________________
MANDALA I, HYMN 85.
127
7. Strong in themselves, they grew 1 with might; they stepped to the firmament, they made their seat wide. When Vishnu saved the enrapturing Soma, the Maruts sat down like birds on their beloved altar.
8. Like 1 heroes indeed thirsting for fight they rush about; like combatants eager for glory they have striven in battles. All beings are afraid of the Maruts; they are men terrible to behold, like kings.
9. When the clever Tvashtarı had turned the well-made, golden, thousand-edged thunderbolt, Indra takes it to perform his manly deeds; he slew Vritra, he forced out the stream of water.
10. By their power they pushed the well? aloft, they clove asunder the rock (cloud), however strong. Blowing forth their voice 2 the bounteous Maruts performed, while drunk of Soma, their glorious deeds.
11. They pushed the well (cloud) athwart this way, they poured out the spring to the thirsty Gotama. The Maruts with beautiful splendour approach him with help, they in their own ways satisfied the desire of the sage.
12. The shelters which you have for him who praises you, grant them threefold i to the man who gives ! Extend the same to us, O Maruts! Give us, ye heroes ?, wealth with valiant offspring !
Digitized by Google
.
