HYMN XXVI. Agni.

1. O AGNI, Holy and Divine, with splendour and thy pleasant tongue

Bring hither and adore the Gods.

2 We pray thee, thou who droppest oil, bright-rayed! who lookest on the Sun,

Bring the Gods hither to the feast.

3 We have enkindled thee, O Sage, bright caller of the Gods to feast.

O Agni, great in Sacrifice.

4 O Agni, come with all the Gods, come to our sacrificial gift:

We choose thee as Invoking Priest.

5 Bring, Agni, to the worshipper who pours the juice, heroic strength:

Sit with the Gods upon the grass.

6 Victor of thousands, Agni, thou, enkindled, cherishest the laws,

Laud-worthy, envoy of the Gods.

7 Set Agni Jatavedas down, the bearer of our sacred gifts,

MostYouthful, God and Minister.

8 Duly proceed our sacrifice, comprising all the Gods, to-day:

Strew holy grass to be their seat.

9 So may the Maruts sit thereon, the Asvins, Mitra, Varuna:

The Gods with all their company.