The Rig Veda/Mandala 10/Hymn 67

1. THIS holy hymn, sublime and seven headed, sprung from eternal Law, our sire discovered. Ayasya, friend of all men, hath engendered the fourth hymn as he sang his laud to Indra. 2. Thinking aright, praising eternal Order, the sons of Dyaus the Asura, those heroes, Angirases, holding the rank of sages, first honoured sacrifice's holy statute. 3. Girt by his friends who cried with swanlike voices, bursting the stony barriers of the prison, Brhaspati spake in thunder to the cattle, and uttered praise and song when he had found them. 4. Apart from one, away from two above him, he drave the kine that stood in bonds of falsehood. Brhaspati, seeking light amid the darkness, drave forth the bright cows: three he made apparent. 5. When he had cleft the lairs and western castle, he cut off three from him who held the waters. Brhaspati discovered, while he thundered like Dyaus, the dawn, the Sun, the cow, the lightning. 6. As with a hand, so with his roaring Indra cleft Vala through, the guardian of the cattle. Seeking the milk-draught with sweat shining comrades he stole the Pani's kine and left him weeping. 7. He with bright faithful Friends, winners of booty, hath rent the milker of the cows asunder. Brhaspati with wild boars strong and mighty, sweating with heat, hath gained a rich possession. 8. They, longing for the kine, with faithful spirit incited with their hymns the Lord of cattle. Brhaspati freed the radiant cows with comrades self-yoked, averting shame from one another. 9. In our assembly with auspicious praises exalting him who roareth like a lion, Maywe, in every fight where heroes conquer, rejoice in strong Brhaspati the Victor. 10. When he had won him every sort of booty and gone to heaven and its most lofty mansions, Men praised Brhaspati the Mighty, bringing the light within their mouths from sundry places. 11. Fulfil the prayer that begs for vital vigour: aid in your wonted manner even the humble. Let all our foes be turned and driven backward. Hear this, O Heaven and Earth, ye All-producers. 12. Indra with mighty strength cleft asunder the head of Arbuda the watery monster, Slain Ahi, and set free the Seven Rivers. O Heaven and Earth, with all the Gods protect us.