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1. By Manu's law was born this Agni, Priest
most skilled, born for the holy work of those who yearn therefore, yea, born
for his own holy work.
All ear to him who seeks his love and wealth to him who
strives for fame,
Priest ne'er deceived, he sits in Ila's holy place, girt
round in Ila's holy place.
2 We call that perfecter of worship by the
path or sacrifice; with reverence rich in offerings, with worship rich in
offerings.
Through presentation of our food he grows not old in this
his from;
The God whom Matarisvan brought from far away, for Manu
brought from far away.
3 In ordered course forthwith he traverses
the earth, swift-swallowing, bellowing Steer, bearing the genial seed, bearing
the seed and bellowing.
Observant with a hundred eyes the God is conqueror in the
wood:
Agni, who hath his seat in broad plains here below, and in
the high lands far away.
4 That Agni, wise High-Priest, in every
house takes thought for sacrifice and holy service, yea, takes thought, with
mental power, for sacrifice.
Disposer, he with mental power shows all things unto him who
strives;
Whence he was born a guest enriched with holy oil, born as
Ordainer and as Priest.
5 When through his power and in his strong
prevailing flames the Maruts' gladdening boons mingle with Agni's roar, boons
gladdening for the active One,
Then he accelerates the gift, and by the greatness of his
wealth,
Shall rescue us from overwhelming misery, from curse and
overwhelming woe.
6 Vast, universal, good he was made
messenger; the speeder with his right hand hath not loosed his hold, through
love of fame not loosed his hold.
He bears oblations to the Gods for whosoever supplicates.
Agni bestows a blessing on each pious man, and opens wide
the doors for him.
7 That Agni hath been set most kind in camp
of men, in sacrifice like a Lord victorious, like a dear Lord in sacred rites.
His are the oblations of mankind when offered up at Ili's
place.
He shall preserve us from Varuna's chastisement, yea, from
the great God's chastisement.
8 Agni the Priest they supplicate to grant
them wealth: him, dear, most thoughtful, have they made their messenger, him,
offering-bearer have they made,
Beloved of all, who knoweth all, the Priest, the Holy one,
the Sage -
Him, Friend, for help, the Gods when they are fain for
wealth, him, Friend, with hymns, when fain for wealth.
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