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C.D. Warner, et al., comp. The Library of the World’s Best Literature.
An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.

A Late Vedic Hymn to Vāta, the Wind

By Indian Literature

Translation of Edward Washburn Hopkins

NOW the greatness of Vāta’s chariot! It goes breaking and thundering with noise. It touches the sky and rushes across the earth, making clouds, rearing up the dust. Then all the forms of Vāta [different winds] rush together. They come to him like women coming to a rendezvous. United with them, going on the same chariot, is borne the god, the king of all created things. He sleeps not when he goes on his pathway, wandering through the air. He is the friend of the [Divine] Waters. He is first-born and holy. Where was he created, whence did he arise? Vāta is the spirit [breath] of the gods; he is the source of created things. He goes where he will. His sound is heard but not his form. This Vāta let us duly honor with our oblations.