ion)!

IV.

1. The MARUTS who are going forth decorate themselves like females:
they are gliders (through the air), the sons of RUDRA, and the doers
of good works, by which they promote the welfare of earth and
heaven: heroes, who grind (the solid rocks), they delight in
sacrifices!

2. They, inaugurated by the gods, have attained majesty, the sons of
RUDRA have established their dwelling above the sky: glorifying him
(INDRA) who merits to be glorified, they have inspired him with
vigour: the sons of PRISNI have acquired dominion!

3. When the sons of the earth embellish themselves with ornaments,
they shine resplendent in their persons with (brilliant)
decorations; they keep aloof every adversary: the waters follow
their path!

4. They who are worthily worshipped shine with various weapons:
incapable of being overthrown, they are the overthrowers (of
mountains): MARUTS, swift as thought, intrusted with the duty of
sending rain, yoke the spotted deer to your cars!

5. When MARUTS, urging on the cloud, for the sake of (providing)
food, you have yoked the deer to your chariots, the drops fall from
the radiant (sun), and moisten the earth, like a hide, with water!

6. Let your quick-paced smooth-gliding coursers bear you (hither),
and, moving swiftly, come with your hands filled with good things:
sit, MARUTS, upon the broad seat of sacred grass, and regale
yourselves with the sweet sacrificial food!

7. Confiding in their own strength, they have increased in (power);
they have attained heaven by their greatness, and have made (for
themselves) a spacious abode: may they, for whom VISHNU defends
(the sacrifice) that bestows all desires and confers delight, come
(quickly) like birds, and sit down upon the pleasant and sacred
grass!

8. Like heroes, like combatants, like men anxious for food, the
swift-moving (MARUTS) have engaged in battles: all beings fear the
MARUTS, who are the leaders (of the rain), and awful of aspect, like
princes!

9. INDRA wields the well-made, golden, many-bladed thunderbolt,
which the skilful TWASHTRI has framed for him, that he may achieve
great exploits in war. He has slain VRITRA, and sent forth an ocean
of water!

10. By their power, they bore the well aloft, and clove asunder the
mountain that obstructed their path: