The Rig Veda Mandala 10, Hymn 81

 

                                                    The Rig Veda

Mandala 10, Hymn 81

                                                              1. HE who sate down as Hotar-priest, the Rsi, our Father, offering up all things existing,-

     He, seeking through his wish a great possession, came among men on earth as archetypal.

2. What was the place whereon he took his station? What was it that supported him? How was it?

     Whence Visvakarman, seeing all, producing the earth, with mighty power disclosed the heavens.

3. He who hath eyes on all sides round about him, a mouth on all sides, arms and feet on all sides,

     He, the Sole God, producing earth and heaven, weldeth them, with his arms as wings, together.

4. What was the tree, what wood in sooth produced it, from which they fashioned out the earth and heaven?

     Ye thoughtful men inquire within your spirit whereon he stood when he established all things.

5. Nine highest, lowest, sacrificial natures, and these thy mid-most here, O Visvakarman,

     Teach thou thy friends at sacrifice, O Blessed, and come thyself, exalted, to our worship.

6. Bring thou thyself, exalted with oblation, O Visvakarman, Earth and Heaven to worship.

     Let other men around us live in folly here let us have a rich and liberal patron.

7. Let us invoke to-day, to aid our labour, the Lord of Speech, the thought-swift Visvakarman.

     May he hear kindly all our invocations who gives all bliss for aid, whose works are righteous.

     

The Rig Veda

Mandala 10, Hymn 82

Hymn 83

→

Translated by Ralph T.H. Griffith

1. THE Father of the eye, the Wise in spirit, created both these worlds submerged in fatness.

     Then when the eastern ends were firmly fastened, the heavens and the earth were far extended.

2. Mighty in mind and power is Visvakarman, Maker, Disposer, and most lofty Presence.

     Their offerings joy in rich juice where they value One, only One, beyond the Seven Rsis.

3. Father who made us, he who, as Disposer, knoweth all races and all things existing,

     Even he alone, the Deities' narne-giver,him other beings seek for information.

4. To him in sacrifice they offered treasures,-Rsis of old, in numerous troops, as singers,

     Who, in the distant, near, and lower region, made ready all these things that have existence.

5. That which is earlier than this earth and heaven, before the Asuras and Gods had being,-

     What was the germ primeval which the waters received where all the Gods were seen together?

6. The waters, they received that germ primeval wherein the Gods were gathefed all together.

     It rested set upon the Unborn's navel, that One wherein abide all things existing.

7. Ye will not find him who produced these creatures: another thing hath risen up among you.

     Enwrapt in misty cloud, with lips that stammer, hymn-chanters wander and are discontented.