Atharva Veda 11.8 · Vedas – Griffith · Verses Across
Hinduism · Vedas · Atharva Veda
Atharva Veda 11.8On the origin of some Gods and the creation of man
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Hinduism · Vedas · Atharva Veda
Atharva Veda 11.8
On the origin of some Gods and the creation of man
GriffithEnglish
When Manyu brought his consort home forth from Sankalpa's dwelling-place, Who were the wooers of the bride, who was the chief who courted her?
Fervour and Action were the two, in depths of the great billowy sea? These were the wooers of the bride; Brahma the chief who courted her.
Ten Gods before the Gods were born together in the ancient time. Whoso may know them face to face may now pronounce the mighty word.
Inbreath and outbreath, eye and ear, decay and freedom from. decay, Spiration upward and diffused, voice, mind have brought us wish and plan.
As yet the Seasons were unborn, and Dilator and Prajāpati, Both Asvins, Indra, Agni. Whom then did they worship as supreme?
Fervour and Action were the two, in depths of the great billowy sea; Fervour sprang up from Action: this they served and worshipped as supreme.
He may account himself well versed in ancient time who knows by name. The earth that was before this earth, which only wisest Sages know.
From whom did Indra spring? from whom sprang Soma? whence was Agni born? From whom did Tvashtar spring to life? and whence is Dilator's origin?
Indra from Indra, Soma from Soma, Agni from Agni sprang Tvashtar from Tvashtar was produced, Dilator was Dhātar's origin.
Those Gods who were of old, the Ten begotten earlier than the Gods, What world do they inhabit since they gave the world unto their sons?
When he had brought together hair, sinew and bone, marrow and flesh. And to the body added feet, then to what world did he depart?
Whence, from what region did he bring the hair, the sinews, and the bones, Marrow and limbs, and joints, and flesh? Who was the bringer, and from whence?
Casters, those Gods were called who brought together all the elements: When they had fused the mortal man complete, they entered into him.
The thighs, the knee-bones, and the feet, the head, the face, Land both the hands, The ribs, the nipples, and the sides—what I ishi hath constructed that?
Head, both the hands, and face, and tongue, and neck, and inter-coastal parts, All this, investing it with skins, Mahi conjoined with bond and tie.
What time the might body lay firmly compact with tie and bond, Who gave its colour to the form, the hue wherewith it shines to-day?
All Deities had lent their aid: of this a noble Dame took note, Tsā, the Consort of Command. She gave its colour to the form.
When Tvashtar, Tvashtar's loftier Sire, had bored it out and hollowed it. Gods made the mortal their abode, and entered and possessed the man.
Sleep, specially, Sloth, Nirriti, and deities whose name is Sin, Baldness, old age, and hoary hairs within the body found their way.
Theft, evil-doing, and deceit, truth, sacrifice, exalted fame, Strength, princely power, and energy entered the body as a home.
Prosperity and poverty, kindnesses and malignities, Hunger and thirst of every kind entered the body as a home.
Reproaches, freedom from reproach, all blamable, all blameless deeds, Bounty, belief, and unbelief entered the body as a home.
All knowledge and all ignorance, each other thing that one may learn, Entered the body, prayer, and hymns, and songs, and sacrificial texts.
Enjoyments, pleasures, and delights, gladness, and rapturous ecstasies. Laughter and merriment and dance entered the body as a home.
Discourse and conversation, and the shrill-resounding cries of woe, All entered in, the motives and the purposes combined there- with.
Inbreath and outbreath, ear and eye, decay and freedom from decay. Breath upward and diffused, voice, mind, these quickly with the body move,
All earnest wishes, all commands, directions, and admonish-ments. Reflections, all deliberate plans entered the body as a home.
They laid in the abhorrent frame those waters hidden, bright, and thick, Which in the bowels spring from blood, from mourning or from hasty toil.
Fuel they turned to bone, and then they set light waters in the frame. The molten butter they made seed: then the Gods entered into man.
All Waters, all the Deities. Virāj with Brahma at her side: Brahma into the body passed: Prajāpati is Lord thereof.
The Sun and Wind formed, separate, the eye and vital breath of man. His other person have the Gods bestowed on Agni as a gift.
Therefore whoever knoweth man regardeth him as Brāhman's self: For all the Deities abide in him as cattle in their pen.
At his first death he goeth hence, asunder, in three separate parts. He goeth yonder with one part, with one he goeth yonder: here he sinketh downward with a third.
In the primeval waters cold the body is deposited. In this there is the power of growth: from this is power of growth declared.
