Atharva-Veda Samhita/Book VII/Hymn 15 (16)

15 (16). Prayer to Savitar.

[Bhṛgu.—sāvitram. trāiṣṭubham.]

Found also in Pāipp. xx.; and in VS. (xvii. 74), TS. (iv. 6. 5⁴), MS. (ii. 10. 6), and CB. (ix. 2. 3. 38). This hymn, like the preceding, is used by Kāuç. (24. 7) in a general rite for prosperity, with the binding on of a heifer-rope as amulet. In Vāit. (29. 18), it accompanies the laying on of fuel in the agnicayana ceremony.

Translated: Henry, 6, 58; Griffith, i. 335.

1. This favor, O Savitar, of true impulse, very wondrous, having all choice things, do I choose for myself; which of him, full-fed, thousand-streamed, Kaṇva the bull (mahiṣā) milked for Bhaga.

Or (at the end) 'for a portion,' as the comm. understands it (bhāgyāya). The reading (alike in all) of the other texts is very different: for a, tā́ṁ savitúr váreṇyasya citrā́m; in b, viçvájanyām at end; in d (for mah- etc.) páyasā mahī́ṁ gā́m. This gives a decidedly more intelligible meaning. Ppp. is still different: in a, satyasavasya citrām; for b, vayaṁ devasya prasave manāmahe; and, in c, prapīnāṁ.