HYMN V. Agni.
1. HERALD and teacher was he born, a guardian for our patrons’ help,
Earner by rites of noble wealth. That Strong One may we grasp and guide;
2 In whom, Leader of sacrifice, the seven reins, far extended, meet;
Who furthers, man-like, eighth in place, as Cleanser, all the work divine.
3. When swift he follows this behest, bird-like he chants the holy prayers.
He holds all knowledge in his grasp even as the felly rounds the wheel.
4. Together with pure mental power, pure, as Director, was he born.
Skilled in his own unchanging laws he waxes like the growing boughs.
5. Clothing thern in his hues, the kine of him the Leader wait on him.
Is he not better than the Three, the Sisters who have come to us?
6. When, laden with the holy oil, the Sitster [sic] by the Mother stands,
The Priest delights in their approach, as corn at coming of the rain.
7. For his support let him perform as ministrant his priestly task;
Yea, song of praise and sacrifice: we have bestowed, let us obtain.
8. That so this man well skilled, may pay worship to all the Holy Ones.
And, Agni, this our sacrifice which wehave here prepared, to thee.
HYMN VI. Agni.
1. AGNI, accept this flaming brand, this waiting with my prayer on thee:
Hear graciously these songs of praise.
2. With this hymn let us honour thee, seeker of horses, Son of Strength,
With this fair hymn, thou nobly born.
3. As such, lover of song, with songs, wealth-lover, giver of our wealth!
With reverence let us worship thee.
4. Be thou for us a liberal Prince, giver and Lord of precious things.
Drive those who hate us far away.
5. Such as thou art, give rain from heaven, give strength which no man may resist:
Give food exceeding plentiful.
6. To him who lauds thee, craving help, most youthful envoy! through our song,
Most holy Herald! come thou nigh.
7. Between both races, Agni, Sage, well skilled thou passest to and fro,
As envoy friendly to mankind.
8. Befriend us thou as knowing all. Sage, duly worship thou the Gods,
And seat thee on this sacred grass.
HYMN VII. Agni.
1. VASU, thou most youthful God, Bharata, Agni, bring us wealth,
Excellent, splendid, much-desired.
2. Let no malignity prevail against us, either God’s or man’s.
Save us from this and enmity.
3. So through thy favour may we force through all our enemies a way,
As ’twere through streaming water-floods.
4. Thou, Purifier Agni, high shinest forth, bright, adorable,
When worshipped with the sacred oil.
5. Ours art thou, Agni, Bharata, honoured by us with barren cows,
With bullocks and with kine in calf
6. Wood-fed, bedewed with sacred oil, ancient, Invoker, excellent,
The Son of Strength, the Wonderful.
HYMN VIII.Agni.
1. Now praise, as one who strives for strength, the harnessing of Agni’s car,
The liberal, the most splendid One;
2. Who, guiding worshippers aright, withers, untouched by age, the foe:
When worshipped fair to look upon;
3. Who for his glory is extolled at eve and morning in our homes,
Whose statute is inviolate;
4. Who shines refulgent like the Sun, with brilliance and with fiery flame,
Decked with imperishable sheen.
5. Him Atri, Agni, have our songs Strengthened according to his sway:
All glories hath he made his own.
6. May we with Agni’s, Indra’s help, with Soma’s, yea, of all the Gods,
Uninjured dwell together still, and conquer those who fight with us.
HYMN IX. Agni.
1. ACCUSTOMED to the Herald’s place, the Herald hath seated him, bright, splendid, passing mighty,
Whose foresight keeps the Law from violation, excellent, pure-tongued, bringing thousands, Agni.
2. Envoy art thou, protector from the foeman, strong God, thou leadest us to higher blessings.
Refulgent, be an ever-heedful keeper, Agni, for us and for our seed offspring.
3. May we adore thee in thy loftiest birthplace, and, with our praises, in thy lower station.
The place whence thou issued forth I worship: to thee well kindled have they paid oblations.
4. Agni, best Priest, pay worship with oblation; quickly commend the gift to be presented;
For thou art Lord of gathered wealth and treasure. of the bright song of praise thou art inventor.
5. The twofold opulence, O Wonder-Worker, of thee new-born each day never decreases.
Enrich with food the man who lauds thee, Agni: make him the lord of wealth with noble offspring.
6. May he, benevolent with this fair aspect, best sacrificer, bring the Gods to bless us.
Sure guardian, our protector from the foemen, shine, Agni, with thine affluence and splendour.
HYMN X. Agni.
1.AGNI, first, loudly calling, like a Father, kindled by man upon the seat of worship.
Clothed in his glory, deathless, keen of insight, must be adorned by all, the Strong, the Famous.
2. May Agni the resplendent hear my calling through all my songs, Immortal, keen of insight.
Dark steeds or ruddy draw his car, or carried in sundry ways he makes them red of colour.
3. On wood supine they got the well-formed Infant: a germ in various-fashioned plants was Agni;
And in the night, not compassed round by darkness, he dwells exceeding wise, with rays of splendour.
4. With oil and sacred gifts I sprinkle Agni who makes his home in front of all things living,
Broad, vast, through vital power o’er all expanded, conspicuous, strong with all the food that feeds him.
5. I pour to him who looks in all directions: may he accept it with a friendly spirit.
Agni with bridegroom’s grace and lovely colour may not be touched when all his form is fury.
6. By choice victorious, recognize thy portion: with thee for envoy may we speak like Manu.
Obtaining wealth, I call on perfect Agni who with an eloquent tongue dispenses sweetness.
