Ninth Section

Hymns to Varuna

Their root is above, and their branches downward; may their rays be rooted deep within us. King Varuna has made a wide path for the Sun to follow. Where there was no place for feet, he has made a place to plant them. He is the dispeller of those who would wound the heart. original: "hṛdayāvidhe ścit"; referring to spiritual or physical piercers of the heart. A hundred are your healers, O King, a thousand; may your deep and wide favor be with us. Drive far away Destruction Nirriti: The personification of death, decay, and misfortune; release us from whatever sin we have committed. These stars placed on high, which are seen at night—where do they go by day? Varuna’s laws are unshakable; the moon moves shining through the night. ॥ 1 ॥

I approach you with prayer, bowing in praise; the sacrificer seeks this with his offerings. O Varuna, stay here without anger; O you of wide renown, do not steal away our span of life. This they tell me by night and by day; this the knowledge in my heart also declares: "May King Varuna release us, just as Shunahshepa cried out when he was seized." Shunahshepa is a legendary figure in the Rigveda who was bound for sacrifice but saved by Varuna after praying with these hymns. For Shunahshepa, seized and bound to the three-footed wooden post, called upon the Son of Aditi Aditya: A solar deity, here referring to Varuna. May King Varuna release him; may he, the wise and infallible one, loosen the bonds. May your anger, O Varuna—

—be loosened by our bows, our sacrifices, and our offerings. O wise King, Ruler of spirits, take away the sins we have committed. Loosen the highest bond from us, O Varuna, untie the middle one, and remove the lowest. Then, O Son of Aditi, under your law, may we be found guiltless before the Infinite. ॥ 2 ॥ Whatever law of yours, O God Varuna, we—as people often do—violate day by day, do not deliver us to the stroke of the destroyer, nor to the wrath of one who is angry. To make your mind merciful, we bind your spirit with songs, just as a charioteer hitches a horse. My thoughts fly far away in search of prosperity, like birds to their nests. When shall we bring here the leader of men, the far-seeing Varuna who clothes himself in strength, to be merciful to us? ॥ 3 ॥ They both Likely referring to the two deities Mitra and Varuna, or the sun and moon look upon that which is excellent, never failing the one who keeps the law and offers gifts. He knows the path of the birds flying through the sky; he knows the ships of the sea. He who observes the law knows the twelve months and their offspring; he knows the month that is born later original: "ya upa jāyate"; referring to the intercalary or leap month in the Vedic calendar. He knows the path of the wind—the mighty, high, and vast wind.