Atharva Veda · 118 of 724

HYMN XXI

Glorification and benediction of cows 1. The kine have come and brought good fortune: let them rest in    the cow-pen and be happy near us.   Here let them stay prolific, many-coloured, and yield through    many morns their milk for Indra. 2. Indra aids him who offers sacrifice and praise: he takes not what    is his, and gives him more thereto.   Increasing ever more and ever more his wealth, he makes the    pious dwell within unbroken bounds. 3. These are ne'er lost, no robber ever injures them: no evil-minded    foe attempts to harass them.   The master of the kine lives a long life with these, the Cows    whereby he pours his gifts and serves the Gods. 4. The charger with his dusty brow o'ertakes them not, and never    to the shambles do they take their way.   These Cows, the cattle of the pious worshipper, roam over wide-    spread pasture where no danger is. 5. To me the Cows seem Bhaga, they seem Indra, they seem a    portion of the first poured Soma.   These present Cows, they, O ye men, are Indra. I long for Indra    with my heart and spirit. 6. O Cows, ye fatten e'en the worn and wasted, and make the    unlovely beautiful to look on.   Prosper my home, ye with auspicious voices! Your power is    magnified in our assemblies. 7. In goodly pasturage, bright-hued, prolific, drinking pure water at    fair drinking-places,   Never be thief or sinful man your master, and may the dart of   Rudra still avoid you!