Sukta 41

Mantra 1

अस्मा ऊ षु प्रभूतये वरुणाय मरुद्भ्योऽर्चा विदुष्टरेभ्यः । यो धीता मानुषाणां पश्वो गा इव रक्षति नभन्तामन्यके समे ॥

To him—yes, to the vastness—sing a hymn: to Varuṇa and to the Maruts, the most knowing powers; he who, as the establisher of thought in men, guards the herds like cows—may the forces shine forth in another, higher sameness.

Mantra 2

तमू षु समना गिरा पितॄणां च मन्मभिः । नाभाकस्य प्रशस्तिभिर्यः सिन्धूनामुपोदये सप्तस्वसा स मध्यमो नभन्तामन्यके समे ॥

Him indeed we hymn with a common chant, with the Fathers’ thought-forms; with the praises of Nābhāka—he who rises at the upsurge of the rivers, the seven-sistered stream: he is the middle (mediating) power—may the lights surge in another sameness.

Mantra 3

स क्षपः परि षस्वजे न्युस्रो मायया दधे स विश्वं परि दर्शतः । तस्य वेनीरनु व्रतमुषस्तिस्रो अवर्धयन्नभन्तामन्यके समे ॥

He embraced the nights all around; and he set the Dawn-cow below by his power of formation; he looks around upon all existence. Following his law, the three Dawns increase like braided streams—may the lights shine in another sameness.

Mantra 4

यः ककुभो निधारयः पृथिव्यामधि दर्शतः । स माता पूर्व्यं पदं तद्वरुणस्य सप्त्यं स हि गोपा इवेर्यो नभन्तामन्यके समे ॥

He who set the world’s quarters in place upon the earth, the seerly-visible: that is the ancient station, the sevenfold steed-force of Varuṇa; for he is to be sought like a herdsman—may the lights shine in another sameness.

Mantra 5

यो धर्ता भुवनानां य उस्राणामपीच्या वेद नामानि गुह्या । स कविः काव्या पुरु रूपं द्यौरिव पुष्यति नभन्तामन्यके समे ॥

He is the holder of the worlds; he knows the secret names of the hidden dawn-lights. He, the seer-poet, by his poetic power fosters many forms like Heaven itself—may the lights shine in another sameness.

Mantra 6

यस्मिन्विश्वानि काव्या चक्रे नाभिरिव श्रिता । त्रितं जूती सपर्यत व्रजे गावो न संयुजे युजे अश्वाँ अयुक्षत नभन्तामन्यके समे ॥

In whom all inspired works are set, as in a navel they are held together—Trita in swift movement served him; in the pen, like cows for yoking, they yoked the horses for the yoke—may the lights shine in another sameness.

Mantra 7

य आस्वत्क आशये विश्वा जातान्येषाम् । परि धामानि मर्मृशद्वरुणस्य पुरो गये विश्वे देवा अनु व्रतं नभन्तामन्यके समे ॥

He who, in these, as a garment, lies in the resting-place of all that is born; he touches and feels out the dwellings all around—before Varuṇa’s presence all the gods move according to the law—may the lights shine in another sameness.

Mantra 8

स समुद्रो अपीच्यस्तुरो द्यामिव रोहति नि यदासु यजुर्दधे । स माया अर्चिना पदास्तृणान्नाकमारुहन्नभन्तामन्यके समे ॥

He is the hidden ocean; swift, he climbs like the sky when he sets the sacrificial formula within these. By his measured power, with the flame, he laid down the steps and ascended to the luminous heaven—may the lights shine in another sameness.

Mantra 9

यस्य श्वेता विचक्षणा तिस्रो भूमीरधिक्षितः । त्रिरुत्तराणि पप्रतुर्वरुणस्य ध्रुवं सदः स सप्तानामिरज्यति नभन्तामन्यके समे ॥

He whose clear, luminous discernments dwell above the three worlds of our being; thrice they press beyond into the higher reaches of Varuṇa’s fixed and steady seat. He harmonises the sevenfold powers within us; may the other forces find their right level in the common unity.

Mantra 10

यः श्वेताँ अधिनिर्णिजश्चक्रे कृष्णाँ अनु व्रता । स धाम पूर्व्यं ममे यः स्कम्भेन वि रोदसी अजो न द्यामधारयन्नभन्तामन्यके समे ॥

He who has set the bright radiances above, and made the dark follow the law; he has measured out the ancient foundation. He who, by the supporting Pillar, has opened out the two worlds, and like the Unborn has upheld the heaven—may the other forces shine in an equal harmony.