Sukta 78

Mantra 1

विप्रासो न मन्मभिः स्वाध्यो देवाव्यो न यज्ञैः स्वप्नसः । राजानो न चित्राः सुसंदृशः क्षितीनां न मर्या अरेपसः ॥

Like seers by their inspired formulations, like those who win the gods by sacrifice, they are perfect in their right workings; like kings they are splendid and fair to behold, like noble men among the peoples they are without blemish.

Mantra 2

अग्निर्न ये भ्राजसा रुक्मवक्षसो वातासो न स्वयुजः सद्यऊतयः । प्रज्ञातारो न ज्येष्ठाः सुनीतयः सुशर्माणो न सोमा ऋतं यते ॥

Like Agni they blaze with splendour and bear the golden breast; like winds they are self-yoked, swift to help at once. Like elder knowers they lead by a happy guidance; like Soma they are a glad protection, moving in the path of ṛta.

Mantra 3

वातासो न ये धुनयो जिगत्नवोऽग्नीनां न जिह्वा विरोकिणः । वर्मण्वन्तो न योधाः शिमीवन्तः पितॄणां न शंसाः सुरातयः ॥

Like winds they are the driving blasts that rush onward; like the tongues of fires they shine forth. Like armoured warriors they advance with power; like the praises of the Fathers they are words of good giving.

Mantra 4

रथानां न येऽराः सनाभयो जिगीवांसो न शूरा अभिद्यवः । वरेयवो न मर्या घृतप्रुषोऽभिस्वर्तारो अर्कं न सुष्टुभः ॥

Like the spokes of chariots with firm naves, like conquering heroes they press forward; like chosen youths they drip with the clarified light, surging upward, and like a hymn well-stated they are the strong utterance.

Mantra 5

अश्वासो न ये ज्येष्ठास आशवो दिधिषवो न रथ्यः सुदानवः । आपो न निम्नैरुदभिर्जिगत्नवो विश्वरूपा अङ्गिरसो न सामभिः ॥

Like foremost horses they are swift; like chariot-fighters they desire to win and they give richly. Like waters by their slopes and streams they rush onward; manifold in form, like the Angirases with their chants they bring the harmonies of light.

Mantra 6

ग्रावाणो न सूरयः सिन्धुमातर आदर्दिरासो अद्रयो न विश्वहा । शिशूला न क्रीळयः सुमातरो महाग्रामो न यामन्नुत त्विषा ॥

Like pressing-stones they are the strong ones, born of the rivers, ever thundering like rocks; like playful children of a good mother, like a great host in its march they move, and also in their blaze of force.

Mantra 7

उषसां न केतवोऽध्वरश्रियः शुभंयवो नाञ्जिभिर्व्यश्वितन् । सिन्धवो न ययियो भ्राजदृष्टयः परावतो न योजनानि ममिरे ॥

Like the banners of the Dawns, beautifying the sacrifice, they spread out with their splendours; like rivers they flow and travel, their spears flashing to the sight, measuring out far distances as if from the beyond.

Mantra 8

सुभागान्नो देवाः कृणुता सुरत्नानस्मान्त्स्तोतॄन्मरुतो वावृधानाः । अधि स्तोत्रस्य सख्यस्य गात सनाद्धि वो रत्नधेयानि सन्ति ॥

Make us, O gods, full of good fortune, rich in the true treasures—us who are your singers, O Maruts grown in power. Enter into our hymn and into the bond of comradeship, for from of old your treasure-places are there.