The Vrātya (from the Atharvaveda)

The following is an example of a mystical hymn from the vedas. It has what appears to be a general surface meaning and clearly hints at a deeper meaning.

Atharvaveda, Hymn 15:1—The Vrātya

1. There was a roaming Vrātya.¹ He roused Prajāpati to action. || 2. Prajāpati beheld gold² in himself [atman] and engendered it. || 3. That [tat] became unique [ekam = one, single, solitary], that became distinguished [lalāma], that became great [mahat], that became excellent (or pre-eminent) [jyeṣṭha], that became Devotion [brahma], that became holy Fervour [tapas], that became Truth [satya]: through that he was born. || 4. He grew, he became great [mahat], he became Mahādeva. || 5. He gained the lordship of the Gods. He became Lord [īśā]. || 6. He became Chief Vrātya. He held a bow, even that Bow of Indra. || 7. His belly is dark-blue, his back is red. || 8. With dark-blue he envelops a detested rival, with red he pierces the man who hates him: so the theologians say.

1. vrātya āsīd īyamāna eva sa prajāpatiṃ sam airayat || 2. sa prajāpatiḥ suvarṇam ātmann apaśyat tat prājanayat || 3. tad ekam abhavat tal lalāmam abhavat tan mahad abhavat taj jyeṣṭham abhavat tad brahmābhavat tat tapo ‘bhavat tat satyam abhavat tena prājāyata || 4. so ‘vardhata sa mahān abhavat sa mahādevo ‘bhavat || 5. sa devānām īśāṃ pary ait sa īśāno ‘bhavat || 6. sa ekavrātyo ‘bhavat sa dhanur ādatta tad evendradhanuḥ || 7. nīlam asyodaraṃ lohitaṃ pṛṣṭham || 8. nīlenaivāpriyaṃ bhrātṛvyaṃ prorṇoti lohitena dviṣantaṃ vidhyatīti brahmavādino vadanti.