Atharva Veda · 105 of 724

HYMN VIII

A benediction at the consecration of a King 1. The Being lays the sap of life in beings: he hath become the    sovran Lord of creatures.   Death comes to this man’s royal consecration: let him as King    own and allow this kingdom. 2. Come forward, turn not back in scorn, strong guardian, slayer    of the foes.   Approach, O gladdener of thy friends. The Gods have blessed    and strengthened thee. 3. All waited on him as he came to meet them. He self-resplendent    moves endued with glory.   That is the royal hero’s lofty nature: he, manifold, hath gained    immortal powers. 4. Stride forth to heaven’s broad regions, thou, a tiger on a tiger’s    skin.   Let all the people long for thee. Let heavenly floods be rich in    milk. 5. Heaven’s waters joyous in their milk, the waters of middle air,    and those that earth containeth-   I with the gathered power and might of all these waters sprinkle    thee, 6. The heavenly waters rich in milk have sprinkled thee with power    and might.   To be the gladdener of thy friends. May Savitar so fashion thee. 7. These, compassing the tiger, rouse the lion to great joy and    bliss.   As strong floods purify the standing ocean, so men adorn the    leopard in the waters