food and strength to us;
Far away drive ill fortune.
b Thou art taken with a support; to Agni the radiant thee! This is
thy birthplace; to Agni the radiant thee!
i. 4. 30.
a Arising in might,
Thou didst move thy jaws, O Indra,
658

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
When thou hadst drunk the cup-pressed Soma.
b Thou art taken with a support; to Indra the mighty thee! This
is thy birthplace; to Indra the mighty thee!
i. 4. 31.
a Overcoming, seen of all,
Light-making art thou, Surya;
Thou dost illumine all the firmament.
b Thou art taken with a support; to Surya the radiant thee! This
is thy birthplace; to Surya the radiant thee!
i. 4. 32.
a Swell, O sweetest Soma,
With all thy aids,
Be fullest of help for us.
i. 4. 33.
a Departed are those mortals who in days gone by behold
An earlier dawn of morning;
Dawn now hath become visible to us;
They come who shall behold her in days to come.
i. 4. 34.
a I place thee that hast light. b I place thee that makest light. c I place thee that
findest light. d I place thee that shinest. e I place thee that burnest. f I place thee
that flashest. g I place thee that art aflame. h I place thee that blazest. i I place thee
that art immortal. k I place thee that hast great light. l I place thee that awakenest.
m I place thee that art awake.
i. 4. 35.
a To energy hail! To effort hail! To distraction hail! To attempt hail! To endeavour
hail! To striving hail! To heat hail! To burning hail! To heating hail! To the hot
659

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
hail! To the slaying of a Brahmin hail! To all hail!
i. 4. 36.
taniman
a Çitta with the sinew, Bhava with the liver, Rudra with the
, Paçupati
with the thick heart, Agni with the heart, Rudra with the blood, Çarva with the
kidneys, Mahadeva with the intestinal flesh, him that slayest most quickly with the
entrails.
i. 4. 37.
a Mount thy car, O slayer of Vrtra;
Thy steeds are yoked by our prayer;
May the pressing-stone with its voice
Incline thy mind towards us.
b Thou art taken with a support; to Indra of the Sodaçin thee! This is thy
birthplace; to
Indra of the Sodaçin thee!
i. 4. 38.
a Indra his two steeds bear,
Him of unequalled strength,
To the praises of the Rsis and the sacrifice of men.
b Thou art taken with a support; to Indra of the Sodaçin thee! This is thy
birthplace; to
Indra of the Sodaçin thee!
i. 4. 39.
a The Soma hath been pressed for thee O Indra;
O most strong, O impetuous one, come hither;
Let power encompass thee,
Even as the sun encompasses the atmosphere with its rays.
660

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
b Thou art taken with a support; to Indra of the Sodaçin thee! This is thy
birthplace; to
Indra of the Sodaçin thee!
i. 4. 40.
a Earth, covering all,
Hath placed thee in her lap;
Be gentle and rest kindly on him
Grant him protection, extending wide.
b Thou art taken with a support; to Indra of the Sodaçin thee! This is thy
birthplace; to
Indra of the Sodaçin thee!
i. 4. 41.
a Great is Indra of the Sodaçin,
With the bolt in his arm, may he grant protection;
May the bountiful give us prosperity,
May he smite him who hateth us.
b Thou art taken with a support; to Indra of the Sodaçin thee! This is thy
birthplace; to
Indra of the Sodaçin thee!
i. 4. 42.
a In unison and in fellowship with the Maruts, Indra,
Drink the Soma, O slayer of Vrtra, O hero, O wise one;
Slay our foes, drive away the enemies,
And thus make for us on all sides security.
b Thou art taken with a support; to Indra of the Sodaçin thee! This is thy
birthplace; to
Indra of the Sodaçin thee!
The Daksina Offerings
661

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
i. 4. 43.
a His rays bear up the god
Who knoweth all,
The sun for all to see.
b The radiant countenance of the gods hath risen,
The eye of Mitra, Varuna, Agni;
He hath filled the sky and earth and atmosphere;
The sun is the self of all that moveth and standeth.
c O Agni, lead us by a fair path to wealth,
O god, knowing all the ways;
Drive from us the sin that maketh us wander;
We will accord to thee most abundant honour.
d Go to the sky, fly to heaven.
c With my form [1] I approach your form; with my age your age.
f May Tutha, all knowing, allot to you in the highest firmament.
g This gift of thine, Agni, cometh, impelled by the Soma.
h Lead it by the path of Mitra.
i Go ye on by the path of holy order, of brilliant gifts,
Leading prosperity by the path of the sacrifice.
k May I win a Brahman to-day, a seer and sprung from seers, of (famous) father
and grandfather, fit for the sacrificial gift.
l Gaze on the heaven, gaze on the atmosphere.
m Join those in the seat.
n Given by us, go to the gods, full of sweetness; enter the giver; without leaving us
fare by the path leading to the gods; sit in the world of the righteous.
o Be this complete for us.
i. 4. 44.
a May Dhatr the giver, may Savitr, rejoice in this,
Prajapati, the lord of treasures, and Agni, for our sake;
May Tvastr, Visnu, accord generously
Wealth with offspring to the sacrificer.
662

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
b O Indra, unite us in heart, with cattle,
O bountiful one, with generous ones, with prosperity;
With the holy power that is made by the gods,
With loving kindness of the gods to whom sacrifice is made.
c With glory, with milk, with ourselves,
Are we united, with auspicious hearts;
May Tvastr make fortune for us [1];
May he set right whatever is amiss in our bodies.
d In that to-day, O Agni, we choose thee
As Hotr as our sacrifice proceeded,
Prosperously hast thou sacrificed,
Prosperously hast thou laboured;
Come wise and foreseeing one to the sacrifice.
e With Hail! to you, O gods, have we made this seat,
Ye who have come hither rejoicing in this as the pressing;
When ye have eaten and drunken,
Ye all, give to us, wealthy ones, wealth.
f The gods whom eager thou didst bring hither, O god,
Them [2], O Agni, do thou incite in their own abode;
Bearing and bringing oblations,
The rich draught, do ye mount the sky.
g O sacrifice, go to the sacrifice; go to the lord of the sacrifice; go to thine own
birthplace; hail!
h This is thy sacrifice, O lord of the sacrifice, with its utterance of hymns and
producing noble heroes; hail!
i Ye gods that find the way, finding the way, go on the way.
k O lord of mind, place this sacrifice, O god, for us among the gods, hail! or
speech, hail! or the wind, hail!
i. 4. 45.
a King Varuna hath made a broad path
For the sun to travel;
He hath made him set his feet in the pathless way;
He driveth away whatever woundeth the heart.
663

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
b A hundred remedies are thine, O king, a thousand;
Broad and deep be thy loving kindness.
Overcome the enmity, the hostility;
Remove from us whatever sin hath been committed.
c The noose of Varuna is overcome.
d The face of Agni hath entered the waters,
The child of the waters guarding against the demons' power,
In each home [1] do thou offer the kindling-stick, O Agni;
Let thy tongue seek the ghee.
e In the sea is thy heart, within the waters;
Let the plants and the waters enter thee;
With the offerings of the sacrifice, O lord of the sacrifice,
Let us worship at the utterance of the hymn, at the utterance of homage.
f O bath, O flood, thou glidest, O flood; thou hast removed by sacrifice the sin
committed by the gods, through the gods, the sin committed by mortals, through
mortals; guard us, O god, from wide hostility.
g Be the water and plants friendly to us [2]; be they hostile to him who hateth us
and whom we hate.
h Ye divine waters, this is thy foetus, glad and well tended have we made it for
you;
proclaim us as doers of good deeds among the gods.
i The noose of Varuna is tied, the noose of Varuna is loosed.
k Thou art fuel; may we prosper; thou art kindling; thou art brilliance, grant me
brilliance.
l I have penetrated to the waters;
We are united with the sap;
I have come rich in milk, O Agni;
Do thou unite me with radiance.
i. 4. 46.
a I who deeming thee immortal,
Mortal myself, call on thee with prayerful heart.
Upon us, O wise one, bestow glory;
O Agni, through offspring may I attain immortality.
b He, for whom, O Agni, thou dost make, O wise one,
664

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
For his good deeds a kindly world,
Shall win prosperity and wealth,
Rich in sons, in heroes, in kine.
c To thee, O son of strength, they turn
Who have desires to be fulfilled;
None excelleth thee, O Indra.
d At each hymn the Soma delighteth Indra,
The pressed (juices), the bountiful one [1],
What time in unison with equal effort
They call him to aid, like sons a father.
e O Agni, O wise one, with sap,
With brilliance thou shinest,
Slayer of Raksases, suppressor of demons.
f I have penetrated to the waters
We are united with the sap;
I have come rich in milk, O Agni;
Do thou unite me with radiance.
g Rich art thou, lord of riches,
O Agni, rich in radiance;
May we enjoy thy loving kindness.
h Thou, O Agni, riches-lord of riches,
I hail [2], O lord in the sacrifices;
Through thee in strife may we be victorious;
May we overcome the hostilities of mortal men.
i Thee, O Agni, best gainer of booty,
The sages nourish, well lauded;
Do thou give us wealth of heroes.
k May Agni here make room for us;
May he go before us cleaving the foe
Joyfully may he conquer our foes;
May he win booty in the contest for booty.
l By Agni is Agni kindled,
The wise, the young, the lord of the house,
The bearer of the oblation, with ladle in his mouth.
m Thou, O Agni, by Agni,
665

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
The sage by the sage, the good by the good,
The comrade by the comrade, art kindled.
n O Agni, thy pure.
o With radiance.
PRAPATHAKA V
The Rekindling of the Fire
i. 5. 1.
The gods and the Asuras were in conflict; the gods, in anticipation of the contest,
deposited in Agni their desirable riches (thinking),'This will still be ours, if they
defeat us. Agni desired it and went away with it. The gods having defeated (the
Asuras) pursued (Agni) desirous of recovering it. They sought violently to take it
arodit
from him. He wept; in that he wept (
), that is why Rudra has his name.
The tear that [1] was shed became silver; therefore silver is not a suitable gift, for it
is born of tears. He who gives on the strew, in his house before the year is out they
weep; therefore one should not give on the strew. Agni said, 'Let me have a share;
then this will be yours.' They replied, 'The re-establishing shall be thine alone.' 'He
shall prosper', he said, who shall establish the fire with me as its divinity.' Pusan
established it; therefore [2] did Pusan prosper; therefore cattle are said to be
Pusan's. Tvastr established it; therefore did Tvastr prosper; therefore cattle are said
to be Tvastr's. Manu established it; therefore did Manu prosper; therefore offspring
are said to be Manu's. Dhatr established it; therefore Dhatr prospered; Dhatr is the
year; therefore offspring and cattle are born in the course of the year. He who
knows thus the prosperity of the re-establishing [3] prospers. He who knows his
connexions becomes possessed of connexions himself. Agni desiring a share after
being established assailed the offspring and cattle of the sacrifice. Having removed
it, one should re-establish it; thus he unites him with his own portion; verily he is
appeased. He should establish under Punarvasu; Punarvasu is the Naksatra for the
re-establishing; verily by establishing it under its own deity he becomes
resplendent. He establishes with Darbha grass, for variety. He establishes with
Darbha; verily winning it from the waters and the plants he establishes it. The
sacrificial cake is offered on five potsherds; the seasons are five; verily he wins it
666

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
from the seasons and establishes it.
i. 5. 2.
He who removes the fire casts away the sacrifice and cattle. The sacrificial cake is
offered on five potsherds; the sacrifice is fivefold, cattle are fivefold; verily he
wins the sacrifice and cattle. Now he who removes the fire is the slayer of the hero
among the gods; Brahmans desirous of holiness did not aforetime eat his food; the
Yajyas and Anuvakyas are in the Pankti metre; the sacrifice is fivefold, man is
fivefold; verily making recompense to the gods for the hero he re-establishes the
fire [1]. They are of a hundred syllables; man lives a hundred years and has a
hundred powers; verily he rests on life and power. In that Agni when established
does not prosper, (it is that he is) desiring a greater portion; in that it is all Agni's,
that is his prosperity. Speech is uttered together in the house of him who removes
the fire; the sacrificer is liable to perish on account of the uttering together of
speech. There are discriminations, to sever speech and preserve the sacrificer [2].
He makes a discrimination; verily he makes the holy power (Brahman). He speaks
the Yajus, muttering; it is as if one who has found a rich treasure hides it. To Agni
Svistakrt he speaks aloud; it is as if one who has found a rich treasure is fain to go
openly. Uttering the discrimination he makes the Vasat cry with the foresacrifice;
verily he leaves not his abode. The sacrificial cake is the sacrificer, the oblations
are cattle; in that he offers these libations on either side of the cake [3], he thus
surrounds the sacrificer on either side with cattle. 'After performing the Yajus and
collecting the apparatus', they say: 'the apparatus should not be collected, the Yajus
should not be performed,' they say: the apparatus should be collected and the Yajus
performed, for the prosperity of the sacrifice. The sacrificial fee is a renovated
chariot, a newly-sewn garment, a draught ox let loose again, for the prosperity of
the reestablishing. 'Seven are thy kindling-sticks, O Agni, seven thy tongues'; (with
these words) he offers the Agnihotra. Wherever there is anything of his nature,
thence [4] does he win him. Now he who removes the fire is the slayer of the hero
among the gods, Varuna is the exactor of the recompense; he should make an
offering on eleven potsherds to Agni and Varuna; him whom he slays and him who
exacts the recompense he delights with their own portion; the sacrificer is not
ruined.
667

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
i. 5. 3.
a (Thou I art) earth in depth, sky in breadth, atmosphere in greatness;
In thy lap, O goddess Aditi, Agni
I place, food-eater for the eating of food.
b The spotted bull hath come
And reached again the mother
And the father, faring to the heaven.
c Thirty places be ruleth;
Speech resorteth to the bird
Bear it with the days.
d With her inspiration from his expiration,
She wandereth between the worlds;
The bull discerneth the heaven.
e If thee [1] in anger I have scattered,
In rage or through misfortune,
That of thee, O Agni, be in good order,
Again thee we relight.
f Whatever of thee scattered in rage
Was spread over the earth,
That the Adityas, the All-gods
And the Vasus gathered together.
g Mind, light, rejoice in the oblation.
May be unite this scattered sacrifice;
May Brhaspati extend it;
May the All-gods rejoice herein.
h Seven are thy kindling-sticks, O Agni, seven thy tongues;
Seven seers [2], seven dear abodes,
Seven priesthoods sevenfold sacrifice to thee;
Seven birthplaces with ghee do thou fill.
i Return with strength, return,
O Agni, with food and life;
Again guard us on all sides.
k Return with wealth, O Agni,
Fatten with the stream,
All gaining on every side.
668

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
l Leka, Salekha, Sulekha, may these Adityas rejoicing partake of our oblation;
Keta,
Saketa, Suketa, may these Adityas rejoicing partake of our oblation; Vivasvan,
Aditi,
Devajuti, may these Adityas rejoicing partake of our oblation.
i. 5. 4.
'Earth in depth, sky in breadth,' he says; with this benediction he establishes it. The
serpents thought that they were growing worn out; Kasarnira Kadraveya beheld
this Mantra; then did they strike off their worn-out skins. With the verses of the
queen of serpents he establishes the Garhapatya, and so renewing it he establishes
it as immortal. Pure food did not come to the earth; she [1] beheld this Mantra;
then food came to her. In that he establishes the Garhapatya with the verses of the
serpent queen (it serves) for the winning of food; verily he establishes it firm in the
(earth). 'If thee in anger I have scattered', he says; verily he conceals it from him.
'Again thee we relight', he says; verily he kindles him all together. 'Whatever of
thee scattered in rage', he says; verily by means of the deities [2] he unites him.
The sacrifice of him who removes the fire is split; he pays reverence with a verse
containing the word Brhaspati; Brhaspati is the holy power (Brahman) of the gods;
verily by holy power (Brahman) he unites the sacrifice. 'May he unite this scattered
sacrifice', he says, for continuity, 'May the All-gods rejoice herein', he says; verily
continuing the sacrifice he points it out to the gods. 'Seven are thy kindling-sticks,
O Agni, seven thy tongues' [3], he says, for sevenfold in seven-wise are the dear
forms of Agni; verily he wins them. 'Return with strength', 'Return with wealth',
(with these words) he offers oblations on either side of the sacrificial cake; verily
with strength and with wealth he surrounds on either side the sacrificer. The
Adityas went from this world to yonder world, they were thirsty in yonder world,
having returned to this world and having established the fire, they offered these
oblations; they prospered, they went to the world of heaven. He, who establishes a
fire after the second establishment, should offer these oblations; be prospers with
the prosperity where with the Adityas prospered.
The Reverence of the Fire
669

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
i. 5. 5.
a As we approach the sacrifice,
Let us utter a hymn to Agni,
Who heareth us, even from afar.
b After his ancient splendour,
The bold ones have drawn the white milk
From the seer who winneth a thousand.
c Agni is the head of the sky, the height,
Lord of the earth here,
He quickeneth the seed of the waters.
d Here hath he first been established by the establishers,
Youngest Hotr to be invoked at the sacrifices,
Whom Apnavana and the Bhrgus caused to shine,
Bright in the woods, spreading from house to house.
e Ye twain shall be summoned, O Indra and Agni [1],
Ye twain shall rejoice together in the offering
You both, givers of food and riches,
You both I summon for the winning of strength.
f This is thy due place of birth,
Whence born thou didst shine;
Mount it, O Agni, knowing it,
And make our wealth increase.
g O Agni, thou purifiest life;
Do thou give food and strength to us;
Far away drive ill-fortune.
h O Agni, good worker, purify for us
Glory in good heroes,
Giving increase of wealth [2] to me.
i O Agni, the purifying, with thy light,
O god, with thy pleasant tongue,
Bring hither the gods and sacrifice.
k Do thou, O shining and purifying one,
O Agni, bring hither the gods
To our sacrifice and our oblation.
l Agni, of purest vows,
670

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
Pure sage, pure poet,
Shineth in purity when offering is made.
m O Agni, thy pure,
Bright, flaming (rays) arise,
Thy lights, thy flames.
n Thou art giver of life, O Agni; give me life [3]. Thou art giver of radiance, O
Agni; give me radiance. Thou art guardian of the body, O Agni; guard my body.
o O Agni, whatever is deficient in my body, do thou make that good for me.
p O thou of various splendour, in safety may I reach the end of thee.
q Kindling thee may we kindle thee for a hundred winters, in radiance, strong the
giver of strength, famous the giver of fame, with good heroes, the undeceived, O
Agni, the deceiver of foes in the highest firmament.
r Thou, O Agni, hast attained the radiance of the sun, the praises of the Rsis, thy
beloved abode.
s Thou, O Agni, hast the radiance of the sun; grant me life, radiance, and offspring.
i. 5. 6.
a I gaze on offspring,
Offspring of Ida, connected with Manu;
May they all be in our house.
b Ye are water; may I share your water. Ye are greatness, may I share your
greatness;
ye are might, may I share your might; ye are strength, may I share your strength.
c Ye wealthy ones, stay in this place, this fold, this dwelling, this birthplace; be ye
here; go not hence; be many for me [1].
d Thou art composed of every form; enter me with strength, with lordship of kine,
with increase of wealth.
e May I prosper with your thousandfold prosperity; may your wealth rest in me.
f To thee, O Agni, day by day,
That shinest in the darkness, with our devotion,
We come bearing honour.
g Lord of the sacrifices,
Guardian of holy order, shining,
671

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
Waxing in his own horne.
h O Agni, be of easy access to us,
As a father to his son;
Befriend us for prosperity.
i O Agni [2] be thou our nearest,
Our protector, kindly, a shield;
Thee, O shining and most radiant one,
We implore for favour, for our friends;
Agni, bright, of bright fame,
Come hither in thy greatest splendour and give us wealth.
k With strength I gaze on you; gaze on me with strength. With increase of wealth I
gaze on you; gaze on me with increase of wealth.
l Ye are food, making sweetness; kindly enter me, nourishment and drink; may I
prosper with your thousandfold prosperity [3], may your wealth rest on me,
m That excellent glory of Savitr
The god we meditate,
That be may stimulate our prayers.'
n Make famous the Soma-presser,
O lord of prayer,
Even as (thou did make famous) Kaksivant Auçija.
o Never art thou barren, O Indra,
Never dost thou fail thy worshipper;
Now more and more is thy divine gift increased,
O bountiful one.
p May we set thee around us, O Agni,
The sage, the strong, as a fort,
Of daring hue, day by day
Destroyer of that which may be broken.
q O Agni, lord of the house, through thee as lord of the house, may I be a good lord
of the house; through me as lord of the house, mayst thou be a good lord of the
house; for a hundred winters, this blessing I invoke, bringing light for the race; this
blessing I invoke, bringing light for N. N.
672

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
i. 5. 7.
There is no sacrifice without a Saman. 'As we approach the sacrifice', he says;
verily he yokes a Stoma with it. 'Approach', he says; offspring and cattle approach
the world; verily he approaches cattle and offspring and this world. 'After his
ancient splendour', he says; the ancient is the world of heaven; verily he mounts
upon the world of heaven.
'Agni is the head of the sky, the height', he says; verily he makes him the head [1]
of his equals, and verily from the world of the gods he rests in the world of men.
'Here hath he first been established by the establishers', he says; verily he makes
him the principal. 'Ye twain shall be summoned, O Indra and Agni', he says; verily
he wins might and force. 'This is thy due place of birth', he says; wealth is cattle;
verily he wins cattle. With six (verses) he pays reverence; the seasons are six [2];
verily he rests on the seasons. With six subsequent (verses) he pays reverence; they
make up twelve; the year has twelve months; verily he rests on the year. Just as a
man, a horse, a cow, are worn out, so the fire when established wears out; at the
end of the year he pays reverence with (verses) containing the words Agni and
pu
; verily he renews it and makes it unageing, and also purifies it. He pays
reverence; that is his union. He pays reverence [3]; that is his bond. He pays
reverence; that is his appeal. He pays reverence; that is as if an inferior brings
(something) to a superior and pays him honour. 'Thou art giver of life, O Agni;
give me life', he says, for he is a giver of life. 'Thou art giver of radiance, O Agni;
give me radiance', he says, for he is a giver of radiance. I Thou art guardian of the
body, O Agni; guard my body', he says [4], for he is a guardian of the body. 'O
Agni, whatever is deficient in my body, do thou make that good for me', he says;
'whatever is deficient in my offspring and cattle, do thou make that good for me',
be says in effect. 'O thou of various splendour, in safety may I reach the end of
thee', he says; that of various splendour is the night. The Brahmans aforetime
feared its not dawning; verily he wins the dawn. 'Kindling thee for a hundred
winters' [5], he says; man lives a hundred years and has a hundred powers; verily
he rests on life and power. This is a pipe with projections; by it the gods made
piercings of hundreds of the Asuras; in that he takes up the kindling-stick with this
verse, the sacrificer hurls the hundred-slaying (verse) as a bolt against his enemy to
lay (him) low without fail. 'Thou, O Agni, hast attained the radiance of the sun', he
says; 'that thou art, thus may I be', he says in effect. 'Thou, O Agni, hast the
radiance of the sun', he says; verily he invokes this blessing.
673

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
i. 5. 8.
'I gaze on offspring', he says; verily he wins all the domesticated animals. 'Ye are
water; may I share your water', he says, for they are water. 'Ye are greatness; may I
share your greatness', he says, for they are greatness. 'Ye are might; may I share
your might', he says, for they are might. 'Ye are strength; may I share your
strength', he says [1], for they are strength. 'Ye wealthy ones, stay', he says; the
wealthy ones are cattle; verily he makes cattle stay with himself. 'Be ye here; go
not hence', he says; verily he makes them constant, departing not. Now one fire is
piled with bricks, one with cattle. 'Thou art composed Of every form', (with these
words) he strokes the calf; verily he piles it up and makes it piled with cattle. He
falls away [2] from this world who pays reverence to the Ahavaniya; he pays
reverence to the Garhapatya; verily he rests on this world, and also he makes
amends to the Garhapatya. He pays reverence with Gayatri verses; the Gayatri is
brilliance; verily he confers brilliance upon himself; moreover in that he repeats
the triad (of verses), (it serves) for continuity. Because of the Garhapatya men are
born with two feet; to him who knowing thus pays reverence to the Garhapatya
with (verses) of two feet [3], a hero son is born. 'With strength I gaze upon you;
gaze on me with strength', he says; verily he invokes this blessing. 'That excellent
glory of Savitr', he says, for instigation. 'Famous the Soma-presser', he says; verily
he wins the Soma draught. 'Make, O lord of prayer', he says; verily he wins
splendour. 'Never art thou barren', be says; no barren night does he pass [4], who
knowing thus pays reverence to the fire. May we (set) thee around, O Agni, as a
fort', he says; verily he sets around a barrier, that nothing be spilt. 'O Agni, lord of
the house', he says; that is according to the text. 'For a hundred winters', he says;
'for a hundred winters may I kindle thee', he says in effect. He utters the name of
his son; verily he makes him an eater of food. 'This blessing I invoke bringing light
for the race', he should say, who has no son born; verily is born to him a son
brilliant and resplendent. 'This blessing I invoke bringing light for N. N.', he should
say who has a son born; verily he confers upon him brilliance and splendour.
i. 5. 9.
He offers the Agnihotra; whatever there is. of the Sacrificer's own, that is (still) his.
674

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
In the generative organ he pours seed, for Agni is the generative organ. Then he
burns at the end the plants; they then grow more numerous. In that he offers in the
evening, he thus pours seed, and makes it productive by the morning (offering).
Seed when poured does not prove fruitful unless modified by Tvastr; as many
modifications of seed when poured [1] as Tvastr makes, in so many shapes does it
become fruitful; the sacrificer is the divine Tvastr. He pays reverence with many
(verses); verily he makes many modifications of the seed when poured. He is
fruitful and day by day becomes greater, who knowing thus pays reverence to the
fire. The day was the gods', the night the Asuras'. The Asuras entered night with all
the precious wealth of the gods [2]; the gods thought that they were abandoned;
they perceived, 'The night is Agni's, cattle are Agni's; verily let us praise Agni
here; he being praised by us will restore our cattle.' They praised Agni; be praised
by them delivered their cattle from night to day; the gods having gained their cattle
per formed their desires. He who knowing thus pays reverence to the fire becomes
possessed of cattle [3]. The sun went from this world to yonder world; he having
gone to yonder world bethought him again of this world; having returned to this
world he had fear of death, for this world is, as it were, yoked with death. He
reflected, 'Let me praise Agni here; he, praised, will make me go to the world of
heaven.' He praised Agni; he, praised, made him go to the world of heaven. He
who [4] knowing thus pays reverence to the fire, goes to the world of heaven and
lives all his days. He mounts these two fires who pays reverence to them; he acts
according to the desires of one who has attained a higher place. He pays reverence
at night, not in the morning, for vows are mingled at night, the bad and the good
are on the same level, the fire is the light, the evening is the darkness; in that [5] he
pays reverence by night, he overcomes the darkness by light. 'Should reverence be
paid to the fire or not?' they say; 'he who day by day makes a present to a man and
then begs of him assuredly molests him; and who then will day by day beg of the
gods?' Then they say, 'The sacrificer sacrifices for the sake of the benediction.' The
reverence of the fire is [6] the benediction of him who has established a fire;
therefore reverence should be paid to the fire. Prajapati created cattle; being
created they entered day and night; he recovered them by means of the metres. In
that he pays reverence with the metres, he seeks to recover his own. 'There is not
monotony then', they say, 'if one pays reverence day by day.' If a man pays
reverence to the fire facing it, it burns him; if with averted (face), he is deprived of
offspring and cattle; he should pay reverence with (face) somewhat to the side,
then (the fire) does not burn him, he is not deprived of offspring or cattle.
675

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
i. 5. 10.
a The name that first, O alI-knower,
My father and my mother bestowed upon me aforetime,
Do thou bear it until I return;
O Agni, may I bear thy name.
b My name and thine, O all-knower,
Which like men changing garments we bear,
Let us exchange again,
Thou for life, and we to live.
c Homage to Agni, the unpierced,
Homage to the unapproachable, homage to the king!
Irresistible is Agni [1], the very vigorous, all-conquering,
Powerful, the best, the Gandharva.
d O Agni, the gods have thee for father,
Offer to thee oblations, and have thee as an umpire
With life, with lordship of cattle (endow) me
And bestow on me good fortune.
e Agni here is of all the best,
He is most adorable,
Must ready to win (us) a thousand;
To him be all good strength.
f Mind, light, rejoice in the oblation
May he unite the scattered sacrifice;
The offerings at dawn and evening
I unite with oblation and ghee.
g Rich in milk are the plants [2],
The milk of the shoot is rich in milk,
With the milk of the milk of the waters,
O Indra, do thou unite me.
h O Agni, lord of vows, I shall perform this vow; may I accomplish it; may it be
successful for me.
i Agni, the priest, I summon hither;
The gods worthy of sacrifice whom we invoke,
676

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
Let these gods come in kindly mind;
Let the gods enjoy this oblation of me.
k Who yoketh thee? Let him yoke thee.
l The potsherds for the cauldron [3],
Which wise men collect,
These are in Pusan's guardianship;
Indra and Vayu set them free.
m Unbroken is the cauldron, sprinkling abundantly,
It hath returned to that whence it came;
The kindling-wood, the Vedi, and all the enclosing-sticks
Attend the life of the sacrifice.
n The three and thirty threads that stretch,
That maintain in security the sacrifice,
Of these the broken one I restore; hail!
Let the cauldron go to the gods.
i. 5. 11.
a Let Vaiçvanara with succour for us
Come from afar,
Agni through the hymn which brings (him).
b The righteous Vaiçvanara,
Lord of right and of light,
The immortal cauldron we seek.'
c A greater than the marvels of Vaiçvanara
By his craftsmanship the sage hath performed alone;
Magnifying both parents, sky and earth,
Rich in seed, was Agni born.
d Desired in the sky, Agni, desired on earth,
Desired he entereth all the plants;
Agni Vaiçvanara eagerly desired,
May he by day [1] and night protect us from the foe.
e In that, when born, O Agni, thou didst survey the worlds,
Like a busy herd that goeth around his flock,
Do thou, O Vaiçvanara, find a way for the Brahman;
677

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
Do ye protect us ever with your blessings.
f Thou, O Agni, blazing with light,
Didst fill the firmament at thy birth;
Thou, O Vaiçvanara, wise one, by thy might
Didst free the gods from misfortune.'
g O Agni, among our bountiful lords, preserve
The lordship, uninjured, unageing, rich in heroes;
May we win booty a hundred, a thousandfold,
O Vaiçvanara [2], O Agni, through thy help.
h May we enjoy the loving kindness of Vaiçvanara,
For he is the king, the orderer of the worlds
Hence born be discerneth all the (earth),
Vaiçvanara vieth with the sun.
i Thine anger, O Varuna, would we avert with reverence,
With sacrifices, with oblations
Ruling, O wise Asura, O king,
Do thou unloose the sins we have committed.
k Unloose from us, O Varuna, the highest,
The lowest, the midmost knot;
Then may we, O Aditya [3], in thy rule,
Be guiltless before Aditi.
I Of Dadhikravan have I sung,
The swift strong horse;
May he make our mouths fragrant;
May he lengthen our days.
m Dadhikra with his glory hath overspread the five peoples,
As the sun with his light the waters;
May the strong steed, winning a hundred, a thousand,
Fill with boney these words of ours.
n Agni, the head.
o Thou art.
p O Maruts, what time seeking your favour
We call on you from the sky,
Do ye come unto us [4].
q The protections which ye have for the earnest worshipper,
678

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
Threefold do ye grant them to the generous giver,
To us, O Maruts, do ye accord them;
O strong ones, give us wealth rich in heroes:
r Let Aditi save us,
Let Aditi give us protection,
Let Aditi guard us from tribulation.
s The mighty mother of the righteous,
The spouse of holy order, let us invoke to aid us,
The powerful, the unageing, the wide
Aditi, who giveth good protection and good guidance.
t Earth strong to save, sky unrivalled,
Aditi who giveth good protection and good guidance,
The divine ship with good oars, the blameless,
Which leaketh not, let us mount for prosperity.
u Happily have I mounted this ship
With a hundred oars and a hundred spars,
Without leak, able to convey across.
PRAPATHAKA VI
The Part of the Sacrificer in the New and Full Moon Sacrifices.
i. 6. 1.
a By the Yajus I pour on thee
Offspring, life, and wealth.
Instigated by Brhaspati may the sacrificer here come to no harm.
b Thou art butter, thou art truth, thou art the overseer of truth, thou art the oblation
of Vaiçvanara, of the All-gods, with pure strength, of true might; thou art power,
overpowering; overpower hostility, overpower those who practise hostility;
overpower enmity, overpower those who practise emnity; thou art of a
thousandfold strength; do thou quicken me; thou art of butter the butter; thou art of
truth the truth; thou hast true life [1]; thou hast true strength; with truth I besprinkle
thee; may I share thee that art such.
c For a prop, a support, of the five winds I take thee.
679

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
d For a prop, a support, of the five seasons I take thee.
e For a prop, a support, of the five quarters I take thee.
f For a prop, a support, of the five five-peoples I take thee.
g For a prop, a support, of the pot with five holes I take thee.
h For the brilliance of the Brahman, for a prop, a support, I take thee.
i For the might of the ruling class, for a prop, a support, I take thee [2].
k For the people, for a prop, a support I take thee.
l For excellence of strength I take thee.
m For wealth of offspring I take thee. n For increase of wealth I take thee.
o For splendour I take thee.
p The earth ours, the oblation the gods, the benedictions the sacrificers'; for the
divinities of the gods I take thee.
q For desire I take thee.
i. 6. 2.
a Thou art secure; may I be secure among my equals, wise, a guardian, a granter of
wealth.
b Thou art dread; may I be dread among my equals, dread, a guardian, a granter of
wealth.
c Thou art overcoming; may I be overcoming among my equals, overcoming, a
guardian, a granter of wealth.
d I yoke thee with the divine Brahman,
To bear this oblation, O wise one;
Kindling thee, may we live long with good children,
With good heroes, bearing thee tribute.
e Whatever, O Agni, in this sacrifice of mine may be spoiled [1],
Whatever of the butter, O Visnu, may be spilt,
Therewith do I smite the rival who is hard to slay;
I place him on the lap of destruction.
f Bhur, Bhuvah, Suvar!
g O Agni, do thou strengthen the sacrificer; weaken him who plotteth evil.,
h O Agni, kindled by the gods, kindled by Manu, with sweet tongue,
I touch the head of thee, the immortal, O Hotr, for increase of wealth, good
offspring, strength.
680

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
i Thou art mind, derived from Prajapati; with mind in true existence do thou enter
me.
k Thou art speech, derived from Indra, destroying the foe [2]; do thou enter me
with
speech, with power (
indriyena
).
l Of the seasons spring I delight; delighted may it delight me.
m Of the seasons summer I delight; delighted may it delight me.
n Of the seasons the rains I delight; delighted may they delight me.
o Of the seasons the autumn I delight; delighted may it delight me.
p Of the seasons the winter and the cool I delight; delighted may they two delight
me.
q By sacrifice to the gods, Agni and Soma, may I be possessed of sight.
r By sacrifice to the god Agni, may I be an eater of food [3].
s Thou art a deceiver; may I be undeceived, may I deceive N. N.
t By sacrifice to the gods, Agni and Soma, may I be a slayer of foes.
u By sacrifice to the gods, Indra and Agni, may I be powerful and an eater of food.
v By sacrifice to the god Indra, may I be powerful.
w By sacrifice tothe god Mahendra, may I attain superiority and greatness.
x By sacrifice to the god Agni Svistakrt, may I attain security through the sacrifice,
enjoying long life.
i. 6. 3.
a May I Agni protect me from evil sacrifice, Savitr from evil report.
b Him who near or afar plots evil against me, with this may I conquer.
c O thou of fair rain colour, come
To this blessed home,
Approach me in devotion.
d Touch the heads.
e O Ida, come hither; O Aditi, come hither; O Sarasvati, come hither.
f Thou art delight, thou art delighting, thou art fair.
g O thou in whom joy is taken, may I attain joy from thee; O thou who art invoked,
may I obtain invocation [1] from thee.
h May the prayer of the sacrificer be fulfilled for me.
681

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
i With untroubled mind may I have strength for this.
k May the sacrifice mount the sky, may the sacrifice reach the sky.
l The path that leadeth to the gods, along it may the sacrifice go to the gods.
m On us may Indra bestow power;
Us may wealth and sacrifices attend
Ours be blessings;
To us be she dear, victorious, bountiful.
n Thou art joy, give joy to us; thou art enjoyed by us [2], may I attain joy from
thee.
o Mind, light, rejoice in the sacrifice
May he unite this scattered sacrifice;
May Brhaspati extend this for us.
May the All-gods rejoice here.
p Swell, O ruddy one.
q May (my act) as I give be not destroyed; may (my act) as I work not perish.
r Thou art the portion of Prajapati, full of strength and milk.
s Protect my expiration and inspiration; protect my breathing together
and cross-breathing; protect my out-breathing and cross-breathing.
t Thou art imperishable, for imperishableness thee; mayst thou not perish for me,
yonder, in yonder world.
i. 6. 4.
a By sacrifice to the divine straw, may I be possessed of children.
b By sacrifice to the god Naraçansa, may I be possessed of cattle.
c By sacrifice to the god Agni Svistakrt, may I attain security through the sacrifice,
having long life.
d May I be victorious through the victory of Agni.
e May I be victorious through the victory of Soma.
f May I be victorious through the victory of Agni.
g May I be victorious through the victory of Agni and Soma.
h May I be victorious through the victory of Indra and Agni.
i May I be victorious through the victory of Indra [1].
k May I be victorious through the victory of Mahendra.
I May I be victorious through the victory of Agni Svistakrt.
m With the impulse of strength,
682

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
With elevation he hath seized me; then Indra hath made my enemies
Humble with depression.
n The gods have increased my prayer
Which is elevation and depression;
Then do ye, O Indra and Agni,
Scatter my foes on every side.
o Hither these blessings have come, fain for milking,
Possessing Indra [2], may we win,
May we milk offspring and food.
p With the red steed may Agni convey thee to the god; with the tawny ones may
Indra
convey thee to the god; with Etaça may Sarya convey thee to the god.
q I unyoke thy head ropes, thy reins,
Thy yokings, thy harness;
Bestow upon us wealth and what is good;
Proclaim us sharers among the gods.
r By sacrifice to the god Visnu, by the sacrifice, may I attain health and wealth, and
security.
s By sacrifice to the god Soma [3], possessing good seed, may I impregnate seed.
t By sacrifice to the god Tvastr, may I prosper the form of cattle.
u The wives of the gods, Agni lord of the house, are the pair of the sacrifice; by
sacrifice to these deities, may I be propagated with a pair.
v Thou art the bundle, thou art gain, may I gain.
w Thou art action, thou art making, may I make.
x Thou art winning, thou art the winner, may I win.
y May the bundle bestow increase of wealth,
Rich in ghee, rich in houses,
A thousandfold, strong.
i. 6. 5.
a Let the Dhruva swell with ghee,
For each sacrifice for the worshippers;
In the udder of the sun maiden, in the lap of Aditi,
Broad streamed be the earth at this sacrifice.
683

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
b Prajapati's is the world called Vibhan. In it I place thee along with the sacrificer.
c Thou art real, be real for me; thou art all, be all for me; thou art full, be full for
me; thou art imperishable, perish not for me.
d In the eastern quarter may the gods, the priests, make (me) bright; in the southern
[1] quarter may the months, the fathers, make (me) bright; in the western quarter
may the houses, the cattle, make (me) bright; in the northern quarter may the
waters, the plants, the trees make (me) bright; in the zenith may the sacrifice, the
year, the lord of the sacrifice make (me) bright.
e Thou art the step of Visnu, smiting enmity; with the Gayatri metre I step across
the earth; excluded is he whom we hate.
f Thou art the step of Visnu, smiting imprecations; with the Tristubh metre I step
across the atmosphere; excluded is he whom we hate.
g Thou art the step of Visnu, smiter of him who practiseth evil; with the Jagati
metre I step across the sky; excluded is he whom we hate.
h Thou art the step of Visnu, smiter of the hostile one; with the Anustubh metre I
stop across the quarters; excluded is he whom we hate.
i. 6. 6.
a We have come to the heaven; to the heaven we have come.
b May I not be cut off from seeing thee; what heat is thine, to that of thee may I not
be brought low.
c Thou art good, the best of rays, thou art life-bestowing, bestow life
upon me; thou art radiance-bestowing, bestow radiance upon me.
d Here do I exclude my enemy, N. N., from these quarters, this sky, this
atmosphere, this earth, this food. Excluded is he whom we hate [1].
e I have been united with the light.
f I turn the turning of Indra.
g May I be united with offspring, offspring with me.
h May I be united with increase of wealth, increase of wealth with me.
i Kindled, O Agni, shine for me; kindling thee, O Agni, may I shine.
k Be rich the sacrifice; may I be rich.
1 O Agni, thou purifiest life;
Do thou give food and strength to us;
Far away drive ill-fortune.
684

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
m O Agni, good worker, purify for us Glory in good heroes [2], Giving increase
and wealth to me. n O Agni, lord of the house, through thee as lord of the house,
may I be a good lord of the house; through me as lord of the house, mayst thou be
a good lord of the house; for a hundred winters; this blessing I invoke bringing
light for the race; this blessing I invoke bringiug light for N. N.
o Who yoketh thee? Let him set thee free.
p O Agni, lord of vows, I have performed my vow; for that I have had strength;
that hath been accomplished by me.
q The sacrifice hath become, it hath [3] come into being,
It hath been born, it hath waxed great;
It hath become the overlord of the gods,
May it make us overlords,
May we be lords of wealth.
r Rich in cattle, in sheep, O Agni, in horses, is the sacrifice,
With manly companions, ever unalterable;
Rich in food is this, O Asura, rich in offspring,
Enduring wealth, deep based and rich in houses.
i. 6. 7.
Even as the Soma (sacrifices) come together in competition, so the new and full
moon (sacrifices) are sacrifices which come together in competition. Whose
sacrifice then do the gods approach and whose not? He, who among many
sacrificers first appropriates the gods, sacrifices to them when the next day comes.
The Ahavaniya is the abode of the gods, between the fires of cattle, the Garhapatya
of men, the Anvaharya pacana of the fathers. He takes the fire; verily he
appropriates [1] the gods in their own abode; to them he sacrifices when the next
day comes. By means of a vow is Agni, lord of vows, pure, the Brahman is a
supporter of vows. When about to undertake a vow he should say, 'O Agni, lord of
vows, I shall perform the vow.' Agni is the lord of vows among the gods; verily
after announcement to him he undertakes the vow. At the full moon be undertakes
his vow with the (strewing of the) straw, with the (driving away of the) calves at
new moon; for that is their abode. 'The fires, both in the front and at the back, must
be bestrewed', they say; men [2] indeed desire what is bestrewed, and, how much
more the gods whose is a new dwelling. With him, when sacrifice is to be made on
the next day, do the gods dwell, who knowing this bestrews the fire. 'The sacrificer
685

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
should win both beasts of the wild and of the village', they say; in that he refrains
from those of the village, thereby be wins them; in that he eats of the wild, thereby
he wins them of the wild. If be were to fast without eating, the Pitrs would be his
divinity [3]; he eats of the wild, the wild is power, and so he bestows power upon
himself. If he were to fast without eating, he would be hungry; if he were to eat,
Rudra would plan evil against his cattle; he partakes of water; that is neither eaten
nor not eaten; he is not hungry and Rudra does not plot evil against his cattle. The
sacrificer is a bolt, the enemy of man is hunger; in that he fasts without eating, he
straightway smites with the bolt the enemy, hunger.
i. 6. 8.
He who offers sacrifice without faith, they place not faith in his sacrifice. He
brings waters forward, the waters are faith; verily with faith he offers sacrifice, and
both gods and men place faith in his sacrifice. They say, 'They foam over the
barrier, they foam over speech, but over mind they do not foam.' He brings them
forward with mind; mind is this (earth) [1]; verily with this (earth) he brings them
forward. The sacrifice of him who knows thus does not spill. He collects the
weapons of the sacrifice; the weapons of the sacrifice are the sacrifice; verily he
collects the sacrifice. If he were to collect them one by one, they would have the
Pitrs as their divinity; if all together, (they would have) men as their divinity. He
collects them in pairs, and so he makes the form of the Yajya and the Anuvakya,
and thus there is a pair. If a man knows the ten weapons of the sacrifice, his
sacrifice is in order at the beginning. The wooden sword [2], the potsherds, the
offering-spoon, the basket, the black antelope skin, the pin, the mortar and pestle,
the lower and upper millstones, these are the ten weapons of the sacrifice; the
sacrifice of him who knows thus is in order at the beginning. If a man sacrifices
after announcing the sacrifice to the gods, they delight in his sacrifice. He should
as the oblation is being offered recite (the words), 'Agni, the priest, him I summon
hither' [3]. Thus he announces the sacrifice to the gods and sacrifices, and the gods
delight in his sacrifice. This is the taking of the sacrifice and so after taking the
sacrifice he sacrifices. After speaking he remains silent, to support the sacrifice.
Now Prajapati performed the sacrifice with mind; verily he performs the sacrifice
with mind to prevent the Raksases following. He who yokes the sacrifice when the
ka
yoking (time) arrives yokes it indeed among the yokers. 'Who (
) yoketh thee?
686

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
Ka
Let him yoke thee', he says.
is Prajapati--verily by Prajapati he yokes it; he
yokes indeed among the yokers.
i. 6. 9.
Prajapati created the sacrifices, the Agnihotra, the Agnistoma, the full moon
sacrifice, the Ukthya, the new moon sacrifice and the Atiratra. These he meted out;
the Agnistoma was the size of the Agnihotra, the Ukthya that of the full moon
sacrifice, the Atiratra that of the new moon sacrifice. He who knowing thus offers
the Agnihotra obtains as much as by offering the Agnistoma; he who knowing thus
offers the full moon sacrifice obtains as much as by offering the Ukthya [1]; he
who knowing thus offers the new moon sacrifice obtains as much as by offering
the Atiratra. This sacrifice was in the beginning Paramesthin's, and by means of it
he reached the supreme goal. He furnished Prajapati with it, and by means of it
Prajapati reached the supreme goal. He furnished Indra with it, and by means of it
Indra reached the supreme goal. He furnished Agni and Soma with it, and by
means of it Agni and Soma reached the supreme goal. He who [2] knowing thus
offers the new and full moon sacrifices reaches the supreme goal. He who
sacrifices with an abundant offering is multiplied with offspring, with cattle, with
pairings. 'The year has twelve months, there are twelve pairs of new and full moon
sacrifices; these are to be produced', they say. He lets the calf go free and puts the
pot on the fire: he puts down (the rice), and beats the millstones together; he
scatters (the grains) and collects the potsherds; the cake [3] he puts on the fire and
the melted butter; he throws the clump of grass, and gathers it in; he surrounds the
Vedi and he girds the wife (of the sacrificer); he puts in place the anointing waters
and the melted butter. These are the twelve pairs in the new and full moon
sacrifices. He, who thus sacrifices with these, sacrifices with an abundant offering
and is multiplied with offspring, with cattle, with pairings.
i. 6. 10.
'Thou I art secure; may I be secure among my equals', he says; verily he makes
them secure.' 'Thou art dread; may I be dread among my equals'; verily he makes
them harmonious. 'Thou art overcoming; may I be overcoming among my equals,'
687

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
he says; verily he overthrows him who rises against him. 'I yoke thee with the
divine Brahman', he says; this is the yoking of the fire; verily [1] with it he yokes
it. With the prosperous part of the sacrifice the gods went to the world of heaven,
with the unsuccessful part they overcame the Asuras. 'Whatever, O Agni, in this
sacrifice of mine may be spoiled', he says; verily with the prosperous part of the
sacrifice the sacrificer goes to the world of heaven, with the unsuccessful part he
overcomes the foes. With these Vyahrtis he should set down the Agnihotra. The
Agnihotra is the beginning of the sacrifice, these Vyahrtis are the Brahman; verily
at the beginning of the sacrifice he makes the Brahman [2]. When the year is
completed he should thus with these (Vyahrtis) perform the setting down; verily
with the Brahman he surrounds the year on both sides. He who is undertaking the
new and full moon and the four monthly offerings should set in place the oblations
with these Vyahrtis. The new and full moon and the four monthly sacrifices are the
beginning of the sacrifice, these Vyahrtis are the Brahman; verily at the beginning
of the sacrifice he makes the Brahman. When the year is completed, he should thus
with them (Vyahrtis) set down (the oblations), and so with the Brahman he
surrounds the year on both sides. To the kingly class falls the blessing of the part of
the sacrifice which is performed with the Saman [3]; to the people (falls) the
blessing of what (is performed) with the Rc; now the Brahman sacrifices with an
offering without a blessing; when he is about to recite the kindling-verses he
should first insert the Vyahrtis; verily he makes the Brahman the commencement,
and thus the Brahman sacrifices with an offering which has a blessing. If he desire
of a sacrificer, 'May the blessing of his sacrifice fall to his foe', he should insert for
him those Vyahrtis in the Puronuvakya (verse); the Puronuvakya has the foe for its
divinity; verily the blessing of his sacrifice falls to his foe [4]. If he desire of
sacrificers, 'May the blessing of the sacrifice fall to them equally', he should place
for them one of the Vyahrtis at the half-verse of the Puronuvakya, one before the
Yajya, and one at the half-verse of the Yajya, and thus the blessing of the sacrifice
falls to them equally. Even as Parjanya rains down good rain, so the sacrifice rains
for the sacrificer; they surround the water with a mound, the sacrificer surrounds
the sacrifice with a blessing. 'Thou art mind derived from Prajapati [5], with mind
and true existence do thou enter me', he says; mind is derived from Prajapati, the
sacrifice is derived from Prajapati; verily he confers upon himself mind and the
sacrifice. 'Thou art speech, derived from Indra, destroying the foe; do thou enter
me with speech, with power', he says; speech is derived from Indra; verily he
confers upon himself speech as connected with Indra.
688

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
i. 6. 11.
He who knows the seventeenfold Prajapati as connected with the sacrifice rests
secure through the sacrifice, and falls not away from the sacrifice. 'Do thou
proclaim' has four syllables; 'Be it proclaimed' has four syllables; 'Utter' has two
syllables; 'We that do utter' has five syllables; the Vasat has two syllables; this is
the seventeenfold Prajapati as connected with the sacrifice; he who knows thus
rests secure through the sacrifice and does not fall away from the sacrifice. He who
knows the beginning, the support, the end of the sacrifice [1] reaches the end with
a secure and uninjured sacrifice. 'Do thou proclaim'; 'Be it proclaimed'; 'Utter'; 'We
that do utter'; the Vasat call, these are the beginning, the support, the end of the
sacrifice; he who knows thus reaches the end with a secure and uninjured sacrifice.
He who knows the milking of the generous one milks her indeed. The generous
one is the sacrifice; (with the words) 'Do thou proclaim', he calls her; with 'Be it
proclaimed' [2], he lets (the calf) go up to her; with 'Utter', he raises (the pail); with
'We that do utter', he sits down beside her, and with the Vasat call he milks. This is
the milking of the generous one; he who knows thus milks her indeed. The gods
performed a sacrificial session; the quarters were dried up; they discerned this
moist set of five; (with the words) 'Do thou proclaim', they produced the east wind;
with 'Be it proclaimed', they caused the clouds to mass together; with 'Utter' they
begat [3] the lightning; with 'We that do sacrifice' they made rain to fall, and with
the Vasat call they caused the thunder to roll. Then for them the quarters were
made to swell; for him who knows thus the quarters are made to swell. One knows
Prajapati, Prajapati knows one; whom Prajapati knows, he becomes pure. This is
the Prajapati of the texts, 'Do thou proclaim', 'Be it proclaimed', 'Utter', 'We that do
utter', the Vasat call; he who knows thus becomes pure. 'Of the seasons spring [4] I
delight', he says; the fore-sacrifices are the seasons; verily he delights the seasons;
they delighted place themselves in order for him; the seasons are in order for him
who knows thus. 'By sacrifice to the gods, Agni and Soma, may I be possessed of
sight', he says; the sacrifice is possessed of sight through Agni and Soma; verily by
means of them he confers sight upon himself. 'By sacrifice to the god Agni, may I
be an eater of food', he says; Agni is among the gods the eater of food; verily by
means of him [5] he confers the eating of food upon himself. 'Thou art a deceiver;
may I be undeceived; may I deceive N. N.', he says; by that deceit the gods
deceived the Asuras; verily by this he deceives his foe. 'By sacrifice to the gods,
689

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
Agni and Soma, may I be a slayer of foes', he says; by means of Agni and Soma
Indra slew Vrtra; verily by means of them he lays low his foe. 'By sacrifice to the
gods, Indra and Agni, may I be powerful and an eater of food', he says; verily he
becomes powerful and an eater of food. 'By sacrifice to the god Indra, may I be
powerful', he says; verily he becomes powerful. 'By sacrifice to the god Mahendra,
may I attain superiority and greatness', he says; verily he attains superiority and
greatness. 'By sacrifice to the god Agni Svistakrt, may I attain security through the
sacrifice, enjoying long life', he says; verily he confers long life upon himself and
attains security through the sacrifice.
i. 6. 12
a Indra for you we invoke
On all sides from other men;
Be he ours only.
a Indra men call in reverence
That he may cause their prayers to be accomplished;
Hero, men overpowering, delighting in strength,
Do thou confer upon us a stall full of kine.
c O Çatakratu, the strength of thine
That is in the five folks,
That do I choose of thee.
d To thee hath been assigned for mighty power,
For ever, in the slaying of Vrtra,
All lordship, and all strength, O thou that art worthy of sacrifice
In the overcoming of man, by the gods, O Indra [1].
c In whom the seven Vasavas rest
As it were firm rooted,
The Rsi of farthest hearing,
The glowing pot is the guest of Indra.
f In the raw thou didst produce the cooked,
And madest the sun to mount in the sky;
Like the glowing pot heat ye the Saman
With good prayers, delightful to the lover of song.
690

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
g Indra the singers aloud,
Indra with praises the praisers,
Indra the songs have praised.
h The singers sing thee [2];
The praisers hymn thy praise;
The Brahmans raise thee,
0 Çatakratu, like a pole.
i Let us offer our praise to him who delivereth from trouble,
Swiftest to give, celebrating his loving kindness;
O Indra, accept this oblation;
May the desires of the sacrificer be fulfilled.
k That to which Dhisana impelled me have I produced;
I shall praise Indra before the decisive day;
Him that goeth as with a ship
Both parties invoke that there he may rescue us.
l First lord of sacrifices [3],
Freeing from trouble, the best of those worthy of offering,
Son of the waters, the impeller, O ye Açvins;
Do ye confer power and strength on this one.
m Smite away our foes, O Indra;
Cast down the warriors;
Make him low
Who is hostile to us.
n O Indra, thou wast born for rule, for prosperous strength
Of the people, O strong one;
Thou didst smite away the unfriendly folk,
And madest wide room for the gods.
o Like a dread beast, evil, roaming the mountains,
He hath come from the furthest place [4];
Sharpening thy lance, thy sharp edge, O Indra,
Smite the foes, drive away the enemy.
p Drive away the foe, the enemy,
Smash the jaws of Vrtra;
In rage do thou avert the anger
Of him who is hostile to us.
691

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
q The guardian Indra, the helper Indra,
The hero ready to hear at every call, Indra,
I invoke the strong one, invoked of many, Indra;
May Indra in his bounty bestow on us prosperity.
r May we not [5], O strong one, in this distress,
Be handed over to evil, O lord of the ways;
Guard us with true protection;
May we be dear to you among the princes.
s The Anus have wrought a chariot for thy steed;
Tvastr a glorious bolt, O thou invoked of many;
The Brahmans magnifying Indra with their praises
Have strengthened him for the slaying of the serpent.
t What time the strong sang praise to the strong,
O Indra, the stones and Aditi in unison,
Without steeds or chariots were the fellies
Which, sped by Indra, rolled against the Dasyus.
PRAPATHAKA VII
The Part of the Sacrificer in the New and Full Moon Sacrifices
i. 7. 1. Cattle attend the cooked offerings of him who has established a fire. The
cooked offering is the Ida; it is placed in the world of the sacrifice between the
fore- and the after-offerings. Over it as it is brought up he should say, 'O thou of
fair rain colour, come hither'; the cattle are the Ida; verily he summons cattle. The
gods milked the sacrifice, the sacrifice milked the Asuras; the Asuras, being
milked by the sacrifice, were defeated; he, who knowing the milking of the
sacrifice [1] sacrifices, milks another sacrificer. 'May the blessing of this sacrifice
be fulfilled for me', he says; this is the milking of the sacrifice; verily with it he
milks it. The cow is milked willingly, and willingly the Ida is milked for the
sacrificer; these are the teats of Ida, 'Ida is invoked'. Vayu is the calf. When the
Hotr summons the Ida, then the sacrificer looking at the Hotr should in mind
reflect on Vayu [2]; verily he lets the calf go to the mother. By the whole sacrifice
692

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
the gods went to the world of heaven; Manu laboured with the cooked offering; the
Ida went to Manu; the gods and the Asuras called severally upon her, the gods
directly, the Asuras indirectly; she went to the gods; the cattle choose the gods,
cattle deserted the Asuras. If he desire of a man, 'May he be without cattle', he
should invoke the Ida indirectly for him; verily he becomes without cattle [3]. If he
desire of a man, 'May he be rich in cattle', he should invoke the Ida directly for
him; verily he becomes rich in cattle. The theologians say, 'He would invoke the
Ida indeed who in invoking the Ida should invoke himself in the Ida.' 'To us be she
dear, victorious, bountiful', he says; verily in invoking the Ida he invokes himself
in the Ida. The Ida is as it were a breach in the sacrifice; half they eat [4], half they
wipe; in this regard the sacrifice of the Asuras was broken; the gods united it by
the holy power (Brahman). 'May Brhaspati extend this for us', he says; Brhaspati is
the holy power (Brahman) of the gods; verily by the holy power (Brahman) he
unites the sacrifice. 'May he unite this scattered sacrifice', he says, for continuity.
'May the All-gods rejoice here', he says; verily continuing the sacrifice he indicates
it to the gods. The [5] sacrificial fee which he gives at the sacrifice his cattle
accompany; he having sacrificed is like to become without cattle; 'the sacrificer
must so arrange', they say, 'that he may place among the gods what is given, but
keep his cattle with himself.' 'Swell, O ruddy one', he says; the ruddy one is the
sacrifice; verily he magnifies the sacrifice; thus he places among the gods what is
given, but keeps his cattle with himself. 'May (my act) as I give be not destroyed',
he says; verily he avoids destruction; 'May (my act) as I work not perish', he says;
verily he attains prosperity.
i. 7. 2.
Samçravas Sauvarcanasa said to Tumiñja Aupoditi: 'When thou hast been a Hotr of
Sattrins, what Ida hast thou invoked?' 'Her I have invoked', he said, 'who supports
the gods by her expiration, men by her cross-breathing, and the Pitrs by her
inspiration.' 'Does she divide, or does she not divide' (he asked). 'She divides', he
replied. 'Her body then hast thou invoked', he said. Her body is the cow [1]; of the
cow were they two talking. She who is given in the sacrifice supports the gods with
her expiration; she by whom men live (supports) men by her cross-breathing; she
whom they slay for the Fathers (supports) the Fathers by her inspiration; he who
knows thus becomes rich in cattle. 'Her too I have invoked', he said, 'who is
available to people as they increase.' 'Her food then [2] hast thou invoked', he
693

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
replied. This food is plants, plants are available to people as they increase; he who
knows thus becomes an eater of food. 'Her too I have invoked', he said, who
supports people in distress and succours them as they improve.' Her support then
hast thou invoked', he replied. Her support is this (earth) [3], this (earth) supports
people in distress and succours them as they improve; he who knows thus finds
support. 'Her too I have invoked', he said, 'in whose step people drink the ghee they
live upon.' 'Does she divide, or does she not divide?' (he asked). 'She does not
divide', he said, 'but she propagates.' 'Indeed hast thou invoked the Ida herself ', he
replied. The Ida is rain; in the step of rain people drink the ghee they live upon; he
who knows thus is propagated with offspring; he becomes an eater of food.
i. 7. 3.
Secretly offering is made to one set of gods, openly to another. The gods who
receive offering secretly, he thus offers to them in sacrifice; in that he brings the
Anvaharya mess--the Brahmans are the gods openly--them he verily delights. This
is his sacrificial fee: verily he mends the rent in the sacrifice; whatever in the
anvaharati
sacrifice is harsh or is injured, that he makes good (
) [1] with the
Anvaharya mess, and that is why it has its name. Now the priests are the
messengers of the gods; in that he brings the Anvaharya mess, he delights the
messengers of the gods. Prajapati distributed the sacrifice to the gods; he reflected
that he was empty; he per ceived this Anvaharya mess unallotted; he conferred it
upon himself. The Anvaharya is connected with Prajapati; he, who knowing thus
brings the Anvaharya, assuredly enjoys Prajapati. An unlimited amount should be
poured out, Prajapati is unlimited; (verily it serves) to win Prajapati [2]. Whatever
the gods did in the sacrifice, the Asuras did; the gods perceived the Anvaharya
connected with Prajapati; they seized it - then the gods prospered, the Asuras were
defeated; he who knowing thus brings the Anvaharya prospers himself, his foe is
defeated. By the sacrifice there is offering, by the cooked food satisfying. He who
knowing thus brings the Anvaharya, accomplishes at once sacrifice and
satisfaction. 'Thou art the portion of Prajapati' [3], he says; verily he unites
Prajapati with his own portion. 'Full of strength and milk', he says; verily he
confers upon him strength and milk. 'Protect my expiration and inspiration; protect
my breathing together and cross-breathing', he says; verily he invokes this blessing.
'Thou art imperishable, for imperishableness thee; mayst thou not perish for me,
694

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
yonder, in yonder world', he says. Food perishes in yonder world, for given hence
in yonder world people live upon it; in that he touches thus, he makes it
imperishable; his food perishes not in yonder world.
i. 7. 4.
'By I sacrifice to the divine strew, may I be possessed of children', he says; by the
strew Prajapati created offspring, verily he creates offspring. 'By sacrifice to the
god Naraçansa, may I be possessed of cattle', he says; by Naraçansa Prajapati
created cattle; verily he creates cattle. 'By sacrifice to the god, Agni Svistakrt, may
I attain security through the sacrifice, having long life', he says; verily he confers
life on himself, and finds support through the sacrifice. With the victory of the new
and full moon sacrifices [1] the gods conquered, and by means of the new and full
moon sacrifices they drove away the Asuras. 'May I be victorious through the
victory of Agni', he says; verily through the victory of the deities in the new and
full moon sacrifices the sacrificer is victorious, and by means of the new and full
moon offerings drives away his enemies. With two verses containing the word
'strength', he accompanies the separation (of the ladles) strength is food verily he
wins food; (he uses) two, for support. He who sacrifices knowing the two milkings
of the sacrifice milks thus the sacrifice on both sides [2], in front and behind; this is
one milking of the sacrifice, another is in the Ida. When the Hotr utters the name of
the sacrificer, then he should say, 'Hither these blessings have come, fain for
milking'; verily he milks the deities which he praises together; verily he milks the
sacrifice on both sides, in front and behind. 'With the red steed may Agni convey
thee to the god', he says; these are the steeds of the gods [3], the straw is the
sacrificer; in that he casts forward the straw with them, he makes the sacrificers to
go by the steeds of the gods to the world of heaven. 'I unyoke thy head ropes, thy
reins', he says; that is the unyoking of Agni; verily thereby he unyokes him. 'By
sacrifice to the god Visnu, by the sacrifice may I attain health and wealth and
security', he says; Visnu is the sacrifice; verily the sacrifice finds support at the
end. 'By sacrifice to the god Soma, possessing good seed [4], may I impregnate
seed', he says; Soma is the impregnator of seed; verily he confers seed upon
himself. 'By sacrifice to the god Tvastr, may I prosper the form of cattle'; Tvastr is
the form-maker of the pairings of cattle, and thereby he confers upon himself the
form of cattle. 'The wives of the gods, Agni, the lord of the house, are the pair of
695

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
the sacrifice; by sacrifice to these deities may I be propagated with a pair.' 'Thou
vedena
art the bundle, thou art gain, may I gain', he says; by the bundle (
) the
avindanta
gods won (
) the desirable wealth of the Asuras, and that is why the
bundle has its name. Whatever of his foe's he may covet, the name of that he
should utter; verily he wing it all from him. 'May the bundle bestow increase of
wealth, rich in ghee, rich in houses, a thousandfold, strong', he says; he obtains a
thousand cattle. In his offspring a strong one is born who knows thus.
i. 7. 5.
Through the emptying of the Dhruva the sacrifice is emptied, through the sacrifice
the sacrificer, through the sacrificer offspring. Through the swelling of the Dhruva,
the sacrifice is made to swell, through the sacrifice the sacrificer, through the
sacrificer offspring. 'Let the Dhruva swell with ghee', he says; verily he makes the
Dhruva to swell; through its swelling the sacrifice is made to swell, through the
sacrifice the sacri ficer, throuo - h the sacrificer offspring. 'Prajapati's is the world
called Vibhan. In it I place thee along with the sacrificer', he says [1]; the world of
Prajapati, named Vibhan, is this (world); verily he places it in it along with the
sacrificer. In that he sacrifices he is as it were emptied; in that he eats the
sacrificer's portion, he fills himself. The sacrifice is the size of the sacrificer's
portion, the sacrificer is the sacrifice; in that he eats the sacrificer's portion, he
places the sacrifice in the sacrifice. There is good grass and good water where the
strew and the waters are [2]; the Vedi is the abode of the sacrificer; in that he
places the full bowl within the Vedi, he establishes good grass and good water in
his own abode. 'Thou art real, be real for me', he says; the sacrifice is the waters,
ambrosia is the water; verily he bestows upon himself the sacrifice and the waters.
All creatures attend him who is performing the vow. 'In the eastern quarter may the
gods, the priests, make (me) bright', he says; this is the concluding bath of the new
and full moon sacrifices [3]. He goes to the bath along with the creatures which
attend him as he performs the vow. Headed by Visnu the gods won these worlds by
the metres so as to be irrecoverable; in that he takes the steps of Visnu the
sacrificer becoming Visnu wins these worlds by the metres so as to be
irrecoverable. 'Thou art the step of Visnu, smiting imprecations', he says; the earth
is the Gayatri, the atmosphere is connected with the Tristubh, the sky is the Jagati,
696

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
the quarters are connected with the Anustubh; verily by the metres he wins these
worlds in order.
i. 7. 6.
'We have come to the heaven: to the heaven we have come', he says; verily he goes
to the world of heaven. 'May I not be cut off from seeing thee; what heat is thine,
to that of thee may I not be brought low', he says; that is according to the text.
'Thou art good, the best of rays; thou art life-bestowing, bestow life upon me', he
says; verily he invokes this blessing. He falls away from this world, who [1] takes
the steps of Visnu, for from the world of heaven the steps of Visnu are taken. The
theologians say, 'He indeed would take the steps of Visnu who after acquiring
these worlds of his foe should descend again to this world.' This is his return
descent to this world, in that he says,'Here do I exclude my enemy N. N. from
these quarters, from this sky'; verily having acquired these worlds of his foe he
descends again to this world. 'I have been united [2] with the light', he says; verily
he rests on this world. 'I turn the turning of Indra', he says; Indra is yonder sun;
verily he turns his turning. He turns to the right; verily he revolves round his own
strength; therefore the right side of a man is the stronger; verily also he turns the
turning of the sun. 'May I be united with offspring, offspring with me', he says;
verily [3] he invokes this blessing. 'Kindled, O Agni, shine for me; kindling thee, O
Agni, may I shine', he says; that is according to the text. 'Be rich the sacrifice; may
I be rich', he says; verily he invokes this blessing. Within the Garhapatya much
variegated work is performed; with two verses to Agni, the purifier, he pays
reverence to the Garhapatya; verily he purifies the fire, he purifies himself; (he
uses) two for support. 'O Agni, lord of the house', he says [4]; that is according to
the text. 'For a hundred winters', he says; 'for a hundred winters may I kindle thee',
he says in effect. He utters the name of his son; verily he makes him an eater of
food. 'This prayer I utter, bringing light for the race', he should say who has no son
born to him, verily is born to him a brilliant and resplendent son. 'This prayer I
utter, bringing light to N. N.', he should say who has a son born [5]; verily he
bestows upon him brilliance and splendour. He who having yoked the sacrifice
does not let it free becomes without a support. 'Who yoketh thee? Let him set thee
free', he says; Who (
ka
) is Prajapati; verily by Prajapati he yokes him, by Prajapati
he lets him free, for support. The vow if not released is liable to consume (the
697

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
sacrificer); 'O Agni, lord of vows, I have performed my vow', he says; verily he
releases his vow [6], for atonement, to prevent burning. The sacrifice goes away,
and turns not back; to him who sacrifices knowing the restoration of the sacrifice it
does turn back; 'The sacrifice hath become, it hath come into being', he says; this is
the restoration of the sacrifice, and thereby he restores it. Excellence has not been
obtained by him who having established a fire has no retinue; cattle indeed are the
retinue of a Brahman. Having sacrificed, he should step forward to the east and
say, 'Rich in cattle, in sheep, O Agni, in horses is the sacrificer';
he wins his retinue, he obtains a thousand cattle, in his offspring a strong one is
born.
The Vajapeya
i. 7. 7.
a O god Savitr, instigate the sacrifice, instigate the lord of the sacrifice for good
luck; may the divine Gandharva who purifieth thoughts purify our thought; may
the lord of speech to-day make sweet our utterance.
b Thou art the thunderbolt of Indra, slaying obstructions, with thee may this one
smite Vrtra.
c On the instigation of strength, the mother, the mighty one,
We shall proclaim with our speech, Aditi, by name,
Into whom all this world hath entered;
In her may the god Savitr instigate right for us.
d In the waters [1] is ambrosia, in the waters is medicine;
Through the guidance of the waters
Be ye steeds, O ye that are strong.
e Or Vayu thee, or Manu thee,
The seven and twenty Gandharvas;
They first yoked the steed;
They placed swiftness in it.
f Child of the waters, swift one, the towering onrushing wave most fain to win the
prize, with it may he win the prize.
g Thou art the stepping of Visnu, thou art the step of Visnu, thou art the stride of
Visnu.
698

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
h May the two Ankas, the two Nyankas, which are on either side of the chariot,
Speeding on with the rushing wind,
The far-darting, powerful one, the winged one,
The fires which are furtherers, further us.
i. 7. 8.
a On the instigation of the god Savitr, through Brhaspati, winner of the prize, may I
win the prize.
b On the instigation of the god Savitr, through Brhaspati, winner of the prize, may
I mount the highest vault.
c To Indra utter your voices, make Indra win the prize, Indra hath won the prize.
d O whip, strong, having strength for the prizes,
Do thou in the contests strengthen the steeds.
e The swift art thou, the runner, the strong.
f O steeds, hasten for the prize; conquer on the instigation of the Maruts: measure
ye the leagues; establish the ways [1]; attain the goal.
g For each prize aid us, O ye steeds,
For the rewards, O ye wise, immortal, righteous ones;
Drink of this mead, rejoice in it;
Delighted go by paths on which the gods go.
h May the swift coursers, who hear the call,
All hearken to our cry.
i Strong limbed, winning a thousand,
Eager to gain in the gaining of praise,
The steeds, which have won in the contests great prizes,
May they be propitious to us when we call.
k Among the gods, strong limbed, good praisers,
Destroying the serpent, the wolf, the Raksases,
For ever may they remove from us evil [2].
1 This steed speedeth his swift course,
Bound at the neck, the shoulder, and the mouth;
Displaying his strength Dadhikra
Springeth along the bends of the ways.
m After him as he hasteneth in triumphant speed
699

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
Bloweth the wind as after the wing of the bird,
Of the impetuous eagle, (after him) Dadhikravan,
As in his might he crosseth the winding ways.
n May there come to me the instigation of strength;
May there come sky and earth with all healing;
Come to me father [3] and mother;
May Soma come to me for immortality.
o O ye steeds, prize winning, about to run for the prize, about to win the prize, do
ye touch Brhaspati's portion.
p O ye steeds, prize winning, that have run for the prize, that have won the prize,
do ye be pure in Brhaspati's portion.
q True hath been the compact
That ye did make with Indra.
r Ye have made Indra win the prize, O trees; now be ye loosed.
i. 7. 9.
a Thou art the caul of the kingly class, thou art the womb of the kingly class.
b O wife, come hither to the heaven; let us two mount! Yes, let us two mount the
heaven; I will mount the heaven for us both.
c Strength, instigation, the later born, inspiration, heaven, the head, the Vyaçniya,
the offspring of the last, the last, the offspring of being, being, the overlord.
d May life accord with the sacrifice, may expiration accord with the sacrifice, may
inspiration accord with the sacrifice [1], may cross-breathing accord with the
sacrifice,
may eye accord with the sacrifice, may ear accord with the sacrifice, may mind
accord with the sacrifice, may the body accord with the sacrifice, may the sacrifice
accord with the sacrifice.
e We have come to the heaven, to the gods; we have become immortal; we have
become the offspring of Prajapati.
f May I be united with offspring, offspring with me; may I be united with increase
of wealth, increase of wealth with me.
g For food thee! For proper food thee! For strength thee! For the conquering of
strength thee!
h Thou art ambrosia, thou art prospering, thou art begetting.
700

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
i. 7. 10.
a The instigation of strength pressed in aforetime
This Soma, the lord in the plants, in the waters;
Be they full of sweetness for us;
May we as Purohitas watch over the kingship.
b The instigation of strength hath pervaded
This (world) and all these worlds on every side;
He goeth around knowing pre-eminence,
Increasing offspring and prosperity for us.
c The instigation of strength rested on this sky
And all these worlds as king;
May the wise one make the niggard to be generous,
And may he accord us wealth [1] with all heroes.
d O Agni, speak to us;
To us be thou kindly disposed;
Further us, O lord of the world
Thou art the giver of wealth to us.
e May Aryaman further us,
May Bhaga, may Brhaspati,
May the gods, and the bounteous one;
May the goddess speech be bountiful to us.
f Aryaman, Brhaspati, Indra,
Impel to give us gifts,
Speech, Visnu, Sarasvat!,
And Savitr the strong.
g Soma the king, Varuna,
Agni, we grasp, The Adityas, Visnu, Surya And Brhaspati, the Brahman (priest). h
On the instigation of the god Savitr with the arms of the Açvins, with the hands of
Pusan, with the bond of Sarasvati, of speech, the binder, I anoint thee with the
lordship of Agni, with the lordship of Indra of Brhaspati I anoint thee.
701

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
i. 7. 11.
Agni with one syllable won speech; the Açvins with two syllables won expiration
and inspiration; Visnu with three syllables won the three worlds; Soma with four
syllables won four-footed cattle; Pusan with five syllables won the Parkti; Dhatr
with six syllables won the six seasons; the Maruts with seven syllables won the
seven-footed Çakvari; Brhaspati with eight syllables won the Gayatri; Mitra with
nine syllables won the threefold Stoma [1]; Varuna with ten syllables won the
Viraj; Indra with eleven syllables won the Tristubh; the All-gods with twelve
syllables won the Jagati; the Vasus with thirteen syllables won the thirteenfold
Stoma; the Rudras with fourteen syllables won the fourteenfold Stoma; the Adityas
with fifteen syllables won the fifteenfold Stoma; Aditi with sixteen syllables won
the sixteen fold Stoma; Prajapati with seventeen syllables won the seventeenfold
Stoma.
i. 7. 12.
a Thou art taken with a support; thee that sittest among men, that sittest in the
wood, that sittest in the world, I take acceptable to Indra this is thy birthplace; to
Indra thee!
b Thou art taken with a support; thee that sittest in the waters, that sittest in the
ghee, that sittest in the sky, I take acceptable to Indra; this is thy birthplace; to
Indra thee!
c Thou art taken with a support; thee that sittest on the earth, that sittest on the
atmosphere, that sittest on the vault, I take acceptable to Indra; this is thy
birthplace; to Indra thee!
d The cups of the five folk,
Of which three are of highest birth,
(And for which) the divine cask [1] has been forced out
Of these that have no handles
The food and strength have I seized;
This is thy birthplace; to Indra thee!
e The sap of the waters, the vigorous,
The ray of the sun that has been gathered,
The sap of the sap of the waters,
That of you I take which is the best;
702

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
This is thy birthplace; to Indra thee!
f By this shape producing mighty deeds,
He is dread, a broad way for gain,
He hath come to the top, bearing sweetness,
What time he moved a body in his own body.
g Thou art taken with a support; agreeable to Prajapati I take thee
this is thy birthplace; to Prajapati thee!
i. 7. 13.
a The months, the woods,
The plants, the mountains,
The earth and sky in longing,
The waters, followed Indra on his birth.
b To thee hath been assigned for mighty power,
For ever, in the slaying of Vrtra,
All lordship, and all strength, O thou that art worthy of sacrifice
In the overcoming of man by the gods, O Indra,
c Indrani beyond other women
I have heard to be favoured with a spouse,
For never at any time [1]
Shall her husband die of old age.
d I have not joyed, O Indrani,
Without my friend Vrsakapi,
Whose oblation rich in water
Goeth dear to the gods.
e He who first born in his wisdom
A god, surpassed the gods in insight,
From whose breath the sky and earth recoiled,
In the greatness of his manhood, he, O ye men, is Indra.
f Hitherward be thy might with aid, O dread Indra,
What time the armies meet in combat,
And the arrow flieth from the arms of the strong men;
Let not thine [2] anger spread on every side.
g Destroy us not; bring and give to us
703

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
That plenteous bounty which thou hast to give to the pious man,
For this new gift, this song we have sung to thee;
Let us speak forth in praise of Indra.
h Bring it to us, let none intercept it;
For we know thee as wealth lord of riches;
That mighty gift of thine, O Indra,
Vouchsafe it us, O lord of the bay steeds [3].
i With our oblation we summon
1ndra, the giver;
Fill both thy hands with bounty;
Give to us from the left and the right.
k The giver, the bolt-bearer, the bull, the overpowering,
The impetuous, the king, slayer of Vrtra, drinker of the Soma,
Seated at this sacrifice on the strew,
Be thou health and wealth to the sacrificer.
l Indra, the protector, the granter of aid with his aids;
All knowing, be kindly to us;
Let him restrain the enemy, let him make security,
May we be lords of strength [4].
m May we enjoy the favour of him the worshipful,
And also his loving kindness;
May the protector Indra, the granter of aid,
For ever fend far from us the enemy.
n Rich banquets be ours with Indra,
With mighty strength,
Wherewith fed we may be glad.
o To Indra, here sing strength
To place his chariot in the front;
Even in conflict in battle he maketh wide room;
Slayer of foes in the contests
Be thou our comforter;
Let the feeble bowstrings
Of the others break on their bows.
704

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
PRAPKTHAKA VIII
The Rajasuya
i. 8. 1.
a Anumati he offers a cake on eight potsherds; the sacrificial fee is a cow. The
(grains) which are thrown down to the west of the support he (offers) on one
potsherd to Nirrti; the sacrificial fee is a black garment with a black fringe.
Go away, hail! rejoicing in the oblation.
This is thy share, O Nirrti;
O thou who hast prospered, thou art rich in oblation;
Free him from evil. Hail!
Honour to him who hath done this.
He offers an oblation to Aditya; the sacrificial fee is a choice (ox). (He offers) to
Agni and Visnu on eleven potsherds; the sacrificial fee is a dwarf beast of burden.
(He offers) to Agni and Soma [1] on eleven potsherds; the sacrificial fee is gold.
(He offers) to Indra on eleven potsherds; the sacrificial fee is a bull as a beast of
burden. (He offers) to Agni on eight potsherds, and curds to Indra; the sacrificial
fee is a bull as a beast of burden. (He offers) to Indra and Agni on twelve
caru
potsherds, and an oblation (
) to the All-gods; the sacrificial fee is a first-
born calf. (He offers) an oblation of millet to Soma; the sacrificial fee is a garment.
(He offers) an oblation to Sarasvati, and an oblation to Sarasvant; the sacrificial fee
is a pair of oxen.
i. 8. 2.
He offers to Agni on eight potsherds, an oblation to Soma, to Savitr on twelve
potsherds, an oblation to Sarasvati, an oblation to Pusan, to the Maruts on seven
potsherds, clotted curds to the All-gods, and on eleven potsherds to sky and earth.
705

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
i. 8. 3.
a He offers on eleven potsherds to Indra and Agni, clotted curds to the Maruts,
clotted curds to Varuna, and on one potsherd to Ka.
b The voracious we invoke,
The Maruts who bear the sacrifice,
Rejoicing in the mush.
c Be not against us in battles, O god Indra
Let there be expiation to satisfy thee, O impetuous one;
For great is the barley heap of this bountiful one;
Rich in oblation are the Maruts whom our song praises.'
d The wrong we have done in village or wild,
In the assembly, in our members,
The wrong to Çudra or Aryan,
The wrong contrary to the law of either,
Of that thou art the expiation; hail!
e The doers of the deed have performed the deed,
With wondrous speech;
Having done the deed to the gods go ye
To your home, ye bounteous ones.
i. 8. 4.
a To Agni Anikavant he offers a cake on eight potsherds as the sun rises, an
oblation to the Maruts as the heaters at midday, and to the Maruts as lords of the
house he milks at evening an oblation of all (the cows).
b O ladle, fly away filled,
And well filled do thou fly back;
Like wares, O Çatakratu,
Let us barter food and strength.
c Give thou to me; I shall give to thee;
Bestow upon me; I shall bestow upon thee;
Accept my offering;
I shall accept thy offering [1].
d To the Maruts, the playful, he offers a cake on seven potsherds at the rising of the
706

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
sun; he ofibrs to Agni on eight potsherds, an oblation to Soma, to Savitr on twelve
potsherds, to Sarasvati an oblation, to Pusan an oblation, to Indra and Agni on
eleven potsherds, to Indra an oblation, to Viçvakarman on eleven potsherds.
i. 8. 5.
a He offers to Soma with the Pitrs a cake on six potsherds, to the Pitrs who sit on
the straw fried grains, for the Pitrs prepared by Agni he milks a beverage from a
cow which has to be won over (to another calf).
b This for thee, O father, and for thy line;
This for thee, O grandfather, great-grandfather, and for thy line
Do ye Pitrs rejoice in your portions.
c May we gladden thee,
O bountiful one, fair to see;
Forth now with full chariot seat
Being praised, dost thou fare according to our will;
Yoke, O Indra, thy two bay steeds [1].
d They have eaten, they have rejoiced,
The dear ones have dispelled (evil),
The radiant sages have been praised with newest hymn;
Yoke, O Indra, thy two bay steeds.
e The Pitrs have eaten, the Pitrs have rejoiced, the Pitrs have been glad, the Pitrs
have purified themselves.
f Go away, O ye Pitrs, Soma loving,
With your majestic ancient paths;
Then reach ye the kindly Pitrs
Who carouse in company with Yama.
h Mind let us summon hither
With the praise of Naraçansa
And the reverence of the Pitrs.
h Let mind return to us [2]
For vigour, for insight, for life,
And that long we may see the sun.'
i May the Pitrs restore mind to us,
May the host of the gods;
707

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
May we belong to the band of the living.
k Whatever hurt we have done to atmosphere, to earth, to sky,
To mother or to father,
May Agni of the house free me from this sin;
May he make me blameless
In respect of all the ill we have wrought.
i. 8. 6.
a For each he offers on one potsherd, and one over.
b As many as we are of the house, to them have I made prosperity.
c Thou art the protection of cattle, the protection of the sacrifice; give
me protection.
d Rudra alone yieldeth to no second.
e The mole is thy beast, O Rudra; rejoice in it.
f This is thy portion, O Rudra, with thy sister Ambika; rejoice in it.
g (Give) medicine for ox, for horse, for man,
And medicine for us, medicine
That it be rich in healing,
Good [1] for ram and sheep.
h We have appeased, O lady, Rudra,
The god Tryambaka;
That he may make us prosperous,
That he may increase our wealth,
That he may make us rich in cattle,
That he may embolden us.
i To Tryambaka we make offering,
The fragrant, increaser of prosperity;
Like a cucumber from its stem,
From death may I be loosened, not from immortality.
k This is thy portion, O Rudra; rejoice in it; with it for food, do thou go away
beyond the Mujavants.
l With unstrung bow, thy club in thy hand, clad in skins.
708

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
i. 8. 7.
a (He I offers) to Indra and Agni on twelve potsherds, an oblation to the All-gods,
a cake on twelve potsherds to Indra Çunasira, milk to Vayu, to Sarya on one
potsherd; the sacrificial fee is a plough for twelve oxen. b To Agni he offers on
eight potsherds, to Rudra an oblation of Gavidhuka, to Indra curds, to Varuna an
oblation made of barley; the sacrificial fee is a cow for draught purposes. c The
gods that sit in the east, led by Agni; that sit in the south, led by Yama; that sit in
the west, led by Savitr; that sit in the north, led by Varuna; that sit above, led by
Brhaspati; that slay the Raksases; may they protect us, may they help us; to them
homage; to them hail! [1] d The Raksases are collected, the Raksases are burnt up;
here do I burn up the Raksases. e To Agni, slayer of Raksases, hail! To Yama,
Savitr, Varuna, Brhaspati, the worshipful, the slayer of Raksases, hail! f The
sacrificial fee is a chariot with three horses. g On the instigation of the god Savity,
with the arms of the Açvins, with the hands of Pusan, I offer (for) the death of the
Raksases; the Raksases are slain; we have killed the Raksases. h The sacrificial fee
is what he wears.
i. 8. 8.
He offers a cake on twelve potsherds to Dhatr, to Anumati an oblation, to Raka an
oblation, to Sinivali an oblation, to Kuhu an oblation; the sacrificial fee is a pair of
cattle. To Agni and Visnu he offers on eleven potsherds, to Indra and Visnu on
eleven potsherds, to Visnu on three potsherds; the sacrificial fee is a dwarf beast of
burden. To Agni and Soma he offers on eleven potsherds, to Indra and Soma on
eleven potsherds, to Soma an oblation; the sacrificial fee is a brown (animal). To
Soma and Pusan he offers an oblation, to Indra and Pusan an oblation, to Pusan an
oblation; the sacrificial fee is a dark (animal). To (Agni) Vaiçvanara he offers on
twelve potsherds; the sacrificial fee is gold. To Varuna (he offers) an oblation
made of barley; the sacrificial fee is a horse.
i. 8. 9.
To Brhaspati he offers an oblation in the house of the Brahman (priest); the
sacrificial fee is a white-backed (animal). (He offers) to Indra on eleven potsherds
709

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
in the house of a Rajanya; the sacrificial fee is a bull. To Aditya (he offers) an
oblation in the house of the chief wife; the sacrificial fee is a cow. To Nirrti (he
offers) an oblation in the house of the neglected wife, made up of rice broken by
the nails; the sacrificial fee is a black hornless (cow). To Agni (he offers) on eight
potsherds in the house of the leader of the host; the sacrificial fee is gold. To
Varuna (he offers) on ten potsherds in the house of the minstrel; the sacrificial fee
is a great castrated (ox). To the Maruts (he offers) on seven potsherds in the house
of the village headman; the sacrificial fee is a dappled (cow). To Savitr (he offers)
on twelve potsherds [1] in the house of the carver; the sacrificial fee is a speckled
(ox). To the Açvins (he offers) on two potsherds in the house of the charioteer; the
sacrificial fee is two born of one mother. To Pusan (he offers) an oblation in the
house of the divider; the sacrificial fee is a black (ox). To Rudra (he offers) an
oblation of Gavidhuka in the house of the thrower of the dice; the sacrificial fee is
a speckled (ox) with raised tail. To Indra, the good protector, he offers a cake on
eleven potsherds and to Indra, who frees from distress, (with the words),
May the king, the slayer of Vrtra,
Be our king and slay the foe.
There is (an offering) to Mitra and Brhaspati; in the milk of a white (cow) with a
white calf which has curdled itself, and in butter which has churned itself, in a dish
of Açvattha wood [2] with four corners (made) of a branch which has fallen of
itself, he should scatter husked and unhusked rice grains; the husked ones in the
milk are Brhaspati's, the unhusked in the butter are Mitra's; the Vedi must be self-
made, the strew self-cut, the kindling-stick self-made; the sacrificial fee is the
white (cow) with a white calf.
i. 8. 10.
a To Agni, lord of the house, he offers a cake of black rice on eight potsherds; to
Soma, lord of the forest, an oblation of millet; to Savitr, of true instigation, a cake
of swift-growing rice on twelve potsherds; to Rudra, lord of cattle, an oblation of
Gavidhuka; to Brhaspati, lord of speech, an oblation of wild rice; to Indra, the
noblest, a cake of large rice on eleven potsherds; to Mitra, the true, an oblation of
710

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
Amba grain, and to Varuna, lord of right, an oblation made of barley.
b May Savity of instigations instigate thee, Agni of lords of the house, Soma of
lords of the forest, Rudra of cattle [1], Brhaspati of speech, Indra of nobles, Mitra
of truth, Varuna of lords of right.
c O ye gods that instigate the gods, do ye instigate him, descendant of N. N., to
freedom from foes, to great lordship, to great overlordship, to great rule over the
people.
d This is your king, O Bharatas; Soma is the king of us Brahmans.
e This kingdom hath verily been conferred,
Varuna hath diffused his own body;
We have become obedient to pure Mitra;
We have magnified the name of the great holy order.
f These have become all the hosts of Varuna,
Mitra in his course hath overcome hostility;
The worshipful ones have taken order according to sacred law:
Trita hath taken possession of our old age.
g Thou art the stepping of Visnu, thou art the step of Visnu, thou art the stride of
Visnu.
i. 8. 11.
a Ye are active, thou art the lord of the waters, thou art the male wave, thou art the
male host, ye are the pen-dwellers, ye are the strength of the Maruts, ye have the
radiance of the sun, ye have the brightness of the sun, ye are delightful, ye are
obedient,
ye are powerful, ye are all supporters, ye are supporters of men, ye have the
brilliance of Agni, ye are the sap of the waters, of the plants.
b They have taken the waters, divine,
Rich in sweetness, full of strength, caring for the royal consecration;
Whereby they anointed Mitra and Varuna,
Whereby they led Indra beyond his foes.
c Ye are givers of the kingdom; give ye the kingdom, hail! Ye are givers of the
kingdom; give N. N. the kingdom.
711

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
i. 8. 12.
a. O ye divine waters, be ye unitedFull of sweetness with the sweet,
Winning great radiance for the Ksatriya.
b Unsurpassed, sit ye down, full of strength,
Bestowing great radiance upon the Ksatriya.
c Friend of speech, born of heat, thou art undefeated; thou art the share of Soma.
d The pure I purify you with the pure, the bright with the bright, the immortal with
ambrosia, hail! caring for the royal consecration.
e Clothed in these (waters), sharing joy, glorious in strength,
Undefeated and busy,
In the waters hath Varuna made his abode,
The child [1] of the waters in those most motherly.
f Thou art the caul of kingly power, thou art the womb of kingly power.
g Notified is Agni, lord of the house; notified is Indra, of ancient fame; notified is
Pusan, all-knower; notified are Mitra and Varuna, increasing holy order; notified
are sky and earth, of sure vows; notified is the goddess Aditi, of all forms; notified
is he, N. N., descendant of N. N., in this folk, this kingdom, for great lordship, for
great overlordship, for great rule over the people.
h This is your king, O Bharatas; Soma is the king of us Brahmans.
i Thou art the bolt of Indra [2] slaying foes; with thee may he slay his foe.
k Ye are overcomers of foes.
l Protect me in front, protect me at the side, protect me from behind; from the
quarters
protect me; from all deadly things protect me.
m Gold hued in the glowing of the dawns,
Bronze pillared at the rising of the sun,
O Varuna, O Mitra, mount your chariot seat,
And thence behold ye Aditi and Diti.
i. 8. 13.
a Do I thou mount the kindling (quarter); let the Gayatri of metres help thee; the
Trivrt Stoma, the Rathantara Saman, the deity Agni, the treasure the Brahman
class.
b Do thou mount the dread (quarter); let the Tristubh of metres help thee, the
Pañcadaça Stoma, the Brhat Saman, the deity Indra, the treasure the ruling class.
712

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
c Do thou mount the shining (quarter); let the Jagati of metres help thee, the
Saptadaça Stoma, the Vairapa Saman, the deity the Maruts, the treasure the peasant
class.
d Do thou mount the northern (quarter); let the Anustubh of metres help thee [1],
the Ekavinça Stoma, the Vairaja Saman, the deity Mitra and Varuna, the treasure
the host.
e Do thou mount the zenith; let the Pañkti of metres help thee, the Trinava, and
Trayastrinça Stomas, the Çakvara and Raivata Samans, the deity Brhaspati, the
treasure radiance.
f Such like, other like, thus like, similar, the measured, commensurate,
harmonious,
g Of pure radiance, of varied radiance, of true radiance, the radiant, true, protector
of holy order [2], beyond distress.
h To Agni hail! To Soma hail! To Savitr hail! To Sarasvati hail!
To Pusan hail! To Brhaspati hail! To Indra hail! To sound hail!
To verse hail! To Ança hail! To Bhaga hail! To the lord of the field hail!
i To earth hail! To atmosphere hail! To sky hail! To the sun hail! To the moon hail!
To the Naksatras hail! To the waters hail! To plants hail! To trees hail! To moving
creatures hail! To swimming creatures hail! To creeping creatures hail!
i. 8. 14.
a Thou art the glittering of Soma; as thine may my glittering be. b Thou art
ambrosia; from death protect me.
c From the thunderbolt protect me.
d Propitiated are biting flies.
e Cast away is Namuci's head.
f Soma, king Varuna, and the gods which instigate righteousness, may they
instigate
thy speech, may they instigate thy breath, may they instigate thy sight, may they
instigate thine ear.
g With the glory of Soma I besprinkle thee, with the brilliance of Agni [1], with the
radiance of the sun, with the power of Indra, with the strength of Mitra and
Varuna, with the force of the Maruts.
h Thou art the lord of kingly powers.
i Protect from the sky.
713

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
k Out from below have they come,
Following the serpent of the deep;
On the back of the mountain, the hill,
The ships that pour spontaneously go ever.
l O Rudra, that highest active name of thee, to that thou art offered, thou art offered
to Yama.
m O Prajapati, none other than thou
Hath encompassed all these beings;
Be that ours for which we sacrifice to thee
May we be lords of wealth.
i. 8. 15.
a Thou art the bolt of Indra, slaying foes; with thee may he slay his foe.
b By the precept of Mitra and Varuna, the directors, I yoke thee with the yoking of
the sacrifice.
c Thou art the stepping of Visnu, thou art the step of Visnu, thou art the stride of
Visnu
d On the instigation of the Maruts may I conquer.
e Be mind ready.
f May I be united with power and strength.
g Thou art the spirit of cattle; like them may my spirit be.
h Homage to mother earth; may I not harm mother earth [1]; may mother earth
harm me not.
i So great art thou, thou art life, bestow life upon me; thou art strength, bestow
strength upon me; thou art the yoker; thou art radiance, bestow radiance upon me.
k To Agni, lord of the house, hail! To Soma, lord of the forest, hail! To Indra's
strength hail! To the Maruts' force hail!
I The gander seated in purity, the bright one seated in the atmosphere,
The Hotr seated at the altar, the guest seated in the house,
Seated among men, seated in the highest, seated in holy order, seated in the
firmament,
Born of the waters, born of the cows, born of holy order, born of the mountain, the
great holy order.
714

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
i. 8. 16.
a Thou art Mitra, thou art Varuna.
b May I be united with the All-gods.
c Thou art the navel of kingly power, thou are the womb of kingly power.
d Sit thou on the smooth, sit thou on the pleasant seat.
e May she hurt thee not; may she hurt me not.
f Varuna, of sure vows, hath set him down
In the waters, with keen insight, for lordship.
g O Brahman! Thou, O king, art the Brahman priest, thou art Savitr of true
instigation.
O Brahman! Thou, O king, art the Brahman priest, thou art Indra of true force [1].
O Brahman! Thou, O king, art the Brahman priest; thou art Indra, the kindly. O
Brahman!
Thou, O king, art the Brahman priest; thou art Varuna, of true rule.
h Thou art the bolt of Indra, slaying foes; with this subject to me.
i This king hath surmounted the quarters.
k O thou of good fame! O thou of prosperity! O thou of true rule!
l To the son of the waters hail! To the son of strength hail! To Agni, lord of the
house,
hail!
i. 8. 17.
He offers to Agni on eight potsherds; the sacrificial fee is gold. (He offers) to
Sarasvati an oblation; the sacrificial fee is a calf. To Savitr (he offers) on twelve
potsherds; the sacrificial fee is a speckled (ox). To Pusan (he offers) an oblation;
the sacrificial fee is a dark (ox), To Brhaspati (he offers) an oblation; the sacrificial
fee is a white-backed (ox). To Indra (he offers) on eleven potsherds; the sacrificial
fee is a bull. To Varuna (he offers) on ten potsherds; the sacrificial fee is a great
castrated (ox). To Soma (he offers) an oblation; the sacrificial fee is a brown (ox).
To Tvastr (he offers) on eight potsherds; the sacrificial fee is a white (ox) To
Vishnu (he offers) on three potsherds; the sacrificial fee is a dwarf (ox).
715

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
i. 8. 18.
On the same day they consecrate, on the same day they buy the Soma. He presents
a lotus wreath. He buys the Soma with calves. There is a drink for ten. A hundred
Brahmans drink. The Stotra is the Saptadaça. The two ornaments he gives to the
Adhvaryu, the garland to the Udgatr, the round ornament to the Hotr, a horse to the
Prastotr and Pratihartr, twelve heifers to the Brahman, a cow to the Maitravaruna, a
bull to the Brahmanacchansin, garments to the Nestr and Potr, a wagon drawn by
one ox laden with barley to the Achavaka, a draught ox to the Agnidh. The Hotr is
a Bhargava; the Saman of the Brahman is the Çrayantiya; the Agnistoma Saman is
the Varavantiya. He takes water of the Sarasvati.
i. 8. 19.
To Agni he offers on eight potsherds; the sacrificial fee is gold. To Indra (he
offers) on eleven potsherds; the sacrificial fee is a bull. To the All-gods (he offers)
an oblation; the sacrificial fee is a tawny heifer. To Mitra and Varuna (he offers)
clotted curds; the sacrificial fee is a cow. To Brhaspati (he offers) an oblation; the
sacrificial fee is a white-backed (ox). To the Adityas he sacrifices a sheep in
young, to the Maruts a dappled heifer. To the Açvins and Pusan he offers a cake on
twelve potsherds; to Sarasvati of true speech an oblation; to Savitr of true
instigation a cake on twelve potsherds; the sacrificial fee is a dry skin bag and a
bow with three arrows.
i. 8. 20.
To Agni he offers on eight potsherds; to Soma, an oblation; to Savitr on twelve
potsherds; to Brhaspati an oblation; to Tvastr on eight potsherds; to (Agni)
Vaiçvanara on twelve potsherds; the sacrificial fee is the southern drawer of the
chariot stand. To Sarasvati he offers an oblation; to Pusan an oblation; to Mitra an
oblation; to Varuna an oblation; to the lord of the fields an oblation; to the Adityas
an oblation; the sacrificial fee is the northern drawer of the chariot stand.
716

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
i. 8. 21.
a The sweet with the sweet, bitter with the bitter, immortal with the immortal, with
the Soma I unite thee; thou art Soma; be ready for the Açvins, be ready for
Sarasvati, be ready for Indra, the good protector.
b Let the daughter of the Sun
Purify for thee the flowing Soma
With the eternal sieve.
c Vayu purified by the strainer,
Soma hath sped away,
Indra's dear friend.
d What then? As men who have barley
Reap the barley in order, removing it,
Hither bring the food of those
Who have not gone to the reverential cutting of the straw.
e To the Açvins he sacrifices a dusky (ox), to Sarasvati a ram, to Indra a bull.
f To Indra he offers on eleven potsherds, to Savitr on twelve potsherds, to Varuna
on ten potsherds.
g O Pitrs, beaded by Soma, rejoice.
h The sacrificial fee is a mare.
i. 8. 22.
a O Agni and Visnu, great is your greatness;
Rejoice ye in the secret names of the ghee;
Placing in every house seven treasures,
May your tongue move forth to the ghee.
b O Agni and Visnu, great is your dear abode;
Ye taste the ghee, rejoicing in its secrets;
In every home increasing lauds,
May your tongue move forth to the ghee.
c May the goddess Sarasvati
With strength, rich in mares,
Further us, she that aideth prayer.
d To us from the sky, from the great [1] mountain;
May Sarasvati, the worshipful, come to the sacrifice
717

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
May the goddess rejoicing in our supplication, rich in ghee,
May she hearken gladly to our effectual speech.
e O Brhaspati, with the All-gods,
Do thou rejoice in our oblations;
Grant riches to the generous giver.
f Then to the father, with the All-gods, to the strong one,
Let us pay honour with sacrifices, with reverence, with oblations;
O Brhaspati, with good offspring, with heroes,
May we be lords of wealth.
g That various wealth bestow upon us,
O Brhaspati, that shall surpass the enemy,
That shall shine glorious, with insight among men,
That shall be resplendent in glory, O thou who art born of holy order [2].
h O Mitra and Varuna,
Bedew our pasturage with ghee
With mead the regions, O ye wise ones.
i Do ye unloose your arms for us to live;
Do ye bedew our pasturage with ghee;
Make us famous among the folk, O ye young ones;
Hearken, O Mitra and Varuna, to these my supplications.
k Agni for you I honour in song,
The god first of the bright ones;
Honouring him who prospereth the fields
Like a much loved friend.
l Swiftly (goeth) the chariot of the worshipper [3]
Like a hero in every contest;
He who by sacrifice is fain to win the mind of the gods
Shall prevail over those who sacrifice not.
m Thou art not harmed, O sacrificer,
Nor thou, O pourer, nor thou, O pious one;
There shall be wealth of heroes,
And plenteousness of swift steeds;
No one shall in act approach him,
No one shall anticipate him nor stay him.
n Streams, health-bringing, like milch cows,
718


Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
Pour up to the man who hath sacrificed and shall sacrifice;
Him who filleth and satiateth [4], bringing fame,
Streams of ghee approach on all sides.
o O Soma and Rudra, do ye drive away
The evil spirit that hath entered our abode;
Far away from us smite misfortune;
Whatever sin we have done remove from us.
p O Soma and Rudra, do ye give to us,
In our bodies, all these medicines;
Loosen and remove the evil we have done
That is bound within our bodies.
q O Soma and Pusan, begetters of wealth,
Begetters, of sky, begetters of earth,
Born as protectors of the whole world,
The gods have made (you) the navel of immortality.
r In the birth of these gods they rejoiced;
They concealed the hateful darkness;
Through these two, Soma and Pusan,
The Indra made the cooked (milk) among the raw cows.
Hinduism Index Yajur Veda Index Previous Next
Sacred-Texts Index
719

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
KANDA II
PRAPATHAKA I
The Special Animal Sacrifices
ii. 1. 1.
He who desires prosperity should offer a white (beast) to Vayu; Vayu is the
swiftest deity; verily he has recourse to him with his own share; verily he makes
him attain prosperity; he prospers. 'He is an overswift deity,' they say, 'he has
power to burn him up.' This (beast) he should offer to Vayu of the team; the team
is his support; verily, being supported he attains prosperity to avoid being burnt; he
prospers [1]. He who desires a village should offer to Vayu of the team; Vayu
leads these creatures tied by the nose; verily he has recourse to Vayu of the team
with his own share; verily he assigns him creatures led by the nose; he becomes
possessed of a village. It is offered to (Vayu) of the team; verily he makes
creatures abide steadfast with him. He who desires offspring should offer to Vayu
of the team; Vayu is expiration, the team is inspiration; expiration and inspiration
depart from the offspring of him [2] who being fit for offspring yet obtains not
offspring. Verily he has recourse to Vayu of the team with his own share; verily he
for him begets offspring by means of expiration and inspiration; he obtains
offspring. He who has long been ill should offer to Vayu of the team; Vayu is
expiration, the team is inspiration, expiration and inspiration depart from him
whose illness is long. Verily he has recourse to Vayu of the team with his own
share [3], he bestows on him expiration and inspiration; even if his life be gone, he
yet lives. Prajapati was here alone; he desired, 'May I create offspring and cattle';
he took out from his body the omentum, and placed it in the fire. The hornless goat
then came to life; he offered it to its own deity; then did he create offspring and
cattle. He who desires offspring [4] and cattle should offer to Prajapati a hornless
goat. Verily he has recourse to Prajapati with his own share; verily he begets for
him offspring and cattle. The beard is the characteristic of man, the lack of horns of
the horse, having incisors on one side only that of cattle, having sheep-like hooves
that of sheep, the goat-nature that of goats; so many are the domesticated animals;
verily by their characteristics he wins them [5]. He who desires cattle should offer
one of a triplet to Soma and Pusan; the she-goat has two teats, two are born
720

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
separately, the third for strength and growth. Verily he has recourse to Soma and
Pusan with their own share; verily they produce cattle for him; Soma is the
depositor of seed, Pusan the producer of cattle; Soma deposits seeds for him, Pusan
produces cattle. The sacrificial post is of Udumbara; the Udumbara is strength,
cattle are strength; verily by strength he wins for him strength and cattle.
ii. 1. 2.
Prajapati created offspring; they being created went away from him; they went to
Varuna; he pursued them and asked them back; he would not give them back to
him; he said, 'Choose a boon, and then give them back to me.' He chose a boon
from them, it was the black (beast) with one white foot. He who is seized by
Varuna should offer this black (beast) with one white foot to Varuna. Verily he has
recourse to Varuna [1] with his own share; verily he sets him free from Varuna's
noose. It is a black (beast) with one white hoof, for it has Varuna for its deity (and
serves) for prosperity. Svarbhanu, the Asura, pierced the sun with darkness; the
gods desired an atonement for him; the first darkness of his they struck off became
a black sheep; the second a bright-coloured one; the third a white one; what they
cut from the upper part of the bone became a barren ewe [2]. The gods said, 'Here
has come into being a divine beast; to whom shall we offer him?' Now then the
earth was small, plants were not born, they offered the barren ewe to the Adityas as
desire.' Then the earth became broad, the plants grew. He who desires, 'May I be
extended with cattle, with offspring be propagated' should offer this barren ewe to
the Adityas as desire [3]. Verily he has recourse to the Adityas as desire with their
own share; verily they extend him with cattle and propagate him with offspring.
Yonder sun did not shine; the gods desired an atonement for him; for him they
offered these dewlapped (beasts), to Agni one with a black neck, to Indra one of
different colours, to Brhaspati a white one; verily by means of them they restored
his brilliance, For him who desires splendour he should offer dewlapped (beasts)
[4], to Agni one with a black neck, to Indra one of different colours, to Brhaspati a
white one. Verily he has recourse to these deities with their own share; verily they
bestow splendour upon him; he becomes resplendent. In the spring in the morning
should he offer (the beast) with a black neck to Agni; in the summer at midday (the
beast) of different colours to Indra; in the autumn in the after noon the white
(beast) to Brhaspati. These are the brilliances of the sun, in the spring in the
721

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
morning, in the summer at midday, in the autumn in the afternoon; verily he wins
whatever brilliances there are [5]. They are offered in the course of the year; the
year is the giver of splendour; verily the year gives him splendour; he becomes
resplendent. They are (beasts) with young; the foetus is power; verily he bestows
power upon him. He who being master of uttering speech cannot speak properly
should offer a ewe to Sarasvati; Sarasvati is speech; verily he has recourse to
Sarasvati with her own share, she bestows on him [6] speech, and he becomes an
utterer of speech. Its teeth are complete; therefore men utter speech whole. He who
is long ill should offer to Agni (a beast) with black neck, and a brown (beast) to
Soma; the body of him whose illness is long goes to Agni, the sap to Soma; verily
he ransoms from Agni his body, from Soma his sap, and even if his life is gone, yet
he lives. He who desires offspring should offer to Soma a brown (beast), and to
Agni one with a black neck; Soma [7] is the depositor of seed, Agni the producer
of offspring; verily Soma deposits seed for him, Agni produces offspring; he
obtains offspring. The Brahman who despite study does not win fame should offer
to Agni (a beast) with a black neck, and to Soma a brown (one); in that (the beast)
is offered to Agni, thereby he places brilliance in him; in that (the beast) is offered
to Soma, thereby (be places) splendour. The one with a black neck is for Agni;
verily he drives away the darkness from him: it is white [8]; verily he bestows
brilliance on him. There is a brown one for Soma; verily he bestows splendour and
radiance on him. He who has a dispute for a Purohitaship should offer (a beast)
with a black neck to Agni, a brown one to Soma, and one with a black neck to
Agni; the Brahman is connected with Agni, the prince with Soma; on either side of
(the beast) for Soma there is one for Agni; verily with brilliance, with the
Brahman, he seizes on either side the kingdom, and forthwith appropriates it; they
choose him as Purohita.
ii. 1. 3.
The gods and the Asuras strove for these worlds; Visnu saw this dwarf, he offered
it to its own deity; then he conquered these worlds. One who is engaged in a
struggle should offer a dwarf (beast) to Visnu; then he becomes Visnu and
conquers these worlds. He should offer on an uneven (place), for these worlds are
uneven as it were; (verily it serves) for prosperity. He who is engaged in a contest
should offer (a beast) with a spot on its forehead and horns bent forward to Indra,
722

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
indriyá
the angry, the wise [1]. By power (
), by anger, by wisdom, one wins a
contest. Verily he has recourse to Indra, the angry, the wise, with his own share;
verily he bestows on him power, anger, wisdom; he wins that contest. He who
desires a village should offer (a beast) with dappled thighs to Indra with the
Maruts. Verily he has recourse to Indra with the Maruts with his own share; verily
he subdues his relatives to him; he becomes possessed of a village. In that it is an
ox [2], it is Indra's; in that it is dappled, it is of the Maruts, for pros perity. It has
dappled thighs behind; verily he makes the folk dependent on him. He who desires
food should offer a brown (beast) to Soma; food is connected with Soma; verily he
has recourse to Soma with his own share; he bestows food on him; verily he
becomes an eater of food. It is brown; that is the colour of food; (verily it serves)
for prosperity. He who being meet for kingship obtains not a kingdom should offer
a brown (beast) to Soma [3]; the kingdom is connected with Soma; verily he has
recourse to Soma with his own share; Soma bestows on him a kingdom; the
kingdom comes to him. It is brown, that is the colour of Soma; (verily it serves) for
prosperity. He whose prosperity is gone and who desires support should offer (a
beast) with a spot on the forehead and horns bent forward to Indra, the conqueror
of Vrtra; verily he overcomes the evil foe and attains support. 'He who is seized by
evil should offer (a beast) with a spot on the forehead and horns bent forward to
Indra, the overcomer of enemies [4]; the enemy is the evil; verily he has recourse
to Indra, the overcomer of enemies with his own share, and he drives away from
him the enemy, the evil. He who being meet for kingship obtains not a kingdom
should offer (a beast) with a spot on the forehead and horns bent forward to Indra
of the thunderbolt. Verily he has recourse to Indra of the thunderbolt with his own
share; he bestows his thunderbolt on him, the bolt kindles him for prosperity, the
kingdom comes to him. It has a spot on its forehead and horns bent for ward, that is
the shape of the bolt, (and so it serves) for prosperity.
ii. 1. 4.
Yonder sun did not shine; the gods desired an atonement for him; for him they
offered this offering of ten bulls; verily thereby they restored his brilliance. For
him who desires splendour he should offer this offering of ten bulls; verily he has
recourse to yonder sun with his own share; verily he bestows on him splendour; he
becomes resplendent. He should offer in the spring in the morning three with spots
723

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
on the forehead; in the summer at midday [1] three with white backs; in the autumn
in the afternoon three with white tails. Three are the brilliances of the sun, in the
spring in the morning; in the summer at midday; in the autumn in the afternoon;
verily he wins whatever brilliances there are. They are offered in sets of three;
verily in order he bestows brilliance on him. They are offered in the course of the
year; the year is the giver of splendour; verily the year gives him splendour; he
becomes resplendent. At the end of the year he should offer a reddish brown one to
Prajapati [2] all the gods are Prajapati; verily he rests on all the gods. If he fears, 'I
shall become diseased in the skin,' he should offer a dark (beast) to Soma and
Pusan; man has Soma as his deity, cattle have Pusan; verily by his own deity, by
cattle, he makes a skin for him; be does not become diseased in the skin. The gods
ayuvata
and Yama were at strife over this world; Yama appropriated (
) the
power and strength of the gods; therefore Yama has his name [3]. The gods
reflected, 'Yama here has become what we are.' They had recourse to Prajapati.
Prajapati from his body fashioned out the bull and the cow; the gods offered a cow
to Visnu and to Varuna, a bull to Indra; they caused him to be seized by Varuna
and by Visnu, the sacrifice, they drove him away; his power they appropriated by
means of that for Indra. He who has foes should in strife offer to Visnu and Varuna
a cow [4], to Indra a bull; verily causing his foe to be seized by Varuna, by Visnu,
the sacrifice, he drives him away, he appropriates his power by means of that for
Indra, he prospers, his foe is defeated. Indra slew Vrtra; him Vrtra slain bound with
sixteen coils; from the head of Vrtra came out cows, they were (cows) of Videha;
behind them came the bull. It Indra [5] perceived; he reflected, 'He who shall offer
him shall be freed from this evil'; he offered to Agni one with a black neck, to
Indra a bull. Agni, being approached with his own share, burned into sixteen pieces
the coils of Vrtra, and by (the offering) to Indra he bestowed power on himself. He
who is seized by evil should offer (a beast) with a black neck to Agni, and a bull to
Indra; verily Agni, being approached with his own share [6], burns away his evil,
and by (the offering) to Indra he bestows power on himself, he is freed from the
evil, he prospers. He who is long in exile should offer a cow to sky and earth; for
he is not established in them; verily also he who is long in exile has recourse to sky
and earth with their own share; verily they establish them; he is established. It is
one which is long in labour, for Iong in labour as it were is the kingdom of him
who is long in exile; (verily it serves) for prosperity. To Vayu [7] he should offer a
calf; Vayu is their calf; these worlds are barren for him, the people are barren;
verily also he who is long in exile has recourse to Vayu with his own share; verily
724

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
Vayu causes these worlds and the people to give to him; these worlds drop milk for
him; the people wait upon him in service.
ii. 1. 5.
Indra opened the hole of Vrtra; the topmost cattle he grasped by the back and
pulled out; a thousand cattle followed it, it became hump backed. He who desires
cattle should offer this humpbacked (one) to Indra; verily he has recourse to Indra
with his own share; verily he bestows cattle upon him; he becomes possessed of
cattle. It is humpbacked [1]; the hump backed is fortune a thousandfold; verily by
fortune he wins cattle. When he obtains a thousand cattle, he should offer a dwarf
(beast) to Visnu; upon it the thousand rested; therefore the dwarf, stretched out,
affords support to cattle when born. 'Who can obtain a thousand cattle?' they say;
verily he should make up a thousand days and nights and sacrifice. The days and
nights [2] are cattle; verily he gives support to cattle when born. He who desires
offspring should offer a barren cow to the plants, the plants hinder him from
offspring who being fit for offspring does not obtain offspring; the plants indeed
destroy the pregnancy of that one which becomes barren, verily he has recourse to
the plants with their own share; verily they from his own self beget him offspring;
he obtains offspring [3]. The plants are the waters, man is what is not; verily the
waters give him being from non-existence; therefore they say, both he who knows
thus and who (knows) not, 'The waters verily give being from nonexistence.' He
who desires prosperity should offer to Indra (a cow) which is barren after one
birth; he is unborn who being fit for prosperity obtains it not; the (cow) became
barren after bearing Indra, [4]; verily he has recourse to Indra with his own share;
verily he causes him to attain prosperity; he prospers. He should offer to Indra (the
calf) through bearing which (the cow) became barren; that indeed is power
indriyá
(
); verily straightway he obtains power. He whose ancestors and himself
for three generations have not drunk Soma should offer (a bull) which has again
been let loose to Indra and Agni; the Soma drinking of a Brahman is interrupted if
his ancestors and himself for three generations have not drunk Soma [5]; verily he
has recourse to Indra and Agni with their own share; verily they bestow on him the
drinking of Soma, the drinking of Soma comes to him. In that it is offered to Indra,
the Soma drink is power; verily he wins power, the Soma-drink. In that it is offered
to Agni, the Brahman is connected with Agni, verily he continues his own deity. It
725

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
is let loose again, for his drinking of Soma is as it were let loose again [6]; (verily
it serves) for prosperity. When practising witchcraft, he should offer a hornless
(beast) to Brahmanaspati; verily he has recourse to Brahmanaspati with his own
share; verily he cuts him down to him; swiftly he reaches destruction. It is a
hornless one; prosperity is razor-edged; in that it is hornless, (it serves) for
prosperity. The sacrificial post is shaped like a wooden sword; the wooden sword
is a thunderbolt; verily he hurls a thunderbolt against him; the strew is made of
Çara grass; verily he crushes him; the kindling-wood is of Vibhidaka; verily he
splits him.
ii. 1. 6.
He who desiring a village desires, 'May I be the back of my equals', should offer to
Brhaspati (a beast) with a white back; verily he has recourse to Brhaspati with his
own share; verily he makes him to be the back of his peers; he becomes possessed
of a village. It is with a white back, for it has Brhaspati as its deity; (verily it
serves) for prosperity. He who desires food should offer a dark (beast) to Pusan;
Pusan is food; verily he has recourse to Pusan with his own share; verily he gives
him [1] food; he becomes an eater of food. It is dark, that is the form of food;
(verily it serves) for prosperity. He who desires food should offer a dappled (beast)
to the Maruts; the Maruts are food; verily he has recourse to the Maruts with their
own share; verily they give him food; he becomes an eater of food. It is dappled;
that is the form of food; (verily it serves) for prosperity. He who desires power
should offer a ruddy (beast) to Indra; verily he has recourse to Indra [2] with his
own; verily he bestows power on him; he becomes possessed of power. It is ruddy
and has eyebrows; that is the form of Indra; (verily it serves) for prosperity. He
who desires gain should offer to Savitr a spotted (beast); Savitr is lord of
production; verily he has recourse to Savitr with his own share; verily he produces
gain for him, his offspring desire gifts. It is spotted, for it has Savitr as its deity [3];
(verily it serves) for prosperity. He who desires food should offer to the All-gods (a
beast) of many forms; food is connected with the All-gods; verily he has recourse
to the All-gods with their own share; verily they give him food; he becomes an
eater of food. It is of many forms; food is of many forms; (verily it serves) for
prosperity. He who desires a village should offer to the All-gods (a beast) of many
forms; his relatives are connected with the All-gods; verily he has recourse to the
726

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
All-gods with their own share; verily they subdue his [4] relations to him; he
becomes possessed of a village. It is of many forms, for it is connected with many
deities; (verily it serves) for prosperity. He who is long ill from an unknown cause
should offer to Prajapati (a beast) without horns; man is connected with Prajapati;
Prajapati verily knows of him who is long ill from an unknown cause; verily he has
recourse to Prajapati with his own share; verily he releases him from this
weariness. It is without horns, for it has Prajapati as its deity; (verily it serves) for
prosperity.
ii. 1. 7.
The Vasat cry cleft the head of the Gayatri; the sap thereof fell away. Brhaspati
seized it; it became a cow with a white back. The second (sap) which fell Mitra and
Varuna seized; it became a cow of two forms. The third (sap) which fell the All-
gods seized; it became a cow of many forms. The fourth (sap) which fell entered
the earth; Brhaspati
[1] seized it, (saying), 'Be this (mine) for enjoyment'; it became a bull and a cow.
The blood which fell Rudra seized; it became a fierce red cow. He who desires
splendour should offer to Brhaspati (a beast) with white back; verily he has
recourse to Brhaspati with his own share; verily he bestows splendour upon him;
he becomes resplendent. The cow is the sap of the metres [2]; splendour is as it
were sap; verily with the sap of the metres he wins the sap which is splendour. He
who desires rain should offer to Mitra and Varuna (a cow) of two forms; the day is
connected with Mitra, the night with Varuna; by day and night Parjanya rains;
verily he has recourse to Mitra and Varuna with their own share; verily they by day
and night make Parjanya rain for him. The cow is the sap of the metres, the rain
indeed is as it were sap; verily by the sap of the metres [3] he wins the sap which is
rain. He who desires offspring should offer to Mitra and Varuna (a cow) of two
forms; the day is connected with Mitra, the night with Varuna; by day and night
indeed offspring are born; verily he has recourse to Mitra and Varuna with their
own share; verily they by day and night beget offspring for him. The cow is the sap
of the metres, offspring indeed are as it were sap; verily with the sap of the metres
he wins the sap which is offspring [4]. He who desires food should offer to the All-
gods (a cow) of many forms; food is connected with the All-gods; verily he has
recourse to the All-gods with their own share; verily they give him food; he
727

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
becomes an eater of food. The cow is the sap of the metres, food indeed is as it
were sap; verily by the sap of the metres he wins the sap that is food. He who
desires a village should offer to the All-gods (a cow) of many forms; his relatives
are connected with the All-gods [5]; verily he has recourse to the All-gods with
their own share; verily they subject his relatives to him; he becomes possessed of a
village. The cow is the sap of the metres, relatives indeed are as it were sap; verily
with the sap of the metres he wins the sap which is relatives. He who desires
splendour should offer to Brhaspati a bull and a cow; verily he has recourse to
Brhaspati with his own share; verily he bestows splendour on him [6]; he becomes
resplendent. The bull grazes at will, splendour indeed is as it were will; verily by
will he wins will which is splendour. He who practises witchcraft should offer a
red (cow) to Rudra; verily he has recourse to Rudra with his own share; verily he
cuts him down to him; swiftly he reaches destruction; it is red, for it has Rudra as
its deity; (verily it serves) for prosperity. The sacrificial post is shaped like the
wooden sword, the wooden sword is a thunderbolt; verily he hurls a thunderbolt
against him; the strew is made of Çara grass; verily he crushes him; the kindling-
wood is of Vibhidaka; verily he splits him.
ii. 1. 8.
Yonder sun did not shine; the gods desired an atonement for him; for him they
offered a white cow to Surya; verily thereby they restored his brilliance. For him
who desires splendour, he should offer this white cow to Surya; verily he has
recourse to yonder sun with his own share; verily he bestows splendour upon him;
he becomes resplendent. The sacrificial post is of Bilva wood. Whence yonder [1]
sun was born, thence the Bilva arose; verily he wins splendour with its place of
origin. He who practises witchcraft should offer to Brahmanaspati (a cow) with
brown ears; first he should make to Varuna an offering on ten potsherds; verily he
causes Varuna to seize his foe and lays him low with the Brahman. It has brown
ears; that is the symbol of the Brahman; (verily it serves) for prosperity. The
sacrificial post is shaped like the wooden sword; the wooden sword is a
thunderbolt; verily he hurls a thunderbolt against him; the strew is made of Çara
grass; verily he crushes [2] him; the kindling-wood is of Vibhidaka; verily he splits
him. He to whom the sacrifice does not come should offer a dwarf (beast) to
Visnu; the sacrifice is Visnu; verily he has recourse to Visnu with his own share;
728

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
verily he gives him the sacrifice, the sacrifice comes to him. It is a dwarf (beast),
for it has Visnu for its deity; (verily it serves) for prosperity. He who desires cattle
should offer to Tvastr a horse; Tvastr is the producer of pairings of animals [3];
verily he has recourse to Tvastr with his own share; verily he produces animals in
pairs for him, for in him offspring and cattle have entered; verily also the male
horse straightway wins offspring and cattle. He who when a contest is joined
desires an agreement should offer to Mitra a white (beast); verily he has recourse
to Mitra with his own share; verily he brings him into harmony with his friend [4].
It is spacious; verily he encourages him. He who desires rain should offer to
Prajapati a black (beast), Prajapati is the lord of rain; verily he has recourse to
Prajapati with his own share; verily he makes Parjanya rain for him. It is black, that
is the form of rain; verily by its form he wins rain. It is spotted; verily he produces
the lightning and makes rain for him. It has low horns; verily he brings down the
rain for him.
ii. 1. 9.
Food came not to Varuna when he had pressed. He beheld this black cow which is
Varuna's; it he offered to its own deity; then food came to him. He to whom being
fit for food food does not come should offer to Varuna this black cow; verily he
has recourse to Varuna with his own form; verily he gives him food; he becomes
an eater of food [1]. It is black, for it has Varuna as its deity; (verily it serves) for
prosperity. He who desires food should offer a white (beast) to Mitra and a black to
Varuna at the union of the waters and the plants; the plants are connected with
Mitra, and the waters with Varuna; on the sap of the water and of the plants do we
live; verily lie has recourse to Mitra and Varuna with their own share; verily they
give him food; he becomes an eater of food [2]. He should offer at the union of the
waters and of the plants, to attain both. The sacrificial post is bifurcate, for there
are two deities; (verily it serves) for prosperity. He who is long ill should offer a
white (beast) to Mitra, and a black to Varuna; in that one is offered to Mitra, by
means of Mitra he appeases Varuna for him; in that one is offered to Varuna,
straightway he sets him free from Varuna's noose; even if his life be gone, he yet
lives. The gods could not find prosperity [3]; they saw it in the pair; they could not
agree about it; the Açvins said, 'Ours is it; do not claim it.' It became the Açvins'
only. He who desires prosperity should offer to the Açvins a twin cow; verily he
729

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
has recourse to the Açvins with their own share; verily they bestow prosperity
upon him; he prospers in offspring and cattle.
ii. i. 10.
He who being a bad Brahman desires to drink Soma should offer to the Açvins a
dusky (beast) with spots on the forehead; the Açvins were among the gods those
who did not drink Soma; they later acquired the drinking of Sonia; the Açvins are
the gods of the bad Brahman who desires to drink Soma; verily he has recourse to
the Açvins with their own share; verily they give to him the drinking of Soma; the
drinking of Soma comes to him. In that it is dusky, verily he drives away the
darkness from him. In that it has spots on the forehead [1], verily at the beginning
he bestows brilliance on him. He whom men calumniate though he has slain no one
should offer a Gayal to Vayu; impure speech comes to him whom men calumniate
though he has slain no one; the Gayal is neither a domestic nor a wild animal; he is
neither in the village nor the forest whom men calumniate though he has slain no
one; Vayu is the purifier of the gods; verily he has recourse to Vayu with his own
share; verily he [2] purifies him. The dawn shines away from him and he enters the
darkness, the evil, to whom when the litany to the Açvins is being recited the sun
becomes not visible; he should offer to Surya (a beast) of many forms; verily he
has resort to yonder sun with its own share; verily it drives away the darkness, the
evil, from him, the dawn shines upon him, he strikes away the darkness, the evil.
ii. 1. 11.
a Indra on all sides.
b On Indra men.
c O Maruts, what time from the sky.
d The protection which ye.
e In contests we invoke Indra, swift to hear,
The divine folk working good, freeing from distress,
Agni, Mitra, Varuna, for gain, Bhaga,
Sky and earth, the Maruts for welfare.
730

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
f May the moving one who strikes at morning delight us;
May Vata delight us, pourer of waters;
Indra and Parvata quicken us;
May the All-gods vouchsafe us this.
g I hail the dear names [1] of yon impetuous ones,
That, O Maruts, calling they may rejoice.
h For glory they are wreathed in flames,
In the rays (of the sun), adorned with rings they (are accompanied) with singers;
They wearing daggers, impetuous, fearless,
Here found the dear home of the Maruts.
i First let Agni with the Vasus aid us;
Let Soma with the Rudras protect (us);
Let Indra with the Maruts act in due course;
Let Varuna with the Adityas quicken us.'
k God Agni with the Vasus [2],
Soma with the dread forms,
Indra with the Maruts, worthy of sacrifice,
Varuna with the Adityas hath been in harmony with us.
l As the Adityas are united with the Vasus,
The Rudras with the Maruts,
So, O thou of three names,
May the All-gods without anger be of one mind.
m He in whose presence wheresoever
Men rejoice in the dwellings of men,
Whom in honour they kindle,
Whom together they produce.
n When we offer food,
The oblations of men,
He by the might of his glory [3],
Graspeth the reins of sacred law.
o The sacrifice seeketh the goodwill of the gods;
Be kindly, O ye Adityas;
Make your loving kindness turn (to us),
Which shall more plenteously deliver us from distress.
p Pure he dwelleth, undeceived,
731

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
Among waters rich in grass, waxing old with noble sons;
None slayeth him from near or from afar,
Who is in the guidance of the Adityas.
q Ye Adityas support the world,
Gods, guardians of all the universe,
Far-seeing, guarding [4] the holy,
Righteous, enacting debts.
r Three earths they support, and three skies;
Three rules are in their ordinance;
Through sacred law great is your mightiness, O Adityas;
Sweet is that, O Aryaman, O Mitra, O Varuna.
s Let us make supplication
To those heroes, the Adityas,
The tender, for help.
t Nor right is visible, nor left;
Nor the east, O Adityas, nor the west;
Despite my feeble mind, O Vasus [5],
Led by you, may I attain the light without fear.
u With the most recent help of the Adityas,
With their most present succour, may we be united;
May the mighty ones, hearkening, establish this sacrifice
For release from sin, for freedom.
v Hear my cry, O Varuna,
And be merciful this day;
Seeking for help I call on thee.
w I implore this of thee, praising thee with my hymn;
The sacrificer seeketh this with his offerings;
Be here, not angry, O Varuna;
O wide ruler, strike not away our life.
732

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
PRAPATHAKA II
The Special Sacrifices
ii. 2. 1.
Prajapati created offspring. On their creation Indra and Agni hid them away.
Prajapati reflected, 'Indra and Agni have hidden away from me offspring.' He then
perceived this offering to Indra and Agni on eleven potsherds, and offered it, and
the two (gods) restored offspring to him. Indra and Agni indeed conceal his
offspring, who being fit for offspring, yet obtains not offspring; so let a man who
desires offspring offer a sacrifice to Indra, and Agni on eleven potsherds. Verily
Indra and Agni [1] he has recourse to with their own share; verily they make
manifest offspring to him, he obtains offspring.
He should make an offering to Indra and Agni on eleven potsherds who has a
dispute about a field or with his neighbours. Verily Indra and Agni he has recourse
to with their own share, by means of them he over powers the power and strength
of his rival, he overcomes the evil foe. Now power and strength depart from him
who advances to battle; let him who is about to advance to battle offer to Indra and
Agni an offering on eleven potsherds [2]. Verily Indra and Agni he has recourse to
with their own share; verily they two place power and strength in him; with power
and strength he approaches the battle and conquers in it. Now power and strength
is he bereft of who wins a battle; let him who has won a battle make an offering to
Indra and Agni on eleven potsherds. Verily Indra and Agni he has recourse to with
their own share; verily they two place power and strength in him [3], he is not
bereft of power and strength. Now power and strength depart from him who goes
to the assembly; let him who is about to go to the assembly make an offering to
Indra and Agni on eleven potsherds. Verily Indra and Agni he has recourse to with
their own share; verily they two place power and strength in him, with power and
strength he goes to the assembly. Let him next offer an oblation to Pusan. Pusan is
the giver of power and strength, verily Pusan
[4] he has recourse to with his own share; verily he gives to him power and
strength. When he has gone to the assembly he should offer an oblation to
Ksetrapati; Ksetrapati is this (earth); verily on this earth he takes firm root.
Thereafter let him make the offering to Indra and Agni on eleven potsherds; verily
taking stand on this earth he next places power and strength in his body.
733

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
ii. 2. 2.
To Agni, maker of paths, he should offer a cake on eight potsherds who being a
sacrificer at full and new moon passes over the offering either at the new or the full
moon; he wanders from the path on a trackless way who being a sacrificer at new
and full moon passes over the offering either at the new or the full moon; verily he
has recourse to Agni with his own share; verily he leads him to the path from the
trackless way. A draught ox is the sacrificial fee, for it is the drawer; (verily it
serves) for prosperity. To Agni, lord of vows [1] he should offer a cake on eight
potsherds, who having established a sacred firebreaks his vow as it were; verily he
has recourse to Agni, lord of vows, with his own share; verily he makes good his
vow for him; he becomes a keeper of vows. To Agni, slayer of Raksases, he should
offer a cake on eight potsherds, whom Raksases infest; verily he has recourse to
Agni, slayer of Raksases, with his own share; verily he smites away the Raksases
from him. He should offer at night [2], for at night the Raksases are active; verily
he smites them when active; he should offer in (a place) which is closed in, to
prevent the Raksases entering; the Yajya, and the Anuvakya are Raksas-slaying, to
lay low the Raksases. To Agni with the Rudras he should offer a cake on eight
potsherds when he practises witchcraft; Rudra is his dread form; verily he cuts him
down to him; swiftly he reaches misfortune. He whose cows or men perish or who
is afraid should offer to Agni, the fragrant, a cake on eight potsherds [3]; the
fragrant is his healing form; verily by it he applies healing to him; it is offered to
the fragrant, to smite away the fetid odour. When a battle is joined he should offer
a cake on eight potsherds to Agni, the burnt; verily by his own share he pacifies
him and indicates his foes; whomsoever of those near (him) they pierce, he lives;
whomsoever of the foe, he dies; he wins that battle [4]. He loves to frequent those
whose oldest and youngest die continuously, for the human sacrifice is dearest to
him, lie should offer to Agni, the burnt, a cake on eight potsherds; verily with his
own share he pacifies him, and none other of them dies before his day. He loves to
frequent the house of him whose house he burns; he should offer a cake on eight
potsherds to Agni, the burnt; verily he pacifies him with his own share, and he
burns not his house again.
734

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
ii. 2. 3.
He who does not attain his desires should offer a cake on eight potsherds to Agni
as desire; verily he has recourse to Agni as desire with his own share; verily he
unites him with his desire; his desire comes to him. He who has a dispute over a
field or with his relatives should offer a cake on eight potsherds to Agni, the
youngest; verily he has recourse to Agni, the youngest, with his own share; verily
thereby he appropriates the power and strength of his foe [1]; he overcomes the
evil foe. He against whom witchcraft is practised should offer a cake on eight
potsherds to Agni, the youngest; verily he has recourse to Agni, the youngest, with
his own share; verily he drives away the Raksases from him; he who practises
witchcraft does not lay him low. He who desires, 'May I live all my days', should
offer a cake on eight potsherds to Agni of life; verily he has recourse to Agni of
life with his own share; verily he bestows life upon him [2]; he lives all his days.
He who desires prosperity should offer a cake on eight potsherds to Agni, the all-
knower; verily he has recourse to Agni, the all-knower, with his own share; verily
he makes him attain prosperity; he prospers. He who desires radiance should offer
a cake on eight potsherds to Agni, the radiant; verily he has recourse to Agni, the
radiant, with his own share; verily he bestows radiance on him; he is radiant. He
who desires brilliance should offer a cake on eight potsherds to Agni, the brilliant
[3]; verily he has recourse to Agni, the brilliant, with his own share; verily he
bestows brilliance upon him; he becomes brilliant. He who seeks to be strong
should offer a cake on eight potsherds to Agni, the strong; verily he has recourse to
Agni, the strong, with his own share; verily thereby he is strong who seeks to be
strong.
ii. 2. 4.
He who desires, 'May I possess food', should offer to Agni, possessor of food, a
cake on eight potsherds; verily he has recourse to Agni, possessor of food, with his
own share; verily he makes him to possess food; he becomes a possessor of food.
He who desires, 'May I be an eater of food', should offer a cake on eight potsherds
to Agni, eater of food; verily he has recourse to Agni, eater of food, with his own
share; verily he makes him an eater of food; he becomes an eater of food [1]. He
who desires, 'May I be a lord of food', should offer to Agni, lord of food, a cake on
eight potsherds; verily he has recourse to Agni, lord of food, with his own share;
verily he makes him a lord of food; he becomes a lord of food. He who is long ill
735

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
should offer a cake on eight potsherds to Agni, the purifying, to Agni, the purifier,
to Agni, the pure; in that he offers to Agni, the purifying, thereby he bestows
health upon him; in that (he offers) to Agni, the purifier [2], thereby he bestows
speech upon him; in that (he offers) to Agni, the pure, thereby he bestows life upon
him; even if his life is gone, he yet lives. He who desires sight should make the
same offering; in that he offers to Agni, the purifying, he thereby bestows breath
upon him; in that (he offers) to Agni, the purifier, thereby he bestows speech upon
him; in that (he offers) to Agni, the pure, thereby he bestows sight upon him [3];
even if he is blind, he yet sees. He who desires offspring should offer a cake on
eight potsherds to Agni with sons, and a cake on eleven potsherds to Indra, who
has sons; verily Agni begets offspring for him and Indra makes it grow. He who
desires, 'May I be possessed of sap', should offer an oblation cooked in goat's milk
to Agni, full of sap; verily he has recourse to Agni, full of sap, with his own share;
verily he makes him possessed of sap [4]; he becomes possessed of sap. It is
cooked in goat's milk; the she-goat is connected with Agni; verily straightway he
wins sap. He who desires, 'May I be possessed of wealth', should offer a cake on
eight potsherds to Agni, possessed of wealth; verily he has recourse to Agni,
possessed of wealth, with his own share, and he makes him possessed of wealth; he
becomes possessed of wealth. When battle is joined, he should offer a cake on
eight potsherds to Agni, the racer, for a race [5] he desires to run, who is fain to
conquer in battle; Agni of the gods is the racer; verily he has recourse to Agni with
his own share; he runs the race, he slays the foe, he conquers in the battle, and like
Agni he is not to be overcome. He for whom fire they take out again (from the
Garhapatya fire) to place on the Ahavaniya should offer a cake on eight potsherds
to Agni with Agni; one of these (fires) has a portion assigned, one has not a portion
assigned; they uniting overpower the sacrificer [6], and he is liable to suffer ruin;
in that he offers to Agni with Agni, he appeases him with his own share; the
sacrificer does not suffer ruin. He whose fire goes out after it has been taken out
(from the Garhapatya) before the Agnihotra has been offered should offer a cake
on eight potsherds to Agni with light; (they say), 'Should another be taken out,
after lighting up (from the Garhapatya)'? That should not be done. Since the former
is taken out for a definite share, how should another [7] be taken out for (it)? He
should deposit the extinguished embers and produce fire by friction, (with the
words), 'Hence first was Agni born, from his own womb, the all-knower; he with
Gayatri, Tristubh, Jagati shall bear the oblation to the gods, the wise ones'; with the
metres he begets him from his own womb; 'this is the fire', they say, I what falls
736

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
from it is light'; in that he offers to Agni with light, he wins the light which has
fallen from it.
ii. 2. 5.
He who is calumniated should offer on twelve potsherds to Vaiçvanara, an oblation
to Varuna, and an oblation to Dadhikravan; in that there is (an offering) on twelve
potsherds to Vaiçvanara, and Agni Vaiçvanara is the year; verily he satisfies him
with the year, he smites off the evil hue; by (the offering) to Varuna he frees him
from the noose of Varuna; by Dadhikravan he purifies him. The sacrificial fee is
gold; gold is a purifier; verily he purifies him; his food becomes fit to eat. The
same (offering) he should make who desires offspring; the year [1] unpropitiated
burns up the womb of offspring, of cattle, for him who being fit for offspring does
not obtain offspring; in that there is (an offering) on twelve potsherds for
Vaiçvanara, and Agni Vaiçvanara is the year; verily he propitiates the year with its
own share; it propitiated begets offspring for him from his own womb; by (the
offering) to Varuna he frees him from the noose of Varuna; by Dadhikravan he
purifies him. The sacrificial fee is gold; gold is a purifier; verily he purifies him
[2]; he obtains offspring. When a son is born he should offer on twelve potsherds
to Vaiçvanara; in that there is (an offering) on eight potsherds, he purifies him with
the Gayatri, with splendour; in that there is (an offering) on nine potsherds, he
bestows brilliance upon him with the Trivrt (Stoma); in that there is (an offering)
on ten potsherds, he bestows proper food upon him with the Viraj; in that there is
(an offering) on eleven potsherds, he bestows power upon him with the Tristubh;
in that there is (an offering) on twelve potsherds, he bestows cattle upon him with
the Jagati; he upon whose birth he offers this sacrifice becomes pure [3], brilliant,
an eater of food, powerful, possessed of cattle. He is cut off from the world of
heaven who, being a sacrificer at new and full moon, the sacrifice either at the new
or the full moon omits, for the new and full moon offerings are made for the world
of heaven; if he has omitted the sacrifice either at the new or the full moon, he
should offer to Vaiçvanara on twelve potsherds; Agni Vaiçvanara is the year;
verily he delights the year; verily also he brings up the year for him for the winning
of the world of heaven [4]; verily also grasping the deities he goes to the world of
heaven. He who removes the fire is the slayer of the hero among the gods;
formerly righteous Brahmans did not eat his food; he should offer to Agni on eight
737

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
potsherds, to Vaiçvanara on twelve potsherds, when he is about to remove the fire;
in that there is (an offering) on eight potsherds, the Gayatri has eight syllables,
Agni is connected with the Gayatri; to Agni in his full extent he shows hospitality;
verily also that is as when one makes preparation for a man about to go to
(another) people [5]. (The offering) to Vaiçvanara is on twelve potsherds; the year
has twelve months; the birthplace of Agni is the year; verily he makes him go to
his own birth place; his food becomes fit to eat. He who desires a village should
offer on twelve potsherds to Vaiçvanara, and to the Maruts on seven potsherds.
(the offering) to Vaiçvanara he places on the Ahavaniya, that to the Maruts on the
Garhapatya, for the avoidance of confusion. (The offering) to Vaiçvanara is on
twelve potsherds; the year has twelve months; verily by the year he removes his
rivals for him; there is one to the Maruts [6]; the Maruts are the subject class
among the gods; verily by the subjects among the gods he wins for him the
subjects among men; (the offering) is on seven potsherds; the Maruts are in seven
troops; verily in troops he wins his rivals for him; he deposits (the offering) when
(the verses) are being repeated; verily he makes the people follow him.
ii. 2. 6.
He who is about to engage in a conflict should offer an oblation to Aditi; Aditi is
this (earth); verily in time gone by they were used to rest upon it. He who has come
to the place should offer to Vaiçvanara on twelve potsherds; Agni Vaiçvanara is
the year, the place of the gods is the year; from that place the gods drove the
Asuras in defeat; in that he offers to Vaiçvanara on twelve potsherds, he strives for
the abode of the gods; he wins this conflict. Those two wipe (their sin) off upon
him [1] who eats the food of two enemies; he who has eaten the food of two
enemies should offer to Vaiçvanara on twelve potsherds; Agni Vaiçvanara is the
year; verily he eats what the year has made sweet; those two do not wipe (their sin)
off upon him. For the year these two make compact who make compact; him of
them who first acts with treachery Varuna seizes; he who of two who have made
compact first shows treachery should offer on twelve potsherds to Vaiçvanara;
Agni Vaiçvanara is the year; verily having obtained the year thereafter he acts with
treachery against one who has lost Varuna's protection [2]; Varuna does not seize
him. The nature of the sheep he accepts who accepts a sheep; having accepted a
sheep he should offer to Vaiçvanara, Agni Vaiçvanara is the year; verily he accepts
738

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
(the ewe) made suitable by the year; he does not accept the nature of the sheep. A
measure of himself he obtains who accepts (an animal) with teeth in both jaws,
whether horse or man; he who has accepted (an animal) with teeth in both jaws
[3] should offer on twelve potsherds to Vaiçvanara; Agni Vaiçvanara is the year;
verily he accepts it made suitable by the year; he does not obtain a measure of
himself. He who is eager to win wealth should offer to Vaiçvanara on twelve
potsherds; Agni Vaiçvanara is the year; when a man for a year goes about among
folk he becomes worthy of wealth. In that he offers to Vaiçvanara on twelve
potsherds, he moves towards wealth gained by the year: people are fain to give him
gifts. He, who having yoked the year [4], does not let it go, becomes without
support; after his return he should offer the same sacrifice to Vaiçvanara; (the year)
which he yokes he lets go with its own share, for support; the rope with which he
drives the last of his cows he should cast against his foe; verily he casts misfortune
upon him.
ii. 2. 7.
He who desires cattle should offer an oblation to Indra; cattle are connected with
Indra; verily he has recourse to Indra with his own share; verily he gives him
cattle; verily he becomes possessed of cattle; it is an oblation; verily for him from
his own place of birth he produces cattle. He who desires cattle should offer a cake
on eleven potsherds to Indra, the powerful; cattle are power; verily he has recourse
to Indra, the powerful, with his own share; he gives him [1] power and cattle;
verily he becomes possessed of cattle. He who desires splendour should offer a
cake on eleven potsherds to Indra, possessed of heat; heat is splendour; verily he
has recourse to Indra with his own share; he bestows upon him splendour, verily he
becomes resplendent. He who desires food should offer a cake on eleven potsherds
to Indra of the hymn; the hymn is the food of the gods; verily he has recourse to
Indra of the hymn with his own share [2]; he gives him food; verily he becomes an
eater of food. He who desires prosperity should offer a cake on eleven potsherds to
Indra, possessed of heat, and to Indra, the powerful, and to Indra of the hymn; in
that he offers to Indra, possessed of heat, he thereby makes his head; in that (he
offers) to Indra, the powerful, he thereby makes his body; in that (he offers) to
Indra of the hymn, he becoming prosperous finds support in food; verily he
prospers. He who is seized by misfortune should offer a cake on eleven potsherds
to Indra [3], deliverer from tribulation, tribulation is misfortune; verily he has
739

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
recourse to Indra, deliverer from tribulation, with his own share; verily he delivers
him from the misfortune, from tribulation. He whom enemies menace or invade his
realms should offer a cake on eleven potsherds to Indra, repeller of foes; verily he
has recourse to Indra, repeller of foes, with his own share; verily he repels foes
from him [4]. He who is bound or beset should offer a cake on eleven potsherds to
Indra, the protector; verily he has recourse to Indra, the protector, with his own
share; verily he protects him. He to whom the great sacrifice does not resort should
offer a cake on eleven potsherds to Indra, of the Arka and the Açvamedha; the
Arka and the Açvamedha are the two end bodies of the great sacrifice; verily he
has recourse to Indra, of the Arka and the Açvamedha, with his own share; verily
he moves for him the great sacrifice from the ends, and the great sacrifice resorts to
him.
ii. 2. 8.
He who desires a village should offer a cake on eleven potsherds to Indra, who
goes straight forward; verily he has recourse to Indra, who goes straight forward,
with his own share; verily he makes his followers obedient to him; he becomes
possessed of a village. He whose dart is not as it were sharp should offer an
oblation to Indrani; the deity of the arrow is Indrani; verily he has recourse to
Indrani with her own share; she sharpens his arrow. Balbaja grass he should fasten
to the kindling-stick [1]; where the cow being covered made water, thence grew
the Balbaja; verily making him follow the way of the cows he causes him to obtain
cows. To Indra, the angry, the wise, he should offer a cake on eleven potsherds
when battle is joined; with power, with anger, and with wisdom one wins the
battle; verily he has recourse to Indra, the angry, the wise, with his own share;
verily he bestows upon him power, anger, and mind; he wins [2] the battle. The
same offering should he make whose mind is affected and who as it were injures
himself, for these are departed from him; verily he whose mind is affected and who
injures himself has recourse to Indra, the angry, the wise, with his own share;
verily he bestows upon him power, anger, and wisdom; his mind is not affected
and he does not injure himself. He who desires, 'May people be fain to give to me',
should offer a cake on eleven potsherds to Indra, the giver [3]; verily he has
recourse to Indra, the giver, with his own share; verily he makes people fain to give
to him; people become fain to give to him. He upon whom what is as it were ready
740

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
to be given is not bestowed should offer a cake on eleven potsherds to Indra, the
bestower; verily he has recourse to Indra, the bestower, with his own share; verily
he makes (men) bestow upon him. He who has been expelled or is being expelled
should offer a cake on eleven potsherds to Indra, the good protector [4]; verily he
has recourse to Indra, the good protector, with his own share; verily he protects
him; he becomes unexpellable. Indra was equal with the gods, he did not attain
distinction, he had recourse to Prajapati, for him, he offered this (offering) to Indra
on eleven potsherds, and thereby he bestowed power upon him; he makes the
Yajya and the Puronuvakya of the Çakvari (metre); the Çakvari is the thunderbolt,
the thunderbolt kindled him for prosperity [5], he became prosperous; having
become prosperous, be became afraid, (thinking) 'It shall burn me'; he had recourse
again to Prajapati; Prajapati from the Çakvari fashioned the (verse containing the
word) 'rich', for atonement, to prevent burning. For him who being fit for
prosperity is equal with his fellows he should offer this (offering) for Indra on
eleven potsherds; verily he has recourse to Indra with his own share; verily he
bestows power upon him. The (verse containing the word) 'rich' is the
Puronuvakya, for atonement, to prevent burning; the Yajya is in the Çakvari
(metre) -, the Çakvari is the thunderbolt, the thunderbolt kindles him for prosperity,
he becomes prosperous.
ii. 2. 9.
He who practises witchcraft should offer to Agni and Visnu on eleven potsherds;
Sarasvati should have a portion of the butter, and to Brhaspati an oblation (be
offered); in that there is (an offering) on eleven potsherds to Agni and Visnu, and
all the gods are Agni and the sacrifice is Visnu, with all the gods and the sacrifice
be practises witchcraft against him; Sarasvati has a portion of the butter; Sarasvati
is speech; verily with speech he practises against him; the oblation is Brhaspati's,
Brhaspati is the holy power (Brahman) of the gods; verily with the holy power
(Brahman) he practises against him [1]. Him who practises witchcraft they practise
then against; he should double each of the Puronuvakyas, for special employment.
With the same (offering) should he sacrifice who is practised against; verily he sets
gods against gods, the sacrifice against the sacrifice, speech against speech, the
Brahman against the Brahman; between the gods and the sacrifice he creeps along;
from no quarter is be injured; he who practises against him does not lay him low.
741

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
He to whom the sacrifice does not resort should offer on eleven potsherds to Agni
and Visnu [2]; all the gods are Agni, the sacrifice is Visnu; verily he has recourse
to Agni and Visnu with their own share; verily they give him the sacrifice; the
sacrifice resorts to him. He who desires sight should offer an oblation in ghee to
Agni and Visnu by the eye of Agni men see, (by the eye) of the sacrifice the gods
(see) verily he has recourse to Agni and Visnu with their own share; verily they [3]
bestow sight upon him; he becomes possessed of sight. The butter is the seed of the
cow, the rice grain of the ox; verily from the pair he produces for him sight. The
oblation is (made) in ghee, ghee is brilliance, sight is brilliance; verily by brilliance
he wins for him brilliance and sight. His foe in sacrificing gains the power and
strength of him who sacrifices not; when his foe is sacrificing he should offer
against him a sort of sacrifice; he does not then gain his power [4] and strength. He
should offer before speech is uttered; all the speech of his foe he thus gains
unuttered, and his speech as uttered other speeches follow after; they bestow upon
the sacrificer power and strength. Just at the time of the morning pressing he
should offer on eight potsherds to Agni and Visnu; Sarasvati should have a share
of the butter, and to Brhaspati an oblation (be offered); in that it is (offered) on
eight potsherds, and the Gayatri has eight syllables, and the morning pressing is
connected with the Gayatri, he obtains thereby the morning pressing [5]. Just at the
time of the midday pressing he should offer on eleven potsherds to Agni and
Visnu; Sarasvati should have a portion of the butter and to Brhaspati an oblation
(be offered); in that (the offering) is on eleven potsherds, and the Tristubh has
eleven syllables, and the midday pressing is connected with the Tristubh, he
obtains thereby the midday pressing. Just at the time of the third pressing he should
offer to Agni and Visnu on twelve potsherds; Sarasvati should have a share of the
butter, and to Brhaspati the oblation (be offered); in that (the offering) is on twelve
potsherds, and the Jagati has twelve syllables, and the third pressing is connected
with the Jagati, he obtains thereby the third pressing. Verily he sets gods against
gods [6], the sacrifice against the sacrifice, speech against speech, the Brahman
against the Brahman; verily by means of the potsherds he makes up the metres, by
means of the cakes the pressings. At the time of the (offering of the) cow, he
should offer on one potsherd to Mitra and Varuna, this (offering) corresponds to
his foe's cow which is to be slaughtered; his (offering) is on one potsherd, for he
cannot obtain the animal (offering) by means of (many) potsherds.
742

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
ii. 2. 10.
Yonder sun did not shine, the gods sought an atonement for him, for him they
offered this oblation to Soma and Rudra: verily thereby they bestowed brightness
upon him. If he desires to become resplendent, he should offer for him this
oblation to Soma and Rudra; verily he has recourse to Soma and Rudra with their
own portion; verily they bestow upon him splendour; he becomes resplendent. He
should offer on the full moon day of the month Tisya; Tisya is Rudra [1], the full
moon is Soma; verily straightway he wins splendour. He makes him sacrifice on an
enclosed (altar), to acquire splendour. The butter is churned from milk of a white
(cow) with a white calf; butter is used for the sprinkling, and they purify
themselves with butter; verily he produces whatever splendour exists. 'Too much
splendour is produced', they say, 'he is liable to become a leper'; he should insert
the verses of Manu's; whatever Manu said is medicine [2]; verily he makes
medicine for him. If he fear, 'I shall become a leper', he should offer an oblation to
Soma and Pusan; man has Soma as his deity, cattle are connected with Pusan;
verily he makes him a skin by means of his own deity and cattle; he does not
become a leper. He who desires offspring should offer an oblation to Soma and
Rudra; Soma is the bestower of seed, Agni is the begetter of offspring; verily Soma
bestows on him seed, Agni begets offspring; he obtains [3] offspring. He who
practises witchcraft should offer an oblation to Soma and Rudra; man has Soma as
his deity, Agni is this Rudra; verily ransoming him from his own deity he entrusts
him to Rudra; swiftly he attains ruin. He who is long ill should offer an oblation to
Soma and Rudra; the sap of him who is long ill goes to Soma, the body to Agni;
verily from Soma he ransoms his sap, from Agni his body; even if [4] his life be
gone, he yet lives. The Hotr loosens him that is swallowed by Soma and Rudra and
he is liable to be ruined; an ox must be given by the Hotr; the ox is a carrier, the
Hotr is a carrier; verily he saves himself as a carrier by means of a carrier. He who
desires, 'In his own abode may I produce a foe for him', should offer an oblation to
Soma and Rudra; selecting an altar he should dig up half, and half not, spread half
the strew, and half not, pile on half the kindling-wood and half not; verily in his
own abode he produces a foe for him.
ii. 2. 11.
He who desires a village should offer on eleven potsherds to Indra, on seven
743

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
potsherds to the Maruts; verily he has recourse to Indra and the Maruts with their
own share; verily they make his fellows subject to him; he becomes possessed of a
village. He places (the offering) for Indra on the Ahavaniya, that for the Maruts on
the Garhapatya, for the prevention of confusion. (The offering) for the Maruts is on
seven potsherds; the Maruts are in seven troops; verily by troops he wins his
fellows for him. He places (it) down when the recitation is proceeding; verily he
makes the people [1] obedient to him. The same offering should he make who
desires, 'May I cause strife between the ruling class and the people.' As he cuts off
from Indra's (cake), he should say, 'Do thou recite for Indra'; having directed (the
Agnidh) to utter the Çrausat call, he should say, 'Utter the Yajya, for the Maruts';
as he cuts off from the Maruts' cake, he should say, 'Do thou recite for the Maruts';
having directed (the Agnidh), he should say, 'Utter the Yajya for Indra'; verily he
produces strife between them for their shares, and they keep piercing each other.
The same offering [2] should he make who desires, 'May they be at unity.'
According to each deity should he cut off and according to each utter the Yajya;
verily he arranges them in due order with their portions; they are at unity. He who
desires a village should offer on eleven potsherds to Indra, and on twelve potsherds
to the All-gods; verily he has recourse to Indra and the All-gods with their own
share; verily they subject his fellows to him; he becomes possessed of a village.
Having cut off from Indra's (cake) he should cut off from the All-gods, and then
indriyéna
from Indra's [3]; verily with power (
) he surrounds his fellows on
both sides. The sacrificial fee is a garment with a fringe, for the delectation of his
fellows. He who desires a village should offer to the Maruts an oblation of panic
seed in the milk of a speckled (cow); from the milk of a speckled (cow) were the
Maruts born, of the speckled (cow) panic seed; his fellows have the Maruts for
their deity; verily he has recourse to the Maruts with their own share; verily they
subject his fellows to him; he becomes possessed of a village. The Yajya and the
Anuvakya contain the word 'dear' [4]; verily he makes him dear to his fellows; the
Puronuvakya, has two feet; verily he wins bipeds; the Yajya has four feet; verily he
wins quadrupeds. The gods and the Asuras were in conflict; the gods were
mutually at variance; unwilling to accept the pre-eminence of another they went
apart in four bodies, Agni with the Vasus, Soma with the Rudras, Indra with the
Maruts, Varuna with the Adityas. Indra had recourse to Prajapati; he made him [5]
sacrifice with the verse for harmony; to Agni with the Vasus he offered a cake on
eight potsherds, to Soma with the Rudras an oblation, to Indra with the Maruts a
cake on eleven potsherds, to Varuna with the Adityas an oblation; then indeed the
744

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
gods agreed to recognize Indra's pre-eminence. Him who is mutually at variance
with his fellows he should cause to offer with the verse for harmony; he should
offer to Agni with the Vasus a cake on eight potsherds, to Soma with the Rudras an
oblation, to Indra with the Maruts a cake on eleven potsherds, to Varuna with the
Adityas an oblation; so him becoming Indra his fellows recognize as superior; he
becomes the best of his fellows.
ii. 2. 12.
a The golden germ.
b When the waters.
c O Prajapati.
d He as a son knoweth the father, he the mother,
He is a son, he is of generous returns;
He hath enveloped the sky, the atmosphere, he the heaven;
He hath become all the worlds, he hath come to be.
e Up that.
f The radiant.
g Thou from of old with thy new glory,
O Agni, with thy companion light,
Hast mightily outstretched.
h He doth put down the wise contrivings of every worshipper;
Bearing in his arm [1] many a manly deed;
Agni hath become the lord of riches,
Making ever all immortal things.
i To help us I summon
The golden-handed Savitr;
He as a god knoweth the place.
k Prosperity to-day, O Savitr prosperity to-morrow,
Day by day prosperity mayst thou procure for us;
Through this prayer may we win the prosperity
Of many a prosperous dwelling, O god.
l O earth, thou bearest
The weight of the mountains,
745

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
Thou that dost, O great earth,
With thy hills, quicken with thy might [2].
m The songs salute thee,
Thee that extendest far, each day,
Thee that, O bright one, dost shoot forward
The seed like great riches.
n May I be in companionship with the friend pleasant within,
Who being drunk shall not harm me, O thou of the tawny steeds;
This Soma that hath been deposited within us,
For that I go to Indra to prolong (my life).
o Giving spirit when drunken, with swift onset,
Impetuous, strong, bearing arrows, with the residue is Soma;
All plants and trees deceived not aforetime
As substitutes Indra.
p Soma [3] the righteous as pressed becometh visible,
Jamadagni singing the hymn to Indra;
Thou art the mighty restrainer of impetuous might;
Ward it off and strengthen the support for the singer.
q In unison men that make prayers offer to thee this prayer
That giveth delight and invigoration;
When the hymn with the radiance of Soma shall speed forth,
Then shall Indra show his might in the contests.
r From the mouth to thee, O Visnu, do I utter the Vasat call;
Do thou accept my oblation, O Çipivista [4];
Let my fair hymns of praise cause thee to wax great;
Do ye protect us ever with blessings.
s That name of thee, the noble, to-day I celebrate,
O Çipivista, knowing the ways;
I, the weaker, sing thee the strong,
That rulest beyond this region.'
t What was there to be disclosed in thee, O Visnu,
What time thou didst declare, 'I am Çipivista'?
Conceal not from us that form of thine
What time thou dost change thy shape in battle [5].
746

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
u O Agni, give to the giver
Wealth of heroes in abundance;
Quicken us to richness in sons.
v Give to us, O Agni, a hundred, give a thousandfold;
Like doors disclose for us booty for renown;
Make with the prayer sky and earth propitious;
Like bright heaven the dawns have shone forth.
w Agni give wealth that decketh the hero;
Agni the Rsi who winneth thousands;
Agni hath placed the oblation in the sky;
In many a place are the abodes of Agni.
x Destroy [6] us not.
y Bring to us.
z Thy body is faultless,
Like ghee purified, like pure gold
That of thine shineth like an ornament, O thou powerful one.
aa O bright one, in thy mouth thou cookest
Both ladles (full) of butter;
Do thou make us full
For our hymns, O lord of strength;
Do thou bear food to the praisers.
bb O Vayu, a hundred of bay (steeds)
Worthy of nourishment do thou yoke;
Or let the chariot of thee that hast a thousand (steeds)
Come with might.
cc The teams [7] wherewith thou comest to the giver,
O Vayu, for seeking in the house,
Grant us wealth rich in enjoyment,
And a treasure of heroes, of horses, of cows.
dd Rich banquets be ours with Indra,
With mighty strength,
Wherewith fed we may rejoice.
ee Rich should he be, the praiser
Of a generous and wealthy one like thee;
(Famed) be (the praiser) of thee that art famed, O thou with the bays.
747

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
PRAPATHAKA III
The Special Sacrifices (continued)
ii. 3. 1.
He who desires prosperity should offer to the Adityas, giving prosperity; it is the
Adityas who repel from prosperity him who being fit for prosperity does not obtain
prosperity; verily he has recourse to the Adityas, giving prosperity, with their own
share; verily they make him attain prosperity; he becomes prosperous. He who has
been expelled or is being expelled should offer an oblation to the Adityas, the
sustainers; the Adityas are the expellers, the Adityas are the procurers; verily he
has recourse to the Adityas, the sustainers [1] with their own share; verily they
support him in the people; he is unexpellable. 'O Aditi, do thou confirm', (with
these words) be who is being expelled should take the foot (dust) of him (who is
expelling him); Aditi is this (earth); verily she confirms the kingdom for him; 'Be
the blessing fulfilled', he says; verily he makes the blessing come true; 'Mind here',
he says; verily he makes the people of one mind with him; 'Come hither, O ye
Maruts [2] rich in dew, with this lord of the people against yon king', he says; the
people are connected with the Maruts, the lord of the people is the highest; verily
he unites him with the people and the realm. From the house of a village judge
further on he should take rice; he should separate out the white and the black; of
the white he should offer an oblation to the Adityas; the people have the Adityas
for their deity; verily he attains the people [3]; 'The people he has attained, the
realm he has not attained', they say; of the dark ones he should offer an oblation to
Varuna; the realm is connected with Varuna; verily he attains both the people and
the realm. Should he not attain (them), he should offer (saying), 'To the Adityas
this portion I offer to attain the people N. N. for N. N.'; verily the Adityas desiring
the portion make him attain the people [4]. Should he not attain (them), he should
knock in seven pegs of Açvattha wood in the middle shaft, (saying), 'Here do I
bind the Adityas to attain the people N. N. from N. N.'; verily the Adityas, their
heroes bound, make him attain the people. Should he not attain (them), he should
offer this oblation to the Adityas and attach pegs to the kindling-wood; verily he
attains what cannot be taken away. (The pegs) are of Açvattha wood; the Açvattha
is the might of the Maruts; verily with might he attains the people; seven are they,
748

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
the Maruts are in seven troops; verily in troops he attains the people.
ii. 3. 2.
The gods were afraid of death; they had recourse to Prajapati for them he offered
this (offering) to Prajapati of a hundred Krsnalas in weight verily by it he bestowed
upon them immortality; for him who fears death he should offer to Prajapati this
(offering) of a hundred Krsnalas: verily he has recourse to Prajapati with his own
share; verily he bestows life upon him; he lives all his days. It is of a hundred
Krsnalas in weight; man has a hundred (years of) life, and a hundred powers; verily
in life, in power [1] he finds support. (The offering) is in ghee; ghee is life, gold is
immortality; verily he unites him with life and immortality; four Krsnalas weight
on each occasion he cuts off to obtain the four cuttings-off; one by one he brings to
the Brahman priest, and one by one he bestows life upon the sacrificer. Yonder sun
did not shine, the gods sought an atonement for it, for it they offered this oblation
to Surya; verily thereby they bestowed upon it [2] radiance. For him who desires
splendour he should offer this oblation to Surya; verily he has recourse to yonder
sun with his own share; verily he bestows upon him splendour; he becomes
resplendent. On both sides are ornaments (of gold); verily on both sides he bestows
radiance upon him. At each fore-offering he offers a Krsnala weight; verily from
the quarters he wins splendour for him, He should offer on eight potsherds to Agni,
on twelve potsherds to Savitr, and an oblation to earth [3] who desires, 'May I gain
gold; may gold resort to me.' In that it is (offered) to Agni, gold is connected with
Agni; verily by him whose is gold he gains it; it is (offered) to Savitr; verily
instigated by Savitr he gains it; to earth an oblation is offered; verily on it he gains
it; gold resorts to him. He who gains gold is deprived of power and strength; the
same offering should he make who gains gold; he is not deprived of power and
strength. The same [4] offering he should make whose gold is lost; in that it is
(offered) to Agni, and gold is connected with Agni, by him whose is gold he gains
it; it is (offered) to Savitr; verily instigated by Savitr he gains it; to earth an
oblation is offered; in this what is lost is lost; verily in it he gains it. Indra [5] by
force drunk the Soma of Tvastr, he went apart on all sides, he was deprived of
power, of Soma drinking; what he vomited up, that became panic seeds; he had
recourse to Prajapati; for him he offered this oblation of panic seeds to Soma and
Indra; verily thereby he bestowed upon him power and Soma drinking; he who
vomits Soma is deprived of power, of Soma drinking; for him who vomits Soma
749

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
[6], he should offer this oblation of panic seeds; verily he has recourse to Soma and
Indra; verily they bestow upon him power and Soma drinking; he is not deprived
of power and of Soma drinking. In that it is (offered) to Soma, he wins Soma
drinking; in that it is (offered) to Indra, and Soma drinking is power, verily he wins
power and Soma drinking; it is of panic seeds, Soma is it [7]; verily straightway he
wins Soma drinking. He who desires cattle should offer a cake on eight potsherds
to Agni, the giver, and a cake on eleven potsherds to Indra, the bestower; verily
Agni produces cattle for him, Indra makes them grow up. These are curds, honey,
ghee, waters, and parched grain; that is the form of cattle; verily by their form he
wins cattle; there are five takings, for cattle are fivefold; I it is of many forms, for
cattle are of many forms [8], (verily it serves) for completion; it is offered to
Prajapati; cattle are connected with Prajapati; verily Prajapati produces cattle for
him; honey is the body of man; in that he offers honey on the fire, verily thus the
sacrificer places his body in the fire; the Yajya and the Anuvakya are in the Pañkti
metre, man is fivefold, cattle are fivefold; verily ransoming his body from death he
wins cattle.
ii. 3. 3.
The gods desiring glory performed a sacrificial session bounded by success; to
Soma the king among them glory came, he went to the hill, Agni followed him;
Agni and Soma, those two, united; Indra, being parted from the sacrifice followed
after them; to them be said, 'Make me to sacrifice.' For him they offered this
sacrifice, to Agni on eight potsherds, to Indra on eleven potsherds, to Soma an
oblation; verily thereby they conferred upon him brilliance [1], power, and
splendour. For him who is parted from the sacrifice he should offer this sacrifice,
to Agni on eight potsherds, to Indra on eleven potsherds, to Soma an oblation; in
that it is (offered) to Agni, thereby he bestows brilliance upon him; in that it is
(offered) to Indra, thereby (he bestows) power upon him; in that it is (offered) to
Soma, thereby (he bestows) splendour; part of the offerings to Agni and Soma he
should unite with that to Indra; verily he unites him with brilliance and splendour
[2]. He whose desire is not fulfilled should offer on eleven potsherds to Agni and
Soma; the Brahman is connected with Agni, he drinks Soma; verily he has
recourse to his own deity with his own share; verily he unites him with his desire;
his desire is fulfilled. He who desires splendour should offer on eight potsherds to
750

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
Agni and Soma; verily he has recourse to Agni and Soma with their own share;
verily they bestow upon him splendour; he becomes resplendent [3]. In that it is on
eight potsherds, it is connected with Agni; in that it is of panic seeds, it is
connected with Soma; (verily it serves) for prosperity. He who is afraid of
impotence should offer , an oblation of panic seeds to Soma, the strong. For the
seed, the strength, departs from him, then he fears impotence; verily he has
recourse to Soma, the strong; verily he bestows upon him seed and strength; he
does not become impotent. He who desires a village should offer on eleven
potsherds to Brahmanaspati [4]; verily he has recourse to Brahmanaspati with his
own share; verily he subjects his fellows to him; he becomes possessed of a
village. The Yajya and the Anuvakya have the word 'troop'; verily he makes him
possess troops of his fellows. The same sacrifice should he offer who desires, 'May
I bring the people to ruin with respect to the Brahman'; he should use as the Yajya
and the Anuvakya verses referring to the Maruts; verily he brings the people to
ruin with respect to the Brahman.
ii. 3. 4.
He who desires the heaven should offer an oblation to Aryaman; Aryaman is
yonder sun; verily he has recourse to Aryaman with his own share; he makes him
attain the world of heaven. He should offer an oblation to Aryaman who desires,
'May people be fain to give to me'; Aryaman is yonder sun, Aryaman is he who
gives; verily he has recourse to Aryaman with his own share; he makes [1] people
fain to give to him; people are fain to give to him. He should offer an oblation to
Aryaman who desires, 'May I go prosperously among men'; Aryaman is yonder
sun; verily he has recourse to Aryaman with his own share; verily be makes him go
whither he is fain to go. Indra was the lowest in rank of the gods, he had recourse
to Prajapati; for him he offered this (offering) of the after-shoots of rice to Indra on
eleven potsherds [2]; verily he led him to the top of the gods; he made as the Yajya
and the Anuvakya (verses) containing the words 'depth' and 'top'; verily from the
depths he led him to the top; for the prince who is low in rank he should offer to
Indra on eleven potsherds this (offering) of the after-shoots of rice; verily he has
recourse to Indra with his own share; verily he leads him to the top of his fellows;
the Yajya, and the Anuvakya contain the words 'depth' and 'top'; verily from the
depth he leads him to the top [3]; it is of the after-shoots of rice, for it is the deity
of him who is low in rank; (verily it serves) for prosperity. For the Brahman who is
751

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
low in rank he should offer to Brhaspati this oblation of the after-shoots of rice;
verily he has recourse to Brhaspati with his own share; verily he leads him to the
top of his equals; the Yajya and the Anuvakya contain the words 'depth' and 'top';
verily he leads from the depth to the top; it is of the after-shoots of rice, for it is the
deity of him who is low in rank; (verily it serves) for prosperity.
ii. 3. 5.
Prajapati had thirty-three daughters; he gave them to Soma, the king; of them he
associated with Rohini; they returned in anger; then he followed and asked for
them back; them he would not return; he said, 'Swear on oath that thou wilt equally
associate (with them): then will I return them to you.' He took the oath, and he
returned them. He associated with Rohini alone [1]. Illness seized him; 'Illness has
seized the king', that (saying) is the origin of the 'king's evil'; in that he became
worse, that is (the origin) of the 'bad illness'; because he got it from his wives, that
is (the origin) of the 'wife's disease' (Jayenya); him who knows thus the origin of
these illnesses, these illnesses do not visit. He approached them respectfully; they
said, 'Let us choose a boon; do thou associate equally with us.' For him [2] they
offered this oblation to the Adityas; they freed him from his evil case. For him who
is seized by the bad illness he should offer this oblation to the Adityas; verily he
has recourse to the Adityas with their own share; verily they free him from his evil
case. He should offer at the new moon; verily with its waxing he makes him wax.
The Puronuvakya is, 'He is born ever new'; verily thereby he bestows life upon
him. The Yajya is, 'The shoot which the Adityas make to wax'; verily thereby he
makes him wax.
ii. 3. 6.
Prajapati assigned food to the gods; he said, 'Whatever shall be left over these
worlds, be that mine.' That was left over these worlds, Indra, the king, Indra, the
overlord, Indra, the sovereign; thence he milked these worlds threefold; that is the
cause of its having three elements. For him of whom he desires, 'May he be an
eater of food', let him offer this (offering) of three elements, to Indra, the king, a
cake [1] on eleven potsherds, to Indra, the overlord, to Indra, the sovereign. Indra,
the king, is this (world of earth), Indra, the overlord, is this (atmosphere), Indra, the
752

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
sovereign, is yonder (world of heaven); verily he has recourse to these worlds with
their own share; verily they bestow food on him; he becomes an eater of food.
Even as one milks a cow ready to give milk by reason of its calf, so he milks these
worlds, made ready, for desire, for food; he places (the cake) on potsherds face
upwards, for variety. There are three cakes, these worlds are three; (verily they
serve) to obtain these worlds; each one above the other is larger, for so as it were
are these worlds; (verily they serve) for prosperity; he cuts off from all (the cakes)
as he sets them up without making a failure; be recites (the verses) alternating, to
prevent burning.
ii. 3. 7.
The gods and the Asuras were in conflict: the Asuras conquered the gods, the gods
being defeated became the servants of the Asuras; from them power and strength
departed; Indra perceived this; he departed in pursuit of it; he could not win it.
Then he departed from it, he had recourse to Prajapati; he made him sacrifice with
this (offering) with all the Prstha (Stotras); verily with it he bestowed upon him
power and strength. Him who desires power [1], desires strength, he should make
him sacrifice with this (offering) with all the Prsthas; verily he has recourse to
these deities with their own share; verily they bestow upon him power and
strength. In that he offers to Indra of the Rathantara, verily he wins the brilliance of
Agni; in that (he offers) to Indra of the Brhat, verily he wins the brilliance of Indra;
in that (he offers) to Indra of the Vairupa, verily he wins the brilliance of Savitr
[2]; in that (he offers) to Indra of the Vairaja, verily he wins the brilliance of the
creator; in that (he offers) to Indra of the Çakvara, verily he wins the brilliance of
the Maruts; in that (he offers) to Indra of the Raivata, verily he wins the brilliance
of Brhaspati. So many are the brilliances, verily he wins them; he places (the
cakes) on potsherds face upwards, for variety; the cake is on twelve potsherds [3],
to secure the All-gods. He cuts off all around; verily all around he bestows on the
sacrificer power and strength; he recites (the verses) alternating, to prevent
burning. A horse, a bull, a ram, a goat, these are the sacrificial fee; for manliness.
With this he should sacrifice who is being practised against; if these deities eat his
food, men eat his also.
753

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
ii. 3. 8.
Rajana Kauneya went to Kratujit Janaki for a cure for eyesight; for him he offered
this sacrifice, to Agni, the blazing, a cake on eight potsherds, to Surya an oblation,
to Agni, the blazing, a cake on eight potsherds; verily thereby he bestowed sight
upon him. For him who desires sight he should offer this sacrifice, to Agni, the
blazing, a cake on eight potsherds; to Surya an oblation, to Agni, the blazing, a
cake on eight potsherds; by the eye of Agni men see [1], (by the eye) of the sun the
gods; verily he has recourse to Agni and Surya with their own share; verily they
bestow sight upon him; he becomes possessed of sight. In that there are two for
Agni, he restores his eyes for him; in that there is (an oblation) for Surya, (he
restores) his nose; the two for Agni are on either side of that for Surya; therefore
the two eyes are on either side of the nose, therefore by the nose the eyes are
separated. The Yajya, and the Anuvakya, are alike, for the eye is alike; (verily it
serves) for prosperity. 'Up that god that knoweth all', 'Seven bays in thy chariot',
'The radiant countenance of the gods hath arisen', (with these words) he offers
lumps; verily he gives sight to him; what was his, that (is his again).
ii. 3. 9.
a Thou art secure; may I be secure among my equals, wise, a guardian, a gainer of
wealth; thou art secure; may I be secure among my equals, dread, a guardian, a
gainer of wealth; thou art secure; may I be secure among my equals, dread, a
guardian, a gainer of wealth. b Thou art affection; O ye gods of affection, those
equals, youths, of one mind, them I love with my heart; may they love me with
their hearts; make them of one mind with me; hail! Thou [1] art affection; O ye
gods of affection, the women of one mind, them I love with my heart; may they
love me with their hearts; make them of one mind with me; hail!
He who desires a village should offer to the All-gods (the sacrifice) for taking
possession; his equals are connected with the All-gods; verily he has recourse to
the All-gods with their own share; verily they subject his equals to him; he
becomes possessed of a village. It is (the offering) for taking possession; taking
possession is grasping the mind; verily he grasps the mind of his equals [2]. 'Thou
art secure; may I be secure among my equals', (with these words) he puts the
enclosing-sticks round; verily he invokes this blessing. Then all this comes to pass
754

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
with regard to the equals of him for whom knowing thus these enclosing-sticks are
put around. 'Thou art affection; O ye gods of affection', (with these words) he
offers three oblations; so many are his equals, great, small, and women, them he
wins, they being won wait on him.
ii. 3. 10.
a What went new that became fresh butter; what crept that became clarified butter;
that which became firm became ghee.
b Thou art the breath of the Açvins; of that to thee let the two give whose breath
thou art; hail! Thou art the breath of Indra; of that to thee let him give whose breath
thou art;
hail! Thou art the breath of Mitra and Varuna; of that to thee let them give whose'
breath thou art; hail! Thou art the breath of the All-gods [1]; of that to thee let them
give whose breath thou art; hail!
c Stream of ghee, path of ambrosia,
Given by Indra, presented by the Maruts,
Thee Visnu perceived,
Then Ida moved thee in the cow.
d Let the god Savitr set thee free for life, for living, with the Pavamana Stoma,
with the path of the Gayatra (Saman), with the strength of
the Upançu (Graha); let the god Savitr set thee free for life, for living,
[2] with the Brhat and Rathantara's Stoma with the path of the Tristubh,with the
strength of the Çukra (Graha); let the god Savitr set thee free with the measure of
Agni, with the path of the Jagati, With the strength of the Agrayana (Graha). e Him
quicken, O Agni, for life, for radiance, Make dear his seed, O Varuna, O Soma, O
king; Like a mother, O Aditi, give him protection, O ye All-gods, that he may win
old age. f Agni is full of life; he is full of life through the trees; with this life I
make thee full of life. Soma is full of life; he is (full) through the plants; the
sacrifice is full of life; it is (full) through the sacrificial fees; the Brahman is full of
life; that is full of life through the Brahmans; the gods are full of life; they are (full
of life) through the ambrosia; the Pitrs are full of life; they are full of life through
the Svadha-call with this life I make thee full of life.
755

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
ii. 3. 11.
To Agni his body goes, to Soma his sap,--Varuna grasps him with Varuna's noose--
to Sarasvati the speech, to Agni and Visnu the body Of him who long is ill. For
him who is long ill or who desires, 'May I live all my days', he should offer this
sacrifice, to Agni on eight potsherds, to Soma an oblation, to Varuna on ten
potsherds, to Sarasvati an oblation, to Agni and Visnu on eleven potsherds; verily
he ransoms his body from Agni, his sap from Soma [1]; by the offering to Varuna
he frees him from Varuna's noose; by the offering to Sarasvati he bestows speech;
all the gods are Agni, the sacrifice is Visnu; verily by the gods and the sacrifice he
heals him; even if his life is gone, he yet lives. 'What went new, that became fresh
butter', (with these words) he looks upon the butter; verily he describes its form
and greatness. 'Thou art the breath of the Açvins', he says; the Açvins are the
physicians of the gods [2]; verily by them he makes healing for him. 'Thou art the
breath of Indra', he says; verily thereby he bestows power upon him. 'Thou art the
breath of Mitra and Varuna', he says; verily thereby he bestows expiration and
inspiration upon him. 'Thou art the breath of the All-gods', be says; verily thereby
he bestows strength on him. 'Stream of ghee, path of ambrosia' [3], he says; that is
according to the text. 'With the Pavamana Stoma thee', he says; verily thereby he
bestows breath upon him. 'By the Brhat and Rathantara's Stoma thee', he says;
verily thereby he bestows force upon him. 'With the measure of Agni thee', he
says; verily thereby he bestows body upon him. The priests speak (these words)
around; as many as are the priests, they heal him. Grasping the hand of the
Brahman (priest) they speak around (him); separately they bestow life on the
sacrificer; what was his that (is his again). From the gold [4] he drinks away the
ghee; ghee is life, gold is ambrosia; verily from the ambrosia he drinks away life; it
is a hundred (Krsnalas) in weight; man has a hundred (years) of life, a hundred
powers; verily he finds support in life, in power. Or as many seasons as he deems
that he will live, so many be the number, for prosperity. 'Him quicken, O Agni, for
life, for radiance', he says; verily he bestows life and radiance upon him. 'O ye All-
gods, that he may win old age', he says; verily he makes him win old age. 'Agni is
full of life', (with these words) he takes his hand; these gods are full of life, they
bestow life upon him, he lives all his life.
756

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
ii. 3. 12.
Prajapati led the horse to Varuna, it went to its own deity, he was afflicted; he saw
this (offering) to Varuna on four potsherds, he offered it; then indeed was he set
free from Varuna's noose. Varuna seizes him who accepts the horse. As many
horses as he accepts, so many (offerings) to Varuna should he offer; verily he has
recourse to Varuna with his own share; verily he frees him from Varuna's noose
[1]. (The offerings) are on four potsherds, for the horse has four feet; (verily they
serve) for prosperity. He should offer an extra one; whatever (horse) he is going to
accept or whatever (horse) he has overlooked, from that noose of Varuna is he set
free. If he is going to accept another, he should offer in supplement an offering to
Surya, on one potsherd; verily he makes yonder sun to rise. He goes to the waters
as the final bath, Varuna is in the waters; verily straightway he appeases Varuna.
After his return he should offer an oblation to Apam Napat; the horse has its
birthplace in the waters; verily he makes him go to his own birthplace; appeased he
attends on him.
ii. 3. 13.
a That body of yours, to be striven for, 'O Indra and Varuna, with that do ye free
this one from tribulation; that strong, protecting, brilliant body of yours, with that
do ye free him from tribulation. b That disease of yours, O Indra and Varuna, that
is in the fire, that of yours I appease hereby; that disease of yours, O Indra and
Varuna, that is in the two-footed cattle, the four-footed, the cattle-yard, the houses,
the waters, the plants, the trees, that of yours I appease hereby.
Indra departs with his [1] power, Varuna seizes him with Varuna's noose, who is
seized by evil; for him who is seized by evil, he should offer this (offering of)
clotted milk to Indra and Varuna; verily Indra bestows power upon him, Varuna
frees him from Varuna's noose. (The offering) is of clotted milk, for milk departs
from him; verily he is seized with evil; in that it is of clotted milk, thereby he
bestows milk upon him. In the clotted milk [2] he puts down the cake; verily he
makes him possessed of a body, and also possessed of an abode. He separates it
into four pieces; verily he finds supports in the quarters; he unites (the fires) again;
verily he procures healing for him from the quarters; having united (them) he cuts
off (portions); that is as when one cuts up what has been pierced. (That disease of
yours, O Indra and Varuna, that is in the fire, that of yours I appease hereby', he
757

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
says; verily he protects him from error in sacrifice. 'That disease of yours, O Indra
and Varuna, that is in the two footed cattle, that of yours I appease hereby', he says;
so many are the waters, the plants, the trees, offspring and cattle on whom to live;
verily does he free them for him from Varuna's noose.
ii. 3. 14.
a Thou from of old.
b The wise contrivings.
c Indra on all sides.
d Indra men.
e Do thou guard us, O Soma, on all sides,
O king, from him who plots evil;
Lot not the friend of such as thou come to harm.
f Thy places in the sky, in the earth,
In the mountains, in the plants, in the waters,
With all of these, kindly and without anger,
Do thou, O king Soma, accept our oblations.
g O Agni and Soma, united,
With common offering, accept our prayers,
Ye were born together among the gods.
h Ye [1], O Agni and Soma, with common inspiration,
Placed these lights in the sky;
Ye freed the streams from the dread imprecation
When they were held fast.
i O Agni and Soma, hearken kindly,
O ye strong ones, to my invocation;
Accept gladly our songs,
Be a refreshment to the giver.
k One from the sky Matariçvan bore,
The falcon churned another from the rock;
Agni and Soma, waxing great through prayer,
Ye made broad room for the sacrifice.
l O Agni and Soma, the oblation which is set forth [2],
758

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
Do ye taste, accept it, rejoice in it, O ye strong ones
Of good protection, of good help be ye,
And give to the sacrificer health and wealth.
m Swell.
n Together thee.
o Troop lord of troops we invoke thee,
Sage of sages, most famous;
Highest king of Brahmans, O lord of prayer,
Hearkening to us with help do thou sit on thy place.
p He shall win booty and prizes with tribe,
With clan, with family, with sons, with men,
Who shall seek to win the father of the gods [3],
Pious with oblations, the lord of prayer.
q He with his fair singing, harmonious troop,
Crushed Vala and Phaliga with his cry;
Brhaspati drove out the cows, which mix the offerings,
Thundering as they lowed.
r O Maruts, what time from the sky.
s The protections that ye.
t Aryaman goeth, the mighty bull,
The giver of wealth, much invoked, deserving;
With a thousand eyes, opening the cow-pens, with the thunderbolt in his arm,
May the god bestow upon us wealth.
u Thy many paths, O Aryaman, on which the gods go,
O king, which come from the sky [4],
With these, O god, grant us great protection;
Be auspicious to our bipeds, to our quadrupeds.
v From the depth to the top, sung by the Angirases,
He moved asunder the firm places of the mountains;
He burst their cunningly-made obstructions;
These things did Indra in the joy of the Soma.
w From the depth with the top he meted with measures,
With the thunderbolt he crushed the hollows of the streams;
Lightly he freed them with paths of long wanderings;
759

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
These things did Indra in the joy of the Soma [5].
x Who was born knowing his connexion,
The god declareth all births,
From the middle of holy power he bore out holy power,
From low on high he arose at his will.
y Born in greatness, he established apart the great ones,
The sky as a seat and the atmosphere of earth;
From the depth be hath won to the top with his race,
Whose deity is Brhaspati, the sovereign.
z Him who with might riseth from the depth to the top,
Brhaspati the gods desire to win;
He broke Vala, he rendeth the forts,
Thundering he won the heaven and the waters.
PRAPATHAKA IV
The Special Sacrifices (continued)
ii. 4. 1.
The gods, men, and the Pitrs were on one side, the Asuras, Raksases, and Piçacas
on the other. Of the gods the little blood they drew the Raksases smothered by the
nights and dawn dawned on them smothered and dead. The gods understood, 'Him
who of us dies, it is the Raksases who kill.' They invited the Raksases; they said,
'Let us choose a boon; what [1] we win from the Asuras, let that be shared between
us.' Then indeed did the gods conquer the Asuras, and having conquered the
Asuras, they drove away the Raksases. The Raksases (saying), 'Ye have done
falsely', surrounded the gods on all sides. The gods found a protector in Agni; they
offered to Agni, the forward, a cake on eight potsherds, to Agni, the overcomer, to
Agni with the face. In that they offered to Agni, the forward, the Raksases in front
[2] they repelled thereby; in that (they offered) to Agni, the overcomer, the
Raksases that were around they repelled thereby; in that (they offered) to Agni
with the face, the Raksases behind were repelled thereby. That the gods prospered,
the Raksases were defeated. He who has foes should in conflict sacrifice with this
offering; he should offer to Agni, the forward, a cake on eight potsherds, to Agni,
the overcomer [3], to Agni with the face. In that he offers to Agni, the forward, he
760

Yajur Veda English Translation – AB Keith
repels thereby the foe who is superior to him; in that (he offers) to Agni, the
overcomer, he repels thereby (the foe) who is equal to him; in that (he offers) to
Agni with the face, he repels thereby the foe which is inferior to him. He repels the
foe who is superior, he surpasses him who is like, the inferior does not equal him
who knowing thus sacrifices with this offering.
ii. 4. 2.
The gods and the Asuras were in conflict; the gods said, 'Let us hold on to the
strongest of us'; they said to Indra, 'Thou art the strongest of us; let us hold on to
thee.' He said, 'Three are these forms of my own that have strength; satiate them,
and then shall ye overcome the Asuras.' They said, 'Name (them).' He said, 'This is
that which frees from tribulation; this is that which drives away the foe; this is that
which has power' [1]. They offered to Indra, the freer from tribulation, a cake on
eleven potsherds, to Indra, the driver away of the foe, to Indra, the powerful. In
that they offered to Indra, the freer from tribulation, thereby they were freed from
tribulation; in that they offered to Indra, the driver away of foes, thereby they
drove away foes; in that they offered to Indra, the powerful, thereby they bestowed
power upon themselves. They offered a cake on thirty-three potsherds; the gods are
thirty-three; verily Indra takes hold of them in himself, for prosperity [2]. That was
the highest victory that the gods won over the Asuras. He who has foes should in
conflict sacrifice with this offering; to Indra, the freer from tribulation, he should
offer a cake on eleven potsherds, to Indra, the driver away of the foe, to Indra, the
powerful; by tribulation is he seized whose foe is superior to him; in that he offers
to Indra, the freer from tribulation, he is freed thereby from tribulation; by foes is
he beset, to whom one of his equals is superior, even [3] if no foe; in that (he
offers) to Indra, the driver away of the foe, he smites away thereby his foes; in that
(he offers) to Indra, the powerful, he bestows thereby power upon himself; he
offers a cake on thirty-three potsherds; the gods are thirty-three; verily the
sacrificer takes hold of them in himself, for prosperity, Thus is the sacrifice called
'the victorious'; he who knowing thus sacrifices with this offering wins thus the
highest victory over his foe.
761