Sukta 106

Mantra 1

उभा उ नूनं तदिदर्थयेथे वि तन्वाथे धियो वस्त्रापसेव । सध्रीचीना यातवे प्रेमजीगः सुदिनेव पृक्ष आ तंसयेथे ॥

You two now seek that very aim; you spread out the thoughts like weavers of cloth by the work. Moving in one direction for the journey, you drive the impulse forward; like a fair day’s brightness you draw near and settle the strengthening.

Mantra 2

उष्टारेव फर्वरेषु श्रयेथे प्रायोगेव श्वात्र्या शासुरेथः । दूतेव हि ष्ठो यशसा जनेषु माप स्थातं महिषेवावपानात् ॥

Like camels among the rough tracks you find support; like skilled archers at the encounter you come to command. Like messengers you stand among men with glory; do not fall away from the outpouring, like a bull from the watering-place.

Mantra 3

साकंयुजा शकुनस्येव पक्षा पश्वेव चित्रा यजुरा गमिष्टम् । अग्निरिव देवयोर्दीदिवांसा परिज्मानेव यजथः पुरुत्रा ॥

United together like the wings of a bird, like many-coloured herds you come with the yajus-formula. Shining like Agni for the gods, you move around and sacrifice in many places, as a circling course.

Mantra 4

आपी वो अस्मे पितरेव पुत्रोग्रेव रुचा नृपतीव तुर्यै । इर्येव पुष्ट्यै किरणेव भुज्यै श्रुष्टीवानेव हवमा गमिष्टम् ॥

Be near to us as fathers to a son; be fierce in your light for our swift victory like lords of men. Like warriors for increase, like rays for enjoyment, like those who heed—come to our call.

Mantra 5

वंसगेव पूषर्या शिम्बाता मित्रेव ऋता शतरा शातपन्ता । वाजेवोच्चा वयसा घर्म्येष्ठा मेषेवेषा सपर्या पुरीषा ॥

Like reeds (growing straight) you are nourishing and firm; like Mitra you are true to the ṛta, striking down the hundredfold resistances. Like the plenitude of force you rise high by your might, most ardent in the heat; like rams you are impetuous energy—reverent service, full and rich.

Mantra 6

सृण्येव जर्भरी तुर्फरीतू नैतोशेव तुर्फरी पर्फरीका । उदन्यजेव जेमना मदेरू ता मे जराय्वजरं मरायु ॥

O Ashvins, like a well-made instrument you set the energies vibrating; like skilled charioteers you drive the swift forces. Like those who win by the waters you conquer and make the being intoxicated with delight. May these powers of yours bring to me the life-force that is not worn by time, an unaging increase of inner vitality.

Mantra 7

पज्रेव चर्चरं जारं मरायु क्षद्मेवार्थेषु तर्तरीथ उग्रा । ऋभू नापत्खरमज्रा खरज्रुर्वायुर्न पर्फरत्क्षयद्रयीणाम् ॥

O mighty Ashvins, you churn the resisting knots of the being as a strong tool breaks what is hard; in our aims you make the passage. Like the Ribhus’ skill you arrive with rugged force; like the Wind you drive away the wasting that diminishes our plenitudes of force (rayi), so that our inner riches do not decline.

Mantra 8

घर्मेव मधु जठरे सनेरू भगेविता तुर्फरी फारिवारम् । पतरेव चचरा चन्द्रनिर्णिङ्मनऋङ्गा मनन्या न जग्मी ॥

As warm radiance, as honey in the belly of life, you establish delight and increase. As bringers of bhaga you make the swift movement ready. Like a bird you move and range, bright in form; you uplift the mind’s horned power (its pointed force of perception), so it does not fall away from its journey.

Mantra 9

बृहन्तेव गम्भरेषु प्रतिष्ठां पादेव गाधं तरते विदाथः । कर्णेव शासुरनु हि स्मराथोंऽशेव नो भजतं चित्रमप्नः ॥

You establish a firm foundation in the depths like the Vast itself; you carry us across the difficult ford as a sure foot. Like an ear that follows the teacher’s word, you remember and respond to our call. Give us, as a rightful share, the varied works of attainment—wondrous realizations of the soul’s labour.

Mantra 10

आरङ्गरेव मध्वेरयेथे सारघेव गवि नीचीनबारे । कीनारेव स्वेदमासिष्विदाना क्षामेवोर्जा सूयवसात्सचेथे ॥

Like a skilled worker you set the sweetness in motion; like one who draws milk you bring it down into the cow of the being, deep and low. Like the river-bank you cause the sweat of effort to flow in right measure; like earth with her power you unite with the good pasture—joining us to nourishment and strength.

Mantra 11

ऋध्याम स्तोमं सनुयाम वाजमा नो मन्त्रं सरथेहोप यातम् । यशो न पक्वं मधु गोष्वन्तरा भूतांशो अश्विनोः काममप्राः ॥

May we perfect the hymn and win the plenitude of force (vāja). Come here to our mantra with your chariot. As ripe glory, as honey hidden among the luminous herds, become our portion; O Ashvins, fulfil the soul’s desire in us.