The Religion of the Veda: The Ancient Religion of India (from Rig-Veda to Upanishads) c9.8

c9.8

*Hymn to Sūrya*

By lustrous heralds led on high,
The fire Sun ascends the sky ;
His glory draweth every eye.

The stars which gleamed throughout the night,
Now scared, like thieves slink fast away,
Quenched by the splendor of thy ray.

Thy beams to men thy presence show ;
Like blazing fires they seem to glow.

Conspicuous, rapid, source of light,
Thou makest all the welkin bright.

In sight of gods and mortal eyes,
In sight of heaven thou scalest the skies.

O fiery God, with thy keen eye,
Thou scannest, like God Varuna,
The doings of all busy men.

Thou stridest o'er the sky's broad space,
Thy rays do measure out our days ;
Thine eye all living things surveys.

Seven tawny steeds thy chariot bear,
Self-yoked, athwart the fields of air,
Bright Sūrya, god with flaming hair.