Cosmogonical and mystico-theological doctrine

1Eastward at first the prayer was generated: Vena disclosed bright flashes from the summit, Disclosed his deepest, nearest revelations, womb of the non-existent and existent.

2Let this Queen come in front, her Father’s daughter, found in the worlds for earliest generation. For him they set this radiant vault in motion. Let them prepare warm milk for him who first would drink.

3He who was born as his all-knowing kinsman declareth all the deities’ generations. He from the midst of prayer his prayer hath taken. On high, below, spread forth his godlike nature.

4For he, true to the law of Earth and Heaven, established both the mighty worlds securely. Mighty when born, he propped apart the mighty, the sky, our earthly home, and air’s mid-region.

5He from the depth hath been reborn for ever, Brihaspati the world’s sole Lord and Ruler. From light was born the Day with all its lustre: through this let sages live endowed with splendour.

6The sage and poet verily advanceth the statute of that mighty God primeval. He was born here with many more beside him: they slumbered when the foremost side was opened.

7The man who seeks the friend of Gods, Atharvan the father, and Brihaspati, with worship, Crying to him, Be thou all things’ creator! the wise God, self-dependent, never injures.

A Charm against tigers, wolves, thieves and other noxious creatures

1Three have gone hence and passed away, the man, the tiger, and the wolf. Down, verily, the rivers flow, down-goeth the celestial Tree down let our foemen bend and bow.

2On distant pathway go the wolf, on pathway most remote the thief! On a far road speed forth the rope with teeth, and the malicious man!

3We crush and rend to pieces both thine eyes, O Tiger, and thy jaws and all the twenty claws we break.

4We break and rend the tiger first of creatures that are armed. with teeth; The robber then, and then the snake, the sorcerer, and then the wolf.

5The thief who cometh near to-day departeth bruised and crushed to bits. By nearest way let him be gone. Let Indra slay him with his bolt.

6Let the beast’s teeth be broken off, shivered and shattered be his ribs! Slack be thy bowstring: downward go the wild beast that pursues the hare!

7Open not what thou hast compressed, close not what thou hast not compressed. Indra’s and Soma’s child, thou art Atharvan’s tiger-crushing charm.

A Charm against tigers, wolves, thieves and other noxious creatures

1Three have gone hence and passed away, the man, the tiger, and the wolf. Down, verily, the rivers flow, down-goeth the celestial Tree, down let our foemen bend and bow.

2On distant pathway go the wolf, on pathway most remote the thief! On a far road speed forth the rope with teeth, and the malicious man!

3We crush