Hinduism · Vedas · Atharva Veda

Atharva Veda 8.10

A glorification of the mystical abstraction Virāj

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Viraj at first was This. At birth all feared her; the thought, She will become this All, struck terror.

She rose, the Gārhapatya fire she entered. He who knows this becomes lord of a household, performer of domestic sacrifices.

She mounted up, the Eastward fire she entered. He who knows this becomes the Gods' beloved, and to his call they come when she invokes them.

She mounted up, the Southward fire she entered. He who knows this becomes a fit performer of sacrifice, meet for honour, shelter-giver.

She mounted up, she entered the Assembly. He who knows this becomes polite and courtly, and people come as guests to his assembly.

She mounted up, she passed within the meeting. He who knows this becomes fit for the meeting, and to his hall of meeting come the people.

She mounted up, she entered Consultation. Whoso knows this is fit to be consulted, and to his consultation come the people.

She mounted up, and, into four divided, she took her station in the air's mid-region.

Of her the Gods and men said, This she knoweth. That we may both have life let us invoke her.

Thus did they cry to her:

Come, Strength! come, Food! come, Charmer! come, Free-giver!

Her calf, her well-beloved calf, was Indra: Gāyatri was her rope, the cloud her udder.

Two teats she had, Rathantara and Brihat, two, Yajnāyajniya and Vāmadevya.

With the Rathantara the Gods milked from her the Plants, and all the wide expanse with Brihat.

They drew the Waters forth with Vāmadevya, with Yajnayaj-niya they milked out worship.

For him who knoweth this, Rathantara poureth out Plants, and Brihat yieldeth wide expansion.

Waters from Vāmdevya come, from Yajnāyajniya sacrifice.

She rose, she came unto the tress: they killed her. A year went by and she again existed. Hence in a year the wounds of trees heal over. He who knows this sees his loathed rival wounded.

She mounted up, she came unto the Fathers: they killed her: in a month she re-existed. Hence men give monthly offerings to the Fathers: who knows this, knows the path which they have trodden.

She rose, she came unto the Gods: they killed her: but in a fortnight she again was living. Fortnightly, hence, men serve the Gods with Vasat! Who knows this knows the way which Gods pass over.

She mounted up, she came to men: they killed her Presently she regained her life and being. Hence on both days to men they bring and offer—who knows this—near-seated in the dwelling.

She rose, approached the Asuras: they called her: their cry was, Come, O Māyā, come thou hither. Her dear calf was Virochana Prāhrādi: her milking vessel was a. pan of iron. Dvimūrdhā Ārtvya milked her, yea, this Māyā, The Asuras depend for life on Māyā. He who knows this becomes a fit supporter.

She mounted up, she came unto the Fathers. The Fathers called. to her, O Food, come hither. King Yama was her calf, her pail was silvern. Antaka, Mrityu's. son, milked her, this Svadhā. This Food the Fathers make their lives' sustainer. He who• knows this becomes a meet supporter.

She mounted up, she came to men. They called her, Come unto- us, come hither thou Free-giver! Earth was her milking-pail, the calf beside her Manu Vaivasvata, Vivasvān's offspring. Prithi the son of Vena was her milker: he milked forth husbandry and grain for sowing. These men depend for life on corn and tillage. He who knows this becomes a meet supporter, successful in the culture of his_ corn-land.

She rose, she came unto the Seven Rishis. They called her,. Come, Rich in Devotion! hither. King Soma was her calf. the Moon her milk-pail. Brihaspati. Āngirasa, her milker, Drew from her udder Prayer and Holy Fervour. Fervour and Prayer maintain the Seven Rishis. He who knows this becomes a meet supporter, a priest illustrious for his sacred knowledge.

She rose, she came unto the Gods. They called her, crying, O Vigour, come to us, come hither! God Savitar milked her, he milked forth Vigour. The Gods depend for life upon that Vigour. He who knows this becomes a meet supporter.

She rose approached the Apsarases and Gandharvas. They called her, Come to us, O Fragrant-scented! The son of Sūryavarchas, Chitraratha, was her dear calf, her pail. a lotus-petal. The son of Sūryavarchas, Vasuruchi, milked and drew from her most delightful fragrance. That scent supports Apsarases and Gandharvas. He who knows this becomes a meet supporter, and round him ever breathes delicious odour.

She mounted up, she came to Other People. They called her, crying, Come, Concealment! hither. Her dear calf was Vaisravana Kubera, a vessel never tempered was her milk-pail. Rajatanābhi, offspring of Kubera, milked her, and from her udder drew concealment. By that concealment live the Other People. He who knows this becomes a meet supporter, and makes all evil disappear and vanish.

She mounted up, she came unto the Serpents. The Serpents called her, Venomous! come hither. Her calf was Takshaka, Visāla's offspring: a bottlegourd supplied a milking-vessel. Irāvān's offspring, Dhritarāshtra milked her, and from her udder drew forth only poison. That poison quickens and supports the Serpents: He who knows this becomes a meet supporter.

One would ward off, for him who hath this knowledge, if with a bottle-gourd he sprinkled water.

And did he not repel, if in his spirit he said, I drive thee back, he would repel it.

The poison that it drives away, that poison verily repels.

The man who hath this knowledge pours its venom on his hated foe.