HYMN XIX. Agni.

1
Aow, quick, sage, infallible, all-knowing, I choose to be our Priest at this oblation. In our Gods' service he, best skilled, shall worship: may he obtain us boons for strength and riches.

2
Agni, to thee I lift the oil-fed ladle, bright, with an offering, bearing our oblation. From the right hand, choosing the Gods' attendance, he with rich presents hath arranged the worship.

3
Of keenest spirit is the man thou aidest give us good offspring, thou who givest freely. In power of wealth most rich in men. O Agni, of thee, the Good, may we sing forth fair praises.

4
Men as they worship thee the God, O Agni, have set on thee full many a brilliant, aspect. So bring Most Youthful One, the Gods' assembly, the Heavenly Host which thou to-day shalt honour.

5
When Gods anoint thee Priest at their oblation, and seat thee for thy task as Sacrificer, O Agni, be thou here our kind defender, and to ourselves vouchsafe the gift of glory.

HYMN XX Agni.

1
WITH lauds at break of morn the priest invoketh Agni, Dawn, Dadhikras, and both the Asvins. With one consent the Gods whose light is splendid, longing to taste our sacrifice, shall hear us.

2
Three are thy powers, O Agni, three thy stations, three are thy tongues, yea, many, Child of Order! Three bodies hast thou which the Gods delight in: with these protect our hymns with care unceasing.

3
O Agni, many are the names thou bearest, immortal, God, Divine, and Jatavedas. And many charms of charmers, All-Inspirer! have they laid in thee, Lord of true attendants!

4
Agni, like Bhaga, leads the godly people, he who is true to Law and guards the seasons. Ancient, all-knowing, he the Vrtra-slayer shall bear the singer safe through every trouble.

5
I call on Savitar the God, on Morning, Brhaspati, and Dadhikras, and Agni, On Varuna and Mitra, on the Asvins, Bhaga, the Vasus, Rudras and Adityas.

HYMN XXI. Agni.

1
SET this our sacrifice among the Immortals: be pleased with these our presents, Jatavedas. O Priest, O Agni, sit thee down before us, and first enjoy the drops of oil and fatness.

2
For thee, O Purifier, flow the drops of fatness rich in oil. After thy wont vouchsafe to us the choicest boon that Gods may feast.

3
Agni, Most Excellent! for thee the Sage are drops that drip with oil. Thou art enkindled as the best of Seers. Help thou the sacrifice.

4
To thee, O Agni, mighty and resistless, to thee stream forth the drops of oil and fatness. With great light art thou come, O praised by poets! Accept our offering, O thou Sage.

5
Fatness exceeding rich, extracted from the midst,-this as our gift we offer thee. Excellent God, the drops run down upon thy skin. Deal them to each among the Gods.

HYMN XXII. Agni.

1
THIS is that Agni whence the longing Indra took the pressed Soma deep within his body. Winner of spoils in thousands, like a courser, with praise art thou exalted, Jatavedas.

2
That light of thine in heaven and earth, O Agni, in plants, O Holy One, and in the waters, Wherewith thou hast spread wide the air's mid-region-bright is that splendour, wavy, man-beholding.

3
O Agni, to the sea of heaven thou goest: thou hast called hither Gods beheld in spirit. The waters, too, come hither, those up yonder in the Sun's realm of light, and those beneath it.

4
Let fires that dwell in mist, combined with those that have their home in floods, Guileless accept our sacrifice, great viands free from all disease.

5
Agni, as holy food to thine invoker give wealth in cattle, lasting, rich in marvels. To us be born a son and spreading offspring. Agni, be this thy gracious will to us-ward.

HYMN XXIII. Agni.

1
RUBBED into life, well stablished in the dwelling, Leader of sacrifice, the Sage, the youthful, Here in the wasting fuel Jatavedas, eternal, hath assumed immortal being.

2
Both Bharatas, Devasravas, Devavata, have strongly rubbed to life effectual Agni. O Agni, look thou forth with ample riches: be, every day, bearer of food to feed us.

3
Him nobly born of old the fingers ten produced, him whom his Mothers counted dear. Praise Devavata's Agni, thou Devasravas, him who shall be the people's Lord.

4
He set thee in the earth's most lovely station, in Ila's place, in days of fair bright weather. On man, on Apaya, Agni! on the rivers Drsadvati, Sarasvati, shine richly.

5
Agni, as holy food to thine invoker give wealth in cattle, lasting, rich in marvels. To us be born a son and spreading offspring Agni, be this thy gracious will to us-ward

HYMN XXIV. Agni.

1
AGNI, subdue opposing bands, and drive our enemies away. Invincible, slay godless foes: give splendour to the worshipper.

2
Lit with libation, Agni, thou, deathless, who callest Gods to feast, Accept our sacrifice with joy.

3
With splendour, Agni, Son of Strength, thou who art worshipped, wakeful One. Seat thee on this my sacred grass.

4
With all thy fires, with all the Gods, Agni, exalt the songs we sing. And living men in holy rites.

5
Grant, Agni, to the worshipper wealth rich in heroes, plenteous store, Make thou us rich with many sons.

HYMN XXV. Agni.

1
THOU art the sapient Son of Dyaus, O Agni, yes and the Child of Earth, who knowest all things. Bring the Gods specially, thou Sage, for worship.

2
Agni the wise bestows the might of heroes grants strengthening food, preparing it for nectar. Thou who art rich in food bring the Gods hither.

3
Agni, infallible, lights Earth and Heaven, immortal Goddesses gracious to all men,- Lord through his strength, splendid through adorations.

4
Come to the sacrifice, Agni and Indra come to the offerer's house who hath the Soma. Come, friendly-minded, Gods, to drink the Soma.

5
In the floods' home art thou enkindled, Agni, O Jatavedas, Son of Strength, eternal, Exalting with thine help the gathering places.

HYMN XXVI. Agni.

1
REVERING in our heart Agni Vaisvanara, the finder of the light, whose promises are true, The liberal, gladsome, car-borne God we Kusikas invoke him with oblation, seeking wealth with songs.

2
That Agni, bright, Vaisvanara, we invoke for help, and Matarisvan worthy of the song of praise; Brhaspati for man's observance of the Gods, the Singer prompt to hear, the swiftly-moving guest.

3
Age after age Vaisvanara, neighing like a horse, is kindled with the women by the Kusikas. May Agni, he who wakes among Immortal Gods, grant us heroic strength and wealth in noble steeds.

4
Let them go forth, the strong, as flames of fire with might. Gathered for victory they have yoked their spotted deer. Pourers of floods, the Maruts, Masters of all wealth, they who can ne'er be conquered, make the mountains shake.

5
The Maruts, Friends of men, are glorious as the fire: their mighty and resplendent succour we implore. Those storming Sons of Rudra clothed in robes of rain, boon-givers of good gifts, roar as the lions roar.

6
We, band on band and troop following troop, entreat with fair lauds Agni's splendour and the Maruts' might, With spotted deer for steeds, with wealth that never fails, they, wise Ones, come to sacrifice at our gatherings.

7
Agni am I who know, by birth, all creatures. Mine eye is butter, in my mouth is nectar. I am light threefold, measurer of the region exhaustless heat am I, named burnt-oblation.

8
Bearing in mind a thought with light accordant, he purified the Sun with three refinings; By his own nature gained the highest treasure, and looked abroad over the earth and heaven.

9
The Spring that fails not with a hundred streamlets, Father inspired of' prayers that men should utter, The Sparkler, joyous in his Parents' bosom, -him, the Truth-speaker, sate ye, Earth and Heaven.

HYMN XXVII. Agni.

1
IN ladle dropping oil your food goes in oblation up to heaven, Goes to the Gods in search of bliss.

2
Agni I laud, the Sage inspired, crowner of sacrifice through song, Who listens and gives bounteous gifts.

3
O Agni, if we might obtain control of thee the potent God, Then should we overcome our foes.

4
Kindled at sacrifices he is Agni, hallower, meet for praise, With flame for hair: to him we seek.

5
Immortal Agni, shining far, enrobed with oil, well worshipped, bears The gifts of sacrifice away.

6
The priests with ladles lifted up, worshipping here with holy thought, Have brought this Agni for our aid.

7
Immortal, Sacrificer, God, with wondrous power he leads the way, Urging the great assembly on.

8
Strong, he is set on deeds of strength. In sacrifices led in front, As Singer he completes the rite.

9
Excellent, he was made by thought. The Germ of beings have I gained, Yea, and die Sire of active strength.

10
Thee have I stablished, Excellent, O strengthened by the sage's prayer, Thee, Agni, longing, nobly bright.

11
Agni, the swift and active One, singers, at time of sacrifice, Eagerly kindle with their food.

12
Agni the Son of Strength who shines up to the heaven in solemn rites, The wise of heart, I glorify.

13
Meet to be lauded and adored, showing in beauty through the dark, Agni, the Strong, is kindled well.

14
Agni is kindled as a bull, like a horsebearer of the Gods: Men with oblations worship him.

15
Thee will we kindle as a bull, we who are Bulls ourselves, O Bull. Thee, Agni, shining mightily.

Continued...

HYMN XXVIII. Agni.

1
AGNI who knowest all, accept our offering and the cake of meal, At dawn's libation, rich in prayer!

2
Agni, the sacrificial cake hath been prepared and dressed for thee: Accept it, O Most Youthful God.

3
Agni, enjoy the cake of meal and our oblation three days old: Thou, Son of Strength, art stablished at our sacrifice.

4
Here at the midday sacrifice enjoy thou the sacrificial cake, wise, Jatavedas! Agni, the sages in assemblies never minish the portion due to thee the Mighty.

5
O Agni, at the third libation take with joy the offered cake of sacrifice, thou, Son of Strength. Through skill in song bear to the Gods our sacrifice, watchful and fraught with riches, to Immortal God.

6
O waxing Agni, knower, thou, of all, accept our gifts, the cake, And that prepared ere yesterday.

HYMN XXIX. Agni.

1
HERE is the gear for friction, here tinder made ready for the spark. Bring thou the Matron: we will rub Agni in ancient fashion forth.

2
1n the two fire-sticks Jatavedas lieth, even as the well-set germ in pregnant women, Agni who day by day must be exalted by men who watch and worship with oblations.

3
Lay this with care on that which lies extended: straight hath she borne the Steer when made prolific. With his red pillar-radiant is his splendour -in our skilled task is born the Son of Ila.

4
In Ila's place we set thee down, upon the central point of earth, That, Agni Jatavedas, thou mayst bear our offerings to the Gods.

5
Rub into life, ye men, the Sage, the guileless, Immortal, very wise and fair to look on. O men, bring forth the most propitious Agni, first ensign of the sacrifice to eastward.

6
When with their arms they rub him straight he shineth forth like a strong courser, red in colour, in the wood. Bright, checkless, as it were upon the Atvins' path, lie passeth by the stones and burneth up the grass.

7
Agni shines forth when born, observant, mighty, the bountiful, the Singar praised by sages; Whom, as adorable and knowing all things, Gods set at solemn rites as offeringbearer.

8
Set thee, O Priest, in, thine own place, observant: lay down the sacrifice in the home of worship. Thou, dear to Gods, shalt serve them with oblation: Agni, give long life to the sacrificer.

9
Raise ye a mighty smoke, my fellow-workers! Ye shall attain to wealth without obstruction. This Agni is the battle-winning Hero by whom the Gods have overcome the Dasyus.

10
This is thine ordered place of birth whence sprung to life thou shonest forth. Knowing this, Agni, sit thee down, and prosper thou the songs we sing.

11
As Germ Celestial he is called Tanunapat, and Narasamsa born diffused in varied shape. Formed in his Mother he is Matarisvan; he hath, in his course, become the rapid flight of wind.

12
With strong attrition rubbed to life, laid down with careful hand, a Sage, Agni, make sacrifices good, and for the pious bring the Gods.

13
Mortals have brought to life the God Immortal, the Conqueror with mighty jaws, unfailing. The sisters ten, unwedded and united, together grasp the Babe, the new-born Infant.

14
Served by the seven priests, he shone forth from ancient time, when in his Mother's bosom, in her lap, he glowed. Giving delight each day he closeth not his eye, since from the Asura's body he was brought to life.

15
Even as the Maruts, onslaughts who attack the foe, those born the first of all knew the full power of prayer. The Kusikas have made the glorious hymn ascend, and, each one singly in his home, have kindled fire.

16
As we, O Priest observant, have elected thee this day, what time the solemn sacrifice began, So surely hast thou worshipped, surely hast thou toiled: come thou unto the Soma, wise and knowing all.

HYMN XXX. Indra.

1
THE friends who offer Soma long to find thee: they pour forth Soma and present their viands. They bear unmoved the cursing of the people, for all our wisdom comes from thee, O Indra.

2
Not far for thee are mid-air's loftiest regions: start hither, Lord of Bays, with thy Bay Horses. Made for the Firm and Strong are these libations. The pressing-stones are set and fire is kindled.

3
Fair cheeks hath Indra, Maghavan, the Victor, Lord of a great host, Stormer, strong in action. What once thou didst in might when mortals vexed thee,-where now, O Bull, are those thy hero exploits?

4
For, overthrowing what hath ne'er been shaken, thou goest forth alone destroying Vrtras. For him who followeth thy Law the mountains and heaven and earth stand as if firmly stablished.

5
Yea, Much-invoked! in safety through thy glories alone thou speakest truth as Vrtra's slayer. E'en these two boundless worlds to thee, O Indra, what time thou graspest them, are but a handful.

6
Forthwith thy Bay steeds down the steep, O Indra, forth, crushing foemen, go thy bolt of thunder! Slay those who meet thee, those who flee, who follow: make all thy promise true; be all completed.

7
The man to whom thou givest as Provider enjoys domestic plenty undivided. Blest, Indra, is thy favour dropping fatness: thy worship, Much-invoked! brings gifts in thousands.

8
Thou, Indra, Much-invoked! didst crush to pieces Kunaru handless fiend who dwelt with Danu. Thou with might, Indra, smotest dead the scorner, the footless Vrtra as he waxed in vigour.

9
Thou hast established in her seat, O Indra, the level earth, vast, vigorous, unbounded. The Bull hath propped the heaven and air's mid-region. By thee sent onward let the floods flow hither.

10
He who withheld the kine, in silence I yielded in fear before thy blow, O Indra. He made paths easy to drive forth the cattle. Loud-breathing praises helped the Much-invoked One.

11
Indra alone filled full the earth and heaven, the Pair who meet together, rich in treasures. Yea, bring thou near us from the air's mid-region strength, on thy car, and wholesome food, O Hero.

12
Surya transgresses not the ordered limits set daily by the Lord of Tawny Coursers. When to the goal he comes, his journey ended, his Steeds he looses: this is Indra's doing.

13
Men gladly in the course of night would look on the broad bright front of the refulgent Morning; And all acknowledge, when she comes in glory, the manifold and goodly works of Indra.

14
A mighty splendour rests upon her bosom: bearing ripe milk the Cow, unripe, advances. All sweetness is collected in the Heifer, sweetness which Indra made for our enjoyment.

15
Barring the way they come. Be firm, O Indra; aid friends to sacrifice and him who singeth. These must be slain by thee, malignant mortals, armed with ill arts, our quiverbearing foemen.

16
A cry is beard from enemies most near us: against them send thy fiercest-flaming weapon. Rend them from under, crush them and subdue them. Slay, Maghavan, and make the fiends our booty.

17
Root up the race of Raksasas, O Indra rend it in front and crush it in the middle. How long hast thou behaved as one who wavers? Cast thy hot dart at him who hates devotion:

18
When borne by strong Steeds for our weal, O Leader, thou seatest thee at many noble viands. May we be winners of abundant riches. May Indra be our wealth with store of children.

19
Bestow on us resplendent wealth. O Indra let us enjoy thine overflow of bounty. Wide as a sea our longing hath expanded, fulfil it, O thou Treasure-Lord of treasures.

20
With kine and horses satisfy this longing with very splendid bounty skill extend it. Seeking the light, with hymns to thee, O Indra, Kusikas have brought their gift, the singers.

21
Lord of the kine, burst the kine's stable open: cows shall be ours, and strength that wins the booty. Hero, whose might is true, thy home is heaven: to us, O Maghavan, grant gifts of cattle.

22
Call we on Maghavan, auspicious Indra, best Hero in this fight where spoil is gathered, The Strong who listens, who gives aid in battles, who slays the Vrtras, wins and gathers riches.

HYMN XXXI. Indra.

1
WISE, teaching, following the thought of Order, the sonless gained a grandson from his daughter. Fain, as a sire, to see his child prolific, he sped to meet her with an eager spirit.

2
The Son left not his portion to the brother, he made a home to hold him who should gain, it. What time his Parents gave the Priest his being, of the good pair one acted, one promoted.

3
Agni was born trembling with tongue that flickered, so that the Red's great children should be honoured. Great is their germ, that born of them is mighty, great the Bays' Lord's approach through sacrifices.

4
Conquering bands upon the Warrior waited: they recognized great light from out the darkness. The conscious Dawns went forth to meet his coming, and the sole Master of the kine was Indra.

5
The sages freed them from their firmbuilt prison: the seven priests drove them forward with their spirit. All holy Order's pathway they discovered he, full of knowledge, shared these deeds through worship.

6
When Sarama had found the mountain's fissure, that vast and ancient place she plundered thoroughly. In the floods' van she led them forth, light-footed: she who well knew came first unto their lowing.

7
Longing for friendship came the noblest singer: the hill poured forth its treasure for the pious. The Hero with young followers fought and conquered, and straightway Angiras was singing praises,

8
Peer of each noble thing, yea, all excelling, all creatures doth he know, he slayeth Susna. Our leader, fain for war, singing from heaven, as Friend he saved his lovers from dishonour.

9
They sate them down with spirit fain for booty, making with hymns a way to life eternal. And this is still their place of frequent session, whereby they sought to gain the months through Order.

10
Drawing the milk of ancient seed prolific, they joyed as they beheld their own possession. Their shout of triumph heated earth and heaven. When the kine showed, they bade the heroes rouse them.

11
Indra drove forth the kine, that Vrtra-slayer, while hymns of praise rose up and gifts were offered. For him the Cow, noble and far-extending, poured pleasant juices, bringing oil and sweetness.

12
They made a mansion for their Father, deftly provided him a great and glorious dwelling; With firm support parted and stayed the Parents, and, sitting, fixed him there erected, mighty.

13
What time the ample chalice had impelled him, swift waxing, vast, to pierce the earth and heaven,- Him in whom blameless songs are all united: all powers invincible belong to Indra.

14
I crave thy powers, I crave thy mighty friendship: full many a team goes to the Vrtra-slayer. Great is the laud, we seek the Princes' favour. Be thou, O Maghavan, our guard and keeper.

15
He, having found great, splendid, rich dominion, sent life and motion to his friends and lovers. Indra who shone together with the Heroes begot the song, the fire, and Sun and Morning.

16
Vast, the House-Friend, he set the waters flowing, all-lucid, widely spread, that move together. By the wise cleansings of the meath made holy, through days, and nights they speed the swift streams onward.

17
To thee proceed the dark, the treasure-holders, both of them sanctified by Surya's bounty. The while thy ovely [sic] storming Friends, O Indra, fail to attain the measure of thy greatness.

18
Be Lord of joyous songs, O Vrtra-slayer, Bull dear to all, who gives the power of living. Come unto us with thine auspicious friendship, hastening, Mighty One, with mighty succours.

19
Like Angiras I honour him with worship, and renovate old song for him the Ancient. Chase thou the many godless evil creatures, and give us, Maghavan, heaven's light to help m.

20
Far forth are spread the purifying waters convey thou us across them unto safety. Save us, our Charioteer, from harm, O Indra, soon, very soon, make us win spoil of cattle.

21
His kine their Lord hath shown, e'en Vrtra's slayer, through the black hosts he passed with red attendants. Teaching us pleasant things by holy Order, to, us hath he thrown open all his portals.

22
Call we on Maghavan, auspicious Indra, best Hero in this fight where spoil is gathered. The Strong who listens, who gives aid in battles, who slays the Vrtras, wins and gathers riches.

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