Sukta 31

Mantra 1

अस्माकं मित्रावरुणावतं रथमादित्यै रुद्रैर्वसुभिः सचाभुवा । प्र यद्वयो न पप्तन्वस्मनस्परि श्रवस्यवो हृषीवन्तो वनर्षदः ॥

O Mitra and Varuṇa, uphold for us the chariot of the journey—together with the Ādityas, the Rudras, and the Vasus who move in one accord. When our seeking energies spring forward like birds around their nest-home, may they become glad with the joy of the vital powers and take their seat in the wide-wood of growth (the field of manifestation).

Mantra 2

अध स्मा न उदवता सजोषसो रथं देवासो अभि विक्षु वाजयुम् । यदाशवः पद्याभिस्तित्रतो रजः पृथिव्याः सानौ जङ्घनन्त पाणिभिः ॥

Then indeed, for us, O gods who are of one consent, lift up the chariot that wins the plenitude of force among the clans. When the swift powers, with their steps, traverse the dust upon the ridge of earth, they strike forward with their hands—making the path ready for the victory of the journey.

Mantra 3

उत स्य न इन्द्रो विश्वचर्षणिर्दिवः शर्धेन मारुतेन सुक्रतुः । अनु नु स्थात्यवृकाभिरूतिभी रथं महे सनये वाजसातये ॥

And Indra too, the power who works for all men, with the host from heaven—the Maruts—and with a luminous will, stands following us with protections that do not betray; for the great winning, for the attainment of the plenitude of force, he establishes the chariot.

Mantra 4

उत स्य देवो भुवनस्य सक्षणिस्त्वष्टा ग्नाभिः सजोषा जूजुवद्रथम् । इळा भगो बृहद्दिवोत रोदसी पूषा पुरंधिरश्विनावधा पती ॥

And that divine Fashioner, the upholder of the world, Tvaṣṭṛ, with the knowing powers in one accord, sets the chariot in motion. Iḷā and Bhaga, the wide Heaven and the two Worlds, Pūṣan and Purandhi, and then the two Lords, the Aśvins—may all these powers take their place in our ordered movement.

Mantra 5

उत त्ये देवी सुभगे मिथूदृशोषासानक्ता जगतामपीजुवा । स्तुषे यद्वां पृथिवि नव्यसा वचः स्थातुश्च वयस्त्रिवया उपस्तिरे ॥

And those two goddesses, the fortunate pair with one vision—Dawn and Night—who drive forward all that moves: I affirm you when, O Earth, with a newer word, the standing being and the winged powers of the threefold life spread themselves as a bed (a foundation) for your increase.

Mantra 6

उत वः शंसमुशिजामिव श्मस्यहिर्बुध्न्योऽज एकपादुत । त्रित ऋभुक्षाः सविता चनो दधेऽपां नपादाशुहेमा धिया शमि ॥

And I speak your praise as the kindling-priests do: Ahi Budhnya, the Unborn One-footed; and Trita, and Ṛbhukṣan, and Savitṛ set it in place for us; and Apām Napāt, swift-golden, in the thought brings peace and a right settling.

Mantra 7

एता वो वश्म्युद्यता यजत्रा अतक्षन्नायवो नव्यसे सम् । श्रवस्यवो वाजं चकानाः सप्तिर्न रथ्यो अह धीतिमश्याः ॥

These words I shape and set forth for you, O adorable powers; the seers have fashioned them anew into a harmony. Seeking the inspired recognition and desiring the plenitude of force, may we attain the thought—like a well-yoked steed fit for the chariot—swift in the road of the journey.