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poet: vaak (rig veda)
language: vedic sanskrit
Note: This is one of the earliest known proposals for the one-god advaita philosophy. It is more famous nowadays however as the sukta invoked by the goddess Durga to introduce herself to the gods before her battle with Mahisha (most probably in the Durga Saptashati).
Aham rudre-bhi-vasu-bhish-charaam-y-aham-aadityai-ruta vishva-devyaih,
I exist as the 11 Rudras, the 8 Vasus, the 12 Adityas and the Vishva-devas.
Aham mitra-a-varun-o-bha vibharmmya-aham-indra-agni aham-ashvin-o-bha.
I exist [also] as Mitra and Varuna, I [also] exist as Indra and Agni, I [also] exist as the twin-gods Ashvinis.
Aham soma-ma-ahana-sam vibharmmya-aham tvashta-ar-am-uta pooshana-am bhagam,
I exist as Soma, Tvashta, Pooshana and Bhaga, the enemy-ending gods,
Aham dadhaami dravinam havi-shmate supra-avye yajamaana-yah sunvate.
I grant wealth to the yajna-performers [yajamaana] as they offer the squeezed soma juice 'havi' [offering to fire] to me.
Aham raashtri san-gamani vasu-naam-chiki-tushi prathamaa yajna-a-nam,
I am the leader of all, the foremost among the receiver of the yajna offerings [gods],
Taam maa deva vyadadhuh purutraa bhoori-stha-traam bhoor-ya-aveshayantim.
I exist in many places delivering them, in many forms, by my choice.
Mayaa so anna-matti yo vi-pashyati yah praani-ti ya im shrino-ty-uktam,
By my power, one eats, sees, breathes, hears, and speaks,
A-mantavo maanta upaksheeyanti shrudhi shruta shradhvivan-te vada-ami.
I am not perceived [in this activities, but I am there], my intelligent friend, listen with respect, as I tell you this.
Ahameva swayamidam vada-ami jushtam deve-bhiruta maanushe-bhih,
I am myself that what I speak of with pleasure, that which gods and humans both seek,
Yan kaama-ye tam tam-ugram krinomi tam-brahmaan-am tam-rshim tam-su-medhaam.
Whoever I wish to, I bestow upon them the fierce quality [knowledge], and [with it] the seats of a brahman or a rishi or intelligence.
Aham rudra-ya-dhanu-raa-tan-o-mi brahma-dvishe sharave hantava u,
I exist as the pull of the bowstring of Rudra that extends to kill the enemy of the brahma [the concept],
Aham janaaya sam-adam krino-my-aham dyaava-prithivi aavivesha.
I exist equally in all people, enmeshed in the entire earth,
Aham suve pitara-am-asya moordha-n-mama yoni-r-pashvantah samudre,
I have birthed the father, the chief from my womb [not really, but to keep it pg] that extends into the ocean,
Tato vi-tishthe bhuvana-anu vishvo-taa-moon-dyaam varshman-o-pa-sprishyaami.
Therein lies the entire universe, the world, to the sky, there I touch the water-bearing clouds.
Ahameva vaata iva pravaam-ya-rabha-maana bhuvanaani vishva,
I am the air that flows in and out [of one's lungs], and wanders the entire world,
Paro diva para ena prithiv-yai-taavati mahinaa samvabhoova.
Beyond heaven, beyond earth, beyond everything I exist in glory.
