Atharva Veda · 239 of 724

HYMN LXXI

A priest’s benediction after meat 1. What food I eat of varied form and nature, food whether gold,    or horse, sheep, goat, or bullock,   Whatever gift I have received, may Agni the Hotar make it    sacrifice well-offered. 2. Whatever, sacrificed or not, hath reached me, bestowed by men    and sanctioned by the Fathers,   Whereby my heart seems to leap up, may Agni the Hotar make    that sacrifice well-offered. 3. What food I eat unjustly, Gods! or, doubtful between bestow-    ing and refusing, swallow,   Through greatness of Vaisvānara the mighty may that same food    be sweet to me and blessed!