MANDALA I, HYMN 31.

ASHTAKA I, ADHYAYA 2, VARGA 32-35.

1. Thou, O Agni, (who art) the first Angiras Rishi, hast become as god the kind friend of the gods. After thy law the sages, active in their wisdom , were born, the Maruts with brilliant spears.

2. Thou, O Agni, the first, highest Angiras, a sage, administerest the law of the gods, mighty for the whole world, wise, the son of the two mothers , reposing everywhere for (the use of) the living .

3. Thou, O Agni, as the first, shalt become manifest to Matarisvan, through thy high wisdom, to Vivasvat. The two worlds trembled at (thy) election as Hotri. Thou hast sustained the burthen; thou, O Vasu, hast sacrificed to the great (gods) .

4. Thou, O Agni, hast caused the sky to roar for Manu, for the well-doing Pururavas, being thyself a greater well-doer. When thou art loosened by power (?) from thy parents, they led thee hither before and afterwards again.

5. Thou, O Agni, the bull, the augmenter of prosperity, art to be praised by the sacrificer who raises the spoon, who knows all about the offering and (the sacrifice performed with) the word Vashat. Thou (god) of unique vigour art the first to invite the clans.

6. Thou, O Agni, leadest forward the man who follows crooked ways , in thy company at the sacrifice , O god dwelling among all tribes, who in the strife of heroes, in the decisive moment for the

obtainment of the prize , even with few companions killest many foes in the battle .

7. Thou, O Agni, keepest that mortal in the highest immortality, in glory day by day, (thou) who being thirsty thyself givest happiness to both races (gods and men), and joy to the rich.

8. Thou, O Agni, praised by us, help the glorious singer to gain prizes. May we accomplish our work with the help of the young active (Agni). O Heaven and Earth! Bless us together with the gods.

9. Thou, O Agni, in the lap of thy parents, a god among gods, O blameless one, always watchful, be the body's creator and guardian to the singer. Thou, O beautiful one, pourest forth all wealth.

10. Thou, O Agni, art our guardian, thou art our father. Thou art the giver of strength; we are thy kinsmen. Hundredfold, thousandfold treasures come together in thee, who art rich in heroes, the guardian of the law, O undeceivable one.

11. Thee, O Agni, the gods have made for the living as the first living , the clan-lord of the Nahusha . They have made (the goddess) Ila the teacher of men (manusha), when a son of my father is born .

12. Thou, O Agni, protect with thy guardians, O god, our liberal givers and ourselves, O venerable one! Thou art the protector of kith and kin and of the cows, unremittingly watching over thy law.