HYMN VIII. Agni.
1. AT Jatavedas’ holy gathering I will tell aloud the conquering might of the swift red-hued Steer.
A pure and fresher hymn flows to Vaisvanara, even as for Agni lovely Soma is made pure.
2. That Agni, when in loftiest heaven he sprang to life, Guardian of Holy Laws, kept and observed them well.
Exceeding wise, he measured out the firmament. Vaisvanara attained to heaven by mightiness.
3. Wonderful Mitra propped the heaven and earth apart, and covered and concealed
the darkness with his light.
He made the two bowls part asunder like two skins. Vaisvanara put forth all his creative power.
4. The Migbty seized him in the bosom of the floods: the people waited on the King who should be praised.
As envoy of Vivasvan MatariSvan brought Agni Vaisvanara hither from far away.
5. In every age bestow upon the singers wealth, worthy of holy synods, glorious, ever new.
King, undecaying, as it were with sharpened bolt, smite down the sinner like a tree with lightning-flash.
6. Do thou bestow, O Agni, on our wealthy chiefs, rule, with good heroes, undecaying, bending not.
So may we win for us strength. O Vaisvanara, hundredfold, thousandfold, O Agni, by thy help.
7. O thou who dwellest in three places, Helper, keep with effective guards our princely patrons.
Keep our band, Agni, who have brought thee presents. Lengthen their lives, Vaisvanara, when lauded.
HYMN IX. Agni.
1. ONE half of day is dark, and bright the other: both atmospheres move on by sage devices.
Agni Vaisvanara, when born as Sovran, hath with his lustre overcome the darkness.
2. I know not either warp or woof, I know not the web they weave when moving to the contest.
Whose son shall here speak words that must be spoken without assistance from the Father near him?
3. For both the warp and woof he understandeth, and in due time shall speak what should be spoken,
Who knoweth as the immortal world’s Protector, descending, seeing with no aid from other.
4. He is the Priest, the first of all: behold him. Mid mortal men he is the light immortal.
Here was he born, firm-seated in his station Immortal, ever waxing in his body.
5. A firm light hath been set for men to look on: among all things that fly the mind is swiftest.
All Gods of one accord, with one intention, move unobstructed to a single purpose.
6. Mine ears unclose to hear, mine eye to see him; the light that harbours in my spirit broadens.
Far roams my mind whose thoughts are in the distance. What shall I speak, what shall I now imagine?
7. All the Gods bowed them down in fear before thee, Agni, when thou wast dwelling in the darkness.
Vaisvanara be gracious to assist us, may the Immortal favour us and help us.
HYMN X. Agni.
1. INSTALL at sacrifice, while the rite advances, your pleasant, heavenly Agni, meet for praises.
With hymns-for he illumines us-install him. He, Jatavedas, makes our rites successful.
2. Hear this laud, Radiant Priest of many aspects, O Agni with the fires of man enkindled,
Laud which bards send forth pure as sacred butter, strength to this man, as ’twere for self-advantage.
3. Mid mortal men that singer thrives in glory who offers gifts with hymns of praise to Agni,
And the God, wondrous bright, with wondrous succours helps him to win a stable filled with cattle.
4. He, at his birth, whose path is black behind him, filled heaven and earth with far-apparent splendour:
And he himself hath been. through night’s thick darkness, made manifest by light, the Purifier.
5. With thy most mighty aid, confer, O Agni, wonderful wealth on us and on our princes,
Who stand preeminent, surpassing others in liberal gifts, in fame, and hero virtues.
6. Agni, accept this sacrifice with gladness, which, seated here, the worshipper presenteth.
Fair hymns hadst thou among the Bharadvajas, and holpest them to gain abundant vigour.
7 Scatter our foes, increase our store. May we he glad a hundred winters with brave sons.
HYMN XI. Agni.
1. EAGERLY Sacrifice thou, most skilful, Agni! Priest, pressing on as if the Maruts sent thee.
To our oblation bring the two Nasatyas, Mitra and Varuna and Earth and Heaven.
2. Thou art our guileless, most delightful Herald, the God, among mankind, of holy synods.
A Priest with purifying tongue, O Agni, sacrifice with thy mouth to thine own body.
3. For even the blessed longing that is in thee would bring the Gods down to the singer’s worship,
When the Angirases’ sagest Sage, the Poet, sings the sweet measure at the solemn service.
4. Bright hath he beamed, the wise, the far-refulgent. Worship the two widespreading Worlds, O Agni,
Whom as the Living One rich in oblations the Five Tribes, bringing gifts, adorn with homage.
5. When I with reverence clip the grass for Agni, when the trimmed ladle, fullof oil, is lifted,
Firm on the seat of earth is based the altar: eye-like, the sacrifice is directed Sun-ward.
6. Enrich us, O thou Priest of many aspects, with the Gods, Agni, with thy fires, enkindled.
O Son of Strength, clad in the robe of riches, may we escape from woe as from
a prison.
HYMN XII. Agni.
1. KING of trimmed grass, Herald within the dwelling, may Agni worship the Impeller’s World-halves.
He, Son of Strength, the Holy, from a distance hath spread himself abroad with light like Surya.
2. In thee, most wise, shall Dyaus, for full perfection, King! Holy One! pronounce the call to worship.
Found in three places, like the Speeder’s footstep, come to present men’s riches as oblations!
3. Whose blaze most splendid, sovran in the forest, shines waxing on his way like the – Impeller.
He knows himself, like as a guileless smelter, not to be stayed among the plants, Immortal.
4. Our friends extol him like a steed for vigour even Agni in the dwelling, jatave~as.
Trce-fed, he fights with power as doth a champion, like Dawn’s Sire to be praised with sacrifices.
5. Men wonder at his shining glows when, paring the woods with case, o’er the broad earth he goeth,
And, like a rushing flood, loosed quickly, burneth, swift as a guilty thief, o’er desert places.
6. So mighty thou protectest us from slander, O Champion, Agni! with all fires enkindled.
Bring opulence and drive away affliction. May brave sons gladden us through a hundred winters.
HYMN XIII. Agni.
1. FROM thee, as branches from a tree, O Agni, from thee, Auspicious God! spring all our blessings-
Wealth swiftly, strength in battle with our foemen, the rain besought of heaven, the flow of waters.
2. Thou art our Bhaga to send wealth thou dwellest, like circumambient air, with wondrous splendour.
Friend art thou of the lofty Law, like Mitra, Controller, Agni! God! of many a blessing.
3. Agni! the hero slays with might his foeman; the singer bears away the Pani’s booty-
Even he whom thou, Sage, born in Law, incitest by wealth, accordant with the Child of Waters.
4 .The man who, Son of Strength 1 with sacrifices, hymns, lauds, attracts thy fervour to the altar,
Enjoys each precious thing, O God, O Agni, gains wealth of corn and is the lord of treasures.
5. Grant, Son of Strength, to men for their subsistence such things as bring high fame and hero children.
For thou with might givest much food in cattle even to the wicked wolf when he is hungry.
6. Eloquent, Son of Strength, Most Mighty, Agni, vouchsafe us seed and offspring, full of vigour.
May I by all my songs obtain abundance. May brave sons gladden us through a hundred winters.
HYMN XIV. Agni.
1. WHOSO to Agni hath endeared his thought and service by his hymns,
That mortal cats before the rest, and finds sufficiency of food.
2. Agni, in truth, is passing wise, most skilled in ordering, a Seer.
At sacrifices Manus’ sons glorify Agni as their Priest.
3. The foeman’s wealth in many a place, Agni, is emulous to help.
Men fight the fiend, and seek by rites to overcome the riteless foe.
4. Agni bestows the hero chief, winner of waters, firm in fray.
Soon as they look upon his might his enemies tremble in alarm.
5. For with his wisdom Agni, God, protects the mortal from reproach,
Whose conquering wealth is never checked, is never checked in deeds of might.
6. O Agni, God with Mitra’s might call hither the favour of the Gods from earth and heaven.
Bring weal from heaven that men may dwell securely. May we o’ercome the foe’s malign oppressions, may we o’ercome them, through thy help o’ercome them.
HYMN XV. Agni.
1. WITH this my song I strive to reach this guest of yours, who wakes at early morn, the Lord of all the tribes.
Each time he comes from heaven, the Pure One from of old: from ancient days the Child cats everlasting food.
2. Whom, well-dis sed, the Blirgus stablished as a rriend, whom men must glorify, high-flaming in the wood.
As such, most friendly, thou art every day extolled in lauds by Vitahavya, O thou wondrous God.
3. Be thou the foeless helper of the skilful man, subduer of the enemy near or far away.
Bestow a wealthy home on men, O Son of Strength. Give Vitahavya riches spreading far and wide, give Bharadvaja wide-spread wealth.
4. Him, your refulgent guest, Agni who comes from heaven, the Herald of mankind, well-skilled in sacred rites,
Who, like a holy singer, utters heavenly words, oblation-bearer, envoy, God, I seek with hymns.
5. Who with his purifying, eye-attracting form hath shone upon the earth as with the light of Dawn;
Who speeding on, as in the fight of Etaia, cometh, untouched by age, as one athirst in heat.
6 Worship ye Agni, Agni, with your log of wood; praise your beloved, your beloved guest with songs.
Invite ye the Immortal hither with your hymns. A God among the Gods, he loveth what is choice, loveth our service, God mid Gods.
7. Agni inflamed with fuel in my song I sing, pure, Cleanser, steadlast, set in tront at sacrifice.
Wise Jatavedas we implore with prayers for bliss the Priest, the holy Singer, bounteous, void of guile.
8. Men, Agni, in each age have made thee, Deathiess One, their envoy, offering-bearer, guard adorable.
With reverence Gods and mortals have established thee, the ever-watchful, omnipresent Household Lord.
9. Thou, Agni, ordering the works and ways of both, as envoy of the Gods traversest both the worlds.
When we lay claim to thy regard and gracious fare, be thou to us a thriceprotecting friendly guard.
10. Him fair of face, rapid, and fair to look on, him very wise may we who know not follow.
Let him who knows all rules invite for worship, Agru announce our offering to the Immortals.
11. Him, Agni, thou deliverest and savest who brings him prayer to thee the Wise, O Hero,
The end of sacrifice or its inception; yea, thou endowest him with power and riches.
12. Guard us from him who would assail us, Agni; preserve us, O thou Victor, from dishonour.
Here let the place of darkening come upon thee: may wealth be ours, desirable in thousands.
13. Agni, the Priest, is King, Lord of the homestead, he, Jatayedas, knows all generations.
Most skilful worshipper mid Gods and mortals, may he begin the sacrifice, the Holy.
14. Whate’er to-day thou, bright-flamed Priest, enjoyest from the man’s rite-for thou art sacrificer-
Worship, for duly dost thou spread in greatness: bear off thine ofrerings of to-day, Most Youthful.
15. Look thou upon the viands duly laid for thee. Fain would he set thee here to worship Heaven and,Earth.
Help us, O liberal Agni, in the strife for spoil, so that we may o’ercome all things that trouble us, o’ercome, o’ercome them with thy help.
16. Together with all Gods, O fair-faced Agni, be seated first upon the woollined altar,
Nest-like, bedewed with oil. Bear this our worship to Savitar who sacrifices rightly.
17. Here the arranging priests, as did Atharvan, rub this Agni forth,
Whom, not bewildered, as he moved in winding ways, they brought from gloom.
18. For the Gods’ banquet be thou born, for full perfection and for weal.
Bring the Immortal Gods who strengthen holy Law: so let our sacrifice reach the Gods.
19. O Agni, Lord and Master of men’s homesteads, with kindled fuel we have made thee mighty.
Let not our household gear be found defective. Sharpen us with thy penetrating splendour.
HYMN XVI. Agni.
1. PRIEST of all sacrifices hast thou been appointed by the Gods,
Agni, amid the race of man.
2. So with thy joyous tongues for us sacrifice nobly in this rite.
Bring thou the Gods and worship them.
3. For well, O God, Disposer, thou knowest, straight on, the paths and ways,
Agni, most wise in sacrifice.
4. Thee, too, hath Bharata of old, with mighty men, implored for bliss.
And worshipped thee the worshipful.
5. Thou givest these abundant boons to Divodasa pouring forth,
To Bharadvaja offering gifts.
6. Do thou, Immortal Messenger, bring hither the Celestial Folk;
Hearing the singer’s eulogy.
7. Mortals with pious thought implore thee, Agni, God, at holy rites,
To come unto the feast of Gods.
8. I glorify thine aspect and the might of thee the Bountilul.
All those who love shall joy in thee,
9. Invoker placed by Manus, thou, Agni, art near, the wisest Priest:
Pay worship to the Tribes of Heaven.
10. Come, Agni, lauded, to the feast; come to the offering of the gifts.
As Priest be seated on the grass.
11. So, Angiras, we make thee strong with fuel and with holy oil.
Blaze high, thou youngest of the Gods.
12. For us thou winnest, Agni, God, heroic strength exceeding great,
Far-spreading and of high renown.
13. Agni, Atharvan brought thee forth, by rubbing, from the lotus-flower,
The head of Visva, of the Priest.
14. Thee. Vrtra’s slayer, breaker down of castles, hath Atharvan’s son,
Dadhyac the Rsi, lighted up.
15. The hero Pathya kindled thee the Dasyus’. most destructive foe,
Winner of spoil in every fight.
16. Come, here, O Agni, will I sing verily other songs to thee,
And with these drops shalt thou grow strong.
17. Where’er tby mind applies itself, vigour preeminent bast thou:
There wilt thou gain a dwelling-place.
18. Not for a moment only lasts thy bounty, good to many a one!
Our service therefore shalt thou gain.
19. Agni, the Bharata, hath been sought, the Vrtra-slayer, marked of all,
Yea, Divodasa’s Hero Lord.
20. For he gave riches that surpass in greatness all the things of earth,
Fighting untroubled, unsubdued.
21. Thou, Agni, as in days of old, with recent glory, gathered light,
Hast overspread the lofty heaven.
22. Bring to your Agni, O my friends, boldly your laud and sacrifice:
Give the Disposer praise and song.
23. For as sagacious Herald he hath sat through every age of man,
Oblation-bearing messenger.
24. Bring those Two Kings whose ways are pure, Adityas, and the Marut host,
Excellent God! and Heaven and Earth.
25. For strong and active mortal man, excellent, Agni, is the look Of thee Immortal, Son of Strength
26. Rich through his wisdom, noblest be the giver serving thee to-day:
The man hath brought his hymn of praise.
27. These, Agni, these are helped by thee, who strong and active all their lives,
O’ercome the malice of the foe, fight down the malice ofthe foe.
28. May Agni with his pointed blaze cast down each fierce devouring fiend
May Agni win us wealth by war.
29. O active Jatavedas, bring riches with store of hero sons:
Slay thou the demons, O Most Wise.
30. Keep us, O Jatavedas, from the troubling of the man of sin:
Guard us thou Sage who knowest prayer.
31. Whatever sinner, Agni, brings oblations to procure our death,
Save us from woe that he would work.
32. Drive from us with thy tongue, O God, the man who doeth evil deeds,
The mortal who would strike us dead.
33. Give shelter reaching far and wide to Bharadvaja, conquering Lord!
Agni, send wealth most excellent.
34. May Agni slay the Vrtras,-fain for riches, through the lord of song,
Served with oblation, kindled, bright.
35. His Father’s Father, shining in his Mother’s everlasting side,
Set on the seat of holy Law.
36. O active Jatavedas, bring devotion that wins progeny, Agni, that it may shine to heaven.
37. O Child of Strength, to thee whose look is lovely we with dainty food,
O Agni, have poured forth our songs.
38. To thee for shelter are we come, as to the shade from fervent heat
Agni, who glitterest like gold.
39. Mighty as one who slays with shafts, or like a bull with sharpened horn,
Agni, thou breakest down the forts.
40. Whom, like an infant newly born, devourer, in their arms they bear,
Men’s Agni, skilled in holy rites.
41. Bear to the banquet of the Gods the God best finder-out of wealth,
Let him he seated in his place.
42. In Jatavedas kindle ye the dear guest who hath now appeared
In a soft place, the homestead’s Lord.
43. Harness, O Agni, O thou God, thy steeds which are most excellent:
They bear thee as thy spirit wills.
44. Come hither, bring the Gods to us to taste the sacrificial feast,
To drink the draught of Soma juice.
45. O Agni of the Bharatas, blaze high with everlasting might,
Shine forth and gleam, Eternal One.
46. The mortal man who serves the God with banquet, and, bringing gifts at sacrifice, lauds Agni,
May well attract, with prayer and hands uplifted, the Priest of Heaven and Earth, true Sacrificer.
47. Agni, we bring thee, with our hymn, oblation fashioned in the heart.
Let these be oxen unto thee, let these be bulls and kine to thee.
48. The Gods enkindle Agni, best slayer of Vrtra, first in rank,
The Mighty, One who brings us wealth and crushes down the Raksasas.
