Atharva Veda 19.53 · Vedas – Griffith · Verses Across
Hinduism · Vedas · Atharva Veda
Atharva Veda 19.53A hymn to Kāma or Time
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Hinduism · Vedas · Atharva Veda
Atharva Veda 19.53
A hymn to Kāma or Time
GriffithEnglish
Prolific, thousand-eyed, and undecaying, a horse with seven reins Time bears us onward. Sages inspired with holy knowledge mount him: his chariot wheels are all the worlds of creatures.
This Time hath seven rolling wheels and seven naves immorality is the chariot's axle. This Time brings hitherward all worlds about us: as primal Deity is he entreated.
On Time is laid an overflowing beaker: this we behold in many a place appearing. He carries from us all these worlds of creatures. They call him Kāla in the loftiest heaven.
He only made the worlds of life, he only gathered the worlds of living things together. Their son did he become who was their Father: no other higher power than he existeth.
Kāla created yonder heaven, and Kāla made these realms of earth. By Kāla, stirred to motion, both what is and what shall be expand.
Kāla created land; the Sun in Kāla hath his light and heat. In Kāla rest all things that be: in Kāla doth the eye discern.
In Kāla mind, in Kāla breath, in Kāla name are fixt and joined. These living creatures, one and all, rejoice when Kāla hath approached.
Kāla embraces Holy Fire, the Highest, Brahma in himself. Yea, Kāla, who was father of Prajāpati, is Lord of All.
He made, he stirred this universe to motion, and on him it rests. He, Kāla, having now become Brahma, holds Parameshthin up.
Kāla created living things and, first of all, Prajāpati. From Kāla self-made Kasyapa, from Kāla Holy Fire was born.
