WITH stedfast site and birthplace thou art stedfast: settle thou duly in thy stedfast birthplace, rejoicing in the

Ukhya’s first appearance.

Here let the Asvins, the Adhvaryus, seat thee.

2Nesting, intelligent, dripping with butter, in the auspicious seat of earth be seated. Let Rudras, Vasus welcome thee with praises: fill full these prayers for our propitious fortune. Here let the Asvins, the Adhvaryus, seat thee.

3Here, Guard of Strength, with thine own powers be seated for the Gods’ happiness and great enjoyment. Even as a father to his son, be friendly: with easy entrance enter with thy body. Here let the Asvins, the Adhvaryus seat thee:

4Thou art the filling-stuff of earth called Apsas. May all the Gods celebrate thee with praises. Enriched with songs of praise, Prishthas and butter, sit here and give us wealth with store of children. Here let the Asvins, etc.

5Upon the back of Aditi I lay thee the sky’s supporter, pillar of the Quarters, Queen over creatures. Wave and drop of waters art thou; and Visvakarman is thy Rishi.

6Sukra and Suchi, seasons, both, of summer — thou art the innermost cement of Agni. May Heaven and Earth, may Waters, Plants and Agnis help, separate, accordant, my precedence. Let all the Agnis ‘twixt the earth and heaven gather together round these summer seasons, as the Gods gather in their hosts round Indra, Firm, with that Deity, Angiras-like, be seated.

7Associate with the Seasons, with the Modes with the Gods, with the health-establishing Gods — may the Asvins the Adhvaryus settle thee here for Agni Vaisvânara. Associate.............with the Vasus, etc. Associate.............with the Rudras, etc. Associate.............with the Âdityas, etc. Associate.............with the Visvedevas, etc.

8Guard thou my breath. Guard my out-breathing. Guard my through-breathing. Illume mine eye with far-reaching vision. Give power of hearing to mine ear. Pour forth waters. Quicken plants. Protect bipeds. Protect quadrupeds. Send rain from heaven.

9The head is vital vigour. Prajâpati became the metre. Royalty is vital vigour, health-giving metre. The Supporter is vital vigour, the Sovran Lord the metre. Visvakarman is vital vigour, Parameshthin the metre. The he-goat is vital vigour, excellent the metre. The bull is vital vigour, extensive the metre. Man is vital vigour, languid the metre. The tiger is vital vigour, invincible the metre. The lion is vital vigour, covering the metre. The four-year bull is vital vigour, Brihatî the metre. The ox is vital vigour, Kakup the metre. The steer is vital vigour, Satobrihatî the metre.

10The bullock is vital vigour, Pankti the metre. The milch-cow is vital vigour, Jagatî the metre. The eighteen-month calf is vital vigour, Trishtup the metre. The two year old steer is vital vigour, Virâj the metre. The thirty-month old ewe is vital vigour, Gâyatrî the metre. The three year old steer is vital vigour, Ushnih the metre. The four year old ox is vital vigour, Anushtup the metre. Fill up the room, etc. The dappled kine, etc. All sacred songs, etc. are