Canto 24Puru · Suktas 16–17
Book 2. Part Two: Other Hymns to Agni
SUKTA 16
1. Create by the illumining word a wide expansion for the
Light, for the divine Fire, whom mortals by their proclaim-
ings of him set in their front as Mitra the friend.
52. He is men’s priest of the call who by his illuminations carries
in his two arms of the Understanding the offerings wholly
in a continuous order; as Bhaga, the enjoyer, he reaches our
desirable good.
3. In the lauding of this master of plenty, in his friendship as
10his light grows, for all things are in this Fire of the many
voices, men have founded their strength in him, the Noble
One.
4. Now, indeed, O Fire, these have reached a plenitude of
heroic strength, around him as around one mighty, earth
15and heaven have become an inspired knowledge.
5. Now, voiced by our word, come to us and bring to us our
Other Hymns to Agni
desirable good; we here and the illumined seers, let us to-
gether found our blissful state. And do thou be with us in
20our battles that we may grow.
SUKTA 17
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1. Mortal man should pray thee, O god, by the sacrifices
40because thou hast the right strength for his guard; when
well-done is the pilgrim-sacrifice man must pray the Fire
that he may protect him.
ay
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2. By his mouth, in his complete law, thou becomest greater
in the self-glory and holdest in mind that rapturous heaven
manifoldly brilliant in its light beyond the thinking mind.
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3. This, indeed, is he who by the ray of this Fire has become
possessed of the force and the word and whose rays by the
80seed of heaven blaze into a vast light.
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4. By the will of this completely conscious achiever of works
95the riches are there in his car; so now is the Fire the one to
be called and he is proclaimed in all the peoples.
Mandala Five
5. Now, indeed, by the mouth of the Fire, can the luminous
seers cleave to that desirable good; O son of energy, protect
100us that we may enter in, have power for the happy state.
And do thou be with us in our battles that we may conquer.
DWITA MRIKTAVAHAS