Sukta 29

Mantra 1

अविः। यद् राजानो विभजन्त इष्टापूर्तस्य षोडशं यमस्यामी सभासदः । अविस्तस्मात् प्र मुञ्चति दत्तः शितिपात् स्वधा

When the kings apportion the sixteenth share of merit—of sacrifice and pious work—for Yama, those assembly-sitters; from that doth the ewe, when given, release (a man): the white-footed—svadhā.

Mantra 2

सर्वान् कामान् पूरयत्याभवन् प्रभवन् भवन्। आकूतिप्रोऽविर्दत्तः शितिपान्नोप दस्यति

Fulfilling all desires—becoming, prevailing, abiding—the sheep, intention-impelled, when given, the white-footed, doth not assail (us).

Mantra 3

यो ददाति शितिपादमविं लोकेन संमितम्। स नाकमभ्यारोहति यत्र शुल्को न क्रियते अबलेन बलीयसे

Whoso bestoweth a white-footed ewe, of worth approved by common reckoning,—he mounteth unto heaven, where no exaction-fee is levied by the weak upon the stronger.

Mantra 4

पञ्चापूपं शितिपादमविं लोकेन संमितम्। प्रदातोप जीवति पितॄणां लोकेऽक्षितम्

A white-footed ewe, of worth approved by common reckoning, with five cakes therewith: the giver verily liveth on in the Fathers’ world, unperishing.

Mantra 5

पञ्चापूपं शितिपादमविं लोकेन संमितम्। प्रदातोप जीवति सूर्यामासयोरक्षितम्

A white-footed ewe, of worth approved by common reckoning, with five cakes therewith: the giver verily liveth on, imperishable, in the station of Sun and Moon.

Mantra 6

इरेव नोप दस्यति समुद्रइव पयो महत्। देवउसवासिनाविव शितिपान्नोप दस्यति

As Iḍā bestoweth nourishment, as ocean yieldeth mighty milk, so, like the divine Dawn-powers, the white-footed one bestoweth bounty upon us.

Mantra 7

क इदं कस्मा अदात् कामः कामायादात्। कामो दाता कामः प्रतिग्रहीता कामः समुद्रमा विवेश । कामेन त्वा प्रति गृह्णामि कामैतत् ते

Who gave this, and unto whom was it given? Desire gave it, for Desire’s own fulfilment. Desire is the giver, Desire the receiver; Desire hath entered into the Ocean. With Desire I accept thee: O Desire, this is for thee.

Mantra 8

भूमिष्ट्वा प्रति गृह्णात्वन्तरिक्षमिदं महत्। माहं प्राणेन मात्मना मा प्रजया प्रतिगृह्य वि राधिषि

May Earth receive thee back; may this vast Mid-air receive thee. Ruin me not—neither in breath, nor in mine own self, nor in my progeny—after thou hast taken me to thy keeping.