Page:Atharva-Veda samhita volume 2.djvu/22

viii. 2-

10. The down-going in the welkin, not to be ventured down upon, which is thine, O death—from that road defending this man, we make bráhman a covering (varman) for him.

11. I make for thee breath-and-expiration, old age as [mode of] death, long life-time, welfare; all the messengers of Yama, sent forth by Vivasvant's son, moving about, I drive away.

12. Afar niggardliness, perdition, away seizure (grā́hi), the flesh-eating piçācás, every demon that is of evil nature—that we smite away, as it were into darkness.

13. Thy breath I win from immortal Agni, from long-lived Jātavedas, that thou mayest take no harm, mayest be immortal in alliance [with him]: that I make for thee; let that prove successful for thee.

14. Let heaven-and-earth be propitious to thee, not distressing, conferring fortune (? abhiçrī́); let the sun burn weal unto thee; let the wind blow weal to thy heart; let the heavenly waters, rich in fatness (páyas), flow propitious upon thee.

15. Propitious to thee be the herbs; I have caught thee up from the lower unto the upper earth; there let both the Ādityas, sun and moon, defend thee.