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1. BRING forth
your gifts to his refulgent splendour, your hymn as purest offering to Agni,
To him who goes as messenger
with knowledge between all songs of men and Gods in heaven.
2 Wise must
this Agni be, though young and tender, since he was born, Most Youthful, of his
Mother;
He who with bright teeth
seizeth fast the forests, and eats his food, though plenteous, in a moment.
3 Before his
presence must we all assemble, this God's whom men have seized in his white
splendour.
This Agni who hath brooked that
men should seize him hath shone for man with glow insufferable.
4 Far-seeing
hath this Agni been established, deathless mid mortals, wise among the foolish.
Here, O victorious God, forbear
to harm us: may weforever share thy gracious favour.
5 He who hath
occupied his God-made dwelling, Agni, in wisdom hath surpassed Immortals.
A Babe unborn, the plants and
trees support him, and the earth beareth him the All-sustainer.
6 Agni is Lord
of Amrta. in abundance, Lord of the gift of wealth and hero valour,
Victorious God, let us not sit
about thee like men devoid of strength, beauty, and worship.
7 The foeman's
treasure may be won with labour: may we be masters of our own possessions.
Agni, no son is he who springs
from others: lengthen not out the pathways of the foolish.
8 Unwelcome
for adoption is the stranger, one to be thought of as another's offipring,
Though grown familiar by
continual presence. May our strong hero come, freshly triumphant.
9 Guard us
from him who would assail us, Agni; preserve us O thou Victor, from dishonour.
Here let the place of darkening
come upon thee: may wealth be ours, desirable, in thousands.
10 Shine this
felicity on us, O Agni: may we attain to perfect understanding.
All happiness be theirs who
sing and praise thee. Ye Gods, preserve us evermore with blessings.
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