Page:Atharva-Veda samhita volume 2.djvu/62

ix. 1- kāṇḍas!⌋. The hymn is called the madhusūkta 'honey-hymn' in Vāit. 16. 12, and is prescribed to be recited to accompany the mixing of soma with milk in a part of the agniṣṭoma ceremony. It is reckoned to the varcasya gaṇa (see note to Kāuç. 12. 10); and (always in company with iii. 16; vi. 69) is directed in Kāuç. 10. 24*; 12. 15; 13. 6 to be recited in various ceremonies. ⌊See also notes to vss. 13, 18.⌋ *⌊vi. 125. 2 and ix. 1. 1 and xix. 3. 1 have the same pratīka (divaspṛthivyās). SPP. understands the comm. at iii. 16 and at vi. 69 as intending ix. 1 by divaspṛthivyās⌋ but the comm. at xix. 3 understands xix. 3 as intended (cf. Whitney's introduction to xix. 3).—The "honeyed whip," mádhumatī káçā, of the Açvins is mentioned in the RV. (i. 22. 3; 157. 4). Oldenberg, ''Rel. des Veda'', p. 209, thinks it refers to the morning dew. Cf. Macdonell, ''Ved. Mythol.'', p. 49, 54.⌋

Translated: Henry, 81, 115; Griffith, i. 427; Bloomfield, 229, 587.

1. Verily from sky, from earth, from atmosphere, from ocean, from fire, from wind was born the honey-whip; noting (cāy) it, [as] putting on immortality, all creatures (prajā́) rejoice to meet it with their hearts.

2. Great, all-formed [is] the milk of it; also they call thee the seed of ocean; whence the granting honey-whip cometh, thither breath, thither immortality (amṛ́ta) hath entered in.

3. Men, manifoldly meditating (mimāṅs-) severally see its movement (caritá) on the earth; verily from fire, from wind was born the honey-whip, the formidable daughter (naptí) of the Maruts.

4. Mother of the Ādityas, daughter of the Vasus, breath of creatures (prajā́), navel of immortality (amṛ́ta), gold-colored, dripping with ghee (ghṛtā́cī), the honey-whip moves among mortals [as] a great brightness (bhárga).

5. The gods generated the whip of honey; of it there came to be an all-formed embryo; this, when born [and] tender, its mother fills; it, [when] born, looks abroad on all existences.