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VEDIC HYMNS.
MANDALA VII, HYMN 59. ASHTAKA V, ADHYÂYA 4, VARGA 29–30.
TO THE MARUTS AND Rudra. 1. Whom you protect again and again, O gods, and whom you lead, to him, O Agni, Varuna, Mitra, Aryaman, and Maruts, yield your protection.
2. He who sacrifices, O gods, overcomes his enemies by your protection on a happy day. He who gives to your delight, spreads forth his dwelling, spreads out much food.
3. This Vasishtha will not despise even the last among you, O Maruts; drink? all of you, to-day, at my libation here, full of desire.
4. Your help does not indeed fail that man in battle to whom you granted it, Omen! Your newest favour has turned hither, come quick then, ye who wish to drink.
5. O ye whose gifts are cheering, come to drink the (juice of the Soma) flowers: these are your libations, O Maruts, for I gave them to you, do not go elsewhere!
6. Sit down on our altar and protect? us, to give us brilliant riches. O Maruts, who never miss the Soma mead, hail to you here to enjoy yourselves.
7. Having adorned their bodies, the swans with dark blue backs came flying in secret —the whole flock sat down all around me, like gay men, delighting in the Soma offering.
8. O Maruts, that hateful man who beyond our thoughts tries to hurt us, O Vasus, may he catch the snares of Druh, kill him with your hottest bolt!
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