60 waxing Agni, knower, thou, of all, accept our gifts, the cake, And that prepared ere yesterday. HYMN XXIX. Agni. 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 In the two fire-sticks Jâtavedâs lieth, even as the well formed 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 Ilâ. 4 In Ilâ's place we set thee down, upon the central point of earth, That, Agni Jâtavedas, thou mayst bear our offerings to the gods. The metre of stanzas 1, 4, 10, and 12, is Anushṭup; of 8, 11, 14, and 15, Jagati; and of the rest Trishṭup. 1 Here is the gear for friction: the word adhimanthanam means the upper fire-stick and the string used in agitating it. The tinder is a tuft of dry Kusa grass placed so as to catch the flame produced by attrition. The matron: the lower piece of wood in which the spark is generated. Sâyana explains the word vispatnîm, feminine of vispati, lord of the house, as protectress of men by means of the sacrifices which are performed with the help of the fire which she produces. 3 Lay this with care: place the upper fire-stick, which is to be turned rapidly round, upon the lower piece of wood which is prepared to receive it. The son of Ild: Agni. 4 In Ila's place: on the northern altar, the place of worship and libation, or prayer and praise. 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 Asvins' path, he passeth by the stones and burneth up the grass. 7 Agni shines forth when born, observant, mighty, the bountiful, the singer praised by sages; Whom, as adorable and knowing all things, gods set at solemn rites as offering-bearer. 8 Seat 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: 9 Raise ye a mighty smoke, my fellow-workers! Ye shall attain to strength 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 shinest forth. Knowing this, Agni, sit thee down, and prosper thou the songs we sing. 11 As germ celestial he is called Tanûnapât, and Narâsansa born diffused in varied shape. Formed in his mother he is Mâtarisvan; he hath, in his course, become the rapid flight of wind. 6 As it were upon the Asvins' path with the speed of the Agvins' chariot. 8 In thine own place: the centre of the north altar. 11 As germ celestial: or child of the Asura Dyaus, that is, in the form of lightning. In his mother: according to Sâyaņa, in the maternal atmosphere. See La Religion Védique, ii. 99, 100., and Index to Vol. I. for Tanûna pât, Narâṣansa, and Mâtarişvan. 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 boy, 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 prayer. power of 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. 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 not a thought have they save thee, O Indra. 2 Not far for thee are mid-air's loftiest regions: start hither, lord of bays, with thy bay horses. 13 The sisters ten: the fingers used in producing fire. 15 The Asura's body: the Asura is, apparently, Dyaus. Professor Wilson, following Sâyana, translates, "from the interior of the (spark) emitting wood." The metre of the hymn is Trishṭup. 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 Vṛitras. 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 spakest truth as Vritra's slayer. E'en these two boundless worlds to thee, O Indra, what time thou graspest them, are but a handful. 6 Forth with 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 Kuņâru handless fiend who dwelt with Dânu. Thou with might, Indra, smotest dead the scorner, the footless Vritra 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 midregion. By thee sent onward let the floods flow hither. 8 Kundru, is said to be the name of a demon. Dânu: mother of Vritra. 9 The Bull: the mighty Indra. 10 He who withheld the kine, the niggard Vala, yielded in fear before thy blow O Indra. He made paths easy to drive forth the cattle. Loudbreathing 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 quiver-bearing foemen. 16 A cry is heard from enemies most near us: against them send thy fiercest-flaming weapon. Rend them from under, crush them and subdue them. 17 Root up the race of Rakshasas, O Indra; rend it in front and crush it in the middle. How long hast thou behaved as one who wavers? 12 Set daily with reference, perhaps, as Professor Ludwig remarks, to the apparent change in the sun's place of rising. 14 The cow, and the heifer: beneficent Ushas or Morning. 15 They come: those who revile and hinder the worship of Indra. |