12. Vaisvanara has mounted the firmament, the back of heaven, as of old, glorified by those who are rich in good thoughts. He, creating wealth for the creatures as of old, goes watchful round the common course.

13. The righteous, worshipful priest deserving of praise, the dweller in heaven whom Matarisvan has established (on earth): him we approach whose way is bright and hair golden, the resplendent Agni, for the sake of ever new welfare.

14. Like the flaming one (the sun?) on his way, the quick one, of sun-like aspect, the banner of heaven, who dwells in light, who wakes at dawn--Agni the head of heaven, the unrepressed, him we approach with adoration, the strong one mightily.

15. The joy-giving, bright Hotri, in whom is no falsehood, the domestic, praiseworthy dweller among all tribes, like a splendid chariot, wonderful to behold, established by Manus: him we constantly approach for the sake of wealth.

NOTES.

The same Rishi. The metre is Gagati.--Verse 7 = VS. XXXIII, 75. Verse 9 = MS. I, 3, 35.

Verse 1.

Note [3:2:1:1]1. Literally, 'we generate.'

Note [3:2:1:2]2. On the meaning of this word, which I may be allowed to leave in its Sanskrit form, I refer to I, 96, 1, note 2.

Note [3:2:1:3]3. Literally, 'doubly.' Comp. below, III, 17, 5, note 1.

Verse 3.

Note [3:2:3:1]1. Va'gam sanishyan refers to the worshipper who desires to obtain va'ga (quick strength, and the booty or prize obtained by it), and in the comparison, to the owner of a race-horse who desires to win the race.

Verse 4.

Note [3:2:4:1]1. Comp. I, 60, 1 (see above).

Note [3:2:4:2]2. Comp. Bergaigne, Religion Vedique, I, 57 seq.

Verse 5.

Note [3:2:5:1]1. Comp. von Bradke, Dyaus Asura, p. 54.

Verse 7.

Note [3:2:7:1]1. Again, as in verse 3, va'gasataye means, with reference to the race, 'for the winning of the prize,' and with reference to sacrifice, 'for the obtainment of quick strength, of booty, &c.'

Verse 9.

Note [3:2:9:1]1. See above, I, 36, 1, note 2.

Note [3:2:9:2]2. Agni is stated here to have one terrestrial and two celestial forms: the fire belonging to men, and, it seems, sun and lightning. Comp. M. M., Physical Religion, 229; Bergaigne, Religion Vedique, I, 22. With regard to the three forms of Agni, compare also H. O., Religion des Veda, 106 seq.

Note [3:2:9:3]3. On parigman, comp. above, I, 79, 3, note 2.

Note [3:2:9:4]4. Into the celestial world.

Verse 13.

Note [3:2:13:1]1. I read divikshayam (Bergaigne, Rel. Vedique, I, 55, note). The blunder has been caused by X, 63, 5. dadhire divi kshayam.