MANDALA I, HYMN 144.

ASHTAKA II, ADHYAYA 2, VARGA 13.

1. The Hotri goes forward (in order to fulfil) his duty by his wonderful power, directing upwards the brightly adorned prayer. He steps towards the (sacrificial) ladles which are turned to the right and which first kiss his foundation .

2. They have greeted with shouts the streams of Rita which were hidden at the birthplace of the god, at his seat. When He dwelt dispersed in the lap of the waters, he drank the draughts by (the power of) which he moves .

3. Two (beings) of the same age try to draw that wonderful shape (Agni) towards themselves, progressing in turns towards a common aim . Then he is to be proclaimed by us like a winner (in a contest). The charioteer (governs all things) as if pulling in the reins of a draught-horse.

4. He whom two (beings) of the same age serve, two twins dwelling together in one common abode, the gray one has been born as a youth by night as by day , the ageless one who wanders through many generations of men.

5. The prayers, the ten fingers stir him up. We, the mortals, call him, the god, for his protection. From the dry land he hastens to the declivities . With those who approached him he has established new rules .

6. Thou indeed, O Agni, reignest by thy own nature over the heavenly and over the terrestrial

world as a shepherd (takes care of his cattle). These two variegated, great (goddesses) striving for gloriousness, the golden ones who move crookedly , have approached thy sacrificial grass.

7. Agni! Be gratified and accept graciously this prayer, O joy-giver, independent one, who art born in the Rita, good-willed one, whose face is turned towards us from all sides, conspicuous one, gay in thy aspect, like a dwelling-place rich in food .

NOTES.

The same Rishi. Metre, Gagati.--No verse occurs in the other Samhitas.

Verse 1.

Note [1:144:1:1]1. The Hotri is Agni.

Note [1:144:1:2]2. Comp. III, 27, 7, where it is said of Agni: purastat eti mayaya.--The poet says eti pra, and not pra eti, in order to avoid the hiatus.

Note [1:144:1:3]3. Comp. below, III, 6, 1. dakshina-va't.

Note [1:144:1:4]4. 'Which first, i. e. at the time when the sacrificial vessels are put down, kiss his dhaman (foundation), i. e. the place of Agni.' Sayana.

Verse 2.

Note [1:144:2:1]1. Comp. IX, 75, 3. abhi im ritasya dohanah anushata, and VIII, 12, 32. na'bha yagnasya dohana pra adhvare. I take dohanah as acc. plur. of an abstract noun dohana formed like garana, bhandana, &c. But possibly it might be the nom. plur. either of the same noun or of a nomen agentis dohana: 'the streams of Rita (the libations?) or the milkers of Rita, hidden at the birthplace of the god, have greeted him with shouts.' It would