Atharva Veda · 149 of 724

HYMN XII

An Apri or propitiatory hymn 1. Thou in the house of man this day enkindled worshippest Gods    as God, O Jātavedas.   Observant, bright as Mitra, bring them hither. Thou art a    sapient and foreknowing envoy. 2. Tanùnapāt, fair-tongued! with sweet meath balming the baths    and ways of Order, make them pleasant.   Bear to the Gods our sacrifice, exalting with holy thoughts our    hymns of praise and worship. 3. Invoked, deserving prayer and adoration, O Agni, come accor    dant with the Vasus.   Thou art, O youthful Lord, the Gods’ Invoker, so, best of sacri-    ficers, bring them quickly. 4. By rule the Sacred Grass is scattered eastward, a robe to clothe    this earth when dawns are breaking.   Widely it spreads around and far extended, fair for the Gods    and bringing peace and freedom, 5. Let the expansive Doors be widely opened, like wives who deck    their beauty for their husbands.   Lofty, celestial, all-impelling Portals, admit the Gods and give    them easy entrance! 6. Pouring sweet dews let holy Night and Morning, each close to    each, be seated at their station,—   Lofty, celestial Dames with gold to deck them, assuming all    their fair and radiant beauty. 7. Come the first two celestial sweet-voiced Hotars, arranging    sacrifice for man to worship,   As singers who inspire us in assemblies, showing the eastern    light with their direction! 8. Let Bhārati come quickly to our worship and Ilā showing like a    human being.   So let Sarasvati and both her fellows, deft Goddesses, on this    fair grass be seated. 9. Hotar more skilled in sacrifice, bring hither with speed to-day   God Tvashar, thou who knowest,   Even him who formed these two, the Earth and Heaven, the   Parents, with their forms, and every creature. 10. Bring thou to our oblations which thou balmest the companies    of Gods in ordered season.   Agni, Vanaspati, the Immolator sweeten our offered gifts with    meath and butter! 11. Agni as soon as he was born made ready the sacrifice and was    the Gods’ preceder.   May the Gods eat our offering consecrated according to this true   Priest’s voice and guidance.