Atharva-Veda Samhita/Book VII/Hymn 21 (22)

21 (22). In praise of the sun.

[Brahman.—mantroktātmadevatyam. çakvarīvirāḍgarbhā jagatī.]

Found also in Pāipp. xx., and in SV. (i. 372). According to Kāuç. (86. 16), the verse is used in the pitṛnidhāna division of the funeral ceremony accompanying the application of the dhruvanas {sic); ⌊see xviii. 3. 10, 17.⌋

Translated: Henry, 9, 61; Griffith, i. 338.

1. Come ye together all with address (vácas) to the lord of the sky; [he is] the one mighty (vibhū́) guest of people; may he, ancient, conciliate the present one; him, being one, the track hath much turned after.

The verse is here literally rendered according to the AV. version, but comparison with SV. and Ppp. shows plainly that its readings are very corrupt. SV. reads, in a, s. víçvā ójasā; it has at beginning of b yá éka íd bhū́r; in c, ājígīṣam; in d, vartanī́r, and éka it at the end (omitting purú). Ppp's version is this: a, b, sam āitu viçvā oham ā pati divo eṣa ita bhūr aditir janānām; in d, vivṛte ’kam it paruḥ. ⌊Henry suggests some emendations.⌋ The meter (12 + 10: 11 + 14 = 47) is not accurately defined by the Anukr.