THE HYMNS OF THE RIGVEDA. BOOK THE SEVENTH. HYMN I. Agni. THE men from fire-sticks, with their hands' swift movement, have, in deep thought, engendered glorious Agni, Far-seen, with pointed flame, Lord of the homestead. 2 The Vasus set that Agni in the dwelling, fair to behold, for help from every quarter: Who, in the home for ever, must be honoured. 3 Shine thou before us, Agni, well-enkindled, with flame, Most Youthful God, that never fadeth. To thee come all our sacrificial viands. 4 Among all fires these fires have shone most brightly, splendid with light, begirt by noble heroes, Where men of lofty birth sit down together. 5 Victorious Agni, grant us wealth with wisdom, wealth with brave sons, famous and independent, Which not a foe who deals in magic conquers. 6 To whom, the Strong, at morn and eve comes, maid-like, the ladle dropping oil, with its oblation : Wealth-seeking comes to him his own devotion. 7 Burn up all malice with those flames, O Agni, wherewith of old thou burntest up Jarûtha, And drive away in silence pain and sickness. 8 With him who lighteth up thy splendour, Agni, excellent, pure, refulgent, Purifier, Be present, and with us through these our praises. 9 Agni, the patriarchal men, the mortals who have in many places spread thy lustre, Be gracious to us here for their sake also. All the hymns of this Book are ascribed to the Rishi Vasishtha, with whom his sons are associated as the seers of parts of two hymns. 1 In deep thought: 'with their fingers,' according to Sâyana, this meaning having been attributed without any philological grounds to the word d'dhitibhiḥ from its use in this and similar passages. 6 His own devotion: the worship which belongs especially to him. 1 10 Let these men, heroes in the fight with foemen, prevail against all godless arts of magic, These who approve the noble song I sing thee. 11 Let us not sit in want of men, O Agni, without descendants, heroless, about thee: But, O House-Friend, in houses full of children. 12 By sacrifice which the Steeds' Lord ever visits, there make our dwelling rich in seed and offspring, Increasing still with lineal successors. 13 Guard us, O Agni, from the hated demon, guard us from malice of the churlish sinner: Allied with thee may I subdue assailants. 14 May this same fire of mine surpass all others, this fire where offspring, vigorous and firm-handed, Wins, on a thousand paths, what ne'er shall perish. 15 This is that Agni, saviour from the foeman, who guards the kindler of the flame from sorrow: Heroes of noble lineage serve and tend him. 16 This is that Agni, served in many places, whom the rich lord who brings oblation kindles, And round him goes the priest at sacrifices. 17 Agni, may we with riches in possession bring thee continual offerings in abundance, Using both means to draw thee to our worship. 18 Agni, bear thou, Eternal, these most welcome oblations to the Deities' assembly: Let them enjoy our very fragrant presents. 19 Give us not up. Agni, to want of heroes, to wretched clothes, to need to destitution. Yield us not, Holy One, to fiend or hunger; injure us not at home or in the forest. 20 Give strength and power to these my prayers, O Agni; O God, pour blessings on our chiefs and nobles. Grant that both we and they may share thy bounty. Ye Gods, protect us evermore with blessings. 21 Thou Agni, swift to hear, art fair of aspect: beam forth, O Son of Strength, in full effulgence. Let me not want, with thee, a son for ever: let not a manly hero ever fail us. 12 The Steeds' Lord: Agni, whose swift flames are called horses. 17 Both means: prayer and praise. 21 For ever: nitye; perpetual; who shall live for ever in his posterity. |