HYMN IX. Agni.

1. BEARING; oblations mortal men, O Agni, worship thee the God.

I deem thee Jatavedas: bear our offerings, thou, unceasingly.

2 In the man's home who offers gifts, where grass is trimmed, Agni is Priest,

To whom all sacrifices come and strengthenings that win renown.

3 Whom, as an infant newly-born, the kindling-sticks have brought to life,

Sustainer of the tribes of men, skilled in well-ordered sacrifice.

4 Yea, very hard art thou to grasp, like offspring of the wriggling snakes,

When thou consumest many woods like an ox, Agni, in the mead.

5 Whose flames, when thou art sending forth the smoke, completely reach the mark,

When Trta in the height of heaven, like as a smelter fanneth thee, e'en as a smelter sharpeneth thee.

6 O Agni, by thy succour and by Mitra's friendly furtherance,

May we, averting hate, subbue the wickedness of mortal men.

7 O Agni, to our heroes bring such riches, thou victorious God.

May he protect and nourish us, and help in aining strength: be thou near us in 6rht for our success.