Sukta 179

Mantra 1

पूर्वीरहं शरदः शश्रमाणा दोषा वस्तोरुषसो जरयन्तीः । मिनाति श्रियं जरिमा तनूनामप्यू नु पत्नीर्वृषणो जगम्युः ॥

Many seasons have I laboured through, wearing away nights and mornings and dawns. Age diminishes the beauty and radiance of the bodies; yet still the wives of the strong one draw near again.

Mantra 2

ये चिद्धि पूर्व ऋतसाप आसन्त्साकं देवेभिरवदन्नृतानि । ते चिदवासुर्नह्यन्तमापुः समू नु पत्नीर्वृषभिर्जगम्युः ॥

Even those of old who were companions of the Truth, who with the gods uttered the rhythms of the Real—even they passed away and did not reach the end. Yet now the consorts come together again with the mighty ones.

Mantra 3

न मृषा श्रान्तं यदवन्ति देवा विश्वा इत्स्पृधो अभ्यश्नवाव । जयावेदत्र शतनीथमाजिं यत्सम्यञ्चा मिथुनावभ्यजाव ॥

Not in vain is the weary one when the gods uphold him; then we two can master all the rivalries. We shall win here the battle with its hundred stratagems, when, moving together, the pair presses forward to the onset.

Mantra 4

नदस्य मा रुधतः काम आगन्नित आजातो अमुतः कुतश्चित् । लोपामुद्रा वृषणं नी रिणाति धीरमधीरा धयति श्वसन्तम् ॥

Desire has come upon me, though I was holding it back; born from here—or from beyond—whencesoever it be. Lopāmudrā loosens the strong one from within; the restless one draws the steadfast into her longing, as he breathes and labours.

Mantra 5

इमं नु सोममन्तितो हृत्सु पीतमुप ब्रुवे । यत्सीमागश्चकृमा तत्सु मृळतु पुलुकामो हि मर्त्यः ॥

Now I speak out of the inmost heart of this Soma that has been drunk within: whatever fault we have made in it, may That indeed be gracious; for the mortal is a being of many desires.

Mantra 6

अगस्त्यः खनमानः खनित्रैः प्रजामपत्यं बलमिच्छमानः । उभौ वर्णावृषिरुग्रः पुपोष सत्या देवेष्वाशिषो जगाम ॥

Agastya, digging with the spades, seeking offspring, progeny, and force, the fierce seer fostered both powers (both colours). He went to the gods with true blessings—affirmations that do not fail.