HYMN CXXIV. Agni, Etc.

1. COME to this sacrifice of ours, O Agni, threefold, with seven threads and five divisions.

Be our oblation-bearer and preceder: thou hast lain long enough in during darkness.

2 I come a God foreseeing from the godless to immortality by secret pathways,

While I, ungracious one, desert the gracious, leave mine own friends and seek the kin of strangers.

3 1, looking to the guest of other lineage, have founded many a rule of Law and Order.

I bid farewell to the Great God, the Father, and, for neglect, obtain my share of worship.

4 I tarried many a year within this altar: I leave the Father, for my choice is Indra.

Away pass Agni, Varuna and Soma. Rule ever changes: this I come to favour.

5 These Asuras have lost their powers of magic. But thou, O Varuna, if thou dost love me,

O King, discerning truth and right from falsehood, come and be Lord and Ruler of my kingdom.

6 Here is the light of heaven, here allis lovely; here there is radiance, here is air's wide region.

Let us two slaughter Vrtra. Forth, O Soma! Thou art oblation: we therewith will serve thee.

7 The Sage hath fixed his form by wisdom in the heavens: Varuna with no violence let the waters flow.

Like women-folk, the floods that bring prosperity have eau lit his hue and colour as they gleamed and shone.

8 These wait upon his loftiest power and vigour: he dwells in these who triumph in their Godhead;

And they, like people who elect their ruler, have in abhorrence turned away from Vrtra.

9 They call him Swan, the abhorrent floods' Companion, moving in friendship with celestial Waters.

The poets in their thought have looked on Indra swiftly approaching when Anustup calls him.