Atharva Veda · 135 of 724

HYMN XXXVIII

A charm for success in gambling 1. Hither I call the Apsaras, victorious, who plays with skill,   Her who comes freely fort to view, who wins the stakes in games    of dice. 2. Hither I call that Apsaras who scatters and who gathers up.   The Apsaras who plays with skill and takes her winnings in the    game. 3. Dancing around us with the dice, winning the wager by her    play.   May she obtain the stake for us and gain the victory with skill.   May she approach us full of strength: let them not win this    wealth of ours. 4. Hither I call that Apsaras, the joyous, the delightful one—   Those nymphs who revel in the dice, who suffer grief and yield    to wrath. 5. Who follow in their course the rays of Sūrya, or as a particle of    light attend him.   Whose leader from afar, with store of riches, compasses quickly    all the worlds and guards them.   Pleased, may he come to this our burnt oblation, together with    the Air, enriched with treasure. 6. Together with the Air, O rich in treasure, guard here the white    cow and the calf, O mighty!   Here are abundant drops for thee, come hither! Here is thy    white calf, let thy mind be with us. 7. Together with the Air, O rich in treasure, keep the white calf in    safety here, O mighty!   Here is the grass, here is the stall, here do we bind the calf. We    are your masters, name by name. All Hail!