Sukta 83

Mantra 1

अश्वावति प्रथमो गोषु गच्छति सुप्रावीरिन्द्र मर्त्यस्तवोतिभिः । तमित्पृणक्षि वसुना भवीयसा सिन्धुमापो यथाभितो विचेतसः ॥

He who is rich in horses goes first among the rays (cows), O Indra, the mortal made strong by thy helps. Him thou fillest with a greater plenitude, as the waters, moving with discernment, fill the river on every side.

Mantra 2

आपो न देवीरुप यन्ति होत्रियमवः पश्यन्ति विततं यथा रजः । प्राचैर्देवासः प्र णयन्ति देवयुं ब्रह्मप्रियं जोषयन्ते वरा इव ॥

Like goddesses the waters draw near to the priest of the offering; they behold the wide-stretched field as one sees the open space. With forward-leading powers the gods guide the god-seeking one, the lover of the sacred word, and cherish him as bridegrooms cherish a chosen bride.

Mantra 3

अधि द्वयोरदधा उक्थ्यं वचो यतस्रुचा मिथुना या सपर्यतः । असंयत्तो व्रते ते क्षेति पुष्यति भद्रा शक्तिर्यजमानाय सुन्वते ॥

Upon the two (balanced powers) thou hast set the word fit for the hymn—those twin ladles that serve and adore. Unfettered in thy law of working, the auspicious Power dwells and increases for the sacrificer who presses the Soma.

Mantra 4

आदङ्गिराः प्रथमं दधिरे वय इद्धाग्नयः शम्या ये सुकृत्यया । सर्वं पणेः समविन्दन्त भोजनमश्वावन्तं गोमन्तमा पशुं नरः ॥

Then the Angirases first established the plenitude of life; kindled fires they were, who by right skill of working. They won from the Pani the whole enjoyment—rich in horses, rich in rays of light, and the increase of the herds for the human seeker.

Mantra 5

यज्ञैरथर्वा प्रथमः पथस्तते ततः सूर्यो व्रतपा वेन आजनि । आ गा आजदुशना काव्यः सचा यमस्य जातममृतं यजामहे ॥

By sacrifices Atharvan first stretched out the paths; then the Sun, the guardian of the law, was born as the Seer. With him came Uśanā Kāvya driving the rays; we worship the deathless that is born in the realm of Yama (the self-mastering).

Mantra 6

बर्हिर्वा यत्स्वपत्याय वृज्यतेऽर्को वा श्लोकमाघोषते दिवि । ग्रावा यत्र वदति कारुरुक्थ्यस्तस्येदिन्द्रो अभिपित्वेषु रण्यति ॥

Where the sacred seat is spread for the bringing of true progeny, or where the chant is made to resound in heaven; where the pressing-stone speaks and the inspired singer utters the hymn—there indeed Indra takes delight among the intimate fulfillments.