MANDALA III, HYMN 16.

ASHTAKA III, ADHYAYA 1, VARGA 16.

1. This Agni rules over abundance in valiant men, over great happiness. He rules over wealth consisting in offspring and cows; he rules over the killing of foes.

2. O Maruts , ye men, cling to this furtherer who possesses joy-furthering boons--(the Maruts) who in battles overcome ill-minded (foes), who have deceived the enemy day by day.

3. As such, O bounteous Agni, prepare us riches and wealth in valiant men, which, O highly glorious one, may be most exalted, rich in offspring, free from plagues, and powerful.

4. The maker who victoriously (stands) over all beings, the maker who makes the praise arrive among the gods : he stands firm among the gods, among the host of heroes, firm also in the praise of men.

5. Give us not up, Agni, to want of thought nor to want of heroes nor to want of cows, O son of strength, nor to the scoffer. Drive away hostile powers .

6. Help us at this sacrifice, O blessed one, with mighty gain which is accompanied by offspring, O Agni! Let us be united with greater, gladdening, glorious wealth, O thou of mighty splendour!

NOTES.

The same Rishi. The metre is Pragatha, each Pragatha distich being composed of one Brihati and one Satobrihati. The position of the Sukta in the collection and the opening words of verse 3 show that the three Pragathas are not independent, but form one hymn.--Verse 1 = SV. I, 60.

Verse 2.

Note [3:16:2:1]1. Comp. VII, 18, 25. imam narah marutah saskata anu.

Note [3:16:2:2]2. The passages which Grassmann gives for the meaning of vridh, 'starkend, erquickend,' I, 167, 4; X, 89, 10, are quite doubtful. Probably we should have to alter the accent and read vridham.

Note [3:16:2:3]3. The relative clause seems to refer to the Maruts, not to the goods (ra'yah).

Note [3:16:2:4]4. Comp. VI, 46, 10. ye ... satrum adabhuh.

Verse 3.

Note [3:16:3:1]1. Literally, 'sharpen.'

Note [3:16:3:2]2. The genitive seems, as is also Prof. Ludwig's opinion, to be the partitive genitive, so that the literal meaning would be: 'Prepare us (a deal) of riches and of wealth,' &c. Comp. piba sutasya, 'drink of the pressed Soma,' &c.

Verse 4.

Note [3:16:4:1]1. On kakrih deveshu a' duvah, comp. IV, 2, 9; VIII, 31, 9.

Verse 5.

Note [3:16:5:1]1. On amati, comp. above, III, 8, 2, note.

Note [3:16:5:2]2. Comp. VI, 59, 8. apa dveshamsi a' kritam.