MANDALA II, HYMN 1.

ASHTAKA II, ADHYAYA 5, VARGA 17-19.

1 . Thou, O Agni, the flaming one, (art born) from out the Heavens , thou (art born) from out the Waters and the stone (the flint); thou (art born) from out the forests and the herbs; thou art born bright, O Lord of men, (as belonging) to men .

2 . To thee, O Agni, belongs the Hotri's and the Potri's office exercised at the appointed season; to thee belongs the office of the Neshtri; thou art the Agnidh for the righteous. To thee belongs the office of the Prasastri; thou actest as an Adhvaryu, and thou art the Brahman and the master of the house in our house .

3 . Thou, O Agni, art Indra, a bull among (all) beings. Thou art the wide-ruling Vishnu, worthy of adoration. Thou art the Brahman, a gainer of wealth, O Brahmanaspati . Thou, O Vidhartri (i. e. who keepest asunder all things), art united with Puramdhi (or the Liberality of the gods) .

4. Thou, O Agni, art the king Varuna whose laws are firm; thou becomest Mitra, the wondrous one, worthy of being magnified. Thou art Aryaman, the lord of beings, whom I may enjoy . Thou, O god, art Amsa , desirous of distributing (goods) in the assembly .

5. Thou, O Agni, being Tvashtri, (grantest) to thy worshipper abundance in heroes. To thee, who art accompanied by the (divine) wives , who art great like Mitra, belongs relationship . Thou,

the quick inciter , givest abundance in horses. Thou, rich in wealth, art the host of men .

6. Thou, O Agni, art Rudra, the Asura of the high Heaven ; thou, being the host of the Maruts, rulest over nourishment. Thou goest along with the flame-coloured Winds, bringing happiness to our home. Thou, being Pushan, protectest thy worshippers by thy own might.

7. Thou, O Agni, art a giver of wealth to him who does service to thee ; thou art the god Savitri, a bestower of treasures. Thou, being Bhaga, O lord of men, rulest over wealth. Thou art a protector in his house to him who has worshipped thee. .

8. Towards thee, in the house, the lord of the clan, O Agni, the clans strive, towards thee, the bounteous king. Thou with the beautiful face possessest all things. Thou art equal to thousands, to hundreds, to ten (of others).

9. Thee, O Agni, men (make) their father by their sacrifices ; thee who shinest with thy body they (invite) to brotherhood by their (sacrificial) work. Thou becomest a son to him who has worshipped thee. As a kind friend thou protectest against attack.

10. Thou, O Agni, art Ribhu, to be adored when near. Thou rulest over strength , over wealth rich in food. Thou shinest , thou burnest for the sake of giving (wealth). Thou art a hewer , an expander of sacrifice.

11. Thou, Agni, O god, art Aditi to the worshipper. Thou, being Hotra Bharati , growest strong by prayer. Thou art Ida, living a hundred winters, for (the increase of) ability. Thou, the killer of Vritra, O Lord of wealth, art Sarasvati .