Sukta 123

Mantra 1

अयं वेनश्चोदयत्पृश्निगर्भा ज्योतिर्जरायू रजसो विमाने । इममपां संगमे सूर्यस्य शिशुं न विप्रा मतिभी रिहन्ति ॥

This Vena impels the many-coloured wombs of becoming; a light still wrapped in its membrane of birth, set in the wide spaces of the mid-world. At this confluence of the Waters and the Sun, the seers lick it with their thoughts, as one nurtures a newborn child.

Mantra 2

समुद्रादूर्मिमुदियर्ति वेनो नभोजाः पृष्ठं हर्यतस्य दर्शि । ऋतस्य सानावधि विष्टपि भ्राट् समानं योनिमभ्यनूषत व्राः ॥

From the ocean-depth Vena lifts up the wave; heaven-born, he reveals the back of the golden one. Upon the summit of Ṛta, in the highest seat, the radiant powers move toward the one common womb, chanting their assent.

Mantra 3

समानं पूर्वीरभि वावशानास्तिष्ठन्वत्सस्य मातरः सनीळाः । ऋतस्य सानावधि चक्रमाणा रिहन्ति मध्वो अमृतस्य वाणीः ॥

Toward the one common source the ancient Mothers press, standing together around the calf in one nest. Moving on the summit of Ṛta, they lick out the honeyed utterances of immortality.

Mantra 4

जानन्तो रूपमकृपन्त विप्रा मृगस्य घोषं महिषस्य हि ग्मन् । ऋतेन यन्तो अधि सिन्धुमस्थुर्विदद्गन्धर्वो अमृतानि नाम ॥

Knowing the form, the seers shaped it; they went to the cry of the wild being, to the call of the great one. Moving by Ṛta they stood upon the river-stream; the Gandharva found the deathless Names.

Mantra 5

अप्सरा जारमुपसिष्मियाणा योषा बिभर्ति परमे व्योमन् । चरत्प्रियस्य योनिषु प्रियः सन्त्सीदत्पक्षे हिरण्यये स वेनः ॥

The Apsaras, smiling toward her lover, the Woman, bears him in the highest heaven. Moving in the wombs of the beloved, himself beloved, Vena settles upon the golden wing.

Mantra 6

नाके सुपर्णमुप यत्पतन्तं हृदा वेनन्तो अभ्यचक्षत त्वा । हिरण्यपक्षं वरुणस्य दूतं यमस्य योनौ शकुनं भुरण्युम् ॥

When you fly near in the heaven, as the fair-winged bird, those who seek with the heart behold you. Golden-winged, the messenger of Varuṇa, a swift bird in the womb of Yama—you move with irresistible speed.

Mantra 7

ऊर्ध्वो गन्धर्वो अधि नाके अस्थात्प्रत्यङ्चित्रा बिभ्रदस्यायुधानि । वसानो अत्कं सुरभिं दृशे कं स्वर्ण नाम जनत प्रियाणि ॥

Upright the Gandharva stands in heaven, turned inward, bearing his bright weapons. Wearing a fragrant radiance for the seeing, he brings to birth the beloved things by the name ‘Svar’ (the luminous heaven).

Mantra 8

द्रप्सः समुद्रमभि यज्जिगाति पश्यन्गृध्रस्य चक्षसा विधर्मन् । भानुः शुक्रेण शोचिषा चकानस्तृतीये चक्रे रजसि प्रियाणि ॥

The drop of essence moves toward the ocean, seeing with the vulture’s far-sight, upholding the law. The beam, rejoicing in its bright flame, establishes the beloved things in the third realm of rajas.