|
1. PUT forth like a wide-spreading net thy
vigour; go like a mighty King with his attendants.
Thou, following thy swift net, shootest arrows: transfix the
fiends with darts that burn most fiercely.
2 Forth go in rapid flight thy whirling
weapons: follow them closely, glowing in thy fury.
Spread with thy tongue the winged flames, O Agni;
unfettered, cast thy firebrands all around thee.
3 Send thy spies forward, flectest in thy
motion; be, ne'er deceived, the guardian of this people
From him who, near or far, is bent on evil, and let no
trouble sent from thee o'ercome us.
4 Rise up, O Agni, spread thee out before
us: burn down our foes, thou who hast sharpened arrows.
Him, blazing Agni! who hath worked us mischief, consume thou
utterly like dried-up stubble.
5 Rise, Agni, drive off those who fight
against us: make manifest thine own celestial vigour.
Slacken the strong bows of the demondriven: destroy our
foemen whether kin or stranger.
6 Most Youthful God, he knoweth well thy
favour who gave an impulse to this high devotion.
All fair days and magnificence of riches hast thou beamed
forth upon the good man's portals.
7 Blest, Agni, be the man, the liberal
giver, who with his lauds and regular oblation
Is fain to please thee for his life and dwelling. May all
his days be bright: be this his longing.
8 I praise thy gracious favour: sing in
answer. May this my song sing like a loved one with thee.
Lords of good steeds and cars may we adorn thee, and day by
day vouchsafe thou us dominion.
9 Here of free choice let each one serve
thee richly, resplendent day by day at eve and morning.
So may we honour thee, content and joyous, passing beyond
the glories of the people.
10 Whoso with good steeds and fine gold, O Agni,
comes nigh thee on a car laden with trcasure,
His Friend art thou, yea, thou art his Protector whose joy
it is to entertain thee duly.
11 Through words and kinship I destroy the
miglity: this power I have from Gotama my father.
Mark thou this speech of ours, O thou Most Youthful, Friend
of the House, exceeding wise, Invoker.
12 Knowing no slumber, speedy and
propitious, alert and ever friendly, most unwearied,
May thy protecting powers, unerring Agni, taking their places
here, combined, preserve us.
13 Thy guardian rays, O Agni, when they saw
him, preserved blind Mamateya from affliction.
Lord of all riches, he preserved the pious: the fees who
fain would harm them did no mischief
14 Aided by thee with thee may we be
wealthy, may we gain strength with thee to guide us onward.
Fulfil the words of both, O Ever Truthful: straightway do
this, thou God whom power emboldens.
15 O Agni, with this fuel will we serve
thee; accept the laud we sing to thee with favour
Destroy the cursing Raksasas: preserve us, O rich in
friends, from guile and scorn and slander.
|