MANDALA III, HYMN 3.

ASHTAKA II, ADHYAYA 8, VARGA 20-21.

TO AGNI VAISVANARA.

1. They have worshipped Vaisvanara with his broad stream of light with prayers and treasures in order that he may walk on firm ground. For immortal Agni honours the gods, and from of old he has not violated the laws.

2. The wonderful messenger goes between the two worlds (heaven and earth), the Hotri who has sat down, the Purohita of Manus. He takes care of his wide dwelling day by day, Agni who, incited by the gods, gives wealth for our prayers.

3. The priests have exalted with their thoughts Agni, the banner of sacrifices, the achiever of sacrifice . From him in whom they have put together their (sacrificial) works and their prayers, the sacrificer desires blessings.

4. The father of sacrifices, the miraculous lord of those who know prayers (?) , Agni, is the measure and rule of the sacrificers; he has entered the two manifold-shaped worlds; the sage beloved by many people is glorified in his foundations.

5. The gods have established here in great beauty Agni the bright with his bright chariot, whose every law is golden , Vaisvanara who dwells in the waters, who finds the sun, the diver, the swift one covered with strength, the quick one.

6. Agni, spreading out with his thought the manifold-adorned sacrifice, together with the gods and

with the people of Manus, goes as a charioteer to and fro with (gods and men) who accomplish the sacrifice, the quick, domestic (god), the dispeller of curses.

7. Agni, be wakeful in our life which may be blessed with offspring; swell with sap; shine upon us (plenty of) food. Stir up vigour and the great ones, O watchful (god). Thou art the Usig (or willing one) of the gods, the good-minded (lord) of prayers.

8. The lord of the tribe, the vigorous guest, the guider of prayers, the Usig (or willing one) of those who invoke him, Gatavedas, the light of worship--him men constantly praise with adoration, with solicitations for their welfare.

9. The resplendent, joyous god, Agni on his chariot, has with his might encompassed the dwellings. May we honour in our house with beautiful prayers his commands who is rich in manifold prosperity.

10. O Vaisvanara, I love thy statutes by which thou hast found the sun, O far-seeing one. When born thou hast filled the worlds, heaven and earth; Agni, thou encompassest all these (beings) by thyself.

11. For Vaisvanara's wonderful deeds he the sage alone has by his great skill mightily let loose (his powers?). Agni has been born exalting. both his parents, Heaven and Earth, rich in seed.

NOTES.

The same Rishi and metre.--Verse 10 = MS. IV, 11, 1. Verse 11 = TS. I, 5, 11, 1.

Verse 1.