The Rig Veda/Mandala 5/Hymn 85

1. SING forth a hymn sublime and solemn, grateful to glorious. Varuna, imperial Ruler, Who hath struck out, like one who slays the victim, earth as a skin to spread in front of Surya. 2. In the tree-tops the air he hath extended, put milk in kine and vigorous speed in horses, Set intellect in hearts, fire in the waters, Surya in heaven and Soma on the mountain. 3. Varuna lets the big cask, opening downward, flow through the heaven and earth and air's mid-region. Therewith the universe's Sovran waters earth as the shower of rain bedews the barley. 4. When Varuna is fain for milk he moistens the sky, the land, and earth to her foundation. Then straight the mountains clothe them in the rain-cloud: the Heroes, putting forth their vigour, loose them. 5. I will declare this mighty deed of magic, of glorious Varuna the Lord Immortal, Who standing in the firmament hath meted the earth out with the Sun as with a measure. 6. None, verily, hath ever let or hindered this the most wise God's mighty deed of magic, Whereby with all their flood, the lucid rivers fill not one sea wherein they pour their waters. 7. If we have sinned against the man who loves us, have ever wronged a brother, friend, or comrade, The neighbour ever with us, or a stranger, O Varuna, remove from us the trespass. 8. If we, as gamesters cheat at play, have cheated, done wrong unwittingly or sinned of purpose, Cast all these sins away like loosened fetters, and, Varuna let us be thine own beloved.