Philosophy and Religion / Rig Veda |
Rig Veda
Book 1, Hymn CXC. Bṛhaspati
1. GLORIFY thou Bṛhaspati, the scatheless, who must be praised with hymns, sweet-tongued and mighty,
To whom as leader of the song, resplendent, worthy of lauds, both Gods and mortals listen.
2 On him wait songs according to the season even as a stream of pious men set moving.
Bṛhaspati—for he laid out the expanses—was, at the sacrifice, vast Mātariśvan.
3 The praise, the verse that offers adoration, may he bring forth, as the Sun sends his arms out,
He who gives daily light through this God's wisdom, strong as a dread wild beast, and inoffensive.
4 His song of praise pervades the earth and heaven: let the wise worshipper draw it, like a courser.
These of Bṛhaspati, like hunters' arrows, go to the skies that change their hue like serpents.
5 Those, God, who count thee as a worthless bullock, and, wealthy sinners, live on thee the Bounteous,—
On fools like these no blessing thou bestowest: Bṛhaspati, thou punishest the spiteful.
6 Like a fair path is he, where grass is pleasant, though hard to win, a Friend beloved most early.
Those who unharmed by enemies behold us, while they would make them bare, stood closely compassed.
7 He to whom songs of praise go forth like torrents, as rivers eddying under banks flow sea-ward—
Bṛhaspati the wise, the eager, closely looks upon both, the waters and the vessel.
8 So hath Bṛhaspati, great, strong and mighty, the God exceeding powerful, been brought hither.
May he thus lauded give us kine and horses. May we find strengthening food in full abundance.