Poetry Reading, Fall 1998
"Hymn to Usas, the Dawn"
| Upo ruruce yuvatirma yosa visvam jivam prasuvanti carayau Abhud Agnih samidhe manusanam akar jyotir badhamana tamamsi |
Like a youthful maiden, Usas shines brightly forth, Stirring to motion every living creature. Divine Fire was kindled for the use of men; Dawn created light, driving away the dark. |
| Visvam pratici sapratha udasthad rusad vaso bibhrati sukramasvait Hiranya varna sudrsika samdrg gavam mata netry ahnam aroci |
Sending out her beams, she rose facing all, In brilliant robes, resplendent, radiating-- Golden-colored and glorious to behold, Mother of plenty, mistress of the days she shone. |
| Devanam caksuk subhaga vahanti svetam nayanti sudrsikam asvam Usa adarsi rasmabhir vyakta citramagha visvamanu prabhuta |
Blessed, bearing the sun, the eye of the Gods, Leading her white horse, magnificent to see, Usas reveals herself, arrayed in beams of light, And with boundless glory she transforms the world. |
| Antivama dure amitram uccha urvim gavyutim abhayam krdhi nah Yavaya dvesa a bhara vasuni codaya radho grnate maghoni |
O fair one, banish the enemy with light! And prepare for us broad pastures free from fear! Ward off hatred, bring us your priceless treasure! O bountiful, shower blessings on the singer! |
| Asme sresthebhir bhanubhirvi bhahi Uso devi pratiranti na ayuh Isam ca no dadhati visvavare gomad asvavad rathavac ca radhah |
Illumine us with your glorious splendor, O divine Usas! Enrich and lengthen our lives, O Goddess full of grace! Grant us fulfillment And cows, horses, and chariots in abundance! |
| Yam tva divo duhitar vardhayanti Usah su jate matibhir vasisthah Sasmasu dha rayimrsvam brhantam yuyam pata svastibhih sada |
O Daughter of Heaven, Usas of noble birth, Whom the men of glory celebrate in hymns, Establish in us wealth sublime and mighty! O Gods, protect us always with your blessings! |
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