A History of Indian Literature v1.c8.s3.76

v1.c8.s3.76

The least amount of poetry is found in those benedictions which contain only quite general prayers for happiness and blessing or for protection against danger and evil. Among the latter are the so-called "mṛgārasūktāni" (Ath. IV, 23-29), a litany consisting of seven hymns of seven verses each. They are addressed respectively to Agni (1), Indra (2), Vāyu and Savitar (3), heaven and earth (4), the Maruts (5), Bhava and Śarva³ (6), Mitra and Varuṇa (7), and every verse concludes with the refrain-like prayer for deliverance from affliction.