Sukta 53

Mantra 1

यमैच्छाम मनसा सोऽयमागाद्यज्ञस्य विद्वान्परुषश्चिकित्वान् । स नो यक्षद्देवताता यजीयान्नि हि षत्सदन्तरः पूर्वो अस्मत् ॥

Whom we sought with the mind—he has come: the Knower of the sacrifice, discerning in every detail. Let him sacrifice for us, establishing the godhead in us, the more fit in offering; for he sits within, seated in the heart’s intervals, older than our surface being.

Mantra 2

अराधि होता निषदा यजीयानभि प्रयांसि सुधितानि हि ख्यत् । यजामहै यज्ञियान्हन्त देवाँ ईळामहा ईड्याँ आज्येन ॥

The Hotṛ has attained (his aim); seated, more fit to sacrifice, he makes the well-set offerings manifest. Come then—let us sacrifice to the gods worthy of the yajña; let us adore the adorable powers with the clarified richness (ā́jya): with a mind made lucid and generous.

Mantra 3

साध्वीमकर्देववीतिं नो अद्य यज्ञस्य जिह्वामविदाम गुह्याम् । स आयुरागात्सुरभिर्वसानो भद्रामकर्देवहूतिं नो अद्य ॥

Today he has fashioned for us the right-going path of the Gods; today we have found the secret tongue of the sacrifice. He has come bringing the life-force, clothed in sweetness; today he has made for us the auspicious call that draws the Gods within.

Mantra 4

तदद्य वाचः प्रथमं मसीय येनासुराँ अभि देवा असाम । ऊर्जाद उत यज्ञियासः पञ्च जना मम होत्रं जुषध्वम् ॥

Today may I measure out the first foundation of the Word, by which we, as gods, may confront and overcome the Asuric powers. O you who feed on the true strength and are worthy of sacrifice, O five peoples, take delight in my offering-word.

Mantra 5

पञ्च जना मम होत्रं जुषन्तां गोजाता उत ये यज्ञियासः । पृथिवी नः पार्थिवात्पात्वंहसोऽन्तरिक्षं दिव्यात्पात्वस्मान् ॥

May the five peoples take delight in my offering-word—those born of the Ray and those who are fit for sacrifice. May Earth protect us from the earthly peril; may the mid-region protect us from the celestial peril.

Mantra 6

तन्तुं तन्वन्रजसो भानुमन्विहि ज्योतिष्मतः पथो रक्ष धिया कृतान् । अनुल्बणं वयत जोगुवामपो मनुर्भव जनया दैव्यं जनम् ॥

Stretching the thread, follow the shining beam through the mid-world; guard the luminous paths fashioned by the thought. Weave the work without a break, O doers of the offering; become Manu, and bring to birth the divine race within.

Mantra 7

अक्षानहो नह्यतनोत सोम्या इष्कृणुध्वं रशना ओत पिंशत । अष्टावन्धुरं वहताभितो रथं येन देवासो अनयन्नभि प्रियम् ॥

Bind on the axle-yokes, O soma-joyful ones; fit the reins and smooth them well. Drive forth on every side the chariot with eight supports, by which the gods were led toward the Beloved.

Mantra 8

अश्मन्वती रीयते सं रभध्वमुत्तिष्ठत प्र तरता सखायः । अत्रा जहाम ये असन्नशेवाः शिवान्वयमुत्तरेमाभि वाजान् ॥

The stony river is rushing—grasp together; arise and cross beyond, O comrades. Here let us leave behind those who were unhelpful; may we cross upward into the auspicious, toward plenitudes of force.

Mantra 9

त्वष्टा माया वेदपसामपस्तमो बिभ्रत्पात्रा देवपानानि शंतमा । शिशीते नूनं परशुं स्वायसं येन वृश्चादेतशो ब्रह्मणस्पतिः ॥

Tvaṣṭṛ knows the powers of formation, most skilled among the works, bearing the vessels of the gods’ drink, supremely peace-giving. Now he sharpens the iron axe by which Brahmaṇaspati may cut away the tawny obstruction.

Mantra 10

सतो नूनं कवयः सं शिशीत वाशीभिर्याभिरमृताय तक्षथ । विद्वांसः पदा गुह्यानि कर्तन येन देवासो अमृतत्वमानशुः ॥

Now the seers sharpen the powers of the Real with the utterances by which you fashion for immortality. Knowing ones cut open the hidden things by the steps, by which the gods attained immortality.

Mantra 11

गर्भे योषामदधुर्वत्समासन्यपीच्येन मनसोत जिह्वया । स विश्वाहा सुमना योग्या अभि सिषासनिर्वनते कार इज्जितिम् ॥

In the womb of the maidens they placed the calf, seated there by the inward mind and by the tongue. He, ever, with a happy mind, fit for union, wins by his mastering impulse the victory through the act of making.