Vedic Hymns, Part II (SBE46), by Hermann Oldenberg [1897], at sacred-texts.com

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MANDALA IV, HYMN 13.

ASHTAKA III, ADHYÂYA 5, VARGA 13.

1. Benevolent Agni has looked on the breaking of the shining dawns, on the bestowal of treasures. Come to the dwelling of the virtuous (mortal), ye Asvins. The god Sûrya rises with his light.

2. The god Savitri has sent his light upward 1, shaking his banner 2 like a warrior who fights for cows 3. Varuna and Mitra follow the law, when they make the Sun rise on heaven.

3. Him whom (the gods) dwelling in firm peace, and never losing their object, have created for dispersing the darkness—Him, the Sun, the all-observer, the seven young fallow mares carry forward.

4. With (thy horses) most ready to run thou goest 1 forward, spreading out thy web (of light), removing (from the world) the black cloth (of darkness), O god. The rays of the Sun have shaken 2 the darkness, and have sunk it into the waters like a hide.

5. Unsupported, unattached, spread out downwards-turned—how is it that he 1 does not fall down? By what power of his does he move? Who has seen (that)? Erected as the pillar of Heaven he protects the firmament.

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NOTES.

The same Rishi and metre.—Verse 4 = TB. II, 4, 5, 4.

This hymn and the next evidently form a couple. They have the same number of verses, and are composed in the same metre. They are both addressed to Agni in his matutinal character, or rather to the Asvins, who are invoked to partake of the matutinal oblation (13, 1; 14, 1. 4). The first verse of 13 is quite similar to that of 14; the same may be said of the second verses of the two hymns; the concluding verse of both is identical.

Verse 2.

Note 1. Cf. above, IV, 6, 2.

Note 2. Cf. Zend drafsha, 'banner.'

Note 3. Cf. IV, 40, 2. sátvâ bharisháh gavisháh.

Verse 4.

Note 1. The Sun is addressed.

Note 2. It is more natural to take dávidhvatah as nom. plur. than as gen. sing. (Ludwig).

Verse 5.

Note 1. The Sun.