DECADE II Agni

1. O Agni, God, the people sing reverent praise to thee for strength:

With terrors trouble thou the foe

2. I seek with song your messenger, oblation-bearer, lord of wealth,

Immortal, best at sacrifice.

3. Still turning to their aim in thee the sacrificer's sister hymns

Have come to thee before the wind.

4. To thee, illuminer of night, O Agni, day by day with prayer,

Bringing thee reverence, we come.

5. Help, thou who knowest lauds, this work, a lovely hymn in Rudra's praise,

Adorable in every house!

6. To this fair sacrifice to drink the milky draught art thou called forth:

O Agni, with the Maruts come!

7. With homage will I reverence thee, Agni, like a long-tailed steed,

Imperial lord of holy rites.

8. As Aurva and as Bhrigu called, as Apnavana called, I call

The radiant Agni robed with sea.

9. When he enkindles Agni, man should with his heart attend the song:

I kindle Agni till he glows.

10. Then, verily, they see the light refulgent of primeval seed,

Kindled on yonder side of heaven.