Atharva Veda · 111 of 724

HYMN XIV

Accompanying the sacrifice of a he-goat 1. The Goat was verily produced from Agni. Through sorrow he    beheld, at first, his father.   Through him at first the Gods attained to godhead, and, meet    for sacrifices, were exalted. 2. Bearing in hands seethed viands, go with Agni to the cope of    heaven.   Reaching the sky that touches heaven, mix with the company of   Gods. 3. From earth’s high ridge to middle air I mounted, and from mid-    air ascended up to heaven.   From the high pitch of heaven’s cope I came into the world of    light. 4. Mounting the sky they look not round; they rise to heaven    through both the worlds,   Sages who paid the sacrifice that pours its streams on every    side. 5. First among all the deities, come forward, thou who art eye of   Gods and men, O Agni.   Imploring, and accordant with the Bhrigus, to heaven in safety    go the sacrificers! 6. With milk and butter I anoint the mighty, celestial Goat, strong-    winged, and full of juices.   Through him will we attain the world of virtue, ascending to the    loftiest cope, to heaven. 7. Set the Goat’s head toward the eastern region, and turn his right    side to the southern quarter.   His hinder part turn to the western quarter, and set his left side    to the northern region. 8. Set the Goat’s backbone upmost in the zenith, and lay his belly    downward in the nadir; set his midportion in mid-air between    them. 9. O’er the dressed Goat lay a dressed skin to robe him prepared,    in perfect form, with all his members.   Rise upward to the loftiest vault of heaven: with thy four feet    stand firmly in the regions.