Ix. Prayers and Imprecations for Brahmans. 173
2. To thy advising minister, whom thou, Arati,
didst make thy agent, do we make obeisance. Do
not bring failure to my wish!
3. May our wish, instilled by the gods, be fulfilled
by day and night! We go in quest of ArAti.
Adoration be to Arati! |
4. Sarasvati (speech), Anumati (favour), and Bhaga
(fortune) we go to invoke. Pleasant, honied, words
I have spoken on the occasions when the gods were
invoked.
5. Him whom I implore with Vaé Sarasvati (the
goddess of speech), the yoke-fellow of thought, faith
shall find to-day, bestowed by the brown soma!
6. Neither our wish nor our speech do thou frus-
trate! May Indra and Agni both bring us wealth!
Do ye all who to-day desire to make gifts to us
gain favour with Arati! |
7. Go far away, failure! Thy missile do we
avert. I know thee (to be) oppressive and piercing,
O Arati!
8. Thou dost even transform thyself into a naked
woman, and attach thyself to people in their sleep,
frustrating, O Arati, the thought and intention of
man.
9. To her who, great, and of great dimension,
did penetrate all the regions, to this golden-locked
Nirvzti (goddess of misfortune), I have rendered
obeisance.
10. To the gold-complexioned, lovely one, who
rests upon golden cushions, to the great one, to
that Arati who wears golden robes, I have rendered
obeisance.
174 HYMNS OF THE ATHARVA-VEDA.
XII, 4. The necessity of giving away sterile cows to the Brahmans.
1. ‘I give, he shall surely say, ‘the sterile cow to
the begging Brahmans’—and they have noted her—
that brings progeny and offspring !
2. With his offspring does he trade, of his cattle
is he deprived, that refuses to give the cow of the
gods to the begging descendants of the Azshis.
3. Through (the gift of) a cow with broken horns
his (cattle) breaks down, through a lame one he
tumbles into a pit, through a mutilated one his
house is burned, through a one-eyed one his property
is given away.
4. Flow of blood attacks the cattle-owner from
the spot where her dung is deposited: this under-
standing there is about the vasa (the sterile cow) ;
for thou (sterile cow) art said to be very difficult to
deceive !
5. From the resting-place of her feet the (disease)
called viklindu overtakes (the owner, or the cattle).
Without sickness breaks down (the cattle) which she
sniffs upon with her nose.
6. He that pierces her ears is estranged from
the gods. He thinks: ‘Iam making a mark (upon
her), (but) he diminishes his own property.
7. If any one for whatsoever purpose cuts her
tail then do his colts die, and the wolf tears his
calves.
8. Ifa crow has injured her hair, as long as she
is with hér owner then do his children die: decline
overtakes them without (noticeable) sickness.
g. If the serving-maid sweeps together her dung,
Ix. Prayers and Imprecations for Brahmans, 175
that bites as lye, there arises from this sin disfigure- ment that passeth not away.
10. The sterile cow in her very birth is born for
the gods and Brahmazas. Hence to the Brahmans
she is to be given: that, they say, guarantees the
security of one’s own property.
11. For those that come requesting her the cow
has been created by the gods. Oppression of
Brahmans it is called, if he keeps her for himself.
12. He that refuses to give the cow of the gods
to the descendants of the Azshis who ask for it,
infringes upon the gods, and the wrath of the
Brahmamas. | :
13. Though he derives benefit from this sterile
cow, another (cow) then shall he seek! When kept
she injures (his) folk, if he refuses to give her after
she has been asked for!
14. The sterile cow is as a treasure deposited for
the Brahmazas: they come here for her, with whom-
soever she is born.
15. [he Brahmazas come here for their own,
when they come for the sterile cow. The refusal of
her is, as though he were oppressing them in other
concerns.
16. If she herds up to her third year, and no
disease is discovered in her, and he finds her to be
a sterile cow, O Narada, then must he look for the
Brahmamas.
17. If he denies that she is sterile, a treasure de-
posited for the gods, then Bhava and Sarva, both,
come upon him, and hurl their arrow upon him.
18. Though he does not perceive upon her either
udder, or tits, yet both yield him milk, if he has
prevailed upon himself to give away the sterile cow.
176 HYMNS OF THE ATHARVA-VEDA.
19. Hard to cheat, she oppresses him, if, when
asked for, he refuses to give her. His desires are
not fulfilled, if he aims to accomplish them without
giving her away.
20. The gods did ask for the sterile cow, making
the Brahmaza their mouthpiece. The man that
does not give (her) enters into the wrath of all of
these.
21. Into the wrath of the cattle enters he that
gives not the sterile cow to the Brahmazas; if he,
the mortal, appropriates the share deposited for the
gods.
22. Even if a hundred other Brahmazas beg the
owner for the sterile cow, yet the gods did say
anent her: ‘The cow belongs to him that knoweth
thus.’
23. He that refuses the sterile cow to him that
knoweth thus, and gives her to others, difficult to
dwell upon is for him the earth with her divinities.
24. The gods did beg the sterile cow of him with
whom she was born at first. That very one Narada
recognised and drove forth in company with the
gods.
25. The sterile cow renders childless, and poor in
cattle, him that yet appropriates her, when she has
been begged for by the Brahmamas.
26. For Agni and Soma, for Kama, for Mitra, and
for Varuza, for these do the Brahmazas beg her:
upon these he infringes, if he gives her not.
27. As long as the owner does not himself hear
the stanzas referring to (the giving away of) her,
she may herd among his cattle; (only) if he has not
heard (them) may she pass the night in his house.
28. He that has listened to the stanzas, yet has
Ix. Prayers and Imprecations for Brahmans, 177
permitted her to herd among the cattle, his life and prosperity the angry gods destroy.
29. The sterile cow, even when she rambles freely,
is a treasure deposited for the gods. Make evident
thy true nature when thou desirest to go to thy
(proper) stable!
30. She makes evident her nature when she
desires to go to her (proper) stable. Then indeed
the sterile cow puts it into the minds of the Brahmans
to beg (for her).
31. She evolves it in her mind, that (thought)
reaches the gods. Then do the Brahmans come to
beg for the sterile cow.
32. The call svadha befriends him with the
Fathers, the sacrifice with the gods. Through the
gift of the sterile cow the man of royal caste incurs
not the anger of (her), his mother.
33. The sterile cow is the mother of the man of
royal caste: thus was it from the beginning. It is
said to be no (real) deprivation if she is given to the
Brahmans.
24. As if he were to rob the ghee ladled up for
Agni (the fire) from the (very) spoon, thus, if he
gives not the sterile cow to the Brahmans, does he
infringe upon Agni.
35. Lhe sterile cow has the purodasa (sacrificial
cake) for her calf, she yields plentiful milk, helps in
this world, and fulfils all wishes for him that gives
her (to the Brahmans).
36. The sterile cow fulfils all wishes in the king:
dom of Yama for him that gives her. But they say
that hell falls to the lot of him that withholds her,
when she has been begged for.
37. The sterile cow, even if she should become
178 HYMNS OF THE ATHARVA-VEDA.
fruitful, lives in anger at her owner: ‘since he did
regard me as sterile (without giving me to the
Brahmans), he shall be bound in the fetters of
death !’
38. He who thinks that the cow is sterile, and
(yet) roasts her at home, even his children and
grandchildren Brvzhaspati causes to be importuned
(for her).
39. Fiercely does the (supposed) sterile cow burn
when she herds with the cattle, though she be a
(fruitful) cow. She verily, too, milks poison for the
owner that does not present her.
40. It pleases the cattle when she is given to the
Brahmans; moreover, the sterile cow is pleased,
when she is made an offering to the gods (Brahmans).
41. From the sterile cows which the gods, re-
turning from the sacrifice, created, Narada picked
out as (most) terrible the viliptt.
42. In reference to her the gods reflected: ‘Is she
a sterile cow, or not?’ And Narada in reference to
her said: ‘ Of sterile cows she is the most sterile!’
43. ‘How. many sterile cows (are there), O Na-
rada, which thou knowest to be born among men?’
About these do I ask thee, that knowest : ‘Of which
may the non-Brahmaza not eat ?’
44. Of the vilipti, of her that has born a sterile
cow, and of the sterile cow (herself), the non-Brah-
maza, that hopes for prosperity, shall not eat!
45. Reverence be to thee, O Narada, that knowest
thoroughly which sterile cow is the most terrible, by
withholding which (from the Brahmans) destruction
is incurred.
46. The vilipti, O Bzzhaspati, her that has be- gotten a sterile cow, and the sterile cow (herself),
Ix. Prayers and Imprecations for Brahmans. 179
the non-Brahmaza, that hopes for prosperity, shall not eat !
47. Three kinds, forsooth, of sterile cows are
there: the vilipti, she that has begotten a sterile
cow, and the sterile cow (herself). These he shall
give to the Brahmans; (then) does he not estrange
himself from Pragapati.
48. ‘This is your oblation, O Brahmamzas,’ thus
shall he reflect, if he is supplicated, if they ask him
for the sterile cow, terrible in the house of him that
refuses to give her.
49. The gods animadverted in reference to Bheda
and the sterile cow, angry because he had not given
her, in these verses—and therefore he (Bheda)
perished.
50. Bheda did not present the sterile cow, though
requested by Indra: for this sin the gods crushed
him in battle.
51. The counsellors that advise the withholding
(of the sterile cow), they, the rogues, in their folly,
conflict with the wrath of Indra.
52. They who lead the owner of cattle aside, then
say to him: ‘do not give, in their folly they run
into the missile hurled by Rudra.
53. And if he roasts the sterile cow at home,
whether he makes a sacrifice of her, or not, he sins
against the gods and Brahmazas, and as a cheat
falls from heaven.
X1,1. The preparation of the brahmaudana, the porridge given as a fee to the Brahmans.
1. O Agni, come into being! Aditi here in her
throes, longing for sons, is cooking the porridge
for the Brahmans. The seven A7zshis, that did
180 HYMNS OF THE ATHARVA-VEDA.
ne eo a) a
create the beings, shall here churn thee, along with
progeny |! 3
2. Produce the smoke, ye lusty friends ; unharmed
by wiles go ye into the contest! Here is the Agni
(fire) who gains battles, and commands powerful
warriors, with whom the gods did conquer the
demons.
3. O Agni, to a. great heroic deed thou wast
aroused, to cook the Brahman’s porridge, O Gata-
vedas! The seven A’shis, that did create the beings,
have produced thee. Grant her (the wife) wealth
together with undiminished heroes!
4. Burn, O Agni, after having been kindled by
the firewood, bring skilfully hither the gods that are
to be revered! Causing the oblation to cook for
these (Brahmans), do thou raise this (sacrificer) to
the highest firmament!
5. The threefold share which was of yore assigned
to you (belongs) to the gods, the (departed) ,Fathers,
and to the mortals (the priests). Know your shares!
I divide them for you: the (share) of the gods shall
protect this (woman) !
6. O Agni, possessed of might, superior, thou
dost without fail prevail! Bend down to the ground
our hateful rivals!—This measure, that is being
measured, and has been measured, may constitute
thy kin into (people) that render thee tribute!
7. Mayest thou together with thy kin be endowed
with sap! Elevate her (the wife) to great heroism !
Ascend on high to the base of the firmament, which
they call ‘the world of brightness’ !
8. This great goddess earth, kindly disposed,
shall receive the (sacrificial) skin! Then may we
go to the world of well-doing (heaven) !
Ix. Prayers and Imprecations for Brahmans. 181
9. Lay these two press-stones, well coupled, upon
the skin; crush skilfully the (soma-) shoots for the
sacrificer! Crush down, (O earth), and beat down,
those who are hostile to her (the wife); lift up high,
and elevate her offspring !
10. Take into thy hands, O man, the press-stones
that work together: the gods that are to be revered
have come to thy sacrifice! Whatever three wishes
thou dost choose, I shall here procure for thee unto
fulfilment.
11. This, (O winnowing-basket), is thy purpose,
and this thy nature: may Aditi, mother of heroes,
take hold of thee! Winnow out those who are ©
hostile to this (woman); afford her wealth and un-
diminished heroes!
12. Do ye, (O grains), remain in the ares)
basket, while (the wind) blows over you; be separated,
ye who are fit for the sacrifice, from the chaff! May
we in happiness be superior to all our equals! I bend
down under our feet those that hate us. |
13. Retire, O woman, and return promptly! The
stable of the waters (water-vessel) has settled upon
thee, that thou mayest carry it: of these (the waters)
thou shalt take such as are fit for sacrifice; having
intelligently divided them off, thou shalt leave the
rest behind !
14. These bright women, (the waters), have come
hither. Arise, thou woman, and gather strength!
To thee, that art rendered by thy husband a true
wife, (and) by thy children rich in offspring, the
sacrifice has come: receive the (water-) vessel |
15. The share of food that belongs to you of yore
has been set aside for you. Instructed by the Azshis
bring thou (woman) hither this water! May this