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1, THEE Agni, have the Gods, ever of one
accord, sent hither down, a God, appointed messenger, yea, with their wisdom
sent thee down.
The Immortal, O thou Holy One, mid mortal men, the
God-devoted God, the wise, have they brought forth, brought forth the
omnipresent God-devoted Sage.
2 As such, O Agni, bring with favour to the
Gods thy Brother Varuna who loveth sacrifice,
True to the Law, the Aditya who supporteth men, the King,
supporter of mankind.
3 Do thou, O Friend, turn hither him who is
our Friend, swift as a wheel, like two car-steeds in rapid course, Wondrous! to
us in rapid course.
O Agni, find thou grace for us with Varuna, with Maruts who
illumine all.
Bless us, thou Radiant One, for seed and progeny, yea, bless
us, O thou Wondrous God.
4 Do thou who knowest Varuna, O Agni, put
far away from us the God's displeasure.
Best Sacrificer, brightest One, refulgent remove thou far
from us all those who hate us.
5 Be thou, O Agni, nearest us with succour,
our closest Friend while now this Morn is breaking.
Reconcile to us Varuna, be bounteous enjoy the gracious
juice; be swift to hear us.
6 Excellent is the glance, of brightest
splendour, which the auspicious God bestows on mortals -
The God's glance, longed-for even as the butter, pure,
heated, of the cow, the milch-cow's bounty.
7 Three are those births, the true, the
most exalted, eagerly longed-for, of the God, of Agni.
He came invested in the boundless region, pure, radiant,
friendly, mightily resplendent.
8 This envoy joyeth in all seats of
worship, borne on his golden car, sweet-tongued Invoker:
Lovely to look on, with red steeds, effulgent, like a feast
rich in food, joyous for ever.
9 Allied by worship, let him give man
knowledge: by an extended cord they lead him onward.
He stays, effectual in this mortal's dwelling, and the God
wins a share in his possessions.
10 Let Agni -for he knows the way- conduct
us to all that he enjoys of God-sent riches,
What all the Immortals have prepared with wisdom, Dyaus,
Sire, Begetter, raining down true blessings.
11 In houses first he sprang into
existence, at great heaven's base, and in this region's bosom;
Footless and headless, both his ends concealing, in his
Bull's lair drawing himself together.
12 Wondrously first he rose aloft, defiant,
in the Bull's lair, the homeof holy Order,
Longed-for, young, beautiful, and far-resplendent: and
sevendear frieuds sprang up unto the Mighty.
13 Here did our human fathers take their
places, fain to fulfil the sacred Law of worship.
Forth drave they, with loud call, Dawn's teeming Milch-kine
bid in the mountainstable, in the cavern.
14 Splendid were they when they had rent
the mountain: others, around, shall tell forth this their exploit.
They sang their song, prepared to free the cattle: they
found the light; with holy hymns they worshipped.
15 Eager, with thought intent upon the
booty, the men with their celestial speech threw open,
The solid mountain firm, compact, enclosing, confining Cows,
the stable full of cattle.
16 The Milch-cow's earliest name they
comprehended: they found the Mother's thrice-seven noblest titles.
This the bands knew, and sent forth acclamation:with the
Bull's sheen the Red One was apparent.
17 The turbid darkness fled, the heaven was
sp, endid! up rose the bright beam of celestial Morning.
Surya ascended to the wide expanses, beholding deeds of men
both good and evil.
18 Then, afterwards they looked around,
awakened, when first they held that Heaven allotted treasure.
Now all the Gods abide in all their dwellings. Varuna,
Mitra, be the prayer effective.
19 I will call hither brightly-beaming
Agni, the Herald, all-supporting, best at worship.
He hath disclosed, like the milch cows' pure udder, the
Sorria's juice when cleansed and poured from beakers.
20 The freest God of all who should be
worshipped, the guest who is received in all men's houses,
Agni who hath secured the Gods' high favour,-may he be
gracious, to us Jatavedas.
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