MANDALA IV, HYMN 2.

ASHTAKA III, ADHYAYA 4, VARGA 16-19.

1. He who has been established as the steward among the mortals, the immortal, righteous one, and among the gods, being a god himself, the Hotri, the best sacrificer shall mightily flame ; Agni shall rise up with the offerings of Manus.

2. Here, O Agni, son of strength, thou goest for us to-day as a messenger, thou who art born, between the two races (of men and gods), having harnessed, O tall one, thy puissant, manly, brilliant (stallions) .

3. Harnessing the two mighty, red steeds that swim in ghee--(the steeds) of Rita, I think, that are most swift with their mind , the ruddy ones, thou goest (as a messenger) between you, the gods, and the tribes of men .

4. O Agni, with thy good horses, and thy good chariot, rich in bounties, bring hither from among them (the gods) Aryaman, Varuna, and Mitra, Indra and Vishnu, the Maruts and the Asvins, to him who offers good oblations.

5. This sacrifice, O Agni, is rich in cows , in sheep and horses, in manly friends; it is never to be despised; it is rich in nourishment, O wonderful lord , rich in offspring; it is long-lasting wealth, broad-based, with (brilliant) assemblies.

6 . Be a self-strong protector, O Agni, of the man who in the sweat of his brow brings fuel to thee , or heats his head desirous to worship thee. Deliver him from every harmful man.

7. The man who brings food to thee who art desirous of food, he who stirs up the cheerful guest and rouses him, the godly man who kindles thee in his dwelling: to him may belong lasting and generous wealth.

8. The sacrificer who praises thee in the evening and in the morning and gratifies thee; that liberal man thou shouldst bring across all distress, like a well-impelled horse , (dwelling) in his house.

9. The man who worships thee, the immortal one, O Agni, and who honours thee, holding the sacrificial ladle--may he, the toiling (sacrificer), not be deprived of wealth; may no distress that comes from a harmful (foe), surround him.

10. That mortal whose well-ordered sacrifice thou, as the god, acceptest, O Agni, as a liberal giver, may his worship be welcome, O youngest god, (the Hotri's work performed) for a worshipper whose helpers we may be.

11. May he, the knowing one, distinguish wisdom and folly of mortals , like straight and crooked backs (of horses) . And for the sake of wealth and noble offspring, O god, grant us Diti and keep off Aditi .

12. The undeceived sages instructed the sage (Agni), setting him down in the dwellings of Ayu . Hence mayst thou behold, O Agni, with thy eyes these beings visible and secret (that move) on the Arya's ways .

13. Bring thou, O Agni, youngest (god), who art a good guide, a plentiful, brilliant treasure to the worshipper who presses Soma, who serves thee and toils, to help him, O brisk one, who fillest the dwellings of peoples.