we shall hardly be able to explain why it was placed at the end of the hymns addressed to Agni, to which god it contains no reference whatever. Or it may form part of the hymn 10-12: in that case we should have to consider this whole hymn, which would then violate the rules of arrangement, as an addition to the original collection.

We may add that the Sama-veda gives the first twelve verses of this Sukta so as to form four independent hymns: 1-3 = SV. II, 984-6; 4. 6. 5 = SV. II, 847-9; 7-9 = SV. II, 765-7; 10-12 = SV. II, 1013-15. Besides, verse 1 is found in SV. I, 17. Verse 4 = SV. I, 28; TAr. IV, 11, 8. Verse 7 = VS. VI, 29; TS. I, 3, 13, 2; MS. I, 3, 1. Verse 10 = SV. I, 15. Comp. Bergaigne, Recherches sur l'histoire de la Samhita, II, pp. 7-8; H. O., Prolegomena, 225-226.

Verse 2.

Note [1:27:2:1]1. It requires a stronger belief in the infallibility of Vedic text tradition than I possess, not to change savasa into savasah. I do not think that I, 62, 9 (sanemi sakhyam svapasyamanah sunuh dadhara savasa sudamsah) furnishes a sufficient argument against this conjecture.

Verse 3.

Note [1:27:3:1]1. Grassmann reads aghaayoh for the sake of the metre; Prof. Max Muller proposes aghayoh. I think that the missing syllable should be gained by disyllabic pronunciation of -at in martyat or rather martiat. Comp. my Prolegomena 185 and the quotations given there in note 1.

Verses 7-9.

Note [1:27:7:1]1. It is not my intention to enter here into a new discussion on so frequently discussed a word as vaga. I have translated it in verses 7, 9 by 'race,' in verse 8 by 'strength.'

Note [1:27:8:2]2. The expression used in verses 7 and 8 should be compared especially with VII, 40, 3. sah it ugrah astu marutah sah sushmi' yam martyam prishadasvah avatha, uta im agnih sarasvati gunanti na tasya rayah paryeta' asti.

Note [1:27:9:3]3. Visvakarshani, a frequent epithet of Agni, here refers to the mortal hero protected by Agni; comp. I, 64, 14 (vol. xxxii, p. 108); X, 93, 10 (visvakarshani sravah).

Verse 10.

Note [1:27:10:1]1. I think that Ludwig is right in taking Garabodha for a proper name.

Note [1:27:10:2]2. Vise-vise may possibly depend on yagniyaya, so that we should have to translate: 'Administer this task: a beautiful song of praise to Rudra who is worshipful for every house.'

Note [1:27:10:3]3. Rudra is here a designation of Agni, as the next verses show. Comp. Pischel-Geldner, I, 56.

Verse 13.

Note [1:27:13:1]1. The word asina, 'old,' occurring only here, is doubtful. In III, 1, 6; IV, 33, 3; X, 39, 4, sana or sanaya stands in contrast with yuvan. Shall we conjecture namah a' sanebhyah?'