Sukta 50

Mantra 1

विजयः। यथा वृक्षमशनिर्विश्वाहा हन्त्यप्रति। एवाहमद्य कितवानक्षैर्बध्यासमप्रति

As the thunderbolt ever smiteth the tree, resistless—so may I to-day, resistless, bind fast the gambler with his dice.

Mantra 2

तुराणामतुराणां विशामवर्जुषीणाम्। समैतु विश्वतो भगो अन्तर्हस्तं कृतं मम

Of the eager and the not-eager, of the peoples that are uninjuring—let Bhaga from every quarter come together, bringing into my hand the kṛta that is mine.

Mantra 3

ईडे अग्निं स्वावसुं नमोभिरिह प्रसक्तो वि चयत् कृतं नः । रथैरिव प्र भरे वाजयद्भिः प्रदक्षिणं मरुतां स्तोममृध्याम्

I laud Agni, of kindly succour; with reverent homage, here closely engaged, let him sift away the kṛta from us. As with chariots, with prize-winning powers would I bear forth—rightward and auspicious—the Maruts’ hymn, that I may thrive.

Mantra 4

वयं जयेम त्वया युजा वृतमस्माकमंशमुदवा भरेभरे । अस्मभ्यमिन्द्र वरीयः सुगं कृधि प्र शत्रूणां मघवन् वृष्ण्या रुज

May we conquer with thee for yoke-fellow the obstructing power; bring forth, bring down to us our portion in every encounter. For us, O Indra, make a wider, an easy way; with manly might, bounteous one, shatter the enemies.

Mantra 5

अजैषं त्वा संलिखितमजैषमुत संरुधम्। अविं वृको यथा मथदेवा मथ्नामि ते कृतम्

I have conquered thee, though scratched and inscribed; I have conquered thee, yea though shut in and confined. As a wolf crushes a sheep, even so do I crush down thy kṛta.

Mantra 6

उत प्रहामतिदीवा जयति कृतमिव श्वघ्नी वि चिनोति काले। यो देवकामो न धनं रुणद्धि समित् तं रायः सृजति स्वधाभिः

Moreover, the day-smiting power wins, as it were the kṛta; the dog-slayer at the fitting time picks it out. He who, god-desiring, doth not restrain wealth—him indeed riches set free, by their own svadhā-powers.

Mantra 7

गोभिष्टरेमामतिं दुरेवां यवेन वा क्षुधं पुरुहूत विश्वे । वयं राजसु प्रथमा धनान्यरिष्टासो वृजनीभिर्जयेम

With kine may we pass beyond the evil-minded plot, with barley too—or hunger itself—O Much-invoked, all ye Powers. Among kings may we be first; may we win the riches, unhurt, conquering with our bands.

Mantra 8

कृतं मे दक्षिणे हस्ते जयो मे सव्य आहितः । गोजिद् भूयासमश्वजिद् धनंजयो हिरण्यजित्

The winning cast is in my right hand; victory is for me, deposited in my left. May I be a winner of kine, a winner of horses, a winner of wealth, a winner of gold.

Mantra 9

अक्षाः फलवतीं द्युवं दत्त गां क्षीरिणीमिव । सं मा कृतस्य धारया धनुः स्नाव्नेव नह्यत

O Dice, grant the fruitful game—grant, as it were, a milk-rich cow. With the steady stream of the winning cast bind me fast, as a bow is bound with its sinew-string.