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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 Philosophical Hymn

By Indian Literature

Translation of Edward Washburn Hopkins

IN the beginning arose the Golden Germ. As soon as he was born he became the lord of all. He established earth and heaven. To what god shall we offer sacrifice? He who gives breath and strength, whose command the shining gods obey—to what god shall we offer sacrifice? He whose shadow is life and death—to what god shall we offer sacrifice?… When first the great waters went everywhere, holding the Germ [of life], and generating light, then arose from them the one Spirit [breath] of the gods…. May he who is the begetter of earth, the holy one who begot heaven, injure us not. Lord of all beings, thou alone embracest all things. To this god, to the Lord of all beings, let us offer sacrifice.