6 In thee, O bright as Mitra, Vasus seated the might of Asuras, for they loved thy spirit.

Thou dravest Dasyus from their home, O Agni, and broughtest forth broad light to light the Ârya.

7 Born in the loftiest heaven thou in a moment reachest, like wind, the place where Gods inhabit.

Thou, favouring thine offspring, roaredst loudly when giving life to creatures, Jâtavedas.

8 Send us that strength, Vaiṣvânara, send it, Agni, that strength, O Jâtavedas, full of splendour,

Wherewith, all-bounteous God, thou pourest riches, as fame wide-spreading, on the man who offers.

9 Agni, bestow upon our chiefs and nobles that famous power, that wealth which feedeth many.

Accordant with the Vasus and the Rudras, Agni, Vaiṣvânara, give us sure protection.

PRAISE of the Asura, high imperial Ruler, the Manly One in whom the folk shall triumph

I laud his deeds who is as strong as Indra, and lauding celebrate the Fort-destroyer.

2 Sage, Sign, Food, Light,-they bring him from the mountain, the blessed Sovran of the earth and heaven.

I decorate with songs the mighty actions which Agni, Fortdestroyer, did aforetime.

3 The foolish, faithless, rudely-speaking niggards, without belief or sacrifice or worship,—

Far, far away hath Agni chased those Dasyus, and, in the east, hath turned the godless westward.

4 Him who brought eastward, manliest with his prowess, the Maids rejoicing in the western darkness,

That Agni I extol, the Lord of riches, unyielding tamer of assailing foemen.

5 Him who brake down the walls with deadly weapons, and gave the Mornings to a noble Husband,

6 Thou dravest: cf. I. 117. 21.

1 Fort-destroyer: demolisher of the cloud-castles of the demons of drought, or of the strongholds of the non-Âry an tribes.

2 From the mountain: from the cloud, as lightning.

3 Westward into the darkness of night.

4 Who brought eastward: brought back the vanished lights of dawn.

5 To a noble Husband: the Sun, or Agni himself. The tribes of Nahus: or, according to von Roth, neighbouring people.

Young Agni, who with conquering strength subduing the tribes of Nahus made them bring their tribute.

6 In whose protection all men rest by nature, desiring to enjoy his gracious favour

Agni Vaiṣvânara in his Parents' bosom hath found the choicest seat in earth and heaven.

7 Vaiṣvânara the God, at the sun's setting, hath taken to himself deep-hidden treasures:

Agni hath taken them from earth and heaven, from the sea under and the sea above us.

I SEND forth even your God, victorious Agni, like a strong courser, with mine adoration.

Herald of sacrifice be he who knoweth : he hath reached Gods, himself, with measured motion.

2 By paths that are thine own come hither, Agni, joyous, delighting in the Gods' alliance,

Making the heights of earth roar with thy fury, burning with eager teeth the woods and forests.

3 The grass is strewn ; the sacrifice advances: adored as Priest, Agni is made propitious,

Invoking both All-boon-bestowing Mothers of whom, Most
Youthful! thou wast born to help us.

4 Forthwith the men, the best of these for wisdom, have made him leader in the solemn worship.

As Lord in homes of men is Agni stablished, the Holy One, the joyous, sweetly speaking.

5 He hath come, chosen bearer, and is seated in man's home, Brahman, Agni, the Supporter,

He whom both Heaven and Earth exalt and strengthen, whom, Giver of all boons, the Hotar worships.

6 These have passed all in glory, who, the manly, have wrought with skill the hymn of adoration;

7 Agni becomes the representative of the Sun, and in his absence gives light and other blessings to man. The sea above us the ocean of air.

1 Like a strong courser glorified with my praises, like a horse that has been groomed and adorned. Or, perhaps, merely, rapid as a horse. With measured motion: or, a speedy runner. Sâyana explains the word mitédruḥ in this place as consumer of trees,' but in IV. 6. 5 as parimitagatiḥ, with

measured motion.'

3 Both......Mothers: Heaven and Earth.

Who, listening, have advanced the people's welfare, and set their thoughts on this my holy statute.

7 We, the Vasishthas, now implore thee, Agni, O Son of Strength, the Lord of wealth and treasure.

Thou hast brought food to singers and to nobles. Ye Gods, preserve us evermore with blessings.

THE King whose face is decked with oil is kindled with homage offered by his faithful servant.

The men, the priests adore him with oblations. Agni hath shone forth when the dawn is breaking.

2 Yea, he hath been acknowledged as most mighty, the joyous Priest of men, the youthful Agni.

He, spreading o'er the earth, made light around him, and grew among the plants with blackened fellies.

3 How dost thou decorate our hymn, O Agni? What power dost thou exert when thou art lauded?

When, Bounteous God, may we be lords of riches, winners of precious wealth which none may conquer?

4 Far famed is this the Bharata's own Agni: he shineth like the Sun with lofty splendour.

He who hath vanquished Pûru in the battle, the heavenly guest hath glowed in full refulgence.

5 Full many oblations are in thee collected with all thine aspects thou hast waxen gracious.

Thou art already famed as praised and lauded, yet still, O nobly born, increase thy body.

6 Be this my song, that winneth countless treasure, engendered with redoubled force for Agni,

That, splendid, chasing sickness, slaying demons, it may delight our friend and bless the singers.

7 We, the Vasishthas, now implore thee, Agni, O Son of Strength, the Lord of wealth and riches.

Thou hast brought food to singers and to nobles. Ye Gods, preserve us evermore with blessings.

6 Who set their thoughts on this my holy statute: that is, apparently, who duly observe the law which requires us to worship Agni. Who are glorifiers of this truthful (deity).'-Wilson.

2 With blackened fellies: leaving black tracks behind him: 'dark-pathed.'Wilson.

4 The Bharata: Vasishtha, the purohita of the Bharatas. Paru: the Pûrus, (one of the Five Aryan Tribes) who opposed the Bharatas.

6 Countless treasure: literally, hundreds, thousands. Our friend: the institutor of the sacrifice.

ROUSED from their bosom is the Dawns' beloved, the joyous
Priest, most sapient, Purifier.

He gives a signal both to Gods and mortals, to Gods oblations,
riches to the pious.

2 Most wise is he who, forcing doors of Panis, brought the bright Sun to us who feedeth many.

The cheerful Priest, men's Friend and home-companion, through still night's darkness he is made apparent.

3 Wise, ne'er deceived, uncircumscribed, refulgent, our gracious guest, a Friend with good attendants,

Shines forth with wondrous light before the Mornings: the young plants hath he entered, Child of Waters.

4 Seeking our gatherings, he, your Jâtavedas, hath shone adorable through human ages,

Who gleams refulgent with his lovely lustre: the kine have waked to meet him when enkindled.

5 Go on thy message to the Gods, and fail not, O Agni, with their band who pray and worship.

Bring all the Gods that they may give us riches, Sarasvati, the Maruts, Agvins, Waters.

6 Vasishtha, when enkindling thee, O Agni, hath slain Jarûtha. Give us wealth in plenty.

Sing praise in choral song, O Jâtavedas. Ye Gods, preserve us evermore with blessings.

He hath sent forth, bright, radiant, and refulgent, like the
Dawn's Lover, his far-spreading lustre.

Pure in his splendour shines the golden Hero: our longing
thoughts hath he aroused and wakened.

2 He, like the Sun, hath shone while Morn is breaking, and priests who weave the sacrifice sing praises,

Agni, the God, who knows their generations and visits Gods, most bounteous, rapid envoy.

The Dawns' beloved: Agni, as lighted up at day-break. A signal: of sacrifice, which men are to offer and Gods are to receive.

6 Jarútha: see VII. 1. 7, where the destruction of Jarûtha is ascribed to Agni himself. Jarûtha, said by Sâyana to have been a Râkshasa or demon, was probably an enemy who was slain in a battle at which Vasishtha was present as purohita,—Ludwig.

1 Like the Dawn's Lover: the Sun. See I. 69. 1.

2 And priests: I adopt Sâyana's interpretation of this half-line.

3

Our songs and holy hymns go forth to Agni, seeking the God and asking him for riches,

Him fair to see, of goodly aspect, mighty, men's messenger who carries their oblations.

4 Joined with the Vasus, Agni, bring thou Indra, bring hither mighty Rudra with the Rudras,

Aditi good to all men with Âdityas, Brihaspati All-bounteous, with the Singers.

5 Men eagerly implore at sacrifices Agni, Most Youthful God, the joyous Herald.

For he is Lord and Ruler over riches, and for Gods' worship an unwearied envoy.

GREAT art thou, Agni, sacrifice's Herald: not without thee are deathless Gods made joyful.

Come hither with all Deities about thee: here take thy seat, the first, as Priest, O Agni.

2 Men with oblations evermore entreat thee, the swift, to undertake an envoy's duty.

He on whose sacred grass with Gods thou sittest, to him,
O Agni, are the days propitious.

3 Three times a day in thee are shown the treasures sent for the mortal who presents oblation.

Bring the Gods hither like a man, O Agni : be thou our envoy, guarding us from curses.

4 Lord of the lofty sacrifice is Agni, Agni is Lord of every gift presented.

The Vasus were contented with his wisdom, so the Gods made him their oblation-bearer.

50 Agni, bring the Gods to taste our presents: with Indra leading, here let them be joyful.

Convey this sacrifice to Gods in heaven.

us evermore with blessings.

Ye Gods, preserve

4 Singers or Rikvans, deities who attend and sing the praises of some God: 'the adorable (Angirasas).'--Wilson.

√3 Three times a day: at the morning, the noon, and the evening libation.

Or the meaning may be, in the three fire-receptacles. Like a man: acting like a human priest. The Commentators explain manushvát by 'as (at the sacrifice) of Manu.'