1There was a roaming Vrátya. He roused Prajápati to action.

2Prajápati beheld gold in himself and engendered it.

3That became unique, that became distinguished, that became great, that became excellent, that became Devotion, that became holy Fervour, that became Truth: through that he was born.

4He grew, he became great, he became Mahádeva.

5He gained the lordship of the Gods. He became Lord.

6He became Chief Vrátya. He held a bow, even that Bow of Indra.

7His belly is dark-blue, his back is red.

8With dark-blue he envelops a detested rival, with red he pierces the man who hates him: so the theologians say.

1He arose and went his way to the eastern region. The Brihat, the Rathantara, the Ádityas and all the Gods followed him.
That man is alienated from the Brihat, the Rathantara, the Ádityas, and all Gods who reviles the Vrátya who possesses this knowledge. He who hath this knowledge becomes the beloved home of the Brihat, the Rathantara the Ádityas, and all the Gods. In the eastern region Faith is his leman, the hymn his panegyrist, knowledge his vesture, day his turban, night his hair, Indra's two Bays his circular ornaments, the splendour of the stars his jewel. Present and Future are his running footmen, mind is his war-chariot, Mátarisvan and Pavamána are they who draw it, Vita is his charioteer, Storm his goad, Fame and Glory are his harbingers. Fame and Glory come to him who hath this knowledge.

2He arose and went away to the southern region. Yajnáyajniya and Vámadevya and Sacrifice and Sacrificer and sacrificial victims followed him. The man who reviles the Vrátya possessing this knowledge is alienated from Yajnáyajniya and Vámadevya, Sacrifice, Sacrificer and sacrificial victims. He who hath this knowledge becomes the beloved home of Yajnáyajniya,Vámadevya, Sacrifice, Sacrificer, and sacrificial victims. In the southern region Dawn is his leman, Mitra his panegyrist, knowledge his vesture, day his turban, night his hair, Indra's two Bays are his circular ornaments, New Moon Night and Full Moon Night are his running attendants, Mind, etc. as in stanza 1.

3He arose and went away to the western region. Vairúpa and Vairája, the Waters, and King Váruna followed him. He who reviles the Vrátya possessing this knowledge is alienated from Vairúpa and Vairája, the Waters and Váruna the King. He who possesses this knowledge becomes the dear home of Vairúpa and Vairája, the Waters and King Váruna. In the western region Irá is his leman, Laughter his panegyrist, knowledge, etc., as above. Day and Night are his running attendants, Mind, etc., as above.

4He arose and went away to the northern region. Syaita and Naudhasa, the Seven Rishis, and King Soma followed him. He who reviles the Vrátya possessing this knowledge is alienated from Syaita, etc. He who hath this knowledge becomes the dear home of Syaita, etc. In the northern region
Lightning is his leman, thunder his panegyrist, etc. as above.
Revelation and Tradition are his running attendants, Mind, etc., as above.

1For a whole year he stood erect. The Gods said unto him, Why standest thou, O Vrátya? He answered and said, Let them bring my couch.

3They brought the couch for that Vrátya.

4Two of its feet were Summer and Spring, and two were Autumn and the Rains.

5Brihat and Rathantara were the two long boards, Yajnáyajniya and Vámadevya the two cross-boards.

6Holy verses were the strings lengthwise, and Yajus formulas the cross-tapes.

7Sacred lore was the blanket, Devotion the coverlet.

8The Sáman was the Cushion, and chanting the bolster.

9The Vrátya ascended that couch.

10The hosts of Gods were his attendants, solemn vows his messengers, and all creatures his worshippers.

11All creatures become the worshippers of him who possesses this knowledge.

1For him they made the two Spring months protectors from the eastern region, and Brihat and Rathantara superintendents.
The two Spring months protect from the eastern region, and
Brihat and Rathantara superintend the man who possesses this knowledge. For him they made the two Summer months protectors from the southern region, and Yajnáyajniya and Vámadevya superintendents. The two Summer months, etc. as in Verse 1.

3They made the two Rain months his protectors from the western region, and Vairúpa and Vairaja superintendents. The two
Rain months, etc. as above.

4They made the two Autumn months his protectors from the northern region, and Syaita and Naudhasa superintendents.
The two Autumn months. etc. as above.

5They made the two Winter months his protectors from the region of the nadir, and earth and Agni superintendents.
The two Winter months, etc. p. 153

6They made the two Dewy months his protectors from the region of the zenith, and Heaven and the Ádityas superintendents.
The two Dewy months, etc.

1For him they made the Archer Bhava a deliverer from the intermediate space of the eastern region. Bhava the Archer, a deliverer, delivers him from the intermediate space of the eastern region. Neither Sarva nor Bhava nor Isána slays him who possesses this knowledge, or his cattle, or his kinsmen.

2They made Sarva the Archer his deliverer from the intermediate space of the southern region, etc, as in verse 1.

3They made Pasupati the Archer his deliverer from the intermediate space of the western region, etc.

4They made the Awful God, the Archer, his deliverer from the intermediate space of the northern region, etc, as above.

5They made Rudra the Archer his deliverer from the intermediate space of the region of the nadir etc.

6They made Mahádeva his deliverer from the intermediate space of the region of the zenith, etc.

7They made Isána the Archer his deliverer from all the intermediate regions. Isána the Archer, a deliverer, delivers him from all the intermediate regions. Neither Sarva nor Bhava, nor Isána slays him who possesses this knowledge, or his cattle, or his kinsmen.

1He went his way to the region of the nadir. Earth and Agni and herbs and trees and shrubs and plants followed him. He who possesses this knowledge becomes the dear home of Earth and Agni and herbs and trees and shrubs and plants.

2He went his way to the region of the zenith. Right and Truth and Sun and Moon and Stars followed him. He who possesses this knowledge becomes, etc., as in verse 1. mutatis mutandis.

3He went away to the last region. Richas, Sámans Yajus formulas and Devotion followed him. He who, etc., as above.

4He went away to the great region. Itihása and Purána and Gáthás and Nárásansis followed him. He who, etc.

5He went away to the supreme region. The Éhavaniya, Gárhapatya, and Southern Fires, and Sacrifice, and Sacrificer, and sacrificial victims followed him. He who, etc.

6He went away to the unindicated region. The Seasons, groups of seasons, the worlds and their inhabitants, the months and half-months, and Day and Night followed him. He who, etc.

7He went away to the unfrequented region. Thence he thought that he should not return. Diti and Aditi and Idá and Indráni followed him. He who, etc.

8He went away to the regions. Viráj and all the Gods and all the Deities followed him. He who, etc.

9He went away to all the intermediate spaces. Prajápati and Parameshthin and the Father and the Great Father followed him. He who possesses this knowledge becomes the beloved home of Prajápati and Parameshthin and the Father and the Great Father.

1He, having become moving majesty, went to the ends of the earth. He became the sea.

2Prajápati and Parameshthin and the Father and the Great Father and the Waters and Faith, turned into rain, followed him.

3The Waters, Faith, and rain approach him who possesses this knowledge.

4Faith, and Sacrifice and the world, having become food and nourishment, turned toward him.

5Faith Sacrifice, the world, food and nourishment approach him who possesses this knowledge.

1He was filled with passion: from him sprang the Rájanya.

2He came to the people, to kinsmen, food and nourishment.

3He who possesses this knowledge becomes the dear home of the people, kinsmen, food and nourishment.

1He went away to the people.

2Meeting and Assembly and Army and Wine followed him.

3He who hath this knowledge becomes the dear home of Meeting, Assembly, Army, and Wine.

1So let the King, to whose house the Vrátya who possesses this knowledge comes as a guest.

2Honour him as superior to himself. So he Both not act against the interests of his princely rank or his kingdom.

3From him, verily, sprang Priesthood and Royalty. They said,
Into whom shall we enter?

4Let Priesthood enter into Brihaspati, and Royalty into Indra, was the answer.

5Hence Priesthood entered into Brihaspati and Royalty into Indra.

6Now this Earth is Brihaspati, and Heaven is Indra.

7Now this Agni is Priesthood, and yonder Sun is Royalty.

8Priesthood comes to him, and he becomes endowed with priestly lustre.

9Who knows that Earth is Brihaspati and Agni Priesthood.

10Great power comes to him and he becomes endowed with great power.

11Who knows that Áditya is Royalty and that Heaven is Indra.

1Let him to whose house the Vrátya who possesses this knowledge comes as a guest.

2Rise up of his own accord to meet him, and say, Vrátya, where didst thou pass the night? Vratya, here is water, Let them refresh thee. Vrátya, let it be as thou pleasest. Vrátya, as thy wish is so let it be. Vrátya, as thy desire is so be it.

3When he says to his guest, Where didst thou pass the night? he reserves for himself thereby the paths that lead to the Gods.

4When he says to him, Here is water, he secures thereby water for himself.

5When he says to him, Let them refresh thee, he thereby wins vital breath to exceeding old age.

6When he says to him, Vrátya, let it be as thou pleasest, he secures to himself thereby what is pleasant.

7That which is pleasant comes to him, and he is the beloved of the beloved, who is possessed of this knowledge.

8When he says to him, Vrátya, as thy will is so let it be, he secures to himself thereby the fulfilment of his will.

9Authority comes to him who possesses this knowledge, and he becomes the controller of the powerful.

10When he says to him, Vrátya, as thy desire is so be it, he secures to himself thereby the attainment of his desire.

11His desire comes to him who possesses this knowledge and he gains the complete satisfaction of his wish.

1The man, to whose house, when the fires have been taken up from the hearth and the oblation to Agni placed therein, the Vrátya possessing this knowledge comes as a guest

2Should of his own accord rise to meet him and say, Vrátya, give me permission. I will sacrifice.

3And if he gives permission he should sacrifice, if he does not permit him he should not sacrifice.

4He who sacrifices when permitted by the Vrátya who possesses this knowledge.

5Well knows the path that leads to the Fathers and the way that leads to the Gods.

6He does not act in opposition to the Gods. It becomes his sacrifice.

7The abode of the man who sacrifices when permitted by the Vrátya who possesses this knowledge is long left remaining in this world.

8But he who sacrifices without the permission of the Vrátya who possesses this knowledge.

9Knows not the path that leads to the Fathers nor the way that leads to the Gods.

10He is at variance with the Gods. He hath offered no accepted sacrifice.

11The abode of the man who sacrifices without the permission of the Vrátya who possesses this knowledge is not left remaining in this world.

1He in whose house the Vrátya who possesses this knowledge abides one night secures for himself thereby the holy realms that are on earth.

2A second night . . . . the holy realms that are in the firmament (the rest as in verse 1).

3A third night . . . the holy realms that are in heaven.

4A fourth night . . . . the holy realms of the Holy.

5Unlimited nights . . . . unlimited holy realms.

6Now he to whose house a non-Vrátya, calling himself a Vrátya, and one in name only, comes as a guest.

7Should punish him and not punish him.

8He should serve him with food saying to himself, To this Deity I offer water: I lodge this Deity; I wait upon this, this Deity.

9To that Deity the sacrifice of him who has this knowledge is acceptable.

1He when he went away to the eastern region, went away having become the Marut host, and having made Mind an eater of food. He who hath this knowledge eats food with Mind as food-eater.

2He, when he went away to the southern region, went away having become Indra, and having made Strength an eater of food. He who hath this knowledge eats food with strength as food-eater.

3He, when he went away to the western region, went away having become King Váruna, and having made the Waters eaters of food. He who hath this knowledge eats food with the Waters as food-eaters.

4He, when he went away to the northern region, went away having become King Soma and having made the Seven Rishis' oblation an eater of food. He who hath this knowledge eats food with oblation as food-eater.

5He, when he went away to the stedfast region, went away having become Vishnu and having made Viráj an eater of food. He who hath this knowledge eats food with Viráj as food-eater.

6He, when he went away to animals, went away having become Rudra and having made herbs eaters of food. He who hath this knowledge eats food with herbs as food-eaters.

7He, when he went away to the Fathers, went away having become King Yama and having made the exclamation Svadhá an eater of food. He who hath this knowledge eats food with the exclamation Svadhá as food-eater.

8He, when he went away to men, went away having become Agni and having made the exclamation Sváhá an eater of food. He who hath this knowledge eats food with the exclamation Svahá as food-eater.

9He, when he went away to the upper region, went away having become Brihaspati and having made the exclamation Vashat an eater of food. He who hath this knowledge eats food with the exclamation Vashat as food-eater.

10He, when he went away to the Gods, went away having become Isana and having made Passion an eater of food. He who hath this knowledge eats food with Passion as food-eater.

11He, when he went away to creatures, went away having become Prajápati and having made vital breath an eater of food. He who hath this knowledge eats food with vital breath as foodeater.

12He, when he went away to all the intermediate spaces, went away having become Parameshthin and having made Devotion an eater of food. He who hath this knowledge eats food with Devotion as food-eater.

1Of that Vrátya.

2There are seven vital airs, seven downward breaths, seven oft-used breaths.

3His first vital breath, called Upward, is this Agni.

4His second vital breath, called Mature, is that Áditya.

5His third vital breath, called Approached, is that Moon.

6His fourth vital breath, called Pervading is this Pavamána.

7His fifth vital breath, called Source, are these Waters.

8His sixth vital breath, called Dear, are these domestic animals.

9His seventh vital breath, called Unlimited, are these creatures.

1His first downward breath is the time of Full Moon.

2His second downward breath is the eighth day after Full Moon.

3His third downward breath is the night of New Moon.

4His fourth downward breath is Faith.

5His fifth downward breath is Consecration.

6His sixth downward breath is Sacrifice.

7His seventh downward breath are these sacrificial fees.

1His first diffused breath is this Earth.

2His second diffused breath is that Firmament.

3His third diffused breath is that Heaven.

4His fourth diffused breath are those Constellations.

5His fifth diffused breath are the Seasons.

6His sixth diffused breath are the Season-groups.

7His seventh diffused breath is the year.

8With one and the same object the Gods go round the Year and the Seasons follow round the Vrátya.

9When they surround the Sun on the day of New Moon, and that time of Full Moon.

10That one immortality of theirs is just an oblation.

1Of that Vrátya.

2The right eye is the Sun and the left eye is the Moon.

3His right ear is Agni and his left ear is Pavamána.

4Day and Night are his nostrils. Diti and Aditi are his head and skull.

5By day the Vrátya is turned westward, by night he is turned eastward. Worship to the Vrátya!