Canto 10Mandala Four

Book 2. cover for HMF=16.pdf

VAMADEVA GAUTAMA

SUKTA 1

5sdEmt

smyvo

vAso

10vmrEt

Err

iEt

5vA

15y

Err

amy

yjt

20vA

vmAd

jnt

25c

Ev vmAd

jnt

30c

tsm

1. Thee, O Fire, ever with one passion the gods have sent in-

wards, the divine Traveller;1 with the will they sent thee in;

O master of sacrifice, they brought to birth the immortal in

35mortals, the divine who brings in the divinity, the conscious

thinker, they brought to birth the universal who brings in

the divinity, the conscious thinker.

40Atr

vzZmn

45d

;

aQCA

50mtF

y.vns

y.vnsm

55-tAvAnmAEdy

ZFD

rAjAn

60cq

ZFD

2. Then do thou, O Fire, turn towards the godheads with the

right thinking Varuna, thy brother who delights in the sac-

65rifice, the eldest who delights in the sacrifice, — even him

who keeps the truth, son of the infinite Mother who upholds

seeing-men, the king who upholds seeing-men.

1 Or, worker. This root seems to have indicated originally any strong motion, action

or work.

70Other Hymns to Agni

sKAym yA

vAf

75n

rLy

80VAm y

85m

0Fk

vzZ

scA

Evdo

90mzs

vBAn

tokAy

95t

cAn

100f

ym y

105k

3. O Friend, turn towards and to us in his motion the Friend as

two rapid chariot-horses turn a swift wheel, for us, O strong

worker, like galloping horses; O Fire, mayst thou be with

110us and find for us bliss in Varuna and in the Life-powers

who carry the universal light; for the begetting of the Son,

O thou flaming into lustre, create for us peace, for us, O

strong worker, create the peace.

115no

vzZy

Ev7An

120vy

0o'v

yAEssFSA

yEjSo

125vE>tm

fof

cAno

130qA

ymt

1354. Do thou, O Fire, for thou knowest, labour away from us

the wrath of divine Varuna; flaming into lustre, strongest

to sacrifice, mightiest to bear, unloose from us all hostile

powers.

140v

'vmo

BvotF

145n

EdSo

ayA

uqso

150O

yLv

vzZ

155rrAZo

vFEh

0Fk

160hvo

eED

5. Do thou, O Fire, be most close to us with thy protection, be

most near in the dawning of this dawn: rejoicing in us put

165away from us Varuna2 by the sacrifice; reach the bliss, be

ready to our call.

170Bgy

175vy

EctmA

180Ec

tPmyAyA

185pAhA

190v

6. Most glorious is the vision of this Godhead, most richly

bright in mortals; as if the pure and warm butter of the

1952 I.e. the pressure of the wrath of Varuna against our impurity.

The prayer to put Varuna away sounds strange. But if the inner sense is grasped it

becomes cogent and apposite. The sacrificer — the seeker — is praying Agni to be close

to him, to protect him. He is aspiring that the Divine Fire should be his protector when

the Dawn of the higher light comes to his soul, Varuna being the Lord of wisdom.

200Mandala Four

milch-cow that cannot be slain, her desirable gift is the vision

of the Godhead.3

Ery

205prmA

sEt

syA

pAhA

210vy

jEnmAyn

ant

pErvFt

215aAgAQC

ayo

220rozcAn

7. Three are they, his supreme truths, the desirable births of

the divine Fire; within in the infinite he is spread wide ev-

erywhere and has come to us pure and brilliant and noble,

shining in his beauty.4

225s

230v

dEB

swA

hotA

235Ehr@yrTo

Ej4

roEhd

240vo

EvBAvA

sdA

245r@v

Ept

mtFv

2508. He is a messenger, a priest of the call, whose yearning is

towards all the planes, golden is his chariot, red are his

horses, ecstatic his tongue of flame, beautiful his body,5 wide

his lustre, ever is he rapturous like a banquet hall full of the

wine.6

255s

tymn

y.bD

260t

mVA

rfnyA

nyEt

265yy

sADn

270d

sDEnvmAp

2759. He makes men conscious of the knowledge and is the friend

of their sacrifice; they lead him on with a mighty cord; he

3 Here the connection between Fire and Ray-Cow and Aditi comes out; so also the

psychological nature of the clarified butter and its connection with the vision of the Sun.

Who is this cow that “cannot be slain” if not the cow aditi — the Infinite Mother —

280the supreme Divine Consciousness creative of the cosmos, of the gods and the demons,

of men and of all that is?

4 These three births of Fire are not, as usually explained, its three physical forms —

which even if accepted shows the Vedic people far from the mere primitive barbarian

— his birth is connected with Truth — his births are “within in the Infinite” — sac-

285cid¯ananda. These are the three levels of the earthly evolution on each of which this

Divine Fire takes his birth, pariv¯ıtah., on the plane of matter and life and mind.

5 Or, great is his body,

6 Or, well-stored with food.

Other Hymns to Agni

290dwells in the gated house of the being accomplishing his

aims; divine, he accepts companionship in the riches of the

mortal.

295$

aEnn

jAn3QCA

300r&

vB8t

ydy

EDyA

305yd

310ak

@vn

OEptA

jEntA

sym

315n

10. Let this Fire taking knowledge of all things lead us towards

the ecstasy that is enjoyed by the Gods, which all the im-

mortals created by the thought and Father Heaven was its

320begetter raining the truth.7

jAyt

pyAs

325mho

rjso

yonO

330apAdfFqA

hmAno

atA''yoy

vAno

335v

qBy

nF0

11. He was born first and supreme in the Rivers,8 in the founda-

tion of the vast mid-world, in his native seat; without head,

340without feet, concealing his two ends he joins them in the

lair of the Bull.9

aAt

345EvpyA

;

-ty

yonA

350qBy

nF0

pAho

355vp

EvBAvA

EyAso'jnyt

360v

12. He came forth with a vibrancy of light, the first and supreme

force, in the native seat of Truth, in the lair of the Bull,

desirable and young and beautiful of body10 and wide in

365lustre; the seven Beloved brought him to birth for the Bull.11

7 This joy — ratna — in its origin is created by the immortals with the help of their

“thought” — and it was the raining down upon the lower hemisphere of the Truth that

gave birth to the joy here.

8 Or, in our habitations,

3709 The same Fire joins his two extremities — of the superconscient and the spirit and

inconscient matter — in the lair of the Bull. This is the Bull which represents the Purusha.

The lair of the Bull is the original status of Him called at other places, vis.n.oh. parama ˙m

padam, sad¯a pa´syanti s¯urayah..

10 Or, great in body

37511 Or, brought to birth the Bull (but the case is the dative).

Mandala Four

amAkm

Eptro

380yA

aEB

385tmAf

qAZA

390s

atzd

395*A

aAj3

qso

vAnA

40013. Here our human fathers went forward on their way towards

the Truth desiring to possess it; they drove upwards the

luminous ones, the good milk-cows in their stone (rocky)

pen within the hiding cave, calling to the Dawns.12

405mm

410aEd

qAmy

aEBto

415vocn

vyAso

aEB

kArmc

420n

Evdt

6yoEt

425DFEB

14. They rent the hill, they made themselves bright and pure,

others around them proclaimed that work of theirs; drivers

of the herd,13 they sang the chant of illumination to the

Doer of the work; they found the Light, they shone with

430their thoughts.14

g ytA

mnsA

435D

440mAn

pEr

qtmEd

445[h

nro

vcsA

# y

450n

gomtm

Efjo

455Ev

15. By a mind seeking the Rays they rent the firm massed hill

which encircled and repressed the shining herds, men desir-

ing laid open the strong pen full of the Ray-Cows by the

460divine word.

mvt

nAm

465D

noE

mAt

prmAEZ

470Evdn

t6jAntFr yn

475A

aAEvB

vdzZFy

fsA

48016. They meditated on15 the first name of the Milk-cow, they

discovered the thrice seven supreme planes16 of the Mother;

That knowing the herds lowed towards it, the ruddy Dawn

became manifest by the glory of the Cow of Light.

12 This Rik makes the connection between the hidden cows and the Truth, also the

485Cows and the Dawn.

13 Literally, having the control over the animal or animals, or, the “instruments of

control”.

14 Or, they did work by their thoughts. This is Sayana’s interpretation.

15 Or, held in their thought

49016 Or, names

Other Hymns to Agni

tmo

495d

EDt

roct

Ozd

500 yA

uqso

BAn

505s

htEtSd{A

510;

-j

515EjnA

17. The darkness was wounded and vanished, Heaven shone

520out, up arose the light of the divine Dawn, the Sun en-

tered into the fields of the Vast, looking on the straight and

crooked things in mortals.

aAEdt

525cA

DAnA

yHy3AEdd

530r&

DAryt

B8tm

535Ev

vAs

540d

EDy

vzZ

545symt

18. Then, indeed, they awoke and saw all behind and wide

around them;17 then, indeed, they held the ecstasy that is

enjoyed in heaven. In all gated houses were all the gods. O

Mitra, O Varuna, let there be the Truth for the Thought.

550aQCA

voc

555cAnmEn

hotAr

vBrs

yEjSm

560f

565Z3

gvAmDo

570t

pErEq8tm

19. May my speech be towards the upblazing Fire, the priest of

the call, the bringer of all things, strong to sacrifice. It is as

575if one drank from the pure udder of the cows of light, the

purified juice of the Plant of Delight poured on all sides.

qAmEdEty

580E.yAnA

qAmEtETmA

585qAZAm

aEnd

vAnAmv

aAv

ZAn

590s

0Fko

Bvt

jAtv

595dA

20. The indivisibility of all the gods, the guest of all human

beings, may the Fire draw to us the protection of the gods

and be blissful to us, the knower of all things born.

600SUKTA 2

605-tAvA

610vrEtEn

DAEy

hotA

yEjSo

m>A

615f

h y

#rEnm

620n

Iryy

1. He who is immortal in mortals and with him is the Truth,

62517 Then, indeed, and after waking they wholly saw;

Mandala Four

who is the God in the gods, the Traveller,18 has been set

within as the priest of the call, most strong for sacrifice, to

blaze out with the might of his flame, to give men speed on

630the way by the power of their offerings.

635no

shso

jAto

640jAtA

;

uByA

;

atrn

645d

Iys

650y

jAn

-v

-j

655kAn

660c

2. O Son of Force, here today art thou born for us and movest

as a messenger between those born of both the Births yoking,

O sublime Flame, thy males straight and massive and bright

in lustre.

665ayA

roEhtA

670G

-ty

675mnsA

jEvSA

atrFys

azqA

680jAno

685vAn

Evf

mtA

690n

3. I hold in thought with my mind thy two red gallopers of the

Truth, swiftest, raining increase, raining light; yoking the

ruddy-shining pair thou movest between you Gods and the

mortal peoples.

695ay

vzZ

Emm

qAEmd

700AEvZ

mzto

vnot

705v

710s

rADA

715hEvq

jnAy

4. Aryaman for them and Mitra and Varuna, Indra, Vishnu

and the Maruts and the Ashwins do thou well-horsed, well-

charioted, great in the joy of achievement, bring now, O

720Fire, for the giver of good offerings.

gomA

;

'EvmA

725;

y.o

730vsKA

sdEmdm

i0AvA

;

735eqo

jAvAn

dFGo

740rEy

sBAvAn

7455. O Fire, ever inviolable is this sacrifice and with it is the Cow,

the Sheep and the Horse, it is like a human friend,19 and

18 Or, fighter or worker,

19 Or, it is a comrade with whom are the gods,

Other Hymns to Agni

750with it, O mighty Lord, are the word and the offspring; it is

a long felicity of riches with a wide foundation, and with it

is the hall.

755jBrt

EsEvdAno

760n

ttpt

vAyA

765vty

vtvA

;

pAy

770Ev

vmAt

sFmGAyt

uzy

6. To him who brings to thee thy fuel with the sweat of his

775labour and heats his head with thee, be a protector in thy

self-strength, O Fire, and guard him from all around that

would do him evil.

BrAdE3yt

780Ecd3

EnEfqmd

mEtETm

dFrt

785d

ErnDt

roZ

790tEmn

rEyD

dAvAn

7957. He who when thou desirest thy food brings thy food to

thee, who whets thy flame and sends upwards the rapturous

guest, he who as seeker of the godhead kindles thee in his

gated house, in him may there be the abiding and bounteous

riches.

800yvA

doqA

uqEs

805sAt

810Zvt

hEvmAn

815v

MyAvAn

820tm

pFpro

825sm

8. He who in the dusk, he who in the dawn would give expres-

sion to thee, or bringing his offering makes thee a beloved

friend, as the Horse with golden trappings in his own home

mayst thou carry that giver beyond the evil.

830yt

ymn

tAy

dAfd

835d

Zvt

yt*

840k

rAyA

ffmAno

845Ev

yoq3

#nm

pEr

850vrdGAyo

9. He who gives to thee, O Fire, to the Immortal, and does

in thee the work outstretching the Ladle, may he not in his

labour be divorced from the riches, let not the sin of one

who would do evil surround him.

855Mandala Four

vmn

avr

860joqo

865s

EDt

rrAZ

ds=oA

870sA

yEvSA'sAm

EvDto

875DAs

10. He in whose pilgrim-rite thou takest pleasure and, divine,

takest delight in the well-founded work of a mortal, may the

Power of the Call be pleased with him, O most young Fire,

880of whom worshipping may we bring about the increase.

EcE1mEcE1

Ecnvd

Ev7An

885p

vFtA

890EjnA

mtA

rAy

895c

vpyAy

900EdEt

rAvAEdEtm

11. Let the knower discriminate the Knowledge and the Igno-

905rance, the straight open levels and the crooked that shut in

mortals; O God, for the riches, for the right birth of the

Son,20 lavish on us the finite and guard the Infinite.21

kEv

ffAs

910kvyo'dNDA

EnDAryto

vAyo

915atv

;

920etAn

pEX

925rY

;

930#

12. Seers unconquered proclaimed the seer, they established

him22 within in the gated house of the human being. Then,

O Flame, mayst thou reach with thy journeying feet and,

exalted, see those transcendent23 ones who must come into

935our vision.24

vmn

vAGt

ZFEt

940s

tsomAy

EvDt

yEvS

945Br

ffmAnAy

950T

mvs

EZA

95513. O Fire, ever most young, mayst thou giving thy good leading

to the singer of the word who has pressed the wine and per-

formed the sacrifice, bring to him in his labour, O luminous

one, an ecstasy wide in its delight, filling the seeing man for

his safeguard.

96020 Or, for the riches with the fair offspring,

21 Diti and Aditi, the divided and the undivided Consciousness, the Mother of division

and the Indivisible Mother.

22 Or, commanded the seer, they upheld him

23 Or, wonderful

96524 Or, made visible; the word means either “visible” or “to be seen”.

Other Hymns to Agni

aDA

970vymn

vAyA

pEX

975EB

980EB

5to

apsA

985B

Erjo-

990s

aAf

qAZA

14. O Fire, as we have done with our hands, with our feet,

995with our bodies in our desire of thee, like men who make a

chariot with the toil of their two arms, so, the wise thinkers

have laboured out the Truth and possess it.25

aDA

mAt

1000zqs

EvA

jAy

mEh

1005TmA

Dso

1010n

Edvp

aEHrso

1015mA'Ed

DEnn

1020ct

15. Now may we be born as the seven illumined seers of the

Dawn, the mother, supreme creators creating the Gods

within us; may we become the Angirasas, sons of Heaven

and, shining with light, break the hill that has within it the

1025riches.

aDA

yTA

Eptr

1030prAs

&Aso

-tmAf

qAZA

1035f

cFdyn

dFEDEtm

8TfAs

AmA

1040EBdto

azZFrp

16. Now, too, O Fire, even as our supreme and ancient fathers,

1045desiring to possess the Truth, speakers of the word, reached

the very purity, reached the splendour of the Light;26 as they

broke through the earth and uncovered the ruddy herds.

kmA

1050Z

zco

vyto'yo

1055n

jEnmA

Dmt

1060f

cto

aEn

1065id

g y

1070pErqdto

amn

17. Perfect in action, perfect in lustre, desiring the godhead,

becoming gods, they smelted and forged the Births as one

forges iron, flaming with light they made the Fire to grow,

1075surrounding Indra they reached the wide mass of the Ray-

Cows.

25 Or, desiring to possess it.

26 Or, entered into meditation and reached the very purity;

Mandala Four

1080aA

1085mEt

aHyd

1090vAnA

y6jEnmAy

mtA

1095Ecd

fFrk

1100D

Ecdy

upryAyo

18. There was seen as if herds of the Cows in an opulent place,

that which, seen near, was the birth of the gods,27 O Forceful

1105Fire; they both illumined the widenesses28 of mortals and

were aspirants29 for the growth of the higher being.

akm

vpso

1110aB

-tmv*3

qso

1115EvBAtF

nmEn

1120zDA

1125mm

cAz

19. For thee we worked and became perfect in our works, the

1130Dawns shone out and illumined the Truth; we lit the un-

stinted Fire in the multitude of its kinds, in the fullness of

his delight, brightening the beautiful eye of the Godhead.

etA

1135an

ucTAEn

Do'vocAm

kvy

1140tA

uQCocv

1145Z

vyso

mho

1150rAy

zvAr

yED

115520. These are the utterances, O creator, O Fire, we have spoken

to thee the seer, in them take pleasure. Flame upwards, make

us more full of possessions; O thou of many boons, give us

the Great Riches.

SUKTA 3

1160aA

rAjAnmvry

hotAr

1165syyj

rodyo

aEn

1170tnEy&orEc1AE=r@y!pmvs

1. Create for yourselves the King of the pilgrim-rite, the Ter-

1175rible, the priest of the invocation who wins by sacrifice

the Truth in earth and heaven,30 create Fire golden in his

27 Or, there was seen like herds of the Cow in an opulent place that which is near to

the birth of the godheads,

28 Or, achieved the wide illuminations

118029 Or, warriors

30 Or, who worships with sacrifice the Truth for earth and heaven,

Other Hymns to Agni

form for your protection before the outspreading of the

Ignorance.31

1185ay

yoEn

1190vy

jAy

1195uftF

vAsA

avA

cFn

1200pErvFto

qFd

1205t

vpAk

tFcF

2. This is thy seat which we have made for thee, even as,

desiring, a wife richly robed for her lord; thou art turned

1210towards us and wide-extended around, sit here within: O

once far distant Fire,32 these are now fronting thee.

aAf

@vt

1215EptAy

1220m

0FkAy

1225vAy

fEtmm

tAy

1230g

sotA

1235q

ymF0

3. O ordinant of sacrifice, to Fire that hears, inviolate, the

strong in vision, the happy, the immortal Godhead speak

1240the Thought, the word expressing him, whom I pray as

with the voice of the stone of the pressing when it presses

out the honey-wine.

Ec3

1245fMyA

ayA

-ty

boy

1250tEct

vADF

kdA

u8TA

1255sDmAAEn

kdA

BvEt

sHyA

1260h

4. Thou, too, O Fire, turn towards our labour, become aware

of this word, in perfect answer of thy thought, Truth-

conscious, become aware of the Truth. When shall there be

1265thy utterances that share in our ecstasy, when thy acts of

companionship in the house?

kTA

1270vzZAy

vmn

kTA

Edv

1275s

aAg

kTA

EmAy

1280mF[h

ET y

1285b

kdy

1290BgAy

5. How dost thou blame it, O Fire, to Varuna, to Heaven, what

is that sin we have done? How wouldst thou speak of us to

Mitra, the bountiful, how to earth? What wilt thou say to

Aryaman, what to Bhaga?

129531 Or, before the thunder-crash from the unknown.

32 Or, O Fire, perfect in wisdom,

Mandala Four

ED@yAs

1300v

DsAno

vAtAy

1305tvs

pEr6mn

1310nAsyAy

kdn

1315Ay

6. What, O Fire, growing in thy abodes, wouldst thou say for

us, what to the wind most forceful, to the seeker of the

1320Good, the all-pervading, to the lord of the journey, to the

earth? What, O Fire, to Rudra the slayer of men?

kTA

1325E

BrAy

1330kd

mKAy

1335hEvd

EvZv

uzgAyAy

1340to

kdn

frv

1345b

7. How wilt thou speak of us to Pushan, the mighty bringer

of increase, what to Rudra great in sacrifice, giver of the

1350offering? What seed of things to wide-striding Vishnu, or

what, O Fire, to vast doom?

kTA

fDA

1355mztAm

tAy

kTA

1360r

1365ymAn

vo'Edty

1370rAy

sADA

Edvo

jAtv

1375cEkvAn

8. How when they question thee wouldst thou answer to the

host of the Life-Gods in their Truth, or to the Sun in his

vastness, to the mother indivisible, to the swift traveller? O

knower of all things born, thou knowest the Heaven, for us

1380accomplish.

-t

EnytmF0

1385aA

gorAmA

scA

1390p8vmn

stF

zftA

1395DAEsn

#qA

jAmy

pysA

1400pFpAy

9. I ask for the truth governed by the Truth, together the unripe

things of the Cow of light and that of her which is sweet

and ripe, O Fire. Even black of hue, she nourishes with a

luminous supporting, with a kindred milk.33

140533 The Cow (the Vedic symbol of knowledge) even in the Ignorance where it is black

still nourishes us with a truth which is still luminous and governed by the Greater Truth

which is hers on higher levels where she is the radiant Cow of Light.

Other Hymns to Agni

-t

1410n

qBE

1415cd8t

;

aEn

1420pysA

1425apdmAno

acrd

vyoDA

1430f

1435E`!D

10. For the Fire, the Bull, the Male, is inundated with the Truth,

with milk of the heights: unstirred he ranges abroad estab-

lishing the wideness, the dappled Bull has milked out the

1440bright udder.

-t

nAEd

ysn

EBdt

1445smEHrso

nvt

goEB

1450nr

pEr

qd3

qAsmAEv

vrBv6jAt

1455anO

11. By the Truth the Angiras-seers broke the hill, they parted

it asunder, they moved34 together with the Ray-Cows; men

sat happily around Dawn, the Sun-world35 was manifested

when the Fire was born.36

1460-t

vFrm

1465am

8tA

aZo

EBrApo

1470mEYrn

vAjF

1475t

BAn

sdEmt

*Evtv

dDy

148012. By the Truth the divine and immortal, inviolate Waters

with their honied floods, like a steed of swiftness pressing

forward37 in its gallopings, raced ever on to their flow.

1485y

sdEm=

1490v

Emnto

mAp

1495B

jo-

1500Z

sHy

1505ErpoB

13. Mayst thou never pass over to the Power38 of one who is a

thief, or of a neighbour or one intimate who would do us

1510injury,39 mayst thou not incur the debt of a brother who is

34 Or, came

35 Or, the Sun

36 Or, in the birth of the Fire.

37 Or, urged forwards

151538 The word means supernatural or occult Power which captures the force of Agni, the

lord of Tapasya, to use it for harm.

39 Or, diminishes us,

Mandala Four

crooked, may we not suffer by evil thought from40 friend or

1520foe.

1525rZ

rArAZ

1530FZAn

1535zj

vFX

jEh

1540ro

mEh

Ecd

vAv

DAnm

154514. O Fire, strong in sacrifice, protect us ever guarding us with

thy keepings, taking pleasure in us; burst out in flame, break

the strong evil, slay the (Rakshasa) demon even when he is

increasing into greatness.

eEBB

1550v

mnA

1555#

ErmAp

mmEB

1560$

vAjAn

1565A@yEHro

1570fEtd

vvAtA

15. O Fire, become great of mind by these hymns of illumi-

1575nation, by our thinkings touch these plenitudes, O heroic

Flame, so take joy in the words of knowledge, O Angiras,

let our speech expressing thee come close to thee, enjoyed

by the gods.

etA

1580Ev

Evd

1585 y

nFTAyn

En@yA

1590vcA

EnvcnA

kvy

kA yAyf

1595Esq

mEtEBEv

u8T

16. Thus have I, an illumined sage, by my thoughts and utter-

1600ances spoken to thee, who knowest, O Fire, O creator, secret

words of guidance, seer-wisdoms that speak out their sense

to the seer.41

SUKTA 4

1605Z

pAj

EsEt

1610p

LvF

yAEh

rAj

vAmvA

1615;

vFmn

1620EsEt

ZAno'tAEs

Evy

1625rstEpS

1. Make thy mass like a wide marching, go like a king full of

40 Or, by the skill of; here, again, it is skill in an occult working, or an occult and hostile

direction of thought that is feared.

163041 Or, all these in my thoughts and utterances I have spoken to thee, I, an illumined sage,

to thee the knower, O Fire, O creator, words of guidance, secret words, seer-wisdoms

that speak out their meaning to the seer.

Other Hymns to Agni

strength with his following, running in the rapid passage of

1635thy march; thou art the Archer, pierce the demons with thy

most burning shafts.

mAs

1640aAf

ptyn

1645D

qtA

fof

cAn

1650$

ptHAns

1655Edto

Evvg

1660SkA

2. Swiftly rush thy wanderings; blazing up follow and touch

with thy violence; O Fire, spread by thy tongue thy burning

heats and thy winged sparks; unleashed, scatter on every

side thy meteors.

1665Et

pfo

1670t

tmo

BvA

1675pAy

ayA

adND

1680yo

1685aGf

ayn

mAEk

1690 yETrA

dDqF

3. Swiftest to act, spread abroad thy scouts to their places,

and become the indomitable protector of this being: he who

1695would bring evil by speech against us from afar or one from

near, let not any such bringer of anguish do violence to thee,

O Fire!

udn

EtS

1700yA

yEmA

;

1705aoqtAt

Etmh

1710arAEt

sEmDAn

nFcA

1715DLyts

4. Arise, O Fire, spread out towards us, consume utterly the

1720unfriendly, O sharp-missiled Flame; O high-kindled! who-

ever has done enmity against us burn him down like a dry

log.

Uvo

1725Et

EvyAymdAEvk

1730# yAyn

ETrA

1735yAt

jAEmmjAEm

1740m

ZFEh

17455. High-uplifted be, piercing through reveal in us the things

divine, O Fire; lay low what the demon forces42 have estab-

lished: companion or single, crush the foe.

42 Or, demon impulsions

Mandala Four

1750s

jAnAEt

mEt

1755yEvS

Ivt

1760gAt

#rt

vAym

1765#

EdnAEn

rAyo

<Ayyo

1770Ev

aEB

17756. He knows thy right-mindedness, O youngest of the Gods,

who hastens the journey43 for the Word in its march. For him

the high doer of works has made to shine about his doors

all brightnesses of the day, all treasures and splendours of

the light.

1780s

1785s

dAn

Eny

1790n

hEvqA

u8T

1795EpFqEt

aAy

1800roZ

1805s

EdnA

sAsEdE

7. May he, O Fire, be fortunate and munificent who with the

eternal offering, who with his utterances, seeks to satisfy

1810thee in his own life, in his gated house; may there be for him

all brightnesses of the day, may such be his sacrificing.44

acA

1815s

mEt

GoyvA

1820t

vAvAtA

jrtAEmy

1825vAvA

rTA

1830mA'm

AEZ

DAry

1835n

8. I make to shine thy right thought in me, may this word

diffused in its peal approach close to thee. Rich in horses

and chariots may we make all bright and pure for thee,

mayst thou hold up thy mights in us from day to day.

1840ih

1845cr

doqAvtdF

1850EdvA

smn

5F0tvA

1855s

mns

mA'EB

1860tETvA

jnAnAm

9. Here in this world should one largely act from one’s self in

the presence of thee as day by day thou shinest out in morn

1865and in dusk: right-minded may we touch thee as we play,

taking our stand on the luminous inspirations45 of men.

43 Or, who drives the path

44 Or, may all that sacrifice of his be bright in its days.

45 Or, luminous energies

1870Other Hymns to Agni

yvA

1875Ehr@yo

upyAEt

mtA

1880rT

AtA

BvEs

1885ty

sKA

aAEtLymAn

1890j

joqt

10. He who comes to thee, O Fire, with strong horses, with

fine gold, with his chariot full of riches, thou becomest his

1895deliverer, his friend and comrade, — he who takes joy in thy

uninterrupted guesthood.

mho

zjAEm

1900tA

vcoEBtmA

Ept

tmAdEvyAy

1905v

vcsE

cEkE=

1910hoty

EvS

5to

1915$

11. I break great ones by my words, by my friendship with thee;

that came down to me from Gotama, my father: domiciled

in the house do thou become conscious of this word of ours,

1920O youngest God! O priest of the call! O strong Will!

avJnjtrZy

1925atd

Aso'v

a2EmSA

1930pAyv

sy)co

EnqA'n

1935pAvm

12. Undreaming, ever in movement, blissful, undrowsing, un-

torn, untired may thy guardian powers sitting linked to-

1940gether guard us, O thou untouched by ignorance, O Fire!

pAyvo

mAmt

1945t

yto

1950d

ErtAdrn

tAs

1955to

EdJst

1960id

Erpvo

nAh

196513. Thy guardian powers, O Fire, which protected the son of

Mamata from evil, for they saw and he was blind, the Omni-

scient guarded them in their good work; the foe who would

have hurt him could not hurt.

vyA

1970vy

sDyvotAtv

ZFy

yAm

vAjAn

1975uBA

1980dy

sytAt

1985k

VxyAZ

14. By thee as thy companions, guarded by thee, by thy lead-

ing, may we win the plenitudes; impel to their way both

1990annunciations, O builder of Truth: straightway, confident,

create.

Mandala Four

ayA

1995an

sEmDA

EvD

2000tom

fymAn

BAy

dhAfso

2005rs

pAVmAn

Endo

2010Emmho

avAt

15. With the fuel may we do thee worship, O Fire, accept the

hymn which we utter, burn the demons who speak not the

word of blessing, guard us from the doer of harm, from the

2015censurer and his blame, O friendly Light!

SUKTA 5

vAnrAy

2020mF[h

sjoqA

kTA

dAf

2025mAny

hYA

2030n

htA

2035nop

tBAyd

pEm3

roD

1. How should we give, one in our joy in him, vast in light,46

2040to the bounteous Universal Fire? With his vast and ample

upbearing he props up the firmament like a pillar.

Endt

2045imA

rAEt

2050ddO

myA

vDAvAn

pAkAy

2055g

Evc

2060tA

vAnro

2065tmo

y4o

aEn

2. Blame not him who in his self-law has given this gift, divine

to me the mortal, the wise to the ignorant, the immortal, the

2070wide in consciousness, the most strong and mighty Universal

Fire.

sAm

E7bhA

mEh

2075EtmB

sh*r

2080qBt

EvmAn

gorpg

2085$

EvEv7AnEnm

2090vocmnFqAm

3. In his twofold mass47 may the puissant Bull with his thou-

sandfold seed, with his keen blaze discovering the great

Possession, the deeply hidden seat of the Cow, declare to

me that Mind of wisdom.

209546 Or, shining with the light of the vast,

47 Or, force

Other Hymns to Agni

;

2100aEnb

Bst

EtmjMBtEpS

foEcqA

2105y

rADA

EmnEt

2110vzZy

DAm

EyA

Emy

2115tto

vAEZ

4. May the Fire sharp-tusked with his most burning flame of

light, he who is full of felicity,48 consume them, they who

2120impair the domain of Varuna and the beloved and abiding

things of Mitra the conscious knower.

Atro

2125yoqZo

pEtErpo

jnyo

2130d

pApAs

sto

2135an

asyA

pdmjntA

2140gBFrm

5. Going on their way like women who have no brothers, like

wives49 with evil movements who do hurt to50 their lords,

sinful are they, untrue and full of falsehood, who brought

into being this profound plane.

2145id

Ekyt

pAvkA'Emnt

2150g

BAr

2155b

dDAT

qtA

2160gBFr

ysA

2165sPDAt

6. For me who howso small, impair not the heavy burden of

this thought, O purifying Fire, uphold with the violence of

thy delight this vast and profound and mighty sevenfold

plane.51

2170tEmv

smnA

smAnmEB

5vA

2175p

ntF

DFEtr

ssy

2180cm

3ED

cAz

2185rg

aAzEpt

jbAz

7. Him now may the purifying Thought reach and possess by

2190the will, like attaining to its like, in the movement52 of the

peace, over the form of the dappled Mother figured out on

the summit in its might and its beauty.

48 Or, he who is ever happy in achievement,

49 Or, mothers

219550 Or, deceive

51 Or, plane with its seven layers.

52 Or, the action

Mandala Four

vAQy

2200vcs

2205hA

Ehtm

EnEZg

vdEt

2210yd

E*yAZAmp

vAErv

2215pAEt

zpo

2220v

8. What of this word do they say to me, what that has to

be declared and is mysterious and hidden in the secrecy?53

What was as if a covering defence of the rays54 they have

uncovered, — he guards the beloved form, the summit plane

2225of the being.55

idm

ymEh

mhAmnFk

2230E*yA

sct

2235gO

-ty

aED

dFAn

2240g

2245yd

Evv

9. This which is that great front of the Great Ones to which as

its supreme place adheres the shining Cow, he came to know

2250flaming in the plane of the Truth, hastening in its speed in

the secrecy.56

tAn

Epo

2255scAsA'mn

cAz

2260p

mAt

prm

2265aEt

gov

foEcq

2270yty

Ej4A

10. Now shining in union with the two Parents, close to him,

he perceived the beautiful and secret abode of the dappled

2275Cow. There was the tongue of the Bull of flame intent on its

action, it was near the Cow of Light, in the supreme plane

of the Mother.

-t

voc

2280nmsA

ymAntvAfsA

jAtv

2285do

ydFdm

vmy

yEs

2290Ev

EdEv

2295EvZ

ET yAm

11. Asked with obeisance I voice the Truth, this which I have

2300won by thy declaring of it,57 O knower of all things born;

thou possessest all this that is, the treasure which is in heaven

and that which is on the earth.

53 Or, cave?

54 Or, the shining Cows

230555 Or, the Bird.

56 Or, cave.

57 Or, by thy wish,

Other Hymns to Agni

2310no

EvZ

2315r&

voco

jAtv

2320dE

cEkvAn

hAvn

prm

2325y3o

2330n

EndAnA

agm

12. What is the treasure of this Truth, what the delight of it,

wholly declare to us, O knower of the births, for thou art

2335aware. That supreme plane in the secrecy which is the high-

est goal of our path, which is over and above all, that we

have reached, free from bondage.

myA

2340dA

vAmmQCA

2345gm

rGvo

vAjm

2350kdA

vFrm

2355p&F

2360n

ttn3

qAs

13. What is its boundary, its manifestation of knowledge, what

the joy of it towards which we must move like gallopers

2365towards the plenitude? When have the divine Dawns, wives

of the immortal, woven it into shape by the hue of light of

the sun?

aEnr

2370vcsA

PSv

tFy

2375k

nAt

pAs

aDA

2380t

EkEmhA

vdynAy

DAs

2385aAstA

sctAm

14. Those who live undelighted with the word that is languid

and scanty, narrow and dependent on their belief, what now

and here can they say to thee, O Fire? Uninstrumented let

2390them remain united with the unreal.

E2y

sEmDAny

2395Zo

vsornFk

zroc

2400zfd

vsAn

fFk!p

2405EEtn

rAyA

zvAro

aOt

241015. For the glory and beauty of the Bull in his high burning the

flame-force of the master of riches glowed in its splendour;

clothing himself with brilliance in his form of perfect vision,

he has shone out full of many boons like a dwelling with its

treasure.

2415Mandala Four

SUKTA 6

2420Zo

avry

hotrn

EtS

2425vtAtA

yjFyAn

2430vm yEs

DsE

2435EtrEs

mnFqAm

1. O Fire, summoner priest of the pilgrim-rite, stand up very

high for us, strong for sacrifice in the forming of the gods:

thou art the ruler over every Thought and thou carriest

2440forward the mind of thy worshipper.

hotA

2445ysAEd

EvLvEnm

EvdT

2450q

BAn

2455sEvt

vA2

2460D

tBAyd

2465Am

2. Free from ignorance, Fire, the rapturous priest of the call

has taken his seat in creatures, the conscious thinker in their

findings of knowledge. He enters into a high lustre like a

creator Sun, like a pillar he makes his smoke a prop to

2470heaven.

ytA

2475ZF

rAEtnF

tAcF

dEEZd

2480d

vtAEtm

rAZ

vzn

2485vjA

nA5

anE8t

2490s

EDt

24953. A luminous force of giving, swift and put forth into ac-

tion, he widens the formation of the gods as he turns round

it; new-born he stands up high58 like an arrow-shaft well-

planted and firm59 and shows by his light the herds.

tFZ

2500bEh

sEmDAn

anA

Uvo

2505avy

qAZo

aTAt

2510py

2515hotA

EEv

Edv

urAZ

25204. When the sacred grass is strewn and kindled burns the flame,

the leader of the pilgrim-rite stands up high rejoicing in his

work; Fire, the priest of the call, like a guardian of the herds

thrice moves round them, the Ancient of days, ever widening

his circle.

252558 Greek akros.

59 Or, a sun-beam fixed and constant. Or, it may possibly mean, a pole, a banner

well-planted and firm he shows (the place of) the herds.

Other Hymns to Agni

pEr

2530mnA

Emtd

hotA'Enm

2535d

vcA

-tAvA

2540d

vyy

vAEjno

fokA

2545Byt

vnA

2550ydB

5. He goes round in his self-motion with measured run, Fire,

the rapturous priest of the call, sweet of word, possessing

the Truth; his flames gallop like horses, all the worlds are in

2555fear when he blazes.

2560vnFk

Gory

2565sto

Evq

cAz

2570yt

foEctmsA

vrt

2575vmAntvF

25806. O Fire of the fair front! happy is thy vision; even when thou

art terrible and adverse great is thy beauty: for they hem not

in thy flame with the darkness, for the destroyers cannot set

evil in thy body.

2585yy

sAt

EntorvAEr

2590mAtrAEptrA

EcEdO

aDA

2595Emo

EDt

pAvko'EndF

2600dAy

mAn

qFq

7. He is the begetter of things and his conquest cannot be held

2605back, not even the father and the mother can stay him any

longer in his impulsion. Now like a friend well-established,

the purifying Fire has shone out in the human peoples.

E7y

p)c

2610jFjns

vsAnA

vsAro

aEn

mAn

2615qFq

uqb

DmTyo

2620dt

vAs

prf

2625Etmm

8. The twice five sisters who dwell together have given birth to

the Fire in the human peoples, the waker in the dawn, like

a tusk of flame, brilliant and fair of face, like a sharp axe.

2630y

hErto

2635roEhtAs

-6v)c

v)c

azqAso

2640qZ

-j

2645d

vtAEtm4t

dmA

9. Bay-coloured are those horses of thine, dripping light, or

they are red, straight is their motion, swift is their going,

2650males, ruddy-shining, straight and massive, great in their

deeds they are called to our forming of the Gods.

Mandala Four

2655y

shmAnA

ayAsv

qAso

2660an

crEt

2665nAso

vsnAso

2670t

EvvZso

mAzt

2675/

10. These are thy rays, O Fire, that put forth overwhelming

force, moving, impetuous in their blaze, they move towards

the goal like hawks in their action, with many voices of

storm like an army of the life-god.

2680akAEr

sEmDAn

2685f

sAy

yjt

2690$

hotArmEn

2695En

myt

2700uEfj

smAyo

11. O high-kindled Fire, the Word has been formed for thee, one

voices the utterance, one sacrifices, — now ordain: men set

2705the Fire within as the priest of the call, making to him their

prostration of surrender, aspirants to the self-expression of

the human being.

SUKTA 7

ayEmh

2710Tmo

DAEy

DAt

EBho

2715yEjSo

avr

vFX

ymJnvAno

2720B

gvo

Evzzc

2725q

Ev v

Evf

27301. This is he who was established as chief and first by the

Founders of things, the priest of the call, most strong for

sacrifice, to be prayed in the pilgrim-rites, — he whom the

doer of works and the flame-seers60 set shining wide in the

forests, rich in light, all-pervading, for man and man.

2735an

kdA

aAn

2740B

2745tnm

aDA

2750EB

mtA

EvLvFX

2755ym

2. O Fire, when shall the conscious waking of thy godhead

become uninterrupted? For now mortals have laid hold on

thee as one desirable in human creatures.

60 Apnavan and the Bhrigus

2760Other Hymns to Agni

-tAvAn

Evc

2765yto

AEmv

2770v

qAmvrAZA

hktA

2775dm

3. For they see thee, possessor of the Truth and wide in knowl-

edge like waking heaven with its stars, the smile of light of

all these pilgrim-sacrifices in house and house, —

aAf

2780d

Evvvto

2785vA

ZFrEB

2790jB

mAyvo

2795gvAZ

Evf

4. The swift messenger of the illumining Sun who comes to all

the seeing people; men hold him as the ray of intuition and

2800he shines as the Bhrigu-flame-seer for each being.

tmF

hotArmAn

EcEkvA

2805s

Edr

r@v

2810pAvkfoEcq

yEjS

DAmEB

5. This is the priest of the call whom they set within, who

2815uninterruptedly wakes to knowledge, rapturous with his

purifying flame, most strong to sacrifice by his seven seats.61

vtFq

2820mAt

vFtmE2tm

2825Ec

Eht

2830s

2835EcdET

6. Him in the many mothers linked together, wide-spread and

unapproached in the forest, abiding in the secret Cave and

rich with many lights, full of knowledge or moving to some

2840unknown goal.

ssy

Evy

2845sEm3

DAmn

2850rZyt

mhA

;

2855aEnn

msA

rAth yo

rvrAy

2860sdEmd

tAvA

7. When in the separation from sleep the Gods have joy in that

udder of the Cow, in the plane of the Truth, great becomes

the Fire by the offering given with prostration and journeys

2865for the pilgrim-sacrifice and the Truth is ever with him.

61 Or, with his seven lights.

Mandala Four

rvry

2870d

yAEn

Ev7An

2875atA

rodsF

EcEkvAn

2880$

Iys

Edv

urAZo

2885Evd

Edv

aAroDnAEn

8. He journeys knowing the embassies of the pilgrim-sacrifice

2890between both the firmaments, utterly awakened to knowl-

edge. A messenger, the Ancient of days, ever widening, ever

greater in knowledge, thou travellest the mounting slopes

of heaven.62

2895Z

zft

2900ro

cEr@vEc

2905qAEmd

ydvFtA

dDt

2910gB

c6jAto

BvsFd

2915$

9. Black is the path of thy shining, thy light goes in front, a

journeying ray, the one supreme of all thy bodies; when one

unimpregnated bears thee as the child of her womb, in the

2920sudden moment of thy birth thou art already the messenger.

jAty

fAnmojo

2925ydy

vAto

vAEt

foEc

2930v

ZE8t

EtmAmts

Ej4A

2935ETrA

Ecd3A

dyt

jMB

2940#

10. The moment he is born his might becomes visible when

the wind blows behind his flame; he turns his sharp tongue

round the trunks and tears his firm food with his jaws of

2945flame.

yd3A

2950q

2955d

2960t

y4o

aEn

vAty

2965E0

sct

Enj

29703Af

vAjyt

Ehv

avA

297511. When quickly he carries his foods on his rapid tongue, this

mighty Fire fashions himself into a swift messenger; con-

suming all he clings to the mad course63 of the wind, as a

driver a swift horse he sets it to gallop for the seeker of the

plenitude.

298062 Or, thou travellest to the inmost places of heaven.

63 Or, to the roar

Other Hymns to Agni

SUKTA 8

2985$

2990ds

h yvAhmmy

yEjSm

)js

2995EgrA

1. Array with your word the messenger, the carrier of your

offerings, most strong to sacrifice, the omniscient, the Im-

mortal.

3000Eh

EDEt

3005mhA

;

aAroDn

Edv

3010d

;

vEt

30152. For he knows the place of the possession of the riches, he

knows the ascending slope of heaven, he shall bring here the

gods.

3020d

aAnm

3025vA

;

-tAyt

dAEt

3030EyAEZ

Ecd

3. A God, he knows for the seeker of the Truth his way of

submission to the gods in the house of Truth, and he gives

3035the beloved treasures.

hotA

3040d

EcEkvA

;

3045atrFyt

Ev7A

;

aAroDn

Edv

30504. He is the priest of the call, it is he who travels between, aware

of his embassy, knowing the ascending slope of heaven.

yAm

3055any

ddAf

ydAEtEB

3060_

iDt

5. May we be of those who have given to the Fire with the gift

3065of their offerings, who kindle him and increase.

rAyA

3070vFy

ssvA

3075f

E@vr

anA

dEDr

3080d

6. They by the treasure, by the hero-strengths have conquered

Mandala Four

and have heard who have upheld their work in the Fire.

3085am

rAyo

Edv

3090crt

3095vAjAs

IrtAm

7. In us may the riches move from day to day bringing the

multitude of our desires, may we receive the impulsion of

the plenitudes.

3100s

ZFnA

fvsA

3105mAn

qAZAm

aEt

3110EvyEt

8. An illumined seer, by the might of seeing human beings he

pierces beyond like a swift arrow.

SUKTA 9

3115m

mhA

;

aEs

3120ImA

jnm

3125T

bEh

rAsdm

1. O Flame, be gracious, for great art thou who comest to the

seeker of the godheads to sit on his seat of sacrifice.

3130s

mAn

qFq

31350Bo

AvFrmy

3140to

3145vt

2. He becomes manifest in human beings,64 invincible,65 im-

mortal, the messenger of all.

3150pEr

ZFyt

hotA

3155EdEvEq

potA

qFdEt

31603. He is borne round the house, a rapturous priest of the call

in our heavenward urges; he takes his seat as the priest of

the purification.

64 Or, he becomes in human beings a protector,

65 Or, indestructible,

3165Other Hymns to Agni

aEnrvr

uto

3170g

hpEtd

3175A

qFdEt

4. The Fire is the Goddess-powers in the pilgrim-rite and he is

the master of the house in his home, he sits too as the priest

3180of the word.

VvrFytAm

pv8tA

3185jnAnAm

h yA

mAn

qAZAm

31905. Thou comest to the offerings as the speaker of the sanction

for human beings when they would perform the pilgrim-

sacrifice.

qF7y

3195d

3200joqo

avrm

h y

3205vo[hv

6. Thou comest to be his envoy to him in whose sacrifice thou

takest pleasure to carry the offerings of the mortal.

amAk

joyvrmmAk

3210y.mEHr

amAk

3215hvm

7. Take pleasure in our pilgrim-rite, in our sacrifice, O Angiras,

hear our call.

pEr

3220d

0Bo

rTo'mA

;

3225a`ot

3230rEs

dAf

8. Let thy invincible car reach us and move round us on every

side by which thou guardest the givers of the offering.

3235SUKTA 10

tmA'

3240tom

3245m

}Edp

yAmA

3250aoh

1. O Fire, let us today make thee affluent with our lauds as thy

Mandala Four

vehicles to bear thee, — even that of thee which is as if the

3255Horse, as if a happy will touching the heart.

aDA

5toB

3260y

sADo

rTF-

3265b

hto

32702. For now, O Fire, thou hast become the charioteer of a

happy Will, of an all-accomplishing Discernment, of the

Vast Truth.

eEBno

3275#

avA

3280R

6yoEt

3285v

mnA

anFk

3290#

3. Become close to us, O Fire, by these hymns of illumination,

right-minded with all thy flame-powers, thy light like the

sun-world.

aAEB

3295a

gFEB

Zto'n

dAf

3300m

Edvo

tnyEt

3305f

4. Today uttering thee with these utterances may we give to

thee, O Fire; thy strengths thunder forth like the heavens.66

3310vAEdSA'n

EErdA

Ecd>

3315idA

Ecd8to

E2y

3320roct

upAk

5. Most sweet is thy vision, now in the day, now in the night; it

shines out close to us like gold for its beauty and splendour.

3325t

3330tn

3335Ec

Ehr@ym

3340n

roct

vDAv

6. Free from evil is thy body; it is like pure clarified butter, it

is pure gold; that in thee is golden in its shining, for such is

3345thy self-law.

66 Or, like the strength of heaven.

Other Hymns to Agni

3350EcE=

qo'n

3355inoEq

mtA

EdTA

yjmAnAd

tAv

33607. Even the lasting hostility done, O thou who possessest the

Truth, thou drivest away perfectly from the mortal sacrifi-

cer.67

EfvA

3365sHyA

AAn

3370v

3375no

nAEB

sdn

sEm3

3380Dn

8. O Fire, auspicious may be all our friendship and brother-

hood with you Gods. That is our centre, where is our home,

where is that udder of the Cow of Light.

SUKTA 11

3385Bd

shEs3nFkm

pAk

3390aA

roct

3395y

zfd

3400f

n8tyA

Ecd!Et

3405aA

a3m

1. Happy is that flame-power of thine, O forceful Fire; it shines

close to the Sun, glowing to vision it is seen even in the night,

3410it is as if in its beauty68 there were an unarid feast for the

eye.

qAVn

3415Zt

mnFqA

psA

3420t

EvjAt

tvAn

3425EBy

vAvn

3430v

#t3o

rAv

mho

3435B

2. O Fire, O thou with thy many births, even as we hymn

3440thee force open the heavens69 with thy quivering lustre70 for

him who utters the mind of wisdom; O brilliant, O glorious

Flame, what thou with all the gods hast won, that give to

us, that mighty thought.

67 Or, away from the mortal who is exact in his sacrifice.

344568 Or, in its form

69 Or, the door or entrance

70 Or, with thy lustre of knowledge

Mandala Four

vdn

3450kA yA

vmnFqAvd

8TA

jAyt

rAyAEn

3455vd

EvZ

vFrp

3460fA

iTAEDy

dAf

myA

3465y

3. O Fire, from thee are born the seer-wisdoms, from thee the

mind of knowledge, from thee the utterances that achieve;

from thee come the riches that take the hero’s form to the

mortal giver who has the true thought.

3470vd

vAjF

vAj

Bro

EvhAyA

3475aEBEk

6jAyt

syf

3480rEyd

myoB

3485vdAf

3490;

avA

4. From thee is born the steed of swiftness that carries the

plenitude, that has the force of Truth, that makes the great

3495approach, that has the vastness; from thee is the treasure

sent by the gods that creates the bliss, from thee the rapid

speeding war-horse, O Fire.

vAmn

3500d

vyto

mtA

3505am

Ej4m

qoy

3510tmA

EvvAsEt

DFEBd

3515ns

hpEtmm

35205. Thee, O Fire, O immortal, first and chief of the godheads,

mortals who are seekers of the godheads illumine by their

thoughts, Fire with the rapturous tongue who pushest away

the hostiles, the one domiciled within, the master of our

house untouched by ignorance.

3525aAr

amdmEtmAr

aAr

3530Ev

3535yE3pAEs

doqA

Efv

shs

3540$

3545v

Ect

scs

vEt

35506. Far from us all unconsciousness, sin and evil mind when

thou art on guard, a benignant Power in the night, O Fire,

O son of force, over him to whom thou cleavest for his weal.

Other Hymns to Agni

SUKTA 12

3555yvAmn

inDt

yt*

3560a3

Zvt

sEm3hn

3565s

#r yt

35705vA

jAtv

cEkvAn

1. He who kindles thee, O Fire, and with his ladle in action

3575creates food for thee thrice in the day, may he, awakened to

knowledge, be ever with thy illuminations and wholly put

forth his force and overcome by thy will, O knower of all

things born.

3580yt

jBrQC2mAZo

mho

anFkmA

3585spy

iDAn

3590doqAm

qAs

rEy

3595sct

3EmAn

2. He who labours and brings to thee thy fuel serving the

flame-force of thy greatness, O Fire, he kindling thee every

day and night ever grows and cleaves to the Treasure slaying

3600the unfriendly Powers.

aEnrFf

EyyA'EnvA

3605jy

prmy

rAy

dDAEt

3610EvDt

yEvSo

yAn

qyA

3615vDAvAn

3. The Fire is master of the vast might, the Fire is master of

the supreme plenitude and riches; ever young, faithful to his

self-law, he founds wholly, uninterruptedly the ecstasy for

the mortal who worships him.

3620yEQcE=

zqA

yEvSA'EcE1EB

3625ck

kEQcdAg

3630vmA

;

aEdt

rnAgAn

3635nA

Ef2To

Evvgn

4. If at all in our humanity by our movements of ignorance

3640we have done any evil against thee, O Fire, make us wholly

sinless before the mother indivisible; O Fire, mayst thou

loosen from us the bonds of our sins to every side.

Mandala Four

mhE

3645cdn

enso

aBFk

UvA

3650d

vAnAm

myA

nAm

3655mA

sKAy

sdEmd

ErqAm

3660yQCA

tokAy

tnyAy

36655. Even though our sin be great before gods and men, even

though it be wide, O Fire, may we not come ever to harm

from it who are thy friends and comrades; give to our Son,

our begotten, the peace and the well-doing.

yTA

3670h

vsvo

gOy

Ect

3675pEd

EqtAmm

)ctA

yjA

evo

3680vmm

)ctA

tAy

3685n

aAy

6. Even as that was done when the Masters of Riches, the Lords

3690of sacrifice released the bright cow tethered by her foot, so

release us utterly from evil; mayst thou carry forward our

life so that it crosses beyond, O Fire.

SUKTA 13

yEnzqsAmg

3695mHyd

EvBAtFnA

mnA

r&D

3700ym

yAtmE

vnA

3705to

roZm

3710$

6yoEtqA

3715eEt

1. The Fire facing the front of the dawns as they shine out

has revealed the founding of the ecstasy; the two riders are

coming to the gated house of the doer of good works; the

divine Sun is rising up with the Light.

3720Uv

BAn

sEvtA

3725a2

dEvvd

3730gEvqo

svA

3735t

vzZo

yEt

Emo

3740s

Ed yArohyEt

2. The divine creator Sun has reached his high shining, he is

3745like a warrior seeker of the Light brandishing his flag. There

is Varuna, there is Mitra, all follow the working of the Law

when they make the Sun to rise up in heaven.

sFmk

3750@vn

tms

Evp

3755v

anvyto

3760t

hErt

3765sP

y4F

3770jgto

vhEt

3. Him whom, firm in their foundation, never ceasing from

Other Hymns to Agni

their aim they have made for the removing of the darkness,

3775this Sun seven mighty brilliant mares bear as the scouts of

the whole world.

vEhS

EBEv

hrn

3780yAEs

mv yy3Est

3785vm

dEvvto

3790$

vAvAD

3795tmo

aJvt

4. O God, thou goest with steeds most strong to bear, sepa-

rating the weft woven, unweaving the black garment; the

streaming rays of the Sun cast the darkness like a covering

3800skin down within the waters.

anAyto

aEnb=

kTAy

3805R

1Ano'v

kyA

3810yAEt

vDyA

ddf

Edv

3815kMB

pAEt

nAkm

38205. Unextended, unbound, facing downwards, facing upwards,

how does he not sink? By what self-law does he go on his

journey? Who has seen when he joins heaven and is its pillar

and guards the firmament?

SUKTA 14

3825yEnzqso

jAtv

aHyd

3830vo

rocmAnA

mhoEB

nAsyozgAyA

3835rT

y.m

3840no

yAtmQC

1. Fire, the godhead has been revealed, the knower of all things

born, fronting the dawns as they gleam with the greatness of

their lustres; wide-moving lords of the journey come moving

3845in their chariot towards this our sacrifice.

sEvtA

3850d

66yoEtEv

3855#

vnAy

@vn

3860aAA

AvAp

ETvF

atEr

3865s

mEB

3870c

EktAn

2. The creator Sun is lodged in his high ray of intuition fash-

ioning the light for the whole world; the Sun in his universal

knowledge has filled earth and heaven and the mid-world

3875with his rays.

Mandala Four

aAvhyzZF6yo

EtqAgAmhF

EcA

3880rE

mEB

EktAnA

boDytF

3885s

EvtAy

3890Iyt

3895n

3. The Dawn bearing him has come with the Light, Dawn vast

and rich in her lustres, knowing all by her rays; the divine

Dawn awakening to the happy path is journeying in her

well-yoked chariot.

3900aA

vEhSA

3905vht

rTA

vAs

uqso

3910 y

3915mD

yAy

somA

aEmn

3920y.

qZA

mAdy

TAm

39254. May these horses and chariots, strong to bear, bring you

both in the shining out of the dawn: for, here for you are

the juices of the Wine for the drinking of the sweetness; O

strong Ones, may you take rapture of them in this sacrifice.

anAyto

3930aEnb=

kTAy

1Ano'v

3935pt

kyA

yAEt

vDyA

3940ko

ddf

Edv

kMB

3945t

pAEt

nAkm

5. Unextended, unbound, facing downwards, facing upwards,

how does he not sink? By what self-law does he go on his

3950journey? Who has seen when he joins heaven and is its pillar

and guards the firmament?

SUKTA 15

aEnho

3955no

avr

vAjF

pEr

3960ZFyt

3965q

yE.y

1. The Fire is our priest of the call in the pilgrim-sacrifice; he is

led around as the horse, he is the godhead in the gods who

is lord of the sacrifice.

3970pEr

EEvvr

yAynF

rTFErv

3975d

dDt

39802. The Fire goes thrice around the pilgrim-sacrifice and is like

one driving a chariot, he founds our delight in the gods.

Other Hymns to Agni

pEr

vAjpEt

3985kEvrEnh

yAy5mFt

dDd

r&AEn

dAf

3990q

3. The Fire moves around the offerings, a seer, a master of the

plenitudes and founds for the giver the ecstasies.

3995s

)jy

4000#vvAt

sEmyt

;

aEmdMBn

40054. This is he who is kindled in the front in Srinjaya, son of

Devavata, he is luminous and a destroyer of foes.

vFr

4010Ivto'n

rFfFt

EtmjMBy

mF[h

4015q

5. The mortal who is a hero can have mastery over the Fire in

its march, the sharp-tusked bountiful Fire.

tmv

4020n

sAnEsmzq

Edv

Eff

4025m

6yt

Edv

40306. They make him bright from day to day like a conquering

war-horse, like a shining babe of heaven.

boDd

ymA

hEr yA

4035k

mAr

sAhd

aQCA

4040n

udrm

40457. When the prince, the son of Sahadeva, woke me with his

two bay horses, though called towards him I was not ready

to rise.

4050yjtA

hrF

mArAt

sAhd

4055 yAt

ytA

40608. Even so, I took at once from the prince, the son of Sahadeva,

those two sacred horses he gave.

Mandala Four

4065d

vAvE

vnA

mAr

4070sAhd

dFGA

4075somk

9. O divine Riders, here before you is the prince Somaka, son

of Sahadeva; long-lived may he be!

4080v

vAvE

vnA

4085mAr

sAhd

dFGA

4090q

Zotn

10. Even him the prince, the son of Sahadeva, O divine Riders,

4095make long of life.