Vedic Hymns, Part II (SBE46), by Hermann Oldenberg [1897], at sacred-texts.com
Vedic Hymns, Part II (SBE46), by Hermann Oldenberg [1897], at sacred-texts.com
1. Agni kindled has sent his light to the sky; turned towards the dawn he shines far and wide. (The sacrificial ladle) goes forward with adoration, rich in all treasures, magnifying the gods with sacrificial food.
2. Being kindled thou reignest over immortality; thou attendest for welfare the man who prepares the sacrificial food. He whom thou furtherest, acquires all wealth and puts in front hospitality (towards thee), O Agni 1.
3. Agni, show thy prowess for the sake of great bliss. May thy splendours be highest. Make our householdership easy to conduct 1. Set thy foot on the greatness of those who show enmity to us.
4. I adore thy beauty, Agni, who hast been kindled, who art highly exalted. A bull, brilliant art thou. Thou art kindled at the sacrifices.
5. Being kindled, Agni into whom offerings are poured, sacrifice to the gods, best sacrificer, for thou art the carrier of oblations.
6. Sacrifice into (Agni); exalt Agni, while the sacrifice is going on. Choose him for your carrier of oblations.
The Rishi is Visvavârâ Âtreyî (cf. verse 1); the metre is Trishtubh in verses 1 and 3, Gagatî in verse 2, Anushtubh in verse 4, Gâyatrî in verses 5 and 6. Verse 3 = AV. VII, 73, 10; VS. XXXIII, 12; TS. II, 4, 1, 1; 5, 2, 4; MS. IV, 11, 1. Verse 5 = TS. II, 5, 8, 6. Verses 5–6 = TB. III, 5, 2, 3.
The Sûkta is a later addition to the original Samhitâ.
Note 1. Should not dhatte be accented? 'He whom thou furtherest and (who) puts in front hospitality (towards thee), O Agni, acquires all wealth.'
Note 1. Cf. X, 85, 23. sám gâspatyám suyámam astu devâh. The additions to the single Mandalas seem, as a rule, to be of later origin than the hymns of the tenth Mandala (see H. O., Prolegomena, p. 265); so it may be conjectured that the author of our verse imitated that passage of the great marriage hymn.