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1. THAT noblest Furtherer hath appeared, to
whom men bring their holy works.
Our songs of praise have risen aloft to Agni who was barn to
give the Arya strength.
2 Agni of Divodasa turned, as 'twere in
majesty, to the Gods.
Onward he sped along the mother earth, and took his station
in the height of heaven.
3 Him before whom the people shrink when he
performs his glorious deeds,
Him who wins thousands at the worship of the Gods, himself,
that Agni, serve with son s.
4 The mortal man whom thou wouldst lead to
opulence, O Vasu, he who brings thee gifts.
He, Agni, wins himself a hero singing lauds, yea, one who
feeds a thousand men.
5 He with the steed wins spoil even in the
fenced fort, and gains imperishable fame.
In thee, O Lord of wealth, continually we lay all precious
offerings to the Gods.
6 To him who dealeth out all wealth, who is
the cheerful Priest of men,
To him, like the first vessels filled with savoury juice, to
Agni go the songs of praise.
7 Votaries, richly-gifted, deck him with
their songs, even as the steed who draws the car.
On both, Strong Lord of men! on child and grandson pour the
bounties which our nobles give.
8 Sing forth to him, the Holy, most
munificent, sublime with his refulgent glow,
To Agni, ye Upastutas.
9 Worshipped with gifts, enkindled,
splendid, Maghavan shall win himself heroic fame.
And will not his most newly shown benevolence come to us
with abundant strength?
10 Priest, presser of the juice! praise now
the dearest Guest of all our friends,
Agni, the driver of the cars.
11 Who, finder-out of treasures open and
concealed, bringeth them hither, Holy One;
Whose waves, as in a cataract, are hard to pass, when he,
through song, would win him strength.
12 Let not the noble Guest, Agni, be wroth
with us: by many a man his praise is sung,
Good Herald, skilled in sacrifice.
13 O Vasu, Agni, let not them be harmed who
come in any way with lauds to thee.
Even the lowly, skilled in rites, with offered gifts,
seeketh thee for the envoy's task.
14 Friend of the Maruts, Agni, come with
Rudras to the Soma-draught,
To Sobhar's fair song of praise, and be thou joyful in the
light.
VALAKHILYA
APPENDIX: (Book VIII. Hymns 49-59. M. Müller.)
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