Rig Veda · Mandala 1 · Sukta 164
Rig Veda 1.164 — Viśvedevas
Deity: Viśvedevas. Rishi family (Mandala 1): Diverse seers — Madhuchchhandas, Medhatithi, Shunahshepa, Hiranyastupa and others. This Sukta contains 52 verses presented below in Devanagari Sanskrit, IAST romanisation, and Ralph T. H. Griffith's English translation. Click any verse to read a fuller explanation.
Verses
Rig Veda 1.164.1
अस्य वामस्य पलितस्य होतुस्तस्य भराता मध्यमो अस्त्यश्नः | तर्तीयो भराता घर्तप्र्ष्ठो अस्यात्रापश्यं विश्पतिं सप्तपुत्रम
asya vāmasya palitasya hotustasya bhrātā madhyamo astyaśnaḥ | tṛtīyo bhrātā ghṛtapṛṣṭho asyātrāpaśyaṃ viśpatiṃ saptaputram
Rig Veda 1.164.2
सप्त युञ्जन्ति रथमेकचक्रमेको अश्वो वहति सप्तनामा | तरिनाभि चक्रमजरमनर्वं यत्रेमा विश्वा भुवनाधितस्थुः
sapta yuñjanti rathamekacakrameko aśvo vahati saptanāmā | trinābhi cakramajaramanarvaṃ yatremā viśvā bhuvanādhitasthuḥ
Seven to the one-wheeled chariot yoke the Courser; bearing seven names the single Courser draws it. Three-naved the wheel is, sound and undecaying, whereon are resting all these worlds of being.
Rig Veda 1.164.3
इमं रथमधि ये सप्त तस्थुः सप्तचक्रं सप्त वहन्त्यश्वाः | सप्त सवसारो अभि सं नवन्ते यत्र गवां निहिता सप्त नाम
imaṃ rathamadhi ye sapta tasthuḥ saptacakraṃ sapta vahantyaśvāḥ | sapta svasāro abhi saṃ navante yatra ghavāṃ nihitā sapta nāma
The seven who on the seven-wheeled car are mounted have horses, seven in tale, who draw them onward. Seven Sisters utter songs of praise together, in whom the names of the seven Cows are treasured.
Rig Veda 1.164.4
को ददर्श परथमं जायमानमस्थन्वन्तं यदनस्था बिभर्ति | भूम्या असुरस्र्गात्मा कव सवित को विद्वांसमुप गात परष्टुमेतत
ko dadarśa prathamaṃ jāyamānamasthanvantaṃ yadanasthā bibharti | bhūmyā asurasṛghātmā kva svit ko vidvāṃsamupa ghāt praṣṭumetat
Who hath beheld him as he sprang to being, seen how the boneless One supports the bony? Where is the blood of earth, the life, the spirit? Who may approach the man who knows, to ask it?
Rig Veda 1.164.5
पाकः पर्छामि मनसाविजानन देवानामेना निहिता पदानि | वत्से बष्कये.अधि सप्त तन्तून वि तत्निरे कवय ओतवाु
pākaḥ pṛchāmi manasāvijānan devānāmenā nihitā padāni | vatse baṣkaye.adhi sapta tantūn vi tatnire kavaya otavāu
Unripe in mind, in spirit undiscerning, I ask of these the Gods’ established places; For up above the yearling Calf the sages, to form a web, their own seven threads have woven.
Rig Veda 1.164.6
अचिकित्वाञ्चिकितुषश्चिदत्र कवीन पर्छामि विद्मने न विद्वान | वि यस्तस्तम्भ षळ इमा रजांस्यजस्य रूपे किमपि सविदेकम
acikitvāñcikituṣaścidatra kavīn pṛchāmi vidmane na vidvān | vi yastastambha ṣaḷ imā rajāṃsyajasya rūpe kimapi svidekam
I ask, unknowing, those who know, the sages, as one all ignorant for sake of knowledge, What was that ONE who in the Unborn's image hath stablished and fixed firm these worlds' six regions.
Rig Veda 1.164.7
इह बरवीतु य ईमङग वेदास्य वामस्य निहितं पदं वेः | शीर्ष्णः कषीरं दुह्रते गावो अस्य वव्रिं वसाना उदकं पदापुः
iha bravītu ya īmaṅgha vedāsya vāmasya nihitaṃ padaṃ veḥ | śīrṣṇaḥ kṣīraṃ duhrate ghāvo asya vavriṃ vasānā udakaṃ padāpuḥ
Let him who knoweth presently declare it, this lovely Bird's securely founded station. Forth from his head the Cows draw milk, and, wearing his vesture, with their foot have drunk the water.
Rig Veda 1.164.8
माता पितरं रत आ बभाज धीत्यग्रे मनसा सं हि जग्मे | सा बीभत्सुर्गर्भरसा निविद्धा नमस्वन्त इदुपवाकमीयुः
mātā pitaraṃ ṛta ā babhāja dhītyaghre manasā saṃ hi jaghme | sā bībhatsurgharbharasā nividdhā namasvanta idupavākamīyuḥ
The Mother gave the Sire his share of Order: with thought, at first, she wedded him in spirit. She, the coy Dame, was filled with dew prolific: with adoration men approached to praise her.
Rig Veda 1.164.9
युक्ता मातासीद धुरि दक्षिणाया अतिष्ठद गर्भो वर्जनीष्वन्तः | अमीमेद वत्सो अनु गामपश्यद विश्वरूप्यं तरिषु योजनेषु
yuktā mātāsīd dhuri dakṣiṇāyā atiṣṭhad gharbho vṛjanīṣvantaḥ | amīmed vatso anu ghāmapaśyad viśvarūpyaṃ triṣu yojaneṣu
Yoked was the Mother to the boon Cow's car-pole: in the dank rows of cloud the Infant rested. Then the Calf lowed, and looked upon the Mother, the Cow who wears all shapes in three directions.
Rig Veda 1.164.10
तिस्रो मातॄस्त्रीन पितॄन बिभ्रदेक ऊर्ध्वस्तस्थौ नेमव गलापयन्ति | मन्त्रयन्ते दिवो अमुष्य पर्ष्ठे विश्वविदं वाचमविश्वमिन्वाम
tisro mātṝstrīn pitṝn bibhradeka ūrdhvastasthau nemava ghlāpayanti | mantrayante divo amuṣya pṛṣṭhe viśvavidaṃ vācamaviśvaminvām
Bearing three Mothers and three Fathers, single he stood erect: they never make him weary. There on the pitch of heaven they speak together in speech all-knowing but not all-impelling.
Rig Veda 1.164.11
दवादशारं नहि तज्जराय वर्वर्ति चक्रं परि दयां रतस्य | आ पुत्रा अग्ने मिथुनासो अत्र सप्त शतानि विंशतिश्च तस्थुः
dvādaśāraṃ nahi tajjarāya varvarti cakraṃ pari dyāṃ ṛtasya | ā putrā aghne mithunāso atra sapta śatāni viṃśatiśca tasthuḥ
Formed with twelve spokes, by length of time, unweakened, rolls round the heaven this wheel of during Order. Herein established, joined in pairs together, seven hundred Sons and twenty stand, O Agni.
Rig Veda 1.164.12
पञ्चपादं पितरं दवादशाक्र्तिं दिव आहुः परे अर्धे पुरीषिणम | अथेमे अन्य उपरे विचक्षणं सप्तचक्रे षळर आहुरर्पितम
pañcapādaṃ pitaraṃ dvādaśākṛtiṃ diva āhuḥ pare ardhe purīṣiṇam | atheme anya upare vicakṣaṇaṃ saptacakre ṣaḷara āhurarpitam
They call him in the farther half of heaven the Sire five-footed, of twelve forms, wealthy in watery store. These others say that he, God with far-seeing eyes, is mounted on the lower seven-wheeled, six-spoked car.
Rig Veda 1.164.13
पञ्चारे चक्रे परिवर्तमाने तस्मिन्ना तस्थुर्भुवनानि विश्वा | तस्य नाक्षस्तप्यते भूरिभारः सनादेव न शीर्यते सनाभिः
pañcāre cakre parivartamāne tasminnā tasthurbhuvanāni viśvā | tasya nākṣastapyate bhūribhāraḥ sanādeva na śīryate sanābhiḥ
Upon this five-spoked wheel revolving ever all living creatures rest and are dependent. Its axle, heavy-laden, is not heated: the nave from ancient time remains unbroken.
Rig Veda 1.164.14
सनेमि चक्रमजरं वि वाव्र्त उत्तानायां दश युक्ता वहन्ति | सूर्यस्य चक्षू रजसैत्याव्र्तं तस्मिन्नार्पिता भुवनानि विश्वा
sanemi cakramajaraṃ vi vāvṛta uttānāyāṃ daśa yuktā vahanti | sūryasya cakṣū rajasaityāvṛtaṃ tasminnārpitā bhuvanāni viśvā
The wheel revolves, unwasting, with its felly: ten draw it, yoked to the far-stretching car-pole. The Sun's eye moves encompassed by the region: on him dependent rest all living creatures.
Rig Veda 1.164.15
साकंजानां सप्तथमहुरेकजं षळ इद यमा रषयो देवजा इति | तेषामिष्टानि विहितानि धामश सथात्रे रेजन्ते विक्र्तानि रूपशः
sākaṃjānāṃ saptathamahurekajaṃ ṣaḷ id yamā ṛṣayo devajā iti | teṣāmiṣṭāni vihitāni dhāmaśa sthātre rejante vikṛtāni rūpaśaḥ
Of the co-born they call the seventh single-born; the six twin pairs are called Ṛṣis, Children of Gods. Their good gifts sought of men are ranged in order due, and various in their form move for the Lord who guides.
Rig Veda 1.164.16
सत्रियः सतीस्तानु मे पुंस आहुः पश्यदक्षण्वान नवि चेतदन्धः | कविर्यः पुत्रः स ईमा चिकेत यस्ता विजानात स पितुष पितासत
striyaḥ satīstānu me puṃsa āhuḥ paśyadakṣaṇvān navi cetadandhaḥ | kaviryaḥ putraḥ sa īmā ciketa yastā vijānāt sa pituṣ pitāsat
They told me these were males, though truly females: he who hath eyes sees this, the blind discerns not. The son who is a sage hath comprehended: who knows this rightly is his father's father.
Rig Veda 1.164.17
अवः परेण पर एनावरेण पदा वत्सं बिभ्रती गौरुदस्थात | सा कद्रीची कं सविदर्धं परागात कव सवित सूते नहि यूथे अन्तः
avaḥ pareṇa para enāvareṇa padā vatsaṃ bibhratī ghaurudasthāt | sā kadrīcī kaṃ svidardhaṃ parāghāt kva svit sūte nahi yūthe antaḥ
Beneath the upper realm, above this lower, bearing her calf at foot the Cow hath risen. Witherward, to what place hath she departed? Where calves she? Not amid this herd of cattle.
Rig Veda 1.164.18
अवः परेण पितरं यो अस्यानुवेद पर एनावरेण | कवीयमानः क इह पर वोचद देवं मनः कुतो अधि पराजातम
avaḥ pareṇa pitaraṃ yo asyānuveda para enāvareṇa | kavīyamānaḥ ka iha pra vocad devaṃ manaḥ kuto adhi prājātam
Who, that the father of this Calf discerneth beneath the upper realm, above the lower, Showing himself a sage, may here declare it? Whence hath the Godlike spirit had its rising?
Rig Veda 1.164.19
ये अर्वाञ्चस्तानु पराच आहुर्ये पराञ्चस्तानु अर्वाच आहुः | इन्द्रश्च या चक्रथुः सोम तानि धुरा न युक्ता रजसो वहन्ति
ye arvāñcastānu parāca āhurye parāñcastānu arvāca āhuḥ | indraśca yā cakrathuḥ soma tāni dhurā na yuktā rajaso vahanti
Those that come hitherward they call departing, those that depart they call directed hither. And what so ye have made, Indra and Soma, steeds bear as ’twere yoked to the region's car-pole.
Rig Veda 1.164.20
दवा सुपर्णा सयुजा सखाया समानं वर्क्षं परि षस्वजाते | तयोरन्यः पिप्पलं सवाद्वत्त्यनश्नन्नन्यो अभि चाकशीति
dvā suparṇā sayujā sakhāyā samānaṃ vṛkṣaṃ pari ṣasvajāte | tayoranyaḥ pippalaṃ svādvattyanaśnannanyo abhi cākaśīti
Two Birds with fair wings, knit with bonds of friendship, in the same sheltering tree have found a refuge. One of the twain eats the sweet Fig-tree's fruitage; the other eating not regardeth only.
Rig Veda 1.164.21
यत्रा सुपर्णा अम्र्तस्य भागमनिमेषं विदथाभिस्वरन्ति | इनो विश्वस्य भुवनस्य गोपाः स मा धीरः पाकमत्रा विवेश
yatrā suparṇā amṛtasya bhāghamanimeṣaṃ vidathābhisvaranti | ino viśvasya bhuvanasya ghopāḥ sa mā dhīraḥ pākamatrā viveśa
Where those fine Birds hymn ceaselessly their portion of life eternal, and the sacred synods, There is the Universe's mighty Keeper, who, wise, hath entered into me the simple.
Rig Veda 1.164.22
यस्मिन वर्क्षे मध्वदः सुपर्णा निविशन्ते सुवते चाधि विश्वे | तस्येदाहुः पिप्पलं सवाद्वग्रे तन नोन नशद यःपितरं न वेद
yasmin vṛkṣe madhvadaḥ suparṇā niviśante suvate cādhi viśve | tasyedāhuḥ pippalaṃ svādvaghre tan non naśad yaḥpitaraṃ na veda
The, tree whereon the fine Birds eat the sweetness, where they all rest and procreate their offspring,— Upon its top they say the fig is luscious: none gaineth it who knoweth not the Father.
Rig Veda 1.164.23
यद गायत्रे अधि गायत्रमाहितं तरैष्टुभाद वा तरैष्टुभं निरतक्षत | यद वा जगज्जगत्याहितं पदं य इत तद विदुस्ते अम्र्तत्वमानशुः
yad ghāyatre adhi ghāyatramāhitaṃ traiṣṭubhād vā traiṣṭubhaṃ niratakṣata | yad vā jaghajjaghatyāhitaṃ padaṃ ya it tad viduste amṛtatvamānaśuḥ
How on the Gāyatrī the Gāyatrī was based, how from the Triṣṭup they fashioned the Triṣṭup forth, How on the Jagatī was based the Jagatī,—they who know this have won themselves immortal life.
Rig Veda 1.164.24
गायत्रेण परति मिमीते अर्कमर्केण साम तरैष्टुभेन वाकम | वाकेन वाकं दविपदा चतुष्पदाक्षरेण मिमते सप्त वाणीः
ghāyatreṇa prati mimīte arkamarkeṇa sāma traiṣṭubhena vākam | vākena vākaṃ dvipadā catuṣpadākṣareṇa mimate sapta vāṇīḥ
With Gāyatrī he measures out the praise-song, Sāma with praise-song, triplet with the Triṣṭup. The triplet with the two or four-foot measure, and with the syllable they form seven metres.
Rig Veda 1.164.25
जगता सिन्धुं दिव्यस्थभायद रथन्तरे सूर्यं पर्यपश्यत | गायत्रस्य समिधस्तिस्र आहुस्ततो मह्ना पर रिरिचे महित्वा
jaghatā sindhuṃ divyasthabhāyad rathantare sūryaṃ paryapaśyat | ghāyatrasya samidhastisra āhustato mahnā pra ririce mahitvā
With Jagatī the flood in heaven he stablished, and saw the Sun in the Rathantara Sāman. Gāyatrī hath, they say, three brands for kindling: hence it excels in majesty and vigour.
Rig Veda 1.164.26
उप हवये सुदुघां धेनुमेतां सुहस्तो गोधुगुत दोहदेनाम | शरेष्ठं सवं सविता साविषन नो.अभीद्धो घर्मस्तदु षु पर वोचम
upa hvaye sudughāṃ dhenumetāṃ suhasto ghodhughuta dohadenām | śreṣṭhaṃ savaṃ savitā sāviṣan no.abhīddho gharmastadu ṣu pra vocam
I invocate the milch-cow good for milking so that the milker, deft of hand, may drain her. May Savitar give goodliest stimulation. The caldron is made hot; I will proclaim it.
Rig Veda 1.164.27
हिङकर्ण्वती वसुपत्नी वसूनां वत्समिछन्ती मनसाभ्यागात | दुहामश्विभ्यां पयो अघ्न्येयं स वर्धतां महते सौभगाय
hiṅkṛṇvatī vasupatnī vasūnāṃ vatsamichantī manasābhyāghāt | duhāmaśvibhyāṃ payo aghnyeyaṃ sa vardhatāṃ mahate saubhaghāya
She, lady of all treasure, is come hither yearning in spirit for her calf and lowing. May this cow yield her milk for both the Aśvins, and may she prosper to our high advantage.
Rig Veda 1.164.28
गौरमीमेदनु वत्सं मिषन्तं मूर्धानं हिंं अक्र्णोन मातवा उ | सर्क्वाणं घर्ममभि वावशाना मिमाति मायुं पयते पयोभिः
ghauramīmedanu vatsaṃ miṣantaṃ mūrdhānaṃ hiṃṃ akṛṇon mātavā u | sṛkvāṇaṃ gharmamabhi vāvaśānā mimāti māyuṃ payate payobhiḥ
The cow hath lowed after her blinking youngling; she licks his forehead, as she lows, to form it. His mouth she fondly calls to her warm udder, and suckles him with milk while gently lowing.
Rig Veda 1.164.29
अयं स शिङकते येन गौरभीव्र्ता मिमाति मायुं धवसनावधि शरिता | सा चित्तिभिर्नि हि चकार मर्त्यं विद्युद भवन्ती परति वव्रिमौहत
ayaṃ sa śiṅkte yena ghaurabhīvṛtā mimāti māyuṃ dhvasanāvadhi śritā | sā cittibhirni hi cakāra martyaṃ vidyud bhavantī prati vavrimauhata
He also snorts, by whom encompassed round the Cow laws as she clings unto the shedder of the rain. She with her shrilling cries hath humbled mortal man, and, turned to lightning, hath stripped off her covering robe.
Rig Veda 1.164.30
अनच्छये तुरगातु जीवमेजद धरुवं मध्य आ पस्त्यानाम | जीवो मर्तस्य चरति सवधाभिरमर्त्यो मर्त्येना सयोनिः
anacchaye turaghātu jīvamejad dhruvaṃ madhya ā pastyānām | jīvo mṛtasya carati svadhābhiramartyo martyenā sayoniḥ
That which hath breath and speed and life and motion lies firmly stablished in the midst of houses. Living, by offerings to the Dead he moveth Immortal One, the brother of the mortal.
Rig Veda 1.164.31
अपश्यं गोपामनिपद्यमानमा च परा च पथिभिश्चरन्तम | स सध्रीचीः स विशूचीर्वसान आ वरीवर्ति भुवनेष्वन्तः
apaśyaṃ ghopāmanipadyamānamā ca parā ca pathibhiścarantam | sa sadhrīcīḥ sa viśūcīrvasāna ā varīvarti bhuvaneṣvantaḥ
I saw the Herdsman, him who never stumbles, approaching by his pathways and departing. He, clothed with gathered and diffusive splendour, within the worlds continually travels.
Rig Veda 1.164.32
य ईं चकार न सो अस्य वेद य ईं ददर्श हिरुगिन नुतस्मात | स मातुर्योना परिवीतो अन्तर्बहुप्रजा निर्र्तिमा विवेश
ya īṃ cakāra na so asya veda ya īṃ dadarśa hirughin nutasmāt | sa māturyonā parivīto antarbahuprajā nirṛtimā viveśa
He who hath made him cloth not comprehend him: from him who saw him surely is he hidden. He, yet enveloped in his Mother's bosom, source of much life, hath sunk into destruction.
Rig Veda 1.164.33
दयौर्मे पिता जनिता नाभिरत्र बन्धुर्मे माता पर्थिवीमहीयम | उत्तानयोश्चम्वोर्योनिरन्तरत्रा पिता दुहितुर्गर्भमाधात
dyaurme pitā janitā nābhiratra bandhurme mātā pṛthivīmahīyam | uttānayoścamvoryonirantaratrā pitā duhiturgharbhamādhāt
Dyaus is my Father, my begetter: kinship is here. This great earth is my kin and Mother. Between the wide-spread world-halves is the birth-place: the Father laid the Daughter's germ within it.
Rig Veda 1.164.34
पर्छामि तवा परमन्तं पर्थिव्याः पर्छामि यत्र भुवनस्यनाभिः | पर्छामि तवा वर्ष्णो अश्वस्य रेतः पर्छामि वाचः परमं वयोम
pṛchāmi tvā paramantaṃ pṛthivyāḥ pṛchāmi yatra bhuvanasyanābhiḥ | pṛchāmi tvā vṛṣṇo aśvasya retaḥ pṛchāmi vācaḥ paramaṃ vyoma
I ask thee of the earth's extremest limit, where is the centre of the world, I ask thee. I ask thee of the Stallion's seed prolific, I ask of highest heaven where Speech abideth.
Rig Veda 1.164.35
इयं वेदिः परो अन्तः पर्थिव्या अयं यज्ञो भुवनस्य नाभिः | अयं सोमो वर्ष्णो अश्वस्य रेतो बरह्मायं वाचःपरमं वयोम
iyaṃ vediḥ paro antaḥ pṛthivyā ayaṃ yajño bhuvanasya nābhiḥ | ayaṃ somo vṛṣṇo aśvasya reto brahmāyaṃ vācaḥparamaṃ vyoma
This altar is the earth's extremest limit; this sacrifice of ours is the world's centre. The Stallion's seed prolific is the Soma; this Brahman highest heaven where Speech abideth.
Rig Veda 1.164.36
सप्तार्धगर्भा भुवनस्य रेतो विष्णोस्तिष्ठन्ति परदिशाविधर्मणि | ते धीतिभिर्मनसा ते विपश्चितः परिभुवः परि भवन्ति विश्वतः
saptārdhagharbhā bhuvanasya reto viṣṇostiṣṭhanti pradiśāvidharmaṇi | te dhītibhirmanasā te vipaścitaḥ paribhuvaḥ pari bhavanti viśvataḥ
Seven germs unripened yet are heaven's prolific seed: their functions they maintain by Viṣṇu's ordinance. Endued with wisdom through intelligence and thought, they compass us about present on every side.
Rig Veda 1.164.37
अन वि जानामि यदिवेदमस्मि निण्यः संनद्धो मनसा चरामि | यदा मागन परथमजा रतस्यादिद व[चो अश्नुवे भागमस्याः
an vi jānāmi yadivedamasmi niṇyaḥ saṃnaddho manasā carāmi | yadā māghan prathamajā ṛtasyādid va[co aśnuve bhāghamasyāḥ
What thing I truly am I know not clearly: mysterious, fettered in my mind I wander. When the first-born of holy Law approached me, then of this speech I first obtain a portion.
Rig Veda 1.164.38
अपां परां एति सवधया गर्भीतो.अमर्त्यो मर्त्येना सयोनिः | ता शश्वन्ता विषूचीना वियन्ता नयन्यं चिक्युर्न निचिक्युरन्यम
apāṃ prāṃ eti svadhayā ghṛbhīto.amartyo martyenā sayoniḥ | tā śaśvantā viṣūcīnā viyantā nyanyaṃ cikyurna nicikyuranyam
Back, forward goes he, grasped by strength inherent, the Immortal born the brother of the mortal Ceaseless they move in opposite directions: men mark the one, and fail to mark the other.
Rig Veda 1.164.39
रचो अक्षरे परमे वयोमन यस्मिन देवा अधि विश्वे निषेदुः | यस्तन न वेद किं रचा करिष्यति य इत तद विदुस्त इमे समासते
ṛco akṣare parame vyoman yasmin devā adhi viśve niṣeduḥ | yastan na veda kiṃ ṛcā kariṣyati ya it tad vidusta ime samāsate
Upon what syllable of holy praise-song, as twere their highest heaven, the Gods repose them,— Who knows not this, what will he do with praise-song? But they who know it well sit here assembled. 40 Fortunate mayst thou be with goodly pasture, and may we also be exceeding wealthy. Feed on the grass, O Cow, at every season, and coming hitherward drink limpid water.
Rig Veda 1.164.40
सूयवसाद भगवती हि भूया अथो वयं भगवन्तः सयाम | अद्धि तर्णमघ्न्ये विश्वदानीं पिब शुद्धमुदकमाचरन्ती
sūyavasād bhaghavatī hi bhūyā atho vayaṃ bhaghavantaḥ syāma | addhi tṛṇamaghnye viśvadānīṃ piba śuddhamudakamācarantī
Rig Veda 1.164.41
गौरीर्मिमाय सलिलानि तक्षत्येकपदी दविपदी सा चतुष्पदी | अष्टापदी नवपदी बभूवुषी सहस्राक्षरा परमे वयोमन
ghaurīrmimāya salilāni takṣatyekapadī dvipadī sā catuṣpadī | aṣṭāpadī navapadī babhūvuṣī sahasrākṣarā parame vyoman
Forming the water-floods, the buffalo hath lowed, one-footed or two-footed or four-footed, she, Who hath become eight-footed or hath got nine feet, the thousand-syllabled in the sublimest heaven.
Rig Veda 1.164.42
तस्याः समुद्रा अधि वि कषरन्ति तेन जीवन्ति परदिशश्चतस्रः | ततः कषरत्यक्षरं तद विश्वमुप जीवति
tasyāḥ samudrā adhi vi kṣaranti tena jīvanti pradiśaścatasraḥ | tataḥ kṣaratyakṣaraṃ tad viśvamupa jīvati
From her descend in streams the seas of water; thereby the world's four regions have their being, Thence flows the imperishable flood and thence the universe hath life.
Rig Veda 1.164.43
शकमयं धूममारादपश्यं विषूवता पर एनावरेण | उक्षाणं पर्श्निमपचन्त वीरास्तानि धर्माणि परथमान्यासन
śakamayaṃ dhūmamārādapaśyaṃ viṣūvatā para enāvareṇa | ukṣāṇaṃ pṛśnimapacanta vīrāstāni dharmāṇi prathamānyāsan
I saw from far away the smoke of fuel with spires that rose on high o’er that beneath it. The Mighty Men have dressed the spotted bullock. These were the customs in the days aforetime,
Rig Veda 1.164.44
तरयः केशिन रतुथा वि चक्षते संवत्सरे वपत एक एषाम | विश्वमेको अभि चष्टे शचीभिर्ध्राजिरेकस्य दद्र्शेन रूपम
trayaḥ keśina ṛtuthā vi cakṣate saṃvatsare vapata eka eṣām | viśvameko abhi caṣṭe śacībhirdhrājirekasya dadṛśena rūpam
Three with long tresses show in ordered season. One of them sheareth when the year is ended. One with his powers the universe regardeth: Of one, the sweep is seen, but his figure.
Rig Veda 1.164.45
चत्वारि वाक परिमिता पदानि तानि विदुर्ब्राह्मणा ये मनीषिणः | गुहा तरीणि निहिता नेङगयन्ति तुरीयं वाचो मनुष्या वदन्ति
catvāri vāk parimitā padāni tāni vidurbrāhmaṇā ye manīṣiṇaḥ | ghuhā trīṇi nihitā neṅghayanti turīyaṃ vāco manuṣyā vadanti
Speech hath been measured out in four divisions, the Brahmans who have understanding know them. Three kept in close concealment cause no motion; of speech, men speak only the fourth division.
Rig Veda 1.164.46
इन्द्रं मित्रं वरुणमग्निमाहुरथो दिव्यः स सुपर्णो गरुत्मान | एकं सद विप्रा बहुधा वदन्त्यग्निं यमं मातरिश्वानमाहुः
indraṃ mitraṃ varuṇamaghnimāhuratho divyaḥ sa suparṇo gharutmān | ekaṃ sad viprā bahudhā vadantyaghniṃ yamaṃ mātariśvānamāhuḥ
They call him Indra, Mitra, Varuṇa, Agni, and he is heavenly nobly-winged Garutmān. To what is One, sages give many a title they call it Agni, Yama, Mātariśvan.
Rig Veda 1.164.47
कर्ष्णं नियानं हरयः सुपर्णा अपो वसाना दिवमुत पतन्ति | त आवव्र्त्रन सदनाद रतस्यादिद घर्तेन पर्थिवी वयुद्यते
kṛṣṇaṃ niyānaṃ harayaḥ suparṇā apo vasānā divamut patanti | ta āvavṛtran sadanād ṛtasyādid ghṛtena pṛthivī vyudyate
Dark the descent: the birds are golden-coloured; up to the heaven they fly robed in the waters. Again descend they from the seat of Order, and all the earth is moistened with their fatness.
Rig Veda 1.164.48
दवादश परधयश्चक्रमेकं तरीणि नभ्यानि क उ तच्चिकेत | तस्मिन साकं तरिशता न शङकवो.अर्पिताः षष्टिर्न चलाचलासः
dvādaśa pradhayaścakramekaṃ trīṇi nabhyāni ka u tacciketa | tasmin sākaṃ triśatā na śaṅkavo.arpitāḥ ṣaṣṭirna calācalāsaḥ
Twelve are the fellies, and the wheel is single; three are the naves. What man hath understood it? Therein are set together spokes three hundred and sixty, which in nowise can be loosened.
Rig Veda 1.164.49
यस्ते सतनः शशयो यो मयोभूर्येन विश्वा पुष्यसि वार्याणि | यो रत्नधा वसुविद यः सुदत्रः सरस्वति तमिह धातवे कः
yaste stanaḥ śaśayo yo mayobhūryena viśvā puṣyasi vāryāṇi | yo ratnadhā vasuvid yaḥ sudatraḥ sarasvati tamiha dhātave kaḥ
That breast of thine exhaustless, spring of pleasure, wherewith thou feedest all things that are choicest, Wealth-giver, treasure. finder, free bestower,—bring that, Sarasvatī, that we may drain it.
Rig Veda 1.164.50
यज्ञेन यज्ञमयजन्त देवास्तनि धर्माणि परथमान्यासन | ते ह नाकं महिमानः सचन्त यत्र पूर्वे साध्याः सन्ति देवाः
yajñena yajñamayajanta devāstani dharmāṇi prathamānyāsan | te ha nākaṃ mahimānaḥ sacanta yatra pūrve sādhyāḥ santi devāḥ
By means of sacrifice the Gods accomplished their sacrifice: these were the earliest ordinances. These Mighty Ones attained the height of heaven, there where the Sādhyas, Gods of old, are dwelling.
Rig Veda 1.164.51
समानमेतदुदकमुच्चैत्यव चाहभिः | भूमिं पर्जन्या जिन्वन्ति दिवं जिन्वन्त्यग्नयः
samānametadudakamuccaityava cāhabhiḥ | bhūmiṃ parjanyā jinvanti divaṃ jinvantyaghnayaḥ
Uniform, with the passing days, this water mounts and fails again. The tempest-clouds give life to earth, and fires re-animate the heaven.
Rig Veda 1.164.52
दिव्यं सुपर्णं वायसं बर्हन्तमपां गर्भं दर्शतमोषधीनाम | अभीपतो वर्ष्टिभिस्तर्पयन्तं सरस्वन्तमवसे जोहवीमि
divyaṃ suparṇaṃ vāyasaṃ bṛhantamapāṃ gharbhaṃ darśatamoṣadhīnām | abhīpato vṛṣṭibhistarpayantaṃ sarasvantamavase johavīmi
The Bird Celestial, vast with noble pinion, the lovely germ of plants, the germ of waters, Him who delighteth us with rain in season, Sarasvān I invoke that he may help us.
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