MANDALA IV, HYMN 1.

ASHTAKA III, ADHYAYA 4, VARGA 12-15.

1. Thee, O Agni, the gods concordantly have ever set to work as their divine steward; with this intention they have set thee to work. They have generated thee, O worshipful one , the immortal among the mortals, the wise, god-loving god; they have generated every wise, god-loving (Agni) .

2. Do thou, [O Agni ,] turn to brother Varuna, towards the gods with thy kindness , to (Varuna) who accepts the sacrifice, to the eldest (god) who accepts the sacrifice, the righteous Aditya who supports the (human) tribes, the king who supports the (human) tribes.

3. O friend, turn to thy friend (Varuna), as a wheel of a chariot rapidly (follows) the swift (horse), for our sake, O wonderful one, rapidly. O Agni, find mercy (for us) with Varuna, with the all-brilliant Maruts. Bless (us), O flaming one, that we may propagate ourselves, that we may press onward; bless us, O wonderful one!

4. Mayst thou, O Agni, who knowest Varuna, deprecate for us the god's anger. Being the best sacrificer, the best carrier (of the gods), flaming, remove from us all hatred.

5. As such, O Agni, be for us the lowest (god) with thy help, our nearest (friend) while this dawn shines forth. Being liberal (towards us), cause, by sacrificing, Varuna to go away from us. Love mercy; readily hear our call.

6. His, the fortunate god's, appearance is excellent, and most brilliant among mortals. Like the bright, heated butter of the cow (the appearance) of the god is lovely, like the bountifulness of a milch-cow.

7. Three are those highest, true, and lovely births of this god Agni. Being enveloped in the infinite he has come hither, the bright, brilliant, shining Aryan.

8. He, the messenger, longs for all seats, the Hotri with the golden chariot, with the lovely tongue, with the red horses, of marvellous appearance, brilliant, always lovely like an assembly abundant in food.

9. He, the kinsman of sacrifice, has enlightened men . They lead him forward by a great rope . He dwells in his (the mortal's) dwelling, accomplishing (his task). The god has obtained the companionship of the mortal.

10. May this Agni, the knowing one, lead us to the god-given treasure which belongs to him . That (treasure) which all the immortals have created by their thought, which Dyaus, the father, the begetter (has created): that real (treasure) they have besprinkled .

11. He has been born in the dwellings as the first, at the bottom of the great (air) , in the womb of this air , footless, headless, hiding both his ends, drawing towards himself (his limbs?), in the nest of the bull .

12. The host came forth wonderfully at first, in the womb of Rita, in the nest of the bull , lovely and young, of marvellous appearance, and brilliant . Seven friends were born for the bull.

13. Here our human fathers have sat down ,