________________
MANDALA IV, HYMN I.
309
aspiring after Rita? Invoking the dawns 3, they have driven out the milch-cows which dwelt in the rock-stable, in the prison.
14. Having rent the rock they cleaned themselves. Others around told forth that (deed) of theirs. Taking ... as an instrument (?) ?, they sang triumphantly? They found the light; they chanted their prayers.
15. Longing for the cows in their mind, those men, the Usigs?, have opened with godly words the fast-holding, closed rock, which enclosed and encompassed the cows, the firm stable full of cows.
16. They have devised the first name of the milch-cow; they have found the three times seven highest (names or essences) of the mother. The hosts?, understanding this, acclaimed. The red one 3 became visible through the brilliant (milk ?) 4 of the cow.
17. The confused i darkness disappeared; the sky appeared in splendour; the shine of the goddess Dawn rose up. The Sun ascended to the wide plains, beholding right and wrong deeds among the mortals.
18. Then, afterwards, being awoke they looked around; then they took that treasure given by Heaven, all the gods in all the houses. O Mitra, may true (fulfilment) belong to (our) prayer, O Varuna!
19. I will address flaming Agni, the Hotri, the supporter of everything, the best sacrificer. He has perforated, as it were, the pure udder of the cows, (and has made flow the milk) purified like the poured sap of the Soma shoots.
20. He, the Aditi (i. e. the freedom) of all the
Digitized by Google