Page:Atharva-Veda samhita volume 2.djvu/17

473 The comm. cites them from Nakṣ. K. 23 in a mahāçānti. They are reckoned by Kāuç. to the āyuṣya gaṇa (note to 54. 11). For vs. 10, see below.⌋

Translated: Muir, v. 444; Ludwig, p. 495; Henry, 1, 35; Griffith, i. 385; Bloomfield, 53, 569.

1. To the ender Death [be] homage. Let thy breaths, expirations, rest here. Let this man be here with his life (ásu), in the portion of the sun, in the world of the immortal.

2. Up hath Bhaga taken him, up Soma rich in shoots ⌊hath taken⌋ him, up the heavenly Maruts ⌊have taken⌋ him, up have Indra-and-Agni, for his welfare.

3. Here [be] thy life, here breath, here life-time, here thy mind; we bear thee up from the fetters of perdition with divine speech.

4.. Step up from here, O man, fall not down, loosening down the fetter (páḍbīça) of death; be not severed from this world, from the sight (saṁdṛ́ç) of fire, of the sun.

5. Let the wind, Mātariçvan, be cleansing for thee; for thee let the waters rain immortal things; may the sun burn weal for thy body; let death compassionate thee; do not thou perish.

6. Up-going [be] thine, O man, not down-going; length of life (jīvā́tu), ability, I make for thee; for do thou ascend this immortal easy-running chariot, then shalt thou in advanced age (? jírvi) speak to the council (vidátha).

7. Let not thy mind go thither; let it not be lost (tiró-bhū); do not neglect (pra-mad) the living, go not after the Fathers; let all the gods defend thee here.

8. Do not regard (ā-dhī) the departed, who lead [one] to the distance; ascend out of darkness, come to light; we take hold on thy hands.